The sky.
It was beautiful. So free, so majestic, so cute?
There was a trail of rainbow colors all over the horizon, and for a particular reason.
Applejack found herself gawking at her marefriend, Rainbow Dash, doing some new acrobatics. Of course the pegasus somehow ended up being nearby to show off to her beloved those new tricks of hers.
However, work production on the Applefarm steadily decreased with AJ’s new ‘distraction’. Yet, she didn’t mind. After all, she was “Just enjoyin’ the show,” as she put it.
“Well Applejack, if this is why we are losing profit, then why don’t you find herself a job at pegasi watchin’?” Big Macintosh simply remarked.
“Huh? Oh sorry! I’ll get right on that. I will get them apples faster than ya can say horseradish!”
“That is what ya said about a week ago.”
Applejack chuckled.
“Sis, I’m serious. Look at all this. Ya gotta buck them apples when ya can. One day you can applebuck, and the next, ya just can’t – who knows why.”
“Alright, alright. I’ll get to it, ya hear?”
“Eeyup.”
And the Element of Honesty doesn’t lie, er doesn’t lie well. She kept her promises. Those apples didn’t know what hit them. Tree upon tree, an orchestra of thuds passed through with their landing. Blink and you’ll miss the baskets full of apples. In fact, production was never this good. Applejack would probably empty out the entire farm until-
“HEY APPLEJACK!”
“Whoa nelly!” the country mare fell backwards, landing right under the esteemed pegasus, “Why did ya do that for?”
“Well I noticed that you stopped watching me, so I figured, why not give you some company?”
Applejack started to raise her eyebrow to give Rainbow her signature look, but a twitch came out instead, “Who says I was watchin’ ya?”
“Really? I could see you like, a mile away! Besides, anypony could tell when you’re lying!”
“I beg your pardon!? I could lie whenever I so want to!”
“Then prove it oh great Element of Honesty!” Rainbow smirked.
Applejack’s ears flopped down, “I uh…”
“See? What did I say AJ? Haha!” Rainbow’s smirk changed into a laugh, cheeks blushing. Applejack followed suit.
“Look I got to hurry and finish these trees up, and then we could hang for the rest of the day.”
“Okay then sure!” She flew from tree to tree, beating her wings to shake the apples down, determined to finish up her marefriend’s work early.
“NO!” upon instinct, Applejack yelled, “Ya can’t help me!”
“Buuut I can! And, it’s not like anypony would know, right?” Rainbow gracefully glided in front of Applejack.
“Big Mac would catch on tah that. He would think that I can’t do this on my own and that sure would be a mighty problem, ‘cuz he would know exactly why I’m not doing my darnest to get this done. But I promise ya, RD. I will finish here before sundown.”
“Okay, let’s meet at Sugarcube Corner! Apparently Pinkie has another surprise for us.”
Raising her hoof, “Really another surprise? We have been dating for awhile now. I don’t see why she needs tah do an anniversary party for us every other day.”
“Not sure, but you know Pinkie! She always throws the best surprises.”
“Weeell that is true now. But wait? It’s not really a surprise if w –” before she finished, Rainbow smacked a big and passionate kiss upon the country mare’s lips. All the tension of work were released with each passing second of the luxuriant moment.
“Don’t worry about it, Apples. Just focus on your work, okay? You are the best applebucker I know!” Rainbow’s voiced cracked slightly higher than before. It made Applejack flaunt with giggles.
“Hehe, allrighty then, honey. I will work 5 times as hard to get done on time. Can’t wait.”
They muzzled their noses together and with that, Rainbow was gone and Applejack resumed applebucking, but not before having one more glance at the sky…
The farm mare barely finished before dusk came.
Her next destination was Sugarcube Corner, pretty much where all her friends hung out – it is at the center of Ponyville and all.
Right before she trotted out of the fields, her little sibling cut in, “Hey Applejack!”
“Whooaa…” the farm mare stumbled a bit before coming to a complete stop. “Oh hey, Applebloom!
“Where ya goin’?” the little filly’s curiosity peaked.
“Oh to a party! In fact, do ya want to come, sugarcube? I’m sure my little sis would be welcome tah whatever Pinkie plans.”
“Well, I was sorta, kinda thinkin’… never mind.”
“What is it? Ya can’t back out now.”
“…if we could hang out tonight?”
Applejack knew where this was going. Ever since she started dating Rainbow Dash, she barely had any time for her family. But, the problem was, Rainbow and Applejack have responsibilities that forced a short amount of time for each other already. A party was a perfect get-away through that dilemma.
“I know, Applebloom. I get it. I promise, we will hang out more soon. Especially when the harvest is over!”
“Really! Ya mean it!?” Applebloom’s spirit rose with profound excitement.
“Darn tootin’ we will!
“Yaaay!!!”
“Come along now, we got a party to get to!” With a hop, skip, and a jump, Applebloom landed right onto the older mare’s back, and she ran full steam ahead towards Ponyville.
Meanwhile in Sugarcube Corner…
“This place could surely use a touch-up,” Rarity always points out the subtle details.
“Oh I didn’t have time to clean the place up since I was setting for this super-duper awesome fantastic party! But at least Gummi here was able to do the chores for me!” As Pinkie said that, Gummi’s hoofbroom fell from his mouth. It ricocheted off a conveniently balanced wooden board and it flung a plate of cupcakes into the air.
“I GOT IT!” With mere seconds to spare, Rainbow Dash flew with her expert speed and care. Her success ended with a plate of perfectly centered cupcakes on her fore hooves.
“Another disaster averted!” Using her magic, Rarity placed a glowstick necklace around Rainbow’s neck.
“That was so amazing Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow’s biggest fan, Scootaloo, was mesmerized by pretty much everything that the pegasus does with her majestic speed.
“Oooh! It was nothin’.” Rainbow was flattered. She always loved being the center of attention. Rainbow then handed Pinkie the plate of cupcakes.
“This is quite the party you got here, Pinkie. I wonder what it is for?” Rainbow nudged Pinkie in the shoulder.
“Oh this? What I can’t just throw a party whenever I feel like it!? Hahaha! I just want to spend some quality time with all my friends!”
Rainbow asked, “Really? Not for any particular reason at all?” Even Scootaloo was a bit perplexed.
“Nope! Just a random party! We could call it, Have-a-Random-Fun-Party-Whenever-You-Feel-Like-It Day! If that’s even a thing, but who cares! Having fun is all that matters, am I right? Or am I right?” Pinkie winked excessively with her right eye. “Get it? I’m winking! With my RIGHT eye!? HAHAHA!”
Both Rainbow and Scotts looked at each other, and couldn’t resist. Pinkie’s laugh was contagious!
“We get it Pinkie. It’s not THAT funny. But it was good.”
“Great! Now that it’s settled, it is time to bust out those sweets! We will be ready in 10 minutes ponies,” Pinkie trotted to the sweets counter and started organizing all the platters. Rainbow’s mouth sort of drooled with the delightful spread.
Rarity came back to the conversation, “I wonder why we simply couldn’t have the party at Twilight’s. I mean, sure Sugarcube Corner has the best d’oevres, but still. Not to mention the lack of decency!”
“Whaaat!? This place is like our Main Squad hangout! Well besides Twilight’s castle. Who cares if it needs a little spring-cleaning!?”
“Haha, Main Squad? Really, sweet pea?” Applejack finally arrived to the party.
“Hey, it’s not like you could make a better name for the six of us?”
The orange mare scooted next to the pegasus, “I can’t argue with that.”
Rainbow enveloped AJ with her wings, and both went in for a kiss.
“Ahheem!” a familiar noise startled them.
“Hey Twilight! Ugh, what’s up?” Rainbow’s tone was a little nervous talking to the source of the sound – she knew who it came from after all.
“I know, I know, that you both are dating and all, but I just want to make sure you too keep those mannerisms under control. You don’t want the little fillies getting, you know,” she jolted left and right, then whispered, “Ideas.”
“Aww shucks Twi. We show are affections all the time in front of Applebloom and Scoots. They know what’s going on.”
“Really!?” Twilight gasped. “Oh cool. If that’s the case, then carry on. I personally don’t mind girls, so do what you two want to do…just make sure that you don’t go overboard, okay?”
“Will do!” Rainbow saluted.
When the alicorn left, both Rainbow and Applejack burst out laughing.
“Haha! That Twilight always seems to take more notice of us as of late.”
“Probably since we are dating! She’s jealous.”
“Ya think so? Well that does make a load of sense, didn’t she confess your love to ya-”
“AJ…” Rainbow gave a tug at Applejack’s tail.
A few passerby’s’ ponies at the party took notice of the conversation – probably to listen in on those juicy rumors. When Rainbow gave them all a stare, they looked away and continued walking.
“Come and get your sweets everypony! From chocolate, to muffins, to whatever you can think off, we got ‘em!” Pinkie shouts to the party guests, and just in time before things got too suspicious.
“Ooooh-kay… let’s get some cookies or something,”
“Allrighty then.”
“Hey everypony.”
“Well, butter me up and call me a biscuit! Hiya Flutters! Haven’t seen ya in a while.”
“Yeah, that true. I have been busy for quite some time – some of my relatives have been in deep trouble with some animals dwelling in their homes. But I was able to calm things down.”
“You do have a way with animals, Flutters. In fact, I have a questi-”
“Cookies girls!!!” Pinkie stuffed some thin pieces of caramel-looking cookies into the 3 ponies mouths, yes avoiding all the laws of physics and stuffing all 3 mouths at once. But those cookies are surely not made of caramel…
“Oh my! This is delicious Pinkie. What are these cookies made out of?”
“Yea, they are really tasty if I say so myself. And I come from a family of expert apple desert makin’. But these cookies taste REALLY familiar, kind of like-”
Pinkie jumped with glee, “Peanut butter, silly!”
In complete unison, Rainbow and Applejack screamed, “I LOVE PEANUT BUTTER! What!? You love peanut butter!? I love peanut butter!!!”
Pinkie smiled proudly and as she slowly trotted away, she said, “My work here is done…”
After some time, the party at Sugarcube Corner started to lessen. Ponies started to head home, including the fillies, but that doesn’t stop our lovers’ fun.
With so many peanut butter cookies to spare, Rainbow and Applejack crossed their arms and fed each other the delicacies.
“This was fun, but I actually must get going. Angel is probably worried about me.”
Talking with her mouth full, “Wait, yar leavin’ Flutters? Ya just got here! Even though it was like, I don’t know, a half hour ago that ya came, ya should stay!”
“Yeah!” Rainbow backed up AJ. “And what about my question?!”
“I don’t like to leave Angel alone for too long – he goes a bit crazy when he gets hungry. But if you like, we can talk tomorrow, Rainbow, about your question, I mean, if that’s okay.”
“Totally, Fluttershy! I understand, Tank has those issues every once in a while, so I see where you’re coming from. If that’s the case, then take care!”
“Cya, Flutters!”
“Bye girls.” With a simple wave, she flew from Sugarcube Corner.
“Well, if Fluttershy leaves then I should take my leave as well! And not to be rude, but these delicacies should be enjoyed elsewhere, at a place that is far more luxuriant than this rubbish.”
“Uhh, you are one to talk Rarity. I saw your Boutique, and it’s not something that screams organization.” Rainbow playfully snapped at Rarity’s comment.
“Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow…” Rarity came up to Rainbow, immediately though, something was wrong. The fashionista was not wearing her hat when she came in, the scarf around her neck was tattered and she was off-balance on all her 4 legs. Perhaps she had something more than a few cookies, if you know what I mean. “Do you understand that my so-called mess, is actually a controlled mess?” And she fell to the floor, then started laughing.
“Rare, you alright? Ya seem a bit…”
“Weird? Haha!”
“…under the weather. I was gonna say under the weather.”
“Don’t worry Applebell! I will make sure that this dress will be absolutely fabulous, darling!” She fell again, but something fell from within her scarf with her little tumble. It was a bottle.
“Riiight, I will take that!” Rainbow natched the bottle from Rarity’s neck. It wasn’t filled with any ordinary type of liquor. In fact, it looked homemade, and by the looks, it was a tonic. Like somepony wanted to infatuate the fashionista with a spark of love potion, wonder who that might have been, but failed miserably.
Rarity got back up and stood on her hooves, “Whew! Your welcome dear! Anyway, haha, it’s time for the most beautiful of all ponies to return to her quarters!” Despite being intoxicated, Rarity’s personality still shined through.
“Rare, do ya think ya can get home by yarself alright? Rainbow and I can help ya.”
“No, no. I’m fine, just need some time is all…” Finally, she gained enough balance and promptly left the doorway.
“Man, its late, most ponies have gone… Do you want to go home, Apples?”
“It is late, past midnight. Sure, let’s head on out.”
When they were heading home, the awkwardness set in…
“Hey, I noticed, how come don’t you call me sugarcube, anymore?”
Applejack’s cheeks fludded with redness. “Huh? Oh umm, it’s nothin’ personal, honey. It’s just that-“
“Just what?”
“I, ugh, don’t call my marefriend, sugarcube. That is more like a title for friends and close strangers.”
“Close strangers?”
“Ya know what I mean.”
The awkwardness was kicking real bad. Sure, the couple had their odd moments here and there, but this was another level of strange.
Applejack broke the silence, “Ya know, Rainbow. We are not spending that much time together that I would like.”
“You felt that way too?
Applejack nodded.
“Then we are just gonna have to make time!”
“Huh? How would we do that?”
“Umm, how about.. oh we can… uh… I got nothing.” Rainbow’s ears flopped down, but her mouth twitched.
Applejack noticed, “Is that so, sweet pea? I reckon that yar just dyin’ to say somethin’ on your mind.”
“Nope! Nothing at all AJ! I couldn’t think of somethin’ better than a basket of rotten apples?” Rainbow attempted a sad country accent.
“What?”
“Agh! I can never get the hang of your county expressions! And to be honest I don’t understand the half of what those mean! If I don’t-” Applejack gave Rainbow a deep, passionate kiss.
“Now we are even!”
They both just laughed, while the awkwardness started to dissipate.
“We will figure somethin’ out. We’ve been through tarturus and back, I’m pretty sure we will find time for each other. And if ya want, I could give ya some lessons on how tah talk country-like!”
“On second thought, that is more like your family’s thing. But thanks anyway.” Rainbow’s cheeks blushed.
As the norm, when they parted ways, they nuzzled their noses. Both to their respective homes. The farm and clouds.
“Maybe we could change that…” Applejack and Rainbow thought to themselves.
When AJ was in the 4 way intersection to go to back to the farm, she decided to meet up with Fluttershy, she left the party awhile ago – surely she’s home by now. While Rainbow decided to visit Rarity – even though she was acting a bit bizarre, it should be fine. Besides, this would be a great excuse to check up on her and she really didn’t want to interrupt Fluttershy at her cottage. They can meet tomorrow, like she said.
“Not a problem!” Rainbow thought to herself. She zipped past the ponies through the night and made her way to the Fashion Boutique.
Applejack stumbled a bit when she arrived at Fluttershy’s cottage. “Boy, I’m mighty clumsy today…” She knocked on the door. No answer.
“Figures. She should be asleep by now,” As she slowly trotted away, she was surprised to hear the door slowly open – in sync with her hoofsteps.
“Hello?” Fluttershy barely seemed awake.
Applejack whispered to not disturb her, “I’m so sorry, Flutters, I didn’t mean tah wake ya. But I just needed somepony tah talk to.”
“No problem, AJ. Anything for a friend,” She extended her hoof inside her home, lit by candlelight.
“Thanks,” the farm mare smiled as she went on in…
Rainbow didn’t hesitate busting the door down. She had a feeling that Rarity was going to be awake anyway.
She made her way through the boutique and landed square on the wall. A solid thud reverberated the store while fabric flew up into the air due to her speed.
“Oh! Look who it is! The Amazing and Powerful Rainbow Dash!” Rarity was still out of it, and didn’t seem to mind RD’s unannounced entrance. She made her way into the kitchen.
“Figures, the potion didn’t wear off yet,” thought Rainbow.
She spoke aloud this time, “Rarity I need to talk to you, do you think that you can handle that?”
“Sure darling,” as she looked in the fridge, her rear facing RD. “What do you need? Yogurt or pickles? Or a combination of the both?
“Im fine, I just need to ask you-“
“I don’t understand why you would eat yogurt with pickles but you know how ponies are - they are craaazy!” Rarity spun her hoof into the air.
“Rarity! I need you to concentrate!”
“Posterate? Oh you mean preposterous, darling! Sure I absolutely feel the same way! In fact, I may-”
“I’M THINKING OF GETTING RID OF MY WINGS!”
It finally snapped her out of her loopy state. “Your wings?! Look at them! They are gorgeous!!! I’m jealous that you bear such majestic set of feathers! Why in Equestria would you EVER get rid of them?”
“Rarity their just wings. Well,” Rainbow couldn’t help but look behind her. She loved her wings, but she loved Applejack more, she sighed. “I think that if I cut my wings, I don’t have to do pegasus related stuff and I can focus on jobs that Applejack can do. So that we can spend more time together,” she petted her wings, hoping that she wouldn’t miss flying too much.
“But you can do whatever you want dear, you can do whatever job you want. Nopony is forcing you. Actually, you don’t need to get rid of your wings at all!”
“No, Rarity. Everypony looks up to me. I’m the fastest flyer in Equestria and do errands, and…”
Rainbow wasn’t telling the truth, even the drunken fashionista could sense it, “…What is it, Rainbow?”
“Okay, I never told anypony this, so you better understand that this is hard for me.”
“Go on, I’m listening.”
“I’m gonna give it to you straight, I have skeletal growths in my bones. Something about being exposed to high amounts of fluoride, I don’t remember. The Doctor knows all about it. He says that I may need to cut my wings off since it will decrease the chance of spreading the growths and I may never fly again,” She gently lifted her wings, revealing a patch of feathers that seemed to be treated on. Rarity gasped at the sight. “So I was thinking, if I have to lose my wings eventually anyway, why not just get rid of them now?”
“Oh dear…I…I can’t tell you what to do darling. However… if you really think that it is the best idea, then follow your heart.”
“I know Rarity, I know…”
“Are you POSITIVELY sure that nothing can cure whatever you have?”
“They say that modern medicine can’t do anything at this point. Even medi-unicorns have tried, and failed.” Rainbow hunched over into Rarity’s couch.
“Alright,” She crept closer to Rainbow and picked up her cheek, raising it with her forehoof, “Go for it. You have my support.”
“Thanks Rarity,” She hugged the unicorn, being so nervous about the procedure, she never told anypony, not even Applejack, but this
way, she can surprise her. “I can help out on the farm, buck apples, pick carrots, clean up the land when it’s winter wrap up, and spend time with AJ!” Her maroon eyes light up, expecting the good times to come.
“That’s sweet dear…”
“Yeah….” They were still hugging. Rarity refused to let go when Rainbow wiggled. “Uhh, you can let me go now, Rare…”
“Just a few more seconds….”
“Agghh…” apparently Twilight wasn’t the only one with a soft side for Rainbow Dash, unless the potion truly didn’t wear off yet…
“So you want me where?” Fluttershy asked.
“At Gilda’s. I need to talk to her, she’s the final piece to this puzzle ya know.”
“Well any griffon would do really, right?”
“Right, but it’s Rainbow we’re talking about here. Griffons are pretty stubborn, but since it is for Rainbow Dash, I’m pretty sure she would live up to it.”
“If you say so.”
“I already got it covered! Don’t worry about a thing!”
“I just mean that it will take a little convincing. I’m willing to help you, but that’s because your one of my closest friends – I can’t say no to you.”
“Like I said, don’t fret. I will get her on board in no time at all!”
When morning broke, the two ponies, Rainbow and Applejack, paid no heed to anything. They decided to meet up with each other at dawn. Apparently they had things to say…
“Yo Apples!”
“Hey RD!”
They both drew in and gave each other a big smooch.
“So, you wanted to talk to me? What about?”
“Oh, you said that ya needed to tell me somethin’ so why not ya go on first.”
“No, no AJ! I ASKED first. So I win!”
“Hehehe, alrighty then.” AJ prepared for the words that will come out of her mouth – words that she never thought she would ever say. Not the words specifically, just the ‘truth’ in them was warped.
This was going to be hard for her, “I just wanted to say that I’m going on a trip this afternoon. My cousin, Bucky, has some trouble out on the orchard, so I might as well stop on by to get ‘em what he needs.” Applejack lied like she never lied before. It was flawless. Yet, her conscience was burning her inner soul to tell the truth.
“Really? I was going to say that I was going on a trip too!”
The feeling that was aching her very conscience grew more bearable, she relaxed, took a deep breath, then resumed talking, “Aint that a coinkidink! Where to?”
Rainbow’s face turned blank, she obviously didn’t prepare as much as AJ, “Toooo, Manehattan! I got some Wonderbolt stuff to do. Important stuff. You know the deal.”
“Ya don't have tah tell me twice..."
The awkardness set in, but AJ broke the silence once more, "So I'm guessing that we will see each other next week?”
“Yeah… But I PROMISE! we will hang out for the whole week when we come back!”
“Ya know Rainbow,” the country mare pulled the pegasus to her, green eyes meeting maroon eyes, “Let’s do that.”
Pulling away after passionate kissing session, Rainbow stood up, with her chest high. “I’d say that we are going to have the best relationship after all this!”
AJ will remember those words, “I bet.”
They nuzzled their noses for a bit longer than usual. They weren’t going to do it for a while, might as well make it last.
They went on their separate ways, realizing that they lied to their marefriends. It was for a good reason though – to surprise each other with a change…
Author's Note
Bam! Next chapter will separate Rainbow and Applejack but both sides of the story will be shown!
Aaaand there is going to a be a really interesting gimmick to this. I can tell yall that it is hilarious!!!