Elation.
Elation is a mood, a feeling, and a state of being.
Elation brings you up on wings of eagles, and lets you float at the bottom of the sea.
Giddy with the clouds and bubbles you swim – air or water, ocean or sky.
Not upon the firmness of the earth do you stand. Not upon steady legs do you walk.
You would find yourself in a place between, where dreams courted reality as you move through a vast, empty space – a space filled with only one thought to accompany you.
You were in love.
And Rainbow Dash was elated.
She trudged on, barely feeling the dirt crunching beneath her hooves, as each plodding step was placed with as much finesse and grace as a rhinoceros. But what did she care?
Her heart still beat with a thunderous applause; so strong it was that it caused pain to think of her face, for each glimpse in her mind's eye made her chest tighten up and her stomach wrench away from her body, struggling up her throat in a futile attempt to escape.
Rainbow Dash had finally said it.
It was the admission; the truth; the heart and soul. It was expression of spirit; it was the growth of self. It bore responsibility and freedom, pain and joy.
But most of all, it was a step forward. It was that part of life when, saying those words for the first time, you commit. You end up with something you never thought you could ever have, and in that moment, Rainbow Dash felt like she was flying to places higher than her wings alone could take her.
She turned to the moon. It was watching down with its luminous grace, the symbol of the night and serenity. It hung from the sky like a lone apple from a branch, a solitary thing of beauty; to pluck it from its home would be a crime.
"Applejack!" she screamed to the sky, standing in the middle of the empty road that led from the barn, reaffirming it to herself lest she forget.
"I love you!"
She puffed out her chest, squeezing her eyes shut, as the clouds drifted hazily by on the slow night breeze. It felt so good to yell it out loud. She hoped its echoes reached as far as Cloudsdale.
For what had been so hard to say just one day before, had been so easy one minute after.
It was about the unexpected.
It was about the sudden.
It was about the highs and the lows.
For those were what made this a true, eventful relationship.
And tomorrow would be the start of a wonderful, fantastic new day.
"Applejack! Applejack!" Rainbow yelled, bursting from out of the sky.
It was a beautiful Spring morning, with the sun glaring bright, and the clouds safely shuffled away for day-time storage. But more than that, Rainbow carried a song with her as she touched down beside her new mate and close personal friend.
"Hey, Applejack," Rainbow said, a warm blush growing around her cheeks, as she grinned the softest of grins. Being so subdued was a characteristic foreign to her, but yet, she found it coming naturally under the circumstances. She felt safe – that was the word – safe to lower her guard and her bravado and let a little bit of her soft side sneak in.
So when Rainbow Dash looked shyly to the side, her tail swishing around, her hooves rubbing up against each other in a complete show of fragility, Applejack couldn't help but sigh, a look of wistfulness on her face.
Applejack found this the cutest thing ever; she had always been honest in her own portrayal of character to her friends. And while everypony else thought that Rainbow would be the more dominant of the two, the truth was that Rainbow had been covering up her sweeter self.
In the end, Rainbow was just frosting and Applejack – the cupcake.
And in this they found themselves on the first day of a new relationship.
"Hey, Sugar Rush." Applejack returned the greeting, turning to the side, looking at Dash over her shoulder. Her hooves were caked with mud from the fields, and she wore upon her head a straw hat instead of her usual Stetson – it was far too hot to be wearing thick leather while working the grounds this time of morning. She also had her old pair of overalls on, those torn, blue things that Rainbow always loved her in, just to prevent the mud from crawling further up her body.
"Morning, Applejack!" Rainbow called again, always happy to repeat her name. "What's hanging?"
Applejack gave a modest smile in return; a sly, muted smile. Against the blue-tinged light of morning, she looked like an angel, muddy or not.
"I- heh," Applejack muttered, looking down and away, keeping that smile, a small redness of her own appearing on her cheeks. It mingled with her coat and made it look like she had grown an extra pair of cutie marks on her face.
The smile faded.
Rainbow had to guess that she was probably still embarrassed about the whole thing.
"Yeah, I know," asserted Rainbow. "It still feels weird for me too. But… after three months of you pushing me around and all the toying and all the games… this is… kinda exciting, isn't it?"
Applejack nodded, bringing her head back up again. Her hair bobbed as she did so, her mouth opening to exhale a little bit.
"You know, I mean, you were chasing me and banging on about it, and yeah, I know. I'm a hard nut to crack!" Dash pumped her leg, exhibiting her muscles. "But, you know. I guess I was just being stubborn. In the end, I was just… kinda scared of it all. So if anything, thanks for being patient with me, Applejack."
"Ain't no thing," Applejack replied, her lips pushed together slightly, her eyebrows tilting down at the sides.
"But you got me in the end. So… yeah. In the end… when it's all said and done, and… you know… and…" she waffled. "What I mean to say is… that it's…"
Rainbow shook her head.
"Aww, I love you, Applejack. I really do."
Applejack nodded, again, biting her lower lip.
"I just… wanted you to know… that?" Dash said, her tone curling upward as the statement ended in a question. "Applejack, is something wrong?"
The farmpony blinked, as if surprised, and then shook her head as her expression grew serious. She stepped back a bit, bracing herself, and cleared her throat.
"Whoa, I'm sorry, Sugar," she begged pardon. "'Course there ain't nothin' goin' on. I was just thinkin' about things, is all. Like you said, it's a bit new, ain't it? I mean… here you are and here I am… and we're… together."
"Yeah, I know that feeling!" Dash agreed, playing upon her own chest with a straying hoof. "It's like… a buzzing feeling right here. I've never felt like this before, you know? I actually thought I had fleas or something. But then I remembered that fleas don't infest the inside of your b–"
A hoof came to rest on Rainbow's shoulder, leaving a muddy print.
"Rainbow, thank you. Thanks ever so much," Applejack said, somberly.
"Hey…" Rainbow replied, getting a bit serious herself and lowering her tone. "It- it's not a problem, Applejack. I mean, we're a couple now, aren't we? Thick and thin? Like we promised last night?"
"That we sure did!" Applejack yelled out all of a sudden, a blast of energy infusing it. "Hah! Dash, you're the best, you know that? I sure am as glad as peaches you finally came out 'a yer hole there!"
Dash began to smile again, Applejack's spirit infusing her. "Me too! So… whatcha' up to today?"
"Well, I weren't doin' much." Applejack looked out into the fields. The rain that fell in the wee hours made the ground all wet, hence the mud that dripped off Rainbow's shoulder, to which Applejack gestured. "Whoops, sorry 'bout that."
"Ah, no big deal. Not the first time I got muddy with you, is it?" Rainbow chuckled.
"Anyway," Applejack continued, rolling her eyes, "I was just out here this mornin'. Had some things to take care of."
"Apple stuff, huh?"
"Ya' could say that," Applejack replied.
"So… now that we're together," Dash asked, looking out over the vast expanse of the fields, "do I have to help you out with the trees and stuff?"
"Heh," came a short burst of laughter. "Naw. You ain't gotta trouble yourself with that. That's… that's my business."
"You sure? 'Cause…"
"I'm sure, Sugar Rush," Applejack replied quietly, nodding upwards. "Besides, I ain't about ta' take away what you enjoy the most, am I? And that's where you belong, in th' sky, pushin' around clouds and makin' my hooves dirty."
"Hey, I wasn't on duty this morning," Rainbow retorted. "You can blame Cloudchaser for this one!"
"I sure will, Rainbow. I sure will."
But Rainbow tilted her head again as Applejack turned hers away to look out at the apple fields once more. She seemed to be staring at something… looking…
"Uh… so, you wanna hang out today?" Rainbow asked, looking over to try and spot what Applejack had been staring so intently at.
"Well, um…" Applejack fidgeted. "Actually… this is real embarrassin', but I'm afraid I can't, Rainbow."
"Oh, what's… ah, what's goin' on?"
"Well, like I said, I got somethin' t' do today, and I'm afraid I'm just not about done yet. So… you know what, I'm gonna have t' see you later, Rainbow."
"But… anything I can help you with?"
"Not this time, Dash." Applejack shook her head sadly. "Some things, you just gotta do yourself, you know what I mean?"
"Well, will I see you later, then?"
There was a rather notable pause, as Applejack cocked her head to one side and actually gave thought to the answer. There was something running through her mind, but… what was it?
"Yeah, yeah, I think so," Applejack said. "After everythin's… over."
"Applejack?" Rainbow asked, with finality.
"Yeah?"
"Are you sure you're alright? Honestly? You have bags under your eyes."
Applejack stepped forward unsteadily, in a bit of a shaky dance, and gave Rainbow a reassuring peck on the nose.
"I couldn't get a wink o' sleep last night, darlin'. I was thinkin' of you," she explained, voice laden with heavy breath and thought-filled sighs.
"Ah, ehh… heh. Alright," Rainbow squeaked. "Neither did I, actually. At first it was because I was thinking of you, too, but then Tank got stuck in his shell again, and that took me three hours to–"
"So, I'mma be on my way now," Applejack cut Rainbow off, turning to face the barn with a swish of her ponytail. "And… and I guess I'll find you later. You gonna be around?"
"I'll be at my usual places," Rainbow said with a nod of affirmation, watching Applejack trudge up the road. She looked a bit weary, as if she had been doing something all night long…
But as she walked off, a small square of paper fell – black, embossed… It had a glint of gold along the top edge in some sort of calligraphic-style design, with lines and swirls and bits going everywhere. It tumbled from her pocket and fell to the ground, but Dash had reflexes trained to respond at the speed of thought.
Instantly she reached out, using her wings to give her that extra bit of propulsion, flying forward and snatching the paper square just before it hit the ground.
Rainbow stared at it.
"What's this now?" she questioned, looking at the back. In the middle of the card, bordered by those golden curls, was a print of an apple. It quite obviously represented the Sweet Apple Acres itself, and this whole paper was so fancy and…
Dash turned it over.
"Dear…" she began to read from the cursive font.
But something mysterious happened in the world, and for just a moment, Applejack was faster than Rainbow. An orange blur of a hoof shot out, snagging the piece of paper up and returning it to a pocket, covering it with a healthy layer of muck.
"No!" Applejack shouted. "Uh… I mean… sorry, that's private!"
Rainbow quirked an eyebrow.
"I- I gotta go!" Applejack belted out suddenly, dashing off. She started with a trot, which exploded into a full run as she barrelled down the road back to her home.
"I'll… see you later, then… I guess," Rainbow said to herself, as the dust cleared.
That was some odd behaviour.
I mean, Applejack… she seemed strange.
She was acting flighty, like one of her cows. Scared like a bunny.
Evasive, like Fluttershy ducking in and out amongst the trees.
Rainbow Dash pushed through a thick, grey cloud, wriggling through its stocky, water-filled membrane. She gave herself a little shake as she crawled out from the other end, the rain-pocket washing off the mud and dirt.
Guiding the cloud over to the old waterhole where she spent her lazy Sundays, she kicked it down, and nary a splash did it make as it was sucked up by the lake. You never leave a dirty raincloud out.
It was just impolite.
Already, she felt the ebb of the sun encase her in a luxurious cloak, prickling sensations flowing over her skin as it dried.
She was thankful for that heat; she felt a little bit cold in more ways than one.
Something was going on.
Rainbow had taken the good part of an hour to sun herself off, lying lazily on the edge of the still waters. Every so often, a leaf would be blown in on the winds of beyond and land on the lake, distorting the perfect picture of the sky for just a minute while ripples spread out and away over the surface.
Rainbow Dash watched every single leaf that fell in the time she had been there.
She had nothing else to do today. She had honestly expected to spend it all with Applejack.
But eventually she had to go to Ponyville. A nagging curiosity got to her, and laying around thinking was neither going to help, nor was it something she could maintain for longer than an hour at a time.
And leaves were only exciting up to a certain point.
So here she was, floating over Ponyville, looking down upon the ponies under wing as they milled around and spent their time. A bird's-eye view let her canvass the area with great speed and efficiency, but it wasn't until she saw that flash of orange out of the corner of her eye did she switch to alert mode.
Swivelling around the heavy traffic of the lunchtime crowd was a very familiar pony in a pair of frayed blue overalls and a bright yellow hat, bounding from the doorstep of Sugarcube Corner.
She didn't even have time to change.
Rainbow smirked.
Well… fancy seeing you here.
But the figure stopped, even as traffic around her went on, and suddenly she turned, the yellow circle swerving into an alley that ran between two shops.
Rainbow had forgotten – if she could see them, they could just as easily see her. In fact, she was far more obvious than a random face in a crowd.
And now Applejack was trying to be sneaky!
Well, she wouldn't have that.
Dash turned in mid-flight, banking down against the wind and zooming towards the other end of the alley. She kept to the far side of the buildings, touching down just at the mouth of the alleyway.
There she stood, hiding, waiting. Under cover of walls and windows, she held position. Once Applejack came out, she'd just casually run into her. You know – Oh, look who we ran into! I was just, you know, hanging out… so, whatcha' doin' right now?
Yeah, that'd be the ticket. And then Applejack'd have nowhere to go, and…
Applejack?
Where… was she?
The clear sound of galloping was audible against the cobbled streets of Ponyville, and the narrow alley only served to amplify the clicking of hooves against stone. Rainbow poked her head around, only just catching that flash of orange and blue being led away by an oversized halo.
Rainbow frowned. Sometimes Applejack knew her too well.
Clicking her tongue, Rainbow gave chase, peeling down the alleyway as she galloped after, coming to a stop as she reached the other side.
But to the left, and to the right, not a single Applejack was to be found. The crowds bustled – the Ponyville Market Center was always alive with the clamour of trade and activity, and there were many places an industrious pony could hide.
Rainbow peered past the fine citizens of the town, trying to play a game of spot-the-marefriend.
Nothing.
It was just stalls and stands, fruit and vegetables. It was just ponies shouting over prices and haggling over sales. It was just friends walking around, having a good old time of it, popping in and out of establishments for whatever fanciful reason.
But not a single one of them was the one she was looking for.
Her eyes, burning red with fire, scanned the vista slowly, and thereupon a building did they come to rest – a building with a brown cookie-themed roof, a weather vane with a candy cane stuck on it, and a shop sign displaying a giant, pink cupcake.
Rainbow grinned, narrowing her eyes.
There was more than one way to skin a horse.
The door burst open suddenly, an impressive figure standing straight up in the doorway on its rear legs, front hoof placed against the wooden panel that it had just shoved aside.
The entire shop suddenly dropped to silence, save the tinkling of the bell that signalled the arrival of a new customer.
Ponies who were caught eating, purchasing, browsing wares or generally milling about all stopped; spoons heaped with creamy, delicious ice cream or chunks of powdered donut froze halfway on the path to open mouths.
Mrs Cake, too, stopped in the middle of boxing up a twelve-pack of party cupcakes with the banana cream icing.
"Um… can we… help you?" Mr Cake asked, breaking the film of silence. He had his hooves in a large mixing bowl, squishing the dough that would soon become perfectly baked fresh brown loaves, which, with a squirt of custard on the inside, made for an excellent treat.
"Pinkie Pie! Where's Pinkie Pie?" Rainbow demanded, dropping back to four legs. She walked, smugly, past all the patrons, who eventually started resuming their activities after Dash had crossed by and had presented no immediate threat. "I know she's here. I want to see her! Right now!"
"She's… just upstairs, Rainbow Dash," Mr Cake uttered slowly, still a bit taken aback at the display of force. "Is she in trouble?"
"Ooooh yes, she's in trouble alright." Dash nodded, heading for the door that led to her room. "I don't know what for yet, but she's in trouble!"
"Ah…" Mr Cake started.
Rainbow disappeared around the frame, relinquishing the room back to the husband and wife duo who gave each other extremely confused looks.
Her head popped back around.
"Um… you don't mind if I go up and see her, do you?" Rainbow asked, sheepishly.
"No… of course not, Rainbow," Mr Cake replied, still wearing the same expression.
"Right! Thanks, Mr Cake!" Rainbow chimed, disappearing again.
The Cakes shrugged.
Not a second was wasted as Rainbow burst through Pinkie's door on the upper landing, leaping to the middle of the room.
"Ah, hah!" she shouted, pointing a hoof at Pinkie accusingly.
Pinkie dropped the double cream puff, which landed with a splat on her dressing table.
And like a picture taken in time, the scene paused for a few excruciatingly long seconds.
"Don't… tell… them!" Pinkie squeaked, in a forced whisper, her hooves shaking as she pushed the puff behind a small desktop plant.
"Wait, what?" Dash dropped her hoof and reared back.
"Who sent you up here? Was it Mr Cake?" Pinkie asked, hopping up and wiping the remainder of the cream off her face.
"Um…. no?"
"Mrs Cake?"
"No?"
Pinkie's hooves flew to her mouth as she gasped, sucking in a gallon of air.
"P- Princess Celestia? I knew it! This goes all the way to the top! I know they said not to eat them, but I couldn't- I couldn't help it! They're double-glazed puffs! They looked soooo yummy and I- I couldn't…"
"Pinkie…"
"…and I wanted to stop, I really did, but I didn't have any breakfast because I was busy making strawberry cream for the strawberry cream buns and I didn't have the time and I just needed to eat something…"
"Pinkie…"
"… and I've been eating nothing but strawberry cream buns for the past three days and I needed something else and I–"
"Pinkie Pie!" Dash yelled, rocking the walls.
The pony she was yelling at stopped in mid-sentence.
"Shhh," Pinkie hissed. "You'll wake the babies!"
"Ugh, come on!" Rainbow slapped herself on the forehead. "Pinkie, I'm not here to rat you out, alright? I don't know anything about this double-glazed puff thing. I'm here to ask you something."
"Oh!" Pinkie interjected, her bubbly demeanour returning. "Well, why didn't you just say so?"
"Pinkie…"
"Alright, what can I do, do, do for you, you, you?" Pinkie sang, pushing the plant back and scooping up the rest of her disposed delicacy.
"Was Applejack here?" Rainbow asked, directly, frankly. No point in beating around the bush. Pinkie had already beat enough bushes to flatten every single one from here to Canterlot.
"Applejack?" Pinkie stuffed her face with the puff. "Nff! I mefffnf offiff wiff fuff hoff, buff hibble whiffuff whff?"
"Well, she's been acting a little weird," replied Dash, somehow understanding what Pinkie had said. "It's almost like she was trying to avoid me. So… I'm just here to ask you if you know what's going on."
Pinkie swallowed, giving out a big 'aah' of satisfaction. She licked her lips and looked at her hooves while she thought about how to answer the next question.
"Well," Pinkie said slowly. Slower than usual. More deliberate. "She was here. I can say that much!"
"And? What did she want?"
"Um… nothing, really. She just wanted to talk!"
"Talk?"
"Yep!" Pinkie nodded.
"With… you?"
"Yep!" Pinkie nodded again, adding, "Hey!"
"Well, sorry. I mean… she… you- you don't just talk, Pinkie."
"Sure I do. We're talking now, aren't we?"
"Well, yeah but, you know what I mean. She wouldn't have come right up to your room unless she wanted something. So…"
"So…?" Pinkie repeated, a soft grin on her face. It wasn't a full blown smile, but it was still a smile. For one reason or another, it just didn't grow to the lengths that it normally would.
"What… did she want?"
"Oh, Rainbow. Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow," Pinkie sang, sighing and walking over, draping a leg over Rainbow's shoulder. "Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow. Rainbow. Rainbow, Rainbow."
"Stop saying my name!" Rainbow yelled again.
"Rainbow," Pinkie said one last time, leading her towards the exit. "I don't think I can help you with this, and honestly, I'm really super busy today! I'll talk to you later, okay, Dashie?"
"But- but-" Rainbow struggled back, trying to wriggle out of Pinkie's freakishly strong iron grip. "At least tell me if I was right!"
"Alright." Pinkie nodded slowly. "She did come to me for something, but it's a super secret. She made me promise, and a Pinkie Promise is a Pinkie Promise. So you know I can't tell you what it is."
"Oh, alright." Dash relented, letting herself be pushed out of the door. "Well, thanks for telling me that much, at least. Don't suppose I'll ever find out what it is later?"
The door was already closing when Pinkie's final response came from behind it.
"You will, Rainbow. You will!"
Dash turned away from the door, no wiser than when she had first come in. That ended up going nowhere, but at least she knew something was going on that involved Pinkie Pie. That pointed things in a very clear direction, in fact.
But it also pointed to something else; that both Applejack and Pinkie Pie were trying to give her the slip.
Rainbow smirked. This sure ran deeper than she had previously thought! Somehow, it was a little exciting. They thought they could get one over old Dashie, huh?
But where to go next?
Maybe... she should follow up on another clue.
Perhaps now was a good time to dig a little deeper, and figure things out the old fashioned way.
Daring Do style.
The fires burnt in the braziers by the stone temple doors, which caused the entire tomb to rumble as they parted way for the mighty adventurer to zip in.
Daring Dash – explorer; warrior; archaeologist – top of her field in all things, and the holder of three dozen degrees in every subject imaginable, flung herself through the narrow gap.
Getting in was easy.
Getting the prize, however, was another matter.
The jungle cat roared its ferocious call as Opal retreated to the corner after yawning with indifference.
And there did old Daring Dash strike a pose, signalling the beginning of this new adventure.
Just like everyone else she had run into today, the owner of this building wasn't amused. In fact, she specifically made a point to ignore Rainbow as she tumbled through the door and hid behind a mannequin, leaving the wind to rush in and make a mess of her ribbons.
Rarity walked over, without a single word, and shut the doors again with a burst of magic.
Rainbow leapt, flying over the main stand where Rarity displayed her wares, a horrible pit of ribbon vipers looming underneath, as she cleared it in a single bound and rolled to hide against a stack of cloth.
Rarity resumed her stitching. She was making some sort of shirt. Threads of blues, purples, oranges, and yellows filled large wooden spools beside her machine, and she worked with a fervour.
"Hah! Ah hah!" Rainbow declared, zooming from cloth pillar to cloth pillar, pushing up against a particularly tall stack of red velvet as she dodged the poison-tipped poison frogs that came firing at her from blowguns in the wall.
There, on the other side of the amazing chasm of infinite calamity was the object she sought – the Rarity Poppet. A strange and mysterious idol made out of chalkstone, it glowed with a purple hue and granted its wielder the magical ability to be… upper-class!
The Rarity Poppet hunched up, trying to ignore the disquiet.
"Oooooh..." Dash gawked, edging around the crumbling column to get a better look. "Oh no!"
Daring Dash dived out of the way, cracking stone rushing down from above! It had nearly got her! The blocks landed with a 'poof' on the ground, stirring up dust around it, but Dash was okay. She had escaped…
The trap of the long, tall stack of stones!
How amazing! Daring Dash to the rescue!
Rescue of what?
Oh, never mind.
All that was left now was the final jump across the chasm, to safely land on the other side! But no, there… there was a gem of gravity! That shining sapphire, stuck up there in that beam overhead… it robbed her of her ability to fly!
She was going to have to do this with her legs alone!
Daring Dash pulled out her whip, a professional tool of necessity for any professional archaeologist, and brandished it professionally. For she was, above all, a professional.
"Hah!" she screamed, leaping through the air, over the rug, and flinging her whip out toward the Rarity Poppet at the very last second.
Air slowed, and time stilled.
And through the air she flew, breaching the edge of time, as she reached out in slow-motion toward the opposite edge… would she catch it? Would she fall? And her whip, as well, unfurling like a snake as it darted toward the prize… if she could just nab it, then maybe…
Her eyes widened, the whip curling around the top of the idol… she got it! She got it!
But her hoof… no… it was an inch too short! She… she was going to fall… she was going to plummet to the bottom of…
Rarity, steaming, breathed in harshly and peeled the tape measure off her face, leaving a red line across her muzzle from where the metal ribbon had smacked her.
Now was usually the time that Rarity, through clenched teeth, would spit her assailant's name out with venom so powerful that it could melt steel.
But she remained silent.
The mighty adventurer pulled herself off the floor, standing up straight, and gave her head a little tilt.
Eventually, she simply trotted over to Rarity, who swivelled around as soon as Dash approached.
"Uh… hi, Rarity." Dash cautioned the greeting.
"Yes, hello," Rarity greeted back; a plain, emotionless expression she wore upon her face, much like the bolts of cloth in her shop before they took the form of gorgeous dresses. "You're in… good spirits."
"Ah… yeah. Little bit. Not so much yourself, I gather."
"Not exactly." Rarity sniffed, pushing her sewing glasses further up her muzzle. "I do apologize. I am extremely busy with an order and I have no time for frivolity right now."
Rainbow's mane, all mussed up from the tumbling, shook like the branches of a tree blown in the wind, caused by a couple of slow, deliberate nods.
"So… uh… yeah, have you seen Applejack lately?"
"Hm? Oh, ah… Applejack, you say?" Rarity answered distractedly, turning back to her machine.
"She was just here, wasn't she?"
"Rainbow, I can't–" Rarity tried to explain, annoyance in her voice.
"I just missed her, didn't I?"
"Perhaps it would be best–" Rarity buried herself in her sewing.
"That's been happening a lot today," Rainbow commented.
Rarity held her cloth still for a while, the buzzing of the sewing machine turning up in pitch as the needle plunged into nothing. And then back in she went, continuing her task.
"Rainbow," Rarity muttered, sighing. "I'm very busy."
"Rarity, are you hiding something from me?" Dash asked, poking her in the hindquarters.
"Eep!" she squeaked, kicking the off pedal and turning around again. "Don't do that! And no, I'm not. Why would I? I am far too busy to be hiding anything from the likes of you."
"Whoa, okay." Rainbow fell back, holding up her hooves in defence. "Jeez, didn't mean to step on your tail, Rarity."
What was eating her today?
"I…" Rarity started, getting more flustered and exasperated as time went on. "I… just- I'm busy, Rainbow. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry, Rarity, I get it." Dash prodded her again, at which Rarity instinctively swatted with a flitting hoof. "Applejack's been planning something, hasn't she? She's told you not to say anything. I get it. Happened pretty much the same way with Pinkie Pie."
"Then you know I can't say anything," Rarity stated, turning back to her sewing, and showing her back to Dash.
"Well, I get that, so no worries! Figured it was a long shot, anyway, but I came for another reason. I think you can help me with something else."
"Well- well, I suppose," Rarity stuttered, straightening up. "If it would quicken this along."
"Listen, what would you use a card for?"
"A… card?" Rarity blinked, turning her head to the side so that she could look at Dash.
"Yeah, square. About… so big." Rainbow motioned with her hooves. "Some kind of hard paper. Really thick. It was pitch black. I didn't know paper could get that black."
"Ah-" hummed Rarity.
"All along the edges was this golden curly line thingie, like, I dunno, Scootaloo went crazy and started doodling over it. Right on the back was this picture of an apple, and on the other side was some kind of letter or something. It said 'dear' and it was in fancy writing. Like the kind of writing you do."
"And where did you see this card?" Rarity asked.
"Um… fell from Applejack's pocket. I didn't have time to read the whole thing before she took it back. I just saw what I saw."
"I'm not sure I should…" Rarity started, a bit worried about its source.
"Oh come on, Rarity! Please? It's not about Applejack, or about your plans, right? Is it about this secret? Come on, help me out here!"
Rarity, thinking very hard about it, drew in a solitary breath, closing her eyes and fighting with some sort of choice. Rainbow hadn't a clue as to why this should be such a tough decision; this must be one heck of a thing!
"It- it sounds like an invitation." Rarity finally gave her expert analysis. "A very official one. With the seal on the back, it means that, well, it's something not to be taken lightly. And the colour black is usually reserved for formal affairs…"
"Formal? What's going on, Rarity?"
"I've- I've said too much!" Rarity gasped. She turned back again, kicking the sewing machine back into gear. "You- you must go!"
But Daring Dash, the stalwart adventurer, pressed on in the face of danger.
"What- what'cha working on there, Rarity?" Dash narrowed her eyes again, and peered around. Her eyes scanned over the coloured thread to the side.
"Nothing! Just an order! Rush order!" Rarity once again fell into flabbergasted mode, blocking the item with her body. "Just get out, Rainbow! Please!"
"Rush order, eh? Alright… thanks, Rarity. I'm… gonna go now."
She walked, in reverse, eyes holding an eagle's lock on the back of Rarity's head while she sewed away. Every so often, Rarity would turn ever so slightly to see how far Dash had gone, but cringed at the sight and went back to her job.
"Hey, Rarity," Dash questioned one more time just before she reached the exit. "This secret. Am I gonna find out about it later?"
"Y- yes, Rainbow," came the shaking voice of the seamstress. "I- I believe you will."
So.
There was a plan.
It involved Pinkie Pie and Rarity.
It involved stitching something and maybe even some kind of baked treats.
It involved invitations. Really formal ones. Really smarmy, elegant ones. Ones that were far outside of Applejack's usual standards of class.
Rainbow, not one to put two and two together quickly, walked her way out of Carousel Boutique, mind lost in the evidence.
Four pairs of legs greeted her, and she almost ran straight into them with her mind so far away in the clouds.
Purple and yellow were the colours they wore, betraying the identities of the two ponies in town of that colour who were most commonly seen together.
Almost instantly, Fluttershy ducked behind Twilight Sparkle, hiding from Rainbow Dash's gaze.
And the sun beat down from above. shining a spotlight on the three.
"Oh, hi, Rainbow Dash," Twilight said, cheerfully.
Well, at least somepony was normal. At least somepony wasn't trying to hide something.
"Oh, hey Twilight. And, um… Fluttershy."
The little yellow squiggle could hardly be seen. Somehow she had managed to fit her entire body behind Twilight's, and save for the little minute shaking that displayed tiny lines of dandelion, she could very well not have been there at all.
"What- what's up with Fluttershy?" Dash asked.
"Oh, don't mind her. She's just… scared, as usual. Right, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked, nudging her with a rear leg.
The timid Pegasus's hooves flew up to cover her face.
"Yeah… just scared," Twilight asserted, turning her attentions back to Rainbow. "You know how she is. So, what's up, Rainbow?"
"Scared of what?" Rainbow pressed the issue.
"Oh, your guess is as good as mine." Twilight tilted her head curiously. "Well, you know she'll get out of it on her own. She always does."
Well… to be fair, that was true.
Fine.
Dash supposed she could let the matter drop, but she couldn't help but let her eye stray back to the bundle of feathers even as she continued talking to the other friend.
"Well, yeah. Anyway, I just came from Pinkie Pie's and Rarity's," Dash mentioned.
"Oh, I- I see," Twilight responded.
"And you know, I know they're hiding something from me. You guys too, right? Is that what Fluttershy is scared of? Accidentally saying something?"
Twilight looked back once again, observing her quaking friend. She was shaking so much that she might have dug a hole right there in the middle of Ponyville from the vibrations alone.
"Yes," Twilight said, speaking on behalf of Fluttershy, her voice turning a bit dour. "That's it. So you know there's something going on already, then?"
"Yeah, I pieced it together!" Dash boasted proudly, thumping herself on the chest. "I did some investigation work and I think I know exactly what's going on!"
"I–" Twilight started, about to say something, but cut herself off.
"Yeah, that's right! And you know what? Enough of the hiding and sneaking around. You guys are planning something, and since I figured it out, I get to join in! Them's street rules!"
"I- I suppose that's fair." Twilight considered the proposal, ever the voice of reason. "I don't think we can hide anything from you any longer."
"So when's the party?" Rainbow asked, grinning wildly.
"Why… don't you go visit Applejack, Dash? I think she should be the one to tell you about it."
"Aww, that's pretty sweet, Twilight, but why don't you tell me right now? Come on, it's already out in the open!"
"Well." Twilight shook her head. "I'm afraid I can't do that. You see… it's something that you and Applejack need to have a talk about. Honestly, from the start, I felt she should have gone straight to you with it rather than all this, but… well. It's hard on her."
"Hard?"
"Yes." Twilight nodded. "It's about the both of you, you see. It's something… quite important, and it can't come from anypony else."
"It's… it's not a party, is it?" Rainbow realising the fact, eyes roaming again, looking for new information in the clues.
And then, suddenly, it finally clicked.
Pinkie Pie preparing some special desserts? Rarity sewing some special dresses?
Fancy invitations on black cards?
And something that only Applejack could tell her?
Wait… it couldn't be…
It wasn't possible, was it?
Rainbow Dash's heart skipped a beat, echoing the emotions of the previous night. But… it was so soon! Too soon! I mean… it was only one day!
Only one day.
Rainbow Dash looked fervently around the area, finally returning to Twilight, who held a very calm and serene look throughout it all.
"Twilight, it's not… it can't be, can it?"
Twilight didn't affirm or deny. Not even through small movements did she respond to the question.
"Rainbow… you need to go and see Applejack," was the only thing she said.
"Al- alright, I will," Dash agreed, sweat beading up along her neck and under her brow.
And Twilight only gave her one final nod to send her on her way.
"Oh, Dash," she muttered as her friend shot off into the distance. "Good speed, Dash. Good speed."
"Is- is everything going to be alright?" came a shaky, timid voice from behind her.
"I think so," Twilight replied, still tracking Rainbow as she went. "I hope so."
The sun was burning down from up in the sky, and it didn't help that Rainbow was running as fast as her hooves could carry her. Her mane was matting up on her forehead, getting into her eyes, and not since last night did her heart beat this fast.
Oh wait. What was she doing?
She took off, spreading her wings out like two magnificent blue sails, her feathers tickling the sky, and her mane leaving streaks of colour behind her.
She panted, her head suddenly wrapped up in thoughts, captured by the idea.
She knew exactly what was going on now, and she… should she say… what should she say?
How could she even wrap her head around the idea? Where would one even start?
She couldn't help but open her mouth in pure happiness, laughing all the way there.
This was what it was about.
The unexpected!
The sudden.
The highs and the lows.
But surely, this was a high that could not be topped.
She flew with a smile to the barn house, touching down with a jolt in front of it. Everything was so clear in her eyes, every sensation was experienced as if anew.
Crickets played their melody in the fields, and the wind blew a tune through the rushes down the stream. Golden waves of wheat rippled as they danced with the breeze, and Rainbow could smell the fresh scent of apples as she took a steeling breath.
She knocked.
Big McIntosh, the big brother, silent as ever, regarded Rainbow Dash as he answered the door.
Without a single word he nodded, motioning toward the main barn itself.
Applejack was there, he told Rainbow. She was there.
Rainbow ran, streaking past the little dirt path, feeling the bracing air swirling around her, understanding now what life truly was. She smiled, again, chuckling to nopony but herself.
She finally understood – this was it. This was what it all boiled down to.
It was all those things that came out and hit you in the face. It was all those wonderful things you couldn't possibly foresee.
It was just like last night. It was how she had uttered three very special words, and never again feared them.
And now, Applejack was about to utter four in a question, and she was going to say…
She skidded to a stop outside the huge red barn, knocking on the little pony-sized door-in-a-door.
But there came no answer.
Maybe she was still setting up inside, Dash figured. Maybe this could be a chance for her to turn this surprise around.
She should burst in and yell 'yes'!
She really should! Wouldn't Applejack be surprised? She was so nervous this morning. That's what it was all about.
Alright.
She was going to do it.
She was going to jump in and scream at the top of her lungs.
And she sidled against the door, testing it. It was open. Good.
Well, Dash, this was it. She had no idea what she was doing, but fuelled by pure heart and giddy with adrenaline, she shoved the bar to the entryway aside and stepped in.
"Yes!" Rainbow Dash proclaimed, looking for Applejack.
It was the highs and the lows.
"Applejack?" Rainbow asked the room. The air was still. With the door closing behind her, even the noise of the crickets faded behind a muffled screen of wood.
It was… the unexpected.
She stepped carefully over fallen bales of hay, over tools that had been strewn around the barn floor, over patches of dirt that were left by a soiled set of hooves.
It was the sudden.
Applejack was in the corner, at the far end.
Rainbow felt her head throb. From sudden joy to something that was far more incomprehensible, she stared. Her sight wouldn't work, her knees felt tender, and a striking, jolting echo of fear shot through her entire body.
She was terrified. She didn't know why.
And all she could hear was the whining, wheezing sound of a face buried in straw.
The figure of Applejack lay on a large mound of hay, buried in golden strands.
Her straw hat was torn to shreds next to where she lay, pulled apart over and over and crushed beyond repair.
The only movements she gave were the slow rise and fall of her back as she breathed.
It was the only indication that she was alive.
There are times in one's life when one comes across a scene, and just through the scene alone, one knows what emotion to wear like a coat that protects one from the chilling winds.
From the very top of the clouds, Dash's heart sank, plummeting to the depths of the earth. It was swallowed up, encased in rock, compressed into solid stone. It protected itself against the assault of these new feelings that Dash suddenly had.
Fear.
Sadness.
Confusion.
Rainbow Dash lowered her front legs, and a chill was sent through her skin, a tightness pulling up around her neck and face, like her skin was trying to swallow her.
She felt the hairs on the back of her neck prick and sparkle with bumps.
"Applejack?" Rainbow asked, shifting forward, the sound of hay scratching on the ground filling the room.
The figure twitched. Shuddered. Shoulders hunched up.
"Applejack. I'm- I'm here, like- like you sai…" Rainbow went on, taking smaller and smaller steps each time.
Each draw closer made her feel further away.
Applejack moved once more, a lot more, as her front legs came up under her head.
"I- I 'm here, Applejack…" Dash stammered.
Applejack roared, tearing herself up from the hay, pieces of straw clinging to the moisture on her face. Her hair was unkempt and her teeth churned together. Under her eyes were lines cut so deep that they made her look aged by the years. Swollen and puffy were the edges of her eyes, which glowed a deep, glazing red.
They burnt like the sun, and it hurt Dash to stare into them.
"Why… why are you here?" Applejack bellowed, her voice echoing around the large hollow cavern of the barn.
Rainbow, for once, the first time in a long time, was left speechless. She didn't even let her mouth open for the fear of saying something stupid by accident. She just stood there, her eyes dancing back and forth as she tried to focus on Applejack.
But something was making her hurt. Something was making her head grow fuzzy and her sight lose perception.
"I asked you… I asked you a question," Applejack blubbered, choking over her own blocked throat and unsteady breathing. It was a mix of fury and some other emotions, but all Rainbow could feel was the anger. "Why… why are you here?"
Still, Rainbow had no answer. This was… unprecedented. This was… aberrant.
This couldn't be happening.
She said the only thing she could, in a voice so soft and meek that it barely sounded like it came from Rainbow.
"I… figured it out," Rainbow told her. "I… figured it out."
"Figured it out?" Applejack spat, as she turned violently and stormed over to Rainbow. "Figured it out?"
Rainbow was face to face with such a sight. The anger burning, the fire clamouring up inside Applejack's eyes, nostrils and mouth… a veritable smoke was rising from her haunches, and Rainbow felt that she was caught in a cage with a wild animal.
"I- I spent th' whole day making sure that you didn't figure it out!" Applejack hissed.
"I…"
"You came anyway. You just… you just had to come, didn't you?"
"But you told me…" Dash protested.
Why… why was Applejack looking at her like this? Why were Applejack's eyes burrowing into her mind? What had she done wrong?
That stare was what started to kill Dash; piece by piece, it broke her down. Something awful was about to happen, and Rainbow Dash looked upon the contorted face of the sweet, loving Applejack, the one she truly, truly gave her everything to, the one who had taken her and steered her along this path.
Applejack stood there, shaking her head in disbelief, unable to accept what had happened. She opened her mouth to speak, and everything slowed to a crawl as Rainbow tried to process the words that were to come.
What had she done?
"I- I-"
No.
"I h–"
No. Please No.
"I ha–"
Please. I'm begging you. Don't say it.
"I hate you," Applejack whispered.
Dash's face, keeping still, suddenly burst. It exploded, her lower jaw dropped, her eyes flooded, and she suddenly felt like she couldn't breathe.
The air dropped to a dead silence, and the floor tilted over. A high pitched buzzing filled the air, whining in her inner ear.
Why?
"I hate you," Applejack repeated. "Get out."
Rainbow's throat shut up tight. It started to hurt, merely seconds after she had started to cry. Her wings cramped up; each sinew pulling even harder than when she was flying. They ached, and burnt, but not as much as the pain coming from her chest.
"You heard me!" Applejack screamed, lost in frenzy. The pony looked to have a spark of insanity. No longer was she responsible for her words and actions, driven purely by hate and sadness. "You… you have to leave, now!"
But there it was.
There was the choice.
Flying here, when Rainbow had thought she knew what this was all about, she already knew she had one of two answers to give. You could say yes, or you could say no.
But sometimes it isn't about what you want to say. Sometimes it was about what you have to.
It was like she swallowed a ball of thorns. It pained her so much to speak that her already gravelly voice became all the more so.
But she gave the answer that hurt her even more.
"N-no," Rainbow coughed out. "No."
"Leave me!"
"No!"
"Why?" Applejack wailed, as her own set of tears joined in with Rainbow's. "Why won't you just go?"
"No! Why do… you… want me to leave you, Applejack? What- what is this all… about?" Rainbow sobbed.
"You have to leave me!" Applejack fought desperately, through her strained voice, also torn ragged at the edges and running frayed. "You don't understand!"
She put her hooves up onto Rainbow's shoulders, holding on because her legs weren't steady enough to hold her up by themselves.
"Get… get out!" She struggled, trying to push against Dash's body.
But Dash remained firm. Dash dug in, holding on tight. She already felt as thin as tissue, and she felt that things were slipping past the cracks in her being, but she held on, wrestling back, holding onto Applejack's legs.
"S- stop it, stop it, stop it!" Applejack repeated, chanting the words. She slipped forward, dropping to one knee, still struggling to shove Dash away. But her pushes were getting weaker, her struggles getting sapped of all life.
"No… I- I'm not going, Apple… Applejack," Rainbow cried.
"You don't understand!" the pony wept, a hoof sliding off Dash's chest as the both of them crumpled to the floor. "You need t' leave me. You have t' leave me!"
"Why, Applejack, why?"
"Because I can't leave you!"
With one final outburst, she collapsed. Like a wall eroded by time, and like a tree rotted through, it took that one final cut to destroy her completely. She fell off Rainbow, dropping to her haunches, sitting there while she trembled uncontrollably into the ground.
Water ran off her face like rain, dropping and collecting underneath, staining her overalls and soaking them completely.
She breathed, shuddering. A lot had been said in the last minute.
Maybe too much.
Yet, Rainbow was still there.
A shadow moved as it came in to sit beside Applejack – a soft, tender shadow, warm and inviting. A wing draped over her shoulders like a blanket, and suddenly, out from nowhere did an angel appear, swaddling her in her cloth.
"Applejack." Rainbow huffed, still trying to catch her breath. "Through… it all… together. We promised, remember?"
It was Applejack's turn to not respond.
"I- I love you, Applejack. Do you hear me? I love you."
A few more tears dropped at the statement, from both of them.
"And no matter what you say, no matter what you do…" Rainbow Dash gasped. "I- I know that you love… that you love me too. I know- I know it. Nothing you said… nothing you- that you did… that wasn't the truth. It wasn't."
Things still felt heavy in her head. No matter.
"And I know this because… you spent… three months, Jack. Three whole months. Chasing me. Bothering me. And that was only when… when you started. You kept on pushing me, Jack. You kept on… talking about it. Finding ways to get closer. Pushing us into strange situations."
Applejack lowered her head again, but Dash pulled her face close, and the warmth from the tears fell upon her chest. She was shivering, shaking, softly shuddering, sniffling.
Crying.
"Remember the time you tried to trick me into saying it, even? By giving me that new cider that you said was named after yourself in hopes that I'd say that I loved Applejack?"
Applejack coughed, a grimace flashing across her face – It was a smile, laden with pain. She couldn't help but laugh at the memories. Even in the depth of despair, these moments they shared pierced through as a beacon of all good things.
"So… you don't expect me to believe you… when you say stuff like that," Rainbow told her, pushing her muzzle up against Applejack's mane. The feathers on her wings dug into Applejack's face, soaking up some of the wetness.
They rocked for a while, back and forth, their bodies automatically moving in tune. It was a childish sort of action, but one in which they both found themselves feeling secure.
"So… what's going on?" Rainbow asked, after a while. "Please… just tell me."
Applejack breathed sharply, blinked the final glittering diamonds out of her eyes, and nodded.
"Rainbow…" she said, staring at the wall. "I… have to leave. I have to leave Ponyville."
"Le…leave?"
"Yeah."
Their breaths collided, uneven panting lingering in their ears for a while.
"Where?"
"Appleloosa."
"Why?"
"The letter." Applejack showed her, pulling the black card out of her pocket. "It's an official… official request. It's sorta what… what my family does. When they need somepony's help, they send… this thing out…"
She threw it to the floor as if it were on fire.
"The crops in Appleloosa ain't doin' so well no more. Hundreds of ponies and buffalo rely on that crop to live. I'm the best apple cultivator around and… and…"
Applejack sighed.
"What about the farm here, then?" Rainbow asked, trying to get all the details.
"They're sendin' someone over. They're t' trade places with me. It's a done deal, Rainbow."
It was impossible for the next question not to have whiplash, but Dash had to ask it anyway. The fact that Applejack wasn't offering up the information by herself just meant that she too, found it hard to take.
"How long?"
"I- I just don't know… As many seasons as it takes t' get the apples growin' right… Could be years… maybe even more. "
Rainbow Dash swallowed heavily. Alright.
She… she could handle this.
But the look on Applejack's face and her shaking lip told her that maybe Applejack couldn't.
"No. No, don't. Come on," Rainbow repeated, trying to keep Applejack's spirits up. "Don't start again, alright? Why didn't you wanna tell me?"
"What, you think… you think it's so darn easy to just tell ya?" Applejack shot out derisively, pushing herself away from Dash. It wasn't out of rudeness, but it was just that time when she needed space. And honestly, so did Dash. They both crawled back a bit from each other and sat there.
Just… sitting.
"I just… couldn't tell ya! How was I supposed to say, the day after I made you give yourself fully… How was I supposed to say I had to leave you? How… how darn selfish must I gotta be? I- I just didn't know what t' do, Dash! I just didn't know."
"I mean… I mean, you know. I tried my darndest." Applejack cast her eyes to the floor, burning with shame. "I tried t' hide it. I didn't sleep a wink last night. I went around, told everypony else, but I just didn't have the courage t' bring it up."
"And then just now when you came in… I- I'm so sorry, sugar. I guess I just snapped or somethin'. It's… it's a heck of a thing, ain't it? It's so… I- I just wanted you t' hate me. It- it was the easiest way t' get outta it… wasn't it? Just… just hate me, and you'd be better off."
Applejack trailed into an empty silence, listening to herself, listening to how stupid she sounded. The whole nonsense of the plan, cooked up in the heat of emotion.
Rainbow looked away, also thinking about something, but for some reason, a smile crept on her face, a melancholic grin.
"Applejack, you're… you're an idiot," she declared, snorting with one single burst of laughter at a joke only she understood. "You… you're an idiot."
Applejack was taken aback by that response. She at least had expected Dash to walk away at the insult, which was what half of her soul wanted, or perhaps Dash would just have stayed silent and they'd have to sit there in awkwardness for a long time before breaking up…
But she was laughing.
High above, the sun poured rays through the slats in the ceiling, casting a peaceful somnolence upon the pair.
Rainbow wiped her face and stood up.
"Listen. When are you leaving?"
"Tonight…" Applejack responded, not knowing what Dash was doing. Wasn't she even going to be the slightest bit angry? Was she even not a tiny bit affected by her bad behaviour?
"Then let's not waste any more time," Dash said.
"Whut- whuddya' mean?" Applejack asked, propping herself up as well, hay clinging to her mane.
"Come on. Let's go get clean. We have one day, and I don't want to spend the rest of it thinking about this."
"Rain- Rainbow," Applejack stammered. "I-"
"C'mon!" Rainbow called, the full cheer of her regular speaking voice returning. "Let's go!"
It was her face. It was her eyes, it was her heart and spirit.
That was love.
She didn't have to say it.
That was love.
Applejack bloomed, a smile exploding out as well.
"Yeah, let's!" she agreed.
And so upon the afternoon did the pair walk out, squinting into the sun, laughing on the breeze. They had one day.
One day.
And they would spend every last minute of it in a meaningful way.
The first pair they ran into was Twilight and Fluttershy, as they re-entered town. Twilight nodded, understanding the situation instantly when she saw just how big the smiles were on their faces. She was always one to save the sadness for the appropriate situation, and being the level-headed member of the group, kept focus through it all, having had to support the massively blubbering Fluttershy all the way.
Ever since Applejack had told them of her departure earlier, Fluttershy would not be consoled. But with the help and guidance of the couple themselves, who stood strong against this, she too found the will to be happy for them.
They went to Sugarcube Corner, where Pinkie could finally stop hiding behind the bubbles and giggles. When the door swung open and Pinkie, laughing and happy, saw them together, she gave a little nod – a wordless question – to which a nod in response was given, and all of a sudden, Pinkie's bubble burst.
It had been so, so hard for her to keep it up. So much so that she had to console herself with random snacking. All six of the double-glazed puffs that Pinkie hadn't eaten were presented, and they all agreed that they would represent the last meal shared amongst friends.
The group allowed Pinkie to deflate, her hair falling off their curls as she let it out finally, crying as she hugged both Rainbow Dash and Applejack for ten straight minutes.
And then they moved on.
They pulled the snacks along to Rarity's, who finally revealed that the only way she could bury her emotions was by shoving it under another one. She didn't mean to have acted so aloof and distant to Rainbow, but having to address her directly was a strain on her heartstrings and she might have given it away.
It was a gift not hers to give, she explained.
Would Rainbow ever forgive her atrocious behaviour?
Of course.
Rarity gave out the shirts she had been working on – open-button vests that matched, each of which bore all six of their cutie marks over the chest, embroidered in with finesse. It was just a little going-away gift, something that would mark this long trip.
They opened the box of cakes right there and then, Rarity providing the further service of tea, while they snacked and talked and chatted as the sun went down.
In the evening they all went back to the barn to spend some time with the family. All were invited, of course, and they all ate until they couldn't finish off another pea, or nibble another corn.
Stories about the fine couple were regaled, to the amusement of the family, and to the embarrassment of Dash, especially when Granny Smith dug a hoof into her cheek in warm approval.
More threads of friendship and history and things were laid bare, lines running deep as recollections intersected and tales weaved in and out of each other.
They all had learned more about each other that one night than they had over the past few weeks.
And in their final few comments, once the day had worn down and the topic had to be approached, they all came to the light of truth.
Sure, Applejack was leaving, but she would one day return.
And she promised to take regular trips back, too, for occasional visits.
It sure wasn't going to be as bad as she originally thought.
And it certainly wasn't the end.
It was the support of her friends and her family. It was their love and their care. They were pillars of foundation, each of them, bearing the load inside her so that it was easier to take.
And at the center of it all was the one who sat beside her as they all mingled by the fireplace, the flickering lights chasing away inner demons.
That mare. That marvellous, special mare. The one with the rainbows in her hair and a hoof holding her up. She was the one. The pillar in the middle. The one that, if all other pillars fell, would still remain. Forever and always.
But time, unlike memories, do not last in perpetuity, and the night waned on.
The moon levelled high, perching directly above, signalling the midnight hour. The overnight to Appleloosa was leaving.
With every tick of the clock, with every sweeping hand, Applejack felt a little more anxious.
She didn't want to go.
She didn't. She had to, but she didn't want to go.
Maybe she could delay the trip for a week. Maybe she should find somepony else…
But Rainbow had banished those thoughts for her with a flick of a hoof.
Just go, she had said. You have responsibilities. You have things that need doing, and you wouldn't be able to live with the guilt of putting this aside, anyway.
Rainbow knew her. So well.
And there they stood, face to face, on the platform, a small brown pack-wagon sitting on its wheels next to their legs. It was full of all the things Applejack would need, and she pulled it along like a miniature cart.
The others left them in peace, as they stood aside and watched the duo bid their final farewells.
And there they made the promise not to cry. There they made the promise that no matter what happened, they would both be strong, for each other.
Applejack nodded. It was returned by Dash. And the train blew its whistle, signalling the beginning.
With a heavy sigh, the farmer dragged herself onboard the train.
It was headed for a new life; at least, for a while.
It was headed for a different kind of family, and a different kind of friendship.
It was a bit exciting.
But yet, there was an emptiness.
Through it all she forced herself away. The night was a gift. Rainbow was a gift.
The time they spent was not to be poured out with blunt emotion.
They had shared old memories and made new ones, and that was not something to cry about.
The train chugged, and pushed on.
Applejack pushed her face against the window, and there they were. All of them. Her five friends. Her younger sister, her big brother and Granny.
All of them moving along as the train picked up speed.
All of them breaking into a run as the train pulled out of the station.
Applejack waved, locked behind glass.
The calls of 'goodbye, Applejack!' and 'we'll see you soon!' pouring through, muffled, as if she was hearing it from the other side of a misty lake.
They ran, cheerful, joyous, smiling, happy for her, ever giving her support, all the way to the bitter end.
Even Dash. Especially Dash.
Her smile meant the most of all.
And the train finally left, the edge of the platform blurring away as her friends became blips on the horizon.
And there it came.
Three hundred times her heart caved in.
Once for each minute she spent on the train.
Once for each memory she had about Dash.
Once for each regret for the days she would have to spend without her.
And finally when dawn broke, she steeled her convictions, and stepped off the train, the Appleloosan sky looming strong over her. She steadied herself, and carried on with head held high.
For there was only one way to go, and all roads would lead back to…
"Hey."
Applejack sniffed.
Last night she promised. No more crying.
Last night she told herself it would have to be this way.
"Hey," it came again.
Don't make a liar out of me.
Don't. Just don't.
"Surprise," she said.
Applejack dropped her cart and ran.
She bounded across the wood, across the soil and stared, stared into her eyes. Her beautiful eyes, her glowing hair, and her warm smile.
And she broke her promise. She broke it happily.
She smiled so hard that she felt that she might have no more left to give.
She hugged her so hard that she couldn't breathe.
She broke her promise for a good long while.
She wrapped herself around Rainbow Dash, holding her close, just in case she might escape, just in case she were a mirage.
Her smell, wafting off her dust-damaged hair, was of the desert and the plains. Her mane bristled with golden flecks of sand.
But together they met.
Closer, their faces brushed, skin softening under each other's touch, and they pressed together, eyes shut and breath mingling.
It didn't take much for them to be satisfied with the kiss. It was a light, ethereal thing, mere sparks joining them together.
And they didn't part even as Applejack spoke.
"Why are ya here?" she whispered.
"I flew," Rainbow responded, laughing. "Wasn't gonna leave you behind. Did you think I was just gonna let you go like that?"
"Why… why didn't ya' just come with me from the start?"
"Well, I had to pass on my weather duties, and I had to say goodbye. Took me a few hours to get everything done, but I made it here in record time."
"But… your weather… your flying… th' Wonderbolts, Rainbow!"
"Yeah, guess I'm changing careers for a while!" Rainbow laughed, as if it were nothing to her. And in truth, it was one of the easiest decisions she ever made.
"I… I told you, Sugar Rush, I can't take that away from ya… I never needed you t' help me with this!"
"Yeah well, you never asked me what I wanted, did you?"
"Y'all crazy, y'know that?" Applejack chuckled, giving in. "Flyin' all this way! Just take the train next time! And… and you could'a told me you were comin'!"
"What, and miss the look on your face?" Rainbow laughed, pulling back to take it all in.
But the both of them knew, even without it having to be said, that they wouldn't have changed a single thing.
For it was the unexpected.
The sudden.
The highs and the lows.
And only in that could they both affirm the one thing that they now knew, wholeheartedly, without a single faltering thought.
It was love.
"Together," Dash said, holding out a hoof.
"T'gether," Applejack asserted, knocking her own hoof against Dash's.
As the two of them walked off together, laughing, to work on the farm, they had experienced all this – and more – in one day.
Just one day.
But now, together, as the blazing redness of the sun pierced the sky and upon them dawned the next morning, they had found within it – the rest of their lives.
The End
