Chapter 3:4: Friendship VS. Rivalry

"'Dirigible Bahumut'? Is that edible?" Pinkie asked.

"Isn't Bahumut the Dragon King?" Rarity asked in Spike's general direction.

"I dunno, I only learned nothing on the Great Dragon Migration!" he replied.

"I should know what a 'Dirigible' is, I mean, it sounds familiar," Rainbow rubbed her chin.

"Now hang on y'all, a dirigible is one o' them airships," Applejack replied.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh replied.

"Wait, how do you two know what a Dirigible is?" Gilda asked, scratching her feathered scalp.

"Well, one gets t' know these things, what with the travelin' we often do. All sort o' folk from foreign countries waltz Troronto. We've met our fair share of them aviation folk in countries that don't have no Pegasi," Applejack said, tilting her hat back.

"Yes, but... well, Fartstick Moneyshack's Dirigible Bahumut is exactly that. It's an airship and it sounds... well, devious and all but he's utilizing it for his advertisement campaign," Masato said, leaning back in the booth.

There was brief silence.

"Are we supposed to take this seriously?" Rainbow asked, scratching her head.

"Maybe if he were making a warship silly. This mean old potato is just very jealous of pegasusususus' so he wanted to fly," Pinkie said.

"Nah, Fullbody jus' has loads of money 'n stuff. He's pro'lly jus' expendin' ego an' stuff. Either that, 'er he's takin' this 'competition' outta proportion," Applejack scoffed.

"I dunno, the past week taught me to be skeptically suspicious of... uh, well, everything," Masato said, rubbing his cheek.

"Well, what do you mean, dear?" Rarity asked, examining her hooves.

"Well, Trixie and the rest of us had to suspect pretty much an entire army... and then each other, which payed off. Every minor possibility, even if it's .01%, you have to investigate or else you run the risk of skipping over something that could be critical. We investigated every... uh, minor suspicion and came up with... mostly bad results," Masato said. He looked over to the others who had skeptic looks of their own. "Urk, well, y'see, we investigated a probability that one of the officials of the army of North Caulk wasn't who he said he was regardless of every bit of evidence against it save for one very small piece that didn't fit. We investigated that for a week while looking like idiots and came up with a game-changer," Masato finished up.

"You're starting to sound like Twi, but I suppose that's a good thing, or something," Rainbow said while staring out the window.

The passing scenery outside did its best to distract Rainbow from this mumbo jumbo the others spewed. Maybe I should listen, but I'm just one for advertisement... Fullstack is a creep, though. She turned her head away from the trees outside and looked over at the others.

"I'm not sure who this 'Twi' is, but it's a good thing, so..." Masato sunk in his position to the safety of his windbreaker's collar.

"Don't worry, Twi is a good friend o' ours, real smart mare," Applejack said.

"Uh, o... okay, so anyways, the thought that Fullbody is just doing it for kicks or the likes is kinda iffy. I've heard about his tendencies to be a rude snack," Masato bit his lower lip.

"'snack'?" Rainbow asked.

Brief silence followed by a Pinkie Pie giggle, Masato let out a chuckle.

"Oh, uh, just... something I say to replace cussing. There are ladies, present..." Masato let his head slam onto the table top.

"How nice of you, darling," Rarity chimed in immediately. "But, as we must focus on the subject at hand, this, seemingly insulting, uncouth colt has some airship in his possession under such an odd name, I must say that even I am suspicious. Just be careful, Applejack," Rarity said before adjusting her sitting position to face Spike.

Spike slowly looked away from the almost-scene and began his conversation with the love of his life once more. Applejack nodded and Big Macintosh sighed, returning to go for round 2 of the staring contest.

"I just don't want us getting undermined by some tub of lard acting like he's a king, even if he has the money to act like a king," Rainbow said, returning to her crass position. It bothered Applejack slightly, but not enough to warrant a small fuss.

"Ah jus' want 'em to have some respect. Ah wouldn' have such a problem with th' guy if he'd jus' lay off an' treat us like hard workin' contestants," Applejack sighed, leaning her head on the tabletop.

"Maybe he needs a party!" Pinkie chipped in, leaning on Applejack's shoulder.

"Yeah, and he can be the pinata!" Rainbow said with sheer sarcasm.

"Silly, he won't be too happy about that, I mean, it is supposed to cheer somepony up, amIright?" Pinkie replied, still oblivious to the nature of the pony in question.

"Pinkie, if we ever throw that cow hustler a party, it'll be one t' celebrate 'em losin' after our victory party," Applejack said with a burst of confidence as she shot back up in a proper sitting position.

Rainbow's face grew a large smile and she slammed a hoof. "Yeah, baby! That's what I'm talking about! I was wondering why you were being so mopey in comparison to your usual self!" Rainbow said, ruffling up Applejack's mane.

And Applejack did nothing to stop it.

A little while later, the train pulled in to Troronto's Train Station and Rainbow could spot more than just Market Harvest advertising. There was advertisements scattered all around, enough to make one queasy at the mere thought of farming. Oddly enough, the advertisements didn't stop at farming; more were aimed at things such as parades, festivals, the works.

Are these all, possibly, advertisement schemes in disguise? Jeez, how important is advertising anyways? I mean, yeah, it's got some role, but... Rainbow pondered as she stood up, her eyes glued on the platform outside. Right, that's just the platform... the rest of the city must be absolute chaos.

"This always makes a farm pony feel right at home. The rush t' scribble yer insignia all over th' place. Thankfully, we have our own stuff t' post fer a change, all thanks t' ya, Rainbow Dash," Applejack said, smiling as she nudged a slowly grinning cyan pegasus.

"Eeyup," Big Macintosh replied with an obvious smile.

"Huhn, so this jazz is really important? Captain of the Weather Team, Best Young Flier, and now, Apple Spectrum. I'd be jealous," Gilda said, pausing when five eyes stared over at her, "but, well, Rainbow is just a pony, heh..." Gilda trailed off, shuffling out of her booth quickly before dashing out of the train.

"My my my, everypony is in a rush here. Much hustling and bustling, glad my little Spikey-wikey and I are going to be taking in some sights before catching up with you dears later," Rarity said as she levitated her bags.

"Shall I take those for you, most beautiful one?" Spike asked as he levitated in a love-fuelled daze.

"Mmm, actually, I have a different job for you, dear," Rarity said, as Spike hopped onto the ground.

"Yes, what is it?" Spike asked as he did a quick stretch.

"You," Rarity's horn glowed and levitated the baby dragon off of the ground and onto her back, catching the dragon by surprise. "Just sit right there, hold on and enjoy the ride. You deserve it," Rarity said with the sweetest voice.

Spike swooned; if her voice were any sweeter, Spike could probably explode. He loosened up, pushed his face into Rarity's mane and wrapped his stubby little arms around her neck as he lost himself in the ecstasy. Rarity trotted off, bags in tow as she departed. Masato, along with Big Macintosh, without any words, left with Pinkie Pie quickly rushing to catch up to Big Macintosh, for whatever reason.

This left Applejack and Rainbow Dash alone. First ones on, last ones off, it seems. Rainbow and Applejack stepped out of the booth and simultaneously did the same stretch. Same routine, same length, obliviously synchronized. They finished up with arching their backs and letting out a yawn with a quick rub of the rump due to the rough, long ride. They looked at each other and smiled.

"Heh, we're already used t' th' same schedule, we're stretchin' th' same now," Applejack chuckled as she slowly trotted towards the door.

"Only because it's so effective. It also felt good, since we went from beating the crud out of each other to a 3 hour long train ride then got Pinkie-cised," Rainbow chortled as she allowed her wings some stretching space.

"We shouldn' a had t' battle t' begin with but naw, y'all jus' had t' go and do what ya want. Amusin' 'er not, we could have had a normal competition," Applejack said, some agitation in her voice.

Rainbow frowned. "Now wait a minute, you ran in even though Big Macintosh was handling himself just fine. Not my fault your stubbornness kicked in," Rainbow spat out.

Applejack stopped dead in her tracks and craned her neck, looking at Rainbow with a glare. The pegasus only got a look of worry on her face and gulped.

"Err, ah, I mean..." Rainbow averted her gaze to her hooves as she scratched the back of her head.

"Look, Ah know y'all want t' have an all-friendly relationship, but this is the kinda thing that will pro'lly get in th' way," Applejack said softly.

Rainbow's eyes shot open wide and she quickly looked right at Applejack.

"No no, this is the very thing I'm trying to prevent. We can't already be falling apart as non-rival friends, it's only been a week," Rainbow spat through her grinding teeth.

A quiet rang out through the train car that nipped at Rainbow's ability to think properly. She found herself slightly agreeing but her overall lust of a non-rival friendship shoved any disagreeing thought away.

"No. We can. We're just adjusting. We're just not used to this," Rainbow said. Applejack turned to face Rainbow, her face a frown with her brow curved upwards; the look of ultimate sadness. "I wrote a letter about not caring about it because rivalry is... well, I just..." Rainbow trailed off.

"We'll talk later. Fer now, we gotta go an' do our stuff here," Applejack said quickly to avoid the subject at hand before trotting off the train car.

This left Rainbow alone with her thoughts. I'm the hot-head... I did suggest that battle royale out of nowhere. I'm sorry Applejack. Is... well, is my nature really the cause of this? Rainbow thought. I should probably get off the train. Rainbow quickly departed.

When they left the train station, Spike and Rarity trotted off through Troronto while Gilda and Pinkie Pie left too. Applejack and Big Macintosh went ahead to the grounds. They didn't have to meet yet... so Rainbow had the leisure time to do what she wants.

"I guess I'll go check out some of Troronto's flight groups... or maybe some of the local Market Harvest teams," Rainbow said to herself before flapping her wings and taking to the sky.

Upon entering the airspace above Troronto, she found it even more bustling than the streets. All over, there was balloons, pegasi zipping around with banners, confetti-dispensing pegasi.

"Ugh, at least on the ground, it was all on one stinking level. Here, I have to deal with this," Rainbow cursed before sighing and proceeding to zip around the chaotic airspace.

Down below, Rainbow spotted many things: Colts playing football the stallions way (none of that safety involved), fillies skipping and playing meaningless games acting more innocent than poster children, friends messing around and laughing... something Rainbow noticed never happened with her: All of them have genuine laughter regardless of what happens.

The colts playing football get roughly tackled, they get up and have a laugh. One team scores a touchdown, they congratulate each other on the goals. One got injured? They immediately found help, apologies were quick, forgiveness was quicker.

That never happens... AJ and I just fight over who won or who cheated or whatever, Rainbow thought to herself.

The fillies skipping around, playing their usual games or just talking... just like Rainbow's friends. Applejack and Rainbow don't do much of the useless chatter for the sake of it, they talk about competitions, or farming, or a subject that's plain as day... but most of the time, it ends in an argument. Life has been too generous with the last week, offering them argument-less talks but if you even hint at anything competition related, it ends in something like this.

Well, Applejack did start this argument by... mentioning something that I usually do... Rainbow thought, her flying loosing it's grace as she found herself forcing herself to stay airborne.

Rainbow found herself lazily crashing into a cloud elsewhere, sitting above a row of houses on the further outskirts of the city's chaotic centre. The view of the border of Equestria and Great Caulk is visible and the contrast between the more dry lands of this area of Equestria and the deserts to Great Caulk is beautiful, regardless of the dry life. The dunes, the clouds, the few cliffs visible, all of it compliments the fact that nature can happen on its own and is a total juxtaposition to the more lush and controlled life of Equestria.

Rainbow rolled over on the cloud and focused on the gradient of nature between the two countries. It seemed to be in perfect harmony, regardless of the more rugged and wild nature of the desert. The south part of the neighbouring country is actually more of a savannah with the dessert being the natural land, showing just how much populating and taking care of the environment can change an area. Rainbow saw how none of the city's inhabitants really fought with conflicting natures of the desert and vice versa. The wild sandstorms didn't seem to require any reinforcements or shields or any pegasi on constant watch.

Both sides seemed to accept the other was there, staying, and didn't conflict. Well, not often enough to make life care. Rainbow thought. She continued to examine the two landscapes.

One is civilized and beautiful, the other is wild and intense. Kind of like Rarity and Applejack... or Applejack and I, if you take my athletic body and mane and call that beautiful. Rainbow's mind attempted to picture herself as a natural beauty. I work hard... sort of. I work out, I mean, I have to if I wanna stay athletic. My mane is naturally spectral and carves a nice trail into the sky when I zip by. Yeah, I guess I'm beautiful.

But Applejack and I aren't like the juxtaposition. We don't get along just perfectly. We bicker, no matter how much I want it to stop. How do I fix that? How do I get us to... Rainbow continued watching the two landscapes, not caring her cloud had moved.

Rainbow shifted in her cloud before realizing she couldn't find an answer. She grunted, pushing herself to her hooves and gave her wings a flutter before looking over at the city. The chaos dies down a bit, probably because it was the afternoon rush for lunch. She breathed a sigh of relief and took off once more, this time heading towards a stadium near the Market Harvest grounds.

It was open, empty, and looked like an Olympic Stadium; a track, multiple spots for various events, many seats. Rainbow allowed herself to gently touch down regardless of her distressed mind. She landed right on the small space atop the stadium's edges, next to multiple flags. She was in awe of the sports stadium; it was large, it was amazing, everything about it was done by hardworking ponies. It showcased the fruits of hard labour. Rainbow herself thought she knew a hard day's work, but she couldn't imagine being here to actually help construct this structure.

Another thing that's probably true... this stadium is going to be full of rough, bustling sports fans. Ponies will come here, compete, and become famous. I'd love to become famous as a sports-star, but, my place is the sky. ... I'm not an Earth Pony. Rainbow thought, kicking her hooves as she slowly trotted around the full elliptic of the stadium.

She did this for the next few minutes, not thinking. She took in the grand scale of the stadium, admiring it for it's Earth Pony roots. Everything about it boasted Earth Pony architecture, not like the Cloudiseum in Cloudsdale, or any of the magnificent sky-architecture of the Pegasi. It had a down-to-Earth feel that Rainbow could admire just as much as her own species' work. She fluttered about, looking at the seats, the stands, the track itself... she wondered why it was there but thought only of the town's position: It's pretty much smack-dab on the border, all kinds of sports things can occur here. She still found a beauty in the architecture.

Earth Ponies are amazing. They have no magic, or wings, but... they can accomplish so much with nature. They can grow trees, food, build houses and cities, all with just hooves and hard work. Applejack works hard, and the effort shows. She's liked, got great health, Sweet Apple Acres is doing well... Pegasi make clouds, weather, and... Rainbow's thought process stopped.

Her eyes opened up wide and Rainbow discovered something... she was thinking too hard. She allowed herself to process the information and take in the events. A large smile broke out on her face and she immediately found herself giggling uncontrollably before buckling, rolling around on the rooftop. After a few minutes, her laughter only intensified.

"Hey you, what are you doing up here? You're not supposed to be up here!" A voice shouted from the distance.

Rainbow rolled over, shooting to her hooves to see a security pony at an entrance to the roof.

"Oh horseapples," Rainbow cursed before quickly dashing into the air in a panic, zipping directly away from the stadium.

Rainbow had one thing in her mind as she zipped through the air, which changed to two when ponies started to take to the sky again. She zipped over towards the Market Harvest grounds, but stopped midair when she spotted something below.

"Rarity and Spike," Rainbow said before diving towards the Gem Shop the mentioned ponies just entered.

Rainbow noticed that the streets in this part of the city was less populated, not in the sense that it's ominous, but more due to the upcoming competition. She touched down and looked at the jewelry store. The shop was titled Jet Shine Jewelry. She stepped in, ignoring the rather loud bell as the door swung open.

"... and this one is an Onyx gem. Delicious, with an amazing texture to the dragon's mouth. It's beauty shows most as a Black Onyx. A dark, mysterious, and alluring gemstone of deep meaning. It would suit your current works," Spike said with a tuft of confidence bursting from his voice.

"Oh, and it is beautiful, Spike. Actually..." Rarity trotted over to the counter. "Two dozen Onyx jewels, please!" Rarity said with the sweetest voice, dropping the bits on the counter.

The store manager was an average build colt with short hair with a slim-trim, giving him a nice look. His horn sticks out his his mane with modest qualities; short, rounded, well taken care of. His cutie mark is a jet gemstone complimenting his name, Jet Shine. Jet placed the bits in the register not questioning what he was able to deem a gem expert. He quickly levitated the jewels to the counter top and set them in a nice tacky bag as expected of jewel shops. Rarity levitated the bag over to Spike who took the bag in with surprise.

"These are for you, Spikey-wikey. You've been such a big help lately helping me with the uniforms. This treat is long overdue," Rarity said, nuzzling Spike who made a goofy smile.

"Well, that's cute and all but hi," Rainbow said, finally piping up after watching the scene unfold.

"Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash. How is your day, dearie?" Rarity asked as Spike looked at his bag of gems with a lovestruck face.

Rainbow smirked at Spike but quickly faced Rarity. "Good, or something. Look, I saw you and wanted to talk for a bit," Rainbow said.

Rainbow snuck a peak at one gem that caught her eye. It shone in the sun's rays, giving off a full colour spectrum. It could easily be identified as a diamond to Rainbow. She thought quickly and checked the price.

600 bits? Yeesh... she thought, keeping her eye on it before she turned her head to face Rarity.

"Well, what do you want to talk about?" she asked, signalling a distracted Spike over to the door as the trio left the store.

"Have a nice day, you three!" the shop owner said.

Rarity waved a hoof as they left. Upon entering the streets, Rainbow noticed the ponies waltzing around had tripled in the minutes she spent inside. She let out a long groan while Rarity sighed. Spike just didn't care.

"Alright, so I've had to deal with this rash of thoughts regarding a certain Earth Pony," Rainbow said, hinting at Applejack immediately.

"Pinkie Pie? What on earth could you mean?" Rarity asked obliviously.

Rainbow grit her teeth and sighed, looking over at a smirking Rarity. Obliviousness turned to teasing and Rainbow gave Rarity a deadpan stare. Rarity chuckled.

"Sorry dear, now... what about Applejack?" she asked as the trio trotted down the busy streets.

"Well, I've been comparing myself to her lately. Athletic specs and such. Last week, I had run off after losing a swimming race against Applejack and complained about not being a fair comparison with somebody who's more... durable," Rainbow said.

"Well, maybe you shouldn't compare yourselves. You're both athletes and sometimes, hardheaded, but why bicker? It's so trivial and you could benefit so much more from just testing each other as friends," Rarity replied.

Rainbow piped up and nodded her head, staring at Rarity.

"Exactly! I don't want a bitter rivalry with Applejack, I want a nice, tidbit of friendly bonding. No bickering or complaining about cheating, but our egos get in the way. Just on the train, we started arguing and..." Rainbow hung her head.

"Arguing? About what?" Rarity asked, watching Spike trail off in what one could confuse with a drunken stagger.

"Not important, but... we bicker like idiots," Rainbow replied.

Rarity had to think for a second, Rainbow observed the white mare. Spike realized he was trailing off and quickly returned. Rarity promptly levitated Spike up onto her back. Rainbow noticed that Rarity's bags were no longer with her.

"Well, I think you should learn to compliment each other and work with each other. Don't focus on cheating or who did better, focus on how well you work as a team," Rarity replied.

Rainbow's grin from earlier returned and she let out a few more giggles. She grabbed Rarity's hoof and shook it.

"Thanks! Sorry, gotta go! Looking for Applejack still," Rainbow said, quickly taking off.

Rarity was left in surprise at the abrupt leave but smiled. She looked over at Spike as he let out a long sigh. Don't want the dear to get too lazy... she thought.

"Okay, Spike, I want you to keep an eye out for me on any possible shooting locations, okay?" she asked with a light glee in her voice.

Spike immediately shot back to life and focus and smiled. "Anything for you!"

Rainbow flapped her wings harder, having to get used to the odd air traffic. She saw the Market Harvest grounds ahead and picked up the pace. She slowed down upon spotting a familiar griffon and pink pony down below. She finds herself grudgingly accepting her role as loyalty by swooping down and landing next to the two, this time in a more crowded street. Lunch rush must be over.

Gilda and Pinkie Pie were both staring into a window of a sports shop, looking at a pair of goggles for flight.

"Yeah, it's more durable than the See-Clearly 2,000 goggles. See-Clearly 3,000 is more for rough-and-tumble work such as racing, or... well, flight teams such as the Wonderbolts could use this," Gilda said, finding herself practically licking the glass to get as close as possible to the display-only item.

"Ooh, the Wonderbolts are Dashie's favourite team! She should get a pair and than maybe they'll let her join, finally!" Pinkie exclaimed, bouncing towards the window, pressing her face against the glass.

Gilda turned slightly, still trying to keep the goggles in her vision. "How is getting goggles going to get Rainbow into the Wonderbolts?" she asked before turning back to face the goggles.

"It makes her 30% cooler!" Pinkie exclaimed.

"I like the sound of that," Rainbow said from behind.

Pinkie spun around and faced Rainbow. "Hiya Dashie! How are yo~ou?" Pinkie asked, switching between looking at Rainbow and the goggles.

"Better," Rainbow replied.

"Better? That doesn't answer my question silly," Pinkie giggled.

Rainbow sighed, cracking her neck. "Listen, I need to talk to one of you. Or both. Either way, I need to talk," Rainbow said.

"Sure sure, Dash. Just call me in three years," Gilda mumbled out. Rainbow stared for a second before Gilda quickly spun around. "Oh, I mean, uh, okay..." Gilda spat out.

"Are those the See-Clearly 3,000's?" Rainbow asked, oblivious to everything else when she caught a glimpse of the goggles.

"Yeah, and it's a 'display-only' item. Real tight-knit stuff, not in stores for real for a while. This is just here to be a tease to normals like us," Gilda said, grumbling as she finished and grudgingly looked at the object she most likely won't get.

"That's not fair. How'd they get one anyways? Is that a mock-up?" Rainbow asked, shuffling closer to the window.

Pinkie watched, eagerly awaiting Rainbow but didn't want to speak up yet. Rainbow and Gilda only had to drool to complete their fan-girl gazing.

"I think the owner has one. Probably buddy-buddy with the makers," Gilda said, looking passed the goggles to the manager inside the store who talked with a few potential customers.

"I'm... wait, I'm getting off topic," Rainbow forced her eyes to look away from the goggles in front of her. I have actual Wonderbolts goggles. Forget this, focus on topic, Rainbow thought.

She grabbed Gilda's wing in her hoof and pulled the reluctant griffon away from the window much to her dismay. Gilda sighed before facing Rainbow.

"Yeah yeah, whaddaya want?" Gilda asked.

Pinkie bounced over towards the two and Rainbow did a quick stretch just because and licked her lips.

"Well, what would you do in a situation where you're completely jealous of something somebody else has that can't be obtained through trivial means such as money yet you don't want this something to get in the way of your friendship?" Rainbow asked.

"I'd beat them up and interrogate them," Gilda replied fast.

Rainbow raised an eyebrow before looking at Pinkie. "How about you?"

"Me?" Pinkie pointed a hoof at herself. "I would work hard to get what I want rather than sit around moping about something I don't have," Pinkie said.

Rainbow almost smiled before getting a frown. "What if you can't have it, ever? No matter how much you begged, pleaded or worked"

Gilda's expression actually softened and Pinkie's changed from her usual glee to one of ignorance. Mouth open, eyes looking around for an answer.

"I'd do my best to support the one who has what I want, and maybe, that someone will help me in the future. I know how well that works," Gilda said.

"I'd..." Pinkie stopped. A smile erupted on her face and she bounced back into a peppy attitude. "I'd throw them a party celebrating what they have and then dance all ni~ight!" Pinkie exclaimed.

Rainbow's grin appeared once more and she let out several more laughs. Gilda raised an eyebrow in confusion while Pinkie imitated Rainbow in her laughing fit. Eventually, Rainbow did stop without the looks of the crowd around her and fluttered her wings.

"Thanks, I need to go see Applejack now! See ya later!" Rainbow said before bending her knees and taking off into the sky.

Pinkie waved and Gilda just watched, allowing the faintest smile appear on her face.

"Good luck, 'Dashie'," Gilda chuckled before Pinkie zipped off towards something on the street.

"Dananananananana Batmare..." Rainbow sung to herself as she zipped towards the Market Harvest grounds.

She almost zipped over the building directly towards the Sweet Apple Acre before stopping and cursing.

"Shoot, I gotta sign in," Rainbow said before she did a loop in the air and dived down towards the ground.

She touched down, rushed into the doors of the somewhat empty lobby and to the woman at the front desk.

"Miss R, hi again," Rainbow exclaimed, allowing her attitude to leak out.

"Well hello, Miss Dash. Signing in for Sweet Apple Acres?" she asked, pulling out the sign-in book.

"Yup, wasn't here because I had some things to do," Rainbow said as she picked up a pencil.

Rainbow signed the book when pulled out and set the pencil down. She waved goodbye and zipped out the building again, flying towards Sweet Apple Acre. She flapped her wings hard, harder, hardest until she got to the designated land and touched down in the centre, hearing a familiar accent... or two.

"Ah tol' ya, this tree is slightly crooked."

"Ee...yup?"

Rainbow cantered through the trees and slowed down when she came up to Applejack and Big Macintosh, examining a tree. Big Macintosh was closely looking at the base of the trunk and Applejack looked at the tree as a whole.

"Crooked tree be whack, yo," Rainbow said casually as she finished the trot next to Applejack.

"Rainbow, does this here tree look crooked t' ya?" Applejack said, tilting her head to try and find something off.

Rainbow looked at it for a second. Something seems off, it doesn't appear as if the roots were pulled, no branches broken... Rainbow thought, squinting her eyes to maybe catch some sort of trick-of-the-eye at play.

"Well, something does look off, but I can't put my hoof on it," Rainbow said.

"Ugh, well, let's g' outta here. We're not even s'pposed t' be doin' anythin' but a check up so we can worry later," Applejack said, turning and trotting away.

"Applejack, I need to talk to you. Totally important, about our talk on the train. Have to listen to me. Now," Rainbow said, following Applejack.

"Well, 'kay Ah guess..." Applejack said as she left the fenced Sweet Apple Acre.

"I'm complaining about us bickering, I let my ego interrupt what could be a nice, non-bickering friendship. I want something, can't have it because we're in constant... well, let's call it conflict," Rainbow said.

"Okay, y'all were busy thinkin' Ah see. Don't strain yerself on my part," Applejack chuckled.

"Believe me, I do that on a daily basis," Rainbow chuckled herself. "Anyways, I noticed something first in the stadium and talking to Spike, Rarity, Gilda, and Pinkie Pie confirmed my thoughts."

Rainbow looked at the various lands as they passed them. Carrots, bananas, grains of all sorts, beans. Rainbow's thoughts from earlier returned.

"I've decided not to bicker over trivial things," Rainbow said with confidence.

"Does this mean Ah can say what Ah want an' get no backtalk?" Applejack asked with a smirk.

Rainbow facehoofed quickly. "Wha, no. I mean, trivial things over who's a better athlete. Sure, I'll brag and rub it in when I win, but I'm not gonna bicker about my lesser traits or better traits," she looked over at Applejack.

Applejack smiled, not sure where Rainbow was going. She said pretty much the same thing last week...

"Instead, I'll not compete with you in areas that I physically cannot win. I won't try and outbuck you or anything. I'll support you in areas you excel at rather than whine," Rainbow said.

"Well, uh, that's swell an' all, but what're ya gettin' at? Ah mean, y'all are talkin' 'bout not wantin' t' complain an' stuff, but," Applejack paused.

"No, listen... I looked at the border, noticing how nature interacted with the city itself. I noticed how nature and non-nature just... complimented each other. There isn't any natural failure under buildings, no need to reinforce buildings for storms and then I saw the stadium in the city."

"I saw up close the fruits of hard labour, Earth Pony labour. The architecture and design is more intricate than Cloudiseums, more things need to be set up rather than cloud bleachers and your area. There was so much more. Cloudsdale looks pretty and is easier to make than ground-based cities... but that doesn't make us better. We support each other. We make rain, make weather and that helps the Earth Ponies make food, regulate animals during the seasons."

Rainbow looked at Applejack, the realization hitting her too.

"We depend on each other more than we realize. Hay, this is the same for this compeition. The foundation of your team is Sweet Apple Acres and the foundation of that is you and Big Macintosh... but the structuring itself is Rarity and I," Rainbow said with confidence.

"Your supporting pillar is me, and the Apple Spectrum."

Author's Note: Sorry for the wait, little busy. Shitty stuff. Making a poll soon, check it out. Requesting artistic help, PM me if you're interested in that or maybe a guest fic.

Check out Just Friends by Lonewolf.007, Moonlight Sonata by Lynked, anything by milesprower06, and check out anything by Tailslover13. Also: RagingSemi.

Thanks, Mr. Masato/ArbyWorks.