Felicity

Several families and soccer mom caravans had already arrived at the recreational fields along the west end of Canterlot City. Here—in the shadow of the mountainous countryside, the full brunt of the morning sun illuminated every square surface of suburban acreage. Multiple cars, trucks, and minivans were parked along the outer grass bands that flanked the warm-up sandlots. Scores of middle school and high school youths in bright uniforms sprinted back and forth, kicking practice balls up down... left right... from side to side with more or less professional ease. The air was full of chatter, laughter, and ponytails. There wasn't a single damned drop of testosterone within sight.

This was the scene that two girlfriends and their petite roommate shuffled up to, minutes after parking. As they approached the bleachers, gaggle of healthy young women turned to see them. In the center of the group was Rarity—grasping a parasol and looking fabulously overdressed for the morning occasion. She immediately gasped and waved happily at the approaching group.

"Oh Sunset~! Twilight~! Yoohoo!" Rarity walked in heels through the grass to greet the couple. "So glad you could join us, darlings!"

"Hey Sunset. Twi." Rainbow Dash—decked out in slim athletic wear and a dangling P.E. whistle from her neck—marched to the front of the group. "What's up?"

"Not gonna lie," Fluttershy began, holding her skirt in place as a brisk morning wind kicked at her long pink threads. "It's not often we see you getting up this early in the day."

"Y'all seem brighty and bushy-tail'd, regardless." Applejack smirked with her hands on her hips. "Didja have a nice ride here?"

"Us? Oh! Absolutely!" Twilight Sparkle grinned, eye twitching.

"Nice... quiet ride!" Sunset Shimmer added, also twitching. "No reason why it wouldn't be a smooth trip!"

"None whatsoever!" Twilight squeaked.

"Damn straight!"

"... ... ..." Applejack raised an eyebrow. "... ... ...well, alrighty, then." She pointed vaguely towards the grass lanes between soccer fields behind them. "Rainbow's got the young'n's warmin' up for the big game. Since they ain't kickin' off until the second match frame, y'all should have plenty of time to say hello."

"Sounds great!" Sunset coughed delicately and put on a bright smile. "How's... uh... how's Scootaloo been holding up?"

"Pffft! Are you kidding?" Rainbow Dash smirked slyly. "That little scamp's been kickin' everyone's ass all season!"

"Rainbow..." Fluttershy chided.

"What?" the athletic woman's voice cracked as she shrugged. "I'm not in front of the kids right now! I can make like a sailor!"

"Doesn't mean you have to," Fluttershy added with a rolling of her eyes. When they settled in place, it was reflecting a petite figure twice over. A delicate gasp escaped the fair lady's lips, sprinkled with a layer of sincere joy. "Oh gosh!" She leaned over somewhat—which only highlighted the height difference between herself and the person she was seeing. "Is that who I think it is?"

"Well, I'll be!" Applejack folded her arms. In the past few years, she had grown quite a bit of muscle as well as height. She had cut her hair short—almost pixie length—but the freckles from teenagehood still remained. "Look who crawled out of the apartment for once!"

"Applejack..." Sunset side-hissed.

"Gotta hand it to ya, Miss Shimmer! It's one heck of an accomplishment!" Applejack coughed, then narrowed her green eyes at the redhead. "Y'all didn't use mind control or nothin', did ya?"

"Oh?" Rarity crept forward. Just like Fluttershy, she too had to lean over to see the "stranger's" face more clearly. "And just who might be this adorable specimen of fantabulous livelihood—?"

"Here I am, Rarity!" Spike yipped, leaping full force at the woman's torso.

"Ooomf!" Rarity winced, teetering backwards on her heels as she fumbled to juggle both the purple-hair'd dog and the heft of her parasol. "Ehm... eheheh... why—yes! Of course! G-good to see you too, Spike!"

"Actions speak louder than words!" Spike barked, then cocked his furry head aside. "The ears! The ears!" Almost immediately, a well-manicured set of fingers humored him, scratching liberally behind his left ear. The canine's left leg shook as his eyes rolled back. "Ohhhhhh yeah."

"B-but I was referring—of course—to our resident knight in shining armor!" Rarity beamed, looking again at the figure dragged up behind Twilight and Sunset. "Why, hello there, handsome!" She opened her mouth... blinked... then bore a disturbed expression. "My stars and garters! What in God's name are you wearing—??"

"Flassssh! Buddy!" Rainbow Dash hopped over with a grinning expression. "You've got the clothes I got you months ago! Awesome!" Unlike the rest of the women, Rainbow hadn't quite enjoyed the same growth spurt. Nevertheless, this still put her over a half-foot taller than the boi before her. "What's up, dude?"

"All of you, apparently," Flash muttered.

Twilight and Sunset winced.

"It's so nice seeing you out and about, Flash!" Fluttershy shone with a mothery smile. She clasped her hands together. "We've had you in our hearts and minds every day since you finally woke up. Just how's the recovery process going, hmmm?"

"Mmmmm... that depends..." Flash Sentry adjusted his hood over his dull face and looked halfway towards her. "As of yet, my roommates won't let me near any rope or a strong tree branch."

Twilight and Sunset winced again.

"Oh... uhm..." Flutterhy twiddled her fingers, looking away from the blowing wind. A nervous redness inched across her fair features. "That's... uhhhh..."

"Heyyyyyy! Dark humor!" Rainbow Dash rasped, smirking devilishly. "Last time we saw him, he was quieter than Vinyl Scratch! If you ask me, that's one hell of an improvement! Right, Flashie, ol' pal?!" With that said, she lightly slapped Flash across the back.

"Ooomf!" The frail boy fell hard to his knees.

"Rainbow!" Rarity gasped.

"Oh fuck!" Rainbow winced all over.

"Rainbow!" Fluttershy chided again.

"I mean—shit! Er... th-that is... m-my bad..." Rainbow inched backwards, clenching her teeth with a pale expression. "...fuck me."

"Careful there, partner..." Applejack reached a hand down to help him up. "...gotta take it easy on them legs."

"I got it..." Flash muttered, fumbling with dainty limbs.

"'Cuz—right as rain—four years of magical snoozin' can't be easy on—"

"I said I got it!" Flash snarled, attempting to bat her hand away. Making the swift contact with the muscular woman's only knocked himself completely onto his rump. "Oomf!" The redness on his face rivaled Fluttershy's, and he took his sweet time in standing up completely.

"Hmmmm..." Applejack leaned back, trying to keep from frowning. "Land's sakes..." She scratched her scalp with a tired expression. "...maybe y'all shoulda brought him to a boxin' match instead."

"Hahahahahah—" Twilight Sparkle tried to seize control of the "conversation," stepping forward and grinning plastically. "Good joke, Applejack!" She spun her head towards Sunset, leaning in and whispering hoarsely: "Itoldyouthiswasabadidea—"

"Telepathic voice, Twi—?" Sunset began—

"HAH HAH HAH HAH HAH!!!" A bouncy, big-boned beauty suddenly leapt in from behind, hanging off both women's shoulders. "Sunny! Twily!" Blue eyes blinked brightly. "... ... ...what are we laughing about?!"

"Hiya, Pinkie Pie!" Spike waved a paw from where he slumped in Rarity's arms. "Got any of those big chocolate bones for me?"

"Pffft..." Rainbow Dash snorted, leaning over to elbow Applejack. "It kills me whenever he says that."

"You betcha, Spikey-Wikey!" Pinkie Pie beamed—still hanging off of Twilight and Applejack. "And I've got cinammon sticks for Dashie!" She swung back and forth, urged on by the pendulous weight of her mommy-hips. "Licorice for Twilight! Angel food cake for Sunset! Then there's plenty of apple cider for all the Wondercolts—but Applejack could tell ya about that. I just finished putting together the refreshment table with Cheese Sandwich and—" By now, her dancing blue eyes had fallen on Flash. "Oh! Hi there, lil' cutie!" She giggle-snorted and waved. "Thanks for showing up to the big game day! You here to watch or compete?!"

"Uhm... Pinkie Pie...?" Fluttershy touched two delicate fingers together. "Actually, that's—"

"Ooooh! I know! She's gotta be one of Sweetie Belle's friends!" Pinkie Pie beamed. "Because she looks just so dang cuuuuuuuuuuute!" The frazzled-hair'd woman made a duck face. "Are you a junior just like Rare-Rare's lister sister? Or about to graduate from sophomore—?"

"Pinkie, it's Flash!" Rainbow Dash growled as the rest of the women fidgeted awkwardly.

"Duaaaah?" Pinkie blinked at her.

"It's Flash Sentry," Rainbow pointed at the petite boi in sweatclothes. "Been rooming with Twilight and Sunset for the past few months since waking up. Remember?"

"... ... ..." Pinkie tilted her head aside. "... ... ...you mean... Sunset and Twilight adopted a girl with the same name as Sunset's high school boyfriend?!" She jumped over and grasped Rainbow's shoulders, shaking. "Why didn't somebody tell me?! I could have thrown an adoption party!!!"

"Gul-darn it, Pinkie..." Applejack facepalmed.

"Rnnnngh..." In a frustrated huff, Flash drew his hood tighter over his head and marched off. "I'll be by the bleachers," he grunted.

Wincing, the women watched him stroll off. Twilight and Sunset exchanged worried glances.

Pinkie Pie remained frozen in place, her hands on Rainbow's shoulders. Her glazed blue eyes continued to reflect Flash's exit. "... ... ...so—is she on Sweetie Belle's team, or...?"

Rainbow sighed and shoved Pinkie.

"Aaaaugh!" Pinkie fell in a fuzzy pink heap. "Oomf! Hey! The grass is so springy! Heeheehee!"

"Oh dear..." Rarity cupped a hand to her cheek. "...this is going to be a lot more delicate than I thought."

"Uhm..." The purple dog in the fashionista's grasp stirred restlessly. "...still waiting on that big chocolate bone..."