Chapters Takes place during Equestria Girls Rainbow Rocks at Pinkie Pie’s sleepover
3rd person POV
Applejack and Rainbow Dash are sat at the front of the bed playing video games. Rarity, Sunset, Fluttershy, Maria and Spike are taking a selfie. Twilight is curled up on Pinkie’s bed writing in Fluttershy’s notebook. Pinkie is lying on the floor typing on her laptop.
“Status update: "Okie-dokie-lokie." Pinkie says as Rarity takes the selfie.
Rainbow and AJ are slamming their fingers on the controllers. Rainbow then leans forward and slams her hand onto the game console.
“Hey! I was about to beat you!” AJ half yells at Dash
“I doubt it. So, Twilight, how is that counter-spell comin'?” Rainbow says turning towards Twilight.
“Huh? Oh, uh, good. Great. Thanks for letting me use your notebook, Fluttershy. I really like the song you wrote for the Rainbooms,” Twilight replies as she addresses Fluttershy.
“Thanks,” Fluttershy sighs, “hopefully one day, we'll get a chance to play it,” Fluttershy states turning to look at Dash who stole AJ’s controller. Rainbow is laughing as AJ struggles to reach her controller.
“Hey!” AJ half yells at Dash, again.
“Twilight, I think I speak for all of us when I say I don't know what we would have done if you hadn't come back to help us,” Rarity states as everyone turns to Twilight.
“Uh-huh,” everyone else, including Maria (who is still a little confused on the whole situation), replies.
“Darn tootin',” AJ says, giving up on trying to get her controller from Dash.
The doorbell rings.
“Pizza's here!” Pinkie yells before sprinting downstairs. Everyone else is quick to follow her.
Twilight sighs as Pinkie comes back upstairs.
“Don't you want any pizza?” Pinkie asks with pizza in her mouth.
“Yeah, I’ll be down in a minute,” Twilight replies before putting the notebook in the drawer by the bed.
~Time skip~
“Maria we’re going to bed!” Pinkie yells causing Maria to jump and squeak in shock.
“Ok,” Maria murmurs tiredly before curling up again, rolling over and falling asleep.
Everyone climbs into their sleeping bags except Pinkie and Rainbow who climb into the bed without much difficulty as Maria ended up in the middle of the double bed.
~AJ’s dream~ ”Granny where’s Ma and Pa?” 4 year old Applejack asks Granny Smith as she walks in, “are they coming home?”
“I’m sorry dearie. But your parents aren’t coming back home,” Granny Smith says as she starts crying. AJ blinks twice then realises that it isn’t a joke and bursts into tears.
Big Mac, aged 7, walks in and hugs AJ tightly.
“What about Applebloom?” Big Mac asks as Applejack starts crying harder.
“She won’t have any parents!” AJ half yells through her tears.
~A few years later, still in her dream~ “It was your fault that they died!” Big Mac yells in 12 year old Applejacks face. “If you hadn’t asked for that toy, they’d still be with us!”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean for this to happen!” AJ says crying. It was their parents death day.
“But it did!” Applebloom says walking towards AJ. “Thanks to you, I grew up with no parents in my life!” She yells clinging onto Big Mac as she cries.
“I’m sorry AB, I wanted it to be different! I promise I did!” AJ yells back crying harder.
Big Mac and Applebloom leave AJ alone.
“AJ? AJ wake up!” Dash’s voice seems to boom through the dream.
~End of the dream~
“AJ, what’s wrong?” I ask sitting down next to her and pulling her towards me.
I feel her stiffen a little bit before I feel her arms wrap around my neck and her head fall into my shoulder. I gently rock her as she doesn’t seem to be calming down. I take a quick glance around the room. Everyone is still asleep, clearly not being able to hear AJ crying, apart from Maria who is tossing and turning trying to tune out the noise.
I don’t say anything to AJ, I slowly stand up trying not to scare her. I lean down and pick her up, causing her to whimper slightly.
“Shh it’s ok, it’s just me.” I say gently as she clings onto my neck and carries on crying into my chest. She must of had a really bad nightmare.
I walk down into Pinkie’s living room and sit down on the sofa placing the shaking Applejack on my lap.
“AJ. Are you ok?” I ask again rubbing circles into her back.
“Ah had a nightmare ‘bout the time my parents-“ she couldn’t finish her sentence as she started crying again.
“Shh it’s ok, AJ. I’m here,” she whimpers quietly and clings onto my hand which had fallen onto her waist. “Will talking about it make you feel better?”
She sighs quietly. “Well it all started when I was 4. I really wanted some fancy toy. My parents had to go into the city as they didn’t sell it here. Later that afternoon granny told me and Mac that-“ she stops to wipe her eyes, “that there had been a car crash and our parents had been killed!” She burst into tears again and gripped onto my pyjama top as she cries into my chest again.
I say small comforting words into her ear as I rock her again.
“That’s not everything,” I glance down into her emerald eyes. “When I’ve been having these nightmares recently-“
“Wait! Are they becoming more common now?” I ask as she blinks.
“Yeah. Anyway, Mac comes in and starts yelling that it’s my fault that our parents are gone! Applebloom agrees with him.” She pauses to try and calm herself down. “I can’t help but agreeing that I did cause their deaths.”
“Applejack, look at me. You didn’t know that it would happen,” I pull her head up to look at me.
“I have a question. How did you even know that I was having a nightmare? I thought you were a heavy sleeper.”
“I am. Maria is a very light sleeper and woke me up,” I reply pulling her closer to me. “Hey AJ, can I tell you something?”
“Yeah,” she replies while wiping her eyes.
“Well, you know when I told you that I was bi,” she nods, “well, I may have a crush on you.”
She looks down at her hands going bright red.
“I-I like you too,” she replies cuddling up into my chest.
I wrap my arms around her waist and kiss her on the cheek. “Feeling better?” I ask.
She just stares at me in shock, turning red. She nods slowly, biting her lip.
“AJ, I know this is a little bit quick but I hope you don’t mind.”
“Don’t mind-“ I cut her off by kissing her on the lips.
I feel a pair of shaky arms wrap around my neck as she kisses me back. After a minute we break apart.
“You want to go back to sleep now? We have school tomorrow,” I ask.
She visibly tenses up as I rub her waist gently, “can you stay with me?” She asks quietly.
“Of course I will,” I kiss her head and pick her up again.
She relaxes and curls up in my arms and falls asleep.
~In the morning~ Maria’s POV
I turn over in the bed to get up but as I look over, I see Dash and AJ curled up together, sleeping. AJ is lying on top of Dash with her head in Dash’s chest. Dash has one hand in Applejack’s hair. Their other hands are locked together. I smile slightly and curl back up.
Author's Note
Hey guys. I hope you enjoyed my first Appledash one shot. I do see Dash as both older and taller than AJ. I will also take requests if you want to see a certain Appledash scenario.
“We’re doing The Greatest Showman!” Maria tells her friends
“I’m Lettie Lutz!” Pinkie jumps at Maria hugging her tightly.
“Yes! I got Charity Barnum,” Rarity turns from the board.
“Well I got a guy,” Dash says as she grabs Maria and practically lifts her off the ground and places her in front of the poster. “Phillip Carlyle,”
“Big Mac and I are W.D. and Anne Wheeler,” AJ says as my eyes go wide and I have to try and not laugh.
“Maria, what’s wrong?” Sunset asks.
“Have you two ever seen the greatest showman?” I glance between Dash and AJ.
“Yes but why did-” AJ starts then realises, “oh shoot.”
“I’m Jenny Lind,” Sunset says reading the board. “You’re Queen Victoria Twilight.”
~A few days later~
“Appledash is first!” Pinkie yells hopping off the stage.
“We’re doing rewrite the stars first,” Maria calls as the pair come on stage.
The music starts playing.
Rainbow You know I want you It's not a secret I try to hide I know you want me So don't keep saying our hands are tied You claim it's not in the cards Fate is pulling you miles away And out of reach from me But you're here in my heart So who can stop me if I decide That you're my destiny?
What if we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine Nothing could keep us apart You'd be the one I was meant to find It's up to you, and it's up to me No one can say what we get to be So why don't we rewrite the stars? Maybe the world could be ours Tonight
Applejack
You think it's easy You think I don't want to run to you But there are mountains And there are doors that we can't walk through I know you're wondering why Because we're able to be Just you and me Within these walls But when we go outside You're going to wake up and see that it was hopeless after all
No one can rewrite the stars How can you say you'll be mine? Everything keeps us apart And I'm not the one you were meant to find It's not up to you It's not up to me When everyone tells us what we can be How can we rewrite the stars? Say that the world can be ours Tonight
Both
All I want is to fly with you All I want is to fall with you So just give me all of you
It feels impossible ( Rainbow: it's not impossible) Is it impossible?
Say that it's possible
How do we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine? Nothing can keep us apart 'Cause you are the one I was meant to find It's up to you And it's up to me No one can say what we get to be And why don't we rewrite the stars? Changing the world to be ours
ApplejackYou know I want you It's not a secret I try to hide But I can't have you We're bound to break and my hands are tied.
By the time they finish singing they are stood very close to each other and are blushing like crazy.
“Do you think they?” Twilight asks.
“Only one way to find out,” Maria offers.
~The opening night~ ~After Rainbow and Applejack’s song~
“Listen AJ, there’s something I need to tell you,” Dash starts. AJ looks at her, silently motioning for her to continue, “I like you. I have for a long time,”
AJ’s eyes go wide as she stares up at Rainbow. “I do to,” she manages to squeak out, still in shock.
Dash leans down and kisses AJ’s cheek. AJ blushes then smirks.
“I think ya missed Sugarcube,” she leaves Dash confused.
“What do you mean I-” Applejack interrupts Dash by slamming her lips on Dash’s.
Dash relaxes instantly and wraps her arms around AJ’s waist, as AJ’s go around Dash’s neck.
They break apart as they heard a series of quiet awws.
“You guys are so cute together,” Pinkie hugs the pair happily.
Everyone nods in agreement.
“Howdy you two,” Maria looks past the new couple to her younger cousins. The two bound up to her and latch onto her legs.
“Well the show is going great,” Rarity comes over as Sunset goes on.
“Yeah sure was,” AJ replies resting her head on Rainbow’s shoulder.
Author's Note
Hey guys. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I love the greatest showman. Please feel free to send requests of one shots you’d like to see. The updates may be a bit slower as I’m currently writing another book (well two new books). In case you’re confused here’s the cast list-
P.T Barnum- Fancy Pants (he’s a teenager now)
Maria's POV
Applejack and I are sitting on my bed.
"I'm useless Maria! I can't do anythin’ right!"
"AJ, you are not useless!" I reply sternly as she starts pacing my room, "why do ya think that?" I ask slowly. If I find out what's going through her head, maybe that will give me a better idea on how I can help her.
"I can't do anythin' right! I'm tryin' ta help out at home, but everythin' always goes wrong!" Or not.
"I'm sure its not as bad as ya think," I reply trying to stay as calm as possible.
"How do ya do it?" She asks sitting in the window seat.
"Do what?" I ask, moving to sit directly opposite her.
"Keep so calm. I mean, look at how much ya do. Ya have an actin' career. Ya have to come ta school, go to work most evenin's and at the weekends," before I can open my mouth, she continues, "and not ta mention, ya have ta run the ranch and look after Benji and Shadow."
"I know what ya mean but how does everythin' go wrong exactly?" I ask checking my phone.
Applejack arrived about half an hour ago in tears. No one was home and I had to let her stay for a bit. While she was cleaning herself up in the bathroom, I texted Dash about the situation. She said she'd arrive as soon as possible. She was being held up somewhere apparently.
"Well before last cider season, Big Mac got injured and I had to harvest all the apples myself," I think I know where this is goin'. "Cider season went underway. I harvested for three days, while runnin' errands inta town. Ya know how stubborn I am, I didn't ask for help. I exhausted myself tryin' ta get everythin finished. Luckily, the gals were there ta help me out in the end."
I just stare at her. I knew AJ was stubborn. I could be just as bad when I was in a bad mood. But to the point of exhaustion? That's more than what I was expectin'.
"See what I mean? I just can't do anythin' right!" AJ completely breaks down now.
"AJ," I jump off the bed and sit next to her on the window seat.
My phone buzzes in my pocket. It's Dash.
Dash
Me
I hear the floor board creek as I hug AJ. My door opens. We look up. It's Dash. She takes one look at Applejack before running over and hugging her tightly. I pull myself off the window seat, mouth to Dash about textin' me when AJ has calmed down. I leave the couple in my room. Dash will help AJ.
RD's POV
"AJ? What's wrong?" I ask her as she curls up against me.
"I'm useless Dash!" She nearly yells.
“Applejack, why would you ever think that?” I ask tightening my grip on AJ’s waist.
“I can’t seem to do anythin’ right!” She cries harder and brings her legs up onto the window seat, “I’ve let down the whole family!” She sobs into my shoulder.
“Oh AJ, it’s ok. Shh it’s ok I promise it’s ok,” I stroke her back lightly. I cringe as she sobs. It pains me to see her like this.
“No it’s not! I’ve let them down Dash. I’m useless, worthless-” I put my hand over her mouth to stop her.
“Stop. AJ. You’re not useless or worthless,” I say gently as I gently wipe her eyes.
“But I thought-” she starts.
“You aren’t. I promise. You only thought that,” I move her hair out of her eyes. I bring my hand to her cheek and she leans into the touch.
She curls into my shoulder and sighs gently. My mind wonders back to when I first asked AJ out.
Flashback
”Hey AJ. Can I talk to you after school?” I ask her as we walk away from the cafeteria.
“Sure thing,” she replies with that adorable smile of hers.
”Dash! There ya are!” I turn around to see AJ lightly pushing through the crowd to get to me.
“Yeah. Let’s talk on the football pitch,” I drag her outside and around the side of the school.
“So what did ya wanna talk about?” She asks placing a hand on her hip while looking at me. She looks up at me, using her other hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
“Well, you know when I told the girls that I was bisexual,” she nods. “Well I may have a crush on you,” I whisper the last part.
“I-I,” just the reaction I was expecting, she didn’t know what to say.
I wait patiently for her to comprehend what I just told her.
“I may have a crush on ya too,” she whispers, looking away.
“How about a date this Saturday?” I ask confidently.
“Wait, you want to go out with me?” She asks.
I smirk slightly at her. I nod in reply.
“Well, ok. Sure. What time?” She asks.
“I’ll pick you up at noon,” I reply, “by the way, dress nicely.
“There’s more to your thoughts isn’t there?” I ask quietly as she looks at me with wide eyes.
“Well, yes. When we had our most recent Confluence, Goldie Delicious got the story of the Great Seedlin’ inta Applebloom’s head. She spent most of the time settin’ traps to try ta catch him. Then granny just had ta mention what I did at mah first Confluence,” she pauses and sniffles.
“What happened?” I ask quietly, rubbing her back lightly.
“I believed that the Great Seedlin’ existed. I tried to set traps ta catch him, much like AB did two weeks ago. I ran around the farm checking all the traps. I ran ta the place where I thought I’d set the trap in the earth. I did find it, but I spent half of the day in the hole, unable ta get out of it. I missed out on helpin' with the harvest because I was chasin' somethin' for little kids. I felt guilty everybody else had to work harder because of me. So I decided right then and there I was too old to waste any more time on Great Seedlin’,” AJ finishes before she starts to break down again.
“AJ, it’s ok. I promise. Your family love you. They don’t think you’re worthless. You’ve got your family, our friends and I to help you whenever you need it,” I say gently. She looks at me, smiling, wiping her eyes. “I love you and I always will.”
I lean down and kiss AJ on the lips. She immediately kisses back wrapping her arms around my neck. I tighten my hold on her waist. We sit kissing for a few minutes until it’s interrupted.
“I’ll come back later,” Maria murmurs walking back out of the room and closing the door.
As soon as she leaves we burst out laughing.
“Thank ya Dash,” AJ sighs curling up into me again.
“Your welcome AJ. We’ll all be here for you. Your family, the girls and myself. We’ll all help you AJ,” I run her waist gently.
She moans slightly as smiles up at me.
“I know. I guess that I was too caught up in my emotions to realise that,” she says as I pull her on my lap.
“You are so amazing AJ,” she doesn’t reply but rests her head on my chest.
Rainbow Dash’s POV
2:25
“Hey, Big Mac. Is AJ ready?” I ask.
“She’s upstairs at the minute with Maria,” he replies while moving out of the doorway.
Maria? Who is Maria? Is she a friend? A family member? Or something more?
“She should be ready. Just head upstairs.”
“Thanks, Big Mac,” I reply while trying to keep calm.
I walk upstairs and head for AJ’s bedroom. As I approach the door, I hear someone crying and someone else comforting them.
“It’s ok sugar, it’s ok,” I hear AJ say.
I open the door to see AJ hugging a red-haired girl. The girl is quite short, with long red hair. She, much like AJ, has small freckles across her face.
“I hope I’m not interrupting anything,” I say, bitterly.
“No, of course, ya weren’t,” AJ smiles.
“AJ, can we talk? Alone,” AJ stands up looking back at the other girl.
“Go on, I need to head home anyway,” the girl says quietly, picking up a cowgirl hat.
“Goodbye sugar,” AJ hugs her before she leaves.
“Who was that?” I ask as soon as she is out of earshot.
“Maria,” AJ replies simply.
“I knew that,” I roll my eyes.
“Dash let me explain-”
“There’s nothing to explain Applejack. I thought you loved me!”
“What are you talking about? Of course, I love ya,” AJ argues.
“Then why would you cheat on me?”
“I never cheated on ya! If ya just let me explain…”
“You know what, we’re done!”
“Dash-”
“No Applejack. We’re done. I love you. I thought you felt the same way.”
“I do Rainbow!” She argues.
“If you did, you wouldn’t have cheated on me,” I don’t give her a chance to reply.
I run out of the farmhouse and out onto the street. I take my phone out of my pocket and go through my contacts. I click on the first one I think of and ring them.
“Hello?” She asks.
“Hey ‘Shy. Are you free? I need to talk to you.”
15 minutes later, Fluttershy walks into the cafe.
“Hello Rainbow,” she sits in the seat opposite mine. “What’s wrong?”
“Applejack cheated,” I reply, glumly.
“What?! Why would she do that?”
“I don’t know. I found her with a girl called Maria.”
“Oh Rainbow, I’m so sorry,” she hugs me as I start crying.
AJ’s POV
“Rainbow broke up with me,” I reply.
“Why would she do that? You two are perfect for each other,” Rarity says.
“Well, my half cousin was over at mine and she was upset so I was comforting her and Dash thought we were dating,” I reply playing with my hat.
“Did you explain that she’s related to you?”
“I tried to, Dash wasn’t listening,” I murmur.
“Don’t worry darling, I have an idea.”
“Wait-” My phone beeps signalling she hung up.
My phone starts ringing again. I glance down to see it is Maria. I answer it.
“Hey AJ. Look I’m sorry about earlier. I wouldn’t have come over if I knew you were going out with your girlfriend,” she apologises.
“It’s alright,” I reply.
Rarity’s POV
“Hello darlings,” I say as I sit down next to Fluttershy.
“Hello,” the other two reply.
“Rainbow, I heard what happened,” I have to choose my next words carefully. “Don’t you think you were maybe a little too quick to jump to your conclusion?”
“Rarity, Applejack was cuddling her,” Rainbow rolls her eyes. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“What did you hear Rarity?” Fluttershy asks me as soon as Rainbow is out of earshot.
“The girl that Rainbow found with AJ is her half-cousin,” I explain.
“Oh. Maybe you should call Applejack and let her explain to Rainbow.”
I smile before heading outside.
“Hello, Rarity. What do ya need?” She asks.
“Are you and your half-cousin free? We’re in the small cafe downtown. We’re going to help you explain what happened,”
“I’m not sure bringing Maria is a good idea.”
“I wasn’t saying she has to come, but she’s more than welcome to,” I explain. I was kind of excited to meet Maria.
“We’ll be down in about fifteen minutes.”
“See you then darling,” I hang up and walk inside the cafe.
Fifteen minutes later, Applejack walks in the cafe followed by a red-haired girl. Luckily Rainbow has her back to the door. The girl says something to AJ before walking towards the counter. AJ walks over to us.
“Oh hello Applejack,” Fluttershy greets her as she stands next to the table.
I stand up and gently grab Fluttershy’s arm.
“We’ll be back in a minute,” I lead her over to the counter and towards Applejack’s half-cousin.
Rainbow’s POV Did Rarity really have to invite them here?
“Dash, I know you’re upset but please just let me explain,” AJ says.
“Ok. I’m listening,” I say, trying not to show any emotions.
“Maria is my half-cousin,” AJ starts. “She lost her father last year and she came over because she is grieving.”
“Oh,” I say quietly. “I’m so sorry AJ. I shouldn’t have jumped to my conclusion.”
“I’m sorry too. I should have told ya that I had my half-cousin over.”
“So can we start over?” I ask.
“Of course,” AJ replies before hugging me. “How about a proper introduction?”
I smile and nod as AJ waves the girl over to us.
The next day
“Hey Dash,” she says quietly.
I smile and kiss her. She kisses back and wraps her arms around my neck.
“I’m happy I let you explain,” I murmur as we pull away.
“Me too sugar,” she replies before kissing me again.
Author's Note
This was requested by iiiMills .
This story takes place when they are 15. It also takes place before the girls (excluding Applejack) meet Maria. Part of her backstory is explained in this chapter and how she already knows AJ.
I’m sorry I haven’t updated in a while. I’ve been busy with work while in lockdown. I hope everyone is staying safe and well.
