I stood in the middle of the east orchard at Sweet Apple Acres. Rather, I sat among the branches of an apple tree. It's fruits, held by the branches, glistened, covered with water from the rain I had just cut off. I ended up here during my weather run, though not completely for weather. I shook my head vigorously trying to get back on task. 'I have a job. I don't have time to just sit here.' It was then I saw why I had asked to be assigned here.
A mare with an orange coat trotted out of the bright red barn that still had a certain pink pony's face on the side. The mare's blonde tail bounced as she came out into the fields. In fact she looked like she was headed straight for me, so I pretended to sleep as I usually did.
All of the sudden I felt the tree vibrate, and the branches move out from under me. I thought by now that I'd be used to falling, from flying accidents and this exact situation, by now, but this small tumble took me by surprise. I stood up finding my muzzle just inches from another, orange, one. I stared into those emerald eyes I could never get tired of looking into. "Wha' do ya think y'all are doing?"
Startled by the harshness in the farmer's voice, I almost fell right back on my rump. Now that it was my turn to speak, I couldn't find my quick tongue to back me up. I don't know if was the surprise, or it was her looks but something kept me from saying what I needed. "I- I wa-..."
Applejack just started laughing. "I'm sorry sugarcube. I ain't mad at ya. Just thought I might get ya back fer all the pranks you've pulled on me." In return I half-hearted laughed along with her. She always knew how to cheer a pony up. That was one of the things I loved about her. I could never tell her how much I loved her though. Her old fashioned thinking would never allow two girls to be together. "What can I do fer ya?"
"I'm fine. I was just resting. Tons of work and training. More later in fact." All of this flew out of my mouth at a million miles per hour. I took a breath and tried speaking again. "You wanna hang out later?"
"Sure," she smiled. "It looks like you could use all the down time you can get."
That smile made me so happy. Some days, it was got me through the day. It killed me that I couldn't see it every day, or, at least, more often. "Ok. See ya 'round seven then?"
"Yep. See ya later RD."
I pushed off the ground and took to skies, wind ripping through my rainbow mane.
I finished up my jobs and headed home to spend some time with Tank. It was all a blur though. My mind was else where. AJ filled most my thoughts. Why? I asked myself. What is it about her?
I loved everything about her. Her ability to be honest, but not make it mean or burdensome. Her athleticism. Her looks. Her loyalty. It was everything I ever dreamed of in a partner. The worst part was I felt like I couldn't have her. It was like she was Daring Do, and I'd never get the chance to meet her. I had almost gathered up the courage to ask her, but something stopped me, I forget what.
Tonight's the night. I told myself. I ask her tonight.
I flew over the farm where she lived. Immediately I saw her, standing in front of the barn, waiting. I landed next to her, smiling. "There you are! I was beginning to think ya might not be coming."
"Sorry," I apologized. "Work kept me back."
"It's alright sugarcube. I set up a picnic up on the hill. You hungry?"
"Starving."
We walked up the hill and sat down on the soft blanket . We talked about work for a bit while we ate. Then she asked, "Have you thought about who you might want to settle down with?"
"Can I be honest with you?"
"Of course. Why would I ask if I didn't want to know the truth?"
'Here it goes' "Nope." 'CRAP! WHY WOULD I DO THAT!?'
"Well, I have. I want somepony who's always by my side. Somepony I can depend on... Somepony... Like you." She paused for a long while. "But I can't have you." She choked out, almost crying.
Like lightning, I was by her side, wing around her. "Why can't you?"
"It's my family. They won't let me be with another girl. And I wouldn't think you're into girls anyways."
"Look, I respect your loyalty, but who said I wasn't into girls?" She looked up at me, surprised. "I wasn't totally honest when I said I hadn't thought about it, and I'm sorry. I was just scared about the same thing you were."
"That means a lot to me Dash, but it don't change my family."
"What if they didn't know?" I hinted, try to sound as sly as I could.
"Ya mean, go behind their backs?"
"You made that sound lame, but have you got any better ideas? I really do want to be with you."
"I suppose not. When do you want to go out?"
"I'm free Friday night. That work for you?"
"Yeah, but don't go picking somewhere fancy. I can't dress up."
"You've got it. See ya later, AJ."
"Bye, Dashie" she waved as I flew off. 'Dashie... Hmm, not a bad name.'
The whole week, I felt giddy, like a kid who'd just spent a night in a candy store with free reign. My heart's desire had thrown itself at me, but, as with everything, there was a catch. It had to be a secret, kept from everypony, including our closest friends. I loved the fact we were together, but the "we have to keep it a secret" part just killed me. I wished I could just shout it out to the world.
For her, though, I'd do anything, even if it meant keeping it secret. I couldn't ruin what we had now. It was all I had ever dreamed of.
Speaking of dreams, she seemed to know how to walk in mine every night. Not that there was anything wrong with it. It just furthered my giddiness. By time the day of the date had come, I was practically jumping up and down with anticipation. Pinkie might have been jealous, or maybe just happy that I was so happy.
The thought of Pinkie Pie seemed to summon her out of thin air, even if being random was her thing. It seemed like she had used some kind of teleportation spell Twilight might use. Next thing I know, Twilight appears, standing next to Pinkie. Come on, Applejack. I think, hoping the same trick might work its magic again. Sadly, it didn't. "What's up Rainbow?" Twilight asked. "What's got you so happy?"
"Yeah, Dashie. What's up?" Hearing the name I heard when I left Applejack come out of Pinkie made me flinch.
"Why are you here? You guys some kind of tag team? And Pinkie, how did you literally appear out of thin air?"
"Well," Twilight started, "Pinkie said her pinkie sense was going off and it was something about you."
"And the other two?"
"Twilight teleported us here. We've been going out for a little bit now, and we were spending some time together. I figured she'd help me out." Pinkie chimed.
"Wait. You two are going out? Like... marefriends?" I said, realizing what Pinkie had mentioned.
"Yeah, I guess you could say that" Twilight giggled, blushing.
"Great." I sighed. "At least you two can be honest about it." 'Crap.' I hadn't meant to say it out loud, no matter how jealous I was.
"What do you mean Dashie?" There it was again. My pet name. Guess it wasn't that special after all.
"About what?" I asked trying to play coy.
"About being able to be open about us." Twilight finished for Pinkie.
Wow, they really are a tag team. "I guess I let it out." I said dejectedly. "But you guys gotta promise not to tell anyone." Simultaneously they Pinkie Promised, and I knew I could trust them. "I'm going out with Applejack."
"OH MY GOSH!" Pinkie screamed. "You guys make such a cute couple. Why would you want to hide that?"
"Shhh. Keep it down. We don't want to but... AJ's family might not be okay with... You know..."
"Oh yeah. I forgot they only recently made it legal." Twilight turned to Pinkie "I suppose never talked to our folks."
"Whatever, but if you guys have got any ideas, tell me."
"Ok Dash. Good luck."
Fluttershy was my go to pony for talking to, but I'd never break my promise to Applejack, or at least no more than I already had. I'd even tell her about what I had told Twilight and Pinkie Pie. I wanted to make sure she knew she could trust me.
Like planned, I went over to her place, when I realized 'How am I supposed to get her?'
Author's Note
Thank for reading. Watch for chapter two.
Feel free to tell me any mistakes.
See ya guys later ;)
That1Brony
Premonitions
I started trotting to the door to the house, expecting to just say we were gonna hang out. My plans were changed as suddenly as the tug that pulled me towards the barn. I knew who it was, but that didn't help hold in the scream.
I was silenced by a kiss. Though unexpected, it wasn't unwelcomed. She pulled me into the barn and we collapsed into the hay. "Thought I'd never make it through. Almost got caught, I was so giddy."
"I did." was all I could reply. I promised my self, and her, when I said I'd go out with her, I would always be honest, no matter with who.
"What?!" She exclaimed. It was as though she knew this would be coming, but, despite that, there was nothing she could do to prepare. I gave her a sheepish smile. She just frowned at me.
"Pinkie knew something was up and she and Twilight caught me off guard."
"Wait. Twilight?"
"Yeah, apparently they're going out now. I heard, got a bit jealous they could be open and slipped."
"Well at least we know Pinkie will keep the secret and keep Twilight honest."
"I'm sorry anyways."
"It's okay sugarcube. I ain't mad at ya. I'd have probably done the same thing if I were you." She leaned over and gave me a kiss, which I happily returned.
Just then I heard a rattling against the side of the barn. "You hear that?" AJ nodded. "Let's go check it out." We got up, a bit reluctantly, and went outside to investigate the scene. What was out there caught us by surprise. Curled up against the barn was a little orange filly with a messy magenta mane. Upon further inspection, they found that they recognized her as the little pegasus Crusader, Scootaloo. "Hey, Scoots! What are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be inside?
Scootaloo's teeth chattered as she responded. "I-I wo-would if I-I cou-could." She started crying.
I rushed over, Applejack by my side, and wrapped my wing around Scootaloo, bringing her closer to me to warm her up. "Scootaloo, what do you mean? Where are your parents?"
"They're not alive..."
It was Applejack's turn to ask the question on both our minds. "What do ya mean? Y'all were playing with them a couple of days ago."
"There was a fire last night." It prompted more tears out of her eyes. "I was the only one to get out. My parents and sister are dead." She broke down, crying into my shoulder. I don't know how to explain it, but I could feel the pain in those tears. Each one, as they touched my skin and rolled off my fur, bore the weight of a full sized stallion. It's how I could tell she’d held it in.
I nuzzled her, trying to get her to look back up to me. My attempts proved futile, as the young mare just kept crying. I did all I knew: embraced her and stroked her mane, softly cooing, “It'll be OK.” What I said next came out of almost nowhere, but I was prepared for it. "You wanna stay with me, Squirt?" That got her attention, and Applejack's. Scootaloo looked up, eyes almost as wide as Applejack's.
"Are you serious?" Both of them asked simultaneously
"Sure. What kind of Element of Loyalty would I be if I left you out here?"
"How would I get to your house?"
The question caught me off guard, but I was able to gather my self quickly. "I'll be there to carry you up. In fact, I'll teach you how to fly."
"Wow, you're the best Rainbow" she hugged me tight.
I looked back to Applejack. "You okay if we cut it a bit short tonight AJ?"
"Sure thing." She sounded sad when she said it though.
"Sorry AJ. I'll be here longer next time, ok?" She just nodded.
Just as I was about to take off, she came up to me and whispered in my ear, "Are you sure your ready for this? Raising a filly can be a big job." I nodded and she leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "You can always ask me for help." With that, she backed off, allowing me to take off towards my could house.
"You must be starving, Scoots!" It hit me as soon as we walked into my house. I found it ironic because I had nothing in my house; I planned to go shopping tomorrow.
"Don't worry Dash. I'm fine. I've eaten at friends' houses." She told me
"Don't lie to me Scoots. I can tell you haven't eaten."
"Wha-... How can you tell?!" She sounded surprised, as though she hadn't just shown it.
"Your face gives it away. Even then I can tell by your body." I just heard how creepy that last sentence had sounded. "What I meant to say was that..."
"I get it" she inturrupted.
"Yeah. Come, jump on. Let's grab something to eat."
She climbed onto my back and hugged my neck as I jumped off the cloud to glide towards Ponyville. As always, the wind beneath my wings felt amazing. I noticed it so much this time because I could feel her open her own wings, as if to feel as though she were the one flying. I'll make sure you get there Scoots.
Everything seemed to go pretty well. When we got to the restaraunt, Scoots ordered two whole meals and devoured them both in ten minutes flat. And I thought I ate a lot. Finally content we flew back to my house. By time I landed on the entryway to my house, I realized the little filly had dozed off on my back. I brought her back to my room and laid her down on my bed.
For all she'd gone through in the last day, she looked really peaceful. I wish I could make her life this easy all the time. I knew it was impossible, from the bottom of my heart. Even so it killed me, being helpless, but having to look strong. I knew how she felt; I'd been through it before myself, but it didn't take away from the fact I couldn't help. She'd have to learn to cope on her own. The least I could do was give her a shoulder to cry on. I figured someone would have to help her out anyways, so I let her stay as well.
I bent down and gave the little trooper a kiss on the forehead and headed down stairs. I grabbed The Maze Trotter book on my coffee table and began to read. Before I knew it, I had fallen into a similar peaceful slumber.
I woke up, splayed out across my couch, book open, laying across my chest. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and trotted up stairs to grab Scootaloo for breakfast and school. Again we went out for the meal, my house barren of food.
After we finished, I dropped Scoots off at school. “What time do you get out?”
“2:30”
“Ok, I'll be around then to pick you up.” She started to trot over to her friends. “Wait, Scoots!” I called and motioned her back. I whispered in her ear, “You can always tell your friends what's going on, ok? You don't have to though. It's just a suggestion.” She nodded and ran off to meet her friends in the school yard.
I flew off to grab some stuff and clean the house, mostly so it was more ready for Scootaloo than it was yesterday. I took the day off work to get it done, but it was well worth the time. With everything the little filly had gone through in the last couple days, she deserved only the best. Maybe I should get her a toy or something. All her stuff just got burned. I decided I'd let her decide when I picked her up.
That's when I realized that I was late. I took off like a bullet and flew as fast as I could to the school yard. When I got there, it was noticeably desolate. I walked up to the doors down knocked, hoping someone might be inside.
“Come in!” A voice called. Upon walking in, I saw it was Cheerilee, working on some paper work. She looked up and smiled. “Hello Rainbow Dash. How can I help you?”
“Do you know where Scootaloo is?”
“No, I don't. If I had to guess, I'd say she's with her friends at the farm. They have a little tree house set up out there.”
“Thanks Cheerilee!” I called over my shoulder, already running off toward the orchards.
Priority one, of course, was making sure Scoots was okay. Just as Cheerilee had said, I found them in their CMC treehouse. I went to knock on the door when I realized I had given her the choice wether or not to tell her friends about her family. So, I decided to go hang out with AJ while I waited. AB will probably come check in… On second thought, maybe not.
The whole secrecy part of our relationship made it really hard for us to actually go out. I'll go ask ask her about next time.” I found her out in the west fields. I laid in one of the tree she was going to buck next. As planned, I tumbled into the same position I had met her in last time. This time, instead of yelling, she leaned down and kissed me. “Being open about it now?”
“No! I just know nopony’s around.”
“Well, I just came to see when might work for another date.”
“I think Friday works again.”
“Okay, see ya then.” I waved good bye to her.
I sat on the bench floating beneath my house and waited Scoots to come home. Again I was reading, but this time I felt more like Twilight, sitting and reading rather than enjoying the rest of the beautiful day.
Even so, my mind was elsewhere, stuck on a certain mare. I wondered how she managed it, especially under her element. If somepony asked about her relationship status, she'd be in a tough spot. Scoots finally walked up. “Hi, Scoots! Have fun with your friends?” I realized in seconds that it might come across as sarcastic. “Honestly.”
“Yeah, I had lots of fun. Sorry I didn't wait for you at the school.”
“It's cool. You're young. You should be hanging out with your friends. Did you end up telling them?”
“No. I had meant to, but other stuff to talk about was always there.”
“Hey you wanna go grab a toy or something?”
“Dash, you don't have to-”
“No, I want to. You deserve it after all you've been through. That and it happened to your stuff as well.”
“Ok. I guess I could pick something out.”
We walked over to the toy store and I told her she could pick out anything she wanted. She ran around the store for an hour or so and came back with a small box. “What’s this?” I said, trying desperately trying to get something from the packaging.
“It's Magic: the Friendship. It's a card game I used to play with my family. Every week, we'd go down to a card shop and play in the tournament. I figured I should start rebuilding my collection.”
I could tell she truly loved the game. “Maybe I should grab a deck too. That way you could have somepony to play with.” She went and grabbed me one, and we went to pay for them.
I tried to learn quickly, but the game was not as easy as I first thought. I had expected some kind of childrens’ card game, but was rudely awoken when I saw all the strategy that went into the game. I also found, from talking to my friends, that the game was certainly not limited to just kids.
Finally, Friday came around, but this time I was prepared and went into the barn instead of trying to knock. I found her in there, and she motioned for me to lay the hay next to her. After talking for a bit, she kissed me at what seemed to be the worst possible time. Big Mac walked in just as her lips touched mine, but it didn’t stop her from kissing me. He cleared his throat, causing the other Apple in the room to jump.
Unluckily for me, her mouth was on mine, so when she jumped, her head was slammed against mine. I staggered away, hoof to my muzzle. “What do you think you're doing, AJ?” Big Mac asked. It was the first time I'd heard him actually talk and it was in hatred thrown towards me.
“I-”
“Don't bother sister. I know. We all know.” Just then, the rest of the residents walked in, Granny with a scowl on her face, but Apple Bloom had something totally different displayed on her’s. It was something between confusion and pure fear. “Get out” Big Mac grunted. “Get out, and don't come back.”
As I walked to the door, I felt as though I had to protect her from her own family. No pony ever deserves to feel this, especially because of me. It was almost like some kind of procession, each Apple lined up, ready to shun her. Last in line was little Apple Bloom. AJ tried to whisper something into her ear, but the others pulled her away. “Don't give her any of you messed up ideals.”
She stood there in a stunned daze, silent. Then she ran. As though nothing else mattered, her life was wasted and her family torn. I flew after her, knowing only kindness, trying to think in her family’s mind, helping her to understand their views, but there was no reason whatsoever for her to be punished like this
Author's Note
Thanks to everyone who reads this. I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I love doing this and I hope you guys enjoy the story as much as I do.
As always feel free to leave some constructive criticism or a like if you enjoyed it.
See ya guys later,
That1Brony3
