//------------------------------//
// Chapter 2 
// Story: Apple's Core 
// by Saiko 
//------------------------------//

	It was already dinner time when Rainbow Dash finally managed to get up, having made up for all the sleep she lost last night. The cloud she was laying on was amazingly comfortable when compared to the grass she had grown to utterly hate. The ground seemed even less tempting for her now, when she had experienced it at its finest. She yawned and smiled; everything was so much better now as she was well-rested. Weather was nice, sun shined bright, and her promise to Applejack? It would be easy to keep, for sure. 

It was chilly, you could feel the winter coming, but Rainbow Dash liked it. Feeling coolness was an inherent part of flying and so, it had a special place in her heart. She stretched out her wings and felt her bones crack; ready for action, the Pegasus took off and dashed in an unspecified direction. Flying just for the joy of it was definitely her thing and she did that almost every day, training, relaxing and passing the time all at once. This time, however, it was different. She wasn’t really sure how – the flight gave her as much pleasure as always and, needless to say, her performance was outstanding. Her surroundings were just a blur as she rushed at top speed, a rainbow trail following her, the rush of air loud in her ears. 
Suddenly, she stopped, laughing almost hysterically. 

Everything became clear when she noticed where she had arrived – she was floating right over Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash tried to assure herself that it was just a coincidence.  In the end, however, she decided it didn’t matter… And she’d already come here so dropping in would be a pretty neat idea. The Pegasus reached Applejack’s window gliding slowly and looked in. Her friend was sitting down a table, leaning over something Rainbow couldn’t make out. She knocked on the glass. Applejack lifted her head and noticed the visitor; her face showed little emotions. She didn’t really seem sad anymore, just kind of lost in thoughts. 


‘Weren’t ya supposed to use yer tricks to deal with the window?’ she asked, opening it.
‘I knew it, you didn’t listen at all! I only use my dirty tricks at nights, if you know what I…’
‘Ah do, Ah do.’ Applejack cut her short, forcing a smile to appear on her lips. Rainbow Dash was a bit taken aback. She managed to grin in response though and changed her attitude afterwards. 
‘What’s the… thing you’ve been reading?’ she asked, trying to sound uninterested, and pointed to the desk. 
‘For how long have ya been spying one me like that?’ Applejack growled.

It was her business. Hers and nopony else’s. She didn’t want Rainbow suddenly all caring because she had broken down one single time in her presence. Or maybe she did want somepony’s concern – but she would never admit it. Having flubbed and spilled her owns beans, she had to make sure she would be as she should be now. Responsible, dependable and – the most important thing –fending for herself. With no help, as it has always been. By herself. But suddenly, Applejack noticed a brief flash of pain in her friend’s eyes, and all those thoughts disappeared. Was she really so self-sufficient if she dealt with problems by taking it out on others!? It was pathetic; she was pathetic. Everything she has become, all the traits she’s been working on so hard, were crumbling in front of her eyes. All because of one moment of weakness, a loss she would never forgive herself. Rainbow Dash didn’t reply; she looked as if she had cowered, suddenly smaller than before. She looked… hurt. Something was off about it; Rainbow Dash never cared enough to get hurt by something. This time, however, her usual self-confidence disappeared.

‘Ah’m sorry!’ Applejack said almost straightaway. She drew Rainbow into this all and now she had to be consequent. Fair. It was her fault. ‘Ah didn’t mean it. Really. Ah’m just kinda… teed off.’
‘Okay.’ A set smile appeared on Rainbow’s face.
‘Nah, it’s not okay. But Ah really didn’t… damn, just see it for yerself.’ 

Applejack grabbed a piece of paper from the table; it was crumpled at edges as if she had been holding it really tight for a long time. The Pegasus sighed and took the document from her friend. It had been written in a really formal way and so she had problems with understanding the details, but the general sense was easy to get – the number of AJ’s relatives has just decreased.

‘The Oranges.’ The earth pony murmured. ‘My family from Manehattan.  Aunt and uncle. High-society ponies, like those in Canterlot, but at least twenty percent snobbier. They are… were… really rich. They had this huge shop that absolutely everypony in Manehattan has heard of. The beginning was just a small stall with orange juice, back in times they were just simple country folk like mah family her at the farm, but when Ah visited them a few years ago they already were important figures, and it seems that their business has been prospering greatly since then.’

‘Uh, my condolences, AJ, but what’s the real problem? You’re not looking too… devastated about their death.’
‘Ah’m not.’ Applejack smiled bitterly. ‘Ya might think Ah’m heartless but Ah don’t really care. Ya… ya already know what mah family is like.’ To the earth pony’s surprise, mentioning the last night’s events didn’t come to her as hard as she thought it would.  ‘They weren’t bad to me when Ah visited Manehattan but as everypony else, they’ve never cared enough to help us out here in the Sweet Apple Acres. So now, how dare they… Damn, Dashie, have ya even read the whole of it? This document?’
‘Nah, too complicated.’

‘Ah see’ Applejack rolled her eyes. ‘Ya see, the problem is: their last will is to have me inherit their stupid company. Of course there is some “according to law” blah blah blah included. The shop will keep Orange’s name, they want a memorial and references to their so-called grandness every-goddamn-where. But guess who is to keep the whole thing up and running? Nah, wait, Ah know. Their beloved relative, Applejack. And… Ah don’t care for them, Ah could just refuse and forget about it but Ah… Ah respect their work, kind of. Ah don’t want that place to just go bust. Nopony wants it, Ah’m sure. And ya know what? Ah’m also sure that nopony other than me will move their lazy flank to go and actually do something to prevent this.’

‘But AJ’, Rainbow Dash began. It was unfair; another burden for her friend to carry, another problem to deal with. Applejack didn’t deserve being treated this way by fate, by others, by the whole world that seemed to be turning against her. ‘You know you don’t have to do that. You do, right? All the hard work of your closest family was also at stake years ago and did the Oranges do anything at all to help you? Did they!?’ Rainbow was simply angry. Not only did the earth pony get drawn into an absolute mess. She didn’t even want to omit it. She was heading straight into the middle of it, ready to face everything the fate had prepared for her. And in the pegasus’ opinion it was the stupidest possible thing. 

‘Ah know, Dashie.’ Applejack sighed. ‘It’s just… Ah  have to go there and take care of this darn store of theirs. Ah just have to.’
‘And leave the farm!?’
‘It’s not forever. Ah’ll come back when Ah find somepony to run the business, not ruin it.’
‘You can’t be serious, AJ’ Rainbow Dash groaned.
‘Ya’d better not go telling me what Ah can or can’t do, Dashie. Ah’ll deal with it as Ah always do. It’s a challenge, can’t ya see?’
‘But… AJ, Manehattan!’ A gleam of hope appeared in Rainbow’s eyes as she saw the look on Applejack’s face change. It was clearly visible that the city scared her the most. It was just a second of weakness though; firm again, the earth pony shook her head. 

Every second, she was fighting tears. Enough of her feelings has already been shown, she couldn’t afford to lose anymore of her pose. Rainbow’s presence required her to talk about all the things she was used to dealing with on her own. For the first time she had to listen to somepony else’s arguments. It made her feel insecure. She wanted Rainbow to leave. To stop convincing her she could do something for her happiness, not ambitions. For she could not.
‘Ah’ve already decided. Dash… stop, okay? Just let it go.’
‘When are you leaving?’ The pegasus asked coldly. 
‘Tomorrow. At dawn. Gotta pack up some stuff. Ah think it’s high time ya left. No offense, Dashie, but Ah have things to take care of.’
‘Yeah…’ Rainbow replied. ‘Bye then.’
‘Bye.’

Maybe ten seconds after her friend had left, Applejack threw herself at the bed and burst out crying, not really caring if Rainbow would hear her or not. It was all her fault. The Pegasus had made her admit her feelings both inside and on the outside and affirm them in a way she has never before. Hadn’t it been for her, Applejack would do whatever was needed. She’d act like a robot, obeying fate’s orders and not letting her feelings reach her. But Rainbow Dash has changed it. She has made her feel the pain that came with acting against herself.


***


After that, the day kept being as far from pleasant as possible. Applejack talked to the rest of the family, telling them about the testament and her plans to do as she had been told by the Oranges. Granny Smith paid no attention, rocking in her chair and trying to look as if she wasn’t about to fall into slumber. Big Macintosh didn’t complain, he never did, but his discontent was visible. Applejack was happy that all this mess had started just before winter’s beginning; there was no harvest work to be done so Big Mac wouldn’t have big problems with her absence.

He hoped that his sister would finish the job before spring. Plus he made it clear that he was expecting some additional income from the new business. Applebloom, on the other hoof… she cared, she truly did, and concern in her eyes made Applejack feel tears in hers. The young filly couldn’t understand all the mature issues but she was honestly interested in the case and her sister’s feelings. She stayed quiet though, let Applejack mesh the plans with the older members of the family, and it wasn’t till late evening that she knocked on her sister’s room’s door.

‘Applejack?’ she asked quietly, not sure if her sister had already fallen asleep.
‘Come in, sugahcube.’ Applejack replied in weak, tired voice.

Applebloom entered the room in silence. Not really knowing why, she wanted to keep quiet, to keep other ponies from hearing them. She glanced at the clean furniture, closing the door behind her. The room was tidy and it looked empty. Most of Applejack’s personal belongings have already been packed up. Her big, brown suitcase laid near the door and next to it a saddlebag with things she would need during the journey to Manehattan. 

‘So what’s up, filly?’ Applejack gave her a weary smile. She was laying on her bed, not asleep yet but about to. Applebloom crawled in and snuggled against her under the blanket. Applejack’s smile grew wider as she closed her eyes and hugged her small sister.
‘Do ya really have to leave, Applejack?’ filly asked, sounding as if she was about to cry.
‘ ‘Tis just the way it is, sugahcube. Some problems need to be dealt with.’
‘Ya can’t leave me…’ she sobbed quietly, feeling Applejack’s hoof stroking her mane gently.
‘Big Mac and Granny are gonna take good care of ya, ya know they love ya…’ she whispered, not really sure if she believed it herself. Maybe it was the same for Applebloom, maybe she didn’t feel comfortable in her brother’s and grandma’s presence either? At face value she had no reason to, but maybe… maybe…

‘Lemme go with ya!’ suddenly she straightened up. ‘Imma help ya with all the things in Manehattan! Ah will, believe me!’
‘No way, Applebloom.’Applejack replied, upset about the reasons against her sister accompanying her. She’d sure be happy to have somepony with her in Manehattan but… ‘Ah’d love to take ya, really, but ya’re still just a filly. Ya oughta go to school and learn, and besides, Big Mac’s gonna need yar help now that Ah won’t be here to do a whole lotta things.’
‘So ya’ll be alone. And so will be Ah.’ Applebloom muttered. 
‘It seems so…’ her sister answered, trying not to break down in front of the filly. ‘Ah love ya, Applebloom.’
‘Ah love ya too.’ She sobbed. 
‘Ya know Ah’ll come back as soon as Ah can, right?’
‘Yeah…’

They laid cuddled close to each other, both upset. Applebloom held her head against sister’s neck and kept sobbing; she was trying to lay still but she couldn’t help slight convulsions shaking her body as she was acknowledging her soon-to-be loneliness. Applejack gazed at the moon behind the window. The same moon that lightened Manehattan, the place where she would be tomorrow with nopony to lay with. 
‘Applejack?’
‘Yeah?’
‘Can Ah stay for the night?’
‘Please do.’ 

Both ponies smiled and closed their eyes, having come to terms with their fates, wanting to spend this last night with each other; with the only ponies they have ever truly loved and respected. 


***


To Applejack’s surprise, rooster’s cock-a-doodle-doo cut no ice with Applebloom. She smiled and swaddled her sister in the blanket. She kissed her forehead; the situation reminded her of similar one, one she didn’t really want to think about. Giving out a quiet sigh, the pony opened the door, put on the saddlebags and started dragging the suitcase down the stairs. Granny Smith was still asleep; Big Mac just nodded her instead of saying good bye, phrase much more complicated than his beloved eeeyup. Applejack hated it wholeheartedly, hearing it made her feel as if her brother was ignoring her. Well, maybe he was. She put on a fake smile though and left trying to look pleased and ready for the challenge. 

The carriage was to arrive at dawn. Applejack yawned and threw the suitcase off her back as soon as she had arrived to the road closest to the Sweet Apple Acres where she had agreed to meet the carter. The sun was rising slowly behind nearby gables. Its light was nearly blinding to Applejack’s sleepy eyes; she wiped them and then squinted, trying to make out a dark silhouette appearing on the horizon. It was the carriage. The one that would take her to her new prison, getting closer. Too quickly. Applejack jumped off the suitcase and stretched, ready to depart, when suddenly, she saw a shadow on the ground getting bigger and bigger. She heard a loud rush of air and looked up to see emptiness. Then she looked on the road again to notice a certain Pegasus standing there, panting a little, triumphant smirk on her face.

‘Well that was impressive, wasn’t it!?’ she bragged, heavy breaths leaving her mouth between the words. 
‘Rainbow Dash, what are ya…’
‘Just don’t go with all the Ah’m gonna do that on mah own crap, okay? I’m going with you. Sorry fella, already been decided.’
‘By whom?!’ Applejack growled.
‘Me.’ Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. ‘I’ve heard you were doing short good byes with almost everypony in the town yesterday. And… I’ve got a feeling you omitted me.’
‘Yeah, sorry, Ah was just informing everypony on mah way when Ah was doing some shopping. Guess what, Ah had no business in the sky.’
‘Whatever. I’m going with you.’
‘No ya’re not.’
‘Try and stop me.’ Rainbow Dash grinned. ‘You can make it more difficult for me if you somehow make that pony over there’ she pointed to the carter who had already arrived; he looked annoyed and impatient. ‘…refuse to take my bits. So what? I can fly ten times faster than this… thing… and not get tired. I’m going. Really. There’s this young colt at the Weather Control who’s been begging for his great chance for months. So here it is, he gets the job, I go to Manehattan and nopony stops me.’

Applejack didn’t reply, but Rainbow Dash knew she has already won. The earth pony sighed – she’s been doing it all the time lately – and entered the carriage, looking defeated. The Pegasus wasn’t too happy seeing her like that, but it was a sacrifice needed; she’d make AJ better in no time. She winked at the carter and threw a bag of coins in his direction; he smiled slightly and caught it, not really sure if he understood what was going on, but happy for the cyan mare who got it made. 
‘Brace yourself, you stupid promise’ Rainbow Dash whispered to herself, entering the carriage. ‘Ready or not, here I come. And I will keep you.’