A Night to Remember
“Applejack!”
“Applejack, where are you?”
The cyan mare looked around the apple trees for her orange friend, but she was nowhere to be found. A storm was brewing in the skies above. The ominous cumulonimbus clouds piled up high above in the sky. Sounds of thunder could be heard off in the distance, getting closer and closer. Frantically Rainbow Dash searched the apple orchard looking for her friend. The winds picked up and leaves started to fly about, not deterred, Dash kept searching.
“Applejack! Games over, there’s a storm coming. We have to get home.” She passed every tree expecting her friend to be around the next corner. Every time she was wrong. The panic in Rainbow’s face could be seen as she ran in search of her friend. Leaves whipped around, smacking into her coat and wings. One last cloud moved into place, blocking almost all the sunlight, and leaving Ponyville in a grey light. Making sight almost impossible; meanwhile the was wind whipping, trees swaying, and thunder booming. Rain drops became painful with the force of the cracking wind. Rainbow Dash kept on.
Applejack. Where are you?
She looked around one last time, and again saw nothing. She dropped her head, and stopped running. The mare stood there, with the wind ripping her mane off to the side. Rain dripped off her face and body, her hooves and coat were sodden with mud. Her bright cyan mane shone brightly through the darkness of the storm. I failed. I couldn't find you Applejack. I, I, I... Lost.
Bright wings shot out from her side, her muscles fighting the force of the wind trying to knock her over. With one swift leap, she flapped her wings and began to fly. Something was wrong, she couldn't lift off. She felt a warm presence on her backside, as she tried again, getting the same result.
“You trying to leave me sugarcube?” a voice called out inside the maelstrom. Applejack was standing there, her hoof laid on her friend’s back. Shock overtook Rainbow Dash, her face lit up upon seeing her orange coat. AJ was in the same way as Rainbow Dash. Her mane was blowing violently to the side, and her body was covered in mud and leaves.
“Wait! Where were you?” Rainbow Dash screamed, trying to get the message through the storm.
“Ponyville Hide’n seek, champion 3 years runnin’. I said that you were going to lose and you did,” Applejack screamed in a reply. “Let’s find shelter, this storms a doozy. Did ya know about this?”
“No. Must have been an order from up top. Let’s go.” They stared at each for a moment, as they both cracked smiles. For a second they stood silent, sizing up each other, preparing. The storm wiped debris all over, and was causing a tremendous amount of noise. Thunder boomed, the front of the storm had moved over Sweet Apple Acres. Lightning struck a tree near the pair, causing a loud boom, and flash of light. Both mares stood their, unfazed. Meanwhile, the rain had become debilitating, pelting the mares.
“One,” Rainbow Dash smirked, her smile getting wider.
“Two,” Applejack replied, her smile getting wider also. Her muscles tensing and relaxing for what is to come.
“Three!” they scream in unison taking off toward the farm. Rainbow Dash took the early lead, with Applejack closely following behind. Her rainbow mane flying as she galloped using all her muscles, once again she lowered her head, achieving a full sprint. Applejack was next to her, slowly but surely catching up. There manes whipping about in the wind, hitting each other and everything in there path. Mud flew from the sodden earth, as 8 hooves tramped over it.
Applejack caught up, sensing her friend had momentum, Rainbow Dash turned on the afterburners. Instantly increasing her speed. Her heart pumped violently inside of her chest, oxygenating every muscle. She was in full stride, her body was working at 105%. Muscles began to fatigue, but her will keep going. Applejack too turned on her afterburners, running at full efficiency. Both mares felt their hearts beating out of each others chests. Once again, it was neck and neck.
The storm intensified, rain starting to become hail. Both mares looked at each other in unison. Heads lowered while running at full pace through the raging storm. Another bolt of lightning came down, knocking a tree down in front of Applejack. Not slowing down, she leaped it. Rainbow Dash’s mouth dropped wide open, as her friend soared through the air like a pegasi, easily clearing the tree. Not wanting to be outdone, Dash pushed herself to 110%. Her heartbeat audible in her ears.
AJ looked over and could see the determination on the cyan mare’s face. She thinks that she can outrun me. ha. She smirked increasing her pace. Sweet Apple Acres farm appeared on the horizon. Both mares gave what energy they had left. They were hoof step for hoof step, side by side. Lungs bursting, gasping for precious air. Neither mare wanting to admit they were fatiguing, pushed themselves harder.
Heart rates soared to over 200 beats a minute, and steadily increased. Sweet Apple Acres was only about 500 yards away, both mares let it all out. Neck and neck they reached a wheat field right besides the barn. The storm whipped the grain viciously to side, stinging both their coats. Thunder was crashing in the background as they came into the last 100 yards. Muscles began to cramp, hearts fully maxed out, bodies at limits. Every muscle in each ponies body didn't have the energy to contract, but there mental state was pushing them on.
The doors to the barn were open, and both mares charged straight for them. One last thunder boom sounded in the background, as they finished the race. They crossed into the safety of the barn neck and neck. Rainbow Dash immediately fell over into the nearest hay bail. Her body needing to pay back is’ oxygen debt that it had lost during the race. Applejack did likewise. There bodies were exhausted, their hearts raced, and muscles cramped.
After a couple of moments, Rainbow Dash and Applejack met eyes. Dash mouthed out the words ‘I won’, not having a enough air to speak yet. AJ, laid over in the hale bail and shook her head with what energy she had left. The noise of the hail hitting the barn was booming, lighting cracked outside in the immediate area. And yet the barn was full of noise coming from the two panting mares.
Moving was not an option, both barely had the energy to breath. They sat in their respective bales of hay, tired. Their bodies covered in filth, mud, debris, leaves, and wheat. Each mare desperately needed a bath, luckily for them Rarity was not there. Having re oxygenated their bodies, breathing began to slowly pace down. Heart rates came back down to normal levels. Rainbow Dash was the first to get up. Her muscles ached not wanting to cooperate with what her brain was telling them to do.
“I,” Dash wheezed, only now starting to regain some breath. “Won.” She staggered on her feet, but she still had the energy to lift her front hooves in the air. A sign of victory.
“Horse Apples, Dash!” Applejack raised herself as well. Her muscles didn't want to budge either. “We crossed at the same time. And if anything, I was a nose ahead.” Applejack quickly walked over and threw her friends hooves back onto the floor. As she raised her own above her head.
“Hey!” Rainbow Dash threw her hooves up and knocked Applejack’s back to the floor. Both laughed in unison sharing the same idea. Good thing Twilight is not here to make us talk it out. And Rarity, she would have kicked us out for being this filthy.
“Tie?” Applejack spit into her hoof and held it in front of Rainbow. The cyan mare looked at the hoof presented in front of her, deciding. Spit shot out of her mouth, onto her dirty cyan hoof. Their hooves met, and they shook for a couple of seconds. Applejack turned away to go clean herself off.
“It was a tie, but I won.” Rainbow Dash muttered quietly, standing still.
“What did ya just say?” AJ turned back and shot her friend a quizzical look. Again, both mares laughed in unison.
“Fine, fine, fine. It was tie, fair and square.”
“That’s better. I thought I heard you say that.”
Applejack trotted off into the barn in search for something. Dash stayed put and watched the storm outside, lightning could still be heard close by, as the hail kept up. I don’t remember there being a storm like this scheduled for today. The only pony who can order a storm like this, that quickly, is Celestia herself.
“Applebloom!” AJ screamed, not finding what she was looking for. A bucket and a rag came flying out from the inner depths of the barn. “How many times do I have to tell that filly to put back the hose when shes done with it. I mean come on.” Applejack stomped back up to where Rainbow Dash stood, obviously angered by her sister’s ignorance. The bucket was placed right outside the barn doors, it quickly filled to the brim with water. “I would use the spigot, but without the hose it’s too much of a mess. I guess this will do. Please tell me this is at least up to your standards and not Rarity’s.”
“Hey, I really don’t care. I like roughing it!” Rainbow Dash picked up the cloth in her hooves and began to wipe off her face. The bucket was pulled back inside and the cyan mare dipped the cloth inside the cool rain water. AJ sat there and watched her friend clean off her face. Water dripping off her mane and tail, giving Dash the complexion of just getting out of the shower. Her hair laid flat on top of her body, sticking to her cyan coat. Applejack couldn't look away.
“Okay, my face is done, here.” The cloth was thrown across the room and it hit Applejack. She looked at the cloth, then back up to her friend. There was splotch of mud under her friend’s cyan ear.
“You missed a spot.” Applejack picked up the cloth and threw it back. Rainbow Dash picked up the cloth and began rubbing it over her face. Once again, Applejack couldn't help herself as she watched her friend rub her face clean. “A little to the left. No, right. A little more left, almost, almost, and a little more left.” Applejack walked over to her friend, not wanting to see her struggle more than she already was. She pulled the cloth out of her friend’s hoof and leaned over to clean off the spot herself. Slowly and carefully she removed the last bit of mud from her face.
“Am I clean now, Mom?” Dash joked.
“Just trying to help a friend out that’s all.” Applejack dunked the rag into the cold rain water and began cleaning herself. Before she could even start washing herself Rainbow Dash grabbed the cloth out of her hoof. AJ looked back confused. She started to clean off the orange mare’s face, making sure to get all the mud and debris around her ears. Applejack did not protest, she let her friends soft hooves run freely on her face. For some unknown reason, she was enjoying every second of it.
The Rain outside kept pounding down on the tin roof of the barn. Thunder continued to crack and pound the countryside with it’s deafening boom. The wind persisted, and debris kept flying all over Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack caught a glimpse outside of the storm, in between Rainbow Dash’s constant wiping of her face. And soon enough AJ’s face was sparkling as well. Without hesitation the orange mare sat Dash down and started to weed leaves out of her mane. Her cyan friend also didn’t protest, enjoying every second of her friend rubbing her hooves in her rainbow mane.
Applejack took her time removing debris from her mane. Slowly and carefully she would remove leaf by leaf. Her friend’s mane felt as soft as silk, running her hooves through it gently, loving it. Stroke by stroke she ran the cloth through each color of the rainbow, leading down to her mid line. Extra caution was taken, as she carefully took her time, enjoying every second of this. AJ finished her job and Rainbow Dash’s mane was spotless, neat, and clean. She threw the cloth into the bucket next to them and began to walk away.
To her surprise, Rainbow Dash sat her down as well. The cloth was rung out in the bucket, and Dash began to repeat the process of what her friend had just done to her. Cyan hooves came streaking AJ’s blond mane. Leaf by leaf was pulled out of her mangled mane. Each and every stroke of her hooves, was deliberate, thought out, and planned almost. Eventually leading down to Applejack’s mid line. Both mares sat there for a moment, manes’ spotless, and faces purified.
The orange mare continued the process, and grabbed the cloth from her friend. Applejack positioned herself on the side of her friend, as she began to clean off her cyan coat. Stroke by stroke her mane grew brighter and brighter. Mud and debris from there race was wiped away, leaving behind a sparkly coat. Rainbow Dash felt the same warm tingly feeling as AJ, despite the cold cloth. The heat radiating from her friend’s hoof came through the cloth. Each pass felt like heaven, she never wanted it to stop. Reluctantly, Applejack finished the job and set the cloth down, expecting her friend to end cycle.
Again, to her surprise Dash picked up the cloth and continued the cycle. She positioned herself next to Applejack and started the same process her friend had done before. Mud and debris were lifted revealing a bright orange coat that hid the filth. Each pass Rainbow Dash made a slow a deliberate stroke down her friends back side. With each swipe her coat grew brighter and brighter. Applejack experienced the same sensation as Dash had. The warmth radiating off her hooves was acute, and warming, a tingly feeling overcame her. Sadly, Rainbow Dash finished and threw the cloth toward the bucket.
“How’d I do?”
“Fantastic sugarcube.” The cloth once again was rung out, an orange hoof positioned it on the filthy flank of her cyan companion. Each pass methodical and slow, clearing all the mud revealing a bright rainbow lightning bolt with a cloud under it. With every stroke Rainbow Dash could feel her friend wiping away the filth, and sensations pulsed through her body. A grin dawned on her face. Applejack was lost in the moment, her friend’s bright cyan flanks seemingly lit up the room. The muscular tone and depth was astounding . Rock hard muscles, waiting to be called upon at any moment.
A lightning bolt grounded right outside the barn while she continued cleaning her flank. Lighting up the scene inside the barn. Applejack froze, they were in sight of the house. Rainbow Dash saw the fear cross her friend’s eyes. How was she going to explain this to Granny Smith? Rainbow Dash walked over to the large red barn doors, and swung them shut. The thud from the doors wasn't enough to break AJ’s trance. The barn was masked in an eerie light, dimly lit from cracks on the barn. The room itself was smelled damp, and was cold itself.
“I don’t care AJ, neither should they. All that matters right now, is what we do next.” She shot a grin in Applejack’s direction, immediately her orange friend snapped out of her daze. The earth pony shot a likewise smile back. Rainbow Dash picked up the cloth and continued the cycle of cleaning. Her companion willingly sat down, flaring her flanks. The apples in AJ’s cutie mark were barely visible from all the mud. Dash made quick work of the mud, revealing a bright orange flank with three apples on each side. Through the whole experience Applejack felt her friend’s firm hooves, massaging her. Applejack wanted more, and so did her companion.
Once finished, the grown mares backed up and stood there, admiring their works on each other, and the sensations they got from them. Clean manes, coats, tails, and flanks, shone in the dim barn. Rainbow and AJ stared longingly into each other eyes. Applejack saw her light green eyes reflect off a perfect pool of magenta. She almost swore she could see a glimmer in Dash’s eyes. The silence continued as both mare stood tall, not knowing what was to come. Both were new at this, neither knew what came next. Both dawned awkward smiles staring at each other over what had just happened, and the inevitability of what was to come. AJ looked away, rubbing her hooves through her spotless mane.
Rainbow Dash was the first to make a move, she carefully, hoof step by hoof step, made her way over to her. AJ looked at her friend, moving toward her, not sure of what to do. Deny her, end it now, and go on with life like it never happened? And go on with life never knowing what could have been? Or do nothing, let it happen, and enjoy it? She didn’t have time to decide, Dash made her move. Once close enough she wrapped her fore hooves around her friend. The anticipation in both their bodies grew. A new sensation feel over the orange earth pony, like something she had never felt before. A warm tingly feeling overcame her, as Rainbow Dash placed her forehead on Applejack’s.
Time seemed to slow, the mares’ mouths only inches apart. Dash closed her eyes, and moved her head forward toward her friend. Applejack watched almost in horror as her friend puckered her lips, and came closer. Was she really going to do this? Everything got slower as she thought. The constant noise of rain hammering on the barn slowed down, the rain was spread apart, and sounds elongated. AJ’s mind raced, it was now or never.
The feeling of warmth tingled through her veins and intensified, as she came to a realization. She had feelings for Rainbow Dash all this time, and never knew about it till now. Everything made sense now. The strong desire to win and compete, brought them together. Their need for speed and action never got in the way of their relationship, it only intensified it. Each ponies’ strong urge to win over each other was in an attempt to impress each other. The ‘iron pony’ was just a big scheme to gain admiration from the other. She loved Rainbow Dash, it all made sense now. Their friendship meant more than anything as of this moment..
The orange mare looked at her friend, still puckered as she slowly closed. A glimmer shined through Applejack’s eyes once she realized, this was real. She closed her eyes, puckered her lips, and moved in. What was only a couple of seconds felt like hours for the her. Until, they met. Both mares could feel the warmth of each others lips as they connected. AJ’s and Dash’s minds both went blank upon the moment of impact, there was no going back now, they were committed. Applejack could feel her friends, warm lip muscles sliding over hers, and so she reciprocated the action.
Cyan hooves began to streak through the orange mare’s mane. Orange hooves ran through a silky smooth rainbow mane. Both caressed their friend’s manes’, quickly, but not fast enough to cause pain, just the right tempo was used. They stood there, locked in each others loving arms. Thunder, rain, and wind blew strongly outside, but nothing could deter the two mares, while they experimented..
A wooden ceiling tile above the embracing friends, started to bend and warp from the strength of the rain. Years over years of water damage had worn down the wood, causing it to lose it’s structural integrity. Once a bright fresh wood color, was now replaced with rot and darkness. It was on it’s last straw, the tile was growing more and more brittle by the second. All that was needed to break the wood was a couple more rain drops. The wood fragmented inward, and broke, giving the brutal rain an entrance into barn.
Splinters of wood came down on the embracing mares, the pieces were so small and insignificant, they just ignored it. Their love affair continuing on. Less than a second later, ice cold rain hit the mares, mid kiss. Applejack’s blank mind immediately came back to reality, with the water shocking her. Rainbow Dash responded similarly, jumping back at the instant temperature change. Their once spotless clean manes, were now sodden with rain water again.
Horse Apples! Ruined the perfect moment! Applejack thought to herself, shivering from the ice cold liquid. Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash, and couldn't help but laugh. Her normally blown back mane was dripping over her cyan face. The room filled with AJ’s joyful laugh. Dash moved her mane aside, which revealed her friend laughing, beside herself
“Hey!”
“Hahahahaha.”
Applejack fell over laughing herself onto the damp floor. She knew her mane was going to get dirty again but she didn't care, the moment took her away. It was a combination of what just happened, and the emotions, but she couldn't stop laughing. Dash looked at her friend, and let out a small grin, releasing a small laugh as well. Looking around, she found the bucket that contained the water that they cleaned themselves with earlier. The cyan mare quickly picked up the bucket and ran back over to her friend. The bucket swayed tossing water on her own coat as she ran with the bucket in mouth, and with another swift motion the contents of the bucket were sent flying in AJ’s direction.
The water grouped together as it flew through the air, in an unbroken stream. It contacted with the earth pony’s blond mane. Instantly her muscles tightened and contracted from the shock of the water. Her laughing instantly stopped. Water dripped off her body as she stood up. It was now Rainbow Dash’s turn, who like her friend, burst out in laughter. Applejack stood there shocked, not fully comprehending what had just happened. All she knew was that her friend was laughing, hysterically on the floor.
“Hahahahahaha. Much better.” Dash was laughed so hard tears came to her eyes.
“I guess I probably deserved that,” Applejack responded,as her body shivered in the cold. She ran her hooves through her once dry mane, it was soaked with what was seemingly ice. “Thanks, Rainbow. I can always can count on you,” AJ said jokingly, now she laughed along with her friend.
“Rainbow, can you fix that hole in the roof? You know wings and all? Everything should be over in that corner.” She pointed with her hoof.
“Yea, just give me a second. Hahahahahahaha.”Dash shot out her wings out, and set out for the corner. Rain came pounding down through the hole in the roof as Dash grabbed the supplies. The storm outside kept up, as the wind howled. A replacement tile was swiftly placed in the gap, left by the last tile. And after 4 nails, the job was done, almost as fast as it happened. Her wings slowed lowered her to the ground, and she landed only feet from her soaking friend.
“Is this storm ever going to end?” Applejack asked, as she still shivered. Her body dripping wet.
“I don’t know. This is the worst storm I have ever seen, only a true master could make a storm like this, that fast. I don’t think I will be able to get home. I don’t want to fly through this crap.” Rainbow Dash sat down, while she still laughed in her head about her wet friend.
“That’s alright, I am not gonna force you to leave.” A wide grin came onto her face, Rainbow Dash picked up immediately. “How could I ever do that to my best friend? Shove her out into a cold, and wet hurricane.”
“I am quite tired from that race of ours, I barely think I can fly. You can’t send me home.” Her cyan wings flared out, and fell to her sides, she brought up her hoof and laid on it on her forehead. “That would be the worst, possible, thing, ever!.” Applejack burst out into laughter at the Rarity joke.
“I am going to grab some blankets, be right back.”
She slowly trotted away, toward the other side of the barn, thinking all the while. The emotions she possessed were overwhelming, and she didn't know to feel. A love session had just broke out between her mare friend. What would somepony else say, if they learned of this? What if Rainbow tells the others? All these thoughts and more ran through her head, as she walked past all the equipment stored in the barn. Hay, old tools, and miscellaneous items were scattered about the barn, making her choose her path carefully.
The raw emotions in her were overwhelming. Love, fear, desire, lust, all roamed about in her mind. Everything she had ever known was being torn apart. Ever since she was a little filly, she had been told that things like this were wrong, and shameful. But, she enjoyed the moment, accepted it, and continued it. Her love for Rainbow Dash was now realized, she couldn't deny it, as much as she wanted to, or not. It was real.This quickly quieted her doubts, as she reached the cabinet which housed the blankets.
The door was creakily pulled open, it’s contents were two large purple blankets. Both the same in every way. Applejack had a decision to make, one blanket, or two? Did she want to continue the nights events, or not? How would Rainbow Dash feel? The thought consumed her as she pulled both blankets out into the open. She held each one in her two front hooves. One, or two? She made up her mind. The events of the night had changed her forever, for better or for worse. I don’t care what anypony thinks, this is my life. And I am going to live it the way I want.
Less than a minute later, Applejack returned over to Rainbow Dash who was sitting next to the hale bale, which she collapsed in earlier. Nopony could really tell, but the moon was beginning to rise, way above the storm clouds. The storm raged on, unfazed, the thunder and lightning moved away, but the rain kept coming. AJ walked over to the hale bale, with only one blanket under her side.
“I could only find one, sorry sugarcube. Looks like we’ll have to share,” Applejack informed Rainbow Dash, sarcastically, looking into her eyes.
“Oh, what a pity.” Rainbow smiled ear to ear.
Applejack threw the blanket in the air, spreading it out. She quickly slid under and snuggled up closely to Rainbow Dash. Although still wet, Dash did not struggle back against Applejack’s wet coat. The warmth between the two mares was immense, as the blanket descended over the two mares. Their orange and cyan coats seemingly overlapped, each of mane entwined with the other. They could feel each other's heartbeats and breathing from the closeness of the pair.They had become figuratively one.
“I don’t care what anypony thinks. I want you, and I love you,” Applejack whispered softly into her partner’s ear. A smile lit up on Dash’s face hearing those words.
Two mares laying on a hay stack, the orange mare holding the cyan mare; Their body heat, and love shared. The purple blanket was the only thing masking the scene. They continued to cradle each other, inside a cold, wet, damp, and dark barn. Seemingly nothing could separate the mares. Sounds of rain faze out all other noises inside, and outside the barn. The wind howled, and viciously scrapped at the barn. The night sky was filled with storm clouds that continued to rage. Nopony would ever guess that inside that barn, two mares were sharing not only a blanket and body heat, but that they were also sharing true love.
High above, beyond the intense storm, on top the clouds stood a mare. There was hole in the clouds, just large enough for a view of the barn. A smile dawned on the mare’s face, as she looked down at the building below her. Moonlight shot down, and created a sparkle that shone off her snow white coat, giving off the appearance that her coat itself was creating light. The illumination was cast onto her enormous horn, and beautiful swan like wings. Multi colored light was being given off by her flowing majestic mane, which one could say even sparkled. Below her horn sat a gold crown, that was hoisted high above her feet, from her great height. Mission accomplished.
“My work here is done.”
Author's Note
Story written for
TheShadow
A great editor, friend, and jokester
I can’t thank you enough for putting up with me!
Hey Everypony! I am in the process of the second chapter for “I Promise Scootaloo. I Promise”, I had an idea while writing and I thought I would write it. The main idea behind this fic is to cheer up my editor, TheShadow, who is having a really hard and crappy week. We are trying our best to get “I Promise Scootaloo. I Promise” done, but as of now the whole story is over 17,000 words, and we both want it to be perfect before it’s posted. I am just going to put this out here right now, I am not a big shipping fan, the only ship I truly 100% support is Soarin x Rainbow Dash. And my editor loves Apple Dash, so I thought I would try to cheer him up! This is just a one shot, cheer up kinda thing. I am just experimenting with romance, and since I needed something to cheer up my editor, I made this. Tell me what you think? Thank you in advance.
