In The Autumn

     Crisp, cool October air has made its way to Equestria, bringing with it an array of vibrant colors on the trees and lower temperatures. Ponies often took advantage of this time of year to enjoy the fresh feeling of the air that wasn't as muggy as a summer day yet not as bitterly cold as a day in winter could be; there was also the stunningly beautiful fall foliage, various shades of yellows, oranges, and reds created an awe inspiring effect that would display itself with grace until the running of the leaves forced the end of the season.

    It was an early Saturday morning in Ponyville, the sun had just peeked itself over the horizon, casting a tiny amount warmth onto the dirt streets that had just barely frosted over in the cold night. Few ponies were out and about at this time of morning, and even fewer were happy about it, but one pegasus stallion was so exhilarated about it that he dragged his long time earth pony friend out into the streets to enjoy it with him and catch up with eachother. The pegasus, Cloud Quake, had a dark blue coat and a golden yellow mane; he loved the season and all it had to offer while his earth pony friend Oak Armor, who had a dark grey coat with a green and black mane, was much less enthusiastic about it.

"I don't know how the hell you manage to enjoy this time of year so much Cloud, it's just a sign that we're about to go into a season where all the plant life basically dies for a few months." Oak started.

"You've got a point, but it's a generally enjoyable time of the year, I don't have to hear you bitch about how it's either too hot or too cold!" Both ponies laughed and continued their trek down the street to nowhere in particular. "Besides, how can you not look around and not feel happy? The trees are giving off some of their brightest colors and ponies seem to be in a pretty good mood preparing for the holiday season starting with Nightmare Night at the end of the month."

"That's true I suppose, but other than that what's new in your life?"

"Eh, it's always pretty uneventful around the office, the downside to having a cutie mark in seismology is that this part of the world sits right in the middle of the North Amareican plate! All we ever get are reports of new findings from regions pretty far beyond Equestrias borders" Cloud Quake sighed. "It'd be nice to go out there and experience what's happening first hoof, but that would involve me leaving for months at a time and I don't think I could bring myself to leave this town; I've made so many friends and memories since my family moved here from Vanhoover all those years ago."

"I can still remember the day you moved in, my hoofball went straight through that brand new window of yours!"

"It certainly was a great first impression to make, I'm surprised my parents let me hang out around you with their assumptions that you were 'nothing but trouble'; I don't think I'll ever be able to not laugh at that."

"Not to mention you seemed like such a shut-in that you probably wouldn't have met any the ponies you call friends now if you hadn't been hanging out around me."

Cloud Quake punched Oak in the side. "Oh come on, I'm not that much of a shut-in!"

Oak grinned. "True, you did manage to meet Rainbow Dash on your own, and from what I've seen you'd like to get to know her a lot more."

     Cloud blushed and looked to the ground for a moment as he remembered his first encounter with the pegasus Oak had mentioned. He had met Rainbow Dash about three weeks ago on his way out of the local library; in his hooves he had held the library's only copy of the most recent Daring Do book. He wasn't the biggest fan of the series but still found the books to be well written and pretty enjoyable. Cloud intended on going home to start reading it but was instead tackled to the ground by a light blue pegasus with a bright rainbow mane; sprawled out on the ground all Cloud Quake could do was stare up at his attacker with a confused look on his face.

"Heh, sorry about that, looks like I may have gotten your attention a bit too well, I just wanted to ask you if you were going to read that book or not. I'm a big fan of the series and I haven't exactly gotten the chance to read that one yet." She had a somewhat giddy yet nervous look on her face as she helped Cloud up off the ground.

The mare was giving Cloud what had to be the most convincing set of puppy dog eyes in history, it would have been next to impossible for him to not hand over the book. "Well, I was going to read it myself, but I don't mind giving it to you. Just give me a chance to read it as well before I have to turn it back into the library."

She had a massive smile on her face as she took the book from Cloud. "Thanks so much! The name's Rainbow Dash by the way, fastest flier in all of Equestria, I'll have it back to ya in no time at all!"

"And my name's Cloud Quake, I hope you can get that book finished as fast as you say you can fly." With that she laughed and took off into the air, leaving Cloud behind to wonder why he just willingly gave the book to somepony he hadn't even met before; there was just something about her that made him feel content in a way. Over the next few days the two ponies had run into each other several times, usually stopping to get lunch or chat about various things, and by the end of the week they had become good friends. Rainbow Dash finished the book a few days later and gave it back to Cloud, but he had lost all interest in it; he was just stuck with one thought circling inside his head since he had met Dash. Cloud turned the book back into the library later in the day with that one thought still stuck in his head:  I have a crush on Rainbow Dash.

    Cloud Quake had managed to get himself caught up in his flashback, a sight that Oak found funny because he knew he was right. "Earth to Cloud Quake, you won't get a mare by just standing there and thinking about her."

Cloud shook his head a few times to clear his head and focus at the current conversation. "I don't have a crush on Dash, we're just friends, and even if I did she wouldn't go for somepony like me. So how are things going for you in the guard?" He said, trying to change the subject.

"You know damn well that nothing ever changes in the guard, we're just for show since this country has a crime rate of next to zero. I've known you for over ten years Cloud, it's obvious you have a crush on Rainbow Dash; all I'll say is that you should act on it instead of waiting around."

Cloud Quake let out a long sigh and stopped to think for a moment. "You know what, you're right. I'm already going out to lunch with her later today so I'll find a way to tell her."

Oak smiled and gave his friend a pat on the shoulder. "I wish you the best of luck buddy; I've got some things to take care of today so I'll catch up with you tomorrow."

"Yup, I'll see ya later." Cloud Quake stopped and stood in the road, watching as Oak  headed off into the distance. What the hell did I get myself into... He thought as he glanced upwards to the nearby clock tower. Seven in the morning, I've got five hours to argue with myself about whether or not I'm actually going to go through with this. Cloud Quake frowned slightly and turned around to head back towards his house.

    It was now eleven fifty-five in the morning; the sun was steadily nearing its highest point in the sky as Cloud Quake trotted at a steady pace towards a cafe that sat just outside the center of town.

Alright, date with Rainbow Dash, no, wait, it's not a date, the two of you are still just friends! Cloud was still waging a war in his head about his feelings for the light blue coated peagsus, and he hoped dearly that his nervousness didn't show too clearly on his face. Cloud arrived at the cafe just as the town clock chimed twelve, and looking up into the sky he could see a blur of rainbow in the distance making its way towards him at remarkable speeds; the blur slowed as it got closer and eventually he could make out the shape of Rainbow Dash, it only took her a few more seconds to land gracefully on the ground and trot towards Cloud with a friendly smile on her face.

"Hey Cloud, great to see you again! How's life been?"

"Oh, it's always the same as usual, I bet these past few days have been at least ten times more interesting for you."

"Heh, you're probably right, but can we talk about it once we sit down though? I'm starving!"

"I'm fine with that, did you want to sit inside or outside?"

"I'd have to say outside, you have to enjoy this time of year while it lasts."

"Yeah, definitely."

They took their seats in an open area that gave a good view of surrounding area. Meals were ordered and eaten, events were discussed, and as their lunch started to wind down Cloud kept looking for his opportunity to tell Rainbow Dash how he really felt; when the waiter had collected their bill Cloud knew it was now or never.

"Listen, Dash, this may seem-"

Cloud was interrupted as Dash went to talk. "I'm heading to the outskirts of town to practice a few stunts, want to tag along and watch?"

"Uh, sure I guess." Cloud Quake was slightly angry with himself for not telling her earlier, but was at least a little glad that he had more of an opportunity to tell her.

     The two pegasi took off from the restaurant and flew side by side for quite some time before reaching a large cloud over looking a forest that showed off its full array of colors. Both ponies landed on the cloud and stood looking at their surrounds before Rainbow Dash grinned at Cloud Quake.

"Watch this!"

And with that she took off quickly from the cloud, gaining altitude before turning downwards to perform a series of loops and spins. Cloud Quake smiled and layed back on the cloud to take in the sights; he cheered Dash on for quite some time as she performed trick after trick, occasionally stopping on the cloud to take a quick break or discuss how she came up with her unique stunts, it was a great time that made Cloud feel a lot less nervous then he had been earlier.

    Eventually the sun started to set, the leaves of the forest reflecting the late evening light to give off colors that made it look like somepony had set it ablaze. Cloud Quake became distracted by this to the point that he didn't even notice when a certain rainbow maned pegasus barreled into him at full speed, knocking him into the cloud with a fair amount of force while Rainbow Dash fell over laughing.

"Oh, that was awesome! You didn't even see me coming!" Started Dash, still cracking up.

Cloud sat up and stuck his tongue out at her. "Yeah, congrats, you got me. Would you like an award?"

"I wouldn't mind one, actually." She laughed a little before moving to sit next to Cloud. The two stared at each other with goofy grins on their faces before turning to look out at the landscape around them. "It sure is great, isn't it? Getting the chance to sit up here and take in the view."

"Yeah, I don't know a better time of year to sit around and stare at trees for a while." Cloud said jokingly.

"I think I have a friend who could disagree with you there." Dash replied, also laughing.

As their laughter calmed down things got quiet again; the two ponies sat in almost complete silence waiting for something to happen. Cloud knew he had to do something now; he had pushed away every other opportunity he had gotten so far that day and he was done doing that.

"Jokes aside though, its been great hanging out with you today and every other time we've gotten together before this. I can't think of a better way to spend my time."

Dash blushed, a smile spreading across her face. "It's been great hanging out with you too, and I just want to say that it means a lot to me that you wanted to come out here with me when none of my other friends wanted to; I know they care a lot about me but sometimes I feel like they get tired of me basically showing off so much."

"Well I think your friends are missing out on seeing what makes the most beautiful pony in all of Equestria so amazing."

It seemed that almost all of Dash's face was starting to show a light shade of pink underneath her fur. "You really don't have to say that about me Cloud."

Cloud Quake planted a hoof firmly into the cloud. "No, you don't understand Dash, I do. I've been holding this off for too long now, it needs to come out. Rainbow Dash, I love-"

He was cut off as Rainbow Dash jumped on him and planted her lips on his, locking him into a kiss. Clouds eyes went wide as saucers when it happened, but he quickly moved to return the kiss with joy; everything had turned out exactly as he hoped.

"I love you too, Cloud Quake..."

    The moon and stars had begun to show themselves at this point, and Dash decided that she'd take the opportunity to rest herself against Cloud and drift off to sleep; the eventful day leaving most of her usual abundant energy gone. Cloud smiled and wrapped a wing tightly around the sleeping mare, smiling as he looked out at his surroundings; the Autumn season may be beautiful, but it could never compare to the beauty of the mare he held close to himself as the chilly breeze that the night brought blew past them.