The Pinkie in Applejack's eye

by zootxjanice

Rating: teen
Tags: Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Alternate Universe, Comedy, Romance, Sex, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Anthro, Main 6
Length: 10178

Applejack and Rainbow Dash get a classic case of "lady trouble" when they discover new feelings for Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.

After being left in charge of Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie Pie enlists the help of her friend Applejack, but after spending quite a lot of time with each other, they discover feelings they thought would never exist. Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash can't seem to shake the feeling that Fluttershy is hiding something from her.

Cover picture ©Hoof Beat 2 (Another Pony Fanbook)

Takes place during the events of They grow up so fast "literally"

Published 2014-01-13 05:00:05 UTC
Last updated 2014-08-09 02:28:21 UTC

The end right?...wrong!

"AHHHHHHHHHH!" Came a male voice from the orange laptop sitting in front of the hysterically laughing Applejack and Pinkie Pie.

"I gotta tell ya Applejack, Spike's scream always gets me!" Pinkie said catching her breath.

"Yeah Pinkie...well, enough of that!" Applejack said before clicking the mouse.

"Uh, Applejack, what are you doing?" Pinkie asked.

"Fast forwardin to the part where we come in!" The farmer said happily.

"But...you can't just go out of order!" She said aghast.

"Oh contraire, my sweet little gal. I've got the mouse!" She said holding it up.

"But everyone's gonna get confused!" She said before pushing Applejack aside. "We gotta go back to the beginning of the story!" She said with a click of the now stolen mouse.

"We're not in the beginnin of the story!" Applejack said grabbing the mouse back.

"Yes we were! The whole time!" Pinkie said half furiously.

"Yeah, but they don't know that!" Applejack said referring to the readers.

"Then why don't we just tell them our story?" Pinkie asked before getting hushed.

"Hang on Pinks, I'm thinkin. I got it! We'll tell them our story!" She exclaimed.

"Ooh! I like the sound of that!" Pinkie said excitedly.

"Yeah, a little backstage tour. Take 'em behind the scenes for a revealing and intimate look at the story within the story!" She said tapping her chin with her fingers.

"Because what they don't know is how we really were there even though they didn't know we were there, y'know?" Pinkie asked.

"...yeah, couldn't have said it better myself." She said confused.

"So, does this mean we're going back to the beginning?" She asked leaning closer towards Applejack.

"Oh no Pinkie, no. We're going further back...to before the beginning." She said rather dramatically.

They grow up so fast "literally" 2

"Wait wait wait, hold on a second! Two? What's with the two? No no, the two has got to go!" Applejack said angrily.

"But Applejack, even without it, we can't use that title, because that already exists!" Pinkie pointed out.

"Ooh, you got a point there Pinks, but it's not a sequel anyway."

"Yeah, more like uh, behind the sequel!"

"A whaddawhoquel?" She asked confused.

"Oh, you know! An inbetweenquel!"

"That's it! Pinkie, my muse! It's genius!" She said before changing some letters around.

The Pinkie in Applejack's eye

"There! Now that title's a knockout! OW! Not literally Pinkie!" She yelled as said mare tackled her to the ground.

It was a bright morning in the town of Ponyville. The birds were chirping, the air was cool, and inside Sugarcube Corner was a bubbly, pink haired mare hopping down the stairs in a bright yellow hoodie with "SMILE" written in white with blue shorts.

"Alright Cakes, let's do some bak...hey what's with all the luggage?" She asked noticing various suitcases scattered in front of the counter.

"It's for our vacation Pinkie, you know that." Mr. Cake said proceeding to take two out the front door.

"Ooh! Vacation?! How come I didn't hear about this?" She asked surprised.

"You did. Remember? I told you two weeks ago when I was carrying those tubes of frosting." Mrs. Cake reminded. Suddenly the word "frosting" hit Pinkie like a ton of bricks.

"Oh snap! Why do I have to get distracted by everything that's sweet?!" She thought angrily.

"Anyway, we're leaving you in charge of the shop until we get back and..." Mrs. Cake was suddenly interrupted by a blood curdling squeal from the energetic girl.

"Oh my gosh! I can't believe it! This is going to be so much fun!" She yelled while hopping up and down.

"Pinkie, please. Being in charge means you have to be responsible, can you do that Pinkie?" She asked unassuringly.

"Of course! If I can take care of two babies, I can take care of this place!" Mrs. Cake let out a sigh.

"Well...if you're sure, then here's the key to open up." She said as she plopped the key into Pinkie's shaking hand. "Now remember, you need to tend to every order, lock up every night, and this last part, I cannot stress this enough, don't wreck the place. You can have some friends over, but don't throw one of your big parties. Okay?" Pinkie stared blankly for a few seconds before coming back to reality.

"...You got it ma'am!" She said with a salute.

"...Yessss." She said slightly unconvinced.

"Alright Honey bun, if we're gonna catch the train, we'd better get a move on!" Mr. Cake announced as he held the barely awake Pound and Pumpkin.

"Oh right! Well Pinkie, we're off. I wish you the best of luck, and I know I don't say it enough but, I'm proud of you." She said while placing a hand on Pinkie's shoulder. This almost made Pinkie lose all her tears in an instant, but she instead wrapped her arms around the woman's waist and picked her up in a tightening hug.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Cake! I promise that I will not let you down!"

"Well, thank you Pinkie but...I'm afraid you'll have to put me down." She said sheepishly.

"Oh, right!" She said proceeding to hug Mr. Cake and the babies next. She wanted to squeeze the living snot out of them, but instead gently hugged them and kissed their foreheads. (That's right, even Mr. Cake. You have a female worker who looks at you like a father figure, then this is what happens. Explain that to your wife.)

"Um...okay Pinkie. See you later!" Mr. Cake said as he walked out the door with a small blush.

"Oh, by the way, Applejack said she'd come by later with a delivery of apples, so be sure to give this to her." Mrs. Cake said giving Pinkie a small bag of bits.

"I sure will Mrs. Cake! You guys have a great time!" Pinkie waved happily as Mrs. Cake walked out the door.

Applejack had just finished bucking the entire Sweet Apple Acres orchard with Big Macintosh. She was quite exhausted, but she didn't intend on letting Sugarcube Corner down, so she proceeded to fill a small barrel with apples and be on her way through Ponyville. By the looks of the town, everypony was settling in their homes after a long day. As soon as she reached her destination, a tall figure dragging a shorter one by the arm ran right by her, nearly making her spill her barrel of apples.

"Hey, watch it, you path hogs!" She yelled angrily before going inside Sugarcube Corner. As soon as she was inside, who should tackle her to the ground? That's right, Pinkie Pie.

"Heeeey, Applejack!" She greeted with a wide grin, but Applejack did not share her attitude.

"Goldarn it Pinkie Pie! It took me wasted time to bring those apples, and you gotta go and knock 'em all over the floor! Why do you gotta be so happy all the time?! Huh?!" She yelled angrily, leaving Pinkie Pie speechless, shocked and speechless.

"I...I'm sorry." She said shakily. Applejack suddenly realized where this would head and mentally punched herself in the muzzle.

"No Pinkie, I'm sorry. You ain't done nothing wrong, it's...just been a tiring day fer me." She said with a sigh. Pinkie's shock soon turned to sympathy.

"...You wanna share a couple of soda's?" She asked with hopeful eyes.

"Nah thanks, I think I'm just gonna head home."

"Aw come on! You just got here! Pleeeaaase?" She pleaded. Applejack simply rolled her eyes and smiled at her.

"Fine, but can you get off me first?" She asked, which made Pinkie realize that she was still on top of Applejack. After awkwardly getting off her friend, she jumped behind the counter to fish out two root beers.

"So...where are the Cakes?" Applejack asked taking a seat at a nearby table.

"Right over there silly!" Pinkie said as she sat down next to her.

"I meant, where are Mr. and Mrs. Cake with the kids?" She asked with a chuckle.

"Ohhhh! Well, they left to go on vacation for the rest of the month, and they left me in charge of the place!" She explained before taking a sip of her soda.

"So they just left you all alone?" Applejack asked slightly shocked.

"No...I have Gummy to keep me company!" She said happily.

"Well alright then." She said slightly concerned.

"So...do you wanna talk?" Pinkie asked sheepishly.

"'Bout what?"

"Hmm, I know! Let's play 'truth or truth!'"

"What the hay is that?" Applejack asked confused.

"Well, it's like 'truth or dare', except there's no daring just truthing." Applejack didn't even want to call her out on the word she just made up and just shrugged.

"Alright, sure."

"Cool! Alright, truth or truth?!" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"Umm, I kinda don't have a choice do I?" Applejack asked confused.

"Okay truth, why do you always wear that hat? I mean, I know you're a farmer and all, but why?"

"Umm, I don't know if you wanna hear this story." She said hesitantly.

"Hey, you picked truth." Pinkie said slyly.

"I didn't even have a choi...alright. When I was a filly, I was really close to my daddy. We spent time together like there was no tomorrow. Then one day...he and my mamma left the farm to go on a business trip and left me his Stetson to remember him by. I thought they would've been back after a month, but...I wound up not seein them again since then." She said putting her head down.

"Oh...I-I never knew, I'm...so sorry." She said putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.

"It's a'ight, it's in the past, forget about it. So, if it's my turn, whatever happened with your..." She started, but got interrupted.

"Ah ah ah! Ask me the correct way." Applejack let out an annoyed sigh.

"Fine, Pinkie Pie, truth or truth?"

"Hmm, that's a toughie. I think I'll go with...truth!"

"Okay...whatever happened with your parents?"

"...Huh?"

"I mean, I know the Cakes aren't your real parents, so where are your biological ones?"

"Umm, well...I actually don't know. You see...after I got my cutie mark, my dad was called to start another rock farm...out of town, and he must've thought I would take it the hardest since I was the youngest, so one morning when I woke up, I was sleeping in the guest room upstairs, and the Cakes told me I would be staying with them...and I never saw my parents again." She said softly.

"I guess we were both abandoned, huh?" Applejack asked trying to brighten the mood.

"Yep! I guess we were!" Pinkie said returning to her bright and happy self.

"Well, it's getting pretty late, I should probably get back to the farm." She said after checking her watch.

"Aww, okay! Let me get these apples up!" Pinkie said as she jumped out of her seat. Applejack drank the last few drops of her root beer and turned to a surprising sight. As Pinkie was bent over, her flank was facing directly towards Applejack. She didn't know what to do, but Pinkie's shorts were definitely not helping.

"Man, I gotta get outta here quick before she catches me staring at that small, pink, cute little...what the Tartarus?! Don't think like that! She's your best friend damn it!" She thought angrily as she ran towards the door.

"Hey wait! I'm supposed to pay you!" Pinkie said standing upright.

"I'll come back for it tomorrow!" She yelled as she ran out the door.

"Hmm, I wonder what that was about." Pinkie thought to herself.

Author's Note

That's right folks, it's gonna be an ApplePie story. There's the left arrow in the upper left corner, no one would blame you.

Untitled Triumphant Return Chapter

As Big Macintosh laid on his back upon the roof of the barn, he stared at the starry night that shined above Sweet Apple Acres. As he sucked on his straw of hay, he noticed his sister Applejack tiredly running through the front entrance of the farm. With the expression on her face, he could tell she had been through something traumatic, so it'd be best to talk about it. Or rather let her talk about it while he listens, as we've all come to expect from the colt. Suddenly Big Mac shot a glare at the sky.(Oops, said that out loud.)

Getting past that, Big Mac let out a small, but powerful whistle, signaling his sister of his location. She took note of the sound and headed towards the direction. As soon as she had reached the top of the ladder that led to the roof, she wasted no time in taking a seat next to her brother. After a moment of silence, Big Mac finally broke it.

"The apples made it to Sugarcube Corner?"

"Eeyup." Applejack replied in her impression voice.

"So where's the bits?" He asked causing Applejack to jump.

"Uh bits? I-I don't remember anything about bits. Oh wait! The bits from Pinkie Pie? You wanted those bits tonight? Oh wow, what a mix up. The important thing is that the apples are delivered." Applejack said with a slight blush.

"Sis, when I sent you to deliver a crate of apples, I assumed ya'd come back with the profits, or at least the crate! What could've possibly distracted you from your task?" Applejack soon fell into a silence as she remembered the incident that recently took place. "Well?" Big Mac asked impatiently.

"Um, well. When I got there, Pinkie tackled me as soon as I got in." Big Mac gave a nod in confirmation. "Then after I got up, we played a game of 'Truth or truth.' and..."

"Wait wait wait...'truth or truth?' That's what'cha said?" He asked confusedly.

"Don't ask. Anyway, during which time we exchanged stories."

"Alright. Then when did you forget the bits?" Applejack's eyes widened as soon as he asked.

"Um...w-well I..." She stuttered.

"C'mon. It can't be that bad. What, did ya see her 'personal parts' or somethin?" He joked.

"Shut up! Don't remind me!" She yelled, but soon covered her mouth soon after. Big Mac paused a couple of beats.

"Wait wha?" He asked surprised.

"I said 'don't remind me!' I don't even wanna think about what I've seen tonight." Applejack said with a shudder.

"What exactly did you see?" Big Mac asked with uncertainty. Applejack couldn't hide it anymore and let out a sigh.

"I saw...Pinkie Pie's flank okay?" She asked with her head lowered.

"Oh, please tell me she was wearin pants or somethin." Applejack's head was raised immediately.

"Of course she was wearin pants! That's the only good part about all this!"

"Alright calm dow..." Big Mac was suddenly interrupted.

"Okay. One thing you do NOT wanna do is tell me to calm down! It's like it's just stuck in my head! Both of the small, pink, tight..."

"Whoa whoa! Don't put it in my head!" He protested, even though he'd love it more than Cheerilee. I mean he couldn't even make a move on her in his normal state. Big Mac shot another glare at the sky. (Oops. Out loud again.)

"This is all yer fault. You have to help me!" Applejack said angrily.

"I'll help ya if you stop talkin about it!"

"Deal!" She said graciously.

"Now, have you at least tried to forget about it?"

"Of course I have! But every time I tried, it just appeared everywhere! Even the setting sun looked like it." Applejack reminisced.

"Hmm, maybe you do have a problem. Okay your brain obviously needs closure to move on."

"My brain needs what now?" Applejack asked confusedly.

"Closure. That means if the brain isn't over something, then it has to see it one more time to move on." He explained.

"Wait...are you sayin that I need to look at Pinkie's flank again?!"

"Eeyup." Big Mac replied with his catchphrase.

"Blasphemy! You just wanna see me embarrass myself!"

"Even though that would be downright funny, I'm tellin the truth. Like, remember the time I walked in on Granny Smith's 'me time' when I was ten?" He asked.

"Oh yeah. Boy it's a good thing your coat color is red, cause you were blushin for hours!" Applejack said with a laugh.

"Exactly, and when I went to apologize the next day she did it again, and soon after, I got over it." He said with a sincere smile.

"My Celestia. Well Bro, looks like your genius is showing again." She said getting a chuckle out of Big Mac. "No seriously. Pull your pants up boy." She said with a smirk as she climbed down the ladder.

"Hang on!" Pinkie stopped. "Applejack, how can a brain need closure? It's a brain!"

"Well, because naturally, I needed to get your rear out of my head, so by lookin at it one more time, I could move on. Like that show you watch. Remember when the raccoon needed to listen to that song again to get it out of his head?"

"Well yeah, but him and his friends ended up having a rock battle with that giant tape." Pinkie contradicted.

"Uhh, let's just go to Rainbow's part of the story." Applejack said defeated.

"Ooh! Do we get to see how Dashie starts her day?" Pinkie asked excitedly.

"Yeah Pinks, but it ain't gonna be pretty." Applejack said going back to her laptop.

Rainbow Dash woke up from her slumber with a long yawn and a stretch of her arms. After her wings stretched, they slowly carried her down to her kitchen. As she rode through the air, she couldn't get the recurring dream she had out of her mind.

~RAINBOW DREAM TRANSITION~

Rainbow Dash was flying around the field, practicing some tricks. She was about to do a 360 on a skateboard shaped cloud, but all of a sudden she was distracted by her. Standing nearby cheering for her was none other than Fluttershy. The sun shone brightly on her long, flowing, pink locks. As she jumped up and down, Dash took note of her rather large breasts bouncing with her. This sent the tomboy over the edge, literally! She was so distracted by Fluttershy's beauty, that she didn't pay attention to her current actions and landed face first into a tree.

"Ohmygoodnessohmygoodness!" She heard Fluttershy yell as she quickly approached. When Rainbow's body finally peeled off the tree bark, she found the back of her head landing on Fluttershy's soft lap.

"Even when she's crying she's cute." Rainbow thought as she looked up at the crying mare.

"Are you okay?" Fluttershy asked with distress in her voice.

"Yeah, just gotta shake it off." Rainbow said as she lifted her head up and attempted to fly off but was quickly stopped by a pair of arms wrapping around her waist.

"Please stay." She begged. Rainbow blushed as she lowered herself to sit face to face with her, which resulted with a tight hug from Fluttershy. Rainbow hesitantly hugged back, taking notice of their surroundings. They weren't in the field anymore, but instead in vast darkness. Her thoughts were interrupted as Fluttershy pulled away to look at her injured friend. With no consideration for Dash's feelings, she slowly leaned her head forward as she closed her eyes. As Dash's eyes widened, she followed Fluttershy's actions and leaned forward too. It wasn't long until their muzzles were merely an inch from eachother's until they finally...

~REALITY TRANSITION~

"It just ends like that! Why the buck would it just end with that?!" Rainbow exclaimed as she poured her cereal into the bowl sitting in front of her. "I mean sure it's a dream...but why would it just end before anything else happened?" She thought. "I must be crazy." She shrugged as she was adding milk to her breakfast concoction.

Soon after taking a shower, Rainbow's attire changed from a tanktop and shorts to a T-shirt and shorts. As she exited through the front door, she took a deep breath of the morning dew, awaiting the possibilities of a new day. For her first trick of the day, she fell backwards off the cloud holding her mansion and plummeted toward the ground. When all hope seems lost for her, the wings on her back open up and send her soaring through midair. As she flew, she took note of the scenery going by her. She never noticed how beautiful it was.

"Maybe I should slow down more often?" She wondered. "Nah." She came out of her thoughts when she heard a soft voice call out to her.

"Good morning Rainbow Dash!" She looked down to see that she was flying right over Fluttershy. The dream returned to Rainbow's head as she looked down at her, but shrugged it off.

"Hey Fluttershy. Where ya headed?" She asked.

"Oh, just over to Sugarcube Corner." She replied cheerfully.

"Really? What a coincidence! Me too!" She replied rather quickly. "What was that? I have nowhere I need to be!" She thought.

"Okay, wanna walk with me?" Fluttershy asked with a small smile.

"Uh, yeah sure." She said as she lowered herself to the ground and caught up to Fluttershy's side. "Huh, never noticed how tall I am compared to Fluttershy." Rainbow thought as she looked over to see the top of Fluttershy's head just slightly under her eye level. Fluttershy looked over to see Rainbow Dash staring at her.

"What?" She asked with a giggle.

"Uh, nothin!" Rainbow replied as she once again looked front. "So, what are you going to Sugarcube Corner for?" She asked breaking the silence.

"Just picking up some treats for the pets. Are you picking some up for yours?"

"Uh...yeah! Tank really loves those...yep!" Rainbow said as she managed a slight blush. Fluttershy just lightly giggled at Dash's choice of words. "Man she is so CUTE! Wait...SHUT UP MIND!" Fluttershy looked at her friend in confusion, as Rainbow realized that she had yelled the last part out loud.

"Who are you talking to?" She asked confusedly.

"N-nopony. Somethin just hit me that's all." Rainbow said not seeing the tree that she just ran into. As soon as she removed her body from the bark, she soon began to fall backwards. She would've had pain in the back of her head if it hadn't landed on Fluttershy's lap.

"Are you okay?" She asked looking down at her.

"Oh buck! My dream! Wait...it's just a coincidence. I mean, what are the odds that the tree would just be there?" She thought in her mind as she realized Fluttershy still needed an answer. "Uh yeah, I'll just shake it off, and I'll be fine." She said as she got up, but was immediately stopped by a hand grabbing her arm.

"Wait! Please stay!" She pleaded.

"For what?" Rainbow asked hesitantly, as she knew what might happen.

"So I can take care of your forehead!" She said like it was the most life threatening cut in the world, but frankly, Rainbow didn't give two bits.

"But..."

"No buts! Sit down!...please." She said as she almost neared tears. Rainbow couldn't bare to see her pal cry, so she obeyed orders and sat right back down as Fluttershy got out a rag.

"Fluttershy, what are you...?"

"Shhhh." She silenced as she pulled out a small bottle from her small backpack and dampened the rag with the contents. "Now this may sting a little." She said as she raised the rag near the patient's forehead.

"Wait, why would it hurAHHH! Son of a...!" Rainbow almost finished, but stopped herself as she knew better than to use fowl language around Fluttershy. After about ten seconds flat, it stopped stinging. "Whoa, where'd you learn to do that?" She asked surprised.

"Oh, I um...took a course at Nurse Redheart's First Aid class a couple of years ago." She said as she removed the rag.

"What for?"

"N-nothing. It's silly." She said with a nervous smile.

"Aw come on. You can tell me anything, I mean we are best friends right?"

"...that's exactly why I did it." Fluttershy said after a few beats.

"Wait what?" Rainbow asked.

"I did it because you're my best friend. I know you like to do those tricks of yours, and I can't prevent you from doing them, so...I just wanna be prepared...in case something bad happens." She said as she took out a bandage and stuck it on Rainbow's slowly healing wound.

"She did all that for me? And I thought I was the loyal one!" Rainbow thought.

"Feeling better?" Fluttershy asked.

"Uh yeah! Thanks Fluttershy!"

"No problem." Fluttershy said before planting a kiss on Rainbow's forehead, leaving her speechless.

"What was that for?" Rainbow asked rubbing the spot.

"I heard kisses make everything better!" Fluttershy said before helping her up.

~MEANWHILE~

While Applejack was walking to Sugarcube Corner to retrieve her legal tender, she was contemplating on whether or not she needed to retrieve something else.

"Okay, Big Macintosh said I have to look at it one more time, and I'll be over it. 'course if I'm not over it then I'm gonna wanna see more. Wait! Don't be a pervert AJ! It's just a flank. Everypony has one, I'm a girl, she's a girl. Perfectly normal." Applejack thought as she was a couple yards away from her destination.

"Yo AJ!" She heard a voice call behind her, and soon found Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy walking towards her.

"Mornin Ya'll. Ooh, Rainbow what happened to yer forehead?" She asked motioning to the bandage.

"Uh...just wasn't lookin and hit a tree...hey there's Sugarcube Corner!" She pointed out before speeding towards the bakery. Applejack and Fluttershy soon followed her inside. The sweet aroma of sweets and delights were soon drowned out from their nostrils by perfume and mint. They looked towards the counter to see Rarity talking to Pinkie Pie.

"I must say, the Cakes must really think you're responsible to take care of this place while they're gone." Rarity said in astonishment.

"Yep! Before you know it, I'll be known as the most super DUPER responsible pony ever!" Pinkie Pie said as she hugged herself. Before she continued her conversation, she spotted Applejack walking in and did a front flip over the counter to run over and stop right in front of her. "Applejack! Y'know you left your money here last night? Well, I guess you did know since you said, 'I'll get it tomorrow!', and now that you're here you can finally get it!"

Applejack couldn't even respond, as her attention was on Pinkie's breasts pressing up against hers. Even if Pinkie's weren't all that big.

"HEY!" Pinkie shouted angrily.

"Uh, yep! I'm just here to collect the bits. So uh...ya mind gettin 'em?" Applejack asked uncomfortably while Pinkie's nose was practically touching hers.

"Yesindeedy!" Pinkie said before pulling out a small bag from the curls in her hair. "Here ya go!"

"Thanks. Hey Pinkie. Part of the reason I came over was..."

"WAIT! Before you say anything, can you do me one small favor?" She asked as she pressed her fingertips together.

"Well sure, but..."

"GREAT! I need you to find Twilight and/or Spike. I'm handing out test samples before we open, and I wanna make sure all my best friends are here for them!"

"Well alright but can I just...?"

"Sure you can have some! Just bring them back soon okay?" Pinkie said as she playfully shoved Applejack out the door.

"Great." Applejack said before letting out a sigh. "Well, at least I have some time to think about what I'll say." Unfortunately that statement would prove to be untrue, as she had spotted her alicorn friend. "Why howdy Ms. Sparkle." She greeted with a tip of her hat.

"Oh hello Applejack. What are you up to today?" Twilight asked cheerfully.

"Just lookin fer you. Pinkie's handin out free samples for the gang and I, you in?"

"Can Spike come too? Since he's out with me and all."

"Sure! But I don't see him, all I see is a full grown dragon who happens to look exactly like...SPIKE?!" She exclaimed as she saw Spike, only he wasn't the baby dragon she knew, he was leaner and taller, but only by a few inches compared to her. "I...I don't...how did...?" She stuttered.

"She cast a spell on me, messed it up, and now I'm sixteen. Can I please stop telling this story already?" Spike asked with slight irritation.

"Wow. That voice is deep." Applejack thought with a slight blush. "Well anyway, shall we get goin?"

"Sure! Coming Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Yeah yeah yeah..." Spike replied glumly.

"Is he okay?" Applejack whispered to Twilight.

"Yeah, he's just afraid the girls won't like him in this new form."

"What? That's ridiculous. Just because he grew a couple of feet, and is waaaay skinnier..."

"I have really good hearing y'know." Spike called behind them.

"Well nevertheless, you're still our Spike we know and love." Applejack said with a wink, which caused a shy, averted gaze from the drake. As Applejack walked in, she didn't expect the tackle that came from Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie! What in the hay is the meanin of,MNPH!" Was all she let out as a cupcake was shoved in her mouth.

"Sooo, did you find Twilight and/or Spike?" Pinkie asked. Applejack couldn't even answer. Not just because of the cupcake in her mouth, but she was also nervous from the close, physical contact she was having with the party girl, but she ignored it and pointed at the door in which Twilight walked through. Pinkie instantly stopped straddling her friend and jumped up to hug her leader.

"Dang it. That could've lasted longer...wait, SHUT UP MIND!" Applejack thought angrily.

"Oh Twilight I'm so happy to see you! Well, I mean I'm always happy to see you, but I'm super suuuuper happy to see you!" Pinkie shouted excitedly.

"That's great Pinkie! Could you please do me one favor?" Twilight asked sounding out of breath. Pinkie looked up in her eyes to pay attention.

"Please let me go!" She pleaded as the tightness of the hug was suffocating her. Pinkie Pie pouted as she let her drop to the floor. It was at that moment when Spike finally walked into the store. Rainbow Dash was the second to be shocked.

"Dude! What happened to you?!" She asked while examining his arm.

"You're like the same, but different. I mean, if that's not offensive to you." Fluttershy said quietly.

"Wowie girls! Look at his tail!" Pinkie Pie said while examining his now extended tail.

"And you're so...tall! Whatever did happen to you dear?" Rarity said while trying to touch his head spines. Applejack wasn't an expert at emotions, but she was getting the feeling that this scene was making Twilight a little agitated.

"Okay! You wanna know what happened!? I was being a featherhead, and accidentally turned Spike into a teenager! So can I have my cupcake now?" Pinkie slowly gave the egghead her cupcake in shock.

"So what are ya'll doin out here then?"Applejack asked after finally getting her cupcake down.

"Well, I don't know how long I'll be like this, so we came to ask Rarity if she'll make me a set of new cloth,WAH!" Before he knew it, Spike was being grabbed from the arm by the mare in question.

"Of course! There's no time to waste!" Rarity agreed excitedly.

"Hey wait, don't I get a cupcaaaake?!" Spike yelled as he was being dragged down the streets of Ponyville.

"Oh boy, I'd better follow them before she makes him a pair of ballet tights. See you girls later!" Twilight said as she left Sugarcube corner too, leaving the rest of the Mane 6.

"So, what'd you guys think of the samples?" Pinkie asked.

"They were so. Freaking. Delicious." Rainbow said bluntly.

"Just delightful." Fluttershy added.

"I would've preferred if you hadn't shoved it in my mouth." Applejack spoke truthfully.

"Well I'm glad you liked them, now I know I'll be able to sell them! Speaking of which, it's almost that time!" Pinkie sang as she ran over to the open/closed sign hanging on the door. "Wait for it!" Pinkie said as she looked at her watch. "Waait foor iit!" Pinkie repeated. "Waaii..."

"Will you turn the sign already?!" Rainbow asked impatiently.

"Aaand...NOW!" Pinkie said as she turned the sign and pulled out a noisemaker from her skirt pocket and gave a hearty blow so loud, that her friends hair got pulled back. "Oops...sorry." Pinkie said sheepishly.

"That's okay. If I could be your first customer, could I please purchase those treats I asked for?" Fluttershy asked while putting her hair back in place.

"Sure thing Flutters!"

"Here ya go! That'll be ten bits!" Pinkie said as she easily held five bags of pet treats.

"Here you go." Fluttershy said as she put the money on the counter.

"And here you go!" Pinkie said as she lugged the bags over the counter and sent them towards Fluttershy. She would've been crushed if it hadn't been for a certain rainbow haired pegasus catching the bags.

"Hey, careful will ya?!" Rainbow said annoyed.

"Oops! Sorry!" Pinkie once again said sheepishly.

"Um, i-it's alright." Fluttershy stuttered as her heart started beating again.

"Alright Fluttershy, am I takin these back to your place?" Rainbow asked as she held the bags on her shoulder.

"W-wait, you're offering to carry them?!" Fluttershy confirmed.

"Sure, we're pals right?" She asked with a wink.

"Um...y-yes." Fluttershy said as she blushed.

"Cool. Catch ya later guys! C'mon Fluttershy." Rainbow said as they both walked out the door.

"So Applejack, what'd ya wanna ask me?" Pinkie asked.

"...Hmm?" Applejack asked after a beat.

"You said you wanted to ask me something earlier. What was it?" Pinkie asked curiously.

"This is it Jackie. The moment of truth. You do this one thing, and you can sleep peacefully at night again." Applejack thought. "Okay...what I wanted to ask you is...gah..."

"Gah? I've never heard of 'gah.' Is that like an acronym?" Pinkie asked cluelessly.

"Uh, no It's just.."

"WAIT! I got it! Does it stand for 'Give Applejack Hugs'? Well why didn't you just ask?" Pinkie said before wrapping her arms around Applejack's back. "Wow, you sure are warm aren't you?" Pinkie asked as her head was in Applejack's chest.

"Um, yeah, but the real question was can I...work with you today?!" She let out. "Flaker. You ma'am, are a flaker." Applejack thought angrily. Pinkie looked up at her in confusion.

"You wanna work with me? Why?" Pinkie asked as she tilted her head.

"Well..y'know...cause I like helpin out friends." Applejack lied. Well, at that moment. She really does like helping out friends, but it's just this particular moment that she had to lie. Applejack shot a glare at the ceiling. (Okay, I'll shut up.)

"Well I think you're very sweet to offer, of course you can help me today!" She said as she grabbed Applejack's hand and led her to the kitchen.

"She just called me 'sweet!' Wait, why does that excite me?" She thought confusedly.

By the time it was five o'clock, the register had become a gold mine, get it? Cause the bits look like gold.

"Well, I think that was a good days work! Don't you Applejack?" Pinkie asked as she flipped the open/closed sign.

"Yep. I think the Cakes made the right decision to let you run this place." Applejack said warmly.

"Aww AJ!" Pinkie said as she wrapped her arms around Applejack's neck in a warm embrace. Applejack soon returned the hug, secretly wanting to stay that way forever.

"Alright, I should probably get home. Think the folks worried about me long enough." Applejack said as she pulled away.

"Okay. Thanks for hanging with me all day!" She said brightly.

"Sure! See ya tomorrow!" Applejack said with a tip of her hat, not hearing the dejected sigh from Pinkie Pie.

Author's Note

Ah, it's good to be back.

The Best Night Ever: Part 2 ½

As Pinkie tiredly made it to her bedroom, she plopped herself right on her bed and let out a long exhale.
"Boy, what a good day." She said staring at the ceiling.

"Then why were you upset a moment ago?" A familiar voice asked her.

"Who said that?" Pinkie asked as she sat up straight.

"Who's lives in your head bubble brain?" The voice asked sarcastically.

"Oh, it's you! How ya doin Pinkamena?" Pinkie asked to her head.

"There's a question already on the table. Why were you upset a minute ago?"

"Well...I don't know." Pinkie said as she twiddled her thumbs.

"Bullshit you don't know."

"GAH! I told you never to use that word!" Pinkie said as she covered her ears.

"Then tell me what's wrong, or I'll use even worse."

"Okay! Well...I was just a bit upset when Applejack left is all." Pinkie said as she twirled a lock of her hair.

"That's not all."

"What do you mean?"

"Why were you upset when she left?" Pinkie pondered this for a moment.

"I-I'm always upset when my friends leave!" Pinkie lied.

"When I ask you a question, you give me a real bucking answer!" The voice said angrily.

"Okay! Just please stop using that word! I just...wanted her to stay a bit longer, I don't know why, I just did. Now please stop asking questions." Pinkie begged as she almost shed a tear.

"Fine. But I'll be watching you baby girl." Pinkamena said with a slightly seductive tone. "and Applejack." This open Pinkie's eyes wide.

"Wait! What do you want with Applejack?" Pinkie asked with slight worry in her voice.

"Just remember, life's a party." With that the voice was silenced, leaving Pinkie puzzled.

"How convenient. Enter omniscient conscience, right on cue." Applejack stated matter of factly.

"Well, you know what they say! When the oven is ready, the batter appears!" Pinkie stated.

"That's it, no more fortune cookies fer you." Applejack said as she turned back to her screen, but not before seeing the saddened look on Pinkie's face. "Aw, I could never take yer cookies from ya." She said warmly before pulling Pinkie to her, in which she accepted her invitation.

As Applejack walked through the front door of the Apple family house, she was greeted by a welcoming hug from her little sister, Applebloom.

"Sis! Guess what! I finally got my cutie mark!" She happily announced.

"Really?!" Applejack asked excitedly.

"No. I'm just practicing what I'm gonna say when I do get it. Nailed it!" She said before running off.

"That filly's gonna be the death of me." Applejack said as she breathlessly sat herself on the living room couch.

"Now what kinda way is that to talk about yer sister?" A shaky voice asked. Applejack looked up to see her dear old Granny Smith standing in the doorway with her walker.

"Granny! I thought you were supposed to be in bed!" She said surprised.

“Aw, horseapples! I'm as active as ten grannies! Now don't go sleepin on that couch, dinner'll be ready in ten minutes, ya hear?" She then used her walker to get herself back in the kitchen. Applejack shaked her head and leaned back on the couch.

“So, did’ya take care of things?” A deep voice asked that she could only recognize as Big Macintosh’s. She looked up at the doorway to see him leaning on it with his arms crossed.

“Yeah yeah. I got yer dang bits.” She rolled her eyes and tossed him the bag that Pinkie gave her.

“Dang girl. What’s up your haystack?” He asked with a hint of shock.

“Nothin. Everything’s hunky dory!” She said before storming off upstairs into her room. She threw off her stetson and jumped face first into her bed. “Only everything’s not okay. I couldn’t get a dang good view of that flank! Now I gotta live with it longer!” She started to cry into her pillow.

“What must thou live with?” A female voice asked. Applejack looked up from her pillow to see Princess Luna sitting on the windowsill.

“Princess Luna?! What’cha doin here? Not that I’m complainin.” She said as she wiped her eyes.

“Tis my job to fix problems through other ponies dreams.”

“Uh...this ain’t a dream.”

“Oh no? Look out the window.” Applejack nodded and did as Luna requested. She looked out the window and her eyes immediately widened. Outside in the farmyard were swarms of Pinkie’s running around like scared chickens, laughing and smiling.
“Dang! I must’ve been more tired than I thought!” Applejack said in astonishment.

“Now if we may get back to my earlier statement. What must thou live with?” The princess asked, causing Applejack to look at her with hesitation.

“Um...I-I don’t know if I feel comfortable discussin that...” She said as she rubbed her arm.

“Why? We are friends, are we not?” She asked with a slightly hurt tone.

“Well...sure but, we’ve hardly ever really...hung out before.”

“We are doing the hangout right now, aren’t we?” She asked.

“Well, you’re a princess...who’s invading my dreams.” She said as her ears drooped.

“Alright. If thou are going to look at it that way, yes, I am your princess. Now tell me.” She said as she crossed her arms.

“What? You’re serious?” Applejack asked shocked.

“Yes, that is an order!”

“You’re seriously playin that card right now?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.

“I am seriously playing the card right now. Tell me, or I’ll put thee in the royal dungeon.” She threatened.

“Oh my goodness! Fine, if you have to know…”

“I have to know! Tell me.”

“...I’ve been having recurring thoughts about...Pinkie Pie’s flank…and I can’t get ‘em out.” She confessed with her head lowered.

“Hmm, has thou tried looking at it to get closure?” She asked, which earned her a raised eyebrow from Applejack. “...or perhaps thou tried that?”

“Darn right I did! I don’t know why...but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it...she’s just a kid.” She said as she rested her head on her elbows on the windowsill.

“Is she not the age of fourteen?”

“You know what I meant.” She let out a sigh before staring at her dreamscape’s moon, which was the color pink.

“Why is thou so distraught about an accidental view?” Luna asked.

“Because...it ain’t natural for somepony to be thinkin about that for so long...especially a friend’s…”

“What is so unnatural about it? I see no harm.” She said innocently.

“You mean aside from the fact that it’s another mare’s flank?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.

“So what? As young fillies, me and Celeste used eachother’s flanks as pillows. It was cute!” Luna confessed.

“No it wasn’t cute, it was gay!” Applejack instantly covered her muzzle with her hand. Luna stared at her with wide eyes.

“...excuse me?” She asked with her volume softer.

“I said...I-I don’t know what I said.” The farmer tried to cover up.

“It sounded like thou just called my sister and I homosexual…” Luna then did something uncharacteristic. She started to cry. Applejack realized what she just did, and mentally slapped herself. So...since she’s in her head, that would mean she did it to herself physically.

“Ow! What in tarnation?” The blonde asked to herself after she had slapped herself across the face. She then walked over to a silently crying Luna and tried to console her. “I’m real sorry Princess, but you don’t know how hard this is fer me. If I don’t get this outta my conscious, then I can’t live with myself.”

“I understand thee. It is not easy to get such an image out of one’s mind.” Luna said as she wiped her tears.

“So...what do I do? I mean, you know more about dreams than I do.”

“I cannot answer that Applejack. If you are going to conquer this flank, you have to do it on your own. I am sorry.”

“Aw, what? Can’t ya just...put some memory erase spell on my mind to make it go away?” She asked.

“...Applejack, you do know I am just a princess?” She said with an eyebrow raised.

“Ugh, fine. Now, can I just wake up?” She asked with tiredness. She needed a nap from this nap. Wait...how would that even work?

“Beware of the wandering eye, you little poriferan!” Luna said playfully as she waved Applejack goodbye.

~APPLEJACK’S ROOM~

Applejack woke up with a gasp, looking around to see that Luna wasn’t there, nor the figures of Pinkie’s flank outside, thank Celestia. She got up with a stretch and walked to the door to find a plate containing two apple gouda quesadillas when she opened it. She picked up the note on the plate and it read, “Even angry ponies gotta eat! ~Applebloom”. Applejack smiled warmly as she took the quesadillas into her room.

Pinkie Pie woke up with a long cute yawn. As she stretched, she looked out the window to find a beautiful morning full of possibilities. After putting her arms down, she looked over at her pet alligator, Gummy, on her bedside.
“Good morning my widdle Gummy! Did’ya sleep well?” She asked, receiving nothing but silence from the toothless creature, which to Pinkie was a lot of words. “Yeah, me too!” She said as she put Gummy down and hopped off her bed. As Pinkie started to slip off the yellow panties she was wearing, she caught sight of Gummy staring at her. “Gummy! You perv!” She yelled as she kicked Gummy out, not literally of course.

After a hearty breakfast consisting of pancakes and maple frosting, Pinkie walked giddily to the door, her hair tied into two curly pigtails, and her outfit consisting of a red and blue striped undershirt with a yellow overall shirt, and white shorts. After switching the closed sign to open, she jumped behind the counter and happily waited for the customers to roll in.

Pinkie still had a smile on her face as she waited, though she was a bit bored.

Pinkie still waited, her smile becoming faint as it turned into a bored frown.

Pinkie was faced down on the counter as she slept away. It was only by a knock on the wood that jolted her awake.
“Gah! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Can I take your...Applejack?” She asked as she looked up at the cowgirl.

“Well, good afternoon to you too!” Applejack said with a chuckle.

“Afternoon?!” Pinkie looked at the clock to see that it was twelve ‘o clock. “Aw, crab cakes! I slept the entire morning?!” She asked in shock.

“I guess so. Business has been that slow, huh?” The farmer asked as she leaned on the counter.

“Yeah. I thought business would be booming ever since I started running this place...I guess I’m gonna fail Mr. and Mrs. Cake…” She said as she looked down in sadness. She then felt a hand under her cheek and she was faced with Applejack again.

“Now listen here little missy! Don’t you ever doubt your success for one minute, ya hear? You are the best baker I’ve ever met, and I’ll be darned if I’m gonna let you beat yourself up about business bein slow!” She said before Pinkie climbed up on the counter and wrapped her arms around her neck in an embrace.

“T-Thank you...you’re the best Applejack!” Pinkie cried as she rested her chin on Applejack’s shoulder.

“Yer mighty welcome Pinkie.” She said as she wrapped her arms around Pinkie’s back, holding her close.

“Whoa! Where’s the fire?” A voice asked that they both could only recognize as…

“Hi Rainbow Dash! No fire! At least...I don’t think!” Pinkie said before she pulled away from Applejack and ran back into the kitchen to check.

“So AJ, makin moves on our little Pinkie, are ya?” Rainbow asked as she nudged her athletic friend’s shoulder.

“W-Why I don’t know what yer talkin about RD!” Applejack said with a blush.

“Dude! You really suck at lying! I can see your blush as clear as my day’s work!” She said with a cackle.

“Yer crazy Rainbow! I ain’t doin nothin but huggin a friend!” Applejack said as she crossed her arms.

“Alright, that’s cool. No problem.” She said as she raised her hands in surrender. “So...my mare! Would you have...gone further?” Rainbow asked casually.

“WHAT?! NO! Absolutely not!” Applejack yelled with a blush.

“Come on man, I know you would’ve! Come on, it’ll be fun! Like a game! I’ll say what I would’ve done, you’ll say what you would’ve done!” Rainbow proposed.

“Would’ve done about what Dashie?” Pinkie asked as she rose up inbetween the two of them.

“Applejack was just about to say! Go ahead!” She said with a cocky smile.

“Uh...we were just…talkin about...what would we do about...this hot day! I mean, it’s so hot, what is a mare to do?” She asked more dramatically than she would’ve, but she wanted anything to get out of this.

“Hmm, Dashie! Can’t you make it rain?” Pinkie asked.

“Sorry Pinks, the next rainfall isn’t scheduled until tomorrow. They wanna make sure the skies are extra clear for the GGG tonight.” Rainbow explained.

“The GGG?” Applejack asked confused.

“Grand Galloping Gala AJ! Keep up will ya?” Rainbow asked with a hint of annoyance.

“Wait! The swimming hole!” Pinkie pointed out.

“What about the swimming hole?” Applejack asked.

“Let’s go there! We’ll invite Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, even Spike! Come on, it’ll be fun!” Pinkie proposed.

“Aren’t you supposed to be runnin this place today?” Rainbow asked.

“Eh, this place is running so slow, I’d consider letting Gummy run the place!” Pinkie joked, but only slightly.

“Well...I suppose these hooves could use a dip from apple buckin all mornin.” Applejack said as she rubbed her legs.

“Yeah alright. I guess I can make it.” Rainbow said with a shrug.

“YAY!” Pinkie shouted before pulling them both in a group hug.

Applejack arrived at Ponyville’s swimming hole, wearing a polo shirt that’s been tied above her stomach and blue daisy dukes. After setting her basket down, she removed her hat and dove into the large lake. After coming up for air, she exhaled in delight. Directly behind her, there was a pink fin that rose up under the water. As it slowly made it’s way to Applejack, she called out, “OW! What in tarnation?! Somethin bit my flank!” Before Applejack new it, she found herself face to face with Pinkie Pie underwater.

“Hi!” Pinkie said with a gurgle. Applejack then pulled the both of them above the surface.

“Pinkie! What the Tartarus are ya doin?!” Applejack asked angrily.

“What? You can’t tell me you’re planning on swimming and not getting your hair wet?” Pinkie said with a confused expression.

“No! Why did ya bite my flank?!” Applejack asked, a small blush forming on her cheeks.

“Oh! Well, it was meant to be a little nibble, but it ended up being a chomp.” Pinkie explained.

“I still don’t fully understand!” Applejack exclaimed.

“Relax AJ. The girl can’t help herself.” Rainbow called from nowhere.

“Rainbow Dash? Where are ya?” Applejack asked looking around.

“Up here.” Applejack and Pinkie looked up to see the pegasus lounging on a cloud with a black sports bra and matching swim shorts on. “Miss me?” She asked lifting up her sunglasses.

“Yep!” Pinkie said as she started back swimming around Applejack. “But not as much as them!” Pinkie said as she pointed to Twilight and Fluttershy walking up. Applejack waved as well.

“Hey ya’ll! Where’s Rarity?” She asked.

“Oh...she’s making Spike’s suit. The Gala’s tonight after all.” Twilight noted as she set her beach umbrella down.

“Hoo-whee! I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since our last Gala! We had some times there!” Applejack said remembering the events from the supposed “best night ever.”

“Yeah...don’t talk about ‘em.” Rainbow said unamused.

“Who’s gonna make me? That guy who can stop me? What was his name? Ronald McDoesn’t exist?” She asked with a smirk.

“No, just Rainbow ‘Professionalism’ Dash!” She said as she jumped from her cloud and splashed Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy who had just joined them. Ironic ain’t it?. Pinkie’s hair turned temporarily straight, but she quickly shook it out and her curls returned.

“Whew! That was close!” Pinkie thought in relief.

“Alright, now yer in for it!” Applejack shouted before crossing her hands and pounding the water with it, effectively splashing Rainbow Dash in the process.

“Oh, you want a splashfight? You got it!” Rainbow said before raising her hand and splashing the water in front of her, soaking everypony around her.

“Um, girls? C-Can we tone it down a little?” Fluttershy stuttered, but was soon ignored as Pinkie Pie climbed out of the lake and dived into her exact spot, splashing water on everypony, even managing to soak a few pages in Twilight’s book, which made her enraged. Oddly enough for some reason.

~ONE TANTRUM LATER~

Later on the gang including Twilight came over to Carousel Boutique in order to get dolled up for the big night.
"Man! I can't believe it's already that time again!" Rainbow dash said just coming out of the shower with a towel on.

"You said it RD! Shoot! I remember our last Gala like it was yesterday!" Applejack said putting on a white tanktop.

"Yeah me too! Only I had to muchmuchmuchmuchmuch longer than yesterday!" Pinkie pie said tranforming from Pinkamena back to her fluffy haired self, thankfully.

"So Twilight, is Spike excited about the Gala this year?" Fluttershy asked from behind a changing curtain.

"You could say that. I mean he was pretty bummed about being alone last year, so I'm gonna stay by his side all night!" Twilight said using a curling iron on her hair. Rarity came out wearing a long, bright blue, one strap dress with a…(y’know what, I’ve already explained this once, we all know what they dressed like for the Fall Formal right? Imagine that, but anthro.)

"Aw how sweet, you'llbe the cutest couple!" Rarity said with a smile, causing Rainbow Dash to snicker.

"Ha! C'mon Rarity! Twilight and Spike going together?! That'd be just, OW!" Rainbow yelped as Applejack elbowed her side.

"Now Rainbow, ah think it's mighty nice that Twilight's offerin her company to Spike." Applejack declared.

"Yeah! Especially since he's all grown up now! He'll be such a gentleman! Offering his arm, dancing with you." Pinkie Pie teased.

"Whoa whoa, easy girls. I appreciate the support, but we're just going as friends. Nothing more." Twilight assured.

"Um, pardon me but, how exactly are we going to get there?" Fluttershy asked calmly.

"Oh that won't be a problem. You remember the spell I cast on us to walk in Cloudsdale? I'll use that same spell on us so we can ride on a cloud there, if Rainbow doesn't mind pushing us up to Canterlot." Twilight inquired.

"Eh, no sweat. I'll have us there in a jiff!" Rainbow dash claimed rubbing a fist up and down her chest. Then there came a knock on the door.

"Okay it's almost time to go! Is everypony ready in there?" Spike called from behind.

"Just about! Come on in Spike!" Rarity called curling Fluttershy's hair. Spike came in wearing an amethyst suit with a white collared shirt, and a cyan tie.

"Wow Spike! Look at you!" Twilight said in amazement.

"Hey, look at you guys! You're gonna give Princess Cadance a run for her bits!" Twilight suddenly leaped in front of Spike.

"Cadance is gonna be there?!" She asked only inches from his face.

"Yeah, along with Shining Armor!" Spike said backing away slowly.

"Well then we have no time to waste! Rainbow dash get a cloud for all of us to fit! I'll cast the spell on you guys when we're out there, now let's go go go!" Twilight said grabbing Spike's arm out the door. The others just shrugged and followed after them. While Rainbow dash was looking for a cloud where her friends could fit, Twilight cast a spell on everyone so they would be able to sit on it.

"Alright guys! This was the biggest cloud I could find, so find a good spot, cause I won't be goin easy!" Rainbow dash announced as everyone boarded on. Applejack sat down next to Rarity who was sitting on her usual cushion.

"Really? So you pretty much take that cushion everywhere we sit, huh?" Applejack asked with a tone.

"Well pardon me for not wanting cloud stains on my dress." Rarity said sticking her head up high. Rainbow Dash then formed a motor out of the back of the cloud and wound it up so they would be on their way. Twilight found the takeoff so sudden that she grabbed Spike's arm with fear. Pinkie then made an 'I told you face’ at the Alicorn.

“So, we’re on our way to the Gala, right Applejack?” Pinkie asked.

“Oh, you got that right Pinkie. At last, things were lookin up, I had the wind on my shoulders, the clouds at my hooves, and by my side was my crazy, candy mare!” Applejack declared.

“...you really think I’m crazy?” Pinkie asked shocked.

“Oh, Pinkie, Pinkie, Pinkie. Normal’s boring. It’s a compliment!” She explained with a smile.

“Ohoho! Thank you!” Pinkie said mollified.

After finally hopping off the cloud in front of Princess Celestia’s palace, Twilight stared in awe at the castle before them. “I can't believe we're finally here! With all that we've imagined, the reality of this night is sure to make this the best night...!"

"Umm, are you gonna sing again?" Spike interrupted. Twilight shot a glare at him.

"Well I guess not now." Twilight said walking in with her head lowered. "Fluttershy why don't you take Rainbow dash, Applejack, and Pinkie pie to the garden and we'll meet up with you in the grand ballroom?" She asked.

"Okay Twilight." Fluttershy agreed as they went off.

“Aw what? We gotta go to the boring ol’ garden?” Rainbow Dash booed.

“Come on Dashie. It’ll be fun.” Fluttershy tried to assure.

“Yeah. Alright, sure Fluttershy. Nothing says fun like a bunch of animals and flowers, ooh!” Rainbow said sarcastically.

“Please come. For me? Please?” Fluttershy asked as she pouted her lip and gently tugged on Rainbow’s arm. Rainbow found the sight completely, and utterly adorable. There was no way she could ignore that plea! With a grumble, she reluctantly agreed.

“Fine fine, I’ll go.” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes.

“Yay!” Fluttershy cheered as she and Pinkie ran off towards the garden. Rainbow looked at the pegasus that had began skipping with a warm smile. Applejack noticed this and scoffed with a smirk.

“What?!” Rainbow asked agitated.

“Nothin, nothin. Do what’cha want Rainbow.” She said with a wink as she followed the pink head’s.

“Yeah, kick your flank, that’s what I wanna do.” Rainbow muttered as she flew after them.

“Ooh! Look at all these pretty flowers!” Pinkie said as she practically shoved her muzzle into some daffodils.

“Oh, be careful Pinkie, you might encounter some…” Fluttershy tried to warn before an angry bee shook his tiny fist at Pinkie as he flew from the daffodil she was sniffing. “...bees.”

“Well! Someone was grumpy!” Pinkie said with a huff. Applejack chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Ah, it’s alright Pinkie. It’s the bee’s loss if it don’t like ya.” She said, instantly earning a hug from the party girl.

“Aw, you’re such a sweetie pants lately!” Pinkie said as she nuzzled Applejack’s chest, right between the valley of her hoofers.

“Oh my goodness! Her face is right between my boobs! She’s breathing right between them.” Applejack thought as she looked towards Rainbow Dash, asking her to do something with her eyes. The pegasus scoffed as she crossed her arms with a smirk. This truly was good payback for her. Applejack glared as she blushed. “Uh, Pinkie?”

“Hmm?” She asked, her eyes closed while she continued to hug, not wanting to ever let go.

“Maybe we should get inside now?” She suggested. As reluctant as she was, she needed to end this...for Pinkie's sake, of course.

"You're right! There's dancing duties to uphold! Hehe, 'doodie', but no time to laugh about it now! Come along, Applejack!" She took her hand and started dragging her to the ballroom, leaving Rainbow and Fluttershy in the garden.

"So...I guess we should get going, huh?" Rainbow asked, not wanting to be in awkward silence.

"Absolutely, but first...um..." Fluttershy twirled a lock of her mane.

"What is it?" Rainbow asked curiously.

"Well...there was this question I wanted to ask you. I-If you don't mind." She blushed a tiny bit. Rainbow's eyes widened a bit. IF she was blushing, that meant it would be something serious. She gulped as she folded her arms.

"O-Okay...ask away." She said with a nervous smile. Hopefully her dress wouldn't be drenched in sweat by the time she was done with this.

Author's Note

Cliffhanger? Hehehehehehe, aren't I just the worst?