> When hearts soar. > by NeonShadow > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash was sleeping peacefully in her cloud bed, all wrapped up in her blanket when out of no where an agonizing beeping of an alarm clock. She groggily swung a hoof at the source of the infernal racket, missing it completely and hitting the nightstand instead. Again she tried, but this time knocking over a picture. She rolled over, trying to focus her blurry vision to see the target she was aiming for. She rose from her pillow and blinked a few time to clear the sleep from her eyes. Rainbow tapped the top of click to stop the infernal racket and took a moment to adjust to being awake. The bags under her eyes told her it was far too early, even though it was 9:45 in the morning. “Ah…” Rainbow’s yawned and screeched back with a hoof. ”Have to be at work at ten. I should still have plenty of time to…” Her eyes shot wide open and jumped out of bed, throwing her Wonder Bolts blanket to the floor. She glanced at the click to be sure. She flew over to her bathroom and started the shower. Then she grabbed her toothbrush and quickly and sloppily squirted some toothpaste onto it. Stuck it into her mouth and jumped into the shower. She clumsily used one hoof to wash herself and the other to franticly bush her teeth. Once she was done brushing her teeth she threw the toothbrush out of the shower. With both hooves she continued washing her body. After about 5 minuets Dash got out of the shower and stepped onto a large towel. She hastily grabbed another towel from the rack and dried herself off. Mostly. When she was done drying herself, she took an old brush and ran it through her hair a couple time, not wanting it to look like she just got out of bed but still not wanting to look like she started caring about her hair. Cause she really didn’t. Picking up her toothbrush from the floor she, placed it on the sink counter and rushed out the door to the kitchen. Once in the kitchen she grabbed two apples from a large bowl. She stuffed one in her mouth and rushed into her room. She grabbed Tank’s food and gave it to him as she looked at the alarm clock. 9:55 AM “Perfect,” she said while rushing out the house, slamming the door behind her. She flew out into the open sky, slowing her pace down a bit to enjoy the brisk morning air. She bit off a chunk of the second apple and saw Pinkie Pie skipping across town. As she flew on she then saw Applejack tending to her apple orchard. She took another bite while flying threw the sky, passed over Golden Oaks Library when she heard the faint sounds of Twilight calling out for spike. After the last bite she discarded the apple core, eliciting a shout from somepony as it hit the ground. She looked up and saw she was getting close to work. She looked back one last time and saw Rarity and Fluttershy. No doubt heading towards the Ponyville spa. Rainbow Dash signed, as thoughts of her friends filled her mind. “I’d rather be with them than at work.” she mumbled to herself. As she thought of her friends, her thoughts gravitated to one pony in particular, Twilight. Her mane, the way she talked… the way her main flowed effortlessly between her wings. She snapped out of her day dream when she heard Thunderlane call out to her, “Rainbow Dash!” She stopped in mid flight and noticed she flew right passed the rest of the weather crew, putting a fair amount of distance between her and them. "Eh, hey Boss? Uh....Rainbow Dash?" Thunderlane called as the other pegasus flew over to her. Rainbow Dash shook out of her daydreams about Twilight and flew back. The pegasi landed on a nearby cloud. She brushing off some stray dust, and tucking in a stray mane, behind her ear. Thunderlane stood strait up, and smiled at Dash. Dash cleared her thought. ”Alright listen up! We have a thunderstorm due this afternoon. A big one with lots of rain. So, gather everypony else and get on that." Dash instructed. Thunderlane gave a quick salute before saying, "Yes sir–er, Ma'me." He blushed from the mixup and flew away to gather the rest of the team. Dash just rolled her eyes. She was sure that Thunderlane had a crush on her, but she was interested in somepony else. As she watched Thunderlane gather the other work ponies, she let her mind wander to Twilight. She had had a crush on her for a while now, and always caught herself daydreaming about her. She was knocked out of her daydream when she was lightly bounced up and down when Thunderlane and about a six other pegasi landed on the cloud. "Alright, the thunderstorm will be placed over Ponyville and were also going to need a few clouds over Canterlot." Dash instructed. "Thunderlane, Cloudkicker!" She called after getting reassuring nods from all her co-workers. Thunderlane and Cloudkicker both stepped forward. "Yes Boss?" they both asked in unison. "You two are coming with me to Canterlot.” Dash said assertively. ”As for the rest of you…" She looked up at the sun and put her hoof under it, indicating that it was 10:30. She looked back at the pegasi for a moment before pointed a hoof to Cloudchaser. "I’m leaving Cloudchaser in charge. Get that thunderstorm done by noon.” The rest of the ponies solution. “Yes Ma’am!” Dash nodded her head. ”Once the thunderstorm is done you all are done for the day. Dismissed!" Dash instructed before turning to Thunderlane and Cloudkicker. "Come on." She said, taking off into the sky. The other two pegasi followed closely. Dash's thought flowed back to her friends. Then she had it. The best idea ever! She wanted to tell all her friends about the idea and picked up her pace. She sped up to a small bunch of clouds and pushed it towards canterlot, picking up other stray clouds. Thunderlane and Cloudkicker did the same. After about an hour or two, they made it to Canterlot. "Alright, Thunderlane, you get over the castle," Dash said pointing a hoof at the castle. "Cloudchaser, you and I will get over everywhere else. Remember, it's just some light cloud cover, so spread your clouds out." She said before taking off in the opposite direction as Cloudkicker. Swiftly, she spread her bunch of clouds around her area. She was done in ten seconds flat. She looked over to Thunderlane. He had only placed a few clouds over the castle. Sighing, she flew over to Thunderlane and started spreading his clouds. Thunderlane stared at her boss, jaw almost hitting the cloud. She was amazing. Once done, Dash flew over to Cloudkicker and placed her clouds for her. Dash waved for the other two pegasi to form up in front of her. "Alright, good work you two, we’re done here,” she said with a smile. ”If you want to stay here that’s fine, but if you go back and the others aren't done… well I would appreciate it if you could help them finish.” With that she flew back to Ponyville, excited to tell all her friends about her amazing idea; Especially Twilight. > Slumber Party 101 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rainbow Dash spent the afternoon in her kitchen, casually preparing appetizers for the evening’s events. While there, she picked up some lettuce, carrots, and some ranch dip. She even picked up some crackers and cheese for the event, as well as a bottle of wine. She picked up the tray she had been preparing in one hoof, and a bowl of apples in her other hoof, as she tried to walk into her living room, balancing on her hind legs. Luckily for her, the living room had been cleaned and the fluffy cloud couches moved, making movement a bit easier. Earlier, Dash had stopped by Twilight's library and asked her to cast the spell she had used at the young flyers competition that allowed ponies to walk on clouds. CRACK! Dash almost dropped the tray and bowl she was holding as a loud crack of lightning followed by thunder shook the sky and her house. She gently placed the tray and bowl on the single side table in the center of the room. Her friends should be arriving any minute. Although, she wouldn't be surprised if they were a few minutes late, considering the giant storm the weather crew had put together. Her ears perked up when the doorbell rang. She rushed over to the door and opened it in a hurry, not wanting to keep her guests waiting. Pinkie Pie was hopping up and down and her curly pink mane was bouncing in the wind, and Fluttershy was cowering behind her mane. They both had sleeping bags in their mouths and a small saddle bag on their backs. Pinkie's sleeping bag was two shades of pink with pictures of her cutie mark all over it. Fluttershy's sleeping bag was a light pink with darker pink butterflies all over it. "Hiya Dashie! We're here!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed while still holding the bag in her mouth. Fluttershy gingerly put her sleeping down before speaking. "Hi Rainbow, I hope we're not intruding," she said with a small smile on her face. Rainbow Dash smiled. "Hey guys! Pinks. Flutters. Come on in!" Dash said as she stepped out of the doorway, extending a hoof to welcome them in. Fluttershy picked up her bag and came in first, followed by Pinkie Pie, who bounced through the door. Just as Dash was about to close the door, she suddenly heard an “Ahem!” Dash quickly turned around and looked to see that Rarity, Twilight and Applejack had showed up. Dash quickly opened the door again and smiled at her other three friends. "Why were ya tryin ta close the door on us?" Applejack joked while smiling. The four mares shared a laugh as they walked in. Rarity came in first, followed by Applejack, then Twilight. Applejack's sleeping bag was orange with red apples on it. Twilight's sleeping bag was lavender with purple stars on it. And Rarity's… "Uh, Rares? Where's your sleeping bag?" Dash asked, a confused look on her face. Rarity scoffed and, using her magic, made a couch thingy appear. "Did you seriously think that I was going to sleep on the ground?" Rarity asked while rolling her eyes. "Anyways… make yourselves at home!” Dash said as she opened up her arms in a welcoming gesture. ”We’ll sleep out here tonight." The other five ponies nodded and laid out their sleeping bags and pillows next to each other, around the single table in the middle of the room. After they had finished setting up, they all sat on top of their sleeping bags and started chatting. "So,” Rarity said as she looked around at the others with a sparkle in her eye. “Who has a crush, and if so, who's the special somepony?" Rarity asked, trying to press their conversation to stallions. Everypony’s eyes shot wide open. They all immediately began looking back at Rarity as if she had just eaten a snail. "What?” She exclaimed. ”We are best friends after all… And best friends should know each other's crushes and secrets." Rarity said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "I guess?" Twilight answered, her voice sounding half unsure. "Okay, I'll go first! I have a crush on… Fancypants!" Rarity practically squealed, which was very unladylike. "Ooh ooh! I like Cheese Sandwich!" Pinkie Pie shouted as she jumped in the air a bit. "I-I guess I kinda like… well, I actually don't like anypony." Twilight lied. She had a crush, she just didn't want to say. "Ah kinda like that Carmal fella." Applejack said. "I-I like… Big Mac…" Fluttershy squeaked, barely audible. Applejack was the only one shocked by this. Everypony else shared giggles at Applejack's face. Applejack noticed them giggling and smiling at her. "What's everypony looking at?" Applejack asked, obviously dumbfounded. "Nothing." They all replied in unison. Applejack just rolled her eyes. "So, who do ya like, Dash?" Applejack asked, smirking a bit. Dash instantly stopped smiling as her eyes shot wide open. The other ponies shared some giggles. "Well, who is it?" Rarity asked suspiciously. "You obviously like someone the way you reacted when Applejack asked you." "I-I… don't! Um… l-like anypony… a-at all… I-I mean me? Y-you know I h-hate romance guys…” Dash blurted out in a panic. "Mmmhmm…" All the ponies mumbled. At the very least, Dash was relieved that she wasn't being pushed further. "Anyways… let’s play Truth or Dare." Twilight suggested. "Yes! Let's do it!" Pinkie squealed. The other mares nodded in agreement. "So who's gonna go first?" Fluttershy asked. "I will." Rarity said emphatically. "Fluttershy? Truth… or Dare?" she asked. "Um… truth." She squeaked out. "Hmmm… if you could marry Big Mac… would you?" Rarity asked with a smirk on her lips. Fluttershy hid behind her mane and blushed. "Y-yes…" She answered quietly. The mares giggled and smiled. "Okay Fluttershy, your turn." Dash said. "Oh um… Applejack… truth or dare?" Fluttershy asked. "Hmm… Dare." "Um… I dare you to… um…" She giggled slightly as she thought of the perfect thing. "I dare you to…" She walked over to Applejack and whispered the dare into her ear. The color in Applejack's face went away right after hearing the dare, and her eyes were wide, looking as though she had just seen a ghost. "Y-you’re serious?" Applejack asked while looking up at Fluttershy. Fluttershy simply nodded. "O-okay…" Applejack said before moving over to Twilight and bowing before her. All the other mares looked just as confused as Twilight. Applejack cleared her throat, looked up at Twilight, and grabbed one of her hooves. Twilight gasped and blushed, not sure if she should pull away, tell Applejack to stop, or just leave it be. "M-mah love f-fer ya… is l-like…"Applejack had to take a deep breath before continuing. A bright red blush appeared on her face. Twilight's blush grew even brighter, as she was seriously thinking about pulling away from Applejack. Did Applejack have too much wine? "Diarrhea…" She blurted out. "A-ah jus c-can't h-hold… it i-in." As soon as Applejack finished the sentence, she released Twilight's hoof and ran to her sleeping bag, hiding her beet red face. Everypony broke out in laughter except Applejack and Twilight, who just kept on blushing. "AJ? Your turn." Pinkie practically yelled. Applejack didn't emerge from her… den. She just spoke from under her sleeping bag. "Rarity? Truth or Dare?" Applejack asked. "Hmm… Truth." "Is it true that you’re a virgin?" Applejack asked snickering under her sleeping bag. "Uh… n-no… it's not true…” Rarity admitted blushing. A few ooohhh's and snickers could be heard around the circle of friends. Rarity smiled sheepishly and started blushing even more. If you listened closely, you could hear Applejack chuckling from under her sleeping bag. "Your turn, Rarity! Pinkie squealed. "Alright, then. Pinkie? Truth or Dare?" Rarity asked. "Um… both!" Pinkie answer with a big smile on her face. "Um, you can't do both, Pinkie." Twilight answered. "Awwww… fine. Dare!” Pinkie answered. "Um… I dare you to…” Rarity walked over to Dash and whispered something in her ear. "Sure Rare." Was Dash's only reply. "Okay Pinkie I dare you to chug this whole thing as fast as you can." Rarity said as she lifted up the wine bottle. "Okie Dokie Lokie!" Pinkie said, grabbing the bottle and popping open the lid. She looked at her friends for a bit. "Who's gonna time me?" "I will." Dash said. Pinkie immediately started chugging the bottle. All her friends were watching intensely. Dash was counting in her mind as Pinkie continued to chug the drink down. Pinkie finally finished the drink and slammed the bottle onto the side table. "15 seconds! Holy crap, Pinkie!" Dash shouted. "A-are you drunk now?" Fluttershy asked timidly. A few laughs and chuckles could be heard around the room. "Flutters, it takes more than one bottle of wine to get drunk. For most ponies anyways." Dash chuckled. "Ooh ooh! My turn!" Pinkie shouted, rushing back over to her sleeping bag and sliding into it. "Hmm…" Pinkie thought hard for a moment. "Dashie. Truth or Dare?” "Dare. Duh." Dash said while rolling her eyes a bit. "Oooh… I dare you to kiss…”