Feathermarked

by SpinningRecord

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance, Random
Length: 2760

Applejack and Rainbow Dash have gotten closer recently. Everypony already knows they like one another, but when Fluttershy sees just how much Rainbow likes Applejack, things get complicated.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash have gotten really close recently. Everypony can tell that they have feelings for each other, but when Fluttershy sees just how much Rainbow likes Applejack, things get complicated.

I was inspired to write this a long time ago after I read Holding on to Nothing by Dianwei32. It's a really good FlutterDash/AppleDash sad fic.

The cover art is by spittfireart on DA and the commissioner of the art is Tchernobog. It's an amazing piece that I came across a few days before I decided to write this. Being used with permission! :)

This is my first time writing fanfiction, or even writing, seriously, for that matter. So, constructive criticism would be appreciated and encouraged. The chapters will probably be short at first, but I promise I will better over time! :)

Published 2013-12-01 05:10:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-03-24 06:21:33 UTC

Chapter 1

“I swear, RD, I don’t know how you get any work done when you’re just napping all the time!” AJ shouted to Rainbow Dash, who was lazily hanging from a tree branch above her.

“It’s called being awesome, AJ. You should try it sometime,” Rainbow Dash quipped.

Applejack rolled her eyes and turned away briskly. “Well do as you please then, just don’t get bucked when Big Mac comes back through these trees in a minute,” Applejack hollered back as she trotted away.

Rainbow weighed her options before flapping her wings. She fluttered down to the ground and trotted up next to Applejack. “I’m fine now. I just had to rest my eyes. Being this awesome all day is work you know! Besides, I said I’d help you didn’t I? Now what do you want me to do?” Rainbow countered. She glanced up at the clouds quizzically. Isn’t it supposed to rain? I’m sure I told Cloudkicker about the schedule change after I cleared the cirrus clouds this morning, Rainbow thought. She shook her head as Applejack rambled on.

“…. Then I need you to haul these apples to the barn. You got that?” AJ asked. Rainbow nodded slowly, trying to piece together the beginning of Applejack’s request. AJ rolled her eyes at the Pegasus and laughed. “Seriously, Rainbow. Do you always have your head in the clouds?” she giggled.

Rainbow opened her mouth to retort but remembered the cloud situation. “Sorry AJ, I’m going to have to take a rain check on that one. Something’s up with the clouds over here, it’s supposed to rain today. Uh, no pun intended,” Rainbow explained. She looked to Applejack apologetically. “Once I clear this up, I’ll totally help you tomorrow. I Pinkie Promise! Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!” Rainbow finished, complete with the motions.

AJ sighed, looking to the clouds. “I figured something was haywire. Applebloom is gonna be might disappointed tonight. They’re supposed to head over to Rarity’s to be Cutie Mark Crusader: Kite Flyers,” Applejack laughed. Rainbow nodded, flapping her wings to take off. She hovered in the air for a second before flying over AJ. She swiped at AJ running the tip of her wing along AJ’s side and down to her cutie mark before flying higher.

Applejack shivered. It always tickled when Dash did that. She didn’t know why Dash had started, or when, but she always did it before she left.

“See ya later, Apples!” Rainbow shouted back.

“Yeah, see ya later Rainbow!” Applejack echoed. Applejack picked up a fully basket, balancing it on her back. No reason to quit working now while it isn’t raining, AJ reasoned. She trotted carefully back to the barn, continuing on with the days work.

Author's Note

Hi, everyone! I'm not new to the site, but this is my first story, so criticize away! I decided to write this because I had extra time on my hands and I've been wanting to try my hand at writing for a while now.

Also, ignore that AJ doesn't really have an accent. It's my first time writing a story, so bear with me because I decided to ignore it. Besides, it's not like we all don't know what she sounds like, right?

So, I hope you all like my fluffy little short story here!

Chapter 2

Rainbow soared over the valley, flying quickly away from Sweet Apple Acres. She surveyed the skies, noting that there weren’t rain clouds anywhere in sight. I could’ve gotten the schedule wrong, I guess. Nah, I never get the schedule wrong, Rainbow huffed. She flew lower than normal, attempting to get a quick glimpse of the other four weatherponies on duty that day.

As she neared the library, Rainbow saw Flitter and Cloudkicker, unsuccessfully, bucking a large white cumulonimbus. Rainbow sighed. Looks like they’ve been doing this all morning, she sighed. She flew tentatively over to where they were, hovering just a few feet above them. “Have you been at this since I left earlier?” she questioned.

Flitter murmured to herself while Cloudkicker sheepishly scratched her head.

“Yeah, Dash. I mixed up the weather schedule again. I sorta almost created a huge cumulonimbus cloud over the library,” Cloudkicker mentioned. Rainbow brought a hoof to her face, shaking her head lightly.

“You really are something else, Cloudkicker. Keep bucking that one, all right? Flitter and I will go find Airheart to start on the storm clouds. Once you’re done with that, come find us,” Rainbow commanded. “This is going to take all day.” Cloudkicker nodded and continued bucking the over-filled cumulonimbus. Dash and Flitter hovered for a moment before flapping away toward the park.

Rainbow Dash wiped her wet hair off of her face crossly. She pointed a glare in Airheart’s direction. All four weatherponies were soaked to the bone and shivering. Cloudkicker and Flitter slowly descended to the ground, followed by Airheart, then Rainbow Dash. Rainbow looked at the three other ponies.

“Well, at least we finished before nightfall,” Airheart pointed out sheepishly. Airheart hoofed at the muddy ground, not meeting Rainbow’s glare. Flitter and Cloudkicker nodded in agreement, looking at Dash with hopeful eyes.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes with a smirk. “Yeah, I guess that’s good enough for me,” she stated, taking off once more. She flapped twice before turning back to the other ponies, “Oh, you guys can go now. We’re done now that the rain is pouring.” Rainbow flew a few feet before turning back to the receding ponies, “You all did so well. From now on, I’ll make sure you’re scheduled for every downpour!” she shouted to them.

Rainbow laughed as she heard the collective groans of her weather team. She glided skillfully through the pouring rain back towards Sweet Apple Acres. Stubborn pony. She’s probably still working, Dash thought. Rainbow maneuvered through the rain with ease, making good time on her way to the farm. She did a quick sweep around the backfields to try and catch a glimpse of her orange friend.

Instead of seeing Applejack, Rainbow Dash caught a glimpse of Fluttershy instead. What the hay is Fluttershy doing in the apple orchards? Dash thought. She hoofed her mane out of her eyes before swooping to the ground near her friend. “Hey, Flutters, what are you doing out here in the downpour?” Rainbow wondered.

Fluttershy let out a quiet “Eep!” before turning slowly to face Rainbow. Her mane stuck to her face, and her entire body shivered. “O-oh, h-hi, Rainbow D-dash. I was j-just out l-looking f-f-for Ang-gel Bunny. He ran o-out b-before the s-storm and hasn’t c-come back!” Fluttershy stuttered.

“Jeez, Flutters! You’re freezing! Come on, I’m taking you home. Angel will be fine. He’ll just do whatever he did before he had you, okay? He’ll be fine, “ Rainbow persuaded.

“B-but what i-if he doesn’t come h-home?!” Fluttershy panicked. Her lungs wheezed and she gasped. Fluttershy began coughing roughly.

Rainbow rolled her eyes and huffed. “I’ll help you look for him tomorrow, okay? You need to get home! He might even be at your house waiting for you!” Rainbow pled. Even she was beginning to shiver from the cold. Fluttershy nodded hastily, taking off from the ground off towards her home. Rainbow puffed her mane from her eyes, following after her friend.

Chapter 3

Rainbow Dash stumbled into Fluttershy's cottage. She flicked her mane from her eyes and looked around. All of Fluttershy's animals looked at her warily, ready to bolt at any moment. She eyed them as she took a few steps forward. The house was eerily quiet. The hustle and bustle of the animals ceased as they all stood patiently waiting for a sign to continue their routine. Rainbow surveyed the rest of the room. It was fairly clean, despite the many animals it housed. She wondered how Fluttershy did it. She could barely keep her cloud house clean, and she only had Tank to make a mess. Rainbow's eyes moved to the archway leading into the kitchen. There was the distinct sound of a bunny foot tapping the floor. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and let out a sigh of annoyance. Stupid bunny. I knew he hadn't gotten lost. It's more likely for Flutters to get lost, she thought. Rainbow looked away from the small, irritating bunny and looked at the puddle of water she had created on Fluttershy's, otherwise clean, wooden floor. After surveying the size of the puddle, Rainbow Dash looked herself over. Her coat, mane, and tail were absolutely soaked. She shivered violently, just now realizing how cold she was. It felt unnatural to her. Pegasi were quite immune to the cold, but the harsh winds and the freezing rain started to take it's toll on her body. Her fur was matted down to her skin, and made her feel uncomfortably itchy, her wings felt like lead plates stapled to her sides, and her tail felt like one of the dead weights she used in flight camp.

Rainbow Dash craned her neck to look back at Fluttershy walking shyly into the house behind her. Fluttershy looked even worse. Her mane was tangled and knotted with leaves and twigs because she refused to stop looking for Angel Bunny, even on the way home. Her coat was muddy and matted. Fluttershy made a bigger mess than Rainbow Dash did as she stepped further into her cottage.

"Oh, I'm sorry little ones. I was just out looking for Angel Bunny in this terrible storm when-" Fluttershy trailed off, gesturing to her less than presentable appearance.

The animals inside the cottage relaxed. Now that she looked at them, Rainbow Dash could see that they had all been worried. She wondered how long Fluttershy had been gone searching for that little troublemaker. He's nothing but a no-good.... Her train of thought was derailed as Fluttershy gasped loudly. She rushed over to Angel Bunny and scooped him up into her forelegs.

"Angel Bunny, where have you been! I was so worried! Do you know how long I was out searching for you?! O-oh, OH my! I don't mean to shout Angel, it's just that I was so worried sick, and I thought you had gotten lost. What would've happened to you if you wandered into the Everfree forest in a storm like this? I just couldn't imagine losing you like that. I'm so glad you're home Angel, please don't ever scare me like that again. I don't think my heart can take it......oh....sorry everyone, I guess I was worried. I didn't mean to ramble. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me? I really didn't mean to-" Fluttershy finished half-heartedly.

"Fluttershy! They got it." Rainbow Dash interrupted. "I think you made your point 'Shy. Besides, it looks like Angel has been here the entire time. He doesn't even look like he's been outside! That rotten little...." Rainbow Dash trailed off. She eyed the rabbit on the other side of the room. Shaking her head, she turned her attention to Fluttershy. "Hey, 'Shy, it's pretty late, and it's freezing outside. Do you mind if I crash here tonight?" Rainbow asked. She glanced over at her friend who was quietly tending Angel Bunny. Rainbow Dash shivered once again. She kicked her back hoof out and gently closed the cottage's door.

"O-oh, of course, Rainbow Dash! I'm so very sorry you had to walk me home, especially since I was just being silly. Angel Bunny was here the whole time. I had nothing to worry about. I'm really sorry if I inconvenienced you in any way Rainbow Dash, I promise I'll make it up to you sometime. Angel Bunny will too! Won't you Angel?" Fluttershy asked. She turned to the little Bunny and frowned slightly when he adamantly shook his head no.

"It's cool Fluttershy. No harm, no foul," Rainbow dismissed her apologies. I wouldn't want help from that rabbit if he was the last thing in Equestria, Rainbow thought. She unknowingly scowled at the thought.

"Is something wrong Rainbow Dash?" Fluttershy asked, her eyes full of unnecessary concern.

Rainbow Dash waved her hoof dismissively, and put on a small smile. "Nah, I cool. I'm just gonna go shower and then I'll head to bed. Is that alright with you?" Rainbow asked as she started toward the stairs.

Fluttershy shook her head. "Okay, Rainbow Dash. Goodnight, and don't let the bed bugs bite!" Fluttershy called up the stairs after her. Fluttershy quietly hummed to herself and began cleaning up the puddles she and Rainbow Dash had made.

I really hope she was kidding about those bed bugs, Rainbow shivered as she stepped into the steaming water.

The next morning, Rainbow Dash had woken up to the sounds of quiet singing, the scuttling of every tiny, animal foot imaginable, and the chopping of what smelled like fresh carrots. She lifted her head off the uncomfortable couch she slept on and cracked one eye open. Rainbow Dash groaned as the only sight that met her gaze was the bright glow of the morning sunrise. She quickly closed her eye and attempted to roll over, but was stopped by the soft hoof touch on her upper foreleg. Rainbow Dash craned her neck to look over her shoulder.

"Fluttershy, that is sunrise. I am Rainbow Dash. We aren't supposed to meet," Rainbow Dash grumbled, pointing a hoof lazily at the open window.

"Well, silly, I was just wondering if you wanted some breakfast. I made daisy sandwiches with carrots!" Fluttershy giggled lightly. She trotted away from Rainbow Dash, back into the kitchen.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes slightly as she pushed herself off the couch. The uncomfortable sleep, mixed with the early wake up definitely did not benefit Rainbow Dash's appearance. Her mane was stuck up in all different directions, her coat looked like it hadn't been brushed in two weeks, and her tail was knotted almost beyond repair. Rainbow slowly maneuvered her way throughout the early morning traffic in Fluttershy's living room, and made her way into the kitchen. She plopped herself down on one of Fluttershy's dining chairs and lazily leaned her head on her hoof. "It's too early to function," she mumbled.

"Oh, I'm sorry Rainbow Dash. I just didn't want you to miss breakfast. I knew you would've wanted some. Well, I suppose you could always go back to sleep, or well, I could've saved you some. I'm so sorry Rainbow Dash. I must've not been thinking," Fluttershy mumbled from behind her thick, pink mane.

"Nah, nah. It's alright Flutters," Rainbow Dash yawned. "You're right. Besides, I promised Applejack I'd help her in the fields today. I might as well go finish my weather pony work now. Then I can squeeze in a quick nap before it's time to help AJ," Rainbow sighed. She nodded to herself, cementing her plans for the day. Rainbow Dash stretched her forelegs out in front of her to try and shake off the ache from the couch.

Fluttershy gently placed a plate down in front of Rainbow Dash mid-stretch. "Here you go, Rainbow! Bon appétit" Fluttershy giggled.

Rainbow Dash scarfed down the sandwich in one bite. "Thanks, Flutters. But I really gotta go if I'm going to get everything done. I totally almost forgot about Tank!" Rainbow said, standing up abruptly. She made her way to the front of Fluttershy's cottage and pulled open the door. "I'll see you later, Flutters. Don't work too hard!" Rainbow Dash called as she shut the door behind her.

Rainbow Dash stretched her wings a moment, before she flapped them a few times. She took off into the early morning sky and banked left toward her cloud home. As she flew through the sky, she felt her wings rustle uncomfortably. Maybe I should clean myself up a bit before I go on weather duty. I seriously need a good preening after last night, Rainbow thought sheepishly, as she imagined her dreadful appearance. She did a quick barrel roll through the skies before she zoomed up to her cloud house to prepare herself for the day. Sweet Celestia, I can't wait for my nap, Rainbow yawned.

Author's Note

Hey look! A wild update appeared! ~~(And it's longer than 600 words!)~~ *cough*

Sorry everyone! Everything got super crazy with school, and I've been working on my writing.

Well, I finally got around to finishing this chapter. I know it's not 4,000 words long, but I'm getting better! So, I hope you enjoy it! :)