//------------------------------// // Ch. 15: Helpless // Story: Rekindling the Flames // by CoJoThom98 //------------------------------// The final bell for the day rings throughout the school. On the west end, Rainbow Dash is the first to exit her fourth block shop class. While she usually enjoys the class, today she was more than eager to get out. Not because the topic for the day was boring, but because she shares the class with Applejack. Normally this is never a problem; in fact, the two get along more than well in shop. With Applejack’s construction experience from working on the farm and Rainbow Dash’s adept ability for kinetic learning, they have built some of the best products of the class. Give them an assignment and they will work together like a well-oiled machine. Today, though, was a different story. After what happened this morning, she realized that they had something else in common besides shop. To Rainbow Dash, Soarin was the only male student in all of Canterlot High that she considered an equal. She has never met another boy who could match her in athleticism, leadership, and loyalty. When she first met him, she thought it was an act and that sooner or later there would be a catch. Yet as she got to know him better, she saw the honesty behind his qualities. Their conversations before practice, though only lasting a few minutes, held her attention in a way she normally reserved for the field. Their similarities nurtured her attraction towards him, and now she has strange fantasies, like taking him away from this place.  That made little sense to her when she thought about it:  She loved Canterlot High.  All the more reason she didn’t quite know what to do with her feelings. Yet this morning, she realizes that Applejack also holds an attraction towards him, but one that is different. Rainbow Dash sees and knows she is helpless; her friend’s eyes tell the whole story. She’s known Applejack her entire life, she’s never found another person with more integrity, as trusting, or as kind. It makes sense that Soarin would catch her eye, better yet her heart. Rainbow Dash could tell Applejack that she loves him and she would resign herself, saying she’s fine, but she would be lying. She can’t do that to her friend, nor does she want to let go of him.  Throughout the day, she’s been distant with Applejack on the topic, hoping to avoid the issue. At the end of the day, she fears that Applejack will bring up the subject; she’s not one to leave problems alone.  Rainbow Dash hurries to her locker up the hall from the classroom. She fiddles with the padded lock but, in her rush, she messes up the combination and has to start over again. She turns the knob to the right, then to left, and back to the right, no luck. After two more tries, she gets the lock undone and opens the locker. She rummages through, grabbing any homework and books she needs for tonight, and her dance shoes, and closes the door. She stuffs the items into her backpack, except for the shoes, throws the bag on, and makes her way up the hall.  As she begins to walk, she hears Applejack calling out to her, “Hey RD, wait up!”  Rainbow Dash stops in place, she doesn’t turn around. Crap baskets, she thinks, here it comes.  Applejack jogs up to Rainbow’s side. “In a rush to beat Sunset to the gymnasium?” Applejack asks in a joking tone.  “Uh, yeah, you know me, I gotta be the first one,” Rainbow responds with shaky confidence.  “Let me walk with you part way before I head out,” Applejack suggests. Rainbow nods in agreement and the two continue walking through the hall. Most of the journey is silent between them until Applejack says, “Listen Rainbow Dash, I wanted to talk to you about this morning.” Rainbow braces herself, afraid of what she thinks she’s going to hear. “I wanted to tell you that--”  “Look Applejack,” Rainbow Dash cuts her off, walking and stopping in front of her. “I don’t know what I saw this morning. I don’t know what I heard, and quite frankly, I don’t want to know. It happened, alright? I’ve gotta meet Sunset in the gymnasium, I’ll see you later.” Rainbow adjusts the straps on her backpack and leaves Applejack, giving her more of a cold shoulder than she’d intended.  She walks towards the gym with some weight in her stride. Her mind races with various thoughts. Does Applejack really believe Rainbow Dash is gullible enough to believe that whole ‘there’s nothing between us’ schtick? Contrary to what she told her recently, she knows exactly what she saw. She was suspicious that something was up way back at their first game night with Soarin and Flash, but she didn’t realize until recently that the attraction is going both ways. They look into each other’s eyes and they are both helpless for each other, something she has never experienced with him.  She nears the gym doors, but before entering, she goes into the nearby women’s restroom. She locks herself in the handicap stall and leans up against the wall, her back sliding down to the ground. How could Soarin, essentially, choose Applejack over her? Rainbow has known him longer and knows him better. They have become close friends over the past year through their teams, and are practically the same person. Instead, he goes for Applejack, someone he barely knows, and yet shares a bond with her that Rainbow can’t provide.  She leans her head back against the wall and sniffles. She feels tears beginning to form and closes her eyes to hold them back. Suddenly, a gentle knock is heard on the stall door. “Rainbow Dash, is that you in there?” It’s Rarity. She knocks on the door again, “Are you okay in there darling?”  Rainbow Dash takes a deep breath, rubs her eyes, and says, “Um, yeah, yeah I’m fine.”  “Are you sure?” Rarity asks. “You don’t sound fine. Could you come out of there and let me take a look at you?” Rainbow contemplates for a minute and gets up off the floor. She walks to the door and opens it to see Rarity standing there looking at her with some concern. Rarity notices the red color in her eyes from rubbing and knows something is up. “Oh no, what’s wrong Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asks with motherly concern. “You look as though someone broke your heart.”  Rainbow Dash rubs her eye with the back of her wrist and sniffles. “It’s nothing, Rarity, I’m fine,” she responds.  “Now Rainbow Dash,” Rarity says, placing her hands on her hips. “You might think it’s nothing but I know that it is not. I can tell your heart is aching and the only way to get through it is to open up. I won’t leave until you tell me what’s wrong.”  “I’m fine Rarity!” Rainbow exclaims. “Just leave me alone for right now, alright? Jeez!” In a huff, Rainbow walks towards the exit. Right before she leaves, she’s blocked by a giant diamond-shaped disc in the doorway. Rainbow turns around to face Rarity, “That’s unfair! You can’t use your geode to stop me from leaving.”  “Really? Is there a rulebook around here to consult?” Rarity sasses her. “If not, then let’s talk.” She lowers the disc, but Rainbow Dash doesn’t take the opportunity to leave. Rarity takes a deep breath and, in a calmer tone, says, “I’m trying to help you Rainbow Dash, I know what it’s like to have your heart broken. Let me help you.”  Rainbow crosses her arms and looks off to the side with pursed lips, unwilling to open up. She’s been avoiding this topic all day, why should she start now? Rarity, recognizing her defiance, walks forward and places a hand on her shoulder, looking at her friend empathetically. Rainbow turns her eyes to Rarity, and sees the kindness she’s giving her. Slowly, she uncrosses her arms and moves her hands down into her pockets, her shoulders relax and lips unpurse.  “What’s going on Rainbow Dash?” Rarity asks.  “It’s…” Rainbow pauses and takes a deep breath, she can feel the tears coming back. “It’s Soarin and… Applejack.”  Rarity slowly nods. “I had a hunch; Sunset told me about this morning. I know it’s hard to see a friend interested in someone you like, but I’m sure if you work things out--” “Soarin likes Applejack too!” Rainbow says, cutting Rarity off. “I know he does, I’ve seen the way he looks at and acts around her. I’ve known him longer than he’s known Applejack, I’ve been his friend for nearly a year, I thought we could become something more. Instead, he passes over me for Applejack.” Rainbow sniffs and wipes a tear from her cheek. Rarity pulls out a handkerchief from her purse and gives it to Rainbow.  “Sometimes knowing someone for a long time doesn’t mean a romance is sure to happen,” Rarity says.  Rainbow uses the handkerchief to wipe her eyes. “I know it’s just, we share a lot in common. I really thought things were going somewhere.” “I know, it’s hard seeing someone you adore have eyes for someone else,” Rarity says. “Do you remember Fancy Pants?” “That senior you had a massive crush on last year?” Rainbow asks.  Rarity rolls her eyes in annoyance. “Yes, that one,” she answers, miffed. “When I found out that he had his eyes set on Fleur de Lis, I was devastated. Even though I have known him for such a long time, his heart was set upon a different woman. But, I was able to move on.”  “How?” Rainbow asks.  Rarity places her hand on Rainbow’s shoulder, gives her a comforting smile, and says, “Time. Given enough time, you will eventually move on and learn to let him go.”  Rainbow looks down at the handkerchief and fiddles with it in her hands. “I don’t think I have the patience for ‘eventually,’” she mumbles but loud enough for Rarity to hear.  “One way or another, Rainbow Dash,” Rarity responds. “You will have to learn to let him go. Otherwise, that love will turn into obsession.” Rainbow Dash smiles as best she can.  “Like you with Trenderhoof?” she asks, remembering when Rarity had adopted Applejack’s persona to impress a boy. Rarity purses her lips in mild annoyance, before returning to the topic at hand. “Something like that,” she says, “For right now, you have every right to feel heartbroken.” Rainbow, still looking down, purses her own lips and slowly nods. She hands Rarity back her handkerchief but she denies it. “You keep it dearie. You’re going to need it more than me.”  “Thanks Rarity,” Rainbow Dash says as she puts the handkerchief in her pocket. Suddenly, her phone dings. She pulls it and sees a text message from Sunset Shimmer, saying: Where r u? “Oh crud,” she exclaims, “I’m running late for Sunset’s dance lesson.” She quickly puts her phone back in her pocket and turns to head out of the bathroom. Right as she takes her first step, she stops and turns back around to face Rarity. She moves forward and gives her a hug, which Rarity returns in kind. “Thank you for your help,” Rainbow says.  “If you ever need to talk, I’m always here for you,” Rarity replies. “Now go before you make Sunset wait another minute.” Rarity gently pushes Rainbow Dash away, and she runs out the doorway towards the gymnasium.    Later that evening, Flash sits in his room at his desk working on his independent assignment for Mr. Turner. Things between him and Sunset appeared to have smoothed out, but he’s still stuck with this assignment for the week. His task is to present a five-page summary of his readings by Friday on the Arab revolts during the First World War and the French and British Mandates that followed. His reading for today is a journal entry from the famous Lawrence of Arabia. While it’s hard not to be entrenched in the life of such a grand figure, Flash finds himself distracted by recent suspicious behavior of his friends. His mind can’t help but think about what’s been going on. First Twilight nearly freaks out over a binder yesterday, then Sunset confronts him and, essentially, confesses her love for him, followed by Soarin’s strange remarks and Rainbow Dash breaking him out faster than he could blink. He can’t help but suspect that the girls are meddling in his affairs. This time, though, it seems that Soarin and Sunset are in on it as well. The only question is why? He could just confront them on it, claim that he knows what they’re up to. But he’s seen enough detective shows to know making claims without hard evidence is a recipe for disaster. Trying to squeeze Soarin for information would be beating a dead horse, and as for Sunset, he agreed yesterday to give her space and he’s going to keep it that way for now. Cornering any one of the six girls could potentially make things worse, and they would most likely deny it anyway.  Well, maybe not Pinkie Pie, but he would feel bad knowing how seriously she takes keeping secrets and how much she suffers from it. There is, though, one more option to provide clarity.  There’s a knock at his door. “Come in,” he calls. The door opens and Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom walk in. Flash turns in his chair to face them, “So what have you girls found out?”  The girls look at each other with looks of disappointment, look back at Flash and shrug. “Eh, we haven’t found much,” Scootaloo answers. “We tried everything we could think of,” Apple Bloom adds. “Directly askin’, eavesdroppin’, we even tried sneakin’ through their bags, but that backfired horribly.”  Flash leans forward and rubs the bridge of his nose with both index fingers. “Have you been able to find anything at all?”  “Well, Sweetie Belle was able to find something this afternoon,” Scootaloo says.  Flash turns his attention to Sweetie Belle. “I was with Pinkie Pie in the gymnasium, helping her decorate for prom,” she says. “Rainbow Dash and Sunset were also in there but they weren’t helping us.”  “What were they doing?” Flash asks. “Dancing,” Sweetie Belle answers, causing Flash to raise his eyebrow. “Rainbow was giving her a dance lesson. Nothing too complex, just basic steps on partner dancing.”  Flash looks down at the ground, rubbing his chin in contemplation. A dance lesson isn’t too abnormal, especially given the fact that prom is this Friday. Though, it is interesting the kind of dancing she is learning, partner dancing, as if she’s planning on participating in the couples dance. He looks back up at Sweetie Belle and asks, “Did you see or hear anything else?”  “Only that Sunset kept stepping on Rainbow’s toes during the entire lesson,” Sweetie Belle answers, trying to hold back a giggle. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo let out a snicker.  Flash smirks and shakes as he leans back in his chair. “Well, even though it wasn’t much, thanks for your help today anyway,” he says. “You girls can leave now.” He turns in his chair back to face his desk.  The girls begin to walk out of Flash’s room, but Scootaloo stops just before walking through the doorway. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, already standing in the hallway, turn to see what’s keeping their friend. Scootaloo waves her hand to tell them to wait a moment. She walks over to her brother and says, “I know we didn’t give you a lot, but we really are trying our hardest to find out what they’re up to.”  Flash looks up from his homework and gives her a half-smile. “I know you are Scoots,” he says, nodding. “I didn’t expect you to find out everything today, just enough to clear the fog.”  Scootaloo looks down at the ground and grips her arm. “If they’re messing with your life behind your back again…” She pauses, then looks up at her brother. “After what you told me happened last Friday, I don’t want that to happen to you again. I don’t care what their intentions are, it’s just wrong to do something like that, especially to a friend.”  Flash turns in his chair, leans forward, and places both of his hands on her shoulders. “Thanks sis,” he says, “I appreciate your concern. We’ll find out what’s going on, but right now, I need to work on this assignment.” He scruffs up her hair and gently pushes her away. She walks out of the room, closing the door behind her.  Flash turns back once again to his homework, but instead of immediately getting back to work, he pulls out a small drawer in his desk. He picks up a small notepad and pen from inside and flips the notepad open, laying it on the desk. Written on the paper is a list of the odd behaviors he’s witnessed about his friends: Rainbow Dash and Soarin’s escape from his house is the most recent. He takes the pen and scribbles down “Sunset dance lesson,” then leans back in his chair while tapping the butt of the pen against the paper. What are they up to?