How did it come to this? Was it wrong? Were they wrong? No pony can say for sure, but it happened and I had a hoof in it. In the end, I have to believe what we did was right. Not right for me but for all of Equestria. In the end, I think things will get better. Y’all are probably confused by now right right? I'll start at the beginning, well the beginning for me anyway. It actually started days before that, maybe even longer than that. For me, It started when my friend came to my farm...
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“Are you sure you're alright sugar cube?”
“I'm fine!” She snapped.
“Then why are ya pacing?”
“Didn't you say you needed help here or something?” She was still pacing back and forth, lashing her tail in frustration as she spoke, never making eye contact.
“Well yeah but... I don't know, seems to me like something is on yer mind.” I had asked her earlier in the week to help around the farm, but I knew something must have happened. Her mane was unkempt and she had bags under her eyes. What ever was bothering her, it was important enough to disturb her sleep.
“I told you I'm fine, you're the one who asked me to help you out.” There was a lot of bitterness in her tone. Though she felt bad for taking her stress out on her friend, she knew she couldn’t talk about it. Her problem was not that simple.
“Rainbow, ya know you can talk to me if something is bothering you right?” Her pacing came to an abrupt stop. She stared into the orchard, contemplatively. She was still and silent, sorting out her thoughts. This only worried her me more. Rainbow Dash being still and quiet while not reading Daring Do or napping? Something must have been wrong and she was beginning to have an idea of what that could be. Finally Dash broke the silence she created.
“No Applejack. I can't. Not with this anyway.” She She slouched, the anger she had left her leaving only grief and tiredness. She arced her tail around her, shrinking her appearance. She turned her head away from me, ashamed to be seen that way.
I had never seen Rainbow Dash as Upset as she was at that moment. She looked as though she would have burst into tears if I had so much as looked at her wrong. Even so, I had to say something. I had an idea of what It could have been.
“Was it Twilight?” Her head shot up and her ears twitched, slowly she met my eyes, there were so many things her eyes said, if I knew to look. She opened her mouth, but remained silent as though she would incriminate herself if she spoke even a single word.
“I know you've been try'n to make things right between y'all since you broke her telescope, I'm guess'n it didn't go well?” There had to be more to it than that. I knew Twilight and Rainbow well enough to know that what ever was going on it was more important than the telescope. Dash's eyes clouded with pain, words that she wanted to say right at the tip of her tongue, but it she couldn’t bring herself to it. She simply shook her head.
“I did something stupid, now she hates me. I don't know what to do. Listen, can we just forget about it? I just want to get away from it all.”
“Sure thing sugar cube, but just so you know, we both know Twilight Sparkle don't hate you or any pony else for that matter.” Dash forced a smile, just wanting to drop the subject.
“Thanks AJ.”
“No problem. Now, if yer still itch'n to give me a hoof, you think you can bust up some of them clouds? The trees ain’t gett'n enough sunlight lately.” Her confident dare devil smile returned, she not only now had something to take her mind off Twilight, but she also got to fly and break things. For her it was the perfect stress relief.
“You got it! I can get those clouds cleared in..” Her demeanor changed back, she looked distraught and sad, the memory of her first meeting with Twilight came to her. I knew then that what ever it was that Dash did, it was serious. She shook the thought's away and took off into the sky, disappearing into a rainbow blur. She darted across the sky, breaking a cloud then turning on a dime and hitting the next one. I didn't really need the clouds broken up, the trees had been getting plenty of sun, but she needed it. I smiled, staring up into the sky. I knew whatever had happened, Twilight and Rainbow Dash were good and loyal friends. What ever had come between them, with a bit of time, they would patch things up. I thought about asking Pinkie Pie to help them out, that girl was the expert of making friends! No, Pinkie Pie had a habit of going over board, they would work it out themselves. By the time I had finished this thought she was nearly done clearing the clouds. She arced high into the sky, blasting though the last remaining cloud, the scattering vapor distorted the light behind her creating a small mock rainboom. Then she let gravity pull her back, she was falling fast. Then, only seconds before she would've hit the ground her wings flew open, did a back flip and landed perfectly right in front of me. She was back to normal, cocksure grin and all.
“Good work RD, those were some fancy maneuvers you were doing up there. If that don't impress the Wonderbolts I don't know what will!” Rainbow was not one to turn down a complement.
“Of course it was impressive! I'm Rainbow Dash after all! And with the Wonderbolts tryouts in a couple of weeks, I can't wait to show them my stuff!”
Then, it happened. I heard a rustling behind me. Dash must have heard it to cause we both turned at the same time. There she was, panting like she had just run a marathon. I glanced over to Rainbow Dash, her eyes were a complicated mix of feelings, I looked back over to her and her expression was just as bad as RD's, but more scared than anything else. I got the feeling neither of them were gonna say anything.
“Hey Twilight. What brings you to our neck of the woods?” I did my best to sound normal but you could practically feel the tension. For a second I thought she didn't even hear me, she just stared at Rainbow Dash. I would have offered to leave so they could have some privacy but she beat me to it.
“I-I'm sorry. Applejack, could I get a moment alone with Rainbow Dash?” She didn't so much as glance at me the whole time. I knew if it was something I needed to know they would tell me eventually and if not it was between them, but still my friends were hurt'n and I wanted to help but what could I have done? Stay anyway?
“Um, sure thing sugar cube. I got to tend to the south field anyhow.” I walked off into the trees, giving them their privacy. The last thing I heard almost made me stop dead in my tracks and almost turn back around.
“What do you want?” I had never heard Dash's voice like that, It was ice cold and angry. I felt bad for Twilight, I wanted to turn around and tell her that Rainbow was just being defensive cause she felt bad for what ever she did to her, Dash was never good at expressing things like that. It's none of my business. I told my self. I admit I started walking really slowly away. I didn't get far though. I turned my self around and ran as quietly as I could back to the clearing. Somepony was crying.
Wait, they asked me to give them time alone. I shouldn't go barging in to it. But that crying, It sounds like Twilight, what if Dash hurt her? No, RD would never do something like that, still she is crying. In the end my curiosity got the best of me, I still wonder even now how things would have turned out if I had just walked away. I didn't though. I looked, I could see them through the trees. Twilight was crying, but into Dash's shoulder. Rainbow wrapped her wing around Twilight and pulled her close. I guess they worked things out. I guess I was right all along! I was about to walk into the clearing, they would have understood if I told them I heard Twilight crying, but then they separated and Dash stared talking. I knew it was wrong to eavesdrop but curiosity got the better of me, I had to know what was hurting my friends. I strained my ears and listened in.
“Thank you Rainbow Dash, I think I'm better now.” She wiped her tears away with her hoof.
“Glad to hear it, and, well. Look I'm really sorry for putting you through all of this. Can we get past this and be friends again?” I was shocked and disappointed when Twilight shook her head in response, what could have happened that those two would stop being friends over? Understandably Rainbow Dash became downcast. She began walking away in defeat.
“Wait!” Twilight's exclamation stopped her, but she didn't turn to face her.
“I thought long and hard about all of this. After going over everything, I came to an important realization. Dash, I don't want to be your friend.” I gasped, then quickly covered my mouth with my hoof. Why was Twilight going out of her way to hurt Dash, it wasn't like her.
“After all of this I don't think I would be satisfied with just being friends.” I wondered what that could have meant, but in the back of my mind I guess I knew there was only one thing it could have meant.
“Rainbow Dash, I-I... Would you.. I mean, I would be happy if... I could be your special somepony.”
“I just can't believe it.” I paced back and forth, as I had been doing for the last half hour.
How can they be each other's special somponies when they're both mares? I just don't get it, what the hay has been going on? Still, I've never seen either of them look so happy before. Ah! I just can't make heads or tails of this situation.
“Big sis?” I was startled out of my thoughts as I spun around to see my little sister looking at me with a look somewhere between confused and concerned.
“Apple Bloom! You nearly gave me a heart attack, now how many times do I have to tell you not to sneak up on somepony.” She had started making a habit lately of appearing behind ponies unannounced.
“I didn't sneak up on you, I tried call'n yer name but you were too spaced out.”
“Oh.” I was a bit embarrass, It wasn't like me to get so lost in thought like Twilight.
“What's going on with everypony today? Yer acting weirder than Twilight was.”
“You know about Twilight?!” I blurted nervously, quickly regretting it as I realized I had jumped the gun a bit when Apple Bloom raised a suspicious eye brow at me.
“Know what about Twilight? She was just acting strange when she came by a bit ago looking for Rainbow Dash.”
“Don't pay any mind to Twilight and Rainbow Dash's business, you hear.” I have no idea what's going on those two's heads but I don't want Apple Bloom or her friends getting involved.
“Okay?”
“Now you get go'n on yer chores, I got to see granny about something.”
“But Applejack! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are having a meeting soon and.” She pleaded but at the time I just wanted her away from home so I could ask Granny Smith or Big Mac for advice. I didn't feel it was right to expose my little sister to something like what Twilight and Rainbow were doing.
“That's fine, you go have fun with yer friends.” Apple Bloom smiled excitedly.
“You mean it?!”
“Sure do, now get! Go have yer self a good time.” I smiled back at my sister who bounced up and down as excitedly as Pinkie Pie.
“Thank you-thank you-thank you!” She ran off to her club house as I breathed a sigh of relief. Turning around I made my way back home.
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I tentatively entered my home, I was nervous. despite the decent walk back I couldn’t manage to figure out a best way to breach the subject with my family. Well the best way is the straight forward way, never know till I ask. I reassured myself.
I looked around, Granny Smith's rocking chair was vacant and my older brother was nowhere in sight. Then I could smell warm familiar scents coming from the kitchen, my mouth began to water as I remembered I had missed lunch. Sure enough as I walked into the kitchen I found my grandmother standing up over the stove, humming a random tune while she added spices skillfully into the pan, she had prepared many meals so many times she could probably cook just about anything blind folded. Big Mac was at the other end of the kitchen putting dishes away in the cabinet.
“Hey Granny, Big Mac. That sure smells good.” My grandmother turned from her cooking to greet me in her usual cheerful way.
“Hello there sweetie, you're darn right it smells good! Now why don't you help you're brother with those dishes?”
“Sure thing Granny.” i joined my brother by the cabinet, taking a hoof full of plates I carefully grabbed a couple in my mouth and placed them.
“Ay Granny, can I ask you something?”
“Ask away deary, what's on yer mind?” She responded, never looking away from her cooking.
“Okay, this may sound kind'a strange but have y'all ever heard of two mares being together? Like being each other's special someponies?” Big Mac nearly dropped a tower of plates in surprise, dancing to keep them from shattering all over, a mess he would undoubtedly have to clean. Granny Smith on the other hoof remained placid, tapping her hoof on her chin contemplatively.
“Actually, way back before yer parents were born I had a friend, he was such a nice young stallion always helping other ponies and was always well dressed. Any-hoosle, one day I find out that he had an attraction to another stallion and they became each other's special someponies. I find out later that they had been arrested for something and I never did see them again.” My heart sank at the story, a deep sense of foreboding swelled inside my chest. I should have known right then what would happen.
“Why do you ask? Are you in that way? Liking mares instead of stallions and what not?” She asked innocently, there was no spite, anger or disbelief.
“What! No! I'm not like that! I love me some stallions! No mares for me!” I replied defensively, I knew I liked stallions, never once had a thought about a mare in that way. Granny just smiled at me, I'll never know if that convinced her or not.
“Well just so you know, It don't matter to me who you love, just cause I don't understand it any don't mean I would hate ya fer it.” The words gave me pause for thought, I had an epiphany of sorts. That's right, just because they are different don't mean they aren't the same friends who help me and my family more than a dozen time. I can't believe I was being so judgmental. Big Mac smiled and nodded in agreement with Granny Smith.
“Eeyup.”
“Geez, I told y'all I'm not like that.” We laughed together, but despite my cheerful demeanor I felt guilt compelling me. How could I be so unfair to my best friends? Twilight and Rainbow Dash must feel so separated from everyone else, I feel bad for thinking about them the way I was earlier. I have to tell them that they aren't alone!
“Granny, I'm sorry but I got to go help my friends. I'm gonna to be late for dinner.” I spun around and galloped out the door, determined to set things right. I'm here for you girls.
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Despite running all over Ponyville looking for them I never did manage to find them and the sun was getting low in the sky. My hooves were starting to ache and I had all but run out out of places to find them. I sighed, about ready to give up. I turned around ready to head home when I caught sight of a small purple dragon.
“Hey Spike!” I hollered, waving my hoof to get his attention. He came to screeching halt, looking a little worn out he strolled over to me.
“Hey Applejack, What's up? I can't really stay long, I just finished helping Rarity and I want to get back to Twilight.”
“Actually Spike, that's who I wanted to talk about. You see..” I began but Spike panicked and began spewing out his worries.
“What happened?! Is Twilight alright? Where is she!? Is she hurt? Does she need a Doctor?! I'll go get the first aide kit! Oh, and the Timber wolf repellant and the...”
“Calm down Spike, she's not hurt she's just in love with Rainbow Dash and they are each other's special someponies.”... Open mouth, insert hoof.
“Twilight is what!?” He gaped at me, wide eyed in disbelief. 'Shoot! Why did I say that!?'
“I- I uh, thought you knew. Ya know, since you live with her and all I thought she would have told you..” I dug myself deeper into a hole as Spike's face began to show how betrayed I was making him feel. I had a feeling that it was something that Twilight herself had only just come to terms with, it was sheer luck that I was the first to know.
“I can't believe she wouldn't tell me something like that..” He quickly became downcast, I felt so bad for him.
“Listen, I think Twilight only knew she was like that today. I saw her ask out Rainbow Dash earlier today. I don't think she lied to you, but I think she may need some time alone. Look, it's getting dark, why don't you come over to my place for dinner. In the morning we can go talk to Twilight. Sound good?” He looked tired and worn out and after the state Twilight had been in earlier it seemed like putting her and Spike in a situation like that seemed unfair to me. This was the first decision I made that I will always look back on, I know it's silly but how different would things have been if I hadn't offer him dinner at my place? Maybe changing that one choice would have stopped everything before it go so out of hand.
“Maybe that's a good idea.” He replied dejected
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We made our way back to Sweet Apple Acres mostly in the dark, It was pretty late by the time we got back. The stars and moon shined brightly in the clear night. I yawned deeply, careful not to disturb Spike who had fallen asleep on my back. I looked up at the beautiful starry sky, this night Princess Luna had certainly out done herself. Then something caught my eye, a blur of motion in my peripheral vision. When I brought my focus on it my heart skipped a beat. There were two pegasi in royal guard armor, flying low. Trailing behind them was a steel cage.
“If you guys hurt Twilight I swear you'll regret it!” The voice from the cage had an amount of animosity I had never heard from the her before but the voice was unmistakable. It was Rainbow Dash Inside the cage!