Author's Note

This involves three ships I love and slightly hints at another. If your not a fan of Big & Rare, Troublejack, Timberlight, or Sunflash then you don't have to read.

And yes I just guessed on Troubleshoe's human look since he has no EG form yet.

2. Sweetheart Dance

It was Valentine’s Day and Pinkie was of course in charge of the upcoming dance at Canterlot High. Rarity and Sunset were helping her carry boxes of decorations into the gymnasium. “Wow Pinkie you ordered a lot of decorations for the dance,” Sunset said.

“All a dance is is just another word for party!” Pinkie said as she threw confetti over herself and giggled.

“Yes and it’s a dance for the most romantic holiday,” Rarity said, “Valentine's Day,”.

“It can be a fun holiday,” Sunset said, “too bad the only time I had a valentine was when I was still the mean girl,”.

“Not even in the pony world darling?” Rarity said.

“Back in Equestria we have a holiday like this one called Hearts and Hooves day,” she explained, “but back then I was to busy trying to get what I thought I wanted to even look at a stallion,”.

“Well there’s still time,” Rarity said, “you and Flash have been getting closer lately,”. That caused Sunset to blush a little. Just then Roseluck and Derpy walked into the gym.

“Hey, girls,” Roseluck greeted, “wanna buy a special rose and a card for a special student here at Canterlot High?”. She had a basket of roses and Derpy was holding a basket of cards.

“Over here darling,” Rarity said as she waved them over. Sunset and Pinkie just looked at each other.
“Did you know she had a valentine?” Sunset asked.

“Nope,” Pinkie answered blowing up a big heart-shaped balloon. Just then Applejack opened up the gym double doors.

“Dance food is here,” she announced as Mr. and Mrs. Cake pushed two carts of food in. Pinkie threw a red cloth with white and pink hearts printed on it over a long table and she and Applejack helped The Cakes set everything up. Just as Applejack filled the punch bowl Roseluck walked up to her.

“Hey AJ,” she said, “you got a rose and a card,” she handed her a red rose and a small card with a white heart on it.

“Ooh,” Pinkie said, “someone has a secret admirer,”.

“Who bought this?” she asked Roseluck.

“Sorry AJ,” she giggled, “can't answer that,”. The girls giggled as Roseluck and Derpy left.

“Well?” Sunset asked, “are you gonna open it?”. Applejack opened the card and inside was a little note scribbled down.

“If I get my courage up you’ll find out who I am during a dance tonight,”.

“Oooh it’s a like romantic mystery!” Rarity said giggling.

Later that evening the girls were enjoying the dance. It was in full swing. The students were dancing to music provided to them by DJ Pon-3. Rarity was off with the wondertones rehearsing a mashup melody of couple songs to perform during the couples only dance. Applejack sat at a table skimming the boys at the dance.

“Trying to figure out which is the card sender?” Sunset said sitting next to her.

“I’ve racked my brain, but can’t seem to figure out who he is,” Applejack said. Just then Pinkie’s voice came over the speakers.

“Ok guys and gals!” she started, “it’s time for the couples only dance. Here to perform for all you couples out there are the wondertones!”. The single students made their way to tables or to the buffet table as the couples started dancing as the music started and the wondertones started their performance. Just as the first song switched AJ felt a tap on her shoulder.
When she looked up she saw a tall boy. His skin tone was a little darker than hers and he had long dark brown and white hair down to his shoulders. He had green eyes the same shade as hers and he also wore a cowboy hat.

“Um hello,” he said looking down at the ground.

“Howdy,” she greeted back, “do I know you?”

“I’m Troubleshoes Clyde,” he said, “I’m the school mascot on game days,”. Applejack thought of the school mascot. A tall blue and gold horse that was rather clumsy. “I sent you the card and rose,” he admitted finally looking at her.

“Oh,” Applejack blushed, “well thank ya,”.

He nodded, “would you like to dance?”.

“Sure,” Applejack said as he took her hand and lead her to the dance floor. Even though he kept tripping over his own feet it wasn’t bad at all. Sunset just set back and watched the wondertones. As she watched she noticed a weird dreamy look in Rarity’s eyes everytime she and Big Mac would sing together. Then it hit her.

“I know who Rarity has a crush on,” she said.

“You do?” Pinkie asked through a mouth full of cupcake.

“It’s Big Mac,” she said, “just look at how she looks at him,”. Pinkie looked and she was smiling at him with big eyes as they sung the last bit of their mash-up. Their performance ended and the wondertones bowed as everyone clapped. Sunset walked up to Rarity as she stepped off the stage.

“So that's who you sent the rose and card to,” she said with a big grin.

“What do you mean darling?” Rarity asked trying to play like she didn’t know what she meant.

“Come on Rarity,” She said, “it was so obvious watching you up there,”.

“Oh ok,” Rarity said, “I’ve had a crush on Big Mac for a while now, but never said anything so I wouldn’t anger Applejack,”.

“Rarity, Applejack is your friend and yeah it might be weird for her,” Sunset explained, “but your one of her best friends and Big Mac is her brother and she loves you both and wants you to be happy,”.

“You do have a point,” Rarity said as she looked over at Big Mac. She walked over to him and took a deep breathe, “if apples were gems you’d be a red ruby,”.

“Huh?” he said turning around to look at her.

“I was the who sent a rose and card to you,” she explained,” and I wrote that on the card. Did you read it?”.

“Yep,” he answered.

“It was silly huh?” she asked blushing embarrassed.

“Nope,” he said as he took her hand and kissed her cheek, “would you like to dance?”.

“Never thought you’d ask,” she said with a smile as they made their way to the dance floor. Sunset watched as two of her friends danced with potential boyfriends, one was hopping around setting off confetti bombs, one was shyly setting on the stage watching as well, and another was on stage playing her guitar to the music that played. Twilight was hanging by the punch bowl with Timber Spruce who she invited. Just as a new beat played someone tapped her shoulder. She turned around and it was Flash Sentry.

“Hey Flash,” she greeted, “enjoying the dance?”

“So far,” he said as he rubbed the back of his head, “but it would be better if you’d dance with me,”.

“Sure,” she said, “that’d be nice,” they headed to the dance floor and enjoyed the rest of the dance together.