1.2: Crates and Photos

The following day, Rainbow Dash awoke in a bed. Looking around to see her surroundings, she soon discovered that the bed was located on the second floor of Twilight's bedroom. The sky outside showed a gradient of dark to light; either it was morning, she slept a whole day, or she slept an hour or two. Nevertheless, if there's one thing Rainbow was known for, besides her mane, it was her inability to get up early. She tossed and turned in bed before coming to the realization that no, sleep would not return. She sighed and sat up in bed before starting to stretch her upper body. First the wings, then the arms, then the neck.

She took a look out the window, spotting the uneasy weather. Rainbow forgot that the weather today was going to be a light shower. She sighed once more before glancing at the sleeping figures of Twilight and Spike in their respective beds before trotting down the small staircase when something caught Rainbow's eye. Books scattered everywhere as usual but one book stood out... the one Twilight was reading before she passed out. She took the time to get a better look at the book, noticing the cover radiated the colour spectrum. She was about to open the book, but her thought process was interrupted by a stomach rumble. She erased other thoughts from her mind, and decided to ask questions later as she trotted down to the first floor of the library to grab a quick breakfast from Twilight's kitchen.

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Later on, Applejack and Rainbow Dash approached a field on Sweet Apple Acres. The wide open field was surrounded by various apple trees, this field was always open for various things: The Sisterhooves Social, Iron Pony Competition, training of any kind... now, it was training for this competition.

"So, um, what exactly are we doing here again?" Rainbow asked.

"Well, fer starters, we gotta get you into th' habit of trailin' objects while flyin'. Can't have ya crashing when yer load throws you off," Applejack said.

"Would you care to elaborate? I mean, the Best Young Flier in Equestria can't possibly have any problems while flying," Rainbow Dash said, letting loose a small chuckle.

Applejack nudged Rainbow's side. "Well, th' constant flyin' added on with the weight, could prove to be an issue. Delivery ponies often have some trouble flyin' regardless of the fact that they often haul large loads," Applejack said before reaching the center of the clearing. Placed there among the short grass was a small box containing a harness bearing the clips similar to the uniform Rarity made, just more worn down worn down.

"Thankfully, I'm not like those Mail Ponies. I'm made of much tougher stuff, this training is useless," Rainbow Dash said, stomping her hoof into the ground and striking a pose. Applejack stared at Rainbow for a few seconds before picking up the harness between her teeth and tossing it.

"Jus' put 'er on, RD," she said, shooting Rainbow a playful smile.

Rainbow looked at Applejack, then back to the harness. It landed in front of her, and Rainbow glanced down to the ground for a second.

"When I shout, fly over to where I'm standin'. There, you'll pick up a crate of apples an' take 'er down to the other side of the field. Drop it off an' return here. 30 crates total," Applejack said as she turned to leave.

Rainbow simply nodded and watched Applejack walk off to the other side of the field. She took a deep breath before quickly averting her attention to the harness. She sighed. "Well, okay. I guess a little bit of training never hurt anypony. I guess I now have two training sessions today," she said as she lazily slipped her head into the harness, placing her hooves into the two openings.

Once she fit her body into the harness, she quickly checked herself to make sure she had done it right. It was a black harness with metal clippings. Basic harness. She turned her head and noticed the strap. Satisfied with putting on the harness, she grabbed the strap and tightened it, before using the tip to finish tightening it. She tucked the valence strap underneath the harness itself and quickly did a few pushups and jumps. The harness fit snugly and she smirked.

"Simple task. I'll be done by noon," she said.

She turned and looked over to where Applejack stood. It was far off, but she could still see the orange Earth Pony. She sat down, forced to wait. She impatiently looked around for a second before letting out a coarse sigh.

"It's been ten seconds and I'm already bored as hay," Rainbow said as she began tapping her hooves against the grass.

She looked up at the clouds, which were starting to drip. The light showers were beginning, and it slowly unnerved Rainbow. Rain, plus the weight I'd be carrying...Maybe I should ask AJ to wait a while. Nah, I'm totally cool, she thought. She started fumbling with the grass to distract herself. Shortly after, Rainbow looked up to see Applejack was shouting at her with an annoyed tone.

"Hey, earth to cloud pusher!" Applejack shouted out.

Rainbow snapped to attention, springing into a standing position.

"Uh... sorry?" Rainbow said, smiling and kicking the grass at her hooves out of the way.

"We don't have time to be sorry, we gotta practice, sugarcube," Applejack shouted.

Rainbow sighed and stared at the ground. She jumped one more time.

"Alright, let's do this then," Rainbow shouted out one last time before giving her wings a quick flutter.

"Alrighty then, let's get 'er done," Applejack said.

"Ready..." she shouted.

Rainbow quickly got into a racing position, bending her front hooves slightly to take off.

"Set..."

Rainbow looked to the left, right, then to the sky. She took note of the light clouds floating in.

"GO!"

The shove off. Rainbow took off into the skies as fast as she could without slipping on the ground. She got reasonably high, stopping at at about thirty feet into the sky. She approached the side of the field where Applejack was, and immediately tilted her wings, sending her into a dive bomb. She zipped towards Applejack before she slowed down, wings flapping as she landed, ready to hook on the first crate. The crate in question was almost as large as Rainbow. No wonder Applejack wanted her to get used to it.

Applejack wasted no time or words talking to her as she proceeded to grab the six clips already attached to the crate. Rainbow noticed right then where the clips on her harness were; one on her scruff, one on her chest, and four on the back strap wrapped around her barrel. It was an awkward flying position, but it was considered the norm for delivery ponies. Applejack clipped the five clippings on faster than Rainbow could take in. She was looking up to the sky, raring to take off towards the other end of the field.

"Get a move on, Rainbow!" Applejack shouted breaking Rainbow's thoughts.

Rainbow shook her head. "Got it!" she shouted as she flapped her wings hard, taking off into the sky.

She didn't know how well the straps – or herself – would hold, but she managed to lift herself as well as the crate into the sky.Light?she thought.The crate is light? Huh.Well, lighter than I thought. Considerably heavy, but not heavy enough to cause any problems. Enough of this. C'mon Rainbow, show Apples a dash.

She started to flap her wings harder, and sped off in the other direction, the crate acting as a light anchor. She flew for a few seconds, not going too fast as to not test the straps or the harness. After 12 seconds, she descended, going in for the slowest landing possible. She let the crate droop down and touch down before landing herself. Immediately, she released the clips on her harness and she took off at her fastest workout speed arriving at the other side of the field in under five seconds easily.

"That was a lil' bit slower than what I'd expect, RD," Applejack said with a small smile as she grabbed the next clips.

"WHOA, what!" Rainbow said. "No lip from you, cowgirl, you don't do the fly-towing here," she said through bared teeth as Applejack clipped the next crate onto her harness.

"Don't you worry none, it's only yer first," Applejack said in a muffled voice as she clipped the first clip. "These straps an th' harness are as strong as your take off," Applejack said as she finished clipping.

Rainbow nodded and flapped her wings for a second before taking off, faster than before. She also flew much faster than before, getting to the other side of the field in around seven seconds. I'd better get a larger field to practice soon. This is easy stuff. She killed the thought as a droplet of water landed on her nose. Ignoring the tingling sensation, she focused on flying. More rain dropped as Rainbow zipped towards the end of the field. She touched down with the same finesse as before, undoing the clips, and launching back towards Applejack.

This continued for a few more minutes, the process repeatedly bashing Rainbow's mind and patience. She zipped back and forth, lazily bouncing like a rubber ball. Her mind certainly accepted the feeling of acting like a tennis ball to save itself from the mind numbing experience.

Eventually, Rainbow touched down on Applejack's side of the field, ready to pick up the last crate. This time, she had to catch her breath. This was tedious, simple to do, yet it is draining.She gave it no more thought as she approached Applejack. She was damp from sweating, and from the light rain.

"Last one, RD," Applejack said as she proceeded to clip the straps on.

How was this, Applejack? Fast enough for ya?Rainbow thought, trying to look athletic.

Rainbow was actually glad she had to stop now. She wished she was in her cloud home right now, lying in her cloud bed. Her exhaustion hadn't completely faded from the previous day's training; minor headaches, but not enough to impede any activity. Applejack finished the clipping, and Rainbow Dash took off faster than before. She no longer flew in a robotic fashion, instead zipping by with an arch motion. She heard a click from below as she reached the pinnacle of her arch, and she sped to the ground, slowing down as she got closer and quickly unclipped the crate. She turned and took off for the last time, towards Applejack and... Twilight Sparkle and Rarity? They were located under a small tree, protected from the rain. She braced herself, landing directly in front of the group in what one could call a battle-ready pose and then... another click with a blinding flash. Rainbow stood straight as she blinked.

"Woah, what gives?" Rainbow said as her eyes quickly recovered from the flash.

"Well, I arrived recently with the camera like Applejack and Twilight requested and I set it up ready to take a photo or two of you flying, simply to test out the camera... and my, the photos I've taken so far are fan-TASTIC! They capture the excitement of competition, the colours of your mane, everything!" Rarity said as she nudged the camera's tripod.

"Well, okay then. So, why are you two here? I mean, besides camera... testing," Rainbow said as she fiddled with the harness.

"Well, I am here to keep track of your time, and to also give you..." She paused as she began to rummage through a bag on her back. She pulled out a clipboard with what looked like a timetable on it. "... your schedule."

Rainbow stopped fussing with her harness, out of frustration and slight curiosity. She saw it and saw how it was... oddly specific.

"7:30 AM: Wake up. 7:32 AM: Get out of bed. 7:35 AM: Make be—" she stared dumbfounded. She turned her gaze to Twilight who gave a proud smile at her organizing skills. "Okay, Twilight, you gotta know by now, I'm no morning person, not to mention I'd much prefer to fly how I want to," Rainbow said, turning her gaze towards Applejack. "Apples, help please?" Rainbow asked.

Twilight's face twisted into a pout and Applejack walked over and started loosening the harness around Rainbow Dash's figure.

"But I planned everything out perfectly. Your diet, sleeping habits, timing, space for work, how to get out of bed," she said, pausing. "Uh, well, that last one may be a little... heh, unnecessary," she said, letting a small chuckle escape before coughing and continuing. "But, I believe this is the healthiest schedule you can get. At least try?" Twilight insisted, not wanting her work to go to waste.

Rainbow gave her a cold stare. "No." Twilight's face twisted into an even larger pout.

"Ple~ase? I spent so long on this... scheduling the writing, and the supplies..."

"No," Rainbow replied.

"Please?"

"No."

"Pretty please?"

"NO."

"Two days?"

Rainbow sighed. "Fine, if it satisfies your... 'lust' for organization," she said, giving in.

Twilight squealed with joy, Rainbow Dash sighed, and Applejack finished loosening Rainbow's harness. Rainbow wiggled out of the harness, quickly shook herself, and sat down on the ground. She examined the schedule, and noticed that just looking at it made her feel tired.

Rarity stepped forward, clearing her throat. "As for why I am here, I just need some approval from the lovely mare who shall be sporting the uniform for our ad campaign." She grabbed two photos that came out of the camera. "Here are the two photos I took in glorious quality," Rarity said as she let the photos float to Rainbow's hooves.

She looked over and was taken aback for a second. One photo was a zoom of her flying, carrying the crate. A look of pure determination and pride on her face, her rainbow mane and tail fluttering in the wind with the light rain and clouds as the perfect background. The second photo was of her landing; standing ready for action, ready to pounce... she smirked at them.

"Ya look fantastic, sugarcube," Applejack said as she looked over at the photos Rarity had taken. "Y'all look perfect fer advertisin'."

Rainbow took a proud stance and slapped a hoof off her chest in response to the compliment from Applejack. "Well, I'm sure I'll look even better in the uniforms," she said. She turned to Rarity. "Speaking of which, you said something regarding the team uniforms?" she asked.

Rainbow looked to the left, seeing Twilight and Applejack talking. Obviously about planning and keeping a record of their crops.

"Why yes, dear. I have several designs ready for you to try. Not too simple as that would be positively boring, not too detailed because quantity does not equal quality... just perfect," Rarity said.

"Cool. Where are they?" Rainbow asked as she did a quick stretch, finding the strength to stand up from the ever so relaxing sit she just had.

"Oh, they're at my boutique," Rarity said as she proceeded to pack up the camera she had brought.

Rainbow stared at Rarity without saying a word before finally speaking up. "You couldn't bring them with you?" Rainbow asked, raising a brow.

Rarity lifted the camera off of the tripod, placing it in the case. "You can't expect me to do that in this weather, with you being all wet."

Rainbow sighed before smiling. Exhausting week, and they can still bring a smile to my face. She turned, looking over towards the skies above the field. The soft rain pelted the leaves of the trees, creating a calming sound. She anticipated the reveal of her uniform, nodding as she turned back to the others while they walked towards the Carousel Boutique.

Well, it seems I'm getting far more excited than I thought.