//------------------------------// // I can't stop blushing! // Story: 20% More Elegant // by Pinkamena_FP_Pie //------------------------------// Before you start this story, you must be aware that even though this can be read standalone, it would be very appreciated, and advisable to read the prequel, before reading this one. If you haven't read Wintershy yet, feel free to click the link and read that one first. Thank you for your patience and understanding. (smiley face) If you have read it, I'm sorry for wasting your eyes on words that could be the story right now (haha). And without further ado, please enjoy my next fic. _______________________________ "My, what a lovely train ride that was!" Rarity exclaimed, eagerly trotting about the station. It had been about a day since the train's three-day delay ended, and the they were back on schedule. Of course, due to the heavy traffic, they ended up not being able to get to Canterlot until today, much to Rarity's despair; But now, she eagerly awaited her entrance to the city once again as they stood, waiting for ponies to make way. Rainbow Dash, Spike and Twilight followed after the excited mare, Twilight magically lifting all of their luggage out of the train. "Wow, you sure are in a good mood today.." Rainbow Dash commented, slightly smirking. "Why yes! Coming from a first class coach to the most sophisticated of pony society for my holidays has gotten me in more of a chipper mood, if I do say so myself." Rarity responded, posh. "Heheh, well hopefully you don't go all M.I.A on us." Rainbow Dash teased. Rarity stuck her nose in the air, blushing. "L-like I'd do that." Twilight and Rainbow laughed at her reaction, which made her blush even harder. "Well come now, we should meet up with the others as soon as possible." She quickly stammered as she walked out to the entrance with Spike. Rainbow Dash and Twilight looked at each other slightly before following her trail. They emerged from the train station's entrance and stared at the mesmerizing beauty of the city. The unrelenting snow seemed to perfectly align with the Hearthswarming themed city. It didn't have the glamorous lights of Ponyville, mind you, but the expertly, and expensively decorated homes made none necessary. High-maintenance ponies and regal stallions moved about the city as if it were nothing new, giving it a look of utter magnificence. "Canterlot looks as beautiful as always.." Twilight and Rarity said in a nostalgic tone simultaneously. "Yeah, the place looks awesome!" Rainbow Dash complimented, looking aimlessly. "Well, girls, I'll get our luggage to the hotel," Twilight said as she used her magic to perfectly stack the suitcases in order, "Maybe you should explore a bit before we meet up with Applejack and the others." "Alright!" Rainbow Dash yelled excitedly as she flew around in a dazing speed. "What a wonderful idea! I can't remember the last time me and Rainbow Dash ever did anything together," Rarity said happily as she began walking in Rainbow's direction, who had already been more than a ways from her, "This should be interesting." "Alright, see you girls later!" Twilight called as she headed inside, "Alright Spike, we're gonna be doing some extra work before Hearthswarming!" She declared happily as Spike rolled his eyes. ________________________________________ "Soo what do we do now?" Rainbow Dash asked as she walked along Rarity after flying herself bored. They had made their way to the central area of Canterlot. Although it was snowing, the sun showed through the clouds from the view the area gave off. It was like a park with all the trees and natural decor, but also was like a fancy mall, the glass covering preventing the cold and snow from disturbing the area. It was filled with city and nature, perfectly, seamlessly, blending in with one another. "Well, we can check out the clothing here...Oooooh~ Or maybe we can mingle with the townsfolk here, or even...." Rarity rambled excitedly. "Good grief..." Rainbow Dash said under her breath, Rarity still talking. She turned her head, and saw.....him. Okay, well she didn't know who he was, and she was really embarrassed to be thinking like this, but man he was cute. Rainbow looked at him intently. He had a grey coat, and a short messy, but stylish, black mane. Something about him was just too overbearingly amazing about the unicorn, but she could quite put her hoof on it. She looked closer and noticed he was handsomely decorated in....a Canterlot rescue squad uniform?! Whoa, that's so mega-awesome! She said to herself, blushing. Rarity turned to Rainbow Dash, who's eyes were fixated on the upstanding stallion. "Rainbow dear, are you okay? Your cheeks are utterly crimson." She noted, concerned. Rainbow Dash jumped slightly, taking Rarity aback before turning to her. "Uh, YEAH! I'm totally okay, I wasn't staring at anyone just now...." She trailed off, her cheeks turning even redder. "Oh my gosh, look! It's him!" A Canterlot mare yelled as the grey stallion came closer into view. Before long mares left and right were eying the stallion, approaching him to a point where he was practically encircled. Rarity looked at him analytically for a second. "Oh my, he's quite a charming fellow, of course, I prefer more gentleman-ly looking colts, myself." Rarity commented offhanded, expecting a response. When none came, she looked at Rainbow Dash, and noticed her eyesight had been once again in the same direction she now was sure the stallion had been. She was blushing even harder than before, too. Rarity slyly smiled at Rainbow Dash's behavior, having only one conclusion before her. "You have a crush on him, don't you?" Rainbow Dash shook her head to regain her senses, her blush failing to leave her face. "I.........don't l-like him, I just think he's kinda cool is all!!" She folded her arms, levitating midair. Rarity's smile grew even larger at her response. "Ohhh, I knew it! I knew it!" She said happily jumping about, "Oh we must know who that handsome man is if he can sweep Rainbow Dash off her hooves! Maybe Applejack knows who he is!" She began trotting off, with Rainbow Dash flying in circles around her, trying to convince her otherwise. "C'mon Rarity, be cool!" She pleaded, "This is so embarrassing, please don't tell the others!" "Oh, come on, Rainbow. You like that guy, and you need help. Applejack might know who he is. Don't you want to know?" she asked. "Well, yeah...but--" Rainbow Dash started. "But nothing. Applejack, Fluttershy and Applebloom were stuck during that awful storm, and I heard the Canterlot rescue squad came to aid them. I'm sure one of them caught a glimpse of him," She said reasonably, "And don't say you're not into him, again. That's obviously a lie." Rainbow Dash simply pouted with beet cheeks as they made their way to Applejack's room, hoping to find out who the stallion was. _______________________________________________________ "Howdy y'all!" Applejack said wholeheartedly as they entered. As Rainbow Dash and Rarity entered the room, they stood still in awe at the layout of the room. The room was as tall enough to house a two story home. And a half. Directly in front of them was a beautiful living space, accommodated with a television. A dining space and kitchen were beautifully woven with the rest of the room. A bookshelf took up the entirety of a wall, neatly placed and decor'd with lovely art on Equestria's history. Nearing the back from the living center, there was was a row of stairs that led to individual doors. Each one, presumptively, was to each of the ponies. "Oh....my....." Rarity barely managed to get out as she nearly fainted. "Your room is awesome, Applejack! How'd you guys get this?" Rainbow Dash asked, excitedly investigation every inch of the place. "Aw, shucks, girls. Everyone's room is like this." Applejack pointed to a nearby pony going in their door. From their view, the room was layed out nearly identically, never mind the paint color. "Still, veeryyy impressive." Rarity chimed, "Anyways, I have a question." "Go 'fer it." Applejack responded. Rainbow Dash let out a small 'eep' before trying to find something to distract them. "Wait, was that Fluttershy?" Rarity asked. "No, I'm over here--ACHOO." Fluttershy gently shouted as she came from her room. She came with a blanket over her, slowly walking to the two. "Fluttershy! What happened?!" Rarity and Rainbow Dash asked in unison. "Well, you see...."Applejack started, trying to continue speaking. "We were--" Fluttershy interrupted. "We were on our way here, and one of the snow plowers dumped a huge pile of snow on me." She said, smiling nervously. The two stared at Fluttershy for a few moments, making her break a sweat before they went in an uproar. "I can't believe the plowers would do something like that!" Rarity said angrily, gasping, "How uncouth of them!" Rainbow Dash nodded violently, agreeing. "I've got a mind to give one of 'em a POW! and SMACK!......for lack of a better term." Applejack & Fluttershy looked at each other slightly confused for a second before turning back to them. "So, uhhhh what is it you girls wanted again?" Applejack began to ask. Rarity broke out of her distraction, and poofed her hair slightly before clearing her throat. "Oh, right. Well it's about this colt Rainbow Dash--" Rainbow Dash wasted no time tackling Rarity to the ground interrupting her sentence. "C'mon, Rarity!" She begged, trying to keep her voice low, "Please don't keep this going any further." "Oh, unhand me, Rainbow!" She yelled, "It's not like the world is going to end because they know you have a crush on somepony!" "A what?!" Fluttershy and Applejack shouted in unison. "A what?!" Applebloom screamed as she ran out her bedroom door, and tripped down the stairs. "Applebloom, are you okay?" The four asked simultaneously. Applebloom picked herself up and replied with a squee. The squirt, too?! Rainbow Dash thought to herself. "Fine! You got me!" She exclaimed as she fell to the ground, "Well, you see...there's this colt that I have a...little thing for.." She said dejectedly, motioning her hoof to compare the size. "Little?!" Rarity yelled excitedly, "You practically couldn't take your eyes off of him! Not to mention you were red as one of Applejack's apples." she said, looking at Applejack, "It was the most adorable thing I've ever seen! Rainbow Dash: In love!" she squealed with sparkling eyes. "Wow, I'm so happy for you, Dash!" Fluttershy commented happily. "Do you like torturing me, Rarity?" Rainbow Dash said just loud enough for her to hear as she looked up with an embarrassed glare. Rarity simply looked back at her with a smile that showed sincerity and a bit of hidden malice. Suddenly Rainbow Dash recalled a memory. Wait! This is about that time back at Appaloosa, isn't it! She thought suddenly as she looked at Rarity's smile. The look on her face somehow answered it with a 'yes'. Well, this was coming anyway.. She thought defeated, as she lay expecting. "So what did you want to know?" Applejack asked eagerly. "Well, go on! Tell them, Dashie!" She said admirably. "Ugh.....fine!...He's a Canterlot rescue squad member.....He's a unicorn with.....a grey coat...and a black mane...." She started trailing off, blushing a deeper red recalling his features. "Looks like Rarity wasn't over exaggeratin'." She whispered to Fluttershy, "Well that sounds like Sonar Sin, actually." She said, scratching her head. "SONAR SIN?!" Rarity shouted ecstatic, "Why, he's a total heart-throbbing hero, he is! He's always being interviewed on Manly colt Magazine! No wonder Rainbow had such a huge crush, she could feel his amazing-ness!!" She looked at Rainbow Dash with eyes so wide and glittery, she might end up blowing them out. "We HAVE to get you and him acquainted!" "Oh man, you can get your payback however you please, but not like this!" Rainbow Dash sprawled on the floor, stretching her limbs like they were being pulled. "Give me all you got!" She yelled, wincing. Rarity looked at Fluttershy and Applejack before looking back at Rainbow Dash. "What are you talking about?" Rarity asked confused. She decided to ignore it, and without another moment of hesitation, she levitated Rainbow Dash with surprisingly strong magic, and rushed out of the door faster than a galloping Pinkie Pie. "Let's go get you Hitched!! Applejack and Fluttershy looked at each other a moment before Applebloom commented. "So.....did you tell them about the.....?" She asked vaguely. "No, I think we'll keep it a secret until after Hearthswarming." Fluttershy responded. The three roommates nodded in a silent agreement before closing the hotel door. _____________________________________________________ "Hey, let me out of this thing, Rarity!" Rainbow Dash protested as she struggled to leave the magic floating force field. Rarity realized what she was doing, and dispelled her ball. Rainbow Dash caught herself and began floating. "Oh, sorry Rainbow, I was just excited I totally forgot I was carrying you." Rarity said, apologetically. "It's cool. I'm just gonna get it over with and ask him out." She said as she looked away embarrassed. Rarity looked at her with a face of new found respect that Rainbow Dash found annoying, and a bit disturbing. With a stern look on her face, she flew the rest of the way to the central area, Rarity following behind. It was evening, and the sun was a few moments near setting. Fortunately, he was still there like before. Unlike before, however, the number of mares he was with had disappeared to a mere two or three eying him from a distance. Rarity and Rainbow Dash assumed he either turned allot of them down, or they got bored and left. Now that Rainbow thought about it, they had been just sitting around watching him like some kinda stalker group. Well, there's no way in Equestria I'm doing that mess!" She thought to herself, I'm Rainbow Dash! If I like someone, I'm going all in on it! She geared her wings in anticipation. With determination in her eyes, and all the strength she could muster, she........kinda just softly glided there. Ah, man now that it's gotten to this, there's no turning back, now! She thought to herself as she slowly came in to eye view of the grey stallion. Being as prepared as she ever was, she took a deep breath. "H-hey..." She uttered softly, but loudly enough for him to hear, beet red(once again) as she hovered over him. She held her hoof over her face. Ah, man. I'm being so lame right now! She thought. "Oh, hey." Sonar replied with a smile. His friendliness made her more comfortable, and she was able to speak normally. "I-I'm Rainbow Dash," She introduced, "And you're Sonar Sin, right? The awesome colt who helped out at the train incident?" Sonar laughed softly, "Well I played a part. But it was the team effort that really brought that mission together." He said with determined eyes. He's even more awesome than I thought.. Rainbow Dash said, blushing deeply as she looked in his eyes. The stallion couldn't help but blush and smile back at her. they shared a moment of silence before it was broken by a loud nosily shriek. "Ohmyclop, girl. Mind the googly eyes, will you?" A spoiled looking pony said as she came into view. This mare was different from the others. Although they all wore dresses with very expensive taste, the ensemble she wore looked like she was prepared for the Gala. Although, it was pretty easy to guess that this was her daily wear style. Along with her dress, she wore accessories all over her body. Rings and bracelets contoured her entire outfit. She wore a tiara and her hair and make up were overbearing. It made Rarity look like she merely used foundation. She looked at Rainbow Dash for a moment before a mockingly confident smile creep-ed on her face. She looked away from the cyan Pegasus, and turned to Sonar, "Sonaaaar," She said like in a baby like manner, "You promised me we would go somewhere." She nagged. "Yeah, you did ask that.......4 times...." He said trying to recall an accurate number, "Well, sorry but this view is just so amazing, and I was talking to this charming girl, here, Rainbow Dash." He said clueless of the intention it gave other ponies, "I lost track of time, haha." Rainbow dash looked on confidently as the spoiled mare scanned her up and down. "Excuse me, Sinny baby, but I want to have a moment alone with this Rainbow Dash." She said with vex in her voice as she led Rainbow Dash by the hoof from their sight. As they got further, she let her hoof go, and walked to a corner of the city no one was around. Rainbow Dash followed. As they walked in an alley, the spoiled mare turned around to face Rainbow Dash. "Are you gonna try fighting me over him?" Rainbow Dash asked, "'Cause I'm really not the type of mare to put my hooves on anyone over a stallion." "Oh, calm down, you brute, as if." She said, disgusted, "I just wanted to get a good look at what was so special about a normal-old Pegasus like you." "What's that supposed to mean?!" Rainbow Dash retorted, peeved. The spoiled mare let out a sly grin. "Oh noothinng. It's just that it must be nice having such a handsome stallion "act" nice to you for a change, is all." She said condescendingly. Rainbow Dash glared at her. "He's being genuine. And you're being a real--" "--As I thought. You really think he was being nice to you because he wanted to?" She laughed mockingly, "Tell me, why do you think all those girls were out there?" She asked plotting. "I guess they were all asking him out." She answered confused. "Wrong. They are all his past love interests," She looked seriously, "The rest are girls he had a few conversations and now they're all his mind slaves. None more important to him than the next." Rainbow's eyes widened in shock. "T-then who are you?" Rainbow Dash asked suspiciously. "Heh, me? I'm his future girlfriend." She announced confidently. "No one can match me. I'm beautiful, a powerful unicorn, famous, and most importantly of all: Not one of you little crush-crazy girls." She said, pointing a hoof at Rainbow Dash. Embarrassed and confused, Rainbow Dash ran from the alley and past the central area. Rarity caught a glimpse of her leaving in tears. "Rainbow Dash?!" She shouted, worried. Rainbow flew to the hotel room. When she got there, Twilight and Spike weren't there. She could only guess she went out to do work. Which was fine with her, because she just wanted to cry. She rushed up the stairs to her room, and just sobbed continuously. She wanted to just cry and cry, but was just as angry that she didn't know why her feelings were hurt so badly. Rainbow heard the door creak suddenly, and tried to dry her eyes. "It's okay, Rainbow. It's me, Rarity." She said gently. "Oh, you mean the one who kept on pushing my stupid crush?" Rainbow replied angrily, "Now that little priss is gonna laugh at me while she goes off with him...argh!" She threw her pillow, "Why do I even care, I don't even know him!" She said, gritting her teeth. "Oh yes, I know, Rainbow Dash, but you can beat her." She assured. "How? I'm just a normal Pegasus from Cloudsdale, and she's this super rich & famous girl here apparently!" She said defeated. "Rainbow Dash! I know you're not saying that a Wonder bolts trainee, weather patrol leader, and hero of all Equestria is something to sneeze at?!" She yelled, disappointed in Rainbow Dash's lost confidence Rainbow Dash dried her eyes, "Heh, I am pretty awesome, aren't I?" She said flattered. "And not to mention the most loyal and best friend anyone can have!" Rarity said as she walked over and nuzzled her, "You can beat that spoiled little filly at her own game, in fact." She declared confidently. "How's that?" Rainbow Dash asked confused. Rarity thought more a second before running in her room. A number of ruffles and creaks came from the room for minutes before she walked out with a vanity, a mirror and an assortment of clothing. "We're going to have a makeover!" Rarity announced loudly. Rainbow Dash looked at the clothing and took a deep breath. "Let's do it." Rainbow Dash dove head first towards the clothing.