Babs Seed had returned to Ponyville for another visit. Apple Bloom had set up the Cutie Mark Crusaders treehouse for her visit. Scootaloo noticed the group had gotten something in the mail.
"Let's see... Challenge Invitation?" Scootaloo had a quizzical look on her face, but opened up the letter.
"Dear Blank Flanks
I hereby challenge you to a game of soccer at the school field. All your classmates will be there to bask in your humiliating defeat at my hands. You can't win, so don't even bother trying.
PS: The only advantage we've bothered to give you is your choice of the referee.
Diamond Tiara"
"Who does she think she is going out and challenging us to something like a soccer game!" Scootaloo grumbled.
"At least we have an advantage. I could ask Applejack to ref the game for us and she could help us out." Apple Bloom said.
"That's a great idea!" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Let's go ask her then!" Sweetie Belle gave a happy bounce.
The three fillies headed to Applejack's barn where she was busy fixing something.
"Hey Applejack! We've been challenged to a game of soccer by Diamond Tiara, but we need a referee. Could you be our ref?" Apple Bloom asked hopefully.
"Aww shucks. Ah'd be happy to oblige but ahm kinda busy right now fixing up this wheelchair for Granny Smith. Why don't ya go ask Rarity?" Applejack suggested.
"Rarity loves sports. I'm sure she'll accept our request." Sweetie Belle beamed.
At the carousel boutique...
"Sports? But don't you get all filthy and sweaty during them? I'm going to meet Fancypants today and I must look my absolute best. You should ask Applejack or Rainbow Dash as they seem to like getting themselves dirty." Rarity scoffed.
"But you did the Sisterhoove's Social with me!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"That was different. I wasn't going out to see a friend. I'm afraid I cannot accept your proposal." Rarity said.
"Aww... why don't we go ask Twi? She's always level headed and ought to make good decisions." suggested Apple Bloom.
"Or if she refuses we could ask Fluttershy. Either Fluttershy or Rainbow Dash is more likely to be in our favor." Scootaloo said.
"Well... why not. Let's go ask Fluttershy to do it. Twilight's probably busy studying." Babs Seed said.
The four fillies headed to Fluttershy's cottage where Fluttershy was tending to her animals. At the moment, she was trying to get Angel to eat a carrot.
"Angel, come on dear. I just want you to eat this carrot." Fluttershy cooed.
Angel turned away.
"Okay... I guess you don't have to if you don't want to." Fluttershy gave in. Angel was very fussy and if he didn't get his salad dressing, he wasn't going to eat his vegetables.
"Hey Fluttershy! Can you help us with something?" Apple Bloom inquired.
"Yes? What might that be, girls?" Fluttershy prompted.
"We've been challenged to a game of soccer by Diamond Tiara, but we need a referee. Could you help?" Scootaloo asked.
"Really?! You want me to help you?" Fluttershy exclaimed.
"Well... everypony else was busy and we thought you'd be the best ref." Apple Bloom told her.
"I'm very flattered, girls. But I don't think I could manage it by myself." Fluttershy shyly said.
"Aww... If we don't get another referee, we can't accept the challenge and we'll be humiliated in front of our peers." Tears began to form in Apple Bloom's eyes, but Fluttershy brought the girls towards her.
"It's okay... I'm sure we can find somepony else to help." Fluttershy hoped she was right.
"Did somepony need some assistance!" Rainbow Dash boomed.
Rainbow Dash flew at nearly Mach 5 speed towards the group but stopped herself just in time. Scootaloo's eyes sparkled at the sight of her adopted older sister.
"Watcha need help with, girls?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Well... these three have been challenged to a game of soccer." Fluttershy said.
"Soccer? That just so happens to be my favorite sport. I can keep the ball up for almost an hour! What do they need? Expert coaching from yours truly?" Rainbow Dash smiled.
"Actually, they wanted somepony to referee, and they picked me. But... I don't think I can do this by myself." Fluttershy said.
Rainbow Dash wrapped a hoof around Fluttershy.
"You'll do just fine. I know you. You're the sweetest pony I know, and nopony would ever disagree with you." Rainbow Dash told her.
"But..." Fluttershy began, but was cut off by Rainbow Dash.
"Tell ya what, I'll give you a hand. Back at school, I used to ref soccer along with practicing my flying after I got really good. And besides, you're my best friend. I'd do anything for you..." Rainbow Dash said.
Fluttershy burst into tears and threw herself into Rainbow Dash's hooves. Rainbow Dash gently patted Fluttershy's back, and hugged her tightly.
"C'mon. Let's go help out these young fillies. I'll run through all the basics with you as we get ready." Rainbow Dash told her.
"Thank you... Rainbow Dash." Fluttershy meekly squeaked.
"Aww... it was nothing. What are friends for?" Rainbow Dash smiled.
Rainbow Dash turned to the four fillies.
"We're going to be your referees. I'll help Flutters if things get too rough. I remember back in school she got injured during soccer. She was our goalie. We lost the game, but I was more worried about Flutters than anything. I visited her in the hospital as often as I could and brought her flowers. Flutters was grateful for the visits and we really bonded with some animals there. You know who else was there? Crimson Azure! It took awhile for me to realize just how much he meant to me." Rainbow Dash explained.
Sweetie Belle's eyes sparkled.
"It sounds like love at first sight for both of you." Sweetie Belle exclaimed.
"You could call it that. That's why ever since, I've defended Fluttershy and Crimson Azure from anything. And eventually, when we were older, I asked Crimson to the prom. I wanted to go with a Wonderbolt but they were busy with other things. Plus I thought nopony else would ask him to the prom. We also got a date for Fluttershy. Now then, go to the field. We'll meet you there!" Rainbow Dash said.
The four fillies headed to the soccer field where Diamond Tiara was waiting for them.
"So you actually bothered to show up? You're okay with facing utter humiliation?" Diamond Tiara sneered.
"You should have just ran away with your tails covering your flanks. You can't beat us in soccer." Silver Spoon taunted.
Snips and Snails were there too. Apple Bloom guessed they were the other two team members Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon recruited.
"Did you bring a referee? Or are you okay with us doing whatever we like with no consequences?" Diamond Tiara chuckled.
"Who'd you pick? Applejack? She's too honest to bend the rules in your favor." Silver Spoon scoffed.
"We picked only the two ponies who could handle the job." Babs Seed said.
A cyan and yellow blur speed past them and came back. Rainbow Dash had shown up with Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash wore her trusty black and white cap with her favorite red whistle around her neck, and also wore a yellow striped referee jersey. Fluttershy wore a similar cap except it was green and pink, her jersey was green striped, but she wore the same color whistle. As for the crusaders, Apple Bloom, Babs Seed, and Scootaloo wore bright red capes. Sweetie Belle wore a yellow soccer jersey. The enemy team chose not to wear jerseys aside from Snails who wore a blue jersey.
"You brought Rainbow Crash and Fluttercry? My, what unique choices!" Diamond Tiara sneered.
"Whatever. Anyway, best out of five goals is the winner." Silver Spoon smirked.
Rainbow Dash winked at Fluttershy and I to cover our ears, and without warning, blew as hard as she could into her red whistle.
"TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET! Step up your game, Rainbow Dash will not tolerate cheating!" Rainbow Dash boomed.
Diamond Tiara scowled for a second and Apple Bloom giggled.
I was watching the game from afar, unsure of what to think. Rainbow Dash was honestly the perfect mare for the job, as very few ponies didn't listen to her loud booming voice. In school, she had used that voice to defend Flutters and me.
"Alright! Let's get this game underway. The first team to score 10 points wins the game. If you fail to play fair and start roughhousing, I'll deal with you personally. Everypony go it?" Rainbow Dash asked.
Rainbow Dash seemed to be really getting into this. I noticed Flutters hadn't said anything. I assumed Rainbow Dash was speaking for her.
"Umm... Rainbow Dash? Maybe you should let Flutters speak?" I asked.
"Don't worry, Crimson. She's got that stare of hers. It ought to make everypony follow the rules." Rainbow Dash reassured me.
Fluttershy quietly blew her whistle. Then she apologized and blew it significantly louder.
Apple Bloom kicked the ball, passing it Babs, who passed it to Scootaloo.
"Scootaloo! Score!" Apple Bloom called.
Apple Bloom was tackled by Diamond Tiara who passed the ball to Silver Spoon. Rainbow Dash angrily flew towards Diamond Tiara and pinned her down.
"Did either of you hear what I said?! No roughhousing!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
Diamond Tiara nodded her head as fast as she could and darted off as soon as Rainbow Dash let her go.
Scootaloo darted behind Silver Spoon, snagged the ball, and bolted for the goal. She gave one powerful kick and the ball rolled into the goal, behind Snails.
Rainbow Dash blew on her whistle, and Fluttershy adjusted the scoreboard making it 1-0.
Diamond Tiara won the face off this time and snuck behind Apple Bloom. Babs charged after her, but she passed the ball to Silver Spoon. Silver Spoon made a break for the goal and kicked the ball in. Sweetie Belle dove, but the ball sailed past her.
Fluttershy blew her whistle and Rainbow Dash adjusted the scoreboard to 1-1. Angel was hanging on to the edge of her cap as she flew over the field.
Soon, both teams had scored an additional point and were going into the last few seconds.
Sweetie Belle: Babs! You've got to score a goal. Hurry!
Scootaloo took the ball from Silver Spoon and passed it to Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom kicked the ball to the newest member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, allowing Babs to score in the last few seconds.
"GAAAAAAAAME SET! The Winning Team is Team Crusaders!" Rainbow Dash called.
The four Crusaders hoof bumped and much to their surprise, Diamond Tiara shook Apple Bloom's hoof.
"Huh? Diamond Tiara?" Apple Bloom responded.
"That was a good game. You played well." Diamond Tiara congratulated.
"Diamond Tiara isn't being a sore loser? Has Equestria gone topsy turvy?" Scootaloo exclaimed.
"Your team played pretty well too." Apple Bloom said. "Good game!"
Rainbow Dash flew over to the fillies and colts, with a bright smile on her face. With her was Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and Pinkie Pie.
"I see y'all learned something new." Applejack smiled.
"We did. We were wrong to treat them like dirt just because they didn't have their cutie marks." Diamond Tiara said. "How can we ever have your forgiveness?"
"Why don't ya invite us over to your house for a playdate? We could make you four honorary members of the Crusaders."
Silver Spoon smiled.
"We would like that."
"Yeah. You four rock!" Snails said.
The mane six turned to each other.
"Who knew former enemies could become the closest of friends." Rainbow Dash wondered.
"I think this calls for a letter to Princess Celestia." I suggested.
"Good idea, Crimson." Twilight said "Spike, take a letter."
And so... Twilight Sparkle wrote a letter, which we all took turns writing to Princess Celestia about what the crusaders learned today. Oh, did I mention that Rainbow Dash and I are dating now? Yes, it's been a few months, but we've gotten close.