A/N: I've been told that here will be more coming, as it's only part 1; so if this ending feels incomplete, that's because it, um, is.

"THE GAMES WE PLAY"

ALTERNATE ENDING #15

Guest Submission from BubbleBerry Pop

And Rainbow Dash opened her eyes.  

Under her...before her...there lay a pony clothed in shades of midnight, a cape fanned out beneath her. Atop her head there was perched a matching wide-brimmed hat.  

But now, there was no mask to protect her face. No facade to hide behind.  

There was only her.  

Big blue eyes. A mouth, seemingly unsure about whether or not it was meant to smile. And a mane, dark violet and curled as elegantly as ever.  

-----  

Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped. Her eyes were wide, her voice disappearing somewhere on its way to her mouth. Utterly lost for words.  

"No," was all Rainbow could think to say; and a flicker of pain flashed in those eyes, those big and beautiful eyes. The exact same color as the sky that Rainbow Dash loved so much. "No. No. That doesn't make sense."  

And still she had nothing to say for herself, only watching as Rainbow Dash shook her head, wings fluttering anxiously.  

"That doesn't make sense," Rainbow Dash repeated. Her hooves had found their way to the mare's shoulders, gripping her as tightly as she could without even meaning to. The mare winced, and then gave Rainbow a weak smile.  

"Surprised?" Rarity whispered looking more guilty than anything, “I...I guess I have a lot of explaining to do, huh?”  

“Yeah. You do.” Rainbow’s grip loosened slightly but she kept the unicorn firmly below her.

“I… I don't know where to start…”

“Not my problem.”

“Should, should we get up? It's kind of cold.” Rarity shivered slightly in the snow, emphasizing her point.  

“Yeah, we probably should.” Reluctantly Rainbow Dash let her up and allowed her to brush herself off before pressing for answers, “Okay, start talking.”

“I'm...I'm not sure where to begin…” Rarity kicked a hoof through the snow as she attempted to think of a good place to start.

“Start at the beginning, why me? I thought you liked stallions. What happened to that?”

“Oh, that… well after what happened with Blueblood at Gala I guess my ideas of romance were rather shaken. He single hoofedly destroyed my ideals of how “the one” was supposed to be… Though I suppose all my romance novels may have left me with rather unrealistic expectations…” The unicorn let out a sigh as her ears drooped at the thought.

Rainbow Dash just slammed a hoof to her face and groaned, “What does that have to do with me exactly?”

The fashionista blushed slightly as she thought about it, “Well after what happened with Blueblood I thought I’d never find anypony that would meet the ideals I formed from my romance novels, but then the first Mare Do Well scheme happened... as a group we all agreed to be the collective identity of Mare Do Well, but as we followed you and watched I started to take on a more personal interest. You were everything I was looking for in Blueblood, so brave and loyal, so strong willed and determined… just watching you was a thing of beauty I couldn’t help but admire.” Rarity blushed deeper as this confession just spewed forth, but she had to continue. “After we put away with the whole Mare Do Well thing I couldn’t get you out of my mind, but I refused to accept why. I just couldn’t… It wasn’t until you saved me for a second time when Spike and I were falling that I just knew that no matter what, you would always be there to catch me when I fall... and in knowing that, I fell for you… but I didn’t know what to do.”

“You could have just talked to me, you know. I still don’t see why you couldn’t.”

“Rainbow… we both know exactly what would have happened if I just told you how I felt. You would have rejected me without giving it a second thought, and I just wasn’t sure I could take that… not from you.”

Rainbow crossed her hooves as she sat back annoyed at the blunt accusation, “How do you know that for sure? Huh Rarity? You didn’t even give me a chance and just assumed I’d reject you huh?”

“We’re two entirely different ponies, Rainbow… it wasn’t exactly a secret that you saw me as some frou frou, overly critical drama queen. There was no chance of you accepting me and I knew that, so I just ignored my feelings and just tried to get over it.” Rainbow Dash still looked rather displeased but Rarity continued anyways, “Don’t look at me like that, you know as well as I do that it’s the truth… but after a while it almost worked, I managed to get you out of my head if only for a few days. That was of course, until Twilight brought her Mare Do Well costume back to me.”

“Wait, I thought you said you altered it to fit Spike.”

“You never actually confirmed that with him did you? When I first got the costume from Twilight it fit me almost perfectly and that’s when I started to come up with the idea of becoming Mare Do Well. It was my ticket to becoming a pony you wouldn’t reject at first glance, somepony who wasn’t afraid to tell you how she really felt. I was going to be the one to woo the mare of my dreams, rather than wait for her to sweep me off my hooves. But on the day I finally convinced myself to go through with the plan Spike showed up asking if I could alter it to fit him. Initially I told him no and that I had other ideas for it, but after thinking about it I also told him that I would just make him his own Mare Do Well costume from scratch for Fright Night like he wanted. I wasn’t aware he was going to be in Canterlot all this time so I wanted to make sure that if asked right he would be able to throw you off my track when you got to snooping around for my identity. It just worked in my favor that he came here to Canterlot during the whole thing… so that’s basically it. How I started the act of being Mare Do Well. You know everything from there.”

Rarity started to shiver and moved a bit closer to Rainbow for more warmth, causing the

pegasus to back off a bit, “Don’t, not right now… I still have questions.”

Rarity’s ears dropped as she shivered, “I’m sorry, it’s just that sitting in the cold snow is…. well cold…”

With a sigh Rainbow Dash scooted closer to the mare and wrapped a wing around her, “better?” The pegasus didn’t wait for a response before asking her next question, “okay fine I can understand at least that much so far and I know now that the carnations and meaning came from your book you showed me…”

“I’m surprised you didn’t figure me out by that actually, I was really worried you would.”

“Right, anyways… So then my next question is then the writing for your notes, Twilight said it was done by an unskilled unicorn or a very skilled pegasus or earth pony. I figured you’d have better writing than that.”

“I knew you would go to Twilight with my notes, it took a lot of careful attention to detail to make sure she wouldn’t be able to trace it back to me even if she tried.”

Rainbow had to think about it before finally accepting the explanation, “alright, so then how did you manage to beat me back to Pinkie’s party after Twilight walked in on our conversation?”

“That one wasn’t so simple to be honest; after we were interrupted I took off around Sugar Cube Corner and hid the costume outside before walking back in to the party.”

“That doesn’t seem too hard.”

“That was the easy part. When I got back in Applejack had noticed that I had disappeared, and she seemed rather upset about it. So I had to try and keep her quiet when you walked in again, if she got too loud everypony would have found out that I left the party for a while, and more importantly you or Twilight would have figured out that I was Mare Do Well.”

Again Rainbow had to take a second to think about it before accepting the response as well, “okay so then why did you disappear for so long after starting your challenge then? Other than the note you sent me the day after the party you all but disappeared for a few days.”

“So you actually noticed? I was actually worried you’d forget about me,” Rarity giggled slightly as Rainbow just glared, “but to answer that, I do have a job too you know. With the upcoming snow storm I had a rush of orders of winter clothes. The day I finally managed to finish my orders was the day you talked to Twilight… and Pinkie…”

Rainbow Dash flinched at the mention of Pinkie, there were no doubt things we going to change after this no matter what. For now she shook her head and focused on the unicorn under her wing, “the night you were jealous right?”

“… right…” A soft sniffle came from the unicorn; the memory wasn’t exactly one she liked to remember. “I really didn’t want you to see me like that you know. Even as Mare Do Well I still took care in my appearance, especially with you.”

“Part of your attention to detail I take it?”

“Right, but that didn’t always work... obviously because the façade kept slipping… the more we continued the harder it became to stay Mare Do Well.”

“That night your voice cracked a bit, and I know how you really talk so how do you manage to change your voice like you did as Mare Do Well?”

“Oh that, that was actually rather easy. You’ve noticed Canterlot ponies talk with a weird accent of sorts right? Well more often than not it’s actually forced; I’ve been around the Canterlot elite enough to pick it up rather easily.”

“Okay, the voice makes sense, but what about all the jumps you did and all the stunts? I’ve never seen you do anything like that at all. You always make it known you hate doing things like that.”

“Just because I don’t like to do something doesn’t mean I can’t do it Rainbow. Sweetie Belle and I did place second at the sisterhoof competition you know.”

“Wait really? I didn’t know you were capable of doing anything like that...” Rainbow had to put her hooves up defensively as Rarity glared at her, “uhh.... no offense?”

“Well I’d have you know I am plenty capable, I just find the concept of competition to be uncouth.” Rarity shoved her snout into the air to emphasize her annoyance with the pegasus.

“Hey, you’re not the one aloud to be annoyed right now. I am! And if you find competitions so bad why did you challenge me to your game then? That was your idea after all.”

“I was losing your interest… it was an impromptu decision to keep you interested in me at the time... I know you well enough to know that you like to win, so it was my last chance to keep your attention.”

“And how exactly did you know me so well? Like with the wings, how did you know about that?”

“The wings? Oh you mean how I knew when you were actually excited about something or upset about what I was doing because of your wings right?”

Rainbow Dash huffed a bit as she started to shiver herself, the cold was definitely getting to her as well now, “yeah that, how do you know so much about pegasus wings?”

“Fluttershy told me.”

“Fluttershy? What, why?”

“She told me at one of our weekly spa visits, well she told me after I asked why her wings kept spreading every time Lotus came by at the spa.”

“Wait, Fluttershy likes one of the spa twins?” Rainbow was definitely interested but had to shake her head to keep focus, “no, that’s getting off topic… I still have questions.”

“What else is there to explain?”

“The ticket, where did you get it? Or more importantly how? Those kind of tickets are like impossible to get.”

“The Wonderbolts ticket?” Rarity couldn’t help but smile as Rainbow nodded, obviously very interest in this particular answer. “I have important contacts here in Canterlot, so I struck up a deal with one of them for the ticket.”

“A deal? What kind of deal?”

“Remember the first night you stayed over at my boutique? I was working late that night on my end of the trade. Since the ticket was worth so much, I had to make ten unique ensembles for the ticket. Five were for him, and five for his marefriend.”

“Ten outfits? For just one ticket? That’s rather steep isn’t it?”

Rarity nodded as a blush formed, “well to me it was worth it so I could have the ticket for you.”

Rainbow had to turn her head away as guilt suddenly started to overtake her, “you know… I ended up trading that ticket away… right?”

“I know I figured you would honestly.”

“Wait what? How?”

The unicorn continued to blush as she nuzzled into Rainbow’s neck, “because I know you, you’re the element of loyalty after all… and I knew what my actions were doing to Pinkie…”

“Oh...” Rainbow didn’t stop Rarity as she nuzzled, and soon an awkward silence overtook the pair as they sat there until Rainbow finally spoke up again. “So was this pony you knew the one you were dancing with earlier?”

“Dancing with?”

“You know… the stallion you were dancing with at the party today.”

“Oh him, no he’s just another Canterlot pony I know. He actually runs an auction house a few blocks from here.”

“And he just agreed to dance with you?”

“He took some convincing, but as it turns out he’s a romantic at heart so after he heard my reasonings he agreed. Though I did promise to tell him how things turned out… how are things turning out exactly? I mean what happens now?”

“I… I honestly don’t know…” The sigh of Rarity’s ears dropping and slightly hurt expression made Rainbow’s heart ache. Her hooves just wrapped themselves around the other mare to comfort her as they sat there together, “but I promise that everything will end up alright in the end, no matter how it ends…”

“There you two are!” Twilight an up to the pair panting for breath as she stopped in front of them, soon followed by the rest of the group, two of which had a pained expression as the saw the pair sitting together.

Applejack was the first to say something as the others continued to catch their breath, “ya’ll care to explain what’s going on here, and why Rarity is dressed up like that?”

“Oh hey girls…” Rainbow faked a long yawn as she scooted away from Rarity, “look I’m really tired right now and it’s kinda cold. Can we talk about this later?”

Rarity was quick to follow Rainbow’s lead as she also faked a yawn, “I do need my beauty sleep, and it is chilly out. Maybe a good night’s rest is what everypony needs.”

“Now hold on you two, first I’m told Pinkie is crying because of Rainbow and the next thing I know you two are missing only to be found huddled together in some random alley way with Rarity dressed up like Mare Do Well. I do think an explanation is needed first before we all go anywhere.” Applejack seemed to be eyeing Rarity moreso than Rainbow as she demanded an explanation.

“They’re obviously tired, let them go… I’m sure they’ll explain by tomorrow right Rainbow Dash?” The way Pinkie used her full name made Rainbow cringe as she walked by closely followed by Rarity.

“uhh…. right Pinkie, first thing in the morning.” The group walked in complete silence as Twilight led them back to the castle. Each on stopping at their own room until only Rarity and Rainbow remained. “I don’t even know how what to tell them…”

Rarity nuzzled up against Rainbow again as she let out a sigh, “I suppose we should tell them the truth…”

Rainbow Dash was quick to move away as Rarity nuzzled against her, “Don’t… not right now…”

“Please don’t do this to me, not now….. not after all we’ve been through. I can’t just act like nothing happened, not again.”

“I’ll figure something out okay? I just need to talk to Pinkie first…”

Rarity stepped forward instantly, “then I’ll go with you, it’s only fair since I started the problem…”

“No, you should go to bed… I’ll talk to Pinkie alone.”

“But it’s partially my fault; I want to be by your side for this… I’m the one Pinkie should hate not you.”

“I don’t want you by my side right now Rarity, just go to bed.” Rainbow put a hoof to her mouth and instantly regretted what she said as it came out louder than she intended. The hurt look on Rarity’s face just making her feel worse as the unicorn turned and ran off to her room, tears obviously starting to form in her eyes. “Way to go Rainbow… screw up everything with everypony why don’t you…” With a sigh she went and knocked on Pinkie’s door. “Pinkie, you in there?”

“What do you want? Shouldn’t you be in bed since you’re so tired?” The voice through the door chilled Rainbow to the bone but she knocked again anyways. “Go away!”

“Pinkie let me in, we need to talk…”

Slowly the door creaked open to show a rather depressed looking Pinkie, “what, did you want to tell me all about the kissy face smoochies you made with Rarity? Came to rub it all in or what?”

“Pinkie… I’m sorry… about everything… I didn’t know Rarity was behind the mask, I thought it was you and that somehow we’d make everything better again… I want to make everything better, I need to…”

“So what, you thought you would just come and apologize and I’d just be okay with it? You kissed me at the party ,Rainbow, me! And I was happy until you said that it was just to make her mad. How am I supposed to feel after that? You used me to make her upset…” Pinkie clenched her eyes shut as tears started to roll down her cheeks. “How is everything supposed to be better again when I have to see you with her now? Tell me Rainbow, how?”

“We’re not together Pinkie… I’m still trying to figure everything out okay… Everything just went by to quickly for me to handle… I’m sorry.”

“Well boo hoo… Finally something is too fast for even Rainbow Dash…” Pinkie was visibly shaking as she stood there glaring at Rainbow, “just go…”

“Pinkie…”

“Get out!” Pinkie shoved Rainbow out the door and slammed it closed, the sound of crying still making its way through the door as Rainbow turned to go to her room.

Once in her room Rainbow tried to get herself to fall asleep, but with everything still running through her mind sleep was obviously something out of the question. Not only did she possibly ruin everything with Pinkie for good, but she may have just destroyed whatever it was she had with Rarity as well. She had basically promised them both that she would make everything okay again and now she was failing to hold up on both ends. Everything had managed to crumble in under a day and there was nothing she could do about it. She needed to fix everything quickly, and deep down her heart knew which one she needed to talk to first. With a deep breath Rainbow rolled off her bed and approached her window. With a quick beat of her wings she was out into the midnight air and on her way to a very specific window.

“Here goes everything…” with that Rainbow knocked on the window hoping for the best.

End of Part One Next Chapter: Alternate Ending: Rarity Ending, Part 2 (Guest submission from BubbleBerry Pop) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 58 Minutes