Chapters Rainbow Dash awoke slowly, her body wanting to relax back down for more sleep but her mind rapidly attempting to get herself in gear. Opening her eyes, feeling the weight of their lids against her drowsiness, she cast a quick glance around her room. The curtains to the left were drawn, but the sunlight shone through them and doused the room in a faint glow. Her eyes settling on the wall, she looked at the clock before feeling a familiar panic steal through her body.
Wait...8:45? Horseapples! I'm late for work!
Bolting upright, she tossed aside her blankets, leaving her bed unmade. Rummaging around her unkempt room for a hairbrush, she rushed to her mirror and tore it through her mane, muttering furiously with the feel of the brush tackling the tangles in her hair and mentally kicking herself for sleeping in...again. Staring at herself, her ruffled mane, the large bags under her eyes, and her exhausted expression, she decided she either needed to learn organisation or get a very, very loud alarm clock.
Whizzing out of her home and slamming the door behind her, keys and lunch-bag in a saddle on her back, she flew up to the weather factory in a blur. Dashing behind a pillar, she waited for a huddle of ponies just inside the doorway to clear.
Feeling like a scolded schoolfilly, Dash made her way to the office, face burning. Swinging open the door, she was greeted by Cloudsdale's mathematician, Decimal Point, with a curious look.
Rainbow Dash's thoughts were broken as Decimal Point trotted over, smiling. Rainbow immediately resented his happiness and glared at him.
The morning ticked by slowly. Rainbow Dash felt confined and utterly bored; her mind craving for inspiration and her body craving for speed and flight. She just couldn't understand how quiet, introverted pegasi such as Decimal managed to stay in an office all day. It's a complete waste of the wings they have, she thought. I wonder if ponies that can't fly ever get jealous...Perhaps not. I mean, they can get around it... if they really want to fly they can use hot air balloons, like Pinkie, or a flying spell or something. Heh, I remember that flying spell Rarity had at the Young Flier's competition. She could've been severely hurt if it wasn't for me! That was the day I did the Sonic Rainboom and got to fly with the Wonderbolts! That really was the best day ever.
Grabbing her lunch out of her saddle-bag, she trotted outside and perched herself on a cloud. Decimal quickly found her, landing next to her and grinning.
Rainbow Dash sat alone for a few minutes. Looking around the factory, she noticed two young mares flying up that she recognised immediately. One of them, named Aurora, was dark blue in colour, her tail and mane pink. The other, Star, had a dark pink coat and wings and a blaze-striped yellow and orange mane and tail. Rainbow Dash had known them both since flight school, and although she didn't consider them her "friends" as such, they had been classmates for years and had secured a strong acquaintance.
Phew, I thought I'd never get outta there, Dash thought as she flew back to the second-floor office. I'm just glad I didn't have to tell them that I've never really had a coltfriend...I don't even know if I want a coltfriend. I'm happy how I am. Trotting to her desk, she sat down and picked up her pencil, continuing her work where she had left it. Sometimes, she thought, the expectations of others are pretty hard to handle. I wish everypony would stop bugging me to perform tricks everywhere when all I wanna do is hang out with my friends...If being a Wonderbolt is like this, I don't know what I'll do. Does Soarin ever get stopped in the middle of a town market and asked to do a Super Speed Strut? Does Spitfire have her old classmates asking her about colts all the time?
Dash battled with her feelings. She felt stressed out and confused; life in Cloudsdale had become hectic now everypony was dying to know the mare that saved the Wonderbolts' lives. It was fun to boast and tell stories of her adventures, but she'd much rather be having the adventures with the others than exaggerating the tale of how Fluttershy tamed a dragon and saved Equestria from eternal pollution, or how Applejack saved everypony in Ponyville by single-hoofedly diverting a huge stampede of furious cows. Talking was getting boring. And so is this math...Dash yawned, looking at the clock; it was 2 in the afternoon. Out on field duty, she would normally be done by about now, but her work laid unfinished and there was no telling how much longer she'd be in here.
The door burst open and in trotted Silver Flash, a grin on his face as he saw Rainbow Dash slumped on her desk. Walking over, he gave his employee a smirk.
The stars glistened outside Rainbow Dash's window as she looked out at a silently sleeping Cloudsdale. Her day had been busier than she thought. Who knew I could spend most of a day...thinking? It's almost as if I have too much to think about...thank Princess Celestia I've got a day off tomorrow. I'm think I'm gonna need it.
Climbing into her cloud-crafted bed and slipping the covers over herself, she yawned loudly before snuggling down and looking at the three photographs on her bedside table. One was of the Wonderbolts, and she traced her hoof along it, whispering a goodnight to each of them. She'd never tell anypony she did this, though - it was lame, but somehow she always felt like she needed to. The second picture was of her and the other five after their fashion show for Rarity, all dressed up in their Gala dresses and looking prouder than ever. "Goodnight Twilight, and Rarity, and Fluttershy, and Pinkie, and..." she stopped, looking closely at the third and final picture. Twilight had taken it, just after the Running of the Leaves the previous fall. Dash and Applejack were galloping, side-by-side, beaming, as the leaves swirled and cast shadows around them. Rainbow Dash couldn't put her hoof on why, but she favoured this picture most of all. "And...sweet dreams to you, cowpony Applejack," she finished, grinning. Settling her head on her pillow, she let the soft warmth of her bed envelope her into sleep, where the dreams of her thoughts and feelings finally caught her.
The morning was fresh. Ponyville was full of the sights and smells of a perfect summer's day; birds flitted in and out of trees, calling to one another in intricate, musical languages; dew dappled the grasses in the fields and around the town, making them sparkle and shimmer in the slowly lifting light; ponies wandered around the town square, chatting, playing, greeting - just being idly blissful in the rising daytime. It was perfect, and the breeze softened the air and sent a cool rush through Rainbow Dash's wings as she flew overhead. She glided down through the winding streets, before landing in the square directly in front of the Ponyville Spa. Rarity's always going on about how this place helps her relax... She thought. Maybe I should check it out.
Wandering in, she took about five steps before she was stopped by a blue pony with a white cap. "Excuse me, miss. May I request that you wipe your horseshoes before entering? Spa rules, you see." she said in a thick accent that Dash couldn't quite identify. She nodded nonetheless, taking a few steps back to the doormat and running her hooves across it.
A few moments later, Dash was taken into a large room she quickly remembered. It was the same place her and the others had cured their curses from the Poison Joke; a large, circular room with a pool of water in the centre. Steam rose from the bath, and the spa-pony led Dash in and pointed.
"Oh, um, hello Rainbow Dash...I was um...here to...never mind," she stalled, turning around again. "I'll go home - I can see you're busy."
Okay, so...I need proof if I'm gonna tag along to this diary stuff...I'll try Rarity first.
So Rarity is a gossip in her diary. That really helps... thought Dash rather sarcastically whilst she trotted through Ponyville. She decided to visit Twilight next, swinging through the library door and waving at the lilac unicorn who was, unsurprisingly, nose-deep in a book. Realising she had company besides Spike who was clearing a shelf of dust, she looked up and smiled politely.
Continuing her travels through the town, Dash came to a stop in front of Sugarcube Corner and took a deep breath. Pinkie Pie. Well, this should be interesting.
Only one pony left to visit - Applejack.
Seeing the light turned off, Dash decided to go home. She didn't want to disturb Applejack as the household went to bed.
The Apple family's kitchen was the first room to come across when entering the farmhouse from the back door (which the two ponies did as not to awake Granny Smith, whose bedroom was downstairs), and it was a warm, welcoming sight, even at night with the blinds closed. Small ornaments dotted the windowsills and tables, neatly arranged, with a tea-cosy on the kettle and a cookie jar on one of the counters. The whole room smelt of apple and cinnamon, and as Dash breathed in, she suddenly felt starved. I could seriously live in this house. I'd never go hungry!
Applejack's bedroom was beautiful - in Dash's opinion at least. It was red, but not to an overpowering level, with thick, long curtains, a neat carpet and a checkered red and white duvet on the small bed. It was so tidy, too; not a bit like what Dash had expected knowing Applejack's messy, informal demeanor. Everything was in place, and it put Dash to shame remembering her own house in Cloudsdale.
As Dash flew home, the night wind blowing around her like dust, she couldn't help but think of one thing.
She had made her mind up about the diary.
7pm - Sweet Apple Acres
Okay, so, here goes. My life, written down right here. In a diary.
I don't even think this is a good time to start writing in my diary, but I can't do anything else right now and I'm scared if I stop I'll think of everything that's happened and start crying again.
I guess I should probably write down what happened to "keep a record" like Fluttershy said.
It started yesterday, at work. I was out on field duty, trying to work out how to spread a storm from Ponyville to Trottingham without it bordering Fillydelphia, and I was doing quite well on my own. I guess the math thing with Dessie sort of helped.
So, I flew up really high, above even the highest floating clouds, and whizzed down. The familiar exhilaration and thrill coursed through me, and I whooped, flying so fast, gaining speed. The force built up around me, the pressure rising, and I braced myself.
Then there was pain. Searing, shocking, dreadful pain, striking my wings down and making me physically scream. I careered into my storm, pushing it out of control with the air around and it whooshed straight downwards - towards Ponyville.
Nothing else mattered then but that runaway storm. I flew so hard that the stab-like pains in my wings were numbed by cold, rushing air and exertion. The clouds whirled around me, as if they were taunting me for my actions and trying to pull me out of the air. The rain was like pin-pricks to my eyes, and I blinked in the lowered light, my heart pounding, my body screaming at me to stop. I couldn't see, I couldn't breathe, and all at once, I lost complete control. The thunder bellowed out, laughing at me.
I could see the storm; rain, lashing, thundering down on innocent ponies, little fillies and colts having to gallop to find shelter, tents and small, portable structures being knocked unmercifully down. I watched it as it flew; a strong, powerful force, an abnormality of weather, destroying in its path. My mind raced. I didn't know what to do, and I couldn't come to terms with what I had done. My eyes searched frantically around, and I flew full-speed towards it again, where it was headed in the Everfree Forest. That's when I saw Fluttershy.
Fluttershy was there, Angel tucked under a wing, confused and afraid by the onset of harsh weather. She was completely frozen, stuck in the Forest, shivering from the cold wetness of the rain soaking her through and Angel clearly in open distress. I left the storm, letting it fly overhead. I was saving Fluttershy first.
Zooming down, the rain plastering my hair to my face, I blinked and rushed over.
Then, suddenly, I spotted a cave to the left. Anything could have been living in there, but it was a chance I would have to take. Diving in, I slowed down, putting Fluttershy gently down and gasping for air. It was pitch black.
What do you do, though? What do you do, when there's a storm you created wreaking havoc outside, and you're stuck in a cave in the Everfree Forest with your unconscious best friend and her sleeping pet rabbit? We had shelter, but there was no light. There was no food, and no water. It was cold and damp, however, so I couldn't light a fire. My wings were excruciatingly painful.
I was asleep for a few hours from what I could tell, but not peacefully. I kept waking up to check on Fluttershy, and I was too damp and too scared to be comfortable.
"Applejack!" I cried, without thinking, cantering over. She opened her arms and held me tight, and I suddenly felt so warm and safe that I didn't want to let go. After a few long seconds, she pulled away and gazed at me.
I helped her put the blanket around Flutter, before watching her sit down, and pull out two apples. "Here, have this," she said gently, handing me one. I wasn't hungry, but I chewed at it anyway.
When we arrived, we were swamped with ponies, all of them dizzy from the storm and concerned for us. Nurse Redheart rushed over, taking over from Applejack by gently lifting Fluttershy off her back and carrying her to the hospital. On the way there, I caught a glimpse of Silver Flash in the crowd. I looked at him, and he smiled at me sympathetically. He doesn't know what I've done yet. He'll find out soon.
I had to have my wings checked over at the hospital.
Fluttershy was sitting up on a bed in one of the wards, looking tired but happy. She smiled when she saw Applejack and I approaching.
And now I'm sitting here, in my spare room. Applejack hardly spoke to me all evening, and she didn't talk to anypony during dinner. It's hurting me so much. She's never been this quiet, even during our worst feuds. Big MacIntosh gave me this notepad to write in. He said I deserved it after being so brave, but I'm not brave at all.
1:15am - My room at Sweet Apple Acres
Can't sleep. I've tried lying on my front, my back and either side but nothing's working. I feel like I've been drinking too much coffee, which can't be true because I hate coffee. My tragic situation is not helped by the fact I have a mouse in my room. I think it's invited all its mousey pals over for a party or something with the noise it's making.
Some animals have no respect.
Also, I'm still upset that Applejack refuses to talk to me whatsoever. If it was her in major massive trouble like I am, I'd at least have the decency to strike up some type of conversation. I wouldn't even mind it if she yelled at me - at least then I'd know she still recognises my existence.
5 minutes later
...Oh Celestia. She's in hospital.
Going downstairs for a drink. All this remorse is making me thirsty.
1:45am
I got to the kitchen, and who was sitting at the table? Applejack.'buuuurrrrr' coming from the corner. Tank was snoring, fast asleep on his back with his shell rocking slowly. He really is the cutest, most ridiculous pet ever.
Two minutes later
And Tank snores?
I'm just glad everything's okay with AJ now. Perhaps I can finally get to sleep. Even the mouse has shut up.
6:14am - Sweet Apple Acres
9:34am - Ponyville General Hospital
I walked slowly through the hospital, my heart thumping. Applejack kept throwing me reassuring glances, but nothing really helped. It wasn't her guilt, after all. We reached Fluttershy's ward and saw that she was up, moving around her bed and packing her things. AJ rushed over to greet her and I stalled at the doorway, shifting my hooves awkwardly. Applejack beckoned me over and Fluttershy waved meekly. She looked exhausted.
When I got to the bed, Fluttershy gave me a timid hug. Pangs of guilt whipped through me and I winced, looking around slowly.
We spent the rest of the morning transporting her things from the hospital to her house. That was two obstacles over, at least; I still had to face my boss. I'd have to tell him it was me.
1:12pm - Work
1:32pm - Work (still)
Down the corridor of the office, things took a turn for the weird. I bumped into Decimal Point coming back from the second floor, and he went bright red when he saw me.
2:02pm - Home Decimal Point asked me out!
And I said yes!
And I'm going out with him on Saturday!
2:06pm
I just realised I've never been out with anypony before. What do you do on a date, anyway? And do I even like Dessie that way?
I guess he is pretty handsome. Most all the girls at work have tried flirting with him at one point or another. (Without success, might I add.) I just don't get how I've never made a move on him and yet he chooses me!
I thought he thought I was a fillyfooler, anyway...everypony else does.
3:30pm
Five minutes later
"Hey, Dashie! How've you been keeping, hon? Good, good, awesome - ooh, I like what you've done with the place...""No."
Ten minutes later
So, this is my life right now: I have dreadful wing cramp, I'm five bits a day down on money, a guy I never thought about regularly has asked me out, and my mother is making herself comfortable when she could have quite easily stayed in her house.
What do I do???
Saturday 11:49am - Home
I've finally decided to ask somepony about my date and what to do. Somepony clever, somepony pretty, somepony very, very experienced in the colt department...
Maybe that's a good thing. Then nopony will think I'm a fillyfooler anymore.
12:04pm - Carousel Boutique
"Rarity?"
3:10pm - Carousel Boutique, after having been stuck in the same place for hours on end
On the bright side, I've learned this:
So, I think I'm ready. I'm not too nervous.
I tried on my new outfit, too, which was a dark blue dress with navy horseshoes and my hair plaited back. I look quite nice in it, I think.
4:19pm - Home
No.
I found her in the kitchen singing out loud to Michael Buckson.
I said to her (loudly, over the music) "Hey, can you take your insanity someplace else???"Thriller !"
5:45pm - My room
What if he stands me up?
6pm - Cloudsdale Town Centre
When we got to the restaurant, we were shown to our table by a waiter (who had a massive hat on - possibly one of Rarity's) and left to make our decisions.
At around 8pm, we left the restaurant. Decimal flew home with me, not stopping at his place to invite me in. We hung by the doorway a while, exchanging nervous glances.
And then it happened. He kissed me, pressing his lips to mine for a fleeting moment. He pulled away and I felt absolutely nothing. The kiss was empty, no emotions involved whatsoever. I headed for my door, getting out my keys. "Yeah, thanks." I said hurriedly.
8:23pm - Home
I don't get it!
Love is soooo confusing. Why did nothing happen?
Five minutes later
Does everypony fail this bad on their first dates?
Two minutes later
10:04pm
She gave me a hug and said, "If you ever need somepony to talk to, I'm here, hon. I've been through it all."
…You know, she's usually so mad that seeing her act like a normal mother is almost frightening.
10:12pm - In bed
Sunday 10:21am - Sweet Apple Acres
Ten minutes later - in front of Big Mac with puppy-dog eyes on full volume
Applejack cleared her throat. "Uh, well...Ah haven't seen Rainbow in ages."
10:49am - Ponyville
Five minutes later - The bath thingywhatsit
…Not in a fillyfooler way.
We got in and swam around a bit (and splashed around a lot), and AJ actually agreed that the bath was awesomely relaxing. We swam up to the edge and leaned against it so we could chat. I took the time to explain about my failure of a date, and she listened carefully before voicing her opinion.mathematical ."
The silence tore a path between us, between a few seconds that felt like an eternity.
"...Dash?"
"...A-ah think Ah'm a fillyfooler."
8:04pm - Home
I am quite literally the bestest friend ever, I think. On the contrary to anything you were thinking (not that you can think, being a notepad), I had a great day with Applejack. Let me explain.
So, AJ confessed. I looked over at her, and noticed tears had welled up in her eyes. I leaned over and hugged her, and when I pulled away she looked surprised.
We spent the whole day together, doing races and competitions and climbing trees and discovering all over town, just like we used to when we were fillies. Nothing could break us apart now. Somehow, I feel a lot closer to her than before, no matter what she told me.
Not that that means anything in particular. Just that I am, quite literally, the bestest friend ever.
Five minutes later
Got some chips and lemonade to celebrate my success. I even gave a chip to Tank, who looked at it before shoving it in his shell. I think he's saving it for later.
One minute later
And I'm going to have to face Decimal. I have a feeling it'll be... awkward.
Monday 7:13am - In bed
Mom came in to "wake me up". This apparently involves banging a pan by my head and practically hollering, "Rise and shine, Dash! It's a beautiful day! Come out and say hello."
7:20am - Still in bed
7:25am - Still in bed Zzzzzzzzzzzz.
9:24am - Work
I was put to work on the small showers due in the west of Ponyville at lunchtime with a few other pegasi, so I had no chance to see Decimal throughout the morning. I'm not sure whether that's good or not.
12:44am using me?"
"Forget it. You obviously think I'm too dumb to deserve any real feelings."
4:44pm - My room, in my bed of pain
I hate my life. What did I do to deserve this? Why does everything have to go wrong for me? And if the Princesses are all-knowing and can do anything, why haven't they seen me in this state of desperadoes and given me a helping hoof?
I've never been so unhappy. Even Tank's retreated into his shell. He feels my pain.
Ten minutes later
Got back into bed and decided to try and sleep.
5:02pm
Mom came upstairs and gently knocked on my door. "Dash?""Smile, though your heart is aching..." "Smile, even though it's breaking..." "When there are clouds in the sky, you'll get by... if you smile, through your pain and sorrow..." "Smile, and maybe tomorrow..." "You'll see the sun come shining through, for you..." She finished the last two notes, before pulling me into a cuddle. I held her tight and she grinned. "Hey there."
Before I could stop myself, I was explaining everything. The date, the bullying, why Decimal went out with me, about Applejack. She didn't give her opinion to any of it, just let me talk her ears off with everything on my mind. When I had finished, she kept hold of me.
She smiled at me meaningfully. "You'll learn something from this one, sweetheart." and then, she began.
"It all started when I was about your age. I was the typical Cloudsdale hotshot, like you - I was a fast flyer and I had a fast attitude that everypony loved. I lived in the middle of the town with my parents and your uncle Sunset, but he was the only one I ever really got on with. My mother, as you may remember, was always a small, bossy mare who never really took an interest in anything other than housework and keeping everything clean. My father was brash and tough, and he always had something to moan about. The subject of his rants was almost always me - to him, I was the perfect example of a teenage tearaway who was bound to end up in jail before I reached marehood. My parents never listened to me. They were too wrapped up in their own lives to notice their daughter. My brother was equally ignored by our mother, but our father loved him. He was a smart kid, Sunrise, my little brother, and he was the sort who'd end up doing my homework as well as his, even though he was three years younger than me. Dad would buy him everything he wanted, raise his allowance whenever he lowered mine, play with him, take him on trips, everything. I was just the first-born. I was most probably a mistake - they never wanted me. Our house was small - we were pretty poor and Dad's job as a freelance builder hardly ever got us any money. I had a paper round for about a year around the town, but I was always bullied for the way I wore my mane and how I acted. Like you, I was always seen as a tom-colt and, more frequently, a complete lesbian. I stopped my paper round when my bag got torn into and everything stolen out of it, including my pay. My father never thought to replace it, so I stopped working. The money went down and soon after that, my father made me move in with my brother so they would rent my room out. It never bothered me, staying with Sunset. He was the best listener and friend I'd ever had. So, naturally, I tried to find ways of letting go. I'd never be in the house; I'd often stay with friends overnight just to get away. I messed around, broke the rules, went to all the worst parties and hung out with all the worst crowds. I was always one step ahead of everypony else, mixing in with just the right ponies to get a real reputation. When I left school with a bunch of bad grades, I started hanging around Ponyville, doing odd jobs for pay. I was useful to the earth ponies; I could get up high and clean windows, or help fix a roof, or maintain cloud coverages. I found my way in Ponyville; I wasn't teased there like I was in Cloudsdale. Earth ponies were different to pegasi - more rustic and traditional, and every job was done in a team, and it was done well. Surprisingly, I first met my bestest friend on your bestest friend's farm - Sweet Apple Acres. I'd been told to collect some apples and take them to Sugarcube Corner - then called the Ponyville Sweet Stop before Mr and Mrs Cake took over - in preparation for the town's summer fair. I was greeted at the door of the farmhouse by a young mare, about my age, with a baby colt in her arms. She was extraordinary, with a shining white pelt and her beautiful long pink hair tied in two bunches just in front of her ears. Her cutie mark - four hearts in a diagonal shape - suggested to me that she wasn't a part of this family. "Hey there!" she said cheerfully as she opened the door. The baby colt gurgled. He was pretty big for a foal, I can tell you that. The girl took one of his hooves and waved it at me, and he giggled. "Say hello, MacIntosh! Hehe. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, hon! How can I help you?" I cleared my throat and looked straight at her. "My name is Firefly. I'm the Pegasus sent here to collect some apples for the Sweet Stop." The other mare grinned. "Oh, yes! We've been expecting you. Unfortunately you won't get very far with me - I'm Sundance, and I'm only the foalsitter for MacIntosh here while his parents work. You need to go and talk to the boss here, Greensmith, just out in the orchard. She'll help you out.""
I gasped. "Greensmith? Is that..."
"Greensmith was quite a lot younger then. Her hair was blonde, instead of grey, and she wore a hat almost identical to Applejack's now, just white. She was out in the orchard, as Sundance had said, bucking the apples out of the trees with visible years of experience. She smiled as I approached. "Well, howdy there, sugarcube. Y'all must be the girl set to pick up some apples for the Summer Fair, am Ah right?" "Yes." I grinned. "Can you give me some?" The older mare laughed. "Of course! You didn't come here to go away empty-hooved!" Sundance, who had followed me out, helped load up for baskets and balance them on my back. "So, do you work for the Sweet Stop?" she asked. "No, not really. I'm an odd-job mare, y'know. Just roaming the town for something to get some money in." Sundance suddenly peered curiously at my flank, and I went red. "But your cutiemark is lightning! Aren't you a flyer?" I sighed. "It's hard to say. I can fly pretty well, but I'm not really happy in the sky. Not like I'm happy in Ponyville doing all of this, anyway." Greensmith chipped in. "Well, yer more'n welcome t'work with us. We don' earn all that much ourselves, but we're always willin' to help out.""
I interrupted again, grinning. "You got a job at Sweet Apple Acres?"
"Well, sort of. I helped Sundance look after MacIntosh mostly, but I visited a lot - mostly just to see her. We grew closer by the day, and I told her everything. We were joined at the hip, inseparable, and after too long, I realised something - that I was in love with her. She was in love with me, too - we confessed in private and stole away our first kiss; and everything after that we stole, too. Privacy was incredibly important. Why? Because in those days, fillyfoolers weren't just shunned; they were full-on hated, and I mean that. Falling in love with Sundance was incredibly dangerous - if anypony found out, we'd both lose our jobs and my parents would almost certainly kick me out on the street and not turn a hair otherwise. It was a frightening but thrilling game - every kiss, every touch, every meeting - it was all done in seclusion. In a way, it was fun. It was fun to pick the worst possible places to hide, to run into the Everfree Forest and see how long we could stay in there together without chickening out. Our longest? About an hour! Our relationship was messed up and short lived. I'm not sure how - that part of my memory is a bit blurred - but somehow, my father found out. I was locked inside the house and continually yelled at, and I didn't see Sundance for months. She kept trying to write to me, but my parents burned all the letters with my name on, whether they were from her or not. I had never been so upset. I seriously considered jumping out of my window and not opening my wings on numerous occasions."
Knowing something like this about Firefly opened my eyes. I looked right at her, and she was still. There were no tears in her eyes; just the visibly painful memory of a lost battle. She didn't falter in her retelling, and it was then that I admired my supposedly insane mother more than ever. I wouldn't have been able to cope.
"Things just went from bad to worse. Sundance's parents found out about us too. They were as livid as my parents were. Our last meeting was the worst day of my life. We met in our hiding place in the Everfree Forest. She said she had something to say to me. When I arrived, she was already there, tears streaming down her face. I galloped over and leaned in to kiss her, but she pushed me back. "I c-can't, Firefly." "Huh?" Tears threatened to fall from my own eyes. I had to fight to stay strong. "Oh, Firefly... Firefly... F-firefly..." Sundance repeated my name, loudly at first, but getting weaker and weaker. She sat down. "I'm leaving." My heart shattered, right then. "W-what?" "My parents... they're taking me to the other side of Equestria..." I stood tall, splaying my wings and stamping my hoof down. "No." "You can't stop it. My parents say it's for my own good." "Sundance, you're not a quitter." Sundance sighed, but I carried on. "We could run away." "Where would we go?" "Would that even matter? I just want to get away from here." "We'd get found out, it wouldn't work. We'd get into even more trouble." Tears began to run down my face at the thought of our hopelessness. We were doomed, and I'd have to face it. Sundance stood up, coming over to nuzzle my cheeks and kiss me gently, making me cry even harder. "All w-we have to d-do..." she sobbed, "is g-get on with l-life. It'll be h-hard at first, but if you promise to never forget me, we'll b-be all right..." That heartbreak was something I'd never felt before, and I choked on my own words, holding on to her tighter than I ever had before. "I'll n-never forget you... ever..." It was settled, and on the day of her departure, I was momentarily allowed to say goodbye. "Mail me your new address. I'll write to you." I whispered. "Every week. Hide the letters, though." she whispered back. I nodded, and we shared a final kiss, ignoring the onlookers. I never saw her again. We lost contact after about two years, and I haven't heard from her since. I haven't forgotten her, though. I couldn't ever do that."
"Mom?"gross !"
6:34pm
She got us some snacks and we continued talking.was beautiful. The most beautiful mare I'd ever seen.
"Yes," I said finally, "I have a name."
8:43pm - Looking out my window at the stars
I've decided to...decide on a plan on how to...get Applejack. If you see what I mean. Tomorrow, because me and Tank have a playdate to go to!
Let's put it this way - I'm a fillyfooler, and she's a fillyfooler. I want to be with her, and she really likes me, so... this should be easy as pie. Apple pie.
...Or will it?
Tuesday 7:54am - Breakfast
Managed to get up this morning. According to Mom, I was talking in my sleep. Oh nooo.what??
I am going to have to kill her.
After work 5:05pm - My room, getting ready for the playdate
Five minutes later
One minute later
5:21pm
When I got downstairs and put Tank's flying hat and goggles on, Mom took one look at me and said, "Why are you wearing your shades? And...have you borrowed my perfume?"
5:29pm - The park
5:36pm
Is it wrong for a tortoise to fetch a stick quicker than a dog?
And for said tortoise to lick said dog?
And for said dog to lick said tortoise?
At one point Applejack came over with a very serious expression on her face. "Rainbow Dash?"Ohhhhmyyyyyygoooosshhhhhh . My voice went into full-squeak mode. "There is?!" I croaked.
Not me and her, no. Tank and Winona. Winona had this big silly grin on her face as she rested her head on Tank's shell. Ugh!!!!
"Bu...but... Tank's like... a hundred years older than Winona!" I exclaimed.
6:13pm - Middle of the park, having our picnic
Twilight finished her cupcake and grinned. "Shall we play a game, guys? A sitting down game?"
Applejack rolled her eyes. "Consarnit...twenty-one." Getting up and walking behind a tree so she couldn't hear, we decided what to ask her.
"So...spill!" Pinkie Pie laughed. I'd never seen Applejack blush so much. We'd asked her, and she'd gone bright red. I still didn't talk.
Oh, no, maybe it was. The oven of love. I've well and truly burnt my hooves in the oven of love, fillies and gentlecolts.
6:55pm - Home, my bed of pain (again)
Two minutes later
One minute later
7:01pm not cool?"
7:15pm
That still doesn't sort out the Applejack problem, though...
One minute later
Oh, horseapples, I just thought about AJ. She won't be able to celebrate Mother's Day with the rest of us since her parents passed away... And to think they have to go through that every year, on Mother's Day and Father's Day? Well, I know my mother is quite possibly clinically insane, but I don't think I could live without her somehow. Or my dad (considerably less insane, but still mad for marrying Mom.)
10:21pm
Half an hour later - In bed
Wednesday - Mother's Day After work 4:19pm - Home
Raced back from work to give Mom her present. She was sitting alone in the living room, so I went up to her and gave her a hug. "Happy Mother's Day."
Fifteen minutes later - Peering in the front window of Sweet Apple Acres
Applejack answered the door, having put her hat back loosely on her head. My heart ached at the sight of her in such a pitiful state.
6:03pm
Once we were outside, she looked straight at us. "MacIntosh, I want you to get some small coloured light bulbs if you have any, and as many objects that remind you of your parents as you can. Applebloom," she hoisted the box off my back and gave it to the young filly, "I want you to take these glitter pens and draw lots of pretty pictures of your mommy and daddy. No worries if you can't remember what they look like, I'm sure you have photographs that your brother will lend you!" she turned to Granny Smith. "Greensmith, I need you and Applejack to find a tree that means something to you."
After a while, the objects were collected and the pictures were drawn, and AJ had found the perfect tree, a large apple tree right on top of the hill, proudly looking down over the rest of the orchard. We congregated on the hill, and I asked each pony for something to write on the lanterns.
After we had finished with the lanterns, Mom told me to put them back in the box.
Once we were done with the tree, we sat back in the light as the sun set, and Mom got a matchbox out. We caught the fuel of the lanterns on fire, and they billowed with the growing air inside. The Apples each let theirs go, and afterwards, we snuggled up together by the tree and watched them gently float into the air.
"Best Mother's Day ever, huh?" I asked Applejack.
Yeah. Best evening ever.
Friday 11:21am - Home
Day off work. Been lounging around mostly while Mom hollers at me to get off my flank and do something.
Five minutes later
One minute later
1:54pm
Mom came in and sat next to me. "Hey, Dash?"
"Uhm...yeah. Yeah, he is."
Ten minutes later
Three minutes later
Thirty seconds later AWESOME!!!
6:12pm - Sweet Apple Acres
Five minutes later - Sweet Apple Acres living room
10:34pm - Home, in bed
One minute later
Two minutes later
One minute later Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Saturday - PARTY TIME!! 11am - Home
11:10am wear??
5:02pm
One minute later
Two minutes later
5:19pm
5:28pm - Outside Sweet Apple Acres
She looked breathtaking. Absolutely, amazingly perfect in every single way that it is possible to be. Her hair shimmered in the light like gold, winding down and around her neck in a neat plait. Her face was lit up by her pleasant, meaningful smile, and I could see that she too had attempted to put on some make-up, even if it was incredibly uncharacteristic of her. She wasn't wearing anything too fancy, just two apple-shaped hair-slides keeping her forelock out of her face, and a red jacket to match her similar coat colour. I smiled back at her, not being able to do much else.
"All set, sugarcube?" she giggled, trotting over. Her tail flickered against mine, and I shivered. She looked at me curiously. "Hey, are ya cold? Ah got a coat if you wanna borrow it..."
6:21pm - The train
7:10pm - K-Colt Live
7:22pm
Ten minutes later
8:32pm
8:44pm
Two minutes later "Oh, Rainbow... Ah could kiss you..."
Claps interrupted us, nose-to-nose. We broke apart and saw a sea of ponies around us, stomping their hooves and yelling.
9:04pm - Green room
9:21pm - Dad's dressing room
"Please don't drag me on stage."
9:41pm
One minute later
Two minutes later
11:38pm - Back in Ponyville, Sweet Apple Acres
And then it happened.
She kissed me, twice; a long one on the cheek, then, after pulling away to look into my eyes, a peck on the lips.
Midnight - In bed
It's official; I'm in love with Applejack, and she's in love with me, too. I know it.
I need to sleep on this. There's only one thing left to do, and that's to let the cat out of the bag.
But how??
To be concluded...
Wednesday 8:13am - Home
We shared one last long hug before I made for the door.
"Follow your heart, Dash!" She called from the doorway as I flew out.
11:24am - Work
Ten minutes later
Rainbow Dash,
Oh nooooooooo. The last thing I need is the boss on my back!!
Five minutes later promotion?? OHMYGOSH!!! You actually mean that?? I'm getting promoted?!"
2:54pm
Two minutes later
Sugarcube,
What in the hay is that supposed to mean??
4:10pm - Home
Applejack must go through hell without her mom.
5:22pm
7:10pm
7:28pm - Sweet Apple Acres
And by instinct, we kissed.
A powerful surge of blissful butterflies floated up my stomach, and my head whirled. I had never, ever felt something quite so strange, yet so amazing, and every fibre of my being drew me closer to Applejack. We desperately wrapped hooves around each other, and Applejack pushed me down to the floor, deepening the kiss. She was in complete control... but I didn't care. I wanted to stay like that forever; all my dreams coming true in that one moment as I lay in the arms of the mare I loved the most...
Wow. I never knew I was capable of writing something so sappy. Oh well!
Applejack eventually broke the kiss, and we caught our breath in harmonic silence. I gazed into her brilliant emerald eyes, and my heart skipped another few beats.
"Really, my sugarcube. Really."
~The End.
