Chapter 1: New Feelings Toward An Old Friend
Rainbow Dash laid upon the cloud of her choice, this time being just above Applejack's farm. She had finally found the time to stop worrying about all of the practice she had coming up, and used it to take a load off. The wind gently tussled her mane, and she let out a slight sigh of relief while her muscles relaxed and wings retracted. She dozed off to the sound of birds chirping in the distance and trees moving with the wind.
In her almost dream like state, she thought about calming things that she usually didn't have the time to consider otherwise. She thought about The Wonderbolts, and about her friends. Twilight had just been made a princess, Fluttershy was happy with her animals, Rarity was happy with her designs, Pinkie Pie was happy with everything, and Applejack was... Applejack... she broke out of her daze and focused on the farm below her. Rainbow Dash didn't know what it was about her mare friend. Her closest mare friend, to be honest. Thinking about her made her feel warm, just like stallions used to make her feel like in flight academy. She lied there quietly for a while, and thought of her friend. "I don't like her that way..." Rainbow Dash assured herself softly, and tried to regain her lost slumber. It was a failed attempt. She gave up after a little while, and contemplated her actual feelings toward Applejack.
"I really don't like her that way... I don't like mares that way... I'm a mare..." She got uncomfortable laying there, and decided it would a good idea to go into town. Maybe visit Twilight. She spread out her wings and dove off in the direction of town, letting them glide instead of having to fly. During her flight, she attempted to rid her mind of every thought she had. As she was approaching the library, Spike walked out the front door and looked up to see her.
"Hiya, Rainbow." greeted Spike.
"Hey, Spike. Is Twilight home?" she asked.
"Yeah. She's just reading a couple books. You can go right in." he explained.
"Figures... thanks." she replied as she walked past him, and up to the front door. She cracked the door open a few inches, and peeked inside to find Twilight laying on a bench reading a book. Twilight heard the door open, but didn't look up to see it was Dash.
"Back so soon, Spike?" said Twilight.
"... It's Dash." replied Rainbow softly. Twilight looked up from her book with a surprised expression.
"Oh. I'm sorry. What brings you here?" Twilight asked as she put her book on the table, and walked over to her.
"I was just stopping by to say hi. See how you were doing." Rainbow explained.
"... I see. Are you sure that's why, Dash? You seem rather tense." Twilight went on. "Did you want to talk about anything?"
"Actually... yes, if you have time to." Rainbow replied.
"Of course I do. Take a seat."
Rainbow Dash sat down, and studied the floor while Twilight took the seat across from her.
"Something is on your mind?" Twilight asked.
"... You know Applejack?" Rainbow Dash began.
"Yes, I know her... what about her?"
"She's just been on my mind lately..."
"Did she do something?" asked Twilight.
"Not exactly. She just... I don't really know how to explain..."
"... Can I go out on a limb here and assume something?"
"... Yes..." replied Rainbow.
"Are you... um..."
Rainbow Dash looked down and softly prodded at the wooden floor with a hind hoof to avoid the inevitable question that was before her. Twilight tried taking a different approach.
"Do you like Applejack?" she asked.
"... Yes." Rainbow Dash replied sheepishly.
"As a friend?..."
"Well, yes... but no..."
"... so, more than a friend?"
"I like her a lot... I've been getting these feelings for her... and for mares... but I don't like them..."
"But you like her?"
"Mhm..."
"So... you like her, but you don't like the feelings?"
"It's not that I don't like the feelings. I mean of course I do, but I don't like the fact that I have them. They make me feel... inferior, I guess. I'm having a really hard time accepting myself..."
"Don't feel bad about it, Rainbow. You aren't a bad pony just because you have feelings for another mare. These feelings are normal."
"Then why isn't everyone else like me, Twilight?" Rainbow Dash said as she began to tear up; still studying the ground.
"You aren't the only one that has these thoughts, Rainbow."
"... Then why do I have them?"
"That's because you're special, Dash." Twilight stated. Rainbow Dash gave a small smile and looked up enough to make eye contact with the mare in front of her. Her smile doubled in size at the sight of her friend. She had never realized how beautiful her eyes looked, and how much her mane complimented her coat.
"... Thank you." Rainbow Dash replied softly.
"How about you go visit her?" Twilight continued.
"Go visit her? And make a fool of myself? I wouldn't be able to act normally around her..."
"You acted fine around her when you didn't have these feelings. Just act like you don't have them. You'll be fine."
"... Alright. I guess it's worth a shot." Rainbow Dash said as she moved over to Twilight; putting a hoof around her. "Thanks, Twi. I really appreciate it."
"Anytime." Twilight replied; hugging her back. "Go get her, RD."