Rainbow Dash was simply beyond ecstatic about Cider season coming up, she could hardly stand the wait. She just couldn't help herself, she decided to drop in on Applejack and see how things were going.
“Hey AJ, how's it going?” questioned Rainbow casually as she leaned her arms against the wood picnic table that Applejack was sitting by.
“The answer is no.” began Applejack, already knowing what Dash was after.
“Aww...come on. Just a sip.” pouted Rainbow Dash, who mumbled under her breath about Pinkie getting all the cider, and leaving her with nothing to enjoy. The cider...oh the cider.
“Listen, Rainbow there's a reason Granny has her rules, and you should respect them. Now if you don't mind I have a lot of work to do, getting ready for cider season.
“Pfft. I bet you couldn't out drink me.” smirked Dash with a raised eyebrow.
“What? Are you seriously challenging me to a drinking competition of cider?” questioned Applejack.
“You bet your ass I am.” smirked Rainbow Dash with that look of confidence on her hues, grinning all the more.
“The answer is still no. Besides, I could out drink you in a heart beat, it wouldn't even be a contest. Like I said, I'm busy. You will just have to wait your turn like every pony else.
Rainbow Dash sighed, frustrated she kicked her hoof against the wood of the table. She then stood up, letting out another long heavy sigh, trying to go for a dramatic effect.
“Alright...I guess...I'll have to just go my whole life, never knowing the wonderful taste of cider. Knowing that I'll never know which of us was best.” she spoke softly a sad tone to her voice as she began to walk away. She made sure to milk the sad walk, her head down looking towards the ground with a fake sniffle of tears.
“Ah, come on Dash. Seriously?” questioned Applejack. There was no answer, she just kept walking away, slower and slower. “Fine.”
“You mean it?” questioned Rainbow Dash.
“Yes, we can have a drinking contest, but on one condition. If I win, you swear you will wait your turn just like every other pony, and finally admit, that I'm the better pony.” spoke Applejack with a smirk. She knew it would be very difficult for Rainbow to admit such a thing. Even the look on her face, said as much.
“Well...if I win, you have to let me have some cider, before any other pony, including Pinkie, and admit that I'm the better pony.” spoke Rainbow Dash.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash locked onto each others stares, glaring across the pincic table at one another. Applejack then realized there was one flaw to their challenge, they had no one to keep score.
“Hold up, Dash, we need someone to keep track of how much each of us drink, as we likely won't be remembering our scores after the first barrel.” began Applejack.
“Hmm...good point. Give me one minute. I'll be right back.” replied Dash as she quickly flew off to find Twilight. Like usual, she was into one of her boring old books. Sure, Dash did like the Daring Do series but books in general were still mostly meh to her. She hurried to grab Twilight from her “reasearch” and actually get her to do something useful.
“Hey Twilight, AJ and I are going to have a cider competion. We need a judge though. You know just to keep score.” spoke Dash casually.
Twilight couldn't help remembering the last time these two had gone at it, it had ended up with them both fighting over who was the more althethic pony.
“Are you really sure a drinking contest is a good idea in the first place?” questioned Twilight.
“Why wouldn't it be? I get cider, plus I get to show once and for all that I can hold my own against AJ in a contest of endurance, and I won't even need my wings to win.” smirked Rainbow head held high. She knew she was going to win, there was no way she was going to let Applejack beat her this time. Oh she couldnt' wait to enjoy some good quality cider, just the thought of it had her licking her lips in antipication.
Twilight Sparkle wanted to hoofpalm but she knew it wouldn't matter, Dash clearly had her mind made up, she sighed heavily. Well...she'd best make sure things didn't go south.
“Alright, let's just get this over with.... I have a lot of work to do.” spoke Twilight.
“Work? What work?”
“Reorganizing my library.” spoke Twilight Sparkle.
“You do that ALL the time, this is actually important.” spoke Rainbow pushing her towards the door.
“I'll have you know, organizing things helps calm me, so whether you like it or not, it's important to me.”
“Yeah yeah yeah, organize a score chart on the way there.” replied Rainbow Dash as she lifted Twilight into the air and flew her over to Applejack's farm, down where the contest would occur.
Twilight Sparkle wanted to hoofpalm but it was very clear to her, that Dash wasn't taking this very seriously. Though preparing a way to score on the way there was practically impossible with how fast she zoomed back to Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash landed back at Apple Acres, dropping Twilight right next to the pincic table, where the two would have a contest of cider drinking. They just wouldn't listen to her advice.
“Alright, whoever drinks the most mugs of cider wins. You ready over there Twilight?” questioned Rainbow Dash inpatiently. She was eager to get started and show AJ just how much she was the better mare of the two.
“Yes, I'm ready.” replied Twilight. She had to scramble to organize her thoughts, and figure out the best way to keep track but she settled on writing things down, she could keep up with how fast they drank, and they'd likely slow down the more cider they had so it wouldn't be too difficult once they got started.
“Good luck Rainbow Dash.” smiled Applejack as she held out a hoof towards her before the two would start.
“Pfft...Luck, as if I'd need that.” replied Rainbow Dash accepting her hoof as the two locked eyes with one another.
“Three, two, one. Start!” announced Twilight Sparkle.
It didn't take long at all for Rainbow Dash and Applejack to pick up a mug of cider and chug it down.
Twilight Sparkle could only watch as the two continued to pick up mug after mug of cider, Rainbow Dash was chugging hers a lot faster. Applejack was taking her time but still drinking every bit as much as Dash was.
“Hey Applejack you sure look like you're having a hard time over there, you sure you don't want to give up now?” burped Rainbow with a bit of a hiccup in her voice.
“Nah. I'm good. How about you? You sure don't look so hot.”
“Me? Oh course I'm hot, I'm the sexiest mare in all of Equestria.” smirked Dash taking another chug.
“I think you're ego is getting to you again Dash. Come on, you know Rarity has you beat in that regard.” replied Applejack as she took another chug of her cider. She didn't get drunk that easily, and with Dash being a pegasi, Applejack knew she had the clear advantage.
“Rarity sexy? Yeah to some I guess. She ain't got nothing over me though. I mean seriously? Who wouldn't want this rainbow mane?” smirked Dash, taking another swig of her cider, as she kept going despite the fact that she was clearly inxiocated and getting more and more drunk by the second.
Applejack couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. She couldn't deny Rainbow Dash was good looking, but judging a mare based purely off looks, wasn't something she would do. She would look towards the whole of the apple, rather than how much it might shine. You could have an apple that looked delicious on the outside, but would be rotten on the inside.
“You are attractive, Dash, but there's so much more to a mare than simply looks.” spoke Applejack.
“Yeah? Is that why no stallion ever looks at you? You're always covered in so much dirt from work that you do, that no stallions even glance your way.” spoke Rainbow Dash.
Applejack wanted to throw cider at her for that comment, but she knew that would be utterly pointless. She would just get to show her a thing or two, once she wasn't drunk she would sit down and have a long conservation with her, but right now she was focused on winning this competition, there was no way she was going to back down after that comment.
Twilight Sparkle just sighed heavily, so far Rainbow Dash had drank twenty mugs of cider, compared to Applejack's ten, but Applejack wasn't rushing and Rainbow Dash was. It was clear what strategy AJ was using and it was a good one. The faster you ate or drank, the faster you wouldn't be able to drink or eat more. She didn't comment on why or why wouldn't a stallion look at either of them with longing eyes. She never realized that both of her close friends were this competious with one another, this reminded her of the running of the leaves all over again. She was only hoping this time, they wouldn't forget their friendship, despite the contest.
Rainbow Dash didn't even stop for a second before downing another mug of cider and letting out a long “Ah!” of feeling refreshed.
“Not doing so hot now are you? I've got way more empty mugs then you too.” smirked Rainbow Dash, confident, brash, and a bit flirty even. “You know you are kind of cute, when you're frustrated.”
“Cute? Dash...are you okay?” questioned Twilight from behind them.
“You just keep score egghead.” replied Rainbow Dash as she wanted to keep her focus on Applejack, but Twilight was annoying her focus, even if that focus wasn't really focus anymore.
Twilight sighed and continued to keep track of the scores between the two. By this point, Applejack had practically caught up with Rainbow, and Rainbow was still getting more and more drunk by the minute.
“I...” began Dash. “I must say Applejack, I bet stallions would be jealous of Twilight right now. She gets to look at both our rumps without even having to ask.” smirked Dash winking over towards Twilight.
Twilight couldn't help but flush at the thought. Why would she look at her friends like that? Oh right...Dash was drunk. She had almost forgot this was a cider drinking competition.
Applejack smiled towards Rainbow Dash. “Eh, I suppose you're right on that one Sugarcube, but Twilight's keeping score remember? She doesn't have time to stare at our flanks.”
“She could totally stare at mine if she wanted too. I wouldn't mind.” replied Rainbow Dash.
Twilight Sparkle blinked her eyes furiously up and down, as she wanted to speak but she looked towards Applejack who shook her head. “Relax, Sugarcube. She doesn't really mean that.” replied Applejack.
Rainbow Dash soon passed out on the table, with a good thirty empty mugs of cider on her side of the pincic table. She could feel herself losing consciousness, but at least she knew she was five mugs ahead of Applejack and that's all she cared about. Even though Rainbow was sure she had won, Applejack had over forty mugs sitting on her side.
Applejack smiled soflty and looked towards Twilight. “Well I won right?” she asked.
“Yes, indeed. You sure she's going to be okay?” questioned Twilight looking to Rainbow Dash.
Applejack nodded, going over, and putting Rainbow Dash's lump form over her back, carefully. “She'll be fine, she'll just have a hangover in the morning. Though as far as I'm concerned, I won two things today.” spoke Applejack.
“Two?” questioned Twilight curiously.
“Yep, I won the contest, and I won a beautiful mare.” smirked Applejack with a look of lust in her eyes.
“Woah...hold on you aren't going to?” questioned Twilight.
“Of course not silly. Did you really think I was serious? Listen Twilight, I don't get drunk that easily.”
“You had forty mugs! Forgive me but I was worried.” replied Twilight.
“Well worry not, I'm putting her to bed, then I'm putting myself to bed, she's going to love herself in the morning.” replied Applejack.
“Just promise me you won't do this again okay?” she pleaded.
“Ah alright Twilight, I promise.” smiled Applejack and with that she took Rainbow Dash into her home of Apple acres, and let her sleep in her bed for that night. Rainbow Dash was bound to wake up with one heck of a hangover come morning, but the part best was Applejack had proven herself this day to be the mare that could hold the most cider without getting drunk.
Author's Note
Just a simple one shot once again inspired by a picture I found randomly, let me know if you guys/gals enjoy these! I have a lot of fun writing them. This one took a bit longer than "The Test" but I still had a lot of fun.
