Written by Twinkletail
I gulped, staring over the edge of the cloud. I'd seen things from this perspective plenty of times before, but this time just felt more...terrifying. And I knew it was ridiculous. I knew it full well, so having her next to me and reminding me of this fact wasn't helping.
"I'm sorry, sugarcube, but it is a bit silly. I'm just being honest."
She was being honest. She was honest to a fault, really, but it definitely wasn't helping right now. I gave her a nervous smile, one with many reasons behind it. Partially to pretend I was okay, partially to see her pretty face, and partially to take my eyes off of the view of the ground. The dizzying, nauseating height that had a way of spinning every once in a while.
"You know I'm happy to be patient with you, sugarcube," she said. "But you've got to get over it eventually, you know? And I want to be by your side for it. We can't always be asking Twilight for these cloudwalking spells..."
She always worried. Twilight didn't mind helping us with the spell at all, and she should have known that. She probably did know that. She was always one to worry about me, though, and I appreciated it, even when it could be a little overbearing.
I stared again over the side of the cloud. A pony like me shouldn't be afraid of heights, and I really didn't want to be. I looked back into her eyes, and something about her warm smile just did it for me. She was always modest so would never admit it herself, but she was possibly the bravest pony I knew. There was nopony in Equestria more brave and caring for her. I had to get over this fear; if not for me, then for her. I took a deep breath, whispered a few hopeful words, then jumped.
The wine blew through my mane as I plummeted, sending it in all directions. It took some effort, but I finally managed to open my eyes. The ground was still far off, but was rapidly approaching. This should have been as terrifying as I'd expected it to be, but I just kept imagining her proud smile, and I felt at peace. Now, it was time to go back up.
I felt the cord around my midsection go taut, and then I was ascending once more. I felt her soft, warm forelegs embrace me as I landed back on the cloud.
"That was amazing, Applejack!" she swooned, her warm affections helping to soothe the residual shaking. "How was it?"
"Terrifying, Shy," I told her as the rush of adrenaline began to fade. "But with you by my side, I reckon I'm capable of anything."