Three Seasons

by shakealchemist

Fighting for Love

'Aw Celestia, what am I going to say? I have to go see her. It's not like I can avoid her . . . well maybe I could until I'm all healed up. No, she must be so upset as it is.' Dash sighed and quietly opened the door out to the hall. She saw Rarity sitting on the floor, a bundle of flowers tied into a bouquet by a ribbon in her hooves. She held a single flower in her magic, she was slowly picking off the petals one by one. Dash tried to stay silent as she exited the locker room, but the door clicked rather loudly as it closed.

Setting the flower aside, Rarity suddenly looked over and jumped to her hooves, and ran up to Dash. "Rainbow! You had me so worried!" Rarity hugged Dash before pulling away and looking over Dash's face. It had had time to start the first stages of healing, but she could see the bruises across her face, the black eye, scraped creek, and slipt lip. "What happened to you?" She asked teary-eyed.

"You- uh . . . didn't hear that I flew into a tree?" Dash couldn't help but try the poor excuse.

"This isn't a joke Rainbow Dash! When things like this happen you have to be honest with me!" Rarity shouted angrily then took a breath to compose herself. "Because I care about you."

"Alright, alright, quiet down. Look . . ." Dash looked back toward the locker room door, seeing no pony around she took Rarity's hoof. "Follow me." Dash was almost dragging Rarity along as she hurried down the hall before stopping in front of a door.

"Why'd you lead me-"

"Shh!" Dash shushed her and made sure they were alone before opening the door, pushing Rarity inside, then joining her.

Looking around the small cramped room, Rarity only saw cleaning supplies. "A janitor's closet? Why are we here?" She asked curiously, yet also somewhat disgusted at the state of disarray the room was in.

"Because what I have to say is really hard to admit and is for your ears only, okay?" Dash told her, looking her dead in the eye and with her hooves on her shoulders.

"I swear Rainbow, I won't tell a single soul. Even if Celestia herself asked me." Rarity assured her with a nod.

Dash took a breath and let it go along with any doubts she had about telling her marefriend. "I-I'm being bullied at school. He insulted Derpy so I stood up to him and well . . ." Dash pointed to her own face.

"Aw, Rainbow . . . There's no shame in that."

"That's not all Rares . . . There's - There's something else you should know."

That caught Rarity off guard. 'There's more?'

"Me being bullied is the reason I cheated on you." Dash admitted softly.

". . . What?" Rarity said in disbelief.

"I know it's dumb, but Dumbbell and Hoops were always picking on me for liking mares, so I figured they'd leave me alone if I got a coltfriend. It was one of my dumbest ideas, and I can't believe I thought it'd actually work. I'm so sorry." Dash apologized deeply ashamed.

". . . Really?" Rarity asked and Dash nodded. "Oh thank Celestia." Rarity sighed relieved.

"Huh?" Dash was taken aback by such an unexpected response.

"Darling, you have no idea how much I've been beating myself up over our breakup. I thought you had cheated on me because I had done something wrong. I thought I wasn't pretty enough, loving enough, or maybe I wasn't giving you enough space. It's such a relief to hear you say that."

"Oh no, Rarity . . . it could never be your fault, You are so perfect in every way. I have no idea what I did to deserve a mare like you, but I try my best to be in your eyes what you are in mine."

"Awww . . ." Rarity was going to carry on when Dash cut her off with a kiss that she eagerly returned. "I love you." She said softly.

Dash stared lovingly into her eyes. "I love you t- ow!" Dash grabbed her shoulder after Rarity had punched it.

"You're right, it was dumb, just an outright moronic reason to cheat on me! All you had to do was talk to me . . . I might have been okay with you being in a pretend relationship . . . maybe. You know . . . if we couldn't figure out a better plan." Rarity said with fading confidence.

". . . " Dash started snickering before full-on laughing.

Rarity blushed furiously. "I-I . . . stop it! It was the first thing that popped into my mind! I didn't mean it and would never agree to such a setup."

"ha, ha, ha! Oh please Rarity, stop! Ha! I can't take it. You are too much." Dash hugged her to show her she was just playing with her.

Rarity continued to blush through it, looking annoyed (and cute Dash noted to herself). She blew out a breath. "I guess we need to work on our communication. Especially you." Rarity said, pulling away from her. "You need to stop keeping secrets from me. All of this could've been easily avoided. So is there anything else you're not telling me?"

" . . ."

"Rainbow Dash!"

"What? It's . . . not a big deal."

"Rainbow . . ."

"It's stupid."

"Tell me Rainbow Dash, or so help me I'll-"

"I miss you calling me Dashie!" Rainbow confessed in a rush. "Told you it was stupid." She muttered.

"You- you do? I thought you didn't like being called that so I stopped." Rarity told her in surprise.

"Yeah, but . . . it was okay when you called me that." Dash spoke softly.

Rarity blinked as she let that sink in. Her face suddenly lit up with a mischievous smirk. "Aw, does my Dashie enjoy her cutesy nickname?" Rarity teased, leaning into her.

"Ugh, please forget I said anything." Dash rolled her eyes and glanced away. She still had a smile though.

"Now, can we please exit this dusty closet?" Rarity asked, impatient to leave the room.

"Oh yeah, sure." Dash opened the door and backed out, clearing the way for Rarity.

"We better get going, don't want to be-"

"Late! ohmygosh! Imma be so late! Catch you later." Dash waved, flying off.

"Wait! What about your flowers?" Rarity called out, holding said flowers up with her magic.

"Hold on to them for now! I'll take them after the game!"

***

Dash bobbed the bouquet to and fro before holding it close to herself in Rarity's room.

"Do they make you feel any better?" Rarity asked, referring to the flowers.

Dash thought for a moment about not only yet another loss but the limited playtime she'd seen as well. Hondo was worried her injuries may affect her play, so any small error brought her out for a play or two. "No." Dash said then set them aside. She felt Rarity give her a kiss on her cheek.

"How about that?"

Dash couldn't help but crack a smile. "A little bit."

Rarity climbed up onto her bed and snuggled up to Dash. "Hmm, you know what I think will cheer you up? A good preening." She suggested, a whisper into the pegasus's ear.

Dash immediately perked up. "Really?"

Rarity nodded and slid over into place behind her as she sat up. Dash spread her wings out for her and Rarity examined them. "Oh my . . . I've never seen your feathers in such poor shape."

"Yeah, I'm not too surprised. I've kinda been neglecting their care. I just haven't been in the mood to preen myself in a while." Dash finished with a tired sigh as she thought back on her troubles.

Rarity sensed this and eased her tension by starting her preening. With her loving care, Rarity could feel Rainbow relaxing more and more at each touch. "You want to share with me what's bothering you?"

". . ." Dash opened her mouth to speak but froze as she debated in her mind what to say. Rarity's careful preening coaxed it out of her. "I . . . feel like a failure."

Rarity paused. "I'm sorry, what? Why would you feel like a failure?"

"Come on Rares, isn't it obvious? Losing those goofball games, losing that fight, and . . . losing you. It just seems like I can't do anything right." Dash's ears dropped.

"Dashie . . . it's not like you can win every game, the Speedsters still have the best record in the league and you're playoff-bound. Besides, you didn't lose me, I'm right here. And . . ." Rarity kissed her neck to which Dash gasped in surprise at. This was quickly followed by Rarity using her magic to pluck a damaged feather. The sudden sharp pain melded with the pleasure and Dash moaned in response. "You know how I feel about fighting." Rarity said, blowing a little air into Dash's ear.

A shiver ran down her spine. "Dear Celestia . . ." Dash muttered. "Where did you learn that?"

Rarity had to giggle at that. "From that How to Preen Your Colt book, of course, where else?"

"That book is a mare's best friend."

"I'm sure most mares say that about it, except because they're using its tips . . ." 'much like myself.' "not having its advice used on them." Rarity commented amusedly. She kissed Dash's neck once more as she removed another feather.

Dash stifled the incoming moan and, to Rarity's surprise, pulled her neck away from her lips. "What would you want me to do then?"

"Huh?" Rarity asked puzzled yet she carried on preening her.

"If I'm not allowed to fight then, what should I do?" Dash clarified.

"Avoid them?"

"We go to school together."

"Right, obviously . . . have you tried talking it out?"

"There's nothing to talk out, they just hate me. Only things they say to me are insults."

"Hmm . . ." Now Rarity paused, thinking of an option Dash couldn't reject. ". . . how about flying away?" Rarity suggested extra sweetly knowing that getting Dash to agree to this one was going to be a long shot.

"As in if they wanna fight, I just fly away?"

"Correct. You are faster than them, right?

"sure. It'll be easy. I just need to know if my tail should be between my legs when I do so. I am flying, not running." Dash responded sarcastically.

"Rainbow please, it's either that or going to a teacher. Have you tried that?" Rarity said annoyed.

"No, and I don't know which of those two options is worse. Either way, I look like a coward. I have an image to uphold." Dash said indignantly.

"Right . . ." There was a silent pause as a mirror floated in front of Dash's face in Rarity's magic. "Is this the image you're upholding? Because I don't like it." Rarity turned the mirror so Dash saw Rarity's face instead of her own so she could see how much it pained her to see her injured. "Please Rainbow, just fly away, to safety or a teacher. Don't let them do this to you."

"Rarity. . ." Dash sighed heavily. Seeing Rarity's pleading face was something hard to say no to. "I'm sorry, but I can't Rares. If I let them Break my spirit so easily, then I let them win. It would only prove right to them I'm not as good as them and never was. I have to fight them to show I belong." As much as she meant that last part, she didn't mean to say it out loud. She knew Rarity wouldn't like it, but it was true.

Rarity slowly lowered the mirror before gently setting it aside. "I see . . . this is obviously very important to you, but I can't allow you to get hurt or even suspended for fighting, so I'll be talking to my father about this."

"Uh, what?! Come on Rares, I told you all this in confidence, besides it's not like he can do anything about it." Dash complained.

"I could convince him to bench you if I find out you've been fighting again."

"Rarity! You wouldn't dare!" Dash exclaimed in disbelief. "Playoffs are coming up, what if that's the next game when the fight happens? We'll lose for sure if I don't play!" Dash stood, her mind raced at the nightmare that would be.

"Well . . . then don't fight. Who cares what other ponies will think. If they think less of you, they are fools away. I won't think any less of you." Rarity said caringly.

"Yeah? Well, it's not about what they think or what you think."

Rarity was taken aback by such harsh words.

"It's about what I think about myself. I'm a fighter Rarity. I don't give up when challenged. No matter how difficult or impossible the feat. Even when no one says I can win. I have to give my all to prove I'm not some weak little mare who should stay grounded and leave flying to the big ponies. If I can't face a couple of dumb bullies . . ." Dash teared up, bowing her head in defeat as she so far couldn't do just that. "Maybe I'm not any special after all."

"I think you can win."

Dash looked back at Rarity, surprised to hear her say that.

"I'm sorry Rainbow. I didn't know it was that serious. I thought you were making a big deal about a petty fight, but this is clearly very important to you and for a good reason. And for that, I'll stand by your side on this." Rarity said, hopping off of the bed to get next to Dash and lean against her side.

"You mean that?"

"Mhm." Rarity nodded and nuzzled Dash's cheek. "Now, I believe we have a preening to finish." She added and Dash smiled as they returned to her bed.

***

It had been a long day for Dash, practice had just wrapped up with most everypony leaving. So Dash was understandably a little worn out, yet she stayed behind with Misty Dawn for Hondo had told her he had extra training planned today. Dash wondered why it was just her and Misty Dawn. It was an odd match-up, their positions were highly unlikely to face each other in an actual game. All she could do was guess at the reasons while she sipped from a cup of water.

"Alright Dash, you ready?" Hondo's voice snapped her attention toward him and she nodded.

"Sure thing coach . . . but, uh . . . what am I ready for exactly?" She asked curiously.

"Rarity told me about your bully problem."

Dash alerted at this seeming act of betrayal by Rarity.

"We talked it over and decided on a course of action that Mistydawn kindly agreed to help with." Hondo said with a nod toward Misty Dawn.

Dash blinked, lost in thought for a moment. "So wait . . . by training, you meant . . ."

"Sparring with Misty Dawn. Nothing too rough, I don't want either of you to get hurt." Hondo explained.

Dash glanced over at Misty Dawn. A pretty and outgoing mare, it was easy to overlook her size and power. 'Her build is similar to Dumbbell's.'

"You ready?" Mistydawn licked her lips as she took a stance at the ready to pounce at Dash.

Dash smirked, liking her eagerness as she herself got set. "Ha, to win." Dash answered smugly and they both launched themselves at each other. Dash was quicker on the jump, but it only earned her a slam onto her back as Misty Dawn pinned her down. Not wanting to hurt her with kicks, Dash instead tried pushing Mistydawn off with a push that gradually grew in pressure but remained fruitless. "Wow, that was different from the real thing." Dash commented sarcastically as she gave up.

"That's because you went straight at her . . . think of it like hoofball." Hondo hinted at a previous lesson.

Dash's eyes lit up as she recalled it. "Reset?" She requested and Mistydawn immediately let her up as they retook their places.

"And . . . go!" Hondo called out.

'A larger, stronger opponent means I have speed and agility on them.' When Misty Dawn charged at her, Dash dodged around her. 'Ha! It worked!' Dash quickly turned back toward Misty, who had also turned. 'Whoa!' Dash dodged away again from a heavy swing from Misty's hoof, and again, and again, Dash kept on the defensive. 'It's better, but still . . . I'll never win if I don't ever go on the attack. Sooner or later she'll get me.' Dash tried to ponder her predicament but was too preoccupied with avoiding Misty Dawn's relentless attacks. "Uh, any advice . . . here coach? . . . This is like running away . . . only I'm . . . going in circles!" Dash called out between each effort to avoid Misty's blows.

"After each swing, she's wide open for only a brief moment! While you're going around her, throw in a quick jab or two!"

So Dash tried just that, on Misty's next swing Dash jumped and flew over her, landing what was little more than a pat upon her head and a rough poke to her lower back. 'Buck yeah! That's more like it!' Dash smiled as it carried on like that. Misty Dawn missing and then she'd land a blow or two in return, sometimes in her quickness, harder than she'd meant to. But to make up for those hits she'd tone it way down next time, unlike Mistydawn who tried harder and harder to land a single blow. Dash enjoyed her making it a challenge, preparing her for the real deal. That is until after landing a couple of jabs Dash turned back toward Misty, ready for another pass, and saw her standing with a tremble and panting heavily. For a second Dash thought she was exhausted from trying so hard, but then she saw it, the glare, steady and burning into her. It wasn't anger at failure, it was hate, pure hatred at an enemy she wanted to hurt. It shocked Dash to see such a look in the eyes of a pony she thought of as a good friend. "uh . . . maybe we should take five. . ." Dash suggested awkwardly, stepping back some before turning away.

"Good job out there Rainbow. You turned that around a lot faster than I expected!" Hondo patted her on the back as she returned to the sideline.

Dash simply nodded at his praise as she carried on to the bench and sat down perplexed. 'I don't get it, why would she look at me like that? Did I hit her too hard? That I was winning so easily?' Dash wondered sadly.

"Hey." Came a soft, apologetic voice.

Dash looked up to see Misty Dawn still breathing heavily, offering her a drink with an awkward smile. Dash accepted it wordlessly.

"Sorry about back there. Guess I lost my cool for a second there." Misty rubbed the back of her head ashamed.

Dash took a moment for them to catch their breath before replying. "Yeah, what was that about?"

"I don't know, I guess I'm . . . " Misty Dawn sat down and sighed dejectedly. "jealous."

"Jealous? Of what?" Dash asked stunned.

"Of you! Come on Rainbow, I try so hard in goofball, and yet you and Gilda are the only ones anypony talks about. And-and . . ." Misty Dawn sobbed a bit, failing to fight back tears. "You got Sunbeam. I tried to be cool about it and move on, but it's so hard when he's always around. Oh, I love him so much. But whenever he talks it's always about how awesome you are. How Rainbow can do everything and is the best at it too." Misty sighed, letting go of the that was building back up. "And he's right too. Didn't take you long at all to learn how to best me in a fight. I just wanted one hit on that smug face of yours."

'Yikes.' "Well, when it comes to me and Sunbeam it's not like we're dating anymore. We broke up a while ago. How have you not known that?" Dash asked wondering how she could be so oblivious.

"Of course I've known! Not like that changes anything for Sunbeam. He still thinks the world of you . . . It's like he doesn't even know I exist." Misty Dawn wiped some tears away.

"Misty Dawn . . . I had no idea, but jealous of me? Please, if anything I'm jealous of you. My parents are so overwhelming I barely spend any time at home. Your parents let you throw that party at your place and left you alone the whole time. Not to mention you're not getting bullied or beat up like me. That's the reason we're sparring in the first place. Look . . .I'll point Sunbeam your way and if you want, I'll let you take one free shot." Dash jokingly offered, pointing to her own cheek.

Misty Dawn stifled a chuckle and playfully punched Dash's shoulder. "Stop it." She laughed. "Though I guess you're right. Sometimes it seems like you're getting all the attention, but it's not always a good thing. We still cool?"

"Yeah, we're still cool." They shared a hoof bump that shifted into a hug.

Author's Note:

Having Rarity avoid calling Rainbow, 'Dashie' was harder to do for the setup than I thought it'd be. was the payout worth it? I thought it was cute. Misty Dawn was a character I definitely wanted to do more with. So her being a sparring partner and a love interest for that poor soul Sunbeam was a perfect two birds with one stone moment. The problem with having OCs return after a long absence? I forget how their names go. Misty Dawn/Mistydawn and Sunbeam/Sun Beam. so annoyed with myself for doing that. oh well, I tried my best to straighten that out here. hope you all enjoy it!

Comments

[KlutzTart]

Looking good so far!