The end of one year, beginning of another
It was late afternoon, Applejack was alone in the orchard.
*buck*
Several apples fell into a bucket, before Applejack could catch them, a certain pony was faster.
"Hey AJ, how are you?" Rainbow Dash asked before taking a bite of the apple.
"I was fine 3 seconds ago, may I ask what you're doing here?" Applejack asked with a frown.
After eating the apple, Rainbow Dash started talking again.
"Well, I wanted to see how you were doing, I hadn't seen you in a few days, I started to think you were avoiding me" said Rainbow Dash.
Applejack sighed, it was true it had been 6 days since they last saw each other.
"No, it's just that I'm... nostalgic," Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow. "Worshipful? Is that why you haven't talked to me?"
"It wasn't just you, but the others, it's just... well, tomorrow will be a new year" said Applejack.
"Yes, I understand, I also get nostalgic at the end of the year, but that still doesn't explain why I haven't spoken to anyone," said Rainbow Dash.
"It's just... so much has changed... This is the first end of the year without Twilight in... a long time," said Applejack.
"Speaking like that, it sounds like Twilight died," said Rainbow Dash.
"No, it's just that she won't be able to come because she's really busy right now, and recently not just this week... I've noticed how much everything has changed," said Applejack.
"What do you mean?" asked Rainbow Dash confused.
"Well, before Twilight, and in the beginning when she came to Ponyville, things were so different from now, in the last few years so much has changed... Apple Bloom and the others got cutie marks, you became Wonderbolt, Discord became good... more or less, Twilight became ruler of Equestria, Fluttershy managed to become much more confident than she used to be, Rarity is being successful, we saved Equestria several times, we were teachers, we did so many things... everything happened so fast... it seems like it was yesterday that Twilight arrived..." said Applejack.
To Applejack's surprise, Rainbow Dash didn't make any jokes, didn't make any comments, didn't yawn, didn't fall asleep... she seemed to be paying attention to everything she said...
"I know... I'm also surprised at how much everything has changed... everything that's happened... everyone we know... everything we've done... this is too fast even for me..." Rainbow Dash admitted.
Applejack was speechless for a moment, Rainbow Dash was thinking the same thing.
"But... well, things change, and that's life. We don't even realize how fast things happen until the moment everything is at peace and we start to remember, but for now, let's focus on the now," said Rainbow Dash with a smile.
Applejack didn't say anything.
"We're going to focus on how everything is going well, what we've accomplished, how much we've grown, how much we've changed, like, look at me, I'm living a dream, we've saved Equestria multiple times, and now it seems like everything is at peace, different species in harmony," Rainbow Dash said excitedly.
Applejack was even more surprised.
"And we're still young, we're not even 30 yet, let's enjoy it, focus on the now, and not be sad or nostalgic because of the past" said Rainbow Dash.
Applejack was silent for a few seconds before she started laughing.
"hahahahaha!!!" Applejack laughed falling to the ground.
"Hey! What's so funny?!" Rainbow Dash asked irritably.
"It's you... you're acting so... un-Rainbow! So mature and wise... aren't you by any chance a changeling in disguise?" Applejack asked with a smile.
"Alright, want me to talk like a real Rainbow Dash? Alright, get that big flank up, and stop whining like an old mare!" Rainbow Dash yelled.
"pfft... yeah, now it looks like Rainbow Dash" Applejack said with a smile as she stood up.
"So, let's race," Rainbow Dash said smiling.
"Huh? A race out of nowhere?" Applejack asked confused.
"Yes, it's good for calming your mind, or maybe you're feeling too old to race the fastest mare in Equestria?" Rainbow Dash asked with a confident smile.
Applejack smiled "The fastest mare in Equestria? No wonder you don't date."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes "again with that joke, that's not going to help you beat me"
Applejack smiled confidently and stood next to Rainbow, both of them ready to run.
"I don't need any help with that, all you'll be able to see is that big flank you like so much," Applejack said with a smile.
"It wouldn't be a bad thing, but I'm not going to miss it, let's run from here to Twilight's old castle" said Rainbow Dash.
"Fine, but without using your wings," said Applejack.
"Alright... 3... 2... 1... go!" Rainbow Dash yelled before starting to run.
The two began running side by side, Rainbow Dash took the lead in no time and smiled.
"Well, I may not see your big flank, but since I'm a good friend, I can give you a view of MY beautiful flank," said Rainbow Dash.
"Tempting, but you won't stay ahead of me for long," Applejack said before picking up speed.
The two stood side by side, having fun as they ran, neither of them noticed, but for a moment Rainbow Dash's mane shone, they ran until they reached Ponyville, and Applejack was surprised when she saw at the door of Twilight's castle, there were her friends including Twilight herself.
"You've finally arrived," Twilight said smiling.
"Twilight? But how?" asked Applejack in surprise.
"I managed to find my way here, I'll have a little more work when I get back, but I had to spend this day with you guys," Twilight said smiling.
"Good to see you guys," Spike said waving.
"Applejack, we haven't seen you in a trillion years!" said Pinkie Pie.
"Uhh... Pinkie... It's only been 6 days" said Pinkie Pie.
"It's the same thing," said Pinkie Pie.
"I don't think so darling, but let's go in," said Rarity.
And after that, Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity and Spike enter, a few seconds of silence passed before Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash who was smiling and asked.
"So the race was just an excuse to get me here?" Applejack asked with a smile.
"Yes," Rainbow Dash said smiling before approaching the door and opening it, "Oh, and I won," she said before entering.
Applejack just rolled her eyes, keeping her smile before entering, and when she entered she saw several acquaintances, friends and even her family, the students from the friendship school were also there.
"Wow..." Applejack said in surprise.
"Yes, like I said... let's enjoy the now, let's enjoy the fact that everything is peaceful" said Rainbow Dash.
"...you're right," Applejack said with a smile.
"I'm always right," said Rainbow Dash.
"I hope you control your ego next year," said Applejack.
"I hope next year you'll admit how amazing I am," said Rainbow Dash.
"I hope next year you get it wrong, and learn about humility"
"I hope your flank will be better next time"
Applejack picks up her hat and hits Rainbow Dash on the head.
"Enough with the comments about my flank," Applejack said, putting her hat back on.
"Alright, no talking about your flank... this year," Rainbow Dash said with a smile.
Applejack just shook her head with a smile before looking around and seeing everyone happily having fun.
"I hope that next year, no crazy people show up looking to cause trouble," said Applejack.
"If he shows up, we'll stop him like always," said Rainbow Dash, smiling confidently.
Applejack returned the smile, and then they both went over to their other friends who were talking.
It was the end of a year, but a new beginning...
In a hidden laboratory, there was a pony, with red fur, no mane, and a brown mustache, who was watching.
"My new year's resolution will be... I will conquer the world! Hahahahahaha!"
What I was observing was an emerald, which shone brightly.
Author's Note
Well, that was the special New Year's chapter, I was going to do a Christmas one, but it wasn't possible to do it in time, it's my first one shot, and it's also kind of simple due to lack of time, sorry about that.
Happy new year to all!
And it's also a prequel to my next fanfic that will be released in January, Rainbow Dash The Pegasus.
