A Highly Scientific Treatise On The Observable Phenomenon of Rainbow Pie · 6:51am Dec 14th, 2011

A Highly Scientific Treatise on the Observable Phenomenon of Rainbow Pie

D. Boy, Ph.D.
University of Equestria
The Journal of Magical Pony Love

ABSTRACT

They are totes in love, you guys.

HYPOTHESIS

The romantic pairing of the ponies Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie (referred to, hereafter, as "Rainbow Pie") has a corporal basis in the canon of the My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic cartoon series. Or, at least, it's pretty darn close to canon.

FINDINGS

Elements of Harmony, Part 2 (S1 E2)

In the episode "Elements of Harmony, Part 2" (S1 E2), when the cliff gives way and the four wingless protagonists begin falling, Rainbow Dash chooses to save Pinkie Pie.[1] This is not conclusive evidence, of course, but it is suggestive and will provide a point of comparison for our further explorations of the Rainbow Pie phenomenon.

Griffon the Brush Off (S1 E5)

In the episode "Griffon the Brush Off" (S1 E5), the very first scene involves Pinkie Pie going on at great length about the amazing aerial feats performed by Rainbow Dash.[2] (Oddly, this description seems to match the events of "Sonic Rainbom," which have not yet occurred. A separate treatise will be needed to discuss the full extent of Pinkie's precognitive abilities.) It would be accurate to describe this scene by stating that Pinkie is "mooning" over Rainbow. "Mooning" is defined as "to sentimentalize or remember nostalgically" or "to gaze dreamily or sentimentally at something or someone."[3]

Mooning is commonly associated with a love interest, which suggests that Pinkie regards Rainbow as such.

In this same episode, Pinkie also chases Rainbow in several scenes reminiscent of Loony Tunes cartoons featuring Pepe Le Pew.[4] In the Pepe Le Pew cartoons, Pepe invariably pursues a black female cat (who is painted to appear as a skunk) and attempts to woo the cat (albeit in very creepy and boundary-challenged ways). The purposeful referencing of this romantic pursuit dynamic suggests that Pinkie Pie is engaged in a similar pursuit.

After successfully completing this pursuit, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie engage in a series of pranks. After the first prank, Rainbow finds herself suitably impressed with Pinkie's pranking abilities and revises her previously negative opinion of the earth pony. As she asks Pinkie if she wants to "hang out," Rainbow totally gets all up in Pinkie's personal space and gives her bedroom eyes.[5]

The fledgling love affair is not without its peaks and valleys, however. The introduction of an old friend of Rainbow Dash's causes Pinkie considerable heartache, and she goes to Twilight with a jealous rant.[6] It is notable that of Gilda the Griffon's various crimes, Pinkie mentions foremost that Gilda "keeps stealing Rainbow Dash away." If this is not the plaintive cry of a lover scorned, then what is?

Sonic Rainboom (S1 E16)

In the episode "Sonic Rainboom" (S1 E16), in discussing the upcoming Best Young Fliers Competition, Pinkie Pie begins rhapsodizing over the wonders of Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom despite the fact that Pinkie has never knowingly seen one.[7] This is characteristic of a pony in the throes of infatuation (cf. "twitterpated").[8]

Over A Barrel (S1 E21)

In the episode "Over A Barrel" (S1 E21), after the other ponies have gone to sleep during the train ride to Appleloosa, Rainbow Dash remains awake and becomes restless. She calls out to Pinkie Pie to see if Pinkie is awake.[9] This suggests that Rainbow feels uniquely and particularly drawn to Pinkie.

Later in the episode, when Rainbow has embarked on her mission to rescue Spike, Pinkie follows Rainbow into the desert.[10] Although Pinkie claims that she is interested in rescuing Spike as well, this is clearly a diversion from the truth. Surely Pinkie trusts Rainbow to rescue Spike by herself, as by this point in the series, Pinkie is well-established as idealizing and admiring Dash. The only reasonable explanation is that Pinkie worries for Rainbow's safety and/or wishes to impress Rainbow by helping in the rescue.

Also, they so totally, totally almost kiss.[11]

Party of One (S1 E25)

In the episode "Party of One" (S1 E25), Pinkie Pie becomes distraught after she comes to believe that her friends no longer enjoy her parties. She decides to attempt to gain the truth of the matter from Rainbow Dash, and she pursues Dash in a manner very similar to her dogged chases in the episode "Griffon the Brush Off."[12] This suggests that Pinkie feels a particularly close bond with Rainbow, as she chooses to approach Rainbow to gain answers to her questions.

Later in the episode, after Pinkie's surprise birthday party has been prepared, Rainbow Dash is the pony who goes to Sugar Cube Corner to fetch Pinkie.[13] It is suggestive of the Pinkie/Rainbow bond that Rainbow Dash is the one who is chosen, or who volunteers, to undertake this mission. Once there, Dash experiences the full horror of Pinkie's party (which is attended by various inanimate objects, all voiced by Pinkie). The fact that Rainbow does not immediately flee--but, even further, stays to attempt to reason with Pinkie before dragging the earth pony all the way to Sweet Apple Acres--cannot be explained by mere loyalty but only by a more powerful emotion, such as romantic love.

The Mysterious Mare Do Well (S2 E8)

In the episode "The Mysterious Mare Do Well" (S2 E8), Rainbow Dash's friends create the persona of a masked crusader, Mare Do Well, to teach the pegaus a lesson regarding humility. In the third-act chase scene, Rainbow Dash catches, pins, and unmasks one of the ponies playing Mare Do Well.[14] The pony unmasked proves to be Pinkie Pie. Given Pinkie's previously established abilities--which include precognition, agility, and the ability to outrun Rainbow Dash--the only logical explanation for Pinkie having been caught is that she purposefully allowed Rainbow to do so. The most likely motive is that Pinkie simply desired to be in close physical proximity with the pegasus of her dreams.

CONCLUSION

Rainbow Pie 4evah! <3 <3 <3

REFERENCES