Lusty Charms

Rainbow Dash rocketed towards her target. One more blow and she was certain she could bust through the cliff face. Maud had found it was hallow while investigating fractures in the cliff face and asked Rainbow Dash to help her with getting inside. Applejack had managed to make a large crack but it proved to difficult for her to kick on the only small ledge available. As Rainbow Dash closed in on the cliff wall she closed her eyes and prepared for the impact.

Rainbow Dash struck the wall hard and busted straight through. She crashed and tumbled around in the large cavern she had opened up. Groaning and rubbing her head Rainbow Dash climbed to her hooves and looked around in the dimly lit cavern. There were shiny gemstones lining the cavern. The beam of light shining in from the hole Rainbow Dash made shone on the gemstones weekly dispersing the light around the room.

In the shifting and glimmering light Rainbow Dash caught sight of something unique. She approached the oddity for a closer look and found it to be exactly what it had appeared to be. Two stone pillars jetting out from the ground holding on each tip a shiny golden chain necklace with brilliant red stones set in golden molds hanging from them. Rainbow Dash stared at the pendants for several minutes. It was as though the world around her melted away and all that existed was her and the pendants.

When Maud and Applejack called out to check on her, Rainbow Dash snapped out of her trance and quickly flew up to retrieve the pendants. Tucking the pendants safely hidden under her wing Rainbow Dash returned to the hole in the wall and poked her head outside.

"Are you alright?" asked Applejack as she and Maud came down the narrow path to the opening.

"I'm fine, you were right, this place is full of gems," said Rainbow Dash.

"Good work," replied Maud.

Maud climbed through the opening, joining Rainbow Dash inside the cavern. Rainbow Dash greeted her with a nod.

"Anytime. I'm gonna go now though, I have to meet up with Scootaloo.," said Rainbow Dash.

"Ok, thank you," replied Maud as she examined a loose gem closely.

"That's right it's nearly time to head out for the camping trip," said Applejack from the entrance.

"Yeah, I told Scootaloo I'd meet her at your place," replied Rainbow Dash.

"Well I'll be meet'n Y'all there in a bit, I need to stop by Filthy Riches first," explained Applejack as she skillfully descended down the cliff.

Rainbow Dash poked her head out of the entrance again. "Ok see ya there," she called to Applejack.

Rainbow Dash waited until her friend was out of sight then climbed out of the hole and ensured nopony was looking at her. Applejack had gone and Maud was busy with her gems stones. She pulled the pendants out from under her wing and gazed at them for a few more seconds before remembering she needed to go. Rainbow Dash was excited to show the necklaces to Scootaloo; she hurriedly took off into the air and soared towards Ponyville.

Scootaloo flew down the largest hill in Ponyville on her scooter. Her small wings were flapping wildly like those of a hummingbird. She remained off the ground nearly until the bottom and when she landed she easily maintained her balance and rode smoothly through the last portion of the drop.

With a confident smirk on her face Scootaloo shot through town weaving and dodging through the Ponies so quickly many had little time to react, and a good number of them were left wondering what had just passed by. She continued on her way to Sweet Apple Acres without stopping. Scootaloo was filled with energy and excitement for the day ahead.

Just as Scootaloo was on the outskirts of town near the edge of the Apple family property Rainbow Dash suddenly appeared flying next to her shouting.

"Scootaloo, check this out," said Rainbow Dash excitedly.

Scootaloo's eyes grew wide as a tingling sensation shot down her spine. She turned her head in shock and as she did so she veered right off the road. Rainbow Dash watched with clenched teeth as her adopted sister rolled off the road and flew up a rise nearby. Scootaloo was launched through the air and plunged right into a small pond.

"Scootaloo!" yelled Rainbow Dash as she flew over the pond looking for the filly.

Scootaloo popped up on the surface swimming with one hoof and holding her scooter with the other. "Rainbow Dash?" she asked.

"Sorry Scoots, here lemme help," replied Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo reached up and took hold of Rainbow Dash's extended forearm. Rainbow Dash lifted Scootaloo out of the water and flew her to the edge of the pond then set her down gently. Scootaloo set down her Scooter and took off her helmet; she shook her head then her body and flapped her wings spraying water all over Rainbow Dash who used her right wing as a shield.

"What the heck!" asked Scootaloo with a snippy tone.

Rainbow Dash looked at the scowling filly with amusement. She hadn't meant to scare her off the road, but it was funny now that she knew Scootaloo was unharmed. Water dripped from the upset filly but Rainbow Dash leaned in for a quick hung anyway.

"I said sorry. Look I wanted to show you these," answered Rainbow Dash with a wide grin as she stepped back and pulled out the necklaces.

Scootaloo observed the pendants as Rainbow Dash held them up with her left forehoof. For a time both Ponies simply stood there staring at the pendants until a passing cart hit a bump which rang a bell fixed to it. The sounds snapped them out of their trance. Scootaloo blinked a few times then looked at Rainbow Dash.

"Those are beautiful! Where did you get them?" asked Scootaloo.

"I uh... I got them while helping Maud this morning," explained Rainbow Dash as she handed one of the pendants to Scootaloo. "I thought it'd be neat if we wore them on the camping trip."

"They totally match! Thanks, Rainbow Dash," said Scootaloo while she happily took the pendant.

Both Ponies put on the necklaces and admired themselves and one another.

Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom sat waiting for the others anxiously. They had all arrived on time, meeting each other at the gates of Sweet Apple Acres but found half their group missing. Apple Bloom had even hauled the heavy cart to the entrance herself without Applejack around.

Rarity and Sweetie Belle looked at one another confused. Apple Bloom's brow furrowed and she gave an audible sigh.

"Gah! Where are they?" complained Apple Bloom.

Just then Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo both appeared with a gust of wind and dust.

"Hey everypony," said Scootaloo happily.

"It's about time," said Sweetie Belle.

"Do you know where my sis is?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Ahm right here," replied Applejack from a short distance down the road.

Rainbow Dash started to laugh as Applejack approached them covered in dust and dirt. Applejack scowled at her.

"You two need to watch what you're doing," complained Applejack.

"Ha, ha. S-sorry Applejack," laughed Rainbow Dash.

Scootaloo glanced at Apple Bloom who rolled her eyes at her.

"Well, never mind, is everypony packed?" asked Applejack.

"Yup. Everything is loaded in the cart," replied Apple Bloom.

"Don't you want to wash off first Applejack?" asked Rarity.

"Nah, I'll just go swim when we get to the campsite," Applejack answered as she strapped the cart she and Apple Bloom had prepared early that morning to her midsection.

Rarity looked at her slightly disgusted but she knew to expect such things from her farm Pony friend.

With everypony prepared the group started down the road. As they walked Scootaloo looked down to admire the necklace and found that it had gotten covered in dust. She used her chest to wipe the dust away to reveal the shiny red gem. As soon as she had cleaned it off her filly friends noticed it. Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom immediately stopped to admire the pendant which drew the attention of the others.

"Oh, thats pretty!" Exclaimed Rarity. "Where did you get it?"

"Yeah Scootaloo thats a gorgeous pendant," added Sweetie Belle.

"Rainbow Dash gave it to me, she has one that matches mine too," explained Scootaloo with pride.

Rainbow Dash swooped down and landed next to Scootaloo with her head held high. Both Pegasus Ponies stood still happily allowing their friends to admire their new trinkets. After a few moments, Scootaloo looked at her friends and realized they were seemingly enthralled by the necklaces. Scootaloo nudged Rainbow Dash who also noticed the strange behavior. They both waved their forehooves in front of their friend's faces snapping them out of it.

"What was that about?" asked Rainbow Dash.

While rubbing her eyes Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash. "It's such a nice red color, like an apple," she told her.

"It is cool," bragged Rainbow Dash as she held the pendant up to view.

"Let's go everypony," said Scootaloo as she headed down the road again.

The group again started down the road. Now as they walked the others continuously found themselves becoming distracted by Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo. The Pegasus Ponies assumed their friends were simply envious of their new necklaces and that they would get over it once they arrived at the campsite. Their friend's focus did not bother them; Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash basked in the attention during the entire trip.