One Night (a.k.a A taste of an Apple)

The day of the wedding.

It was on a Saturday of course. The sun was golden white as it hit the earth and awoke every pony. Rainbowdash woke up in a foreign bed and looked tiredly out of the window, her dark pink eyes becoming alive.

Twilight got in the Pegasi carriage, able to get one at last and told them to fly fast.

Pinkie slowly opened her eyes and smiled, seeing a beautiful unicorn beside her, still sleeping in peace.

Applejack just sat up in her bed… her heart beating hard, her breath heavy and scared as she saw her reflection in the mirror…

And saw a pony who was not ready

XXXXX

The day came into full force as every pony started to walk their fate for the day, a fate that would lead all to the same place. That would end their story.

Fluttershy helped Dash into her dress, Rarity coming by to do the makeup and prepare herself and Shy for the day as well.

Rainbowdash just looked there at her reflection, startled by the transformation.

She looked like… a girl?

She smiled as she watched her two bridesmaids hurry up and get ready too, the day getting brighter and brighter till it blinded the eyes with light.

XXXXX

"How much longer?" Twilight said worried as she saw the sun's position indicate it was ten. She leaned over the carriage frustrated only to hear a Pegasus reply,

"Another two hours ma'am"

Twilight sighed, sinking back into her chair… the wedding was starting at twelve.

XXXXX

"Hey Applejack, you ready?"

Applebloom came bouncing into the room, a happy smile on her face but froze when she saw her sister still in bed, looking at her confused.

"Applejack? The wedding's in an hour and a half?"

Applejack looked to her, taking a breath out as she said nervous,

"I know, I'm just tired…"

"Well stop bein' tired, you gotta get up!" Applebloom said quickly and rushed over to her, pulling her by the hoof to get her up.

"Doesn't it all seem too soon but?" AJ said fast as she fell forward onto her hoofs, and Applebloom headed to get her dress that was hanging up on the door, "I mean, it was only four weeks ago that Granny di-"

She caught herself short when she saw her sister's face and just sighed, letting Applebloom dress her before her sister said with a smile,

"There, now you look like a princess."

"I don't feel like one though,"

"C'mon, we gotta get heading to the ceremony,"

"Can ya just wait a second outside… I wanna take one last look at myself,"

Applebloom looked at her confused, muttering quietly "Okay…" before leaving the room and the door closed with a strong pull behind her.

AJ nearly felt herself collapse as she fell on the ground… breathing quickly in panic of what she was expected to do.

Walk down that aisle, live out this fairy tale. Do something which was meant to make her happy but now only made her frightened… unsure.

She just wanted that old mare to tell her what to do, tell her she was walking the right path, that this was meant for her… but her grandma was gone.

She tried to catch her breath as she panted fast, and whispered in tears,

"Granny… I don't know w-what I'm doin'…" she saw the reflection of a distort pony in the mirror, and only shun away crying,

"I don't know how I got myself here… and I don't know if I won't just ruin… everythin'"

She sat there, panting heavily, trying to regain her breath but just kept losing it… how come on the happiest day of her life,

she felt so alone…

XXXXX

Unicorns helped levitate the last of the flower streamers across the outside chapel, Big Mac rehearsing his lines in panic while other ponies sat themselves down on either side of the aisle, talking quietly and awaiting the wedding where the first two mares of the town were getting married.

Some just came because they wanted to see some girl on girl action, though they were the few, where most who came were from the Apple clan, some ponies asking why there was none from the other bride's side.

"Where are they?" Big Macintosh said to himself worried as he saw the time hit eleven thirty… half an hour till the whole show began and yet none of the bridesmaids had turned up and not a single bride had been seen.

XXXXX

"Applejack, I gotta leave for the wedding now,"

Applejack looked up as she heard her sister call to her from behind the door,

"You can make it yourself can't ya?"

"Yeah," she said, getting a grip as she took a breath and stood up, "I'm comin' with ya, just wait,"

She walked on quivering legs as she came out and her little sister looked at her surprise.

"Applejack, were ya crying?"

"It's just such a beautiful day," she lied, wiping away the last of her red eyes quickly and her sister just gave an inquisitive face, seeming to suspect more than what she was told and as the two left the house, taking the small journey to the field she said,

"There's no need ta be scared, sis… ya just get up there, say your lines and bow. Just like in a school play."

"Yeah, except a school play ends after that…" Applejack replied back scared, "Marriage changes everythin'"

"Yeah, but for the better!" Applebloom said and AJ tried to put on a happy face but her legs had started playing up as pain struck hard in her knees and she slowed her already mild pace, taking heavy breaths as she finally arrived at her destination, seeing Fluttershy and Rarity had arrived and were chatting excitedly to each other, but stopped in glee as they saw AJ and surrounded her, admiring her dress.

"Oh Applejack, you look so beautiful" Fluttershy squeaked, Rarity using her magic to fix up AJ's hair with a comb. A large portable wall hid them from view of the chapel, as guests waited in silence now for the wedding to commence, already five to twelve.

"Are you excited?" the yellow Pegasus asked quickly and AJ just pulled a strained smile replying,

"My heart's beating eighty miles an hour."

"Oh nothing to be worried about dear," Rarity said as she patted blush on AJ's cheeks and the orange pony stepped back coughing from the powder, "Just remember that this is the most important day of your life and everyone will be watching."

"Yay…?" Applejack said in a lost breath.

"Me and Fluttershy have to head up now, but when Mr. Cake gives you the cue, you have to go up- but not before Rainbow Dash or Applebloom."

"And that's it?" Applejack asked quickly, hoping this was so much simpler than what she had thought.

"Of course dear, see you shortly!" Rarity chimed and her and Fluttershy left, Applebloom and AJ only looking at each other quietly.

"I still think I should hav' been a bridesmaid," Applebloom said disappointedly.

"You were a flower girl at Shining Armour's wedding?" AJ said a bit confused and her little sister only nodded,

"I know, but how many eleven year olds can say they were a bridesmaid?"

"Applebloom, you gotta go,"

The two looked quickly across as Mr Cake nudged his head for the filly to begin her walk and Applebloom picked up her basket, leaving the preparation area and doing her part.

Applejack just sat there freaking out, she was the last one left to take the walk and fell on the ground again, beginning to hyperventilate at an occasion where she was meant to be perfect.

"You okay, dear?"

She looked up quickly, seeing a light purple Pegasus before her, a white and blue mane parting down her head.

"No…" AJ admitted to this stranger… "I'm not ready for this…"

"Are you sure?"

"No… it just seems too soon."

The pony sat down beside her, patting her on the back as she said weakly,

"I know it seems big… but that's because it is. Don't you love this mare?"

"More than life."

"Than what are you worried about?"

Applejack looked at this Pegasus confused… this pony she had never seen before and muttered.

"I don't know."

"That girl is beautiful, and you are lucky to have her… just please never hurt her for reasons you don't know yourself."

"Applejack, time to go!"

AJ just stared at the Pegasus, as the older mare helped her get up and AJ asked before she began her wedding walk,

"How do you know Rainbow anyway?"

The purple Pegasus smiled warmly, saying in proud words,

"She's my daughter."

Applejack nearly tripped on her legs hearing this but stood up straight and began her walk.

That was Dash's mother? Her parents did come?

She dodged her eyes from side to side as she saw ponies looking at her with smiles, watching her go down the aisle until she looked ahead and saw her bride, waiting at the top with an eager look in her eyes, Dash waiting for her future wife.

Twilight pushed quietly through the crowd, she looked through a gap as the orange mare past her… still feeling scared she had made it.

Applejack was a slow walker, but the pain didn't even feel like it was there that much and she reached the alter, standing opposite Dash who smiled at her in love.

"Dear ponies," Big Mac began, "We hav' gathered here today ta honour the marriage of my sister Applejack and the fastest flyer in Equestria, Rainbow Dash."

Applejack rolled her eyes whereas Dash just gave a small chuckle.

The two mares seemed to only half listen to the words, as Dash only looked at her bride and mouthed the words you look beautiful,

AJ smiled replying back, you too.

Dash couldn't believe this day had finally come… she had had a terrible dream the night before that she had just stood here waiting… waiting for no one, and it had made her a little antsy today but when she saw Applejack walking up the aisle, she had forgotten everything… and now just looked at her, as apple trees surrounded them, the sun hitting down on them… she knew she was getting the ending she deserved.

"Applejack, do you take Rainbow Dash to be your wife, to love and behold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

"I do."

Dash smiled hearing that, and waited for her part, her promise.

"Rainbow Dash, do you take Applejack to be your wife, to love and behold, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

"Yes," she said and looked at Applejack, certainty since the day she had first loved her "Yes I do,"

"I now pronounce ya wife and wife… you may kiss the bride" Big Mac said and stood back, Dash stepping forward and reached her hoof to Applejack's face,

Their lips met in a kiss that felt like home… felt like a little bit of magic, a warm place, before they separated,

And ponies began to hit their hooves on the ground clapping…

Everything else seeming like someone else's happy ending as the reception came in half an hour's time, an outdoor reception with food being laid out on tables and ponies coming to congratulate the newlyweds, Applejack and Rainbowdash just standing there dazed.

"Can you believe it happened?" Dash whispered to Applejack with a giggle and AJ just looked at her with a grin,

"I can't believe it happened with you,"

The two laughed quietly as they stood hugging ponies that came to give their best wishes and AJ looked at Dash a little nervous as she asked,

"See anyone from your past here?"

"Like who?"

"Mum or Dad?"

Dash looked down to the ground… she didn't want to think about them and mumbled "I knew they wouldn't come… but it doesn't matter," she said as she placed her hoof over her wife's "It's still perfect."

"Rainbow Dash?"

She looked up and saw her… the weak mother figure she didn't even expect to show up and said surprised,

"Mum?"

Crystal came forward, asking afraid "Can I wish my daughter… a happy marriage?"

"Mum," Dash said confused as she came over to her, pulling her aside and asking confused "What are you doing here?"

"I could never miss my daughter's wedding." She said quietly in tears, "Your father couldn't make it."

Dash knew that was a lie "…why are you protecting him? You know he didn't want to come… why are you still with him?"

Applejack felt a weak poke on her shoulder and turned, seeing Twilight behind her and said a little taken back,

"You're here?"

"I couldn't miss your wedding."

"What changed?" AJ only asked lost, looking at a different unicorn than the one that left… a unicorn with a smile on her face,

"Me."

She gave Applejack a hug, "You and Rainbow Dash looked beautiful up there,"

"Yeah… but I can't wait to get this dress off me," AJ kidded, and Twilight laughed.

"Can I ask you one thing, AJ?" She said and Applejack looked at her, listening.

"Are you happy?"

AJ looked at her a little surprised to hear this… but remembered when that unicorn had asked her the same question two months ago and smiled.

"Yes… I really am."

"I'm glad." Twilight said and looked in the distance to Fluttershy and Rarity, "I'm gonna go mingle."

"Don't forget to try the cake," Applejack said with a chuckle, watching her friend leave and looked back to her bride… her wife.

"Why do you stick up for him, mum?" Dash asked angry, "Why do you let him hurt you?"

Crystal was looking to the ground in shame and responded quietly,

"When you love someone… it hurts more to be away from them than it does to be with them."

Dash looked at her quietly, confused… so lost in what her mother meant and Crystal just smiled saying,

"Come on… let's just enjoy the wedding, just be with your brimming bride."

"Mum… I don't like how you do this to yourself," Dash said hurt, Crystal trying to put on a happy face "But thank you for coming."

"It's okay," Crystal said quietly and Dash hugged her, before going back to Applejack and the purple Pegasus just disappeared amongst the ponies.

XXXXX

The day soon turned into evening and the two newlyweds sat talking and eating cake, looking over at the crowd and Dash spotted Pinkie, laughing and messing about with Lyra and looked at Applejack confused,

"Are those two…?"

"Yeah, Rarity told me," Applejack answered looking at the two mares who were feeding each other cake playfully and Dash just smiled.

"I didn't even realise,"

"Well your head has been up in the clouds the last month," Applejack said with a smile and Dash nudged her playfully.

"The carriage is going to be here soon," she added, looking at AJ quietly and the sun setting in the distance, their necklaces shimmering in the light "Are you ready for this trip?"

"It's only two days… and I haven't been to any place new in over a year, so yeah… I'm ready." She said smiling and Dash rubbed her face against hers with a giggle,

They watched as the carriage arrived ten minutes later and confetti was thrown signalling them off, ponies cheering and Applejack looked behind her… seeing Apple acres leave her sight… her friends and family leaving her as she began a vacation which would let her forget all for a couple of days.

It was such a long journey… leaving the land and heading toward the sea.

A foreign door being opened as they entered into the hotel room that dark night. Brown stone brick walls, wooden borders, a large balcony overlooking the sea and town and Applejack undressed back into her natural state as Dash looked outside to the shimmering sea… a sight not often seen in her life.

"You should really see this," she said to Applejack who walked over slowly… her body worn and tired but she looked across the balcony and saw the bright moon light up the water.

"Did I ever tell ya I can't swim," she joked and Dash chuckled, getting off the ground and into the air as she did a quick survey of the area and came back.

"I saw some ponies setting up fireworks… we could go walking on the beach tomorrow."

"Okay… but why don't we do something else tonight," AJ teased and Dash smiled coming back into the room. The two headed to the bed, laying down and looked at each other silently. Dash lifted Applejack's necklace up with her hoof, looking at it quietly.

"Did you think we'd make it this far?" she asked nervously and AJ just grinned, kissing Dash then and there, the Pegasus kissing her back eagerly as they held each other in a tight embrace, AJ pulling Dash on top of her and feeling her tongue invade her wife's mouth,

But when she squinted from slight pain Dash lifted her weight off her quickly saying,

"Sorry! Are you okay?"

"You won't hurt me…" she replied, caressing her love's cheek with her hoof gently, "Don't be afraid,"

"But I will hurt you…" Dash said worried and AJ closed her eyes, shaking her head.

"I may always have pain…" she said and looked her back deeply into the eyes,

"but that shouldn't mean I can never have this."

Dash lowered her eyes… she wanted to give it to her… she wanted to do it on their wedding night and only nodded, lowering back onto Applejack and began kissing her again… putting pressure on their bodies and she pushed hard against her,

And Applejack felt everything slow as for that minute… the pain left.

Her body felt like it had gone numb… looking up at Rainbow quietly… not feeling anything that hurt her… not feeling soreness for that minute… her body frozen.

Before an explosion blew through her, fireworks making loud banging noises outside as they blew wind through the balcony door, lighting up the sky in millions of sparkles… the night being lit up with light.

And it was over as soon as it came.

AJ lay there panting as Dash rolled off her, holding her tight… their hearts beating fast… her body beginning to slowly bring back pain but she looked across her to Dash and whispered,

"Thank you,"

"I love you… Applejack," Dash panted and Applejack felt her rest her head against her own… looking out at the ocean and said quietly,

"I love you too, Rainbow..."

XXXXX

It was early dawn… six o clock.

The sky was orange red, pink clouds low to the sea as two ponies walked the sandy shores… the water touching their hoofs gently as a new day was being born.

A new day for a new life.

"I've never walked on sand before…"

Applejack looked to Dash confused when she heard this,

"Not ever?"

"No," Dash said weakly and felt AJ splash her with a bit of water, the Pegasus doing a big jump into the waves and splashing water all over her partner.

AJ smiled, and looked ahead of her to a branch in the distance, nudging Dash and saying,

"I bet I could race ya to that stick."

"AJ…" Dash said slowly, not liking to hear that talk and the country pony just smiled,

"C'mon… just give me a chance?"

"Okay," Dash said weakly and the two prepared for the start off, "But I'll go easy on you,"

"You won't have to."

"Ready," Dash said quietly "One… two… three!"

She galloped ahead, Applejack reaching her legs forward,

As they hit the sand… as the pain hit from the force,

And she ran.

She galloped, her bones striking up agony, her body killing her from the force but she continued to run, run as fast as she could till she reached by Dash's side and ran with her.

The stick came towards her and then past her… she just kept running.

The pain was still there… the pain could be always there but it didn't matter.

She could run… and she'd keep on running till she fell.

She'd keep on running till she died.

For only one thing mattered… the one thing she never believed she could do again.

That she could run again.

She... could run.

And she began to pant, slowing down as Dash stopped beside her and smiled.

"You win."

"Only..." Applejack gasped, her legs shaking but looked at her with a grin, "Only if you can catch me,"

Taking off again and Rainbow Dash followed laughing, the two running onwards into the new dawning day,

Onwards into their future...

The End