Chapter One: Sudden Thunder
Rainbow Dash, self-proclaimed greatest flyer in all of Equestria, was, as usual, working on her flight manoeuvres. She had just pefected her zigzag-twirl move, and was well into mastering her newest trick, the corkscrew-arc-dive.
As she dived down through Equestria's skies, her head suddenly made contact with something hard.
"OWW!" Rainbow cried out. Landing on a nearby cloud, she turned toward whoever it was she had collided with. "Hey, what's the big..."
Her tirade was cut short as she got a good look at the pegasus stallion she had bumped into. He had a brilliant white coat, a royal blue mane and tail, and deep, brown eyes set into a very handsome face. His cutie mark was that of a single storm cloud. He also had the most athletic figure Rainbow had ever seen. Even the Wonderbolts would have had a tough time matching his streamlined, aerodynamic form.
"Sorry about that little head-on collision we just had." The newcomer smiled, revealing a dazzling set of white teeth. "Should have been watching where I was going."
Rainbow wanted to answer, but found herself unable to. Her heart was pumping like mad, her mouth was dry, and her cheeks were burning.
"Yeah, no problem..." She finally managed to spit out, her usual confident manner having seemingly evaporated.
"Oh, there you are." Came a voice from above. It was Lightning Bolt, a fellow Ponyville pegasus, who flew up to join the two. "Hi, Rainbow. I see you've met my big brother, Thunder Clap. He's just moved here from Hoofington."
"So, you're the famous Rainbow Dash, huh?" Thunder Clap cast an appraising eye over her. "My little sis has told me all about you: How you won the best Young Flyer competition, how you pulled off a Sonic Rainboom, twice, and how you helped save all of Equestria, also twice! Very impressive."
"Yeah, it is, isn't it?" Smirked Rainbow, her ego temporarily overpowering her befuddled state.
"About the only thing Lightning didn't mention was how cute you are." Thunder smiled.
And, just like that, Rainbow's cheeks flushed anew, her mouth dried out again, and her heart resumed its mad beating.
"Sorry to cut short your little tête-à-tête, but we've gotta get moving, big bro." Lightning interjected. "There's still lots more to see in Ponyville, and I don't have all day to play tour guide."
"Sure thing, sis." Thunder nodded. "See ya round, Dash!"
"Yeah, sure." Rainbow said breathlessly. "See ya."
After the two pegasus siblings had flown across the horizon, Rainbow pulled open a hole in the cloud she was sitting on, dipped her hooves in the water within, then splashed her face with it.
"What just happened?" She asked herself.
That night, while Rainbow slept, she found herself having a very vivid dream. It concerned herself and Thunder Clap sitting on a cloud together, watching a brilliant orange sunset. He smiled his dazzling smile at her, and leaned forward, lips puckered...
Rainbow suddenly jolted awake.
"AAGH!" She yelped, loudly enough to wake her pet tortoise Tank, who quickly (for him, at least) poked his head out of his shell. "Sorry, Tank."
Turning on her side, Rainbow punched her pillow, frustrated at the new sensations she was feeling.
"What's happening to me?" She groaned.
The next morning, Rainbow visited her friend Fluttershy at her cottage. As she was let in, she noticed that Fluttershy's coltfriend, Forrest, was there too.
"Hey, Forrest." Rainbow raised her hoof in greeting.
"Hi, Dash." Forrest nodded back.
"Is there something wrong, Rainbow?" Fluttershy asked tentatively. "You seem... worried."
"That obvious, huh?" Rainbow sighed. "Well, it's like this: There's this new pegasus who's moved to Ponyville, and ever since I met him, I've been feeling really weird-"
"Him?" Fluttershy gasped excitedly. "Can it really be?"
"Can what really be?" Rainbow asked.
"Tell me, is there a tightness in your chest?" Fluttershy asked.
"Yeah." Rainbow replied.
"And is your mouth dry?" Fluttershy continued.
"Uh-huh." Rainbow nodded.
"And does your head feel all warm and fuzzy?" Fluttershy inquired.
"Word for word." Rainbow agreed.
"No doubt about it." Fluttershy smiled. "You're in love."
"What?" Gasped Rainbow.
"Yep, our little Dashie is in love!" Forrest smirked.
"Okay, first off: Don't ever call me your 'little Dashie' ever again." Rainbow threatened. "And second: I don't have time to be in love! I'm a world-class athlete. There's no room in my busy schedule for all of that pointless mushy stuff!"
"Is that really the reason, Rainbow?" Fluttershy looked at her shrewdly. "Really?"
Under Fluttershy's piercing glare, Rainbow's defenses collapsed.
"No." The prideful pegasus admitted. "The truth is, I've never been in any kind of... relationship before. I got no idea how to act around a guy that I like, mostly 'cuz I've never liked a guy before. And besides, it's just isn't in me to act all girly and slushy around a guy, even if he does happen to be seriously cute!"
"Seriously cute, huh?" Forrest raised an eyebrow.
Rainbow, cheeks burning with embarassment, closed her mouth angrily.
"Look, Rainbow, you don't have to act 'girly and slushy' if you don't want to." Fluttershy consoled her. "If you want this stallion to like you back, the best thing you can do is be yourself."
"And if that doesn't work, try being charming and polite instead." Forrest teased.
"Ha-ha, very funny." Rainbow pouted. "Besides, I think he might already like me. I mean, he did say I was cute, but then again, he was probably just being friendly when he said that."
"Well then, you've gotta find out for sure, don't you?" Forrest prompted.
"You can do it, Rainbow." Fluttershy encouraged her. "You've never backed down from a challenge before, now have you?"
"No." Rainbow declared. "No, I haven't! Okay, I'm gonna go and talk to Thunder Clap right now! Thanks for the help, 'Shy."
"Anytime, Rainbow." Fluttershy smiled.
"Good luck!" Forrest grinned.
"Thanks, pal." Rainbow smiled. As she left the cottage, her smile faded. "I'm gonna need it..."
To Be Continued...