//-------------------------------------------------------// Betrayal. Disharmony at its Best -by DragonSlayer- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// The Announcement //-------------------------------------------------------// The Announcement Chapter 1 The Announcement "HAHA! I won!" Rainbow Dash boasted as she smirked in victory at the annoyed looking Applejack. She was sitting on a white line of paint that marked the finish line of a race course the two mares had made a while back. "You got lucky was all." Applejack countered. "Next time Ah'll beat you, that there's a promise!" she said in a challenging, but playful tone, shaking the dust from the race off of her orange coat. "Is that a challenge?" Rainbow crouched to the ground, ready to take her friend on for another race, her tail lashing with excitement. "Ah'd love to Rainbow, but I best be gettin' back to Sweet Apple Acres" AJ told her friend apologetically. "Ah need to get ready for my big dinner party tonight. You're still comin' right?" she asked her hopefully. "I wouldn't miss it for the world!" Rainbow smiled brightly, walking alongside her friend back towards Ponyville. "I still wish you would tell me this big secret you've been keeping from me and the rest of the girls." Rainbow said, her voice growing softer as her excitement died down. "I'll tell everyone tonight, I promise."Apple Jack smiled assuringly. "Trust me though, you're gonna love it!" She said brightly, happiness edging her tone. "I better! I could be getting some good flight practice in tonight, but instead I get to spend it at a boring dinner party." Rainbow joked with her friend, nudging her playfully. Applejack laughed. "Just thought you could make it a bit more excitin'."She smiled, nudging her back. She looked at the sun as it started to go down. "Well I better hurry off to the ranch so I can start preparin', I'll see you tonight Rainbow Dash!" She called as she started running off towards Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow dash Held out a hoof. "Hey Apple Jack, wait! There's something I've been meaning to tell you!" She called. Applejack stopped on the hill and turned her head, her mane catching the suns light. "Yea Rainbow, what is it?" she asked curiously. Rainbow's ears flattened at the sight of Applejack on the hill with the light shining down on her. "Uhm... Uh.. Nothing, It isn't important." she said quickly, shaking her head nervously, a blush forming on her cheeks. Applejack gave her an odd look before smiling. "Well all righty then, I'll see you tonight!" she said and turned around, running off and disappearing over the hill. Rainbow Dash watched her go before letting out a deep and disappointed sigh. "Damn it Dash, why won't you just tell her how you feel!" she whispered to herself angerly. Her angry and embarrassed blush disappeared quickly and her scowl turned into a look of sadness as she looked down at the ground. "What if I'm never able to admit it to her.." She whimpered. Her eyes lit up with fire again as her head shot up. "No!" She announced to herself determinedly. "I will not just sit in the corner and admire her for the rest of my life! Tonight's the night I tell her! Tonight's the night she figures it out!" She shot up into the air and soared towards the home in Cloudsdale. "TONIGHTS THE NIGHT THAT I TELL APPLEJACK THAT I LOVE HER!" she called proudly, her words lost in the wind behind her. ~*~ "Wow Applejack, this dinner party turned out great!" Twilight Sparkle complimented, enjoying the apple turnip soup that sat in front of her. "Aw shucks Twi, I'm mighty thankful for that. Ah'm also thankful that you came all the way from Canterlot just to be here!" Applejack smiled, walking around the table to hand every pony else their dinner. "Yea! This party is great! I just hoped their would be balloons.. and cake, and confetti!" Pinkie said excitedly then let out a loud gasp. "I could get my party cannon if you want me to!" She squeaked. Fluttershy looked over at Pinkie. "Uhm.. I don't think it's that kind of party Pinkie. "She said shyly, smiling softly at her overly excited friend. Pinkie frowned, a bit disappointed. "Awwwwww! Well that's okay, a party's a party!" she smiled brightly as Applejack set her soup in front of her. Rarity smiled softly but stayed silent, as if hiding something from everyone else. Rainbow Dash looked across at Rarity. "Is everything all right Rarity? You've been quiet ever since you got here." She asked her friend curiously. Rarity shook her head, smiling softly. "Oh no no! I'm quite all right dear, just have something on my mind." her smile grew brighter and her eyes lit up like diamonds. Rainbow Dash looked at her a bit oddly. "Uhm... Okay then..." She said slowly, wondering what was on the happy unicorn's mind. Applejack suddenly looked nervous as she sat down at the end of the table. "Any who, Enjoy your meals everypony." she said quickly, before digging into her soup, the other five doing the same. "WOWZA! This tastes great Applejack!" Pinkie said excitedly. "I've never had anything so tasty in my life! Well except cupcakes, and ice cream, and pudding, and candy.." She continued her long list of food items, completely getting off topic from the compliment she tried to make. "I agree Applejack, this is delicious!" Fluttershy said softly, Smiling brightly at her friend. "You have to tell me this recipe so I can give it to my cook in Canterlot, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna would absolutely love this!" Twilight complimented brightly. "It's absolutely marvelous!" Rarity commented happily. Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, she was lost off into her own world, thinking about how she was going to tell Applejack about how she felt. "Okay... after the party just go up and tell her that you need to speak to her privately, Yea that'll work! Applejack smiled, looking over at Rainbow Dash. "How do you like it Rainbow?" she asked. Rainbow dash was too busy thinking to herself to notice she was being talked to. "Applejack, I have a major crush on you! She went through what she would say in her mind. "Rainbow?" Applejack asked, confusion lacing her words. "I've always loved you Applejack! She yelled in her mind. "RAINBOW!" AJ called to her loudly. "Huh what!?" Rainbow Dash finally snapped back into reality, looking around with a confused and surprised look on her face. She caught onto AJ's confused gaze. "Oh, yea what?" she asked. "Uh... I was just asking how you liked the soup.." Applejack told her, looking at her friend oddly. Her ear tips grew pink and a blush formed on Rainbow's face. "Oh! Yea it's delicious!" She smiled nervously, her ears starting to flatten embarrassedly. "Are you all right darling, you look ever so troubled?" Rarity asked worriedly, her eyes soft with concern. "Yea of course, I'm fine!" Rainbow said quickly. "Just... thinking about tank!" Her eyes brightened up at her wonderfully thought out excuse. "I've never really left him at home before." she lied out of her teeth, hoping her friends would buy it. "Oh well I'm sure tank will be fine!" Twilight said brightly. "I'm sure he can't get into that much trouble." "Yea.. I guess your right. Heh heh..." Rainbow said smiling nervously. Applejack narrowed her eyes slightly, not thoroughly convinced that was the reason her best friend looked so troubled. It quickly disappeared from her mind as she stood up smiling. "Anyways, I have an announcement to make!" She called. Every pony's attention turned to Applejack as everything got quiet. Rainbow Dash was once again off in her little world, thinking of how she would talk to Applejack. "I know I have been hiding something from all of you for some time now, but now's the time I tell you all what I've been keeping from you!" Applejack announced. I think you are the most gorgeous pony in Equestria Applejack, I've had a crush on you for some time and I just wanted to tell you...Rainbow Dash thought. "I'm in a relationship with Rarity!" Applejack called proudly. Are in a relationship with Rarity..wait? WHAT!? Rainbow once again snapped back into reality after realizing what AJ had just said. Her mouth was gaped open as she dropped her spoon, the utensil clattering against the table to break the shocked silence around the room. Rarity stood up, smiling. She put a hoof around Applejack. "It's been going on for about two weeks now!" She announced happily. The silence hung a little while longer before the other mares burst with joyed shrieks of joy and excitement, all getting up and crowding around the newly announced couple. All but Rainbow Dash, who still sat in her seat with her mouth open. "Oh my gosh I am so happy for you!" Fluttershy said in a louder and more excited tone, hooking her arms around Rarity's neck happily. "OHMIGOSH WE HAVE TO HAVE A PARTY TO CELEBRATE!" Pinkie shrieked with joy, hopping around them. "Oh wait, this is the party." She stopped, realization masking her face. She shrugged and hopped around them again, giggling and talking excitedly. "I can't wait to tell Spike and the Princesses back home!" Twilight smiled brightly. Applejack chuckled, smiling around her friends who crowded her with happiness and compliments. "Thanks every pony! I was actually kinda worried for a bit, wondering how you would all react!" She admitted sheepishly. Rainbow Dash gulped, masking the sadness in her eyes with a look of fake happiness, getting up and walking over to the two. "I-I'm really happy for you two, congrats.." she forced a smile. Rarity smiled brightly. "Thank you Rainbow! I'm so glad to hear you say that!" "COME ON EVERYPONY! LEEEEETS PARTAY!" Pinkie pulled out the party cannon and set it off, everypony beginning to dance and laugh and celebrate AJ and Rarities relationship. Everyone except Rainbow Dash, who excused herself to the bathroom for most of the rest of the evening in order to hide her pain from the rest of the group. ~*~ AppleJack waved to everyone as they left. "Bye every pony! Thanks for comin' out!" she called to them. Rarity walked over and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow darling, Maybe I could close up shop tomorrow so you can visit." She winked. AJ smiled. "That sounds great Apple Drop." She winked and flicked her gently. "I'll see you then!" she said. Rarity giggled slightly and winked to her one last time before trotting away, back towards her shop in Ponyville. Rainbow was the last to leave, her ears flattening at the sight of Applejack and Rarity flirting. She masked her pain as she tried to follow Rarity out quickly. "Hold on there Sugar Cube, I need to talk  to ya!"Applejack called to Rainbow, making the blue Pegasus pony stop in her tracks. Rainbow Dash turned around, a bit confused. "Yea?" she asked, trotting back inside the barn. Applejack closed the door and turned around to face Rainbow. "I just wanted to say... thank you." she said softly. Rainbow Dash was a bit taken aback. "Thank you? For what?" she was genuinely confused. "For bein' such a good friend.." Applejack said softly. "To tell you the truth, I was afraid of what you would think about me and Rarity the most.." she admitted. "What! Why?" Rainbow asked, her ears flattening. "Because I was worried that you would think that I like Rarity more than you, and not want to hang around with me anymore." Applejack said sadly, her ears flattened already. "I just didn't want to make you feel like I was abandoning ya.," Rainbow Dash was shocked and touched, the pain in her heart growing stronger as she fought off tears. "I will never feel that way Applejack.." She said softly, a small smile forming and her eyes glistening with tears. "I'll always want to hang out with you, and I'm super happy for you and for Rarity." she said softly, mostly lying about the last part. "All I want is your happiness.." Applejack smiled, a tear rolling down her cheek. "Oh thank you Rainbow!" she cried with joy, throwing her hooves around her friends neck. "You're the best friend a mare could ever ask for!" Rainbow Dash's eyes widened with shock, but she wrapped her hooves around Applejack and smiled weakly.. "N-No problem.." she said nervously, breaking away from the hug.There's no way I can tell her how I feel now.. Not after her telling me this!. She thought, flattening her ears. She looked up at AJ. "Anyways, I better get home now.. I still need to feed Tank." She lied once again., having fed her turtle already this afternoon. Applejack smiled. "Alrighty then!" She said opening the barn door. "Thank you again Rainbow for bein' so supportive!" Applejack said happily. Rainbow Dash smiled. "Yea, No problem.." she said, holding her smile as she flew out the door. She waved to Applejack before flying off and towards Cloudsdale. Gosh.. I never knew Applejack felt so strongly about my opinion.. I have to be a good friend and be supportive of her and Rarity! Their my friends and they deserve it! She thought to herself determinedly. Once she got home, we went straight to her bed and curled up, looking at the wall. "I will be supportive!" She whispered to herself proudly. Her gaze softened up and her eyes filled with sadness. "No matter how much it hurts..." The thought of Rarity and the pony she loved's happiness and the determination to show her support for their relationship was the only thing that allowed Rainbow Dash's broken heart to soften up and let her sleep that night, along with many long nights after that... //-------------------------------------------------------// Pulled Up and Pushed Back Down //-------------------------------------------------------// Pulled Up and Pushed Back Down Chapter 2 Pulled Up and Pushed Back Down "Letter for Miss Rainbow Dash!" The mail Pegasus called, knocking on Rainbow's Cloudsdale home door. Rainbow Dash opened up her door and looked curiously at the letter before taking it. "Thanks." She said and the mail pony nodded before flying off. Rainbow walked into her kitchen, closing the front door behind her, and made her way to the table where she opened up the envelope. Inside was a small white invitation, gold lacing around the edges. Undoubtedly this card was made by Rarity. Rainbow Dash scanned through the invitation quickly. Dear Rainbow Dash, You have been invited to attend me and Applejack's one month anniversary party on Saturday the 14th at 6:00PM. There will be Cake, Balloons, friends, and good fun. I do hope you will be able to attend this small get together to celebrate such a marvelous occasion. Signed, Rarity. Rainbow Dash groaned, letting her head fall down on the table. "Another party!? How many of them are they going to have? I mean seriously, they've been together for a month and they practically celebrate it every day!" Rainbow growled in an annoyed tone. She lifted her head, her eyes filled with annoyance. Tank walked over to the table and looked up at his owner, his eyes blinking slowly. Rainbow looked at him a moment and her gaze softened sadly. "I know I know, it isn't the parties I'm upset about.. It's Applejack and Rarity..." she said sadly. "It's only been two weeks since they announced they were together, but the whole thing is already driving me insane!" she said, beginning to rant a bit. The tortoise just looked up at her and blinked again, not saying anything. "I've tried to fake a smile and be happy for them, but every time I see them kiss or hug or even look at each other, I die a little more inside.." Rainbow whimpered, her gaze growing sadder. "Maybe I should just send Applejack a letter saying that I can't make it.. save myself from more pain..." She sighed. Tank walked over and pushed her hoof with his head before looking back up at her. Rainbow looked down at tank. "Maybe you're right Tank." she smiled, lifting her head up. "No.. your absolutely right!", her eyes filled with a new flame. "I promised myself that I would be happy for Applejack and Rarity, and happy I will be! I'm going to go to that party and have fun!" she flew up into the air. "I've been sad for far too long and it's time I get my life back together!" she announced and looked down at Tank, smiling. "Thanks for the support Tank, Couldn't have done it without ya!" she patted his head and flew out of her house. Tank watched her go before turning his head, looking over at the empty food bowl that sat over by the wall. ~*~ Rainbow Dash flew around through ponyville, doing her daily work of cloud busting. She had finally been able to get the party and Applejack off her mind for a little bit and it was quite relaxing for her. Up until she made the mistake of flying past Rarity's boutique. "Rainbow Dash!" A bright and high pitched pony called, breaking Rainbow's relaxation. Rainbow turned to see who was calling her. "Oh hey Rarity!" She called back down to her. Everything she was worrying about suddenly flooded back into her at the sight of her friend and gave her an icky feeling in her stomach, but she shook her head, trying to get it off her mind. Come on! This is Rarity! Shes one of your best friends!, She scolded herself angerly. However on the outside, she was smiling. "What's up?" she asked in a friendly tone. Rarity smiled. "Oh I was just wondering if you got the invitation to me and Applejack's one month anniversary party tomorrow night." She told her, her eyes glimmering. "Yea.." Rainbow dash said mellowly, her ears flattening a bit. She slapped herself in her mind and acted naturally. "I mean yea, I got the letter yesterday morning! I'll be there!" She said in a semi enthusiastic tone. Rarities eyes lit up brighter with happiness. "I am so glad to hear that Rainbow Dash! I knew I could count on you!" She squeaked gleefully. Rainbow smiled. "Thanks Rarity, Glad to hear that." She told her, the feeling in her stomach slowly disappearing. Rarity sighed happily. "I can't believe it's been a month now!" She giggled. "Oh look at me, blabbering on like a obsessed fan girl, but I just can't help it! Applejack is so amazing!" She laughed softly. Rainbow's ears flattened again, the feeling quickly returning. "Is that so..." She said, her gaze softening. Rarity didn't even notice though, her attention focused on what she was saying. "Yes! They way she kisses is unlike anyone else I've ever kissed before! She's just so gentle with it but she can also get that fiery passion if you're in the right mood for it." Rarity smirked, now lost in her own little world. Rainbow dash's ears were now pinned down against her head, a large blush on her cheeks and sadness in her eyes. "Uh.. Yea that's great Rarity.. Uh.. Listen, I need to get back to Cloudsdale to report the sky I cleared.." She said and quickly zoomed off, leaving Rarity to fantasize over her and Applejack. ~*~ Rainbow Dash zoomed towards Cloudsdale, the only good day shes had in two weeks ruined, and her heart torn a bit more inside. "I don't know how much more of this I can take before my head and my heart explode!" she groaned. She stopped at her front door and opened it up, walking inside with an empty look on her face. She went up in her room and looked in the mirror, her coat more grey than blue and her eyes hollow with sadness. "What if I can't do it?" she asked her reflection. "What if I can't learn to accept Applejack and Rarity?" Suddenly her frown turned into a scowl. "That's crazy talk! Of course you'll be able to accept them! They're your friends for crying out loud!" She scolded herself but then her face turned sad again. "But what if Applejack learns that I'm jealous of Rarity?" She asked. "I can't hide it from myself, I know I am.." The scowl once again returned. "Applejack's your friend! She will still like you no matter what! You just need to man up and accept that!" She growled. Now she was talking like she was two seperate ponies. However instead of frowning, she smiled softly. "I can at least try harder..For Applejack's sake!" She said with dignity coming back into her spirit. Then Rarity's words echoed in her head and she felt herself slip away again . She sighed. "I better get some sleep..." She said and climbed into bed. "Maybe I will feel better in the morning.." She yawned and closed her eyes, sleep quickly taking over her. //-------------------------------------------------------// Settling for Butterflies //-------------------------------------------------------// Settling for Butterflies Chapter 3 Settling for Butterflies Rainbow Dash woke up with a groan. She was wrong, she did not feel any better this morning. In fact, she felt even worse than last night when she was arguing with herself in the mirror. She sat up and put a hoof on her forehead. "Sweet Celestia, it feels like Vinyl's having one of her raves in my head!" she groaned as she pulled herself out of bed. She went over and drew the curtains on her bedroom window and let out a yelp as the sun hit her eyes, falling down as she tried to shield her eyes from the blinding morning light. She rapidly felt around with one of her hooves for the draw string, the other covering her face. She found the string and pulled hard, making the curtains close once again. She let out a sigh of relief and opened her eyes, pushing herself up onto her hooves. "Well... I better go down and feed Tank.." she sighed and sluggishly made her way over to the stairs and began down them, her hooves slipping a couple times and threatening to send her stumbling down to the bottom. She was able to hold her ground though, finally hitting the soft surface of the bottom floor. She made her way into her kitchen and reached into an already open cabinet, pulling down a can of tortoise food. She pulled the tab lid off and made her way over to Tanks food bowl, holding the can upside down and letting the 'food' slide out into the bowl. "Tank!" She called out loudly and moments later the buzzing of a little helicopter could be heard as the tortoise flew into the kitchen. He landed on the ground beside his food bowl and looked up at Rainbow Dash with what looked like a smile on his face, before digging into his breakfast. Rainbow smiled down at him, her eyes still tired and her headache still pounding. "No problem Tank." she patted his shell and was about to go make her own breakfast when suddenly... "RAINBOW DASH!" A pony called up to her window, making Rainbow jump up with surprise. She clung to her ceiling but then instantly recognized the voice calling to her. "Applejack?" she asked and flew out of her house. She poked her head over the cloud where her house rested on. Undoubtedly, there was AJ, sitting down and smiling up at her. "Hi there Sugar Cube!" Applejack called up. "Did ah' wake ya'?" she asked. Rainbow Dash shook her head. "No, I was just feeding Tank when you called me over." She said and flew down to meet her friend. "What are you doing here so early?" "Ah' just wanted to see if you could come down to the barn early to help set up fer the ho down tonight." Applejack explained to her. "Big Macintosh was called down to Manehattan for some emergency family business and ah' need and extra set of strong hooves to help me set up." Rainbow Dash frowned, forgetting all about the party tonight. "Sure thing.." she said with not very much enthusiasm in her voice. Applejack cocked her head to the side. "Are ya'll all right Sugar Cube?" she asked Rainbow, frowning slightly. Rainbow's ears flattened. "Yea I'm fine, just have a bit of a headache this morning.." She told her. It wasn't a complete lie, she still did have her pounding headache. "Oh well I could ask some pony else if you're feelin' sick." Applejack said, concern in her voice. "No no, it's fine!" Rainbow said quickly. "I'm sure I'll feel better in a little while." She said, smiling softly at Applejack. Applejack frowned. "Are you absolutely sure?" Rainbow smirked. "You don't think a little headache could stop me do ya?" she asked. Applejack smiled, laughing. "No I don't suppose so! Well alrighty then, if you're absolutely sure!" "Of course I'm sure!" Rainbow said to her, a new brightness in her voice. "All righty then. Just come 'round the barn at about 3:00 and we can start settin' up. I'll be there waitin' for ya'." Applejack said and then looked at her watch. "Damn nabbit, I'm going to be late! I told Rarity I'd be over at her place for breakfast." She said, annoyance in her voice, then looked up at Rainbow. "I'm mighty sorry Rainbow, but I have to be off!" She said. "It's no problem AJ, I'll see you at three!" Rainbow said smiling. Applejack smiled. "Thanks a bunch Rainbow, I'll see you this afternoon!" She said before taking off towards Ponyville. Rainbow Dash waved. "See ya!" she called. She then flew back up to her house to get ready for this afternoon. "Wow I feel loads better!" she smiled as she flew back into her kitchen. "I guess a little talk with Applejack alone was all I needed." She told herself as she began preparing for this afternoon. She smiled the entire time. "This whole party thing may not be so bad after all!" ~*~ Rainbow Dash flew into Sweet Apple Acres with a smile on her face. She had felt a lot better after her little chat with AJ and was looking forward to helping her set up for the party. "Just me and Applejack.." she said to herself smiling. She landed over by the barn and walked over, knocking on the door loudly. She stood back and waited for AJ to open the door, but nothing happened. "Hmm that's strange.." Rainbow said and knocked louder. Once again their was no reply. She looked down at her watch then back up at the door. "I'm only twenty minutes early.." she said to herself and pushed on the barn door with her hoof, the door slowly creaking open. She peeked inside and looked around. "Hmm... No pony in here.." she whispered and popped her head back out, closing the door back up. She suddenly heard a loud giggling sound coming from behind the bard and her ears perked with curiosity. She took low flight and slowly flew up to the side of the barn, peeking her head around to see what the noise was. When she saw what the source was, her face went pale and her ears flattened, a deep sickly feeling erupting in her stomach. She landed on the ground softly, her legs wobbling underneath her. They can't really be... But they are.. she thought to herself, her eyes closing. They're doing it... And I just witnessed it.. She turned to leave but stepped on a twig, her whole body freezing. "What was that?" Applejack asked, her head shooting up from behind some hay. Rainbow Dash panicked, shooting off into the air and away from the barn. Rarity lifted her head up, underneath Applejack still. "Oh it was just a bird probably, come on back down here." she said sweetly, a seducing hint in her voice. Applejack looked around a bit more and shrugged, kissing Rarity as their heads fell back down behind the hay bales. Rainbow Dash kept flying and didn't stop, not until she was well a ways from Sweet Apple Acres. When her exhaustion finally caught up her her, she flew up to a cloud and let herself fall onto it, instantly bursting into tears. "How could they-? When she knew I was-?" She couldn't even finish a sentence without breaking out into a new set of tears. After about ten minutes of purehearted crying, Rainbow Dash was able to take flight up until she reached her home in Cloudsdale. Once she got into her room, she closed the curtains to make it dark before crashing onto her bed, curling herself up into a little ball. "They'res no way I can go to that party tonight.. Not after.. that.." she sniffed, on the verge of tears again. She couldn't get the image out of her head. She felt like a child who just accidentally caught her parents in bed for the first time. "How could she do this to me.." She whispered, feeling betrayed and heartbroken, once again starting to cry. But this time she didn't stop until she cried herself to sleep. ~*~ Rainbow Dash's eyes flew open when she heard her doorbell ring. She sat up quickly and began to panic slightly. Is it Applejack?! No of course not stupid, she can't stand on clouds! she growled in her head, calming down. Her mane was crazy from a rough sleep and her eyes were dull and tired. The doorbell rang again and Rainbow Dash sighed, pulling herself out of bed. She slowly made her way downstairs and opened the door. Fluttershy stood there waiting, her eyes nervous like they always were. "Oh umm.. Hi Rainbow Dash.." Fluttershy said softly, looking over her friends awful state. "I-is this a bad time?" she asked. Rainbow shook her head. "No no.. come on in Fluttershy.." she said tiredly, stepping side for her. Fluttershy nodded. "Thank you.." she whispered, walking inside. Rainbow closed the door and walked with Fluttershy into the living room, sitting down. "What brings you here..?" she asked, yawning loudly. Fluttershy's ears flattened, looking down at the ground. "Oh uhm.. I was just wondering why you weren't at Applejack and Rarity's party.. in fact every pony was.." she said nervously. Rainbow's ears flattened. "Oh uh... I'm just really busy with stuff.." she lied horribly. Fluttershy looked up. "But you look like you've been sleeping.." she said, looking confused. A blush appeared on Rainbow's cheeks. "Yea.. I was sleeping.. but that's because.. I've been so busy today it's wiped me out." she smiled nervously, hoping Fluttershy would buy her lame excuses. Fluttershy frowned and flew over next to Rainbow, gently putting an arm around her friend. "What's really going on?" she asked. Rainbow grew nervous. "Wh-what are you talking about.. I told you what was going on!" Rainbow insisted quickly. Fluttershy just raised her eyebrow, giving her the 'I'm not buying it' face. Rainbow Dash looked at her pleadingly for a moment then sighed, looking down at the ground. "Fine... I didn't go to Applejack's party because.. because I just can't be around her right now.. Not with her and Rarity together like that.." she said sadly, her eyes dull and sad. Fluttershy looked at her apologetically. She was one of the only ponies who knew about Rainbow's crush on Applejack other than Rainbow Dash herself. "Oh Rainbow.. I didn't know you still felt so strongly about it.. I'm so sorry." she pulled her friend into a tight hug. Rainbow's eyes filled with tears as she tried to keep herself from crying in front of Fluttershy, not wanting to look weak in front of her friend. Her attempts soon failed and she burst out crying, throwing her hooves around the other pegasus. "There there... Everything's going to be okay.." Fluttershy cooed softly, rocking Rainbow back and forth. Rainbow slowly began to cease crying, eventually only sniffling as she held her and Fluttershy's hug. "Thanks Fluttershy.." she said gratefully. "You're a good friend.." Fluttershy smiled. "Thanks... You're a good friend too Rainbow Dash.."She said softly. Rainbow pulled back to face Fluttershy, her hooves still around her neck. Fluttershy's ears grew hot and a small blush appeared on her cheeks. "So um.. are you feeling better..?" she asked her. Rainbow blushed, smiling. "Yea.. I'm feeling better now.. thanks again Fluttershy..." she said softly, looking into her friends eyes. Fluttershy's blush grew brighter. "Yea.. No problem.." She whispered, her eyes staring back into Rainbow's. The two Pegasi looked at each other for a moment before moving in, kissing each other softly without saying another word. They both wrapped their hooves around each other, kissing deeply. Rainbow pulled back softly, her face inches from Fluttershy's. "Wow.." she smiled. Fluttershy blushed but said nothing, kissing her again. Rainbow blushed deeply but kissed her back, pushing Fluttershy onto the couch and kissing her deeply. Fluttershy smiled and giggled softly, kissing her back. After a little while of kissing, Rainbow finally pulled back and smiled, letting out another 'wow'. Fluttershy smiled back. "So.. does this mean we're um.. together? If it was only just a kiss that's fine um.. I'm okay with that.." she said nervously. Rainbow Dash smiled and kissed her softly. "Yea.. it mean's we're together..." Fluttershy smiled and blushed, kissing her back. She then pulled away Rainbow and pushed her off of her, standing up. "Are you ready?" she asked. Rainbow looked up at her blinking. "Ready for what?" she asked, confused. "Ready to go to the party." Fluttershy said, giving her a soft look. Rainbow's ears flattened and she gulped, forgetting all about the party. However, she looked at Fluttershy and smiled, standing up. "Yea, I'm ready to go to the party.." she told her softly. Fluttershy smiled and the two walked out of Rainbows house. They spread their wings and took flight, the two flying towards Sweet Apple Acres, hoof in hoof. ~*~ Rainbow Dash's ears flattened as she and Fluttershy landed at the barn entrance, the memories from earlier today flooding back into her mind. She looked at Fluttershy nervously. Fluttershy smiled softly at Rainbow dash, giving her a softly nudge on the cheek with her nose. Rainbow smiled and nodded her thanks before the two walked inside the barn.. ~*~ "You two are WHAT?!" Pinkie squeaked loudly when Rainbow announced that her and Fluttershy were together. "THAT'S AWESOME!" "Congratulations! My my, a lot of ponies seem to be getting together these days!" Twilight laughed softly. "Oh that's absolutely marvelous!" Rarity smiled brightly. "When did it happen?" she asked eagerly. "Just this evening actually.." Rainbow said, slightly embarrassed. "And thanks every pony." she smiled softly. Fluttershy shyly moved her hooves back and forth in the hay. "Thanks everypony.." she whispered. Applejack walked up and patted Rainbow on the back. "Good job partner! Now you can finally be around somepony besides boring old me!" She said cheerfully. Rainbow smiled at Applejack, shoving her softly. "Come on now, you know you've always been my best gal pal, and always will be! I'll always have time for my favorite Apple!" Applejack laughing, shoving her back. "Thanks a lot Rainbow, it makes me glad to hear you say that!" she smiled. Rainbow gave her a grateful smile before turning back and talking with the rest of her friends, laughing and enjoying herself for the first time in a while. Applejack smiled brightly and then turned around away from the group, her smile turning into a sad frown as she glanced back at Rainbow Dash and walked away. "Does this mean she isn't interested in me anymore?" she whispered and looked back at her friend once she was a bit a ways. "Or has she just moved on?" she sighed, moving her hoof in the dirt. "Hey AppleJack! What are you doing all the way over there!" Rainbow Dash called over to her. Applejack's ears flattened and she smiled nervously. "Uh.. Comin'!" she called and ran back towards the group, not realizing that she had written AJ + RD in the dirt with a heart circled around it.