Author's Note

I know I just published a chapter for this month, but I feel like writing a bunch now thanks to Men10doh_Mike helping me with the last chapter. They helped clear up a motivation block and now I may be writing a bit more. Hope you enjoy!

An Invitation and a Confession

It had been almost two weeks since Rainbow Dash and I had cleared the Temple of Din, and she was still going on about our adventure. Not that I was complaining at all, her excitement and enthusiasm about it always managed to brighten my mood. I was currently walking with her, Applejack and Twilight in the ‘downtown’ area of Ponyville as the girls were looking for something to eat. The atmosphere around Ponyville had been a bit more energetic as fall was approaching. The leaves in the trees had begun to turn a soft gold, and cooler weather had slowly rolled in as everypony prepared for the end of the harvest season in a few weeks.

“I tell you what though, this year’s harvest is lookin’ to be one our biggest yet!” AJ smiled proudly as we sat down at a little cafe. The girls all ordered Dandelion Sandwiches, while I ordered some potato fries.

“Well it makes sense Applejack, you guys really know what’s what on your farm.” Dash chuckled as she stretched a bit. AJ nodded with a bigger smile.

“Yessir, but I’m kinda worried…” She said with a slight frown.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked as I rubbed AJ’s shoulder. She sighed and leaned back.

“I’m afraid that there’s too many apples this year, and I only have Big Mac and myself to buck them.” AJ sighed again. I frowned for a moment as Dash, Twilight and I all had the same idea.

“Why don’t we help?” We all said at the same time before laughing at each other. After a moment I composed myself and looked at AJ.

“Hun, you know you can always count on me and your friends to help you. Nopony is a mountain all on their own after all.” I said as I gave her a lopsided smile, making her giggle a bit and nod.

“Yeah, yer right Hunny. I just didn’t wanna seem like I was takin’ advantage of y’alls kindness is all. Guess that was kinda foolish of me wasn’t it?” She said as she blushed. I just rubbed her shoulder for a moment before I caught Dash looking a bit dejected at not getting any attention. I backed up and cleared my throat as our food arrived.

“So, how does Apple Bucking work?” I asked as I started to eat my fries. AJ was still looking between Rainbow Dash and myself before slowly answering.

“Well, usually I just go up to a tree and kick it as hard as I can.” She answered before taking a bite of her sandwich. I nodded, looking down at my food so as to not see their faces.

“I see… Well, I don’t think I’m strong enough to kick the apples from the tree, but I’m sure I’ll think of something I can do to help.” I nodded as I picked at my food some more. Twilight was looking between all three of us and looked very confused.

“Is… something going on between you guys?” Twilight asked with a raised eyebrow. Before I could answer, Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“I asked him out… before our little adventure.” She admitted as her ears folded back.
“I didn’t know what I was thinking, and I don’t know what to do now that I have. Link said it was OK, that he wanted to get everything with Applejack straightened out first… and now I just… argh! I don’t know how I feel!” She finished, looked really exasperated as AJ looked at her in surprise. After an awkward silence she finally spoke up.

“You asked him out… and didn’t tell me?” She said slowly as she raised her eyebrows.
“Honestly, I’m not really surprised you took to him like you did. And I’m not upset Rainbow Dash, not one bit.” She reassured the cyan mare.

“Y-you’re not?” Dash asked, a slightly confused look on her face. AJ shook her head and smiled.

“Nope. I honestly just knew this was going to happen. And I’m OK with it.” AJ smiled again as she ate more of her food.
“As long as we both agree to share him, I don’t see any problem.” She said firmly as Dash nodded.

“Agreed. I can live with that.” She said as they both looked at me. I looked up and just gave a small smile.

“I guess that settles it?” I asked as they both nodded. This nice little moment was interrupted however by the appearance of Twilight’s faithful assistant Spike.

“Twilight! A message from the princess!” He called as he ran up and handed her a scroll.

“What’s it say?” I asked her as she read it over. She looked up at me and smiled.

“You’re going to be publicly announced as the Legendary Hero at the Grand Galloping Gala in a month!” She squealed a bit as Dash and AJ smiled at me. I was a bit taken aback by the news, as being in the spotlight always made me feel like I was being studied. Then I remembered an important detail.

“But… wait, isn’t that event by invitation only?” I creased my eyebrows together.

“Yes it is, and here is yours.” Twilight said as she handed me a literal golden ticket. I stared at it in my hands for a moment, trying to process all that was going on.

“So… are you three going as well?” I asked them, and they all nodded. I sighed in relief, knowing I wasn’t going alone. Then I panicked again as I realized I had nothing to wear. Twilight giggled as Dash and AJ calmed me down.

“Don’t worry Link, I’m sure Rarity can put something together for you.” Twilight smiled at me, and once again I calmed down.

“Sorry, I can be a bit of a worry-wart when I am going to do public appearances… Even back in my old life I was like this.” I sighed sadly as AJ hugged me.

“It’s ok Hunny, we will be right there with ya.” She said soothingly as Dash rubbed my back, doing her best to be caring. I smiled a bit and thanked them for being so supportive before I stood.

“I’ll meet you guys at Sweet Apple Acres, I need to go visit Rarity real quick.” I said as I wiped a tear from my cheek. They really knew how to bring out my soft side. With a wave I turned and walked off towards Carousel Boutique down the street. I’d always thought the building was different, looking more like something I’d seen back home on Earth. It gave off old Victorian charm and was a very quaint shop. I pushed open the front door, setting off a little bell as I entered.

“One moment!” Called a voice from the back room. After a little wait Rarity walked out and smiled when she saw me.
“Ah, Link, to what do I owe the pleasure?” She asked as I walked forward.

“I need an outfit for the Grand Galloping Gala, and I was hoping… you could make it for me? I will pay you, of course.” I told her with a nervous smile. I could never place it, but something about her always made me nervous. She raised her eyebrows and smiled wider.

“Why of course dear, I would love to! Do you have an idea of what you want it to look like?” She asked before handing me a piece of paper and a pencil. I took it and began drawing out the design, my old art skills shining through as I drew a very good drawing of the outfit I wanted. She looked it over and nodded with a smile.
“Yes, I can do this. Now, I’ll need to take your measurements before you leave today. Hold still.” She warned as her measuring tape flew over and began taking my measurements. After a few minutes she was done and ushered me out, telling me to come back in a couple weeks.

“I better let her get to it. Now off to the farm.” I chuckled to myself as I walked towards the station.

After a relaxing train ride and a brisk walk, I arrived at Applejack’s. Aside from Rarity, everyone was here. Even Fluttershy, who I’d only spoken to a few times. I politely waved at her, which she returned before hiding behind Rainbow Dash. I nearly fell over as Pinkie Pie appeared beside me, giving me a big hug before zooming off to Hylia knows where. I just chuckled and walked up to AJ, giving them a hug and a kiss before doing the same to Dashie. She was a little awkward about it, but she really seemed to enjoy the attention. At least until Fluttershy giggled at her and turned her face bright red.

“Alright everypony, we got a lot of work to do, and not a long time to do it!” AJ called out to us as we gathered around her.
“Twilight, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy will be carrying the apples up to the barn while Link, Rainbow Dash and I do the bucking. Any questions?” She asked as we all shook our heads. She nodded and pointed at the orchards.
“Let’s go to work then.”

“Yeah!” We all cheered and walked towards the apple trees. I had an idea for getting them down, but I was worried it might hurt a lot. Walking up to my first tree, I looked up at it and took a deep breath.

“I can do this…” I muttered to myself as I backed up a bit. With a running start, I dove down into a roll and slammed into the tree, knocking down almost every apple into the baskets. I rubbed my shoulder as it was the part that hit the tree first.

“Not bad, sugar cube.” AJ called as I looked over. She had two trees down and was working on her third.

“I could do better.” I called back with a grin. I took another running start, hitting the second tree harder than the first and making all the apples fall into the basket waiting below. I managed to get through three more trees before I stood up and stumbled, a bit dizzy from all the spinning. I shook my head as AJ came up to me, looking a little worried.

“You ok? You can stop if it’s too hard.” She held my shoulders as I looked up with a smile.

“I’ll be fine, just gotta pace myself. Too many rolls too quickly.” I winked as she smiled back.

“If you say so Hunny. Just don’t push yourself too hard, kay?” She said as she rubbed my shoulder before going back to work. We kept at it for hours, and by the time the sun was going down, we had cleared the entire orchard. I sat on a small hill that looked over the entire farm, imagining what the future held here for me.

“You good Link?” Dashie asked as she landed beside me, sitting down and leaning on my shoulder. I just smiled at her and nodded.

“Yeah, just thinking is all…” I said as I rubbed her back, trying not to brush against her wings.

“Thinking about what?” She asked as she closed her eyes.

“Us, the future.. Everything..” I said with a slight frown.
“I guess I never really took the time to sit down and just think about it. And now, that’s all I can think about.” I sighed as she looked up at me, her Magenta eyes shining softly in the fading light of the sunset.

“Our.. Future?” She asked and I nodded.

“I know I asked you to wait Rainbow Dash… and I realized that it isn’t fair to you. Seeing how you looked this morning at the Cafe, it almost broke me seeing your reaction to me and AJ being all… intimate. So I’m going to ask you..” I paused before looking her in the eyes.
“Rainbow Dash, would you like to be my girlfriend?” I asked as she smiled softly before nodding.

“I’d like that. Very much.” She said quietly, placing her head on my shoulder as we watched the sun dip below the hills at the edge of the valley.

“I love you Dashie.” I told her softly as I kissed the top of her head.

“And I… I love you too, Link.” She replied equally as quietly. I petted her head and smiled to myself.

“Call me Johnny.” I told her as she looked up at me again.

“Alright, Johnny.” She said softly. Hearing her say my actual name sent a chill up my spine as I gently held her cheek and kissed her.