Dash watched as everypony except her and Twilight dispersed out of the park, another one of their outings over. Her glance couldn’t help but fall over a particular bunch of apples. In the basket! Apple fruit. Yes.
She held back a sigh. She was hoping to get some time with Aaaaaaaaerial dynamics but Twilight told her she needed to talk in private, one on one. It was important, she said. And Dash would never turn her back on a friend. It’s probably going to be about some book. Or maybe... maybe she has a top secret mission straight from the Princess that only I can do! A mission full of danger and monsters! Or The Wonderbolts told her they’ve accepted me into the group! Suddenly, her disinterest turned into barely contained enthusiasm. She practically bounced in place, eagerly waiting for Twilight to talk. But instead, Twilight awkwardly pawed on the ground, opening her mouth several times as if she had found the words, but then she’d just close it again as though those words were stupid. Her face even glowed the lightest shade of red. After a few moments of this, Dash decided to help her along.
“Errrr, Twi? You wanted to talk to me?”
“Um, yes, Rainbow. Sorry, I’m just having trouble finding the words.”
“Well, if it’s because this talk is about, say, a dangerous mission, then don’t worry, Twi! You know I fear no danger!”
“What?” Twi asked confused. “That’s not it.”
“Then maybe you have really happy news, like somepony we know has gotten into an elite group she’s been trying forever to get into. I understand, Twi. I doubt I could find the words myself!”
“Er, no, sorry. Not it either.” She sheepishly smiled.
By now, Dash’s small storage of patience was empty. “Then what?”
“I-I just need to find a way to say it lightly!”
“I don’t have all day, Twilight. Spit it out!”
“Give me a second-”
“Stop doing your best Fluttershy impression and just! Say! It!”
“I WANT TO ASK PINKIE OUT ON A DATE!” she blurted out loudly, catching the attention of several passerby. She nervously smiled, and turned her head down.
Dash, meanwhile, was caught off guard. She had figured it out a loooong time ago, of course. She knew Pinkie well enough to know when she was crushing on somepony. She knew that experience better than anypony. And noticing Pinkie caused her to notice Twilight, and it just clicked. But Twi confessing it to her, of all ponies? “Okaaaaay. Why tell me this?”
“Because you’re Pinkie’s ex and my friend!” she explained. “By friend law, I’m required to tell you when I have feelings for your ex! All my books say this could tear apart a friendship, and I really don’t want to lose ours, Dash! So-so if you want me to back off, I promise I will! I just couldn’t hold it in any longer! Please don’t hate me!” she choked out, tears forming in her eyes.
Ah, geez. “C’mon, Twi!” she soothed, putting a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “I could never hate my favorite egghead! Besides, what me and Pinkie had is long over. We both agreed that our relationship just wasn’t working out. You can go and make all the kissy faces you want with Pinkie.”
“Really?”
“Really. Now, if we’re done?” Dash asked, readying her wings for flight.
“Wait!” Twilight exclaimed, stopping Rainbow in her tracks. Dash gave her an irritated glare. “I need your help. You know Pinkie better than anypony, Dash. Does-does she feel the same way about me?” At these words, Dash’s eyes softened.
“Twi,” she began lightly, “when me and Pinkie were together, I thought she was in love with me. We had so much fun together, and whenever I was around her, she looked so happy.” Twilight looked down, her features full of disappointment. “But that’s nothing compared to how she looks when she’s around you.” Twilight looked back up, her eyes filled with curiosity. “She’s awestruck, she’s spellbound, she’s all that other gooey love junk. Her face is just full of adoration and wonder and love, Twi. And I mean, seriously. Look at what she’s done for you! She tried to stop time for you, for Pete’s sake! Trust me, Twi. You’ve got her hooked. So stop worrying.”
“Thank you, Rainbow. I’m going to ask her right now!” She began to trot off, before Dash cut her off.
“Woah woah woah, what are you doing? You’re just gonna ask her?”
“Um.... yeah?”
“No way, Twi. I asked Pinkie out in an awesome, radical way, and there is no chance I’m letting my egghead be outshined by any of Pinkie’s exes, even if that ex is me! You are going to give Pinkie the asking out of her life, and I’m gonna help!”
“You’d do that?”
“Of course! In return for one favor.”
“Anything!”
“I, uh, kinda got a crush on somepony too, and a little help from Ponyville’s smartest mare would be great.”
“Who is it?”
“Not important right now! First Pinkie, then Aaaaaaanonymous mare I want!” Dash put on a big grin. Almost let it slip there.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, but let it slide. “Ok Dash! I accept! Twilight and Dash, the ultimate wingmares!”
“That’s the spirit!” They trotted off together, discussing plans for the ultimate wooing.