What Your Heart Desires

by DbzOrDie

Rating: teen
Tags: Romance, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Main 6, Applejack, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Rainbow Dash
Length: 21228

Applejack unknowingly gets her heart's desire fulfilled. The Cutie Mark Crusaders may or may not be involved. How could this possibly go wrong?

The heart wants what the hearts wants, right? But what would happen if you never truly knew what your heart wanted? What's supposed to be a usual morning for Applejack quickly turns to chaos as she is left with three questions.

What happened to her?
How will she cope?
Why do the Cutie Mark Crusaders keep following her around?

A big thank you to Kutsune Risu for proofreading it and an even bigger thank you to Jackie for the astounding cover-art

Note: I won't be following the canon established by the S3 finale.

Published 2013-02-15 22:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2013-10-13 18:36:42 UTC

Trouble is Brewing

“Scootaloo, add that ground up Poison Joke now, be careful not to touch it though. Sweetie Belle, you just keep stirrin’ the potion, I’ll add the final ingredient.” And in went the final, heart-shaped ingredient. A small cloud of smoke erupted from it.

The three crusaders eyed the white substance with caution. After spending the entire afternoon finding the ingredients in the Everfree Forest and mixing them together in just the right way, it was finally done. The perfect Heart’s Desire potion.

“Are you sure about this?” Sweetie Belle nervously asked. She had reasons to doubt the plan. More often than not, their plans would go up in smoke, figuratively and literally.

“Of course she’s sure,” Scootaloo responded enthusiastically. Ever since she mastered the art of flying, she was even more convinced that every idea was a good idea. Yet, she still whispered, “You are sure, right, Apple Bloom?”

“Yup! Zecora told me she mixes Heart’s Desire with another potion so that the bad things from the plant don’t happen.”

Sweetie Belle didn’t look really convinced yet. “Just which bad effects are we talking about here?”

“Like when I got my cutie pox. I only wanted one, but I got lots of ‘em and I had to keep doing what they meant. With this potion, I would’ve gotten only one. One that I didn’t have to do all the time.”

Sweetie Belle still had a pondering look on her face, and Scootaloo’s burst of confidence was fading.

“How did you even manage to find out how the potion’s made? When we tried to get our potion-making cutie marks, it didn’t exactly work out.” Scootaloo shuddered with the memories of the explosion still clear in her mind.

“I saw it in that book Zecora used to find a cure for Poison Joke. The potion is actually named ‘Heart’s Desire Bad-Go-Away’. It wasn’t really that hard to find, it even uses milk as one of the ingredients.”

After a few seconds of silence, Sweetie Belle spoke up. “If that potion makes it work the right way, then why don’t we just use it to get our cutie marks?” Scootaloo’s face lit up as the possibility of an easy way to get a cutie mark became available.

“It’s because we don’t know what our cutie marks should be. The potion would give us a cutie mark, but we wouldn’t know if it was actually our special talent. But we can still use this potion and bring happiness to other ponies. Maybe that’s our special talent!”

A solid explanation like that seemed to remove any lingering doubts they had. After a short glance at each other, they all jumped up and shouted, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS HAPPINESS BRINGERS, YAY!!!”

After a short while, they made their way from their makeshift alchemy station towards Sweet Apple Acres, the three of them thinking of all the possible ways on how they could help the ponies around them.

“So, the potion still has to rest for a short while. I’ll keep it at my room and when it’s done, we’ll start lookin’ for our first customers.” Apple Bloom was almost giddy with excitement. She was certain that this would be their special talents, helping friends get what they wanted most. A cutie mark like that wouldn’t only show that they were grown fillies, but also that they were great friends.

It was a beautiful day. The park was full of ponies enjoying the sun, kids were playing outside, and even at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack wasn’t working for once. Well, she would be working if she wasn’t in an important conversation with Fluttershy.

For now, the two ponies were sitting outside, at the table that Big Mac had made once for a school assignment. The chairs had been crafted by Apple Bloom out of boredom. Stacks of hay to sit on weren’t usually that comfortable. The sun was shining down on them as one of them responded.

“Honestly Fluttershy, I don’t see why y’all are lookin’ to rid the cows of their fear of snakes. It’s natural. Like Rainbow’s stagefright, and your fear of... well, everythin’. Hay, even I get a mite silly sometimes when I walk through the orchard in the dark,” said Applejack as she calmly sipped her coffee. There was nothing like a good cup of coffee to drown out any lingering drowsiness from getting up early. Sure, she hardly needed it, but better safe than sorry.

“Oh, I know, Applejack, but I’m just so worried. What if they get scared again and start another stampede? They might hurt themselves, or run into other ponies.”

“Don’t you worry, Mooira knows to stay clear from grazing spots with snakes from now on. She knows what she’s doin’.”

“But what if a new family of snakes just recently moved in? They would run into each other after a while.” Fluttershy obviously had given this a lot of thought.

Applejack considered that particular problem. She fidgeted a bit with her Stetson before she finally replied, “Well, I guess I can send word to Mooira to keep an eye out for snakes. She knows how to deal with ‘em and might get them away before the others spot them. Speakin’ of cows, I’m gonna go get some milk with my coffee, ya’ want some?”

“Oh yes, that would be lovely. I’ll also talk to some of the local snakes, maybe they know if there are others around Daisy Jo’s herd and they can keep an eye out as well.”

Applejack headed inside and removed her Stetson. A hat was handy for when the sun was shining, but on a hot day like this, it was way too hot to wear it inside. AJ opened the refrigerator, letting the cold air soothe her skin a bit.

Now where’s that milk? I swear we just got a brand new bottle... I bet Apple Bloom has it, that little filly drinks it like there’s no tomorrow. AJ thought to herself as she closed the refrigerator.

Applejack grudgily made her way up the stairs. Every time a bottle of milk went missing, there was a 50/50 chance that it was still in Apple Bloom’s room. It seemed like she did it for the sole purpose of making Applejack run up to her room to demand it back.

Applejack knocked a few times on the door to her room. “Apple Bloom, get out of there. I know you got the last bit of milk! Mooriella just brought a fresh bottle yesterday.”

No response came. Applejack, too frustrated to consider waiting a bit longer or knock a second time, decided to just enter the room.

She opened the door and immediately felt cold air wash over her like a reinvigorating shower. Apple Bloom’s room was always the coldest during the summer. Ever since Twilight found out that Apple Bloom could hardly sleep with this heat, it took one simple enchantment to keep her room nice and slightly chilled during the rising temperatures. It took more than a few puppy-faces and some chore-giving to convince AJ that it was necessary, but now she was overwhelmed by how good it felt.

“Apple Bloom, you in here?” Applejack called to an empty room. AJ, not one to simply give up in the face of defeat, decided to look around the room a bit.

And there, like some unguarded treasure, she found the milk sitting on one of the numerous shelves in the room. As AJ looked around to see if Apple Bloom hadn’t returned in the meanwhile, she failed to notice bubbles rising in the white liquid for a few seconds, only for it to return back to normal by the time she cast her gaze back towards the cup.

Now why would she keep it in a cup instead of the bottle? oh well, it’s mine now. thought Applejack as she hastily took the cup and hurried out of the room before anyone spotted her committing petty theft.

Making sure to grab a spoon while passing the kitchen, she made her way back outside, trusty Stetson back on her head and milk in one hoof, towards the table where she and Fluttershy were sitting. Fluttershy was busy talking to Winona, probably asking her if she’d been healthy or something. “Sorry ya had to wait so long, one particular overeager filly had taken the last bit of milk back to her room... again.”

“Oh, that’s ok. Winona kept me company,” Fluttershy assured her. Winona just barked happily and ran off again as her owner sat back at the table.

“So, how much milk do you want? A little? A lot? I’m thinking about taking quite a bit of milk myself.”

“A little bit should be fine,” said Fluttershy as she moved her coffee closer to the orange pony wielding the cup. Applejack deposited the milk as she poured nearly half of it in her own cup. She stirred her coffee a bit, letting the milk mix entirely with it.

“So how’s Rarity these days? I’ve rarely seen her ever since you two got hitched together,” Applejack said as she sat down and took a big sip of her cup, and immediately wished she hadn’t. “BLARGH, what’s wrong with that coffee?! Tastes like it’s been made by Discord!”

She desperately tried to spit out the drink she had swallowed but had no success with it.

“Applejack, is everything alright? My coffee tastes fi-” As Fluttershy took a tiny sip from her coffee, she too noticed the peculiar taste. She did, however, manage to swallow everything as to not offend Applejack, who had generously offered the beverage in the first place. “See? T-t-there’s nothing wrong with it.”

“I don’t know about yours but there is no way I’m drinkin’ this. Somethin’ must be wrong with that milk.”

As Applejack went to throw her coffee away, Fluttershy quickly deposited her coffee on the ground. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her. I just hope the grass will be fine.

By the time AJ returned, Fluttershy was grinning sheepishly, with an empty cup in front of her.

“Now then sugarcube, if there aint anythin’ else you wanted to ask, I’m gonna go and lie down a bit. I’ve gotten dizzy all of a sudden.”

“Oh, that’s alright Applejack, I’m getting rather dizzy myself as well. Erm.. not that’s it’s your fault in any way,” she added quickly. “I’m probably getting a cold from that storm yesterday.”

She thought back to that horrible weather. Her animals were terrified by the lightning.

Fluttershy did look a bit ill. Although dizziness wasn’t usually a symptom of a cold, with Fluttershy, nopony could ever be sure. Whenever she was sick, she always got the worst case of the illness.

“I’ll see ya later, then. Be sure to keep warm, it’ll cure that cold just fine,” Applejack said as Fluttershy turned to leave.

Fluttershy offered her goodbyes as well before she headed towards her small cottage. On her way back to the farm, AJ suddenly got a sharp pain in her back, intense, as if something was trying to burst out of it. The pain faded after a few seconds, and Applejack just wrote it off as some pain from working too hard.

As Applejack neared the farm, she swore she could hear the door to Apple Bloom’s room open and close again.

She must’ve just gotten home. She thought to herself.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” a shout bellowed from her room. Apple Bloom ran down the stairs just as Applejack headed inside. “Applejack, Applejack, have you seen my po-”

“Why yes, I’ve seen the milk that you kept in your room. It’s bad manners to hog it and keep it all for yourself. You also need to be careful - that milk was clearly spoiled, judgin’ from the taste.”

“What are you talkin’ about? I put the mi.... Wait, you drank it?!” Apple Bloom asked with a growing look of terror on her face.

“Of course I did, you know I drink milk with my coffee,” Applejack responded swiftly, although she didn’t quite get why Apple Bloom looked as if she just saw a ghost. “Of course, if a certain filly is gonna keep takin’ all the milk then I might need to chain it to the fridge.”

The look on Apple Bloom’s face shifted from terror to apprehension. “Wait, so you’re tellin’ me that you drank from it and it tasted terrible. Besides that, everythin’s still fine?”

Maybe it was just her mind getting hazy because of her dizziness, but Apple Bloom appeared to be smiling. “Well, I’m feelin’ a bit dizzy and all, but I reckon that’s from workin’ in the sun all mornin’.”

Apple Bloom quickly caught on to the fact that is was likely to be an effect of the Heart’s Desire potion. Applejack didn’t need to know this, however. “You are absolutely right, sis. Maybe you should take a break.”

“Well, I was gonna, until you came down screamin' like your room was on fire. I didn’t know your milk meant that much to ya”

“Um... yeah, you know how important it is to drink healthy, and Mooriella always brings real good milk," said Apple Bloom as she was getting a bit nervous, tiny drops of sweat appearing on her forehead. "I'll just head off now and let Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle know how important it is.”

Before AJ could respond, Apple Bloom hastily ran off towards the clubhouse. Applejack didn’t miss a beat. Her sister’s poker face was terrible, only rivaled by her own. She's up to somethin', bet I'll get a angry mob at the door sooner or later.

Those were concerns for later, however, as the dizziness gradually became worse. She managed to stumble into bed before she finally fainted.

"No, Scootaloo, we're not gonna slip ponies Heart’s Desire drops when they're not looking," Sweetie Belle exclaimed in protest.

"Oh c'mon, why not? We could be like Mare-Do-Well! We'd give everypony what they want and nopony would know who did it... until we unveil our awesome cutie marks that is," Scootaloo said with a grin.

"We're sticking to the original plan. We ask ponies if they want to take it.”

"Awww, but that's so boring! We could at lea-”

"Crusaders, we have a problem! My sister drank the potion!" Apple Bloom yelled as she kicked the door of the clubhouse open. "She said she was feelin’ dizzy when I saw her."

"Wait, does that mean that the potion's no good?” Scootaloo asked, a whole lot less enthusiastic.

"I don't rightly know. I mean, we don't know how Zecora's potion worked for the rooster," Apple Bloom replied as she searched her memory for possible mistakes while creating the potion.

Sweetie Belle still had a grin on her face. "Girls, you know what this calls for? Investigating!"

A short glance indicating it was time yet again. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS APPLEJACK’S HEART’S DESIRE INVESTIGATORS! YAY!!!”

"That might've been a bit too much of a mouthful."

"How 'bout Cutie Mark Crusaders Investigators?"

"That'll work."

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS INVESTIGATORS! YAY!!!"

Awakening Desires

Authors Note: This fic will ignore the Season 3 finale and will continue to do so for its entire duration.

The day was long and full for Rarity. Get up at six, make some breakfast, leave for the Carousel
Boutique to work on her dresses, and get back home around dinnertime.

As Rarity was shaking the drowsiness from her head, she turned to the lump on the other side of the bed. “Fluttershy, darling, are you awake? You hadn’t come home yesterday and you had me worried… Fluttershy?”

Rarity slid back the sheets to expose Fluttershy’s side of the bed, unslept in and still tidy. Rarity frowned upon this discovery. It was known that Fluttershy sometimes stayed with sick animals that she couldn’t bring home with her, but usually she’d let Rarity know she was not coming home that night.

Someone had to take care of her animals when Rarity left for work, however. Rarity walked to Angel’s basket and gave it a small shove. The white bunny, clearly annoyed at being woken up so early, gave her a glare.

“Angel, I’m counting on you to keep the animals fed. Fluttershy didn’t come home last night and I have to go to work. Can you handle that?”

Angel made some angry gestures before crawling back in his basket. Rarity knew that it was Angel’s way of saying ‘forget it.’

Rarity, however, had ways to make Angel behave. “Angel, do you know what I do for a living?”
A paw pointed out from the basket towards the dresses that hung in the closet.

“Exactly, and I can make clothes in any size. I could even make them so small that they could fit a bunny. You don’t want me to come home with a bunny-sized dress, do you?”

That definitely got Angel’s attention. Angel stood up from his basket and gave Rarity a solid salute.

Satisfied that her wife’s animals were taken care of, Rarity went downstairs to have breakfast.

Applejack awoke the next morning feeling exhausted, despite sleeping for twenty hours. As soon as she got to her hooves, she noticed that she felt heavier somehow. She also had a strange urge to start flexing her back muscles. As AJ looked outside to see where the sun stood, only then did she realize exactly how long she slept.

"What in 'tarnation? Why didn't Big Mac or Granny wake me?" she muttered to herself. Applejack quickly made her way outside to continue her apple bucking from the previous day only to find the trees surprisingly empty.

"That big lug, his sister falls asleep and he thinks he needs to do all my work himself. He has a heart big ‘nough for that huge body," she said with a smile.

Realizing that her entire day just cleared up, she made her way back inside to freshen up a bit. Every step she made was accentuated by her extra weight. She went into the bathroom, past the mirror, and towards the shower. Something didn't sit quite right, though. When she caught a glance at herself in the mirror, she noticed she looked a bit bigger... wider perhaps. Determined to get a better look on how sleeping somehow made her pack on five pounds, she turned around to face the mirror.

"What a nice day for a walk," Twilight said to herself as she made her way across Ponyville. She had an appointment at Sweet Apple Acres, however, so she didn't have time to dilly-dally.

Twilight made her way through the East orchard - the one with the unripe apples - and moved towards the North fields where Applejack was supposed to be working. Except she wasn't; all the trees were bucked, but there was no Applejack in sight.

As Twilight was nearing the farm, she heard a shout from inside. Quickly running in, she made her way to the bathroom to find it locked.

"Applejack, are you ok?" she asked, not wanting to disturb her privacy.

"I-I’m fine, there's no reason to come in. I'm just dandy," came the nervous response from inside.

Twilight could tell AJ was lying and knew that postponing problems only created more problems.
"Applejack, you know that you sound as unconvincing as your face looks when you’re lying. Just let me in before whatever’s troubling you gets worse."

Although her subconscious was yelling at her to never show interesting things to Twilight for some vague reason she didn't remember, she filed that thought away for now. "Promise you won't freak out?"

"AJ, I'll give you a medal if you find something that gets me to freak out after all these years in Ponyville. Now get out of there and sho-"

Applejack opened the door and Twilight fell silent. Of all the things Twilight had anticipated, she didn’t expect AJ to step out of the bathroom with a pair of wings bunched up against her side. The wings were orange, just like her coat but they looked thin, less healthy than most.

Applejack was getting nervous due to the silence. Surely Twilight was starting to freak out.

Applejack feared this would happen - now Twilight would run through Ponyville shouting about a winged, earth-pony freak.

After a few seconds of silence, Applejack got the courage to look Twilight in the face. There wasn't a trace of the shock she expected to find, there was only... enthusiasm.

"Applejack, you have wings?!! This is amazing. We'll have to do tests, experiments, maybe have a doctor look at you afterwards," Twilight rambled, getting more eager with every word.

Oh buck. Suddenly, AJ knew why keeping weird things away from Twilight was so important.
Once Twilight had a chance to learn something, there's nothing you could do to snap her out of it. Not without a lot of shouting at least.

After magically getting her wings concealed so they didn't attract unwanted attention, something Twilight had no time for, Applejack grudgingly made her way with Twilight to the library for an afternoon of testing.

“Goody.”

A short distance away, Fluttershy was slowly awaking. She had lain down at a tree when her dizziness became too much to handle. She usually slept in anyway, so combine that with the exhausting effects of the potion, you get an awakening near the brink of midday.

Fluttershy's thoughts were hazy as she shook her head. She knew she should usually be worried about her animal friends, but now she just felt as if the unexpected nap just took a load off of her mind.

As Fluttershy got to her hooves, she noticed something strange. She could feel the ground moving, which usually meant...

"Earthquake!!" she yelled as loud as she could and jumped for cover.

After a few minutes of cowering below her hooves, she realized that the sounds of things breaking and animals shrieking in despair never came. Looking around confirmed her suspicion, there wasn't an earthquake. But then, what made the ground move?

Fluttershy slowly got up and placed her hoof on the ground, immediately feeling the ground moving again. Upon closer inspection she noticed that it didn't feel like an earthquake. It felt more like a small consistent pulsing wave that made its way throughout the entire landscape.

Setting her other hooves fully on the ground, she felt the pulse even stronger, like the heartbeat of the ground under her, reaching out to her, letting her feel through it.

As the shock of this discovery wore down, her mind broke through the fog of contentedness.

My animals!! Without wasting any more time, she quickly galloped to her cottage on the edge of the Everfree forest.

Quickly making her way home, she noticed that all the animals were fed and taken care of. Quite a few animals were staring at her, one in particular sprung out. Angel, her trusty bunny, rushed over to her in panic and kept pointing at her back.

“Thank you, Angel, for taking care of them while I was gone. With Rarity leaving in the morning to work at her boutique and me being away, I hoped you’d help them. You deserve an extra belly rub," Fluttershy said, completely oblivious to Angel's hand gestures.

Angel wouldn't let anyone else know this, but Fluttershy's belly rubs were a gift from heaven. Since he obviously couldn't convince Fluttershy that there was something wrong with her, he decided to just ignore it and started preparing himself for his reward.

Fluttershy sat down on her sofa to rest from the slow trot to her house. She was surrounded by all the photos of her and Rarity together from the times as friends, lovers, and the current ongoing series, spouses. Fluttershy sighed in contentment. As she got up, she realized that she hadn’t taken a shower yet.

Fluttershy made her way to the bathroom. Her coat was full of sand and grass from sleeping outside and she couldn't go out looking like this. She turned on the warm water and stepped in with a bar of soup in her mouth. As she was soaping herself in, she noticed something. Or rather, she noticed the absence of something. She slowly turned her head to her back, and then she saw it. Where once her gentle, yellow wings rested was now occupied by nothing else but air.

She wanted to scream, to shout in panic, but a gentle smile made its way to her face. She had a suspicion of what the strange 'heart-beat' that she felt through the ground was. Having no wings meant one of two things: either she was now a pegasus without wings, or the likelier theory, she changed from a pegasus to an Earth pony. The strange feeling the ground had could've just been Earth pony magic, only as the instantly strong feeling of an adult than having the magic increase over time as she’d grow up.

She dried herself and ran back outside, determined to find proof that she had indeed turned into an Earth pony. As soon as her hooves came into contact with the ground right outside the cottage, she felt the special connection between her and the Earth reconnect itself. With every step she took, she felt her hooves discharge a small amount, a burst if you will, of magic. This burst made its way to the plants and the trees around her and then retraced its movement back to Fluttershy. Finally, she could do what she always wanted, literally be 'in touch' with the Earth.

As they got to the library, Twilight was already blabbering about various things, "... and this completely disproves Darwing's theory of pony evolution. This is a one in a lifetime study opportunity."

Applejack was surrounded by a variety of machines from heart-beat sensors and x-ray scanners, to magic detectors and brain-wave readers. Twilight had wasted no time in getting Applejack to her laboratory and bringing out the 'good' equipment.

Twilight attached the various machines with vigor, despite a few complaints like ‘That’s cold!’ or ‘You aint puttin’ that on me, Twilight’.

After everything was all primed and ready to go, Twilight made her way back to the master panel, pressed a few buttons, and let the machinery spring to life.

A mass of sounds filled the room for a few minutes. Applejack got more anxious by the second, until all the machines stopped and returned to their starting positions. A long sheet of paper was being printed next to Twilight.

Twilight was mumbling to herself as she checked all the results. "Heart-rate is fine, although a little stressed; pegasi wing-bones fully developed and anatomically accurate; Earth-pony magic output still active, Pegasi wings output slightly active. Brain waves show irritation of subject."

"Twi, you know I got a lot of patience, but could you kindly hurry up? All these magic doohickeys are freaking me out," AJ said, trying to force herself to stand completely still for accurate readings.

"Everything checks out fine so I don't see a reason to keep you strapped in any longer. You still need a full body scan before you leave though," Twilight said in a most professional manner. "But about your wings, can you move them?"

"You know, I actually haven't tried that yet. You dragged me here right when I found out I had 'em," AJ said with a chuckle.

Applejack tried to get her wings to move. To an outside observer, it just looked like she was flexing her back and trying to shake her wings awake.

Twilight levitated up a copy of Fly Like The Pegasi. "It says here that you should try and feel your wings before trying to move them. You should feel them resting on your back, and then trace that feeling to the base of the wings."

Applejack stopped her movements and calmed down. Her frantic moving without result had gotten her worked up a bit. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on just feeling the wings resting on her back.

She took a deep breath and concentrated on moving her wings, not her back.

AJ's wings twitched a bit and slowly they unfolded. AJ never fully realized just how big her wings actually were until she saw them fully spread like that. They were smaller than Dash's but bigger than most of the wings of the pegasi that lived in Ponyville.

"Ok, in the book, it says that that's called the ‘wing awakening.’ It happens when a foal, or in this case a fully grown mare, uses her wings for the first time." Twilight was looking through the book very thoroughly. A quill and notepad was levitating behind her, rapidly taking notes.

Applejack was getting all tingly through her wings. Blood was rapidly rushing through the veins that led into them. As the tingly feeling reached the top, she felt like she could control every part of her wings.
"Oh boy, that was a doozy."

As twilight looked on, she could see how AJ's wings grew slightly thicker as the blood flowed through them. The muscles of the wings were pushed outwards, putting them more on the surface like normal wings. And muscly they were. "I don't know how you got those wings, but they look as if you’ve been born with them. Those must be some of the most developed flight-muscles I've ever seen."

"I reckon I need all those muscles to lift me from the ground," AJ added after having a good look of her wings herself. A smug, proud look decorated her face. "Those there wings feel almost as strong as my bucking legs."

Twilight was still looking in amazement at AJ's wings. A polite cough snapped her out of it. "Wuh? Oh, right, can you fly a bit? I'd like to see those wings in action under the strain of keeping its owner in the air."

"Uh, sure, I guess. I'm not sure I can keep it up for long though." AJ fluttered her wings a bit before slowly moving them in an up-and-down motion. Convinced she got the basic movements down, she increased the speed and power of her flapping. Applejack was trying with all her strength but yet she couldn't get herself even an inch into the air. After a few minutes she collapsed, completely exhausted. "I guess my wings aren't strong enough yet."

"I don't get it. I've seen bigger Pegasi fly around with smaller wings than that. It should be simple for you," she said as she was flipping pages through her book. "And the book doesn't mention anything about Pegasi not being able to fly."

Applejack looked a bit disappointed before quickly composing herself. "Hey now, I 'aint lookin' to fly, I just want to get rid of these things so I can go on with my work as a plain Earth pony, not as a freak with wings." AJ emphasized her annoyance with a glare at her wings.

Twilight's face lightened up with that statement. "I'm sure I can help you with that, you did the right thing coming to me about that."

"Uh, Twi, you dragged me here."

"...Anyhow, let me just do that body scan of you. I should have results in an hour or two and you can get back to me then. You can count on me to find a solution to your feathered problem," Twilight said with a giggle.

Her face scrunched up in concentration as she cast a purple glow on Applejack. A few seconds of the light examining every bit of AJ's body and it was done. "There, now I just have to process the data I gathered and it’ll be done. You can go now, those wings shouldn't hinder you with your usual work around the farm."

"Can't you do the magic thing that makes them invisible again? I don't want everyone to freak out when they see me." As AJ finished her statement, she found herself with her mouth near her wings, almost aching to preen them. With a small pop, she plucked the feather out that had been bothering her ever since she had moved her wings.

"I'm sorry, Applejack. Performing so many magic spells in a short time can be a little overwhelming for a unicorn. I fear that if I tried to do it now, you could get some terrible side-effects," she finished with a sad look.

Applejack quickly realized that Twilight felt bad for this. "Now there, sugarcube, don't you worry one
bit. I'm sure I can handle one day with everypony knowin' I have wings. You just focus on getting them away and that'll make it worth it."

"Of course, Applejack, I'll see you in two hours. Have a safe trip," Twilight said with a wave.

AJ gave a short wave back and stepped outside. Luckily nopony was in sight... except Sweetie Belle who was hiding in a bush, pretending she wasn't looking at Applejack. AJ ignored her and made her way to Sweet Apple Acres.

Meanwhile, near the edge of the Everfree forest, a newly turned Earth-pony was having the time of her life. Fluttershy had been practicing her 'nature magic' as she called it, ever since she realized what had happened to her. She felt as if she knew every tree, every bush, even every bit of grass that surrounded her house, as if they were old friends.

Fluttershy was also discovering the practical applications of her magic. Around lunch time, she saw an apple tree and her stomach rumbled loudly to let her know that she hadn't had breakfast. Normally, she would've usually just flown up to get one of the fruits, that option was now out the window. Fluttershy thought that maybe she could ask her 'friend' for one of its apples. Slowly raising her hoof and placing it on the tree-trunk with caution, she felt the same magic-pulse from earlier move through the tree.

Fluttershy frowned, she was sure that the tree would be willing to help her out. As she turned around, a large 'thud' filled her ears. At the base of the tree lay two apples, freshly fallen from the tree.

She hastily ate the apples and looked at the tree with awe. She raised her hoof again and this time, made sure to hit the tree with a solid kick, or whatever could be considered a kick for Fluttershy. The same pulse originated from her again, only stronger this time. Fluttershy kept her hoof on the tree and felt how the wave washed over the apples. Soon after, five more apples fell through the ground.

Gently caressing the tree as a ‘thank you,’ she picked up the apples and made her way back towards her cottage.

She made sure to give Angel her promised, patented 'turn animals to putty in your hooves' belly rub before she went to prepare dinner for that evening.

"Alright Crusaders, what do you have to report about Applejack?" The CMC were gathered back at the tree house. Scootaloo started talking as soon as they sat down.

"When I came home, she was sleepin'. Right before lunchtime, I heard her shout from the farm all the way to the back orchards. I just got out of there as quick as I could, 'cause maybe she figured out what we did," Apple Bloom said, the terror from facing Applejack still visible on her face.

"What exactly did we do? I haven't seen AJ all day," Scootaloo asked.

"I can answer that question," Sweetie Belle said proudly. "Applebloom, your sister... she has wings!!"

Apple Bloom responded in disbelief, "My sis? The most Earth-poniest Earth-pony around... her secret desire was to have wings?"

"Yup, I saw her come out of Twilight's place a while ago, with her wings against her side. You should have seen them. They had so many muscles on them." Sweetie Belle was making wide exaggerations with her hooves about how big her wing-muscles were.

Scootaloo was excited. "Really? She has wings? Awesome!!! Maybe she can fly with me and Rainbow Dash some time."

More than anything else, Scootaloo was happy to have found an adult pony who undoubtly would fly worse than her. Maybe I can show off my moves.

"Crusaders, I think this needs more investigation. If the potion worked, then Applejack should've been happy when she got wings, right?" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom nodded.

"Well, when I saw her coming from the library, she looked anything but happy. I can't tell for sure but I think she doesn't like her wings," Sweetie belle concluded.

Scootaloo quickly pitched in, "Apple Bloom, you go back home and see if she's there and find out what you can. Sweetie Belle, ask Twilight what AJ was there for. I'll ask Rainbow Dash for advice."

"You're just sayin' that so you’ll have an excuse to visit Rainbow again." Nothing escaped Apple Bloom.

"Um, yeah... Gottagoseeyoulater!" And with that, Scootaloo rushed off.

Both remaining ponies just shrugged, said their goodbyes, and parted ways. Apple Bloom headed towards Sweet Apple Acres and Sweetie Belle made her way to the library.

Spreading Her Wings

Applejack was glad she was finally home. The walk home had been filled with tension. Every pony she met cast a stare at her wings and just continued to stare. A green unicorn even shouted something along the lines of 'can you give me hands?’. Needless to say, Applejack was perhaps more freaked out than everyone that met her. As soon as she had moved out of sight, she started running to Sweet Apple Acres.

Tense or not, Applejack still had a job to do. While Big Mac might've cleared all her work for the morning, she still had to put everything in place for bucking the East orchard in two days. She grabbed the first few baskets and went to put them under the trees.

After about an hour of working, she noticed Apple Bloom approaching from the side. Applejack slowed down her work and prepared her ears for the onslaught of questions that was sure to come.

"Sis, how come you have wings? Are you what they call a pegasister now? Can you still buck trees? What did granny say? Can I get wings too? Can I MPHMPH..."

Applejack had plugged Apple Bloom's mouth with her hoof. "Easy there, sugarcube. Take a big breath." AJ took her hoof of off Apple Bloom's mouth as she inhaled. "Now then, what did you wanna ask? One question at a time."

"What happened? You didn't have wings yesterday." Apple Bloom was hoping that there was a logical explanation for this. Surely, getting wings couldn't possibly be the thing she wanted most.

"I don't rightly know, sugarcube. I woke up like this, fully feathered and all." Applejack left out the part where she nearly bucked the legs from underneath her when she noticed her wings.

Realizing that the wings were likely an effect of the potion, she decided to ask for clarification. "Applejack, are you happy with those wings?"

"Of course I'm not happy!! These here wings don't do nothin' else but weigh down on my back and get in the way with work," responded AJ with anger in her voice. "Why? Do I look like I'm happy?!"

"No reason, just asking," Apple Bloom responded quickly. Looking for the right subject to divert the conversation, she asked, "I heard you were over at Twilight's. What did she say?"

Applejack took the bait without question. "She wanted to do some of them wacky experiments. She's tryin' to figure out how I got these wings." Applejack smiled at the thought of getting rid of her wings soon.

"Are you still connected to the Earth? Aren't you one of them pegasi now?" Apple Bloom asked. If AJ had lost her Earth magic, then hard times would surely befall Sweet Apple Acres.

"I think Twilight's machine said somethin' like, that I'm still putting out Earth pony magic, along with that magic that comes from them wings. I figure I'm an... uh... an Earth-pegasus now."

Applejack looked slighty happier. She hadn't paid attention to the fact that she could still feel the flow underneath the earth. The misery of having wings seemed lessened already.

"That's great, I bet you're all flyin' and bucking all day long."

"Well actually, sugarcube, about that..."

Before AJ could say anything else, a blue-colored dot rapidly approached from the sky and grinded to a halt right next to Applejack.

"Oh my gosh, Applejack, it is true. You really have wings now!" Rainbow Dash was shouting like a giddy schoolfilly. “This is so awesome. We can fly together, I could teach you some of my tricks... You could even bring your apples to me when I'm too lazy.”

"Uh... Dash, not to burst your bubble here, but... I ain’t flyin' anytime soon. I'm too heavy for these wings to get me of the ground." Applejack made a few flaps with her wings to prove her point.

Dash's face switched to confusion, then understanding.

"Of course, you wouldn't know about that, nobody taught you. I wonder if the same prinicples would apply," Dash muttered to herself. "AJ, tell you what? I'll teach you to fly. I won't let any potentional awesomness get wasted," Dash said with vigor

"Wait just a goldarn minute. How did ya even know I had wings? I haven't seen you all day."

"Oh, that. Scootaloo told me just a few minutes ago," Dash said with a wave of her hoof.

"Did she now?" AJ said as she silently muttered. "I wonder who else knew about this..."

As AJ looked to her left, all that remained was a filly shaped cloud caused by Apple Bloom running off.

Dash remained oblivious to the sudden absence of Apple Bloom.

"Yup, I taught her to fly as well, so getting you up in the sky should be a breeze. I can see that you've already had your awakening, so obviously you have access to Pegasi magic," Dash said whilst carefully inspecting AJ's wings. "Oh, this is going to be so awesome. I've always wanted to fly with some other pony that knows the thrill of a challenge."

Applejack thought it might be best not to mention that she was not that thrilled about having wings. Still, the prospect of spending an afternoon with Dash sounded like a really good time.

Applejack wanted to remind herself that she still had a lot of work to do, preparing the orchard, but as she saw Dash standing there, so excited to teach her, she just couldn't say no. "Alright, Rainbow, I guess you can teach me, if you really think you can get me in the air."

"Are you kidding, AJ? Getting you in the air will be easier than getting Pinkie to have fun. Especially with such an awesome teacher as me," Dash said with a grin.

"So then, where will you be givin' me my lessons? I reckon there 'aint a lot of space around the orchard to learn to fly."

Dash thought for a few seconds. "I got it, meet me at that big hill in the park in ten minutes. You know, the one where we sometimes hang out. I have to take care of a few things first." Wiith that, Dash flew off.

AJ's mind was already filling with visions of herself flying over the orchard, bucking trees twice as fast as she could run. Of course, Rainbow would be there, too, waiting for AJ to get done so they could go flying together. AJ bottled in her enthusiasm for now and left for the park.

"C'mon, Twilight, tell me what Applejack was here for."

"For the last time, Sweetie Belle, even if I wanted to, Applejack clearly wants to keep a lid on this. Now leave me alone. Processing this much data takes a lot of focus." Twilight's patience was running thin. Ever since Sweetie Belle had arrived, she'd been asking questions about Applejack non-stop.

"Maybe I can help? Rarity said the last time I helped, I did a good job," Sweetie Belle stated proudly.

Twilight took a deep breath to calm her nerves. "Sorry, Sweetie Belle, there is nothing you can do to help here and I won't speak a word about Applejack."

Her face hanging in defeat, Sweetie Belle went back to the clubhouse to wait for the rest of the Crusaders. I sure hope they are having more luck than me.

When Applejack arrived at the hill, she saw Rainbow sitting there, waiting for her, with her coach cap on and Scootaloo by her side.

"Good, you're here. Do you mind that I brought Scoots with me? She really wanted to see how your first lesson would go." Rainbow gave Scootaloo a noogie as she said it.

"Uh sure, but I don't think she can expect much for my first try."

Scootaloo winced upon hearing this. Rainbow gave her a nuzzle as she responded, "Look, Applejack, you're exactly where Scootaloo was a few years ago. Inexperienced, unable to fly, and without any confidence."

Scootaloo returned the nuzzle as she followed up. "Whatever you think about wing-size and how they get you in the air is wrong. Some ponies from my class used to make me believe that as well. That I couldn't fly with these tiny wings." Scootaloo frowned at the mental trip down memory lane. She didn’t like to be reminded of her past problems with bullies.

Rainbow put her cap on Scootaloo, for which she looked grateful, and responded, "AJ, how the wings look hasn't got squat to do with getting in the air. If Scoots had had someone to teach her how to reach out to the magic in the air, then she would've been airborne ever since her first lesson. It's not a physical matter, AJ. It's a magical thing."

"What do you mean? All I see are these bulky wings and them bein' unable to get me in the air." AJ was still trying to process all that Rainbow was telling her.

"AJ, can you feel the wind around you?"

"'Course I can, it's quite windy outside, you know.”

Rainbow flashed a grin before continuing. "Now focus on your wings. Can you feel the wind there?"

Applejack spread her wings completely and concentrated on her wings. "Well, I feel the wind, but I feel somethin' else as well, somethin' that makes my wings all tingly."

"That, AJ, hold on to that!" Dash shouted. "You're feeling the magic that flows through the air. Only ponies with wings can feel it, and we use our wings to float on that magic stream."

Rainbow gave Scootaloo a small nudge, and Scootaloo continued on, "You have to try and grab that part of the air and bring it under your wings. Let it push you in the air with every flap you make."

Scootaloo moved away from Rainbow. "Here, I'll show you."

"Okay, this is how not to do it," said Scootaloo as she was making rapid flaps with her wings. "Now, the first time will be the hardest but you'll do fine, I'm sure. Just do what I do."

Scootaloo and AJ spread their wings to their fullest, and Scootaloo began flapping her wings without getting in the air yet. As AJ copied her, Scootaloo went on, "Focus on all the air you're pushing away. Search in that air for the part that feels as if it belongs with you. It'll give you that tingly feeling again."

Scootaloo gave one more flap and immediately she was in the air.

AJ closed her eyes in concentration as she searched the wind. She felt the tingly feeling spread, as if her whole wing was getting itchy. Her wings had nearly stopped moving when she suddenly gave one big flap. With this, she was able to levitate herself a few feet off the ground. Applejack opened her eyes and saw the ground was farther away from her than usual.

"I'm doin' it, I'm doin' it!" Applejack cheered, until she stopped her wings and fell back to the ground.

"You remind me of my first time," said Scootaloo as she looked at AJ with pride.

Rainbow gave Scootaloo a hug as she said, "Couldn't have done it better myself, Scoots. I bet someday you'll be a teacher in flight school."

Rainbow turned to Applejack, who was sitting on the ground from exhaustion, and said, "That was awesome, you'll be flying at top speeds in no time."

Applejack wheezed and panted as she got her breathing back under control. "I didn't know that flying could be so tiresome."

"AJ, you've had those wings for what, a day? And you learned to move them and to fly with them all in that same day. Even I would be tired after a session like that."

Applejack stared at Rainbow with disbelief so Rainbow went on. "Tomorrow, you should be able to fly as if you've always been able to fly. I guess your body just needs get used to feeling the air."

"I'm lookin' forward to it. But if you don't mind, I gotta go. I'm supposed to meet Twilight soon.”

"That's cool, Scoots and I still have to practice our tricks anyway. See you tomorrow?"

"Definitely, I can't wait to get flyin'. See y'all later." With a short wave, she left and headed towards the library.

It was near dinnertime when Rarity finally got home. Seeing that every animal was taken care of, she gave Angel a small pat on the head and made her way to the kitchen where Fluttershy was cooking.

"Hmm, to come home to that smell, you definitely know how to spoil a mare," Rarity said as she pulled Fluttershy in for a kiss. "Can I ask you something, darling? Why are you wearing that big, green sweater?"

"Um, it was chilly inside?" Fluttershy tried her best to not look Rarity in the eyes and focus on her cooking.

"Dear, it's as if Celestia herself put the sun in our house. There's something you're not telling me. Is it a stain? A smudge? A mark that's hard to remove?!" Rarity began inspecting Fluttershy's sweater for any traces of dirt.

Fluttershy quickly pulled away. "Oh no, I'm j-just... sick. Yes, that's it, I have a cold."

"Fluttershy, darling, do you remember what our wedding vows were?"

"Uh, to love eachother, to care for eachother... to stay truthful to eachother-"

"Darling, what you're doing now isn't very truthful, is it? Franky, I'm appalled that you think you have to hide things from me," Rarity said with mock drama in her voice. "It's okay, you can trust me. Whatever you think is so horrible that you need to hide it from me, I'll deal with it."

Fluttershy gave a small sigh and pulled the sweater off.

"Fluttershy, where are your wings?!! Your weapons of elegance, your feathery tools of delight! What happened?!"

Fluttershy cringed upon hearing Rarity, who was freaking out, raise her voice. She knew Rarity was fond of her wings, she feared something like this would happen.

Rarity noticed Fluttershy's saddened look and quickly recomposed herself. "I mean, Fluttershy dear, what happened?"

"I don't know, I woke up today like this. But it's okay, I don't mind."

"Okay? How could this possibly be okay? Someone just stole your wings."

"I didn't just lose my wings, I think I've been turned into an Earth pony. I'm more connected with my animals and the trees than I ever was," Fluttershy said with a big smile.

Rarity flashed a smile of her own, seeing how happy her wife was. "But your ensemble, I'm certain nothing of it would fit anymore, which means..." Rarity's eyes widened with realization. "I get to design you an entire new wardrobe!"

At seeing the nervous look on Fluttershy's look, Rarity loosened up. "Let's keep it at making a new sweater that properly hides your lack of wings, for now."

"I'll help you with it, it's the least I can do for how generous you are." Fluttershy gave Rarity a peck on the cheek and they went to have dinner.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were moping around at the clubhouse. Both of them had been unable to gather much information about AJ. What they did know was that AJ wasn't thrilled with having wings, and Twilight was doing some important tests that made her irritated. They hoped that at least Scootaloo would have more success.

A fluttering sound come from outside, before the door of the clubhoue was pushed open by the orange pegasus. "You guys, you won't believe how awesome my day has been!"

"Well, as awesome as that sounds, we kinda wanna know about Applejack first. I'm gettin' a bit worried 'bout her," Apple Bloom said gently.

"But first, younglings, let me regale you with my tale of epicness." Under the questioning glares of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, she added, "What? I heard Twilight use those words one time."

The other crusaders just shrugged and listened intentively to Scootaloo.

"Okay, so I went to tell Dash about AJ's wings. As soon as I told her, she started shouting awesome things, and did a small dance of joy, an awesome dance, and went off to find her. Then she came back a while later as I was flying and told me she was gonna teach Applejack how to fly. She asked if I wanted to come and I said yes, of course."

"MY SISTER WANTED TO FLY?!" Apple Bloom was utterly surprised. Earlier, it looked as if AJ was gonna tear her wings out if they got more in the way.

"I'm getting to that. So, we got to the hill and there was AJ, waiting eagerly to start flying lessons. You know how Rainbow once promised that she'd find somepony that I could teach to fly, for when I want to be a teacher later on? Well, that's when it happened." Scootaloo gave a proud smile. "Dash gave her the basics and then she gave me the sign that I should go on with the explanation. I taught your sister to fly, Apple Bloom." Scootaloo finished enthusiastically.

Apple Bloom's eyes went wide. "Wait, so my sister can fly now?"

"That's what I just said, isn't it? She looked really happy as well."

"Happy? My sister hates those wings," Apple bloom said defensively.

“That's not what I saw, though she didn't look as happy when we started the lesson. Finally getting in the air must've been a load of her mind."

Sweetie Belle took word. "Crusaders, I believe this calls for more investigating. Applejack first hated her wings and couldn't fly, now she can fly and looks happy. We must get to the bottom of this if we want to be good detectives."

The other two crusaders agreed and went to there respective homes to prepare themselves for another day of investigating.

It was nearly dark as Applejack arrived at the library. Her stomach kindly reminded her that she still hadn't eaten something all day.

Applejack knocked on the door and waited for Twilight to open the door. As Applejack moved to knock a second time, the door slowly swung open.

Twilight emerged from the door opening with a way too big smile on her face. "Oh hey Applejack, what brings you here?"

"Well, you told me to come back in the evenin' to see about how to remove my wings, so here I am," Applejack said with a proud smile. Being on time for appointments always did make Applejack feel as if ponies depended on her and she had not let them down.

Twilight nervously swallowed and stepped to the side. "Oh, that? Please do come inside. It's awefully chilly tonight, isn't it?

"Uh, kinda, I guess? But I'm fine with just- And you're not listenin' to me anymore," Applejack said to herself as Twilight had already rushed back inside.

Applejack stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She turned back around and saw Twilight sitting on the couch, her big smile having already wavered a bit.

"Okay, Twi, I'm inside. So, what have ya found out? I bet you solved it minutes after I left, didn't you?" Applejack said with a teasing grin.

Twilight slowly let her face go back to a neutral expression. "Well...I-I-I did find... Oh hey, is that Pinkie over there?" Twilight said as she pointed to the window.

Unbeknowst to Applejack, Twilight used that very moment to use her telekinesis to pull on the 'Emergency Pinkie Pie' rope that she had hidden behind one of the curtains.

Pinkie jumped out of the bushes outside and pushed her face on the glass. "Hey, Applejack, Apples, Applie, Jackie! Look at what I can do with my tongue," Pinkie said after which she made an effort to try and touch her nose with her tongue.

Applejack slowly blinked, confused as to why Pinkie suddenly had appeared to show her that.
Pinkie was trying her hardest to distract Applejack as Twilight made gestures to Pinkie to show that she was doing an amazing job.

Applejack snapped out of the confusion-induced trance and stepped to the window. "I'm sorry Pinkie, but I aint got time for this now," she said as she moved the curtains in front of the window.

Pinkie flashed her best pair of puppy dog eyes but Applejack continued closing the window anyway. "Sorry, Pinks, but I got experience with Winona and Apple Bloom."

Applejack turned back to Twilight. "So, you were sayin'? About my wings?"

Twilight mentally scolded herself for thinking that would work. It was unlikely that Pinkie would've been able to distract AJ for a few hours anyway. "Uh, yes, about your wings. I-I... I'm hungry, are you hungry? I'll make us something to eat."

Twilight quickly teleported to the kitchen as Applejack stood there looking at the spot where she was seated. It was obvious that Twilight was hiding something. Applejack planned to immediately confront her when she came back. She sat down and waited.

When ten minutes have passed, Twilight finally returned with a pair of daisy sandwiches levitating behind her. "You want one?" Twilight asked as she loudly ate her own.

Applejack jumped back up. "I don't want a big, delicious, fresh daisy sandwich. I want answer-answ... bah fine, give me one," AJ said as her stomach grumbled loudly.

Twilight levitated the sandwich over to Applejack and watched with joy to see Applejack greedily eat it.

Soon, nothing else but crumbs remained and Applejack sighed in satisfaction. "Phoewie, that hit the spot." Applejack then turned directly at Twilight. "But I'm still expectin' answers about my wings."

Twilight inwardly screamed at the injustice of the food distraction not working but she accepted that she couldn't get around it.

"Applejack," she started. "The magical test... it came back negative. I have no idea what made them, or if they have dangerous side-effects, or how to remove them, even. They are exactly the same as normal wings, minus the flying part of course," Twilight added with a slight grin.

"I wouldn't be so sure about the flyin' part," Applejack said as she got up and stepped to an open spot in the room. She rapidly began flapping her wings.

Applejack closed her eyes in concentration as she searched for the small streams of magic in the air. Finding the streams for the second time was a lot easier than the first. Twilight watched in anticipation until AJ slowly started rising.

Applejack's face relaxed and her eyes opened. She tilted her herself a bit forward and slowly flew towards Twilight. She stopped above the couch and let herself fall on it right next to her.

“I reckon I can hold on to these wings for just a while longer,” Applejack said with a slight grin.

"Applejack, you flew? How? Why even bother? I thought you were searching for a way to get rid of them."

"I was lookin' to get rid of em alright, but then Rainbow went and offered to teach me. And...you know," Applejack finished with a flap of her wings.

"But how did Rainbow teach you? The book didn't mention anything about the process," Twilight said as she grabbed it from the shelf.

"Now, I don't claim to be an expert, but it has somethin' to do with the magic in the air." AJ gently grabbed the book from Twilight's telekenisis and put it back down. "Maybe Cloudsdale has some books on the subject."

"Then I must visit the National Cloudsdale Library someday," Twilight said as she grabbed a quill and her notebook. "And could you perhaps demonstrate flying one more time so I can take notes?"

Applejack sighed and got to work.

AJ stayed throughout the evening, demonstrating her flying abilities more than once, until she nearly couldn't stay awake. After they exchanged their goodbyes, AJ made her way back to Sweet Apple Acres.

Muttering a few 'good evenin's' to Granny Smith and Big Mac and continuing on before they had a chance to question her wings, she retired to her bedroom, completely exhausted from today’s events.

Her dreams however, were still quite eventful, filled with visions of flying with a vague blue shape.

Developments and Dreams

AJ had a restless night behind her back, figuratively and literally. What Rainbow forgot to mention was that sleeping with wings might take some getting used to. AJ found this out firsthand when she woke up in the middle of the night, her wings numb from laying on them. Another time, she woke up having the terrible urge to spread her wings and go for a flight. She managed to calm herself every time and get back to dreamland.

Dreamland, however, had no intentions of giving AJ a respite of her wings. Dreams of flying. Dreams of getting her wings preened, with the utmost care. Even dreams about gigantic wings bursting from the skies and embracing her in a hug, before the dream switched again.

One thing the dreams had in common, besides the obviousness of her wings, was that in every dream, she felt like she was being watched. At times, she would see a blur, a myriad of colors, fly by only to disappear again as suddenly as it appeared. She swore that whenever her dreams showed her wings, they would also show her the blue shape that had been haunting her all night.

This dream, though still quite restless, was completely different.

AJ was running through the clouds, high above what she guessed was Sweet Apple Acres. She was chasing the blue, pony-like shape through the dreamscape as it continued to evade her. Ready to give up after what seemed like hours, she noticed that her wings had appeared on her back, ready to join the fight.

Applejack continued running until she caught sight of her target again and, with a burst, sped forward catching it off guard.

Applejack's body impacted with it and they rolled about as they got to a standstill. Upon closer inspection, she could definitely say that it was a pony, a colorful one at that. Applejack found herself hungrily staring into it's purple eyes, overcome with the desire to take her spoils, a feather from it's wings. As her mouth went down to collect her price, she noticed herself changing course on the way down, setting direction for where it's lips would undoubtly be. As AJ was a mere inch away from it's mouth, she closed the distance and-

"AJ!!!"

Applejack stumbled out of her bed, her wings trying to escape the sheets that now binded her. "Huh? Wha-" was all she could mutter as she realized that Big Mac was looking at her with a grin.

"I know you had a busy day and you had a day off on it, but the orchard's callin' ya. Ya still have to buck the trees of the east orchard. I finished puttin' the baskets where you forgot to put 'em."

AJ managed to free herself off of the treacherous blanket and composed herself. "Shucks, Big Mac, I know. I'm not neglectin' my work or anythin'. Yesterday just got kinda hectic."

"I can see that," Big Mac said as he gave AJ's wings a tiny nudge. "Those must be some real strong wings."

"Wait, you're not freakin' out that I suddenly have wings?"

"Eenope."

"You're not curious about how I got them?"

"Magic?"

"No... well, maybe... I guess so...?" Applejack had no idea what exactly was the case. Twilight couldn't find what made the wings and both of them didn't have anything to go on.

Big Mac watched Applejack's inner turmoil with amusement. "Look, AJ, ya still got some time to prepare yourself. Why don't you take a walk to set your head straight? Just make sure to finish the first part of the orchard. Why, I reckon with those wings there, it'll just fly by.”

"A walk, huh? I guess I could use that." AJ said. After fully shoving the treacherous blanket off of her, she rushed past Big Mac, giving him a slight sight bump and she went to the bathroom to clean herself up a bit. After a few minutes the door openend and she rushed down the stairs, out the door, towards the orchard.

As it turned out, walking wasn't as satisfying when a pony had a whole new means of travel at her disposal. Applejack longed to be in the air, to feel the wind brush past her, to have complete and utter freedom, not restricted by roads and trees.

Deciding against her better judgement to go for a flight, she extended her wings and started flapping them. It didn’t take long for her to lift herself from the ground. AJ’s instincts took over and using her pegasus magic felt like a second nature now, as she flew higher and higher, without any difficulty. AJ felt so at peace in the air, away from all the buzz of Ponyville.

Enjoying her 'walk' for as long as she could, she decided to get back down, to start with the work that awaited her. As AJ steadied herself to keep from rising any further, she realized something: She had no idea how to get down.

Applejack was racking her head for solutions. Surely, she couldn't just drop out of the sky and try to slow down as she neared the ground. AJ's wings started to flap eratically as she started to freak out.

"How's the weather up there?" came a voice from behind. AJ turned her head to see Dash following her, obviously having caught on to AJ's situation.

"Dash, how do I fly down? I'm stuck here," replied Applejack, scared. It was a relief though, to have an expert pegasus with her now.

"Don't you think you should've asked that before you decided to aim for the sky?" said Dash as she caught up to AJ, flying next to her.

Dash was just met with an agonizing glare. "GET. ME. DOWN.!!!"

"Okay, okay, buzzkill. This part should be easier since you're already familiar finding the magic in the air. All you have to do is will the magic to let you fly down. It's kinda like making the magic feel that you want to go down, like you're trying to get the wind to read your thoughts."

"That sounds a bit like usin' Earth-pony magic. I guess I could handle that." AJ focused for a few seconds and fell out of the sky.

"AJ, YOU HAVE TO USE THE MAGIC GENTLY," Dash shouted towards Applejack. She watched AJ fall for a tiny bit and just as she was going to go after her, she saw AJ's speed decrease.

AJ got her movements back under control and settled with flying at her current height. AJ tried once again, to request the landing from the air, gently, and as she kept flapping, she slowly changed direction to the ground.

Picking up the pace a little, AJ flew back to the ground where she let herself fall out of the sky and onto a patch of grass. With her momentum still present, her hooves touched the ground only to make her roll forward. She came to a standstill a few feet away from a big oak tree.

"Congrats, AJ, you did it. I guess that this can count as your second flying lesson," Dash said with a chuckle as she stared at AJ with astonishment. AJ had only been a pegasus for a day, okay, a day and a half, and she could already fly and ‘kinda’ properly land.

"Phew, I never knew how important pegasus magic is for flyin'. I figured 'twas all about strenght and practice." AJ laid her head down gently. "I need a few moments to catch my breath."

"I could keep you company if you want. N-not that I don't want to, I mean, what are pals for? For keeping each other company, right?" Dash said eagerly, maybe a little too eagerly.

"Naw, Dash, I'm fine. Besides, I have to go applebucking soon, work needs to get done."

AJ thought she spotted a hint of sadness before Dash replied, "Yeah, sure, I'll just leave you to it then. Uh, bye," and with that, Dash flew off. AJ rested for a few more minutes until she felt ready to tackle her part of the work and took of.

As Applejack got to work, ponies were just starting to wake up over at Fluttershy's cottage.

Fluttershy slowly opened her eyes and found herself locked in a tight hug with Rarity. Fluttershy loved waking up like this, all snugly with her special somepony in a warm bed, it would be a shame to get up. Still, she had a job to do.

She knew she couldn't slip away without waking up Rarity, so she decided to wake her up in a special way instead. Leaning in closer, she blew softly on Rarity's nose. Her nose twitched a few times but further than that she evoked no movement.

Fluttershy blew again, a bit harder this time, and Rarity started stirring in her spot. As she yawned, with her eyes still closed, Fluttershy made her move. She closed the distance between them and locked their mouths in a deep kiss.

Rarity's eyes immediately flew open as she melted in their kiss. Fluttershy was a great kisser. As gentle as she was, her kisses were the exact opposite. Fluttershy kissed with such passion, it was as if she would die if she couldn't keep her mouth connected to Rarity's. And Rarity loved it.

Slowly releasing Rarity from her grip and letting her catch her breath, Fluttershy spoke, "Good morning, my love."

Rarity's mind was to scrambled however to make a solid response. "Flutters? Ho... Ooh, that kiss, hmmm."

Fluttershy slipped out of bed with a giggle. "I guess that's your way of saying 'good morning', huh?"

"Wha-? Oh yes, of course, good morning, darling," Rarity said with a hearty blush. "Really, with such an awakening, I wish you'd keep waking me up the entire day."

Fluttershy walked over to Rarity's side of the bed and gave her a nuzzle while she said, "As good as that sounds, there are still animals that need to be taken care of. If you get out of bed, I'll make your favourite breakfast. Daffodil sandwiches with applesauce, with apples bucked by yours truly."

Rarity scrambled out of bed as she realized the reward that awaited her. "I would love some, dear," she said as she pecked Fluttershy on the cheek.

Pinkie Pie was hopping across Ponyville on her way to the market, when suddenly her mouth twitched, her hooves slided out from underneath her and her tail moved from left to right.

"Hmm, that usually means that somepony is screaming in frustration, " she happily said to herself. She shrugged and continued on.

"ARGH, I just can't figure those wings out!" Twilight screamed in frustration. "How could those wings just suddenly appear and not show any lingering magic from a spell of sorts?"

Twilight was surrounded by books, all written by experts on the field of evolution, growth, and anomalies. Yet no book yielded results, an explanation, for suddenly growing new feathery appendages.

"It could be a rapid growth spell, but that would require some really advanced magic, and not to forget, the beginning of wing growth to begin with. They aren't temporary either, since the scan didn't pick up a single piece of magic holding it in place," Twilight softly muttered to herself.

Twilight threw away a book that speculated that eating spicy food could mutate your body. That book should belong in fiction, Twilight thought as she heaved a sigh. Although Applejack assured her it was okay, she just couldn't drop the issue. What if there's a madpony running around, growing wings on ponies. I might wake up tomorrow with a set of wings of my own!!. Twilight shivered at the thought.

Twilight decided to take a break and focus on something else for the time being, preferably something that wouldn't drive her crazy. I guess I could go and let AJ know that I'm not giving up on her.

"Wait, Applejack!!" she suddenly exclaimed. "With the discovery of those wings, I totally forgot why I even was at Sweet Apple Acres. I better head there now."

Cleaning up the pile of books that she had created this morning, she trotted through the door towards the farm.

Applejack was glancing back and forth between her wings and the row of apple trees in front of her. Her work already finished thanks to the speed of her wings, she decided to test her new appendages. She picked up flying and landing easily enough, how would she handle agility and tricks?

Alligning herself with the row of trees, she took a deep breath and started running. When she was near the first tree, she took off... and slammed head first into it.

Applejack writhed in agony as the pain of the impact hit. She shouted for all she was worth, and surely disturbed quite a few animals that lived in the orchards. As her shout died down, she saw Rainbow Dash approach.

"Woah, AJ, what happened?" Dash said as she took in the scene before her: AJ rubbing her head and a tree with a big crack in it. It didn't take long for Dash to catch on.

As AJ tried to respond, Dash fell into a fit of giggles. "Bahahahaha, this is too rich, you slammed your head in the tree didn't you?"

AJ, with the pain having numbed somewhat, couldn't help but chuckle as well about the absurbity of the situation. There was no way going around it, she did ram the tree at full speed.

Dash was heaving deep breaths as she tried to grasp what precious little air she could whilst laughing. "Seriously though, AJ, what happened? I thought you'd be smart enough to know that applebucking is done with your backhooves, and not your head," Dash said, trying her best to hold back another giggle.

"I don't know what happened. I was gonna try and weave between them trees with my wings. I began runnin' to them and when I took off, I immediately hit the first tree."

"Let me guess, your first time flying from a running start?" Dash said with a smug grin.

"Yeah, but ho-..." Applejack was struck with the realization that she simply went to fast. "Um.. never mind," she said with a blush.

"Hey, don't sweat it. Even I make that mistake sometimes. Wait, do you hear that?" Right on que, Twilight came into view.

Twilight looked around for a bit and when she spotted them, she trotted their way. "Hey, Applejack. Hey, Rainbow. Are you two busy with something?"

"I reckon not, besides laughing about headbuttin' trees," AJ said with a laugh. "Why? You need us for somethin'? You don't wanna do more tests on me, do you?" AJ said with a slight frown on her face

"Oh no, it's just time to renew the enchantment on Apple Bloom's room. That's actually why I came here yesterday. Until I got distracted," she said with a gesture to AJ's wings.

"It's that time again? Let me just walk you to her room" Applejack said as she and Twilight started walking to the farmhouse. "Dash, you comin'?"

Dash didn't respond however, as she kept staring intently at the spot previously occupied by Applejack, with a blush on her face. Another shout from Applejack snapped her out of the trance. "What? Oh yeah, sure, sure," and with that she caught up to AJ and Twilight.

They arrived at the farm shortly after and, while making sure to gently sneak past Granny Smith's napping spot, they made their way to Apple Bloom's room.

As they opened her room, a filthy odor bombarded their senses. "Sheesh, Applejack, what does your sister do in her room? Make stink bombs?" Dash exclaimed, waving with her hooves past her nose.

"I don't know, this mornin' when I walked past her door, it smelled just fine. Apple Bloom hasn't been in her room all day." Applejack looked around, trying to find to source of the putrid smell.

Twilight, meanwhile, was in full analyze mode. "Hmm, it smells kinda familiar. Like something chemical, like.. like..." Twilight felt a sickening sense of dread overcome her. "Oh no, oh no, this is bad!!"

"What's wrong Twi? You're lookin' like somepony just gave you a kick in the stomach."

"AJ, listen carefully. The Cutie Mark Crusaders. Have. Made. A. Potion."

"THEY WHAT?!!" Dash immediately sprang to alert. "I need to mobilize the fire brigade, make sure nopony's in any crowded areas, and we need to contact Princess Celestia," she said rapidly.

AJ slowly swallowed as she imagined the angry mob that would surely arrive any minute now. Twilight was trying to keep Dash in check. "Easy, Dash, there's no cause for alarm."

"No cause for alarm?! Don't you remember their previous adventure in potion-making? I'm still having nightmares... I mean, less cool dreams about it."

"Dash, this isn't just a normal smell, this is the kind of smell that you get two days after the creation, where the potion was stored."

"Two days?!! They've had it for two days already? Oh Celestia, we are doomed." Dash was trotting around the room, every aspect of her body language said that she was agitated.

"Now hold on a minute, sugarcube. I was in this room a few days ago and I didn't see no potion. Twi, are you sure that they have a potion?" Applejack asked in an effort to calm Dash down.

"I'm positive, it's the main reason why I keep mine in the basement-laboratory of the library. Didn't you seen anything unusual at all when you came here?" Twilight began looking around the room for anything that could give a clue about what potion they could've created.

"I just came here to get some milk, Apple Bloom usually sneaks it up in her room. The milk was spoiled too, judgin' from the taste." Applejack stuck out her tongue at the remembrance of the taste.

Meanwhile, the gears in Twilight's head were shifting. "Applejack, was there anything else unusual about it, besides the way it tasted I mean?

"I guess that it was a bit weird that she kept it in a cup. Besides that, nothing springs out to me."

Twilight's face lit up as she figured it out. "AJ, I got it! That milk must've been the potion! It explains the cup, since it’s the only type of container that they could get a hold on, and it would also explain the taste, as most potions taste horrible." Twilight struck a proud pose as she said, "and I, as your trusty friend, will do anything in my power to figure out which potion it is." She finished with a salute.

"Euh, guys, I think I found something." Dash turned around with a small, heart shaped leaf between her teeth. "I' thi' some'ing?"

Twilight took the leaf out of Dash's mouth and levitated it to her face. "I know this plant, it's Heart's Desire. Apple Bloom once used it to get a cutie mark, which resulted in the cutie pox.”

"Twi, if I drank from that potion, wouldn't I have wings growin' everywhere?" AJ said, still not entirely convinced.

"Yes, yes, normally this plant would give an overflow of the desire, unless you prepare it in the correct way." Out of nowhere, Twilight suddenly conjured her copy of Supernaturals. "So,

you said it looked like milk and tasted terrible," she said as she flapped through the pages.

"Um, yeah," Applejack responded quietly. Dash, in the meanwhile, was giggling at the thought of AJ completely covered with wings.

"Aha, the Heart’s Desire Bad-Go-Away potion. Uses ingrediënts like milk, Poison Joke, Taproot and... fur of a parasprite? The potion will look like a white substance and will grant one's biggest desire. Warning, the resulting mixture has a taste most foul." Twilight closed the book with a snap. "I think that describes the 'milk' perfectly." Twilight added with a smug grin.

The room went quiet as everyone tried to wrap their head around this information. Twilight thinking of the research oppertunities this would offer, AJ of how to get proof that this was really the doing of a potion, and Dash, Dash was still stuck in a laughing fit, though it had degraded somewhat to snorting and wheezing. And then, like Discord himself had a claw in it, Apple Bloom showed up. "Um, what are y'all doin' in my room?"

The three heads snapped to her attention immediately. Dash silently mouthed 'run' with her lips but before Apple Bloom could grasp the information, AJ was on top of her. "Hey, let me go."

"Apple Bloom, I'm gonna ask you a question and I want you to answer truthfully, on your Apple family honor," AJ said, pinning her to the ground with her hooves on her shoulders.

"Okay, okay, I swear on my family honor, now let me go." Apple Bloom grunted squirmed a bit to emphasis her request.

Applejack softly let go and she walked backwards a bit, letting Apple Bloom get back on her hooves. "Apple Bloom, have you made a potion with that there plant called Heart’s Desire?"

A cold chill went through Apple Bloom. She didn’t anticipate them getting found out that quickly. She looked down, already betraying the answer to Applejack, still, she waited for her response. "I.. Yes, I did, but we only wanted to help ponies and try to get our cutie marks, please don't be mad at me," Apple Bloom finished with a bit of moisture in her eyes.

"Aw, sugarcube, I'm not mad at you. I'd just want to know why you didn't tell me." Applejack gave her a slight nuzzle as she moved to stand next to her.

Apple Bloom returned the nuzzle and looked up to Applejack. "I was scared. You looked so mad when you got your wings, I thought we screwed up the potion."

"Then why all the questions you had? Or why was Sweetie Belle spyin' on me?" AJ turned her head to Dash, who was standing next to Twilight. "I'm guessin' that Scootaloo just wanted to teach me how to fly instead of doin' any spyin'."

"We were tryin' to find out what went wrong and what the potion did do. The thing is, I don't think we made a mistake." It was apparent that Applejack was confused about this statement so Apple Bloom elaborated, "Scootaloo said you were really happy when you learned to fly. And this mornin', I saw you smilin' while Dash was teachin' you to land. That's a good thing, right?"

"Good or not, it 'aint right for ponies to be switching races. As for your punishment, you can go and get the cure from Zecora." AJ's gaze softened and she turned to Twilight. "Twi, could you cast your magic thing and go with Apple Bloom to Zecora?"

"You can count on me Applejack. We'll have the cure in no time," Twilight said as her horn blasted a small light that radiated across the room. Twilight motioned for Apple Bloom to go and she made sure to stay right behind Apple Bloom as she galloped out the door.

AJ let out a sigh of relief at having that situation dealt with. Dash was looking at AJ with a grin. "So, your heart’s desire is to have wings, huh? I knew you wanted to be as awesome as me. Maybe now, you're cool enough t- OOOPF!"

Applejack jumped Rainbow Dash, completely catching her off guard. She quickly caught on to what had happened and wrestled for control with AJ.

Their wrestle ended with Dash on the ground with AJ above her, her forehooves firmly on Dash's shoulders. "So, I'm not awesome enough for you, huh?" she said jokingly. "I did manage to catch myself a fine boastful pegasus, it seems."

Something was off in this scene. AJ felt a slight feeling of familiarity in their current positions. AJ's thoughts drifted back to her dream from last night. As AJ stared in Dash's eyes, longer than she ever had, Dash took the opportunity to reverse their roles. Soon enough, the farmer was stuck on the ground, with Dash right on top of her.

Dash quickly let go of AJ however, it wasn't usual for AJ to give away her position like that. "AJ, you okay there? You were staring a bit, not that I blame you, seeing as awesome that I am."

Applejack blinked a few times, letting the rememberance of her dream drift away. "Uh, yeah, I'm fine. This wrestlin' just felt familiar, you know? Like some kind of deja-vu."

"Well yeah, only because we like wrestle every time we hang out," Dash said, helping AJ back on her hooves.

AJ knew that Dash had a point, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that this was something special, something to be remembered.

Before AJ's thoughts could drift back to the dream once again, Dash spoke up, "And honestly, that's one of the things I really like about you. You're not afraid to get dirty. You were an awesome Earth pony, and you'll be an even more awesome Pegasus."

"Speakin' of bein' awesome, I still have to learn all the things of flyin'. I suppose I might as well make the most of it for as long as I have 'em. You mind gracin' me with your awesomeness and teachin' me?

"Of course, AJ, I'd love to," Dash said with a grin.

As AJ stepped out the door, Dash stayed behind. Dash quickly trotted to a nearby closet and got a second leaf of Heart's Desire from under it, one that she had found earlier. Never know if this could come in handy, she thought to herself as she put the leaf securely between her feathers. Dash closed the door silently and trotted out of the house, after AJ.

In the meantime, a certain pink party pony was standing outside the library. She held some flowers in her hoof as she stepped a bit closer to the door.

"Hey, Twilight. I got some flowers for you because they sooper dooper reminded me of you. You know, they are red and green and you're purple and..."

Tossing away the flowers and getting a box of chocolate out of nowhere, she continued on. "Twiley, I got you some chocolate because I know you love them. Some delicious, mouth-watering chocolate that just melts in your mouth..."

Pinkie wiped away the last bits of the chocolate and she stepped a bit closer to the door. "Twi, I really really really really really really really wanna be your special somepony. I love you," she said slowly as her words got quieter and quieter.

Finally closing the distance between her and the door, she raised a hoof and knocked and listened. Hearing no movement from inside, she figured there was nopony at home. Carefully opening the door to make sure Twilight wasn't cooped up in her labratory, she stepped inside.

She was right about nopony being home, and nodragon either for that matter, but she forgot about Owliscious. "Who?"

"Oh hey, Owliscious, it's me, Pinkie. Have you seen Twilight?"

"Who?" The owl repeated

"So she was freaking out, got an idea, and ran out the door to Sweet Apple Acres?" Pinkie nodded in understanding. "I'll come back another time then."

"Who?"

"No, you don't have to take a message for her. I'll see you later, Owlicious." Pinkie turned around and stepped back outside. With a small spring in her step, she went back to sugarcube corner. "La la la la."

What Does Your Heart Truly Desire?

"Rainbow, am I doin' it right?" Applejack's voice was strained as she levitated herself with only
small, slow flaps.

Rainbow carefully inspected Applejack from up close, her mane getting blown away with every flap she made. "Straighten your back a bit more and let your feathers hang loose a bit."

AJ adjusted her movements accordingly and looked back to Dash for confirmation.

"That's it, that's the perfect position for the 360 shoop-da-loop barrel front flip dive. With moves like that, you'd win the next Best Young Flyer competition in a pinch," Dash said with confidence.

"Hang on there, sugarcube. I'm gettin' my wings removed when Apple Bloom's back, remember?" AJ said as she gently stopped flapping and lowered herself to the ground.

"A mare can dream, huh?" Dash flew up to AJ and looked at her wings. "I'm serious though, with those wings, I wouldn't be surprised if Celestia just cancelled the competition and gave you the crown from the start."

"Enjoy my wings while you can Dash, I ain't plannin' on havin' another potion while talkin' with Fluttershy and-" AJ fell silent.

Dash flew to the front to look AJ in the face. "What is it, is there something wrong?"

"Sugarcube, have you seen Fluttershy lately? Like for the past few days or so?"

Dash frowned in thought. "Not really, but you know how she and Rarity are. I bet they're doing some mushy romantic stuff." Dash stuck out her tongue in mock-disgust.

AJ got an alarming look on her face. "Uh, Dash? Fluttershy was with me when I accidentally put that potion in my coffee. She asked for a bit of 'milk' as well."

There was a sickening silence until suddenly Dash burst out laughing. "Oh, this I gotta see. This is going to be awesome. C'mon AJ, let's go to Fluttershy," Dash said as she beckoned AJ to come with her.

Though AJ wanted anything but have to look at the mess that she inadvertently created, she could at least comfort Fluttershy and tell her what caused it. AJ caught up with Dash and then they both took flight.

In the Everfree Forest, Apple Bloom and Twilight just arrived at Zecora's hut, the two already in hefty conversation. "I'm tellin' you Twilight, Poison Joke grows in the middle of the forest, unless the rooster crows three times."

"But isn't that the place of the Purple Grass plant if you have four rocks with you?"

"No, that one grows near the timberwolf dens if you're carryin' three rocks. The Yellow Grass plant grows in the east if you've eaten four hayburgers," Apple Bloom said as they moved even closer to Zecora's hut.

"Then where do the Mohawk Hills grow?" Twilight still hadn't grasped the workings of the Everfree Forest in the few visits she made there. Apple Bloom was far more experienced in that matter, if not for all their crusades in the forest, then for all the time she spent with Zecora.

Before Apple Bloom could respond however, the door to Zecora's hut opened as Zecora stepped outside. "That, my dear, grows quite near. It grows around the Mirror Pond. Of places with magic, they are quite fond. I couldn't help but hear you chat, is there a discussion to be had?"

"Nothing to worry about, Apple Bloom was just telling me about the forest. But Zecora, we need your help."

"Tell me what it is that troubles you, and I will see if I can make due," Zecora said as she examined Twilight, looking for any obvious problems.

"There's a bit of trouble going on in Ponyville, with which Heart's Desire is involved. Do you still have any Seeds of Truth?"

"That is troubling news indeed, for this cure isn't just any seed." Zecora went inside to retrieve the cure as she went on, "I have only one more seed, getting more would require great speed."

"One is all we need Zecora," said Apple Bloom as she stepped into the hut after Zecora.

Zecora returned from her shelves with a vial containing the one seed that was left. "Ah, my sweet Apple Bloom. This hearty trouble is your doing, I presume?"

Apple Bloom was taken aback by Zecora's bold accusation. "Uh, yeah, but it wasn’t my fault. It wasn't meant to be taken by ponies that didn't want it,” she said with a slight frown.

"An interesting tale that might be, for now you must move with haste. We can't allow this much time to go to waste," Zecora said as she handed Twilight the vial, which Twilight promptly took with her telekinesis.

"Thank you, Zecora," Twilight said as she and Apple Bloom headed back to Sweet Apple Acres.

"C'mon Raritiy, look," Fluttershy asked with a begging look on her face.

"Darling, I saw it the first twelve times. I think you’ve proved that the nature listens to you.”

"Oh, but this time it's different, please look."

As Rarity took her eyes away from the book she'd been reading and looked over to Fluttershy, she noticed her standing in a patch of high grass. It looked as if there were dents in it from her point of view.

Standing up to get a better look at the patch, she saw a small line of text written in the patch 'I love you Rarity, lots of love, Fluttershy'.

Rarity's eyes welled up at the romantic gesture. It were small things like these that made her feel all the more appreciated. Fluttershy had a way to brighten up every dark day and never run out of sweet things to do.

Rarity closed the distance between her and Fluttershy in a small trot and gave Fluttershy a small tackle, effectively getting her on her back, with Rarity jumping right on top of her.

"Oh dear, it seems I'm behind on my romance quota. Whatever shall I do?" Rarity said with an overly dramatic tone in her voice.

"I got it, what would happen if I did this?" and with that she moved her mouth to Fluttershy's ear and gave it a soft and slow lick. Rarity moved her mouth back and met Fluttershy's in a deep and passionate kiss. After what felt like an eternity to both of them, they let go of each other, both gasping for breath. "I think I want to get a decent lead now, darling."

As Rarity began to give soft kisses on Fluttershy's face, evoking slight moans and squeaks of pleasure, Rainbow and AJ were just arriving at the small patch of grass.

"Hey AJ, there they are. Wait... are they fighting?" Dash asked, still far enough so Fluttershy and Rarity didn't hear her.

As a blush got on AJ's face, she responded, "Uh sugarcube, I don't think what they are doin' is fig-"

"Hey, and Fluttershy’s losing. C’MON FLUTTERSHY!!"

Suddenly all movement ceased at the kissing couple. After a few moments, Rarity poked her head up at a heavily blushing Applejack and Rainbow who was still cheering. Rarity looked back down, mouthed a quick "I'll get you next time" and jumped off of Fluttershy.

"Why, Rainbow and Applejack, what brings you two to our... errr... grasscounting, yes, we were counting the grass," Rarity said with a laugh, unable to hide the tinge of annoyance in it.

Applejack took word while Dash was wrapping her head about why married couples always want to count the grass. "Well, me and Rainbow were just in the neighborhood and thought we might drop by and..."

Any further words went unsaid as Fluttershy rolled herself on her belly to get back on her hooves, exposing her empty backside.

"Fluttershy! What happened to your wings?” Dash asked with a look of terror on her face.

Applejack quickly pitched in. "It must be that potion. Don't worry Fluttershy, we'll get you back to normal."

"Um... You don't really have to-"

Applejack continued unabated. "Twi should be back from Zecora anytime now. As you can see, I'm havin' a bit of wing trouble as well."

"Oh it's no trouble. I don't really mind-"

"We'll have you back in tip-top shape in no time."

"Ahem," Rarity loudly cleared her throat. "Fluttershy is trying to say something. Go ahead, my dear."

Fluttershy nervously continued. "I don't really mind... I mean, I like being an earth pony. I'd like to stay like this...i-if that's not too much trouble."

"But Fluttershy, your wings," Dash exclaimed in outrage. "How could you want to get rid of them? Sure you're not the fastest flier, or the most elegant flier, or the flier with the biggest wings or...”

"I think she gets the point, Rainbow," Applejack interjected. "Now Fluttershy, I can understand you not wantin' your wings, but just gettin' rid of 'em and becomin' an Earth pony? That just 'aint natural."

"I don't care that I'm supposed to be one of the pegasi. I'm happier as an Earth pony, than I ever could be as a pegasus. I never want to turn back to clumsy Fluttershy." Fluttershy stomped her hooves for emphasis and a few apples fell from a nearby tree, rolling gently to Fluttershy's hooves.

"But c'mon Fluttershy," Dash whined. "You did okay when we had to make a tornado to get water to Cloudsdale."

Fluttershy gave a scoffing laugh. "I did well for a few seconds, the other pegasi were flying like that for minutes. Without wings, at least nopony has expectations of me, and... a-and, Applejack, why are you looking at me like that?"

Everyone turned to Applejack, who had been staring at Fluttershy. "Uh, don’t mind me. I’m just feeling a lot of earth pony magic come from your hooves. I bet you'd make a fine applebucker."

"Thank you Applejack, but I don't want to buck the trees. I want to touch and feel them, not hurt them. I feel like the entire nature is my friend now and I wouldn't change that for anything. So you can keep your cure."

"Are you sure? What about the flyin' animals that you have to care for?"

"I asked them if they would mind coming down for that and they didn't mind. I'm really convinced about this Applejack. I'm glad I had that coffee with you. O-of course, I wish you good luck with getting rid of those wings. I guess the potion didn't give you something you wanted huh?" Fluttershy said as she gently laid back on the ground, next to Rarity.

That last line struck a nerve in Applejack. Somethin' I want? What do I want exactly? Do I actually want wings?

"Helloooo? Anypony home?” Rainbow asked as she waved her hoof in front of Applejack. “Sheesh Applejack, you kinda zoned out there. What do you say we get back to the barn and let Rarity and Flutters continue their fight? I bet Twilight's nearly back from Zecora."

"Yeah, I think we better head back. Bye y'all, I hope you sort out your fight," Applejack said with a wink, unseen by Dash and then turned back towards the farm. Dash soon followed, trotting perhaps a bit too closely to Applejack but she said nothing of it.

The walk back to Sweet Apple Acres passed in silence. Applejack being deep in thought and Rainbow sneaking fast glances at AJ and her wings. If AJ bothered to look back, she would've noticed a blush appearing on Rainbow's face.

After a while Rainbow spoke up. "You know, I can't believe you want to get rid of those wings. They fit you so well."

"I'm perfectly happy with bein' just a regular earth pony." Am I? "Them wings brought me nothin' but trouble." Did they really? "Bein' a pony of two races is just too darn confusin'." ”At least, it will be eventually.”

Rainbow just shook her head and looked back forward. She just couldn't grasp how a potion, specifically made to give you what you want most, ends up giving something you hate. There must be a piece of the puzzle missing yet Rainbow couldn't think of what.

Applejack felt bad about speaking so ill of something that was esentially a gift very few ponies got to experience, to be part of a different race with different abilities. The longer she thought about it, the more convinced she became that she actually didn't mind having her wings. My wings. Applejack couldn't recall when she had started to refer to them as her wings but it seemed appropriate.

Applejack and Rainbow were moving through the south orchards when they heard a squeak of glee and turned to find Twilight and Apple Bloom running towards them.

"Oh Applejack, I'm glad we found you. Now you don't have to wait till we get to the farm to lose your wings. I got the seed with me," Twilight said as she showed the vial, before making a small pit in the ground and dropping the seed in it. "Now, go ahead, tell us why you have wings."

Applejack was still a bit stunned by Twilight's enthusiasm. She quickly recovered as she saw Twilight staring at her, waiting for a reaction.

"Uh... oh yeah, why I have my wings." Why do I have them? Applejack positioned herself closer to the small mound of dirt. "I got my wings because... b-because I wanted more freedom in my life, to explore the sky."

Twilight's grin got wider as she looked at the buried seed in anticipation. Soon the remedy for Applejack's problems would grow and everything would be okay.

A few minutes passed and Twilight's grin was visily deflating by the second. "Uh Twi, is it broken or somethin'?"

Twilight averted her look to the ground. "Seeds don't get broken Applejack. It's... just not working," she finished with a frown on her face.

Apple Bloom looked at the pile of dirt. "How come it doesn't work? It worked fine when I was havin' trouble."

Twilight pawed at the ground. "I have no idea. Herbiculture is a whole new area for me. Maybe the seed was bad but it was the last one Zecora had."

Applejack felt a mix of relief and disappointment. Yet she hated seeing Twilight like this. "Look sugarcube, I know that ya tried and that's what's important. I can go a few more days with these things, maybe one of your books has a different solution."

That got Rainbow's attention. "Wait, so you're gonna keep the wings for a few more days?" As Applejack nodded in confirmation, Rainbow pumped her hoof in the air. "Awesome."

"Twi, are you gonna be okay? You seemed mighty hung on helpin' me with this problem."

Twilight gave a small nod. "I'll be fine Applejack. In fact, I think I know a few books that might have something useful in them. What do you say we meet back at the farm in a few days and we'll look from there?"

I'll manage with these wings until then, maybe get a few more flyin' lessons. I don't think Rainbow has a problem with that," she said with a small glance at Rainbow's smiling face.

As Apple Bloom went to say something, Applejack interjected her. "And Apple Bloom, I know you didn't do this on purpose. You should know better but I forgive you."

Applejack closed the distance between her and Apple Bloom and gave her a hug. "But don't think you're of the hook yet," she whispered.

Apple Bloom returned the hug, making a mental note to herself to hide some of the other stuff for her crusading, just in case.

"Okay, break it up! I've got a farmpony to train and we're losing awesomeness by just standing here," Rainbow said with a whistle and cap she seemingly produced out of nowhere.

Applejack and Apple Bloom broke of their hug, with Apple Bloom motioning AJ to go, lest not to keep Dash waiting. Apple Bloom had a look on her face that insisted she knew more than she let on but Applejack ignored it and stepped to Rainbow Dash.

"Twilight, I wish you luck with tryin' to find a cure. Don't hurry yourself though, you know how you get when you stress yourself."

"I'll keep that in mind Applejack. Bye." And she was off with a flash of her teleport.

Apple Bloom looked at Applejack and Rainbow. "I-I'll just leave y'all alone," she said before hurrying to the farmhouse.

Shrugging it off, Dash went to explain the next lesson. "You see, the key to flying is..."

The few days slowly turned into a few weeks as Twilight didn't manage to find a solution. Every book she consulted insisted that Heart's Desire was connected to the truth plant and that without the correct truth, it would not grow.

Twilight had her suspicions about AJ's wings however. It was at the end of the second week that she called for Pinkie to come to the library.

"Okay Pinkie, I bet you're wondering why I asked you to drop by," Twilight said.

"Oh oh, is it because I used your mane-gel for halloween? Or you found out I love you? Did you find my missing wormhole for beard emergencies?" Pinkie asked in one breath.

"Wait, what was that second thing?" Twilight often had trouble understanding Pinkie due to her rambling.

"Uh... Pickles make for bad glasses?"

Mentally filing away to test that theory, Twilight focused on the matter at hand.

"No Pinkie, that's not why I called for you here. You... you could be considered an expert on the field of happiness, right?"

"If that's just fancy talk for make ponies happy, then yeppers," Pinkie said with a big grin.

"You've seen Applejack lately, right? Doesn't she look... you know, happier than usual?"

"Of course she is, with all the time she's spending with Dashie."

Twilight froze in her analytic stance. Carefully examining what Pinkie just said, she offered the most coherent response she could form. "Wut?"

Pinkie didn't miss a beat of Twilight's confusion. "Oh, I'll talk in brainy-talk to make you understand."

Producing a moustache out of nowhere, she stood up straight and continued, "My dearest Twilight, it seems that our lovely Applejack particularly enjoys spending time with our favourite prismatic pegasus. I believe ulterior motives beyond friendship are involved," Pinkie finished with a satisfied nod to herself.

The strict and educated way of talking calmed Twilight immediately. "Wait, so you think that they're in lo-"

"Yeppers."

"Then why haven't they told us? I'm sure we all would be supportive of it," Twilight asked confused.

"See, that's the tricky part. I think they don't know yet that they love each other. Applejack's wings gave her a chance to spend time with Dashie, they've gotten a lot closer since then. But not smoochy-woochy close yet," Pinkie finished with an unsatisfied look on her face.

"B-but I've been looking for a way to get rid of her wings for two weeks now," Twilight said, frowning. Then she looked up with a fire in her eyes. "I know, I'll help them realise their love for eachother. I'll make a list and everything."

Pinkie waved a hoof in front of Twilight's face. "Nu-uh, no meddling. That's rule number one in the 'In love with your friend' handbook. I didn't tell my friends I was in love as well."

Twilight's face froze again. She could've sworn she heard Pinkie use the word love that time.

"Pinkie, mind repeating that last thing again?"

"Uh... I wonder how much eggs fit in a glove," Pinkie said nervously looking away.

Eyeing Pinkie with suspicion, Twilight checked her mental agenda for a spot to test that question. Another problem called for her attention however. "What do I do about AJ's wings then?"

Letting out a sigh of relief, Pinkie responded, "That's easy, do nothing."

Twilight looked on the verge of shouting in outrage, when it suddenly clicked in her head. "You're right Pinkie, if there's a chance that Applejack will find happiness with Rainbow, then I think I can forget to look through every book in the library for a few more weeks."

"Yeppers, and since I'm a whatchamacallit on happiness, that means that I know best," Pinkie responded with a proud grin.

Twilight just smiled and started looking for a pickle to start experimenting.

"Okay AJ, clouds are one of the most important things to a pegasus. We live and sleep on them and we control the weather with them. A pegasus learns to handle them on instinct but since you didn't have the years of growing up as a pegasus, I'll give you a crash course," Rainbow said, cap on her head and whistle hanging around her neck.

"Ma'am, yes ma'am," Applejack said, smiling at how Rainbow got into her role as a coach. Applejack was wary in the beginning with how strict Rainbow was with training Applejack but the results spoke for themselves. In a few weeks time, Applejack had grown into a very capable earth-Pegasus. As soon as another training started, they weren't Rainbow and Applejack anymore. They were a student and her coach. A trainer and her trainee.

Rainbow continued on, noticing AJ's smile, making a small grin appear on her face as well. "The first and most important thing any pegasus should know, is how to walk on clouds. All it takes is to succeed once and you'll never have problems with it again, ever. After your first success, your pegasus instincts will remember everything and adapt to your needs from then on."

Rainbow flew up to a cloud and moved her hoof closer. "You want the cloud to be solid? Bam, your magic has already taken care of that. Do you want to fly through the cloud as though there was no cloud at all? Think it and do it," Dash said as she stomped her hoof on what appeared to be solid cloud matter, only to stir in the cloud as though it was water afterwards.

Applejack looked on in amazement. Unknowingly to Dash, AJ already had tried a few times to work with the clouds, yet she couldn't touch a single one. For Dash to make it seem that simple, was an amazing feat for AJ.

"DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES, MAGGOT?!!" Rainbow yelled from right behind Applejack. Applejack was too lost in thought and hadn't noticed Dash flying behind her.

Despite hovering in the sky, AJ did jump a few feet in the air with a bewildered look. AJ quickly recovered shouting, "Ma'am, yes ma'am," and striking a salute with her right hoof. It took a bit longer to get her heartbeat back under control.

"You know how to manipulate the magic in the air with your wings, cloudwalking is based on doing that with your hooves," Rainbow Dash continued. "Like your wings, pegasus hooves are very sensitive. They are constantly responding to the magic that's reaching out to it. I don't know how it works with you having Earth pony and Pegasi magic but you should be able to make your hooves react."

Applejack cast a questioning look at her hoof. "Make them react? And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

"Uh, it's sorta like... I mean, you could look at it as... Uh..." Rainbow Dash stuttered. "Well, it's just something that you do when you focus on it. Just try to make them interact with the magic."

AJ raised an eyebrow at Dash and went back to look at her hooves. Applejack closed her eyes in concentration and focused on getting the same tingling feeling as her wing to get to her hooves.

A few minutes passed until Applejack slowly opened her eyes. "I think I have it, Rainbow. I've got that tinglin' feelin' in my hooves now."

"Then what are you waiting for? A written invitation? Go show that cloud who's boss," Rainbow said with a proud look on her face.

Applejack flew over to the cloud Dash used for her presentation and hovered above it. Applejack let herself fall from the sky and straight on the cloud... and straight through.

"Applejack, use your wings!!" Dash shouted at AJ while preparing to catch her in case she panicked. Applejack kept falling for a few more meters until she evened out again and flew back to Dash. "Okay Applejack, that's how it's not done."

AJ smiled sheepishly at Dash and went back to the same cloud. The hole she'd made had already sealed back up. "I really thought I could do it. You make it look so easy."

"That's because I've had a lot of practice. Normally a pegasus attempts this when they're more than four years old. You've been a pegasus for a bit more than a few weeks, of course it's gonna be hard."

Applejack had several more tries during the afternoon. It was late in the afternoon when she finally succeeded... and never failed again.

"That's it, class dismissed," Dash said, which she concluded with a blow on her whistle. Applejack's straight posture visibly slackened as she relaxed.

"So whatever happens, as long as I don't want it, I won't fall through?" Applejack asked.

"Yup, Now you can do whatever you wa- AAAHHH!!"

Applejack flung herself at Dash, sending them both crashing in the clouds below. "Guess that's just one more place where I can whoop your flank in wrestlin'," AJ said, lying on top of Rainbow in a makeshift meatpile.

"It is on!" Rainbow Dash managed to push AJ off of her and immediately jumped after her, determined to claim superiority. As she neared Applejack in mid-air, she caught the look on her face. Not the look of someone that had just been bested but the look of a hunter, watching her prey spring a trap. Oh fiddlesticks

Rainbow tried to slow her descent, flapping rapidly with her wings but to no avail. AJ rolled to the side leaving her to pounce the cloud she was lying on. She then quickly got back to her hooves and plowed into Dash's side.

The both of them rolled across the cloud, each of them trying to outdo the other. But alas, while Rainbow had the most experience using her wings in battle, AJ could rely on her good ol' Earth Pony strenght and pretty decent wing skills.

Their small tumble came to a stop, Rainbow lying with her back on the cloud defeated, with Applejack standing triumphantly above her. "No fair, you always catch me off guard."

Applejack didn't respond. She was looking at Rainbow as if in a trance.

"Hey AJ, you're zoning out again. Are you oka-" Any further words were silenced as Applejack bowed her head down and met Dash's lips with her own in a deep and passionate kiss.

As AJ let herself melt in the kiss, she felt like the missing piece of the puzzle had finally been revealed. Her strange dream about wings, the vague blue shape and her eventual success in capturing it thanks to her own wings. Spending nearly every free moment with Dash, insisting to herself that it was for training, but knowing full well she was already one of the best flyers in Ponyville.

What surprised Applejack however, was that Dash kissed back with just as much passion as she herself felt. Applejack felt Dash's tongue grazing at her lips, asking to gain entry.

Applejack opened her lips a bit and let Dash's tongue slip inside. What Dash had lost in wrestling, she seemed to want to correct with tongue-wrestling. Applejack wouldn't roll over without a fight but the fight was already lost with how good Rainbow made her feel.

After what felt like an eternity but was little more than a minute, they broke apart. Rainbow Dash was gasping with a look of utter contentment on her face and Applejack had a healthy blush along with a smile as big as it could get.

As the daze from her actions began to wear off, so did her smile. She'd just kissed Rainbow Dash, completely out of the blue. Sure, she kissed back, but she could've been just as overwhelmed as Applejack felt at that moment.

"I-I...uh...I... I have to go," Applejack yelled before jumping off the cloud and rushing to the orchard below.

Dash was shocked out of her blissfull state. Did she really just... In an instant Dash was on her hooves and flew after her.

Rainbow caught glimpses of Applejack running through the orchard and moved to intercept her. Applejack was just turning a corner when Rainbow showed up in front of her. Rainbow moved quickly, knocking her off her hooves and letting her fall on her back.

She took the same position AJ had before that thing and put her hooves on AJ’s shoulders. When she looked in AJ's eyes however, she didn't saw a pony that thought she made a mistake, she saw a pony that was confused.

Applejack wanted to apologize, tell Dash that she didn't just run away after passionately kissing her.

AJ opened her mouth to begin sputtering apologies when Rainbow Dash made her move. She parted her lips as well and brought them down on AJ's, immediately slipping her tongue inside.

Dash was kissing with even more passion than before. The first kiss came as a surprise to her but this time she was fully aware of how much she wanted to kiss Applejack and never let go.

AJ was unresponsive at first, which Dash took as a bad sign, that maybe she'd made a mistake. Those thoughts were silenced though, as Applejack got over her initial shock and kissed back, her own tongue pushing against Rainbow's, trying to get as much of a taste from her as she could get.

Dash increased her efforts, determined to give AJ the best kiss she would ever had. Applejack moaned her approval at this development.

Convinced that she had left AJ as more of a puddle than a pony, Rainbow broke the kiss up and gave her a lick on her freckles, causing AJ to blush.

"Dash, w-why did you do t-that?" AJ was still blushing furiously and just seemed to radiate happiness.

"Now, care to explain why you flew off when you obviously feel the same way about me as I do about you?"

"I-I've been an idiot," AJ said, looking down at herself.

"Hey! I'm not gonna let anyone call my favorite pony an idiot, not even you," Dash said as nudged AJ's head back up and offered her a hoof. "Now, tell me what's wrong."

Applejack took Dash's hoof and got back on her hooves. "I'm an idiot 'cause it took me two weeks to figure out what these wings meant."

Rainbow looked at AJ's wings and then back to her. "Uh AJ, I'm not following. Mind explaining it to me?"

"Dash, did I ever tell you about the dream I got the first night after I got my wings?"

"I think I recall you mentioning something like that, yeah. Wasn't it about chasing something blue?" Dash asked.

"I might've left a few details out of it. Like how the blue shape looked like a pony with a rainbow on her head. Or about how it was escaping until I got my wings and managed to catch up to it. Or that I was on the verge of kissing her when I woke up."

"I'm still not following AJ, what does the blue thing have to do with- ... oh."

"Exactly," Applejack said with a blank expression.

"But then why did you get your wings then? It's not like I only date pegasi," Dash said with a chuckle.

"'Cause you're basically already married to the sky as it is," Applejack yelled, obviously distraught.

That struck a nerve within Rainbow. She did spend a lot of time with her head in the clouds. Even though she was pining after Applejack for a while now, if AJ wouldn't have gotten her wings, they wouldn't have hung out even half as much as they did the past weeks.

"T-that's not fair. You think just because I like to fly, I wouldn't want to spend any time with a friend just because she couldn't fly? And I thought you didn't know why you got your wings until just now."

"I-I didn't," replied Applejack, being caught a bit unaware of Dash's accusatory glance. "I reckon my heart knew what I wanted before I did."

"So then tell me, directly to my face, WHY did you get your wings?"

"'Cause I wanted you!! 'Cause I want to spend my life with you! I got my wings because I love you, Dash! The only regret I have, is that it took so darn long for me to figure that out.”

Dash rushed over to AJ, grabbing her in a tight hug. "That's all that I ever wanted to hear from you, AJ. And you're not the only idiot here. So many times I had the oppertunity to tell you how I felt, and I hesitated. But not anymore, I love you AJ," Dash said, giving her a kiss on her cheek.

I thought you weren't gonna let anypony insult me, you includin'," AJ said with a giggle.

Dash tensed up a bit. "Uh, well I meant, that...uh... I'm the only idiot around here?" Dash looked at AJ, hoping that it was the right response.

AJ looked at Dash with raised eyebrows until she couldn't take it anymore and broke out in a fit of laughing. Nopony would ever believe she got Dash to say that.

Dash was blushing as she looked at Applejack. Her beauty accentuated by the lovely sound of her laughter. Her laughing died down soon which Dash took as the cue to go on. "So, what are you gonna do about your wings?"

"I don't know, sugarcube. I'm not even sure I want to lose them anymore. They brought me such lovely things. The thrill of flyin' and you."

"Hey! I come second to flying?" Dash said with mock jealousy.

"Of course not, Dashie. You'll always be the most important to me," AJ said with a loving nuzzle. "And about my wings? I'll just keep them for now, it's not like we have a way to get rid of 'em now."

In the meantime, night had already fallen. The ponies could still see eachother clearly due to the abundance of fireflies but it was getting quite late.

"Anyway AJ, I hate to do this now, but I have to get up early for weather patrol tomorrow. So I should call it a night," Dash said with a slight frown.

"Oh," AJ responded. They were only together Are we together? for a few minutes and she already didn't want to leave Dash's side. Still, work came first and if there was anything that AJ understood, then it was work.

Rainbow studied Applejack's expression until her own lit up. "I'll just have to give you something to last until tomorrow."

Before the gravity of those words caught up with AJ's brain, her lips were caught by Rainbow's. Her legs went taut and went almost completely limp a few seconds later.

"I'll see you tomorrow, okay AJ?"

Dash's kiss had left AJ as a mumbling mess so she just gave a small nod and kept staring forward with a vacant but happy smile.

Dash hated to leave Applejack like this but she was certain that AJ would snap out of it soon enough. Dash took flight to the skies above the orchard when she noticed something.

It looked like a nearby spot was being illuminated by some sort of glow. Certain that she could steal a few more minutes before calling it a day, Dash headed to the unearthly glow.

The cause of the glow wasn't hard to find as it seemed to radiate directly from the spot where Twilight buried the truth seed. The patch of soil now being occupied by the blossom of truth.

Dash landed right next to the patch and gently touched flower, as if it would fall apart in dust from even the gentlest touches.

Dash kept prodding the flower for a bit more until she was convinced that it was the real deal.

I got my wings because I love you, Dash!, came into Dash's mind. The way AJ shouted it made it possible that the admission of love was heard all the way over here.

Dash jumped up in joy, levitating herself in the air for a few seconds before landing next to the flower again. If this wasn't proof that AJ's feelings were genuine, then she didn't know what was.

Dash prepared herself to start shouting across the orchard, in the hopes that Applejack could still hear her, when another thought came back into her mind.

You're basically already married to the sky as it is. Dash quickly closed her mouth again. The words did ring true, but were they? Rainbow did enjoy flying a lot, but she wouldn't mind spending a lot more time on the ground.

Although, Applejack seemed insistent that without wings, she wouldn't have had a chance with Dash. The thought of that made a chill go across her spine.

Rainbow looked at the flower. The one thing that could take Applejack away from her just sat there, daring her to do something about it.

Rainbow moved closer to the flower with a determined look on her face. She made her mind up.

"I'm sorry AJ," Dash said, bringing her hoof up above the plant. "But you can't find out."

Rainbow brought her hoof down with a slam. The plant snapped in two like a twig. Rainbow stomped a few more times for good measure.

The glow of the plant slowly faded as the moisture inside trickled out, into the earth, until it was non-existent. The remains withered and shrinked making the plant a shadow of its former, blooming self.

Dash got back in the air and flew to her house to get a good night's sleep. She was already looking forward to spending tomorrow with Applejack.

Author's Note

Holy shit, what is this? ~~Forged in god's very flames. Do mine eyes, tell me lies, a new Elder Scrolls game.~~
A new chapter? You can thank my new proofreader for that. TheShadow has been helping me a lot.