150 Proof

What in the hay is she thinkin’?

Applejack tried to discern her friends thoughts but found nothing. Just a second ago, Dash was undeniably happy, now she’s just as bad as before if not worse! Applejack thought about everything she just told the cyan blue Pegasus.

Did I say sumthin’ wrong?

She thought intently about the words she had lazily rolled over onto her friend.

Naw, I said everythin’ right…

She looked at her puzzled friend hoping to find a resolution but instead found and immediate switch. Something clicked inside Dash that she couldn’t quite put her hoof on. She seemed serious and very sure of herself…much to the relief of her friend.

There she is…there’s the Rainbow I know.

Applejack finally smiled, happy that her friend had figured out her problem. She sighed and looked into her friends captivating, violet orbs. After some time had passed, Applejack thought it was safe to ask her friend about the nature of the conversation. She casually asked, “So…yall gunna tell me who yer thinkin’ about?”

“Yeah, but you gotta answer one more thing..” Dash replied, slightly leaning in closer to her friend.

Applejack didn’t notice her friends advances and answered simply, “Alright, shoot!” She slightly smiled feeling better that Dash felt better about her thoughts. She felt like she really helped her friend somehow. She knew that Dash already possessed the knowledge she had given her.

Ah guess all she needed was sum closure…

“How would you tell someone you love them?” she asked as innocently as possible. Dash was anything but innocent when she asked this question.

Applejack thought for a moment, trying to understand her friends sudden interest in the subject. Truthfully, the more she thought about it, the less she cared for the reason. She wanted only to help her Rainbow. “Ah guess you’d just be honest with ’em. Just come out an’ say it, ya know?” She felt her response was adequate. It fit Rainbow Dash’s personality of admirable gusto perfectly.

Dash crept nearer toward Applejack, finally catching her attention as she felt her hot breath on her nose.

“Wha…what are yall doin’ so close at me?” Applejack was truthfully at a loss. She didn’t understand what her friend meant when she replied, “Killin’ two birds with one stone…” Applejack felt color rush to her face as her friend neared her without hesitation.

“What? Rainbow what’re ya doin’? I asked ya a question. I didn’ ask ya to get all up in ma face like this. Just answer me.” Applejack, even through her convictions, couldn’t help but enjoy the breath as she felt its wet heat spread across her neck. Her heart allowed herself to close her eyes, focusing only on the heat…

Without hesitation, Rainbow said with confidence, “Ok then, I love you.”

Applejacks head exploded into thought. In a split second, Applejacks mind races with hundreds of thoughts pouring into her head, none of them making, sense. In fractions of a second, Applejacks legs and arms turn numb, leaving an awkward feeling throughout her body…she couldn’t think straight.

She composed all of her thoughts, all of her doubts and morals into a single question, “Wha-” was the only fragment of a word that was allowed to escape her lips as her mouth was suddenly invaded by a kiss, filled with passion and desire.

The whole world seemed to fade away as their lips met, destroying all feelings of doubt and all convictions that where in both of their minds. Nothing but ecstasy was left in the wake of such destructive desire. Rainbow Dash could not describe the feeling coursing through her entire body other than feeling…whole…

Applejack hesitated to the blissful intrusion, pushing at Dash’s shoulders trying to break it, but the more she fought, the more she slowly learned it was fruitless. She couldn’t hold back any longer. Her mind screamed about how wrong it was, but in her heart, it felt so…right. Her heart pulled at her mind, slowly twisting it around and she began to fight it less and less.

Oh what the hay…

She gave in and returned the kiss, letting the slight electricity flow between their lips. Applejack let out a slight sigh, as if she had just the weight of the world slip from her shoulders. The kiss between them was peaceful and calm, yet at the same time, it’s fiery passion made slight moans escape their mouths. The sounds reverberated throughout their whole bodies in a symphony of destruction and peace.

A flame twitched inside Applejack and a feeling of anger surged through her. She didn’t know where it came from, but when the truth finally dawned, it dawned in fire. She didn’t quite understand what her anger was derived from or the target. All that went through her head was Dash. She just assumed it was her…

She broke the kiss, leaving a small strand of saliva sink onto her chin. She was suddenly revolted, disgusted that her friend could do such a thing to her. She fought the strong urge to hit her adored Dash and instead sat there in disbelief and discontent.

What in the name of Celestia just ’appened?

Everything happened so fast; she didn’t know why she let herself succumb to such actions. She wasn’t even into mares! Pure anger and anguish were the only things left in Applejacks mind after the intrusion and unwanted bliss.

Dash, how could you? I thought I could trust you. I thought I was your friend…
I thought you were loyal…

Dash was supposed to be the epitome of Loyalty and now here she was invading Applejacks sense of security. No true friend would ever do such a thing. Her anger boiled into a rage. It prevented her from thinking straight, but she didn’t care. If Dash didn’t care about her personal space, then why should she. She let her have it. All of her thoughts came pouring at once, sending her beloved friend into the rapids leading to a waterfall of hate.

“Dash, how could you! What in the HAY has gotten inta you? I thought you were ma friend. I can’t believe you’d do this to me!”

The words hit Dash like a moving train.

Wha…What do you mean ‘thought’…

“Applejack, you are my friend! Please don’t say stuff like that to me.” Dash felt tears build in her eyes. Her breath left her…she felt like she’d just gotten punched in the stomach.

“No Dash, a REAL friend wouldn’t do me like that, you betrayed me! You took advantage o’me. I can’t believe you’d do that to me!” The thoughts in Applejacks head just kept coming, sending Dash into a tear-filled retreat.

“I was only doing what you told me to do! You said to come out and say it so I did. I thought you’d be happy for me.” Dash was slightly sobbing now, trying to say how she felt in between her fits of crying.

“I can’t believe you’d do this to me Dash. Yer horrible!” Applejack let her thoughts take hold of herself. She started screaming at her friend. “You’re supposed to be loyal to yer friends, not stab ‘em in the back like this. Yer just plain awful…you…You…YOU FILLY FOOLER!” Applejacks breathing had changed to big anger-filled breaths. “Get outta here now! I just can’t stand to even look at ya!”

Dash wouldn’t budge. She couldn’t move. Her mind just could not comprehend Applejacks fury. She just stood there with a dumb look on her face, unflinching.

“I done told ya at get outta here ya disloyal pony! Yer no friend a mine anymore Dash…get outta my sight…”

She finally went over the waterfall, plummeting into the hate filled water below. Rainbow Dash, feeling broken and crying, turned and flew away from the person she loved. She didn’t know where she was going and she didn’t care, she just wanted to escape Applejacks hate. She just flew, with tears in her eyes and a broken heart.

***

With tears around her eyes, Dash finished her tale and downed another drink, looking longingly at her shot glass, trying to discern her next course of action. Dash didn’t want anything to do with this town anymore. Applejack is her best friend, “No!” she thought, “was her best friend…” If she didn’t have her best friend, there was no point in staying. She just wanted to run away and not look back. She just wanted to forget.

The bartender soaked in her story. Glancing back he saw anguish in her eyes. He couldn’t bear the thought of seeing them for much longer.

“Listen…uh, Rainbow Dash was it? That story was enough to break an old bartenders heart. I’ve been around the beer glass a few times. We’re all victims of irrational design. Ya ever hear the ol’ saying, ‘Fight fire with fire?’”

“Yeah…” Dash felt like she was starting to understand the colt.

“Well the way to approach a problem is to attack it head on…the only way to fight irrationality is with irrationality. And it seems to me like the most rational and irrational thing you could do right now is approach your friend. You still love her, don’t you?”

Dash chewed on the words. He was right. It was the most rational and yet irrational thing she could do. And of course she still loved her. Even through all those words of hatred, a greater part of her still dearly loved her friend. She was still willing to try and climb the rock wall back to her friend, who had carelessly pushed her into the pool of hatred. She was no longer angry or sad, but she wasn’t happy either. She was determined. She still had a promise to keep, to an old friend. Applejack had always told her to be honest and loyal and even if she hated her for it, Dash would make sure she knew it….

With her decisions made, she silently got up and nodded to the bartender. She spoke no words, but the gentle stallion knew exactly how she was feeling. As for the liquor…lets just say it was on the house…

Dash pushed open the door and took in a fresh breath of air.

I don’t care if she hates me, I still have a promise to keep!

With her thoughts in order, she took off into the clear and starry night sky.

***

Dash flew toward her love’s house in Sweet Apple Acres Farm, not stopping for anything. She was determined, and nothing got in her way. Nothing could stop her now.

The house slowly made it’s way into view and Dash felt stronger and stronger as she drew closer. Without a doubt in her head and without a doubt in her heart, she landed at her front door and knock three times on her door. One way or another, this would be the beginning of the end.

“Who is it?” Applejack inquired. She was curious and yet irritated that someone would be at her doorstep this time in the evening.

“You know who it is Applejack, open the door. We need to talk…” This was true, Applejack had a feeling her ‘friend’ would show up. Her anger started up again.

“Yall get outta here. I got no more business with you, backstabber!” She shot her venomous words at Dash like a cobra. But Dash seemed undeterred. She had unfinished business.

“Applejack open up the door. We need to talk, now! Open up the door.”

Applejack seemed un-phased. “I told ya to get outta here. I don’t wanna talk to you. I don’t want you here.”

But Dash was a confident and stubborn pony, “I’m coming in anyway.” she said with a roll of her eyes. She didn’t have time to hear excuses. She forced her way into the barn and was met by a very angry Applejack.

“You deaf ‘er sumthin, cuz last I checked I told ya to get away from my home. Yer either really brave or really stupid for comin’ here after what you pulled!” Apparently, time had not healed her wounds. She was just as mad as she was when the situation occurred.

“Applejack, you listen to me and you listen good because I’m only saying this once.” Dash continued, not caring about the rolled eyes in response. “A long time ago, I was practicing a trick at flight school and I crashed. Three awful ponies sat there and laughed at my face calling me ‘Rainbow Crash’ and told me how much of a failure I was. Out in the distance came an orange earth pony who came up to me and defended me. You were the only one who helped me. You told me just get up and try again because ‘they weren’t worth the grass they stood on.’”

“You had no idea who I was and I had no idea who you were but you came and helped me onto my feet. That orange pony came back nearly everyday and watched me practice and helped me get back up when I fell down. That orange pony became my best friend. We did everything together. Any time either of us was in trouble, the other one was there to help, no matter how big or how small.”

“You taught me honesty and loyalty. You taught me to always be there for others and to always be there for myself and you taught me to never doubt myself. So I’m here show my loyalty and honesty to my friend, whether she wants to hear it or not.” Dash could feel the tears building up but she pushed them back.

Be strong Dash. You can do this…

“We were best friends for years. And I got closer to that pony more than anyone else. I’d follow that pony wherever she went. Do anything for her. I’d die for that pony. I loved that pony. I still love that pony…”

“I made a promise to that pony. She told me to always be honest and I’m not gonna break that promise. I don’t care if you hate me or not; I made a promise to a friend…and even if that friend doesn’t exist anymore, I‘m still gonna keep it…”

“I love you Applejack.” she said between sobs. “You’re the only person I’ve ever felt this way about. Now look what’s happened. You won’t even look at me. Now that I need you the most, you shut me out.”

Dash tried hard not to break down and cry, but it was a losing battle. “Applejack, I’m not asking you to love me back. I’m asking you to accept me for who I am and to be my friend. I can’t lose you Apples, not now…”

Applejack listened to the passion-filled words of Rainbow Dash. Her emotions attacked her speech at once. She fell back onto the floor crying.

“Dash, you promised. You PROMISED! I told you to forget about me! I told ya to get over me. You talk about how you made a promise, well you did! An’ ya BROKE it!” She could barely form words between her sobs and gasps of air. She recalled that promise almost immediately, pulling the memories she had pushed into the back of her mind so long ago, forming the memories in her head…

***