“Alright buddy…sleep tight…” I said cheerfully as I was bent down in front of my little turtle pal outside of his pre-determined hibernation cave, “I’ll be sure to be right here when you wake up alright?” I then said as I leaned forward and rubbed my snout against his nose.  He croaked back at me and then slowly smiled.  I chuckled as I leaned back up and stood up as he turned around and then slowly started to enter his cave to begin his hibernation.

“Goodnight Tank…” I then said, making one final goodbye before I sighed and looked around.  There were small holes and caved everywhere…though it seemed pretty desolate and lifeless with the leafless trees and cool chill in the air.

I opened up my still bandaged wings and started to fly off to meet Fluttershy at the spot where she was putting her insufferable bunny to sleep.  I looked up at the now cloudy atmosphere…I’m halfway impressed that they managed to get the cloud layer done just in time for the start of winter…but I know deep down that they probably screwed up somewhere and I can just tell I’m going to get my flank chewed out…even though I was on the other side of an ocean!  Whatever…anyways I eventually saw Fluttershy bent down in front of a hole where her little rabbit was standing at about to enter.  I sighed as I quietly landed a little away from her…not too close because I knew this was a private moment.

“Please have a pleasant sleep Angel…” The canary mare said in a soft tone which caused the little white bunny to squeak frantically and hop up to hug her face which made her gasp slightly before smiling, “I know Angel…I love you too…” She then said in a sad tone as she closed her eyes and nuzzled her small friend which made me blink a few times…ok maybe he’s not that bad of a bunny…he’s still a little jerk though.

“Now please…” The gentle Pegasus then began in a pleading tone as she pushed the small rabbit away and opened her now tear filled cyan eyes at him,  “Go to sleep…I’ll…I’ll be here the moment spring starts and you wake up…” She then beckoned in almost a whisper as she moved her hoof towards the cave.  The white bunny’s ears dropped before he slowly nodded, then he reluctantly turned around and entered the cave.

“Goodbye…Angel…” She then said in an almost an inaudible whisper that I barely heard as she lowered her head, closed her eyes, and let her ears flatten against her head.  Tears then began to slowly slide down from her closed eyes.

I wanted to walk up to comfort her but before I did I noticed a small white spec fall down from the sky and land in her pink mane.  I looked up and then noticed a lot of white specs falling from the sky.  It’s snowing?  Those incompetent morons!  It’s not supposed to start snowing for another month!  Gah!  I knew it…I freaking knew it!  They had to go and screw something up as usual!  And like I mentioned before I knew whose going to get all the blame for this crap…and it certainly isn’t going to be the ponies that deserve it either!

I groaned slightly in anger as the snowfall started to increase.  I started to make plans on who exactly I’m going to punish for making it snow early as I lowered my head to look back at Fluttershy.  She was still silently crying at the entrance of the hibernation hole as snow started to get in her pink mane and tail along with starting to cover her yellow coated back.   The sight of her standing alone crying while the snow started to gently pile on her made my heart break and envelope me in a despair I don’t think I’ve ever felt before…

“Fl-Fluttershy…” I weakly called as I started to slowly trot up to her; I caught her attention as she gasped lightly and looked up at me with her tearful cyan eyes looking at me as the snow fell off her mane from her sudden head movement.

“R-Rainbow Dash…”  The still crying mare softly replied as she started to shake either from the cold of the snow on her or from the sadness of seeing her beloved pet going away for a couple of months…either way it didn’t matter…she was still upset and I didn’t want to see her like this.  I opened my mouth to say something to her only to be caught off guard by her rushing up at me.

“Oh Rainbow Dash!” She shouted frantically as moved her fore hooves around me in a tight hug as she started crying in   “I…I really really…really dislike winter…” She then said muffled in between her sobs as she continued crying into my chest I raised my fore hooves and hugged her back…even though I had some…dreams last night of the…intimate nature…and this was certainly an intimate hug…I wasn’t going to let it overtake me and let my wings pop out…I couldn’t when she’s like this…right now I had to consul her…

“I know Fluttershy…” I said softly as I moved my hooves back and started to wipe of the snow that was covering up her se-…beaut-…very nice yellow coat…certainly deserving to be seen and not ruined by snow…great now I’m sounding like Rarity.

“I…I just…I just hate being alone…” She then said as it sounded like she was starting to calm down…either from her letting it out, me hugging her, or me wiping the cold snow off of her…no matter what it’s a good thing.  I know how she hates to be alone…especially during winter when all her animal friends are alone…she doesn’t hate the season itself just the fact that she’s in her cottage all day and night by herself…if I were her I’d be the same way…well I am the same way now that I think about it…

I hate winter too…it’s freaking cold twenty four seven and even though there’s some awesome holidays…I don’t get out and practice that much because it’s either too cold or because it’s snowing and when it’s snowing your grounded…no matter what when snow gets in your wings it’s going to mess up your feathers and add weight that will endanger you…and if the snow freezes and turns to ice in your wings…then you might as well be nose diving straight into the ground…winter is the worst time of year for Pegasi…not even the Wonderbolts chance going out on a snowy day…I’m going to hate being cooped up in my house all day with that yearning to go outside and do some stunts…

“I know…I do too…” I responded as I broke away from her and looked into water filled eyes…moving my hoof up to wipe them away…causing her to smile…I smiled back as I moved my hoof up and then started to brush away the snow on top of her head and in her mane….

“What is it with white stuff and your hair?  I remember back in flight camp after you ran into clouds I had to brush off the white puffs stuck in your mane…I don’t mind doing it since its clouds and snow…but…stay away from marshmallow factories…that stuff is more of a pain to get out. ” I badly joked with a smirk, bringing up all the times she fell down into clouds and I had to help her out….of course I would do the same thing and she’d help me…but my hair never attracted the small puffs of clouds like hers…I guess it’s because my hair is kind of course and ruffled and hers is nice, soft, and…c-cool it Rainbow Dash…don’t go into that area again…

“I’ll see what I can do…” Fluttershy replied with a smile and a giggle, actually finding my joke to be funny, but at least she’s smiling again.  She raised a hoof and started to brush off the snow that was now collecting on top of my head.

“And I think that out all the colors in your beautiful mane…white is certainly a bad addition…” She then joked as well…which honestly made me laugh slightly at that…and also feel my face heat up a bit from her calling my mane ‘beautiful’…it does look nice…but not in that sense…but in the awesome sense…oh well…I guess that’s good enough for now…

“Yeah…I have to agree…”  I replied with an uncomfortable chuckle and smile as she moved her hoof down from my mane to start brushing the snow off my back…what is this a ‘I wipe the snow off your back you wipe the snow off of mine?’ situation…which is kind of pointless since it’s still snowing and we’re going to be covered in snow soon again.  Oh well…it does feel nice to have her hoof brushing against my back and also my wings…ugh…I am so sick…

“Oh I’m sorry…your wings are still hurt...that was stupid of me…” She quickly apologized and a bit frantically as she moved back after touching my wing…which made me roll my eyes because I didn’t even say ow or cringe or anything…

“No it’s ok…they’re fine…” I said with a grin, shrugging her apology off as I opened my wings up very easily to show her that they were fine, “I did have some problems with them last night…” I then admitted as I looked back at them and then started to rub them to get make sure there wasn’t any pain anywhere…which there wasn’t.

“Y-You did?” The concerned mare asked in confirmation as I looked back to see her giving a worried expression.

“Yeah, after I left Ponyville they started hurting and started to burn from all the bandages but it was nothing I couldn’t handle…and once I got back into Ponyville they were fine…”  I explained as I looked up slightly, remembering how all of a sudden my wings hurt like hell all the way to Cloudsdale and back…then they felt fine again…I wonder if I rubbed something wrong or if I pushed myself too much…I mean I was flying as fast as I could away from Fluttershy after our little hug…worried my wings might lock up from a sudden feel of a certain mare’s body and I would go crashing down into the ground.

“I…I had a similar problem…my wings all of a sudden started hurting on the way to Rarity’s…then…later last night they started to feel fine again…” Fluttershy admitted in slight shock as her eyes widened a bit…huh…well she did fly across an ocean when she really shouldn’t have…and when her determination ran out the pain must have caught up with her…

“Yeah…fatigue can do that to you…” I pointed out as I nodded my head at her…I wonder if her wings still hurt…she didn’t have any problems flying here…

“Y-Yes…ca-can I see your wings?” The cyan eyed Pegasus then asked as she started to move closer to me…which made me feel uncomfortable again slightly.

“Why?” I simply asked, answering her question with a question as I backed away a bit.

“I just want to check on the wounds…you know since they hurt last night it could be that the bandages were wrapped wrong or worse…” The kind mare explained with a smile as she continued moving up to me…I stopped moving and realized that she did have a point…even though they stopped hurting I didn’t want to risk that I would rub them wrong again and prolonging their healing.

“Alright…” I said in agreement as I nodded and then opened up my right wing for her to look at.  She sighed in relief as she moved over to it and started to unbandage it.  I expected it to sting slightly or hurt somewhat from her bandaging wounds that happened yesterday but thankfully I didn’t feel anything, even after the freezing air hit them.

“D-Dash…Y-Your wing!” I heard Fluttershy call in astonishment and shock as I looked back in fear at my wing…wondering if they were worse than yesterday but…no…the exact opposite actually!

“Wow…it’s completely healed!” I excitedly remarked as I looked over the completely healthy looking wing…no sign of scratches, bruises, or wounds anywhere on it…it was like I was never hurt to begin with… I looked over to my left wing and ripped the bandages off without a care and to my amazement the other wing was exactly the same.  

“So is the other one!” I said just as happy as before as I was notifying Fluttershy of my other wing’s awesome recovery.

“That’s…that’s…” The canary mare began as she went over and looked at it…more amazed at my recovery than I was.

“That’s awesome!  I knew they weren’t hurt badly…and combined with your awesome medical skills they healed overnight….” I finished for her happily as I moved my hoof up and brushed my left wing which never felt better…knowing full well why they healed this quickly…

“Thanks Fluttershy!  I’m coming to you next time I crash land…” I then said with a smirk as I looked over at Fluttershy and winked at her…causing her to recoil a bit with her mouth open slightly before she blinked and looked at her wing.

“Yes…of course…anytime Rainbow…” She replied in a soft tone as she raised a hoof and started to rub it…as if trying to convince herself of something…then she shook her head, lowered her hoof, and looked back up at me with a smile.

“Well I have to go now…I have to meet up with Rarity…for the party later tonight…” The pink maned Pegasus informed pleasantly as she turned around and started to trot off in the snow covered ground.

“Yeah…I’ll see you there Fluttershy…” I replied as I raised my hoof and waved at her…even though she couldn’t see me waving at her.

“A-And when you do…y-you’ll see me with another pony…” She then nervously said as she stopped and turned her head around to give me an uncertain look…she…she what?

“Wh-What?” I asked in a surprised stutter as I started to feel my breathing to go shallow.

“R-Rarity…s-set me up on a date…a-at the party tonight…” Fluttershy explained as her volume started to lower…obviously nervous about the whole situation but knowing her it’s understandable…what did Rarity set this up while we were gone?  She works fast…and I think it’s a bit soon…but…that’s probably me being over protective…I have to supportive and hope for the best…for her sake.

“G-Great Fluttershy…knowing Rarity I bet she set you up with a pretty awesome pony…” I replied, trying to sound encouraging but instead sounding almost as unsure as she was…as I gave her an awkward smile….well that’s not going to help….

“Y-Yeah…I hope so…” The canary Pegasus said back in a whisper as she looked down with her eyes half closed not looking at all inspired after my terrible encouragement…alright time to step up your game Rainbow…

“Don’t worry Fluttershy…I’m sure you’re going to have an awesome night…one that you’ll always remember…” I said a lot more cheerful and maybe a bit arrogant as I gave her a confident grin…she looked up to see my expression and then thankfully lightened up and gave me a smile.

“Thanks Dash…” She said a bit louder than before as she now looked more confident about the situation. “Goodbye…” She then said as she turned around and trotted away…as she trotted away I couldn’t help but notice her flank shake lusciously as she moved…jiggling with each step she took and even bouncing the snow on it off and causing it slide down her sides as she moved…oh if only her tail wasn’t in the way I would get a better view of her flank and especially her...her…aghhh!  What am I doing!?

I shook my head violently and stared at the white covered ground so I wouldn’t be hypnotized anymore by Fluttershy’s…thing… “Y-Yeah…g-goodbye…F-Fluttershy…” I simply said in humiliation as I felt my entire face heat up from the fact that I was checking my best friend out like some kind of pervert slash stalker slash creeper…

I looked up very reluctantly and noticed that she was gone…thankfully not noticing my moment of shame.  I sighed as I turned around and started to trot down the opposite direction so I wouldn’t fall victim to her flank again.  Seriously, what the hell is wrong with?  I was ogling her…ogling my best friend of all ponies!  All because of me feeling her up…what just because I touch her in a…very intimate way I suddenly realize she has a great body and flank?  I mean she’s always had one…I always knew she was a looker even when we were younger and even envied her at times but…that was just appreciation…this is just pure carnal lust…if the filly me saw me and how I was acting or hell even myself from a week ago I’d punch myself in the gut!

I sighed as I continued trotting and eventually left the hibernation grounds.  I’m disgusting…I’m thinking dirty things about my best friend, looking at her in a unfriendly way, and even had a very wrong wet dream about her last night. Fluttershy’s too innocent and pure to be looked at like that by anypony…and even though I know that I’m being an un-loyal friend by doing this….I’m horrible.  If Fluttershy ever found out…I could only imagine her reaction…somewhere along the lines of shock, horror, and even fear…she wouldn’t hate me and we’d be friends…but an unrepairable gap would forever be formed in our friendship if she ever found out that I’m sexually aroused by her.

“Well Howdy Rainbow Dash!” I heard a cheerful southern sounding voice call which took me out of my thoughts.  I looked up to see an orange earth pony mare trotting up to me on the snow covered road pulling a large wagon filled with barrels…oh it’s Applejack.

“Oh…AJ…sorry I didn’t quite notice you…” I apologized somewhat sincerely as I stopped and waited for her to trot up to me…which took a while since she was pulling a wagon behind her.

“I figured as much…ya looked very deep in thought which is a sight to behold…” She teasingly replied with a smug grin as she finally caught up to me.  Oh what a jokester you are AJ…almost as awesome as Cloud Kicker…

“Funny…” I dully replied as I rolled my eyes, “So what are you doing?” I then asked as I turned around and trotted alongside her…asking her a stupid question honestly since it’s pretty clear what she’s doing…I should’ve asked what she was pulling instead of what she was doing…

“I’m just hauling this here batch of Cider over to Pinkie’s party…” She answered most likely knowing what I was thinking and answering my internal question instead of my…wait…

“Cider you say?” I asked for confirmation as I raised both my eyebrows and started to form a smile in anticipation…

“Don even think bout it RD…I’d rather be a mouse caught in the middle of a hawk’s nest then let you take one drop of this here cider…” She replied as she looked at me in a menacing way as she gave a really weird AJ type simile…or….metaphor…or whatever!  

“Fine fine…I guess I can wait until the party…” I agreed rather reluctantly with a sigh…not wanting to cause any problems, “Need any help?” I then asked curiously, wondering if she needed my helping hoof.

“If ya don’t mind can ya clear the road ahead of me…I wasn’t expecting it to snow today and I don want to slip and wreck up the batch of cider…” She suggested as she moved her head forward pointing to the snow covered road…yeahhhh…it would be bad for everypony if the cider didn’t even make it there…it would be a pretty uneventful party without it….

“Yeah it really wasn’t supposed to snow today…whatever that’s a problem I’ll have to deal with later…” I said with a groan as I walked up in front of her, “Just leave this to me…you can call me Rainbow Plow!” I then smugly said with a grin as I opened my wings up and flapped them so it would make a gust of wind to blow the snow off the road…to my amazement though it not only blew off the snow on the road it blew off the snow off the surrounding grass and even the snow in the trees…wow I didn’t put that much power into my wings…just my usual to clear light stuff off like snow…maybe I don’t know my own strength anymore…

“Whoa…kinda overdoing it doncha think?” Applejack commented as she I turned around to see her giving me a somewhat curious look as to why I was putting so much effort into this…when I really wasn’t.

“Pff…I think I’m don’t think I’m overdoing it enough!” I arrogantly replied with a scoff as I turned around to look where I was going.  “…though maybe I will tone it down if you don’t think you can handle all this awesome…” I then agreed as I knew once we got into town nopony would appreciate snow flying everywhere and into their faces…

“Yeah yeah…” The orange pony behind me said as I could just imagine her rolling her eyes at me.  I wanted to say something back but instead I focused on flapping my wings again…this time much softer than I was normally accustomed to…and thankfully it was soft enough to blow off the snow on the road and not everything in front of us.

We continued like that all the way into to Ponyville.  Thankfully when we got there the snow wasn’t that bad since we were now trotting on used roads where most of the snow was stepped on and now slush…even still I still kept up my flaps just in case.  All around I saw ponies frantically taking cover from the snow fall and moving things around that they didn’t intend to be snowed on.  Great…they’re going to complain to the Weather Patrol about this and then the management is going to come down and list off all the complaints to me and then scold me about this flub up…even though it wasn’t my fault…then they’ll probably demote me or fire me…again…only to put me back in my old position after they realize I’m the only one qualified to do this job…again…gah…it’s going to be a miserable experience tomorrow.

I groaned to myself as we continued our trip to what I’m assuming is the Town Hall…that’s where the road we’re on leads to and that’s usually where Pinkie throws her, ‘Super Ginormous Absosplenderfernal Mega Parties.’    …at least that’s what I think she calls them at the moment…I don’t know she might have changed it while I was gone…then changed it a few more times…whatever.  As Town Hall came into view I saw the huge banner above that said ‘Pinkie’s Goodbye Fall and Bring on Winter Extravabanaza!’  Yep…I called it…and it didn’t take us that long to reach there with the cider thankfully intact.

“Thanks for ya help RD…” Applejack thanked sounding sincere as she took off the harness hooked up to the wagon and then went to go get a barrel out.

“No problem…” I shrugged off as I turned around and went up to the orange earth pony as she put the large barrel on her back, “Need any help carrying in the cider?” I then asked as I knew it was going to take a while for her to carry in all those barrels…and not notice if one of those barrels ‘mysteriously’ vanishes…

“Nah I’m good…it won’t take me that long…and…I really don’t want to trust you with the cider…” She responded denying my very generous help as she shook her head and then started to walk up to the door.

“Oh come on!” I urged in a high pitched tone as I trotted alongside her.  I really really really wanted to help her…and may or may not be the cause of a barrel ‘mysteriously’ vanishing!

“Not a chance…I don want a barrel ‘mysteriously’ vanishing!” The unfortunately smart earth pony denied as she knew what I was planning to do…damn it…you really are a worthy opponent Applejack…

“Fine fine…I’ll just use the bathroom…” I said in defeat as I opened the front door for her…to which she entered….without a thank you…way to go Applejerk!  

I groaned as I went inside and shut the door behind me.  I looked around and saw a completely white room as I’m guessing it’s going for a snow theme.  A dance floor was clearly in the center with a few ponies already there with a DJ at the back of the room on the stage…headed by a white earth pony mare with a two toned blue colored mane…I think that’s Vinyl Scratch…she was messing with the records and the electronic panel…most likely making sure that everything was ok for the party.

There was a snacks and refreshment table on the left side of the room with a bar on the right side…which is where Applejack was headed to drop off the barrel.  I looked up and noticed snow flake decorations along with snowpony decorations dangling from the ceiling.  A huge crystal ball also hung directly in the center…wow all we’re missing is smoke.  I snickered to myself as I headed to the back of the room where the restrooms where.

“Oh oh oh Rainbow Dash!” I heard an excited call which made me turn around to see a pink earth pony bouncing up to me with an over excited look on her face.

“Hey Pinkie…” I called back as she bounced up to me, after which she started to bounce in place, “You did a great job…I can tell this is going to be an awesome party…” I complimented as I looked around with a smile on my face giving credit where credit is due.

“Thanks…I worked super hard on it and I’m glad you’re here instead of halfway across the world!” The pink party pony excitedly responded as she spun around and then held her fore hooves in the air…causing some confetti to fly out of nowhere for some reason.

“Oh that reminds me!” She then began as she reached her right fore hoof in to her mane, “Here’s your new invitation!” She informed still in that excited tone as she retrieved an envelope out from her hoof and held it out to me.  I chuckled as I took the envelope and opened it…which caused smoke to come out…oh there’s the smoke…awesome.  I rolled my eyes playfully and took out the letter.  Which read ‘Both You and Fluttershy are invited to my Awesomerific Splenderfnal Uber-amazing Party-palooza!’ …yep she changed it again like I thought…wait…’You and Fluttershy’?

“Why are my and Fluttershy’s names on it?” I asked curiously as I looked at her with an eyebrow raised slightly.  

“Oh she’s your plus one!” She answered cheerfully as she pointed at the invitation…not exactly answering my question….

“…why?” I simply said in response as I narrowed my eyes at her slightly…hoping she’d catch the hint of what I wanted to know.

“Because…after the change…I was kinda running low on invitations so I decided to group a lot of ponies together like you and Fluttershy, Rarity and Applejack, and me and Twily…” Pinkie explained giving a weird reason as she held a hoof up and happily beamed at me with a smile…how can you run low on invitations…don’t you just need paper or something?

“…why did you even bother with the invitations…you could’ve just told everypony to come and forget about the invitations…” I pointed out in a dull tone as I knew that she could’ve just said ‘Hey everpony…massive party at Town Hall tonight!’ and then they’d all show up…

“Oh Dashie…you can’t have a super awesome party like this without a super party invitation!” She responded with a playful giggle as she reached up and patted me on the top of my head, “Which also reminds me…the party is going to start soon so I’m going to need your invitation or else you can join in…” She then said a bit seriously as she held out her hoof to me to take my invitation…are you serious…you just gave me the damn thing…you couldn’t just hold onto it?  Oh whatever.  I sighed as I gave her the invitation and envelope…to which she raised to her eyes and quickly scanned.

“Hmmm…is this a fake?  This kind of looks like a forged invitation to me!” She said very doubtfully as she looked at me suspiciously…are you freaking joking…yes Pinkie…that thing you just gave me is a fake…I’m party crashing…you know that statement you made is so stupid I’m not even going to respond and just look at you like you’re crazy…

“Alright…I’ll take your word on this Dashie…don’t expect me to do this all the time though!”   She then said seriously after a minute of me staring at her as she put the invitation and envelope back in her mane…what word?  I didn’t say anything! “Now be prepared to enjoy this awesome party made by this super-duper party pony!” She then happily declared before bouncing off.

“Right…” I dully said as I shook my head.  I then sighed and went back to the bathroom which is where I wanted to go in the first place.  After a quick bathroom break and washing of my hooves I left the bathroom and found the room more crowded than usual with Pinkie next to Vinyl Scratch holding the microphone in her hoof.

“Alright everypony!  Let’s get this party started!” The over excited pink earth pony shouted as she waved both her hooves in the air.

“Aw yeah let’s get dance floor shaking!” Vinyl Scratch shouted in agreement as she moved the needle onto the record to start the music.

All of a sudden a high funky beat started playing and all the ponies on the dance floor started to move to the music.  Confetti and snowflake shaped balloons started to…for some reason fall from the ceiling even though I’m sure there wasn’t any up there…oh well…lights started to flicker and reflect off the crystal ball making a mesmerizing and spectacular array of colors especially over the dance floor.…I was honestly tempted to join in but there was something a little more important that on my mind.  I walked past everypony on the dance floor and walked over to the right where the bar was…I saw Applejack behind it setting up some glasses and looked like she was going to be the bartender for the party…makes sense it’s her cider after all.

“One glass of your finest cider please!” I proudly ordered with a grin as I sat down on a stool at the bar and held a hoof up to Applejack.

“Alright….just know this isn’t really the hardest of ciders…” She replied with a nod as she grabbed a glass and went to the barrel behind her to pour some cider for me.

“Whatever, I don’t mind…cider is cider…” I shrugged off in an uncaring tone with a wave at my hoof as AJ poured the cider into the glass…as long as I can drink it I don’t care if it’s a drop of cider…

“Alright…here ya go then…” She responded with a nod and a smile as she took the now filled glass and gave it to me.  I quickly took a drink and as advertised it was very light cider…but that’s ok…that just means I won’t be drunk and get into a fight hopefully.

“So…” I then said as I lowered my glass of cider, wanting start up a conversation, “Did Pinkie Pie give you a stupid invitation?” I asked curiously, wanting to know if AJ got the same thing and thought it was stupid like me…

“No…she gave Rarity one…and I’m apparently her plus one…” Applejack answered in a not too thrilled voice as she looked down at the counter…geez I know it’s stupid that she gave Rarity one but do you have to be upset about it?

“You don’t have to appear so glum about it…” I suggested before I lifted the glass up to take a quick drink.

“It’s not that…” She denied in that low tone as she shook her head as she still looked down.  “It’s just…Rarity and I have been in some…difficulties lately…” She then said before making a long depressed sigh…oh her and Rarity are having some issues…geez what else is new?

“Rarity’s been trying to dress you up in some of her outfits hasn’t she?” I teasingly asked with a smirk as I raised my glass up and nudged her as if trying to cheer her up with that gesture.

“Believe me I wish it was that…” The orange cowgirl pony said lightly as she shook her head very slowly…geez whatever happened it must be terrible if she said she would like it to be about her being dressed up!

“Wow…if you’re saying that it must be bad…so what is it?” I then asked curiously and a bit concerned as I leaned back on my stool and widened my eyes a bit at her.

“Well…remember when that Trender-whatever fellow came by for the Ponyville Days Festival?” She began, asking me about what happened a while ago as she looked up at me with her green eyes slightly quivering.

“Yeah…” I simply said with a light nod…even though I didn’t…I can’t remember what happened on the last Ponyville Days…I think I got too drunk to remember…all I remember was that a party was going on…I was drinking a lot…and I was with Fluttershy…then I woke up the next day in my house…I think Fluttershy flew me home…like usual…

“Well…before he left, Rarity…well…tried to ‘hook up’ with him so to speak…” She said in a slightly louder tone as she put a weird emphasis on the words ‘hook up’ which must only mean one thing.

“Got it she tried to get laid…” I said with a nod, understanding what she meant…she narrowed her eyes at me slightly and  gave me a dull expression…oh…that’s what the euphemism was for…yeah…opps…

“Yeah…well anyways…he flat out rejected her, said he wasn’t interested, and even said he didn’t even find her attractive in the slightest…” She then explained as her tone dropped and as she looked down at the countertop again…obviously upset from seeing her like that…

“I can’t imagine why…” I said in a snarky and with a chuckle as I lifted the glass up and took a drink, when I lowered the glass I saw AJ giving me an intense glare with her green eyes as she breathing heavily out her nose looking like she was ready to kill me   “Sorry…that was uncalled for…” I then apologized as I sunk in my seat slightly…feeling bad for saying that about one of my friends…but it’s kind of true…she can be…quite tiring…and that can be unappealing…

“After that she was completely devastated…I found her in room crying her head off saying things like ‘Why can’t I find somepony’ and ‘Am I really that unattractive’…” She then said as she lowered her gaze a bit, her expression softening up thankfully, “Stuff that wasn’t true and I tried to tell her otherwise but she wouldn’t have any of it…”  The orange pony continued as her tone started to lower; I nodded as I lifted up my glass and started to take another drink.

“Then…I told her I found her very attractive…and even fantasized about her…a lot…” The cowgirl then in almost a quiet whisper…just barely loud enough for me to hear…and when I heard it I almost did a spit take and spewed all of my cider on her…though I’d never do that…nothing is ever worth spilling a drop of cider.

“Wow AJ…you were thinking dirty things about Rarity?  I didn’t even know you swung that way!” I commented with my eyes as wide as they could go…out of all the ponies in Ponyville…Applejack would be the least likely one to be a fillyfooler…

“Rainbow…we live in a town that’s most populated by mares…and when you stare at a particular type apple long enough eventually it will start to look mighty tasty…” AJ clarified as she titled her head and smiled a bit…wow…well when you put it that way I guess that makes sense…but still…

“Wow…just…wow…” I commented still in disbelief as I stared at her completely surprised.

“Anyways…after I admitted that…and because she was in such a vulnerable and hurt state…she…kind of…you know…wanted me to...take Trend’s place so to speak…and…” The orange pony then began before her voice dwindled out and she couldn’t continue…she moved her hat in front of her now starting to blush face…geez is it that hard to say ‘I totally banged that white unicorn?’

“And you slept with her…” I said in a teasing tone as I finished her sentence with her…which caused her to slightly duck and then move the hat in front of her face with both her hooves as if trying to smother herself...

“Well…there wasn’t much sleeping but…yes if you want to put it like that I did sleep with her…” She corrected in a soft whisper as I’m sure she’s as red as her brother under her hat…and once again I was in a state of shock…

“Again…wow…just…wow…” I commented as I shook my head slightly, and then taking a quick drink of my cider.

“And it just kept going….we would meet up and she would ask me to ‘Do what we did before’ just for some stress relief and to make her feel better bout herself…and of course I would oblige…I mean she’s a very attractive mare and I’m always down with a little roll in the hay…” She then explained in a slightly louder tone as she moved her hat back to the top of heard head, exposing her regret filled eyes. “But then…then…” She struggled to say but couldn’t bring herself to say it and instead just closed her eyes and looked away…

“She said she loved you didn’t she…” I asked seriously before I took another drink, slowly nodded to confirm my statement…yeah I’d imagine so…Rarity’s been trying so hard to find her Prince Charming and failure after failure she began to fall into despair…and then to her surprise out comes somepony she never thought of before that fits what she wants and needs…suddenly one of her friends becomes her Princess Charming…although honestly I think she could pass for a Prince Charming if you ask me…but whatever…thing is that Rarity fell for her and she’s happy with her…and Applejack seemed to be happy to help her…so why is she so upset?

“And so what’s the problem?” I then asked as I put my glass down and looked at her seriously…this shouldn’t be difficult…Rarity loves and her I’m sure Applejack-

“I…I told her I didn’t feel the same…” The orange answered as she as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at in me with a sad expression and her ears drooping down…wait…

“What?!” I almost shouted at her as I leaned forward ready to throttle her…you spent all that time with her and we’re very intimate with her and you felt nothing!?  Nothing!?  What the hell Applejack!?

“It wasn’t supposed to end up like that…we we’re just…ya know…friends with benefits…something that makes her feel better and helps me unwind…I didn’t intend her to fall for me…” Applejack explained as she her eyes started to well up with tears slightly…obviously not wanting to be in this situation…because she knows it’s only going to hurt Rarity…though I still don’t get it…the girl has dirty thoughts about Rarity…so wouldn’t she be happy if she said that or at least feel something if the mare of her dirty perversions said something like that?

“If you’re fantasizing about her already shouldn’t that must mean you have some kind of feelings for her?” I pointed out still keeping a stern tone as I raised an eyebrow at her.

“Yeah but I honestly do that for everypony…Twilight, Pinkie…you a time or two…it’s just physical attraction…there’s no feelings behind it…” The green eyed pony explained in a humiliated tone as she lowered her hat a bit again…wait wait wait…she has dirty thoughts about me?   …ummm…wow…

“Wow…ok…I don’t know if I should be flattered or concerned…” I honestly responded, not knowing how to take that…well I mean of course she would think that I guess…I mean I am awesome looking…I wouldn’t doubt it if half of Equestria wanted to get with me…but still…hearing from Applejack is a bit weird…

“And of course I also picture Fluttershy doing dirty things…hell if I wasn’t thinking about Rarity I was probably thinking of her…” Applejack then admitted as she looked back up at me with a smirk…wait wait…

“Excuse me?” I simply said in a low growl as I looked at her angrily and started to grind my teeth…she’s thinking what about Fluttershy?

“Oh don’t look so surprised…of course I would fantasize about me doing things to her or her doing things to me…I mean look at her…those curves…that complexion…she wasn’t a cover model for nothin ya know…I wouldn’t be surprised if everypony thought about her at one point…” Applejack replied in a brash tone as she snickered and rolled her eyes…she thinks this is funny!?

“You still shouldn’t think of Fluttershy like that!  Ever!  You keep her out of your twisted mind AJ!  I mean it!” I practically shouted in rage as pushed my cup aside and then leaned up to grab her chest to pull her closer giving a her a threatening glare that if she thinks like that again she won’t have time to think about the consequences!

“Oh settle down RD…like you haven’t thought about her like that too?” She cheekily responded with a smile ignoring my threatening grip on her which caused me to gasp and let go of her…did…does she…no…of course not…she…she’s just trying to get in my head…and it’s unfortunately working…

“N-No!  Of course not!”  I shouted back in a stutter as I sat back in my seat, my anger being replaced with humiliation, “She’s too innocent for me to think of her like that…and we’ve been friends since when we we’re little fillies…it…it would be weird and wrong of me to think of her like that…” I then said in a softer tone as I looked down as I felt guilty because…that’s exactly what I’ve been doing…ever since yesterday…

“Rainbow Dash…” I heard her call softly as I felt her put a hoof on my shoulder, I gasped lightly as I looked up to see her giving me a gentle expression, “It’s ok…she’s not that little filly anymore…she’s a grown mare and should thought of and be treated as such…and come on…admit it…she’s a very attractive mare…” She then soothingly said in her weird tone which sounded weird but was very helpful none the less…then asking me to admit that my best friend since I’ve known since flight camp is a looker…which she is…oh Celestia is she a sexy looking pony…

“Y-Yeah…she really is…” I then admitted softly as I averted my gaze…feeling both a small smile and a warm feeling on my cheeks from saying that along with a twinge in my heart that seemed felt good…it felt good to admit that…

“And that’s ok…ya don have to be ashamed for being physically attracted to her…you can look and think about the prize winning apple all day if ya wanted to…it’s just when you go to take a bite that’s the problem…” Applejack then said encouragingly as she took her hoof off my shoulder and beamed at me with her smile…yeah…she’s right!  Fluttershy is hot…and me trying to convince myself she isn’t is insulting to her looks!  I should embrace finding her attractive…hell I should start looking at everything differently now…well…maybe not like that yet…

“Thanks AJ…I think I needed that…” I thanked very gratefully as I grabbed the glass of cider and then finished it off.

“Oh so you have been fantasizing about her huh?  Let me guess you want to see her in a maid outfit right…or how about a cheerleader uniform?” The orange pony then curiously asked as she leaned in closer to me with a smirk and an eyebrow raised…oh geez Applejack!  Really?  What the hell!?

“S-Shut up and get me another cider!”  I shouted back as I moved the empty glass over to her for to fill up…and then hopefully leave me alone and never bring this topic up again.

“Heh…coming right up…” She replied with a nod as she took the glass and went over to the barrel to fill it over…seriously…a maid outfit…Fluttershy in a maid outfit…now wait a second…she might be on to something…that black outfit and that frilly looking skirt…with those leggings mmmm…

“Well well…I see your wings have made a speedy recovery…” I then heard an arrogant voice say in a teasing way…my eyes widened as I turned to see who it was…an unfortunately see that it was that flankhole from Rio…

“Oh great it’s you again…” I sarcastically said in a dull as my expression immediately dropped to that of annoyance and disgust…

“Sorry Prince You Again isn’t here…he’s in a different country…instead it’s just me…Prince Slate…” He jokingly said back with a smirk and a raised eyebrow which resulted in me staring at him like he was a freaking moron…  “Yeah…I know…I’m still working on my entrances…” He then said in a shamed tone after a few seconds of me staring at him raising a hoof up and rubbing the back of his tri colored mane in embarrassment…

“What are you doing here?” I then asked in an interrogating manner, narrowing my eyes at him and ignoring his last stupid comment.

“I invited him…” I then heard somepony answer for him as I saw a purple Alicorn walk out from behind him and then up beside him.

“Twi-Twilight…” I called in surprise…and a bit in discomfort as she’s one of the last ponies I want to see at the moment.

“I told him about the party when I was showing him around Canterlot yesterday and he said he’d like to attend…so I invited him…” She explained seriously as she raised a hoof and pointed to the royal looking flank with his stupid fancy looking royal outfit…

“Oh joy of joys…” I dryly replied as I rolled my eyes…that’s just great…two ponies I don’t want to see and they come together…isn’t that ironic?

“Wow…a male Alicorn…I’ve never seen that before…” I heard Applejack comment in an impressed tone as she walked back over and gave me a fresh glass of cider…and oh believe…I’m going to need it now.

“And I’ve never seen an earth pony with such disrespect…show some manners to the Prince…” I heard somepony violently comment as I looked behind Slate to see little miss Fake Fight walking up and giving Applejack a very threatening glare…

“Excuse me missy?  Did I say anything to offend ya or this white prince in that one short sentence…” AJ responded confused and offended as she titled her head back and raised an eyebrow to the black mare…she lunged forward looking like she was going to smack her when Slate stopped her with his wing and moved her back.

“Forgive her…she’s a little testy…especially when other ponies talk to me…” He said in her place as he looked at her with a disappointed look which made her recoil a bit in shame and look away.

“Sorry…” She then said softly as she thankfully learned her place and didn’t want to cause any more problems…yeah because if you do I’m putting you to the floor.

“Can I get a glass of Black Cider?” The white Alicorn asked politely as he sat down in the stool next to me, with Fake Fight sitting next to him.

“Sorry all we got is Red Cider…” Applejack informed and apologized as she shook her head at him.

“That will do…and thank you…”  He said back with a nod and a grateful smile.

“Coming right up…”  The earth pony said back before she turned around to get the flank his drink.

“So where’s your invitation huh?  Pinkie told me you needed one to get in.”  I pointed out with a smirk as the Prince looked at me with a smile and then pulled one out of his uniform.

“Princess Twilight was kind enough to give me hers…and Signal Fire here is my plus one…” He informed as I looked at the letter which had Pinkie’s mouth writing on it…that read ‘You and one guest are invited to my super fantabulous ultra-incredulous amazing party!’…what it didn’t say Twilight on it like me and Fluttershy’s?  Whatever…

“It’s true…I gave him mine…” The purple Alicorn confirmed as she walked over and sat down next to me to my left…which made me a little uncomfortable given the current situation….wait…if he’s here with signal…

“Then how are you here Twilight?” I questioned wondering if she just broke in or if she was just let in because of her princess status or what?

“O-Oh…well…I’m Pinkie’s plus one…” Twilight informed with as she looked away…a slight tint of red appearing on her face…oh I get it…I forgot that Pinkie is random and the invitation thing is just stupid…

“Whatever…” I simply said as I shook my head and gulped a big mouthful of cider from my glass as the orange earth pony returned with a glass of cider in her hoof.

“Here ya go your highness…” Applejack said happily as he put the glass of cider down in front of him and then turned around to walk away and serve some other ponies that just sat down at the bar.  The music changed and was now really high beat to the point where it was now a rave party and lights where flickering everywhere.

“Thank you…” He thanked as he tapped the glass of red cider and then picked it up with his hoof, “So…Rainbow…Twilight says you’re a pretty good flier…good enough to perform a Sonic Rainboom.”  He then asked as he took a gulp of his cider.   I looked over at Twilight who was smiling at me a little nervously and I looked back him and scowled.

“Yeah…and?”  I simply said as I raised my eyebrow at him…why does he care…I bet he tried to do one and failed…heh…great…now I have something to gloat about.

“I must say you really are the Pegasus I thought you are…never before have I heard of somepony performing a Sonic Rainboom.”  He complimented as he took another drink from his glass, “Then again…I’m not exactly that old so I guess I shouldn’t say that…” He then said with a smile as he put down the glass of black cider…ha ha…time for me to gloat and shove it in your face…

“Yeah I can tell…you haven’t been an Alicorn for long if you’re still using your hooves to hold things instead of magic.”  Twilight commented in a cheerful tone as she cut me off from making any kind of snarky comment…damn you Twilight!

“Yes…and I can tell you haven’t been one that long as well from your inexperience with managing your wings…” He commented back as he looked over at Twilight with a smile…great…the start of a creepy friendship…awesome…

“Yeah…I’m still working on that…” The Princess replied nervously as she put a hoof behind her head and rubbed her mane slightly as the music changed to a much softer tempo but was still energetic as the lights were still flickering at a decent pace.  Fake Fight sitting beside the Prince started to move in her seat and turned around excited as she faced the dance floor.

“Slate…” She then called as the Alicorn was taking a drink from his cider; making him look at her once he took a gulp, “C-Can we dance?” She then asked with a slightly nervous stutter as she looked at him with hopeful eyes.

“Fire…You know I’m a terrible dancer…I prefer just to sit down and have a drink honestly…”  He said with a chuckle as he shook his head before taking another drink from his cider…

“But…we can never be together at a party like this back in our home country…please…just…give me this alright…” She then said a bit saddened by his remark as she looked down at the ground.  Slate looked over at her and nodded to her in agreement.

“Yeah…you’re right…sorry that was selfish of me…” He said with a smile before taking one last drink of his cider and putting mostly empty glass of cider back on the counter, then turning around and getting up from the stool thankfully.   “Alright let’s go out there and make complete fools of ourselves…” He then teasingly declared as he looked at the black mare who lit up and jumped out of her seat next to him…and together they both headed to the dance floor…once they were gone I looked at Twilight to remark on their quickly formed friendship.

“So…Twilight I guess you two are-”

“I don’t trust him…” She then said very seriously as she narrowed her eyes at him…wait what?

“Huh…but you seemed to get along with him just fine?” I pointed out, completely confused by her statement…they seemed like good buddies a few seconds ago…what is it all an act and does she really think he’s a flank…thank Celestia if she does…

“Did you notice what happened?’ The purple Alicorn then asked me as she looked at me with her eyes wide…intense…yet very wide eyed…but…I did I notice what happen?

“Uhhhh…” I muttered as I looked up, trying to recall something that would spark Twilight’s distrust like that.

“Rainbow he ordered Red Cider…but look!” She then said in a forceful whisper as she pointed to his glass that still had a little bit of Black Cider in it. “He transformed it into Black Cider!” She declared as I looked back to see her still giving that serious expression…which made me move away from her slightly.

“…So?” I simply replied as I raised an eyebrow at her…so the guy changes his cider to something he likes…I wish I had that ability…

“Dash…it takes a lot of magical prowess and skill to not only change liquids into other things but also to do it…without your horn glowing…” She explained as she moved closer to me so she wouldn’t have to speak very loudly…fearful of over hearing ears eavesdropping in on our conversation…wait…he actually managed to conceal his horn from glowing?

“He what?” I merely stated in disbelief in a loud tone…which caused Twilight to raise her hoof and cover my mouth…which really made me feel uncomfortable!

“He managed to change the contents of his drink without showing his horn glowing…there are horn disguising spells that hide your horn glowing when doing a spell…but doing that and doing another spell at the same time takes a lot of time and patience…a few years’ worth at least…” The purple eyed mare then continued looking back at him and making sure he was still dancing with Signal Fire…which he was…terribly I might add…but that’s not the point.

“So you’re saying…he’s hiding something?” I asked seriously after I raised my hoof to move hers away from my mouth.

“Maybe…it might be a cover up to hide his true abilities just as to not arose suspicion or to hide it incase spies might be lurking around…he and his country are in a huge war after all…but whatever the case…there’s no way a recent Alicorn can do that…no matter how powerful…keep an eye out for him…” She responded unsure of herself as she just cautioned me to look out for him and in case he tries anything funny.

“I will…” I simply said, agreeing with a serious nod…and oh I’ll be right there when it turns out he is evil…I’ll kick his flank here all the way back to Rio De Jamareo!

“Good…now I’m going to…talk to Pinkie for a bit…you know…tell her I’m here….” Twi then said a bit nervously as she got up from her seat…yeah you are her plus one…you might as well go up to her and tell her you’re here…

“Alright…bye…” I replied waving my hoof at her…feeling very relieved as…that topic didn’t thankfully come up…but…wouldn’t it?  I mean it’s a party after all…dates and revealing of feelings is common at this type of thing…but…no…she didn’t even mention it…huh…whatever…

“Goodbye Rainbow…enjoy the party…” The purple Alicorn replied with a smile and a wave before she disappeared into the dance floor…most likely going up to the stage to see Pinkie who was still managing the music with Vinyl Scratch…I sighed as I raised my glass of cider and finished it off…two glasses of cider and I feel perfectly fine…

“Yo Applejack…another round please!” I called happily in an anxious loud tone as I raised my empty glass up…my voice cracking from the high pitch of my call.

“Yeah alright…” The orange pony and bartender replied as she trotted over rolling her eyes.  She took the glass and then trotted over to the barrel to get me another refill.  When she was done she trotted back over with a full glass in hoof.

“Here ya…oh darn…” She began as she put the glass on the countertop then stopped as her eyes went wide and she ducked under the counter.

“Huh…what?” I said completely befuddled at what she was doing…before I could turn around to see what startled her I felt a pair of hooves grab my shoulders and swiftly turn me around.

“Rainbow Dash!” The frantic white unicorn who grabbed me shouted with her eyes as wide as they go and her blue irises mere dots in her the white void of her eyes.

“Oh…h-hello Rarity…” I greeted with a surprised stutter as I leaned back away from her and…well crazy expression.

“You have to help me!” She then frantically shouted as she started to violently shake me as fast and hard as she could…making my vision blur from her hectic shaking.

“What….is…the…problem…Rarity?” I tried to ask as my head brutally bobbed back and forward from her shaking…I…I think I’m going to be sick…years of flying…nothing…Wonderbolts training machine…nothing…five seconds of Rarity shaking me like a mad pony and I’m ready to hurl!

“It’s Fluttershy!” The vomit inducing unicorn then shouted as she thankfully stopped shaking me a-

“What’s wrong?!  Did something happen to her!?” I then shouted in concern as I grabbed raised my hooves and grabbed her shoulders, breaking her grip on me as she immediately had my

undivided attention and commitment...the second I heard her name I was focused and ready to go with my stomach immediately calm and ready to go for whatever I needed to do.

“It’s her date!”  The azure eyed unicorn then said telling me the source of her problem and Fluttershy’s problem.  Oh you’ve got to be joking!

“What about her date…did you set her up with a complete flankhole?  Is she in trouble!?  Is he hurting her?  Just point me in the direction and I’ll handle it!” I shouted at the top of my lungs looking around the loud room looking for Fluttershy and the flankhole Rarity set her up…my breathing extremely heavy and my teeth clenched.  I could feel my blood boiling as I felt like I was ready to explode…nopony messes with Fluttershy…Nopony!

“No…worse than that actually!  He never showed up!  He stood her up!” Rarity then informed me as she got in front of me so I couldn’t look around for some reason.

“What!?” I shouted back to her as I looked at her in disbelief…that son of a bitch didn’t even bother showing up?  He didn’t even show up!   Was Fluttershy just not good enough for him?!  No no no…it needs to be the other way around…Fluttershy is too good for him!

“The stallion I thought would be here for her didn’t show up…and I don’t think he’ll ever show up!” The infuriating white Unicorn who set up this disaster then said as she moved my head towards the entrance to see Fluttershy standing at the door in very beaut…yeah beautiful…it’s the same awesome dress she wore in Rio…however amazingly…it looks even better than before…if that’s even possible…

“Fluttershy…” I simply said as I narrowed my eyes to see her looking around nervously before moving her head down in misery…yet still looking breath taking and stunning…that mare isn’t good enough for whoever it was that stood her up…well then that stallion’s standards are messed up because you don’t get any better than her…

“Oh just look at the poor dearie…out there expecting some dashing stallion to come up to her and give her a memorable night…but it’s not going to happen!” Rarity then sadly exclaimed as I looked back at her with a hoof to her forehead looking dramatic…yeah and it’s all fault for setting this up!

“Where is that bastard?!  I’m going to Sonic Rainboom him into the next Celestial Era!” I demanded furiously as I wanted to know where he at least lived so I could go over and wait for him to come home so I could give him a welcome home present he’d never forget.

“There’s no point Rainbow…because no matter what she’s going to stand there heartbroken…” The purple maned unicorn responded as she shook her head…yeah…but still…at least whoever it was that stood her up will pay for this!

“At least I’ll get the satisfaction of making sure that flank never gets a chance with any other mare in his lifetime!” I pointed out as I raised both my fore hooves and smashed them together already getting them warmed up for the beat down that history books in the future will dub, ‘The Most Horrific Brutal Revenge Beating of all time!’

“Oh but you have to help Fluttershy out…and not by beating somepony up…you know Fluttershy wouldn’t want that anyways…she’d much rather have you here instead…” Rarity countered with a smile as she titled her head at me…I blinked a few times and continued breathing heavily before I took one long breath and finally calmed down…somewhat…

“You’re right…”  I simply said in a more relaxed voice as I looked down…Fluttershy wouldn’t like it if I did that…and even if I did it in secret she’d still be upset…and if she did find out she’d only be more upset…unfortunately violence isn’t the answer this time…

“What do I do…” I then asked sincerely and in a soft tone as I looked up at her genuinely ready to do just about anything for that mare…

“Go to her…slow dance with her…” Rarity answered, pointing to her and also winking at me…she…she wants me to…what?

“W-What!?” I replied in shock as I started to feel my face heat up…d-dance with Fluttershy?  O-Ok I know I said I’d do just about anything…but that’s something I literally can’t do…well…at least not well at least…

“At least give her something…a brief shining moment…so that when she looks back on this night it won’t be nothing but despair and tragedy!” The white unicorn then elaborated in a dreamy tone as she started to sound overdramatic…but unfortunately she also had a point…

“Bu-But I’m not a slow dancer…I’m more of a high energetic type…” I pointed out as I knew the only dancing I could do was air dancing and then high speed dancing when it came to the ground…slow dancing and me…well we never really fit to be honest…

“Rainbow Dash….” She called seriously as she grabbed both my shoulders and looked at me directly in my eyes with her azure ones seeming to be alit with fire and determination. “Do it for her…do it to make her happy…she was expecting to dance with somepony to call her his own…but dancing with her long time best friend will be a good substitute…” She then said in a soft yet stern tone as she didn’t blink and kept her eyes fixated on me the entire time…convincing me that this was the best option I could have for Fluttershy…and if it’s the best one I have I’ll take it…

“A-Alright…I’ll do it…” I replied with a smile and nod, agreeing to dance with my best fired if that’s what it would take to make her happy.

“Splendid!” The white mare then happily said with a twinkle in her wye as she pulled out a bag seemingly out of nowhere and got out a bowtie to tie around my neck.

“W-What the hell is this?” I asked confused and with a stutter as the bowtie went around my neck…then a brush also came out and started combing my hair along with a perfume bottle spraying weird smelling crap on me.

“You’re going to look absolutely marvelous for her…this is a formal slow dance after all…I won’t have you going up to her looking like you just walked in off the street and wreaking of cider!” She explained in a stern, nagging, somewhat motherly tone as she squirted some of the perfume in my face…which made me close my eyes and cough…gahhh…it tastes like seaweed left out in the sun for like a bazillion years!

“Oh and give her this…it will cheer her up!” Rarity then ordered as I opened my eyes to see a bouquet of pink rose floating in front of my face  “Oh  and don’t mention her date or the date in general…it will only depress her…remember you’re supposed to cheer her up and comfort her Rainbow…” She then added as she continued combing my mane and then moved it down to brush my tail…really my tail? Is that necessary…

“G-Got it…” I replied uncomfortably as I took the bouquet of flowers in my right wing and watched as Rarity straightened up my tie to make me look as good as possible…but is this really necessary?  I mean I know she’ll like it but I think this is a bit much don’t you think?

“And Applejack…I know you’re under there…” Rarity then called in a serious tone as I looked over to see Applejack starting to resurface from under the countertops…not looking at all happy and instead looking very insecure and nervous.

“Y-Yes ma’am?” She sheepishly replied as she raised a hoof and rubbed the back of her head, causing her hat to move around a bit from the motion.

“Y-You’re dancing with me as well…” The white mare said nervously as a light tint of red started to appear on her cheeks, practically ordering her while still sounding a little shy and uncertain herself…geez even when she’s flustered she’s demanding…

“I-I can’t…I have to tend to the bar and stuff…” The orange pony denied as she shook her head and a gave a reason why she couldn’t go out with her…which is a pretty lame reason and if you think that’s going to work you’re out of your mind AJ.

“Applejack…please…” The Unicorn said in a softer more pleading tone as she stopped working on my tail and looked over at Applejack with her azure eyes quivering in need. “I know you don’t have any feelings for me…just…just please….give me this…I’ve never slow danced with anypony before...and…and I’d like to be you…” She then asked a lot gentler and sweetly as she looked down and blushed a bit more deeply.

“A-Alright…I’ll do it for ya…” The orange mare then agreed very reluctantly and uncertain as she nodded and had an equally red shade on her cheeks to match the unicorn’s…

“T-Thank you…” Rarity responded much happier as she looked and smiled at the earth pony…then looking back at me and starting to brush my tail again.

“Just know that I’m gonna be like RD here when it comes to dancin…absolutely terrible…” The sheepish blonde maned pony warned with a slight chuckle…well at least I know I won’t be the only terrible dancer out there….

“Applejack…you’re forgetting who I am…I’m nothing if not a miracle working…trust me I’ll make it work…I can make anything work…” Rarity teasingly said back as she looked over and gave her a quick wink…which made Applejack blink a few times in surprise and then lean back with her blush deepening…that honestly made me chuckle as well…oh she has you in the center of her hoof AJ…

“Alright…you’re ready…now go to her Rainbow…go to her before her sadness increases…” The fashion unicorn then said to me as she moved her brush and perfume away from me…good I can escape this nightmare and then stumble my way into another problem…awesome…

“R-Right…” I replied with a stutter and a nod before turning around and walking off towards Fluttershy.

As I walked towards Fluttershy I looked back briefly to see if Rarity was watching me…thankfully she wasn’t as she was too busy looking at Applejack coming out from behind the bar.  I sighed in relief as I looked forward a raised one of my hooves and started to rub my mane…sorry Rarity…but this isn’t a wedding or a coronation…this is just a dance with a friend and I don’t think she’ll mind if my mane is a little unruly.  I also shook my tail a lot to try and get it back to its original form.

As soon as I felt like myself again I started to trot back over to Fluttershy as the high tempo music started to slow down and eventually stop.  I guess they’re getting ready to switch over to the slow song…how did Rarity even know it was coming up?  Oh whatever…I sighed to myself as I finally trotted up to the beautiful looking canary mare dressed in that very amazing dress from the other day…only like I said now it looks better…even if she’s wearing saddlebags.

“Fluttershy…” I called softly which made her gasp and look up at me with her cyan eyes going wide upon realizing that it was me calling her.

“R-Rainbow…” Fluttershy weakly called back as I moved my wing up and held out the bouquet of roses to her.  She looked at them as if I was giving her a bomb and then looked at me with her mouth open.

“A-Are you…Are you…” She then feebly asked in almost a whisper as she slowly raised her hoof up and took the flowers….she’s probably going to ask if I’m here to make her feel better…which I am of course.

“Yeah…I am….” I responded gently and with a smile as I extended my right off out to her, “C-Come on…let’s dance…” I then offered in a slight stutter as just now the thought of me slow dancing with my best friend was starting to make me feel a little uncomfortable…but I had to do it now…so I shrugged those thoughts aside and swore never to let them affect me again.

“B-B-But…you…I….uh…I…c-c-can’t….” She then sheepishly said as a blush quickly formed on her face and she looked away to her left trying to hide behind her mane…looking very cute I might add…she’s most likely going to say she can’t dance…but I don’t think she knows that I can’t either.

“Heh…neither can I…so let’s learn together…” I then offered a bit jokingly with a grin as she looked back at me with an even deeper shade of crimson on her face.  She looked at me hoof and then back at me before taking a deep breath and slowly nodding with an awkward smile on her face.

She put the bouquet of flowers in her saddlebag and then put it on the ground next to the entrance before taking my hoof in hers.  I then escorted her to the dance floor where the next song was beginning to start…which as Rarity magically predicted was a slow song.  I already noticed that Rarity and Applejack had already taken their positions and were now dancing looking a little awkward.  I also noticed Slate and Fake Fight were slow dancing very closely with Slate looking happy with a smile with Fake Fight looking extremely happy as she was already resting her head on his chest.

I rolled my eyes at that and then turned around to face Fluttershy once we’re well on the dance floor.  She looked very nervous and uncomfortable as I raised my left hoof and put it around her waist automatically feeling her entire body tense up from the sudden touch.  I chuckled a bit as I leaned forward to balance on her so I didn’t fall on my flank.  The canary mare as now shaking slightly as she slowly raised her left hoof up and put it on my shoulder while we still held our right hooves together.  She wasn’t looking at me and instead looking down at the ground hiding behind her mane…most likely too embarrassed or sad to say anything to me.  The song started to play…a very sad sappy one I might add…and if this was any other time I would’ve fled the dance floor as fast as I could…but now that isn’t the case.

I then started to move, leading her because of course I would lead…there’s no way in hell I would ever not lead!  Fluttershy did her best to keep up with me and managed to do well…not stepping on my hind hooves or bumping into me.  Though we weren’t doing anything fancy or awesome…just sort of moving around on the dance floor awkwardly…but hey…better than nothing I guess…and it’s for her anyways…as long as she’s happy then I don’t care if we’re just standing here looking like morons…and besides…holding her here in my hooves on the dance floor...does feel really good…the smile on my face isn’t from uncertainty or awkwardness but from sheer joy and bliss.

After a few minutes she began to relax and eventually she looked up at me not hiding behind her mane with a gentle smile and small pool of tears in her eyes at my actions.  I didn’t say anything and juts nodded to her was we continued dancing…better than before…has she slow danced before because I can hardly believe she’s never done this before?  Whatever…anyways…behind her I could see Rarity resting her head on Applejack’s shoulder with Applejack as red as the apples she bucks…though not looking upset or uncomfortable with the situation she was.  I also saw a purple Alicorn in the background leave following a pink earth pony out the front door…wait…Twilight is leaving with Pinkie?  Where the hell are they going?  The party just stared and I don’t think I ever saw Pinkie be the first one to leave her own party!

“R-Rainbow…” I then heard a small squeak call, which broke me from my curious glance and down at the very embarrassed…but happy looking yellow mare in my hooves.  “…I…I know Rarity set you up to this…I…y-you…you don’t have to do this…” The shy mare then said a bit sadly as she looked down and away, once again hiding behind her mane…oh she knows this was Rarity’s doing to make her feel better…well I’m not going to say that it was all her fault I’m here…because it’s not like I did it just because she wanted me to…

“Yeah…she might have set this up…but didn’t force me…I agreed to this…very easily I might add…because…I want to be here with you Fluttershy…” I replied softly with a subtle nod, agreeing but also telling her the truth about why I agreed to do this.  I heard her gasp before she quickly looked back up at me with her cyan eyes quivering along with her body shaking in my hooves.

“R-Rainbow…” She simply said in a whisper as she stopped breathing and just flowed with me as we continued dancing.

“There’s no other mare I’d rather be with right now than with you…” I then said in a whisper as I moved her closer to me so that we touched…the tears in her eyes really started to well up and then slowly start to move down the sides of her face as she looked down at the ground.

“S-Stop it Rainbow…if…if you keep this up…I…I’m going….I’m going…” She then warned in an almost a soundless tone as I’m sure she meant she was going to burst into tears soon…I took a deep breath and moved my hoof up from her waist to the back of her head and slowly moved the side of her face into my blue chest.

“Shhh….it’s ok Fluttershy…don’t worry about it right now…just relax and keep dancing with me…” I then said gently as I rubbed the back of her head and her pretty pink mane before I gently rested the bottom of my muzzle on top of her mane…getting her sweet fragrance and smell into my nose that was almost spellbinding and captivating…she didn’t say anything and just continued on with the dance as I felt her squirm slightly in my hooves as my chest started to get damp from her tears…eventually both the squirming and tears stopped and I felt her nuzzle against my chest with a slight cooing noise from comfort…which is the adorable sound I wanted to hear because that means she’s happy…

“Rainbow…I...I…” She then began to say in a confused unsure tone as it seemed like she was struggling to say something…she must be so happy and grateful she doesn’t know how to act now…typical Fluttershy.

“Why!?” A loud hysteric shout asked as I turned around to see a tearful Rarity a few steps away from AJ, who was looking in her hooves at the thing that Fluttershy bought from Rio, “Why won’t you love me?  Even after what I gave you…why won’t you accept my feelings?” The white unicorn then shouted as tears poured down from her azure eyes and more and more dancers started to pay attention to them and the scene she was making.

“R-Rarity…I…I really love this gift…I do…it…it means a lot to me…but…but I can’t return your feelings…”  The orange earth pony replied honestly a bit a bit regretfully as she looked down at it before looking back up at her with her green eyes looking like they were going to start forming tears.

“But why not!?” Rarity replied in a demanding and pleading tone as she sniffled slightly…yeah really…why not?

“I…I…I just…” The cowgirl started…trying to think of something but in the end couldn’t and in the end just sighed and looked down at the ground…ok so if you can’t think of a reason not to…don’t you think you should just accept her feelings?  Just saying…

“You’re a coward…and a horrible pony Applejack!” The now sobbing out of control unicorn shouted at her before she turned around and fled to the front down, leaving a trail of tears behind her wake.

“Rarity!’ Applejack shouted as she extended a hoof at her but it was useless as she left the party.  She then stomped her hoof on the ground and did a few kicks to try and relieve herself of some frustration of seeing one of her friends flee in tears…because of her no less.

“I…I better go with her…she…she’s going to need me…”  The mare in my hooves then softly said as she moved out of my hooves and then started to head to the front door to follow the white unicorn to comfort her…yeah…if there’s anypony Rarity needs right now it’s her…

“Alright…goodbye Fluttershy…” I agreed with a nod as I said my farewell to her, raising a hoof to wave at her even though she wasn’t looking.

“Goodbye Rainbow…and…and thanks…for…you know…” She responded, stopping and looking back with her face still slightly red, but with a grateful smile on her face.

“Anytime…we should do this again later…” I suggested smiling back at her as I was willing to do this again for her...especially if Rarity screws up again…well…I shouldn’t say that about her right now…so let’s just hope this doesn’t happen again…

“Y-Yes…I…I think I’d like that…” Fluttershy agreed with a nod before turning back around and leaving me with the clueless earth pony that flubbed up royally.

“Smooth…” I simply said in a disappointed sarcastic tone as I trotted over to the orange pony to scold her for doing that.

“Don’t start with me Rainbow…” Applejack replied with an annoyed groan as it was obvious she didn’t want to hear this from me…well too bad…

“No really…that mare loves you like no other…and went as for to do that for you and you still refuse her…why…what’s so bad about loving her?” I then questioned her seriously wanting to know why she rejected her so…I mean I just don’t get it…she loves her…and she obviously cares about her deeply as well...so what’s so hard about saying ‘yeah I love you too…let’s hook up?’

“I…I…don’t know…” Applejack then honestly said with a sigh as she looked down at the ground…what…how do you not know?  Are you crazy or something?  I mean come on!

“The fear of loving and being loved is a very scaring thing…especially if it’s your first time…”  I heard somepony say in a slightly melancholic and dark tone…which sounded very familiar…oh crap…

“Oh great...you again!” I sarcastically said in a dull tone as I turned around to see the flankhole prince standing behind me with his black mare Fake Fight standing next to him with a scowl on her face.

“One of the hardest things to do is not to accept other pony’s feelings but to accept your own…and she’s so far removed from herself she might as well be on different planet…” He then went on ignoring what I said in a serious tone as he looked at me with his green eyes firmly fixated on me and not the mare he was apparently talking about.

“And the same goes for you Rainbow...” He finished as he gestured his head towards me…oh hell no!

“What was that!?” I angrily asked in a huff as narrowed my eyes at him…he better not be about to talk about some crap about me or else I’m going to beat him…there’s no Fluttershy around from him to hold hostage and this is my home land…you don’t come into my country and talk shit about me!

“You’re impulsive…quick to act without accepting the meaning behind it or even letting it sink in enough to understand what it could mean…” He then answered and explained with a sigh as he closed his eyes and shook his head at me…the black mare next to him giggling and nodding in agreement to what he said.

“Are you trying to pick a fight with me again?” I then asked aggressively as I took a stance ready to lunge at him if he is trying to start a fight with me…and this is a fight I’m going to win!

“Technically it was you that started that fight…I just finished it…” He corrected in a soft tone as he opened his eyes and looked at me with a calm unaffected expression.

“You two fought?” I heard Applejack ask in slight shock as I looked at her to see her with an eyebrow raised at me…yeah yeah I fought somepony…big shocker right?

“Yeah…I fought him when we first met in Rio De Jamareo and I was winning until he held Fluttershy hostage!”  I answered as I looked back at the flank that I fought to see him shaking his head disapprovingly at me…oh yeah…the cheating flankhole disapproves of me…like I care!

“You what?” The orange pony next to me then asked the Prince in shock as she looked at him angrily…oh no AJ…we’re not doing a tag team…this is going to be all me…

“It was the quickest way to resolve that issue…and I didn’t hurt her…I promised I wouldn’t…and because I promised not to hurt anypony I took it easy on you…” The white Alicorn prince confirmed with a slight nod…although changing it to make it seem like what he did was justified…yeah…it wasn’t!

“That don give you the right to hold my friend against her will and use her like...nothing gives you the right to do that!” The cowpony next to me responded enraged at what he did…yeah I know…and like I said I’m not going to let you fight with me…this has to be a one on one confrontation!

“Yeah and if wasn’t for that then after few minutes your flank would’ve been against the wall!” I then added with a smirk letting him know that if it wasn’t for what he did I could’ve easily won that fight!

“Do you honestly think you best the commander in combat…especially if he was being serious?” The black mare next to Slate answered for him as she moved forward and sneered at me, offended that I even suggested such a thing…she would’ve kept moving forward if it wasn’t for the Alicorn raising a wing and pushing her back to his side.

“Fire…let’s not start anything…” He said in a calm tone trying to relax her and avoid a fight…oh no…it’s on…you’re friend here just pissed me off!

“Hell yeah I could!” I answered that arrogant and stupid one winged Pegasus with a grin before I looked at the white Alicorn with a grin on my face, “Come on…let’s prove it right now…let’s go...one on one you and me!” I then challenged as I opened up my wings and stretched them, getting ready for a fight.

“I really rather not…especially since I’m guest in this country…” He denied softly and with a shake of his head, refusing to fight me…oh…he’s scared of me…well he should be since he knows he’s going to lose!

“Coward!  Come on…let’s settle this…no magic…no hostages…just a quick brawl to see who the best really is!” I encouraged as I looked at Applejack and gestured my head for her to move…she just smiled and nodded in understanding before leaving the vicinity for us to settle this little duel.

“Alright…” He then agreed with a reluctant sigh as he used his horn to move Signal Fire out of the way along with any other bystander so they wouldn’t get caught up in our quick little scuffle, “If you really want to be humiliated that much…” He then added after checking to see if nopony else would  get involved…looking at me with a somewhat sad expression on his face as he opened his wings up ready to fight me…oh yeah…sure it’s me whose going to be humiliated.

“I’ll show you whose going to be humiliated!” I shouted as I flapped my wings to get into the air and then rushed at him with my hind leg extended to kick him in the face.  He moved his head out of the way and then grabbed my leg with his wing and then immediately-

“Gah…Ahhh!” I grunted in pain as I felt my back hit the ground and then felt one of my fore legs grabbed and twisted as I looked up to see one of his hind legs come down and- “AHHHHHH!!!” I shouted in complete miserable pain as I felt his hard hoof come against my source feather…crippling me and sending me into a world of immense agony…I felt my body lock up and suddenly had to stop myself from vomiting at the sudden attack.

“That’s what we call a source feather take down…it attacks the vital part of a Pegasus and paralyzes them…” He explained in a serious and somewhat smug tone as he explained the-AHHHHH-move he pulled on me as he rubbed his hoof against my GAHHH…source feather…

“Well that was over fast as I predicted…the fight was over in less than ten seconds flat…” He commented a little smugly as he knew I couldn’t move…Celestia damn you!  You stole my freaking line!

“You…gahhh…Bastard!  You used a coward’s tactic!” I insulted in a slight mutter as I couldn’t move one bit…ughh…he calls this a fair fight?  Attacking a Pegasus’ source feather is like kicking a stallion in the family jewels…you don’t do it!  Its coward’s way to victory?

“A coward’s tactic?  Let me give you a quick history lesson…” He responded a bit confused before he chuckled and leaned down closer to me, his hoof still against my source feather which was now throbbing in pain. Oh great now he’s going to bore me to death!  “This technique was made by General Firefly…who went on to create the Wonderbolts…and that technique is still used to this day…” He then explained in a whisper and smile as he told me the origin of this attack…it…it’s what?

“This…this is a Wonderbolts move?” I said in complete shock as I widened my eyes at him…the…the Wonderbolts utilize this attack?  They go straight for the source feather?  But…they’re not fighters…they’re performers!

“You’re very naïve to think that such a highly specialized team wouldn’t be taught self-defense moves…especially since they’re a division of the E.U.P…the country’s guard that is meant to fight and defend the country from threats…” The Prince reminded me as I forgot that they are a part of the county’s defenses…helping ponies in needs and even helping out with rogue dragon problems…but I never imagined them to be something serious like trained fighters ready for war!

“You know there’s a war outside these walls…what are you going to do when the war walks right up to your doorstep…and all you can do is yell meaningless threats and be a pushover to experienced soldiers such as myself?” He then asked in a teasing tone as he was now taunting me.

“No…” I simply said in refusal as I bit my lip and tried to move but found I still couldn’t.

“You’re a talented flyer but a terrible fighter…I believe I’ve said that before…right now that might be enough to join the Wonderbolts but when war does eventually break out they’re going to need something better than a simple pair of wings…” He then told me as his tone grew for everypony to hear as now he was starting to really insult me and pissed me off!

“No!” I then shouted as I struggled to move meeting indescribable pain as I couldn’t move since my feather was still pinned under his hoof…it was in so much pain it felt like it was burning…but the burning honestly wasn’t hurting me though…

“You’re going to learn very fast just like me that failure and misery is in your future and no matter what you won’t achieve your true dreams and be able to protect the ones you care about the most…like that Fluttershy for example! He then finished in a shout as it sounding like he was very passionate about making me feel bad…which I wasn’t going to let happen no matter what!

“NO!”  I shouted at the top of my lungs as it felt like my source feather burst into flames from my movement and determination.

“Ahhh!”  I heard him shout in pain as I felt him let go of me and get off my feather, stumbling back.

“Commander!”  I heard a frantic shout from a concerned black mare as I wasted no time and got back on all fours getting back into the fight. I looked over and checked my source feather to see it glowing bright yellow for a few seconds before the glow started to fade and it returned to its normal blue color.

“Ah…excellent…I knew I felt a source feather resonation yesterday…and I had a suspicion it was you…” I heard him say in amazement as I saw him push away a very worried looking Signal Fire away with his wing, looking at me with his grin…so…it was because of my resonating source feather that it happened?  I guess Celestia forgot to mention that now didn’t she?  I guess it resonating for no reason was better than I expected…

“But now I know it is you and you are the pony with the source feather I’ve been looking for…you can’t imagine how happy I am Rainbow….” He then happily said with a smile as he looked overjoyed that my feather burnt his hind hoof.

“Well you can’t imagine how pissed off I am at you for saying all those things… and I’ll prove you wrong and show you that I can achieve anything I want through sheer determination…” I shouted back at him angrily not giving a single damn about what he was blathering on about…just focused on one thing…and that is beating his flank into the ground!

“What a very nice sentiment…even if it’s overall meaningless and empty…but very well then…show me the extent of your resolve!” He then encouraged in a very enthusiastic tone with a smirk as he extended his large white wings out to their max.  I gritted my teeth as I flapped my wings to get back into the air and ready to fight him once again.

Oh I’m going to show you more than that you flankhole! Next Chapter: Chapter 14 Estimated time remaining: 7 Hours, 37 Minutes