The Mare to Heart

Chapters

Chapter 1: Meet n' Greet
Chapter 2: Friendship
Chapter 3: Ah nuts...
Chapter 4: And I am...?
Chapter 5: Girl trouble and self exploration
Chapter 6: The Mare to Heart

Chapter 1: Meet n' Greet

On any special occasion such as tomorrow, you would have remembered to get a suit, however being one to forget most things didn't much help your cause. Tomorrow is a special day for most of Equestria. It is... Hearts and Hooves day. This being your first ever Hearts and Hooves day since moving to Ponyville you felt insecure considering you don't know many ponies. Having moved in a month ago wasn't helping.

Well, you thought to yourself, now is as good a day as any to make a friend or two.

As you head out the door of your small one bedroom, one bath, house you forget to lock the door behind you, too worried about making a friend, or perhaps, meeting a special somepony. You flush at the thought and keep on walking, your cheeks mildly pink, shaking your head you trot down the street towards the town's own clothing shop where seemingly everyone went.

The town was nicely painted. Different colors of houses quietly complementing each other, almost like there was a big master-plan to make sure all buildings were perfect. The streets weren't overly busy, not too many ponies except where the town square was, it was practically full of ponies buying from the local market stalls in town. Idle chatter floating through the air, you hear a man trying to rip off another pony just for a single cherry! Typical market you thought. Just not even two minutes after leaving your house you hear a cry for help.

“Help! Help! Somepony, anypony!”

Panic ensuing and not knowing what's going on you head straight for the shop in full stride dodging through other ponies, also stunned and wondering what's going on, however you notice not one is going to help the damsel in distress.

What is going on in this town? Are they all crazy? You think to yourself, totally bewildered at the predicament. You press on, hoping to get there quickly.

Upon finally reaching the shop you line your hind hooves up with the door and kick it open, bursting your way inside to help the damsel in distress. Not that you can do much with your current build anyway, you aren't the strongest stallion in Ponyville.

“I'm here to save you!” your voice trailing off as you look around the room, noticing not one thing wrong in the shop.

“Who... me?” said the mare in a whiny fashion.

“What was all the 'help!” about?” you ask, curiously.

“Oh... uhm, well... my mane was just all messy and there was a hair I couldn't get back into place, sorry for worrying you dear”

You could immediately tell she thought of herself as an upper-class pony, it was painfully obvious. One small thing out of place and the whole world goes nuts for these type of ponies.

“Really? So all the commotion was over a loose hair?” Replying furiously.

“Well i'm sorry for being one of fashion and good taste, my mane means everything to me”

“yeah enough to start a riot” you mutter to yourself.

“what was that?”

“Oh... uhm, nothing...” you respond, nothing at all you think devilishly.

With the current predicament having been resolved you turn to walk out of the boutique, just as you start to walk out the door you remember what you initially wanted to do before that little masquerade of a dramatic convention.

“uhm, I actually have a request...” you proclaim.

“what is it dear? I'm currently busy filling out this big order for the Princess.” she responds distracted, as a small measuring tape flies up past you in a light blueish glow.

“W-well I need a suit, or rather, something nice for this coming Hearts and Hooves day. You see, i'm new around here, and could use some nice cloth-” you begin to say, interrupted.

The white mare gasps, “That's right! Where are my manners, my name is Rarity.” she replies, curtsying towards you. She evidently stopped all work she was doing and started to focus on you.

You, just now realizing how much of a beautiful pony she is, taking notice of her white fur, expertly brushed, almost as if she goes to the spa once a week. Her slender body, her sophisticated purple mane bouncing up and down as she trots over to you. The eyes, oh those beautiful sky blue eyes. You start to think to yourself, wow she's beautiful, maybe I misjudged her at first? Hmm... Just in middle of thought she asks.

“Ahem, is something the matter?”

“Oh, uh sorry, my name is Thunder Dash.” you reply while bowing politely.

“Hmm. Quite the gentlecolt you are.” she says giggling to herself.

You never were one to shy away from other ponies due to their beauty or from a compliment, just shy enough to not ask somepony to be your very special somepony. Sighing slightly you decide it's best not to make a fool of yourself. First impressions are always the critical moment in a meeting right?

Just as you were about to ask her if there was anything she needed from you for the suit, the door to the boutique burst open and well, what seemed like an eternity, was only mere seconds before a rainbow-ish blur hit you right square in the face knocking you unconscious, which could have very easily been mistaken for a ROCKET!

--------------------------------------------Later-------------------------------------------------------

You slowly start to wake up, feeling a massive headache and what could only be described as mind-numbingly annoying chatter, headache's tend to do that. Why must everything be so much louder?
You muse to yourself, still feeling the after affects of that rocket that slammed into your skull.

“ugh...” Saying groggily, barely even getting it out properly.

“Oh, he's awake. Good!” You hear across the room. It's a very refined voice, kind of like the mare's from the boutique's.

Wait, you think you yourself. Was she here the whole time watching me? Oh man, I must have seemed like I was weak, and in front of her too! Oh no, oh no, oh no! Those thoughts hurt your brain, you were thinking too fast to even keep track of what you were thinking for more than a second. Taking a quick look through your left eyelid you see a nurse dressed in a white overcoat with a weird looking hat. Must be the uniform here. Your eyes drop to gaze at her flank and notice a red cross with a few hearts around it. Yup, you thought. I'm in a hospital.

Sitting up from your bed after getting over the small pains in your head pounding away like hammer's at a construction site, you open both your eyes to, low-and-behold, see the very mare at the boutique, what was her name again? Oh right! Rarity, and somepony you've never seen before, and yep! Rainbow colored mane. Just great, the very color of the thing that kn- WHAT?! No way anypony could be THAT fast! Curiosity got the better of you and you spoke up.

“Was it you that hit me?” sounding a little frightened.

“Ah, yeah. Sorry about that, name's Rainbow Dash.” She replied.

“I'm Thunder Dash.”

Rainbow's eyes widened as she heard the “Dash” part of your name. She quickly started to bombard you with questions about speed. “Do you like speed, going fast, or doing dare-devilish tricks?”

“Uh, I guess so...” Replying slowly.

“Oh, when you recover want to have a race?”

“Rainbow!” You hear Rarity blurt out.

“Alright, alright, when he's up to it.” She responded, sounding bored.

The nurse that was in the room seemed to of have vanished, almost without a sound, you didn't even see her leave. Like magic. Wait, magic? Oh yeah~! Looking around the room you notice it's moderately spaced out, fortunately, your forte was healing magic, something your father taught you how to do. Both your mother and father were unicorns from Manehattan. Nice place in all fairness, but just not the kind of place for you, as your horn begins to glow green your headache ceases to exist and vanishes just like the nurse had just a few minutes ago.

It's been a while since you recalled your parents, practically masters of healing techniques, why when you were young they taught you how to mend scrapes, cuts, and bruises just so you could do it yourself or to any of the other children that were hurt. Not much else to recall from them other than providing good schooling, and healing magic, they never did have time for you. Snapping back to reality you realize the two mares are looking at you like you were in some sort of daze.

“Are you okay?” Curiosity better engulfing the cyan colored mare.

“Yeah, i'm fine, just recalling some memories.”

“Well, now that you're fine, is it all right for you to come by to my boutique tomorrow night?” Asked the white mare, Rarity. You just flushed at the thought of her asking you to her place.

“Yeah, i'll be sure to make it. Not like I have anything better to do.” Bitterness sounding in your voice. Rarity just glared at you like you meant that to be rude to her.

“Well i'm gonna go try my new moves out before it gets dark, bye!” Zipping out the window as fast as she came into the boutique, Rainbow Dash was gone. She really IS that fast! Better watch out to not meet her when she's angry, you thought, shivering at the thought of getting rocket pummeled like you just had recovered from moments ago.

“Hey Rarity, how did I even get here?” you ask sheepishly.

“Well uh. I. Carried you. You're not exactly the heaviest of stallions, very light.” she replied, her cheeks blushing red.

“Oh, haha, thanks. Am I really that light though? It seems as if i'm not really a stallion the way you say it.” a slight nervousness in your voice.

“Oh not at all deary, I didn't mean it like that, you're actually very cute, you're just a different type of stallion. Perhaps I could make your suit to you as a gift? I've never seen a stallion like you, the others are always so bulky and huge, very unflattering if you ask me.” she says calmly, but you can see the slight blush on her cheeks.

You lower your head sighing with relief. And here I though muscle was everything, maybe brains are a must as well... You thought to yourself.

“Alright darling, i'm going to go back to my boutique, I still have a lot of work to do, i'm sure I can fit you into my schedule later tomorrow, so come by sometime then?” Asked Rarity, a slight smile coming to her face.

“Yeah, okay then, i'll see you tomorrow night Lady Rarity” You reply, trying to sound as gentlecolt as you could.

The white mare left the room through the sliding door to the far left of your bed, you see the window open still letting in the cold air from early spring. The beautiful spectacle that is the glowing white circle in the sky surrounded by a dark blue canvas with glowing stars all around polka-dotting the area, you'd think the moon kind of looked like Rarity same white-ish glow, beautiful as she is. Wait, why can't I get her off of my mind? You think to yourself. Surely the first pony I met couldn't be the one. Could she? My mind makes it seem like the first available mare is the one i'm supposed to be with, maybe she is? You muse to yourself.

Thinking back to your past, you seem to recall a mare you also had similar experiences with, but in Manehattan. Forgetting her name isn't really helping, especially since you seem to recall having made some pretty stupid mistakes, like staring at her from across the lunch table at school with your jaw dropped to the table top almost like you're expecting the food to get up and walk into your mouth. And how you had asked her to be your date for graduation, and how you had blushed every time she looked at you. It was a foal romance, nothing really could come of it. You thought. She was beautiful, but like all things that begin, they must end. She ended up moving to Canterlot. That much you remember, feeling sad the rest of the week because you couldn't tell her your feelings, missing on the opportunity to maybe have a very special somepony and growing old together in a nice cottage with a few fillies of your own. Oh well, you thought while sighing. Maybe she was supposed to leave and fate had separated us? Maybe I should ask Rarity to be my very special somepony tomorrow? Your thoughts are starting to make you sleep deprived, what now seems like eleven at night, you start to drift off to sleep as you lay in your comfy hospital bed. I guess i'll sleep on it then, and solve these problems tomorrow. As your eyelids got extremely heavy you nodded off and the world around you became pitch black, the night air still flowing through the room as everything goes quiet.

Chapter 2: Friendship

------------------------------------------Next Morning---------------------------------------

You slowly started edging your way back to normal consciousness, you still felt a little woozy from the hit you took yesterday. The window of course was still open, it seems no nurse came to check in on you. You hear the sweet hum of the birds just outside the window, the morning breeze sweeping in across the room.

You let out a hearty stretch and a full blown yawn. You could've easily held a few animals in there for the winter. It's time to start the day, now there's only one problem. What was it you were supposed to do today?

“I knew this would happen!” you say groaning as you put both fore hooves onto your forehead and lean back onto the comfy mattress.

You spent the betterment of the next 10 or 15 minutes thinking about what it was, but it just never clicked.

“Geeze you'd think I was hit by a semi-truck not a rocket powered pony.” You said sarcastically.

Wait, what was a semi-truck? You mused to yourself, trying to recall what a semi-truck actually was. No ideas came to mind so you decided to go on with your day and maybe it'll pop into your head when something familiar happens. So you lean up on your bed in a sitting position, and slowly crawl to your feet. Looking around the room you notice nothing has changed, except for a few leaves that flew in through the open window. You decide to go close the window when you hear a couple of small voices yelling around on the street. They sounded young, must be fillies.

As you look out the window you spot three young fillies, one was a white coated unicorn with a pink and purple curly mane. Another was orange colored with a pure purple mane, sleek, you thought. And the last one was yellow with a pure red mane. You took notice on how they didn't have their cutie marks yet. You started to wonder about who the three were.

Suddenly the memory hit you. Like a semi-truck, you thought. You had heard rumors of three young fillies without cutie marks who went around doing various things, only getting into trouble or messing something up. What were they called again? A small pause as you contemplated the name.

Oh that's right! The Cutie Mark Crusaders. Yeah they got into a whole bunch of mischief. In fact when you first moved into pony ville a month ago, they opted to help you move in, they yelled out something rather funny. Cutie Mark Crusader Movers! That was it, catchy sort-of for the situation, but it was loud, you swore you heard glass breaking from Canterlot!

Giggling to yourself you closed the window and went back and made your bed, just the way you found it. The realization that this stay may cost you a pretty bit came into mind. Uh oh, I’m already poor as it is, I don't need this bill hanging over my head! You open the door to the room and head out downstairs to the front desk. Your inevitable debt waiting for you, looming like Nightmare Moon was waiting for her release. I'd rather have Nightmare Moon come back and terrorize me than have to pay this debt. Your ears drooped back, and you brought your head down to the floor sighing as you walked down the hall.

*BUMP*

“Oops sorry about that, didn't see you there.” You apologized.

“Hey don't sweat it Thunder.”

Thunder? How did she kn-. You looked up fairly quickly to see Rainbow Dash floating in the air with her wings outstretched and flapping ever so lightly.

“Oh hey Rainbow. What're you doing here?” You asked, tilting your head to the side a little.

“I came back to see how you were doing, and if you'd like to hang out today” She replied with a slight nervousness to her voice. Something is off.

“Did you really mean to come see me? It doesn't seem like you at all.”

“Rarity asked me too because she was too busy and she says she's sorry she can't make it, because she had to fill out an order for a big hotshot in Canterlot, she was going to come by and meet you but she sent me instead.” She said in a very fast, dragged on sentence.

By now you remember you had to go downstairs and get the bill before you left. It's difficult not knowing what you were supposed to do today. Something about hearing “Rarity” reminded you that it had something to do with her, but you just couldn't remember. Sitting there you ponder in your mind what it could've been.

“Uh Thunder, you there?” Rainbow asked, waving a hoof in front of your face.

Snapping out of it you reply. “Yeah I’m here, just trying to figure out how I’m going to pay the hospital bill”

“Don't worry about that, Rarity covered for you, she keeps telling me it was her fault.”

“Why? She didn't do anything wrong.”

“N-n-no reason, really!” Rainbow Dash smiled sheepishly, trying to keep something a secret. You wanted to know what it was.

“Rainbow, you're hiding something aren't you? I can see it all over your face”

By now Rainbow got nervous and was looking around the inside of her head to figure out something to say.

“You must be out of your mind, now let's go I have a big day planned for us!”

“Hmm, alright. But I still wish to know what you're hiding” You tried to get her to answer you, but she's one tough pony.

The both of you signed out of the hospital and headed down the street towards what looked to be like a farm. A BIG apple orchard. I wonder what Rainbow is thinking right now, why an apple orchard? You thought to yourself.

You both walked past the white fencing that looked to surround the area for miles. You saw that most of the apple trees had no apples in them. They've probably been bucked already. Moving close to the gate you saw a large sign that said Sweet Apple Acres. Looking around the yard you see a large silo in the back, and a big red barn with white lining to the right, and an average sized house, looked old, little run-down, but it's a home none-the-less.

As you and Rainbow approach the barn you see an orange coated mare with a yellowish tied back mane and tail. She wears a brown cowmare hat that's tilted slightly upwards. Looking close you see her Cutie Mark, which is as suspected. Three apples. I should've known, you joked.

“Hey AJ!” Yelled Rainbow Dash.

“Mornin' Rainbow, what're you doin' here? Shouldn't you be taken ah' nap or somethin'?” Said the confused mare.

“Nah, I’m here chilling with a new guy in town. Says he moved in a month ago, but this is the first I’ve seen of him. Granted I barrel rolled into him.” Rainbow replied with a slight chuckle.

“Ah' newcomer huh? And your name is?” Inquired AJ.

Just before you could open you mouth to say something Rainbow Dash butted in and yelled.

“His name is Thunder DASH. Isn't that cool? We may as well be like, siblings or something.” Rainbow's face just has the biggest smile, it was like looking at a little filly getting a gift on her birthday.

“Thank you Rainbow Dash, but I think I can speak for myself.” You rebutted, sounding sarcastic with ever fiber of your being. You raise a hoof to give a hoof shake to the new mare.

“Sorry about that uhm...?” Waiting for AJ to respond.

“Ah'm sorry too about her, she can be antsy when things like this happen. Name's Applejack. I run this here farm with help from my family. You have anything planned today Thunder?” She replied calmly, shaking your hoof.

“No not really, just hanging out with Rainbow today. Not much going on otherwise.”

“So what is it your job around here is anyway? If you don't mind mah askin' so?”

Rainbow seemed bored out of her mind like she needed to get out and do something. Even though you were by definition doing something.

“Oh come on Applejack, we have a list of things to do today, why not talk about this another time?” Rainbow blurted out.

“Rainbow! If you're bored that much wah' don't you do something about it?” Applejack now sounding annoyed.

“Girls please don't fight because of my wrong doing.” You piped up.

“But yah darn'd did nothin' wrong Thunder. She's just always in a rush tah' do somethin'” Applejack is now glaring at Rainbow Dash face-to-face.

“I know, it's just natural for me to apologize for other people.”

“Huh? Why's that?” Rainbow was now looking at you, Applejack still glaring at Rainbow let up her gaze and now looked at you with a sort-of what? Face. Both of them looking at you like you're crazy.

“Never mind that, perhaps another day. For now what sa-”

“Applejack it's time for dinner!!” You hear a small filly belch out with all her might to alert us of dinner time.

“Welp, looks like mah' work here is done for tha' night. If'n you'll excuse me I got dinner to attend to.”

Hold on? Dinner time? Worried you ask the for the time.

“What time is it?”

“It's about 5 pm judging from the sun's position.” Replied Applejack.

“Come to think of it today is Heart and Hooves day. Do you not have a special somepony Thunder?” Rainbow had a small grin to her face, clearly, she was wondering if you had courted Rarity.

“No, I do not, and never have. Someday perhaps. But today is a day I’ve come to dread. This holiday always reminds me that I have no special somepony, no one to love. It's a curse, not a holiday.”

Rainbow Dash was now concerned, she had never heard you say something negative so seriously, she knew something was wrong. But before she could get up the courage to ask, Pinkie Pie came bursting into the scene, physics apparently didn't work with this mare.

“Dashie! Dashie! Dashie! Guess what? I'm throwing a party for Hearts and Hooves day and you're both invited!” She sounded more ecstatic then she was when she threw a party for you. Granted it was a weird invitation because the first words she said to you were... Actually there were none it was just a big gasping noise. She somehow floated in the air for a few seconds.

“Hmm? A party? For this holiday?” You wondered why of all times to throw a party on a romantic day.

“Pinkie Pie throws parties for just about any occasion, if you look her Cutie Mark is that of three balloons. She likes parties basically. Just like I like speed! Mine is that of a cloud and thunder bolt!”

“Hmm I can see that. From what i've heard, you're the only one in Equestria who can perform the famous Sonic Rainboom. And you're the fastest flier in Cloudsdale.” You say sheepishly, a small smile protruding from your mouth.

“Yup that's me! The one and only! Thunder, you just 20% cooler in 10 seconds flat.”

“Alright Dashie, i'm off to go invite more guests. The more the merrier huh?” And in a flash the pink mare was gone. How did she hop around that fast? You wondered.

Rainbow Dash took notice of you're confused stare at the spot the pink mare was just at, and chuckled to herself.

“Logic doesn't exist for her, and no one knows how so we just all say it's Pinkie Pie, whenever someone asks. And from the look on your face, it doesn't look like you understand it.”

Snapping back to reality you reply. “Alright then, where too next?”

“Let's go check out the library, maybe Twilight has some new Daring Do book I can borrow. I finished the last one anyway”

“I didn't take you for a reader Rainbow.”

“Are you kidding? I LOVE Daring Do, she's only just the coolest pony ever to exist! Her daring tricks, her daring speeches, and her daring attitude are all just too cool!” Her face at this point was just priceless, she was just like a schoolyard filly.

Laughing to yourself you trudge on to the next location of your tour.

Chapter 3: Ah nuts...

After about a 5 minute walk. Well, in your terms it's walk, in Rainbow's terms it's snails pace. So after about a 5 minute “walk” you finally reach a... Tree? Well Rainbow Dash flew up to the door of the massive tree and knocked on it pretty casually. After about 5 seconds you hear a voice from within.

“Come in!” says the voice.

You slowly walk in, although you know it's a public library, you had heard that the librarian live here, so as to not upset her you walk in with grace. However forgetting to look where your going you trip over a book that was on the ground.

“Aw, darn.” You grunted.

“You okay uhm...” The voice asked, probably inquiring your name.

“Name's Thunder Dash” You replied slowly getting back onto your hooves

“Well i'm Twilight Sparkle, I run this library. I have any and all books to suit anypony's needs.” She was smiling madly, it's clear she likes books. Who else would work here everyday?

“And i'm Spike!” A small voice to your left spoke up.

“Gah!” You screamed in surprise. Your heart was racing at a mile a minute.

“Oh sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare you.” Replied the small dragon.

“I-i-it's alright, you j-just scared me a little.” You were studdering from the scare, not sure why you were you think back and find a memory of watching a late night horror film. Wait, what's a film? You thought to yourself.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight were roaring with laughter at how scared you got. Finally calming down after what was about a tsunami of laughter, they trotted over to greet you.

“Spike, mind going to make us some tea?” The purple mare asked with a friendly and warm tone.

“Yes ma'am” Spike saluted and waddled off into the kitchen.

“Now then, is there anything you came here for Rainbow?” Twilight was anxious to talk about her books, seems like she didn't have anyone who shared the same interest in books as her.

“Thunder is new-ish in town and he doesn't have any friends, so i'm showing him around and getting him to meet my friends. And you.”

Twilight takes a quick glance at the clock on the wall above the kitchen.

“Wow look at the time, we must be going to Sugarcube Corner if we're to make the party on time. You coming Spike?”

“Yeah be there in a sec!” You hear him yell from the kitchen, although he sounded a little distrau-

“Woah-oah!”

CRASH

“Spike! What did you do?!” Twilight yelled.

“I tripped over one of your books. You really should keep this place more tidy, instead of throwing books around when you're done, try putting them back?” Spike was annoyed at her level of cleanliness.

“Spike you're my number one assistant, and as my number one assistant you should know that it's one of your chores, to keep this place clean and hazard free. Now then we really must be going to the party, wouldn't want to keep everypony waiting.”

“Well whatever, I don't feel like going to some froo-frooey Hearts and Hooves day party anyway.”

“Suit yourself Spike. Just remember to do your chores.”

Spike ran upstairs and headed for what appeared to be a bedroom. He's probably going to slack off and go to bed you thought. Sure enough in a few short seconds you heard light snoring coming from upstairs. You turn around to go head out the door, Rainbow Dash of course wanting to be first flew out the door like a bullet. You followed her outside and shortly after Twilight followed, using her magic to close shut the door.

It was a nice walk, all of you heading to Sugarcube Corner, in silence. You feel like you should say something just to make conversation. But sometimes it's best to walk in silence, just being in someones presence can speak a whole lot more than words or conversation ever could. After a short walk, seeing as Sugarcube Corner isn't far from the library you see party banners and streamers and balloons and a- What the hay is that? A Cannon? At a party? Just as you were about to ask what a cannon was doing at the party the pink mare you met at the farm came out and hit the button on the cannon, and almost immediately a whole bunch of streamers, balloons, and party confetti flew out of the cannon, masquerading the place with party decorations.

“Hey Pinkie Pie!” Rainbow was waving a hoof to her friend.

“Oh hey Rainbow, Thunder, and Twilight. Are you just super duper fantabulificly excited for today's party? We have balloons, streamers, music, cake, cupcakes, muffins and soda! And of course everyone who's anyone in town came to celebrate the holiday! And lastly the Cakes' themselves!” Pinkie Pie was speaking at a mile-a-minute, and giggling like a mad pony. There was very little you could do to actually follow what she was saying at this point. Her friends seemed to be able to follow easily as they were nodding there heads at points, and giggling as well, maybe they just got used to her?

As you got into the shop you looked around and noted the large spaces accompanied with tables, chairs, and whatever else Pinkie mentioned. This was the usual party spot by the looks of things. You saw that almost the entire town had shown up, small town sure, but everyone showed up. Everyone must really like Pinkie Pie's parties.

Not knowing what you should do, you follow Rainbow Dash over to where the rest of her friends were. Everyone was there, Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight Sparkle, and of course Pinkie Pie. But where was Rarity? She wasn't with them, and now that you think about it, you haven't seen her all day, and Rainbow Dash was acting sheepish when you mentioned her. Not even a few seconds after the realization she wasn't there, guess who shows up?

“I'm here~” The white mare was standing sideways in the doorway to show off her dress, which was extravagant. You couldn't help but stare. The dress was full cab, purple, with wavey lavender lines streaming down the length of the dress, it has a few gems put into a small diamond pattern, exactly like her cutie mark. You've probably been staring too long, because at that point Rarity took notice of you and blushed, it was a light blush so it wasn't very visible, but because you've been staring long, you noticed. You cock your head to the side and lightly flush as well. As usual, Pinkie Pie bolted right up to her, and brought her over to you and her friends. At this point you were starting to get nervous. But why? Why am I getting nervous? You thought, hurriedly your mind got to work at thinking of something to say. Rarity finally got over to you, and yup. You were still flabberghasted, and staring.

“Is something the matter Thunder?” She tilted her head sideways a little, with a worried look to her face.

“I u-um, I-You look amazing Rarity.” You cringe afraid that she might react badly having just met yesterday.

She flushed red, “Oh thank you, do you like my dress?” She was pawing at the ground, or rather, the floor.

Rarity's friends aren't exactly the quietest, except Fluttershy, it was easy to hear them giggling to themselves, it was obviously because they've never seen Rarity blush before at another stallion, or make a dress just to impress them. You stood there looking dumbfounded, staring at her. Quick think of something to say... COME ON!

“Uhm, I t-take it you don't have a special somepony?”

“Sadly yes. But I was kind of hop-” Just as she was interrupted, the doors to the shop burst open as a tall white stallion appeared in the doorway, he had a tuxedo on and a horn protruding from his head, his mane was blue and wavey, and his Cutie Mark was of three crowns with the jewels in them much like Rarity's.

“Sorry I'm late everyone, it's hard to escape those stuffy nobles sometimes.” Said the stallion.

Rarity was standing in awe as to who she was looking at, you couldn't figure out what was going on, but everyone was standing there staring. It's like the princess walked in or something. But clearly the princess wasn't a stallion, so it wasn't her. He himself stood in the doorway staring at Rarity, it's like it became a stare down all of a sudden!

“Oh my gosh, i-i-it's Fancypants!” Rarity declared.

“WHAT?!?” You and Rainbow screamed.

Chapter 4: And I am...?

The entire room full of ponies was now looking at you and Rainbow Dash like you both were a couple of loons. You and Rainbow Dash were also looking at each other like a couple of loons. Snapping back to reality, you look around the room nervously, everypony watching you because of your little outburst. If the moment couldn't get more awkward, Rarity was stunned that Fancypants was standing in the doorway of one of Pinkie Pie's parties.

“Ahem, anypony know if Miss Rarity is here?” His heavy noble accent making “here” sound like “He-are”

“Y-y-you want me?” Piped up the nervous white mare.

“Why yes, that day where you visited as a guest of Princess Celestia, i've been hoping to meet you again. However you haven't been back to Canterlot so when I heard you owned a store out here in Ponyville I hoped on the first train out here.”

“But why?” Curiosity now getting the better of you.

“Hmm yes, I was hoping to ask Miss Rarity on a date.” Without a single studder, or flinch he managed to ask somepony out in front of an entire crowd of ponies. What a boss! You thought.

Rarity of course was now flabberghasted and didn't know what to say, utterly speechless one might say. As if the worst could happen you start sizing yourself up to Fancypants hoping you'd find at least one flaw in him that could make Rarity like you over him. Alas you could not find one... single... flaw.

“Oh but of course Fancypants, i'd be delighted. Shall we step outside to discuss the small details?” Rarity now had the biggest smile on her face.

“Fancy that, alright then Miss Rarity, if you'd be so kind as to follow me?”

“You've always been quite a charmer.” Giggling to herself as she excited the building.

You couldn't make heads or tails of what the HECK that just happened. Did I just get, upwinded by, someone not even from here? That nervous look you had before dissipated and was replaced with a hint of sadness. Rainbow Dash was standing next to you, watching to see your reaction.

“Wa-how-I-I need to go. I think I left my fridge running.” Clearly you weren't home in mind because that was one of the lamest excuses you've ever made. Making for the door you opt to take the backdoor because you remembered how Rarity and Fancyschmancy were outside.

Rainbow Dash watched you walk out and couldn't help but feel a little guilty for what just happened, Fluttershy flew over to Rainbow and reassured her it wasn't her fault. The rest of the gang went on in that party unknowingly of what just happened.

One thing you thought for sure. A new pony in town, not one person really knows you. So who would care? That thought scared you more than anything. Even during high school you felt that way, not a single soul cared, and not a single soul would hope to see you again. This time however, it's Ponyville's turn.

At this time you were running down the road, a very small tear forming in your left eye, why the right one didn't want to cry is beyond you. At the very least you found a small secluded tree just 3 minutes away from your house and you decided to sit down next to it. Plopping your rump down you lay back against the bark and quietly sit there watching the stars. It was the afternoon, and night time, was the best time.

On many occasion you remembered taking your little sister out at night to watch the stars, and show her the stellar constellations. You and her would go out to the grassy fields near the house, lay on your backs and watch the stars. By the time your sister was 5 she could tell you every single constellation that was visible to you and her. The Nightmare Night that Princess Luna attended for the first time was the very same night you first looked at the stars for all their beauty. Night time was your favorite time.

Relaxing your head against the tree you hear the faint chirpings of some small birds in a nest above you, the wind blowing through your mane, and the heavy rustling of some leaves above yo- wait a second, that sounds mighty loud for a breeze or squirrel. Without a second to spare you look up and see a cyan colored pegasus with a yellow colored pegasus sitting way up in the tree.

Quickly trying to salvage your manliness you wipe away the tears forming over your eyes. Just then it clued in: Why do I care so much about a random pony I met? Why am I crying over her? Remembering that two pegasi were looking at you waiting for you to speak, you pipe up and remove all sadness within.

“What do you want?” Sounding snide. Great, why couldn't I say something else to make me not seem like a jerk who doesn't want friends. Your expression deadpanned and you looked away hoping to restart the conversation.

“We came to see how you were. It's not everyday we see Rarity so uppity-up about a pony.” Rainbow was waving her hoof in front of her face like she was trying to lighten the mood.

“Oh yes.” Squeaked the yellow pegasus. Fluttershy was it?

“Thanks, but it's clear Rarity likes that Fancyschmancy guy. She even agreed to go out with him.”

“Nonsense, that's just a load of hooey. It was a spur of the moment, impulse kinda thing. She likes you and was hoping tonight that you would ask her on a date. And the only reason i'm telling you this is because I kind of owe you for knocking you upside the head on accident yesterday.”

“And what do you propose I should do huh?!” You got to your hooves quickly and stamped the ground with a forehoof. “What do YOU think I should do against someone who's rich, popular, and good looking?!” You belched out with an angry tone.

Rainbow Dash flew right up in your face and gave you a scowling look. You could feel her breath on your muzzle, and with an angry tone declared.

“SHOW her what you're made of. SHOW her that you care. SHOW her something so spectacularly awesome that it would even wow even the Princess's!”

“Alright, alright! Just please don't hurt me!” Scared as you are now remembering this was one pony you DIDN'T want to get angry. “So where should I start then?”

“Try the library Twilight may be able to help you.” The scared yellow pegasus floated down in front of you and flinched a bit at your sudden look.

“Of course! Thanks you two! I'll be sure to change things around!” You yelled back while full on bolting for the library. The party should have ended by now I hope.

The two pegasis watched you depart and waved bye before heading their own directions. Probably home.

As you arrive at the library you see that some lights are on and that must mean somepony is home. Walking right up to the door you knock on it and wait a few seconds. No answer. You knock again. And this time the door slowly creaks open revealing not a single pony standing there. Must have been opened with magic.

“Come in!” You hear from the library opening.

You slowly walk into the lobby of the library expecting to see somepony there to greet you, instead you're met with a small baby dragon. Wait, a baby dragon?!!!

“Gah!!” You yelp as you jump 5 feet into the air. “A... baby... d-d-dragon!”

“My name is Spike, nice to meet you.” The tiny dragon said, without even realizing he just scared the living daylights out of you.

“N-n-nice to m-meet you S-Spike.” Calming down a bit your tone becomes more sure of itself, and you begin to stutter less. “I'm Thunder Dash. Rainbow Dash said I should come see Twilight”

“About what?” The baby dragon was curious but had no idea it was a matter you wished to keep to yourself.

“Unfortunately Spike, I can't tell you. Sorry.” Your face was dead serious.

Moments after the awkward silence that befell the room after telling Spike you couldn't tell him, Twilight entered with her mane in a mess and baggy eyes, seems she didn't sleep for a long time.

“Uh Twilight, what happened to your mane? And you look really tired.”

“Oh hi Thunder, I've been meaning to speak with you, if you'll follow me into my private study, we can begin.” She began to walk into a small door located just right of the entrance to the library, and you quickly followed.

The room seemed spacious enough for studies, a few bookshelves here-and-there and a candle or two burning through the night, the room of course was a mess with books strewn all over the floor. That explains the messy mane and baggy eyes, she was studying all night, but for what? You wondered.

“Alright, I know you have good intentions and you seem nice, and also that you really like Rarity. So here's what I need to do before I can trust you. I need to see into your past. Once I have confirmed you're not a bad pony, I will trust you to go on a date with Rarity.”

“What are you her guardian? And I don't think going into my memories is something you should do, they're kind of, oh I don't know, Private?!”

“Look do you want me to trust you with one of my best friends? Or would you rather try without me and see how far you get.”

Quickly pondering through your thoughts, nothing embarrassing of your past came to mind, you don't recall that anyway, although you do recall thinking of things you don't know of, like a semi-truck.

“Alright, but make it quick and don't try to peer into my deepest darkest secrets, okay? Also once we're done I kind of need your help.”

“Okay tell me what you need help with only after I've done this. Now this may be awkward, but lie down on the spare bed over there in the corner.”

You get over to the bed a lie down as you normally would if you were to go to sleep. Twilight followed shortly after and walked right up to the bed.

“Okay, you'll be able to see the memories I can see with this spell, also too, the memories that show are random, so I won't know which show up. From what I know of researching the spell, is that it goes in chronological order, albeit random order in a small timeframe.”

“Alright let's just get this over with.” You close your eyes and await the spell to begin, unsure of what's going to happen.

Twilight leans in closer and the tip of her horn begins to glow a light purple, she inches closer to your forehead and touches it with her horn, as that happens the horn glows brighter and the images of memories you thought forgotten began to show up. However they were images you were not expecting.

One image was of you as a human sitting with a big wheel in front of you moving along what looked like a road with yellow lines on the ground. Another image was of you reading a story almost exactly similar to this. A third image showed you watching the very place you're currently located! All these memories were of nothing you thought existed, and furthermore if these are your memories, what happened to you?

Going deeper and deeper into your memories, you see yourself back in high school as a teenager, on a laptop reading stories on fimfiction.net. The last memory that popped into your head was getting an email from some stranger and you opened it up saying “would you like to go to Equestria?” and there was a link, you clicked on it, and that's when the memory blanked.

“Y-y-you're a human?!!” Twilight was now scared of what might happen next.

“A what?” Your face deadpanned at the accusation. This was going to take a LOT of explanation.

Chapter 5: Girl trouble and self exploration

You took a moment to ponder what had just occurred, not remembering those memories, and now all of a sudden you're a human?

“N-no that c-can't be right, i-i-it just can't! I was born of a mother and father, and I had a sister, all of them were ponies, like me and the rest of Equestria's inhabitants.” Some stuttered words caused Twilight to believe she may just have scared the living goddesses out of you. Boy was she close to right...

“Bu-I-I don't even... Hold on a moment” Twilight was at a loss for words, just as she finished stuttering like you had, she immediately called on Spike to help search for a book about humans, and ran up to one of the many bookshelves that surround the lobby of the library. After a few moments she returned and floated a book in front of you with her magic.

“This book explains of a species known to of have lived in Equestria once called humans. At about chapter 3 it explains that humans were exiled from Equestria and with the magic of Princess Celestia and Discord, they were banished to another world, forever. In chapter 4 it says the reason this harsh decision was called upon was because humans were war-hungry and would fight for resources of a land, conquering different places around our world for their own due to resources that another land possessed, greed, war, strife, and power. The human race searched for those wherever they went and 1000 years ago had staged an attack on Equestria to gain the teachings of magic from us ponies, it say's there was a huge war and at the turning point for the humans to win. That's when the Princess and Discord decided to banish them forever. But there was one pony who sided with the humans. Nightmare Moon, and of course being Princess Celestia's sister, she couldn't banish her forever, so she decided 1000 years of punishment to the moon would suffice.”

Sitting there listening to all this makes you feel guilty inside, and a little hateful towards humans. Especially being one, or rather having been one.

“It's uncanny though to think that humans may still remember Equestria and have created some sort of moving picture from it. And they didn't skip a beat with missing anypony from here either.”

“Enough about humans, can we get back to how I am a human? Or was... a human?” You were frustrated now, thinking that your entire existence was now a lie.

“Well remember when you clicked that “link” on some sort of weird looking book?”

“I remember that being called a computer. It displays information much like a book, but in one machine.”

“Right well, right after that no memories of being human came into view, just memories of when you were born and so on.”

“And your point is what? That the link I clicked on was a magical portal into the land of Equestria?” Twilight missed the sarcasm in your voice

“Precisely. There is a chance that clicking that link has sent you into this world by means of being reborn into a pony.”

“Now then about that so-called computer, how do you make one? Books all neatly put into one machine? I'd love to learn more about that!”

“Woah, woah there Twilight, I don't remember everything from my life as a human, and I definitely don't remember how to make one. Perhaps one day some egghead genius will come up with the first ever computer.”

“So what was it you wanted to talk to me about? Something about Rarity I presume?”

“Wow, how did you know?”

“I read your memories. Remember?” Her face tilted to the side like you may have been crazy not to remember.

“Oh right...” You looked down sheepishly and embarrassed at that statement. “Well if you've read my memories you probably guessed I really like her, and that she's dating that Fancyface guy now.”

“Yes I know about that, she doesn't really like him in that way, she just said yes because of his fame and wealth. She may in the end dump him.”

“Really?” You ask pleadingly.

“Really.” Twilight assured.

“Now then, seeing as Rarity is a lady and likes being clean and proper, it's always bonus points for you to be clean and well... proper. But I believe you already have that covered, what with your little incident at your first meeting with her.” Twilight let out a slight giggle.

“Laughing at my expense? That really hurt y'know.” You replied coyly.

“Yes well, moving on. You need to do something big, however, I don't know much about this whole dating thing, from what i've read in books you can't really tell the outcome until you've had a first date. So how about after she goes out with Fancypants on monday night, you ask her out the next day?”

“So there really isn't anything big I can do? Well that's helpful, I guess i'll do what you say then. Thanks Twilight.”

“No problem, oh and your secret Thunder. Is safe with me.”

With that you trotted over to the door, smiled back and bid farewell as you now had to wait until tomorrow night's date to end to finally ask Rarity out.

--------------------Tuesday------------------------------------------------

You wake up in your comfy bed after having a really good sleep, a good omen to start the day off. You practice the daily morning ritual that is: slumping out of bed, brushing your teeth, combing your mane, and of course making breakfast after barely making it down the stairs to the kitchen without falling down them.

After a quick shower (yes you take a shower after combing your mane), you head down the stairs yet again and head out the door to run a few errands before doing one of the biggest things you'll ever do besides moving to Ponyville. Asking Rarity on a date.

After all the mundane tasks that were laid out before you were done such as groceries, wood for repairs and nails, and of course a new blanket as the old one was getting old, you set out to find Rarity, your heart was thumping heavily as you got closer and closer to the boutique. It was like you were about to enter a haunted house, as your heart was thumping at the speed of a Formula One Car. Must be those weird human thoughts again. You muttered. Just as you got up to the door, your heart was now in your throat, you felt it thumping so hard you thought an earthquake had struck near you. The ultimate decision was now, do you go for it? Or just let fate handle it. You gained up the courage to finally knock.

Knock, knock, knock

You wait about a few seconds, not a peep or movement from inside.

Knock, knock, knock

Still nothing, now you're starting to get worried that something might be wrong. You decide to knock again just in-case.

Knock, knock, knock

Giving up and worried that something might've happened, you decide to head into town and ask Ponyville's residents if they have seen Rarity since last night. You asked Bon Bon and Lyra, Applejack and The Cutie Mark Crusaders, Fluttershy, Zecora, Rainbow Dash, and the Mayor. You've asked just about every pony in Ponyville, even the ones not mentioned. No pony has seen her since after her date with Fancypants. They all suggested she may be with Fancypants at the hotel on the northern side of Ponyville. So you begin to trot your way up the hotel and you asked the clerk what room Fancypants was in. It was time to ask the pony you didn't want to have to ask.

As you got to his room you knocked on the door, waited a few moments and out came one tall, handsome white coated gentlecolt. Fancypants.

“Yes how may I help you young lad?”

“I've been looking for Rarity, and I know you had a date with her last night, do you know where she went?”

“She didn't make it home?” That comment blew you aback.

“What? What do you mean didn't make it home?” Now you were furious.

“Calm down and let me tell you, after our meals we went to part ways for the night, she said she would like one more date to finalize her decision, Celestia forbid what decision that may have been but I insisted I walk her home but she refused and left before I could say another word.”

If looks could kill, this colt would be dead right now. Remembering to calm down as he probably had nothing to do with it, and jealousy was more than likely the cause of this anger, you decided to ask calmly.

“Where did you two go for your date, and which way was she headed?”

“We went to Sugar Cube Corner for some cupcakes, not really a meal, but she insisted because her friend works there. After our “meals” she went home through a back alley she said was shortcut home, more than likely it was, and judging from the boutique's location, it was.”

“Alright then, thank you.” You said your goodbyes and took off for Sugar Cube Corner, this time however, you felt extremely worried that the alley he mentioned didn't have something anypony would want to see in there.

As you arrived at Sugar Cube Corner you went inside and decided to ask Pinkie Pie what had happened.

“Hey Pinkie Pie, how's it going?”

“Oh hey Thunder, I was just helping Mr. And Mrs. Cake finish up their MMMM”

“Their MMMM?”

At that point she said it so fast you couldn't make heads or tails or what it stood for, sounded like just a bunch of “mmm” sounds to you like someone had their lips shut with tape.

“Okay, anyway, do you know which alleyway Rarity took to get home last night?”

“Yeah actually it's the one 2 houses down, next to some furniture store. Why? Is there some sort of surprise in there, or perhaps an alleyway party?” Her face was covered in just the biggest smile known to pony. Easily a Guinness world record here.

“Thanks Pinkie!”

“No problemo Thunder!”

You left the shop and headed for the alleyway that may hold the events of monday night's date. As you arrived at the alleyway you noted that it was about noon seeing as the alley was bright with the suns rays, perfect for seeing down the alley, you begin to trot down the alley when you note a sizeable hole in the ground. Looks big enough for a pony to fit through, maybe she fell down the hole? Looking down you see that it's dirt that looks clawed, not hoof marks, and some signs of a struggle surrounding the area as if she was taken. Wait that can only mean.

“Diamond Dogs.” Your face deadpanned, at this point, you may have made a Rambo reference because you were dead serious like you were ready to murder them. You bolted back to the hotel to tell her coltfriend Fancypantsy. Not sure why, but he seemed like his build may put up a better fight than your own. As you go to the hotel you bolted up the stairs ignoring the elevator this time and arrived at his door with amazing speed. Taking a few deep breaths after just having run what felt like a marathon, you knocked on the door and out popped the stallion you were looking for.

“I... Know... What happened... To... Rarity” You were out of breath and needed a breather before you could utter another word.

“Allow me to get you a glass of water, come in, sit down, and please do tell.” He was still calm and collected after you found out? Odd. He gave you the glass of water and you gulped it down faster than a fish can swim, letting out a hearty “ahhh” you could now feel air returning to your lungs as you calmed down a bit.

“The alley she took, was booby trapped, and what I mean by this, is that Diamond Dogs were waiting in ambush, for I could only guess her specifically, the dirt seemed like it was dug out a while back, but the hoof marks and struggle marks are fresh from monday night.”

“My word... Do you know if she's alright?”

“No, I didn't go down there, i'm not exactly built for combat. So I came to tell you.”

“Well I shall let the authorities know right away and allow them to help her. Certainly they will do a lot better.”

That comment made you perk up, did he just say to let someone else handle it?

“What? You're not going to rescue her? The very same stallion that intruded a party full of ponies from Ponyville, and gallantly asked her out in front of everyone, won't go to rescue her from a few measly dogs?” You were now more infuriated than before, you were ready to set off the Hindenberg just with your anger alone.

“But it's dirty, and i'm not one for combat, it's just brutal, I'm not one to get into the affairs of the police.” He whined.

“ARE YOU BUCKING KIDDING ME?” You screamed at the top of your lungs and bolted out the door towards the alleyway which Rarity was kidnapped.

“It seems I have to do this myself.” You angrily muttered to yourself.

Chapter 6: The Mare to Heart

Dashing through the streets like a bat out of hell, ponies were watching you speed by them as your mane and tail were slicked back from the sheer pressure of the wind, the alleyway seemed easier to find now that you knew where it was.

Ahead of you, you spot a pink mare with a very poofey, curley pink mane and tail, your only guess is it's Pinkie Pie. No pony else in this whole town has the same hair style as her, or is pink for that matter... Coming back to reality you catch up to her much quicker than you thought the distance between you two was.

“Hey Pinkie what are you doing here?”

“Oh hey Thunder, well you told me how you were looking for the road Rarity went by, or rather, the alleyway and I got to thinking, earlier I had a twitchy-twitch that something bad was going to happen so I put two-and-two together and decided to find the alleyway she took and found this biiiiig hole here. Then I tho-” You put a hoof over Pinkie's mouth to silence her from the long rant.

“Well Pinkie if you've guessed right Rarity was kidnapped by Diamond Dogs, this is the only hole available so i'd like to make sure the dogs don't return and cover it up from hearing people talking outside of it, so if you'll excuse me i'm going down there to save Rarity.”

“Do you want me to come with you to help kick some doggy butt?” Pinkie was eager to come, but you had another idea for her.

“Can you gather every one of your friends, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Fluttershy? Get them to come after me into the hole if at all possible, i'll be going on ahead to make sure Rarity is all right”

“Okie Dokie Lokie!” And with that Pinkie Pie was off to find her friends, she bounces really fast for someone so quirky.

Looking down into the hole you can see it is big enough for a pony to fit in with ease and comfort, good for you considering you're smaller than most anyway... The hole was also dark, but the Diamond Dogs use glow sticks to help them see where they're going, fortunately the glow sticks last a couple of hours so it'd be best to follow the trail that leads right to them.

With a huff and a puff you jumped headfirst into the hole, it curved after about ten feet, so crawling was what you had to do next. After about twenty seconds of crawling you come to this opening that looks like a dome covered in other tunnels, looking around you note that it's quite bright considering that only glowsticks provided light.

To the right of you, there's another glowstick trail which looks like it's big enough to walk through. Instead of walking you full-on bolt it through the path, not long after doing so you see a Guard Diamond Dog with it's back turned to you. Your best option is to sneak up to it, then give it a good whack to the back of the head as to knock it unconscious. You get closer to the guard who is standing perfectly still not moving as if watching something, you creep up and get right behind him before raising both front hooves and slamming them down onto the back of his neck, thus knocking the guard out.

Looking past where the guard was standing, curious as to what had him so mesmerized you see a gigantic dome, easily the size of a baseball field. This is all under Ponyville?! You thought to yourself. Looking inside the dome you spot a stage with tons of lights all around, by the looks of things a concert was going on, at least a good 500 dogs were present before the stage, lights flashing all around, no one was on-stage yet, as it seems it hasn't started yet. Looking onwards from the balcony you're looking from you observe all the dogs at the scene, they look more-or-less weak, unlike real dogs or the guard dog you had just knocked out.

“Alright all you mutts, are you ready to begin!!” An announcer dog came onto the stage with a headset and bellows with the might of a thundercloud. The dogs before the stage go mad with cheers and screams waiting for what was about to come onto the stage, looking behind the announcer you notice a set of instruments. Seriously? A band? You were now interested as to how these creatures ever obtained the smarts to do something like this.

“Aaaaah yeeah~ Bring out. The Diamond Dogs~!” The announcer dog was ecstatic as a group of dogs came onto the stage and the crowd went wild and started screaming at the top of their lungs. Three dogs were what made up this band.

“Hello everymutt, are you ready to rock out?” The main dog screamed, which looked to be the singer, wore a diamond collar just like the other two did. “My name is Rover, with my pals Spot, and Fido.” He paused for a moment, looked back and nodded his head. “And we're The Diamond Dogs!!”

The crowd again was riddled with cheers and whistling coming from the crowd, everything in the room suddenly went insane and extremely loud.

“Today we have a special prize for a random lucky winner of the draw. The lucky of the draw gets a backstage pass with us for the day, and a special animal which can use magic powers to find gems. Bring out the pony!” Rover bellowed, with a smug grin on his face.

Your jaw suddenly dropped, if not for the skin limit, it would've been through to the other side of the earth. Rarity was now on stage in a cage escorted by two guards. You started trembling at the thought of fighting off all those dogs to go and save her, the image of her being used by those animals is what fuelled your rage.

A sudden memory of your father popped into your head, he was at a cafe, the very same cafe where he met your mother with you and your brother. That day he relayed everything that happened as to the day he met her for the first time. He proceeded by telling you both to stand in a certain spot right next to a booth in the restaurant, and he quickly ran outside. He got outside and started yelling so you could here, he said: I was walking along, which was an average day, when I saw her through the window, her beauty mesmerized me, I was just stunned. My father once told me, all you need is life once-in-a-while is twenty seconds of insane courage. So I walked into the restaurant and went right up to her at the booth and stood there like an idiot, motionless, speechless, unable to utter a word. She just simply looked up at me with curious eyes as to what I was about to do. He stopped there and the both of you simply stood there looking at your father with amazement, he came close to the both of you and said Remember this always. A simple twenty seconds of insane courage can change a ponies life forever, abiding by this statement can mean the difference between a happy life, or a sad life. Use it well.

Gathering up the courage you mutter to yourself twenty seconds of insane courage. And with that note you were off just as the band started to play their first song (<-- play it all the way through). You bolted back where you came from and down through another tunnel leading down towards the stage, two guards had spotted you and started charging at you with full force. You lowered your head, flared your nostrils and full out ran towards them, you side-stepped the first one and kicked the back of it's head. The second one swung to catch you but you stopped short of where he thought you would run to, with quick thinking you jumped onto his head and clobbered him a good one, both dogs now unconscious you begin your full out run, adrenaline pumping through your system and your heart racing at the speed of light.

Taking a right you can see through a hole in the path, the band singing their heart out and Rarity scared. With another full bout of anger filling you up, your legs suddenly got fired up, and allowed you to run even faster, Another wave of guards came at you, about a good four of them, the four guards had trapped you in a circle with you in the middle, they all charged at the same time and as they came at you in a full dive-tackle you crouched down close to the earth, charged up your legs and took off into the air leaving behind four dogs that collided with each other and slumped to the ground, with that you were off to the next set of tunnels.

You hear the prattle of a few other guards yelling orders to search and find you. As another wave comes by you, you duck behind a large rock and they run right past, splitting off into different tunnels, quietly coming out from behind the rock you break out into full stride towards the entrance of the stage, the only way you know of is straight through the crowd.

“Almost there, i'm coming Rarity!” You thought out loud to yourself.

You finally reached the entrance to where the audience would've come in. Coming around the corner full speed you bump into the large guard that stood there with a grin on his face, he was easily twice the size of any other dog you've faced. With determination to pass you run up the tunnel with him in full chase, seeing as he's twice the size, he'd need a large tunnel to get through. He ran after you with evil eyes bent on catching you, just as he was about to get you he stopped dead and was stuck in a rather small opening towards the next set of tunnels, heading around through another tunnel you spotted a few feet back you reached the entrance finally, noting that the guard was still stuck in the tunnel and struggling to get free.

You bolt into the crowd, some noticing you while others were completely entranced by the band's awesome song. Majority of the crowd in the back had turned around to glance at the new face that turned up to interrupt their concert, clearly ponies weren't allowed in. With determination to make it through the crowd you flared your nostrils, lowered your head, put on a wicked grin and scraped at the ground. Some of the dogs got scared with your look and moved out of the way, but the rest of them did not want you to pass. Just as you were about to charge in head-first a huge gust of wind whipped by you as if you were in an air tunnel. Rainbow coloured wind? Looking forward you saw Rainbow Dash take out the nearest dog to you, clearly K.O.'ing him for the rest of the concert, behind you Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Twilight Sparkle walked up right next to you.

“Alright everypony time ta saddle up, and get us here a rodeo going, Yeehaw!” With that Applejack dashed into the crowd knocking over dogs left and right, her impressive strength from apple bucking was paying off, and showing off.

“I brought everypony just like you said Thunder!” Pinkie Pie was jumping up and down in place excitedly. “I also brought my Party Canon!” Your eyes grew wide at the size of that thing.

“How did you get THAT massive thing in here?!” You asked out loud.

“It's Pinkie Pie, we just use that as a reason and ignore it, it's impossible to understand her. Sometimes she even breaks something called the 'fourth wall' whatever that is.” Twilight responded. “Now let's kick some ass.” With that, Twilight brought her head down, lit up her horn and proceeded to shoot laser beams out of it in rapid succession.

Fluttershy even peeped up, although you barely heard her over dogs yelping and the band playing music.

“Go on Thunder, we'll handle the crowd of dogs, don't worry about us, just save Rarity” Fluttershy charged in trembling, she stopped dead at the first dog that looked at her, and Rainbow came through sweeping the dog off the ground and dropping him somewhere far away from her. Rainbow flew up right above you.

“Thunder grab onto me, we're going to make you fly!” Before you could say anything she grabbed your hooves and tossed you like a missile towards the stage.

“AAAAHHHHHH!!” Was all that was heard coming from you at that point, many dogs looked up and watched as you twirled through the air with both front legs and back legs stretched out. Time seemed to move slowly as you flew over the crowd with incredible speed and accuracy.

You proceeded to make a landing by tucking in your hooves and doing a front flip to land it perfectly. The band suddenly stopped playing (<-- stop the music here, or keep playing), watching you dash for the cage, they yelled out.

“Get him, don't let him get her out!” Rover screeched, frightened.

Two guards appeared before the cage and you knocked both of them out with ease, those days in Cloudsdale, practicing manoeuvres is really paying off. With that you found the keys to the cage on one of the knocked out guards, the band put down their instruments and proceeded to run after you.

“Thunder, you came to save me? Where's Fancypants?” She was shocked that her 'boyfriend' didn't even bother to come save her.

“Don't bother with him, I like you Rarity, and I-” she put a hoof over your mouth. And brought you into a hug, she brought her head back and pressed her lips against yours, they were soft, and gentle. The kiss was passionate, time slowed down if even for the moment you kissed, your heart is beating faster than before, your face burned red, and hers flushed a light pink. You stood there not moving, mesmerized by what just happened.

“We should really get going, now.” She said with a smile, she was right too, the band was right behind you.

“You're right, let's go, It's time to Dash away, and leave behind the sound of Thunder!” You yelled. Rarity got onto your back, and distributed her weight accordingly for you to fly. Your wings which you haven't used in years since the flying accident suddenly darted outwards in each direction and flapped down causing you and Rarity to fly in the air. Without thinking and her on your back you flew towards the exit, whistling for everypony else to vacate the area pronto. Flying through the tunnels after years of not flying was a little difficult, but having fast reflexes like Rainbow Dash was a good thing, these tunnels winded for a long time until you came out the same way you went in, up and up you went out of the hole, everypony else following behind you lagging a bit behind because Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had to carry Applejack and Pinkie Pie, while Twilight just teleported out. You flew high into the sky above Ponyville and floated there for a few second before slowly coming down for a landing just before the others.

Letting Rarity off you could feel her heart pumping as quick as yours, the adrenaline you felt finally wore off and you felt tired, you started wobbling side to side just as Rarity caught you. You looked up into her beautiful turquoise eyes, she held you there perfectly still as you were drained of energy, or even the will to stand.

“Thunder Dash you were simply amazing, I can't possibly thank you enough, and to be honest, I like you too, I just couldn't think straight, i'm sorry for deceiving you, it must have been hard for you, seeing me with him.” Rarity was on the verge of tears for having caused you so much trouble.

Seeing her cry broke your heart, so you put your hoof up to her cheek, wiping away a small tear, and you raised your heard to give her a small peck on the other cheek.

“It's okay Rarity, i'm not worried about that, i'm just glad your safe.” Thanking your dad in your head for his wise words and teachings, you watch her smile and give you an even bigger hug than before.

The other five were watching the both of you going "awww", and quiet "yays" came out of somepony as well. The others dispersed and went back to their homes, it was getting quite late after-all and they wanted to give the both of you some privacy. Rarity and you sat there on the street in each others arms for a while, completely at peace, feeling her heartbeat next to yours was peaceful.

“Rarity, I'll be the pillar that supports you, if you'll be the platform that holds my love.” She doesn't move, you could feel tears rolling down your shoulder from her face, but you knew they weren't tears of sadness, they were tears of happiness.

“I'll be your platform, Thunder Dash.”