//------------------------------// // a pony like me // Story: The Magic of Love // by ashley-luv //------------------------------// The weeks leading up to the party went by faster than Rainbow Dash could comprehend. During that time, she tried to follow her friends' advice and speak with Applejack. But the cowgirl was almost never without Rara, making it impossible for Rainbow Dash to speak to her one-on-one. If Rainbow Dash woke up 'early,' Applejack was with Rara at the gym or dance studio. If Rainbow looked for her during lunch, Applejack was with Big Mac out on the farm. If she went in the late afternoon, AJ and Rara were busy with all their 'earth pony fun.' They often went to for a swim, a hike, a picnic, or even an overnight trip to other towns like Appleoosa or Manehattan. Despite being invited, Rainbow Dash always made some excuse for not joining them. After that dinner at Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow Dash realized she couldn't trust herself to be nice to Rara. And, as she told Spitfire before, she had no intention of befriending the pony who was threatening to take Applejack away. In any case, Pinkie Pie and Rarity had set the date for Applejack and Rara's going-away party for that very Friday. It meant that Rainbow Dash only had five days to speak with Applejack. After practice, I will talk to Applejack, Rainbow Dash resolved while she flew to the Wonderbolts airstrip Monday morning. No more excuses. Fleetfoot, Soarin, and Spitfire's were flying close together, clearly in the middle of a heated discussion. "If I had known a spell like that existed, I would have done it. Now it'll look like I'm a crazy fan," Soarin complained. "Well, aren't you?" Fleetfoot snickered, getting a laugh from Spitfire and a glare from Soarin. "And even if you did know, the spell requires a physical part from both ponies." Spitfire raised an eyebrow. "What, would you have stalked Rara until you could pull a hair off her mane?" "Actually, yes. Yes, I would have." "You're such a weirdo, Soarin!" Fleetfoot declared. "Sweet Celestia, if you had just asked Rara out on a date, this all could have been avoided. Now you and Crash are going to be all in a twist." "What's going on?" Rainbow Dash interjected after hearing her nickname. But, from the sound of it, she may not want to know. Every Wonderbolt looked anxiously at each other. This was gossip nopony was eager to share with Rainbow Dash. Spitfire sighed, deciding to take one for the team. She flew a bit forward, and began her tale. "We went into town for new goggles this morning, and read today's newspaper. This past weekend was the Mane Music Awards." The MMAs were the annual music ceremony for the most famous artists in Equestria. It was held in Las Pegasus, which made it no surprise that there was always some scandal at every event. "Oh," Rainbow Dash snorted in amusement. "I'm guessing this is about Rara?" "Not just Rara..." Fleetfoot trailed off, but she had no desire to be the bearer of bad news. Spitfire sighed. If not her, then clearly nopony else was going to clue in Dash. "Rara took Applejack as her plus one to the MMAs," Spitfire continued. "Some crazy spell became all the rage at the after-party. The spell temporarily lets you share cutie marks with another pony." Spitfire hesitated, exchanging anxious glances with Fleetfoot. She sighed, resigned to the fact that nopony else was going to step up. "I hate to be the pony to tell you, but the spell was only done by couples. And... Applejack got the spell with Rara." Soarin suddenly threw himself onto the cloud, pounding his hooves in tantrum. "I missed my chance!" Soarin wailed, "Because Rara already has a special somepony!" Soarin began to sob, burying his face in the cloud. Spitfire rolled her eyes at the dramatic display, but grudgingly patted the stallion's head in comfort. But she, like every other Wonderbolt, had a concerned eye on Rainbow Dash. If Rainbow Dash didn't value her dignity, she would have joined Soarin. But she was frozen in place, her wings the only thing keeping her in the air. Externally she was unmoved, but internally her thoughts and feelings were a mess. No. No no no no noooooo.... AJ and Rara? A couple? A romantic couple? Spell or no spell, that just can't be true. It just can't be. Applejack is sooo... Applejack. She's happy doing farm work, loves anything to do with apples, enjoys a good competition, and is the most dependable pony and friend in all of Equestria. And (from Rainbow's decidedly biased perspective), Rara was nothing like Applejack. Rara is happy on stage, loves music, enjoys performing, and, from I've seen, not a very good friend. She's loyal to herself and her work first. I wouldn't be surprised if doesn't have any close friends besides AJ. Rainbow Dash's face flushed in a deep shade of red. Well I won't let anypony get away with associating AJ's good name with somepony like Rara. "You're wrong!" She exclaimed, startling her teammates. "Applejack would never be with a pony like Rara. She would want somepony who is there for her, who respects and encourages her work at Sweet Apple Acres, who makes her laugh. Somepony who she shares hobbies with, but who will still keep her on her hooves. A pony like—" Spitfire raised an eyebrow. "A pony like you?" Rainbow Dash didn't think twice about her response. "Exactly! A pony like me. Not a pony like," Rainbow Dash made a disgusted face, "Coloratura." Rainbow Dash crossed her hooves and declared, "I'm going to Ponyville to ask Applejack about this right now. I'll prove to all of you that these rumors are just that: rumors!" Before Rainbow Dash even blinked, Spitfire zoomed to block her path. "Absolutely not, Crash," Spitfire spat. She gestured towards Soarin and back to Dash. "I'm sorry your crushes are dating each other, but you two need to get. It. Together!" "Rainbow Dash, you know Applejack way better than any magazine. If you think she wouldn't date Rara, then she isn't," Spitfire said with a more calm tone. "Besides, you'll only embarrass yourself if you go and confront Applejack while you're upset. So," she looked pointedly again at Soarin. "You and Soarin need to calm down and get your heads in the game. We're already behind schedule, so LET'S START PRACTICE! FIFTY LAPS, ALL OF YOU!" Still fuming, Dash wordlessly did as her captain said. There was no use in arguing with Spitfire when she yells like that. It wasn't until Rainbow had finished a few laps that she registered what Spitfire had said. 'Your crushes.' Plural. Rainbow Dash's speed began to increase. She became a blur around the track, her teammates' shouts falling on deaf ears. She was going fast, way too fast. But she was hoping to fly fast enough that her mind would just shut up. No. No. No! Stop it, stop it, stop it! Rainbow squeezed her eyes shut, flying around the track out of instinct now. Applejack is my friend. My best friend. And she's also, like, a rival. Rainbow Dash noted, But that's because she's the only pony who challenges me, who pushes me to be better, and who understands why winning is important. Well, she does more than that, Rainbow admitted. She holds me back from doing dumb stuff. And she's always the pony to pick me up when I'm hurt. And before all this crazy stuff with the coronation, I always hung out at Sweet Apple Acres just see what she was up to. Rainbow Dash remembered fondly that it was at one of these visits she learned about buckball. And at another visit, she became a member of the Apple family's Gold Horseshoe Gals. Another of her favorite memories was when she visited the farm and goaded Applejack into a competition to see who was the most daring pony. Why did I visit her so much? Rainbow asked herself bewildered. She's always working anyways. So why? Rainbow Dash knew she was starting to get closer to the real reason. But she didn't want to admit. She couldn't. I mean, I can admit I like AJ. As a friend, obviously. That's why I like hanging with her. She's my friend! Rainbow amended. Sure, her accent's funky, but it's a cool, cute funky. And she makes corny country jokes that I don't understand half the time, but I always end up laughing anyways. And she works way too much, but I don't mind helping out with her chores because it means I get to spend time with her. But besides that, Rainbow Dash resolved she had no deeper love for her friend. Sure, she went to Sweet Apple Acres whenever she could. And yeah, she liked spending time with AJ. And maaybe it's weird to nap in Applejack's trees, but they're comfortable. And yes, she's gotten to know every single member of AJ's immediate family. And yeah, maybe it was a little painful to even think that Applejack was with another mare... Rainbow Dash's eyes, literally and metaphorically, opened. Oh. My. Gosh. Her speed having been increasing during her inner monologue, this last thought pushed Rainbow Dash to the speed necessary for a sonic rainboom. The pony's trademark rainbow and accompanying loud boom filled the morning sky. Rainbow Dash had finally realized what everypony else already knew. I like Applejack.