When an Apple gets bruised

by JazzieQ

Rating: mature
Tags: Lightning Dust, Slice of Life, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Flitter and Cloudchaser, Rainbow Dash, Comedy, Romance, Cherry Jubilee, Sex
Length: 15562

Applejack and Rainbow Dash has got a pretty good relationship going... or do they?

Applejack loves Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Dash loves Applejack. Pretty simple right?
When Rainbow Dash feels choked by the mundane, she feels that she needs a little more spice than routine.
What will happen when Applejack finds out?

Comments and likes/dislikes are appreciated.
If disliked, do comment on why so that we can improve on writing or story line.
If liked, do leave a comment as well! thanks!

This is a collaborative effort.
Authors are:
Shadow Rift (I think he bailed out after Chap 3, but I acknowledge and appreciate his contribution.)
Neorenamon (who is doing the mature parts),
and myself
Art by yours truly.

Published 2015-06-08 18:20:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-10-18 22:43:28 UTC

Like Clockwork

The sun had begun to fall, signifying the end to another work day on the farm as acre upon acre of apple trees now lay bare of the red pride that the apple family had become so well known for producing. Lying back to now admire her work, Applejack grinned at the bare fields of trees before her. True, the amount of work that had been done kept her from her adorable pegasus mare friend, but it was worth it when she remembered what the money was going towards.

The two had been going out for around a year now, and tonight as always she’d buy a pot of Rainbow’s favorite sunflowers pretending to be the florist. Rainbow loved role playing games and Applejack would do anything to make Rainbow happy. For months now Applejack had been trying to scrounge up whatever she could so that she could propose to and marry the mare she loved, and she planned one that neither of them would ever forget. It kept the two of them apart for at least a couple of days, and every time Applejack had visited, she would try to give Rainbow the best loving night ever. But lately Rainbow didn’t seem too hyped up. Applejack wondered if it was because she spent so much time in the fields and they didn’t get enough time together. They had gotten into argument about this a few times before where her mare friend always told her how much they didn’t see each other as often and that…. Rainbow would always stop short of finishing and would fly away. Rainbow would try to be honest with Applejack which she loved but not coming out completely would always leave Applejack’s heart heavy.

Applejack truly did love her mare friend, everything from her Rainbow mane to her cyan coat and spunky attitude of living life to its fullest, but she also knew deep inside of her that their constant arguing had begun to take a toll on each of them.

And today Applejack was determined to find out everything that was bothering her mare friend. She planned to make sure to do what she went there for and then when Rainbow was comfy, ask her about it so they wouldn’t end up in argument again.

Sighing, Applejack went back to the barn and took stock once again of the Apples. Exactly twenty crates full of the crimson fruit. Not enough to get through for an entire week, or for that matter month, but enough to get her family by for the next few weeks, which was yet another reason for her days away from Rainbow.

As much as she wanted to be with her mare friend, she always knew that her own family had to find a way of living. Even if they didn’t want to admit it, Applejack knew her family wasn’t going to make it very long without her. And Applejack would be damned if she let that happen.

“Still takin’ yer sweet ol’ time eh AJ?” said a deep voice right behind her. Looking behind, Applejack saw her older brother coming into the barn, a white bandage wrapping around his left hind leg.

“It ain’t takin’ mah time Mac, it’s just ah wanna make sure we got enough to get by for the next few months” she said as she looked back at the crates in front of her.

“That’s mighty kind of y’all Applejack, but I think there’s a plenty to get us by for a while” he said as he offered her a smile.

“Y’all sure? Cause ah think that ah can get a little more—“

“Yes, I’m sure AJ…” Big Macintosh said as he slowly made his way over to her, “You ain’t got nothin’ to worry ‘bout. Ain’t tonight you usually visit Rainbow?”

“Uh yeah…” Applejack said turning apple-red to suit her name.

“Well then go on now. Git. She’s waitin’ on ya.” Big Mac ordered with a wave of his hoof.

She sighed and let out a slight chuckle, “yer really are stubborn ain’t ya?”

“I learn from the best” he said as he gave Applejack a bag with around three hundred bits in it. She smiled and accepted the bag from Big Mac, making her way out of the barn and offering one more smile to Big Mac.

“Get better soon brother…”

“Night, sis”

Applejack walked down the path from Sweet Apple Acres toward the local bar. She thought she’d take a few drinks to set her mind at ease before going to Rainbow’s cloudominium like she always do. After all working all day at the farm really takes a lot out of a mare and there’s nothing better than to top it off with one or two pints of beer. After all, she still got a lot of time before Rainbow was done with her work.

============

Rainbow Dash entered the door way to her cloudominium and laid on the bed after a hard day of clearing what was left of yesterday's shower. She shifted her eyes about to see if it was all in order. After all, it was the second day of the week. It was time she came over again. Like clockwork. Like predictable clockwork.

Rainbow knew Applejack’s moves like the back of her hoof. She was constant every single time. It was something that she loved and disliked about Applejack. Mostly disliked.
Applejack was the love of her life, she couldn’t think of a day she didn’t have Applejack on her mind. She loved everything about the gamboge, blonde earth pony. The smell of the apples and dirt. The gentle look of those emerald green eyes when they stared at her. The country naivety. The caring, loving, family oriented nature of her mare friend. The honesty. The list could go on. But somehow she couldn’t bring herself to be completely honest with Applejack.

Glancing to her left, she saw the third empty bottle of Applejack Daniels Whiskey. It was the grease for their get-togethers and about the only time Rainbow was willing to drink something that strong. She wondered how Applejack ever convinced a company to start bottling that stuff. Besides the bottle was two slightly dirty glasses. Well, they were dirty on the outside. She always felt that made them look more 'rough and tumbler', whatever that means.

Looking to her right, she noticed the pot of sunflowers Applejack brought the last time. They replaced the ones she brought before then. New flowers she was bringing tonight would replace these. All because Rainbow commented once it was her favorite flower.

The clock at the side of the bed read 8:06 PM. Applejack would be there any minute. Like clockwork.

She used to be so thrilled at the notion that they would be together in bed soon. The first time it happened. The seventh time it happened. Even the thirteenth time it happened. But Applejack never changed anything. How was she to tell Applejack that her performance in bed had gotten boring?

"If'n it ain't broke," she would normally say about things, "then ya don't fix it."

But then they had been seeing each other like this for over a year. A whole year of the same old routine... over and over. It was broken, and it had to be fixed. The knock at the door disturbed her thoughts. She knew who it was, but she had to pretend otherwise... for the game.

"Who's there?" she asked.

"Florist," replied Applejack in a bad impersonation of a stallion's voice.

"I didn't order flowers," she replied trying to hide the boredom in her tone.

"Ya shore did," she answered, "Gotta come here an’ sign for it."

She got out of bed and went to the door. Unlocking it a few time to make it sound like she had more lock and bolts than she really did, she opened the door to see the smug grin of Applejack. With a bouquet of Sunflowers. The heavy aroma of beer on her breath told Rainbow that Applejack had already stopped by the bar on the way over. Rainbow smirked. Then she looked at the hand drawn tag in the flowers that read "20 bits".

"Wait," she said for the twentieth time, "I don't have that kind of money."

"Well then we'll just have to negotiate," replied the orange mare as she pushed her back into the room, planting a heavy kiss onto Rainbow's lips.

'Ugh,' thought Rainbow, 'Just once I'd like to do something different.'

But the smile on Applejack's face and the reddish glow in her cheeks told her Earth pony friend was in her happy place.
Without any ceremony, she pushed her back to the bed. Then Applejack nimbly grabbed the whiskey bottle and poured two big glasses of the stuff. They sat on the edge of the bed to start drinking. Rainbow was glad that she was already tipsy or she might notice she was nursing her drink even as Applejack was chugging her own. Another third of the bottle was gone by the time she finished her drink, and found herself being forced onto her back by the now quite drunk Applejack.

Like clockwork.

"Well if'n ya can't pay me proper," she whispered still in her role playing mood but still putting on the sweetest smile and now planting small kisses on Rainbow's lips, "Ah reckon it's gotta cum outta yer sweet hide... " It was all so scripted and so old.
She slowly went to the end of the bed, running her hooves gently down Rainbow's barrel, spread her legs, and set herself inhaling the musky scent of Rainbow’s loins. If she wasn't tipsy herself, she wouldn't have been even a little wet there. So Applejack wrapped her forelegs about her thighs and set her tongue to licking her mareslit.

Like clockwork.

She laid her head back and thought about the latest Erotic Daring Do Adventures Book she was reading. It was the only way to make herself hot and bothered any more. Her eyes closed as she pretended it was Daring Do lapping at her mareslit. That she was deep in an ancient pyramid and having the proper orgasmic ritual was the only way to make sure the sun would ever rise again.
It wasn't like she didn't love Applejack. She loved her a lot. But she was so set in her ways. So predictable. So boring.

Rainbow felt guilty but the only real thrill came when she felt Daring Do... Applejack actually... thrusting her tongue deep into her vagina. It would have been hard at the point not to get worked up. After all, the pony clit was inside the birth canal and every stallion worth his weight in hay knew it. That and every mare that wanted to get it on with another mare.

Minutes passed as the tongue pressed deeper, rubbing more against her erogenous zone. She could feel the heat rising inside and the juices flowing from her birth canal. What Applejack wasn't slurping in was forming a puddle on her bed sheets. She was well used to washing her sheets the next morning after the orange Earth pony awoke and left.
Her hind legs were now around Applejack’s head. They were being pushed higher over her shoulders as her muzzle pressed harder against her loins. Her tongue aching to push ever closer to her womb.

Rainbow had to breathe through her open mouth to keep up with her overwhelming arousal. She was panting and moaning as the sound grew. She was glad it wasn't a motel where neighboring rooms overheard them. Not since... the incident.

"Daring... Do... me..." she moaned.

If Applejack wasn't so far gone, she might have noticed her comment. But it wasn't noticed in the least.

"OHHH!" she groaned as she climaxed hard on Applejack’s tongue. It seemed like minutes as she came, but that tongue inside her just wouldn't let the orgasm end until Applejack let it.
Then she felt the mare crawling on top of her, boozed breath and all.

"Remember," she cooed, nuzzling Rainbow and planting tender short kisses on her lips, "We don't have much time to take care of me in the morning. So don't whine too much when I wake you."

“I know,” Rainbow said mechanically.

"By the way I wanted to ask..."

"Yeah?" Rainbow said in anticiaption but she only found that before Applejack could finish her sentence she fell asleep, gently snoring and suggling up against her. Rainbow gently kissed Applejack on the forehead and sighed.

Yes, Rainbow would return the favor in the morning. A quickie before Applejack ran back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Like clockwork.

Author's Note

Woot.
Glad to get a another story published.
Still got my first going but thanks to loads of help from some awesome writers, I can get this idea on the road. yay!

The Dive

A thin line of the new day’s sun had managed to hit Applejack in her eye, awakening her from her slumber. As she rubbed her eyes with her hooves, Applejack had managed to catch sight of the cyan beauty next to her, still exhausted from their lustful night with one another. Applejack smiled as she continued to watch Rainbow Dash’s sleeping form, her chest rising and falling with every breath being taken. It was cute, and she could probably watch this action for the rest of her life…
Applejack thought of the grand plans for her proposal and that made her think about getting back to the farm quickly.

Careful not to make a noise, Applejack slowly lifted herself out of the blankets, and out of the shared bed. And had it not been for the hoof now grabbing her foreleg, she would’ve been out of the bedroom.

“Going already?” Rainbow asked, her groggy voice and glazed eyes telling Applejack that she had been up a while. Applejack leaned over and gently gave Rainbow her good morning greeting.

“Eyup. Ah gotta get to it. Yer know me. What plans yer got today?” Applejack said as she looked down at her still half asleep mare friend.

“I’m headed to Cloudsdale today. Gotta get tickets to the Wonderbolts Whizz-bang show that’s this weekend. Wanna go?”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“Once the south fields’re cleared, ah think ah might have some free time.”

“AJ?” Rainbow started hesitantly.

“Yeah?”

“I feel bored.”

“What do yer mean sugarcube?”

“It’s boring…. You know….” Dash said with shifty eyes, hoping that Applejack would get the picture.

“Is that’s what been bothering yer?” Applejack giggled, “listen sugarcube, I know it may get a little boring here and then, but you don’t need to stay here every day. You can always just go out there and do something.” Dash rolled her eyes aghast at the fact that her hint flew over Applejack’s head. Waaay over her head.

“Ah’m goin’ now. Big Mac probably started apple buckin’ already.”

“Okay” Rainbow said deadpanned still in shock over Applejack’s response.

“Look… Ah’ll try ter get back tonight an’ then we’ll have some more fun. Ah swear by Celestia’s sun that ah will not leave yer side. Alright?”

No response came from the cyan pegasus. Although to be quite honest, Applejack really didn’t expect one. And knowing Rainbow the way she did, it was going to take more than just a simple night with each other to make up for things. Kissing the mare on the cheek, Applejack got up and exited the room and slowly made her way out the door and into the new day.

Pissed off didn’t even begin to explain her mood. If anything, it just a place holder for a new word to be developed that was ten times worse. Rainbow Dash had just attempted to share her feelings with her mare friend and she was just brushed off for trying. It wasn’t just the fact that Applejack didn’t understand. It was the fact that her feelings was absolutely irrelevant, like it didn’t mean a single thing in the whole world.

And the more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Until a growl erupted from her stomach which forced her to focus on something else.
Getting up and moving into the kitchen, Rainbow Dash opened up the fridge and grabbed the carton of milk and swiftly closed it. After words, she made her way to the pantry to grab the box of Shredded Frosted Hay and a bowl before mixing it all together and throwing in a spoon.
Crunching away at the Sugar frosted disappointment, Rainbow Dash’s thoughts travelled to what Applejack had told her about her predicament of boredom.

“Listen sugarcube, I know it may get a little boring here and then, but you don’t need to stay here every day. You can always just go out there and do something.”

The statement kept playing over and over in her head like a broken record player. She had no idea how to approach Applejack on this again and she wasn’t sure how to discuss this with their other friends. Maybe Rarity can help. No… Rarity doesn’t really want to hear about mare-mare bedroom problems. Twilight? Absolute virgin! Fluttershy?? Uuuh no. Pinkie?? GAH! She felt more frustrated.

Dash looked at the time and saw it was almost time for work. She quickly scoffed her meal down and headed off into the sky. During most of the day, Dash tried to keep getting the wonderbolts tickets on her mind instead of Applejack whom she was very angry with right now. She just imagined Applejack’s face on each cloud and bucked at it hard.

“Damn you AJ! Why don’t you get it? How can you not get it?” Rainbow said and kicked a cloud with each question. Frustrated and now settled on the last remaining cloud she looked at the sun and her watch. 3 p.m. The Tickets!!!

Damn!!! She forgot it was time to head to Cloudsdale to get the tickets! She zoomed off toward the cloud city hoping to make it in time.

=============

Dash rolled her eyes disappointingly at the line waiting to buy tickets. She landed at the end and inched her way every time somepony moved up. The day wasn’t so hot, it could’ve been worse Dash thought.

“UUUGH! Can’t this line go any faster?” a voice said behind her. Dash whipped her head around to see a cute mare standing behind her. She had a lilac coat, bluish mane with a bow in her hair.

“Uhhh, I think we’re all in the same position here.” Dash responded. The mare said nothing but stared at Dash.

“Hey, you’re Rainbow Dash ain't ya?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Don’t you remember me? It’s Flitter. I was part of the tornado team and at the Equestria games?” Dash looked at the mare again.

“Oh yeah, I do now. Haven’t seen you in Ponyville much.”

“I’m there from time to time. Been staying up here for a little while. What’s up??”

“Nothing much.” Dash said in another deadpan moment, “Don’t really feel like talking right now.”

Flitter sensed that Dash was having a hard time, “Oh come now. It can’t be that bad. It’s always good to talk and get things off your chest.” Flitter exclaimed, “and talking to a stranger is best. No judgements!”

Dash simply stared at the mare as if she was crazy. Why would she just blurt out her problems to whom she had just met, well after a while that is.

“Look, after we buy the tickets why not come with me for a drink? I know a good place!”

“No thanks! I’m good...” Dash said dully.

“I can tell you need that drink, come on, we talk on the way over, okay?” Flitter said kindly.

Dash wasn’t sure what to make of this mare. But she thought more of Applejack’s response in the morning and she somehow felt her steam rise.

“Alright. I’ll go.”

“Good then.” Flitter said and winked at Dash.

=============

Rainbow Dash looked up at the sign. It read The Dive. It was a dark place. A dirty place. Everything about it was gray and dingy. She wondered if clouds could even get dirty.
She glanced at Flitter and asked, "You really come here to drink?"

"I don't come here for the atmosphere," she replied, "just cheap strong drinks made by somepony who knows their booze."

Glancing back at the entrance, she replied, "Works for me. Let's go."

"And there's a few... other features... we may need later," she continued.

"Whatevs," replied Rainbow as she lead Flitter inside, "I'm just here... to forget."

"Still don't want to tell me her name?" she asked following behind.

"I told you..." replied Dash as she paused to look back, "Wait, how do you know it's a her?"

"Mare's intuition."

The two mares marched into the place. It was darker and seedier on the inside than it looked on the outside. Rainbow wondered how many years it had been since the sun ever managed to see into the bar. Only widely placed glowballs kept the place from being totally darkened at all hours.

"Hey Manehatten!" called Flitter as she approached the bar.

"Wait," said Rainbow, "Isn't that a city on the surface?"

"It's also a drink," she replied, "He named it after himself." Looking back, she added, "What? You think every name in Equestria isn't shared by a person, place or thing?"

"I... hadn't really thought about it that much."

"Well well," said the orange stallion with the golden mane, "If my 'sweet vermouth' hasn't come home."

"What?!" asked Rainbow.

"It's my 'pet name'," she replied as she glanced back and replied, "I wouldn't expect any less from 'old bitters' over here."

Manehatten chuckled.

"My friend here has never had one of your Manehattens before," she said with a smile, "So make two... and make them with the good stuff. We both know I can taste the cheap crap from three hoof-lengths away."

"You wound me," he replied, "I only use the best ingredients for my bestie customer."

"Hah," she retorted, "Not the first time I drank it. You practically used rotgut for the whiskey."

"Times were harder back then and you well knew that," he chuckled, "You practically pulled this place from the gutter."

"Word of mouth gets around," she replied, "Once I got you set up with some decent booze."

"Hey," interrupted Rainbow, "I'm still sober over here. Can we get those drinks sometime today?"

"We'll talk old times later," he said as he went to the back, "Like why you haven't been around in months."

They watched him vanish into the back as Flitter turned and said, "I see my favorite corner booth is open. Let's go."

So Flitter grabbed a bowl of barnuts, and over to the corner booth they went. She was shoving a hoof full of nuts into her mouth even before they sat down.

"What?!" she asked with her mouth half full, "It's the first chance I've had to eat all day."

Rainbow picked at the nuts even as Flitter shovelled them down. Soon their drinks arrived with a grin on Manehatten's face. The drinks came in the largest Martini glasses Dash had ever seen. They picked up their glasses even as the bartender retreated. She downed her drink cherry and all in one swallow while she sipped hers.

"Oh," said Dash, "An interesting mix of sweet and bitter." She plucked the cherry from the glass and ate it.

"I know," she replied, "It's like me."

"Something I'm used to by now," she sighed as she drank her drink faster.

"Some of these and all your cares go away," Flitter said with a smile, "I have a lot of experience with this."

"Oh I believe you."

Each of them downed a few of the large drinks until Dash said, "I feel such a good buzz."

Flitter smiled as she looked at the bar and called, "Hey old bitters!"

"What'cha need?" he called back.

"The key to room six!" she answered.

"Room six?" asked Dash.

"Yeah," said Flitter, "There's some back rooms. They might be the size of a trot-in closet, but we don't need all that much room for what we're going to do."

A key with a large tag landed in the middle of the table. It was thrown like it was practiced for years.

"Going to do?" asked Dash.

"Yep. Time for you to forget your troubles," she replied as she took the key in her mouth and Dash's foreleg by the hoof. She all but dragged her towards the back through the narrow hallway. There was a group of doors clustered tightly together. The odd numbered doors were on the left and the even numbered ones on the right. Soon they were at door number six.
Releasing Dash's leg, she took the key and unlocked the door. The door opened to show it was barely the size of a trot-in closet. The only feature was a bed in the back half of the room. Just big enough for two ponies if they weren't too large. In dim light in the center of the room lit all of it.

Flitter all but pushed Dash up onto the bed.

"Lay on your back and get comfortable," she said with a grin, "You're going to be there for a while."

If Dash wasn't so buzzed, she might have wondered what Flitter meant by that. But she laid on her back without question. Even as she did so, Flitter seemed to be more interested in messing with something under the bed.

"So... now what?" she asked as she stared at the dim light.

"Oh you'll see," came the reply. Dash sighed. She could still see Applejack staring down on her. Those boring loving eyes of hers. She could still remember.

"The fun starts now hun," she said as she came up with a box of some sort.

"What's that?"

"Oh a few of my old toys," she replied. From the box she pulled a leg spreader bar with padded cuffs on each end.

"What da what?!"

"I thought you wanted to try something... new," said Flitter as she spread Dash's legs and slipped the cuffs around her hind hooves. Then she tied the cuffs down to the corners of the bed. "I promise you'll like it," she said as she climbed onto the bed with her. She looked down on her as she moved up the bed and asked, "You trust me, don't you?"

Dash nodded as her forelegs were crossed over her head at the hooves. She pulled a rope from under the pillow and used it to both bind her hooves to each other and to the headboard. Then Flitter turned about so that they were now over each other mouth to the others mareslit. Her legs now straddled Dash's face as much as her face was in Dash's crotch.

"You know what I want," she said as she felt Flitter's nose rubbing against her mareslit. "Just keep the noise down to a dull roar," she added, "These walls aren't all that sound proof."

Somewhere further down the hall in another small room, Dash could hear two ponies grunting and moaning.
It was different. Flitter was fresh and exciting. Not boring. Not clockwork. She tugged her legs front and back. It was tight enough to make sure she wasn't getting loose without Flitter's permission, and it was making her all kinds of hot. The two began eating each other out, using as much tongue as they could get into the other's birth canal.

"Not so hard," moaned a mare in the other room, "You know this is my first time."

"Sorry my tart cherry," replied a stallion, "I'll go easy on you just like I promised."

"Hold it down!" hissed Flitter, "I'm trying to enjoy my meal over here!"

"Sorry," replied the mare as their noise levels fell.

"Some ponies have no respect," she muttered as she went back to eating out Dash.

Between the bindings and the tongue inside her, Dash was quickly losing it. And loving it. Being helpless was a whole new thing for her. It was fresh and exciting. Just like Flitter. No one mattered but her. Nothing mattered but this moment. She had forgotten.
Her tongue pressed deeper into Flitter seeking her hot spot even as Flitter's tongue did the same to her. Dash figured if she was half as worked up as Flitter, then her mouth was getting a good taste of her love juices as well. Her breath was coming faster through her nose. She could feel Flitter's nose blowing across her loins as well. They were both really worked up about being together.
Even when they were quieter, Dash could still hear the other two ponies. She could almost see them in her mind. The stallion mounting the mare in the small room making the bed creak under her. Was she secured to the bed as well?

"Oh you're so good at this," moaned Flitter as she paused.

Dash only responded by pressing her nose hard against Flitter's crotch and burying her tongue so deep, it was starting to make her jaw hurt. She couldn't keep that up long, but then she didn't have to.

"OH YEAH!" she moaned as her pussy gushed, "I'M GONNA CUM!"

"Hold it down over there yourselves!" moaned the stallion, "I'm mounting over here!"

"Oh sorry," replied Flitter. She realized she had to live by her own advice after all.

But now Flitter was struggling to keep her mouth shut while she was climaxing in Dash's face. The juices flowed freely over her tongue and into Dash's mouth. Even with her lips sealed over her mareslit, Dash could feel the juices running down the sides of her mouth and over her throat. Flitter was sure messy when she came. Dash used her tongue to keep her coming until her jaw hurt too much to keep it up for another second.

"Oh Celestia," she moaned, "I've never been tongued like that before."

"I've never seen a mare come so... juicy," replied Dash.

"Don't think I'm letting you off the hook that soon," she replied, "I've got a few more hours to play with you and I plan to give you as good as you give to me."
"What if I gotta... you know."

"You better keep that in until we're done," came the retort.

Oh, a threat. It made Dash even hotter as she felt Flitter go back to eating her out. She wondered if next time, she would get to be the top. Perhaps Flitter wouldn't mind being the one immobilized.

But Flitter was right about one thing. Dash and she would take turns cumming for hours until they fell asleep. Manehatten wouldn't bother them until the wee hours of the morning when he had to throw them out. It wasn't a hotel after all and it was gonna be a looong night.

Author's Note

whoo. this chap took a while.
sorry for the delay.

A flight in skyshoes

“How about this one? I think it has a nice touch to it.”

“No, not that one… somehow it doesn’t say Rainbow to it. Ah wan’ it ter be special!” Applejack said shaking her head.

“Well do you have anything in mind?” Twilight asked as she and Applejack stood in the jewelry store examining all the available engagement rings that Karat put out, “I think all these are beautiful and a quite expensive too.”

“Ah want something that ain't too fancy but has a nice touch of gemstones, maybe like rainbow colored or…”

“I think I may have something here.” Karat said and reached to the glass case below.

“Wow! Look at that one!” Twilight exclaimed and Karat put out his final piece. The loop was made of embellished gold and small iridescent diamonds layered all around.

“That’s it Twi!! It’s perfect!” Applejack said excitedly. She didn’t even realize she was squeezing the life out of the alicorn through the giant bear hug she was giving, “I’ll take it!”

“It’s 16,000 bits! More than 4 months’ worth of salary of a pony!!!”

“Hey, the love of mah life is all worth it! Besides I’ve been saving up fer this! An’ a few other surprises!” Applejack smirked thinking about the polychromatic mare. As Karat packaged the ring Applejack and Twilight caught sight of Dash flying off in the distance tending to some clouds, “Twi?”

“Yes?”

“It’s a pain having to come to you all the time ter get that cloud walkin’ spell done. Is there an easier way?”

“I’ve been reading up on a few things, and I came across a book on enchanted items. If my theory is correct I can do something for you. Come by the castle later, I’ll see what I can do!”

“Thanks.”

========

The rapping rhythm at the castle door automatically told Spike who was there.

“Hey Applejack!”

“Hey Spike!”

“Twi’s in the throne room doing something weird again.” The dragon said looking confused.

“Thanks Spike.” Applejack gave the dragon a little nuggie on the head and then headed toward the throne room. As the crystal doors opened with a slight creaking, the blinding light ahead made Applejack cringe her eyes just to see. Soon the blinding glow diminished and all that was left was a glowing object on the crystal table. Applejack approached the alicorn.

“Hey Twi.”

“Applejack. I did it!! Look!” Twilight pointed a hoof at what looked like glowing horseshoes, “Presenting skyshoes!”

“Uhhh…come again?”

“I enchanted these horse shoes to make you walk on clouds! It’s a permanent spell! So you can go anytime you want!”

“Really?” The alicorn confirmed once more by the nod of her head. Applejack’s big wide grin and “thank you” was all Twilight needed instead of the giant bear hug that she was now receiving.

“Sooo what are you planning?” asked the inquisitive princess.

“Ooooh nothin’ special, a dinner at that fancy restaurant in Canterlot, a private wonderbolts airshow just for her and do the proposal there.” Applejack said smiling warmheartedly thinking about it. Twilight also smiled and gave Applejack a hug.

“I’m sure she’ll love it!” Twilight assured. But Applejack looked a little sad, “What’s wrong??”

“Well….” Applejack said hesitantly as she walked over to her own throne and sat down, “Ah’m sure ah’m just over thinkin’ ‘bout it but Rainbow been goin’ ter Cloudsdale almost every day for the last three weeks. She thinks ah ain’t noticin’ but ah went ter see her a couple of times, ah even took a day or two from mah usual schedule and she wasn’t around. In mah usual off nights that I spend together with her, I think she behaves ‘different’.”

“Different?”

“Yeah, like she’s out of it. Like completely uninterested.”

“You asked her about it?”

“Ah did one time, and she said that she’s helpin’ her dad. It doesn’t explain the weird behavior though.”

“I see. It is possible that you might really be overthinking it but…. there is also another possibility….”

“What?” Applejack braced herself. At the back of her mind she knew what Twilight was implying.

“I think you should talk to Rainbow gently. Find out what’s bothering her. I mean she’s going to be your fiancé soon, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Cheer up!! I’m sure everything’ll be fine!” Twilight smiled. After a few more minutes of talking about other things, Applejack rose from her seat and headed out into the blissful afternoon.

==========

Rainbow anxiously watched the clock. It was almost time for her to leave. Suddenly, a familiar country voice was heard from outside.

“RD!!! Yer up there??!”

Dash popped her head out from the clouds and saw her mare friend standing below.

“AJ! What’s up? I mean I’m up…. What’s going on?”

“Yer busy? Can we talk?”

“Uuuh… sure” Rainbow said and flew down to the ground below. Applejack walked a few feet away with Dash following her. Applejack sat down watching the evening sun. The orange glow of sunset seem to make her sparkle and it seems that this time was when Applejack looked most beautiful. Dash couldn’t help but swallow a lump of guilt at what she was doing but it felt so good, having the best of both worlds.

“Yer got any plans next week? Still helpin’ yer dad?”

“Uuh, yeah. It’s a big…. thing… that he’s doing.” Applejack closed her eyes. She knew the touch of that lying tone and Dash was lying to her.

“Ah can’t help but think RD that there’s sumthang yer ain’t tellin’ me. We’re going out fer over a year now and ah want yer tuh know that yer can talk tuh me yer know. About anything.”

“Nothing’s going on AJ.” Dash felt a tight knot in her stomach. She knew she should come clean but now she’s in too deep. She was addicted to her playful nights. And now how would she tell the love of her life that she’s cheating on her?? Or that she’s an absolute bore in bed?

“Yer sure about that?” Applejack looked dead straight into Dash’s eyes. Dash felt as if Applejack was looking into her soul with those piercing green eyes.

“Y-yeah. Sure.”

“’Kay then. Anyway, that’s ain’t the real reason I’m here. Will yer go out ter dinner with me next week Friday?”

“Friday?” Dash repeated nervously while in thought. Fridays were the best days to be at ‘The Dive’, “can’t it be another day? Friday I may have to be in Cloudsdale again.”

“No RD. Friday.” Applejack said in a very insistent tone. That was the last straw for Applejack. She was going to find out what was going on and she had already planned.

“Okay fine. Anyway I gotta go. My dad is waiting on me.” Dash said as she gave Applejack a peck on the lips and flew off. Applejack watched as her mare friend fly off in the direction of Cloudsdale and she herself ran back towards the town.

=========

As Dash landed at Cloudsdale she was greeted by a few familiar faces she knew. She flew off in the direction of the main square and while she disappeared into the crowd, a pink hot air balloon emerged from the cloud base.

“Welcome to Cloudsdale!” said a greeter.

“Thanks!” Applejack said and looked down at her new shoes smirking. She hopped out of the basket.

“WAIT!!... uuuuh..” the greeter said but was instantly confused.

“Magic cloud walkin’ shoes! Compliments of Princess Twilight!” Applejack said and trotted off smiling at the pony’s reaction. She suddenly turned around, “Say, didja see a rainbow maned, blue pony come by this way?”

“Uuuh yes!” said the greeter snapping out of his shock, “She went toward the main square just a little while ago. That way.”

“Thank yer kindly!” Applejack said and walked off toward the direction. Rainbow Dash soon landed at the red light district and looked around, hoping that no familiar faces were nearby. She approached the old looking cloud building that had the half broken neon sign that said “The Dive”. Suddenly she remembered her earlier conversation with Applejack. She swallowed once again a lump. “Too late to go back” she murmured to herself and entered.

Applejack took in all the sights of Cloudsdale. She felt a lot better being here than before as now she had the shoes. She always thought Twilight’s temporary spell could wear off at any time which made her skeptical about coming here so often. She gazed around some more watching billboards of the wonderbolts and a few stores. Higher in the near vicinity, she could see the exhaust channels of the Weather Factory and a generous amount of heavy dark, grey clouds were exiting their way into the sky. A storm was due and another exhaust was charging up, releasing lightning bolts into the clouds. She stopped a few pegasi who were walking instead of flying inquiring about her quarry. Finally one stallion who was hesitant answered.

“Yeah I saw her.”

“Where?” Applejack asked but the stallion held out a hoof. Applejack knew too well that gesture. She whipped out a couple of bits and placed it in his hoof.

“Umm…” he said with more hesitation, “at ‘The Dive’ in the red light district.”

“Come again?”

The stallion rolled his eyes, “She at this place called ‘The Dive’ in the red light district. I see her there whenever I go there. She always goes to the back in room six.”

“What she’s doing there??” but the stallion flew off before he could be questioned further.

“’cuse me! Where’s the red light district?” Applejack asked another stallion who was absolutely taken aback by the question.

“It’s six blocks from here. Turn right at that corner, and then left after four. Why? Wanna have some fun w—” but Applejack darted off toward the direction given to her.

==========

Rainbow Dash was feeling good by the time Flitter led her back to room six for another round. They had been seeing each other almost every night for three weeks by now, and every night had been something new for Dash. She was quivering with excitement and breathless with anticipation. Her little box of toys seemed quite extensive and Dash was sure she hadn't seen all of them yet.

"Are you feeling up to being more assertive today?" asked Flitter as she looked back over her shoulder. Dash nodded energetically.

"Well that's good then," she giggled, "I don't want you to think I'm some kind of domarenatrix and you're just my submaresive."

"Oh no," replied Dash awkwardly. "I'm just glad that you've been showing me the ropes."

Flitter giggled. "I take it your mare friend hasn't been allowing you the same choices?" she asked as she began unlocking the door to room six.

"No," she answered, "Ah... She doesn't. Not since the first time we... slept together."

"I see," came the response as the door opened. She walked into the room slowly as she waited for Dash to follow her in.

"Look," said Dash as she suddenly moved forward, "Enough about my sad stories. Tonight should be about us. That's why I've been wanting to forget..."

"Sorry if I was prying," she interrupted as she climbed on the back of the bed, "Let's just worry about tonight." Then she said, "Why don't you look under the bed and see what you want to use yourself."

"Oh," replied Dash very alluringly, "I already know what I'm going to use."

"Really?" Flitter said as she bit her bottom lip in excitement, "You sound pretty sure."
Dash leaned under the bed and came up with the double headed strap-on. It looked as impressive to Dash now as it did the first time she saw Flitter wearing it.

"Good choice," she said with a grin, "So how are we going to get it ready?" Dash replied by sticking out her tongue.

"Ah," she mused, "I suppose there's a certain charm to doing things the old fashioned way." Dash nodded as she climbed onto the bed. Pushing Flitter onto her back, she climbed over and turned around to that they had their mouths over each other’s mareslit.

"Let's do this," she moaned as she was enticed by the tempting musky scent of Flitter's pussy, "Make it 20% cooler."

"Would you settle for 20% wetter?" she replied before her tongue began licking and lapping at Dash's sex.

"As good as any," she mused as she starting her own slobbery licks at Flitter's pussy. She wasn't sparing the spit and felt that Flitter was doing the same. Soon Dash was panting through her nose as she was growing hotter and wetter between her hind legs. She could almost taste Flitter's heat growing as well.
Flitter tried to speak, but it made no sense with her mouth sealed around Dash's pussy.
Moments passed as she licked and lapped, and received the same herself. But suddenly Dash stopped. She rose her head up and said, "Enough. Let's go on before one of us cums in the other's face."

"Alright," Flitter replied as she stopped.

Dash got off and went back to the end of the bed. Flitter watched as she pushed her end of the dildo up inside her. She was amused by the changes in Dash's face as the minutes passed and the dildo made its way up her birth canal slowly. Gingerly, she almost looked like she was afraid of hurting herself even though she had taken it from the other end just a night or two before.

"What?" asked Dash suddenly, "What's with the goofy grin?"

"Oh," she replied, "It's nothing. I'm sorry." Then she finished pushing it into herself and tied it off around her thigh.

"Wow," she said at last, "I didn't think this would make me feel... so full inside."

She lifted and spread her legs as she replied, "Well are you going to come get some, tiger?"

Dash looked down on her hot, wet and dripping mareslit as she gulped and nodded. But as she started getting on the edge of the bed to mount Flitter, there was a ruckus in the hallway.

"Now Missy," said Manehatten, "These back rooms are supposed to be private places. You just can't come barging back here!!"

"RD! Rainbow! We gotta talk!"

"AJ?!" she replied in alarm, "No WAY!!! In Cloudsdale?!"

But the door suddenly burst open as the familiar voice said, “RD, I just wanted to say…”

Just then, time seemed to come to a complete halt. Applejack stood at the door, eyes wide in shock and mouth agape as she saw Dash was about to mount another mare. Dash looked at Applejack, and in a split second, noticed that she was wearing strange new shoes that glowed softly in the dim light. They looked almost regal and most like made of pure silver.

Dash had just got Flitter's legs over her shoulder and was about to press the head of the dildo against Flitter's hot slit. Without the expression of the earth pony’s face changing, her eyes glistened, brimming with tears. She drew down her hat over her face and slowly turned away from the scene.

"A-AJ…. I…" sputtered Dash now scrambling to remove herself from the compromising position with Flitter yanking at the covers to hide her embarrassment, "I... can explain..."

Before Dash could say any more, Applejack turned and bolted back down the hallway. She wasn't looking where she was going with her eyes closed and watering so.

"Miss!" called Manehatten as he followed, "Stop! You'll hurt yourself like that!"

There was crashing sounds as chairs were knocked out of her way and tables skid in the distance.

"Look sorry," said Dash awkwardly, "I gotta go..."

"Better take off the strap-on first," said Flitter, "You'll make quite the scene if you don't."

Author's Note

okay i know i placed a tag for flitter and cloudchaser which is always a package.
it's actually only flitter in this story.

Ah had five!

Dash began undoing the strap-on as fast as she could. It seemed to work against her as it ended up in a knot through the hustle. By the time she pulled out the shaft from inside her and zoomed out of the bar, Applejack was already long gone out of sight but she did leave a trail of confused passersby looking behind they backs and muttering amongst themselves, wondering what happened. Dash followed the direction hoping her speed would now be a great advantage to her.
Applejack, now soaking in the pouring rain, had already boarded the hot air balloon and was half way down when she barely saw the rainbow streak through the thunderous clouds. In a panic, she dropped down the anchor hoping that gravity would work faster that way. The distraught pony hopped out of the basket and slid down the rope onto the anchor.

“Applejack! WAIT!” Dash called spotting her mare friend but Applejack was too eager to get away. Dash zoomed toward the descending Applejack, and would have caught her if Applejack didn’t decide to jump off the anchor twenty feet to the ground below. She landed with a heavy thud into the muddy dirt track and darted off as fast as her powerful legs could go. She galloped straight ahead not thinking of where she was going.

“APPLEJACK!!! PLEASE WAIT!!” Dash called again trying to maneuver through the rain as it beat heavily down on her. Hearing Dash’s voice only made Applejack go faster. Dash’s speed was surely being put to test, one which the thunderstorm played a great handicap. Soon Dash was almost in hoof range of catching Applejack.

“GIT AWAY!” Applejack screamed and bucked hard. Her powerful legs that hit Dash squarely in the chest sent Dash slamming into the tree and fall down into the mud below. Applejack turned and ran off from the dirt track and into the muddy meadow.

“A-Apple-jack...” Rainbow muttered with her eyes rolling and fading out of consciousness.

Applejack ran not caring about where she was going. When she was sure she was not being followed she stopped. She held a tiring stance, legs splayed and trembling and head hung low. Over and over the scene of Dash being with another mare played out in her mind.

“Why? Yer could’ve just said sumthing yer know. It didn’t haveta be like this.” She muttered talking to an imaginary Dash. She reach into her saddlebag and took out the diamond embellished engagement ring that she had purchased earlier. She opened the box and stared at it for a long time. Even in the darkness and the rain, it sparkled like the evening star, as if giving its own light. She closed he box and swung her foreleg back, but somehow she couldn’t bring herself to throw it away.

“WHYYYYYY RAINBOW DASH!! WHYY!!!? WHEN I LOVE YER SO MUCH!” Applejack shouted then broke down in heavy sobs again.

The roaring of the train horn bellowed in Applejack’s ears causing her to be startled and forget her grief for a moment. When she looked around she realized she had ended up close to the Ponyville train station.

“AAAAAAALL ABOARD!!” the conductor shouted. Applejack watched as a few passengers boarded the train. Then as if her mind went into auto pilot Applejack found herself seated in one of the cars, not knowing where the train was headed. She could only hope it would be far away from Ponyville and Cloudsdale.

*****

The next clap of thunder made Dash awake from her concussion. She rubbed her hooves through her mane hoping to calm her pounding head and blinked. It was still pouring hard so she couldn’t have been out for long.

“APPLEJAAAAAACK!” Rainbow took flight once again looking around from above for sight of the gamboge mare. She flew hither throughout the town but it made little sense in the rain. Finally, she gave up, flying back to Cloudsdale to retrieve her saddlebag from room six. She stormed through the bar and went straight to back. Manehatten didn’t even dare to say anything. As Dash walked into the room Flitter was already lapping at another mare she had bagged into bed with her.

“What the!...” Rainbow said in shock.

“Oh you’re back…” Flitter said unfazed. Dash couldn’t say anything as she found herself in an awkward situation. Now she knew what Applejack felt when she had walked in, “your bag is over there, if that is what you’re here for.”

“You were using me?!” Dash exclaimed.

“What? You think it was gonna be serious? It’s sex honey. Nothing more. You’re lucky. I usually don’t keep anypony longer than a week tops. I helped you forget right? And by the looks on your face now, you’re probably single again. Aren’t ya happy? Not bored anymore right?” Flitter said very arrogantly.

Dash felt like she could have bucked Flitter right there and then but she simply retrieved her saddlebag and headed out the room. Flitter was right. She had screwed up big time. Worst pony ever.

*****

“Spike, can you pass me that book on Magical Mysteries please?” the Alicorn said sipping on a cup of hot tea reading the latest journal on New Magical Developments from Canterlot.

”Sure thing Twilight” Spike said running to the bookshelf on the far end of the grand study room. Soon a huge echoing, frantic knock was heard.

“Who could that be this late??” Spike said. He handed the copy of the book over to Twilight and darted to the main door where the knocks grew more and more desperate.

“Yeah?” Spike said opening the door but was instead glomped on by a dirty mess of polychromatic colors. She seem to look as if she was considerably older and down her cheeks, a heavy stream of tears flowed. She was wet, trembling and cold.

“Rainbow!... Sweet Celestia! What happened?!! Come in quickly!!”

“Where’s Twilight, Spike?”

“She’s in her study…” the dragon responded ushering in the weather pony.

“Spike? Who’s there? RAINBOW!!” Twilight said in horror and rushed over to her friend.

“I’ll get another cup of tea!” Spike said and darted off to the kitchen. Twilight held the mare close and escorted her to the study. She levitated a few blankets and helped Rainbow to the fireplace and covered her. Spike meanwhile brought the steaming cup and set it down next to Rainbow.

“I-I screwed up Twi…” Dash started.

“Spike... could you?” Twilight said and Spike knew exactly what she meant. He quickly went out of the study and closed the door.

Twilight sat next to Dash and didn’t speak. Dash began to relay everything to Twilight about her problem with Applejack to meeting Flitter and then what had happened earlier. Twilight face grew wider and wider in shock with each revelation.

“… I’m worst pony ever Twi!” she said breaking down into heavy sobs.

Twilight looked at Dash, “Applejack told me you are behaving suspicious. I-I deduced this might have been the case.”

“What?” Rainbow said and looked at Twilight slightly confused.

“Rainbow… you ready to hear what I have to say?” Twilight’s voice didn’t sound angry but very stern and Dash braced herself. She didn’t expect sympathy for what she had done and with a single nod of the pegasus’ head Twilight let out a deep sigh and began, “Both you and Applejack are my friends and I’m very surprised at you, being the element of loyalty and all.”
Dash’s head drooped lower, “Trust is something, once lost can never be regained or takes a very long time to get back even a little of it… if you’re lucky. You shouldn’t have expected Applejack to just ‘figure out’ the issue here from being vague, you should have told her from the start. To me, a relationship isn’t built on sex alone, it’s all about the pony you’re with. If you truly love her then whether she’s ‘boring’ wouldn’t matter. You could have taken it up on yourself to spice things up between you two.”

Rainbow sank her head in her hooves as Twilight continued, “You guys have been going out for more than a year now and it seemed that you were the one who didn’t trust Applejack in the first place. You committed yourself to her and with this extent of betrayal I wouldn’t be surprised if Applejack never wants to see you again.”

“Do you hate me too now Twi?”

“What I personally think right now doesn’t matter. It’s Applejack you should be concerned about and I don’t even want to think about the rest of the girls’ reaction when they find out about this!”

Dash eyes grew wide and looked at Twilight in horror, “Twilight, please! Don’t let any of the girls know about this!”

“It’s certainly not my place to say anything, but word will get around unless Applejack hasn’t told anypony yet. If asked, I will tell the truth.” Twilight said adamantly. Dash felt that she wanted the earth to swallow her up right now. Dash looked completely stressed.

“How do you feel?” Twilight asked in a soft voice.

Dash took a deep breath. Her tired eyes began watering again, “I-I made a huge mistake. I didn’t see… I was clouded by my own selfishness and lust. I didn’t see the great thing that I had and I wanted more. I didn’t even try to let AJ know my feelings. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I love her… I-I really love her Twi…and now I lost her!!”

Twilight looked apathetically at Rainbow Dash, “Rainbow, don’t take this the wrong way but… are you sure you’re not saying all this because you got caught?”

“NO!!” Dash exclaimed adamantly, “I mean, what I did was totally wrong!.... I-I knew it but I c-couldn’t seem to help myself, I-I couldn’t stop... Ooooh Rainbow Dash! You stupid stupid asshole!! IDIOT!” Dash began to smack herself. Twilight in shock froze Dash’s hooves with her magic to prevent further self-abuse.

“STOP IT RAINBOW! This won’t fix anything.”

“I need to fix this Twi... before... before it’s too late. I gotta get her back.”

“Just how will you do that? I don’t think beating yourself up will do that.”

“I-I don’t…. first, I’m gonna find her and talk to her.”

“You sure she’d want to see you?”

“I gotta try,” Dash said, “it’s okay Twi. Lemme go.” Twi released Dash’s hooves and Dash got up from her place and threw the blanket off. She began to make her way back to the front door.

“Rainbow Dash!” Twilight called causing the other mare to stop and whip her head back, “you’re really stupid!!!... But I’m still your friend.”

******

Dash sheepishly approached Sweet Apple Acres. The storm has ceased and the mare was exhausted from a search all around town including the local watering hole that Applejack loved to visit. Dash walked up the porch steps and sucked in a deep breath. She gingerly rapped at the door a couple of times. Soon she heard hoof steps approaching. The door unhinged and swung open, revealing the giant red stallion that was Applejack’s brother. Upon seeing Dash, he immediately became confused.

“Rainbow Dash! What in the hay! Come in!” Big mac said and Dash gingerly stepped inside the house. Big Mac closed the door.

“What brings yer by so early? Where’s AJ?” the stallion asked.

“Ummm… I’m also looking for her.” Big Mac face began to show a concerned look.

“She didn’t come back here since yesterday afternoon. Last thang she told me was she was gonna see yer.” Bic Mac said. Dash felt her chest tighten, “di-did sumthang happen between y’all?”

“Y-yeah… it’s a long story,” Dash swallowed a lump, “I uuuh… I sorta umm…. I uhhh ch—” Big Mac held a hoof to Dash’s mouth.

“’member when y’all first started goin’ out an’ I warned ya never tuh hurt her or make her cry?”

“Y-yeah.” Dash said while starting rubbing her forelegs together out of sheer nervousness.

“Eeeeyup. Ah dun wanna know what happened ‘cause ah might not be as calm as ah’m tryin’ tuh be right now. Just know this…. if anything bad happens to her an’ it is yer fault, ah will hunt yer down. Ah will hunt yer down like a timberwolf sees a jackalope on a warm summer’s night, so Luna help me. Yer got that?” Big Mac said very calmly. His muzzle was pushed up against hers and his angry eyes were piercing holes through her skull. Dash saw quite a bit of Applejack in him. She gulped and nodded her head vigorously.

“I-I’m gonna go look for her now so…… yeah.” Dash said and quickly scrambled to get the door open and flew off with great speed once she was in the clear. She sighed in relief but was still shaking all over. She thought about her next move, “Come on AJ where are you?”
Dash decided to fly over Ponyville once again in hopes of spotting the orange mare. At this time, ponies were up and about minding their own business.

“Should I maybe ask a few ponies?” Dash thought, “But they would’ve been sleeping…. it’s worth a try.”

Dash flew down and began asking about Applejack. Everypony shook their heads and trotted off. Dash, too afraid to approach any of her other friends, decided that it was best not to ask them. Instead she snooped around their places for signs of her ~~mare friend~~ ex. Everypony was going about their business like any other normal day.

“Uuugh! Where could she be?!” Dash muttered to herself as she just flew off from spying in Sugar Cube Corner. Dash was really exhausted by now seeing that she hadn’t gotten any sleep during the night. She settled unto a low cloud which had turned gray hoping to get a quick snooze then to resume her search. As she curled up into a ball. A slurred voice was singing.

Why do ah loooove yous
Dun even wan’ to
Why do ah loooove yous liksh ah do *hic*
Liksh ah alwaysh dooooo
You should've told meee
Why did yous haveta be untruuuuu *hic*

Where’d you gooooo apple of me eye *hic*

Dash instantly dove off the cloud and landed on the pony, “Berry Punch!”

“Gerroff!! Oooh shup Daaaash *hic*”

“Ummm, nice song you’re singing.” Dash began.

“Yaaa, ishn’t it *hic*? Came into mah heah lasht niiiight” Berry said tapping the side of her head while grinning.

“Okay, you came up with that on your own? Or did something inspire you to sing it?”

“Oh nuffink much happened. Jush wash on mah way tuh… uhhh… get me a drink when.. whasis her name? *hic* Applejenny? Applejoe?”

“Applejack. You saw her?” Dash questioned.

“Yesh offisher! Ah already had five!”

“Berry, what about Applejack?” Rainbow said and shook Berry anxiously.

“*hic* Oooh, she wash really loud! Shkreamin’ WHY! WHY! WHYYYYYYYYYYYY!...*hic*” Berry said while trying to do a poor impersonation of Applejack. “I wash goona getz her to come wich me to get a beer but she ran *hic*…..away.”

“Where? Where’d she go Berry?”

“Lesh sheee…. It wash….. it wash…. shay... anypony ever told you, you look like shkittles?"

"BERRY!"

"Oooh right... she went on da train, yaaaaaa. I shaw her by the train station…”

“Do you know what time? Where to?”

“Hmmm…. Yesh princhess…. ah like bananash very much… “

“Damn it!” Dash groaned as now she exhausted Berry into falling asleep right there. She wasted no more time and zoomed straight to the train station. She examined the schedule for all the late night and early morning trains.

“There are like ten of them! What time was it? Damn it I don’t even know!!!” Dash tried her best to deduce the time that all the events occurred, “let’s see… 1:47… Manehatten.”
She then looked at the schedule for the next Manehatten train, “11:00. That’s in two hours. Okay.”
Dash bought her ticket and settled on the bench, waiting. Her eyes instantly drooped shut for a long awaited slumber.

******

The blaring of the train whistle roused Applejack from her slumber. She blinked her eyes which were all swollen and puffy from crying. Groggily she slid herself to the window and looked out. She still wasn’t sure where she was or headed.

“’cuse me,” she said, nudging the passenger on the next seat, “where’s this train headed?”

“Dodge City.” responded the passenger.

“Thanks.” Applejack said. She looked out the window and stared into the great wilderness as it passed by. All the events played over and over in her head.

“What the hay are yer gonna do now Applejack?” she said to herself. She once again felt the box inside her saddlebag. She took it out and looked at the ring. A pain surged through her chest and she felt as if she was ready to die. Tears began flowing freely from her eyes again.

“What’s wrong sugar?”
Applejack became startled by a warm voice. She quickly wiped her tears and looked at the source, “Applejack? Is that you?”

“Miss Jubilee!”

“Why ah haven’t seen you since ages now! How have yer been sugar?” Cherry Jubilee said standing at Applejack’s seat.

“Well ah guess everythang’s fine.” Applejack tried to feign.

“Not by the looks of it. Anything ah can do tuh help?” Cherry took a seat next to Applejack. Applejack pondered for a few minutes with uncontrollable tears brimming to her eyes again, “There there. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Applejack began to relate everything to Cherry, about her relationship with Dash, to her planned engagement, her suspicions and the events of last night. During all the time it took to tell the entire sequence of events, the train slowed down coming to a halt.

“DODGE JUNCTION!” announced the conductor.

“Come with me dear. I gots something tuh show yer.” Cherry took Applejack by the hoof and the two mares walked out of the train.

Author's Note

Why do I love you
Don't even want to
Why do I love you like I do
Like I always do
You should've told me
Why did you have to be untrue

Song by Westlife

i used this song because i thought it captured AJ's feelings well.
too bad it's berry singing it.

We danced in the rain

The bellowing of the train whistle caused Dash’s sleep to be disturbed. “MANEHATTEN!” the conductor yelled.

It’s been almost a full day since she left Ponyville in search of her beloved. “AJ’s got a lot of relatives all over Equestria.” She muttered to herself, “I hope I’m right on this first shot. She might be staying with her aunt and uncle Pear.... no… zucchini?”

Rainbow flew off toward the nearest postal service. “Hey, can I borrow your address directory?”

“Sure.”

Rainbow flipped through the pages looking through alphabetically.

“Aubergines, Bananas, Kumquats…Oh Horse apples! Why does all her family have to be fruit?!” Dash said frustratingly. After flipping through a few more pages she finally remembered, “Oh Orange… ORANGE that’s it!” She quickly noted the address, took directions and afterward zoomed out of the post office.

She flew into the neighbourhood and stopped at a large apartment building. “This looks like the right place…” Dash walked up and pressed the bell.

“Yes. Hello?”

“Um... Hi Aunty Orange. I’m Rainbow Dash, a friend of Applejack.”

“Just a sec please,” then the lock clicked, “do come up dear!”

Dash sheepishly went up to the fifth floor apartment and knocked. Her heart beat a mile a minute and she nervously rubbed her forehooves together. Her mind was a whirlwind of apologetic thoughts and words of sentiment. The clicking of door locks only made her feel more anxious than ever. The door slowly opened revealing a well dressed mare and a hair style that looked like it came from a classic period.

“Hello dear, do come in!” Auntie Orange said gesturing in Dash, “Would you like some tea?”

“No thanks. Sorry to intrude but I won’t be staying long,” Dash said as she took just a few steps in, “Um… is Applejack here by chance?”

“Applejack? Why, no dear! I think the last time I heard from her was about five months ago. Why dear? Is something wrong?” Auntie Orange’s voice turned from one of fluttery sweet to concern.

“No no! Nothing bad happened!” Dash said quickly, “I mean… yes. She’s…run away because of me.”

Auntie Orange just stared at Dash for a few minutes, “I think you could really use a cup of tea. Do have a seat dear.”
With that she trotted into the kitchen, while Dash gingerly made her way to the exquisite flower design sofa and sat down. Dash’s eyes examined the living space. She chuckled to herself as she remembered how Applejack would speak about how she despised living with Aunt and Uncle Orange as a filly. ‘Too froofy’ and ‘too hoity toity’ she would have used to describe living here and Applejack was right. But if she hadn’t come here she would have never figured out that she loved Sweet Apple Acres, loved Ponyville, loved Dash. Dash’s face saddened.

“Here we go dear! A nice cup of herbal orange peel tea. Be careful. It’s hot.” Auntie said back to her fluttery voice.

“Um thanks.” Dash sipped lightly on her tea. She was quite uncomfortable as much as Applejack would have been being in this froo-froo apartment.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Auntie Orange asked sitting down on the other side. Dash looked hesitant, “Oh don’t worry dear, and I won’t judge you or anything. I know how Applejack feels about the time she stayed with us. This is our lifestyle and I know she was uncomfortable with it but I love her dearly. I know you love her dearly too to come all this way looking for her.”

Dash sighed and related the events to Auntie Orange; afterward she broke down into sobs. Auntie Orange kept a straight expression.

“I know how you feel dear.”

“You do?” Dash said with her voice cracking. This time Auntie Orange sighed and looked away from Dash. Her eyes teared up.

“I cheated once.”

“What?! Y-you did?”

“Yes….” She said sadly, “you see we didn’t always live like this. We were poor when we came to live here in the city. Uncle Orange worked hard every day. Which meant he left me alone most of the time.” Auntie explained.
Dash could only listen intently. “I went shopping one day and there was the most charming of stallions sipping tea at the café I stopped at. From Prance he was, Chardonnay. Anyway we stroke up a conversation and I felt wonderful. Not… ignored. Every day we would meet at the café to have tea. Then it turned into something more. He was so debonair. We would meet at the café and go to a hotel afterward. But one day, I learnt he was Uncle Orange’s partner in business. I felt so terrible! I tried to break it off but I was already so deep in. One day he came over to meet Uncle Orange but he hadn’t come home yet. He seduced me once again and Uncle came home at the same time. You can imagine how devastating it was.”

Dash’s mouth was agape in shock, “I know.”

Auntie continued, “Anyway, Chardonnay moved away after that and Uncle became closed up. He wouldn’t speak to me, nor sleep in the same bed, nor eat. I apologised to him so many times, became such a faithful and good wife but that trust he had in me was gone.”

“What happened then? You’re still together.” Dash said.

“Yes, I loved Uncle. And deep down I knew he loved me. He grieved. But I was determined. It took my all but I made a public confession.”

“You did what?!”

“On that day, it was raining. He packed his bags ready to leave but I ran out into the street and I shouted out on the top of my lungs what I did and how sorry I was. I then sang our wedding song…. Uncle broke into tears then. I asked him for a dance right there in the rain and we did. The neighbor had that song on record and she played it for us.”

Dash still had her surprised expression.

“That night we talked and talked like it was our first date again. From then we communicated every day. We told each other everything and slowly we began to trust each other again. We moved out of that apartment to start new here. Applejack was born by then I think.”

“Communication…” Dash repeated.

“If you love her, talk to her. Show her how much she means to you.” Auntie said with a smile. Dash unexpectedly gave Auntie a hug which she returned, “Finish you tea dear and stay the night.”

“Thank you but I’ve got to keep looking.”

“Stay the night dear and you can start fresh tomorrow. You could try our relatives in Fillydelphia.”

Dash couldn’t turn Auntie Orange down. Auntie Orange smiled as she hugged Dash. “Now I’ll get you something to eat.”

Applejack followed Cherry along the dusty roads of the country town. The road that took them to Cherry’s farm was not far but Applejack became confused when Cherry just trotted past it.

“Where’re we goin’ Ms. Jubilee?”

“Oh y’all see!” Cherry said happily. They continued to trot along until they came upon a newly built saloon in the busiest part of Dodge Junction. “Here we are!”

“What is this place?” Applejack asked looking confused.

“Why, this is mah new joint! I call it ‘The Bloody Duchess’!”

“The Bloody Duchess?” Applejack repeated raising an eyebrow.

“I know the name sounds a bit weird… but y’all see why. Come on!” Cherry trotted up the steps and into the saloon with Applejack just behind.
As they entered, Applejack’s eyes opened wide. It wasn’t a regular western saloon as it looked on the outside. It had a very contemporised, dance club style with that western touch. Posters of famous hoofball players, sapphire shores, and other celebrities were tastefully placed along the walls. A huge multicoloured disco ball shone at the centre, moving lights and there were orange neon lights that ran at the side of the ceiling’s moulding. Fog machines were in each corner of the room and the bar had every single drink that were available in Equestria. The DJ booth had the works of surround sound and there were poles that ran vertical from the counter top to the ceiling. A few customers were enjoying their drinks at little individual tables and the lounge seats looked very welcoming.

“Howdy Ms. Jubilee!” a mint green mare with brown hair greeted from behind the bar.

“Howdy Minty! How yer doin’ today?”

“It’s great! Quiet mornin’! Ah guess it’s the usual calm before the storm!”

“Minty this is Applejack. Applejack, Minty.”

“Howdy!” Minty said cheerfully. Applejack returned the greeting.

“Have a seat!” Cherry said inviting applejack up to the bar and walking behind the counter. Applejack slowly made her way up to the bar stool and sat down still looking around.

“Uuuh… nice place!” Applejack complimented.

“Why thank you!” Cherry said while she worked her mixing magic and poured Applejack a cocktail she’d never seen before.

“What’s this?” Applejack asked.

“This is why this place is called the “Bloody Duchess”. It’s one of the new drinks Ah created from my cherries. They’re all red in color. Ah call this one ‘Pop Yer Cherry’.”

Applejack took a sip of the cocktail. The smoothness of the mix felt satisfying and the taste of cherries added a sweet tingly feeling to Applejack’s tongue.

“WOW! This is great!” Applejack said surprised.

“Really? Thanks! The drinks have become really popular here now and mah place is startin’ tuh get crowded each night. Now it’s slow but wait a couple of hours. Minty, would yer mind puttin’ on sumthang that would lighten the mood? Make it fun?”

“Sure thang Ms. Jubliee!” Minty walked over to the DJ Booth and put on one of Sapphire Shores’ hits. Applejack couldn’t help but tap her hoof and rock her head to the beat while sipping her Pop yer Cherry.

“What’re the poles for?!” Applejack asked but had to scream to be heard over the music. Cherry simply whispered to Minty which confused Applejack. Suddenly Minty jumped up on the counter and started dancing. Her moves were quite suggestive but not as much as an exotic dancer. She gyrated her flank and danced quite in rhythm to the beat around the pole and on it.

“Oh.” said Applejack simply while blushing hard. The patrons that were there looked enjoying the show.

“WHOOO! IS IT STARTIN’ ALREADY?” cried one of them. But when the song finished, Minty jumped off.

“Really interestin’ place….” Applejack muttered. She gulped down her drink and walked away from the counter. Cherry trotted up to her.

“You okay dear?” Cherry asked.

“Yeah. yeah… didn’t expect this place to be a strip joint.” Applejack responded.

“It’s not a strip joint.” Cherry said, “Minty isn’t a stripper. She’s a dancin’ barmaid. She doesn’t wear those stockings or anythang nor take money.”

Applejack simply raised her eyebrow. Cherry smiled, “Jus’ stay till the night’. Y’all see.”

***************

Applejack spent the rest of the afternoon touring Dodge Junction and was treated thanks to Cherry. By the time Luna raised the moon, all the lights came on and the music was bellowing thru the town. Applejack remained by the counter and at least a hundred patrons were crammed in the saloon and the bar was busy with Minty and Cherry tending to the patrons’ needs.

“Pretty busy... no, really busy…” Applejack thought. The music and the disco lights livened the place that patrons were really enjoying themselves.

“Mind helpin’ me out here in the back?!” Cherry bellowed to Applejack.

“Huh?”

“Come on back ‘ere!” Cherry waved. Applejack squeezed her way through and at first looked confused. Cherry instructed Applejack on the few simplest cocktails and within thirty minutes Applejack had already gotten the hang of it.

“Pretty good! Yer seem tuh be a natural!” Cherry complimented. Soon the hit songs began to play and then Minty, as if by cue, got up and started to dance, while Applejack and Cherry served. The patrons, mare and stallion alike cheered Minty on. Applejack did noticed it really was unlike an exotic dancing. It was pure entertainment.

“Hey new girl!! Let’s see yer dance!” cried one of the stallion patrons.

“She’s just helpin’ me out, Buckwheat!” Cherry cried.

“Come on! She’s a beautiful mare! What’s yer name?”

“Apple…uh… Jewel” Applejack said.

“Yer drunk!” Cherry retorted.

“Ah’d buy the entire joint beer if Applejewel dances!” the crowd cheered more loudly than ever, “Come On! APPLEJEWEL!! APPLEJEWEL!! APPLEJEWEL!! APPLEJEWEL!!” the crowd joined in on the chant.

“Yer dun have to Applejack.” Cherry whispered to her.

Applejack suddenly thought of Rainbow in bed with the other mare. She gulped down one of the cocktails and hopped up on the counter.

“Y’ALL READY FER THIS?!!” Applejack cried.

“YEAH!!!!”

The DJ put on a new hit song and Applejack began to imitate Minty’s moves. Then she started to add her own variations that made her look even sexier. Her well-toned muscles added an extra spark to the spectacle. The patrons were ogling at Applejack with somewhat of a lust. Her moves went on for two whole songs. By the time the last song finished and Applejack was breathing heavily the crowd gave a heavy outburst of jubilation and restarted the chant of Applejewel’s name. Applejack hopped off the counter and Cherry quickly pulled her to back.

“Yer okay, honey?”

“Yeah!!!” Ah just felt alive!” Applejack said.

“Yer shouldn’t have if yer didn’t want to.” Yer was jus’ helpin’ me out.”

“A-Ah wanted to…” Applejack said.

“Yer sure yer alright?”

“Ah’m fine Ms. Jubilee. Let’s get back out there. The customers’re waitin’.”

“Okay.” Cherry said and patted Applejack. They returned to the bar floor and for that night the profit was doubled.

“Here…” Cherry said and gave Applejack a pouch full of bits.

“Ah can’t take that Ms. Jubilee!”

“Yer helped me out Applejack. It’s yers.” Cherry said seriously. Applejack took the pouch. “Applejack… would you like to work here?”

“Huh?”

“Yer told me yer weren’t ready tuh go back tuh Ponyville. Would yer like to stay here a while an’ work? The pay’s good. Better than the cherry orchard.”

Applejack thought. “I’d like that.”

Author's Note

Woot!

A new long awaited chapter!
I hope you like it.

Rival

Rainbow got up the next morning, fresh and felt she could conquer the day, or better find Applejack. She thanked Uncle and Auntie Orange for their hospitality and flew off.
She took the train partly to Fillydelphia but had to fly the rest of the way when it broke down midway. Auntie gave Dash a picture of Applejack to help her in her search. She ate lunch as soon as she landed and headed over to the biggest apple orchard on the outskirts of the city. Auntie Applerose, whose son ran the farm, insisted that Dash eat lunch again before leaving the farm. Dash had to fly low due to the over bulge in her stomach.

Dash walked around the city showing the picture and asking about whereabouts but it was frustrating that she was either ignored or came up empty handed. Applerose’s son suggested Hoofington and Appaloosa as her next best choices.

Five days went by as Dash approached Appaloosa by train. She made sure to send Braeburn a message by telegram so that he can start looking around for her. Hoofington was no good because when she arrived Applejack’s cousins weren’t even at home. So she walked an entire city for a day and a half looking for Applejack by herself. As the train whistle blew, and the announcer bellowed ‘APPLEOOSA’ she zoomed out of the train. She knew Braeburn was Applejack’s cousin and he would go nuts if he knew she was missing. Sure enough, Braeburn was waiting for her looking panicky.

“Did you find her? Did you find Applejack?!”

“Ah raised the alarm all over Appleoosa but nopony said they saw her.”

Dash dropped to her haunches. It’s been almost a week now and she was not getting anywhere. Where did Applejack go to? Is she alright? If anything bad happens it’s her fault! Braeburn patted Dash’s shoulder.

“’Tis gonna be okay. Applejack is a very strong mare. Stronger than she looks.”

Suddenly a carriage stopped pulled by four stallions. They dismounted.

“Awwww wow! Didja see the show las’ night?! I tellin’ yer that place is rockin’!” the first stallion said.

“Yer’ve been goin’ on ‘bout that place fer the whole ride Gunsmoke. We know. We were there too.” The second said in frustration.

“But, but that Applejewel! Awwww she’s just…. MMMM…. That body! Damn if I could jes’ get a chance….”

“Yer ain’t never getting’ a chance! She wants a pony, not a jackass!”

"FUCK Y'ALL!" The other stallions guffawed and Gunsmoke trotted off in anger.

“What are they talking about?” Dash asked Braeburn.

“There’s a new place, sumthin’ fierce, over at Dodge Junction, I heard e’rypony’s rantin’ about. It’s got new drinks and a show that blows e’rypony’s minds away. Ah never went.”

“I gotta keep lookin’ Braeburn so I can’t stay. I’m going to go back to Ponyville to see if anypony heard from her.”

“You take care o’ yerself, yer hear? If ah hear anything I’ll let yer know right away!”

“Thanks Braeburn!” and with that Dash flew off.

Over the next week, the Bloody Duchess’ popularity steadily rose. Not only because of the amazing new brews, but because of the sexy dancing spectacles to see while enjoying it. Ponies from the neighboring towns began flocking almost every night to taste the new drinks and see ‘Applejewel’ and ‘Mint Flavor’ perform. Applejack and Minty upgraded their performances to include a duo. Their sensual acts became so dynamic and new that rumors of the club were spreading rapidly all over Equestria. In the dusty earth pony town, the streets were now recently bustling with unicorns looking for a good time.
The saloon which only caters to hold one hundred and fifty patrons was now bursting with over two hundred each night. Cherry had to hire five bouncers to cope with the crowd.

Applejack had well adjusted to her new job and the pay for just a two nights was more than the cost of Dash’s engagement ring. Cherry had treated Applejack and Minty to the spa to freshen their looks and had cherry-embellishments and glow in the dark fringes added to their hats and nightly wear. Applejack stayed with Cherry for two days then she found a nice little apartment in the now bustling country hub. Cherry wasn’t kidding when she said that the pay was better than the orchards. The club was almost full and the atmosphere was brimming with heightened exuberance of dance hits and the blood-colored cocktails. The three mares were busy serving at the bar while patrons were increasingly coming in.

“What can ah git yer, Buckwheat?” Applejack bellowed over the counter to the stallion who comes almost every night.

“Do yer legs hurt from runnin’ through mah dreams every night?!”

“No, they hurt from dodgin’ corny lines like that all night,” Applejack retorted, “what’s yer order?”

“A Red Wings.” Buckwheat said disappointed once again.

Applejack wasted no time in mixing up Buckwheat’s order. Then she noticed beyond the din of the crowd another flock of pegasi coming in. She didn’t recognize any of them.

“There’s a lot of pegasi here tonight! That’s the third flock!” she said to Cherry.

“Ah heard that the rumors have spread all the way to Las Pegasus and has recently reached Cloudsdale!” Cherry explained.

Applejack felt a tight knot as she thought of Dash. Then two pegasi squeezed their way up to the counter.

“We heard this place… Wow! You are one beautiful mare!”

“Yer were sayin’?” Applejack cued after a few seconds to snap the pegasus mare out from her ogling stupor.

“Um…yes… we heard that this place is fucking rave! I can see why! You got a drinks menu?”

Applejack pointed upward to a large board that had the list of drinks.

“Okay. First I wanna… pop yer cherry then have two dirty hard ruts on the counter, two bloody screaming orgasms and…. what?!”
the mare asked Buckwheat who was spurting his drink through his nose and snorting. He shook his head “Nothin’.”

“Yer wanna finish that off with a cherry creampie? They’re complimentary.” said Applejack straightfaced while whipping up the mixtures. She placed them on a tray and handed it over to the mare. The mare attentively watching Applejack gave the bits worth and walked away. Only then Applejack thought ‘she looks a bit familiar. Where have Ah seen her before?’

The night went on with the DJ pumping up the music to the latest rave hits.

“Y’ALL READY FER THIS?!” the DJ bellowed over the mic.

“YEAH!” screamed the usual customers. The newcomers, the unicorns and pegasi, didn’t know what to expect and they looked surprised at the crowd’s enthusiasm but they joined in.

“I SAID ARE Y’ALL READY FER THIS?!”

“HELL YEEAAAAAH!"

“Then say the code word APPLEMIIIIIINT!”

“APPLEMINT! APPLEMINT! APPLEMINT! APPLEMINT! APPLEMINT!!!”

The DJ began a new hit remix and the two barmaids then hopped onto the counter and began their sultry dances. Applejack and Minty coordinated themselves to move naturally in sync with the music, dancing on the poles. They gyrated their flanks and did some vividly stimulating moves solo and with one another. Then Minty suddenly picked up and poured a cocktail over Applejack’s neck and chest. Applejack wasn’t sure what Minty was doing, this wasn’t part of the act but she had to play along. Soon she felt a wet slick coming up along the center of her chest and right up to the tip of her neck. Minty had licked the cocktail right off her. She felt a shiver of excitement emanating throughout her body. She forgot where she was for a moment and gave a throaty, sexy moan with her tongue licking her lips. The crowd suddenly burst out “WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!” with thunderous hoof claps drowning the music. The pegasi newcomers, male and female, all had their wings up very rigid. Those who were up in the air had to come down. The stallion patrons became quite uncomfortable looking at their underbellies for some reason.

The act went on for two songs. Then they hopped off to resume their work. Then suddenly they had to deal with a mob who wanted to buy double the drinks just to get closer. Applejack could hear Buckwheat crying, “Hey!!! I saw her first! Gerroff!!!!”

Cherry was shocked. That night they made so much money that Applejack made four times the amount she would normally earn. She had, in over a week, made her salary at Sweet Apple Acres in one year. Cherry gave Applejack and Minty the biggest bear hug and congratulated them on helping her place rise.

Applejack had well made her name. She had gained a lot of admirers. ‘Too many fer mah own good!’ she thought. Stallions and mares kept asking her for her address. Cherry made sure to protect her. Every time somepony got too friendly, the bouncers stepped in to take over the situation. The evening just started and the crowd wasn’t all that bad yet. The three mares were setting up the bar, getting ready for the night.

“Yer okay Applejack?”

“Yeah Ms. Jubilee, why?”

“Just makin’ sure that all ‘this’ isn’t becoming too much fer ya, seeing what yer going through an’ all.”

“I was jus’ thinkin’ since this place has gotten so popular, what if mah ex walks in? I dunno how ah’ll handle that.”

“Yer dun have to. Ah’ll set mah bouncers on ‘em… that is if yer want that.”

Applejack chuckled, “Thanks Ms. Jubilee.”

“Yer know, ah’ve been thinkin’ Applejack, that your ex didn’t appreciate what she had an’ yer such a beautiful mare in an’ out. Someponies go through that but it doesn’t make ‘em bad. They just forgot. Sometimes they gotta see what they took fer granted… an’ ah still see that there's love there.”

Applejack had a sad smile.

Cherry continued, “Do yer know why I gave yer this job?”

Applejack looked confused, “Why?”

“It’s tuh git yer mind off things. Not to wallow is self-pity and hate yerself fer not being enough. Tuh see a new perspective of how yer life has been, how beautiful yer are how dynamic yer can be and maybe somepony new who can see all the beautiful things about yer might come along. As far as ah can see…. It’s workin’.” Cherry said with a smile, “…an’ yer know what Applejack? Ah want that ex of yers tuh walk in here! See what she’s lost!”

Applejack also smiled and shook her head.

“It’s openin’ time!” Minty alerted.

Buckwheat as usual was one of first patrons to come in.

“What’s the order?” Applejack asked much deadpanned. She knew what was coming.

“Do yer have a map? Ah’m gettin' lost in yer eyes.” Buckwheat said fluttery.

“Sorry, no map. So why don’t yer just get lost?” Minty and Cherry burst out laughing at Applejack’s retort.

“A beer please.” Buckwheat couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

Then Applejack saw the same pegasus mare from the previous night walk in and sat down a seat away from Buckwheat. ‘She does look familiar’ Applejack thought again.

“Howdy! Yer the same mare from las’ night. Yer here early….”

“Yeah. I really enjoyed myself. Just thought I’d come again since I’m in town.”

“Oh? What can ah git yer?”

“I really liked that Pop yer Cherry.” The mare said. Applejack whipped up the drink and passed it over. Applejack waited for the mare to pass the bits but she didn’t.

“Thirty five bits.” Applejack said.

“Sorry, but you owe me a drink.”

“Why?”

“Because when I looked at you last night, I dropped mine.”

“That…. is so corny!” Applejack said but she laughed. The mare laughed too. She thought it was way worse than Buckwheat’s but she couldn’t think of a comeback. And this mare reminded her a lot of Dash.

“I’m Lightning Dust. Came all the way from Las Pegasus.” she said smiling and finally passing over the bits.

Applejack thought of Cherry’s words earlier. “Applejewel.” she said.

“Is that your real name?” Lightning said sipping her drink. Applejack sucked at lying so she didn’t answer but simply looked teasingly at Lightning. Soon more customers need her attention. Buckwheat looked at Lightning with much rivalry and jealousy. The night went on but Lightning didn’t leave her place except to go to the bathroom but kept ordering with Applejewel as her preferred server. During the heightened performance of the Applemint duo, Lightning kept her eyes on Applejack, with a wing boner she couldn’t keep under control. Buckwheat found this annoying as her feathers were touching his cheek.

Applejack hopped down panting. She picked up her water bottle and downed the fluid, while the influx at the counter was building up.

“That was alright.” Lightning said looking unfazed.

“Alright? Just Alright?” Applejack said with a raised brow, “yer wings seem tuh say otherwise.”

“Just a normal thing for pegasi. But I thought it was alright.”

“Ah work mah flanks off tuh pull those moves off! Everypony else thinks it’s great!”

“Well maybe I’m just gonna have to see it again. Maybe I can give a better opinion then. How about I come by during the day? And I bet 20 bits you're gonna turn me down on that.”

“Well ah say you come by tomorrow an’ ah’ll show yer!” Applejack said with her competitiveness kicking in.

“Fine. I’ll come by then.” Lightning said smiling and sipping her drink once again. Applejack walked off to the next customer.

“Smooth...” Minty whispered to her and gave Lightning a high hoof.

Author's Note

I’m glad my mother tongue is E. Creole.
I think, for me, writing Applejack’s lines are super easy.