Hearth's Warming lover

Rainbow Dash rushed around the shops through the swarm of ponies, her eyes darting from one shop to another. The wind got stronger and the sky with endless amounts of clouds slowly darkened. Rainbow Dash sighed and landed right into the crowd of ponies. How could it be evening already? The time passing so swiftly stressed her out, it was like an hourglass in the back of her mind continuing to run no matter how much she tried to stop it. She groaned and looked down at the path that was covered with hoof steps pressed into the soft snow blanket as she circled her right hoof on the ground in frustration. Her eyes fixated on a glimmering object in the snow, perhaps it was only a snowflake reflecting but even she knew the difference between snow and a gemstone. She bent down and gazed at the little gem. It was light orange and heart shaped. She sighed as she saw her reflection on its surface. Another wave of cold wind blew through Rainbow’s multicolored mane and she quickly wrapped her purple scarf tighter around her. There was something about this specific gem that reminded her of the most beautiful pony in Equestria. She picked it up and slid it into her pocket.

“RAINBOW DASH!!!” A light, high-pitched voice could be heard from behind. Rainbow Dash turned around and saw her friend Pinkie Pie standing there with a huge smile. She was holding a small elegant little bag in her right hoof and a ton of colorful wrapping paper and streamers in her saddlebag, in fact, there were so many stuff it seemed like the saddlebag could rip apart at any moment.

“Oh, hey Pinkie Pie, what’s up? You seem to have bought a lot of things for your pony” Rainbow Dash said. She had to admit she was a little disappointed in herself for being so slow with the shopping but finding the most awesome thing ever was difficult. Of course, she was the most awesome pony in Equestria, but this was different. Right now, it didn’t seem like she could think of anything great to give Applejack.

Pinkie Pie laughed. “No silly! It’s not only for Rarity, it’s for my sisters too and I need a lot, A LOOOT of wrapping paper cause Gummy LOVES eating it!” she bounced happily and suddenly appeared right next to Rainbow. “Sooo, what have you bought?” Pinkie Pie jumped forward and blinked repeatedly. She searched under Rainbow’s wing and inside her scarf until she realized her friend still hadn’t bought anything. Pinkie Pie gasped loudly. “Rainbow Dash, you haven’t bought ANYTHING!!” she frowned.

“I’m trying!” Rainbow shouted. “And it’s not as if the day is over, I mean, I still have rest of today AND tomorrow” She sighed and looked at the clock tower nearby. However, deep inside she knew time was running out and if she had no idea of what to buy, she would never be able to find the perfect gift.

“I can help you! I’m already done with my shopping. You can come over to Sugarcube Corner while I wrap the presents and we can talk and come up with spectacular ideas to give to your pony!” Pinkie said excitingly. Rainbow Dash thought to herself for a moment. Could Pinkie Pie really help her? But how would somepony like Pinkie Pie understand how important this gift must be? She was an expert at parties and gift giving was probably one of her specialities. Rainbow Dash sighed.

“Fine…why not” Dash said. She had no other option in mind, so she just started following her pink friend to the bakery. Pinkie Pie quickly jumped in and held the door open for Rainbow Dash who slowly walked in. Upon entering, she was greeted with holiday chaos, not that she wasn’t expecting that. Presents were laying around on the floor and the bakery was filled with ponies. The smell of cinnamon and apples was everywhere. Rainbow looked around, the Cakes were rushing with all their orders.

“SOOO tell me! Who are you shopping for??” Pinkie Pie asked and continued jumping to the stairs that led to her room. Rainbow Dash thought about this for a moment, should she ask Pinkie to help or not, this could either become something good or a disaster. It’s not that she didn’t rely on her friend, but this is Pinkie Pie we’re talking about, who knows what weird things she could come up with.

“Applejack” Rainbow Dash said, slightly hesitating. There was no going back now. “But I’m sure I’ll find someth-

Her sentence was cut short by Pinkie Pie shoving her to the side and behind a counter in the kitchen. Pinkie gestured Rainbow Dash to be quiet and stay there. Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and did as told. She saw how Pinkie ran out of the hiding spot and suddenly let out a loud gasp.

“APPLEJACK! So glad you decided to visit Sugarcube Corner today! Whatcha looking for?” Pinkie Pie said happily. Rainbow Dash sat still behind the counter listening to their conversation.

“Oh uh, howdy Pinkie, ah came ‘ere to deliver these apples, heh, looks like ya have a lot of work today, this place is crowded” Applejack said and started walking toward the kitchen. Pinkie Pie rushed up in front of Applejack.

“WAIT, I’ll take them in for you!” Pinkie Pie said, trying to take the basket of apples away from Applejack.

“Aw shucks, nah ah’ can get ‘em in for ya” Applejack said. “There’s another basket outside, ya can take that one” she kept walking towards the door. Pinkie Pie quickly jumped towards Applejack and tackled her down to the floor, accidentally ending up in the kitchen. The apples flew out of the basket and scattered all over the kitchen floor.

“Pinkie WHAT in tarnati- Rainbow Dash?” Applejack stood up quickly, brushing off some dust and looked at her friend. Rainbow Dash flew up, rolling her eyes at Pinkie Pie.

“Ohh hey Applejack- I was just uh- helping Pinkie Pie sprinkle cupcakes-“ she said awkwardly. That was a terrible excuse, mostly because there were no cupcakes anywhere in the kitchen at the moment.

“No silly! There are no cupca-I MEAN, yes Applejack, she was helping me sprinkle cupcakes” Pinkie said, quickly gathering up all the apples and putting them back in the basket. Applejack raised an eyebrow and looked around, trying to figure out what cupcakes they were talking about. There were, as expected no cupcakes to be seen anywhere. Applejack was always able to tell when somepony was lying but she let it slip this time. She adjusted her hat and looked back at Rainbow Dash. She felt her heart race slightly, but she did her best to keep calm. The two looked at each other for a good moment without saying anything until Applejack cleared her voice in attempt to start a conversation.

“Soo…how has your luck with findin’ a present been?” Applejack asked, having no idea Rainbow Dash was having the exact same problem as her. Rainbow Dash thought for a moment, what was she supposed to say? Lie? That seemed like the fastest way to save herself at the moment, but it felt wrong. Sure, she’s been known for lying and making up excuses a lot of times but this time she just didn’t feel like it but she felt like she had no choice.

“Uhhh- “she started. “It’s going juust fine, not a problem at all, hehe, you know me, I’m pretty awesome at everything so finding a gift for someone isn’t a problem! Nope, not at all” she laughed nervously until she realized this would just make Applejack suspect something wasn’t right. “What about you?” she said, shifting the conversation over so she wouldn’t screw up more. That question led to Applejack’s eyes slightly widening for a split second. How was she going to answer to that?

“Well-“ she started. Suddenly Mrs. Cake rushed into the kitchen with the baby cakes running after her who were giggling cutely. Mrs. Cake was covered in cake batter and sprinkles and it was pretty easy to figure out how that happened since the baby cakes were holding a little bottle with sprinkles in it.

“Pinkie Pie?!” she gasped. “Help me with the twins, will you?” she grabbed a towel and cleaned herself off and then quickly ran back towards the counter where the ponies were waiting to say their order. Pinkie Pie laughed and took the sprinkles away from the baby cakes. Applejack sighed in relief, quietly so no one would notice and thanked Celestia for sending a distraction. She let out a small laugh and started to head towards the door that led out of the kitchen.

“Ah guess I’ll see ya later then, still got a lotta things to get done ‘n all” Applejack trotted out of the kitchen, giving Rainbow Dash a quick look before she left. Rainbow Dash smiled slightly as a reply to her farewell and looked around. She knew Pinkie Pie didn’t have more time to help her since she had to take care of the twins so she knew she had to come up with something else to do.

“I’ll be on my way now Pinkie, thanks for the offer but don’t worry…I’ll figure something out” she said as she went towards the exit. Pinkie Pie nodded and smiled.

“It will be okay, Rainbow! You’ll find something!” she said with a smirk. Rainbow Dash waved bye to her, exiting the bakery and up in the sky. Pinkie Pie thought to herself for a while. Her plan sadly didn’t work, but did Rarity really think it would? It was time for plan B but that was none of her business, that was all up to Rarity.

Applejack slowly walked through the crowd of ponies in Ponyville back to her farm, stopping slightly every time she passed a store to take a look at the things behind the display. Headphones, jewels, hats, jackets but were any of those things something Rainbow Dash would like? None of those things were even close to her awesomess. Yes, she had to admit Rainbow Dash was awesome, but that never stopped Applejack from competing against her. Applejack smiled a little, remembering that silly Iron Pony competition, why did she even give in on something silly as that? But in the end, it was a fun memory to have. She stopped in her tracks as she realized she had reached the farmhouse and headed inside.

Rainbow Dash flew around, close to the ground, still having hope for the perfect present she could give to Applejack. Little did she know that Rarity was spying from one of the bushes she just passed! Rarity knew this was her chance and quickly teleported in front of Rainbow Dash.

“Woah!” Rainbow Dash backed up at the unexpected appearance of Rarity. Rarity knew exactly what to do. But she had to start off slow, she had bring her to her boutique and then expose her secrets.

“Rainbow Dash! You better get over here and come with me this instant!” she said, pushing Rainbow in the direction of her boutique as she giggled.

“What the hay- Rarity, what?!” Rainbow Dash said, confused and flew up. She looked down at Rarity. “What are you doing??” she asked. Rarity rolled her eyes and dragged Rainbow Dash down by her tail.

“That’s it! Ready or not, you’re coming with me!” Rarity knew exactly what to do to bring Applejack and Rainbow Dash together. In fact, by the end of this Hearth’s Warming, there would be a cute, little, new couple.