Ponyville's weather is never quite the same without Rainbow Dash at the helm.
When a week of bad weather frays the nerves of Ponyville's farmers, they'll go to dubious lengths to stop one of their own from winning the heart of Rainbow Dash, and hogging all the good weather in the process.
Tcherno's Honorable Mention in the second AppleDash contest: Applejack, the Chaser!; Featured on Equestria Daily Aug 13th, 2013; Live reading by TheHollowSpectrum
Prereading by First_Down and Jackie
A ton of vectors in the cover art:
Applejack
Rainbow Dash
Berry Punch
Carrot Top
Daisy, Rose, and Lily
And, as usual, scene change markers from here.
Chapters (3)
so much FAIL!!
2972759
Yay! My first troll!
I really enjoyed this. The only problem was that I enjoyed it so much, I really want there to be more of it. I'd love to see AJ and Rainbow's date, for example, or Rarity's "gratitude" to Fluttershy.
2972915
It's definitely a place to build from. In quite a lot of potential directions.
Man, they're going to get clouds over their farms for weeks for this.
Pretty funny, but I feel really bad for Berry. Her friends drive her to drink.
2973165
I do too
, but Applejack is there for her. 
2972759 a lot of people seem to agree.... About you being a fail......
Oh my god. This is amazing.
Please! I beg you. Write a separate story of the actual date, or even just an actual chapter.
These stories where its all relaxed and not all doom and gloom are so good, but so rare to be written properly, i loved the whole atmosphere of this one and id love to see how it turns out.
And id say you have a great chance of winning the comp.
So much win!
There needs to be a bad weather epilogue. Just sayin'.
2974462
I'm always horrible at endings. You're right, and now the words are already coming together in my brain.
ETA: Stay tuned.
2973820
I would, but the date itself really isn't all that interesting. They see a movie, race each other to SAA, have dinner and probably smooch over some wine and apple pie.
At least, it's not very interesting compared with everything it took to get there.
More!!!!
Plus Fluttershy got a prize
Really, really nice! I was actually about to shed a tear when AJ hugs Berry, not knowing what was going on. Loved it! I wish you luck with the contest. Even if I'll be a contestant myself. Hope you win this thing
Upvote, and straight to the favs like an arrow on a bullseye
2975145
Thanks! Good luck to you too.
I want more of this.
If you're making the next chapeter a Epilouge
Its gonna be... weird...
Revenge...
2982881
... is a dish best served with some not so perfect weather.
With a side of Appledash... but preferably Rarijack...
2982907
Go hit up Shipping Grab Bag, it has a RariJack chapter (the last one, since they're not yet labeled by ship).
Best revenge EVER!!!!!
That is the best revenge EVER!!!!!!
Tried to upvote again after this chapter. Nicely done.
Aaaaah You've done it!. You gave the perfect story... a perfect ending. I'll rant at Tcherno and the others myself if you don't get at least 2nd place!
10/10...
10/10
And, its approved.
deviantart.com/art/Mr-Meowmers-approves-389023620
2984407
Thank you for inspiring me. As soon as I read the word 'epilogue', my brain kicked into gear (and I was nowhere near a computer for six more hours
).
2985108
Haha, thanks! I'm feeling a bit more confident in my entry now that the epilogue is in place.
2985196
2986294
Thank you for showing that Rainbow Dash is actually a hard working and efficient Pony. I hate how people seem to forget that in their stories that Rainbow Dash makes Ponyville awesome to live in with the weather they get.
My OTP is FlutterDash but I love AppleDash too especially this one. I rate this 100/10
I mean the story was there, the plot interesting. The way you dealt with Dash and AJ felt canon. They didn't seem out of place in fact This could have very well been an actual episode of MLP:FiM if they weren't a bag of pussies afraid to have lesbians canon (besides Lyra/Bon Bon) So yeah while it isn't FlutterDash my good sir it's one hell of an AppleDash.
2992079
Thanks!
I was going for a sort of episode-ish feel, crossed with a bit of Hitchhiker's Guide when it came to the opening narration, so it's nice to hear that came across.
2992307
I love how natural Apple Jack sounds here. I can't for the life of me write decent Apple Jack dialogue. It shows, thought it is my first fic but still you write AJ really well. I liked how Pinkie was jealous of Dash;s ability to make ponies smile with weather. Spot on.
At first I thought the whole asking out part went a lot smoother and straight forward than it usually does.
Then I realised this is AJ we're talking about, that's exactly how she'd do it, straight forward and honest.
Good job.
I can explain my lateness! It was all the Doctor's fault!
And by the Doctor, I actually mean Civilization V.
Those poor goofy farmers. Alas for the slightly less perfect weather! They shall be awash in products that are only 10% better than the rest of Equestria, rather than 20%!
Oh what a world! What! A! Wooooooorld! 
I love me some background pony hi-jinks, yes I do.
2992364
It's taken a bit of trial and error, but I think I've finally worked out a system for capturing her accent and speech pattern. The AJ dialog in my other fics is not nearly as good or consistent... yet.
2994217
Eeyup.
2994371
Glad to hear you liked it.
Most fics are concerned with the reactions of AJ or Dash or the rest of the Mane 6, but what about the rest of Ponyville? AJ and Dash were pretty important ponies in town even before they unlocked the Elements of Harmony, it stands to reason their relationship might have even more consequences in the bigger picture.
I am surprised Equestria's pegasi have not gone violently crazy after micromanaging the weather day in and day out to meet the expectations of ponies who want precise minute by minute control. Imagine if your entire community made those same demands of your local postal clerks...
That is actually a valid concern given the stressful and highly demanding job requirements and the enormous power an individual pegasus can wield. Opportunities for vindictive mischief abound...
2973820
As far as the story goes, I also enjoy the relaxed, "everything went better than expected" atmosphere. Once Applejack and Dash get their relationship worked out, it would be interesting to see what happens with Rarity and Fluttershy. I do not recall ever reading about that particular combination...
2992024
She may not be the hardest worker, but I can certainly see Dash expending the extra effort for her friends and community as the need arises. She is the Element of Loyalty after all.
3042967
Dawww, awesome! =D Happy, feel-good, and high quality; just what the doctor ordered!
I have conflicting feelings about alcoholism...
Man, I don't say that often. I just mean that Berry's alcoholism wasn't played for laughs, which is good (and unusual), but this piece was kind of fluffy and the seriousness of Applejack's support didn't really fit the tone.
3043756
I wouldn't say the story is exactly fluffy, though it does tend toward light-heartedness. But, I don't see how Applejack's offer to lend an ear doesn't fit the tone.
The intent was to set AJ and BP up in contrasting roles so that Berry could learn by example and get her absolution in the end. Berry has been unwittingly lending an ear to the troubles of her friends, but doesn't have the courage to stop them and instead turns to her vices as she watches the travesty play out. Applejack, on the other hoof, is directly affected by the cruel plot, and despite being just as torn up about it, still offers Berry support in her time of need.
Carrot and the flower trio were quite serious about their plan, although they had a bad strategy and completely failed in execution. Likewise, Dash was quite serious about cheering AJ up when she came along and saw a friend in trouble. Applejack did the same, offering support when she saw a friend (or at least a very good acquaintance) in trouble. It's the sort of thing the 'loyalest and most dependable of ponies' would do. But, opinions are opinions, I guess.
I thought it was a very good story and nothing really seemed out of place.
2992024
I think most people get that impression from all the times we see her napping in the series.
For myself, I've always interpreted it as Rainbow only has two speeds - "Full Speed Ahead" and "Time For A Nap".
3045728
I guess but I think it's because she has to wake up early to set up all the crap the weather team needs to make the day pretty. Idk I just don't see Rainbow as truly lazy like the show tries to portray her with her constant naps.
3044302
As you say, to each their own. I didn't see Berry's internal conflict in the opening scenes with Carrot, I guess. Seemed like mostly gratuitous silliness.
3048364
It's the sort of situation where you have to read between the lines to realize that Carrot had been whining off and on about the weather all week, hence Berry showing up wine to help her deal with it. Granted, Carrot's whining would be nonsensical to any sane pony (and the audience), but as becomes apparent, she and the flower trio are off in their own little world with Berry wishing she were elsewhere instead of stuck along for the ride.
Show vs Tell and all that jazz.
Or Twilight, who's been taking notes.
And then Rainbow Dash gave Applejack all the good weather and nopony else got any.
3053757
Sheesh, that was supposed to be a joke!
3053774
Hey, the rest of the town got even better weather than usual.
Only four naughty ponies have to put up with Raindrops' practice sessions.
Ha, I'm glad they get what they deserve. Feh. Anyway, EqD said it was short and sweet, and it was right. Main characters were in character (I was a bit wary of Fluttershy, but given the context, I found it believable), Berry's little problem was an unexpected but welcomed element... and stuff. This is a good story.
And I see what you did there, with the Family Guy reference. I approve.