Rainbow snuggled closer to Soarin, wrapping her arms around him. He looked down at her and nuzzled her soft mane. The pair were currently lying in bed at the conclusion of another fairytale day, full of blossoming love and time spent together.

As Rainbow rested her head on Soarin’s shoulder, she was happy she had decided to move in with the love of her life, despite what the girls may say.

It had been a couple of months since they had moved in together. The girls had come around, eventually. Rarity had seen the two together and had accepted it. Pinkie was backing them from the start, and Twilight had decided to mind her own business.

Fluttershy however was strongly opposed to the couple’s decision and would have nothing to do with either Rainbow or Soarin. Reflecting upon this made Dash sad, and she kissed Soarin again. She and Flutters had known each other for a very long time, far longer than they had known the others and they looked upon each other as sisters.

That left Applejack. Applejack was…well, she was different, that's for sure. She also avoided Dash like the plague and was always drunk on the rare occasion that they did meet. She was usually short tempered and nasty, either lashing out whenever Dash tried to talk to her, or galloping away.

Soarin interrupted her musings by pulling her closer and kissing her. “I love you,” he said after he pulled away.

“I love you too,” Rainbow responded, looking deep into his eyes. They lay down together and were both quickly asleep, tight in each other’s sweet embrace.

One fateful day about a month later…

“Hand me that book of Magical and Mythical Creatures, Spike,” Twilight called from the top of a bookshelf, “I’ve got just the perfect place for it.”

Today was a good day for a little spring cleaning she had reasoned, upon waking that morning. Over the past couple of days she and the others had been kept busy with friendship matters in Equestria. Fortunately, it looked like being a free and easy day.

Spike grabbed the book and reached up to hand it to Twilight, when his stomach began rumbling. “Uh, T-Twilight?”

“Almost...just a little higher,” Twilight replied, her hand closing on the book, “Aha...-”

Suddenly Spike doubled up and burped up a scroll. As he doubled up, his grip on the book tightened. Twilight let out a sharp cry as she was pulled down from her precarious position and grabbed the shelf to keep her balance. The shelf gave way, bringing Twilight down on top of Spike, with a good few books.

As the resulting dust cloud cleared, Spike smile nervously at Twilight, whose left eye was twitching, ever-so-slightly. “Um, sorry?” he replied hopefully.

“SPIKE!” Twilight cried, but her attention was caught by the scroll that Spike had burped up, “Oh, a letter from Princess Celestia!”

She climbed out of the book pile and levitated the scroll closer. Upon opening it, her previous occupation was completely forgotten.

Dear Twilight,

I have gotten wind of your latest accomplishments with your friends. I want to congratulate you for spreading the Magic of Friendship across Equestria.

Sincerely,

Celestia

Twilight was interrupted from the letter by the arrival of one energetic pink pony. Pinkie came flying, not from the door, but from the roof, leaving a hole and landing on top of Twilight.

“Twilight!” Pinkie called out, not seeing her, “Twilight?”

“Right here Pinkie,” came a resigned voice from under her.

Pinkie looked around in confusion. “That sounds like Twilight, but why is she so muffled?”

She squealed as she was enveloped in a glowing lilac ball of magic and lifted in the air. “Ooh, shiney sparkley!” She spied a ragged Twilight getting to her feet. “Did I sit on you? Hehe, that’s the second time already!”

Twilight set Pinkie down, none too gently and shook her mane out. “Can I help you?”

“I came to see if you wanted to throw a hangout party! You’re the first person I’ve asked, but the others will come around.”

Twilight began the arduous task of placing each book back into it’s rightful place. “Actually, Pinkie, I’m really busy. Sorry, but I’ve got a lot of tidying to do.”

“Ooh, what is that!?” She knocked Twilight over again as she grabbed the scroll. “WOW! It’s from Princess Celestia!”

There was rare silence as Pinkie concentrated on the scroll. Twilight began backing away as Pinkie’s face brightened and her mane and tail puffed up. That could only mean one thing.

“You know what this calls for? A PARTY!” Pinkie’s sudden burst of enthusiasm deafened Twilight and it was a few moments before her ears stopped ringing enough for her to reply.

“I uh, don’t know if that’s a good idea, Pinkie.”

This time, she was prepared and blocked her ears as Pinkie continued. “AWHHH! WHY NOT!? Celestia herself thanked us for doing what we do best!”

“I don’t know how many of us could attend. I’m sorry Pinkie, but as I said before, I need to get this place looking tidy again.”

A shrewd, cunning look entered Pinkie’s eye. “Well, okay then,” she turned and headed for the door, “I’m sure Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack will come.”

“Don’t count on Applejack’s appearance,” Twilight replied, eyes focused on her task. “Last time I saw her, she was drunkenly threatening ponies trying to buy from her stand. She’s not really with it anymore.”

Pinkie halted in her path. “Gee, you’re right. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her around much. I think I’ll pay her a little visit.”

“Well, if you must, but why not invite Rainbow too? I’m sure she’ll be there.”

Twilight was more than a little shocked to see Pinkie’s originally puffy mane suddenly sag and she slumped. “To be honest Twi, I haven’t seen Rainbow around either. She’s up in Cloudsdale, with Soarin. I’ve gone up there a few times, but every time I pop around, she’s not there.”

“Why not post her the invite, I’m sure she’ll get it then.”

Pinkie gasped and her mane puffed up again. “Gosh, but I didn’t think about that! See ya later then, I’ll get right on that!”

Pinkie dashed off, leaving a trail of pink behind her. Twilight was left alone with Spike.

“Why do you suppose Rainbow has been so distant lately?” Spike asked, holding a pile of books.

A frown crossed Twilight’s face. “I don’t know Spike, I don’t know. I just hope that Pinkie’s visit to Applejack goes alright.”

“Applejack! Come out!” Pinkie stood outside A.J’s barn. She knocked. No reply. She shivered a little, for the sun was beginning its decline. She knocked on the door again, this time Big Mac answered the door.

“Hey, Big Mac, is Applejack home?” she asked.

“Enope.”

“Then where is she?”

“She’s been livin’ at Fluttershy’s fer about three months.”

“What? Why didn’t I know that? We’re probably cousins, after all.”

Mac shrugged. “Ya didn’t ask.”

“So, why is AJ with Fluttershy?”

“Well, she’s bin havin’ a drinkin’ problem lately. Ah haven't got no idea why, though.”

“Well I’d better get over there. See you around!” Pinkie said, before bouncing off.

The sun had well and truly set by the time Pinkie arrived at the cottage. Heaving and panting for breath, she knocked on the door. There was no response, so Pinkie put her ear to the door. She heard a muffled banging sound, followed by Fluttershy’s soft tone, barely audible through the door.

“Oh dear, Applejack don’t you think you’ve had enough yet?”

There was a loud shatter, followed by AJ’s slurred mumble.

“Don’t *hic* yeh try’n *hic* tell meh ah *hic* had enuff, m’bucko *hic*!”

“Now AJ, I think it is time you stopped. I mean, look at this place, it’s a ruin! Look at you, you’re a mess!”

“Naw, *hic* ah’m fine, jest *hic* fine d’ye hear me?!”

Pinkie knocked again, then resumed listening through the door.

“Oh, someone’s at the door! Just stay here, and stay quiet.”

Pinkie heard hoofsteps approaching the door, then it opened slowly. She could just make out Fluttershy’s face and she bit back a gasp. Flutters looked terrible, she looked exhausted and more than a little crabby.

“Yes, what do you want?” she asked, surprisingly harsh. Then she gasped as she recognized Pinkie. “Pinkie! What are you doing out here so late?”

“Well, I came to ask if you and Applejack would like to come over to Sugarcube Corner tomorrow! We’re having a super-duper-awesome-exciting-totally-funbelievable party!”

Fluttershy looked back inside her cottage for a second, then said, “I really wish I could, I really do, but I kind of have my hands full.”

She jumped as a raucous voice sounded from inside the house. “What’s *hic* all this *hic* about a *hic* party?”

There was a loud commotion and Fluttershy disappeared back inside.

“Nothing, Abby. Give me that bottle, you should really stop drinking that.”

“Then why *hic* di'n't ya *hic* lock it away *hic*?”

There was a short moment where Fluttershy didn’t say anything. Then finally she said, “You know, for a drunk pony, you’re pretty smart.”

“Abby?” Pinkie asked Fluttershy.

“That’s Applejack’s real name, Abigail.”

“I thought is was ‘Jacqueline’.”

There was a sound of glass breaking.

“AJ, what did you break this time?” asked Fluttershy, irritably, “I’m sorry, Pinkie. I apparently need to lock away the cider, though I doubt that will work. See you later.”

The door closed, and after a few seconds of concerned waiting, Pinkie bounced off.

Meanwhile…

Rainbow stared at the bright pink invite in wonderment. It had been a while since she had last caught up with the girls. She absent-mindedly felt her eye. Maybe it would be a good idea.

“Babe, come in here,” she was interrupted by Soarin’s yell. She took a last look at the invite, then quickly balled it up and placed it in the trash. Upon entering the room, she found Soarin laying on the bed, watching TV and stuffing his face with the inevitable pie. Rainbow sighed inwardly as she contemplated the pie. Once a symbol of fresh love and friendly debates, the pie had come to signify something else.

“You wanted something?” she asked, avoiding his eye.

“Sit down with me,” he replied, patting the bed and making room for her. Rainbow gingerly sat down beside him and he kissed her lightly on the cheek. “How are you doing, sweetheart?” he murmured in her ear.

“I’m fine, babe,” she replied and kissed him back. “Can I ask you something?”

They pulled back to look at each other and Rainbow sighed in relief as she realized that he was sober today. “Sure Dashie, what did you want?”

“I was just wondering, it’s been a while since I caught up with my friends and I was just thinking about them. Would.. it be ok if I, went down to Ponyville and visited them tomorrow?”

She held her breath as Soarin frowned in thought, hoping against hope that he would agree.

“Sure,” he finally replied and smiled. “Yeah, why not? I mean, I’ll be busy myself tomorrow with Spits and Fleety. Wonderbolt training you know.”

“So I can go?” Rainbow asked, excitement rising within her.

“Yeah, go to Ponyville, spend the day with your friends, get out of the house.”

Rainbow threw her arms around him and kissed him deeply. “Oh thank you, Soar, I can’t wait to see my friends again."
They lay down together and Rainbow’s last thoughts were on her coltfriend.

He’s not a bad guy, she told herself, No matter what people say.

The next day…

Rainbow Dash gently landed on the ground, just outside Sugarcube Corner. Suppressing a groan as her wing twinged with pain, she pushed open the door and walked into the cafe. As she did so she was greeted by an explosion of a party cannon, and a pink blur jumped out at her, bubbling with happiness.

“OhMyGoshOhMyGoshYouCame!!!” Pinkie exclaimed, throwing her arms around Dash.

Unbeknownst to her, this action caused Rainbow to wince slightly. “Uh, ye-yeah I came. Of course I came. Why wouldn’t I?”

After extricating herself from the party girls embrace, she glanced around. “Am I early?”

“Not quite, darling.” Rarity replied, stepping out from the cafe kitchen. “It would seem that this is everyone, with the exception of Twilight, who’s on her way, I think.”

“Huh? Wait, where's AJ?” Rainbow replied in confusion. “Where’s Fluttershy?”

“Fluttershy stayed home to look after Abby,” Pinkie said.

“Abby?” Rainbow and Rarity asked in unison.

“AJ didn’t tell you guys either? Her real name is Abigail.”

“I thought is was 'Jacqueline',” said Rarity.

“That’s what I said.”

They were interrupted by the arrival of Twilight. “Hey, everypony,” she said, “Sorry I’m late.”

“It’s quite alright, darling,” said Rarity, “The party hasn’t quite started yet.”

“Thanks for waiting, anyways.” She stopped dead still and looked at Rainbow.

“Uh, something the matter, Twi?” Rainbow asked her, somewhat uncomfortable.

“Rainbow, did you fall on the way here or something?”

Rainbow was confused by this. She couldn't fathom what Twilight meant. She hadn't fallen today. Or even this week. Yeah, she’d taken a few small bruises when she accidentally crashed into a tree, but other than that, nothing.

With a befuddled expression she asked, “What do you mean?”

Rarity spoke up and said, “Your eye, darling.”

Rainbow reached up and touched her left eye. “Oh, that,” she quietly replied, “It’s nothing.”

“Well then what happened?” Twilight said, concern in her tone

Rainbow said, a little louder this time, “I said it's nothing. I just, uh, landed badly in one of my tricks.”

“Darling, are you quite sure?” Rarity asked her, approaching her, “I think it’s something more than that. I saw you arrive from the kitchen window. You grabbed your wing rather sharply.”

Inwardly, Rainbow panicked. Celestia, what do I do! she thought to herself.

“Nonono, it’s fine. I just landed badly and collided with a tree the other day,” she stammered.

“Did Soarin do this to you?” Pinkie whispered, her crazy mane and tail deflating slightly.

“No! I already told you what happened!” Rainbow almost shouted, “I-I’ve gotta go, somewhere to be.”

She backed up and ran out of the shop.

“Well, that was weird,” said Pinkie, “She didn’t even have a slice of the cake I made.”

Twilight and Rarity both gave Pinkie ‘Are-you-kidding-me?’ looks.

“What?”

“I’m beginning to worry about Rainbow,” said Twilight, “After seeing her like that, I’m not entirely convinced Soarin did turn over a new leaf.”

“Ditto,” said Pinkie, “I was rooting for them.”

Over the next three months, the girls would see Rainbow less and less, and when they did see her she was pretty banged up. Whenever one of the girls asked about it, Rainbow would just say she got into a flying accident. At least that’s what she said. All her friends really knew was something was different about her, they just couldn’t pinpoint what.

And after Fluttershy could no longer handle taking care of Applejack, she moved back into her barn, but was still trying to get as much cider as possible, forcing Big Mac to ask Twilight to cast a barrier spell on the cellar door, which she gladly did.

Simply put, no longer did any of their lives seem normal. And things would only get worse.

Author's Note

"What goes up, must come down."

-Isaac Newton, the guy who discovered gravity.

I'm excited to write what happens next.