Author's Notes:

This story is contained in my book "Dash Tries to Win Your Heart and Other Short Pony Stories"

If you have interest in purchasing this non-profit book, check out my online store at this link: http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?contributorId=1662371

'Eggs... Fruit... Vegetables... Plenty of rice. Alright. Looks like I'm good!' you think to yourself over the hustle and bustle of the crowd.

Grabbing your massive bag of rice and hefting it over your shoulder, you grab the rest of your bags and make your way back to your home. You swear these ponies at the marketplace are just getting stingier and stingier these days. The only pony who even cut you a little bit of a break was Applejack. And of all the ponies that you wouldn't mind paying more to, was her.

There was just something about the way she smiled. That gorgeous blonde mane. Those emerald green eyes. She was… beauty incarnate, wrapped in a package of southern hospitality. One of these days, you need to get over your own private fears and finally ask her out on a date.

Putting one foot in front of the other, you send your mind racing for an idea.

This world was way different from Earth, and not just due to colorful equines. If there was one thing you learned through learning the culture of Equestria, it was that usually the mare chooses the stallion, not the other way around. It would be really atypical of you to ask Applejack on a date. Especially for how tomboyish she is.

Your mind continues to trail off as a goofy grin curls on your face.

However, Applejack wasn't your typical mare either. She could use a man like you helping her out at the farm. Yeah. Someone who would help her lift the heavy hay bales with her.

"Hey, Anon!" an unfamiliar voice calls.

You were certainly tall enough to help pick apples. You could reach towards the middle branches without even jumping. And you were definitely strong enough to take care of some of the weak trees here with a simple roundhouse kick. Plus, you'd be more than happy to to listen to her when she has a rough day at the market. All of that schooling back on Earth equipped you to help with the farm's budget. Especially after she asks you if you want to raise a little colt.

"Anon?" asks a voice, whose words don't reach your ears.

She would look absolutely stunning in her wedding dress. One that was likely passed down throughout her whole family for generations. You would wipe her tears when she cuddles into your chest that night, just hoping her Ma and Pa were still around to see her special day. Of course, you'd tell her that they were watching from above. And they were so proud of her.

"Anon!"

A blow upside the head breaks you from your daydream. You stumble on your feet, your balance compromised. Carefully, you try to catch yourself without losing any of your fresh groceries.

"W-what?” you ask, turning around.

A cyan blue pegasus hovers in the air, looking you eye to eye.

"What's up, Anon?" she asks, a smile now forming on her face. “I didn't get ya too bad, did I?”

"Oh! Nothing. Just thinking. What's new with you, Dash?"

"Oh, nothin. Just was wondering if you wanted to see something awesome!" she asks excitedly, her voice cracking.

What? She stopped you in the middle of the road for this?

Well, Dash is your bro. If she found something that she thinks is cool, it has to be pretty darn awesome. What the hell. Why not?

"Yeah! Sure. I got time. All I was going to do was cook when I get home,” you say.

Her ears perk and tail wags as she makes a small girlish noise of excitement.

“Alright, now hold your applause until the big finish,” she says.

And no more than a second she finishes her sentence, she zooms up into the sky. A long rainbow trail follows behind her as she speeds along.

How does she even do that? No, seriously. How? Doesn't that break some sort of laws of physics or-

Right. Ponyland. Got it.

Once she reaches the level of the clouds, Rainbow stops to wave at you. You hesitantly wave back, confused. Was this it?

Then, from afar you see that she holds up something red in her hoof.

Wait just a moment…

You look down into your cart, and sure enough, one of the bright, shiny red apples that you just purchased had gone missing.

"Hey! Wait!"

She throws the apple directly towards you, a part of your soul drops as it hurls towards the ground.

Catch? All she wanted to do was play catch? What the actual fuck, Rainbow?

You hold out your hands to catch it, not wanting to lose a part of your lunches for the week. Just as it's about to enter your outstretched hands, a flash of rainbow snatches the apple from midair. With a smug grin, she hovers next to you, shining the apple on her fur.

"Hold your applause... Hold your applause. I know. I'm awesome,” she says, dripping with pride.

"Uh. Nice," you answer tersely, turning away from her.

"Of course I'm not doing anything Frid- wait what?"

"Yeah. Uh, good job."

An expression of shock spreads across her face and her jaw hangs open.

"You mean... you weren't impressed?"

"Well... I knew you were fast. So... not really. Cool trick though."

"But wait, most of the guys would- After that would- Wait here."

Rainbow flies up into the air at an incredible speed. Your eyes follow her, but your line of sight goes directly into the sun, forcing you to shield your eyes. She rises above the clouds until she is no more a than a mere speck. Then, she gets bigger. And bigger. And Bigger.

Oh shit. She's heading straight for you. She's a good flier, but is she a good stopper?

You definitely weren't good at broken bones. Normally they just end up... well, broken.

You try to decide where to do, but she's just too fast. A massive boom sends a rainbow of color throughout the sky, circling from where her body broke mach speed.

Oh shit. This is it. Brace for impact!

You close your eyes and wince. The rice falls on the ground and you drop your bags, hearing the crunch of your week's worth of food as you shield yourself.

Then, nothing.

Just quiet.

You open your eyes and-

“Boop!” Rainbow says, tapping your nose with a hoof.

She hovered just inches away from your face, clearly much more satisfied with her latest aerial maneuver.

"Gotcha!” she said with a smile. “So! How about now? Wanna go back to my place and chill?"

"Uh. Not really. Tonight's kinda busy. I probably better get home," you answer, looking at your crushed groceries. “Gym tomorrow though?”

Picking your things back up and turn to her, as she wears an expression of defeat.

“Yeah, gym tomorrow,” she says, her ears drooped and wings lowered.

“Sweet. Can't wait, bro. Later!”

Turning away from her, you smile. Rainbow's such an awesome friend. It's awesome that you have such a great bro to chill out with in Equestria. Especially since you don't seem to gel with them very much.

You know, Rainbow is Applejack's friend. Maybe she could help set you up with her.

Hmmm… Well, only time will tell. You just wonder why she was acting so weird today.

Oh well, it was probably nothing.