Cloudjumper returned to the barn a few minutes after Rainbow had made her swift exit, instantly noticing Applejack crying into her Stetson. He cantered over and brought her round for a hug.
"Shhhh." He stroked her cheek, calming her down. He offered a small smile. "It's okay. I'm here now." He looked around to realise Rainbow was nowhere in sight. "Where did Rainbow Dash go?"
Applejack growled slightly and began to walk up and down the length of the barn. "Oh where do I even begin with Rainbow? To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from her when she came in here, but I still didn't expect...expect..." She faded away, Cloudjumper moving in closer.
"AJ, what did she do?" He asked, a serious tone in his voice.
She turned around sharply to face him. "She kissed me!"
Cloudjumper scratched his head. "Kissed you?" He asked, confused at the situation.
"I just don't understand her. I mean, last time I saw her she was shouting at me somethin' fierce in front of all our friends, and then the next time, she brings me in for a kiss! It's like she's just tryin' to mess me up in the head! I swear ever since I told her about wantin' a special somepony in my life, she's been actin' weird. REAL weird." She sighed, drying her eyes with a hoof. She looked at Cloudjumper, who was...laughing. Applejack was suddenly angry. "And what is so funny about all this?" She asked impatiently.
He took a break to breath, putting his hooves round Applejack's neck. "Applejack, is it not obvious to you?" Applejack seemed bemused. "Rainbow loves you! Is that really not clear to you?" He grinned at her as she began to piece things together.
"But...I don't understand. Why'd she never mention anything like this before?" She asked, confused.
"Have you ever thought she may not have been sure it was what you wanted? That she maybe decided you'd be happier with me?" At his words, a memory flashed back into her mind. Their day at the Wonderbolts Stadium. Her own words echoing through her mind. I suppose that I saw how excited you were for it all. I thought that if it made you happy, then everythin' would be worth it. Slowly, gradually, Applejack understood everything more and more.
"But- but I don't even love her!" Applejack protested. Cloudjumper merely sat back, crossing his forehooves.
"Really?" Cloudjumper asked, a small smile on his face.
"Well of course really..." Applejack locked her eyes on his. "Hang on a nitpickin' minute. Why in the hay are you tryin' to make me confess lovin' her?"
He shook his head, closing his eyes as he tried to think of the right response. "Applejack, being with you has been the best three weeks of my life. But being with you, it's clear that you've loved Rainbow for a lot longer than even you realise. You may not realise it, but you're constantly on about her. You care for her, babe."
"But I- I-" Applejack couldn't reply, simply staring at the ground in defeat. "But Cloudjumper. I wanna be with you. I love you..."
"And I love you too" He kissed Applejack. This time, for a much shorter time than usual. "And that's why I know you should go after Rainbow. I love you enough to know you'll be happier with Rainbow than me." Applejack opened her mouth to speak but Cloudjumper silenced her with another kiss. "If it makes you feel any better, I'll follow you to the ends of Equestria to find her if we have to."
Applejack smiled, looking outside the barn. "Well, I guess we better get movin' then." She cautiously stepped outside, looking from left to right. "If I remember correctly, she exited towards the Everfree Forest." She gulped. "It's gonna be mighty dangerous navigatin' through those trees."
Cloudjumper appeared behind her. "Don't worry. I'm here for you." He pointed a hoof at the forest. "Now go and find your true love!"
Applejack laughed, as they slowly passed through the orchards, the forest looming closer and closer. They finally stood on it's borders, both gasping as they took in the forest's decrepit features. An unnatural fog covered every inch of it, trees posed menacingly along the single broken pathway. Applejack looked at Cloudjumper who seemed equally terrified. They both jumped at the sound of a Timberwolf howl in the distance, echoing through the forest.
"It's gonna take hours tryin' to find Rainbow. She could be anywhere in there." Applejack said nervously. Taking a deep breath, she gathered the courage to take the first step. "No goin' back now..."
Rainbow continued to sit in darkness, unmoving. The kiss replayed in her head over and over again and she couldn't help but regret it all. The moment of pure ecstasy as they locked lips and the moment of horror when she saw Applejack's reaction. She finally relaxed her mind enough to will herself to sleep. She shut her eyes, taking deep and slow breaths, allowing her mind to wander. She was woken up abruptly not two seconds later, by an unholy roar from deep within the cave. Shaking, she attempted to return to sleep. Another roar caused her to soar directly upwards smashing her head against the roof of the cave. Crashing onto the floor, she rubbed her head, grunting.
All of the pain quickly subsided when the ground started shaking beneath her. She whimpered, trying to back out of the cave. Hitting a wall behind her, she quickly realised the cave entrance was nowhere to be seen. All she could see was...nothing. Eternal darkness surrounded her, as she heard something getting closer and closer. She desperately hovered in the air trying to find any means of escape. Darting around the room, she bumped her head again but against something softer this time. That almost felt like it was...living. She slowly opened her eyes and looked up. She could make out a large, somewhat bear-like creature in front of her. It's purple coat unnaturally glowed in the darkness of the cave, a large blue star-like image adorned it's head. As Rainbow looked into the beast's yellow eyes and took note of it's massive teeth, she knew.
She was in deep trouble.