Rainbows, Relationships, & Revenge

The next day started the same as always. Wake up. Eat breakfast. Continue through the day. At least that's how most ponies went about their day. Not for Twilight Sparkle however.

Twilight wakes up with tear stains trailing down her face after crying herself to sleep.

Slowly and lazily, she makes her way out of bed and goes to the mirror for her daily routine. Her disheveled mane in need of serious brushing, she levitates the brush with her magic and takes the next five minutes taking out every single knot that had formed over night from her tossing and turning.

Once that is taken care of, the Alicorn trots into her bathroom and splashes her face to rid herself of the tear stains that had dried and matted her coat.

Twilight dries her face off and looks at her refreshed reflection in the mirror.

“She'll be fine Twilight. She's strong.” She told herself.

And with that, she went downstairs to begin her day. As she walks down the stairs to the library an aroma hits her. The smell of fresh pancakes being made could be smelled from outside.

She looks into the kitchen and sees Spike flipping pancakes.

“Oh hey Twilight. Breakfast is almost ready. You hungry?”

Twilight smiles slightly and nods.

“I'm starving. Thanks Spike.”

Twilight looks away from the dragon to take a look at the clock hanging on the wall, making her eyes grow wide with panic.

“11:30?! Spike! The library was supposed to be open an hour ago!! Why didn't you wake me?! Now we're one whole hour late opening!”

Spike looks at her calmly and says to her.

“Calm down, you all had a rough day yesterday, I figured you should get a little more sleep.”

Twilights panic subsides just as quickly as it appeared and is then replaced with a loving gentle smile. She leans down and pulls the baby dragon into a hug.

“You're right. Yesterday was hard for all of us. Thank you Spike.”

Spike smiles back at her.

“That's what I'm here for.”

Twilight now beaming with joy, takes a big bite out of her pancakes and moans with delight.

“Spike, these are delicious!”

“Just a quick recipe I dug up. No biggie.” He says confidently.

“What do you think I should get Rainbow Dash as a get well soon present?”

“I dunno Twilight. Think about it. What are some things she likes?”

Twilight thinks long and hard about what Rainbow Dash would like. Then, it hits her and her ears perk up and she smiles wide.

“I've got it!!” She says.

The Alicorn quickly scrambles out of her seat and into her room to grab something.

Spike rolls his eyes as he hears things hitting the floor and crashing down on the floor above.

A short time later, Twilight runs back down the stairs with something wrapped in paper and ribbon floating inside her magical aura.

“IT'S PERFECT!” She says excitedly.

“What is it?”

Smiling silently to herself she responds.

“Come with me next time I go see her and you'll find out.”

“Okay. And since we are picking out gifts for her, I'll be right back.”

Spike quickly runs out of the kitchen and up the stairs to his bedroom for a few minutes, and comes back down carrying something rattling in a box.

“What did YOU pack?” Twilight asks with a raised eyebrow.

Spike smiles and pokes Twilight in the muzzle.

“You'll have to wait and find out.”

Twilight rolls her eyes and smiles.

Meanwhile at an old cottage by the Everfree Forest, the Fluttershy is sound asleep on her comforter. That is, until a carrot flies up like a missile and smacks her in the forehead.

Her eyes slowly flutter awake and she looks around before letting out a big yawn.

Fluttershy looks around before settling her gaze on the floor where Angel is impatiently waiting for her, tapping his foot repeatedly.

“Oh, good morning Angel. Are you hungry?”

Angel turns around and bolts into the kitchen. Fluttershy smiles and shakes her head before slowly getting up off the comforter and walking into the kitchen.

“Okay Picky Pete, if I give you your food now, then you will just have to wait until I get home again. Is that understood?”

Angel angrily points to his empty bowl as if he's trying to say, ‘Girl you better feed me before I stick this rabbits foot clear up your–’

“Okay then, just remember you asked.” Fluttershy says before dropping four large carrots into his food bowl.

Angel happily dives into his bowl munching away at the delicious contents inside it.

“Now don't forget Angel, you musn't eat too fast or you'll make yourself sick. Now I'll be back later. I'm off to see...

Fluttershy stops as realization hits her, causing her eyes to tear up.

“Rainbow Dash.” Was all she could say before her knees buckle and she collapses in a sobbing heap whispering to herself.

“Oh Rainbow Dash...please...please be okaayyyyy...”

She suddenly feels a tiny pair of paws on her shoulder. She looks up from her hooves and sees Angel looking at her with a look of apology and sympathy.

She sniffles but nonetheless smiles. “Oh...it's okay. I know I didn't come home until it was vey late last night so I'm sure you were starving.”

Angel shakes his head and offers her an uneaten carrot. Smiling at the generous offer, she kindly takes the carrot in her teeth and sets it down on her forehooves.

“Aww. Thank you Angel.”

She slowly eats away at the carrot, taking tiny bites out of the vegetable. Once she was finished she stood up once again smiling.

“Okay. I should go visit Rainbow Dash now. Oh! But I can't visit her without bringing a get well soon gift for her. Ooh what would she like?”

Fluttershy thinks for the next few minutes about the perfect gift to give her Rainbow maned friend.

Suddenly she finally figured it out.

“Oh! I know!”

She starts fumbling through her cottage looking for something. A few minutes later she is carrying something in her mouth wrapped in gift wrap.

She places the object in her satchel and waves to all of her animal friends.

“Goodbye my friends. I'll be back later. Angel, you're in charge until I get home.”

She then takes off in a gallop out the door. Meanwhile a certain bunny rabbit flashes an evil grin and his ears pin back as he begins to hatch an idea in his head.

The mood at sugarcube corner was no better. The pink party pony was up in her room laying down on her bed refusing to budge. Her mane, usually poofy and full of life was now laying flat and lifeless. Her normally vibrant pink coat was now dull and grey.

“Oh Gummy, what am I going to do? Rainbow Dash is hurt and we have no idea who did dun do’ed it. And worst of all she may not live much longer!”

Pinkie looks down at her pet baby alligator Gummy, who just stares blankly at nothing in particular.

“Yes I know she's loyal and strong. But what if this is too much for her to handle?”

The reptile still doesn't respond. Suddenly as if flicking a light switch, Pinkies attitude suddenly shifts and her mane and coat go back to their natural states.

“You're absolutely right Gummy! She will make it!*GASP!* I gotta get her a get well soon gift and get all the preparations done for the get well soon party then get ready for the get well soon after party!! OOOH!! THIS IS GOING TO BE SOOOOOOOOOOO GREAT!!! AND I KNOW JUST WHAT TO GET HER.”

Somehow in the blink of an eye, the pink mare goes through her closet and takes out an object that is already gift wrapped, as if she somehow prepared for a moment like this to happen.

“BYE GUMMY! TAKE CARE OF THE BAKERY WHILE IM GONE!”

Pinkie speeds out of the complex and runs straight for the hospital.

Meanwhile, at the Carousel Boutique, a certain white mare is laying in her bedroom sobbing. Sweetie Belle slowly makes her way up to her big sisters room to find her laying on her bed in tears.

Sweetie Belle quietly tip-hoofs up to Rarity's bed and nervously speaks up.

“H-Hey sis. Is everything okay?”

Rarity gasps and does her best to fix her already ruined makeup.

“S-Sweetie Belle! What are you doing in here? Don't you know it's not nice to sneak up on a lady?”

Rarity says as she struggles to keep her composure.

“Sorry. It's just...I heard sobbing and I was starting to get worried so I thought I'd come check up on you. What's wrong?”

“Oh. You needn't worry yourself with something such as this. It's grown up pony issues.”

Rarity puts on a fake smile. Sweetie Belle however is unconvinced.

Finally Rarity lets out a deep breath she didn't know she was holding and patted the bed next to her.

“Come. Sit. Let me explain what troubles me.”

Sweetie Belle jumps up and sits down next to Rarity who wraps a hoof around her shoulders and brings her close to her body. The older unicorn takes a deep breath before speaking.

“Sweetie Belle, do you remember, a few months ago when you were extremely ill and had to be taken to the hospital?” Rarity asks the little unicorn filly.

Sweetie Belle squints her eyes in thought, then nods her head.

“Do you remember me telling you that the doctors said there was the very minutest chance that you would survive?”

Rarity tears up at the thought of this terrible memory. This memory also makes Sweetie Belle’s ears flatten and once again nod. It takes a full minute for Rarity to regain her composure and continue with her statement.

“Well, Rainbow Dash is in the hospital. Only she isn't sick. I mean, I suppose you could say she is sick depending on how you look at it, but, Dash is very hurt. Somepony attacked her...S-She may not live through it if her condition worsens.”

Rarity is still struggling very hard to keep her composure. However this attempt fails when a small gasp is heard coming from the little filly next to her.

Then, a series of tiny quiet sobs are heard coming from the little pony.

“B-B-But Rainbow Dash can't die! Scootaloo would be so heartbroken!” Sweetie Belle squeals with a series of sobs racking her body. Rarity pulls the filly into her embrace.

“Oh Sweetie Belle, I know, I don't want anything to happen to her either. Believe me she's one of my best friends. I just don't know what we would do without her.”

For the next ten minutes Rarity tries everything she possibly can to calm her little sister whilst struggling not to cry herself.

“W-We have to help her Rarity! We can't lose her!”

Sweetie Belle is now loudly sobbing. Rarity tightens her grip around the poor filly.

“Oh Sweetie Belle. I so wish there was something that could be done. But the most we can do is wait for things to improve. However long that will take.” Once again, tears once again threaten to pour from seemingly nowhere.

“W-What if we got her a gift. Would that make her f-feel a lot better?”

Rarity places a hoof to her chin and thinks about it for a few seconds before answering with a sudden smile.

“Sweetie Belle you're a genius!”

Rarity says with excitement.

“But why buy her a gift, when I can make one!” Rarity got off her bed and started running down the stairs. Sweetie Belle follows suit.

“What do you mean?”

“Can't talk! Must create!”

Rarity runs around her shop levitating the proper supplies and gets straight to work.

Sweetie Belle sits in silence for the next two hours as her sister makes a one of a kind masterpiece for her injured friend.

Finally the final stitch is put into place.

“ITS PERFECT!”

In a fit of excitement, Rarity forcefully shoves the newly made present into the garment in a box and sprints out the door and calls to her little sister.

“Come along Sweetie Belle!”

Sweetie Belle runs out the door following her sister trying to catch up.

Later that day, at Sweet Apple Acres. The whole Apple family is wide awake at the breakfast table. All but one.

Applejack was still in her bedroom deep asleep while the others were getting ready to eat.

Granny Smith notices the lack of Orange cowpony in the room and looks at Big Mac.

“Big Mac, could you please go upstairs and wake yer sister? It's almost time fer breakfast.”

“Eeyup”

Slowly climbing the steps that lead upstairs, Big Mac steadily climbs the steps that lead to his sisters room.

Big Mac quietly opens the door and looks inside the room to see that Applejack is indeed still asleep and that she has pulled a pillow over her head to block out any light and noise and reduce her headache. Her signature Stetson lay on the table next to her.

Big Mac walks up to the sleeping pony and gently nudges her left foreleg.

“AJ. C'mon AJ, time ta get up. Breakfast is ready fer ya.”

The only reply he gets is the muffled snoring of his little sister still asleep.

“Come on sis. Ah know ya ain't feeling up to it today but we're all waiting on ya. We need ya down here with us.”

He gently begins to shake her hoping that will wake her from her slumber. Once again, no response is heard other than the mares soft snoring.

Thinking quietly to himself, Big Mac notices that Applejacks` tail is hanging limp off the side of her bed which brings an idea to his head.

Moving closer to her bed side he seized her tail in his mouth and yanks it just hard enough to wake her up without hurting her causing her to give a surprised yelp.

“YAAH!!!”

Now fully awake from her little wake up call, Applejack groggily looks around her room to find Big Mac behind her smiling with her tail still in his mouth.

She narrows her eyes at him and lets out a small growl as he spits out her tail.

Trotting toward the door, he looks back at Applejack.

“C'mon AJ. Time fer breakfast.”

Trotting toward the door, he looks back at Applejack.

“Mmmrff. Fine...be down in a minute.” She groans.

With her brother now waiting for her downstairs, she groans to herself and takes a few minutes braiding her mane and tail, tying the ends off with a red band.

Finally she picks up her Stetson and places it on top of her head before getting out of bed and going downstairs.

She goes downstairs and sees her family patiently waiting for her at the table. Without saying anything and with a slightly frustrated, slightly pained look on her face, she sits down at the table and starts eating.

Her little sister Apple Bloom looks at her and smiles brightly.

“Mornin’ sis.” Apple Bloom says happily.

“Howdy...”

“What's wrong?”

“Yer sis is just feelin’ a bit under the weather this mornin’ AB. Past couple days've been a might rough on ‘er and the rest o’ her group of friends.” Big Macintosh cuts in.

“Whattya mean?”

“Ah'll tell ya in a bit. Alright? This ain't the time er place ta be discussin’ it.”

“S’alright Big Mac. Ya can tell ‘er.”

“Tell me what?”

“Well Apple Bloom, from what Ah understand, Rainbow Dash is hurt and is stuck in the hospital. Now please don't fret to much about what Ah'm ‘bout to tell you, but, if things don't work out the way we want `em to, Rainbow Dash may not make it.”

With a confused look on her face, the filly asks in the most innocent way possible.

“Make what?”

“No, uh, Ah mean, she may move on ta the pasture in the sky.”

Apple Blooms eyes grow to the size of dinner plates and tear up and she starts trembling.

“Y-Ya mean she might die?!” Asked the horrified filly.

“Yeah Apple Bloom, that's what could happen.”

The filly immediately climbs down from her seat walks around the table and nearly tackles Applejack to the ground in a hug whilst in tears, to which Applejack quickly returns.

“Oh Applejack, Ah'm so sorry!”

“It ain't yer fault AB. This was somepony else's doin’.”

“Scootaloo will be so sad!”

“Now hold on just a pony pickin’ minute. Rainbow Dash ain't dead yet. There's just a possibility that's what might happen. Ugh....Big Mac. Could ya get me a couple painkillers from the cabinet please?”

“Eeyup.”

The stallion quickly goes to the kitchen cabinet and retrieves two painkillers and hoofs them to Applejack.

“Much obliged.”

Taking a big gulp of water, the country mare tosses the pills down her gullet and swallows.

Apple Bloom dries her tears and asks another question.

“Whattya need painkillers for sis? What's hurtin’ ya?”

Without missing a beat Big Mac responds.

“Yer sister had a bit too much cider last night Apple Bloom. Woke up with a monster headache.”

Big Mac smiles slightly at his blushing sister.

“A little ain't the word fer it.” Applejack mumbles to herself.

“How come ah never get a headache from drinkin'?”

“‘Cause you ain't ever had our cider. Yer too young fer that.” Applejack tells her. Apple Bloom responds with the best angry voice a filly her age could have.

“But ah AM a big pony!”

“Ah never said ya weren't, sugarcube, but ya ain't old enough. Not my rules. It's the law of the town.”

Apple Bloom growls to herself.

“Hmph. Dumb laws.”

“Big Mac. Do ya think ya can do my chores fer today? Ah really wanna go see RD today.” Applejack pleads.

“Eeyup.”

Applejack smiles with a wide grin and tightly hugs her brother.

“Thanks Big Mac. Ah should probably bring a gift with me fer her. Dontcha think?”

Big Mac nods.

Then, a figurative lightbulb goes off in her head.

“Ah got it!”

Meanwhile at Ponyville General Hospital, Rainbow Dash was lying in her bed asleep trying to rid herself of all the aches and pains coursing through her body. Much to her dismay, it isn't working.

Suddenly the door opens and hoof steps can be heard as sompony walks up to Rainbow Dash's bed.

“Miss Dash, it's time for your medications.”

Doctor Trotter levitates a bottle of medicine towards the sleeping Pegasus and lays it down on the nightstand in front of her.

The only audible sound coming from the Pegasus is a muffled angry groan.

“Mmmmrf...”

“I'm sorry Rainbow Dash but you need to take your medicine. If you want to get out of here I need you to cooperate.”

“...Fine...”

Rainbow Dash slowly sits up in her bed, cringing with pain every so often. Reluctantly, she takes the pills in the crook of her hoof and one by one swallows each pill and washes them down with water.

“Can I get some sleep now?”

“Actually, I believe you have some visitors. They wanted to see you so badly I nearly had to put a freeze spell around them just to get them to settle down.” Doctor Trotter chuckles.

“Let them in then.”

“Alright. They'll be in shortly.”

Leaving Rainbow Dash to herself, Doctor Trotter walks out the door. Moments later, the rest of the Mane 6 walk in quietly balancing gifts on their backs.

“Hey Dashie.”

“H-Hello Rainbow.”

“Hello Darling.”

“How are you Rainbow Dash?” Greets Twilight with Spike waving on her back.

“Howdy Sugarcube.” Says Applejack who seems a little more fidgety than usual, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo following behind her as well.

“Hey guys. Glad you could make it–OOF!!!”

Rainbow Dash grunts as she is nearly tackled out of bed by Scootaloo who's silently crying tears.

Rainbow Dash tightly hugs the little filly until Scootaloo finally slides off the bed and quietly takes side by Apple Bloom.

Rainbow Dash can't help but smile.

“Hey everypony, thanks for coming.”

“We wouldn't miss a day coming to see you for the world darling.”

Rainbow Dash notices the gifts.

“What're those?”

“Everypony brought a gift for you as a get well soon motivator of sorts. Whose would you like to open first?” Twilight asks.

“Doesn't matter to me.”

“Um, you could open mine first, that is, um, if you want to...”

“Sure. Bring it over.”

Fluttershy brings the small package over to Rainbow Dash who rips open the paper and looks in confusion.

“Shell wax?”

Fluttershy smiles wide and nods.

“Oh yes. For when Tank`s shell get all dry and dirty, this will give it the beautiful shine it deserves. Making him look better than before!”

“Oh, yeah! Right! Thanks Flutters!”

Rainbow hugs the yellow mare in appreciation.

“You are very welcome Rainbow Dash.”

“OOOH!! Mine next!”

Rainbow Dash smiles and rolls her eyes at Rarity's excitement.

“Alright. Bring it here.”

Rarity levitates the curiously pony sized gift over to Rainbow Dash who carefully takes the gift into her hooves and slowly tears it open with suspicion.

Rainbow’s eyes grow wide with excitement as she pulls out an exact replica of a Wonderbolts uniform. The iconic blue complimented by the yellow lighting bolt streaking across the chest.

Rarity looks at the uniform proudly.

“Came out marvelously if I do say so myself.”

“I'll say! It's so awesome!”

“I'm glad you think so.”

“Ooh! Ooh! Me next!”

“Ok ok Pinkie!” Rainbow laughs.

“Open the card first.”

“Okay.”

Rainbow Dash says as she picks up the cylindrical object and places it next to her.

Then she grabs the envelope, and rips the top open. She grabs the card with her mouth and pulls it out of the envelope, discarding the envelope itself. Taking a quick breath she opens the card with her forehooves.

She takes a second and reads the card out loud.

“Get well soon Rainbow Dash. There will be a party waiting for you when you get out. P.S: make sure the black end of the gift is pointing away from you before you open it. You only make that mistake once. Trust me. Your friend, Pinkie Pie.”

Rainbow looks up and sees Pinkie Pie looking at her with a wide smile that threatens to cut her face in half.

Rainbow Dash sets the card down and flips the cylinder over so that the black end is facing away from her.

She slowly rips the gift wrap away from the item and sees that there are instructions on the side of it.

‘Step 1: point away from face. Step 2: twist the cap off. Step 3: rip the cap off as quickly as possible to prevent injury to ones hoof’.

Confused, Rainbow Dash looks up at Pinkie Pie who just slowly nods and smiles nearly shaking with excitement.

Rainbow Dash closes her eyes as tight as possible and turns her head away twisting off the cap.

A loud pop emanates through the room as confetti flies out of the end of the tube and spreads through the room.

The sudden noise makes Rainbow Dash drop the tube and cover her ears with her hooves, clutching her head like a vice.

“GAH!!! Ow my head!”

Pinkie Pies face goes to happy and energetic, to sad and concerned in an instant.

“Oh...I'm sorry Dashie...I thought that would cheer you up. Are you okay?”

Rainbow Dash shakes her head to rid herself of the pain and smiles lightly at the pink pony.

“I'm good Pinkie. Thank you.”

Hearing those words coming from her friend, Pinkie Pie immediately perks up and a happy ‘squee’ comes out of her.

Applejack walks up to Rainbow Dash and as quietly as possible, whispers into her ear.

“Wait fer everypony ta leave ‘fore ya open mine, alright sugarcube?”

Rainbow Dash nods.

“Alright Twilight. Let's see what you got.” She says.

Twilights horn lights up and levitates a flimsy, thin package over and sets it in Rainbows lap. Without any hesitation Rainbow opens it and her eyes immediately light up with excitement.

“OhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygoshOhmygosh!!! Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone?! First edition?!”

With a knowing smile on her face, Twilight asks Rainbow Dash.

“You like it?”

“I love it!”

“I figured you would.”

Spike then walks up to the side of Rainbows bed and places a small object on her bed next to her.

“Hope you get well soon Rainbow Dash.” The little drake says taking a step back from the bed.

Rainbow dash picks up the gift in the crook of her hoof and tears off the wrapper.

Inside was a glossy red Ruby roughly half the size of Rainbows hoof. The ruby shined brilliant red wherever the lights hit it just right.

“Spike...Its beautiful. Thank you.”

“Don't mention it.”

Suddenly Scootaloo speaks up for the first time since they all got there.

“Please get better soon Rainbow Dash. You're too awesome to ‘leave’ us.”

Scootaloo`s eyes start brimming with tears.

“Hey...its going to be alright squirt. I promise, I'll get out of here and kick deaths butt.”

“Promise?”

Scootaloo struggles to keep herself from crying in risk of being sappy in front of her idol.

“Pinkie Promise. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye.”

All Scootaloo can do is smile a little and wipe her eyes clean of any tears.

Rainbow Dash pats a spot next to her, beckoning Scootaloo to join her.

“C'mere.”

Scootaloo looks at Twilight for help. Twilight focuses her magic and lifts the little Pegasus and places her on the bed beside Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash pulls Scootaloo in for a hug. Scootaloo quickly returns the hug and suddenly her emotional dam bursts, unleashing a tidal wave of tears to pour out of her eyes like a river.

“I d-don't want you to die Rainbow!”

Scootaloo yells burying her muzzle into Rainbow`s neck.

Rainbow Dash's ears fold to her head and tears threaten to leak from her eyes as she tightens her grip on the little filly.

“I know Scoots. I don't either. But like I said, I'm going to make it out of here. I promise. Alright?”

“O-Okay.” Replies the filly sniffling.

Rainbow can only offer a small smile while feeling terrible for the little Pegasus.

Scootaloo turns her head away in shame refusing to look at Rainbow in the eyes.

“Y-You must think I'm a total loser. You probably think I'm weak.”

“Now why in Equestria would you think that I thought like that about you Scootaloo?”

“Because you're here and you got so much faith and confidence that you will live through this, and hear I am crying like a foal.”

“Hey. It's alright Scootaloo. It's okay to cry sometimes. I mean, I don't cry because I'm too awesome for that.”

Realizing what she had just said, Rainbow mentally kicks herself and tries to rephrase it.

“I mean. I have never thought you were weak. I still don't. You are one of the most courageous, bravest, and toughest little fillies I've ever met. I've never been more proud of you. You have almost as much determination as I had when I was your age. You, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. All three of you are so bent on getting your cutie marks that you would stop at nothing until you reached your goal. If there were a better example of moxie I haven't seen it. Fillies like you three deserve a good cry.” Rainbow Dash says with a smile.

Scootaloo smiles and wipes the tears from her eyes.

“Thanks Rainbow Dash.”

“No problem kiddo.” Rainbow Dash says ruffling Scootaloo`s mane.

Scootaloo hops down off the bed and rejoins Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom who both place a hoof on her back to calm her down.

After about two hours of visiting, laughing, and telling jokes, it was time to go.

“Well it was very nice to see you all but I must get going. Princess Celestia is expecting me. I really hope you get well soon. See ya! Come on Spike!”

Twilight and Spike both teleport away.

“I must be heading home as well. I have a huge order to fill for a client with such short time. Do get better Rainbow Dash. Come along Sweetie Belle.”

Rarity trots out of the room with Sweetie Belle following closely behind.

“Bye Rainbow Dash! Hope you get better!” Says the unicorn filly exiting the room.

“I gotta go too! Mr. and Mrs. Cake need me to babysit the twins tonight! See ya! Hope you recover Dashie! La-lala-lala-lala!”

Pinkie Pie bounces out of the room.

“I really should be getting home too. Angel Bunny gets really cranky when I'm gone for too long. Goodbye Rainbow Dash.”

Applejack calls out to the Pegasus before she can leave.

“Wait Fluttershy!”

“What is it Applejack?”

“You think you can take Apple Bloom and Scootaloo home fer me. Ah gotta stay an' talk ta Rainbow Dash about somethin'.”

“Of course. Please get better soon Rainbow Dash. Come on girls.”

“Bye Rainbow Dash! Get well soon!” Both fillies say simultaneously before all three of them leave the room, closing the door behind them.

“What'd you wanna talk to me about AJ?”

“Aw heck Ah just wanted them ta leave so Ah could do this without all of em breathin’ down my neck.”

“Applejack...did you lie?” Rainbow Dash asks with a smug grin on her face.

“No Ah did not lie. Ah really do need ta talk to ya. Ah just didn't tell `em the whole story.”

“Whatever helps you sleep at night AJ. so what's up?”

“Well. Here's one of yer gifts.”

Applejack sets a circular package down on Rainbow`s lap.

“It's warm. It's an apple pie isn't it? I bet it's an apple pie.”

Applejack says nothing but instead smiles.

Rainbow Dash opens the package and sure enough, a fresh baked apple pie is sitting in a pie tin waiting to be gobbled up and enjoyed.

“I knew it!!! It IS an apple pie!!!”

With a hint of sarcasm clearly present, Applejack says to Rainbow Dash.

“What was yer first clue sugarcube? The fact that Ah got the word ‘apple’ in my name? Or the fact that that there pie is ‘bout as hot as metal on a summers day?”

“Eh, lucky guess.” Rainbow Dash shrugs.

Applejack rolls her eyes at this comment.

“Ah got somethin’ else fer ya. Close yer eyes and hold out yer hooves.”

“Why do I have to–”

“Ah said close ‘em!”

Rainbow Dash closes her eyes and holds her hooves outstretched.

Rainbow Dash suddenly feels something cold hit her hooves and hears a slight sloshing sound.

“Alright. Open yer eyes.”

Rainbow Dash opens her eyes and sitting in her hooves, is a full bottle of Applejack`s homemade cider.

“Awww yeah! Sweet Apple Acres cider!”

“Ah figured you'd like that. Ah would have bottled up more fer ya but, Ah...kinda drank most of the cider Ah had.” Applejack says with a shamed look.

“You drank most of your cider?”

Applejack nods without looking Rainbow in the eyes.

“Why?”

“Ah was worried about ya sugarcube. Ah didn't know if ya were gonna make it or not.”

“AJ. I'm fine. Alright? Look don't worry about me. I'll make it out. How has your liver not quit on you?”

“You know what Rainbow? Ah often ask myself that same daggum question.” Applejack says smiling a little at the Pegasus' surprised look.

“Well do me a favor AJ, next time you're worried about me, just come find me instead of trying to drink your troubles away. Alright? I don't want to hear you died of liver failure because of me.”

“Yer right Rainbow...that's what Ah shoulda done in the first place. Ah'm sorry.”

“So what's the card say?”

“Well...uh...before Ah give ya yer card...Ah just wanna say that Ah hope that what yer ‘bout ta read don't change the way you see me...Ah hope this don't jeopardize our friendship or nothin’. But, here.”

Applejack hoofs the card to Rainbow Dash. Before Rainbow even opens the envelope she looks at the cider bottle.

“How about you pour us both a drink and then I'll read it?”

Applejack nods and pours cider into two mugs for them.

“Thanks. Alright. Here goes.”

Rainbow Dash opens the envelope and pulls out the card concealed inside. She opens the card and reads out loud.

“Dear Rainbow Dash. Ah hope this card don't change nothin’ between us, but Ah had ta get this off my chest. You and Ah have been best friends fer years now. And recently, Ah've been feelin’ more towards ya than Ah ever have before. Ah completely understand if ya don't want nothin’ ta do with me after ya read this here card, but Ah want ya ta know...that Ah really like ya Rainbow Dash. Ah really do. And Ah hope ya feel the same. Love, Applejack.”

At the end of the letter Applejack had drawn a heart underneath it. Rainbow looks up from the card to see Applejack taking a drink from her mug. Her hoof shaking with nervousness.

“Well, yeah of course I like you AJ. I mean, your one of the first friends I ever made aside from Fluttershy.”

“No, Rainbow, Ah mean I like ya in another way...”

“Another way?”

She thinks for a few seconds before the realization suddenly hits her.

“Oooh! You like me that way!”

Applejack bursts out laughing. “Finally! Ah was beginnin’ ta think Ah was gonna have ta spell it out fer ya.”

Applejack brings the mug back up to her lips for another drink.

With a nervous smile, Rainbow Dash looks at Applejack and says.

“Well...uh, I'm glad you told me this because, I-I like you like that too.”

This makes Applejack take in more cider than intended and she starts coughing hard. “Beg pardon?” Applejack says through her coughing fit.

“Hahahaha! You alright AJ? Why so surprised?”

“Ah just didn't expect ya ta feel the same way.” Applejack says finally catching her breath.

“Well, I do.”

“Well, uh, great. So, would ya like ta, uh, go out, see how it goes?”

“I would love to AJ.”

“Great!”

Rainbow Dash raises her mug in the air waiting for Applejack to do the same.

Applejack raises her mug up to Rainbow Dash's mug and they knock them together.

“Cheers.” They both say simultaneously before quickly drinking every last drop on their mugs.

A few minutes later Dr. Trotter walks in.

“Alright Miss Applejack. Thank you for coming but Rainbow Dash needs her rest. You can come back in a couple weeks if she's been cleared to leave. If that is the case then we will let you know.”

“Alright. Thanks doc. Ah'll be by some other time ta see ya. Or pick ya up. Which ever comes first. Ah love ya.”

Applejack gives Rainbow a flirtatious wink before walking toward the door.

“Alright AJ. I love you too.”

After Applejack walks out of the room Dr. Trotter looks at Rainbow Dash.

“She seems nice.”

“Yeah. Yeah she is.”