//------------------------------// // Chapter Two – Dash to the Past // Story: Reality is a Blur // by lLoveRainbowDash //------------------------------// It was noon when the main five got a letter, from Pinkie Pie, explaining their plans for the night. First, the main six were going to Sugarcube Corner to eat some of her desserts. Once done eating, they were going to head to Sweet Apple Acres for some of Applejack's homemade apple cider, for a refreshing beverage. After that, it was undecided. The main five all met up in the center of Ponyville, then made their way to Sugarcube Corner as a group. Applejack was the first to speak, “This is gonna be interestin'.” “Yes, I agree,” Rarity responded. “I hope she made some of her famous cookies, those are my favourite!” Rainbow said, hovering above the group. “You think she just wants to hang out for the night, to have some time to spend without any problems?” Twilight asked, turning her head to look at the others as they walked. “Maybe, it is always fun to hang out without any problems to deal with. Seriously, you girls should come with me to the spa sometime,” Rarity suggested. I guess this is fun. It's been a slow week so far. I wish I had something awesome to do. Rainbow found herself in thought as they walked. Once they got close to Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow heard her name being called, breaking her train of thought. “Rainbow!” “Huh? Oh, uh... what's up?” Rainbow asked sheepishly. “Are you okay?" Twilight asked. "You seem like you got something on your mind.” “Yeah, of course I'm fine! I was just—” Rainbow Dash was cut off by the sound of Pinkie Pie screaming. Before any of them could react, Pinkie came running out of the doors. “You came! Oh my goodness! I just finished too! Come on, come on! I have a table already set up,” Pinkie yelled, motioning for them to enter. “What's this for, Pinkie?” Applejack questioned. “Nothing,” Pinkie Pie answered. “You sure do set up really fast,” Fluttershy thought out loud. “That's kinda what I do!” “You seem... more excited than usual,” Rarity said. “It's just a fun little meetup for us! Just so you girls can have some fun tonight!” Pinkie answered. “I'll be right back, I'm going to get the food. Take a seat!” Pinkie slipped into the other room, allowing Applejack to ask a question that’s been on her mind. “Is it just me, or is anypony else gettin' the vibe that she's up to somethin'?” Applejack asked, sitting at the table that Pinkie had set up. “I get the same feeling, don't worry. She's surely planned something special for tonight,” Twilight agreed. “You really think so? Maybe she just missed us, you know how she gets,” Fluttershy said. “Hopefully it's awesome, 'cause, well... then it's not cool,” Rainbow Dash said, slowly slouching down in the chair. Pinkie came into the dining area, pushing a cart stacked with an assortment of baked foods. “Okay, I'm back! I have everything we are going to be eating for tonight. Cookies, cupcakes, a cake, and even—” “Pinkie, as much as I love your bakin', I don't think it's that healthy,” Applejack interrupted. Pinkie Pie glanced over at the others, watching their expressions carefully. “What about we head to someplace and get some hayburgers?” “I wasn't sayin' I didn't want your food, I was just sayin—” “Now you're talkin'! Let's go get some hayburgers!” Rainbow Dash blurted. “Okay, girls, I'll lead the way!” Pinkie called out, pushing the cart back into the other room before bouncing out of the main doors. “Well then... I guess that's fine,” Applejack whispered, following behind the group as they made their way to the other restaurant. “What are you talking about? I never did that!” Rainbow yelled across the table. “Rainbow Dash, keep your voice down! We don't want to make a scene,” Twilight said through gritted teeth. “Well, somepony has to tell them their wrong!” Rainbow Dash shouted back. “Rainbow, can ya stop bein' all 'tough', it's not gonna help you,” Applejack suggested. “You obviously did, I have proof!” a stallion said, holding up a wrinkled photo of, what looked to be, Rainbow Dash grabbing fruits from a stand. “It clearly shows you grabbing fruits, red-hoofed! So don't try and lie to me! You never paid for them!” “If it's bits that you want, than here! Take it!” Rainbow Dash yelled at him, throwing bits from her bag. The stallion, a unicorn, seemed even more annoyed as he started taking the bits from the ground with his horn. Rainbow didn't care if she threw too many bits from her bag, she just wanted the stallion to leave. “Happy now?” Rainbow Dash said, ceasing her shouting. Without another word, the stallion left, leaving nothing but the annoyed mare and her friends. The whole restaurant was silent, staring at the main six after all of the yelling being exchanged between them. Rainbow turned back to the others and shot one of her smiles, “Got'em to leave, didn't I?” “Thanks for making a scene, Rainbow. I think it's time to leave,” Twilight snarled. “But we just got here. Why leave in such a rush? C’mon, it wasn't that bad, Twi,” Rainbow confusedly said back. “Now, Rainbow. Let's go,” Twilight said, picking up Rainbow Dash with her magic, despite her protests. The others stayed silent as they followed. Once the main six got outside of the restaurant, Fluttershy spoke up, “Who was that, anyway?” “You're guess is as good as mine,” Rarity answered, sighing. “Dash, can I ask you a tiny question?” Pinkie Pie asked. Rainbow sighed, still being carried by Twilight, “Shoot away.” “Did you actually steal some fruit from that pony's stand?” Rainbow Dash sighed once again, “Like I said earlier, no.” “But you looked just like that pony in the picture he was holding up. Unless there's another Rainbow Dash, which would mean that you went to that pool of water that creates another one of yourself!” Pinkie squealed. “Uh, no,” Rainbow answered, annoyed. “You ready to behave yourself, Rainbow?” Twilight asked. “I don't want to carry you everywhere like a foal.” “Yes, Twi. I can walk,” Rainbow snarled at her. She was then dropped from her friend's magic, hitting the ground with an audible thud. “I must say, you had that coming,” Rarity giggled. “Yeah, yeah. Whatever.” “Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie shouted out of nowhere. “What?” “Race you to the next place!” Pinkie said, running towards Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash looked back at her friends, who seemed to not be paying any attention to her, and chuckled. She shouted back, “You're on!” Rainbow Dash took off, flying fast. Not fast enough to create a sonic rainboom, but still fast. Fast enough that she could have claimed Pinkie was way behind her at this point. Rainbow Dash stopped with an abrupt halt. She made it to her destination. “Ha! I made it first.” “Think again, Rainbow Dash,” Pinkie Pie said, popping out from behind a tree. “Wa-What? But how?” “A secret,” Pinkie whispered, walking out from behind the tree. Rainbow didn't bother pushing it farther, so she flew onto one of the nearby trees and laid back against the trunk. “Well, now we gotta wait for the others to get—” Rainbow Dash was cut off by the sudden flash, “here...” “So, what's next?” Applejack asked, adjusting her hat. “Can we head to the spa? I think it would help relax all of us,” Rarity suggested, “especially after the... incident back there.” “Hey, I had that under control!” Rainbow shot back. “Rainbow, it really didn't look like you had it under control. Honestly, I wouldn't have been too surprised if you two started buckin' each other,” Applejack stated. “I'm going to have to agree with Applejack. You were pretty scary,” Fluttershy said. “Enough talking about what happened earlier, let's go!” Pinkie Pie yelled. “Right this way, girls.” With the tip of a hat, Applejack took the lead down the trail to the barn, where the cider was being stored. Rainbow Dash couldn't contain her excitement, she was bouncing as happily as Pinkie normally was when setting up for a party. “How much is there going to be?” she quickly asked, growing worried. “Don't worry, Rainbow, there'll be plenty,” Applejack said, smiling at her. “Awesome!” Rainbow shouted, feeling her hopes rise once again. The main six nearly drowned themselves with how much cider they chose to drink. Mug after mug, gulp after gulp. It wouldn't be long until the cider runs out. There was about two barrels left, out of the eleven Applejack had. Even though they only came to Sweet Apple Acres for a drink or two, they set up a small party. It was just for the six of them, nopony else, but it still made things a bit... messy. There was mugs laying about the barn, spills here and there, balloons and other party supplies, and even a pony sleeping! Wait... “Ah think the cider got the best of Fluttershy,” Applejack said, walking over to the sleeping pegasus. “She did drink quite a lot,” Rarity agreed. “Should we wake her up?” Rainbow Dash asked. “No, I think we should let her sleep it off,” Twilight answered. “Ya really think so?” Applejack questioned. "This was really fun!" Pinkie Pie shouted. “Oh... my... goodness! I just had the best idea!” “And what might that be, Pinkie?” Applejack asked, sitting down on a pile of hay. “Truth or dare!” Rainbow Dash sighed, “I guess that's cool.” “Cheer up, Rainbow Dash. You sound like you just lost a race,” Rarity said. “Okay, great! Rainbow Dash, truth or dare?” Pinkie asked. “Uh...” Rainbow put a hoof to her chin, “truth?” “Is it true that you hate going to the spa?” Pinkie asked, leaning closer to Rainbow. Rarity glanced up from whatever she was doing, “I heard spa.” Rainbow looked around to the other ponies. They were each sitting in a circle watching her, waiting for the answer. “Well I... uh... I don't, I don't know.” The others didn't seem too impressed. “Okay, fine, I like going to the spa. But don't tell anypony!” “That's what you were so worried about? Darling, your secret is safe with us, right girls?” Rarity said, looking around at the others. “You can count on us to keep it a secret,” Applejack agreed. “Yup!” Pinkie said. “Okay, Rainbow, you get to ask somepony now.” Rainbow smirked, “So, Twilight, truth or dare?” Twilight looked at her, confidence filling the air. “Dare.” Rainbow Dash was surprised. She was expecting Twilight to choose truth instead of dare. This made her think of what to say. After a moment, Rainbow found the perfect thing for a dare, “I dare you to wake up Fluttershy.” “Really? That's it? That's easy,” said Twilight, who was already getting up and walking to her sleeping friend. Twilight poked the sleeping pegasus in the side. Fluttershy rolled over, and was now facing away. “Boo!” Applejack shouted. Twilight jumped back, away from her sleeping friend, who was now getting up from the loud noise. Everypony was laughing at Twilight's reaction. “What happened?” Fluttershy asked, walking over to join her friends in the circle. Rainbow, who was still laughing, said, “Twilight got scared!” “That's not very nice,” Fluttershy said, taking a seat next to Twilight. Twilight glanced over at Applejack, “Yeah, not very nice. Anyway, is it my turn to choose somepony now?” Pinkie Pie nodded. “What are we doing?” Fluttershy asked. Pinkie was the first to answer, “Oh, we're playing truth or dare, wanna join?” “That sounds fun, sure.” “Okay, I'm going to do... hmm... Applejack, truth or dare?” Twilight said. “Well, I suppose it won't hurt to do a dare,” Applejack answered. “Alright, I dare you to uh... drink more cider.” “That's your dare? I can handle more than all of y'all combined,” Applejack said, getting up and grabbing her mug from earlier. “Here goes.” Applejack chugged it, then slammed it down to show that it was empty. She then dunked the mug into an open barrel of cider and drank more. “See, told ya,” she said, smiling as she came to sit back down on her pile of hay. “Hey, Rainbow, can I ask you something real quick?” Rarity asked. Rainbow drank the last bit of cider in her mug and burped, “What’s up?” “Well, I was just wondering something. You know how you can do a sonic-rainboom? Well, how come you never really keep going?” Rarity asked. “What do you mean?” Rainbow asked, confused by the sudden question. “After you make a sonic-rainboom, why do you just stop? Can’t you keep going after that? Like... how do I put this? Can’t you go faster?” Rarity asked, brushing her hair with her hoof. “Huh... never really thought about that. Guess I’ll just have to try it!” Rainbow answered, standing up. “Welp, it’s been fun tonight, Pinkie, thanks. I’m gonna head out though, I have things I need to do tomorrow, cya!” Pinkie looked back to the others, who were all starting to get up from their circle. “So, I take it that everypony is done?” “Yup. Sorry Pinkie, but we should really get all this cleaned up. I have a farm that needs work done tomorrow,” Applejack said, pushing all of the mugs into a pile in the corner. “No, it’s alright! As long as everypony had a good time, than I did too!” Pinkie exclaimed. Rainbow Dash was alone in her house. She lay on her bed, trapped in thought. What would happen if I go faster? Can I even go faster? Rainbow stopped for a second, realizing that she could probably do it right now. Nah, I’ll just try tomorrow. With that, Rainbow closed her eyes, allowing herself a night of peaceful sleep, not knowing it would be the last.