The Colors We All Share

Chapters

Developing Discoveries
Spin-Off: Bananas!
The New(ish) Mare In Town
Taking Advantage
Emotions Have No Boundaries
And Then They Fuc - Found Out

Developing Discoveries

'Sweet Celestia, it hurts. It hurts so bad. Why does it hurt? Better question, why does it hurt so much?'

These were the questions an agonizing Rainbow Dash was asking herself as she lay on the floor of Applejacks' barnyard. She'd woken up fine enough, being roused from her rest from some noises she couldn't yet identify, but she'd been content and comfy simply lying there. She was warm, and felt so comfortable moments ago, but as she rolled on to her stomach, she realized that she probably should've just stayed still.

To say Rainbow Dash was sore would be the understatement of the century.

Still though, the best way to rid oneself of soreness was to stretch. Which meant moving. A lot.

Already Rainbow wasn't looking forward to today.

She curled her rear hooves up beneath her, then gently started to raise her back while extending her front hooves as far as they would go. A traditional cat stretch. After holding this position for what felt like entirely too long, the still-very-pained mare then slowly walked her hooves backwards, keeping her rear hooves in place, until she was standing up like a normal pony would.

She went to unfurl her wings, but she wisely decided to stretch what was sure to be her most painful area when she was more awake and maybe everything else hurt a little less.

Turning to the nondescript noises she'd heard earlier, Rainbow was treated to the heart warming sight of Twilight and Fluttershy sitting next to each other talking, smiles on faces. Normally this would be like any other encounter between friends, but this was different, it was special.

After all, it wasn't everyday that you fear your close friend wouldn't be around to experience this type of situation ever again.

Slightly grimacing at the pain, she slowly walked her way over to the two, with a call of "Hey girls!"

'Thank the stars, for a moment I thought talking was gonna hurt, too...'

"Good morning, Rainbow Dash! Twilight and I were just talking about you."

Rainbow was so glad to hear Fluttershy's voice. She'd heard Fluttershy talking last night, but she was still worried that Fluttershy may still be weakened, or worse. Weird things could happen to ponies with head trauma if they slept soon after an injury. Wait a moment, didn't Fluttershy just say something to her? Better get on that.

"Uhh, sorry, say that again? I'm still a little messed up from last night...hehehe, messed up from last night. That almost sounds wrong."

Fluttershy giggled a little at Rainbow's expense. Just a simple, short lived, angelic giggle that resounded like a chorus of a thousand angels singing into Rainbow's ears...

……

'Huh.....that thought happened.'

Twilight chimed in at this point. "Fluttershy was just telling you about our conversation."

"Oh, that's cool. What were you talking about?"

"You, of course!" Fluttershy stated boldly, sounding like she was full of pride. "And how bravely courageous you are! I'm sorry I wasn't able to thank you properly last night, I was just too tired to move, but now I can."

Fluttershy walked over to where Rainbow was standing, and enveloped her in a sincere hug, using not only her arms, but her wings as well. Normally this much action and speech from Fluttershy was shocking, but she was just so grateful she didn't even realize how confident she was. Not that it was a bad thing.

Fluttershy hugging Rainbow? That was a bad thing, for Rainbows' face almost immediately began to hold a grimace of pain.

Rainbow would feel very comfortable and loved if it wasn't for the fact that she was now expressly aware of just how sore her back muscles were. Still, she couldn't just push Fluttershy away, so she stood there for a couple seconds, waiting for Fluttershy to pull back. Thankfully the enveloping hug lasted only a short while.

“Rainbow” Twilight interjected “You looked like you were hurting for a moment. Are you okay? Anything I can do to help?”

Twilight was staring at Rainbow with care written all over her face, her eyes locked on Rainbow's own. The Lavender mare was giving her full attention. Needless to say, Rainbow loved attention. She found herself staring right back into her eyes...those deep pools of amazing, magic-infused, purple shaded eyes that glinted back in the most mystical-

Rainbow shook her head.

'Uhhhhhh.......that train of thought totally happened. Again.'

“Yeah, no it's not a big problem, Twilight.” Rainbow strained out in as painless a voice as possible. “I'm just really sore from yesterday. Did I hear you say you were just in the middle of worshiping me? Let's get back on that topic.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at Rainbow, but her face held a smile all the same. “Talking about, Rainbow, we were talking about you.”

“Yeah yeah, talking, worshiping, same thing really. So what were you saying?”

Fluttershy flared her wings a little in excitement as she showered Rainbow with praise and gratitude. It probably wasn't good to kindle Dash's ego this much, but the normally timid Pegasus held nothing but admiration for her speedy friend right now.

“Well, I was explaining to Twilight exactly what happened to me, and I was just up to the part where when I woke up in this barn, the first thing I saw was your face, Rainbow. I thought then that it must have been you that saved me, I was so grateful.” Rainbow drew up her chest in pride of herself as Fluttershy continued her story. “Although, there was some time that I was out there that I didn't really think any of you would find me...”

Fluttershy immediately realized that she just outwardly stated something that almost seemed like she didn't hold faith for her friends.

“Um, not that I didn't believe in you all or anything! It's just that there was so much wind, and the rain was really heavy, and the lightning, and the trees, and oh no please don't be mad at me, I really believed in you all, and I'm really really grateful-”

Typical Fluttershy. One slip up and she has to spend forever apologizing for it. Thankfully, she'd been cut off as the barn door opened wide, an orange pony with a sack full of apples walking through.

“Howdy, friends! Morning Rainbow, glad to see you finally awake. I near thought your exhaustion woulda kept you sleeping for a fortnight.”

Taking a few more steps in, Applejack shook herself free of some excess water. It wasn't actively raining at the moment, but the rain had been coming in broken segments...not that Rainbow cared about any of that, she was too busy gawking at this amazing mare that just appearing in front of her...

The beautiful, strong, luscious, wet mare standing in front of her, whose tied up hair was sticking to her gleaming coat, shimmering in the sunlight from to the remaining water...somehow, the rain made Applejack look ever hotter than usua-

'Uhhhh.....uuummm.............wow, these thoughts just keep on happening, don't they? This would be really weird if I wasn't totally okay with it. I think I'm more weirded out that I AM okay with it.'

It was soon after that Dash realized she was staring at her mare friend for entirely too long, but it's not like she could look anywhere else. When somepony addresses you, you're expected to look after all.

After waiting for some type of response from Rainbow Dash and not getting one, Applejack continued.

“Fluttershy, you're looking even better than you did this morning. Why, if not for that small bruise on your head, I wouldn' a been able to tell ya apart from usual. But you Dash, you need a bath.”

Rainbow looked upon herself, and Applejack couldn't be more right. All the mud on her coat had dried, her legs were cut up, her mane had leaves in it and stuck out at odd angles....

“Ewwww, Fluttershy, you hugged me looking like this?”

“Well, I..I was just so happy that you saved me...” she said, her head receding downwards.

Twilight swiftly tried to grab Fluttershy's head and pull her upwards before-

“Ouch!” Fluttershy let out a whimper, putting a hoof to her injury.

“I'm sorry Fluttershy, I tried to get you in time.” Twilight lamented.

Rainbow and Applejack just stared in confusion, and eventually Applejack piped up.

“What the hay was that about?”

It was Twilight who answered for Fluttershy. “Any time somepony places their head below heart level, it causes a small surge of blood in the direction of the cranium,which, as you just saw, is quite painful for Fluttershy right now."

Rainbow looked frustrated as she said “Just great, now I don't even need to suggest playing tag, I can hurt Fluttershy just by talking now!”

The other three would have commented if they hadn't seen the broad smile Rainbow was now wearing, making her sarcasm obvious.

“But seriously, sorry Fluttershy. Keep your head up, okay? Literally and figur...figurati....the other one.”

The other three ponies all shared a laugh at Dash's speaking skills, which honestly was just as good as anypony else, she just confused words sometimes. Not that she cared about any of that, because right now she had these three amazing mares, all laughing because of her. Rainbow wanted it to always be this way, to be able to make all of her friends laugh at any given time, to always be able to see their smiling faces, to hug them when they were sad or kiss them when-

'Okaaaaay....I have a crush on all my friends. I'm pretty sure I covered that last night, brain! I don't need you, er, me...whatever. I don't need to be reminded every minute how cute theire faces look, or how shapely my friends flanks are! …...Wow, I'm pretty bad at this.

“Uh, Aaaaaaanyway, Applejack's right, I need a bath. You wouldn't happen to have one ready, would you Applejack?”

“Actually,” the country mare replied “I do. I figured you'd be wakin' up soon, so I set Applebloom to fillin' up the tub a few minutes ago. Oh! And I got us all some fresh lunch, too.”

Applejack offered up a bunch of apples to her friends to prove her point, of which they all gratefully partook in.

Finishing up her second apple, Rainbow felt a lot better. Just because you're in pain doesn't mean your body won't remind you that you're hungry, after all. So there's one problem down, at least. So now all the mare who was formerly know as multi-colored needed was a bath.

“Well AJ, lead the way!”

“Sure thing, RD.”

*********************

Some time later, Rainbow Finally made it to the wash room of the Apple family. It was a simple room, just the usual facilities. A sink, some towels, a five by five bathtub deep enough for a pony to stand up in, the usual.

What Rainbow wasn't expecting though was the pink. Tons of pink, pink everywhere! The walls, the ceiling, the towels, the tub, the door, even!

“Applejack, this is...heh, this is...ahhaahAHAHhaheh....this sure is a greeeaaaat bathroom you have here...”

“Stuff it, Rainbow! 'Tweren't my idea, it was Appleblooms'! Granny Smith said we oughta re-do the bathroom, and Applebloom said that we should have at least one room with a...what'd she say? 'Girl touch'? I dunno, but Granny Smith agreed to it an' now we're stuck with it! Now get in the tub before I change my mind.”

Holding in what was sure to be bouts of laughter, Dash slowly stepped into the tub. The water, having been poured not too long ago, was still pretty warm.

Gradually getting deeper, she felt her muscles relax immediately. Normally a pony would stand up and wash his or herself, but Dash was feeling especially lazy today. And sore. Really sore, for that matter. Dash ducked her head under water, followed by some quick furious scrubbing of her mane, after which she resurfaced and laid back upon the tub, arms hanging over the edge. This was nice. Dash normally took her 'showers' by aerial diving through a dozen or so rain clouds. It was quick, it was easy, and it got the job done. It was just like Rainbow Dash, in a way.

So in comparison, it felt good to truly relax for a change. Well, Rainbow guessed she couldn't truly relax, she still had to wash herself, and with her pained muscles it would be, well...a pain.

“Well then! Imma head outside, give you your privacy. Holler if ya need anything!”

'Hmmmm......' Rainbow thought. 'Unleeeeeeeessss.......'

“Wait, AJ!”

Applejack flinched a little at the calling of her name. “Well shoot, Rainbow, ya don't need to holler if'n I'm right here.”

“Heh, sorry about that, but that's not important. I have a question for you.”

Applejack just gave her a quizzical look. Rainbow supposed that was her cue to continue.

“So we're like...best friends, right?” Applejack didn't say anything, but a couple seconds later she nodded, looking very confused all the while.

“And as all best friends know, they should help their other best friends in their time of need, right?”

Applejack looked wary as she said “Yeah, they should...why? Don't beat around the bush, what do ya need?”

“Applejack, I'm hurt that you think that I'd-”

“I ain't asking ya again, what do ya need, Rainbow?”

Rainbow looked a little embarrassed, having been caught so quickly, not that she was really trying to hide it, mind you.

“Weeeell, here's how it is Applejack. Last night I-I...I really messed up my b-back, and my wings, and-and I was wondering if maybe, well...”

'Ugh, this sounded so much easier in my head. I'm stammering so much, I doubt she can understand me! Whatever, remember what Fluttershy said. Be calm. Okay, here I go.

“Applejack,” An increasingly familiar red streak adorned Rainbow's face and nose. She wasn't good at all this...well this stuff. “Would you mind maybe...coming into the tub with me?”

“......I beg your pardon?”

“Yeah, I'm like reeeaaaally sore from last night, and I can't reach my back, flex my wings...you know how it is.”

“I-I guess I do know. Maybe. And you're sure you can't...you really...really can't wash yourself?” Applejack stated very cautiously...

“I really can't!” She practically yelled. Realizing her volume she toned it down a bit. “I mean, last night I went through a really tough time, you saw it yourself. Come on AJ, we're best friends, nothing wrong with it. Besides, we've been in a bath together before.”

Applejack herself now blushed as she said “That was different! That was a hot tub, you're supposed to be in with friends. This here is weirder than an apple tree growin' oranges.” Taking a moment to think, she continued. “Well, whatever. I'll take care of you this one time, but you owe me one. Maybe two.”

“Yyyyes!” Rainbow cried out. Applejack just raised an eyebrow at her *ahem* enthusiasm. Rainbow just stared back blankly for a few moments. “I mean, uh...thank you.”

Shaking her head, Applejack slowly head over to the tub. She was taking her time, trying to calm herself down so her blush would have time to recede.

Walking up the three steps that lead to the brim, she started her descent down the next three leading into the water. Tenderly placing one hoof into the water, she discovered that the water was just about the perfect temperature. Again, she took another step down, the warm water goading her into a descent. Before she was even fully aware of it, she was standing in the tub, Rainbow Dash sitting idly by, an expectant look on her face.

There was a few moments pause between the two as they shuffle about. Rainbow had really wanted to get Applejack in the tub, but now that she had her here...she wasn't sure how to continue.

'This is...kinda awkward, actually.' Rainbow quickly thought to herself. 'Maybe I shouldn't have asked her to wash my ba- no, it doesn't matter. She's already here, and she's staring at me. What now, what now, what now? Whatever, I don't feel like planning right now, I'm just gonna go for it.'

“Thanks again AJ, this really means a lot to me.” As Dash said this, she turned to face a peg on the side of the tub where the sponge hung. Securing it in her mouth, she turned back around to face Applejack, intent on passing on the object.

The moment she turned though, she was very very surprised.

'Oh Celestia what is she doing why is Applejack leaning towards my mouth what is this is she trying to kiss me Celestia I'm not ready or maybe I am do I want this I think I do why is this happening we didn't even talk or do anything ye- ….oh. She was just taking the sponge from my mouth. Uh...wow. That was...intense? I think that's the word Twilight would use. Huh, I feel really dumb right now.'

“You okay over there?”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Rainbow hastily replied. If not for Applejack's words, who knows how long she would have just stood there pondering what could've been.

Finally composing herself, she turned around so her good friend could get to work. Applejack didn't say anything a moment ago, but her look had said it all for her. It was a look of 'What in the hay just happened?'

Rainbow Dash knew because that was the same exact look she as sporting at that time.

Irrelevant though, as Applejack had a job to do, and it may very well be the most difficult thing she's ever done. Which is not an easy task, mind you. Take care of her family? Nothing to it. Buck thousands of Apple trees per year? Not a problem. Defeat Nightmare Moon? Whatever. Stop Discord's reign of comedy and terror? No biggie. Banish Queen Chrysalis from Equestria? …...Okay, that one she hadn't been responsible for, that was all Princess Cadance and (now Prince) Shining Armor, but she did defeat several dozen changelings with her friends, and that was only two weeks ago!

But helping Rainbow Dash bathe? Woah there, now that is a challenge. But enough stalling, her friend needs her help! Besides, Applejack liked a little challenge here and there.

After pumping some soap onto the sponge, Applejack moved to stand beside and a little behind Rainbow. She let the sponge go on Rainbow's back before pressing a hoof into it, holding it in place.

“You ready?”

“You bet. And, mind the wings.”

Applejack gave a nod, even though she knew it would go unseen.

Finally, carefully, Applejack started. Laying the sponge upon Rainbow's back, she smoothly pushed forward, pulling it back after it reached past Dash's neck. Adjusting the position slightly, again she pushed forward, before pulling back. Applejack wasn't really sure if she was, uh, performing up to Rainbow's standards, but it felt like she was doing everything just fine.

Sounded like it, too. Rainbow gave a sigh of appreciation a few seconds in, a sure-fire sign that led Applejack to think that her ministrations were achieving the intended result.

'Hold on, intended result? What am I thinkin'? What in tarnation *is** my goal here anyhow? To make Dash happy? To help out a friend? I didn't think she'd be so er...grateful.'*

“Thanks again AJ.” Rainbow Dash half moaned out. “This feel reeeeeaaaaally nice...” Rainbow let that sentence just hang there, blissfully unaware of the stand-still she'd just caused in her friends head. Applejack now had a rather large streak of red adorning her muzzle, but she gave no other hint that she'd heard what Dash had said. She hadn't even replied back, she only just kept on grooming Rainbow.

Minutes of Applejack idly thinking to herself passed by. It was time to change tactics.

“Rainbow, your back and sides are all clean, all that's left is your mane, your tail, n' also your wings if ya like. I don't rightly know if yall'd like me touchin' your wings though.”

“Well my wings got a pretty good beating too. Would you mind washing them for me? I mean, please?”

“Well what kind a friend would I be if I didn't?”

Compared to earlier, Applejack's mindset has changed a bit. Before she was a bit iffy on touching Rainbow Dash so intimately, but she was still happy to help her good friend. Now, she was still very happy to be of help, but she was much more sure of what she was doing. She almost had a sense of nostalgia as she thought of how used to these types of things she actually was. Doing mindless activities with Dash that only they could enjoy together was one of the things she loved the most, and this had become one of those times. Really, her friends were her one constant in an ever-changing world, and Dash more than anypony else, being that she was the one pony whom Applejack trusted the most to never betray another.

She enjoyed the comfortable feeling she had in Dash's presence. She enjoyed the look of appreciation she'd receive when she did a favor for Dash. She enjoyed all their casual talks, their runs together, and now even bathing together was something she was actually enjoying, and maybe even looking forward to in the future...

'Woah there! What am I thinking? Boy, what would RD think if she heard me say that, I wonder?'

For some reason, as Applejack picked up her sponge to wash Dash's wings, she'd felt a strong sense of pride in the relationship that'd been forged between herself and Rainbow Dash.

And now, it was time to create another memory that would strengthen the relationship between the two.

Applejack didn't really know much about caring for Pegasus wings, but it couldn't be much different than washing any other part of a pony. Raising her sponge, Applejack placed it on the base of Rainbow's wing, who then immediately tensed up for a brief moment, before relaxing and unfurling her wing. Applejack continued, gracing the wing with it's first slow stroke, from the base of the wing to the tips of the feathers.

And Rainbow Dash shuddered. And not just a tiny shiver, either. The now-slightly-cooler water encompassing them rippled from the series of shakes Rainbow briefly experienced. Applejack froze up for a moment...before continuing again. Once again raising the sponge, Applejack stroked Rainbow's wing from base to tip, earning her another shudder.

Only this time, it was accompanied by a small groan of satisfaction.

“Thanks, Applejack. This is reeaally nice...”

A sly smile splayed itself across the workhorse's face. Again, Applejack brushed a new part of Dash's wing, and again Rainbow shook. Applejack couldn't see from here, but she knew that if she looked Dash in the face, there'd be a blush there.

Applejack had a magnificent revelation.

“Awwww, does Widdle Dashie Washie like having her wings washed?”

“S-shut up, Applejack.”

“Aw, I dunno. I always like to talk while I work.” She placed the sponge on the wing. “I reckon that if I shut up, then I'll just have to...” She brushed the wing, slowly. “Stop.” Another brush, with more force this time. “Doing.” And yet another brush followed by another groan from Rainbow. Applejack leaned over to whisper her final word in 'Widdle Dashie Washie's' ear. “This.” She punctuated her final word with a particularly slow, but hard brush all down Dash's wing.

Rainbow couldn't really take it. She seemed very frustrated, even slightly stamping one hoof on the tub floor at the last stroke.

“Applejack, y-you have to st-stop.”

Applejack did as she was told, for fear that she'd inflicted pain upon who she called her best friend.

“Why, am I hurting ya Dash? I'm sorry.”

“Uh, eheh...not exactly.”

Applejack eyed her friend a little suspiciously.

'Is she sayin' what I think she- nah, it can't be....................but what if?'

Slowly, she raised the sponge and replaced it on Dash's still outstretched wing.

“Applejack, what they hay? I said not to brush my wingaaaAAHHH!”

As the chromatic mare was speaking, Applejack took it upon herself to brush Rainbow's wing again. Not just one brush, she was moving in a zig-zag motion all down her wings, very fast and with a fair amount of pressure. And when she reached the tip? She started all over again.

“Mmnn! Applejack! You have toAaaaAahH Applejack!”

Hooves were stamping on the floor of the tub, Rainbow's free wing was flapping about, Rainbow wouldn't stop-couldn't stop moaning, and- oh Celestia what is Applejack doing!?

“Applejack! Please, Applejack!” Applejack had switched wings, giving the same treatment to the other. Only faster. “You have to- Ooooo wow, oh wow, ack! I mean- MMMMNN Applejack! Applejack!”

Rainbow was on her way up, riding this insane roller coaster all the way to the top, higher than she'd ever gone before. Surely this was going to be an amazing ride. Maybe not the kind you'd call the best one ever, but surely one you'd never forget.

And it all stopped.

Rainbow spun around to face Applejack, her face flushed red, her panting breath very labored, and an odd look in her eyes.

“Applejack! You-you-why did you-you just-I-I I can't even...” She took a deep breath before opening her mouth again. And said nothing. She didn't even know what to say. She stared at Applejack, who's face was a little red as well, a smug look adorning it.

They stared each other down, neither really knowing what to say. Finally though, it was Rainbow who broke the ice.

“Didn't you notice what you were...well, what you were doing to me?” She said this a tad bit angrier than she intended. It was a rhetorical question, of course. Applejack must've become oblivious for a minute, it's not like she'd continue if she had noticed what she was-

“I sure did.”

Rainbow looked shocked.

“Well than why did you do it!?”

The same sly smile from earlier danced it's way on to Applejacks face again.

“I refuse to answer.”

They stood still for a few moments, Rainbow sizing up her new 'opponent', avidly thinking of a way to get Applejack to reveal her true intent.

Rainbow was pretty good at mind games. She was sure she could get it with this one sentence...

“So...you knew exactly what was happening?” Applejack nodded. “And you continued to do it to tease me? That's low, Applejack.”

“Hey now, listen here!”

Bingo.

A smug smile formed in Rainbows mind. Only in her mind, though, for she would hate for Applejack to realize she'd been caught up in Rainbow's scheme so easily.

“Once I saw what I was doing to ya...I stopped for a minute, remember? But then I realized, they're your wings, you musta known what was going to happen! I figured that maybe you wanted me to, well...do what I did. But then when you couldn't be all discreet about it you started yellin' and telling me to stop when you shoulda just shut yer trap and enjoyed the ride!”

Rainbow stood stock still, not sure if she was embarrassed at the situation or at the fact that she'd been found out so easily.

Applejack...also stood stock still, realizing she had just given herself away as well. She could only hope that Dash wouldn't be able to put two and two togeth-

“You wanted to 'finish' me?”

Damn it.

“Well...yeah. Yeah, I did want to finish you. I figure yesterday you had a rougher time than a bull wrangler, and...and it's the least I could do ah...'help' you relax. I'm sure you're very tense, and...yeah. We're both grown mares, here...and best friends, too! It shouldn't be that weird, really.”

“Well you stopped at the very last second, so now I'm actually worse off! What am I gonna do now!?”

“...........Well you might as well finish.”

"What." It wasn't even a question.

Applejack said no words, she only picked up the sponge and placed it on Dash's wing. This time, Rainbow was watching her...this was probably going to be really intense. For both of them.

“Applejack, I don't know if-ooooooohhhhhhh Celestiaaaaa why do you do this to me!?”

“Sssshhhh there, sugarcube. If you want me to stop, just say so. Otherwise, just enjoy it."

As Applejack furiously scrubbed Rainbows wings, a look of bliss crossed Rainbows face that Applejack had never seen before. Not that she would have seen it before, mind you.

Applejack was right, with Rainbow staring at her it was a lot more intense, and also a lot more embarrassing, but she had the absolute weirdest sense of guilt concerning Rainbow Dash...she couldn't just leave her like that, after all.

And so again Rainbow rode up the roller coaster. Applejack scrubbed, prodded, ruffled, stroked, and even gently hit the truly magnificent wings that were in front of her.

“AaaahhaaaApplejack! Applejack! Applejack! I'm gonna- I'm gonna- Oh Celestia, wow, oh wow.

Rainbow was so blissfully unaware of anything and everything at the moment. Time and place didn't matter, only her and Applejack.

“MMMMNNNNnnnnnnnn.................”

And there it was. Rainbow was finally pushed over the edge, finally given the release she so desperately craved, that she so deserved, too. The fact that Applejack stopped earlier only increased her sensitivity this time around, and the pleasure she experienced (literally) gushed forth from her.

“How was that, little filly?”

If Applejack was expecting a response right away, she didn't get one. In fact, Rainbow wouldn't say anything for a few minutes more, she could only pant for breath.

Eventually, Dash had composed herself.

“I think...I think...I think you've just made me very emotionally confused.”

“Beg your pardon?”

“Let's go for a run, AJ.”

“Are you even sure you can-”

“And where the hay is that Apple Pie you promised me!?”

*****************************************

A/N: Chapter's over! What do you think is in store next?

And while you're here, please remember the three C's! Critique, Comment, and C-....C-......Rate. If you like this style of writing, then check out my other work!

Spin-Off: Bananas!

Bananas!

In the highest tower of the tallest section of Canterlot Castle, there resides a chamber. The princess' personal chamber, to be precise. And so who was currently occupying this chamber? Well obviously is would be none other than...

Rainbow Dash, of course! Well, Princess Celestia was there too, but that's not shocking. Everypony expects Celestia to be in her own room, but why was Rainbow Dash there?

In fact, how was Rainbow Dash there? Last she checked, she was in Ponyville...

Taking stock of the situation, Dash could see that she was standing a dozen feet away from Princess Celestia, the latter of which looked entirely amused at Dash's confusion. So after realizing that she was not understanding anything that was going on, and realizing that standing still would garner no further information, a question or two was vocalized.

“Uh...hello, your highness. Sorry if I haven't bowed, I can't remember if I did or not. In fact, I can't even remember how I got here, or what I was doing before...but uh...where am I? And why am I wherever I am?”

Princess Celestia, for her part, seemed to take pride in knowing exactly what was happening. Her voice simply oozed that type of attitude that said 'I know something you don't.' Which was true, of course.

“Why Rainbow Dash, in my infinite power, I've used a spell to make you appear in my bedroom, of course. Were the bed and my presence not clues enough?”

Ignoring the Princess' seemingly playful stab at Rainbow's deductive ability, she needed more answers.

“Okay Princess, so you-”

“Please, call me 'Celly', I wish to be more...intimate with my little ponies.”

“Uh, okay, if you...say so? Well, uh, C-Celly,” 'Oh wow that feels weird. What the hay is going on!?' “could you please tell me why I'm here? Is there a problem? Something that needs to be done? Is it something only I can take care of?” Awkwardly Rainbow pawed at the ground, her head dropping a little.

At that last suggestion, 'Celly' raised her eyebrows, a sly smile parting her lips.

“Hmmm, something only you can take care of? While not the words I've chosen, I suppose it could be said that way.”

Rainbow visibly brightened, her head held high and her ears perking up. Something she could make sense of! The Princess was obviously taking her time explaining a dire situation to her. She was trying to spare Dash's feeling by telling her of a new threat slowly, of course!

“Well don't worry Princess!” Rainbow bravely stepped forward “I'll take care of-”

“Do you like bananas?

“Whatever the problem is, I'll-wait what?”

“Rainbow Dash, I asked you if you like bananas.”

“Bananas?”

“Bananas.”

“Banana-I uh...I'm not even-WHY!?”

“It's a simple question, Rainbow Dash. I wish to know if you have a general satisfaction pertaining to bananas.”

Rainbow, to her credit, looked a lot less confused than she should. Outwardly, at least. She looked as if she was having a completely ordinary day, it was just on the INSIDE that nothing made sense.

“Rainbow Dash, tell me if you like [size=8]mmmmm[/size] bananas.”

“Uh...well I suppose I-”

“Bananas, Rainbow Dash! Do you like mmmmm bananas!”

“Yes! For the love of Celest-I mean for the love of...whatever, yes, I like bananas! Why does it matter?”

The Princess seemed to be having fun, a huge smile gracing her rather attractive face, while Rainbow's was the opposite. Not that her face wasn't attractive, it was just very....red. And held an exasperated look. Whether the red adorning her muzzle was embarrassment or from suppressed anger was unknown.

“So let me get this straight. You are a mmmmm[size=7]beeyetch[/size] that likes mmmmm bananas!”

“Well, I didn't really hear what you whispe-”

“No no no, that won't do, let me rephrase. So you are a [size=7]BITCH[/size] that likes mmmmm bananas!”

“Uh...yeah? I'm still not sure what that quiet word was though. What were you whispering?”

“Doesn't matter. Here, have a banana!”

The chromatic mare had NO CLUE what was happening...at first. But as she saw Celestia's horn glow, followed by a banana appearing from seemingly nowhere...well she still didn't know where this was going, but she didn't think it'd be very good!

The banana dangled in front of Rainbow for a few moments, twitching this way and that, drops of juice falling off at every movement. The banana was almost taunting her, before it swiftly moved behind her out of sight.

“You know Rainbow, I didn't really pull that banana out of nowhere. I happen to know of a GREAT hiding place.”

Rainbow paled. She wasn't blue any longer, in fact she didn't even resemble a blue color for a moment there, but then she realized that this was Princess Celestia here! The most kind, generous, loving mare to ever walk the lands! Surely she would NEVER-

BANANAAAAS!

Oh how wrong Rainbow was.

And with a mighty shove of magic, the previously silent air was shattered by-

***

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!”

“Fluttershy? Fluttershy, what happened!?”

In a moments notice after the ear-splitting scream Fluttershy had released, Twilight was by her side. As she would have suspected, Fluttershy was hiding underneath her blankets, the protective layer shaking as much as the mare that they held.

Briskly, Twilight walked over to where Fluttershy was, and after removing the covers, tried to whisper comforting words in her ear, but Fluttershy took note of none of it.

“Oh, Twilight! I had the most awful, awful dream!”

“A nightmare?”

“Oh no, this was worse! Oh, Rainbow Dash was there, and the Princess, and...bananas! Oh Twilight, bananas and ponies aren't meant to be used that way!”

“Used...what way?”

“No! No, I wont! You can't use any bananas on me, you can't!”

As Fluttershy terrifyingly mumbled to herself, Twilight stood staring.

'Maybe her head injury was worse than I thought...I probably shouldn't have let her take a nap, they say sleeping after head trauma is bad for you, even if it has been hours since the incident...'

The New(ish) Mare In Town

The New(ish) Mare in Town

'Wow, I feel like a...what was the word? Masochist? Yeah, that's it. I feel like a Masochist. Hey AJ! I just rescued our friend from mortal peril, wrecking my body in the process and making my muscles almost useless! Wanna go for a run? …Huh. When did I learn the phrase 'Mortal peril'?'

So after Rainbow's brilliant plan to distract herself by suggesting a run, Applejack had the brilliant thought that it was a good idea. I mean, it's not like common sense would dictate otherwise or anything. No sir, running when injured is definitely a good idea. On the tippy-top of the to-do list, even.

All pain and idiocy aside, the run itself was peaceful enough. They hadn't been running particularly fast, and they didn't say much, but they did enjoy the company of the others presence. It was just one of those special things that they shared between them, the kind of social activity that was special to each individual friend.

Minutes later though, the pain had escalated from a simple 'Hey, pay attention to me!' to something that more or less resembled 'I'm going to start poking you with sharp pointy things now!' It was only bit of a nuisance, but it was enough to make her want to distract herself with some talking.

“So AJ, I've got some things I need to tell you, and I don't really wanna drag this out so I think I'm just gonna say it.”

Applejack didn't respond, but she did look inquisitively at Rainbow Dash, a clear indicator that she would like for her to continue.

The powerful legs of the two ponies beat against the ground for almost a full minute as Dash took this time to gather her rather jumbled thoughts.

“Yesterday after I saved Fluttershy, I think I realized a few things. I'll explain more about our conversation in a minute, but first I just have to say something, something very important.”

Applejack nodded at Rainbow to carry on.

“It's not easy to say, and I might run off as soon as I say it...I f-feel like running off right now and I haven't even started yet! So...pay attention, AJ!

“Well git on with it, then! I promise I won't judge ya for it. And if it's a problem I'd be more than happy to try and help.” she said, completely honestly, of course.

“Well AJ...I think I've finally understood that...well what I'm trying to say is...I really, really like-”

“Fireworks?”

“Firework- what? No! Well, I mean yes, fireworks are cool, but what I really mean is-”

“Not you, ya silly filly, look!”

It took Rainbow Dash a moment to realize Applejack had fallen behind on account of her having stopped running. After back-tracking a couple of feet to the farm pony, she looked past the canopy of trees, through the hole between some of the leaves where Applejack was pointing. Indeed off in the distance there were fireworks. Spectacular ones, at that: there were dozens of them, some streaming straight up, others twirling, some exploding into glorious rainbows, and much more as well.

“That's cool Applejack, but the shows over, let's get moving again.” It was as Rainbow had stated, for the spectacle before them had suddenly ceased as if it had never began.

“Are you kiddin' me Rainbow? Who would go out of their way to blow up some mighty fine fireworks in the middle of the forest where nopony could see them? Maybe they got hurt! Let's go check it out!”

And off Applejack went before Rainbow could even protest...but as Rainbow followed soon after, she realized that it wasn't all bad. After all, the view behind Applejack was much better than the view from alongside her...

***

The two mares were happy to discover that the trail curved around leftwards directly to the location of the fireworks, meaning that they wouldn't have to trek through the thick of the brush.

They were less happy to discover that the field was currently occupied by a large stagecoach wagon which seemed to be practically embedded into a tree.

“Wow. That's no ordinary crash Applejack. It takes a special kind of skill to be THAT terrible.”

As Dash laughed at her own joke, Applejack scoffed. She took a moment to circle round the cart.

Applejack wore an expression of extreme worry on her face. Dash just rolled her eyes as she casually sauntered over, nothing fazing her.

“Applejack, whoever crashed probably set off the fireworks. If they could move then they shouldn't be that badly injure-”

“Shut up and c'mere real quick, we got a pony down over here!”

***

“I absolutely, positively, refuse.”

“Come on, Dash! If you fly her she'll be safe in the hospital before she gets any worse!”

“I absolutely, positively, refuse.” Rainbow Dash repeated, punctuating her remark with the stamp of a hoof.

Between the two bickering ponies lie a third pony, although she was not able to partake any in this conversation being that she was unconscious. Were she awake however, she'd hear just how stupid two stubborn ponies could be.

“Rainbow Dash! I'm surprised at you. You represent the spirit of the Element of Loyalty, now be loyal to ponykind and help THIS pony!” She gestured with an outstretched hoof once again at the unmoving form between them.

“That doesn't even make sense! Just looking at this blue loudmouth brat makes me wanna be sick, why would I have to be loyal to her of all ponies?! She's okay, isn't she? She's breathing, so she has to be! Let's just wait until she wakes up and then we'll take off.”

“And how long will that be? Five minutes? An hour? A week? I don't like her any more'n you do, but it's our duty as civilians of Equestria to take care o' one another.”

Rainbow had to admit, Applejack had a point when it came to the whole 'How long will she be out?' thing. Head trauma was tricky stuff, even tiny injuries could have devastating effects, and if the snarky unicorn between the two of them was unconscious after a crash...

Rainbow took a moment to idly wonder what divine force was wandering around causing cranial injuries everywhere it went.

Then she took another moment to wonder if she's been hanging around Twilight too much. How else would she know the word 'cranial'?

A few minutes pause and Dash sighed in defeat.

“Fine. Just this once, just this once, "The Dash™" will-”

“Please don't call yourself "The Dash™" ever again.”

“HEY! Can't you see that "The Dash™" is trademarked? Say it again and I'll have to sue you.”

Applejack looked...well she didn't really know how to look. Just the preposterous idea that alone made her want to laugh while slapping Rainbow Dash silly.

“I don't rightly think ya can trademark a name, Rainbow. 'Sides, I ain't got nothing. What would you sue me for, anyway? Money? I have none. Labor? I work all day already. Food? Used to feed mah family.”

“How about your body?”

“...”

“Too far?”

Applejack just shook her head, but a smile escaped onto her lips nonetheless. The sight filled Rainbow with motivation.

“Soooooo.....while we're on that topic, I have something to say to you.”

“'While we're on that topic' ya say...Dash, are y’all coming on to me?” Applejack laughed at her own would-be joke.

“No! Uh, actually, yeah. Sorta. Listen Applejack, I tried to say it earlier, but-”

“Doesn't matter right now, Dash. This is more impor'ant. Y'all can tell me later, but first I please need ya to help me.”

Rainbow almost looked angry at being cut off again, but a moment later the look passed. Dejectedly sighing, ears flattening down, she stopped to look at AJ.

With another sigh, this time accompanied by a smile, she spoke.

“Fine. But only because you said please.”

Before Applejack knew it, she was alone on the woods. Helping Dash get Trixie up on her back had only taken a moment, and in the next second a cyan figure could be seen flying away in the distance.

***

“Yes, she's in room 3C. Just please, I'm going to need everypony to be quiet, she's only just got here and she hasn't woken up yet.” Nurse Redheart stated.

After her instructions, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Twilight followed Rainbow silently for a few minutes, but eventually Twilight had to re-ask the question on all the others minds.

“Rainbow, why again won't you tell us who it is that's hurt? We're all really worried!”

“Doesn't matter, her room is right there. Just go inside!”

“Her? So it's a her? Her who?”

Rainbow didn't respond.

Twilight looked quizzically over at Rainbow Dash, but otherwise didn't do anything.

“Well? Go inside!”

Slowly they all, minus Dash, shuffled into the room.

A sudden stroke of inspiration hit Dash. There was an evil glint in her eye as she pondered her nefarious prank. Quickly, she closed the door behind the last pony, she herself waiting outside.

“.......4.....3......2......1......” Dash slowly counted down.

“.........”

“Huh, Twilight and Rarity must be taking it better than I-”

“TRIXIE!?”

“There it is.”

***

A short time later and a furious Nurse Redheart came into view, her vision filled with Rainbow Dash, who was cackling on the floor and banging her hoof against the wall.

”What did I just get through saying?”

That straightened up Rainbow real quick.

“Sorry, doc, couldn't resist a good prank. You know how it is.” Rainbow sheepishly responded, her wings a little lower than normal and a hoof scratching the back of her head.

“OH well that makes everything just dandy then!”

“......It does?”

“No! It doesn-...I mean, no. It doesn't.” She had to catch herself before she starting shouting.

“Rainbow Dash, what if Trixie'd been woken up by that scream? Everything sounds quiet, so it's probably okay, but how would you respond to being woken up by four ponies, who you assume hate you, in a hospital room not knowing what's going on? And now I have to take time out of my busy schedule to make sure everything's okay!”

Without another word she'd pushed past Dash and made her way into the room, leaving the (now a little faded) rainbow maned Pegasus to sulk by herself.

She didn't have to sulk alone for long though, as a couple of seconds later Applejack rounded the corner.

“Applejack! Good, just the mare I needed to talk to- how did you find me anyway?”

“Well that's an easy one.” Applejack let a hint of a smirk though. “I jus' had to follow the sound of shoutin'. Most of the hollerin' done around these parts is because of you anyway.” By the end of her statement Applejack wore a full smile at Rainbow's expense.

“Well har har, you're so clever.”

The tension settled over the two as they glared at one another for a few moments.

“......”

“......Heh.”

“......Ha..ahaha....”

“Pfffft- Bahahahaha!”

“Hahahaha....! Why are y'all laughing?! It really wasn't-heh-funny at-HAH-at all!”

“Same to you-Hahhah-you-HAAheh- cowgirl!”

Half a minute later, they started to calm down, the occasional chuckle or giggle escaping from-.

Laugh. The occasional chuckle or laugh escaping. Rainbow Dash did NOT giggle.

“Applejack, this is perfect. There's been something I've been trying to say to you all day, but the...what would Twilight call it? I dunno, Cosmic Forces, or something like that. Whatever, something has been stopping me all day.”

“Rainbow, I-”

“No, shut up you'll ruin it. Applejack, I lo-GAH!”

And as Rainbow Dash put it, the 'Cosmic Forces' at work decided now was not the time. If it WAS the proper time, they wouldn't have opened that door. And they especially wouldn't have opened it right into Rainbow's face.

And from behind that door popped the head of Pinkie Pie.

“Oopsie! Sorry, Dashie! Hey, they rhymed! Kinda. It was more like a half rhyme, like 'orange' and 'door hinge.' I wish 'silver' rhymed with something, then I could write a song about it! Wait, what was I singing? Oh well! La, la la, lalala, laaaaa!” Rainbow couldn't see very well with a wooden door trying to lodge itself in her skull (What IS it with head injuries recently?!) but she could recognize the sound of Pinkie Pie's mind just completely leaving the building, and Pinkie Pie along with it as she bounced off in time with her tune.

“Oh gosh! Rainbow, are you okay?” Fluttershy too peeked around the door, before closing it gently, making sure it hit nopony else.

“I WAS fine, but now my head hurts....and also...” She motioned for Fluttershy to come a little closer. “I was just about to admit my feelings to Applejack when Pinkie slammed me with that door...”

Fluttershy flushed red at hearing what she'd interrupted.

“Oh, my! Uhh, um...Twilight, Rarity, let's go for some tea at my house and you can tell me all about Trixie and who she is. Doesn't that sound fun?”

The two in question exchanged a look that could only mean 'What's up with Fluttershy?'

“But Fluttershy,” Rarity paused, her love of gossip kicking in “You simply must tell us what Rainbow Dash said that could turn you such a shade of red so quickly! It must be absolutely scandalous.”

Fluttershy looked at Rainbow pleadingly. She didn't want to reveal her friend's trusted secret, but she couldn't lie to her friends either!

Glancing over at Rainbow again, Fluttershy saw her wave her hooves toward the door and silently mouth the words 'just go!'

“Uhh....ummmmmm....uhhhhhh......so tea sounds lovely, right? Okay then let's go I'llflyustomyhousewe'llbefasterthatway!”

In an impressive display of speed and strength that Dash was actually very proud of, Fluttershy grabbed the other two ponies by their front hooves, and with a mighty pull she picked them up off the ground, out the window, and towards her house.

No! No, Fluttershy my maaaaaaa [size=8]nnnne!![/size]

“...Wow RD, you ever see Fluttershy move like that?”

“Nope! And I've never been prouder to see her move like that than I am right now.” She beamed, a huge and surprisingly creepy smile plastered to her face.

“So listen Applejack, I-”

“Sorry Rainbow, but I'm really tired. I'm not exactly in the mood for talking. I'm gonna spend the night here in case Trixie wakes up. Bad as she is, I don' want her runnin' off inta Ponyville causing a ruckus-”

“FRACUS!” They heard Pinkie shout from somewhere outside.

“.....Causing a fracus once she gets outta here.”

Rainbow's body seemed to slump a little bit at the news.

“I promise you though, we'll do all the talking you like tomorrow, okay sugarcube?”

Dash did seem to brighten up a little bit at the prospect, but not as much as Applejack hoped, so a moment later she pulled Dash into a tight hug. The smile on Dash's face made it apparent it had the intended effect.

“Now git on home and rest.”

“Yes dear, whatever you say. 'Take out the trash, brush your teeth, go to bed!' Geez, you sound like you're my husband......[size=8]hint hint.[/size]

“What was tha-”

“Nothing, bye Applejack!”

***

It was midnight. Rainbow Dash couldn't sleep.

It was midnight...and Rainbow Dash couldn't sleep. Why, she was almost a professional rester at this point! What ever could keep her from sleep?

Of course she already knew the answer...it was Applejack, and that promised talk they'd have tomorrow. Tomorrow. Tomorrow......tomorrow.....wait a second, tomorrow....was today! Well, not literally, but Applejack promised her a talk tomorrow, but she promised that before midnight, so...it's the next day! She could go talk to her and she'd have no choice but to listen because she promised!

Her plan was foolproof!

***

Being that "The Dash™" was able to easily fly through the window to Trixie's temporary room completely undetected, the last one hundred years of Ponyville hospital's existence suddenly felt much less secure.

Forget that, though. Rainbow Dash was on a mission!

After taking a moment to let her eyes adjust to the new darkness some, she found a safe spot to land on the floor. Hopefully she wouldn't trip over anything in this low lighting...she'd hate to be discovered sneaking in here.

Using the moonlight streaming through the window to her advantage, she looked over to where she knew the bed was. It was rather surprising to see AJ's silhouette sitting up near the edge of the bed, but she hadn't turned to face Rainbow yet. She must not have noticed her. Well, it was time to fix that. Rainbow had something to say, and AJ was going to listen!

“Hey!” She whispered excitedly. “I'm glad to see you're awake, I didn't expect you to be up.”

The other mare jumped slightly. She was obviously surprised that she'd heard Rainbow start talking out of nowhere.

“Now listen, please. I have something to say to you, and it's really, really important.” The desperation in Rainbow's voice was almost tangible. “I've been wanting to tell you this forever but things kept getting in the way. Not this time, though. Not now. I need you to promise me that you won't say anything until I'm done talking. Can you promise me that?”

Rainbow didn't hear a response, instead the target of her affections just nodded her head slowly.

“Good!”

And now Rainbow was free to say whatever she wanted to! She could sing her love for Applejack to the heavens, or she could carve her face in a cloud, or she could regale her with an amazing story sure to win her heart!

…......Or she could stand there like a complete foal. For three minutes. Without saying or doing a single thing.

The silence at this point was almost eerie. Creepy, even...but Rainbow had to break it. She had to say something...

Something relevant to the topic, would be best.

“Yesterday I had a talk with F-Fluttershy, and I-I realized a few things. A-and hey! Just bec-cause I'm stammering and talking fast doesn't m-mean I'm em...embarrassed or anything! "The Dash™" does not get embarrassed!”

Still, Applejack was silent.

'Wow, she's really taking that silence thing seriously. Whatever, it's better that way.

“There's no denying my feelings for you anymore. Fluttershy made me realize that I've felt strongly for you for a while now, but it wasn't until yesterday that I truly understood how I felt.”

Rainbow Dash took a short pause to take a deep breath and prepare herself.

“I guess what I'm trying to say is this: I love you. And it took me until now to admit it. I didn't tell you sooner because I couldn't. I wanted to, but I just...couldn't.”

“......”

“Uhh...I'm done, so...you can talk now. You...probably think I'm weird, a-and want me to go, so...I-I'll see you around.”

Rainbow, with a glimmer of tears in her eyes, backpedaled a step before spreading her wings, preparing for a quick take-off.

“Halt!”

…..What? But that wasn't...

“Nay, one called Rainbow Dash. Your feelings aren't weird at all!”

“......Oh no.”

“In fact, you are just one of many to fall for my astounding, luxurious, and alluring presence.”

“........Oh, *NO*.”

“Yes, it's true! The Great and Powerful Trixie is most certainly the best catch there is!”

“Uhhhhhhh.............”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

********

A/N: Oh Trixie, you so silly.

And while you're here, please remember the three C's! Critique, Comment, and C-....C-......Rate. If you like this style of writing, then check out my other work!

Taking Advantage

Nopony said a thing. They all wanted to, but nopony had any idea where to start. They understood what was said, but it didn't quite process yet. It didn't make any sense!

Trixie, the most boastful, self righteous, egotistical, conceited, narcissistic pony around, was here to learn about the magic of friendship?

It was ridiculous!

Unbelievable!

Absurd!

...Hilarious!

Rainbow Dash's mind finally settled on that word. That about summed it up better than anything else ever could, and she wasted no further time vocalizing it.

“Okay, okay, okay, let me get this straight,” Rainbow Dash started, the beginnings of a smile edging its way onto her face, “you, you of all ponies, came back to study friendship? That's just too rich. You don't even know the first thing about being nice! I bet you wouldn't know a good friend if one walked up to you, asked if you wanted to be friends, and handed you a piece of cake.”

“Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie! I heard we were meeting somepony new and I LOVE meeting new ponies so I baked you this cake! Wanna be my bestest best friend ever? Pretty please?”

Looking at Trixie with wide eyes and a smile that could melt a Windigo, Pinkie Pie proffered up a chocolate cake with pink icing.

Trixie was a little taken aback at the sudden appearance of so much, er, pink, but she didn't show it. Instead she gratefully accepted the cake with a smile, although under her smile she was wondering just where that cake came from.

“Trixie would be delighted.”

“WHOOOOO!” Pinkie shouted as she rocketed in the air. “Now I get to throw another one of my famous welcome parties! Oooohhh I'm so nervouscited!”

“She does realize that's not a word, right?” Trixe asked.

“Just let it go Trixie,” said Rainbow Dash “you won't get anywhere with that one.”

***Three Days Later***

Trixie was having little success in her attempts at friendship. Most of the ponies in town either remembered how she acted last time she visited or was told by a friend, and thus didn't care to try and put up with Trixie in any way. Trixie's only chance now was to befriend somepony everybody liked. Somebody who was cool, somebody who ponies cared about, somebody who the town looked up to, somebody whom everyone would listen to when they say 'Hey, Trixie's not such a bad person.'

Somebody like Rainbow Dash.

But Trixie's attempts at befriending the chromatic mare had been less than fruitful. In fact, most of the past two days had consist of Trixie shouting up at Rainbow Dash's cloud house until one of them got so fed up they left.

Rainbow was still grateful for Trixie's cover-up a few days earlier, but she just couldn't bring herself to attempt and befriend Trixie, she just held too much resentment. After all, she humiliated her when she-

“Hey Rainbow Dash! Get down here!”

Not again.

“Trixie! Leave me alone!” Rainbow shouted back.

“Rainbow Dash, I'm not messing around this time. You're coming down here or ELSE!”

“Or else what? I can dodge ANY of your spells!”

A smirk appeared on Trixie's face. “Not this one!”

A flash of light and a smoke cloud later...! Nothing changed. In fact, Rainbow took note that the residual magic cloud was looming over TRIXIE, nor Rainbow herself.

“Uuuuhhhh....did you miss? Terribly? I assumed you were a bad shot but this is ridiculous.”

”NOT AT ALL RAINBOW DASH! MY TARGET WAS ME!”

Holy Celestia! Trixie's voice was literally booming loud as thunder! It may have been hurting Rainbow Dash's ears, but still, she could just fly away from the source and then it would be fine, right?

”ATTENTION PONYVILLE, THIS IS AN ANONYMOUS CONTRIBUTOR SPEAKING! I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT RAINBOW DASH, CURRENTLY HIDING IN HER CLOUD HOUSE, HAS COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY HEAD-OVER-HOOVES FALLEN IN LOVE WITH-”

And that's about as far as that got. The only thing going anywhere now was Trixie. To the hospital. Again.

Makes sense, though. Noses tend to break when you punch them dead on with the force of a Sonic Rainboom.

**************************

“That was completely uncalled for.” A certain irritated unicorn said to an equally irritated Pegasus.

“No, it was completely CALLED for! As far as I'm concerned, telling a secret to anypony you're not supposed to is pretty much saying 'Hey! I need to get punched in the face at the speed of sound! Could sompony help me with that?!'”

“It got you to come down and we're talking right now, so in the end I think I won anyway.” Trixie pointed out.

“Except now I'm furious with you and are never going to give you the time of day once you heal. I'm only here now because I feel a little responsible.”

Trixie thought for a moment.

“Hhhhmmmmm, you may be right. Never has Trixie heard that spilling a friend's secret is conducive to good friendship behavior...”

Trixie looked down at the white sheets of the hospital she was currently resting on.

“Rainbow Dash, sometimes I wishes she could have a clean slate, you know? Like these sheets right here. So white, so...pure. I wonder if I could ever be like that.”

'That's weird.' Rainbow thought. 'She dropped her whole third person thing. Could she actually be feeling sad? Eh, probably not.'

“But unfortunately for you, Rainbow Dash,” Trixie said with a not so innocent smile. “Trixie's heart is not like this sheet. It's black as night. Do you know what that means?”

“That you suck?” Rainbow said as she went to leave the room, she'd had about enough of this already. She'd made it halfway out the door when Trixie said

“It means that Trixie is going to blackmail you with the knowledge you've accidentally told me unless you give Trixie a chance. Commence friendship!”

“...That's stupid. Your stupid.”

“Well Trixie bets that you spelled 'you're' Y-O-U-R in your head just then.”

“What, that's not the proper 'your'?”

“NO!”

***

“Why are we doing this again Trixie?”

By 'this' Rainbow Dash was referring to the carnival she now stood in front of. It was standard fare as far as carnivals go, with cotton candy stalls, a couple of rides, cheap imitations of superheros as prizes, the usual.

“Because this is what friends do, Rainbow Dash, and if Trixie ever hopes to have friends she should start acting like one!”

Rainbow grimaced as she looked over at Trixie, a flat look now overtaking her features.

“I don't believe for one second that you could be a good friend. Look at us right now! I'm not here because I like you or anything, I-”

“That's not what you confessed to the magnificent Trixie before!” Trixie had to interject with a laugh.

“That wasn't meant for you and you know it! Now listen up and listen good. I'm only here because of you blackmailing me, and not for any other reason. Do you think that's a good way to start off a friendship? I'm gonna go with 'no' on that one.”

“Nonsense! It's perfectly normal, just go with it. Now let's go enjoy this carnival together.”

And with that Trixie walked off to enjoy some of the rides present, Rainbow following close behind.

They walked along in silence, Trixie looking for something legitimately fun for them to enjoy, Rainbow looking in any direction but Trixie. It wasn't a very productive friendship.

“Ooh Rainbow Dash, how about that one!”

Trixie was pointing forward at a small train ride, with a bunch of fillies likely younger than the Cutie Mark Crusaders. It went around in circles and had a bump in the middle, to add a little thrill for the kids.

“Really, Trixie? Really? That ride is for babies! Come on, let's keep going.”

They continued on their path, walking in random directions just taking in the sights.

“Trixie, If we're gonna ride something, we're gonna do it right. We need something that goes up and down while flipping and spinning. Something that goes so fast it hurts your eyes to keep open. Something that makes you say 'Oh Celestia, why did I trust this carnival ride made out of balsa wood and hope?' Something like...something like...that!”

As they rounded the next corner, there came into sight precisely the ride Rainbow was talking about. It was called “The Chain”, and for good reason. The ride consist of a vertical chain on a belt system that spun around in circles. On the chain were metal cages, four on each side. They spun on the chain, but also had a ball bearing where they connected, so each cage could spin individually from each other.

“Rainbow, are we looking at the same ride here? Look how rusted that abomination is! Surely it will break on the next cycle. And are you even looking at those cages? There's no padding plus they appear to be solid metal, and the door is held closed by a piece of string on some of them! If half are string and half metal, that means some of them must have already broken! And look at the structure holding it in place...Trixie is under the impression that that is indeed balsa wood! This may be the most dangerous thing Trixie has ever seen in her life.”

“I know, isn't it great?!” Rainbow yelled as she turned to face Trixie, a near maniacal look on her face. “Come on, let's go!”

Dash grabbed Trixie's hoof and dragged her towards the ride. Through her protests, Dash still managed to shove Trixie on board the contraption.

“Seal her up!” Dash shouted to the worker.

“No, let me out first! Let me OOOUUUT!”

The carnival worker, showing little concern at all, asked “Is she gonna be okay?” He didn't seem that genuine though. He was probably just doing the bare minimum of his job description.

“Yeah, it's her first time. She'll have a blast.”

“NO! Let Trixie out this instant or I'll-”

“What?” The uncaring guy shouted with an almost evil glare. “I can't hear you, the ride's started!”

With a lurch the ride kicked into high gear right out of the gate, creaking as it ascended.

“Rainbow Dash, if Trixie knew the teleportation spell, Trixie swears she would-”

“Leave?” Rainbow offered up.

“No, Trixie would send you into a volcano! Priorities, Rainbow Dash!”

It was then that they came up on the first spin, one of many to come. The wood creaked and the chains rattled, but nothing broke as the increased G-force was upon them.

Faster and faster the cage went, increasing in both speed and spins. Occasionally Trixie would let out a little 'Eep' of terror, but for the most part she seemed to be holding it in just fine.

That it, until the machine went in reverse.

“WHAT?! This blasted machine isn't over yet?”

The Chain was on it's way up.

“No no no, Trixie demands to be let out NOW!”

The speed was increasing.

“Hey, guy, do you hear Trixie? Stop this horrendous excuse for a ride right this instant!” Trixie shouted, banging on the doors while The Chain was reaching the topmost spin.

“When Trixie gets out of here, there will be consequences, do you hear me?! Consequences!”

*Snap*

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

The door couldn't handle Trixie's banging anymore, and the string holding the cage had snapped as their cart reached the apex of the turn, sending Trixie flying.

An instant later, Dash was a flurry of multi-colored madness. Realizing what had happened right away, and that she was partly responsible, she careened after Trixie mere moments after she had flown free from the cage.

Grabbing Trixie securely around the waist, she gently lowered to the ground, dropping her inches from touchdown.

Rainbow was trying to gauge Trixie, but Trixie just held a blank look.

“Hey Trixie, I don't normally say this, but uuhh, sorry.”

Still she just stood there.

“I didn't mean it, honest!”

No reaction.

“It was just a bit of harmless f-”

Well that's weird. These lips weren't here when she was trying to speak a moment ago.

Wait, lips?

It took her a moment, but our rainbow heroine was now acutely aware that Trixie was kissing her with her very soft, very pleasing lips.

'Wait...what?' She thought. That was a strange way do describe Trixie's lips. 'It's been like five seconds. I should probably do something about this. Yeah, definitely gonna do something, like, push her away. Any second now. Come on, body, move!'

But try as she might, Rainbow couldn't bring herself to pull away. There was something about the situation locking her in place, something that just made her want to stick it out to the end and see where it went.

She wouldn't have to wait long though, as Trixie had pulled away moments after.

“Rainbow Dash, I, I don't...I just.”

“Sssshhh,” Rainbow whispered as she leaned in. “It's okay.”

Rainbow Dash had no idea what was possessing her to lean in for another kiss, but when their lips reconnected she didn't really care.

Emotions Have No Boundaries

---The Colors We All Share---

Emotions Have No Boundaries

She had to keep running. She'd been running for so long now, but she knew if she stopped she'd be caught for sure. Sweat coursed down her face, and her body ached from her continued sprint. Her mane kept falling in front of her eyes, and for what felt like the fifth time she whipped her head around, clearing the rainbow colored obstruction from her view. She dared a glance behind her, and saw a flash of pink, even closer than it was a moment ago. She chanced another look, but this time it was gone. She turned to face forward, and the moment she did she was barreled over by an onslaught of pink.

“Tag, you're it!”

“Pinkie Pie! How do you keep doing that?” Rainbow Dash painfully asked, staring at her friend who was happily bouncing up and down, beaming at the fact that she was able to catch her athletic friend.

“No tag backs!” She shouted, laughing while trotting away. Pinkie Pie always did have ways to seemingly teleport, and nopony knew how. Dash wasn't sure if Pinkie was even sure how she did it, or even if Pinkie was aware of the fact, for that matter. As Dash looked over the field they were playing in, she eyed all her prey. So now it was her chance to tag somepony else...but who? They had agreed that the use of wings would be considered cheating, and so she couldn't just pick a target and fly on over, she had to run it, and she was still a little winded...

Pinkie had called no tag backs, so she was out...that left Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy. The lack of one prissy- er, well kept pony made Dash recall back, remembering what Rarity's thoughts on the game were. “Something fun? I could never partake in any such thing, count me out!”

Okay, so maybe Rarity didn't say it exactly that way, but that's how Dash liked to process that memory. And many other involving her. Queen anti-fun. Most of the time, anyhow. Dash supposed Rarity was pretty cool for a high-maintenance pony.

Chuckling to herself, she turned her eyes back towards her targets. Finally having caught her breath, it was time to get serious! She knew she could catch Fluttershy, but Fluttershy knew that anypony could catch her, and had hid at the start, and nopony has seen her since. There wasn't much cover, except for trees, but there were hundreds of trees, she couldn't very well just search them all! They were playing on the Apple family's farm, since it's pretty much the perfect spot. Makes sense there would be trees everywhere on an apple orchard. Discounting Fluttershy, that left Twilight and Applejack. Applejack was closer, but not by much, Twilight was mere feet behind Applejack, obviously trying to bait Rainbow into going after Applejack and not herself. Well it wasn't going to work! Twilight would put up less of a fight, and Dash knew it!

“CHAAAAAARGE!!!” Dash roared her battle cry as she galloped forward, making a run in Twilight's general direction. It looked as if she was going after Applejack though, so Twilight kept relatively still as Applejack started to move. As she approached, she strayed off to the left however, surprising Twilight as she neared. Twilight tried to turn around, but it was too little, too late. Dash picked up her speed, and jumped with all her strength. As she landed on Twilight, they rolled for a few feet until their momentum died out. She had an odd sense of Deja Vu from when Pinkie had done the same not five minutes ago.

BOOOOM!!

Rainbow jutted upright, immediately shaking her head to clear up the confusion of tumbling around, then promptly took off into the sky. She knew that sound, that was the sound of thunder. But there wasn't scheduled to be any lighting today, so how could there be thunder?

“Are y’all okay over there? I heard this mighty powerful noise, kinda sounded like lightnin'!” Applejack soon rounded the nearest tree, coming into Twilight's vision, a concerned look on her face.

“I'm fine. A little confused, but fine. I'm assuming Rainbow Dash is okay too, considering she immediate flew in the direction of that awful noise. I couldn't quite tell what it was though myself, my mind was still a little shaken up from being tackled...also, lightning refers to the flash itself, the 'boom' is called thunder.”

“Well shoot, don't that jus' make all the difference in Equestria?” Applejack replied sarcastically. “Now why would the pegasuses...pegasis...pega...uuuhhhhhh...”

“Pegasi.” Twilight said matter-of-factly, a small smirk appearing on her lips at Applejack's expense.

“Right, those things. Now why would they schedule a blasted storm when we jus' had one last week? It wasn't no soft one, neither! Mah apple trees were near flooded 'fore the storm ended!”

“Perhaps someone made an error in the schedule?” Twilight said, genuinely wondering herself.

At that precise moment, Dash had made her way back into the small clearing where Applejack and Twilight were.

“That noise? It's thunder, and boy is it a lot, but you probably guessed that by now.” Rainbow said. She went to continue, but saw Twilight open her mouth. Knowing Twilight was about to ask why it even existed so close to the last storm she cut her off. Time was of the essence here! “And to answer your question before you ask it Twilight, it's rolling in from the Everfree forest, so it's not something the Pegasi have made. Even worse, this one's been brewing miles into the Everfree, far from where we normally patrol, so we haven't even noticed it...it's gotten huge...”

Most of the town was probably warned of the storm a while ago, but considering these five were a couple miles away from town at the moment, it makes sense they weren't told.

The wind had picked up already by this point, and the three ponies huddled together to speak over the sound of the wind in their ears.

Another flash lit the sky, so bright and noticeable the entire gang shot their heads up, and their faces shifted to a look of fear. In that last flash, they'd seen the silhouette of a pony falling right towards them. And what's more is that the pony was mere feet from the group.

Rainbow steeled herself for an impact while Applejack grabbed Twilight, who was closer to her than Dash, and ducked off to the side.

As the pony collided with Rainbow, who had stood where she was, they all heard a shout of “Boo!”

Applejack and Twilight looked up to see Pinkie Pie in much of a similar position as when she tackled Rainbow the first time.

“Pinkie Pie, you scared us! ...I mean, you...surprised us when you fell from the sky.”

The others gave her a disbelieving look, but they knew better than to press the situation. Wounding Dash's pride was not a smart idea.

“Actually, come to think of it Pinkie Pie,” Twilight started “How in Equestria DID you fall from the sky?”

“Well that's easy! I couldn't find any of you, and that made me so sad! I mean, what's the point in being with friends if you're not with friends? That would be silly! If you're hanging with friends, and your friends aren't with you, than that's totally sad, too!”

“Pinkie, will you get to the part about you falling like I bucked you outta a tree?” Applejack interjected.

“Oh yeah! So I was totally sad, like I said, so I bounced and bounced and bounced and bounced until eventually I bounced so high I could see you guys, and on my next bounce the wind picked up so strongly it pushed me exactly 128.82 hoofs in your direction!”

“How could you POSSIBLY know that measurement!?” Twilight questioningly shouted.

“Oh, that's easy! You see, this one time-”

Another flash brought all the group huddled together out of instinct. The rain had abruptly started as well, fiercely. There was no pick up, no grace period, so to say. The rain just started at a downpour, and was getting heavier by the second. Thankfully ponies have a thick coat, the rain was so heavy it would almost hurt otherwise.

“Save yer story fer later, Pinkie, we gotta go!” Not wasting any time, Applejack pointed in the direction of her home, and they all started trekking. “Remember that sleepover Twi' kept talking about ladies? Well I hope you were jealous, because y'all are staying at my place until this storm blows over! ...No pun intended.”

Twilight clapped her hooves together happily, giving a quiet “Yay!” to go along with it, and Pinkie managed to do a backflip, even with the wind and rain pushing down.

Rainbow was the first and only one to voice her concerns. “I dunno Applejack. Staying in a barn doesn't seem very...safe. Maybe we should go to Twilight's since she has that magical metal thing that saves her tree from being struck by lightning.”

“Might I mention that there will be apple pie at my place? ...Just thought y'all would wanna know that.” Applejack wasn't about to let slip away the pony she could hold a good conversation with. Pinkie was waaaay to hyper indoors, and Twilight's speech subject matter was just a tad out of Applejack's league. Not that they couldn't speak at Twilight's house, but she always felt a little weird in the library, like she had to act a little more proper than normal.

During Applejack's internal thought process, Rainbow's attention was snatched REAL fast. “Apple pie?” She asked disbelievingly yet longingly. “As in...your family's brand apple pie? The same one that wins the pie contest every year?”

“The very same!” She proudly declared, knowing that there would now be a one hundred and twenty percent chance that Dash would stay over her home.

“Count me in!” Rainbow Dash loudly declared. “I didn't really wanna be cooped up in a place that you couldn't fly in, so it's a double win anyway.”

Ignoring the fact that her friends were pretty much down-talking her home, Twilight's smile grew to almost eerie proportions as she realized exactly what was happening...she was about to have her second ever sleepover! Giddy at the thought, she smiled on, pushing through all hazards.

As the wind grew a bit more ferocious, and the rain a tad bit fiercer, they continued walking towards the Apple family barn.Trotting along at a brisk pace, they saw the house fade from the fog cover, and the spirits of everypony rose as they realized how close they were to enjoying the warmth, comfort, and hospitality that a home offered.

A branch snapped off in the distance, and thunder was resounding fairly close by, while the rain literally poured in from everywhere. The sky was completely encompassed in black and gray swirls, the unforgiving clouds blocking out nearly all sunlight.

As a flash of lighting once again provided precious few seconds of visibility, two or three more progressive hoof prints were impacted upon the muddy trail. A lone pony fighting her way through the cold, through the rain, and most of all, through the fear. It was scary out here. No, it was terrifying, horrendously so, even. This particular storm was tough, tough as they come. So tough in fact, that a pony larger and burlier than Big Macintosh himself would have trouble fighting through this battle! Which begs the question of why a timid, shy, and terrified pony was trudging though it all by her lonesome!

And that's exactly what Fluttershy was begging to know as she continued along her increasingly depressing path. Already her pink mane was matted, her yellow coat muddy, and her blue eyes red with tears. She didn't even know where she was headed, just that she had to move. Staying in one spot was NOT going to find her cover, and no matter which direction she went, she'd come to the Apple family boundary fence eventually, and from there she'd know her way.

Her mind could think not of the storm, though. Not her destination either, nor her well being, and not even the thought of her being lost entered her thoughts...all her mind forced upon her was her friends. She knew they made an honest mistake. She hid from the beginning, was seen for less than a second! Of course they wouldn't remember her, a pony-in-hiding who barely stood out even when shouting...the rain came so suddenly, in their rush they'd surely just forgotten. There's no way they abandoned her intentionally!

“But what if they did?” Fluttershy whimpered out, immediately clapping a hoof over her muzzle in retaliation of herself. She'd been failing to keep those five words out of her head, and now she'd gone and said them out loud. It almost held a tone of finality to her once she said it. Slowly almost believing it was the truth, now that it was out in the open.

There was a flash of lighting and a loud crack, unheard by Fluttershy, as it was masked by the winds.

“No!” She shouted in retort to her body's initial counter to her mind. “My friends wouldn't leave me behind, not on purpose, and not if they could help it!”

A large branch dangles precariously from whence it proudly stood.

“My friends wouldn't leave me behind!” This very mantra was repeated a dozen times in her head, in an attempt to ward off her dark thoughts saying otherwise. It wasn't working very well. “They wouldn't...they wouldn't...”

The winds grew stronger.

Fluttershy took a momentary reprieve underneath one of the bigger trees, sobbing slightly, her faith draining away, and sapping her willpower along with it.

“They wouldn't...they really wouldn't...I love them all so much, and I know they all love me!”

One strong gust of wind. A 'thud' following quickly. The sound of a weeping pony.

“...Don't they?”

“Whew! I'm sure glad to be out of that awful wind!” Pinkie Pie loudly stated, her and her companions stepping into the Apple family's barn. “Not all wind is bad though, sometimes it can be really fun! Like if you get sucked up in a mini tornado like Dashie makes you go round and round and round and round until you're soooo dizzy, and then you eventually fall out in a heap of laughter and happiness!”

Nopony else had the energy to quiet Pinkie Pie, or to even change the subject to something she would be less hyper about. They each dragged a loosely tied hay bale in a semi-circle near the center to lie upon, and were ever so grateful to be able to sit down after their quite straining, and I might I add infuriating, trek through that monster. Rainbow Dash was the first to relax, jumping upon a hay bale almost desperately, her body grateful to her within seconds. When she really started to think about it, she were sure glad that Applejack's farm was where they were at the time, it was the only place big enough to hold the five of them in one room comfortably. In hindsight, it was probably best that Rarity didn't come, she would have never been able to stay, shouting that she needed a mirror, some mousse, a brush and comb, shampoo, a shower, some diamonds, and Celestia knows what else to make up for what would most certainly be a less-than-stellar appearance.

Yup, Rainbow was definitely glad it was only the five of them. Only the five of them...only the five of them...

'Well that's weird.' She mused to herself. She couldn't stop thinking about those words. In fact, she repeated them so often, they almost seemed false! But that couldn't be right. The barn currently held herself, that made one, Applejack, that makes two, Twilight, makes three, Pinkie Pie four, and the fifth was Flutt-

The other ponies were finally all relaxing, even Pinkie Pie, who was lying on her back, her head hanging upside-down from a hay bale...when suddenly everypony was strewn across the floor faster than they could even realize. Literally, they were pushed across the room a small ways by a sudden and quite furious wind.

“WHAT HAVE WE DONE?!”

That was the cry that was loud enough it seemed it could reach Las Pegasus.

Everypony was still recuperating when they heard Rainbow shout “We gotta save her!”

“Save who? Whassa matter?” A rather dreary Applejack replied.

As they saw Rainbow Dash head for the entrance, they hear a quick “Fluttershy's still out there!” Followed by a massive blast of the barn door being forced open, against the wind and rain.

Rainbow took to the sky, the wind doing its best to be an almighty force plowing her back towards the ground, but still she pushed on. Even in a storm, she'd be faster in the air, it was what she worked for the most after all.

Immediately though, she concluded on what a tough time she was sure to have. Rainbow could scarcely see fifty feet in front of her, how was she expected to find Fluttershy in this mess?!

She heard a faint banging noise coming from the direction she just left from, the barn door repeatedly smashing against the very wall that kept it in place. She looked at it long enough to notice that everypony else was rushing out as well, no doubt to come to the aid of Fluttershy, but they were too slow to wait up for. By the time Rainbow had even registered that they'd been leaving the barn to find Fluttershy, she'd already fought the wind for another forty or so feet forward.

Rainbow was closing in on the area they were originally playing in, so she swooped low, just above the tree line, thankful that the elements seemed to feel a tad less terrible down here. Or maybe it was just the adrenaline, as copious amount of it were invading her blood stream.

One minute of frantic searching passed, no Fluttershy.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

Ten minutes, and still no sign of her. No sign of her friends, either. She sincerely hoped they weren't hurt as well, but she had a feeling they could handle themselves just fine, whereas Fluttershy...well, she couldn't.

Pressing on forward, her lingering thoughts of her other friends who were also risking their lives had almost worried her enough to go back, but she finally settled on the thought that they were in a group, and would therefore be alright. If anything, Twilight could teleport them back to where they need to be.

Rainbow on the other hoof...decided not to think about herself. That thought process was sure to lead somewhere she didn't want to go. She knew she could handle herself, but still...

Minutes later, and the frantic mare was already exhausted. In her panic, thoughts of conserving her energy were long foregone, and she'd spent it all in the little time she'd been searching. Against her will, she started lowering to the ground in quite a speedy descent.

She'd hadn't even realized she'd been loosing altitude until she hit the ground. It wasn't a hard impact, but it certainly shook her more than she cared to believe it did.

Normally she could fly MUCH longer than this, but in her adrenaline-filled haste she'd already torn multiple wing muscles without even realizing.

Rainbow was frightened. Terrified, even. Fluttershy was still out here, and the longer she waited, the more likely Fluttershy, her friends, and herself were to be injured!

She tried to fly back above the tree tops, but her wings simply wouldn't carry her. She ran blindly forward, not even caring where she was going. As long as she kept making progress, that was okay with her...but she wasn't making any progress, not as far as she could tell.

Everywhere she went looked exactly the same, her vision swimming together into one big mess, both from the rain and the exhaustion. Not just her vision, but every sense seemed to bleed into the next. She was being assaulted by all her senses on so many fronts, she couldn't rightly tell them apart!

Rainbow ducked down under the cover of a tree. Or rather, she ducked underneath what she called cover, as it provided pitiful protection.

She was making this out to be way more challenging than it needed to be. Her worry hyping her up so much was causing half the trouble she was having, so she took this chance to cool off a little bit. Half of her fear came from not being able to fly, but she just had to ignore that. A Pegasus being grounded...it's about the same as a unicorn without their magic!

After a moment to calm down an catch her breath, she felt sufficiently calm, and gracefully left from her position. She felt almost relaxed, and more sure of where she was going. Instead of running around blindly, she thought of a plan. Her wings still ached, but she had enough energy to follow through with her idea.

Facing the bottom of a tall but thin tree, she hugged it with all four of her limbs, beating her wings mildly to keep her from falling off. Flapping with more force, she used her front legs to grip the tree and her rear hooves to dig into the bark with enough force to start pushing her upwards.

Up she rose, at quite a quick speed, too. It wasn't long before she had reached the top. Again using her wings to her advantage, she precariously perched herself at the top of the tree, and took a look around. Even in a storm, Fluttershy still has a pink mane, it shouldn't be terribly hard to spot.

Beginning her search, Dash was vaguely reminded of stories about how ponies in this situation would look for a while before quickly being overwhelmed with a hopeless feeling.

Those ponies were liars.

Rainbow would have been lucky to have that feeling...for the moment she started her search she already thought it was hopeless. Still, she had to find Fluttershy...

...She just had to...

Many trees later, and her search had finally came to fruition. Not fifteen yards away, she saw a mass of pink. Or was it red? No matter, she'd found Fluttershy and was closing in fast. She resigned herself to believe that her inability to see color was probably just the extended strain of her situation affecting her vision...

Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Applejack were surprisingly much better off than Rainbow was. Even through the war raging around them, there wasn't much holding them from pressing forward.

The magic produced by a unicorn horn turns out to be fairly useful in this particular situation, the lavender tinted bubble surrounding the three was quite the life saver.

Literally.

Although, even without the magic, the trio would probably be okay. Unlike Rainbow, they were taking their time, systematically checking their respective sections. Them keeping a level head and not rushing in head-on didn't hurt either.

Keeping a record of where they were going, they didn't pass over the same area twice, much like Dash had accidentally done. Several times.

Their trip was quite uneventful...or rather, it was as uneventful as a trip through a torrent of wind and rain could be.

Following no trail in particular other than making wide sweeps back and fourth, they finally caught up to Rainbow Dash. They saw her several yards away, huddled over something.

“Hey guys!” Twilight shouted to her companions “Rainbow Dash is right ahead!”

“Ah see her, Twi, and boy nelly am I glad!” Was the response of Applejack.

Pinkie had said nothing, but there seemed to be an extra spring in her step as they headed towards their feathered friend.

As they approached the still-crouching figure though, Pinkie's face settled on a worried tone.

“Why isn't Dashie moving?”

Any further comments were held off, as they made their final approach. The footfall of one of the ponies had snapped a small branch, alerting one Rainbow Dash, her sensitive hearing picking up the noise.

But Rainbow didn't know it was her friends, and one centisecond later she was already facing the girls, her wings flared, teeth bared, stance low, one hoof poised and a subtle growl emanating from her diaphragm.

It took until she realized the “threats” were backing away to realize exactly what, or who in this case, she was attempting to scare off.

Realization coming to her, she recalled just what kind of predicament her friend was currently in.

“Twilight! Magic! Now!”

“Uhhh...excuse me?”

“Fluttershy...she needs your magic, quick!”

It was at about this time that Twilight heard Pinkie gasp. Looking over her shoulder, she saw pinkie hovering her hoof over her mouth, standing next to a stunned Applejack as well.

Twilight's next question was never asked, as the moment Rainbow saw her open her mouth, she decided that Twilight would take too long, and therefore had grabbed her hoof and pulled her a few feet to where Fluttershy lay.

Pinkie Pie and Applejack quickly got over their shock and joined the duo, the four of them hovering over a pony whose colors were a mix of pink and yellow. And red.

“Twilight...y-you gotta fix her! Her head, she...she...”

Rainbow couldn't talk any longer, she was too choked up. She wasn't crying per say, but she was so worried for her friend the depression was overwhelming.

“Twi, we ain't doin' her any good bein' in this here storm!”

“I got it AJ!” Was Twilight's quick response, her horn already flaring up.

Her spell took longer than normal, however. Five ponies was the most Twilight had ever teleported before, and it was no easy feat.

The impatient looks she was receiving from all of her friends hadn't helped her nervousness one bit, but she knew the life of her dear friend was in her very capable hooves.

Finally her horn had worked up the energy required for such a spell to operate, and it cast them all back to AJ's barn house.

...At least, she thought it did. It had actually placed them something like one hundred feet from the barn, but regardless they were much closer than they were previously.

Rainbow however, couldn't wait as she saw Twilight's horn flare up a second time. She scooped up Fluttershy in her arms, then placed her on her back before blazing a chromatic trail as she brought her into the barn. Stealing a glace down, Fluttershy looked pale. Not only that, there was a not-so-thin stream of blood running from above her right eye down past her chest, and it was leaking at an alarming rate.

Once in the barn, she laid the broken mare onto a haystack, trying to get her as comfortable as possible. She propped Fluttershy on her side so the blood wouldn't drip down into her mouth and choke her, and afterward she held high her head with a separate bale of hay, hoping gravity would keep blood flow to the head a little less, this way less would come out.

She hadn't the slightest clue of whether or not what she was doing was, er...medically correct...but it sure looked like the right thing to do, she hoped.

It was at this time that the others had appeared in the room in a brilliant light. Applejack and Pinkie Pie were still recovering from the trip, but Twilight, being used to her own spell, was quick on the uptake.

She moved over to where Fluttershy was and immediately started wrapping her in a gentle enveloping light without disturbing her. Fluttershy's blood stopped flowing freely from her skull soon after, but not much else happened.

Rainbow idly thought about how at times it was certainly handy to have a unicorn around. Unicorns were kind of like universal cheat codes, really. She almost thought that magic was a little too convenient...

Any other lingering thoughts she may have had were swept away as Twilight started to address the group.

“She doesn't have any serious injuries. Her skull is intact, save for a tiny fracture, and it wasn't a particularly deep wound, nor was it very damaging. I've done repairs as best I can and I've stopped the blood flow, now we just need to make sure she stays comfortable until she regains consciousness.”

“She looks so pale though...” Pinkie stated sadly to the group. “She almost looks like she'll never party again...”

Twilight was quick to dismiss their fears, stating that the only reason for worry was blood loss, which also attributed to her currently pale color. Since the blood loss had stopped though, they only need to make sure of her comfort for everything to work out nicely.

Twilight, being sufficiently happy with her handiwork, went about doing what she could to make Fluttershy as comfortable as she possible could.

Applejack took it upon herself to try and console Rainbow, who seemed to be the most distraught, but before she could reach her she saw Rainbow shuffle over to where Fluttershy was, a bale of hay being carried behind her.

Placing the hay bale close to where her dear friend lay, she grasped one of Fluttershy's hooves in hers and sat there.

Rationally she knew that it wasn't really her fault, but she still felt responsible. This game of tag was her idea, and she couldn't help but feel this way.

Minutes later Applejack broke the silence.

“I'm headin' out for a spell, gonna grab some blankets might quick. This here barn is more'n large enough for us all, but it'll be pretty chilly with no covers...”

A few moments later they heard the barn door forcefully close from the wind, but nothing else broke the silence.

Hours later and everypony was fast asleep. Everypony except Rainbow Dash, who lie a short ways away from Fluttershy, just thinking about today's events. She was exhausted, but she was so exhausted that she could scarcely sleep. Funny just how weird that was.

Rainbow Dash had been thinking a lot since this whole incident started, namely the relationship between her and her friends. Rainbow had always cared for her friends, but the events of today made her realize that her feelings were changing. Not just from today, they'd been changing for a while, but it took her until today to really comprehend it.

Searching for Fluttershy, she found just how much she really cared. Like she had some sort of special part of her that cared for her friends on another level...but it wasn't only Fluttershy, it was the rest of her friends as well. They were all in a relative amount of danger, and her heart went out to each them when she was searching for her Pegasus friend as well.

She didn't quite know exactly what that feeling was, and so here she lie, still thinking about her predicament. All she knew was that the more she thought about it, the warmer she felt. Weird again. She continued her thoughts until something roused her from her position.

As everypony lie underneath their comforter, Fluttershy stirred in her sleep. She slowly rose from her position, Rainbow Dash tentatively getting out from under her blanket.

Fluttershy sat up, putting a hoof to her head in the process, immediately feeling a nice size lump. Wincing slightly, she heard a movement to her left and looked over to where Dash now stood.

“Rainbow? Is that you?”

Rainbow was ecstatic that Fluttershy was okay, and the fact that she was able to talk and see fine was even better, but she couldn't get excited, not now when everypony else was sleeping, anyway.

“Sssshhhh, you had a hard day Flutters. Just lie down.”

'She looks so at ease, even right now.' The thought had seemingly invaded Rainbow's head, she was sure she wasn't thinking anything of the sort just earlier.

“Okay...” Fluttershy had managed to speak, but it was little more than a whimper.

'She seems so weak...I wish there was more I could do to comfort her...'

“Tell me Fluttershy, how are you feeling now? To sum up, I found a large branch near you, and you were bleeding pretty badly from just above your eye. i found you almost a half hour after the storm started, and Twilight used her magic to bring us back here, then she sealed up the wound.”

'And that's all my fault...why did I have to decide on such a stupid game!?'

“Oh Rainbow...you all went through so much trouble...” Fluttershy felt horrible for putting all of her friends through such an ordeal, but Rainbow sure didn't see it that way.

“What in the hay are you talking about!?” Dash said quietly, but forcefully. “It was my idea to play that stupid game in the first place, and...and it was all of our responsibilities to make sure everyone was safe...we should have looked for you...”

'I feel so terrible...I wish I could just snuggle up under the blankets with her, I think that'd make both of us feel better...'

'…'

'...Woah, where did that thought come from?'

Even now, Fluttershy wore a small smile. “Rainbow, it's really noponies fault. It could have happened to anypony, really. I'm just glad you found me when you did.”

Rainbow felt truly appreciative at this words. It lightened her heart to know that Fluttershy honestly held nothing against her...and it stirred something else inside her as well.

'Yeah...yeah, I think that what I was thinking about before makes sense now.'

In a rush of emotion, Rainbow just had to ask a question she'd been fighting with herself over.

“Hey Fluttershy?”

“Hmm?” Was the soft response.

Rainbow had to choose her wording carefully, she had no idea just how exactly to ask, but it had to be carefully.

“I-is it wrong....to, er...what I mean to say is, um...well, I was just wondering-”

“Rainbow.” Fluttershy said softly. “Relax, take a deep breath, think about what you're saying, and don't stop talking once you start.”

'Yeah, there's no doubt about my feelings now. They're always there for me like like this.'

Rainbow did exactly that. She relaxed herself, breathing deeply and closing her eyes.

'Okay, okay...' Dash thought out exactly what she needed to say. 'This...this isn't as big a deal as I'm making it. Okay, here I go.'

“Flutters...I've been through a lot today, and it made me do a lot of thinking. I normally don't think a lot, I just do things, but this is different. I realized today that, well, I really care for you. For everypony. All of my friends, I mean. In a different way though, I-UGH! Why can't I- No, calm down, I got this.”

Fluttershy was a little surprised at the outburst, but was composed enough to calm her friend anyhow, but as she went to say comforting words, Rainbow raised her hoof to stop her.

“No, I'm fine Fluttershy. It's cool. Look, here's the deal. Have you ever liked a mare? Like, have you ever like liked a mare?”

Fluttershy cutely gasped a bit in surprise at the question, but luckily Rainbow Dash picked back up her sentence, so Fluttershy didn't have to speak. Which was good, for Fluttershy had no words yet.

“Listen, 'cause this is how it is: I like you. Romantically.”

Rainbow's long time friend had recoiled slightly in surprise, but not in negative way, she just didn't really know how she should react. Rainbow on the other hoof didn't take notice, as she was focusing entirely on saying what she needed to say.

“It's not just you, though. I like all of you. I like Applejack, Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and even Rarity! ...Well, maybe not Rarity. At least, not romantically anyhow. Or maybe? Doesn't matter! My problem is that I just don't know who to choose! I lik- no, I love all of you so much!”

“...”

“Well...say something Fluttershy!” The Pegasus who was now more red than any other color in her multi-colored mane pleaded for anything to break the silence, and after a few more moments, Fluttershy obliged.

“Rainbow, where...where did this come from?”

Rainbow opened her mouth to tell her exactly why she decided to say all this.

…

Aaaaaaaaany minute now.

…

Huh, that's weird. Rainbow really didn't have anything. It just kind of happened.

“Ya know” Rainbow voiced, “I don't really know. I started thinking, and then when I started talking...those are the words that came out....heh...eheh, heh.”

Fluttershy was done being stunned, as her response came quite quickly.

“So you say you like, or maybe even love all of us?” A nod was given from Dash. “Twilight, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie definitely?” Another nod, only this time it was accompanied by a red streak across Rainbow's nose. A red streak that didn't go unnoticed by Fluttershy, but she pretended to ignore it.

“And you love even...even m-me?” Fluttershy didn't really know why she was scared when she asked this question. Maybe she wasn't...maybe she was scared of the answer?

“Yes.” Was the blunt reply from the headstrong Pegasus mare.

Fluttershy gave a small 'eep' as she covered her face with her hooves.

“Well...wh-who d-do you like the m-most?”

Rainbow shook her head. “I don't know. I just don't know.”

She continued her speech coming to an epiphany of sorts. “I think I'm gonna take my time, hang out with you all. Find out if...if I wanna...I mean, I need to- argh! Damn it all!”

Timid little Fluttershy was a little shocked at the sudden anger, but she knew her friend was very frustrated right now

“Find out what, Rainbow?”

“Find out if...” Rainbow got quieter. “If I wanna...maybe...” Quieter still. “Spend the rest of my life...with any of you.”

“Oh, Rainbow! I'm so happy for you!” Fluttershy really was excited. Her best friend had finally had an emotional breakthrough! She was scared that The Wonderbolts took so much of her time that she would never even think about romance.

“Fluttershy, please don't tell anypony about this...I really wanna figure this out for myself.”

“Your secret is safe with me, Rainbow. Maybe we should get some sleep though, my head starting to hurt...” Fluttershy didn't want to simply stop the conversation...but she didn't feel like she could stay awake much longer. She pulled up the covers and closed her eyes.

“Good idea. Maybe if I sleep on it I can get my head on straight.”

And so, after pulling up some blankets of her own, Rainbow Dash went to bed, and had a fitless, dreamless night.

Hopefully the morning would make more sense to her.

A/N: Well! That's the end to chapter one of “The Colors We All Share”. I hope the irony of the title isn't lost on you.

I really don't have much else to say except I'd REALLY appreciate it if you gave me a review. Or even just tell me if you think this is good or not. Also, thank you for reading!! :D

And while you're here, please remember the three C's! Critique, Comment, and C-....C-......Rate. If you like this style of writing, then check out my other work!

And Then They Fuc - Found Out

“Yes, it's true! The Great and Powerful Trixie is most certainly the best catch there is!”

“Uhhhhhhh.............”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

***

Time seemed to slow down for Rainbow as her mind bucked her into overdrive.

Okay, uhhh think think think think, what went wrong?

Step one, break into Ponyville hospital: Check.

Step two, gather enough courage to confess: Check.

Step three, be awesome: Check. Sorta check. Whatever.

Step four, using my awesomeness, have Applejack fall completely and totally in love with me: *not** check.*

That's what went wrong! Okay, all I need to do is-

"Well? Don't you have anything else to say to The Great and Powerful Trixie?"

Oh. Right. Trixie still exists, and was in the room with Rainbow Dash, who'd been staring into space for quite some time now.

"Although Trixie can't say she's surprised. My Great and Powerful presence has been known to cause such severe fainting that doctors were convinced the afflicted had lapsed into a coma!"

“Listen, I-”

“No, don't try and speak, you'll just make it worse. Take some time to get used to Trixie's royal presence.”

“Listen Trixie” She said with as much malice as possible “You don't-”

“Hmm, and you're not half bad to look at, either. Perhaps Trixie could allow you to be her personal maid for a while?”

“Wha-maid?! I won't- No! That's not important, I didn't mean to-”

“Oh, and maybe Trixie will make maids of your other friends as well.”

“Trixie, listen to-”

“Surely they'd grovel at my hooves to be forgiven.”

“But-”

“And then Trixie, in all her splendor, would-”

“SHUUUUT UUUUUP!”

And then there was silence. Blissful, perfect, beautiful silence. Rainbow Dash was pretty happy with herself, as she'd she finally stopped the most annoying mare in the world from being the most annoying mare in the world, and everything was perfectly right with the world again.

The two mares jumped in place a little when they heard the door creak open, eerily and ever-so-slowly.

Behind it stood the silhouette of a pony, who's only defining features against the light outside was the bun her mane was kept in.

And in a sickeningly sweet voice, it called out to them.

“Oh Raaaiiiiinbow Daaaaash!”

“Y....yes, nurse Redheart?”

“Oh, Rainbow Dash, I have a surpriiiiise for yooouuu!”

And against the harsh light pouring in from the other room, one could make out the shadow of a pony's arm raised high in the air, and attached to the end was a long, thin object with a pointed tip that glinted with the reflected light.

And Rainbow didn't need to see any more than that.

With a speed that made herself proud, she flew above Trixie, grabbed her around the waist and, to Trixie's protest, flew out the window fast enough to leave it swinging behind her.

As nurse Redheart lost her murderous smile, she flicked on the lights.

“That'll teach her to be loud in my hospital again!” She said, a clattering sound following soon after.

She looked down to notice the scalpel she'd threatened Dash with had fallen out of her hoof.

“.....How was I even holding that thing?”

***

“Rainbow Dash, put Trixie down this instant! She does not like to be taken against her will! Rainbow Dash? Rainbow Dash, do you hear me?!”

“Yeah, and I'd rather NOT hear you, so shut up! This is your fault anyway moron. Now I have to explain stuff to you...and maybe kick your flank while I'm at it!"

“Stuff? What kind of stuff is Trixie needed for?”

“Just stuff.”

Trixie huffed and tried to cross her forelegs before she remembered that the one they 'Don't call Rainbow and Dash for nothing' was using those to keep her aloft. She didn't want to try any risky magic that might send her plummeting to her early demise, and since Rainbow was a stubborn brick, she had no choice but to wait, flying with Dash to who knows where.

It wasn't all bad, though. She'd never flown before, so that was pretty cool. Seeing the town from up high, everypony looked tiny as ants. Or maybe Trixie had just grown greater and more powerful.

Either way, flying was...nice. Trixie didn't have to care about anything from up here. In Dash's hooves she felt liberated from all the things that oppressed her when she was on the ground. The wind blowing in her mane, the serene atmosphere, the weightlessness...it was just wonderful. An enveloping sense of safety overcame her, even though this could very well have been one of the most dangerous situations she'd been put in to.

It didn't matter to Trixie, though. Up here, she almost felt...

“Okay, we're landing now. Don't try to run or anything, 'cause then I'll have to catch you and that's just too much work.” She said, sounding rather bored.

Trixie heaved out a sigh. Whether it was from relief or disappointment, she didn't know.

Landing on the ground with a grunt, Trixie turned to glare at Rainbow. Or she would have, but she found that all of her anger had left her. She instead settled for looking disinterested.

“Now then, Trixie demands to know why you've dragged her out here! Although if your confession is any clue, you probably just want Trixie all to yourself! Trixie-”

Whatever Trixie was going to continue to say, she didn't get the chance, for Dash had quickly put an end to what was surely going to be a long tirade by, rather roughly, putting her hoof against Trixie's mouth.

“First of all, shut up.” Rainbow Dash said, as she continued to silence Trixie.

“Second of all, that is the exact reason I brought you out here.”

Using her magic to pull Dash's hoof away, Trixie resumed.

“Trixie thought so! The confession is appreciated, but you're not why Trixie has returned.”

“No, no no no, NO! Just be quiet for fifteen seconds and listen to me! There are some things that I'm going through right now, and pretty soon all of my friends are going to be a part of it whether they like it or not. YOU are not going to help the situation any! I did you a favor, it was ME who carried you to the hospital. I didn't want to, but I still did it. Now it's your turn to do me a favor.”

If Trixie was surprised by the news that Rainbow was actually the one to carry her to safety, she didn't show it. Instead she took a moment to contemplate the new information.

“....Fine. Trixie recognizes her debts, even if she WOULD have been fine on her own...”

“Your cart was INSIDE a tree! ...How do you even do that?”

“Be grateful Trixie is going to ignore that comment, she-”

“No, seriously. I wanna know. How is the name of Celestia did you possibly do that? Were you using your magic to move the cart while you gave yourself a hooficure, new hairstyle, and eyeliner?”

“...”

Trixie shuffled her hooves about nervously, even once pawing at the ground.

“...No...you didn't...did you?”

“Trixie has a lot to do in one day! While she does look amazing on her own, a little maintenance can go a long way, a fact that I can see is completely lost on you.” She said while grinning, hoping to get a rise out of Rainbow.

“I'm gonna pretend you didn't say that, because it won't matter once you leave. Oh yeah, and, that's your favor. I want you to leave. All of your stuff is in your cart still, and I'm even feeling kind enough to fly you over there if you want.”

“You want Trixie to leave? But what of the heartfelt confession you just gave her.?”

Rainbow stared at Trixie for a moment, before a smile cracked open.

“Heh....heh heh....”

“What's so funny?”

“Pff...BAHahahahahaaahaha! Oh, too priceless! Trixie, you mean you actually thought that confession was for you?”

“I-it wasn't?” Trixie asked in a quiet voice. If Rainbow Dash didn't know any better, she'd say Trixie almost looked sad, what with her ears pressed flush downwards and her eyes looking at the ground.

“No, it wasn't. It was for one of my friends who was also watching over you. Even though we don't like you, we still took care of you. I thought you were just trying to get a rise out of me when you went along with it. And you did, so good job. Now go.”

Taking a moment to contemplate, Trixie suddenly wore a big smile. Rainbow Dash didn't like the look of it one bit.

“You know, I think I'll take that ride to my trailer.”

“And you'll leave?”

“Trixie said no such thing.”

“Ugh! Fine, then tell me why you're here. I'll help you if it means you'll leave faster.”

Trixie noticed that Rainbow Dash seemed to be in a big rush to get her out, but she didn't press why yet. She knew now wasn't the time.

“Well, Trixie needs to speak to Twilight Sparkle and all of her friends.”

Immediately assuming a defensive stance, Rainbow locked a death glare on Trixie.

“What do you want with my friends, Trixie?”

“No need to be so defensive.” Trixie said while raising a hoof, indicating Dash has the wrong idea. “Trixie said she needed to talk. You are one of Twilight's friends, are you not? You will be present too.” Closing her eyes and smiling, Trixie just had to add one more remark. “However, regardless of how strong your urges may become, you are not to come on to Trixie.”

Grinning in triumph, Trixie waited for Dash to explode on her...only it never came.

“Trixie, if I could avoid it, I would never contact you again, and I would make sure that none of MY friends did either.”

“O-oh, I see.” Trixie said with a air of dejection.

There was a short pause between the two.

“...Not that I care or anything Trixie...but what's wrong?”

“No,” Trixie said with a sigh “Trixie is being stupid. Take Trixie to her trailer so that she may leave.”

“No, I HATE it when ponies do that! You can't just...sigh sadly and then NOT tell me what's wrong! That's just like when somepony says 'Hey, I have something to tell you.' and when you ask them what they're all 'Oh, never mind...' and they sound all sad and stuff. That's so annoying!”

“Well then Trixie is glad she got to annoy you!” Trixie replied, sounding rather annoyed herself. “Now if you'll excuse Trixie, she'll be headed off in peace!”

Rainbow was taken aback for a moment. She hadn't expected Trixie to react so strongly, nor for her to give up so easily, but there she was, running away. Wait...running away?

Oh, yeah, that was a thing. While Rainbow Dash was staring blankly into space, Trixie was already several hundred feet away. Well that just wouldn't do.

In a matter of seconds, Rainbow Dash had already flown over and scooped up the over reactive mare, carrying her high into the air.

“Rainbow Dash, why do you keep carrying Trixie into the sky?! Just leave her be!”

“Trixie, I just want some answers! Like why do you need to see my friends? You'd better tell me!”

“Or what, you simpleton?” She replied snidely.

“Or...or I'll drop you! Bet you can't run with broken bones, can you?”

“Come now, you wouldn't dare drop Trixie.”

“And what makes you so sure of that?”

Taking a few moments to choose her words, Trixie sighed deeply before replying. “Because Trixie knows you're much kinder than that.”

“Oh yeah?” Dash said as she lowered them to the round. Trixie seemed to have calmed down enough that she wouldn't run away. “What made you so sure?”

After gently touching down, Trixie took a couple of seconds to prepare herself for her answer.

“Because flying with you...” She breathed a deep breath. “It wasn't so bad.”

There was a silent pause between the two that consist of Rainbow Dash just staring at Trixie. And was that a blush on Trixie's cheeks? ...No, no it must have been the wind and altitude...right?

“What does that have to do with anything?” Dash finally let out.

“Trixie doesn't sense any malice from you. You're a good natured pony, one should think. Now then, tonight’s' little escapade has left Trixie quite tired, return her to her bed at once!”

“Yeah, how about no.” Dash said flatly. “No way am I going back there with that crazy doctor.”

“Well you can't just expect Trixie to sleep on the grass, can you? I actually have standards.”

“Weeeeeeell...” Dash said with a hint of a grin edging its ay on her face. “You could always sleep in my cloud house?”

“Sleep in your cloud house? Your cloud house? Trixie is no Pegasus, she will fall right through!”

“I know, isn't it great!” Dash said rather excitedly, belting out a few laughs for good measure.

While Dash laughed at her own joke, Trixie just face-hoofed.

“Trixie is getting tired of this. Gather your friends tomorrow morning and wait at the center of Ponyville by the fountain. Trixie will meet you there.”

Sounding a little wary again, Rainbow responded. “You still haven't told me why you're here. And it doesn't help that you keep changing your mind every five seconds!”

“Trixie will change her mind as often as she likes! And do you think Trixie is likely to do anything in public? One would think not. And although Trixie is loathe to admit it, if Twilight Sparkle is there, wouldn't you all be safe anyway? She possess more magical ability than myself...for now.” She added as an afterthought.

“Yeah, well, you better not try anything funny or I'll...well I don't know but it won't be pretty.”

“No no Ms. Dash, Trixie thinks you'll find it's quite the opposite.” She said, sounding legitimately sincere.

“Yeah well, let's all hope so.” Dash replied, conversely sounding worried. “Anyway, I suppose I can carry you to the front door, at least.”

Trixie didn't say anything, but the smile of her face indicated the euphoric sense that overcame her at the prospect of flying again.

***

Bright sun and no wind was the weather for today. It really was handy having Pegasi control the weather, you didn't need to plan your schedule around 'what-if's' and 'maybes'.

Rainbow Dash, in traditional Rainbow Dash fashion, was just bursting though some clouds as her morning 'refresher'. Who needed a shower and some coffee anyway? Wet clouds would clean AND wake you up!

In fact, so far Rainbow Dash's entire morning had just consisted of some quick fly-by's through some clouds followed by, in her words, 'letting her awesomeness speak for herself'.

Well, that was enough flying for now, today was the big day! Rainbow felt sufficiently pumped and ready to go.

'Okay.' She thought in her head. 'I may have a whole day ahead of me, but I have a lot to get done. First, I gotta round up the girls and bring them all to town Square. Then, I need to deal with Trixie and whatever she wants...hopefully we can get it done with quick...then I need to confess to all of my friends individually that I love them...heh...easy.'

That wasn't doubt creeping its way into Rainbow Dash, it was...uhhh...unrefined awesome! Yeah, her body is shaking from all the adrenaline, that's it!

...But then, why did she feel so hesitant?

***

“Listen Twilight, I already told you! I don't know why Trixie came back!” Rainbow Dash huffed inside the library.

Twilight had been questioning Rainbow Dash for near fifteen minutes. The answers yielded no results.

“And you didn't question her?! This is Trixie we're dealing with here, it's not like she's come back to study the Magic of Friendship!”

“For the last time, Twilight! I DID question her, but she didn't give me any answers! We're supposed to meet her at noon – about ten minutes from now – in town square! Trixie wouldn't have the guts to try anything in public, let alone when it's six on one, so let's just go before somepony makes us late!” Rainbow Dash had flown into the air in her frustration. She didn't like raising her voice to her friends...but anypony could be dense at times, even Twilight. “Now if SOMEPONY would finish interrogating me, I could go and get the rest of our friends so we can actually find out what she wants.”

“Don't worry about that Rainbow.” Twilight said as she grabbed a quill, some ink and a scroll. “I'll go get them with my magic, you go and meet Trixie. Keep her entertained until I get there. Bye!”

As Rainbow Dash was raising her hoof in protest, Twilight had already vanished in an impressive swirl of magic. It made Rainbow wonder if Trixie could teleport...she sure hoped not, because she could be a LOT more annoying that way...

***

“Darn it, Trixie! Talking to you is just like talking to Twilight. I don't know, so stop asking!”

Trixie was already waiting when Dash arrived, however she did seem a bit...fidgety. Especially when she noticed Dash had shown up alone.

Although Rainbow Dash had recounted the entire story of her conversation with Twilight, as per Trixie's request, Trixie still continued to ask questions that Rainbow Dash just didn't have the answer to.

“Well that does Trixie no good! Trixie wants to know how Twilight sounded. Did she seem happy? Or scared? Angry? And when are they going to get here anyway?”

They'd been going at this for minutes now. Trixie really was being very antsy about the situation, something that seemed a little out of character to Rainbow Dash. Granted, she didn't really know Trixie at all, but Trixie always seemed like the kind of pony to be able to keep her cool in most situations.

“Five minutes! Okay?! They'll be here in five minutes, so if you'll just shut up and wait, we can get this over with so that I can speak to them!”

“Trixie thinks you're simply saying a number to make her feel good.”

“Of course I am! Now be quiet!” Dash said as she flapped her wings to face the other direction, crossing her hooves as she did so. She rolled her eyes at how immature Trixie was being, which is definitely saying something considering how childish Dash was herself.

As Rainbow turned back around, she saw Trixie had a look of contemplation take over. She seemed to be staring at nothing in particular, ears flattened, one hoof on her chin.

Some seconds later, she turned towards her chromatic 'friend'.

“Trixie has another question.”

'I swear to Celestia...' The now-further agitated Rainbow Dash thought. 'If she asks about Twilight one more time, I think I'm gonna kick her.'

She landed heavily on the ground, turning to face Trixie as she did.

“Yes, Trixie?” She asked, intentionally trying to sound angry.

It didn't seem to bother the show-mare at all.

“You said that you need to speak to your friends too, as if it was some big development. What did you need to talk about, and should Trixie be present?”

Oh. Well that was...unnervingly opposed to what she was expecting.

“Y-you don't need to worry about that!” Although she was feigning confidence, Trixie could see the faint blush on Dash's cheeks, even as she turned away and tried to hide it.

Well she HAD to know now.

“What if Trixie said please? Trixie never says please.”

While Rainbow didn't doubt Trixie's ability to never be polite, something so small wasn't about to loosen Dash's lips.

“No. It's none of your business.”

“If you tell Trixie, she'll stop bothering you about it.” Trixie pointed out.

Admittedly, that offer actually didn't sound too bad, but still it was no.

“Hey, remember when you were quiet a minute ago? Yeah, neither do I.” Dash took a second to laugh at her own poor joke while Trixie stood unamused. “But do you think you could start?”

“Yes, Trixie can be silent, for a price. The fee is one secret of Trixie's choice.”

“That's just sad.”

“What's sad is a so-called 'brave' Pegasus who's scared of a few words.”

“Are you calling me a coward?” Rainbow asked, sounding legitimately offended.

“Oh no, no no no no no - heh - yeah.”

“Nobody calls me a coward!”

“Oh?” The smug look that overtook Trixie seemed to exude imminent victory. “Then prove me wrong.”

“Grrr....fine! If you MUST know, since it doesn't matter anyway once I kick you outta here, today is the day I...I...”

“You what? Stutter in place like an idiot?”

“Today I'm going to confess to my friends that I LOVE THEM! Now be quiet and leave me alone!”

As the angry Rainbow Dash finished her heated sentence, Trixie seemed to noticeably shrink a bit from Dash's direction.

“Hey, no need to be scared. Even though you've been really annoying I'm not going to hurt you.” She raised a hoof to her chin to think for a second. “Well, not YET anyway.”

“You moronic fool, that's not why Trixie is backing up. THAT” She gestured behind Dash “is the cause.”

“Oh yeah? And what's that?”

Rainbow turned behind her to notice the five of her friends strewn about behind her. Twilight must have just teleported herself and the gang here.

“Oh, FINALLY! Thanks girls, you've no idea how annoying Trixie is. She even made me just tell her that I – oh. Oh wait a second, I just – and you girls were – and I...oh.”

Rainbow looked at her group of friends, and noticed how none of them could quite meet her eye. Then she glanced at Trixie, who seemed to be doing much of the same.

“Uhh, girls, I uh...I-I-”

“Rainbow Dash here was just telling Trixie how much she loved her friends. After I insulted you all, she got really defensive, and decided that she hadn't shown you all the appreciation you deserve recently...so she was planning on giving you all what was sure to be a very touching and heartfelt confession of just how much she cared for you.”

To Trixie's credit, the lie was beautifully crafted for only having a few seconds. She looked over at Dash who, on top of still looking absolutely mortified, also seemed to have a questioning face that Trixie interpreted as 'what are you doing?!' 'Saving your hide!' Was Trixie's mental reply.

“Which is exactly what Trixie has gathered you all here for! See how strongly Rainbow Dash reacted in the defense of her friends?”

Trixie seemed to have taken complete control over the situation, something Dash was eternally grateful for. Other than the knowing look she got from Fluttershy, none of her other friends seemed to understand the situation (or were too preoccupied with Trixie) enough to know the truth yet.

“Yeah Trixie, an' y'all can expect us to have Rainbow's back too, so ya better watch what ya say from here on!” Applejack said as she took a step forward. “Twilight says you've got a reason for bein' here, but nopony knows it. Well let's quite messin' around and jus' tell us already!”

“That, right there! That's what Trixie is here for.” Trixie replied. Applejack didn't seem to comprehend, if the questioning face was any indication. “Trixie has traveled far and wide, yet no matter how much she trains, she seems to have hit a ceiling. A plateau, if you will. No matter where, when, or how Trixie has trained, she can not get any stronger...but Trixie has seen how strong you are in each others defense! I wish to partake in such acts.”

Twilight went wide-eyed at the realization.

“Wait, Trixie, does this mean you're here to-”

“Yes, Twilight...Trixie is here to – ugh - study the magic of friendship.” She gagged out.