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// Chapter 5: Clouds Race Across The Sky 
// Story: Reckless Abandon 
// by Closer-To-The-Sun 
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Chapter 5: Clouds Race Across The Sky

With her new ultimatum, Rainbow Dash had one week to confess her feelings. She was actually okay with having a deadline, that was not the problem she had. Instead, it was the act itself that she was worried about. Facing Big Macintosh and admitting her feelings to the stallion was the problem she faced.

The thought of Big Mac bothered her all week. Whether it was when Rainbow Dash was with her friends, kicking clouds and moving the weather around Ponyville, or just at home with her pet tortoise, Tank. Often Dash would be absent minded, missing what a pony would say or even just tune ponies out entirely only to be shouted back into reality.

Despite her mind being occupied by the red stallion, she was unable to confront Big Mac. It was not because she didn’t try, as she would visit everyday during the week. Her fear got the best of her, however. Often, she would hide in a cloud, looking down on Big Macintosh as he worked throughout the farm. She would whisper to herself words of encouragement, planning out how she would handle the situation. Rainbow could never bring herself off of the cloud.

After one of those attempts, Rainbow Dash returned to her home. Upon entering, she was greeted Tank, who bumped himself into her head.

“Ouch….” Rainbow mumbled, rubbing her hoof to where the tortoise hit her, “Well, a hello to you too, Tank….”

The tortoise continued to whir around on his mini-copter. He gave a tired smile to the pegasus.

With the smile from her pet, Rainbow Dash returned the smile, “Aw, how can I hate an awesome pet like you.” She gave a playful hit to her pet.

Tank flew around the room as Dash trotted through her home. He crashed a few times against the walls, causing Rainbow to snicker a bit.

“You always know how to make me smile, Tank,” Rainbow said before sighing, “And Celestia knows I need it right now.”

Hovering near Dash, Tank looked at the pony.

The blue mare started to explain, trotting to the balcony, “It’s that stallion. The one I’ve been having dreams about again and again, Big Macintosh. He’s just….always on my mind.”

Dash and Tank went out to the balcony. He hovered next to Rainbow Dash as she stared out, looking at the clouds being blown in the wind.

“I just don’t get it, Tank. I mean, he’s a really cool pony, I can give him that. It’s just, I don’t get why I’m just head over hooves in love with him. Sure, he’s really kind and sweet. I know from just hanging out with him that one time. And, yeah, he’s kind of awesome when it comes to things like working. I….have to admit….he’s pretty attractive and all that junk….” Rainbow Dash blushed heavily as she looked toward Tank. As her pet tortoise looked back at her, she added to her statement, “D-Don’t give me that look, Tank! B-Big Mac is a real gentlecolt a-and stuff….”

Tank blankly stared at Rainbow Dash. He drifted side to side on his copter.

Dash sighed and turned back to the watching the clouds racing each other, “Applejack’s deadline thing is tomorrow. I have to tell Big Mac or….well she didn’t say what would happen or anything, but she told me she wants me to do it myself. And again, I really want to tell him….I just don’t want to look like a complete mule, ya know?” She hung her head, “I don’t want to make things weird for us. I know we never had that much interaction or whatever, but I really value him as a friend. If I screw up everything….I’d just hate myself.”

Tank landed on top of Rainbow Dash’s head. He carefully settled down on her multi-colored mane.

“Tank, I gotta do it. I know things might get weird, but I just have to do it,” Rainbow looked up see Tank’s head peering back down at her. She gave a small smile back to him, “If nothing else, I will still have you around, won’t I?”