Go With Me

Chapters

Ch 1 - "A Stolen Dress"
Ch 2 - "An Afternoon Run"
Ch 3 - "An Important Question"
Ch 4 - "A Good Night's Sleep"

Ch 1 - "A Stolen Dress"

A steady breeze blew through a grouping of apple trees, pulling a few of their yellow leaves away from their branches. The leaves crinkled as they touched down in a tiny clearing, joining many others that had amassed at the base of one of the trees. In this clearing lay two ponies atop an apple-print blanket. Rarity lay on her back on the left side of the blanket, sporting a pair of fancy sunglasses and a warm smile. Her hoof was outstretched to the middle of the blanket, where Applejack's hoof was placed on top of it. Applejack mirrored her friend's position, with the exception of her hat tipped over her eyes in place of any sporting shades. Her smile, however, was just as big.

As she lay there soaking up the warm autumn sunlight, Applejack thought about the past few months. Ever since she and Rarity began courting, things seemed to fall into place across the board. All of their friends were delighted to hear the news, even if a few of them had to pretend to be hearing it for the first time. Granny Smith and Big Mac had both given Rarity their approval. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were just excited to see two ponies in love, and even more excited at the aspect of them being able to become "Crusader-Cousins". Sweetie Belle even starting calling Applejack "Aunt AJ" EVERY time she came over Rarity's house while Sweetie was visiting, despite the fact that AJ and Rarity weren't even technically Marefriends yet. This seemed to always cause Rarity to blush, so naturally AJ did her best to encourage it.

Unfortunately, the past couple of weeks had been a bit of a struggle for the duo. Rarity had been running all over the place between her stores to keep up with business. She had a Fall Fashion promotion going on at all of her locations, and it turned out to be an even bigger hit than she had anticipated. On top of this, she also personally took in orders from several big name customers over the past two weeks, including a massive group order for Sapphire Shores and her backup dancers. Rarity was handling all of the pressure quite well, but it had unfortunately made it near impossible to see Applejack for more than an hour at a time. That isn't to say that AJ wasn't busy herself, quite the contrary as a matter of fact. Fall is cider season, and the Apples had a longer and more successful cider drive this year than Granny Smith could even remember. All that cider took a mountain of apples to make, and those trees weren't just gonna buck themselves.

A cool breeze rolled over Rarity, giving her chills and causing her to shiver momentarily. This pulled AJ out of her thoughts as she instinctively scooted over and wrapped a hoof around her partner. Rarity placed her head on AJ's shoulder, moving her free hoof to hold AJ's. Both ponies closed their eyes, taking a moment to forget about their responsibilities and just be together.

"I'm really glad I got to see you today, dear."

Rarity's statement broke the silence of her and Applejack's walk back to Ponyville. Applejack responded with a nod and a kiss on the cheek, much to Rarity's delight. As the duo entered Ponyville, they quietly observed as a multitude of ponies scrambled around town. Some of them were setting up tents and displays, some wheeling around carts, and some setting up lighting fixtures. Lines of multi-colored carnival flags danced around in the breeze as ponies staked them into the ground. AJ and Rarity stopped momentarily to assist a young foal in putting up a sign that he couldn't seem to reach. As they started heading for Rarity's Boutique, Rarity turned around to look back at the developing fair.

"You know, I really did want to go to the fair with you," she said, "I know it's been quite some time since our last date." Applejack offered her friend a gentle smile in return.

"I know you did hun," Applejack replied, "I wanted you to be able to come and watch me at the Running of the Leaves too."

Rarity raised an eyebrow at this statement. "Is the Running today as well?" she asked. Applejack nodded with a soft "mhmm" as the two rounded a corner on the path to the Boutique. "And the fireworks are tonight too," Rarity added. "Who thought it was a bright idea to schedule all of this on one day?" she said, putting a hoof to her face in frustration.

"I would reckon somepony who schedules herself no free time, and who thinks everypony works like that," Applejack said, pointing behind Rarity with her hoof. Rarity turned around to see Twilight talking to a group of ponies off in the distance, waving a clipboard around and pointing at one of the other ponies. Rarity and Applejack shared a hearty chuckle as they arrived at Rarity's abode.

Rarity turned and gave her best friend a tight hug. "Thank you very much for walking me home," she said, "and thank you very much for breakfast as well. It was divine as always." The two pulled away from their embrace, but each kept a hoof on the side of the other one's face.

"Are you sure you couldn't take a break at some point today?" Applejack asked. She did her best to emulate the puppy-dog eyes that Rarity frequently used on her, but at the same time couldn't break her smile. Rarity gave her partner an apologetic smile in return, leaning in and adding a quick peck on the lips.

"Unfortunately it is going to take me all day to finish this last order," she explained, "all that's left is Sapphire's main stage dress, but it is quite a doozy of a dress." She squished her cheek against AJ's, motioning in the air with her hoof to illustrate her explanation. "There are tons of gems and sequins that are going to be sewn into the fabric, and there are several different parts to the dress which need stitched together. Sapphire is a fantastic customer, but she is also extremely particular about her orders. I have to make sure it is absolutely perfect." Applejack nodded in understanding. "I should still be able to come see the fireworks with you like we talked about though!" said Rarity, hoping to end their time together on a positive note. "I should be all done by then."

Applejack gave a worried look. "Promise?" she said.

"Promise." Rarity replied. She moved her hoof across her chest in an X, then placed it over her right eye, winking with the other one as she sealed the promise.

Applejack had only made it a couple minutes away from the Boutique when she heard an ear-piercing scream coming from behind her. She spun around so fast that she nearly fell over before sprinting back to Rarity's as fast as possible. The door was open so she ran inside the Boutique, only to be immediately grabbed by Rarity.

"The dress! It's gone!" Rarity said, her hooves shaking as they gripped AJ tightly. Rarity looked like she was about to cry, her eyes opened as wide as possible in panic. Applejack put her hooves on Rarity's shoulders, gave her the calmest look she could muster, and began taking visibly deep breaths. Rarity blinked before closing her eyes and following AJ's example, slowing her breathing. After taking a minute to let her cool down, Applejack put her hooves back down and motioned with her head toward an empty chair a few feet behind them. Rarity nodded before walking over and taking a seat.

"Alright sugarcube, tell me exactly what happened," said Applejack. Rarity took another breath and then pointed her hoof at a mannequin over by the wall.

"Sapphire's dress was right on that mannequin," Rarity explained, "I've been working on it nonstop but I always place it back on there." She shot Applejack a concerned look. "I came in after you walked me home and it seems to have just vanished," said Rarity. "I swear to Celestia I did not touch it. I need to find this dress immediately. "

"Okay hun," Applejack replied, "let's take a look around here first before anything else." Rarity nodded and rose from her seat, her eyes darting around the room. "I'll look down here if you want to check upstairs," said Applejack.

"Good idea, let me know if you find anything," Rarity responded.

Applejack rummaged through some boxes as Rarity trotted upstairs to survey the top floor. AJ recognized a few of the dresses and accessories in the boxes from Rarity wearing them out and about. She pulled out Rarity's overalls from when she had tried to impress Trenderhoof from one of the boxes, grinning and doing her best not to giggle. "That sure is interesting in hindsight now," Applejack thought as she placed the overalls back into their box.

"Applejack! Come quick!" Rarity shouted from upstairs. AJ ran upstairs, and over to Rarity's room. Rarity was inside, sitting on her bed with a horrified look on her face and a piece of paper in her hooves. AJ raised her hoof to enter, but then stopped herself.

"Um, may I come in hun," Applejack asked. She had been in Rarity's room countless times, but not since they had started courting, and she didn't want to come off as rude.

Rarity fell face-first onto her bed sheet. "Dear Celestia please just come here," she said, muffled by the blankets. AJ walked up to her bedside as she sat up and handed AJ the paper.

"YoUR DResS is sAfE ANd SoUnD in my hOOVes, BuT TO GeT it back you muSt hEEd My CLuES. THe fiRst sTEp TO GetTIng yOur prEciOuS goWN baCK Is TO GO to the FoREsT ANd rUN wITh tHE PACk."

The crude note was made up of letters cut out of newspaper and magazines, pasted onto the paper in a messy fashion. AJ looked back to Rarity, who looked confused and upset.

"I don't know if this is supposed to be a practical joke," said Rarity, "or some kind of dress-napping." She raised her hoof to her face. "Either way, I don't have time to be dealing with whatever this is. I need to finish this dress today, I cannot fail Sapphire." Rarity closed her eyes, slumping her head down in defeat. "What do I do..."

Rarity opened her eyes as she felt something touch her head. Applejack was standing at her beside with an encouraging smile. Behind AJ Rarity could see her reflection in the window and saw that AJ had placed her Shadow Spade inspired hat on top of her head. Rarity looked at her friend and smiled.

"If there's anypony I know who can figure this out, it's you dear," said Applejack, placing her hoof on Rarity's chin. "You are amazing at stuff like this. This is gonna be a breeze." Rarity pounced on Applejack with another tight hug, a huge grin on her face.

"Thank you sweetie," Rarity said, letting her friend go from her bear hug. "Honestly, I don't know what I would do without you. I simply could not get by." Applejack gave a sheepish smile and a tip of her hat in response.

Rarity stretched out her hooves and cricked her neck while simultaneously levitating her hat onto her bed. "Now then, we need to get going soon," she stated. "That clue was very obviously referring to the Running of the Leaves, so we will need to head over there." Applejack's eyes lit up.

"Hey, you get to see me run after all!" she said, excitement present on her face. Rarity began laughing, much to AJ's confusion. After a small fit of laughter, Rarity looked at her friend with a mix of amusement and determination.

"Oh darling, somepony broke into my house and stole a customer's garment," said Rarity. "I am going to FIND THEM AND MAKE THEM PAY." Rarity's usual gentle voice dropped to a growl at the end of her declaration, making Applejack jump. This only made Rarity laugh more, before beginning to walk out of the room.

"I am going to be running that race." said Rarity from the hallway.

Ch 2 - "An Afternoon Run"

Applejack stretched out her front legs, letting out a small grunt as she felt her muscles tighten. She was doing her stretches just outside of a large crowd of ponies who were all getting ready for the big race. AJ glanced around, sizing up the crowd as she sat back onto her hind legs and stretched her front legs over her head. Everypony looked excited to be there. Some ponies looked serious, doing similar stretches and jogging in place. Others were just smiling and talking to their friends. There were even quite a few fillys running around and playing in the piles of leaves that had been brushed to either side of the starting line. AJ moved her eyes from the playful fillys to the dirt racetrack ahead of the crowd. There was a decent amount of leaves piled up around the starting line, but the trees surrounding the track were still almost completely full of leaves.

"It's a good thing so many ponies showed up this year," Applejack thought to herself, "otherwise I don't know if we'd be able to knock all those leaves. Sure is an awful lot." AJ walked over to a nearby tree, leaning on it as she stretched out her back legs one by one. She watched as a single orange leaf detached itself from her stretching tree, picking up wind and soaring over the crowd of ponies. As the leaf blew behind the crowd, AJ noticed somepony calling her name. She turned around to see an excited Rainbow Dash approaching her.

"Well, if it isn't miss second place," said Rainbow, smug as ever, "you ready to polish my trophy today after I win?" Rainbow began hovering and quickly flipped upside down in the air, providing AJ with a teasing, upside down smirk just a few inches away from her face. "You are still down for our bet, right?" said Dash, fluttering a quick circle around AJ as she asked. "I didn't scare you off by winning the last two did I?" AJ rolled her eyes while her arrogant friend did a flip mid-boast.

"Brag all you want Rainbow," said Applejack, "but you're gonna be eating those words as you polish MY trophy tonight." AJ shot her friend a snarky grin as she continued to stretch, ignoring Rainbow's tricks. Rainbow Dash landed, pleased with AJ's banter.

"Alright AJ," said Rainbow, extending her hoof, "best pony wins?" AJ smiled and shook Rainbow's hoof, nodding in agreement. The smug look on Rainbow's face was now replaced with a friendly smile as she began hovering once more. "Anyway, how the heck have you been doing?" Rainbow asked, giving AJ a friendly punch to the shoulder. "Everything cool with Rarity? At home?"

"All good here," AJ replied, "you doing okay too Rainbow?" Rainbow smiled as she kicked back and lounged in the air as she hovered.

"Just living the dream, girl," Rainbow replied, "can't really complain." AJ nodded in agreement. "Speaking of dream girls," said Rainbow, looking over AJ's head, "it looks like your soulmate is finally here." AJ gave Dash a playful shove before turning around. Rarity was jogging toward AJ and Dash, sporting sweatbands on her front hooves and levitating a pair of water bottles alongside her. Rainbow waited till Rarity caught up to them, before turning around and taking off back into the crowd. "I'll leave you lovebirds to it," she shouted mid-getaway, "see you at the finish line, second place!" A few ponies in the crowd turned and giggled, causing Rarity to blush.

"Oh, that ruffian!" said Rarity in a huff. She shook her head as she gently levitated one of the water bottles to AJ who grabbed it out of the air with her hoof. "I swear that pony has absolutely no class," Rarity continued, before taking a swig from her water bottle.

"Don't drink too much hun," said Applejack. Rarity shot her partner a confused look, her mouth still full of water. "You just wanna take a few sips," AJ explained, "if you gulp down a ton of water you'll cramp up." A look of slight panic came to Rarity's face, as she pointed her hoof to her full mouth as if questioning if she should spit it out. Applejack laughed and threw her hoof around Rarity, causing her to gulp down the water. "It's all good hun," AJ explained, "it's your first race. You'll do fine. Besides, you're mainly just gonna be looking for a note or something, right? It's not like you're trying to win first prize." Rarity threw a hoof around AJ and smiled.

"Of course I won't be taking home gold," said Rarity as she bopped her partner's nose, "that's going to be you darling!" Applejack gave Rarity a confident wink, while placing her hat on Rarity's head. "Actually, do you know how long the race is?" Rarity asked, adjusting her newfound hat.

"That depends on which race you're running today."

Applejack and Rarity jumped and turned around to see Twilight standing behind them, still hovering a clipboard next to her with her magic.

"Oh, I'm sorry to sneak up on you like that," Twilight said with an awkward chuckle, "I just overheard your conversation. How are you girls doing?" Rarity and AJ exchanged their pleasantries with Twilight, giving hugs and informing her of Rarity's inclusion in the race.

"Well, lucky for you," Twilight explained, "we actually have some shorter race options available this year." Twilight moved her hoof around in the air as she talked. "We still have the normal five kilometer run, but we also have a two mile, and a one mile fun-run as well. That's why you see fillys running around this year, they are participating in the fun-run. It isn't as high stress as the actual race, but they can still help knock down the leaves, at least for part of the course!" Twilight ended her explanation with a cheesy smile, pleased with her summary.

"Well, that's just fantastic," said Rarity, "I get to run the kiddie race." Applejack put a hoof on Rarity's back, Rarity not looking pleased.

"It's not just for kids, Rarity," Twilight replied, shaking her head, "lots of ponies are running the one mile. Some ponies are also running their first race today, just like you. They are using the one mile as a stepping stone to try the longer races eventually." She pointed to different ponies in the crowd as she did her best to make Rarity feel better. "Plus some ponies just want to help out, but aren't very athletic and would prefer a shorter race," said Twilight as she pointed to Fluttershy, who was at the edge of the crowd receiving a pep talk from a gaggle of geese. "I added the other distances to be more inclusive and accommodating," Twilight explained. "Like, look, Derpy is running the one mile so she can run it with her daughter." Twilight pointed to the front of the crowd, where Derpy was handing Dinky a paper bag lunch. This made Rarity feel better, and the trio of friends continued to talk as they walked toward the starting line.

"Is everypony ready to begin the biiiig race?"

Pinkie Pie put her hoof up to her ear to listen to the crowd roar back at her from up in her hot air balloon. "I can't heeeearrr youuuuuuu~" she retorted. The crowd roared back even louder, much to her delight. All of the ponies stomped their hooves in excitement, whooping and cheering for the start of the race. "Alright eveypony, I think you're ready," announced Pinkie, "let's quickly go over the race and then we can get this show on the road!" Pinkie leaned over the side of her balloon basket and pointed down at the dirt path ahead of the runners with her hoof. "This road, specifically." Pinkie deadpanned, netting a few chuckles and groans from the crowd. "Okie-dokie, so there are three race lengths that you will be running today," she said, "you will all start together from this starting line, and stop when you reach your specific race marker. The one mile stops just before the creek, the two mile stops right after the stone bridge, and of course the five kilometer ends at the big finish line. We have signs and ponies at each of the race markers, so you guys just focus on running, and knocking down those leaves! We have medals for everypony placing in the top eight spots of each race, plus a big ol' honking trophy for the winner of the 5k!" Spike popped up next to Pinkie in the basket, holding up a large golden trophy. The crowd gave a collective "oooooh" as the trophy gleamed in the sunlight. "Thank you co-commentator Spike," Pinkie continued. "So to start off the race, I'll be giving you an 'on your marks', then a 'get set', and then you will hear the sound of my party cannon being fired by my sister Maud!" Pinkie pointed down at Maud who was standing next to the starting line with the aforementioned cannon. Maud gave an uninterested wave. "She's such a team player," Pinkie commented, "but anyway, once you hear that cannon, you're off! Everypony got that?" The crowd gave a resounding "yes", with ponies taking their starting stances. "Alright everypony, have a good race!" yelled Pinkie.

Rarity and Applejack stood next to each other at the front of the pack, their hooves just a bit behind the starting line. Rarity took some deep breathes, visibly nervous. Applejack leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, before whispering a gentle "you'll do fine!" into her ear. Rarity gave her partner an appreciative smile, levitating Applejack's hat back onto it's owner's head with her magic. Upon feeling a nudge on her shoulder, Applejack turned around to find Rainbow Dash standing next to her on the other side. Rainbow offered up a hoof, mouthing the words "good luck" with a friendly smile. Applejack bumped her hoof against Rainbow's and tipped her hat with a grin.

"On your marks!" yelled Pinkie.

The crowd grew totally quiet. Ponies tensed up, all eyes focused on the road ahead.

"GET SET!"

Pinkie pointed to Maud from her balloon.

"Go." said Maud.

BOOOOOMMMM

All of the runners took off, ponies cheering from the sidelines, and Pinkie's balloon following the pack.

Applejack's heart pounded in her chest as she ran. She was in the final stretch of the race, and she was starting to feel her fatigue catching up to her. She kept up her pace, however, determined to catch up to Rainbow Dash before AJ ran out of steam. She could see Dash up ahead, she had been trailing a bit behind her for the past mile or so. Leaves flew off the trees as the ponies passed them, blowing around in the afternoon breeze. The sun was high in the sky now, and the heat only made AJ more tired. As she kept up her pace behind Rainbow, the two of them exited the forest and could see the path to the finish line. There was still a small stretch of course left, but it was all out in the open and relatively flat. AJ could see a large crowd of ponies at the finish line waiting, and there were other small patches of ponies strewn about different spots before the finish line. The first group they passed was Fluttershy with a few of her animal friends. She gave Rainbow and then AJ a gentle cheer as they passed by. They continued toward the finish, receiving cheers and encouragement from different ponies as they passed them. After passing a few groups, AJ noticed a pony running toward them from the sidelines.

"Applejaaaaack!"

AJ looked over at the sound of her name to see Rarity running up to her position. She had a medal strung by a blue ribbon around her neck, and was levitating a piece of paper next to her as she ran. Applejack gave the biggest smile she could despite her fatigue, happy to see Rarity had won something. Rarity caught up to AJ, turning around and running next to her.

"I found the next clue, Applejack!" said Rarity, doing her best to keep up AJ's pace. Applejack motioned with her head toward Rarity's medal. "Oh yes, I also got eighth place in the one mile!" said Rarity, looking down at her medal with a grin. "But that's not important now, listen! I read over this note, and it says that the next clue comes with the first place trophy! If Dash gets it, she'll probably throw it away or lose it or something. You need to win this race!" Rarity stopped to catch her breath as AJ ran on, still tailing Dash. Rarity lifted her head up and shouted to AJ as she ran away.

"WIN THIS FOR ME!"

Applejack's eyes grew wide and filled with fire. She felt her fatigue lift away, her muscles still tired but feeling able. Applejack leaned her head down, mentally locking on to Rainbow dash ahead of her. "Out of the way, second place," AJ thought to herself. Her mind filled with determination, she lifted her pace from a steady run to an all-out sprint. Rainbow Dash turned around at the sound of pounding hooves, only to see Applejack sprint right past her. Dash gave out a shout of dismay before sprinting after AJ. As the finish line approached, the two ponies became neck and neck. Ponies cheered both of them on as they sprinted toward the finish.

"That trophy's mine!" shouted Dash, gasping for air afterwards. She kicked up her pace to as fast as she could muster, gaining a slight advantage on AJ.

"No, no, no!" Applejack thought, "Not this year! This time, you get to be second place!" As she pushed herself even harder, an image of Rarity came into her mind. She thought of the two of them laying out on their blanket. She turned her head to Rainbow, preparing to jet ahead. "Not this time! I've got love on my side or whatever!" AJ shouted. At this, she pulled out all the stops. Applejack had never run that fast before in her entire life. It felt like her heart, lungs, and legs were about to explode in that order. Dash tried her hardest to keep up, but it was no use. Applejack flew across the finish line mere seconds before Rainbow. The crowd erupted in cheers as Applejack collapsed in the grass, throwing up a hoof afterwards to show she was okay. Applejack lowered her hoof back down and took a moment to rest herself. After catching her breath, Applejack stood up to see an equally tired Rainbow dash.

"Hey iron pony," said Rainbow Dash, "that was a heck of a race. Good job, you did awesome!" Applejack smiled and offered up a hoof, which Rainbow shook. Rainbow smiled back at her friend and pulled her into a hug. "I'll have to train real hard to win my title back next year," said Rainbow. "But for now, you earned this one. Enjoy it! Also, incoming attack hug. Later!" Dash jetted away, while AJ turned around into a pouncing Rarity. Rarity hugged her partner extremely tight, squeaking with joy.

Rarity praised Applejack for her win, throwing lots of compliments her way and causing Applejack to blush a few times. Twilight and Fluttershy came by to congratulate her, and Pinkie delivered her trophy. Rarity reached into the trophy and pulled out another note, which she read and seemed to ponder. Applejack tried to read it, but ponies kept coming up to talk to her and say congratulations. After the crowd had dispersed, Rarity motioned for Applejack to walk with her.

"Dit yu fint out where da next one was?" asked AJ, doing her best to talk while dragging her trophy with her mouth and walking backwards. Rarity rolled her eyes, levitating the trophy into the air next to AJ. "Sorry, thank you." said AJ, turning around and continuing next to Rarity.

"I did decipher the clue," explained Rarity, "and the next one will be at the Town Fair. We will have to 'win the prize', which is of course referring to the carnival games. But there is a slight problem..."

"What's that?" asked Applejack.

"It in no way at all specifies WHAT game we are supposed to win." said Rarity, sighing afterward.

"So...we are going to have to play every one until we find it?" asked Applejack, trying to remember how many games there were last year.

"Essentially, yes." replied Rarity. "Plus we have to WIN each one. That way we can rule them out." Rarity groaned, hanging her head down. Applejack lifted her chin back up, nuzzling her face against Rarity's.

"Don't you worry hun," said Applejack with a confident grin, "if I won the race today, I'm sure I can win some silly carnival games. We've got this!" Rarity nodded her head with a smile.

"Well then," said Rarity, striking a dramatic pose, "to the Town Fair!" She then paused, her horn glowing for a second then dispersing. "To my house to get my wallet, and then to the Town Fair!!"

Ch 3 - "An Important Question"

"Good heavens, I said we have to win every game, not destroy them!"

Rarity looked in awe at the now fallen over "test your strength" game. Applejack had hit the base so hard with her hooves that it knocked the bell clean off the top and caused the entire thing to topple over. This was the third game of this nature AJ had destroyed at the fair. Applejack laughed awkwardly as she handed some bits to an unhappy looking carnie, who in turn handed her a small stuffed bear. AJ handed the bear to Rarity, who looked it over before tossing it into a small wagon beside her that was overflowing with carnival prizes. Rarity's horn sparked to life with magic as she and Applejack walked toward the next row of games, Rarity telekinetically pulling the prize wagon.

The sun was low in the sky now, casting an orange hue over the entire fair. All around Applejack and Rarity ponies wandered around, talking to their friends and playing carnival games. The duo approached a small shack with a milk bottle toss game on display. They peered inside the shack, but saw nopony there to run the game. AJ and Rarity traded confused looks.

"Um, is anypony running this game?" Rarity called out. The two looked around as they waited for a reply. The middle of the shack had a stack of boxes on which three milk bottles were set up. The top of the shack was overflowing with stuffed animals, a multitude of small stuffed pandas and a few large plush kittens. As the two ponies were busy observing the prizes, a pink figure sprung up from behind the shack's counter.

"Welcome to the bottle toss!" yelled Pinkie, causing AJ and Rarity to scream and jump in unison. Pinkie was wearing a straw hat adorned with a small picture of a milk bottle on the front, a striped vest, and a curly fake mustache. Rarity looked over at Applejack, who was giving her a knowing look regarding their pink friend's insistent silliness. Rarity gave AJ a wink before turning to address the pink pony.

"Thank you darling," said Rarity, "have you been working this game since the race?" Pinkie gave an enthusiastic nod as she reached down and picked up a lead ball.

"Yup, I'm running this game until sundown," Pinkie explained as she placed the ball on the counter. "Then I have to go an-" Pinkie scrunched her mouth up, then shook her head. "Then I have to go help Mrs. Cake sell funnel cakes at the fireworks!" Pinkie gave an awkward laugh as she placed a jar about half full of bits on the counter next to the ball. Rarity looked back at Applejack, raising an eyebrow. AJ just shrugged and removed her hat, taking a couple bits out of it and tossing them into the jar. Pinkie gave a hearty "thank you" as she handed AJ the ball.

"Alright Pinkie," said Applejack, "so what's the difference between the prizes up there?" AJ pointed up at the various stuffed cats and pandas. Pinkie reached up and grabbed a large white plush kitten.

"You get three balls to throw," she explained, "if you knock down all three bottles you get a panda bear." She then pointed to her white kitten. "If you knock down all three bottles three times in a row, then you get a big fluffy cat!" Pinkie smiled, then looked at the cat again. "Hey, this one looks just like Opal!" She looked over to Rarity with an odd grin.

Rarity smiled back, then leaned over to Applejack. "What did that pony put in her punch today?" whispered Rarity.

"I have no idea hun," AJ whispered back, "I'm just gonna play the game. I think that white cat might be our golden goose."

"It's more of a cat than a goose, but whatever floats your boat!" whispered Pinkie, who had seemed to have suddenly appeared between the couple. AJ and Rarity met eyes, both sharing a look of concern. AJ shook her head and began to take aim at the bottles. She closed one eye, holding the lead ball in her right hoof and extending her left hoof out in front of her to aim. Rarity smiled as she quietly observed her friend prepare for her toss.

"Aren't you gonna cheer on your marefriend?" asked Pinkie, now sitting beside Rarity. Rarity placed her hoof over Pinkie's mouth, not moving her gaze from AJ.

"She's getting into the zone," Rarity whispered, "also she isn't officially my marefriend yet, dear." As she said this, a small grin appeared and then faded from AJ's face. Rarity gave a soft "hmm", taking note of this.

AJ tossed the ball, striking the stack of bottles and sending all three flying. Rarity cheered with glee, AJ giving off a proud smile while curtsying to her partner. Pinkie pulled another ball out of her mane and handed it to Applejack. AJ repeated the spectacle twice more, taking time before each throw to line up the perfect shot. As the last set of bottles toppled, she turned around to see not only Rarity cheering for her, but a small crowd of ponies that had amassed as she had been playing the game. AJ gave a gentle tip of her hat.

"Thanks, y'all!" she said to the crowd, before turning back around to a kitten-clad Pinkie.

"That was some good shootin' partner!" said Pinkie, slightly copying AJ's twang. "I do hereby declare that this wonderfully fluff-tastical giant kitten shall be YOURS!" Pinkie tossed AJ the kitten, which nearly smacked her in the face before it was caught midair by Rarity's magic. Rarity pulled the plush over to her and inspected it. After taking a look at the kitten's back, a huge grin grew over her face. With a spark of her horn, a few threads tore themselves out of the back of the stuffed cat. The crowd of ponies gasped in horror. Rarity turned to them with a look of confusion. Her eyes widened, and then closed as she gave off an awkward laugh.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, it's a long story, trust me," she explained to the crowd, still giggling. The crowd seemed to accept this, and watched in awe as Rarity pulled a note card out of the kitten's back. "AHA! FINALLY!" yelled Rarity, betraying her usual poise. Applejack quickly ran up behind her, making sure to be able to read the note this time.

"IT'S AlmOST oveR, yOU'Ve coMe thiS faR! NOW gO AnD fiNd yoUr PReCious DRESs, hiDiNG AmonG the staRS!"

Rarity looked at AJ with concern. "Does this mean we have to wait till the fireworks?" asked Rarity. "I'd love to see them like we planned, but at this point I'm running out of time!" Rarity put her hooves up to the sides of her head. "I've been holding it together this long, but I can't take much more of this Applejack." She looked up at her partner, her hooves still on the sides of her head and her pupils shaking.

Applejack lifted Rarity up into a gentle hug, pulling a soft "aww" out of the crowd. "Actually sweetie," said AJ, "I think I know exactly where the dress is, and we can go there right now." Rarity's eyes sparked to life.

"Do you mean it?" she asked, her whole face glowing with interest. AJ nodded her head and kissed Rarity on the nose.

"Let's go hun." AJ offered Rarity a hoof, who accepted it as they began to exit the bottle toss. Before they left the crowd, Rarity felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned around to see Dinky, who was holding the now discarded kitten plush.

"Um, Miss Rarity," said Dinky "would it be okay if I had this toy? If you don't want it that is." Rarity opened her mouth to reply, but stopped as she got an idea. She leaned over and whispered in Applejack's ear, who then gave an affirming nod and smile.

"I've got an even better idea," said Rarity, "how about you take this whole wagon full of stuffed animals to school tomorrow, and share them with your whole class?" Dinky's eyes grew wide, a look of disbelief covering her face.

"You really mean it?" she asked. Rarity nodded with a "yes, darling" and the crowd erupted with cheers. Rarity thanked the crowd before looking over to Applejack, who gave her a wink and nodded her head toward the other side of the fair. Rarity threw her hoof over her partners back as they started walking.

The sun was finally settling down behind some hills in the distance, the shadow of night beginning to crawl over the fair. Applejack and Rarity walked together toward the far north corner of the fair. Around them, they observed some ponies packing up their stands. A few ponies selling food packed their wares into moving carts, most likely to transport them to the fireworks show and continue selling. AJ and Rarity approached the last line of the fair before the perimeter. There was a now-closed cotton candy stand, a big inflatable dome, and what looked like a very large stand that was covered with a black tarp. AJ was guiding her friend toward the dome, but Rarity noted the strange tarp-covered attraction.

"What do you suppose is under there?" she asked, moving her head around to try to see the other side of it. Applejack paused to look over it, scratched her chin, then shrugged.

"Beats me," she replied, "might be something from earlier I guess. Or that might be where they store the fireworks, that could be." Rarity gave an "ah" and a small nod, considering this likely. The two directed their attention back to their destination, which was now right in front of them. It was a large, black inflatable dome, with some kind of mechanical contraption attached to the base which seemed to be keeping it up. There was a large picture of a shooting star above the doorway, and a bearded pony dressed in old robes and a wizard hat standing watch in front of the dome. As the couple approached the entrance, the bearded pony gave an enthusiastic wave.

"Hey girls!" said the bearded pony, which AJ and Rarity immediately identified as Twilight dressed in her Nightmare Night costume from a while back. She looked much more relaxed than earlier, her clipboard now replaced with a wizard-y staff.

"Howdy Starswirl," said AJ, causing Rarity and Twilight to giggle, "is the star dome still open?" Twilight nodded with a smile.

"The planetarium is still open until the fireworks," she explained. "Would you two like to come in?" AJ nodded and took off her hat, reaching into it for some bits to cover their entry. Her face froze, hoof still in her hat. Twilight gave a gentle chuckle.

"The planetarium is no charge, girls," said Twilight. "I covered the cost of setup for this one myself. I didn't want to charge anypony who wanted to learn!" Applejack gave a sigh of relief as she placed her hat back on. Rarity thanked Twilight profusely, AJ adding her own "thank you" afterwards.

As the couple walked into the planetarium, they both gasped at a multitude of stars and constellations on the walls. Rarity looked at the top of the dome, noting a few of the constellations Applejack had shown her at the cabin. Her gaze lowered until it reached eye level, and she spotted something she had not expected.

Fluttershy stood in the middle of the dome. She was holding a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, but Rarity barely noticed them. She was much too focused on what Fluttershy was wearing.

Sapphire's dress.

Rarity walked up to Fluttershy in awe, walking around her and inspecting the garment. It was falling off of her friend a little bit; Sapphire was a larger pony than Fluttershy after all. But the dress was finished, and it completely adhered to Rarity's design. She looked closer, trying to find some kind of flaw in the stitching, some kind of error. But there was none. Fluttershy gave a quiet, awkward laugh while Rarity was staring directly into her side. Rarity stepped back, looking over the dress from afar. She turned to Applejack, a satisfied grin on her face.

"I'm impressed sweetie," said Rarity, "you got all the stitching right and everything. You seriously pulled this off, you could work in one of my boutiques!" Applejack shook her head, looking confused.

"Wait, how did you know it was me?" she asked, while Rarity accepted the bouquet of flowers from Fluttershy with a smile. Rarity hugged Fluttershy, then turned around while smelling her flowers. After a deep sniff of their aroma, she shot Applejack a smug look.

"I didn't," she said, putting her other hoof around AJ. "You just told me." Applejack opened her mouth to speak, but then just laughed.

"Good one Rare, you got me," she said. "That's payback for the geese." Rarity giggled and gave AJ a quick peck on the cheek.

"Yes, I was pretty sure it was you," Rarity explained, "and I knew you would most likely have already taken care of it in some fashion." AJ nodded her head.

"Is that why you didn't really freak out too much?" AJ asked. Rarity nodded, toying with the ends of AJ's hair.

"I figured you had it under control due to your demeanor," said Rarity, "although if you had actually messed up the dress I probably would have killed you." She shot AJ a cold stare, AJ giving off a sheepish grin in response. Rarity hung her head and laughed, Fluttershy chuckling into her hoof next to her. Applejack rolled her eyes as her friends finished laughing and Fluttershy began to walk towards the door.

"Well, I'm going to head back to my cottage now," said Fluttershy. "You two have a nice night, call me next time you want to pull some crazy shenanigans on each other." Fluttershy continued to chuckle to herself as she exited the dome, AJ and Rarity blushing and sharing a pair of sheepish smiles. They quickly regained their composure and sat down together in the middle of the dome. Rarity looked around at the constellations, her bouquet resting in her hooves. She turned to face Applejack, who was looking at her intently.

"Is everything okay, dear?" Rarity asked, placing a hoof over AJ's.

"Oh everything is fine hun," replied Applejack. She took in a big breath and removed her hat, placing it on the floor in front of her. "But I have an important question to ask you." Rarity's eyes grew wide. She sat up on her hind legs and turned to face Applejack. Applejack followed suit, gently taking the flowers from Rarity and placing them by her hat. AJ took Rarity's hooves in hers, taking another deep breath.

"These past few months have been some of the best of my life," Applejack began. "I've always felt a little bit closer to you then a friend, and this Summer I finally found out why. After we started this 'courting' thing, I've just been so happy. Even if we're real busy like we have been lately, it's still a great feeling to know that you're out there thinking about me. And when you are around, heck, everything just seems a little sweeter." Rarity tightened her grip on AJ's hooves, tears making their way down her face. Applejack lifted a hoof and wiped the tears away from her partner's eyes, Rarity sniffing and holding on tight to AJ's other hoof. Rarity gave a smile and nodded, motioning for AJ to continue. "I've wanted to ask you this since that first night at the cabin," Applejack continued, "but I'm glad we waited a bit. Because now I know how amazing we are going to be."

"Will you be my marefriend?"

Applejack hit the floor of the dome as Rarity pounced on her with a hug. Applejack let out a small squeak as Rarity squeezed her in her hooves, crying softly into AJ's shoulder. Applejack wrapped her hooves around the pony who she assumed she was now dating, rubbing her back gently. After sharing an embrace for a moment, Rarity raised her head up. She wiped away a combination of tears and make-up, all the while wearing an enormous smile on her face. Just as Applejack lifted a hoof to say something, Rarity grabbed the back of AJ's neck and pulled AJ towards her. Applejack blushed intensely as Rarity pulled her into a passionate kiss. After recovering from the initial shock, AJ closed her eyes and accepted her mushy fate. She opened her eyes again after Rarity pulled away, still slightly flustered from the kiss. Rarity put a hoof around AJ, sighing affectionately.

"Yes, by the way." said Rarity, giggling afterwards.

As Rarity and Applejack exited the dome, the new marefriends were showered with a massive amount of confetti. They looked ahead to see Twilight and Rainbow Dash jumping and cheering, Pinkie sitting on top of her party cannon and loading more confetti. Rarity looked over to AJ, who gave her a wink and then motioned with her head toward the tarp covered attraction next to the dome. Rarity followed Applejack's motion and gasped. The tarp was now gone, and underneath was a fully decorated pavilion. There was a big banner on the front with the new couple's likenesses painted on it with a heart in-between them, a couple of frilly looking bows tied onto the roof, and a bunch of picnic tables overflowing with food underneath it. Rarity squeaked with delight and hugged her new marefriend. Applejack hugged her back tight and then took her hoof and followed their friends toward the pavilion.

Author's Note

Sorry this took forever to update. Had writer's block, am over it now. One more chapter coming soon to finish this fic up, then up next a Winter themed fic to continue Rare and AJ's story.

Ch 4 - "A Good Night's Sleep"

Rarity and Applejack rejoiced with their friends under the pavilion, eating lots of sweets and talking about the events of the day. Rainbow Dash was oddly excited about the advent of two of her best friends dating. She asked both of them all about how everything went down, and gave Applejack several hoof bumps and "aw yeah"s. Pinkie was as gleeful and excited as ever, but also carefully made sure everypony was having a good time. Always a hostess, that one. Twilight was acting like she was both of their mothers at once, reminding each of them of how they should behave with each other and generally overthinking the whole thing. She did so with a smile, however, so it was no big deal in the end. Fluttershy returned to the group after a short while, having come back from tucking her animals in for the night. She congratulated the new couple and told both of them how proud she was of them.

A little while later, the sky began to light up as the fireworks show began. The six friends all hurried to sit in front of the pavilion, the pyrotechnics clearly visible over a nearby hill. Amidst the whistling and booming of the fireworks and the "ooos" and "ahhs" of her friends, Rarity silently looked around at everypony. Pinkie Pie was sitting farthest away from her, and was polishing off a cupcake while beaming up at the sky. As Rarity looked on, Pinkie turned to look back at her, giving a warm, slightly-icing-covered smile. Next to Pinkie was Twilight, looking more relaxed than usual. She had her eyes glued to the sky more than anypony else, and almost seemed to be nodding her head to a silent tune. A rather large firecracker exploded, casting a momentary white glow over Twilight's face. As the white glow faded away, she turned and gave a pleasant nod, noticing Rarity's gaze. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were sitting between Twilight and Rarity, chatting quietly about their day. It depended on the day, but Rainbow would usually try to sit next to Fluttershy, and always seemed happy to talk to her. The light from a trio of multicolored fireworks danced across Rainbow's mane, Fluttershy noticing and silently admiring it. Fluttershy's eyes then moved to Rarity as she offered a gentle smile, Rainbow turning around and doing the same. Rarity smiled back, before slowly turning around to look at Applejack, who was sitting on her other side. AJ had her hat off again, this time resting in her lap. Her blonde hair glowed brightly whenever a large firework burst, making her look almost angelic to Rarity. AJ kept her eyes on the sky, looking so happy and satisfied that nothing could ever get her down. Without looking, she moved her hoof over and placed it over Rarity's. Rarity gripped her hoof tight, taking one last look at her newfound marefriend before leaning over to rest on AJ's shoulder. She closed her eyes, ignoring the faraway booms, and gave herself up to the moment.

After the fireworks had ended, the six friends helped tidy up the pavilion before all saying their "goodnights". Applejack walked next to Rarity, accompanying her on her walk back to the boutique. Twilight was kind enough to run her dress home before the fireworks started, so she was free to hold hooves with AJ on their evening stroll. It was a bit chilly now that night had finally overtaken the sky, but Rarity felt cozy anyway next to Applejack's warmth. The smoke from the pyrotechnics was finally clearing, revealing starry skies overhead. Lanterns lit up a path throughout the fair, though nearly everything was shut down by this point. Rarity scanned the abandoned fairgrounds before spotting something that caught her fancy.

"I'd like to make one more stop before home," said Rarity. Applejack glanced over to where her partner was looking to find a small ferris wheel, still lit up and with a pony at the controls. Rarity pulled out a few bits and gave her marefriend a smile. Applejack smiled back, nodded her head and walking with her toward the ride. As the couple approached, a blue unicorn mare in a work outfit greeted them. She informed the couple that they were lucky; they had caught the last ride of the night. Rarity gave the carnival mare a few bits and took AJ by the hoof to board the lowest car on the wheel. The blue pony locked the gate on their car and trotted over to her control board, hitting a large red button and then sitting down on a folding chair next to the board. Rarity held on to Applejack as the car jittered into motion, moving slowly upwards on the wheel. The two friends giggled as the car would stop for a little while at every stop, causing it to shake them about slightly each time. By the time they reached the top of the wheel, both ponies looked out over the night.

"Wow, that's just beautiful right there," said Applejack, placing her hoof around her partner as they both looked out of their car. Rarity gave a soft "mhmm", snuggling closer to AJ. The starry sky ended at the treeline, replaced with a sea of lanterns all around the fair. They could see small shadows moving around in the distance, ponies saying goodbyes and heading back to their homes. The breeze picked up, setting the treeline into motion and blowing a few leaves past the couple's car. Applejack laid her head on top of Rarity's, taking her hat off and placing it in their laps. She closed her eyes and held Rarity tight. Rarity said something under her breath, but Applejack wasn't quite able to make it out.

"What was that, sweetie?" she asked quietly. Rarity lifted her head up to kiss her partner on the cheek, then whispered into her ear.

"I love you."

A few stray leaves rustled around the road as the two ponies neared Rarity's boutique. It was beginning to get quite chilly, so Rarity was happy to have Applejack to keep her warm on her walk home. The moonlight fell lightly onto Rarity's home, giving a faint glow to the building. As they approached the front door, Rarity turned to her marefriend.

"Thank you so much for such a beautiful day," said Rarity, looking intently into her partner's eyes. "I feel like the luckiest girl in all of Equestria tonight". Applejack pulled her into a big hug, grinning from ear to ear. As the two pulled apart from their embrace, Applejack spotted a familiar playful look on Rarity's face. Applejack cocked her head, imploring her to ask whatever she was going to ask.

"You know it is awfully chilly," Rarity stated, "and you sure do have a dreadfully long walk back to Sweet Apple Acres..." Applejack blushed, putting a hoof on Rarity's shoulder.

"I know we're officially an item now," said Applejack, "but I don't think I'm quite ready to spend the night quite yet." Rarity giggled and put her hoof over AJ's, removing it from her shoulder and holding it between them.

"I know that," Rarity replied, "I was just going to say you could sleep on my couch tonight if you didn't want to make the trek back. I know it was a big day today, and I myself am quite tired. No funny business." Applejack ceased blushing and maintained a small smile, chuckling to herself.

"Okay," said Applejack, "but I warn ya, I'm gonna have to get up at the crack of dawn to make it back home in time for chores." She gave Rarity the most serious look she could muster despite the persistent glee she had been filled with since the fair. "I just wouldn't wanna wake you up super early, don't wanna interrupt your beauty sleep and all," she continued, nuzzling her head against Rarity's. "Heh heh, not that you would need it. Considering you're already the most beautiful mare I've ever met." Rarity gave AJ a playful shove and a peck on the nose for her sappy line.

"It's completely fine with me," Rarity replied, "I think it will help me sleep just knowing you're there." Applejack nodded her head, and Rarity opened the door for her.

Applejack stood in the main room as Rarity retrieved a couple blankets and some pillows. Rarity used her magic to quickly turn her couch into a presentable makeshift bed, Applejack giving her a thankful hug mid-bedmaking. Applejack climbed onto the couch and pulled the covers over her.

"Thanks a bunch Rare," she said, getting cozy, "I think we both really could use a good night's sleep." Rarity nodded her head with a gentle smile, then turned out the lights.

"Goodnight darling," she said from the darkness, "I love you so much."

"Love you too Rare," AJ replied, "night, sweetheart." She could hear Rarity give off a quiet squeak of excitement before heading upstairs. Applejack closed her eyes as she pulled the covers tight. She thought about everything that happened during her day. She thought about her excellent date plan, beating Rainbow in the big race, and most importantly, finally dating the girl of her dreams. Applejack wore a satisfied grin as she felt her mind start to drift off to dreamland. Everything began to slowly fade out...

Applejack opened her eyes back up as she felt a large weight on her torso. She tried to move her hooves, but they seemed to be weighed down. Just as her eyes started adjusting, she felt a smooch on her nose.

"I never said I couldn't sleep on the couch too," said Rarity, giving off a slight glow of her horn just long enough to present AJ with a teasing wink. "My house, my rules, darling."

Normally Applejack would have protested, but she could barely move and couldn't help but laugh. She wrapped her hooves around her marefriend, surrendering to her shenanigans once again. The two ponies giggled for a bit together before growing silent and drifting off to a blissful slumber.

~FIN~