Applejack was glad when Luna broke the nightmare as soon as she and Applejack had seen the pony involved in Pinkie’s past, their descriptions now fixed in their minds.
Applejack’s fury coursing through her body went unchecked until a slight whimpering sound from the blanket wrapped Pinkie reached her ears.

Slowly, carefully, Applejack pulled Pinkie close, holding her steady, just being a bulwark of strength for the usual hyper pony. As the dream had continued Pinkie’s abductor had removed the blindfold from the pink pony.

He was dark tan Stallion with a black mane and a crossed hammer and nail cutie mark.
The minute that had happened Luna had forced them awake.

Applejack now looked to the Princess of The Night. “Princess, ah don’t care about any trouble ah’d get in. If’n that bastard ain’t under arrest or in a prison if’n ah catch him first. . .” Applejack couldn’t finish due to being interrupted.

“I will personally see he get’s his punishment,” Luna said, eye’s blazing with all the power of the night.
Twilight carefully approached the group with a tray full of tea levitating by her side.
“Princess?” Twilight’s questioning tone was expected yet the overtones of worry nearly drowned it out.

“I am sorry Twilight, I cannot tell you any details, if Pinkie wishes you to know she will tell you in time. For now though. Do. Not. Ask.” Luna’s tone brooked no argument. Twilight nodded setting the tea on the table near the couch as she watched Applejack comforting the pink pony.

“It’s okay Pinks, ahm here.” The farm pony whispered.
“B-b-but why did he doooo that to me! What d-d - did I do to deserve that! WHY!!!” Pinkie wailed out holding on to Applejack tightly as if she was the only being in existence.

“shhh, it weren’t your fault, you dain’t do nothin’ ya hear? it were’nt your fault.” Applejack said as Luna slowly got up and headed to the table to write.
Looking up to Twilight Applejack had a thought.
“Twi, can ya get Fluttershy here?” Twilight nodded understanding dawning in her eyes.
Turning she shot into the kitchen where Applejack knew Spike was. Moment’s later Spike was no longer in the kitchen but had run out the library and to talk to one of the guards.

Applejack felt a breeze and looked up to see the door was still open, straight into the face of a tan pony across the street. The very same Pony she’d just seen in Pinkie’s dream.
With a roar of rage she shot off the couch and out the library.
“YOU BASTARD!” Applejack screamed as she slammed into the pony.

She had expected him to be bowled over by the surprise attack, instead she felt like she’d ran into a solid steel reinforced concrete slab, bouncing off the stallion and sliding back on her rump.
“Well I’ve had mares throw themselves at me before, but I wasn’t expecting it here.” He said with a chuckle as his gaze roamed her body.

“Yeah you got a nice figure, come on an I’ll show you what a real stallion can do,” he said suggestively with a leer.
Applejack screamed out in fury and was once more about to attack when four midnight blue legs descended in front of her, blocking her path.

She realised Luna had landed in front of her and that to try get around her was an exercise in futility, so took a step back, keeping a hate filled gaze upon the stallion who’s nail and hammer cutie mark had a destiny with a branding iron. Although neither he nor Applejack knew this yet.

-o.O.O.o.-

Rainbow had taken a brisk jog after settling Fluttershy in back home from their visits to Starsky and Scootaloo.

It was as she was looping behind Barnyard Bargains that she heard Applejacks scream, and her leisurely jog turned into a full gallop as she ran towards the sound. She knew there was very little that could incite Applejack to a true fury.

She dashed about the corner just in time to see Luna block Applejack from attacking a stallion she hadn’t seen around Ponyville before.
More telling was the two guards landing behind the stallion, whoever he was he was trouble.

She made her way to Applejacks side as the Stallion faced off against Luna neither saying a word - Luna seemingly too full of rage and him watching his surroundings with a practiced air.
“Applejack?” Rainbow said quietly.

“Whatever happens here Rainbow, don’t let that bastid in the library. He’s him what did Pinkie wrong.” Applejack grated out between her clenched teeth.
Rainbow turned to face the tan pony, fury filling her veins.
This stallion had wronged her sister, in the worst way possible, and Applejack was trusting Rainbow with Pinkie’s safety now.

Should he get past the guards, Applejack and Luna, there was no way he’d get part the Dash!
Luna finally seemed to break out her rage as she spoke in a deathly cold voice.
“you are under arrest for the crime of Rape on three separate occasions, you have the further charge of assault and battery! What is worse is the fact these crimes were all carried out to the same mare. Will you come quietly?”

Rainbow had trouble suppressing the growl in her throat as she heard the charges and prayed the tan pony tried something - injured wing or not she’d send him to the hospital.

Rainbow snorted in fury as she set her body ready for a fight as she spotted the tell tale signs of the stallion tensing his muscles ready before he turned and lashed out with a forehoof at one guard before spin drop-rolling to dodge the other who leapt for him.

“Buck - Applejack, don’t let him get too close. He’s using the Spring-Hoof way of fighting.”
Applejack nodded as she watched Luna charge her horn, and let fly with a spell as she took to the air. The earth pony somehow dodged the spell and charged forwards before suddenly being engulfed in a purple aura and lifting from the ground.

Rainbow looked behind her to see Twilight stood in the doorway of the library anger masking her features as she held the stallion in a magical grip while the guards shackled him.
As soon as he was properly restrained Twilight released her spell allowing the guards to take him away.

Rainbow nodded her thanks to Twilight as Applejack shot past and into the library where the sounds of a crying Pinkie Pie could be heard.
Rainbow followed with Luna by her side as Twilight moved out of the doorway to allow them entry.
She watched as Applejack headed straight back to the couch and pulled Pinkie’s trembling form into her arms.

“Easy Pinks, it’s okay, he’s been caught, didn’t ah tell ya we wouldn’t let him near you.” Pinkie nodded a little, to Rainbow, her blue eyes held such fear that she could only relate to the times she’d woken Fluttershy from her nightmares.

The library door opened and Fluttershy came in worry etched on her features as she went over to Pinkie, whispering too quiet to hear, seeing Applejack nod along Rainbow decided she wasn’t needed and headed over to Luna.

“Princess, what’s going to happen now?” Luna looked to Rainbow her own blue eyes full of anger.
“We shall hold a trial for that… excuse… for a pony, I do believe he is currently drawing his last breaths outside a jail, If he does not end up in jail or joining Hunting Fire I shall be surprised.”

Rainbow brought a hoof to the back of her head as she thought.
“Er Princess, sending him to work the same rock farm may be a bad idea. Do you really want Pinkie to have to face him every time she visited her parents? It’s going to be bad enough whenever me an Flutters visit if Hunting Fires in sight.” Luna blinked as the information percolated in her mind.

“Miss Dash, you are more intelligent than you like others to believe it doth see-”
“Shhh!” Rainbow cut her off hoping none of the others had noticed, she did have a reputation after all. Luna quirked her lips in a half smile as she did.
Looking back towards the couch they saw Fluttershy had been able to help Applejack calm Pinkie down and was talking again.

It wasn’t her usual hyperactive babble, but it was an improvement from earlier. Now all they needed to do was make sure that the trial went without a hitch, nopony was in any doubt should he manage to get of the charges he would soon ‘disappear’
The question would be was it the Royal Sisters, Shining Armour and Cadance or the mane six who facilitated the disappearance.

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow led the way into Fluttershy’s cottage a few hours later where they noticed a package inside the post box. Pulling it free, noticing a letter there as well, Rainbow took them to the table.
“Well, which first?” Rainbow asked cocking her head to the side.

Fluttershy gave a small smile back as Angel Bunny suddenly hopped onto the table and grabbed the twine holding the paper on the larger parcel closed and untied it.
“I think the decisions been made for us.” Fluttershy giggled, as she held up the scrap of paper that showed the package was addressed to them both.

“Huh?” Rainbow said eloquently.
Fluttershy looked down to see two stacks of forms before she squeaked out “oh Rain, these are the other forms we need to fill out to adopt. Show we’re financially stable and everything.
Rainbow nodded as she pulled her stack close with a grimace.
“Joy, just what I need. More paperwork.” She grumbled, thinking on the paperwork building up in her office.

Fluttershy just smiled as she moved round the table to give Rainbow a gentle kiss.
“The sooner you get that done the better.” Fluttershy said quietly. Sighing Rainbow nodded.
“Okay, I agree there, but - can we at least have a cup of tea?” Rainbow said imploringly.

“Oh, okay.” Fluttershy answered heading into the kitchen as Rainbow started to go through the forms. She smiled her thanks as Fluttershy set a mug next to her, but otherwise carried on with the paperwork, spotting Fluttershy start hers.

When she was nearly done Rainbow looked up to Fluttershy.
“Hey Flutters, I got a question for ya. I’m stuck here until my wing mends obviously but what about after.” Fluttershy looked up with a questioning expression as Rainbow started to feel nervous.

Well you see, I’ve only lived here a couple of weeks and well… I like it much better here, I didn’t realise how lonely it was in my house. Plus Tank seems a lot happier on the ground.” She finished looking to the floor, no sign of the boisterous, brash pegasus she usually portrayed.

“Rainbow… are you asking… what I think you’re asking?” Fluttershy said quietly as Rainbow looked up, seeing the traces of hope in her eyes.
“Well, if you think I’m askin’ about movin’ in together properly then yeah.” The blue pegasus said quietly.

“Yesyesyes!” Fluttershy squeaked out tackling rainbow to the floor in her embrace.
Laughing a little Rainbow helped Fluttershy to sit up.
“I take it that you like the idea then?” Fluttershy just giggled as she nodded and went back to the last form on her table.

Three signatures from two ponies later the paper work was filled out, now all they had to do was send the forms and wait for the inspector.

-o.O.O.o-

A few days later Applejack woke to the crowing of the rooster and looked down to the pink bundle sleeping in her arms.
Sighing she hoped Pinkie would be okay eventually. She felt her stir and gently loosened her arms so Pinkie wouldn’t wake feeling restricted.
Slowly Applejack looked down to her beautiful blue eyes.

“Apples.” Pinkie sighed snuggling into Applejack a little.
“Mornin’ there.” Applejack said quietly before leaning down to place a small kiss on the top of Pinkie’s mane.
“How ya bearin’ up hun?” Applejack asked quietly.

Pinkies shoulders moved in what could have been a shrug.
“I’ll cope. I did before, when it first ha - happened you know.” Applejack tightened her grip a moment.
“Ah know Pinks. ah know. An iff’n you remember raght, ah said back then, when ya firs’ came to Ponyville if ya ever needed me ahd be there. ain’t nothin happened to change that.”

Pinkie sniffed and mumbled so quiet that Applejack didn’t hear her and had to ask her to repeat what she’d said.
“How, why. what did I do to them? Why did they do it? why?” Pinkie asked quietly.
Applejack just held Pinkie close as she started to cry again. Applejack wished she could take the pain away, wished she could do more.

“It weren’t your fault Pinks, just you remember that.” She told Pinkie quietly as she gently rocked the mare in her arms.
Slowly the emotional storm passed until Pinkie could look up once more with a shallow smile.
“Thanks Apples.” Applejack smiled down to Pinkie before leaning down for a quick kiss.
“Any tahm love” Applejack said quietly.

Pinkies face changed expression before she spoke.
“Oopsie, ineedthebathroomberightback!” And with that Pinkie practically disappeared out of Applejacks arms and into the little en-suite room of Applejacks room, leaving Applejack in the bed chuckling.

“The more things change the more they stay th’ same.” She mumbled as she got out the bed and straightened it.

it didn’t take too long before Pinkie Pie returned after sorting herself out and giving Applejack one of her bigger smiles.
“Soooo, what now?” Pinkie asked tilting her head to the side.
“Well Pinks, ahv got to tend mah cart today - so yeh can help out there if ya want or you can go back to working at the bakery - it’s up to you.”

Pinkie threw her forelimbs around Applejacks neck as she hugged her.
“Thank you.” Was all she said - but Applejack realised what it was. She’d said Pinkie could stay with her all day if she wanted.
Applejack knew it would take time for Pinkie to get back to her normal self but was happy to wait as long as necessary.

Gently she disentangled her from the pink ponies grip and with a small kiss made her own way to the shower.
After a short while she came back into the room to see Pinkie sat on the floor with a goofy grin on her face humming a random tune out and smiled. Yes Pinkie would be okay.

-o.O.O.o-

a few days later Celestia was sat on her throne looking over the latest case that she would be required to sit in on -this time it would be against the stallion who had assaulted Pinkie. Closing her eyes as she read through the scroll Luna had sent with her report the Solar Princess held her temper in once more.

It had been many a year since either she or Luna had sat in judgement of a case, and now two in less than a month. First Fluttershy’s attack and then this. Shaking her head she set the scroll down and made her way to the window to gaze across the landscape.

It would be so easy - just pass a law here, a check on this there - a simple memory sca-.
“No, I will not become a dictator - I will not give in to the power.” She said to herself sternly, she’d seen where that would lead, she would not force her sister to banish her like she had Luna.

Turning back to the table she looked over the scrolls once more before she picked them up in her magical grasp and made her way out the door and along the corridor.
Soon she came to another set of doors and stepped in. The room was a small antechamber of sorts. She made her way over to the desk and set the scrolls down before pulling a spare sheet out.

This time they couldn’t use a royal proclamation to see the punishment through - the only time they could do that was with the statements that clearly admitted guilt. With this pony the answer he gave to every question had simply been “No comment.”

Looking over the scrolls from the interrogators and Luna’s report she wrote out separate summons to the court. Luna, Pinkie, Applejack, Cup and Carrot Cake. Looking over the list she saw that was it unless they could find out where the tan pony - hard hoof - had lived, if they could get a statement from a neighbour or landlord she would be happier.

Sighing she finished writing the summons before sending them on their way, leaving the room - she would be returning back there in a week for the trial.
Now though she had a much happier task, she had received the completed forms from Rainbow and Fluttershy for the adoptions and could now send the social services ponies to asses their home.

She smiled when she thought back to learning Rainbow had moved in with Fluttershy permanently, even having her cloudhouse moved above Fluttershy’s cottage, courtesy of Discord of all beings. That had been something to see - Discord in true anger, he’d wanted to kill Hunting Fire and Fast Hoof, but Celestia had managed to calm him down. just.

He did however state that if Fast Hoof was acquitted of the charges, then he would maybe in the case of a single pony ‘revert’ to his evil, psychotic ways. Something that officially Celestia had to disapprove of, yet in private had basically told him should the others on the judging panel vote innocent, then the draconequus had free reign. Either way Fast Hoof would get justice.

Stepping outside the castle she made her way through the streets with her guards following until she made it to the appropriately named street ‘Governing Avenue’ and to the proper building.
Soon the assessment team would be dispatched and them it would only be another month, maybe two - then Fluttershy and Rainbow would be parents.

She made her way through the building until she came to the ‘Department of Foal Placements’ and knocked on the door. Not noticing the names beneath.
‘Mr & Mrs Brightlight’

-o.O.O.o-

Rainbow was working with fluttershy on the physiotherapy that she’d been told to do on her damaged wing, it had been nearly a month since she’d injured it saving Fluttershy and soon she would no longer need the bandages.

Fluttershy had been a very attentive physiotherapist, devouring the books and information needed to help Rainbow - fortunately for Fluttershy, most of the exercises required had been exactly the same as if Fluttershy was helping one of her downed birds.

They had just finished and Fluttershy was re-wrapping the bandage about the wing as a knock came from the door.
“Oh Angel Bunny, could you please get that.” Fluttershy asked quietly to the bunny who had been providing the weight for Rainbow to lift.

Angel Bunny saluted and quickly hopped to the door an opened it just as Rainbow called over.
“Just a minute!” to the two stood in the doorway who looked shocked at her, or rather her damaged wing.

“There, all done.” Fluttershy said before getting up and making her way over to the two stood in the doorway. “Yes can I help you s - s - sir, ma’am.” Rainbow held in a sigh as she approached the door too. Ever since the attack Fluttershy had been a little more scared around stallions. She was doing a little better now but still had a noticeable stutter.

“Good afternoon miss, we’re from the Department of Foal Placements, we’ve had a request for assessment land on our desk for two foals to be adopted at this residence.” Rainbow and Fluttershy nodded and Fluttershy invited them in.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Rainbow asked as they got settled in the living room.

The stallion shook his head as he spoke.
“No, that won’t be necessary, we don’t think this will take long, not with having the princess Celestia herself saying she looked favourably on the adoptions.” Hearing this Rainbow’s head shot up and looked at the stallion with a look of surprise.

Completely ignoring this the mare continued.
“Now as you know we are here more to asses the home and make any recommendations to the changes you would need to make - if any to be able to adopt.” Fluttershy nodded next to Rainbow starting to tremble a little.

Rainbow instinctively stretched her good wing out to wrap about the nervous pegasus, causing both the stallions and the mare’s eyebrows to raise a little but they didn’t say anything.
“Now - for introductions, I understand your names are miss Rainbow Dash and miss Fluttershy?” The stallion said looking to the form in front of him.

Rainbow nodded.
“Right, my wife and I are a team at the office, we are mr & mrs Brightlight.” Rainbow heard Fluttershy’s gasp as she felt her own face light up in remembered anger. Remembering how upset Fluttershy had been that long ago day.

“Brightlight?” Fluttershy whispered. The stallion nodded again looking at them with a questioning gaze. “Yes.”
“Brightlight from faircloud avenue?!” Fluttershy’s voice rose with the anger in her voice.
The stallion’s jaw dropped at this as the mare asked in shock.

“We haven’t lived there for over a year how did you- “ She stopped as Fluttershy stood glaring at the two, rage across her face.
“Take a good long look at me. then go to page three of that form. . .” Was all she said as Rainbow stood next to her.

The two did, taking in the curl of her mane, the aquamarine eyes and yellow fur before the mare gasped, face paling. Quickly she tore the form from the stallion and flipped over the pages to see Fluttershy’s last name.

“My baby…” sighed out the mare looking at Fluttershy, immediately getting up to go to her - Fluttershy immediately backing away.
“NO! GET OUT!” Fluttershy shouted rushing out the room and up the stairs, quickly followed by the door slamming.

Rainbow could feel the anger burning within as she moved to block the stairs.
“I think you should leave and send somepony else to finish the assessment.” Rainbow growled out.
“But she’s my daughter - let me go to her.” Mrs. Brightlight tried to demand.

Rainbow shook her head snorting.
“No. You gave up that right - I was there that day you left her. I held her as she cried in my arms. YOU said she was a drain - a BURDEN! How dare you, and now, you - you sit in judgement of OTHERS? YOU decide who can ADOPT?!” Rainbow by now had her good wing flared out and had braced her rear hooves against the stairs.

“Look here, you don’t understand.” Mr. Brightlight said gruffly.
“We were going to come back and get her one day - why do you think she was never adopted, we blocked them, then-”

“WHAT! YOU STOPPED HER BEING ADOPTED! YOU CRUEL, SICK UNDER BRAINED HORSEAPPLES!! GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!” Rainbow screamed at them moving purposefully forwards towards them.

“Now see here, you can’t order me out this house - it’s my daughter’s not your home.” Mrs. Brightlight said with aplomb before trying to maneuver around Rainbow.
“You will get out and stay away from my marefriend!” Rainbow growled.

“M - m - marefriend?” Mr Brightlight stammered out going pale. “Yes. You got a problem with that?” Rainbow challenged.
“No daughter of mine will be a fillyfooler!” He shouted going to push past when a voice from the doorway shouted “STOP!” causing them all to freeze.

-o.O.O.o-

Fluttershy ran up to her room in tears before she slammed the door.
Pacing the room she didn’t know what to do, Rainbow couldn’t hold them off forever and soon her parents would be on their way up.

“oh what do i do, what do I do?” she mumbled looking around the bedroom when her gaze settled on an old photograph. It was of her and the girls having a picnic - sat next to her was Twilight.

“That’s it!” She squeaked out running to her bedroom balcony and taking off, she flew faster than she had ever flown before coming to land in front of the library before hammering on the door.
Twilight opened the upper half with a questioning look.

“Twilight...hurry my place, Rainbow will need help! The adoption assessors are my parents. My REAL parents!” She cried out.

“WHAT? Come on!” Twilight threw the other door open and took to the air, Fluttershy close behind. A few minutes later they landed in front of the cottage and opened the door just as Mr. Brightlight made his statement about Fluttershy being Rainbow’s marefriend.
Twilight took a deep breath and shouted out for them all to stop.

Stepping in Fluttershy followed behind her and made her way around the room to Rainbows side as Twilight interposed herself between them and Fluttershy’s parents.

“Your highness!” Mrs Brightlight exclaimed as she and Mr Brightlight bowed.
“First off sit down.” Twilight commanded in a tone rarely heard from her that had the two assessors scrambling to comply while Fluttershy and Rainbow carefully made their way to the other couch.

“Now - Mr Brightlight, I am going to pretend I didn’t hear your statement when I first came through the door as Fluttershy is like a sister to me. You will not say or treat her with disrespect again. Clear?” Mr Brightlight nodded.

“Good. Now,” Fluttershy watched as Twilight turned to Rainbow who was still trembling with the contained rage. “Rainbow, I’ve known you for a few years now, what’s got you so angry?” Twilight asked in a more kindlier tone to her friends.

Rainbow quietly explained what she’d been told about Fluttershy’s failed adoptions. Twilight’s eyes narrowed as she did this as Fluttershy fell against Rainbow in shock.

She couldn’t have heard that right, Fluttershy hadn’t been adopted as her parents had used their position to block it. Feeling her eyes welling up she looked to her parents.
“Get out - you are no parents of mine!” Fluttershy cried out before turning and collapsing against Rainbow sobs wracking her body.

-o.O.O.o-

Twilight watched as Fluttershy’s emotions got the better of her before she turned and glared at the two in front of her.
“You heard her. OUT! and leave the adoption forms. We’ll find other assessors.” Mr Brightlight however proved not to be that bright as he stood.

“Fluttershy get away from her! You’re a member of our family I will not have you dishonouring it! You will leave this mare and find a gentecol-”

“SILENCE!” Twilight commanded her horn flaring as she saw Fluttershy’s body shake with more sobs as she clung to Rainbow.

Twilight levitated the forms behind her so they were now next to Fluttershy on the couch before she turned back to Mr & Mrs Brightlight.
“Leave. Now.” She commanded pointing with her hoof out the door.

Seeing that they had lost the confrontation the Brightlights left, unfortunately they both had parting comments as they left that tore fresh cries from Fluttershy.
“Such a disgrace, no daughter of mine.” From mr Brightlight, and “Shame to the family name, are you sure she’s mine?” From the mare, both out the door and taking to the air as twilight slammed the door shut with her magic.

Turning the sight she saw tore at her heart. Rainbow had a completely broken looking fluttershy in her arms and looked completely lost as what to do, her eyes betraying her concern.
Twilight moved to the couch, sending the forms to the table as she sat next to the couple. Gently running a hoof through Fluttershy’s hair.

“It’s okay, Fluttershy it’s okay.” Twilight whispered quietly, already composing her next letter to the princesses. This one would be to Luna as well.
She stayed there as Fluttershy cried, knowing she couldn’t do much.

*Knock-Knock* Came from the door to the three’s surprise. Rainbow nodded for Twilight to get it as she still had a very upset Fluttershy in her arms. Going to the door Twilight opened it to see Rarity stood there.

“Oh Twilight, I didn’t expect you here darling. Fluttershy was late for our weekly spa session and...” She cut herself off as Twilight’s face dropped and she stepped to one side letting Rarity see inside.

“Oh my stars, whatever happened?” Rarity gasped trotting over to the couch as Twilight closed the door.
It took a few hours to fully explain everything, but by that time Fluttershy had thankfully calmed down some.

“Flutters, it’s okay - remember the Pie family. As far as they’re concerned they’re family now.” Rainbow whispered quietly before kissing Fluttershy on her snout.
A small smile graced the visibly upset pegasus as she snuggled against Rainbow nodding.
Twilight looked towards Rarity.

“So - don’t you have an account with ‘solar brightlight adoptions’? The agency that Celestia was going to use?” Rarity nodded, a glimmer in her eye.
“I believe I used to, I also believe I shall let my dear friend Fancy Pants know what they have done.” Twilight nodded. “I’m going to write the princesses I believe they would like to know about this.”

“Er Twi?” Rainbow piped up causing her to look over to where Fluttershy had passed out against her. “Will we still be okay to adopt?” Twilight nodded.”I’ll make sure of it.”
With that Twilight got up and made her way to the door Rarity following.

They both had letters to write.

Author's Note

Sorry this chapter took so long and is a little rough - I knew where I wanted to go with it but it just wouldn't write properly.

Thank you for your patience.
Pegasus-Skip