Throughout the darkened streets of Ponyville, above the average rooflines, Rainbow Dash flew as quick as she could. Despite her anger, her sheer determination; she managed to avoid any and all obstacles to avoiding the danger of crashing.

Nothing stopped her. Nothing could stop her.

Her ears pricked up as the sound of raucous laughter drew her attention to the park. There, by the fountain, sat three familiar colts who were the bane of her existence back at Cloudsdale Flight Academy. And sitting in the midst of them was the self-absorbed, stuck-up unicorn that had made Rarity's night at the Homecoming Dance a living Tartarus.

"Haha! Did you see how far Derpaderp flew?! It must be a Ponyville High record!" Dumb-Bell, the brown-coated, silver-maned leader exclaimed, his pals roaring with laughter.

"I know, man! That was awesome!" Laughed Hoops, nudging Score in the side.

"Totally!" Agreed Score. "Bet she crashed into a brick wall!"

"Or a garbage dump!" Dumb-Bell exchanged high hooves with the other Pegasus Jocks, laughing and smirking.

"Hmph. That poor excuse for a pegasus deserved it." Sneered Prince Blueblood, also trading high hooves with the jocks. "The nerve of her to eavesdrop on us like that! It's no wonder she has no friends, outside of nerds and wannabe Princesses."

"You said it, Blueblood!" Score chortled, grinning widely. "When you got a pony lamer than Fluttercry, you know you're pathetic!"

"You said it!" Hoops nodded, sneering. "That's just pathetic and lame on a whole new level! Here I thought Fluttercry was the bottom of the barrel! 'Specially since Rainbow Crash hated her guts!"

"Keyword being hated her guts!" Dumb-Bell smirked, motioning the boys in closer. "You'll never believe what I heard went down between Klutzershy and Rainbow Crash!"

"Ah, yes. The scandal that ensued during Friday afternoon's detention." Blueblood smirked nastily, leaning forward to listen better. "Do tell, DB, I'm all ears..."

"Wait, what? Something happened? How come I'M the last to know?!" Score demanded, making a face.

"Chill out, dude. DB's gonna let us in on it!" Hoops scolded. "Go on, man! Tell 'em what happened!"

"Okay, okay! It went like this! Rainbow Crash got yet another detention, surprise surprise, right?" Dumb-Bell began, snickering. "Well, Klutzershy got detention, too! Apparently she couldn't keep her quiet yap shut with the new nerd, Twiblight Nerdkle!"

"Yes, of course, I remember her well." Blueblood shook his head, chuckling to himself. "A bookworm who'd rather make friends with bound sheets of paper than with her fellow unicorns."

"You knew her?" Score's eyes went wide. "So once a nerd, always a nerd!"

"That's how they all work out, all right." Hoops agreed.

"Indeed, I did." Blueblood nodded. "And she was most certainly a nerd, in every aspect of the term."

"Okay, okay, so!" Dumb-Bell went on. "Klutzershy and Rainbow Crash landed in detention together! Naturally, Rainbow Crash tries to bail early, just like she always did in Cloudsdale, remember boys?"

Hoops and Score leaned in closer, both of them nodding.

"Yeah? What about it?"

"Well, Klutzershy wouldn't let her bail, and pretty soon, they're butting heads like a couple of stags! And then...the next thing you know...they're TOTALLY sucking face!"

"Aw yeah, that was kinda hot!" Hoops grinned. "They may be lame, but it's still two mares makin' out!"

"Whoa! And I missed it?!" Score gaped. "Go on!"

"Oh, that's not even the best part, dude!" Dumb-Bell's smirk widened. "Y'know I said you'd never believe what went down? Rainbow Crash-” He whispered this next part to them. “-on Klutzershy! I'm completely serious!"

Score looked as if he'd seen a ghost at that point. "Holy Hay feathers! She did that?! Whoa! I can't believe it! She really is a fillyfooler!"

"Hmph." Blueblood smirked. "I suppose the rumors have been true, all along. She really is a fillyfooler, isn't she?"

"And for Fluttercry, of all ponies!" Hoops sniggered. "Oh, when this gets around, she is going DOWN!"

"She shall never live this down, shall she?" Blueblood chortled, his eyes glinting maliciously.

"Never in a MILLION years!" Dumb-Bell roared with laughter. "We should call 'em Sluttershy and Rainbow Dyke from now on!"

What happened next was something that nopony could've possibly seen coming, as a cyan hoof collided with Dumb-Bell's snout with a sickening CRACK!

The other two colts jumped back in shock with wide eyes, seeing the surprising sight. Before them stood a very angry Rainbow Dash. She huffed, breathing heavily, her cerise eyes flaring lividly, and stood aggressively. Like an angry guard dog.

"The hay?! Rainbow Crash?! What are you doing?!" Score yelled, taking one step back.

Hoops growled, going over to his fallen friend. "The hay did you do that for?!"

"Say that again, Dumb-Bell!!!" Rainbow Dash snarled, pounding her hooves together, and pressing her snout to the brown colt's in fury. "I DARE you!!!"

"You broge by sdout!!!" Dumb-Bell yelped, pulling back and protecting his profusely-bleeding snout with his forelegs. "I'ww kigg your fwank for dat!!! Ged 'er, boys!!!"

"Allow me." Blueblood lunged for the pegasus, but Rainbow dodged him swiftly, delivering a kick to his croup.

"Forget it, Rainbow Crash! We know what happened! We saw you bury your snout in Fluttercry's cooch!" Hoops snarled, advancing on her. "We know you're a fillyfooler!"

Score rapidly nodded. "And now you're gonna pay for this!"

"Bring it on, losers!!!" Rainbow stood on her hind legs in a ready stance, waving her forehoof as if daring the colts to make a move.

Hoops ran in, growling like a madpony, and delivered a swift punch toward her. "You want some of this?!"

Rainbow easily dodged the punch, catching his foreleg and throwing him over her shoulder with a savage yell. "You forget I'm a blackbelt AND a champion wrestler!!! I can take what you can dish!!!"

"Whooaaa!!" Hoops went sprawling onto the ground.

"Uh... Quick! Blueblood! Use magic! She can't combat against magic!" Score yelled.

"M-magic?! What do I look like, a nerd?!" Blueblood looked panic-stricken, as the raging pegasus turned her sights on him.

"You're a unicorn!! You can use some kind of magic! I don't know! Make her float or something!" Score yelled.

"You want some too, huh?!" Rainbow growled, throwing a lightning-fast punch at the unicorn.

"Oh no you don't!!" Hoops came running, knocking Rainbow on the back. "Now! Use magic like you'd pick something up! Now! It's the only way to stop her!"

"Ooof!!!" Rainbow went down, but was far from out, forcing herself back onto all four legs. "You're gonna regret THAT, pal!!!" She then tackled the colt to the ground, straddling him and pinning his wings.

"I...I don't do confrontations...!!!" Blueblood protested, turning tail to run away...but finding himself snout-to-snout with a furious orange earth mare.

"Well, that's too bad!" Applejack said in a low tone, advancing on him. "Ya were askin' fer it right when ya decided ta pick on mah friends! So Ah don't think yer in any position ta start bein' a coward! Don't start what ya cain't finish!"

"Aaah! S-stay back...!!!" Blueblood backed away as Applejack advanced on him, his ears flattened back and his eyes full of terror. "D-don't make me hurt you...!!!"

"Yeah, right!!!" Rainbow Dash sneered, struggling against Hoops to keep him pinned down. "You couldn't hurt a fly, even IF you wanted to!!!"

Derpy cheered, hovering nearby, but far enough from the fracas to avoid being dragged in, herself. "Yay, Applejack! Yay, Rainbow Dash! You show 'em!!!"

"Ah'm not afraid o' you. Yer nothin' but a dirty, filthy, lyin' chicken. Ah don't care what ya try ta do ta me. But Ah will never let ya get away with you hurtin' mah friends. Face it, Blueblood...ya made all of this personal. And ya got nopony ta blame but yerself. It's about time ya learned tha consequences o' yer selfish actions!" Applejack half-growled, advancing on him further.

"N-no...! No...!!! S-stay away...!" Blueblood cowered as the orange mare backed him against a tree, and continued advancing.

"No. Ah will make ya pay fer what ya did ta Derpy. Fer what ya did ta Rainbow. But most especially...fer what ya did ta Rarity. Ya remember her, right? Or, do Ah need ta remind ya?"

The orange mare turned, raising her flank, ready to strike him with her hind legs.

"Let him have it, AJ!!!" Rainbow sneered towards the pompous Canterlot unicorn, wrestling the orange pegasus colt beneath her into a full-nelson.

"No...! Please, no...! I beg of you...!" Blueblood pleaded, shielding himself as best as he could with his forelegs.

"Then apologize! An' no half-flanked apology, either!" Applejack threatened. "Ah hate usin' violence, but Ah WILL teach ya ta mess with mah friends! Now apologize!"

"F-fine...! Fine, I'll do it...!" Blueblood yelped, cowering in a fetal position.
"Oh no ya don't! Ah know about yer lyin' ways!" Applejack whirled around, standing on her hind legs pinning him to the tree.

"I...I'll get my friends to help...!" Blueblood threatened, though his voice was quivering with fear.

"Good luck with that, Yellow-Blueblood!" Rainbow smirked, pointing with her forehoof. "Your so-called 'friends' high-tailed it outta here...a lot like YOU tried to do!"

"That's right!" Applejack smirked. "Don't think we didn't notice that ya tried ta abandon yer so-called friends, too. Ah gotta say, y'all deserve each other! Y'all are big-talkin', lyin', filthy, rumour-spreadin', pig-lickin' morons!"

"You tell him, Applejack!" Derpy giggled gleefully, still watching the scene unfold from her perch atop the fountain.

"So? Now what are you gonna do, Princey?" Rainbow leered at him, flying over and beating her hooves together again.

"Ah believe ya still have some real apologies ta make! An' don't think ya can just go ahead an' go back ta yer old ways! Ah wonder....do yer parents know about this?" Applejack winked toward Rainbow Dash. "Mah little sister gets bullied at school all tha dang time... by a little filly who's a mighty bit like ya. An' Ah sure want ta know these things. An' if Ah had a daughter er son o' mah own...Ah would never let 'em off easy if they were bullyin' others. So, tell me...do yer parents know?"

"You...you wouldn't...!!!" Blueblood looked horrified, now. "You...you can't tell Aunt Celestia...!!!"

"Ohhhhh, so it's your auntie that raises you, huh?" Rainbow Dash smirked widely. "Well, maybe we should just call up Auntie Celestia to tell her what's been going on with her faaavorite nephew, hmm~?"

"Ah may never have met Princess Celestia fer mahself...but Ah would happen ta know that she's a kind, regal, an' benevolent kinda ruler. Ah think she would have raised ya better than that." Applejack said, looking smug at this point.

"Y-you...you don't even know her...!" Blueblood visibly shuddered, dreading the thought of the Equestrian ruler learning of his misbehavior since transferring into Ponyville High.

"No, but I'm sure our good, 'nerdy' friend Twilight Sparkle does!" Rainbow Dash said with a sneer. "Why don't we just ask her to get in touch with your auntie, shall we?"

Applejack nodded, tightening her hold. "She did go ta Princess Celestia's school, tha same school you went to. Ah'm sure she'd want ta know what her nephew's been up to..."

"No...you wouldn't...!" Blueblood began to struggle to break free, but was no match against the strong earth mare.

"Oh yes, we would..." Rainbow grinned, her eyes glinting in the moonlight.

"We sure would. Ya made it personal with us...now it's our turn. As we say back on tha farm...ya reap what ya sow," said the orange pony, tightening her hold again.
"A-all right...all right...! Y-you win...I'll do anything...anything you want...just please don't tell Aunt Celestia...!"

The cyan pony laughed, shaking her head. "Looks like it's true what they say, AJ...threaten a tough guy with his mommy...or in this case, his auntie...and he cries like a foal!"

"Ah'll say it is! Fine. But we're still reportin' yer messes ta tha Principal, anyway. There is no way we're lettin' ya get away with all o' this again!" Applejack said seriously. "Now apologize!"

"A-all right..." Swallowing, Blueblood directed his gaze to the cross-eyed pegasus. "Miss Derpy...I am terribly and honestly sorry for my behavior towards you...and for the behavior of the Pegasus Jocks...it was cruel of us to do what we did...will you please, please forgive me...?"

Rainbow Dash watched, awaiting Derpy's answer, pounding her hooves together as if to say she'd beat his snout flat if Derpy didn't accept his apology.

"Well..." Derpy thought for a moment. "You're still a meanie mean face...and I don't really like you...but if you're really sorry, then I guess I'll forgive you."

"Awright, good." Applejack released him. "Now, Rarity ain't here fer you ta issue yer apology ta her, but you can bet we'll make an arrangement with tha guidance counselor fer that on Monday."

"Y-yes, Miss Applejack..." Blueblood rubbed gingerly at his neck and breathed a sigh of relief.

"And you owe Fluttershy an apology too, you creep!" Rainbow Dash growled, coming snout-to-snout with the stallion. "If you don't, then you can bet I'll be MORE than glad to show you why they call me Ponyville High's lean, mean submission Queen!"

Applejack pointed a hoof in his face, narrowing her eyes. "Once again, that'll be on Monday. Until then, get yerself home an' don't ya be causin' any more trouble, ya hear?"

"Y-yes, Miss Rainbow Dash...Miss Applejack..." Blueblood's ears lowered back again, and he bit his lip, before turning and galloping away from the park.

"Hmph! What a jerk!" Rainbow Dash scowled, watching him retreat. "I should've pounded his snout flat, anyways! He'd have looked a lot better, don'tcha think, AJ?"

"Hee! Prince Blueblood would look silly with a flat snout, Rainbow Dash!" Giggled Derpy, descending from the fountain to join the two athletic mares.

"Well, Ah cain't argue with that, nor can I deny bein' tempted!" Applejack chuckled a bit. "But Ah'm glad we managed ta work this out. We should get back ta tha party, don't ya think?"

"Yeah! Let's go to the party, Applejack!" Derpy nodded, grinning happily.

"Hay yeah! After delivering that beatdown, I could stand to unwind at a Pinke Pie partay!" Rainbow Dash put out her hoof to the orange mare.

"Ah'll say ya do!" Applejack hoof-bumped her. She then lowered her voice to a whisper. "By tha way... Ah think Fluttershy might be real worried about ya."

Rainbow Dash smirked as she hoof-bumped Applejack. But her expression quickly changed to a frown, as she spoke back in a whisper. "Fluttershy always worries about me when bullies are involved, Applejack. It's nothing new to me. Stems from when we were fillies in Cloudsdale."

"Ah know, that's true. Ah'm jus' sayin' that Derpy an' Ah tried ta be discreet, though Ah did let Rarity know what's goin' on."

"Ah feathers, Rarity knows what I was going to do? Shoot! What about Twilight?"

Applejack shrugged, nodding toward Derpy to follow them as they headed back toward Sugarcube Corner.

"Ah cain't say fer sure. But Ah wouldn't put it past Rarity ta let 'em know what happened if she had ta."

Rainbow Dash snorted a bit, shaking her head. She flew at a steady pace alongside Applejack, rolling her eyes at Derpy flying upside-down behind her, albeit playfully.

"Well, if Rarity knows, then I'm sure the whole gang at Sugarcube Corner's gonna know. C'mon AJ, you know she's Ponyville High's Gossip Goddess."

The orange mare nodded slowly, "That's true, but that doesn't mean she cain't keep secrets. Regardless o' that, ya might be right. If they know what's goin' on, then Ah guess we'll have ta face tha music an' tell tha truth."

The cyan mare nodded, closing her eyes and heaving a sigh. "I'm gonna have to do it sooner or later. Might as well be sooner, right? I mean, our friends deserve to know about me and Shy...right?"

"Ah think so," Applejack said softly, nodding her head. "After all, how long are ya gonna keep up this 'Ah Hate Fluttershy' charade? Considerin' that there hatred these past few months was more forced than actual misunderstandin' hatred?"

Rainbow chuckled, shaking her head. "Guess I can't really keep it up now that I've gone down with her. You still remember what I told you happened while I had that nasty cold a few months back, don't you?"

A small smile overcame Applejack's face. "Course Ah do. Ever since then, Ah've noticed exactly how forced yer hatred was fer each other. 'Specially with you."

Rainbow's ears lowered back a bit. "Well...it wasn't forced all the time...I still had my moments of getting angry with her..."

"Ah know ya did, an' so did she. But what Ah mean is that there seemed ta be less friction, an' more forced avoidance goin' on," Applejack stated, keeping her voice low.

"Ohhh yeah, that...I guess things just got way too awkward between us after Shy took care of me until I got over my cold..." Rainbow murmured, her ears flattening all the way.

"That's what Ah mean..." The orange earth pony murmured, looking up at their awkwardly-flying friend for a moment. "Ya never really did say why that was."

"Well..." The cyan pegasus bit her lip, before deciding to explain to her orange friend. "We cuddled together on my couch...snuggled a bit...it was something we always did as fillies, when one or both of us would be sick..."

Unable to help herself, Applejack giggled. She knew from Rainbow's embarrassed confessions of the past that she was, indeed, a snuggler when it came to Fluttershy. It was completely adorable and seemed so out of character to anypony else, which just made it hilarious. The typical image of a rough-and-tough pony actually being a cuddle bug was a funny ideal.

While she could sense an underlying source for the awkwardness, it did still sound so cute.

"Ah gotta say, that's real sweet," she said.
"It was sweet..." Rainbow smiled a bit at the memory, blushing. "Fluttershy snuggled with me under my blanket...petting my mane...holding tissues to my snout, if I needed them...well, eventually, it got a little...heated, per se."

"D'aww! That sounds like Fluttershy awright!" Laughed Applejack, grinning widely. "So, whaddya mean by 'heated'?"

"Yep, good ol' Fluttershy..." Chuckled Rainbow Dash, grinning. "Well...snuggles turned to nuzzles...nuzzles to nibbles...and nibbles to kisses..."

Oh, this was too precious! Especially by the look no Rainbow's face. The cowpony wanted to laugh some more at the adorable images, but she could now see what she was getting at.

"Oh...so y'all were kissin'?"

The daredevil pony nodded, her cheeks stained red. "Fluttershy insisted it was okay...that my cold wouldn't pass onto her from lip contact...and, well...I guess I just...went with it..."

"Ah was wonderin' 'bout that..." Applejack admitted, pondering it for a moment. "So then what?"

"It lasted for a while..." Rainbow shook her head, giggling. "But we had to break apart when I had to sneeze...needless to say, moment ruined!"

"Ah hear ya, things like that ruin moments, 'specially those!"

"No kidding! Oh well, Fluttershy just brushed it off and wiped my snout for me...I'm still shocked she never caught my cold..."

"Well, boy howdy! Immune system o' steel!" Applejack quipped, snickering.

"You're telling me!" Rainbow Dash smirked, chuckling.

"I don't think Fluttershy ever gets sick!" Derpy piped up then, still flying upside-down beside her friends.

Not even commenting on Derpy overhearing, Applejack shrugged. "Ya can say that!" She said, turning back to Rainbow. "So, then what happened?"

"Well, after that..." Rainbow's eyes shifted a bit. "We kind of agreed...it never happened..."

For a moment, Applejack just wanted to facehoof. Even if she wasn't a romantic expert of any sort, even she had to admit that it was a lazy and time-wasting method. But at the moment, there wasn't much point; it was in the past, and their relationship was now rekindled.

"Much as it doesn't matter... All Ah can say is that was a stupid decision."

"Yeah, I know..." Rainbow muttered. "Mom saw and heard everything...and even she told me I'd regret that decision later..."

"Ah guess Ah don't even need ta say it, do Ah?"

"No. Don't. I've heard it before, more than I cared to."

Of course she expected that kind of response, but it was perfectly understandable.

Applejack smiled, patting her back. "Then Ah won't. It doesn't even matter anymore."

She looked up ahead, seeing that Sugarcube Corner was slowly coming into view. Turning back to her friend and frequent sports partner, her voice lowered to a whisper.

"But don't let her get away, again. Ah'm glad y'all are finally fixin' things, so Ah hope ya keep it up."

Rainbow Dash managed to smile back, nodding. "Thanks, AJ. It's in the past, and that's where I want it to stay." She lowered her voice to a whisper again. "Don't worry...now that I have my Fluttershy back, I'm never letting go of her~"

Giggling a bit at that, Applejack patted her friend's back and let her go. "Well, good. Now, why don't we get on back to that party? Ah'm sure all our friends are mighty worried 'bout us by now!"

Rainbow Dash grinned and nodded. "Yeah, let's get our flanks over there, before Pinks decides to form a search party!" Smirking, she touched down on the ground, her wings folding into her sides. "Race ya!"

"Yer on! Derpy, ya wanna race?" Applejack looked up at their gray friend, grinning.

"Hee! Okay, Applejack!" Derpy landed on the ground, after flipping herself rightside-up, of course, and folded in her wings. "Ready!"

"On three!" Rainbow declared, pawing the ground. "One!"

Applejack pawed at the ground as well, licking her lips. "Two!"

Derpy's tail swished about as she crouched, her crossed golden eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Three!" Rainbow took off like a shot, running as fast as her four legs would carry her.

Taking off as well, Applejack soon caught up to her, laughing most of the way.

"Yer not gonna win this one, RD!"

"Nuh-uh! You won't win, Rainbow Dash!" Derpy giggled, quickly catching up to the two athletes.

"Not a chance, AJ!" Rainbow sped up, pulling ahead of her fellow teammate for numerous sports.

"Well! Then y'all can eat mah dust!" Applejack pulled ahead of them both. "Yeehaw!!"

"Hee! This is fun!" Derpy continued running, not really even caring if she could keep up with the two sports mares. She was enjoying this game!

"We'll see who's eating whose dust!!!" Rainbow challenged, quickly passing the orange mare. "Aw, YEAH!!!"

"Yeah...it is fun!" Applejack agreed, pulling up faster, as well.

"Wheee!!! Fun!!!" Derpy cheered, soon pulling ahead as they neared the bakery.

"Oh yeah! Totally fun!" Rainbow grinned, catching up to Applejack again.

"An' we'll-whoa nelly!" Applejack gaped in surprise, stopping in her tracks as she saw Derpy pull ahead.

Not that she thought Derpy was an incompetent pony in running or sports; it just took her by surprise.

"Whoa!!!" Rainbow skidded to a halt, as well. "AJ...did Derpy just surpass us?!"

"Come on, Applejack! Hurry up, Rainbow Dash!!!" Derpy gleefully called, standing in front of Sugarcube Corner.

Blinking, Applejack and Rainbow Dash exchanged surprised glances. It was too true. Derpy Hooves of all ponies had surpassed not just one of them, but both of them at the same time. Even more so, since they'd just stopped.

It was an astounding moment. Too bad it wasn't caught on film, they thought. Nonetheless, it was quite a shock, yet hilarious.

"Applejack, Rainbow Dash, come on!!!" Derpy called again, flapping her wings and hovering a bit. "I think Pinkie Pie started the party without us!"

"Oh, right!" Applejack said, getting to running again. She didn't go fast this time, but just half-galloping the rest of the way.

"Sorry, Derps!" Rainbow Dash ran after her, though not as speedily as before. Just fast enough to catch up and trot alongside her.

They reached the entrance, throwing it open. Sure enough, the party had indeed started without them, with all their friends having some fun and dancing to the music. But once they walked in, they all pretty much stopped and stared at them, despite that Vinyl Scratch was still playing music.

Twilight, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy all looked the most surprised, but still relieved.

"There you three are!" Rarity exclaimed, cantering over to them. "Well, it seems you don't have any scratches on you, so that's a relief."

"Nope! We're fine!" Derpy declared, grinning.

"Rainbow! Applejack! Derpy!" Fluttershy all but ran over, throwing her forelegs around the cyan pegasus.

"Relax, Shy, I'm okay..." Rainbow brought her forelegs around the creamy yellow pegasus, nuzzling her sweetly.

"D'awww, lookie~" Pinkie Pie gushed happily, observing the pegasi embracing and nuzzling each other.

Twilight followed her gaze, smiling at the adorable sight. Most especially when the two pegasi slipped off to a corner so they could talk in private.

"You're right, Pinkie...they're so cute." Twilight agreed, giggling a bit.

"They're just all kinds of ad'awwwrable!!!" Pinkie giggled, smiling and winking at the two pegasi. "Hee, that's my word for when something is TOO adorable to be just adorable!"

Looking to the quirky earth pony, it was hard for Twilight not to smile at. There was just something so, well, incredibly likable about Pinkie. As much as she could be a little too much at times, especially when she was loud and/or rambling, it somehow worked. She strangely felt, different, but in a good way, around Pinkie. It wasn't often that she met other ponies like her, to be sure.

"I...well, yeah, I guess that kind of makes sense..." Twilight remarked.

"Oh, Twilight! Of course it makes sense, you silly filly!" Pinkie giggled, throwing her foreleg around her shoulders. "Don't think so much on it, okey-dokey lokie?"

Giggling, Twilight shook her head. "Okay, I won't. You're absolutely right."

Smiling, Pinkie gave her a friendly nuzzle. "That's the spirit! Now, then! I wanna hear aaaaalllll about you, Twilight! If you're to be my new bestest friend, then I need to know what makes you tick!"

The nuzzle made Twilight blush a bit, but she managed a nuzzle back. "Um...well...what do you want to know?"

"Everything!" Pinkie beamed, her cerulean eyes meeting Twilight's violet gaze. "Where are you from, what school did you go to, what's your favorite color, your favorite subject, your favorite food..." She went on and on, to the unicorn's utter confusion and mild amusement.

"Er...well..." Twilight sat back at their table, wondering how to answer this. "I-I guess... In order... I'm from Canterlot, that's where I grew up. My old school was the Royal Academy for Gifted Unicorns. My favourite colour? Um...my favourite colour is pink, with purple being a close second. My favourite subject was definitely magic, and also Equestrian History! I loved those classes, even if I did do my best in other classes, giving them my all. Um...my favourite food? ...I don't know... I never really thought about that. I mean, I like a lot of food, but a favourite? I don't know, really."

Pinkie nodded, seeming to take this all in rather quickly. "Oooh, if you loved Equestrian History, then I just know you're gonna looooove taking it at Ponyville High School! Our teacher's sooo strange, but he's sooo funny and cool, too! Just wait till you meet him!!!" Calming down to take a breath, as well as eat a few cupcakes, she continued. "So you grew up in Canterlot? Oooh, what's it like there? Do you know the Princesses? What about your family? Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

"Um...well..." Twilight ate a cupcake to distract herself. She loved the taste, and giggled while eating it. "I...well, I didn't really go out very much, honestly. I know Canterlot is a lot more...er...kind of more upscale and of ponies from high society. Nouveau-riche...which is new money, or old money, especially. But then again, if you got your money without inheriting it...that just gave you an enigma."

"...What?" Pinkie blinked at her cutely, drinking some punch before offering Twilight a cup. "Here, try the punch! It's delicious!"

Twilight took it in her magic, sipping it. "Mmm, yeah! It is good!"
Pinkie downed the rest of her cup, refilling it and drinking some. "What about my other questions? About the Princesses of Equestria, and your family, and do you have brothers or sisters?"

"Um...well, yes, actually..." Twilight looked away shyly. "I did know them. A-A little bit."

"Oooh, oooh, oooh! Are they as nice as I've heard? Do you know them personally?" Pinkie chattered eagerly, eating another cupcake and some cookies.

"Well...yes," Twilight still looked away from her. "I-It's no big deal, I just, had Princess Celestia as my personal tutor for Magical History."

"Really?!" Pinkie gasped, much like she'd done when she first saw Twilight in the school's main hallway. "Oooh, so what was it like?!"

The unicorn gasped, wide-eyed and unsure how to respond. "U-Um...well...I was-that is... It was wonderful, really. I was honoured to have her as my teacher."

The pink earth mare grinned. "That's sososososooooo super cool, Twilight!"

Smiling a bit more, feeling a bit less nervous about revealing her past, Twilight relaxed a bit. "Thank you, it really is. As for your last question, I do have an older brother. His name is Shining Armor, and he's the Captain of the Royal Guard, actually. He's my BBBFF."

Pinkie cocked her head to the side, blinking once. "Your...what-now?"
"...Big Brother Best Friend Forever." Twilight elaborated.

"Ohhhhh!" Pinkie nodded.

"Yeah...well, um, anyway...that's about it..."

The lavender mare twiddled her hooves nervously. What could she say or do next? It was a bit of a tough situation, since she really didn't know what to say or to do. With Rarity and Fluttershy, it was fairly easy to talk to them, just as it was with Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

Pinkie was a whole different story. She wasn't hard to talk to, it was just her reactions and responses that threw her for a few loops.

"Sooo, why'd you come to Ponyville? Canterlot was a nice place to live, wasn't it?" The pink mare's question dragged Twilight from her thoughts and back to reality.

"Well, yes, Canterlot is always nice, and it is my hometown... But my parents wanted to move away from it all, and settle down in a more low-key, laid-back place. So, we moved here to Ponyville."

"Oooh, okay! I'm not originally from Ponyville, either!"

"...You're not?" Twilight regarded her curiously.

"Nopey-dopey-lopey!" Pinkie shook her head, smiling. "I grew up on a rock farm!"

Curious, the unicorn regard her new friend, studying her a moment before elaborating on the question. "A rock farm?"

"Yup! All day, every day, we harvested the rocks from one field to another! It was boooooring!" The earth pony shook her head.

"Wow...that does sound...very grueling."

"It was nooo fun at all!"

"Well, them how did you come here?" Twilight queried.

"Well, living on a rock farm was just waaaaay too boring for me!" Pinkie explained. "So when I told Mama and Papa Pie that I wanted to live somewhere else, they brought me here to Ponyville, and then I met the Cakes!"

"Really? ...So you live here?" Twilight was wide-eyed.

"Uh-huh! Mr. and Mrs. Cake let me live upstairs in exchange for working for them after school and on weekends!" Pinkie nodded, grinning.

"...Wow...that's a very interesting arrangement, and independent!" Said the lavender mare, amazed. "I mean...wow! I'm impressed, Pinkie!"

"Well, since Mama and Papa Pie still have to work the rock farm, I gotta have someplace to live!" Giggled the pink mare, poking the unicorn's snout playfully.

Twilight blinked, staring at her hoof with crossed eyes. "...Right...yeah..."

Pinkie giggled and pulled her hoof back, helping herself to a slice of cake. "Want some? I baked it myself, just for this party!"

Nodding, the lavender unicorn took a slice of cake as well. Upon taking a bite, Twilight chewed thoughtfully, and then beamed!

"Mm! It's delicious!"

Pinkie gasped, and then gave a wide, sparkly-eyed smile.

"Ohhh~ Thank you, Twilight! I really, really worked hard to make it just right! Oh, I'm so glad you love it!"

Smiling in return, the unicorn ate the cupcake until she finished it. Taking a napkin, she wiped her mouth of the excess, then took a drink of milk to wash it down.

"Thanks Pinkie, the cupcake was really good. The craftsmanship you put into it really shows. It was superb!"

Giggling happily, the earth mare hugged her tight. "Ohhh, thank you thank you thank you, Twilight!!! You don't know how happy I am to hear that!!!"

The hug surprised Twilight a bit as her eyes went wide. It felt very expectant of an energetic, silly, quirky and social pony like Pinkie Pie, despite that she had only just met her some time ago. She felt a strange sensation she couldn't place, wondering if it was good or bad. Either way, she smiled slightly, patting the other mare's back a little.

"Oh, uh...you're very welcome, Pinkie."

Pinkie hugged her and nuzzled her for a few moments more, before releasing her. "Sooooo, Twilight! I have one very-super-ultra-extra-important question to ask you, now!"

"Uh...okay, what is it?" Twilight looked at the party pony curiously.
Smiling, Pinkie waved the rest of the girls over. Soon, she, Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had all surrounded Twilight, all of them wearing big grins.

"Will you be our PBFF???"

They all waited, anticipating Twilight's answer. Blinking, the surprised unicorn looked from one of her new friends to the other, unsure what to make of this little "officiality".

"Um...say what?"

"Will you be our PBFF?" Pinkie repeated.

"Our Pony Best Friend Ferever, sugarcube." Applejack clarified for her.

"O-Oh! ...Oh..." Twilight blinked, realizing what Pinkie had done.

The more she thought about it, the more the idea just, warmed her heart. Back in Canterlot, she never really had any friends except for her family and for Spike. She had never truly gone out there and made friends, never finding it necessary.

But since her first day of school at Ponyville High School, she was astonished.

Never had she expected to make new friends, especially ones so colourful and interesting as them. Now they were reaching out to her, as well, making her their friend.

With a bright, happy smile, Twilight nodded. "I'd...I'd really like that, girls. You know...I didn't think too much on it, because it felt so...easy. But, now that I do... I think...I think you girls really are my friends, now. I didn't think this would happen...but I'm so glad it did. Yes..I'll be your PBFF."

"YAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! Pinkie gleefully cheered, throwing her forelegs around Twilight. "Group hug~!!!!!!!!!!"

"D'awww, c'mere you!" Applejack grinned and brought her forelegs around the unicorn, as well.

"Welcome to the group, Twilight!" Rainbow Dash also joined in, grinning widely.

"We're quite glad you wish to be our friend, darling!" Rarity joined the hug as well.

"I'm very happy too, Twilight! And if not for you, I don't think we'd all be here right now like we are!" Fluttershy said sweetly, joining in too.

Twilight giggled, blushing immensely. "...Awwww, come on, girls!"

"It's truly true, Twilight!" Pinkie giggled, nuzzling her. "You're the glue that binds us all together now!"

Twilight blushed, shaking her head. "That's silly. You girls did that on your own!"

"Maybe...but...you really helped us here, Twilight," Fluttershy said softly.

"It's true, ya know." Rainbow Dash looked to Fluttershy with a soft smile and a blush. "If not for you, well then, we'd all be doing our separate things right now!"

Fluttershy returned it, blushing immensely. "If you hadn't sat in Math class with me, I would never have gotten detention."

"And if we hadn't met as we did, I don't believe I would have reconnected with Applejack." Rarity admitted. "Though we differ in many ways, I had seemed to forgotten the important thing. That she is indeed a good friend, as are the rest of you!"

"Ditto that!" Rainbow grinned.

"That goes fer me too, y'all!" Applejack smiled.

"And of course it goes triple-quadruple-quintuple for me!" Pinkie chimed in.

This made Twilight blush all the more, looking away bashfully. "Well...I-I'm glad it all worked out, girls... If I hadn't met you all, I wouldn't even be here right now."

"See, Twilight? That's why you're our PBFF now!"

"Uh-huh!"

"Eeeyup!"

"Um..." A voice spoke up near them.

They all turned, coming to see a nervous-looking Derpy, rubing her foreleg anxiously.

Taking a deep breath, the gray pegasus managed to make eye contact with the lavender unicorn. Despite how nervous she looked, there was still a trace of a smile on her lips.

"Twilight Sparkle...I wanted to say that you're my friend, too. You were really nice to me, and you didn't judge me... I appreciate that a lot."

"Awww, Derpy-werpy, do you wanna join in?" Pinkie smiled brightly at the cross-eyed mare, opening a foreleg to bring her into their group hug.

"I think you should!" Twilight agreed. "I like you too, Derpy. and you're also my friend. I think we can all agree to that."

This made the gray pegasus smile brightly. "Really? Wow...gosh, you guys! Thank you!" She joined in the group hug as well.

"Awww, Derpydoo, you know we love you!" Pinkie giggled, hugging her warmly.

"Heh, never a dull moment with Derps around!" Rainbow Dash chuckled, grinning at her pegasus friend.

"You said it, RD!" Applejack hugged Derpy, too. “We definitely love ya, too, Derpy!”

Rarity smiled and hugged her as well. "I certainly cannot agree more, darling!"

"Neither can I," said Fluttershy, joining in. "We're all very lucky to have you as our friend, too."

"Well, isn't that just awesometastic!" An amused voice said from across the room. Vinyl Scratch waved to the group from behind her DJ table. "I think I might just have to play a special track to fit the situation!"

"Oh goodness..." Twilight blushed, realizing they were still at the little party.

But Pinkie seemed unfazed, as she waved back to the DJ unicorn. "You just go right ahead and do that, Scratchie!"

"You got it, Pinks!" Vinyl lifted her shades to wink at the pink mare, before spinning up a record onto the turntable with her magic.

Rarity laughed a bit, before turning to the orange earth pony. "Applejack, dear, I do believe you promised me a cupcake..." She smiled.

Applejack blushed mildly, acknowledging the light-gray unicorn with a smile. "Why yes, Ah believe Ah did there, sugarcube. Lemme jus' go an' get that fer ya." She winked, pulling away from the group hug and trotting off to the refreshments table.

Winking toward Twilight, Rarity turned and then followed after her. This of course made Twilight giggle a bit. It certainly gave the day before a whole new perspective, to say the least.

"Mind if I go get some muffins?" Derpy asked hopefully. "I saw some muffins over there."

"Go right ahead, Derpy-werpy!" Pinkie nodded, releasing her from the hug. "There's a biiig plate of muffins over there with your name on it!"

Derpy grinned widely, "Thank you, Pinkie Pie!" She then scurried off to the said table.

Fluttershy spoke up then, clearing her throat. "Um, Pinkie...could we use your bathroom upstairs?"

"Absotively, posilutely!" Pinkie nodded with a wink.

"Thank you!" Fluttershy said, and then turned to Rainbow Dash. "All right, Rainbow. Come with me."

"Right behind you, 'Shy!" Rainbow Dash grinned, her wings flaring out briefly before receding again. "Thanks, Pinks!"

Pinkie giggled. "Don't mention it, Dashie!"
As the two pegasi walked off to the stairs, Twilight looked after them with amazement. Moments after they were out of earshot, she turned back to the pink earth pony.

"That's it? Rainbow isn't even putting up a fuss?"

"Nopey-dopey-lopey!" Pinkie shook her head. "Why would she, Twilight?"

"Well, obviously Fluttershy is taking her up to help treat her injuries, and Rainbow isn't even complaining."

"Because Dashie knows that Flutters will give her a 'reward' for good behavior, silly!"

This of course further confused Twilight. "...Like a kiss or a hug or something?"

Pinkie giggled and winked discreetly at the confused unicorn. "Something like that~"

For a few moments, Twilight had to ponder hard about what Pinkie could've meant about that. What else could the “reward” have been? A treat? A gift? It was a confusing answer, which she thought hard about.

However, the answer caught on to the lavender mare, as realization struck her.

"And you're letting them?!"

The pink mare giggled and nodded. "Why shouldn't I, Twilight? After all, Flutters and Dashie love each other!"

Twilight just blushed immensely, managing to grab another cupcake so that she could distract herself; trying not to think about just what their two pegasi friends were going to be up to in the bathroom. All while Pinkie just giggled and watched her, eating a cupcake of her own.

“Sweet Celestia...” Twilight murmured, eyes wide.

Up in the bathroom, Fluttershy searched through the medicine cabinet, as well as the cabinet under the sink to search for the items she needed. Eventually, she was equipped with a damp washcloth, a couple of cotton pads, antiseptic spray, and a bottle of ointment.

"All right, Dashie, I'm going to need you to sit still for me. You do seem to have a few cuts, as well as a few bruises...and your wings are a bit of a mess," she said.

"Yeah, yeah. I know the routine by now, 'Shy." Rainbow Dash resisted the urge to roll her eyes, as she sat down near the sink while Fluttershy gathered the necessary supplies.

"Now, does it hurt anywhere else?"
"A bit along the ribs...I did get tackled to the side by Hoops..."

This worried Fluttershy, as she gently placed down the supplies. She then gingerly placed her hoovesd along Rainbow's ribs, applying gentle pressure. "Let me know when it hurts, okay?"

Rainbow winced a bit as Fluttershy pressed along her ribs, but so far said nothing. "I'll let you know..."

"Okay."

Fluttershy ran her hooves along her ribs first on the right side, applying pressure as she went. Getting no reaction, she moved over to the left side.

"Ow! Ow, right there!" Rainbow suddenly cried out, biting her lip against the pain.

Almost immediately, Fluttershy pulled her hooves away, wide-eyed.

"Oh, dear! I'm sorry, Rainbow... Well...there doesn't seem to be anything broken, at least. It may just end up bruising, anyway."

Rainbow winced, folding her wing protectively over her ribs.

"Okay...that's good that nothing's broken...but it stings like a son of a buck. Makes me wonder why Hoops doesn't play hoofball, instead of basketball..."

"I wouldn't give him that idea..." Fluttershy growled in an uncharacteristic manner, though it wasn't directed at her lover.

"Like I would..." Rainbow snorted, rolling her eyes. "Heh...at least I busted Dumb-Bell's snout pretty good! He's gonna be a sight come Monday morning, lemme tell you!"

Despite that she didn't condone violence against anypony, there was still that small part of Fluttershy that felt thrilled.

"What did you do?" She asked, a bit too eagerly.

"I heard that jerk talking with that OTHER jerk, Blueblood, about what went down between us in detention Friday afternoon!" Rainbow's expression darkened for a moment. "And he had the NERVE to call you Sluttershy and me Rainbow Dyke!" Her smirk returned, then, as she puffed out her chest proudly. "So I let him have it! POW!!! Right in the kisser!"

The insults made Fluttershy cringe ever slightly, not to mention the fact that the bullies seemed to know what happened between them. It scared her a little, wondering if it was going to be spread around, now. She felt a tightening in her stomach, her entire body seeming to freeze.

But all too soon, those feelings faded with the rest of Rainbow's story. Fluttershy couldn't help but smile widely, coming closer to her best friend and fillyfriend.

"Oh, Rainbow! Did you really?!"

"You better believe I did, 'Shy! Do you really think I was gonna let those losers get away with calling you such a vile name?!" Rainbow grinned widely at her best friend and fillyfriend, one wing forming a "V-for-Victory" gesture.

As she was applying the necessary remedies all the while, Fluttershy beamed brightly. It took her back, so many years, when Rainbow Dash had first defended her honour. After all this time, having had to face the bullies in a whole new way, she felt at home once more. Knowing that they could overcome their old enemies together. Just as they did before.

The creamy yellow pegasus giggled, gently wiping the cyan mare's face with the washclotch, ridding any blood and dirt patches.

"Normally I wouldn't condone physical violence...but I can't say I disapprove, either! You really stood up against them this time, Rainbow!"

"Hay yeah, I did!" Rainbow Dash grinned, allowing the creamy yellow pegasus to clean and mend the few wounds she'd sustained during the fight. "I'm not about to let those losers talk smack about my girl! I didn't back then, so why should I start now?"

"Oh...that's true... And I certainly wouldn't, either... I would have given them a piece of my mind if I could!!" Fluttershy burst. But then she calmed herself, taking a few breaths. She looked up at her lover with despondency. "But, I'm just glad you're all right, Rainbow. That's...that's what really matters."

"Heh..." Rainbow's smirk softened, and she briefly nuzzled her nose against Fluttershy's. "Of course I'm all right, Shy. You know I used to get into fights with those three clowns all the time, back in Cloudsdale. I can hold my own against 'em just fine."

The timid mare pouted slightly, placing the supplies aside when she was done with treating her injuries.

"I know you can...but I still worry, Dashie."

The daredevil mare smiled gently, touching her face with a forehoof.

"I know you do, Shy. You always have, ever since we were fillies. And...I guess-that's just one more thing I love about you~"
Fluttershy blushed immensely, giggling with glee and nuzzling her cheek against Rainbow's hoof.

"Aww, Rainbow... You're sweet..."

Rainbow chuckled, running her hoof through Fluttershy's soft mane. "No sweeter than you, Shy~"

The creamy yellow pegasus smiled all the more. "Ooh...you know, I not only have a reward for you having behaved...but I have to thank you as well...for what you did for me..." Fluttershy cooed, batting her eyelashes.

"Heh...well, you don't have to thank me~" Rainbow purred, her eyelids lowering to half-mast. "But that's not to say I'd object~"

The tightening in her stomach was less tense, and more of a feeling of pleasure by this point. Fluttershy giggled, coming closer and bringing her forelegs around Rainbow's neck.

"Oh, I'm going to thank you...I'm going to thank you so much..." Fluttershy purred, her own eyes half-mast. She giggled, leaning in close until their lips were barely touching. "My room...or yours?"

"My room~" Rainbow smirked, bringing her forelegs around Fluttershy's neck. "You're spending the night with me, remember~?"

"Now you tell me. Or is it that you're just so awesome, I didn't remember~" Fluttershy giggled, licking her lips.

"Awesome is my middle name, after all~" Rainbow chuckled.

"Ooh, and I thought it was Daring~" Cooed the creamy yellow pegasus.

Rainbow Dash smirked playfully, winking at her."You know you're the only one who knows that~"

"Am I still? Ooh, I'd thought you'd have told somepony else by now, Dashie."

"Only you, Shy. And mom, of course..."
Fluttershy giggled gleefully, nuzzling their noses. "Well, Rainbow Daring Dash...kiss me..."

Rainbow Dash grinned, nuzzling noses with her right back. "Thought you'd never ask~"

With that, the two pegasi locked lips in a tender, but heated kiss, wrapping their forelegs around each other tighter. Despite the pain in Rainbow's ribs, it didn't deter her from embracing Fluttershy in the slightest, despite that she did what she could to mind that area.

Downstairs, the party was still going along. Vinyl was still controlling the turntables, all while Octavia played her cello alongside her, with Lyra playing her lyre. The strangely well-done combination of the music styles worked nicely to create a very unique sound. Even Octavia seemed to be having fun!

Over at one of the tables, Rarity was sitting with Applejack; while the latter of the two explained the events of earlier.

"An' then tha jerkwad said he'd get his 'friends' ta help! Humph! Some friends! Them scaredy-cats ran away with their tails 'tween their legs!"

"You don't say! I can't say it surprises me, bullies of that sort always are the real idiots," Rarity remarked. She took a sip of her drink, looking amazed. "You certainly seemed to have held your own beautifully, Applejack!"

Applejack chuckled, taking a bite of a cupcake. "Heh heh. Y'all say that like yer surprised, Rarity. Ya know darn well Ah can hold mah own against a jerk like that!"

"Oh, of course, darling! It just simply is amazing, all the same~"

"Ah'll tell ya, though! Ah was this dern close ta bustin' his purty-boy snout wide open!" She held her hoof less than an inch from Rarity's snout.

The unicorn flinched ever slightly, but it was more out of reflex than anything. She knew far too well that Applejack would never physically hurt her.

"So it would seem, considering the horrid things he had said! Oh, do tell, what happened next?"

"Well, since Rainbow done chased them bullies off, ol' Purty Boy had him no backup whatsoe'er! So's Ah had him backed in a corner, an' beggin' fer mercy!"

Rarity beamed, clapping her hooves delightedly. "Yes! Oh, the true coward that he is! Excellent!"

Applejack smirked, pausing to take another bite of her cupcake, as well as a sip of punch. "So's then Ah tell tha gutless buffoon, 'Y'all are gonna 'pologize fer doin' wrong ta Derpy an' Rarity! An' if'n ya don't, then Ah'll whip yer flank 'cross Ponyville an' back again!' An' whaddaya bet that yella-bellied jerk starts beggin' Derpy's fergiveness on bended knees!"

"Oh, how marvelous!" Rarity made a dramatic gesture of how great it felt, giggling. "Tell me more!"

"Well, Derpy tells 'im she dun like him, an' who could blame 'er! She also says if he means it, she fergives him! An' then RD an' Ah told 'im he best apologize ta you an' Fluttershy come Monday! So's y'all can feel free ta make 'im grovel an' beg fergiveness ta yer heart's content!"

This made the light gray unicorn squeal with glee. "Wonderful! Oh, you can most definitely be certain I will make sure that he does, darling!"

The orange mare laughed joyfully, slinging a foreleg around the unicorn. "Ah wanna be there ta witness tha whole thang! Maybe Ah'll even get it on camera!"

Rarity nodded, giving her friend a hug. "Most definitely! I would not have it any other way, dear!"

Applejack beamed, returning her friend's hug. "Yee-haw! Princey's gon' be tha laughin' stock o' Ponyville High's senior class by tha time y'all get through with 'im, Ah jus' know it!"

"Oh, believe me, dear...I plan to make it so," Rarity promised, winking at her.

"An' Ah look darn forward to it!" Applejack chuckled, winking back at her.

Rarity giggled, pulling back from her. "As well as that... I must thank you very much for having defended Fluttershy and myself against him... It truly was amazing of you, darling..." A soft blush overcame her cheeks.

Applejack smiled warmly at her, kissing her nose sweetly. "'Ey, Ah weren't 'bout ta let that jerk talk poorly 'bout such a purty mare as yerself, no sir. Y'all deserve better than 'im, Rare. He done ya wrong once, an' Ah ain't gon' let 'im hurt ya no more, y'hear?" A blush dusted her own cheeks, as her apple green eyes met with Rarity's azure gaze.

The sweet gesture made Rarity's eyes go wide before she blushed. It sent tingles through her being, even bringing her heart aflutter. She looked away a little, maintaing her grateful smile.

"Goodness, Applejack...I simply can't thank you enough!"

"D'awww, no need ta thank me, Rarity~" Applejack chuckled softly, nuzzling her cheek. "Ah'm jus' doin' what a honorable mare does fer her best friend~"

"Ooh!" Rarity smiled evermore, delighted. "Why Applejack, I'm thrilled you would consider me a best friend! For I do as well~"

"Really?" Applejack's face lit up. "Y'all don't think Ah'm uncouth an' uncivilized?"

"...I may have been rash in saying such a thing in the past..." Rarity chuckled with embarrassment. "While I may not...particularly agree nor take to your lifestyle-I certainly cannot deny its existence, nor that it works for others, such as yourself. Even if it may not work for me."

"Well, Ah'm mighty glad ta hear y'all say that, Rare~" Applejack chuckled in amusement, nuzzling her cheek again. "An' ya live a fine lifestyle, yerself. But that fancy dressmakin' dream o' yers jus' ain't fer me, sugarcube."

Smiling warmly, the elegant unicorn drew her friend into a sweet hug. "I think that's fair enough, darling."

Smiling, the rowdy earth mare returned the hug. "Then we're settled, right hon?"

"I believe we are, my dear Applejack!"

"An' Ah wouldn't have it any other way, mah sweet Rarity!"

The little name made Rarity blush, to which she giggled at.

"My, you certainly are quite affectionate tonight, Applejack," she said, smiling.

"Only fer you, Rarity. Only fer you~" Applejack said with a wink, tipping her cowpony hat to the young unicorn.

"Mmm....I don't mean to assume, but I can't help but think you're coming on to me~" Rarity said in a jovial, teasing tone, poking her snout.

If only, but at least she could have some fun with her.

"Now, why would ya ever think such a vulgar thought o' me, sugarcube?" Applejack giggled, putting on a fake, hurt tone.

Little did the elegant pony know, that was exactly what she was doing...

"Me? Why, I don't know what you mean! It was you that exuded such things, dear!" Rarity could see she was playing along, and decided to have fun with it.

"What?! What're y'all talkin' bout?! Ah ain't done nothin' of tha sort!" Applejack smirked playfully, sticking out her tongue.

Laughing, the unicorn stuck her tongue out back. Not very ladylike, but she was having too much fun to care. "Oh, really? Well, Applejack, I had never taken you for a liar!"

"Me?! A liar?! Why, Ah never! Where'd ya ever come up with such a wild accusation?!" The earth pony gave her a playful shove, laughing.

"Shoving me, now?! How dare you!" Rarity playfully growled, shoving her back. "Now see here, you ruffian! I shall not take kindly to your lies!"

"Oh yeah?!" Applejack retorted, her eyes narrowed playfully. "Well, how 'bout you, Miss Gen'rous?! Ah don't think it's a very ladylike thang fer y'all ta be shovin' me like ya are!"

"Why, I'm merely defending myself, you little liar!"

"Ah ain't no liar, darn you! Ah'm tha mos' dependable pony in tha whole school! Honest Applejack! An' don't you ferget it, ya greedy jezebel!"

Rarity made a dramatic pose of extreme shock. "Greedy jezebel?! How dare you! I shall have you imprisoned for such dishonesty!"

Applejack laughed, unable to help herself. "Not before'n Ah have y'all thrown in tha dungeon fer those greedy thoughts runnin' rampant through yer mind!"

"Oh... It. Is. ON!" Rarity slapped her hoof against the table, her eyes narrowing playfully. "State your challenge, adversary!"

"Awright! Ah challenge you to a hoof-wrasslin' match!" Applejack slammed her foreleg onto the table, upraised with her hoof bowed in slightly.

She grinned playfully, daring her opponent to accept. Of course, if she wouldn't, she knew Rainbow Dash would, whenever she came back downstairs...

Smirking, Rarity stretched her forelegs, before slapping her own foreleg onto the table. Licking her lips, she bowed her hoof slowly toward Applejack's, ready to wrap around.

"I accept your challenge, my dear!"

Applejack was mildly surprised, but nonetheless, she smirked, never one to back down once she'd issued a challenge.

"Then let tha match begin! Y'all ready?!"

\"I was born ready!"

"On three! One!"

"Two!"

"Three, GO!!!"

Both ponies grabbed each others hooves, attempting to drag them down. Their eyes locked, looking to one another intently. While Applejack was in the lead, Rarity was surprisingly putting up a very good fight!

"Nnngh...! Yer...purty good, Rarity...!" Applejack grunted, having to apply a surprising amount of her strength to keep the unicorn from overpowering her.

"A lady keeps herself in shape!" Rarity managed, trying hard to regain the upper hoof.

"Ya may not be no weightlifter, but yer darn strong!" Applejack complimented, pushing against her hoof with all her might.

Rarity giggled, smiling a bit in a strained manner. "Thank you, darling!"

Applejack chuckled, still struggling against her. "Yer welcome, sugarcube!"

WHAM!

As it turned out, Applejack won in the end. With Rarity having put up a very good challenge, despite being not as strong.

"Ooh, you got me, dear!" Rarity laughed.

"Ah ain't tha hoof-wrasslin' champ of Ponyville High fer nothin'!" Applejack said proudly.

The white-gray unicorn giggled with glee, nodding in agreement. "Yes, I can certainly see that."

"Eeeyup! That's me, awright!" The orange earth mare smiled with pride.

Collecting herself, drinking some juice, Rarity smiled warmly, "Well, my dear... I do believe this is going to be the start of a much more improved friendship!"

Taking a cupcake and a cup of punch, Applejack nodded, chuckling softly. "Y'know sugarcube, Ah think yer right 'bout that! This is tha start of a perfect friendship!"

"Wonderous!" Rarity took a sip of her drink, then glanced at the clock. Her eyes went wide. "Good gracious! They've been up there for fifteen minutes! Couldn't they have waited until later?!"

"Guess not..." Applejack rolled her eyes a bit. "From what Ah understand, Fluttershy always used ta 'reward' Rainbow Dash, if'n she didn't make a fuss while she cleaned up her wounds. Ah think Ah have a purty good idear what that 'reward' consists of..."

"Yes, I remember that..." Rarity blushed a bit at the thought. "Sweet Celestia...." She still smiled, her eyes sparkling. "Well, compared to the last time-I can't say I should complain."

"Ah'm sure they ain't doin' that upstairs, Rarity." Applejack's own cheeks were red at the memory. "They's prob'ly gonna save that fer after tha party."

Rarity nodded, smiling. "Of course, dear. You're right. I had meant, of course, the night of the Homecoming Dance. That I think had been the last time we'd tried to talk to them of this, at least, to our knowledge."

Applejack nodded, her smile a bit forced as she recalled that night. "Ah'm purty sure yer right 'bout that, Rare. What a disaster that turned out ta be...what was s'pposed ta be tha night of our lives was more like the nightmare of our lives..."

"Certainly so!" Rarity leaned over the table, shaking her head. "It was quite dreadful!"

"It was awful all 'round!" Applejack shook her head, her expression darkening. "'Specially cuz y'all got put down by that pompous Prince Blueblood! Ah ain't never gonna fergive that lyin' snake."

"At least you certainly told him! Perhaps I may, should his apology to me be genuine..." The unicorn said thoughtfully, drinking down more juice, and then refilling her cup.

"Well, y'all jus' lemme know how it goes, an' if that pompous jerk don't give you a sincere apology, then Ah'm gonna show 'im personally just how many ways Ah know how ta pin a colt!" The earth mare promised, biting into her cupcake quite ravenously.

Smiling, Rarity reached over to gently rub Applejack's back, calming her down. "I understand, darling. I will."

Applejack sighed as Rarity rubbed her back, calming her temper instantly. "Good. Ah really cain't stand tha thought of y'all bein' hurt again."

"Well...we'll all be hurt during our lifetime, but we can surely overcome those painful times. Especially when we know we're not alone," Rarity smiled, scooting closer and bringing her foreleg around her withers.

Applejack looked at her with a smile, her eyes warm and moist. Without a word, she leaned her head into her neck, nuzzling her sweetly as silent tears began rolling down her cheeks.

Feeling the tears against her coat, Rarity smiled as she embraced Applejack gently. She didn't say a word, but could see that she didn't have to. All that could've been said was all they needed. For now, she was all too fine with being a comfort to her dear friend.

While she desired more, Rarity was perfectly content. At least IN the future, she could possibly move things toward a relationship. For now, things were just perfect.

Author's Note

Sorry this took so long, you guys! But don't you worry, of course we didn't give up on this work! We still have plenty more in story for you! :D

Also, we've made a change. We decided to keep Celestia and Luna as the Princesses. We've given names to the Principal and VP, so it's all good now.

And don't worry, Rainbow and Fluttershy are not about to make sweet love in the bathroom. XD They're just getting all kissy and cuddly. :D They're saving that fun for after the party! ;3