//------------------------------// // Chapter 7: Solid like a rock // Story: Crashing Equestria // by Wrecking Ball //------------------------------// Deciding to go play it safe by meeting up with the ponies he had already met, Gray headed over to the orange and blue ponies that were doing the pony equivalent to arm wrestling. Making his way across the park a few of the fillies and colts stopped playing their games to stare, oohing and aahing at the mystical creature that had decided to grace them with his presence. Not to be rude, Gray smiled and waved at the children as he wandered past them, chuckling to himself as the smiles on their faces increased tenfold. Having almost reached the orange and blue duo, Gray turned his attention back to them, waving a greeting to them. The orange one returned the wave, basking in her latest hoof wrestle victory as the blue one seemed to sulk at the loss. “Howdy there partner. Its good ta see you again. You looked like yah took a pretty nasty blow from Pinkies party cannon when we first met, so ah think we owe ya a do over on tha introductions. Ah’m Applejack of Sweet Apple Acres,” said the orange pony motioning to her barrel with a hoof, “and this here sourpuss is Rainbow Dash, biggest sulk in Equestria.” She added with a smirk and wave of her hoof. “That’s, fastest flyer in Equestria, thank you very much. Also, I don’t sulk,” retorted the blue one as she turned to face Gray, “Hmm. You’re shorter than I remember.” “Rainbow Dash!” scolded Applejack. “Well he i!.” Rainbow Dash cried in her defence. While it was true Gray was shorter than most of the adult ponies, he didn’t think it was by a significant margin however, “Anyway, what are you doing here short stuff?” she added, getting a slight glare from Applejack at the continued mention of Gray’s height, or lack thereof. Gray just shrugged. He still didn’t honestly know what it was that he wanted to do yet; he was just making up stuff as he went along. Maybe the Four rubbed off on me more than I thought. Taking the initiative Gray pointed to the two of them and then propped his arm on the table they had been using to hoof wrestle on, if he was going to make any friends he was going to need to be involved in as many activities as he could. To Gray’s surprise however, instead of accepting the challenge Applejack tried to cover up a small chuckle while Rainbow Dash was far less subtle and just burst out laughing. “That’s rich short stuff. You’re obviously no pushover, not everyone can just brush off a blast from Pinkie’s party cannon, but you still shouldn’t push your luck. I mean you verse us? Come on!” laughed Rainbow Dash. “Yeah, no offense partner but ah doubt ya would last long against either of us” Applejack added, still trying to hide her chuckling. Gray did not take offense but neither did he rescind his challenge. He simple moved his arm forward and put on his most sinister smirk. While he may not have been as wise as Blue, as agile as Green, as … unpredictable as Orange and nowhere near as strong as Red, he could outlast them all when it came to stamina. Both the ponies exchanged confused looks, obviously having expected Gray to forfeit the challenge. Applejack was the first to react, putting her hoof on the table, “Okay partner, but don’t say ah didn’t warn ya.” Wrapping his fingers around her hoof Gray waited for the customary 3 knock countdown. What he got however was Rainbow Dash Counting backwards from three. Different from the way Crashers did it, but more logical considering these ponies had a proper grasp on speech. “3! 2! 1! Go!” Instead of a barrage of force like most arm wrestlers Gray dealt when the game began all he got was a firm push making sure to keep his arm at an equal position to Applejack’s hoof. Hold at stalemate and then go in for the kill once they begin to tire. Clever girl. The game went on for a good few minutes, Gray giving a few false openings to tire her out faster when she tried to finish him off. Rainbow Dash was growing inpatient, flying small circles around the two of them, “Would you just beat him already Applejack? This is getting reeeeaaaally boring.” Ignoring Rainbow Dash, Applejack’s strength was starting to waiver. Seeing his opportunity Gray slowly began to put more effort into his push and slowly but surely Applejacks hoof began to go the opposite direction. Holding just above the table for a few seconds, Applejack tried to make a comeback before having her hoof pushed all the way down with a solid thunk as it hit the table. A victorious grin spread across Gray face as Applejack looked between him and her hoof in disbelief. It took her a few seconds to regain her faculties, “Well partner, ah suppose ah owe ya an apology. You’re stronger than ya look.” “Yeah right! You just went easy on him. I’ll show you how it’s done” Interrupted Rainbow Dash, shoving Applejack unceremoniously to the side. Propping her hoof on the table as she waited for Gray accept her challenge. Taking a second to shake his arm loose again, Gray looked up at the Rainbow maned pony sitting in front of him. A smug smile graced her features, as though she thought she had already won their little competition. Well, confidence is necessary in any competitive circumstance. Underestimating your opponent however, will just end badly. As Gray grasped her hoof with his hand, Rainbow Dash spoke up before Applejack could start the countdown, “How about we make this a little more interesting? Looser buys the winner lunch.” “Dash!” Interrupted Applejack in a stern voice, an unimpressed scowl pointed towards her multi-coloured friend. “Oh come on! He’s a knight, just look at his armor. He’s got to have enough cash for lunch at the least. Right?” Rainbow Dash replied, turning a questioning look toward Gray. Reaching into his pocket, Gray rummaged around for a bit. While it was true that his pockets were lined with gold, the large majority of that belonged to The 4. While things like sandwiches and potions were free game within in the group, he would be damned if he spent a single gold coin that didn’t belong to him. Continuing his rummaging he found his small stash of treasure, it’s never easy saving money when you were the only one who ever remembered to restock the group’s inventory. Pulling out a purple gem, he looked inquisitively to the two ponies, wondering if it would have any value in this world. The incredulous look that Applejack was wearing was enough answer for him. “See? I was right again” Said Rainbow Dash in a smug tone, “Now are you going to count us in or what?” Sighing dejectedly Applejack shook her head and began the count down, “3! 2! 1! Go!” As soon as the word left Applejack’s mouth, Gray felt as though he was about to be flung sideways off the bench. Rainbow Dash obviously wasn’t playing for the long game, hoping to knock him out early on before she began to tire. Much to Gray’s dismay as well, it was working, his hand inching its way toward the table. Thank the makers Applejack didn’t do this, else I might have been dealt a broken arm. Copious amounts of sweat began to drip down his face as he put all his might behind his arm, eyes almost bugging out of his head. While this strange display may have caused Applejack to fret slightly, concerned Gray was about to pop a blood vessel, Rainbow Dash showed no hesitation as she continued to force the Crasher’s arm backward. It wasn’t long before the inevitable happened and Gray’s arm was pushed onto the table. As soon as it was Rainbow Dash leaped into the air having her own little mock victory celebration, shaking her hooves and bowing to an imaginary crowd. “Ah don’t let it get to ya partner. Rainbow does that all the time” Consoled Applejack, slapping him on the back “’Sides, ya still beat me and that’s nothin’ ta sniff at.” Gray rubbed his arm, sending an appreciative smile towards Applejack. I guess you can’t win them all tough guy. After a few more seconds of self-congratulation, Rainbow Dash finally came down. “Now, I think you owe me lunch short stuff” She said, grin splitting her face from ear to ear. It would be nicer if I did win them all.