Chapter Two: Cloudy With a Chance of Competition
The pegasus ponies of Ponyville had gathered for a game of skyball, their favorite pasttime. Thunder Clap was in his element, making shot after winning shot. The athletic pegasus was working up quite a sweat, causing his body to gleam in the midday sun. As he shook his sodden hair out of his eyes, the droplets of perspiration sparkled around his head, to the delight of the watching pegasus mares.
"What a hunk..." Drooled Parasol.
"He is cute." Wind Whistler agreed. "Not as cute as my Caramel, but still..."
It was then that Rainbow Dash arrived on the scene. The sight of Thunder Clap made her stop in her tracks.
"Whoa..." She gaped, before shaking herself. "Come on, Rainbow. You can do this. Just talk to the guy. No big deal, you've talked to plenty of guys before. This one's just... a whole lot cuter then the others."
Swallowing hard, Rainbow flew up to Thunder. He smiled as she approached, making her go weak in the wings. Fortunately, there was a cloud nearby for her to land on.
"Hey there, Thunder." Rainbow said nonchalantly. "What's up?"
"Not much." Thunder admitted. "Just playing skyball. You want in?"
"Sure!" Rainbow smiled. 'Fluttershy said to be myself.' She thought to herself. 'And myself just happens to be the best skyball player in Ponyville!'
"Okay, then." Thunder grinned. "What do you say you and me try a little one-on-one?"
"I'm in." Rainbow smiled. "One-on-one" was exactly what she was hoping for.
Ever the competitive pony, Rainbow didn't let the fact that she had a crush on her opponant stop her from doing her best. She performed one incredible score after the other, and Thunder was able to match her move-for-move. Eventually, the two sportsponies, completely exhausted, collapsed as one onto a cloud bank.
"You were awesome, Dash!" Thunder gasped breathlessly.
"You weren't so bad yourself." Rainbow huffed.
"Seriously, you're the first mare I ever met who can play skyball as well as me." Thunder complimented her. "You're like no girl I've ever met."
"That's no surprise." Cloud Kicker declared snidely, as and her friend Drizzle descended on them. "Rainbow's like no girl, period."
"Got that right." Drizzle added snidely. "Why, she's practically one of the guys!"
Rainbow seethed. Normally, she wouldn't have been too bothered with such a remark. But for it to be uttered in front of Thunder Clap made her blood boil.
"What are you two doing up here anyway?" Rainbow demanded. "Skyball's never been your thing."
"Those two lovely ladies offered to take me to lunch." Thunder explained. "We met yesterday, while I was exploring Ponyville."
"Sure you did." Rainbow stared daggers at the pegasus mares.
"'Fraid we're gonna have to call it a day, Dash." Thunder sighed. "Tell you what, we can hang out later. Meet me here at say, two o'clock?"
"You got it!" Rainbow beamed.
"Come on, Thunder." Cloud Kicker linked one of the stallion's forelegs with her own, while Drizzle did the same. "Lunch won't wait forever."
"Catch you later, Dash!" Thunder called as he was led downward.
"You know it!" Rainbow called back.
Rainbow waited a few moments, then set about covertly following them.
Once Thunder and his admirers had arrived at the outdoor restaurant where they would have their lunch, Rainbow took to spying on them from around a corner. She watched with distaste as the two amorous mares fawned over Thunder.
"Look at 'em, drooling all over him." Rainbow muttered resentfully. "Poor guy's gonna need a raincoat. What have those two featherheads got that I don't, anyway?"
"Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?" Asked a voice from behind her.
"AAAAH!" Rainbow leapt a full ten feet into the air. Upon landing, she recognised the owner of the voice as her friend, Rarity. "Geez, you tryin' to give me a heart attack or something?"
"My apologies." Rarity smiled apologetically. "Now, I repeat: What are you doing?"
"Nothing." Rainbow said shiftily.
"Really?" Rarity raised her eyebrow. "And what part of 'nothing' involves spying on three pegasi?"
"I, uhh..." rainbow attempted to think of a lie. When nothing came, she came clean. "Alright, fine. I've... got a crush on that stallion over there."
"Really?" Rarity gasped. "Rainbow, darling! How absolutely wonderful!"
"Yeah, yeah." Rainbow grumbled. "I already heard it from Fluttershy. Anyway, Cloud Kicker and Drizzle are trying to get in with him, and I got no idea what to do about it, aside from clobbering them both!"
"I don't think that would such a good idea, darling." Rarity shook her head. "You need to do something far better to win the affections of your Prince Charming!"
"Fluttershy said just being myself is all I need." Rainbow declared.
"Under normal circumstances, yes." Rarity sighed. "But where competition's involved, you need to fight fire with fire, and that means... a makeover!"
"Oh, no." Rainbow grimaced.
"Oh, yes!" Rarity cheered. "Don't worry about a thing, Rainbow, dear! When I'm done, that stallion will only have eyes for you!"
"I guess it's worth a shot." Rainbow groaned. "Just so long as you don't go overboard with it."
"Darling, please!" Rarity chuckled. "It's moi!"
"That's just what I'm worried about." Rainbow muttered under her breath.
To Be Continued...