//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: The Winning Failure // by marley //------------------------------// Chapter 7 As Rainbow Dash made her way to Cloudsdale, a conspiracy was underway in Ponyville. At Rarity's boutique, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and a very reluctant Fluttershy were hatching a plot to spy on Rainbow Dash. Rarity was surprised that her friends would think of such a thing but was also intrigued. “Let me get this straight,” she said, “you want Fluttershy and I to go to Cloudsdale and spy on the Wonderbolt tryouts. You need Fluttershy because she can fly and knows the area and you need me because I'm a unicorn and can work the telescope...which you don't have.” “That's it!” said Pinkie Pie jumping up. “See? I told you that Rarity would help.” “I didn't say I would help,” reminded Rarity. Fluttershy sighed. “Thank goodness.” Applejack didn't want to take no for an answer. “Come on Rarity! We need you.” “Why not ask Twilight?” asked Rarity. “She has the telescope anyway.” “Cause we didn't think she'd go for it,” said Pinkie Pie. “And why do you think that is?” prompted Rarity. Applejack sighed. “She'd probably say it was wrong or be afraid of getting caught.” “But you thought that I might do it? Even though it's a mad idea?” Rarity tried to look stern. Fluttershy was relieved, seeing the plan falling apart. “That's what I said but...” “Well of course I'll do it! How are we going to get the telescope?” said Rarity excitedly. “Oh no..” said Fluttershy quietly. “Hurray!” shouted Pinkie Pie, “I knew we could count on you! This is going to be fun!” “I don't think so,” said Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie tried to get Fluttershy into the spirit of the plan. “You should wear disguises. That would be fun!” “Pinkie Pie this is serious,” said Applejack. Rarity found herself on Pinkie Pie's side. “No, I think she's right. We don't want to be recognized, especially by Rainbow Dash.” Applejack saw the point. “That's true, and if you're gonna be hiding in trees and bushes both yer coats are gonna stick out like a sore hoof.” “I have some hay you could use,” offered Pinkie Pie. “We eat hay Pinkie Pie,” said Rarity. “I am not dressing up like lunch.” Pinkie Pie giggled, “so what ya gonna do?” “I could wear a cape,” said Rarity, “black or dark green and maybe a hat or a hood.” “It's hard to fly with a cape,” complained Fluttershy. “I'll make you a flight suit like Rainbow Dash's,” said Rarity, “except it will be black and will cover your head and legs too.” “Oh! I've never had a flight suit before,” said Fluttershy showing the first bit of enthusiasm for the plan. “Alright then,” said Applejack. “I can get y'all some apples to take along. Pinky Pie, can you get them some muffins or something?” “Sure! Muffins it is,” said Pinky Pie. Fluttershy was still reluctant. “We're going to eat muffins and apples for a week?” “You can get other food from Cloudsdale, I can spare a few bits. So you have the disguises and food covered,” said Applejack. “Where will we stay at night?” asked Fluttershy. “I don't want to sleep in the woods.” “Neither do I,” said Rarity. “We'll get a room in Cloudsdale I suppose.” “I can but you'll fall through the floor,” pointed out Fluttershy. “I couldn't carry you up there anyway.” “This is becoming more difficult,” said Rarity. “We could take a tent... but we don't have one. And even if we did, how are we going to get everything out there and set it up in secret?” “What about using Twilight's balloon?” suggested Pinkie Pie. “Why yes!” said Rarity, “a giant purple balloon. The pegasi will never notice that.” “I still don't like it,” said Fluttershy. “I want to know what's happening as much as you do but this just seems...I don't know. It just seems wrong somehow. If we get caught it might even hurt Rainbow Dash's chance of being a Wonderbolt.” “Oh don't be silly,” said Rarity trying to sound confident. “They wouldn't do that. Anyway, if we keep our distance we won't get caught.” “Even so, by the time we do find something out the week will almost be over anyway,” replied Fluttershy, still unconvinced. “True,” said Rarity with a frown. “I guess I'll have to leave by Thursday to make it back before Rainbow Dash. You're lucky; you can fly. You can stay until Friday and really find out if she won.” “By myself?” said Fluttershy. “Afraid so,” said Rarity, “take your bunny with you if you want company.” “You're right Fluttershy. Our plan is just too complicated to pull off,” said Applejack. “I think we should forget the whole thing,” said Fluttershy. “No,” said Rarity in a determined tone, “but I think you'll have to go alone. We'll disguise you. Change your cutie mark, maybe dye your hair.” “Rarity!” cried Fluttershy, “I don't want to do any of that! Why doesn't any pony listen to me? This is just a bad idea.” “Please Fluttershy,” said Rarity in a gentler voice, “we just have to know what's going on. And it's for Rainbow Dash too.” “How is this for her?” said Fluttershy. “It's just so we know before she gets back.” “Exactly,” said Rarity. “We have to prepare ourselves, whether she wins a spot on the team or not. If she makes the team, which I think she will, then we have to get used to the idea of her leaving and get a victory celebration ready. If she fails, then she will need us even more and we'll have to prepare for that too.” “I never thought of it that way,” said Fluttershy. “Maybe you're right.” “I think I am,” said Rarity. “I'm sorry, Fluttershy,” said Applejack, “but I think the best you can do is just go hang around in Cloudsdale and see what information you can pick up.” “There are ponies in Cloudsdale that know me,” Protested Fluttershy. “I'll be recognized.” “Maybe not,” said Rarity. “We'll still go with the flight suit idea. It will cover your cutie mark and a lot of your mane. Do you have goggles?” “Yes,” said Fluttershy, “I use them for sunglasses sometimes.” “Perfect!” said Rarity, “and if we do your hair differently, braids perhaps, you'd look completely different.” “Besides, you got as much right as any pony to be in Cloudsdale,” said Applejack. “But it might be good to have a story for why you're there.” “I have a great idea!” said Pinkie Pie. “Say that you're there to sell Rarity's designs for pegasi.” “But I don't have any designs except for the one I made for Rainbow Dash,” Rarity pointed out. “ Hmm maybe you could say you were there to do some research for me, that I'm thinking of branching out?” “And that would be true enough if the pegasuses like Rainbow Dash's suit,” added Applejack. “So I wouldn't actually have to try and watch the tryouts?” asked Fluttershy. “Only if you think you could get away with it,” said Applejack with a laugh. “You should be able to get in a position to see them come and go,” said Rarity. “Try to spot her and see how she looks.” “See, I knew this was going to work,” said Pinkie Pie. “We just had to work together.” “I give up,” Fluttershy sighed. “I'll try to do it.” “Let's chip in some bits to get Fluttershy a room and pay for her food and such,” said Applejack. “Cheer up sugar cube! It'll be just like a vacation.”