Once upon a time… In a town called Cloudsdale, something extraordinary happened. At the very same moment, two fillies were born. One was named Rainbow Dash, and since her parents were wonderbolts, she would have only the finest. The other baby foal was named Fluttershy. Her parents loved her as much as the wonderbolt parents, but were very poor. What would they do with their little daughter?
Rainbow and Fluttershy met in junior speedsters flight camp and were very good friends. It turns out, when they were older, they were two of the six bearers of the elements of harmony. Fluttershy moved to Ponyville when she was a filly, Rainbow stayed in Cloudsdale. Firefly, Rainbow's mother, found she was running out of money. If they didn't get some soon, she couldn't support her daughter. But she found out that there was a young and rich king in search of a wife…
"Hurry up! We'll be late!" Firefly cried to her daughter. The mare was standing on a pedestal, having a wedding dress fitting. "No way! I'm not wearing this and I'm not getting married!" Rainbow growled. Her pet, a tortoise named Tank grabbed on the hem of the dress and pulled. "Good idea, buddy." Rainbow laughed. She flung off the dress, grabbed Tank and the mare sped off, out of her mansion. "Don't worry! I'll be there!" She called to her angry mother.
Rainbow Dash landed on a cloud right outside Ponyville and looked around, putting Tank next to her. The mare wanted to see her friends, but at the moment, she was near Fluttershy's cottage. The pegasus landed and knocked on the door. As usual, the sound of chirps, barks, meows and even roars emitted from it and the door cracked open. "Hey Flutters. What are you doing today?" Rainbow asked. The yellow pegasus blushed. "Hi Rainbow. Hey there, Tank!" Fluttershy giggled, giving the tortoise a biscuit. "I'm just caring for the animals, as always." She sighed. Rainbow nodded. "My life is a nightmare right now! Can I come in?"
Rainbow sat on the green couch as animals scampered around her. "Nice and… Comfy…" She laughed. Fluttershy sat down next to her. "So… What's troubling you? I'm here to listen." She said. Rainbow sighed. "My mom's making me marry a prince. A prince! I'm no damsel!" Rainbow Dash cried. Fluttershy put a hoof to her mouth. "A prince? Do you even like him?" She asked. Her friend shook her head. "I don't even know his name! Besides, I like somepony else." She sighed. Fluttershy sighed. "Forced into marriage sounds awful! And who do you like?" Fluttershy giggled playfully. Rainbow blushed. "It doesn't matter… Sometimes I wish I had your life. Always carefree, nopony to bug you, and no marriage."
Fluttershy felt a tug on her tail. She looked down and saw Angel. She scooped him up. "I have to take care of all these animals. You would not like my life! Rainbow, maybe you'll like this guy. Who knows? Maybe Soarin's a prince in disguise!" She laughed, cuddling her pet. Rainbow gasped and grabbed her shoulders. "How did you know I liked him?!" She growled. Fluttershy looked surprised and gently push Rainbow off. "We're like sisters, Dashie! We grew up together. I had to have noticed your little crush!" She giggled. Rainbow sighed. "Okay… Maybe I like him… a bit…. But I can't be with him!" She growled. Fluttershy touched her shoulder. "Hey, it'll all going to be alright! If it makes you feel better, sometimes I would like to be you too."
Little did the friends know that their lives were about to be switched….
This was inspired by the Prince and the Pauper, the Barbie's the Princess and the Pauper, and at some parts, It Takes Two, starring Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen twins.