Standing by Your Side

“Phew, soccer practice is done for the day and all I just need now is head to the locker room, take a quick shower and meet up with them.” Rainbow Dash said in her thoughts as she and the Wondercolts soccer team head finished with their team’s training for their upcoming match with Crystal Prep Academy.

Upon entering the gym, something or to correct it someone caught their attention mostly the rainbow-haired tomboy. Standing alone on a mat in the middle of the gymnasium while wearing a hakama is you, Sky Blaze. Upon seeing you, Rainbow Dash’s tired expression turns to a determined face.

“Rainbow Dash isn’t that Sky from the karate club you’re in?” Angel Wings also a member of the soccer team asked while not breaking her attention from you who is just standing there alone. She then faces Rainbow Dash who didn’t answer her question only to find out she switched from her jersey into a shirt and her gym shorts also wearing a pair of gym gloves. “Wait, since when did you-?”

“You girls go on ahead.” After taking her shoes and putting them next to her bag, she slowly and quietly approached you.

You can almost hear them as they entered but that didn’t break your concentration. Then you heard a familiar giggle while your eyes are still shut that came from your left side.

“Hey Sky~.” Rainbow playfully sang as she now circles around you while your eyes are still closed and your arms are crossed. You patiently stood there and upon stopping and taking a stance right in front of you. “THINK FAST!!” Before she could land her jab, you immediately opened your eyes and deflect it with your left hand. You grabbed Rainbow’s shirt and about to throw her but due to her nimbleness she easily got back on her feet resulting for your takedown to fail. “I thought I got you there, but you still use your jiujitsu to counter my karate moves.”

“You are confident but shouldn’t be too confident.” You reply without making a stance and just stood there waiting for her next move.

Both of you stood there waiting for the first person to make their move. You can easily guess that Rainbow Dash will make the first move since is not the patient type. It wasn’t long the other door to the gym opens and both of you see the volleyball club.

“Guess we’ll have to resume our match next time...again.” Rainbow Dash groans that every time both of you spar with each other and when something or someone interrupts, it always ends up in a tie. You put away the mat in the gym closet and to see that Rainbow Dash hasn’t left your side. “Do you mind to wait outside the girl’s locker room? I really prefer you give me a body massage after I take a shower.”

“Rainbow, you know that is not going to happen. Remember last time we did that.” You said after closing the door to the gym closet. “Maybe another time but right now, I’ll be waiting for you outside so we can meet up with my brother and the others at the statue.”

“Ugh, fine.”

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This all started when your family moved here to Canterlot City from your previous home out of the country. You and your younger brother Eli Blaze started your first day at Canterlot High as freshman.

One day while you are heading to Canterlot High with a rope tied around your body and at the other end is tied to a tire while your younger sibling is riding on it, both of you are passing by the soccer field and there you see Rainbow Dash doing her warm-ups with the rest of the Wondercolt’s soccer team. After catching a ball that was accidentally kicked towards you, their coach whose name is Spitfire want to test you if you can become their goalkeeper. Since there was nothing to do, you gave it a try and successfully blocked most of the shots by the members of the soccer team, except for one which is obviously Rainbow Dash’s. Both Rainbow and Spitfire offered you to join but you declined her offer since you are already a member of the karate. Their coach did however mention that you are always welcome to comeback if you changed your mind.

It’s strange because you didn’t have any previous romantic relationships and yet, you somehow have your eyes on Rainbow Dash? She did join every sports club here in CHS but you can’t seem to know the reason why she’s always in your mind.

There was one time that after beating you in a sparring match and she became the captain of the karate club, you notice some green guy with blond hair is trying to hit on her that she is trying to avoid but he kept on following her. After one of your classes that you are in with Rainbow Dash that same guy was also there. He approaches just as she stood up from her chair to leave until you quickly stepped in between.

“Pardon me sir,” You said. “The name is Sky Blaze. You see the girl right behind me is my captain of the karate club. I do quite see you often that you are following her and she seems somehow uncomfortable. I’ll get straight to the point...are you stalking her?” You then opened your eyes glaring at him.

Another trait that others are scared off when they make eye contact with you are your colorless pupils which you are born with. Others sometimes mistook you for a blind person which you are not. You heard that there is another student here at CHS who is more intimidating whose eyes are black sclera with white irises.

“Me? Oh no, no, no you are misunderstanding.” He states and somehow not intimidated. “The name’s Zephyr Breeeze by the way. You see I have a crush with Rainbow Dash over there. The part where she’s avoiding me, means she likes but doesn’t show it-”

“I do apologize if I have to stop you there.” You raised a hand. “That’s the part where I say ‘Please stop bothering her’.”

“Wait, I get it now.” You raised an eyebrow either he gets his mistake or had something else in his mind. “You are also one of her admirers, which makes the two of us rivals. That is the reason why you’re getting in the way.” You mentally slapped yourself but maintained your poker face. All the words that you said to him only went out the other ear. “I’ll tell you what. Let’s have a quick arm wrestling using the teacher’s desk. If I win, I won’t give up until she goes out with me.”

“Okay and when I win you will leave her alone.”

“Exactly...for now.” Zephyr then heads towards the desk table as you follow him but was stopped by Rainbow Dash as placed her hand on your shoulder.

“Hey come on. There is no need for that, I can just ignore and avoid him.” She whispered.

“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on him.” You removed her hand from your shoulder as you positioned yourself at the other side of the desk table.

All of it results when Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash’s childhood friend, and Eli were passing by, the doors to the classroom opened Rainbow came out then followed by you carrying Zephyr on your shoulder. The two asked what happened, you stated that both of you had an arm-wrestling match that even though you specify that you will go easy on him, he said to give him everything you got which you comply. This ends up flipping him to the black board as he fell to the floor knocking him unconscious. Even after that day, Zephyr still continues with his pursue on Rainbow Dash which you still find annoying for both of you.

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“It would have been better if you still given me that massage though.” Rainbow Dash frustrated as all of you entered Canterlot Mall.

“Last time you made me go in the girl’s locker room, you never told me the room wasn’t empty which I heard a lot of screaming,” You said. “Then while giving you a body massage while hearing the murmurs of the other girls being jealous, Coach Spitfire came in.”

This scenario started when you applied for a part-time job at the Canterlot day spa as a masseur which you are still working there till now. One day Canterlot High’s basketball team came here for relaxation after their last victory against another high school which Rainbow Dash is also the captain there who request for a sports massage. Then she comes here often and normally you expect it’s another sports massage but curiosity came to your mind, she actually comes here for a pampered muscle massage and indulgent pedicure. She warned you that if you tell her friends or anyone about this, it’s goodbye to your little birdie. Even though you clammed up her friends should have found out about this already, mostly Rarity and Applejack.

Then it all switches that instead of going there for the full treatment whenever you are available, she drags you somewhere into a room that it’s only the two of you and request you to give her a massage either with her clothes on, times with her tank top showing or even just in her underwear only.

“I remember that,” Pinkie joined in the conversation. “I thought you guys were having some sort of shouting because if you guys were, I’m up for some pretty good SHOUTING...!” Pinkie screamed that last part attracting other customers. “And that is when I saw you Sky, blindfolded.”

“Honestly Rainbow, you obviously know that you are not supposed to bring boys into the lady’s locker room.” Rarity making a point reminding this to the tomboy.

“His eyes are covered, so it doesn’t count.”

“Darling, it still counts.” Then Rarity shifts her attention to you, mostly to what you’re wearing on your feet. “Sky, I do notice that I see you in those wooden sandals if not wearing shoes. Isn’t wearing that uncomfortable.”

“I’m already used to it, since I’ve been doing this from our previous home. It’s a tradition.” You reply which your sibling agrees.

“Okay, just curious. Because our friend Sunset over here works at the sushi restaurant here and she wears the same thing, but isn’t comfortable at times.”

You explained that your other purpose on joining them is shopping for sports shoes since you’ve been wearing a spare and need another pair to replace your old original ones. Rarity squeals in excitement since window/clothes shopping is her forte and offers to join until Rainbow Dash butts in since this is for sports were talking about. After grabbing your hand, everything thing turns into a rainbow blur until the two of you are in the sports store where she works at.

“Anything you like?” Rainbow asked as your browse the number of shoes displayed on the shelf. After taking your time you picked a pair of snickers which is a shelf above your head. To Rainbow’s astonishment she recognized the design of the sneakers you chose which looks exactly like hers; red, white and blue design with a yellow lightning bolt on the sides of each sneaker. “I-Is that what you want?”

“Yes, I kind of like it.” You reply and notice her looking away with a slight red hue on her face. “Are you okay?”

“What? Me, yeah. Totally fine, I-I'll just be right back and check if they come in that size.” Rainbow shrugs then sprints over to the storage at the back as you wonder on her strange actions.

After purchasing your new shoes, both of you regroup with the others only to be met with an angry Rarity as she nags at Rainbow Dash for snagging you away for buying you shoes. You showed them the sneakers you are wearing and they have the same reaction as the tomboy. Pinkie and even some of them started teasing that both of you are wearing matching shoes, like a couple. Rainbow’s face became slightly red while you on the other hand is looking at your shoes. You then shift your focus to your friend and ask what’s going on only to be returned with a sleeper hold by her for not paying attention and backing her up.

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As everyone is about to go their separate ways for home, you were nowhere to be found as Eli explained that you were called by mom to pick up the groceries. It didn’t take long you showed up with the groceries in an eco-bag in your left and in your right on your shoulder is a sack of rice. Your little ask you need his help since he knows that you will be walking home instead of taking a cab and you told him you got this after placing the items on the ground.

“I’m telling you as your little brother I’m simply just making sure you don’t do anything weird,” Eli said.

“Yes, but as your big brother I assure you that I’ll be fine and you’re the one not doing anything weird, understand?” You returned his own words as you grabbed both of his shoulders, turning and you pushed him. “Now go on. You did say you will walk Fluttershy home.”

You picked up the groceries as you went straight for home. While walking you stopped for a while for you felt a presence right behind you. You turned around to see no one but facing the other way to see the Rainbow Dash.

“I know what you’re going to say but Eli told me to give you a hand.” She then took the eco-bag from your left hand. “You should be very lucky that you have a sibling to watch your back.”

“Yes, he isn’t like that when we were kids.” You start to recall both of your past. “He was timid until one day he was being picked on and I had to standup for him, the ending wasn’t too pleasant. But here he is right now, a little braver and thinks that I’m completely insane with my workout.”

“Yeah, totally insane with the exercise part. But you know, about you standing up for Eli is exactly the same thing I did for Fluttershy when I saw her being teased when we were kids. I challenged them to a little soccer match and gave them a taste of their own medicine. Basically, both of us are the same.”

“Which is the reason why you represented ‘The Element of Loyalty’ since you are there by your friends’ side.”

“You got that right.” She then shows you, her geode.

After some walking, both of you arrive at the front of your house. You invited her to stay for dinner for helping you bring the groceries but she passed. After saying her ‘goodnight’, she then dashes off leaving a rainbow blur behind.

After dinner while help cleaning up the table, you see that your little brother is somewhat bothered. You guessed that it’s related to Fluttershy, which you explained that they can take care of herself and she has her friends there by her side which made him a bit more comfortable.

“Loyalty, huh?” You thought as you remove the crest you wore on your neck and placed it on the sink as you took your shower. While at it, you didn’t realize that Equestrian magic entered your house and empowered your crest.