Author's Notes:

If you've come back expecting an update, then apologies. I'm rustling around in an attempt to get a completely clean version out for a future reading somewhere else. This is in NO MANNER intended to bump this story, as there is no major update.

If you want to see the edit, though, go ahead.

"I'm...afraid we don't accept circus acts, Miss Dash. We're sorry, but that isn't quite what we're looking for."

"Circus act?! Oh come on...it wasn't that bad, was it?"

"Not so much 'bad', as 'incredibly overused', Dash. If there's a pony alive who hasn't seen a routine begun by a McTwist 780 corkscrew, followed by about 30 cloud spins in 20 seconds, finished by a 'rain-catcher'...well, we'd love to see them. It was done flawlessly, but...the Wonderbolts are about being fresh, new. And about inspiring awe in fellow Equestrians."

"But-"

"It isn't what you think, kid."

"Kid?! Why, I got half a mind to-"

"I'm doing you a favor, Rainbow. It's a lot more work than you think, it isn't about fun, and it isn't the least bit glamorous. True, some ponies think it is, most of them in fact. But I think it's safe to say that you aren't up to the responsibility. You got talent, you have heart. What you lack is commitment."

Dash just shook her head at the memory of the moment. She could still feel that one phantom tear that had slipped out, right before she could stop it.

"But I can be all of those things, just give me another chance!"

Remembering this, the pegasus shook her head. Pleading. How pathetic, you little feather-brained dweeb.

"The Wonderbolts aren't about second chances, kid. It's one time, and once only. If there's ever been a time that any of us messed up in performance, we'd have been long since out of a job. And if a member doesn't show up...well, unless one of us can fly in two places at once, it just won't work. You have to take it seriously. I'm sorry, but I don't think you can do that. Next."

"Spitfire, plea-"

"I said next."

Sighing, the melancholy mare trotted slowly across the main avenue of Ponyville, hardly paying heed to anypony. Either they got out of her way, or she bumped into them. The flier even ignored the awfully gossip-like chatter whooshing around her as she proceeded onwards.

Worst day ever... She grimaced as she narrowly avoided smacking into a huge stallion's side, being followed by a glare from aforementioned stallion. Dreams officially crushed, idol officially rejecting me...what's next, my house getting stolen by rogue gang members? My friends utterly rejecting me, and refusing to speak to me again? Even Pinkie, the chatterbox herself? With my luck, that'd happen...and sheesh, that...I don't know what I'd have to even do anymore.

"Daaassshhhiiieee! There you are!"

Rainbow shuddered as Pinkie's nickname for her shot through the air, piercing right through into her mind, over all of the possible sounds she could hear. Speaking of Pinkie Pie...

"So! Are you excited too? Are you? I know I'm excited! This is gonna' be soooo fun!"
Dash sighed, looking up at the pink figure before her. The smile that broke through her dismal thoughts was small, but it was there for a full second before fading away. Pinkie just had that effect on her. She just always did. The pink mare's cheerfulness had an effect that was similar to a ray of sunshine piercing through her glumness, even if only for a brief second.

"Yeah...sure..." Dash mumbled. "I guess I should ask what is gonna be fun."

"Oh right, I forgot, silly me!" chirped Pinkie. "I was gonna' ask you if you wanted to make cupcakes with me! Zecora said she found this reaaalllyyyy old recipe, and said that it was meant for two to make! So I thought I'd ask you!"

She tapped her chin for a moment, taking on a thinking expression. "What was it exactly that she said...she read from this dusty book thingy...oh yeah!
'O'er the fires of one,
And the hearts of two.
Only once the pastries are done,
Can the amiability begin to show itself to be true.'"

Biting her lip, it was all Dash could do not to let out a mix between a triumphant cry and confusion.
Is Pinkie really that...detached? Hay, she probably doesn't even know what the heck Zecora was talking about anyways. But...by Celestia, those 2 years waiting have been awesomely spent!

"It sounds super duper fun!" continued the pink pony, bouncing in anticipation. "She even says that they have a special sort of magic that goes into them! I've never baked with magic before!"

The earth pony's ignorance was nearly admirable, because Dash realized almost instantly that 'magic' was figurative, whereas Pinkie probably thought actual spells went into the cupcakes.

"Yeah, sure thing, Pinks." agreed the pegasus. "I wouldn't miss it for anything." I'd be darned if I did...because this plan's totally gonna' work! I just know it! She won't be able to refuse!

"Great!" bubbled the mare. "I'll see ya' in about 3 eensey weensey little hours!"

The entire dismal mood that Dash had been feeling had already vanished in just under 30 seconds, which she previously thought unattainable, considering just hours ago her dreams had been shattered, or most of them, anyways. She now flew excitedly upwards, escaping the small town of Ponyville in just seconds. 3 hours, huh? This is going down without a cinch! I suppose I have time...to nap!

Surprisingly, she was pretty tired, even considering her newfound optimism for the afternoon, and the 'plan'. It was a plan that had been waiting about 2 years to come off the shelf, and now she could finally dust it off. Yawning, she began to go over her plan.

The plan to finally admit her affection to the prized pink party pony of Ponyville.

Of course, any plan needed a base. And right now, she was building on it as much as she could.

It had been one of the biggest days of her life. She'd just struck up the Ponyville weather gig for her first job, and she was psyched!

In fact, maybe a little too psyched.

It seemed to be a quaint little town. Ponies trotting around quietly, minding their own business. Perfect for a nap...

"Hey! I haven't seen you before! Welcome to Ponyville!"

She blinked. Where had that voice come from? She combed the ground for sign of a pony speaking to her, but nopony was paying any heed to her.

"Up here, silly!"

The pegasus quickly cast her gaze upwards, and sure enough, there was a pony staring right back at her. An earth pony. Pink, too. Floating in midair.

Wait, what the hay?!

The grin of the mysterious floating earth pony only widened at her reaction. "What's your name?"

Momentarily ignoring the question, she looked up. Oh, right. Balloons. So totally...'not' random...

"Ooh, are you a quiet one? I think that quiet ponies have somethin' to say, but are too scared to say it! Come on, don't be scared now!"

Scared? This, admittedly, eye-catching, pony doesn't know who the Dash is, does she?

"Scared? Pah!" Rainbow exclaimed, waving a hoof in the air. "I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria! I have no fears! And who the hay are you, then?"

"Ooh! That's a good one!" squealed the pink pony. "I'm Pinkie Pie! And may I say again, I haven't seen you before! You look kinda' cool!"

The cyan mare smiled. "Well, I am one of the best lookin' ponies to ever grace Equestria..."

Ah, memories...I remember how she ran off after that to go throw my party...that was nice...

But what's nicer...is a nap.

A blue pegasus glanced quickly at the sun, trying to gauge the time of day. Of course, one never looked directly at it; that was just asking for vision problems. From what the mare could make out, the sun's low dip indicated a time of 5:30, give or take half an hour.
5:30...5:30...

Her eyes widened. Oh, buck! I'm late, gosh darn it! That's the LAST time I take a nap mid-day when I have somethin' to do! The plan is almost down the drain!

In a flash, Rainbow Dash was already off her temporary cloud bed, whooshing through the air. The prominent figure of Sugarcube Corner soon loomed ahead, and she had to swerve left to avoid smacking into the door. Well, that was-

Her hurried flying came to a halt as she nearly smashed through the window, into a painful crash landing. But that wasn't what stopped her. Are those...voices?

Inching closer, the young pegasus strained to make out the voices, or as to be revealed, voice. Pinkie was talking to herself, apparently. After a moment of brief concentration, the blue pony began to pick up a few scattered words.

"What should I do?...she doesn't...warm...alligator...fun and parties just aren't the same!"

"Uh, Pinkie...?" called Dash uncertainly. "You in there?" That was certainly...odd...

The rustling of pots and pans could be heard, before a cheerful voice issued back from indoors. "Just a second, Rainbow!"

The pegasus obliged, taking the short interval that she likely had to bring herself over to the door. She remained there, impatiently pacing for about a full minute before the earth pony emerged.

Dash's mouth dropped slightly. She couldn't have stopped it if she tried.

Pinkie Pie stood before her, beaming as widely as ever. But instead of her normal garb, she was...different. An apron clung to her back, and the front side that reached up to her neck was covered with what seemed to be flour. Her hair was no longer bouncing around without care; instead it was done up into a bun that drew back her hair from the front of her head. As a result, the party pony's soft, beaming face was clearly visible, untouched by any mess, and perfectly smooth as a result of her youth. Her glimmering cyan eyes drew attention of their own, too, as there was nothing in the way to block them. It was now that the pegasus realized how cheerful her eyes really looked, especially when no loose magenta curl obstructed them.

"I'm so glad you're here!" chirped Pinkie, completely oblivious to Dash's reaction. "I got a little impatient, and started a batch, but that's OK! We can start another, right?"

"Huh, what?" mumbled the flier as she was shaken out of her starstruck stupor. "Oh, right. It's fine."

"Great!" said the pink pony, turning to bounce into the bakery. "Let's get started!"

It took the pegasus a while. She watched Pinkie bounce further into the building, taking note at how she did it. Despite all the sugar she consumed, the pink pony was actually very lean, and decently hard-muscled in comparison of what one would actually expect. It was this fact that Dash now noticed as she bounced into the baking area, each hop sending the pegasus' head up, then down, then up, then down.

Holy crud, thought the pegasus. Pinkie, she's just more...beautiful then I've seen her. I mean, she does look better each day, but still. And today, of all days? Gotta' love that...uh...intuition, or whatever it's called.

"So, uh," stammered the pegasus as she walked into the shop, hoovesteps echoing slightly in the air. "What's with the whole apron getup?"

"Oh, that!" exclaimed Pinkie. "I just figured something new would be fun. After all, this is a new recipe, right?"

Rainbow Dash tried to object, tried to tell her that new recipes had never garnered a costume change before. But one look at the innocent face staring back at her, the large, undiscriminating grin, and a meek "Yeah" wormed its way out of her lips.

"Great! Alright, so I have the book right here!" said the eager baker, holding up a large brown book. "Step 1 says that we need some plain old cake mix, which I have some left over from last batch-so, check! "

Dash glanced at the counter separating the two ponies between itself. As mentioned, a large bowl filled with fresh cake mix rested on the countertop, ready for use.

Rainbow watched as Pinkie carefully glanced over the ingredients in the book, before coming up with a grin. "Great! We can start!" she exclaimed, her grin widening as she handed a long handled wooden spoon to the pegasus.

Rainbow stared at it, raising an eyebrow. "What now?" she asked.

"Oh, I forgot about that! Silly me!" giggled the pink pony. "Hang on for like one second, I gotta' get something!"

"How lo-"

"DONE!"

Dash simply stared at the pink pony, who beamed in response. "Hey, I said 'one second', right?"

"You didn't even-"

"Oh, but I did!"
A small object flung itself onto the countertop, and the pegasus squinted at it. It was unmarked, but it was in a factory made box just like any other ingredient she saw anywhere else would be.

Noticing her confusion, Pinkie explained with a slightly smaller grin than before, "Oh, right! That's the special ingredient! If I ever make cupcakes without this stuff, which I've only done it once anyways, then it always turns out all flat and mooshy...I mean, flat and mooshy is good, but not with cupcakes, right? I just call it 'baking flour', but some ponies prefer 'baking soda'. That's weird, because it's more of a grain to me, and not really soda. But I guess it works! Either name, really. I use both, anyways!"

"Uh...sure..." groaned Rainbow Dash. "So what do we do with it? You kinda' gotta remember that I haven't done this before..."

Pinkie giggled. "Why, put it into the mix, where else? Ditcha' think that you wore it on your head?"

Even Dash was smiling a little now. Oh, Pinkie...you never stop being so funny. "Hehe, maybe...but that isn't important right now."

Still smiling and shaking her head, the pegasus grabbed the already opened box-how did she not spill it when tossing it?-and began tilting it into the waiting bowl. "Waaaait!" called Pinkie, as soon as the first few grains of white powder fell in.

Dash grumbled, rolling her eyes before ceasing the flow of baking 'flour'. "What now?"

"Just makin' sure you're paying attention!"

Sighing, the pegasus returned to pouring in the powdery ingredient, and at the pink pony's beck and call, finally stopped.

She looked at the result. A mound of coarsely fine white flakes, sitting in the midst of a yellowed-white mix, which seemed ready to give way to the powder, as if running from a monstrous beast. "That doesn't look right..." she muttered.

Pinkie Pie simply smiled, and pointed at the spoon that Rainbow had set on the counter before pouring in the powder.

"...oh."

The pegasus picked up the spoon carefully, and with the caution of a foal taking its first steps, began to stir the mixture.

The party pony stopped her after a few seconds, giggling for perhaps the third time in as many minutes. "No, no, no," she playfully chided, as if talking to a mischievous colt. "You gotta' do it like you mean it!" Pinkie Pie then let out a very obviously fake "Grrrr!" before coming back to reality. "Here, c'mon, I'll help you."

As the earth pony walked around the counter, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but think that she'd rather be anywhere but there. That thought abruptly vanished, however, as the pink pony gently reached around her, taking her hooves in her own. "Come on now, follow my lead!" Pinkie gently encouraged, pushing the pegasus' hooves around with her own to give an idea of how the action would be. The scent of sugar and peppermint wafted itself into Dash's nose as she did so, and a quick smile broke out on Rainbow's face before she could stop it. In the seconds that it lasted, she silently hoped, I hope she didn't see that...

"Now you try!" said the aproned Pinkie, stepping back to watch her friend's efforts. The pegasus resumed, but now she was utterly uncoordinated, even dropping the spoon a few times.

"Aw, Dashie, it's OK!" Pinkie reassured Dash, patting her on the back. "Not everypony gets it the first time, don't be all embarrassed!"

"Uh...sure." mumbled Dash. Thank Celestia she's that detached, because if she really knew why I was blushing...hoo boy. Not yet.

"All right Dash, it's good!" confirmed Pinkie. "Y'can stop now!"

"Gladly..." huffed the pegasus, stepping back from the bowl. "So, what now?"

"Wellll," drawled Pinkie. "That's it for now, 'cause we gotta pour it into these itty bitty tins before putting 'em in the oven! But there's more fun to be had afterwards!"

Yeah, 'fun'...if you can call it that.

Rainbow watched as the pink pony quickly, and somehow perfectly, poured just the right amount of batter into each hole, until all twelve were filled. Pinkie then expertly opened an oven, tossed the cupcake tin in, and closed the door in one fluid movement. Grinning, she set the timer to 5 minutes. "I already preheated it!" she exclaimed, as if proud of herself.

Dash simply gave a weak smile as the party pony stood near the oven, impatiently tapping her hooves. For such a short time-and an unusually short time-it could turn out to be pretty awkward.

"So," said Pinkie. "Are you still a little down from that whole Wonderbolts thing?"

Rainbow Dash blinked. "You...you know about that?"

"'course I do!" chirped the earth pony. "I know everything about ya'! It's just because I care about my friends, anyways!"

Rainbow chuckled a little at the earth pony's omnipotence, before looking down sadly. "Yeah...it just reeks something awful. I mean, I can try again and again and again...but it probably ain't gonna work..."

The pink pony gently lifted the pegasus' chin with a lone hoof. "You still have your friends, y'know." she said, smiling.

"Aw, Pinkie..." Rainbow simply drew Pinkie into a hug, relishing the smell of cotton candy softly wafting from her mane.

"There we go!" exclaimed Pinkie Pie. "I knew that would cheer ya' up!"

Ding!

"Wow!" called the pink mare. "That was super-duper quick! Come on, it's time for the funnest part!"

Rainbow watched in admiration as Pinkie, in a few quick, calculated motions, withdrew the pan from the oven, and flung it in the air. The cooking tin did 2 flips before clattering onto the counter, with not a single undecorated pastry out of place.

"Impressive."

"I know, right?"

The earth pony quickly reached into a drawer, pulling out three separate tubes of decorative frosting. "Now it's your turn! Last step!" encouraged the pink pony. "Just choose your icing, and spread it like you're spreading butter over buttered toast!"

Dash complied, and in minutes, a surprisingly presentable batch of pastries sat in front of the two mares. "Well, try one!" exclaimed Pinkie. "They're your cupcakes!"

Gingerly, Rainbow Dash withdrew one of the pastries, and reluctantly took a bite. Her chewing slowed. "It's good, but..."

"But what?"

"I think it's...missing something..."

Such as the fact that you still haven't told her? Just tell the damn pony how you feel!

As Dash swallowed the bite of seemingly 'off' pastry, and took another ,she spoke. "Listen Pinkie, I-"

The pegasus stopped mid-sentence as Pinkie suddenly leapt forward, pressing her lips against her own in a fierce display that even she herself could be proud of. But as quickly as the surprise smooch had started, it ended just as fast as Pinkie pulled away, stammering and speaking at almost the speed of light. "I-I'm sorry, Dashie, I'm so sorry! I just felt so super duper pent up, and I just can't hide it! I love you, you great big silly filly! I don't know if you feel the same, but I just gotta' know, so I just went first!"

Rainbow simply stood, jaw hanging wide open in astonishment. No attempt whatsoever was made to conceal the slight tinge blossoming on her cheeks, or the sudden, unchecked extension of her wings.

"Pinkie..." stammered the pegasus, gazing at the pastel earth pony. "I...why? Or...when?"

The pink pony leaned down, and quickly nipped at Dash's ear, eliciting a slight wince from the pegasus. "Less talky, more kissy, Dashie..."

Dash managed to giggle as Pinkie leaned down, attempting to pepper her with another assault of love. She sure is a lot more confident all of a sudden... thought Dash. "No, no, not now!" she exclaimed, trying to laugh while simultaneously trying to assert herself.

Eventually, the pink pony complied, still giggling a little. "All right, Dashie," she said. "You win. I'll tell ya'. But only because you're so cute when you're wondering about things."

"Tell me what - " she began, before remembering just as quickly as she had started " - oh, yeah."

Pinkie flopped down on the floor next to the rainbow maned pegasus. "You remember that first day, right? When I was all like 'hello!' and you were like 'who are you?'?"

Dash smiled. "As clear as any day, Pinkie."

"Well, y'see, when I saw you, I thought it would be really fun to throw you a welcome party, like always!" continued the pink pony. "But when I got back to Sugarcube Corner to get my emergency party supplies, I wasn't thinking about the party!"

Rainbow frowned, turning to the pink pony. "Really? Then what could you possibly be thinking about other than parties, when you're even planning one?"

Pinkie giggled, giving the cyan mare a peck on the tip of her muzzle. "Who do you think, you silly filly?"

As Dash drew breath to reply, she saw the party pony suddenly wink off towards one of the windows. "Uh...Pinkie? What are you doing?"

Pinkie Pie's eyes suddenly darted from side to side. "Oh, nothing! Now come on, we still have a whole bunch of cupcakes left to finish! Speaking of which, ditcha' ever figure out what was missing from those cupcakes?"

Rainbow smiled, hoping the twinkle in the eye wasn't visible. "Oh, I did, Pinkie."

"What is it?"

"You."

In a surprising instant, Pinkie herself was caught off guard as her cheeks became tinged with red. "Oh...D-Dashie..."

For a while, the two mares did nothing but stare into each others eyes - magenta into cyan, and cyan back to magenta. Pinkie was, naturally, the first to recover. "So, wanna help me finish them?"

Dash smiled. "I'd be glad to help, Pinkie."

As the two mares once more set about lovingly sharing cupcakes between what the pink pony called 'Sugary Sweet Smooches', only one was aware of the hooded figure that hid just out of sight.

It chuckled to itself. "Those silly ponies," it said. "Those pastries were complete phonies! Though I have a feeling that dear Pinkie Pie knew, or else the resulting love would not be true..."

Such figures were beyond the two mares' caring, however. As the last cupcake disappeared, Rainbow Dash hesitated. "Pinkie," she said.

"Yes, Dashie?" Pinkie asked, gently fluttering her eyelashes.

"I love you."

Pinkie made no response, except to nuzzle Dash across her neck. Dash begrudgingly lay back, and closed her eyes. It was pure heaven for her right now - though one thing hadn't worked out, the other had worked out even better than she wanted. And that was fine. The scent of cotton candy gently wafted down from where Pinkie was sleepily cuddled up to her. The weight and warmth of the pink pony was almost like a big, extremely comfortable loving blanket.

With all of the excitement from the past few minutes having tired her out, Rainbow Dash was asleep in minutes.