Today is a day I have been slightly looking forward to, doing sports with Rainbow. After everything a simple day of playing sports should help get my mind off these recent events. I sighed and pulled out my phone as I approached the field, we agreed upon to use. I looked around and didn't see her, so I decided to send her a text.

I'm here. Where are you?

I'll be there in a minute.

I put my phone back in my pocket and decided to just wait. I haven't been in the best of moods lately. From my falling out with Big Mac, which I still don't completely understand to my upcoming fancy date with Pinkie. I don't know how to feel about her picking me as her date. Now I have to prepare for it and I doubt a week is enough time to. Looks like I was right, and Pinkie does seem to have a crush on me. I could feel my face heat up a bit, as I imagine us as a couple.

She's adorable and a great friend, but she is so overwhelming. Would I be able to handle her? She has always been there for me, and she does reach out to me. At her part she did help calm me down and actually enjoy my time there. I shook my head. I'll think about this later and figure out what to do.

"Have I kept you waiting long?"

I turned around and in all her late glory was Rainbow with a soccer ball in her hands. Her cocky grin turned into a questioning look.

"Are you ok dude?"

"Y-yeah, just t-thinking about a f-few things. D-don't w-worry about it." I stammered nervously.

"Are you sure? Your face is a little red."

"Yeah, yeah let's just get started." I responded, regaining my composure.

Dash and I walked into an area with a couple of goal posts.

"I have been waiting for this day when I will finally kick your butt," she told me with a smug grin.

"God, you know how to hold onto a grudge."

"Let's just get started," She shot back annoyed before her grin returned, "First to five goals win and please actually try to get at least one. I hope you do better than Twilight."

"I hope so too considering I had this body for more than a few days."

Rainbow chuckled, "Yeah, yeah. Get a hold of yourself smart aleck."

Rainbow and I got into positions in the middle of the two goals. She was stretching with the same cocky smile on her face. My chances of victory I knew were slim, but I hoped to at least get one goal. Thank God we weren't currently under a wager of some kind. I took a relaxing breath and prepared for the game. Rainbow dropped the soccer ball to the ground with a determined look.

"On the count of three. One. Two. Three." She said before rushing towards the ball.

I tried to intercept her, but she slipped past me with the ball. As quickly as I could I turned around and chased her, which proved incredibly difficult. At first, I was questioning how she could be the captain of every sports team, but now I was beginning to see why. Despite my best efforts she managed to score a goal.

"A poor start, hopefully you'll score soon." Rainbow said with a cocky grin before tossing the ball in the air and performing a victory pose.

Geez, she sure is a sore loser. All this bragging all because I am better at a dang video game than her.

Rainbow managed to catch the ball before she walked right up to me, "You know what. Maybe you need something to motivate you."

"What do you have in mind?"

"Tell you what if you manage at least to get two goals I'll buy you lunch," Rainbow offered, "That way you actually might have a chance at a victory."

What is with her? She is acting all cocky and holding this petty grudge, yet she is willing to offer this.

"If you wanted a date all you had to do was ask," I couldn't help but quip.

I knew as soon those words left my mouth, I was going to regret it, but I didn't care. Her face actually became the same shade of red as the portion of her hair, and she stammered a bit.

"I... It's not like that," She denied before looking away, "As friends nothing more. No offense but I have zero interest in that girly romance trash."

"You do know it wouldn't have to be that way, right?"

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"It doesn't have to involve pretty dresses and fancy restaurants. Just two people enjoying each other's company."

Rainbow looked like she was considering my words before she shook her head, "Whatever. Do we have a deal or not?"

"Fine."

That was weird, but that offer does sound good. Just have to get two goals. How hard could that be? I have a feeling it will actually be a difficult challenge.

I charged faster than last time and managed to get to the ball around the same time as Rainbow. After a minute of struggling to get the ball, I managed to and rushed as fast as I could to the goal. Unfortunately for me Rainbow easily caught up to me and kept trying to steal it. I struggled with the ball before I was near the goal. I managed to block her foot before kicking it and scoring a goal.

As I took a relaxing breath, Rainbow gave me a minorly impressed look.

"Good. You are better than Twilight."

"What isn't?"

Rainbow chuckled, "Haha. Good one," She gave me a light punch on the shoulder, "Seriously, you have potential that I will be glad to bring out, but the game has just started."

The next couple rounds ended up with Rainbow managing to get the ball before me and despite my best attempts to steal, managed to score. I sighed and focused on the ball, as Rainbow gave me another cocky smile.

"Come on, you just have to get another goal before I get two more," She teased, "You better not miss this chance."

Ok. She is getting on my nerves now. I gritted my teeth and prepared to win this round.

"Begin."

I rushed forward and quickly managed to kick the ball away. Before Rainbow could react, I quickly ran after it and caught up to it. Rainbow was by me not even a second later and gave me another mildly impressed look.

"Well played," She admitted, "Looks like you are finally taking this seriously."

"Yeah, I am," I agreed before kicking the ball as hard as I could and hoping it makes it in.

Rainbow and I ran after it and to my slight horror it was beginning to slow down. Come on. Make it in please. To my relief the ball managed to make it right into the goal.

"You have power in those legs of yours. Good to know," Rainbow commented, "Wonder how well you would do at football."

The rest of the game was intense. Despite already scoring two goals I gave it everything I had, but so did her. I found myself getting winded during the final rounds, but she seemed like she could go for hundreds more. With stamina like her, no wonder she is captain of every sports team.

"We definitely need to work on your stamina," She noted, "Thankfully, that will improve alongside everything else." She then gave me a smile, an actual genuine smile, "Well done. You actually did well, and I can't wait to make you even better," She placed a hand on my shoulder, "Heck you might just be as awesome as me one day."

I waited for her to downplay the compliment by saying 'don't count on it', but she didn't.

"Come on. Let's get you some water before we grab lunch."

"I'm telling you the chicken here is the best," Rainbow told me with a cocky grin.

"Try KFC and get back to me," I countered.

"I will be happy to prove you wrong."

Instead of responding to her nonsense, I took another sip from my water bottle. I hope the chicken here is actually as good as she keeps telling me. Now that I think about it the game wasn't actually that bad. Sure, her teasing and cocky attitude was annoying, but it wasn't too bad. On the plus side it helped to take my mind off certain things. Once again, I must conclude becoming more social and making more friends actually seems kind of nice.

I was taking out my thoughts when a bucket of chicken was placed at our table. Rainbow and I each took a piece and took a bite.

"So how is it?" She asked.

"Umm..." I pretended to ponder for a second before answering, "Not quite like KFC, but close enough I guess."

"Whatever," Rainbow grunted while shrugging.

"So," I began.

"So what?"

"I'm just wondering why you are doing this," I answered before taking another bite.

"Training you?" She asked, getting a nod from me, "A part of it was payback for beating me at Daring Doo."

I snickered, but before I could respond she spoke up.

"Yeah, yeah. You called it I know," She snapped playfully, "I just wanted to see how you would do."

"Alright."

"Now you are on the Rainbow training program. You better get ready because I am going to make you even more awesome."

"Ok."

"You know this isn't that bad actually," Rainbow admitted.

"What?"

"If this is what a date is, it's actually not that bad. It helps I'm with someone I actually enjoy spending time with." She answered with a small grin.

"Oh. Right." I answered nervously as I felt my face heat up a bit.

Rainbow chuckled, "Don't get ahead of yourself. We are only friends after all."

"Of course," I nodded.

"What to do next time. Football? Dodgeball?" She asked, "I should also make sure to bring plenty of water," She noted before turning towards me, "Sorry about that by the way. I should have guessed you would need it."

"It's fine. Now we know."

"We might not be able to do it next week," Rainbow told me with an annoyed look, "Rarity wants me to join her for some fancy party. I hate having to wear a dress, but I have to support her."

"Oh, I know."

"You do?"

"Guess who Pinkie is bringing."

"Of course, she is," Rainbow responded, "Well we'll suffer together I guess."

"Yeah."

"Well, dude," Rainbow began as we left, "It has been fun beating you. Now you know why you shouldn't mess with me."

I snickered, "Oh please Dashie. I am just getting started.

"So am I," She countered, "You know I only let my closest friends call me Dashie and yet I don't mind you calling me that."

"Does that mean I can?"

She playfully rolled her eyes, "Yeah fine. Just don't embarrass me when you do it."

"No promises."

"Whatever. See you later," She groaned in mock anger before holding out her fist.

I smiled before giving her a fist bump and she went on her way. What to do now? I checked my phone and saw it was still early in the afternoon. I guess I could see about getting a suit for the upcoming party. The sooner I prepare the better.

I entered my house when the sun was beginning to set slightly annoyed with a suit in my hands. It took a while to find one I could afford. It's going to be a pain to learn to put one on and to get used to it. The sooner I get this over with the better. You know I am curious how Pinkie and the rest of the girls are going to look. I am actually looking forward to seeing Rainbow in one. I just hope I don't lose my composure in front of her. Anyway, that's one step towards preparation. Now I just have to learn how to act during it and I should be fine. I just know that is going to be easier said than done.

I have to say I am enjoying writing Marcus's and Rainbow's dynamitic. It's a quick bond that I find fun so far and can't wait to develop further.

Next chapter: With out any plans Marcus plans to stay home and relax for once, but that changes and he ends up meeting a certain animal lover.