Rainbow Dash Plays NCAA Football 06
You sit down on your couch, scrolling through your phone; it was just another typical, boring day until you hear a familiar sound. It's the telltale swoosh of wings outside your window and the unmistakable voice of Rainbow Dash. "Hey, you! Got a minute?" She hovers outside your window, her rainbow mane blowing in the breeze.
You glance up, smiling. "Hey, Dash! What's crackin'?"
She lifts up the weight of your ajar window, squeezes her way in, and lands in your room with a soft thud, folding her wings. "I was thinking, you wanna come over to my place and hang out? You know, chill, play some games. I promise it won't be boring."
Intrigued, you nod. "Sure, sounds fun. Lead the way!"
Rainbow Dash grins, her magenta eyes sparkling with excitement. "Awesome! Follow me!"
After a quick flight (well, for her at least), you arrive at her place in the clouds. It's perched high above Ponyville, and you can see why she loves it up here. The view is spectacular.
Dash leads you to the front door, pushing it open with a flourish. "Welcome to Casa de Dash!" she announces proudly.
You step inside and immediately notice the...unique decor. The place has a definite "bro pad" vibe. Sparse furniture, a mattress on the floor instead of a bed, a TV with a game console hooked up, and a few pizza boxes scattered around.
She catches your look and laughs. "Yeah, yeah, I know it's not exactly a palace. But hey, it’s home."
You chuckle. "It’s got character, that’s for sure."
Dash starts the tour. "Over here we’ve got the kitchen." She waves a hoof at a small area with a mini-fridge, a microwave, and a few scattered dishes, which was essentially continuous with the rest of the living room. "Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done."
She trots over to the living area next. "And this is where the magic happens. My gaming setup." She points at the TV and the ancient-but-functional PS2. "It’s not the newest, but it’s got the classics."
The TV was on the ground, a few isolated cords and wires snaked from the back of the device toward a wall socket about 2 feet behind the television’s back panel.
“Ya know, if you’re hungry, I can make us something to eat, I think I got a box of Velveeta lying around here somewhere,” she said, turning her head around to see where she might have placed the small cardboard box filled with liquid gold.
You also help to look with a cursory turn of your gaze to the corners of the room. You notice a few piles of clothes and uniforms haphazardly kicked into one of the corners. It’s clear that the laundry hadn’t been done in a long while, as evidenced by the smell emanating from that quarter of the apartment and the winter coats and scarves thrown into the pile even though outside it was a balmy July day.
“I guess I’m not too sure where the grub is right now, but we could always order something…anyway, I say we focus on the games!” she said, gesturing toward the PS2.
You nod, appreciative of her hospitality. "You know, I love the PS2. It’s a classic for a reason."
She grins, clearly pleased. "I knew you’d get it! So, what do you wanna play? I’ve got Madden 07, 2K10, I even have a copy of NBA Live 09 around somewhere, you name it."
You think for a moment, then an idea strikes you. "How about we play the best sports game ever made? NCAA Football 2006."
Dash’s eyes widened in surprise. "Whoa, deep cut! I haven’t played that in ages. But hey, I’m always up for a challenge."
She digs through a pile of game cases, eventually triumphantly pulling out NCAA Football 2006. "Got it! Let’s do this."
You both plop down on the couch, and she hands you a controller. "Alright, you ready to get your tail, I mean derrière, kicked?"
You laugh, shaking your head. "We’ll see about that, Dash."
As the game boots up, the white screen yields to the game's characteristic sharp intro:
"EA Sports. It's in the game!"
Rainbow dash leans back, relaxing into the couch. "So, any favorite teams? Or are we just gonna pick at random?"
You smirk. "Oh, I’ve got a favorite. But I’ll let you pick first."
She narrows her eyes playfully. "Trying to psych me out, huh? Alright, fine. I’ll go with...hmm...how about the Florida Gators? They’ve got a pretty solid team."
You nod. "Good choice. I’ll take Michigan. Let’s see who comes out on top,” wondering if Dash could catch the jovial double entendre of your words.
Dash cracks her neck, not paying your japes any mind while getting into competitive mode. "You’re on. And just so you know, I don’t go easy on anypony. Not even friends."
Dash narrows her eyes at the screen, a spark of emotion changing her demeanor for a moment. "You know what? I’m feeling a bit bold. I’m picking USC."
You raise an eyebrow, impressed. "Going for the number one team, huh? With Reggie Bush and all?"
She grins, confidence radiating off her. "You know it! I want to win! Who are you going with?"
You think for a moment, then decide to take on the challenge. "I’ll go with UCLA. Let’s make this a real rivalry game. The good ol’ Crosstown Showdown."
Rainbow Dash lets out a low whistle. "Whoa, UCLA? Brave choice, considering their roster isn’t exactly stacked."
"I like a good underdog story," you chuckle.
She laughs, giving you a playful nudge. "Alright, let’s see if you can pull off the upset."
The game starts, and the rivalry tension is palpable even through the screen.
“...Hi, everybody, Brad Nessler here, and with me as always, Kirk Herbstreit and Lee Corso…” introduces the game’s pixelated announcer.
The iconic Rose Bowl stadium is packed with virtual fans, and the commentary team sets the stage for an epic showdown.
Dash leans forward, eyes glued to the screen. "Alright, let's do this. You’re going down!"
You laugh, equally focused. "Bring it on, Dash."
From the first snap, it’s clear this is going to be a tough game. USC, with Reggie Bush, is a powerhouse. Bush breaks through your defense with ease, making incredible plays and leaving your defenders in the dust; it's as if your free safeties were chasing Forrest Gump, but on steroids.
Dash whoops and hollers, triumphantly flying around the room for a moment as she scores the first rushing touchdown of the game. "Yeah! Reggie Bush, baby! Drive that ball #5! Try and stop that!"
You shake your head, determined. "Alright, time to get serious."
Despite the disadvantage, you manage to pull off a few good risky plays. Your quarterback connects with your wide receiver in a flare play for a solid gain, and you even manage a touchdown to keep things close.
Dash smirks. "Not bad, not bad. But you’re gonna need more than that to beat me."
The game continued, each drive more intense than the last; the pulse of the stadium was at a fever pitch, even drowning out the play calls of the USC offense and causing a delay of the team’s snap. Ultimately, Dash’s USC team scores again, with Bush making another spectacular run. She pumps her hoof in the air. "Touchdown! Man, I’m on fire!"
You stay focused, methodically working your way down the field. With seconds left in the first half, you manage to score with a daring post play, tying the game.
Dash laughs, clearly enjoying herself. "I gotta admit, you’re putting up a good fight. But we’ll see how you handle the second half."
Halftime brings a brief respite, and you both take a moment to catch your breath.
"Okay, I’ll give you credit," Dash says, grabbing a slice of cold pizza from a nearby box on the floor. "You’re better at this than I thought."
You take a sip of a nearby Pibb soda, grinning. "Thanks, but don’t think I’m going easy on you."
The second half kicks off, and the intensity only ramps up. Dash’s USC team continues to dominate with their superior roster, but you manage to keep pace through strategic plays, some daring flea flickers, and a bit of defensive luck.
With just a few minutes left in the game, you’re down by a touchdown. You have the ball and a chance to tie it up. Dash leans forward, eyes narrowed. "Alright, this is it. Last chance. What’s it gonna be?"
You take a deep breath, focusing on the play. The ball is snapped to the QB, and you manage a short pass for a first down. The clock is still ticking; you’re running out of time.
"Come on, come on, let’s see what you are made of, bud" Dash mutters, her competitive spirit in full gear.
You call a long pass play, a true Hail Mary, hoping for a miracle. Your quarterback launches the ball downfield and your receiver makes an incredible catch at the 12-yard line, running it in for a touchdown.
Dash’s jaw drops. "No way! You actually did it!"
You laugh, the adrenaline pumping. "Told you, never underestimate the underdog."
Knocking in the needed extra point, the close game goes into overtime. The tension is at an all-time high. Both teams score on their first possessions, keeping the game tied.
It’s your turn again, and you manage another touchdown, putting the pressure back on Dash. She bites her lip, her eyes locked on the screen. "Okay, time to clutch this."
On her next possession, she drives down the field with precision, but your defense steps up, forcing a crucial fourth down with an aggressive drive from the middle linebacker down the center who manages to wrap up the hesitating lone quarterback who had set up for the play in a wildcat formation.
Dash takes a deep breath. "Alright, this is it. Last play. Let’s see if I’ve got what it takes."
With time ticking down, she goes for a pass, but your defense reads it perfectly, intercepting the ball and sealing the win.
Dash slumps back, a mix of disbelief and admiration on her face. "Wow. I can’t believe you actually pulled that off. Darn it!"
You grin, feeling a mix of relief and triumph. "Great game, Dash. That was intense."
She laughs, shaking her head. "Yeah, it was. You really know your stuff. I gotta give it to you, that was one heck of a comeback."
You both sit back, catching your breath and savoring the moment. "So," Dash says, a twinkle in her eye, "rematch?"
You laugh, nodding. "Absolutely. Anytime, Dash. Anytime...but just not today. I’m gonna have to quit while I’m ahead. I’m sure you understand, feather butt,” you add facetiously.
Still basking in the excitement of the game and just chillin’ in the veritable afterglow of your victory, Dash suddenly hops up from the couch. "Hold on a sec," she says, trotting over to her mini-fridge. "Gotta celebrate that epic match somehow."
You watch as she opens the fridge door, revealing its sparse contents. She rummages around, pushing aside a few leftover takeout containers and a nearly empty carton of milk. "Let’s see... what do we have here?"
After a moment, she pulls out two cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon and a bottle of Jägermeister, holding them up triumphantly. "Got it! Beer chugs and Jäger shots. You in?"
You laugh, shaking your head in amusement. "You know how to party, Dash. Sure, let’s do it."
She tosses you a can of Pabst, which you catch easily. "Alright, we’ll start with the beer. Ready?"
You nod, cracking open the can of frothing beer. "Ready."
Dash pops her own can open, raising it in a mock toast. "To epic comebacks and rivalries!" she declares.
You clink cans and start chugging. The beer is cold and refreshing, and you can’t help but laugh as Dash tips her head back, guzzling her drink with gusto. You never realized how much ponies loved beer, but given Dash’s affinity for cider, you weren’t completely shocked by her behavior.
She finishes first, slamming the empty can down on the table with a satisfied sigh. "Ahh, that hits the spot. How you doing over there?"
You finish your own can, setting it down with a grin. "Not bad, Dash. Not bad."
She grabs the bottle of Jägermeister next, unscrewing the cap. "Okay, time for the hard stuff." She retrieves a couple of shot glasses from a nearby shelf, filling them up with the dark, syrupy liquor.
Handing you one of the glasses, she raises her own, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Here’s to good games and even better friends. Prost!"
You clink glasses and down the shots in unison. The Jägermeister burns its way down, leaving a warm, spicy aftertaste.
“Whoo! That’s strong. Ready for another?" Dash asked as she coughed slightly, shaking her head.
You laugh, holding out your glass. "Why not? Bring it on."
She refills the glasses, her competitive spirit shining through even in this. "You know, you’re pretty cool for taking me on in that game. And for doing shots with me."
You smile, appreciating the compliment. "Thanks, Dash. You’re pretty awesome yourself. It’s been a blast."
She grins, raising her glass again. "To more awesome times. Broscht!"
You both knock back the shots, surprised by Dash’s knowledge of German toasting culture.
As you both settle back onto the couch and let the piece of furniture’s worn-out softness engulf you, the team selection screen remains up on the TV, and the awesome soundtrack of NCAA Football 06 fills the room with indie punk rock songs. The music pulses with energy, perfectly matching the tone of the evening.
Dash taps her hoof to the beat, grinning. "Man, I forgot how great the soundtrack for this game is. It’s like a party in here already!"
You nod in agreement, enjoying the tunes. "Yeah, they really nailed it with this one."
The seriously awesome soundtrack of this game for reference:
She stands up suddenly, a determined look on her face. "Alright, enough chit-chat. I know what we need now. Food!" She heads back to the mini-fridge, opening it again and peering inside.
You watch as she rummages around, finally pulling out a few slices of cheese pizza wrapped in paper towels from the back of the fridge. She turns to you with a proud smile. "Found ‘em! These babies might be a bit old, but nothing a microwave can’t fix."
She pops the pizza slices into the microwave, setting the timer and hitting start. The hum of the microwave mixes with the punk rock soundtrack, creating an oddly satisfying ambiance. Dash grabs a couple of lightly used Dixie plates from a nearby shelf and waits for the microwave to ding.
When it does, she carefully removes the hot slices, placing them on the plates. "Bon appétit," she says with a mock-fancy accent, handing you one of the plates.
You chuckle, accepting the plate and taking a seat on the ground. "Thanks, Dash. This looks... well, it looks like pizza."
She plops down next to you, sitting cross-hooved with her own plate. "Hey, it’s better than nothing. Plus, it’s got character, just like this place." She gestures around at her humble abode, pride in her voice.
You both dig into the pizza, the slightly rubbery cheese and chewy crust oddly comforting and familiar, reminding you of the cheap, greasy arcades you visited when you were young. Dash takes a big bite, chewing thoughtfully. "You know, this isn’t half bad."
You nod, taking a sip of beer to wash it down. "Yeah, it’s definitely hitting the spot."
Dash finishes her slice quickly, then gets up again to grab more beer. She returns with four more cans of Pabst, handing you two. "Ya know what, let’s finish off the six-pack. No sense in letting it go to waste."
You crack open a can, taking a long drink. "Cheers to that."
Dash settles back onto the floor, leaning against the side of the couch with a satisfied sigh. "You know, this has been a pretty awesome night. Video games, beer, pizza... and great company."
You take the initiative this time and clink cans with her, smiling. "Couldn’t agree more. It’s been a blast, Dash."
She takes a swig of her beer, then looks over at you with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You know, we should make this a regular thing. Our own little game night. What do you think?"
You nod enthusiastically. "Absolutely. I’m in."
Dash grins, raising her can one last time. "To many more game nights, then. Cheers!"
You both take a drink, the indie punk rock soundtrack still playing in the background, and the night stretches on in a haze of pure fun.
With Rainbow Dash, you know you’re always in for a good time.
