“AJ, explain this shit to me,” Rainbow muttered out nonchalantly.

Applejack turned away from a clipboard that displayed the team matchups for the coming tournament; their first game was going to be against the Canterlot Wondercolts, one of the finest teams in the league. Applejack had been grumbling about their luck until the proper team captain bugged her. As the farmer looked up from her place on a bench to listen to her, she noticed that Rainbow had a cute frown with crossed arms as if the tiny girl was trying to look tough. Applejack chuckled warmly at the prospect; she looked more like a little kid than an athlete.

“Hmm?” was the farmer’s only response.

Rainbow’s arms overzealously flew from their position, one hand landing on her hip as the other pointed to the field. Applejack’s gaze followed to see her team as well as several others who have not been weaned out, though the number was once against drastically reduced from the previous day.

“Yea’, that’s what ya call a ‘football field’ where you play the sport of ‘Equestrian Football’,” Applejack explained obviously with a lighthearted laugh and an eyeroll.

Rainbow groaned, slapping her face as she glared back at the farmer, grumbling, “No, our team! Their so-called practising is shit. The Pipsqueak Duo are—”

“The what?” Applejack wondered, raising an eyebrow.

“Spike and Pipsqueak, the Pipsqueak Duo.” The farmer nodded in amusement as Rainbow continued in near shouts, which would not go unheard. “They’re out on a Sunday jog; the Dumbbells are doing ballet; the lil’ squirt receiver of mine is running circles because the others aren’t following the practise routine. They’re freaking me out, they’re not paying attention to the routines we taught them, it’s impossible for me to get a hard-on for our first game with this kind of crap!”

Applejack whistled as Rainbow returned to her pouty, little kid expression and roughly sat down atop the bench beside Applejack. Somewhat amused by Rainbow’s frustrations, Applejack glanced briefly back to the clipboard before tossing it aside with a rough grunt.

“Well, yer bein’ too timid ‘bout it. Too nice,” Applejack responded plainly.

A hard elbow to the gut jolted the farmer, and she bent forward in her seated position. Applejack gently rubbed her side as Rainbow stared daggers at her.

“Timid!? Nice!? What the fuck? No, those pussies I treat like the enemy. If I had my way, I’d force each of ‘em to stand in the boxing ring for ten seconds against me. Really toughen them up,” Rainbow argued, biting her lip as she growled in the direction of the team.

“Even me, if y’had me alone for ten seconds?” Applejack raised her eyebrow and leaned closer to Rainbow Dash, sparking her usual interest in such matters to calm her down.

“I’m listening?” Rainbow dragged out the words in an intrigued manner, waiting on more.

“What Ah meant, is that yer trainin’ methods are things that most o’ them already know. Only a few of th’ pack really need to cover the basics, the rest’re just gettin’ bored. We’ll get th’ basics briefly once more when we get a full team. First, we gotta ween out th’ rest of th’ quitters with some real trainin.”

Though she seemed initially attentive after Applejack’s uncharacteristic remark, she settled back into her serious face. Dejectedly, Rainbow sighed, closing her eyes as she did. She knew best to listen to her level-headed best friend’s advice, as she had always led her in the right direction. Those pink eyes opened only to lock on Applejack’s rather sinister expression.

“What do you suggest?” Rainbow asked, all her anger and pep gone.

“Ah jus’ know a girl,” Applejack responded vaguely, her smile growing as the idea came to mind.

In the centre of the field, the Pipsqueak Duo themselves were lobbing a shotput back and forth from a distance as they casually chatted. Though it was relatively easy for Pipsqueak to toss it, Spike had some trouble keeping up, but as usual, the boy kept quiet. In the corner of his eye, he also saw the newest member, Scootaloo, literally running circles. The angle was low on the next throw causing him to tumble forward as he wasn’t focused. Pipsqueak sighed in response.

“This does seem kinda… weird, now that Rainbow Dash brings it up. This isn’t really complicated stuff, and we’re still in tryouts. We should be doing other things to build up stamina before we start sorting out teams, we just look like a bunch of misfits trying to work out,” Spike muttered as he pushed himself up, examining the men’s shotput.

The whole field had heard Rainbow’s outburst… but not what Applejack had to say. Spike’s eyes remained glued on the two as Rainbow’s anger-turned-to-depression shifted into utter excitement. He pondered what that meant, and his mind started wandering.

‘I’m supposed to be getting tougher… Rarity’s not gonna like the new Spike if there is no new Spike,’ Spike thought. His eyes trailed to the ground where he somehow found solace. ‘Life is kinda like a turf, right? You slip and whatnot yet it’s only when you’ve got the right setup do you have a good grip. And in that same token… only the gifted few have the ability to take off.’

Before he could continue, something that felt like a heavy meteor impacted him in the side, knocking him over to the ground. With a thud, he let out a grunt as an object was thrown atop him. Reorienting himself, his eyes fluttered open regardless of the sun only to see Rainbow grinning down at him as she stood up over.

“You see that? This is why all of you wannabes are weak. Ya go down easier than Applejack after half a shot of jager,” Rainbow boasted, stepping away from Spike as he stumbled to his feet.

“Why am Ah always th’ butt end o’your lame jokes?” Applejack asked in a low growl, raising an eyebrow at her aggressive friend.

“Because.” Rainbow Dash grinned to see her taunting bothered her, “You’re so easy.” There was a silence in the air briefly as Rainbow attempted to let it sink in, though she felt like going further with the statement, “As in, you’re so easy to f—”

“So, Rainbow an’ Ah ‘ave got an idea t’ make trainin’ a little more productive,” Applejack interrupted the suggestion, clasping her hands together.

“I know a productive practise we could do,” Rainbow continued in a lecherous mutter, flustering Applejack in her explanation a bit.

“Well, s-since we’re still waitin’ on a few more t’ join or be finalized, we’re, uh, gonna wait until th’ recruitin’ session has ended b’fore we start on some play practises,” the farmer managed to stammer out. “We need t’ get y’all some better an’ more utilized training methods.”

Applejack adjusted her trademark cowboy hat, which she could only wear on the field when she wasn’t in her helmet and running drills, as the rest of the tryouts and team members surrounded her. The Pipsqueak Duo, Scootaloo, the Dumbbells and several other faces were present. In the distance by the bleachers, Spike spotted his older sister dressed up and ready to leave; he thought she had left earlier.

“All right, anyways, Applejack and I have decided to give out some physical training via proxy. Specifically, AJ’s little sister,” Rainbow Dash revealed easily.

“What? Isn’t she in all those construction classes? What the hell does she know about training?” one of the Dumbbells spoke up.

“Apparently a lot more than Rainbow Dash,” Applejack commented as her lip curled up. Rainbow grit her teeth as Applejack smugly grinned, revenge for her dirty jokes from earlier. Facing the rest of the group, she let out a small sigh. “Even so, Score, Ah don’t wanna see ya backin’ down from what Ah say, ‘cause Rainbow Dash here is th’ one that agreed with me.”

Applejack felt a sense of pride from the leadership as the Dumbbells all groaned in unison. Besides, she was relishing the chance to have a bit of payback at her friend, who had far too much fun teasing her than seemed natural. Pipsqueak was stoic the whole time, nodding his head every so often while Spike seemed distracted by something far away. Scootaloo had started to grin from ear to ear the instant Rainbow mentioned Applejack’s sister.

“A’ight, so we’re meetin’ up t’morrow afternoon here, then we’re headin’ straight to th’ weight room” Applejack demanded with a firm nod.

Of course, the Dumbbells were the only ones to groan. Everyone else seemed to accept it without a second thought. Spike wasn’t really paying attention to begin with, so little attention that upon dismissal, he didn’t notice anybody else start heading towards the school to change and head home. He still wore his temporary jersey as he anticipated the reveal of his uniform; given it was Rarity’s design, there was no doubt on any of the team that it would be striking. He felt pride swelling up when he realized he’d be wearing something she made. Part of him almost did not want to wear the jersey. His chin raised up as his eyes closed while for a brief moment, he allowed himself to fantasize. A future with a woman he’s loved from afar, happiness and content with how his life progressed.

Reality, unfortunately, ensued and he felt an arm wrapping around his neck, yanking him down a bit as he felt his head be squeezed against what one could describe as ping-pong breasts. A set of knuckles roughly pressed against his scalp, being dragged back and forth uncomfortably before the woman let go of him with a light shove. Spike landed on the ground, taking a moment to collect himself as he heard his team captain laughing. As he pushed himself up, he spotted a hand out of the corner of his eye. Taking it, he allowed his former attacker, Rainbow Dash, to pull him up to his feet.

“C’mon, you’re a guy, aren’t you? You should be doing this kind of stuff to me,” Rainbow said, dismissing the incident with an eyeroll.

Spike simply stared at her with a gaze showing the brief tint of sadness behind his pupils. Rainbow stared at him for a second, seemingly trying to figure it out before Spike faked a smile, as he always did, and walked past her. Rainbow slowly turned around, rubbing her chin as she squinted, deep in thought. Applejack gave a casual fist bump to Spike as the two passed each other, the boy’s fist lacking power. Applejack approached Rainbow, turning to watch Spike meekly greet his sibling. Neither of the two could hold back smiles as Twilight forced Spike into a hug, giggling as Spike awkwardly returned it.

“He’s still got a long way t’ go, but somethin’s already different ‘bout that boy. So, b’sides actually gettin’ ‘round t’ practising his kick, what were you saying is it that Spike should be doin’?” Applejack asked, leaning towards the rainbow-haired girl.

“Things I want to be doin’ to you, applebooty,” Rainbow remarked with a mischievous grin.

“Yea’, you wish, sugarcube.” Applejack returned the expression and added a friendly pinch to the arm.

The two walked towards the school, collecting the rest of the equipment as they elbowed each other at each chance they got.

Spike waved as Twilight left the school, doing what he wished he could do: stop by Rarity’s house unannounced and ‘accidentally arrange a sleepover’, according to the girl. In reality, Spike overheard Twilight planning a massive number of hours to assist Rarity with studies as the girl fell behind a bit due to her business. Spike knew that Rarity wouldn’t openly ask for help like that, as she didn’t want to worry anybody, yet Spike did his best anyways. He always did: making sure that he knew what made the woman smile, what made her frown, and laugh and cry; he watched her in an almost creepy fashion until he memorized many aspects of her life, her attitude, her gestures… and even her body. His face flushed at the last one and he found himself staring skyward, trying to think of birds to take his mind off the moment. The sidewalk was still there below him so he couldn’t care where he was walking.

Perhaps he should have. A familiar voice sounded out as an arm was draped over his shoulder, putting a lot of weight on his body forcing Spike to slouch forward.

“Hey, Spike, buddy ol’ pal, I was wondering if you could spot me a twenty. Kinda want that new War Machine film, ya know? Super heroes in badass armour, who the hell doesn’t love that?” Felix’s scathing voice assaulted his ears and Spike didn’t physically do anything other than walk.

He didn’t respond yet a hand clenched down on his shirt, forcing Spike to stop. Upon yanking back, Spike found himself spun around only for a set of hands to grab onto his shirt from the front, pushing Spike back into the nearest brick wall. Felix scowled at him.

“Hey, we don’t ignore friends, you fucking iguana,” Felix growled lowly.

Spike merely squinted in response, feeling a cuss on the tip of his tongue. His chest was heaving and even he knew that Felix felt that, although the bully, he was still physically no match for Spike at all… yet both knew that Spike wasn’t usually one for violence. And Felix fought dirty when it came down to it; Spike found that out the hard way as he twitched, still feeling the lit cigarette being pressed into his eyebrow.

Another hand was placed on his shoulder… and by his, Spike was surprised to see it was Felix’s. A larger boy behind Felix, the owner of the massive hand, cast a shadow over the two. The bully turned his head as if he were looking at a shrimp; potentially one of the many cops he had to outrun in his life. Instead, Felix had a gaze reminiscent of awe and a brief stint of fear; not only was Felix the shortest of the three present, he was the shortest of the larger by two feet, and the larger boy’s muscles were seemingly twice the width of Felix’s. Spike felt his feet fall flat against the ground as Felix let go of his shirt.

Spike glanced to the side to recognize it was Pipsqueak who showed up. With a quick shove, Felix stumbled back and wordlessly declared Spike dead with a fiery glare in his eyes. Leaving but a scoff in his wake, Felix swaggered down the street, presumably to beat up a 10-year-old. Spike checked his shirt for tearing or stretching, brushing his shoulders off as red powder from the ageing brick was left as residue on his white fleece tee. Not bothering to adjust the green locks that dangled in front of his line of vision, Spike muttered some gratitude before slowly walking down the street.

“Woah there, pal. Is that ‘nyway t’ say thanks to your mates?” Pipsqueak asked, his voice as high-pitched and chipper as ever.

Spike curled his lips in response as he let out a deep sigh, pausing on the corner of a street. He curiously glanced down the street that resembled a near-slum, spotting a blur that was most likely Felix quite a ways down the street already.

“Sorry, I’ve found it hard to ask for help when the jerk that bugs me is half a foot shorter than I am,” Spike grumbled, walking with an angry hunched-over stance across the street.

Pipsqueak staggered after him, his boots making clacking sounds against the old brick sidewalk that had yet to be paved in to match the modern days. This was one of the oldest streets, and also one of the most infamous as a great war had once started in the general area after a murder of a royal heir had occurred here. The history is part of the reason Spike liked to walk down that way.

“Spike, don’t be like that, oi. I was just trying t’ be friendly,” Pipsqueak muttered compassionately.

Spike glanced back regrettedly. “Are you apologizing? Don’t, it’s not that worth it. I’ll be fine, I was just being detestable, as usual.”

Spike shook his head and Pipsqueak silently followed. They walked away from the cobblestone brick, glancing at a poster for Les Misérables, only Spike really noticing the classic novel play adaption advertisement. He mentally recorded the information before having to stop by an intersection. The sky had dimmed, soothingly degrading into a fluid night sky. Spike had always preferred the time before night, particularly dusk. It wasn’t the busy day or the exhausting late nights. Just a time where it’s warm yet not hot; cool yet not cold. It calmed his repugnant attitude towards the British boy next to him and he finally let out a deep sigh, his pessimism slightly with it.

“I’m sorry, I’m not a perfect guy. I could have handled him, but—” Spike bit his lip upon seeing a concerned glance on Pipsqueak’s face, making Spike’s face twitch with anger briefly.

‘Those eyes… why do people look at me like that, with those pitiful eyes? And it never stops,’ Spike thought, averting his gaze.

The streetlamp changed, prompting the duo to cross. Spike heard yet didn’t register what must have been Pipsqueak comforting his thoughts as if it really was alright. He still felt that Pipsqueak was merely trying to help out a friend with his issues. It was no different from his older sister and a pang of sadness flashed on his face as he remembered the legal term for such a relationship. A horn honk followed by a hand yanking him back by his collar snapped him out of his thoughts as his feet barely missed an incoming truck. He glanced behind him to see Pipsqueak frowning at him as several onlookers dismissed the moment with a headshake or scowl. Spike sighed once more.

“I suppose that deserves a thanks, too,” Spike said, curling his mouth.

A brief silence solicited a chuckle from Pipsqueak. “I suppose that really is all I’ll get,” he said, patting Spike on the back. He glanced upwards briefly before smiling back at Spike.

“Well, thanks for not runnin’ off. Just figured I could walk wit’ ya a bit. Here’s where I split; apartment building right here, and all,” Pipsqueak told him easily.

Spike glanced at him, attempting to smile; the whole time, Pipsqueak was just being a friend. He felt his smile attempt turn into a genuine smile and he averted his eyes, unable to maintain the contact.

“Thank you, for today, and whatnot,” Spike said, walking away as he waved his hand.

“Don’t thank me; we’re mates, it’s what we do for one another,” Pipsqueak shouted as he entered the rather small apartment complex.

Spike wandered down the street, taking the long way home as he always did. Several extra blocks just to prolong the time until after dinner where Twilight would usually be too immersed in her studying to talk to him. As he entered his home, he sighed with relief as his parents were preoccupied with late night TV while Twilight was indeed working. With that, he retreated to his room for the night.

Spike exited the changerooms, Pipsqueak following shortly after as he proudly displayed his aged spare jersey from five years ago. Tryouts were still in full swing though the first game was soon approaching; apparently, Rainbow always extended tryouts to be as long as possible to make the quitters show themselves easier. On the bleachers sat Twilight, while the other tryouts had the same dull expression. Their numbers had dwindled entirely now; Pipsqueak, Spike, Applejack, Rainbow, the Dumbbells and Scootaloo were the official team members at this rate, the Dumbbells being the only ones not officially in yet. The captain was still unsure about them, knowing their lack of responsibility and loyalty could surely hurt the team. Rainbow grumbled a bit and the rest of the team waited for one of the leaders to drag them to the weight room.

“A’ight team, since yer actual captain is bein’ a grumpy pile of lazy, Ah’ll be yer escort f’ th’ day,” Applejack said enthusiastically, pounding her chest.

“Escort me to our bed, please; and hey, maybe I’ll escort the clothes off,” Rainbow muttered slyly, making a face.

The group chuckled, all having grown accustomed to Rainbow’s comments, as they prefered it when she flirted with Applejack rather than insulted them. Applejack’s smiling face was burdened as her eye twitched for a moment. She clapped her hands together and then pointed towards a building by the school.

“So, we’re off to the rec’ centre, y’all,” Applejack tried to continue on without trouble, stepping away from the football field.

Rainbow and the rest of the team followed like it was bootcamp. Right off the bat, Applejack had them marching in single-file, with the exception of Rainbow, who deliberately stood at the back of the line so Applejack didn’t see her swinging her legs obnoxiously. However, she had to shout her jokes up to the quarterback.

“C’mon, march, r’else Ah’ll have t’get the baton out,” Applejack commanded as she threatened them with a raised finger, though she didn’t really have a baton.

“You wouldn’t do that AJ, we both know where that ribbed handle’s been!” Rainbow shouted from the back of the line.

Applejack grit her teeth and sighed heavily, grumbling. “Rainbow, Ah swear Ah ain’t opposed t’hittin’ you,” she muttered under her breath.

Spike found odd enjoyment in walking with the team, if only because Twilight joined in on the movement. Behind him, he heard Twilight giggling away as they crossed the Student Parking Lot towards the rec centre. Scootaloo was the one in front of Rainbow, and like the captain, she didn’t march, opting to stride comfortably.

“So, Rainbow Dash, how’re sports and stuff?” Scootaloo asked like an excited child.

Rainbow scoffed, rolling her eyes. “Squirt, I’m not a little girl. I’m Rainbow Dash; I don’t do small talk.”

Scootaloo seemed taken aback, eyes slightly widened. She turned away, coughing awkwardly. “O-oh, is that right? Haha, sorry,” she spat out, stammering awkwardly.

“Naw, it’s totally fuckin’ rad. I mean, we’ve got our tiny team; but honestly, if there was twelve of me, our team would be perfect,” Rainbow said nonchalantly, a subtle grin on her lips.

“If you constantly play the same card, you just get predictable,” Spike said from his position, just ahead of Pipsqueak who was just ahead of Scootaloo.

Rainbow’s ears twitched. “Woah, what, Spike? Are we talkin’ smack? Come on, I’m no card, I’m a freaking royal flush!”

Before Rainbow or Spike could speak again, a loud shout burst from an open window, scaring the entirety of the team with the booming voice, “What in the hay is that s’pose t’be!? A bench press!? Ah can bench press more with ma baby toe!”

Applejack chuckled as the rest of the team clued into the owner of that voice: a little cuter than AJ’s; the same southern tone; even worse temper than the captain and farmer combined… Apple Bloom.

“Let’s go, y’all,” Applejack directed as she entered one of the double doors to the rec centre.

The rest meekly followed, passing by the coat hanger area to see Apple Bloom scowling furiously at a younger boy known as Featherweight, weak arms yet rather tall, as he bench pressed only the bar.

“What, is that th’ best ya can do? Ya come t’ me with this sob story o’ yours an’ you give me this?” Apple Bloom scolded, throwing her whole body around with each word as she was seemingly furious at the boy.

Featherweight himself looked to be on the verge of tears as he meekly lifted the iron bar up and down several times. Apple Bloom was hunched over, covering her face with both hands before she let out a coarse, long drawn-out sigh. As she stood up and glanced forward, she spotted the group and her face brightened. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom’s eyes locked for a moment and they both let out squeals

“Featherweightthat’senough!” Apple Bloom spat out quickly in glee as her feet patterned across the ground.

Her and Scootaloo collided in a rather rough, boyish ‘bro hug’ as Rainbow would call it. Hard slaps hit on the others’ backs, yet only Scootaloo seemed visibly affected; Apple Bloom had twice the muscle mass on the scrawny athlete.

Apple Bloom was still short, still wore a bow in her hair, still had cute red locks… yet she was built in such a way that she’d probably outdo Applejack had there not been the two-year difference. While Applejack was merely strong from her constant work, Apple Bloom was striving to improve her fitness day in and day out. Applejack was not necessarily built, but was a force nonetheless. Calling Apple Bloom well-toned was a massive understatement and once their bro hug separated, Scootaloo breathed a sigh of relief. In the back, Featherweight was huffing heavily, taking a sip from his blue sports drink.

“So, what’re y’doin’ here!?” Apple Bloom asked excitedly. Her eyes shifted to her older sister and the other team members who looked rather shocked and nervous, excluding Applejack. “Are… are you on th—”

“Yep! As usual, I was told that I was the ace on the team, so it was only natural that—” A hand slapped onto Scootaloo’s shoulder, causing the tiny girl to jump. Rainbow Dash grinned devilishly towards the younger athlete. “H-heh heh, of course, I’m second to Rainbow.”

“Heh, some things ne’er change,” Apple Bloom said with a giggle.

“One thing did—make that two!” Scootaloo grinned, exclaiming with an amazed face.

A finger poked down on Apple Bloom’s rather well-endowed chest, Scootaloo giggling as she felt her finger sink into the flesh. Apple Bloom reeled back a moment, her face reddening as she covered her chest.

“W-what’re you doin’ Scoots!?” she gasped incredulously, stammering and turning almost as red as her hair.

Scootaloo’s only response was laughter, along with the rest of the team; with the exception of Applejack, who looked somewhat irked by the familiarity of the interchange.

“Wow, it’s like someone cloned us. Except they haven’t been wearing down your vibrator every night like we have, AJ,” Rainbow chuckled, nudging her quarterback in the side.

Applejack’s face reddened a bit though Rainbow would never see it; a stiff elbow was lodged into Rainbow’s ribs, causing the girl to keel over as she chuckled at the farmer’s response.

"You're way worse," Applejack murmured grouchily.

Applejack was not very comfortable with her team thinking anything like that about her, especially if it wasn’t even true. Pipsqueak was, as usual, stoic while Spike contemplated the room’s features, grinning as he imagined himself getting ripped like Arnhoof Schwarzenfragger. The Dumbbells, predictably, conversed in on themselves.

“So that’s what y’hear for? Trainin’?” Apple Bloom gathered as her sister finished explaining. “Well shoot, Ah can whip these sorry suckers into winners any darn day o’ the week!”

“Ah’d be mighty ‘preciative if y’could,” Applejack gratefully smiled and accepted the help, while Rainbow Dash was having a hard time sitting still.

“Al’right, first off we gotta see what we’re startin’ with, Ah wanna know just how strong each an’ every one’a them is, think y’can get ’em t’ co-operate?” Apple Bloom asked as she retrieved her clipboard, which held sheets of yellow paper for tracking fitness levels.

“Yo, jackoffs.” Rainbow Dash leaned back at the waist and glared blankly over at the team as they screwed around boredly. “Get the hell over here.”

“Ah s’pose that works,” Applejack huffed a few amused chuckles as the team made their way over, though reluctantly for the most part.

“Pay attention to little hot stuff over here, will you?” The captain gestured with her head towards the younger of the two Apple sisters, and Applejack frowned to hear such a remark.

“Y’better not pull anything with m’sister, y’hear?” Applejack murmured to her friend as her younger sister began explaining a few basic safety rules for working in the weight room.

“What? I wouldn’t dream of it!” Rainbow Dash guffawed at such an idea, slipping her hand around Applejack’s waist and pulling her nearer, “Why would I settle for Applejack Light when I’ve got the full flavour right here at my fingertips?”

“Oh please, like you’ve even had a taste,” Applejack slyly remarked, which peaked her friend’s interest.

“Not for lack of trying,” the team captain responded as her eyes began to sink down Applejack’s body and she licked her lips to imagine.

“Hey! Did y’hear what Ah said, Dash?” Apple Bloom snidely asked, and Rainbow Dash was at a complete loss.

“Everyone needs a spotter, yea’ Ah know, RD here was askin’ me t’be hers,” Applejack filled in the blanks easily, and Rainbow Dash heaved a sigh of relief as the pressure was put off.

“You were listening?” Rainbow whispered as her eyes narrowed curiously at Applejack.

“Naw, who d’you think taught her this speech?” Applejack admitted with a clever smirk, shaking Rainbow Dash away from her and starting towards a bench with the intrigued captain at her heels.

On the way, Applejack noticed that Spike didn’t seem to find a spotter, since there was an odd number of players on the team and Apple Bloom was too busy starting the stats sheet. Rainbow Dash glanced at the boy, but didn’t want to bother him about it. The quarterback, however, wouldn’t stand for any exclusions.

“Howdy Spike,” Applejack smiled warmly and looked up at Spike, since he was a bit taller than she was. “Y’wanna be our third?”

“Third wheel more like it,” Rainbow Dash murmured as she pouted her lip and crossed her arms.

“Oh, uh, I thought maybe Pipsqueak might—” Spike looked around for his friend, only to find him chatting with Apple Bloom, who dragged him over to Featherweight.

It made sense for her to put the two together, Pipsqueak getting a chance to acknowledge just how strong he was, and Featherweight seeing a thing or two about muscle to motivate him. Spike could hear Apple Bloom chirping and praising Pipsqueak's size, even from across the room.

“Pipsqueak, right? One more rule for guys o’your size,” Apple Bloom blushed a bit as she held the clipboard over her grown chest. “No shirts. Yep, no shirts allowed if you’ve got muscles like that t’ show off."

“That so?” Pipsqueak sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

“You heard the lady,” Scootaloo agreed as she walked up behind Apple Bloom and gave her a low-five. “Guys with arms like yours should also have girlfriends. So, you got one?”

“Go spot y’partner, Scoot!” Apple Bloom hurriedly put her hands up against her old friend’s back and shoved her away, laughing.

“I have more to spot over here!” Scootaloo argued as she resisted the superior power of Apple Bloom, though she did not succeed.

“Nevermind I guess,” Spike agreed to Applejack’s proposition, seeing as how Pipsqueak was otherwise occupied.

Apple Bloom, after shaking off her initial fascination with Pipsqueak’s less than namesake size, went around the room marking down strengths and weaknesses she would pinpoint. She managed to get all of their names and had begun marking down their physical strength, specifically how much they could bench press. Though Rainbow Dash had whined about how she was better at leg exercises, even she submitted to the examination, though she commented all the while about how she wished Applejack was wearing a skirt so she might see up it from her angle. It was Spike’s turn of the three now, and he began somewhat uneasily.

“Don’t push it, Spike,” Rainbow Dash remarked as she watched him slide another weight onto either side of the bar, the weight similar to her own.

As he easily tested it, she grew somewhat jealous of his capabilities. Another weight slid over the bar, and Rainbow Dash growled to herself, her eyebrows furrowing in frustration. No matter how athletic she was or how often she trained with Applejack, she could never match someone more sizable than herself. And that killed her to admit, even if only to herself.

“Al’right, hop on up Spike, tell me if it’s too light for ya,” Applejack instructed as he did as he was told, laying down on the bench and staring up at the horizontal bar.

Bracing his hands, Spike gripped the bar as he pushed lightly, having never lifted weights before. Surprisingly, he found himself having to exert a bit of force, lifting the weight Rainbow Dash had to stop at. She puckered her bottom lip, grumbling to herself as she mentally downplayed the issue. He pressed it several times before setting it back.

“Another,” Spike said in an almost commanding tone.

Applejack and Apple Bloom lifted another ten pounds onto the bar and once more, Spike seemed to lift it with gusto. This occurred twice more before Rainbow’s face was contorted with anger, Spike having beaten the Dumbbells.

“Yeah, s-so? You’re a guy,” Rainbow muttered uneasily, rolling her eyes.

“Yeah, but he’s bench pressin’ as much as me,” Apple Bloom said, a hint of praise in her voice.

Spike was grunting with each weight he lifted, most of the team looking over. Another weight slid on, and Spike could feel it in his muscles. He had never felt so accomplished, so excited to show off, so worthy. His body was strained at the excursion, but he found that he loved the sensation of his blood pumping furiously. Twilight was ecstatically watching Spike, quietly cheering him on.

“Come on Spike, you can do it!” Twilight said, her eyes shifting between Spike and a How-To book on cheering.

Spike’s face had reddened, although not from the weight and blood rushing to his head. Twilight’s cheering was causing him to feel flustered and think of times where cheering had been used to highlight how different he was.

He had heard enough over the years, enough motivation to keep him going. Squinting his cursed eyes, he pushed at the weights as if they had done him wrong. He grit his teeth as he tried to repress the memories, almost shouting his next words as he commanded another few weights. Applejack, Pipsqueak and Twilight detected the edge in his voice and they had to force back a tiny frown. Everyone else remained oblivious, especially Rainbow due to the irritation swelling in her mind.

However, before Apple Bloom and Applejack could move to grab new weights, Rainbow’s elbow landed on the horizontal bar as it bent down closer to Spike. She applied more pressure and felt his muscles twitching and giving way, the weights lowering nearer to his body. Her narrowed eyes pierced his own as she applied her weight to the bar, faking a casual tone while her own anger and jealousy pushed her to such dangerous limits.

“How’s that? Enough for you, bub?” Rainbow Dash sneered with a venomous taunting grin, pleased by his struggling expression. Though it appeared to be the case, she hadn’t intend to be too cruel or hurt the boy of course, she just wanted to bother him the way he had bothered her. Of course, she was hard pressed to find the line between prank and punishment.

“Rainbow!” Applejack’s loud voice nearly threw her off balance, almost causing her to fall right onto the weight. As she accidentally pressed harder due to the surprise, Applejack’s hand grabbed under the bar between Spike’s shaking grips, holding it steady against all the pressure. “What are y’doin’, that’s danger–”

“Did you jus’ do what Ah think y’did?!” Apple Bloom’s voice bellowed louder than Applejack’s, and everyone else cringed to hear it. “Do y’have any notion of how dangerous that is?”

“I–” Rainbow Dash blinked dumbly as Applejack lifted the bar back onto the rest, raising Rainbow back to her full height in the process.

“Y’just don’t even think, do ya?! Ah dun told ya Ah ain’t puttin’ up with that shit in ma weight room, do Ah make myself clear?!” Apple Bloom didn’t even give her a chance to respond. “Spike could’a been hurt! What kinda team captain doesn’t care ‘bout th’ safety of her players, y’tell me!”

Rainbow Dash’s face was still, her whole body rigid. With wide, glistening eyes, she swallowed the lump in her throat that threatened to ruin her reputation in front of her entire team. She looked around to see everyone staring at her, and could feel heat rising to her face from humiliation. But Apple Bloom was not finished with her yet.

“Big Mac was right ‘bout you, yer a reckless brat an’ you don’t give two cents ‘bout anyone’s well bein’ do ya?” Apple Bloom went on, and Rainbow Dash struggled to deter the salts that moistened her eyelids.

Rainbow’s eyes hit Applejack’s, as she was standing right beside her sister. Her expression too was stern and scolding, and it twisted Rainbow Dash’s stomach up into a great big complicated knot. The one thing she never wanted to do was disappoint her freckled friend, and having her glare her way like that, it was crushing. But suddenly, the pressure was gone, and Applejack’s eyes softened on hers. Applejack could clearly see the embarrassment and regret in her expression, and what’s more, she noticed the brimming tears that she was too good at holding back.

“An’ another thi–” Apple Bloom was about to shout again, but her older sister’s hand dropped on her shoulder suddenly.

“Ah know it ain’t right, but Ah’m sure she didn’t mean no harm, give her a chance to apologize, lil’ sis,” Applejack’s voice was so calm and considerate, it almost made Rainbow Dash break out into sobs.

No matter what trouble Rainbow Dash seemed to get herself into, Applejack was always there with that cursed good nature to bail her out. Rainbow Dash chewed up her pride at last and released her clenched up fists, though she hadn’t even noticed them ball up in the first place. Putting on that usual aloof facade, Rainbow Dash forced an attempt at a smile.

“I didn’t want to hurt the guy or anything, I just wasn’t thinking, that’s all,” Rainbow Dash blinked away her near tears and stood up straight, pointing a thumb at the irritated Spike. “I forget sometimes that not everyone is as daring as I am, I mean, I’m a glutton for punishment, what can I say?”

“That don’t make it better, Dash,” Apple Bloom growled as her glare settled on the athlete again.

“Come on, it was just some stupid friendly teasing. Won’t happen again, I promise.” Rainbow Dash nodded surely and slapped her hand onto Spike’s head, who glared at her and grumbled something incoherently.

“Y’make sure o’that, keep an eye on her, AJ,” Apple Bloom told her sister, looking up to the older girl expectantly.

“She does that anyway,” Rainbow Dash joked, but shrugged and forced a bashful grin as Apple Bloom shot her another glare.

“So, Spike can bench press almost 200 pounds; that’s actually rather good. Have ya taken any weight room classes b’fore? Went t’ th’ gym?” Apple Bloom asked, allowing her indomitable rage to be suppressed for a moment.

Spike sat up, frowning for a moment before shaking his head. “No. I just sorta always been like this. I figured I should be a bit built for—” he caught himself before revealing too much. He gulped for a moment and averted his gaze from Apple Bloom. “For reasons that, heh, I’ve forgotten.”

“Man, Spike, you stutter a lot,” Rainbow said, rolling her eyes.

An elbow once more hit Rainbow in the side but it wasn’t as playful as before… and it was from Twilight. She had watched the whole fiasco and didn’t think that the additional weight Rainbow put on would bother Spike, but the comment bothered her. Spike wouldn’t show his own hurt, he was rather subtle about things typically, but she knew. Out of them all, all the friends or relatives over the years, Twilight was the one who understood most.

“Rainbow Dash, Ah wanna see how you’ve been handlin’ their football trainin’,” Apple Bloom demanded with a booming voice.

The captain jumped a bit due to the previous chastisement. She gulped, nodding wordlessly much to Applejack’s amusement. With the bench press testing over, the rest of the team flooded out of the room, along with Featherweight, slowly until only Applejack and Twilight were left, Spike still sitting on the bench in silence. Twilight seemed surprised that Applejack was still there, and visually struggled to explain why she herself was still there. A simple hand on Twilight’s shoulder stopped the scholar from over thinking too much and a solemn gaze from Applejack slowly clued her in, yet the farmer still said it anyways as her gaze shifted to Spike, who was still seated on the bench. Spike’s attention turned to Applejack as she cleared her throat, stepping closer.

“I know Dash can be a bit rough, Ah can set her straight if y’want. But… ‘re you okay?” Applejack tried in a soothing voice.

Spike nodded his head and put on a smile yet both girls could tell how absolutely fake it was. Briefly adorning a scowl, Applejack knelt down and looked directly into Spike’s eyes, setting her hands on his shoulders. He felt uncomfortable with her so near, but he let it happen instead of roughly pushing her away.

“Spike, Ah can tell a lie easier than you can pretend.” The words sunk in for a moment as Spike averted his gaze again, looking down at his lap.

Applejack wouldn’t have that, and a finger on his chin tilted his head so he was looking at her. He was gritting his teeth, his teeth and fangs barring themselves as his odd, slitted eyes seemed sharper. Applejack winced as she realized she may have been demanding, but she couldn’t falter.

With an even gentler tone, she nearly whispered, “Are you alright, Spike? You can tell me.”

He shrugged his shoulders, forcibly removing Applejack’s hands from his him as he sighed deeply.

“We should probably go,” he said firmly, standing up and forcibly walking past Twilight and Applejack.

The two girls exchanged a saddened look and Twilight seemed like she was about to cry. Applejack, noticing the same misty-eyed look Rainbow had adorned earlier, walked over and briefly gave her a friendly hug. It was stiff and a little awkward, but Twilight gratefully accepted it.

“He takes a bit to come ‘round, doesn’t he?” Applejack asked, adding a light chuckle.

Twilight snorted, also chuckling. “Yeah… he does. He needs some time… and a push.”

Apple Bloom was fuming. Her face was going beet red as she grit her teeth, cracking the clipboard she held. Rainbow Dash was legitimately nervous, making sure that Applejack’s baby sister wouldn’t explode randomly… or god forbid, explode twice. Applejack herself stood nice and close beside Rainbow, in case she had to break up some physical altercation.

“This is the kinda way you’re trainin’ ‘em!?” Apple Bloom barked more than asked, baffled as she whipped the clipboard into the ground, causing an edge to be lodged in the turf. “It ain’t no wonder Ah see s’many flabby bellies!”

“Flabby bellies? The only flabby belly I see here is Spike’s.” Rainbow joked as she grinned and poked the boy, causing him to flinch irritably.

Spike had been the only one to not go practice on a regular basis since they didn’t have a good net for practising kicks, but even so, his belly was not as flabby as Rainbow made it out to be. He knew she was trying to tease him, but he was getting right sick of it.

“Apple Bloom, not everybody’s used t’this kinda labour,” Applejack explained calmly, wondering if it was such a good idea to get the temperamental kid to train her teammates. “B’sides, everyone’s got their own limits an’—”

“Then push ‘em!” Apple Bloom shouted, getting right into Applejack’s unfazed face. “You always raised me t’be the best Ah could be, sis!”

“And look at y’now, shoutin’ at me an’ tellin’ me off,” Applejack retorted, frowning a bit as Rainbow was in the back struggling to stay standing as she laughed, amused by the siblings’ quarrel.

“Y’know Ah’m right!” Apple Bloom said as a response, crossing her arms.

“Y’ain’t wrong, you just ain’t goin’ about it too good. Y’ain’t gotta yell all th’ time an’ insult people t’ get your way. However, Ah did call y’down here for a reason, and Ah s’pose Ah should take your advice.” Applejack turned to the rest of the team and faced Rainbow Dash, smirking as the rainbow-headed girl raised an eyebrow. “We could all stand to work a mite harder.”

“Aww, man!” Rainbow said, her whole body slumping as she collapsed to her rear on the ground, lazily spreading her legs out. “Does me being your favourite mean I get to cop out, AJ?”

Spike bore a small smile listening to the bickering. Even if he wasn’t truly involved, he felt like part of the gang. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Scootaloo zip by at her top sprinting speed without stop. She was honestly either almost or as fast as Rainbow Dash was, with no signs of stopping. Rainbow subtly smirked, nodding her head as the two athletes’ eyes met.

“No one’s coppin’ out, Rainbow,” Applejack said in a firm voice that seemed to tell where Apple Bloom got her vicious tone.

Rainbow pouted, grabbing a nearby nerf ball. “I blame you, Spike,” Rainbow said as she chucked the ball awkwardly. “You and that flabby belly.”

The ball spun wildly in the air, not at all like a proper football toss. Spike effortlessly snatched it out of the air before the ball hit him in the face due to the terrible throw. Apple Bloom faced the field once more, briefly focusing on her childhood friend zip around like a bullet. She snorted once and her face considerably lightened.

“Al’right then!” Apple Bloom nearly shouted. She turned to Applejack and Rainbow as the latter was busy picking out blades of grass in her pouty mood. “Ah wanna join yer team!”

Applejack waited about half a second before responding, “Eenope.”

Apple Bloom’s response was nothing short of stunned at the sudden, instant rejection before her dominant attitude turned into the younger sister attitude for once.

“C’mon, sis!” the shorter, red haired girl whined loudly, stomping her foot like she was having a hissy fit. “Y’know Ah can be a valuable part o’ the team, gimme a shot!”

“An’ why, may Ah ask, are y’suddenly s’darn interested in playin’ football?” Applejack skeptically raised her eyebrows, towering over the younger girl with her hands on her hips.

“Scootaloo is on the team,” the younger of the two sisters argued as if it was relevant, and Applejack sighed aloud.

“That’s your reason? ‘cause your friend’s playin’?” The blonde quarterback frowned, knowing that she prefered to have players who were in it for the game more than to pal around.

“Everyone’s got their own reasons, AJ.” With a familiar Apple family scowl, the younger sister imitated the older farmer’s pose with a pouted lip before defending herself, “Ah’ll work real hard, Ah promise!”

“Ah can’t play favourites, Apple Bloom,” Applejack told her sincerely, her eyes softening on the disappointed face of her sibling.

“Then don’t!” The sisters flinched as a third voice joined their conversation, and the rainbow-haired captain stepped up right beside Applejack. “Just let the kid show us what she’s got, and I’ll make the executive decision. If she’s anything like you AJ, she’ll be a force to reckon with.”

“Eenope! Ah’m not havin’ m’ sister play this sport. Not when her tiny lil’ body runs th’ risk of gettin’ crushed by them bigger players,” Applejack said, folding her arms.

At that moment, Pipsqueak was walking behind Applejack. Apple Bloom’s eyes narrowed and she pushed by Applejack and Rainbow. The elder sister’s eyes followed Apple Bloom just as Pipsqueak turned to her. Pipsqueak stopped in his tracks, eyes curiously widening as the tiny girl stared up at him. With a small leap, Apple Bloom hopped up and wrapped her arms around Pipsqueak’s head. He let out a surprised yelp as Apple Bloom gripped onto his jersey. With a grunt, Apple Bloom tugged until Pipsqueak hunched over from the weight. Apple Bloom’s feet touched the ground and immediately, she yanked Pipsqueak and threw him down to the ground effortlessly. Apple Bloom grinned upon watching Pipsqueak land squarely on his back, coughing from the sudden impact. Apple Bloom’s gaze turned up, glancing at Applejack with a knowing gaze.

“Yeah, yeah, al’right,” Applejack finally caved, raising her hands defensively as Apple Bloom began to cheer a bit. Staying on topic, she continued and asked, “Y’know much ‘bout positions?”

“Ah’m a lineman!” the young girl exclaimed proudly, balling up her fists and getting into an aggressive stance.

“A lineman?!” Her older sister blinked with surprise, and immediately her protective instincts chimed in. “Apple Bloom, you tryn’a get y’self hurt?”

“Nah, Ah’ll be the one doin’ the hurtin’!” Apple Bloom pointed an eager thumb to herself, and Rainbow Dash snickered out loud as she recognized a similar fire between the two girls, even if Applejack might deny it. Pipsqueak groaned at that moment, solidifying her argument.

“I like her attitude,” Rainbow Dash muttered to her friend, leaning closer until she was ruthlessly shoved away.

“Don’t encourage her,” Applejack growled with an accusing look.

Rainbow shrugged before forcing herself to stand straight as she stretched, several bones cracking. Applejack’s eyes were seemingly locked onto Rainbow as her small breasts poked through the cheap sports jersey from last year that she managed to wear down over a summer. Averting her eyes to speak, she took a deep breath.

“Listen, Apple Bloom—” Applejack bent down and rested her hand on her little sister’s shoulder, even though she was not much shorter. “True strength don’t come from tryn’a inflict damage on someone, this ain’t a fight or nothin’, ain’t gonna be much of a lineman if you're seein’ red all the time. Trust me, a lineman’s job is about protectin’ or rescuin’ the ball, and holdin’ off the enemy, not crackin’ skulls.”

“I’d take that advice if I were you,” Rainbow Dash agreed passively, looking away from the pair as to act indifferent. “Applejack actually knows a thing or two; you know, when it suits her.”

“Thanks for the support, RD.” Applejack chuckled sarcastically to hear the double edged compliment, but turned back to her kid sister. “Ah ain’t no lineman m’self, but Ah gotta rely on them t’keep me safe. Now, can Ah rely on you, little sis?”

“You bet’cha!” Apple Bloom exclaimed. She turned to the field, grabbing a nearby megaphone and immediately, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Spike covered their ears along with the nearby Twilight.

“Ya’ll losers get on over ‘ere so we can show ya a demonstration,” boomed through the megaphone in a screeching volume.

That got the attention of everyone present, six teachers by a window in the school and the Automotive Dealership across the street. Slowly, the rest of the team jogged over with the exception of Scootaloo, who darted across the field in a full sprint. Upon reaching the edge of the track, she leapt into the air in a diving motion and finished it with a tuck and roll, stopping in a very casual sitting position at Rainbow’s feet.

“‘sup?” she asked, successfully getting a pat on the head from Rainbow Dash.

Apple Bloom discarded the megaphone randomly as the team surrounded her, the only ones seemingly disinterested being the Dumbbells; one could wonder why or how they stayed here.

“A’ight, Ah want one demonstration showing what we have t’do on defense since it’s clear th’ Manehattan Manticores may not break more than twelve players, least eleven. First off, Ah wanna get th’ team captain, th’ Runnin’ Back, Rainbow Dash, to take th’ football and attempt to pass our four linemen, an—”

“We’ve got one lineman, actually. Those three dumb-dumbs aren’t official members,” Rainbow said, punctuating each word with a finger wag.

“That’s dumb,” Apple Bloom muttered. “Whatever, y’all go stand at th’ thirty yard line. Who’s yer tight end?”

“I ‘unno. Got none,” Rainbow said, lazily grabbing old football gear and a helmet.

She put it on and the linemen followed suit, however Pipsqueak’s gear was rather comically too small. His stomach wasn’t covered prompting a chuckle from most of the team as they waltzed out onto the field. Spike watched idly as the team received further instructions from Apple Bloom.

“Ah won’t be joinin’ so yer without a centre, so you four linemen have to make sure you cover the area. Stand firm, bend your knees, keep arms flexible and make sure you attempt t’ grab th’ paddin’; Ah don’t want my sis’ girlfriend t’ be groped accidentally,” Apple Bloom muttered.

“H-hey!” Applejack shouted from the sidelines, her face growing red.

Rainbow Dash had a predictable response, laughing as she adjusted the strap around her chin. She stood at the centre field as Apple Bloom continued.

“Spread out if ya want; yer objective is t’ take down Rainbow. If she gets by ya, you lost th’ play. Tackle ‘er, that’s a down.” Apple Bloom bit her lip for a moment, glancing around the area as her small speech stopped suddenly. Her eyes fixated on a person and she pointed a finger.

“Spike, get yer gear on; you’re our tight end for th’ play,” Apple Bloom shouted. She looked around for a whistle to blow, shrugging when she didn’t find one. She put the tips of her thumb and index finger in her mouth and whistled that way as Spike stumbled about, grabbing his cheap gear. “On th’ double, yer th’ only one who has the build other than AJ.”

'I’m coming, fucking hold on,' Spike thought and opted to hold his tongue, the demand agitating him as he rushed to get his gear on.

Spike was jogging onto the field, finding a spot behind the general area of the linemen as he finished tightening his helmet that someone must have left behind a few years back. He took a deep breath as he checked his footing: he spread his legs, bent his knees, made sure his hands were out but not too far and crouched a bit. He was in stance and opted to be the last line of defense stopping the team captain from zipping by.

“Ready?” Apple Bloom said, preparing to whistle once more.

The tension seemed to double with that one word and Spike felt his heart pounding for two reasons; said tension, and some of the words the team captain spat out of her mouth… and some of the actions too. Gritting his teeth, he realized he forgot his mouthguard and sighed, resigning himself.

Apple Bloom’s whistle was loud and heard by all and immediately, Rainbow Dash broke out into a mad sprint from her position. The linemen in front converged on her location with two of the Dumbbells moving a bit faster as if to not make it one wall she had to pass. As she approached, they had a burst of speed in their step as Hoops lunged forward, directly at his target. His arm was just in front of the centre of her chest merely two feet away with Score on the opposite side, acting as a pincer attack… yet he was several feet back, and that was all that it took.

Rainbow, with the skill of a ballerina and the finesse of a trucker, did a quick twirl, spinning her body around Hoops’ hand followed by ducking her head, avoiding Score’s flying tackle. Score wound up colliding with Hoops and tumbled to the ground, leaving Apple Bloom with a face of utter shock that quickly morphed into intense rage.

“Are ya freakin’ serious!?” the younger Apple sibling growled, clenching her fists.

Dumbbell and Pipsqueak served to be a bit of a different story; Dumbbell was prepared and anticipating the faster speed of the team captain and didn’t try confronting her, opting to make use of shimmying side to side. Pipsqueak didn’t have to; he was a veritable wall of death to any running back. There was absolutely no going through this line even with the yawning large gap; the both of them could cover it and Rainbow knew this. She instead made for taking a suicidal move and clenched the ball closer to her chest, but took one hand off of it.

Grunting, Rainbow leapt into the air in a diving motion, taking a note from the younger athlete moments prior to which Scootaloo beamed with glee. Neither lineman was expecting it; that added with the fact that they haven’t been linemen for more than a week caused them to fumble a bit with their hands. Rainbow leapt over Dumbbell as he swung his arm down, having thrown it too high in order to anticipate the jump while Pipsqueak was having his inexperience with his size catch up to him. With her free hand, the running back shoved Pipsqueak’s arm downward causing the boy to stumble. Rainbow practically dove through a hole in the “impenetrable” wall of death and rolled onto the ground. She lucked out, and as Pipsqueak and Dumbbells’ linemen inexperience and lack of true speed caused Rainbow to grin, she rolled to a crouching position.

Shooting off, she burst into another dash, immediately on her fast feet once more. Spike hadn’t anticipated this much of a one-sided confrontation but it was all he needed to know: Rainbow was his responsibility.

“Flabby belly, huh?” he muttered, gritting his teeth as his face contorted with rage.

Rainbow was smirking as she darted directly towards Spike. It was a game of chicken; of who would move to the side first. Spike rooted his feet and flexed his fingers as the distance rapidly closed between him and the running back. As she got in front of him, she, as usual, quickly sidestepped, shifting to Spike’s right. He was still facing forward by the time that it looked like she would zip by him. As his eyes grew more slitted than usual, he could feel his body growing hot and tense, focusing his energy entirely on the girl who raced to get past him. He growled as he stepped forward and thrust one hand outward. Swinging his arm, he let out a shout as his hand connected with Rainbow’s abdomen and he latched onto her jersey and pads, maybe even her skin. He grunted as he took another step, feeling all of her speed falter to his brute strength.

Rainbow let out a huff as the wind left her lungs, all her momentum dying as her legs and arms swung forward as she felt herself being tossed back. Spike thrust his arm forward, letting go of the uniform as Rainbow was thrown back several feet, rolling a few times before she stopped in the dirt. Though he was proud of his move, he couldn’t help but wonder where he had earned all of that strength, which seemed to have came out of anywhere. Perhaps he just had never known what he was capable of, never having been much for violence himself.

“Rainbow!” Applejack sprinted across the field in a matter of seconds, skidding to a halt in front of the downed football captain. She got down on her knees and crawled to her friend's side, peering down at her concernedly. “Rainbow, are y'okay?”

Scootaloo followed immediately, showing almost the same amount of concern as the quarterback.

“Mmm—” Shifting against the hard ground, Rainbow Dash hummed as she felt the nearness of her friend leaning over her body. She scrunched up her eyes like she was in pain, but had another motive for keeping the attention on her face.

“Huh?” Applejack went still as she felt her seemingly wounded friend's hand press right up against her breast. In the brief awkward silence that ensued, the jock squeezed and fondled once or twice. Applejack's expression narrowed into rage and she snatched Rainbow up by her shirt collar, shaking her up and down furiously. “Why—if y'weren't layin' on the ground Ah'd knock y'darn teeth in!”

“Relax AJ, it was a joke, a joke! Man, I was only squeezing your tits, I thought you’d find it flattering!” Rainbow Dash's voice rose and fell with her body as she tried to calm the farmer down, putting her hands up and adorning an innocent smile. Applejack gripped her up real close and glared into her eyes, keeping her back off the ground and giving her a menacing frown. Rainbow Dash could not resist pushing her buttons, though. “Besides, you could do a lot of nicer things to me while I'm laying on the ground.”

Applejack continued shaking the dizzy-eyed girl and shouted at her again, “Ah'd think Spike severed y'brain if y'weren't already such a punk t'begin with!”

The other members of the team approached the pair, not getting too close in case Applejack's anger was volatile enough to snap at any of them. The quarterback growled and let out a hot, frustrated breath as she continued to squeeze at her best friend's shirt. Rainbow Dash however, seemed quite pleased by the situation.

“You were worried about me,” Rainbow Dash mused with a great big grin on her face, pausing her friend in the assault.

“Ah was not!” Applejack denied with flustered cheeks, dropping the football captain flat onto the grass with a thud. “You're just too darn reckless, someone's gotta keep an eye on you.”

“That was not my fault! You were, like, touching yourself out of the corner of my eye and distracting me, I swear,” Rainbow muttered, gritting her teeth.

Swearing numerous cuss words, Applejack sighed, holding Rainbow in place as she lifted her shirt up to see the affected area. Already, she could see a bruise forming where Spike’s hand gripped her; no indication of directly grabbing the flesh.

“Not even going to buy me dinner first?” Rainbow Dash remarked as she willingly let Applejack look under her clothes.

“Woah, Spike’s mere thrust alone cou—” Applejack froze, her eyes going wide as she realized how easy she had made it for Rainbow to turn that around. “No no, Ah didn’t say that, Ah—”

Rainbow’s lips formed a massive grin as her eyes took on a sultry tone.

“I bet my thrust could wreck how you walk for a week,” Rainbow said in a voice some could consider sexy.

Applejack brought back a fist as if to finally vent out the frustrations brought on from Rainbow’s words, from anger to… more pleasant ones. However, Rainbow’s eyes widened and she coughed, her smaller hands rubbing the spot with the bruise. All aggression Applejack had vanished.

“Rainbow, you sure you’re okay?” the farmer asked worriedly.

Spike started to feel a pang of guilt as he saw that maybe he had done some damage, but relented as he saw Rainbow give everyone a toothy grin and thumbs up.

“Aces, but I do suggest we… uh, not do that again. At least to me.” She grinned directly at Spike as several others turned to him. “Spike, you’d be an awesome tight end if we refined you a bit more. Kicker and tight end. You can get my blindside as I cover AJ’s blindside— which is when she’s in the shower. Whaddaya say!?”

Applejack merely rolled her eyes, actually laughing at her words for once. The day was eventful and she couldn’t help but smile. Spike joined with them, letting himself chuckle lightly. Twilight was too busy reading Equestrian Football: A Complete History: Book 1: Volume I to notice anything that happened.

“Sure,” Spike said, shrugging with a grin.

For the first time in a while, he held his head up higher than usual.

Gasping, crawling on the ground, Rainbow was begging as she had to avoid vomiting. A sickness coursed through her body as she rolled on the ground, panting heavily. She grabbed a plastic water bottle and ripped the cap off, dumping the 2-litre bottle onto her face, onto her head and into her mouth as she greedily wasted it all before laying in the grass, panting pleasantly as she sat up, feeling the glorious cold liquid drizzle down her throat. Forcing herself to stand, she disposed of the now-empty bottle as she stepped up the bleachers towards her quarterback and best friend.

“Holy! I do not have the kind of stamina for this shit!” Rainbow Dash groaned as she sat on the seat just a step above Applejack, waiting for some witty retort that never came.

Noticing her oddly dismissive behaviour, Rainbow Dash scooted over on the bleachers until her knees were lined up on either side behind Applejack. Rainbow reached down between her spread knees and looped her arms around the farmer, pulling her back and situating her between her legs. Though not expecting such a move, Applejack accepted it as another quirk of Rainbow's playful nature and raised her arms over the captain's thighs, bending at the elbow to rest her wrists on Rainbow's knees.

“Something bothering you?” Rainbow Dash finally inquired, finding the lack of usual struggle somewhat odd.

“Uh, no, just thinkin' is all,” Applejack struggled to start talking, feeling her friend's hands sliding over her shoulders and supportively squeezing. Eased by the attention, she admitted her troubles. “Ah just don't know how Ah feel 'bout my little sister being out on the field with us. Ah don’t want her t’ get hurt. It’s funny, Ah was even just wonderin’ if it’d be too darn much t’ toss a second helmet on her little head.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, that protective older sister stuff is just going to make her mad again. You worry too much, she's tough, she'll be fine.” Rainbow Dash reminded her with a hot breath against her ear, which turned the flesh pink at the near touch. A smirk crossed her face as she felt Applejack relax against her, permitting the gentle massage. “Need a little distraction?”

“Is that what you're doin'?” Applejack asked, leaning her head back and peering up at her football captain.

“Are you complaining?” Rainbow Dash's smirk spread to a devious grin and her fingers played around with the fabric of the quarterback's jersey.

“Ah— no, but,” Applejack admitted, but though she tried to make an excuse, she found herself less than willing to tell her off.

She leaned back against her friend's touch and enjoyed the pleasurable sensations perhaps a bit too much. With a quick slip of the hand, the massage went lower and back up, tempting each sore muscle. Applejack sighed comfortably and closed her eyes, the warmth of the sun paling in comparison to the delights of those agile fingers. Inevitably though, Rainbow Dash's assertive and lascivious nature commanded her to lean closer and press her chest against Applejack's back, gliding her hands forward and over her stomach. As her hands began to dip down an inch or two lower, Applejack's expression narrowed.

“Rainbow,” Applejack murmured dully as she knew what game her football captain loved to play at.

“That feel good? I mean, we can always take this somewhere a little more private,” Rainbow Dash tilted her head and strummed the top of Applejack's belt, only to feel her friend's hands reach down and take her own.

“You're an awful little vixen, y'know that?” Applejack chuckled as she moved Rainbow's hands back onto her shoulders, allowing her to continue.

“Mhmm, proud of it,” the football captain beamed and continued, running her breezy fingers over Applejack's arms and leaning closer as she spoke so that her lips almost touched the farmer's neck.

“Quit that!” came a stifled laugh from Applejack as she tensed up defensively.

Rainbow Dash pouted as she felt her friend relax against her once more, her appealing body draped against her own. With a frustrated groan, Rainbow pressed her thumbs into her friend's back. “You can be such a tease, Applejack.”

“Says the girl with'er hands all over me,” Applejack countered with a smirk, looking back.

“To the girl enjoying it,” came the retort, and the two left it at that for once.

Applejack hummed and mused as Rainbow's fingers dug deep into her muscles, even though she wasn't very good at it. Though she knew better, Rainbow Dash could not look away from the calm expression on the face of the girl in her hands, and only hoped her heartbeat was not too obnoxious or loud. Applejack didn't seem to mind, that is, until someone caught them in their leisure.

“Heya, Applejack!” a higher pitched voice rang out and startled the pair.

“Huh—what?!” Applejack sat up abruptly, pulling right out of Rainbow's grasp as she heard someone call out to her. Despite her attempts to seem innocent, the blush in her cheeks betrayed her.

“Y’gonna drive me home today? Since Ah'm stayin' as late as you an' all?” Apple Bloom called, smiling this great big hopeful and oblivious smile.

“Uh, yeah, Ah brought Mac's truck, since it seats four,” Applejack explained simply as she fidgeted with her hands in her lap and couldn't quite look right at anything.

“There's only two of us silly, why didn't y'bring yours?” her younger sister inquired, and Applejack chewed at her lip a bit as the answer came out.

“Ah'm givin' Rainbow a ride too,” she explained slowly, realizing how normal that actually was and how little she had to be nervous about.

“Yeah, my hot rod is still in the shop,” Rainbow Dash agreed as she slyly placed a hand on Applejack's head. “Well, my other hot rod!”

“Y'mean besides what, me?” Applejack caught on sarcastically, and Rainbow Dash merely grinned wider and nodded in agreement.

“Well y'better hurry up an' get y'keys then, 'cause practice is over,” Apple Bloom told them as they looked around to confirm it. “Those wimps hardly finished half of the circuit b'fore they were useless!”

“You've created a monster,” Rainbow Dash murmured into Applejack's ear before standing up and stretching, strutting long strides down the bleachers with the farmer's eyes glued to her. In a yawn, she continued, “Besides the one in my pants.”

Applejack huffed an amused laugh as she furrowed her eyebrows and shook her head, getting up to her own feet.

With a sigh, the trio made for the showers to wash off and put away all the materials, being the last ones out on the field. The boys had already washed up and Scootaloo simply rode home after bidding her idol farewell.

In the showers, Applejack noticed Apple Bloom wander off to a corner and leave her alone, which bothered her more than usual as she sensed Rainbow slipping her shower stall now that the two were unsupervised. Keeping her back to her friend, she made certain to angle herself as to not reveal anything private. She attempted to ignore the captain but a warm, soapy hand brushing over her stomach and rising near her chest from behind caused the farmer to let out a yelp and instinctively cover herself up as she spun around, facing Rainbow.

“Before you ask, I mentioned me covering your blindside in the shower, and I simply didn’t wanna be a liar,” Rainbow said, carefully wording her little speech as she slowly backed away into the stall next to Applejack’s, keeping her eyes on Applejack’s so she could not be penalized for peeping too.

“Yer incorrigible,” Applejack said, rolling her eyes with a grin. Luckily, her red face was masked by the steam.

“Hehe, exactly. You’ve got no choice but to conform,” Rainbow mused in a sing-song voice.

“Not bloody likely,” Applejack muttered with a chuckle.

After showers, the three left the school as the sun was in the final stages of setting, the sky turning a dark blue. The Apple siblings and the tag-along Rainbow Dash piled into the pickup truck as Applejack fumbled with the keys, then with the older engine. The truck roared to life and Rainbow sniffed the air.

“Now that is a truck,” the athlete said, her mind reeling with nostalgic memories. “We gotta hang out on the farm sometime; it’s been too long.”

Applejack glanced over to Rainbow Dash, seeing a genuine smile with no ulterior motive to it. The blonde smiled and nodded her head agreeably.

“Yeah.” Applejack concurred lightly.

“So, when we hang, I’ll let you be the first to tie me up, since you’re good with ropes and all. It’ll be hot, yo.” And there it was. Applejack had to stop a moment to reconsider her entire life and friendship with the athlete beside her, filled with flirtatious advances, jokes, and pranks, none of which she could pinpoint the motive behind.

“Can we jus’ get outta here?” Apple Bloom asked in annoyance.

“Aha, s-sorry lil’ sis.” Applejack shook her head and obeyed.

As she turned the truck out of the parking lot, Applejack noticed Spike wandering down the street in the direction of his house. Twilight left earlier, driving herself in her mother’s station wagon. Applejack only knew where he lived because he lived with Twilight, but she knew it well enough to know it was hardly out of the way. Pressing on the gas slowly, she drove nearer up behind him, until Rainbow Dash caught sight of him.

“Hey, there's that spiney-headed runt!” she shouted as she grabbed the wheel and yanked it towards the pavement, nearly making Applejack drive right up onto it.

“Ah'm tryn'a give ‘im a lift, not drive ‘im over!” Applejack yelled back as she regained control of the wheel, though by then Spike had already whirled around and gawked at the swerving vehicle.

“Heya, bub, need a ride?” Rainbow Dash leaned out her window and called to him, though he just stared at her incredulously. He started to make up an excuse, but Rainbow Dash wouldn’t hear of it. “Get the hell in before you get AJ’s headlights rammed up your ass!”

“He almost did,” Applejack reminded her in a grumble as Spike nodded furiously and hurried to the rear door.

Applejack had to open her own door to permit the rear one to open, since the handle was hidden beneath the overlap of the driver’s side door. He climbed in beside Apple Bloom, whose arm rested on the windowsill, which had warned him the other side was occupied. Sighing in relief, he pulled the seat belt over his chest and buckled it in, shyly glancing up to the front of the vehicle. The voice that spoke, however, did not speak to him.

“Hey AJ, why don't you let the kids drive,” Rainbow Dash reached over suddenly and placed her hand on Applejack's thigh, slowly and sensually running it up higher towards a guarded goal. “And the two of us can have some fun in the back seat?”

Applejack glanced down at the action curiously before responding, and as blankly or apathetically as she could muster, “Y'go any further up m'leg an' you're gonna make me slam on the breaks.”

“I'm wearing my seatbelt, don't worry,” the football captain assured her, when a nasty image tangled up into her mind that she just had to share, “In fact, like I said, I'm down for a little rough bonda—”

“There’re kids in the car, y'pervert!” Applejack interrupted her hurriedly, glancing at Apple Bloom in the mirror to be certain she had not been too curious to ask about Rainbow's flirtatious advances.

“So, later then?” Rainbow Dash pouted cutely, but stopped as she felt Applejack take her hand in her own.

Applejack's fingers wrapped around Rainbow's and she lingered in her own lap for a few seconds before lifting the captain's exploration off of her. Placing Rainbow's hand in her own lap, Applejack gently squeezed their contact tighter, surprising the rainbow-haired girl into silence. Rainbow Dash stared curiously at their hands before Applejack let go, but she didn't get the chance to bring it up.

“Ah ain't no kid, Applejack!” Apple Bloom denied adamantly, glaring at her older sister in the mirror, dropping her red eyebrows onto her eyes dangerously.

“Ah'm makin' a point y'little brat,” Applejack teased her, though the younger girl did not poke at it any further. Instead, she turned her attention to the only boy in the vehicle.

“Hey, you’re Spike, right? Twilight’s little brother?” Apple Bloom asked as she leaned forward to get a better look at the boy beside her.

“Uh, yeah, that’s me,” he agreed with a forced smile, feeling awkward with his backpack sitting on his lap the way it was. He was not used to accepting rides from anyone, but he honestly feared Rainbow Dash might run him over otherwise.

“Spike, I’ll cut it short. Gimmie yer number; we’re on th’ same team an’ I’m sorta all y’all’s trainer since Applejack has gone soft on us,” Apple Bloom said, an edge added to her voice on the last few words.

“I can make it hard again,” Rainbow shouted, reaching over towards Applejack’s lap once more.

“Goddammit, Rainbow, you’re distractin’ as all heck, it ain’t no wonder why y’wrecked your ride,” Applejack muttered as she slapped the hand away easily.

“I was busy thinking of you,” Rainbow responded in a cheeky yet sincere and cutesy way. Applejack merely rolled her eyes and payed more attention to what went on in her rear view mirror.

Spike felt his cheeks grow warm and his chest tingle. He grinned as he pulled out his mobile and he and Apple Bloom briefly exchanged phones to enter in the others’ number. Spike noted the rather dated device, as well as it being Applejack’s mobile five years prior. Quickly, he punched in his info and handed it back to Apple Bloom, smiling. He got his phone back and briefly saw the contact list, smiling.

‘Eight numbers,’ he thought.

Glancing over to the younger sibling, he grinned from ear to ear as the driver and passenger bickered.

“Thanks,” Spike said quietly.

“Don’t thank me, it’s what friends ‘re for,” Apple Bloom beamed cheerily.

‘Friends… heh.’

Author's Notes:

Ez: Almost 13,000 words... Well, here's a long one for you!
Arby: I'll give you a long one, Easy.
Ez: If you're so perverse, why am I the one writing most of the AppleDash banter?
Arby: Because I'm too busy writing everything else.
Ez:... Point taken.

Until next time, readers!