Leap of Faith: Rainbow Vs. Wild

Chapters

Chapter One - You Snooze, You Lose
Chapter Two - Froo Froo Filly Feelings
Chapter Three - The Calm Before the Storm
Chapter Four - Mayday Mayday! Pegasus Down!
Chapter Five - Party of One
Chapter Six - Applejack's Leap of Faith
Chapter Seven - The Battle of Fort Rainbow
Chapter Eight - Rainbow Hearts and Apple Kisses
Chapter Nine - Fight and Flight
Chapter Ten - The Apple of mah Eye
Chapter Eleven - At the end of the Day
The Afterparty!!! - Author's Notes

Chapter One - You Snooze, You Lose

Rain, sleet, snow, hail. All boring to the Rainbow Mare whose face was pressed into the cloud desk she sat at, snoring away lightly. Her mane was hanging over the front of her face and a light stream of drool was trickling from her mouth and to the floor. All around her Pegasus ponies paid careful attention to the Teacher up front, instructing them on the proper
procedures to execute an emergency landing in extreme weather conditions. The teacher's words fell on one filly's deaf ears
however, as Rainbow Dash continued to snooze on, uncaring of what was going on.

It was a new class her boss had pretty much forced her to take because the feather brain everypony knew as Derpy Hooves had managed to get herself stuck on a mountain in a hail storm. Like she cared, like she even NEEDED this class! She was Rainbow Dash, the most epic of fliers and the bravest of the Pegasus ponies! She would never let a simple, dumb thing like hail stop her from being awesome! She smiled stupidly in her sleep as she dreamed about the Wonderbolts, their looks of sheer awe as she performed a TRIPLE Sonic Rainboom, The entire sky lit up with the color of rainbows. She bowed as crowds and crowds of ponies cheered her on.

She suddenly frowned as something soft hit her head, and when she reached up...an apple fell in her hoof. She stared at it, confused when all of a sudden another hit her, and another, and another! It was raining apples! She held up her hooves and shouted in protest, the apples falling harder and faster. Over the downpour, Rainbow Dash swore she could hear a familiar laugh echoing across the sky.

She jumped in her seat, squealing as her Teacher slammed a yardstick down on her table, the rest of her fellow weather team snorting with laughter. She rubbed the back of her head slightly, blushing with embarrassment as her teacher frowned heavily towards her, saying in a raised voice "Well, Miss Dash? Care to explain to the class what the proper angle is for your wings to effectively navigate sudden upwind currents?" Rainbow Dash simply stared at him like he had four heads, her eyes wide and her mouth partially agape. The teacher sighed, shaking his head and trotting back to the front "Pay ATTENTION please Miss Dash, this is for your team's safety as well as your own!" Rainbow Dash waved a hoof in the air, muttering

"Yeah yeah..." and propped her chin up on her hoof, sighing with aggravation and staring towards the front with a bored expression on her face. It was going to be a long hour...

~~~

Meanwhile, a few thousand feet below on the ground, a certain orange earth pony bucked an apple tree with tremendous force, her effort rewarding her with a large yield of falling apples. Applejack chuckled, tipping her hat back and smiling. She rolled the piece of hay tucked in her mouth to the other side and let out a heavy sigh.

"Whew! Ah tell you what, there ain't nuttin' like a good bucking to get all the apple pie outta mah thighs." the Apple Mare joked to herself, gently picking up her prized apples and dropping them in wooden buckets placed around her. She sat on her haunches after she collected them all, wiping her forehead with her hoof and leaning herself up against the partially dented tree. The shad kept her cool, her eyes gently wandering over the wide expanse of Apple Trees she took pride in harvesting.

Her thoughts wandered about, on her family, her farm, her friends...and her. Applejack sighed, her eyes slowly lifting up and staring up towards the barely visible outline of Cloudsdale. It had been a few weeks since she started thinking about Rainbow Dash, and every day she became more and more nervous about her own thoughts. She didn't quite understand why she cared so deeply for her, often times just letting her sleep in her trees instead of bucking her awake, or giving her encouraging cheers when her tricks didn't come out just right. Granted that was most of the time, so Applejack would often find herself with a small first aid kit, tending to Rainbow's wounds while they sat in the Apple Family kitchen.

She remembered one of those particular days...the days she started feeling different about Rainbow Dash. They were in Applejack's kitchen, Rainbow wincing as the country mare ran a gentle hoof along her side, trying to clean a deep gash that had been set in her side from a stray tree branch. She wrapped a soft bandage around Rainbow's belly and rubbed her hoof up and down her side again, making sure it stuck. She hadn't even realized that she had been rubbing Rainbow's side for four minutes, her mind starting to wander away, her thoughts trailing away as she felt Rainbow's soft coat under her hooves. Rainbow smiled a little, turning her head and muttering

"Hey...I don't think the bandage is getting any more secure AJ." Applejack shook her head, coming back to reality as she blinked and stuttered

"Huh? What?" Rainbow laughed and shook her head, thanking her friend for the treatment. She headed for the door, giving Applejack a small salute and heading out, calling back

"See you later AJ!" Applejack waved after her, hearing the familiar 'WOOSH!' of her friends wings.

Applejack gently shook her head, coming back to reality as she sighed heavily, getting up and calling over to Bic Macintosh who had been tilling the field nearby

"Hey Macintosh, I'm heading inta town if ya'll need anythin'!" Big Macintosh looked over, stopping his plow for a second to let out his traditional

"Eeeyup!", tugging back on the plow and leading it across the ground. Applejack nodded, tilting her Pappy's hat back forward and walking casually down the path, Ponyville and a certain boutique on her mind. She figured if anyone could help her with froo froo feelings and what not, it'd be that stuck up, city-lovin' Rarity.

Chapter Two - Froo Froo Filly Feelings

"Get yer apples here!!! Fresh, delicious apples!!!" Appleboom shouted towards the passerby's. She was standing in front of Caramel's Apple Cart, the orangish colt doing his best to fill his customers' orders as the sun hit the center of the sky, signaling that it was lunch time. Applebloom shouted with glee as she spotted her big sister in the crowd "Hey Sis'!!! What you doin' in town?" Applejack smiled and trotted over to her, giving her a gentle hug.

"I'm just relaxin' after a bit of apple buckin'," Applejack said, pulling away and smiling "Gonna go see Rarity for some chitchat, you need anythin?" Applebloom shook her head, smiling

"Nope! You have a good day Sis'!" Applejack nodded, turning and heading back down the street. She was happy that business was picking up, seeing as how winter was coming up soon and the temperature had already begun to drop. Most ponies wouldn't want to bother themselves with the cold so they could buy apples. No, the sales HAD to go on in the warm months.

She hummed quietly to herself, ponies moving about the street, buying, selling, browsing, or otherwise chatting it up with their friends. She was just about to turn onto the street where the Carousel Boutique was located when she heard a familiar voice calling out to her

"Applejack, darling! What brings you into town this fair day?" Rarity said as she waved from a nearby street-bench, sipping some tea casually. Applejack tipped her hat to her and shouted back

"Well howdy Rarity! Ah was actually just on mah way to see ya! You gotta moment?" Rarity patted the empty spot next to her and spoke with glee

"But of COURSE dear! Come, sit down and we'll talk." Heading over, Applejack climbed up onto the bench, turning to face the street and nestling down on her belly, tucking her front hooves inward. Rarity smiled as she sat and said "Well, tell me, how are you today?" Applejack shrugged, an indifferent expression on her face

"Purty alright ah guess...work was a bit rough today but, nothing ah can't handle!" Rarity nodded and smiled, but frowned as she saw that Applejack's eyes had shifted towards the ground, the corner of her mouth twitching. Rarity had always been a master of intricate and delicate detail...and it wasn't just with dresses. She cocked her head, smiling as she spoke with a delicate tone

"Applejack dear...are you alright? You seem distracted." This earned her a surprised look from the country mare who felt a blush creeping across her cheeks. She grimaced a little, looking to her left at a flower nearby...a cyan flower. She sighed and muttered

"Just gotta few things on mah mind is all...it's what ah wanted to come talk to ya about..." Rarity nodded, gently waving with her hoof and whispering

"Go on, go on." Applejack sighed, tipping her hat back and looking up towards the sky and saying

"Well...ah've been feeling a bit...differently, bout of our friends and ah know you're in touch with all them froo froo feelins' and all so..." Rarity sighed, shaking her head at the apple mare

"Really darling, you don't have to be such a brute! Feelings aren't something that are girly or...ugh...froo froo. They're a part of who you are darling. Now what do you mean...differently? Surely you're not saying you don't like one of us as a friend anymore!" Applejack sighed and look down towards the ground mumbling

"Well that's just it...ah don't know how to feel bout' it anymore. It's not somthin' ah'm used to feelin'..." Rarity frowned and dipped her head, mumbling as well

"it's so awful...I only wish that whatever it is...that you'll resolve your problems with us soon..." Applejack looked up, confused as she said

"Now hold your horses, ah didn't say ah had a problem with anypony..." It was Rarity's turn to look confused, raising an eyebrow at the apple mare.

"Well..." Rarity began, "if you don't have a problem...then what do you mean by feel diff- ooohh...." Her eyes widened as Applejack blushed, pointing a hoof at her and saying with a loud voice

"Now don't you go gettin' the wrong ideas ya hear? Ah only said ah felt differently bout' her and that don't mean what ya think! Ah don't even know what to call it so...that's why ah came to see ya. You know more bout' this than ah do, so that's that!" Rarity nodded as Applejack said her piece, putting a hoof to her chin and letting out a low "Hmmm..." She nodded as she turned her eyes back to her friend.

"Well...how exactly DO you feel? Can you describe it at all to me?" Applejack sighed, looking towards the ground and muttering

"Ah...ah don't know. Whenever she's around...I can't think, mah mind wanders. Ah'm always helpin' her up when she goes and busts her flank, and carin' for her when she's hurtin'. Ah feel more...attached to her, and when she leaves a part of me really, REALLY wants her to come back...to spend time with me or....somethin'" Rarity looked like she was going to cry, shaking her head at her friend as she gave her a look of comfort and whispered

"Oh Applejack...that's beautiful!" Applejack looked up, raising an eyebrow and muttering

"What in tarnation you on about now?" Rarity smiled and put a gentle hoof on Applejack's back, whispering excitedly

"Oh darling, I think you're falling in love!" Applejack's eyes widened as the word 'love' slowly made its way through her brain, the connection being made.

She blushed heavily, looking back towards the ground with wide eyes as she breathed

"O...oh." Rarity gave her a comforting pat, watching as other ponies walked by, attending to their own worries and needs for the day. They sat in silence for awhile, Rarity giving Applejack a moment to think about what she said and Applejack still too dumbfounded to say anything. It was another few minutes before she spoke in a questioning manner "Ah...ah love Rainbow?" Rarity's jaw dropped at this, her eyes growing wide as she breathed

"You're in love with Rainbow Dash!?" Applejack blushed a darker shade of red as she pointed her hoof at Rarity again and shouted

"Hold your horses! Ah...ah still don't know if ah even love her!!! Ah...don't know what to think alright?! Ah need to think..." She sighed as Rarity nodded, hopping off the bench and giving her a comforting hug, whispering

"There there dear...it's ok. You can't rush feelings like this. Give it time...take a walk, eat something, mosey around town. Maybe spend some more time with Rainbow Dash today...see if you do really like her, ok?" Applejack nodded as Rarity pulled away, giving her a small wave of goodbye and trotting away.

Applejack sighed, actually wishing that Rarity hadn't left. She didn't want to be alone with this...she didn't know what to do.

"Rainbow Dash...Rainbow Dash..." She muttered a few times, trying to feel how the name sounded in her head. She thought long and hard about her, her wings, her talents, her mane...her body. She felt her breath catch and she blushed like mad, bopping herself with her hoof and shaking her head. "Lam sakes...I need somewhere to breathe and think...but where?"

~~~

Twilight Sparkle hummed as she moved about, using her magic to levitate a dusting feather and clean a few of her bookcases. It was one of the days she had set aside for herself, away from her studies, to actually do some work around the library. She heard a knock at her front door and she called out "Spike!!! Can you get that?!" Hearing his name, Spike ran from the kitchen with a simple

"Uh huh!" and ran for the door, opening it wide and smiling. "Well hey Applejack! What brings you to the library today?" Applejack smiled a little and tried as best as she could to hide the sad and confused look in her eyes as she said

"Ah was jus' comin' by to see Twi'...she here?" Spike nodded and stepped aside, letting the country mare walk in. Hearing the door shut, Twilight turned her head to see who it was and smiled, exclaiming with glee

"Hey Applejack! It's good to see you! What brings you by here today?" Applejack sighed and sat at the wooden table, head in her hooves. She looked up after a moment and said

"Well...ah needed someplace to think...and ah figured 'well the library is where ya go to think and stuff' so..." Twilight stopped dusting, trotting over to her friend and asked in a concerned voice

"Is everything ok? You're not in trouble or anything are you, cause you know I can get Celestia to pull some strings..." Applejack chuckled and shook her head

"Naw...it ain't nothing bad. Really it's somethin'...somethin' ah just need to think bout' for awhile. Why don't ya sit down Twi', Ah'll tell ya all bout' it."

Twilight sat down, looking over to Spike and muttering

"Could you get us some tea?" Spike nodded and ran for the kitchen, Twilight turning her head back to Applejack and asking with a smile "Well? What's up?" Applejack sighed and looked towards the table as she spoke

"Ah...ah've been feeling a bit different towards Dash lately..." She looked up with her eyes, a blank look etched on Twilight's face. "Ya know...as in liking her..." Twilight still looked confused. "As in...liking her MORE then a friend?" Twilight's mouth opened for a second and she let out a tiny

"Oh...Oooohhh!!!!" Applejack facehoofed, groaning

"Why in tarnation is everypony makin' that noise?" Twilight looked stunned, cocking her head in confusion and muttering

"How many other ponies know?" Applejack shrugged, looking up at Twilight and muttering

"Well jus' you n' Rarity...but she made that same noise too, like it was some great mystery that had done been solved or somethin'" Twilight shrugged as Spike came out with the tea, pouring her and Applejack a cup. Twilight took a sip and let herself savor the flavor for a moment before looking up at her friend

"You know Applejack...ponies don't pick up things automatically, unlike Pinkie Pie...sometimes we really need things spelled out for us." Applejack took a sip of her own, carefully balancing the cup on her hoof and sighing

"Yeah...ah know. It's just that...ah'm really confused right now...ah don't know if ah really have taken a fancy towards her..." She reached a hoof out to the fruit bowl that rested in the center of Twilight's table and asked "Can ah have an apple?" Twilight nodded as Applejack sighed, pulling the shining morsel from the basket and taking a bite, talking as she chewed "Ah'd just like to know...ya know? Rarity thinks spendin' more time with her might make me feel a little bit more clear about how ah fe-"

BANG!!!

"UGH! Finally! Enough of that boring stupid uncool classroom, I thought I was gonna die from the bo- what the hay!?" Rainbow Dash had burst into the library, her voice causing Applejack to gasp and tilt her head back, the unchewed piece of apple she had just bitten off lodging in her throat. She started to choke, her hooves flying up to her own neck as Twilight burst up from the table, shrieking

"Oh my gosh, Applejack!!!" Rainbow Dash rushed over as her friend struggled to breathe, coming up behind her and wrapping her front hooves around her middle.

"Don't worry I got ya!" Rainbow shouted, heaving her front hooves up into Applejack's stomach, trying to give her the Heimlich. Applejack was blushing like crazy as she felt her back rubbing itself roughly against Rainbow's chest, feeling herself getting pulled into her crush's hooves. Twilight could only sit back on her haunches in utter shock and blushing terror, her hooves over her mouth. Rainbow Dash gave another heave and sighed as Applejack spit out the large chunk of apple, the piece bouncing away on the library floor. Rainbow Dash smiled "Whew! That was a close one...good thing I was here other wise you would have been toast! Right Apple...jack?" She hadn't even noticed Applejack running from the library, her face the same color of the apples she bucked.

Chapter Three - The Calm Before the Storm

Applejack panted, hiding behind one of her apple trees on the far east side of the farm. She was practically amazed with herself for having run all the way from Ponyville, back to Sweet Apple Acres without stopping. She let out a soft "Whew!" and slid down the trunk of the tree, her rear hooves sticking up in the air as her back hit the soft grass. She stared up at the clouds, going over in her mind what had happened at the library. Rainbow Dash was saving her life...but also holding her...squeezing her...

She blushed, shaking her head and closing her eyes, enjoying the tranquility and peacefulness of the midday. She started to feel a gentle wind on her face and she sighed happily, putting her front hooves behind her head and muttering to herself "Eeyup...this here's tha life..." She froze as another voice followed her own

"Doesn't really explain why you ran off like that...considering I was the one who saved your life so you could...enjoy it! Yeah!" Applejack's eyes flew open as she saw Rainbow Dash, staring down at her, the cyan mare standing near her head. Applejack shrieked as she realized that it wasn't a breeze...but Rainbow Dash breathing on her. The Pegasus jumped back in alarm at the country mare's outburst and shouted

"Jeez Applejack, what's up with you today!? You nearly choke on an apple slice, I save your life and you just go running off, and now you're shrieking at me!?" Rainbow Dash actually looked a little hurt as she mumbled "Are you...mad at me or something?" Applejack sat up quickly, shaking her head and pointing a gentle hoof at her, saying in a comforting tone

"Ah course not...don't you go thinkin' that ok? Ah've just been...feeling a bit off..." Rainbow Dash nodded and sat on her haunches, looking concerned and muttering

"Well what's up? You sick? Injured? Granny Smith whining about her hip again?" Applejack scowled at her friend, waving a hoof at her

"Now you just watch your mouth bout' Granny Smith, she may be gettin' along in her years, but she's still got some kick to her, ah'll tell you what!" Rainbow Dash and her both shared a chuckle after a semi-awkward moment, the two of them smiling at one another. Applejack started to blush, seeing Rainbow Dash stare at her. She turned her head away for a moment before asking timidly "So...uh...how ya'll been? Weather alright?" Rainbow shrugged

"Meh...could be alright I guess. Cloudsdale is keeping an eye on a pretty nasty storm that's traveling over the far side of the Everfree. They don't think it's going to turn towards Ponyville but...you never know!" They both chuckled again, an awkward silence settling over the two.

Applejack gulped, looking over towards Rainbow and stuttering

"H...hey...Rainbow?" The mare looked over towards her, indicating that she had her attention. Applejack went on "H...have you ever felt s...strongly about somepony before? LIke...love or somethin' like that?" Rainbow Dash blinked, struck off guard by the country mare's bold question. She thought for a moment before looking up towards the clouds, muttering

"Well...I've had a few coltfriends...bunch of jerks really...I guess I can't really say much about it. I really never fell in love with any of them...why you ask?" Applejack shifted her eyes to the left and right, the traditional muscle reflex that let everypony know she was either really nervous or lying about something

"Ah...ah was jus' wonderin'...ah think ah might like somepony mahself..." The look she got from Rainbow Dash was...interesting. For a moment, the way Rainbow Dash frowned and the way her eyes turned, she could have sworn that the cyan mare looked...dissapointed. This look quickly vanished though as she smiled

"Well that's good, I'm happy for you and whatever you do, ya know, as far as the whole love thing." 'Liar', Applejack thought, reading her friend like an open book. She was just about to confront her on this when a voice called out from above

"Dashbow Rash! Dashbow Rash!!!" Rainbow looked up, groaning and facehoofing loudly. She shouted up towards the sky

"Ditzy Doo, for the last time, it's RAIN-BOW, DA-SH!!!!" Ditzy Doo could only giggle, her right eye looking about lazily and her left trained on her fellow teammate. She shouted downwards towards the two

"Boss says come to office! Muffins are getting rainy!!! Storm is on wheels and scooting!" Applejack looked up, absolutely dumbfounded and unable to discern what the Pegasus was talking about. Rainbow Dash seemed to catch on however as she gasped

"The storm...is moving!? Oh jeez, I gotta go Applejack, I'll see you later ok? ....We'll talk later." Applejack nodded, blushing lightly as her friend gave her a tight hug and jumped up into the sky, joining Ditzy Doo. She sighed, laying back on her back and pushing her face in her hooves, muttering to herself

"Well...that there proves it. Ah love Rainbow Dash...ah love her..."

~~~

"It's bad..."

"Course it's bad, LOOK at the SIZE of that thing!!!"

"Definitely calls for Ponyville Sandbag protocol, Ditzy!"

A group of twenty Pegasus Ponies sat atop clouds overlooking Ponyville, all of them watching a giant mass of blackness comings towards them from the Everfree forest. Hearing her name, Ditzy Doo flew over to her boss, giving her a mock salute and shouting

"Captain Muffins! We are a go-go!" Her boss, a medium sized colt with a blue coat and lightish blue mane, nodded and spoke to her quickly

"I need you to fly to the Mayor's Office and inform Mayor Mare that the storm HAS indeed turned towards Ponyville, and that everypony should start bracing immediately! It's URGENT, so get there quickly, Priority Mail!!!" Ditzy Doo gasped at this, muttering

"Priority!!!? Double Muffin Sprinkles?!" Her boss shook her head, a worried expression on his face as he said back to her

"Even MORE urgent Ditzy! TRIPLE muffin sprinkles!" Ditzy's hooves flew up to her mouth as she gasped, taking a moment to get her bearings and blasting off faster then any other Pegasus though possible. Rainbow Dash watched her go as she said to her boss

"You know...I'll never understand how you can talk to her...it's like you're both speaking in a different language." Her boss chuckled a little and shook his head, turning his head back towards the storm and sighing

"Well...you need to learn to work with your team's strengths and weaknesses. There's no breaking this storm up, it's too dangerous. Alright team, we've got a job to do! Cloud Kicker, you and Sun Beam help clear the streets, Rainbow Dash, you go get your friend Fluttershy, I know she lives on the edge of the Everfree Forest so it's imperative she get to safety! Everypony else, with me, we're going to go see if we can't secure some of the buildings and get some sandbags up in case of flooding. Anypony have any questions?" Nopony spoke, all of them nodding as their boss sighed, looking towards the storm for one more moment and nodding, turning to his team and shouting

"Alright, MOVE OUT!"

~~~

Fluttershy squeaked with fright as a thunderous boom echoed out from above her, the timid yellow Pegasus curling up in the middle of her floor. Her animals had already scampered for the hills, sensing the storm long before it had arrived. Even Angel Bunny, although reluctant at first, had fled per Fluttershy's request that he be safe and sound when the storm arrived. Another boom had her in tears, the terrified mare burying her head under her front hooves and shaking. She jumped a little as she heard rough knocking at her front door and a familiar voice call out "Shy!!! SHY!!! Open up for Celestia's sake! It's Rainbow!!!" Fluttershy immediately jumped up, rushing for her door and pulling it open. Rainbow Dash let out a sigh of relief but suddenly squeaked as she was scooped up in a hug, Fluttershy shrieking with fright

"Oh Rainbow Dash it's so awful here!!! It's so loud and scary and I don't know what to do and I was afraid that I was going to be trapped and-" She was cut off as Rainbow Dash put hoof to her mouth, speaking quickly

"Whoa whoa! Easy there! I came to get you out of here Fluttershy, it's not safe near the forest right now. If there's not anything you really need then let's go!"

Fluttershy nodded, deciding there was nothing she really wanted to take with her, and flew off with Rainbow. Meanwhile, the rest of the weather team were busying themselves with setting up sandbags in all flood sensitive areas of Ponyville, many residents already informed of the danger standing by with buckets, ready to divert the water. The Boss pointed his hoof this way and that, directing ponies left and right and barking orders, trying to get everything ready for, to him, what looked like one of the most violent storms he had ever laid his eyes upon. He nodded as he saw a cyan and yellow Pegasus approaching and he shouted

"Good, you made it! Rainbow Dash I need you to make sure Sweet Apple Acres is ready for the storm, and Miss Fluttershy? Would you be so kind as to make sure that all of the animals around Ponyville are safe and sound, or in hiding?" Fluttershy nodded as Rainbow Dash gave her signature hoof-salute, blasting back off and heading towards the farm.

~~~

Applejack heaved the last of the sandbags up onto the wall she had made with the others, effectively flood proofing the barn. Big Macintosh already had the main house secured, and the farm animals had all been rounded up. She wiped her forehead with her hoof, her eyes shifting over towards the dark sky as she heard her name being called

"Applejack!!! Applejack!!!" Applejack gave her a wave as the Cyan Mare landed on the hay in her barn, trotting over "Hey AJ, everything ok here?" The country mare nodded, looking over towards the bags

"Eeyup" She said "Everything's looking alright here! Just gotta hold out for th-" She stopped as she heard the rain start, a heavy wind blowing through the fields. It wasn't this that had made her stop mid-sentence however...as the familiar sound of barking rose up from somewhere outside. "WINONA!!!" she shouted, peering over the tall Sandbag wall. The dog was trapped underneath the chicken coop, the loud thunder and flashing lightning causing the poor creature to shrink back in fear.

Rainbow Dash nodded to herself and jumped over the barrier, shouting

"Don't worry, I'll get her!" Applejack looked on, frightful and terrified as Rainbow Dash quickly made her way over to the chicken coop, the wind getting heavier and stronger. She gently scooped up the shaking dog in her hooves and fanned her wings out, taking off and back over towards the barn. Applejack smiled but suddenly gasped as a heavy current of wind suddenly threw the cyan mare upwards in the air, the loud howling of the wind bringing with it a sudden, heavy curtain of rain.

"RAINBOW DASH!!! HURRY!!!" Applejack shouted, the storm finally beginning to pass over the farm. Rainbow Dash strained to keep her wings straight, pumping them furiously and trying to get herself back down towards the ground. It wasn't working though, the wind throwing her about across the farm and ripping up several boards from the barn roof, hurling them around violently. Rainbow couldn't function with the furry load in her arms, her wings refusing to cooperate and her vision semi-blinded by the lightning. She looked towards the barn and aimed carefully, spinning in the air and chucking Winona towards the front entrance to the barn.

Seeing this, Applejack rushed over to the nearby wall and grabbed up a coil of rope, fashioning a quick lasso and whipping it up in the air, chucking it towards the dog. She watched the coil tighten around her middle and she gave the rope a hard tug, bringing the dog towards her and right into her open hooves. She hugged the dog tightly but suddenly gasped as she heard a scream of panic from outside. Rainbow Dash was losing her fight with the furious wind, trying her best to race for the barn, thinking that maybe with enough speed she could overcome the outside force of the wind. She angled her wings to the left, coming in for a swooping dive, hoping to make it this time.

As she darted for the barn however, one of the loose boards from the roof sailed straight towards her, and Applejack screamed "LOOK OUT!!!" It was all in vain however, the apple mare forced to look in horror as the board collided with her friend, a sickening 'SNAP' echoing across the farm and the cyan mare losing all control. She screamed in agony and panic as her speed, combined with the wind, sent her spiraling upwards and flipping about in the air. Applejack dove over the sandbags and rushed around the side of the barn, screaming "RAINBOW!!! RAINBOW!!!!!!!!!!" She felt tears well up in her eyes as she saw Rainbow's form growing smaller and smaller over the Everfree forest, until she finally saw her body falling towards the trees. She marked the spot with her eyes, taking a good mental picture of it before turning and rushing for Ponyville.

Rainbow had crash-landed, and the Apple Mare needed to get help, before anything else happened to her.

Chapter Four - Mayday Mayday! Pegasus Down!

In the moments after the board struck Rainbow Dash, only two things registered in her mind: She was in serious pain, and she was bucked. She felt something snap in her right wing and she shrieked, tumbling through the air as Applejack screamed her name from below. Although gravity should have taken her down, the wind had other ideas, heaving her upwards into the air and keeping her sailing forward towards the Everfree. Adrenaline raced through her body as her mind started to go a mile a minute, panic setting in and her heartbeat escalating. She screamed as she fell across the sky, the ground approaching all too quickly. She was maybe a hundred feet above the trees when she suddenly heard a voice in her head...familiar...but still unknown to her

"When faced with a crash landing, REMAIN CALM! Angle your wings forward to catch the wind and compensate for the lift, sending you into a downward motion." Rainbow Dash blinked, automatically responding to the voice and angling her good wing downwards. However, with her right wing out of commission, this only succeeded in sending her down in a semi-violent spiral. She screamed as the voice spoke out again, an eerie calmness in its tone "In the event one or both of your wings are broken, damaged, burnt, or otherwise, use your hooves to manually adjust your wings to the appropriate angle, but BE CAREFUL not to further damage your wings, THEY WILL BE YOUR FINAL LIFELINE!" Rainbow Dash looked over to her right wing, gently placing a hoof on it and crying out as a white-hot pain coursed through her body. She angled her wing down regardless, tears of pain streaming down her face. As the wing moved into the same position as her left one, her descent had suddenly slowed, her body leveling out but still traveling downwards towards the trees.

"Remember, when Impact finally arrives, land with your shoulder and attempt to go into a slide on your side, DO NOT LAND HEADFIRST! Keep your weight evenly distributed to avoid going into a roll, and DO NOT MOVE until you are SURE that you have come to a full stop, and the surface you have landed on is stable." Rainbow Dash nodded to herself, picking out a clearing that had plenty of room and angling herself downwards, turning her head away as the ground rushed up to meet her. Her shoulder hit the ground and her body fell with a loud 'THUD', turning her body so that she landed on her side and slid forward for a good fifty feet. When she finally stopped the voice called out to her again "The first few moments of crash-landing are CRUCIAL! When you are sure that you have landed and are stable, LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY, but do not travel too far. Wild Animals may have seen your landing and may move to investigate, however this goes for Pony Spectators as well who may have seen your crash. Conceal yourself for at least two or three hours to avoid detection, but keep a good ear out for a Pony or Pony Search Party calling your name."

Rainbow Dash heaved for breath, the adrenaline from her dangerous flight and landing still powering her muscles. She felt cold but feverish at the same time, and she realized she may have nearly gone into shock. She lifted her head, looking around quickly for any sign of danger. Seeing nothing but the forest's edge, she dragged herself towards the nearest bushes that lined the edge of the clearing, pulling herself into them. She nestled down in the thick brush and waited, wondering if the voice would call out to her again. She was relieved when it did and carried the words "Now that you are hidden, be on the lookout for any animals or otherwise that have come to investigate. This will give you a better grasp on what steps you'll need to take to avoid detection. In the meantime, before an animal presents itself, give yourself a good look over and determine the extent of your injuries, moderate to severe."

Her eyes shifted over to the clearing. Nothing yet, as far as she could tell. She turned her head and looked down her own body, checking her hooves, her belly, her sides. Her right wing was the most severe, the appendage bent in an odd angle and most of the feathers were out of place. It was more then likely broken, which upset her but she'd get over it. A long, thin scratch traveled from her chest and down her left side, probably sustained from the impact. She reached a hoof to her forehead and felt something wet and sticky, bringing it down and grimacing at the blood. She probably had a gash on her forehead or something else of that nature. She looked up when she heard a sudden grunt and put her hooves up over her mouth to avoid gasping loudly. A pack of ten wolves had entered the clearing, all of them VERY large, with patches of fur missing and their yellow eyes gleaming with rage and hunger. They were sniffing all around the center of the clearing, trying to catch her scent. The voice called out to her again as she felt the wind blowing in her direction "The Wolf is a common predator that may investigate a crash, as they are scavenger animals. Be cautious, as one is often seldom found alone. Try your absolute best to stay downwind of the creatures, as they primarily work on scent and tracking. Hide all blood-trails, and do whatever you can to cover your own smell. Swimming in water and rolling in dirt right afterwards is one of the most effective scent-killing methods, as it replaces your unique smell with that of Earth."

The wolves padded about for a bit more before one of them barked loudly and bolted out of the clearing. The other's followed and Rainbow Dash let out a deep sigh and laid her head down onto the ground. The voice had told her two to three hours...so that's what she gave it. During this time, she let her mind and body recuperate and rest, thinking about a long list of things. She was a Crashed Pegasus, which was bad news for any of her particular pony species. Often times the survival rate was high, depending on where a Pegasus crashed. She was thankful that 'Forest' was on the 'Highest Survival Rate' list. She thought about the voice for a moment. Who WAS that? Was it a unicorn communicating with her? If that was the case, why wouldn't it tell her help was on the way, that somepony knew where she was? It seemed to know an awful lot about survival for a Pegasus, and she was certainly grateful that it did. She hoped that it'd stick around, at least until she was able to think for herself and find a way out of this mess.

After the third hour, Rainbow Dash got to her hooves and was greeted by the voice yet again "After you have waited for the three-hour-period, move around your initial crash-site in a circle, looking for any kind of water source which you can use to cover your scent or use to drink. In the event you CANNOT find water close by, be sure to mark a trail back to your crash-site. Once water has been obtained, you have to work FAST with what daylight you have left. Search Parties will be searching in the day time in preset patterns, so time is crucial! You will have to use whatever you have on hoof: Branches, rocks, logs, whatever you can find. Use these to spell the following letters and number: M, D, 2, P, D. This is the universal symbol for "MAY DAY, MAY DAY, PEGASUS DOWN!".

Rainbow Dash move carefully through the trees, being sure to stay within range of the clearing. The forest was still under the storm, making Rainbow jump a little in fright when the loud echoes of a thunderclap roared out from the black clouds. Rain continued to soak the area as she moved around the forest, being careful not to stray too far away. About half way around, she sighed with relief as she found a small lake, moving to get in and wash herself. She stopped suddenly as the voice cried out "BE CAUTIOUS when approaching any water source! Use a feather, still covered in your scent, as a tester. If your feather begins to smoke, the water is TOO hot to be safe. If the feather barely moves, it may be TOO cold. If the feather is pulled underwater suddenly, GET AWAY IMMEDIATELY! There are many predators that lurk in the water. As for drinking availability, wait in seclusion until you see another animal drink from the source, as many animals rely on lakes and streams to drink as well. Fellow drinkers equals safe waters for all!"

Rainbow Dash reached over with her mouth, wincing as she plucked a feather from her injured wing. She threw it out on the water and waited, watching it with great intensity. The feather floated quietly along, moving quickly across its surface. After about ten minutes, Rainbow decided that the water wasn't too cold or hot, and didn't have anything hungry waiting at the bottom. She was just about to approach when she stopped, becoming still as a statue. A deer had poked its head out from behind a tree, looking to the left and right cautiously, checking for movement. The only thing that moved however, was Rainbow Dash's eyes, the magenta orbs following the deer's movements. She felt relief wash over her as the deer finally approached the water, and took a few good laps of the surface. She waited for it to move away before she approached herself, sticking her front hoof in the water. It was perfect for her, the water warm and drinkable. She leaned her head down and took in a heavy gulp of water, sighing with great intensity as her dry throat was washed and her thirst quenched. She took several more mouthfuls before easing herself into the water, her injured wing floating limp besides her.

She closed her eyes, letting herself float along in the water. She wondered if anypony knew where she was, or if she had even crashed. Her eyes opened as she suddenly thought of the pony who did. Applejack! Applejack had seen her fall! She smiled, knowing that Applejack would go for help, that she'd be saved! She dunked her head in the water and pulled herself out, heading over towards a bare patch of dirt. Minding her right wing, she laid down and rolled around in the muck, getting herself covered and caked with dirt. After this she looked up into the sky, the black clouds still ominous above her. The one thing she did know was, that wherever storm clouds were the lightest out of a single mass, is where the sun would be. She frowned as she determined the sun's position to be that of evening, and moved back towards the clearing quickly.

She needed to get that sign up, pronto. She started to pull large, dead branches from the forest with her teeth, collecting them in a large pile in the middle. Once she was satisfied with the amount, she began arranging them into the appropriate letters and the number '2'. It took her about an hour, and when she was finished she stepped back to admire her hoof-work. She muttered to herself with a smile

"Mayday, Mayday...Pegasus Down..." The sign clearly visible from the sky. She was starting to lose daylight however, the area around her slowly starting to dim. She lifted her head as the voice spoke out

"Now that your sign is completed, your next task is to find shelter. For a forest, hopefully there is mountainous terrain, as it is easily defensible and more then likely to have caves. Be sure wherever your shelter is located, whether found or built by hoof, that it is within reasonable range of your drinking source and crash-site. Remember, search parties who find your sign will be looking NEARBY for you, not far away!"

She nodded and went back to her lake, picking up a rock near the edge of the water and scratching trees that led to the clearing. She stood in the middle of her sign, looking about and trying to see through the rain. An outline of something in the distance caught her eye and she squinted both of them, trying to discern what it could be. A smile crept over her lips as she realized it was a medium sized mountain, within relative walking distance. She was surprised that she hadn't noticed it before, fate thankfully working in her favor today. It was like this place was perfect for her, suiting all her needs. She didn't get her hopes too high however...remembering something her boss had told her once.

"Sometimes Rainbow," her boss had said "Good things don't last forever, NEVER take anything for granted."

Chapter Five - Party of One

Applejack ran with a speed most would find to be almost Goddess like, her orange body a blur in the haze of the torrential rain that fell across Ponyville. Her eyes were wild and her galloping frantic as she rushed for Twilight's Library up the street, her mind racing as fast as her hooves were taking her. "Oh mah gosh oh mah gosh oh mah gosh!!!! I gotta get help! I gotta help Rainbow!" She said to herself, terrified and overwhelmed with the feeling of worry. She saw the library up ahead and put forth a furious burst of speed, galloping forward and shouting as loud as she could over the rain "TWI!!!! TWI OPEN THAT DOOR FORE' AH GO CRASHIN' THROUGH IT! AH MEAN IT!!!!" She was about twenty feet from the door when the purple aura of magic Applejack recognized as Twilight's spread across the door and flung it open, giving her entrance.

Applejack rushed through and skidded to a halt, her chest heaving for breath and her mane slapping against her body, sopping wet like a mop. The door shut and Twilight's voice shouted out to her

"Applejack!!?? What in the hay is wrong with you!? Why did you have to come barging in here!? Why are you even out there in the first pl-" Applejack turned her head towards Twilight, whose face was one of mild annoyance but more of worry and shouted to her

"Twi'! Rainbow's crash landed in the Everfree Forest!" Twilight blinked for a moment before shrieking

"WHAT!?" Applejack moved her wet hair out of her own eyes with a hoof and nodded

"She was savin' Winona from the storm when a board struck her! Ah think it hurt her wing somethin' fierce because she went ah tumblin' through the air and into the Everfree...ah think she landed pretty far in." Twilight nodded, looking out the window and into the harsh storm, thunder continuing to boom and crash outside.

"We'll have to wait until this storm passes to organize a search party, I'll make sure to send a le-" Twilight began but was quickly cut off by Applejack's loud shouting

"WHAT NOW!? You wanna WAIT until the storm passes to go find her?! Twi' she's hurt and crash landed in the EVERFREE FOREST! You know what kinda' strange and predatory creatures are lurkin' out there! Hay you got turned into STONE out there for Celestia's sake!" Twilight sighed and looked over at her friend with sympathy, muttering

"I understand that Applejack but if we send ponies out now it'll only put ALL of us in danger! What if more and more are hurt from the storm while we search!? Somepony might even DIE if we're not careful, that board could have EASILY stuck Rainbow like an arrow!" Applejack shook her head and stood up on her hooves, her eyes narrowed and her tone aggravated and angry

"Now that there's just silly! You know as well as ah do that if it were me out there and Rainbow here, she woulda come lookin', we don't leave our own jus' stranded out there in the middle o' danger! Ah don't care HOW dangerous it is outside and ah don't care bout' the risks! Ah'm bringing Rainbow back with or without any of ya'll!"

With that, she rushed back towards the door, crashing through it and running back out into the rain. Twilight's shouts of protest fell on deaf ears as Applejack ran back towards Sweet Apple Acres. She wasn't going to give up so easily, she wasn't just going to sit by and wait for a tiny little storm to wash away before going out and looking for the mare she loved dearly. Crashing through the gate, she ran towards the barn and inside, out of the rain. She moved about the stalls quickly, muttering to herself as she looked around "Saddlebags...rope...don't need the food or water...ah can live off the land well enough..." It was true that Applejack had a vast knowledge of outdoor survival, mostly thanks to all the camping trips her and Bic Macintosh had gone on with their pappy. She stopped for a moment, dropping her saddlebags on the ground and sitting on her haunches. She placed a hoof on the soft leather, running it up and down and over the initials A.L.J.

She smiled a little as she whispered "Apple-licious Jack...ah miss you old man..." Tears brimmed in her eyes as she thought back to that day...whether it be irony or fate that brought her to this doorstep of adventure. She had heard the story from Big Macintosh...and had experienced the rest for herself. She took off her stetson hat and turned it over in her hooves, smiling.

~~~

Sweet Apple Acres - 8 Years Ago

"Macintosh! Get your flank out here this instant ya hear?!" A gruff voice called from the barn. A very young Big Macintosh, poked his head out of the window, his short brown mane flapping in the light breeze that had picked up outside, a black eye very prominent on his face. He hadn't really 'Officially' earned his title of 'Big' yet, but he was certainly bigger and stronger then the other young foals at his school. The screen door opened and he stepped outside, looking around the half barren farm. Sweet Apple Acres hadn't been fully planted yet, and only about half of the property was covered by trees. He sighed, heading over towards the barn and peering in from the front, calling out

"You call me Pappy?" A grown stallion was sitting on his haunches, sharpening a knife on a grindstone and trying to keep his cowboy hat, a stetson, out of his eyes. He was getting on in years, his coat a lightish mix of red and orange, and a few wrinkles running up his snout. His eyes were a lightish, weak green, but had a fierce look in them that told everypony who happen to look upon him that he was very wise, and had seen many sights, splendors, and horrors in his life. A riding crop was around his neck, the same crop that in a few years would be draped around Macintosh's neck, his signature piece. His name was Apple-licious Jack, the current owner of Sweet Apple Acres.

"Cmere' a minute Macintosh," Apple-licious said, taking the knife away from the grindstone a moment and sighing. He waited until Macintosh approached before he turned his head, and gave him a blank sort of look. Macintosh looked a little worried, but above all, he had guilt written all over his face. Apple-licious sighed and asked quietly "Macintosh, you always know what am ah always sayin' bout' the truth, right?" Macintosh nodded, looking towards the ground as his pappy went on "Now you be honest with me, did ya'll get into another fight at the school?" Macintosh lifted hie eyes and started, or at least tried to explain

"Pappy twern't my fault at all! The bigger ones were ah-" He was cut off by his pappy pushing a gentle hoof against his lips, a blank expression still on his face as he said

"Macintosh, that there wasn't the question ah was askin'. Come on now foal, answer me truthfully." Macintosh sighed and closed his eyes, bowing his head and muttering

"Yes sir...ah got into a fight at the school..." Apple-licious nodded before asking

"Alrighty...now ah want you to start explainin' yerself as to why you decided to go using yer hooves and not your words to solve the situation." Macintosh sat on his haunches, looking at his pappy with a sad frown and muttering

"They were teasin' mah baby sister Pappy! Little Applejack was uh cryin' on the playground cause of few o' them bullies harrasin' her!" Apple-licious raised an eyebrow and asked with a curious tone

"Really now? Well that certainly does explain ah few things..." He looked up and shouted so loud Macintosh had to cover his ears with his hooves "APPLE LOUISE JACK!!!! YOU GET YER FANNY OUT HERE THIS DURN INSTANT!"

Meanwhile, in the house upstairs, a filly-aged Applejack gasped and squeaked out

"Uh oh...middle name!" She rushed downstairs quickly and outside, bounding towards the barn. She poked her head into the barn and muttered, frightened "Y...yes pappy?" Apple-licious frowned and pointed a hoof at the spot in front of him, growling

"Here, now." Applejack's bottom lip quivered and she made her way over, sitting on her haunches next to Macintosh, who could do nothing except give her a look of sympathy. Apple-licious gave her a stern look and muttered "Applejack, what have we talked bout' when it comes to tellin' the truth?" Applejack's eyes shifted towards Macintosh's black eye and she put two and two together

"Horseapples..." she whispered, her Pappy's eyes narrowing a little as he half shouted

"Watch yer mouth! Ah asked you a question little miss filly!" Applejack squeaked and recited from memory

"You should always tell the truth no matter how hurtful the truth may be, because the truth hurts less then a lie!" Apple-licious nodded and turned his head to the side, his left eye staring directly at her. He whispered

"Eeyup, and what did ya'll lie about?" Applejack sighed and bowed her head, muttering

"Why ah was ah cryin', ah said ah spilled mah juice at school when ah really didn't..." Apple-licious nodded and waited for her to go on, Macintosh looking over at her as she did so "Ah was gettin' bullied by the bigger kids cause o' the way ah talk...and Big Macintosh stood up fer me..." Apple-licious sighed and looked at Applejack with a small frown, whispering in a comforting tone

"You should always be tellin' the truth Applejack...ya'll both know Ah'm an understanding pony. As long as ya know to tell the truth Applejack, you and ah ain't got no grievances. Ah love you both and ah hate to hear about problems at the school...but ah still need to hear bout' em. Ah want what's best for ya'll, and ah can't help ya if you don't be honest with me, ok?" They both nodded as Apple-licious went on "Applejack, ah know ah'm always tellin' ya to be strong and to stand up for yerself, but that don't mean ya have to hide yer weaknesses or failures from me. Ah know ah've told ya'll the story of this here Farm's Beginnin's. It took me two seasons, two failures of failed harvests to get this farm ta stick! With every failure comes new ways to overcome them. Now Macintosh, ah wanna say you did the honorable thing by standin' up for and fightin' for yer family, but remember that just cause you can beat up a pony don't make it right, understand me?" Macintosh nodded and Apple-licious smiled, holding his hooves out and whispering "Cmere' ya'll...ah love you both alright?" The two of them walked into their Pappy's arms and they all smiled, enjoying their family hug for a moment.

Applejack blinked in surprise when she felt something press against the top of her head, and when she reached up she gasped. Atop her head was her Pappy's stetson, while Big Macintosh gaped at the collar that had been draped around his neck. Applejack squeaked in protest

"B...but Pappy! Ya'lls always tellin' us never to be touchin' your crop and hat!" Apple-licious smiled and shook his head, putting a hoof on Applejack's and Macintosh's shoulders, whispering

"Ya'll listen to me for ah moment. Ah'm gettin' old, there ain't no doubt about it. Ya'll have some years in ya, ah don't. Ah ain't always gonna be here forever, and because of that, it's about time ya'll started acting the part. Ya'll ain't old enough to be workin' the farm, but you ARE old enough to get at least the first part of your inheritence. My prized possessions, second of course to you two. Ya'll take care of em now, alright? Now, let's get on over back to the house and see if we can get Ol' Granny Smith to fix us an apple pie!" Macintosh nodded excitedly and rushed from the barn, Applejack turning to leave but stopping, turning back and frowning

"What's wrong pappy? Why ya cryin'?" Indeed her Pappy had shed a few tears, but he was smiling none the less, scooping up his granddaughter in his hooves and giving her a tight hug. Applejack buried her face in his shoulder and whispered "Ah love ya pappy" Apple-licious sniffed and smiled with pride, whispering back

"Ah love ya too Sugarcube, now come on...let's get some pie and we'll get Macintosh to go campin' with us. Ah think it's bout time I taught ya'll how to throw some knives. Sound like fun?" Applejack nodded and let forth a tiny 'Squee!', a new adventure on the horizon that came ever closer with the evening sun.

~~~

Sweet Apple Acres - Present Day

Applejack sniffed loudly, wiping her eyes free of tears and strapping on the fore-leg sheath that held her pappy's old war knife. She had packed her saddlebags and was ready to go, her head turning towards the barn entrance, hearing soft hoof-steps. She was only half-surprised to see Big Macintosh standing there, his mouth vacant of the usual strand of hay, and his eyes half-closed and moderately devoid of emotion. He looked at the knife, then to her saddlebags, and finally at her directly, muttering

"So...ya'll headin' out?" Applejack nodded and stood, the sheath on her foreleg resting comfortably. She walked forward as she muttered

"Rainbow's gone and crash-landed Big Macintosh...and everypony's not gonna wanna help her till after the storm's gone and passed." Big Macintosh nodded a little and asked

"Ya'll want me to come with?" Applejack shook her head sternly

"No," she began, a determined look in her eyes "Granny Smith needs ya here with the storm bein' so bad. Ya'll don't have to worry bout' me, pappy taught us both well to survive out there in the wild. Ah'll be back fore' ya know it!" Big Macintosh sighed and shook his head, looking at her with a bit of worry in his eyes

"Ah can't really agree with you goin' off by yer lonesome...but ah don't doubt our pappy's teachin's. You be careful when yer out there, alright?" Applejack nodded and walked forward, standing on her back legs and giving Macintosh a warm hug. He nuzzled the side of her head with his own and looked up when he felt something drop on his head. "Yer giving me yer hat? What for?" Applejack stepped back, hatless now as she looked up and muttered

"Ah don't wanna lose it out there...and besides...ah love mah hat too much to be parted with it for too long. That means ah'll be back for it, ya understand?" Big Macintosh nodded and stepped out of the way for her, Applejack nodding back and heading out into the rain. She turned her nose in the direction of the Everfree and took a deep breath, exhaling it as calmly as she could and beginning a light trot towards the wood. She was her own search party now, a party of one.

She was a mare on a mission. And she wasn't going to stand for failure. It was a mission of faith, of love, and of life. A mission for Rainbow Dash.

Chapter Six - Applejack's Leap of Faith

Rainbow Dash shivered like mad, pulling the vine she had in her mouth tight and tightening the knot she had made around one of the rocks leading up the mountain. She took a step back and admired her hoofwork, smiling at the improvised trap she had made. A tripwire had been set up and looped around to tie back a thin tree that had wrapped vines of thorns around its trunk. If anything crossed the tripwire, which now was carefully concealed by a few bushes and leaves, the tree would come sailing forward, marking the demise of any who dared to move upwards. She had already gotten a good view of the mountain, and upon careful inspection, discovered that her path was the only possible way up the mountain. She had already made several different traps near the entrance and near the halfway point, and had been lucky to find a small cave near the top of the mountain, a good-sized plateau resting in front of it as well.

She sneezed, trudging back up the mountain as the rain continued to pour. Night had descended on the Everfree, and the night had brought a severe cold which was taking its toll on the poor mare. She made it out onto the plateau and sneezed again, whining a little as she crept in her cave. A small circle of stones sat in the center of the cave, a log and a few sticks sitting without flame. Rainbow Dash sat on her belly and sighed, placing a jagged looking rock near the rocks and picking a smooth looking rock up in her mouth. She tried for the tenth time today to create a spark by bashing the two rocks together, the voice giving her advice on this only earlier

"Once shelter has been found and the proper steps to ensure defense and safety are in place, fire is your next main objective. NOTHING could be more important then the aspect of fire, as it is used for cooking your food, providing a smoke-signal for search parties looking for you, AND the most important element of all: Warmth. Without heat, you could quickly succumb to the elements and run the risk of stage two hypothermisus, which is the numbing of a Pegasus body to the point where flight is impeded and could potentially damage your already hurt wings."

Rainbow dropped the rocks, her mouth and teeth aching from the repeated banging. She curled up and shivered, tears forming in her eyes as she tried her best to stay warm by holding herself.

~~~

Applejack got up from the ground, her body soaked in mud and her mane brown with muck. She hoisted her saddlebags back on and reattached the leg-sheath that held Apple-licious's knife, heading back to the improvised tent she had built not too far away. A lone stick had been placed in the ground, holding up a lean-to sort of wooden frame Applejack had crafted from sticks and vines. A bed of leaves rested underneath the lean-to, out of the rain, and on top of that rested a thick mat of moss Applejack had gathered from nearby trees. Combined, they made a pretty comfortable, and not to mention soft, bed and blanket. She crawled under the lean-to, placing her saddlebags beside the bed of leaves and laid down on her belly gently. She plopped herself over on her side and curled up, pulling the mossy blanket over herself with her teeth and sighing. She made sure the knife was easily accessible, in case she was attacked in her sleep.

Sleep didn't come easy for the Apple Mare, her thoughts lingering on Rainbow Dash, wondering if she was ok. Prolonged exposure to the rain could make anypony sick, and if Rainbow hadn't found shelter, then things were going to get bad for her fast. As she thought this, a Rainbow Pegasus in her cave shouted with glee, a spark emitting from her rocks and catching a few of the small twigs on fire.

~~~

Rainbow Dash blew gently at the base of the fire, getting the flames to flare up a bit. A smile spread across her face as she snuggled up close to the fire, careful not to burn herself. She had convinced herself to at least try, ONE more time, to get the fire to start, and she was rewarded for her perseverance. Warmth spread through her body and she sighed, laying her head down on her front hooves. She stared at the fire for a good while, her thoughts wandering about and her body relaxing for the first time all day. She thought about the voice, thankful that it was still around. She dwindled on her weather team, wondering if everything was going alright with the storm, hoping that they had a plan to disperse it soon. Her thoughts finally fell on Applejack, the only pony to see her crash-land. Had she organized a search party? Was she on her way? These questions weren't nearly as important as the mare herself...her heart swelling at the thought of her soft green eyes, her straw colored mane, and her gleaming orange coat.

She had always thought of Applejack as her best friend, but there was always a part of Rainbow Dash that allowed herself to love the Apple Mare. She had always been there to pick her up from a failed attempt at one of her super cool stunts, had always offered her the best advice, and was there to listen whenever she needed to vent or simply talk about her day. She sighed, the heat of the fire bringing feeling back into her wings. She appreciated the warmth of the fire...but still wished that Applejack was there to share it with her. Her eyes drooped for a moment, the light of the fire flickering in her magenta eyes before she finally closed them, letting sleep take her.

~~~

The Next Morning

Applejack yawned, stretching her hooves out and blinking away the sleep from her eyes. She looked around with a frown, the surrounding area soaked with rain. It had stopped raining, but the skies were still black with ominous clouds and the wind was still blowing to hard for an air-based rescue. It would probably still be some time until a search party came looking for Rainbow Dash. Crawling out from under her lean-to, Applejack collected her saddlebags and turned her head towards a tree she had carved into the night before. An arrow was pointing in the direction of what she believed to be Rainbow's crash site, making sure to mark the general direction before she went to bed so that she wouldn't get turned around in the morning. She started her trot, taking in a deep breath and exhaling calmly, the forest air bringing her peace of mind amongst the chaos in the skies.

She moved through the forest with relative ease, her eyes on the lookout for any sign of Rainbow Dash. She narrowed her eyes when she spotted a break in the trees up ahead, a circular stretch of land just beyond.

"A clearin'?" she muttered questionably to herself, moving towards the treeline. She approached the edge of the trees and looked around carefully, checking for any signs of life. She didn't see any animals...but she did see SOMETHING odd about the clearing. A large quantity of sticks had been gathered in the center of the clearing, forming letters and what looked like the number '2'. Approaching the make-shift sign, she muttered quietly to herself "M...D...2, P, D? The hay does that mean?" She frowned and thought for a moment, scratching her chin with her hoof as she whispered "Sounds familiar...but where...OH, WAIT!" Her eyes widened as she remembered the day way back when she was a filly, the day at school where they were learning about the weather team. Her teacher had explained to them how the weather team worked, and how they depended on one another for survival. They even got to take a field trip to the local weather office in Ponyville, learning all about how the weather was scheduled for the area. It was on that day that she remembered a Pegasus had come bursting through the front doors, nearly running right into the class who were listening intently to the tour guide. The mare was screaming so loudly it nearly hurt Applejack's ears

"M D 2 P D!!!! Pegasus Down!!! Pegasus Down!!!"

Applejack gasped, looking up from the custom built sign and shouting at the top of her lungs

"RAINBOW!!!! RAINBOW WHERE ARE YA!?!? RAINBOW DASH ANSWER ME!!!!" She listened for a response and frowned as silence answered her. She dipped her head and sighed but suddenly froze, a twig snapping nearby. A low growling emitted from somewhere behind Applejack and she raised her head, eyes wide and her ears fully perked. As she looked up, she caught sight of a black pillar of smoke in the distance, stemming from a medium-sized mountain. "Rainbow..." she whispered, her eyes shifting to the left and her head turning slightly to look behind her.

A large wolf was standing at the edge of the trees, its yellow eyes gleaming with rage and hunger. After a moment another wolf appeared next to the first...and another...and another...and another. Soon enough, there were ten wolves staring down the country mare, who had this point slowly positioned her hooves to push off against the ground and bolt. "So..." she whispered, her eyes narrowing slightly and her voice dripping with determination. "Ya'll think you can catch me?" The wolves growled and got into a low pouncing position, their ears tilting back and their fangs peeking out of the top of their mouths. "Alright then, if you think you got what it takes....PONY'S ON EVERYWOLFY!!!" She shouted and bolted, rushing into the trees and in the direction of the smoke. The loud noises of barking blasted forth from behind her as the pack of wolves gave chase, rushing into the trees after Applejack.

She kept her eyes forward, darting around trees and leaping over logs, trying her best to take complicated routes through the foliage in attempts to slow her pursuers down. She gasped as she saw a thick wall of thorns just ahead, the wolves starting to catch up behind her.Her eyes caught sight of a small hole near the middle and she pushed forward, jumping forward with her front hooves extended and her aim set on getting through. She felt sharp pain rake up her left side and she let out a shrill cry, her voice echoing across the forest.

~~~

Rainbow Dash nursed her sore hoof, the throbbing pain making her wish she had watch where she was going. She looked up from her stubbed hoof as a cry rang out from far away in the distance. She blinked and looked towards the cave entrance, whispering quietly

"A...Applejack?"

~~~

Applejack grunted as she galloped forward, her left side feeling as if it were on fire, her breath coming out in ragged gasps and her coat thick with sweat. She spotted a break in the trees up ahead and pushed forward, the pain on her side intensifying as her body stretched the gashes from the boost of speed. She burst through the tree line and gasped, skidding to a halt and stopping just short of sailing over the edge of the deep ravine that stretched out in front of her. She looked back behind her, the sounds of barking drawing closer. She snapped her head back forward as she suddenly heard faint shouting on the wind

"Applejaaaack!!! Applejaaaack!!! Where are you!!!?"

Applejack gasped, her eyes widening as she heard the distant frantic yells of Rainbow Dash. She looked down at the ravine, then back towards the wolves who sounded like they were getting very close to the treeline. She narrowed her eyes and let out a sharp puff of air through her snout, galloping back towards the trees and turning around, facing the ravine.

"Can ah make it...?" she whispered to herself, the sounds of padding paws approaching rapidly. She narrowed her eyes and stared towards the other side of the ravine, pawing at the ground with her front hoof. "Ah have to make it...for Rainbow!" She bowed her head and pushed off with her hooves, galloping forward with all the speed she could muster, letting forth a furious scream as she approached the ravine. She kicked off with her back hooves and sailed up into the air, her world slowly down all around her and her front hooves reaching out for the edge of the ravine on the other side.

She had to believe that she could make it, that she would find Rainbow Dash. In the air, self-doubt had creeped into her thoughts, betraying her to the deadly ground far below in the ravine. The next few seconds of Applejack's life would be the longest she had ever experienced as she drew ever closer to the other side. She had placed a lot of faith in Rainbow's ability to survive, and now tried to place as much in herself as well.

There was no turning back now, as Applejack prepared herself to try and catch the edge of the ravine. She had made her choice, and it was now time.

She had accepted her trial to be reunited with Rainbow Dash, and had come too far to simply die now. She took a chance, gave it her all, and prayed with all her might that she could make it.

She had taken, for better or for worse, a leap of faith.

Chapter Seven - The Battle of Fort Rainbow

Applejack reached her right hoof out and let out a cry as she caught the edge, her body slamming into the hard rock surface with the momentum from her leap. She heaved her left hoof up alongside her right and turned her head, hearing vicious barking behind her. The wolves were trapped on the other side, taking a moment to bark in protest at her escape, but eventually bounded away along the edge. She guessed that they were going to try and find another way around the ravine, which meant she didn't have a lot of time to act. Taking a deep breath, she slowly started to hoist herself over the edge of the ravine, her limbs burning with adrenaline. She sighed with relief, rolling herself onto solid ground and panting heavily. She suddenly smiled, laughing a little as a wave of relief washed over her. She had made it! She had actually made it across!

She took a moment to catch her breath before pushing herself up and galloping away. She couldn't dilly dally any longer, knowing that Rainbow was nearby. She jumped over logs and ducked under low hanging branches, pushing herself to her limits as she practically flew through the forest. She ran until she burst out of another treeline, her eyes immediately looking upwards at the mountain that housed the pillar of black smoke about half way up. She gasped, looking towards the smoke and feeling her heart swell with joy. Rainbow Dash HAD to be up there! Wasting no time, she galloped towards the upward path that seemed to wind its up the mountain. She panted, her body tired but refusing to give out, her goal too close for her to stop now. She turned a corner with a small smile, confident that she'd be with Rainbow soon. It wasn't until she heard a shrill shriek of

"WATCH OUT!!!" that she was brought back to reality. Her hoof had snapped a vine tripwire and catapulted forward a slim tree with thorns wrapped around its base. Applejack's eyes widened as she wheezed

"Horseapp-" 'TWHACK!'. She collided with the tree and sailed backwards, rolling a good thirty feet down the path before hitting a large boulder and growing very still. Rainbow Dash lept over the tree and barreled down the path, screaming her head off.

"Applejack!!! APPLEJACK!!!" she cried, rushing to her friends side and shaking her with her front hooves. Applejack's chest, the left side of her face, and her left hoof were all cut and bleeding, a few thorns sticking out of her coat. She looked unconscious, her expression one of severe pain as her breath came out in labored wheezes. Rainbow Dash knelt down, pushing her nose under Applejack's belly and slowly crawling underneath, effectively hoisting the bleeding mare up on her back. "Hang on Applejack...just hang on!" Rainbow shouted, grunting as she trudged back up the path towards the cave.

After weaving in and out of the traps, being careful not to set anymore off, Rainbow Dash gingerly stepped out onto the plateau and towards the cave, rasping for breath. "Not...to insult you any...Applejack...but dear CELESTIA you weigh a TON!" Rainbow Dash gasped, moving into the cave and gently laying near the rear wall. Rainbow Dash fell back on her haunches, letting out a soft 'whew' and poking at her fire with a stick, making sure it didn't go out. Satisfied that her fire was still blazing, she went back to Applejack, going over her wounds. The country mare let out a soft moan as Rainbow ran a hoof along her body, checking for broken bones or any other cuts she may have missed. She took up Applejack's saddlebags and dumped the contents out onto the ground, sifting through them in hopes that she had been smart enough to pack medical supplies. Relief passed through her as she found a roll of white bandages amongst the supplies, picking them up with her teeth and unraveling a small stretch of the roll. She pushed a hoof agaisnt the end of the strand which rested against Applejack's chest, holding it in place while she wrapped the bandages around her chest. She did the same for her foreleg, gently removing the large war-knife and sheath and setting it on the ground next to the rest of the supplies.

She laid on her belly, looking at Applejack's wounded face, three long scratches running along the left side of her face, from the top of her eye to the bottom of her cheek. She needed to clean the blood off her face...but she didn't have any water on her, and thought about her options. She suddenly blushed, an idea springing in her head as Applejack's left ear twitched, another low moan escaping her. Blushing, Rainbow Dash leaned forward and gently licked at one of Applejack's scratches, getting some of the blood off. She licked her again, and again, each time the taste of blood growing stronger on her tongue and the wound being effectively cleaned. It took a few minutes of careful, and not to mention affectionate, licking before Applejack's face wounds had been cleaned of blood and bandages wrapped around her head to cover half of her face. Rainbow Dash sat back on her haunches and made a 'bleh' noise, trying to lick her own foreleg to get the taste of blood out of her mouth.

She jumped suddenly as a loud roar echoed from somewhere outside. She snapped her head to the left and shouted "What the hay was THAT!?" She galloped outside and looked around quickly, another roar echoing out from what she perceived to be near the base of the mountain. Rushing over to the cliff, she looked over the edge and gasped loudly, her pupils contracting to the size of needles. A bear, a giant, brown, pissed-off looking bear, was trying to get up the path towards her cave. It had only sprung two out of the seven traps Rainbow had rigged along the path, blood seeping from its sides and face. Rainbow Dash squeaked with fright as she realized that before she had moved in, the cave must have belonged to the BEAR! Panic began to set in as she thought about any options she had. She didn't know if it was fate or sheer dumb luck, but she thanked Celestia that The Voice called out to her, practically shouting

"The Bear is another predator that lurks around in forested areas. Unlike other animals, the bear is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! High stamina, high strength, and VERY stubborn, the bear is a tank like creature that is best left undisturbed. In the event that you have to face one of these monstrous creatures, be sure to use whatever you have on hoof to your advantage! Although stubborn, bears can be hindered and pestered into believing you're simply not worth the effort it would take to kill you. Setting traps, throwing rocks or large branches from tall heights, or simply using agility to outrun it are effective methods." Rainbow Dash quickly rushed about, grabbing and loose rocks she could find on the plateau, making sure they were a good, medium size. She peered over the edge of the cliff again and gulped, noticing the bear looked even MADDER then before, and had gone through two more traps. With only three lines of defense left, Rainbow quickly heaved a rock off the edge, aiming for the bear. A loud roar of pain and rage emitted from the beast as the rock struck its back, another following it quickly and landing on its paw.

Rainbow Dash let out a loud "HA!" but suddenly squealed with fright as the bear broke out into a charge, crashing through the next two traps that stuck sharp sticks in its sides and dropped a large rock out of a tree and onto its back. The bear looked like it was ready to murder somepony, moving through the last trap which consisted of another thorn tree, and two more rocks from above, thrown by Rainbow Dash. With no defenses or traps left, Rainbow hastily retreated back to her cave, panicking and squealing "Ohmygosh ohmygosh ohmygosh!!! What do I do?! WHAT DO I DO!?" She rushed into the cave, heading for Applejack who still had yet to wake up. A roar behind her made Rainbow Dash jump and she turned her head, her eyes falling upon the bloodied bear who stood at the entrance to the cave, a venomous look in its eyes. Rainbow Dash looked towards Applejack, and felt a feeling of rage build up inside her. There was no way that she was going to let Applejack's efforts to find her be in vain. She had risked her own life to come to her rescue, and now it was Rainbow's turn.

She let out a furious battle cry and rushed forward, galloping towards the bear. Surprised at this sudden charge, the bear took a moment to step back before rearing back on its hind legs, bringing a paw back and holding it at the ready. As Rainbow Dash approached the bear roared and swung, hoping to catch her in the face. She dove however, sailing through the bear's legs and coming up behind him. She hopped up and gave the bear a swift buck in its rear, galloping forward as the beast cried out in pain. It turned and roared, bringing its claws around and catching rainbow in her right wing with a heavy swipe. The cry of pain that emitted from Rainbow Dash was unlike anything anypony had ever heard before. It was so shrill, and so loud, that Applejack slowly started to open her eyes, her ears perking at the sound of Rainbow Dash's screams. She picked her head up and gasped, spotting the bear who was attacking her friend. She looked over towards her rope and knife and back towards the bear, narrowing her eyes.

Rainbow held her side tightly, blood seeping from her already broken wing. She screamed as tears spilled down her face, her body on fire with pain. She looked up and saw the bear approaching, lifting up its claws. She shut her eyes tight, bracing for her inevitable death. As the bear's paw started to come down, it suddenly roared in pain and stopped, a whirling noise penetrating the air followed by a loud 'THWACK!'. Applejack had chucked her pappy's knife from the cave entrance, the blade sticking out of the bears back from when it stood to strike at Rainbow. Rushing forward, Applejack jumped and landed on the bear's back, ripping the blade free and jumping away in time to avoid a heavy slash from the beast. As she landed she slid her rear legs up and backwards, kicking up dust and dirt into the bear's eyes. The hulking beast roared in pain as it flailed about, swiping at the air.

Using the precious moment she had earned for herself, she took the rope she had brought out of the cave and rushed towards the cliff edge, wrapping it around one of the rocks. The bear looked over as it heard Applejack's taunting shout

"HEY! FATASS!!! OVER HERE YA DUMB VARMINT! COME AND GET YA SOME DELICIOUS PONY!" The bear let out a deafening roar and charged towards Applejack, no visible signs of escape available to the country mare. Rainbow Dash looked up and gasped as Applejack took a step back and fell from the cliff, the bear barreling through the spot that Applejack had only just occupied. The bear's roaring could be heard clearly as it sailed through the air, having run right off the cliff. A thunderous boom echoed out from below, signaling that the bear had successfully fallen to its own demise.

Rainbow Dash looked towards the cliff and screamed with all her might,

"APPLEJACK!!!! APPLEJACK!!!!!!" She gasped as she actually heard a response being shouted back to her

"WHAT!? WHATEVER IT IS, IT CAN WAIT! COME PULL ME BACK UP FORE' THIS KNOT GOES UNDONE AND AH GO AH TUMBLIN'!" Rainbow Dash heaved herself up, limping quickly over to the cliff and peering over, blinking in surprise. Applejack was dangling dangerous by the rope she had tied around her belly. She took the rope up in her teeth and tugged, slowly pulling Applejack back over the cliff. As soon as Applejack found solid ground, she rushed forward and pulled Rainbow Dash into a tight hug, openly sobbing into her shoulder and shouting "You dumb stupid FILLY! Don't you ever go and do somethin' like this again, ya hear!?" Rainbow Dash winced in pain as Applejack squeezed her tightly, wheezing

"G...good to see you too!? OW! Mind the wing!"

Chapter Eight - Rainbow Hearts and Apple Kisses

"Hold still..."

"A...Applejack easy!"

"If you quit struggling this'll be over before you know it!"

"Do you have to be so rough? I'm tender there!"

"Well if ya quit whinin' ah can make this go over faster!"

"Whatever...you just want more time to have your hooves on me..."

"What was that!?"

"NOTHING! I said you take too much time and your hooves are too rough!"

Rainbow Dash was on her back, wincing as Applejack carefully wrapped bandages around the whining mare's right wing. Applejack scoffed at Rainbow's last comment and gave her a light bonk on her head, speaking to her in a scolding tone

"Now that's just silly, ah have the softest, tender-lovin' hooves out of anypony!" Rainbow Dash simply sighed and tried her best not to wince or cry out as Applejack adjusted her wing. Applejack took the two straightest sticks she could find and placed them evenly on both sides of Rainbow's wing, wrapping bandages around them and making an effective splint. Applejack smiled and stepped back, admiring her hoofwork and said "There! All done ya big filly, how's that fit ya?" Rainbow Dash sat up on her haunches and looked at her bandaged right wing. She felt like her weight was uneven, but she'd get over it. She shrugged, looking towards Applejack with an indifferent expression

"Yeah...it's alright" Rainbow Dash said, leaving Applejack to simply narrow her eyes. Rainbow sighed and waved a hoof in the air "Yeah yeah! It's really great Applejack, thank you...." Applejack nodded and smiled a triumphant grin as she said

"See? Swallowin' your pride ain't to hard after all is it?" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and poked at her fire with a stick, keeping the flames alive while Applejack simply shook her head with a light chuckle and went back to resorting her supplies.

Applejack grimaced at the mess Rainbow had made, sorting out the bandages from a roll of some kind of tape. "Ya could be a little...ya know...more organized when it comes to usin' mah stuff there Rainbow..." Rainbow Dash scoffed and looked over

"Well it's not my fault you make bandages so impossibly hard to get to! You were bleeding all over the place, it was like, GUSHING! I had to get to your bandages or you would of like...ya know, been more hurt n' stuff!" Applejack burst out laughing, holding her sides tightly as Rainbow shouted "What's so funny!? You were seriously hurt!!!" Applejack wiped a tear from her eye and said

"Yeah, from YOUR tree! And besides, ah gave myself a look over, ah wasn't THAT bad off. Few dings sure but nothing as serious as your ah talkin' bout'" Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and sighed

"Sure...whatever! Just belittle me for doing something RIGHT for once..." Applejack frowned, walking over and sitting on her haunches in front of Rainbow, using a hoof to tilt her chin up and look her in the eyes.

"Rainbow..." She muttered, her eyes sad. "Don't think ah don't appreciate what you've done fer me these past few days, hay, weeks and months even. You helped me buck a few apples, helped with the weather and the harvest, even give me a good show when you got some new tricks to show off..." Rainbow Dash smiled a little as Applejack went on "You even went and saved Winona from the storm...at the cost of your own safety and your right wing. Ah couldn't let all you done be in vain...so ah came lookin' for you." Rainbow Dash frowned and whispered

"I...I don't want to sound, you know...but, why is it only YOU out here? Didn't anypony else come with you?" Applejack shook her head, sighing

"Nope...Twilight said the storm was much to dangerous at the moment, and ah didn't have time to go runnin' around hearin' everypony's excuse not to go out into the storm. Ah don't hold it against Twi', hay ah even caught a portion of her sentence about her goin' and sendin' a letter. We may get help yet Rainbow!" Rainbow Dash smiled and leaned herself forward, pulling Applejack into a soft hug. Applejack blushed as she hugged her back, smiling a little as Rainbow whispered to her

"Well....I'm glad you came for me Applejack...I'm glad it was you..." Applejack blinked a little, her heart throbbing for a moment and her face starting to burn up with a blush

"W...why's that?" She felt Rainbow shrug against her as she muttered

"I don't know..." Rainbow Dash pulled away gently, getting up on her hooves and slowly heading out of the cave, the clouds still black and ominous in the sky. She sat on the cliff-edge and sighed, looking up towards the sky.

She stared blankly at the sky, her heart aching worse then her wing. "Applejack..." she thought, her eyes tilting in sadness "Why can't...why can't you see you've done so much for me too...you caressed me when I fell...held me until I felt better...you listened to me whenever I felt sad...or mad...and....you came for me. You came for me out here...". Applejack sighed from her spot in the cave, her eyes traveling over Rainbow Dash and a sigh escaping her lips. She shook her head as she spoke towards her, as if she were still sitting with her

"Rainbow...what are you thinking about? Are you thinking about me...? Do you even think like that? Ah love you...but ah can't bring myself to say it. Ah'm afraid to lose you like ah nearly lost you today. Am ah a coward...? Am ah scared...? Ah'm so scared of losin' people Rainbow...ah lost my Pappy, ah lost mah parents...ah don't wanna lose you too." She sighed, looking towards the fire for a moment. Her eyes suddenly widened however, as she heard a voice in her head that sounded eerily like Rainbow's

"Why should you be afraid? Look at us...we're the two strongest mares in Ponyville...look at what we've done to survive out here. We've fought a BEAR, and WON! If you were going to lose me...you would have done so already...and if you don't do something...you may lose me still. Don't be scared of the heights or the risks until you've taken a chance, taken a risk. Life is about risks...I know, I'm a Pegasus. Nothing stops me from doing my ultra-cool tricks...because I'm not afraid to fall. I carry my life in my hooves every-time I leap off a cloud...why don't you leap off yours? Believe in yourself Applejack...take a leap of faith...for me."

Applejack sniffed, wiping a tear from her eye and standing up on her hooves. She had made it to the cave entrance when she started to cry, her tears flowing down her cheeks. Rainbow Dash heard a loud sniffle behind her and turned her head, blinking in surprise at a weeping Applejack approaching her. She turned around and asked

"Applejack...are you ok?" Applejack shook her head and kept walking towards her, Rainbow Dash getting to her hooves and moving towards her as well, a concerned look on her face. "Is it your bandages? Are you hurting?" Applejack nodded a little as she approached

"Y...yeah...ah'm hurtin' Rainbow...but it's not about the bandages." Rainbow blinked and gave a tiny yelp of surprise as Applejack put her front hooves on Rainbow's cheeks, the both of them sitting on their haunches. Rainbow whispered, a bit scared

"W...what are you doing Applejack?" Applejack sniffed as she spoke out of tear-stained sadness

"Takin' a leap of faith" She pulled Rainbow's face towards her as she moved her own forward, pressing her lips against Rainbow's and shutting her eyes tight. Tears continued to leak down her face and even washed out onto Rainbow's cheeks. Rainbow's mind was racing a mile a minute, her eyes wide and her left wing shooting outwards with an awkwardly loud 'POOMF!'. She felt heat wash over her as Applejack pulled her tightly against her body, wrapping her hooves around her and holding her lips to her still. It took Rainbow a moment, but finally, she felt her own eyes droop and she wrapped her hooves around Applejack. Closing her eyes, she pressed back, kissing her fully and making Applejack sigh with contentment.

They stayed that was for a good while, the both of them gently moving their lips against one another. They kissed and sighed, tasting one another and holding each other tightly, as if they were afraid that they'd lose one another if they let go. When they finally did pull their lips away from each other, their eyes opened and they stared into one another, the both of them blushing like mad. Rainbow was the first to speak, whispering

"S...so...?" Applejack smiled a little, whispering back

"So..." Rainbow felt like jelly in Applejack's hooves, the feeling of dizziness passing over her. She went partially limp in her arms, Applejack noticing the weight change and she whispered "Are you ok Sugarcube?" Rainbow Dash pressed her head against her shoulder and nodded weakly, a smile etched on her face.

"How...how long have you...thought about me, like this?" Rainbow asked, her eyes looking up towards Applejack. The Apple Mare smiled, looking down at Rainbow and whispering

"Oh...for a little while...started getting a fancy towards ya after all those days of me bandaging you up..." Rainbow smiled and whispered

"Knew it...and those massages felt so good..." Applejack blushed as Rainbow gave her a hug, giggling and snuggling her head into Applejack's bandaged chest.

"Well...it's only fair ta ask but, guessin' from how you went about uh...kissin' me back, how long have you liked me?" Rainbow Dash sighed and nuzzled against her a bit more and whispered

"Oh...about the same time. Everytime you fixed me up...I felt so warm and safe in your hooves. You cared for me Applejack...you've always cared for me every time I fell..." Applejack smiled and kissed the top of her head, holding her tightly

"Well...ah'm a bit tired of carin' for yer wounds...think ah'll care for yer heart instead" She said, smiling as Rainbow Dash lifted her head back up and kissed her again, the both of them enveloped in another blanket of warmth and love.

~~~

"So, we can't really go back on hoof...?" Rainbow Dash asked, sitting across from Applejack , the fire crackling between them.

"Eeyup" Applejack responded, shuffling in her saddlebags for something "With that ravine, and them puppies after us, ah'd say we'll have a purty rough time gettin' back home. Nope, only choice now is ta wait for a rescue..." Rainbow Dash smiled and spoke with a sarcastic tone

"Heh...that's pretty funny when you think about it...my Apple Lover coming to my rescue...and who now needs rescuing herself. Tragic." Applejack frowned and looked up at Rainbow Dash, an eyebrow raised and her tone accusing

"Oh? And just when did ah get upgraded to 'Apple Lover'? If there was any kinda lovin' going on, ah think you'd be hard pressed to take on this mare." It was Rainbow Dash's turn to raise an eyebrow, except on her face a smile rested, smug and victorious

"Heh, moving a little fast aren't we? Didn't know you were so eager to get between my legs." Applejack blushed to a color as red as her cutie mark and she half-shouted

"A...ah just never back down from a challenge is all! How...how did you get over that ravine anyway, your wings are broken!" Rainbow Dash could tell she was trying to change the subject, and she smiled because of it. She was about to say something when she saw Applejack pull out two brown bottles with a green apple stamped on their label. Rainbow suddenly smiled with a great big, mischievous grin, whispering

"Hey...Applejack...is that-"

"Apple Cider? Yes, can you have some? NO!" Applejack said, cutting her off and continuing to rummage through her bags. Rainbow Dash pouted and whined

"Awww! Come on Applejack you're no fun at all! Just a teeny weeny sip?" Applejack gave her a look and Rainbow Dash gave her a pouting look, whispering "I'll tell you how I got over the ravine if you let me...pweaase! Just a weeny teeny sip!!!?" Applejack sighed and rolled her eyes, muttering

"Fine...but you best speak up quick about the ravine before ah go and givin' you any." Rainbow Dash nodded and held up her hoof, opening her mouth to explain.

"It was simple really, I just threw a vine to a tree on the other side, and caught it on a branch. Tied my end to another tree and shimmied on over." Applejack raised an eyebrow, frowning for a moment before shrugging and sighing

"Well...guess that makes sense..." She passed the bottle to Rainbow with a stern warning "JUST, a sip!"

Rainbow smiled and nodded, popping the top as Applejack went back to sorting through her supplies. She gently put her mouth over the bottle and leaned her head back, taking a large mouthful and holding it in. She gently placed the bottle back down, cheeks full of cider. Applejack looked up as Rainbow moved closer to her, noticing her cheeks and sighing, aggravated "Ah said just a si- MMPH!" She was cut off mid-sentence as Rainbow Dash pushed her lips against hers, pushing her toungue past her lips and letting the cider flow from her own mouth to hers. Applejack blushed as she swallowed the cider, the warm mixture coated with Rainbow's taste. She pulled back and gasped a little, panting as Rainbow Dash swallowed her own portion and laughed.

"O...oh man!!! You should see your face! Hahahaha!!!! Oh that's rich!" Applejack felt her limbs grow weak as she stuttered

"W...why did ya...what?!" Rainbow Dash winked and scooted up close to her, nuzzling the side of her face and whispering in her ear

"Cause...my mommy taught me how to share..." Applejack shivered as she felt Rainbow's teeth nibbling at the top of her left ear, her voice coming out weakly

"C...Celestia's sake Rainbow...what's gotten into you?" Rainbow Dash smiled and sat back on her haunches, taking a swig of cider and smiling, whispering

"I...don't know to be honest. Just making up for lost time I guess. I've been falling in love with you for so long...I guess everything just feels right with you." Applejack looked towards her own bottle of cider, popping the top of it and taking her own swig, looking at Rainbow with a worried glance

"Ya don't...think that we're going too fast? Ah mean...we're officially like...um..."

"Marefriends?" Rainbow Dash offered, taking another gulp of cider and shivering from the warmth it spread through her body. Applejack thought about it for a moment and nodded, saying

"Yeah, Marefriends. You don't think we're going too fast for just starting a relationship or anythin'?" Rainbow Dash shrugged, taking another sip

"Dunno...never had a mare before...all the colts I dated back in Weather School never got a chance to be that close with me. I don't really believe in a 'Dating Speed' anyway...too slow-paced for me. I like adventure, excitement, those kinds of things." Applejack nodded and took a huge swig of her cider, her vision blurring for a quick moment before she spoke

"Well...thash alright I guessh...ah mean...ah'd be willing to do or try whatever you want to do, if you wanted..." Rainbow let out a small hiccup and smiled, holding her bottle out towards Applejack accusingly and giggling

"Hey Applejack...it sshhounds like you can't hold your liquor too good! You bessht be careful, a drunk mare is easshy to take advantage of!" Applejack let out a loud hiccup and stared lazily at Rainbow, her head swaying as she spoke

"H..hey! Ah can hold my liquor jussht fine! And what you mean 'take advantage of', if anythin', AH'D be takin' advantage o' YOU!"

Rainbow Dash took a mighty swig of her cider and dropped the bottle, hiccuping and walking sluggishly over towards Applejack, whispering

"Oh yeah..?" Applejack nodded weakly with a smile as she let Rainbow Dash gently push her on her back, her eyes staring up at her marefriend who proceeded to lay her belly against Applejack's, nestling on top of her and giving her a deep kiss. Rainbow pulled her head back slowly, just after taking Applejack's bottom lip between her own and giving it a playful tug. Applejack let out a low moan as Rainbow whispered "You ever been with anyone before Applejack?" The country mare shook her head and smiled weakly, feeling Rainbow putting tender hooves on her sides. Applejack knew they were both drunk, and knew that under different circumstances, this wasn't likely to happen. But...it had been a long time since she had been happy or felt at peace, and right now, laying underneath Rainbow, she could feel that. She wasn't about to cut that feeling short, not after all they'd both been through.

~~~

"Oh...my head!" Applejack wheezed, the fire smoldering and the cave illuminated with the rays of the morning sun. "W...what happened last night?" she groaned, a hoof to her forehead. She tried to move but felt something holding her in place, and when she opened her eyes she squeaked. Rainbow Dash was on top of her, her cheek pressed against her chest and drool dribbling out onto her orange coat. Applejack started to blush, looking around the cave slowly and catching sight of the empty Apple Cider bottles nearby. She blushed even more as she realized that last night may have been...more intimate then she realized. It wasn't till she tried moving her bottom that a blush as red as the morning sun crept over her face. Her legs had been spread wide, along with Rainbow's....the two of them in such a position that...

Applejack took in a sharp breath, the memories of last night flooding back to her. "Oh...mah...stars" she whispered. She tried to deny it at first but no matter what she did, she knew it was true. They kissed, they drank, and they tussled'. Applejack face-hoofed, shaking her head and sighing. "At least it twern't rape or nuttin' like that..." She figured that it being Rainbow...she could deal with it. "Definitely be sober next time...ya dumb filly Applejack you..." she whispered to herself. She put a hoof under her own head, staring up at the ceiling while Rainbow slumbered on. She thought about last night...the warm fire...the heat of them both pressed up against each other, enveloped in love and relief that they were at long last reunited. She actually enjoyed her first time...though wishes of her being sober for it still crept in her mind.

Applejack ended her train of thought with a smile, simply shaking her head and hugging Rainbow too her. A few more hours sleep wouldn't kill them.

Chapter Nine - Fight and Flight

Rainbow Dash sat by the fire, smiling like an idiot. Applejack grimaced as she sorted out the berries she had gone to pick and looked up towards her marefriend, rolling her eyes at her smile. "Ya know..." Applejack muttered, sliding Rainbow's portion over to her "Ya can stop SMILIN' bout' it!" Rainbow Dash took a few berries up in her hoof and shook her head, eating a few and giggling

"Now why wouldn't I smile about something so....so....amazing?" Applejack face-hoofed as she spoke with a raised voice

"That's fantastic...but could you maybe, ya know, try not to be as rough next time? Ah still can't walk right..." At this Rainbow Dash burst out laughing, nearly spitting out her berries and pointing a hoof at Applejack

"T...that's friggin' HILARIOUS! Guess you can't handle a little Rainbow Rodeo huh?" Applejack blushed a bright shade of red as Rainbow scooted close to her, nuzzling her cheek and whispering in her ear "Ah figured...that a purty Apple Mare like yerself might enjoy a little rough tusslin'" Applejack shivered and shut her eyes, impressed with Rainbow's small attempt to talk like her.

"Yer an unfair tease you know that?" she sighed, eating a few berries of her own as she felt Rainbow tug on her ear playfully and whisper

"Yeah, but I know you like it, so you're going to have to deal with it" Applejack gave Rainbow Dash a playful shove and laughed, looking at the pouting face she gave her. Applejack trotted over, putting a hoof on her chest and gently pushing her back on her back. Rainbow opened her mouth to say something but was cut off as Applejack pushed her lips against hers. As they kissed, Applejack ran a hoof down her cheek and neck, dragging it gently down across the middle of her chest and towards her stomach. The country mare was kissing her in a way that made Rainbow Dash want to lean up and push herself against her, but every-time she did so Applejack leaned back just a little. When she finally let out a small moan of protest Applejack pulled away with a triumphant smile and pointed a hoof at her, taunting her

"Ha! Who's the unfair tease now?" Rainbow Dash sat up with an evil grin on her face, getting up on her hooves and getting into a low pouncing position, whispering

"The one who finishes what she started..." It took Applejack a moment to realize what she was talking about, and when she did Rainbow Dash had already lept towards her like a predator catching prey. Applejack squeaked

"OH HORSEAP-MMMPH!!!!!"

~~~

"Oh...mah...STARS!" Applejack gasped, laying next to Rainbow on her back, her chest heaving for air. Beside her, Rainbow Dash tried to laugh but found herself cut short of air also, and instead simply poked at Applejack's side and smiled

"Y...yeah...I have that effect on ponies..." Applejack looked towards Rainbow and muttered

"Ah would hope not!" Rainbow shook her head at this and smiled, turning her head and kissing Applejack on her cheek, whispering

"You know I'm just kidding...all I have I want it to be with you." Applejack rolled her eyes as she put a hoof to her own chest, her breath slowly starting to regulate as she muttered

"At least ah was SOBER this time...ah could actually enjoy it!" At this Rainbow Dash frowned, her eyes angling in a sad look as she whispered

"Y...you didn't enjoy your first time...?" Applejack smiled and rolled over weakly on top of her marefriend, pressing her lips gently against hers and whispering as she pushed her forehead against her lover's

"Ah'm just messin' with ya Sugarcube...ah did enjoy it...was the happiest ah've been in a long time...ah promise." Rainbow smiled and looked up at her lovingly, pulling her down for another kiss.

~~~

"So where'd you learn about all this survival stuff? Did you take like a class or something?" Rainbow Dash asked, hugging Applejack from behind while she looked over her shoulder and watched her marefriend make a fancy looking knot in her rope.

"Mah pappy taught me everythin' ah know bout' livin' in the out doors. He was a VERY smart pony...smartest outta all of em' ah reckon'" Rainbow Dash nodded and asked

"Well where did HE learn it from then?" Applejack shrugged, pulling one of the strands of rope with her teeth and muttering

"Ah think most of it he learned from the old war he had fought in. There was a bit o' nasty business up north of Stalliongrad, and he was a drafted to go up n' fight. Ah don't really know what the whole thing was about, and everypony ah asked when ah was younger wouldn't speak nuttin' about it, said it was taboo or some phooey like that." Rainbow Dash nodded and gave her a small kiss on the back of her neck, whispering

"Applejack?" the country mare's eyes looked towards her right, and she asked

"Yea hun'?" Rainbow Dash let out a warm sigh, pressing her cheek against Applejack's back and whispering quietly

"I love you..." Applejack smiled a little and whispered back

"Ah love you too...now come on, let's get this rig set up." Applejack moved out of Rainbow Dash's hold and made her way over towards the cliff. Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at the the rope she had tied up with all of her knots and asked

"What's this thing for anyway?" Applejack tied one end of the rope to a large boulder and looked towards her marefriend, smiling and proclaiming

"It's a rappel line! Or...sorta. Ah tie you up, ah lower you down onto one o' them smaller cliffs down there, and you hop the rest of the way down. Ah spotted a path you can head down from the cliff, so in case of emergencies, you can get away!" Rainbow Dash nodded but suddenly frowned, muttering

"But...what about you?" Applejack dropped the rope by the rock and headed back towards the cave, the new fire she built and started roaring just outside the entrance. She looked up into the clear, beautiful blue sky as she spoke

"Ah made it fer only one, you're the most injured so you're gonna be goin' down that thing in case somethin' bad happens. Ah got mah pappy's knife and mah strength so ah'll be fine." Rainbow Dash walked over to her as the black plume of smoke rose up high into the sky.

"Look's like the storm's over..." Rainbow Dash whispered, leaning against Applejack "Do you think they're looking for us now?" Applejack nodded, her fire creating a giant smoke signal in the sky. Rainbow Dash suddenly yelped in surprise as The Voice shouted out in her mind

"Search Parties looking for me will need whatever visual and directional aid they can get to pinpoint my location. Smoke Signals and my large survival sign are two good ways to signal them, but I need to be cautious about NOISE and the Smoke Signals. The Search Parties won't be the only ones who see or hear the smoke signal or cries for help, so a quick escape plan or a defensive plan is a good route to take."

Rainbow Dash's jaw dropped as she heard the voice talk as if...it was her own voice. Applejack looked over and noticed her shocked expression, hearing her yelp as well.

"You alright Sugarcube?" She asked, putting a hoof on her shoulder. Rainbow Dash looked over towards Applejack and whispered

"Ok...just so we're clear, I'm NOT crazy! I've been...hearing a voice, that's been telling me what to do, where to find water, where to find shelter, how to deal with animals..." Applejack blinked and instantly said

"Ah, recallin' information...Eeyup, figures." Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow at Applejack who sighed and explained "Ok, knowin' you, you were probably dosin' off, but yer ears were still listenin'. It's like you hear somethin', but ya don't really think bout' it unless ya really need it. With you crash landin', your mind probably went inta overdrive or somethin', starting bringing back all the information you were processin' while you were dosin' off." Rainbow Dash nodded and put a hoof to her chin, muttering

"Kinda like...subconscious thinking or something?" Applejack nodded and poked at her fire, making sure the smoking tower kept traveling higher.

They sat together for a moment, staring at the fire and closing her eyes, enjoying the light breeze that passed over the mountain. Their eyes snapped open however as the loud sound of howling echoed out from nearby. Applejack whipped her head towards the path and shouted

"Horseapples! The wolves found a way around the ravine!!!" The two of them rushed over to the cliff, peering over and gasping. The pack of wolves, now at least twenty to THIRTY in number, were running about in the woods below, one of the wolves catching sight of them and barking upwards towards them. It was then that Rainbow Dash poked Applejack on her shoulder, the apple mare's eyes flicking towards her and whispering "What is it?" Rainbow Dash was looking up towards the sky, her mouth partially agape as she asked

"Do you...hear something?" Applejack sat up, trying to hear over the sounds of the dogs barking. It took her a moment but then she finally gasped, whispering loudly

"Wings!"

A moment later a purple orb of magic shot out from one of the clouds, detonating near a group of three wolves that had begun to trek up the mountain path. Applejack looked up and gasped, watching as a golden chariot burst from the cloud, pulled by two royal guard ponies, three unicorns situated in the back. They flew over shakily as a brown-coated colt shouted below

"...TO YOUR SIGN!!!! CAN'T....WIND!!!" Rainbow Dash shouted back to them

"SAY AGAIN!?!" The Chariot banked lower but another gust of wind had them rocking violently for a moment, the unicorn shouting again

"RUN TO YOUR SIGN, WE CAN'T LAND BECAUSE OF THE WIND!!! RUN!!!!!!!!!" Rainbow Dash nodded and gave a loud squeak as Applejack pulled her roughly towards the rope rig she had tied together. Bolts of magic flew from the sky, trying their best to disperse the wolves as Applejack tied Rainbow into the harness. Rainbow Dash was pawing at Applejack's side, shouting in protest

"Applejack don't let me go alone! We can both make it! Please!!!" Applejack shook her head and gave one of the ropes a tug, making sure the rig was secure. She turned and held Rainbow's face in her hands, tearing up and giving her a deep kiss. She held herself there for a moment before speaking quickly

"Ah told you in case of an emergency! You get to yer sign, ah'll be right behind ya ah PROMISE!" Before Rainbow Dash could say anything else, Applejack shoved her off the cliff at an angle and held the rope tightly in her mouth. Rainbow screamed as she swung dangerously below, her marefriend gently letting the rope slide through her teeth and dropping the Pegasus slowly down towards the cliff. After a moment, Rainbow Dash had touched down on the cliff and quickly began to tear herself out of the harness, spotting the path Applejack had mentioned.

Applejack's teeth hurt as she dropped the rope, turning as the chariot was forced to move away, the wind becoming too much for them to handle. She trotted calmly over towards the fire, her knife laying next to it. She took it up carefully in her mouth and looked over towards the entrance to the path, three wolves coming over the top and growling savagely at Applejack. The country mare sucked in a breath and mumbled through the handle "Alright puppies...ya wanna dance? Ya'll done joined a rodeo that most uh ya'll ain't gonna be walkin' away from!"

~~~

Rainbow Dash was a multi-colored blur in the forest, bounding through the trees, bolts of magic crashing down around her as they tried desperately to keep the wolves at bay. She was fast approaching the ravine, one of the Unicorns spotting it and aiming a bolt of magic towards a tree near the edge. The colt aimed his horn and shot, the blast crashing into the base of the tree and sending it toppling over the ravine. It landed with a thunderous boom, creating a make-shift bridge over the chasm. Rainbow Dash lept onto it, barreling across as the wolves followed. She stopped in the middle, bringing her hind legs up and bucking a pursuing wolf in the face. The wolf gave a loud yelp and fell from the bridge, howling as it descended into the ravine's chasm. She shouted upwards

"There's still another pony back there!!! We can't just leave her there!" The chariot circled back around, a yellow mare shouting down towards her

"We'll hold the bridge! Just RUN!" Rainbow Dash stamped her hoof out of frustration and continued onwards towards the clearing that held her sign. She panted, doing her best to make her hooves go faster. As she reached the treeline she gasped, the sight before her simply unbelievable. Twenty chariots, ten on the ground, five circling around in the air, and five coming in for a landing, were taking up the clearing. Unicorns jumped from the chariot, sending bolts into the trees past Rainbow Dash, keeping the wolves at bay. A familiar voice cried out as she made her way towards the chariots

"RAINBOW DASH!!!" Twilight Sparkle had run out from behind one chariot, her horn aglow with a purple aura and her eyes filled with tears. Rainbow Dash rushed towards the unicorn who gave her a giant hug as she reached her.

A loud yelp made Rainbow's head turn, and what she saw next nearly broke her out. Applejack burst from the trees, knife bloody as well as her body. Long claw marks ran up her side, her face bloodied and her mane a total mess. A wolf pounced from behind her as Rainbow Dash screamed

"APPLEJACK!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!" The wolf bit into the back of her neck as Applejack cried out, falling forward and hitting the ground with a loud thud. Twilight Sparkle shoved Rainbow Dash back, turning her head and aiming her horn quickly. An arrow shaped burst of purple magic shot forth and caught the wolf in the face, making the beast fly back into a tree. Rainbow Dash was held back by Twilight, unable to reach her bleeding Marefriend who was being dragged towards the chariots by other unicorns. Her cyan hooves gingerly felt along Applejack's body as she was brought over to them, the rest of the ponies already getting back on board their own chariots and preparing to leave. Twilight stepped up onto the chariot holding Rainbow Dash and Applejack, the rest of the chariots rising up and turning in the air, heading back towards the direction of Ponyville. Rainbow Dash held Applejack tightly, shaking her as she tried to get her to respond or wake up "Applejack!!! APPLEJACK!!! No! Don't be dead, PLEASE! PLEASE!!! Don't leave me!!! I love you!!! I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! APPLEJACK!!!!" Applejack's eyes were closed, a blank expression on her face and her mouth partially agape, the knife falling from her teeth and clattering on the chariot floor.

Twilight felt tears in her eyes as Rainbow Dash wept, muttering weakly "A...Applejack, we made it! We're going home! P...please wake up!!! Twilight's here! You were right, she did come for us! Please wake up!!! Baby PLEASE!!!" Twilight put a hoof on Rainbow's shoulder, whispering

"R...Rainbow...?" Rainbow Dash didn't hear her, tears flowing form her eyes as she pressed her cheek against Applejack's left eye and sobbed.

"APPLEJACK!!!! APPLEJAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!"

Chapter Ten - The Apple of mah Eye

Applejack opened her eyes slowly, a cool wind rippling over her coat and her back resting against something soft. She didn't move at all, staying perfectly still as her eyes slowly looked about, taking in the scene around her. She was surrounded by apple trees, the light of the sun gently shining through the trees that rustled peacefully in the wind. She sat up on her haunches, looking down at her hooves with a blank expression on her face. She wasn't carved up from the wolves, she noticed, her coat a glistening orange and her sides and face free of slash marks. The wind carried with it the scent of fresh apples, bringing Applejack up on her hooves and gently pushing her to walk up the hill nearby.

She felt...odd. Calm, maybe, but there was something definitely wrong with her. She remembered she was in the Everfree Forest before she blacked out, and could hear the screams of Rainbow Dash. She kept a blank face however, continuing to walk up the lone hill and look out at the wide expanse of apple trees that covered a good size plot of land. She knew where she was, spotting the barn and her house near the middle of the fields. She was home, at Sweet Apple Acres. She looked up as she heard a voice sound off from behind her "Beautiful...ain't they?" She turned her head, her eyes widening a little as Apple-Licious Jack walked up the hill, smiling a little and tipping her hat back on the top of his head.

"P...Pappy?" Applejack whispered, the colt walking up beside her and sitting back on his haunches, whispering

"Eeyup..." Applejack looked down towards the ground, frowning and muttering

"Ah'm dead...aren't ah?" Apple-licious looked up to the sky for a moment, a hoof to his chin as he thought a moment. After a minute he shook his head, sighing

"Nope, close but no apple pie Sugarcube." Applejack didn't say anything, looking out amongst the fields of apple trees and muttering, an ache forming in her heart

"Ah'm not ready to die...ah can't die." Apple-licious looked over and whispered

"Ah now yer not ready Sugarcube...but everypony has their time ya know." Applejack sighed, shaking her head

"But that's not fair..." she said, Apple-licious nodding and gently poking her in the side with a hoof

"Yer right, it's not, but that don't mean that it ain't gonna happen one day." He replied, his grandfilly looking over towards him with a sad expression and whispering

"If ah'm not dead...why are you here Pappy? Ah know yer dead..." Apple-licious nodded and looked out over the trees with a sigh.

"Well," he began, adjusting the stetson on his head "Ah don't really know to explain it...and even then ah'm not sure the answer ah could come up with would be a good one. Guess you can say yer somewhere...in between life n' death." Applejack nodded slowly, taking a moment to enjoy the view with Apple-licious. They stared across their farm, their fields...their years and years of hard work and labor. When Applejack spoke, she felt tears well up in her eyes, half whimpering

"P...Pappy? Have ah led a good life? Am ah ready to die?" Apple-licious looked over to her, shaking his head and muttering

"Hun', nopony asks that if they're not happy with themselves. Just cuz' you asked that tells me you ain't ready to die. Yer full of doubt over yer deeds and actions in yer life, and well...ah can't really tell you if what you've done was worth it. Ya see Sugarcube...a pony's deeds is measured not how by other's see it, but by how they themselves see it. You coulda' done takin' first place at the annual rodeo, and it may not have mattered to anypony in the world. That don't mean ya haven't led a good life. As long as YOU believe you have, then that's all yer ever gonna need." Applejack sniffed, tears falling from her eyes as she whimpered

"W..what about Rainbow Dash? What...what about all mah friends...Big Macintosh...Granny Smith? Ah can't leave them now...they need me Pappy...ah need YOU Pappy..." Apple-licious sighed heavily, holding his hooves out and letting Applejack scoot into them, being wrapped up in a hug and sobbing onto his chest. The colt gently whispered to her as he rubbed her back

"Shhh...quiet yerself now hun'...listen to me fer a moment. Life's a beautiful thing...but it's a tragic...depressing concept when ya think about how short and limited it is. Ya need to make the most out of what ya have now, what all ya have left. Mah time's over Sugarcube, but ah tell you somethin'...ah don't regret nothin', and ah can say ah'm certainly proud of all you've done fer yer friends n' family." Applejack sniffed, looking up and whispering quietly

"R...really Pappy?" Apple-licious smiled and whispered back

"Eeyup! Just look at yerself hun'! Ya done fought and beat Nightmare Moon, ya made five amazin' friends, one of which turned out to be yer true love! You helped Big Macintosh and Granny Smith through all their troubles, and ah've got to say...that Rainbow Dash is a mighty fine and perfect mare for you Sugarcube." Applejack smiled and blushed a little as Apple-licious went on "Love is a powerful thing dear...it stretches across the fabric of reality and time itself. Ah'm dead...yer not, but ah still love you no matter what. Ah love Rainbow Dash as one of mah own, thankful that she gave you the true love you've always been dreamin' about. Tell me, ya love her don't ya?" Applejack nodded and whispered

"With all mah heart...she's the apple of mah eye Pappy...the shiniest...the most beautiful...the sweetest of em all" Apple-licious smiled and whispered

"Then what are ya still don' here Sugarcube? Yer not dead, and it ain't yer time. Ah suppose the only reason yer here is...reassurance. Ya don't need to worry Applejack...ah'm proud of you, we're all proud of ya and all you've done. Ah don't want you comin' back here until yer ready, alright?" Applejack nodded, tearing up again and hugging her pappy tight, who whispered "Be strong Applejack...we'll see each other one day." Applejack opened her mouth to say something but suddenly cried out in pain, holding her chest and shouting

"OW! P...Pappy, what's happenin'!?" Apple-licious smiled a little, whispering

"Yer goin' home...wake up Applejack..." A sharp pain racked Applejack's body, hitting her in the chest and spreading through her limbs. She cried out in pain as Apple-licious smiled, whispering one more word before he dissapeared

"Clear..."

"CLEAR!!!!!!!!!!!" Nurse Redheart shouted, holding a shock paddle against Applejack's chest and shocking her, the apple mare's body jumping up off the surgery table and landing back down with a loud thud. Her wounds were still bleeding slightly, the slash marks only briefly bandaged and her eyes partially closed, glazed over with death and her mouth partially open. Nurse Redheart shouted towards her aid, tears spilling from her eyes as she screamed "AGAIN!!!!" She held the paddle down against Applejack's chest and sent another charge through, screaming "CLEAR!!!"

GAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSP!!!!

The EKG machine near Applejack started beeping rapidly, the apple mare's eyes flying open and looking around wildly. Nurse Redheart put her hooves on Applejack's cheeks and shouted "Applejack! Applejack can you hear me!? Nod your head if you can! Applejack!" Applejack felt like she was on fire, her body and sides burning as she weakly nodded, bringing a heavy sigh of relief from the nurse. She gently let go of Applejack's face and spoke hastily to her aid "Alright, start the morphine drip, and let's get her wounds cleaned and re-bandaged. Keep an eye on her heartbeat and keep her stable."

Applejack's eyes flicked around, heaving for breath as Nurse Redheart put a gentle hoof to her cheek and whispered "Easy now...easy...relax. You're safe in Ponyville. Relax...there we go." Applejack's breathing had calmed slightly, her eyes focusing on Nurse Redheart's' and tears brimming in her eyes. The nurse smiled, sniffing as she whispered "Welcome home Applejack..."

~~~

She didn't know how long she was asleep, but really she didn't care. Sleep was long and peaceful, her breath steady and her body floating in the calm, warm blackness. Her wounds didn't hurt and her mind was at ease, thoughts of Rainbow Dash and apples drawing a soft smile across her lips. When she did wake up, she did so slowly, her eyes opening up to a dark room with the lights of hospital machines blinking in the darkness. A night light was set up in one far corner, and the only other light visible was the light from the crack at the bottom of the door. She blinked, looking over slowly towards the door as she heard the knob turn.The door opened and her heart swelled with joy as she saw Rainbow Dash walk in. Her right wing was bandaged and set with a proper cast, her coat clean and her mane glistening with color. She looked upset, depressed as she carried a small bottle of milk in her mouth, heading over to a chair that was pushed up against Applejack's bed.

The Pegasus hopped up on the chair, popping the bottle open and taking a large gulp, placing the bottle on the table and sighing, staring at her hooves in her lap. Tears brimmed in her eyes and she started to cry, sniffing a little and making Applejack's heart ache for her dearest love. She took a moment to swallow her saliva and whisper with a tiny, hoarse voice

"H...hey..." Rainbow Dash snapped her head up, eyes wide as Applejack slowly smiled, reaching a hoof out to her. Rainbow took her hoof in her own and smiled widely, a fresh set of tears spilling down her face as she whispered back

"Hey...you ok?" Applejack nodded weakly, trying to tug Rainbow over to her by her hoof. Rainbow Dash took the hint and gently crawled up on the bed, stepping over Applejack and settling down next to her, over the sheets. Applejack turned her head and weakly reached out to her head, trying to get a hoof around the back of her neck. Rainbow Dash smiled, moving her head forward and giving Applejack the kiss she was looking for. Applejack sighed heavily through her snout, gently moving her lips against Rainbow's and feeling her heart melt with pure love.

After a moment Rainbow Dash pulled away and whispered "Sleep baby...I'll be right here, ok? I won't go anywhere I promise..." Applejack smiled, tears in her eyes as she whispered with her hoarse voice

"Ah...l...love..y..you..." Rainbow smiled and kissed her again, laying on her left side and pulling Applejack's head against her chest gently, whispering as they both closed their eyes

"I love you too..." Applejack couldn't believe it, but the sleep she was experiencing now was even greater then the previous.

Chapter Eleven - At the end of the Day

Applejack sighed, smiling as she snuggled up against Rainbow Dash, the two of them resting under an apple tree on the top of a tall hill in Sweet Apple Acres, the sun starting to set in the sky. It had been about a week since Applejack was discharged from the hospital and Rainbow Dash's wing was proclaimed 'Fit for Duty', and they had taken to planning a picnic for just the two of them. Applejack went over in her mind all that had happened the past few days as Rainbow Dash gently trailed kisses up and down her neck and jawline.

It turned out that Twilight was serious when she told Applejack she would send a letter...directly to Princess Celestia who in turn ordered a full blown rescue team to come after them. Her top guards, her most skilled Unicorns, and even Twilight Sparkle herself, chasing after Applejack and Rainbow Dash in the woods.

"Applejack?" Rainbow Dash whispered, placing a kiss on her cheek. Applejack looked over, blinking as she let out a low

"Hm?" Her marefriend blushed a little and whispered

"Love you..." Applejack smiled and shook her head

"Ya keep sayin' ya love me Dash. Ah don't need constant reminders ya know!" Rainbow blushed and looked towards the ground, muttering

"Yeah I know it's just...I can't help myself from saying it..." Applejack smiled and placed a hoof under Rainbow's chin, turning her head to face her and pressing her lips against her lover's, making them both sigh for a moment.

"Ah love you too Sugarcube...now would ya stop bein' all silly and enjoy the evenin'?" Applejack said after she pulled away, taking off her Stetson and placing it on her marefriend's head. Rainbow Dash blushed, snuggling against her and pressing her face against her chest.

They stayed that was for a good while, the gentle breeze carrying Rainbow dash into a tiny slumber of a nap. Applejack stayed awake for a little while longer, watching her sweetheart sleep and smiling as she gently stroked a hoof up and down her side. She had learned a lot over the past few weeks...the two of them going through more then they could ever imagined. It was definitely worth a letter to the princess, remembering her request about their writing's of friendship. As she slowly drifted into sleep, she thought of what she could say when she saw Twilight the next day, hoping to get that letter sent.

"Dear Princess Celestia,

Sometimes a pony is met with challenges that they may believe they aren't quite ready for. They may feel self-doubt towards themselves or be afraid that they won't come out on top. Ah didn't believe in mahself at first, when ah made that leap of faith for Rainbow, but ah'm sure glad ah did. Sometimes, all it takes is for you to believe in yerself, and then everythin' an' anythin' becomes possible. Ah'll always be there to take care of my friends n' my Rainbow, because ah know that no matter what ah do, they'll be proud of me and believe in me just like ah believe in mahself. Ah love Rainbow Dash...and she loves me, it's just like mah Pappy told me. Love travels across all kinds of time and boundaries...just like mah love for Rainbow traveled across the wide expanse of the Everfree Forest and the ravine ah had to leap over to get to her. Just like my love and my leap...sometimes............all it takes is a Leap of Faith."

~The End~

-Stay tuned for the After Party!!!

The Afterparty!!! - Author's Notes

Applejack, pass the popcorn will you?

"Ah would if a certain cyan Pegasus wasn't hoggin' the whole thing!"

"Hey! Pegasus Ponies need to eat too!!!"

*Sigh...* Hello everyone! Wolokai here, enjoying our own little private Afterparty. I've noticed a lot more followers have jumped on the bandwagon since Pinksomnia. I hope you all enjoyed the story, it was a lot of fun writing it.

"I don't know...I think it needed to be about...20% more saucy"

"RAINBOW!!!"

"WHAT!? Wolokai wrote about us like that, what's the big deal..."

Um...anyway...I know several people had a few questions about The Shattered World of Manecraft, the Machinima/story project we've got going on. We're still working on the server, but it's coming along so don't worry. No delays so far, so we're still on schedule to launch next week! In the meantime, I've actually hit a bit of an...impasse.

I've got the following titles lined up, take a look.

Leap of Faith: Macintosh Vs. Shy

Leap of Faith: Twilight Vs. The Great and Powerful

Leap of Faith: Octavia Vs. Rave

Leap of Faith: Snow-Walker Vs. Snow

For those of you wondering, YES, Snow-Walker Vs. Snow IS THE DIMITRI AND SCOOTALOO STORY FROM THE PINKSOMNIA UNIVERSE!!! The only problem is, I have no idea which one to write NEXT. So I figured, why not let you all decide?

"That there's a purty smart idea Sugarcube"
"As long as it's saucy I couldn't care which one you write"
"Rainbow ah swear on mah pappy's grave..."

I'll give it maybe...two or three days after this story is done to see what you all say about it. For clarity reasons, I'll just give a brief overhaul of what they're all about. MacVs.Shy is just about Macintosh falling in love with Fluttershy, TwiVs.G&Pow. is about Twilight battling it out with Trixie, OctVs.Rave is about Octavia learning about the wild sides of life from DJ-Pon3, and Snow-Walker Vs. Snow....is a surprise, ha HA!

So tell me what you thought about this story, and cast your vote! In the mean time...I'm just...gonna go make some more pop......corn...

"Heh...you look so cute when you're mad Applejack..."

"Oh you wanna see mad?! How bout ah repay you fer that night on the mountain?! Yer not gonna be able ta walk for a WEEK!!!"

Yeah I'm out, see you after the vote!!!

-Wolokai.