"Ever-burning"
Light. Gold. Every morning she woke—every night before sleep—light and gold glittered Applejack’s room. It was capturing at first, every glint teasing her, curling her lips with a fond smile. A gift so simple, yet so precious. She polished it every day, keeping its shine strong, her room brightened with gold. The crest never left its place, glorifying her bedside wall. As it had the day Rainbow Dash gave it to her. And as it had the many days after.
So many days… Too many days.
How long had it been?
As she found herself captured, once again, by the proud crest, Applejack snorted. She couldn’t recall when last she thought of that—how long Rainbow was gone. Applejack had counted the days, somehow believing it would move them faster. Somehow believing those days wouldn’t turn to years. But they did.
Time marched on. Little ones grew. The land flourished. Applejack had matured a great deal. Quite a feat given her responsible nature years before. Body, mind, and spirit, all carved to perfection, all raised to their zenith. Lke time and change, Applejack brought prosperity to Sweet Apple Acres. She brought wisdom to her blossoming sister, Applebloom. She brought pride to her brother Big Macintosh.
And she brought peace to the late Apple Family matriarch, Granny Smith.
Business expanded. The Acres expanded. Life continued. Life prospered. And Applejack cherished Rainbow’s Lead-pony crest morning after morning, night after night.
She no longer remembered why. It all became so mechanical—her careful tending. As natural as her hoof whiffing over her forehead every day, reaching for a hat that wasn’t there anymore. As natural as leaving the pile of dusty, unopened letters locked in her room every morning. Eventually, Applejack stopped caring why. Shining gold was part of her room. Shining gold was part of her life.
And on this day?
This day, news of Rainbow Dash’s return stilled the farmer’s hooves before the crest. Frowning. Gnashing her teeth together. And the frantic knock on Applejack’s window opened an old wound. A deep wound. With gusty sigh—eyes closed flatly—Applejack sauntered to her window. She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t falter. She opened it.
“Applejack…”
That voice. So crisp. So matured. It even sounded amazed; from the farmer’s grown, more-solid appearance, no doubt. Applejack fought a tugging grin, her eyes still closed. Without a word, Applejack turned back toward her room, inviting an old friend for the first time in nearly a decade. Applejack’s ears leveled at the other hoof steps. Careful steps. Timid steps.
Applejack turned. Her eyes opened. She already knew it was Rainbow Dash. But right then, Applejack couldn’t believe her eyes. That cyan form, as shaped and matured as the voice that uttered her name. Those sharp magenta eyes, narrowed and focused. Focused on Applejack.
“Rainbow…”
Applejack nearly winced at her own tone. It was flat. Uncaring. Unaffected by Rainbow’s presence. The Pegasus shifted her eyes, smiling warmly at the crest adorning the wall. Only then did Applejack’s eyes brighten. Rainbow was wearing her hat. Her conditioned, unblemished, well-tended hat. Applejack straightened her face again as Rainbow refocused on her.
“I’ve missed you,” Rainbow said, eyelids lowering.
”Yeah…” Was all Applejack could say.
That was a mistake. A terrible, awful mistake.
“That’s it?” Rainbow questioned, her eyes bright with disbelief. “That’s all you have to say? Applejack, it’s been—“
“Ya left me, Rainbow.”
Applejack could practically see the bowling ball filling Rainbow’s throat, her words choked. Applejack waited for a retort. An excuse. Anything. Her eyes narrowed on Rainbow, not expecting those powerful eyes to hit the floor.
“I came back…” Rainbow said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Applejack said nothing. A trick she suddenly remembered. A tactic that poisoned Rainbow’s soul. Grimacing ever so lightly, Rainbow’s eyes shifted to a pile of unopened envelopes. She frowned at how big it was.
“I sent those for a reason.” Rainbows voice grew thick, pointing Applejack’s ears to the ceiling.
“I gathered that.”
More silence. More tension as thick as diamond. Applejack narrowed her eyes as Rainbow approached her. Dauntless. Defiant.
“You’re not being fair, AJ,” Rainbow accused.
“I’m not being—“
Applejack would’ve loved to finish that sentence. She would’ve loved to throw her pet name back in Rainbow’s face. And now, she would’ve loved to bite the lips pressed against her own. When Rainbow pulled away, Applejack realized her breath was caught. Yet she couldn’t release it. She didn’t want to. She frowned at the beautiful flier, a wave of memories beating against the shores of her mind.
They stood before each other, no less different than they had that fateful day. When they were young. When dreams were all but invincible. When Applejack smiled at the mare who would leave her and all their friends. When she believed she’d never forget why she kept that damnable crest.
Finally, Applejack released her breath. “Y’all got no right. Ya hear?” Her voice shook like her hooves. Her voice cracked like the dam behind her eyes. “Y’all got… no right.”
“I know that,” Rainbow replied, eyes firm upon Applejack’s. “I just… I’m sorry, okay?”
Rainbow hadn’t a reason to be sorry. Applejack knew that. But she was angry with Rainbow. So unforgivably angry. And, like the care she took of Rainbow’s crest each day, Applejack didn’t know why. Being a Wonderbolt was Rainbow Dash’s dream. She’d achieved it. Her leave was justified. That should’ve been enough, but it wasn’t. It was never enough. Not enough for those cold lonely nights, soaking her pillow with tears. Not enough for everything Rainbow had missed out on.
It would never be enough.
“I waited so long—“
“I know.” Rainbow gaze finally broke.
“I couldn’t see ya. Couldn’t hear ya—“
“I know.” Rainbow grit her teeth.
Applejack stopped at Rainbow’s tone. For the first time in that whole five minutes, Applejack truly understood how much Rainbow had changed. Orange shoulders quaked, frowning green eyes stubbornly set on the Wonderbolt.
“I love you, Applejack.”
Damn it all the Hell if Applejack wouldn’t break any moment. She was close. The tears fogging her eyes made that quite clear.
“I love y—“
“Just…! Just… Please.” Applejack’s own gaze fell to her hooves. “Please.”
Rainbow hesitated for a long moment. The message was clear. Her steadied, well-practiced breaths hissed through her nose, and she gently took the Stetson off her colorful mane. She hesitated again, staring at the fabric. A lot longer than she may have wished. With a sad smile and a slow bow, Rainbow set the Stetson upon its rightful home. She leaned close, and Applejack coiled back. Just by a hair, though.
Rainbow’s muzzle lifted to the farmer’s ear. “Shore leave ends in a week,” she whispered.
She didn’t give Applejack time to respond, for she was already out the window, wings beating against the sky. For a time unutterably long, Applejack just stared out that window like it’d slapped her. Only the golden glow—now painfully visible—brought her attention back to Rainbow’s crest. And along with it, a cherished memory.
The reason she kept it.
And the reason she gave Rainbow her hat.
With a sob choked by the desert in her throat, Applejack galloped forward and leaped from her window, shouting after the Wonderbolt with all her might.
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I'm curios to what happens next, continue.
I am intrigued.
Have a moustache for being intriguing.
Oh, and please continue.
Please continue this, that was great.
Wow... That was impressive.
I'm split on this... I want it to go on, but at the same time, It's perfect as it is.
~Skeeter The Lurker
i think this would make an excellent story. so yes, i feel it would be worth continuing.
what happen next??
Me like very much!
eherm....
I like this a lot, and I'd like to see it continued if you would, but if not, there's still a like, a fave, and a watcher to be had for you. Great little fic.
This was very good, I like the way you wrote it and how tense it was, well done
I would add the sad tag. This made me cry. Meanie. Who am I kidding?! You`re no meanie! You, sir or madam, are a great author! I would like you to make this chapter longer, but don`t add any more.
More of this
dashie.mylittlefacewhen.com/media/f/rsz/mlfw3539_small.jpg
I totally would love to see you going on with this. It was nice, sweet but also sad. Perfect for continuing
2805763
Said the same damn thing...
2807316 twilight.ponychan.net/chan/arch/src/131120413498.jpg
But seriously, I'm mulling on it. It has potential.
2807381 i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/290/698/c3e.jpg
I'll... see what I can do.
2807484 My gratitude... YOU HAVE IT!
2807884 I try. I try.
2808090 Honestly, I find it bothersome to extend chapter, simply cuz no one would know I did it.
Adding, however? I'm a man of bountiful gifts.
This fic has a sort of elemental simplicity to it which I enjoy because it needs no further explanation - Applejack is married to her farm and Dash is married to the open sky.
It would be a crime not to continue this.
I'd definitely like to see more of this!
Three things
1) rate this teen, for language (or maybe I'm just being anal, I don't know)
2) add the sad tag
3) expand, for happy endings make me happy
Moar plz?
That was gut wrenchingly tense (in a good way), but the sappy part of me is cheering for a happy ending.
You DO NOT need to continue this. This story was more about the attention received by the golden crest more than anything else.
Ultimately, up to you. Here, catch.
2845994
*Story hits me in face*
Why you *****! But seriously, that's just one of many reasons I'm still debating... That, and other writing prompts. Busy man, and all that.
Continue. Do it!
2843990 TheAstronomer100 please tell me "(or maybe I'm just being anal, I don't know)" is a typo, please.
2847835
anally retentive
It means paying an amount of attention to detail that is annoying to others.
It can also refer to having a need of control over everything.
In other words, a mild form of OCD.
Continue Please!!!!! We're all going to beg you to!
PLEASE CONTINUE!PLEASE
i like it, but it does feel like it needs some continuation. not a grand saga mind you (unless you're feeling up to it) but at least one more chapter for some closure..... i mean the girl just jumped out a window, and i think she lives on the second floor.
2847835 Anal Retentive
A little back story would be nice.
CONTINUE. NOOOWWW!!!!
MOAR! NOW!
I mean, if you want to...
Anyway, good read. Please continue!
~Ever
My thoughts: YES! Continue it! If you wouldn't mind...
Did she... jump OUT the window?
holy crap dude I need to read more of this, don't leave the viewers hanging, give us more PWEEEZE!
Hiya, see here's the thing, I'm late to just about all the stories I read, but DUDE U GOTS TA CONTINUES DIS ISH...EtZ SOOO GUD ER MER GERD...
*ahem* i mean... Please do continue this, that just make my day! :scoot angel:
...
PLEASE