Scribbled Notes

Chapters

Prompt: Fireplace (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Horizon (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Madness (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Schadenfreude (Com, no ship, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Stumped (SoL, Sad, Rom, Twidash, Short Scene)
Prompt: Overpower (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Stone (Sad, Rom, Twidash, Short scene)
Prompt: Stadium (SoL, Rom, Appledash, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Privacy (Musical, Satire, Appledash, Short Songfic)
Prompt: Lightning (SoL, Rom, Appledash, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Countdown (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)
Challenge: Strangest Ship (SoL, Rom, Discordaloo, Fluff scene)
Challenge: Scoots' First Flight (SoL, hinted Twidash, Fluff flash one-shot)
Request: Psycho Resignation Letter (Dark, 'Rom,' Com, Flutterknife, Comedic grimdark CLOP scene)
Prompt: Mint (SoL, Rom, Appledash, Fluff scene)
Appledash Group 100th Prompt Collab Entry (Adv, Rom, Dark, Appledash)
The Mailbox Side Story: Uncertainty
The Mailbox Side Story: Crossing Lines (Dream Sequence, NSFW, Appledashlight)
Mailbox Side Story: Guilt and Loving in Las Pegasus (Part 1)
Mailbox Side Story: Guilt and Loving in Las Pegasus (Part 2)
Mailbox Side Story: What Happens in Las Pegasus (Part 1)
Mailbox Side Story: What Happens in Las Pegasus (Part 2)
Mailbox Side Story: Love's a Beach
Mailbox Side Story: Dashing For Home
Prompt: Extravagance (Com, no ship, Fluff scene)
Prompt: Cooking (Com, Rom, Twidash, Dialogue snippet)

Prompt: Fireplace (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Fireplace

The pegasus had not moved an inch in four hours. That wasn’t entirely true; the rhythmic rise and fall of her sky blue, trim and muscled chest offered its own breed of hypnosis. The slow bellowing of breaths a metronome keeping time for a musician that wasn’t present. She would also occasionally dip her head down to the mighty tome propped up in front of her, catching a creamy page of paper on the end of her snout. A sharp flick of her neck and it would finish turning just as her head resumed its original position. And calling her still would have been a terrible lie if you caught her eyes. Glimmering pools of magenta reflected merry yellows from the fireplace and danced across the page in a race Twilight knew all too well.

A soft pulse of magic fluttered the unicorn’s own text to the next page, but her attention remained drawn to the statuesque Rainbow Dash laying carelessly on the pillows next to her, legs tucked underneath and colorful tail circling halfway around her body. Twilight’s mouth didn’t know if it was smiling with glowing affection or frowning with concern. She cleared her throat. “Hey, Rainbow Dash?”

The blue mare started, her gaze flicking rapidly from printed words to purple face. “Hmn?”

“You okay?” Violet eyes drew together under knit brow. “I know that book’s interesting; it’s one of my favorites, but wouldn’t you rather be…I don’t know…doing something else?”

Rainbow’s eyes returned to the book, her expression far away, lost in the story unfolding in front of her mind’s eye. She spoke distantly, her tone distracted, but carrying no hint of annoyance. “I’m curled up with an adventure next to the best pony in Equestria. What else would I wanna be doing?” A downy wing unfurled from her barrel, crossing over Twilight’s back. With unexpected strength and sudden speed, the feathery limb gripped and pulled the unicorn forcefully into Rainbow Dash’s side. The coat to coat contact brought immediate heat to Twilight’s frame far beyond the crackling blaze of the fire.

Twilight expelled a lingering sigh of comfort and leaned into the pegasus, resting her head into a soft, warm shoulder. Her eyes returned to her book and began scanning the page. “What else indeed,” she murmured.

Author's Note

Written to launch the Twidash Prompt Tag game in the Twidash Group forums. The 'prompt' was one I contrived to get the ball rolling, so this was written spontaneously, rather than based on a prompt I was given. I did, however, decide on 'Fireplace' before I began writing, rather than retrofitting or anything.

Restrictions: Four hours to plan and write, 100-500 words, must be Twidash

Prompt: Horizon (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Horizon

Tilting through the roaring wind, wings spread wide to catch and shape the currents with practiced perfection, Rainbow Dash let out an elated cry. Blue hooves tucked in close to her body, she spiraled through the wind. With each rotation she tightened the spin, angling her wings and legs to corkscrew faster and faster as she sailed through puffs of white, obliterating clouds to wispy shreds. When the sky was clear, her limbs flew wide and she hovered. Hundreds of feet in the air above Ponyville, the town’s landmarks were reduced to vague smudges of reds and browns amidst the field of green. The daredevil grinned at her handiwork, slowly regarding the empty sky. Empty save for one cloud, floating serenely above the large tree far below her. Smile still on her lips, she tucked her wings in close and dove.

Feet from the cloud, she flared out and settled next to the purple mare reclining with a book. She smirked, rue coloring her tone. “I don’t remember you having a book when I brought you up here.”

Twilight snapped the book shut, a small blush forming high on her cheeks. “Well, I knew you’d be a few minutes, and the sky light was open…”

The pegasus chuckled and buried herself in puffy white. Blue hooves shot out of the cloud and encircled Twilight’s middle. Rainbow Dash popped out, dragging the unicorn onto her lap. Twilight squeaked in surprise before being arrested by uncontrollable giggles. Twisting sideways, she wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow’s neck and pulled her into a flurry of kisses. Grinning foolishly, she stroked multicolored mane and said, “This was a great idea, Rainbow.”

“Just wait for the good part.”

The couple settled back on their cloudy perch and watched Celestia’s sun move across the sky. As it dipped below the horizon, it painted the sky a watercolor of pinks, oranges, reds, and purples. Leaning into Twilight’s shoulder, Rainbow whispered, “Wanna know why this is my favorite time of day?”

The unicorn shook her head slowly, a stream of snickers vibrating her chest. “Only if you wanna know why my favorite time of day is right after it rains.” They held each other close, hours passing as the sun finished its descent and Luna’s moon took its place.

Author's Note

Written for Twidash Prompt Tag off the prompt Horizon. Restrictions: Four hours to plan and write, 100-500 words, must be Twidash.

Prompt: Madness (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Madness

Twilight swallowed thickly. Ears folded back on her head and eyes wide, she watched the colorful streak move across the sky. Dipping and swirling, the rainbow tied knots, folded bows, and swirled spirals across the gentle blue canvas.

She must be going crazy.

The blur rocketed upwards, its path straightening. The unicorn’s eyes followed raptly. Her book lay forgotten by the railing of her balcony and the ice in her lemonade had bled away from cubes to chips. Her studies, her very important studies had been put on hold by this enchanting display. Try as she might, she couldn’t look away.

Crazy was the only answer. There was no other reason she’d been so captivated by her daredevil friend. Why her pulse jumped and her stomach flipped when the pegasus was near. She was losing her mind, that was all there was to it.

The streak hit the zenith of its climb and in a gentle arc began to fall. Twilight held her breath as the speed of descent grew faster and faster. A thunder crack rent the air as waves of color exploded outwards. The blurry rainbow grew bold and vibrant, hanging sharp and dazzling in the sky. Rainbow Dash weaved through the wind on hairpin turns, carving brilliant lines in airspace. Twilight’s held breath left in a gasp as the shockwave hit her, blowing her mane away from her face as she leaned halfway off the balcony. The sky held the shape of a six pointed star, drawn in light.

A wobbly smile graced her lips. She felt her heartbeat thunder in her ears and wetness on her cheeks from tears she hadn’t realized were there. So she was insane. Maybe she and Rainbow Dash could be crazy together.

Author's Note

Twidash Prompt Tag, prompt of Madness. Restrictions: four hours to plan and write, 100-500 word limit, must be Twidash.

Prompt: Schadenfreude (Com, no ship, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Schadenfreude, Comedy

Rainbow Dash was in pain. Searing, mind-numbing agony gripped her frame, twisting like shards of glass through her flesh. Her lungs, strong and healthy from near-constant exercise and training, were empty and burning. Spasms gripped her body, shooting prickly needles along her coat, individual hairs erect with gooseflesh. Sky blue feathers stood bunched along her powerful wings, quivering as tremors rolled in waves along the limbs. With each pass, they ruffled into further disarray. The violent vibrations raced down her legs, rattling her hooves on the hard pack dirt. She locked her limbs in a losing battle to keep from collapsing to her belly. Hot trails of wetness burned her aching, contorted face as they trailed away from tightly clenched eyelids. A grinding wheeze whistled feebly from her throat. This was it. Rainbow Dash knew she was going to die.

A small, resigned sigh escaped Spike’s scaly lips. “Go ahead, Rainbow Dash,” he muttered with tired resignation. “I know you want to.

She fell to the ground, hammering all four hooves in a rapid staccato on the road. Peals of breathless laughter erupted from her throat as she rolled side to side on her stomach. Her wings twitched erratically, sticking out at random angles.

Spike groaned and rubbed his face with a claw. He groaned louder when he pulled it away and noticed his digits were coated with the greasy why pancake make-up covering his face. The powdered white wig sitting on his head was angled awkwardly, held out of place by the fan of green fin-scales running down his back. The plum colored suit-jacket and undershirt were a riot of ruffled fabric and glinting buttons. He pouted his lip, which succeeded in drawing attention to the crimson dollop of lipstick applied in a perfect circle.

“What are you wearing?!” the pegasus squeaked between cackles, “Did Rarity promise to kiss you if you put that on?”

The little dragon narrowed his eyes, gruffly saying, “And what if she did?”

The laughter died in Rainbow Dash’s throat and her rose colored eyes flew open. “Wait, what?”

After a few long moments of heated glare broke and Spike snickered. “Had you goin’ there, Rainbow Dash. Nah, I got a really, really big gem out of it.”

The blue mare stared with bewilderment at Spike attempting to match up the smug look on his face with the outfit he was wearing. Eventually they both collapsed into giggles.

Author's Note

Flash Fic prompt: Schadenfreude. Available genres included comedy and dark, so I thought I'd start out dark and then avert it. Restrictions: four hours to plan and write, 100-500 word limit, Comedy, dark, and/or post-modern.

Prompt: Stumped (SoL, Sad, Rom, Twidash, Short Scene)

Prompt: Stumped

Clack, clack, clack, clack.

Twilight glanced up from her desk, absent-mindedly rolling the piece of parchment up and setting the quill back in an inkwell with her magic. Rainbow Dash’s hooffalls were heavy on the stairs; slow and deliberate steps taken grudgingly. Her rose colored eyes were clouded with deep thought under the unkempt reds, oranges, and yellows of her mane. She reached the landing and paused, her vision slowly coming into focus on Twilight’s worried gaze. The blue mare regarded her blankly for a moment before her mouth opened; a subdued tone of voice punctuated by cracks from disuse. “Hey.”

Twilight smiled wanly, her reply gentle and infused with kindness. “Hi, Rainbow.” She stood from her writing desk and cantered over to Rainbow Dash, but was unable to bring herself closer than five or six feet. “How are you feeling?”

The pegasus stiffened; a rolling wave of tension running from snout to tail across her frame. In jerking motions her head turned to regard her sides. She looked at her wings. Sky blue limbs powered by honed musculature and constant practice, the most powerful wings in Equestria, were no more. Stumps jutted from her barrel on either side, criss-crossed with darkened scar tissue shiny and hairless.

Her head snapped around to face forward again, a pained determination forcing her expression to be neutral. “I’m fine.” Her voice cracked again. The break expanded past her voice to her mask, tears edging their way from the corners of her eyes. A look of shame flashed over Rainbow’s face as she sunk to her haunches, violent shudders cascading down her shoulders. The spell of caution over Twilight broke and she galloped the remaining distance to wrap her hooves around her broken lover.

“I’m here, Rainbow,” she whispered, hot tears running down her shoulder as she held the pegasus close.

“They took everything from me, Twilight,” she sobbed, wrapping her hooves around Twilight’s middle and holding her in a desperate, iron grip. “What’m I supposed to do now?”

Wetness running down her cheeks, Twilight stroked colorful mane soothingly. “We’ll figure something out. Together.”

“You’re all I have now, Twi’,” Rainbow rubbed her eyes into Twilight’s chest, “I’m useless now. That’s not fair to you. You deserve better’n a cripple.”

Twilight’s grip tightened, vehemence entering her voice. “I love you, Rainbow. Wings or no wings. You’ll find your place again. I promise.”

“Where do I even look?” Rainbow asked miserably.

Twilight didn’t have an answer. She held her lover while they both cried.

Author's Note

Twidash Prompt tag of Stumped. 4 hours plan/write 100-500 words, Twidash theme.

Prompt: Overpower (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Overpower

Hooves thundered a rapid percussion along the worn dirt roads, racing through the outset of Ponyville. A heard of ponies raced across the landscape, leaves a rich spectrum of reds, yellows, and browns falling gently from the trees in their wake. Towards the front of the group, Rainbow Dash and Twilight galloped shoulder to shoulder.

Rainbow’s voice was measured and even, her words spaced between controlled breaths. “Doin’ alright, Twi’?”

The unicorn’s breathing was more labored and unsteady, but her tone was bright and upbeat. “Yeah. Piece a’ cake.”

“If you need to slow down, just let me know; we’re doin’ this together.” Twilight nodded as she galloped, shooting Rainbow Dash a slightly strained smile.

The procession weaved through the forest for the remainder of the afternoon. Positions were swapped among the ponies, but the blue and purple pair remained side by side. Leaves cascading around them, they made their way slowly to the finish line.

***

“Whew!” Rainbow Dash breathed, “That was a work-out!” Gulping in deep breaths, she settled down next to Twilight, resting a hoof on her back. “You make it through okay?”

Twilight turned a bleary eye to the pegasus, her legs wobbly despite already sitting. “I’m sorry,” she struggled out between gasps, “You could’ve won, Rainbow. I slowed you down.”

“How’d I call it a win if you weren’t there, Twi’? AJ won, so what?” A wing unfurled and pulled Twilight in close.

“You’re not disappointed?”

“I’ve had enough feelin’ down about not winning stuff that isn’t important, Twi’. This was for fun and that’s what I had. I’d trade comin’ in first in a race by myself for comin’ in second with the mare of my dreams any day.” The grip of her wing tightened. “I love you, Twi’.”

Sudden strength swam through Twilight’s body. She leapt and tackled the blue mare to the ground, forcefully pressing their muzzles together. Rainbow flailed in surprise, but found herself well and truly pinned. After a moment, her brain caught up with her body and she stopped fighting.

A few catcalls snapped Twilight to her senses and she sat back sheepishly, coughing into a hoof. Rainbow sat up, directing a glare at the few ponies giggling and whistling lewdly. Blushing, Twilight whispered, “I don’t know what came over me.”

Wrapping a hoof and wing back around the unicorn’s side, Rainbow Dash leaned in close. “Well whatever it was, you better do it again later.” Twilight’s face darkened further.

Author's Note

Overpower, 100-500 words, 4 hours to complete, Twidash

Prompt: Stone (Sad, Rom, Twidash, Short scene)

Prompt: Stone

A soft blue hoof ran slowly over the carved stone surface of the grave marker. A heavy sigh escaped her snout, head and ears drooping as her eyes scanned the words over and over in a mantra. Her raised limb ran in circles over the stone, as much an assurance of its continued existence than anything else. Twin pools of magenta regarded the dried remains of rose wreaths littering the base of the marker. She cupped a dry petal between her forehooves. In fits and starts, Rainbow Dash began to speak.

“…Hi. It’s me again. I’m…I’m sorry I haven’t been by in a while. It’s…it’s hard to come out here. You understand, right?

“…

“Yeah, I don’t, either. You deserve better’n that. I miss you. I miss you, and coming out to see you like this just reminds me you’re gone. It’s enough of a reminder when I can’t see you at my shows in the stands.

“It’s not fair this happened. There was so much we never said. So many things we never got to do. Everypony says time makes it easier, but they’re wrong. Every time somethin’ happens that I’d want you there for where you can’t just hurts more. So many memories we can’t share…

“I’m no good at this sorta stuff. You know that. I’m sorry. I’m sorry an’ I love you. I never said that enough to you when you could hear it. I hope you can hear it now.”

“I’m sure he can.” A purple hoof settled across Rainbow’s shoulders, drawing her close. She leaned into Twilight’s neck, nuzzling gratefully.

Rainbow Dash’s voice rose in energy, gaining strength from the unicorn’s presence. “This is that mare I was tellin’ you about. We’ve been seein’ each other for a while now and…and that’s why I came to see you today. I…I asked her to marry me an’ she said yes. I don’t know the last time I’ve been so happy.” She nuzzled Twilight again, gripping the hoof around her neck with one of her own.

“She means the world to me and I know you’d love her too. You two are a lot alike in some ways. Always tryin’ to get me to slow down and think things through first. Boring, right?” She smiled fondly at the gray stone. “She’s exactly the sorta pony you always wanted me to end up with. You’d be proud’a me. I…I wish you could be there for the day.” The unicorn’s grip tightened as Rainbow wiped her eyes with a hoof. “I guess you will be in some way. You might not be able to give me away, but you’ll be there with me in my thoughts. I’ll never forget you.” She ran her hoof over the gravestone once more before standing and wrapping a wing around Twilight. “I’ll try to come around a little more, okay? I love you, Dad.” Twilight kissed her fiancée on the cheek as they turned, cantering off through the cemetery.

Author's Note

Gah, too many sads.

Prompt Stone, 100-500 words (which I failed at), four hours, Twidash.

Prompt: Stadium (SoL, Rom, Appledash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Stadium

Applejack tipped her Stetson low over her eyes; scanning the hastily-erected stands surrounding the rodeo ring. Ponies of all colors were cheering wildly as she cantered around the dirt, lasso gripped tightly in her teeth. With the sounding bell, she whipped her head sharply to the side, bringing the knotted rope into the air. In a flurry of jumps and spins, she raced through her routine with practiced grace and prodigious speed to the mounting calls of the stands. When her routine was up, she crossed both sets of legs, breathing hard. She waited for the judge’s marks. A smile tugged at her lips as she heard a single voice, cracking repeatedly, over the general din.

After getting her score, she cantered over to the side where a beaming blue pegasus was waiting for her. “You were great out there, AJ!”

“Thanks, Rainbow. I don’t know for sure I scored high enough to take the blue, though.” The cowpony wiped her brow on the back of her fetlock, her gaze trailing away.

Applejack felt her hat lift from her head before Rainbow Dash mussed her mane. “Hey, you were awesome and no rocks-for-brains judge is gonna change that.” The blue mare set the Stetson on her own head, hovering a few feet above her friend.

“You give that back, RD.”

“You’re gonna have to come and—” The thick rope of the lasso wrapped around all four or Rainbow’s legs and dragged her to the ground. “Eeep.”

“Well, lookie here; I caught myself a doggie.” The orange mare grinned, slapping her hat back into place. “I don’t s’pose there’s enough meat on her bones to warrant a brandin’ though.”

“Har har. Lemme out, will ya?” The ropes loosened and Rainbow Dash sprung back into the air. “Seriously, AJ, if you can catch the Rainbow Dash, you deserve the blue ribbon for sure.” A resolve steeled over Applejack’s frame. After a moment of hesitation she trotted straight up to her hovering friend and grabbed her chin with a hoof. “What are you—?”

Applejack’s lips silenced Rainbow Dash. Magenta eyes flew wide before fluttering closed, sliding her forehooves into scratchy blonde mane. The farmer leaned in forcefully as Rainbow settled on her hindlegs, pushing the daredevil over until she fell to the ground and dragged Applejack on top of her. When the kiss broke, her blue face was stained scarlet and she panted heavily.

Applejack pecked the tip of Rainbow’s snout. “Did I get my blue ribbon?”

The pegasus chuckled, stroking the earth pony’s mane. “AJ, you got best in show.”

Author's Note

Woo, first ever Appledash I've written.

Prompt Stadium, 100-500 words, four hours. Needed to be slice of life, comedy, or dark. Shut up, romance counts as slice of life.

Prompt: Privacy (Musical, Satire, Appledash, Short Songfic)

Prompt: Privacy Genres: Satire, Musical

Rainbow Dash carefully opened the cherry-stained wooden box, the old hinges creaking from disuse. Her cerise eyes widened as she beheld the contents, a warm smile slowly spreading across her face. She ran a hoof lovingly over the silver instruments held within. Applejack stood very still, furtively eying her friend from the top of the ladder leading up to her attic. She questioned herself again as to why she let the pegasus store this ‘treasure’ in her house.

Blue hooves lovingly caressing the box, Rainbow’s mouth open as she began to sing, her voice a low coo.

“You there, my friend...”

Applejack murmured to herself, the gentle melody hidden beneath Rainbow’s voice, “I'm your friend too, Rainbow Dash.”

Rainbow’s tone grew in strength as she pulled one from its case. “Come, let me hold you.” As if the mare had been addressed, Applejack slowly cantered over to the pegasus and wrapped her forehooves around Rainbow Dash’s middle.

“If you only knew, Rainbow Dash,” she whispered.

“Now, with a sigh.”

“Ooh, Rainbow Dash.”

“You grow warm in my hooves...” her voice bled into Applejack’s own rising melody.

“You're warm in my hooves...”

“My friend.”

“You've come home,” the farm pony whispered.

“My clever friend...”

“Always had a fondness for you, I did...”

Rainbow Dash reverently returned it to its case. “Rest now, my friends.”

“Never you fear, Rainbow Dash.”

“Soon I'll unfurl you.”

“You can move in here, Rainbow Dash.”

“Soon you'll know…” Their songs joined again, singing in tandem. “Splendors you never have dreamed all your days...”

Applejack exclaimed breathlessly, “Will be yours!”

“My lucky friends!”

“I'm your friend—”

“Till now your shine.”

Applejack’s grip tightened. “Now you're mine!” Her gaze trailed along the case. “Don't they shine beautiful?”

Rainbow Dash looked over the silver Wonderbolt metals she had won in her tenure as cadet, then team lead, then member, then captain. She snapped the box shut and placed it on a shelf. That part of her life was behind her now. She turned her head around to behold the gorgeous orange mare gripping her tightly. Her voice dropping low with a content smile on her lips, she sighed, “Was merely silver.”

“Silver's good enough for me.” Applejack leaned forward, her lips meeting blue for the first time in ages. Their eyes fluttered shut as Rainbow’s hooves flew into blonde mane.

Author's Note

More Appledash? Madness! Also a strange sort of songfic satire, subverting expectations. I'm weird.

Prompt: Privacy, must be Musical, Satire and/or Adventure. 100-500 words, 4 hours to plan.

Prompt: Lightning (SoL, Rom, Appledash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Lightning

Flickers of yellow stained the inky clouds blanketing the sky in jagged forks. A rolling rumble filled the air. The fine hairs of Applejack’s coat stood on end in the stillness; rain had not yet begun to fall and the whole of the orchard was arrested by the anticipation. Branches frozen in place, not a leaf dared to stir in the calm. The farm pony sighed, scanning the sky for a streak of blue.

“Consarnit,” she muttered, “That birdbrain always does this ta me.” She sighed again, rocking back and forth in the old chair on the porch.

The first fat drops of water began slapping the dirt around the front of the building, dark brown circles fading as the ground greedily slurped up the wet, as a color-trailing blur weaved erratically through the air towards the farmhouse. Ten feet from the door, Rainbow Dash dropped rapidly and rolled in a tumbled heap to the edge of the porch. Applejack tensed, a scant moment from bolting to check that her marefriend was okay, before a giggling hiccup froze her in place.

“Blast you, RD! Ya got me all bent outta shape waitin’ for your sorry hide and you were off gettin’ sloshed again!” She stamped a hoof as she stood from the rocking chair, pacing towards the door. She cast a sour look over her shoulder at the tangle of limbs working to right itself.

“Ah, c’mon AJ! You know how Cloud—” a hiccoughing belch interrupted the pegasus’ stream of words, “Kicker can be! We got th’ storm set up an’ next thing you know she’s buyin’ a round of ciders.” She fumblingly got to her hooves, climbing the two steps onto the porch with much less grace than she’d normally exhibit. “Don’t be mad.”

Applejack’s piercing glare slowly faded until she cast her eyes away and huffed. “I’m not mad, Sugar. I just worry ever since ya got struck by lightnin’ that one time. Ya got banged up awfully bad.” She turned her gaze back to the tipsy mare, her eyes alight with concern. An orange hoof cupped the side of Rainbow’s face, gently caressing her cheek. Magenta eyes drifted shut as Rainbow leaned into the limb.

“’M sorry, AJ,” she murmured, “But you don’t haveta worry about me. I’m the Rainbow Dash! A little lightning isn’t gonna take me down.”

Anger flashed through green eyes and she dropped her hoof to the ground. “Uh huh. What’d the doctor say again? Two inches higher in the air an’ it woulda stopped your heart?” Rainbow winced. “This ain’t no game, Rainbow Dash. Your life’s important to some ponies. Why ain’t it important to you?” Applejack turned to go inside, but a blue hoof flashed out and caught her shoulder.

A bit of the cloudiness cleared from the drunken pony’s eyes as her mouth set in a firm line. “You’re important to me, AJ. I’ll try to be better. For you.” She pulled Applejack close, the lingering spice of cider flavoring the yearning kiss she delivered on orange lips. Applejack melted into the embrace, pulling the stupid daredevil close.

When their lips parted, Applejack whispered. “Try for you, Sugar. Please.”

Author's Note

Appledash Prompt: Lightning. 4 hours, 100-500 words (whoops), Appledash theme.

Prompt: Countdown (SoL, Rom, Twidash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Countdown

“Ten! Nine! Eight!” The bustling town square was filled with rumbling hooves as the excited chant bellowed from every lung, bouncing around the buildings in a cacophonous din. The flashes of light above the town hall filled the sky with numbers, leading the countdown in the chill winter air. Rainbow pulled her light purple scarf, a Hearth’s Warming gift from Twilight, closer around her neck as she shouted.

“Seven! Six! Five!” Twilight watched the puffs of her breath hang white in front of her muzzle as she yelled. A shiver raced up her spine, half from the cold and half from the infectious cheer hanging in the air. A sky blue wing unfurled and wrapped around her back as a warm blanket.

“Four! Three! Two!” The unicorn nuzzled her marefriend’s neck in gratitude. Rainbow Dash’s voice dropped in volume as she turned, locking eyes with Twilight. Magenta and violet, catching glints of reds and golds from the firework numerals, gazed deeply. The crowd fell away and transformed into a muted roar surrounding the pair. They moved closer, brushing sides. The frigid ends of their coats instantly thawed under the shared heat they passed back and forth, their muzzles drifting closer as they strengthlessly mouthed the final digits.

“One! Happy new year!” Purple and blue lips met on the final count. A second wing unfurled as they turned to face each other, encircling Twilight’s back as she raised her forehooves. Purple limbs slid around blue shoulders, pulling Rainbow to her chest. Their mouths opened simultaneously, an impassioned quest for more warmth and contact. Twilight could taste hot chocolate on her mare’s breath.

As the chant shifted to shapeless shouts and well-wishes, Rainbow Dash swept her hooves around Twilight’s back and flared her wings. With three swift flaps, she lifted them both into the air. They hovered above the crowd, oblivious to the few whistling cat-calls aimed at their embrace. Twilight traced her hooves gently through tousled mane, focusing on the fluttering beat of Rainbow’s heart pressed up against her chest.

Two pairs of eyes slid half open as they parted, seamlessly resuming their enchanted stare. They panted breathlessly, steaming vapor puffs wisping off their parted muzzles. Twilight continued stroking greens, blues, and purples. Rainbow Dash offered Twilight a tiny smile; one only she ever got to see that was devoid of her standard bravado. “Happy new year, Twi’.” She leaned forward and pecked the unicorn on the lips. “I love you.”

“I love you, Rainbow.” She returned the brief kiss with one of her own, a foreleg drifting back to cup the blue mare’s face. “Happy new year.”

A chorus of ‘awws’ erupted below them. The daredevil cast a glance at the gathered ponies making moony eyes up at the pair and rolled her eyes. Smirking, she beat her wings rapidly. The couple soared through the winter night. Luna’s moon continued its trek across the sky as the year fully came to a close.

It was a time of new beginnings.

Author's Note

Twidash prompt: countdown. 4 hours, 100-500 words, Twidash theme (eventually I'll get tired of repeating this spiel)

Challenge: Strangest Ship (SoL, Rom, Discordaloo, Fluff scene)

Challenge: Strangest ship you can think of

“I’m sorry,” Discord breathed, his rich voice weighted heavily with regret, “This is wrong.” He ran his feline paw across his twisted face, stretching the expression of dismay to exaggerated valleys. He turned from the setting sun, casting his expression in shadow.

Scootaloo looped through the air, an indulgent smirk on her lips. “What’s wrong about it? I’m a grown mare, you’re a grown…”

“Draconequus.”

“Draconequus. Why deny the feeling?” She flitted through the air, hovering next to the demi-god’s shoulder. She rested a hoof where feathers met coat. He shrugged her off and turned away again. Scootaloo was too persistent to be ignored. Rounding to his front she grabbed his face with both hooves and lowered her muzzle to meet his.

Discord struggled, torn between the burning desire to give in to every fiber of his body demanding he reciprocate and his mind reeling with guilt. To his dismay his body gave in, clutching Scootaloo in his claws and pulling her close. As they broke, the mare in his arms panting breathlessly, he cringed and hugged her close. “It’s not as simple as what I feel, ‘Loo,” Discord sighed, his strained tone barely carried to the orange mare’s ears, “I’ll only hurt you. It’s…” A low sniffle drew Scootaloo to tighten the grip of their embrace. “It’s all I am. It’s all I can do.”

“No,” she whispered, “No, that’s not true. You create. You protect. You grow and nurture.” She pulled from his embrace to turn around, pumping her wings emphatically in his face. “How can you say you only hurt when you did this?”

The orange feathered limb hung in front of his red eyes. He didn’t even need to focus his magic to see what she wanted him to see. Chaos magic coursed through the bones and muscle, twisting deformed flesh to straightness, weakened osseous matter bristling with sparks of power. The wing pulsed with magic, permanent power infused throughout every biological pathway, every feather, every vein, every nerve. Scootaloo turned back, kissing the demi-god again. “How can you say you hurt when you let me fly?”

His mouth moved before he could think, the answer as automatic as breathing. “A bird born to soar has no place trapped on the ground.”

She kissed him again. “A draconequus born to care has no place trapped all alone.” This time Discord kissed back.

Author's Note

This was a challenge to write the strangest ship I could think of. Fished for some weird ones among my fellow Twidash folks and settled on Discordaloo. Blame coffeedog14 for this. Also me; I wrote it.

Self-imposed rules: 4 hours, 100-500 words, Discordaloo theme.

Now let's never speak of this again.

Challenge: Scoots' First Flight (SoL, hinted Twidash, Fluff flash one-shot)

Challenge: Scootaloo’s First Flight

It was amazing. Beyond anything I’d ever dreamed. I’d spent months, no, years dreaming about it, building it up in my head. I was worried I’d end up turning it into something more than it could ever be in reality. Flight couldn’t be that amazing. It had to be tiring; beating your wings constantly, worrying about thermals and air currents, seeing how far you’d fall and how easy it would be to die if you messed up. It had to be a chore at best. A necessity some ponies didn’t even like.

I was wrong.

The wind pushed and enveloped at all of my feathers as a warm glove. The twisting forces driving me higher or lower with the twitch of a muscle in a dance that I knew would leave me breathless and laughing in minutes. The air across my mane pulled it with greater force than I ever got on my scooter, whipping my back in in a flurry. The sky was my canvas now. Blues and whites, swirling by me through my flight, wings pumping with abandon, I could paint whatever shapes I could think of. I realized I really was laughing.

A blur of blue, followed by a rainbow of color streaked next to me. I turned effortlessly, barreling towards Rainbow Dash. Without slowing I slammed into her chest and we went spinning through the sky, a whirling ball of hooves and mane, before she grabbed me and we righted, just as I knew she would. She was laughing too.

“You flew, Scoots! You did it! I’m so proud of you.” I could hear the conviction in her voice, the excitement that had spurred me on. Months of training, months of practice…I wanted to quit. It was too hard. I was supposed to have started when I was barely a foal. I thought it was too late and I’d never catch up. It was that same voice that kept me going; the voice that refused to accept that I’d give in. So I refused to give in. Here she was, the pony that believed in me when I didn’t. I had made her proud.

I knew my voice would betray the swelling emotion in my heart, but I didn’t care. “Rainbow Dash,” I squeaked out, “Thank you so much. Ever since my parents…I didn’t think I’d ever fly. If it weren’t for you…Oh, thank you thank you thank you!”

“Heh,” when she chuckled, her voice cracked. It stunned me. I’d choked her up as much as she had choked me up. Rainbow Dash didn’t get choked up! “You did this squirt, not me. You only have to thank yourself.”

My heart hurt, thundering in my chest like a crazy animal, from the exertion, from the success, from Rainbow Dash’s presence and words. Before I could think, it left my lips. “I love you, Rainbow Dash.”

My hummingbird pulse froze when I realized what I’d said. Sure, she was like a big sister to me; that’s what we always said, but I’d crossed a line. I could feel my blood run cold. I’d blown it. In a panic, I pulled away, but her hooves held me too tightly. In my confusion I looked her in the face. Her rose colored eyes were wet. Tears were spilling down her cheeks. Rainbow Dash was crying?

“I…I love you too, Scoots.” She hugged me close, closer than I’d ever been to another pony. I scrunched my eyes tight hugging her back. I could barely hear her over the sound of the wind and her beating wings as she whispered, “You’re more than just a little sister. When I heard about your parents…and how you’ve been living here…I…I was talking to Twi’ an’…Oh, Scoots.” Her hug was fierce. Suffocating. I never wanted it to end. “Scoots, will you come live with me and Twi’? Y-you don’t have to call me mom, or Twilight mom, or anything like that, but we can take care of you. We can be like a family.”

My heart stopped again. I was stunned. I couldn’t process it.

My dream of flying was nothing compared to my dream of having a mom again. My dream of that mom being Rainbow Dash. Of having a home. A place with somepony where I didn’t have to hurt and be afraid. The foster house kept a roof over my head and oats in my belly, but to have a home again.

“Yes, Rainbow Dash. Yes. Yes!” I cried into her shoulder as she held me, years of held in terror and loss flooding out of me in waves. When I was done, I could barely move.

“C’mon, Scoots,” Rainbow whispered, “Let’s go home. Twi’ and I can start the paperwork in the morning, so you’ll need to go back to the foster house tonight, but for right now let’s go home.”

“Rainbow?” I hardly dared to breathe as I looked back at her face; the face of an angel, a savior, here to rescue me. “C-can I call you mom?”

She gave me a wobbly smile. It was so out of place on her, but so welcome. “Only if you want to.”

I returned her smile and slowly pulled from her embrace. I never wanted it to end, but that day was one for many new things. My wings pumped and we hovered side by side. “Race you home, mom.”

“You’re on.”

Author's Note

Echriedz challenged me to write something based off of this song and the accompanying description. Scoots is one of my favorite characters and the desire to write something like this has been there, so I went for it. Much more freeform than the usual prompts, the only 'rule' was writing quickly and succinctly, with little to no planning (to give you an idea on the 4 hours rule on the other prompts and how that translates to actual work-time, this one took about an hour total).

Request: Psycho Resignation Letter (Dark, 'Rom,' Com, Flutterknife, Comedic grimdark CLOP scene)

Prompt: Psychotic resignation letter that ships Flutterknife
Warning: Please read the title/prompt to find out what you're getting into. This is grimdark. This is CLOP.

“Oh you,” Fluttershy giggled, “You’re always saying that.” The pegasus lowered her lips to the butcher knife, kissing it gently on the handle. “I don’t know what I did to deserve a special somepony as special as you, Adrian.” She held the cutlery up to a yellow ear. After a moment a small gasp escaped her mouth and she placed a hoof to her lips. A tinge of pink colored her cheeks as she stifled another giggle. “Adrian!” she admonished, “It’s a little early in the day for that…” She winked at the knife in her hoof. “Well, if you insist…”

The yellow mare stood on her hind legs and lowered the knife to her delicate folds. Flipping the blade around to face up, she slowly slid the shiny metal inside of her marehood. A shudder ran up her body as the handle brushed against her lower lips. She bent over onto her kitchen table and began to thrust the knife rhythmically in and out with a hoof, a viscous and frothy pink mixture of blood and lust dribbling onto the floor. The foreleg supporting her upper body trembled as she sped up. Tiny squeaks escaped her mouth until she fell face-first down onto the table.

“Oh Adrian!” she cried, panting heated breaths into the wooden surface, “You’re so big!”

PS: I quit.

Author's Note

Dafuq was that? A bizarre request on skype that I couldn't not write. Figured I'd share it with you. Hopefully you laugh. If not, I really tried to warn you.

Prompt: Mint (SoL, Rom, Appledash, Fluff scene)

Prompt: Mint

Applejack's throat bobbed and she licked her lips. Sweat was breaking out on her brow and she locked her knees to keep them from trembling. She cast her glance around the town square to see if anypony else was as enraptured as she was, but this scene unfolding was solely for her viewing pleasure.

Blue cheeks bobbed back and forth. Rainbow Dash’s eyes were scrunched tight and her muzzle was crinkled just above her snout from the impish smile on her lips. Her head was pitched forward, letting her chromatic mane spill over her forehead and neck. Hooves drawn close and back arched tall, colorful tail whipping back and forth rapidly, she moaned, “Mmmm…”

The farm pony tipped back her Stetson and dragged a shaky hoof over her hairline. She bit her lower lip.

“AJ,” Rainbow purred between loud slurps, “You were right about these…They’re so good…” A shiver ran down the pegasus’ spine and her folded wings twitched against her sides. Applejack cleared her throat and let out a breath she’d been inexplicably holding. Her green eyes settled on blue ears, swiveling and twitching. Her teeth threatened to break skin as she chomped down on her trembling lip, her hooves pulling her closer step by step.

Rainbow’s mouth swished. Applejack could hear the hard candy lightly click against teeth as it bulged out a cheek. “Mmm…”

Applejack lunged. Muzzle to muzzle, she pried Rainbow’s jaw open with sheer willpower, her tongue racing past pearly whites, tasting the peppery coolness of Rainbow’s mouth. She lapped greedily, pressing forcefully against the wide-eyed mare.

Rainbow stumbled and dragged Applejack on top of her, the fight in her mouth a losing battle. She squeaked, which drove orange muzzle more firmly against her.

Applejack pulled her head up slowly, green eyes drifting open. Rainbow’s magenta orbs were cloudy, a dusky red stain spread across her cheeks and snout. The blue mare panted breathlessly, running a hoof across the earth pony’s muscled chest. “Applejack…When did…huh?”

She smirked. “I like that look on ya, Sugarcube.”

A fluttering chuckle escaped the blue mare. “That was…quite the way to ask a pony to dinner.”

A smirk broke out on Applejack’s face. Her jaw worked and a light click followed by a crunch sounded from her mouth. She chewed slowly and growled, “Maybe I just wanted my mint back.”

Author's Note

Appledash prompt mint. 4 hours, 100-500 words, Appledash theme.

...these two are so fun to write together. Still like Twidash more, though.

Appledash Group 100th Prompt Collab Entry (Adv, Rom, Dark, Appledash)

Twilight started, turning from Luna to the small filly, hoof still extended towards Applejack. She turned the offered hoofshake into a sheepish wave. With a small giggle, her body grew blindingly bright and in a flash she was gone.

Celestia turned to her sister. “How did you know she wasn’t the true Mephistofilly? And who was she?”

Luna’s eyes narrowed venomously, still boring holes into the vacant spot where the impostor had been. “She was an imp; a creature of shadow. Illusions of dreamscape hold no power over me, sister. An imp would promise anything in return for a soul it could devour. And if it had gained the strength of an Element of Harmony…” Luna’s face darkened. “We arrived just in time, sister.” She cantered forward, her eyes sweeping through the recreated Ponyville, carefully scouring the streets and gazing through the glamours and mist from which the town took its form. “…she is gone.”

Celestia’s frown deepened. “This does not answer the question of where the true Mephistofilly has gone.”

A low groan drew the gathered ponies’ attentions to Rainbow Dash. Dr. Splint stooped over his patient, carefully unwrapping the mare’s injured hoof. Thick, twisting lines of black raced up her cannon from the wound; jagged daggers of contagion pointed menacingly along her flank towards her heart. Her thin chest heaved in rapid and shallow breaths. Applejack’s breath hitched in her throat. “Rainbow! Oh, Dashie…” She rushed to her marefriend’s side.

Dr. Splint shook his head. “This is extremely advanced.” He turned his grave expression to the gathered group. “I could get the infection down with the proper herbs, but…” He sighed heavily, rubbing at the bridge of his muzzle. “I don’t have the proper herbs. And this mare has a very small window remaining. I am truly sorry, but there’s nothing I can do.”

Applejack’s eyes widened, her voice frantically leaping up several octaves. “Ya can’t mean that! It’s too late for me, but there must be somethin’ for her!”

Frowning and narrowing her eyes, Twilight interjected, “Too late for you, Applejack? But you’re—” A sharp prod to her ribs broke her concentration. She glared at Discord, her eyes softening and growing bewildered when she saw his grave expression. The Draconequus drew his taloned claw across his mouth in a mimed zipper. Twilight shook her head and confusion.

“There is still hope, my little ponies.” Celestia stepped boldly to the prone Rainbow Dash, her horn shining brightly. She bent low and touched the tip to Rainbow’s hoof. A swirl of sunlight made solid curled forth, bending and snaking around the ill mare’s leg in a cast of magic. The glow slowly faded as the tendrils of energy sunk into Rainbow, motes of light clinging to her coat. The angry black lines retreated down her leg a few inches and faded to a dull gray.

The princess stood again, her focus directed at Dr. Splint. “I have bought us some time, Doctor. I cannot remove the infection, but I can slow its progress. Now, what is this herb you need?”

Dr. Splint bent over Rainbow, checking her pulse with a hoof. He breathed a sigh of relief. “Yes, I think we have time now.” He turned back to Celestia, his eyes shifting over several earnest faces and one terribly bored trickster god picking at his teeth. “I need a special type of fungus called Penicillium. I don’t have any here, because…well, there’s not generally much use for medicine in Tartarus.”

Twilight’s eyes brightened “Penicillium? I have a culture of that back at the library!”

Celestia shook her head gravely. “I’m afraid there’s no time for a trip back to Ponyville, Twilight.”

“Why not? I can teleport most of the way; it would take me only a few minutes.”

“It’s not so simple, I’m afraid. With the gates torn open as they are, Tartarus has become unstuck in the passage of time. There’s no telling how time will flow here while you are gone: minutes or centuries could pass before your return.”

Twilight swallowed the lump in her throat. “If we can’t return to Equestria, how are we going to find any Penicillium?”

Red Delicious’ muzzle widened in a smile. “Don’t y’all fret none. Tartarus ain’t all illusions and pony folk. I got my crop ah brambles and thistle and they grow plenty strong down here. I know of a mushroom farmer who lives close to the divide between good souls and rotten.”

Applejack straightened. “Well don’t just stand there, we ain’t got a moment to lose!”

A keening whimper echoed through the ghostly Ponyville. Several pairs of eyes turned towards the hulking form of Cerberus, slowly padding towards them, his three muzzles bared back in triplicate snarls. Thick and steaming drool slobbered from his middle jaw, dyed foamy pink from a trickle of blood running from his snout.

Luna cleared her throat. “Well…we still don’t know where Mephistofilly has gone.”

Celestia’s voice grew insistent. “Twilight. We need that fungus to save your friend. Go with Applejack; I trust you can identify the proper species?” Twilight nodded gravely. “Hurry then!”

Twilight turned to Applejack and her parents when Luna’s hoof caught her shoulder. The younger sister bent low and whispered, “Trust nothing that you see.”

Nodding again, she was once more interrupted. Discord’s oddly solemn expression drew her attention. “Applejack must not know she’s alive.”

Bewildered, Twilight nodded. She returned to the group, already set to gallop. They set off at a sprint through the illusory downtown Ponyville, watching the walls of buildings slowly twist and distort, bleeding away into trees as the landscape transformed into a mockery of the Everfree Forest.

Celestia turned to Dr. Splint. “Get her inside somewhere safe. This might get messy.”

Discord cracked his knuckles and smirked. “And here I was afraid this would be boring.”

Author's Note

So the Appledash Group has a special event for the 100th prompt of their prompt tag game: A Collaborative story!. I signed up, got the sixteenth slot, and promptly wandered off to do other stuff. Eventually it got to be my turn, so here it is!

This makes absolutely no sense outside of the context of the ongoing story, so I highly recommend reading the whole thing thus far. But, since this is basically my odds n ends story and I have a compulsive need for organization, up it goes.

Prompt portions were outlined as 200-1000 words with three days to write them once your turn came up.

The Mailbox Side Story: Uncertainty

Uncertainty
A Side Story to The Mailbox

July 14th

Twilight yawned loudly, stretching out her back and her wings before resolutely closing the library’s log book. She shook the fog from her mind and smiled, standing and glancing fondly around the main room of the library. She walked slowly to the stairs and headed up, ready for a good night’s sleep.

The stairs rose in front of her, twisting away in the gentle spiral ingrained in her memory, up and up, past the storage rooms in the tree that seemed endless, the dull thunk of hoof to riser her only background noise. The ascent stretched on, turning endlessly.

Curious, Twilight looked around herself; the library wasn’t this tall. Passing another spare room, she found the door open and looked inside. She stopped with one hoof raised for the next stair, eyes wide and disbelieving.

Through the doorway sat her bed, the covers straight and tidy, pulled comfortably up to…her lap. A large book sat open in Twilight’s hindlegs as she leaned comfortably back into Applejack. Applejack leaned into the headboard, resting her chin in Twilight’s mane and gently hugging the mare close. She listened to Twilight read, the words a vague hum on the other Twilight’s ears, nuzzling into the long and straight mane.

Twilight blinked slowly, watching herself snuggle with Applejack. She looked so content and at home in those muscled legs. She took a step up and felt her hoof go further down than she was expecting. She stumbled and glanced up. She was in a room surrounded by open doorways, the warm and inviting glow of lantern light on the living wood stilling her confusion and drawing her around the circle at a lazy pace.

The bed-sheets in the second room were rumpled and messy, pulled away from the mattress with wild abandon. Twilight loomed above Rainbow Dash, a mischievous glint in her eye, pinning the grinning mare to the bed. Rainbow shoved against the blankets and the two twisted, giggling and rolling until the pegasus was on top. Twilight’s horn lit up with magic and they flipped positions again.

Rainbow raised her head and pulled the Twilight in the room into a kiss, one that made the watching Twilight blush darkly. It was not a kiss of affection or camaraderie; it was a kiss of hunger and need. Rainbow’s wings wrapped around Twilight’s back and the two pressed in close, chest to chest. Twilight saw just as much hunger on her own face as she did on Rainbow’s.

Through the next door, Twilight found herself using Pinkie Pie’s tummy as a pillow, stretched out across the bed. Pinkie giggled as the Twilight inside mimicked the gurgling noises she could hear. Pinkie’s laughter grew louder as Twilight turned her head and blew a wet raspberry into the pony’s coat.

The next door made her pause again. Her mane was up in curlers, held in place from a soft glow of magic provided by Rarity. The two chatted warmly together on top of the mattress, the smiles on their faces made brighter and more affectionate whenever their hooves drifted close, the shared contact lingering and meaningful.

At the last door before the circle completed, Twilight paused. Reluctance to continue and curiosity pulled and fought, freezing her in place. Information proved too important, too compulsively needed, to turn her away.

Blankets were pulled up to Twilight’s chin, the glow of sickness turning her face ruddy and making her brow softly shine with sweat. Fluttershy sat at the edge of the bed and slowly spooned broth to Twilight’s muzzle, patting down the ill mare’s face with a cool cloth and smiling with affection and care. The sick Twilight smiled at Fluttershy, her expression the strained one of somepony who felt bad enough to never want to move again, but good enough to be endlessly grateful to their caretaker. Fluttershy leaned down and kissed Twilight’s brow.

The circle complete, Twilight wandered aimlessly, glancing back into rooms she had seen, looking for the next path to take. The first door froze her in her tracks again.

Wings joined hooves in hugging Twilight from behind as she read. Rainbow nuzzled into Twilight’s mane, the large book now clear: a Daring Do novel, the seventh if she wasn’t mistaken. The two sat together, peaceful and content, a mirror to the scene with Applejack before, but different as well, a hint of playfulness in both of their expressions Twilight didn’t notice the first time through.

Hurrying, she checked the second door and blushed again.

Applejack pinned Twilight down, the raw bulk of muscle and strength making it easy, effortless. Their hungry kiss controlled by the powerful mare, Twilight clung to Applejack, yearning and desperate.

Twilight whirled around and was nearly blinded by the harsh light. She glanced up and squinted in the cold and artificial glow of bluish white above her head. She shifted her gaze down and blinked the stars from her eyes. The warm floor of the tree looked gray and unwelcoming in the glare. A quiet sniffle drew her attention and she turned towards it, wandering through the light.

Twilight found herself again, sitting in the middle of the room. The other Twilight whimpered, hugging herself with her forelegs and wings, rocking back and forth on her haunches. Old trails of tears ran down the pony’s face, joined frequently by new ones.

Twilight set her hoof soothingly on her doppelganger’s back and murmured, “What’s wrong?”

“Alone,” she answered hollowly, the voice not coming from her lips but from around them both, echoing, dull and listless.

Twilight’s eyes went wide in sudden realization. She turned in place, looking back through the doors that were no longer in front of her but still burned bright in her mind’s eye. She looked back at the crying version of herself.

“Alone forever.”

Twilight took a tremulous step back and swallowed thickly.

In all five rooms, in all the versions of herself with her friends turned maybe lovers, she had still been a unicorn.

Twilight bolted upright in the stark hotel room, a surprised gasp escaping her lips. She took an unsteady breath and brushed the bangs away from her eyes. In the bare room, kept wintery with air conditioners to rival Box Mart, she hugged herself. It wasn’t warm enough, so her wings soon joined.

In the dark and silent hours of the morning, Twilight rocked back and forth on the unfamiliar bed as confused and helpless tears ran down her cheeks.

Author's Note

If this doesn't make sense, it's because it's part of The Mailbox, a group collab I'm taking part in, and there's some background info you're missing. Give it a read, and all will become clear. Or not, things a pretty unclear for everypony right now.

The Mailbox Side Story: Crossing Lines (Dream Sequence, NSFW, Appledashlight)

July 17th

Twilight slowly walked down the center aisle of the train car, too caught up in her thoughts to notice the handful of ponies eyeing her with confusion, awe, apprehension, or a mix of the three. She found the door to her private car and pushed her way inside.

As she had slowly been coming to expect, the accommodations were lavish, more intricate and expensive than she either needed or cared for. Honestly, what sort of pony needed a chandelier on a sleeper car? She shook her head and shut the door, cantering to her bed for the overnight bullet train ride and set down her bag: a small case that matched her eyes and made her smile fondly whenever she looked at it.

Five days of worrying, fraying, picking at a jumble of confused thoughts and impulses, distracted dinners and tours, and unsettling looks of concern from her brother and the other three princesses had taken an emotional toll on Twilight. She let out a long breath, knowing it was about to come to…well, resolution might be asking too much.

It was about to get interesting, anyway.

Twilight pulled herself into the plush, high-thread-count, pillow-top, down, probably-more-expensive-than-she-cared-to-think-about bed and dragged the covers over her head. The distant roar of the train’s whistle signaled her departure from Manehattan’s station. As the movement along the track evened out to a gentle rocking, Twilight’s jumbled mind quieted. Soon her thoughts were blessedly silent and only the image of Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s smiling faces filled her head. She closed her eyes.

A gentle hoof pressed into Twilight’s back, between her wings. She rubbed her face into her pillow and smiled, feeling it drift up and down her spine. A second limb settled on her shoulder and the pressure increased. Twilight sighed, long and lingering, into her pillow as tension and worry were massaged from her muscles.

“Hey there, Sugarcube.” Warm. Soft. Sensual. Such an inviting voice, half breathed out across Twilight’s ears.

She grinned, twisting her head until her mouth was free of the pillow but not bothering to open her eyes. “Hi, Applejack.”

A…third? hoof pressed to the base of Twilight’s left wing and she extended it automatically, a tremor of confusion knitting her brow. Still feeling Applejack’s hot breaths across the fuzzy tip of an ear, Twilight gasped as an out of place feather was gripped in a set of teeth.

Quill straightened and vane smoothed with the flick of a tongue, a second voice, playful and slightly raspy, asked, “Sup, Twi?”

“Rainbow?” Another feather was guided straight and even and Twilight gasped again. “Ohh…”

Applejack’s hooves drifted higher to Twilight’s neck, circling, kneading, strong and careful. “Ya like gettin’ your wings preened, huh?”

Twilight tried to answer, but moaned instead. A blush spread across her muzzle and she meeped in embarrassment.

Applejack chuckled quietly. “No need to be so rabbity there, Princess.” Her voice dropped even lower and Twilight felt a shiver pass over her as the farmer’s hot breaths grew closer to her neck. “Y’all’re gonna like this a lot.”

Twilight tried to think as Rainbow preened her feathers, the slow and sensual movements transforming into a loop of pleasurable impulses: shots of electricity racing up her spine and making her squirm. At last she managed to find enough coherency to say, “But everything’s so different now, I’m a princess and—”

“That ain’t what this is about.” Applejack’s mouth was on the side of her neck, blazingly hot and wet, suckling at her coat. Twilight gasped again and lost all thought, twisting away in surprise but somehow giving Applejack even better access to the hollow of her shoulder. Her eyes opened wide. Rainbow Dash was waiting for her.

Forceful. Playful. Greedy. Rainbow’s tongue pushed into Twilight’s mouth, past her teeth, exploring and teasing. Twilight twisted around onto her back, Applejack’s mouth following the roll. The strong and solid mare settled half across Twilight’s chest, pressed in close, her suckling turning to kisses, trailing up along the side of Twilight’s neck and face. Rainbow pressed into the kiss harder. Yearning. Burning. Wonderful.

Twilight gripped Rainbow around the neck with a hoof, stroking the mare’s mane and pushing back into the kiss. Her other hoof wrapped around Applejack and she closed her eyes.

Rainbow pulled back and Twilight heaved in a gulp of air, only to have her mouth attacked by Applejack. Rainbow trailed down the other side of her neck.

Applejack sat back slowly. “Told ya you’d like it.”

Rainbow nipped at Twilight’s coat and she squeaked. Rainbow chuckled, teasing, “She totally likes it.”

“What’s going—?” mouths on her neck, hooves on her wings and tracing her sides. Her throat bobbed uselessly.

“This is what’cha want, ain’t it, Sugar?” Applejack murmured.

“I don’t know what I want.”

Rainbow snorted in good natured derision between bites and nips. Twilight’s eyes threatened to roll back in her head as hooves caressed her thighs. “I can smell you from here, Twi,” Rainbow growled into her neck. “You totally want this.”

“I…” Twilight ached, throbbed. She shut her eyes, heat rising to her face as she grimaced. Her impulses, her desires were always overwhelming and she tried to ignore them. She could smell it, though. Her musk on the air, frightening and tantalizing. She could feel her growing need and wetness. As soon as she had mentally accepted it, a hoof pressed to her parted lips.

Twilight cried out softly, arching into both mares above her. “That’s it, Sugarcube,” Applejack murmured, “just say it.”

Twilight whimpered in embarrassment. The hoof on her marehood, drifted up and down with maddening slowness and she rocked against it, her thoughts scattered and wanting her to pull herself away, but her body screaming for more, for release, for the wildness of Rainbow in her mouth, or the force of Applejack on her chest, but everywhere. “I want this,” she moaned. “I want this, but I don’t know who. I like you both so much and I don’t know what that means.”

“This ain’t about ‘who,’ either, Sugar.”

“Yeah, Twi. What do you want?” Rainbow asked.

“I…”

Applejack whispered, “Say it. No shame in it, just say it.”

“I…” She shut her eyes, her pulse throbbing her temples, her face an inferno. “I don’t want to.”

“They’re just words, Twi.” Rainbow’s hoof found Twilight’s swollen clit and the alicorn hugged both mares tighter. Rainbow pulled away and Twilight whined, wanting, needing. The pegasus drifted down the bed, mockingly slow. Applejack slid to the side as Rainbow lowered down, her eyes locked with Twilight’s gaze and her tongue out at a point, hovering maddeningly, tantalizingly close. Rainbow got close enough for Twilight to feel the warmth of her mouth. Twilight groaned, kicking her hindlegs petulantly. Rainbow smirked. “I’m not gonna do it unless you say it.”

Twilight’s lip quivered. A mewl escaped her snout and she shook her head. Applejack caught her chin and kissed her again, slow and gentle. Twilight could feel the humid puffs of Rainbow’s breath on her wetness and a shiver of need raced up her spine. Applejack leaned back and mumbled, “Just say it, Twi. It’s alright. Just say it.”

“Say it,” Rainbow agreed.

Twilight scrunched her eyes shut, grit her teeth, and growled out, “Fuck me! Please, please, fuck me! You’re both so hot, and I’m so turned on, please, just fuck me!”

Rainbow’s tongue was inside her, wriggling, probing. She arched back and opened her eyes to find Applejack straddling her face. The smell of arousal, sweat, dirt, and cinnamon filled her mind and she pressed into Applejack’s sex.

Twilight shut her eyes, licking, sucking, lost in an ocean of scent and taste with Rainbow’s mouth on her, in her, driving her wild, taking that mountain of need and making it taller.

She was flipped onto her belly and she opened her eyes again. Cinnamon was replaced by the coppery tang of lightning as Twilight lapped at Rainbow’s folds, watching her breath quicken, watching her bite her own lip as her eyes clouded over with lust. Applejack gripped Twilight’s rump, holding her aloft, delving deep, mapping out all of her inner walls. Twilight felt herself wink around Applejack’s tongue.

Twilight blinked and she was upright, pressed chest to chest with one, back to chest with the other. She couldn’t figure out who was where as she twisted around, kissing one, then the other, biting necks while the other two kissed, feeling hooves everywhere on her sweat-slicked body. Too many hooves. Not enough hooves.

She was lying across somepony’s chest, a tongue exploring her as she explored in turn. A second tongue joined the first, one on her most sensitive spot, the other venturing deep.

She was on her back, a head between her legs and her tongue in a mouth, tasting herself on their lips, tasting Rainbow, tasting Applejack.

Twilight filled the room with breathy gasps. They changed to whimpers, then moans, then cries.

Then as Rainbow, or maybe Applejack, or maybe both, pulled her throbbing pearl between their lips, she screamed.

Twilight barked out hoarsely, almost sitting up before her back arched. She cried out again, grabbing the sheets tightly as her muscles clenched aggressively. Fiery pleasure raced from the core of her belly to her hooves, along her spine, to the tips of her ears. She pressed her slick thighs together, moaning. Her climax ebbed just enough to make the next peak send a violent shiver across her entire body. Twilight shut her eyes tight and groaned long and low, tracing her hoof down to her marehood, finding herself soaked and throbbing.

Still in the aftershocks of orgasm and more aroused than she ever remembered being, Twilight pressed her hoof in harder. She closed her eyes and imagined Applejack’s muzzle back in her folds, Rainbow’s hips straddling her face, hooves around her, pressing, grasping, hot and desperate panting in her ears. She moved her hoof faster, face strained with need, bringing herself back to the brink with desperate speed.

Twilight arched off the bed as she came again. While she bit her lip to keep from crying out, her muscles spasming and her wings twitching, she had a brief moment of mental clarity inside the waves of pleasure.

She wasn’t blushing or flustered. She wanted it, so she took it. Simple as that.

After an endless few minutes of floating in bliss, Twilight gradually became aware of her surroundings and she eventually sat up. She sighed inwardly; the expensive sheets were rather ruined. Standing from the bed, her thighs damp and matted, she headed into her private bathroom to clean herself up.

As she clicked on the light, Twilight almost didn’t recognize her own reflection. Frazzled mane aside, she had never seen herself look so relaxed. She smirked at herself and leaned against the vanity, pulling up her forelegs and resting her chin on a hoof. “That was a great dream,” she mumbled.

She frowned in thought and sat up straighter. She glared at herself resolutely. “That filly needs to get l-lai…laaiiii…llllaaaaaiiiii…” She coughed and her face darkened. “The hen laid an egg. Eggs are laid. Applejack needed laid eggs. Applejack needed to get laid eggs. Applejack needs to get laaiiii—” She shook her head. “Still can’t say it,” she admonished herself. She pressed her wet thighs together and shivered in memory, smiling again. “Ah well. I’ll get over it.” Her mind wandered back to the dream and she grinned, her face growing warmer and warmer.

Staring at her reflection, Twilight’s brow slowly knit. “Ponyfeathers!” she shouted, "I'm gonna remember that dream every time I see their faces!" Twilight stepped back, unceremoniously thumped her head down hard against the countertop with a bang, and groaned in misery.

“These next few days are gonna be sooooo awkward!”

Author's Note

Once again, this is a side story dream sequence to The Mailbox, which I'm having entirely too much fun participating in.

Mailbox Side Story: Guilt and Loving in Las Pegasus (Part 1)

July 18th

Applejack and Twilight stepped off the train in Las Pegasus. As soon as their hooves touched the platform, they were greeted by a blue blur that ran straight into AJ, tackling her to the ground.

“Aww yeah! ‘Bout time you guys showed up!” Rainbow Dash was beaming at the sight of her best friends. At this point, she had AJ pinned.

Twilight chuckled at her friend’s enthusiasm, but cut herself off as soon as she saw that Applejack was sweating profusely and going into convulsions.

Dash noticed this as well, and raised an eyebrow. “Yo, Applejack... y’alright?”

Applejack blushed. “I- I’m- Uh- are ya’ gonna get off me?” she asked. It sounded as if she was genuinely concerned.

The realization suddenly hit Dash what she was reminding Applejack of, and she proceeded to jump from her position and back away quickly. Dash cantered up to Twilight and cleared her throat.

“So, Twi... doing good?” Rainbow grinned nervously, trying to break the tension.

Clearing her throat, Twilight tried to smile, but it came across as more of a grimace. “Yeah, things are...Erm. They will be good, anyway. I hope.” Turning to Applejack, Twilight offered a hoof to help her up. “So...this is Las Pegasus, huh?”

Applejack got to her hooves and brushed herself off, the blush barely fading from her face. “It’s... kinda nice. I guess.”

Dash laughed. “Well, the parts that are awesome, at least. There are some places to avoid, but yeah, it’s pretty cool.” Dash breathed in and sighed. “So...” she looked back and forth between AJ and Twilight, “...whaddya guys wanna do? I could show you my place, or Booster’s gym, or...” Dash motioned to both mares trying to get some kind of answer out of them.

“Why don’t ya’ show us the town?” Applejack said quickly. “Boy, I heard they got some, uh, lights. And games. And stuff...”

Dash beamed. “Oh yeah! And shows! That’s perfect! We’ll see a show. I know just the thing. My boss said it’s the best...”

“The best” just so happened to be Sex: by Sapphire Shores Live! at Fancy’s Palace. Needless to say, Rainbow felt like a fool.

During the spectacular display of beautiful mares in tight spandex and leotards cavorting in suggestive poses set to Shores’s most sexual songs, Rainbow looked over to her two friends, both of whom looked like they’d rather be anywhere else.

Twilight wasn’t sure her face had ever felt so hot. She warred between the desire to touch her cheeks to check and remain as inconspicuous as possible. She tried to distract herself by looking to her friends instead of the dancing mares on stage, but when she did that, her mind wandered back to a certain dream and she decided she’d rather be watching the show.

Applejack’s eyes never left the stage, though the look on her face wasn’t so much interest as terror. The ponies in front of her might have been bringing up thoughts she’d been trying to avoid, but for her, looking to her friends was going to make those thoughts much worse.

Dash simply loathed herself at the moment. Old habits die hard, huh? You wanna talk it out with them and you do this to them. Congrats, we have another addition to the fuckup list!

Dash decided to try and rectify her mistake. She reached over to Twilight, who was sitting next to her, and gave a tap on her thigh, which sent the alicorn shivering in pure terror. Dash grimaced. Make that two.

“Oh!” Twilight shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. “Rainbow, you startled me.” She smiled thinly. “This show is...something. Educational. I...didn’t know mares could bend like that.” She cleared her throat nervously. “Anyway, yes?”

“You wanna get out of here?” Dash whispered.

“That would...” she coughed. “Yes, yes I really, really do.”

Dash nodded and pointed over to AJ. “Tell her.”

Twilight tapped Applejack on the shoulder.

“Wha?” Applejack jumped a little. “Uh, great show. Real... fascinatin’”

"AJ," Dash whispered over. "We're splitting, come on." Dash hopped out of her seat and excused herself into the aisle.

Twilight gave Applejack a strained smile and stood up, following Dash towards the exit. She caught up and whispered quietly, “Thanks, Rainbow.”

Applejack came up behind them, putting her hat on as soon as she was clear of the audience and joining the two as they exited the theater. “Well, that was somethin’ ya’ don’t see every day.”

The group burst out the front door and was greeted by the warm air of the Las Pegasus strip. It was a fairly hot afternoon, even by Las Pegasus standards.

Dash decided to use this to break the tension. Doing an exaggerated wipe of her brow, she exclaimed, “Woo! It’s hot out here, but it’s chillier out here than in there!”

The joke elicited no reaction from either AJ or Twilight. Either they didn’t catch on to the double entendre... or worse, did catch on and were too embarrassed to make comment.

Rainbow sighed and looked at the two with remorse. “Guys, look... this really wasn’t how I wanted to break the ice. I just...” Dash was stuck with trying to figure out what to say next. She looked over at AJ and Twilight who were still blushing and sweating.

Fuck it. Dash decided. I’ll stick to what I know.

Rainbow smirked. “But you gotta admit. That. Was. Hawt.”

Twilight snorted despite herself and shook her head. “Quite the prank, Rainbow.”

Rainbow scoffed. “What? You thought I planned this? I just heard Booster tell me the show was good, I didn’t know it would have everything you’ve ever dreamed of, Twi.” Dash chuckled to herself.

Twilight thought her face was warm inside the show. She swallowed thickly and dropped her gaze to the ground, shuffling her hooves. An unintelligible whimper escaped her throat.

Applejack just rolled her eyes. Of course Rainbow Dash would do something like this; there was nothing off limits for that pony. Noticing Twilight’s discomfort, Applejack felt the tiniest bit guilty. “It wasn’t that bad, sugarcube. I mean, I reckon they were wearin’ more clothes than we are.”

Twilight cleared her throat several times and barked out, “Anypony hungry? I’m hungry. Can we go somewhere to eat? And stop talking about this? Erm. I mean..” She shook her head again and smiled. “Thanks for the show, Rainbow, what’s next?”

Dash chuckled. “All right, I budge. I’ll take you guys out to a place where there are no beautiful mares for miles...”

Smoke filled Rainbow’s nostrils as she whiffed the air of the crowded, dimly-lit tavern.

The dive was a working class pub in the outskirts near the city. True to Dash’s word, the place was mostly packed with stallions getting off their shifts at various blue collar jobs.

“This also works good because I’m basically broke.” Dash chuckled and grinned at AJ and Twilight, who were sitting on the other side of the table at a booth in the corner of the restaurant.

“Maybe ya’ didn’t need them hundred dollar sunglasses,” Applejack said with a smirk, looking over the plastic menu.

Dash rolled her eyes. “Those are as essential to being cool. Just like a... what are those metal things that your brother wears? Are those like some kinda kinky deal?”

Applejack shook her head. “That’s for pullin’ a plow, Dash. Ya’ know, farm work?”

“Ohhh.” Dash nodded. “Well, that’s disappointing.” She chuckled and glanced over to Twilight.

Twilight looked up from the menu and rolled her eyes. “Really, Rainbow?” She chuckled and looked back down. “Anything you recommend here?”

Dash shrugged. “It’s a dive bar. They don’t exactly have top quality stuff. I’m just getting their hay bacon burger.”

Twilight wrinkled her muzzle in distaste. “I hope the house salad isn’t too wilted.” She refolded the menu and sat up straight, glancing back and forth from Dash to Applejack. “So...”

Dash shrugged. “So... good train ride?”

“Yeah. It was nice.” Applejack continued looking at her menu longer than necessary, obviously peeking over it at her friends every few seconds.

Twilight tapped her hooves together nervously and dropped her gaze. “Yeah, it was fine. Quiet.”

Dash smirked. “So, boring, huh? Shame. As for me, I’ve just been busy with work and stuff waiting for you guys to show up. After all that crap with the letters, it was nice to just have some days where all I worried about was my job.”

Applejack blushed and set down her menu with a sigh. “Girls, I... I can’t tell ya’ how sorry I am ‘bout that. I never shoulda got in that state, and I never shoulda sent those letters.”

Twilight sighed and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I feel like a fool still, for not getting it when it was right in front of me.”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Look, Twi. Just because I say ‘flirting’ doesn’t mean... like, what I meant was...” She clenched her teeth and smacked her lips. “Yeah, I got nothing.”

All three shuffled uncomfortably in their seats and did their best to look anywhere but at each other. As the silence stretched out from unsettling to painful, they were saved by an approaching waiter.

“What’ll it be?” the bored looking stallion asked.

“Hay bacon burger. Rare.” Dash looked to AJ and Twilight, who were giving her incredulous looks. “Hey, I’m no wimp.” Dash looked back to the stallion. “Toss in some onion rings and hay fries with that.”

Applejack shrugged. “Country fried squash, biscuits, hay fries, and... ya’ got any pie?”

“Cherry,” the waiter replied.

“A slice of cherry pie,” Applejack finished with a nod.

Twilight gave Applejack a bewildered look. She shrugged helplessly and turned back to the waiter. “I’ll just have a house salad, please. Do you have low fat dressing?”

The waiter shook his head apologetically.

Sighing, Twilight mumbled, “The regular ranch dressing, then.” Collecting their menus, the stallion left the group and they lapsed back into silence.

Dash sighed and tapped her hoof to the table rapidly. For three relatively extroverted mares who had a great deal to talk about, discussion was certainly being a challenge for the group.

“So...” Dash began. “Uh... work’s going pretty good. I got two more kids flying this week.” Dash’s smile gradually widened as she spoke of this.

“How do ya’ do it?” Applejack asked, looking at Dash with confusion and wonder.

Dash shrugged. “I guess I just think back to when I was their age. I pretty much taught myself, so it was mostly trial-and-error. So I give them a lot of freedom on the field and let them know anything if they have any questions. Also, yelling at them to light a fire under their ass doesn’t hurt either.” Rainbow smirked at the last remark.

“I didn’t mean that, though I reckon that’s great. I meant, how do ya’ just give up the most important dream in your life, and sit there happy as a clam?” Applejack shook her head. “I just can’t believe...” she trailed off.

Dash looked surprised. “I’m doing important stuff, AJ. I mean, yeah, I always talked big about the Wonderbolts, but that was always just a dream. Dreams can always change. I thought you’d be happy for me.” Rainbow looked over to Twilight. “You’re happy for me, right?”

Twilight smiled warmly at her friend. “To be honest, you had me rather frightened at first, but...I am, Rainbow. I really think what you’re wanting to do is a wonderful idea. Helping foals...it’s just so noble.” Her grin widened. “I meant it in that letter; I’m very proud of you.”

Applejack put her face in her hoof. “I’m happy for ya’ too, sugarcube. I just don’t- I couldn’t- I don’t know how- oh, ponyfeathers.” Applejack sighed.

Rainbow’s look saddened as she reached a hoof of her’s to AJ’s. She looked her friend right in the eyes. “AJ, what’s up?”

Applejack bit her lip and stared into Dash’s eyes for a few seconds before drawing a breath and blurting out, “I like you. I mean, I like like you, and I like Twilight that way too- well, not just the same way. And I reckon if you can do somethin’ crazy ‘cause of some dream and have it just... work out, I might as well try it, too. I like ya’ both. So there.” Applejack laughed at herself and leaned back, throwing her foreleg across the back of booth.

Dash didn’t know what to say. Her nightmares were becoming reality. You just live to fuck with these two, don’t you?

Twilight cleared her throat and took a deep breath. “Well...I already said so much in my letters, but...well, I’ve had some...other things I’ve been thinking about recently...I like both of you, too.” She turned to Applejack, frowning thoughtfully. “You’re right...it’s definitely different. I don’t feel the same way about you as I do about Rainbow, but...” She smiled wanly. “They’re both good feelings. Really good feelings.” She turned back to Dash, her gaze almost pleading. “What about you, Rainbow? I know you’ve said that nopony really knows what’s going on in their own heads, but...?”

Dash sighed. “AJ, you were the mare in that fuck dream I was telling you about. I had it after reading that one letter you sent me... I knew I was the pony you were talking about. I knew I was driving you away from Twilight, but... I still had that dream anyway.” Dash groaned and put her head in her hooves. “I can’t get it right with either of you. I’m messing with your minds and confusing everypony.”

“You don’t get to do this, Rainbow Dash.” Applejack frowned. “It ain’t fair to fly around, doin’ whatever you want, crashin’ and gettin’ back up, then get worried when I do what I wanna do for once in my darn life. If it’s so scary to watch, how do ya’ think I feel lookin’ at you?”

“I just... don’t wanna lose either of you. You guys pull me out of some really bad places.” Dash’s voice was weak and monotone, as her energy had been drained by all the angst.

Twilight frowned with concern and leaned forward across the table. “You can’t beat yourself up over this. Remember, Rainbow. I didn’t get it when you were flirting with me. This is me thinking about it all on my own.” She glanced sidelong at Applejack. “I think this is both of us thinking all on our own.”

Applejack nodded. “Most of our letters ain’t exactly been flirtin’, but that didn’t stop me from dreamin’ of you. All you did to cause this was bein’ yourself at me, as hard as ya’ could. I don’t reckon I can blame ya’ for that.”

Rainbow scoffed. “Okay, so the very fact that I’m myself is the cause of all this drama. Thanks a lot, AJ, I feel great about myself!” Dash’s voice was rising in anger and irritation.

“I do believe the real cause of this drama is that I can’t hold my liquor,” Applejack shot back.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Rainbow. You were yourself at us. We happen to like you.” She sighed. “...More than I was expecting.” She shook her head and looked back up at the pegasus, her gaze hard set. “You’re acting like this was something between me and Applejack that you’re getting in the middle of. That’s not what’s going on. This is about all three of us; we’re confused and hurting from being apart and we’re trying to come to terms with all of this. What are your feelings? They’re important, too.”

Dash sighed. “Twi... why do you gotta be so smart?” She lifted her head and made eye contact. “And I don’t just mean in a regular egghead way, either. I mean in just everything.” Dash smiled. “You always know just what to say just to bring me out of a funk. I feel like I can tell you just about anything. You make everything awesome when I need it to be awesome.” Rainbow turned her gaze over to Applejack.

“AJ... you get me. Better than I get myself, really. And I feel like I get you in a lotta ways too. I used to think you were just all high and mighty, looking down on me, but... there’s so much more to you. So much of what I want to be, and so much I can’t be. I meant what I said in that letter, by the way. If you need to crash, then crash into me. I’ll be there for you.”

Dash sighed as she leaned back into her seat. “...Oh yeah, and you guys are really hot, too.”

Twilight felt her face grow warm and glanced back and forth between the two mares, trying to force away memories of a certain rather graphic dream. She cleared her throat a couple times and looked down at the table. “...I guess we’re all in the same boat, then.”

Applejack nodded, her expression serious. “I reckon we are. The question is, where do we wanna take it?”

Dash blew an indecisive raspberry and shrugged. “We could all just fuck and see if it gets outta our systems... or that could just make things more confusing, either or.”

Just then, the waiter walked up with a tray carrying their orders. Dash took her food with no fuss, while Applejack and Twilight turned bright red and somehow managed to get their plates to the table without looking at the waiter or their friends.

Once the waiter was safely out of earshot, Applejack rolled her eyes at Dash, “Let’s call that one ‘plan b.’ I ain’t against it, but for some ponies there’s more to this than gettin’ two hot mares in the sack. I like you two, and I wanna know if I love ya’.”

Twilight closed her eyes and took a steadying breath. “Okay...so I had this dream the other day, and...” She coughed and shook her head forcefully. “Umm...yeah, what Applejack said.”

Dash sighed. “So... now what?”

“I suppose we talk, while we’re here. And we write more letters, and we see how this works.” Applejack chuckled. “I never thought I’d end up courtin’ two good mares, but I guess I did somethin’ right.”

Dash smirked triumphantly. “You’re on.” She looked to Twilight. “Twi, you in?”

Smiling faintly, Twilight asked, “What’ve we got to lose?”

Rainbow smacked the table. “Alright, we have a game plan! Weird, experimental three-way thing experiment on three! One! Two! Three!”

Dash was the only one to raise a hoof and proclaim “Weird, experimental three-way thing experiment!” Seeing only blank expressions from Twilight and Applejack, Dash sheepishly lowered her hoof and put focus onto her burger, not looking at either of her new suitors.

Applejack and Twilight looked to each other, unsure of what to say, before AJ started to giggle slightly. Twilight soon followed suit, and eventually, both mares were in the throes of uncontrollable laughter.

Dash looked up and saw this. Initially embarrassed, the pegasus soon found herself widely grinning. Before long, she too found herself in caught in the infectious guffawing.

Rainbow clapped her hooves together and looked satisfied. "Alright, so we doing this?"

AJ and Twilight nodded to Dash.

"Awesome."

"Great!" Twilight proclaimed. "Umm, can we eat now?"

AJ laughed. "I'm feelin' ya. Let’s eat!"

Thus, the three friends, with their new arrangement set, ate in peace.

Author's Note

This was written in collaboration with bookplayer and Jake Roberts. Once again, being up to date with The Mailbox is probably necessary to follow anything.

Mailbox Side Story: Guilt and Loving in Las Pegasus (Part 2)

July 18th. Later that night...

“So... what exactly is this, Twi? Like, between the three of us?”

The three were in Rainbow Dash’s bedroom getting ready for bed. Applejack and Twilight were setting up sleeping bags on the other side of Dash’s bed.

Twilight paused for a moment, her brow furrowing in thought. “...I’m...not really sure. Um...” She looked from Rainbow to Applejack. “Are we dating? I mean, am I dating you both separately while you date each other, too?” She shrugged helplessly.

“Does it make a difference?” Applejack asked, flopping down on her sleeping bag. “If we’re all datin’ each other, how’s that different from us bein’ three couples that have the same ponies in ‘em?”

Dash shrugged. “I dunno, I was just wondering if there’s things you have to do for this. You gotta admit, this is pretty weird. I mean, it’s awesome, but it’s weird.”

Twilight nodded slowly, rubbing her chin. “This is rather different. Ostensibly, we are just courting each other all at the same time, like Applejack said at dinner.” Her frown deepened. “Ugh, what happens if we all make up our minds and it’s for somepony who chose somepony else?”

Once again Dash shrugged. “I can’t really make up my mind. I like you guys for different reasons. You fill different holes in me... giggety.” Dash grinned.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. “What the hay is that supposed to- ya’ know what? Nevermind.” She turned to Twilight. “Sugarcube, don’t you worry ‘bout that. Anytime you court a pony you risk it not workin’ out. Here, I reckon we just got two shots of it workin’ out rather than one.”

Twilight sighed and smiled wanly. “You’re right; I’m getting ahead of things.” Her smile dropped to a worried frown again. “Can we promise that no matter what happens we don’t let any of this get in the way of our friendship?” She shook her head, saying, “I couldn’t bear to lose either of you.”

“Course I can promise that,” Applejack said with a warm smile. “I reckon if the things me and Dash get into as friends can’t break us apart, there’s not much harm we all can do here.”

Dash nodded. “Come on, you guys oughta know me. I never leave my friends hanging.”

Applejack smirked. “Just takes gettin’ good and drunk to get ya’ to admit it, sometimes.”

Twilight inhaled and release her breath slowly, letting her shoulders slump. She stood from her sleeping bag and pulled Applejack into a hug. Glancing over her shoulder at Dash, she beckoned the pegasus to join them, opening a foreleg wide.

Dash smiled and leaped over to the two. She put a wing over AJ’s shoulder and hugged Twilight’s side, nuzzling the latter.

Pondering for a moment, Dash whispered, “You know... you guys feel really nice. I never thought about it before, but... yeah, you guys are nice to hold.”

Applejack rubbed her cheek against Twilight’s, then turned and nuzzled Dash. “I’m with Dash. Both y’all are a treat.”

Twilight’s face grew warm as she sat wrapped in the embrace of both mares. She willed it away, and for once her face listened. “You’re both so warm,” she whispered.

Dash smiled, noticing her face was growing warm as well. Deciding to feel bold, she leaned in and gave Twilight a tender peck on the cheek. The departure of her lips from the alicorn’s cheek was lingering.

A tiny meep of surprise escaped Twilight’s muzzle and she bit her lip, feeling a mass of butterflies fly loose in her belly. She ignored them and pressed her lips to Rainbow’s cheek. Sitting back with a daring grin on her face, she turned her head and kissed Applejack as well.

Applejack grinned and chuckled. She leaned over and kissed Twilight on the forehead, just below her horn. Then she turned to Dash with a wicked grin, and darted forward, catching the pegasus with a kiss full on the lips.

Dash’s eyes widened. Guess she was bolder than I figured. Grinning behind the kiss, Rainbow lazily began moving her free hoof down Applejack’s flank, gradually sandwiching Twilight between her two suitors.

Dash’s move surprised Applejack, but the cowpony’s eyes narrowed playfully. If Dash wanted a game like that, AJ wasn’t backing down. She ran a hoof along Dash’s side, to her cutie mark, then just a few inches farther back.

Deciding not to be outdone, Rainbow gave Applejack’s flank a firm smack. Grinning devilishly, she separated from AJ and looked to Twilight. The pegasus winked, asking, “Like what you see?”

Twilight blushed and looked down, but all that did was reveal the current locations of the other two mares’ hooves. A sudden urge to laugh passed through her mind and she smiled, thinking, Get over yourself. Twilight looked back up, caught Dash’s eyes, and leaned in to kiss her. She nonchalantly slid her hoof down AJ’s back and settled over the earth pony’s other cutie mark.

Applejack raised her eyebrows. “Oh my. Well, this is new.” She smiled, and nuzzled the alicorn as she focused on Dash. “Ya’ know, I expected this from a rowdy bunch of ponyfeathers, but comin’ from a princess it’s a happy surprise.”

Rainbow chuckled. “Yeah, damn, Twi.” She leaned in and gave Twilight a series of tender kisses along the alicorn’s neck, lowering to her belly. Along the way, Dash gasped out, “I know... I talk a lot... about AJ being hot... but... ho, fuck, you’re so cute!”

Twilight chuckled breathlessly, turning and nuzzling Applejack’s neck. “I’m just feeling...forward. Compared to that dream I had with both of you, this is tame.”

Applejack slid both forelegs around Twilight’s body, holding her gently. She smirked and whispered, “Is that so? Musta been some dream...” before lightly biting Twilight’s ear.

“Y-yeah...” Twilight whimpered. “Some dream that, uh...” she swallowed thickly, hugging Applejack back with one hoof and stroking Rainbow’s mane with the other, “seems to be coming true."

Rainbow squirmed as her hooves stroked Twilight’s flanks. She couldn't help it, this was too hot. It was getting to the point where she couldn’t ignore her arousal, and she didn’t want to. The pegasus purred predatorily.

“Twilight,” Applejack whispered tenderly. “You okay, sugarcube? If this is goin’ too fast, you just say somethin’ and it’ll stop right away.”

Twilight caught Applejack’s gaze and saw the powerful sincerity come off the cowpony in waves. She felt her heart swell and smiled warmly. “I’m okay,” she murmured. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more okay in my life.” She rubbed her cheek against Applejack’s jaw. “It’s like...like I don’t need to worry about anything for a while right now.”

Rainbow stopped herself momentarily, to look at Applejack and Twilight. Smiling, she said...

"You fillies need to get laid. Amirite?"

Twilight tried to stifle a snort, but failed. She bit her lip to keep from giggling and shook her head. Her eyes glittered with amusement and excitement as she looked back and forth from Applejack to Rainbow. “So...plan B then?”

“Plan B.” Applejack nodded. She smirked down at Dash. “Show us what ya’ got.”

Dash laughed. “That a challenge?”

Applejack smiled at Twilight, then winked at Dash. “You know it. Let’s give Twilight a real rodeo.”

Grinning, Twilight said, “Plan B, then.”

Dash’s eyes narrowed in hunger and she lunged.

Damn, it was warm. Not to mention, soft... and very heavy.

Rainbow was the first to awaken, as her eyes fluttered open. Over the course of the night, the three ended up on her bed. Despite the fact Dash owned a king-sized bed, Applejack and Twilight didn’t seem to feel the need to separate themselves from each other, as evidenced by the fact that the two were sleeping on top of Dash in each others’ forelegs.

Rainbow struggled to escape her trapping. Her body was completely immobilized by the sleeping bodies. Waking one of them was Rainbow’s only option, much to her chagrin.

They’re too cute together, Dash mused to herself, watching Applejack and Twilight sleep in each others’ embrace, Twilight’s head resting comfortably in Applejack’s chest.

In spite of herself, Rainbow took one of her free wings and lightly tapped Twilight’s shoulder. The alicorn stirred momentarily before Rainbow repeated the action.

Twilight gasped and started babbling incoherently. “Huh? What, huh--”

“Shhh.” Rainbow Dash whispered to Twilight, placing that same wing on the alicorn’s mouth.

Twilight smiled against the wing, nuzzling into the feathers. “Mmm, morning, Rainbow,” she whispered, leaning away from Applejack to not disturb her.

Rainbow signalled Twilight to roll herself off of Applejack, to which she complied, rolling to the left side of Dash’s bed. Being slightly freed, Rainbow was able to delicately roll Applejack to her right. Once placed down, Applejack shuddered, mumbling something in her sleep, before snuggling up to Rainbow’s foreleg.

Dash turned her head over to Twilight and grinned. “Sup?”

Smiling warmly, Twilight snuggled up to Rainbow’s other side. “Not a lot. Just woke up,” she teased.

Rainbow snickered and contentedly sighed. “You feelin’ good?”

“I’m feeling great.” She leaned forward and pecked Rainbow on the lips. “Thank you.”

Rainbow furled her lips before sighing. “No... I’m sorry, Twilight. I kinda put you through a weird ride, didn’t I? Like, beforehoof, with all those letters. I know you’re not mad and stuff, but I feel bad about it.”

Twilight shook her head and nestled into Rainbow’s shoulder. “If I learned anything in the last...twelve hours or so, it’s to let go of the things you can’t control. Don’t worry, Rainbow. What happened happened. And...right now, at this exact moment, I wouldn’t want it to have happened any other way.”

Rainbow stroked Twilight’s face for the longest time, not saying anything. Eventually, she whispered, “...I remember when I sent you that letter where I was just starting this job, and I really hated everything and just didn’t want to deal. Your letter...” Rainbow didn’t finish her thought, as she lost her self control, closed her eyes, and gave Twilight a lingering kiss.

When Rainbow at last pulled away, leaving a smile on Twilight’s face, the alicorn breathed out a contented sigh and nestled back into Rainbow’s chest. “...I really don’t want to move right now. Maybe ever.”

Rainbow kissed Twilight’s forehead. “I know the feeling... but I really gotta pee, so one side!” Rainbow flared her wings out, pushing aside her mares and sending them rolling off the sides of the bed. The pegasus stood up and glided off the bed, galloping towards the door.

Before leaving, Dash yelled from the hall, “I’ll be back in a few with coffee from down the street! See ya in a bit!”

Applejack hit the floor with a thud. “What the hay?” She stuck her head up over the side of the bed, seeing Twilight laying on the floor and Dash nowhere to be seen. “What in tarnation was that?”

Sitting up and smirking in exasperation, Twilight said, “Just Rainbow being Rainbow. It’s a shame, really.” She glanced at the door and mock-sighed. “I was snuggling that.” She turned back to Applejack and crawled onto the bed. “C’mere; I wasn’t done snuggling you, either.”

Smiling, Applejack climbed back into bed next to Twilight. “Now that’s a job I know I can do.” She wrapped her forelegs around the alicorn and nuzzled her cheek, smelling Twilight’s mane as it brushed the side of her face. Her own mane had lost its ties in the activities of the previous night, and mingled with Twilight’s as they lay there.

Twilight opened a wing and wrapped it around Applejack’s back, pressing into the farmer’s strong and solid chest. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For last night. Thank you.”

Applejack blushed a little. “I reckon I oughta be thankin’ you. If I did anythin’ you liked, it was my pleasure.”

Her voice coy and tentative, Twilight murmured, “I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m glad I did, though. It was...eye-opening. I think I really did need to get laid.” She snorted suddenly. “Hey, I actually said it!”

“I’m proud I had a part in it.” Applejack smiled, giving Twilight a squeeze. “And it just goes to show how bright you shine, Twilight. You gave me and Dash a run for our money on your first try. I dunno if I’ll be able to handle ya’, when you get some practice.”

Twilight giggled, feeling her face warm up. It was a pleasant feeling this time and she rubbed her cheek against Applejack’s chest. “Practice doing that enough and I’ll be able to eat all the cake I want. You both are animals.”

Applejack chuckled. “I’ll admit maybe I was showin’ off a bit. I couldn’t let Dash think I couldn’t keep up with her. I’m just glad you liked it, I was a bit worried we’d get carried away.”

“Well, you’re welcome to show off anytime you want.” Twilight smiled warmly into the soft hairs of the cowpony’s coat. “Maybe you both did go a little overboard, but I think that made it better...” She inhaled deeply, smelling the mare, trying to live solely within the scent that was purely Applejack. “...I feel so safe with you.”

Applejack closed her eyes and smiled, giving a silent thanks to her lucky stars. “I want ya’ to feel safe, Twilight. Always. If you’re ever scared, or worried, just let me know. I’ll make it right, no matter what it is. I promise ya’ that.”

Twilight smiled, a small and contented grin pressed against Applejack’s chest. For a long time all she did was silently bask in the feeling of being wrapped up in strong and solid hooves.

Dash, wanting to make a grand entrance, kicked the door open, a tray of coffee cups in her mouth. “Crrhee!” she announced through her muffled mouth.

“What’s that again?” Applejack asked, just looking confused.

“Coffee, I think,” Twilight muttered, sitting up in bed and pulling out of Applejack’s embrace with some reluctance.

“Oh, good! We been dilly-dallyin’ all mornin’. And as much as I like dilly-dallyin’ with y’all, it’s time to get movin’.” Applejack hopped up, and trotted over to take a cup of coffee from Dash with a wink. Then she drank it down on the spot.

Dash scoffed. “You call that coffee chugging?” Rainbow grabbed her cup and held it up. “Lemme show you how it’s done!” She took a swig before yelping. “Hotototototootoototoottoot,” Rainbow stammered, putting down the coffee.

A wry smirk on her lips, Twilight floated her cup over in a glow of magic and took a careful sip.

Applejack chuckled. “Coffee’s supposed to be hot, Dash. Ya’ get used to it when you gotta get it down before chores. Now, I don’t suppose you got a kitchen in this place, do ya’?”

Dash nodded. “Yeah, but good luck finding anything to cook in this dump. I got a few oranges and some hay bacon left, and that’s it.”

Applejack frowned. “Well now, that’s a sorry state of things. I’ll write Mac again and make sure he gets ya’ some good food. How ‘bout if I treat y’all to breakfast?”

Rainbow shook her head. “No way, AJ! Come on, you guys are visiting, I can cover. I set aside some cash because I knew you guys were coming over.”

Twilight stood up and stretched out her back. Sighing in satisfaction, she said, “Breakfast sounds lovely, but do you mind if I use your shower first, Rainbow? I feel...” She frowned in thought and shifted back and forth on her hooves. “Sticky. I feel sticky.”

Rainbow grinned wryly and licked her lips. “You said it.”

Twilight giggled and rolled her eyes. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She cantered down the hall, shutting the bathroom door behind herself.

Applejack just smiled, watching Twilight walk out. Once the door was closed she turned the smile on Rainbow. “You were right.”

“I’m right about a lot of stuff. Be specific.”

“I needed that. And Twilight needed that.” Applejack walked over and nuzzled Dash.

Rainbow blushed brightly and cleared her throat. “Oh, um... yeah, glad I could help” Rainbow looked Applejack in the eye. “AJ, you’re not mad or anything, are you? I... could’ve handled a lot of stuff better. I could’ve been more honest and stuff. Instead, I mostly made a bunch of jokes that messed with you guys pretty bad.”

“I ain’t mad, Dash. The way I see it, we were all not bein’ honest in our own ways.” Applejack turned to poke through the tangled sheets for her red ribbons. “And most of the time, when I got mad at ya’, it’s ‘cause you were hittin’ too close to a place where I wasn’t bein’ honest. That’s a mess, lemme tell you, and you deserve better from me.”

Rainbow smiled and walked up behind AJ, wrapping her forelegs around the cowpony and squeezing her tight. “You’re good, AJ. You’re good.”

“I hope so.” Applejack found her ribbons, but just closed her eyes to feel Dash’s hug. “Uh, I don’t reckon in crashin’ you ever had a part where ya’ realized that you lost your everlovin’ mind, did ya’?”

Rainbow chuckled. “The hay are you talking about?”

“I just- I told the truth about how I felt, and wound up with two beautiful, talented, amazin’ mares... and now I gotta treat ya’ both right. I gotta make sure you’re both safe. I gotta be better at listenin’ to you, and sayin’ the right things so you hear me. I gotta be there for Twilight and make sure she’s okay with all this, and stays okay with it... I still got a farm to run, Dash, how am I gonna be the pony both of ya’ deserve?”

Rainbow patted AJ’s head. “This summer’s crazy for all of us. Just give it some time. Before you know it, the three of us will be back in Ponyville and we can just go from there.” Rainbow turned AJ around and held her face close to her own. She whispered, “And I’ll be back in Ponyville for good. Remember that.”

Rainbow gave Applejack a tender kiss. Once their lips parted, Rainbow continued, “After I had that dream, everything became so much clearer. The wonderbolts would have just taken me. Taken me from you, from Twilight, from everypony. Well, fuck that.” Dash brought Applejack to her chest and stroked her mane. “I know exactly what it is I want.”

Applejack nuzzled Rainbow gently, breathing in the smell of her coat. “I know ya’ do. And, I know what I want. I’m just hopin’ we can both handle it now that we got it.”

Rainbow grinned. “So you admit that you’re a pansy? Well, now, you can admit why you didn’t take down that gator.”

Frowning, Applejack shoved Dash away and set about tieing her ribbons into her mane. “I don’t know why I bother. Ya’ know, I really have lost my everlovin’ mind.”

Rainbow kissed Applejack’s forehead. “In case you didn’t realize last night, I like a filly who’s crazy.” Dash gave her lover a knowing wink.

Applejack smiled before she knew what she was doing. When she noticed, she chuckled at herself. “Lucky for you, you make me good and crazy. It’s like all the rules are upside-down with you. Every time you make me mad it turns me on, every time you try and be sweet it makes me worry.” Applejack smirked and wrapped a hoof around the back of Dash’s head, pulling her in and kissing her deep and hard.

The bathroom door opened and Twilight stepped back into the room with her mane and tail wrapped up in towels. She paused, watching the two mares embrace, and smiled warmly. “That is surprisingly fun to watch.”

Applejack slowly pulled back from the pegasus, then smiled at Twilight, “I’d be happy to show ya’ more, but we oughta get somethin’ to eat.”

“Yeah, I need some grub. Let’s head out.” Dash took the lead and trotted for the door.

Twilight smiled fondly at Applejack before turning to follow. She paused at the bathroom door and threw the towels back inside. She eyed herself critically in the mirror and frowned. “Ugh, I didn’t have a chance to brush my hair. Heck with it, I’ll be messy.” She shut the bathroom door and headed towards Rainbow.

Applejack nuzzled Twilight and trotted next to her. “Ya’ look awful pretty, messy.”

Twilight chuckled and shook her head. “And you look amazing without your hair ties.”

“Ya’ know, I been told that. Can’t say I see it, but what do I know?” Applejack chuckled.

After a relatively quiet breakfast, the three set out for the train station. Despite the collective desire to not separate, all three had their obligations in separate parts of Equestria.

While normally, most ponies in a relationship would embrace their lovers while anticipating their departure, this was another story and Rainbow Dash frowned in thought...

“So, do I kiss both of you guys goodbye, or is that not something you do publicly? I’ll be honest, I don’t wanna run the risk of having to explain to some idiot what our deal is when really I’m still not clear on what it all means.”

“It might be months before I see y’all again,” Applejack pointed out. “For me, I’d be happier with another kiss, whatever ponies I don’t even know might think. But, of course, I’m just a farm pony. If our little princess here is worried ‘bout bein’ seen, I reckon I can make do with last night.”

Dash grinned. “Aw no, she’s not getting away with not getting flustered. C’mere, Twi.” Rainbow grabbed Twilight and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

As Rainbow broke the kiss, Twilight blinked dazedly and grinned through her blush, She fumblingly got back to her hooves and attempted to straighten her mane. “Well.” She cleared her throat and stifled the desire to giggle. “I was going to say that I probably should care about that, but cannot make myself do so for the life of me. That worked, too, though.”

Applejack smiled warmly at Twilight. “Then ya’ don’t mind if I take a turn?”

“Only if you don’t mind me watching,” she answered playfully.

Stepping in front of Rainbow Dash, Applejack gently placed a hoof under her chin and drew her close. Rather than a deep kiss, Applejack planted a series of slow, tender kisses on Dash’s lips. Parting the last one, she whispered, “Just try and be good, for me.”

Rainbow chuckled and rolled her eyes. “Me being bad? Pssh, just try and stay sober, okay?” Dash gave Applejack a playful shot to the shoulder.

Applejack just shook her head with a smile. Then she turned to Twilight, and gave her a long, gentle kiss on the lips, adding a teasing lick at the end.

Grinning, Twilight nuzzled Applejack’s cheek. “I’m going to miss you so much.” She turned to Rainbow and nuzzled the pegasus. “Both of you. This summer’s been so hard already, and this is going to make it harder in some ways.” She stepped back, looking between the two mares. Her smile widened. “But I think it’ll make it easier, too.”

Rainbow smiled at the embraces she was receiving and, much to her embarrassment, the sentiment behind them. “...Fuck it. Who cares if they ask? I’mma flaunt you two for all your worth!” Dash lunged toward the two, tackling them to the ground and embracing them in a giant hug.

After a second of shock, Applejack just chuckled and hugged Dash and Twilight. “I’m gonna miss you girls, too. But if either of ya’ needs me, I’ll come runnin’.”

“And if anypony needs me, I’ll do whatever I can to get there,” Twilight agreed. “...Hopefully without threatening Luna again.”

Rainbow snickered as she heard this. “Yeah, Twi. Your bitch-fu is deadly.” Dash laughed as she playfully rustled Twilight’s still messy mane.

Applejack smirked and raised an eyebrow. “Y’all both better hope Twilight can keep Princess Luna in line... I hear tell she can watch your dreams. And from what I hear of you two, that’s quite a show.”

Twilight’s eyes widened and she meeped in surprise. “...I hope she’s forgiven me for being crazy at her and hasn’t been watching for the past few days...” She roughly rubbed her face with a hoof.

Rainbow chuckled. “So Luna watches dreams, eh? Kinky.”

“Well, I dunno if she likes that kinda dream, but I’m sure Twilight’ll stay on her good side either way,” Applejack said as a train whistle blew.

“Palomino Beach!” a conductor called. “All aboard!”

Applejack smiled sadly. “I reckon that’s me...”

Nodding, Rainbow Dash got off of the pile of mare and dusted herself off. Walking over to Applejack, the pegasus hugged her tightly. “Take care of yourself, aiight?”

“You know I will.” Applejack said, hugging Dash, then Twilight, one last time. “I’ll see you girls soon, and I’ll write ya’ soon as I get back.”

“Me, too,” Twilight promised. A second whistle blew from the other end of the platforms and a voice shouted out for Neighagra Falls. Twilight sighed and said, “I’m meeting back up with everypony there. So I guess this is it for now. I hope I really do get to stop in Palomino Beach.” She turned back to Rainbow. “I’ll be seeing you again before the summer’s out; this is the unofficial stop.”

Rainbow didn’t verbally respond to this, opting instead for pulling Twilight into a passionate kiss. Pulling away, Rainbow smiled brightly and once again rustled Twilight’s mane.

“Well on that note- ” Applejack smiled “‘ -bye, girls.” She turned and trotted over to her train, pulling out her ticket as she climbed onboard.

“Goodbye, Applejack!” Twilight called after the mare. She turned back to Rainbow and said more quietly, “Goodbye to you, too.” She turned and hurried to the other end of the station.

Rainbow waved the two off and watched both trains depart. Now, the pegasus was simply alone with her thoughts.

“What do I do with them gone now?” She asked herself. A realization suddenly hit her. “Oh, shit! It’s Friday, I gotta get to boxing!”

However, just as Rainbow was about to dash off to the gym, the pegasus caught a powerful scent... herself.

“On second thought, I should probably shower off AJ and Twilight’s stank before doing anything else.”

Author's Note

And here's part two, once again written in collaboration with bookplayer and Jake Roberts. The process on writing both of these was rather strange, seeing as we just hopped in a GDoc and got to work in some sort of cross between roleplaying and fiction writing. For something that sounds like such an utter mess, I think both parts turned out surprisingly cohesive and readable.

I'm gonna chalk that up to the two of them being awesome and talented.

Mailbox Side Story: What Happens in Las Pegasus (Part 1)

August 20th

Sky on Earth Stadium was a sight to behold. Known as the “Colossal Casa”, the open-air sporting complex was famous for its imposing size. No expense was spared on the largest stadium in Equestria, as the combination of lights, skyboxes, and jumbo screens made the place look like both a tribute to, and a parody of, excess.

To many, however, it seemed fitting, as the stadium was built as a venue for performances by the biggest stars, in particular the Wonderbolts. Solid gold statues of some of their most famous members flanked the front gates to the stadium entrance, their eyes made of diamonds.

It was a stadium fit for a king.

However, Rainbow Dash was too annoyed and pissed to care about that at the moment.

‘One side!’ and ‘Fuck off!’ were just a couple of colorful phrases Rainbow used when shoving aside ponies in the densely packed crowd. The air was hot that evening, and that combined large density of impatient ponies made for a rather unpleasant experience for Dash.

Nevertheless, she pursued on, hoping to find Twilight.

She didn’t answer my last letter, so I can only guess she’s here, right?

It occurred to Rainbow Dash that she probably should have asked Twilight in a previous letter where she might be found in the stadium. Surely, one of the princess’s royal fuck-buddies shouldn’t have to shove her way through a crowd of peasants, right?

Well, as it turned out, finding where she needed to go proved to be remarkably easy.

Across the crowd, Princess Celestia’s unmistakable mane rose into view, several heads taller than the average pony milling about. Rainbow smirked, flying up over her, bowing respectfully.

Just then, two royal guards apprehended her by her forelegs and wings. Dash’s eyes widened as she found herself trying kick herself free.

“HEY! GET OFFA ME!” It was to no avail, as the well-toned guards merely fortified themselves and grasped harder onto her. A crowd soon formed around the scene with cries of ‘she tried to attack the princess!’ and ‘what a scoop!’ being heard among the clamour. Cameras were flashing.

Stupid guards! How bogus can this get?

“GUARDS! STAND DOWN!”

Just like that, the entire crowd recoiled and became absolutely silent. Never before had Equestrians of this generation heard Princess Celestia use her royal Canterlot voice. Needless to say, the whiplash from the usually cold, distant Celestia to what they all had just witnessed was something else.

Rainbow Dash stared slack-jawed as Celestia approached her. She looked around and saw that everypony, guards included, had backed away from the two of them. Dash gulped as she looked up to the imposing princess.

“Uh, heh-heh... hey, Princess.”

Celestia smiled warmly. “Why, Rainbow Dash, such a pleasure to see you this evening. As I’m to understand, you’ll be joining us in the skybox.”

Dash grinned nervously. “Uh, yeah! You know, if that’s fine with you and everything.”

Celestia chuckled. “Nothing would make me more delighted. I know for a fact that Twilight is expecting you eagerly.”

Rainbow’s heart raced when she heard her mention Twilight. She stood up tall, beaming, and replied, “Awesome! Where’s that skybox?”

“Right this way.” Celestia pointed her head to a stairwell that had been draped in a royal carpet. She ascended with Dash following her.

Envious murmurs could be heard from the crowd and Dash turned her head to see that there was a mob of paparazzi trying to follow her and Celestia, only to be stopped by the royal guards.

Smirking, Rainbow Dash blew a celebratory raspberry at the blocked crowd, and then turned to follow Celestia up the stairs.

Who knew all I had to do to get ahead in life was to screw a princess?

Rainbow Dash and Princess Celestia stepped into the skybox. The large windows overlooking the field and sky took up an entire wall of the long and luxurious room, stocked with comfy-looking chairs, a full bar complete with bartender, two catering trays, the captain of the royal guard, and three princesses. Twilight turned as the door closed behind them, and in a blur had her hooves wrapped around Rainbow’s neck. “There you are!”

“Hey, Twi! What’s up?” Rainbow kissed Twilight’s cheek as she hugged her marefriend around the waist. She looked up to see Princess Luna, Princess Cadence, and Shining Armor staring at them.

Rainbow Dash let go of Twilight as she cleared her throat. “Uh, hey, everypony!”

Cadence giggled as Shining Armor and Luna simply nodded.

Twilight stepped back and turned to face the three, clearing her throat. She grinned awkwardly at her older brother and stepped next to Rainbow. “Shining, you’ve met Rainbow Dash before.”

Shining Armor’s mouth warred between a frown and a smile, his eyebrows trying to both be knit and relaxed at the same time. The combination wasn’t very readable, but Rainbow thought the closest expression it came to was ‘constipated.’ He shuffled his hooves momentarily and extended one towards Rainbow Dash. “It’s nice to see you again,” he said in a measured and formal tone.

Dash bumped hooves with him. “Yo, how goes it?”

Cadence giggled again as she approached the two. “It goes very well, Rainbow Dash. How have you been?”

Dash shrugged and cooly quipped, “Eh. Can’t complain. Not much to write home about, you know?”

Shining snorted loudly. “Nothing to write home about? Whenever Twily gets a letter from you or Applejack, she goes off into her own little world. What the hell are you even writing in them that the gets her all flustered?”

Twilight cleared her throat loudly and glared at him. “Girlfriend stuff,” she said flatly. “I’d guess it’s kind of like wife stuff.” She looked pointedly at Cadence and raised an eyebrow.

Cadence placed a hoof on her husband’s shoulder. “Now now, baby. It’s not really your business now, is it?”

Shining rolled his eyes and sighed. “If you say so. I just think it’s just a tad bit strange that seemingly out of nowhere, my sister is dating two mares.”

Dash shrugged. “We’re freaks. Whaddya gonna do?”

Twilight rubbed her forehead with a hoof, but couldn’t help chuckling. “Thank you, Rainbow.” She sighed and fixed her glare back on Shining. “You’ve known my sexuality for how long now?”

He paused, darting his eyes around the room. “Well…”

“I like Rainbow, Shining. And Applejack. We’re not sure what this is, either, but we want to find out.”

As Shining looked away and started grumbling, Cadence ran her hoof up and down his back in soothing strokes. A small frown creased her muzzle and she asked Twilight, “Have you read that book I gave you yet?”

Twilight groaned. “I never have time to read anymore!” She stamped her hoof. Cadence smiled thinly, but didn’t say anything else.

“I would not be so wary of the Captain’s concern, Twilight Sparkle.” Luna approached the group gracefully. “An older sibling is quite prone to acting irrationally in concern for their kin.”

The group turned as they heard Celestia snort from the bar, waiting for the bartender to finish mixing a drink. “Yes, Lulu, I was acting completely irrational sending you to the moon. I mean, it’s not like you were doing anything heinous, no no. All were you doing was trying to bring about eternal night, and thus, kill all life in Equestria.”

“And I have explained to you, sister, that I didn’t really think that part through.”

“And I have explained to you, Luna, that you really need to learn some damn science.”

Rainbow Dash couldn’t contain herself as she fell over laughing. Eventually, she grabbed on to Twilight to pull herself up. Draped over her, she whispered, “Are they always like this?”

“You have no idea,” she whispered back. “It gets worse at night when Princess Celestia’s tired and short.” She looked back across the room and saw her brother had moved off to one of the large windows, looking over the field with a sullen expression. “...I’m going to go talk to Shining really quick.” Rainbow fumbled off of her back and she gave her marefriend a brief nuzzle before cantering to the window.

Seeing that Twilight had Shining preoccupied, Rainbow Dash decided to take the opportunity to talk to Cadence, who was standing alone on the other end of the windows. She stepped up to her and said, “So, uh... how’s Twilight been on this tour and stuff?”

Cadence turned to face her. “This really isn’t her thing, I’m afraid to say. All the fancy parties, the paparazzi, and the boring meet and greets really take their toll on her.”

Rainbow soured in expression, but looked up when she noticed Cadence’s hoof on her shoulder. “It seems like the only time she gets happy or excited anymore is when she gets a letter from one of her friends.” Cadence leaned in and whispered, “She giggles and swoons like a schoolfilly with yours. What is your secret?”

Rainbow Dash blushed and gave a shrug. “I’m just that good?”

Cadence giggled. “Makes sense. Just so you know, Rainbow Dash, I don’t doubt your worth as Twilight’s special somepony for a second.” Cadence’s horn glowed. “I could sense her heartbeat when you entered the room. She’s completely crazy about you.”

Dash’s eyes widened. “You can tell something like that?!”

“Well, they don’t call me the Princess of Love for nothing.”

“I thought you were the Crystal Princess now.”

Cadence snorted. “I’m a lot of things, shut up.”

Dash grinned and shoved Cadence’s shoulder. “You shut up.”

“No you.”

“No you!”

The two proceeded to enter a shoving contest that ended with them giggling like a pair of schoolfillies.

The show was spectacular, of course. Despite rejecting the offer to join them, Rainbow Dash was still mesmerized as ever by the Wonderbolts, bouncing up and down in her seat as the group performed their amazing aerial acrobatics.

Twilight found herself being shaken violently by Dash. “Did you see that?! Spitfire looked like she was barreling to her death! It’s like the time I saved them and Rarity with the Sonic Rainboom, and I grabbed them just before we hit the ground! It’s amazing!” Rainbow’s grin was face-breakingly wide.

Twilight giggled at Rainbow’s enthusiasm and pressed into her marefriend’s side. Growing a pair of wings had given her a much more concrete appreciation for flying as a skill and an artform, but seeing the reaction it held in the brazen mare allowed her to capture a small piece of the sense of wonder Rainbow felt. As the show went on, she unfurled a wing and pulled Rainbow close.

“I must say, Rainbow Dash,” Celestia said. “For somepony so enthusiastic about the Wonderbolts, it strikes me as a bit odd that you would turn down the opportunity to join them in such a fashion as Twilight has described.”

“Yeah, what gives with that?” Shining commented. “Now you say you wanna teach kids or something?”

Rainbow stood up. “Oh, that, uh... well, you know, things change and stuff.” She turned to Twilight and leaned in close. “And you learn that some things are more important than fame, right?” Dash kissed Twilight’s cheek, feeling its warmth.

A collective ‘D’aww’ echoed through the room as Luna nodded with approval. “Huzzah, Rainbow Dash!” She stood and raised her cosmarepolitan. “I give my regards to the lovely couple, and to their noble cowpony who could not be with us.”

Everypony raised their glasses and gave their cheers. As that settled, Celestia leaned close to Rainbow Dash. “I’ll make sure to help you and Twilight begin preparations for setting up a school once you two return to Ponyville. I shall be there for you every step of the way.Teaching is no easy task, as I’m sure you’ve come to learn.”

Rainbow sighed. “Yeah, tell me about it. This last week’s been pretty rough on me. Would you believe I actually made a colt cry?”

Twilight turned an ear at the statement and sighed, standing up and nuzzling Rainbow’s neck. “I’m sorry that happened, and that I didn’t have time to write you back before we got here. From what you said, it wasn’t really anything you did wrong, though.”

Rainbow shrugged. “Still. It sucks when your first crush is smashed like that, and it double sucks that I had to be that crush.” She sighed. “I finally talked to Bee Sting yesterday, and he seemed... okay. He seemed ‘okay’ today too, and I figure he’s just gonna be more ‘okay’ until some other filly catches his eye. That’s the best I can hope for, right?”

Twilight smiled wanly. “I think it’s just part of growing up, and it sounds like you did everything you could for him.”

Rainbow looked into Twilight’s eyes and couldn’t help but smile. She quickly leaned in and gave her a sensuous kiss. When they departed she whispered, “Thanks. I needed that.”

“Always.”

As the two stared lovingly into each other, the rest of the room was in dead silence, broken only by Shining Armor’s cough. Twilight and Dash broke from their moment and looked to the others, who were fiddling with their hooves, trying to look away.

Rainbow blushed as she forced a chuckle. “Um... yeah, we tend to tune other ponies out.”

Shining scoffed as he muttered, “That’s an understatement.” Only to be punched in the shoulder by Cadence.

“What my husband means is that we really shouldn’t have been there for such a private moment.”

Rainbow waved her hoof. “Nah, you’re good. Besides...” Rainbow wrapped a foreleg around Twilight’s waist, getting a squeak out of her. “I like to show the world what I got.”

The princesses giggled as Shining simply rubbed the bridge of his muzzle and murmured “Oh, brother.”

“In any case,” Celestia stated as she stood. “It would appear as though the show has ended, which means that the time has come for us to make a royal appearance at the VIP party. Rainbow Dash, I assume you’d care to join us?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened as she hopped in place. “Pass up the chance to see the Wonderbolts again? Fuck that shit, lesgo!”

Celestia chuckled as Twilight massaged her forehead and giggled. “I’d say that’s a yes. Well then, shall we?”

And thus, the group exited the skybox to perform royal duties.

Unlike the Grand Galloping Gala, the VIP party had significantly less ponies. However, Rainbow Dash decided this time around to keep a respectful distance from the Wonderbolts, instead of trying to force their attention. In lieu of that, she decided to partake in the buffet table as Twilight and the others were busy making nice with a bunch of stuffy investors and dignitaries.

They’ve got hay steak wrapped in hay bacon! The legends were true!

As she was stuffing her mouth full of her personal Holy Grail, Dash felt somepony tap her shoulder.

She turned to see it was none other than the Wonderbolts captain, out of her usual team attire.

“Spiffrre!” Dash swallowed her food. “Spitfire! Hey, how have you been? Great show tonight, by the way. It’s like you guys are getting more and more awesome every time I see you!”

“Where. Were you?” Spitfire’s voice was rather stern.

Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“You didn’t show up, Rainbow Dash! We sent you the letter, and you didn’t show up! What happened?”

“Ohhhh...” Rainbow’s eyes widened as she finally understood her. “That, well, I kinda... burnt the letter.”

Spitfire didn’t say anything for a while but inhaled deeply through her nose. Finally she asked, “Are you serious?”

“Yeah. What’s up?”

“What’s up?” Spitfire responded. “At HQ, we know you as the pegasus that has spent her whole life trying to be us. We found it admirable as all get out. So pardon me if I’m beyond confused why you just decide to not take the offer to join when it’s dangling in front of you!”

Rainbow rubbed the back of her neck. “That offer came at kind of a weird time in my life. I’ve been having some relationship shakeups and... long story short, I decided the Wonderbolts weren’t what was best for me.”

Spitfire rubbed her head in disbelief. “I just... you, Rainbow Dash, just up and decided the Wonderbolts weren’t the best thing for you. Wow. What exactly happened there?”

Rainbow threw up her forelegs. “Things! I dunno. Look, it’s nothing personal against you guys, I just went through some things and one day, I just started to think that I wasn’t meant to fly with you guys. It doesn’t mean that you’re still not awesome.”

Spitfire cocked an eyebrow. “Let me ask you: In what span of time did you go from ‘I’m gonna be captain of the Wonderbolts’ to ‘No to the Wonderbolts’?”

Rainbow thought back to where all the drama with AJ and Twilight began, and where it ended with her burning the letter.

“Um... like, three days.”

Spitfire rubbed her forehead. “So you’re telling me that you made a complete overhaul in your life after a three day funk?”

Dash got defensive. “A lot of stuff happened! I learned some things.”

Spitfire shook her head. “... I can’t help you, Rainbow Dash. I really saw something in you. I guess I don’t know what I was thinking. Good luck in whatever you do, I guess.”

As Spitfire turned and walked away, Dash called out to her. “Hey! HEY! COME BACK HERE!” It was to no avail, as Spitfire had disappeared into the crowd of VIPs. Rainbow Dash was left alone at the buffet table with her thoughts.

She’s crazy, right? I mean, I didn’t just throw everything away. I’ve got AJ, I’ve got Twilight! I’ve got the school! I’ve got all I need!

Rainbow wiped beads of sweat from her brow as her stomach churned, which she was confident wasn’t the doing of the greasy steak. She gulped.

But what if she’s right?

To Be Continued

Author's Note

Another story for The Mailbox, written in collaboration with Jake R. Confusing if you're not following, etc. etc.

Mailbox Side Story: What Happens in Las Pegasus (Part 2)

August 20th (That night)

Rainbow Dash sank into the bubbling waters of the jacuzzi, feeling her muscles loosen. Despite her physical comfort, her mind was a whirlwind of indecision and worry. As Twilight sat at the edge of the pool, a frown pulled at her lips.

Twilight edged into the tub. “Is everything alright, Rainbow?”

Rainbow didn’t respond. Her mind was preoccupied with trying to get rid of Spitfire’s bothersome words. She simply sank lower into the waters.

Frowning, Twilight spread her wing under the bath. Rainbow found herself pushed forward and then unceremoniously hugged to Twilight’s side. “You’ve been withdrawn since the after party. C’mon, tell me what’s bothering you. Maybe I can help?”

Elevating her head to look at Twilight, Dash tried to put on her best poker face. “I’m fine. Just thinking.” She leaned against the walls of the tub and sighed, jerking her head back to stare at the ceiling.

Twilight sighed, glancing around the private bath of her hotel room. Everypony else was still out and about, enjoying the sights of late night Las Pegasus, but she had brought Rainbow Dash back with her early. She watched Rainbow stare at the ceiling and chewed her lip in thought. A mischievous smile spread across her face.

Rainbow started when Twilight nuzzled her neck with aggression. “If we fool around first, will you tell me what’s bothering you?”

As much as Dash appreciated Twilight’s advances, it wasn’t going to cut it. Dash sighed as she stood up and stepped out of the tub. While she toweled off, she grumbled something about going out to the balcony. Saying nothing else, she tossed the towel into the corner and trotted out, leaving Twilight by herself.

Grumbling and rubbing her forehead, Twilight climbed out of the jacuzzi. “That mare, honestly…” She floated a towel over herself, muttering, “Why do I surround myself with the most stubborn ponies on the planet?” She set the towel back on the rack, levitated Rainbow’s towel next to it, and left the room. “Good thing I’m stubborn, too.”

Twilight opened the balcony door and watched Rainbow stare off the side of the railing. Her marefriend’s shoulders were slumped and her head bowed, and Twilight’s annoyance evaporated. Sighing again, she stepped slowly to the railing and leaned against it, staring off at the glittering city, giving Rainbow all the time she needed to be silent.

For a while, the only sounds that could be heard were the light breeze and the rumbling of the city below them. Eventually, Rainbow broke the silence. “You know, I haven’t really had the chance to strike it rich in this town.” Her voice was rather subdued, almost as if she didn’t mean to say it out loud.

Twilight glanced sidelong at Rainbow and smirked. “Well, the summer isn’t over yet.”

Rainbow sighed. “Yeah. There’s time for that. There’s time for a lotta stuff, I guess.”

Twilight looked back out over the city and muttered almost under her breath, “I know I struck it rich here.”

Rainbow couldn’t help but snort. “Yeah. Yeah, I guess you—” Rainbow stopped herself and looked to Twilight with a small smile “—we did.”

Twilight returned the smile and slid along the railing, pressing her side into Rainbow’s. “See? You did strike it rich in Las Pegasus.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yeah, because that’s what I wanted. Two mares to nag at me full-time. That’s what I really wanted from this city, not bags of cash or anything like that, no no no.”

Giggling brightly, Twilight shoved against Rainbow’s shoulder. “Beggars can’t be choosers?”

Rainbow smirked. “Well that only works if you’re a beggar, doesn’t it? And Rainbow Dash is no beggar!”

Twilight grinned. “No, ‘Rainbow Dash’ isn’t.” Her smile fell a little and she prodded Rainbow’s shoulder. “But she is upset about something, and isn’t telling her nice marefriend, Twilight Sparkle, what’s wrong, so Twilight has no idea how to help.”

Rainbow tapped the railing, trying to get her brain going. Did she tell her? Did she tell her everything was fine? Finally, Dash resolved to turn her brain off and do what came naturally. As a result, she spouted, “Spitfire walked up to me at that party.”

Twilight’s brow knit in confusion. “And... how did that go?”

Rainbow sunk until her chin was leaning against the railing and she kneeled to the floor of the balcony. “She, uh... kinda grilled me about not accepting the invitation.”

Twilight’s eyes widened in understanding. “...Ah.” She chewed her lip again and looked back over the cityscape. “I take it she wasn’t the most understanding about it?”

“She was just kinda confused, I guess. I mean, I told her that a lot of stuff happened to me, but she didn’t seem to get it. Has what I’ve been doing not made any sense or something?” Rainbow turned her head and gave Twilight a worried and saddened expression.

Twilight frowned thoughtfully at Rainbow. After a moment, she crouched down next to her marefriend. “A lot of things happened all at once for you—for us, really, Applejack included—and not everypony was really there for it. I know I had quite a job talking it out with everypony in Neighagra Falls, and they all saw me at my low point before I came out here the first time. It’s not the easiest thing to explain to anypony.”

Rainbow inhaled and took a deep breath. She looked out again to the city and whispered, “When I told AJ... that the Wonderbolts would never let me in—this was after all this crap went down with those drunken letters—I was feeling just really down those few days. I basically told her to fuck off the day before, but she still wrote back to me, saying she was sorry. I just felt low about myself; like all I did was fuck up and ruin everything... and I felt like, you two... were the only part of my life that seemed to have its shit together. Things were going pretty good at work too, so, I guess I just... latched onto the idea that the Wonderbolts weren’t meant for me... and all of this went down in three days. It all happened so fast, and I...”

Rainbow trailed off, not looking at Twilight and staring vacantly into the city. She was breathing rather heavily.

Twilight turned to face the balcony again and spread a wing across Rainbow’s back. The silent moments stretched out before she finally broke the stillness. “Rainbow...what do you want to do? Not what the Wonderbolts want from you, not what you think you should be doing, what do you want to be doing?”

Rainbow sighed heavily. “...I don’t know.” She looked to Twilight. “What do you want to do... with me and Applejack?”

Twilight smiled wryly. “I want to have fun with you. I want to laugh, and go on picnics, sit around reading, watch movies, talk, or just do nothing. I want to be there for you when you need me, for whatever you need me there for. And I want you both to be happy. That’s what I want.”

Without saying anything, Rainbow Dash stood, wrapped her hooves around Twilight’s back, and kissed her deeply. Just as Twilight got over the shock and started reciprocating, Rainbow departed from the kiss.

Giggling slightly and sighing as she turned and leaned back against the railing, she looked to Twilight, now more serious. “I’m not really sure what I want to do. I know the Wonderbolts aren’t happening, because when you reject them... that’s it. But, I think that with you and AJ,” Rainbow finally smiled wide and with sincerity. “I think I’ll be okay.”

Twilight returned the smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “If what you really want is the Wonderbolts, you should still go for them. Yes, you rejected them, but there really was a lot happening at the time, and they might reconsider if given a, uh...well, perhaps not detailed account—” her cheeks darkened “—but an explanation. If that’s what you want, I’ll help you. And I’m not saying that as a princess.” She pressed into Rainbow’s side and hugged her around the waist. “I’m saying that as your marefriend, and the partial cause of everything that happened. I don’t know that it’ll change anything, but if it’s what you want, it’s worth trying.”

Rainbow grinned. “What, are you kidding? Please, I’ve learned something else tonight. Spitfire is totally stuck up!” Rainbow separated herself from Twilight and took a prominent stance. “You should have seen her when I told her ‘no’ to the Wonderbolts.”

Dash puffed her chest and force a few coughs to make her voice even raspier. Grinning, she shouted, “What? You DARE reject ME? A pox on your house, knave!”

Twilight snorted loudly and clapped a hoof over her face. “She did not, she couldn’t have!”

Rainbow giggled. “Okay, I threw in all those nerd words, but still. She couldn’t understand the fact that I said no. And you know what? Fine. Let her be that way. All I know is, I’d rather spend my time doing whatever I wanted with the two most awesome mares in Equestria than have to take orders from somepony entitled like that.”

Rainbow beamed and trotted triumphantly to Twilight, wrapped her foreleg around her shoulder, and pointed out to the glimmering Las Pegasus skyline. “With you and AJ, I’m taking on this world, I don’t need a uniform to do that!”

Grinning and nuzzling into Rainbow’s neck, Twilight said, “Sounds like a plan.” A silent moment passed and she frowned. “...Do you still want the flight school?”

Rainbow kissed Twilight’s forehead. “Celestia said she’d help us every step of the way. I’d say it’s not going to get better than that. Besides, despite all the little stuff that happens, I like seeing kids celebrating their own little victories. You should see them when they start to get a little cocky, too. It does an old heart good.” Rainbow chuckled at herself.

Twilight inhaled deeply with a grin on her muzzle. “It still sounds wonderful to me, teaching ponies...I, uh, probably got a bit caught up in that idea when you first told me, just because it sounded so nice to me, but if you’re going to be happy doing it, that’s all I want to see.” She turned to Rainbow and studied her marefriend’s face. “...There’s that smile I told you about.” She leaned forward and pecked Rainbow on the lips. “I love that smile.”

Rainbow returned the kiss and absentmindedly quipped, “I love you.”

Dash jumped back as the words left her mouth. After a moment of silence, she laughed and smiled. “Holy crap, I actually said it. Weird.”

Twilight blinked in surprise, her cheeks coloring. She cleared her throat and looked away. “Did... did you mean it?”

Rainbow walked over and hugged Twilight around the neck. As she kissed her cheek, she trailed up to Twilight’s ear and whispered, “Totally.”

Twilight closed her eyes and nestled into Rainbow’s neck. “I think I love you, too.” She hugged Rainbow fiercely. “...So why do I feel the same for Applejack? Is... is this normal?” She scrunched her shut eyes tighter and sighed. “What’s happening with us?”

Rainbow laughed. “I have no idea,” She kissed Twilight’s ear. “But I like it. I love you, and I love AJ, too. That’s pretty tight, if you ask me.”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight smiled and nodded against Rainbow. “It is.”

Rainbow sighed contentedly. “Awesome.”

A long, serene silence was shared before Twilight was ultimately shocked by a strong, sharp smack to the flank. Dumbfounded as she let out a squeak, she looked to see that Rainbow was now standing in the open doorway.

“Now, come on, Princess! I saw what AJ did with your wings, and I’ll have what she’s having!”

Twilight gaped for a moment before smiling, her cheeks feeling warm. “Back in the jacuzzi?”

Rainbow’s eyes widened. “Well, shit, I was just gonna say let’s go to bed, but I like the way your mind works, Twi!” Rainbow dashed over to Twilight and wrapped her forelegs around her neck, muzzles pressed together. She whispered, “Your awesome, dirty little mind.” Rainbow licked her lips as she gave Twilight a wink before separating from her once again, running off inside to the bathroom.

Twilight quickly joined her.

August 21st

Damn... it was late!

Rainbow Dash woke up underneath Twilight, who was nestled up under her chin. In a panicked state, she realized that it was Wednesday, which meant she had to get to work.

With haste, she shoved Twilight off of her, sending her rolling to the edge of the bed. Dash reached for the alarm clock and saw that she had ten minutes to get to work.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Rainbow muttered to herself as she realized she didn’t have time to say goodbye to Twilight, so instead, she ran over a desk that appeared to have a stationery, and scribbled something down. Don’t these things usually have like a letterhead or something?

Either way, she drafted her note quickly and darted out the balcony. No time for a shower. Good old rainclouds will clean off the stank.

With that, Rainbow bolted from the balcony, sending a shockwave that shook the room and knocked Twilight off the bed, waking her up with a loud thump.

Twilight blinked as she tried to figure out where she was, and was taken aback by shouting in the distance.

"Why does this city not have any fucking clouds?!"

August 21st (That afternoon)

Twilight pulled the hard hat off her mane and was immediately set upon by her makeup attendants, straightening her mane and fixing her foundation. She sighed through her snout as they worked and did her best to not seem annoyed, looking around the dull interior room of the Hooveser Dam.

It had the same off-white paint color as the other few dozen rooms she had been led through with the group. The facilities were stark, bare, and clean, with the lemony scent of disinfectant permeating everything. As conceptually interesting as hydroelectricity could be, it was, like so many touring spots on Twilight’s summer vacation, dull and boring. The Hooveser Dam was just like the dam back in Ponyville and she knew that one inside and out after it nearly flooded the town. This one was bigger, though, so that had to count for something.

Her gaze drifted to the others and she watched Celestia, Luna, and Cadence have their appearances tended to. She hoped she carried herself with half the dignity they had, but having a cadre of ponies prodding her in the face with sponges was still disconcerting.

Shining Armor stood off to the side, staring at a control panel that looked like every other panel they had passed that day. She fought the urge to frown as her attendants finished fixing her makeup.

After far too much eyelid poking, she tentatively joined her brother. He looked up at her approach and gave her a weak smile. “Hey, Twily.”

“Hi.” She turned to face the control panel, standing next to him. “...Rainbow Dash is going to be getting out of work soon.”

“Mmn.”

Twilight chewed her lip and looked at her big brother from the corner of her eye. “...You liked her just fine when she was helping with your wedding.”

Shining started and looked at her. He grimaced and turned back to the control panel. “I don’t dislike her, or anything.”

“Could’ve fooled me.”

“Twily…”

“Listen, Shining.” She turned to face him directly, her brow creasing. “I understand you’re just worried. You’re my BBBFF, and I’m your little sister. You don’t want me to get hurt, I get it. But I’m not a little filly anymore.” She stepped forward and hugged Shining around the neck. He stiffened for a second and then hugged her back. “...I really like Rainbow Dash. And Applejack. I’m...I’m falling in love with both of them. I know that’s weird; it’s weird to me, too, but I’m happy. They’re happy.”

“...I know you’re happy, sis. I can see how happy you are.”

She stepped back and gave him a pleading look. “Then what’s going on?”

Shining let out a long breath and turned back to the panel. “There are so many ponies out there that could hurt you, Twily. You’re just so innocent and trusting, and you have two mares after you? And about ‘knowing your sexuality’ for so long...when did it stop just being ‘colts? Eww’? How can I not be worried about you?”

Twilight took a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I’ll admit this is all rather new to me, and it wasn’t that long ago that I got over some of my more... naive impulses. But, Shining…” She gripped his shoulder and drew him around to face her. “I’ve been friends with Rainbow Dash and Applejack for a long time now. They’ve been there for me when I’ve needed them—when the whole world needed them, they’ve been by my side. I trust them with my life, and your life, and the lives of everypony important to me. Is it so hard to trust them with not hurting me on purpose?”

A long pause stretched out to almost suffocating. Shining dropped his gaze. “You’re still so young, Twily.”

Twilight looked back at the control panel for a minute before turning to rejoin the princesses as they prepared to leave the facility. “I’m not anymore, Shining. I’m an adult, with my own life, and an entire country that’s counting on me. I stopped being a kid a while ago.” She looked back at him sadly. “...And maybe it’s time for me to just be ‘Twilight’ instead of ‘Twily.’”

As Twilight cantered away, Shining Armor bowed his head. He was last to enter the limo before they headed back to Las Pegasus proper.

August 22nd

“THIS IS THE NIGHT THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF!”

Rainbow Dash tapped her shoulder. “Yo, Princess, it’s one o'clock in the afternoon.”

Luna slammed her mug to the bar and belched in the direction of Twilight and Rainbow Dash, who were sitting beside her. “I care not! T’is night somewhere! That’s the colloqui... colloq... cull... thing you say, no?!”

Rainbow couldn’t help but giggle. “Uh... yeah, if you say so.”

Taking a small sip from her drink and glancing around the rest of the restaurant, which was empty save one rather confused looking bartender, Twilight said, “Colloquialism—”

“SHUT UP!” Luna screamed, her voice echoing through the dive. Luna wiped the beginnings of tears from her bloodshot eyes. She stood from her stool and stumbled over to Twilight, hugging her tightly and crying into her shoulder.

“Forgive me, Twilight Sparkle!” Luna sobbed. “I don’t know why I say things that make you hurt so bad!”

Twilight patted her awkwardly. “I’m fine, don’t worry about it.”

“IT’S NOT FINE!” Luna pushed Twilight, causing her to bump against the bar, eliciting an offended protest from Rainbow Dash. Luna tried to regain balance as she stammered, “I-I... do bad things to y’allz dreams!”

Twilight smoothed her mane back into place and raised an eyebrow. “What about our dreams?”

Luna laughed. “Oh, Twilight Sparkle... they’re AMAZING. Like, like, we used to, Cely and Me, we used to have concubines and pool-colts and we’d make them put on a show for us and stuff. They just weren’t the same compared to what you three were dreaming!” Luna pointed to the two of them with a wobbly hoof. Their expressions were night and day: Rainbow was curious and intrigued, and Twilight was straight-up horrified.

“W-what?” Twilight stammered. “You saw—? Ohh…” She buried her face in her hooves.

Luna laughed darkly. “Oh my, yes. But it wasn’t you first, Twilight Sparkle, no no. The first one was your dear cowpony friend.” Luna hiccuped. “The dirty little filly is a closet exhibitionist, believe it or not. She LOVES being humiliated and being seen as a common whore by everypony.” Luna looked Dash straight in the eye. “You were the one responsible for these urges.”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes were unblinkingly wide as she reached for a cocktail napkin and began jotting down notes with a pen she borrowed from the bartender.

Twilight slapped Rainbow’s shoulder, giggling through her embarrassment, “Quit that!”

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Come on, this is important stuff!”

Luna laughed again. “There is more.” Another hiccup. “F-for you see... you!” Luna pointed straight at Rainbow Dash. “You will fuck anything, it seems. It matters not what lies between the legs of somepony. Anything will do to sate thine carnal thirsts! Even thine boss, be it the name you give the cowpony, or your actual boss!”

It was Rainbow’s turn to blush brightly as she bowed her head in shame.

Twilight tried not to chuckle as she looked at her marefriend.

Luna looked Twilight in the eyes and grinned evilly. “How can we forget you, Princess Twilight Sparkle? You and your desire to be controlled. It’s no wonder you’ve found yourself in a tryst with two powerful mares. You want to be overpowered by them. I could see it in your pleading screams. You want to be owned, to service them in lustful obeisance. I’ve seen it with my own eyes...”

Luna chuckled darkly before stumbling back over to her seat and yelling at the bartender for more grog.

Rainbow looked over to Twilight and put a hoof on her shoulder. Twilight turned and met eyes with her.

Rainbow chuckled as she shrugged. “We really are freaks, huh?”

Twilight snorted, clapped her hooves over her face, and struggled to hold in her giggles. She leaned forward to hug Rainbow as laughter spilled out of her.

Rainbow leaned in and kissed her cheek. She whispered, “I love you, you freak.”

Through her mirth, Twilight choked out, “I love you, too, you freak.” She sat back and wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath. “Well, now that our secrets are all on the table, Princess Luna, tell us about this moose friend of yours.”

Luna snorted as she took a swig from her jug. “That cad?! Gives me the most wild night of my life, and never returns my letters!” Luna’s stern look darted over to the two of them. “Listen well, children. Your average moose may be twice as large as a well-endowed stallion and all the more girthy... but they break your heart.”

Rainbow looked to Twilight with an unsure expression. “Shit, now I just feel bad.”

Twilight frowned and turned back to Luna. “What happened?”

Luna stared vacantly for a while before breaking into uncontrollable laughter, loudly slapping the bar in the process.

Rainbow cocked an eyebrow. “What’s so funny?!”

Luna caught her breath as she wiped a tear from her eye. “Oh, my little ponies, I have a confession to make... I never consorted with a moose.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “W-what? But what about the one who was ‘rugged and furry, with legs that went on for miles, broad chested, and had antlers to write home about’?

Luna nodded. “Yes, that’s true, moose are rather magnificent creatures, indeed.” Yet another hiccup. “You see, Twilight, when you get to live for as long as I have, you learn how to get ahead in tiny parts of life. I knew that if I led you on about fucking a moose, you and your suitor would accompany me to a public house,” Luna waved her arms and pointed about the establishment. “And you would buy me enough drinks under the pretense that I had a wild story to tell you if I was engulfed in enough drunken fumes. So you see, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, thus, I do ever make the fool my purse.” Luna broke into even more laughter.

Twilight blinked slowly as Luna stood from the bar and stumbled out into the midday heat of Las Pegasus, cackling madly as she went. She eventually turned to Rainbow Dash. “...Still worth it?”

Rainbow chuckled as she threw a foreleg around Twilight, pulling her close. “Yeah, I’d say so... especially now that I know about that stuff with AJ!” Rainbow licked her lips and beamed brightly.

The bartender, who had witnessed the entire conversation, cleared his throat. “You ladies want another round, or can I give you the check?”

“Can we find a fool to make our purse first?” Rainbow asked.

Twilight let out a heavy breath and chuckled. “I think I’m done with fools today.” She pulled a bag of coins from her saddlebag to pay the tab. As the bartender left to ring everything up, she leaned over to Rainbow and whispered, “Fooling around on the other hoof…”

Rainbow’s eyes widened as she looked to Twilight. “Hotel room?”

“Jacuzzi.”

Author's Note

Do I need to make the same A/N on all these The Mailbox side stories?

This one's with Jake R again. Having him write Luna was the best idea.

Mailbox Side Story: Love's a Beach

August 29th

The train station at Palomino Beach was lined on one side with palm trees, as an advertisement to the well dressed ponies climbing off the train that their tropical vacation had begun. Applejack had never really considered palm trees to be actual trees, and they weren’t changing her mind as she stood in the thin line of shade from one, scanning the crowds for the royals and their entourage.

As the disembarking crowd thinned out, the last train car’s door opened and Princess Celestia exited the train. Many ponies milling about the station paused to stare at her as she was followed down the ramp by Luna, Cadence, Twilight, Shining Armor, and a small group of attendants. Halfway down the ramp, Twilight locked eyes with Applejack across the distance.

Twilight’s wings opened and she took off like a shot, sailing over the dumbstruck crowd and tackling Applejack to the ground. She grinned down at her captive and kissed Applejack roughly.

Chuckling a little before relaxing into the kiss, Applejack wrapped her forelegs around Twilight and returned the kiss. She drew away, smiling. “Even better than I was hopin’.”

“If you’re not senseless, I’m not done.” She grinned and winked, before stepping off of Applejack and offering a hoof.

Applejack took the hoof gladly, rising to her own hooves, her eyes glued to Twilight to the point where she only barely noticed the flowing pastel colors out of the corner of her eye. It took a second for the meaning of that to sink in, but when it did she almost jumped in surprise as she turned to the rest of Twilight’s group.

“‘Scuse me, Princess Celestia!” Applejack said, giving a small bow. “I was just—uh—distracted by Twilight here and… how’re y’all doin?”

Celestia smiled warmly. “I’m doing quite well, Applejack. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

A murmur of assent ran through the others, though Shining Armor’s expression was strained.

“It’s good to see y’all too.” Applejack said. She took a deep breath before looking Shining Armor right in the eye with a smile, holding out her hoof. “Real good to see ya’.”

Shining cleared his throat and stepped forward, grasping Applejack’s hoof and shaking. On the second pump, a small smirk crossed his face and he nodded. “It’s good to see you again, too.” He stepped back and everypony else shook hooves with her.

Twilight shuffled side to side while waiting for everyone to finish, bouncing with nervous energy. When Luna stepped back last, she turned to Applejack and beamed. “It’s so good to see you! You’ll have to show me around!”

“Sure thing! Wanna tour the town first, hit the beach, or head out and see the farm?” Applejack said to Twilight, glancing at Shining Armor nervously.

Both Twilight and Shining Armor opened their mouths to respond, but were cut off by Princess Luna. “Perhaps our dear Applejack could escort us to the nearest public house.”

Twilight’s eyes widened and she fell back a step. “Er—why don’t we tour the town first?”

“I reckon that’s a real good idea,” Applejack said, visibly relaxing. It had occurred to her that the only bar she knew of was one where ponies had last seen her being carried out on Pulp’s back, ranting about how she could lick everyone there at horseshoes. She wasn’t about to let these folks anywhere near there, if she could help it. “Let’s start down the main drag, there’s a whole row of fancy shops, and fancy cafes, and, well, a whole row of fancy before you get to the beach.”

Applejack smiled and motioned for Twilight to walk next to her. Twilight cantered to her side as they made their way from the train station and out into Palomino Beach. As they walked, Twilight drifted closer until her wing was brushing against Applejack’s withers.

With the other princesses and Shining Armor left behind to find their way to their accommodations, Applejack sighed happily at the feeling of Twilight so close and gently
nuzzled her cheek as they walked. “I sure have missed you, sugarcube.”

Twilight closed her eyes and returned the affection. “I missed you, too, Applejack. I know it hasn’t been very long, but…” She sighed and gave Applejack a wry smile. “It’s been a crazy summer.”

Applejack chuckled. “Don’t I know it. But I guess crazy don’t mean bad, when you got dreams like this comin’ true.” She leaned over and planted a quick kiss on Twilight cheek.

Twilight giggled and pressed into Applejack’s side, opening a wing and spreading it across her back. “No, not bad at all. Wonderful, really.”

“Twilight, I never did get back to your last letter. There’s a couple things I gotta say, but some had better wait ‘til later. The real important one, though…” Applejack stopped, causing Twilight to pause as well and look at her expectantly. Applejack looked her in the eye, and went on, “I love ya’, sugarcube. I couldn’t wait to say that. I love you, Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight closed her eyes and grinned. She hugged Applejack around the neck and buried her face in her marefriend’s mane. “I love you, too. It took me a little while to figure it out, but I do, and…” She tightened her hug. “I’m so happy, Applejack.”

“Me too.” Applejack hugged Twilight close, smiling. “And I’m gonna keep you happy. You never gotta worry ‘bout a thing.”

Twilight inhaled deeply, smelling Applejack’s mane. “...I’m still a little scared. I’m done worrying about this as much as I can be, but…” She stepped back from the hug and studied Applejack’s face. “...I have no idea what I’m doing.”

“Twi, I dunno what we’re doin’, either. But I’m workin’ it out for us. That’s the rest of what I gotta talk to you about…” Applejack bit her lip nervously, thinking for a moment, then went on. “See, I been figurin’ things out, and I want you to know it all, so you can rest easy.”

Twilight looked at her questioningly, before glancing around where they stood in the middle of the street. Random passersby were giving them a wide berth, shooting odd looks at Twilight’s royal regalia before continuing on their way. Twilight cleared her throat. “Should we find somewhere to sit down and talk?”

Applejack nodded. “That might be a good idea, sugarcube. Come on, there’s some benches by the beach where folks should leave us alone.”

Twilight nodded and followed Applejack as she led the way, crossing the street and weaving around shops, out towards the beach. They found a bench and Applejack sat down, patting for Twilight to join her. Twilight sat and smiled. “So...’figuring things out’?”

Applejack gave Twilight a nervous smile. “Yeah, well… the first thing it’s real important for you to know is, I ain’t gettin’ ahead of myself here. I know we just started datin’, and I ain’t askin’ ya’ anythin’, or tellin’ ya’ how it’s gonna be. It’s just, well, I like to know where I stand and this whole situation kinda turned everythin’ upside-down.”

Smiling, Twilight nodded. “When I was going through exams, I think I had twenty different plans laid out for what courses I’d take the next semester, depending on how I scored. I understand.”

“I hoped ya’ would. Well, to start with, I asked Rarity how things might work if we wanted to get married, the three of us. She said that you’re allowed to have as many official consorts as ya’ want, but we’d need to ask Princess Celestia if we wanted to do it right. I’d be just as happy either way, but I reckon I’d like to be really married, if it should come to that.”

Twilight blinked in surprise, color rushing to her cheeks. “C-consorts?” She cleared her throat. “You’re talking about the old ‘harem’ laws?” Twilight shook her head. “That—that was like slavery! No, no I couldn’t do that!”

“That’s fine, sugarcube. Like I said, I’d rather be married, though I’d never turn down a way to be with you. I also hear ya’ get a fancy title with that consortin’ thing, so ya’ might have to talk Princess Rainbow Dash outta that one.” Applejack chuckled.

Twilight smiled despite herself. “I know it’d just be on paper, but I couldn’t. If that’s where things go…” She took Applejack’s hoof in her own. “I’d want everypony on equal ground.”

Applejack smiled and nodded. “Then that’s what we’ll do. Now, speakin’ of ground… I don’t suppose you’d be surprised to hear that I always figured on bringin’ the pony I loved to live with me on the farm. I’d still love that, one day. We got the west orchard we barely use, and we could clear it and build a house for the three of us… and any other ponies we might wanna add.”

Twilight’s jaw dropped as her mind immediately went in the gutter. After a moment she shook her head. “Oh. You’re talking about foals, aren’t you? I think I’ve been spending too much time around Rainbow.”

“Of course I’m talkin’ about foals! Twilight, y’all are more than enough mares for me.” Applejack laughed. “Nah, sugarcube, just I always wanted some foals. I been keepin’ an eye out ‘round town for a stallion who might not mind lendin’ me a hoof, then backin’ off. If it’s important to you gals I can look out for a unicorn, or a pegasus, but right now it’s all just figurin’ it out in my head.”

Twilight nodded. “I always wanted foals, too. Even as a filly. Funny how I never pictured a husband, just foals.”

Applejack smiled at Twilight. “You don’t mind thinkin’ ‘bout a wife or two in that picture now, do ya’? I’d love havin’ foals with you girls, whoever wants to have ‘em. I’ll help raise ‘em up right.”

“You’d make a great mom, I think. I’ve seen how you are with Apple Bloom.”

“There’s still time for learnin’ more. Like I said, this is all just in case we end up there someday.” Applejack’s smile wavered a little, then fell from her face. She looked down, before looking back to Twilight with a serious expression. “Twi? There’s one more thing…”

Twilight raised her eyebrows and turned on the bench, facing Applejack directly. “I’m listening.”

Applejack took a deep breath, then let it out before speaking. “I know you’re a princess. And I know that means if somethin’ like the Crystal Empire showed back up, you’d have to be there. It’d be your duty, and I know you’d wanna help everypony as much as you could. So, I want you to know… I’d go with you. I’d start my own farm, wherever you end up. If my great-grandfolks could build Sweet Apple Acres with their own hooves, I reckon I’m up to the job. And I won’t hear a word against it, if that comes to pass.”

For several moments, all Twilight could do was look at Applejack. She leaned forward suddenly and kissed Applejack on the lips, wrapping her hooves around her marefriend. “That’s...I-I know what that means to you, I…” She closed her eyes and hugged tighter. “I’d say no, but you wouldn’t listen, would you?”

“I been told I’m a stubborn pony.” Applejack smiled proudly in Twilight’s legs, nuzzling into her mane. “I just wanted you to know, I’ll always be there for you, and I’ll work everythin’ out, no matter what comes up.”

Twilight sat back and grinned at her. “Thank you. I feel...well, I still don’t know what I’m doing now, but…” her smile widened. “The future isn’t so confusing.” She let out a heavy breath and slumped her shoulders. “I do so much better with plans.”

“Me too.” Applejack grinned. “As to what we’re doin’ now…” She leaned in close to Twilight’s ear. “Maybe I oughta take you back to the farm, and I’ll show ya’ round? I got a right fancy room there, I think you oughta see it. I bet it’s got architecture or somethin’.”

Twilight’s cheeks warmed. “I bet it does.” She smirked. “Too bad I’ll probably be too distracted to notice.”

Applejack smirked and nibbled Twilight’s ear. “Why Princess, I don’t know what ya’ mean by that.” She rose to her hooves and motioned down the street. “Let’s get goin’ before I start gettin’ ya’ too distracted to walk straight.”

Twilight hopped off the bench and fell into step at Applejack’s side. “Sounds like a plan.”

A few hours later, fresh and showered, Applejack and Twilight walked through the orange groves on Sunny Grove Farm while they waited for the other princesses and Shining Armor to arrive for supper. The afternoon sun was beating down, but in the shade of the trees the heat wasn’t much worse than a Ponyville summer. Applejack happily pointed out differences between the orange trees in front of them and her apple trees back home, while Twilight listened, enjoying both the enthusiastic lecture and the sound of Applejack’s voice.

“See here how this one’s bent from that storm we had a few weeks back? Woulda blown an apple tree right over. Orange trees ain’t as thick, but that makes ‘em bend like straw in a strong wind, and pop back just as good,” Applejack said, pointing to a tree as they neared the lake towards the middle of the grove.

Twilight stepped up to the trunk and pushed against it with a hoof, feeling it minutely sway at her touch. “That’s fascinating. It must be as a result of the storms that get sent to this part of the country so often; if they were always knocked over by storms like apple trees, they just wouldn’t make it.”

“Well, some of ‘em still don’t, but I’ll tell ya’ I’d hate to see our trees back home go through a storm like that.” Applejack caught a movement by the lake, and smiled. “Well look at that, Ol’ Toothy musta heard me talkin’.”

Twilight glanced away from the tree without really looking for a moment, before returning her attention to the springy trunk. A splash redrew her focus and she looked back at the lake. Her eyes widened as the very large alligator waddled out of the water. “Um…”

“Heya, fella!” Applejack called to the gator cheerfully. “Nice day for a swim, huh?” The alligator crawled toward the ponies at a leisurely pace, drawn by the sound of Applejack’s voice.

On his approach, Twilight’s gaze wandered over the thick, rough scales lining Toothy’s back, the impossibly long and razor-filled smile, and claws that looked like they could crush a foal. She skittered backwards and fell against the tree. “That thing’s enormous!”

“Yup, he’s a big ‘un… ain’t ya’ boy?” Applejack approached the gator and rubbed the top of his head affectionately. Toothy wagged his heavy tail and blinked up at her. “He’s a bit bigger than Gummy, and of course he’s got all his teeth, that’s why they call him—” She noticed that Twilight seemed frozen in place. “Sugarcube? You okay?”

Twilight’s eyes were glued to Toothy’s. The alligator was smiling at her. She didn’t know how she knew, but she knew. “He’s a giant snake with legs!”

Applejack gave Twilight a sympathetic smile and glanced at Toothy. “Wait there, boy. Don’t you follow me.” She walked over to Twilight and wrapped a foreleg around her, giving her a squeeze. “You remember, I thought just the same way when I first wrote about him. He don’t look like nothing to play with. And there was Dash, sayin’ I oughta try wrestlin’ him!”

“...Why can I see her wrestling it anyway?” she muttered to herself. Shaking her head, she hugged Applejack back. “I...don’t know what I was expecting. Not that.” She tore her eyes away and looked at Applejack. “It’s...he’s safe, though?”

“Yup. Turns out he just loves music, and when Pinkie sent me that song, I made myself a new friend.” Applejack smiled at Twilight. “You know you can trust me, sugarcube. I got as much reason as anypony to not wanna lose a hoof or two to a big bunch of scales, but Toothy here’s no meaner than Winona. If you wanna stay back, I know he’ll understand, but I promise it’s safe to give ‘im a pat or two.”

For a moment, Twilight didn’t move, but a flash of interest passed over her eyes. “...He did respond to Pinkie’s song.” She stood up with some hesitation and stepped closer to the alligator. “...I wonder if there’s any magic left from when you sang to him.”

Applejack stayed right next to Twilight, shoulder to shoulder. “I dunno, Twilight. Magic’s your game. I just know he’s been gentle as can be since then, and he always comes right up to me.”

As they neared, Twilight extended a hoof towards Toothy’s scaly head. An inch away, he lifted up and rubbed against Twilight affectionately. A smirk crossed her face as she closed her eyes and looked him over with her magic. “Wow. I don’t know much about crocodilian brains, but there is a lot of latent energy in his. Oh, if only I had an anatomy book with me…”

Applejack chuckled. “I’m surprised you ain’t figured a magic way to take the whole library everywhere. But then, I reckon you could try somethin’ like this all experimental-like at home with a different critter. While you’re here, I’m just glad you got to say hello.”

Smiling fondly at Toothy, Twilight said, “I’m glad I did, too. Now then...I think I need to lay down after touching an alligator this big before I faint.”

Applejack smiled and gave Twilight a nuzzle. “Think you can make it back to the patio? Or do ya’ need me to carry ya?”

“I think I can manage—” Twilight looked down and saw several very long teeth mere inches from her belly. She swayed and stepped away quickly. “T-to make it back walking.” She cleared her throat and edged back in the direction of the farmhouse.

“Seeya, Toothy!” Applejack said with a cheerful wave, then guided Twilight in turning around towards the house and fell into step beside her. “I’m proud of you, sugarcube.”

Twilight took a steadying breath and shook her head. “I can’t believe I actually touched him.” She giggled nervously and pressed into Applejack’s side.

“That ain’t no little thing.” Applejack said, glancing at Twilight every few seconds, unable to wipe the warm smile from her face. “You’re a brave pony, but you got sense enough to be wary of somethin’ with a mouth that big full of teeth. It takes somepony special to trust a critter like that enough to make friends.”

“Let’s...work our way up to ‘friends.’” Twilight shivered, despite the heat. “I’m glad you were there. If you weren’t I might have flown all the way back to Ponyville before I calmed down.”

“I’m always there for ya, Twilight.” Applejack leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “Whenever you need me.”

As they approached the house, they could see that the patio wasn’t empty; Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Shining Armor, and Princess Cadance had arrived for dinner and were waiting among the potted plants and lounge chairs for Twilight and Applejack to finish their tour. The servant who let them in seemed to have offered them refreshments, though Luna’s wine glass appeared to contain water, and she wore a pout that was the perfect compliment to Celestia’s watchful smirk.

Twilight collapsed into a lounge chair and let out a long breath, staring at her hoof. “I touched an alligator.”

Snorting, Shining Armor stepped forward and ruffled his sister’s mane. He grinned at Applejack. “You got her to touch a reptile without screaming? I’m impressed.”

“Aw, she’s a smart pony. She could see he wasn’t that bad, and there were some things with magic and songs she wanted to check out.” Applejack smiled proudly at Twilight. “It still took some guts, but Twilight’s got it in her.”

Twilight gave Applejack a faint smile and rubbed her face. “I’ll be okay in a minute.”

Stepping around her chair, Shining grinned at Twilight. “I still remember you as a filly when we were at that carnival, and the snake charmer put a snake on your head when you weren’t looking. ‘It’s in my mane! It’s in my mane!’ Priceless.” She punched his shoulder as he chuckled.

Applejack stifled a laugh. “I’m sure that was real scary for a little filly. But Twilight’s a strong mare now, it ain’t right to bring that up.” With a deep breath, Applejack managed to calm herself, though she couldn’t do anything about the amusement in her eyes.

Shining winked at Twilight. “She knows I’m teasing; big brother’s rights.” He ruffled her mane again and she rolled her eyes at him. Standing up, he turned to Applejack. “I don’t suppose you’d mind giving me the tour?”

“‘Course not.” Applejack looked to the various princesses. “Anypony else wanna see the place?”

“Thank you, but I think we’ll stay here.” Celestia said with a smile. “Luna has to raise the moon soon, and I need to make sure her wine glass remains appropriately filled until then.”

“Pray, dear sister, do I tell you how much you can imbibe before sunrise? No, I do not.” Luna grumbled.

“I do not wake up in the fountain of a hotel lobby with a stallion’s tie around my horn,” Celestia said calmly to Luna, then turned back to Applejack. “As I said, we’ll wait here.”

Cadence looked at Shining Armor expectantly and he gave her a tiny shake of his head. She nodded and smiled. “I think I’ll stay here and make sure Twilight doesn’t have an alligator-related aneurysm.”

“Oh, ha-ha,” Twilight groaned, batting a hoof at her.

“Alright then.” Shining turned to Applejack and smiled. “Lead the way.”

Applejack brushed Twilight’s mane as she walked by. “I’ll be back soon, sugarcube.” Turning, she lead Shining Armor out towards the orange groves.

With each step, Applejack grew more nervous. Alone with Twilight’s brother, he could easily say that he didn’t like her dating Twilight after all. She pulled herself up straight and proud as she neared the tree line and cleared her throat. “Well, this is the close grove, planted by my uncle’s folks when the place was founded…”

Shining smirked at her. “Listen, Applejack…” He cleared his throat and looked back toward the porch. “I meant what I said in that letter, and I was right about the hoofshake. Just...tell me about yourself.” He turned back and gave her a hopeful smile. “I want to know about the ponies my little sis has in her life.”

Offering a nervous but heartfelt smile, Applejack shook her head. “There ain’t much to say ‘bout me, I reckon. I’m a simple pony, I got a farm where I live with my granny, and my brother and sister. Our family founded the town, so I know everypony there, and I help ‘em as much as I can. I been in a few rodeos, and earned a few ribbons… just a simple life, I know, but it suits me.”

Shining nodded and turned towards the trees, walking further from the farmhouse. “I respect that; seems to me a good day’s labor is more worthwhile than sitting around drinking tea.” He shot her a wink. “Don’t tell my wife I said that, though.”

Applejack chuckled, actually relaxing at last. “It takes all kinds of ponies, but I’m glad I’m one of the ones that gets to really do somethin’ with her hooves. I like to keep busy, and I love takin’ care of my folks. I’m real lucky those things line right up.”

“I’ll tell you, I’m a little jealous. Twilight might be going stir-crazy from this trip, but she’s not the only one. If she hadn’t asked for fighting lessons, I might have commandeered the airship to go fight something by now.” He chuckled. “I joined the guard to do things.” He shook his head ruefully. “My whole family’s that way, Twilight included, even if her idea of ‘doing things’ is reading for twelve hours straight.”

“Oh, I know it. Nopony joins the royal guards, and especially gets to be a captain, to sit on their tail. And for Twilight, well, she’s helped us out on the farm a time or two.” Applejack smiled fondly towards the house. “My whole family loves her, ya’ know. When she decides she’s gonna do somethin’, there’s no stoppin’ her.”

Shining chuckled. “I know that all too well. One time when we were kids she got it in her head that she wanted to be a doctor. I caught her with a stuffed animal ready to go for open heart surgery. She was so excited, too.” His grin turned wistful. “Really, I’m just thankful it was a teddy bear and not a cat.”

Applejack laughed. “That sounds like somethin’ my sister and her friends would get up to. Foals get some crazy ideas… but they grow up right, if they got folks to love ‘em and help ‘em. I know you and your folks raised Twilight right, and I’m just happy I get to know her now.” She smiled at Shining Armor. “Thanks, for raisin’ her so good.”

Shining returned the smile. “Well...I think I’ll probably have to try again with Rainbow Dash, but as for you…” He extended his hoof. “I think Twilight’s in good hooves.”

Grinning, Applejack took his hoof and shook it vigorously. “I’m real glad to hear ya’ say it. I know how important family is, and I’d never want Twilight’s family to be ashamed of me. I won’t let ya’ down, and I’ll never let Twilight down.”

“No, I don’t think you will.” They shared a grin. Shining cleared his throat and looked around the grove. “Alright, better tell me something about these trees in case Twilight grills me.”

“Uh, first, one more thing.” Applejack looked serious and took a deep breath. “It’s about Rainbow Dash. She comes off as real rough, I could see ya’ bein’ worried ‘bout her, and I know I had some words with her from time to time. But nopony in Equestria means better than her, she’s one of the most special ponies I know. So… even if ya’ sometimes wonder if she deserves Twilight, ya’ got my word, for all it’s worth, that she really does.”

Shining nodded reluctantly. “I...wasn’t in the best mood to really give her a chance last time, but I can see she means the world to Twilight, and to you, too. All I really saw was a loudmouth, but to be entirely honest, I’m a bit of a loudmouth myself.”

Applejack smirked. “Nah, that wasn’t your mood. She’s always a loudmouth. But she’s an amazin’ pony... almost as amazin’ as she says she is.” Applejack chuckled. “Now, ya’ wanna hear about some fruit? Cause I can tell ya’ a thing or two about fruit.”

Chuckling, Shining turned back to the trees. “Go easy on me; just enough so if Twilight asks, she won’t know I wasn’t paying any attention.”

“Uh, she is your sister. I reckon she knows that if I was tellin’ you ‘bout oranges, you probably weren’t payin’ attention,” Applejack said with a raised eyebrow. She shook her head. “But anyhow, these trees here are valencia oranges. They got a late season…”

Applejack offered a few facts on oranges, and when they were sure that Shining Armor could repeat one or two of them they made their way back to the house. Luna’s moon was coming up, and the lights in the house were on. The party seemed to have moved inside, but as they approached the house they could see Twilight’s silhouette in the doorway, watching for them both.

Each smiling at Twilight, they came to the door. Twilight smiled back. “I was starting to get worried.”

Applejack just chuckled and shook her head. “Twilight Sparkle, I work this farm every day, and your brother is a royal guard. There was no chance we were gettin’ eaten by a gator.”

Twilight giggled and nuzzled Applejack’s cheek, whispering, “It wasn’t Toothy I was worried about. Did he behave?”

Planting a kiss just below Twilight’s ear, Applejack whispered, “He acted just like a big brother oughta. Everythin’ is just fine, sugarcube.”

Twilight pecked her back and said, “Good.” She leaned back and grinned at her brother with amusement. “Let me guess; you memorized three facts about oranges for me, didn’t you?”

Shining bit his lip and averted his gaze.

Giggling, Twilight turned to go inside. “I think dinner’s waiting for us.”

Applejack couldn’t resist a long look at Twilight’s rear as the princess walked inside. She was interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing, and glanced over at Shining Armor, blushing. “Uh, dinner, right!”

With that, Applejack hurried inside. Chuckling and shaking his head, Shining joined her.

August 30th

The waves crashed on the beach the next morning as Applejack stepped out of the ocean, surf board balanced on her back, and made her way across the sand to the blanket where Twilight sat. She bumped the board off her back and shook her loose, wet mane before sitting down beside her marefriend.

“Not bad, huh?” Applejack asked with a grin.

Twilight smiled and leaned into Applejack’s ocean-dampened side. “You were great out there! You’re a natural on that board.”

Blushing a little, Applejack looked away, though the grin remained on her face. “I guess I’m pretty good for not havin’ much practice. But it is a lotta fun. I sure am glad Dash suggested it…” Applejack’s smile turned wistful. “I just wish she could be here with us.”

“Yeah,” Twilight agreed with a nod, hugging Applejack around the middle. “I’m so glad to be here with you, but it’s not the same without Rainbow around. It’s just so...I don’t know.” She let out a sigh. “It’s different when it’s the three of us.”

Applejack nuzzled Twilight’s mane, inhaling the salty beach smell clinging to it. “It’s special, what we got. I’ll admit, I do love havin’ some time with you and me. But that don’t mean I don’t miss havin’ Dash here, too. I guess it’s just different things, and it’s silly to be wishin’ for one good thing when I got another right here in my hooves.” She wrapped a foreleg around Twilight and kissed her cheek.

Grinning, Twilight touched a hoof to Applejack’s chin and drew her into a deeper kiss. Leaning back, she murmured, “I don’t think it’s silly.” She looked out across the gently rippling waves and her smile widened. “...I think I know a way to have a little bit of Rainbow here right now.”

Applejack raised an eyebrow as Twilight stood and trotted towards the water. She watched Twilight wade out until the ocean came up to her neck. Turning to face the beach, Twilight called out brightly, “Oh no! I can’t swim! Oh, if only some strong, blonde, beautiful mare was here to save me! I just know I’d throw myself at her for such a brave and daring act!”

It was all Applejack could do not to fall over laughing. She didn’t bother trying to cover it up as she ran towards the surf, splashing through the waves. “Don’t you worry, miss, help is on the way!”

Upon reaching Twilight, Applejack scooped her onto her back, and turned to look at her. “You all ready to be saved properly?”

Twilight leaned forward and kissed the tip of Applejack’s snout. She couldn’t keep the mirth out of her tone. “Ready.”

Applejack grinned and galloped back towards the shore, doing everything she could to create the biggest splashes possible. When she reached the sandy beach, she carefully slid Twilight off her back and turned to stand over her. Leaning down, she planted a deep kiss on Twilight’s lips.

Twilight’s wings spread from her sides and she hugged Applejack close. When they broke away, she stroked Applejack’s cheek with a hoof and said, “My hero.”

Applejack chuckled and kissed Twilight again, quickly. “You are the sweetest, silliest little thing.” She kissed her again, on the side of her neck. “Not to mention darn sexy, all drippin’ wet and layin’ in the sand. There might be somethin’ to this rescuin’ hot mares after all.”

Grinning, Twilight swept a damp lock of mane away from Applejack’s brow. “There might be something to getting rescued by hot mares, too. Or maybe it’s just you.” She leaned up and kissed Applejack again.

Applejack leaned into the kiss, pressing Twilight’s head back into the sand. She laid her body gently on top of Twilight’s, and stroked her marefriend’s sides tenderly. After a long time, Applejack broke the kiss, but didn’t move from on top of Twilight. “You’re welcome to make a habit of it, if ya’ like. I don’t mind a bit.”

Twilight nuzzled Applejack’s cheek and closed her eyes, relishing the comforting weight from the solid mare on top of her. She inhaled deeply and let out a contented sigh. “You really do make me feel safe, Applejack, silly drowning games or not.”

Applejack just smiled, and said softly, “You make me feel strong, sugarcube. I love bein’ strong for you. It makes me feel like the most special pony in Equestria when I can take care of you.”

Grinning and nestling into Applejack’s chest, Twilight whispered, “I love feeling like this.”

“Me, too.” Applejack closed her eyes, feeling the sun on her back, her hooves brushing the warm sand, and Twilight’s soft body beneath her. She could hear the ocean, and the sound of Twilight’s heartbeat, and couldn’t think of a thing to say to express how this moment felt, though she’d never meant two words more in her life. “I love you,” she added, the only words she could possibly mean more.

Twilight kissed her chest and whispered back, “I love you, too.”

After laying there for several minutes, enjoying their blissful piece of the world, Applejack reluctantly shifted off of Twilight. “I reckon your wings are gettin’ all sandy there. I don’t imagine that’s gonna be comfy later, maybe we ought get them rinsed off.”

Giggling, Twilight rolled off her back and stood up. She waded back into the surf and shot Applejack a smoky look over her shoulder. “You coming in, too?”

Applejack grinned and got to her hooves, following Twilight into the ocean. “I’d better. Ya’ never know when you might need savin’ again.”

“With you doing the saving, I’ll make sure it happens a lot.”

Author's Note

The Mailbox story, yadda yadda yadda, this one written with bookplayer.

Mailbox Side Story: Dashing For Home

October 5th

Applejack stepped off the train at the Ponyville station, smiling at how instantly familiar it was. She was home, and the feeling just got stronger when she heard the bark of a dog, and looked over to see Winona, and behind her stood Granny, Apple Bloom, and Big Macintosh, all grinning at her.

There was a short race to see if Apple Bloom or Winona would crash into her first, but they both arrived at the same time, almost bowling her over with an excited hug from the filly and a face full of licks from the dog.

“I missed you so much, big sis! I gotta tell ya’ everythin’ ‘bout everythin’! School started last week and I got a A on my spellin’ test, and me and Scoots and Sweetie are buildin’ a go-kart, and Granny’s started on knittin’ a sweater for—”

Big Macintosh cleared his throat. “Uh... sis? Ya might wanna let AJ, you know, breathe.”

Applejack took a deep breath as she was released from the tight hug. “I’m real glad to see you too, I swear you must’ve grown three inches over the summer! And I’m glad to see you, too, Mac. I missed ya’.” She offered her brother a hug.

Mac simply nodded as he failed to conceive his grin. “Mmmhmm.”

“Now, don’t ya’ go leavin’ me outta this,” Granny said, making her way over to the group. Applejack grinned and parted from Mac to hug her grandmother.

“I’m so glad to be home, y’all. I can’t wait to get started on cider season. It’s gonna be great workin’ with the ponies I love again.” Applejack looked over her family. But the ‘ponies she loved’ had added a few members over the summer, and while she knew that Twilight was still away, confusion clouded her face as she realized that Rainbow Dash wasn’t here to welcome her home. “Uh, y’all wouldn’t happen to have seen Rainbow Dash around, have ya’?”

“Eeyup.” Big Mac fiddled around a knapsack he was carrying to pull out what appeared to be a cocktail napkin, presenting it to Applejack. “RD wanted ya to read it.”

Applejack gave a relieved smile. Even though Dash oughta know that she’d had more than enough notes and couldn’t wait for a hug or a kiss, at least she hadn’t totally forgotten her. Applejack looked at the note, and read:

Boss, Whitetail Woods. Come Alone.

She shook her head at that crazy bunch of ponyfeathers. Alone, huh? That did sound promising. Applejack blushed at the thoughts that ran through her mind.

“If ya’ got plans, don’t let us keep ya’, missy.” Granny smiled and winked, which just made Applejack blush harder.

“But, I wanna talk to AJ more! I haven’t seen her in forever!” Apple Bloom cried.

Applejack smiled at her sister. “I know it, sugarcube. How ‘bout if I give my word I’ll be back for dinner, and I’ll tuck ya’ in myself tonight. We can have a good long talk then.”

“Okay,” Apple Bloom conceded with a nod. “It’s just so great to have ya’ home!”

“It’s great to be home. I’ll see you folks this evenin’, I promise.” Applejack hugged everypony again.

“I’ll have an extra place set,” Granny said. “Just in case ya’ bring somepony along.”

“Thanks, Granny.” The smile never fell from Applejack’s face as she turned to the town and headed in the direction of the Whitetail Woods. “I’ll see y’all later!”

Applejack slowed as she came upon the Whitetail Woods and looked around as she followed the path into the forest. Rainbow Dash’s attention to detail, like where in the Whitetail Woods they were meeting, left something to be desired. It was fall, though, and before the running of the leaves, so the view wasn’t exactly dull. Even that reminded her of Dash; the red, yellow, and orange leaves, with the blue sky peeking between them brought to mind a certain face topped with a bright mane that made Applejack smile as she searched for it through the trees.

Off in the distance, in the corner of Applejack’s eye, was a checkered row with a ribbon hung over it between two trees. Nopony else seemed to be around. Applejack raised an eyebrow and headed in that direction, keeping her eyes peeled and wondering what Dash was up to.

“Do you know what that is, Boss?”

Applejack jerked her head around and saw her. She was lazily laying back on a tree branch, with one foreleg dangling from the side. The top half of her face was mostly obscured by the shading of the tree and its falling leaves.

“Looks kinda like a finish line…” Applejack said, a smile forming on her lips.

“Well, it’s actually a starting line. Any guess as to where the finish line is?” Her grin was growing ever wider.

“Can’t imagine.” Applejack raised her eyebrows.

Dash swooped down, a gust of wind slapping AJ’s face. As Dash strutted to the starting line, her cocky grin started to elicit a few giggles. “Oh, no place special. It just so happens to be in a building in Ponyville. That building just so happens to be called Golden Oaks Library, which just so happens to have a bed, and that bed just so happens to be owned by a pony who wouldn’t mind having the two of us take a victory lap in it.” As Dash reached the finish line, she arched herself into the starting position, clamping her wings to her side tightly. She looked to AJ and said, “I remember your thing about no wings.”

“Whoa there, partner. Twilight ain’t even home yet, and you think we’re just gonna go to town in her bed without her?”

Dash stood up and cocked an eyebrow. “Uh... yeah, what about it?”

Applejack shook her head. “Dash, ya’ can’t just go an have sex in somepony else’s bed… that ain’t right.”

“I used to think having sex in a jacuzzi wasn’t right, but Twilight showed me how blind I was, AJ. Girl’s a super-freak.”

The thought of Twilight and Dash in a jacuzzi brought a fierce blush to Applejack’s cheeks. It can’t be all that bad… we’re gonna be messin’ around there soon enough…

“Boss...” Dash sighed. “Look... I know you just wanna do things right, and... I kinda wish I thought like that, too. It’s who you are, AJ. So... if you’re not down for it, we’ll stay clear of the library.” She shook her head. “You know what? Imma start this over.”

Rainbow ran up and grabbed Applejack in a forceful hug, which knocked off the cowpony’s stetson. Dash whispered into her her, “How the hell have you been?”

“Uh… good.” Applejack took a deep breath and wrapped her forelegs around Dash, the sudden proximity just deepening her blush. “How ‘bout you?”

“Let me tell you something, boss... this town is seriously dull.” Dash couldn’t help but break into laughter at that last part as she broke away from AJ. “Hoo, boy. I’ve just been bumming around here for weeks trying to think of something to do. I’m just sitting on top of a pile of money at the library bored out of my skull. I mean, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie have their own mess of problems that I’m not touching with a stick, and so, I’ve got nopony to hang out with. There’s no fans of Daring Do, no one as good at horse shoes as me, and worst of all, I’ve got no girlfriends to love...” Dash grinned widely. “Except, now I do. Welcome home, Boss. I love the crap out of you.”

Applejack smiled. “I love ya’ too, Dash. And I sure am glad to be back here with ya’. Not that I’m likely to be bored, I got plenty work to keep me busy. But I’m, uh, hopin’ you’ll keep me busy too.” Applejack bit her lip, still blushing.

“Believe me, I’ll keep you busy until you can’t walk... although, you’ll probably need to walk to put cider in my mouth, so that’s a no-go.” Dash cleared her throat and began trotting back to the starting line. “The point being: I’m here. You’re here. I see a starting line, and it’s fall. Whaddya say, cowgirl?” Dash arched herself into the starting position once more. “You name the finish line, and we’re go!”

Applejack eyed Dash’s tail as she walked over to the starting line, trying to think of a finish that offered the same benefits as the library. None sprang to mind, and she considered that Twilight would certainly tell them she didn’t mind, if she were here. That was almost like asking permission, Applejack decided, though the decision might have had to do with Dash’s crouched body and taut muscles.

Applejack took her place beside Dash. “I guess the library’s as good a finish as any.” She glanced over at Dash and smirked. “Loser’s gotta change the sheets when we’re done.”

“Joke’s on you. That’s a Spike job.” Dash chucked to herself, but immediately snapped back into composure, narrowing her eyes at sights ahead. “One. Two. THREE!”

And the two bolted, a sense a nostalgia rushing through their minds. They had raced before as friends, and now they raced as lovers. Things would never be the same again, as far as they were concerned. Everything had changed, as things that had once been had taken on new, important meaning.

As far as Applejack and Rainbow Dash were concerned, it was pretty great.

“I gotta say, Boss...” Rainbow sighed as she rested her head on her warm new pillow. “I heard Twilight talk big about sleeping on your chest and...” Dash yawned, stretching out her legs and wings before curdling up snug against her lover and looking up at her with a smirk. “She wasn’t overselling.”

Applejack chuckled, and stroked the rainbow mane falling against her body. “Glad I didn’t disappoint.”

Dash rolled her eyes, grinning insatiably. “You know, she’s totally crazy about you. I could see it in the way you came up in conversation. You got her by the tail, AJ.”

“I dunno ‘bout all that. I just know I’m lucky I got the both of y’all to gimme a chance to show ya’ how much I love you.” Applejack blushed. “Twilight’s a special pony, no doubt, maybe I oughta be thankin’ my lucky stars she likes me. But I also gotta be thankin’ you. Like I said in that letter, I couldn’t do a bit of this if I didn’t have you, Dash.”

Dash patted Applejack’s cheek before lightly stroking it. “I’ve got you, Boss. Don’t worry. You know, it’s funny... you always have a way of pulling me around like some kind of puppet. You keep making me feel ways I didn’t think of feeling... if that makes any sense. Like, there was...” Dash looked away before sighing. “Ugh, nevermind.”

Shifting, Applejack wrapped her forelegs around Dash. “I think ya’ think of feelin’ a lotta ways, but I reckon you don’t let yourself feel ‘em a lot. But ya’ know I got ya’, whenever ya’ need me. I might need you to help keep me brave ‘nough to be wild, but I got some strong shoulders, and they’re here for you when you need ‘em.”

“I know that, believe me, I do, it’s just...” She sighed. “Darn it, I’ll just tell you. You were the one who got me thinking about my dad again. Your last letter... when you got to your folks and, you know... it’s a lot of what I’ve been thinking about now. I wish I had some kind of sappy, cheesy last moment with Dad, but I didn’t.” Rainbow crawled away from Applejack and scooted to the opposite end of Twilight’s bed, not caring about the sunlight shining in her face. “Sorry if I bummed you out, I just had to say something.”

“You loved your pa, right?” Applejack said calmly, watching Dash.

Dash looked away, staring into space. “I did, but I didn’t act like it. The last thing I remember saying to him was telling him that I was going travelling with Gilda and that I’d be back whenever... I don’t think I even hugged him goodbye. And yeah, I know, I never once blamed myself when I found out he died. Dude had a lot of health problems, he smoked a pack a day, and believe it or not, got around more than I did, with pretty sketchy mares. He would have dropped dead any day, but...” Dash looked right into Applejack’s eyes with genuine sadness. “It still hurts, you know?”

“I know it hurts, sugarcube. It always hurts, no matter what. But none’a that matters. Your pa knew ya’ loved him… and he still does. And everypony has times that were good, and times they wished they had. The ones ya’ wished ya’ had don’t matter, whether it’s sayin’ one last time how ya’ loved ‘em, or never gettin’ to show ‘em your first ribbon. That’s all the same, and all ya’ can think is that…” Applejack’s voice caught in her throat, and she went on in a whisper, “That they know it, somehow.”

Rainbow winced away a tear and sighed deeply, muttering under her breath, “What am I doing?" In a flash, she leaned forward, and pulled Applejack into a tight hug, stroking her mane. Dash whispered, “I’m sorry, AJ. I love you too much to see you like this. It’s okay. It really is. I’ve got you, and we’ve got Twilight, and...” Dash chuckled to herself, grinning. “And we’ve got our friends, and it’ll really, really okay. More okay than anything in the world.”

Applejack smiled and returned the hug. “Rainbow Dash, I know all that. But you gotta know there ain’t no shame in feelin’ sad, and there’s nothin’ wrong with sharin’ it with somepony who understands. And I understand, Dash. I really do.”

Dash smiled. “I know, and I love that I got you for that... still, I’m not used to this whole ‘crying after sex’ thing. I just thought that was just for really bad grope-fests in the quarterback’s carriage after prom.”

“Well there’s another reason I’m glad I skipped all that,” Applejack laughed.

Dash pulled away, beaming and throwing her forelegs in the air. “Mine was awesome! He was the star quarterback and prom king. And, lemme tell you, AJ, when you get asked to the prom by a guy named Champion, you don’t say no... well, unless you’re you, I guess... and Twilight.”

Applejack chuckled and shook her head. “I didn’t get asked by no ponies named Champion, or anythin’ else, really. Rarity asked if I wanted to tag along with her group, but you better believe she had a date, and I didn’t wanna be in the way. Besides, it saved me a bundle on a fancy dress I didn’t want.”

Dash rolled her eyes. “Pfft. You should have had me around. I would have totally gone with you, and I wouldn’t have made you wear a dress, anyway.” She craned her neck to get a look at Applejack’s flank. “Truth be told, I wanna see how you pull off skinny jeans... I’ll talk to Rarity later.” Dash chuckled deviously.

“I shoulda had you ‘round for a lotta my life.” Applejack pulled Dash close again, and nuzzled her cheek. “But I’d rather have ya’ just like you are. Makes it easier to get get my hooves everywhere.” She reached down and rubbed Dash’s cutie mark with a hoof to demonstrate.

“You know... I worry.” She grinned mischievously at her girlfriend. “I was fine with turning Twilight into a super freak, but you... I’m not sure what to make of you.” Dash wrapped her forelegs around AJ’s neck. “But I’m gonna have fun finding out.”

Applejack gave Dash’s neck a nibble, then pulled away smirking. “I’ll teach ya’. First thing to remember…” Applejack rolled over on top of Dash and grinned down at her. “A pony gets to play as hard as she works.”

Dash began breathing heavily. “Never let somepony take control before. I... uh...” Rainbow squinted her eyes shut before moaning out. “This is too hot.” She opened her eyes turned her head, looking directly into her lover’s gaze. “Boss. Take me.”

“Sure thing.” Applejack leaned down and planted a kiss on Dash’s lips as she pressed her body against her lover. She barely pulled away, and whispered with their lips still touching. “Ya’ hold on there, sugarcube. This is gonna get rough.”

With that, Applejack began to show Dash just how hard she deserved to play.

Rainbow had reminded Applejack that her family was making dinner, so they soon made their way back to the Acres. Dash had never seen such spirit shine from AJ, and she felt a tinge of pride knowing that something as mundane as dinner with the family was made better with their newfound love. Beyond that, Rainbow herself couldn’t deny that, despite all the sappiness that Applejack had forced her to spew over the summer, she was in complete contentment being in the presence of a real family.

Perhaps it couldn’t hurt for one more round of saccharine sentimentality.

Later, outside and in a field on the outskirts of the Acres, Dash stumbled up a hill, slightly tipsy from dinner. Applejack’s family did not actually carry the hard cider in their home, opting instead to sell all of it for profit, but that didn’t stop Dash from having a trusty flask with her meal. The sky was clear on this night, with the stars shining with utmost clarity. If Rainbow Dash had ever opened one of Twilight’s astronomy books, she might have been able to recognize the various constellations, but instead, she contented herself to gazing at the dazzling individual stars.

As Dash reached the top of the hill, she found a soft patch of grass to take a seat. She didn’t tell Applejack where she was going or what she was doing, but she promised to be back soon. Besides, this wouldn’t take long. Dash craned her neck and looked upward to the sky.

“You know, I’m not really sure what I’m doing, but I know Applejack would want me to do this, so... hey, Dad. How’s it going?”

The only response was the crickets in the distance.

“That’s good, that’s... good. Not really sure if you got that, but here’s hoping you did. I’ll admit, I’m not really into the whole freaky supernatural ghost stuff, but hey, AJ wants to believe that somewhere, her folks know that she misses them, so I figured, ‘why not’?”

Dash fidgeted in the grass and cleared her throat. “I-I’ve been good. I did another sonic rainboom.” She smiled as she snickered to herself. “You used to say all the time that would never happen in another million years. Yeah, how about ten, buddy?”

Rainbow sighed as her smile turned to a frown. “It would have been cool for you to have seen it, and see where I am, now. I’ve got some of the best friends a pony could ask for... and some of the best girlfriends, and I’m not even talking about all your ‘girlfriends’ you would bring home after a show at that Lucky’s joint. I mean like, I am in love, Dad. Like you and Mom.”

Dash sighed once more and cleared her throat. “You know... you never really talked about her that much. Looking back, something tells me it’s ‘cause you were all torn up about her. I gotta be honest, I’ve been the same way with you for a long time. It’s not even like I was trying that hard, it’s that I didn’t realize I had all this inside me the whole time. It was bottled-up, and I let it just burst at a sucky time. Long story, there: I got a job in Las Pegasus, and a bunch pent-up emotions came up between me, Twilight and Applejack... and then, I rejected an acceptance from the Wonderbolts, and the three of us all had sex and decided to date each other, and now, we’re all in love.”

After a long silence, Dash cleared her throat. “My life is kind of weird, in case it wasn’t clear.”
She looked up to the sky once more, with renewed gravitas. “I should have been there for you, Dad. All that time, you didn’t have someone to comfort you and be your rock, and you died alone. I don’t think that’ll ever leave my mind, but I want you to know this, if you can hear me: I love you, Rainbow Blitz, and I’m sorry I never said that enough. All I can do now is be a better pony with Twilight and Applejack’s help... and I know I can do it. They’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’m gonna share stuff with them, and I’ll be there for them when they need me. I’ll be the best lover in the history of Equestria.”

Dash beamed with pride as she stood tall. Sucking in a deep breath, she bolted into the air, reaching the point to where she saw all of Ponyville, which was illuminated only by the lights in their homes and Luna’s night sky.

“And I’ll do it for you, Dad! I’ll make you proud!”

“Hey!” A voiced called from a cloud home in the distance. “Shut up, Dash! It’s late!”

Dash recognized the voice. “Up yours, Cloud Kicker! I’m having an awesome moment of self-realization and renewal of my sense of purpose!”

“Go have your emotional catharsis when we’re not trying to sleep, ass!”

“YOU’RE THE ASS! ASS!”

“GO HOME!”

“FINE!”

And with that, Rainbow Dash descended to the ground and trotted back to Sweet Apple Acres. Getting back at Cloud Kicker could wait another day...

Boss was probably waiting in the bed, after all. With that thought, Dash’s mood returned to that of determination of excitement.

It was time to go home.

Author's Note

Hi. I didn't actually write any of this; this side story is entirely written by bookplayer and Jake R to wrap up the character arc for Rainbow Dash and Applejack while Twilight was still away from Ponyville. It was asked of me to post it as a Scribbled Note, since that's where we've been putting up all our little collab stories.

Jake's note: Three months, and three thousand words to show for it. I blame it on Cloud Kicker, who is totally an ass.

Prompt: Extravagance (Com, no ship, Fluff scene)

(Sample Prompt: Extravagant, Genre: Comedy)

“What do you think, dear?” Rarity asked with a theatrical flourish, sweeping her mane to the side of her face with a hoof.

Sweat threatened to roll down Twilight’s brow. “It’s, uh…It’s something.”

The white unicorn chuckled indulgently, pacing back around the three way mirror. “It looks simply ravishing on you, Twilight. You’ll be the envy of every mare in Equestria.”

The bookworm fidgeted, causing many different points on the…thing she was wearing to catch glints of sunlight. Several reflected off the mirror and directly into Twilight’s eyes. Many others left miniature spotlights dancing around the room. Opalescence caught sight of one of the more active light spots and pounced, chasing it across the floor. Twilight did her best to keep the tone of her voice casual. “Isn’t it a little…bright?”

Rarity’s eyes went wide. “Well of course it’s bright! Only the brightest for my friends.”

Twilight’s face hurt from the lockjaw grin she had been wearing. “Oh…yes…” She cleared her throat, eyes darting around the room. “What about…the…” her gaze settled on a teapot, “Water!” she shouted. “How will it stand up to water?!”

Raising an eyebrow, Rarity scratched her chin idly. “Well, the satin and taffeta would not do too well in the rain I suppose, but isn’t this little event taking place inside?”

She struggled to keep her voice even, unwanted memories of Applejack exclaiming, ‘galoshes!’ running through her head. “You…never know?”

“Well, if you’re that concerned I’d need to make some alterations.”

“Oh darn,” Twilight breathed, trying to hide her relief, “I guess I’ll just have to wear the Gala dress, then.”

A dramatic gasp escaped the fashionista’s lips. “Oh, absolutely not, dear! That old number simply would not do; you must shine like a star!” A flurry of materials and tools floated around Twilight’s head in a haze of light blue, pulling and tugging, poking and prodding. Humming as she worked, Rarity chimed, “We’ll have this dress waterproof and twice as bright in no time.”

“Yay.” Rarity failed to detect defeat in the purple mare’s tone.

Author's Note

Written to launch the Flash-Fic Prompt Tag game in the Writer's Group forums. The 'prompt' was one I got by cribbing off a used Appledash prompt tag prompt. I went with comedy as the genre, because I love comedy.
Restrictions: Four hours to plan and write, 100-500 words, must be comedic.

Prompt: Cooking (Com, Rom, Twidash, Dialogue snippet)

Prompt: Cooking

“Oh, Twilight, it’s terrible!”

“What is it, Rainbow?”

“It was a massacre. I’ve never seen anything so awful. It’s like Discord and Chrysalis had a foal and it was possessed by Nightmare Moon, and then Foalcord Moonsalis decided it wanted to show off like Trixie except with breakin’ stuff!”

“Rainbow…so many things were wrong with what you just said my head hurts. But later for that, what happened? And where?”

“In the kitchen!”

“…”

“Isn’t it terrible?”

“Rainbow Dash…Wha…What the—how did—whe—?”

“An’ you thought I was over-reacting!”

“This is a pot of water, Rainbow. Why is it on fire? How is it on fire? It’s still full of water; water isn’t flammable!”

“I know, right?”

“And, and, why is there a can of beans on the ceiling? How is it on the ceiling; it doesn’t even look open! And what the heck is this over here—are these daisies battered in fondue?! …Rainbow Dash, did you make this mess?”

“…”

“…The kitchen can’t contain my awesomeness?”

“…”

“Er, uh, uhm…I love you, Twi’.”

“…I love you too, you moron. Ugh, so I’ll forgive you on one condition.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Tell me how you got the water to catch on fire.”

“Uh…pegasus magic?”

“…That’s a better excuse than Pinkie Sense, I guess.”

“Rockin’! Wanna go make-out?”

“…Yes. Hold on a sec. HEY SPIKE!”

Author's Note

Twidash prompt of cooking. 4 hours to plan and write, 100-500 word limit, Twidash theme.