Prologue
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Nothing to Cure

Prologue

It was a wonderful day in Canterlot. The sun was shining, the sky was clear, and the birds were singing a melody of joy that could cheer up a pony in the foulest of moods.

Which is of course why Twilight Sparkle, personal student to Princess Celestia, was spending the day indoors, reading a book. And, incidentally, why Rarity, other personal student to Princess Celestia, was trying to get Twilight to go outside, whilst Twilight's little brother Spike was standing in the same room, watching, clearly amused.

"Twilight! This is a beautiful day! You must go outside, this simply cannot be healthy for you!" Rarity protested, desperately wanting her friend to get outside and enjoy the beautiful day.

"Come on, Rarity! We're going to go outside when Rainbow comes by anyway, so why even bother right now?" Twilight protested right back, desperately wanting not to get outside and enjoy the beautiful day.

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!" Spike laughed, desperately wanting to watch more of Rarity's attempts to get Twilight to go outside and enjoy the beautiful day.

"Twilight, you simply must get out more, and on a day like this, you should spend as much time as you can outside!"

"Rarity, I said no!"

Sighing, Rarity started walking away, yet slyly smirking. "Hm.... I suppose I'll just tell Rainbow Dash that you didn't want to meet her at the train station. She is arriving in an hour, as I'm sure you realize. Oh, she'll be quite disappointed, but I'm sure she'll understand you're simply not that good of a friend. What a shame. Tsk tsk. Tsk."

That did the trick, Rarity thought. The change was nigh-instant. Twilight's eyes widened and she threw the book away, frantically getting to her hooves. "No! I'm a good friend, I'll go to meet her at the station! I will!"

"I'm coming too!" Spike piped in.

Wordlessly, Rarity smirked and walked out the door, Twilight and Spike following soon after.

Rainbow Dash was on the train, reading a book calmly. It had been a long trip, and she was happy to see her friends again and stay for a few weeks, maybe even months! Though, I'd have to pay a trip to Ponyville or something. I'd go nuts staying in one city, and at least Ponyville's got the Everfree Forest there... Actually, hold on, we're going to hang out today, go see that new "Night Trap" play tomorrow...

As Rainbow Dash was pondering that, an orange Earth Pony with a Cutie Mark of three diamonds came up to her, gesturing to the seat across her. "Mind if I sit here?"

"Sure, go ahead."

"Thanks."

Rainbow Dash snapped out of her trance, now looking at the orange mare before her. "Hey, my name's Rainbow Dash. What's yours?"

"The name's Applejack, sugar-cube." Applejack said with a smile, holding out a hoof to shake.

"Good to meet you. Now, what's the story behind your Cutie Mark?" Dash responded in kind, shaking Applejack's hoof.

Applejack blinked, her face now neutral. "Uh, that's a bit of an odd way to start a conservation."

Rainbow Dash didn't seem fazed by that comment. "I've found that you can learn a lot about a pony from their experiences."

"Fair enough." Applejack looked pleased enough at that explanation. "Well, you see, it all happened when I was 'round, say, 13 or so."

"No kiddin'? A bit of a late bloomer, eh?"

"Yup, now can I continue with my story?"

"Sorry."

"Accepted, now, anyway..."

I was in middle school, and I didn't really have that many friends. It was pretty much my brother's girlfriend, and her best friend. It was the second semester, a week or so after Hearth's Warming break. I heard there was gonna be a new transfer student at our school, straight from Manehattan.

Now, Dash, there is no way I can sugar-coat this:

I am a southerner. Plain and simple. Pretty much the pony you think when you think "southerner". So I was fully expecting, when I heard the new kid was a city girl, had been her whole life, for her to be some shallow, vain, diva who couldn't stand the thought of dirt.

I was proven wrong. Dead wrong.

She was shy, cute, smart, humble, kind, generous, everything I expected her to not be!

We even became good friends. Her name was Coco Pommel.

She was rich, and was pretty darn passionate about that fashion stuff, but she didn't think herself better than anyone else for it!

I even developed a bit of a crush on her.

And, thankfully, Hearts and Hooves Day was just a few weeks away.

I wanted to show it to her in a way that would really wow her.

Not just some quirky, cute card with a message already on it.

Not just some normal box of chocolates.

I would make her a dress.

Now, to be fair, I didn't have a sewing machine, appropriate fabric, or even a fashion sense besides "Well, it probably shouldn't make my eyes hurt after a few seconds".

My idea of the perfect dress had to dazzle Coco, it had to shine.... Like a gem... See where I'm going, here?

So, I went to the hills on the outskirts of Ponyville to find a gem perfect enough for her.

It took half a day, every day, for 4 days, before I almost gave up.

But then, all of a sudden...

A force stronger than any wind I'd ever seen. Mighty colorful, almost like it was a gift from the heavens.

Suddenly, one of the rocks behind me split to reveal a cluster of rubies, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, all that stuff.

I was amazed. It was like fate.

I carried the gems in my saddlebags back to Ponyville, and spent the next few days working tirelessly on my present for Coco. Coco even came by to check on me. It was pretty hard to keep my present a secret, with her around. I had to put it in a cardboard box while she was looking out a window.

But eventually, the day came.

Our school had a Hearts and Hooves gift exchange. I came up to Coco, and I started up a conversation. It was every bit as awkward as you think it might be. We were both blushing like mad, too.

"So... Um... Hey, Coco."

"Uh... Yeah?"

"So, um, I made something for you..."

"Oh, so do you...?"

I pulled the dress out of my saddlebags. I blushed, and her eyes went wide. She took it in her hooves, and then opened the note I attached to it.

Coco, will you be my Special Somepony?

"Oh, Applejack..."

"I- you don't like it do you? Oh, I'm so sorry, I-"

"No, Applejack, I love it!" She was smiling wider than I'd ever seen her smile. "It's just that I though mine might not be so good in comparison..."

Then, Coco pulled out of her saddlebags, a heart-shaped box of chocolates, with a note attached to it.

Applejack, will you be my Special Somepony?

"Oh Coco, It's great!"

I barely noticed the flash on my flank, leaving three white diamonds.

"That 'bout sums it up. We started dating, I proposed when we were both old enough, and now my lovely fiancee and I run Carousel Boutique in Ponyville." Applejack was clearly very happy from the nostalgia.

"Wow. That's a pretty cool story!" Dash said.

"I guess. But enough about me, I'm wondering what the story behind those butterflies there is?"

"Well, I was 11, and-"

"Now arriving in Canterlot! Canterlot! Now arriving in Canterlot!" Dash was cut off by the announcement.

"Huh. Well, i guess that's a story for another time. Hey, where are you staying, Applejack?"

"The Gildenhoof Hotel! Room 302!" Applejack shouted as she picked up her luggage and ran out of the train.

"Alright! See you later!" Dash shouted back as she collected her own luggage.

I can't wait to see Twilight and Rarity! Wonder how they're doing?