Alex awoke with a groan. Memories of last night flashed by and he sighed. That explains why I hurt everywhere. He opened his eyes bleary. His vision was disoriented and fuzzy. He blinked a few times and took in the surroundings. He realized that he was not in his room. The room was rustic looking, reminiscent of a cabin Alex, James and their parents had used to stay in during the summer every year. Out the window trees dotted the land and stretched as far as the eye could see. They were apple trees but since it was fall a lot of the trees have lost a lot of their leaves. Alex spotted a small yellow filly leaving and a large red stallion waving goodbye. Alex recognized them immediately as Apple Bloom and Big Mac. He now knew exactly where he was… Sweet Apple Acres.

Alex groaned and was about to get up when he noticed something. He saw something in the reflection of a mirror. Looking at it he saw a familiar looking Cyan Pegasus with a Rainbow mane and tail. Then Alex lifted his head and Rainbow did the same. A slight pang of worry hit Alex. He raised a hoof and in the mirror, Rainbow Dash mimicked him. His eyes went wide with fear as Rainbow’s did as well. Alex now decided to look down and found himself looking at Rainbow Dash's body. Alex let out a quick yet high pitched scream and began to panic. He quickly stifled his scream but the panic was quickly building. He could hear the screams of mothers as their children were ripped from their arms. He could hear the voices of the ponies begging Alex for mercy but Alex didn’t listen… he could hear them but could not help. Alistar was the one in control now. Alex was hyperventilating and he could feel the fear tearing him up. He could feel Alistar clawing at his soul, eager to escape and take control. He was getting closer to destroying everything Alex cared about. The voices, cries and screaming got louder and louder. Then one voice cut through the chaos in his mind. It was clear, calm, confident yet filled with concern. It also had a clear southern accent.

“Rainbow?” Applejack asked. Rainbow didn’t turn but he could see the mare's reflection in the glass of the window. Without facing Applejack, Rainbow asked.

“What happened?” She asked bluntly.

“You mean last night? Don’t yall remember Rainbow?” Applejack asked quizzically. “Tarnation! Musta got knocked in the head a couple of times too many!” Applejack said and looked even more worried than before.

“Applejack!” Rainbow snapped, cutting AJ off. “I remember what happened with our friends. We fought off some Changelings and I nearly got clobbered. Then Alex showed up to rescue me. I was on the edge of unconsciousness and Alex was exhausted from braving the cyclone. Then I saw a bright flash and woke up here. What happened from when I was knocked out until now?” Rainbow explained.

“Oh! Well, we managed to drive the Changelings off and then we all saw that bright flash too. We didn’t know what it was but the two of you were out cold.” Applejack began. She looks so gosh darn adorable when she’s asleep. Applejack had thought. “Twilight teleported Alex home and ah carried you here.” Applejack finished.

Rainbow Dash nodded. “I see. Well thanks AJ.” She said smiling her signature Rainbow smile. Applejack smiled back but Alex was already planning his next move. Alright, I just need to find myself and figure out what happened and how to fix it. Perhaps I can ask Twili-. His thoughts were cut short once again by AJ.

“Uh… you okay there Rainbow?” Applejack said.

Rainbow looked up to find AJ only a few feet away from her face. Rainbow felt her body heat up and looked away as a slight blush began to form. “Ye-yeah. I-I’m fine.” Rainbow said, striding past the cowpony and to the door. Applejack knew she was lying but decided not to pressure her right now.

“Alright. Whatever you say Sugarcube.” She said following the Pegasus downstairs. As Alex walked Rainbow’s body downstairs, his mind was pondering. What is wrong with me? I know that Applejack and Rainbow Dash have feelings for each other but why is that affecting me? Probably just a weird effect of the mind transfer. Alex decided to put it down as that and not dwell on it. Rainbow Dash and Applejack ate breakfast together and then AJ went out to start on her daily list of chores to do around the farm. Rainbow followed her.

“Sooo…” She began. “It’s still a bit early for me to start my work and I could get it done easily but, after the beat down I got last night, I think I need to take a day off from weather duty. Somepony else can handle it for me. So I was wondering if I could help out around here today. My wings are a bit too sore to fly so I guess I’m grounded for now.” Rainbow explained. Applejack smirked and gave the pegasus a questioning look. “Alright, who are ya and what have ya done with the real Rainbow?” She asked.

“What are you talking about? I am the real Rainbow.” Rainbow Dash said, playing along.

“Ah don’t think so. The real Rainbow Dash is Lazy, Stubborn and flees at the mere mention of hard work, especially farm work.” Applejack said.

“Hey!” Rainbow retorted.

“Just poking' fun Sugarcube.” Applejack said, nudging Rainbow. Applejack was barely containing her emotions and she found herself continuing and was unable to stop.

“The Rainbow ah know is the most Loyal pony ah have ever met, she is always brave enough to stand up for her friends and too stubborn to know when to quit. She always makes me laugh and yet annoys me to my wits end.” Applejack turned to face Rainbow who just stared in shock as Applejack poured her heart out. “She is my greatest Rival… and yet the closest and best friend ah have ever had.” AJ looked up and stared at the Pegasus, looking straight into those magenta eyes. “Rainbow.

You always got my back and ah will always have yours. Ah want to be with you whenever ah can because ah can't stand being without ya.” Applejack stepped closer to the Cyan Pegasus who was frozen in place. “You have always felt like more than a friend to me. Ah thought that ah would forever be a workaholic who never got out and made connections with anyone else. Then Twilight showed up and our friendship was born. Though, through the years I feel like our Friendship has grown into something more.” She was now nose to nose with the Pegasus. “Rainbow… ah- ah think ah’m in love with ya.” She finished. Rainbow was stunned. She didn’t know what to say or what to even do. So she just stood there for a moment.

“I-I. I don’t know what to say… I.” Rainbow began.

“It’s okay if you don’t feel the same way about sugarcube. Ah, understand.” AJ said with a pained expression and a forced smile.

“No- no It’s not that I don’t- I just. I just need to think about this.” Rainbow said, looking away. Then she took off to the skies without another word. Rainbow didn’t have to fly too far, just enough to find a cloud to land on and try to get her head wrapped around this whole ordeal. Then a moment of realization hit and Alex snapped back into reality. He was panicking a little and had no idea what had just happened. It was almost as if part of Rainbow Dash’s mind was still there and had regained control temporarily. That wasn’t the case though so that left Alex with two other logical reasons. A) He was going crazy and Alistar was gaining control.
Or…
My mind is beginning to think that I’M Rainbow Dash! Alex thought. He recalled how Applejack had told him that she had feelings for Rainbow. Different body or not, Alex shouldn’t have responded with a blush unless… he had feelings for AJ as well. The arrival of somepony pulled Alex out of his thoughts and then he heard and saw himself. Or rather Rainbow Dash in his body.

“Wus up me?” She said in a voice that was deep but she seemed to have thrown it a little to make it higher.

“Hello Rainbow Blade.” Alex said, making up a nickname on the spot so that it would be easier to refer to each other without getting confused.

“Right back at ya Golden Dash!” Rainbow said, giving Alex a nickname in return.

The two talked about what they had done this morning and how they were going to fix it. They both knew it would take a while and that they would have to try to mention this to their friends so that they didn’t have to keep it a secret. Golden Dash blushed slightly and looked away hoping Rainbow Blade hadn’t noticed. Unfortunately, she had. “Uh oh. Someone’s feeling a little warm and tingly!” Rainbow teased. “Are you going to tell me who or do I have to guess?” Rainbow asked. When no response was forthcoming Rainbow decided to guess. “I think I know. It’s Applejack, right?” Rainbow said, confident.

Golden stiffened and turned, their face as red as an apple.

“H-how d-i-d-did you know?” Golden said, stuttering.

Rainbow smiled and put an arm around the shaking pegasus. “You’re in my body, remember? I’ve had feelings for her for a long time.” She said, chuckling. “Now it seems you’ve got the hots for her too eh?”
“Wha- but I…” Golden began but couldn’t muster up a response other than. “Why? I’ve never felt this way about her before. Why now?”

“I guess it’s because our minds and bodies have not fully adapted yet. However, I think that in my body… you see her differently. You see her how I have always seen her. I was expecting this to come up sometime so I thought about it on my way here.” Rainbow said, pausing for effect. “I have a challenge. It’s called the Six Month Challenge.” She finished.

“Explain.” Golden said, intrigued.

“No matter if we find a way to reverse this or not… we stay in each other's bodies for six months. We get to experience what it’s like to be someone else for a while.” Rainbow said.

“WHAT!? Thats-thats…” He trailed off. “That's actually a good idea. Alright then. Let's do this!” Golden said with clear confidence.

“Good. Now… on that note I have one condition that you have to follow during this challenge.” Rainbow said grinning madly.

“That is…?” Golden asked with a hint of nerves.

“Over the course of the next six months you must take AJ out on a date and admit your feelings!” Rainbow declared.

“I-I. oh no.” Golden said quietly.

Rainbow smirked and began to leave. “Have fun, Rainbow Dash!” She said and with a final laugh she flew off in Alex’s body. This left Alex to his own devices for a while. Alex stayed on that cloud until he noticed the sun beginning to set. Then he looked back towards Sweet Apple Acres and sighed. He flew to Rainbow Dash's house or rather what would be his house for the next six months. He sighed. Rainbow, you better not wreck my house. He thought bitterly. He entered the quaint cloud house and only took a few steps before something small and green came flying around the corner towards him.
“Oh, hey Tank.” Rainbow said and patted the turtle affectionately. Alex had always liked Tank. He was someone to talk to when you didn’t feel right, even if he didn’t answer back he let you know he cared in his own way. Alex gave Tank some fresh leaves and then decided to head off to bed. He wasn’t really tired but he wanted this weird day to end and was silently hoping he would wake up in his own bed in the morning.

Author's Note

Wahoo! It's finally here! My first story on FimFiction. Please stay tuned for updates on this crazy mis-adventure of mine.