Applejack stepped out of the bathroom, having just taken her morning shower. She took a deep breath, the cool air in the Apple family house felt good in her lungs compared to the steamy air that now occupied the bathroom. She headed to her room so she could get dressed in her usual flannel shirt and jeans. Just as she finished putting her boots on, her door opened and a young girl with red hair stepped in.

“Mornin’ Applebloom, ready for the trip?” Applejack asked her younger sister.

“Are there really going to be lots of people going against you sis?” the girl asked. She was barely over five years old and this was her first time going to one of these events. She hadn’t even traveled outside of Ponyville before, she was used to the small population.

“Yessiree!” Applejack responded with a smile. “Cloudsdale is a lot bigger than Ponyville. Are you excited?”

The younger girl grinned. “I can’t wait! Do you think I’ll make any friends?” she asked, the idea of meeting new people and seeing a new environment excited her.

“That’s up to you sis.” Applejack said as she placed a hand on Appleblooms head. “You can find friends anywhere, even in the least likely of people. Heck, when ah met my friends, ah didn’t think they’d be the type of people ah’d talk to.”

“What d’ya mean sis?” Applebloom asked. She had met her sisters friends but they seemed to be pretty normal to her.

Applejack put a hand on her chin as she thought of how she could explain this to her little sister. “Think of it like this, ah’m a farm girl right?” she asked, getting a nod from Applebloom. “That means ah work hard everyday and get pretty dirty and sweaty. Sweat and dirt are the things that Rarity hates the most in the world. Just from that, do you think we’d get along?”

Applebloom took a second to think about it. “No sis, she’d probably want to stay far away from you.”

Applejack smiled. “Exactly! But she’s one of my best friends. It just goes to show that you can find a friend in anyone, anywhere.”

“I like Raritys’ sister. Sweetiebelle is nice.” Applebloom said.

Applejack laughed lightly and shook her head. “Well ah’m glad she’s your friend.” she said.

“Girls!” a voice rang from downstairs.

“Come on, ah bet we’re leaving now.” Aj said as she walked out of the room, Applebloom following her closely.

The two walked down the hall to the stairs that led to the lower level of the house. The stairs were almost directly in front of the houses front door. To their left was the kitchen entrance and to the right was the living room. It was in this living room that the rest of their family was gathered. Granny Smith sat in her rocker, gently fixing her hat, while Macintosh was checking the bags gathered at his feet.

“You called us granny?” Applejack asked, gaining the old woman's attention.

Granny Smith smiled as she saw her two granddaughters standing together. She couldn’t believe how much they looked like their mother. It almost hurt her to see it. “Yes Applejack, we’ll be leaving soon.” she said. “Do you mind helping Mac with the bags?Just put them in the jalopy.”

“Sure thing granny.” she said as she turned towards her brother and grabbed a bag. “C’mon Mac, you ready?”

“Eyup.” the man said simply as he grabbed a few of the bags himself.

The two elder Apple siblings made their way out to their old family van. It wasn’t fancy, or new, but it got the job done whenever they needed to deliver an order or get somewhere their feet couldn’t get them fast enough. They couldn’t get rid of it anyway, it held some powerful memories and was important to their family.

It only took a few short trips for them to get everything into the van. Honestly, they should have been done after the first two trips but Mac always over-packs for their trips. It’s a miracle the van doesn’t break down from all the weight. It didn’t take long for Granny Smith and Applebloom to make their way out as well.

“How long will it take to get there?” Applebloom asked, she couldn’t wait to see all the new people.

Applejack held a chuckle. “It’ll take about two hours, give or take. Depends on traffic. Then we gotta check in at the hotel and unpack our things. You and me can go out after that. Deal?”

“Now wait just a darn moment!” Granny Smith suddenly exclaimed, gaining the attention of her three grandchildren. “We don’t need you to help unpack. I have a strong grandson for that. You girls can go ahead and have fun out on the town.” she said, earning a smile from the girls and a sigh from Big Mac.

“Thanks granny!” Applebloom said excitedly, trying her best not to start bouncing in her seat after she entered the van.

After Applejack secured Applebloom into her carseat, the rest of the family took their seats. Big Mac was in charge of driving, since Applejack only had a permit and Granny Smith didn’t have the best eyes for driving. He grabbed a cd from the small pile he kept on the dashboard, and popped it into the radio. Familiar bajo playing came on as he geared the car up for the drive.

The ride wasn’t too long, Applejack having been correct in her prediction earlier. There was barely any traffic at this point of the day so the ride only took about an hour and forty minutes. They pulled up to the hotel they would be staying at for the duration of their trip. ‘The Mareiott’ it read in big bold letters. Big Macintosh pulled into the parking area and turned the music off.

Applejack looked down at her younger sister, who had fallen asleep at some point during the trip and was now resting against her arm. She nudged her slightly. “Applebloom, wake up. We’re here. Take a look would ya?” she said, waking the girl up.

Applebloom slowly rose up from her position, wiping the drool from her face. “Huh, wha?” she asked as she rubbed her eyes and looked around. Nothing outside of the windows looked even the tiniest bit familiar to her. It was then that realization hit and a smile grew upon her young face. “We’re here! We’re really here!” she exclaimed excitedly, tugging at the seat belt that was keeping her firmly rooted in place.

Her three siblings chuckled in unison at the antics of their youngest kin. Granny Smith was the one to speak up though. “We just gotta check in, and give our room the ol’ once over. Then you girls can go touring.” she said with a smile on her old lips.

The family wasted no time after that. They gathered their belongings and gave the man at the front desk their information. Another, younger man showed up with a trolley to carry their bags for them, although it looked like he would have to take multiple trips.

The room wasn’t overly amazing, but, compared to what they were used to on the farm, it was a nice step up. Three beds were placed along the walls, one for granny, one for Mac, and one for Applejack to share with Applebloom. Two bathrooms, a t.v with the local cable channels and a nice mini fridge were also included. Overall, it was nice. But there was someone who didn’t care about that stuff at all.

“Can we go now Applejack? I wanna see the town!” Applebloom begged her sister, who was busy enjoying how soft the bed was.

“It’s like laying on a cloud.” she said absent-mindedly.”

“What are you talkin’ about Applejack? C’mon let’s go!” Applebloom demanded.

Applejack let out a chuckle. “Alright alright, c’mon then.” she said as she placed her hat on her head and walked towards the door, Applebloom not far behind.

Applejack hadn’t been to Cloudsdale many times, but she knew a few of the landmarks that would help her find her way around. She needed to learn them, she and Mac would often go on delivery jobs outside of Ponyville and they couldn’t afford to take time out and ask for directions. She was able to take her sister to a few stores and other places that seemed to be bustling with people, but there didn’t seem to be many kids around.

Just as the young girl began to give up hope, a ball whizzed right past her face as they walked by a park. Applebloom almost lost her balance as her reflexes caused her to lean back to avoid the danger.

“Sorry about that!” a voice rang out.

The Apple siblings turned to where the voice came from, seeing a girl with brightly colored hair running towards them, a smaller girl with pink hair not far behind.

Applejack bent down and picked up the ball that had rolled back towards her feet. “No harm, no foul.” she said in her normal country drawl.

As the girl with the rainbow hair made it to them and received the ball, Applejack caught the curious glance she was giving her. “Do I know you?” the girl asked curiously, feeling a sense of familiarity.

Applejack had the same feeling in her gut, but couldn’t place the girls face. Meanwhile, the two younger girls had since taken the ball and made their way back to the park together, chatting about whatever came to mind.

“Ah don’t believe we’ve met, but ah’m Applejack.” A.j said as she held her hand out for a shake.

“Wait, Applejack?” the other girl said. “As in Ponyville Applejack? Did you go to Golden Oaks Preschool?” she said, completely ignoring Applejacks outdrawn hand.

“Yea ah did. How do you know that?” A.j asked, now she was getting curious. This girl looked so familiar but she couldn’t place how. It was like a far off dream or a distant memory.

“Well no shit!” the girl suddenly exclaimed. “I never thought I’d see the likes of you again! It’s me, Rainbow Dash!”

The name sounded familiar as well, but she just couldn’t remember the girl. “Sorry, ah don’t remember.” she said with a shrug.

Rainbow Dash recoiled slightly. “Well I guess I wasn’t as awesome as I am now so I don’t blame you for forgetting.” she said, a slight sadness in her voice. “But I remember you. We were friends. So what brings you out to Cloudsdale anyway?” she asked, genuinely curious as to what sparked this reunion.

“There’s a competition going on this weekend. Ah’m enrolled in it for the racing section. Ah’ve always had strong legs with all the work ah’ve gotta do on the farm.” A.j replied as she thought about the competition she might have.

“Well fuck me!” Rainbow exclaimed almost too loudly. “I’m in it too! For the race! Fastest runner in Cloudsdale!” she said with a wide smile on her face. She took a sideways glance to where the two younger girls were now playing catch. “The squirt over there is Scootaloo, my little sister.” she said, pointing a thumb in the direction of the girls.

Applejack looked over and nodded, a smile on her face when she saw her sisters happy smile. “The other one is my sister, her name’s Applebloom.” she said.

“She looks like your mom.” Rainbow said with a chuckle. “How is Caramel anyway? And your dad?” she asked, turning to face her old friend, only to be greeted with a frown. There was no mistaking the look she saw in Applejacks eyes. “Oh...oh fuck! Applejack I’m sorry, i had no idea! Fuck!” she blurted out rapidly.

Applejack shook her head. “Nah it’s fine. You couldn’t have known. It’s been two years anyway, it’s just not something ah really like talking about.” she said, not being able to get rid of the sadness in her voice.

“Let me at least make it up to you?” Rainbow asked, not even waiting for an answer as she continued. “There’s a small candy shop not too far from here. It’s no Sugarcube Corner, but it gets the job done.” she said as she began walking towards the two younger sisters, signalling for Applejack to follow.

Seeing she didn’t have much of a choice, A.j sighed and began walking as well.

The shop was much bigger than what Applejack and Applebloom were used to. But it could be as big as it wanted to be, it would never have the same feeling that Sugarcube Corner has. That didn’t necessarily mean that it was bad. Quite the opposite in fact. Applejack was enjoying the peach cobbler that she ordered, she would never be able to enjoy something like that around Granny Smith! To the left of her was a separate table where Applebloom and Scootaloo enjoyed some chit-chat while drinking delicious milkshakes. Directly in front of her was Rainbow Dash, a glass of apple cider waiting on the table for her to finish texting.

“So you really don’t remember anything about me?” she suddenly asked after she placed the phone in the pocket of her jeans.

“Ah’m sorry, you seem awfully familiar but ah just can’t place it.” Applejack said with a shrug. A vibration could be felt throughout the table, and Rainbow Dash reached for her phone once more. Applejack raised an eyebrow, curious as to what was on that phone that had the girl grinning like a maniac. She didn’t have to wait long though, as Rainbow Dash literally jumped from her seat and shoved the phone towards Applejacks face.

“See!” she said excitedly as she showed the phone off. On the screen, Applejack recognized a picture of herself when she was a little girl, standing side by side with a younger Rainbow Dash inside what looked to be Sugarcube Corner.

“Well ah’ll be!” Applejack said as she finally realized who this strange girl was. “You were that little bully who used to pick on me in class!” she said, causing the smile on Rainbow Dashs’ face to waver. “But then ah got tired of it and deck’d you good! We both got time out for that one.” she said with a chuckle. “And ya’ll were moving out of Ponyville that day too, so your dad took you to Sugarcube Corner where me and mom were.” the memory now fully flooded back into her brain. “That’s where we became friends..” she trailed off.

“Yes, you do remember!” R.D said happily as she returned her phone to her pocket.

Applejack got up from her chair and walked to the side of the table where Rainbow sat. Her face was expressionless so the other girl couldn’t make out what was about to happen. She was surprised when Applejack suddenly enveloped her in a tight hug. “Thank you.” she said softly in Rainbow Dashs’ ear. “Everyone picked on me because of the way ah talked. You were my first friend. Thank you for that Rainbow Dash.” she said as she let the smaller girl go.

Rainbow Dash stared wide eyed for a few seconds before coughing into her fist to hide the steadily forming blush on her cheeks. “It was no problem. Y-you were my first friend too.” she said in a very un-Rainbow Dash way, but it was quickly covered up when she said “I guess the kids just couldn’t handle how awesome I was.”

Applejack laughed at that. “Wouldn’t that mean ah’m awesome too then?” she asked.

Rainbow Dash looked at the girl with the most judgmental expression she could muster. “You’re getting there.” she said with a shrug as they laughed together.

When all was said and done, the two groups split up. The Apple sisters made their way to the hotel, while Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo walked home.

“So did you have fun today squirt?” she asked her younger sibling.

“Yea! Applebloom is really fun! We’re going to start a club, we don’t know about what yet, but we’re doing it!” Scootaloo said happily. Then she looked up at her sister. “Did you have fun with her sister?”

Rainbow smiled. “Yea, seeing her again made me really happy.” she said as they continued walking. The image of Applejack hugging her, their faces so close together, suddenly popped into her head and she began blushing immediately. ‘Oh fuck, she got hot!’ she thought to herself.

Author's Note

Hope you all enjoyed it!