//------------------------------// // Games // Story: Matchmaker, Matchmaker... // by ThunderChaserCreate //------------------------------// Watching a sunset is like watching the very edge of the world burning away in a sparkling, dazzling display of color. The last rays of the sun's gorgeous light were reaching, fighting against the relentless strength of Celestia's magic. Anypony with a clue about life would go out and watch the sun set and the moon take its place in the sky. Everypony liked it for a different reason. It reminded Twilight of her lineage, how she was a part of the change in the sky (even if she didn't really do anything). Applejack liked it because it was something she could do with her family, and being such a family pony made moments like that many times more important. The sunset captivated Fluttershy simply because it was 'nature' at work. Rarity often found inspiration in the shifting colors (she had made countless 'Summer Sun' fashion lines based on these observations). And, of course, anything could excite Pinkie Pie. Then there was Rainbow Dash. Rainbow didn't really get that stuff. She didn't get those touchy-feely things other ponies did. Yeah, she loved her friends. But... you know, quietly. And secretly. Those group hugs ruined her image, after all. So, at this very moment of a beautiful sunset, Rainbow Dash was throwing a tantrum on a cloud high above Ponyville. "Celestia DAMMIT!" The curse rang out across Ponyville, with an echoing voice crack to accompany it. Rainbow Dash ground her teeth, crouching down and preparing to take off once more. She had somehow gotten into her head that she could do some kind of insane aerobatic trick, and she wouldn't give up until she'd nailed it. I mean, that did happen, like, every other day... but this time was a tiny bit different. First off, Rainbow Dash was now a member of the Wonderbolts Reserves (which she liked to remind her friends of very often), and she now believed that if she couldn't master this one trick they'd kick her out. Ridiculous, but, even though the task normally falls to Rarity, Rainbow is quite the drama queen. As Rainbow spun her wings like propellers, her back hooves floating just above the cloud, a presence appeared behind her. She stopped suddenly, standing up straight. "Oh, hello, Rainbow Dash!" said a disturbingly cheery voice. Rainbow stiffened at the sudden sound in such ultimate quiet, but then turned to look at the source. "Great," she muttered. The creature before her appeared to be a great collage of many other animals, like the patchwork quilt of ponies. To others, such a sight would be surprising and even repulsive. To Rainbow, it was simply a sign of trouble to come: Discord. Discord scoffed, making himself comfortable on the cloud with Rainbow. "Thank you, Rainbow Dash. It's wonderful to feel loved," he spat sarcastically. Rainbow arched a single eyebrow at him, demanding a reason for his presence. Discord grimaced for a moment, but continued. "And speaking of love!" "Oh, jeez..." Rainbow put her face in her hoof, preparing for the mother of all schemes. "Now listen, Rainbow Dash." Discord was suddenly serious. "If you aren't going to take me seriously, I may as well not be your friend." He blinked once, his pupils growing and his bottom lip jutting out in a faux pout. "Look, Dipcord." Rainbow took on an air of superiority, even when using the same nickname she always had for the draconequus (it was not very funny the first time, either). "The only ponies who've actually accepted you as a friend are Twilight and Fluttershy. And they're so..." "So what, Rainbow Dash?" "Ah..." Rainbow struggled for the right words. "I don't know, touchy-feely?" Discord smirked. "Again, how ironic! I have a little idea for you. It might help you to understand your friends a bit better." Rainbow leapt back, hovering in the air a little further away from Discord. "I thought so. You and your stupid ideas. Why do you have to bother us, Discord? You can do whatever you want!" "Well, that's just the problem!" Discord shouted back. "I can do anything I want, so I get bored very quickly. The only way to entertain myself is to mess with you ponies. You're all so deliciously unpredictable." "Did you just call me 'delicious?'" Rainbow asked, to confused to continue arguing. Discord held up a claw to silence her. "Here's the deal, Rainbow Dash," he said. "I've found that you and any one of your little friends would make an adorable couple. If you can get the right pony-- anypony-- to fall in love with you in thirty days, I'll give you back your wings." "My--" Rainbow Dash glanced behind her, still seeing a blue pair of quickly fluttering wings there. "What are you playing at, weirdo?" "Honestly?" Discord made a halo appear above his head. "Gee, that'd be nice for a change." Rainbow folded her hooves across her chest. "Well, you're just so callous compared to your pals. I think a few dates would soften you up." Rainbow made a sound of utter disgust. "With my friends? That's so gross!" "Yes, I figured you'd see it that way. That's why I've arranged a small motivational prize for you." Discord snatched Rainbow by the head, pulling her onto the cloud in front of him. Rainbow let him-- she knew that struggling would not do anything to help her situation. Discord had done this many times before: he'd deprived Twilight of all books for a week, he'd given Applejack some kind of flu last applebuck season. He even messed with Fluttershy's animals from time to time. She sighed, her head drooping. "What are the rules, then?" That was something else Discord loved, shockingly: rules. For the living representation of lawlessness and chaos, he sure loved passing down rules to abide by. "As I said-- you get one of your friends to fall for you in thirty days, and you'll get to keep your wings. If not..." Discord waved his claw, a pair of floundering wings appearing in his grasp. Rainbow shrieked, her voice cutting off as it reached its limit. She tried to grab them back, but Discord tossed them off the edge of the cloud. "Oopsy-doopsy!" He grinned devilishly. Rainbow Dash ground her teeth, her eyes growing so wide they threatened to pop out of her head. "Why?" she demanded, short and bitter. Discord chuckled, though it came out in a short burst, more like a cough or a choke. "Because I love playing matchmaker, that's why!" He snapped his claws and Rainbow's wings reappeared on her shoulder blades. "Have fun!" was his last comment as he dropped right through the cloud. As he floated off on spread wings, he seemed to be humming a song. A few bars floated over to Rainbow as she sat fuming. Matchmaker, Matchmaker Make me a match Find me a find Catch me a catch...