"And that's why I'm the greatest, and most totally awesome pony of all time!" Rainbow Dash declared, finishing her convincing speech. She shot up into the air, performed a flip, before returning to the ground to stand beside her friend and rival, Applejack. The earth pony smiled a little, amusement glinting in her eyes.
"That's just a load of hooey," Applejack insisted. "RD's the better pony because her eyes are magenta and mine are green? What does that even mean?" She raised her head high, a frustratingly smug smirk upon her face.
"It means that I'm cooler than you will ever be!" Rainbow Dash blurted out in reply, but, inside, she knew AJ was right. Their points were getting weaker and weaker as the debate went on, starting off with obvious and helpful statements, such as: 'Rainbow Dash performed the Sonic Rainboom' and 'Applejack works very hard for her large family' and now coming down to: 'Applejack has a real sister, not just an adopted sister' and 'Rainbow Dash has magneta eyes, which, are, better... for some reason.' Whatever! It wasn't just Rainbow Dash's fault - everything Applejack was saying was pathetic, too.
Twilight Sparkle and Spike were taking down notes, exchanging puzzled glances. A long list was at their feet of every single point these two competitive ponies made. "So, who won?" AJ and RD asked in unison, their voices excited.
The alicorn began to stammer awkwardly, "Well, umm, err," and then she turned to Spike, a mischievous grin on her face, "What do you think, Spike?"
"W-what?" the dragon exclaimed, beginning to tremble. "N-no, Twilight, you can decide, you're all the more intelligent, and a better judge. I need to, uh, go, somewhere..." He begun to scurry away, but was soon dragged back by Twilight's powerful aura. He begun to struggle, desperately trying to break free of her grip, but it was no use.
"Come on, Spike! Who won?" Twilight smirked. RD's ears flattened slightly - this wasn't just a game, this competition was serious! No matter which pony was chosen the judge, they only messed around and made excuses. At this rate, everypony in Equestria would've been asked the painful question of who was the better pony.
Yet the truth was obvious. Rainbow Dash was so much better, and she couldn't see how Applejack compared. Yet most ponies saw them as equals, and it made no sense whatsoever. It was starting to make Rainbow angry.
"And it's a tie!" Spike smiled nervously, most likely frightened of what would come next. And he better be. Rainbow launched herself at him.
"Are you serious?" she whined. "Spike, you must have a personal favourite."
"I really don't!" the dragon protested. "You're both amazing. Applejack is a great farmer, and her applebucking is fantastic. You're the best flyer I've ever seen, plus you performed the Sonic Rainboom!"
RD sighed. When Spike presented an argument like that, it was hard to fight back. She was still annoyed, though, and felt somewhat relieved when Applejack spoke for her, "Thanks anyway. We'll have to try something else."
It was late that night. Rainbow Dash had settled down in her comfortable bed, and was fighting the urge to think. She needed to think of a plan that would help her beat AJ! There had to be some way...
Rainbow couldn't even remember exactly when the rivalry had started, but that race... when she and Applejack had competed with such determination, had to have prompted something. For a while, everypony had thought they'd gotten over everything, but Rainbow Dash had never been satisfied. For most ponies, tying was okay. And sure, it was better than losing, which was the biggest humiliation of all. However, this wasn't enough for Rainbow. She needed to be better. Stronger, braver, faster, cooler. She had to prove that, somehow.
The mare couldn't deny that AJ truly was awesome. She sure had done some amazing things, and Rainbow secretly admired her, though she would never admit it. She was actually rather close to Applejack, and truly did care for her... but there were things they needed to settle. The two ponies had been through so much together, and so many questions had been answered, yet not the simplest of them all.
RD continued to do something she didn't do often - think deeply. She knew Applejack well, and perhaps that really would come in handy. But what could the cyan pegasus possibly use against the earth pony that was actually sensible? Then a single thought galloped across her mind - what did other ponies do to get what they wanted?
Those ponies sure did some unusual ways. Fluttershy would ask politely. Pinkie Pie... umm... does something. Twilight would most likely just beg. And Rarity...
That's it! Rarity flirted to get what she wanted! And it usually worked! Rainbow Dash's mind begun to work. She could flirt with AJ, and then maybe the orange mare would admit who was really the best!
But there was just one problem - was Applejack actually a fillyfooler? As far as RD remembered, AJ had never had a crush on any stallions, and when she was the Element of Honesty, she probably wouldn't be able to hide those feelings very well. Then again, nopony had ever straight out asked Applejack if she had a crush on anypony, and that would be the easiest way to know for sure...
A devious grin appeared on Rainbow's face as she hatched a cunning plan. Tomorrow, she would go find Scootaloo, and get her to innocently ask Applejack if she had ever had a crush on anypony. Better a little filly like Scoots do than Rainbow Dash, because, despite AJ's honesty thing, she would surely guess that something was up. If by any chance the earth pony still was hesitant, Scootaloo could bring up the subject of... having romantic feelings for Apple Bloom! Maybe she could talk about how embarrassed she was to be in love, with it being her first time and all and with Scootaloo appearing so tough, and the fact that she had recently discovered that she was a fillyfooler. That would surely work well, as it would shift AJ's mind towards mares, plus, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom could almost be seen as younger representatives for the rivals.
The whole idea did seem a little cruel, the rainbow maned mare would admit, but after, it would all be worth it. The huge competition between the two ponies that had been going on for so long would be over, and RD would be victorious. And she had no worries at all concerning whether a certain pegasus filly would go along with her plan, because Scootaloo would practically do anything for her idol.
But does that make me too much like Rarity? Am I using Scootaloo in the same way that she used Spike? Not that she really used him, but still... Rainbow Dash sighed. She would make sure Scoots knew of her intentions, after all, Scootaloo never spoke about romance, as it disgusted her, and the idea of Scootaloo being madly in love with Apple Bloom would sure seem embarrassing.
Other ponies would call RD crazy for what she was about to do, but it was for a good cause. If by any chance Applejack managed to brush off the strong flirting whilst being a fillyfooler, she really was the better pony. But that was never going to happen. Dashie knew that AJ would never be in love with Rainbow, however, if she flirted heavily and hinted enough, surely she would get the pleasure of seeing apple pony blush.
This was actually quite degrading for Rainbow Dash too - she had never expected to stoop so low as to flirt with her best friend so that she could win some lame competition. Whatever, maybe the pegasus really was as crazy and wacky as Pinkie, but she didn't care. Her desire to win had taken over.
But there was just one obstacle standing in her way - Rainbow had pretty much never flirted in her life. Yes, there was that one time with Soarin, but at the time she had been impersonating Rarity... though she would never admit it, that had been kinda fun. But she would need to flirt really hard. Though she was nowhere near as good as Rainbow, AJ was still a tough cookie, and wouldn't crack and crumble towards her rival so easily with some playful flirting. Dashie needed to get lessons from a certain unicorn... and that unicorn wasn't Twi.
That sure would be a funny thing to see, the purple princess flirting. She'd be so bad, stumbling all the time and blushing. A bit like what happens between her and that pegasus guard, Flash or whatever he's called. Well, they can both quit trying - they're never going to be in a relationship.
Well, neither were Rainbow and Applejack, for this was just a game. She could go on playing fair, but RD was far from a patient pony. She had had to wait for success long enough, and she wasn't going to stand by any longer. Nopony could deny Dash's power if AJ herself admitted that Rainbow was the victor. What could possibly go wrong? The Element of Loyalty had this win in the bag.
So it was settled. Tomorrow, she would tell Scootaloo about her plan, and send her to pester Applejack. It was also best that Rainbow told Rarity what was going on, because suspicions would only rise if she randomly asked for flirting advice. Dash doubted that Rarity would spill the beans to anypony, as she would most likely find the situation rather exciting and thrilling, and the pegasus was certain that the fashionista's guilty pleasure would be watching one of her closest friends crazily flirt with another.
Be ready, Applejack. I'm coming for you.
When a pony goes to school, they are taught many different things - mathematics, science, history and such. That is what an average teacher teaches - it's their job. Twilight sure would be a good teacher, Rainbow Dash could remember the time she had found a way to teach Dash about the Wonderbolts' history... such an attentive teacher. Cheerilee was also a great example, kind and gentle, and a wonderful role model for her students. But there were some things that teachers failed to teach, things that Rainbow herself would've found petty and useless, but now there was one thing she desperately needed to learn - how to flirt like a pro.
Rarity wouldn't strike anypony as your average teacher, it just wouldn't seem right. But the beautiful unicorn was actually super intelligent, only in a different way to the likes of Twilight or Cheerilee. And Rainbow was ready to take a class from somepony like her.
First, however, RD needed to find Scootaloo. She guessed at the CMC Clubhouse, and smiled as she heard filly voices. Inside were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "Hi Rainbow Dash!" They called excitedly, Scootaloo's voice noticeably louder than the rest. Dash smiled at the sight of those three, but her eyes were drawn in particular to Scoots and Apple Bloom. At the moment they were standing very close to each other, and seemed perfectly comfortable with it. Sure, Sweetie was in the shot as well, but she wasn't as important. Rainbow wasn't exactly trying to flirt with Rarity!
Wow, imagine that... haha... that'd never happen!
"Hey!" Rainbow Dash beamed. "I was hoping you could let Scoots come with me today - I have something really important she needs to do for me!"
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged a glance, but Scootaloo's voice was shrill with delight. "Really? Okay! You can carry on messing around without me, I'll be fine! Let's go!"
Rainbow Dash led the filly a fair distance away from the Clubhouse before speaking in a low voice. "Scootaloo, there's something very important I need to ask of you-"
"What is it, what is it?" Scootaloo wailed. "I'll do anything, anything!"
Anything, huh?
"Well, I am asking something rather big..." RD grinned. "But I'm sure a filly like yourself will manage easily..."
"I will!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "Come on, tell me!"
Rainbow Dash murmured. "Okay. So, like everypony knows, AJ and I are bitter rivals. We've been trying to settle this argument for years, and I've come up with the perfect plan. You see, I'm going to flirt with Applejack... yup, that's the plan. But I need some evidence that she's a fillyfooler. I want you to find Applejack, and ask her if she's ever had a crush on somepony, and who it was. If she seems reluctant, well, here's what I want you to do," the cyan mare took a deep breath, semi scared at what Scootaloo's reaction would be. "Tell Applejack you're in love with Apple Bloom, and that you're scared and embarrassed about your feelings, especially towards another mare. It'll be the perfect time for AJ to perhaps reveal herself as a fillyfooler. You got that?"
Scootaloo looked dazed. "In love... with Apple Bloom? But isn't she dating Tender Taps?"
"Ever heard of one sided love, or a love triangle? Rarity talks about such things all the time. Apple Bloom doesn't need to be in love with you, you just need to be in love with her."
"I guess that makes sense..." Scoots was going slightly red. "But it, umm, seems kinda out of character for me to do something like this."
"It seems quite out of character for me to flirt with apple pony," Dash replied. "Of course, if you don't want to..."
"I'll do it!" Scootaloo gasped. "No way am I letting you down! I'll go and find AJ right away!"
And off she scurried. Rainbow called after her, "Meet me back at the Clubhouse later today, and don't tell anypony! Make up excuses!" And then Scootaloo was gone. Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. It was time to speak to Rarity.
Rainbow found Rarity 'assisting' Lyra and Bonbon by giving them fashion advice. She rolled her eyes, waited till Rarity had finished, (which took a very long time) and then approached. "Why hello darling!" Rarity exclaimed, joyfully trotting up to her pegasus friend. "How are things? Have you finally seen the light and want to try one of my dresses?"
"No thanks," Dash quickly backed away as the unicorn begun to pull out a sickeningly girly dress from thin air, "I actually came here, too, umm, well... you see Rarity... could we please go somewhere where no other pony will be able to see or hear us?" Rarity looked a little puzzled, and Rainbow groaned.
"Okay?" The white unicorn asked, docking her head to the side with confusion.
A few minutes later the two ponies were in Carousel Boutique. Good enough. Rainbow Dash decided. She sniggered a little at Rarity's face, which was incredibly confused. "This is something important, isn't it?" she touched her tail on the mare's shoulder. "What's going on?" And here came the explaining again, only short and simple this time.
"Competition against Applejack. Flirting with her so that'll she admit I'm the winner. Need flirting advice." She blurted out, feeling her cheeks heat very slightly. Rarity looked beyond shocked, but then quickly shook her head.
"I suppose I can try, but I've never flirted with mares before, so I don't know if it's the same deal..."
"Just try!" Dash begged. "After all, Applejack is unlikely to really be that into romance anyway, so she wouldn't exactly know the difference between fillyfooler flirting and the norm." Rarity smiled a little, her eyes glimmering with amusement.
"I'll teach you everything that I can. Why, you two are so immature, and I wouldn't even expect you to stoop so low! Oh, and one more thing before we get started - this doesn't mean that I favour you over Applejack. If Applejack had thought up a plan like this, I would've helped her too."
"But she didn't think it up," Rainbow grinned smugly. "Another reason why I'm better than her!"
Rarity rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say. And now, let the lesson begin!"
"Now, the first thing to remember," Rarity said, "Is to make eye contact. Eye contact is a great way to show that you're interested, after all. In more intense moments of the conversation, make the stare even more powerful and direct, to really draw another pony in. If you want to flirt from a distance, watch your target. When they turn to you, make eye contact for a few seconds, smile, and then look away. I've used this so many times, and it really is crucial, darling! Are you getting this down?" Rainbow Dash nodded quickly, her mind already swirling. Flirting lessons with Rarity - what had she gotten into?
"Now darling, another thing to remember is to smile! When you're near the other pony, show that you are happy to see them! Always try to make conversation! But don't just talk about yourself, as it'll make you come off as a narcissist. Ask questions about the other pony, show that you care about them!"
"Uh-huh..." Rainbow muttered. Wow, she had more respect for Rarity than ever before. She must have some real talent to be able to pull off this!
"Next, make jokes. Nopony likes a stick in the mud, so always be funny! And laugh at the other pony too, even if something they do isn't that funny. Laughter is very attractive, as it shows that you are bubbly and ready to have fun."
Laughter is attractive? Pinkie Pie is attractive? What has this world come to?
"Also, keep your conversations short and sweet. When things are really getting heated up - leave, and the other pony will be desperate for more. As well as that, try to touch them... start off soft and gentle, then over time make physical contact more obvious and lasting. The longer you flirt, the bolder you should become. Be confident, and trust me, if Applejack really is a fillyfooler, she'll be blushing bright red no matter how much she tries to hide it! Now here are some extra tips..."
The 'extra tips' went on forever. The world of flirting seemed so complex, and RD was flying into unknown territory. She still had to thank Rarity, though. All that could be said however, was that she was glad when the unicorn finally stopped talking. "So, what now?" Rainbow asked, shuffling her hooves.
Rarity thought for a moment, and then gasped, "Why, you should test your skills! Best try on other ponies before you try on your best friend! Want to practise on me?" Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped.
"But you're not a fillyfooler! Won't this feel weird to yo-"
She was interrupted as Rarity gently placed her hoof across Rainbow's lips and whispered, whilst playfully batting her eyelashes. "Neither are you."
Rainbow trembled in shock, but she knew she needed to get over her fears. It was going to be even more awkward when she began to flirt with AJ, after all! She took a deep breath, and then spoke. "Hi, Rarity! How are you?" She made sure that the corners of her mouth curved into a small but hopefully cute smile.
"I'm fine, darling. I spent all of last night on this new dress I'm wearing, and I must say, it came out simply divine!" Rarity beamed.
"It looks... really pretty on you," Rainbow Dash replied. As she did so, she locked her eyes with Rarity's. The eye contact was held for a few seconds, before Dash looked away. "And I mean it. You have real talent so create something as beautiful as that."
"Why thank you, that really is the sweetest thing to say!" Rarity exclaimed, waving her tail. Rainbow decided that now was the time to go for physical contact. She attempted to brush legs with Rarity, when the most embarrassing thing happened. RD's leg slipped, and it ended up touching Rarity's nether region. Dash shot into the air, burning with heat.
I'm such an idiot! I can't believe I just did that!
Rarity looked stunned, and it took her a while to get any words out of her gaping mouth - "Feisty now are we?" she giggled. "I think we need to try again. Minor touches to start off with, you creep!" Despite everything, her tone was teasing, and once again Rainbow was filled with admiration. That situation had been so degrading for her, but Rarity had merely brushed it off! Then again, in most cases, Dash could see her friends laughing off an occurrence like that, but Rainbow couldn't see herself doing the same. Touching a pony there seemed wrong, even if it was a mare. It almost made it seem more wrong. Whatever. It was time for Rainbow Dash to try again.
It didn't take long for the cyan pegasus to realise that she was very clumsy when she came to flirting - she might say something ridiculously stupid, or make touching too obvious. Every time she failed, Rainbow became more and more flustered. Rarity was, surprisingly, quite the patient teacher. She sure must be eager for me to get started on flirting with apple pony.
RD was exhausted, and heaved a huge sigh of relief when Rarity eventually announced, "I think you may have just got it, darling! You don't have to practise on me anymore."
"Oh!" Dash exclaimed. "So, can I leave now?" Her eyes shimmered.
Rarity gasped, "Oh, no, no, no!" she exclaimed, racing over to her friend and holding her tightly. "We're not done yet! Why, I can't believe you thought that we were finished! That would be disastrous!" Rainbow Dash groaned.
"Okay, okay, no need to get so crazy about it. What else could you possibly want me to do?"
"Practise out your flirting... on a member of the public." The mare replied, a pathetically exasperating smile upon her face.
"What? Are you insane?"
"It'll be more realistic," Rarity whispered. "You can even try out on an actual fillyfooler. Or, do you feel ready to flirt with Applejack now?"
Rainbow Dash didn't reply - both ponies knew the answer. She needed more practise. "But a fillyfooler? Where are we going to find one of those?" Rarity rolled her eyes.
"It might do you some good to look out of the window. Octavia's there, preparing to perform music. She came out as a fillyfooler a few moons back, and most the ponies in Ponyville know about her crush on Vinyl, but who can say if she would respond to another mare flirting?"
Dash quivered a little. "Won't she think I'm weird?"
"I should hope not. Go on, Rainbow, just try." Rarity gave her friend a gentle nudge, and RD moaned, dragging herself outside. She was shaking all over, terrified at what Octavia's reaction would be. Her legs were wobbly, and her mind was crumbling as she tried to remember what Rarity had taught her. However, there was one thing in particular that the beautiful unicorn had said that has stuck in Rainbow's mind:
'Remember, these are just guidelines. When you flirt with anypony, including AJ, they want to see the real you. Add your own twist.'
That sure did seem like an important thing to remember, and that was what gave RD her confidence. She raised her head high, and called out to the grey earth pony. "Hey Octy! What's u- how are you?"
Octavia appeared baffled. Octy was the affectionate nickname that Vinyl had given her best friend, on the rare occurrences where Vinyl opened her mouth, that was. Octavia was probably confused to hear Dash say it. Octavia, however, did not stammer at all when she replied, "I am fine, thank you, Rainbow Dash."
A huge smile appeared on the pegasus's face, and she whinnied. "You know, I really do love your music. I listen to it all the time, and, personally, I think Vinyl's got a pretty big rival!" As Rainbow spoke, she made sure her eyes locked with Octavia's. Octavia blushed, just a tiny bit, nowhere near enough. Right now, Rarity was probably raging at Dash from inside, unsatisfied with the the performance so far. But she would be soon. RD looked away, pretending to embarrassed. Well, less pretending, because she really was.
"Thank you?" Octavia sounded confused. "Listen, Rainbow Dash. I do appreciate this, but I'm rather busy setting up. I still have a lot to do."
Now's my chance! "Listen, Octy. How about I perform a Sonic Rainboom, just for you? It'll surely attract lots of ponies here, and you can carry on getting ready for the best performance ever!
"No... I'm okay." The musician replied, but it was too late. RD was insisting on performing that Rainboom, whether Octavia liked it or not. As she flew faster into the air, the world rippled around her like water, and she was trapped in a stunning world of white and blue. The world blurred by her, and she gradually became surrounded by colour, and a roaring sound thundered in Dash's ears. Agony tore through her body at her speed, and her eyes were growing blurry, but then it happened. An explosion deep within Rainbow's heart, causing a stunning rainbow to erupt around her. It took Dash a while to slow down, and she looked at Octavia, whose face was blank and expressionless. How could that not be good enough? Well, either way, Rainbow couldn't perform another Sonic Rainboom on the way down, as she may hurt another pony. What Rainbow Dash could do, however, was fly down super fast.
So, down RD flew, the world rushing by her again, but not quite as fast or as painful as last time. As she neared the ground, Rainbow realised that she had actually judged her move badly, and that she was swiftly flying in a straight line towards Octavia, whose eyes appeared to be huge with horror. Usually, the pegasus would have speedily swerved aside to avoid the collision, but perhaps now would be the best time to break the touch barrier. Such a thing sure was embarrassing, so if she could make it seem half accidental, it wouldn't be as humiliating.
And then Rainbow Dash flew into Octavia. Her eyes widened in shock as she tasted something on her lips, and then realised that she was kissing Octavia! Octavia hastily slithered away, her face probably bright red both with embarrassment and with anger. The cyan mare stayed silent, shuffling at her hooves. It took a while for the earth pony to find the words to speak, and when she found them, they were: "I'm not interested." And then she proceeded to turn her back, returning to work. Turned out Octavia sure was harsh when it came to rejections.
Rainbow decided to make a swift get away, but before she retreated into the boutique, she turned back one last time, and found that Octavia was already being crowded by many, many ponies as she struggled to get set up. Half of the ponies were begging for 'music' and the other half were begging for 'Rainbow Dash.' Yes... today would be a good day to die. She flung herself into Rarity's home, hoping never to have to face Octavia again. You're welcome, Octy, you're welcome.
RD collapsed onto the floor, and Rarity scurried over to her, "Darling! You were too full of yourself!" she nudged her friend. "Why, that really was going too far!" Rainbow Dash struggled to her hooves.
"I was just trying to add my own twist." The mare insisted, magenta orbs glowing frustratedly.
"I know, darling, but you were rather reckless. Luckily, there are other fillyfoolers around!"
Dash's eyes grew huge, and she begun to tremble. "No way am I going out there again! Not until Octavia's gone!" Rarity leant close to the pegasus, a small smile in your face.
"What a shame. I thought you had courage. Guess I was wrong." And she turned her back and begun to walk away. At Rarity's words, RD felt her strength return, and she hissed.
"Hey, come back here! I'll try again!"
Rarity returned to the cyan pony, her expression smug. "Now, I see Vinyl approaching. Get out there quick, and flirt with her."
"What? But Vinyl always has her headphones in! She won't be able to hear me!"
"I don't see any other fillyfoolers in sight, and you can always flirt with your body. Just be quick, I think she's performing with Octavia. You'll need to stop Vinyl before she reaches her, unless you want to have to face a certain pony again!"
Rainbow Dash was filled with energy, and she flew straight outside, avoiding eye contact with Octavia. She landed in front of Vinyl, in a view where the unicorn couldn't possibly miss her. RD was a little confused - this was going to be strange. Then, she made the move - a gentle leg rub. It took Vinyl a while to realise what Dash was doing, but when she did, a small smile appeared upon her face.
Now it was time to take things to the next level - lengthening the amount of time touching. This time, the pegasus brushed her hoof through Vinyl's hair repeatedly for quite a few seconds. RD begun to sweat, just a little, as she realised that a lot of ponies were watching, Octavia included. The musician earth pony's eyes were filled with disapproval, slowly turning to rage, if that was possibly for such a calm and collected mare.
It was time to get things over with. Usually, Rainbow loved attention, but she hated this. She had never intended to put on a show! RD was quivering all over as she placed her wing over Vinyl's back, holding her close and tight. She glanced at Vinyl, and saw her blush bright red. Sometimes, it seemed, love could be expressed without words... Rainbow Dash had just proven that, even though she had no romantic feelings for Vinyl.
Eventually, the pegasus let go, and, with a flirtatious smirk at the musician, she begun to hastily fly away before any pony started asking questions. Then, she felt something dragging her back - aura from a horn, Vinyl's horn. She was dragged straight in front of the mare, who took her headphones off and stared deeply into Dash's eyes. Rainbow begun to back away, and then the unicorn did something all too unexpected. She lent in, and kissed Rainbow Dash.
Rainbow heard gasps from the crowd of ponies, and relief rushed through her as she realised none of her close friends were present, well, apart from Rarity, who was probably going crazy just about now. Vinyl's lips were tasty and sweet, and the pegasus found herself craving the kiss, wanting more and more. It felt so wrong - and she tried to imagine she was kissing a different pony. Who, she wasn't really sure, but in her heart, RD knew there was somepony out there she had feelings for.
The kiss seemed to go on forever, and would've probably gone on longer if Rainbow hadn't come to her senses. She drew away, breathing frantically for air. Then Vinyl went on to do something she barely ever did - speak. "I love you." The mare announced. RD shivered, and turned around. Octavia's expression was one that probably meant she wanted Dash's dead body. Before RD could respond, the earth pony raced up too her friend. "No, she's tricking you! She did the same to me just a few minuted ago! Don't fall for it!"
There was no reply, and RD made the impulsive decision to leave things be. Vinyl and Octavia needed to talk. She swiftly flew away, and, this time, Vinyl didn't stop her. Good job, Rainbow. Now you've ruined a relationship, and broken another pony's heart. Ten out of ten!
Rarity looked stunned. "Well... you... got to her!" she trembled. "All in all, you did do very well that time..."
"I think I should leave." This caused Rarity to nod.
"You've passed the test. I think you're ready to test out everything you've learnt on Applejack for the first time. I'll see if I can organise a picnic for tomorrow. Congratulations, darling - you've passed the test."
Rainbow was flying to the CMC Clubhouse. A thought flitted across her mind - what if AJ wasn't a fillyfooler? RD's training, and her two kisses, would've been for nothing! It's okay, Dash, there'll be other ponies to use your skills on. But what she didn't understand is why, in a strange way, she had enjoyed the flirting. RD hated that sort of stuff, and with mares? The pony's feelings didn't make sense.
Scootaloo was, unsurprisingly, back at the Clubhouse already. "Rainbow Dash!" She squealed with delight, flinging herself at her 'sister.' Rainbow smiled - Scoots could always make her feeling better.
"Hey, Scootaloo, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle!" The pegasus sniggered at how all the fillies' faces lit up at the sight of her. Whatever. She needed to speak to Scootaloo. But she didn't even need to prompt the filly, as Scoots announced.
"Rainbow and I need to go somewhere - be right back!" And they both scurried a fair way from the Clubhouse again.
"So, how'd it go?"
"I found Applejack, but she kept on changing the subject. I, umm, kinda had to mention Apple Bloom to her," this caused Scootaloo to blush a little. RD laughed - it still was nowhere near as embarrassing an experience as kissing two ponies in one day in front of a large amount of the population. "She was shocked, of course, but comforted me with my feelings. That when she let it out of her mouth - she's a fillyfooler! It didn't matter how much I begged, she refused to tell me about any crush of hers, though she did says she was confused about her feelings for somepony."
"Yes!" Rainbow exclaimed, spinning in the air with excitement. "Okay, you've done a good Job, Scoots, and I'm sorry you had to mention Apple Bloom. I'll make sure nothing happens concerning her, okay? Maybe I'll tell AJ to keep her mouth shut about it - after a bit of flirting, she may listen better to me. You can go back to your friends now."
Scootaloo gave Rainbow Dash a huge hug before leaving, and then Dash was alone. Haha... poor Applejack's not going to know what's hit her...
Rainbow Dash settled down on the picnic blanket, wearing her coolest shades. With her were her five best friends, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and a certain other pony... Applejack. No pony would be expecting anything apart from Rarity, who was struggling to hide her mischievous grin.
The pegasus was unsure of how to get started. This was different - RD was very close to Applejack. What if the mare thought she was being creepy? No. Dash couldn't back down now, not when Rarity was anticipating this. And also, how would Scootaloo feel if the knowledge slipped into her hooves that she had embarrassed herself... for nothing?
Rainbow Dash exchanged a glance with Rarity, who gave her friend a gentle nod, and the turquoise pony begun to speak: "So, AJ, you finally admitted that I'm the glorious winner yet?" She teased. Applejack didn't reply, but narrowed her eyes. Rainbow Dash fluttered to the earth pony's side, nudging her with her wing. That wouldn't really come off as weird, she supposed, as the two ponies did often have quite a lot of physical contact anyways.
AJ drew away, a slight smile appearing on her dense, clueless face. The pegasus looked to Rarity, who was sharing Pinkie Pie's conveniently conjured up popcorn. The unicorn was watching intensely, as though she was watching one of those weird drama shows she loved so much. Such an unusual pony, but it was thanks to Rarity and Scoots that any of this was happening now. "RD, ah'd never let you win, not in a million moons." Applejack insisted, her eyes glimmering with challenge.
It's so on. "Is that so?" Rainbow smirked, shuffling closer to her quite baffled friend once again. "Come on, AJ, it's going to hurt your pride even more if you lose. You're the second best athlete and second bravest pony in all of Equestrian - and that still isn't enough? Then again, I do quite like ponies who are ambitious, and always crave more." She gently swept her tail down the orange earth pony's flank, and she felt the farmer tense at her touch.
"Ah'd... never let you win." Applejack replied, shivering very, very slightly.
"Ha! I felt that shiver!" Rainbow exclaimed triumphantly. "You're scared! You're just a chicken!"
"No! I'm a chicken!" A squeaky, high pitched voice declared, and Rainbow groaned as a certain pink pony begun to dance the chicken dance... very weirdly. Well, by weird, Dash meant something much more disturbing. Pinkie was, well, shaking her butt, a lot. Probably unintentionally, but it was kinda noticeable. No pony should ever ask why RD was even looking there. It was a question she surely didn't want to answer.
Rainbow sniggered a little herself as she heard Rarity giggle. Apparently dirty mindedness was something these two mares, and partners in crime, truly did have in common. And it was quite a pleasing thought to be able to relate to the beautiful pony at all, though an incredibly scary idea as well.
It seemed that the other ponies were seeing the dance in a different light. Twi and Flutters slowly backed away, probably just creeped out generally by the earth pony's craziness, overall too pure to understand the actually situation. RD glanced to Applejack, and at first glance, saw no emotion in her face as she stared. But then Dash did something she didn't do often, something else that Rarity had taught her - to be very observant. It was then that Rainbow realised that AJ's eyes were wide and never looking away from the dancing mare, her tail swishing quite swiftly and her cheeks tinged red. Never mind, Applejack knew what was going on - and it seemed that she liked what she saw.
Eventually, Twilight and Fluttershy brought an end to the madness, slowly helping their friend to calm down. Well that had surely been a weird experience. And a rather enjoyable one too, according to apple pony. "Anyways, Applejack," RD got straight back onto the subject. "This is your last chance to back down before you never look at me, Rainbow Dash, the greatest pony in all of Equestria, the same way again. Do you truly think you're better than me?" And she truly meant it.
Applejack snapped her head around from where she had been watching Pinkie, and frantically shook her head as though pretending she had never seen, or been attracted to, anything. But the head shake could be interpreted as something else. Wow, the earth pony made this so easy. "Oh, so you don't!" the pegasus sneered. "Good game, AJ, admitting I'm better. Now you won't be put in any more danger." She grinned, well aware of the fact that she was making her friend angrier, and more competitive, by the second.
"Ahm not losing!" AJ exclaimed. "Don't get any ideas!"
Well, that was your last chance, Applejack sweetheart... you have no idea what's coming for you.
RD put her hoof around Applejack. "Good luck, then. May the best pony win - in other words, I'm going to be victorious! I mean, don't get me wrong, you're wonderful too, but just not good enough! Whatever, I still do have my work cut out to beat you, AJ!"
Applejack looked stunned by all the compliments, but only replied with. "Don't try anything, RD. Let me promise ya something..."
"Oh really, what?" yup, apple pony was making this painfully easily. A promise was the perfect time to stare intensely into another pony's eyes. Thus, that's what Rainbow Dash did. "I'm listening to every word..."
The more Rainbow looked into her friend's eyes, the harder it was to look away. They were a beautiful emerald, but their only purpose was to see, and to look just a little pretty. The cyan pony was pretty sure she was hypnotising her friend with her stunning eyes. Maybe that whole joke about eye colour being a deciding factor in who was the better pony really did contribute to something after all.
AJ's eyes were wider than ever before, even wider than when she had been watching Pinkie Pie shake that booty. It took her a while to find the words to speak. "A-ah pinkie promise you that ah'll never back down, and that ah'll win. Cross mai heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mai eye."
"I promise the very same to you," Dash replied. "Though I would like to point out that AJ has broken a pinkie promise before." This prompted an ominous growl from Pinkie, and AJ began to sweat a little. The rest of the mane six amusingly gasped. The eye contact was held for another few seconds, before Rainbow Dash both looked and drew away.
"It's time I got going," the mare smiled. "I'm in desperate need for a nap."
"But, Rainbow Dash, you never ate anything!" Twilight exclaimed, shocked. "That's not like you!"
"Oh, yeah! You're right! I'll take something with me!" But there was no picnic.
Pinkie Pie burped on cue, then proceeded to yelp as Rainbow drew closer to her, "It wasn't me! It was obviously Twilight!" She squeaked.
"What?" Twilight Sparkle exclaimed. "Nope, Pinkie! That defies all logic!"
Pinkie Pie and logic never mixed anyway.
"Umm, yeah. What Twilight said..." Fluttershy quivered. Rainbow felt herself die a little inside at how adorable her fellow pegasus was. And that was strange. RD never usually went for the cutesy stuff, in fact, it usually made her feel sick. But who could possibly feel an urge to vomit at the mere sight of such an adorable mare?
"Whatever. I guess I'll be going without the food," RD sighed. "See ya guys later, especially you, Applejack!" She cheesily winked at her victim. AJ stared at her, perhaps in awe, her mouth slightly open, before looking away. Rainbow kept on flying, finding a rather comfortable looking cloud and settling down in it. It was only a few moments later when she heard quite the annoying voice belonging to Pinkie Pie.
"Heeeey Dashie! I need to talk to you!" She called. Rainbow groaned, looking down at her friend, so sweet and innocent, but so excellent at twerking.
"What is it?" she snapped a little irritably. "I'm trying to sleep, food thief."
"It wasn't me!" Pinkie screeched.
"Oh really?"
"N-no..."
"Yes it was..."
Pinkie Pie rolled her eyes. "Well, duh it was! And the food was delish! But it doesn't make me a thief, especially not when I bought in half the food anyway! Come on, Dashie, sharing is magic! And no one said it had to be an equal share! I mean, Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy all ate something... you and Applejack were just busy doing... something... I don't really know what!"
Sharing is magic... please don't let that become a thing. "And you don't care, do you?" RD challenged. "Since when was this even relevant to a pony whose head is most likely made solely out of bubblegum?"
"Since always!" Pinkie Pie snapped, actually looking a little angry. "And for your information, I do care!"
"Whatever," Rainbow grunted, trying not to be slightly intimidated by her friend's behavior. "Is that all the nonsense you came to tell me? Can I go back to my nap without being disturbed?"
"No!" Pinkie gasped. "I'm not done yet! I need to ask you something!"
"Ugh... what?" Rainbow Dash soon became shocked when she realised that the pink mare's expression was surprisingly serious, her eyes intense.
"What are you planning against Applejack?" Those six words slipped coldly out of Pinkie's mouth, with a slight hint of aggression. This didn't make sense - had RD done something to anger Pinkie? Had accusing her offended the earth pony that much? Then it hit her. Pinkie wanted Applejack to win.
"I'm not planning anything!" Rainbow insisted. "I'm just playing! Listen Pinkie Pie, why do you want AJ to win? She was the one who broke a pinkie promise, and we are certainly closer friends."
"I never said I wanted Applejack to win," Pinkie smirked. "I've asked my question, and I suppose its been answered. See ya around, Dashie!" And with that, she bounced off, just as cheery as usual, as if that moment had never happened.
What was that all about? That entire situation had seemed very unlike Pinkie, more leaning towards Pinkie's other side, Pinkamena. Whatever, it had been nowhere near as terrifying as the time before, just mildly disturbing, and it seemed to be over now. But RD couldn't deny that something was going on. Something was on Pinkie Pie's mind, and if it was hard to understand Pinkie before now, when she was just generally her crazy and hyper self, it was even harder to understand her when she actually got serious, because it was ever so out of character for her. Well, at the moment, it didn't matter. Winning was all that mattered. Or was it?
The last thing Rainbow Dash saw before she dropped off was a vision of her victory party against Applejack, and the very first pony to congratulate her, was a gentle yellow pegasus mare with a pink mane.
