The Mirror-Stone Wasteland

Chapter 07

“When we make mistakes it doesn’t just harm us but those we love. This leaves three decisions. To never make mistakes and be perfect. To never have friends and stay alone. Or to learn from your mistakes and be responsible for them. However it is the later that is the hardest.”

-Star-swirl the bearded

How pathetic, Rainbow-dash had only made it five steps before she regurgitated the contents of her stomach on the ground. A minute later she collapsed to the ground, falling asleep from exhaustion.

When Rainbow-dash awoke she found herself lying on a couch in the Apple family’s house with one of Granny Smith’s quilts draped over her. Her head felt as if it had been smashed between two of Pinkie-pie’s cymbals. Thing was Rainbow-dash wasn’t sure if the more prominent cause of the pain was from last nights attack or the hang over.

What happened last night was rather bizarre, had the events in the dark Manehatten been a dream or some strange hallucination?

“Good morning there sugar cube,” Applejack said as she entered the living room from the kitchen, “looks like you finally decide to wake up.”

Rainbow-dash looked at Applejack in shock, both for now nice she was acting and the apron she wore. It was a black apron with red lettering making up the statement, “Dare kiss the cook and she will buck you hard!” From behind her the scent of buckwheat pancakes wafted into the room.

“Yeah I guess.” Rainbow-dash whimpered as she held a hand to her pounding head. The orange earth pony walked over to the stairs.

“GRANNY SMITH! APPLEBLOOM! TIME FER BREAKFAST!” Applejack yelled up the stairs, oblivious to Rainbow-dash’s hangover. The call up the stairs sent pain through Rainbow-dash’s head like a swarm of parasprites bouncing around in a trashcan full of discarded apples.

Granny-smith wobbled down the stairs muttering something under her breath about how elderly mares should be disturbed in the whey hours of the morning. Applebloom followed shortly after, seeing the rainbow maned Pegasus Applebloom stopped and had a look of surprise on her face. However a second later her facial expression changed leaving a look that was alien to the small pony’s face… was it contempt?

After Big Mac spoke a prayer the five ponies at the dining table began to serve the pancakes. The three older Apples dug into their food leaving Rainbow-dash and Applebloom staring at their food. For the next few minutes Rainbow-dash picked at her pancake while Applebloom merely glared at hers.

“Why haven’t you touched yer breakfast?” Applejack asked her younger sister.

“I ain’t hungry.” Applejack muttered as she pushed her plate away from the table.

“Applebloom,” Big Macintosh spoke authoritatively, “You didn’t ask to be excused from the table.”

“Didn’t think I had to.” Applebloom said glowering at her big brother.

“Now. Now Applebloom,” Applejack spoke, “be respectful of your brother. If you want to leave the table you simply need to ask.”

“I shouldn’t have to ask!” the small filly retorted rudely. Applejack waved a hoof.

“Keep up talking like this and you might have to wait for lunch time to eat.”

“I’m fine with that!” Applebloom yelled, “If it means avoiding HER I will be more then happy to starve!”

The rest of the family starred as Applebloom ran back up the stairs to her room. Sorrow swept over Rainbow-dash as she realized that she was the “HER” that Applebloom was referring to. That is the one thing Rainbow-dash hated about hangovers, the pain made it difficult to analyze things. Applejack lay a hoof on Rainbow-dash’s shoulder.

“Don’t mind her Dash.” The orange earth pony spoke, “she is still upset about the accident. I am sure she didn’t mean it.”

“No, she meant it, but considering what happened that day I don’t blame her.” Rainbow-dash said, “If I were in her hoof-steps I would hate me too.”

She tried to swallow a piece of her buckwheat pancake. It took a portion of her strength to just keep the morsel down. Just then the doorbell jingled.

“I’ll go see who it is.” Applejack said standing up to see who was at the door.

“So Big Mac,” Granny Smith asked, “did the apples trees look good this er morning?”

“Yep!” Macintosh replied before taking another bit of his pancake.

“Ah figures.” Granny Smith said as Applejack returned to the table with a letter in her hoof.

“Hey Dash,” Applejack said holding out the letter, “Derpy brought this letter over for you. She tried to find your house but when she didn’t find it she brought the letter here instead.”

Rainbow-dash took the letter and scowled. No doubt it was another complaint or a bill. Opening the letter Rainbow-dash’s eyes won’t wide at its contents. It read:

Dear Rainbow-dash,

I heard you were going through some tough times as of late and thought I might be able to cheer you up. I understand how you fed as I have injured my wings over countless adventures.

So I figured you might appreciate an invitation to join me as I go on an expedition to look at some strange ruins in southern Equestria. Don’t worry. My agency will compensate how much it costs you to purchase a ticket here.

Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Sincerely,

Daring Do

Rainbow-dash’s jaw dropped after reading the letter. Aside from the Wonderbolts the writer A.K. Yearling also known as Daring Do was her greatest idol. The chance to go on an adventure with the famous Daring Do would be impossible to turn down.

At the Ponyville train station Rainbow-dash stood with her friends while waiting for the next train going south. Only two of her friends were there to wave her goodbye, Applejack and Pinkie-pie. Rarity was off working in Manehatten, Fluttershy was doing some research with the Breezies and Twilight was off ruling her own kingdom elsewhere.

“Are you sure you want to go?” Applejack asked.

“Of course,” Rainbow-dash replied, “who wouldn’t except the chance to have an adventure with the famous Daring Do?”

“Ok but be safe Dashie,” Pinkie-pie said as she bounced up and down, “I would really like to throw a welcome back party when you return.”

“Will do.” Rainbow-dash replied as the colorful train pulled up. She started walking eager to leave.

“Oh Rainbow-dash!” Applejack spoke.

“Yes,” The blue Pegasus inquired nervously, “What is it?”

Before Rainbow-dash could say anything the orange farm mare reached into her bag and pulled a bottle of hard cider from the Pegasus’s luggage.

“I believe this belongs to me!”

“Oh Come On!”

“No, Dash yer not drinkin while on this ‘ere trip!”

“But…”

“No ‘buts’ Dash!”

There was along silence between the two mares before Rainbow-dash stopped glaring and relented, crossing her hooves over her chest.

“Fine.”

“PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE! ALL A BOARD!” The conductor yelled.

“I have to go now.” Rainbow-dash said as she stepped onto the train.

“Goodbye Dashie,” Pinkie-pie spoke, “please come back soon. It will be Gummy’s birthday in a few months and it is going to be very special because his teeth are coming in.”

“I will.” The blue Pegasus replied, although she was really excited about Pinkie’s pet alligator running around a party… with teeth.

“Take care.” Applejack said.

The two were still waving goodbye as the train departed. Sitting in her seat Rainbow-dash was excited now that her adventure had begun. After her pass was stamped the rainbow maned pony waited for the train-pass checker to leave before she grabbed one of her bags. Reaching down to the bottom of the bag she felt for what she was looking.

Rainbow-dash giggled as she pulled a small brown bottle from her luggage. She had predicted Applejack would find the bigger bottle. So she had a smaller one hidden in the bottom of the bag.

“Well how about a toast,” Rainbow-dash said to herself while holding out the bottle, “to a grand adventure.”

The blue Pegasus took a large swig before spitting it out on the floor. This wasn’t hard apple cider! This was fruit punch. It was then that she spotted a not on the bottle.

Hey Dashie. So Applejack said it would be a great prank if I swapped out the fluid in this bottle for something more amusing. So I replaced it with Gummy’s favorite fruit punch. I hope you like it.

Your friend, Pinkie-pie.

“OH COME ON!!!!”