Rainbow sighed contentedly while standing in the parlor of the Apples’ farmhouse. There was a crackling blaze on the hearth. A roaring but comfortable fire released exothermic warmth into the room. The fire popped and sizzled within the stone fireplace. Watching the embers dance within the hearth made Rainbow Dash forget about the torrential and imminent storm.

That is, until a deafening, clamorous, roar of thunder reverberated in the weathermare’s ears.

“Looks like we made it just in time, AJ!” Rainbow enthusiastically said.

“Ah suppose yer righ’ on that one, Rainbow.” Applejack replied.

Dash’s eyes drifted to the many collages that adorned the yellow walls of the Apples’ living room. Past memories of the family, including the ones that she hadn’t met, or heard the name of, were organized carefully in the photomontage.

Seeing Rainbow walk forward to get a closer inspection, the farmpony matched her gait and joined the pegasus near the wall.

“Sum o’ mah cousins. Long lost kin. Ah think there’s a few o’ Granny’s nieces an’ nephews too. We Apples got a huge family all ov’r Equestria.”

Rainbow released a low whistle to signify her impressiveness. “You ain’t kidding, AJ.”

The two friends stared at the photomontage for a few moments, with Applejack pointing to various ponies, and explaining their relation and names.

Suddenly, a new voice joined them.

“Well, naw, ya’ll didn’ mention we wuz havin’ a guest fer supp’r, Applejack.”

Turning, Rainbow recognized AJ’s grandmother. Granny Smith, the compassionate and elderly mare, gave Rainbow a wrinkly smile, while a twinkle shimmered in her amber eyes.

“Apologies, Granny. Things jus’ sorta happen’d so fast, an’...”

The lime-green senior Earth Pony released a gentle teasing titter at her granddaughter's stammering behavior, and, with strained effort, placed a hoof on the farmpony’s shoulder.

“Applejack, Ah’m teasin’ ya. We Apples are fine hospitable ponies.”

Applejack and Granny Smith nuzzled each other, glad to share a loving family moment. The orange mare readjusted her stetson before replying.

“Ah know, Granny. We’ve been that way fer generations. Ah’ve invited Rainbow fer supp’r mahself.”

Rainbow watched as Granny Smith scratched her ear before blinking at AJ.

“Invited who now?”

Applejack put her hoof around her grandmother’s neck, and, with her fetlock, gently pushed Granny Smith’s head, to direct the older mare’s attention on the pegasus standing in the parlor.

“Rainbow Dash. Ya know, one o’ mah bes’ friends?”

The octogenarian’s eyes bulged as she studied the kaleidoscopic weatherpony. Taking a few steps closer to Rainbow, the elderly mare spoke up.

“Oh, right! Rainbow…”

Sensing Applejack’s grandmother had forgotten her name, she supplied, “Dash”.

“Crash. Yer, mah granddaughter’s friend, Rainbow Crash, yes?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened at the faux pas and she hastily shook her head. Mortified, as it reminded her of her nickname as a filly, she quickly attempted to rectify the mistake by repeating her name.

“No! Dash!

“Dash, Ah will, filly. Mus’ check on supp’r.”

The speedster watched incredulously as Granny Smith hobbled into the kitchen. The weathermare’s pupils became pinpricks and she stammered in disbelief.

Before Applejack had time to comfort her embarrassed pegasus pal, the elderly mare’s voice echoed from the kitchen to the living room.

“Applejack. Rainbow Crash. Soup’s on!”

Chortling, Applejack put a comforting hoof on Rainbow’s shoulder and gave her friend a nod of understanding.

“She means well, Rainbow. Granny ain’t as sharp-wit these days. Don’t take it ponysally.”

Slightly vexed, but empathetic, the cyan mare nodded. Then, the two of them sauntered into the kitchen.

Granny Smith was standing in front of a white stove. A large pot was boiling on a coil. Dash sniffed the air curiously, detecting the odor of carrots, celery, pumpkin, and beetroot. The combination of aromas caused the pegasus’s stomach to growl and her mouth to water.

Hearing it, Applejack playfully poked Rainbow in the ribs, and jested. “Fergive the ironic idiom, bu’ yer soundin’ hungry as a horse.”

The pun caused Rainbow’s muzzle to curl into a grin. She reciprocated Applejack’s ribpoke and replied to the farmpony.

“What gave it away? The drool? My gurgling stomach?”

Before Applejack could respond, Granny Smith interjected and walked over to the two mares.

“Hey, now. Supp’r chatter happens ov’r the table, little ponies. C’mon, an’ pour yerselves a bowl.”

Applejack gaited to the stove and grabbed a wooden bowl, offering it to Rainbow Dash.

“Guests first.”

Walking over to join Applejack, Rainbow had just grabbed the bowl when a high-pitched and shrill voice spoke.

“Applejack? Granny? We’ve gotten a guest tanight?”

The sound of a chair shuffling on a hardwood floor echoed in the kitchen. With a grunt, the source of the voice pushed themselves off the chair and landed erect. As the hoofsteps trod on the floor, the voice spoke again.

“Oh! Howdy, Rainbow Dash.”

The prismatic-maned pegasus cast a downwards gaze and stared into the face of Applejack’s younger sister. Apple Bloom cheerfully gave the speedster a friendly smile.

Rainbow flipped her mane cooly and greeted the filly. “Hey, Squirt.”

“Sorry Ah didn’ recognize yer voice. Ah would’ve greeted ya frum the table, bu’ Big Mac’s too girthy. Couldn’t see ya.”

Applejack, Rainbow, and Apple Bloom turned towards Big Mac, who was sitting at the table. Bashfully, he nodded.

“Eeyup. Lotta muscle.”

The three ponies chortled at the stallion’s response. Apple Bloom grabbed a package of sliced bread from the pantry before joining her family, and their guest in the kitchen. After flinging the package on the table, she leapt back in her seat.

“Thanks for having me here, Applejack. Appreciate the food, Granny Smith.” Rainbow said respectfully while filling her bowl.

“Don’t mention it, sugarcube. Yer always welcome at Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow.” Applejack replied.

“She’s right, little filly. Any pal of mah granddaughter is practically family.” Granny Smith supplied.

After Applejack and Granny Smith filled their bowls, the farmpony scooched Apple Bloom’s chair closer to the table. The filly shot her sister a grateful smile.

The Apples, and Rainbow Dash sat at the large, elongated, cedar dining table and happily dug into the delectable cuisine.

The speedster placed two cyan hooves on the wooden bowl and brought the meal to her muzzle. Rainbow’s lips parted and she tilted the soup dish upwards. The broth was fantastic, made of the stock of celery, carrots, and beetroot. Chunks of pumpkin, carrots, celery, and beetroot littered the soup. Salty, savory, and delicious.

After a hearty gulp, Rainbow politely wiped her muzzle with a napkin and addressed Granny Smith.

“Ma’am, this soup is the best I’ve ever had!”

The elder pony couldn’t resist blushing from the praised compliment. However, she maintained her modesty and waved a dismissive hoof.

“It’s jus’ an old family recipe, goin’ way way back. Probly eight generations.”

Applejack eagerly dove into the meal, as did Apple Bloom. Meanwhile, Rainbow continued to praise the dish.

“Well, I’m glad it did. For just soup, this is really delicious.”

The farmpony chuckled at Rainbow’s overzealous commended approval. Apple Bloom passed out bread for everypony at the table. Big Mac ate in silence.

Rainbow dunked her bread in the soup as the conversation turned. Apple Bloom was informing her older sister how school was going. Dash tuned it out.

Eventually, the conversations fizzled, and the rest of dinner passed in silence. Afterwards, Rainbow did the dishes with Applejack as Big Mac cleaned the table and tidied up the kitchen. As the two mares worked, Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash.

“So, yer really headin’ out tomorruh, yeah? What time are ya expected, Dash?”

Remembering the missives instructions, Dash answered the orange mare. “Nine a.m. sharp.”

“Ah know this is sudden, bu’ wouldya wanna stay the night, Dash? We wake up at five a.m. daily. Ah’d be sure ta wake ya.”

“Sure! The farmhouse is closer to my destination than my cloudominium house, anyways. I’m game!”

Rainbow’s energetic smile turned into a look of despair. Applejack caught on.

“Hey. What’s the matt’r, Dash?”

“My saddlebag! I packed it with provisions I’d need. The acceptance letter, a toothbrush, other important sundries. I left it at home!”

Applejack frowned and grabbed the bowl from Rainbow’s hooves.

“Go git it, featherbrain.”

The farmpony gazed out the window, noticing the sunny weather. It’d be less than an hour before night fell. She was reticent a moment before turning back to Rainbow Dash.

“Bring back mah cart too, Rainbow. Ya rememb’r where Ah left it?”

Dash nodded and gave Applejack a salute.

“I’m on it. Will be back in a jiffy.”

The speedster jumped out the window, landing erect. After saluting Applejack again, she kicked off and soared high. Her wings flapped eagerly, causing the pegasus to rise higher in altitude until the honest mare couldn’t see her any longer.

Sighing, she dried the bowl and muttered her slight disdain for Rainbow Dash.

“Dear Faust, Dash. Yer one o’ mah best friends, but yer also the most unorganized pony Ah know.”

Thirty minutes passed before Rainbow returned. She parked the cart in the barn, next to a few hay bales. Then she grabbed her saddlebag. Tossing the strap over her head, she sauntered to the front door and knocked on it.

A moment later, Applejack opened it and allowed the pegasus inside again.

“Ya got everything?”

Rainbow Dash opened the saddlebag and peered inside.

“Let’s see. Acceptance letter, toothbrush, picture of my best friends, confidence, my awesomeness, determination, and ambition. Yeah, that’s everything, AJ.”

Applejack socked Rainbow in the shoulder playfully. “Yer such a smart-flank, Dash.”

The pegasus puffed her chest out pridefully. “I embrace that, AJ.”

Closing the door, the Element of Honesty rolled her eyes and gestured upstairs. Rainbow looked at the staircase. Wooden boards comprised the steps. There were twelve of them that led to the second floor.

“Yer welcome ta stay in mah room tonight, Dash.”

“You know, Applejack. We’ve been friends for years, and I’ve never seen your room.”

“Well, iffin yer so curious, Ah’ll show ya. Not much ta it, though.”

The two element bearers ascended the staircase, being careful to not step on any splintered pieces. The boards were dilapidated, and Applejack explained she’d been meaning to replace them for weeks.

“Jus ain’t got the time. Runnin’ the farm with mah kin got me ragged. Bu, it’s always worth it.”

After mounting the stairs, both ponies took a left. Applejack directed Rainbow to enter the second room on the right. The pegasus complied.

Inside was a sleigh bed. The curved headboard and hoofboard sat immaculately polished. The bed was swathed in a multi-colored patchworked quilt. Two soft cotton pillows adorned atop the bedspread. Besides the farmpony’s bed, was a small nightstand. Three photos were framed and displayed.

Applejack noticed Rainbow’s interest and showed her friend the photographs.

“Ah got one o’ mah family. Naturally. Ah think everypony should have a portrait o’ their kin. Reminds em where they come frum, ya know?”

Sensing she was rambling, the country pony shook her head and explained her other two photographs.

“Course, Ah got one o’ mah best friends, too. Rememb’r this one, Dash? Happened after the weddin o’ that Princess Cadence an’ that Shinin’ Armor, feller.”

“Psssh. How could I forget? Rarity went way overboard with the ensembles.”

Chuckling, AJ nodded in concurrence. “She could design a naturally flyin’ dress, an’ still ‘ave summin ta fuss about.”

After Rainbow laughed, she pointed a cyan hoof to the last photo. “Who’re they, Applejack?”

The Element of Honesty sighed in melancholy. Staring at the photo, she slowly slid her hoof over the faces of the two ponies captured in the photograph.

“Mah ma an’ pa. Nev’r met ‘em. They passed when Ah was still a foal. Couldn’ta been more than six months.”

Rainbow’s breath caught in her throat. Applejack had never mentioned her parents to their friend circle. The speedster reached a cautious hoof to envelop AJ’s neck. Dash embraced the farmpony in a tight hug while rubbing her back comfortingly.

“I had no idea. I’m sorry, Applejack. And, sorry if me asking who they were made-”

AJ quickly shook her head and smiled softly at her pegasus friend. She quietly gathered her thoughts before replying.

“Nah, ya didn’t upset me, Rainbow. Sure, it’s hard ta talk ‘bout ‘em, what with them bein’ gone an’ all. But Ah keep their photo on mah nightstand so they cun see me grow an’ become a mare they’d be proud of. Ah see ‘em every mornin’ an’ night. So, in a way, it’s like they never left.”

Rainbow blinked a few tears away. The small anecdote Applejack shared had tugged at her heartstrings. The speedster attempted to reply without doleful tone, but the pauses in her words announced Rainbow’s emotions.

“That was…. sincerely….. heartwarming….. Applejack…. you’re such……a…….”

The hardworking mare softly shook her head. “Hush, Dash. Ya need not cry fer me, Rainbow. Ah’ve released enuff o’ mah own fer a lifetime.”

Dash swallowed a lump in her throat as the Earth Pony spoke again.

“An’ ‘sides, Ah wanna look at ‘em an’ smile, not be distraught. Bu’ ‘nuff o’ that. Ya got a big day tomorr’. Thinkin’ it’s time ta hit the hay.”

Wiping her eyes with a cyan hoof, Dash bobbed her head in agreement. Then, in a rare display of super sappy affection, the speedster put a hoof on AJ’s shoulder, and complimented her.

“I’m grateful to have a friend like you, Applejack. Thank you for putting up with me so often. I know it can be a headache. But, I truly am appreciative to you and the rest of the girls for your friendship.”

The heartfelt words made Applejack grin and she hugged the pegasus. Playfully, the farmpony noogied Rainbow’s kaleidoscopic mane.

“Yeah, yeah. Jus’ stop bein’ such an impulsive an’ boastful pony, kay?”

Rainbow hastily agreed and Applejack relented, releasing her friend.

“So, git comfy, an’ git some sleep, kay? Ah got summin ta do in the orchard ‘fore it gets too dark. Ah’ll wake ya at five.”

The Element of Loyalty shot her friend a beholden grin, then dropped her saddlebag by the bed. With Applejack nodding encouragingly, the cyan mare reached a hoof to the quilt and pulled it back. Rainbow lay in Applejack’s bed and tucked a pillow under her head. Then, she pulled the quilt to her chin.

‘Comfy, sugarcube?”

“Exceedingly so, AJ.” Dash replied with a yawn.

The country pony chuckled and turned around. She began to walk out of the room, but Dash called her name. She halted.

“Yes, Dash?”

“I know you said there ‘wasn’t much’ to your room. But only a bed, a nightstand, and three photos? It’s pretty barren.”

Applejack expressed mocked anger. “Hey! Ah’ve got curtains too.”

The orange mare pointed to red velvet curtains that bedecked her window. Dash briefly glanced at them before staring at Applejack. Raising an eyebrow, she responded.

“Seriously?”

AJ sauntered through the doorway and poked her head back into the room. Smirking, she conversed with Dash again.

“Ah’ve got a closet, too. Might small, bu’ it’s part of mah room.”

Curious, Rainbow sat up, and asked, “What’s in there?”

The smirk plastered on her face, AJ replied, “Dust.”

Dash lost it. She laughed, chortled, guffawed, cackled, and giggled. Her audible hysterics echoed around Applejack’s room, causing the farmpony to grin.

As Rainbow lay back down, she clutched the quilt and pounded a hoof on the bedspread. In the midst of her frenzy, the speedster managed to sputter.

“Pinkie Pie, eat your heart out. That was a brilliant joke.”

“Now that ya got the giggles out, Dash, Ah strongly urge ya to sleep. Big busy day fer ya tomorr’ at the academy.

Realizing Applejack’s words were full of exactness, the pegasus released another yawn. Languor began to cause enervation.

“G’night, Rainbow Dash.”

“Good night, Applejack.”

Applejack shut her bedroom door. Rainbow heard the distinct sounds of Applejack’s hooves trotting away and listened as her hoofsteps descended the stairs. Stifling another yawn, Rainbow closed her eyes and prepared for needed rest.

Within ten minutes, the pegasus was snoring in Applejack’s bed, dreaming about what would occur tomorrow.

Author's Note

This, and the past two chapters aren't related to the plot of this fanfic. After time away, I wanted to progress on this story. While not directly relevant to the diegesis, this chapter and the previous two, could be tied in to occur between the overall plotline. Regardless, the next chapter, and many subsequent ones, will be apropos to the storyline of this fanfic.

This chapter contains some hopeful comedic moments, and a heartfelt moment with Applejack. Bring some tissues for both sets of tears, fillies and gentlecolts.