Accidentally on Purpose

The entire library was silent save for Rarity’s occasional cooing and gushing over Twilight’s apparent ‘silky, smooth and luscious mane’.  After a few more minutes, Applejack huffed and stood with a mild grunt.

“So what’re we gonna do?!” she finally shouted, shattering the silence, “Sitting ‘round here on our flanks ain’t gonna accomplish anything!”

The orange farm pony trotted in a circle around her friends, making sure to make eye contact with each one, “Ah know the situation seems a bit bleak, but we gotta do somethin’.”

Rainbow Dash fiddled with her hooves, “But the book said that we had to love them back. Don’t get me wrong, I love Fluttershy, but not like that.” There was a pregnant pause from the Pegasus, “That’s sort of thing’s reserved for Soarin’.” she said with a sheepish smile.

Spike rubbed his neck awkwardly, “Well, maybe you could pretend? Maybe take them out on a date or something…” his voice trailed off.

Sweetie Belle had a look of shock and concern on her face, “BUT I DON’T WANT TWILIGHT TO DATE RARITY! Oh, no offence Twilight, but I always wanted a cool big brother in law. Not that you’re not cool! But, like, somepony like Big Mac or something.” Sweetie Belle blushed as she realized what she was implying, “NOT THAT I MEAN I WANT BIG MAC TO DATE RARITY!” she squeaked.

Applebloom merely nodded, “Big Mac is pretty cool.”

Twilight let out a small offended gasp, “I’m cool too! Girls, I can be cool!” She was waving a hoof frantically at them, trying to accentuate her point, “We can have fun together, girls!”

“Err…you know what, I just remembered we have to meet up with Scootaloo…” started Sweetie Belle, inching away from the older unicorn.

The filly beside her nodded, “Yeah, we have…um…crusadin’ to do. See ya, Twilight.”

With another awkward glance shared between the two, the pair of fillies dashed out of the library, leaving the six grown mares to ponder what their next step would be.

The purple unicorn huffed, “I can be cool!” She turned to glare at her friends, “Right?”

“Er…Twilight, It’s not really that big of a deal.” said Pinkie wisely, “We still love you, even if you can be a lame-o McLamey pants sometimes.”

“Yeah!” interjected Rainbow Dash, “It’s just a part of your whole ‘I’m the prized student, ‘cause I’m super smart so I don’t get out as much’ nature!”

“Hmpf.”

Twilight telekinetically grabbed Rarity and began trotting up the stairs, with the unicorn ungracefully being dragged behind her.

“Snookums? Darling, please, you’re ruining my mane.” pouted Rarity.

“We’re going to have fun, Rarity. Because I’m fun! And cool!” she growled.

Rarity could only gulp as she disappeared behind a door with a loud bang.

While the others watched their unicorn friends disappear, Fluttershy nonchalantly brushed her wing under Rainbow Dash’s chin, “So, Honey Bunch, what are we going to do?” The yellow Pegasus gave her friend a look that made the cyan pony shiver.

“Well…”

Her desperate eyes were met with Applejack’s own apple green hues, urging her to continue. Even Pinkie Pie was shaking her head up and down with great vigor, a huge smile plastered on her face as she did so.

“You…wanna go out or something?” Rainbow winced, she knew the answer, and she wasn’t happy with it.

“YES!” Squealed Fluttershy happily, “Let’s go, Dashie bunchie!” with another girly giggle, the Pegasi grabbed Rainbow’s hoof and flew off, out of the library into the sunshine.

Rainbow Dash sighed and pulled her hoof away, all while flying toward Ponyville’s public park. The two landed under the shade of a large oak tree where Rainbow Dash decided to collapse to the grass and stretch herself out. With a content smirk on her face, the cyan Pegasus started to drift off. That is until a pair of forehooves landed heavily onto her stomach. With the breath knocked out of her, Rainbow looked up to see a slightly annoyed Fluttershy, staring down at her.

“Bunchie, I thought we were going to do something together.” she said quietly.

Rainbow rolled her eyes, “No, I asked you if you wanted to go out. “ She spread her hooves and wings around, taking in the nice breeze of the summer day, “And would ya look at that, we’re out.”

Fluttershy wasn’t satisfied with this answer. She got off of Rainbow Dash and sat down with a huff, folding her wings around her as she did so.

Rainbow Dash blinked stupidly, “What? What’d I say?”

The butter coloured Pegasus turned away, tilting her nose into the air and closing her eyes.

The cyan Pegasus bit her lip and sat up, “Hey, don’t give me that.”

There was a small flick of a pink tail, but no response was given to Rainbow Dash.

“FIIIIIIIIINE.” Groaned the agitated pony, “How ‘bout I teach you some more tricks? And this time, I promise you won’t crash. Maybe.”

Fluttershy raised an eyebrow, “But I don’t wan-”

“Come on!” Interrupted Dash, scooping the yellow peagsus up into the air. Once they were a good few metres into the air, Rainbow let her hover on her own.

“Alrighty, today I’ll be teaching you own of my personal favourites; the Cloud Breaker!” Dash had a giddy grin on her face; clearly she was excited to show off to her friend.

“But…”

“Here, I’ll show you how to do it first!”

With a confident smirk, Dash began to flap her wings heavily, launching into a full on sprint. Once she thought her speed was enough, she flew upward and performed a three loop de loops in rapid succession. On completion of the third, her wings snapped shut and she began to fall like a stone.

Fluttershy’s eyes widened with a gasp, but Rainbow Dash remained calm. She continued to fall and as she steadily approached the ground, Fluttershy couldn’t help but look away. With another smirk, the wings of the cyan Pegasus shot open, and with barely any distance from the ground left, Rainbow Dash glided back up gracefully.

“And that’s how you do a Cloud Breaker.” she stated triumphantly.

Fluttershy cracked open an eye. Upon seeing her friend in one piece, she lunged and pulled Rainbow Dash into a hug.

“Don’t do that, Rainbow Dash!” she whimpered, “I was so worried…I thought something went wrong, and…and…” She hiccuped.

Dash’s brows furrowed, “Gee…I’m sorry, Fluttershy. I didn’t know you’d be so worried…” she stared to stroke the pink mane with a hoof, hoping to comfort the whimpering Pegasus.

However dense other ponies might think Rainbow Dash was, the Pegasus did notice one thing odd. The supposedly love poisoned Fluttershy called her by her real name. None of the sugar bunch, snuggy bear stuff, but Rainbow Dash. Maybe the shock had cured her friend?

“Fluttershy?”

The yellow pony looked up, no longer softly crying, “Yes, Dashie Bunchie?”

Celestia’s mane. cursed Rainbow Dash, feeling her hopes being shattered at the sound of the stupid nickname.

“It’s your turn.” said the pony rather coldly.

Fluttershy’s pupils shrank, “N-no, I can’t, please don’t make me, Bunchie, please don’t!”

A defeated sigh was heard from the cyan peagsus, “Alright…fine. Do whatever you want then.” Looking dejected, Raindow Dash slowly began to descend back to the ground. She hadn't expected Fluttershy to attempt the trick, her feeling of dejection was more from the fact that one of her best friends had been poisoned and she couldn't do anything about it! Rainbow Dash grit her teeth in frustration.

“Wait!” called out Fluttershy, “I can’t pull off these tricks like you can, but…um…would you want to maybe go to the stream, maybe? We could feed the ducks or…play with the bunnies there...”

What Rainbow Dash would have said is that playing with animals was lame, but the way Fluttershy had asked her…it was almost like it was the old Fluttershy again. Despite the situation, Rainbow, with thoughtful look on her face, nodded, “Well…okay I guess.”

With a smile exchanged, the two flew off to the stream near Fluttershy’s cottage. Rainbow’s smile wasn’t forced at all, oh no. She loved playing with stupid ducks, I mean, the cute little duckie wuckies. Especially if it meant being on the ground, and not in the awesome sky. Yeah, she sure loved playing with animals.