Chapter 6
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Dresses and Apples
Soarin’ and Spitfire stood muzzle to muzzle, their eyes aflame and their wings spread.
“What’s your problem?” cried Soarin’.
“My problem?!” Spitfire rebutted with a huff. “You’re the one who can’t keep his mind out of the gutter! Always thinking about the mares, huh? Maybe that’s why your training is suffering!”
Rainbow stood to the side awkwardly. She felt like a million eyes were watching the arguing pair with whom she was associated.
“MY training?” Soarin’ roared. “Oh, oh, okay, MY training is suffering? Isn’t that your fault, CAPTAIN?”
Rainbow looked around her for something, anything, to change the subject to. Pegasi were flying from the direction of the train station towards Canterlot. Reporters were running in all directions in firm belief that the next big story was somewhere nearby waiting to be revealed by them. There was a booth with a few ponies standing in front of it.
Sign up for the races? Rainbow thought.
But as she watched a pony behind the booth and somepony in line shake hooves, it was apparent that something else was happening. The pony in line was given a bronze medallion and he put it on immediately. He hoofpumped the air, turned to a friend, and the two high-hoofed.
An irritated growl brought Rainbow’s gaze back to the Wonderbolts. Steam shot out of Spitfire’s ears.
“You’re such a doughhead!” Spitfire all but spat at Soarin’ through gritted teeth. She turned to Rainbow.
“I’m leaving, Rainbow Dash. I hope to see you tomorrow morning at our training session. YOU are welcome to join.” Spitfire turned to Soarin’ as Rainbow just about exploded with happiness.
“YOU, on the other hoof, can go somewhere else and train! You’ll just ruin everypony’s motivation with your perversion!”
As Spitfire left, Soarin' shouted after her, but the captain of the Wonderbolts did not stop. Soarin' turned to Rainbow, who again was feeling like she’d rather be anywhere else.
“What the heck just happened?” Soarin’ asked, still upset. “One minute I was talking about how cute that Ms. VeeVee is, a-and the next thing you know Spitfire’s all over me! What’s her issue?”
Rainbow scratched the side of her head and smiled.
“Umm, I’m not really sure either, Soarin’, but uhh…” Rainbow slowly rolled her eyes. “Would it be cool if I went to go see my friends? I’m dying to tell them about today!”
Soarin' shook his head and blinked rapidly. “Oh, uhh, sure Rainbow, yeah. I’ll see you tomorrow. Despite what ‘Miss Bossy Mare’ said, I’ll be at training, bright and early. I don’t think I’ll be talking to ‘You Know Who’ though!”
Rainbow said goodbye and flew back towards town with a smile.
“Well… that was weird! I need to focus. Tomorrow I get to train with the Wonderbolts to prepare for the greatest races of, like, all time!”
The cyan pegasus forced all non-race-related thoughts out of her mind. She strained her face muscles into a determined frown.
A blanket of orange light covered Ponyville, and the wood-framed buildings of the equine hamlet cast long shadows on the ground as Rainbow made her way to Carousel Boutique.
Rarity's gonna be so stoked for me! Rainbow thought with a beaming smile. She imitated Rarity's voice out loud. "Oh darling that's just exquisite! Why, you're sure to win the title and receive a big, gold medal from Maelstrom himself!" Rainbow giggled at her silly display.
A stallion stood out to Rainbow as she flew by a group of ponies. He looked familiar. He was standing on a small stage, giving a speech in front of a small crowd.
“…an’ that’s the best way to pet your snakes, ponies!” said the speaker. He was a stallion of fair complexion, and Rainbow couldn’t help but notice that his wild blonde curls and nature-kissed grey olive fur were quite charming. His coat looked quite similar in color to Apple Bloom's. He was dressed in an outdoorspony’s wide-brimmed hat and a worn green trekking outfit.
The mares in front of the speaker were fawning and cooing. Rainbow got the feeling that they were more interested in the stallion's appearance, and not his words. She stopped flying and narrowed her eyes and spotted something familiar glimmering in the light.
The speaker was wearing a silver medallion with a design of outstretched wings.
That again… Rainbow thought, bringing a thoughtful hoof up to her chin. Where have I seen that before?
The speaker was allowing his snake to slither around his body, and he chuckled as it licked his face. The mares in the crowd all sighed in unison.
“Bushwhacker!” the lone stallion in the crowd cried, with all the bluster of a superfan. “W-What do we do if our snakes don’t respond to the petting technique you just described?”
Rainbow brought two hooves together like the wires connecting in her brain. “Bushwhacker! I remember him from a few flying meet-ups! Isn’t he the one Fluttershy has a crush on?”
Bushwhacker looked his snake in the eyes. The two exchanged a sort of spiritual meeting of the eyes. Bushwhacker chuckled again and looked at the stallion who asked the question.
“Well, mate, it’s all about trust. Don't go being a bludger. These relationships take work.”
Bushwhacker brought his head against his snake’s.
“Animals are just like us, dontcha think?”
Rainbow rolled her eyes as the mares around Bushwhacker melted.
Well, as much as I love to hear about taking care of snakes, I think I better head over to see Rarity and the girls.
She was off with a multi-colour flash. A smile overtook her face. Butterflies somersaulted in her stomach, electricity fizzled on the tips of her wings, and she saw visions of cheering pony fans in her eyes.
This is going to be so awesome! I can’t wait until the others hear about this!
* * *
Rarity stuck her tongue out as she carefully poked a needle through a piece of fabric. Another loop-de-loop between needle and fabric and she was one step closer to her finished dress. The magic glow of her horn overtook the entire garment-under-construction and she flipped it around, investigating every seam and fold.
“Hmm,” she hummed to herself. “I’m not so sure about this one — but, the crowds of ponies that will be coming to the area are sure to be filled with different tastes and preferences. Perhaps it may catch somepony’s eye…”
Rarity trailed off as she picked up another piece of fabric nearby with her magic and started to compare it with the other. One of her eyes caught her little sister descending the stairs.
“Hey sis,” Sweetie Belle asked, “What’s up? Did you have an idea for a new dress?”
Rarity flicked around a needle in her mouth. With a tightening of her eyes, she sewed some more pieces of fabric together and applied sequins.
“Something like that, Sweetie Belle.”
With a thoughtful hum, Rarity scanned every inch of the new dress with an expert’s scrutiny.
“With all the hubbub coming to the area, it’s only natural that I would try to impress with some new pieces. There’re sure to be a lot of rich ponies coming around, and where there are rich ponies there are, of course, ponies who understand and appreciate the beauty and necessity of high fashion.”
A colorful mass flew inside the boutique from the front door. It slammed into a wall next to Sweetie Belle and became a pile of blue pony feathers and limbs. Rarity’s head snapped up to see what was going on.
“Rainbow Dash?” she inquired. Sweetie Belle hopped up to the new arrival.
“I’m okay, I’m okay,” called out from the mass of blue feathers on the ground.
“Hey Rainbow!” Sweetie Belle asked, her voice going a higher pitch than normal, “Did you join the Storm’s Challenge? All of us fillies and colts were talking about it at school today!”
Rainbow picked herself up and began to dust herself off. She beamed with a hoof to her chest.
“Yes, yes, it’s true: I signed up for the races!” — Rainbow thrust her hoof out — “And I’m going to win too!”
Rarity continued working but did mutter a "Mhm".
“I am SO excited!” Rainbow said. “It’s like the Best Young Flyer competition times a hundred!”
“Darling, that’s lovely news,” Rarity said, still deep in focus, “I’ve been working on some outfits to showcase during the next week.” A stray idea entered Rarity’s mind and, going with it, she shrieked in jubilation.
“Actually, Rainbow! I just had an iiiideeeeeaaa!”
Rainbow raised a brow.
“Yeah? What’s that?”
Rarity did a little dance. She hummed a happy tune to herself.
“Well, I would bet bits to bridles that you’re one of the favorites to win the races. So, how would YOU like to sponsor my shop?”
Rarity threw one hoof around Rainbow and used her other to motion a line in front of them.
“Picture it, my friend: Your renown as the fastest pegasus in Equestria, and MY potential as the greatest dressmaker in Equestria. Why, it’s a match made in heaven! What do you say?”
Rainbow backed up with an uneasy smile.
“Umm, I appreciate the offer, Rarity, and it’s not like I don’t want to help you out, but I’m going to be too busy practicing for the races. I won’t have any time to help you, uhhh” — Rainbow threw up a hoof with a puzzled expression — “What is it that you’re trying to do?”
Rarity explained.
“My assumption was that you would be going to Canterlot at some point to scope out the competition, maybe partake in a few interviews, and get to know all of the important ponies that will be watching the races and coming from afar. At the same time, YOU could throw in a good word about my shop and I could, in turn, help you get more fans!”
Sweetie Belle interjected, flatly.
“Rarity wants to use your fame to sell dresses.”
Rarity glared at Sweetie Belle. A purple glow emanated from Rarity’s horn and engulfed Sweetie Belle, carrying her over to the other side of the room.
“Nonsense! It would be a mutual partnership, of course!”
Rainbow smiled.
“Thanks but no thanks, Rarity. I’m not going to Canterlot until the day of the races. I don’t need to run into more competition and lose my nerve.”
Rainbow stretched out her wings and struck a pose.
“Plus, I need to train nonstop and get into peak form so I’m ready for the races!”
Rarity frowned, but the cyan pegasus made a suggestion.
“Why don’t you see if somepony else is willing to sponsor your shop? There are still a few ponies in town who joined the race that are pretty famous” — Rainbow flipped the top of her mane out of her eyes — “Not as famous as me, but, you know.”
The rest of Rainbow’s friends entered the shop. Applejack was talking to Pinkie and Fluttershy floated in behind them.
“Ah’m telling you, Pinkie, it’s a great idea! Ah could sell so many apples for the farm — why, we'd probably be able to hire extra workers for the big harvests!”
Pinkie looked unsure and deep in thought. Applejack walked up to Rainbow.
“Say, Rainbow, yer going to them races, right? Pinkie was tellin’ me earlier. Ah've got a proposal for ya!”
Applejack threw a hoof around Rainbow.
“How’d ya like ta partner up and sell some apples with me in Canterlot? An’ ah’ll throw in a good word for you, too!”
Rainbow groaned and shook her head.
“Not you too, AJ. Listen, I’m going to be too busy. Rarity just asked me the same thing!”
Rarity pointed a hoof at Applejack.
“Sorry, darling, but are you saying you’re going to Canterlot to try and sell your apples to THAT crowd?”
Applejack puffed her chest up a little.
“Sure as shoot am! There’ll be ponies from all over Equestria there! And where there are ponies, there are ponies who love apples! And those ponies will have bits if they’re coming to Canterlot for the races!”
Rarity smiled sympathetically.
“But darling, THOSE ponies are classy and regal. They’re not going to be interested in” — Rarity snorted — “A few apples and some fritters.”
Applejack got close to Rarity’s face and lowered her brow.
“Ah reckon yer wrong, Rarity. Ah reckon those sportsfans will be mighty hungry for something tasty while they watch the races, an’ what’s better for snackin’ than apples?”
Applejack poked Rarity’s chest with her hoof. Rainbow and Fluttershy looked at each other and shifted nervously. Pinkie quietly hummed to herself and stared at the floor.
“Y’think all them ponies are going to be interested in some froo froo dresses?” Applejack said, “You might be able to sell a few dresses during the Grand Galloping Gala, let’s say, but ponies coming fer the races don’t want nothin’ to do with them fancy scarves an’ ballerina shoes!”
Rarity poked a hoof into Applejack’s chest.
“Well, I bet you that I can sell a hundred more outfits and accessories than you can apples!”
Applejack poked Rarity again, this time harder.
“An’ I bet I can sell a thousand more of my delicious apples than you can yer little dresses and what not!”
“Make it ten thousand!” Rarity cried, bringing her head against Applejack’s.
“Make it a hundred thousand!
“A MILLION!”
Fluttershy interjected.
“G-Girls, there’s no need to—”
But the fighting pair had already separated, Rarity moving towards her planning table and Applejack heading for the door. Sweetie Belle hopped up to her sister while the other ponies followed Applejack.
“Come on, guys,” Rainbow pleaded, “This isn’t about selling apples or dresses! It’s about the races. The only competing that should be going on should be between the, you know, racers!” Rainbow pointed a hoof at herself, but nopony noticed.
Applejack shook her head as she exited the shop.
“It was just about the farm at first, but after Rarity’s jibber jabber, now it’s personal! She thinks she knows them ponies better than me — shoot, race fans are my bread and butter!”
Fluttershy looked from side to side, then at Rarity.
“Umm, good night Rarity, Sweetie Belle. I’ll be at the library again tomorrow with my animals if you want to say hello. I’m sure Spike would appreciate it. He passed out an hour ago because he’s been working really hard.”
Rarity turned around briefly and flashed Fluttershy a smile.
“Yes, good night darling. I might be too busy tomorrow, but we’ll see.”
Rainbow and Pinkie said their goodbyes to Rarity and her sister, with gusto and without much emotion at all, respectively.
There’s no convincing AJ once she has her mind set, Rainbow thought. She turned to Pinkie.
“Pinkie, why have you been so quiet? It’s really weird.”
Applejack responded for her friend, her voice still sour with ire. The four ponies were now outside in the crisp, summer evening air.
“That one’s been like that ever since her Pinkie Sense went cuckoo this afternoon. Course right after, some haybales almost fell on me, but she thinks it’s something else.”
Pinkie looked up.
“I know it is, Applejack! It’s gotta be! My tail NEVER shakes like that. It almost launched me into the air like a plane, that’s how fast it was moving!”
Fluttershy trotted next to Rainbow as the gang walked down the street, the sun just about ready to sleep for the night.
“Umm, Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy lightly bumped into her friend. “You, umm, haven’t seen Bushwhacker around town, have you?"
Rainbow bonked herself on the top of the head.
“Oh right! Yeah, I did see him near city hall on my way here, actually.”
Rainbow nudged Fluttershy playfully with her elbow.
“You know, you have your own competition to worry about, too, Flutters. Lots of mares have goo-goo eyes for your stallion.”
Rainbow snickered as Fluttershy went red and retreated behind her mane more than usual.
“W-w-what do y-you mean, Rainbow? B-Bushwhacker’s j-just a… friend.” Fluttershy looked away for a few seconds, then turned back.
“He l-loves animals just as much as me. H-he’s also really, really nice, and he always smells good — oh, and he’s really athletic because of all the flying he does—”
Rainbow burst into laughter and rolled onto her back. Fluttershy covered her face with her wings. After a moment Rainbow regained her sanity and stood up, wiping away a tear.
"Woo, you're a real card, Fluttershy!" Rainbow said with a final chuckle. Fluttershy smiled meekly, still hot in the cheeks.
"You know, you should ask Bushwhacker to hang out with you tomorrow at the library. He would probably kill to meet a baby dragon. He's not the showy type of flyer at all and I've heard he doesn't like to train during the day. He should be free."
Rainbow suggestively raised her brows in quick succession. Fluttershy looked curious.
"Not a bad idea, right?" Rainbow asked.
Fluttershy kicked a hoof at the ground. "M-Maybe... I mean, you think he'd say yes?"
Applejack, who had been leading the pack, stopped and looked back at her friends. She interrupted.
“Right! It’s just about night fall and it sounds like we all have big plans for tomorrow — well, not you Pinkie, err, ah think. How’s about we all turn in?”
Pinkie smiled weakly as the girls all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
“Hey Rainbow Dash?”
Pinkie looked up at Rainbow, who had taken to the air, and posed a question.
“Did you see any pegasi wearing armor made of gems earlier today? Weird question, I know, I know.”
The number one flyer in Ponyville replied.
“Of course, who didn’t see them? Those are Maelstrom’s guards. There were like a hundred of them at the center of town today when he gave his big speech. Why do you ask?”
Pinkie looked at the ground and brought a hoof to her chin.
“Then that means—”
Pinkie's head shot up and she returned somewhat to her usual self, albeit not quite as joyful.
“Rainbow! Do you know where they are staying?”
The last of the orange streaks of light engulfing Ponyville dissipated. Pegasi had just finished lighting lanterns along the pathways.
“I think they’re all camped outside Canterlot,” answered Rainbow. “Maelstrom was just here to give his speech. He’ll be in Canterlot all day tomorrow. Are you going to tell me why you’re asking all these questions?!”
Pinkie smiled at Rainbow and thanked her, then rushed a "goodnight" and sped off down the road. She was gone before Rainbow could get any more information, leaving her afloat with a hoof in the air and her mouth open.
Oooookay then.
Rainbow looked up. The first of the lights in the night sky twinkled. Wisps of clouds traveled to the east as ships through the sea. The only sounds now were the flutter of Rainbow’s wings as the city finally settled. She breathed out.
That wasn’t quite—
Rainbow flew in place with a frown.
My friends didn’t seem all that interested in me joining the races. I thought—
She shook her head until her eyes started to roll around.
“Nevermind that!” she said aloud, “I need to go home and sleep, and in the morning — the Wonderbolts!”