Applejack and Rainbow dash hoofed it to the other side of Ponyville, getting a few odd stares along the way. Applejack wondered to herself, why was everypony giving her and Rainbow such odd looks? And then it dawned on her. Ponyville was so small, everypony knew everypony who lived there. Of course they were going to get stared at. Blushing from a little bit of discomfort, she pulled the brim of her hat down a little.
"W-where is this rodeo?" Applejack huffed.
"Just a little farther!" Rainbow Dash replied.
Suddenly, a gasp was heard, followed by a yell from a familiar female voice.
"WAAAAAAAIIIIIITTT!!!"
Applejack and Rainbow Dash slid to a halt. Applejack grew stiff, nervous from finding out who it was. Rainbow Dash turned around and saw a very pink excitable pony running to them.
"Ohh! Ive never seen you here before! And that means you're new! Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie! Whats your name?" Pinkie pie tilted her head to the side and leaned in so close to Rainbow's muzzle, it made her lean her neck back and stumble over her words. "Eh-Well---"
The two mares in drag stared at each other. They hadn't thought up of stallion names for themselves. They forgot they had to. Rainbow panicked and said a word purely out of frustration.
"Aw crap!"
Pinkie Pie quirked a brow and leaned away, kind of feeling odd. "Crap?"
"No!"
"Crap No?"
"No crap!!"
"No Crap?"
Rainbow grunted and put her hands on her forehead. She finally spat out the only name she could think of, in a deeper tone. Unfortunately it had to be the one she hated. "It-Its Crash!" She let out a pout and whispered to herself "I HATE that name..." her eyes shot over to Applejack who was giggling at the nonsense this whole time, and glared. Pinkie Pie hopped up and down, with a smile on her face.
"Okay Crash!!" She leaned over to Applejack and looked at her in the eyes. "And your name?"
Applejack eyes shifted around nervously. She wasn't good at this. "It-Its...." She avoided eye contact. If she couldn't lie about her name, how could she convince anypony she was a stallion? Rainbow Dash stepped in, putting an arm around AJ.
"Its Jack." she smiled.
Applejack lowered her ears and glared at Rainbow Dash. "Jack?" she murmured.
"Crash and Jack!" Pinkie Pie accepted. She put a hand on her hip and pointed at them both. "You two remind me of two ponies im best friends with!"
Rainbow Dash and Applejack started to back away. Applejack leaned in and whispered to Rainbow. "Why was hiding our identities to Pinkie Pie necessary? Were enterin uh competition, not changin our lives!"
"She'll blow our cover, if she's in the crowd."
Applejack frowned and sighed. She then felt the warmth of skin on her other cheek.
"Why are we whispering?" Pinkie Pie said with a huge smile.
"The competition!!" Applejack shouted, remembering that they were running late.
"Wow, you two even sound like the two ponies im best friends with."
"UGH." Rainbow growled at Aj. "Jack, lets go."
Applejack turned to Pinkie Pie, tipping her hat. She cleared her voice and attempted to make her voice sound deeper. "Were runnin a bit late, miss. We'll see ya later." The two turned away and darted off again.
"Have fffuunnnn!!!" shouted Pinkie.
"Rainbow ah don't know if ah can do this... Ah'm a terrible at lyin. Ah hate it, it isnt who ah am!"
"But Applejack, think of the bits! The Ten thousand bits! Just let me answer all the questions. You just try to fit in."
Applejack took a deep breath and looked down, thinking to herself for a moment. It was only temporary, just a harmless lie that would get her a few wheel barrels full of bits. If Rainbow Dash did most of the talking then Aj wouldn't blow their cover.
"There it is!" Rainbow shouted pointing to a very large tent in front of her. Yes, there it was. The Raging Rodeo. It was huge! Ponies were scattered everywhere, some racing in and out of the tent. Rainbow grabbed Applejack by the arm, who was standing stiffly. "R-Rainbow! How're we gonna fool all these ponies!?!"
"Don't worry about it. And you need to start calling me Crash.... asmuchasihateit. Okay, Jack?"
Applejack began to resist from being nervous. She began to sweat, and started to back away. "They'll find out! They'll laugh at us! What will our other friends think? Ah cant disappoint my friends again!"
"THIS IS NO TIME TO FREAK OUT JACK!!" Rainbow pulled and yanked on the stressed mares tail.
"THATS MAH TAIL!!" AJ turned around and jumped at Rainbow, almost knocking her over. Rainbow smiled, moving with her push into the direction of the rodeo. A large shadow casts over the two, making them stop to look in the direction of whoever was making it. A large blue minotaur smiled down at them. He put his small hands on his hips that he could barely reach and blew air out of his nostrils.
"IRON WILL IS IMPRESSED BY YOUR ENTHUSIASM, BUT SAVE IT FOR THE LAST COMPETITION!!" he yelled.
The two mares stared in discomfort.
"You two are buff n tuff. Fit and Fantastic. You're even rough and ready! But you need to save your energy. You are entering the last contest, arent you?"
The two nodded their heads in agreement very quickly, afraid to say no.
"GOOD!!" He snorted. "Iron Will would love to see who can stand up to the undefeated champion of this Rodeo!"
Aj and Rainbow both looked at each other. Undefeated? Great, now they couldn't back out. The big minotaur placed his hands on their shoulders and guided them to the sign up stand. He leaned in close to the goat who was in charge of signing up competitors. He took a deep breath, air filling his lungs making his huge chest puff out even more than it already was. Aj slowly leaned away as well as Rainbow, both frowning unhappily, trying to cover their ears before he could yell again. The big minotaur grit his teeth and said kindly. "Sign them up please." He patted them on the shoulders and walked away, thumbs high in the air. The goat let out a grunt as he chewed on his piece of straw, pointing down at the sign up sheet. "If you had gotten here earlier you could have chosen what turn you wanted. But now there are only two slots left." Aj looked down at the sign up sheet, seeing a good amount of names signed up already. Some crossed out, she guessed they had changed their minds. Only fourth and fifth place was left for the final competition. Every single other spot was taken.
"We only get to be in the last competition, Rain-uh ah mean Crash."
"Thats alright Jack, the money is on that last competition."
"Ah wonder why."
Aj and Rainbow both scribbled down their names. The goat pointed to his left, where a large staircase was in the distance. "You'll need to wait down there till we call your name." A large boom could be heard and the ground rumbled followed by the sound of a large crowd going wild. Rainbow fist pumped from the excitement filling her. "YESSS!!" She shouted. A white hand was placed on her shoulder as a masculine muzzle peeked over.

"YEEEEAAAHHHH!!!!" Snowflake shouted. Rainbow laughed and raced down the stairs, Aj following close behind. The room was rather small, filled with buff stallions ready for what was ahead of them. Aj pulled her hat down, hoping no one would notice her. "Oh why didn't ah spray paint mah hair?" She sighed.
"Hey!" Rainbow Dash pointed at a pony a few feet away from her, who had a rainbow mane and black fur. He wore a shirt that had Rainbow Dash's face on it, which made Aj smile and chuckle.
"Ah guess he might be a fan of yours?"
"Quiet you! I told you If I kept my rainbow mane everypony would recognize me..." Another loud boom "AHH!!!" ....startled Rainbow. The sound of a loud horn came, followed by upbeat music.

"Lets get ready to RRRRAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGEEEEEEE!!!!" the announcer shouted over the intercom. The crowd went wild, cheering as loud as they could. Rainbow and Applejack pushed their way to the front and peeked out the door, trying to see what was going on. Smoke machines were everywhere, covering the large platform covered in mud.
"Ah wonder who we'll be wrestlin." Aj looked at Rainbow who was hovering above her.
"Eh, probably the winner of today's competitions." she said.

Out past the stage a white mare with a large hat was making her way through the crowd, trying to find an empty seat. "Excuse me, pardon me. I simply must sit closer, oops sorry!" Rarity apologized to a mare and her four foals as she sat down next to them. Her ridiculously large hat blocked others from viewing the stage, but she didn't care. She didn't want anyone to recognize her. Attending a rodeo was uncouth in her opinion.... but she couldn't miss the chance to stare at the muscular stallions in the ring. She placed her hands in the middle of her lap and smiled, eager to watch the competition. As the voice over the intercom screamed, more fog came up from beneath the large stage and a minotaur came up from under it as well. He flexed his biceps and pecs, and pointed at the crowd. "GET READY TO FACE THE UNDEFEATED CHAMPION, IROOOOOOOOONNNNN WIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLL!!!!"

Rainbow Dash and Applejacks pupils shrank. "Iron Will!?!" Rainbow felt a shove as a pony ran past her and out onto the stage, attempting to tackle the blue stack of muscle that was Iron Will. Iron will stepped to the side, watching as the red pony almost fall off the stage. The red pony used his wings to fly into the air, and a horn sounded. Iron Will shook his finger at the pony who was now disqualified for flying.

"See that Crash? No wings." Aj laughed. Rainbow sank to the ground, now worried at her chance for victory.
"BUCK!!" She cursed.
Out ran the second pony who was ready to fight. He let out a battle cry and ran full force, locking hands with Iron Will. Applejack freaked out as she watched Iron Will being his buddy toss. She ran back inside and threw her hands into the air. "Oh Celestia what did ah just sign mahself up for!?!"
"For all that cash, Jack!" Rainbow Dash cheered and yelled out from the sidelines, angrily shaking her fist in the air. "COME ON YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT!!" She ducked as the stallion flew over her head and crashed into the wall, passing out in the mud. Iron Will put his hand up to his ears and leaned to the crowed, motioning for them to cheer louder.
"IRON WILL CANNOT HEAR YOU!!"
Out raced Snowflake who striked at pose on the platform, flexing his muscles at Iron Will. Iron Will flexed his muscles back, growling at his opponent. "You cannot out-flex this mass of muscular minotaur!! BRING IT ON!!"
"YEEEAAAAHHHH!!!" Shouted snowflake, and the two clashed, bringing each other to the floor to wrestle.
"Yesssss, Jack you're next! Get your war face on!" Rainbow laughed as she watched the two buff males beat each other up in the ring. Applejack took a deep breath and began to jog in place to warm up. 'Alright Applejack... this is your time.' she thought to herself. 'You need that money, its all yours Aj! All yours. No one can stand in your way, not even a big minotaur! You cant back out now.' She looked at the exit, which was blocked by four goats. 'Seriously, its like they own you after you sign up for this thing...' Applejack stepped out of the room and looked out onto the stage, seeing Snowflake tap out after being caught in a headlock. Iron Will strikes a pose as Snowflake jumps off the stage, climbing into the crowd.

"WHO NEEEEXXXT?"

"Ah am." Aj said as she stood on the stage looking up at Iron will.

"You cannot defeat Iron Will!"

"Ah sure as heck am gonna try!"

Iron will smiled and beckoned her to him. "Lets go little pony! Anything goes in this Rodeo!" The crowd heckled at her for his words. Applejack raced toward him, she threw a punch, aiming right for his center. He grabbed her hand, stopping her in her tracks. She looked up at him with wide eyes, seeing the smile slowly appear on his snout. Her ears lowered and she tried to pull away but couldn't. He smiled, and slowly began to pull her in. Applejack almost lost focus, but remembered what she had that was stronger than any other pony shes ever met. Leaning back she kicked Iron Will right in the stomach, her leg almost a blur. He had no idea what hit him. Falling backwards he let go, almost falling off the platform from how strong her kick actually was. The wind was knocked out of him, she had caught him completely off guard. The crowd awed at the suspense, and Rarity was on the edge of her seat.
"Oh my... thats new..." She said, now paying very close attention to what she thought was a blonde stallion. Iron Will rose up from the platform and stomped, and kicked dirt behind him.
"Nice trick, pretty boy, but you cant defeat this bull!!" he charged at her, his horns pointing right for her. Applejack yelled, trying to move out of the way, but is instead chased around the ring. "CRASHWHATHAVEYALLGOTTENMEINTO!!?"

Rainbow almost falls over with laughter at her friends torment and then cheers. "Come on Jack, kick him again!!" She shouted. Applejack turned around once again, kicking at her opponent. But Iron will was ready for her. He blocked her kick, which sent him back just a little bit but didn't knock him over like last time.

"CANT AH TAG OUT OR SOMETHIN??" Applejack yelled at Rainbow, who couldn't stop laughing. Iron Will grabbed Applejack by her tail, and began to drag her to him. "You can give up!" He suggested. "Before I throw you into the world of pain!!"

"THATS MAH TAIL!!" she yelled angrily. She turned around to kick him again but he caught her foot, and began dragging her to the sidelines. "ILL SAVE YOU JAAAACCCKKK!!" Rainbow Dash ran out onto the platform and jumped into the air, landing on Iron Will's head. "Thats her tail!!" She shouted angrily, punching him in the ear. A horn went off and two goats came onto the stage. "You're disqualified! This is a solo match! no partners! Get off my stage!" Iron Will picked up Rainbow Dash and put her down. The crowd booed at situation, seeing that it was hilarious and disappointing that they were kicked out. Rarity frowned, she wanted to see more from them both. The blonde stallion was very attractive to her, and she wanted to learn more about him since he did something she hadn't seen before.... which was knock Iron Will over. Applejack and Rainbow Dash began to leave the stage, highly disappointed. She thought it was unfair that they kicked out Applejack for her actions, rather than letting Applejack stay. The blue Pegasus turns her head around for some angry last few words.

"YEAH WELL... YOU'RE JUST SCARED CAUSE JACK WAS GONNA SPANK YOUR FLANK!"

Iron Will twisted his head around. "What did you just say?"

"Crrraassshhhhhh." Applejack nervously looked at her friend and pulled on her arm. "Ah'm gonna get hurt if ah contin-"

"You heard me! Punish me, not Jack! He deserves a second chance!"

Iron Will stared for a moment. The mare was right, Applejack didn't deserve to be disqualified. However, Applejack was having second thoughts. Iron will overpowered her too much, and if she got hurt she wouldn't be able to work the apple acres, losing money on it. Applejack needed more time to train if she were to enter a competition like this again.

"Ah resign." she said, tipping her hat to Iron Will. Iron Will looked surprised.

"Why?" he asked.

"Ah did not come prepared for such a match, Iron Will. Ah need more time to train for something like this. If ah got back in that ring ah might get myself hurt."

Iron Will crossed his arms and smiled, actually agreeing with her choice. "You're good, boy, real good. Maybe not as good as Iron Will, but Iron Will respects you. In fact, Iorn Will is willing to let you have your second chance a week from today."

"Uhh... beg yer pardon?"

"Iron Will is so impressed by your massive kick you gave him, he wants to challenge your strength when you are better prepared for it!"

"Well uh... ah guess that makes sense."

"And the prize can still be yours!!" He yelled.

"Well alright then!"

The two shook hands and the crowd cheered, ready to come back next week for more. Rarity watched from the crowd, listening to them talk on the microphone. She was going to get to see more of this action? It excited her, making her giggle and kick her feet. She gasped as she watched the two walk off stage. Getting up from her seat, she began to leave to beat the crowd. Making her way past all of the other ponies she began to head out of the tent when she saw that the blonde stallion she was growing fond of was leaving as well. She gasped and began to walk a bit faster, but not too fast... keeping her lady-like appearance. Out of the tent walked Applejack and Rainbow Dash who were excited to see what next weekend had in store for her. Rainbow shook Applejack by the shoulders and laughed.

"Congrats Jack you're in for next week."

"Yeah ah guess..." she shrugged and looked at her friend. "Ah still have to lie about-"

"Yoo-hooo!! Boooyss..." Rarity called out to them, her hand in the air twiddling her fingers at them. Her hat caught the wind and blew off, sending it down the dirt road. "Oh gosh..." Rainbow Dash's smile grew bigger and bigger, as she recognized who it was. She leaned in close to Applejack and whispered.
"Here comes Rarity..."

Applejack stiffened. "R-rarity?" She whispered back. A light pink blush came across her face, and she began to sweat. Applejack had a big crush on Rarity, and just the thought of her made Applejacks heart race. "What do ah do?" She looked at Rainbow for help.
"Just let me answer the questions." she responded. "Oh man this is going to be hilarious." Rainbow knew of Applejacks crush on Rarity for a long time. She always encouraged Applejack to pursue the relationship, but Applejack was just way too shy to do anything about it.

"After seeing you two in the ring, I HAD to speak with you. That performance was simply marvelous! Why I haven't seen a performance like that in a long time!" She stepped closer and smiled at them both, her eyes fixed on Applejack a good amount of the time. "Tell me, what is your names?"

"Im Crash and this is Jack."

"Crash and Jack hmm? I, am Rarity. It is lovely to meet you both."

"Its uh-l-lovely to meet you too miss Rarity..." Applejack cracked a nervous grin. Applejack looked down at the ground and kicked the dirt with her hoof, trying to cover her face with her hat. Rarity got a closer look at Applejack, seeing her flat stomach and strong legs up close made her rather giddy. "I am so excited to see the upcoming match this weekend!" She leaned in close, trying to see Applejacks face from beneath the hat. She whispered, hoping to really get her attention. "I will definitely be cheering you on, Jack..."

Applejack blushed even darker and raised her head up, looking into Rarity's eyes. She held her breath and looked away, trying to flirt back. "I was hoping ah'd.... see you there." Her eyes looked away. Flirting with Rarity and looking into her eyes was too much to handle right now. Rarity looked at Rainbow Dash who was holding in her laughter and smiled.

"You alright there darling?" she asked.

"Pfffff-yeah-er well um. Jack and I are sort of new to Ponyville so we sort of need someone to show us around. Well, particularly Jack here."

"Oh, well I've lived here for quite some time. I suppose I could show Jack around, if he doesn't mind?" Rarity tried to look at Applejack in the eyes again but her hat was covering them. Applejack turned her head toward Rainbow Dash, and glared. Rainbow nodded quickly and gave her a thumbs up.

"Yeah, ah would love if you gave me a tour." She said.

Rarity and Rainbow both smiled. Rainbow Dash patted AJ on the back and began to walk away. "Have fun you two!"

Author's Note

Listening to an episode of MLP while writing MLP is the way to go.

dunno if i need to tag the other familiar ponies in this... since they are just brief meetings and arent mane ponies.