You’ll Always Be My Number One

Huddled up under a blanket on a cold, early winter evening in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash sat at the foot of her bed, completely disregarding the beauty of the gentle snow and starlit sky outside her window. Instead, she nervously stared at the spectacle unfolding before her very eyes on the small television just inches away from her muzzle. Her favourite hoofball team was in a critical mid-season clash with the Canterlot Royals, with only one goal separating the game and moments left to play, the ending was more than a little nerve racking.

“Come on, guys,” she muttered to herself.

“Just a few more seconds left to go,” the commentator of the match warned.

Dash’s hooves began to grip the edges of her duvet as the seconds passed by, her eyes never leaving the screen, not even to take a glance down at her barely touched cup of cocoa, which had long since gone cold.

"Cloudsdale have a corner with seconds remaining. Still down 2-1,” the commentator spoke excitedly.

Dash was now stone cold as she watched the final moments of the game.

“Golden Wing to take the corner, as usual,” the stallion continued in his Trottingham accent. “He steps up. Shoots an amazing cross over! Header! Sails well into the crowd!”

“Ugh!” Rainbow groaned as she threw her hooves into the air, her blanket falling to the floor, her back landing on the soft cloud bed behind her.

“The referee has a look at his watch. And? Yes, that’s it. Cloudsdale loses on the road for the second consecutive week, and Canterlot take a stranglehold of the Equestrian League with the win. The players leave the snow-covered ground. The fans leave the stands happy. Goodnight from Equestria’s capital, wherever you may be watching tonight.”

Rainbow sighed as she switched the television off. She then took a look over at the clock on her end table. It was only ten at night, still nowhere near the time she was used to hitting the hay. Knowing she had a big day ahead of her upon awakening, though, the pegasus knew that it was best to get as much sleep as possible.

Just before she went to sleep, however, a quick check of the weather was necessary. This was one of Rainbow’s off weeks. As the captain of the Ponyville Weather Team, as well as a Wonderbolt Reserve, she rarely did get time off. The next day held something very important to her, so it was imperative that the weather would cooperate. Moving over towards the window, she made an assumption of the weather outside.

“Zero degrees, light snow,” Rainbow mumbled. “We can work with that."

After checking the window, Dash trotted back over to her bed, taking one glance back outside as her mind thought about the day ahead. She hoped that everything about tomorrow would go well. She and Twilight Sparkle had been planning this hoofball match for the local oprhans of Ponyville for weeks now. It was an order from Celestia herself that every child was to have some fun around this time of year. Rainbow had suggested a hoofball match would be an activity lots of ponies could enjoy and the event had now been weeks in the planning. Dash wouldn't admit to anypony, but she was getting excited.

The mare slid back into her warm bed and curled up around the duvet covers, with thoughts about tomorrow’s game flowing through her mind.

As the sun rose over Ponyville, the beeping sound of an alarm clock awoke Rainbow Dash from her slumber. The sound it gave off was annoying enough to fill the pegasus with anger. She slammed a hoof onto the offending clock, the robust plastic remaining intact as it switched off, only leaving the pegasus to give a sigh in return before getting herself out of her plush bed.

Sitting up, her head began instantly pounding due to lack of her morning coffee, Rainbow was as ready as she ever was going to be to start her usual morning routine, which would commence as follows—coffee, breakfast, shower, getting dressed, coffee again, and out the door. It wasn’t a very glamorous routine, but it’s what kept her going throughout the day.

Down below in the town, a stressed-out Twilight Sparkle desperately tried to calm down a hyperactive group of foals who were all awaiting their referee so that their game could commence.

Twilight tried her best to command the group. “If you could all please just calm down for a second—Lickety Split, did you just bite Lemon Daze?” the princess asked frantically as the fillies and colts all ran around like a group of mad dogs.

“No, Miss Sparkle,” the young colt responded as the filly smacked him in return.

“Lemon! Ugh!” Twilight replied. She was growing increasingly frustrated as her patience was growing thin. “Rainbow, where are you?” she muttered as she looked to the sky.

Luckily as she did, what looked like a bolt of lightning shot through the grey, overcast sky above, as Rainbow came flying down. An abounding cheer came from all of the young ponies around, and Twilight instantly felt relief. Yet, a little bit of frustration still remained at the pegasus late arrival.

“Hey, guys,” Rainbow said cheerfully as she landed on the snow, sliding across the surface before coming to a stop next to the crowed. She waved and winked at all the young ones as she approached her royal friend.

With a toothy smile hiding her frustration, Twilight asked, “What took you so long?”

“Sorry, Twilight,” Dash apologized, “I’m not really a morning pony like you, so getting outta bed was kinda hard” Dash replied.

“Well, at least you’re here now,” Twilight said, rolling her eyes.

“Yep!” Dash replied confidently, turning to the foals as she pulled an orange hoofball out of her satchel as she shouted out, “Who’s ready for a game?”

Another cheer came from the twenty-or-so young fillies and colts. Rainbow held the ball up high as she led the ponies away from Twilight and onto the field.

“Alright guys, let’s get you into some teams!” Rainbow shouted. She raised her hoof, counting the number of young ponies ahead of her—twenty-two, the perfect number for a game. After a few minutes, she evenly split them into eleven on both sides.

The foals went to their respective sides of the small field. Lickety Split and Lemon Daze met in the middle to see who was going to get the ball first. At first they glared at each other, but then the filly stuck her tongue out at the young colt. Rainbow smiled as she kicked the ball into the air and blew her whistle to start the game, the fun and fair way of getting it started. The foals watched with awe as they saw how high the orange ball soared into the grey sky above.

As the foals began to battle for the direction of the ball, Dash went to her respective place with Twilight on the sidelines as both adults watched the game from afar.

“So” Twilight began, “Heard Cloudsdale lost last night,” she said with a sad smile.

Rainbow sighed. She turned a listening ear towards her friend while still keeping watchful eye on the game. “Yeah, tell me about it,” she replied. “Now we might even be out of the cup this year.”

“Well,” Twilight said, her expression turning more hopeful, “there’s always next year!”

“Yeah,” Rainbow replied, forcing an awkward smile. “That’s what we say every year. Hold on.” The mare replied as a commotion going on at the other end of the field sparked her attention, where two of the fillies, both pinkish-purple in colour, Cheery and Coronet, were in a shouting match. Their words sounding more and more clear as Dash began to trot over to them.

“That was a foul, stupid!” Cheery, the pegasus of the two, yelled.

“Nuh-uh! I got the ball first,” Coronet replied.

“You’re such a liar, you fat-butt!”

“Your mom’s a fat-butt!”

“I don’t have a mom, stupid!”

“Hey, hey, hey, whoa!” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Break it up, or you’re both getting yellow cards.”

“She started it!” both fillies said at the same time while pointing at each other.

“I don’t care who started it. Now, let’s all get along, okay?” Rainbow said, reassuring them both by messing up their manes with her hoof.

“Fine,” both replied in unison again with a sigh.

“Good. Now, let’s start this again,” Rainbow said as she picked up the ball, kicking it into the air as high as she could. She started to go back towards Twilight, who now was on the sidelines.

“Hey, can I say something?” Dash asked as she looked back over the field.

“Yeah?” Twilight answered as she also watched the young ones play.

“I Just wanted to say thanks for helping organize this. It’s actually super fun,” Dash said with a genuine smile, looking between her hooves and the mare behind her.

“I’m enjoying it too, Dash. I’m sure you’ve made the orphans’ day… and maybe another filly’s day as well.”

Rainbow looked out after Twilight’s sentence. It was then she saw in amongst all of the foals, most of which Rainbow knew from around town, but didn’t really know personally, that there was a recognizable young filly whom the pegasus knew very well. With a raised eyebrow, Rainbow galloped back on the field. The ball was in one of the team’s goalkeeper boxes, so, naturally, that was where all of the foals for both teams were, as they all tried to just kick the ball. The small orange filly whom Rainbow was well aware of, but wasn’t present when the teams were made, was trying to get the ball in an attempt to score. Soon enough, though, the defending team got it, and the army of foals ran down to the other side of the field, with the small orange pegasus with the purple mane trailing behind.

“Scootaloo?” Rainbow called out.

Scootaloo stopped dead in her tracks. She turned around with a blush on her face and scratched the back of her head nervously. “Oh, uh, hey, Rainbow Dash! You’re doing an awesome job being the referee!”

“When did you start playing?”

“I just saw a bunch of foals playing, so I wanted to join them,” the filly responded. Her ears went down. “If you want me to leave, that’s okay.”

“Well, Twilight and I did organize this match for the local orphans, but I’m not just going to kick you out like that,” Rainbow replied with a grin as she came over, giving the filly a noogie.

“Aw, thanks, Rainbow Dash!”

“Now, go, score a goal!”

“I will!” she replied, her purple eyes lighting up.

Rainbow watched on as the young filly joined the orphans, playing along as if she were one of them. It was a day where all of the young ones could forget their troubles and just enjoy the happiness of being outside in the snow, running around, getting their energy out, and just act their age.

After a quick half-time drink break, with drinks provided by Spike the dragon, the second half commenced just as the first. Laughs were shared, minor arguments started, but there was enjoyment all around. The game was only cut short due to the darkness, as Celestia’s sun was being lowered at an earlier rate every day in the winter time. When the time finally came for Rainbow to put a halt to the game, all of the fillies and colts were disappointed. They ignored their own tiredness for most of the afternoon and just enjoyed themselves.

After Rainbow had congratulated all of the players on a match well played, it was time for all of the foals to go home for the day. They were being picked up by the local foster mare, their caregiver for most of their lives to date. As the foals were all being gathered together, not all willing to go home just yet, Rainbow approached Scootaloo, who was still enjoying her end-of-game juice box while sitting in the snow.

“Hey, squirt, good game today,” the mare said as she gave the filly her customary noogie.

After a giggle, Scootaloo replied, “Thanks. Too bad I didn’t score, though.”

Waving a hoof through the air, Rainbow replied, “Ah, don’t worry about it.” A thought then hit the mare, however, as she watched all of the other foals, who were finally grouped together and ready to go home.

“Uh,” Rainbow began while looking left and right, “Is somebody coming to pick you up?”

Pausing for a second, Scootaloo replied, "I don’t think so. I’m just going to walk home myself.”

“Are you sure? I can take you home myself, if you want. You can go for a ride on my back!” Rainbow bent down and flapped her wings, making the offer look so real and tempting. It was right there for the taking.

“Heh, I-it’s okay, really” Scootaloo replied hastily. “You can go home. You’re probably tired. I-I, uh… my mom asked me to pick up some food from Sugarcube Corner on the way home, and I don’t want to stall you.”

“Are you sure?”

“Y-yeah,” Scootaloo replied. An unconvincing smile was on her face.

“Absolutely sure?”

The same smile stayed, and she nodded her head.

“All right,” Rainbow replied, not fully sure, but also not wanting to go against the filly’s judgement. “Just, please, at least walk with the others until you pass by Sugarcube Corner.”

“Will do, Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo replied with a salute.

“There’s the squirt I know,” Rainbow replied with a salute back. Turning to Twilight and Spike, who joined them at halftime with refreshments. As the rest of the evening went by, it soon came time for everyone to pack up and leave. Rainbow saw her opportunity to leave and and said goodbye to everyone before bolting into the dreary sky above.

However, once she'd gotten to a safe altitude across in the sky, Rainbow couldn't help but feel like something wasn’t right. She turned her head back to the place she'd just left and her gut seemed to ache slightly.

"I guess I'll just see if they get home alright," Rainbow said to herself, hoping that seeing them safe would be enough. Trying not to draw too much attention to herself she made a slow turnaround, heading in the direction of the main street of Ponyville where Sugarcube Corner was located. Landing quietly on top, Rainbow waited for the foals and their caretaker along with Scootaloo to catch up. The snow had been minimal all day with many periods of time where it didn’t fall at all, but it had now started to accumulate much more making it difficult to see. However, the sound of foalish laughter, teasing and yelling could be heard around the corner. Seconds later the army of young ones came around, with Scootaloo trailing slightly behind.

Rainbow leaned forward over the edge of the roof to get a better look, still hoping she was hidden from sight. The big group of ponies passed by, eventually leading to the young orange filly. Rainbow watched as Scootaloo trotted right past the door to the bakery and kept on going, not even looking for a second like she was thinking of going inside. Though there could have been other reasons as to why she hadn't adhered to her mother's wishes, Dash couldn't stop herself from overly worrying about the whole situation at hand. She silently cursed herself before giving into the temptation. Spreading her wings soaring down from the rooftop. Scootaloo could hear the crunch of snow behind her, quietly turning around while the others went ahead.

“Uh, Scoots, weren’t you supposed to get something at Sugarcube Corner?” Rainbow asked.

“Were you spying on me?” Scootaloo shot back defensively, making Rainbow halt on her advances in shock. It was more than she had expected from the filly.

“Is-is everything okay?" Dash asked, trying to find the right words, "you seem a little off. I’m just worried about you, is all.”

Scootaloo turned around to see how far the brigade were ahead, and they were a few hundred feet away by this point. She turned back to the mare looking a little uneasy.

“No, I’m fine. I’m just going to walk home now."

“What about the stuff your mom asked you to pick up?” Rainbow pressed a little further. Scootaloo didn’t have a reply. She turned around once again, and the group was now almost too far ahead, their silhouettes only apparent because of the heavier snow.

“Scootaloo?” Rainbow demanded, a lot firmer this time. The action seemed to almost shake the filly, Rainbow couldn't tell if it was from the freezing cold or not. The reply that finally came seemed to shock Rainbow to the core. Scootaloo didn't even seem to move as she looked towards her idol, watery eyed.

"Ca-can I sleep-over at your house tonight?”

The act made Rainbow's heart almost freeze along with the cold weather around them.

While the act had stopped anything Rainbow was going to say in return to the previous conversation, she still had to formulate some kind of response to the jarring question, "I-I dunno Scootaloo," she began, "I-is that okay with your parents?” Rainbow asked cautiously as she took a step closer almost automatically.

“They don’t mind, honest. In fact, I’m pretty sure they don’t care at all…” Scootaloo replied, her voice seeming to carry the weight of genuine knowledge.

Rainbow felt a sudden pang of fear in chest. There were many thoughts racing through her mind at this point. Logic and reason were both battling emotion, and an important decision needed to be made. Dash lowered herself down to the filly before speaking. “Scoots, I don’t really know what you’re going through right now, and I really want to help you. Like, if you were living on the streets, I’d take you in instantly.” Rainbow gave a reassuring smile and a pat on the filly’s head. “However, I can’t just take you back to my place right now. There’ll be ponies worried about you back home. If you can stick it out tonight like the tough young mare you are, and you can somehow, like, get a letter from your parents saying that you have permission to stay at my place, then you can come have a sleepover tomorrow! Cool?”

Scootaloo put her head down slightly. After a moment, she then raised it, looking directly at Dash’s reassuring smile.

“I mean it, Scoots. We’ll have fun tomorrow.” She insisted.

“Okay, I’ll try,” came the filly’s only reply. It was good enough for Rainbow in her current state of mind.

“That’s the spirit!,” Rainbow shouted, giving her the third noogie of the day. Scootaloo let out a chuckle, thankfully lighting up from the touch.

“Okay, since you’re a tough young mare, can I trust you to get home safely by yourself?”

“Yep!” Scootaloo replied, this time with her spirits raised.

“Good. Straight home, young mare. No stopping at any colt’s houses.”

Another chuckle came from Scootaloo. “I won’t! Promise!”

“Alright! See you tomorrow!” Rainbow extended her hoof for a bump, which Scootaloo returned. Dash then spread her wings, taking flight, and not looking back. Scootaloo watched her hero disappear into the cloudy sky above, and afterwards, she quickly ran to catch up with the crowd of other foals she was with earlier, who were already almost back at their home. Once she was with the group, the filly took one last look back up at the sky as a hopeful smile appeared on her face.

As Rainbow Dash flew along the grey misty clouds over Ponyville, she couldn’t help but think about the events of the day. Dash was a blunt mare at heart and knew when something was up, and seeing the watery eyes in the filly made her gut wrench inside. Her mind continued to battle with its own thoughts, she just hoped that Scootaloo would have that letter tomorrow and hopefully that night she’d get some real answers from the filly. Dash needed those answers too. Since Scootaloo and her had opened up to one another over the past few years and the pair had become surrogate sisters, Dash felt more of a responsibility towards the filly, and if something was up, she wouldn’t rest until Scootaloo had everything she needed and wanted.

While she put the thoughts to rest for the time being, Dash made the final stretch towards her home in the sky. The looming cloud building soon approached as the fast mare touched down just outside her front door. With the cold creeping in quickly, Dash wasted no time upon getting into the home. As Dash closed the door behind her, she spotted a note on the floor of the home. Her heart began to flutter slightly when she saw the heart seal on the envelope. Quickly picking it up in her hooves, she recognized the writing and ripped the top of the envelope before reading the letter’s contents.

Dear Dashie,

The tour in Fillydelphia finished early. You can thank Misty Fly and High Winds spraining their wings for that! their both okay though, but I don't think either of them will be happy with the suspension that Spitfire will drop on them to heal up.

Wish you could have been here with us, it would have been great to hear you cheering us on. Hopefully your hoofball match went well, at least I've never heard anything go wrong when Twilight takes charge of the organisation. Hell that mare could give Spitfire a run for her money!

With the tour over though, I shouldn't be away much longer. You'll be able to tell me all about it tomorrow. Until then, Dash, stay awesome... not that you've ever had a problem with doing that.

~ Soarin

Rainbow took the time to read the letter over again, soaking up all the words Soarin had to say. She'd felt a little lonely since he'd left on tour. She would never purposely admit that, but it was something she'd accepted when the two first got together. Hopefully she'd make it from the reserves and into the Bolts so they'd never have to leave each others side every other month. At least he always managed to surprise her when he'd come home. The mare smirked at the few memories as she gently placed the letter on the living room table before heading off to bed. As she ascended the stairs, however, another thought flowed into her mind. She smirked at the thought of what she promised Scootaloo, looking towards the direction of where the letter had been placed.

"Let's just hope you like fans, Soar," Dash said to herself jokingly as she headed off for the night.