The Equus Club

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7

Chapter 1

The sun peeked over the horizon, illuminating the quiet grounds of Canterlot High School. It was Saturday, meaning the campus was deserted. The crisp, cold air marked the season as winter, the middle of the off-season for outdoor sports. Fittingly, the fields were devoid of teenagers jogging or running drills.

It was quiet – as quiet as the school ever was, up until a grinding, chugging sound shattered the silence.

A battered red truck slowly crawled up the hill, its engine still complaining, and pulled into the roundabout. It coasted to a stop in front of the stairway up to the building, and the burly young man in the driver’s seat shifted the haystalk from one corner of his mouth to the other.

Next to him sat a girl in a stetson and checkered shirt, her arms crossed tightly against herself.

The haystalk swished back and forth.

“Y’sure you don’t wanna talk about it?” the boy said in a rumbling voice.

“Ee-nope,” Applejack replied.

The boy thought for a moment longer. “Granny says—”

The door to the truck slammed shut, Applejack on the other side already stomping up the steps in her boots. The boy frowned slightly, but shifted his truck back into gear, and it started rolling forward just as a faded station wagon pulled up behind.

A pink-haired girl in a plain pastel shirt and skirt stepped out, but hesitated, turning back to the man still in the car. She wrung her hands, her face twisted up in worry.

“I know, Fluttershy,” the man said. “It’s going to be okay, really. Just be yourself and behave and everything will be just fine.”

She opened her mouth and then shut it, her body still tense.

The man smiled gently and nodded. Fluttershy hesitated one moment longer, but closed the door, still standing and watching as the car drove away.

“Watch it!” a voice snarled, and a rainbow-haired girl on a bike nearly knocked her over as she sped past.

Without even looking back, Rainbow Dash pedaled onwards to slam her bike into the rack with a crash. She stood up and kicked at the back tire with force but no real malice.

“That’s a nice bike,” a voice chirped. Rainbow looked up to see a riotous mess of pink curls sitting on top of the handrail of the stairs. The girl attached to the out-of-control hair grinned. “Shouldn’t you take better care of it?”

Rainbow rolled her eyes and kicked the bike one more time for good measure. She strode past Pinkie Pie and headed up the stairs, but the girl trailed behind, still chattering away in a one-sided conversation that Rainbow ignored.

Behind them, a final car pulled up to the curb, a flashy white sedan driven by a man with an impressive moustache.

“Daddy, I hardly see why this is necessary,” the girl in the back seat said. She checked one last time to ensure that her hair was still in pristine condition, and then flipped her compact mirror closed.

“Honey, we’ve been through this. A day of detention isn’t going to kill you. It might even be a good experience!”

Rarity pursed her lips. “I find that exceedingly unlikely.” She reached for the door handle but hesitated. “You’ll be here on time to pick me up?”

“Of course, honey,” her father said, smiling.

Rarity grimaced and stepped out, trudging up towards the school building with her shoulders slumped.

“This is not playtime,” a gruff voice barked out. “This is not a daycare.”

The man who stood at the front of the library was almost as broad across the shoulders as he was tall, barely fitting into his blue suit. The black tie stretched around his massive neck seemed on the verge of snapping.

“You are here to be punished.”

His eyes swept across the library. In front of the large ornamental horse head statue, five girls were seated at the tables, each spaced more or less equally from the others.

“I am Assistant Vice-Principal Iron Will,” the man growled. “For the next eight hours, you will not talk. You will not sleep. You will sit here and reflect on what you have done.”

He stalked forward and with one arm swept Rainbow Dash’s feet from where she had them propped up on the table. She opened her mouth to protest, but he met her glare with one of his own, and she turned away, glowering.

“You will then write an essay about who you are, and why you are required to be here today. If you fail to do so, or if I am unsatisfied with the quality of your effort, you will return next Saturday. And the Saturday after that, and the Saturday after that, until I feel that you have learned your lesson. Are we clear?”

“Yes sir,” Applejack said.

“Crystal clear,” Rainbow called out mockingly.

Iron Will’s fist slammed down onto the desk with a bang, and each of the girls jumped. He leaned over the table, his shadow falling over Rainbow Dash.

“Don’t think I won’t do it,” he said. “You think you’re special?”

She crossed her arms. “Yeah? Maybe I do.”

“You think just because you’re on the soccer team that you can’t get in trouble?”

A smirk crossed Rainbow’s face.

“Well think again. When you’re in here, you belong to me. And you’re nothing. Now are you going to show me some respect…?” Iron Will sneered. “Or would you prefer to miss a few games first? I would be glad to make that happen.”

Defiance flashed across her face, but Rainbow gritted her teeth and slumped down in her chair. “Fine,” she muttered.

Iron Will stood up straight again. “That’s what I thought.” He marched over to the front of the library to grab a cardboard box. “Now,” he said. “Phones in here. They will be returned at the end of the day.”

“You can’t be serious,” Rarity gasped. “That’s… that’s inhumane!”

“I’m sure you’ll survive a day without talking to your boyfriend,” Applejack said, rolling her eyes.

Pinkie grinned. “I don’t think—”

“Quiet!” Iron Will roared. “I did not ask for commentary. Phones, now!”

Rarity carefully placed her bedazzled smartphone in the box. A moment later, Rainbow tossed in a sleek black phone of her own, followed by Pinkie’s appropriately pink sticker-covered one.

Applejack hesitated as the box stopped in front of her. Iron Will shook it slightly, motioning her to hurry, and she winced as she pulled out a phone from her pocket that was about a decade out of date, the cheap plastic and nine-digit keypad contrasting with the other three fancy smartphones. She risked a glance over to see one of Rarity’s eyebrows raised and Rainbow Dash openly smirking.

Iron Will continued over to Fluttershy, who was sitting rigidly in her chair, hands together on the table in front of her. “Your phone,” he said.

Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

“Phone!” he barked again.

Fluttershy quivered, leaning forward so that her pink hair hid her face entirely.

“I don’t think she has one, sir!” Pinkie chirped, smiling broadly.

Iron Will looked down at the girl in front of him. “Doesn’t have a phone? Is that correct?”

Fluttershy barely managed a nod.

“Last chance. If I find out you’re lying, you’ll regret it.”

“I think you’re scaring her, sir,” Applejack said.

“If I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it,” he snapped. He scowled at Fluttershy for a long moment before his face relaxed into a hard smile. "Fine,” his voice rumbled. He tucked the box of phones under one bulging arm and moved away, as Fluttershy nearly collapsed in relief.

At the door, he stopped and spun around. “As I said, no talking. No sleeping. I will be across the hall, listening.” With one final gesture he raised his index and pinkie finger and pointed them at Rainbow as his eyes narrowed. He marched out of the library, slamming the door shut behind him.

The girls didn't move a muscle. A few seconds passed, then the door swung open again. Iron Will grunted as he kicked the stopper down so it remained propped open. "And this door stays open," he said, voice dripping with accusation, before turning to storm out again.

They waited, listening, as his thudding footsteps faded away. A thick, uncomfortable silence fell across the library, broken only by the ticking of the clock above, and that particular sound only served to bring to mind just how much longer the day would be.

Rainbow Dash propped her feet back up on the table, leaning back once again. “What a dick,” she said, not bothering to lower her voice.

“If you didn’t antagonize him, maybe it’d be easier for the rest of us,” Applejack said under her breath.

Rainbow’s head turned. “Did you say something to me?”

“Nope,” Applejack said.

Rainbow stood up from her desk, jamming her hands down into the pockets of her letter jacket as she stalked over to Applejack.

“I heard you say something. How ‘bout you say it to my face, Little Miss Redneck?”

Applejack stood up, leaning forward. “I said, why don’t you keep your damnfool mouth shut.”

“Hey!” Rarity cut in sharply. “Both of you cut it out. If he hears you, we’ll all get in trouble.”

Applejack paused, warily glancing across the room at the open door. Not hearing anything, she shook her head, and muttered, “Oh woe betide that Miss Popularity gets a mark on her permanent record.” She heard Rainbow Dash snigger.

“I’m sure someone like you wouldn’t understand,” Rarity said, her cheeks turning pink.

“And what’s that s’posed to mean?” Applejack countered.

“Girls!” Pinkie chimed in. “Stop! We shouldn’t be fighting, we should be smiling!” She raised her fingers to her mouth, drawing a big smile as she grinned.

The three stopped to consider her. “Sometimes I think there’s something wrong with you, Pinkie,” Rainbow said.

“Don’t say that,” Rarity snapped. “She’s more pleasant than certain others here.”

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Sure thing, Princess.”

“Rarity.”

Rainbow blinked, her head tilting to the side.

“My name is Rarity, thank you very much.” Rarity’s nose lifted in the air. “Hmph.”

“My name’s Pinkie Pie!” Pinkie said.

Rainbow sighed. “Everyone already knows that. Everyone in school knows you, Pinkie, for better or worse.”

“And you’re Rainbow Dash, and she’s Applejack, and she’s Fluttershy!" Pinkie flung her arms out wide. "Tada!”

Fluttershy sunk down in her chair as the other girls glanced at her.

“Whatever,” Applejack said. “Great. We all know each other.” She grimaced as she pointed to Rainbow’s abandoned seat. “Now y’all sit down and write your essays and we can get through this crappy day without having to do it all over again next weekend, okay?”

Rainbow Dash tilted her head to stare upwards, tapping one finger against her chin slowly as she made a production out of considering the request.

“Nah,” she said.

Applejack ground her teeth together. Rainbow Dash spun on her heels and strolled over to the library’s circulation desk, flipping through the flyers and papers sitting on top.

“Just ignore her,” Rarity whispered. “So what if she gets in trouble?”

Applejack frowned as she sat down again, her arms tightly crossed. The blank sheet of paper in front of her went ignored as she glared daggers at Rainbow. “Just because she’s being a jerk doesn’t mean I want her to get chewed out,” she muttered.

“Seriously?” Rarity said. “Who cares.” Her eyes lingered on the rainbow-haired girl for a moment. "She's obviously maladjusted."

Rainbow’s head perked up, focusing on Rarity. A cold smile crossed her face and she strode back over to stand in front of the other girl’s table, looking down at her.

"I'm sorry. Were we having a conversation?"

Rarity remained silent, her mouth set in a defiant line as she stared off to the side, refusing to meet Rainbow’s gaze.

“What? Do you have a problem with me, Princess? Jealous of my star popularity? I know that’s all you care about.”

Rarity’s mouth quirked up in a smile, and she turned to look at Rainbow. “Hardly. You may enjoy some notoriety for your... athletics. But we’re in different universes entirely, darling.”

“Oh?” Rainbow adopted a casual tone. Her eyes swept up and down Rarity. “I thought you liked jocks. After all, from what I hear you're perfectly happy to hop into bed with any football player who’d give you the time of day.”

Rarity’s face paled. “That’s… that’s a ludicrous accusation.”

“Leave her alone,” Applejack said wearily.

“Yes, exactly!” Rarity chirped.

“It’s her business who she sleeps with, and how often.”

Rarity’s teeth clicked shut and she turned the fury of her glare on Applejack. “It’s not. like. that.”

“Hey,” Pinkie cut in, her voice uncertain. “Seriously. Maybe we could all be a little nicer here?”

“Shut up, Pinkie,” Rainbow said. “So tell me, then. What is it like?” She paused, her smile turning venomous. “Oh, of course. You only spread your legs for someone if it means you get to climb up a few rungs on the popularity ladder.”

Rarity closed her eyes, her lips pressed tightly together as she shook her head.

Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not a slut, after all. You’re a whore.”

“Whoa there,” Applejack said. “Knock it off, she didn’t—”

“What’s wrong with you?” Rarity said, quiet, but with an intensity of voice that cut Applejack off. Her eyes opened, and she stared at Rainbow Dash with some mixture of disgust and pity. “There’s unkind and there’s hateful. Just what happened to you to make you so angry?”

Rainbow bared her teeth in an expression more threat than smile. She spun on her heels and walked off to stare at a bookshelf.

The resulting silence was painfully uncomfortable. Pinkie’s eyes flashed back and forth between the other girls, her mouth twisting. “Maybe we could all sing a song together?” she squeaked out.

Rarity and Applejack both turned to look at her, withering scorn clear on their faces.

“Or not…”

“Maybe we could just all be quiet and write our damn papers. She seems to be doing fine,” she said, pointing at Fluttershy. Their fifth member sat hunched over, her hair covering her face as she tried to take up as little space as possible.

“Yeah, but she’s dumb,” Rainbow Dash said, flipping through a book without really looking at it.

“Really.” Rarity's lips twisted as she shot a disapproving glance in Rainbow's direction. “That’s just rude, you know?”

Rainbow Dash slammed the book shut. “No. Dumb. Mute. I thought the jocks were supposed to be the stupid ones. Do you need me to find a dictionary?”

“Really?” Applejack said.

“Well, I’ve never seen her talk.”

They all turned to stare at Fluttershy. She somehow managed to shrink down even further in her chair, shivering.

Applejack shrugged. “Least she’s not gonna get Iron Will all up in a tizzy.”

Rainbow exhaled loudly. “No kidding. This wouldn’t be so bad if it weren’t for the ass vip.”

“Maybe… hmm!” Pinkie said. A smile slowly spread across her face. “I have an idea!”

“Do tell,” Rarity said dryly.

“Hmmmm!” She bounced upright and skipped her way over to the door to the library.

“Where are you—”

She didn’t even hesitate before disappearing out into the hallway.

Applejack leapt up to hastily run to the door herself, peeking out across the hall. The door to the administration offices was open, but despite steam still wafting from a cup of coffee on a desk, the other room was empty.

“Better hurry if you wanna catch up,” Rainbow said, as she pushed past Applejack to stroll down the hallway after Pinkie.

A conflicted frown crossed Applejack’s face as she glanced back into the library, where Rarity and Fluttershy were still seated. She shook her head slightly and hurried after Rainbow, leaving the two alone.

Rarity let out a sigh and rose from her table. “Coming?” she called out lightly.

There was no response, and Rarity shrugged as she hurried after the rest.

Fluttershy exhaled softly, relaxing slightly as she sat in the library alone. Up until a realization caught up with her. If Iron Will were to come back now, he’d be furious and want to know where the others went. And if she was the only one left…

She squeaked as she leapt up and scurried after the other girls.

Chapter 2

Applejack cringed as she walked down the quiet hallway after Pinkie Pie, cursing her boots – while useful for any and all circumstances around the farm, they weren’t exactly meant for sneaking.

“Where are we going, anyway?” Rainbow Dash whispered loudly from her side.

Applejack’s eyes cut to the shorter girl. Rainbow was having to take three steps for every two of Applejack’s strides, but sported a cocky grin, unfazed by the rapid pace.

“How am I supposed to know?” she growled, gesturing towards Pinkie Pie, who was still bouncing down the hall in front. “Ask her.”

Rainbow shrugged. “You’re the one following her.”

“I was following you following her. Why are you following her?”

“What the hell else am I gonna do? Sit around in the library?” Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Pshyeah, not likely.”

Behind them, Rarity had fallen back to walk alongside Fluttershy. Fluttershy had her eyes downcast, but when she looked up, she saw Rarity, head tilted and staring at her. She jerked her head down again to stare at the floor.

“Hmm,” Rarity said. “Fluttershy, was it?” She didn’t get a response from the girl next to her, but Rarity pursed her lips and continued regardless. “You really must tell me who does your hair.”

Fluttershy’s didn't respond, only cringing as she pulled into herself and veered away from the other girl slightly.

Undeterred, Rarity moved even closer. “Your hair, dear. It’s simply marvelous! Where do you get it cut? What sort of conditioner do you use to get it so flowy? Mine has a horrible tendency to curl precisely the wrong way in the mornings.”

Fluttershy swallowed, her face starting to turn pink as Rarity's eyes lingered, studying her. Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again.

"Have you ever considered modeling? You have an excellent figure. I suspect I could put together something lovely. Perhaps a mutually beneficial arrangement? In fact, if—"

“We’re heeeeere!” Pinkie called out, Fluttershy breathing out a sigh of relief at being rescued as Rarity turned away.

Pinkie had stopped right in front of a locker that stood out from the rest, its front covered in a messy collage of brightly-colored construction paper. She stepped up and spun the lock back and forth until a loud click signaled its opening. With exaggerated caution, she edged the locker open the slightest crack, leaning to peek inside. “Um. I’m going to need a little help though.”

Applejack stepped forward, brow furrowed as she tried to see inside. “With what?”

Pinkie eased the door open further with a grim look of determination. As soon as she did, things started tumbling out, and her hands moved in a flash to catch them. Before she could say a word, Applejack found her arms loaded with junk. A single blue tennis shoe, then a handful of kazoos, then a portable air pump, then a messily-folded apron, and finally, at the top of the pile, a bright yellow rubber chicken.

“What in tarnation?” Applejack muttered.

“Found it!” Pinkie cried out in triumph, pulling something out of the locker as she bounced lightly on her tiptoes.

“And what would that be?” Rarity asked, craning her head to try and catch a glimpse of Pinkie’s goal.

“Nuh-uh,” she said. “It’s a secret! ...For now.”

“Pinkie…” Dash said, her voice betraying exasperation.

Pinkie slipped the object, something in a plastic container, into her voluminous hair. “Don’t worry! I’ll tell you as soon as—” She stopped, going from bouncing to complete stillness, with the exception of her nose. Her nose wiggled like it had a life of its own.

“Are you okay?”

“Sssssh!” Pinkie whispered. “Everyone freeze. Now!”

Her eyes darted to twenty feet back, where a second hallway crossed theirs, and the others found themselves naturally turning to look. That’s when they heard the heavy footsteps echoing from around the corner, and Pinkie didn’t need to say a single word more.

The girls watched, still standing frozen in the hallway, as Assistant Vice-Principal Iron Will came into view, slowly but deliberately strutting down the hall. He grunted and grumbled in a litany of subvocal noises as he stared straight ahead, lost in thought.

He was only halfway past them in the hall when Applejack noticed the rubber chicken slipping from its position on the top of the pile of junk in her arms. Her heart pounded as she shifted, trying to balance the stupid thing, but it was an overreaction. The chicken ever-so-slowly slid off the top, falling out of her arms and towards the floor…

But the artificial poultry found itself interrupted mid-fall by Rainbow Dash. She stood on one leg, having moved in a flash to lean forward and catch it with one hand, her other leg flung out behind her to maintain her balance.

They remained in that ridiculous tableau, Applejack still managing to balance tower of junk and Rainbow Dash looking like some sort of ballet dancer in her pose. A few tense seconds took an eternity, but then Iron Will moved out of sight, having passed all of them by without even glancing to the side.

Rarity breathed out a sigh of relief, as Rainbow Dash suddenly lost her balance and began windmilling her arms. She was just about to faceplant when an arm caught her.

“That… that was too close,” Rainbow said in a low voice, eyes still trained on the crossing hall. She looked over to see that Fluttershy had been the one to help, and she blinked. “Thanks.”

“You said it,” Applejack agreed. “Pinkie, can you put all this stuff back already?”

Pinkie started haphazardly shoving the assortment of objects from Applejack back into her locker, finally closing it by shoving her whole shoulder against the door to force it to click closed.

Applejack stared off at the hall that Iron Will had vanished down. “Girls. I think we may be in a heap of trouble here." She swallowed. "He was going back to the library."

“Then we’ll just—” Rarity bit her lip. “That’s the way we came, wasn’t it?”

Fluttershy hesitantly nodded.

“We are so screwed,” Rainbow said.

“Not yet we ain’t.” Applejack reached up to the hat on her head. “We just have to beat him back. Find another way through the school.”

“We could go through the cafeteria,” Pinkie said. “There’s a door in the back that’ll get us into the hall behind the theater and that wraps around. As long as we hurry!”

“Then we don’t have any time to waste.” Rainbow Dash took off, looking back to make sure the others followed. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were at her heels. Rarity grabbed Fluttershy by the hand and drug her along.

“You have got to be kidding me!”

When Fluttershy and Rarity rounded the corner, Rainbow Dash was already futilely cursing at the metal screen that was lowered across the wide entrance to the cafeteria. They could see through the slats to the door they needed, but there was no possible way any of them could fit through.

Rainbow slammed her fist into the metal, wincing slightly at the contact. “So damn close.”

Applejack sighed and slumped against the screen as Fluttershy bent down to look at where it was very securely padlocked to the floor. “Looks like we’re up the creek now,” Applejack said.

Rarity walked forward, her mouth twisted in indecision. She closed her eyes and drew a calm breath. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

“What?” Applejack said.

Rarity nodded to herself. “Okay. Yes, simple enough. I’ll go find Iron Will and… and… distract him somehow, and the rest of you can sneak in while he’s busy.”

“What?” Rainbow said, an edge of annoyance in her voice.

“I’ve got a rather clean record, all things considered. I might get another week of detention, but it’s better than all of us getting caught.”

Applejack frowned and opened her mouth, but Rainbow beat her to the punch.

“Like hell you are.” Her thumb jerked at her chest. “Don’t think you get to play the big hero, Princess. That’s my job. I’ll go distract him.”

Rarity’s lips pressed together in a thin line. “Really. I’m trying to help you here. You know if you’re the one to get in trouble, he’s really going to lose it.”

“So? I can handle him.”

Rarity sighed. “Oh, get over yourself.”

“Hah!” Rainbow Dash grinned. “That’s a laugh, coming from you.”

“Girls?” Pinkie said. The two ignored her.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rarity snapped. She moved forward, standing in front of Rainbow Dash with both hands planted on her hips.

Rainbow didn’t flinch. “I mean you’re only angry because you don’t get to be the center of attention.”

“Girls!” Pinkie tried again.

“That’s not what this is about!” Rarity ground her teeth together, glaring at Rainbow Dash. “You know what? Fine! Go provoke him, and enjoy your detention too. You obviously deserve it!”

Rainbow Dash smirked. “Oh, so you’re backing out now?”

“If you want to self-destruct, far be it for me to stand in your way," Rarity fired back.

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow Dash barked out, leaning forward.

"Yeah!" Rarity snapped, moving forward herself until their faces were only inches apart as they stared each other down.

“Shut up you two!” Applejack yelled, earning a moment of silence. She gestured over to Fluttershy, who held the screen up about two feet from the floor. Pinkie Pie waved, already standing on the opposite side.

Rainbow Dash blinked. “How did—”

“She picked the lock,” Pinkie said cheerfully. Fluttershy’s eyes remained fastened to the floor as the girls stared at her.

“C’mon,” Applejack said. “Don’t just stand around.”

The girls quickly ducked under, and Fluttershy carefully locked the screen back down to the floor with the padlock. She slipped a pair of pins back into her hair.

“And… how exactly do you know how to pick locks?” Rarity asked.

Fluttershy leaned forward so her hair covered her bright-red face.

“We’ll discuss it later,” Applejack said. “Now it’s time to get.” She took off in a loping gait, and the others followed, even as Rarity snuck another glance back at Fluttershy, her eyebrows furrowed.

By the time they made it back to the library, Rainbow Dash had pulled ahead of Applejack. Applejack grimaced, certain that the other girl was just making it a point to get back first, and the arrogant look of triumph that Rainbow flashed right before ducking inside confirmed her suspicion.

Applejack hung back at the door, waiting as Rarity brushed past, and then Fluttershy. Pinkie was right behind them, and Applejack let out a quiet sigh of relief as she turned and—

And Pinkie went the opposite way, darting into the administration office. She twirled to slide around to the other side of the desk and grabbed a pen and a pad of post-it notes, scribbling away furiously.

“Pinkie!” Applejack whispered. “Get over here!”

Her blue eyes looked up, sparkling with mischief, and she raised a finger. “One sec!”

“There’s no time, he’ll—”

She heard footsteps. Coming from right around the corner and down the hall.

Applejack scooted back into the library, staying near the door to still peek across the hall. She could make out Pinkie fiddling with something at the desk.

“He’s coming!” she whispered, as loud as she dared, even as the footsteps drew nearer. She glanced back and forth for some means of cover that’d still let her see out into the hallway. The closest she got was a fake plant, and she crouched down behind it, still pretty much in plain sight but crossing her fingers that Iron Will wouldn’t choose to come directly into the library.

...Though if he didn’t come into the library, he’d go into the office, and that was just as bad. Her fingers tightened on the brim of her stetson as she waited.

Iron Will didn’t even spare the library a first glance, and she saw his broad back disappear into the office. She held her breath in anticipation.

Any minute now.

Aaaaaany minute now.

Pinkie Pie appeared, hurriedly crawling on hands and knees out of the office and across the hall.

“How did you—”

Applejack didn’t get anything else out. She and Pinkie almost collided, before Pinkie spun around gracefully and grabbed her by the collar to drag towards the tables. “Gogogogo!” she said.

“Wh—”

“What is the meaning of this?” a thundering voice roared.

Applejack didn’t waste any more time and the two of them scrambled across the room to dive into their chairs. They quickly affected expressions of innocent nonchalance. Applejack forced herself to breathe slowly and evenly, just in time to see Iron Will stomp into the library.

“Who did this?” he shouted. He waved something wildly in his meaty hand, and Applejack recognized the plastic box as the thing Pinkie had earlier retrieved.

“Did what, sir?” Rainbow said.

“Don’t play smart with me!” He slammed one fist against the closest table and Applejack flinched, certain she had heard the wood crack. He set down the object, and the girls peered at it.

It was a cupcake, extra-large with chocolate frosting. A yellow post-it note adorned the side of the plastic container, with a message written in large, loopy handwriting:

If you’re feeling kinda grumpy
Cause your morning’s going bumpy
You don’t need to yell and fight
Go ahead and take a bite
Cupcakes!

Next to the message, there was a doodle of a cartoonish pony, rearing back with a huge smile on its face.

Applejack felt her eyes magnetically drawn to Pinkie Pie, but she forced them to snap back to Iron Will.

“I wouldn’t know, sir,” Rarity said calmly. “We’ve been here the whole time.”

“Yep,” Rainbow said.

Iron Will bared his teeth. “Then who left this on my desk?”

“Could have been anyone.” Rainbow shrugged. “Maybe the janitor wanted to be nice.”

“Mm-hmm,” Pinkie chirped.

Even Fluttershy managed a nod, if not actual words.

Iron Will sternly glared at each in turn before his eyes fell on Applejack. “Is that correct? You were here the whole time?”

Applejack felt beads of sweat break out on her forehead. All the other girls were looking at her, she could feel it. And Iron Will himself was even worse, glaring so hard she was afraid he could see right through her.

“I…” she croaked out, her mouth suddenly dry. She tried again. “We’ve all been together this whole time. Honest.”

Iron Will’s eyes narrowed. “You think you can trick me. You think you can make a fool out of Iron Will?”

Rainbow shook her head. “Of course not, sir. It wasn’t any of us. And unless you can prove it…?”

Iron Will growled to himself, but didn’t say anything further. After one final sweep across the five girls, looking for some sign of weakness or guilt, his eyes dropped down to the box. He picked the post-it note off of the plastic and slowly, deliberately tore it into tiny pieces, letting them flutter to the ground.

“For the record,” he said. “I hate cupcakes.”

He grabbed the cupcake and turned, pausing only to fling it down into the trashcan by the door with a thunk. He didn’t look back as he stormed across the hall to his office.

The five of them let out a collective sigh of relief.

“Thanks,” Pinkie murmured.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. “Like we would have snitched on you to a creep like him.”

Pinkie stared down, still looking subdued.

“What’s wrong?” Rarity asked.

“Who doesn’t like cupcakes?” Pinkie looked up, her face stricken. “That’s… that’s horrible.”

“Forget about it,” Applejack said. “He’s just a jerk.”

“Well,” Pinkie said. “At least now I don’t feel so bad.”

“For sneaking out of the library?” Rarity asked.

“No, for spiking his coffee.”

The library was silent.

“W-with what?” Rarity choked out.

Pinkie slouched down in her chair and waved a hand. “You know. Sedatives.”

Rainbow Dash stared at her for a long moment. Then she stood up and walked over to the doorway to look out across at the office. She saw Assistant Vice-Principal Iron Will with his head pressed against his desk, snoring. The coffee cup next to him was half-empty.

She turned back to the other four.

“Pinkie Pie, I think you might be my new favorite person.”

Chapter 3

“Really. I hardly think that’s necessary.”

Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out at Rarity, looking down from her perch on top of the big horse-head statue that dominated the library’s interior. It had only taken a matter of moments to scramble up the ugly thing, and most of that was just making sure it wouldn’t fall over on her halfway up.

“Isn’t this what horses are for? Riding?” Rainbow Dash grinned at Applejack. “Hey, throw me your hat. Yee haw!”

Applejack’s hand clutched the brim tightly. “Not in your lifetime.”

“Boring. What’m I supposed to wave when I yell ‘Giddy up!’?” Rainbow stood up on top of the statue and flung her arms out into the air. In one smooth motion she leapt off, landing in a crouch in the middle of the room. She stood up and took a deep bow, and Pinkie applauded. The rest of the girls just ignored her.

“Aw, come on, that was pretty sweet,” Rainbow said. “You’re gonna make Horsey sad.”

“The proper name is Equus,” Rarity said.

“Huh?” Rainbow frowned. “That’s a stupid name.”

“It’s Latin for horse,” Applejack said. “You don’t know the name of your own school mascot?”

Rarity cut her eyes over to Applejack, an eyebrow raised. “You know Latin?”

Applejack shrugged. “I know horses.”

“Sounds like some kind of creepy pagan god,” Rainbow said.

Pinkie looked up at the stylized head, resembling nothing so much as an oversized totem. “Looks kinda like it too. But I think it’s pretty cool!”

Rainbow rapidly paced in a circle around the statue. She grabbed at a part of the mane that gave her a good handhold, sizing up if she could climb from the opposite side.

“Would you knock it off?” Applejack groaned. “I swear, you’re twitchier than a cat on a porch fulla rocking chairs.”

Rainbow Dash snorted, turning back to her. “You are too much. Do you always talk like that?”

“Like what?” Applejack said.

“Like an old-timey prospector from a cartoon. I mean jeez.”

“Rainbow!” Rarity said sharply. She looked to Applejack and waved a hand dismissively. “Applejack, dear, don’t let her bother you. After all, we can’t all be socialites.”

Applejack’s eyebrow twitched. She put her pencil down, and turned to look directly at Rarity. “Is that right?”

Rarity smiled. “Yes. In fact, I find your accent to be… charmingly rustic!” she said, lightly.

“Do you.” Applejack felt her teeth clench. “Funny. Of course, I'm just simple country-folk not used to all those big words, but sure seems to me like that's just another way to say you think it makes me sound like a hick, too.”

Rarity frowned. “Well—”

“Some of us have pride in where we came from. I’ll have you know that I’ve spent time in Manhattan. I’ve been to plenty’a high society dinners where they’d throw your sorry behind out for being too uncultured. I’m more of a sophisticate than you’ll ever be, darling.”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but sport a huge grin. “The rooten-est tooten-est so-phis-ti-cate weeest of the Pecos!”

Applejack’s head whipped back around to Rainbow, her blood boiling. Fluttershy reached out tentatively to touch her arm, but Applejack jerked it away. Her expression flashed from barely-concealed anger to a sudden calm smirk as a thought crossed her mind.

“At least I ain’t playing for the other team.”

Rainbow Dash froze, color draining from her face.

“What did you just say?”

“I think you know damn well what I said.” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Why bother hiding it? There ain’t a person in this school, boy, girl, or teacher, who hasn’t heard the rumors. I’m surprised they let you in the girls locker room still. Everyone knows that the Rainbow Dash ain't so much for the gentlemen. That, matter'a fact, you prefer—”

“Shut up!” Rainbow yelled.

“Or what?” Applejack said. “You’ll kiss me?”

Rainbow Dash let out a strangled scream and darted forward. Rarity jumped up to stand in between the two but found herself nearly bowled over in the process. She grabbed Rainbow by the waist and found herself being dragged forward. “Pinkie! Help!”

Pinkie bounced over and helped hold Rainbow back, the both of them able to stop her only because the athlete was too angry to actually use her strength, instead settling for flailing fist and foot both out at an implacable Applejack.

“I’m not gay! I’m not, I’m not, I’m not! You take that back right now or—”

“What’s wrong with being gay?” Fluttershy said. Her voice was quiet, but Rainbow’s words cut off sharply as she froze, ceasing her struggle against Pinkie and Rarity.

For once, no one seemed to want to look at Fluttershy.

“What’s wrong with being gay?” Fluttershy repeated.

The silence stretched out. “You can—” Rarity stopped, coughing lightly. “Fluttershy, darling, there are certain societal mores, and—”

“It’s wrong,” Rainbow said flatly. “And… and… gross.”

“You think I’m gross?” Fluttershy asked.

The ensuing silence managed to outdo the previous awkwardness by several orders of magnitude.

Fluttershy exhaled softly, and she reached up to brush her hair back and away from her face. Her eyes met those of Rainbow Dash.

“I know that I’m not very smart or strong. And I get scared easily. And sometimes it’s hard for me to say what I really want to. But… that’s one thing that my dad has always told me: ‘Fluttershy, no matter what, you should never be embarrassed because of who you love.’”

“But… you’re…” Rainbow Dash’s mouth gaped open.

Abruptly, Fluttershy seemed to realize the spotlight she had seized and her face began to turn red again. She shivered, holding her arms tightly against herself. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I just— I didn't mean to..."

Applejack felt a flush of embarrassment. She kicked at the ground. “No. You're right. I s’pose I was out of line there. I didn’t realize that you—” She let out a hiss, taking off her stetson and holding it to her chest. “What am I saying? It’s not like if you weren’t here it’d’ve been any more right.”

“Eep,” Fluttershy squeaked. “You don't… I mean… You don't hate me?”

“Why the hell would I hate you? No, I owe you an apology.” Applejack jerked down in a slight bow. “You and Rainbow both.”

“But…” Rainbow held her head in both hands. “Gah! How can you, you of all people just say that and...”

“How did you find out you were gay?” Pinkie asked. “Do you only like girls?”

Fluttershy disappeared behind her hair again. Her voice was inaudible.

“Pleeeease?” Pinkie said. Fluttershy suddenly found the other girl grabbing her hands and looking up with big puppy-dog eyes.

She screwed her eyes shut, taking a deep breath. “I-I-I don’t know,” she said. “I sort of… when I see this girl who’s really really pretty I feel a little excited and a lot nervous all at the same time—”

“Nervouscited!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Yes!”

“And I’ve never really felt that way about any guy before. But with her, it’s… for some reason I wish that I could spend more time with her, or hold her hand, or… k-k-kiss her…”

A small smile crept across Rarity’s face. “You seem to be talking about someone in particular, dear.”

Fluttershy’s hands flew up to cover her mouth. The others shared a glance.

“Now sugarcube, you don’t have to say anything that you don’t want—”

“Who is it, who is it, who is it?” Pinkie chirped.

“Do tell,” Rarity said. “You did say you shouldn’t be embarrassed, after all.”

Even Rainbow Dash leaned forward in anticipation, before catching herself and turning her head sharply as she frowned. But she didn’t budge, and her ears pricked up.

Fluttershy kept her eyes downcast. “It’s… it’s sort of silly.”

“Don’t say that,” Rarity said. “Affairs of the heart are not to be taken lightly.”

Fluttershy took a deep breath.

“Sunset Shimmer,” she said, only audible in the expectant silence of the library.

“No way,” Rainbow blurted out.

“She’s dating Flash Sentry, you know,” Rarity said.

Fluttershy held both hands up. “Oh, yes. I know. Like I said, it’s silly. She’s so pretty though. And one time I happened to see her alone, when she thought no one else was there, and she looked so… lost, and sad. I… I wish I could take care of her.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “You sure we’re talking about the same Sunset Shimmer? Red and yellow hair, leather jacket, meaner than a rattlesnake?”

“She’s misunderstood!” Fluttershy said. “I don’t think she really has any friends.”

Applejack smirked, momentarily surprised by the shy girl’s insistence.

“With her attitude, that’s not a big surprise,” Pinkie said. She paused as the others gave her a look. “What? I can’t think she’s a meanie too?”

Rarity patted Fluttershy on a shoulder. “I support you at least. You never know what turns the future may hold. And you’d make an absolutely adorable couple!”

Fluttershy managed a small smile. “R-really?”

“Absolutely.”

“Way to get her hopes up,” Rainbow Dash griped. Her hands clenched and unclenched as she stared at a wall.

“It could happen!” Pinkie said. “You don’t know!”

“I… suppose,” Applejack said.

“Life doesn’t work that way,” Rainbow Dash said. “Life’s not fair.” Her hands suddenly stopped moving as her eyes cut over to Rarity, flashing from pain to a dull anger. “At least for most of us. After all, we can’t all be like the Princess over here. ‘Oh Daddy, I think I want a fashion boutique. And on a silver platter, of course!’”

Rarity’s eyes blazed, immediately marching over to Rainbow to meet her head-on. “I’ve earned everything I’ve been given. If not initially, then at the least in the effort I’ve invested to keep my business – my passion – running. Clearly that’s not something I could expect you to understand.”

An eager grin appeared on Rainbow’s face. “Oh, I see. I get you. You’re given anything and everything and then work your ass off trying to make up for all the charity that you never wanted to begin with. Can’t help but try to make up for rich-girl guilt with fake generosity.”

Rarity took a step back, her eyes wide. “It’s not fake,” she said, voice suddenly faltering.

“Bullseye,” Rainbow said, a snarl having replaced her normal smirk.

“Leave her alone,” Applejack said. She sneered at Rainbow. “Like you’ve got it sooo tough yourself.”

“Nah,” Rainbow said. “My folks suck, but at least they’re never there. Always on some business trip somewhere or another. I prefer them gone, that way they’re not getting in my way. They only care if I do something bad enough to really piss them off.”

Applejack’s mocking sneer had dropped away, her eyes shining with something close to pity. “You don’t miss them?”

“Are you kidding? Parents are the worst.”

“I like my dad,” Fluttershy said softly.

“That’s a load,” Rainbow said. “Everyone hates their parents. If you don’t you’re either stupid or lying. I’d rather just be an orphan.”

Applejack clenched her teeth and then spoke, raising her voice. “You don’t even—”

“You don’t even realize. You’re all so lucky. You’re all so fucking lucky and you don’t even realize it.”

Everyone turned to Pinkie. Her smile – the smile she always wore, under any circumstance – was gone, making her expression shockingly solemn. Her normally bouncy hair seemed to be drooping, but she stared straight ahead, eyes dry but lifeless.

Applejack opened her mouth again, only for Pinkie to immediately cut her off.

“Yes, even you. I watch you, you know. I see you in the cafeteria, embarrassed when the lunchlady gives you an extra apple and a special smile. She loves you, and it doesn’t even bother her that you won’t say a word to her in response. She just likes seeing you happy.”

“Oh come on,” Rainbow shot off. “Stop acting all dramatic. You can’t expect us to believe that you of all people have it hard. Everyone likes you! Any parent would kill to have a kid like you.”

Pinkie’s eyes were dull as they stared at Rainbow Dash. She took a deep breath and when she began speaking again, her voice was a low monotone.

“When I was eight, my mother took me and my sisters to the park. She told me that we were going to play a game, and that the goal of the game was to try to push a boulder from one side of the playground to the other. I wasn’t particularly big or strong, but I wanted nothing more than to make Mom happy. It took me about an hour to drag the rock the twenty feet or so, and I ended up filthy, scraping up my hands all up in the process. When I went to find my Mom, she was gone.”

The other girls fidgeted as an uncomfortable silence fell. Hesitating, Rarity spoke up. “Pinkie, I’m sure she—”

“I’m not stupid, you know. She took my sisters with her when she went. I was the one she left. I was the one she didn’t want.”

Pinkie took a deep breath and continued. “I don’t know how I found my way back home, but when I did, Father made it clear that her leaving was my fault. Things were… not good.”

“Pinkie…” Fluttershy whispered.

“They took me away from him about a year later. I’ve been in foster care ever since. I’m on my fifth family now. And the Cakes are nice. So nice! But I know how this goes. At first everyone loves the happy, energetic little girl and it’s wonderful. Then they get to know me better. ‘Do you have to sing all the time, Pinkie?’ ‘Just be quiet and sit still, Pinkie.‘ ‘You screwed up again. Can’t you do anything right, Pinkie?’ The Cakes only took me because they thought they wouldn’t be able to have kids, and now Mrs. Cake is pregnant. Only a few more months and I’m sure they’ll get rid of me too, just like everyone else.”

Pinkie laughed bitterly. “You all think I’m just the happiest girl in school, but that’s a lie too. No one really likes me. As someone telling a joke or throwing a party or saying happy birthday, sure, but I’m just the weirdo that everyone laughs at. No one is really my friend.”

Fluttershy had retreated entirely behind her pink hair, while Rarity stared aghast, and Rainbow Dash’s cheeks had grown alarmingly red.

It was Applejack who actually took action. The leather in her boots creaked slightly in the silence as she walked over to Pinkie. She took a deep breath, and without another word, used one arm to pull the other girl in a hug. Pinkie went rigid, her only movements the deep shuddering breaths she took.

Applejack closed her eyes, her face turning the slightest pink but her voice unperturbed, as if the other girls weren’t even there. “I see you too. The happiest girl in school? I don’t know about all that. But you’re sure as sugar the hardest working gal around. I see how much time ‘n effort you put into making everyone else happy. But you’re right. Bein’ a friend goes both ways. I… I figure I could give it a go.”

Fluttershy’s eyes were wide as she looked at the two. Her mouth firmed into a serious line. “Me too,” she said, regaining some of her prior certainty. “I’m your friend too, Pinkie. No matter what.”

Rainbow Dash let out a dramatic sigh. “You’re such an idiot, Pinkie.”

“Hey now—” Applejack started.

“A stupid dumb idiot. We’re all your friends, of course.”

Rarity watched Rainbow Dash, brow slightly furrowed. She shook her head, and turned to meet Pinkie’s eyes. “Of course, darling.”

Pinkie sniffed. Suddenly, her eyes were wet, the floodgates about to burst. “R-really?”

“Really, sugarcube.”

Pinkie screwed her eyes shut, but the smile that returned to her face was the brightest any of them had ever seen.

Chapter 4

“Here kitty, kitty, kitty…”

Rainbow Dash reached out, only for the little white kitten to hiss menacingly and lash out with a claw. “Ow!” She hastily retreated, holding her scratched hand.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re scaring the poor dear.” The kitten scampered over to where Rarity was sitting on the floor and curled up in a ball in her lap.

“Ugh, stupid goddamn cats,” Rainbow muttered. She glanced over at the rabbit that Fluttershy was holding, but one look at its beady little eyes convinced her to not try anything.

“She’s an absolute gem, Fluttershy!” Rarity said, reaching down to scratch the kitten behind its ears as it purred softly.

“She’s so lonely if I leave her at home.” Fluttershy hugged the rabbit she was holding gently. “And Angel Bunny here gets upset and makes a horrible mess. That’s why I simply have to bring them with me.”

“You know if Iron Will catches you carrying around critters, he’ll flip his lid, right?” Applejack said.

“Well, that’s why I won’t let him find out.” Fluttershy’s eyes flicked over to the door, but her smile didn’t fade.

“I have a pet alligator!” Pinkie exclaimed. “At least I think he’s an alligator, cause he’s cute and green and scaly and has non-functioning lingual salt glands.”

“That’s… nice,” Fluttershy said.

“They really gave you detention just for bringing animals to school?” Rarity asked.

Fluttershy bit her lip. “Well. Mister Battums got loose and he doesn’t do well around people…”

“Oh wow. I thought the whole vampire-bat-in-the-cafeteria thing was a joke!” Pinkie said.

Fluttershy winced. "J-just a regular bat."

“Sure would make for a killer prank though,” Rainbow said with a grin.

“Oh, please.” Rarity rolled her eyes.

“On that note, why are you here?” Applejack said, frowning at Rarity. “I’d love to hear how Miss Pomp ‘n Popularity earned a weekend detention. Decide to skip classes to go shopping?”

“Hmph,” Rarity said. “I would never.”

An uncomfortable silence fell as the other girls kept looking at her with curiosity.

“Okay,” she admitted. “Admittedly, I might. But that wasn’t it.”

“Then what was?” Rainbow asked, curiosity creeping into her voice.

“I-I hardly think it is any of your business.”

“I know! I know!” Pinkie sang out. “She got in a fight!”

“No way!” Rainbow said. She leaned forward, grinning. “Let me guess, one of your friends say something mean about your dress and you decided to get catty?”

A bead of sweat ran down Rarity’s forehead as her eyes darted back and forth. “No, I—”

“She broke Blueblood’s nose!”

Rarity’s shoulders slumped. “Thank you ever so much, Pinkie.”

“Blueblood?” Applejack said. “The captain of the football team?”

“That was you?" Rainbow's eyebrows shot up. "That. Is. Awesome!” she exclaimed, pumping one fist in the air.

Rarity sighed loudly. “Yes. We were – and let me emphasize the past tense – were dating, and had a disagreement regarding whether or not a mutual relationship unilaterally allowed him certain liberties as it comes to demonstrating affection.”

“He got fresh and then she punched him,” Pinkie said, miming the actions along with her words. “Pow!”

“Awesome.” Rainbow grinned. “You know he’s been telling people he got jumped by a gang in a dark alley? I heard him tell his buddies he fought off four thugs before the rest got the better of him!”

Rarity rolled her eyes. “I’m not surprised. He was a pig anyways. I was only going out with him for the social status.”

Fluttershy’s face fell. “That’s... horrible.”

“High school is a tough place.” Rarity frowned as her hand rested on the kitten in her lap. “Certain sacrifices must be made in order to stand out. Now, you’ve forced me to tell my story. How about… Applejack?”

Applejack’s mouth tightened, but she nodded quickly. “Alright. I stole a tractor.”

Rainbow Dash guffawed. “Usually when you go for a joyride, you should aim for something that goes more than five miles an hour.”

“Have you ever been on a tractor?” Applejack glared at her. “And it weren’t no joyride either. Ol’ Misty turned a leg and hasn’t been able to plow, and we needed to turn the soil over and clear out the deadwood from where root rot got into the east orchards. I didn’t have any other options.”

“That seems like a good reason to me,” Fluttershy said.

“Yeah,” Pinkie chimed in. “That’s not hurting anyone.”

Applejack nodded firmly. “And I put it right back when I was done.”

“So, what, you got caught then?” Rainbow asked.

Applejack blinked. “Huh?”

“You got caught bringing it back? Or what?”

Applejack shook her head. “I didn’t get caught at all. But I felt so rotten about the whole thing that I went right up and turned myself in a couple of days later.”

“Are you serious?” Rainbow Dash said. “That’s— That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard!”

“Come now, Rainbow,” Rarity said. “That’s very… respectable. Albeit perhaps unwise.”

“Stupid!” Rainbow exclaimed again.

“What did you do, then?” Applejack said, her voice hot. “And how did you get caught?”

Rainbow Dash’s mouth clicked shut, and she drew her knees up to her chest, partially hiding her face. Her eyes peeked out at the other girls.

“Not gonna say.”

Applejack snorted. “Seriously?”

“That’s hardly fair. I told why I got detention,” Rarity said. “Well. Pinkie told why I got detention, but really it’s the same thing.”

“Yeah, yeah!” Pinkie said.

A light gleamed in Applejack’s eyes. “Nah, she won’t tell cause she’s scared.”

“Am not,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

Rarity glanced to Applejack and a smile crossed her face. “Oh. I see. Yes, it does take a lot of courage to admit something potentially embarrassing to your friends. I guess it might be a little too scary for someone like Rainbow Dash.”

“I’m not scared!”

“I-if you don’t want to tell, that’s okay,” Fluttershy said. “Eep!” Rainbow Dash had growled ferociously, glaring at her.

“Fine!" She let out a sigh, her voice dropping to a grouchy mumbling again. "I pulled the fire alarm.”

Applejack let out a short bark of laughter. “Wait, really? And I’m the dumb one? You really are desperate for attention, ain’tcha?”

“That’s not it!” Rainbow said.

She fell silent again, and the anger faded from Applejack’s face, replaced by a look of concern. “Sorry, I—” Rainbow halted mid-thought, biting her lip.

Rarity pursed her lips. She studied Rainbow Dash for a moment, then took a deep breath. “Rainbow, you don’t have to say anything more if you don’t want to. But if you do, we’re glad to listen.”

“No, I… It’s…” Rainbow’s eyes swung up towards the ceiling as she gathered her thoughts. “Have you ever had a dream where you can fly?”

Pinkie Pie shrugged, and Rarity and Applejack shared a confused look, but Fluttershy nodded ever so slightly.

“It feels so… free. Light as the air, you can do anything, go anywhere. So fun. That’s how soccer was for me at first.”

Rainbow hugged her knees tighter. “But then came all these responsibilities and expectations. It’s not about me anymore. It’s about the team. When we lose a match it’s because I wasn’t trying hard enough. When I miss a day of practice I’m letting everyone else down. It’s different now. It’s like I’m trying to fly, but there are all these weights I have to carry, dragging me down.”

She looked down. “And yeah. It’s really stupid. But sometimes, just for a moment, I think to myself how much easier it would be to crash instead.”

Fluttershy reached out a hand to touch Rainbow’s arm, and Rainbow twitched at the contact.

“I… I think I understand that,” Applejack said, her voice low. “I’ve been working the fields since I was big enough to walk, and ever since…" She trailed off, staring ahead. "Well. There ain’t no one else around to make sure things get done, so it falls on my shoulders.”

She took off her stetson and held it in front of her face. “Can't say I haven't thought about running away from it all. Heck, even did once, for a while anyway. Boy, what I wouldn’t give to not have to worry about how the harvest’s coming in, or whether it’d be better to replace the barn or the plow with the money we do have, or how we we’re gonna put food on the table through next winter.”

She sighed, and Pinkie inched over a little closer to her. “But I ain’t the only one to think about. I’m working and worrying so my sister doesn’t have to. Even if I can’t be a normal high school girl, I figure I can give that chance to her.”

“How do you do it?” Rainbow asked softly.

“One day at a time.” A smile crossed Applejack’s face. “And with the help of people who care about me.”

Pinkie grabbed ahold of her in a sudden hug, causing her to let out a soft “Oof!” Applejack grinned at Rainbow Dash, noticing Fluttershy and Rarity leaning forward protectively on either side of her. “I reckon you have more people who care about you than you’d think, too.”

Fluttershy smiled softly, and Rainbow bit her lip, her eyes sliding away. Where they ran into those of Rarity, staring back at her with intensity. Rainbow’s eyes narrowed and her mouth opened slightly, ready to snap back, but instead of some sort of verbal jab, Rarity only provided a small, mysterious grin.

Applejack patted Pinkie on the top of her poofy hair and managed to disentangle herself from the girl’s surprisingly strong grasp. She rolled her eyes. “Now what about you, lil’ varmint? What’d you do to get detention?”

Pinkie smiled brightly. “Huh?”

“We’ve all told our stories,” Applejack said. “It’s only fair.”

“Oh, I’m not in any trouble.” Pinkie shrugged. “I was bored! What else am I gonna do on a Saturday?”

Chapter 5

Rainbow Dash splashed water on her face from the sink, the coldness causing a sharp intake of breath. She shook her head, water droplets flying in every direction, and swung one hand to the side to grope for a paper towel.

Wiping her face dry, she took a long moment to stare at herself in the bathroom’s large mirror, her eyes narrowed and intent, even as she lightly chewed on her bottom lip.

The sound of the door behind her opening was quiet but unmistakable, and Rainbow’s gaze flicked from her own face to see the reflection of Rarity entering the bathroom. Rainbow remained silent but her eyebrows furrowed as she watched in the mirror, Rarity walking across the room to grab a broom leaning against the other wall. The girl carried the broom back to the bathroom’s door and shoved it through the handle, effectively blocking off entry or exit.

Rainbow whirled around. “What are you doing?”

Rarity’s eyes glittered. “I thought we could have a little girl time,” she said in a sing-song voice. Her hands dipped to her side and when they came back up, she was holding a hairbrush in one and lipstick, nail polish, and eyeliner in the other.

“Oh, no.” Rainbow backed up, bumping into the cold stone of the sink counter. “No no no.”

Rarity halted her advance and tilted her head, her lips pushed out in a pout. “But Rainbow, darling… I know you don’t care for this sort of thing, but have you ever even tried? You would look so beautiful.”

“I don’t… do… feminine.”

Rarity leaned forward, looking up at Rainbow Dash with her big blue eyes. “Just this once? No one will have to know except us.”

Rainbow swallowed.

“For me?”

Rainbow Dash’s shoulders sagged. “Okay. But no one else hears about this. Ever!”

Rarity brightened immediately into a wide grin, and Rainbow’s felt a rush of warmth in her face.

“Eee! This is going to be the best makeover, I promise!”

Rarity pounced, and Rainbow Dash grimaced as she got pulled into a confusing swirl of action. She winced as she felt the brush being pulled through her hair, but before she could complain she felt the light touch of a finger on her lips.

Rarity’s face was only inches from Rainbow’s own, and Dash’s eyes bounced around, trying in vain to find something to stare at other than the girl in front of her. It was the makeover. That’s why she was so uncomfortable, of course. Nothing else.

Something pressed against her lips and Rainbow froze at the strange feeling. After a moment, Rarity pulled the tube of lipstick back and murmured, “Press your lips together.” Rainbow complied, her face burning. “Now eyes closed.”

Rainbow stood frozen, afraid that she was going to screw something up somehow as a variety of foreign sensations played across her face.

“Open.”

Her eyes flew open and she started to turn around to look in the mirror, but Rarity held her shoulders firmly. “Not quite yet.”

Rarity stepped back and tapped a finger against her chin as her eyes swept over a fidgeting Rainbow Dash. “Idea!” Rarity’s grin returned in full force and she raised one hand to her own hair, pulling out the triple-diamond-bedecked hairpin that rested there. She shook her head lightly and her dark purple hair fell in delicate waves, the curves partially covering one eye.

Rainbow realized that her mouth had fallen open and she quickly shut it, her teeth clicking together. But Rarity didn’t seem to notice. She leaned forward again, her hands running through Rainbow’s hair as she snapped the hairpin in.

Rainbow felt hands rest on her shoulders again. “Ready?”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t manage any more than a nod, but that was enough. Rarity twirled her around to face directly into the bathroom’s mirror.

What Rainbow saw caused her mouth to fall open again. She was expecting super girly, or heavily made up. Something that made her look utterly ridiculous and un-Rainbow.

But it was her. A… better her.

The makeup didn’t stick out. It only accentuated the natural colors of her skin, making her face look livelier, her ruby eyes stand out, and her lips appear more defined. Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, with the hairpin in the front providing a splash of blue across the red, yellow, and green in front.

She wasn’t girly, but she was unmistakably a girl. Her hand reached up to lightly touch her cheek.

“How did you…?”

“I told you, Rainbow Dash. I’d never change who you are. I just want to show you how beautiful you can be.”

Rainbow felt her heart beating faster and faster. “Beautiful?”

“Yes, of course!” Rarity chirped. Rainbow Dash tore her eyes away from her reflection and turned, staring at Rarity. “Every girl has beauty, it’s just a matter of accentuating—”

Rarity’s words cut off. It was hard to talk with Rainbow kissing her.

Rainbow pulled away. She spun back to the mirror, eyes screwed shut. “Fuck. Fuck fuck fuck.” Her hand slammed into the counter. “Ow. Fuck.”

Rainbow’s teeth clenched and unclenched. She forced her eyes open, and saw Rarity’s reflection in the mirror. The other girl stared back at her, mouth still hanging open slightly.

“I’m sorry, Rarity,” Rainbow said, her voice pleading. “That was stupid. A mistake. I didn’t mean to. Well, I did but… It was just a— I’m not gay!”

“Rainbow…”

“I’m…” Her eyes met Rarity’s in the mirror. “I’m not… I swear.”

“Neither am I, darling.” Rarity still sounded a bit breathless. “Why, can you imagine the scandal that’d cause?”

“Then…”

“We’re just two straight girls. That’s why…”

Rainbow involuntarily shivered as Rarity’s hands slipped around her waist, the other girl pressing up against her from behind.

“This.”

Rarity’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“Doesn’t.”

Dash felt hot breath against her ear.

“Count.”

A pair of teeth lightly closed on Rainbow’s earlobe and she couldn’t help but moan.

Applejack stared down at the blank sheet of paper in front of her. She picked up her pen, tapping her lips with it.

Her eyes darted to look around the room. Rainbow Dash and Rarity were still gone. On one side, Fluttershy was hard at work writing her own essay, the scritching of her pencil on paper loud in the quiet library. And on Applejack’s other side, Pinkie Pie was folding her paper with a matching intensity of expression.

Applejack set her pen down again and rested her head on a hand as she watched Pinkie Pie. The poofy-haired girl worked quickly, hands contorting as she made one crease, then another, all of her motions purposeful but with no pattern that Applejack could discern. But she couldn’t help but smile at the sight of Pinkie off in her own little world.

Pinkie suddenly stopped, grinning at the densely folded shape in front of her before grabbing her pen to color in some dots and lines. It still didn’t look like much to Applejack, sort of a flattish blob, but then Pinkie reached forward to carefully pull at one tab.

The shape popped up, taking the form of an origami duck, two big round eyes drawn on what would be its head and a smile on its beak. Applejack suppressed a laugh, and kept watching as Pinkie began pushing it around the desk, smiling brightly.

“Quack, quack, quack, qua—”

Pinkie looked over and caught Applejack looking at her, and abruptly stopped, blushing. She folded her hands together and looked at the ceiling, not meeting Applejack’s eyes.

Applejack stared back down at the sheet of paper in front of her, still as blank as ever. She picked up her pen. Then she snuck another glance at Pinkie and set it down again, sighing softly as she stood up.

Applejack didn’t look directly at Pinkie as she walked over to her, and she sat down on the table’s surface facing away from the other girl. Her mouth opened and closed a few times, before she closed her eyes and sighed again.

“Hey Pinkie,” she said.

“Yeah?”

“Do you not like me?”

Applejack’s head dipped slightly as she waited for a response, the moment stretching out.

“Why would you say that?” Pinkie’s voice was quiet, lacking its normal enthusiasm. “Why would you ever say that?”

“Everyone in school knows you. And I’m sure you know everyone in school. Somehow. But before today, you hadn’t said so much as two words to me.”

Silence fell again, and Applejack fingered the brim of her hat. She snuck a glance over to see Fluttershy peeking at the two of them, but the girl immediately looked away and started writing again.

“Did I do something to make you mad?” Applejack asked. “I didn’t mean to.”

“No!”

Applejack leaned back. “What then? I don’t understand.”

“I told you.” Pinkie said. She remained quiet for a long moment, and Applejack was about to speak up when Pinkie continued. “Whenever I spend too much time with someone, if I get too close… they get sick of me. I didn’t want that to happen.”

“So you didn’t talk to me at all?”

“That way you’d never want to stop being my friend.”

“Only ‘cause you’d never let me be your friend in the first place!”

“I’d rather be nothing than have you hate me.”

Applejack took a deep breath. “What— Okay. Is that… Why do you watch me?”

The sounds of Fluttershy writing ceased again. Applejack glanced over to see her stand up stiffly. “Um. Uh. I think there’s a book over there I need,” she said, scurrying off behind a shelf.

As soon as she was gone, Applejack was about to repeat the question when she heard a soft answer, carefully neutral in tone.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

Applejack frowned. “You said it yourself, earlier. And... I catch you looking sometimes.”

“I look at everyone. People are interesting.”

“An’ you talk to everyone. Everyone except me.”

Pinkie didn’t say anything. Applejack waited and waited before finally looking over her shoulder at the other girl. Pinkie’s hair sagged low as she stared down at the origami duck in front of her, her face blank.

“See?” Her voice was tired. “I told you. This was why. You hate me now.”

“I don’t,” Applejack said, but Pinkie wouldn’t meet her eyes, still staring downwards.

Applejack took off her stetson and held it in her hands, considering it for a long moment. The briefest of smiles crossed her face, and then she sat the hat down on Pinkie’s head and turned forward again, where Pinkie couldn’t see her expression.

“You know,” Applejack said. “Now that harvest’s mostly passed, we have a little more time ‘round the farm than normal. You should come over sometime. I could show you around.”

“Really?”

“Yep. I’m sure Granny an’ Apple Bloom would think you’re just the cat’s pajamas. Might even get Big Mac to say more than a few words.”

“Applejack,” the voice behind her said. “Are you trying to set me up with your brother? I hear he's pretty cute, after all.”

Applejack whirled around with blazing eyes. “Now wait just one second—”

She saw Pinkie grinning widely from beneath her stetson and the words caught in her throat.

“Kidding!” Pinkie chirped. “You sure are protective of him though. Or maybe it’s something else?”

Applejack turned away and stood up. “He just don’t need no pink-haired varmint making his life all confusing.”

She heard a giggle behind her as she walked back to her table where her still unstarted essay awaited.

“Applejack?” Pinkie called out.

Applejack looked back, but Pinkie had disappeared. She blinked, looking around the library for the missing girl. Not seeing her anywhere, she took a moment to walk over to take a peek behind the horse-head statue at the center pedestal of the room. And she wasn’t hiding behind the shelves. Applejack could still see Fluttershy through the gaps in the books, standing around with her back to them.

She frowned and walked over to sit down at her table, when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She saw Pinkie crawl out from underneath the table to sit back at her previous spot, still wearing the stetson, and she smiled and waved.

Applejack’s eyebrows scrunched together but she waved back.

Sighing one more time, she picked up her pen and looked down, only to find that her blank piece of paper had been folded up into an origami apple.

Chapter 6

Rainbow groaned, poking at one of the ancient computers in the library. It had turned on alright, fan whirring away, but the system was resolutely locked and passworded. “This sucks,” she growled.

Applejack was lying down on the top of one of the tables, hands behind her head as she stared at the ceiling. She tilted her head to look in Rainbow’s direction. “What are you even doing?”

“I’m bored!”

“You could always read a book, dear,” Rarity said. She looked up from filing her fingernails to gesture towards the shelves and shelves of literature.

“What do I look like, some kind of nerd?” Rainbow typed in another stab at guessing the password and hit enter. A low tone played to indicate another failure. “I give up. I’ve tried like… a million things.”

She leaned back in the chair, arms hanging limply, when one of the nearby shelves actually caught her eye. Daring Do and the… Her eyes darted around to make sure no one was paying attention to her and slunk over to the bookcase.

Applejack had turned the other direction to gaze contemplatively at Rarity. “Do you really own that boutique over on Main Street?”

Rarity blinked. “Well. In a manner of speaking. It is in my father’s name, but we’ve arranged for a loan that the profits will eventually repay, upon which point it will be mine in full.” She stiffened. “Why, are you going to insist on criticizing me on that too?”

“Shoot, no.” Applejack sat up, still looking at Rarity. “It’s pretty impressive. I thought a popular girl like you wouldn’t have the time to do anything actually useful.”

Rarity rolled her eyes, but the smirk on her face wasn’t unkind. “I keep very busy.”

“I bet.” Upon seeing Rarity’s expression deepen into a frown, Applejack shook her head. “No, I mean it.”

Rarity sighed. “I do wish that I could figure out how to get more business. We’re barely making ends meet as it is. Perhaps this town just isn’t the proper place for true fashion.”

“Well, you’re selling clothes. There's always a market for that. I mean, everyone needs clothes, right?” Applejack rubbed her chin. “You just need to give people what they want.”

“I’m not a factory, Applejack. I’m an artist. I’m not just going to sacrifice my creative vision for the sake of sales. That might work in the short term, but then there goes the reason I’d want to own a boutique to begin with.”

“So then, if you don’t want to change what you’re selling, you gotta change what they’re buying.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, at the farm, right? We grow apples. Always have, and near as I can tell, always will. And I’ve spent a lot of days at the weekend farmers’ markets selling ‘em. So sometimes someone comes in, looking for… let’s say pears. What d’ya do?”

Rarity crossed her arms. “Direct them to another stand?”

“Heck no! You talk to them. Get to know them a little. Most anyone likes to talk about themselves. So, say you find out they’re looking to make a batch of pear turnovers. Then you can throw in a little advice. Say, why not along with those you do a batch of apple turnovers too? We have this nice bunch of Bramleys in the back that cook up real good. They go home with their pears and apples both, you get a sale, and when they realize how good those turnovers turned out, they’ll be back for more next week.”

Rarity frowned. “I appreciate your enthusiasm, darling, but I don’t really see the relevance. Dresses and apples are very different things.”

“I’m saying you gotta learn to sell it! Why do people go to a dress shop?”

“To buy a dress?” Rarity said dryly.

“C’mon now,” Applejack chided. “Work with me here.”

“Because…” Rarity’s eyes drifted across the library, lingering on a rainbow-haired form. “Because they want to be beautiful. They want someone who can see that in them, and bring it to the surface.”

“There you go, now—”

“Because we all have a picture in our heads of who we want to be. Of the real us, on the inside, but it’s hard to find the courage to really accept that. So we try, and wait, and hope for that opportunity. Even if it’s just for a moment. To hang onto that memory tight, as a reminder that we can be beautiful.” Her voice dropped to a whisper too low to hear. “To someone.”

Her eyes went wide as she snapped her head back to look at Applejack. “Er. Sorry. Right?”

Applejack smiled ruefully. “Shoot. With a pitch like that, maybe you should be teaching me.”

Fluttershy sat on the railing that encircled the library’s upper level, a walkway that wound around another set of bookshelves up high. Her hands tightly gripped the metal, nervous not for her own sake, but Pinkie’s. The other girl had decided to join her, but dangled upside down over the ten-foot drop to the floor, her knees gripping the top of the railing.

“Um. Are you sure you’re okay?” Fluttershy said.

“Abso-posi-lutely,” Pinkie sang out.

“But what if you fall?”

Pinkie raised one finger to tap the side of her head. “I have a cunning plan for that exact case.”

“And that is?”

“Land on something soft.”

Fluttershy leaned forward to look down. She saw nothing but carpeted floor. “There’s… not anything soft?”

“Well duh. I’m not falling yet.” Pinkie kicked one leg straight up, swinging it back and forth. Fluttershy couldn’t help but flinch at watching her hang by only one limb. “So let me see… What’s your favorite kind of dessert? You can tell a lot about a person that way!”

Fluttershy averted her eyes, trying not to think of Pinkie splatted on the floor below. “I don’t know. Dad and I usually try to eat healthy, so I don’t really do desserts.”

The shocked silence next to her was practically audible. She glanced back to see Pinkie with her mouth open wide in horror. In a flash, Pinkie swung upright and jumped to stand on the railing, bending down so that her face was inches away from Fluttershy’s.

“No desserts? No cake? No pie? No ice cream?”

Fluttershy leaned backwards, eyes wide. “Um. Pinkie. Be careful!”

Pinkie stood straight up and staggered back, somehow maintaining her balance on one foot as she clasped a hand over her heart. “How do you live?!”

Fluttershy racked her mind for something to calm her down. “Oh. Uh. I like, uh, carrot cake sometimes.”

Pinkie froze, her eyes narrowing. “With lots of icing?”

“With… a little icing?”

Pinkie considered that, as she stood on one foot on the thin railing. Coming to a conclusion, she hopped forward to sit right next to Fluttershy. “I suppose that’s acceptable. But I don’t see how you can go without cupcakes and cookies and— and— sugar.”

“Sugar’s not very good for you,” Fluttershy said. “In fact, if you eat so much, I have no idea how you’re so thin.” She glanced to the side at Pinkie, who was still bouncing up and down in place on the railing, her legs swinging back and forth rapidly. “Actually… nevermind.”

“But it tastes so good!” Pinkie said.

“Healthy things can taste good too.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it,” Pinkie muttered. "With my tongue."

“Well then,” Fluttershy said, “I’ll just have to have you over for dinner. Dad’s a really good cook.”

“You mean it?" Pinkie looked at her sharply. "He wouldn't mind?”

“Of course.” Fluttershy twiddled her fingers. “He’ll, um, probably be really happy that I have a friend. He worries about me sometimes.”

“Woo!” Pinkie shouted, and Fluttershy found herself squeezed in a sudden hug. Just as she was trying to figure out the properly acceptable way to hug back, Pinkie released her and stared gravely into her eyes. “There’s not going to be any spinach, is there? Because I mean, at least with broccoli I can pretend it’s tiny trees for the forest next to Mount Mashed Potato, but spinach is…” She gagged. “Out of the question.”

“I’ll make a note. No spinach.”

“And then I can teach you how to throw a party and you can teach me how to pick locks!”

Fluttershy went rigid. “W-what?”

“I figure if you know how to throw parties, that’ll will help you make even more friends.” Pinkie smiled widely.

“Right…”

“And you know, you can show me how to pick locks like the one in the cafeteria. That seems super duper useful! Oh man, I could pull so many pranks.” Pinkie blinked. “Wait, how exactly did you learn that in the first place?”

“I...” Fluttershy sighed. “I suppose I should tell you the truth. There’s an animal shelter on the west side of town. And unlike the one near here, when an animal goes unadopted for too long, they— they—” Her eyes grew misty. “Kill it.”

Pinkie winced, putting an arm around Fluttershy’s shoulders in support.

“And— and they won’t let me adopt any more. They say I can’t give them a good enough home. But they’re just going to kill them instead!” Fluttershy gulped. “So… I, um, broke in, instead, and saved them.”

“Wow,” Pinkie said. “You just… figured out how to do so?”

“The internet is really instructive,” Fluttershy muttered. “And I’ve volunteered there before. I-I didn't know about them killing animals.” She looked up at Pinkie, a plaintive frown on her face. “I suppose you’re going to tell on me. I probably deserve that.”

“Are you kidding?” Pinkie grinned. “I want to come next time! I have a pair of night-vision goggles that I never thought I’d get the chance to use.”

“R-really?”

“Abso-posi-lutely.” She paused, thinking. “So how many pets do you have?”

“Kind of a lot,” Fluttershy mumbled. “But I’m looking for homes for them too.”

“Homes for what?” a voice behind them said.

Fluttershy turned to see Rainbow poking disinterestedly at the bookcase behind them.

“Pets!” Pinkie said. “Cutesy-wutesy puppies and kittens and bunnies and…” She looked to Fluttershy, questioning.

“Um. Hamsters, and ferrets, and birds, and…” She blushed. “I sort of have a lot of animals that need an owner. Dad says I should just charge admission and call it a zoo, but he’s kidding.” She paused. ”I think.”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “Hmmmm. I was sort of thinking about getting a pet myself, but I’m not sure if there’s any animal quite awesome enough. You don’t have any tigers or anything, do you?”

Fluttershy’s eyes lit up. “No, but I’m sure I could find a pet for you!”

“Cool,” Rainbow said. “Maybe I’ll come by sometime and take a look for myself.” She glanced over sharply at Pinkie, who had a goofy smile on her face. “What?”

“Are you going to sing a song?” she asked hopefully.

“No,” Rainbow said firmly. “Also, what? No.”

She walked over to lean against the railing and look down below. Applejack and Rarity were talking together, Rarity covering her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Hey Rarity,” Rainbow called out. “She teaching you how to wrassle hogs?”

Rarity stuck her tongue out childishly, but smiled back.

“Hey hotshot,” Applejack called back up. “I bet I could take you in arm wrestling.”

“Oh, you’re on.”

Before Fluttershy could even say anything, Rainbow Dash leapt over the railing, dropping to land in a crouch below. She winced, but Rainbow hopped up, completely unfazed by the fall.

“Wanna go cheer them on?” Pinkie suggested.

Fluttershy smiled. “Abso… um. Posi-lutely.”

Chapter 7

"Okay…” Pinkie twirled a lock of her hair around a finger. “Oh, got it! If you could have superpowers, what would they be?”

The five of them sat in a loose circle on the library’s floor, having ditched the tables and associated essay-writing.

“Easy,” Rainbow Dash said. “Flying!”

“Not super speed?”

Rainbow Dash smirked. “If I could fly, I’d already be super fast, I bet.”

Pinkie giggled. “‘Kay, Applejack?”

Applejack scratched her head. “I don’t rightly know.”

“C’mon, there’s gotta be something,” Rainbow scoffed. “What about being super strong? Or turning invisible? Or shooting laser beams from your eyes?”

“Why would I need to do all that?” Applejack’s eyes lit up. “Naw, I got a better idea. I’d want to control the weather. Then I could make sure the rains came in on time and never have to cancel a picnic, neither.”

“Booooring,” Rainbow Dash said. “Rares?”

Rarity tapped her finger lightly against her chin as she thought. “I’d like to be able to travel in time. I can’t begin to count how often I’ve felt that there are simply not enough hours in the day.”

“Oooh, that’s a good one,” Pinkie said. “You would never have to miss a party ever!”

The girls turned to Fluttershy, who was gazing at the clock on the wall as it ticked over to 3:30.

“Flutters?” Rainbow said.

She jumped at the sound of her name. “Oh! I’m sorry.”

“What sort of superpowers would you have, darling?” Rarity asked. “Hm. Perhaps being able to talk with animals?”

“Oh, yes. That would be nice,” she said. The girls waited for more elaboration, but Fluttershy had gone back to staring off into the distance.

“Weeeeell, I guess it’s your turn to ask a question, Fluttershy,” Pinkie said.

Fluttershy bowed her head, her hair hanging in front of her face as she paused for a moment. "What happens on Monday?" she said quietly.

"Huh?" Rainbow Dash said.

"What happens to us? When the bell rings Monday morning, are we still friends?"

“Of course we are,” Pinkie said. She grinned widely, but as she saw the hesitation on the faces of the others, the smile dropped away. “Right?”

Fluttershy’s head drooped lower, her face entirely hidden now. “I… I understand if not. I know you all have your own groups of friends and I’m not very popular or anything.”

“Naw,” Applejack said. She exhaled softly. “I like y’all. All of y’all. And if someone doesn’t like that, that’s their problem.” Her gaze drifted over to one member of their group, the other girls following.

Rarity bit her lip as she felt herself under the attention of several sets of eyes. “Y-yes?” she said.

“Are we still friends? No matter what?” Pinkie’s expression was more solemn than normal as she waited for Rarity’s response.

“Well, I certainly have treasured the time that we’ve spent together today…”

“You know what she means.” Applejack frowned. “What if me and Pinkie and Fluttershy come up to you in the lunchroom to say howdy. Are you just gonna blow us off in front of all’a your popular friends?”

“Lunch... Lunch is a lot of things.” Rarity looked down at her hands. “Lunch is difficult.”

“So that’s a yes.” Applejack’s mouth twisted in a bitter scowl.

“Look, I am just being pragmatic,” Rarity said. “It’s unfortunate, but simply the way things are. I’ve worked very hard to cultivate a certain level of recognition. The Blueblood fiasco was certainly a setback, but I am aiming for Princess of the Fall Formal, if not this year, then the next. I can’t throw that all away.”

“So, we’re not good enough, then?” Fluttershy whispered.

“No, no, far from it!” Rarity sighed. “You girls are a delight, and it is refreshing being able to speak openly without worrying about someone trying to twist everything to their own advantage. The politics of popularity are ugly and tiresome, I’m afraid. But I don’t make the rules of the game, only follow them.”

“Games are supposed to be fun,” Pinkie said. “That doesn’t sound like a game I want to play at all.”

Rarity turned to an unusually taciturn Rainbow Dash. “Rainbow, help me out here. We are not quite in the same circle, but I know your athletic endeavors afford you a certain cachet. Explain to them that this is really the only way things can be.”

Rainbow Dash crossed her arms tightly as she frowned. She looked up and met Rarity’s eyes. “No. They’re right. That’s a shitty way to treat someone and you know it.”

Rarity pulled back as if slapped. “That’s not— I’m not—” Her eyes screwed shut tightly and she took a deep breath. “I-I’ve just worked so hard. Don’t you see? I’m the girl that every boy wants to be with. The girl that every other girl simply wants to be.”

“I don’t want to be you,” Applejack cut in. “Don’t sound like much fun being friends with a buncha jerks like Blueblood all so… what? So you can be friends with a bunch of jerks like Blueblood.” She paused for a moment. “Do you even want to be you?”

Rarity didn’t respond. She sat still and silent, as if frozen in ice.

Rainbow Dash’s face was pale as she watched Rarity’s turmoil. Her hand shook as she raised it to touch the hairpin still in her hair from earlier, feeling the cool metal of the diamond insignia. She shook her head, barking out a short laugh.

“And what’s so funny?” Rarity asked.

“It’s just… so stupid. You’re already cool. Effortlessly so, always have been, and trust me – I know cool when I see it. It doesn’t matter what everyone else thinks. Why should it? You should… you should do what makes you happy.”

“It’s not that easy,” Rarity protested.

“Dammit, I know that. It’s never easy. It doesn’t mean that it’s not worth giving it a shot.”

“Oh?” A wave of purple hair had fallen forward again, obscuring one of Rarity’s eyes. The other watched Rainbow Dash, her expression enigmatic. “Let’s not put all this on me, now. What would make you happy, Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow’s eyes drilled into the floor. Her mouth tightened.

“Rainbow Dash?” Rarity repeated.

Rainbow shook her head violently. “I want all this to matter,” she said, her voice firm but lacking its usual bravado. “I want today to count.”

Rarity’s eyes widened. Her mouth opened to frame a question but it died on her lips, unasked.

Rainbow looked around at the other girls before ending by gazing at Rarity. “I don’t care what anyone else says. All of you girls are my friends now. The only person who gets to say who’s cool or not is me, and I say you’re all cool.” She took a deep breath. “Rarity... I want it to count.”

Rarity didn’t answer, she just watched Rainbow Dash, her expression blank. Rainbow shivered and felt her face grow warm, even as she was unable to look away. “If… if that’s what you want too,” Rainbow said. “I just thought… you know… oh God, of course not, I’m sor—”

She felt the light touch of Rarity’s finger against her lips. Rarity smiled, a tiny, fragile thing. “Okay,” she said.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes lit up. In a flash of motion, Rarity’s feet left the ground as Rainbow scooped her up, twirling in a circle with a loud whoop. The others shared a smile at the odd sight, the normally reserved Rarity blushing bright red as she held tightly to the considerably shorter Rainbow Dash. Noticing the attention, Rainbow hastily set the other girl down, but Rarity kept her arms around Rainbow’s neck, her eyes sliding away from the others.

“There something y’all want to tell us?” Applejack teased.

Rarity ignored her, looking to Fluttershy. “To answer your question, I’m sorry, dear. I don’t know what will happen Monday. I truly don’t.”

“Oh...” Fluttershy whispered.

“But I’m looking forward to having my friends at my side as I find out.” She hesitated, frowning. “If you’ll still consider me a friend, that is.”

“Of course,” Fluttershy said.

“Sounds good to me, sugarcube.” Applejack tipped her hat, an easy smile on her face.

Rainbow Dash didn’t speak. Her hand found Rarity’s and squeezed gently.

Pinkie Pie stared off into space, confusion written across her face. “Have you ever felt like some things were just meant to be, like… destiny? But you don’t realize it until they’ve already happened?”

Rarity raised an eyebrow. “Hm?”

“You know,” she said. “Like we’re all connected, somehow. Friends in like… another lifetime?”

“Nnnnoooo?” Applejack said.

Rainbow snorted. “Seriously, you are one strange cookie, Pinkie.”

“Pie! I’m a Pie, not a Cookie.”

Rainbow smirked. “Close enough. Anyways, what matters is that we’re friends now. Right?”

“Right!” several voices agreed.

They settled down into a pleasant silence. Until Rarity glanced back up at the clock as a thought struck her.

“Oh dear. Did anyone actually write an essay?”

“Nope!” Pinkie said, a hint of pride in her voice.

“I was gonna do it,” Applejack said. Her eyes flickered over to Pinkie. “I got distracted.”

Rainbow groaned. “Maybe he’ll forget about that part.”

Rarity frowned, thinking. Then she realized that had only been three answers.

“...Fluttershy?”

Dear Assistant Vice-Principal Iron Will,

I accept that I have to spend my Saturday in detention for what I did wrong. And, you know, at first I thought it would be easy for each of us to write an essay about who we are. After all, the five of us are so very different. The jock and the princess. The farmer and the party girl and the wallflower. I saw it all so clear, the simplest possible terms, the most convenient definitions.

I was wrong.

What I learned today is that we're all different, but we're all the same, too. Even the bravest has fears to overcome. The most outgoing girl can still feel lonely. All I could see on the outside was the popularity, or confidence, or determination, and never realized that underneath each one of us still has doubts. Has worries. Has problems.

But I also found that we don't have to face those things alone. Friendship is not based on liking the same things or being in the same social circles. It's not about seeking the most benefit for ourself. No, it's about caring for one another. About taking the time to understand the struggles that we go through. Being willing to listen. Being willing to help. It's about seeing the good in people, the depth in people, and forming a connection that transcends everything else.

So, who am I? Another scared teenager trying to make it through high school. And you know what? In a sense I'll always be that. I'll get older, the scenery will change, but there will always be problems. There will always be something to worry about or be afraid of.

But we'll always have each other, too. We'll always be friends.

And that's what really matters.

Sincerely,
Fluttershy

P.S.

I was the one who put the cupcake on your desk. I'll see you next week, along with the rest of the girls.