> My Little Appledash: Singing is Magic
>  by roseprincess
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Episode 1: Canterlot High, meet the Rainbooms! (Part 1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	

​31st of January, Friday night in Rainbow Dash’s room. 

Rainbow Dash sat in her room, surrounded by piles and piles of scrunched up pieces of paper. She had spent the last two hours trying to work out the best way to use her guitar. The guitar she’d had for two years and all she’d done with it was practice, practice, practice. She hadn’t used it for anything decent yet, and it was already getting old.  
She sighed and grabbed her green guitar, strumming its worn-out strings with her fingers, even though its sound was limited as it was not plugged into an amp — good thing too; it was almost 11 o’clock at night.  Rainbow Dash sung one of her songs under her breath as she played the chords, her brain could play, like, ten instruments at once. 
        	
Then it came to her. If she couldn’t play all of them by herself, then she’d just have to… form her own band! That’s it! Rainbow reached out for a fresh piece of paper and started designing a poster that would hopefully attract the necessary members she needed for her band.
Band members wanted. Lead guitarist and singer looking for a bass guitarist, drummer, and pianist. If interested, come to the music room at Wednesday lunch. 
Rainbow Dash drew a bunch of guitars and other instruments over the page, looking up at it with a grin.
        “Perfect!” she announced, before a yawn slipped out. She stood up and stretched her arms. “Ok, maybe now would be a good time to sleep.” She turned off her lamp and lay back on her bed, closing her eyes. She sighed contently as a thought popped into her head. 
Now to get permission for that music room… 

        
3rd of February, Monday morning outside of school

Applejack strolled up the path towards her school, and like most mornings when she was excited, she broke into song.
        “Some days, I wake up feeling sad and feeling blue
        Some days are just like any other.
        But then there’s the days when I know my feelings are true. 
        I wake up knowing just what I’m to do.
        While my feet are on the ground and my head is in the clouds
        I know my heart is where it can’t come down.”
        Applejack burst through the entrance of the school. 
        “Today is the day I’m gonna find my place, 
and today is the day I’m gonna beat life at its race!
This feeling I will share, show people that I’m here, and
Finally I won’t be shoved or pushed or treated badly. 
I know this time life will give me a ch—” 
Applejack’s words were cut off as she was shoved onto the ground, most likely one of the guys in the soccer team, no doubt. She plashed in the mud and a chorus of laughter surrounded her. She looked down sadly. 
“I’m not sure that life will ever give me a chance.”
        Applejack sighed and stood up, realizing that she was once again going to have to be late to class in order to clean up the mud off her skirt. She walked towards the school’s bathroom, but as she passed by the notice board, she stopped. A colourful poster at the bottom caught her eye. As she read through it, she was delighted to find out that the lead guitarist of this band was looking for a bass guitarist, and suddenly she felt like she really did have a chance! If she could show the whole school a different side of her, based on her skills, not her looks, then maybe she wouldn’t be treated like such an outcast! She’d just have to talk to this lead guitarist about hiding her true identity for the first performance. Applejack hoped she was an understanding person.  
        “I know now that life has given me a chance!” She cheered happily as the bell rang. 
        
        5th of February, Wednesday lunchtime in the music room

Rainbow Dash tapped her foot as she waited in the music room, leaning against the piano. She glanced up at the clock. 
        “Ten more minutes… not a single sound…” She sung sadly. Just as she thought she should probably pack up, head to class, and try again next week, the door flew open and Rainbow’s eyes fell on the blonde-haired girl in front of her. 
        “So… sorry…” she panted, “had… to… get… guitar…” She leaned over on her knees, trying to regain her breath.
Rainbow Dash practically squealed on the inside, but kept her cool on the outside. “So, you came to join my band huh?” She walked up to the girl, who stood up and nodded.
        “Y-Yes, ma’am. Ah think I’m qualified enough.” 
        “Hey, no need to be formal — I’m just kidding.” Rainbow Dash giggled and jumped up to sit on the piano. “So, what do you play?”
Applejack sighed in relief and pulled the bass from behind her, and gripped it like a shield in front of her. “Ahm known to play the bass guitar… by my family.”
        “No sweat,” Rainbow Dash said, “I’m not that popular either. That’s why I started the band. To show everyone my awesome playing skills! I bet that’s why you’re here too, huh? Say, I haven’t really seen you around here before. What’s your name?” She asked and swung her feet.
        “Name’s Applejack. And, yeah, that’s the biggest reason ah joined. Or ah wanted to join. Ah mean, it’s gonna be fun and all, but the truth is, if you actually knew who ah was, you’d know me as the biggest loser in the whole entire school. Mah family don’t even know it, but at this school, ahm just a bully’s victim. Ahm not asking for pity, but ah really want to ask a favour of you.” Applejack bit her lip.
        “Sure, spill,” Rainbow Dash replied. 
        “If we ever perform, and this is only for the first time, but can I please have a disguise, just for the first performance? Ah want people to hear how ah play before they all know who ah am.” 
        “Eh, I understand. Sure you can. But, let’s hear you play.” Rainbow Dash leaned forward, resting her head on her hands. Applejack strummed the bass lightly, then proceeded to play the rocking tune she’d been working on for the past week. Rainbow had to admit: she was really good. 
        “Pretty cool. So, you’re in?”
        “You bet your sweet bippy ah am.” Applejack said, giving her a small smile. “Hey, um, this may seem like a silly question, but does this mean me and you are, ah… friends?” 
        “Of course! You’re really cool! Still not as awesome as me, so second most awesome person in the school. I can’t believe you’re a victim. What do they tease you about?” 
        Applejack looked down. “They believe that country folk are stupid. In truth, they’re stupid. But ah’ve been treated like that since ah started this school. Mostly by the boys. The only one who’s actually not one of them is, well…”
        “Let me guess,” Rainbow Dash interrupted, “Sunset Shimmer.” Applejack nodded in response. “Hey, it’s no biggy. Soon, me and you are gonna be the most popular people in the school, with the most awesome band there is! And you’ll make some great friends. I’m sure the other members will be nice as well. So, you gonna help me out? The quicker we get the other instruments in, the quicker we can properly work on the song I’ve written!” 
        “Sure,” Applejack agreed, “so, you don’t mind if ah redo that poster then do ya?” 
 
        11th of February, Tuesday morning outside of school

        Pinkie Pie bounded into school happily, smiling brightly on this fine Tuesday. She waved to everyone who she passed and who passed her, passing her feelings on like they were contagious — which they probably were. She always seemed to put a smile on everyone’s face — even the bullies, though they wouldn’t admit it, smiled when she passed. Her bright aura seemed to spread every day. 
        Even so, Pinkie Pie wondered if there was another way she could share her happiness. Most of the time, she thought maybe she could spread it through musical intervention. She always thought it would be cool to play the drums, as she was known by many people for being really hyper and always banging on something or with something — spoons, tables, cups, anything! But, she hadn’t ever really played on drums before. But, Pinkie knew she was capable. She, or her family, just didn’t have the money.
        So, the thought really was just a dream she was never going to reach- Wait. What’s this about a band?
        Pinkie Pie slammed her hands against the billboard and stared at the notice board, squinting as she read the colourful poster. She then let out a huge squeal and jumped up happily. Why hadn’t Pinkie thought of it before? If she joined a band, maybe she’d get to play a real set of drums! And live her dreams!
        “This is going to be so exciting! Where do I sign?!” 

        12th of February, Wednesday lunchtime in the music room


"Let me guess, out of time again?” Rainbow Dash asked, and Applejack just responded with a nod.
“Look, if there’s one thing we need right now, it’s a drummer,” She said truthfully, “the song just isn’t as awesome if we can’t keep in time.” 
“Hey, me and you think the same way!” Rainbow Dash said, and jumped off the piano. “I have to admit, the timing is way off.” 
“Let’s hope a drummer walks into our lives soon,” Applejack said and took her bass off, placing it carefully on the table next to her. “That is, if we get any new members at all…”
Rainbow nudged her. “Hey, don’t think like that! The posters are awesome. I’m sure they’ll attract someone!”
Applejack could have sworn she’d felt a blush rise to her cheeks. “Uh, yeah. Ah guess they will.” Applejack twirled her hair around her finger, suddenly feeling a little queasy in the stomach. Why though, she had no idea. The blush, maybe, or—
“Don’t guess, it’s definite!” a squeaky voice from outside called, before its owner burst into the music room. 
“Hi! My name is Pinkie Pie and I’m here to be your drummer!” 
Applejack was now full of mixed feelings. She was excited to have a new member for the band, especially a drummer, but her thoughts had been interrupted and she was still confused as to the feeling in her stomach. But she shrugged those off for now. 
“Oh, awesome! We were just talking about how we needed a drummer, right AJ?” Rainbow Dash said, running up to her.
“Uh, yeah, we were! It’s nice to meet you, um, Pinkie,” Applejack responded awkwardly. She bit her lip and decided she should probably let Rainbow handle things for now.
But ‘AJ’? Where’d that come from? 
“You look like you’re an excellent drummer, with all that energy! Let’s hear you!” Rainbow Dash led her over to the set of drums at the back of the music room. Pinkie Pie’s face lit up. A real set of drums! She raced over to it and grabbed the drumsticks, hitting on one of the drums at first, just to test. Yes, this was perfect! Instead of using spoons, and hitting tables and chairs, she could finally hit something that was meant to be hit! She immediately started whacking the sticks down on the rocking cylinders, repeating a beat she’d been playing for the past few days. And man did it sound awesome! 
After she’d finished, there was silence throughout the room. 
At least until Rainbow Dash totally lost her cool. 
“Oh my god! That was so AWESOME! You must be a professional drummer, really!” She said happily, “Oh man, this is perfect! You are so in!” 
“Well, it’s really great that you think that way, because I’ve never played drums before!” Pinkie Pie said, not really worried about the reaction. 
Rainbow’s mouth fell open, and Applejack had to admit, she was shocked too. 
“You have got to be kidding me.” Rainbow Dash placed her fingertips on her forehead. “I really have to step up my game.” She grinned happily. “Well, I’m just glad we have a drummer! Welcome to the band!” As soon as Rainbow spoke those words, the bell rang for the end of lunch. 
“Aw, bummer! I wanted to play that song you guys were working on — it sounded awesome!” Pinkie Pie said, “Oh well, I’ll see you guys next week!”
“Yeah.” Rainbow walked towards the door. “Hopefully with a pianist.” She opened the door, and Pinkie bounded out. She was about to leave herself when she looked back at Applejack, still sitting on the piano like she was in some sort of trance. “Um, AJ? You coming?”
Applejack snapped back into reality at her words. “Uh, yeah, coming.” She jumped down and walked towards the door, still thinking. She had time to elaborate on the feeling she felt in the music room before, but denied most of her thoughts as to what it was, so she still hadn’t worked it out. Or, maybe Applejack had, and she was just denying the feeling as well. She didn’t want to admit it, but she felt there was no other option. Maybe, just maybe, as the most embarrassing option, she—
“Watch out!” Rainbow Dash called loudly and pushed Applejack to the ground, just in time to dodge a basketball flying through the halls. Rainbow looked up angrily, while Applejack lay there trying to work out what had happened.
“Hey, you blockheads, no ball games inside!” she yelled. 
“Rainbow, ah’m…” Applejack trailed off as one of the boys strode over towards them.
“Like you can talk, Rainbow Crash!” Applejack was shocked to hear the words.
“Rainbow Dash, are you a…”
“No!” Rainbow yelled at her, before lowering her tone. “I’m sorry… wait, no, what the hell were you thinking? Jeez, AJ, you shouldn’t space out like that.” She helped her up and Applejack mumbled a quiet thanks. “What was on your mind, huh?” Rainbow asked.
Applejack blushed again. “Somethin’ that’s not on my mind now. Now, if ya’ll excuse me, ah have class ta get to.” She turned back down the hall and into the classroom she’d passed before, thinking of the scene she’d witnessed, and what that boy had said. 
“Like you can talk, Rainbow Crash!”
There was no other reason for it. That line explained why Rainbow was so understanding of Applejack’s situation; the reason why no-one knew about her skills through lack of confidence. Applejack knew, as much as Rainbow would hate to admit it, that Rainbow Dash needed her just as much as she needed Rainbow Dash. They needed each other — because, just like her…
Rainbow Dash was a bully’s victim.
Of course, she was also worried that Rainbow had found out her small possible secret. 
Meanwhile, in another classroom, Rainbow Dash was having her own thoughts. She was wondering about why AJ was spacing out, why she blushed twice in the hallway around her, and why she’d raced off so quickly to get to class. But she was also worried that Applejack had found out who she really was: a victim of bullying, teased for her tomboyish demeanour, and lack of knowledge. Rainbow Crash was a nickname that stuck when she started soccer. They were obviously trying to steer her off course, make her give up, but it didn’t work — Rainbow was stronger than that. But it was one thing she didn’t want anyone else to know, especially any friends she had or would have. 
Now, for the first time in forever, Rainbow Dash felt weak. 

18th of February, Tuesday after school in the textiles room
	
As it was only the 4th week of term 2, no-one in the school was even thinking about the Fall Formal event. Well, almost no-one. 
Being the fashion diva she was known for, Rarity was rushing around in the school’s textiles room after school, already trying her best to design a new dress that she would make for the dance. Unlike everyone else, she’d rather get things done early that wait right until the last minute. She’d learnt that the hard way; last year, she’d started a bit too late and so many people had been demanding dresses from her that she’d almost had no time to make her own. So she decided: she’d make her dress before anyone even thought of asking. 
“C’est magnifique!” Rarity called out as she held up drawing. “It’s perfect!” Suddenly, she heard someone call her name and looked outside to see her little sister, Sweetie Belle, standing there.
“Come on, Rarity… I wanna go home…” she complained. Rarity bit her lip and started to pack up her things.
“Alright, alright, I’m coming.” She swung her bag over her shoulder and took off out the door, walking towards the entrance, Sweetie Belle a few paces ahead.
As they walked down the path away from the school, something on the billboard caught Rarity’s eye — a poster, brightly coloured, announcing needed members for a band. She read through it, and was actually rather interested when the word pianist came into her view. Playing the piano just so happened to be one of her hobbies, and she’d never really thought of going anywhere with it. But, she thought, this might be a good opportunity.
“Come on!” Sweetie Belle yelled and Rarity jumped. 
“Right, yes, of course.” She hurried after her, the thought of that band still in her mind. 
Wednesday lunch time in the music room…

19th of February, Wednesday lunchtime in the music room
	
        “I told you, it’s nothing!” Rainbow Dash threw her hands up in defence as Applejack stepped towards her. Ever since the session started, Applejack had been bugging Rainbow about the bullying situation. 
        “There’s no point hidin’ it, Rainbow. Ah know what’s up. That’s why you were so understandin’ ‘bout my troubles. Because you’re goin’ through it as well!” Applejack continued and Rainbow Dash sighed. 
        “Alright, fine. I get bullied. So what?! What matters is that you better not tell anyone else in the band.” Rainbow Dash said.
        “If you give me some answers,” Applejack said. “Ah want to know what’s goin’ on.”
 Rainbow looked at her guitar. 
        “Junior high was when it started, and back then I wasn’t worried about sharing my true self like I am now.
        My hair, it was cut short, skirts and girls’ ties I never sought, and Physical Ed was my favourite subject. 
        A time I remember was the best time of my life.
        But then when the guys started, cause back then they all hated the fact I was liked more than they were.
        Snips and Snails teased me most at all; they all treated me like a ball; just someone who they could kick around. 
        A time I remember was the worst time of life. 
        So I changed, grew my hair out, and wore the girls’ attire. But it didn’t seem to help much at all. 
        Didn’t you see how well that turned out to be? 
        I can’t let go of the past now, and I can’t change what I’ve done. 
        Now I’ve changed from a tomboy into someone I know isn’t me. 
        I can’t think of the future, for it may not be as good as I want it to be. 
        And now I wish I knew what I should’ve done
        Now I wish that I could’ve been the one they really wanted me to be
        So I could forget the worst time of my life.  
        And I could just live in the best time of my life.”
        
         Applejack thought for a bit after she finished. “But is livin’ up to other people’s expectations really the way to go?” 
        Rainbow Dash swung her feet. “Well, isn’t it?” 
        “Ah think that’s something you need to work out for yerself. But, ah believe it doesn’t matter now. You love playing guitar, you’re starting a band, and soon everyone will see another side of you.” 
        Rainbow Dash smiled a bit at her words, then, thinking of something else, she sighed. 
        “Well, maybe not everyone.” Applejack bit her lip. “Sunset Shimmer might be a tough one to crack, but ahm sure—”
        “Sure of what? That we can change her?! You said it yourself: tough one to crack! And it won’t be OK until everyone sees another side of me — no, us! Everyone!” Rainbow Dash slammed her hand down on the piano. Applejack looked away.
Rainbow Dash frowned softly. “AJ, I’m s—” Rainbow’s words were interrupted by a knock on the door, and the two of them turned their heads to see a purple haired girl peek into the music room, 
         “Hello, um, am I interrupting something here?”
 

> Episode 2: Canterlot High, meet the Rainbooms! (Part 2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	19th of February, Wednesday lunchtime in the music room

Rainbow Dash frowned softly, “AJ, I’m s—”
“Um, am I interrupting something here?” The voice came from the open door, and the two of them turned their heads. Applejack walked forward and forced a smile.
“Of course not, please, come in.”
“Oh, what a relief.” The purple-haired girl pulled her instrument off from around her. “My name’s Rarity, and I’m here to join your band. I’m pretty handy on the piano if I do say so myself, but your other member here just introduced me to this other instrument… uh, a keytar was it?”
“That’s right!” Pinkie bounded into the room and placed a tray of cupcakes on top of the piano.
“Since we have everyone now, I decided to celebrate and make us all cupcakes! There’s one for you, and you, and you! And me of course!” Pinkie grabbed her cupcake and ate it in one bite, swallowing soon after.
“Mmmm, so good! Who’s next?”
“Well, don’t mind if ah do.” Applejack reached for the orange iced one and took a bite.
“These are delicious!” Rarity took a small bite of the white iced one and nodded in agreement. “I would eat these everyday!”
“Really?!” Pinkie said happily. As the three of them kept talking, Rainbow Dash was staring forward at the rainbow-coloured one. It did look delicious, and she was hungry, but for some reason she didn’t want to eat it. She felt it wouldn’t go well with the sick feeling she had in her stomach. She jumped down off the piano lightly.
“Uh, thanks for the offer Pinkie, but I’m gonna pass. Don’t get me wrong, they look good and all, but I’m just not feeling very well. If it’s alright with you guys, I’m just gonna stay in the nurse’s office for the remainder of lunch… see ya.”
She turned towards the door, but Applejack spoke before she left. “You sure you don’t want me to take you, sugarcube?”
Rainbow Dash thought for a few seconds, but answered simply. “Nah, I’ll be good,” she said and shut the door behind her.

19th of February, Wednesday afternoon in Applejack’s classes

For the remainder of the day, Applejack felt miserable. She could barely concentrate on her classes as her thoughts were only on Rainbow Dash, wondering if she was alright. She sighed as she twirled her pencil around on her desk, drawing barely visible lines all over her test paper. She focused her vision on it for a second and scribbled another answer, before staring up at the clock. Only ten minutes left, and she was barely halfway through the test. Well, if she was lucky, she’d probably get an F, maybe an E…
When the bell rang, Applejack stood up and slammed her test paper on the teacher’s desk loudly, before heading out of the door before anyone else. She didn’t care about anything else as she hurried towards the nurse’s office, pushing the door open and looking around.
“Hello,” Applejack started to say as she looked around, turning her attention to the lady at the counter. “Is Rainbow Dash here?”
The nurse shook her head in response. “Apologies, darling, she just left,” she replied and shuffled a few papers.
“Oh, it’s alright. Ah was just wonderin’ if she was alright.” Applejack said truthfully.
The nurse smiled. “She’s perfectly fine. Just a small tummy ache is all, but she insisted on staying here for the rest of the day.”
Applejack nodded and turned back towards the door. She thought that should be enough, but Applejack felt she had to see Rainbow Dash. But it wasn’t like she could just walk up to her house and barge in, even if she did know where it was. If only she were still at school. Applejack sighed and walked out towards the main school building, but just as she reached the door she heard it: the soundwaves of the tune they’d been practising, playing on a guitar… and it certainly wasn’t hers.
Applejack bounded up the stairs to the music room, as the sound of the guitar got louder and louder. She pushed the door open and called out her name, “Rainbow Dash!”
The music stopped and the rainbow-haired girl stared in the direction she’d heard her name. “Oh… hey, AJ,” Rainbow Dash replied simply, with a slight hint of sadness in her voice. She strummed her guitar slowly.
“Oh, thank goodness you’re still here. Ah was worrying about ya ever since ya left to go to the nurse’s office — ah think ah failed my English test,” Applejack said with a slight smile, trying to cheer Rainbow up even the slightest bit.
“Oh. Sorry,” Rainbow said simply again.
Applejack sighed. “Come on now.” Applejack walked up to her and sat down in the corner of the room next to her. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. You heard the nurse: I’m fine — just a stomach ache.” Rainbow looked away.
“There must be more to it than that… wait! How did ya know ah was at the nurse’s office?”
“Just a hunch I guess.” Rainbow strummed at her guitar one more time before looking back at Applejack. “I just… I had this feeling in my stomach, and just assumed I was sick. It’s no big deal.”
Applejack bit her lip. She’d had that too! “Well… are ya sure it wasn’t somethin’ else?”
Rainbow gripped her hair in frustration. “Not you too! That’s what the nurse said as well.”

“Hmm… yes. I know what it is,” the nurse paused as she leaned back on her chair.
“What? I’m going to be fine, aren’t I?” Rainbow asked quickly after.
“Of course,” she chuckled. “Well… that depends on how you take it.”
“What? Take what?”
“Rainbow Dash.” The nurse leaned forward on her desk, smiling. “The feeling in your stomach isn’t sickness. I would tell you, but… you have to find out for yourself.”
“Gah, alright.” Rainbow Dash turned towards to the door. “But if anyone comes in, I had a stomach ache.” She opened the door and left, the door shutting by itself behind her.
	 
“Hm…” Applejack thought, “that’s… strange.”
“I know, right? I mean… it felt like a stomach ache! What else would it be?” Rainbow Dash threw her arms up in defeat and sighed. “I’ll think about it later. It’s late and I’m tired, so we better get home.” She stood up and walked towards the door.
Applejack agreed and followed her. She watched as Rainbow grabbed the door handle and turned it… but didn’t open the door. “What’s goin’ on?” Applejack asked, confused.
“Uh… ummm… AJ?” Rainbow turned around with a sort of nervous look on her face. “The door’s locked.”
…
Applejack blinked a few times. “You’re not kiddin’, are ya?”
“Nope.” Rainbow replied and bit her lip, “Well… I guess we better find somewhere comfortable. Looks like we’re gonna be here for a while. If anything, all night.”
Applejack shook her head and called out, “anyone! Hello? Is anyone there?!”
But there was no reply. Rainbow Dash sighed and turned to Applejack. “Do you have a phone?”
Applejack’s eyes lit up. “Oh yeah!” She crawled over to her bag and pulled it, pressing the home button on the screen. It failed to turn on. She then pushed down and held on the button at the top of phone, waiting a few seconds. No movement. Applejack bit her lip, again and looked back at RD with an apologetic look on her face. “It’s flat.”
Rainbow Dash sighed, as her small ray of hope faded from view.
“Come on, it’s not that bad… at least we’re inside. Still, our parents are probably wondering where we are by now,” Applejack said, trying to look on the bright side of things as she slid her phone back in her bag.
“Yeah… parents.” Rainbow leant against the wall and staring up at the ceiling. “I bet they are… worried,” she said sadly, but Applejack, who was tired, failed to notice the tone in her voice and instead let out a small yawn.
Rainbow Dash blinked. “Tired already?”
Applejack nodded. “Ah guess so. Ah normally stay up till about 11 every night. Guess now the lack of sleep is catching up, and on the one night ah don’t have to work none either.”
“Reasonable enough.” Rainbow stared up at the ceiling and thoughts rushed into her mind, but they were immediately blocked off when she felt pressure on her shoulder. She quickly moved her sight to the left to see Applejack leaning on her. She opened her mouth to speak, but when she noticed the country girl’s eyes were closed, she pulled it shut and turned away. But not before she felt a small smile crawl onto her face. Rainbow Dash stared up again, but she felt her own eyes droop, listening to the slow, steady breathing coming from AJ’s mouth, and eventually her head fell back against the wall, and she too fell into a deep sleep.

20th of February, Thursday, really early in the morning
	
Through the slightly lit up corridor, a dark shadow crept through the hall, visible on the walls. It slowly made its way upstairs and towards the music room, where the two of them lay, in the best position possible. The mysterious student lifted the camera she held in her hands, and with a quick click, she snapped a photo of the two together and raced off, her sunlight coloured skin showing the slightest glimpse.

20th of February, Thursday, at 7:00am

Applejack stirred and blinked her eyes open, looking to the left of her where Rainbow Dash lay, leaning back against the wall. She smiled and lifted herself up, yawning and stretching her arms above her head. She grabbed her phone and checked the time: four minutes past seven. Since they didn’t need to rush much, she decided to let Rainbow Dash sleep in for a bit longer. Applejack placed her phone down, and only then did she realise something was off. She quickly scooped up her phone again and checked its battery. It was almost full! So then… what happened last night?
While Applejack was engrossed in this new discovery, next to her Rainbow Dash was starting to awaken, however she didn’t take kindly to this early wake up. Most of the time, she awoke at seven-thirty and still made it to school on time. She blinked a few times and rubbed her eyes, looking over at AJ in the process.
“What… are you doing?” Rainbow Dash croaked out.
Applejack turned her head, looking up from typing in her house number. “Oh, mornin’.  Oh, uh, ahm just… calling ma granny.”
“Calling?” Rainbow Dash asked. “I thought you said your phone was flat.”
“It was. That’s why…” Applejack sighed and hit the call button, holding the phone up to her ear.
“Hello, Apple residence, Apple Bloom speakin’.”
	“Apple Bloom? It’s me, Applejack.”
	“Applejack? Big Mac, Granny, it's Applejack! You know, we were all really worried. Oh, Big Mac wants to speak with you.”
….
“Where the hell were you?”
	“Ahm sorry! Look, just hear me out okay? Rainbow Dash and ah hung out—”
	“Is Rainbow Dash a guy?”
	“Uh… no, she’s my friend.”
“Right. Continue.”
	“And, anyway, Rainbow and ah we’re just in the music room together, and after a little while we decided to head home, and found out the door was locked. Ah tried to call ya, but last night my phone was flat, so we all just slept here. Then, in the morning, ma phone was suddenly fully charged. No idea how that happened.”
“Hmmm… that is strange. Sorry for being so strict — ah was just worried.”
	“It’s fine, ah would be too. Well, ah’ll see ya this afternoon then, definite.”
	“Got it, see ya sis.”
	Applejack moved the phone away from her ear and hung up, turning her phone off. She stared outside as a few students passed, then turned back to Rainbow Dash. “Well, ah suppose we can head out now.” Applejack stood up, and Rainbow nodded, following after her. They excited the music room and walked down the hallway.
They had a light but exciting conversation about the posters for Canterlot High’s musical showcase on the way down. 
“Oh man, this is gonna be so great! We finally have our chance!” Rainbow Dash said happily, and Applejack nodded, smiling.
After a small while, as they neared the lockers, both AJ and RD started to realise something was wrong. They had only walked a small distance, but already they had being pointed at, heard their names about twelve times and had love hearts held up in front of them. One person had even asked them outright when they started dating, which the two of them were extremely confused about. However, all of their questions were answered the moment they walked into the cafeteria.
The posters were everywhere: hung up on the walls, in people’s hands, a few stuck to the tables and some even hanging from the ceiling. Posters of… last night. Posters of Applejack and Rainbow Dash sleeping together. Everywhere!
Applejack pulled her hat down over her head and turned a deep shade of red, not knowing what to do. In about ten seconds flat, people had spotted them and a crowd began to form around the two, spurting out random questions that she could barely comprehend. Her stomach was full of worry, embarrassment, but most of all, anger. She was angry. She wanted to discover the person who did this to them and rip them to shreds. Not only was she being bullied, she was now being shipped. She hated it. Why couldn’t people just leave her — no, them — alone?
Applejack felt unwanted tears forming in her eyes, and soon she couldn’t take it anymore. She turned back towards the door and bolted — far, far away from anywhere near any of the students. She didn’t want to deal with any more of this, at least for now.
Rainbow Dash, on the other hand, was full of raging fury. She tried to keep herself calm, and just go report this incident, but when Applejack ran off, crying for goodness sake, she just couldn’t hold it back. She screamed.
“STOP! WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING THIS?! WHAT THE HELL DID WE EVER DO TO YOU?! ALL OF YOU IDIOTS JUST… STOP! GO DIE IN HELL! SERIOUSLY, JUST LEAVE US THE FUCK ALONE!” She pushed the nearest person back onto the ground, then, breathing heavily, she shoved through the crowd and chased after Applejack.
In the corner of the room, three girls stood, watching the scene from a distance, as they had no intention of being involved. Two of the girls, Rarity and Pinkie Pie, were full of sadness — the other one was silent, and full of regret. And on the other side of the building, peering through the window, was one girl who was completely satisfied with the result.

20th of Feburary, Thursday at 7:35am, outside of the school

“Applejack! Applejack! Oh, where are you?” Rainbow Dash looked around frantically, still raging with fury. She scanned her eyes across the school park, looking as far back as the roads outside the school, full of speeding cars, as it was lunch hour. Rainbow blinked and squinted from the sun, and only then did she catch the smallest glimpse of her crying friend’s blonde hair, which barely stood out against the sun. But the bright red hair tie really caught her eye, and she raced towards the school gate and out into the open.
“Applejack! Stop!” Rainbow Dash called, but her voice was still out of AJ’s hearing range. She stopped at the edge of the road, seeing no possible way to cross. She let out a groan of frustration, and tried calling again. “APPLEJACK, STOP!” she yelled as loud as she could.
Applejack looked up with an expression of surprise, she turned around and peered through the row of cars. “Rainbow? What do ya want?! Haven’t you done enough?!” she growled.
Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened in confusion. “What do… what? Why are you angry at me?!”
“You knew I was tired,” Applejack shouted accusingly. “You couldn’t just have let me sleep and found somewhere else? You had to… to… snuggle?”

“Applejack, you’ve got it all wrong. I didn’t snuggle with you, you fell asleep on me! Remember?”

Applejack scowled.

“You say you didn’t mean it,
But now everybody’s seen it.”
	
Rainbow tried to interrupt her, but Applejack continued.

“Stop, don’t tell me I should hush,
I know you’ve got some kind of crush.”
	
Rainbow approached her, leaning on the hood of a nearby car.

		“Applejack, just get it out of your mind, 
any feelings of mine are hidden deep inside. 
Stop making this hard on me, you fell asleep first you see, 
I know what happened that night! Don’t think-” 

“No! Here you go again, trying to cover it up with some lies
Just tell me the truth, you know that it cannot be denied.
Do what you want, I’ll get it out of you!” 

“Why is it so hard to trust me? 
What have I done to you that makes you think I’d lie?” 

“I hardly know you well enough, and you know that.
		Taking advantage of me… I should’ve known,” Applejack frowned, “you faked the door lock, didn’t you? And you must have done something with my phone!” 

“No!” Rainbow Dash said, “I would never!” 
	“That’s it, you traitor, get out of here, you lead me up to this. 
You’re just as bad as Sunset Shimmer, making me look like a fool.
How could I have fallen for it, I should’ve known…
Just go, leave me alone Dash, I don’t want anything to do with you anymore! 
You liar, you cheat-” 
	
“Just shut up and LISTEN TO ME!” Rainbow Dash screamed, slamming her fist hard down on the car she was near, not caring about the pain. Turns out, the car did. Aside from the big dent, the car alarm went off, which alerted many students in the school. Eventually, Principal Celestia and Luna caught sight of the commotion, and went outside to see what was going on. 

Only then did Rainbow Dash realise whose car she had just damaged.



------


“Not only were you both caught outside during school hours, but one of you dented Vice Principal Luna’s car,” Principal Celestia stated as she turned around to the two students, taking a little time to glare at Rainbow Dash.

“Which — I’ll have you know — was new and cost nearly ten thousand dollars!” Luna said loudly, with an angry tone.

Applejack looked away from Rainbow Dash with a frown as the bell rang for class. Celestia cleared her throat.

“Looking back at what happened, Applejack, you may go, but I expect to see you back in my office for lunch detention,” Celestia continued. Applejack nodded politely, but then quickly stood up and marched out of the office.

“As for you, Rainbow Dash… I think we’re going to have to consult your parents.” 

“No!” Rainbow Dash quickly yelled.

Celestia blinked, startled. “I beg your pardon.”

“I mean, uh… you can’t. They’re, um, busy. Like really busy. Can’t-be-disturbed busy. Like, at all. Anytime.”

“Hm… I still wish to speak with one of your guardians in seeing you suspended, starting next week,” Celestia said, and Rainbow Dash’s emotions quickly changed from fear to sadness. “Is there anyone else I can talk to?” Celestia added.

Dash gulped. “My, um, brother?” she suggested, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

21st of February, Friday at 7:50 am.
	
Rainbow Dash raced up the school path towards the entrance, cursing. “Shit, shit, shit! I’m gonna be late.” She ran up towards the door and was just about to enter when a pink haired girl walked right in front of her and—

CRASH!

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry,” the other girl said frantically. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

Rainbow Dash groaned and rubbed her head. “No, it’s fine.” She stood up and held out her hand for the other girl. She took it and stood up.

“Thank you, um…”

“Rainbow Dash.”

“Rainbow Dash, right. Well, I’m—”

“Going to be late!” Rainbow Dash said and raced off before quickly racing back.

“Uh, sorry! See ya!” she added and took off again.


21st of February, Friday, 3:00pm on the school roof. 
	
Rainbow Dash swung her legs as she sat on the edge of the roof, looking down below at the ground beneath her. She figured since this was her last day for the next week, she might as well spend as much time as she could here. She didn’t have much to do otherwise. 

Rainbow Dash continued to stare down, before she heard the door open and she whipped her head around to see the timid girl from this morning, who didn’t seem to notice her. Rainbow remembered she never received her name, but before she could ask, the girl started singing. 

In the most gorgeous voice Rainbow Dash had ever heard. 

“It’s okay to be worried, it’s okay to be afraid. No-one will judge you if you stay out of their way. 
It’s fine to live this way, I know I’m not alone. After all, I’m a flower who blooms in the sun…” She trailed off sadly, and grabbed the watering can, finishing off the last of the flowers, turning back to the door before she spotted Rainbow Dash. Her mouth was hanging open big enough to catch flies, and she couldn’t think of anything to say. The girl squeaked, blushing. 

“Oh my gosh, you heard me, didn’t you? I-I didn’t m-m-mean to be any trouble, I’ll just go
now…” She stumbled towards the door, but Rainbow shook her head. 

“Are you kidding?! That. Was. AWESOME! Dude, you really should share it, people would love
it!” She empathized, taking the girl’s hands in her own happily. 

“S-Sing infront of others? I-I don’t…” She hid her head behind her hair. 

“You could be the lead singer for our….their band.” Rainbow Dash corrected sadly. The girl 
seemed to notice this. 

“What happened?” She asked. Rainbow sighed. 

“Look, just hear me out. I made a mistake, a terrible mistake, and just might as well lost 3 friends all at once. But not only that, I’ve been suspended from school next week, which just so happens to be the week we were performing at the show held during lunch on Friday. I’m not asking you to help me, I’m asking you to help the band. They could use a lead singer like you in their group. Will you do it?” 

She creased her forehead slightly, in deep thought, as she felt she now had a big responsibility
placed on her shoulders. Still, she could not refuse such an offer. She took a deep breath. 

“Alright. I-I’ll do it.” She replied, smiling a little, and Rainbow Dash grinned. 

“Yes!” She called out happily, placing her arm around the girl as they walked towards the door. 

“By the way, I never got your name.” 

“It’s Fluttershy.” 

“Fluttershy. That’s a nice name.” 

26th of February, Wednesday, Lunchtime in the Music Room
	
Applejack strummed her bass and sighed. She was still angry, so she wasn’t missing Dash, no. Okay, well maybe she was upset about Dash a little. But she wasn’t going to tell anyone. She was also annoyed about the fact that they were now missing a lead guitar- but more so they were missing a lead singer. The song didn’t really require a lead guitar - though it would make it, well, 20 percent cooler, none of them really wanted to get up and sing. 

“Now what do we do?! We’re out of a lead singer! We’re doomed!” Pinkie exaggerated, falling onto her knees. Rarity awkwardly patted her back.

“I agree though. We need a lead singer, or one of us has to get up there and do it.” Rarity said. 

“No,” Applejack said flatly, “we get a lead singer, or we don’t sing at all.” 

“Wait!” a voice came from the door, and a girl peeked through, opening the door. 

“Um, I’m Fluttershy and...I-I’ll sing for you.” She said, hooking her fingers together. Applejack smiled, trying to cheer up a little for the shy girl. 

“Ah don’t want to pressure you, but how about ya sing for us a little?” She asked, and Fluttershy took a deep breath. For the band, she thought, and repeated the song she sang this morning. 

Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie’s mouths all fell open, and Fluttershy blushed, covering her face yet again.

Applejack smiled happily. 

“You’re in.”


28th of February, Friday, 6:30 pm, at the school. 
	

“You guys ready?” Applejack asked as she looked around at her friends, who all held their instruments in their hands, ready to walk towards the stage. They had only 10 minutes left to get themselves sorted. Pinkie Pie nodded like crazy. 

“I’m readyyyyy! And I’m so super duper excited! Go our band!” She cheered. 

“I’m ready too. And darling, I’m pretty sure you can just call us by our name.” Rarity said. 

“I’m not…” Fluttershy whispered, but it seemed nobody could hear her. Applejack blinked. 

“Name,” She said, her eyes widening as she came to a realization, “we haven’t got a name!” 

“That’s it! We’re doomed!” Pinkie Pie said, as she once again fell to the floor. Rarity coughed. 

“I’m sure we’ll come up with something.” She said, and tapped her chin. 

“In five minutes?” Applejack said with a stressful tone, “Pinkie’s right, we’re doomed.”

“Not if I can help it!” Rainbow Dash called as she ran to the group, guitar swung over her shoulder. Everyone except Applejack cheered, and Fluttershy sighed in relief.

“Look, I get it, you’re really angry and you wanna yell and scream at me for being such a jerk,” Rainbow Dash started, “but I’m getting a whole other week’s worth of detention added on to my suspension, which just finished. Can we cut it down a little? Besides, we have a song to preform, and a crowd of future fans we’re going to please tonight, all of us. Even you Fluttershy.” 

“Eep!” Fluttershy squealed, being put on the spotlight. 

“Hey, it’s cool. I heard you’re pretty handy on the tambourine. We could use the extra beat, plus a backup singer. I’m not forcing you to go out in the spotlight.” Rainbow said, and Fluttershy sighed in relief. 

“Okay. One minute Rainbooms. Let’s do this!” 

….

“Rainbooms?” Applejack said. “Seriously?” 

“Whaaaaaaaat? It’s my dream name, I’ve had it in my head for years! We have to use it!” Rainbow Dash complained. Applejack just laughed. 

“Let’s go, Rainbow head. We’ve got a song to perform.” Applejack said, and Rainbow Dash pouted, as they followed her out on stage. She regained her posture once they stepped out infront of the crowd. 


	Rainbow Dash:  
	Sometimes when you wish upon that star, it never seems to come true. 
Sometimes when you try to find your purpose, but you never seem to find your cue. 
We know that friendship isn’t easy to hold together
	Rainbooms: 
	But deep down in your hearts you’ll know you’ll always find a way to break through! 
	
This is our time, our way, we’re gonna make it alright! 
All of us will find a way to break out of the dark times into the light! 
We’re living the moment we’ve always been dreaming of! 
We found each other and we’re here to stay.
	
Applejack:
	All the times you try to find the answer, but it’s always far away from you
All the times you try to find out why, it always flies away like times gone by!
We know that friendship isn’t easy to hold together
	
Rainbooms: 
	But deep inside our minds we know that there’ll always be a way to break through! 
	
Rarity: 
	Times go by too fast sometimes, but friendship remains the same.
	
Pinkie Pie: 
	This won’t last forever, but friendship remains the same, oh oh oh! 
	
Rainbooms: 
	
This is our time, our way, we’re gonna make it alright! 
All of us will find a way to break out of the dark times into the light! 
We’re living the moment we’ve always been dreaming of! 
We found each other and we’re here to stay.
	
Rainbow Dash: 
	
A friend for life is what you are to me! 
	
Pinkie Pie: 
	
Come on everypony, smile, smile, smile!
	
Rarity: 
		
A true true friend helps a friend in need! 
	
Applejack: 
	
Now it’s better than ever! 
	
Rainbooms: 
	Oh woah oh, oh woah oh, oh yeah we’re better than ever, oh woah oh, oh woah oh
	
Fluttershy: 
	
We found eachother and we’re here to stay! 

Rainbooms: 
	
Yeah!
	
For a short moment, silence rang through the audience. 
…
And then a huge cheer erupted, shaking the ground beneath them as many people stood up to clap. Rainbow Dash and Applejack grinned, as did Pinkie Pie. Rarity smiled happily, and Fluttershy stood at the back as she covered her face yet again with her hair. This time, however, she was smiling. She had done it. She had sang infront of the whole school. One line, anyway. 

“This is it guys! We’re on our way, I can feel it! Canterlot High, meet the Rainbooms!”
	
	
	
> Episode 3: Pinkie Pie's Party Rush
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


1st of March, Saturday at 9:17 am

	

Pinkie Pie stared forward at the wall of Applejack’s barn as she lightly tapped on the drums, unaware of what was going on around her, lost deep in thought. She was mostly thinking about all of her super duper amazing party ideas, and only snapped out of it when she realised everyone was staring at her.
“What?” Pinkie asked, confused.
“Uh, Pinkie,” Rainbow started, “you kinda stopped drumming.”
“Oh, hehe!” she chuckled nervously. “Did I?”
Applejack nodded and put her hand on her hip. “Mind telling us what’s on your mind, sugarcube?”
Pinkie Pie let out a slight giggle. “It’s nothing, really!” she replied cheerfully, as the bell rang for the Apple family’s dinner.
“Well, okay then. That’ll be Granny. Ah’ll see ya guys later then,” Applejack said as she packed up her bass, turning towards the door. The others nodded, and did the same, leaving Pinkie alone for a bit. She let out a sigh as she walked towards the door.
“No!” She suddenly lit up. “It’s okay, you got this. You can do it, Pinkie! … Can I?”


1st of March, Saturday at 1:07pm

	

“Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!” Pinkie cheered happily as she turned towards the front door, watching the customer come in and—
“Pinkie?” Applejack said as she looked up, noticing the girl behind the counter. Applejack smiled as Pinkie’s smile faded, but she tried to stay cheerful.
“Oh, hello, Applejack!” Pinkie said and waved. “What can I do for you?”
“Well, ah was looking outside your store and ah saw some really delicious looking apple cupcakes. Mind if ah have a few?” Applejack asked.
Pinkie shook her head. “Of course not!” she said and reached down below the counter, pulling out three of the apple cupcakes.
“Anything else?” Pinkie asked.
Applejack nodded. “Just two of the rainbow iced ones as well, please.”
Pinkie hurried to comply. “Are you really going to eat all of these?” She placed out the bags.
Applejack dug through her wallet. “Oh, no, the rainbow ones are for Rainbow Dash. She’s at the game store across the road.”
“Oh, I see!” Pinkie accepted the money and placed it in the cash register. “Well, I’ll see you later then!”
Applejack nodded and waved as she exited the store. Pinkie kept the smile on her face until she was sure AJ was gone, then sighed and peered up at the clock. If she could just—
Pinkie’s thoughts were cut off as a bell rang, indicating that another customer had entered — no, two! She held back her groan and greeted them the same way she did to Applejack, using her free hand to cross her fingers behind her back.
At this rate, I’ll never get it done in time…
	           

1st of March, Saturday at 6:00 pm



Pinkie Pie let out a huge sigh of relief as she raced over to the store door and flipped the ‘Open’ sign to ‘Closed’. She washed her hands and then pulled out the list of parties she had to plan. This included the food she had to make, the decorations she had to put together, and the people she needed to call, as well as the time of the party. Thank god she didn’t have to be there.
Pinkie Pie turned towards the kitchen to start, before hearing her phone go off in that cheerful tune she had set it to.
Cupcakes, so sweet and tasty, cupcakes, don’t be too—
	           “Ugh…” Pinkie let out that loud groan she’d been holding in all day, before almost stumbling back towards her phone and hitting the green answer button, bringing it up to her ear.
“Hello, Pinkie Pie speaking,” she said, trying not to sound too annoyed, as a fake grin formed on her face.
“Oh, hey Pinkie!” Rainbow’s voice came out cheerfully. “Thanks for the cupcakes, they were delicious!”
“Oh,” Pinkie started, “you’re welcome!” She hoped that was all she was calling for…
“So, anyway, I was just wondering,” Rainbow Dash continued, “if you wanted to join us at the movies tomorrow, since it’s a Sunday. Everyone else has already agreed to go, even Fluttershy!”
“Uh…” Pinkie trailed off and bit her lip. “I can’t. I’m… um… very busy. Goodbye!” She moved the phone away and quickly hung up.
“Okay. Time to work!” She marched into the kitchen with the list, ignoring her phone the five times it rang after Dashie’s first call.


2nd of March, Sunday at 9:30am


“So, she just hung up on you?” Fluttershy asked quietly once Rainbow Dash had actually stopped to take a breath. The four of them were heading down the path to Sugarcube Corner, because Rainbow had insisted.
“Yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Said she couldn’t go and just cut me off!”
“Ah have to admit, it is kinda strange,” Applejack said. “Ah mean, ah thought Pinkie would accept immediately. Ah can understand been busy, but hanging up like that?”
“Exactly!” Rainbow Dash said. “Something’s wrong!”
They turned the corner and passed a few more shops before stopping at the cupcake palace. The sign still said ‘Closed’ despite it being long past the time it was supposed to open. Rainbow frowned and peered in, squinting to see what was going on. And then she spotted Pinkie: fast asleep on the counter, covered in frosting. Not only that, the floor was a complete mess: balloons and streamers everywhere! Rainbow Dash moved away from the window and towards the door, which was… open?
“Woah there,” Applejack said, placing a hand on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Do you really think we should be bothering her. She looks tired.”
“I wasn’t going to bother her; I was going to help her,” Rainbow Dash explained.
Applejack raised an eyebrow.
“Seriously!” Rainbow announced. “Okay, Fluttershy, you take Pinkie to somewhere comfortable to sleep while the rest of us clean up out here. Then we’ll run the store!”
“What about the movie?” Rarity asked.
“Pfft, screw the movie! We can’t let Pinkie go out of business! What’s more important: our own enjoyment or saving Pinkie from having to deal with so much stress?” Rainbow asked.
“Well, you make a good point there,” Rarity said. “In that case, I’ll handle the drinks.”
Applejack strolled towards the counter. “Ah got the cooking covered! Fluttershy, you wanna help?”
Fluttershy nodded, smiling a little.
“In that case, I’ll handle the counter. Okay, Rainbooms, let’s get this underway!” Rainbow Dash cheered.
“Shhhhh!” the rest of them hissed at her, and she chuckled nervously.

Rainbow Dash: 
Now it's the time to bake
But Pinkie's life’s at stake
	
Fluttershy interrupted. “Her life?! Oh, dear, you don’t think—”
Rainbow rolled her eyes. “I was speaking figuratively, Fluttershy. You know, exaggerating?”

All our effort it will take
For something not to break
	
So while she's not awake
These things we'll have to make
Now give that bowl a shake
It's just a piece of cake
	
Applejack started icing a tray of cupcakes.

Applejack: 
This tray is almost done
Go get me another one
Just need to ice this bun
Actually it’s kinda fun
	
Rainbow Dash and Applejack: 
So while she's not awake
These things we'll have to make
Now give that bowl a shake
It's just a piece of cake
	
Rarity checked what ingredients they had for milkshakes.

Rarity: 
I know what you’re thinking
I’ll get these glasses clinking
All will soon be drinking
I’ll do it just for Pinkie

	    	     Rarity walked to join Rainbow Dash and Applejack.

Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity: 
So while she's not awake
These things we'll have to make
Now give that bowl a shake
It's just a piece of cake
	
Fluttershy: 
And now I think it’s time
To turn ‘round the ‘Open’ sign
We’ve made the cakes sublime
It’s gonna be just fine
	
Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy: 
So while she's not awake
These things we'll have to make
Now give that bowl a shake
It's just a—
	
“Guys?” Rainbow Dash said, interrupting the end of the song. She froze and slowly lifted a hand towards Pinkie Pie, who was slumped over, her hair straight instead of it’s original puffed up cuteness. Pinkie stared at the four of them. 
“Hey, Pinkie,” Applejack said, “nice to see you up.” 
Pinkie lowered her head, fists clenched. “What… what are you all doing here?” 
“H-Helping…” Fluttershy spoke up. She tried to continue, but Rarity butted in.
“Did you sleep well, darling? I noticed your hair is kind of—” 
“Leave!” Pinkie said, looking up and glaring. “Leave, now!” 
“Woah! Um, Pinkie, you okay?” Rainbow asked.
Pinkie didn’t answer, and just screamed again. “Go!” she yelled.
Fluttershy squeaked and slowly inched towards the door; Rarity seemed eager to join her, as well as Applejack, but Rainbow Dash was confused: confused as to why Pinkie was acting this way — it was so sudden and so strange. Maybe she was just tired, but no, this was different. Not Pinkie-like anyway.
“Pinkie, what’s wrong?” Rainbow Dash asked, determined. 
“You, all of you, that’s what’s wrong!” Pinkie yelled. “I didn’t ask for your help, so you’re wasting your time and energy! You think I can’t do this on my own, don’t you? You think that I’m weak, and can’t fend for myself! Well, I’ll prove you wrong! So GET OUT!”
The others looked at her in confusion.
“OUT!” she shouted, striding towards Rainbow.
Rainbow, usually the most fearless of the group, took a step backwards. “Okay, we’re leaving. We were just trying to help, you know.”
“I’m sick of being treated like some kind of baby! I can do this on my own!”
Rainbow looked at the others. “Okay, come on, girls. You heard her.” They quickly gathered up their things and headed towards the door.
Pinkie frowned as they exited, and turned away to get back to work. 
Rainbow looked back as the door slammed shut and mouthed the words:

	…piece of cake.
	

3rd of March, Monday 12:00, 4th period, Pinkie’s class.

	

Pinkie let out a loud yawn as she flopped down on her desk, eyes half closed as she could barely hear what the teacher was saying. She’d been up ALL night working on all of her party orders, and didn’t get a wink of sleep.  But, it didn’t bother her! Making people happy is much, much, much more important than school, right? Yeah that’s it! 
		But that still didn’t hide the fact that she was tired. Like, really tired. Like more tired than she had ever been before. But, no matter what, she had to get these orders done. Her heart told her so, but her head said otherwise. She let out another loud yawn and turned towards the clock.
Just a few more minutes… She thought, before falling asleep at her desk. 


3rd of March, Monday lunchtime in the Cafeteria.

	

Rainbow Dash looked around the lunchroom, keeping her eyes peeled for any sign of Pinkie Pie. Any at all. She sighed and turned back to her lunch, which she had barely touched. Her half-eaten bacon cheeseburger was already cold. 
“Come on, sugarcube, eat up. Can’t let that go to waste,” Applejack said. 
“Not hungry,” Rainbow replied, but just as she said that her stomach rumbled. Applejack and Fluttershy laughed.
Fluttershy used her fork to break a bit of the cheeseburger off and hold it up to Dash’s mouth. “Say ahhh.” 
“Wha— no way!” Rainbow blushed. “No way am I gonna— umph!” Cut off by the cheeseburger in her mouth, she folded her arms and frowned. The two of them laughed again.
Rainbow just rolled her eyes and went back to looking out for Pinkie. “There she is!” She jumped up and left the table to head up to her.
Rarity walked up, tray in hand, as she sat down at the table. “What’s gotten into her?” she asked.
“Pinkie,” Applejack sighed and sipped her apple juice.
Rarity picked up a small forkful of rice. “Oh, I see.” She chewed the rice gently and elegantly.
Rainbow went up to Pinkie’s spot in the line and tapped her on the shoulder. She quickly zipped around, but then sighed in relief.
“Oh, hey Dashie,” she said simply, grabbing a bowl of fruit and placing it on her platter, moving further down the line. 
Rainbow Dash followed her. “Hey, Pinks! So what’s up? We haven’t seen you all day!”
“Oh, I’ve just been, uh, studying! Yes, that’s it, studying!” Pinkie kept walking.
Rainbow let out a loud laugh. “Studying what, the history of cupcakes?” 
As she said that, Pinkie Pie let go of the cupcake she was about to place on her tray, and lowered her head. 
“No. I’ve been working on my English, just like any other normal person would. What did you think: young, airhead Pinkie can’t do school work? Well, you were WRONG!” She slammed her hands down, causing a few people around her to jump back, including Rainbow Dash.
“Woah, chill, it was just a joke,” Rainbow said and held her hands up in defence. “Speaking of which… I wanted to talk to you about yesterday morning…” 
“Don’t,” Pinkie whispered, gripping the edge of the counter. Many students started to push in front of her. 
Rainbow Dash just ignored her. “I’m sorry.”
“See, here we go again! You’re always going on about how little I am and how dumb I am and how—” Pinkie cut herself off. “… what?” 
“I said I’m sorry. I understand how you feel. When I was in Junior Speedster’s Skate Camp… I was the youngest too. I was treated like shit. All of the guys kept teasing me about being small or weak, or making jokes about not being able to see me, pretending I wasn’t there. I didn’t really make much of it at the time, but it really got on my nerves anyway.”
Pinkie nodded for her to continue.
Rainbow sighed. “Eventually, I got fed up with it. I was sick of being treated like… rubbish that they could just step on. My friend Gilda was there. She tried to stop me, but I just lost it. I wasn’t really close to them like we are, but looking back now, they didn’t deserve what I did. I decided to show them how much of a SPEEDster I really was, and beat the crap out of them. And I was kicked out of the camp. Just like that. Look, all I’m trying to say is… don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t get kicked out of our friendship. Don’t kick us out.” 
Pinkie sniffed, looked up…

And pulled Rainbow Dash into a ginormous hug.
“I’m sorry! I don’t want to lose you guys! I’m so sorry!” Pinkie Pie squealed. 
“Got it, Pinkie,” Rainbow gasped. “Can’t breathe.” Her words were unheard as a loud cheer rang out in the cafeteria. Pinkie looked up, confused, and Dashie quickly slipped out of her grasp and took a deep breath, before looking around out the cheering crowd. 
The other students had seen everything.
A blush formed on Rainbow’s cheeks and she lowered her head, trying to hide her face. Pinkie let out a laugh and called out, “Thank you, thank you!” even though it wasn’t her they were cheering for.
Eventually the bell rang and the cafeteria was soon empty — everyone except for the Rainbooms had left to their classes.
“Oh, Rainbow Dash, that was wonderful, what you did for Pinkie,” Fluttershy said happily.
Rainbow just blushed harder. “I—I didn’t mean for everyone to hear!”
“Darling, who cares if the whole school saw it? All that matters is that we didn’t lose Pinkie.” Rarity said.
Pinkie grinned, then lowered her head again. “I really am sorry, everyone. I didn’t mean to yell at all of you like that,” she said sadly.
“Aw, it’s alright. This whole moment made it totally worth it,” Applejack said. 
“Gah!” Rainbow said, a little bit annoyed. “Stop teasing me, dammit!”
Everyone else laughed as Rainbow marched out of the cafeteria, hiding the smile on her face. What? Laughter was contagious, especially with her.


3rd of March, Monday after school, 3:59pm.

	

“Let’s see.” Pinkie held up her checklist. “We need five chocolate cakes, two vanilla cakes and one rainbow cake — which, by the way, are so delicious!” 
“You bet they are,” Rainbow said. “So, what are we doing?” The others giggled, as she clearly didn’t get the joke.
“Well, the store opens in one minute so we need two people to handle the front counter while the rest of us cook,” Pinkie explained simply. 
“Well, since I have no intention of getting dirty, I shall stay out here,” Rarity said. 
Rainbow nodded. “I can’t cook, so I’ll stay here too.”
“Fluttershy and ah we’ll help ya, Pinkie,” Applejack said with a smile. 
“Yay,” Fluttershy said, also smiling. 
Pinkie grinned. “Alrighty then! Store opens in ten!”
“Nine!”
“Eight!”
“Seven!”
“Six!”
“Five!”
“Four!”
“Three!”
“Two!”
“One!”


3rd of March, Monday evening, 10:00pm.

	

Dear Sweetest Diary,
Turns out that trying to help myself isn’t the same as refusing help when you really need it. Sure, I still need to grow up, but even grown up people need help sometimes. My friends helped me realise this, and finishing those deliveries was a piece of cake, hehe! 
From the number one Pinkie Pie.
	   “More cupcakes, anyone?” Pinkie asked as she held out the tray. Everyone shook their heads. 
“I’ve had quite enough darling. I think it’s time to get some sleep, don’t you?” Rarity said sensibly. 
“Uh huh!” everyone except Pinkie agreed. 
“Oh, but I’m not tired!” she said happily. 
“Good for you,” Rainbow said as she flopped down on the pillow. It’s so soft, she thought.
“Okay, okay!” Pinkie turned off the lights and lay down.
…
“Does anyone wanna do this again tomorrow?” 
“Pinkie!” everyone chorused, and she giggled. 
“Oops, sorry. Goodnight!”

> Episode 4: Sick Health Assignment
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	5th of March, Wednesday, 4th period, 12:15, Health classroom
	

"Each group of students must create one full role play to explain the hazards of binge drinking," Miss Cheerilee explained as she handed out the task sheets. "To make things easier, we will be allowing you to work with students from the other classes as well, and we will bring everyone together on the due date to perform."
Rainbow Dash groaned and lay down on her desk. The last thing she wanted to do was a play.
"Any questions?" Miss Cheerilee asked, looking around the room. A hand shot up. "Yes, Applejack?"
Applejack lowered her hand and looked around, before asking, "is it alright if we record it instead?”
Miss Cheerilee placed her hand near her chin in thought as the class looked up with hope in her eyes… then shook her head. The class followed up with a sigh or groan. 
“This assignment is not just about the story, but also about the performance. If I allow you to record it, then it won’t show me how well you can perform in front of crowds, or give you an opportunity to boost your confidence.”
“Pfft,” Rainbow Dash said, leaning back on her chair, “at least we know one person in here won’t need to boost anything.” She rocked back and forth, before one of the chair legs slipped, and she fell backwards onto the ground.
The class laughed loudly, including Applejack.
Miss Cheerilee looked down sternly, but smiled, turning to everyone. “Fascinating performance right there, everyone!”
“Hey!” Rainbow called, folding her arms and blushing.

	5th of March, Wednesday, Lunchtime, 12:25, School cafeteria 


“Ah, yes, the health play. Fluttershy and I already know exactly what we’re doing,” Rarity said, before placing a grape in her mouth and chewing slowly.
“Oh yeah!” Pinkie shot up off her chair. “Do you mind if I work with you, Dashie?”
“Well, uh—” Applejack started, but Rainbow Dash cut her off.
“Sure! Me and AJ would love to have you on the team!” she said happily.
A fake grin formed on Applejack’s face. “Uh, yeah.”
“Also, that would be ‘Applejack and I’,” Rarity corrected.
“Yeah, yeah.” Rainbow took a bite of her sandwich, but continued speaking. “Now we jus’ nee’ to work ou’ what we’re doing.”
“Ugh. Table manners would be nice as well.” Rarity turned back to her lunch.
“Yes, speaking with your mouth full is truly the end of the world,” a sarcastic voice said from behind her. Everyone turned their heads to the direction it came from.
“Sunset Shimmer,” Rainbow called out, frowning, “what are you doing here!?”
“Oh, I just came to wish you luck. After all, the lesbian couple, doing a health assignment together? I truly hope it goes without anymore… teasing.”
“From who?” Applejack spat out. “You?”
“Whom,” Rarity muttered under her breath.
“Hm, we’ll just see about that.” Sunset glared at Fluttershy, who shrunk in her seat, looking worried, sad and scared all at once.
“Get away, Sunset. You’re not welcome here,” Rainbow said, her hands turning into fists.
“Hm, apparently not.” She walked around to their side, before walking away with a smile.
“Ugh. What is her problem?” Rarity asked.
        “I think she just wants to get laid,” Pinkie Pie said with a thoughtful expression. “Maybe I should help her?”
Everyone stared at her.
“A-Anyway, we should just forget about her and focus on the health assignment. Anyone have any ideas?” Applejack asked.
“Oh yeah! Okay, so two friends go out together to a club and drink two mugs of alcoholic apple cider; one of them gets drunk while the other doesn’t. So when they decide to head home, one of their friends walk out and offers to take them, since they walked there. I’m sure we can show the effects of binge drinking with that. What do you think?” Rainbow asked.
“That was actually a pretty good idea. Yeah, ah think we can work with that.” Applejack said.
Rainbow nodded, grinning. “Thanks! I vote been the drunk one!”
“I’ll be the driver then!” Pinkie squealed. “Applejack, I guess that makes you Rainbow’s friend!”
Applejack shrugged. “Ah don’t mind. Anything to get the assignment done. Guess we’ll be spending time together working instead of rehearsing then. Ah’m free tomorrow after school.”
“Me too! I’m not working that day!” Pinkie said. The two of them turned to Rainbow Dash.
“Sure, I think I can…” She trailed off, thinking for a bit. “Oh, uh, I can’t, there’s something on. Heh, sorry. Uh, Friday?”
“Ah suppose, we can meet at the barn again,” Applejack agreed.
“Sweet! I’ll bring some mugs then!” Pinkie squealed. “I’m sure the Cakes will let me borrow some of their coffee ones.”
“Okay, cool.” Rainbow said, brightening up.
After a few more minutes of mainly eating, the bell rings, and the Rainbooms all stood up to head to their next classes.
“Electives? Ooh, I can finish my newest design!” Rarity exclaimed, clapping her hand together. 
Rainbow groaned. “Lucky, you got something you wanted. I wanted to do woodwork, but they placed me in art with Pinkie. Guess who else is in that class.”
The other four looked at each other, before back at Rainbow. “Sunset Shimmer,” they answered in unison. 
“Yep,” Rainbow Dash said as the rest of them left. “So not looking forward to that.”


7th of March, Friday, after school, 3:30pm, Applejack’s barn
	

Pinkie peered outside the barn for the five millionth time. “Nope! Not here yet!” 
Applejack placed down her soda. “Ah swear, if that girl doesn’t get here soon, ahm gonna show her what’s it like ta really get an F.”
Pinkie raised an eyebrow and smirked. “Is that so…?”
“Yeah! Ah’ll—” Applejack stopped, and her face turned bright red. “That’s not what ah meant!”
Pinkie laughed like a maniac as Rainbow Dash stepped into the barn.
“Hey guys,” she said, pulling down the sleeve of her jacket.
“Hi Dashie!” Pinkie cheered. “You ready to get started? I got the mugs!”
“Sure! So, are we improvising?” Rainbow asked, grinning. “I rock at this sort of thing!”
Applejack nodded slowly. “Uh, yeah. Hey, why are ya wearing a jacket? It’s spring now.”
“Oh, uh, I just thought it looked, um, cool!” Rainbow covered up. “Yeah, cool. Do you like it?”
“I do!” Pinkie said happily. “It really goes with your hair! Funny that the author forgot to mention it during winter!”
Applejack and Rainbow Dash stared at Pinkie, turned to each other, and shrugged.
“So. Pinkie and I are at a bar, and Rainbow gets drunk. Ah offer to take her home, and Pinkie shows up in her car and takes us to ma place, where Rainbow will show the short term effects of binge drinking,” Applejack said. “Let’s do it, y’all!”

	7th of March, Friday, after school, 4:30, Applejack’s barn
	

“Okay, great job! We’ll definitely have this down by next Wednesday!” Rainbow cheered, high fiving Pinkie. “You did a sick driver!”
“Ah think we really need to work on your drunk acting. Though, the throwing up was a nice addition,” Applejack said, leaning on the wall.
“And the two of you together was so cute!” Pinkie cheered.
Rainbow bit her lip, looking around the room. She was glad her eyes rested on the clock. Her eyes widened.
“I gotta go,” she said, stepping towards the door. “Um, gotta help mum get dinner ready for the guests. See ya!” Rainbow zipped out as fast as lighting.
“...She’s been rushing around a lot, hasn’t she?” Pinkie asked.
Applejack nodded. “Yeah.”

???

“I’m sorry!” The girl backed up against the wall.
“No!” A loud slam could be heard from halfway across the town. “I won’t put up with this anymore! If you don’t start coming on time, you’ll have more than scratches, you peasant.”
“I didn’t mean to! I was busy with—”
“Don’t you talk back to me!” The man brought his hand up and slapped her across the face.
“Ah! Stop!” she cried. “Please, stop!”

10th of March, Monday, Lunchtime, 1:05pm in the School bathroom


Rainbow Dash grabbed a paper towel and wiped the water off her face, forcing a smile as she looked up in the mirror. Everything was okay. She was going to go to class with her energetic personality and everything would be fine.
Rainbow nodded and turned, but stumbled back when she came face to face with Sunset Shimmer.
“Well, well, well… look who we have here.” Sunset walked past her to the mirror, then turned back to face her. “How’s the assignment going?”
“Don’t give me that crap,” Rainbow said. “I know what you’re here for.”
“Hm? I can’t ask my ‘friends’ how they’re going? Well, whatever. But don’t you think that you and Applejack doing the couple at the bar is going to start a few… rumours?” Sunset asked with a smirk.
“Only by you,” Rainbow said quickly.
“So what? It’ll be your fault. Sometimes I think you’re just asking to be bullied.” Sunset strolled to the door, and whipped around again. “After all, this was your idea.”
Rainbow Dash didn’t know what was more annoying: the fact that Sunset Shimmer had been eavesdropping, or the fact that she was right. Doing this, she probably was going to attract more attention to the lesbian rumour, which was still going around after all these weeks.
“Well, your choice. Good luck,” Sunset Shimmer said, and turned and walked out the door.

10th of March, Monday afternoon, After school, 3:50pm, Applejack’s barn
	

“So, why are we here again?” Applejack asked, shutting the barn door. Rainbow Dash paced back and forth in front of them, lost deep in thought.
“I hope it’s important. Mr and Mrs Cake were super upset that I couldn’t do my shift this afternoon!” Pinkie Pie said.
“Got it!” Rainbow said, ignoring the two of them. “Pinkie, we’re switching our parts!”
“What?!” Pinkie yelled. Then, she tilted her head. “Why?”
“Uh, no reason. I just...decided that I’d like to be the driver, that’s all!” Rainbow said quickly, leaning against the wall.
“But I like being the—”
Applejack cut Pinkie off. “This wouldn’t have something to do with what Sunset Shimmer said in the cafeteria, would it?”
“Heh, of course not!” Rainbow quickly covered up. “So, we better get some practice in!”
Pinkie Pie and Applejack looked at each other, then back at Rainbow. Applejack frowned. She certainly wasn’t convinced.

10th of March, Monday afternoon, after school, 5:00pm, Applejack’s barn


“So… is this your house?” Rainbow asked, stumbling on her lines.
“Rainbow, you’re supposed to already know it’s her house,” Applejack corrected.
“Uh, right!” She squinted at the page.
Pinkie sighed. “Can’t we just go back to the way it was? It was much more fun!”
“I-It’ll be fine,” Rainbow reassured them. “One more time from the top!”
Pinkie Pie leaned against the wall on the ground, half asleep.
“Ah think that’s enough for now,” Applejack said.
“Oh, uh, okay! Tomorrow, we’ll have it for sure!” Rainbow said, trying to keep her spirits up.
Applejack walked towards the door. “‘Fraid not, ah’m out of town tomorrow. Got deliveries to make.”
“Oh, um, lunch! Lunch on a wednesday! It’s right before class!” Rainbow said. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow!” She ran out quickly before the others could object.
“Wait!” Applejack called out, then sighed. “Something’s definitely up.”
“Uh...huh…” Pinkie said, before collapsing against the wall, asleep.

12th of March, Wednesday, Lunchtime, 12:40, in the music room


“I can’t believe we have to cut our practice time so you guys can finish your play the day it’s due,” Rarity grumbled, clearly upset.
“Sorry! Things came up! Just tell us what you think!” Rainbow said.
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ya mean you came up,” she whispered. 
“Uh huh.” Pinkie nodded, agreeing.
“Okay! Positions!” Rainbow cheered.

One performance later, 1.05pm
	

“So!” Rainbow said, sidling up to Rarity. “What did you think?”
“Oh… well…” Rarity stumbled for words. “I thought it was, um… fine. Just fine, darling.”
“Fine? That’s it?” Rainbow asked, leaning back. “Well, what about you Fluttershy?”
“Um, it was…” Fluttershy trailed off. How do I say it? It sucked, she thought. 
“It… it was bad, wasn’t it?” Rainbow groaned, stepping back.
“Well… it… it just doesn’t seem right…” Rarity admitted. “I mean, it’s a good story, but… the actual play in general was… a bit off.”
“Right. Okay.” Rainbow lowered her head. “I’ll see you guys later…” She picked up her speed and raced out the door so fast that if anyone blinked, they would’ve missed her.
Applejack blinked. “Hey, wait!” She took out after her, but by the time she’d got through the door, she’d missed her.

12th of March, Wednesday, Start of fifth period, 1:10, in the girls bathroom. 
	

Rainbow leaned against the sink, hands in fists.
“Rarity’s right… it sucked. I shouldn’t have tried to change it. But… Sunset Shimmer is also right. If we do this, that rumour will just grow.” She shook her head and turned around, stumbling back when she came face to face with Applejack.
“So, it’s true. Sunset Shimmer did say something,” Applejack said, placing a hand on her hip.
“U-Uh…” Rainbow stepped back. She looked around for someway to run off, but Applejack had positioned herself well in the middle and would have no trouble stopping her. “F-Fine! Yes, Sunset Shimmer did something! She met with me in the bathroom; told me she heard our plan and mentioned the lesbian rumours.”
“And that’s why you swapped parts with Pinkie?” Applejack asked.
Rainbow nodded.
“Well, that’s ridiculous! Ah didn’t think you were the kind of girl to let something like that get to ya!” Applejack exclaimed. “Certainly not the girl ah met, anyway.”
Rainbow turned to look at her.
“Now, are we gonna do the play as it was or what?” Applejack asked, leaning forward with her hands on her hips.
“Y-Yeah,” Rainbow said. “Goddammit, I am an idiot. We better hurry!” she exclaimed, racing out of the bathroom. Applejack walked out and laughed as she watched Rainbow run down the hall.
Rainbow Dash stopped in her tracks and looked back, confused.
“Rainbow? Class is this way,” Applejack said, turning away from her and walking down the hall.
A slight blush crawled onto Rainbow Dash’s cheeks and she folded her arms, stomping towards Applejack. “I-I knew that…” she grumbled.

Performance: 17th of January, Friday night, at a club. 
	

Applejack opened the door and walked into the club, Rainbow following close behind.
“Well, here we are,” Applejack said.
Rainbow looked around. “It sure is crowded in here!”
Applejack walked up to the bar, nodding. “Hey, you want a drink? What would you like?”        
Rainbow Dash thought for a little bit. “Surprise me,” she said decisively. “I don’t mind.” 
“Sure.” Applejack turned to the bar attendant; Rainbow sat down on the nearest stool, looking around. The DJ — Pinkie Pie — was rocking out with one of the Rainbooms’ tunes. Rainbow Dash grinned. She couldn’t wait to get up and dance.
A couple of minutes, and Applejack returned with two mugs of Apple cider. “Here we go,” she said, sitting next to Rainbow, who smiled and took her cup.
        “Cheers!” she called, holding her cup up in the air. Applejack grabbed her own and clashed it with Rainbow’s, and they both took a drink.
        Rainbow swallowed and frowned. “It has a weird taste.” 
        “That’d probably be the apple quality,” Applejack explained, “this company doesn’t use apples like ours.” 
“I see,” Rainbow said, quickly finishing her drink. “Can I… have another one?” 
“Sure, ah guess.” Applejack got off her seat and quickly came back with another mug of apple cider.
It only took Rainbow about 2 minutes to down that one too.
“So, you ready to dance?” Applejack asked, standing up.
Rainbow jumped up out of her seat. “Yep!” she said, walking with Applejack to the dance floor.
Rainbow and Applejack jumped up and started dancing hesitantly on stage. They wanted to give a convincing performance to get decent marks on the project, but at the same time didn’t want to look too foolish in front of their classmates. Even Applejack didn’t want to add too much fuel to the rumours that were going around.
After what would be called about 10 minutes of dancing (but was really only thirty seconds), Rainbow Dash stepped back and leaned against the nearest table. Her head was pounding, and the sound of music didn’t help much either.
“Ya okay there, Jenny?” asked Applejack, using the name of the character they’d come up with for the play.
“I don’t think so, Jacqueline,” Rainbow replied, clutching her head.
“Maybe we oughtta head home then,” Applejack suggested.
Rainbow nodded slowly and stood back up. “Okay.”
They walked out of the club, actually marching on the spot on the stage.
“I don’t know, Jacqueline,” said Rainbow, swaying. “I feel kinda woozy. I don’t know if I can walk all the way home.”
Pinkie sprung up from behind a piece of stage scenery. “Hiya Jenny! Hiya Jackie! You two okay?”
Applejack shook her head. “No, Diane. I think Jenny mighta had too much t’ drink.”
Pinkie’s jaw dropped open. “Ooooh! She should be more aware of the dangers of alcohol!”
Applejack nodded. “Yes, she should have drunk only in moderation.”
“Or not at all, like me!” Pinkie pointed to herself. “I’m living proof that you don’t need alcohol to have a good time! And a good thing I didn’t drink anything too, because now I can offer you a lift back home!”
“A lift? That would be awesome, Pinkie… I mean… Diane,” Applejack said. “Hey, Jenny, isn’t that nice of Diane to offer us a lift?”
Rainbow nodded.
Rainbow and Applejack climbed into Pinkie’s ‘car’. “So, which way to your house, Jenny?”
Applejack and Pinkie looked at Rainbow for an answer.
“Umm… err… my house?” Rainbow gulped. “Oh, my house… it’s the second left after the main street.”
Pinkie drove the car to Rainbow’s house. “So… is this your house?” she asked, opening the door for Rainbow.
Rainbow stood up on shaky legs. “Yeah, thanks, Diane,” she said, “I should have never had so much to drink.”
Pinkie shook her head. “No, you shouldn’t, Jenny. But you’ll know better next time. And there’s no need to thank me — whenever you see a friend who is drunk, you should always try to help them get home safely. But now it’s time for me to take Jackie home. Goodnight, Jenny!”
“I’m sure I won’t have a good morning,” Rainbow groaned, clutching her head.

End of performance: 12th of March, Wednesday, 5th period, 2:30pm, health classroom. 


Applejack and Pinkie stood up beside her and the three bowed.
“Very good performance,” Miss Cheerilee gushed, clapping enthusiastically. “And a very… subtle… way to convey your message.”
“Thanks!” Rainbow replied gleefully. 
“Ooh, that was so much fun!” Pinkie jumped up and squeezed her two friends in a hug.
“Yeah! I’m sure we’ll get a really good grade!” Rainbow said, grinning as she headed back to her seat.

12th of March, Wednesday, after school, 3:00pm, music room
	

        “How did you manage to get Principal Celestia to let us have the music room after school?” Rarity asked, walking in with Rainbow Dash.
        “Told her the truth,” Rainbow said simply.
“Right,” Rarity said, slightly taken aback. “Well, I’m glad it worked.”
Rainbow sat down on one of the seats near the wall. “So, what’d you two get for your health assignment?” She asked, leaning forward on her knees.
Rarity blinked. “I thought we were practicing.”
“We’ll get to that. First, I wanna know your score!” Rainbow demanded. Applejack rolled her eyes. Wait for it.
“Alright then. Fluttershy and I managed to score a B minus,” Rarity said as she too sat down. “Fluttershy was a little bit shy at some moments and forget a few of her lines, but it’s no big deal.”
Fluttershy hid behind her tambourine. 
“You wanna know what I… uh, I mean, we got?” Rainbow asked, but then continued without waiting for a response. “B plus!”
Applejack smirked. There we go.
“It was amazing!” Pinkie called out in her best Rainbow voice. “Especially my awesome acting!”
Everyone except Rainbow laughed as she glared at Pinkie. “Why does everyone have to tease me?” she questioned, slightly annoyed, as she folded her arms.

12th of March, Wednesday, night time, 10:00pm, Rainbow’s room


Rainbow sat on her bed and grabbed her diary, flipping it open to the next empty page, a wide grin on her face as she began to write.

Dear Daring Diary, 
Who knew assignments could actually be fun? It’s one of many, but it’s better than nothing. Me, Applejack and Pinkie Pie preformed our health play this afternoon, and got a B+! Of course, that never would’ve happened if I’d truly let Sunset Shimmer get to me. Applejack managed to convince me otherwise. They’re just stupid rumours — they won’t faze me anymore! We know they’re not true.
From Rainbow Dash.
P.S. Why does everyone like teasing me so much goddammit?

> Episode 5: The Great and Powerful Spotlight Stealer
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


14th of March, Friday, lunchtime, 12:30, Canterlot High’s inside auditorium


        “Everyone ready?” Rainbow Dash asked as she hooked her guitar strap over her shoulder. 
        “I, um, think so. What are we playing again?” Fluttershy asked. 
        Rainbow facepalmed. “We told you five times before we got here, ‘shy! ‘Awesome as I wanna be’. And it’s totally gonna be awesome!” she exclaimed. “Because—”
“It’s written by you,” Applejack finished.
“We know, darling. But, you couldn’t have chosen a more… well… together song?” Rarity asked.
“Hey, I can write other songs aside from those ones. Besides, I never said you guys couldn’t come up with your own songs and tell us to play them,” Rainbow said.
“Oh really?” Fluttershy said quietly, lighting up a little.
“Anyway, we gotta get this show underway!” Rainbow Dash continued. “Curtains, rise!” 
The curtains rose up, but since they were indoors, it was still hard to see the girls on stage. Still, it was all part of the plan.
Pinkie started off on the drums, but after a few ‘hey’s’, they all noticed something was off. 
Rainbow blinked and looked up at the guys above them. “Um, guys! Spotlight cue!”
The two guys looked at each other, then turned to her and shrugged. “They’re not up here!” 
“What?” Rainbow asked, frowning in confusion. “Who would take spotlights?” 
“I would, that’s who!” A loud voice yelled from the other side of the room. The whole crowd turned to see who the mysterious person was. 
“The Great and Powerful Trixie will not be defeated by the likes of you, Rainbrooms!” Trixie remarked, pointing at them as she did so.
The Rainbooms looked around at each other in confusion, then turned back to Trixie, who smirked.
“Let Trixie show you what true music is!” she called, as the spotlights lit up her area. 

You think you got what it takes to defeat me?
Well Trixie’s gonna make you see it her way. 
I’ve got tricks you can’t deny, and a power you’ll never beat. 
So get your ass out of line, unless you're signing up to make my day.

        “Ha, I doubt it.”

It’s hard to believe it, but I’m better than you. 
It may be hard to receive it, but I read it in the news.
I know I’m doing great, but you’re just doing ‘fine’.
Just give up! Find your own place, and get out of mine. 

My guitar playing rocks, and my voice gives you thrills.
You can try all you like, but you’re no match for my skills.
Awesome isn't always enough, when it’s compared to divine
I told you to find your own place, and get out of mine! 

Annoyingly, the crowd cheered. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes, shoving her guitar at Fluttershy, who stumbled back slightly when she grabbed it. Rainbow marched off the stage and through the crowd, heading up to Trixie. 
        “You think you’re better than us, huh?” Rainbow said, pointing a finger at her. 
        Trixie chuckled. “Oh, Trixie doesn’t think. Trixie knows!” 
        “Yeah, yeah, cut the third person crap. I challenge you to a battle! The person who loses never plays on stage again!” Rainbow yelled. 
        A series of “ooh’s” came from the gathered crowd. Applejack groaned and shoved her guitar at Pinkie, and walked out to Rainbow. 
        “Just what the hell are you doing?” Applejack asked, frowning. “Do you want to be history?” 
        “Of course not!” Rainbow replied. “So that’s why we’re gonna beat this sucker! We have one week. The battle will take place right here, at this exact time! The band that gets the most votes by the audience wins!” 
        The crowd cheered loudly, while Applejack smacked her forehead with her hand. 


15th of March, Saturday, 10:00 am, Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack’s room


        “Seriously, Rainbow? What the heck was that all about?” Applejack complained through the phone.
        “I couldn’t just let her show off like that!” Yes, you could’ve. 
“And did you see the way the crowd was cheering for her?” Yes, that’s because she was good. 
“I totally had to do something about it!” No, you didn’t. 
“I mean, she totally stole the spotlight. Literally!”
        Applejack sighed, realizing she didn’t have a counter for that sentence. “Well, whatever. That doesn’t give you a good excuse to go ahead and do something like that, especially without talking to us first!”
        “Come on, it wasn’t that bad…” Rainbow said. 
        Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Ya made Fluttershy cry.” 
        “But Fluttershy always cries! Anyway, we still have to do this! We can’t back down now!” Rainbow said.
        Applejack bit her lip. She couldn’t think of a counter for that either. “Fine. But when this whole thing is over, ahm kicking your ass for it. Do ya think you can meet up tomorrow? Ah’ll tell the—” 
        “Uh, sorry, AJ, I gotta go. My, uh, dad’s calling me. I’ll send you a text later about the details. See ya!” Rainbow replied and quickly hung up.
        “Alright then,” Applejack said, frowning in confusion, before shrugging it off. She entered her messages and sent a text to the others about whether or not they could meet up tomorrow, before closing her phone and placing it down on her chest of drawers.
        “Applejack!” Apple Bloom said, knocking on her bedroom door. “Big Mac’s waiting for you outside to start picking apples!”
        Applejack opened the door. “Sure, ah’ll be down there in a bit. Just lemme get ready first.”
        “Alrighty then!” Apple Bloom said and raced down the stairs. Applejack smiled and shut the door again.


16th of March, Sunday, 1;00 pm, Sweet Apple Acres, the barn


        “Really, Rainbow Dash, I understand how you felt — this “Great and Powerful Trixie” was getting on my nerves too — but there was no need to go ahead and do something like that,” Rarity said, swinging her keytar over her shoulder.
        “We totally have to! You never know when we’ll have to battle like this in the future, so this is our chance to practice!” Rainbow explained as she plugged her guitar into the amp.
        “Ah hate to break it to you, but this is a real battle,” Applejack said, tuning her bass. 
        “Oh, lighten up, everyone!” Pinkie said happily. “It’s just a bit of fun!” 
        “It won’t be so much fun if we lose,” Fluttershy murmured.
        “Well, we won’t lose!” Rainbow replied. “But we won’t be able to pull it off if we keep going off about.”
        “Dash is right. What’s done is done,” Applejack said. “Best get some practice in now.” 
        Pinkie grinned and held up her drumsticks. “1, 2, 3, 4!”


17th of March, Monday, 6:50am, Canterlot High School, outdoor stage


“It worked perfectly. That stupid rainbow-haired one fell for it, and now, the Great and Powerful Trixie will crush her!” Trixie called out, assuming she was alone.
“Oh, cut the third person crap,” Sunset Shimmer said bluntly, walking up behind her. 
Trixie frowned. She swore she’d heard that line before…
“Look, I hate confiding in others. Just make sure you don’t stuff this up,” Sunset said, “or you’ll have me to deal with.”
“Trixie will not fail,” she replied, walking away. 
Sunset scoffed. “Yeah. Sure.” She turned away to the girl hiding away behind her.
“Get out. I have something I want you to take care of.”


17th of March, Monday, 7:30am, Canterlot High School, hallway


Fluttershy gripped the handles of her bag as she walked down the hallway, eyes on the ground. She let out a long sigh and stopped at her locker, bending down and pulling it open. 
“...and so I totally got her back that day! She wasn’t even expecting it!” Rainbow said to Cloudy with a laugh. “Oh, hey Fluttershy!”
“Hey Rainbow,” she said quietly, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
Rainbow Dash frowned. “You alright?”
Cloudy Kicks, who felt out of place, stepped back. “So, I guess I’ll see you later then?” 
“Yeah, see you in practice.” Rainbow waved at her, then turned back to Fluttershy as Cloudy disappeared down the hall.
“I’m fine, really,” Fluttershy lied, rummaging around in her locker.
“Well, if you say so…” Rainbow trailed off and continued down the hall.
“Um, Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked as she put her books in her bag. 
Rainbow Dash stopped and turned back. “Yeah?” 
“What would you do if… if, um…” Fluttershy shook her head and stood up. “Never mind.”
“Oh, okay.” Rainbow turned back around. “You coming to class then?”
Fluttershy’s heart sank, but she shook her head again. “I just have something I need to take care of first. I’ll be there in a bit.”
“Got it. Don’t be late then,” Rainbow said and raced off to class.
Fluttershy smiled a little, but it quickly faded as she closed her locker and made her way towards the music room.


17th of March, Monday, 12: 40, Canterlot High School, Music Room


“What do ya mean they’re gone?” Applejack asked as she paced herself to keep up with Rainbow.
“Just that! They’re gone!” Rainbow Dash shoved open the door of the music room. “See? All of our instruments, the music, everything!”
Applejack walked in and looked around. “Well, ah’ll be… they even took the drums and the amps! Ya don’t think this was Sunset Shimmer and her stooges, do ya?”
Rainbow shook her head. “I’m willing to be it’s miss ‘slack and boastful’.”
“Well, that’s just great. What happened to fair play?” Applejack sighed. “Now we have to spend as long as it takes to find our instruments and get the song ready before Wednesday!” 
“Then what are we waiting for?” Rainbow walked towards the open door and almost walked straight into Fluttershy. She stepped back.
“Fluttershy?”
“So they really are gone,” Fluttershy said. “I, um, found my tambourine in one of the cubicles in the girls bathroom.”
“Ew,” Rainbow said, a disgusted look on her face. “Oh, please tell me my guitar isn't somewhere like that!”


17th of March, Monday, 12:45 pm, Canterlot High School, Soccer field


“Hey, Cloudy?” One of the team members called, looking up at the flagpole.
“Yeah?” Cloudy Kicks said, walking over. “What is it?”
He pointed, and Cloudy looked up. “Isn’t that Rainbow’s guitar?” he asked. 
Cloudy blinked and stepped back, eyes wide, staring up at the green guitar that was tied to the pole. There was silence on the field, and everyone gathered around.
“Well… that’s gonna be hard to get down.”


17th of March, Monday, 12:45 pm, Canterlot High School, Cafeteria


Rarity made her way through the cafeteria line, selecting one of everything as she went by.
Halfway through, Pinkie raced up to her, arms flailing widely. “Rarity, Rarity!” she called. “I got a text from Applejack that said all of our instruments are missing and— oh, hey, you found your keytar!”
Rarity blinked, then looked back towards the food. Laid out on top of the piles of food was her instrument.
“Well, that was convenient!” Pinkie said and covered her ears.
Rarity screamed and yanked it out.


17th of March, Monday, 12:50pm, Canterlot High School, Music Room


All the Rainbooms — minus Applejack — looked around at the pile of instruments in the room.
“Okay, so we have Fluttershy’s and Rarity’s back at least,” Rainbow Dash said, “but we’re still missing three instruments! Not to mention the amps and the sheet music! Ugh, this sucks.” 
Everyone was quiet, until a ding came from Pinkie’s pocket and she pulled out her phone. “Oh, it’s Applejack!” She grinned and unlocked it and viewed the text. “Hey, Rainbow, they found your guitar! It’s… oh, no,” she said, her smile fading.
“What? What is it?!” Rainbow pressed. Pinkie gulped and held out her phone, and Rainbow snatched it from her and skimmed her eyes over the text.
“W-What?!”


17th of March, Monday, 12:52pm, Canterlot High School, Soccer field


Rainbow pushed through the huge crowd and stared up at her guitar. She gulped. If it fell, there really wouldn’t be much of a chance to save it, and she certainly didn’t have enough to buy another one.
Applejack came up from behind. “Ah think we’re gonna have to get a damn crane to get that down. But how did Trixie even manage that?”
Fluttershy squeaked and hid. Oh… my…
“Unless she has wings,” Rarity said, looking up with disbelief. 
Fluttershy squeaked again and hid even further.
“Or she could’ve used a crane!” Pinkie said, grinning. Everyone stared at her, and she shrugged. “It’s possible!”
“So, anyway, how are we getting it down?” Rainbow asked, staring up and squinting to block out the sun. 
“Attention students!” A loud voice boomed over the crowd, who immediately fell silent. Vice Principal Luna.
“I understand you are all curious about the guitar, but we ask that you please head to your next class, and we will deal with it momentarily!” 
Most of the crowd shrugged and shuffled off. Applejack folded her arms and nodded. “Ya see Rainbow? It’s being taken care of.” She turned around to where the sports girl had been standing. “Uh… Rainbow?” Applejack looked around. “Where are ya?”
Fluttershy screamed as quietly as she could and pointed towards the pole. Applejack peered up, just spotting the rainbow hair against the yellow sun.
“What the- Rainbow!” She ran up to underneath the pole. “What do you think you’re doing? Get down here now!”
“Uh, hello? I’m getting my guitar!” Rainbow yelled, and pulled herself up further.
“Surprisingly, she’s doing quite well,” Rarity whispered to Pinkie. 
“You’re gonna hurt yourself! Get down!” Applejack yelled again. Rainbow ignored her. 
“Just a little further…” She strained, reaching up to the top of the pole. Her foot slipped out from under her and she hung there, using only one hand to hold herself up. Not looking down, she pushed her foot up against the pole again and grabbed the top with her other hand, pulling herself up. She lifted herself up and sat on the top. 
“Ha! What did I tell ya?” Rainbow exclaimed, poking her tongue out.
Fluttershy sighed in relief and Applejack rolled her eyes. “Show off.” she said, folding her arms.
Rainbow Dash moved over across the flag pole and reached out and untied her guitar. She grinned, but then it dawned on her: how was she going to get down?
Sweat formed on her forehead as she peered down to the ground. She didn’t want to fall or drop the guitar. Gulping, Rainbow moved herself back towards the pole, and, holding the guitar in one arm, very slowly inched her way down. But the moment she let go of the top of the pole, her foot slipped again, and this time she failed in getting a grip before she fell backwards towards the ground.
Fluttershy quietly screamed again and Rarity covered her eyes. Pinkie gasped. Applejack looked up, confused, but in a flash, she held out her arms and felt the weight of Rainbow and her guitar. Heh, all those years of heavy lifting were worth something else after all. 
“Uh, hehehe.” Rainbow blushed sheepishly. “Sorry about that.” She jumped out of Applejack’s arms, holding the guitar close to her chest.
Applejack placed a hand on her hip and raised her eyebrows, clearly not amused. “Seriously, Rainbow… out of all the most stupid things ya could’ve done—”
A loud cheer rang out, interrupting Applejack. The Rainbooms all turned to face the unwanted crowd, blinked.
“W–Where’d they come from?” Applejack asked no-one in particular.
“Oh, they just pop up whenever the author demands it!” Pinkie said with a grin and winked.


19th of March, Wednesday, 12;30pm, Canterlot High School, indoor theatre. 


…
And all of the kids running down the street,
they’re shouting “Make way for Trixie, the Great and Powerful”!

        Trixie came off the stage, a smirk on her face. “Just you try to top that, Raindooms!”
“This is it, girls! The moment we’ve all been waiting for,” Rainbow said, grinning. “Let’s give it our all!”
        “Yeah, this isn’t really the most excitin’ thing,” Applejack responded. “But we might as well enjoy it, it might very well be our last performance.”
        “Oh, well, I certainly hope not,” Fluttershy said. 
        “It’ll be fine! We can do this!” Rainbow cheered. 
        “Oh, I’d think twice about that,” Trixie said, walking up behind them.
        “Ha! When you lose, no-one’s even going to remember you,” Rainbow barked.
        “Oh yeah?” Trixie smirked. “Well, when you lose, no-one will let you forget it,” she said and turned around, walking away. 
        “She’s right about that,” Applejack said sadly. Everyone except Rainbow agreed. 
        “Oh, come on. Don’t worry about her,” Rainbow said. “Let’s just do our best!” 
        Everyone nodded, smiling a little.
        “Again, Rainbow’s right. Let’s get out there and show that Trixie what we’re made of!” Applejack exclaimed.
The five of them stepped up onto the stage, staring forward at Trixie.

Fluttershy:

I might be shy,
‘Fraid to look you in the eye.
I might be quiet,
But I’m going to start a riot.

Rainbow Dash:

Gonna go far
When I play on my guitar.
Stand back, take caution
Because I’m so awesome.

Rainbooms:

Standing alone, yes we sometimes fall,
But united we can do it all.
We’re friends and we’re better together.
True friends, going to be there forever.

Rarity:

I’ll get no sleep
Working on the perfect pleats.
It must be right
Or I’ll work throughout the night.

Applejack:

I can’t go out
With you and hang about
Or a movie
Cos I’m with my family

Rainbooms:

Standing alone, yes we sometimes fall,
But united we can do it all.
We’re friends and we’re better together.
True friends, going to be there forever.

Pinkie Pie:

When I’m not planning a party
I’m always acting mysteriously.
Do I ever stop to wonder why
People won’t take me seriously?

Rainbooms:

Standing alone, yes we sometimes fall,
But united we can do it all.
We’re friends and we’re better together.
True friends, going to be there forever.

We’re friends and we’re better together.
True friends, going to be there forever.

        The crowd erupted into a massive cheer, and the Rainbooms grinned, waving happily. Except for Fluttershy, who hid behind Rainbow Dash.
        Trixie groaned; she wasn’t about to let them have all the attention. “Everyone, praise the Great and Powerful Trixie!”
        Silence. Rainbow snickered. 
        “Shut up!” Trixie snapped.
        “Give it up, Trixie. You’ve lost,” Rainbow remarked, grinning. “Sure, you may be good, but you’ve got a seriously annoying attitude, and catchphrase. Work on it, and we’ll get back to you.”
        Trixie frowned and marched off the stage, but not before slamming her foot down and screaming in frustration. “Trixie will win next time!”
        Rarity raised an eyebrow. “What a drama queen.” 
        “Yeah, like you can talk,” Applejack said.
Rarity scoffed.
        “Anyway! I told you we’d win!” Rainbow said happily. “It’s because—”
        “Because we did it together,” Fluttershy spoke up. Everyone stared at her. “Um, right?”
        Rainbow nodded. “Exactly right!” Well, I was going to say because I’m awesome, but that works too.
        “Heh, you’re lucky ah changed ma mind about pummeling ya,” Applejack said, crossing her arms. 
Rainbow froze. “What, you were being serious?” 
Applejack and the rest of the group laughed, indicating that she had been tricked yet again.         
“Argh!” Rainbow Dash stormed out, blushing again, as the rest of the group
continued laughing.


19th of March, Wednesday, 4:00pm, Trixie’s family caravan


Trixie stormed into her ‘house’ and past her family, straight out the back to where she slept. She pulled open her draw and snatched out her diary, but the moment she held it in her hands, she calmed down a little, turned to the next clean page and began to write. 

Dear Great and Powerful Diary,
Trixie tried to beat the Rainbooms, but lost. Trixie wonders why. She knows she is just as good, if not, better. Though, that rainbow-haired one did say something about ‘getting a new attitude’. Trixie is not sure she knows what that one meant. She has noticed that no-one really seems to like her very much now, compared to when she first performed. Maybe “The Great and Powerful Trixie” is lacking something that no-one seemed to care about before. But what is it?
From, the Annoyed and Confused Trixie.

> Episode 6: Rarity's Fashion Dilemma
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


21st of March, Friday, 4:30pm, Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s workplace


        Rarity placed her bag on one of her many desks and looked around happily at the piles of fabrics, threads and paper. Just they way she liked it. She was just about to sit down and get to work when—
        Ding! The sound of the doorbell forced Rarity off her seat and back downstairs, a partly forced smile on her face. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every item is— oh, hello mom, dad… Sweetie Belle… what are you all doing here?”
        “Well…” her mom started, grinning, “it’s all kinda sudden, but your father and I are going away on a trip together this week! And so…”
        Sweetie Belle ran up to Rarity, squeezing her. “You’re going to be looking after me! Isn’t that great?”
        Rarity froze and pried Sweetie Belle off her. “This week? As in, this week this week?” 
        Her dad nodded. “This week! Well, we’ll see you soon, Sweetie Belle!” They turned towards the door.
        As Sweetie Belle waved, Rarity started panicking. “Wait, no, you can’t! I have a lot of orders to handle and I really can’t—” Her words were cut off by the door slamming shut, and a car heading off down the road.
        Rarity let out a sigh and turned to march up the stairs.
        Sweetie Belle looked over and walked after her. “Don’t worry, Rarity, I can help you!”
        “No!” Rarity said quickly. “I–I mean, that’s alright, Sweetie Belle. Hmmm… but now that you mention it…” She continued upstairs and reached out for her phone.



Many phonecalls later


        Rarity flopped down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. “None of them… none of them can make it…” She slid onto the floor, head buried in her knees.
        “Soccer game, farm work, sick animal and, of course, more cake baking. Oh well, I can’t expect them to always be free to help! I’ll just have to… do it myself.”
Rarity stood up, just as the door opened. Sweetie Belle peered in. “Rarity, is everything alright?” 
        “Fine, fine. Just fine,” she partly lied, heading towards her.
        “Okay…” Sweetie Belle started, “well, if you need some help, I’ll be here.”
        Rarity sighed and looked over at the huge list she had of orders to get done, then turned back to Sweetie Belle, who was half grinning and looking up at her. “Come here,” Rarity said, letting Sweetie Belle in and shutting the door.
        

21st of March, Friday, 6:00pm, Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s workshop


        “And then you just have to thread this through here and voila! One dress officially finished!” Rarity placed in on the pile, neatly folded, and took the next two separated dresses and handed them to Sweetie Belle, along with the needle. 
        “Now, remember, be careful,” Rarity added quickly. “I don’t want any blood on these freshly made clothes. Now, while you do that, I have a few more designs to finish.” 
        “Okay!” Sweetie Belle said happily, and, sticking her tongue out, got to work on very slowly sewing the dress together.
        “Now then. Let’s see…” Rarity’s thoughts were again interrupted by the doorbell. 
        “Okay, Sweetie Belle, I have to attend to a customer. Don’t touch anything but the dresses!” Rarity said, heading out of the workshop.
        Sweetie Belle nodded, then got to work again on the dress. In… out… in… out… this is boring! She placed down the half-finished dress and looked around. Well, I barely ever get to be in here. Maybe I should just explore a bit! 


21st of March, Friday, 6:05pm, Carousel Boutique


        “Welcome to Carousel Boutique, where every garment is chic, unique, and magnifique! How may I help you?” Rarity asked, focusing her gaze on the customer. 
        “Ah, hello. Yes, I was just wondering about the dress I saw in the window last week. I see it’s not there now. Has it been sold out?” the customer asked. 
        “I’m afraid so, terribly sorry. Oh, but we do have a very similar one made specially for summer dates, if you’re interested.” Rarity directed her over to it, holding out her hand in a flourish.
        “Oh my,” the customer exclaimed, “well, that shall do just nicely. I’ll have one of them please.” 
        “Of course,” Rarity said, nodding politely. “That’ll be 23.90, and I’ll have it ready for you in less than a week!” she finished happily.
“Well, here we go, dearie” — she handed over 25 dollars — “keep the change. It’s the least I can do.”
        “Oh, no no no no, I couldn’t possibly accept! Just wait one moment, and I’ll fetch you the rest!” Rarity walked off to the cashier, but when she returned, the customer was gone. 
        “Oh, well. I suppose I’ll give the rest to Sweetie Belle, for all her hard work—”
        CRASH! 
        Rarity nearly jumped out of her skin as her eyes shot towards her upstairs workplace. 
        “Oh no!” She ran up and slammed the door open, her eyes widening. She screamed at the ginormous mess she saw before her: dresses ripped, fabric on the floor, and loads of needles and pins everywhere. Rarity tiptoed through it to see Sweetie Belle lying in the middle of her cupboard. 
        “SWEETIE BELLE!” she yelled, furious.
        “S–Sorry…” 


23rd of March, Sunday, 3:00pm, Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s workshop


Rarity wiped the sweat from her forehead. “Finally,” she sighed to herself. She had caught up on all her orders — all except for that customer from Friday evening anyway, but she wasn’t due to pick up her order until Friday, so there was plenty of time for that.
She stretched her fingers and walked over to the window to open it and get some fresh air into the place. Looking out the window, she noticed Applejack walking past. She appeared to be balancing a bag on her head while eating pie with a fork and grinning like an idiot.
Rarity blinked. Perhaps I’m going mad. I should take a long, hot bath and relax.
She unlocked the screen on her laptop and flicked to her e-mail. Two unread messages. She sighed. They could wait until after her bath.


23rd of March, Sunday, 4:00pm, Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s workshop



        “Of all the… why–hy–hy?!” Rarity collapsed onto the couch, wailing. “Oh, god, why must this always happen to me–e–e?” She sniffed and peered over at the list. “20 more orders… in three days…” She gulped and pulled herself up, reaching for the needle. 
        “Ow!” Rarity exclaimed, putting her finger in her mouth quickly.
        “Oh dear…” She quickly put a bandaid on and went to continue her work, when suddenly, a soccer ball came crashing in through her window, spilling glass everywhere as it bounced in and around, before crashing out the other window. 
        Rarity jumped up and raced towards the window it went through, being careful of the glass. She peered down, but the area was deserted, aside from a single tree in the middle of her backyard. 
        “Hello?! Anyone?!” she called, but there was no response. She sighed. “Stupid boys,” she said, before closing both the curtains and looking around at the mess. “Great. Just great.”


25th of March, Tuesday, 12:40pm, Canterlot High, Cafeteria


        “Rarity? Rarity!” Applejack called, and Rarity jumped up, looking around sleepily. 
        “Oh, sorry, darling,” she said, rubbing her eyes. “What did you say?”
        Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Are you alright? You’ve been falling asleep a lot lately. When Mrs. Harshwhinny was explaining her leave, you were asleep, and then ah try to repeat it to ya, and you fall asleep again!” 
“Hm…” Rarity murmured, having barely comprehended her words again. 
Applejack sighed and decided to leave her. There was really no point in doing what the bell would do. 


26th of March, Wednesday, 4:10pm, Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s workshop


        Rarity, still a little bit annoyed, handed the next separate skirt and top to Rainbow, who frowned in response.
        “Ugh, this is the worst punishment ever! You know I’m not that good!” Rainbow complained, poking the needle through the material. 
        “Nonsense! Sewing is easy. Just push it in, and out, in and out, until you’re done! Besides, what better way to pay me back for what you’ve done than by helping me finish these dresses!” Rarity flourished, placing the fabrics under the sewing machine. 
        “But I have a game in two days; I don’t have time for this! I have to practice!” Rainbow shoved the needle out the other side, slightly angry. 
        “Oh, I think you’ve done enough practice,” Rarity said, starting up the machine so that she couldn’t hear her. 
        Rainbow’s eyebrow twitched, then she sighed in defeat, continuing to thread it through. Well, she wasn’t wrong about it being easy, at least. 
        

26th of March, Wednesday, 5:30pm, Carousel Boutique 


        Rarity waved as Rainbow trudged out the door. “Thank you very much darling,” she said, placing a hand on her cheek. 
Rainbow Dash winced in response, but tried not to pay attention to it. “Yeah… you’re welcome and stuff…”
“Did you hurt yourself somehow?” Rarity asked, moving her hand away. “Oh my, that’s a big bruise you’ve got there! Here, let me help you with that.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a tube of cream, rubbing some gently onto her cheek. 
        “There we go, much better. Now, how exactly did you end up with that?” Rarity asked, a little concerned. 
“I don’t really wanna talk about it…” Rainbow said, rubbing the back of her neck. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned back to leave.
        “Oh, alright. Have a nice evening!” Rarity quickly said, before the door shut in front of her and she leaned against it, sliding down to the floor. “Was I a bit harsh? I suppose she did help me finish every last one of them. I should do something to thank her,” she said, forcing herself up.
This whole time, Rarity had forgotten all about Sweetie Belle! She’d seen her come home, but hadn’t been disturbed even once, which felt quite odd. Curious, she went upstairs to check her room. “Sweetie Belle, are you in there?” Rarity asked, creaking the door open and peering around.
        The room was empty. 
        Rarity raced in, looking around frantically. “Sweetie Belle?!” she called, before her eyes fell on the open window. She ran up to it and peered down, noticing the long length of ribbon which led to the young girl sitting outside on the pavement. 
        Sweetie Belle cranked her head up, but then quickly looked down again. 
        Rarity sighed sadly and went outside to meet up with her. “Sweetie Belle… I’m so sorry. I’ve just been very busy for the past few days and I—”
        “That’s your excuse for everything,” Sweetie interrupted, turning away. 
        “Come now, Sweetie Belle, you know that’s not true!” Rarity hastily said, slightly annoyed at her sister’s words. 
        “But it is,” Sweetie started, turning around to face her, tears in her eyes. “You always say that, everytime I come over, but all the time my parents receive a letter, it’s always about you saying how much fun you had with your friends! What about me? Why can’t I have fun with you too?!” she cried, jumping up and racing off down the pavement. 
        “Sweetie Belle!” Rarity called for the fifth time that night, wasting no time in running off after her. But in her long skirt and high heels, it was rather difficult for her to keep up with the speedy little girl in front of her. Nevertheless, Rarity continued to walk quickly down the path, holding up her skirt to ensure she didn’t trip over. She turned around many corners, dodged many people, but all the while she couldn’t see Sweetie Belle anywhere.
        Rarity repeated her sister’s name at least two more times, peering over at the sun lowering beyond the horizon. “Ugh, could this evening possibly get any worse?”
        A rumble. A crack. In less than a few seconds, intense rain crashed down, wetting Rarity’s hair, clothes and filling her shoes in before she even had the time to realise it. 
        “…Apparently it can,” she said, groaning. She continued on her way. It was much too dangerous for a young girl to be out on her own in this weather. She trudged along, still trying her best to avoid the frequent puddles spread out along the pavement. But luck failed to be on her side, for some reason. Rarity huffed in disgust as she lifted up her mud covered skirt. And it was all because of these stupid heels! Knowing her sister was much more important, Rarity pulled at the straps on her high heels and pulled them off, throwing them to the side. No matter — she could replace them. But she couldn’t replace her only sister. 
        Rarity’s feet ached with every step, but she kept going. It wasn’t until she made her way to the coast that Sweetie’s candy coloured hair came into few. With a sigh of relief, she rushed down towards her, falling into the sand. 
        “What are you doing here?” Sweetie Belle spat. 
        Rarity looked down, but then turned her gaze to her sister. “I’m here to apologize.” 
        With those words, Sweetie lifted her head up in surprise. “Huh?” 
        “It was most rude of me to exclude and shun you in such a way. I should’ve thought it over, but I was so worried about things being right that I forgot how much I really need you, Sweetie Belle. After all, you are my sister and will always be. I really am truly sorry for the way I treated you. I do hope you’ll forgive me,” Rarity finished, taking Sweetie’s hands. 
        It didn’t take long for Sweetie Belle’s gloomy face to change into a smile. “Okay!” 
        “Thank goodness. Now I don’t know about you, but I think it would be best for us to have a nice spa trip together,” Rarity said seriously, heading back up off the beach. 
        “Rarity…” Sweetie Belle whined, giggling. 
        “What? I’m serious, we’re both an absolute mess!” Rarity exclaimed. 
        Sweetie Belle just giggled again. Some things never change.


27th of March, Thursday, 6:45 am, Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s bedroom


        Rarity hummed in delight as she rolled over, gripping her pillow as the warmth of the sun from her window greeted her morning nicely. She could smell the breeze, the trees and the smoke… 
        Smoke?! 
        Rarity quickly jolted up, scrambling out from under the covers and racing towards her door. Quickly, she yanked it open and rushed downstairs towards the kitchen. Inside, she was met by Sweetie Belle carrying over a bowl of… something, while the stove was still lit up, spreading like wildfire. Rarity’s pupils dilated and she raced over, quickly turning off the stove, sighing in relief. 
        “Sweetie Belle… just what do you think you’re doing so early in the morning?” she asked, peering over at the table.
        “Making breakfast for us!” Sweetie squeaked, sitting down at the table. “Want some?” 
        “Um, well…” Rarity peered down at the spread on the table in disbelief. She peered down at the cup. 
        “I didn’t know you could burn… juice,” she said honestly, diverting her eyes to the brown bubbly liquid in the bowl. “And what is this supposed to be? Soup?”
        “Nope. Toast!” Sweetie Belle said, scooping up some in her spoon. 
        “No no, Sweetie Belle! I didn’t spend all that time searching for you last night to have you die from food poisoning!” Rarity panicked, dumping the mixture back into the bowl. 
        “But I just wanna make breakfast for you!” Sweetie Belle whined, sniffing. 
        Rarity sighed. “Well, I suppose we have some time. Come on, let me show you what a true breakfast is like,” she said, picking up the burnt sausages, eggs, toast, juice, and the bowls of cereal and cleaning it all up. She replaced them all with fresh ones, and turned on the stove again, placing down a pan to start with the eggs.
        “Now, you have to watch them carefully, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity explained, “and don’t forget to flip them.”
        “Okay!” Sweetie Belle said, grabbing the spatula, she leaned forward on the bench, staring at the eggs closely. 
        “Juice… I know it’s a cooked breakfast, but not every component needs to be cooked.”
Sweetie Belle nodded.
Rarity walked towards the bread bin. “I’ll work on the toast, and you can do the sausages. Just remember to keep turning them. Otherwise they’ll end up like last time — burnt on one side and uncooked on the other. Also try not to burn yourself,” Rarity added, grabbing two slices of bread. She was just about to place them in the toaster when she heard the doorbell ring.
        “Alright, Sweetie, please be careful,” she said, before heading out to meet with the customer. She wasn’t too surprised to see Dean Cadance and Principal Celestia at the door. 
        “Ah, hello! Here for the cheerleading outfits? I’ll just fetch them for you; give me a moment,” she said, racing back upstairs. It didn’t take her long to gather all 20 outfits; both carefully bagged separately, neatly folded and pressed. She headed back and handed them to the teachers.
        “Here we are. I hope practice goes well! So sorry for the wait,” Rarity said, waving goodbye as the two exited the store. She clapped her hands together, feeling extremely relieved having all that weight lifted off her shoulders. She breathed in the incoming smell, and realised she had to get back to Sweetie Belle.
        In the few minutes it took to hand the dresses to the school’s principal’s, Sweetie Belle had almost finished the sausages, was constantly peering over at the toast, and had already squeezed out the oranges for the juice. Rarity never took into consideration that it smelled wonderful. Sure, the eggs were a bit crispy around the edges, the juice had a few seeds in it and the toast was slightly overdone, but nonetheless, it was edible. She couldn’t expect Sweetie Belle to be perfect.
        “Well done, Sweetie Belle.” Rarity smiled. “Well done.”


28th of March, Friday, 9:40am, Canterlot High, Rarity’s English class


        Rarity started packing up her things as Principal Celestia repeated herself for the third time over the PA system. 
        “I repeat, all students, please head to the school’s outdoor stadium,” Celestia said. “I repeat…” She carried on, as if trying to imitate a carnival ride. 
        “Come on, Fluttershy,” Rarity said to the timid girl, who hastily sped up to pack away her things. “I want to get first row seats so we can get a close look at the action.” 
        “Mmhm!” Fluttershy said, smiling slightly. “And, you know, so she can actually hear me cheer her on…” She took a deep breath. “Yay…” she shouted quietly, smiling happily.
        “Uh, wonderful darling. Moving on…” Rarity said, heading towards the door.


28th of March, Friday, 10:00am, Canterlot High, Soccer field


        “Can you really believe they’re going to play out there in all that mud?” Rarity asked with the sound of disgust in her voice. “Those uniforms are going to be ruined! Ruined, I tell you!”
Fluttershy nodded sympathetically and leaned forward. “Can you see her, can you see her?” 
        “There she is!” Pinkie cheered, jumping up and pointing ahead. 
        “Pinkie!” Rarity said quickly, “Pointing is rude!”
        “Whaaaat?” Pinkie complained, sitting back down. 
        Fluttershy waved happily when Rainbow Dash turned to face them, but barely received much of a response. “Oh my… she looks really upset.”
        Applejack nodded. “Ah’ll say. Ah thought she would’ve at least gotten over it by now.”
        Fluttershy turned to face Applejack. “Gotten over what?”
        Applejack shook her head. “Ah prob’ly shouldn’t say nothin’, but… well… Rainbow got in some kinda big fight with an old friend of hers. She’s been stressin’ about it for days.”
        Rarity gasped. “That bruise! Of course!”
        Applejack nodded in confirmation. “Yeah.”
        Rarity thought for a moment. “Well, I was already going to do something to thank her for all her help, but now I know I really must.”
“Shush! Shush! They’re starting!” Pinkie shouted, eyes glued to the centre of the field.
        Rarity looked to see what was going on. “It’s only the coin toss, darling.”
        Pinkie gasped. “But that’s the best bit!” She threw a handful of coins into the air and they rained down on the nearby spectators. 


28th of March, Friday, 10:50am, Canterlot High, Soccer field, half time

      “Sweetie Belle, what are you doing here?” Rarity asked when her sister sat beside her on the bench, dropping her backpack on the floor in front of them.      
“They let our class come and watch the game!” Sweetie Belle squeaked. “It’s so exciting.”
“Well, that sounds nice,” Rarity’s eyes fell on Sweetie Belle’s backpack. “What on earth do you have in here?” she asked, pulling out rolls of brightly coloured fabric.
        Sweetie Belle flashed her a guilty smile. “I was gonna put them back… honest!”
        Rarity picked up swatches of orange, yellow and green fabric. “Oh, never mind about that. But why did you take them?”
        “I don’t know… I was just exploring your workshop and thought these looked pretty. I thought I could make something with them.”
        Rarity found pieces of red and blue fabric as well. “I’m just glad you’re showing an interest in what I do.” She smiled, picturing the sign above her shop door: Rarity and Sweetie’s Fashion Boutique. She shook her head… it was way too early to start thinking about that.
        A scream. Rarity’s head snapped over to the sound’s direction to see one of the cheerleaders holding up her ripped skirt. 
        “Sweetie Belle… is fabric the only thing you’ve got in here?”
        “Nope! I also picked up a few threads, and one of your needles! See?” Sweetie said, holding it up and grinning.
        “Sweetie Belle!” Rarity said happily. “I have never been so happy to have you by my side!” She reached out to grab the objects, but Sweetie Belle held them back. 
        “On one condition. You have to promise to teach me how to sew sometime soon!” Sweetie squeaked.
        “Deal!”


28th of March, Friday, 3:30pm, Canterlot High, Cafeteria


        “Well done!” Rarity congratulated, clapping her hands together.
        “Sucks that we couldn’t have the afternoon off after that,” Rainbow Dash responded. “I was on such a high after the game I couldn’t concentrate in any of our classes… come to think of it… I can’t remember seeing you in any of our afternoon classes.”
        “Heheh,” Rarity chuckled nervously.

        Everybody turned to face Principal Celestia, who stood at one end of the room. “Good afternoon, everyone. And thank you for coming, supporting the soccer team, and supporting the school! I must say, normally when I suggest to a student that they stay after school, they’re not enthusiastic. I’m glad to see so many people turn up. I’d like to thank Pinkie Pie and the rest of the team from Sugarcube Corner for the catering — the food looks amazing. But most of all, come on up here, team…” 
        Rainbow Dash, Cloudy Kicks, Spitfire, and the rest of the team went up to stand with Celestia.
        “… Most of all, I want to thank our wonderful soccer team for working really hard today, and training even harder for weeks. And they’ve given the school — your school — yet another thing to be proud of. So everybody, please put your hands together for the Canterlot Wondercolts!”
        The cafeteria erupted in applause. Rainbow Dash blushed.
        “One last thing, before I let you get back to the wonderful food and drink,” Celestia said. “One of our students, inspired by today’s game has generously donated a tapestry to be hung on the wall.”
        Celestia pulled a cord, and a large tapestry unravelled down the wall behind her, showing a stylized version of Rainbow Dash scoring that opening goal, with the whole team behind her. Rainbow Dash was shocked when she turned around and saw it… there was only one student who could have put that together so quickly.

“You did that for me?” Rainbow asked Rarity.
        “You were so helpful to me the other day, and I felt a little guilty about blackmailing you into helping out.”
        Rainbow hugged her. “But still… thank you… it… it means a lot to me.”
        “Well, it wasn’t all me. Sweetie Belle helped a lot too. Principal Celestia spoke to Principal Thunderhooves at the middle school, and got us both the afternoon off. Come here, Sweetie.”
        Rarity yanked Sweetie Belle over to stand beside her. Sweetie Belle gestured towards a young girl, clearly a friend of hers, with spiky purple hair. The shy-looking girl came to join her.
        “Rainbow Dash, this is my friend Scootaloo… she’s a big fan of yours.”
        “I have… fans?” Rainbow asked.
        Scootaloo nodded.
        “Hey squirt! Nice to meet you! Would you like me to introduce you to some of the rest of the team?”
        Scootaloo grinned widely and Rainbow Dash took her away to find Spitfire.
        “You know, sis, I couldn’t have done that without your help,” Rarity said.
        “Huh? I thought it was the other way around,” Sweetie Belle answered truthfully.
        “Still, it was a big job, and there was no way I could have done it on my own. You’re a fast learner,” Rarity replied.
        Sweetie Belle blinked. “But that was only because you taught me in the first place!”
        Rarity put her hands on her hips. “Only because you blackmailed me into teaching you, using my own needle and thread!”
        “But that was because… because…” Sweetie Belle trailed off and pouted. “Fine!” she squeaked. “You win!”
        Rarity put her arms around Sweetie and hugged her. “We both win.”
        Sweetie Belle smiled happily and lightly squeezed Rarity around her waist. “Of course, darling,” she imitated, giggling.
        “Oh you—”

> Episode 7: Kicking Dust
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


21st of March, Friday, 4:15pm, Soccer field


Rainbow Dash sat down on the bench, wiping the sweat from her forehead and breathing heavily. She swooped up her water bottle and took a long swig, as one of her teammates, Spitfire, walked towards her.
        “Nice one, Rainbow Dash. Keep this up, and you’ll become a world champ in no time!” she said, sitting down next to her. “Hey, Soarin’, quit daydreaming!” she yelled. 
        “Thanks a lot,” Rainbow replied, leaning back on her hands. 
        “So, you heard about the match coming up?” Spitfire asked. 
        “Match?” Rainbow Dash suddenly lit up. “There’s a match?” 
        “Yep! We’re competing against Crystal Prep! They’re a private school, so I’m sure we can kick their pampered asses!” Spitfire said, grinning. 
        “Totally!” Rainbow grinned back. 
        “Well, seeing as you two seem very confident, you can be the captains. Rainbow, blue team; Spitfire, red team,” their coach yelled.
        “Yes, ma’am!” they called out in unison, running up onto the field.
        “Three, two, one!” Their coach threw the coin up into the air. 
        “Heads!” Rainbow said.
        “Tails!” Spitfire said straight after. 
        The coin landed on the back of the coach’s hand, who flipped it over. “Heads it is! Rainbow’s team begins!” She threw the ball over and it landed in front of Rainbow, who stood behind it. 
        A loud whistle, and Rainbow quickly brought her foot forward and kicked the ball with enough force to have it fly all the way over the half field and straight into the goal. 
        “1–zip!” Rainbow called out, grinning.


22nd of March, Saturday, 6:00am, Rainbow’s Place


        Rainbow Dash sat up and blinked her eyes a couple of times. She looked towards the sun, barely over the horizon. Grinning, she jumped up and grabbed her uniform, quickly changing, before running to the park. 
        

22nd of March, Saturday, 6:30am, Park


        Rainbow Dash slowed down as she neared the end of her fifth lap, grabbing her water bottle and taking a huge swig. She wiped the sweat off her forehead and took a few minutes before getting up to continue again. As she did, a figure wearing a hooded jacket raced past her. Rainbow blinked. That speed was incredible! Without thinking straight, she stood up and raced after the mysterious person.
        She followed her out of the park, through the nearby woods, down the street and towards Canterlot High, before she finally stopped outside the entrance.
        Rainbow Dash stopped behind them, huffing and puffing. “Who… are you?”
        The girl smirked. “Still don’t recognize me?” She pulled off her hood, her fire coloured hair tumbling out onto her shoulders. 
        Rainbow Dash eyes widened slightly, then she grinned. “Lightning Dust!”
Lightning turned around, grinning. “Missed me, Dash?”
 

22nd of March, Saturday, 6:45am, outside Canterlot High


        “So, what are you doing here?” Rainbow asked, moving the bottle around in her hands. After their reunion, the two sat on the wall near the school gate.  
        “Tournament. Soccer one, y’know, for school. We were supposed to arrive here on the bus, but I got up early and ran here instead,” Lightning Dust explained simply. 
        “Really? We’re taking place in a soccer tournament too,” Rainbow Dash replied, lifting her legs up and hugging her knees. “First one this season. I’m the team captain.” 
        “Eh, girl named Indigo something zapped that title before anyone else. She has energy and enthusiasm, but she’s not a very good player,” Lightning said.
“Well, having energy and enthusiasm can make you a good player,” Rainbow pointed out, smiling. “That was how I got on the team in the first place.” 
“I always knew I was good. Parents, y’know.” Lightning shrugged.
“You are who you are — you’re not your parents,” Rainbow said, staring up at the sky. “I mean, who knows? Just because I really like playing soccer, doesn’t mean I’d want to make a career of it.” 
“You’re actually thinking about this?” Lightning asked, turning to her with a look of disbelief. “Rainbow, ever since you were young, they only thing I’ve ever seen you do is play soccer. Every single moment we spent together, we played soccer. That, and slept. But, you really want to throw that all away in the future?”
        Rainbow shrugged. “I’m saying it might happen. Not that I want it to, but why should I work so hard to keep it that way? I’d rather focus on the present, not on keeping the present in the future,” she said, yanking at the grass. 
        Lightning Dust stayed silent, staring ahead. 
        Rainbow stood up. “Anyway, the sun’s up, so I should head home before my parents wake up,” she started heading down the path. “See ya!”


23rd of March, Sunday, 9:00am, the Markets


“Of all the days to run out of nails,” Applejack mumbled, staring ahead at the crowded markets, “it just had to be a Sunday.” She sighed lightly and squeezed through the mass of people, trying her best to keep her eye out for what she was looking for. 
Five hours and thirty minutes later, the crowd died down, just as Applejack received her nails. She groaned, but decided to ignore it, as her stomach rumbled. She peered down at the change in her hand, and decide to buy herself a small snack to hold off her hunger until she got home. 
She bought a cherry pie from the Jubilee Pie stand and took one of their disposable plastic forks. With a bag of nails in one hand and a pie in the other, she realized she had no way of eating it. She shrugged and balanced the nails on top of her head and then walked off through town, eating the pie on the way. It was good pie; she smiled in satisfaction.
Applejack arrived at the path towards Sweet Apple Acres and dumped the empty pie tin and disposable fork in a bin. She picked the bag of nails up off her head and stopped for a moment to stretch her neck, looking out in the distance. The familiar colours of the countryside flashed through her mind. Sky blue, grass green, cloud white, rainbow…
        Applejack stopped in her tracks and did a double take, focusing on the distant rainbow colours on the field. Smiling slightly, she went to walk towards her. The thought of getting these nails back as soon as possible crossed her mind, but she washed it away almost immediately. 
As Rainbow neared her, she noticed another figure appear and she stopped, frowning lightly. She’d never seen her before. Applejack suddenly decided that it’d probably be best if she left them alone. She turned around and started walking away, when—
“Hey, Applejack!” Rainbow called, smiling. Lightning Dust rolled her eyes, a move that went unnoticed by Rainbow. 
Applejack slowly turned around and bit her lip. Well, here goes nothing, she thought, walking towards Rainbow Dash and this other girl, who seemed to be her friend of some sort.
Applejack stopped in front of her. “Hey, Rainbow. So, uh, what are you doing here?” she asked awkwardly, ignoring her friend’s stare.
“Practice; for the soccer match next week!” Rainbow Dash answered happily. “Hey, I want you to meet my friend, Lightning Dust! She came here for the same reason!”
“Okay then,” Applejack said, thinking that was too much of a coincidence. Still, she decided not to be so rude about it. 
“Well, how’d ya do, Miss Lightning Dust?” she asked, holding out her hand. “Ahm Applejack.” 
Lightning peered over at Rainbow Dash, frowning lightly. “Yeah… excuse us for just a minute,” she said, pulling Rainbow away. 
“Um, okay, we’ll be back…” Her voice faded out of Applejack’s hearing range before she could finish her sentence. 
“Rainbow,” Lightning started to say, “why are you hanging out with this…farm girl?”
        Rainbow blinked. She wasn’t expecting that question. “Well…because…she’s my friend?” she answered awkwardly. “I don’t see why I can’t be friends with her.”
        “It’s a waste of time! You could be hanging out with all the cool kids — the kids like you — and yet you choose the country bumpkin!” Lightning yelled. 
        “Shhh!” Rainbow said quickly. “Lightning, you can’t tell me who to hang out with. I choose my friends, and whether or not they’re popular or like me doesn’t matter! And, as you have just helpfully proven, most people like that are bitc—”
        Rainbow Dash’s words were cut off as she felt the force of Lightning Dust’s fist against her cheek. At this, she growled, and — letting her anger get to her — brought her knee up and slammed it into Lightning’s stomach. 


23rd of March, Sunday, 9:20 am, the Park 


        After hearing the words “farm girl” and “country bumpkin”, Applejack had a very clear idea of who they were talking about. One part of her felt it’d be best if she didn’t know, so she turned around and decided to head home. 
        Or she would’ve, if not for the sound of a move she knew very well. Applejack shot around; just in time to see the green skinned girl leaning over, grasping her stomach. She frowned. 
        “Heh, you’ve gotten pretty strong, Dash,” Lightning complimented, before bringing her fist forward at Rainbow’s stomach. 
        Applejack’s eyes widened and she ran forward, not really thinking straight. She gripped Rainbow’s arm before she could make another move, holding her tight. “Stop, Rainbow, stop! You’re better than this!”
Rainbow shoved her off and aimed at Lightning’s cheek, ignoring her out of sheer rage. 
Applejack fell back onto the ground, almost frozen stiff. How… how is she so strong?  
“Stay out of this, if you don’t wanna get hurt!” Rainbow yelled, grabbing Lightning’s hand as it aimed at her, slamming her into the ground as well. 
Fine. If I can’t stop her… Applejack shook her head and jumped up. “Ah don’t care! Anything to stop this!” She ran forward and stood in front of Lightning Dust. “Take your best shot.”
Rainbow froze, stumbling back a step. “G–Get out of the way!” 
Lightning Dust groaned and went to stand up, but found out she couldn’t move her legs. “W–What?” she whispered, frowning. 
“No! Ah said it, and ah mean it. If you really wanna finish this, you’ll have to go through me first,” Applejack said, sweating slightly. 
“This is ridiculous,” Lightning mumbled. “I was doing fine, you know!” 
“This isn’t for you, this is for her,” Applejack replied. “So, what’ll be?” 
Rainbow Dash eyes widened, but still frowning, thoughts rushing through her brain too quickly for her to comprehend them. She didn’t know what to do. She honestly hadn’t thought this would happen. But, there was a part of her that knew this was wrong, and she couldn’t ignore it.
Without words, Rainbow turned and walked away. 


23rd of March, Sunday, 9:40 am, the Park


        “So what the hell was that? What did you do? How did you know she wouldn’t hit you?” Lightning asked, sitting on the grass as Applejack tended to her legs.
        “Well, ma father always told me to aim at the core. Which is somethin’ ah worked out in Rainbow,” she started to say. “It’s Loyalty. And it’s a strong quality to have. Rainbow has it, and that’s why she wouldn’t hit me. But ah know for one thing; you don’t have it.”
        “Because I don’t need it! I need to be the best I can be, and Dash here can be exactly the same, but she’s wasting her time with friends like you!” Lightning snapped.
        “Then what about you? Ah have a feeling Rainbow doesn’t like ya at all anymore; is that what you want?” Applejack asked, sitting back.
        Lightning stayed silent.
        Applejack sighed and stood up. “Well, ah better head home. See ya later.”


24th of March, Monday, 4:25pm, outside Carousel Boutique


        Rainbow Dash slammed the soccer ball against the wall, and caught it with her hands. 
        “Ugh!” she sighed and plonked down on the ground.
        “That didn’t help…” Thoughts rushed through her mind about all the things she said to Applejack, the fight, and she could barely contain her bottled up anger. She gripped her hair and stood up, grabbing the ball and kicking it as hard as she could. 
        A loud crash rang through Rainbow’s ears, and she shot a look up, realizing the ball had gone straight through the window of the building she was near. She panicked, and quickly shot behind the nearest tree, biting her lip.
        “Hello? Anyone?”
        Rainbow Dash’s pupils dilated as she recognized the voice. It was Rarity! Oh god, she was going to kill her when she found out. 
        If she found out.
        Rainbow sighed in relief when she heard the curtain shut and went around to collect her ball. Maybe it’d be best to play in the tunnel near the lake instead. 


26th of March, Wednesday, 8:30am, Canterlot High School entrance


        Loyalty, Lightning thought, looking up at the bus that pulled into the school, while she fixed up her uniform, who cares about loyalty? 
        Lightning peered up at the school, following behind her classmates. At least, for a whole three days, she wouldn’t have to face Rainbow Dash. She marched in with her class and, arms folded, payed no attention to anything that was going on around her. 
        “…Hey, Lightning, that girl over there keeps glaring at you. Does she know you or something?” One of the guys in her class asked.
        Lightning looked over, confused, before her eyes shot open widely, and she glared back at the rainbow-haired girl, before the class was instructed to move onto the bus to collect their stuff. 
        “No. Never seen her before in my life,” Lightning answered, turning away.


26th of March, Wednesday, 12:45pm, Soccer field


        Rainbow Dash trekked out onto the field, forcing herself to look away from Lightning Dust, who was at the other end. She sighed and stared off ahead, thinking. 
        This is more torture than I thought it was going to be, she thought, I don’t care about the game anymore, just-
        Her thoughts were cut off at the hard feeling of a soccer ball hitting her back. Rainbow groaned and whipped around. 
        “Would you watch where you throw?!” she yelled, before looking ahead at her team. The one who had failed to catch the soccer ball flinched, and hid behind one of the others.
        Spitfire’s frowned lightly. “Rainbow, just because you’re angry, doesn’t mean you need to—” 
        Rainbow’s foot hit the ground. “Who said anything about anger?! I didn't say anything about anger! I'm not upset! And I am not angry! Do I look angry to you?!” she yelled, before huffing and storming away from her silent team members. 


26th of March, Wednesday, 3:50pm, near the markets


        “Of all the…” Rainbow grumbled, pacing back and forth, her soccer ball under her arm. “Is this some kind of joke? The only good thing that comes from this is totally kicking her ass tomorrow! Which doesn’t sound so bad, but you know! Ugh…” she went to walk off, but immediately ran into someone else as they turned around the corner. Without noticing who it was, Rainbow’s eyes fell on the threads that tumbled towards the ground, and quickly held out her hand, catching them all at once.
        The girl sighed with relief. “Oh thank goodness!” She looked up. “I’m so sorry— Rainbow Dash?”
        “Rarity?!” Rainbow said, holding out a hand. “What are you doing here?”
        “Oh, you know, picking up more supplies,” Rarity said, nodding towards the threads in Rainbow’s hand.
        Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously and handed them to her. “Right.” 
        Rarity placed them in her bag, and as she did so, caught the sight of Rainbow Dash’s soccer ball under her arm, and gasped.
        “That ball… it looks exactly like the one that crashed through my room the other day!” she exclaimed, peering closer.
        Rainbow tensed, biting her lip. “Heheh, what a coincidence!” she said nervously, and started to turn around. “Well, guess I better be going now! Loads of training!”
        “Ah ha!” Rarity’s hand shot up in the air, before she reached for the soccer ball and pulled off the purple thread. “Mind explaining, Rainbow Dash?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
        Rainbow Dash looked around, grinning awkwardly. “You got me!”
        Rarity grabbed her arm and dragged her down the street. 


26th of March, Wednesday, 5:30pm, Outside Carousel Boutique 


        “Have a nice evening!” Rarity said.
Rainbow Dash groaned, and trudged out the door, responding to the Fashionista’s words with nothing but a small nod. She turned down the street to head towards her home, kicking rocks as she went. 
“Ugh, that was such a waste of time…and I don’t even have time to practice this evening, because of my stupid english assignment!” Rainbow said, frowning sadly. Wrapping her arms around herself, she continued to trudge down the path. A loud rumble caught her attention as she diverted her eyes over to the incoming thunder. 
“...Great. Just great,” Rainbow said sarcastically, turning around the corner, “it’s just one problem after the other.” She looked around and shrugged her shoulders. It didn’t make much of a difference whether she went home or not. She turned back, looking around. The sight of the brightly coloured cupcake caught her eye; it was probably the only light in the incoming darkness. Rainbow Dash pushed open the door and was greeted with the bright smile of her candy coloured friend; she walked up to the counter, smiling a little. 
“Hey Dashie! You want anything?” Pinkie asked. 
Rainbow shook her head. “I would, but I don’t have any money at the moment.”
“Then you have to let me treat you! It’s almost the end of the day and we have so many cupcakes left!” PInkie complained, but then giggled. “But, you know, I may have gotten a bit carried away with baking. So, which one would you like?” 
Rainbow grinned and shrugged. “It’s fine, surprise me.” 
“Okay! You wait right over there,” PInkie said, pointing to one of the tables, before ducking to the kitchen. 


Few minutes of cupcake gathering


Rainbow Dash stared at the mound of cupcakes infront of her. “Wow. This is a really big surprise!” she said, blinking. 
Pinkie chortled. “You’re so funny Dashie! Ooh, you should try the vanilla ones!” she said, reaching for the pink iced one holding up the cupcakes from the bottom. 
Rainbow eyes widened, alarmed. “Pinkie, don’t—” She cut herself off when the tower remained standing. 
“Don’t what?” Pinkie asked innocently, taking a bite. 
“...Never mind,” Rainbow Dash replied, carefully grabbing one off the top of the pile. She peered out the window; it was absolutely pouring, she noticed. In a flash, she blinked as she saw the blur of light purple and pink race past the building. She rubbed her eyes, and turned away, finishing the cupcake she held in her hand. 
“Well, thanks for all this Pinkie, but I should head home now…” Rainbow Dash pushed back the chair to stand up, but then felt a hand clasp around her wrist. 
“You can’t walk home in this weather! How about I give you my cellphone so you can call your family?” Pinkie offered, digging around in her pocket. 
Rainbow tensed and tried to think of an excuse. “They’re out of town for now. I’m staying with my brother, but he can’t drive at the moment.” 
“Bummer! Well, how about you give him a ring, and stay with me for tonight?” Pinkie suggested, holding out her phone. “Mr and Mrs Cake will be back at dinner time; I’m sure they won’t mind!” 
Rainbow Dash peered out the door again. She did have to get back to do her assignment, but the offer was sounding really tempting. She shook her head and turned back to Pinkie. 
“Sure,” Rainbow agreed, placing her hand on top of her phone, smiling, “thanks.” 


28th of March, Friday, 10:00am, Canterlot High, Soccer field


        Rainbow Dash turned away from her friends, holding her left arm and staring at the ground. She sighed, kicking the grass. After a couple of seconds of staring off into space, she felt a hand on her shoulder, but couldn’t be bothered to look up. 
        “I don’t wanna hear it…” she mumbled. 
        “Rainbow. Just stop it,” Spitfire said sternly. “You’re the team captain! You’re supposed to be the one who pulls everybody together; and makes sure they stay that way! But how can you possibly do that when you haven’t got yourself together?” 
        Rainbow Dash frowned. “I just can’t get over Lightning—”
        “Then show her! Show her what you’re made of!” Spitfire yelled. “You can’t give up. You can’t let her win! It’s time for you to get up there and do the best you can do; and we’ll be with you every step of the way! We can win this, I know we can. But not without you!” She finished, then softened and held out a hand. “Are you in?” 
        A big grin formed on Rainbow’s face and she took Spitfire’s hand, shaking it once. “Let’s do this,” she ran up to her team, “let’s win this thing!”


        Cheerleaders: C-A-N-T-E-R-LOT! Canterlot! 
Cheerleaders: C-R-Y-S-T-A-L! Crystal Prep!
Cheerleaders: It’s time to show them what we’ve got
Cheerleaders: It’s time to show them they’re not who they think they are!

Rainbow Dash: 
We’re going to win this game,
We’ll put them all to shame.

Lightning Dust: 
I’m going to win this game,
They’re going to know my name.

        Rainbow Dash: 
Our team will play our best
And put them to the test.

Lightning Dust: 
I’m going to play my best,
I’ll outshine all the rest!

Both:
It’s time to show them what we’ve/I’ve got.

Rainbow Dash: 
We’re going to show them all
How we control the ball

Lightning Dust: 
I’m never going to fall
Keep running through the wall

        Rainbow Dash: 
We’ll give it all we’ve got,
Because we’re Canterlot.

Lightning Dust: 
I’ll take things up a step,
Because I’m… … … Lightning Dust

Both:
It’s time to show them what we’ve/I’ve got.

Cheerleaders: C-A-N-T-E-R-LOT! Canterlot! 
Cheerleaders: C-R-Y-S-T-A-L! Crystal Prep!
Cheerleaders: It’s time to show them what we’ve got
Cheerleaders: It’s time to show them they’re not who they think they…

“Argh!” shouted a cheerleader, taking a tumble and ripping her skirt.
        Rainbow Dash peered around, grabbing the ball under her foot. She heard someone yell out for half time, but barely comprehended much after that as she stood in the middle of the field, breathing heavily. 
        
        “1–zip!” 
        “Missed me, Dash?”
        “I’d rather focus on the present, not on keeping the present in the future.”
        “I choose my friends, and whether or not they’re popular or like me doesn’t matter!”
        “Heh, you’ve gotten pretty strong, Dash.”
        “Do I look angry to you?!”
        “Then show her! Show her what you’re made of!”
        “Stay out of this, if you don’t wanna get hurt!”
        “We can win this, I know we can. But not without you! Are you in?” 

        Rainbow Dash stood up straight, hands curling into fists. “Come on everyone! Let’s win this!”


28th of March, Friday, 12:10, Canterlot High, Soccer field


        “Nice game everyone!” Rainbow called out, grinning, as she headed towards the back entrance of Canterlot High. She pulled opened the door for the others, and as she waited for them to head through, looked over to see Lightning Dust heading towards her. With a slight frown, she let the door go and continued on her way up to her. 
        “Let’s hear it. What have you got to say?” Rainbow Dash asked, folding her arms. 
        Lightning Dust growled quietly. “Nice play out there. You deserve it.” 
        “No,” Rainbow stopped her quickly, “my team deserves it. We’re all in this together. Apparently, that’s something you haven’t learnt.” 
        “Yeah,” Lightning continued, “and it’s something you may have taught me. I’m not ready to be all open arms and shit— hell, I might never be, but next time...next time we’ll train hard. My team will train hard and win this thing. So you better be ready.” 
        “Oh, I’m ready alright,” Rainbow Dash said, smirking. She punched Lightning’s shoulder, then quickly held up her hand to block the incoming aim for her own shoulder. 
        “You gotta be quicker than that,” she said, grinning. 
        “Oh shut up,” Lightning said, walking off. 
        “Break a leg!” Rainbow called, before heading inside.