Chapter One
Rainbow Dash lounged on her bed in her Cloudsdale home, bored. Glancing at the calendar she noticed, with grim irony, that tomorrow was her "favourite" day of the year. Hearts and Hooves Day.
She also noticed, with a sinking feeling, that she was late on her bills. Groaning, she got off her bed and walked into the kitchen, reaching up into the cabinet above her head and withdrawing a crystal glass and a bottle of liquor.
She didn't like to drink, usually - she kept it only for guests, but then again, she wasn't usually late on her bills either.
Her eyes flicked over to her laptop, which sat on the coffee table whirring madly.
Trotting over to it, she sat on her haunches and opened her online bank. As she did, her heart sank into her hooves as she realised that her bank was drained dry.
She cursed and her head sank into her hooves, a long, drawn out groan escaping her lips.
Just then, a knock sounded on her door, and she rose dejectedly from her haunches and trotted to the door.
"Dashie?"
"Pinkie? How did you get here?"
"Can I come in?"
"Sure."
As she trotted through the door, she noticed Rainbow Dash's sullen face and asked "What's the matter?"
"It's nothing."
"Are you sure?" There was a hint of worry in the earth pony's voice as she spoke.
"It's fine."
Walking into the kitchen, Pinkie noticed the bottle of liquor on the counter and turned to Rainbow Dash.
"There's something wrong, isn't there?" She could read her friend like a book.
Rainbow sighed heavily. She didn't like accepting help from others, even if they were her best friends.
"Just a little short on cash."
Pinkie thought for a moment before replying "Maybe I could help?"
"No, thanks Pinkie."
"You sure?"
"It's fine." The pegasus' tone was resolute.
"If you're sure…"
Pinkie glanced at the clock on the wall above the cupboard and, upon seeing the time, shrieked and exclaimed,
"Oh no! I Pinkie Promised Cadance that I would watch Flurry Heart while they're away for their anniversary."
A concerned look passed across Rainbow Dash's face, and she said, "Are you sure you can handle it? You know what happened last time."
"It'll be fine. Besides, I think she's finally starting to learn how to control her magic."
"If you're sure you can handle it. Do you want a lift? I can drop you off at the castle." Rainbow offered helpfully.
"That's great, Dashie. Would you?"
"Sure."
The two ponies ran outside, and Rainbow Dash slammed the door behind her. Pinkie Pie climbed onto Rainbow Dash's back and the cyan pegasus flexed her wings, before launching herself into the air.
As she left Cloudsdale behind, Rainbow Dash dropped into a steep dive, and Pinkie was left clinging desperately to the cyan pegasus' neck as she shot like a bullet through the clouds, reducing them to little more than a trail of vapour.
Pulling out of her dive, Rainbow Dash swerved to the left and picked up speed again, shooting like an arrow towards the north of Equestria, where the Crystal Empire lay.
As she continued to gain speed, she punched a hole through the layer of cloud that shrouded the tops of the Crystal Mountains, and dropped into a dive once more.
Pinkie was left hanging onto Rainbow Dash's mane as she dropped like a stone through the clouds, and weaved through the maze of craggy peaks until she burst out of the mountains and sped towards the Crystal Empire.
"Rainbow!" cried the pink earth pony in terror. "Slow down!"
"Oops. Sorry Pinkie." The rainbow-maned pegasus grinned apologetically.
As she came within sighting distance of the castle, Rainbow Dash slowed her flight speed and angled her wings downward, preparing to land.
Dropping into the courtyard, she allowed Pinkie to dismount her before she galloped towards the castle with the pink earth pony hot on her heels.
The guards paid no attention to the two mares as they raced past, only breaking their stony faced expressions when the princess of love and her soldier husband appeared at the top of the stairs.
The two stallions dropped to their hooves and bowed in respect. "Princess!"
Cadance laughed, a melodious sound that caused the foal on her back to giggle merrily.
"Hey Pinkie," she said, a smile appearing on her face. "I'm so glad you agreed to do this for us."
Pinkie laughed, brushing it off. "It's nothing, Princess. Always happy to help. Besides, I did Pinkie Promise."
"You did. I'm still glad you agreed to do this though."
Cadance used her magic to lift Flurry Heart off her back and place her on Pinkie's, causing her to giggle.
Her horn started to glow, and a worried look passed across Rainbow Dash's face, but Cadance only laughed.
"It's OK, Rainbow Dash."
"Really?" The cyan pegasus sighed with relief, but didn't lose her worried look.
"Yes, it's fine."
"Well, if you say so, Princess."
Shining Armour nuzzled his wife's neck and said, "I think we'd better get going. We don't want to be late."
"I suppose you're right." She turned to Pinkie and Rainbow Dash and said "Thank you for bringing her here Rainbow Dash. Are you sure you're going to be OK?"
"We'll be fine, Princess."
"All right then. See you tomorrow."
"See you later, Princess."
The princess of love and her dashing husband smiled and walked past the two mares; the guards dropped to their hooves and bowed as they passed.
As they watched the two rulers of the Crystal Empire leave the castle, Pinkie heard Flurry Heart start to cry. Pinkie turned to Rainbow Dash and said, "You want to get that?"
The cyan pegasus groaned, and muttered, "This is going to be a long night."