Ch. 1-A crying sun and flower
In the ruined city of Manehattan, Sunset looks up at a familiar image she has encountered many times by now, The Shadow Man. She looks around and sees that all of her friends are down on the ground, not moving at all and she focuses all of her attention on The Shadow Man. "Why, why do all this. What did we ever do to you," yelled Sunset! But what she heard next was something that she wouldn't expect, as The Shadow Man just starts to laugh, "Hahahaha, oh you poor little thing. I just want to spread my darkness around the world and plunge the world into chaos and you all got in my way, nothing more nothing less."
Sunset fell to the ground, tears in her eyes and looked on as what The Shadow Man said had come true, the world that she has called home for many years now is no more. The sound of footsteps begins to approach Sunset, getting closer and closer until they stop and a shadow lums over her. She looks up and she sees The Shadow Man look down at her making her more terrified. The Shadow Man smiles at her and tells her, "Don't worry though, I'll be sure to unity you with your friends really quickly." He raises his arm up and it turns into a sharp spear and he plunges it into Sunset's chest.
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"AAAAAAA," yelled Sunset. She raises out of her bed in a cold sweat with tears in her eyes. She looks around and realizes that she in her room and then suddenly, the door to her room swings open. "Sunny, is everything alright," said Rosebud. She looks at Sunset in the state that she's in, "Oh no, not again." She goes over to Sunset and set on her bed and holds her while stroking her hair, "This makes the third time this week."
"Ya, and it keeps getting worse each time," said Sunset. Sunset stops Rosebud from stroking her hair, "It's okay Rosie, I'll be fine. And sorry if I woke you up."
"Hey don't worry about it, I just wanted to make sure you were okay," said Rosebud. Rosebud gets off of Sunset's bed and starts to leave her room. She turns around to wave bye to Sunset and Sunset waves back and Rosebud leaves the room. Sunset lays back down on her bed and starts to think back. It's been a week since she and Burning returned from Equestria after their last run-in with The Shadow Man, who nearly killed Burning, and ever since they came back Sunset's future visions have been happening every other day. But each vision that she sees is worst each time. So Sunset tries to clear her head and tries to go back to sleep.
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It's the next day in the early morning and Sunset is sitting at a table in the campus courtyard still tried from last night. While sitting at the table, out of nowhere a cold feeling hits Sunset on the cheek and it makes her jump. She turns around to see who it is and it's her boyfriend, Burning Heart, with a bottle of iced coffee. "Sorry if I scared you there, Sunny," said Burning. He places the iced coffee in front of Sunset and takes a set next to Sunset, "I thought you could use a little caffeine."
"Thanks, Burnie, I needed this," said Sunset. She opens the bottle and takes a drank. She puts the bottle down and looks over at Burning, "So how are you feeling no side effect from Equestrian magic."
"Nope, I feel pretty good for a someone who almost died." Burning then looks over at Sunset and he asks her, "But what about you, Rosie told me that you've been having those visions almost every night since we came back."
"Ya I have but I'm fine okay, there's no need to worry," said Sunset.
"Of course I'm going to worry Sunny," said Burning. Sunset looks at Burning and surprises him with a kiss on the cheek, "Thank for worrying about me but I'm fine." Sunset grabs her phone to look at the time, "Shoot, look at the time. I need to hurry or I'll be late for my first class."
"Want me to go with you, I still have some time before my first class," said Burning.
"Sure, I'd like that." So the two walk to Sunset's next class, holding each other's hand.
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After her class has ended, Sunset exits the room still tried from the previous night. "Stupid coffee, didn't work at all," said Sunset. While walking to her destination, she comes across Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rosebud on their way to their business management course. "Hey there sugarcube," said Applejack.
"Hey there girls," said Sunset. Rarity gasps at the sight of Sunset and runs up to her. "Oh my goodness, darling, you look just awful." Rarity examines Sunset's eyes as there are dark circles under them and are puffy. "Are you okay there, Sunset? You look like you've been crying," said Pinkie Pie.
"If you need to talk to us or anything, we're always here to listen," said Fluttershy.
"Really girls, I'm okay. Just a few bad dreams, that's all it is," said Sunset. But before someone could say something else to her, Sunset looks at her phone and starts to head off, "Sorry, got to go. See you all later." The girls watch as Sunset disappears out of sight, "I sure hope she doing alright," said Rosebud.
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Durning one of her courses, Sunset is still tired and is on the verge of collapsing. She's sitting at her desk trying to listen to the lecture when the person next to her asks her if she is feeling okay and that person is her friend, Wallflower Blush. "Hey, Sunset, are you feeling okay? You don't look too good," asked Wallflower.
"Yes, Wallflower, I'm fine," said Sunset.
"Okay, but if you need to talk to someone I'm here for you," said Wallflower. But Sunset just nods and the two continue their course. After an hour has passed, Sunset and Wallflower are leaving the classroom to grab a drank. "So what are you feeling today, Sunset," asked Wallflower. Sunset still tried from the week of nightmarish future visions tiredly tells her, "Need coffee."
"Oh? I was thinking of like a smooth or something, but coffee sounds good," said Wallflower. With the two walking to a coffee house Wallflower looks back at Sunset, who is slowly falling behind looking as if she is on the verge of passing out. Wallflower, who is concerned about her, walks up to her and asks her, "Hey, Sunset, are you sure you're feeling okay?" Wallflower goes to places her hand on Sunset's shoulder but before she could make contact, Sunset passes out and fells to the ground. Wallflower begins to freak out after seeing Sunset hit the ground, "Oh no, Sunset!" So Wallflower pulls out her cell phone and dials 9-1-1.
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Slowly opening her eyes, Sunset looks to see that she is in a hospital room and looks over to the side of the bed and sees Wallflower. "Wallflower? What's going on? Where am I?"
"Oh Sunset, thank goodness you're okay," said Wallflower. Wallflower gets up out of the chair to give Sunset a hug, but she stops herself thinking that Sunset might be in pain and goes to sit back down. "You're in a hospital Sunset. You took a bad fall when we were going to go get coffee, so I called for an ambulance."
Felling down about the whole situation, Sunset tells her, "I'm sorry to worry you, Wallflower."
"Don't worry about that. How are you feeling though," said Wallflower?
"A little drowsy, but that's about it."
"Oh, okay." Wallflower looks down, away from Sunset sight. Sunset looks at Wallflower and sees that she is looking away from her. "Wallflower, whats wrong." Wallflower bites her lip and decides to ask her, "You're lying Sunset."
"What do you mean," said Sunset.
"The doctor's took a brain scan to make sure it wasn't damaged when you fell. And they noticed irregular waves due to emotional stress." Sunset stood there in silents while listening to Wallflower. "Look, I know we haven't been friends as long as you've been with Twilight and the others, but I was hoping that we wouldn't keep secrets from each other."
"Listen, Wallflower. I'm sorry but I can't tell you."
"Why? What's so important that you can't tell me and is a treat to your health," yelled Wallflower.
"Because it's about the future okay," yelled Sunset. She soon covers her mouth and Sunset curls up into a ball on the hospital bed. Wallflower is surprised about what Sunset said about it being about the future and decides to ask her more about it. "What do you mean." But Sunset's doesn't say anything, with her face buried in her knees. Wallflower goes to try and gets Sunset to talk, "Listen to me Sunset, I don't what you're trying to hide, but maybe it would help if you talk to someone about it." Sunset starts to come out of her ball and looks over at Wallflower, crying. "Okay, I'll tell you."
Sunset begins to tell Wallflower about her future visions that she's been having ever since she came back from Equestria. "I've been having visions of the future that started about a month and a half ago."
"Does this have to do with magic," asked Wallflower.
"Yes, it does. See it turns out that Sometimes I can see into the future and what I see is horrible. There's is person whos calling himself the Shadow Man and he's trying to plunge the world into darkness and in all of my visions he succeeds. Me, Twilight, and the others, we try to stop him but we end up failing and one by one, I see him killing every one of them until I'm the last one standing."
Wallflower is shocked to hear this, with her hand over her mouth. "But he's just one guy right, how is he so strong," asked Wallflower.
"When I saw the future the first time he was alone. But everytime since, he's grown himself an army and it gets bigger with every vision I have. That's why I haven't told anyone, how can you tell someone that they're going to die." Sunset is about to start crying but Wallflower goes to hold her, "It's going to okay." Sunset then starts to cry in Wallflower's arm with Wallflower stroking Sunset's hair trying to calm her down.
After a few minutes have passed, Sunset finally calmed down after telling Wallflower everything she has been keeping secret till now. "Thank you, Wallflower. It felt good to get that off my chest."
"Your welcome and listen Sunset, I know I don't have any magic powers anymore. Again, sorry about back then," said an embarrassed Wallflower.
"Hey, don't worry about it. I've forgiven you already," said Sunset.
"Right, even still if there's any way that I can help out I will," said Wallflower. She looks at Sunset in the eyes and blushes. She clears her through and decides she needs to tell Sunset something. "Sunset, I want to help you out not just because we're friend okay." Sunset, confused by what Wallflower said asks her, "What do you mean?"
"The truth is, Sunset." Wallflower looks into Sunset's eye's and slowly reaches for her hand. "I...I,"
Suddenly the door to Sunset's hospital room swing open and on the other side is Burning Heart. "Sunny!" Both Sunset and Wallflower look at the doorway, with Wallflower being confused by the person at the door. But she looks at Sunset, who has a big smile on her face. "Burnie," said Sunset. Burning runs into the room and hugs Sunset. He releases her from the hug and starts asking a lot of question, "Sunny, are you okay? Are you hurting anywhere? What did the doctors say? What..." Sunset places her fingers on Burning's lips to make him stop talking. "Burnie, I'm fine." Wallflower looks on as Sunset and a man she hasn't met before are talking so casually with one another and speaks up, "Um, Sunset. Who is this?"
"Oh sorry about that. Let me introduce you two. Burnie, this is Wallflower Blush, she's a friend from back in high school. It was her the called the ambulance that got me here. Wallflower, this is Burning Heart, he's an old friend that had a long time ago and we reunited when college started up and he's also my boyfriend." Then suddenly a deep sinking filling hits Wallflower, but before she knew it Burning came to her and started to shake her hand. She looks up at him and he smiles at her and tells her, "Thank you so much for helping Sunset. I hope that we can be friends."
"Oh um, sure," said Wallflower. Sunset looks at the two before realizing that Wallflower didn't finish telling her what she was saying, "By the way, you were saying something before Burnie show. What was it?"
"Oh, sorry for interrupting you two's conversation. I can leave the room if you all need some privacy," said Burning.
Wallflower gets up from her chair and tells them, "No it's fine, it wasn't important." Wallflower starts to leave the room to leave the couple alone. "Well, I should get going and let you two have some alone time." She reaches the doorway and stop and turns around to look at Sunset and tells her, "Don't forget, it's not healthy to keep secrets in a relationship," before leaving the room.
"What does she mean," asked Burning. Sunset takes a deep breath and tells him, "Burnie, there something I need to tell you and the others."
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Outside of the hospital room, Wallflower is walking down the hallway thinking to herself, "So, she has a boyfriend huh. I mean why wouldn't she. She's smart, pretty, popular." She stops walking and starts to cry in the hallway with no one else around and she can feel her heart breaking. "It looks like I waited too long," said a crying Wallflower.
She walks out of the hospital and walks down the street until she passes an abanded ally where she hears familiar singing.
🎵Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh🎵
🎵Ah, ah-ah, ah-ahh🎵
Wallflower remembered back when CHS had the Battle of the Bands the orchestrated by The Dazzlings and used their singing to control the student of the school. So she goes down the ally to see if it really is them or not. She gets closer to where the singing is coming from and she peaks around a corner to see who is singing and in fact, it was them. She tries to sneak away but suddenly, the singing stops, "Well, well, looks like we have a visitor here girls," said Adagio. Wallflower stops in place, turns around, and walks around the corner and comes face to face with The Dazzlings. "Hey girls, it's one of the people on his list," shouted Sonata. Confused by what she just said, Wallflower shakes her head and tells them, "Look, I don't know what you three are doing here, but leave Sunset and her friends alone. They beat you all once and they can do it again."
"Stupid, we didn't come here for her or them," said Aria.
"You're not?" Adagio starts to walk closer to Wallflower and tells her, "No. We came here because we have a 'friend' who wants to talk to you." Adagio looks behind Wallflower and laughs, "And look, he's here." Wallflower turns around and what she sees scares her, a man who emerges from a nearby shadow. She falls back and falls over and the man reaches for her, so she tries to cover herself. But nothing happens, so Wallflower looks and sees that the man is offering her a hand, she takes his hand and he helps her up. "Are you The Shadow Man," asked Wallflower.
"Yes, I am and I've come to make a deal with you."
After being released from the local hospital, Sunset along with Burning both arrive at The Tempest Shadow house with Sunset afraid of going inside. "Whats wrong, Sunny? Don't you want to go inside," asked Burning.
"I don't know, Burnie. I've been keeping the visions I've been having all week a secret. And I'm still scared to tell them what I've seen," said Sunset. Burning pats Sunset on the back, surprising Sunset. "Look, I know that I haven't known your friends for as long as you have. But they all seem like strong people and I'm sure they can handle what you tell them." Burning then flashes her a smile, telling her, "Plus I'm sure they would like it if you were honest with them." Sunset thinks about what Burning said before coming to the conclusion that he's right. So without further hesitation, Sunset opens the door into to the building. "Girls, I'm ba..."
Suddenly, a pink blur runs to Sunset and Burning and it lands on top of Sunset and it turns out to be a crying Pinkie Pie. "Oh Sunset, I'm so glad you're okay. WAAAA" cried Pinkie. Pinkie is suddenly lifted off of Sunset, being picked up by Applejack. "Calm down there sugarcube, Sunset just got released from the hospital. Don't want to send her back now do ya," said Applejack. She places Pinkie Pie down and goes to help up the down Sunset. Sunset looks behind Applejack and sees the rest of her friend wanting to welcome her home. Twilight holding Spike, Rainbow Dash with Tank, Rarity holding Opel, Fluttershy with Angel, and Rosebud with Wally.
"Hey girls," said Sunset.
"Sunset, if you weren't feeling well, why not say anything," asked Twilight.
Rainbow Dash jumps in and tells Sunset, "Ya, what if you had been by yourself and nobody had a called you a..." A crystal wall pops up in front of Rainbow Dash, created by Rarity. "Oh hush now Rainbow. Sunset was just released so we should let her rest," said Rarity. Rarity then dispells the crystal wall.
Rosebud goes up to Sunset and places a hand on Sunset's shoulder, "Come on, Sunny. Let's get you to your room so you can rest," said Rosebud.
"Thanks, Rosie. But there's something I need to tell you all something first," said Sunset.
"What's the matter, Sunset," asked Fluttershy.
"It's something pretty big." Sunset then takes everyone into the living room to tell them about the visions that she's been having all week.
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After the next few minutes passed, Sunset finishes telling everyone about the visions she's been having all week. "I'm sorry, I know I should have told you all earlier," said Sunset. She looks at her friends and can see the look of despair on their faces. Spike looks up at Twilight and asks her, "Twilight, you're not going to die, right?" Not knowing how to respond, Twilight sits there in silence and holds Spike tighter.
"Gosh, so not only do we all not make it, but the Shadow Man grows a whole darn army," said Applejack.
"Goodness, you told us how grim it was before, Sunset," said Rarity.
"But this is WAY worse than before," yelled Pinkie.
"Wow, this is the first time I've heard one of your visions, Sunny. That's just scary," said Rosebud.
"So nothing has changed, has it," said Fluttershy. Everyone sits there in silence when out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash slams her foot on the floor and surprises everyone and scares the pets. "Come on, why is everyone so down in the dumps." Everyone then focuses on Rainbow Dash. "We've gone through some much in the last couple of years now and we've come winning too."
A smile comes to Sunset's face, "Rainbow's right. We've haven't lost yet, so we can change the future. Nothings set in stone and since we know he'll be raising an army, we just need to get stronger and try to increase our team."
A hand is placed on Sunset's shoulder, she looks and sees Burning. "I've already said I'd help out and I'm sure the rest of the guys will help out too," said Burning. With the mood of the room going from despair and it turns into hope. Everyone begins to smile, feeling like they really can win. Sunset places her hand out, followed by Burning placing his hand on top of Sunsets. Shortly everyone places their hands on top of one another. "Remember. No matter how we will come out victorious," said Sunset. Everyone nods in agreement and they raise their hands into the air and they all yell, "We've got this."
A door slams open from upstairs, "HEY, QUIET! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO SLEEP," yelled Fizzlepop before slamming her bedroom door.
"Sorry Ms. Fizzle," yelled Pinkie.
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A couple of days passed by and everything seems to have gone back to normal. Over at the business management course, we see Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Brownie Bite about to leave the classroom of Steven Magnet. "So, Y'all want to head on over to the cafe and grab some grub," asked Applejack.
"AW YA! Brownie, didn't you say you were working on a new cake recipe he's been working on. I need to try it," said Pinkie Pie.
"Sure thing, Pinkie. By the way, Ginger said that we got a new shipment of teas in," said Brownie.
"That sounds nice," said Fluttershy. The five friends head for the door to the classroom, their teacher call out toward, "Pardon me, but Applejack, dear could stay behind for just a few minutes," said Steven Magnet.
Everyone is shocked to hear that Applejack needed to stay behind. "Um, sure thing, Mr. Magnet. You girls go on ahead now," said Applejack. Everyone nods and leaves the room. "What seems to be the problem there, sir," said Applejack.
"Oh, honey, class is over now. Please, just call me Steven." Feel awkward about doing so, since he is her teacher, Applejack asks him, "Am I in trouble or somethin."
"Oh goodness no, I just wanted to ask if you're doing alright. You've seemed off lately," said Steven. Not knowing what it is he was talking about, Applejack tells him, "Yep, doing just fine, Mr. Magnet."
"Sweetie, after being married to someone as long as I have, you can tell when someone is when someone isn't being honest. So tell me, is everything okay," asked Steven. Applejack hesitates to respond to him because, in the back of her mind, she knows she isn't being honest. Not to her friends and not to herself. "No, I'm not."
"Please, tell me what's wrong dear," said Steven. Applejack goes to sit down at a nearby desk and she turns her phone to silent. She takes a deep breath and she asks, "Mr. Magnet, was there ever a point in your life where you felt like you weren't being honest with everyone around you, especially yourself."
Steven leans back into his chair to think about the question. It didn't take long for him to come up with an answer. "No, I can't say that I have. Do you feel like that dear," said Steven?
"Maybe, but I'm not sure about it myself," said Applejack.
"Would you feel better if you told someone about what it is that you feel like you need to get off you're chest," said Steven.
"I guess so."
"Then go ahead, dear. I'm all ears." Applejack takes a deep breath. "I have a secret that I haven't told my friend and family and I feel like I need to tell them. But I'm too scared to tell them. To tell them that I'm-," but Applejack stop herself from talking and looks down. Steven looks at Applejack and can see that she's trying to hold back the tear. "Honey, let me tell you a story." Applejack looks at Steven and listens to what he has to say. He gets up out of his chair and walks to a nearby window.
"Back when I was going to college, same as you, I had a friend who kept a secret from his friends and family for a long time too. One day he felt like if he didn't tell someone, it would keep eating away at him. So one day, he decided to gather his closest friends together and told them, 'Fellas, I'm gay.' After telling them, it felt like a huge weight was lifted off his shoulders. And you know what happened next?"
"What was it," asked Applejack.
"They accepted him. They told him that they were proud of him for telling them. So he felt that he should tell his family too," said Steven.
"And what did they accepted him too," asked Applejack.
"Sadly, no they didn't. They disowned him but he made peace with that. He knew that not everyone was going to accept him and he made peace with that," said Steven. Applejack sat there in silence, thinking about what Steven said. He walks back to his desk and sits back down. "What I'm saying is, sometimes it's better to tell the people you trust with a secret and you might just feel better about," said Steven.
Applejack thought about what Mr. Magnet said. Maybe it was time to tell them. With the coming threat of the Shadow Man coming if she didn't tell them now, she never will. She gets up from the desk and tells Mr. Magnet, "Thank you, Mr. Magnet. I feel like I can tell them now," and she leaves the classroom to meet up with her friends at the cafe.
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Later that night at the Tempest Shadow house, Applejack gather her best friends together. Everyone meets up in the living room of the house and sits down. "What's the matter Applejack, is something the matter," asked Fluttershy.
"No, no. Everythings fine, it's just that there's somethin I need to tell you Y'all," said Applejack.
"Well don't keep us in suspense, what is it," asked Rainbow Dash. This was it, the moment that Applejack knew that one day she was going to have to tell her friends herself. She looks over the row of seats that sat her friends. From Sunset, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, to Fluttershy. Applejack takes in a deep breath and exhales and she tells her friends, "Girls, I'm a lesbian. I've liked girls for as long as I can remember. It's something that I've kept closeted for a while now and I felt that it was time I told you all and I hope that you can accept me."
The room grew silent that you could hear a pin drop. Applejack told her friend the truth and there was no going back. She hung her head down and waited to hear a response. But quicker then she thought, "Thank you for telling us, AJ," said Sunset. Applejack looks up to see her friends all giving her smile, "You mean, you all accept who I am," asked Applejack.
"Of course we do, silly," said Pinkie.
"Why wouldn't we accept you," asked Fluttershy.
"You're still the same Applejack to us," said Twilight.
"It was really brave of you to come out to us," said Rarity.
"Seriously, we have been through so much together," said Rainbow.
"This changes nothing with our relationship, AJ. We'll always be our friends and we'll always love you," said Sunset.
Applejack couldn't believe it. After being afraid for a long time of telling her friends that she was a lesbian, they still consider her a friend and no matter what will always love her for who she is. And without realizing it, tears begin to roll down her face, cause a huge weight has been lifted off of her. She wipes away the tears and sees that the girls have their arms wide open and she goes in to hug her friends. Everyone group hugs Applejack and more tear roll down her face with everyone else starting to cry. "Thank you, girls. I love Y'all so much," said Applejack.
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The next day, Applejack goes to pay a visit to Steven Magnet. She reaches his classroom and she knocks on the door, "Yes, come on in," said Steven on the other side. Applejack then opens the door, "Um, Mr. Magnet," said Applejack.
"Aw, Applejack, sweetie, please come on in," said Steven. Applejack walks into the room and sits down at the nearest desk. "So, what can I do for you today," asked Steven.
"Well, I just wanted to say thank you," said Applejack.
"Oh, and what for," asked Steven.
"For helping me out yesterday. After talking to you, I finally decided to talk to my friends about my secret and when I go home to see my family, I'm going to tell them too," said Applejack.
"And, did you feel any better after telling them," asked Steven. Applejack smiles and nods, "I haven't felt better." Applejack pulls out her phone to look at the time. "Sorry Mr. Magnet, but there's someone I need to go see."
"Not a problem, dear." Applejack starts a starts to leave the classroom but stops that the doorway, "Mr. Magnet, that story you told me yesterday. That was you, wasn't it," asked Applejack.
"Goodness, no. That was my husband in that story," said Steven. Applejack forms a soft smile on her face and she tells him, "Your husband is lucky to have someone like you." Applejack then leaves the room, leaving Steven alone. He looks over a photo that he has on his desk and he tells himself, "No dear, I'm the lucky one," as he looks at an old photo of himself with who would be his future husband along with his best friend, Cranky.
Applejack runs off to one of the campus courtyards to meet up with someone. When she arrives, she spots the person she wanted to meet up with, Rosebud. She waves her arm and yells out, "Hey, Rosie!" Rosebud sees Applejack and runs up to her, "Hey Jackie," said Rosebud.
"So what was up last night, I got home and I see you and the rest of the girls in a big group hug."
"Don't worry bout that now, I'll tell you later. More importantly, there's something I wanted to ask you," said Applejack.
"Sure what is it?" Applejack looks over at Rosebud and her heart starts to beat faster and faster. She swallows down her fears and Applejack asks, "Rosie, would you like to go out sometime. You know, like on a date." Shocked by what Applejack had just asked her, Rosebud gets red in the face. She then smiles and she tells Applejack, "Sure, I'd love too."
