A/N: The dialogue between Chris and Dash adds a bit of a side story. This was intended to add a few chapters. Dash may go slightly out of character, but the events that transpire would do that to anyone. Plus, there’s a bit of a story there. Don’t rage in the comments.
As we walked south through Ponyville, I had began to wonder if they had believed me that I had something in my eye. Needless to say, they didn’t.
“So what was with you earlier, Chris?” Dash asked “Are you afraid of cupcakes or something?”
I sighed “God damn it,” I swore under my breath. “Okay, I’ll tell you the whole truth, but leave out the excruciating details.”
“Okay, go for it.” Dash said, the three of them now listening intently
“Lemme start with a question…” I said, “Humans are to Equestria as Unicorns, Pegasi, and Alicorns are to my earth, right? We’re believed to be myths to each other?” I asked
“That’s right,” Twilight said, “What does this have to do with anything?”
“Well, there are stories about the Equestrian races…”
“What kind?” Dash asked.
“Let me finish. Some are nice, heart-warming, and so on, like one called My Little Dashie.” I said
“Did you say My Li-“ Dash started,
“Yes. Hold on a second. I’m getting to the point. I’ll answer your questions in a sec. Some are bad, like- Hm. Wait a sec. I want to remind you. This is a story, not an actual event. I can personally assure you that it will not. Some are bad, like the one called Cupcakes…”
“Cupcakes? Is that the reason you freaked out earlier?” Twilight asked
“That’s exactly why. Cupcakes, remember, it’s a story, not real, etcetera, is about you and Pinkie, Dash.”
“Wh- What about us…” she asked. I could see a bit of anxiety in her.
I took a breath and held it. I exhaled it.
“Don’t flip your shit, sorry for the language, Sunny, force of habit. But… Ugh this is going to suck. I’m going to just say it. Dash, Pinkie cuts you up and shit like that, and she makes you into cupcakes.”
They all stared at me, wide-eyed. Dash looked on the verge of tears. I saw one just barely slip out.
“Dash, listen. If I had known it would make you this upset-”
She flew off. “Dammit. Twilight, you two go ahead. I’m going to try and calm her down.”
“O-Okay.” She said, “Come on Sunny, we should go…”
As I flew off, I could feel the two of them watching me. I felt terrible for it, but she had asked.
Dash had flown of towards the Whitetail Wood, where the Running of the Leaves had taken place. It was cold and wet. She found a small creek; it was just big enough to see a reflection in it. Tears were dripping into it, shattering the reflection.
“P-Pinkie would never do that, right? No way…” She sniffed, “She’s too happy… Like always.”
She was on the verge of bawling her eyes out. Her athlete’s pride, however, didn’t let that happen.
I found her about 10 minutes after she left. I looked into the creek with her; she saw my reflection with hers.
“Yeah,” she called. I could hear the shakiness in her voice. She was too proud to let herself be seen crying. “What’s up, you need something?”
“Yeah I do. I need you to snap out of it. I need to talk to you, and I’m not one for sentiments.”
“O-Okay.”
“Dash, can I just explain a few things?”
“I guess.”
“Like I said, that was a story,” I said, sitting next to her. I put a hoof around her to comfort her. “She would never do that to anyone, especially not to you; from what I can see, you’re the best of friends.”
“You’re half right. I’m sorry I flew off like that…”
“Hey, I’d have done the same if that had happened, well, not happened happened, but had been told about me. What’d you mean by ‘Half Right?”
“Well, you were right on the fact that we’re the best of friends, but wrong on the fact that… I’m sorry; I can’t. We should go.”
“Dash, we’ll get nowhere if you can’t tell me what’s up. You're hiding something You can trust me. I’m the best I know at secrets.”
“-Sniff- Do you pinkie promise?”
“Heh," Twilight had taught me this back at the library, so I enacted it. "Cross my heart and hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye. So what’s the issue?”
She inhaled and let it out slowly. She was about to admit something; I could tell. I had done it myself a few times.
“I want to be more with Pinkie, not just best friends… You won’t make fun of me, will you? You know,” she began to blush a bit “for being a filly-fooler?” She asked with desperation in her eyes.
“No way, Dash. There's no way I'd make fun of you.”
“Reason I ask is because there were a few guys in Flight School who'd make fun of me for it. It wouldn't be as bad if it weren't true…”
“Well if you see them, let me know. I'll handle it for you. But on the main topic, with the story, I just wanted to say I’m sorry. I had no idea it’d affect you like that.”
“It’s okay, but me and Pinkie…” She started, “I just don’t want anything like that to happen to her.”
“I understand perfectly. Your friends, especially Pinkie, mean a lot to you. You seem like a loyal one, let’s get back. I’m sure we can settle this later. Twi and Sunny are heading to Rarity’s now.”
“Okay, let’s go…”
We found them as they were crossing the bridge. We landed right by them, and I had given the same explanation. Twilight and Celestia were noticeably less shaken than Dash was.
After our fun little adventure in and out of Ponyville, we headed to Rarity’s house; or as it is more commonly known, The Carousel Boutique. Ironically enough, it was a building that resembled, well, a carousel. As we walked in, shaking off our hooves, a bell rang; much like Sugarcube Corner. Rarity turned around from her sewing machine to see us.
“Oh hello you four; what brings you to my little establishment?” She asked us. I could see bobby pins sticking out of her mane, which was bobbed up while she sewed. She had needles floating in the air with her aquamarine magic.
“We were in the neighborhood, and I thought we’d stop by and see everypony.” Twilight responded, cheerfully
“Well wasn’t that kind of you. Chris, come over here will you? I need some measurements.”
“You need measurements? What do you need my measurements for?” I asked
“For a ‘Welcome to Equestria’ gift, of course.” Rarity answered, “Just one question, though. What are your two favorite colors?”
“Well you certainly put me on the spot,” I said, smirking, “I’d have to say Sage and Maroon. I assume this is for the ‘gift’ you have in store for me?”
“Yes it is. Now hold still; this’ll only take a moment.” As she said that, I stepped closer, to be met by a worn, fabric measuring roll surrounded by aquamarine wrapping around my neck, to get the circumference of it.
“Yes, okay. About eleven inches,” she said, noting that down on her clipboard, “Thanks very much, darling.”
“Not a problem at all, Rarity.”
“So Rarity, if I may, what exactly are you working on now?” Celestia asked, “It looks like… a very formal business suit. It looks marvelous.”
“Oh thank you Sunny! This is my one of a kind piece. I’ve been specifically asked for by name to make this suit by none other than Fancypants himself!”
“Is Fancypants a business partner?” I asked, looking the suit over. It was a black tuxedo base with a red undershirt and white bowtie. It looked amazing, to say the least.
“Sort of. He’s one of the richest benefactors in Canterlot. I’m sure Sunny can tell you that much.” She gestured to Celestia, “This is one of the few pieces he asks me personally to work on.”
“Is he that important?” Twilight asked, “I never had the chance to personally meet him.”
“Oh absolutely, Twilight dear, he’s giving me the biggest chance of a lifetime. If I strike it with him, my reputation in Canterlot will skyrocket!”
“Well we should probably leave it to you then, we still have to see Applejack, and it’s already Three-Thirty. The party is in about an hour or so.” Twilight said, “We’ll see you there?”
“Of course! I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” she said. She looked at me. “I’ll have your welcome gift ready by then. Sage and maroon, you said?”
“Yep. See you later, Rarity!”
“Seeya Rares,” Dash said. I could see her earlier trying to calm down. She looked much better now.
“Goodbye, Rarity,” Celestia said.
As we walked out, we prepared to head west to Sweet Apple Acres. Dash strayed back a bit, and she asked me to talk.
“You two go ahead, we’ll be there in a sec.” I said, “What’s up, Dash?”
“Um…” She hesitated, “Thanks. For before. I’ve been wanting to get that off my flank for a while…”
“I understand entirely. Trust me; I can keep it a secret.”
“Thanks so much. We should get going. By the way.... Um...”
"Yeah?"
"You're pretty cool, for a human."
Smirking, I said "Not sure if that's a compliment."
"Yeah, it is. Let's go."
We flew to catch up. By the time we caught up, they were passing Town Hall. A mare that looked like the mayor was sending a brief greeting to them. I found out later her name was Mayor Mare. How fitting.
“What was that about?” Twilight asked.
“Oh nothing… Just a few questions about Earth. Everything I told you and Sunny earlier.”
“Oh okay.”
The path to Sweet Apple Acres was a bit longer than it was from Sugarcube Corner, given the length of the roads, it would take a while anyway. It was about 3:40 when we got there. In the distance we could see Applejack bucking the trees as she went along; Applebloom pulling the baskets to and from the barn.
“Well, we’re here, let’s go.” Twilight said.
A/N: From here on, Sweet Apple Acres will be SAA unless spoken by a character and Sugarcube corner SCC unless spoken. The next chapter will be out soon enough; I’ve been swamped with people coming over and what not, so yeah. PS: Longest chapter! :D