//------------------------------//
// Skiing Magic 
// Story: Honorary Dreams 
// by Lonely Fanboy48 
//------------------------------//

Apple Bloom waited impatiently outside one of the changing rooms that was built by the pier. Oliver had been in there for almost three minutes after she gave him his swimming trunks to change into.

“Ain’t ya changed yet, Oliver?” she asked him.

“Don’t rush me! I can barely raise my elbows in this broom closet,” came Oliver’s voice. “Seriously, how did Rainbow Dash and Applejack change so quickly in here?”

“I didn’t have any trouble, an’ I used this same changin’ room,” Apple Bloom said.

“That’s because you’re the shortest person here.”

“No I ain’t! My friends Sweetie Belle an’ Scootaloo are both shorter than me!”

“Alright. You’re one of the three shortest people here.”

Before Oliver could say anything else, Apple Bloom pushed her hand against the side of the changing room, making it wobble back and forth.

“Hey! Hey! Hey! Don’t topple the messenger! I’ve got nothing to do with you being so--”

“Don’t even think about sayin’ it,” Apple Bloom said. If she had to hear how short she was one more time, she may well have gone postal.

“Alright,” Oliver’s voice said through the changing room door, “I’ve got nothing to do with you being so vertically-challenged.”

Apple Bloom placed both hands on the side of the changing room. But, before she could even move, the changing room started shaking without her. Not only that, the ground itself was shaking beneath her.

“Okay! I’m sorry! Jeez, what’s a joke between friends?” Oliver said.

“It ain’t me! It’s my sister,” Apple Bloom said.

Oliver was silent a moment, as if he couldn’t comprehend what he heard. Until he answered, “How the heck much weight could she have gained from those cupcakes?”

“No! It’s Applejack in her tour bus. She’s backin’ it up, so she can put the boat in the lake,” Apple Bloom explained.

“We’re using a boat now?”

“Ya know a better way to start water skiin’?”

There came a series of loud bumps in the changing room, until the door burst open. Oliver staggered out, now clad in his swimming trunks that his friends had bought for him.

“Well, no. But, that’s because I’ve never water skied before,” the boy answered. “Thanks for the trunks, by the way. If I knew we’d be on a lake, I’d have brought some of my own.”

“How come ya didn’t know ya were gonna be on a lake?”

“Because I thought I was going to a cabin in the woods. Without a lake. Far from any body of water.”

He and Apple Bloom walked back to the pier, but Apple Bloom had one last question before they met with the others.

“Hey, what did ya mean when ya said, ‘what’s a joke between friends?’”

“What are you talking about? I meant ‘what’s a joke between friends,’” Oliver answered.

“You sayin’ I’m yer friend now?” Apple Bloom said.

“Why not? Applejack’s my friend. And you’re her sister. Doesn’t that make you my friend too?”

“You bet it does.”

The boat had just been backed into the water, and tied to the nearby pier. Dash did a last minute inspection to make sure everything was ship shape and seaworthy. When she saw there were no problems, she released the boat into the water, and Applejack drove the trailer back onto land.

On the pier, Oliver and Apple Bloom watched as the older girls worked. Once Dash was finished in the water, she swam over to the pier, where Oliver and Apple Bloom helped her up.

“That’s it for the hard part. Now for the fun,” Dash said.

Oliver looked at the boat on the water, and started thinking of the next step for the activity. “Alright, so now what do we do?”

“First: we show you how to do it,” Applejack said, as she guided the kids onto the boat. “Alright, Rainbow Dash. Take this li’l puppy out.”

Dash was just about to push the neutral button, when all of a sudden.

“Wait!”

Everyone froze, and looked to the direction of the objector. An objector with a soft-spoken voice Oliver immediately recognized.

“Fluttershy!” Oliver greeted his friend, who was changed into her wetsuit, and carrying an armload of orange lifejackets.

“We can’t go onto the lake yet. Not until everyone has a lifejacket,” Fluttershy said.

She began handing out lifejackets to everyone. Fluttershy herself put on two, and took her seat next to Oliver.

Now that everything was taken care of, Dash started the boat and throttled it out into the open water. Before they arrived, Fluttershy turned to face Oliver.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t greet you when you said hi. Are you mad at me?” Fluttershy asked.

“No. You never did anything to make me mad,” Oliver answered, sensing the anxiety in Fluttershy’s voice. He then noticed that she was holding something else in her arms. “Oh, you found the gift I got for you.”

“Yes. I’m sorry I wasn’t around to accept it. But, I was in the woods trying to find the best trails for a nature walk. If I knew you were coming so soon, I would have chosen a shorter trail.”

“Easy, Fluttershy,” Oliver said. Apparently, he had not quite soothed her doubt. “It’s alright if you weren’t here to greet me. I’m just happy to see you again.”

“You are?”

“Sure I am. I missed all of you guys.”

Fluttershy giggled, and hugged her birdwatcher guide a little bit tighter.

“So, how’s the book working for you? Did you learn anything?” Oliver asked.

“Oh, yes. There’s so much that I never knew about birdwatching. I never knew you could make a natural lure by trimming a tree’s branches. It’s given me a new project for the little tree next to Wallflower’s garden patch. Oh! Have you met Wallflower Blush yet?”

“Yeah. She’s a really nice girl. She took me to see her garden, and we talked about ways to make it look nicer.”

“It must be wonderful for you. To make new friends so easily.”

“I never really thought about it, but: yeah. It is.”

For a moment, both Oliver and Fluttershy shared a gaze. Of all the friends Oliver had made, he thought he felt closest to Fluttershy. When she took him to see those animals on that day at the beach, it was the first time that he started to feel that he was coming out of the dark place he was pushed into. It was thanks to her that he felt he was able to return to the life he once had.

The sudden sounds of giggling snapped their attention to the Apple sisters.

“Man, if I had me some color pencils, I’d be drawin’ yer weddin’ pictures,” Apple Bloom said.

“C’mon, Apple Bloom, don’t make them uncomfortable. A first date’s supposed to be a happy thing,” Applejack added.

Fluttershy turned a darker shade of red, as she laughed at the notion.

“Eh. Been there, done that,” Oliver said, remembering the lesson he learned the last time he met with Fluttershy. If he was going to be involved with anyone, it would be a girl his own age. And he wasn’t going to worry about that for years to come.

Rainbow Dash hadn’t been paying much attention to the others. She was too focused on getting to a suitable spot to start water skiing. Once she felt they were a safe distance from shore, she abruptly swerved the boat to a stop.

Everyone aboard lurched violently. Apple Bloom was thrown from her seat, and leaned over the back of the boat. Applejack was quick to reach for her sister, but Oliver was quicker.

“Whoah! Don’t go in the water yet! You and the others have to teach me how to water ski first,” Oliver said.

“Thanks. But, I ain’t teachin’ ya. It’s my sister an’ Rainbow Dash,” Apple Bloom said.

For a brief moment, Oliver became aware of Apple Bloom’s smile, despite the surprising experience. And even when the boat rocked to a stop, he noticed that she wasn’t letting go of him. Until Applejack placed her hand on her sister’s shoulder and gently pulled her away.

“Alright, kiddos. I think it’s time fer the lesson to start,” Applejack said with a mischievous chuckle.

“That’s right. And Applejack here’s going to show you the ropes,” Dash said.

“First thing’s ya want, ya gotta have one that’s about sixty feet long, an’ has a little bit o’ give,” Applejack explained, as she showed Oliver a rope that was coiled up on the bottom of the boat.

“Not that, AJ. Show him how to water ski,” Dash said.

“Well, ex-cuse fer practicin’ prudence, Miss Leap-Before-Ya-Look,” Applejack said, before returning her attention to Oliver, “Here’s what ya do first.”

Applejack paused her explanation briefly to hook the rope to the back of the boat.

“First: ya hold onto the rope at all times.”

“Next to keepin’ yer balance, it’s the most important part,” Apple Bloom added.

“Anyhoo,” Applejack said, after hushing her sister to keep her from worrying Oliver, “After that, ya get yer skis on.”

This was illustrated by Applejack sitting on the back of the boat, kicking off her sandals, and letting Apple Bloom place the skis on her feet.

“Once yer all set up,” Applejack continued. She abruptly cut herself off by dropping backwards into the drink.

The kids both looked over the back off the boat, while Fluttershy gasped at the sight.

“Now, ya don’t wanna be right next to the boat when it starts,” Applejack said, as she paddled backwards in the water.

“Otherwise, the propeller would make Applejack into Apple Sauce,” Apple Bloom giggled.

“Quit scarin’ Oliver already!” Applejack shouted.

“Aw, come on, sis. What’s a joke between friends?”

As funny as Apple Bloom thought she was being, Oliver rolled his eyes. Behind them, Fluttershy was turning a darker shade of green.

“This here’s the stance ya want when ya start!” Applejack called from the water. Currently, her knees were bent, and her toes were up, so the skis stuck straight out of the water. “An’ when ya get goin’, ya wanna keep yer knees bent, an’ yer feet shoulder-width apart! Follow me?”

“Uh, yeah! Feet apart, knees bent!” Oliver answered.

“Alright. Then, we’re good to go!” Applejack said, looking to Dash.

This was what Dash was waiting for. The chance to test how fast the boat could really go. She started up the boat, revved up the engine, and blasted it forward as fast as she could.

Oliver watched in amazement as Applejack seemed to rise from the water, then glide along it’s surface. It was almost like magic what he saw.

“Yee-haw!!” Applejack hollered, as she tore across the water behind the boat. She started showboating by holding the handle between her knees and holding her arms out to the side.

Oliver’s jaw dropped at the display. Something Apple Bloom noticed. If her sister was going to put on a show for him, she may as well go all out.

“Applejack! Show him the ol’ ‘alley-oop!’” Apple Bloom called out.

It was hard to see from the boat, but Applejack was smiling widely. Even though it was difficult to hear what was being said over the engine, she recognized the gesture her sister was making with her hands. This was going to be what took Oliver’s breath away. She started by reaching for the handle behind her knees.

Oliver watched curiously, and his heart nearly stopped from what he saw next.

In one quick, fluid movement, Applejack raised one leg after the other, and did a complete somersault on the water’s surface.

“Whoah!” Oliver said, too amazed to say much else.

“Yeah! Applejack, ya did it! Ten fer ten!” Apple Bloom cheered. She turned to face Oliver, “That’s my sister out there!”

“So, tell me: are you two sisters?” Oliver asked, having heard about them being sisters for what must have been the third or fourth time.

Apple Bloom cuffed the back of Oliver’s head.

“Nobody likes a wise guy, Oliver,” Apple Bloom said.

From her fetal position on the boat’s deck, Fluttershy peered up over the back of the boat to look at Applejack.

“R-R-R-Rainbow Dash, I think Applejack wants you to stop!” she said.

Dash looked at the boat’s mirrors, and saw Applejack signalling to stop. She quickly slowed the boat down, and allowed it to drift to a stop.

Applejack’s momentum kept her going, but she slowly sank into the water as she slowed down. In seconds, she was right alongside the boat, and grabbed onto the side to keep from flying past it.

“An’ that’s how it’s done, sugarcube,” Applejack said, as Fluttershy and Apple Bloom helped her into the boat. Applejack took off her skis and took her seat. “Now, how’s about you give it a shot.”

“But, Applejack, what if he’s not ready after watching you do it only once? Don’t you think Oliver should watch you do it again? For a few more times?” Fluttershy said.

“Aw, come on, Flutters. Don’t worry about the kid. He’ll have a blast on the lake. I guarantee it,” Dash said, before revving the engine loudly. Loud enough to make Fluttershy duck in cover.

“Sure I will. But, there’s a bit of a problem here,” Oliver said, placing his foot inside of Applejack’s ski, showing it was too big. “See, my junior sized foot won’t fit in the sasquatch-sized ski.”

“Ever been kicked by a sasquatch?” Applejack said, hiding her size eleven feet behind the crouching Fluttershy.

“No, but the Loch Ness monster once asked me for a handout.”

Applejack rolled her eyes. This kid had an answer for everything. No wonder he found it so easy to make friends.

“Don’t sweat it, Oliver. Ya won’t be usin’ my sister’s skis anyway. You’ll be usin’ the kid skis,” Apple Bloom said. She reached underneath the seats on the boat, and produced a pair of skis that were sized for children. Skis that were colored hot pink, and had graphics of hearts and flowers.

“Great. Get me some high heels and a sundress, and I’ll be all set,” Oliver said.

The older girls all laughed, but Apple Bloom continued with her explanation.

“Nuh-uh. These’re mine. Yer usin’ the boy skis.”

Apple Bloom produced another pair of skis.

“How are those boy skis?” Oliver asked.

Apple Bloom looked at the pair of skis they had gotten for Oliver during their shopping trip, and noticed they were colored the same as the other ones. But, with one minor difference.

“Well, these ain’t got flowers an’ hearts on ‘em,” Apple Bloom said.

“Whatever. I’ll take them. If this is what it takes to get me onto the lake, let’s do it,” Oliver said. He sat down on the back of the boat, and allowed Fluttershy to place the skis on his feet. Next to him, Apple Bloom sat down and had Applejack put skis on her feet. “Isn’t there only room on that rope for one?”

“Not if ya stay on yer side,” Apple Bloom said.

“That’s not how it works, and you know it,” Dash said from the front of the boat. “Apple Bloom’s going out to the water to coach you. So, you’ll be using the dual rope.”

“Ah yes, the ‘duel’ rope. Before people realized swords ended the fights quicker,” Oliver said.

“It’s a rope with two handles, stupid,”Apple Bloom said.

“An’ you need to learn how to hold it,” Applejack said, placing the handle in Oliver’s hands.

“Don’t make it sound so complicated, AJ. All he’s got to do is hold tight and not let go,” Rainbow Dash said. She turned around, and started the boat. “Now, let’s get these little puppies in the water!”

“What?” Was all Oliver had time to say, when the boat suddenly sped forward, and knocked him and Apple Bloom into the water.

Dash had seen that her friends already had placed the skis on the feet of the younger passengers, and was ready to start Oliver on his first major activity.

“Remember: feet apart, knees bent,” Apple Bloom reminded Oliver.

“Got it: feet bent, knees apart,” Oliver said with a nervous smile.

Apple Bloom groaned and rolled her eyes.

Of all the surprises Oliver had experienced since he arrived, he was taken completely off guard when Apple Bloom took his hand and held tightly.

“Just hold onto me,” Apple Bloom said. She and Oliver noticed the rope was quickly going taut. “An’ don’t let go!!”

Oliver screamed in response, as the rope jerked them both out of the water. In less than a second, he was upright and felt as if he was flying.

The boy looked down, and saw that his skis were gliding along the water, just as he had seen Applejack doing. Looking over, he saw Apple Bloom was doing the same. The only real difference was that she appeared confident while riding the wake.

Feeling a jump in the waves, Oliver held more tightly to Apple Bloom’s hand.

“Ow!” Apple Bloom said. She jerked her arm, trying to pull her hand from Oliver’s painful grip. This proved to be a big mistake.

Instead of freeing herself, she yanked Oliver closer to herself, and threw them both off balance.

Both children wobbled about, trying to stay upright. Oliver pulled on Apple Bloom’s hand, trying to set himself upright. Only, he pulled too hard, and pulled her with him.

“How’re the kids doing back there?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Looks like we’re gonna have a spill,” Applejack answered.

Fluttershy was holding for dear life to the boat, but peered up when she heard the kids might be in trouble. She saw Oliver and Apple Bloom swaying unsteadily in the water, and quickly touched her geode.

Beneath the water, the fish heard Fluttershy’s request, and quickly swam to the surface.

Though he could feel them, Oliver didn’t dare to look down, as the trouts, carps and catfish of the lake gently nudged his feet back into a skiing position. Soon, he was set back to normal. Next to him, Apple Bloom was set right by another school of fish. And through it all, they never let go of one another.

Both children sighed, relieved the danger had passed.

On the boat, the older girls sighed too. Dash was looking nervously over her shoulder to see what was going on, and slumped her shoulders.

“Rainbow Dash!!! Look out!!!” Fluttershy said.

Dash snapped her eyes forward, and saw that the boat was heading dangerously close to some rocks.

Focusing her mind, and putting her skills to the test, Dash swerved the boat sharply.

The fish in the water kept the young skiers steady, but the sudden jerk made Oliver finally let go of Apple Bloom’s hand.

The boy screamed loudly when he found himself headed straight for the rocks Rainbow Dash tried to save him from.

The front of his skis ramped up an angled rock. Seeing little recourse, he released his rope and went flying through the air.

Fluttershy nearly fainted, but had just enough nerve left in her to activate her geode again.

The nearby ducks and herons heard her call, and took to the air to guide Oliver to a safer course.

Oliver was both mortified and mystified. It was almost like being in a dream, flying through the air, surrounded by birds. Then, came the part where he fell.

Through whatever machinations, he found himself skipping across the surface of the water like a stone. After four or five skips, he started to steadily glide across the water, then slowly sink.

This was it. This was where his ride ended. Until he started rising from the water. His skis had touched bottom, and he skidded to the shore, where he came to a complete stop.

Wet as a mackeral and stiff as a board, Oliver stood petrified in place. He didn’t even react when he heard applause and whistling nearby.

“Now, that’s a world class skier,” said a young girl with short, purple hair.

“Do it again!” Cheered another young girl, with longer, curly hair that was two different shades of purple.

The boat quickly swerved to a halt on the water. While the older girls jumped out of the boat and started swimming to shore, Apple Bloom allowed herself to glide to landfall, where she came to a smooth halt, before taking off her water skis.

“Oliver!” She called to her friend as she ran over.

Oliver still didn’t answer. He was still stuck in a wide-eyed stupor.

“What the heck were ya thinkin’, ya big stupid!!?”

Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy reached the shore and ran over to Oliver.

“Oh, please, please, please! Don’t be hurt!” Fluttershy said.

When they reached the other children, Apple Bloom was still berating Oliver.

“Ya have any idea what ya just did!? Ya crashed right into a rock! Ya coulda killed yerself! But, no! That ain’t good enough! Ya have to go flyin’ a hundred feet into the air, an’ come plummetin’ back, so we can all have a heart attack an’ go with ya to the pearly gates!! Ya stupid, no good…”

Apple Bloom stopped her ranting, when she looked at Oliver’s frozen features. For as scared as he was, there was no way that she could stay mad at him. And it became clearer that he had no intention to worry her so when she felt his shaking arms wrap around her and holder her closely.

It was a complete surprise to her. Now, she was not worried for Oliver’s safety, but for his mental state. With her head on his shoulder, she could hear his rapid breathing, and feel his heart beating hard against her chest.

“I’m sorry,” Apple Bloom sighed, “Ya scared us all just as bad, ya know.”

The other two young girls watched, and wretched at the display.

“Doesn’t she know she’s hugging a boy?” the short-haired girl asked.

The older girls, however couldn’t stop smiling, and were all fighting the urge to giggle uncontrollably.

“Ain’t ya gonna kiss him, Apple Bloom?” Applejack said.

Apple Bloom didn’t respond. She didn’t even take her face out of Oliver’s shoulder to hide her reddening face.

“Ew! You can’t kiss a boy! They got disease! And they’re made of puppy dog tails!” The curly-haired girl said.

“You shouldn’t be afraid to show him you care, Apple Bloom. It’s easy. Like this,” Fluttershy said.

Nobody was prepared when they saw Fluttershy pucker up and plant a peck on Oliver’s forehead.

And that was the last thing Oliver remembered, before passing out.

“Oh yeah. It’s going to be loads of fun with this guy around,” Rainbow Dash said.