Chapter One: Love's Consequence
Chapter One: Love's Consequence
Chapter One: Love's Consequence
The sun was setting gently over the horizon, casting an amber light upon the land. A faint breeze cooled the air. An orange mare was lying on a small hill, her back rested against a tree. Her blond tail and mane was rustled by the small wind, and atop her head was a notched brown Stetson, slightly dangled down over her emerald eyes. She rested there with her hind legs crossed and her forhooves behind her head.
Applejack smiled as she heard the familiar cry of a pegasus and opened her eyes. She watched as a black silhouette flew in front of Celestia's fading sun, turning into a wide flip, ending in a fast, tight corkscrew. The shape then raced back up high into the sky, just barely visible.Suddenly it dropped, free falling head first with incredible speed. A mach cone formed around the blur, and spectral lightning flashed to life before the sound barrier was broken, unleashing a rainbow colored explosion into the sky. The shape, now trailed by a rainbow, headed for her, its features growing more and more noticeable as it got closer. Finally it stopped at the bottom of the hill, landing. The blur had been a cyan pegasus mare, her mane prismatic, showing six colors of the rainbow. This certain pegasus was the love of Applejack's life.
"Hey Applejack! Did you see that!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, her wings still flapping with excitement. "That was the easiest Sonic Rainboom I've ever done!" Her voice cracked slightly at the end, obvious that she is pleased. On her face was her usual smirk, which drove A.J wild.
Applejack slowly stood and walked down to Dash, who finally was able to tuck her wings to her side. She nuzzled her neck softly. "Ah saw, sugar cube, and Ah'm mighty impressed." A.J smiled to her marefriend, who leaned in and pressed her lips to A.J's in a light kiss, which she happily returned. Rainbow giggled and quickly stole Applejack's Stetson from her head, placing it atop of hers. A.J cocked an eyebrow at her.
"What?" asked Rainbow, grinning. "You can't be the only mare that looks good in a cowpony hat." Rainbow was right about that, though the color of it clashed with her blue coat, the Stetson had cast dynamic shadows over her face, drawing out those lively magenta eyes. Rainbow grinned again and walked past A.J up to the tree, flicking her playfully with her prismatic tail.
A.J watched Rainbow as she walked past, noticing the way her hips moved from side to side, as well as the lean muscle induced curves of her body. Much in contrast of A.J's muscular farmer build. She bit her bottom lip as she followed Rainbow, trying to hold back her thoughts as they sat on their haunches under the tree, watching the sunset. Her cheeks turned hot when Rainbow rested her head on A.J's shoulder, the Stetson fell to the ground.
"It's beautiful today." remarked Rainbow Dash, her rose eyes half open as she watched the sun's last rays.
The orange earth pony nodded in agreement. "That it is, RD. That it is."
The two sat in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying each others company, both of their eyes closed. Applejack's cheeks were still hot from Rainbow being against her like she was. She slowly raised a forhoof, brushing it against the pegasus's wing feathers, eliciting a small gasp from her.
"A... A.J..." Dash spoke in a soft voice. "Don't do that. I wanna take things slowly bet-" The pegasus was interrupted by another gasp leaving her lips as the earth pony continued.
"Ah reckon a month is a good enough time to wait, Rainbow." Applejack slowly moved in front of Rainbow and wrapped her forhooves around her neck. She smiled before pressing her lips to Rainbow's in a deep kiss, eliciting a shuttering breath from Dash, who slowly leaned back against the three. A.J followed, still kissing her marefriend and finally pulled back slightly.
"I love you, Applejack"
"Ah love ya too, Rainbow Dash"
--==--
Applejack smiled as she caught her breath, breathing in the cool night air. On top of her lay Rainbow Dash, who's face was buried in her chest. She watched her prismatic main be ruffled by the wind fondly. She's mine and Ah'm hers. Ain't nothin' that can ruin this moment
"Hey, A.J"
The earth pony blinked at the sound of Rainbow's soft voice. "Yes, sugar cube?"
Rainbow raised her head to look the earth pony in the eyes. "I've been thinkin'. I know how you told me about how you were brought up and all, but I think it's time we told your family about us."
A.J's heart sank at the idea. She had always wanted to tell Granny Smith and Applebloom, Big Mac already knew. But she feared how they, especially Granny, would react. She looked back into Rainbow's rose eyes and sighed, knowing she owed it to her marefriend. "Ah reckon yer right."
--==--
It took the better part of an hour to reach the farm, Luna's moon was shining bright overhead. Applejack stared at her home in apprehension, not wanting to face the challenge ahead.
"Would you like me to go in with you?" asked Rainbow.
Applejack shook her head. "No, RD. This is somthin' Ah gotta do mah' self." She gave her marefriend a light kiss before walking inside. She made her way up the stairs that lead into the actual house area of the barn, and headed for the kitchen. When she opened the door she saw Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and Applebloom sitting at the table, looking at pictures from the past family reunions.
"Ooh, Ah remember this" Granny cooed. "This was when Big Mac was just a little colt. He was still bigger than the rest of the young ones."
"Uh, Granny?" Applejack slowly walked to the table as Granny Smith looked up at her.
"Applejack, where have ya been, child? Granny cocked her head to the side curiously as the orange farmpony sat. "D'ya have any idea what time it is?"
"Ah was just, uh.. spending some time with Rainbow" she replied to the elderly green mare. From the corner of her eye she could see Big Mac raising an eyebrow, which she ignored. "Ah actually need to speak ta ya'll about somethin'" This time Big Mac shot her a curious look, obviously thinking of her relationship with Dash. She nodded to him before looking back to Granny. "Ah, uh... Ah'm kinda dating R-Rainbow Dash"
"What!?" Granny Smith exclaimed and jumped to her hooves faster than A.J could have thought possible for one her age. Beside her Applebloom stared at A.J in shock but stayed silent. "Yer out there with another mare!?"
"Granny, Let me explain m'self -"
"Ah don't wanna hear it!" interjected the old mare, staring the younger orange mare down with her ancient eyes. "Ah told ya'll a thousand times that mares belong wit' stallions, an' stallions only!" She pounded her hoof on the table at the end of her sentence. "No granddaughter o'mine is gonna be no fillyfooler!"
Applejack winced at that word, remembering Rainbow's tales of when she was in school as a filly. "Granny, Rainbow Dash is the one that saved Ponyville, and perhaps all of Equestria from the gryphon attack."
Granny's rage only seemed to increase. "Ah don't care if Princess Celestia herself asked for your hoof in marriage! There is no place for it in this family!".
Tears welled up in Applejack's eyes at the older mares words. She felt her heart shatter as Granny continued her rant. Suddenly she felt her own rage boiling deep inside her. "FINE!" she screamed, completely cutting Granny off. "Fine then! Maybe Ah'm no longer part of this family no more!" She turned on a hoof and raced out of the kitchen, followed by her brother and sister. Both called for her to stop, but she didn't care as she galloped back down the stairs.
Chapter Two: Breakdown
Rainbow Dash took a bite out of her apple that she had picked. She was sitting under an apple tree, watching the still open door of the barn. She could just see inside. The first floor was pretty much a large sitting area, on the other side of the barn was the storage area. The top floor was where the bedrooms and the kitchen were located. A smiled played on her lips as she remembered how Applejack had cared for her here when Rainbow was close to collapsing on her hooves. It seemed like yesterday, as well as when A.J returned her feelings to the cyan pegasus after she woke from death's embrace.
The mare was stirred from her memories when she saw Applejack run out of the barn, followed by Big Mac and Applebloom. She jumped to her hooves when she saw the tears in A.J's eyes. She held back an annoyed scream, knowing it had to have been Granny Smith. When A.J finally stopped and pounded her hoof against the ground, and when she saw the earth pony's tears falling from her cheeks, she felt her heart being ripped in two. Dash walked to her marefriend, and draped her wing across the mares back. The farmpony recoiled at first but eventually leaned against the pegasus and buried her face into Dash's prismatic mane. Rainbow closed her eyes as she felt A.J's sobs rack her body. She then opened them to look at the other two members of the Apple Family, who watched a few yards a way. "What happened?"
The large red stallion sighed. His expression was calm as always, but also held pity for her wrecked sister. "Lil' sis came into the kitchen where me, Granny, and Applebloom were sitting, and told us about ya'll being together." Big Mac started. "Ah knew Granny would be upset, but Ah figured she'd be confused at first, like she is most o' the time. But she jumped up onto her hooves and just started hollerin' at A.J, saying how mares belong with stallions, and stallions only."
"And then she told Applejack that no granddaughter of hers will be a "fillyfooler". Whatever that means." came Applebloom's voice. Rainbow winced at that cursed term.
"Then A.J finally snapped and claimed that she may no longer be part of the family then." Big Mac finished.
Rainbow gaped at his words. She really said that? A.J has never blown up like that. She couldn't find herself believing it. She looked down at the orange earth pony, who had settled down a little bit. "Is this true, A.J?"
Applejack looked up at her, her eyes bloodshot from crying. "Every word of it, sugar cube." A.J took a step from away from Dash, trying to compose herself.
Big Macintosh looked at them. "Ya'll know my thoughts. Ah don't exactly agree wit' what ya' are doin'. But as long as my sister is happy, so am Ah."
"Ah don't see what the big deal of it is, anyway." stated Applebloom. "Ah see no problem wit' it."
The pegasus smiles at her words. "That's a good belief to have. But not everypony sees it like me and A.J do. When I was your age I was picked on."
The filly's eyes grew large. "You were picked on? But your the coolest pony Ah know."
"It was because of the belief that mares belong with stallions only." Everypony turned to A.J, for it was she who spoke. "Ah used to believe that, but Ah never hated nopony for it. But folks like Granny just don't know how ta accept it, and just pick on other ponies."
Applebloom stared at the ground. "That's stupid. Why does that make 'em different than th' rest of us?"
"Some ponies just can't accept what's different, sis." Applejack answered. The orange mare pushed her Stetson back in place on her head, Dash could see that the mare was only standing strong because of Applebloom. The farmpony had too much pride to break down in front of her sister, yet her eyes still displayed the pain she was in. "Anyhow, Ah reckon Ah can't stay here tonight after that." her chest deflated at her own words. "And Ah can't stay with Dash 'cause she live in the air, so Ah gotta find some place to hunker down in for th' night."
"We could go to Twilight." Rainbow offered. When A.J looked doubtful she added, "You know how she is, she loves having other ponies over. She'll most likely welcome us with s'mores and ghost stories." she chuckled lightly, which seemed to cheer A.J up slightly. A small smile came to the earth mare's lips, which Dash returned.
"Ah guess we could."
--==--
The streets of Ponyville were slowly starting to clear up. Last minute consumers were going from shop to shop, some ponies were sitting at tables on dates, just enjoying the night. The town had recovered from the onslaught that it had endured, the craters in the streets were filled in and the buildings reconstructed. Though the town also seemed to be in a fog of depression. All around there was still the solemn faces of ponies that remembered the fallen of the Gryphon attack. Just outside of town was a cemetery dedicated to the dead ponies that fought or that had been caught in the crossfire of war, it was Ponyville's most toured area.
The cyan pegasus mare sighed, remembering the battle. Next to her walked an orange earth pony that had just been turned away by a family member. She watched as Applejack leaned heavily on her once they were far from the farm. Rainbow smiled. They had never done anything to show they were together in public, they held back to keep it a secret from the Apple Family. But now the secret was out, and they no longer cared. Dash and A.J ignored the glances towards them as the pegasus draped her wing over A.J's back. The two walked in silence, but Dash could tell that A.J was not doing very good. Finally she forced them both to stop at Ponyville's best desert store: Sugar Cube Corner.
"You look like you could use something to eat." the pegasus said at the questioning look from Applejack. She led the farmpony inside the brightly colored building, where Mr. Cake was waiting behind the counter. The brown-orange stallion smiled to them.
"Hello Rainbow Dash. Hello Applejack. What can I get the two of ya?" Mr. Cake asked in his usual cheery voice. The stallion never seemed to be in a bad mood. Ever.
"We'll take a slice of cake, Mr. Cake." Both ponies chuckled over that. "Hey, where' s Pinkie Pie? She usually comes bolting down here at the sound of our names."
Mr. Cake chuckled again. "Oh, shes out with Fluttershy, looking for a playmate for her pet, Gummy. So, that's two slices of cake, what kind?"
"Doesn't matter. ALL of your food is delicious." Rainbow replied, which seemed to please Mr. Cake. The tall, skinny stallion walked into the back room, returning moments later with two plates with a large slice of chocolate cake balanced on his head and nose.
"Here ya are, two slices of cake." he said as he placed them on the counter. Rainbow paid the stallion and looked to Applejack, whom had been silent, and smiled. They took their cake slices and ate in silence, and after they were done they resumed their walk to Twilight's.
After about ten minutes they finally reached the Books and Branches Library, where Twilight had made her home. The cyan mare opened the door and saw the purple unicorn slumped over her desk, looking at an almost literal mountain of notes and what looked like a hoof written book. Twilight looked over her shoulder and saw the couple. She gave a tired smile. " Hey Applejack, hey Dash. What brings you two here?" Rainbow quickly retold what had happened, and A.J simply looked to the floor, downtrodden. Twilight didn't stop them to ask questions, she merely sat and listened with concern written all over her face. Spike, her baby dragon, had walked in on the conversation, and his look was of rather confused anger.
"That's so stupid." protested the purple and green dragon. "What difference does A.J liking mares make? She's still the hardest worker on that farm, and most dependable of ponies."
Twilight looked to spike. "Granny Smith grew up in a time where there were strict rules to follow as a mare. Mares had a lot less rights than we do now, Spike. Back then, Stallions were the favorite, and mares... Well, were theirs. Granny Smith is not accustomed to this so she denied it." the unicorn explained.
The orange farmpony looked up at them, and spoke quietly. "So ta' get to the point, Twi. Rainbow was gonna ask if Ah could stay here for th' night. Ah know you can't hold the cloud walking' spell all night, or Ah'd stay with RD."
"I was gonna ask if we could stay the night." Rainbow said matter-of-factly."I'm not leaving you all by yourself tonight." She meant it too, and her words had elicited a small smile from the orange mare.
"Both of you can stay." came Twilight with a yawn. "And I hope this all get's worked out. I'll leave you two alone." With that, she and Spike went up the stairs to her room. Dash and Applejack settled down on a couch. Applejack fell asleep almost instantly. The pegasus silently got up and went to a bookshelf, picking out the first book of her favorite series: Daring Do and the Sapphire Statue. She settled back down close to A.J, and opened the book she read multiple times. She read until she finally fell asleep.
Chapter Three: Nightmares Of Mind And Body
Chapter Three: Nightmares Of Mind And Body
Cold. Dark. Alone. These were all Applejack felt. She was surrounded by smokey black walls, unable to see past her nose. She looked around desperately, searching for just a pinprick of light in what could have been darker than Nightmare Moon's heart. The farmpony bit back a scream as panic started to well up inside her, feeling that somewhere in that fog were prying eyes that are looking into her tortured heart. "Where in Equestria am Ah?" She could hear her voice cracking in fear. This black shroud was sapping the happiness and warmth from her body. She had to escape. She galloped full speed straight ahead, feeling tears well up in her eyes and roll down her cheeks. "Somepony save me!" she cried at the top of her lungs. Eventually, the nothingness under her hooves turned into soft grass, and her vision was engulfed in a bright white flash. She halted and blinked furiously as spots danced before her eyes. Once her vision cleared she gasped. She was back at Sweet Apple Acres. It was mid-day, the sun hung high and birds sang in the apple trees. She saw her brother and sister working, bucking apples from the branches. She hurried to them. "Big Mac, Applebloom! Thank Celestia you're here. I-"
Her voice died at the sight of Big Macintosh, who stared at her not in his usual calm self, but in anger. Even hate. "What are you doing here?" The edge in his voice sliced through her like a knife through an apple peal. The red stallion scowled at her. "Why did you come back?"
She gaped at her brother, who still bore that hate filled expression. "W-what do ya' mean? A-Ah live here." Her words spilled uncertainly from her mouth, tumbling over themselves.
Her brother's face bore even more hate now. "Not anymore. Ya' can't be like the rest of us, we don't want ya' here anymore." Next to him, Applebloom let out a small huff and turned her back to her sister. "Now get off our land."
Applejack felt new tears filling her eyes. How could this be... My family's...Rejecting me. She took a few steps back, shaking her head in disbelief. This couldn't be happening. The orange mare turned on a hoof and ran away from her former family. A.J didn't know where she was going. She simply had to run. Through her blurred vision she just noticed her surroundings change to the open plains outside of Ponyville, ahead of her she saw a cyan and rainbow blur. She doubled her pace to her marefriend. "Rainbow!" the farmpony cried "Th-they turned me away. Ah got no family now." Then she stopped in horror. No... Rainbow Dash turned to face the orange mare, her rose eyes bore the same hatred.
"Look A.J! I'm tired of all this!" The pegasus bellowed and paced around Applejack. "I'm so tired of restricting myself from practicing to keep you happy. And looking back, you cost me my job as Chief of Weather Control. I also had to save your flank from the gryphons, and I almost died for it." Dash stopped in front of the earth pony, "You've cost me nothing but grief, and I'm sick of it! We're through." The cyan mare then turned and lunged into the air, flying away.
Applejack's heart shattered, and she fell to her haunches. "No... No! No! No!" she cried to the sky at the top of her lungs. then everything started to fade away, closing in on the sight of the light blue dot shrinking in the distance.
FLASH
Applejack woke with a scream, panting heavily as perspiration drenched her. Beside her Rainbow jumped up with a start, and A.J buried her face in the pegasus's prismatic main, crying uncontrollably. She felt forhooves wrap around her neck in a tight embrace.
"Oh, A.J..." She heard the soft whisper come to her as she sobbed against her love.
--==--
Through the night Applejack and Rainbow stayed up in each others embrace, which made the orange mare feel better. They didn't need to talk, they knew what the other was thinking. A.J loved this closeness she had with the prismatic maned pegasus, knowing it would never happen with another pony. A.J had told Dash about the dream. The Pegasus never interrupted her as she told what happened and listened intently. The pegasus had changed from when they were just friends, not a lot, but she seemed a bit more...Mature.
At the end of her tale, Rainbow had told her: "That will never happen, A.J. I never felt angry at you for being an earth pony. I could care less if you were an Alicorn. I love you for you. And you saw Big Mac, he just wan't you to be happy. Everything will be fine, just give it time." At the end of her words, Rainbow had wiped away Applejack's tears and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
Now the sun was rising, its soft glow came through the windows, warming A.J's coat. She sighed and slowly stood to stretch, her muscles tight from laying down for hours. Next to her Rainbow yawned and did the same, and Applejack watched the sun bring out the colors of the pegasus's bold mane.
"Don't know about you, A.J, But I'm starving." Rainbow said as she flapped her wings a few times to loosen them. "You think Twi has anything?"
The orange mare couldn't help but laugh. "Ya always think with yer stomach, R.D. Ah think ya should ask Twilight before you raid her kitchen." She gave her marefriend a playful nudge on her shoulder.
"You two are both welcome to eat something" came Twilight's voice, causing the both of them to jump. "Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you, guys." The purple unicorn brought a hoof over her mouth, obviously hiding a snicker.
"Whatever, Twilight. You were probably waiting to scare us!" Rainbow protested.
"Yes, Rainbow, because I do that every morning." Twilight replied sarcastically. "Anyway. I was planning on making you two something."
A.J spoke before Dash could. "Thank ya kindly, Twilight. Some food in mah stomach would be very appreciated."
"How are you holding up, A.J?" Asked twilight, her voice filled with concern.
"Ah reckon Ah'm just waiting on some news now."
On that sad note, all three mares went into the kitchen where Twi began making breakfast. Applejack and Rainbow sat patiently at the table. The orange mare was still running over everything from her dream when Twilight began placing the food on the table, her violet magic aura surrounded the plates. Before them lay toast, hay pancakes, apple tarts, and three cups of coffee. Beside her levitated a ruby for Spike. "Dig in, girls." said the purple unicorn.
Applejack didn't feel very hungry until her first bite. After that she she ate like she had been starving, but neither Twilight or Rainbow said anything. after they finished they abandoned their dirty plates and went back into the main room of the library. Applejack and Rainbow Dash sat on the couch they had slept on, and Twilight went back to her desk, looking over the book from last night. Rainbow broke the silence.
"Okay, I'll bite. What is that?" She asked.
"Oh. I should have explained this." Twilight started. "Well after the Gryphon attack, Princess Celestia asked me to ask you both and the other's who fought about the battle, as you surely remember, and compile it all those notes with a story of the fight. So this book, you see, will be published in Canterlot and sold all over Equestria!" The unicorn squealed, unable to hold in her excitement.
A.J and Rainbow looked at each other with wide eyes before facing the purple pony in front of them."Wee, shoot. Ain't that somethin'. Ah'm a mite proud of ya', Twi."
"Yeah! That is gonna be awesome!" Rainbow added enthusiastically. "Just think of it, Twilight. You could become the best known author in all of Equestria. You'll be famous!"
"And I have you girls to thank." Twilight said with a smile. " I just cant belie- " She was cut short by a knock on the door. The unicorn got up from her stool and trotted to the door, opening it. Applejack's heart stopped at the sight of her brother's hulking red frame. She quickly got up.
"Big Mac. Please tell me Granny didn't take what Ah said seriously. Ah was just frustrated, and Ah... " Her voice died in her throat and tears welled in her green eyes.
Calm as ever, Big Macintosh spoke. "She want's to talk wit' ya', A.J. She doesn't understand whats goin' on with ya'. She admitted tha' she may have overreacted, but with Cider Season comin' she's all kind's o'stressed."
The mare felt the slightest shimmer of hope inside her, spreading through her body until she could have floated where she stood. "She wants ta' talk about it?"
"Eeyup."
This was it, her chance to explain it all calmly and get her stubborn grandmother to understand. Grinning like mad, she pushed her brother out of the way. "Then what are we waitin' fer? Let's go!" She galloped back to Sweet Apple Acres, not sparing her self for the long run.
--==--
The farmpony rushed up the dirt path leading to the farm. Her breath was ragged and her legs screamed in protest from her never ending sprint. She ignored them, she was a mare on a mission. Applejack caught sight of her target in front of the barn doors, sorting though baskets of apples for apple cider.
Applejack doubled her efforts, charging for the old green mare. "Granny Smith!" She hollered before skidding to a stop in front of her startled grandmother. "Granny Smith," She said again through her ragged breaths, "Ah'm here. Big Mac sad that ya' wanted t' talk."
Granny looked up at her granddaughter and slowly stood, her ancient joints cracking and popping as she does. "Yes, child, Ah do. Before ya' get mad, Ah'm just gonna ask. Why did ya' choose t' be a fillyfooler?"
"Granny, somethin' like this ain't no choice..." Applejack said quietly, already feeling her confidence fade. "It's who Ah am, Ah tried to fight it, Ah really did, but ya' can't fight yer heart." The orange mare could already feel herself close to tears. Her stress level was increasing dramatically as her entire dream played before her eyes, making her sweat and feel light headed.
The old farmer pondered this for a few moments. "Ya' say that, A.J, But Ah'm having a hard time accepting that. Tell me, dear, what's so special about Rainbow Dash?"
Applejack blinked, completely caught off guard. Did her granny just ask that? She expects her to explain the reasons she loves a mare? "Erm..." She cleared her throat, summoning her courage. "Rainbow is the best friend of mah life. She's loyal, brave, strong, determined, And she's loving." Her voice grew in strength as her confidence began to rise. "She listens to me when Ah need to talk. She comforts me when Ah'm having a bad day. She makes me laugh when Ah'm happy. All in all, shes-"
"Your best friend." Granny Smith cut her off, making Applejack silence herself. "And only your best friend. Ah think your simply confused, A.J. You're confused and need to spend more time workin' on the farm." The ancient pony said with authority. " So far it's only been your brother out in those fields, and little Applebloom has been trying to help even though she can't knock down any apples yet. We can't afford ya' to go slacking off with your friends, not with Cider season a'comin'." A.J was speechless, the old pony continued. "From now on Ah want you in those fields from sun-up to sun-down. Understood?"
She lowered her head, her Stetson hiding her face, and stared numbly at the ground at her hooves. Several moments passed as silent sobs shook her frame. Ah should have known how this would end up. She though with a mental kick to herself. What do Ah do? I can't simply deny that Ah have responsibilities on the farm, but if Ah stay, Ah won't have time to spend with Rainbow. Her tears fell to the grass from her cheeks, and she felt a slight pain in her chest.
She took deep breaths, knowing what that pain was. The amount of stress she was in was pushing her body even more than farm work. The same had happened to Rainbow when she was hiding her feelings from all of Ponyville. Applejack never forgave herself for putting Rainbow through that. With a last deep breath, she looked up at her grandmother.
"Listen to me, Granny. Ah appreciate that you took me, Big Mac, and Applebloom inta' your home. Ah respect all the work an' effort you put inta' this family. And Ah love you for it all. Believe me when Ah say that Ah will work my hardest fer Cider Season, but Ah will not give up my right t' see Rainbow Dash." She stomped her hoof in determination, challenging the old mare to argue further. When she did not get a reply, she said, "Ah know ya may not like it, but Ah'm happy wit' my choice. Now if ya'll excuse me, Granny, Ah have apples to buck." With that she turned to the west fields of Sweet Apple Acres, leaving her grandmother speechless behind her.
--==--
The moon hung high over the apple farm, making the orchards look like shadowy woodlands hiding away their sweet red fruit. Over in the carrot farm next door, Carrot Top was walking back to her home with her last harvest for the day. Luna's night seemed so peaceful, but inside Applejack's head was pure melancholy. She had worked hard today and she would sleep well tonight, that was for sure, but her maelstrom thoughts kept her at her windowsill, leaning with her forelegs crossed over the old wood and her chin rested on her hooves. She let out a sigh as she stared at the stars.
"Ma? Pa? Are ya'll there? Are ya'll watching me, listening?" She closed her eyes and slowly removed her brown Stetson and held it in her hooves. She stared blankly at the head ware as she continued to speak, "Granny says ya'll are always watchin' over us. Ah.. Ah'm lost. Ah'm lost on what Ah should do. Ah love this farm, and Ah also love Rainbow, yet those two things can't come together. Ah feel like Ah'm forced to make a choice between them, but Ah don' wanna. Ponies always say 'follow yer heart', but my heart is split right down the middle." She looked up at the sky, and she could feel her tears roll down her cheeks. "Ah need a sign, anything that tells me what t' do." When no response came, she buried her face into her hooves, dropping her hat out the window in the process, and she ignored the slight twinge of pain in her chest.
In her sobbing state, she never noticed the light sound of wings flapping slowly in the air, and barely recognized the feeling her her Stetson being placed back on top of her head. But, she sniffed and stopped sobbing when she felt a hoof stroke her mane, and the familiar tomcoltish whisper, "Hey, it's gonna be alright."
She slowly looked up at the source of the voice, finding a kind cyan face and loving rose eyes. "R.. Rainbow?" She stepped back from the window to let her marefriend in. The pegasus landed silently Applejack. "Rainbow Dash, what in the hay are you doing here? You know yer on thin ice with Granny!" She whispered, trying to sound harsh so her stubborn marefriend would understand the danger she's in, but could not keep the relief of her arrival from her voice. She stepped forward and wrapped a forehoof around Rainbow's neck in a tight embrace. The pegasus returned it with a kiss on the crying mare's cheek.
Rainbow finally stepped back to look at Applejack, and her coat and mane was washed in the white glow of the moon, making her vibrant colors seem like an angelic aura. Applejack had never seen her so beautiful in her life.
"I know," Rainbow said, "And I could care less right now. Big Mac told me what happened with you and Granny a few minutes ago. I'm just here to make sure you're alright after all of that." The pegasus gave her a quick once-over. "you look rough. Have you been feeling any pain in your chest?"
Applejack hesitated a few seconds before answering., "No, o' course not. Ah can handle stress, RD." She lied, which made her chest hurt even more. She was the Celestia damned Element of Honesty, and she was lying to the one she could tell anything. She knew Rainbow was asking because she herself had stress induced heart attacks, leading to multiple surgeries and the loss of her job. The thought of surgery scared Applejack, but the thought of letting Rainbow know she was causing half of it scared her even more. "Ah'm just shook up is all. Now ya need to get goin' before Granny shows up. Go on." She lightly nudged Rainbow to the window. When the pegasus was about to ask if she was sure, she placed a small kiss on her lips, silencing her winged lover. "I'm sure. Ah love ya, Rainbow."
"I love you too, A.J." With a last kiss, Rainbow flared her wings up and jumped from the window. Apple jack watched her fly up and soar through the clouds. Once Rainbow was out of sight, she flopped onto her bed and lay her Stetson on the pillow next to her head. She closed her eyes and sleep immediately took her, and once again she had her nightmares.
Author's Note
This story is the sequel of a great fiction. By the name of "Broken" it told of their past story of how they fell in love. The author of that story is Dive Bomb.
Dive retired from ponyfiction do to extenuating circumstances, leaving his Colt of the West story unfinished. He had asked if he should make a rushed final chapter, pr leave it as incomplete. His readers chose to leave it, and he did.
I just want to say thank you, Dive, for writing such great stories for us, and allowing me to write this sequel to "Broken". I can only hope it will be half as good as what it was. You were beyond your time when it came to writing, and you're an inspiration to me and others. You will be missed.
