Date at Dodge Junction

by Rated Ponystar

Chapters

Act 2
Act 3
Act 4
Act 5
Act 6
Epilogue
Act I

Act 2

Act 2

By The Rated Ponystar

Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

So far things had worked well in Applejack’s favor. She was here, in Dodge Junction, with Rainbow Dash and ready to have some fun. Granted, there was a bit of trouble with those three jerks from earlier, but she was already pushing the incident far out of her mind. As they passed through the various games in the midway, Applejack tried to think of the best time for her to confess her feelings.

Should it be done today? Or maybe later at night? There might be some special event or somethin’ that could help settle the mood. Dagnabit this is harder then Ah thought, thought Applejack, gritting her teeth.

“Yo, AJ, you alright?” asked Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow.

Applejack quickly put on her best poker face and nodded. “Yup, everythin’s alright.”

“Good,” said Rainbow Dash, flapping her wings and levitating a few inches above the ground. “Because I’m going to school you in all of these games with both wings tied behind my back.”

Grinning, Applejack looked around and spotted a topple-the-cans booth. “Is that so? Well then, let’s get this here show on the road.” Applejack led Dash to the stand and got three balls. Handing them to Rainbow Dash she said, “Let’s see what ya got, sugarcube.”

“Ha! This is gonna be a piece of cake,” said Rainbow Dash, lining up her first shot.

“Wait a second,” said Applejack, stopping Rainbow Dash mid-swing. “How about we make these here games a little more interestin’? How about the loser of each game has to do a dare chosen by the winner?”

Rubbing her chin, Rainbow Dash thought about the proposal for a few seconds before she spat into her hoof and presented it to Applejack. “Deal! I’m so going to kick, and embarrass, your butt at same time.”

Applejack spat into her own hoof and the two hoof bumped. “Not if Ah kick yours first!”

With the deal set, Rainbow Dash turned her focus back on the cans in front of her. She threw the first ball and managed to knock one of the cans clean off the stand. Pumped up, Rainbow Dash threw the second one just as quick, but she only managed to split the remaining ones from each other. Dash’s smile soon faded, knowing she had to get all three cans knocked off the platform to win. With only one ball remaining, Rainbow Dash threw it, but only managed to knock off one can.

“Sorry, miss, ya lost. Thanks for playin;” said the stand owner as he re-stacked the cans. Rainbow Dash grumbled to herself before taking out her bits and paying for AJ’s turn.

Applejack only took one ball and smirked before throwing it up into the air. Before anypony could question her actions, she turned around and bucked the ball like it was one of her trees, sending it bulleting across the stand. The cans didn’t stand a chance as they were all knocked off the platform in one blow. The ball even continued to punch right through the stand's tent.

Both Rainbow Dash and the stand owner were left in shock at the display while Applejack looked at her legs with pride. “Told ya, years of applebuckin’.”

The owner called out, “Winner!” and presented Applejack with a stuffed bear. She quickly wrote down the address she wanted it mailed to, thinking it would be a nice present for Apple Bloom when she got back. What was even nicer was the dreadful look on Dash’s face, realizing she now had to do a dare.

For a moment, Applejack wanted it to be “kiss me” or “tell me how you feel about me” to let her aching question in her mind finally be answered, but felt it was wrong. She wanted to tell Rainbow Dash her feelings, yet she wanted it to be in a truthful and meaningful way. Glancing around, Applejack noticed a small banjo band playing nearby on a makeshift stage with some ponies dancing to the music. Pointing at them, Applejack ordered, “Ah want ya go to that dancing group and dance with them...”

Rainbow Dash snorted. “That’s it? Kind of weak there, Applejack.”

“... but ya have to dance like Twilight.”

The sight of Rainbow Dash’s face alone was enough to nearly make Applejack laugh in tears. She couldn’t blame her since Twilight, although a sister to Applejack in every way, was such a horrible dancer that not even the Princesses could keep a straight face when watching. Rainbow Dash stuttered a bit, but soon sighed and reluctantly flew over to the dance floor. Taking a deep breath, she began to shake around, stick her tongue out, and wave her hooves up and down like she was drunk. Applejack couldn’t hold it in any longer, and soon started laughing up a storm. The other nearby ponies stopped dancing and stared at Rainbow Dash’s crazy dance, some even asking if she was having a stroke which only made Applejack laugh harder.

After five minutes of dancing, Rainbow Dash flew back and glared at the chuckling farmpony. “Laugh it up, Applejack, but I’m going to get back at you.”

“Oh, really?” asked Applejack. “Well let’s see if ya'll can follow through with them words.”

The two of them looked for another game and soon found a shooting gallery. After paying the stand owner for two games, Applejack stepped up to the plate first and loaded her toy gun with the pellets. The targets soon began to move side by side as Applejack unleashed gunshot after gunshot, quickly earning points with ease. However, near the end the targets started to get faster, and she soon found herself muttering a few curses as she started missing more.

Finally, the targets stopped moving and Applejack found herself with forty-seven points total for her run. Smiling, Applejack stepped aside for Rainbow Dash, but noticed that her secret crush didn’t look the least bit worried.

Rainbow Dash loaded her gun and soon her round started. She immediately unleashed a reign of fire upon the targets with bulls-eye after bulls-eye. Applejack’s mouth dropped as she watched Dash hit every target perfectly without any hesitation. Sweet mercy, Ah’d hate to be in a shootout with Rainbow, lest Ah want to be pushin’ daisies.

At the end of the round, Rainbow Dash had seventy-nine points, creaming Applejack by a landslide. Applejack shook her head and asked, “How did ya do that? Ah’ve seen some fancy shootin’ before, but that was... wow!”

“My dad was a guard at the palace before he met my mom,” explained Rainbow Dash, handing the gun back to the owner. She put down her address for her prize and then continued, “He was a crossbow user, and taught me some of his moves. Sure a crossbow is different from a gun, but you still gotta aim right, and my dad taught me that.”

“Well, he must have been a good teacher. That there was amazin’,” complemented Applejack.

“Not as amazing as the look on your face when I tell you what your dare is,” said Dash.

Applejack winced, but sighed in defeat. “Fine, what am Ah doin’?”

“Easy,” said Rainbow Dash, pointing to a clothes store, “we’re gonna dress you up a bit...”

***

Okay, maybe the whole dare thing was a bad idea, thought Applejack as Rainbow Dash pushed her into the store. To her great relief, it wasn’t some full gown dress store like she feared, but what looked to be one for costumes. Must be here for Nightmare Night an’ such.

“Afternoon y’all,” greeted the store owner, walking up to them and nodding. “Need help with somethin’?”

“We’re just gonna look around and maybe try a few outfits on. For fun,” answered Rainbow Dash while giving Applejack a sly smirk.

“Very well, ya ladies enjoy yerselves,” said the owner before walking away.

Before she knew it, Applejack found herself dragged near the dressing rooms while being surrounded by tons of outfits. Realizing she couldn’t back down, Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash and sighed. “Alright, what do ya want me ta wear?”

Rubbing her lower muzzle, Rainbow Dash searched among the outfits ranging from classy to full on ridiculous until she pulled out one that made Applejack step back in disgust. It was none other than a rodeo clown’s outfit, from red and white checkerboard pants to the giant size shoes with bells on them . Rainbow Dash tossed it to her and pointed to the dressing room. “Now dress.”

After glancing between Dash and her selected dress, she grumbled and snatched it from Dash's hooves. She entered the dressing room and put on the outfit, having a bit difficulty with getting pants on, until she was suited up and walked outside. Rainbow Dash instantly fell onto her back, laughing and started kicking the air with her hooves like she was drowning, tears streamed down her face. Turning towards a nearby mirror, Applejack looked at herself and couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

“Wait! Wait! It needs one more thing!” shouted Dash, rising to her hooves. She quickly turned to a small chest and scrounged around until she poked her head out and placed something on Applejack’s nose. Curious, she turned back to the mirror only laugh even more at the sight of a classic clown nose on her. The two friends laughed a bit more before Rainbow Dash eyed the other costumes with anticipation. “I wanna try something out! Wait a second!”

In a flash, Dash took a costume—too fast for Applejack to see what it was—and dashed into the dressing room. Sitting on her haunches, Applejack waited until she saw the curtain open. After a quick gasp, she soon pointed and laughed at the sight of a hippie-looking Dash. With her brown vest combined with peace necklace and shades, Dash casually walked around. “Dude, this crib is like... so hippin’. It’s got a nice jive that I dig man... yeah....”

“That’s that’s a good impression of them hippies,” applauded Applejack.

“Thanks. I learned it all from Fluttershy during her little phase in high school,” commented Rainbow Dash, slowly taking off the outfit.

Applejack blinked and tilted her head. “Fluttershy was a flower child?”

“Yeah, remind me to tell you some of the crazy stuff she did. You’d never believe it was really her,” chuckled Rainbow Dash.

The two of them took off their costumes and continued to play around a bit more, occasionally give the other a costume to wear. By the time they had finished, they had gone through such outfits like a mexicolt wrestler, an undertaker, bikers, ninja, knight, gangster, bananas, surfer dudes, and many more. Applejack was taking off her vampire outfit when Dash presented her a dress that made her blush. “D-dash?!”

“Oh come on! It’s gonna look great on ya!” commented Dash with a grin.

Applejack accepted the dress, but holding it in her hooves, it felt like a flaming ember, warming her entire body with embarrassment. If this was any other pony in the world, she wouldn't be shaking this much. If this was any other outfit, she wouldn’t be this nervous. A part of her wanted to, dreamily, think that this meant something, and Dash was giving her a hidden message, but she knew that was highly unlikely. Taking a deep breath, Applejack trotted into the dressing room and slowly put it on. When she came back out, to her surprise, Dash was looking at her with wide eyes.

“Woah...”

Applejack quickly turned to the mirror and gasped at the sight of her in a wedding dress. It was as white as snow and, although they were fake, the light reflecting off the jewels made her dazzle like a star. She turned to Rainbow Dash and did her best to fake the flushing in her cheeks. “W-well?”

“... You look good,” said Rainbow Dash, coughing into her hoof. “You're gonna make somepony really happy on your wedding day.”

“Y-yeah...” muttered Applejack as she pawed her hoof on the floor. The two of them stayed silent before Applejack cleared her throat. “Ah’m gonna take this off now...”

“You do that,” said Dash.

Applejack rushed into the dressing room and nearly banged her head against the wall for acting so foolishly. She hadn’t even been on a date with Dash yet, much less confess, and already she was thinking about the two of them getting hitched. Although, thought Applejack with a dreamy smile, it’s not a bad fantasy when ya think about it.

“Hey, AJ! Come out here for a second!”

Snapping out of her daydream, Applejack quickly took off the outfit, and walked out only to stop dead at the sight of her crush. Rainbow Dash had a white cowpony hat of her own with brown spurred boots, a red bandana around her neck, and holster for a fake pistol on her side. Unlike the guns from the griffin kingdom, where guns originated from, pony pistols didn’t have guards so it made it easier for them to pull the trigger. Tipping her hat, Rainbow said, “Check it out! I’m Desperado Dash, fastest shooter in Equestria.”

“Oh, really?” asked Applejack. She saw a belt with its own fake gun and holster, and strapped it on. “Well, Ah’m Apex Applejack and Ah say Ah’m the fastest.”

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. “Looks likes there is only one way to settle that.”

“Ah agree.”

Grinning, the two got on their hind legs and stared at each other. Their fore hooves twitched by their side as both ponies held their breath. Counting to ten in their heads, the two quickly drew their pistols, but Rainbow Dash was quicker and pressed the trigger leading to the toy gun to give off a clicking noise.

Realizing she had lost, Applejack fell to her haunches and held her chest as if she was shot for real. “Augh! Ya got me partner... ya... got me...” Closing her eyes, Applejack fell to her side and lay still while Rainbow Dash put away her gun and smirked. A second later a loud gurgling noise came from her stomach which made Applejack break character and laugh. Looking up she grinned, “Looks like yer stomach is certainly desperate for somethin’.”

“Yeah, yeah. I could use some grub anyway,” said Dash as she looked over her costume. “You think I should buy this? I kind of like it.”

“Ah think it looks good on ya. Y’all should take it,” agreed Applejack.

“Sweet, I’m gonna go pay for it. Meet you outside,” said Rainbow Dash, making her way towards the cashier.

Applejack got up, and was about to make her way for the exit when she stopped. She turned to the wedding dress one last time and let a small smile stretched across her lips before continuing on.

***

After leaving the costume store, Rainbow Dash quickly dragged Applejack over to the food stands for some lunch. Feeling famished herself, the cowpony quickly settled for some cooked caramel corn, apple pie, fried mushrooms on a stick, and good old-fashioned apple cider. Rainbow Dash managed to get the same along with few more helpings that made Applejack joke about the pegasus getting fat, which earned her a quick blow to the shoulder.

“Pegasi have big metabolisms. All this stuff will be burned out thanks to my training program,” Rainbow Dash told her before diving head first into her own apple pie.

Sitting in the benching area, the two ate in silence, which only made Applejack more nervous. Ah should say somethin’, but what?

“So, Applejack,” asked Rainbow Dash, wiping her mouth clean with her hoof. “If all the other girls could have come along as well, which one of us would you have taken in the first place?”

“Well,” Applejack started to blush, “y’all were gonna be mah first pick if y’all were free.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool,” said Rainbow Dash, whose smile grew. “Any particular reason why?”

Now Applejack could feel the sweat coming down on her neck, and she was pretty sure it wasn’t from the sun high above. This was a good opportunity to say her feelings, but as she tried to speak, she felt her mouth suddenly dry up worse than the desert out of town. Taking her drink, she chugged the whole thing in one setting before gasping for air. Rainbow Dash, eying her with suspicion, asked. “Um, are you okay?”

“Y-yeah, just was mighty thirsty,” answered Applejack, lowering her hat to hide her flushed face. “W-well, the truth is... Ah... Ah... think of y’all as mah best friend.”

Dash’s eyes widened while Applejack nearly bit her tongue in frustration, but kept her poker face up. “Really? I’m your best friend?” asked Rainbow.

“Yeah, Ah mean, there ain’t no other pony Ah trust like yerself,” said Applejack, smiling. That wasn't a total lie at least. If there was any pony she would go to Tartarus and back with, it would be Rainbow Dash.

Now it was Dash’s turn to blush as she waved her hoof in the air. “Geez, you know how to make a mare blush, Applejack.” Rainbow sighed and nodded. “But I guess I can say the same for you. After all, you’re the only other pony that I think ‘gets’ me, you know? And I’m not talking about the fact were both athletes and always helping the ponies we care about...” Rainbow Dash stared at her mug of cider with a hint of sorrow. “But we also know what’s it’s like to both go through loss...”

It only took Applejack a second to realize what Rainbow Dash was talking about. and her thoughts turned to an event a few months ago...

***

Applejack couldn’t wait for apple bucking season to be over with. Despite loving her job on the farm, she couldn’t help but wish they had more hooves to help them out. The rest of her family was busy with their own farms, and while her friends had helped out occasionally, she couldn’t force them away from their real jobs all the time. Ain’t no use thinkin’ about it now, Applejack. Just got to get the work done, that’s all.

She moved to the next tree and proceeded to buck it only to hear a small scream as something—or somepony —fell from the branch. Quickly recognizing it as her usual suspect, Rainbow Dash, Applejack was ready to give her a stern talking, but stopped when she saw something she rarely ever saw on Dash’s face. Tears.

Fearing that she had hurt her best friend, Applejack quickly was at Dash’s side. “Rainbow, y’all okay?! Are ya hurt?! Do Ah need to get a first aid kit?!”

“Go away!” shouted Dash, pushing Applejack away. “J-just leave me alone!”

Although a bit frustrated by the sudden dismissal, it was washed away instantly the moment Applejack saw Dash’s eye looking at her. Although they were a different set of eyes than the ones she saw years ago, she could see, past the anger and the tearing, was a look she had seen in the eyes of her brother, her granny, and herself years ago. The look of loss.

Applejack quickly embraced a shocked Rainbow Dash and started comforting her. “It’s okay... just let it out, sugarcube. Just let it out.”

Rainbow stayed silent for a short time before tearing up again and unleashing her sorrow in a loud, bird-scattering cry. It tore Applejack up as she felt her crush lean on her shoulder, each tear dampening her coat. She couldn’t recall a time seeing Rainbow Dash cry like this before. Maybe a tear or two, but never like this. This only made Applejack hug tighter. She wasn’t going to leave Dash to suffer like this.

“He... he’s dead...” whispered Rainbow Dash, wheezing and choking. “My... my dad’s...”

“It’s okay, Rainbow,” whispered Applejack, interrupting her so she could breath. “It’s okay... Ah know this ain’t easy, but it’s gonna be alright...”

Growling, Rainbow Dash turned away from Applejack and pointed at her. “Oh yeah?! What makes you think you know any better?!” A second later she found herself under the harshest glare from Applejack that she ever quivered under. Not even Fluttershy’s stare could compare to it. Thankfully, Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened upon realizing what she said to whom and lowered her head in shame. “AJ... I’m so sorry... I didn’t... I...”

Closing her eyes, Applejack counted to ten and put her hoof on Dash’s shoulder. “It’s alright, it’s just the grief talkin’. Just tell me what happened.”

Taking deep breaths, Rainbow Dash slowly began to calm down before saying, “I... I got a letter from my mom this morning... Dad was walking home from his job when... he had a heart attack. Just... like that, and he was gone...” Dash wiped a tear from her eye while chuckling. “I told him he should have stopped eating so many hay fries....” Applejack leaned over and nuzzled the pegasus a bit before urging her to continue. “The... the funeral is in two days, but I can’t go, Applejack! I just can’t go there and say goodbye! It just hurts even thinking about him being d-dead, and I just... I just...”

Rainbow buried her face into her hooves and started to cry again, Applejack patting her on the back. “Rainbow, listen... yer father was a good stallion, right?”

“Yeah... he was... pretty awesome,” said Rainbow Dash, slowly smirking. “He would always take me to see the Wonderbolts whenever they were around. And when I was being bullied, he would always go to their parents and tell them to lay off or else. He was quite the intimidating guy if you could piss him off. He even paid for my house; how many fathers do that for their kids?” She looked up into the sky as if she was in some trance. “I just wish... he didn’t go so soon... I wanted him to see me become a Wonderbolt and be proud of me...”

“Sugarcube, Ah bet he was already proud of ya,” said Applejack, smiling. “Ah bet he’s watching ya right now with a big smile on his face. As his daughter, y’all need to show how much ya loved him by being there at his funeral, and say yer goodbyes to him. It’s what he would have wanted and Ah know, deep inside, ya want the same thing.”

Rainbow Dash continued to look at the sky for a long time before nodding. “Yeah... it would be pretty lame of me to not be there...” She nervously turned toward Applejack. “But... do you think you and the girls can come with me? I... I don’t want to sound weak or anything, but I would feel a lot better if...”

Applejack raised her hoof and shook her head with a smile. “Don’t ya fret about it, Rainbow. Ah’m sure the girls would want to come and give ya support.”

The two friends hugged each other as Applejack used her tail to wipe away Dash’s tears. She made an effort to let go, but Dash then said, “Can... can we stay like this? Just a bit longer?”

Applejack only smiled and complied.

***

Applejack placed a hoof over Dash’s shoulder as the latter drank the last of her cider and looked up at the sky. “I’m really glad you helped me that day,” said Dash with a small smile. “I don’t think anypony else could have helped me like you did.”

“Shucks, Ah was just bein’ a good friend,” said Applejack, scratching the back of her neck.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. “You weren’t being a good friend. You were being my best friend. And I’m glad that we get to hang out today. Honestly, I can’t think of anything better than this.”

“Even goin’ to see them Wonderbolts?” asked Applejack. To her surprise, Rainbow Dash nodded her head. “R-really?”

“Yup. I’d take hanging out with you over them.... on most days,” admitted Rainbow Dash, blushing.

Gulping, Applejack felt her heart flutter as she found a new interest in the ground. She didn’t think Rainbow Dash thought that highly of her, and it made her want to just kiss the pegasus right then and there. Taking off her hat, Applejack wiped the sweat from the brow and took a deep breath. Come on, AJ. This is the perfect time! Just gotta buck up and tell her already!”

“R-rainbow. The truth is...” Applejack stopped when Rainbow Dash held her hoof up, glaring directly across from them. Curious, Applejack turned to face the same way only to snarl. “Those three...”

The three jerks that had tried hitting on her at the booth were right across from them. Thankfully, their attention was on somepony else instead of her. However, her tune soon changed when she saw that they were bothering a couple of foals, a brother and sister by the looks of it, having the same red curly mane and orange coat. The brother was trying to reach for a balloon that Clove High was holding above him while his sister was trying to get him to stop.

Applejack now regretted her action of not kicking the cutie marks off those three earlier. Hitting on her was one thing, but bullying foals? That’s an all new low for these dirtbags. She turned to Rainbow Dash and saw that her friend was thinking the same thing, ears flat and wings flaring out. It wasn’t just Rainbow Dash either, but all of the ponies were looking ready to step in and stop this.

“Give me back mah balloon! Please!” begged the little colt, teary eyed.

“Aw, what’s the matter? Does the little baby want his toy back? Maybe he should say sorry for bumpin’ into me first,” sneered Clover High.

“Yeah, it’d be really bad for somethin’ to happen to the balloon, eh?” asked Shorty with a grin.

The sister growled at the three. “Y’all are nothin’ but a bunch of meany pants! Just give mah brother back his balloon!”

“Ah’ll give it back to him when the little brat apologizes,” said Clove High.

Turning to his bigger companion he pointed at the girl. “Crack-a-Barrel, tell this filly to shut her pie hole.”

Crack-a-Barrel nodded and leaned over the trembling filly, who was completely overcome by his shadow. “Uh, you should be quiet or else... uh, Crack-a-Barrel get really mad! Might squash little filly like bug!”

“Leave mah sister alone, ya creep!” shouted the brother, kicking Clove High in the hoof. The bully yipped in pain, letting go of the balloon as it floated up into the air, much to its owner’s horror. “Mah balloon! No!”

“Forget yer balloon!” growled Clove High, raising his hoof as the crowd gasped. A few getting off their seats to rush in and stop him. “Yer gonna have a lot more to worry abo—”. He didn’t get a chance to finish as Applejack’s rear hooves knocked him off his feet and into Crack-a-Barrel who fell down with his fellow troublemaker on top of him.

Applejack landed on all four hooves as a few gasped or applauded her actions. The brother, who had covered his face, quickly looked at Applejack like some kind of hero while she turned to him and smiled. “Alright there partner?”

“Y-yeah...” muttered the colt. “B-but mah balloon.”

Applejack merely pointed up and watch in fascination as Rainbow Dash flew up and grabbed the balloon, quickly bring it back down for the colt to take back. Rainbow Dash and Applejack both smiled as the two siblings hugged each other and thanked them. “No big deal. You guys just get out of here before things get even more ugly,” said Rainbow Dash. The two nodded and thanked their rescuers once more before taking off.

With one task out of the way, the two’s smiles were replaced with frowns as they turned to the trash before them. Shorty was helping Crack-a-Barrell and Clove High up, who were glaring at the two with looks that could kill. Applejack stepped forward and flared her nostrils. “Pickin’ on colts and fillies. What kind of stallions are ya?”

“Shut up,” muttered Clove High, cracking his jaw before giving Applejack a sickening grin. “If ya wanted to play rough, Ah would have suggested a pile of hay for us to use.”

It took all of Applejack’s effort to not throw up at the thought, and instead she just spat at the ground. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow and asked, “You know this jerk?”

“Unfortunately,” mutter Applejack.

Shorty noticed Rainbow Dash and nodded to her. “Who's the pegasus with the freaky hair?”

“Haha!” laughed Crack-a-Barrel. “She look like that candy that Crack-a-Barrel likes!”

“Excuse me?!” shouted Rainbow Dash, flying towards the three and got in their faces. “First off, my hair is not freaky! Second, I’m Applejack’s friend, and right now I need a good reason not to buck you across the desert.”

“Easy, Rainbow,” said Applejack, pulling her back by her tail. “Ain’t no use gettin’ ganry over these clowns. Ain’t nothin’ but trouble.”

“Listen to the sexy pony, pegasus,” said Clove High. “Ya don’t want to mess with us. We’re not the kind of stallions who lose to anyone’. Especially to a filly like ya.”

“What did you say?!” shouted Rainbow Dash. A few of the other mares in the area were shouting their frustrations as well.

“Well, everypony knows that a stallion is much better then some mare. We’re tougher, stronger, and can outbeat any of ya in anythin’,” answered Clove High.

Rainbow Dash looked ready to tackle him when she suddenly calmed down and crossed her hooves. Applejack raised her eyebrow a bit at this sudden change, but upon seeing a sly grin decorating her friend’s face Applejack grew one of her own, and waited to see what Dash had planned. “So you think you ‘boys’ are better then us girls, huh? Well, I could just kick your butts, but I want to prove you wrong.” She pointed at them. “I challenge you three to three contests against me and Applejack. If we win, you take back what you said, and admit that girls are just as good as boys. If we lose, we’ll admit that you were right. So, you up for it?”

The three stallions huddled together and began to whisper. While doing so, Rainbow Dash turned to Applejack and asked, “You’re okay with this, right?”

“Ya kiddin’?” asked Applejack, holding her hoof out. “Ah’d love nothin’ more than to teach these here rotten apples some good old fashioned mare power.”

The two bumped hooves just as the three bullies broke up and nodded. “We agree,” they all said.

“Then it is on!” shouted Rainbow Dash as the crowd watching them cheered.

***

Allowing the ‘ladies’ to choose what contest they were going to do first, Rainbow Dash quickly ordered a bunch of barrels full of apple cider and two mugs. Her order was quickly delivered as Rainbow Dash smacked her lips at the sight of all that cider just waiting to be sipped.

“Ya sure yer not just doin’ this for a few free drinks?” asked Applejack suspiciously.

“Relax, AJ. Drinking all this awesome cider will not even come close to the taste of victory when we show those jerks who’s boss,” proclaimed Rainbow Dash, walking towards the bench where Clove High was sitting.

“About time, colors,” jeered Clove. “So what’s this so-called contest about?”

“Simple,” said Rainbow Dash as she sat down. She pointed at the two mugs between them. “We each take a mug full of cider and drink it. We keep doing this, cup by cup, until one of us can’t have anymore and gives up. The pony who doesn’t give up and drinks more cider wins.”

Clove High chuckled. “That’s fine by me, pretty lady. Just as long as y’all remember to puke on yer side when ya start losin’ yer lunch.”

One of the carriers of the barrels stepped up and levitated it with their magic, filling both cups. The two drinkers picked up their respective mugs, cheered, and drank. Finishing at the same time, they both slammed their cups on the table and asked for more. Applejack watched in fascination as time went on and neither pony budged. Barrel after barrel was tossed away, some as large as herself.

Ponies started taking bets to see who would last, or how many cups it would be ‘till they stopped. Eventually, fatigue began to show in both competitors as they tried to keep standing. Clove High was starting to look a bit green while his hooves were shaking. Rainbow Dash wasn’t faring any better as she moaned and rubbed her stomach, flinching occasionally as the odd noise, clearly not hunger, came from it.

The next two drinks were poured and Clove High tried to lift his up, but soon placed his hoof over his mouth. He stood up, looked around in a panic and spotted one of the empty barrels before diving right into it face first. Everypony nearby reeled back as the sound of his barfing echoed from inside the barrel. This only distracted Applejack for a short moment before she remembered Rainbow Dash was still in the contest. Turning around she saw, much to her glee, Dash finish the mug with one last gulp before wiping her mouth.

A loud burp escaped from her mouth to which she nervously rubbed the back of her head and said, “Excuse me, heh heh.”

The crowd erupted in an array of hoof stomps and clapping as Rainbow Dash bowed in triumph. Applejack rushed over and put her friend in a headlock much to the pegasus’s embarrassment. Rubbing her hoof on Dash’s skull, Applejack said, “Why ain’t ya full of surprises, Dash! Ah’ve never seen anypony drink so much in mah whole life! Not even Uncle Daniel could drink like that.”

“Eh, what can I say? Other than I’m awesome!” shouted Rainbow Dash, earning a few whoops and cheers from the crowd.

Applejack turned to where Clove High was still puking, supported by this friends who looked like they didn’t want to be there. The way he’s blowin’ chunks, Ah don’t blame ‘em.

“Looks like the first round is ours, sugarcube!” proclaimed Applejack, feeling the competitive spirit in her ready to roar out like a lion.

“Uh, that’s great and all,” said Rainbow Dash, nervously, “but can I find a bathroom first? I really need to pee.”

***

After a quick bathroom break, everypony was ready for the next round. Since they lost, the boys could choose the next round. It took them awhile, but they soon decided to go with an easy game of tug of war; on the condition that Dash couldn’t use her wings and it was two on two. The agreement was made and a long rope was brought with a bandana tied to the middle. Applejack and Rainbow Dash got on one side while Clove High and Crack-a-Barrel got on the other.

Although she wouldn’t admit it, Applejack was a bit nervous about Crack-a-Barrel who looked like he could give even Big Macintosh a run for his money in terms of pure strength. Her worries were soon erased when she felt the familiar brush of Dash’s soft wings press against her. Blushing, she turned around and saw Dash give her a smirk. “Relax, Applejack. Sure they got big, tall, and dumb over there, but both of us are top athletes. We should be fine.”

“Ah’d be lyin’ if Ah said Ah wasn’t nervous,” muttered Applejack, shaking her head. She quickly returned a smile of her own and nodded. “But that don’t mean Ah ain’t gonna give it mah all.”

“That’s the spirit! Now let’s do this!” shouted Rainbow Dash, taking front while Applejack took back.

The stallions got into position too, with Crack-a-Barrel flexing a few muscles for show. One of the audience members drew a line the sand and raised his front leg up. When he brought it back down, both sides pulled as hard as they could. The rope was dead middle in the sand, with neither side giving in. Applejack grit her teeth and put her back into it. Time passed and neither side could budge.

Applejack could feel every muscle she had screaming in pain, but the thought of seeing a depressed and disappointed Rainbow Dash only gave her the drive to keep holding on. Slowly, but surely, the bandana began to move in their direction and the boys were struggling to keep their hooves on the ground. The sight of them struggling only made Applejack pull harder, sure of their victory. At least until a rock suddenly hit her square on the face and caused her to lose her grip.

Without her partner to help her out, Rainbow Dash was pulled across the mud, taking Applejack with her as they fell face first into the mud. The crowd groaned in in disappointment as Clover High and Crack-a-Barrell high hoofed it, and sneered in their victory. Rainbow Dash got up and shook the mud off herself before helping Applejack back on her hooves.

“What the hay happened?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Somethin’ hit me in the face, a rock Ah think,” answered Applejack, rubbing the bump on her noggin. She glared at the third member of their opposition, Shorty, sneak from outside the crowd and got a slap on the back from Clover High, winking at him. “And Ah have a sneaky suspicion on who threw it.”

Rainbow Dash followed her gaze and growled. “What?! Those jerks are so dead!”

“Steady now, sugarcube,” said Applejack, holding her foreleg out. Rainbow Dash was ready to protest until she saw the grin on her best friend’s face. “We still got one more contest to do and Ah this one Ah’m sure to win.”

***

A few ponies in the following crowd had started whispering about the choice Applejack made for their final contest to end the tie. While they had no doubts about her athletic prowess or her strength, they couldn’t help but think the high striker game was out of her league. The only one who didn’t seem worried was Rainbow Dash, much to Applejack’s gratefulness. Clover High, carrying his usual arrogant smirk, trotted over to Applejack and nodded to the high striker. “This is the final test? Are yer sure? Crack-a-Barrel can go head to head with a buffalo and still come out on top.”

“Ah’m sure,” answered Applejack, relaxed, yet with determination in her eyes.

Clover High chuckled. “Whatever. Yer loss.”

He turned to Shorty, who was massaging Crack-a-Barrel’s shoulder, and nodded. Shorty gave his big friend a slap on the rear. Crack-a-Barrel walked over to the High Striker and stretched his muscles a bit before turning around, rear facing the bulls-eye. With one quick and powerful kick he nailed the target right in the center and sent the weight flying into the air. A satisfying ‘ding’ was heard from the bell as Crack-a-Barrel smugly bowed.

A few ponies clapped, but most were focused on Applejack, who didn’t look fazed. Her competitors stepped back, and she was about to step up when Rainbow Dash put her hoof on the shoulder. “You got this?” asked Rainbow Dash in a serious tone.

“Do ya trust me?” asked Applejack.

“With my life,” answered Rainbow Dash, smiling.

Fighting down a blush, Applejack walked towards the striker and took a deep breath. Confidence building, she turned around and closed her eyes, blocking all sounds around her. The sounds of the festival and voices of its occupants soon became whispers, and then were silent as Applejack found herself in a black void. That void was soon replaced by the smell, look, and feel of Sweet Apple Acres apple tree orchid.

There was no high striker, there was only another apple tree that need a good old fashioned bucking. Taking another deep breath, Applejack reared her legs back and kicked as hard as she good. Opening her eyes, she looked upward and saw the weight zip up faster than anypony could see as it hit the bell and knocked it clean off its pole. Everypony gasped as the bell sailed straight up into the air for a while before coming down; specifically at three stunned bullies.

Clover High and Shorty managed to come to their senses and jump out of the way, but Crack-a-Barrel was too late, and the bell fell right on his rear right hoof. The poor stallion screamed and hollered, hopping up and down while cradling his injured limb in pain. It was clear who the winner was, and everypony let out a big cheer. Hats were thrown in the air as ponies ran over and shook hooves with Applejack, especially the mares who were proud to witness somepony win one for their side.

Rainbow Dash was cheering the loudest as she flew over and hugged Applejack, resulting in the latter turning red upon feeling their coats touch. She felt like she would melt into Dash’s legs in a state of bliss.

“Alright, Applejack! You were all like ‘bam,’ and then the bell was all ‘ding’ and then ‘woosh’ and woah!” shouted Rainbow Dash, making Applejack momentarily think she was being congratulated by Pinkie Pie.

“Shucks, Dashie, that was no harder than knockin’ apples back at the farm!” chuckled Applejack.

Rainbow Dash blinked as she raised an eyebrow. “Did... did you just call me Dashie?”

Applejack’s eyes widened as it took her a second to realize that she did say that. “Ah.. ah...”

“Hey!”

The two of them turned around as Clover High stomped towards them, nostrils flaring. “Y’all think yer somethin’, huh? Well, let me tell ya this ain’t over! Ah’m gonna make both y’all pay for humiliatin’ us!”

“Take yer loss like a stallion, and apologize for yer comment from earlier, now!” demanded Applejack, standing her ground.

“Ah ain’t gonna apologize to some outsider and her stupid pegasus friend! Y’all can go straight to tartaugh!”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash jumped back as a whip wrapped itself around Clover High’s neck and dragged him backwards. He landed on his side with a loud thump, but before he could get up, a brown boot suddenly forced his head back on the ground. Everypony in the crowd soon got quiet as Applejack stared at the newcomer.

He was as green as a snake, and his messy black hair covered the left side of his face; his right side was horribly scarred, and his eye held a cold glare that made Applejack’s spine shiver. A black hat decorated his head with a small rattlesnake skull stitched in front while he wore a black vest that was torn up a bit. His boots were covered by brown hooves with spurs on the edge, one of which was dangerously close to Clove High’s cheeks. His cutie mark was a spade symbol surrounded by a green and yellow snake that had sharp teeth and piercing eyes.

“M-m-mister McShady!” shouted Clove High, eyes widening. The spooked stallion was so rattled that Applejack thought he was gonna wet himself. “Ah... Ah was just...”

“Clove, why aren’t you and yer friends helpin’ the others get ready for the rodeo?” ask McShady with a darkening tone.

“Well...”

“Ah wondered, ‘where in Equestria are three of mah workers?’ Well, Ah heard a few things, Clove. Things Ah didn’t like.” He lowered his face until the two were snout to snout. “Botherin’ foals? Messin’ with mares? Makin’ yerself look like a bunch of idiots? That last one Ah could overlook, but that the other two? Ah ain’t happy at all...”

He growled, reminding Applejack of the timberwolves back home, as he got off of Clove High and turned to the Crack-a-Barrel and Shorty, equally cowering in fear. “Y’all get back to the rodeo! It starts in three hours, and if none of ya are back there in ten minutes, Ah’ll cattle pod all three of yer hides! Now move!”

The three quickly got off their haunches and started galloping away, knocking anypony who was in there way. All attention turned to McShady who looked around, noticing the nervous or distrustful looks aimed towards him. He scoffed before heading over to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, the latter of which took a step forward in defense.

To both their surprise, he tipped his hat. “Mah apologies if mah workers caused y’all trouble. Ah’ll see that they’re disciplined later.”

“T-thanks,” said Applejack, trying to avoid his uneasy gaze.

To her misfortune, he looked straight at her and started eying her up. He nodded his head. “Saw that kick of yer’s. Nice work. Yer an Apple, right?”

“Y-yeah. From Ponyville.”

“Hmmm. Not bad,” said McShady before turning around and started walking back the way he came.

Seeing the contest over, the crowd started to break apart to enjoy the rest of the festival, some coming by and congratulating the girls once again on a job well done. When they were finally alone, Rainbow Dash shivered. “Did that guy give you the creeps or what?”

“Yeah...” muttered Applejack.

Before they could plan on what to do next, they heard somepony call their names out. The pony in question turned out to be Gold Gallon from earlier, shouting as he galloped towards them. “Ya girls gotta come quick! We got trouble at the farm!”

Author's Note

And that's act 2! I hope this fic wins the contest. Act 3 will come by sometime in the coming month. See ya and be sure to comment your thoughts, good or bad.

Act 3

Date at Dodge Junction

Act 3

By The Rated Ponystar

Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

With the wind behind her, Applejack galloped across a familiar path she once took long ago with Gold Gallon right behind her and Rainbow Dash flying above towards the direction of Cherry Hill Ranch. What Gold Gallon had said shook her more than a startled possum. It was known to any real farmer that the saying “trouble at the farm” was a big red alert. And like any farmer she had to worry about the worst from wild animals trying to eat your livestock to a burning fire that was spreading throughout her crop.

Even though it wasn’t Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack had grown to like Cherry Hill Ranch in her brief time working there, and as a fellow farmer she wasn’t going to see it, or its owners, deal with any trouble without her giving a helping hoof.

The three of them reached the entrance and made a beeline for the growing crowd of workers, some of which she recognized from her last visit while others were new faces. They were all huddled around the entrance to one of the bigger barns that Applejack recognized as the cider storage barn. When she got closer, she could already smell the sweet, mouth watering taste of cherry cider in the air.

Moving themselves aside, Applejack, and a landing Rainbow Dash, walked into the barn where they saw what the problem was. Applejack winced while Rainbow Dash looked ready to cry. The large cider vats were broken and scattered all over the place, its contents now wasted all over the dirty floor. Nearby, a worried Cherry Jubilee was talking with one of her workers who was dressed in one of those lab coats Twilight always had down in her lab back home.

“Are ya sure that’s all of them? There ain’t nothin’ left?” asked Cherry, sounding hopeful.

“Ah’m sorry, Miss Jubilee,” her employee answered, “but with all the vats gone we’ve only got the emergency supplied barrels, and those won’t even cover for half of what we need this year.”

“Of all the days for this to happen, this is just the worst!” cried Cherry, burying her face into her hooves.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at each other with worry before stepping forward. Applejack cleared her throat and said, “What happened here? Did a bull suddenly go mad and get lose?”

Turning around, Cherry looked at her guests and sighed in despair. “Ah only wish that was true, Applejack. But ya see, one of the cider vats came loose, and it caused the vat to fall over. It knocked over the one right next to it, then it the next one, which hit the next one. Pretty soon it was a domino match inside here and now all the cherry cider we were hoping to sell for the festival is gone!”

Rainbow Dash zoomed into Cherry Jubilee's face, her expression filled with horror. “Are you kidding me?! No cider?! At all?!”

“Well, we still have some cider saved up for an emergency, but it’s not gonna be enough to pay what we owe this year,” said Cherry falling to her haunches. All her workers looked down in sadness while others were cursing up a storm. “This is bad... really bad...”

“Cherry, is there somethin’ ya ain’t tellin’ us? Ah can understand how this might hurt yer business, but last time ya wrote to me ya said everythin’ was fine.” Applejack shook her head. “But it ain’t? Is it?”

Cherry looked up and gazed into Applejack’s worried gentle eyes. Applejack didn’t like being lied too, especially from a friend, but she made sure to not to say anything harsh until she heard the whole story. With a heavy sigh, Cherry nodded. “Ah didn’t want to worry ya about us; it was mah fault this all happened, and Ah wanted to fix it mahself. The truth is, the farm is in debt because of a loan Ah took out a while ago.”

“Why did ya take out a loan?” asked Applejack.

Cherry gave a grim chuckle. “Some fancy griffin in a suit claimed he was in the cider trading business in the Griffin Republic, and he offered me a chance to be the first pony to set up an international cider business. He heard about our famous black cherry cider and told me he could sell it back in his home nation for double what he was asking. Ah thought it over and it looked all legit...”

“... but he was a con-bird, wasn’t he?” asked Rainbow Dash, growling. “Figures. I was friends with a griffin once, and she took me to see her homeland one time. They are big on wine, but not cider over there.”

“Ah didn’t know alright! Ah thought it was legit!” shouted Cherry, blushing. “When Ah took out the loan, Ah thought we was gonna pay it back easily. When Ah gave that no good backstabbin’ featherbrain the money, he told me he would send a letter in a week. Ah waited, waited, and waited some more. Took me a month to figure out what really happened.”

“How much did he ask for?” asked Applejack, but the look on Cherry’s face made it clear that it was more than she bargained for. “What did ya do?”

“Ah tried to get the bank to give us more time, and they did. So we’ve been workin’ here on the cherry farm seven days a week with barely any rest. It’s only a miracle we managed to get this much done,” said Cherry pointing to her workers. Now that she had a closer look, Applejack could see the bags under their eyes and chipped hooves they all had. “This cider season with the fair was suppose to finally get the last of what we needed to pay off the debt, but with the cider gone we got nothin’ to sell. If Ah don’t get the money to pay the bank, Ah’m gonna have no choice but to sell the farm! A farm that’s been in mah family for generations! Ah can’t let that happen!”

The look of defeat on Cherry’s face was heartbreaking to Applejack. Furious, she stomped her hoof on the floor and shouted, “Dagnabit, Cherry Jubilee! Why didn’t ya ask for help, or even bother givin’ us these darn tickets when that money could have been used to help yer farm?!”

Cherry shrugged. “Ah felt bad for lyin’ to ya all this time, and Ah wanted to make it up to ya. Yer a good friend, Applejack Apple, and Ah wanted to do somethin’ nice for ya. Besides, this is mah burden. Mah mistake. Ah should be the one to fix it up.”

“Oh brother, are all you farmers this stubborn and prideful?!” shouted Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes. She then pointed at Applejack while staring at Cherry. “You can’t always carry all the burden yourself when you have problems! Asking for help from your friends who are willing to help you doesn’t make you any less of a pony. In fact, it makes you a better pony because then your friends don’t end up worried about you. AJ here tried to tend to her entire farm on her own one time, and it caused a mess of things. It took some effort, but we were able to nail it in her head that accepting help from others isn’t a bad thing.” She gave a playful grin. “But like I said, effort.”

Applejack snorted. “Yeah, yeah, no need to remind me.”

“But...” Cherry Jubilee, focused once more on the floor. “We have to pay the loan in three days. And we still got to get two thousand bits before then. How are we gonna make that much money?”

Rainbow Dash rubbed her chin. “Well, that’s a good question. But we can’t just give up that easily!”

Suddenly, an idea came to Applejack. She quickly rushed outside, much to everypony’s confusion, and started looking around. “Quick! Somepony tell me where the sundial is!”

“Uh, it’s half past three,” answered one of the ponies.

Applejack grinned. Plenty of time.

Turning to her fellow farmers, she said, “All of ya, don’t worry about anythin’! Ah got a plan that can help us get that money, and more, today! Rainbow Dash, stay here!” She then galloped back in the direction of town, praying that she wasn’t going to be too late.

“Wait, AJ! Hold on!” shouted Rainbow Dash, pumped and ready for whatever her best friend had planned. Flying after Applejack, she turned around towards the others and said, “Save us a few barrels of that emergency cider when we get back!”

The farmers of Cherry Hill Ranch watched in confusion as the two ponies from Ponyville sped off into the distance. Cherry Jubilee started following, to properly see them off, before giving up with a sigh. “Please help us...”

***

Applejack must have made quite a sight, galloping down the streets with a pegasus right behind her tail like a dragon was after their hides, but the opinions of strangers didn’t matter right now. What did matter was getting to one of those ticket booths in time. One thing that did bother her was the fact that Rainbow Dash was flying above her. Applejack shook her head. The plan she had in mind was dangerous enough and really a task only she could handle. If the stakes weren’t so big, she would be fine letting Rainbow Dash help her, but with Cherry’s farm on the line she couldn’t concentrate to do well enough if she had to worry about Rainbow Dash not getting hurt.

After a long time flying, Rainbow Dash had finally lowered herself towards eye level and asked, “So what’s the plan?”

“Ah thought Ah told ya to stay back with Cherry?” Applejack replied, quickly turning around the corner .

“Yeah, but I figured helping you might be better! So let me in on this plan!” demanded Dash eagerly.

Before Applejack could respond, she spotted the familiar red and white striped tents she saw when they entered town. Racing to the same one she went to earlier, the ticket pony looked surprised at first to see her, but then smiled.

“Ah take it yer here to enter for the rodeo?”

“Rodeo?” asked Rainbow Dash, landing nearby with a puzzled look on her face.

Applejack only nodded and tilted her hat. “That’s right. Name’s Applejack and Ah’ll sign whatever papers ya need signin’.”

The ticket mare nodded and gave her a few sheets of paper. Most of them were about the rules, events, and prizes for the winners. The others were reassurances that, on her own free will, Applejack was going to be competing despite knowing the risks, and that if she was injured, or worse, she wouldn’t be suing. A few strokes of a quill and she was all set up, ready to give the papers when Rainbow Dash’s hoof stopped her by trapping them between her leg and the counter.

“Hold on one moment!” shouted Rainbow Dash, huffing. “Can you tell me why you're signing these papers to join some rodeo when we should be trying to help Cherry Jubilee!”

Applejack rolled her eyes. “Ah was gonna answer ya later, but fine. This rodeo’s got a prize money for five thousand bits! That’s more than enough to help Cherry Jubilee. All Ah have to do is win!”

“And what? You were gonna let me sit in the sidelines while you save the day? No way!” shouted Rainbow Dash, shocked with a glimmer of hurt in her eyes. “Do... do you have no faith in me?”

That stung worse the Applejack had expected. She bit her lip and looked away. It was true she didn’t want Rainbow Dash to join, especially since the ticket mare said it was a dangerous contest. “Well, not... it’s just this is rodeo and Ah have more experience dealin’ with these kind of contests. Ah know yer strong, RD, but Ah still think that, because of mah experience, Ah’m better suited to do this on mah own.”

“Hey!” shouted Rainbow Dash, flaring her wings and levitating above Applejack. “I’m just as athletic as you are, not to mention I’ve won my fair share of contests, too! The Youngest Flyer’s competition? The Iron Pony Contest? Are you forgetting who won those?”

“N-no, but...”

Applejack just stood there as Rainbow Dash landed and turned to the ticket mare. “Give me those papers too! I want in!”

The mare shrugged and handed a new set, which Rainbow Dash snatched with her mouth and quickly signed with a rushed and messy set of mouthwriting. She handed both of their entry papers in and nodded. “So are we both in?”

“Yup, it starts in an hour by the big rodeo stadium by the west of town! Just hand them these passes at security, so they know yer competing and guide ya to yer stations. Can’t wait to see ya girls compete. Good luck!” said the ticket mare with a bright smile, oblivious to the angry glare that Rainbow Dash was giving the squirming Applejack.

The two friends, tension in the air, started making their way towards the stadium when Rainbow Dash took to the air. “I’’m gonna fly. Meet ya there.”

“Rainbow Dash, wait!” said Applejack, but Rainbow was already flying ahead without a second glance. Applejack closed her eyes and resisted the urge to kick herself. Ah screwed up.

She didn’t want to make Rainbow Dash feel that she didn’t have faith in her. Applejack trusted Rainbow with her life. She knew she was strong, fast, brave, and skilled. And Ah just wounded her pride by goin’ along with this idea without her say so. It can’t be ‘cause Ah had no faith in her; she can handle herself.

It’s because you don’t want to see her get hurt, said a voice in her head. Rodeos are dangerous, and some ponies have died in them. Plus, she won’t be able to use those wings since this is an earth pony tradition.

Applejack scoffed. We’ve been in danger before! Nightmare Moon? Changelin’s? Dragons? What makes this any different?

Because now you realize you're in love with her. How would you feel if she was to get so injured that she would never walk or fly again? What if she got killed because of her recklessness or inexperience?

The thought of such a thing made Applejack feel ill, especially when she remembered such a case happening one time. Three years ago, she was in a contest in Manehatten when a greenhorn came up for the bull riding. He chose the biggest and most hardcore bull of them all to ride, something that no fresh rodeo competitor would ever do. It ended up getting him killed when his neck fell upon one of the horns shortly after he started his heat.

She could just imagine Rainbow Dash ending up in such a way, on the ground, bleeding out of her neck as the life in her eyes fade away. The doctors putting her in a box like they did with the poor greenhorn, the young life she had all over...

No! screamed Applejack in her head. Ah need to have faith in her. Ah need to let her know that and fix this misunderstandin’ and not worry about events that ain’t gonna come to pass! That was what Applejack was hoping for as she galloped towards the stadium.

***

Last time she was in Dodge Junction, Applejack had seen the large rodeo stadium and wished she had the time to try out some of the events going on. That time, however she decided to focus more on getting the money needed for Ponyville rather than spend her time fooling around. Although she was glad to be competing inside it now, it didn’t help for the fact that an entire farm was counting on her, and Rainbow Dash, to win the first prize and bring home the cash. After passing by the gates, and showing her pass, Applejack was guided into the arena itself. She saw a bunch of other competitors at their station benches, already pre-warming for the upcoming games.

Only one of them stood out, Rainbow Dash who was the only non-earth pony to be competing. It looked like she was arguing with a few earth ponies in suits; most likely the judges for the rodeo. Knowing that her crush’s mouth sometimes got her into more trouble than it was worth, she excused herself from her guide and rushed over towards the group.

“What do you mean I have to have my wings strapped?!” yelled Rainbow Dash, glaring at the two security ponies who had rope in their mouths. She gave them a daring glare, as if she was urging them to try and take her down.

“Look, Miss Dash, it’s part of the rules,” said the female judge, correcting her glasses. “In order to keep things fair, all unicorns put on magic damper rings, and all pegasi have their wings strapped to prevent any unfair advantages. Y’all be able to use them durin’ the freestyle event, but other than that ya must have yer wings strapped.”

“But earth ponies are used to doing things without magic or wings! If anything, it’s a disadvantage to us!” counter argued Rainbow Dash.

Before the argument could go any further, Applejack stepped between the two and cleared her throat. “Now hold on there y’all.” She turned to the judge. “Sorry about this: this is her first rodeo. Ah’m her friend, Ah’ll calm her down.”

The judge glanced at Rainbow Dash, narrowed her eyes, and then nodded in agreement. Applejack guided a reluctant Rainbow Dash, who was sticking her tongue out at the judge, a few hooves from the officials and shook her head. “Ten minutes in an yer already causin’ problems.”

“Well, maybe if you told me about this stupid rule I would have handled it better,” snapped Rainbow Dash, crossing her arms and pouting.

“And maybe if ya let me explain back at the booth ya could have known,” said Applejack kicking dust in frustration. “Look, we can go about this like foals all day, but we have better things to do.”

“What do you mean ‘we’? Last time I checked, your original plan was going to include just you,” said Rainbow Dash, huffing.

Applejack bit her lip and restrained herself from smacking her crush on the head. Can’t she worry about gettin’ angry at a different time? There are more important things to worry about. Ah swear, one moment Ah wanna kiss her and the next Ah wanna smack her.

“Look, Ah get it, yer angry and Ah’m sorry. But since we are now both in this contest we can help each other win the bits needed to pay for savin’ Miss Jubilee's farm.” Applejack then poked Rainbow in the chest and glared at her. “Or do ya want to let our bickerin’ get in the way of what’s right and prevent us from winnin’ that prize money?”

Rainbow Dash’s anger slowly began to wane before she sighed and nodded. “Fine. I’m still a bit angry at you, but I’ll accept your apology.”

Applejack nodded. “Good, then let’s let ‘em,” she nodded to the waiting judge and security team, “know that ya understand the rules and won’t make anymore of a fuss. Else they might disqualify ya before y’all can begin.”

“Whatever,” said Rainbow Dash, rolling her eyes and dragging her hooves towards the judge. “I swear, you earth ponies have some kind of thing with bondage...”

Applejack blushed at the idea of her and Rainbow Dash.... all alone in the barn... lots of rope... maybe a whip... Dash crying out for more...

“Uh, AJ? Yer drooling,” said Rainbow Dash, raising an eyebrow.

Getting her senses back together, Applejack wiped her muzzle and blushed. “Uh, let’s just get goin’. Ah’ll tell ya the rules along the way...”

***

With everything taken care off, and Rainbow Dash having a better understanding about the upcoming competition, Applejack made for her station. Each competitor was allowed to bring his or her own assistants such as equipment personal, medical teams, or coaches. If they didn’t have one, like Applejack, they had to pay for a standby team or go at it alone, which was fine for her. She had experience dealing rodeo’s on her own, but Rainbow Dash was a different story.

Although AJ gave some quick pointers for the upcoming contests, Rainbow Dash wasn’t the best when it came to rodeo style competitions. She could remember some of the contests they had in the Iron Pony Competition, where Rainbow Dash was only able to win because of those wings of hers. Without them, she was at a clear disadvantage.

Gotta stop worryin’, thought Applejack, shaking her head. She can handle herself fine. Meanwhile, ya better get yer head in the game.

“What are you doing here?!”

Applejack nearly jumped from the shout, but growled when she turned around and saw who it was. Clove High and his two companions were walking over to her station, nostrils flaring. Applejack cracked her neck a bit, and stepped forward until she and Clove High were inches from each other’s face. Crack-A-Barrel and Shorty were quick to cover Applejack on the left and right, trapping her.

Applejack gave them all a quick glare before answering, “Ain’t it obvious? Ah’m takin’ part in the competition. Gotta problem?”

Huffing, Clove High said, “Listen here ya bitch, Ah’m not just gonna forget how ya embarrassed me and mah friends earlier today. If ya think Ah’m gonna let ya win this competition, then ya got another thin’ comin’!”

“Why do ya care? Ya ain’t competitin’, yer helpin’ yer boss,” pointed out Applejack.

Clove high snorted. “That guy? Please, he only pays us if he wins. Else he calls us a bunch of slackers. Ah don’t care if he’s a friend of mah folks; he’s just a cruel guy.” He then gave a sly grin. “If anythin’, y’all should be more careful of him then us. His competition has a habit of... meeting unfortunate accidents.”

“Is that a threat,” growled Applejack, narrowing her eyes.

“More of a warning...” whispered Clove High before motioning his gang to follow him. While leaving, Shorty turned around and stuck out his tongue, only to run in fear when Applejack made it look like she was about to chase after him.

Shaking her head, she turned around to head back to her station to prepare for the events, only to freeze when she spotted none other than McShady himself waiting for her. A cigarette was in his mouth as he leaned against the fence, hat blocking his face. Applejack felt a familiar shiver go down her spine; it was the same feeling every time she faced one of them timberwolves in the Everfree Forest.

McShady gave a small grin as she settled his cold eyes upon her before pushing himself off the fence and walked towards Applejack. He stopped right next to her, neither of them glancing at each other. McShady spat out the cigarette and said, “So yer gonna be competin’ as well, huh? Interestin’...”

“How so?” asked Applejack, keeping her senses on full alert if he tried anything.

“Ah’ve always wanted to face an Apple,” shrugged McShady. “Yer names are quite known in the rodeo community. Have ya ever heard of a pony named Baldwin Apple?”

That made Applejack’s heart stop. Her eyes widened as she shakily turned towards the stallion who called a name she never thought a stranger would know. “H-how do ya know mah Pa?”

McShady grinned. “So yer his daughter, huh? Ah saw him once, and Ah’ve always wanted to beat him. Is he with ya right now?”

“He... he died a long time ago,” whispered Applejack, lowering her head.

A sigh escaped from McShady’s lips as he shook his head. “Shame. Well, ya can’t get everythin’ in life.” He grinned again. “Still, if yer anythin’ like him, Ah guess it would be just as good. But don’t expect me to let ya win that easily. Ah’ve beaten everypony here for the last three years, comin’ up on top. You and,” he pointed to Rainbow Dash who was struggling with getting a rope untied, “yer little flyin’ friend aren’t gonna win so easily.”

He looked back at Rainbow Dash and shook his head. “Especially her, Ah can tell she’s as green as they come to this sort of thing. She’ll be easy prey.”

This made Applejack stomp her hoof and growled. “Ya leave her alone! She’s just as good as the rest of us, and Ah ain’t gonna let anypony bad mouth her!”

McShady chuckled. “Whatever, hayseed. Ah’m gonna go get ready. Watch yer back... and hers...”

Applejack watched McShady walk towards his dugout where he started yelling at his workers to move their butts. She glanced at Rainbow Dash and sighed. We’ll beat him, Dash. For Cherry’s sake.

***

In no time at all the seats fill up in the stadium, and the contest was about to begin. After welcoming everypony, the announcer asked each contestant to line up one by one so they could be announced. Applejack had gotten a good round of applause for those who knew her when she was last here or just by her family name alone. Rainbow Dash didn’t get as big of an applause, much to her disappointment, but earned quite a few curious conversations when it was announced she was a pegasus pony. The last pony to be announced was McShady, who got applauded and booed at the same time, making Applejack feel better that she wasn’t the only pony who didn’t like him.

After the national anthem was played, everypony made their way to the left side of the stadium for their first contest: hay square throwing. A rope was wrapped around each large square of hay and they had to use it to throw it across the field as far they could. The rope could only be used by their mouths; any other part of their body that touched the hay would be a loss of points. Flags were placed to signal how many points a contender got if they managed to throw past the flag. Applejack felt her confidence soar; this was one of her better skills. She didn’t like to brag, but she was stronger than most stallions, and had been tossing hay around since she was a filly.

One by one each of the contestants went up and tossed their respective hay squares. Most were average throws, but a few did make it to the high-score range, if only to cusp of it. Rainbow Dash’s turn had soon come up, and she stretched her neck a bit before taking her rope and started swinging her entire body around like the hay, similar to those hammer throwers in the Equestria games. Although it was quite an an unorthodox style to see in a rodeo, considering most contests swung the hay like a regular lasso, there were no rules against it.

After a few more twirls, Rainbow Dash released her grip on the rope just as she tripped onto her stomach, her eyes twirling. The hay square managed to go quite some distance and soon enough it landed just a third away from the center of the stadium, making it the longest throw so far as well as the highest points earned. Ponies applauded and whistled as Rainbow Dash, still trying to get her sense of direction back, rose up and waved her hoof, soaking up the praise.

Applejack walked over and held her hoof out to her partner, which Rainbow Dash tried to bump back, but the effects of her spinning were still in play and she tripped again. This time Applejack caught her, but soon blushed when she saw that their lips were inches apart. Just a bit closer and Ah could... Ah could...

Rainbow Dash slowly got off and shook her head. “Sorry, AJ. Still trying to get my head back on straight.”

“N-no, problem, s-sugarcube,” muttered Applejack, turning her head around to hide her blush while cursing just how close she was to tasting those lips.

Her disappointment over nearly getting her first kiss from Rainbow was soon forgotten when she saw that it was McShady’s turn. He gave Applejack a quick daring grin before taking a bit of the rope. With great ease, McShady managed to twirl the hay barrel like it was a bag of feathers. He let it circle above him for just a few more seconds before he released it into the air.

Everypony gasped as it soared like an eagle, passing all the other hay barrels below. It continued to make its way towards the center of the stadium, the highest amount of points one could get. It landed right past the last flag, and the crowd erupted into a barrage of stomped hooves and shouts. McShady tipped his hat and watched as the judges awarded him with full points.

Applejack huffed, but kept her cool; unlike Rainbow Dash who was stomping her hoof in frustration and muttering a few curses that would make a sailor blush. With her turn up next, Applejack grabbed her rope and pulled it, only to suddenly jerk back when the rope suddenly broke. A few ponies muttered in confusion as Applejack looked at the long torn rope in her mouth and spat it out. She looked at the remaining rope tied to her hay square and realized her predicament. With shorter rope, it would be harder to toss the hay across the field and she would get less points. She couldn’t ask the rope to be fixed or for a new one as damage to the rope was the responsibility of the contestant and they had to make due.

But Ah couldn’t have pulled it that hard, thought Applejack looking at the rope again before she saw something that made her blood boil. She knew ropes like the back of her hoof, and seeing the torn part of the rope made it clear that somepony had cut her rope to the point where even the weakest of pulls would result in it snapping off. She turned toward McShady who was staring at her with an impassive face, except for one eyebrow that was raised. Son of a pear! That doggone, no good cheater did this!

Applejack was about to call him out, but stopped herself, remembering what happens when a rodeo had suspicion of fowl play. They took cheating seriously and investigated all possible routes as to who or how it might have happened. Those took days, days that Applejack couldn’t afford if she was gonna save Cherry’s farm. Residing to her fate, Applejack looked at her hay square and tried to figure out what to do. An idea soon came and, although it would cost her points, it was the best plan she had.

Taking a few steps back, Applejack took a deep breath before charging forward and bucking the hay with both rear hooves. The crowd gasped at the sight of the penalty, but soon it was forgotten when they saw the hay fly in the air even further then McShady. Even he couldn’t help but keep his eyes on it.

Gravity soon came to work on the hay square and it landed about half a mile away from McShady’s own hay. Despite the sight of the penalty, the crowd cheered anyway for Applejack. The judges, however, weren’t amused and award Applejack a less amount of points for touching the hay. Despite this, she managed to tie with Rainbow Dash in second place.

Feeling confident, she stared back at McShady, who watched her impassiveness, and smiled. If he was gonna cheat his way, then she was gonna fight back with fairness. Ah’ll show that slimy snake what real cowponies are like.

Author's Note

Yeah it's been some time since I updated this huh? Don't worry I plan on finishing this, but at the same time it will take at least another month until Act 4 comes up. Hope you enjoyed and see you soon.

Act 4

Date at Dodge Junction

Act 4

By The Rated Ponystar

Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

While the assistants of the rodeo started to set up for the second event, the obstacle course, Rainbow Dash found herself being dragged toward her stable with Applejack. She didn’t mind this as she had a few questions herself, mostly about the last event. She knew Applejack was strong, the contest with those three losers proved that, but her best friend knew how to control her strength. She found it hard to believe that Applejack ripped that rope so easily. Sure enough, her suspicions proved right when Applejack told her what happened.

“Why that no good, lousy, bunch of horseapples!” growled Rainbow Dash, glaring at McShady in the distance as he watched his boys worked with the others in preparation for the event. “We should tell the judges. No, wait, kick his flank. Wait, we’ll kick his flank, then tell the judges, and then kick his flank again!”

“We can’t do either of them ideas for the followin’ reasons, Sugarcube,” said Applejack, drawing three lines in the sand as she spoke. “One, we’d get in trouble for hurtin’ another contestant. Two, we ain’t got proof on him. And three, if we accuse somepony of cheatin’, there will be an investigation, and the rodeo will be canceled. We won’t be able to help Miss Jubilee if that happens.”

Rainbow Dash tried to come up with something to counter Applejack’s list, but her head fell in defeat as she tried to think of something, but failed. Applejack was quick to nuzzle her and lift her head up. “Ah know it doesn’t seem right, but we gotta push forward, Sugarcube. For Cherry’s sake. Besides, he seems to be targetin’ me, so yer gonna be in the clear.”

“That’s not gonna make me feel any better, AJ,” muttered Rainbow Dash. “Besides, you shouldn’t have to deal with any of this sabotage by yourself. What if he does something drastic that hurts you?”

Applejack grinned and tipped her hat. “This farmpony knows a few tricks of her own. Besides, Ah’d rather it be me then yerself.”

“I can handle myself fine, Applejack. I’m not made out of glass. I’m made out of awesome,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

Blushing, Applejack nervously pawed the ground and nodded. “A-ah know, it’s just y-yer important me, Rainbow. A-ah... Ah just don’t want to see ya get hurt is all.”

This made Rainbow Dash tilt her head in confusion. It just seem out of character for Applejack to be blushing and stuttering so much, or even at all. Then again, she has been doing that a lot lately, thought Rainbow Dash. “Hey, Applejack. You’re okay, right? You’ve been acting a bit... weird ever since we came to Dodge Junction. Actually, maybe even a bit before that.”

Applejack turned even redder, raising Dash’s suspicions even more. Gulping, Applejack answered, “J-just a bit nervous is all. A-a-anyway, let’s head on back. We gotta a rodeo to win!”

Without waiting for a reply, Applejack strolled out of the stable and started making her way back to the center of the rodeo with the other contestants. Although she wanted to find out what was bothering her best friend, Rainbow Dash knew the rodeo was more important to focus on at the moment. Pushing her thoughts away for the moment, she soon followed Applejack back to the games.

***

Ah gotta be more careful, thought Applejack as she took her place with the other cowponies. Dang it, Applejack, keep yer emotions in check. Y’all can tell Rainbow yer feelin’s when this is all over. For now, pay attention to what’s in front of ya, girl!

The next event was the obstacle course, an event Applejack knew by heart. There was the usual objects such as barrels, jumping vaults, mud puddles, low wire, and more. It was also the only event where all of the contests would be facing each other instead of going one on one. From her end of the starting line, she could see McShady completely focused on the course in front of him while stretching his legs.

For a brief moment, he turned his gaze upon her and their eyes locked, but he smirked and turned away. Applejack spat on the ground, making sure to keep both eyes on him while she was running. One of the judges came forward with a flag in his mouth.

He raised his flag in the air as the contestants readied themselves and bent down, hindquarters poised in the air.. Rainbow Dash, who was right next to Applejack, quickly said in a cocky tone, “Hey, don’t worry, second place isn’t so bad.”

Applejack smirked. Even when they were fighting for something serious, Rainbow Dash was always in her competitive mood. “The only thing that’s gonna be in second place is that ego of yers.”

“Oh, it’s on, AJ,” said Rainbow Dash, licking her lips.

Soon, the flag came down and the race was underway. Applejack galloped on the right moment, and soon found herself in first place with McShady, Rainbow, with a few others right behind her. Adrenaline filled her spirit up as she focused on remembering what her Pa told her about running in a race. The first thing was always look ahead and never stop for anything, the moment you lost your focus, you were already in last place. Second was being ever on alert, and that proved to be true when one of the other contestants managed to catch up and try to trip Applejack in order to take the lead. With honed reflexes she had developed over years of hard work, Applejack was able to jump out of the way, and let the poor stallion’s hoof slip, causing him to tussle down into the dirt head first. The other racers jumped over his defeated body, and that was the last Applejack saw of him as her focus shifted towards the first obstacle: barrels.

Unlike in the single competition where barrels were more or less in a straight line, the barrels were spread out, but close enough so that you had to weave left or right just in time to avoid hitting one, lest you wanted to lose points. Applejack barreled into the barrel field, bobbing and weaving past the multitude of wooden obstacles as she tried to maintain her pace. When she found the time, she made sure to quickly check on both Rainbow and McShady to make sure the former was alright and the latter wasn’t up to anything.

Rainbow, Celestia bless her, was as agile as could be, even without her wings. She had a relaxed smile and made the barrel dodging look easy, even doing a few turns backwards just to show off. McShady, as much as she hated to admit it, was fast for his size. He had a look of pure concentration, like nothing else mattered him but his goal of finishing first place. He had the look of a seasoned veteran in this game, but it bothered Applejack a bit. If McShady is so good, then why does he have to cheat?

Applejack’s thoughts were interrupted when she saw something that made her eyes widen. One of the barrels was moving, just slowly, towards her direction. Applejack didn’t know how it was moving, nor did she care, she knew she had to find someway to avoid it. At the last second, she slammed her hooves down and came to a sudden halt, just as the barrel did as well. This was long enough for McShady to pass by her as she cursed and quickly went around the barrel. She glanced back at it, hoping that Rainbow Dash would notice as well.

The sight of Dash bumping into the so called moving barrel and nearly tripping on her hooves proved her wish went unfulfilled. Applejack shook her head before passing the last of the barrels was on the curved stretch to the next part of the obstacle course. Turning, she tried to figure out how that barrel moved. There was no aura around it, so that ruled out magic, and moved only slightly so that only those with a sharp eye could have spotted it.

Pushing aside her thoughts on it for now, Applejack prepared herself for the next obstacle: hurdling. Each of the hurdles were lined up from shortest to tallest, and you had to go through each one or be disqualified. Applejack took a quick look behind to see about the competition. Rainbow Dash was naturally right beside her—slowly it would be neck and neck for both of them—while the rest were a mile away.

McShady was already done with the first hurdle when Applejack grinned, and both her and Rainbow Dash jumped over their first one with ease. “First one to screw up pays dinner!” shouted Rainbow Dash.

“Yer on!” cried out Applejack as they jumped over the second. One by one they jumped over each of the hurdles until they were right by the tail of McShady who was sweating a workload just to keep up. When they saw the final hurdle, taller than even Big Macintosh, the two friends winked at each other before jumping on top of McShady and used him as a springboard. “Hey!” he shouted, but Applejack grinned as they were flying in the air. She knew the rules by heart and the rules didn’t say anything about this.

The two landed on the other side of the huddle while McShady, stumbling from being used as a springboard, crashed into the huddle much to the amusement of the audience. Applejack and Rainbow Dash quickly bumped flanks before focusing back on the race. With McShady now out of the picture, it was time for the final part of the course: the mud pile. All she and Rainbow had do was go right through it, and the top two spots was theirs.

Having been around mud all her life, this wasn’t going to be a challenge at all. She and Rainbow Dash, neck and neck, carved through the mud like a warm knife against butter. Suddenly, Applejack felt a sharp pain on her right flank, but ignored it, chalking it up to a rock that got mixed it when they were making the mud. The final sprint soon came and Applejack could feel her entire body heating up as she tried to run as fast as she could to win first place, Rainbow Dash right beside her.

Her hooves and flank were on fire, she could barely hear the could roaring as she kept going, fighting the fatigue and pain her body were going through. With on last gallop, she passed through the finish line alongside Rainbow Dash as they came to a hault. Applejack felt her entire body burning, even smiling was a pain.

Then a thought came to Applejack. This wasn’t exhaustion. This was something else. She weakly lifted her head, struggling not to puke as Rainbow Dash looked at her with worry. “AJ? Is something wrong? You look horrible.”

Applejack tried to answer, but all she could do was gurgle before falling onto the floor, passed out.

***

“Applejack!” screamed Rainbow Dash as she went to her side. She was no doctor, but she could see something was wrong. She turned around, looking with fear in her eyes. “I need help! Now! Medic!”

An elder pony in a black suit and top hat rushed forward, a first aid kit in his mouth. The crowd began to quickly silence themselves as security urged everypony to stay calm. The doctor put his bag down and ordered, “Help me get this mud off of her.”

Rainbow Dash quickly went to work, and used her hooves to wipe away as much of the mud as she could. When she cleared Applejack’s right flank, she noticed something. Pointing to it, she asked, “Doc, what’s this?”

The doctor looked closer and bit his lip. “As Ah thought. It’s a snake bite. She’s been poisoned.”

“P-poisoned...” whispered Rainbow Dash as a shiver went down her spine. Sh could feel the air in her lungs slowly leave her as she looked upon Applejack’s painful and sweaty expression. “H-how did she even get bit?! I didn’t see it, unless...”

Rainbow Dash quickly turned to the mud pile where some of the workers were getting ready to clean it up when she rushed over and screamed, “Get away from there!” Before they could question her, Rainbow Dash already dove in, and started searching through the mud despite the danger of getting bitten herself. This later proved to be true as she saw something red, yellow and black jump out of the mud, and, thankfully, bit the ropes that were holding her wings together. Quick as a flash, Rainbow Dash took the snake by the tail with her mouth and threw it into the dirt, stomping on its face and crushed its head. She could already imagine Fluttershy berating her for killing the animal, but Rainbow Dash didn’t care, feeling satisfaction for getting revenge on it for biting her best friend.

Taking the snake’s remains, Rainbow Dash presented it to the doctor who looked at it and nodded. “A coral snake. Deadly, but Ah can cure it. Ah’m afraid she’s gonna be outta the contest though, can’t recommend her doin’ this with that there bite.”

Rainbow Dash bit her lip, knowing that Applejack was going to be devastated to know she had to be eliminated out of the contest. It was her idea in the first place to help Cherry Jubilee with her farm by winning the whole thing, now she was no longer a part of it. It’s up to me now...

She watched as Applejack was placed on a stretcher by security with the doctor right behind them. She looked at the snake and wished she could smash the thing all over again, but soon found herself wondering how the snake got in the mud pit at all. There’s no way it would have traveled from the outside to her without anypony noticing it... that means it was planted some how, but who would—

Rainbow Dash gasped upon realizing the one pony who both her and Applejack suspected of cheating since the contest began, and soon sported a furious look that would make even a warrior griffin squawk in fear. Nostrils flaring, she whipped her head around, looking for her suspect. She found him propped against a wall, watching Applejack get hollered of with an impassive look on his face. That was quickly replaced with a hiss of pain as Rainbow Dash slammed him into the wall, and pounded him in the nose with a solid right hook.

“What the hay!” he shouted before Rainbow Dash slammed him again against the wall and growled, her eyes filled with a burning desired to maim until he was broken and bleeding on the floor.

“You... piece of manure... you sorry sack of dragon dung! You want to win this thing so bad you’re even willing to kill for it?!” cried out Rainbow Dash, right in his face.

“What are ya talkin’ about?” asked McShady, keeping calm despite his situation.

“Don’t give me that bunch of horse apples! That snake! The one that bit Applejack?! It’s bad enough you snapped her rope, but to try and kill her?! What kind of low piece of scum are you?!” Rainbow Dash growled and wish she had some sort of proof that could kick this guy out, but instead she let him go.

But not before she was going to make it clear why he should mess with her. Staring into his eyes, she said, “Look at me right here and right now. Do you know who I am? I’m the Element of bucking Loyalty! And if there is one thing in this world that you should never do, if you want to see the light of day again, is hurt my friends, much less kill them! Mess with any of them, including Applejack, and I’ll have no qualms getting back at you, and that means even ending you,” she growled. “That’s right. I have no problem getting blood on my hooves or breaking whatever laws because I would rather die than see them hurt. I will drag your sorry flank as high as I can in the air and drop you, just to hear you scream as you get closer and closer to the ground. And I will be there for you to beg and plead for me to save you... but I will not. And just before you hit that sweet earth, your body parts nothing more than a mess, you will look at me and realize that you shouldn’t have messed with somepony I care about. And I will not cry, I will have no regrets, I will not even give you a second thought before I spit at your corpse and leave you for the bugs to feast on. Understand? Leave my friend alone!”

Rainbow Dash didn’t even give a second look at McShady before she rushed to where they were taking Applejack.

***

Uh, Ah feel sick... muttered Applejack as she slowly opened her eyes, the sight of a room filled with jars of medicine, operating tools, and beds confused her. Looking to her left, she weakly lifted herself up, but was soon pushed down by a hoof.

“Don’t get up. Ya haven’t fully recovered yet,” muttered the doctor pony as he took her hoof and started checking her pulse.

“W-water...” muttered Applejack, desperately. Her pleas were soon heard as the doctor let her lips suck on a straw sitting in a cup of cool, clear fluid. She sucked the whole thing dry before she smacked her lips and moaned. “What... happened?”

“A snake was found in the mud, and it bit ya right on the flank. We managed to cure ya, but Ah’m sorry to say that yer body is gonna take a bit longer to recover,” he answered.

Applejack could feel her stomach clench up upon learning how close she had come to death, but an even greater fear entered her mind. “Will Ah... compete?”

Her hopes were squashed when the doctor shook his head. “Ah’m sorry, darlin’, but yer too weak to go out there and wrestle with the rest of them. Ah’ve no choice but to tell them judges yer out.”

Applejack closed her eyes and let out a sorrowful sigh. She was out of the rodeo. Her one chance to save Cherry’s farm, and she was out. She failed her. She failed a good friend. A part of Applejack wanted to shed a tear, but she felt weak enough as it was. Crying wasn’t gonna solve anything.

The doctor patted her on the shoulder for comfort before saying, “Cheer up youngin’, there is always next year. And ya should be glad to be alive at all. Good thing yer friend was there to help ya out.”

“Rainbow Dash...” whispered Applejack as she began to feel her tiredness return. Rainbow Dash was the only one left who could win the contest. She was the only that could save Cherry’s farm. She smiled, knowing there was still hope. Dash would give everything, a hundred and twenty percent to win this contest not just for Cherry, but for Applejack as well.

“Get some rest, darlin’,” said the doctor. “Ah’ll tell yer friend that yer okay.”

Applejack weakly nodded before she closed her eyes, her mind still on Rainbow Dash.

***

Rainbow Dash was already at the door the moment she heard it unlock, and waited with halted breath. Despite her attempts to get in, the doctor had strictly told her that she was to remain outside while he did his work so she paced for what had to be almost an hour, not knowing the condition of her best friend. She had faith that Applejack would push through, she was the strongest pony that Dash knew besides herself.

But even a pony as confident and sure as herself sometimes had doubts that lingered in the back of her mind.

The doctor looked at her with a comforting smile and nodded. “She’s gonna be okay. Just needs some rest.”

Rainbow Dash sighed in relief before asking, “Can I see her?”

The doctor nodded before allowing her to enter where she saw Applejack, sleeping peacefully as if she had a long hard day of apple bucking. Sitting next to the bed, she smiled and slowly pushed away a few strains of Applejack’s mane off her face, allowing her to see her better. The doctor excused himself, which Rainbow Dash was grateful for as she took one of her hooves in her own and held tight, tears threatening to break in her eyes.

She was really glad Applejack was asleep. She hated shedding tears in front of others.

“Hey, AJ, I don’t know if you can hear me... but I’m glad your okay,” whispered Rainbow Dash, smiling. “You really gave me quite the scare there. A part of me wants to buck you good for nearly kicking the bucket from that snake bite, but I don’t think that would help in this situation, huh?” She chuckled a bit before frowning and closed her eyes. “I’m going to win this one for you, Applejack. I’ll save Cherry’s farm, and then we’ll end this vacation with a party. Some good old cider, and dancing, too. Then we’ll go home and tell the gang about this, and have an even bigger party that Pinkie will want to set up for us.”

She leaned forward and smiled. “So get better, okay? And root for me. I’ll be back soon.”

Rainbow Dash got up and made her way to the door, ready to open it. Her hoof was on the handle when she heard moaning nearby and quickly turned around to see Applejack squirming in her bed a bit. “Rainbow...”

Dash made an effort to move, but she froze when she heard what came next from Applejack’s lips.

“... Ah love you...”

Never before had Rainbow Dash’s jaw drop lower than it did at that point in time. A small gasp escaped her throat while her cheeks turned pinkish like tulips. At first she thought her ears and mind were playing tricks on her, but she knew she heard correctly. Her best friend, her rival, was in love with her.

Is that why she choose me? How long as she felt like this? Why me? thought Rainbow Dash as more and more questions started to form in her head. She glanced at the clock and shook her head, remembering that the contest was still going on. Pushing aside this newest revelation away in the back of her mind for now, Rainbow Dash quickly exited the room and rushed to get back onto the field with her heart skipping with each step.

***

Rainbow Dash had made it back into the stadium at record time. While Applejack’s “confession” still lingered in her mind, she knew that the most important thing to do right now was concentrate on the next task—a task that she had been waiting for. It was now time for the freestyle performance part of the competition, where each competitor performed anything as long as it was a display of athletic performance.

Best of all? Wings were allowed. And that’s all Rainbow Dash needed.

It was a good thing that the stadium was an open roof; that allowed her more space for some of her more daring tricks. One by one she watched the other competition do various acts such as rope lassoing, acrobatics, juggling, and more. There was even one earth pony who managed to show off some pretty mean dancing moves that had the crowd eating him up for a long time.

Then it was his turn.

McShady.

The crowd grew real quiet all of a sudden, even the other contestants who watched with wide yet frightened eyes. It wasn’t until she saw what he was packing did Rainbow Dash understand why. Holstered next to his hip were two pistols, just like the fake ones she had gotten from that costume store earlier, that were huge, black, and had a green snake painted on the barrels. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but shiver in her feathers. Real guns were a rarity out in Equestria, with only a few ponies carrying them: mostly law enforcement, collectors, or really tough criminals. Otherwise, they were just plastic toys used for games and such. Rumors had it that Princess Celestia had been considering using them for the military just like the griffins had done for over a hundred years now, a decision that had many ponies split on opinion.

She had heard many rumors about them, how they could kill a living being in a split second, and pierce straight through diamonds. Now she was gonna have a chance to look at them in action.

Duke McShady calmly walked up to the center of the stadium while his assistants, the three bozos she and AJ beat earlier in the day, were setting up stands with glass jars and silver plates. The big one, Crack-A-Barrell, put up a suit of armor that was worn by the royal guard which made Dash snort. She had seen her dad’s old armor and fired his old crossbow against it, there was barely any dent.

No way it’s gonna even make a crack, thought Rainbow Dash.

A buzzer sounded, and before Rainbow Dash knew it, it was already over. His hooves were like lightning as he drew both pistols and spun around. Loud cracks firing in the air that made Rainbow Dash jump more the once; She was sure others had as well. The jars and plates all explode without warning, their debris raining upon the ground.

McShady then turned toward the suit of armor, and finished of the remaining ammunition he had by firing bullet after bullet into the metal. The loud sounds of the piercing armor were loud enough to wake the dead. When it was over, McShady put his guns away and smirked like he had just won the lottery.. The three goons each took the armor and dragged it over to the judges for inspection.

Rainbow Dash, unable to ease her curiosity, slowly made her way close enough for a better look. What she saw made her turn stone cold. There were six holes in the armor, clean through like it was swiss cheese. There were two in the shoulder guards, three in the chest cover, and one in the helmet. If there had been a guard in there, he would have been dead six times over.

Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe how strong, and dangerous, the power of a gun was. Not to mention McShady. He had fired those things like lightning, never once batting an eye. It only made Dash want to be even more cautious of him, lest she have an open hole in her head.

Unsurprisingly, the judges gave him a high score which made Rainbow Dash growl. She would have to give them something they had never seen before if she was gonna impress them. And there was only one move that could do it.

An assistant walked over and undid the ropes holding her wings back, a feeling of release that Dash greatly missed. After a few stretches to prepare herself, she flew towards the center of the stadium and prepared for lift off.

After the count of three in her head, she was already off.

The familiar sense of adrenaline coursed through the pegasus’s veins, bringing a smile to her lips as she sailed high into the sky. Her cyan wings beating with every heartbeat as she left behind her signature rainbow streak, the crowd chattering in amazement at the sheer speed behind her. The air started to get cooler as she rose higher and higher, performing a few twirls and corkscrews for show.

Gathering her thoughts, Dash began her stunt by slowing down, letting herself stall until she hung in the air like a small, sky-blue cloud. Gravity then tugged her gently as she turned her body towards the ground. The consistent downward pull assisted in Dash’s ever-accelerating dive as her colorful tail streamed out behind her. Before her fall could terminate in a bone-shattering crunch, the pegasus flared her wings and turned her diving dip into a blazingly rapid glide. The crowd gasped in shock, thinking it was the end for her in a messy doom, but cheered once they had seen her rise above at the last second.

Rainbow flew dangerously close to the ground, to the point where her furry stomach was inches away from touching the dirt and rock covered ground. Excitement began to swell up within Rainbow Dash as she focused on her second task. She then shot straight back up into the sky, right past three sets of clouds on her way, leaving them as holey as donuts.

Flying higher than before, Dash found a nearby cloud, and started to circle it. The nebulous white mass moved slowly at first, but the powerful winds dragged in by her wake pulled irresistibly at the cloud. While Rainbow Dash circled around it even faster, the billowing cloud became a spinning top. Her nerves thrummed with a growing sense of confidence as Dash accelerated again. By this point, a rainbow-colored blur was all the audience could see.

Rainbow Dash could feel the energy pulsing inside of her as she broke away from the cloud. After performing one more flip, Dash let it all loose by diving downwards with her wings completely flat and her body poised like an arrow. A mach cone began to form in front of her, signaling the start of the stunt. All she had to do now was resist its attempts to stop her and resist.

A determined smile slowly began to spread on the face of the diving pegasus, who could feel it in her heart that success was finally in her grasp. Pressing herself against the funnel, Dash started to push down with all her might. It started to get wider and wider, all the while exerting a strong front against her. As she approached the ground, the cyan pegasus could feel the barrier slowly breaking, the stored energy ready to be unleashed.

A huge explosion of rainbows and energy rings erupted right above the stadium, and over the town could see it happen. Many outside wondered what it was they were seeing. Rainbow Dash conditioned her fly around the entire town, dragging the rainbow streak behind her until she was able to cover the whole town with it, a feasible feat for her at her speed.

Everypony who saw this felt a joyous wonder in their heart. Some cried, others smiled larger than they ever had in life. The Sonic Rainboom, Dash’s ultimate technique, had been introduced to the good ponies of Dodge Junction and they fell in love with it instantly. Generations from now, the story of such a tale would be told to each child, and they in turn telling their children of the tale. The tale of such a feat that no other founder's day ever had.

Feeling the juice inside her running out, Rainbow Dash made a beeline for the stadium, and landed perfectly with a proud look on her face as her wings flared out. She was met with an entire audience of cheers. Everypony was clapping, stomping, cheering, and hollering for Rainbow Dash. Even the other contestants, judges, and security staff were up in celebration.

Rainbow bowed as flowers were thrown at her very hooves before smiling in triumph as the judges gave her a perfect score, making her first place in the entire running. She looked around to see if she could find that snake McShady, but he was no where to be seen. Probably cut his losses, and went home with his tail between his legs.

Finished with her performance, Rainbow Dash went back to the line of contestants who came to congratulate her one by one. After the announcement of the points, which got Rainbow Dash another round of cheers, it was announced that the final contest would be held tomorrow. Rainbow Dash didn’t mind as she was eager to check up on Applejack.

After the final dismissal, Rainbow Dash rushed as fast as she could towards the medical wing of the stadium. She prayed Applejack was awake so she could tell her the good news. When she arrived, however, there was nopony there but the doctor.

“Hey, doc? Where’s AJ? Where is my mare.. uh, my friend?” asked Rainbow Dash.

The doctor shook his head in confusion. “Ah don’t know! Ah looked for yer friend, but she was gone! Ah’m afraid she’s missin’!”

Author's Note

I will try not to delay the next one for too long

Act 5

Date at Dodge Junction
Act 5
By The Rated Ponystar
Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

The first thing Applejack wondered was how much she had to drink that caused her head to be pounding with such pain. Her granny always told her to take it easy on the drinking lest she want a repeat of what happened at the family reunion three years ago. Between the fires, crazed cats, stolen manure cart and the fact that eighteen ponies got hospitalized, it was a miracle she didn’t get locked up.

However, she quickly put the idea that she had been drinking away when she felt her entire body warped with pain. Even worse, she felt the burning sensation of leather holding her tight, quickly recognizing the fact that she had been wrapped in ropes. This caused her eyes to finally open as she saw the desert sand below and felt the rays of the sun on her back. She was on somepony’s back and was more hogtied then a pig. Applejack tried to shout for help, but only a mumble came out. Her muzzle was gagged up tight.

“Ah think our guest has finally awakened.”

Applejack narrowed her eyes as every curse word she knew went through her head. Looking up she saw the unpleasant smile of Clover High beaming down on her with Shorty right beside him. She could already guess who was carrying her as she struggled to get free, but a click of a hammer made her freeze up. Looking up, she saw the barrel of a gun in Clover High’s hoof.

“Ah wouldn’t struggle. It’s mighty hard work diggin’ a ditch, but we can spare a few minutes if ya like to be so comfortable yer never gonna wake up,” muttered Clover High. Applejack kept her up her glare, but stopped her struggling as he pulled the gun away. “Good girl. Now mighty sorry about this, but this is the only way we’re gonna make sure that little flyin’ friend of yers doesn’t beat our boss tomorrow.”

Yellowbellied, coyote humpin’, piece of trash! When Ah get out of here Ah’ll buck yer rump so bad yer gonna bleed out of it! thought Applejack.

Applejack continued to keep her silence, trying to catch glimpses of where they were in the desert. Unfortunately, before she had any sense of where they were, they stopped and Applejack was shaken off the back of Crack-A-Barrel. She was quickly pulled up and realized they were in a quarry with an abandoned two-story shack nearby. Crack-A-Barrel took her by the tail and began dragging her to it while Clover High turned to Shorty.

“Y’all go tell that fruit cup of a pony we got the other one and she’d better not be at the competition tomorrow or else she won’t live till sundown.”

“Got it, boss,” said Short as he galloped away.

Clover High followed Crack-A-Barrell and their hostage as he gave AJ a wink. “Now, don’t ya fret, darlin’. We’re quite the gentlepony’s when ya get to know us better. And Ah have a feelin’ we’re gonna be together for some time."

Applejack closed her eyes as he heart jumping in fear at what fate lay before her. Was she even gonna make it out of this alive? Rainbow Dash. Help me.

***

Five times.

She had searched the stadium five times, but there was not a single clue as to where Applejack was. She had asked security, bystanders, even the other competition if they had seen her, but she was met with no answers. Rainbow Dash was starting to grow nervous. Not only was her possibly maybe marefriend injured, but she was also missing. She knew the doctor had told her that the poison had passed for Applejack, but that didn’t mean she was completely alright.

Rainbow Dash cursed herself for not being there for Applejack when she needed her, but quickly calmed herself down as she sat on one of the benches inside the stadium. Getting worked up about this wasn’t going to help anypony, least of all Applejack. She had to be calm and keep her mind focused.

Problem was it was still playing what Applejack had said in her sleep. Moaning, Rainbow Dash covered her head with her hooves. There were so many questions she wanted to ask Applejack. How long had she been in love with her? Why was she even in love with her in the first place? Was she that important to Applejack? Was that the reason why they were even in Dodge Junction in the first place? She had been acting weird all day and only now was she starting to notice how nervous Applejack had been all this time.

But that wasn’t the biggest question. No, the one question that rang in Rainbow Dash head was the one she was trying to answer right now. Do I love her too?

Rainbow Dash would never deny that Applejack was important to her, much like all her other friends. But there was something deeper in their relationship, an almost emotional side as well. Neither of them liked showing their real emotions in front of others except when they were with each other. Applejack knew of her doubts of never being a Wonderbolt. How she was still sad over her father’s death. How, dare she say it, scared she was at times when she did her more dangerous stunts that could end with her demise if things go wrong.

In return, Dash knew about Applejack’s fear of losing the farm thanks to debts and repair costs. Her anger at the fact that more ponies were taking magically enhanced ways of growing food instead of the old fashion farming ways. Not to mention she was coming to terms with the fact that her favorite cousin, Braeburn, had been diagnosed with cancer.

They were each other’s rock though all their hard times, but also the ones they could count on for good ones. Rainbow Dash knew, deep in her heart, that Applejack was the best friend she ever had... and now she was starting to think that she was maybe more than that.

Her heart nearly stopped when she saw Applejack all dressed up in that wedding outfit. She was gorgeous in all the right ways. But was this love or mealy affection? Ugh, think about this later! Focus on finding her first!

“Hey there, ya seem stressed out. Lookin’ for somethin’?” Rainbow Dash turned around, lifted her head up towards one of the exits of the bleachers, and growled at who she saw waiting by the corner. It was none other the shortest of McShady’s goons who was looking at her with a knowing smirk. “Or maybe somepony?”

In an instant, Rainbow Dash had him up against the wall with her teeth grinding. “Where is she?! I know you punks did something so tell me right now before I rip you in two!”

Although sweat beaded down his brow, Shorty kept up his smile. “Relax. She’s safe, for now, but if ya want her to stay that way, Ah suggest ya let go of me.”

Rainbow Dash wanted nothing more than to squish his throat, but she held back and let him go. Shorty dusted himself off before pointing at Dash. “Listen, we got yer friend, and if ya want to see her back in one piece, yer gonna have to forfeit that match tomorrow and let our boss win. Once that’s done, she’ll be returned to ya safe and sound.”

“What makes you think I would take you guys on your word?!” argued Dash.

“Ya can’t, but ya got no choice, now do ya?” asked Shorty.

Closing her eyes, Dash tried to think of a way out of this. If she forfeited the match, then Cherry Jubilee was gonna lose her farm. If she didn’t, Applejack was a goner, and she didn’t know where she even was. She was most likely not even in Dodge Junction and out in the almost endless desert. Rainbow Dash lowered her head in bitter defeat as Shorty patted her on the shoulder and made his way towards the exit.

“Glad we had this discussion, it was quite an experience,” said Shorty as he turned the corner. Dash was about to curse at him when she saw him suddenly get kicked down the bleachers and smash against the stairs, falling down like a barrel. Rainbow Dash turned to see who had attacked the jerk, only to her surprise it was none other than McShady himself, stepping out of the shadows with a look that could kill.

Rainbow Dash’s mouth opened and closed a few times as McShady slowly walked past her and stopped at a moaning Shorty. He looked up with fear at is boss. “M-McShady... we... I... I...”

McShady’s response was his spur against Shorty’s bleeding hood, followed by a howl of pain. Dash nearly gagged as McShady dug it deep into his hoof, twisting it until he pulled it out and lowered his head. “Tell us where she is. Now.”

“S-sir! Please, we were only tryin’ to help ya win!” cried out Shorty, but he soon shrieked in fear as one of McShady's guns found its way to his head. “Please don’t kill me!”

“Location.”

“She... she’s by quarry to the west! Where the dingos like to hunt! But... but it was all for ya to win, sir!” begged Shorty.

“And now y’all lost,” muttered McShady before smacking him on the temple with his gun.

He turned around and walked past a stunned Rainbow Dash. “Let’s go, we need to save Applejack by nightfall.”

“Wait, hold on!” shouted Rainbow Dash, flying in front of him and glaring. “What the hay was that all about?! Didn’t you order him to kidnap AJ in the first place?”

McShady snorted. “Please, ya think Ah’d do such a thing? Ah fight and win with honor, not backstabbin’ tricks like these yellow bellies. Ah’ve done nothin’ wrong to either of ya, but this piece of manure,” he spat at the unconscious Shorty, “and his friends have. Since they’re mah employees, Ah aim to make things right.”

“But... I thought... we...”

McShady rolled his eyes. “Look, Ah get it. Ah’m a scary guy. Just who Ah am. But Ah’m no cheater. Ah’ve been suspectin’ this sort of thing for some time since Ah keep noticin’... accidents happenin’ in mah contests especially towards those who are close to beating me. Not to mention they also end up disappearin’ and are never seen again. If Ah don’t win, Ah don’t pay mah boys so it seems they decided to make sure Ah never lost once.”

He trotted past Dash and leaned over his shoulder. “Now let’s go save yer marefriend, little filly.”

Dash only nodded before she followed McShady out of the stadium.

***

Applejack sat on her haunches, still gagged and bound, while eyeing her two kidnappers with venomous glares. Clover High was on a table, playing with a deck of cards as a rifle leaned against him. Crack-A-Barrel was looking outside the windows every so often while drinking a cup of coffee. Applejack struggled against her bonds, slowly working on a way to make sure neither of them noticed. Dagnabit they really tied these tight. Gonna take me a good while, if only they weren’t lookin’.

An idea came to Applejack as she started getting Clover’s attention with a few muffles. Grabbing his rifle, he aimed at Applejack while coming over and muttered, “What now?”

He took off the gag, allowing Applejack to breathe fresh air again, before she answered him. “Ah gotta pee.”

Muttering a few curses to himself, he called out, “Oi! Crack-A-Barrel! She’s gotta take a leak! Ya watch over her and make sure she don’t escape okay!”

“Okay, boss!” cried out Crack-A-Barrel as he walked over and picked Applejack up.

“Hey, careful!”

“Shut up!”

Applejack shook her head and growled as she was carried outside towards the back. The moment she saw sunlight she quickly checked to see if there was anyway out she could go by, but the rocks covered all the exits and were too steep to climb. If she was gonna escape, she had to do it by going through the house and taking out the two bastards. While escaping was her overall goal, having these two get the apples knocked out of them by her hooves was just as satisfying.

The outhouse wasn’t that far, and she was soon placed inside, right on the toilet seat, while Crack-A-Barrel waited, staring at her. Raising an eyebrow, Applejack said, “Um, Ah can’t go if yer watchin’ me.”

“Boss says Ah gotta watch ya,” said Crack-A-Barrel. “So pee.”

“Ah’ll pee when yah start closin’ that door and let me have some dang privacy. Where am Ah gonna go when Ah’m all tied up and doin’ mah business?” pointed out Applejack.

Crack-A-Barrel thought about it for a moment before shrugging and finally closing the door. The moment it was locked shut, Applejack went to work on the ropes. They were good, really good. But Applejack’s Pa had taught her everything about ropes and all the tricks to them. It took a few minutes, but she was finally free and ready to kick some flank.

The door banged a bit followed by Crack-A-Barrel’s voice. “Hey, ya done in there?”

Faking a sigh of relief, Applejack positioned her rear legs to face the door as a grin grew on her face. “Yup! Ah’m done!”

Crack-A-Barrel opened the door only to get two hooves straight to the face that knocked him on his back. Blood dripped down his nose as he tried to get up, his eyes nearly spinning, but Applejack got on top of him and smacked him once more for good measure, knocking his lights out. After making sure one of her captors was unconscious for good measure, Applejack quickly made her way towards the house as quietly as she could.

She was no expert on sneaking, but with her life on the line she was gonna have to give it her all. She slowly opened the door, careful to make sure it didn’t creek, and tiptoed through the halls. Right by the kitchen, she saw Clover High pouring some cider into a mug before drinking it down like there was no tomorrow. His rifle was only a hoof swipe away by the wall next to her.

Grabbing it, Applejack held it in her mouth, before creeping up on the jerk. When she was only a few hoofsteps away, she muttered, “Psst!”

Clover High turned around only to get smacked with the butt end of his rifle like it was a club. The stallion fell down like a domino, and Applejack dropped the rifle for the door. Excitement grew in her chest as couldn’t wait to get back into town, find Dash, and get the sheriff and his boys to come down and arrest these two; and the short one if they ever found him. Once again, Apples show how they do it best!

She opened the door... and felt the worst pain imaginable against her jaw as she crumbled to the ground, tears in her eyes. She looked up and the last thing she saw before darkness took her was a metal hoof.

***

Applejack finally awoke from consciousness as she felt the taste of her blood lingering in her mouth. She could already tell she was tied up again, but this time she felt metal instead of ropes. The rattling quickly painted the image of chains in her mind and she tried to shake them off, but the click of a hammer and the feel of a gun’s barrel on her head made her freeze up.

“Ah wouldn’t do that, darlin’,” said a raspy voice. “Yer more to me alive then dead, but Ah can easily find another slave if Ah wanted to.”

S-slave?! thought Applejack with fear gripping her heart. She looked up and nearly peed for real when she saw who was aiming the gun at her. It was some kind of unicorn in a dark cloak and hat. He was white with a purple mane that went down to his shoulders and a glare in his eye that spoke of cruelty and malice. But the most noticeable parts were the metal limbs. His horn, his left hoof, and even his jaw were made out of pure metal, like some kind of robot. There were others dressed like him, minus the metalic limbs, who chuckled upon seeing her squirm.

Both Crack-A-Barrel, supporting a bleeding nose with his hooves, and Clover High were around as well, glaring at her. “Look, just take the stupid whorse. She’s been nothin’ but trouble, an’ Ah swear Ah ain’t gonna miss her.”

“Only one this time, Clover?” asked the metal limbed unicorn as he put the gun away. “Normally ya give me two of yer boss’s competition.”

Clover High smirked. “Trust me, this one is worth three. She’s as strong and fast as they come and can work wonders for ya.”

The metal pony analyzed Applejack who wisely decided to sit still. She could tell this guy was different from the kind of scum Clover High and his gang were. This guy was a professional. A killer, cold blooded and all. Applejack had no doubt that he would kill her in an instant if she showed any resistance.

The metal unicorn nodded. “She does look like quite the looker... what’s her name?”

“Applejack,” said Clover High which made the metal pony turn around, eyes widened. “What?”

“Applejack? Applejack Apple? The Element of Honesty?” demanded the unicorn, growing angrier by the minute.

“Uh,” Clover started to sweat, “Ah... guess so?”

The unicorn sighed before back slapping Clover with his metal hoof, knocking him to the ground. Clover tried to get up, but Applejack screamed as a gun aimed at his head and fired, blowing his brains out. Crack-A-Barrel screamed too, but more in rage as he tried to attack the metal pony, but two shots to his legs put him down.

Crack-A-Barrel called out his friend’s name, but the face was barely recognizable. Applejack closed her eyes and shook her head as tears dripped down it. She hated that bastard, but she would never have wanted to see him killed like that.

“Why did ya kill Clover High!?!” screamed Crack-A-Barrel, wincing at the pain. “We always given ya good ponies for slaves!”

The unicorn shrugged. “True, which is why Ah’m gonna kill ya both quickly.” He leaned down and shook his head. “See, Ah’m a wanted pony. But so far Ah’ve kept mah business down here in the south, not too noticeable by the princesses. If they found out Ah was involved in kidnappin’ one of them heroes, Ah’d have the whole army after me.” He pointed his gun at Crack-A-Barrel. “So Ah gotta tie up loose ends.”

“W-wait!” cried out Crack before a shot to the side put him down and was silent.

Applejack held her breath as the metal pony looked at her next, gun levitating near her neck. A single pull and it would be all over, the great farm in the sky for her.

“What should we do with her, Metal Hoof?” asked one of the lackeys.

“Hmm,” said Metal Hoof, rubbing his chin. “Well, Ah’d hate to waste an opportunity like this. One of them diamond dogs will pay handsomely for a worker like her. Let’s get her into the carriage and head out to the station, boys. Our train awaits.”

“What about the third one? Shorty? He’s not here.”

“Well, guess we’ll have to find him then.” Metal Hoof grinned. “And make sure he never ‘appears’ again.”

***

Rainbow Dash was still trying to comprehend what had just happened. Applejack getting kidnapped? Okay, she got that. Those three flankholes that had been bugging them did it? Made sense. Their boss, who both her and Applejack thought was supporting them, was actually helping her, and had just maimed one of his own worker so they can rescue her? Still processing.

“H-hey? What about that Shorty guy?” asked Rainbow Dash as she flew across the desert, Duke McShady right below her on the ground.

“He won’t be moving, and when we get back, not only am Ah firin’ his sorry flank, but Ah’m leavin’ him in the sheriff's hooves.” He narrowed his eyes and lowered his head. “After Ah break his two friends like Ah broke him.”

“How did you even get jerks like that?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“They’re family to a few friends of mine,” answered McShady, jumping over a small cactus. “They asked me to straighten them out by any means necessary, but ya can see how that turned out. Some ponies are just hopeless.”

Rainbow Dash nodded as they continued their journey to the quarry. She looked over her shoulder and saw the sun was setting. What made her gulp was the fact that the sunset was blood red. There was an old superstition that whenever Celestia’s sun was red as it sank in the dark, that meant blood was going to be spilt over the night. She only hoped that blood wasn’t going to be Applejack’s. She couldn’t help but wish Applejack never got those tickets in the first place. If they hadn’t come over here, they wouldn’t have been in this mess, and Applejack would be safe and sound. And yet if you didn’t come over, you wouldn’t have learned there was a pony who care that much about you.

“Hey, those guns real?” asked McShady, snapping her out of her daydream.

She looked down at her cowpony getup that she bought at the costume shop earlier. “No, fake, why?”

McShady scoffed. “Well, let’s then see if yer fast enough to dodge bullets.”

Rainbow Dash gulped at the idea of facing guns, remembering how much power she saw them have in McShady’s hooves earlier in the freestyle round. “Will... will they really try to kill us? Or her? I-I-I’m not scared or anything, but...”

“Rats, when cornered, will always fight back,” muttered McShady as he paused and pointed to the quarry ahead. Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes and focused on the rocks, noticing the house hidden there.

The two headed towards a nearby large rock and huddled closer. McShady pulled out one of his guns and muttered, “Scout the area. Make sure there aren’t any surprises around the house. Don’t do anythin’ foalish.”

“Got it,” nodded Rainbow Dash. She was about to head out when she stopped and nervously rubbed the back of her neck. “H-hey... um, I’m sorry about...”

“Later, now go.”

Dash didn’t need to be told again as she flew up and headed for a nearby cloud. Using it as cover, she slowly brought it down while keeping an eye on the area. So far there was no sight of anypony. In fact, she couldn’t even hear anything coming from the house. She checked the front, back, and sides of the house before waving over to McShady that the coast was clear. She watched as he galloped forward and slammed opened the door. Dash bit her lip, expecting to hear some gunfire or shouts of surprise, but she heard nothing.

Suspicious, she flew down towards the entrance to look inside... only to lean out and throw up at the sight of Clover High’s brains blown out of his head by the front room. After losing her lunch three times, she weakly looked inside and saw McShady looking at both bodies with a stoic expression. He leaned down and closed both their eyes before placing their hats over their faces and sighed. “Idiots...”

“W-what... what happened?” Rainbow Dash’s heart stopped for a second. “W-where’s Applejack?!”

“Gone, somepony must have taken her,” said McShady as he got up and shook his head. “Whatever these guys were in, it cost them their lives. Yer friend Applejack must be worth more alive than dead if her corpse ain’t here. Although that might not be a good thing.”

“W-well she is alive, isn’t she?” asked Rainbow Dash.

McShady glared at her which made her spine tingle. “There are some fates worse than death.” He made for the door. “Come on, we’re headin’ back to town. Shorty is the only lead we got left. He may be able to tell us who they were workin’ with, and where they might have taken Applejack.”

“What about the bodies? Shouldn’t we bury them or something?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Leave them; dead weight will do us no good,” muttered McShady. “Besides, the dingos here will smell their blood and take them for food. At least they can be worth somethin’ in death, more so than they were in life”

“That’s cold...” whispered Rainbow Dash who wasn’t sure if he was really on her side.

McShady smirked. “Welcome to the south. Where yer life is worth as much as the sand in the desert.”

***

Rainbow Dash was starting to see where her so called “partner” had gotten the name “McShady”. He had Shorty tied up in a chair back at the stadium, in an abandoned storage room, where they waited for him to regain consciousness. Rainbow Dash kept tapping her hoof impatiently. For all she knew, Applejack could have been taken out of the desert by whoever it was by now. I’m not abandoning her. I’ll search all of Equestria to find her if I have to.

McShady, unsurprisingly, was sitting as still as a rock, his eyes never leaving the unconscious pony. He finally sat up and shook his head. “Wastin’ time,” he muttered before picking up a pail of water with his mouth. He splashed it all over Shorty who instantly woke up and started coughing out before moaning about the pain.

“Wakey wakey, Shorty,” said McShady as he threw the bucket away and walked over to his former employee who looked ready to piss himself. “Ah got some questions, and yer gonna answer them.”

“Ah told ya where she is! That’s all I know! I swear!” cried out Shorty in terror.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. “When we got there, your pals were dead. I’m sorry.”

Hearing this made Shorty gasp before he began to weep uncontrollably. “Oh Celestia... Ah knew it... Ah knew that guy was gonna kill us someday...”

“Which guy!” demanded McShady, leaning forward, but Shorty continued to cry. “Ah said—”

“Hey!” shouted Rainbow Dash, getting in front of him and glaring. “He just lost his best friends! Jerk or no jerk, he should at least have a moment to mourn for them!”

Shorty sniffled and muttered, “Ah’ll tell ya anythin’...” They looked at him as his sorrow was soon replaced by rage. “Ah’ll tell ya anythin’ so long as it means ya avenge them! Ah’ll say whatever ya want if it means brinin’ down Metal Hoof!”

For the first time since she met him, Rainbow Dash saw a surprised expression on McShady’s face as he moved forward and asked, “Metal Hoof? THEMetal Hoof? That’s who ya been dealin’ with?”

Shorty nodded.

McShady rubbed his head. “Oh, for the love of pete. Were ya boys really this stupid to deal with a wanted man like Metal Hoof?! All just so Ah can win?!”

Shorty looked down at the ground with his ears flat. “We... we didn’t at first. We just sabotaged other competitions because we wanted to get paid... One time we almost got caught, so we had to kidnap her. When the contest was over, we didn’t know what to do with her, so... Clover High got the idea of sellin’...” He gulped. “... of sellin’ ponies to slavers for extra cash.”

A hoof came across Shorty’s face, but it was blue, not green. Any sympathy that Rainbow Dash had earlier was now wiped away and replaced with a strong urge to kill this piece of trash in front of her. She grabbed him by the shoulders and uttered menacingly,“You. Sold. Applejack. Into. Slavery?!”

Shorty winced, but nodded before a second blow came.

“You motherbuckers!” screamed Rainbow Dash. “Did you even once question if she had a family?! Friends?! A life?! And you’ve done this with how many other ponies?! Ten?! Fifteen?! TWENTY?!”

“I...I’m...”

“Don’t you dare tell me ‘you’re sorry’! It ain’t worth horseapples!” shouted Rainbow Dash as she spit on him. “I hope your friends are rotting in the underworld. And I hope you join them when you die, too!”

Shorty said nothing, he only lowered his head and was silent.

McShady put a hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder. “Let’s go. We got what we came for. The sheriff will take care of this for now, Ah already sent one of mah other helpers for him. He’ll be in the courts hoofs after tonight, but Ah doubt he’ll get off scott free.”

The two of them made their way for the door when Shorty muttered one last time, “Uncle McShady... Ah’m so sorry...”

Rainbow’s eyes widen as he stared at McShady who stopped and sighed. “Ah’ll tell yer folks about what happened, Shorty. To you and Clover and Crack-A-Barrel. But ya dug yer own grave, kid, now ya gonna lay in it.”

McShady said nothing else as he opened the door, left with Dash, and closed it, leaving Shortly to weep alone.

***

Rainbow Dash didn’t know what to say to a guy who had seen his own nephews not only commit a crime, but two of them were dead and the other was going to jail for a long time. While she had no pity for those three in her hearts, she did have some for him. Must be tearing him up inside.

“Ah ain’t bothered by this if yer asking,” said McShady as if reading her mind. “Those three were always trouble makers. So bad that their own families didn’t want them and gave them to me, another troublemaker. They made it look like they wanted me to fix them, but the truth was they just wanted rid of them. Ah took them in anyway, bein’ blood and all, but Ah knew it was hopeless.” He stopped and shook his head. “Ah just thought they’d never go this far...’

Rainbow Dash sighed and said, “It’s not yer fault.”

“Damn right it ain’t, idiots,” muttered McShady as he continued walking. “Now we gotta deal with Metal Hoof.”

“Who is this guy anyway?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Ah doubt ya heard of him up north, he keeps all his business down here in the south where the law ain’t as strong or organized. He’s a unicorn criminal who has metal body parts he gained after losing them in a stamped. He deals with gambling scams, theft, bank robberies, but mostly he kidnaps and sells slaves to the highest bidder. Usually to the diamond dogs in the Badlands where it’s legal to have them.”

“How come this guy hasn’t been caught?” asked Dash.

“He’s sneaky and he operates under the princess’s radar so they don’t get serious on him, but in the south he’s a big fish to fry,” muttered McShady, who stretched his neck. “It’s been awhile since Ah was back in the game, but Ah suppose Ah can come out of retirement one last time."

“Last time?” asked Rainbow Dash.

He grinned and puffed out his chest. “Allow me to reintroduce myself, Duke McShady. Ex-Bounty Hunter and the one whose gonna save yer marefriend.”

Author's Note

Been so long since we had an update, huh? So were you surprised by the twist?

Act 6

Date at Dodge Junction
Act 6
By The Rated Ponystar
Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

Despite popular belief, Applejack wasn’t that much of a religious mare. After her parents died, despite her prayers to the various gods and goddesses she heard about, she stopped believing they actually cared about her. If deities couldn’t help her, then she would just rely on herself. It caused a few problems with some of her more faithful relatives, but they respected her in the end for choosing not to count on the gods for everything.

Now, for the first time in years, Applejack was praying. Slavery was a fate that all ponies feared ever since the Griffin Wars three hundred years ago, back when it was legal in the Griffin Empire. Raiders of armed, winged monsters came down to kill all the stallions, rape the mares, and sell the foals, in chains, to powerful nobles. Some for service, others for cleaning or cooking, the worst were for... pleasure.

After the war and the destruction of the Empire, which gave way to the Republic, slavery was outlawed in every nation that had to deal with the former empire. All but the Badlands. The stories about the Everfree Forest were scary to hear about growing up. The stories of the Badlands, however, could even give a royal guard nightmares. It was a land of no order, only scum and villainy. Anything was acceptable from slavery to rape to murder to theft and more. There was no ruler and only one rule: “Everything Goes”.

The borders between Equestria and these horrible lands were more secured than the princesses’ castle, but even still the criminals of the Badlands found ways to move about undetected. Applejack, trapped in chains and hidden in a carriage, was praying that somehow she would not end up in these horrible lands. She eyed Metal Hoof and the gang members that kept watch over

her, making sure she didn’t escape. She thought of her family and friends back in Ponyville. Would she ever see them again? Most slaves who end up in the Badlands rarely ever made it back home, and the princess dare not send any armed forces into the chaotic lands. It would cause a war between them and every criminal element that wanted to hold onto their freedom, a risk Celestia would not do even for Applejack.

If she crossed that border, Applejack might as well slit her own throat.

“Hey, boss?” asked one of the rouges, a unicorn who stared at Applejack’s backside with a lick. “Why don’t we have some fun with this one? That flank’s been all but begging me to bang it.”

Applejack instantly covered her rear end with her tail and held her breath.

“No, the more virgin they are, the better we get paid,” said Metal Hoof as he leaned down and stroked her cheek.

The carriage stopped and Applejack felt her heart stop with it. The carriage door opened, and she saw a train being loaded up and ready. Metal Hoof kicked her out of the carriage and into the dirt where she groaned upon feeling her belly make contact with the rough terrain. A conductor walked up to them and nodded. “This here it?”

“Yup, how soon ‘till we leave?” asked Metal Hoof as he levitated a small bag of bits to the conductor who took it with a greedy smile.

“Give it an hour and we’ll be headin’ south.”

“Good, put her in a crate and we’ll wait by car number five,” said Metal Hoof. Applejack struggled against the two that grabbed her which caught Metal Hoof’s attention. He walked up to her, raised her head and shook his own. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Why don’t ya take a nap?”

The last thing Applejack saw before her lights went out was his metal hoof aiming for her face.

***

McShady opened the second lock on the warehouse, which he learn about from his interrogation. Rainbow Dash had been shocked to learn that the pony who she had been working with was actually a retired bounty hunter, but the clues were now starting to fit in place. It did make her wonder why a retired bounty hunter became a rodeo pony of all things, but she wasn’t gonna question it. Not when saving Applejack was more important.

“Why are we wasting time here when we could be saving Applejack?!” demanded Rainbow Dash, stomping her hoof. “I mean, we’re in the middle of a bunch of warehouses! Why?!”

McShady rolled his eyes and glared at Dash. “Use that brain of yers under all that multicolored abomination ya call yer mane. Metal Hoof and his cronies got guns, and it’s just the two of us until the sheriff and his men get here,” he unlocked the final lock, “so we’re gonna even the playin’ field.”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widen as she saw what the warehouse was filled with. “G-guns... lots of guns...”

There had to be a hundred of them. Small ones. Big ones. Long ones. Fat ones. Even a giant cannon was placed by the corner. There were also sets of knives, swords, black balls with rope at the end she recognized as bombs, and all sorts of deadly traps. McShady walked inside and began pointing at them. “One of mah many old safehouses back in the huntin’ days. Pistols. Shotguns. Rifles. Mult-Rifles. Sniper Rifles. Grenades. Knives. Grab what you want as well as the ammo.”

“Uh, r-right,” said Dash as she nervously went over and grabbed a few pistols and knives.

“Have ya killed before?” asked McShady, loading up a revolver.

Rainbow Dash paused in grabbing a set of shells and looked down at them. “Yeah...during the Changeling Invasion. Some of the blows I gave them were fatal.” Training my dad taught me. “I... I felt disgusted that I killed them, but they were trying to kill me. I kept thinking though... did they have dreams? A family? Was this bug pony thing really evil, or was he just following his queen’s orders?” Rainbow Dash shook her head. “I had nightmares for awhile. Princess Celestia and Luna helped us all out after that day, and I got over it. But I don’t like killing... even though I might have to do more since I’m gonna be a Wonderbolt one day and part of the military.”

McShady stopped examining a shotgun and sighed. “It’s not a pretty thin’, but would ya rather have the blood of scum on yer hooves or the blood of the mare ya love?”

“How do you...”

“Ah had that look once. Long ago,” said McShady before turning back to his work. “Don’t think of it as killin’, but rescuin’. Saving a life that ya care about more than anythin’. Think that, and you’ll be alright.”

Rainbow Dash nodded before she took a few more weapons and belts to hold them. When it was all done, the two put them together in a big bag after loading them all up with ammunition. McShady sighed and nodded. “Okay, this is what we’ll have to carry.”

“So now we have to find them,” said Rainbow Dash, smashing her hooves together. “I can do a quick flyby around town and see what I can find.”

“No need. I know exactly where they’re goin’,” said McShady as he grabbed the bag and walked out of the warehouse. “Only one train is workin’ this late at night. It’s supposed to head down to a few village’s of the Hayseed Swamps for givin’ supplies, but has to cross under a mountain that’s part of the border of the Badlands. Metal Hoof will be using that route to transport Applejack.”

“So we head to the train yard and beat them up, right?” asked Rainbow Dash, flying next to him.

McShady shook his head. “Nope. We’re gonna need the element of surprise for this one. So we’re gonna head over to somepony who can help us.”

“Who?” asked Dash

***

“The undertaker?” asked Dash, staring at the store in disbelief. McShady ignored her as he walked up and banged on the door a few times.

A light appeared in the store just as an old earth pony in a nightcap appeared and yawned. He quickly woke up when he saw who it was. “McShady! What are ya doin’ here? And who did ya kill this time?”

“Nopony yet, but soon. Ah need yer help. Ah need a funeral dress, flowers, and a casket. Nothing special, just a decent one.”

The undertaker raised an eyebrow. “Ah thought ya said ya didn’t kill anypony?”

“It’s not for a target. It’s for her,” said McShady, nodding to Rainbow Dash.

“Wait, what?!” screamed Dash.

***

A black carriage that anypony would recognize as the undertaker’s passed into the train yard with a single puller of the black carrier with lilies decorated on the sides. Two of Metal Hoof’s armed stallions got up from their seats and walked over to the carriage which stopped in their midst. The hooded pony nodded and said, “Evenin’.”

“Funny time to be here undertakin’ this late at night,” said one of the thugs.

“Sorry, but this is a late delivery. Ah’m here to take this poor mare to her folks down in Swimmers Town in Hayseed Swamp for her burial,” answered the hooded pony, motioning to the brown casket in the carriage.

“Ya don’t mind if we check it out, make sure yer tellin’ the truth,” asked the other.

The hooded pony nodded. “By all means, just don’t disturb her too much. We worked hard to make sure she’s prim and proper for her final rest.”

The two guards walked over to the carriage and opened it, taking out the casket and laying it down. They opened it, revealing a light blue pegasus, in a simple black dress, with a rainbow mane lying inside on a bed of red roses while a small bouquet of them lay on her chest, held by her hooves. One of the guards looked at her and asked, “What happened to her? She’s so young.”

“Scorpion stung her in her sleep. Died peacefully, at least,” answered the undertaker.

“Ain’t that a shame. So young and already up there in the big barnyard in the sky,” the criminal replied before he closed the casket. The two hoisted it back up. “Alright, yer in the clear. Put her inside and get on out of here as soon as ya can.”

“Thank ya kindly,” the hooded pony said before trotting into the train yard. When they were away from the guard, Rainbow Dash poked out of her casket and whispered, “Told ya I was a good actor.”

“Ah’m sure yer gonna win an award, now get back to playin’ dead,” muttered McShady under his hood.

Rainbow Dash stuck her tongue out before lying back down.

***

It didn’t take them long to enter the trainyard and hide the carriage near an abandoned caboose. Dash got out of her coffin and the dress before being handed two pistols and a shotgun by McShady. Taking a few guns, including a bolt action sniper rifle, McShady pointed to a nearby radio tower. “Ah’ll keep watch up there.”

“Okay, let’s find AJ,” said Rainbow before she rushed off. McShady shook his head at her impatience and made his way towards the tower.

Climbing the latter as swift and quiet as a cat, the bounty hunter made it to the top and peeked up, noticing a single guard leaning over the railing. McShady slowly got up and, before the guard knew it, his forelegs were around the neck and snapped it. Laying the deceased guard down, he blew out the nearby candle light and lifted up the rifle.

Back down below, Dash was rushing and ducking through various train carts, keeping an eye on wandering patrols. Some of them looked like station workers, others looked a lot like bandits dressed in dark cloaks and black hats. She could even see their guns by their side; mostly likely Metal Hoof’s boys.

Ducking under a nearby train, she laid her belly on the tracks as she crawled under the train as stealthy as she could. Along the way, she saw two guards walking towards her direction and talking to one another.

“So, where did Metal Hoof put the slave?” asked one of them.

“She’s in an apple crate, ironically. Might as well enjoy the smell of them before the only thing she’ll smell is the aftermath of a Diamond Dog Warlord having his way with her sweet flank.”

The two laughed and it almost made Dash fly out and punch their lights out for saying such things about Applejack, but she bit her lip and held on. When she was sure they were gone, Dash quickly got out of the train and flew up. She quickly scanned the area, using her sharp flyer’s eyes to look for any sign of crates. She noticed a large number of them by a train that looked like it was getting ready to leave.

Feeling like it was her best bet, Rainbow Dash flew down and landed in the middle of them. Galloping through the crates, she eyed every single one of them in search for any labeled “apples”. Come on, AJ! Where are you! Where the buck are you!

She was about to reach the end of the crates when she finally found it. The large crate labeled her friend’s namesake. With a strong kick, the crate smashed open, revealing piles of apples that rolled down the pile and onto the floor. in the middle of the crate was none other than Applejack, gagged and tied up, and unconscious. “Applejack!” shouted Dash as she rushed over and held her.

“AJ, open your eyes! It’s me! Dash!” she cried out.

Applejack stirred a bit before she opened her eyelids and widened at who she saw smiling at her. A tear slipped down her cheek as she muttered under her gag, “Dash...”

Hugging her friend for a good while, Dash then removed the gag and began to work on the chains. “Hold on, I can get you free without any problems.”

The sound of a hammer cocking at the back of a gun pressed against the side of her head stopped her. “Ah think ya got a new problem to worry about.”

***

Applejack and Dash grunted as they were both tossed to the ground on the station platform, their bonds now freed. The two looked up as Metal Hoof stepped forward, his gang surrounding them at every corner. He chuckled before taking out his gun with his magic and pointed it at Dash. “So we got ourselves a shinin’ knight tryin’ to save the princess.” He grinned, which made the two shiver at the sight of the half-metal mouth’s appearance. “Don’t ya girls know the fairy tales never end up bein’ real?”

“Let her go, Metal Hoof! It’s me ya want!” cried out Applejack, standing up with a determined look on her face. “Sell me as a sex slave. Just let her go!”

“Screw that!” shouted Dash getting up and glaring at AJ. “I didn’t become the Element of Loyalty by abandoning my friends. If you’re going down, I’m going down with you.”

“Such a warm hearted friendship ya two have,” Metal Hoof yawned, “but Ah’m gettin’ really tired of havin’ mah work interrupted. So... what to do with either of ya?”

Applejack lowered her hat and glared. “If yer gonna kill us just do it quick already.”

“Kill you?” gasped Metal Hoof, although it was clearly fake. “Why would Ah want to do that? Do ya take me for a monster?”

“You sell ponies as slaves to be used and thrown away like used tissue paper! You’re nothing more than scum!” shouted Dash, growling.

“Scum, sure. But rich scum nonetheless,” chuckled Metal Hoof, with a very raspy laugh. He sighed and looked at Rainbow Dash while aiming his gun at her. “See, while it’s temptin’ to take the two of ya. Ah don’t want to risk it. So one of ya...” he then pointed it at Applejack. “Is gonna die here and how.”

Applejack did her best to show no fear, but she looked at Dash with worry in her eyes. She would rather be sold on the market like a piece of meat then see her crush end up with a fate like this. This is all mah fault, Ah should be the one to die. Not her. She’s got a future as a Wonderbolt!

“Let’s let fate decide, eh boss?” asked one of the gang members, showing a bit.

Metal Hoof smiled. “Why not? Heads it’s the pegasus. Tails it’s the earth pony.”

The bandit flipped the coin in the air as Applejack watched with baited breath. Time seemed to slow down as everypony watched it fall. If it was heads, Applejack would have to say goodbye to the love of her life. If tails, she was still gonna have to say goodbye. It was a lose-lose situation, but AJ didn’t know what was gonna be worse. To be alive and know that she lead the one pony she cared more than any other to her death? Or to never tell Dash how she really felt before a bullet was put into her skull.

The coin landed and AJ fell to her haunches in tears.

Heads.

Dash was the one who would die.

She turned to Dash, knowing this would be the last time she would ever see her beautiful eyes. Unsurprisingly, Dash didn’t show a single look of fear, but instead smiled as she gazed over at AJ. “Dash... Ah’m so sorry...” whispered Applejack, lowering her head in shame.

A hoof raised her chin and before she knew it, her lips were touching Dash’s. Eyes wide, she felt the electrified taste of blueberries on her lips for a brief second before Dash pulled away and gave her a smile. “Relax, AJ. I hear heaven’s pretty sweet. I’ll see you there.”

“This is sweet and all, but can ya turn around so Ah can aim right?”

Rainbow scowled as she turned around where Metal Hoof was aiming his gun straight at her forehead. With tears in her eyes, Applejack tried to fight the urge to look away. She wanted to see Dash until the last moment, letting her act of bravery be the last thing she sees in Equestria before her horrible fate.

‘Ah love you...” whispered Applejack, without knowing it.

“I know,” said Dash, smiling without looking at her.

A shot rang out and Applejack’s heart stopped but she soon found herself in darkness while the lightbulb above was shattered into tiny pieces. Instincts kicked in and Applejack bucked the two goons behind her before ducking just as shouts went out followed by gunshots from all directions. She didn’t know where that first shot came from, who was shooting who, nor if Rainbow Dash was still alive.

Before she knew it, she felt a familiar wing brush against her back followed by a voice she had never been more glad to hear in her entire life. “Run! Don’t stop!” shouted Rainbow Dash before Applejack heard the sound of wings flying into the air.

Applejack didn’t need to be told twice. She picked herself up and ran like her tail was on fire. While she raced into the darkness, she heard Metal Hoof ordering his gang to stop shooting and spread out. Applejack doubted she was gonna be used for slavery now. Most likely she was gonna be target practice. She kept running until she pressed herself against a nearby shed. She looked behind her and saw three of Metal Hooves goons coming straight towards her, guns high in the air thanks to their horns..

They fired a couple of shots at her, and she hid back just as the bullets flew past her. Cursing her luck, Applejack tried to figure out a way of how she was gonna get out of this one. Her answer came in the forum of another gunshot, but this time she heard one of the gang members go down.

“Sniper!” shouted the other one as the two hid behind some barrels.

Seeing her chance, Applejack rushed out towards them, hoping to catch them off guard with whoever her savior was. The two spotted Applejack and aimed, but a few more gunshots from the sniper stopped them. Before either of the two remaining gangsters knew it, Applejack was already upon them. She tackled the first one and knocked the gun out of his hooves before smacking him a few times in the head.

She heard the click of a hammer from the other gangster and dived out of the way just in the nick of time as the bullet entered the shoulder of his friend, causing him to whine and scream at the pain. Applejack turned around, eyes widened as she saw him aim at her. This time she had no chance to dodge in time.

Thankfully, whatever gods were looking after AJ didn’t abandon her as she heard the sound of the empty gun click. Without wasting any time, Applejack rushed over and bucked the shocked gunpony in the head with an instant KO. She turned towards the other one, but he was still on the ground, clutching his wound and whimpering. Applejack relaxed; no way he was gonna be trouble now.

“Ya hit?”

Applejack turned around, ready for another fight, but to her shock it was McShady, walking towards her with a rifle across his back. She was ready to attack when he held a hoof saying, “Relax, Ah ain’t yer enemy. Ah’m here to help ya.”

“Help me?! Yer boys tried to hull mah flank off into slavery!” shouted Applejack, gritting her teeth.

“Well, those ‘boys’ were actin’ on their own. Listen, if Ah wasn’t on yer side, do ya think Ah’d have ya still breathin’? Ah saved yer sorry butt twice, the least ya can do is trust me.”

Applejack lowered her stance as she thought about it. She could still smell the fresh gunpowder from the rifle, and it was clear it had been shot more than once recently. Plus, a rifle had saved her and Dash. Not to mention if he was on Metal Hoof’s payroll then she would be already dead by now considering how fast he could shoot.

“Alright, Ah’ll believe ya for now. Where is Dash?” asked Applejack.

McShady was about to answer when they heard gunshots coming from the other side of the railroad. Shaking his head, McShady spat on the ground. “Well, we follow the bullets,”

***

Rainbow Dash felt her hooves shaking as she lowered the gun from where she stood. The gang member clutched his chest as he stared at Dash with a look of fear in his eyes. Rainbow Dash didn’t need to know what he was thinking, it was clear on his pale and frightened face.

I don’t want to die.

She did nothing but stand still as he fell forward, motionless, and landed on his face. A small pool of blood began to form from underneath him as Dash did her best to fight down the bile in her throat.

She killed him. She knew that he was chasing after her and was ready to kill her. So she killed him first.

Rainbow Dash didn’t have much time left to think about what she had done as she heard the approaching gang members that had been behind her. Biting her lip, she tried to figure out what to do now. She couldn’t just out fly them or else they might go after Applejack, who she hoped was with McShady by the direction she last saw them. And Rainbow Dash didn’t know if she had it in her to kill anymore.

Man, what would Daring Do do in this situation? thought Dash. She thought back to Daring Do and The Stone Warriors where the rock golems of the lost diamond dog kingdom of Tenochiwawlan were after her by orders of their new master, the evil Professor Diabolic. She had created a mud and straw version of herself and threw it off a cliff where some crocodiles ate it, making the stone warriors believe her dead. Smirking, Dash thought of a similar plan as she took off her cowpony hat and tried to find a suitable stand in.

A nearby bag of tomatoes would do just nicely. She hide it in the dark, visible enough to spot the hat but not the body, and waited till they were close enough where they could see her. Taking the pistol she had in one hoof, she shouted, “Hey, scrapheaps! Warning shot!” and fired twice into the air.

The Gangponies ducked down quickly as the shots rang out. They turned and saw a dark figure standing from the direction they heard shots and opened fire. The head of the figure exploded in a spray of wet red. They lowered their guns, satisfied, as smoke from the shots filled the air. They fell for it, Dash thought with a grin. Now to finish the job.

She dashed out from her hiding place, quick as a lightening bolt and began to fly in circles around them. The smoke from the guns trailed behind her, making it nearly impossible to see the blue dart. More shots rang out as they tried in vain to kill her. Faster and faster she flew, kicking up dust and debris. The Gangponies began to lose balance as they slowly rose off the floor; Dash’s wind tunnel creating a mini tornado. Rainbow Dash squinted as the dust hit her hard in the face, leaving scrapes and cuts, but she refused to give up. Gotta go faster, she thought.

Pushing herself as hard as she could, the Gangponies were now several feet off the ground. Finally, in an act that would make the Wonderbolts proud, she adjusted her direction at an angle and gave one final push, a slight trail of rainbow colors forming behind her. Just before the push back she knew all too well of a failed Sonic Rainboom hit her, she released the tornado and flung the Gangponies off into the distance till they were little specs in the air.

Rainbow Dash looked at her work and felt the need to pat herself on the back. “Awww, yeah! That’s what I call a good old fashioned desert storm! Now I just got to find Appleja- “

A crack in the air went out and Rainbow Dash screamed.

Never before had she scream so much until she felt her shoulder burst open and blood sprayed across her face. She fell down like a sack of bricks, holding on to her bleeding wound while she fought back the tears in her eyes. Rainbow Dash looked up and gulped, spotting the smoking pistol that had shot her.

Metal Hoof, grinning with that metal lip of his, slowly made his way towards Dash who did her best to try and get up, but each time she tried she hissed and fell back down. She looked into the cold, dead like eyes of the slaver that had tried to sell her best friend off like some whore and didn’t flinch.

“Ya’ll are an amusing pegasus, little filly,” whispered Metal Hoof before he lifted his trademark name and pressed it against her wound.

Rainbow Dash screamed as she felt him press harder and harder with each passing second. She eventually bit her tongue and then spat blood in her captor’s face, who calmly wiped it off before pistol whipping her in the cheek. Dash coughed up blood and spat out a loose tooth as she saw the gun raised at her head.

“Time to fly to heaven, little filly,” said Metal Hoof with a smile as he pulled back the hammer.

Dash closed her eyes and waited for the end.

“Hold it right there, Metal Hoof!” shouted a familiar voice followed by a gun cock.

Opening her eyes, Dash turned to her right and saw McShady standing nearby, both pistols raised and pointed at Metal Hoof. The wanted pony didn’t even flinch or move his gun from Dash’s head as he calmly looked at McShady and smirked. “Well, well, well. Duke “The Viper” McShady. Last Ah heard ya gave up ya bounty huntin’ ways a long time ago after the massacre at Red Indian Knee. A lot of good ponies died that day.”

“A lot of bad ones, too. Too bad ya weren’t there. Plenty of open space for another grave,” muttered McShady.

Metal Hoof sighed. “They say yer so fast with a gun yer like a snake poised and ready to kill. By the time they know they’ve been shot, their spirit has already left their body for judgement.” He smirked and nodded over to Rainbow Dash. “But are ya fast enough to save her life? Ya’ll can go ahead and shoot me, but are ya willin’ to put her life on the line as well?”

McShady just stood there, still as a statue with both guns still aimed at Metal Hoof. Dash gulped and wondered what he was gonna do to get them out of this situation. To her surprise, he calmly tossed his guns away and raised his forehooves in the air. Metal Hoof grinned. “That’s a good little bounty hunter,” and then he whistled.

Five armed gang members then appeared out of the shadows and pointed their guns at McShady who sighed. “Ya five realize if yer gonna aim at me, ya’ll should aim for my chest and not mah head?”

“Could you not give them advice on how to kill you?! Argh!” cried out Dash, hissing at feeling of the bullet entering deeper in her shoulder.

Metal Hoof chuckled before taking the gun away from Dash and his smile turned upside down. “Where is the other one?”

“Dead. Yer boys shot her.”

Metal Hoof rolled his eyes. “Come on, ya think Ah’m gonna fall for that trick? Where is she?”

McShady was quiet at first, but then he smirked and said, “Right behind ya.”

Metal Hoof’s eyes widen just as something leaped off a nearby caboose and landed on top of him. He tried to fire his gun, but Applejack knocked it out of his hooves and head butted him. Metal Hoof responded by smacking AJ’s head with his metallic hoof, knocking her hat off, but AJ still held on to him and continued their struggle.

At the same time, McShady grabbed something from his belt and threw it on the ground, causing a cloud of smoke to appear and hide him. The gangponies who had their aim at him fired their weapons at the cloud and Dash held her breath, trying to see any sign of the bounty hunter making his escape. She saw nothing.

The five shooters stopped and tried to spot a corpse among the smoke, but in less then a second five shots rang out. All five fell like dominos before the smoke cleared out, revealing a unscratched McShady, holding a much smaller pistol that Dash didn’t see him holding earlier. She turned back to AJ and Metal Hoof with the latter having gotten on top of her. His metal hoof then opened up, revealing a hidden blade that he aimed at her neck.

“Applejack!” shouted Rainbow Dash.

Before he could bring it down, another shot rang out and Metal Hoof screamed as the bullet went straight through his metalic limb, cutting off the blade. Seeing her chance, Applejack screamed and bucked him off of her before getting up. Metal Hoof grabbed his gun nearby and raised to aim, but Applejack turned around and gave the mightiest buck she could give.

The sound of her hoof smacking against his jaw echoed across the station...

... as did the sound of his neck snapping.

All was quiet as everypony stared at the body of Metal Hoof who sat there, still as can be with his head turned completely in the opposite direction. It swaggered a bit before falling on it’s side, motionless. Applejack stared at life of the slaver who she had just ended and froze.

Rainbow Dash was also just as shocked. She had heard Applejack say that a good solid Apple Family buck could snap a neck, and this proved it true.

Her shock was soon ended by a shot of pain and gasp for air as Dash felt her entire body starting to go numb. McShady and Applejack quickly ran over to Dash as she felt her eyes get heavier and heavier.

“Dash! Hang on! Dash!”

Rainbow Dash tried to say something, but the pain became too much and she fell into darkness.

Author's Note

Almost done. Just the ending left.

Epilogue

Date at Dodge Junction

Epilogue

By The Rated Ponystar

Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

Okay, note to self. Never get shot again, thought Rainbow Dash as she felt her consciousness return to her. Her eyes slowly opened up, revealing a white ceiling that she quickly recognized as a hospital from personal experience.

Groaning, she winced upon feeling her the area she was shot act up and glanced down, noticing a cast around both her leg and her wing. She cursed, knowing this was gonna cut into her practice time, but she was alive at least. Looking around, she quickly saw a snoring Applejack on a chair nearby. Smirking, she gave a high pitched whistle that made Applejack nearly jump out of her chair, much to Dash’s amusement.

Applejack, however, was quick to glare until she realized who it was that she was looking at. Within a millisecond, she was already hugging Rainbow Dash with misty eyes. “Yer alive... thank Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Twilight even!”

Rainbow Dash winced when she felt her wound being pressed, but she ignored it when Applejack was hugging her. And she definitely ignored it when she then kissed her on the lips. It wasn’t long, but it was enough to make Dash’s mind explode and her good wing poof up.

Applejack quickly separated from Rainbow and blushed. “Ah... Ah...”

Rainbow smirked and raised a hoof. “Hey, remember what I said? I know... and I totally didn’t mind that kiss, either.”

“S-so yer okay? With me... lovin’ ya?” asked AJ, bashfully.

“Would it help if I said I’d take a bullet for you? Then again, I already did.” The two chuckled a bit before, Dash grabbed Applejack by the hoof and brought it to her eye level. She leaned in closer and kissed Applejack on the lips before saying, “Yes, Applejack. I love you too.”

“Dash...I...”

Before Applejack could finish, the door of the room opened and in came McShady. Still frowning, but looking a bit softer in the eyes, he nodded. “Rainbow, good to see ya awake.”

“Thanks. So what happened to Metal Hoof and his gang?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Those that are still breathin’ are gonna get the noose later this month after the Princesses sign the execution warrants for their crimes. The rest are gettin’ buried in unmarked graves like the rest of the criminals down in these parts, including, Metal Hoof,” answered McShady. “Ah managed to convince them to give Shorty jail for life instead of the rope. Mah last deed to him as his uncle. Maybe he’ll find religion or something.”

“What about the competition?” asked Dash, looking at Applejack who sighed in dismay. “What?”

“They cancelled it,” answered Applejack, lowering her hat with her hoof. “Because of the smugglin’ and cheatin’ done, they put a stop to it.”

“Yeah, Ah’m even bein’ investigated for my role in all this despite Shorty confessin’ Ah had nothin’ to do with all this,” remarked McShady, spitting on the ground.

With a heavy heart, and a sigh, Dash fell back onto her pillow and weakly said, “So it was all for nothing? We can’t save Cherry’s farm?”

“Ah wouldn’t say that.”

The two ponies yipped when they saw two large bags land on the bed. Opening them, they gasped at the sight of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of bits in each bag. They turned to McShady who smirked. “Metal Hoof had a bounty of thirty thousand bits, dead or alive. Since y’all helped me out, Ah figured it’s only fair we split it three ways.”

Ten thousand bits each.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s jaws dropped. Never before had they seen so much money. “This... this is more then enough for Cherry! Hay, I’ve never even owned so much! If I knew you could get paid for taking down criminals, I would have trained to be a bounty hunter long ago instead of a Wonderbolt!” Dash turned to McShady and grinned. “You. Are. Awesome!”

McShady chuckled. “Just don’t get hung up in anythin’ dangerous again.” He tipped his hat and made for the door. “Well, Ah just came to deliver that. Best be goin’ now. Y’all take care of yourselves. And by the way...” He turned around and grinned. “Next time we meet in a rodeo, Ah’m winnin’.”

With that said, he left.

“Wow, he may look scary, but he was a pretty cool guy, huh, AJ?” Dash waited for an answer but got none. When she looked back at Applejack she saw her staring at the bit still. “Uh, Applejack?”

“S-sorry,” apologized Applejack, taking her eyes off the money. “Ah just... this is just so much money. The things Ah could do with this for the farm. For the family. So much debt to pay back, and even save some for college for Apple Bloom.” Her eyes dripped a few tears. “Ah... Ah’m just so happy.”

Dash smiled and slid over to Applejack before leaning in closer. Face to face. “Ah know what else can make you happy.”

Applejack grinned and soon pounced on Rainbow Dash as the two locked lips once again.

***

Applejack never felt happier to see the familiar green hills of Ponyville as she watched them pass by on their train. Dodge Junction was quite an adventure, and she was looking forward to some good R&R. Plus, she wasn’t going home empty hoofed. She had a lot of money, and a marefriend to bring home.

Speaking of which, she glanced down at a sleeping Rainbow whose head rested on her lap. She had partied too much at Cherry’s farm after the owner declared a celebration for having her farm saved. There was dancing, laughter, and of course drinking cider from the emergency stash. Rainbow Dash had managed to drink most of it in a few hours before passing out. Not after giving the biggest kiss Applejack ever got.

With the station right around the corner, Applejack nudged Rainbow. “Come on, darlin’. We’re home.”

Dash yawned and smacked her lips. “Already? Great, I can’t wait to go home and sleep on the clouds.” She then gave a grin at AJ and kissed her on the nose. “Unless you want to join me, that is?”

Applejack smiled and shook her head. “As much as ah Ah’d love to, darlin’, we’re gonna have to wait ‘till yer back a hundred percent before we can roll around in either hay or clouds.”

“Fine,” groaned Dash as they got their backs and made for the doors.

Once they stepped onto the platform, they were quickly met with a large cry.

“Surprise!” cried out all their friends and Applejack’s family while holding a banner that had their cutie marks on it along with the words “welcome back”. Their cries of joy were then replaced with shocked as they noticed Rainbow’s casts.

“Oh my gosh! What happened!”

“Are you hurt?!”

“Wow! Is that a bit bag! Its huge!”

“Eeyup!”

“When did you two get together as a couple?!”

Everypony froze and turned to Pinkie Pie who looked at them all and asked, “What?”

“H-how did you know we were a couple?!” shouted Dash in shock.

“Just a hunch,” answered a smiling Pinkie Pie.

Everypony just stared at the two blushing ponies before Applejack sighed.

“It’s a long story...”

Author's Note

And so this story comes to a close. Hard to believe I started this over an AppleDash competition. And if you think I'm done with AppleDashing fret not. I have plans to do an AppleDash one shot soon. Something small, but enjoyable.

Thanks to my editors for all their hard work into this. Laters

Act I

Date at Dodge Junction

Act 1

By The Rated Ponystar

Edited by: Apple Spice and Mr. Minimii

***

“Okay, Big Macintosh! This time Ah’m gonna do it!” shouted Applejack, stretching her neck and legs one by one as her brother silently watched. They turned their attention to two apple trees that were just barely apart; their branches touching each other in a close embrace.

Applejack leaned back, licking her lips as her tail swished back and forth from her raised hindquarters. After mentally going over the steps needed for her new bucking technique, she sprinted forward, making sure that she had the right amount of speed. Too fast and she would lose her accuracy. Too slow and there wouldn’t be enough power. Applejack only smirked, feeling her leg muscles twitching in anticipation.

Once she was in leg’s reach of the trees, Applejack turned around and shot Bucky McGillycuddy and Kicks McGee out. Instead of kicking them forward together, she aimed them both in opposite directions towards both trees. Although she winced a bit from the unusual stretch, the familiar sound of two successful bucks echoed in her ears. Lowering her legs, she turned around with a smile only to have it wash away and silently cursed.

“Ah, horseapples. Ah thought Ah’d get them all down this time,” grumbled Applejack, glaring at the half filled baskets. “Still, Ah got most of ‘em down. Not too shabby, eh big brother?”

“Eeyup,” agreed Big Macintosh.

“Why, Ah bet with some practice even y’all can get this technique down right. That is if ya can get those big cannons of yers to stretch that long,” joked Applejack, pointing to Big Macintosh’s own rear legs.

He raised an eyebrow before turning towards another set of trees that were close together. Standing in front of them, he eyed the trees carefully for a few seconds much to his sister’s confusion. In one swift move, he turned around and kicked them both with a single leg each. Applejack’s jaw dropped as every apple fell into their baskets like raindrops from a cloud.

Glaring at a grinning Big Macintosh, Applejack crossed her forelegs, and muttered, “Show off.”

“Eeyup.”

Applejack began to roll her eyes, but paused upon seeing the sun and its position in the sky. She gasped, “Ah ponyfeathers! Ah’m gonna be late for the lunch meetin’ with the girls!” She quickly took up a gallop towards the road leading into town. “See ya in a bit, Big Mac!”

She continued her run into town until she soon found herself running through the streets of Ponyville. Applejack felt her anticipation growing with each step and the thought of seeing her friends. She hadn’t seen any them for nearly a week and it had been a long time since they went on one of their adventures. One might think chasing off dragons, going through dangerous terrain, and being involved in death-defying danger was not something to appreciate, but the truth was Applejack loved it. While being a farmer was great and all, sometimes a pony needed excitement in her life. Ever since she became friends with Twilight Sparkle nearly three years ago, her life had taken quite a turn. She loved their adventures. Not only because of the excitement and the discoveries they found, both about Equestria and themselves, but it was also the moments they had together as friends that made it all worthwhile. If risking your life was the price for having five wonderful mares as friends, it was a deal Applejack thought fair.

Yet there was another reason for the extra spring in her gallop. Out of all her friends, there was one in particular she had wanted to see more than any of them. Although all five girls were special, a certain rainbow manned pegasus held a special place in her heart. Applejack flushed at the thought. It was still embarrassing that she thought of Rainbow Dash like some love struck puppy and it was only a miracle how she had managed to hide it for so long.

Ever since she learned that Rainbow Dash had been responsible for the rainbow that guided her back home and made her realize who she really was, Applejack grew a soft spot for the Element of Loyalty. Over time, that soft spot turned into a full blown crush that Applejack kept in secret for a long while now.

So preoccupied with her thoughts, Applejack almost missed the corner she was supposed to turn on the street. There she saw Horte Cuisine’s Café where she spotted her friends sitting at a table outside of the restaurant. Looking closer, Applejack could see that everypony was there except for Rainbow Dash. That silly filly is always late for everythin’.’ She thought. ‘Well, unless it’s got somethin’ to do with them Wonderbolts or cider.

Pinkie Pie was the first to notice her and jumped out of her seat, waving her hooves in the air. “Hey, Applejack! Over here! Lookie! Lookie!”. Needless to say, her loud tone managed to earn her and the others a few annoyed looks from the other patrons.

Rarity noticed this and quickly grabbed the hyper, bouncing pony, dragging her back to her seat. “Pinkie, there’s no need to shout. Applejack can clearly see us.”

“Aw, what’s wrong with a little happy greeting? I did the same thing to you and Fluttershy,” pointed out Pinkie Pie.

“Yes, and it took us nearly an hour to get her back down from that tree,” complained Rarity, as Fluttershy blushed and hid behind her bangs.

“Sorry, everypony. I don’t mean to be so much trouble...”

“Don’t worry about it, Fluttershy,” said Twilight, taking a sip from her water. She didn’t have her usual princess gown and crown with her and was clearly happy to be without them. “We understand.”

Pinkie Pie wrapped her foreleg around a nervous Fluttershy’s neck and said, “Yeah, I feel really bad for doing that to you. How about I throw you a party?”

“Um... thanks, but I’ll just take the apology,” answered Fluttershy with a smile.

“Okie doki loki!”

Applejack chuckled at her friend’s antics before sitting down. Time passed as they talked about what had been going on in their lives. Fluttershy happily announced that six baby bunnies had been born and everypony congratulated her. Twilight explained how her visit to the Griffin Republic went and all the amazing sights she saw. Rarity told about a new romance series she happened to find a liking too, but Applejack found it of little interest. Lastly, Pinkie Pie naturally talked about all her parties while telling a few funny jokes that nearly made the gang shoot their water out their nostrils.

Yet, there was still no sign of their sixth member, even after they eventually went ahead and ordered their food then started eating. Applejack was a bit peeved how late Rainbow Dash was, but pushed it aside as she listened to Rarity spilling the latest gossip. “... I mean can you believe it? Ponyville’s own school teacher, Cheerilee, was once a professional wrestler! From what I hear she was quite good.”

“Really?! I’ve always wanted to be a pro wrestler! Maybe I should try it out?” questioned Pinkie. She took out a luchador masked colored in pink and decorated with candies. Placing one hoof in the air, she declared, “I am the newest rising world champion, Rey Pinksterio! Booyaka! Booyaka!”

Everypony laughed at the sight, except Twilight who rolled her eyes. “You know all that stuff is fake, right? The odds are even a single pony doing such moves would not only cause paralyzation, but it might even kill them.” Fluttershy squeaked and turned a bit pale, but Twilight went on. “And the way they move around? It’s also obviously choreographed. If they were real ‘wrestling’ matches they would be holding each other all the time instead of all those fancy moves they do. Plus, you can see the obvious signals they give each other when—”

"Darn it, Twilight. Just because it’s all show don’t mean it ain’t entertainin’. Ain’t no need to break it all down like one of them fancy science chemicals ya make,” scolded Applejack.

Twilight blushed, rubbing the back of her head in embarrassment. “S-sorry, I didn’t mean to go so far.”

Applejack nodded and looked up into the sky, trying to find a familiar rainbow streak. Sighing in disappointment, she said, “Guess Rainbow got tied up with somethin’, huh?”

“Honestly, that Rainbow Dash,” scoffed Rarity, flipping her mane. “She may be a fast flyer, but I swear she would even be late for her own funeral.”

The girls snickered at the thought, but were soon interrupted when a loud voice from above shouted, “Incoming!”

Five sets of ears perked up, eyes widening in knowing terror. They tried to jump away, but they were too late. A multi-colored blur smashed into their table, sending their food flying into the air before landing on each of their heads. Covered in their meals, they looked at their coats and manes in disgust; Rarity screaming like the world had just come to an end. Only Pinkie Pie remained calm, taking the spaghetti off her head and continued eating it.

Picking out bits of broccoli and spinach from her mane, Rainbow Dash nervously laughed as four sets of eyes glared at her. “Uh... sorry, I’m late.”

***

“You know Rainbow Dash. Just because you’re late for lunch doesn’t mean you have to ruin it for the rest of us,” grumbled Twilight, using her magic to clean the last flecks of food from her wings.

“I said I was sorry!” responded Rainbow Dash, hovering over them. “Besides, it’s not my fault those weather meetings in Cloudsdale are long and boring. Seriously, they make Twilight’s lectures pale in comparison.”

“Hey!” shouted Twilight, blushing as her friends giggled.

“Anyway,” said Rainbow Dash, “I know lunch was a bore, but guess what?! I got tomorrow completely free from any weather duties and I want the six of us to hang out! Who’s up for some fun?”

Applejack’s ears perked up at the prospect of hanging out with Rainbow Dash. She was ready to raise her hoof until her memory suddenly reminded her of the fields full of apple trees that had to be bucked by tomorrow. She rarely ever cursed her duty to the farm, but this was one of those times she couldn’t help but do so. With a heavy sigh, Applejack answered, “Sorry, sugarcube. Ah got work to do on the farm…”

Rainbow Dash’s smile quickly turned into a frown that made Applejack nearly wince. Things only seemed to get worse for Dash as Twilight started shaking her head. “Sorry, Rainbow. My parents are coming over to visit that day. It’s been so long since I’ve seen them. I think the last time we really got together was when I became a Princess three months ago.”

“I’m busy too, I’m afraid,” replied Rarity, regretfully. “I’ve got so many orders that I can’t afford to waste time.”

“And I already promised some of my animal friends that I would go on a picnic with them. You’re not mad are you?” asked Fluttershy, seemingly shrinking inside her chair.

Rainbow shook her head and gave a smile, but Applejack was sure she could see a hint of disappointment in her eyes. “It’s alright, Shy. Pinkie Pie and I can just have fun doing our usual pranking barrage like always.”

“That would be super fun, but I’m afraid I have to decline,” said Pinkie Pie, earning a few surprised stares. Applejack for her part was so surprised, she couldn’t help but look up in the sky to see any foreboding signs of doom that signaled the end times.

“What?! But Pinkie, you’ve always had time to go pranking with me!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “Why can’t you do it this time?”

“I’m really sorry, Dashie, but tomorrow I’ve got to celebrate four different birthdays! That’s four different cakes, party favors, and sets of games I’ve got to prepare! And if there is one type of party I never skip or cancel it’s a birthday party! After all, it comes only once a year and each year is special!” explained Pinkie Pie, jumping in place. “Unless you travel back in time and celebrate that day over and over again, but that one stallion with the blue box told me that would cause problems with the space time continuum and shatter reality as we know it. No reality equals no fun, so I’m making sure not to do that anytime soon.”

Receiving five puzzled looks, Pinkie tilted her head and asked, “What?”

Rainbow Dash shook her head and sighed, her wings looking even a bit saggy despite keeping her in the air. “So none of you can hang out? That’s so not cool.”

"Sorry, Dash. Maybe another time?” inquired Twilight.

“Yeah, I guess,” said Rainbow Dash before taking off in a flash. The girls looked at each other, some with guilt and others with concern before bidding each other farewell.

***

Applejack made her way back home to finish her farm work, but no longer held the same energy she had originally when she left. Rainbow’s depressed look was nearly heartbreaking for the farm pony, but it was even worse knowing that she played a part in creating it. Applejack knew it wasn’t her fault. After all, she had a duty to take care of the farm as its co-owner along with Big Macintosh and, while it wasn’t the busiest of seasons, the farm always had to deal with harsh bills and payments that her parents were even paying when they were still around.

When she got back to Sweet Apple Acres, she grunted her brother a hello and went back to work. Her brother eyed her a bit before continuing to work in silence. As she bucked, Applejack couldn’t help but wish there was a way she could help Rainbow Dash, but pushed it away. Gotta focus on mah job. Ah’ll think about makin’ it up to her later.

“Mail call!” shouted a voice from above. The two Apples looked up and saw Derpy Hooves flying towards them, mailbag right beside her. Landing, she gave them a cheerful smile before reaching out and presenting a letter. “I gotta letter here for you, Applejack.”

“Hey, Derpy. How are ya this mornin’?” asked Applejack, accepting the letter.

“Great! In fact, I’ve managed to only crash eight times today! That’s a new record!” proclaimed Derpy, puffing out her chest.

Applejack turned to Big Macintosh who raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “R-right, Derpy. Thanks for the letter and have a good mail run,” said Applejack.

“No problem, Applejack. See you around, Big Macintosh!”

The two waved goodbye only to wince when they saw the mailpony crash into one of their trees for the third time this week. After a quick confirmation that she was okay, Derpy flew off.

Applejack chuckled. “Sometimes Ah wonder if she and Rainbow are related considerin’ how they crash so much.”

“Ya gonna open the letter?” asked Big Macintosh, pointing at it

Applejack looked at it before shrugging and put it under her hat. “Maybe later. For now, Ah wanna get back to work.” She glared at her brother. “And yer gonna show me how ya did that thing earlier with both yer legs!”

“Enope.”

***

After a more or less exciting day of work, the two eldest Apple siblings made their way back home feeling tired, yet proud of the work they accomplished. Winona greeted the two on the porch with her usual barking and licking. In return, she received a loving petting session from Applejack before they all went inside. Granny Smith was rocking on her chair, as usual, staring at the wall, while Apple Bloom was busy drawing a picture on the floor. Looking up from her artwork, the youngest greeted her siblings with a smile. “Hey, guys. How was workin’ at the fields today?”

“Fine and dandy. Worked up quite a sweat though,” replied Applejack, taking off her hat and proceeded to fan herself. The letter from earlier dropped from her head, catching Winnoa’s attention. With a playful jump, she caught the letter with her mouth before placing it in front of Applejack, catching her attention with a loud bark.

“Huh, almost forgot about that,” said Applejack. She rubbed her dog’s head a bit in thanks before picking it up. Reading the address, a grin stretched across her muzzle. “Well, what do ya know? It’s from Cherry Jubilee.”

“Cherry Jubilee? Ya mean that cherry grower who tried to steal ya from us?” asked Apple Bloom, frowning.

“Apple Bloom, Ah already told ya before. Miss. Jubilee didn’t steal me from nopony. Ah went of mah own free will,” chided Applejack, remembering the events that lead to their meeting.

Having lost the rodeo that year, Applejack had been desperate to find some way to win the money she promised to bring for the town. Just when all hope seemed lost, Cherry offered to help by giving her a job on her cherry farm. Although it meant not returning to Ponyville, Applejack had agreed. ‘Good thing mah friends managed to talk sense into me. Not to mention Miss. Jubilee took the whole thing rather well when Ah told her Ah was leavin’.’ she thought.

Since then, she had kept in contact with her old temporary boss, sharing news and farming tips with one another, though about half of Jubilee’s letters were still offers to work on her farm. Lately, her letters were slow to come by and those that did had very little written in them. Applejack had assumed this was just a busy time for her, but she’d be lying to herself if she said she wasn’t worried.

“Cherry, huh? Ah knew a cherry pony once. Good lad, but a bit flamboyant for mah tastes,” commented Granny Smith. “Well, go on girl. Read it already.”

Taking a seat on the couch, Applejack opened the envelope, her family watching with anticipation. To her surprise two tickets, which looked to be for admission to some event, came out along with the letter. Upon reading it, Applejack’s eyes slowly widened alongside her smile. “Well, ain’t that nice of her! She’s invited me and one other to Dodge Junction’s Founders Day Festival tomorrow.”

“A festival!” shouted Apple Bloom, jumping to her hooves. “Oh boy! Ah wanna go! Ah wanna go!”

“Ya ain’t goin’ nowhere missy. That’s a school day and ya ain’t missin’ a single day of education for a festival. Ya can visit another time,” pointed out Granny Smith.

“Ah, but Granny...” whined Apple Bloom, but her grandmother slowly raised her hoof.

“Butts are for sittin’, not for whinin’. Yer education is more important, young lady. It was thanks to it that yer brother is such a math wiz. Could have even gone to college if he really wanted!”

Big Macintosh tried to hide the blush on his face, his hoof pawing on the floor. “Shucks...”

Sighing, Apple Bloom kicked one of her crayons across the floor. “Ah never get to do anythin’ fun.”

Slowly, Granny Smith got out of her chair and walked over to her granddaughter, placing a hoof under her chin and lifting it towards her gaze. “Now, who says we can’t have our own little fun here on our farm? Why don’t we all have a camping trip out in the fields when Applejack goes away. Just the three of us!”

Excitement once again shined in Apple Bloom’s eyes. “Can Ah brin’ mah friends too?”

“Sure! The more the merrier! But only if ya get back to crackin’ them books.”

“Yes, ma’am!” shouted Apple Bloom, saluting. She picked up her artwork and dashed up the stairs, leaving the rest of them to a shared chuckle.

Applejack took a look at the letter and then at Granny Smith. “Ya sure Ah can go? Ah don’t wanna leave Big Macintosh doin’ all the work by himself.”

“Fiddlesticks, yer brother was buckin’ apple trees when y’all were still in diapers. He’ll be fine. Besides, it would be a shame to let such a gift go to waste. So who ya gonna ask? One of them nice friends of yers or are ya finally gonna ask a special somepony?” asked Granny Smith.

“Granny!” shouted Applejack, lowering her hat to hide her blush. Upon seeing such embarrassment on his sister, Big Macintosh couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, earning a glare from Applejack in response.

“Now don’t ya tease yer little sister, Big Mac,” scolded Granny. “After all, at least she’s not like a certain grandson of mine who’s been seein’ the town's dentist when nopony's lookin'.”

This time the horseshoe was in the other hoof as Big Macintosh turned pink and turned his head away from Granny’s smirking stare. “E-enope.”

“Oh, really?” inquired Granny, leaning over and staring at him eye to eye. “Then all those times Ah see ya walking out of this household with yer Pa’s old tux is nothin’? Not to mention all those times ya come home late hoppin’ like a rabbit in matin’ season? Or the fact yer brushing yer teeth four times a day? Is that nothin’ too?”

Gulping, Big Macintosh started making his way towards the kitchen door. “Uh, Ah’m gonna go get supper ready.”

When he disappeared into the kitchen, Granny chuckled and winked at Applejack. “Ah, don’t worry about nothin’, Applejack. Just find somepony ya want to bring and have fun.”

Applejack looked at the letter and pondered her choices. Suddenly, she remembered Rainbow Dash had the day off tomorrow and wanted to hangout with somepony. A rising glow of happiness began to stir in Applejack’s chest along with a smile that could split her muzzle. It was the perfect chance and best of all her Granny was willing to let her go. Applejack hugged her grandmother, saying, “Thanks Granny. Ah’ll be sure to have fun. In fact, Ah know who to bring and Ah’m gonna go tell her right now!”

“Be sure ya do. Just hurry on back before dinner’s ready! Ah’m as hungry as a locust in a cornfield,” complained Granny Smith, hobbling her way towards the kitchen. Applejack shook her head before making her way towards the door, still grinning like it was Hearth’s Warming Eve.

***

She couldn’t wait to see the look on Dash’s face when she presented the tickets. Even more exciting was the thought that this was something the two of them could do alone. Just her and Rainbow heading south, playing games, eating good food, watching shows, going on rides, and maybe even dance together. Applejack’s face quickly turned beet red as she thought about her and her crush dancing side by side, shaking their tails or in a slow dance with their hooves wrapped around each other. Am Ah… am Ah askin’ her out on a date?! she thought.Applejack shook her head. No. This is just a festival. Sure it may sound like a date, and maybe it could even be a considered a date, but Ah just gotta treat this like any normal get together.

Applejack put her thoughts on the subject back in her mind as she soon found herself just under Rainbow Dash’s cloud house. After stopping to admire the design for a second, Applejack shouted out, “Rainbow Dash! Come down here! Ah got something’ for ya!”

A few seconds later, Applejack saw Rainbow Dash poke her head out from one of her windows before jumping out and gliding towards the ground, landing in front of Applejack. Rainbow Dash gave her a smile and asked, “What’s up? I thought you were working on your farm?”

“Well Ah was, but then Ah got these in the mail,” said Applejack, stepping forward. Her heart thumped a bit, but she kept her cool and pulled out the tickets from her hat. “Ah got an invite to go to a festival at Dodge Junction tomorrow. Granny said it was okay for me to go so Ah came here askin’ if ya wanna go with me.”

Rainbow Dash took the tickets and looked at them with wide, and excited, eyes. “Really? You’d take me there with you?”

Applejack nodded. “Of course. Y’all wanted to do somethin’ fun for tomorrow so here it is. These festivals down south are always full of fun. There'll be games, food, a few contests and athletic competitions.” Applejack smirked as she saw Rainbow Dash’s eyebrows rise with each second. Deciding to go for the kill, she said, “Plus, I’m sure there might be cider.”

Rainbow Dash dived right in front of Applejack’s face, inches away from her nose. Her expression reminded Applejack of Apple Bloom’s face whenever she woke up on Hearth's Warming Eve. “Cider?! Are you sure?!”

“Eeyup,” said Applejack, doing her best impression of her brother. “When Ah was working at Dodge Junction there were all kinds of cider there. It’s one of their biggest trades after all. They’ve got cherry cider, lemon cider, hardwood cider, white cider, berry cider, golden cider and, of course, good ol’ apple cider.”

Drool was flowing out of Rainbow Dash’s mouth like a waterfall, forming a puddle underneath. Licking her lips, she wrapped her front legs around Applejack’s neck and hugged as hard as she could. Her wings flapped even faster, letting her lift the earth pony up from the ground. “I am so there! This is gonna be awesome! How can I repay you, AJ?!”

“Let... me... breathe!” urged Applejack, slowly turning purple.

Rainbow Dash obeyed, sheepishly rubbed her neck under Applejack’s glare. “Well, I’ll see you at the station at... what time?”

“Seven in the mornin;” answered Applejack.

“That early? Aw, man,” moaned Rainbow Dash as she handed back the tickets. “Fine, I’ll see you there, AJ. I’m gonna sleep the rest of the day to get ready. This is gonna be so much fun!”

Applejack blushed and nodded. “Y-yeah! It’s gonna be great! See ya tomorrow, Dash.”

The two bumped hooves before Dash flew back up while Applejack, still red as her brother’s coat, made her way back home with her thoughts. ‘Ah wonder… maybe this festival is mah chance…’

***

Dinner was uneventful with Big Macintosh wisely choosing to stay quieter than usual and Apple Bloom rushing through her meal to get back to her homework. Applejack herself didn’t say much either, preoccupied with her thoughts about the festival tomorrow. When the dishes were washed and the leftovers were sealed, Applejack made for her room and closed the door before lying on her bed. She stared at the ceiling for some time before turning to her cabinet where she spotted the tickets she’d received. She wondered if fate was being just kind to her or maybe telling her that this was a chance to finally explain her feelings to the one pony she cared about more than anypony else in the world.

Eying that same cabinet, she reached out and opened one of the compartments before taking out a blue feather. A warm, beaming smile spread across her face as she thought about the pegasus the feather was from. Her sky blue wings that allowed her to soar like an angel. The fiery multi-colored mane that held six colors of “awesomeness” as her friend would put it. And those eyes filled with such a passion for life and excitement that they were the kind of eyes you wanted to stare at to feel a sense of stimulus inside you. Most importantly it was her heart that Applejack loved the most. How she was loyal to her friends, dependable in a pinch, unwilling to back down from any challenge, and did everything she could to keep everyponies’ spirits up, even when things were at their worst.

"Rainbow Dash,” whispered Applejack as she stoked the feather against her cheek.

Applejack, naturally had tried many times to confess her feelings to Rainbow, but couldn’t find the right moment to do it. Dash had only gotten busier with her classes at the Wonderbolt Academy and with Twilight’s coronation into alicornhood as well as other events, it was just almost impossible to get Dash alone with her for five minutes.

“Wonder if Pa had to go through this much trouble to tell Ma that he fancied her,” wondered Applejack out loud. She looked at the tickets as if they were lottery winners and gleeful laughed. “Well, at least Ah got these two tickets to help me out. Just me and Dash all alone at last, havin’ fun and when the moment is right Ah’ll tell her. Ah tell her how much Ah love her and hopefully, she’ll feel the same ‘bout me.”

Settling the tickets to the side, Applejack delicately placed the blue feather back in her cabinet, hung up her hat and nestled into her covers before shutting off the light. ‘Ah just hope everythin’ works out tomorrow’, she thought before slowly falling asleep.

***

On the way to Dodge Junction, Applejack realized there was one crucial thing she forgot about Rainbow Dash. As much as she loved her, Rainbow Dash couldn’t stand still for ten seconds and had the patience of a newborn foal. For what had to be the hundredth time, Rainbow Dash paced up and down their train cart, mumbling her discontent.

“For Pete’s sake, Dash, can’t ya just sit down for five minutes?” groaned Applejack, feeling her eye muscles hurt from watching.

“I can’t help it,” answered Rainbow Dash, increasing her speed. “Just staying in this cart is s-o-o-o boring. I could be at Dodge Junction in five minutes by flying.”

“Well, we all don’t have them fancy wings ya pegasi have. Besides, we’re almost there so quit yer bellyachin’.” She looked out of her window, watching the seemingly endless desert pass by, a peaceful smile slowly stretching across her muzzle. Rainbow Dash sat right beside her and looked out as well, but turned away a second later, her apathetic expression unwavering.

Applejack sighed and focused on her plan to tell Rainbow Dash her feelings. She didn’t want to do it straight away. She had to do it at a moment that felt right. Naturally, she also thought about all the possible outcomes too. At best, she and Dash would be the newest couple in Ponyville and snuggling in each others hooves. At worst, it would just be a simple denial and a few awkward days before they put the whole thing behind them. Normally, Applejack would be worried about losing her friendship over something like this, but she, Dash, and their other friends had a special bond that was unbreakable. It survived against countless trials and nothing, not even unreturned feelings, would break it.

“So I gotta ask...” started Rainbow Dash, awaking Applejack from her thoughts, “What would you have done if we didn’t find you at Dodge Junction? Stay there forever?”

“Hay no!” stated Applejack, turning around with a stern glare. “Ah would have returned to Ponyville with all that money promised, and well... Ah don’t know what, maybe make up somethin’.”

“This coming from the pony that looks like she ate an entire lemon when she fibs?” Rainbow Dash chuckled, but quickly stopped when she saw the bitter and regretful look on Applejack’s face. Realizing she went too far, Rainbow Dash placed her hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“N-no... it’s okay. Ah’m over it for the most part,” murmured Applejack. “Ah guess Ah still feel bad for not tellin’ y’all why Ah really was there.”

“Hey, you’re not the only one who’s made a foal of themselves. I’ve done it once or twice too,” admitted Rainbow Dash, shrugging.

Applejack snorted. “Once or twice?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” accused Rainbow Dash.

“Let’s see... facing down a dragon head on, yer little findin’ a pet fiasco, Mare Do Well, sneakin’ into the hospital for a book, need I go on?” inquired Applejack with a smirk.

A red Rainbow Dash turned away and huffed, crossing her arms while Applejack giggled at the sight, thinking it cute. Before a retort could be returned, the train speakers announced that they would be arriving at Dodge Junction in five minutes. Rainbow Dash lifted her head up and raised her front legs up in the air. “Finally! It’s about time.”

The two got up and headed towards the end of the train car, waiting until it came to a stop. After given the all clear, they stepped onto the platform and were amazed by what they saw. Dodge Junction looked like the circus had come to the western town. Many bright and colorful booths crowded the streets with families of all ponies walking or flying around buying souvenirs, western clothing, food, and more. Streamers and balloons hung on the roofs of every house while posters for events, products, and safety tips could be seen on the walls. There was even a huge Ferris wheel and other sets of rides in the far end of town. Applejack rubbed her eyes and began to wonder if Pinkie Pie had arrived in town before them.

"Applejack! There ya are! It’s so good to see ya again!”

Turning around, Applejack smiled as she saw Cherry Jubilee walking towards them. The two farmers exchanged a hug before Jubilee turned to Rainbow Dash, and bowed. “And y’all must be one of her friends that came by to find her a while ago, so nice to meet ya again.”

“Ditto. Name’s Rainbow Dash, fastest pegasus in Equestria!” boasted Rainbow, flaring out her wings and posing.

Applejack rolled her eyes while Cherry Jubilee giggled. “Oh, yes Ah remember ya now. Applejack here talked all about how great of an athlete ya were. Why she talked about ya as if ya’ll were sisters or somethin’.”

“R-really?” asked Rainbow Dash, slowly turning red.

“W-well, Ah talked about the rest of ya too,” stuttered Applejack, trying to hide her own blush.

“Anyway, Ah’m sure y’all want to get to the festival as soon as ya can. Let me guide y’all to the ticket booth and letcha get on yer way,” said Cherry Jubilee, leading them off the platform.

They passed through the streets, a few of the booths and sights catching their eye. She could already feel her tail twitching and her hooves ready to rush out and enjoy themselves. Taking a glance to right, she could see Dash was just as eager as she was. Turning back towards their host, she noticed ponies bowing their heads or taking off their hats towards Cherry Jubilee as they passed by. She only nodded or exchanged a quick greeting with them, humbly taking it all in stride.

Seeing such respect made Rainbow Dash whistle. “You seem to be quite the popular pony here, Jubliee.”

“Ah’ll say. There treatin’ ya like one of the princesses,” commented Applejack.

“Well, mah family’s been in this town since it’s foundin’ and we’re famous for our sweet, delicious cherries,” answered Jubilee, proudly.

Applejack nodded in understanding. After all, her family had founded Ponyville. In some ways, she could consider herself royalty in the eyes of her town. She always took pride in that, but never once let it go to her head. Cherry seemed to be the same way. “What do ya do for the festival?”

Jubilee puffed out her chest and raised her chin up high. “This celebration is important to me and mah farm. It’s when we sell our biggest and most popular product of the year. Our Equestria famous Cherry Berry Brew Cider!”

Rainbow Dash gasped and immediately cut in front of Cherry, looking at her as if she was meeting a goddess. “You mean the Cherry Berry Brew Cider?! The most awesome, rarest, and almost impossible to get cider in the world?!”

“Well, Ah wouldn’t go that far, but yes,” responded a blushing Cherry.

Begging on her knees, Rainbow Dash grabbed a startled Jubilee by the shoulders and pulled her inches away from her face. “You have so got to let me have some! I’ve heard that drink is so amazing that ponies are rocketed off their hooves and sailed over to the moon before coming back down and saying it was the most delicious thing they ever drank!”

“Settle down there, Rainbow,” urged Applejack, pushing her friend off the startled Cherry. “Ah’m sure Cherry would be kind enough to give ya some as long as ya don’t act like a buzzard loomin’ over a corpse.”

“It’s okay, Applejack. Mah cider just makes ponies excited is all. Ah’d be happy to save a barrel for all three of us to drink tonight,” said Cherry Jubilee as Rainbow Dash fist pumped the air. “Now why don’t Ah guide ya to the ticket booth so y’all can have some fu-what in tarnation?”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash turned around, spotting a lone stallion, wearing a white Stetson, rushing past ponies like his tail was on fire. To their surprise, he collapsed right in front of them. Panting and sweating, he tried to lift himself up, but could barely stand. Jubilee was quickly at his side, and helped him back onto his hooves. “Gold Gallon, what’s wrong? Why did ya run over here as if a dragon was chasin’ after ya? Y’all were supposed to be back at the farm gettin’ the first barrels loaded.”

“S-sorry, Miss Jubilee,” gasped Gallon, taking in deep breaths. Once he began to relax, he cleared his throat and quick addressed his reasoning. “We got a situation at the farm and you better come quick!”

“Is it bad?”

“It’s the cider it... Ah don’t know how to explain it, just come on!”

Cherry sighed in frustration and stopped her hoof. “Well, that’s just cherry. Ah guess ah better get back and see what’s wrong. Just let me get these girls to the ticket booth and—”

“Don’t worry about us, Cherry,” assured Applejack. “We can find the ticket booth no problem on our own.”

“Are you sure? Ah’d hate to be rude and let ya’ll wander around all lost,” said Jubilee, biting her lip.

“Relax. We can handle it,” insisted Rainbow Dash.

Sighing, Jubilee nodded her head and pointed down the street. “The booths are that way. Have fun y’all! Ah’ll try to find ya later!” Jubilee nodded to Gallon and the two started galloping away.

Applejack waved goodbye before turning to Rainbow Dash. “Well, shall we get goin’?”

Rainbow Dash flapped her wings, lifting herself off the ground. “Mind if I stretch my wings, first? I wanna be in top shape for the games I’m going to own you at!”

“Fine, but yer gonna need a long time to be ready to face me.”

Rainbow Dash responded with her usual cocky grin before flying into the air, spreading her wings out in the endless sky. Applejack allowed herself the joy of observing Dash for a few minutes, wondering-not for the first time-what it would be like to actually fly. She was proud to be an earth pony and would never trade anything less. But flying was something she had pondered about a few times in her life and the way Dash flew made her only long to be able to fly just like her and share the sky.

It be somethin’ else, thought Applejack, watching Rainbow bounce off a few clouds before doing a triple mid-air flip. Snapping out of her admiration, Applejack proceeded towards the end of the street where she spotted bright red and white striped tents marked with “Ticket Booth” on top.

Finding an open spot, Applejack went to one of the far ended booths on the right and smiled at the ticket mare. “Ah got two tickets here.”

The ticket mare took them and nodded. Reaching below, she pulled out two passes, a map, and a brochure. Putting them all in a bag, she handed it off to Applejack before asking, “Would y’all like to sign up for the Dandy Dodge Rodeo?”

“What’s that?” asked Applejack, her ears perking up upon hearing the word “rodeo”.

The ticket mare pointed to a poster behind her, showing an ash grey stallion riding through the desert on a wild looking bull as he held a lasso in his mouth. “The Dandy Dodge Rodeo is a competition that we host every founder’s day. All the best cowponies try their hand at it,” explained the ticket mare. “It’s not easy, but it’s a huge honor to win and the first place winner gets ten thousand bits as a reward.”

Applejack’s mind went blank for a while before the realization hit her. Ten thousand bits was a lot of money; money that the farm could use in a big way. There were a lot of things that needed fixing on the farm, not to mention they still hadn’t replaced Granny Smith’s old hip, despite the old pony's dismissal of the need for a new one. Most importantly, it could be used for Apple Bloom in case she wanted to go college. She was about to agree to sign up when her brain reminded her about Rainbow Dash. What if she wanted to get involved as well? Dash had just as much right to earn that money as she did. “Do Ah have to sign up right now?”

“Sign up ends around five in the afternoon. An hour before the Rodeo starts.”

“Well, Ah’ll hold mah name off for now. Ah gotta see a friend of mine first,” said Applejack before shaking hooves with the ticket mare.

"Well, looky here boys! We got ourselves a new mare in town...and she doesn’t look bad from this end, wouldn’t ya say?!”

Turning red for a few moments, Applejack growled to herself. Somepony better not be checkin’ mah flank out...

She turned around and saw a company of three stallions walking up to her, each wearing a blue stetson and black bandana around his neck. All three of them were of the same pelt, light green, but each had a different mane color and style. The big muscled one had a light red that drooped over his eyes; his cutie mark was a barrel. The middle one, who was leering at her, had a short blond mane with long sideburns on the side; his cutie mark was a rope tied like a pretzel. The short one, whose cutie mark was two horseshoes side by side, barely had a mane, but Applejack could spot a little black hair sporting out of his hat.

Tipping his blue senton, the middle stallion bowed while keeping his piercing eyes focused on Applejack. “Nice ta meetcha pretty lady, Names Clover High. The big guy is Crack-a-Barrel and the short guy is, well, Shorty.” The said pony grumbled at the joke. “Mind tellin’ me yer name. Ah make it a personal job to get to know every cute mare that comes around these parts. Especially one as pretty as ya.”

“Applejack, and Ah ain’t interested,” she answered, stepping back but he continued to step forward. Something about this guy was giving her the creeps. Judging by the disgusted look on the ticket mare’s face she wasn't too far off in her theory.

“Ya know, this can be a pretty rough neighborhood. Maybe Ah should show ya around and give ya a little morning special greetin’, if ya don’t mind?” hinted Clover High, drawing a bit closer then Applejack liked.

Narrowing her eyes, Applejack pushed him back, much to his surprise. “Now listen here buster. Ah’m not some two bit red lantern district city mare who’s gonna bend down and get saddled. Go find somepony else before Ah kick yer face inside out.”

The group chuckled as Clover slowly licked his lips, a growing hunger in his eyes. “Oh, yer a feisty one. But ya should know, cowgirl. Maybe ya haven’t heard, but me and the boys here work for a big important person around here”

“Yeah! So you should do what he says because... uh... if ya don’t then it wouldn’t be good for you, yeah!” said Crack-a-Barrel, whose voice was slow and roughish. Applejack was willing to bet that was also a good definition of his mental capabilities as well.

“Come, little lady,” said the tiny one, licking his lips. “We just want to have fun.” He walked over and placed his hoof on her side, slowly inching closer to her cutie mark. “Just come with us and we’ll celebrate like real ponies down in these here parts.”

Applejack smacked his hoof away, ready to give them a mouthful when the ticket mare leaned forward from her counter, and said. “Leave her alone guys, or Ah’ll get McShady and tell him ya’ll are foolin’ around instead of workin’ again!”

Upon hearing that name, the three instantly backed away and glared at the ticket mare. The tiny one elbowed Clover, and muttered, “Come on, High. Not worth it.”

High growled. “Fine, Ah’ll get goin’, but Ah got mah eye on ya, girly.”

Applejack kept her guard up until the three disappeared among the crowds. Sighing in relief, she turned toward the ticket mare and nodded. “Thanks for yer help.”

“No problem. Those three are always trouble makers, but utter their boss’s name and they get back in line,” explained the ticket mare, shivering. “But they got a right to.”

“Who is there boss anyway?”

“He’s Duke McShady. He’s been the winner of the rodeo here for the last three years and he’s one tough pony.” The ticket mare leaned forward and whispered, “They say that he never blinks because he got trapped in a staring contest with the pale pony and managed to outlast him. Now it’s mostly just rumor, but his glare is still nasty as a dragon’s.”

Applejack couldn’t help but shiver under the thought. Dragons were nasty creatures and she had seen her fair share of them in her lifetime; more than she liked to be honest. If this pony really was as scary as the mare said, it sounded like a good idea to stay away from him. At least to avoid meetin’ up with those three idiots again.

“Hey!” shouted a familiar voice. Applejack looked up to see Rainbow Dash come down for a landing. Rubbing the back of her neck, Dash nervously chuckled. “Sorry about that. A couple of foals saw me working my wings out and when I started practicing a few moves they got really excited. They wanted a show so I kind of gave it to them. Hope you’re not mad.”

“Mad?” laughed Appleajck. “Shucks, sugarcube. All ya did was entertain a couple of fillies and colts. Nothin’ wrong with that.”

The fact that ya did such a kind thing makes me like ya even more. she thought.

“Oh, cool. So can we go play some games now?! I’m itching to win!” said Rainbow Dash with her famous competitive grin.

Applejack nodded and the two quickly rushed towards the stands. This was gonna be great!

Author's Note

Here it is, the first part of my entry for the AppleDash contest. For those of you who don't know, I took part in the first AppleDash fic contest months ago and won the entry for "Getting into a relationship" with my fic, Treating Her Right. Since I wish to continue my championship reign, I'm here with my new AppleDash fanfic.

This contest requires that the fic be about AJ having a crush on Dash and trying to confess to her rather then Dash doing it which is a more popular route among AppleDash writers. I hope this manages to win the contest and I hope you all enjoy it because this is already halfway done! Read the next chapter!