> (SiC) Part 8 - They Will Know By Our Love
>  by Brian Jacko
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> The Plan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Soarin' and Rainbow Dash sped through the skies together. Trees were literally bending and almost snapping in half as the couple sped by through the air. Soarin' touched down near that special tree a few seconds faster than Dash could. 

"You seem to have lost a little bit of speed. I thought you were going to blow right past me with a Sonic Rainboom."

"I lost a lot of cardio and muscle from fasting not too long ago," she admitted.

"Why?" Soarin' asked. "You love to race and play sports. Were you sick or something?"

"No," she replied. "I didn't tell you this specifically, but when I was fasting for you when we spent some time away, part of my fasting involved giving up sports and games. I didn't exercise for the longest time and I lost a lot of strength and stamina."'

"You gave up something you loved so much for me just like that?" Soarin' asked.

"Yeah, I told you that I'd give anything to have you back." 

"I don't know what to say," Soarin' said. "I can't believe how loyal you are. You amaze me everyday."

"Hey, I told you that I have a helper and He guides me and enables me to do what I can do. It's only through Him that I want to do these things and you have been learning and doing some amazing things too, Soarin'."

"I try," Soarin' said. "But I'm still a noob. It's like a video game or a sport. You have to practice and when you make mistakes, you have to pick yourself up and try again. Hopefully, I can improve because you inspire me everyday. Also, your friend Twilight helps me out a lot and her support groups really do help me. I still struggle and fall every now and then, but I'm not going to give up. I have so much to live for now and my life actually feels like it has purpose and meaning. I just need so much help controlling my lustful desires."

"Twilight really knows her stuff," Rainbow said. "She can explain anything to just about anypony. Even Derpy Hooves has been stopping by and learning lots of new things because Twilight just has a way with words and making things easy for other ponies to understand. She has a real gift. As for your lustful desires, hang in there. Stay strong and hopefully we will get married so that this mare can take care of that desire for you." Rainbow then winked at him. "I don't think that we have to worry about this, but if we cannot exercise self-control, then we should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion."

Soarin' kissed her on the cheek and said, "And you have a tremendous gift as well. Within time, I think you're going to make a great Wonderbolt. You already have everything it takes. All you need to do is regain some of your speed and some muscle and that's it! Your control and recovery is still next to flawless. Oh, and I just may be on the hunt to find a special ring for my filly friend."

Rainbow Dash giggled and said, "Hey! Don't tell me anymore about it, I want to be surprised!" Her mood turned a little darker when she thought about her athletic capabilities. "I haven't performed a Sonic Rainboom in a long time."

"Not many ponies can break the sound barrier when racing, Rainbow. You'll get it back." 

"I hate to say this, but I'm a little worried about becoming a Wonderbolt," she said.

"Why? You're one of, if not the bravest pony that I know. You were doing all kinds of crazy tricks with me that even a veteran Wonderbolt would cringe at."

"I don't know," Rainbow said. "I just have this intuition that something difficult is going to come about."

"Didn't you say that it was one of your dreams in life to become a Wonderbolt?" 

"Yes," she said. "That truly is a dream that I'd like to see come true and I desperately want to fly with you as a Wonderbolt."

"I don't understand why they didn't snatch you up to be a Wonderbolt at the Best Young Fliers competition. After all, you not only saved many of the Wonderbolts lives, including mine, but you also performed the very first Sonic Rainboom."

"It's all in His timing, not mine." 

Soarin' nodded his head yes at the wise words from Rainbow Dash. "Do you think that you're ready? I mean, you're literally going to be the very best, I think. Maybe you can join a gym and work on getting your speed and strength up as you train with me."

"Hey! You just gave me the greatest idea ever!" Rainbow exclaimed. 

Soarin' scratched his head with his front hoof. "What do you mean by that?" he asked.   

"I just had a great idea! There's a gym near by and I think I know some ponies who could join it with me. Some very, very, out of shape ponies." Rainbow paused for a moment and added, "Well, at least one of them is already in shape, but she could still use it."

"Are you referring to your friends?" 

Rainbow giggled and said, "Yeah, and I know just the verse to harass them with too. I'm going to sign up today and I'm going to whip some flanks into shape." 

"You go do that sweetie, I have a pie to feast on at home. I'm sure it won't take you terribly long to get back into shape anyway." Soarin' turned and looked back. He winked his eye and said, "You'll be like my pie in the sky."

Rainbow Dash giggled and then took off.
> Getting Them All Together
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight Sparkle was in her library with the other girls. They were taking a break from playing games and were now reading the Bible. Today, they were reading the King James Version because Rarity had fallen in love with it. It seemed that each pony had a preference for what translation they preferred to read. Applejack liked the N.I.V., Pinkie Pie loved the Amplified version because the word Amplified was appealing enough to her on its own. Twilight Sparkle obviously loved the E.S.V., Fluttershy was submissive and read any version that the girls wanted to read, and Rainbow Dash preferred the E.S.V. version with Twilight because she felt that Twilight Sparkle knew what was the best. However, Rainbow Dash sometimes liked to pull pranks and bring out troll translations to make Twilight Sparkle angry. They would now all take turns reading their favorite translations on different days. 

Twilight Sparkle looked at her notes and then said, "It's the shortest verse in the Bible, girls. Jesus wept. Does anypony know why?"

"Oh! Oh! Oh! I know!" Pinkie Pie said as she frantically waved her front hoof around in the air.

"Go ahead, Pinkie Pie," Twilight said.

"It's because He was mourning for Lazarus!" 

"Some ponies may think that, but I have a different perspective. When Jesus wept, He was weeping for the lost ponies at Lazarus's funeral."

"How does that make any sense?" Applejack asked.

"Because Jesus had four days to mourn. He knew that this stallion was dead and He knew that He would raise this stallion back to life. I guess that it's easier to explain this all by asking a simple question. What is more sad and tragic? A pony who dies in the faith, or a lost pony who is destined for the gates of Hell, never being able to escape eternal torment? Even though they saw and were with the Messiah, they still refused to believe despite the many miracles that He had performed. Remember, Hell is the total absence of God."

"But you said that God is with us now here in Equestria, right?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"He is, but we are not in His full presence until we get to Heaven," Twilight answered.

Pinkie Pie put her front hoof to her chin. Her face spoke of deep concentration. "So how come when that mare with the bleeding problem touched His robe and was healed, yet He still asked who touched His robe? Wouldn't He know?"

"That's because when Jesus asked who touched Him, He already knew who it was, but He used the question as a device to point the mare out in a very large crowd surrounding Him." Twilight Sparkle smiled when she thought of an example and continued. "Think of it like this, Pinkie Pie. We're in a party with a group of ponies and you told me earlier that you wouldn't eat any of the cookies. When I go over to get a cookie, I notice they are all gone, but I see that you have cookie crumbs all over your face and that you are chewing. I might ask, well, gee. I wonder who ate the last cookie in this jar? I already know it was you, but I'm just using the question to bring you out. Does this make sense?"

"Yes, but did you really have to use me as the cookie thief?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"Sorry, it was the only example I can think of," Twilight said.

"And a pretty accurate one too I reckon," Applejack said.

Pinkie Pie frowned at Applejack.

"Don't look at me like that! I'm just bein' honest!" Applejack said. 

"Now back on topic," Twilight said. "A fun fact is that back in those day, it was very holy for Jewish ponies to mourn at funerals and they hired professional mourners. Since it was a custom for Jews to mourn at funerals, there were MANY ponies there. Thousands witnessed Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead."

Pinkie Pie put her front hoof to her mouth in shock. Ponies pay me to throw parties and to cheer them up! How could ponies be professionals at mourning! That would seem like the total opposite of what I do. Crying and sadness can be contagious!"

"Mourning is very important and still is a holy and good thing to do, Pinkie Pie. There has to be times of sadness for loss. We can't always be throwing parties all of the time," Twilight said.

"Wow! Do you think that God will raise other ponies in this day and age back from the dead? Why did Jesus wait so long to raise him?" Pinkie asked.

"Sure! Miracles do happen. There are stories of ponies being pronounced dead and then coming back to life. It's very, very rare, but it does happen. Lazarus was dead for four days and was buried. It was to show that this stallion was truly dead and that there could be no other possible explanations except that Christ truly did raise him back to life from the dead."

Rainbow Dash bucked the door open and startled everypony inside. "Hey girls! Guess what?!" 

"Rainbow Dash!" Twilight shot back. "Please be more gentle and considerate! This is a library and ponies need peace and quiet!" 

Rainbow Dash ignored her friend because she was so excited. "Guess what!?"

"Shhhh!" Twilight said as she put her front hoof to her mouth. "What, Rainbow Dash?"

"All of your flanks are as big and heavy as tanks!"

Twilight Sparkle and her friends looked at their flanks. 

"My flanks are like flanks of steel, Rainbow Dash," Applejack said as she tapped her front hoof on her cutie mark. An actual hard sound could be heard as if she were tapping her hoof against steel. 

Twilight Sparkle poked at her flanks and they jiggled a bit. 

The rest of her friends did the same. 

"Oh my," Twilight said. She looked at her belly and gave it a poke. The results were not too pleasing. "It looks like we have been a bit too sedentary."

"And you all know what the Bible says about our bodies being temples of the Holy Spirit," Rainbow said. "We have to take care of our bodies and keep them in shape to be healthy."

"I guess that I could take a brisk walk every now and then," Twilight said. 

"And maybe I could cut back on the potato chips," Pinkie Pie said.

"I think I'm still upset about the loose skin after giving birth," Rarity said.

"Um, there's only one gym in Ponyville and whenever I walked past the gym and the doors opened, I was blasted with that terrible Wub-step music. It reminded me of what D.J. pon-3 plays and it would terrify my animal friends."

"Uh, I think it's called Dub-step," Rarity said. 

"Those wub-wubs sound terrible! It sounds like a mixture of sirens blaring and jammed toilets trying to flush," Fluttershy said.

"That sounds like a very odd description of Dub-step," Pinkie Pie said. "All I know is that I Iove Happy Hardcore music!"

"Shhhhhh!" Twlight said as she put her front hoof to her mouth again. She looked back and at the other ponies in the library that were trying to read. "Sorry," she whispered to them. 

Rainbow Dash came closer and sat down next to her friends. "I think I know just the trick."

"What do you have in mind, Rainbow?" Twilight asked. 

"Fluttershy had it right all along! We're going to the gym!" Rainbow Dash said. 

"I ain't need no gym!" Applejack said. "I got flanks of steel and I don't understand why ponies spend money to work out when they can work 'round the house or actually work hard at their jobs."

"Some ponies have sit down jobs, Applejack," Twilight said. "You obviously work your hooves off with the kind of labor you do."

"Dern tootin!" Applejack said. "Ya'll can just come to my farm and pay me to do my labor if ya'll want a good work out."

"Uh, Applejack," Twilight said. "Working on the farm is great exercise, but the machines at the gym make sure to work out every single muscle."

"That's blasphemy to us farm workers, Twi!" Applejack said. "Ain't nothin' better and more accurate when it comes to gettin' in shape from farm work."

"Sorry," Twilight responded. 

Rarity was really nervous about joining a gym. Even though she mostly recovered from her past rape incident, she still was a little bit nervous around stallions and the gym had some very strong stallions.

"So is everypony down?" Rainbow asked.

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down and said, "Oh! Oh! Oh! I want to go because they have bright lights in the gym and it makes my brain go, zip, zoom, kapow!" 

"Shhhh!" Twilight said again. Twilight poked at her belly once more and spoke in a much quieter voice now. "I think I have been adding one too many pews in this temple. It's time to renovate this place. I'll tell you what, since no pony has brought any cash, I can pay however much it costs and then you all can pay me back later for your fees."

Rainbow Dash looked at her three remaining friends. "And what about you girls?"

"Um, as long as they have those nice whirlpool thingies, then I guess I can join....as long as the music is not.....too loud."

"And you, Rarity?" Rainbow asked as she turned her attention to her. 

"I'm a bit nervous," Rarity admitted. "I know it's wrong of me to be afraid, but that whole rape incident has scared me a bit."

"Hey, don't be afraid. You're forgetting that you have me and Applejack to watch your back. It's not like you'll be going alone. You can't let your past incidents ruin your future plans by restricting yourself so much."

"That's true, I guess that I can trust you girls to protect me," Rarity said. "I wouldn't feel safe without Applejack."

"Ya can get all the protection you want from Rainbow Dash, I ain't budgin!" Applejack said. 

"I guess I'll pass then," Rarity said.

Rainbow Dash put her front hooves on her hips and looked at Applejack angrily. "Hey! If Rarity will only go if you will go Applejack, then you really should go. She's afraid and she only feels safe around you. Please, be selfless and go for her well being."

"It's ok," Rarity said. "I don't want to force Applejack into something that she doesn't want to do. Maybe I can find some other way to get into shape."

Rainbow Dash came over and put her two front hooves against Applejack's face and drew her near to her face. 

Applejack's faced was scrunched up and her lips were all scrunched up because Rainbow Dash was putting so much pressure on her cheeks.

"Listen, Applejack," Rainbow Dash said. "I know that you can be as stubborn as a mule sometimes, but Rarity really needs you to go to help her. She not only needs to get over her fears, but because she also needs to get back in shape. Don't become so stubborn like the time when Big Macintosh was injured and you thought that you could harvest all of the apples by yourself during Applebuck season."

Applejack swatted her front hoof at Rainbow Dash and knocked her back. "No! I ain't payin' a bunch of bits to do work when I can get paid to do work on the farm!" 

"It can't be that expensive," Rainbow Dash shot back. "I heard that they have some kind of special deal where the more ponies join in a group together, the better the discount will be."

Rarity sighed and said, "Hey Applejack, I can pay for you if you decide to come."

Applejack put her head down and sighed. "I still don't see the point in joinin' when I can work hard on the farm."

"Applejack," Twilight said. "There are additional benefits to joining the gym. The gym can improve your stamina and strength so that you can actually perform your work better on the farm. I'm sure that you can show up some of the stallions there with your muscles. Just look at yourself!"

Applejack flexed her front leg and a giant muscle popped up.

Twilight continued, "It would be a very selfless act if you went for the sake of Rarity. She even offered to pay for you. You are by far the physically strongest pony out of our group. I'm sure that you could impress all of the stallions with your raw strength and power. Maybe you can show them a thing or two about weight lifting. It could also be a really good social experience for all of us to go." Twilight Sparkle looked at her yellow Pegasus friend and asked, "Right, Fluttershy?"

Fluttershy put her head down and let out a soft whimper. 

Feeling defeated now, Applejack closed her eyes and said, "Alright girls. I'll go."

"And you'll stay near me in case I don't feel safe? I heard that the gym can be crowded and noisy. I just have this intuition that it might remind me of my past," Rarity said.

"Yeah, I'll be yer body guard. I'm sorry that ya feel so afraid, sugar cube. I won't let anypony hurt ya." 

Rarity hugged Applejack and said, "Thank you. I know this is difficult for you to do, but it will be so much more fun if we go together as a group. You remind me of Samson in the Bible." 

"Ok, ok, ok, no need to thank me. I guess we can sign up now," the strong farm girl said. Applejack thought about Rarity's comment and said, "I guess I'd better not cut my mane, huh?"

The girls giggled at that thought.

"Hey!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Do you all want to know what Applejack has in common with the temple veil?" Pinkie Pie waited for an answer, but none was given. Pinkie Pie took out sunglasses and put them on her face. "They are both totally ripped!"

Twilight Sparkle face hoofed. 

"Hey!" Rainbow Dash said. "Where did you get those sunglasses?"

Pinkie Pie slid the sunglasses down on her nose so that her two eyes could be seen. "I borrowed them from you, Dashie! You own like two hundred pairs of them anyway."

"It figures," Rainbow said. "Don't touch my stuff without asking me."

"But sharing is caring, right?" Pinkie Pie asked. 

Rainbow Dash snatched the sunglasses from her and put them on her forehead. "It's not cool when you don't ask permission, especially when I kind of have a personal collection of these."

"Why do ya have a collection of sunglasses, Rainbow Dash? Do I need to be prayin' 'bout that?"

"Uh, it doesn't hurt to have a few pairs for backup in case they break. You know that the sun can get in your eyes, especially when you're clearing out the clouds." Rainbow Dash put her front hoof in the air to emphasize. "One does not simply own too many pairs of sunglasses when it's their job to clear the skies." 

"Or when it comes to thinkin' that ya gotta look so cool all of the time," Applejack added. "Whenever I see ya wearin' them, yer always on the ground anyway."

Rainbow sighed and said, "I guess that there are additional benefits to wearing them too, A.J." Rainbow Dash looked at Twilight and said, "Hey, Twi, do you think that you can send my sunglasses back to my house? I think that it might seem a little bit weird to work out at the gym while wearing them. I don't have a lock to lock them up in the lockers anyway."

"Knowing ya, I wouldn't put it past ya to wear them as ya work out anyway, R.D.," Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash glared at Applejack with anger.

"Don't give me the stink eye like that! I'm just bein' honest!"

Twilight sparkle used her magic and levitated the sunglasses off of her head. "I'll just give this to Spike to hold onto for a while."

Rainbow Dash looked at the safe in the room and asked, "Can you lock them up in your safe, Twi? I don't want anything bad to happen to them."

Twilight Sparkle levitated the sunglasses over to Spike and said, "Spike will put them away for now. I think that you're getting way too attached to your possession of sunglasses, Rainbow Dash. They will be fine and you can pick them up later."

Rainbow sighed. "Ok, I guess you're right. I am kind of too attached to my sunglasses."

Pinkie Pie perked up and said, "Don't worry, Dashie. You'll always be about twenty percent cooler, even without your sunglasses, but Jesus will always be two hundred percent!"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight Sparkle was the only one who figured it out and she had a smirk on her face.

"It means that Jesus is one hundred percent stallion and one hundred percent God," Pinkie Pie said.

"I can't argue with that," Rainbow Dash said. "Although I never really thought of it like that. That was quite clever of you to think like that, Pinkie Pie, but there is no percentage of a number to calculate how awesome Jesus is."

Spike held the sunglasses in his claws. "I can send these sunglasses back to your place," he said.

"Wow, that would mean a lot to me! Can you please put them on my kitchen table? Thanks."

Spike nodded his head yes and then focused hard on where he was going to send the sunglasses. "Come on Spike, you can do this," he said to himself. Spike used his magical fire dragon breath and sent the sunglasses away. "There! All better! They should be on your kitchen table when you get back home!"

Princess Celestia was sitting in her palace reading friendship letters with her sister when suddenly, a pair of sunglasses hit her in the head and startled her. 

The two Princesses stared at the sunglasses that were laying on the floor between them. 

"Wow. Those are quite...." Princess Luna paused for a moment as she thought of a word to describe the sunglasses. "Cool." She used her magic to levitate them onto her face. "How do I look, my sister?"

Princess Celestia teleported the sunglasses off of her sister's face and onto her own. "I think it's much more appropriate if I wear them being that I'm the one who deals with the sun. You're not going to go blind by staring at the moon."

"But we could have our reputations ruined if we were ever caught wearing them. Especially by royalty and the upper class at Canterlot. They would turn their snobby noses upwards and away from us with disgust. Who wears sunglasses anyway?"

Princess Celestia thought about this for a moment. "Rainbow Dash! These have to be for her, but why would they get sent here?"

"Maybe she wanted us to look cool for once," Princess Luna said as she teleported the sunglasses back on her own face. She then summoned a mirror and looked at herself. "Dark shades of sunglasses look perfect on the Princess of the night!"

Princess Celestia teleported the sunglasses back on her face. "These things are really easy to get attached to. I almost feel about...." The princess paused as she tried to think of a percentage. "About twenty percent cooler wearing these, if that makes any kind of sense."

Princess Luna took the sunglasses once more. "My dear sister, I think it would be sagacious if you let me hold onto these. You do remember that one time when you lost Twilight's letters by mistake and sent her an apology letter. We wouldn't want this..." Again Princess Luna thought of a proper word to use to describe the sunglasses...... "precious artifact to get lost or fall into the wrong hooves."

Princess Celestia took the sunglasses once more and said, "Age before beauty."

The two Princesses began arguing back and forth as they kept taking the sunglasses. They both used their magic to teleport them back on their faces and this caused the sunglasses to break apart. Each Princess ended up with half of the sunglasses on their faces.

The broken sunglasses quickly slid off of their faces and fell to the floor.

"Well, I guess that solves our problem. We both now have half a pair," Princess Celestia said.

A guard burst through the doors and said, "Is there a problem my Princesses? Do you need assistance with anything?"

The two Princess looked over at the guard with red cheeks that spoke of embarrassment. They were being rather immature, but in a fun, silly, and playful manner. Sometimes royalty has to have fun every once in a while.

Princess Celestia perked up in a more serious posture and used her magic to hide the broken sunglasses behind her back. "We were just discussing......matters. We apologize if we were being too loud. Please, we did not mean to concern you with our bantering."

The guardspony bowed and said, "If I may be of any assistance, I am always here." He turned and began to walk out of the room.

The two Princesses eyes followed him and when he closed the door they both began to giggle. 

Princess Celestia used her magic to mend the broken sunglasses together. "I think we should put these away for now. It's getting in the way of reading our letters." 

"How about you let me hold onto them for now?" Princess Luna asked.

Both Princesses stared into each other's eyes and then laughed. 

"How about I just put these on the little ledge above the fireplace for now? I'll put it directly in the middle right in-between us. We'll never get back to reading and responding to our letters if we keep fighting over these sunglasses," Princess Celestia said as she levitated the sunglasses over to the ledge.

"That works," Princess Luna said with a wink. 

The sun Princess placed them on the ledge and then went back to reading her letter. 

Princess Luna grinned and used her magic to slide the sunglasses just slightly over more to her side.

Princess Celestia looked up and noticed the slight difference in its location. "Oh, it is on!" 

Back at Twilight's library the ponies continued to talk. "Dashie is so cool even without her sunglasses, but Applejack has some real mean horse power behind her!" Pinkie Pie said. 

"Or more like pony power!" Applejack said. 

"Darn right!" Pinkie Pie said. She stuck her hoof out for Applejack. "Pound it sister!"

Applejack grinned and banged her front hoof against Pinkie Pie's hoof and sent her flying backwards. Pinkie Pie landed hard against a bookshelf and many books fell off of the shelf and piled up around her. 

Pinkie Pie sat there dazed for a bit. A single book fell off of the shelf and hit her in the head. "I uh, think we might need to go over some Bible verses about being gentle, Applejack." 

Rainbow Dash got up and waved her hoof in the air as to signify to follow her. "Come on girls. Let's go sign up at the gym now."

Twilight looked at Spike and asked, "Hey Spike, will you be ok to watch the library and clean up that mess?"

Spike saluted her and said, "Of course!" He then giggled and said, "Make sure to come back with flanks of steel like Applejack."

"That might take some time," Twilight said. 

Rainbow Dash opened and held the door as her friends stepped out. "Come on! Hurry up, Applejack. Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya." As Applejack walked by, Rainbow's curiosity got the better of her and she gave Applejack a hard slap on her flank as she walked out the door. Rainbow Dash pulled her hoof back rapidly and looked at it. "Wow! That almost hurt! Applejack really does have flanks like steel."

Applejack turned and asked, "What are ya even doin' touchin' my butt, Rainbow Dash? Yer not bein' a funny filly with me, are ya?"

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down and asked, "A funny filly!? Do you mean a silly filly? Because I'm a silly filly! I'm tons of fun, but hopefully when I lose weight, I also won't lose any of the tons of fun, if that can be weighed by any means." 

Applejack put her two front hooves to her head as if her brain was hurting from trying to comprehend how Pinkie Pie thinks. "Pinkie Pie, I can't even begin to understand how yer mind thinks, but I meant something else entirely different."

"It's just a jock thing, no harm intended," Rainbow said.

"I reckon that's a bit weird to me, maybe keep yer hooves on Soarin's flanks and not mine."

"Ok, sorry about that," Rainbow Dash said. "Let's get going."

The ponies left and began to make their way to the gym.
> There's Strong, and Then There's Applejack Strong.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The six girls stood outside a large building. The name of the gym was called, "Hard Hooves and Bodies."

"Well, let's not just stand here, let's go in!" Applejack said. She opened up the door and was blasted with Dub-step music. 

Fluttershy let out an "Eeeep!" and hid behind Applejack. "Oh no! It's that terrible Wub-step music!"

"It's called Dub-step," Rarity said.

The rest of the girls walked up to the door next to Applejack, except for Fluttershy. She was prone on the ground with her two front hooves jammed within her ears. 

"Come on, Fluttershy! Let's git!" Applejack said.

Fluttershy didn't budge. "That noise, I mean music. It's just so loud and I'm scared and..." 	

Futtershy's words trailed off when Applejack came over and grabbed her tail. 

"Let's go Fluttershy! We ain't gonna let no Dub-step hurt ya!" Aplejack said with a mouthful of Fluttershy's tail. Applejack easily pulled her into the gym even though Fluttershy's front hooves were digging into the ground. 

Rainbow Dash watched Applejack effortlessly pull Fluttershy and said, "Wow, Applejack. You pull her as if she were as light as a feather. I know that you're strong and everything, but I wonder what your full potential of strength is."

"I guess we'll find out soon enough," Applejack said as she continued to drag Fluttershy.

Rarity was holding the door open for them with her magic for her friends and she was the last one to step inside. When she did, she was struck with painful reminders. There was a room in the corner of the gym with glass walls. The lights were dark and ponies were dancing to different music. She could tell that the music was different because even though the walls muffled the sounds, she could feel different beats from the vibrations coming through the floors. The bass was very heavy and they must have been dancing to some kind of popular dance exercise music. The room inside was very dark, but she could see the ponies dancing because there were colorful flashing lights that flashed in time with the music. Rarity's mind flashed back to when she was working at the strip club, Unbridled, before Princess Celestia renovated it into a church. The flashing lights reminded her of being on stage and the vibrations she felt in her hooves were just like the time she worked as a stripper and a prostitute. She could catch glimpses of the dances. They were a little bit risqué, but they weren't nearly as perverted as the dance moves that she knew from working with Sapphire Shores at that former strip club. Still, the dance moves that she saw were slightly suggestive and that brought back painful memories of her past. A tear drop fell from her eye and splashed against the blue floor that was entirely made out of hard rubber mats.

Applejack was standing next to Rarity and saw that tear drop fall off of Rarity's cheek. "Yer not sweatin' already, are ya? We didn't even begin to hit the machines yet!" Applejack stared at her a little longer and waited for a response. There was silence except for the blasting wubs form the Dub-step music. Rarity stared into the dance room unable to blink or move. She was frozen in fear with traumatic memories. Applejack waved her front hoof in front of her face several times. "Hello!? Is anypony home in there?" Applejack saw another tear drop form in her eye and slide down her cheek. "Are ya cryin', Rarity? What's the matter?"

Rarity shook her head quickly several times and snapped out of it. "I'm fine, Applejack. I was just having some thoughts about my past. I'm fine, really." Rarity scooted in closer and was practically leaning against Applejack's body when she saw a group of strong looking stallions walk by her and looked at her body in a rather inappropriate manner. "Just please protect me. I'm a little scared right now."

"Aw, shucks, Rarity. I ain't gonna let no pony lay a hoof on yer body. Ya just stay close to me and yer big strong sister in Christ ain't gonna let nothin' bad happen to ya. Ya hear? Now come on, let's go sign up with the other girls now. 

Rarity wiped another tear from her face and nodded her head ok. She walked over to the front desk with her other friends. No pony was currently working at the front desk. 

Rainbow Dash leaned against the desk in boredom. She leaned her head against her front hoof and tapped on the counter with her other front hoof. 

Somehow, the tapping could be heard by the employee who was bent down behind the desk going through some files. She poked her head back up and said, "That's a sick beat!" 

Everypony gasped when they realized who it was.

"Vinyl Scratch?" Rainbow Dash asked. 

Vinyl Scratch lowered her trademark sunglasses so that her two eyes could be seen and said, "You can call me by my D.J. name if you want." 

Pinkie Pie bounced up closer to the desk and asked, "If you're so good at scratching things, you should play lottery scratch off tickets and win big time!" 

"Uh, what?" Vinyl Scratch asked. 

Rainbow Dash quickly changed the topic. "I didn't know that you worked at the gym."

"It's just a part time job. Being a D.J. is my dream, but I need a little extra cash on the side."

"So is that why this gym plays so much Dub-step? I knew these songs were made by you," Rainbow said.

"Yeah, and Dub-step makes great music to work out to. Do you girls want to sign up today? We have been having a discount and it's only one hundred bits per member for a year."

"Wow!" Rainbow Dash said. "That sounds even better than that deal you all had going where you slash the price for every member that joins together."

"Yeah, this is our cheapest and best deal ever. We have been trying to attract more ponies to this gym," Vinyl Scratch said. "So if all six of you want to join, that will be six hundred bits." 

Rarity used her magic and accidently summoned a rubber chicken on top of the front desk. "Ooops!" she said. She then used her magic to make it disappear. Rarity's horn glowed once more and she was in deep concentration. "Ok, Rarity, you can do this." Rarity squinted her eyes with deep focus. She concentreated so very hard and summoned a single check from her checkbook back at home. She opened up her eyes and said, "Ah-hah! I knew I could do It!" 

Twilight Sparkle clapped her two front hooves together with praise and said, "Wow, Rarity! Great job with the spell casting! I didn't know that you were learning new tricks!"

"I try, Twilight," Rarity said. "Summoning a check is pretty important since I do business nearly all of the time. It's really the only thing that I know how to summon." Rarity used her magic to grab a quill nearby on the desk and began filling the check out.

"Wait," Twilight said, "You're filling that out for six hundred bits? We're going to pay you back, right?"

"No," Rarity said. "I want to be generous to my sisters. Especially since Applejack came to make me feel safe." 

"That's really nice of you, Rarity," Twilight said. "But if you want us to pay you back, please don't think twice about it."

"I'll be fine, my dear," Rarity said as she finished writing out the check. She put the quill back and then pushed the check over the counter to Vinyl Scratch. 

"Thank you very much!" Vinyl Scratch said. She used her magic to bring out six sheets to fill out. "I'll just need you to fill out some basic information before you can start working out. I just need your names, emergency contact information, and all that jazz."

"Jazz?" Pinkie Pie asked? "Did you mean to say Dub-step?"

Vinyl Scratch giggled and said, "Sure. All that Dub-step!" 

The girls took their forms and each grabbed a quill to fill them out. 

About five minutes later, they were done. 

Vinyl Scratch looked at each one briefly and said, "That's it, girls! Thanks for joining and we have additional programs like dancing classes and hooves-on training with our personal trainers. That costs extra money, but the prices are very reasonable. If you have any more questions, please ask me, otherwise, enjoy your workouts!"

Pinkie Pie was already grinning like a mad mare because the lights were so ridiculously bright in this gym and it really set her mania off. 

Twilight Sparkle saw her chest rising and falling quickly. "Hey Pinkie Pie, don't do anything crazy and burn the gym down, ok?" Twilight said.

"I can't make any promises on that, but it's time to have fun and make new friends!" Pinkie Pie bounced away from her friends and giggled madly. 

"The gym is mainly for working out, Pinkie! Not harassing ponies into being friends with you," Rainbow Dash said, but it was too late. Pinkie Pie had already happily bounced away and didn't hear her.

"Oh boy," Twilight said. "Maybe we should keep an eye on her." 

Vinyl Scratch cocked an eyebrow. "Do I need to be concerned about this?"

Twilight giggled and said, "No. She'll be ok. She just gets a bit manic sometimes."

Vinyl Scratch took note of how hyperactive this pink pony was and nodded her head ok at Twilight Sparkle.

Rainbow Dash noticed in another corner of the gym there was a boxing arena. "Wow! They have a boxing ring here? I bet I could treat Scootaloo to some boxing lessons. She's always being bullied because of her disabilities." Rainbow Dash turned to her friends. "I'm going to go work out now. See you all around," Rainbow Dash said as she sped off to one of the weight lifting machines for Pegasus ponies to strengthen their wings. She also had plans to test out a wind tunnel machine to test her cardio and endurance when it came to flying. 

Twilight Sparkle left and decided to keep a close watch on Pinkie Pie as she worked out. She also took notice that they had crossword puzzle books for sale.

"Oh, dear," Fluttershy said. "I think that I'm going to try out their whirlpool for a little while." Fluttershy left and nervously eyed the strong stallions who were banging the heavy weights together as they lifted and dropped them. Each time they did that, it made her nervously jump.

Applejack shook her head no in disappointment as she watched Fluttershy jumped in fear from the sudden and loud sounds of weights that came crashing down.

Rarity was watching a personal trainer helping one of the gym members. He practically had his front hooves on her flanks to help her balance as she was doing her exercise. Even though he wasn't being perverted, it still took her mind back to when she was molested by her pole dance trainer at that strip club she used to work at. "Applejack, do you think that personal trainer is being a little bit too touchy with his hooves?" 

Applejack turned her attention away from Fluttershy and looked at the stallion that Rarity was talking about. "I don't think so. It's their job to make sure that the gym members are doin' their exercise correctly so they don't get hurt. I reckon there can be some creeps who like to cop a feel though." Applejack looked at some of the machines. "Hey! They got some kind of apple bucking machine? Let's try it out!"

Rarity looked and said, "I think that's called the hind leg press." 

"Come on and let's try it out. I bet that I can max out with the weight on it." Applejack began to walk over to the weight machine. 

Rarity quickly hurried over to her and was again leaning up against Applejack. 

"Rarity, I know yer scared and everythin', but ya could at least give me some breathin' room. I told ya that I'll keep an eye on ya. Even Fluttershy is actin' braver than you."

Rarity backed away from Applejack and said, "I'm so sorry, dear. I need to get a hold of my emotions." 

Applejack got to the machine and read the instructions. "Seems easy enough," she said. Just as she was about to sit her flank down on the machine, a very large white Pegasus stallion rushed in and stole her spot. He had a dumbbell for a cutie mark. "Hey! What in tar-nations do ya think yer doin'? I was here first!"

The stallion took out the pin in the weights and put it in a higher spot. He was the largest pony currently there and had muscles in places that ponies didn't even have places. He looked at Applejack and said, "Sorry, but I'm going down the line of machines to use and everything needs to be timed perfectly or I will not be properly warmed up. You can watch how awesome I am and take notes. Ohhhhh yeeaaaaah!"

His weight lifting partner came over and said, "Sorry about that, girls. His name is Snowflake, or what we like to call him, Roid Rage. He really tends to hog the machines for himself. He needs to make up with big muscles to compensate for other things that are tiny in nature."

Snowflake looked down between his legs and said, "It's not that small, or is it?" 

His partner slapped him upside the head with his front hoof and said, "I was referring to the little wings on your back, but now that you mention it, it's unfortunate how fast steroids will shrink what you're referring to. I still don't even know how you can fly with such tiny wings." 

Snowflake began to push his hind legs out. He grinded his teeth for a moment and then said, "Oh yeah! I feel the burn!" He did ten repetitions and then got off of the machine. He looked at the two girls and said, "It's all yours! I left the seat nice and warm for you." 

The seat on the machine was not only warm, but it was covered in his sweat. He also left the pin in the weights as if to pride himself by just how much he could leg press. "You girls must be new here. I bet you haven't seen a stallion lift so much weight on these machines before, huh?" he asked.

Applejack got closer and sat her flank down on the seat. She was about to lean back against the cushioned back, until Rarity let out a shriek and said, "Ew! Ew! Ew! Applejack, aren't you going to make him wipe down that machine? It's covered in his sweat!"

Applejack looked back at the seat that was covered in sweat. She shrugged and said, "Nah! A lil' sweat ain't gonna bother this farm girl. If a lil' sweat is so repulsive to you, Rarity, then I'd hate to see how ya would react to some of the stuff I do on the farm. Besides, I'm sure that whatever is in those spray bottles are just chemicals and not organic like the stuff we use on my farm. I'd much rather sit in somepony else's sweat rather than chemicals." Applejack made a face that spoke of disgust when she thought about that.

Snowflake and his buddy stood there and watched the newcomer on the machine. 

Snowflake snickered and said, "She didn't even lower the weight on the machine. Watch her struggle to try to lift all of that weight. She's going to strain herself."

Applejack put her back hooves against the large metal plate and looked at Rarity with an unsure look on her face. "So all I'm supposed to do is just buck my back legs, Rarity?" 

"That's what the instructions say," Rarity said as she pointed her hoof to the instructions on the side of the machine.

"Well, here goes nothin'." Applejack pushed her back legs and the seat went flying backwards. She went back so far that her back hooves had left the metal plate that she was pushing against and the seat made a loud noise as it reached it's maximum distance. Applejack jolted upwards in fear that she broke the machine. "Golly! I hope these machines are well made and I didn't do any damage to this one." Applejack looked down and noticed that the pin wasn't even near the highest amount of weight on the machine. She took the pin out and dropped it. Thankfully, the black coiled cord attached to the pin kept it from falling to the floor. "Dern things can be so slippery." Applejack picked the pin up and placed it in the highest amount of weight. "I guess I'd better be more gentle with this machine." Applejack put only one back hoof onto the metal plate and did a few repetitions. "Hmmm. Not bad," she said as she continued to pump her one left hind leg. "It's unfortunate that this machine only goes so high in weight." Applejack looked over at the free weights and said, "Hold on a second. I bet I could make this a lil' bit more challenging if I put some free weights on top of the weights on this machine. 

Rarity and the two other stallions watched with shock and awe as Applejack went over and picked up some large free weights. She carried them back over and placed them on top of the weights on the hind leg press machine. She kept going back and bringing more and more weights over to the hind leg press machine and piled them up as high as she could. When she couldn't put any more weights on top because she couldn't reach up any higher, she noticed a ladder near by and brought it over. She got some more free weights and climbed on top of the ladder. Many ponies on the second floor of the gym above had no idea what she was doing. When the weights were stacked up almost all the way up to the ceiling, she became satisfied. She sat back down in the chair and leaned back as she put her back hoof on the machine and pushed. "I can't do it! I guess I need to humble myself and use both of my back legs, huh?" Applejack put her other back hoof against the metal plate and she pushed. "Mmmph! that's some good weight." She pushed a little harder and to everpony's surprise, she was doing reps and there was a loud sound of the weights hitting the top ceiling of the building. Applejack's face was so very focused on her back hooves as she pushed. Her cheeks were red and she counted out loud as she did each repetition. "Seven.....Eight.....Nine...." Applejack struggled greatly and her back legs were shaking tremendously as she pushed with all of her might. "T-t-t-ten!" The moment Applejack finished her last repetition, the cable to the weight machine snapped and she went flying backwards. A very loud crashing sound was heard throughout the gym. She fell out of the seat and landed hard on the floor. "Ooops!" I didn't mean to break it. Shucks, they should really make these machine do-hickeys stronger." 

Snowflake was stunned and horrified at the same time. "How did you do that?" he asked.

Applejack looked up at him and said, "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. I reckon the Bible tells us to be strong in the Lord." 

Some stallion yelled out, "Who the hay took out every single free weight from this gym?!" He turned and saw the massive pile of every single free weight in the gym piled on top of the leg press machine. "Holy horse apples! What kind of sick joke is that? Please tell me that somepony was seriously not able to lift all of that weight!" 

Applejack shook her head several times quickly and said, "I guess we should move on before we get into any more trouble. Maybe I'll take it a lil' easier this time. Applejack grabbed Rarity by her front hoof and together, they made their way to the other machines in the gym. 

Vinyl Scratch had heard that loud crashing sound and came over. She watched Applejack and Rarity flee and shook her head several times in disappointment as she taped a sign on the machine that read, out of order! She sighed and said out loud, "I wish I could use my magic to somehow place every single free weight back into its proper place. This is going to take me a while."

"I can help," a voice said from behind her. "I'm sorry about my friend Applejack, she doesn't know her own strength."

"Huh?" Vinyl Scratch turned and saw Twilight Sparkle. "You can use your magic to help put the free weights stacked up on this machine back over to the racks?"

"I sure can! This mare practices and knows lots of tricks when it comes to magic." Twilight looked at the weights and then looked at the empty racks nearby. Her horn glowed and she closed her eyes as she concentrated so very hard on where each free weight was supposed to be. The free weights teleported back into their proper place. Twilight opened up her eyes and said, "I did it!" Twilights cheeks turned red with embarrassment when she realized that she had made a slight mistake. There was a dumbbell on the floor and a yellow rubber chicken where the dumbbell should be placed. "Ooops! It happens to the best of us. That rubber chicken can be so distracting sometimes! I think that happens from having too much Pinkie Pie on the brain!" Twilight Sparkle used her magic to make the rubber chicken disappear and she teleported the last free weight into its proper place. "There! Everything's back to normal now."

"Hey, you're really amazing!" Vinyl Scratch said. "I never saw a pony as smart or as good with magic as you."

Twilight giggled and pawed her front hoof in the air at Vinyl Scratch as if to say with her body language, "Oh stop it, you!" Twilight Sparkle smiled and said, "For wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul."

"Where did you hear that from?" Vinyl Scratched asked.

"It's from the Bible," Twilight joyfully responded. 

"Hey, that's pretty awesome. Do you think God likes wub wubs and likes to party?"  

Twilight looked back over at Pinkie Pie who was now dressed in a cheerleader's uniform and had two pom-poms in her front hooves. She was getting a work out by cheering on other ponies and tying balloons and party streamers on the machines. Twilight turned back to Vinyl Scratch and said, "I think God REALLY likes to party, and I'm sure He loves Dub-step music too. He did make a very talented D.J. like yourself." 

Vinyl Scratch beamed with a smile and said, "Now that's my kind of God I want to follow! Do you know of any group Bible studies I can get into?"

"There's always my group you can attend. It's getting quite busy, but there's always room for more!" Twilight happily said. 

"Hey! I want to attend your group. You're really cool. I can bring my D.J. equipment and we can have a party after the studies."

Twilight Sparkle nervously pawed at the ground with her front hoof. "I just may have to decline that offer because we have houses around us and sometimes ponies come over for studies when it's rather late. I don't think it would be appropriate to blast any kind of music. I heard that your bass cannon can practically shake down the walls of buildings, but that doesn't mean that we can't enjoy your music if it's at a reasonable volume for other ponies nearby. I do teach in my public library after all."

Vinyl Scratch giggled and said, "I understand. Maybe I can bring my friend, Octavia and she can play some softer sounding classical music too." She looked back at the front desk and realized that there was a pony waiting for her. "Hey, I'll catch up with you later. I'm defiantly going to attend your studies!" Vinyl Scratch gave her one last bright smile and then trotted off. 

Twilight Sparkle watched her trot off for a moment and then went back to seeking other machines to try out. 

Snowflake and his buddy were still staring at the broken hind leg press machine.

His buddy spoke up and asked, "How does it feel to be humbled by a mare?"

Snowflake sighed and said, "I think that it may be time to read the Bible."
> Frankie and Louie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Fluttershy was leaning back and had her two front legs spread out and resting on the sides of the ledge of the whirlpool. She was quite relaxed until she heard the striking of very heavy hoof steps getting louder and louder. 

Flutterhy opened up her eyes and her ears perked up when she heard a rather high pitched voice that also had a slightly deep and silly sounding tone to it. The voice almost sounded forced and unnatural. "Hey, Louie. Did you sneak in the Mickedees?" 

Fluttershy heard another voice respond that sounded even higher pitched in a tone compared to the first voice that she heard. "Yeah, Frankie. I hope that we don't get caught munching in here again."

Fluttershy closed her front legs and looked shyly away as they entered her sight. 

They noticed Fluttershy and Frankie said, "It looks like we got company. Hey sweetheart, what's your name?"

Fluttershy looked down and said, "M-m-my name is Fluttershy and I'm sorry if I'm in your way. I can leave if you want me to. It's not a big deal to me."

"Not at all cutie," Frankie said. "We'll just squeeze right in with you. 

The two large buffalos got in the small whirlpool. They practically sandwiched Fluttershy in.

Frankie laughed and said, "It looks like we sandwiched Fluttershy. What do they call those cookies that we love to eat again? Flutter Butters?"

"No, I think they're called, Nutter Butters," his friend replied.

Fluttershy looked around and asked, "Um, isn't this whirlpool for females only?" 

"I didn't see a sign, did you Frankie?" 

"No way, bro. I didn't see one either," Frankie lied. 

They both came here because all of their other friends were crammed in the other whirlpool for males and because the employees knew to watch for them because they often caught them bringing in bags of food and drinks into the whirlpool which was against the gym rules. 

Louie took out the Mickedees bag and gave his buddy Frankie a large shake, a triple stacker grass deep fried veggie burger, and an extra large box of fries. "Ok, Frankie, we got our Big Macs. Let's dig in!" Louie took out his own meal and together, they began chowing down furiously. 

Fluttershy perked up and thought to herself, "Big Mac! Oh no! They made pony patties out of my precious Big Macintosh who is kind of my boyfriend! Pinkie Pie often told me that one day Big Macintosh would make tasty burgers!" Fluttershy thought more about it and then realized that Big Mac just refred to the name of a special kind of veggie burger. "Phew," she thought to herself. "I almost forgot that Big Mac is also the name of a burger that some ponies like to clog their arteries with."

The two water buffalo's chewed loudly as they ate.

Fluttershy looked at the sign that said, "NO FOOD OR DRINKS ALLOWED!" She spoke up and said, "Um, excuse me, but I think that the sign says no food or drinks are allowed in here." 

Frankie was already dropping crumbs and fries into the water as he inhaled his food. He looked at the sign and said, "I think that just means beyond the whirlpool point. It's safe to eat in here, but not in the locker room."

"Oh," Fluttershy said. "I see."

Both buffalos became very gassy and Fluttershy heard what sounded like a bomb going off under water. She nearly jumped out of the pool in fear. The buffalos continued with their flatulence non-stop.

Fluttershy watched the massive bubbles form underneith the water. "Um, excuse me, but I don't think those bubbles are coming from the whirlpool."

"Ain't nothing wrong with a little gas," Louie said. "It's natural and it compliments the chef. It's part of our culture." 

"Yeah," Frankie added. He burped very loudly and said, "It's just our bodies way of expressing thanks for the food and we just love to eat!" 

"Oh," Fluttershy said as she held her front hoof to her nose. "Your culture really stinks, I mean....it smells....Um, sounds interesting is what I meant to say." 

About twenty minutes later, the two buffalos and Fluttershy were still sitting there.

Fluttershy was hoping they would leave soon, but it appeared to her that they weren't going to be gone anytime soon. She decided that she might as well attempt to strike up a conversation with them. Fluttershy twirled her front hoof nervously around the steaming water and asked, "So, you guys really like to spend a lot of time in the whirlpool, huh?"

Frankie looked over to her and said, "Yeah! We like to spend as much time in the water as we can because we're a special kind of buffalo."

"What kind of special buffalo are you referring to?" Fluttershy asked.

"It isn't obvious?" Louie asked the yellow mare.

Fluttershy shook her head no.

Both buffalos spoke in unison, "WE'RE WATER BUFFALOS!"

"Oh dear," Fluttershy said. "That makes a lot more sense to me now. So do you guys actually do any exercise at the gym?"

"Yeah," Frankie said. "They have an aquatics program for water buffalos like us and we do special water exercises. We come here and relax in the whirlpool after our exercise program is over in the pool."

"And I can bench press over six hundred pounds for hours without getting tired," Louie said. "Although Frankie is still a weakling and can only bench press about five hundred and fifty pounds."

"Wow! That's impressive. How do you manage to bench press so much weight for that entire time?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, we just sit on the benches and eat food. Our body weight pressing against the bench is what counts, right?" Louie asked. He then picked up a soggy french fry that was floating in the water and ate it.

"That was rather anti-climatic," Fluttershy said with a sigh. 

Louie looked down in the water and was just barely able to see Fluttershy's cutie mark. "So, you like butterflies, huh?" 

"Yes," Fluttershy said. "Butterflies saved my life in the past."

"Say, how come we don't have any pictures tattooed on our flanks?" Frankie asked.

"I think that's because our behinds are way too big and that it would be too distracting to others," Louie answered. 

"But I think ponies get these cutie marks because it represents what they are supposed to be really good at something," Frankie said. "Some of them get them as early as grade school."

"I think it's like magic and wouldn't make sense to us anyway," Frankie said.

"Wait a second. You're right! They don't even make sense half of the time!" Louie said.

"Well, what about that orange one that runs an apple farm? Doesn't it make sense that she has apples on her ass? Frankie asked. "What about that pink one that has balloons on her butt? Doesn't that represent that she has fun on her flanks?"

"Well yeah, but what about the grey Pegasus that crashes into everything? Why does she have bubbles on her bum? How come that mare who plays the cello has a treble clef on her flank? Cello players read in bass clef."

"I don't know," Frankie said. "I guess that it's because all of the bass belongs to Vinyl Scratch. I don't think non-musicians would know what the heck a bass clef looks like anyway. Treble clef looks a bit more prettier for a cutie mark, right? Who would want a bass butt anyway?

"Well, why does that blue dentist pony named Colgate have an hour glass as a cutie mark!?" Louie asked.

Frankie shrugged and said, "I don't know. Maybe it's her passion in life to make her patients wait in the waiting room. You do know that Doctors and Dentists can really make their patients learn great patience! I thought she was called Minuette anyway."

"No! Shut up, Frankie! She's called Colgate!"

Fluttershy spoke up and said, "Um, guys, I think Jesus is the answer and..." Fluttershy was cut off by both water buffalos.

"Be quiet yellow horse! You talk WAY too much! We are discussing important matters here!" They both cried out in unison.

Fluttershy looked down and said, "I'm so sorry. I-I-I'm actually a pony, and I'm just a little one."

Frankie looked at Fluttershy's flank and said, "So you have butterflies on your behind because you got saved by a bunch of butterflies, right?"

Fluttershy nodded her head innocently and said, "That's right, but it also represents that I can talk to animals and..." 

"Louie cut her off and said, "See! I told you that they are just tattoos and don't make any real sense! Butterflies are insects and her cutie mark doesn't give any kind of indication that she has this special ability that lets her communicate with animals."

"Maybe cutie marks are just for ponies or maybe we're not good at anything," Louie suggested.

"Nonsense! We know how to eat! We should have a cutie mark of food or something," his buddy said.

"What about that zebra named Zecora?" Louie asked. "She has a cutie mark and she's not a pony."

"I actually think that her cutie mark might be some kind of tribal drawing that she may have had tattooed on her body purposely. You know that she belongs to those strange tribes that dance around fires and chant, Ooga-booga all day. I have never seen a cow, or any other creature with a cutie mark. Not even asses have cutie marks on their asses." 

Louie shrugged and said, "Maybe we shouldn't try to figure this all out and just let ponies enjoy their special pictures on their butts. Maybe our special talents show up in other ways. Maybe we just don't need cutie marks to be awesome."

Both buffalos continued to discuss this matter back and fourth.

Fluttershy's eyes darted left to right as each water buffalo said something. She spoke up and said, "I-I-I think that all you need is Jesus to be awesome in life. Just look at Rainbow Dash. She's so awesome and cool because of God."

Neither water buffalo heard her because of their incessant bickering. 

That bickering soon ended when everyone inside of the tub heard the sound of hoof steps.

"Quick, Louie! Hide!" Frankie ducked under the water and so did his friend. 

Vinyl Scratch stepped in and looked at Fluttershy. "Excuse me, but have you seen a couple of water buffalos back here?"

Fluttershy nervously looked around and said, "Um, maybe?" 

Vinyl Scratch sighed and walked on over closer. She immediately saw the food particles floating around in the water. Upon closer inspection, she saw the two water buffalos cowering under the water. She stomped her hoof angrily and yelled, "Come out you guys! You both are busted, once again!"

The two buffalos heard the vibrations from her voice and looked up.

"Aw, shucks, Louie. I told you that we would get caught again," Frankie said as bubbles came out of his mouth.

Frankie shrugged and said, "I guess you can't blame a buffalo for trying. We might as well face the music."

"Talk about literally facing the music. I heard that she's a big shot D.J. too. I hope she doesn't blast us with her bass cannon," Louie said and then floated up to the top of the water.

His buddy also came up to the surface as well.

Vinyl Scratch pulled at her stylish mane with her two front hooves in distress and said, "How many times do I have to tell you both NOT to come in here, and especially not to bring food or drinks into the whirlpool?"

"It's not our fault! The other whirlpool is jam packed with other water buffalos and we paid good money to use the whirlpool here."

Vinyl Scratch hit the side of her head with her front hoof hard, almost knocking off her trademark sunglasses. "I told you that the gym owners are working on adding another whirlpool for you guys. You just have to be a little more patient with us. Now get out of the whirlpool now!" 

Both water buffalos sighed and made their way out.

"If I catch either of you in here again, I may have to suspend you from coming to this gym. Do you understand me?" Vinyl Scratch asked and lowered her sunglasses on her face so that her two eyes could be seen as if to show just how serious she was about her warning.

"We're sorry, Miss Scratch," Both water buffalos said. "It won't happen again." The two water buffalos then headed out of the locker room. 

Vinyl Scratch looked at the food floating in the water and said, "I'm really sorry that you had to put up with those two. It's probably going to take a long time to get this whirlpool cleaned up. I'd get out if I were you. There's probably food particles stuck in your mane and tail."

"Oh, um, I'll be fine. It's not really a big deal to me," Fluttershy said.

"Suit yourself, but if you ever see those two come back in here again, please let me know."

"O-o-ok," Fluttershy said. 

Vinyl Scratch turned and quickly left. There were probably more customers at the front desk that she needed to attend to.
> The Return of the Orange and Brown Baseball Cap
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Eight....Nine....Ten!" Rarity counted out loud as she did each repetition. She let go of the handle bars on the machine and wiped the sweat off of her forehead with her front leg. "Getting sweaty is so un-lady like, but I guess that it's worth it." Rarity looked down at her belly and poked it. The results were not too pleasing to her. "I bet I got all of this extra belly flab from giving birth. I should probably work on my abdominals." Rarity got out of the seat and grabbed the spray bottle nearby and some paper towels. She sprayed and wiped down the machine and then tossed the paper towels into a trash can near the paper towel dispenser. She had been working her way down the machines in a line and she was able to venture further away from Applejack as long as she could still see her. "Let's see what's around this corner."  Rarity turned and noticed that a pony was already on the machine. There was also another pony talking to him as he did his abdominal crunches. 

The pony working out was wearing an orange and brown checkered hat on his head and had it tilted to the side. Both sides of his cheeks were red, as if he had some kind of permanent blush on or he had embarrassment written deeply on his cheeks. The color of his coat was a mix of orange and brown, his tail and mane was brown just like his eye color, and his cutie mark was a picture of the hat that he wore on his head. He also had some facial hair on his chin. 

"Oh no!" Rarity said with her front hoof covering her mouth. "It's Steve." Rarity looked at the stallion who was talking to him.

His friend watching him was a white pony and wore a very large golden necklace that had enormous links of chain. On the necklace was a giant clock. He had a dirty blonde tail and mane, and his cutie mark was a picture of a golden star, and on the star, was the acronym, Y.O.L.O., and below that was the slang word SWAG. He was also wearing sunglasses that was pushed up onto his forehead exposing his light blue eyes. 

"And his buddy too." Rarity said. She quickly hid behind the corner of the wall and listened to their conversation. 

Steve had been sitting there for hours working out on the machine. He didn't even have the pin in any of the weights and the pin just dangled loosely by the coiled cord that was attached to the pin. It clanged against the weights every time he did a repetition. "N-n-ninety nine.....O-o-one hundred! Awwww, buck yeah! I'm going to get so ripped and we're going to get laid again even if there isn't a strip club by us anymore. 

"The only thing that you have ever ripped was ass," Steve's buddy said.

"Aw, buck you! We're going to get sweet pussy again!"

"As long as we don't get caught and put in jail for raping that stripper, Rarity," his buddy said. 

"Brah, are you seriously still worried about that? Don't act like you're still flank hurt over that. I told you to just forget it and that what we did was normal and natural. No pony is seriously going to ever catch us. We're way too smart to be found anyway. It's almost like you act like you have some kind of conscience or something. Emotions and feelings are for the weak and I already told you that religious ponies first become religious because their emotions get manipulated. Don't start feeling emotions and scare me now, brah. We're way too smart to feel anything. The only thing that you should feel sorry for is that both our balls are mad blue, yo. Who cares about that trashy prostitute that we both raped. She was mad hot, yo, but seriously. Get a hold of yourself, man."

"Truth," Steve's buddy said.

Tears flooded Rarity's eyes. She knew all along that they had raped her. She didn't know who the father was, but she didn't care, nor did she want to find out or force them to pay foal support for her newborn son because that would be too upsetting to her. She couldn't take it anymore. She ran over to Applejack who was working out on one of the machines and grabbed a hold of her. She burrowed her head into Applejack's chest and was shaking and crying.

"What has gotten into ya?" the orange pony asked. "Ya actin' crazy right now. No pony hurt ya in here, did they? I'll get up and show them a thing or two." Applejack was about to get up out of her seat, but Rarity put her two front hooves against her chest and stopped her.

"Don't," Rarity said. "They didn't say anything to me or even touch me. I just over heard their conversation about me."

"And what did they say?" Applejack asked.

"They both admitted that they had raped me. I knew it was them all along, but to hear them confess it makes it that much more upsetting."

"Why don't ya give them some exposure or take them to court to prove that one of them is the father of yer lil' newborn son, Strong Faith?" 

"Because I don't even want to know which one is the actual father. I just want to raise my son alone and without any of their financial support. It's not like I am struggling and I can't afford to support my own son. I just need you to stay close to me in case they come near me and might try to hurt me again."

Applejack patted her on the back and asked, "Where did ya see these fellas?"

Rarity pointed her hoof over to where there was a corner. "They are behind that corner on the abdominal machine. Can we please go to the other side of the gym and try other machines. I don't want to see them again."

"I understand." Applejack looked back over at the corner and then back to Rarity. "Yeah, we can go to another part of the gym. Somethin' inside of me is tellin' me that those two are gonna get into trouble sooner or later. I reckon that we need to tell the authorities about those two before they rape anypony else. We should tell Twilight about this right now so that she can send a message to the Princess. Let's go over there and tell her now."

Applejack got out of her machine and led Rarity to a different section of the gym where Twilight was. Rarity stayed glued to her side the entire time. Applejack told Twilight what had happened and Twilight sent out a letter to the Princess right away. She knew that she would find and deal with these two as soon as possible. 

Back at the abdominal machine, Steve looked up at his buddy and asked, "Do you want to take a turn on the abdominal machine as I gawk at myself in the mirror?"

"No, Scumbag Steve. I told you that I don't come here to work out, but so that I can hit on the fillies and get laid. We are already members of like thirty different gyms anyway."

"Oh, word Bromander and cool story bro," Steve said as he got up and tapped his flabby belly. "Hard as a bucking rock, bro. I bet that I'm stronger than Buck Norris. I seriously need to check myself out in the mirror. Sometimes I clop to myself when I see my body. I'm that good looking man."

"You're a freaking douche bag."

Steve twisted his cap to the other side of his head and said, "Nah. I'm just a scumbag and I love being me. My name is Scumbag Steve, not Douche-Bag Danny." Steve looked at his buddy with curiosity and asked, "What the hay is your name anyway?"

"We have known each other and have been best friends since preschool and you still don't even know my name yet? Wow, you really are a scumbag!"

"No offense taken!" Steve said. "But seriously, what's your name, brosephina?"

"You've already said it before."

"Huh?" Steve asked.

"My name is Douche-bag Danny."

"Oh, word, bro. Word," Steve said.

Steve and Danny were about to walk over to the mirrors when suddenly, Steve put his front hoof to his buddies chest. "Whoa, brah! Get a look at her flanks!" 

A filly walked by them both.

"Hey girl, do you want to lift up your tail for me so that I can see your goods?" Steve asked.

The filly stopped and then slapped him hard across his face. "I'm only ten years old, you dirty old pedophile!" 

Steve rubbed the side of his face with his front hoof. "Aw, come on! Are you really going to do me like that? If you're so young then can I see your mommy? I bet she's a hot M.I.L.F. Age is just a number anyway, sweetie."

"And the jail cell that you'll be in will be in is just a number too!" she shot back.

Steve put his two front hooves up in the air and tilted his head to the side as if to suggest he had no idea what she meant by that. "Hey! If you're old enough to chew, then you're old enough to screw in my book."

"Wow, that seems a little bit too young, Scumbag Steve," Danny said. "I say, If you're old enough to count, then you're old enough to mount."

"Totes, Breh," Steve said. "It works both ways."

The filly turned her back on them and walked on over to where there was a small group of ponies having a yoga session in another room, but then changed her mind and walked on over to the front desk.

"Aw man, I love it when fillies wear tight spandex on their flanks. It's so hot. I could just stare at them all day."

Steve and his buddy gawked at all the different ponies walking by on their way to the yoga class.

Steve snickered and said, "Yo dawg! Check this out. This is how to get a fillies attention. Check out this one coming up, she's freaking hot." Steve waited for a pony to walk by and then smacked the pony hard on the pony's flank.

The pony turned and looked at him. 

"Hey hot stuff. You got the sweetest flank I have ever seen in the gym. Want to bang in the gym showers?" Steve asked.

The pony had very long bangs and used his front hoof to push away his mane so that his eyes could be seen. "I'm a stallion," he said. "And scumbags like you shouldn't be allowed in the gym. He then turned and walked over to the yoga group.

Steve stood there horrified. "Oh no! Brah, I might need to amputate my front hoof. What a freaking faggola wearing his mane like that so he looks like a filly."

Danny was cracking up. "You're the faggot for touching his butt, Scumbag Steve!" 

"Steve's face turned bright red with rage. "Buck you man! That freaking faggot deserves to die! I'm going to go over there and buck his face up! What a freaking glitter dick for wearing his mane like a flashy and fancy faggot."

"You're not going anywhere except out!" a voice chimed in.

"Huh?" Scumbag Steve said as he and Danny turned around.

Vinyl Scratch stood there next to that small young filly that Steve and Danny had sexually harassed.

This is like the millionth complaint I have gotten about you two perverts. How dare you sexually harass such a young filly like this. How dare you even sexually harass any pony!"

"It's not our fault she has a hot flank!" Steve said.

"She's only ten years old and you guys should know better! You're now banned from this gym. Members have been quitting because of you two punks."

Steve twisted his cap to the side and said, "What the hay, bro!? Love and tolerate me!"

"Oh we'll love and tolerate you guys. From a distance. Now get out of this gym!"

"You can't make us," Steve said. "You're just a stupid mare and the only good you serve is to reproduce. You don't have the right to tell two stallions like us what to do. You're the inferior and weaker sex anyway. Science backs me up on this. We were so smart that we didn't even need high school and dropped out."

"You guys are the most sexist, perverted, and twisted individuals I have ever seen. I think what you meant to say is that you both dropped out of preschool instead. I don't even think that either of you have the intelligence to graduate from that!" Vinyl Scratch put her front hoof to her mouth and whistled. She then yelled out, "BUBBA! WE GOT TROUBLE MAKERS!" 	

The gym floors quaked from each hoof step. A giant Pegasus stallion that had muscles bulging out from all sides of his body stood behind the two trouble makers. He put his two front hooves on their shoulders and breathed down their necks. "You boys causing trouble again I hear?"

Steve and his buddy began shaking in fear when they heard the deep voice. They both slowly turned around and their eyes met with Bubba. 

Bubba's coat was purple and his mane and tail was bright pink. He had a picture of an anvil as his cutie mark. "So, you boys can either get out of here now, or we can do this the fun way."

"I-I-I think we can leave without any trouble," Danny said. 

"Y-y-yeah," Steve said. "We won't bother with this place again. We're sorry!"

"Get out!" The giant stallion yelled.

Steve and Danny ran out of the building as fast as they could. 

"This world is so corrupt and hypocritical!" Steve said as he attempted to kick a rock on the ground but missed terribly. "They say love and tolerance, but they don't accept us even if we're always right." 

"We have been banned from every single gym that we go to. Do you think what we're doing might really be wrong?" Danny asked.

"No way!" Steve said. "This world is just bucking ignorant and they don't know anything. It's a shame that we have two females ruling this world. No wonder we have so many problems. Come on. Let's get out of here and find other ways to try to get laid. We could always go club fagging. This gym doesn't even have tanning salons or even sell body spray tans." 

"Truth," Danny said.

The two stallions headed over to the friendship express train to go back to their homes in Manehatten. The moment they left, Princess Celestia's royal guards came. They came to arrest Steve and Danny, but they were too late. They did spend some time getting valuable information at the gym and would soon find them both. 

Vinyl Scratch had a very stressful day today and she clocked out. She looked at the pony waiting to clock in and said, "It has been a mess today, but I hope your shift is a lot easier than mine! I don't even know where to begin to tell you how crazy today was, but those two clowns that give us so much trouble finally got under my coat enough for me to ban them."

"Oh, do you mean Scumbag Steve and his buddy, Douche-bag Danny?" 

"Yeah, those two goons really pushed me past my love and tolerance limits. I'm going to go home and lose myself in blasts of wubs. Also, you should check out that mare Twilight Sparkle. She's really cool!" Vinyl Scratch pointed over to where Twilight Sparkle was leaning back against a recumbent bike and was pedaling with her back hooves as she did a cross word puzzle. 

"Maybe I'll go say hi later, but right now I have to change this music. You know that the gym owner likes different styles of music to be played at different hours."

"I'll try not to take any offense," Vinyl Scratch said as she picked up her belongings. 

The new shift employee changed the music. It was time to play some pop.
> More Painful Memories
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rarity was back on the biceps machine when she heard the channels of music being changed. The channel changing stopped and a painfully familiar tune chimed in right at the very bridge of the song. Rarity's eyes widened as she listened to the words from a famous pop song called, Circus.

The chorus in the song played and Rarity's mind went instantly back to being dressed up in a leather dominatrix costume and dancing with her partner, Candy Wrap. Rarity put her head down on the front leg rest and began to sob. 

Applejack's ears perked up when she heard somepony crying and she instantly headed over to Rarity. She put her hoof on her shoulder and asked, "What's that matter, sugar cube? I'm right here fer ya."

Rarity looked up at Applejack and said, "It's just this song. It's giving me really bad memories of my past. I can't help what I'm feeling."

"Aw, shucks. I'm sorry to hear that. I bet when this song passes, somethin' better will play."

They waited for the song to end and a new song played called, I Kissed a Filly. 

Rarity's mind instantly went back to when she was forced to give up her first kiss to another mare. More tears and painful memories plagued her mind. "Everything here is bothering me. I just can't escape my past. Please make it stop, Applejack."

Applejack adjusted her hat and said, "Stay right here sugar cube, I'll see what I can do." Applejack walked over to the front desk where a new employee was working. "Howdy partner," she said to him. "Would it be ok if ya could change the music playin' in here?"

The employee shook his head no and said, "I'm sorry, but we have a set schedule and different music will be played at different hours of the day."

Applejack looked back at Rarity who was now hunched over and crying again on the machine again. She looked back at the gym employee and said, "But my friend here had a super traumatic past and this music is bringing back very painful memories."

The employee looked over at the sobbing white unicorn and then looked back at Applejack. "I'm really sorry for whatever happened to your friend. We have a set list of songs to play during certain hours, but I guess I can change it for just a little while."

"I hope ya don't git in trouble fer messin' with the music, but if ya are gonna change it, then do you have any bluegrass music?"

The employee laughed and said, "I like bluegrass music, but I value my job and playing something like bluegrass would get me fired quickly. Remember, the music here is supposed to help others work out and feel pumped, and bluegrass might not be the best idea to play at the gym. I'm going to put on some techno instead."

Applejack nodded her head with understanding and tipped her hat to the gentlecolt. "I thank ya kindly fer bein' so considerate fer my dear friend here. We probably won't be here too much longer, so I'm sure that ya can change it back when we leave. Thanks again, sugar cube."

"Did she just call me sugar cube?" the stallion wondered to himself as he watched the orange earth pony walk away.

Applejack went back over to Rarity who was now at least sitting up straight. 

The techno music began blaring and although her former profession might play music like this, at least the song that was playing did not bother her too much. 

"Is that better, Rarity?" the farm girl asked.

Rarity shook her head yes innocently and said, "Yes, that's much better. Thank you for doing that for me." Rarity looked around and noticed that the room that had ponies dancing with flashing lights was now empty and the ceiling lights were turned back on inside of that room. Ponies were now coming in for a ballet dance class and the instructor flipped the sign on the wall that said that ballet class was now in session. She also put out a sign that said, first time gym members get a free trial lesson. Rarity looked at Applejack and said, "Hey Applejack, I think that I'm going to give this ballet class a shot. It's more of my cup of tea when it comes to exersice anyway. The walls are all made out of glass windows, so do you think you can stick around this area and watch me?"

Applejack saluted and said, "Sure can do! Enjoy yer little fru-fru exercise."

Rarity's nostrils twitched a few times and she turned her head away and waved her front hoof across her face. "Applejack. You smell terrible! Your coat reeks of stallion sweat and body odor. Please, make sure to take a shower in the locker rooms before we go home."

Applejack lifted up her front leg and smelled her leg pit. "I reckon this doesn't smell as bad compared to how you scream that I smell like manure after workin' on the farm."

"This is going to sound extremely odd, but I think I prefer it when your coat reeks of manure smells and other farm pleasantries after you work. Just please remember to take a shower before we go back to Twilight's library, that's all I'm asking."

Applejack shrugged and said, "Sure thing, I guess."

Rarity smiled at her friend and then quickly trotted into the room. The instructor closed the door and Applejack continued to work out on the machines near by the room so that she could keep close watch on her friend.
> Fluttershy's New Best Friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash looked around the gym from the second balcony. She saw Rarity in the ballet class doing some kind of fancy stretches, she saw Applejack bucking holes in punching bags, she saw Twilight Sparkle pedaling slowly on the recumbent bike while doing crossword puzzles, she saw Pinkie Pie not walking, not running, but bouncing along a treadmill while trying to hold a conversation with the two ponies walking on the treadmills next to her. The two ponies next to her really didn't seem like they wanted to engage in a conversation with her being so hyper and manic and talking a million words per minute. Now, where was her yellow meek companion, Fluttershy? Rainbow Dash thought to herself for a moment and said, "That's right. She said that she was interested in the whirlpool. It's time to see how she's doing."

Fluttershy was leaning back against the whirlpool. She had her eyes closed and began to sing. "Do you know you're all my very beeest frieeeeends."

"Uh, Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash asked. "What were you singing?"

Fluttershy opened up her eyes and let out a high pitched squeal. She turned her body and covered her chest.

"Hey Flutters, it's just me. Why are you covering yourself up like that?"

"Oh, I just felt naked and vulnerable and I had no idea that you even came in."

Rainbow Dash put her two front hooves on her hips and said, "We don't normally wear clothes, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy's cheeks were red with embarrassment and she turned her body towards Rainbow again. "Ooops. I kind of forgot about that."

"What song were you singing?"

"I uh, just something random that popped into my mind," the shy mare said.

"Please tell me that you haven't been sitting here the entire time we have been here."

"Um, I was not sitting here the entire time we have been here," Fluttershy said. 

"Truthfully?" Rainbow asked.

"Well you did ask me to tell you that," Fluttershy said.

Rainbow Dash slapped her front hoof against her forehead and said, "Were you or were you not sitting in the whirlpool this entire time? Be honest with me. No wait, be Applejack honest with me."

Fluttershy splashed the water with her hoof in frustration and said, "That darn brutal Applejack honesty! Ok, yeah. I was sitting here the whole time." 

"And what do you think you're going to accomplish by sitting in a whirlpool all day?" Rainbow asked.

"Um, warm water and bubbly goodness helps to keep my muscles relaxed. I need to take the stress off of my body," Fluttershy answered. 

"The Bible says that the desire of the sluggard kills a pony, for his hooves refuse to labor," Rainbow said.

"Oh, no," Fluttershy said. "That reminds me of that verse, Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider its ways, and be wise. I actually went and observed my little ant friends after I read that passage."

"That's right!" Rainbow Dash said. "I'm not letting you leave this gym until I see you work out on at least one machine. Let's go out now and find a machine for you."

"Do I have to go now?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yes, or else you'll just sit here forever. I bet your hooves are like prunes."

Fluttershy picked up her front hoof and looked at it. It was all wrinkled like that of a prune. She sighed and got out of the water. 

"Um, you're coat and mane is full of gunk. Is that a soggy french fry that I see in your mane?" Rainbow asked.

"Oh, yeah. There were two water buffalos eating food in the whirlpool and they kind of dropped a lot of food in there. I guess it must have gotten caught in my mane and tail."

Rainbow Dash pointed at the sign and said, "The sign says no food or drinks."

Fluttershy shrugged and said, "They had their reasons. Let me just rinse my mane and tail off first." 

Rainbow Dash watched her friend go over to the shower faucets and quickly rinsed off her mane and tail. 

Fluttershy turned off the nozzle and came back over to her cyan colored friend. "Ok,  that's much better!" 

"You're not going to dry yourself off with a towel?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I learned how to dry off from one of my animal critter friends. Watch this." Fluttershy spread her legs apart and shook her body exactly like how a dog shakes their body after getting wet. 

Water splashed all over Rainbow Dash's coat. "Gee, thanks for getting me wet, Fluttershy."

Fluttershy put her front hoof to her mouth in embarrassment when she saw Rainbow Dash now soaking wet. "Ooops. Sorry about that. At least it's a clean wet, right?" 

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and said, "Come on, let's go find you a machine." 

The couple walked out of the locker room and eyed each machine. 

Rainbow Dash looked at Fluttershy and asked, "Hey Flutters, how much use has that dumbbell gotten ever since I gave you that as your birthday gift?"

"Um, tons of use actually!" 

"Really?" rainbow asked. "Do you use it everyday?"

Fluttershy nodded her head yes very quickly and said, "Uh-huh! and it's made the best doorstop I have ever owned!"

Rainbow Dash slapped the side of her face with her front hoof and said, "Oh, for Pete's sake, Fluttershy! That's it, you're working out now!" Rainbow Dash pushed her friend into the machine that she happened to be standing behind. She then took out the pin and let it dangle by it's cord. "Alright, Fluttershy! You're going to give me at least ten repetitions! Got it?" 

"Um, I'm getting deja-vu from that time you were helping me train. Do you remember when I was helping bring all that extra rain water back up into Cloudsdale?  We formed a giant tornado with at least eight hundred wing power. It was pretty silly that one of the world's best fliers, Spitfire, just stood there and did nothing even though she could have jumped in at any moment and fixed that little bit of lacking wing power that we needed."

"That's true," Rainbow Dash said. "That was pretty strange of her to do that, but look on the bright side. God decided to use you instead of her to make our mission complete."

Fluttershy's cheeks blushed. "Aw, that's really sweet of you to say that. I guess I can try ten repetitions without the pin in any weight." Fluttershy braced herself and took in a deep breath. "Here we go." Fluttershy was sitting on a wing weight lifting machine for Pegasus ponies and she had to push her wings upward against the weight. Fluttershy lifted up her wings against the cushioned pads and said, "O-o-one!" She dropped her wings down and then said, "Yaaaay. T-t-two! Yaaay. T-t-three! Yaaay. F-f-f...."

"Fluttershy, why do you keeping saying yay?"

Fluttershy dropped her wings down and said, "Oh, I'm sorry. Am I being too loud?"

"No," Rainbow Dash said. "I just don't understand what those soft sounding yaaays are for."

"It's just that nopony ever cheers for me whenever I do anything so I figured that I'd cheer for myself."

"That's really heartbreaking, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said. "It's too bad Pinkie Pie isn't around. I think she's busy covering other gym members in streamers and confetti as they do their workouts. Well, do what you have to do to keep you motivated. I should seriously be all the motivation you need by me just standing here. 

"You are really awesome, but that sounds a bit arrogant, Rainbow Dash."

Rainbow Dash felt convicted after Fluttershy said that and said, "Aw horse apples. I can still be a bit arrogant when it comes to competitive things. I'm sorry, but please continue with the repetitions."

Fluttershy pressed upward again with her wings. "f-f-five. Yaaay. S-s-six. Yaaay." Fluttershy continued with the repetitions. "T-t-t..." Fluttershy's wings were shaking because she felt the deep burn inside her wings and was straining herself to do one last repetition. She put her head down and closed her eyes shut tightly. "T-t-t-teeee-ten!" Her wings fell down and she sat there panting. "Yaaay for me. Whoo-hoo, I rock!"

"You sure do! Nice job, Flutters. Ok, at least you did that much. Try to find some other kind of exercise to do while I go check out more exercise machines for my wings." Rainbow Dash quickly trotted away and left Fluttershy alone. 

Fluttershy went around and tried several other machines, but every other machine she tried, she could not even do one single repetition even without the pin in the weights. She was exhausted from that one wing lifting machine. She looked around a little more and noticed the swimming pool and trotted on over. "Lifting weights or running can be terribly dangerous and stressful on one's joints. Swimming is the safest form of exercise, but I'd be terrified of drowning in the deep end of the pool." Fluttershy looked around and noticed that they had a large storage bin. She went over and peeked inside. "I think that I just might be able to get over my fears of drowning now."

The life guard sitting on a chair watching over the pool stared at Fluttershy with the most dumb founded look on his face. He had no idea of what to think of her and what she was wearing. He was an athletic looking earth pony with a blonde wavy mane and a blonde tail with golden streaks in them. His coat was a caramel colored brown and he had a lifeguard rescue can as a cutie mark. 

Fluttershy put the tip of her hoof in the water and let out an "Eeep!" she dipped her hoof several times in. "It's so cold and I need warm water to be able to feel just right. Fluttershy shook her head no quickly several times and said, "Come on, Fluttershy. Don't be such a baby. Be strong like Applejack. She wouldn't complain about the water being too cold." Fluttershy put her hooves on the first step of the pool. "Ok, now on the count of three, just go down to the next step. "Onee.....twooooo...t-t-three..." Fluttershy stepped down and her face scrunched up from the cold water against her chest. She went down another step and the water was now up to her neck. "Ok, you did it. Now just lift your hooves up and you'll be fine." Fluttershy lifted all four legs up and she floated in the water. She blinked and out of nowhere, Pinkie Pie had popped up from under the water and was in front of her face. "Eeeeeep!" Fluttershy cried out. "Pinkie Pie, what kind of strange sorcery is this? You just appear out of no where and you're not even a unicorn!"

Pinkie Pie took the swimming goggles off of her eyes and slid them up on her forehead. "Hi Fluttershy! I just dropped by to ask you a question." Pinkie Pie paused for a moment and then asked, "Water you up to?" 

"Fluttershy bit her lower lip and asked, "Pinkie Pie, did you seriously come swimming in this pool just to come up to me, surprise me, and then throw a pun on top of it all?"

"Maybe!" Pinkie Pie answered. "Hey! How can you even hear me with those ear plugs shoved into your ears?"

"Oh, I have very sensitive ears and I need to hear well so that I can hear the tiniest cries of my little animal critter friends. I even hear the tiniest of tiny cries when baby ants are being born," Fluttershy answered. "It's really amazing."

"Do you know why you should never tell mean jokes to ants and other insects, Fluttershy?" Pinkie asked.

"Um, I have no idea, Pinkie Pie."

"Because you might hurt their feelers!" Pinkie Pie said.

"Oh...." Fluttershy said. "That was quite clever."

Pinkie Pie observed Fluttershy from head to hoof. "You look ridiculous though and seem like quite the hydrophobic to me! Have fun!" Pinkie Pie perked up and added, "Oh! Oh! Oh! They have a super cool, awesome machine that uses the same muscles used when giving ponies hugs! I'm going to max out the weight on that machine so that I can crush Rainbow Dash's bones the next time I hug her!" 

"That sounds.....really sweet and violent at the same time. Just try not to burn down the gym in your manic states," Fluttershy said.

"I can't make any promises on that! Hey! You look really cold. Want to know the best way to warm a pony up in the pool?" Pinkie Pie asked as she raised her eye brows up and down.

Fluttershy was horrified. "No, Pinkie Pie! That's crazy! Don't pee in the pool, Ponies don't swim in your toilet!"

Pinkie Pie giggled madly and hugged her friend. "I was just referring to a nice warm hug."

"Oh...." Fluttershy put her head down and felt guilty for thinking that Pinkie Pie was crazier than she assumed. "Thanks for the warm hug."

"You're welcome!" Pinkie Pie got out of the pool and happily bounced her way across the gym. She was having a blast meeting new ponies and asking what day their birthday was on. 

Fluttershy had quite a few items that she was wearing. She sported a giant inflatable tube around her body, two flippers for her back hooves, inflatable swimmies for toddlers on her front legs, swimming goggles, a snorkel, a nose plug so that she wouldn't risk getting any water in her nostrils, ear plugs to keep her ears safe from getting water logged, and a kick board that she was holding between her two front hooves. She was quite the sight. She kicked her back legs and swam away until she became terrified because she drifted too far away from the pool's steps. "Help!" Fluttershy yelled. "I'm drowning!" She kicked frantically, but the current that was making her drift away was too strong. 

The lifeguard got out of his seat and plunged into the water. He swam quickly after her. He put his one front leg around her neck and paddled with his other front leg. He gently guided her back over to the steps. 

"Oh, thank you for saving my life. I would only expect Big Macintosh to do something so heroic like that."

"Whose Big Macintosh?" the lifeguard asked. 

"Fluttershy put her head down. There was some blush on her cheeks. "Oh, he's just a really handsome stallion that I like," she mumbled. She suddenly perked up and said, "They call him Big Macintosh because he's so big and strong but I call him Big Macintosh for whole different reason. He has a really, really big..." Fluttershy spread her front legs apart just to try to emphasize how big and finished the last word of her sentence. "Heart."

The lifeguard didn't hear her because her words trailed off as she mumbled. All he heard was the second sentence. "So you truly felt that your life was in danger?" 

Fluttershy nodded her head yes innocently with sad eyes. "I really thought that I was going to drown."

"Well, if you need me again, you'll know where I'll be." He turned to swim back to his chair, but he stopped when he felt a tug at his tail. He turned around to see the little yellow mare looking up at him with sad and worried eyes.

"Please don't go," she said. "I'd feel really unsafe without you being close to me."

"But I'm just a few feet away from you, out of the water. I'll jump back in again if you feel like you're in danger."

Fluttershy tugged at his front leg and said, "Pleeeeease stay in the water with me. I can't go past the three feet mark in the water. You should have seen how terrified I was at my Baptism. They had to pry me off of the Pastor's body after he dunked me. Have you ever been Baptized? It's a very scary experience to get dunked."

"I'm Jewish," the lifeguard answered.

Fluttershy perked up and said, "That's awesome! Jesus was Jewish too!"

"Oy vey," he said. The lifeguard sighed and stayed in the water with her. She would kick her back legs and apologize after each kick because she was afraid of splashing too much. Every time she would drift away from the steps, he would gently push her back over to them. This was not going to be a fun day for him. He had seen little colts and fillies who had traumatic experiences with swimming in the past act braver than this. At least this pony was kind and sweet even if he was annoyed by having to stay in the pool with her. This lasted for quite a while until Fluttershy heard two very distinct and familiar voices.

"Hey Louie, watch this! Geronimo!" Frankie, the water buffalo jumped into the pool cannon ball style and caused a massive splash. 

"Eeeep!" Fluttershy desperately tried to kick her back legs to get away from what seemed like a tidal wave coming toward her in the water. She tried to get back over to her safety zone on the pool steps, but the water came splashing down around her. "Help! Help! I'm drowning!"

"You're actually standing on the pool steps now," the lifeguard said. 

The wave must have pushed her back to the steps and she didn't even realize that she was standing on them. "Ooops," she said as she put her front hoof to her mouth in embarrassment. "I-I-I knew that."

The lifeguard was extremely annoyed and turned to Frankie and said, "You guys have been told hundreds of times NOT to jump into the water like that! It's like half of the water is now outside of the pool. Don't you guys see that big yellow sign there that says no diving or jumping into the pool?

"Yeah, but I didn't think that referred to us because you have a picture of a pony diving into the water with a red x over the picture. We're not ponies, we're water buffalos. You should at least update the sign so that it can be more accurate. That's misleading information right there!"

"Yeah," Louie said. "Can I jump in too since Frankie got to do it?" 

The life guard ran his front hoof thorugh his mane and said, "Absolutely not! It's bad enough that my mane is now wet from being splashed upon!"

"But you're a life guard, isn't it your job to get wet?" Louie asked.

"Yes, but only when there is immediate danger, and I also am so upset because I spend like a full hour in the bathroom gelling my mane so that it has just the right wavy appearance and now my work is ruined." He splashed the water in anger with his front hoof just to show how upset he was about his mane style being ruined.

"You sound just like my friend, Rarity," Fluttershy said. "Maybe you two would get along nicely."

The lifeguard had no idea who she was talking about, but he was already so upset that he didn't care.

"So does that mean I can't jump into the water too?" Louie asked.

"No! You can use the stairs like a normal individual," the lifeguard said.

"Aw shucks! You're no fun!" Louie said as he put his front hoof in the water. 

"And you guys seriously better not sneak any Mickedees food in here!" the lifeguard warned.

"You guys bring food in here too?" Fluttershy asked. "Isn't this pool for working out? That must be terribly upsetting to your tummies."

"Hey, we're hardy eaters and nothing gets in the way of our eating. Not even exersice. I guess you ponies aren't as hardy as us water buffalos and need to take time to digest your food because you're so delicate."

"Um, I guess. What are you guys doing in the pool anyway? I thought you guys loved the whirlpool," the timid mare asked.

"Oh, we love the whirlpool, but that's our special break time. Did you forget that we already told you that we come to work out in the aquatics program?" Frankie asked.

"The aquatics program is going on now?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah," Louie said as he pointed his hoof over to where a mare who was dressed in a bathing suit and was wearing a swim cap on her head. "She's the instructor and another class is about to begin."

"Oh, I see," Fluttershy said. 

Frankie got closer and picked a soggy french fry out of her mane and ate it. "Hey Louie. She's got food in her mane!"

Louie came over and looked at her tail. There was a piece of bread stuck in her tail that was from when they were eating in the whirlpool earlier. Louie put his mouth on her tail and began nibbling furiously. 

"Um, guys. this is really weird. I have never been nibbled on both ends like this before."

Frankie stopped nibbling and said, "Be quiet yellow horse! We are snacking! You taste delicious!"

"Oh, I'm sorry for interrupting. I'm not a horse, I'm just a little yellow pony."

The two giant water buffalos continued to nibble on her mane and tail. 

"I think we got all of the food out," Frankie said. He looked at Fluttershy and said, "Hey! We did you a favor while you did us a favor. You fed us some food while we groomed your mane and tail. It's a win-win situation."

"Oh, thanks. I guess," Fluttershy said.

The swimming instructor blew her whistle loudly and herds of water buffalos and a few other ponies came into the water. 

"Hey Frankie, it looks like it's time to go. Fluttershy was nice enough to bring us a snack in the water. She's like our new best friend. Let's take her with us and work out with her."

"Oh, I was just about to get out of the water and I..."

"Nonsense!" Frankie said. "You're our new best friend whether you like it or not." Frankie grabbed a hold of her tail and swam towards the swimming instructor with his buddy.

"Hey! I didn't give you permission to take me away like this!" she cried out.

"Be quiet yellow horse and enjoy our friendship. Friendship is magic, right?" Louie asked.

"Uh, um, I guess so," she replied. "I'm just afraid of drowning and..."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Louie said. You're like the unsinkable ship decked out with all those swimmy tubes and accessories. We'll save you if you start to drown."

Fluttershy looked up at the lifeguard with sad eyes as if to ask him to come to her rescue.

The lifeguard laughed and said, "Don't look at me! I'll be on the chair watching." He waved his front hoof good bye at her and then got out of the pool. He had a bag that had his special hair gel and a mirror in it. He needed to fix up his mane right now.

Frankie let go of Fluttershy's tail and she began frantically kicking all of her legs because she got scared when she looked down and saw how deep the water was. 

"Chill out, yellow horse, we got your back," Louie said. 

"Yeah," Frankie added. "We won't let you drown. Hey! Since you're a horse and everything, what would happen if we took you to swim in the sea? Would that make you a sea horse? Sea horses are kind of yellow too, right?"

Fluttershy stopped panicking and put her head down low. "I'm not a horse guys, I'm just a little yellow pony."
> Soarin's Ex Girlfriend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash was sitting on a machine and was staring at the floor as she waited for the burn in her muscle to die down so that she could do a few more repetitions. She went into a trance and began thinking about that one night when she and Soarin' were dressed up after he took her out to a very fancy restaurant in Canterlot. 

They were both standing outside on a balcony under the shining moon that Princess Luna had raised a few hours ago. Rainbow Dash was wearing this gorgeous silky dark purple dress and Soarin' was dressed up in a fancy outfit as well. They both had their manes and tails styled at a special salon in Canterlot. Soarin' didn't know much about Rarity at that time, and Rainbow Dash was still a bit nervous about getting spruced up by her best friend. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to handle the torture of enduring a makeover with Rarity, even if she was probably the best in the business. Perhaps she would consider going to her in the future, but right now, she was willing to do almost anything for Soarin', even if that meant looking pretty. They stared into each other's eyes. Soarin' had looked as if he was intoxicated with love for his filly friend. 

"Hey Rainbow," Soarin' said. 

"Yeah?" she asked.

"I can't believe how gorgeous you look tonight. You always look gorgeous to me, but tonight, you just look beyond that and more."

Rainbow lifted her hoof up and turned her head away. "Awww, come on! You're really making me blush here. You like quite sharp in your outfit as well."

"You know, Dash. I think you're going to make the worlds greatest Wonderbolt. I can help you get in. Would you like that? We could rule the skies together."

"Rainbow Dash grinned madly and nodded her head yes with enthusiasm. "That's one of my biggest dreams of all time! Of course I would like that! I only want to fly with you."

"We're going to make that happen. We have so many Pegasus ponies trying out to be Wonderbolts, but I just know that there's going to be an opening for you, and if there's not, then I'll make one. I feel like you deserve to be a Wonderbolt more than I do."

"Right on!" Rainbow Dash said. She put her head down after that and said, "But I just get this intuition that something is going to get in my way that will prevent me from reaching my dream. Something really big."

"You don't need to be worried about anything. That's probably just your fears getting in the way. I already told you that you're by far the bravest and boldest pony I have ever met. I don't think you have any real reason to be afraid of anything! You saved my life and the lives of others without any hesitation!"

Rainbow Dash dragged her front hoof nervously across the ground. "I know, but this is just something entirely different. I can't tell you exactly what this fear is because I'm not entirely sure about it myself, but I feel something really serious and tragic may happen."

Soarin' came closer and put his front hoof under her chin. "Don't you worry about anything. You're going to be the best and nothing will stop you." 

Rainbow Dash sighed and said, "I hope that you're right. Maybe I am just paranoid or something. I don't know right now."

Soarin' kissed her and said, "I'll be here for you. I love you Dash."

"I love you too, Soarin'."

Rainbow Dash snapped out of it and thought about the encouraging words of Soarin'. She also thought about that picture that she had. It was both Soarin' and Rainbow's favorite picture of themselves dressed up and standing on that balcony. She treasured that picture so very much and had multiple copies of it made. Rainbow Dash did a few more repetitions, but gave up quickly because she had already over worked her muscles on this machine. Rainbow Dash got up and trotted through the gym. She eyed a one wing strengthening machine, but there was already somepony sitting on it. There was also another pony standing in front of that pony watching her lift. Rainbow Dash instinctively looked for her bag of bits, but she didn't have one. She laughed to herself because she was thinking about the arcade and placing bits on the ledge of the screen to show that she wanted to play the game and wait in line for her turn. This wasn't the arcade. It was a gym, and the only way that she'd get to lift was by simply standing there and not putting a bit on the machine and then go use other machines until it was her turn. The idea was cute in her mind, but that's not how it worked here. Rainbow Dash walked up and stood on the side of the machine waiting. 

The pony standing in front of the machine had a very bright orange colored coat with a blue mane and tail. There were streaks of silver in her tail and mane and her eye color was blue. She had a tornado as her cutie mark. Her name was Risk Taker. 

The mare working out on the machine had an emerald green coat with crimson red eyes. Her mane and tail were a fire-like colored orange. She sported two black and white checkered flags with a silver trophy in-between them as her cutie mark. Her name was Emerald Envy, or as her friends liked to call her, Emmy, for short. Her conflicting, clashing colors matched her problematic behaviors.

"Hey! You're Rainbow Dash, aren't you?" The mare said who was standing in front of the machine.

"Hey, yeah! How did you know?" Rainbow asked. 

The mare sitting on the machine stopped her exercise and quickly got out of the chair in order to face Rainbow Dash. "You're dating Soarin' aren't you?"

"Yes, I am and I love him very much!" Rainbow said proudly. 

"I hear that he talks about you a lot and talks about his idiotic Christian values. It's too bad I already took his virginity, how do you feel about that?"

Rainbow's heart became angry, but she kept her cool. This must have been his ex that she was now face to face with. "He made a mistake and it was his own decision. I have accepted him back and I'm not going to get upset about it."

"It sucks that he didn't save it for you. I bet you're pretty mad about it," Emerald Envy said.

"No, I'm not. I love him for who he is, regardless of his past mistakes," Rainbow said. 

"Well, I've heard rumors that you are going to be training to enter the Wonderbolts. I'm not going to let it happen, and I'll be sure to see that I get in before you do, as well as my partner here. We have been working with Spitfire." 

Rainbow Dash shrugged and said, "Ok, if you want to get in then you'll just have to out perform everypony else."

"Oh, don't worry about that, Miss Dash. We're both going to make sure that we certainly will."

"Are you finished with this machine?" Rainbow asked. 

"Yeah, go for it. We'll see just how well your God carries you through all of this."

Rainbow Dash watched the two mares walk off and couldn't believe how hateful they both were. She was very hurt and upset deep down inside even though she acted like she didn't care. Really, she wasn't a pony known for keeping her cool and she wanted to get physical with them in a harmful manner after how they had just treated her, but God was literally holding her back from that urge. Rainbow Dash wasn't exactly a pony known for her patience anyway. She bent down and adjusted the height of the chair and then sat on it. She took out the pin to place in the weights and sat there for a moment trying to figure out what amount of weight she'd like to lift. 

Emerald Envy stood behind Rainbow Dash and waved her front hoof for her friend to come over with the free weight. 

Risk Taker flew over to where Rainbow Dash was seated and was holding a large free weight between her two front legs. 

Emerald Envy snickered and then signaled for her friend to drop the rounded free weight. 

Rainbow Dash fumbled with the pin and it bounced up and down by its cord. "Darn things can be so slippery she said. 

Risk Taker smiled and then let go of the weight directly over Rainbow Dash's head.

The moment she dropped the weight, Rainbow Dash bent over to the side to grab the pin again, and the weight just skimmed her cutie mark on her flank. A loud banging sound echoed throughout the gym as the heavy weight crashed against a part of the machine that was responsible for the rotation of the exercise. The loud banging sound heard in the gym startled everyone. "Gah" Rainbow Dash cried out. She quickly turned to see the large rounded free weight roll off of the machine and then roll around the gym floor several times before falling over. She looked up at Risk Taker and cried out, "Are you seriously trying to kill me here?"

"It was an accident," Emerald Envy lied. "She was just bringing that weight over here for me to use and then dropped it by mistake."

"Rainbow Dash looked at the weight on the floor and then looked back at Emerald Envy. "There's a sign that says Pegasus ponies are not allowed to fly with weights in the gym. You could have literally killed me!" 

"Like I said," Emerald Green said, "It was an accident, and your God should protect you all of the time if He's so true and real, right? I thought that He was supposed to protect you from the Devil."

"Satan is powerless and can not harm anyone unless God permits it. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe."

"We'll see about that," Emerald Envy said. 

"Is that a threat?" Rainbow Dash asked. 

"Maybe. Just watch your back. Come on Risk Taker, let's move on." Emerald Envy and her friend turned their backs on Rainbow Dash.

"You forgot your free weight, "Rainbow Dash called out. 

They heard her, but they didn't respond. They didn't care. 

Applejack walked by and asked, "What in tar-nations was that loud crashin' sound about? I broke plenty of machines here already, but I didn't know that ya were as strong as me, Rainbow Dash."

"I didn't break anything, Applejack. I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this Pegasus supposedly dropped this weight by accident over me and it crashed against the machine."

"I didn't know Derpy Hooves joined the gym. Bless her heart. She didn't mean to do that. She's dropped quite a few anvils herself," Applejack said.

"It wasn't Derpy Hooves. It was another pony and she and her friend seemed to be extremely jealous of me," Rainbow Dash said. Rainbow Dash looked down at the weight. She could normally pick it up with ease, but she had already worked her front leg muscles to the point where they felt like rubber. She looked back up at Applejack and asked, "Hey, A.J., do you think that you could lend a helping hoof and put that free weight back where it belongs before someone trips over it and falls?"

Applejack saluted and said, "Sure thing, sugar cube." She bent over and grabbed the weight. She stood back up and said, "Light as a feather." She then twirled it around a few times on her one hoof as if it were a basketball.

Rainbow Dash turned her head away and waved her front hoof back and forth across her nostrils. "Hey, A.J., I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you really, REALLY stink!"

Applejack lifted her front leg and sniffed under her pit. "I reckon that I don't smell that bad, R.D."

"It's not your pits, it's literally your entire coat. I have smelled lots of locker room unpleasantries in my days, but Applejack, you really take the cake when it comes to body odor right now. Your coat reeks of what I imagine to be the mixture of other ponies sweat and body odor. I think I even prefer it when your coat reeks of manure from working on the farm. The smell is just that bad right now."

"I reckon I have smelled worse, but Rarity was whinin' about that too. I guess if somepony like you is complainin', then I really should be concerned. Thanks for the nose up, I mean heads up." Applejack carried the weight away and left Rainbow Dash. 

Rainbow Dash watched her friend put the weight back where it belonged and then tried to use her wings to lift against the cushioned pads, but the rotating part of the machine was jammed and could not be used. Rainbow Dash sighed. This was a very important machine for her to use and now she couldn't use it. She got out of the machine and went over to the front desk to inform the staff about the incident and that the machine was now broken. The employee said that he'd take care of it later and put up a sign. Right now, he was too busy with other ponies that wanted to join the gym. Rainbow Dash looked around and spotted a drink machine. She was thirsty, but she didn't have any bits and she really didn't fee like drinking out of the water fountain. She wanted something sweet like grape juice. Rainbow Dash looked for her lavender friend and spotted her on a recumbent bike nearby doing her crossword puzzles. Rainbow Dash trotted up to her. "Hey Twi, can you use your magic to summon me some spare change for a drink? It only costs two bits for a drink and I'll pay you back."

Twilight put her crossword puzzle book down and smiled. "Sure, Rainbow Dash. Don't worry about paying me back, I want to be more like Rarity and be generous."

"Thank you." Rainbow Dash put her front hoof out waiting for Twilight to put the change in.

Twilight looked away from Rainbow Dash and used her magic. She focused very hard because she was still focused on pedaling and didn't want to stop her workout. The spell had been casted and Twilight Sparkle picked up her crossword puzzle book and said, "You're welcome, Rainbow Dash. Enjoy your drink."

"Uh, Twilight. I don't think I can fit this into the coin slot of the machine. I didn't know that Princess Celestia decided to change the currency either." 

Twilight Sparkle heard an innocent and playful squee that sounded painfully familiar. "Huh?" Twilight Sparkle looked over and saw that Rainbow Dash was now holding a rubber chicken. "Ok, this is getting ridiculous. That's the third time I saw a rubber chicken in the gym today and I don't even know how such an expert in magic can be making such careless mistakes. Pinkie Pie isn't even around me right now." Twilight Sparkle paused for a moment in thought. "Unless..." She picked up her crossword puzzle book and looked at the very last answer that she filled in a few seconds ago. The answer was, rubber chicken. Twilight Sparkle began giggling. "I'm sorry Rainbow Dash, let me take care of that for you." Twilight Sparkle used her magic to make the rubber chicken disappear and she summoned two bits from her home for her friend. "There you go, Rainbow. Sorry about that. Even the smartest of smarty smart pants can be humbled with such careless and embarrassing mistakes."

"I think you might have too much rubber chicken on the brain, Twi. I don't know if I should be praying about this or not. Thanks for the change." Rainbow Dash then trotted off to the machine to quench her thrist.

"You're welcome, Rainbow Dash!" Twilight Sparkle called out. She shook her head from side to side and giggled once more. "God has a really great sense of humor." She sighed and then began to work on her crossword puzzle book again. 

"Awww yeah! They have grape juice!" Rainbow Dash plunked in her change and she almost expected some kind of noise or video game announcer to chime in. "This isn't an arcade, Rainbow. Get a hold of yourself!" Rainbow Dash pressed a few buttons with her front hoof and purchased her grape juice. Rainbow Dash's eyes grew wide in anticipation as the drink was pushed closer to the edge. It didn't fall down, it got stuck. Rainbow Dash grinded her teeth together in frustration. She hated when the arcade machines didn't register the bits being put in once in a while, and this experience was similar and brought back that frustrating feeling. She tried to shake the machine, but it was to no avail. She bucked it a few times, but that did nothing. Suddenly, she caught Applejack walking by her in her peripheral vision. "Applejack!" she cried out. 

Applejack's ears perked up and she came over to her friend. "What's up, sugar cube?"

"This stupid machine took my bits and it didn't give me my drink," Rainbow answered. 

"I reckon that one good buck will do the trick." Applejack got closer to the machine and turned her back to it. She stood on her front legs as if she were about to do a hand stand and pulled her back legs close to her body.

"Wait!" the gym employee called out as he hurried over with a key.

Applejack put her back legs back down on the ground. 

"Seriously! Your orange friend here has broken countless machines, torn holes through punching bags, and was about to obliterate this machine with her brute strength. I don't even know how much more hardy we can make our gym equipment for her. If your purchase gets stuck in the machine next time, just ask! I have the key here."

"Wow! Why didn't I think to ask you first? I'm really sorry about that, Mister. I guess it's just an old arcade habit," Rainbow said.

The employee opened up the machine quickly and gave Rainbow Dash her drink. He closed it up and locked it tight. He gave Applejack one last quick stare down as if he was trying to figure out just where she was able to get all of this super mare like strength from. His nostrils rotated a few times and he said, "I don't mean to be offensive, but we do have gym showers for ponies to use after their workouts. I'm not trying to be rude, but I can smell your body odor from quite a distance." The employee then turned and left.

"Golly, I thought I told everypony that I don't mind sitting in other ponies sweat, if it comes to usin' those terrible chemical spray bottles."

Rainbow Dash held onto her drink and said, "Applejack, I saw you bucking holes through punching bags, but I didn't know that you broke so many machines here as well. With strength like that, I can only imagine that the Wonderbolts might expand their team to earth ponies like yourself one day."

Applejack looked into the glass window of the machine and was deep in thought. "Well, it says that this one drink here called Red Bull gives you wings. I wonder if that's false advertisin' right there."

Rainbow Dash snickered. "I don't think it gives you literal wings, A.J. I think that advertising is a lot of bull if you know what I mean." 

"Shucks. I don't need no wings to do what I need to do anyway. I guess I'll go work out on a few more machines and then hit the shower." Applejack walked away, but she didn't know what else she could work out on since she had broken so many machines already.

Rainbow Dash watched her orange friend as she popped open her drink and took a sip. The sweet taste from the cold drink was heavenly on her taste buds. She drank about half of the can after that first sip. There was a table and some comfy chairs next to the machine. This was the gym lounge near the entrance of the building. "I might as well relax a bit. I think I have done enough working out for today." Rainbow Dash walked over and took a seat that was facing the windows. She took another sip of her drink and put it down on the table. Fatigue took over Rainbow Dash's mind and body and she drifted off to sleep.

Emerald Envy and Risk Taker were watching her like a hawk. They noticed that she had fallen asleep. 

"Pssst! Let's poison her while we still have the chance. We'll take some of that cleaning spray solution and let's pour it in her drink while she's still asleep." Emerald Envy took a cleaning spray bottle nearby and unscrewed the top. "Here, you do it." 

Risk Taker took it and quietly snuck over to the sleeping cyan pony. She stealthily picked up the can and filled it up as high as she could with the cleaning liquid. She put it down carefully back on the table, but the aluminum can made a clinking sound against the table. 

Rainbow Dash woke up from hearing that sound.

Risk Taker ran away as fast as she could and hid behind a nearby machine with her friend. 

Rainbow Dash looked around and saw no one by her. She shrugged and picked up her drink that now felt full in her front hoof and could of sworn that she drank most of it before. Even though she was just so very thirsty before, she all of the sudden didn't feel like drinking. "Meh. I don't know why I'm not that thirsty right now and I could have sworn that I already drank most of this. I guess I'll just pass." Rainbow Dash tossed the juice can into the recycle bin and walked away. Little did she know that God was protecting her by taking away her thirst. 

Emerald Envy and her friend watched with disappointment. 

"We'll get her soon enough. Don't you worry. We'll prove to her that her God is not real," Emerald Envy said.
> Traumatizing Applejack With Locker Room Shenanigans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash walked up to Applejack who was bent low next to an open red box of tools and was holding a wrench in her front hoof. "What are you doing, A.J.?" 

Applejack tossed the wrench back into the tool box and closed the box up. "There! That just about does it!" Applejack got back into the machine and did a few repetitions. "Works like a charm!" Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash and continued, "I felt bad that I have been breakin' so many machines and I noticed a box of tools near the front desk. I asked that stallion workin' at the front desk if he would allow me to try to fix some of these machines up and he said that would be very much appreciated. I realized that it must be very rude fer somepony to come here and break everythin' they have. That would be like somepony comin' to my farm and destoryin' the barn! Ya'll know that I like to fix things up anyway. I hate havin' broken equipment on the farm."

"But Applejack, it's not your fault that these machines broke. It's their fault that they aren't as well built, but then again, I don't think there is any pony out there that is nearly as strong as you. Your flanks are like solid rocks."

"What in tar-nations is it with you and my butt? Do you have like some kind of bizarre fetish? Yer startin' to scare me."

"It's just an observation. There's no need to think that I'm being a funny filly with you. Well, it was very generous of you to do such a thing for the gym since it wasn't your fault that they broke. They just don't know your strength."

Applejack wiped the sweat off of her brow and put the tool box on top of the machine. "Well, I guess that my work is done here. I reckon that I should hit the shower now. When I'm done we can all go back to Twilight's library. I'm hungry! I hope that Twilight Sparkle orders us some more pizza with organic gala apples again! I could eat about ten pies right now! Ok, sugar cube, ya should wait over in the lounge fer me and I'll be right out. I told Twilight to keep an eye on Rarity 'cause I'm about to take a shower. Maybe ya could watch out fer her too. Rarity said she felt safe fer me to leave her side fer a moment anyway." Applejack turned and walked into the locker room.

Rainbow Dash turned her head and sniffed her own coat. "Maybe I should hit the shower too." 

"Applejack whistled a blue grass tune as she turned the shower faucet on and grabbed some soap and shampoo. She took out her red mane and tail bands and let her thick, beautiful mane fall down upon her shoulders. The soap she was holding became slippery and she fumbled around with it until she dropped it and it slid against the tiled floor and hit the wall. "Son of an onion! Unicorns have it so easy in life when it comes to takin' a shower." Applejack bent low and fumbled with the soap some more on the ground. "C'mere you! Slippery lil' fella, aren't ya?" Applejack backed her flank up into something. 

"You need a helping hoof in picking that up?" a very familiar voice asked.

"Gah!" Applejack cried out and turned around to see Rainbow Dash standing right behind her. "What are ya doin' here!? I thought I told ya to go wait in the lounge area!"

"I just figured that I might as well take a shower here to save time. I have a hard time with holding the soap myself. It looks like they don't have those strap ons back here in the locker room shower."

"Strap ons?" Applejack asked in a very concerned voice. "I think I'm concerned and terrified at the same time."

"Yeah, they have those things old mares and stallions use when they take showers. It's just something that holds the soap and you strap it around your front leg so you don't drop the soap. It's quite..." Rainbow Dash paused for a moment and thought of a good descriptive word to use. "Handy, if that makes any sense."

Applejack wiped the sweat off of her forehead. "Phew! I thought that ya were referin' to somethin' far more inappropriate. Now that I think about it, I reckon that Granny Smith uses that little soap strap on thing too, but don't ya worry. I'll make sure not to drop the soap again, especially with you lurkin' round and creepin' up behind me like that." Applejack eyed her friend suspiciously hoping to see any hidden motives or agendas. 

Rainbow Dash shrugged and walked over to the nearest shower head next to Applejack and turned the faucet on.

"Hey! What are ya doin' showerin' next to me like that?" Applejack pointed her hoof and continued, "There's like thirty different showers and ya had to pick the one that happened to be right next to me?"

"I don't see a problem with that. We are in the locker room after all," Rainbow Dash said as she picked up some shampoo and soap. 

"I just thought there was somthin' 'bout respectin' other's personal space. Now I know why Big Macintosh tells me stories about how he hates when he's in the bathroom at the urinals tryin' to pee and then some stallion picks the urinal right next to him when there's like ten other urinals in the bathroom. He can't go because it's too awkward."

"Wow, that's some really personal information your big brother shares with you, A.J. The shower isn't a urinal and I really hope that you don't go peeing in other pony's showers anyway."

"That's not what I meant, and what do you mean by peein' in other ponies showers anyway?! Ya made it sound like ya pee in yer own shower."

"Sure, why not. It's my own shower anyway. As long as you aim and don't miss the drainage hole, who cares."

Applejack put her front hoof to her face. "Good gravy! Why did I even bother askin? I hope that Soarin' doesn't find out about that!"

"Oh, he pees in the shower too, he told me. There are two types of ponies, A.J. Those that pee in the shower and liars."

Applejack shifted in a rather defensive position. She was not used to all of these locker room shenanigans. "Dear Lord, what is this world comin' to? Well, I guess that makes me a liar then. Just do me a favor and keep yer distance from me, thanks. I don't want no golden shower to be splashed upon my hooves."

"Did you just admit that you're a liar?" Rainbow asked in between snickering.

"Yes! I mean no! I am not a liar! I hate lyin'!"

"So then you pee in the shower too?"

Applejack glared at Rainbow Dash with anger. "Curse you and yer deceptive lil' word games. I don't lie and I don't piddle in the shower! End of discussion!"

The two ponies showered quickly. Although, Rainbow Dash took a little bit longer to shower because she had trouble reaching those hard to get to areas under her wings. She thought about asking Applejack for some help, but she figured that she had traumatized her friend enough with her talk.

Applejack looked around and asked, "Say, Rainbow. Where the hay do they keep the towels?"

Rainbow just finished rinsing off the under sides of her wings and said, "You pick them up near the entrance of the locker room. I figured that you didn't take one so I got two. Here, catch." Rainbow Dash tossed her friend a towel. 

Applejack caught it and put it on her head. She did her best to wrap it up on top of her mane, but it fell down and covered her whole head. "I don't understand how Rarity wraps towels around her head. It's almost like she makes them into these fancy head dresses or somthin'."

"I just take the towel and rub my mane and tail until it dries." Rainbow paused and then added. "I rub my mane first before I dry the flank area of my body of course." 

Applejack picked up the towel with her front hoof so she could see. "Of course, Rainbow. Who wouldn't do it in that order?"

Rainbow Dash finished drying off her body and then looked over to Applejack who looked as if she was dressed as some kind of poorly made ghost costume for Halloween. A sinister smile spread across her face as she wrapped the towel up several times and looked at Applejack who was not facing her and was oblivious to what she had in mind. Rainbow Dash lashed out with the towel like a whip and it connected to Applejack's cutie mark. 

Applejack jumped into the air while holding her flanks with her two front hooves. "YIPES!" she yelled out. The towel fell off of her head and she turned around to look at her flank that had a red mark right on top of her cutie mark. She looked at her friend who was holding a towel and was snickering. "Why you no good funny filly playin' with my butt again! That's it! I've had enough! I'm goin' to tell Twilight all about this and she's gonna ex-communicate you from our Sister's in Christ group fer bein' a funny filly with me. I'm gonna go and tell her right now!" Applejack turned and ran, but she slipped and fell because she was still dripping wet from not drying off. She picked herself back up and ran out of the locker room. "Twilight! Twilight! Help!" she called out.

Rainbow Dash giggled to herself and headed to the locker room exit. "She has much to learn about the locker room jock stuff, doesn't she?" Rainbow Dash bent low and picked up the fallen towel and placed the towels into the used bin. She soon realized that she really did have to pee at this moment and decided to relieve herself in the bathroom stall. After that, Rainbow Dash walked out of the locker room and found all her friends sitting at the lounge drinking some refreshments. She came over and sat down next to them. Many ponies in the gym were staring at Rainbow Dash, wondering if she was the one responsible for causing that orange mare to run out of the locker room screaming for help.

Twilight Sparkle had a rather awkward look on her face. "Um, Rainbow Dash. Applejack seems to have great concern over your desires for her butt. Do we really need to have some kind of prayer support group regarding this?" 

Rainbow giggled and replied, "I think Applejack just has to get used to my locker room jock shenanigans. Although she does have an impressive set of muscular flanks."

Applejack pointed her hoof at Rainbow Dash in an accusing manner. "See! I told ya she's bein' a funny filly with me!"

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. "Oh, I'll be a funny filly with you, Applejack. I can be a funny filly with both of you at the same time!" 

"See! Yer even corruptin' poor Pinkie Pie too!" Applejack said. 

Twilight looked at Pinkie Pie and said, "I don't think Applejack means funny filly like what you're thinking about, Pinkie Pie." 

Applejack covered her face with her hat. "Make it stop, Twilight. Please make it stop!"

Twilight let out some nervous laughter and said, "I don't think Rainbow Dash is being a funny filly with you. You do have an impressive set of very muscular flanks after all. We could probably use you to crush coconuts in between your back legs."

Applejack took the hat off of her face and now pointed at Twilight. "Betrayed by our own group leader. Ya'll think that I got some kind of fancy flanks! I think I'll be prayin' for ya'll tonight. Ya'll ain't right in the head!"

"I'm sorry, Applejack. Let's just move on." Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash and said, "You have obviously traumatized Applejack with your locker room jock humor. I think that it's best if you stay away from her flanks from now on. Do I need to keep a proximity limit on how close you can be next to her butt, Rainbow?"

"Nah. I'll be fine. Sorry about all this, Applejack. I just figured that you'd learn what mares do in the locker room," Rainbow said. "What goes on in the locker room is supposed to stay in the locker room, Applejack. Kind of like Twilight's basement!"

"I might need some psychotherapy after what happened today," Applejack admitted. "Just no more locker room jokes or playin' with my butt, ya hear?"

"Ok, ok, ok, I hear you," Rainbow said.

Applejack put her hat back on her head and adjusted it. "Alright, girls. I forgive yer funniness with me. Let's go to Twilight's house and eat. Who wants whole wheat pizza with organic Gala apples?"

"I do!" Everypony said in unison. 

Applejack smiled and got up. She could literally eat food by the truck loads right now. Her friends followed behind her. 

"Wait!" a familiar sounding voice to Fluttershy cried out! 

The ponies turned to see two water buffalos charging up to the group. They got closer and picked up Fluttershy and squeezed her with a hug. 

"You're not going already yellow horse, are you?" Frankie asked. "You're like the best yellow horse that ever existed among yellow horses!"

"Yeah!" Louie added. "Your friendship is magical and you're our new best friend. You had better come back and spend time with us again."

"Um, sure guys. Thanks. That's really nice of you to say that, but I think I told you that I'm not a horse. I'm a pony, and I'm just a little one."

"Be quiet yellow horse and enjoy our hug!" Frankie yelled out.

"Just not too tight, guys. I'm a fragile and sensitive pony and I..." The two water buffalos squeezed harder and Fluttershy's eyes bulged out of her head from being sandwiched between the two giant water buffalos. They then let her go.

"I guess this must be your group of horsey friends. Well, have fun horsing around with them and don't forget to come visit us again," Louie said. 

Frankie looked at her friends and added. "How do you girls keep up with her incessant talking? She's so talkative!" 

"Huh? Fluttershy? Talkative? I hope you don't ever strike up a conversation with Pinkie Pie then," Twilight replied.

Pinkie Pie took in a deep breath and then opened her mouth. She prepared to say a million words per minute, but Applejack was watching her and stuffed her water bottle in her mouth, silencing the manic mare. 

"We'll see you around again. Good bye yellow horse! We love you, and go Jesus! Jesus rocks!" Frankie said as both water buffalos waved good bye.

"Bye guys, but I told you that I'm just a...Oh, never mind. Good bye." Fluttershy turned and left with her friends. 

Rarity used her magic to hold the door open for her friends. She closed the door when her last friend walked out and joined them in their travel to Twilight's library.

"So, it sounds like you're quite popular at the gym, Fluttershy. It's nice to see that your shyness doesn't prevent you from telling large and intimidating creatures of that size about Jesus."

"Oh, It was nothing really. Jesus has got my back and He can help me to represent Him in even the shyest of shy ponies."

"And I reckon ya were the one to change my hateful and racist attitude, Fluttershy," Applejack said.

"Oh, it wasn't me. It was all on Jesus. Fluttershy paused and looked up to the sky. She lifted up her front hoof off the ground and said, "Go Jesus! You rock! Whoo-hoo!"

"That's a really adorable cheer," Twilight said. "We should probably start singing praise songs together. That would be a great idea. I have hymnal book at home."

"As long as it's opera," Rarity said.

"Or more like good ole fashioned bluegrass," Applejack said.

"I think Jesus would like soft sounding classical music," Fluttershy said.

"I want to sing an awesome rock and roll song for Jesus," Rainbow Dash said as she flew in the air and pretended to play the air guitar.

"I want to rap for Jesus!" Pinkie Pie said.

All of the girls looked at Pinkie Pie with confusion. 

"What?" Pinkie Pie asked. "DC Talk is awesome! You should see how they do their back flips on stage. What kind of music do you think Jesus listens to, Twi?"

"Well, I'm sure that He appreciates all types of music, but perhaps we can discuss this later since we all want to sing different styles of music."

"Well, as long as it's not that terrible wub-step or metal, then I think I'll be ok," Fluttershy said.

"I do think I have reminded you a few times that it's called Dub-step, not wub-step," Rarity said.

"Don't let Vinyl Scratch hear that," Twilight said. "She wanted to make wubs for Jesus when I was talking to her. All music is a gift from God and it is wonderful to glorify Him through any kind of style of music. As long as we have talent, we should use them for His glory whether musical or not."

All of the girls nodded their heads in agreement. They continued to converse until they got to the library. 
> Prayer and Pizza
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight Sparkle and her friends stepped inside and was surprised to see that no pony was currently here reading books. 

Spike was standing on a ladder and was busy putting books back up on the shelf. He noticed the girls and said, "Hey, Twi. Did you come back with flanks of steel like Applejack?"

Twilight face hoofed and said, "No, and now might not be a good time to talk about Applejack's flanks, Spike." 

Spike put the last book back in it's proper place and hopped off of the ladder. "So, I bet that you girls are hungry and Applejack wants to eat like ten boxes of pizza again, right?"

"He can read minds, Twi?" Applejack asked.

"Um, I think it's pretty obvious that everypony in town knows that you eat like a starving horse, Applejack. It's not really a secret," Twilight answered. Twilight looked at Spike and said, "Hey Spike can you take an order?"

Spike brought out a quill and a scroll, "So what will it be tonight? Oriental, Pizza, or something new?"

"We're going to have pizza again. I think that we're going to need to order a lot more food today. I haven't worked my body this hard since I can't even remember! Does everypony want at least one box of pizza? I'm going to order an entire box for myself."

"I'll just have half a pie, if anypony wants to share with me," Fluttershy said. 

"I'll share with you, Fluttershy. I am a lady and must watch the calorie intake also," Rarity said. 

"Ok, so that's five boxes of pizza so far," Twilight said and then turned to Applejack. "Oh, boy. How many boxes of pizza do you want, Applejack?"

"Ten! At least ten!" Applejack said. "And I want organic Gala apples on the pie too!"

"Ok, I really don't understand where you put it all. I almost feel like this is borderline gluttony, like the time when Pinkie Pie went on a sugary eating spree, but we need a total of fifteen boxes of pizza and ten of them with organic Gala apples. Is that all girls?"

"I want eggplant and basil on mine!" Rainbow Dash said. "Oh, and I think I want two boxes of pizza instead of one."

"Do you want any pizza, Spike?" Twilight asked. 

"And two pies for Rainbow dash with eggplant and basil," Spike said. "Ok! I got it all, and no, I already ate dinner. I'm good, thanks. I'll send it to your favorite pizza shop." Spike used his magic dragon breath and sent the order to the pizza shop for delivery.

Twilight Sparkle pulled out six Bibles and placed one on each cushion on the floor. She turned to Spike and asked, "Spike? Would you like me to bring out another Bible so that you can join us and read?" 

"Nah," Spike said. "I still have to clean up a bit around here. I can hear you anyway and  I'll be listening to your discussions." 

Everypony sat down on a cushion and then jolted up when they heard a very loud growling sound coming from a certain pony's belly. 

"Applejack? It sounded like a bomb just went off inside your belly? My goodness. No wonder you ordered so much pizza," Twilight said.

Applejack put her two front hooves on her belly and said, "I reckon that Granny Smith told me that I had the appetite of a full grown stallion when I was just a newborn foal and ate a bunch of apple fritters."

"That doesn't surprise me one bit, Applejack," Twilight said as she opened up her Bible. 

Rainbow Dash was thinking about that incident with those two bullies earlier today and said, "Hey, Twi. I think that I should tell you this. There were two really cruel mares at the gym and I'm really not one to complain or be scared, but they really seemed like they were trying to physically harm me and they did nothing but insult me."

"One had an emerald green colored coat and the other one had an orange colored coat, right?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah, how did you know?" Rainbow asked.

"I thought I saw them giving you a hard time while you were on one of the machines earlier. You should have really reported them at the front desk if they were being mean, especially if you feel that they were trying to physically harm you in any way," Twilight said. "What did they say to you or do that made you feel like they wanted to hurt you?"

"Well, I found out that the emerald colored one was Soarin's ex and she was rubbing it in my face that she was the first one to take his virginity and she said that my Christian values are stupid. They are both training to become Wonderbolts like me and they tried to insult God and tell me that He wasn't real. That orange one tried to drop a heavy free weight on my head, but it somehow just missed me when I bent over to pick up the weight pin that I had accidently dropped. They told me to watch my back too. I'm a little scared girls, but I think that I did a good job about keeping my cool though. I really think that God held my rage back because I just wanted to tear them apart. Especially that emerald colored one."

Twilight Sparkle put her front hoof to her mouth in shock. "Oh my goodness, Rainbow Dash. You should have contacted the police or at least the employee at the front desk. They could have killed you!"

"I know. They are an incredibly jealous couple it seems. They don't want me to succeed in becoming a Wonderbolt," Rainbow said.

Twilight Sparkle flipped through some pages in her Bible and found the verse that she was looking for. "But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice."

"What's the best thing we can do for them?" Rainbow Dash asked. 

"Pray for them and show them love, but I'd stay far away from them and out of harm's way if they are acting like that. The world will know that we are Christians by our love and the Bible says to show compassion and love for our enemies. By showing them love, you will heap burning coals on their heads, and the Lord will reward you."

"What exactly is love, Twi, and what does it look like?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Twilight Sparkle flipped the pages of her Bible open to the book of Corinthians. "The Bible says that love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

"Why are ponies so against God and His children?" Rainbow asked. 

"The Bible says that in the end times, mockers will come to mock and that in the end times, there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions," Twilight answered. 

"It's really kind of hard to love your haters," Rainbow said. 

"We need to pray for our haters, Rainbow. Let's pray right now," Twilight suggested. 

Each pony bowed their heads and closed their eyes. 

"Dear Father God," Twilight said. "We come before You with great concern about two ponies who are in deep need of Your love. We pray for hearts to be changed no matter how hateful and unrepentant they may be. We pray that You may use Rainbow Dash to somehow show them Your unfailing love. I thank You for holding back Rainbow Dash's anger. I would be angry in her situation as well, but we need to promote love and peace to even the most hostile ponies. We pray that You may take Rainbow's fears out of her mind so that she may go about her mission that You have already written out in Your will for her. We also pray that we may enjoy each other's company and have a great feast tonight. Thank You for blessing us and providing for our every need. In Jesus's name we pray, amen." 

"Amen," everypony else said. 

Just as they said amen, the door bell rang and Spike rushed over to get it. The pizza pony stood there with what seemed like a tower of pizza boxes. He was a dark blue Pegasus pony with a yellow colored mane and tail. He also had a pizza delivery case as his cutie mark.

"Is this the right address?" the pizza pony asked. "I have an order for fifteen boxes of organic whole wheat pizza and ten of them topped with organic gala apples?" 

"That's us," Spike said. 

"That will be two hundred bits," the pizza pony said as he placed the boxes of pizza next to Spike inside the library.

Twilight Sparkle got out of her seat and walked over to the door. She summoned a pay check and a quill with her magic and then looked back at Applejack, "My goodness, A.J. I'll definitely need you girls to pay me back on this. Applejack, how is it that Sweet Apple Acres can afford to stay in business the way you eat? It's almost like you have a tape worm stuck in your tummy." Twilight Sparkle leaned the check against her Bible and wrote out the payment with a tip for the pizza pony. 

Fluttershy perked up and said, "Tommy the tape worm!"

Everypony stared at Fluttershy with great concern.

"Please don't tell me that ya have a pet tape worm, Fluttershy," Applejack said. "I reckon that would be mighty weird. Wasn't it bad enough that ya had a pack rat ruin your life and we had to rebuild yer cottage after ya burned yer cottage down? Parasites and parasprites do yer animal critter friends no good just like any other parasite, or parasprite."

"I, um, sometimes, they are fascinating to study......from a distance," the yellow mare said. 

"Stay away from him, Fluttershy! The last thing we need is endin' up havin' to make you drink some kind of poison to get rid of the lil' rascal if he ever gets inside yer body."

Fluttershy bowed her head low and said, "Well, he does ask to enter my body often so that he can be happy and sometimes I stand in the lake so that my little leech buddies can swim up to me and attach onto my belly. They need to be fed too. Kindness is what counts, right? They all have feelings and..."

Applejack stomped her front hoof on the floor and cut her off. "Don't do it, Fluttershy! Dern things are no good no matter how hard parasites try to worm their way into yer hearts and stomachs! I keep my lil' dog, Winona away from the woods or tall grassy areas. The Holy Spirit should be the only thing that ya should care 'bout enterin' yer body."

"And your husband too, if you do end up getting married," Rainbow Dash added.

Applejack was so startled by Rainbow's words that she jolted upwards. "Gah! Rainbow Dash that was totally uncalled fer, and Fluttershy is sort of datin' my big brother! Don't ya start bein' funny with me in other ways now!"

Rainbow Dash shrugged and said, "I thought that we were all big girls here and could discuss mature topics." 

"Um, what are you all talking about in there, if you don't mind me asking?" The pizza pony asked.

"Huh!?" Twilight Sparkle turned back to him. "Oh my goodness! I am so sorry! I was listening to what they were saying and forgot about you." Twilight Sparkle shook her head quickly as if all of the discussion that she had just heard would magically fall out of her ears. "Never mind what they are discussing. Here is your check!" Twilight Sparkle levitated the check into his pizza delivery bag and waved good bye with an awkward smile. "Take care! I'll see you again soon, I'm sure!" She quickly closed the door and then leaned back against it and was breathing heavily. 

"That was kind of awkward," Spike said.

"It sure was!" Twilight said as she backed away from the door. Twilight Sparkle used her magic and placed the boxes down in front of the ponies. "One box for Fluttershy and Rarity. One box for me. One box for Pinkie Pie. Two boxes for Rainbow Dash and....Lord have mercy!" Twilight Sparkle crossed her chest with her front hoof. "Ten boxes of pizza for Applejack!" Twilight looked down at Spike and asked, "Spike, would you mind getting us some drinks?"

"Right away!" Spike said.

"Yee-haw! Let's dig in!" Applejack cried out.

"Wait!" Twilight Sparkle said. She used her magic and levitated several towels over for her friend. She placed them under the boxes of pizza and around Applejack. She then tried to use her magic to lift up Applejack in the air. "Mmmmph! Hnnnnnng!" Twilight's face was scrunched up and she was desperately trying to lift Applejack up in the air so that she could put a towel under her too. 

Applejack looked down and noticed that her hooves were glowing with Twilight's magic. "Twi, what are ya tryin' to do to me? Yer not gonna try to turn me into a toad or somethin', are ya?"

"Wow! Applejack as a toad?" Pinkie Pie asked as she watched Twilight struggle. "That would be toadally cool!" 

Twilight Sparkle yanked her head upwards as if it give it one last effort, but it was no use. The magic around Applejack's hooves and Twilight Sparkle's horn died down. Twilight Sparkle looked like she had strained herself. "I was just trying to pick you up with my magic. I thought that my magic was strong enough, but apparently not."

Applejack gave her a disturbed look as she took the towel and put it over the spot where she would be sitting. "Ya couldn't have just asked me to get up and move?"

"It was for science," Twilight replied. 

"But with enough faith, yer supposed to be able to move mountains," Applejack said.

"You're about as heavy as one, Applejack," Twilight said. "My experiment was really like trying to move the mountains."

Applejack shrugged. "Maybe ya need to work on yer faith then." Applejack opened up the box and drove her face inside. Red sauce splattered about the towels and it reminded Rainbow Dash of the blood that flew off of the video game characters from all of the shooting and fighting games that she played with her boyfriend, Soarin'. "OM-NOM-NOM-NOM!" Applejack feasted on the pizza pie as if she were some kind of starving wolf devouring its prey. Crumbs went flying throughout the room.

Rarity noticed an umbrella near her and used her magic to levitate it over and opened it up. She positioned it so that it would be facing Applejack and she shielded herself from any incoming barrages of crusty crumbs that went flying about. 

Twilight Sparkle watched Applejack with a look of horror on her face. "Applejack does some major splash damage with her pizza, doesn't she? Spike, would you please vacuum the library when she's done?"

Spike sighed and said, "I had just vacuumed the entire library while all of you were out. Fine, I guess I can vacuum it once more." 

Rainbow Dash opened up her box and took out a slice of her pizza. "Wow, you could really put Soarin' to shame in an eating contest, A.J." 

Applejack picked her head out of the box. She was already finished with her first box of pizza. Her face was covered with red sauce and there were bread crumbs stuck to her face in such a way that it appeared as if she had some kind of beard. "A hard worker knows how to eat, R.D., and organics taste delicious! As Granny Smith always told me, eat food that rots the fastest, but eat the food before it starts to rot. It's an indication of healthier and more nutritious food!" Applejack felt her face with her front hoof. "Do I have a little food on my face?"

Twilight laughed and said, "A little? Rarity would be horrified if she saw your face right now!"

"And this is why I refuse to even look at Applejack while she's eating," Rarity said in an annoyed sounding tone of voice.

"Well, I have been tryin' to use a napkin instead of wipin' my face with my front leg, but ya don't even appreciate that. Say Twilight, where are the napkins?" Applejack asked as she held her front hoof.

Twilight Sparkle levitated over a towel and placed it in Applejack's front hoof.

"I asked fer a napkin, not a towel," Applejack said.

"Giving you a napkin would be like putting a band aid on a bullet wound. You need a towel."

Everypony except for Rainbow Dash, looked at her with curiosity. "What's a bullet?" They all asked in unison. Rainbow Dash was the only one who knew.

"It's just a fantasy idea," Twilight answered. "It's like some kind of projectile that comes out of a weapon that's intended to make killing other ponies with greater ease."

Applejack finished wiping her face with the towel and said, "Twilight, do we need to be concerned about ya and these fantasy thoughts about how to kill other ponies with greater ease? Yer not conductin' top secret experimental weapons in yer basement, are ya?"

"No! Of course not! I have seen this idea in video games and read about it in books," Twilight said and then took a bite of her pizza. She looked at Rarity who had cut her pizza into tiny little bits with a fork and a knife and was eating each little bit of pizza with a toothpick. She was also wearing ear plugs so that she wouldn't have to listen to Applejack chew with her mouth open. Twilight Sparkle put her front hoof out to the side and spilled over a cup of apple cider that Spike had brought her. "Oh skubala!" Twilight said in anger. Twilight Sparkle then covered her mouth with her two front hooves.

Everypony's ears perked up. 

"Twi, what in tar-nations did ya just yell out?" Applejack asked.

"Oh, it was nothing, just nothing at all. Please go back to eating," Twilight said.

Pinkie Pie gasped and started talking as fast as she could. "Twilight Sparkle! Did you just say a very naughty Greek word from the book of Philippians in the Bible that Paul said?"

"Uh, what do you think it means Pinkie Pie?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie Pie took out a megaphone and angrily yelled into it. "You said the word shit, Twilight!"

"How on earth did you know that, Pinkie Pie?" Twilight asked. She was shocked that Pinkie Pie somehow had knew.

Pinkie Pie shrugged and then giggled madly. "It was just a wild guess," she said.

Twilight Sparkle hit the side of her head with her front hoof and said, "I really should know better by now." Twilight Sparkle used her magic to take the megaphone away from Pinkie Pie. "I don' think that it's a good idea to be yelling into megaphones in the library."

Spike came back with another drink for Twilight Sparkle and cleaned up the mess. 

The ponies went back to eating and somehow, someway, Applejack had finished all ten of her boxes of pizza before anypony else was able to finish their food. She went around asking if any of her friends were full. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie rejected her. Applejack came over to Twilight and said, "Hey Twi, are ya gonna eat all that? I'm really hungry and I..."

Twilight Sparkle summoned a spray bottle that had freezing cold water in it and sprayed Applejack in the face. "Back! Back, you voracious beast! You had your share! Stop being greedy!"

Applejack backed away from being sprayed with the bottle. "Hey! Cut it out! Ya act like I'm some kind of greedy house cat like Rarity's kitty, Opalescence."

"My little kitty, Opalescence, has better table manners than you, Applejack. She doesn't even go around from pony to pony begging for food. I bet that your dog, Winona has better table manners than you too," Rarity said.

Applejack thought about that comment and said, "Aw shucks, my dog really does have better table manners than me. I can't help that I'm still hungry! I ain't bein' greedy. I'm just bein' honest!" 

"Um, Applejack can eat the rest of my pizza if she wants. I don't want to see her go hungry," Fluttershy said.

"No!" Twilight Sparkle yelled out. "Fluttershy, finish your pizza and do not share with Applejack. If she's still hungry, then she can go home and get something else to eat! Applejack, there are ponies who are homeless and starving and you just went through ten boxes of pizza! Think about how blessed you are to even be able to eat like that."

Applejack felt convicted and said, "Aw shucks, I'm sorry girls, but I really am still hungry. I should be more grateful fer what I do have. Food is somethin' that's really important to me and I just love eatin'. I'm sorry girls. I'll just sit back down and reflect on my actions and the poor who can't eat as much as they want to."

"That sounds like a good idea, Applejack," Twilight said. "I can't figure out how you can eat so much, but I'll take your word for it that you're really that hungry. Maybe one day you should try to fast."

"I uh....I feel like I'm fastin' now," Applejack said.

"Oh, dear," Twilight replied. "Some ponies can't fast because of blood sugar problems, but it still might be worth it if you give it a try, unless of course you seriously need to eat all that food for your work on the farm."

Applejack patted her belly with her two front hooves. "It's not like I'm fat or anythin' I'm kind of just solid as a rock."

"Well, if you were overweight, then I would be much more concerned, but you do work hard on the farm and at the gym."

"I just hope that I won't be sore in the mornin' from my work out. I'm worried that it might hinder my performance on the farm."

Pinkie Pie began giggling. "Did you just say that you hoped that you wouldn't become Rainbow Dash's boyfriend in the morning? I sure hope that wouldn't happen either!"

"WHAT!? There ya go again with bein' funny with me! Why would ya even say such a thing?" Applejack cried out.

"You didn't get the joke? You said that you hoped that you wouldn't be sore in the morning. It sounded like you said Soarin'," Pinkie Pie said.

Applejack smacked her lips together in disappointment and said, "You know what? Be quiet!" Applejack shoved one of her empty pizza boxes into Pinkie Pie's mouth. Somehow, it fit. "Let's just try to have a normal conversation fer once."

Pinkie Pie spit the box out of her mouth. She rubbed her hind leg with her front hoof and said, "Wow! My muscles are really getting sore!"

Twilight Sparkle became afraid and summoned a helmet on her head. "Uh-oh, Pinkie Pie! I haven't heard that one before. Twitchy tail, shaking, chasing your tail in circles. What kind of Pinkie sense do you think you're getting now?"

"I just think that I'm sore from working out at the gym," Pinkie said.

"Twilight Sparkle blinked a few times as she processed that vital piece of information and then took off her helmet. "Why didn't I first consider that possibility?"

"Hey!" Pinkie Pie said. "Do you think if Applejack were around during Biblical times, that she'd eat all of the food when Jesus fed the five thousand ponies during Passover?"

"Feeding Applejack is like feeding five thousand ponies, Pinkie Pie," Twilight said. "But if you want to know another little fun fact, when Jesus fed the five thousand ponies at Passover, it was more like ten thousand to fifteen thousand to even twenty thousand ponies that He actually fed."

"But the Bible says five thousand, Twilight!" Pinkie Pie said. 

"This is true, but the reason it says only five thousand was because it was not a part of Jewish culture to include mares, fillies, or colts."

"That's a neat little fact, Twilight. You're such a smarty smart pants sometimes!" Pinkie Pie said. 

"Oh, Pinkie Pie," Twilight said. "This mare knows plenty more fun little Biblical facts like that." Twilight Sparkle smiled and then sipped her apple cider as she watched her friends finish their meals. 

The rest of the girls finished eating and looked over at Twilight Sparkle. 

Twilight was busy flipping through the pages in her Bible. "I'm really sorry, girls, but I feel like we need to go over some verses about jealousy and loving our enemies. I'm scratching my original plans for tonight."

The ponies had their study together until a certain stallion entered the library.

Rainbow Dash noticed out of the corner of her eye who it was. She instantly got up and ran over to him and threw her front legs around him. "Soarin'! Did you come by to visit me?"

Soarin' rubbed his hoof in her mane and said, "I sure did. Are you busy, Dash? I know that it's late, but I just had to stop by and see how you are doing." Soarin' looked at Twilight and asked, "Is it ok if I steal her for the night?"

Twilight smiled and said, "Sure! I had a few more passages to go over, but I think she got what she needed to hear. Take care!"

"See you girls later," Dash said and then walked out of the door with Soarin'. 

Rainbow's friends wished her well and then went back to studying.
> Let's Talk it Over
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Do you want to have a race to our special spot tonight, Dash?" Soarin' asked as he looked at the bright stars in the sky.

"You know it torments me when somepony asks me for a challenge and I can't," Rainbow Dash said.

"Why not?" Soarin' asked.

"Because I joined the gym with my other friends and we spent most of the day there working out. My legs and wings feel like rubber right now and I don't even think I can fly right now. I really pushed myself."

"Can I carry you then?" Soarin' asked.

Rainbow Dash would have said no way in the past, but she was becoming more and more open to romantic ideas and being openly affectionate with her partner. She smiled and said, "Sure you can. Thanks." Ranibow Dash hopped onto his back. She wrapped her front legs around his neck and rested the side of her face on his mane. 

Soarin' took off and asked, "So how was your first day at the gym?"

"I'll tell you when we touch ground again, ok?" Rainbow asked.

Soarin' nodded his head ok.

Within time they reached their destination and Soarin' landed on the ground. 

Rainbow Dash gave him one last squeeze around his neck before letting go and sitting down next to him. 

"So how was your workout? I heard that's one of the best gyms in all of Equestria. I used to be a member there myself, but now I just use the Wonderbolt's gym since its private and we have the best workout equipment available."

"It was actually really good. They have so much to do there. I even saw different types of dance classes and my friend, Rarity was in a ballet class there. I'm really proud of her because she has been going through some horrible relapses with painful memories of her past and feels like she's in danger of being hurt again. She's been going to Twilight's support groups and that seems to be helping, but her fears sometimes still get in the way of things. I'm glad that she was able to join the gym because she said she wouldn't join unless Applejack joined and acted as her body guard. I know that it must be hard for her to move on since a lot of things will remind her of her past. But God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Rainbow Dash paused for a moment and then added, "But I think Applejack really needs to practice self control when it comes to eating."

"You really love to talk about your friends. It's almost like they are your family," Soarin' said.

Rainbow Dash perked up and said, "They are! They are my sisters in Christ and they mean so much to me."

"That's a wonderful thing to say," Soarin' said. "So did anything else interesting happen there?"

Rainbow Dash bit her lower lip and then said, "Yeah. Something really upsetting."

"Do tell," Soarin' said.

"Well, there were two mares there giving me a really hard time and one of them went beyond cruel with what she said." Rainbow Dash paused and then said, "Do you really want me to tell you about this, Soarin'? It's really upsetting and I'm sure that it will upset you too."

"I want to hear, Dash. Please tell me."

"Ok, if you really want to know, this one mare was mocking our Christian values and she was telling me that she was the one who you gave your virginity too."

Soarin' looked distraught. "Emmy," he said. "I didn't know she goes to that gym also. Dear Lord, forgive me."

"He already has, Soarin'." Rainbow Dash shifted her weight around and continued. "She told me that she and her friend are training with Spitfire to become the newest addition to the Wonderbolot's team. That emerald green colored one said that they will make sure that I don't make it into the Wonderbotls. I have a feeling that they are trying to hurt me. One of them dropped a really heavy free weight right over my head, but it missed me by just mere inches because at the same time I bent over to pick up the pin that you put in the weights on the machine."

"They tried to hurt you?! I swear if she or her friend land a hoof on you, there's going to be trouble, big trouble!"

"No, Soarin'! Twilight Sparkle just went over how we have to pray and love our enemies! We can't hurt others who have hurt us by means of revenge. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

"This Christian life is very difficult when I hear verses like that," Soarin' said as he put his two front hooves to his temples trying to let the verse sink into his mind.

"I know," Rainbow Dash said. "I really believe that God held back my inner rage because I wanted to tear them to pieces when she treated me the way she did."

"Well, don't you worry about it. I'm going to make sure you get into the Wonderbolts. You are one of if not the most talented flyers out there."

Rainbow Dash put her head down. "I'm really scared something very bad is going to happen. I have this nagging feeling that just doesn't go away."

"Hey. I already told you not to worry. You told me that God will not allow anything or anyone to hurt His children unless He permits it."

"That's right, but that still doesn't take away the fact that the will of the Lord can be very difficult for us. I'm still feeling called right now to become a Wonderbolt. I feel like God wants me to do something amazing, but I don't know what it is."

"I'll be supporting you all the way, no matter what you feel called to do, Dash. You're the most amazing girl I have ever known."

"Hey, be careful with all of the praise. You know that I can have a big ego and praising me isn't go to help me. I appreciate the encouragement, but I'd rather have you give the praise to God because it's only through Him that I can do what is truly difficult. It's good to encourage each other, but the last thing I want you to do is end up building a statue of me and then praying to me. That's really scary and I see that you sometimes give more praise to me than to God."

"I'm sorry, Dash. I just am amazed by what God does through you. I need to remember that He is the one who deserves all praise and glory, but will you at least let me give you a pat on the back and some encouragement?"

Rainbow Dash smiled and said, "Sure Soarin', that's what we are called to do after all. I just don't want it to go any further then that. I get enough encouragement from Pinkie Pie as it is. She's literally our cheerleader in our sister's in Christ group."

Soarin' wrapped his front leg around her and drew her near to his side. Together, they continued talking about what they felt that God was doing in their lives. 

About an hour later, the two decided that they should get going home. Rainbow Dash was in no shape to fly because her wings were still recovering from the workout earlier, so Soarin' flew her back home. He dropped her off in front of her front door. They kissed good night and then departed. Rainbow Dash walked into her room and got low to the ground near her bed. She began to pray. "Dear Father, I don't know what You're about to do with me, but my spirit is telling me that something major is about to happen and I still can't figure it out. Wouldn't it be crazy if we saw Your will a head of time? How many ponies would follow through with even just half of what Your will is for us when they see the struggles and heart ache ahead of time? To some ponies, Your will can be tragic and horrific, but no matter how bad Your will may look in the eyes of others, You always have a beautiful plan behind it all that we may not see right away and this is why I'm putting my trust in You, so that Your will can be done and that I may do the right thing no matter how absurd or terrible it may look to others. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. I pray for my enemies who persecute me and want me dead. I will not be surprised by this hate. They hated You before they hated me and I am hated because of You. I pray for Your blessing so that You may help me keep my cool. I wanted to say something nasty back to them, but I believe You held my tongue. I love you Abba. In Jesus's name I pray, amen." Rainbow Dash picked herself up and snuggled into her bed. Her sore and aching muscles quivered with pleasure from the warm blankets that hugged around her body. Hitting the sack after a hard workout was something Rainbow Dash loved to do. Her mind drifted off to sleep quickly. She would have to keep up the hard work with the training, but she felt that she would pull through with all of this.

That night, Steve and Danny were arrested. The guards came looking for them at their homes, but they were both found when they tried to steal body spray tans at a nearby salon. They were brought to Princess Celestia and were dealt with immediately. Princess Celestia didn't take long with her decision about what to do with them when the very first thing that Steve blurted out was that she was a whore of a horse. 
> The Final Showdown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash and her friends continued to go to the gym and Rainbow Dash was now training hard under the watchful eyes of Soarin'. Rainbow Dash continued to get stalked and harassed wherever she went by those two jealous mares who continued to try to hurt her in just about every devious way they could think of without making it too obvious. Every time they tried to harm her, God was literally protecting her and did not let any harm come to Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Dash was oblivious as to what they were trying to do to her. This discouraged Risk Taker from continuing to attempt to hurt Rainbow Dash in physical ways, but the failed attempts only enraged Emmy even more and motivated her to continue to try to hurt her. She wouldn't be satisfied until she saw her severely hurt, or even dead. She hated Rainbow Dash with a passion and the only reason for that was because she was jealous of her and that Rainbow Dash followed the one true God, Yahweh. They spat upon her and said terrible things about Jesus, but Rainbow Dash held her tongue and took the abuse even though it was all so very aggravating to her. As long as she didn't catch them physically trying to hurt her, she would do her best to ignore them. The fact that Rainbow Dash did not lash out and attack the envious ponies, only enraged Emmy even more and they continued to get more desperate in attempts to harm her. Rainbow Dash blew through the Wonderbolts performance tests and shattered new records. Emmy and her friend Risk, were starting to do some illegal doping to make sure that they would out perform Rainbow Dash in hopes to impress Spitfire, the Captain of the Wonderbolts.

The moment had come, and this was the last and greatest task of the final three remaining trainees. Soarin', Spitfire, a group of paramedics, and the rest of the Wonderbolts sat in the bleachers and watched as this grand finale race was about to happen. This race was the most important and would determine who the next two Wonderbolts would be. Spitfire did not have enough room for three new members even though all three mares were very talented and would make great additions to the Wonderbolot's team, but Spitfire was only accepting the best of the best here and she had to make a cut somewhere.

The three mares stood on a cloud together awaiting the signal from a Pegasus standing in front of them on another cloud with a black and white checkered flag. The Pegasus pony raised the checkered flag and the three mares got into ready position. 

"You're going down, literally," Emerald Envy whispered into Rainbow's ear.

Rainbow Dash ignored her comment and focused on the many clouds that were shaped as rings acting as a check point for them to follow through. 

The course was long, and circular and they had to do ten laps to win. This course would be their ultimate test of strength, stamina, and control. Some of the rings of clouds were higher than the others and some of them were much lower to the ground. At least one check point was close to the base of a mountain near the ground. 

The official lowered the flag quickly and they were off. 

Both Risk and her friend, Emmy started in front of Rainbow Dash and positioned themselves in front of Rainbow Dash acting as some kind of blockade.

Rainbow Dash would have to find a way around them somehow. They were clearly working as a team against her. 

The ponies flew through the rings of clouds at blinding speeds. 

Rainbow Dash began to creep up on the two. She wasn't going to expend all of her energy right now to pass them even though she easily could maneuver around the two. 

The three ponies descended closer down to the ground near where that mountain was.

Emmy looked at her friend Risk, and gave her a wink as if to get ready for their plan. They both slowed up a bit and flew a little bit more to the left side, allowing Rainbow Dash to easily pass them. 

Rainbow Dash took advantage of this opportunity, but the second she was about to pass the ponies, Emmy collided her body hard against Rainbow Dash and she crashed into the side of the mountain and tumbled several times across the ground. 

Soarin' and the paramedics instantly reacted by flying out from the bleachers and down to Rainbow Dash as fast as they could. "Rainbow! Are you alive? Talk to me!" Soarin' cried out.

At these blinding speeds, a pony would normally have been dead or at least severely injured, but Yahweh was protecting her and she only suffered with bruises, cuts, and scratches. No bones were broken. Rainbow Dash recovered and looked up at the sky. They now had a tremendous headstart. She had no time to answer Soarin' and tell him that she was ok. She grinded her teeth in frustration and flew up after the two ponies. 

Soarin' stood there in shock that she was somehow ok and then headed back over to where Spitfire was sitting. 

"She has nerves of steel to get back up like that," Spitfire said.

"I can't believe she's ok. I have seen Wonderbolts take some hard hits and falls, but that looked fatal to me," Soarin' said.

"I didn't exactly have a good angle to see what had happened, but it appeared to me that one of those two mares bumped Rainbow Dash on purpose. If I see anything else funny going on, I will disqualify them both," Spitfire said.

Emmy turned her head back to check on Rainbow Dash. She hoped that she was dead, but she was shocked to see that she was already catching up to them even if she was far off in the distance. 

"Rainbow Dash wiped the blood off of her lip and continued to pick up some speed. The pain in her body only made her blood boil more and her adrenaline rapidly increased. Another lap went by, and Rainbow Dash was now on their tails again. She got an opportunity to pass and took advantage of it. 

Emmy and her friend, Risk watched with horror as she passed them both. 

Rainbow Dash kicked things into over drive and performed a Sonic Rainboom. For only she was currently the only pony in Equestria known for this capability. Rainbow Dash was now far a head of them and her competitors were starting to tire out because they had expended so much energy in keeping the lead for so long. Rainbow Dash was coming up behind them a second time to lap them. She was flying close behind Emmy. 

Emmy was getting desperate. There was no way that she or her friend were going to come in first place. She slowed down and pulled her back legs back and then bucked them out as hard as she could. 

Rainbow Dash was not fortunate enough to be far enough away and suffered the heavy blow to her forehead. She went tumbling across the ground once more.

The Wonderbolts and the paramedics got out of their seats and rushed down as fast as they could to aid Rainbow Dash. They feared that she would be dead this time. 

Rainbow Dash recovered once more and even though her head was killing her and her coat was torn up from the collision, she got back up and spread her wings out.

"Wait!" Soarin' cried out. "The race is over, we saw them cheat! We will disqualify them!"

Rainbow Dash ignored him and took off once more leaving the entire Wonderbolts team baffled. She clearly wanted to finish this race. 

Her competitors were now a head of her and had enough time to make another lap. Rainbow Dash was back in third position again, but was catching up. They passed their ninth lap and this was the final run. Emmy and Risk looked back and saw that Rainbow Dash was gaining on their tails again. 

"She just doesn't give up!" Emmy yelled out. Her wings burned with agony as she pumped them as hard as she possibly could. Both she and her friend were able to stay in the lead until Rainbow Dash over took them at the very last second and sped past them right before they were both able to cross the finish line. Rainbow Dash tumbled across the finish line and lay there panting and exhausted. She did it. She had beat them both even when they had played dirty, and even though she didn't have to go back and risk her life again, she wanted to make it across the finish line before they did, and she did.

Emmy and Risk stood there in disbelief. 

The Wonderbolts came over and congratulated Rainbow Dash. She was already being medically treated and by the paramedics. 

Soarin' came over and put his two front hooves on top of her hoof. "You did it, Dash! I can't believe you pulled through like this!"

She was laying sideways on the cloud and was breathing heavily. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," she said in between breaths. 

Soarin' smiled and bent down low. He gave her a kiss on her forehead. 

"I don't think she deserves to win," Emmy said. "I could have sworn that she missed a checkpoint in the race."

Spitfire became incredibly angry and shot back, "None of you will become Wonderbolts and you are never allowed to try out for the team again. We saw you cheat and I have suspicions that you both may have been doing illegal doping. Get out of here now! I don't ever want to see your faces again!" 

Emmy and Risk both flew away with even more bitterness in their hearts. 

"Do you think that Rainbow Dash's God is actually real? There's no way that she should have won that," Risk said.

"Of course not! God is just outdated thinking! We will get our revenge someway and prove that her God is not real!" Emmy answered.

Soarin' held out his hoof and Rainbow Dash grabbed onto it. He pulled her back onto her hooves and they stared into each others eyes. 

"Oh, boy!" Spitfire said. "Before you two get all lovey on each other, I just need to say, congratulations on making the team and we'll just have to have you go to Canterlot to get your own customized Wonderbolts uniform!"

"Hey, can I have my friend Rarity make my Wonderbolts uniform if you ship her the materials? She does a really great job with creating clothing, and I trust her the most."

"Sure!" Spitfire said. "As long as you really trust her, I'm fine with that. It's your uniform so you should feel free to have it made exactly as you like." Spitfire backed away and said, "Ok, I'll leave you two love birds alone now."

Soarin' instantly kissed Rainbow Dash and hugged her tightly. He said a prayer thanking God that she was safe and still in one piece after the terrible falls that she took. 

Rainbow Dash let go of Soarin' and said, "Hey, come on! Let's go see Twilight and tell her the good news!" Rainbow Dash spread her wings for take off, but they were hurting so much right now. "Hey, Romeo, how about you give me another lift?"

Soarin' turned his back to her and got low. "Sure, Dash. Hop on."

Rainbow Dash did so and they took off to Twilight's library. 
> The Celebration
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Applejack came out of the bathroom and looked around at the library in shock. "What in tar-nations happened to this library? It looks as if a war has broken out with party supplies. Why the heck is Pinkie Pie chasin' her tail and shakin' again?"

Twilight Sparkle put a helmet on her head. "We have no idea what's going on, but she is going bonkers over something. These Pinkie senses scare me. You might want to take cover. It's a good thing that the library is closed today. Um, I don't mean to be rude, but did you happen to clog the toilet again?" 

"Nope. Not this time," Applejack said. "Yer in luck. I only had to pee. How come yer always so scared when Pinkie Pie goes nuts like this, Twi? Ya have great responsibility in this group and ya should be a better role model than how yer behavin' right now. Even Fluttershy is actin' braver than ya." Applejack turned to Fluttershy and said, "No offense, dear. I'm just bein' honest."

"No offense taken," Fluttershy said.

"It's just that every time she gets these crazy Pinkie senses, something bad usually happens to me," Twilight said. "I don't know what to expect! I have been hit in the head by falling objects so many times in the past when she goes berserk with her Pinkie senses."

Pinkie Pie continued to chase her tail in circles like a mad filly.

Twilight watched the pink pony spin in circles like crazy. "Pinkie Pie, please calm down. I know that you can get incredibly manic and high, so I can fix you up some natural Lithium pills for you in my basement."

"It's not my mania!" Pinkie Pie shouted. "Something truly epic and awesome has happened! I think it might be related to Rainbow Dash's training with the Wonderbolts!" 

"Well, there goes my theory that Pinkie senses are related to her mania states," Twilight said.

A few moments later the door had opened and in stepped Soarin' and Rainbow Dash. 

"Hey girls, guess what, I'm now a..." Rainbow Dash's sentence was cut short when she heard a familiar voice cry out, "Dashie!"

Pinkie Pie had lunged toward her and knocked her back hard against the wall.

Rainbow Dash suddenly found herself in a death lock grip of a hug.

Pinkie Pie squeezed tighter and tighter like a snake wrapped around its prey and squeezing every last bit of life out of it before devouring it. She kissed her several times on her forehead and cheek.

Soarin' had a look of shock on his face.

"Pinkie Pie.....Stop. I can't breathe!"

Pinkie Pie gave her one last squeeze and Rainbow Dash heard her bones pop in her back. She kissed her forehead once more and then let go of Rainbow Dash and then playfully bounced around Soarin' and Rainbow Dash in circles. 

Rainbow Dash was bent over gasping for air. "Pinkie Pie, you have one heck of a death grip hug. How do you do it? You're like Applejack strong, but only when it comes to hugs."

"I maxed out in weight on that machine at the gym that uses your muscles to give other ponies hugs! It's pretty neat that they'd have a machine at the gym inspired by me!"

Rainbow Dash put her two front hooves on her lower back and then stretched herself out. "My goodness, Pinkie Pie! Way to almost kill me! Why the hay were you kissing me like that too? That's really weird."

"It's cause ya'll have been actin' like funny fillies and now ya corrupted poor innocent Pinkie Pie," Applejack said.

Twilight took off her helmet and placed it on a table next to her. "Pinkie Pie? Why would you kiss Rainbow Dash like that?" Twilight asked in a concerned tone of voice.

"Well isn't it obvious!?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Everypony stared at her and did not have an answer.

"The Bible says that Jonathan and David kissed each other and their friendship was super, super, gay, magical, and awesome! I just wanted to make my friendship more super, gay, awesome, and magical with you all too! Pucker up A.J.! We should all be gay for God."

Applejack covered her face with her hat and fainted. 

"I uh, think we might need to discuss these matters with Applejack later on and I can only hope that you're referring to the word gay as the original meaning, happy." Twilight said. Twilight turned her attention back to Rainbow Dash. "So, what have you done that's been making Pinkie Pie act crazy?" Twilight paused and added. "I meant to say, more crazy than usual. What's with all the cuts and scrapes on your body? Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I took a few tumbles, but I'm fine!" Rainbow Dash beamed with a smile and said, "I did it, girls! I'm officially a Wonderbolt!"

Pinkie Pie raced over and shoved a cupcake in Rainbow's mouth and gave her another big hug. 

The rest of her friends joined in for a group hug, except for one key member. "Congratulations!" They cried out.

Twilight Sparkle looked over at the fallen orange mare and summoned a bucket of ice cold water over her. She used her magic to dump it on her.

"Gah!" Applejack jolted up and said, "What the hay did ya do that fer?"

"Come congratulate Rainbow Dash and join our group hug," Twilight said.

"No thank ya! I'll congratulate her from here! I don't want to end up bein' kissed by Kinky Pie or fallin' into some kind of trap with ya'll." Applejack clapped her two front hooves together.

"No!" Twilight said. "None of us are like that and what Pinkie Pie did now makes sense in my mind. She was just being very affectionate. There's nothing wrong with showing love and affection for your friends and there was nothing sexual about the kiss between Jonathan and David. You can kiss a pony to express friendship. It's part of some cultures. Get over here and give your sister in Christ a hug."

Applejack grumbled some words of disapproval and joined the group hug. "Congrats, Rainbow Dash. I knew that ya had what it takes."

The ponies broke free from the group hug and stared at Rainbow Dash.

"Actually, I think I may have one problem," Rainbow said as she put her front hoof to her forehead. "Could you please get me some aspirin, Twi? My head is killing me."

"Sure, Rainbow," Twilight said and went to fetch her an aspirin. She came back and gave her the pill with a cup of water. 

Rainbow Dash took it and quickly swallowed it. "Thanks, Twi. My competitors were trying to be cheap by getting dirty head starts and head shots."

Before Twilight could ask what she meant by that, Rainbow Dash looked as if she wanted to say something of great importance.

Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity and said, "Hey Rarity! Guess what?"

"Hmmm?" Rarity asked.

"I turned down the Wonderbolts offer to make me my Wonderbolts uniform. I want you to make it! Would you mind helping me out? It would have so much more meaning to me if you were the one to create it."

"Oh my stars, darling! I would be so very honored to do such an important creation!" Rarity closed her eyes and put her front hoof to her chest proudly. "Why yes, I would absolutely love to design your special Wonderbolts uniform."

"Thanks Rarity! I knew that I could count on you. You're the best!" Rainbow said. "I'll even let you play dress up with me and work on styling my mane if you want to."

"Playing dress up with Rainbow Dash and making her look pretty?" Rarity rubbed her two front hooves together greedily and said, "Oh, it is on!" 

Pinkie Pie got so excited that she ran around Soarin' and Rainbow Dash in circles quickly. She moved so fast that she looked as if she were about to summon this great big pink tornado. She stopped and then looked at the couple.

They were now covered in confetti, and streamers. They were both wearing party hats and party horns were stuck in their mouths. There were also balloons tied to their bodies. 

Pinkie Pie had balloons tied to her body as well and was now floating in the air before them giggling.

Soarin' took the party horn out of his mouth and looked at Rainbow with a look of worry. "How does she even float in mid air with just a few balloons attached to her body?"

Rainbow looked at him and said, "Remember, this is Pinkie Pie that we are dealing with. No pony knows how she works. Only God knows. Try to relax, she won't hurt you, but it's a good idea to keep matches and explosives away from her. We wouldn't want know the capabilities she'd have with either in her manic states."

Soarin' got a little bit closer to Rainbow Dash as if he were about to hide behind her in case Pinkie Pie did anything more frightening to him. "This is definitely not a pony who should be playing with fire," Soarin' whispered to himself.

Pinkie Pie was somehow able to come back down to the ground and raced into the kitchen. She came back with a bowl full of punch and placed it on the table. "Who wants some punch that I made?!" Pinkie Pie asked.

The ponies all gathered around for some punch. 

"Um, what is that green thing floating thing inside that bowl of punch?" Rarity asked.

"Huh?" Pinkie Pie looked closer and giggled. "Oh my, Gummy just loves to get into things, doesn't he? I was looking for him too!" Pinkie Pie took her pet out of the bowl of punch. She looked back to her friends and said, "Don't just stand there you silly fillies, enjoy some punch!" 

Rarity put her front hoof to her mouth and tried not to vomit. "That's very generous of you to bring us drinks, but I think that I'll have to pass. I hope Mister and Misses Cake don't get into trouble when the health inspectors come to inspect Sugar Cube Corner."

"Suit yourself!" Pinkie Pie said as she held the baby alligator in between her two front hooves. "You act like he's dirty or something. I give my baby alligator baths all of the time!" Pinkie Pie brought over the baby alligator and showed Soarin'. "Soarin', I don't think you have met my pet before!" Pinkie Pie shoved the alligator close to his face. "Look at him! Isn't he so cute!?"

Soarin' turned his head away, afraid that it may bite. "That's really nice, Pinkie Pie." 

She pushed her pet even closer to his face and said, "Soarin', look! He just wants to say hi!"

"Uh, I can't really see it when it's just a few inches away from my face," Soarin' said with an awkward look on his face and his ears lowered.

Gummy opened his mouth and latched on to Soarin's ear.

"Hey!" Soarin' cried out. He ran in circles in panic mode. "Get it off! Get it off!" Soarin' paused for a moment and said, "Wait. Why am I not feeling any pain?"

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie began cracking up. 

"What the heck is going on here?" he asked.

Pinkie Pie came over and unlatched the baby alligator from Soarin's ear. "I call him Gummy because he has no teeth." Pinkie Pie put her front leg out and he gladly chomped down on it. "See?"

"A pony who has a toothless alligator as a pet. I think I have seen enough for one day," Soarin' said.

You should have seen the look on your face," Rainbow Dash said in between giggles. "It was priceless!"

Soarin' looked rather annoyed that they had caught him acting like a scared little filly when he was supposed to be this big tough and fearless Wonderbolt.

Twilight Sparkle giggled and said, "Hey, Soarin'. My reaction was ten times worse than yours when I was sitting in my bath and Pinkie Pie pulled out Gummy. I nearly had a heart attack."

Soarin' sighed and said, "Just please don't tell Spitfire about this incident. She would tear me apart."

Rainbow Dash stomped her front hoof on the floor. "Darn it!" She sighed and then said, "Ok, I'll keep quiet about it."

"Enough chit chat!" Pinkie Pie said as she put a cassette tape into the player. "It's time to party!" The music began to play loudly and everypony listened to the lyrics from a song called, Jesus is Still Alright With Me.

"Rap music?" Rarity asked as she cringed a bit.

"Sure!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed as she grabbed Rarity's front hoof and pulled her over to the center of the room to dance. "DC Talk rocks!" Pinkie Pie then did a back flip.

"Only Pinkie Pie," Twilight said as she shook her head from side to side. "Only Pinkie Pie." Twilight noticed the bowl of punch and was thirsty. There were plastic cups next to the punch bowl and she poured herself a cup. She drank about half of the cup and put it on the table. Twilight Sparkle felt something soft clamp down on her front leg. She looked down and saw Gummy attached to her front leg. She looked at the baby alligator and then looked back at the punch bowl. Twilight's cheeks puffed up when she made the connection. She brought out her "to do" list and added one very important task to it. She jotted down the task as she spoke. "Note to self. Practice more short and long term memory games."

The ponies joined in on the party in celebration of Rainbow Dash's amazing new achievement. They all partied together until they were exhausted, except for Pinkie Pie. Nothing could seem to slow her down when there was a party going on. 

Rainbow Dash and Soarin' left to have some personal time together at their special spot. Soarin' soared across the night skies with his special mare friend on his back. 

Soarin' reached the edge of the pond and Rainbow Dash hopped off of his back. They kissed each other and then stared into each other's eyes. 

"So you did it! Achievement unlocked! Rainbow Dash is now a certified Wonderbolt!' Soarin' said.

"Oh, Soarin'! You and those video game jokes and puns," Rainbow Dash said.

"So, this is it! You have nothing to be afraid of any more. Those nagging feelings are gone now that you were so concerned about, right?" Soarin' asked.

Rainbow Dash looked down and said, "No. They are not."

Soarin' looked very confused. "Huh? But this is it! You're a Wonderbolt now! Why do you still feel afraid?"

"I'm not really afraid, It's just something my spirit is telling me. I still feel like a storm will be brewing in my life, but I really have no idea what it is. I guess that I am thinking about things too much and should just move on. Whatever is going to happen will happen."

The two ponies talked for a few hours until they both had to go home. 

Soarin' had flown her back to her home and once again she was back in her room, prone on the floor in prayer. "Dear Father, I don't know how it is that I'm a Wonderbolt right now. I feel like I shouldn't even be alive right now. I took two terrible falls because those ponies cheated and wanted to kill me. Even though I could have simply walked away because they had caught them cheating that second time, something in my spirit told me to get up and finish the race even though I had already won because they were disqualified. Thank You for protecting me and thank You for giving me the courage to get back up and finish the race. I still feel this nagging feeling in my spirit. It feels like I can sense some kind of storm approaching in my life. I thought that this feeling would go away if I became a Wonderbolt, but the feeling is still there. Father, I try not to worry or be scared, especially around Soarin'. He seems to really look up to me and I don't want him to worry because You command us not to worry. I pray that You may give me the confidence and courage to do whatever it is that You want me to do and to please help me as I go through any struggles or suffering. Thank You for making me a Wonderbolt, this was one of my biggest dreams in life. In Jesus's name I pray, amen. Rainbow Dash picked herself up off of the floor and hopped into bed. She actually forgot to take a shower because of all the excitement racing through her mind, but she decided that she'd take one tomorrow morning.
> Disaster Strikes
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The next few weeks were a bit agonizing for Rainbow Dash. She had to fill out so much paperwork that Spitfire gave her and she had to give her two weeks notice for her sky clearing job. She didn't have the time to do both jobs. She would miss her former job, but this was her dream job and being paid to fly with the Wonderbolts was going to happen soon.

Rainbow Dash had spent hours upon hours working with Rarity to make sure that her Wonderbolt's uniform fit and felt just right. She didn't want it too loose so that it may hinder her performance, but not so tight that it would ride up in her crotch area while performing. The last thing that she wanted to think about was having to make a pit stop during her stunts to pull down at her clothing because it felt too awkward. Thankfully, Rarity knew what she was doing and was able to make her uniform feel perfect. All of her friends and Soarin' were there to watch Rarity make the magic happen. Her friends also came to see Rarity have a little fun with Rainbow Dash and give her an entire head to hoof make over. They were all impressed by how Rainbow Dash did not squirm her flank around in the seat with discomfort, but actually tolerated everything including the mud mask. Applejack said a few joking comments about putting mud on her face. 

Rainbow Dash and Soarin' spent much of their time racing and practicing together for her first upcoming show with the Wonderbolts. She and Soarin' would be performing the grand finale together. They practiced together as often as they could and Soarin' felt that Rainbow had everything down to a science. He also felt that she was performing better than he was.

Rainbow Dash and Soarin' flew over to their special spot after having spent most of the day having fun races together in her new Wonderbolt's uniforms. 

"You know what, Soarin'? After all of our time spent together, still to this day, I get butterflies in my stomach when I'm near you."

"I get that feeling even when you're not here and I just think about you," Soarin' replied.

"I think that's a really good sign," Rainbow said.

Soarin' looked up in the sky and said, "Hey, Dash. Who do you think would pile up all of those storms clouds to block out the sunshine? I heard that there isn't supposed to be another downpour for another week or so."

Rainbow Dash looked up and said, "Hey, I can help clear those storm clouds and bring a little sunshine into your life. Want to see a cool trick?"

"You bring that sunshine everyday into my life, whether it's stormy outside or not, but sure," Soarin' said. "Show me your trick."

"D'awww. Come on Soarin'! Don't butter me up too much!" She looked back up and said, "I can clear this sky in ten seconds flat!"

"Prove it," Soarin' said with a smirk.

Rainbow Dash spread her wings and took off to the sky. 

Soarin' watched at how magnificent she looked in her new uniform.

Risk, and her friend Emmy, were peeking their two eyes above the clouds. 

"Wow, I can't believe that she's going to fall for this, are you ready do to this?" Risk called out to her partner who was on the opposite side of the storm clouds.

"I'm ready. Let's get her the moment she comes between us," Emmy said. "If her God is real, then He'll protect her from this too, and if He does, then I'll believe in her God."

"This is going to be awesome!" Rainbow Dash said to herself. She pushed her Wonderbolts goggles down from her forehead and onto her eyes. 

Emmy and Risk got into bucking position and the moment Rainbow Dash flew through the clouds, the two ponies on opposite sides of her bucked the clouds. 

This sent off a chain reaction since the clouds were so close together and were touching each other. 

Rainbow Dash was instantly hit from all sides of her body with lightning bolts. She dropped like a fly and twirled down toward the earth. 

Soarin' instantly spread his wings out and ran towards her, but he tripped over a tree root that was sticking out of the ground. Soarin' hit the ground hard and watched in horror as Rainbow Dash fell closer to the ground. He got up as fast as he could and flew over to her, but it was too late. Before he could catch her, she hit the earth hard. Soarin' grabbed her and shook her gently. "Rainbow Dash! Are you ok? Please answer me!" 

Emmy and Risk flew closer together and landed on a cloud next to one another. They looked down from the clouds at the sight. 

Emmy was cracking up. "See! I told you that her God is a farce and that all of her beliefs are bogus! Isn't that hysterical? Where is her God now? God couldn't even protect her from this old trick." She elbowed her friend hard in the side in hopes that she would join in on the laughter.

Risk's stomach did flip flops. "Emmy, I think we really hurt her. I mean, she looks dead."

"Who cares?" Emmy said. "It's her own fault for believing in such a stupid idea like believing that there is a God in the first place. The world needs less ponies like her kind anyway." Emmy stuck out her hoof for her friend to pound and said, "Put it there! We should have a celebration." 

"No," Risk said. "We're going to get sued and I'm really afraid of being arrested."

"They won't find out and even if they do, aren't you excited that we probably ruined her life for good? She won't be a Wonberbolt after all!"

"I have come to realize that she has done nothing wrong," Risk admitted. 

"Nothing wrong!?" Emmy cried out. "Religious ponies are the whole reason why we have wars and problems! We did the world a favor by eliminating her chance at becoming a Wonderbolt so that she won't be a religious role model to fillies and colts and leading them into lies and confusion. We are the good guys here! Now come on! Get a hold of yourself! Let's scram and head to Manehatten!"

Tears welled up in Risk's eyes as she watched Soarin' sob over her body. She looked at her friend and said, "No. You go on and leave. I don't know what I'm going to do, but I feel really bad right now."

"Suit yourself. I just hope that you don't get caught or become like those religious losers." Emmy then took off to the east and Risk flew to the west. 

Soarin' noticed the two ponies fleeing and he suspected that they were responsible for what had just happened to Rainbow Dash. Soarin's emotions were getting the better of him. If he wasn't with Rainbow Dash, he would be acting in a totally different manner. He slid the goggles off of her eyes and put them on her forehead in hopes to see that her eyes were open and moving, but they were closed. He scooped her up and flew her as fast as he could to the emergency room.
> Risking it All for Redemption
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Soarin' flew through the hospital and the medical staff didn't' even have to ask any questions when they saw her body. They instantly took her away into the intensive care unit. They didn't allow Soarin' to go back with her at first, but he was obviously incredibly upset and demanded that he be by her side. After a bit of arguing, they decided to let him in. He was a big celebrity star anyway.

The doctor stood next to Soarin' after he finished examining her body and looking at the x-rays. 

"Please tell me that she'll make it through this and will be OK," Soarin' pleaded.

"The doctor pushed his glasses up on his face with the tip of his hoof. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but she will die very soon." He turned and put his hoof on the door.

"Wait!" Soarin' cried out. "Isn't there anything you can do for her?"

"I'm sorry, Soarin', but the damage is too great and there's literally nothing I can do for her. Please, I have other patients I need to see whom I may be able to save, but I can't save her. You have some time right now to say goodbye to her. I recommend you go do that now before it's too late." The doctor opened the door and left.

Soarin' stood there in shock. His mind refused to believe what was told to him. 

A few nurses bowed their heads in sympathy at Soarin' before leaving him alone with Rainbow. 

Soarin' sat there next to her bed with his two front hooves on her front leg. He watched her chest rise and fall as he listened to the beeping of the heart monitor. He looked at how broken down, burnt, and beat up her body was. He had seen some freak accidents with other Wonderbolts, but this looked really bad. She was hooked up to machines and she had an IV going into her front leg. The clear tubes from the nasal cannula were wrapped around her ears and provided a steady flow of a mixture of air and oxygen into her nostrils. She was still in her Wonderbolt's uniform, but it was so ripped and torn up that they didn't even need to take it off of her. Soarin' kept repeating prayers over and over in his head. His ears perked up when he saw her open her mouth as if she wanted to say something. She coughed up some blood and Soarin' quickly wiped it off of her lip. She probably had some internal organ damage from that great fall. Soarin's back legs kept shaking with much fear and anxiety. He put his front hoof on her front leg and asked, "Dash, if you can speak at all, please say something." 

Rainbow Dash did not open her eyes, but she opened her mouth and spoke in a weak voice, "Soarin'?" she asked.

Soarin' held onto her front leg tighter and said, "Yes! It's me Dash, please tell me what I can do for you."

"What happened to me?" 

"You got into a really bad accident," Soarin' nervously answered. 

"Am I going to be OK?"

Her question almost brought tears to his eyes because the doctor had examined her already and said that there was nothing he could do for her. He also said that judging from her injuries, she was guaranteed to die soon. He sat there staring at her and couldn't get the words out of his mouth. His mouth was trembling, but nothing was said.

"Soarin'?" 

Soarin' closed his eyes tightly and said, "I'm so sorry, Dash! The doctor told me that you're very much likely to die, but I refuse to believe that!" 

"I-I-I want you to tell my sister's in Christ that I love them and..." Rainbow's words trailed off.

"What do you mean by that, Dash?" Soarin' asked. "You'll be home with them soon enough once we get you out of here."

Rainbow Dash did not answer his question. She opened her mouth again and said, "And I want you to know that I'll love you always.......forever. I think I'll be going home now."

"Going home now?" Soarin' asked. "Dash, you just got here, I think the pain killers are messing with your mind." Soarin' thought about something else that they could talk about. "Hey, Dash, remember the good times we had together when we first met? Let's talk about the wonderful things we did together and how much more fun it will be when we get you out of here." He paused and waited for a response, but there was none. "Dash?" he asked. 

There was still no response from her. She simply lay there silent, no longer communicating with him.

He shook her gently and called her name a few times, "Dash? Dash? Please talk to me." 

He watched her mouth closely, yet nothing was said nor any movement was made by her.

Reality kicked into Soarin's mind and he realized that she probably meant going home as in her eternal home. He began to accept the fact that she very much likely will die here very soon no matter how much he couldn't acknowledge the thought before. Soarin' fell over her body. He was distraught and prayed over her. "Dear God, why do You have to take her away from me? I don't want to go on in life without her. Please, You are the same God who raised Lazarus back to life from the dead, I beg that somehow You would graciously let me keep her. You used her to show me Your love, but I just feel that it's too soon for me to say good bye. Please Father, consider my prayer and don't take her away from me." Soarin' opened up his eyes and looked at Rainbow Dash, but there was nothing. She lay there lifeless and still. The only sound that was heard was the beeping from the heart rate monitor.

The door to the room flung open and a pony with a straight mane and tail and a coat that was a very dark shade of pink came barreling in. "Dashie!" she cried out.

In stepped the rest of Rainbow Dash's other friends. 

Pinkie Pie came over and picked up Rainbow Dash's head and burrowed it into her chest. "Dashie! Please speak to me!" Pinkie Pie cradled her friend in her front legs and rocked her back and forth and began to cry.

Twilight and her friends hit the floor in unison and began to mourn when they saw Rainbow Dash. 

No words were said. Each pony silently prayed around Rainbow Dash because no pony could control their sobbing to be able to speak.

Pinkie Pie was the only one who knew something terrible had happened because she got a brand new bizarre Pinkie sense that involved the feeling of her heart breaking in such a terrible way. She was the one who made her friends come and she somehow knew that it was about Rainbow Dash. 

A certain orange Pegasus pony snuck in quietly and stood behind the scenes. She watched as Rainbow's friends mourned over her. She wanted to go and apologize, but she was terrified of being persecuted. She was fearing for her life right now. She didn't even know if Rainbow Dash was alive or dead right now.

Pinkie Pie looked over at Soarin and spoke. "She's going to be OK, right?"

Soarin' picked up his head from praying and ran his front hoof through Rainbow's mane. "No," He said, refusing to take his eyes off of Dash. "She's going to die. I can't believe that she's not going to be with me anymore. I don't understand God's ways and I don't know why He will take her away from me like this. The doctor said that there's nothing he can do for her."

Tears welled up in Risk's eyes. The guilt had overwhelmed her and even if they would kill her, she knew that deep down inside, she deserved it. She ran up and threw herself onto Rainbow's body. "I did it! I am responsible for harming her. Please don't hurt me! I am so sorry!"

Soarin' became filled with rage when he realized that it was one of the two Pegasus ponies fleeing from the scene. "You no good dirty murderer! I'll have you thrown into prison for the rest of your life! How could you even think to harm her in the first place?! I will make you pay!" Soarin' got up and Twilight began to panic because it appeared that he was literally going to hurt her. "Applejack! Stop him!"

Applejack sprung into action and tackled him to the floor just before he was able to reach her. She stood on top of him and kept him pinned there. He struggled so hard to break free, but Applejack was stronger than most stallions out there, even when it came to the top athletes such as the Wonderbolts.

Twilight Sparkle came over and said, "Soarin'! Please stop! Your behavior is not Christ-like. We have a pony here who is repentant and we haven't even heard her story yet."

"But she tried to kill my girlfriend!" he shouted. 

"She was our best friend too and was our sister in Christ, Soarin'! Do you think Rainbow Dash would want you to behave like this? Did she ever tell you that she wanted to give her wings or even her whole life for just one pony to know the love and peace that Christ gives to her? Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry," Twilight said.

Soarin' shut his eyes tightly and two tears streamed down his face. "I-I-I remember that so well. She told me that often. I'm sorry. I just let anger and bitterness overcome me. Please, let me go."

Applejack looked over at Twilight Sparkle as if to silently ask her if it was OK to let him loose again.

Twilight Sparkle nodded her head OK and Applejack let him go. 

Soarin' slowly stood to his hooves and looked down at the floor. He couldn't even look Risk in the eyes because of the precious life that she tried to take away from him.

Risk Taker coward low when the mares circled her. "I'm so sorry. I killed her and my friend helped me do it, but she flew away. Please, have mercy."

"We're not going to hurt you," Twilight said. "We just want to understand and help."

"Help!?" Risk asked. "Help!? I'm far beyond being helped. I'm a murderer!" Risk cowered even lower when Twilight Sparkle put her front hoof out and touched her body.

"Let us pray for you then," Twilight Sparkle said. Each pony put their front hoof on her quivering body.

"Are you girls crazy?! Why aren't you locking me up or hurting me? Why don't you hate me?" Risk asked.

"Because we are called to forgive others since Christ has forgiven us. Rainbow Dash would want us to do this for you anyway."

"This is not normal! What makes you all like this?" Risk asked.

"The love of Christ does," Twilight answered. She put her other front hoof to her mouth and whispered, "Shhhh, let us pray for you now." 

The ponies each began to pray over Risk.

Soarin' stood by Rainbow Dash's side, refusing to take his eyes off of her. He stood there watching her for a long time while praying over her. After his prayer, he took off the wires that were attached to her chest and kissed her chest right where her heart was. For he could no longer bear to listen to the heart rate monitor beep slower and slower. "You had a pure heart of gold, Dash," he whispered to her. He then laid the side of his face down where her heart was. He couldn't leave her side. Rainbow Dash showed him what it meant to truly be loyal, and now he didn't want to let her go. Soarin's ears perked up when he heard the sound of something beat and he felt something pulsate against the side of his ear. He thought he was imagining things, but he felt it again, and then a third time. Soarin' picked his head up off of her chest. "Dash?" 

There was no answer from her.

He put his ear back down to her chest and listened. He could now hear her heart beating and feel it pulsating. Some hope shined through his heart and he perked back up with excitement. "Dash!" he cried out as he very gently shook her. "Dash! Can you hear me?" 

Twilight's ears perked up and she and her friends turned around to see what was going on. They had just finished praying over Risk Taker.

Rainbow Dash's eyes opened slowly and Soarin' almost jumped back in fear. 

"Soarin'?" she asked in a weak voice.

Soarin' wrapped his front legs around her body and kissed her cheek. "Jesus, thank You! Thank You for this miracle!" 

Everypony else stood there in shock, unable to move or speak. 

"Soarin'?" she asked again. "I love you."

"Thank You, Jesus," Twilight managed to say under her breath.

Rainbow's friends said a thank you to God for this miracle. They were all stunned that she was not dead.

Pinkie Pie's tail and mane instantly became puffy again and she ran over and embraced her friend. "Oh, Dashie! You're alive and it's so good to hear you talk again!"

Twilight Sparkle came closer to the bed and said, "Easy, Pinkie Pie. She still might be in a lot of pain. We don't want to hurt her." Twilight looked at Rainbow. "Rainbow Dash? Can you speak to us? How do you feel?" 

Rainbow Dash slowly looked at Twilight. "I don't know. All I kept hearing were words of love and I was thinking about all of you and Soarin'."

"That's wonderful! Praise Him! We are so glad you're able to talk," Twilight said with a beaming smile.

"I can't believe it," Soarin' said. "The doctor swore to me that she was going to die and here she is with her eyes open and talking to us again."

Risk Taker fell before Rainbow Dash and said, "Truly, I am so sorry for what I have done, Rainbow Dash. I don't know how I'm going to be able to pay for your medical bills when you sue me. I don't think there is any possible way I can afford it."

Rainbow Dash was deep in thought for a moment and said, "I'm not going to sue you."

"What!?" Risk asked. 

"I don't know how I'll afford this all, but I will," Rainbow said. "I want to pay for your wrong doings because Christ had paid for my sins. I know that no work or payment can ever be as great as compared to Christ's work on the cross for us, but I just want to show you compassion and show you how awesome my God is."

"B-b-but what if you're not able to fly again," Risk asked. 

"That would hurt me very much, but I want to tell you something. I often prayed and told my friends that I would gladly give up my wings and even my life just so that a pony could feel and know the love and peace that I have that can only come from God."

"T-t-that's the most beautiful thing I have ever heard," Risk said with tears in her eyes. 

"She is truly a saint," Soarin' said. 

"And so are you," Rainbow Dash replied.

"Huh? I don't understand how I can be a saint," Soarin' said.

Twilight spoke up. "The word saint does not have the cultic concept nor does the saint posses a quality that allows him or her to claim divinity. The term is applied to all believers. The saints can only approach God because he or she has obtained a righteous standing or position on the basis of Christ's work by means of faith."

"So she's not something special? Doesn't she deserve to be appointed as an Apostle or anything major?" Soarin' asked.

"Oh, no! She is very special, but I think that you are misunderstanding these terms and are trying to put her a little too high. An Apostle is not appointed by ponies or commissioned by anyone, but by Jesus Christ and the Father who raised Him from the dead. An Apostle is one who is sent out on a mission with fully delegated authority by his master, just as the original disciples whom Jesus selected were sent out. Apostles had full authority in oral and written proclamation. We need to remember that it is the doing of God's will that gives him pleasure and glory."

Soarin' looked down and nodded his head in understanding. Right now, he cared more about having Rainbow Dash by his side and seeing that she was being taken good care of. He could always ask questions later.

"S-s-so is this really all happening? You not only forgive me whole heartedly, but you also don't want me to pay for my crimes against you?" Risk asked.

Rainbow Dash smiled and nodded her head yes. "But you forgot one thing," Rainbow said. 

"What's that?" Risk asked.

"I want to be your friend because Jesus is a friend of sinners and He cares for you just as much as He cares for me," Rainbow said.

"I still don't understand," Risk said. 

"You don't have to understand," Rainbow said. "None of us can understand how God can even love us in the first place."

"I want to give my entire life to this God," Risk said. "What must I do?" 

"Well, you can talk to Him right now and surrender your life to Christ. Accept His death and resurrection, confess your desire to want to be His child and He will give you His helper, the Holy Spirit," Twilight said. 

"But I don't know what to say, I have never prayed before."

"Just give it your best shot. We can help you out if you need it," Twilight said.

Risk got low to the ground and began her prayer. "Dear God, I have done so much wrong and today, I have been shown amazing grace and mercy. I don't understand this, but I want to learn just how You transform these hearts of ponies. I literally almost killed a pony today out of jealousy and anger, but now she seems to be better again, and she has somehow forgiven me because of You. Any normal pony would give me the hate and judgment that I deserve. I have probably ruined her career as a Wonderbolt. Please God, would you heal her damaged body? She deserves to be healed and I deserve to be in her position right now. She said that she would pay for her own medical bills and not sue me even if she's not sure that she can afford all of this. Truly, I ask that You take full control over my life and change my heart to be more like Rainbow Dash's. Please forgive me of my sins, for they are atrocious and I don't know how I will move on in life. I feel like I will suffer with guilt for the rest of my life. Please help Rainbow Dash, and please help me. Amen."

Risk opened up her eyes and lifted her head up slowly to signify that she was done.

"Very well said for your first prayer. You prayed from your heart, Risk and I welcome you into God's herd," Twilight said. 

"Thank you. I feel this burden lifted off of me. I feel sorry for what I have done, but I do not feel guilty about it anymore. I almost feel.....at peace."

"That's because you're experiencing His grace and love right now. Grace expresses the cause, God's gracious work, and peace, the effect of God's work. The grace of God that brings salvation to sinners effects peace between them and God. This same grace also endures believers to live peacefully with each other."

"I want to dwell with you ponies. May I hang out with you since Rainbow Dash asked to be my friend?"

"Sure!" Twilight said. "We have our Bible group studies at my library and I'd be more than happy to have you come over!" 

Risk looked down and said, "I wasn't the only one involved in hurting Rainbow Dash. My friend, well, former friend, fled to Manehatten. She said really nasty and horrible things when we saw Rainbow Dash lying on the ground from our attack on her. She had no remorse and she hoped that Rainbow had died. She used to be a good friend of mine, do you think there is hope for her?"

"Of course there is," Twilight said. "The best we can do is pray for her." 

"I don't know exactly where she went, but I have ideas."

"I'm sure the authorities will look into the matter," Twilight said. "Let's just pray that she has a change of heart." 

Risk nodded her head and then hugged Rainbow Dash. "Back then, I used to believe that all Christians and religious ponies were the cause of all of the problems in the world. I am so sorry for this."

"No, I'm sorry," Rainbow Dash said.

"Huh?" Risk asked as she let go of her.

"I apologize for my brothers and sisters who sin and do not act in a truly Christ-like manner. The hate, the fighting, the sex scandals in the church. These are all terrible things."

"That's not your fault, but yes, those are some of the reasons why my heart was so angry. Thank you for showing me how Christ wants you and all of us to behave." 

"Hey, I still screw up sometimes too, we shouldn't look down on others. Just because some ponies may sin differently than us, doesn't mean that it makes us any better than them," Rainbow said.

Twilight Sparkle wiped a tear from her eye with the tip of her front hoof and smiled. "You have come a long way, Rainbow Dash. Praise be to God." 

Risk put her head down. "I don't know what's going to happen to me when I have to deal with the authorities. I assume that I'll be locked up in jail for a very long time."

"I'll fight it," Rainbow said. "Jail is supposed to be rehabilitation for the inmates and I know that you have already been rehabilitated through Christ. You are no longer a threat or danger to other ponies now, so you should be free. Remember the story of Paul? He never went to jail for his crimes in the past, but later on, he was locked up in jail and suffered great persecution for the truth. Christ came and changed his heart on the road to Damascus, and I feel that He has fully changed your heart as well. We'll speak with Princess Celestia about all of this anyway. Don't you worry about anything. We're all going to be here for you."

Risk nodded her head OK. 

Rarity had left for a short while and then came back in with a tray on wheels full of food and a drink for Rainbow Dash. Behind her, were nurses and doctors who were stunned to see that she was still alive and was talking. Rarity pushed the tray over her bed and adjusted its height for her friend. "I bet you're hungry and thirsty, Rainbow. I know this isn't exactly gourmet eating, but I thought that I would get you something to eat." 

Rainbow Dash tried to lean forward to grab the food, but she let out a moan in pain. Everypony had felt so sorry that she was still suffering even with the pain killers. 

Soarin' picked up the fork and knife and helped feed Rainbow Dash little by little. 

The nurses and doctors began checking her vital signs and her condition. She was going to live after all and be OK. They had heard of miracles happen before, but this was the first major miracle that any of the nurses or doctors had seen there. 

The ponies stayed the entire day and through most of the night with her. 

Twilight and her friends asked if she wanted them to stay with her over night, but Rainbow Dash said that they could leave and come back to visit her again. She only wanted Soarin' to stay and he was going to stay regardless if she asked him to stay or not. 

Risk would be going back with Twilight to her library for additional prayer and support before speaking with the Princess. 

Rainbow Dash was in a lot of pain, but she was very grateful. For a pony came to know the Lord today and her heart leapt with joy for her. She tried to stay awake for as long as she could, but she soon drifted off to sleep shortly after her friends had left.

Soarin' watched her chest rise and fall as she slept peacefully. For he would not leave her and wanted her just as much regardless if she was not able to fly or even walk again. For he was dedicated to Dash and this was his precious Princess that he loved so much. Soarin' started to get tired himself and drifted off to sleep in a chair nearby. His day was incredibly stressful and full of worry and the sounds of the hospital put him to sleep quickly. He hoped that she would be able to pull through all of this and he hoped that he could be there for her to help her through her new challenges in life. He had no idea what new challenges they would face together, but he would not give up on her just like how she had not given up on him. 
> Finding a Friend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	 Rainbow Dash was sitting in a wheelchair watching the doctor go through his notes. She had been in the hospital for a few weeks and was now discussing her situation with the doctor.

"It's truly amazing that you're alive," the doctor said. "You're a miracle mare."

"Each and everyone of us is a miracle," Rainbow added.

The doctor smiled. "I won't disagree with that, but your story amazes me. Let's talk about your situation."

"Rainbow Dash perked up a bit and asked, "Do you think I'll be able to fly again soon?"

The doctor shook his head no and said, "I predict that you may be able to fly in the future, but you won't ever be as strong as you used to. Your wings have severe damage from the fall and I really don't see how you'll be able to fly as well again, unless, of course another miracle happens. You will most likely always be suffering with chronic physical pain in your wings."

Rainbow Dash felt two tears trickle down her cheeks. "My Wonderbolt's dream," she said. She then perked up and said, "I can't let it bother me though. I got what I wished for and it was so worth it. I guess I didn't realize what it would be like to one day hear those words."

"I'm sorry," the doctor said. "You're going to have to spend a long time in rehab once your bones heal. I think you're well enough to go home, but we'll be giving you special light exercises to regain muscle strength. You should also look into some kind of special water rehabilitation program that would be right just for you. I heard that they have an excellent program at the gym in Ponyville."

"Thank you," Rainbow Dash said. "I'm already a gym member there."

"That's really all I have to tell you. Work hard and you should hopefully be back in the skies within time," the doctor said.

Soarin' got up and pushed her wheelchair out the door. 

The loud clopping sound of hooves against the tiled floor resonated through out the hallway. 

"I can't believe they are kicking me out so soon. I wonder if it has anything to do with my insurance," Rainbow said. 

"I don't know and I don't really care right now. All I care is that you're healthy and are on your way to getting back on your hooves again," Soarin' said as he walked down the halls. 

"How am I going to get back to my house or yours since I can't fly or even get out of this wheelchair yet?" she asked.

"I guess we'll have to find other ways," Soarin' said.

"Fluttershy would help me," Rainbow said. "Let's go see her. I bet that she can take me in for a while."

Soarin' reached the exit and had to track down a taxi. Rainbow Dash told him the directions to Fluttershy's house, and the taxi Pegasus pony helped Soarin' load her into the cart and made sure to double check that the brakes of the wheelchair were secure on the wheels. 

The Pegasus pony took off and they were on their way.

Soarin' held on to Dash to make sure that she didn't fall out of her wheelchair. 

"I really hope that Fluttershy doesn't mind me barging in like this," Rainbow said.

"Didn't she tell you that you were welcome in her cottage at any time and that she would give the fur off of her back for you if you were ever cold?" Soarin' asked.

"She would do that for anypony," Rainbow answered, "But yeah, I just don't want to feel like I'm putting too much stress on her. She already spends most of her time caring for the needs of the woodland critters."

"There's always Twilight Sparkle's house, right? She has an extra bed upstairs you told me. What about Rarity? She is the generous one. You also have Applejack, who tells me that you're really like an Apple family member to her, or Pinkie Pie who loves to cheer you up."

"That's true. All of my friends would take me in, but I think that Fluttershy might be the best because she knows how to nurse animals back to health so well and she's just.....really kind and gentle. If I'm going to be doing my rehabilitation exercises, she's going to be the best bet to help me out with that, especially since she already knows a lot about aquatic exercise since she attends classes at the gym often and the doctor said that exercise in the pool would really help me out a lot."

"That sounds like a good idea to me. Your friend, Fluttershy is so meek and gentle," Soarin' said. 

The two ponies continued to discuss matters until they had landed in front of Fluttershy's cottage. 

The pony pulling the wagon unstrapped himself from the cart and then opened up the gate. He and Soarin' gently helped Rainbow out of it. 

"Thanks for being so gentle with her," Soarin' said. "How much do I owe you?"

"You're welcome, and that will be twenty bits please," the Pegasus stallion said.

Soarin' gave him a bag full of bits and said, "There's a little extra in there too. Have a good day."

"Thank you, and I hope you get well, Miss." 

Rainbow Dash smiled and thanked him. 

The Pegasus stallion strapped himself to the cart and flew away back to the hospital.

Right as the taxi left, Fluttershy happened to appear from the side of her house. She was bringing out bags of bird seed for her bird feeders. She placed them down on her front porch and came over to the two ponies. She perked up and said, "Hi, Rainbow Dash! How are you feeling today?"

"I'm still in a lot of pain, but I'm doing better. I got discharged from the hospital today, but I don't have anywhere to stay and I can't go home since I can't fly. I need to be grounded for a while and I need a really good care giver."

"You can stay with me, Rainbow Dash! I have room for you! I know all about nursing ponies back to health."

"Wow, you really are so kind, Fluttershy. I know that you must be so very busy tending to all of the needs of your animal friends," Rainbow said.

"They don't call me the element of kindness for nothing. How about we get you something to eat? I make a really mean vegetable garlic soup."

Rainbow Dash giggled. "Fluttershy? Make something mean? Now this I have to see."

"Oh, it's just an expression." Fluttershy turned to Soarin' and asked, "Would you like to stay for some soup and tea?"

"That actually sounds like a really fun combo. Sure, I'll stick around. Thank you," Soarin' said. He followed Fluttershy into the cottage while pushing Rainbow Dash's' wheelchair. 

"You can have a seat here," Fluttershy said as she pulled out a chair for Soarin'. "I'll be right out."

Soarin' pushed Rainbow Dash up to the table and took a seat across from her. "Well, this turned out quite well," he said as he looked around her cottage. "This place seems really nice and the animals seem very well behaved around here. Soarin' felt something slither against his hind leg and he looked down. "Gah!" Soarin' jumped up out of his seat and said, "Maybe I'll take that back! Is that thing poisonous?"

Fluttershy peeked her head in from the kitchen when she heard Soarin' scream. "Sammy?" she asked. She looked at Rainbow Dash and asked, "Where is Soarin'?"

Rainbow Dash giggled and pointed up to the ceiling. 

There was Soarin' clinging to the chandelier that was swaying back and forth. 

"There's my big tough knight in shining armor," Rainbow said. "Not afraid of risking his life when doing crazy stunts with the Wonderbolts, but is terrified of a little snake."

"Oh, Sammy come back here to Mommy."

The snake obeyed and slithered up Fluttershy's front leg and wrapped himself around her neck. 

"What are you doing? That thing can strangle you!" Soarin' said as he pointed his front hoof at her.

"Oh, Sammy is one of my snakes who is sick and I'm nursing him back to health. He's not poisonous, and even if he was, he wouldn't bite a pony." Fluttershy put her hoof under his chin and brought him close to her face. "You're just a sweetheart, aren't you? Show Soarin' that you give kisses, Sammy." Fluttershy giggled when the snakes tongue tickled her cheek.

"You have to understand, Soarin'," Rainbow said. "Fluttershy just has a way with animals and she can speak to them and they can speak to her."

"Wait, so you take care of all of the animals?" Soarin' asked. "What happens when you're taking care of one animal that needs to eat another? Why aren't the little mice and birds freaking out right now?"

"Oh, well, I do feed my animals other animals once they have died. When I release them back in the wild, they are free to find their own food. I couldn't ever feed my animal friends to each other like that when they are still alive. It would be too heart breaking. Sammy knows to be a good boy and not eat anything in here unless I say that it's ok. I keep dead rabbits and mice in little brown papers bags in my refrigerator for him."

"Oh....that's...rather....interesting," Soarin' said hoping not to offend her. He suddenly didn't feel very hungry anymore.

"Don't worry, Soarin'. I keep all of my dead critter friends on the bottom shelf and all of the food that I eat on the top shelf so that way I don't have any mix ups." Fluttershy paused and tapped her two front hooves together in a guilty manner. "Well, there was that one time when I made a slight mix up and gave Twilight something to eat that was...um....I don't think she even realized what she ate and enjoyed it anyway.....Actually, let's just move on from this topic. I'm going to bring out the soup now."

"Hey, Soarin'." Rainbow said.

"Yeah, Dash?" Soarin' asked.

"You can come down from that chandelier now."

Soarin' looked at Rainbow Dash while he was hanging upside down from it. "Oh yeah, sorry about that. Hey Dash, I'm not so hungry anymore, You can have all of the soup." Soarin' fell from the ceiling and picked himself up. "Maybe I'll just have an apple or something."

"Don't be such a pansy pony. I know that you're almost always hungry, like Applejack. Fluttershy only made a careless mistake once and well....Twilight Sparkle just got a little extra protein with her meal. Jesus came to Peter in a vision and said that we could eat the food that was once forbidden anyway, right?"

Soarin' put his front hoof to his face and said, "Ok, fine. I'll eat the food, but if I taste anything funny, I'll go out and bring us both something to eat."

"Sure, that works," Rainbow said. "But I know that she learned from her mistakes and remembers to label the bags."

Fluttershy soon came back with a pot of soup, three bowls, three tea cups, and some silver spoons. She set everything up and then went into the kitchen to bring in her steaming tea kettle. She poured out tea for everypony and then She poured out the soup with a ladle into each bowl. "Be careful, it's hot!"

Soarin' leaned in closer and sniffed his soup. His nostrils rotated several times and the scent that he picked up confirmed that nothing funny was going on. At least to his understanding. "Hey Dash, the doctors said that you should try to do some things on your own if you don't have any pain. Do you think that you can try to pick up your spoon?"

Rainbow Dash tried to bend over to pick up her spoon, but the pain overtook her and she let out a holler in pain.

"Oh, Dash! I'm so sorry. I didn't know you hurt that badly still. I think you took your last pain killer for the day too. Let me come over there and help you." Soarin' got out his seat, but Fluttershy came over to Rainbow Dash.

"I've got this Soarin'. Fluttershy said. "Rainbow Dash is under my care giving as of now. You just sit there and enjoy your soup." Fluttershy winked at him and said, "I put my special ingredient in there."

"Thanks for taking care of her, but what's that special ingredient that you put in the soup?" he nervously asked.

"Taste it," she said. 

Soarin' did and said, "Wow! That tastes good, but spicy. It tastes like some kind of pepper is in there."

"Bingo," Fluttershy said. 

A dog came rushing over and sat down by Fluttershy and barked.

"Oh, not you sweetie, it's just an expression." Fluttershy turned back to Soarin' and said, "It's a special kind of pepper that's really healthy and improves blood circulation. It's really good for the heart too. It has many other health benefits as well."

"It tastes like Cayenne pepper. I remember when the Wonderbolts all did a daredevil challenge with me based on a fan's special request of putting a tablespoon of that stuff in our mouths to see who could tolerate it the best. I remember seeing Spitfire literally spit fire when she tried it. It's good stuff and tastes great mixed in with food. It's one way to drain sinuses for those who suffer with allergies too." Soarin' blew on his soup and then took several more sips of it. It was delicious and his fears about Fluttershy's cooking vanished when he drank more of it."

"There's also some cut up turmeric root in there to help with Rainbow's pain and some black pepper for her to help absorb the turmeric root. God's food is healing medicine," Fluttershy said.

"So this is going to be the most humbling experience that I think I may ever have. One day I was training Fluttershy how to be a stronger flier and it seems like the next day, I'm sitting here being spoon fed and will be having her rehabilitate me."

Fluttershy dipped Rainbow's spoon into her bowl and brought the spoon up to her mouth. She blew on it a few times and said, "You'll get through this, Dash. You helped encourage me to exercise at the gym and showed me the value of working out. Now, I know this is going to be very hard for you being that performing at sports and games are so very important for you, but we're going to need to take it slow and make sure that you heal correctly. You'll be back in the skies doing Sonic Rainbooms in no time!"

Rainbow Dash put her head down. "The doctor said that I'll never be able to fly strong again."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Rainbow Dash. We're not going to think of you any differently whether you can fly or not. We're just happy to have you back and that's all that matters."

"Thanks Fluttershy. It just hurts deep down inside to know that I never got to perform with the Wonderbolts. It's one dream that has been shattered."

"I understand Rainbow Dash, but we need to be grateful for what we have and our accomplishments that we have made in the past. We're tremendously grateful that we have you back." Fluttershy put the spoon closer to her mouth and said, "We should also remember that doctors do not have the final say, but God does. Remember, the doctors and nurses pronounced you dead and yet you're alive again."

"Wow, you're right, Fluttershy. Thanks for the kind and true words. I guess the loss bothers me a bit. I hope that I don't sound like a hypocrite to you all. It's just that the loss is still tragic even if deep down inside, I know that great things are still to come. I guess in due time, I will get used to whatever new limitations that I may have. A pony came to know Christ and that alone is worth the loss and suffering."

"Dreams can be shattered, but new and humble beginnings can begin and turn into something greater than what we can even imagine. We're never going to leave your side, Rainbow. You taught us what it means to have a true and loyal friend. Now open up and down the hatch!"

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth and let Fluttershy feed her. 

"We're going to have a great time together and I'm going to have my little birdies sing you lullabies to help you fall asleep." Fluttershy called out for one of her best singing pet birds. "Oh, Melody! Come here and meet Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy extended her front leg expecting the bird to come and land on it. After waiting several seconds she began to panic a little bit. "Um, Melody? Are you here?" Fluttershy rushed into the kitchen and called for her pet bird, but she could not find her. She came back in and looked at the pot of soup with horror. "Oh no!" I hope that she didn't fall into my pot of soup! Sometimes things fly and land in my soup. Bats especially since they are blind. Sometimes, birds keel over and die and fall into my food. I have so many other animals crawling on my walls and flying around my house near where I'm cooking too, but I don't think Melody was that old. Um, you might want to look away, this might be ugly."

Soarin' put his front hoof to his mouth in an attempt not to vomit and Rainbow Dash shook her head no several times in disappointment. 

Fluttershy carefully lifted the lid off and looked inside. "Melody?" 

The moment she called her name again, a singing bird popped out of her long pink mane and whistled a tune. "Huh?" Fluttershy listened to the singing voice and perked up. "Oh Melody! I was so worried about you! I almost forgot that birds like to nest in my mane because I have such a long mane. Melody please say hi to Rainbow Dash."

The singing bird sang to her happily. 

"Your mane would make a great nest for a bird, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said. "Pinkie Pie's mane would too."

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash turned to see Soarin' hunched over and was breathing heavily as he fanned himself with his front hoof. 

"Are you having a panic attack, Soarin'?" Rainbow asked.

"Kind of. I just really thought an animal critter friend of Fluttershy's fell into the pot of soup after I drank that entire bowl. I'm ok now, really," he replied in between coughing.

Fluttershy looked at him and then looked back at Rainbow Dash with worry.

"He'll get over it," Rainbow said. 

The three ponies talked about taking care of Rainbow Dash and set up a special routine for her. 

Soarin' carried her off to the sofa in the living room where she nodded off to sleep. Being in pain was exhausting to her and she would need a lot of rest. 

Fluttershy would be sleeping in her bed upstairs. She left a few nocturnal animal critter friends to keep watch on Rainbow Dash in order to come alert her if Rainbow Dash needed something.
> Princess Celestia's Decision
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight Sparkle brought Risk Taker to see the Princess. The Princess had some free time that she put aside in order to speak with these two ponies. The guards opened the doors to Princess Celestia's throne and let the two ponies in. Twilight and Risk approached the Princess and bowed low to the floor. 

"Thank you for responding so quickly to my letter last night and taking the time to see us today," Twilight said. "I know you have such a busy schedule."

"I have already read your letter about the story of what happened to Rainbow Dash and last night, I spent much of my time in prayer asking what I should do."

"I know decisions like this don't happen over night, but we came in hopes that you might have some ideas. Rainbow Dash wanted to come, but she's in too much pain right now," Twilight said. 

"I already have the answer to your question regarding Risk Taker's freedom," the sun Princess said.

Risk put her head down low and her ears drooped down. "I know that I deserve punishment. How long are you planning on locking me up?"

"You will not be locked up and you will face no prison sentence," the Princess said.

Risk picked her head up and looked at Princess Celestia with shock. "Why and how are you able to make such a quick decision like that? How can you even trust me?"

"Because I had a dream that came from the Lord last night about you. I was told in my dream that you would come to me today and that I should set you free because you have been transformed by His love and that you will do many great things through Him." 

"I don't know what to say," Risk Taker said. "I am very grateful for all of this. I guess I had followed a friend of mine who was very hateful and being with her brain washed me."

"There's a lesson to be learned in all of this," the Princess said. "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" 

Risk bowed her head low and nodded in agreement.

"You spoke about you're friend in the letter that Twilight wrote me who encouraged you to hurt other Christians. Where is she now?" Princess Celestia asked.

"I don't know exactly, but she told me that she was fleeing to the city of Manehatten," Risk said.

"That's good enough. I will send out my guards to track her down before she does anymore harm," Princess Celestia said. "She will not be hidden for long. As for you, I have a special request." 

"What may that request be?" Risk asked.

"I want you to write letters to me and I want to hear from you often about your journey in the faith."

"I will most certainly do so, my Princess. I will also be attending Twilight's support groups and Bible studies," Risk replied.

"Then I do not have anymore to say to you at this moment. I wish you well and I will be looking forward to reading your letters and hearing from Twilight Sparkle on how you are doing."

Risk bowed low once more. "Thank you for being such a merciful and forgiving leader. We are blessed to have you ruling."

The Princess put her front hoof up in the air to signify that she could go and was free now. She also had to get to many other important matters right now.

Twilight and Risk said goodbye and left the palace. Together, they would be going back to Twilight's library for her Bible study group. 
> Back at the Gym
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A few more days went by and Rainbow Dash was already at the gym with Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash wasn't able to do much exercise in her wheelchair, but the aquatics program was perfect for her since it did not strain her body and exercising in the water was the safest for ponies suffering with joint pain. 

Fluttershy had learned a lot about hurting ponies and rehabilitating them through aquatics exercise. She studied what the instructor did with them and learned which movements helped specific injuries. 

Fluttershy splashed her two front hooves with excitement in the water. "Come on, sugar cube. Just lift your wings a little bit and..."

"Did you seriously just call me sugar cube?" Rainbow asked.

"Ooops," Fluttershy said. "I guess Applejack's terms and phrases can be a bit catchy." 

"At least you're not summoning rubber chickens like Twilight and Rarity were doing by mistake," Rainbow said. She lifted her wings slightly and Fluttershy gave her praise for her efforts. 

All was going well until Fluttershy's ears perked up when she heard two discinct voices. 

"Hey Louie, want to jump into the water?" Frankie asked.

"Yeah, bro. Let's make another tidal wave. Geronimo!"

Fluttershy turned to them and waved her two front hooves in the air frantically. "Wait!" she cried out. 

Surprisingly, both water buffalos stopped right at the edge of the pool. "What's the matter, yellow horse?"

"We have a pony in here who is suffering with excrutiating pain and splashing would tense her body up and amplify the pain. Please be considerate and use the steps today.

"But the sign doesn't say no diving for water buffalos," Frankie said.

"You might want to look again," Fluttershy said with a sly smirk. 

Both water buffalos quickly looked at the sign. 

"Aw shucks! No way, Louie! They updated the sign and included a picture of a water buffalo next to the pony with the big red x going through it. That's so not cool!"

"Well, what are we going to do?" Louie said as he began to climb down the steps. "Maybe we can propose for them to build a diving board in the deep end."

"But they said that they lose about half of the pool's water when we dive in just the shallow part of the pool. There'd be no water left if we did a high dive off of a diving board."

"I don't know," Louie said. "They could sweep it all back in I guess."

"Frankie shrugged and climbed into the pool as well. "It's whatever, bro."

"Thank you for being so considerate," Fluttershy said. 

Frankie and Louie swam up to the two ponies and stopped to look at Rainbow Dash. 

"Uh, guys. Don't group hug her or even touch her, please. She's in a lot of pain," Fluttershy admonished.

"Oh, we only save our hugs for you, sweetie!" Frankie said. 

"Isn't this your pony friend, or something?" Louie asked.

"Yes, and for once you're correct. She is a pony and not a...."

"Not a yellow horse like you! We know already!" Frankie butted in.

Fluttershy looked down and sighed with depression.

"What's her name again? Rainbow Crash?" Louie asked.

"Her name is Rainbow Dash and she is suffering from a very traumatic crash, guys," Fluttershy said.

"Yeah, so Rainbow Crash! That makes a lot more sense to me," Frankie said.

Rainbow Dash glared at Fluttershy with anger. "Are these guys going to just move on, or are they going to bother us forever?" 

Fluttershy leaned closer and whispered in her ear. "You have great patience. They'll go away soon....I hope."

"So check out that tattoo on this one's butt," Louie said. "See! These tattoo's don't make any sense. She's a really in-shape pony, yet she has a cutie mark that says she should be fat."

"What the heck do you guys mean by that!?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Well, you have a bolt of lightning on your flanks. That should mean that you have thunder thighs, right?" Louie asked.

"Lightning can be seen. Thunder is just the sound caused by lightning," Rainbow said in an annoyed tone of voice.

"No way, bro!" Frankie said. "Her cutie mark tattoo thingy just means that she can probably shoot lightning out of her butt when she farts or something. I bet the cloud has something to do with that too. No one farts better than us though. Maybe it's her specialty."

"Well, what's up with the lightning bolt being colored like a rainbow?" Louie asked. "It appears that she has some kind of rainbow on her rear.

Frankie shrugged and said, "I don't know, bro. Maybe it has something to do with her mane and tail being the colors of a rainbow?"

"Or maybe she farts rainbows out of her butt!" Louie said with excitement. "That's what the rainbow on her rump means."

"Louie, that doesn't even make any sense," Frankie said.

"Shut up!" Louie yelled.

"No, you shut up!' Frankie shot back.

The two water buffalos began arguing incessantly over Rainbow Dash's cutie mark.

Fluttershy whispered in Rainbow Dash's ear. "Now is our chance to get away before they realize."

Fluttershy helped Rainbow Dash get out of the pool.

The two ponies both realized that something was missing. 

"My wheelchair...." Rainbow Dash said. "Who would steal a wheelchair from a pony who needs it?" 

"Oh, dear," Fluttershy said. "I'm not much of a strong pony, but I'll try to carry you out. I just hope that it won't be too painful for you. I'll try to walk as gently as I can." Fluttershy got low to the ground and Rainbow Dash gently climbed onto her back. Fluttershy began to head towards the exit with Rainbow Dash on her back. Rainbow's front legs were wrapped around her neck.

"Hey Fluttershy, can we make a pitstop at the front desk? I brought some bits to pay for something."

Fluttershy obeyed and stopped at the front desk.

"Rainbow Dash?" Vinyl Scratch asked. "Why are you being carried like that? Where is your wheelchair?"

"Somepony stole it, I guess," Rainbow said. 

"I saw some fillies walking out with a wheelchair about an hour ago, but I didn't say anything because I didn't know it was yours. I guess they wanted to play a mean prank or something," Vinyl Scratch said. "Do you need any help, or will you be ok with Fluttershy carrying you around like that?"

"I'll be fine," Rainbow said. "I just don't understand who would do such a thing. Anyway, I just came over because a birthday is coming up and I'd like to pay for a year's worth of boxing lessons as a gift." Rainbow Dash gave Vinyl Scratch a bag of bits. "Eighty bits for a once a week boxing lesson for a year. I'd like that deal please." 

Vinyl Scratch took the bag of bits and handed her the gift certificate. She then quickly scribbled something down on a pad with a quill. "Whenever they want to start, just have them stop by with this certificate. If it gets lost or stolen, I wrote down the number and your name next to it. I'll just need forms to be filled out before the lessons start. Thanks, Rainbow Dash, and I hope that you can get your wheelchair back and find out who stole it."

"Thanks, Vinyl Scratch. I'll see you later with Octavia at Twilight's Bible study tonight," Rainbow said as she took the gift certificate.

Fluttershy turned and walked out the door.

Back at the swimming pool, Louie and Frankie were still debating. "And that's my final word! Those tattoos don't make any sense!" Frankie said.

"Fine!" Louie said.

"Fine!" Frankie said.

Both water buffalos turned to talk to the ponies, but they were gone.

"Aw, shucks Louie. Where did they go? Do you think that we scared them away?"

"I don't know, Frankie. It's kind of hard to believe that Fluttershy can sneak away like a ninja when she's so noisy and talkative." Louie gasped when he saw a pool water skimmer. "He swam over to it and cried out, "Oh no! I think our yellow horse friend got sucked into this thing." He put his two front hooves to his mouth and called out, "Fluttershy, 
are you in there? Can you hear me?" He then put his ear to the skimmer and waited for a response for several seconds. "I don't know Frankie, I think the yellow horse can teleport too. Maybe she teleported out of the gym or something."

"No way!" Frankie said. "I didn't see horns on their heads. Only really smart unicorns can do that, like that lavender colored one at the gym who does crossword puzzles as she rides the recumbent bike."

"That doesn't even make sense!" Louie said. "What about that pink pony who can just appear out of nowhere? She can teleport too and she doesn't even have a horn."

"Maybe our yellow horse friend can teleport because she stores the magical powers in her wings," Frankie said.

"No! Shut up! That's stupid!" 

"You're stupid!" Louie said.

The two water buffalos began arguing once again.

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had stealthily avoided the two water buffalos and were now out of the building.

"Wow, Fluttershy. Those two guys had to be the most annoying two that I have ever seen. How do you even deal with them?"

"Oh, I just learned to be patient and kind. We're all a work in progress in Christ and so are they. Some progress faster than others," Fluttershy said. 

"You're really good at carrying ponies for not being so strong, Fluttershy," Rainbow said. "I thought this would hurt a lot more."

"Being kind and gentle is so very important to me. I'm not exactly a clunker," the yellow meek mare said.

"A clunker? Do you mean like Derpy Hooves?" Rainbow Dash asked. "She can be a bit of a clunker sometimes."

"Um, no comment," Fluttershy said. 

"I can't believe how stealthy you were when you snuck away with me on your back without letting those two water buffalos see us. You're like a ninja," Rainbow said. 

"Jesus was like a ninja too," Fluttershy said.

"Huh?" Rainbow asked.

"You don't remember in the book of Luke? He literally was like a ninja recorded in the book of Luke, chapter four. Don't you remember this?" Fluttershy cleared her throat and retold the story of ninja-like Jesus. "And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger. And they rose up and thrust him out of the city; and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong. But He passing through the midst of them, went his way. 

"Wow, Jesus really was like a stealthy ninja," Rainbow said. "His hometown had so many ponies dwelling there. It's kind of odd how your own hometown can hate you so passionately. He seemed to be loved everywhere else except for the one place that should have been rooting for him." 

"It was all prophesied before it ever happened," Fluttershy said.  

"It's kind of funny how Pinkie Pie has that skin tight black spy suite and sometimes goes around like she's some kind of ninja spy. She's by far the least stealthiest pony out of our group."

"Hey, it's Pinkie Pie. No pony can figure her out," Fluttershy said. "She also loves to call Jesus's miracles, party tricks."

As the two ponies approached the corner of the building, some very familiar giggling could be heard.

Fluttershy turned the corner and was met with three fillies and what seemed like a brand new sparkling wheelchair. Sitting in the wheelchair was Scootaloo. 

"Scoots?" Rainbow asked. 

Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom stopped pushing the wheelchair and stood next to Scootaloo's side.

"Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo cried out as she hopped out of the wheelchair. She ran up and wrapped her front legs around Rainbow Dash's front leg. "Rainbow Dash! We're so sorry that we were late. We tried to get it back in time, but it took a while! Oh, how I have missed my hero so much!" 

"Please be gentle with her, Scootaloo. She's still in a lot of pain," Fluttershy said.

Scootaloo let go of Rainbow Dash's front leg and pointed to the wheelchair. "Do you like what we did? It's our gift to you!"

Rainbow Dash looked at the wheelchair. It was completely decked out with art work inspired by Rainbow Dash's cutie mark and had hints of the Wonderbolts designs as well.

"You did that for me, girls?" Rainbow asked.

"We sure did!" the three fillies said in unison.

"It was Scootaloo's idea so you should thank her. We just helped her make this for you," Sweetie Belle said.

"Wow, you girls have touched my heart," Rainbow said.

"So does that mean you like it?" Scootaloo asked.

"It's wonderful, Scoots. Thank you for doing this for me. Let me sit in it now." Rainbow Dash slowly got off of Fluttershy's back and the ponies helped Rainbow Dash sit in her newly designed wheelchair."

"Is it at least twenty percent cooler?" Scootaloo asked.

"It sure is, Scoots. Wow, I really didn't expect this."

"You're so very welcome, Rainbow Dash," Scootaloo said.

"Hey! Will you be around later on or can we stop by and visit you at Fluttershy's cottage?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Rarity needs me home right now."

"And Applejack needs me to do some farm chores. We only took the time out to help Scootaloo with her ideas," Apple Bloom said.

"You girls can visit me at any time," Rainbow said. "Thank you both for the gift."

The two fillies said good bye and then were on their way.

"Hey, Rainbow Dash. Can we spend some time together? Like, just me and you alone?" Scootaloo asked.

Rainbow Dash patted her on her head and said, "Sure, Scoots." She turned her head to Fluttershy and asked, "Would that be ok, Fluttershy?"

"Sure!" Fluttershy said. "I'll let you two bond a bit while I prepare supper. You can stay and have dinner with us. Let's get going now." Fluttershy pushed Rainbow Dash in her wheelchair and the ponies made their way back to her cottage.
> Bonding With Her Most Loyal Fan
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash sat with Scootaloo by the stream in front of Fluttershy's cottage. 

"So I heard all about what happened with you. I'm so glad that you're still alive. You're still my number one hero," Scootaloo said. "No pony will ever be as awesome as you."

"Hey, hey, hey. Easy there, Scoots. I used to be really proud and loved being the center of attention, but I think that you have been treating me like an idol. I still struggle with pride and I don't need to fall into the trap of being proud and acting like I'm the best at everything again. I had Soarin' literally believe that I was some kind of super special saint and he believed that I was going to become some kind of Apostle designated by another pony or something. You need to keep your eyes on Jesus, kid. Not me."

"I'm sorry, Rainbow Dash. You're just really easy to get hooked on. I want to always be rooting for you."

"Thanks, Scoots. When I was your age, I idolized the Wonderbolts myself. It took me a long time to put my idols away. You can always feel free to cheer for me, there's nothing wrong with that. We are commanded to lift one another's spirits up, but we have to be careful that it doesn't go any farther than that or else it literally becomes like worship."

Scootaloo nodded her head in understanding. "Will you keep me in check so that I don't worship idols?"

"Absolutely. You know I won't let my little sister down."

Scootaloo perked up with a beaming smile. "I really love it when you call me your sister. I don't have a sister, and it just makes my day to hear you say that you're my sister, since you're my most favorite pony of all to be with."

"Well, it's true Scoots. You are my little sister whether we are blood related or not and I'll always love you like my sister."

Tears welled up in Scootaloo's eyes. She wasn't exactly a filly who got much love or appreciation which is one reason why she clung so much to Rainbow Dash. She was one of the few mares who seemed to care for her despite her disabilities. "I don't know what to say, but thank you! I have been getting bullied so much in school by Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara. Just a few days ago, Diamond Tiara punched me in the nose which sent me to the nurses office. I didn't even do anything wrong. I'm starting to become afraid to go to school and they still continue to call me chicken."

"I'm so sorry, Scoots. I had two bullies that I had to deal with in the past. They will know by our love and some will persecute us because we follow the truth. We need to pray for them. Your birthday is coming up, but I want to give you a little gift that I picked up today. Think of it as an early birthday present."

"You got me a gift, Rainbow Dash?" 

"Of course I did, kid. How can I not give my most loyal and dedicated fan a little gift?" 

"Because you being here next to me is all I could ever wish for."

Rainbow Dash put her hoof to her chest. "Aw, come on, Scoots! Don't do this to me! You're going to give me a literal heart attack."

"I'm sorry."

Rainbow Dash pulled out her gift and gave it to Scootaloo.

"What's this for?" Scootaloo asked.

"It's a gift certificate for the gym. I will be signing you up for boxing lessons. Listen, I don't want you to get violent by doing this, but you seriously need to learn how to defend yourself if you really feel threatened in any kind of physical way. Self defense is not a crime and my heart breaks every time I hear you tell me stories about the bullies at school. I do not want you to go around thinking that it's ok to hurt ponies. I want you to beat the love of Jesus into ponies, but not with your hooves. Do you understand me?"

Scootaloo nodded her head yes and said, "I'll be responsible, I promise. Thank you so much for thinking of me like this." Scootaloo got up and gently hugged her hero. 

Rainbow Dash closed her eyes proudly and smiled. She could really see herself one day living with Scootaloo as a family member. Scootaloo went beyond sister in many instances. Rainbow Dash even saw her as her very own daughter and she loved to take her under her wing whenever she was hurt, sacred, or needed comforting.

Scootaloo let go of her and sat back down. She stared into the little stream and asked, "So are you excited that you're a Wonderbolt now? I seriously can't wait to get tickets to come and see you. You're going to be the greatest Wonderbolt of all time!" 

Rainbow Dash put her front hoof on Scootaloo's head and said, "Scoots, I need to tell you something. I'm incredibly blessed to be alive and have a very good chance at flying again, but I don't think that I'll be flying with the Wonderbolts or performing a Sonic Rainboom ever again. If I'm able to do a Sonic Rainboom again, it's by God's will and grace alone, but I can't expect God to just give me free hand outs and fixing every single problem in my life. Do you remember the miracle story of when God healed Rarity of her diseases? He didn't have to do that, and He'd still be just as good whether He decided to heal her or not. Yeah, it was heart breaking to hear that I won't be able to fly as fast as I can again, but there's a beautiful story behind all of this. A lost pony came to know Christ, and even though being a Wonderbolt was one of my biggest dreams in life, having a pony come to know the Lord is far more exciting than flying with the top elite fliers or performing a Sonic Rainboom. I'm sorry if it's disappointing to you that you won't see me perform as a Wonderbolt. I know you have always wanted to see me fly with them, but maybe this will all work out for the better. Maybe this will be a good and humbling experience for me and that I'll also have more time to spend with my most favorite cutie mark crusader. I just hope that my most loyal fan won't be too upset that I can't fly as well."

"Wow, I'm so sorry to hear that one of your most important dreams has been shattered. I won't think any less of you if you can't fly as well or even if you couldn't fly at all. Remember, I have disabilities that prevents me from flying as well. As long as you'll love me and stay by my side. I'll always be happy."

"Hey, we need to view whatever disabilities we may have as something to work around and overcome through other means. Think of having a disability is like playing a video game. It's like we are playing life on expert mode!" Rainbow said.

Scootaloo giggled at the thought.

Every time Rainbow Dash could make Scootaloo smile, it made her own heart smile. She was no Pinkie Pie by any means when it came to cheering up ponies, but cheering up at least one pony in her life was very important to her. 

"Rainbow Dash! Scootaloo! Dinner is ready!" Fluttershy called out from her cottage. 

"Wow, Scoots, we have been sitting here talking for a while. Are you hungry? I'm starving.....like Applejack.....Well, maybe not THAT hungry, but you get the idea." Rainbow laughed as she visualized Applejack eating and the splash damage that she had caused with her food.

"I'm hungry too. It's really kind of Fluttershy to let me stay over with you. Let's get some dinner!" Scootaloo put her two front hooves on the back of the wheelchair and pushed Rainbow Dash into the cottage.

Fluttershy held the door open and welcomed them inside. 

Rainbow Dash would have great support through her friends and she would continue to be a positive role model for her biggest fan, Scootaloo. 
> The Big Surprise
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A few more weeks went by and Rainbow Dash continued to rehabilitate under the watchful eye of Fluttershy. 

Soarin' would come by to lend a helping hoof whenever he possibly could and to spend time with his sweetheart. 

Rainbow Dash lay peacefully asleep on Fluttershy's sofa next to her wheelchair. She was exhausted from her training at the gym and napping was something that she enjoyed doing whether injured or not. 

Soarin' touched down low with a box and a gift for his filly friend. He peeked through the window and saw Rainbow Dash sleeping peacefully. He felt a bit guilty for not knocking, but Fluttershy had told him that she would leave her door unlocked for him and that he was welcome to come inside at any time. Soarin' gently opened the door and stepped inside. He walked over to his sleeping beauty and got low before her. He put one hoof on her shoulder and gently shook her. "Dash. Hey, Dash."

Rainbow Dash squirmed a bit and yawned. She opened up her eyes and said, "Soarin'? what are you doing here today? I thought you had work today."

"I took off, Dash. I need to take you somewhere today."

"Huh? Where are we going?" she asked.

"It's a surprise." 

"Uh-oh. Does it involve Pinkie Pie? I don't know if I can handle her high energy levels and risking her bumping into me while I'm still hurting."

"No, it's just you and me, sweetie. I hope that this doesn't upset you because I know you don't like me to shower you with gifts, but I just had to make this for you today." Soarin' picked up his gift for her from the floor and placed it on her chest. 

It was a bouquet of beautiful, colorful wild flowers that he had freshly picked. He traveled deep into the Everfree forest to find these rare flowers and he did his best to find every color of the rainbow. 

"Aw, Soarin', you're killing me and we're not even playing a video game right now. You spent the day picking me these wild flowers for me, didn't you? I really appreciate it. They're beautiful." Rainbow Dash sniffed the flowers.

Soarin' bent down and picked a dark purple flower from the bouquet and placed it in her colorful mane. He then kissed her forehead and said, "You deserve it, Dash. You truly do."

"So where are you taking me today?"

"Oh, just to a very special place. Do you think that you can let me fly you there?"

Rainbow Dash shook her head no. "I don't think I'm ready for that yet. I still need to be in my wheelchair."

Soarin' sighed and said, "I understand. It's just going to take us a bit longer to get there. Come, we should go now. I came extra early just in case the trip would take longer." Soarin' helped her into the wheelchair and then picked up a box that he had carried in and placed it on her lap. 

"What's in the box?" she asked with curiosity.

"That's the surprise," he replied. "Did you eat lunch today? We might be having a later dinner."

"Yeah, I just ate. I'll be fine. Hey, we should leave Fluttershy a note so that she doesn't freak out when I'm missing. There should be a note pad and a quill on her dining room table."

Soarin' headed on over and wrote a quick note telling Fluttershy that they were both out and that they would be back later in the afternoon. He then came back and headed out of Fluttershy's cottage with Rainbow Dash.

"So this is supposed to be some kind of big super surprise?" Rainbow asked. "I can't imagine what's inside this box."

"You'll see soon enough. I hope that you will really like it."

As Soarin' pushed her in her wheelchair, her mind began to go back to the times when she was flying with him. She had told him that she would be his rainbow during his storms in his life, but she wished that perhaps there would be a rainbow at the end of her storm that she was going through right now with her pain and suffering. She dwelled on sweet memories of the past and she wished that she could fly right again Soarin'. She had no idea where Soarin' was taking her, but she wished for something magical to happen between them. 

After about an hour of travel, Rainbow Dash found herself exactly at the same spot where they had their first kiss together. 

The weather was warm and sunny now. Birds sang in the trees and crickets chirped with delight around the tall grassy bushes nearby. There was not a single cloud in the bright blue sky.

Rainbow Dash looked over and saw the crash site where it all had happened. "Wow, being here hurts a lot, but even though something terrible happened to me, not far from where we are, this spot will always be magical and precious to me because well....because of you, Soarin'."

Soarin's face was full of blush. "Go ahead. You can open your gift now."

Rainbow Dash tore through the gift wrap and lifted off the top of the box. What she saw brought tears to her eyes. "Soarin'? Why would you do this?"

"I'm sorry, Dash. I thought you would like it."

"It's wonderful," she said. Rainbow Dash pulled out the shiny new Wonderbolt's uniform and looked at it for quite a while before placing it down on her lap. 

"How did you even get this made? I didn't have my Wonderbolt's uniform created the way most of them are usually made," Rainbow said.

"I stopped by Carousel Boutique to visit your friend, Rarity. She had saved your measurements and I was able to get her new materials from our special Wonderbolt's shop. You can thank Rarity for making you another uniform. I also saved and will be keeping your original uniform even though it is all torn up."

"That's so sweet, Soarin', but it just hurts me deep down inside to know that I'll never be able to get to fly with you as an official Wonderbolt. I never even got to perform my very first show with you guys."

Soarin' kissed her on the cheek and then said, "Nonsense, Dash. You'll always be the greatest Wonderbolt in my eyes. Did you forget that you made the team and became an official Wonderbolt? Did you forget that you blew past just about every single academy record? Did you know that Spitfire has all of your records displayed proudly for everypony to see?"

"Spitfire put my records on display?" Rainbow asked.

"She sure did, and we'll go fly up there sometime to see them. You passed all of the Wonderbolt's performance tests with literal flying colors and you smashed through world records. She said that you're always welcome to come and hang out with the Wonderbolts whenever you want and you have access to all of the facilities that we use. Once a Wonderbolt Dash, always a Wonderbolt, whether retired or not. You're going to be asked to star in this upcoming year's Wonderbolt's products like calendars, posters, collectable cards, and our upcoming newly revised Wonderbolt's special collectors edition magazine that features all of the Wonderbolts from the past and the newest members of the team as well. Your name is listed as an official Wonderbolt in the names of the Wonderbolt's that Spitfire keeps in her books and it will never be erased. I saw it myself. You're a legend, Dash, and Spitfire also wants you to come out to the next Wonderbolt's autograph signing event. Will you join me? We can sign autographs together while sitting next to each other."

"Spitfire has an entire book of the names of Wonderbolts that will never be erased? That kind of reminds me of Jesus's book of life," Rainbow said. "Wow, I never knew any of that. Sure, I'll gladly join you guys to sign some autographs. I just don't know what pony would want me to sign an autograph since I was never even able to do one show."

"Plenty of ponies will ask, Dash. Spitfire went a little overboard promoting her newest and most anticipated addition to the team when you first became accepted. She was so excited about you and still is. Everypony is really interested in meeting you, and let's face it, you have always had a very large following of fans, even when you weren't a Wonderbolt."

"Wow, I didn't expect any of this to happen. This means so much to me, Soarin'."

"You missed the best part," Soarin' said.

"Huh?"

"There's another little box inside of the gift box that you opened."

Rainbow Dash looked inside the box and he was right, there was a little cyan colored velvet box.

"What's this about?" she asked.

"This is the surprise," Soarin' whispered.

Rainbow Dash opened it and found the most gorgeous wedding ring that she had ever seen. She stared at it's beauty as tears welled up in her eyes. She looked at Soarin' who was now low before her on the ground.

"Will you marry me?" Soarin' asked.

Rainbow Dash put her front hoof to her face and just her two eyes could be seen peering out above her hoof.

"Rainbow? Are you ok?"

Rainbow Dash nodded her head yes and then wiped the tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry, I just didn't expect this to happen."

"So, will you marry me?" 

"This is going to physically hurt me a bit, but I want to answer your question with one simple action." Rainbow Dash closed the little box and put it back in the gift box. She struggled to get herself out of her wheelchair and then slowly stood on her hind legs. She then pushed him backwards against the tree that was right behind him. She lunged at him with a kiss and Soarin' wrapped his front legs around her body as he embraced her. The pain flared up in her body at first, but getting a kiss from Soarin' always got her endorphins going in her brain and that seemed to distract her from the pain right now. 

They kissed passionately for a long time. 

Rainbow Dash pulled away from him and smiled as she stared into his colorful bright green eyes.

"So, I take it that the answer is yes," Soarin' said.

Rainbow Dash nodded her head yes with enthusiasm. 

"That's the third time you kissed me exactly like this in our spot. Third time must be a charm," Soarin' said.

Rainbow Dash gave him one last quick kiss on the lips and then giggled. "I guess we have some planning to do. What are we going to do about the living situation when we get married?"

"I know how much your friends mean to you, so I already decided that I will be selling my house and moving in with you, once we get married, if that's ok."

Rainbow smiled and said, "That's awesome! I would have had a terribly hard time moving further away from them. What do you want to do now?"

"How about we go back to Flutterhy's cottage. Are you hungry? I can get some take-out for us to eat."

"Actually, I'm starving! I'm sure that Fluttershy is wondering what has been taking us so long anyway. Let's get going. I bet that she'll be excited to hear the news!" Rainbow Dash was about to walk over, but Soarin' scooped her up in his front legs and flew her back over to her wheelchair. "Hey! I need to start practicing walking on my own again."

"I'm sorry, Dash, but I have to practice carrying you for after the wedding."

"That's really sweet. Ok, I'll let it go this time, but I really need to start walking on my own again."

Soarin' nodded his head ok and then placed her carefully back into the wheelchair. He then began to head his way back to Fluttershy's cottage.
> Whacking is Magic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	"Pinkie Pie, what are you doing!?" Twilight said as she watched her pink friend begin breathing very heavily as if she were in panic mode and was scratching at the floor furiously.

"Oh, my gosh, Twi! Something really, really, REALLY, huge has happened and I'm getting this crazy Pinkie sense right now. I have never felt anything like this before."

Twilight Sparkle summoned her special helmet that she wore just in case anything would fall on her head from above. She cowered under a table and looked at her friends. "You girls might want to take cover. Pinkie Pie is REALLY going berserk right now."

Pinkie Pie's tail jolted straight up and she lifted her front hoof like how a dog points with their paw. "We have to go!"

"Go where?" Rarity asked.

"I don't know, but we have to just go, or I'll go even more crazy than I already am!" Pinkie Pie said. 

"Alright, sugar cube. We'll go. Come on, Twi, we need to find out what all this fuss is about," Applejack said.

Twilight Sparkle gulped and made sure to fasten the straps of her helmet tightly under her chin. 

Pinkie Pie bucked the door open and ran out. 

"I uh, think we'd better follow her, Twi. Did ya remember to keep any matches out of sight? We don't need her to go burnin' the town down in her manic state. We don't want no Pyro Pie to happen."

Twilight Sparkle looked at a safe nearby and said, "I keep all of my matches in that safe to be.....safe." Twilight Sparkle face hoofed and said, "No pun intended. I must be having too much Pinkie Pie on the brain."

"Let's not stand around, girls. We need to keep up with her," Rarity said as she walked quickly out the door. 

Applejack and Twilight Sparkle chased after Rarity. 

The ponies watched Pinkie Pie as they ran after her. Pinkie Pie would dig a hole into the ground and then pop back out of the ground several feet away from where she first dug. She did this very quickly and she looked as if she were some kind of dolphin that would leap into the air. She did this so fast that her friends were still running to keep up with her.

"How much sugar did ya eat, Pinkie Pie? Yer out of yer mind right now!" Applejack yelled out when Pinkie Pie went air borne again.

"I didn't have any sugar! I told you that this is a Pinkie sense and it's driving me bonkers!" Pinkie Pie said. Pinkie Pie landed back on the ground and dug furiously again. 

"Sorry fer askin! Just don't get mad and replace us with turnips again," Applejack said. 

"Or bags of flour," Rarity added.

The ponies were now miles away from Twilight's library.

"Good gravy! Look at her go! It's almost as if somepony lit a fire under her rear end. Shucks! I bet I could have tried to herd her to my farm and let her dig holes in the ground in order to plant my seeds."

"We should just be grateful that so far, she hasn't been digging any holes into any ponies properties. I can't imagine the cost of the damage that she'd do since it would devalue the value of their homes,"

"We could always put Rarity in front of pony's homes if that ever happened," Applejack said.

"What good would that do?" Twilight asked.

"I thought that Rarity increases the worth and value of everythin' bein' that she's so fashionable. Why, just her standin' there should increase property value, right?"

"Um, no, Applejack. I don't think that would work," Twilight said.

"But it could..."

"No!" Twilight said. "Let's just focus on Pinkie Pie right now. I'm getting out of breath here. I don't even know how she's not getting exhausted."

"She's Pinkie Pie and she does things that can't be explained," Rarity said.

"I need to keep reminding myself that," Twilight said. 

The ponies eventually made it to Fluttershy's cottage. 

Pinkie Pie continued to dig random holes and pop out of the ground else where all around Fluttershy's cottage. 

"Pinkie Pie!" Twilight shouted. "Stop digging this instant! You're ruining Fluttershy's property! 

"Pinkie Pie popped out of the earth and said, "I can't stop it, Twilight! Pinkie Pie had no where else to go. Her Pinkie senses told her that this was her destination to be. She began running through the holes and hopping in and out of them from one hole to another.

"If you don't sit your flank still, then I will make you," Twilight said. She used her magic to summon a giant magical mallet. She waited for Pinkie Pie to pop up and then sent the mallet crashing down. 

"Hey! Don't hit me," Pinkie Pie yelled out as she ducked back down to avoid the mallet. She popped out of another hole and Twilight tried to hit her again.

"Will you stop running around and making a mess out of everything if I stop trying to whack you?" Twilight asked.

"I can't control my urges," Pinkie said.

"Then I'm going to whack you," Twilight said as she tried to whack the pink pony again. 

"Whoa there partner. I reckon that whackin' hyperactive ponies, sufferin' with mental disorders, with a giant magical mallet to get them to calm down is just a wee bit on the unethical side, no?" Applejack asked. "Didn't ya used to tell me that yer parents used to love to play this game with ya at the arcade? I reckon that video games really do cause ponies to behave in a violent manner. This would be 'bout as unethical as me sellin' non-organic produce."

"The last thing we need for her to do is to destroy Fluttershy's cottage that you and your family had rebuilt for Fluttershy after it burnt down. Pinkie Pie has already ruined her front lawn. Getting hit with this won't hurt, but it will knock her out without any pain because I casted an extra special spell on top of this spell." Twilight paused and then added, "I at least hope that I remembered the correct spell. Anyway, that's besides the point. She told me that her dentist hits her over the head with a wooden mallet because no matter how hard they try to sedate her, she never falls asleep and they can't get her flank to sit still in the chair."

"Wow, that's really an unethical business practice right there, Twi," Applejack said. 

"Well, you just try to imagine working on her teeth while she wiggles her flank around in the chair and doesn't stop talking." Twilight tried to whack Pinkie Pie again, but missed. 

"Now that I think about it, I would whack her too if I were her dentist. I feel sorry fer that poor dentist. I guess that they have to go to extreme measures when it comes to ponies like Pinkie Pie," Applejack said.

"That's basically what Pinkie Pie told me when she said that she had about twenty cavities filled in one visit." Twilight tried once again to hit her and missed. "I just can't hit her. Be still Pinkie Pie!"

Fluttershy came around the corner with Angel Bunny. She was pulling him on a leash and he had four roller skates on his paws. She dragged him along for a walk because he was too stubborn to move and Fluttershy remembered that it's ok to be assertive with him. She stood there in shock as she watched Twilight Sparkle try to whack Pinkie Pie. Fluttershy dropped the leash and tried not to fall into any holes in the ground as she approached her friends. "Um, Twilight what happened to my lawn and why are you trying to whack Pinkie Pie with a giant magical mallet? That seems rather violent and unethical."

"Applejack just said that not too long ago. Don't worry, I won't hurt her....I think." 

Soarin' and Rainbow were now approaching Fluttershy's cottage. 

"Hey soarin', do these pain killers that I take make ponies hallucinate?" Rainbow asked.

"No, Dash. Why would you ask that?" Soarin' asked.

"Because it appears to me that my friends are outside of Fluttershy's cottage and Twilight Sparkle looks as if she is literally playing whack-a-mole with Pinkie Pie being the mole."

"Huh?" Soarin' squinted his eyes and could see what she was talking about. "I uh, don't think that's the pain killers that's making you see things, Dash. I see it too, and it really does look as if that's what's going on."

Soarin' and Rainbow Dash eventually came up from behind Twilight Sparkle and her friends. 

Pinkie Pie saw Rainbow Dash and yelled out, "Dashie! Help! Twilight's trying to kill me!" 

"See, now you're talking crazy again. Rainbow Dash isn't here right now and you need to calm down!" Twilight yelled.

"Uh, Twi, What's going on, and why does Fluttershy's lawn look as if some dog was given a bunch of bones and went on a burrowing rampage?" 

"Oh, you really are here, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said without turning to look. She was very focused on whacking Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie Pie is just acting insane and she has ruined Fluttershy's property. I can't get her to sit still or calm down!" 

"Wow, that seems really kind of unethical to hit a pony like that in order to calm them down," Rainbow said.

"That's funny," Twilight said. "Applejack and Fluttershy suggested the same thing." 

"So why is Pinkie Pie going nuts like this, anyway?" Rainbow asked.

"Oh, she said that she had some kind of really new bizarre Pinkie sense going on. She said that she hasn't felt anything like this before and she was digging holes in the ground like a mad filly. I assume that some kind of really important thing has happened."

"Actually, yea," Rainbow Dash said. "Me and Soarin' are getting married." 

Twilight stopped trying to whack Pinkie Pie and turned around. "You're getting what?"

"We're getting married," Rainbow Dash said again. 

"Congratulations!" Everypony said and let out a cheer as they stomped their hooves against the ground in celebration.

Pinkie Pie heard that and dug furiously into the ground. She popped out right in front of Rainbow Dash and startled her. Clumps of dirt fell off of Pinkie Pie's mane as she threw her front legs around Rainbow Dash. "Oh, Dashie! That's it!"

"That's what?" Rainbow Dash nervously asked. She was silently hoping that Pinkie Pie wouldn't crush her bones during this hug. 

Pinkie Pie let go of her and sat down in front of Rainbow Dash. "My Pinkie sense! It's all gone now. That must have been the major event that happened! Oh, this is so wonderful! You'll be the very first pony out of our group to get married! Oh, I cant' wait until I get to hear those wedding bells! I'm going to throw a super duper epic Pinkie Pie party and...."

"Pinkie," Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"And there's going to be lots and lots of games like pin the tail on the pony, music, food, and..."

"Pinkie," Rainbow Dash interrupted again.

"And you're going to have many foals so that I can plan and throw even more birthday parties and..."

"PINKIE!"

"Oh, I'm sorry did you want to say something?" Pinkie asked.

"You need to calm down, and Soarin' and I aren't planning to have foals any time soon after marriage. You have to let us go at our own pace."

Twilight Sparkle smiled a sinister grin as she took the hovering mallet in the air and grabbed onto it with her two front hooves. Twilight put the mallet very close to Pinkie Pie's head and then pulled it back in order to give her one great big whack on the back of the head. 

"Now, now, Twilight," Rarity said. Her Pinkie sense is over. I think that you're just being cruel now by wanting to whack her. I know that it's tempting and I'd like to whack her a few times myself, but maybe you could just let it go now."

Twilight sighed and used her magic to make the magical mallet disappear. "It's really tempting to give her one good whack after all of the destruction that she has done." Twilight turned to Fluttershy and said, "I'm really sorry that Pinkie Pie got out of control and totally ruined your yard. I don't even know how we can fix this."

Fluttershy looked at the destruction and smiled. "Actually, Pinkie Pie did me a huge favor."

"Huh? How does having a pony destroy your yard do you a favor?" Twilight asked.

"Look again," Fluttershy said.

Twilight looked and saw a family of moles waving to them.

"Pinkie Pie just gave my mole friends and other animal critter friends better and safer options to escape from nasty predators like Timber Wolves who lurk around here looking to devour my little friends. I live on the outskirts of the Everfree forest, so I constantly have to keep watch over my critter friends much like how a shepherd keeps watch over his flock of sheep."

"Wow, well, I guess Pinkie Pie did a wrong thing right! At least you're not angry about all of this," Twilight said.

Fluttershy turned to Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie, why did your Pinkie sense make you do all that digging?"

"I don't know," Pinkie said. "Maybe I was digging because I felt that Soarin' and Rainbow Dash were digging super deep into their special relationship today."

"That's really sweet," Fluttershy said.

"Or maybe that it was just a random Pinkie sense that made absolutely no sense at all. That can happen too sometimes."

"We'll stick with the first option," Fluttershy said. 

"I'm sorry for being a bit pushy, but do you have any plans on finding somepony who can help design your dress?" Rarity asked.

"We were just discussing this matter on our way here, Rarity," Rainbow said. "We didn't even have to think about it really. We want to work with the best of the best."

"So, you're going to Canterlot, I assume?" Rarity asked.

"No way! We want to work with you! We want you to design our wedding attire. You are the best in the business, Rarity. You're just underrated, that's all."

Rarity clapped her two front hooves with delight. "Oh, my stars! This is going to be one of the best days of my life! One of my most beloved sister's in Christ is getting married!" Rarity began giggling rapidly, much like how Pinkie Pie would normally giggle. 

"Wow, Rarity. I never heard you giggle so rapidly before. I'm really happy that you're more than willing to work with us. You're the very first pony who popped into both of our minds and you did such an excellent job on my Wonderbolt's uniform. Soarin' told me that you designed this new one here in this box for me. It's lovely, Rarity. You pour blood, sweat, and tears into your work."

"A lady, does not sweat!" Rarity said as she turned her head upwards away from her.

"It's just a figure of speech," Rainbow Dash said.

Pinkie Pie bounced up and down. "Oh! Oh! Oh! Can I please help out in some way?"

"Pinkie Pie, Twilight really needs to let you drink out of a bottle of Lithium, but to answer your question, the answer is yes. I'd really like all of my sisters in Christ to help out with the wedding in their own personal ways."

"So can I make the cake and plan the party?!"

"Yes, Pinkie, I don't think any pony is more qualified to do that task than you."

"I can help make all of the food, and prepare the meals," Applejack said.

Rainbow Dash nodded her head ok.

"Um, would it be ok, if I prepare my song birds to sing wedding music for you both?" Fluttershy asked.

"That would be awesome!" Rainbow Dash said. "Your song birds helped me fall asleep so much more quickly when they sung their sweet songs for me."

One of Fluttershy's song birds, Melody, popped out of Fluttershy's pink mane and sang a little tune.

"Oh, Melody. I didn't even realize that you were still in there. You do know I have to take showers and wash my mane every once in a while. I don't want you to get too comfy in there."

Melody chirped loudly. 

"Wow, Fluttershy," Rainbow Dash said. "I remember that you had some sanitary problems when you were addicted to hoarding things, but I really hope that you'll at least wash your mane for my big day. I don't need you stinking like that one time at the gym when Applejack's smell could practically permeate through the walls of the building."

"Hey!" Applejack said. "It wasn't that bad!"

"Um, Melody. May I please wash my mane on the night before Rainbow Dash's wedding?" Fluttershy asked.

Melody chirped again.

"She says ok," Fluttershy said.

"I really hope that your bird will let you wash your mane before that too," Rainbow said.

Melody chirped once more.

"Melody says that she can't make any promises on that," Fluttershy said.

"I guess that you know me by now," Twilight said. "I'd like to be in charge by supervising and making sure that everything is going according to plan."

"So yer job is to sit back and watch everypony else work, huh? I reckon ya should stop by my farm and try buckin' apple trees and liftin' crates with me all day WITHOUT usin' yer magic."

"Supervising is a serious job and I must constantly watch out for any mistakes that may happen. You do know that I'm very obsessive about organization and have a bit of obsessive compulsive disorder. I'm not going to be just watching one pony work here. I have an entire wedding to supervise! I must make sure that everything goes as planned."

"Have you two ever thought about where you're going to have your wedding? I would hope that it would be in Canterlot," Rarity said.

"Oh, we won't be having it on the ground. It's traditional for Pegasus ponies to get married in the sky," Rainbow said.

"Shoot! I really was hoping that you'd go for something more fancy like having your wedding in Canterlot. How are we even going to attend a wedding in the sky?" Rarity asked.

Rainbow winked at Twilight and said, "We have at least one smarty pants who knows how to cast a cloud walking spell for unicorns and earth ponies. We'll also get you up there by means of a hot air balloon. You won't be too scared of being high up in Cloudsdale again, right Fluttershy?"

"Um, I'll try to be brave," Fluttershy said.

Melody chirped loudly.

"I'm not a chicken, Melody," Fluttershy said. "I'm just a pony, and a little shy one at that."

Melody burrowed deep inside her mane and hid.

"Um, is anypony hungry for dinner?" Fluttershy asked.

All of her friends agreed except for Soarin'. He was terrified of eating at Fluttershy's cottage. 

"Maybe we could get some take-out? I'll treat you all to whatever you want," Soarin' said.

"That's really nice of you," Twilight said. "Why don't we get oriental instead of p..."

"Pizza!" Pinkie Pie blurted out. "We want pizza again!" 

"I uh," Twilight said. "We seem to eat a lot of pizza now a days. Shouldn't we take a break and eat something else?"

"Nope! Pizza makes great party food and I just love pizza parties," Pinkie Pie said. "Pizza is such a fun food and I know that you all love fun and pizza!"

"I think we need to change her name to Pizza Pie instead of Pinkie Pie," Applejack said. "We could call her all kinds of names of pies."

"How about cutie pie, Applejack?" Pinkie Pie asked with a wink. "Am I a cutie pie too? When I wink at you, am I a Winky Pie?"

"Uh, I reckon that's kind of weird to me," Applejack said. "Don't start gettin' funny with me again. Ya'll know that I don't like that kind of behavior."

Pinkie Pie hopped onto Applejack's back and said, "How about me and Applejack get together and we can combine our names so that we can be called Apple Pie?! We might sound delicious to Soarin' and he might gobble us up."

Applejack bucked Pinkie Pie off of her back. "Absolutely not! Yer bein' weird again!"

Soarin' let out a little giggle at the joke. He really loved his apple pies.

"What if we put me and Scootaloo inside of a pot?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"What does that even mean?" Rarity asked.

"Well, duh! You would get a chicken pot pie!" Pinkie Pie said.

"That's totally uncalled for Pinkie Pie!" Rainbow Dash said. "That's really mean and I hope you know that the bullies in her school call her chicken."

"Well, she does kind of seem like a chicken to me," Pinkie Pie said.

"Not funny," Rainbow said.

"I'm sorry," Pinkie Pie said as she put her head down low. She perked up again and asked, "Do you all want to hear some more Pinkie Pie jokes and puns? I have so many Pinkie Pie puns."

"I think that's enough pie puns for now my dear," Rarity said. "You don't want to kill us with all of your little Pinkie puns. Why don't we get back on topic and discuss what we are going to do for dinner."

"Well, this is kind of Rainbow Dash and Soarin's big celebration announcement," Twilight said. "Why don't we let them decide what they want to eat since Soarin' is paying as well."

"Go on, Dash. You decide what you want to eat," Soarin' said.

Pinkie Pie began jumping up and down. "Pizza! Pizza! Pi..."

Applejack shoved an apple into her mouth. 

"Mmmmmmph! Mmmmmph!" Pinkie Pie struggled to speak with the piece of fruit shoved tightly into her mouth.

Rainbow Dash sat there in thought. "Wow, this is going to sound nuts, but I really feel like eating pizza again. Pinkie Pie's right, pizza really is such an awesome food."

"That's odd, Twilight said. I suddenly feel like eating pizza too."

The rest of the ponies agreed. 

Pinkie Pie pumped her front hoof in the air. "Yes!"

Twilight looked suspiciously at Pinkie Pie and asked, "You're not messing around with us and using some kind of mind control tactics to make us want to eat what you want to eat, are you, Pinkie Pie?"

"Uh, no........comment. No comment, Twi." Pinkie Pie said.

"Hey, Twi," Rainbow Dash said. "Why don't you take that silly looking helmet off of your head now?" 

Twilight rolled her eyes up and looked at the helmet. "Oh, that might be a good idea." She unstrapped the helmet and took it off of her head. 

The moment she did that, a box fell from the sky and landed on her head.

"Ow!" Twilight rubbed the back of her head with her front hoof and then looked at Pinkie Pie with anger. "Why the hay didn't you admonish me about something falling from the sky!?"

"Well, my tail was twitching a little bit, but it wasn't anything major, Twilight. You acted like an anvil fell on your head. Maybe that might teach you not to pretend that I'm some kind of pink mole that you want to whack. Whacking isn't magic, friendship is."

"Ok, perhaps I took things a bit too far. I am sorry, Pinkie Pie. I was just terrified that you might destroy Fluttershy's cottage." Twilight looked at the sky in hopes to see where this box had fallen from, but she did not see anything. She looked back down at the box and asked, "I wonder what's inside this box?" 

"Don't touch it!" a voice came from behind the ponies. A grey Pegasus ran at full speed over to the box and wrapped her front legs around it. 

"Hi, Derpy," Twilight said. "I'm sorry that you dropped this box. I hope there wasn't anything fragile inside of it."

"Only the most precious jewels are inside this box!" Derpy cried out.

"I'm so sorry," Twilight said. "I hope that the jewels didn't break, although I would imagine a box that large, full of jewels, would have nearly killed me. It didn't feel that heavy."

"They aren't jewels, but they are my jewels," Derpy said.

"What do you mean by that?" Twilight asked.

"They are filled with muffins. My most favorite kind too! This is part of my pay check."

"Ya get paid partly in muffins?" Applejack asked. "Goodness, that's a bit weird, but then again, I could see myself workin' and gettin' paid with apples, especially organic Gala apples."

Derpy opened the box and looked inside. "My.....muffins. They are broken into pieces. My heart....it hurts. Please pray for me. I am so sad."

"Awwww, we're sorry you're having a real literal crumby day, Derpy," Pinkie Pie said. "Maybe you could take that entire box of crumby muffins, and put it into a blender and make a super special muffin shake!"

Derpy perked up at the thought of that idea. "Wow! That sounds super delicious!" Derpy grabbed the box and flew off quickly.

"Don't forget to take the muffins out of the box and not put the box in the blender!" Pinkie Pie shouted, but Derpy did not hear her. Pinkie Pie turned to her friends and asked, "Do you think she'll know what to do?"

Twilight Sparkle had an unsure look on her face. "I can only hope so, but there was that one time when she told me that she tried to cook herself some breakfast by pouring milk onto her cereal in a bowl, and the cereal caught fire."

"Wow, how does that happen?" Pinkie Pie asked.

"I don't know, but it sounds like something that would happen to you, Pinkie Pie," Twilight answered.

"Hey! That doesn't happen to me!" Pinkie Pie tapped her two front hooves together in a guilty manner and said, "Well, not very often at least. The only thing I can do right is bake and pouring cereal is something I have yet to master. Mister and Misses Cake have some really odd stories about me." Pinkie Pie perked up and said, "That doesn't matter! What matters is that it's pizza time!" 

Twilight Sparkle used her magic to summon a quill and a scroll. "Ok, ok, ok. Calm down. I guess that we are all getting the usual? Let me just get this straight. One pie for me. One pie for Pinkie Pie. One pie for Rarity and Fluttershy to share." Twilight looked at Rainbow Dash and Soarin'. How many pies do you want, Rainbow, and what about you, Soarin'?"

"I know that I shouldn't be eating too much, but all of this rehabilitation work and pain makes me so darn hungry. I'll take two pies. I just hope that I don't get flabby flanks," Rainbow said.

"And I'll take three pies," Soarin' said. He looked around in a guilty manner and said, "Can you also please put down an order for an apple pie?"

"Soarin'!" Rainbow Dash said. "I can't believe you're going to eat another apple pie! Don't you still have an apple pie in the refrigerator?"

"Oh, I'll get to that, Dash. Trust me."

"And I was the one complaining about getting flabby flanks! You're going to get flabbier flanks than me if you keep eating apple pies like that!" Rainbow said.

"I burn it all off," Soarin' said. He put his head down lower and admitted, "But I know that eating all of that sugar is not that great for me. I'll try not to eat so much later on. I don't want to have to retire from being a Wonderbolt too soon because of excessive apple pie eating."

Twilight Sparkle jotted that all down and said, "Ok, so that's it everypony?"

"Hey!" Applejack cried out. "Ya'll forgot about me!"

"Oh, I thought I was going to share a single slice of pizza with you, since we discussed the value of you fasting," Twilight said. 

"Very funny, Twi. Yer a real funny gal. I want eight boxes of pizza, and make sure that it's whole wheat and organic with organic gala apples on top!"

"Eight boxes, Applejack? Isn't that a bit excessive?" Twilight asked.

"No! I'm bein' humble by cuttin' back from ten boxes to eight. Ya'll should understand how hard that is fer me."

"Well, at least you're cutting back," Twilight said. "So eight boxes of pizza for Applejack with organic gala apples of course."

Soarin' bent down close to Rainbow's ear and whispered. "Eight boxes of pizza for a single pony? I think I'm going to need to take out a loan just for Applejack's order. Remind me not to offer to treat again if she's with us. I'm going to be broke."

Rainbow giggled and said, "I told you that she could shame you and put you under the table when it comes to eating. Earth ponies tend to eat more and Applejack has an appetite of an Ursa Major."

"But she's not even fat or bulging with muscles. Where does she put it all?" Soarin' asked.

Rainbow Dash shrugged and said, "She has an incredibly strong looking appearance and her body is solid like a rock. I guess Applejack's appetite is like Pinkie Pie's tricks. We can't figure either of them out."

Twilight Sparkle finished jotting down the order and sent the order away to their most favorite pizza shop.

"Well, it's such nice weather today, maybe we could have a picnic and eat outside," Twilight suggested.

"Oh, no!" Pinkie Pie yelled out. She turned her flank to Twilight and cried out, "Twitchy tail! Twitchy tail, big time!"

Twilight Sparkle went into panic mode and grabbed her helmet. She put it back on her head and ran into Fluttershy's house."

Pinkie Pie threw herself to the ground and began to laugh hysterically. 

"Um, shouldn't we be concerned about your twitchy tail, Pinkie Pie?" Fluttershy asked.

Pinkie Pie stopped giggling and said, "Nope! I was just messing with Twi. It's fun to play pranks on ponies!"

"We might as well go inside and wait for the pizza," Rarity said. 

Suddenly, an anvil fell from the sky and landed directly where Twilight Sparkle was standing before. 

"I thought that you said that you were pranking us with your Pinkie sense," Rainbow Dash said.

Pinkie Pie stood there dumb founded. "Wow, I made believe that I was having a Pinkie sense, but I guess it just happened to be real. What are the chances!?"

"I guess yer pranks saved Twilight's life. It's kind of funny how things work out with you. Ya just never know what will happen with Pinkie Pie," Applejack said. "Come on, let's go in and tell Twilight what happened."

The ponies followed Applejack inside. 

Fluttershy grabbed Angel Bunny's leash and dragged him inside. The little wheels on the roller skates squeaked loudly.

He was not a very happy bunny. 

A giant purple Pegasus stallion with a pink tail and mane flew down and scooped up the anvil. "Shhh," he said to the inanimate object. "I'm sorry that I dropped you, but Bubba is here for you and will carry you home." The stallion flew away with the anvil. There was a small crater in the ground from where he picked it up. 
> The Big Day
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Rainbow Dash continued to train hard and regained much of her strength. She was able to walk and fly again and she praised God much of her time. She wasn't so thankful that she could walk or fly again, those were wonderful blessings, but she was more grateful over the fact that Risk Taker had come to know Christ. She also got her old job back doing weather patrol.

Rainbow Dash went with Soarin' to see her awards displayed proudly for all to see. She couldn't believe that she had broken just about every record. She starred in the new and upcoming Wonderbolt's products and collectables and she went to sign autographs with Soarin' and the rest of the Wonderbolts. She was shocked that everypony had swarmed around her and asked for her autograph first. She couldn't believe this because she had never performed an official show as a Wonderbolt, but Spitfire had promoted the name of what in her opinion was the greatest Wonderbolt of all time every where she went. This was true, even if she never got to perform a show with them. Rainbow Dash had out-performed every other Wonderbolt during her training with Soarin'. She realized that perhaps another good reason why she wouldn't be performing with them was because of the ridiculous size of her fan base. She could only imagine just how much larger her following would be if she actually had the chance to perform with the daredevil team and she could easily see herself having a massively inflated ego and becoming proud once more. It was almost as if they were worshipping her for her accomplishments and records that she broke and it made Rainbow Dash very sad inside her heart. Rainbow Dash also made sure to fly Scootaloo up to the Wonderbolt's academy and have a very personal picture taken of the two of them together. Rainbow Dash also wore her Wonderbolt's uniform for the photo shoot. She signed the picture and Scootaloo put it in a frame to keep. Rainbow Dash also suffered from chronic pain, especially in her wings. The only three things that seemed to help her the most were warm baths, gentle massages that Soarin' gave her, and also the anti-inflammation foods and herbs that Fluttershy provided.

The time for their wedding was getting closer and Rainbow Dash's friends worked so very hard to prepare for her wedding. Twilight Sparkle made sure that everything went according to plan no matter how much stress she was under. They all wanted to make sure that Rainbow Dash and Soarin' would have the best time ever. By now, Soarin' had sold his house and moved out. He was living with Rainbow Dash in her home.

Many Pegasus ponies shipped what was needed for Rainbow Dash's wedding. They were getting married in a very fancy building that was specifically designed for weddings in Cloudsdale. 

Twilight Sparkle, Risk Taker, Big Macintosh, Spike, and the rest of her friends walked into the room. They were all exhausted because of all of the preperations that they had going on and Twilight had to cast so many cloud walking spells on many different unicorns and earth ponies. 

The ponies all took a seat and Spike hopped onto Twilight's back as they waited. 

Everypony was dressed in a tuxedo or dress and even Spike was dressed up as well with his little bow tie and top hat. 

Spike took out the box that contained the wedding rings and gawked at them. "I can't believe Rainbow Dash decided to let me be the ring bearer. These diamonds are so pretty.....and look so delicious!"

"Just don't eat them Spike," Twilight said. "We all know that you can be gluttonous when it comes to gems, but the last thing we need to happen is that my little baby dragon ends up with two wedding rings in his tummy."

"I'll be careful. I promise," Spike said. He took one last look at the shiny rings and then forced himself to shut the box and looked away.

Fluttershy leaned closer to Big Macintosh and whispered, "I'm so nervous about having my song birds perform with Octavia. I have been training them so hard and I hope that I didn't strain their vocal chords." Fluttershy looked over and saw her song birds sitting on a golden perch. She turned back to Big Macintosh and said, "Um, weddings can be a bit nerve racking. I hope that..." Fluttershy's words trailed off and she began to mumble.

"I didn't hear those last few words," Big Macintosh said.

"Oh, I just said that I..." Fluttershy's words trailed off once more.

"Ya could work on yer volume when ya speak. Maybe ya should take lessons from yer friend, Pinkie Pie, but just not talk THAT loud and fast."

Fluttershy took a deep breath and said, "I hope maybe one day I get married too." She then looked away shyly.

"Maybe someday you will," Big Macintosh said. "I know at least one pony who is interested in ya."

"Oh, I didn't know any stallion was interested in me. Who are you referring to?"

"Me," Big Macintosh said.

Fluttershy's face turned bright red and it matched the color of Big Macintosh's coat. "I-I-I didn't know we were officially dating. I just kind of assumed that we were just friends since Rarity was the one who kind of threated to burn your barn down if you didn't go on that first date with me."

"I reckon that she said that fer motivational factors. Ya should spend some more time with me when I'm not workin' of course. I admit, I can be a bit shy too sometimes." Big Macintosh looked over to where Rainbow Dash and Soarin' would be getting married and continued, "But I would like to see myself standin' up there with a pony as sweet and as pretty like ya."

Fluttershy's face was even brighter with blush. She began to stutter. "I-I-I think I would love that too. M-m-maybe we can spend some more time together......if that's ok with you." Fluttershy was bearly able to make eye contact with him for a second and then she added, "Do you think we could dance together tonight?" 

"I was just about to ask ya the same thing," Big Macintosh said.

"O-o-ok. Just please try not to step on my hooves. Thank you," Fluttershy said. "I'm really afraid to go up there and conduct my birds in song. Do you think I should go stand over there now?"

"I reckon that it's almost time. Ya should wait there next to that gray mare with the cello so yer not late with anythin'."

Fluttershy nodded her head ok and slowly walked over hoping that everypony's eyes would be on Rainbow Dash and not her. 

Risk sat there in silence for a long time and then finally spoke up. "I still can't believe that Rainbow Dash invited me to come to her wedding. I just don't understand and I don't..." Risk's words trailed off and she was already in tears.

Twilight wrapped her front leg around her and said, "Hey. Didn't you say that you wanted to come here?"

"Risk wiped the tears from her eyes and said, "Yes. I wouldn't want to miss this for the world, but a small part of me feels like I shouldn't be here because I don't deserve to be here to see her get married, even though I really want to."

"You shouldn't feel bad anymore. Don't let guilt take a hold of you. Rainbow Dash loves you and you're her friend and our new sister in Christ! Today is a day of joy and celebration!" Twilight took her other front leg and placed her hoof on top of Risk's front hoof. "You're a part of the body of Christ now. You are forgiven and redeemed!"

Risk nodded her head ok and waited for the grand moment of Rainbow Dash and Soarin' entering.

Spike leaned closer and whispered into Twilight's ear, "Just wait until you see what I have planned for the bachelor's party."

"I think that you're a bit too late for that," Twilight said. "Do you even know what a bachelor's party is?" 

"Uh, actually I'm not really sure, but I might have an idea," Spike said. 

Twilight was about to answer him, but then she got distracted when a mare sat down next to her. 

"Hello, the mare said. "I hope you don't mind if I sit next to you. Rainbow Dash talks often about you all."

Twilight and her friends looked at the mare. 

"So I assume that you are Rainbow Dash's mother?" Twilight asked.

"Yes, that's correct."

"I remember Rainbow Dash telling me that your husband has a rainbow colored tail and mane just like she does. That's quite a..." Twilight pasued for a moment to think of a good term to use. "Rarity to find a pony with a rainbow colored mane and tail."

"Hey! That's my job to make all of the puns and jokes," Pinkie Pie said.

"Sorry, Pinkie," Twilight said. 

"Rainbow Dash talks so much about you all," Rainbow's mom said. "She says that she belongs to a group called, Sisters in Christ."

"That's correct," Twilight said. "We are a group who keeps each other in check with scripture and help one another out if she or we may stumble in the faith. We all have our different strengths and weakness and work as a team in the body of Christ."

"That's so wonderful," Rainbow's mom said. "I can't believe how my little girl has grown up and I can't even believe that she survived that terrible accident. God has really blessed us in so many ways."

Twilight Sparkle was about to say something when something caught her eye. "Hey, everypony, look who decided to come for the wedding!" 

Twilight's friends turned around to see, Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, and Princess Cadence walk into the room. When they walked by Twilight and her friends, the ponies bowed low to the Princesses.

The Princesses were all wearing their most magnificent dresses. 

Princess Celestia lifted her front hoof up and said, "Oh, girls, It's ok. You don't have to bow down every single time you see me. I understand you're all being respectful, but I'd like to be treated as one of you too, especially since it's someponies very special day today. I wouldn't want to miss out on this. Rainbow Dash has learned so much and has come such a long way in maturing in the faith. She has been sending me so many letters."

"Well, it's an honor to have you here my Princesses," Twilight said. "And I'm sure that Rainbow Dash is going to really appreciate that you decided to come to share in her big day. I know that you must be terribly busy with all of your royal duties."

The Princesses began to walk to the back to find a seat.

"Wait!" Twilight called to them. "Let us sit in the back so that you can sit in the front."

"That's very nice of you to offer, but we told you that we'd like to be treated no differently than how you are all treated," Princess Luna said. 

"We don't want royalty to get to our heads," Princess Cadence said. "You're her best friends and you deserve to sit in the front row."

"O-o-ok," Twilight said.  "Do you all plan to stay for the dancing and partying?"

"We sure will," Princess Celestia said.

"Would it be ok if I sat with you and spent a little time with you?" Twilight asked. 

"Focus on your friend," Princess Celestia said. "This is her big day today, not mine. We can spend some time together later." Princess Celestia winked at Twilight and then took her seat with the other two Princesses. 

Twilight Sparkle and her friends watched all of the other ponies enter. The room was very large and ponies traveled near and far. Rainbow Dash and Soarin' were quite popular and had many close friends. 

Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom were all there dressed up and had their flower baskets ready for when Rainbow Dash would walk down the aisle. 

The ponies continued to talk until the Pastor came out with his Bible. 

Soarin' and his best stallion, Lightning Streak, came out of a side door and walked up to the podium. 

Lightning Streak was wearing his finest suit and Soarin' was wearing the most well crafted tuxedo that Rarity could possibly design. Soarin' was a stallion who always looked handsome even without trying to make his appearance look better. Now he looked as Rarity described him, beyond fabulous. Both stallions had their tails and manes styled as well.

Twilight whispered to Spike, "You should go stand next to them now."

Spike got off of her back and stood next them.

Everything else began to fall into place and the wedding began. The bridesmaids and ushers came down the aisle and stood at the front.

The maid of honor, one of Rainbow's cousins, walked down the aisle. All eyes were on her as she made her way to the front. 

Rainbow Dash wished that she could have had all five of her best and closest friends, but she had to choose only one. She was originally going to go with Applejack, since Applejack was Rainbow Dash's best and closest friend that she could relate to the most out of her group, but all of her friends were just as important as Applejack and she would feel bad if she had to single one out, so she decided to go with her cousin. 

Next, the flower girls came down the aisle spreading out pedals from flowers onto the carpet. They were smiling and giggling because they couldn't wait to see this all happen. Scootaloo was especially excited to see her hero get hitched on this day.

The doors to the back opened and right on time, Octavia began to play her cello and Fluttershy conducted her singing birds.

In stepped Rainbow Dash and her father. They both slowly walked down the aisle together. Nopony could take their eyes off of her. She wore the most elegant gown that anypony had ever seen before, and her mane and tail was styled perfectly for this day. Rainbow Dash could hear the many comments about how gorgeous and amazing she looked.

"She looks......fabulous," Rarity whispered to her friends.

"You really did an incredible job on the gown," Twilight said. "And Soarin'. My goodness! Doesn't he look sharp? Blood, sweat and tears must have been poured into your work."

Rarity looked offended and said, "A lady does not sweat."

"That's just a figure of speech. You do sweat at the gym, right?" Twilight asked.

"I'd rather not discuss this issue," Rarity said. "It's not lady like."

Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes.

Rainbow Dash was now standing next to Soarin' and stared lovingly into his bright green eyes. 

"Are we ready for this?" the Pastor asked.

"Let's do this!" Rainbow Dash said.

The Pastor opened his Bible and cleared his throat. "Groom: I, Soarin', take thee, Rainbow Dash, to be my lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance.

Soarin' repeated the words as he stared into Rainbow's beautiful eyes.

The Pastor turned to Rainbow Dash and said, "Bride: I, Rainbow Dash, take thee, Soarin', to be my lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance.

Rainbow Dash didn't even blink as she stared at Soarin' and repeated the exact words that the Pastor had just spoken.

The Pastor grinned and said, "Soarin', you may now kiss the bride!" 

Soarin' lifted the veil and kissed her. 

The crowd went wild and stomped their hooves against the floor in approval. Rarity put her front hoof to her forehead and fainted. 

Applejack caught her and shook her head several times in disbelief at her behavior. Sure, Applejack and the rest of her friends were teary, but Applejack really couldn't figure out why Rarity behaves in such dramatic ways.

Soarin' pulled away from his wife and Pinkie Pie began leaping up and down. "PARTY TIME! PARTY TIME!" 

Before anypony could even respond to her sudden outburst, she had run through the doors and headed to the party room.

"Oh, boy," Twilight said. "She has been waiting for this moment for so long. Let's go see what she has planned. 

The ponies began to head out of the room for the party.
> Let's Get This Party Started
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Twilight Sparkle and her friends stood there in disbelief as they gawked at the very well decorated room. The most impressive thing that they saw were two perfectly crafted ice sculptures. The sculptures represented Rainbow Dash's and Soarin's cutie marks and they were standing proudly next to each other.

Pinkie Pie ambushed them and wrapped her front legs around her friends. "So, isn't it super awesome, fun, and totally cool just like Rainbow Dash?"

"You really out did yourself, Pinkie Pie," Twilight said. "This room looks absolutely amazing!"

"Maybe just a tad bit over done with the streamers and balloons," Rarity added.

"The more the merrier!" Pinkie Pie said and then tossed a bunch of streamers on top of Rarity.

Rarity quickly shook them off. 

When everypony stepped in, the newly wedded couple came in. 

Vinyl Scratch started the music up and the couple danced during the first song. Neither of them knew how to dance to this kind of music, but it was fun and they tried. Rainbow Dash and Soarin' made their way to their dinner table. 

Fluttershy covered her ears. "Oh, no! It's that terrible wub-step music! How could they allow that to be played here?"

"This music isn't my cup of tea either, Fluttershy, but I think I have reminded you quite a few times that it's called, Dub-step," Rarity said. 

Everypony else took their seats and feasted on the meals that were brought to them. 

Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Risk Taker, Spike, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo all sat at a large round table. There were just enough seats for them all. 

Soarin' and Rainbow Dash sat at the head table with their maid of honor and best stallion, and Rainbow's and Soarin's parents sat at their own tables. Their parents were looking over Rainbow Dash's and Soarin's first picture together. The picture was of both of them dancing at the Grand Galloping Gala.

The music changed to something more appropriate for a fancy dinner. It took some discipline for Vinyl Scratch, but Rainbow Dash had promised her that after the meal, she could play some more Dub-step music as long as she also played a variety of different music so that everypony could find something that they liked. Rainbow Dash even put in a very special request for Applejack's most favorite bluegrass song of all time. She was no expert in dancing, and both Soarin' and her had to spend countless hours learning how to dance without arrows scrolling up an arcade screen.

If Soarin' had his way, they would have rented an In The Hooves Two dedicated cabinet as well as a Pony It Up arcade machine for their wedding, but Rainbow Dash knocked some sense into him even though she thought that was a really awesome idea at first. She didn't want herself or Soarin' to get drenched with sweat on their special night in front of their family and friends, and stepping on metal pads in these fancy slippers would be quite difficult, if not dangerous. Rainbow Dash had plans to get sweaty with Soarin' by other means tonight anyway.

Princess Celestia was the first to take her fork and tapped it loudly against her glass of Champaign and grinned a rather crooked smile.

"What is the Princess doing?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I think it means that she wants us to kiss again," Soarin' said.

Rainbow Dash and Soarin' kissed and everypony applauded. 

Pinkie Pie picked up on this and did the same thing. 

"Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow Dash said as she watched her friend tap against her wine glass.

Soarin' and Rainbow Dash kissed once more and as soon as they finished kissing, Pinkie Pie was clanging against her wine glass once more.

Twilight Sparkle teleported her glass out of her hoof and put it to the side of the table. "No need to abuse this power, Pinkie Pie."

"But I just wanted to see them kiss like two hundred more times. I wasn't going to abuse it or anything," Pinkie admitted.

"Yeah, no. That's not going to happen. Maybe save your impulsivity for the dance floor when we are done eating," Twilight said. She then picked up her knife and fork and began to cut her food. 

"Pssst! Twilight!" Applejack said. "Are ya gonna finish all of that by yerself?" 

"Applejack, we just got our meals. You can at least finish yours first before you...." Twilight Sparkle paused for a moment when she noticed that Applejack's plate was bone dry as if she had licked every last morsel off of her plate. Twilight sighed. "I'm very hungry, but I'll let you have half of my meal since I have a sit down job and I know that you're always hungry from the farm work." Twilight levitated Applejack's plate over and used her fork to push half of her meal onto Applejack's plate. She then placed the plate back down for Applejack.

"Golly! Thank ya fer bein' so understandin', Twi. I sure am hungry!" Applejack bent over and began to inhale the food.

Twilight Sparkle looked around in a guilty manner and then back to her starving friend, "Applejack, we have very fancy utensils for us to eat with. You might want to use them before you embarrass or insult somepony here. Even Soarin' and Rainbow Dash are eating with utensils."

Applejack picked her head up and was already done eating. "What did ya say, Twi?" 

Twilight sighed. "Never mind," she said. "Never mind." Twilight Sparkle looked at Apple Bloom who didn't even seem to mind Applejack's eating antics. Twilight assumed that Apple Bloom was used to how Applejack ate by now and went back to eating what was left of her dinner.

"Why the hay do we get one big gigantic napkin on the table?" Applejack picked up the table cloth and was about to wipe her face with it. 

Twilight Sparkle saw this and said, "No! Put that down!" She used her magic to levitate one of the fancy napkins folded up and gave it to her friend. "The napkin was right in front of you."

Applejack dropped the table cloth and grabbed the napkin. "Golly. I would have never guessed that these fancy things are napkins. Whatever happened to the paper napkins or the paper towel rolls that we use? These things are as soft as silk. I would feel guilty fer usin' em."

"This is called elegance, Applejack. Maybe I should have thought to walk you through this before this all began," Twilight said. The lavender mare leaned over to Risk Taker and whispered, "I'm sorry about Applejack. She has yet to learn table manners."

Risk Taker smiled and said, "I have been with you girls for almost a year now. I think I have figured that out long ago."

Applejack finished wiping her face and put the napkin aside. 

Apple Bloom spoke up and said, "Ya'll should see how she just drops food and picks it up off of the floor. She eats it without even washin' it."

"Hey! I have gotten better with that, Missy! It's a sin to let food go to waste. Ya'll know that. Besides, if ya blow on yer food after it hits the ground, the bacteria goes away. Right, Twi?"

"I don't think it works like that," Twilight said. "Food that hits the floor is teeming with bacteria the moment it makes contact with anything unclean."

"But it could...."

"No," Twilight said. "Just no."

Applejack shrugged and turned to Rarity. "Hey Rarity are ya gonna eat all of that?" Applejack asked as she reached her front hoof towards Rarity's plate. 

Rarity used her magic and viciously stabbed at her friend's front leg. "Back! Back you voracious beast!"

Applejack pulled her front hoof back instantly before Rarity was able to stab her. "Hey! What gives? These portions are so tiny here and I figured that ya would automatically share with me since yer the element of generosity. That's mighty out of character fer ya to be so violent! I thought friendship and feedin' me was magic?"

Rarity levitated her fork back and said, "Learn some table manners first and then maybe I'll consider sharing." Rarity turned her head upwards with disgust. "Hmph!"

Applejack felt a few soft taps on her shoulder and turned to see Fluttershy looking shyly away. 

"Um, you can have my food as long as you...."

Applejack instantly bent over and practically inhaled all of her food within a matter of seconds. She picked her head up and said, "Thanks! I knew that I could rely on the element of kindness to help fill my belly!"

"I actually was going to say as long as you save me some, but that's ok. I'd rather see you happy anyway. It's ok, I don't mind," Fluttershy squeaked those last words at the end of her sentence. Fluttershy perked up a bit and then looked away when she noticed Big Macintosh staring at her from across the other table. "Um, Twilight. I'd really like to dance with Big Macintosh since this song playing is so nice, but I'm just way too shy to go over there and ask him."

"Twilight Sparkle swallowed her food and said, "Just stand on the dance floor and he'll come to you."

"But won't everypony be looking at me? I don't want to draw attention to myself, and I certainly don't want Vinyl Scratch to shine those lights on me."

"There are already ponies on the dance floor," Twilight said as she pointed her hoof over to where there were some ponies dancing. "I think that she only shines the light on ponies in the center of the dance floor. You had better get over there fast before Vinyl Scratch plays some more Dub-step."

Fluttershy nodded her head yes innocently and shyly walked over to the dance floor. She put her head down so low that it almost appeared that her chin was touching the shiny wooden dance floor. 

Big Macintosh got up out of his seat  and stood next to Fluttershy.

She perked up a bit and asked, "Did you come here to dance with me?"

"E-yup!" the red stallion said. "I reckon I told ya that I would. 

"O-o-ok, but please be gentle and try not to step on my hooves."

Twilight Sparkle watched with a satisfied look on her face as she watched Fluttershy and Big Macintosh dance. "It looks like we may hear wedding bells in the future. Just look how adorable they are."

"They are like the ketchup and mustard that compliments each other on a hot dog," Rarity said. "I can already foresee them getting married soon enough.

"Hey!" Applejack said. "That's my brother and one of my best friends that ya'll talkin' bout! I don't need any funny images runnin' through my head."  

"Well, what other pony would be good enough for your brother? Isn't Fluttershy a nice pony for him?" Rarity asked. 

"I guess I never thought of it like that. Yeah, I reckon that I can overreact sometimes like how Rarity once overreacted about that giant rock she named Tom that she thought was a diamond."

"Applejack, I thought I told you that I never wanted to hear that story again," Rarity said.

"But I'm just bein' honest!" Applejack said.

"And I'm being generous by not bucking you in the face for your brutal honesty!" Rarity said.

"Rarity must have thought that Tom really rocks!" Pinkie Pie said. "I never heard him talk before. Maybe he should try not to be so shy and become a little bit boulder, or maybe we were a little bit too hard on him. I think the rest of us just took him for granite." Pinkie looked around at her friends who did not look too happy. "Aw, come on girls. It's hard being a chip off of the old rock, but I guess Rarity's dream rock was nothing more than sweet sediment."

Twilight Sparkle hovered Pinkie Pie's wine glass over to her and said, "Pinkie Pie just drink up and be quiet!"

"Wow, you girls are really hard headed and..." before Pinkie Pie could make any more jokes, Twilight Sparkle used her magic to levitate the tip of the wine glass into Pinkie Pie's mouth.

More ponies were now getting up and making their way to the dance floor. 

Fluttershy and Big Macintosh left shortly after when Vinyl Scratch put the spotlight on them. They danced for a little bit longer under the spotlight, but Fluttershy couldn't handle all of those eyes watching her and slowly backed off of the dance floor when the flashing of cameras blinded her eyes. 

The ponies all cleared the stage when Rainbow Dash and her father had one very special song play that they picked out together. After their special dance, Soarin' and his mother took the dance floor. 

Many pictures were taken and when Soarin' and his mother left the dance floor, the servants brought out dessert. Apple pie with ice cream. 
> Applejack Shows Affection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	A servant came over and placed the fancy square shaped dish of dessert in front of Applejack. 

Applejack bent over and sniffed it. Apple pie and ice cream!? I love apples! I reckon that whoever ordered apple pie fer dessert is a very good pony in my eyes."

Rainbow Dash popped out from behind Applejack and said, "Only the perfect stallion for me, A.J. He loves apple pie and can eat it all day long." 

"Shoot!" Applejack said. "I reckon it's too late fer me to marry him. Why can't I ever find a stallion who loves apples that's NOT related to me family wise."

"You'll find him one day, A.J. and he'll be the apple of your eye!" Rainbow Dash said.

"I just hope that he doesn't eat her," Pinkie Pie said. "I bet Applejack is more part apple than pony, but she's also like an industrial lifting machine. She would probably taste like a metallic tasting apple with pony fur."

"Uh...." Applejack tried to think of a response, but she got distracted by her favorite bluegrass tune of all time. "Why are they playin' bluegrass at yer weddin'?"

"You're a bit slow, aren't you, Applejack?" Rainbow said. "I picked this song out just for you so that we can dance together." 

"Aw, shucks! Yer makin' me feel all kinds of special deep down inside. I reckon that ya can't be actin' funny with me now that yer hitched, so ok. Let's dance, sugar cube!" Applejack got out of her seat and then looked down at her dessert. "But wait! I didn't get to eat my dessert yet! If I don't finish it, the ice cream will melt!"

Twilight Sparkle used her magic to prevent the ice cream from melting. "Go on Applejack, I put a special spell on your dessert so that the ice cream won't melt."

"But what if somepony eats it?" Applejack asked. "I don't like to miss out on food."

Twilight face hoofed. "Applejack, you can go out and dance for a few minutes and not worry. I'll watch your food."

"Shucks," Applejack said. "Ya'll know that it's hard fer me. Ya should take this as a compliment, R.D. I don't just leave food sitting there fer nopony!"

"Just go and dance," Twilight said. "The song doesn't last forever."

Applejack hurried over with Rainbow Dash and danced. She danced with Rainbow Dash and totally forgot about her food because she was having so much fun. 

Rainbow Dash had no idea how to dance to bluegrass music, but she just tried to copy Applejack to the best of her ability. Applejack even stopped dancing to show her the ropes. 

Vinyl Scratch had the spotlight shining on the two of them the entire time and many pictures were taken of the two.

They danced together until the song ended and a new song started to play. They walked to the side of the dance floor closest to the table where Twilight Sparkle and the rest of her friends were sitting. 

"So did you have fun, A.J.?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"That meant so much to me, sugar cube, and I just want to tell ya somthin'."

"Rainbow Dash smiled and said, "Go on."

Applejack looked all around her to make sure that no pony was looking. She leaned over and kissed Rainbow Dash on the forehead with her eyes closed. 

A flash from a from a camera went off during that time. 

"Wow, A.J.," Rainbow said. "I never thought that you would ever do something like that."

"Now don't go thinkin' I'm bein a funny filly with ya. I hope that ya don't interpret that fer anythin' more than an act of affection fer my..." Applejack's words trailed off.

"For your what?" Rainbow asked.

Applejack sighed and said it again, "Don't tell any of the other girls this, but yer my most favorite friend out of our lil' group. There's somethin' 'bout ya that I can relate to so well."

Rainbow's eyes widened and she let out a little squee in delight. "I guess that it doesn't hurt to admit that you're my most favorite friend too. I'm not trying to downplay our friendships with our other friends. They are all just as magical and important to me, but I can relate to you the most, and I have the most fun hanging out with somepony who is competitive and athletic in different ways than me. Why did you think I picked a bluegrass song to play first out of all the other fun songs I picked for my friends?"

Applejack's cheeks were bright red. "Aw, shucks, Dash. I didn't know ya liked me that much."

Pinkie Pie popped up between the two and showed them a picture that she had taken herself. "Hey look! I got a picture of Applejack being super, super gay with Rainbow Dash just like Jonathan and David were. I knew that Applejack was gay for Rainbow Dash deep down inside. She just needed to give it a little more time to let it all out. I'm going to get like a million copies of this picture! We got ourselves a gay A.J., or more like, Gay J." Pinkie Pie shoved the picture in front of Applejack's face. 

"Hey! Give me that!" Applejack tried to snatch the picture away, but Pinkie Pie was too quick and pulled it back just in time and then happily bounced away. "I think one of these days, Pinkie Pie is really going to push me over the edge. She needs to drink Lithium by the bottle."

"That's funny," Rainbow Dash said. "Twilight Sparkle tells me that she is planning on giving her some of that stuff when she gets too wild. I guess instead of cramming apples into her mouth, we'll be cramming Lithium capsules in her mouth."

"Ya gotta do what ya gotta do," Applejack said. "As long as Twilight doesn't lose it and tries to whack her over the head with a giant magical mallet, then I think that we can find a more ethical way."

"Bless her heart. She only means well," Rainbow said.

"She's just as an important part of the team as everypony else. I reckon that God likes to have a lot of fun with us through her, but sometimes she can take things a tad bit too far," Applejack said. 

Rainbow shrugged and said, "No pony is perfect. I couldn't imagine the lack of randomness and laughter without her in our group. She can be tons of fun when it comes to pulling off pranks. God does have a great sense of humor after all!" 

Applejack caught a glimpse of her dessert out of the corner of her eye. "Well, I got an apple pie that's callin' my name. I thank ya kindly fer the dance and fer thinkin' 'bout me by pickin my favorite song fer yer weddin'."

"And make sure to tell Pinkie Pie to come up here next. I have the playlist set to have each one of your favorite songs get played, but with an extra song placed in between each song that I chose for you girls so that I can spend time talking to each of you after I dance with everyone of you."

Applejack nodded her head ok, and went back to her seat. She, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight were the only ones currently sitting at the table. The rest of the other ponies went off dancing or socializing with other ponies including Risk Taker, who was having a discussion with Big Macintosh and Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash watched as Applejack whispered into Pinkie Pie's ear and then bent over and devoured her dessert. 

Pinkie Pie sprung up out of her seat and galloped over to Rainbow Dash's side. As if right on time, a happy hardcore song named July by an artist named Smiley came on and Pinkie Pie almost exploded with excitement. "Everpony clear the dance floor! This is my jam!"

Applejack saw that Pinkie Pie had left that one picture on the table. She reached out and was about to put her hoof on it so that she could tear it up, but Twilight Sparkle teleported it over to herself. 

"Yer not gonna use that picture to try to expose me in anyway like Pinkie Pie said, are ya?" 

"Absolutely not, but I'd like to save it." Twilight Sparkle levitated the picture with her magic and showed Applejack. "This picture is just all kinds sweetness and adorableness. I don't want to upset you if you're embarrassed by it, but come on! This is seriously the most adorable picture I have ever seen and it is Christ like to show love and affection like this. You shouldn't be ashamed about this picture. Don't you want Jesus to hug or kiss you when you get to Heaven? I mean, I can get rid of this picture if you REALLY can't stand it, but I'd just like you to dwell on what I said."

Applejack took a sip of her Champaign and put the glass down as she thought about what Twilight said. "Golly. Sure I wanna be kissed and hugged by Jesus. I guess I need to work on bein' affectionate. I'm just used to how it is on the farm and I was brought up belevin' that kissin' whether sexual or not was fer mares and stallions only. I guess that I just didn't understand it all. I didn't even understand how to explain to Granny Smith that I didn't want to attend Mass anymore since Fluttershy introduced me to the church that ya'll go to. I like the church we go to now much better and she would probably think it was weird that you girls convinced me to get Baptized as an adult mare even though I was already Baptized as a foal. It would be like double dippin' in her eyes. I'm sure that she'd have a fit if she found out that I play Dungeons and Dragons with ya'll too. Ya'll know that my whole family is Catlick and they probably wouldn't see things like we do. I do attend Mass once in a while to keep my family happy though."

"Did you mean to say, Catholic?" Twilight asked.

"That's what I said!" Applejack said. "My whole family is Catlick."

"I think that we have to work on your accent," Twilight said. "I'm envisioning a cat licking something every time you say Catholic."

"I ain't go no accent!" Applejack said. She was rather annoyed at that comment.

"I'm sorry," Twilight said. "So can we at least keep the picture?"

Applejack sighed. "Yes. Ya'll can keep the picture."

"Didn't your mother ever used to kiss you?" Twilight curiously asked.

Applejack put her head down low and said, "My parents aren't alive and I don't have any personal memories of them. All my family has is just a few pictures and stories that Granny Smith tells me."

Twilight put her front hoof to her mouth. "I'm so sorry I brought that up, Applejack. I never knew that about you. I hope you're not upset with me."

"Not a chance, Twi. Ya didn't know any better and I have been very silent about that topic. I guess there will always be a deep down hurt inside of me since I never got to know my parents." Applejack looked at Twilight with a look of pain on her face. "Do ya think that maybe I could open up about this in yer support group sometime, Twi?"

Twilight Sparkle perked up a bit and said, "Absolutely. Would you like to talk more about this now?"

Applejack nodded her head yes innocently and began discussing her hurt with her friend. 
> Twilight Sparkle's Song
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Pinkie Pie's song ended and the two stood there staring at each other and giggling. "Oh! That was so much fun! I love you, Dashie! Thank you for playing my most favorite song! I literally see rainbows, sunshine, smiley faces, and all sorts of crazy things when that song plays."

"Wow, that's great, Pinkie. I actually know this song personally," Rainbow Dash said. 

"You do!?" Pinkie Pie blurted out.

"Yeah, it's from one of me and Soarin's favorite video games at the arcade called, In The Hooves Two."

"You so have to show me this game!" Pinkie Pie said and then latched onto Rainbow Dash for a hug.

"Hnnnng!" Rainbow Dash said. "Easy there, Pinkie Pie. I know that you're super strong from maxing out on that pectoral fly machine that you like to call the hugging exercise machine, but I think that I'd like for me to not have a broken back for tonight."

Pinkie Pie squeezed her even tighter. "Every time I do a repetition on that machine I envision you or our other friends in front of me and that gives me the confidence to work my hugging muscles as hard as I possibly can! I love to work my Pinkie pecs!"

"That's really cute," Rainbow Dash said. "But the last thing I want is for my back to get hurt before Soarin' and I hit the sack as soon as we get home. I don't want this gown to get torn either." 

Pinkie Pie gave her one last great squeeze and then let go. "Hit the sack? But why would you two go to bed so early when you get back home? The night is still young, Dashie! We can still party some more!" 

Rainbow Dash couldn't believe that Pinkie Pie couldn't figure out as to what she was referring to. "I uh, never mind. I guess that the fun you have in mind is not quite like the fun I am thinking about with me and Soarin'."

"Can I join the fun too?" Pinkie Pie asked. "We could triple the fun with Soarin'!"

Rainbow Dash blinked her eyes quickly in disbelief. "Pinkie Pie, I think it's time you have a seat and drink some more Champaign or something. You're saying stuff that you don't understand. Maybe getting a bit tipsy might somehow knock some sense into you." 

"How is that supposed to work, Dashie?"

"I don't know. You're Pinkie Pie. I'm trying not to use logic here because you're so crazy and unpredictable. No pony knows how you function."

"Oh, sure thing!" the hyperactive pony said. "Not making any sense of me is kind of like making sense, if that makes any sense at all! I'm full of unpredictable surprises!" She then giggled madly.

"Right," Rainbow Dash said. "Just please tell Rarity that it's her turn to dance with me."

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie Pie said as she bounced away from her friend. 

Rainbow Dash danced with the rest of her friends. Rarity, Fluttershy, and lastly, Twilight Sparkle. 

When Twilight Sparkle finished dancing with Rainbow Dash, she had a very special song that she wanted to sing for Rainbow Dash and Soarin'. 

Twilight Sparkle walked up and stood up on the platform next to Vinyl Scratch. She used her magic to levitate the microphone. "Hello everypony. I'd just like to ask if you would all politely clear the dance floor for just a few minutes. I'd like to dedicate this special song for my sister in Christ."

The ponies left the dance floor and the spotlight was centered on Rainbow Dash and Soarin'.

Vinyl Scratch started the song and Twilight Sparkle waited for her moment to sing. She licked her lips in anticipation and began to sing. 

"Love is in bloom.

A beautiful bride, a handsome groom, 

Two hearts becoming one.

A bond that cannot be undone because

Love is in bloom.

A beautiful bride, a handsome groom.

I said love is in bloom.

You're starting a life and making room

For us.

Your special day. 

We celebrate now, the pony way.

Your friends are all right here.

Won't let these moments disappear because

Love is in bloom.

A beautiful bride, a handsome groom.

I said love is in bloom.

You're starting a life and making room for us."

The song ended and Rainbow Dash and Soarin' kissed once more. 

A flash of light from a camera captured the moment and the ponies watching began to cheer and stomp their hooves in approval. 

Rainbow Dash and Soarin' broke free from the kiss and then headed on over to Twilight as she was walking down the steps of the stage.

"Did I do ok? I haven't sang anything in so long," Twilight said. "I'm not really known for my singing skills, but I felt that I just had to try."

"It was awesome Twi," Rainbow said. "You girls have all made this the best.....wedding.....EVER!" 

"That really was a blessing," Soarin' said. 

"Thank you so much! Vinyl Scratch was listening to me closely and said that she would cast a special auto tune spell on my vocal chords if I started to sing off key! I guess that I did quite well since I didn't need any assistance," Twilight said. 

Rainbow Dash, Twilight, and Soarin' all looked up at Vinyl Scratch as if to silently ask her how she felt about Twilight's singing.

Vinyl Scratch pushed her sunglasses up on her head and gave them all a wink.

Rainbow Dash felt a tug at her tail and turned to see Scootaloo looking up at her with sad eyes. "What's up, Scoots?" 

"Do you think that maybe we could dance together, I mean just me and you for a little bit. I have been waiting all night long," the little orange filly said. "Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom want to try to dance with you too. I don't really know how to dance, but I was hoping that you could teach me."

Rainbow Dash grinned and rubbed her front hoof in Scootaloo's mane. "Absolutely, Scoots!"

Scootaloo tugged at Rainbow Dash's front hoof and guided her over to one corner of the dance floor in hopes that the spotlight wouldn't be shined upon them. Scootaloo did ask Pinkie Pie to take at least one picture of them together while dancing. 

Twilight Sparkle was now discussing things with Risk Taker and the Princesses over at their table.

After her dance with Scootaloo, Rainbow Dash danced with Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom and a few more ponies. After her dancing, she sat down at her table with Soarin' and watched the ponies in the room that were either dancing or conversing. She was exhausted from her exciting day, but she was also wired from all of the bright flashing lights and the music that was playing. She was also excited for tonight. Even though she was having the time of her life tonight, she was starting to want to go home so that she can spend some personal time with her husband alone.
> This Will Only End in Sex
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	The wedding had soon ended and the ponies stood outside as they watched Soarin' and Rainbow Dash walk down the red carpet to where there was a golden chariot to take them back home. Rainbow Dash and Soarin' stopped in front of the chariot and kissed once more before leaving. Right as they kissed, the Wonderbolts flew over the building and fireworks went off. The crowds cheered loudly once more for the couple. Rainbow Dash opened one eye when she heard the fireworks. She figured that Soarin' must have planned for this to happen since there were fireworks going off when she had first kissed him. Rainbow Dash and Soarin' broke free from their kiss and then entered the golden chariot. 

"Where are they going?" Pinkie Pie asked. "I want to go with them too." Pinkie Pie bolted after the chariot, but Applejack had grabbed her tail. 

"Um, Pinkie Pie," Fluttershy said. "I don't think you're going to want to go with them."

"Why? But where are they going?" Pinkie asked.

"They are going home now," Rarity said. 

"Why can't I go with them?" Pinkie Pie asked.

Twilight Sparkle face hoofed. "Because they are going to do something that will end in a three letter word and I don't think that you would want to be a part of it."

"Holy horse apples!" Pinkie Pie said. "I knew it all along."

Twilight Sparkle nodded her head yes proudly with her eyes closed feeling satisfied that Pinkie Pie now understood.

"That three letter word is going to be fun and I'm missing out on it!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed.

Twilight Sparkle opened her eyes in shock. "Well, I do suppose that it could be considered fun, Pinkie Pie, but that wasn't exactly the three letter word that I was thinking of."

"What are you girls referring to? It's like you all know something that I don't know," Pinkie said.

Applejack was getting rather annoyed by now. "Here, I'll spell it out fer ya! It will end in S-E-X! Sex! Sex everywhere and probably all kinds of wild sex all over the place. Do ya understand now?"

Pinkie Pie gasped. "Wow! I never even considered that possibility. You girls are so smart and right on the ball, and Rainbow Dash will be on some balls tonight too I guess." 

"Pinkie Pie," Twilight said as she closed her eyes shut tightly and shook her head quickly several times as if she were trying to shake the images out of her mind. "That was really......REALLY uncalled for."

Applejack put her hoof to her face. "Pinkie Pie can be MORE than a few apples short of a bushel sometimes."

"Sorry!" Pinkie Pie said. "Sometimes I just say things without even thinking! Especially when I feel so high and excited! My brain is going zip, zoom, ka-pow from all of that party we had!"

"I totally forgot that bright lights make her mania more wild," Twilight said. "Hopefully she'll calm down soon enough."

Everypony cheered loudly as the chariot took off and Soarin' and Rainbow Dash waved good bye to their family and friends. 

Rainbow Dash leaned against her husband and enjoyed the fresh air that she inhaled through her nostrils. This was it. This was her stallion that she'd be spending the rest of her life with and she was so excited to start her life as a loyal wife to him. She knew that there would probably be arguments and bumps along the way, but this stallion meant so much to her and any problem that may come about, would be worked out with patience, love, and laughter. Right now, she had one thing on her mind for as soon as they got inside their home.

When the golden chariot landed, Soarin' scooped up his prize and flew her to the front door. He bucked the door open and carried his wife over the threshold. He gently placed her down and stared lovingly into her eyes. 

Rainbow Dash closed the door and giggled. She took him by the hoof and led him through their home. 

"Where are you taking me?" Soarin' asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Rainbow asked.

She led him into the bedroom and began to undo her gown. "Take off your tuxedo, Soarin'," she instructed him.

Soarin' was hesitant, but he undressed himself. 

Rainbow Dash put her gown to the side and then hopped on to the bed. She laid there on the her back and spread her hind legs out. "Come on! I have been waiting for this for the longest time! There's a condom on the table next to the bed. We have both waited so long for this. I'll help you put it on if you need help." Rainbow Dash waited for a moment. 

Soarin' just stood there in shock.

"What are you doing? You have been so good and our bodies are one now. Come on over and break me in."

Soarin' felt guilty and a tear drop fell from his eye and he put his head down. "I can't, Dash."

Rainbow Dash got off of the bed and came over to him. She grabbed him by the hoof once more and led him to the bedside to sit down with him. "What are you talking about, Soarin'? We have endured the temptation for so long and now that we can finally enjoy each other's bodies, you don't want to do this? Tell me why."

"It's just that seeing you like that reminded me of my ex and she's really the last thing that I want to think about. I gave my innocence to her and seeing you pose like that reminded me of the countless pornographic materials that I have seen. It's like it's now etched into my mind forever and I can't escape it. I began to force myself to believe that sex was evil just to escape the temptation of going back to pornography and now everything feels wrong. I felt like I had to do this because of what Twilight Sparkle taught me."

"What did she teach you?"

"She said that pornography does more than just spike the level of dopamine in the brain for a pleasure sensation. It literally changes the physical matter within the brain so that new neurological pathways require pornographic material in order to trigger the desired reward sensation. It's literally like a drug and it is incredibly destructive to the mind. I now see how that is all true because I feel like I'm desensitized to all sexual imagery, and now I am suffering with the consequences. I guess that I eventually got so used to all of the pornographic images. There were times when I wasn't even looking at that stuff and I would just blink my eyes and I would see those images again. It's like my reactions are completely dulled down right now. I don't even think I'm capable of pleasing you sexually right now."

"Yes, I'm sorry, Soarin'. That's what pornography will do to you. But didn't Twilight Sparkle tell you that sex was a gift from God? Don't you remember me telling you that sex is wonderful and should be enjoyed in marriage between a husband and a wife only?" Rainbow asked.

"Yes, I do, but I still chose to believe that it was all bad somehow. Now I have this terribly awkward feeling that I can't shake from my mind."

"Hey, we're now united as a married couple, so we're going to share our deepest personal problems with each other and work together to overcome our struggles. I want you to remind yourself that sex is fine only with me now and that every part of my body is yours to enjoy now and every part of your body is for me to enjoy as well."

"That's really.....a bit uncomfortable to hear that," Soarin' said.

"But it shouldn't be. You're making it that way," Rainbow said. "It's something that God wants us to enjoy together. My job as a wife is to be submissive to you and your job as a husband is to love me unconditionally. We are now one in the flesh. Do you want to have God a part of everything in our lives or not?"

"I do," Soarin' said.

"Then you'll let him be a part of our sex life too." Rainbow Dash said. "Think of this as having apple pie. You love apple pie, but it's best to wait to have it for dessert so that you don't ruin your other meals. I know that's kind of a bad analogy, but we have both made it to the dessert part of our life and deserve to have some, and I plan on having lots of dessert with you. I'll tell you what. Even though I have been trying to help you cut back on your pie consumption, I'll let you have some apple pie after our special time. Does that sound ok?"

Soarin' sighed when he came to his senses. He reached over and grabbed the contraceptive on the table. "So how am I supposed to do this? Is this supposed to be done missionary style, or something?"

"We can do it anyway you want to. It doesn't matter. Even pony style is fine. As long as you let me take a few turns on top, and have a little rough foreplay once in a while, I won't mind." She then winked at him and continued, "I know that your job in life is to finish first place in everything that you do, but try to come in second place with what we're about to do. It's actually better. Let's try not to go by my motto of saying that we can do this in ten seconds flat."

Soarin's face was bright red. He wasn't expecting this kind of talk coming from Dash. "I can try, but I don't think that I can control that, Dash."

Rainbow giggled and said, "Oh, I know. I'm just teasing you! This is probably going to be incredibly awkward for the both of us, but it will become more natural as time goes on and we'll both get used to this soon enough."

Soarin' opened up the little package that the contraceptive was sealed in and took it out. He dropped it on the bed by accident because he was really uptight by all of this.

Rainbow Dash grabbed it and said, "Hey, let me help you out with that."

"Um, this is going to sound painfully awkward, but I'm not really aroused down there at the moment and I don't understand why that is now since just looking at you in the past was so very arousing to me when I couldn't have you like this, but now that I can, I'm not exactly ready."

Rainbow Dash got up and pushed him onto the bed. She put her front hoof down in-between his hind legs. "I can help you out with that. Just lay back and relax, and focus on me right now, not your guilt. Remember, you have been forgiven already."

Soarin' didn't realize how incredibly tense his body was, but he took a deep breath and tried to relax every single muscle in his body. 

Rainbow Dash hopped back onto the bed and laid on her back right next to Soarin'. "You should be good to go now. You just needed a little preparation. Now come on, I have been waiting for this moment for a long time. You now have a sheath for your sword." Rainbow Dash giggled.

Soarin' slowly got up and looked down between his legs with the contraceptive on. He still wasn't really that aroused since his mind was still racing with fears and awkwardness, but he figured that he was good enough for the job right now. He put his two front hooves on her shoulders and watched as he carefully entered his wife for the first time. He did his best to clear his mind and focus on the present.

Rainbow Dash stared up lovingly into his bright green eyes and enjoyed the feeling of his warm breath on her body as he thrust himself into her. 

Soarin' kept it up for as long as he could. His hind legs shook with pleasure and his wings flared out to the sides as he finished. He looked down in a guilty manner as he pulled himself out. "I'm sorry that it's over so soon."

"Hey, you did fine! Do you remember what I told you in the past? I could care less if you were not even capable of sexually performing at all. I am just happy to have you in my life and we just have to work on some of your issues together with the help of God."

"Soarin' sighed and said, "I feel like such a failure, but there's only one thing that will make me feel better."

"Go on," Rainbow Dash said as she slid her body up against a pillow that was leaning against the wall. 

"Was I at least in the slightest bit satisfying?"

Rainbow Dash giggled and nodded her head yes. "Yeah, like I said, you did fine. Don't worry about satisfying me so much. I'm more concerned about making sure that you're satisfied."

"Wow, I couldn't ask for a better wife than you. I just...." Soarin's words trailed off.

"You just what?" Rainbow asked.

"No. I need to focus on you and forget it."

"Communication is one of the most important things in a relationship, Soarin'. Come here and sit down with me."

Soarin' sat down next to her. "I'm just so sorry that I did not save the most beautiful thing that a stallion and mare can share together for you. No matter how much I try to forget about it, I feel like it will always haunt me. I just wish I can go back in time and would have made the right decisions."

"I understand that what happened is incredibly painful for you. Many ponies out there go around having many sexual partners thinking that it's not a big deal and that there's nothing wrong with it. Then when they grow up and realize that they want to settle down with somepony special, they have deep regret and sorrow, even if they pretend to hide it, or they are just so very ignorant about the importance of saving your virginity for your spouse only. We'll get through this though. You have God as your counselor and He will guide you through all of this. You do still have your support groups too. I think I might be attending them with you from now on since we are united as a married couple."

"That's not going to be awkward for you to talk to Twilight with me? I mean, some of the things that I share with her are outside of the group because they are so personal. I also see your white unicorn friend, Rarity there in the groups. 

"We don't have to tell her every single little detail about everything, but she's a pony who is very wise and is very good at explaining things. Twilight often explains things to me that are incredibly personal too," Rainbow said. "And yes, Rarity needs to go to those groups because she was raped in the past and had a traumatic experience as a prostitute."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Soarin' said. "I don't even know what to say. I am so thankful and blessed to have you as my wife. You're kind of like Lazarus too. I still can't believe that you're here with me. I spoke to Twilight for many months about the idea of marrying you and she had given me one specific verse when it came to the desire of marrying you."

"Twilight kept her mouth shut about you wanting to marry me for months? Wow! I wouldn't have imagined that she would be able to hold her tongue for that long!"

"She did a really silly thing that she said she had learned from Pinkie Pie when I asked her to promise not to tell you," Soarin' said. Soarin' sat up and did the motions as he spoke. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." Soarin' then stuck his front hoof in his eye. "Ouch." He pulled his hoof back and said, "That can hurt sometimes."

Rainbow giggled and said. "That's exactly what Pinkie Pie does! It's called a Pinkie swear. It's not meant to be taken seriously as you already had said that it was silly. What was that verse that Twilight Sparkle said to you that made you think of me?"

"Oh, I said it over and over in my mind because it was so true. An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. You are more precious than jewels, Dash."

Rainbow Dash looked away, her cheeks were bright red. "Awwww, that's really sweet, Soarin'. She perked up and said, "Hey! I'll be right back. You just wait right here." Rainbow Dash got up and left him. 

Soarin' almost forgot about the contraceptive that he was wearing and took it off. He tossed it into the garbage pail near her bed and wondered what Rainbow Dash was doing. He began to reflect on how they met and how far they have grown so close together.

Rainbow Dash came back in with two plates of dessert and two glasses of milk. She gave one to Soarin'.

"Apple pie?" Soarin' asked. "I thought that I was supposed to be cutting back. Is it really ok that we eat in your bed.....er, I mean our bed? What if we get crumbs in the bed?"

"Hey, I said that it would be ok to have some. I got some pie for myself too, and of course we can eat in bed together, silly! I eat in my bed all of the time. Just be careful that you don't spill any crumbs into our bed," Rainbow said. She then took a few bites of her treat.

"Wow, I don't think I have seen you eat pie before. Is that apple pie too?" Soarin' asked and then took a bite out of his pie and then followed it down with some cold milk.

"Nope. I have two different slices of pie on my plate that are my favorites. Pecan pie and pumpkin pie."

"Wow, apple pie isn't your favorite? Thou art treading on thin ice my fair lady," he teasingly said. "What about Pinkie Pie? Is she another one of your favorite pies?"

Rainbow Dash laughed. "Pinkie Pie sure is! I wonder if she'll ever make a pie named after herself. I bet it would be the craziest tasting pie on the planet. Pinkie Pie is just so random! I can't imagine the crazy and random things that her husband will have to put up with and try to understand if she ever gets married."

Soarin' changed the topic to a more serious one. "Dash, do you ever want to come back to the Wonderbolt's team? I really think you still have it in you, even if you may have some permanent pain and damage in your wings."

Rainbow Dash took a chug of her milk and put the glass aside. "I don't feel like that's what God is calling me to do in my life. At least not right now. I think God has greater plans for you and I, and it might involve bringing new life into this world. My pain can flare up sometimes, but Fluttershy gives me plenty of herbs like turmeric mixed with black pepper to help fight the pain. She also tells me to eat a bowl full of tart cherries everyday. These foods work incredibly well for me. I sometimes have extra pain when stormy weather comes in. I guess that it has to do with the humidity or something, but I do always have you for those massages when it comes to relieving my pain and that can make for some more romantic situations between you and I. Taking a warm bath also helps and I would enjoy my special companion to hop into the tub with me."

"You want us to become parents? Wow, I didn't expect to hear that from you so soon, but I'll try to give you anything that your heart desires. I can already tell that you'll be wearing the pants in this family!"

"Not at this very moment," Rainbow said. "I mean like way in the future. We just got married and I'd like to relax and have fun with you before you go planting any seeds inside of me. I'm sure that we'll both know when we'll be ready for that moment. I am kind of hoping to have at least two foals in the future, and that expression is quite funny since we normally don't wear clothing. The pants are for you to wear, Mister, and I'll help you put the pants on and make sure that they stay on if you need me to. I can be like the belt to hold the pants up." Rainbow Dash took out her Bible and flipped through some pages.

"What are you doing, Dash?" Soarin' asked.

"I think I know the perfect thing to read for the both of us right now," she replied. Rainbow Dash found what she was looking for and began to read to Soarin'."

"She

Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth—
for your love is more delightful than wine.
Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes;
your name is like perfume poured out.
No wonder the young women love you!
Take me away with you—let us hurry!
Let the king bring me into his chambers.

Friends

We rejoice and delight in you.
we will praise your love more than wine.

She

How right they are to adore you!

Dark am I, yet lovely,
daughters of Jerusalem,
dark like the tents of Kedar,
like the tent curtains of Solomon.
Do not stare at me because I am dark,
because I am darkened by the sun.
My mother’s sons were angry with me
and made me take care of the vineyards;
my own vineyard I had to neglect.
Tell me, you whom I love,
where you graze your flock
and where you rest your sheep at midday.
Why should I be like a veiled woman
beside the flocks of your friends?

Friends

If you do not know, most beautiful of mares,
follow the tracks of the sheep
and graze your young goats
by the tents of the shepherds.

He

I liken you, my darling, to a mare
among Pharaoh’s chariot horses.
Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings,
your neck with strings of jewels.
We will make you earrings of gold,
studded with silver.

She

While the king was at his table,
my perfume spread its fragrance.
My beloved is to me a sachet of myrrh
resting between my breasts.
My beloved is to me a cluster of henna blossoms
from the vineyards of En Gedi.

He

How beautiful you are, my darling!
Oh, how beautiful!
Your eyes are doves.

She

How handsome you are, my beloved!
Oh, how charming!
And our bed is verdant.

He

The beams of our house are cedars;
our rafters are firs."

Soarin' slowly finished his apple pie and then chugged the rest of his milk down and placed the glass and plate on the table next to the bed. This was the first time that he ate it slowly and savored every bit of flavor from it. "That was beautiful, Rainbow." He paused for a moment in thought. "Was that.....from the Bible?"

"It sure was! What I read is called the Song of Solomon. It's pretty romantic, isn't it?" Rainbow asked. "It's about celebrating sexual love."

"I wouldn't expect to hear anything like that from the Bible," he said with blush on his cheeks.

Rainbow Dash giggled. "My friend Rarity practically has that entire passage memorized! It's one of her most favorite things to read from the Bible." Rainbow Dash finished her dessert and put her glass and plate to the side. She pulled out another contraceptive and placed it on Soarin's belly. "So, you won the first round. Are you ready for round two?"

Soarin' sat there shocked for a moment. "I uh, Dash. I don't think I'll be as strong a second time so soon." Soarin' paused and thought of a good comparison. "I think my abilities might still be on cool down."

Rainbow Dash started cracking up. "That's a great video game comparison! How about we try to go for a best of three and then it's game over?"

"Wow, Dash. You're really into sex. I'll tell you what. We can go for a best of three, but then I might need a nap after that. I think that we should keep this as a night time thing only. The last thing I want is for me to fall asleep while I'm performing with the Wonderbolts."

"Ok, deal!" she said. "But it's my turn to take control on top. If I win this one, then it goes into a tie breaker."

"You're on!" Soarin' said with a smile and then placed the contraceptive on himself.

Rainbow smiled and climbed up on top of him and said, "See! It's good that you're laughing and having a good time! No guilt and no shame. As long as I can keep you happy and into me in more than one way, then I think that we'll have a healthy sex life."

About forty minutes later, both ponies laid together in the bed.

Soarin' had his front leg wrapped around Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Dash had her head leaning against his chest. 

"So, was that fun?" Rainbow asked. "I'll try not to go overboard with you. Fluttershy told me a story about a certain kind of rat species that has so much sex that he can actually die from it."

"That doesn't sound like such a bad death to me," Soarin' said. "That's like a happy and sad ending at the same time. Can you imagine if being reincarnated as animals were true? I think I know many ponies who would want to come back as that certain animal, and I think I know one pony in particular who reminds me of that critter." Soarin' ran his hoof through her mane and said, "I can't believe that I found my rainbow at the end of this storm in life. I can't go wrong with marrying the pony who represents loyalty."

Rainbow Dash squeezed her mate tighter and burrowed her head deep within his chest. "We'll still have storms to go through together in life, Soarin', but I'll always try to be that colorful rainbow every time that you have to go through the storms in life. Would you like to write a letter to the Princess with me?"

"What!? You're not going to write about our sex life, are you?" Soarin' asked.

"No! Of course I wouldn't do that! I want to write about the things we have learned and overcome together. I wouldn't do something like that." Rainbow Dash sighed and said, "Although I can imagine Pinkie Pie getting really curious and asking me personal questions about why is it that I go to bed so early in the day. I don't know how I'll respond to her when it comes to questions like that. Anyway, would you like to write a letter?"

Sure, but how about after our nap together," Soarin' suggested. "I kind of have to recuperate. You're like a sex machine. I just want to cuddle up and take a nap with my Rainbow first."

"That's fine with me, Soarin'. That's fine with me," Rainbow Dash said as she closed her eyes and then drifted off to sleep with her husband. 

The End.