What kind of trade is that?
The colorful waterfalls roared in the background at the Rainbow Falls Trader Exchange. Ponies were eagerly traversing about in hopes of trading their not so prized possessions for possessions they could prize. The diversity of products for trading was astounding. Everything from Discord lamps to Sombra toothbrushes could be found. The place was a junk collector's dream come true.
In a place of supposedly fair and square commerce anything could be theoretically traded for anything else. There was no fixed value rating system in place for any item. A pony had to show good discretion when doing business here. Trading here was both fun and challenging at times.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were shopping together. Rainbow was hoping to get a copy of the latest Daring Do book and she seemed as if she would stop at nothing to get it. It would take something pretty significant for her to think that she could go for another trade. The trouble was that the only thing she had was an old horseshoe for trading. This almost certainly had more personal value to her than it would have actual value to another pony.
Fluttershy had already seen an array of interesting items. It was a good thing she had become a much better negotiator and barterer since the Iron Will incident.
“Fair trades huh? These traders seem like they’d ask for your soul for a cupcake!” Rainbow Dash complained.
“Well, it is always a fair trade as long as both parties understand and mutually agree on what’s taking place. You could trade a carrot for a castle just as long as both ponies accept the arrangement.” Fluttershy countered.
“Fair only in the sense that one sucker agrees to what a con pony offers.” Rainbow Dash grumbled.
The pair then encountered a booth with a crude sign asking to trade an Ursa Major’s tooth for a breezy whistle.
“Come on! Nopony has seen an Ursa Major in centuries! Twilight only beat an Ursa Minor and she’s one of the most powerful magic ponies in Equestria.” Rainbow Dash remarked.
“It would be sort of nice to be able to call breezies with that whistle.” Fluttershy humbly said.
Then they saw a pony they were sure was Spitfire. It was indeed the Captain of the Wonderbolts herself. Rainbow Dash had an odd balance of respect and internal scrutiny for Spitfire given her amoral ways. Sometimes Spitfire seemed as if she had forgotten Rainbow once saved her life.
“Rainbow Dash, fancy meeting you here.” Spitfire squawked with seeming cheerfulness.
“Yeah Spitfire, it sure is. There’s a great deal on hoof warmers at the kiosk over there. Maybe you can trade your shades.” Rainbow Dash joked.
“Ha ha. You are a funny one Rainbow Dash.” Spitfire answered.
“Sarcasm, never been so much fun.” Rainbow quipped with an upbeat tone.
“Oh yeah, you’re now a reserve Wonderbolt. Congratulations. Really going places in life Dash. Wouldn’t it be great to be captain of the Wonderbolts next?” Spitfire remarked.
“I suppose it would. It might be just slightly better than getting the new Daring Do book I'm looking for.” Rainbow said feigning modesty. Of course she damn well would love to be captain of the damn Wonderbolts. That's been one of Rainbow's top ambitions since she was practically old enough to speak.
“You're a very qualified pony. I've seen it for sure. I think most of the formal requirements could be waived. Would it be worth… I don’t know… some kind of trade to you?” Spitfire said slyly.
“Yes, yes.” Rainbow answered with anxious curiosity.
“Well I have been looking for something. Something useful and valuable.” Spitfire teased.
“Yes, yes?” Rainbow further anxiously queried.
“A slave.” Spitfire said with an evil smile.
Rainbow Dash couldn’t quite process what she had just heard. It was the apex of insanity. Surely Spitfire was telling the worst joke she could possibly tell. That must be it.
“Ha, that’s a good one Spitfire.” Rainbow said with a light forced laugh.
“You think I’m joking don’t you Rainbow Dash? I’ve been in this business for years. I've been there and done that. I have flown to the edge of the outer atmosphere and back. I’ve beaten the fastest pegasi in hundreds of races. I’ve fought dragons in the name of Celestia. The only thing that gives me much enjoyable thought now is having my own personal do-it-all pony.” Spitfire countered with uncanny apparent seriousness.
“Sooo, you wouldn’t just trade this vintage horseshoe for the captain’s seat? It’s really nice.” Rainbow Dash attempted to barter with comical sarcasm.
“Nope. A slave. Your friend there is good with animals and ponies. She has trouble saying no to anything. What do you think?” Spitfire tempted.
“Fluttershy has actually learned to be less of a doormat. Isn’t this idea, like morally, just bad though? Somehow it is slightly tempting.” Rainbow admitted and felt immediate guilt.
“As long as two parties mutually agree all is fair.” Spitfire reminded her of the rules.
"True." Rainbow said with unease.
Perhaps it was a good thing that Fluttershy didn’t hear that exchange. She was looking at fresh vegetables at the produce kiosk and thinking of coming back with a cart and lots of items to barter for a mass of garden greens. She walked over to Rainbow and Spitfire.
“Oh hi Spitfire. Rainbow, they have the best vegetables at that cart over there. Let’s come back tomorrow with a cart and lots of things to trade for them. I can make you and the girls the best dinner and salads tomorrow. Angel will be happy too.” Fluttershy said with uncommon talkativeness amid her delight at the thought.
“Ah hi. Well I gotta go now. Think about it Dash. Let’s return the same time tomorrow huh?” Spitfire said with a sly smile as she departed.
“Well she certainly has the right idea, let’s come back!” Fluttershy said with ironic excitement given what Rainbow and Spitfire were discussing.
“Yeah tomorrow.” Rainbow Dash said with little enthusiasm. She was now not even thinking about the Daring Do book.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy began their trek back to Ponyville with their friends. Rainbow Dash simply couldn’t shake the thoughts of being Wonderbolt captain and how Spitfire proposed taking Fluttershy as a slave in exchange for the position. It crossed Rainbow’s mind that she could trade Fluttershy off and later somehow secretly help her escape. It was a terrible thought she couldn’t repeat.
“Oh I just can’t stop thinking about tomorrow when we go back to the traders’ exchange. All those vegetables! We’ll have to set out early with the cart since we won’t be able to take it all on a train. Rainbow won’t you help me round up some items for the trade off?” An excited Fluttershy said.
“Oh, uh, yeah.” Rainbow Dash answered while hardly taking notice of what Fluttershy said.
“Hey Fluttershy, would you give up your very way of life if it got a friend her lifelong dream?” Rainbow asked barely consciously while enveloped in thoughts.
“A true friend? Why yes of course. But why do you ask?” Fluttershy countered.
“Oh, it’s nothing.” Rainbow said.
“Well maybe you’ll finally get your Daring Do book tomorrow.” Fluttershy said cheerfully.
“Yeah.” Rainbow concluded.
Rainbow Dash knew she had to go back to confront Spitfire about this moral outrage. Thoughts of dissatisfaction rambled through her mind. The element of loyalty should not be tempted to engage in such betrayal of a friend. Spitfire had gone way too far. How can she put a fellow Wonderbolt on the ethical spot like this? Rainbow decided that she would not sell Fluttershy out. Instead Spitfire had better be prepared for a piece of her mind and the shaming of her good name to the public, Rainbow resolved.
That night Rainbow didn’t sleep much. She still couldn’t believe the nerve and the shamelessness she encountered. Spitfire had long been her hero! She could overlook the treachery Spitfire had shown Soarin at the Equestria Games qualifier but how was this possible? Rainbow continued to plan out in her mind the script of what she’d say the next day. She had only fallen asleep for perhaps an hour when sunlight hit her face and woke her up.
“Almost time to get Fluttershy and go back to the exchange. And soon enough face Spitfire. I still can’t believe her.” She grumbled.
After a light breakfast Rainbow scooped up a few miscellaneous household items for trading and set out to meet Fluttershy at her cottage.
“Good morning Fluttershy. Ready?” Rainbow asked.
“Morning! Yes!” Fluttershy answered enthusiastically.
The two quickly filled the cart and left. They took turns pulling the cart to Rainbow Falls. With modest wing propulsion it didn’t take more than a couple hours to get there. The two relaxed and had a few drinks of water before getting down to business. Rainbow Dash didn’t forget her plan to set Spitfire straight. The meeting was to occur in a few minutes.
“Oh, hey isn’t Spitfire supposed to meet you soon?” Fluttershy said.
“Yeah, I was just thinking about that.” Rainbow answered.
Then as if on cue Spitfire arrived. Rainbow Dash had a look of displeasure when she saw her.
“Hi Spitfire.” Rainbow said.
“Hi Rainbow. Did you give it any thought?” Spitfire queried.
“Yes I did.” Rainbow answered.
“So, do I get my do-it-all pony slave… Captain Dash?” Spitfire asked with a trace of mischief in her tone.
“Slave?” Fluttershy mumbled on the side.
“Don’t call me captain. You’ll get no slave. Fluttershy is my friend and she’s worth more to me than any ambition. Any. You already pulled an immoral stunt at the Equestria Games qualifier but I forgave you. The citizens of Equestria should learn about who their flying champion really is with this one though. They won't be happy. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to get some vegetables and hopefully a Daring Do book.” Rainbow boldly told her (seemingly former) idol.
“You really are the element of loyalty. It’s a good thing we met yesterday because you passed the test I came up with on the spot for you.” Spitfire said.
“Huh? What do you mean?” Rainbow asked as perplexed as she’d been in years.
“You wouldn’t sell out a friend for the ultimate desire of your lifetime. Loyalty at its absolute best. You are going to be promoted to secondary captain overseeing the reserve. So congratulations Captain Dash.” Spitfire declared as she saluted Rainbow Dash.
“Are… are you serious now?” Rainbow asked.
“Yes.” Spitfire answered and tossed her a captain's medal.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! You are awesome after all!” Rainbow said with excitement.
Fluttershy was mildly happy for Rainbow yet confused.
“A captain. Slave. Me a slave? Test? Rainbow I…” she began rambling before interruption.
“No Fluttershy, don’t worry. I’d never sell you out. This was probably actually the easiest test I’ve ever taken. With the magic of friendship it was a no-brainer all along.” Rainbow Dash said with glee.
The two then hugged.
“Well let’s get our vegetables and then head back to Ponyville. We’ll have to get the girls over to my cottage for a nice dinner to celebrate.” Fluttershy said.
"And have Applejack bring a barrel of cider too!" Rainbow added jubilantly.
“Oh, before you go any further there’s one more thing. Take this Captain Dash.” Spitfire said as she tossed a book to Rainbow and did one final salute. It was the copy of the Daring Do book she had been craving.
“Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!” Captain Rainbow Dash squealed.
Author's Note
WTG prompt: "Two competitors from the Equestria Games qualifiers cross paths at the Rainbow Falls Trader Exchange. Oh yes: they remember each other."
