Friendship is Gambling

Within the crushing embrace of her mistress, Rainbow Dash wasn't permitted any actual time to rest. The imaginings of her mind aimlessly wandered as she looked up to one of the ceiling's window panes to see Luna's full, and amazingly white moon.

Until then, Rainbow hadn't noticed it, but every time the two shared glances during the tour of Cloudsdale, Luna would express feelings of lust towards her. It was the kind that she usually got from admirers. Rainbow couldn't help herself but to remember how this all began. It seemed so long ago for some reason.

"And here, we have the memorial statue belonging to none other than... the Wonderbolts!" Rainbow exclaimed, shaded by the trio pegasi statue. Together, both the mares stared at the three marble ponies afterwards who made a dramatic, spectacular pose. The intensified rays from Celestia's sun reflected upon the surface of their silvery eyes, making the performers seem even more intense, and more drawn into the moment. Breaking her stare from the three stone ponies, Rainbow turned, and said, "Someday, I plan on being one of them myself. It's been my dream to fly with them since I was young."

The pegasus stared at her Highness, and noticed that she seemed more interested in her guide opposed to the tourist attraction itself. "I don't think there is need to worry, Rainbow Dash. I can see you as one of them... with hard work, of course."

Rainbow chuckled sheepishly, and rolled her eyes as she continued the tour. Pointing a hoof to the freshly crafted skyscrapers, she began her explanation. "These here took a really long time to make. I remember being here even when it was under construction! Not to brag, but, they called me a few times to help... Couldn't have said no, am I right?" She gloated ever onwards, and brushed a hoof across her chest smugly.

"Interesting..." Luna said as she continued to provide Rainbow her attention.

The pegasus then pointed to the one towering above the rest. With no prior confirmation or way of telling when it would be completed, she continued her speech. "That one's been under construction for roughly... well, all my life! They say it's supposed to be some jewel of the city, able to be seen peeking above the town for miles and miles! What's more exciting is once it's finished, I'm going to be the one making a sonic rainboom for the grand opening!"

She once again turned around to see the Princess's stare, not at the tower, but mostly at Rainbow's flanks, making the blushing mare a bit self conscious about whether she was showing her Highness the city, or herself. Finally, they reached the race course, something that seemed to make both Rainbow and the Princess excited. The two made their gambles and got ready for the big race. While they did, Rainbow's mind naturally lapsed with fantasies of being able to command the Princess, and eventually, she'd become dominant over the royal alicorn. That's all Rainbow thought of at the time. This would be a walk in the park for her, or in her terms, a nice swim through the clouds.

Using her comprehension of physics, Rainbow came up with the most ridiculous theory she could. Though Princess Luna was very tall, this could possibly weigh her down in the flight. The pegasus hadn't any knowledge of the fact that Luna enjoyed flying almost as much as she did. Luna's time during the night was mainly spent on circling the palace as she glided in circles around the towers that ascended through the sky.

However, without this knowledge, Rainbow had utterly convinced herself that she could win not only just because she desired her very own servant, but in secret, she found Princess Luna rather attractive. The thought of her being able to completely take advantage of a royal pony such as Luna sent her mind into a sexual fantasia. This was just another reason why Rainbow had lost that day.

During the preparations, both of the racers stretched their wings at the starting line. Rainbow glanced at the Princess only to see her gingerly smiling. "This will be easy," Rainbow thought while lining up side by side with her competitor at the starting line.

The flag was waved.

Both mares took off with incredible speeds.

Neck to neck, both mares simultaneously flew through the first circle. It disappeared as their wings barely touched its perimeter. Both ponies of different shades of blue followed the trail, and in order for them to meet their second objective, they had to dive immediately.

Just as they did, the bone chilling sounds of air being ripped to shreds could be heard echoing throughout the stadium. Rainbow grew nervous, and observed Luna. The Princess increased her velocity as she continued effortlessly. Luna had passed the second ring, sending Rainbow Dash into a tizzy of unease and bitter thoughts.

Not only that, but Luna had an advantage. Today was the day that everypony had arrived, and would be attending mostly just to see Rainbow Dash perform. She was the pegasus that created the sonic rainboom after all, but there was also the risk of her harming others. As much as she might've needed it, she couldn't use it.

Finally, the third ring was passed, and Rainbow was able to catch up with her competitor, only for a moment before her Highness came in close to the pegasus just to gloat.

"See you at the finish line!"

With that, she zoomed to the next ring with streaks of wind following her wings and tail, leaving poor, baffled Rainbow Dash speechless. Her wings flapped as fast as they could without breaking the sound barrier. Just one ring left, and this one was the finish line.

Despite trying her best, Rainbow looked up to see her Highness approaching the checkered ribbon. The Princess just needed to go a little bit faster and she'd be performing the one thing Rainbow thought only she could do. The alicorn passed the finish line which made Rainbow's heart sink. She landed on the surface and huffed exhaustively.

By then, Rainbow's tired body dripped with perspiration while she drew a breath of sheer anger for what had just happened. Never had she been more disappointed in herself. With bragging rights, the Princess immediately ordered her new servant to pack up and prepare to leave Ponyville. All the defeated pony could think about was the fact that she had lost in the worst of ways, but a bet was a bet.

Rainbow left the memory behind and yanked her body free from the grasp of her sleeping mistress. Staring into the mirror she had cleaned not too long ago, she attempted to clear her mind of the preposterous event that had occurred just yesterday. Her mind crafted itself an empty void, vacant of all the harsh emotions she was feeling.

The humiliation in her heart was slowly being replaced by the memories of her first sonic rainboom. Any time she felt mortified or depressed, she would visit this incident and replay it within her pressured mind. There were only a few things that soothed her body and eased her emotions. For example, there was the wind sweeping her mane back, and the powerfully vicious speeds she reached. These thoughts always sent her hurdling irrevocably back into the moment of serenity and relaxation.

That is, until the door creaked open.

It startled the spectrum mare enough for her to jump out of her meditative state.

When the intonations of the squeaking door entered Rainbow's ears, a lump of fear was placed in her stomach. Princess Celestia stood at the entrance as she called for her younger sibling. Her aura-like mane was just barely visible while the rest of her body was blocked by darkness.

"Luna, you forgot to lower the moon. Again." Her kind voice wouldn't stay in that condition for long, however. The sun Princess entered, and her eyes fell upon the pegasus in the maids outfit. A jolt of abhorrence shot through Luna's mind at the sound of her sister's voice. Awakening to see Celestia surprised, Luna peered at her new pet and in an instant, everything became one huge silence. Dead air shifted the emotions of the three as their gazes were exchanged awkwardly.

For a good moment, Luna looked from Celestia to her servant, and vice versa for Rainbow and the sister. Transferences of visual examinations as well as the outfit that Rainbow was wearing told Celestia what was happening here, but made things unbearably uncomfortable for her. Luna began to break the silence with, "Celestia, I can explain."

"I hope you can, Luna, because if this is what I think it is..."

Luna gulped before saying what was on her mind. "You see… this is all because of a small… gambling game me and R-Rainbow Dash had."

Her Highness asked, "Oh, is that so?" She glanced at the outfitted mare and asked, "And what, per say… did the two of you bet, Rainbow Dash?"

The pony blinked a few times and sadly claimed, "Our… overall freedom…"

Celestia's eyebrows rose. She then turned to her sister and approached. Her angered and annoyed face stared deep into Luna's very soul, unforgiving and disappointed with her actions. "So… You bet her… your body, knowing she had no such chance of winning?"

Rainbow's head tilted in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Princess Celestia turned her head to Rainbow's direction, and proclaimed, "You were played like a fool. Pegasi have little chances at beating an alicorn in a race, for the wings of alicorns are ten times as powerful." Her disgusted sight returned to Luna as she continued. "And you knew this when making the bet, didn't you? I should have known this was a scheme when you claimed you wanted nopony else but Rainbow Dash to be your escort. As the element of loyalty, you knew she would face the consequences of her losses with dignity. So you made her bet bodily freedom, and tricked her into this predicament!"

Luna's worried eyes looked at Rainbow Dash, but were returned with glossy tears. Even though Celestia was a little bit mistaken, and it was actually Rainbow Dash who had suggested that they gamble with their freedom, that didn't matter at the time. The upset maid ran out of the room retreating to the outside, and Luna's hoof raised in her direction, almost wishing to grab her and pull Rainbow back to the bed. As the door slammed, echoing through the room and halls, Celestia said, "I pray you're happy with yourself… I know I'm not. I can't stop you from enjoying your so disgracefully won prize, but I will leave you with my overall opinion of it… This is almost criminal of you... and I highly disapprove of it."

Celestia exited the room to see Rainbow crying in the garden located just outside Luna's quarters. The Princess knew she wouldn't be able to end Rainbow's sobs, but she also knew that Luna would try to do her best to cheer Rainbow back up. The dark blue alicorn left her room and jumped off the balcony to glide sorrowfully towards Rainbow.

She kneeled on a bench with purple leaves and flowers wafting past her being, some landing softly upon her mane and maids suit. She felt the hoof of her mistress on her back and heard Luna whisper true, emotional words. "I'm sorry..." Rainbow refused to respond. All Luna could hear were her muffled whines of how she had been used like a tool. "Please, Rainbow Dash… I'm sorry for doing this to you."

Rainbow stood quickly and turned to the Princess. Her rage filled face stared menacingly into the royal eyes as she spoke. "If you were really sorry, you would've never pulled this stupid stunt in the first place! You knew you'd win, and took advantage of this power..." She calmed down a little bit as she finished, "How am I supposed to trust you after this? I thought you were my friend."

Luna, not knowing what else she could do, wrapped her hooves around her companion and held tight. Her warm embrace was all she could offer as an apology at this time, and Rainbow knew she really did mean well, but couldn't do anything else. So, Rainbow accepted the hug and grasped her back.

Luna's crescent moon began to lower, and dipped down into the barely visible hills only a few miles away. Once Luna was finished with her work, the two returned to the room where they fell asleep once again, but before that, they walked the halls. Too tired to fly, and still emotionally guilty, Luna said, "If you really wish to end our friendship, and stop being my pet for this wager, I won't hold it against you… I'll prepare a carriage, and allow you to return to Ponyville if you want."

Rainbow just shook her head and explained, "I'm the element of loyalty… That means that I intend on staying loyal to this deal. So no, I'm not taking the easy way out."

Entering the room, Rainbow got up onto the bed while wiping the leftover tears away, and noticed Luna standing there looking down at the edge of the bed. "Are you coming?" Rainbow asked. Luna looked up and crawled on. She laid next to Rainbow, but couldn't shake the feeling that she was still undeserving, even to merely cuddle with her.

Soon enough, though, she felt the hooves of her pet wrap around her waist. Rainbow's muzzle rubbed on her lower chest, and she looked up to see Luna's sweet smile. "This doesn't change anything, but don't you ever do anything like this again. From now on, when gambling, don't take advantage of your friends like that." Luna nodded her head. She then clasped the pegasus even more closely, and pretty soon, she'd fall asleep in Rainbow's welcoming embrace.