Jealousy and Rivalry

Fluttershy held the trembling Rainbow Dash in her lap as she looked on her with the worry a mother would have for her child.  "Rainbow, please.  You must tell me what happened?  Was it something bad?  I didn't do anything to make you upset after you left, did I?"

"No,"  Rainbow said as she turned and buried her face in Fluttershy's coat, "it wasn't you."

"Was it Applejack?  Did she break up with you?"  Rainbow sat up and looked at Fluttershy.  Rainbows eyes had tears in them but she was doing her best to hold her emotions inside.

"How did you know about me and AJ?" Rainbow asked.

"Rainbow Dash, everypony in Ponyville knows.  You kissed in the middle of a burning street in front of a dozen ponies."

Rainbow let a sob leave her lips but stifled it.  "Me and AJ are okay.  For now.  Oh no.  What'll she-?"  Rainbow began to sob and returned to her friends lap.  Fluttershy stroked Rainbows back lightly and hummed a relaxing melody.  A few minutes passed then Rainbow sat up, back to Fluttershy.  "Is AJ is going to hate me?"

"Oh, Rainbow.  Applejack will never hate you.  What happened?  You can tell me."

With a shaky sigh Rainbow explained what had happened to Fluttershy.  Fluttershy's expression turned from worry to concern as Rainbow finished.  "Rainbow Dash.  What happened, I'm sure was an accident.  Twilight wouldn't intentionally-"

"The flock she wouldn't.  I've never been enchanted before, Fluttershy.  NEVER.  And to have it happen by one of my best friends.  And for what she made me do to her,"  Rainbow looked away as her voice became shaky, "to Applejack."

"Rainbow, I understand you are upset but, I think you should talk about this with Applejack and Twilight together."

"No, Fluttershy.  I can't just go to Applejack and be all 'Hi AJ.  Twilight enchanted me so I'd mate with her just to get back at you.'  It sounds crazy!  I don't even believe me sayin' it!  I'm not a great liar, Fluttershy.  What if AJ gets mad at me?  Doesn't want to be with me?  It's been a week and all this manure's happened.  Why?  Fluttershy, why can't we just be happy and all our friends be happy for us?"

"I know I'm happy for you.  I haven't seen you this happy for a long time and you have changed for the better.  You're becoming humble and more respectful and that's because you have real love.  Even if it is untraditional, it is stll love.  Like what I have for my critters.  I love them more than I will any pony when I'm not around you or the other girls.  Rainbow, I think you should trust AJ to make her own decisions and then this will resolve itself.  If it is good or bad for you, you are Rainbow Dash and you recover."

"Okay. Fine," Rainbow said as she wiped her eyes dry and gave one last sniffle, "I have to go back to work but, I'll talk with AJ as soon as I can.  If you hear screaming it'll be her and me."

Fluttershy shook her head slightly and helped Rainbow to her hooves and walked her to the door.  "Good luck, Rainbow Dash."  Rainbow turned and flew back to town.  I hope those mares work this out okay.  I'll make some tea and bring it to the library for when they talk it over.

"Diamond, sir?  I have a personal problem and have to leave an hour early today.  I have the request written and ready for you right here," Rainbow asked as she entered his office without knocking and shut the door behind her.

"Miss Dash," he said pressing a hoof to his forehead, "You took an hour and a half out in the field already and I have a report you were not working.  Consider this your last warning, you may take the afternoon off from this point and the rest of the week to resolve your personal issues."

"But, Mister Diamond, I don't need all week off, just an hour."

"I understand your predicament however, I am offering you a final chance here," his voice was becoming stern and frustrated.

"Mister Diamond, I was enchanted and may need to speak to the police!"

"RAINBOW DASH.  If you leave work to pursue personal matters it does not concern this office or the company.  You have a week to decide if you want to work with the flock or flock off," he shouted.  It was the first time Rainbow had heard him shout and his voice resonated in the office as he stomped his hooves on his desk and raised himself.  He suddenly became very imposing and threatening.  His brow furrowed and his top lip quivered as he continued.  "I have sacrificed a lot for this company and the work we do.  You treat it like it's a FLOCKING playground and it is a wonder to me how you became a manager before I was appointed here.  You spoke to me about changing yourself then you take a personal day in the middle of your shift and then ask to leave early and you act like it's nothing."

"But, mister Diamond-"

"Don't flocking say my name right now.  You are dismissed or I will terminate you on the spot.  Get out of my office and respectfully close the door behind you," he said calmly as he sat down and stared at Rainbow as she exited his office.  She turned and closed his door quietly and imagined him going right back to work like their discussion was another piece of paperwork he read.  Turning around the office was quieter than usual as two dozen ponies looked at her exiting the office.

"What?"  Rainbow asked openly.

"I've never heard him yell," a random pony said from the back to another at the far side of the room.

"He's a jerk, whatever.  He won't fire me," Rainbow said as she walked away from his office.  The door to his office opened and Diamond walked behind Rainbow and coughed to get her attention.  Stopping but not turning around Rainbow stood in place.

"What now, Diamond?"  She asked almost dismissively.

"Miss Rainbow Dash.  For open insubordination immediately following a discussion with your superior I am obligated to release you from your position as a manager of the Cloudsdale Weather Administration.  You may stay on as a level two employee in the request offices if you choose."  A few gasps and a laugh were the only noises in the office as everypony else fell silent.

Turning around slowly Rainbow looked at Diamond.  "Mister Diamond Wing.  It has been an honor to work for the company but, you can go fuck yourself in the ass with your own tiny dick."  The office erupted into shouts and laughter as Rainbow hovered in front of the scowling stallion before her and proudly left the building.  Flying toward Sweet Apple Acres Rainbow felt her emotions growing again.

Celestia, why am I so sappy?  This sucks.  I should have let him have it for an hour then destroyed his office.  They'd never forget me.  The most awesome mare in Equestria quitting her job in the most epically awesome way in history.  I bet I coulda made him cry.  Then they'd write a book about it.

Finding Applejack was easy flying high above the farm.  Big Mac was talking with her and Rainbow watched as she cried silently above them.  A few of her tears landed on the ground between the siblings and the looked up to see Rainbow above them.  Excusing himself Big Mac hitched himself to his cart and began trotting away to the barn.  Landing in front of Applejack Rainbow looked into her lovers eyes and burst into tears.

Running up to Rainbow Applejack embraced her.  "Sugarplum, what wrong?  You were so happy earlier.  Did Fluttershy say something?"

"No," Rainbow said loudly between breaths.

"What is it then?" Applejack asked as she and Rainbow lowered themselves to the ground.  Once again Rainbow was crying in another mares lap.  "I can't help you if ya don't talk to me."

"It has been the worst day of my life.  I don't know-know how to tell you."

"Sugarplum, you can tell me anything and I won't be mad at you."

"I did something bad.  I did a lot of bad things today."

"What did you do?  I won't get mad, just let me know."  Applejack began rubbing Rainbows mane comforting her and speaking softly.

"You promise?"

"I promise you I won't get mad," Rainbow buried her face in Applejacks coat and mumbled something.  "What was that sugarplum?  I didn't hear you."

"I had sex with Twilight."  Applejack pushed Rainbow off of her and jumped up.

"What the buck are you talkin' about?"  Rainbow couldn't look at Applejack, she just laid on the ground and sobbed.  "How the buck could you...  WHY?  After everything you said today and over the weekend!  And what about our time in the cellar?!"  Applejack shouted at Rainbow as she felt the corners of her eyes moistening.  "You lied to me.  You said you loved me."

Rainbow sat up but didn't look at Applejack.  "She cast a spell on me and I couldn't control myself.  I was watching what I was doing but I couldn't stop.  I screamed inside my head and tried to run away but the magic took over my body.  She stopped enchanting me before she made me go too far.  I ran away.  I ran away screaming.  Applejack, I've never been so scared in my life," Rainbow fell to the grass below her and covered her head with her forelegs and screamed.  The noise muffled into the ground but still audible.

Applejack was standing her ground.  She was confused, angry and sad.  She could decide if she should go to Rainbow or not.  Finally she slowly walked to Rainbow who was before her, then past her.  Rainbow felt the ground vibrate as Applejack passed her without stopping.  Looking back Rainbow saw Applejack walking stoically away from her.

Gathering her strength Rainbow shook her head and flew home.

The moon was low in the sky as Rainbow laid in her bed looking at the clear dark skies.  Only a few stars out tonight.  Luna must be having a lot going on.  She's not the only one.  Here I am, crying and feeling sad for myself all day when I'm the one who made it all happen.  I didn't have to go to Twilights.  I didn't have to be rude to Diamond.  I lost my job and now what do I have?  A house in the sky that belongs to the company.  I'll be homeless, loveless, jobless and lifeless.  I have my friends still.  Some of them anyway.  What the flock am I doing with my life?  Everypony was right, I do treat everything like it's a game.  Like there aren't any recipocunsions for what I do.  Now I'm paying for it all.  I'm not the best.  I'm just a hothead pony and I'm losing everything.

*Knock Knock Knock*  There were a few soft knocks at Rainbows front door.  Great.  Now Fluttershy's here.  What else can go wrong today?  Maybe Angel ran away and it's my fault too.  Going to the door took almost a minute for the exhausted Rainbow Dash.  Opening the door she indeed saw Fluttershy crouching low to the ground.  "What's up, Fluttershy?"

"Um, I'm supposed to get you and you're supposed to go to the library, if that's okay."  Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"You have got to be joking.  I'm never stepping a hoof in that place again."  Fluttershy backed up a pace.

"Please.  It's kind of really important."

"You do remember what she did to me this morning, right?  I got fired today too.  I can't handle her right now.  Maybe this is the end of the elements of harmony."

"Oh no.  Rainbow, you aren't serious, are you?"  Fluttershy asked with surprise in her voice as she stood up fully.  "Rainbow, you have to help.  We need to go to the library.  Applejack and Twilight were fighting."

"Wait, AJ went to Twilight?  What the flock?"  Rainbow placed her hoof on her forehead. "What happened?"

"Well, I was bringing some hot tea to the library when I saw the guard outside.  I asked to go in but there was a fight they said.  They want to talk to you, to ask you a question or two."

"Oh flock me.  I have to or the guard'll be up here for two days inspecting the place for avoiding them.  Let's get this over with."  Rainbow flew slightly ahead of Fluttershy as they approached the city in no real hurry.  "Hey Fluttershy?  Do you have that extra room still open?"

"I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, but, I have that as a room this month for a traveling family of-"

"Yeah yeah yeah.  I get it."

"So officers.  What can I help with?" Rainbow asked one of the guards standing outside the door.

"Who are you?"  He asked while still at attention, looking ahead at the hovering mare before him.

"You seriously don't know me?  I'm the amazing Rainbow Dash," she said boxing the air, "The best flier in all of Equestria and problem solver extraordinaire."  The Guard rolled his eyes and grumbled.

"I've heard of you.  Go inside and you'll be debriefed."

"Debriefed?  I'm not on trial here so I'll solve this problem and be back in bed in the hour."  I hope he buys that.  I can't let him know I've spent all day crying under my blanket.  Putting on her best smile Rainbow flew into the now open door.

The library was a mess.  Books were strewn all over the floor and some were half hanging from the shelves.  Some were torn in places and others had char marks on them.  What happened here?  Did I miss one of Pinkies surprises?  Flying to the local sergeant on duty just inside the door Rainbow addressed him.  He was a strong legged green coated earth stallion red hair.  His wore gold and silver enchanted body armor denoting his position.  "Yo, pops.  What's the deal?  Why am I here and not sleeping?"

Turning around he looked Rainbow square in the eye with a fierceness that startled the faux cocky expression she had right away.  "Rainbow Dash?"

"Uh, Yeah?"  Rainbow tried to put her confident smile back on her face but it wouldn't stay.  This guy is as scary as a first year flight sergeant.  Don't let him know you're intimidated, Dash.   "What of it.  Am I under arrest?"

"No.  However, your friends are.  As you can see there was a fight and neither of them won.  There are no winners in fights to begin with, but this was a true stalemate it seems."

"Yeah, so?  There was a fight between my friends.  What's this gotta do with me at 11 at night?"

"You are the reason they fought."  Rainbow moved back a bit.  Still hovering was easy, trying to mask the embarrassment wasn't.  "Apparently you are in a love triangle between them and it came to blows.  Magic versus earth pony usually is a decisive one sided battle.  This one had a different outcome.  I'll fill you in on the details in a minute.  First I have a couple questions to ask."

"Fire away."

"Are you in a sexual relationship with Applejack and Twilight Sparkle?"  Rainbow landed finally and crossed her forelegs, her wings keeping her balance as she remained upright.  "I need an answer now."

"Yea and no."

"Rainbow, I need you to elaborate."  Hanging her head Rainbow plopped onto the floor and sighed.  "Whatever you say is going to be documented, but, we can't solve this without your testimony."

"Fine.  I just started dating Applejack.  I came over here to talk to Twilight about it since her and Applejack used to be going out.  I never knew those two were fillyfoolers and I don't think it's a big deal since-"

"Stay on topic, Miss Dash."

"Right, so.  I came over here to talk to Twilight and she got mad at me going on one date with Applejack then she tied me to a chair and called me a changeling."  The sergeant took a step back and eyed Rainbow before quickly asking his next question.

"Are you a changeling, Miss Dash?"

"Uh, no.  I was about to tell you that she cast some show me the changeling in disguise magic on me a few times.  When she let me go I tried to leave and she enchanted me.  She made me get all..."

"All, what?  Miss Dash."

"I-I don't want to say it."

"Either you tell me now or at the station."  Rainbow thought of what it would be like spending a few days in jail.  Free food. A chance to reread Daring Do.  No room to fly.  Small cell.  Using the toilet in the open.

"Fine," Rainbow resigned, "Twilight made me start to have sex with her.  She stopped the spell for some reason then I ran away.  There, now you know.  Laugh it up."

Placing a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder The sergeant spoke softer than he had earlier.  "Rainbow.  What happened was not your fault.  Attempted rape through magic is a serious crime and is punishable by imprisonment.  Do you want to file an official report against Twilight Sparkle?"

"What?  No, she's my friend."

"That neither makes her actions excusable or say that she won't try again."

"I don't think she will and if she does I'll-I'll," Rainbow felt her voice cracking as she let her false bravado fall and stopped talking so she could hold back her emotions.

"Miss Dash, walk with me to the station and I'll fill you in on what happened."  Rainbow nodded and followed him out the door.  The royal guard standing outside the door looked and scoffed at Rainbow as she passed.  Miss Dash, something happened during their fight that defies known magic.  It turns out you bearers of the elements can't hurt each other the same as normal magic users.  Did you know Applejack had casting powers?"

Rainbow stopped and looked at him.  He noticed she had stopped after a couple paces then turned to face her.  "Earth ponies can't cast magic."

"That's what we believed.  It seems that when the fight began Twilight attempted a standard hold spell.  It's a spell like when they levitate items around them, but this version holds a pony in place."

"Yeah, I felt that one earlier," Rainbow said as she began walking again.

"Well, Applejacks chest began to glow and canceled the spell and turned it on Twilight.  That was how the first kicks got thrown."

"Wait, they actually hit each other?  Who won?"

"I already told you, neither of them.  Spike returned and we were called to the scene and stopped it before it became deadly."

"Deadly?  I don't think it would've gotten that bad."

"Miss Dash, did you know Applejack is the strongest pony I've ever met?  It took six of us just to stop her progress towards Twilight, who was already bleeding from her muzzle and a few cuts.  Even with us holding Applejack back we couldn't restrain her until another unicorn arrived on the scene.  Twilight Sparkle is well known as one of the best magic users in Equestria and she barely kept Applejack at bay with defense spells.  I don't know why you're smiling Rainbow Dash.  One blast from Twilight was enough to singe hair from half of Applejacks coat and burn those books you saw."

Rainbow gasped at hearing how powerful her friends were.  "So, they were really fighting to the death?"

"Over you, Rainbow Dash."  Rainbow stopped again and looked at the officer in front of her, mouth agape.  "I don't plan on stopping again, catch up."

Walking into the police station Rainbow looked around and scoffed at how plain it was.  It wasn't like in the movies with cubicles full of uniformed stallions marching around shouting orders and holding dangerous convicts against the walls shouting at them.  This office was a large sterile room with three desks setup in a triangle and two offices in the back and basic stationary.  Not what she expected at all.  "This way, Miss Dash."  Rainbow snapped out of her gaze and trotted over to him.

"So, what's the deal?  Why'd you need to see me?"

"Actually, Applejack has to see you. She is very worried about you and she isn't calming down; she's hurting herself trying to see you."

"Hurting herself?  Like, biting herself or something?"

"No, she's fighting her restraints and preventing our medical personnel from treating her injuries.  She's been in her cell for two hours and hasn't stopped fighting.  I've never seen a more tenacious pony in all my life."

"Can't you put her to sleep or something?"  Rainbow asked as he took a key from the wall with his teeth and unlocked a door then placed the key back.  They don't even lock up their keys?  Is Ponyville that safe or are movies lying to me?

"Miss Dash!  I'm so glad to see you again," Nurse Redheart smiled at Rainbow and raised her hoof in greeting.  Bumping hooves together Nurse continued.  "I heard you ask why we couldn't put her to sleep.  There is a limit on how much medicine we can give a pony.  We reached that limit with her and it relaxed her for an hour then she began fighting again.  She's a bit bitey and her limbs are restrained but, she can't wait to see you."

"Uh, doc, officer, is this normal for a pony to see an inmate like this?  In the movies there's always lawyers and judges."

The other two chuckled.  "Don't believe everything you see in the movies or read in books.  Follow us."  The building was a lot larger than it looked from the air or outside.  Four turns down various halls with offices and interrogation rooms were sporadic and Rainbow began to wonder if it was an enchanted building before they reached a set of stairs leading down.  Walking downstairs it was brightly lit with electric lights and there were magic gems around as backups for when the electricity failed.

Following Nurse and the sergeant through several turns and sealed doors led to a hallway where the shouting was emanating from.  The words were unclear but it was Applejack.  Knocking on the door four times Nurse opened it and gestured for Rainbow to enter.  "Be careful and stay clear of her, just in case.  We're gonna be right here watching."  With a nod Rainbow entered the room walking slowly..

The cell itself was painted light pink and was essential bare except for a toilet and a sink and a medical bed with a mare strapped to it.

Seeing cyan enter her field of vision Applejack stopped thrashing and stopped.  She was panting heavily as Rainbow entered her view.  Applejack's limbs were tied together with fraying cloth and rope binds while her body was covered with a blanket.  She was strapped with several heavy leather straps to the bed that was rolled to the center of the cell.

"Su-Sugarcube?  That you?"

"Yeah AJ, it's me.  Are you, okay?"  Applejack relaxed and laid her head back against the mattress without a pillow under her head and sighed.

"I love you Rainbow Dash."

"Uh, okay?  What brought that on?"

"After you told me what Twi did, I saw red and marched to her library.  I started talkin', then we started yellin'.  Then I swung at her and she spun a spell her top for a second," Applejack chuckled, "then she cast magic on me.  When I was hovering there bein' tossed around like a ball at foal school all I could think of was you.  Then I felt the same feeling I did when we made love that night.  It was the same as when I use my element of magic."

"AJ, that's what I felt when we were kissing at the party!"

"I know, it was a good time.  Well, I looked and I was fallin from her magic spell to the floor.  Then I went back to fightin' and she put up a half dozen shields around herself.  Ida got the last two down but the cops stopped me.  I was gonna polish my hooves on her if they didn't show up."  Rainbow took a step back at Applejack's pride and willingness to kill Twilight.  "I wasn't gonna kill her, I just wanted to pin her to the floor and let her know what I thought of what she did."

"So, you weren't trying to kill her?"  Applejack moved her head up and looked at Rainbow with surprise.

"Sugarplum, there hasn't been a murder in Ponyville history!  I'll be damned if I'm gonna be the first over a lovers quarrel."  Applejack let out a single laugh then laid her head back facing Rainbow.  "Rainbow, I love you and I don't blame you for what she did.  Ah don't really blame her either.  She's jealous and all that.  She might be a egghead but that don't make her smart."

"That's for sure," Rainbow laughed.

"Well, I don't think it'd gone so bad if she didn't tell me I was a idiot for leaving her for you.  She said a few choice words and I went a swingin'.  I said a few things and that just made it worse.  All we wanted was the other to apologize but we're to hard headed to do it."

"Well, that's what's so great about you.  If I give you a hug you won't bite my ear off, right?"  Applejack laughed as she caught her breath finally.

"That's the last thing I wanna bite.  Gimme a hug 'fore I go to sleep, this medicine an me 're fighting and I'm losin'."  Rainbow gave Applejack a hug and left the room to talk to the others.

"So, what's the plan?  Throw her in prison and see the judge and jerky?"

With a laugh the sergeant replied.  "You really have to watch less movies, and it's 'jury'.  If you're not going to file an official report we'll let them both go.  I'm going to have them stay through tomorrow night to calm down and I'll let them have a secure meeting with several officers and a psychologist present in the morning.  Neither of them are seriously hurt or want the other to stay in jail over this, that's how the real world works.  Perhaps you should give up cloud busting and try volunteer police work.  You'd learn a lot.  Do you want to see Twilight?"

Rainbow thought hard for a moment then decided she should at least see her now rather than later.  "Okay, lead the way."  Following the others she was led through more halls and doors before stopping by another room just like Applejacks only without the bed.  Sitting on a bench attached to the wall inside her cell was Twilight with a cloth on her horn.  She looked sullen and had a bandage on her muzzle and a few patches in her sides.

"Do you want to go in?  She is magically locked and I'll go in with you to suppress her if she attacks you?"

"Sure, I've gotta show her how an awesome mare stands up to problems."  Rainbow reared up and boxed the air.

"Don't do that," Nurse said flatly, "you've all been through a lot and acting like you're better because they fought over you will make this worse."  With that the door was opened and Twilight sat up straight to see who was visiting.  With a gasp Twilight covered her mouth with her hooves and turned away.

"Twi?  Are you okay?  I'm here to check on you."  Twilight tried to sniffle but only a snorting sound came out.  "Did you pig out on the food here?"  Rainbow and Twilight giggled for a minutes before Twilight looked at Rainbow.

"I'm really sorry, Rainbow.  About everything today.  What I did to you, and fighting with Applejack.  It was all my fault and a big mistake.  I didn't mean to-  I mean what I did..."  Twilight began to cry as Rainbow went to give her a hug.  Embracing each other Rainbow let Twilight cry for a minute.

"Twi, I don't understand and don't want to.  What you did was wrong and almost evil.  You terrified me more than I've ever been in my life."  Twilight began to cry again pushing Rainbow back and covering her eyes.  "But, you're one of the best mares and friends I've ever had and I forgive you, and I love you as a friend."  Twilight looked at Rainbow as she lowered her hooves and sighed shakily.  "And if you ever do anything like that again I won't stop AJ."

They shared a cautious laugh and hugged goodbye as Twilight laid on the bed.  "So, what should I do now, officer?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, normally I'd suggest you to read a book or watch a movie, but, that seems to be a bad decision today.  So just go home and go to sleep.  Work your day tomorrow and tomorrow night I'll release them.

"Okay.  Sounds like a plan," Rainbow said putting on her best smile again.  "Now, can I get outta here?"