Dash day means Dash fanfics! We have 30 this time around, covering a bunch of different genres. These are different from last year, so hit those up if you want more. Thanks to Whisper Key for scouting it all!
Go read below.
Slice of Life
The Sister Sidestep: Sweetie Belle by Impossible Numbers [5k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Sweetie Belle has spent most of her life trying to be like Rarity. That engenders a certain beau monde sophistication regarding one's life philosophy.
It ain't got nothing on Rainbow Dash, though, who'd probably think "engender" meant "make someone a boy or a girl". Assuming she knew words that long.
However, if these two ponies are going to spend a day together, they'll have to commit to it. But then, who knows? There are times when even beauty comes in the most unexpected and unlikely of forms.
And when it comes to picking things up on the fly, Sweetie Belle's nothing if not a keen student. Always eager to please a sister.
The Sky Is Your Bed! by 6-D Pegasus [5k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
With Twilight Sparkle's recent ascension comes not just a new pair of wings, but access to all the added perks of a pegasus pony. Rainbow Dash decides to show Twilight her favorite one of them all.
Beginnings. by Cawfee [4k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
On the first day of their vacation together, Windy Whistles catches wind that she never got the full story of how Applejack and Rainbow started dating. Never one to discount an opportunity to make Rainbow embarrassed, and happy for an opportunity to bond with one of her marefriend's parents, she tells a story.
Once Upon Five Dozen Mattresses by Estee [8k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
The Cumulus. There's no finer mattress in the world. It's just like sleeping on a cloud, because that's exactly what you're doing. It just happens to be a cloud that's been saturated with pegasus magic, to the point where anypony (and anyone) can rest upon it. The support is perfect, the temperature ideal, and Rainbow would do a lot to own one -- except saving up for it, because that's clearly stupid.
But the company has a factory in Canterlot. One which just started offering tours to the public. So in theory, all she has to do is get in there, see how it's done, and then apply that to creating one herself. Getting locked in after hours wasn't part of that plan, but if you're going to be stuck anywhere at night...
A mare who loves sleep, and sixty of the world's best mattresses.
Welcome to one of the worst nights of Rainbow's life.
Panic by PoisonClaw [2k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Exhausted after a long day of training, all Rainbow Dash wants to do is rest her aching wings. When Fluttershy shows up unexpectedly on her doorstep, however, sleep will be the last thing on Rainbow's mind.
So Many Wonders by Uz Naimat [3k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Like most Pegasi, Rainbow Dash lives in Cloudsdale. For little Dash, though, Clousdale is all she knows.
Sheʼs about to change that.
Dash is accompanying her good friend, Flutttershy, for their first trip to the World Below. The two filles are about to discover a whole new world, filled with beauty and so many wonders.
And maybe learn a thing or two along the way.
Teacher, Instructor, Dash! by HapHazred [7k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow is sent to fill in for an instructor at the Wonderbolts Academy by Spitfire whilst the team handles a dull and uninteresting tour abroad.
After meeting the small team of promising recruits, Rainbow begins to worry that her position is a little more permanent than originally advertised! The only course of action is to hatch a plan or two to get out of it... and hopefully teach the recruits something along the way.
Threatenin' Carolin' by Monochromatic [2k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Pinkie needs donations for the local crisis hotline center. Rainbow needs to practice her guitar. With their powers combined, they’re going to make sure the local crisis hotline center has a rocking pastry-filled holiday.
Time for Tea by PaulAsaran [1k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow Dash is willing to make a lot of sacrifices for her oldest and best friend. Some of them are less a sacrifice than she lets on. But it's cool. Fluttershy's cool. As long as nobody else notices...
Comedy
Free Spirited by Casketbase77 [3k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
As a professional athlete, Dash goes to regular physicals. As an Element Of Harmony, she goes to regular magicals too. Soul examination is her least favorite part, but at least the patient blacks out while their spirit is in capable hooves.
Starlight Glimmer's hooves have questionable capability.
The Awesome Library by Monochromatic [2k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Everypony believes in fairytales, right?
Well, not Rarity, but who cares about Rarity Schmarity because THIS story is about Rainbow "Awesome" Dash being the first to find a lost princess of legend.
Rainbow's Laundromat by Estee [7k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Even for a superfan like Rainbow, there are things you don't learn about the Wonderbolts until you become the newest part of the squad. Like how the view from the back of the formation never really changes, or that the slipstream carries a few unwelcome scents to the rear position. Or laundry. Nopony told her that the new mare was going to be responsible for doing the laundry. And the whole wash/dry process is just boring.
There's got to be a way to make laundry more interesting. Surely she can make an impression on Spitfire if she just... stunts it up.
Rainbow always makes an impression on ponies. And the landscape. A few windows. The occasional building...
Figures! by Vivid Syntax [4k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow Dash has a GREAT investment opportunity for Starlight Glimmer this Hearth's Warming.
Literary Foray by hester1 [10k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow Dash has resigned herself to hiding her feelings for Twilight Sparkle. Discord has decided to help her reveal them. Nothing could possibly go wrong.
The Hearts & Hooves Day Prismatic Hyperaccelerated Item Acquisition Stunt by Estee [8k words]
With proper care, thought, and some attention given to what the recipient might actually want, just about anypony could purchase a well-planned Hearts & Hooves Day gift. But to make it work when you're down to the last few hours, after having indulged in none of the previous requirements to the point where ignorance has become its very own art...
...well, to find the perfect gift under those circumstances would take a very special pony indeed.
And if Rainbow's anything, she's special.
Rainbow Dash, Spirit of Hearth's Warming versus The Grand Council of Holidays by TCC56 [3k words]
Rainbow Dash has managed to get herself into yet more trouble: following a crash that
killed stunned the Gift Givers of the Grove, she is being forced to take up the mantle of the Spirit of Hearth's Warming.
Trapped in the hell of delivering gifts for the rest of eternity against her will, she has only one solution: taking the Grand Council of Holidays to court to dispute the Rule of the Clause and free her.
Unfortunately, she doesn't actually know any lawyers.
Also unfortunately, her best bet for a substitute is Starlight Glimmer.
Lightning Pest by Casketbase77 [3k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Lightning Dust is back to (literally) bug her old rival. Dash debates between reaching for an olive branch or a flyswatter.
This is a sillier, more flippant fic compared to my usual sentimental stuff. Sometimes, you just need to pen a scene where a couple of characters are complete goobers to one another and only sneak the sentimentality in at the end.
Sad/Dark
Flower Wars by Shaslan [3k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow Dash was beautiful, the most beautiful pony to be born in a century — and so her fate was sealed. Beauty must be sacrificed, and so Rainbow Dash must die.
The Dragon is in the Details by Cast-Iron Caryatid [10k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Twilight Sparkle is delirious from lack of sleep; Rainbow Dash is Rainbow Dash. They fight crime. Sort of.
The Flying Dutchmare by El Loco Loro [3k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
A violent storm is heading towards Ponyville, one that the weather teams cannot control or affect. Everypony must now seek shelter. Rainbow Dash is about to do just that when she spots somepony being tossed about in the tumult. Without hesitation, she spurs herself into action to rescue the poor soul. But the rescue attempt will soon devolve into a struggle to avoid a fate worse than death, for the storm carries with it the substance of a terrible legend.
This story was inspired by the legend of the Flying Dutchman, a ghost ship that is doomed to sail forever, never reaching port, as well as other similar legends.
The Torch be Ours by The 24th Pegasus [15k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Five years ago, the Free States seceded. Five years ago, the Princesses were taken captive. Five years ago, Equestria embarked on a bloody war that would cost hundreds of thousands of lives.
For five years, Rainbow Dash has fought to save her friends. For five years, the sun and moon have hung overhead, motionless. For five years, Rainbow has lived in that wan glow, while every day kills her a little bit more. The peace and happiness of her youth are but faded memories, and now she hardly recognizes the town she once called home. A hardened mare, Rainbow knows only pain and suffering...
...until one day, a reminder of what life used to be like lands at her hooves, and gives her something to live for once more.
The Dishonest Mare by Shaslan [2k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Applejack loves Rainbow Dash. She does. Or...she did. Maybe sometimes love just isn't enough.
Shipping
Applejack's First Crush by Cryogenii [10k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
A tale about a young Applejack who witnesses an unknown pegasus clearing the clouds. Mesmerized by the mare's grace and athleticism, Applejack can't help but feel unfamiliar sensations of yearning.
As Rainbow Dash clears the storm clouds, she spots an unknown farm pony working below. Drawn to the mare's strong figure and blond mane, Rainbow Dash feels a pull in her heart that she's never felt before.
Bodys by The Red Parade [2k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rarity and Twilight want to dance. Rainbow wishes they wouldn't.
Drama
Faster! by TCC56 [2k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Under Captain Rainbow Dash, the Wonderbolts have expanded to include members from races allied to Equestria.
Now she's confronted with a problem at the Academy: a changeling cadet who's decided the best way to succeed as a Wonderbolt is to literally be Rainbow Dash.
The solution is obvious for anypony who knows Rainbow Dash: a race.
A Flight Over The Sea by 6-D Pegasus [1k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow finds a leaf floating far out over the ocean.
Rules for Dee by Casketbase77 [5k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Dee stays loyal to Mum, which means obeying all her Rules. Hide when company is over. Keep your sweater tight over your wings. Never speak the name "Rainbow Dash."
The problem with Rules is sometimes they don't help. Like when a scary purple unicorn shows up to ask Mum some dangerous questions.
Dangerous questions about Dee.
Scifi
Ms. Midshipmare Dash by SockPuppet [4k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Being a pony from a human world is hard. Being a Queen's officer is harder.
Run for the Skyline by Rambling Writer [6k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Lives are controlled. Communication is monitored. Anything deemed improper is censored. If you want to send messages in private, you need to do it physically, with couriers known as Runners.
Rainbow Dash is a Runner. It's not the greatest job, but it's for a good cause.
The government is hunting Runners. If they think you're carrying information they don't want you carrying, they'll come after you with everything they've got. They have nigh-limitless resources at their disposal: enforcers, vehicles, surveillance. Your life will be on the line until you submit. They will find you and they will hunt you down, and your only defense will be your wits and your ability to run.
Now it's the greatest job.
Adventure
Urohringr by Imploding Colon [438k words]
https://www.fimfiction.net/
Rainbow Dash and the Noble Jury fly east.
