Just Friends

by lonewolf.007

Chapter 15

Author's Note: Hey again, everypony! Looks like people have been waiting for this moment to happen, since FOREVER. The present poll has closed now, with people voting for what they wanted to happen next in this story. Interestingly, 9 of 15 wanted a tame happy ending. 3 wanted action, but with injury and deaths, and the other three options each had a single vote.

SO...

I'm going to continue with my story plan anyway, and as for what the ending will be like... I can't tell you. But it was great to have that kind of feedback, and I will take some aspect of it into account.

NEW POLL THOUGH. And this one's important. What do you want me to write first, after this little story is wrapped up? Check it out on my profile!

And thanks again to my amazing reviewers, you guys are seriously THE BEST, and it means the world to me. It really makes my day.

Enjoy!

The sunlight seeped through Applejack's closed eyes, and she grumbled, then groaned. She had just had the best dream of her life. She and Rainbow had fought a group of henchponies, and Rainbow had saved her life. Then they had kissed, and Rainbow had returned all AJ's feelings. They had been reunited, their relationship revived. It had been so vivid, so real. Applejack heaved a sigh. Well, it was time to get up for the day's work on the farm. Then she and Rainbow had to go to Twilight's and talk over the plan again.

Opening her eyes, she stared up at the wooden ceiling. The sun was bright, beaming in through the window, announcing the new day. Applejack sighed again, closing her eyes and recalling the sweetest dream she had ever had. The taste, the feel of the Pegasus's lips on hers, the heavenly sensation of being in her arms again… A single tear rolled down the cowpony's cheek. She turned her head to see the mess of bed sheets on the other side of the room, expecting to see the aforementioned Pegasus snoring away. But it was empty. AJ frowned. Something wasn't right. Rainbow never got up earlier than she had to.

Clearing her head, Applejack tried to get out of bed. But for some reason, she couldn't. She couldn't move, and panic seized her. What's goin' on? Why can' Ah get outta this bed? Is this some trick of Rainbow's or somethin'? She began to struggle against whatever was holding her. Then she heard cries. "Applejack. Applejack! APPLEJACK!" Fear gripped her heart as she recognised the voice to be that of her beloved. She fought harder against whatever was holding her back, sure that they had gotten Rainbow and were hurting her.

"APPLEJACK!"

The blonde-maned Earth pony opened her eyes to see Rainbow above her, staring at her with worried eyes.

"Are you ok–"

Applejack kissed Rainbow, her entire body shaking. After the initial shock, the cyan pony returned the kiss, calming her. She felt her body begin to relax as she was lost in the kiss. Rainbow had a way of making her feel better, and her kiss was always generous and concentrated on AJ's enjoyment.

Finally, Rainbow pulled back, and caressed Applejack's cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, Ah'm fine. Jus' a nightmare."

"Tell me about it."

Taking a deep breath, then another, she lifted a hoof and ran it through Rainbow's mane. "Ah had a dream… an' Ah thought everythin' tha' happened las' night was a dream… does tha' make sense?"

Rainbow nodded, encouraging her to go on.

"Well… Ah thought we were back at Apple Acres still, an' tha' we were still plannin' the journey. Ah was all upset over it, an' all, but Ah made mahself get up anyway. Ah looked over at yer bed an' ya weren't there, which seemed odd ta me. So Ah tried ta get outta bed, and Ah couldn'. Ah guess, 'cause ya were holdin' me now, Ah couldn't move an' in mah dream Ah though' Ah was bein' held down. Th-then Ah heard yer voice callin' mah name in the dream, an' A-Ah was s-sure tha' somethin' bad was h-happenin' ta ya, an' Ah couldn' r-reach ya."

Applejack began shaking again, and Rainbow pulled her in, wrapping her wings around them both. A hoof ran up and down the orange pony's back, soothing her. It was comforting, just being held like that, in Rainbow's forelegs.

"So it was all real? Las' night wasn't jus' some dream?"

She felt Rainbow's lips on her mane. "If it was a dream, and this is still a dream, I don't ever wanna wake up."

AJ giggled. "Ya really are jus' a big ol' romantic underneath tha' 'strong an' tough' persona, aren't ya?"

"What? No!" the flier was quick to deny, a blush creeping over her cheeks.

"Don't lie ta me, Dashie, Ah can see righ' through ya, even without bein' the Element of Honesty."

Grumbling to herself, Rainbow crossed her forelegs over her chest, but she kept her wings around Applejack. Laughing, AJ gave the Pegasus a little nuzzle, deepening the red on her face.

"Humph."

The work pony gave another giggle, before sitting up, and rubbing her eyes properly. Then she felt herself pulled down again, by two blue wings. "Rainbow! Let me go."

"No."

"Rainbow."

The cheeky Pegasus simply shook her head, folding her wings tighter around them. Applejack couldn't remain stern, not after wanting this for so long. But it was worth a shot. Hiding her smile, Applejack tried to look annoyed, but one look at Rainbow's grin, and she knew she had seen right through the trick.

"Dashie, let me go."

"Fine. But only if you give the most awesome Best Young Flier in all of Equestria, and your super cool marefriend, a kiss."

Applejack rolled her eyes, but happily obliged, leaning in and meeting Rainbow's lips. Before she could pull away, she felt Rainbow's hoof reach up around her head, and pull her closer. To tell the truth, she was glad. She didn't really want to pull away. Rainbow tilted her head slightly to the side, nibbling on AJ's lower lip and eliciting a soft moan from the farmer pony. Applejack's hooves were resting on Rainbow's chest, feeling the warm fur and the rise and fall that came from her breathing. Rainbow's other hoof was gently rubbing AJ's mane, which was out of its customary pony tail. Like last night, Rainbow ran her tongue over Applejack's lips, teasing them and begging entry. After allowing the Pegasus to trace her lips with her tongue, AJ opened her mouth to let Rainbow in. After giving her time to probe around, Applejack moved her tongue up, pushing against Rainbow's for possession in her mouth. The taste was amazing, as they wrestled. Applejack managed to eventually push Rainbow out, and enter her mouth. The battle continued, as Rainbow pulled her closer still. They were kissing deeply, and Applejack had no intention of stopping soon.

After locking lips fiercely for a few more moments, they broke apart. Applejack could still taste the sweet, crisp taste of Rainbow on her lips, and she couldn't quite keep the look of disappointment off her face at it being over. Rainbow saw this, and chuckled. Kissing her on her neck, Rainbow smiled into her fur. "Better get started then."

Applejack had to force herself up, looking extremely disgruntled. Rainbow knew exactly how to tease her. She was finally released from the wing hold, and stood up, stretching. Rainbow rolled to her hooves as well, shaking her body like a dog. Her bed hair changed into its usual mess of a mane. Yawning, the Pegasus began to pull out breakfast, handing Applejack her comb and hair ties while she was at it.

After running it through her mane and tail, and tying them back into their neat arrangements, Applejack joined Rainbow in a breakfast of canned apples and cinnamon toast. She found it entertaining to try and feed Rainbow the apple pieces.

"Dashie, open yer mouth."

She shook her head, looking displeased.

"Come on, Dashie, do ya want me ta beg?"

Still, Rainbow refused to open her mouth.

"Don't ya trust me?"

She only looked at Applejack with suspicious eyes.

"Fine. If ya don' trust me ta feed ya, no more kisses fer ya."

"WHA–"

Applejack quickly stuck the spoonful of apple into Rainbow's mouth, then burst out laughing as Rainbow coughed and spluttered. After finally getting the apple slices down, Rainbow stared at her with narrowed eyes, only making her laugh more. But when she caught sight of the flier's expression again, she stopped. There was a devious smile on her face, as she watched Applejack. Even after all these years, she still remembered clearly what the look meant.

"Ya wouldn't…"

Rainbow didn't say anything, just wearing the same devious grin, and moving back.

"Rainbow…"

The rainbow maned pony sprang, tackling AJ to the ground and began to tickle her. Despite being a hard worker with a well-toned body, Applejack was still extremely ticklish. Rainbow seemed to be recalling their previous challenge, as she attacked Applejack, reducing her to a mass of giggles, laughter, and begs for her to stop. When Rainbow finally relinquished her attacks, Applejack lay on the ground, panting, her mane and tail a mess again.

"Grrrr, Rainbow…"

"And that's why nopony messes with the coolest pony in all of Equestria! AND, I win the challenge! You have to cook for me for a week when we get back!"

"We'll see, sugarcube."

They finished the rest of their meal, and cleaned up. Applejack had to retie her messed up mane, but while she was brushing through it again, she felt Rainbow's gaze on her.

"You look beautiful with your mane out, AJ."

Applejack smiled, blushing a little. "Only ya would ever see me with mah mane out, Rainbow."

She grinned. "That's cool with me."

After that, they both donned their life-saving gear again, and threw their packs onto their backs. There was only one day of travel left before they reached the secret area, where they'd set up base. To AJ, it was obvious that it was going to be a good day. No matter what happened.

It was only about seven in the morning, judging by the position of the sun. They'd have to cover some decent ground before eleven. Rainbow had started ahead, a new spring in her step. AJ chuckled, full of energy herself, though she managed to contain it better than the rainbow-maned Pegasus. Catching up, Applejack nudged her side gently.

"Y'all seem happy today, sugarcube," she stated innocently.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Rainbow was too cheerful to think about anything deeply.

"Well… ya seem ta be more energetic than usual…"

Rainbow glanced at her, a smile on her face. "I think you know why that is…"

"Do Ah?" Applejack teased.

"Uhuh."

"Well… why don' ya tell me? Jus' in case Ah'm wrong?"

The Pegasus gave her another smile, this time tending towards a cheeky grin. "WELL… it's because I finally get to be with you… and that means you get to have the coolest marefriend EVER!"

The expression on the orange pony's face changed from happiness to shock to exasperation. She rolled her eyes at Rainbow, and gently hit her with a hoof. "Rainbow."

"What? You know it's true!"

This drew out another chuckled from AJ. She couldn't expect anything less of Rainbow. Her Rainbow. She felt like it was a whole other world, walking by her side. The last two weeks of travelling had been completely different. They had talked, joked, gotten along like a house on fire. Applejack could feel that they were getting closer, their friendship growing stronger as they patched up the lost time. But there had always been a limit of how far that friendship would progress. Every day she had to try and hide all her feelings, every night she had to try sleep with the cyan pony only a metre or so from her. There was always a distance between them. Even while they walked side by side, they didn't remain close to each other.

The last few days, Applejack had felt her resolve slipping. She had tried to hide everything she felt for Rainbow, but being with her all day, every day, made it harder. She couldn't escape the presence of Rainbow, and was left to fight the ache in her heart twenty-four/seven. The time spent with that Pegasus brought back so many things that she had forgotten, or never fully appreciated, about her. As she told story after story, making jokes and pranks, and generally being herself, Rainbow had made AJ fall for her again and again. And on the rare occasion, when Rainbow put away the tough exterior and admitted her fears, or her weaknesses – never putting it in those terms though – it made Applejack want to hold her close, comfort her and love her. Show her that she loved her. But instead, like always, only night could bear witness that emotion. Until now.

"This is totally like a Daring-Do novel! A long journey through the desert, being unable to fly, preparing for a breath-taking and totally awesome adventure…" Rainbow was beginning another one of her comparisons of their journey to one of her book-hero's dangerous expeditions.

Having heard so much about the explorer pony, Applejack decided that Daring-Do and Rainbow had a direct personality match. Adventurous, fearless, courageous and strong? Looking at her partner lovingly, she revised her opinion. The gutsy brown Pegasus of the books didn't quite do Rainbow justice.

Rainbow Dash. The epitome of loyalty, who was yet to leave her friends hanging. Tough, strong and brave, refusing to answer to weakness and fear. Determined, and hard-working when she needed to be.

"… But, ya know why this is better than a Daring-Do story?" Rainbow stopped and looked at Applejack.

"Why?"

"Because I have you."

"Awww, Dashie, Ah knew ya couldn' hide ya inner romantic." Applejack ran her cheek down Rainbow's neck and mane, breathing in the smell of her coat. This time, the Pegasus didn't deny it, simply doing the same for Applejack, rubbing her cheek against the orange pony's neck.

When they began walking again, Applejack could feel her heart racing, her happiness making her feel like her chest was going to explode. As the day wore on, they laughed, and played, talking about anything and everything. It was really the same as what they had been doing for the last two weeks, but everything seemed twice as funny and enjoyable, overlayed with overwhelming optimism. And in between it all, the tender touches, and sweet kisses made the entire situation magical.

Time passed in a flash, and Celestia's sun had made its way into the centre of the sky. The heat of the day was finally getting to the two lovers and they soon made a refuge under a rocky overhang. Applejack pulled out the map that Twilight had pieced together, based on books and the scouting that Fluttershy's friends had done.

"I think we're… HERE." A cyan hoof landed on the paper, pointing at a random area on a long line.

"Rainbow, are ya even lookin' at the map carefully?"

"Pffft, I don't need to. I'm a master at this kinda stuff! Navigation is second nature to me!"

"So why did ya point ta a river?"

Rainbow gave a start, and looked at the map again. The place where her hoof landed was covering a blue line that showed a river. "WHAT? Why is there a river in a map of the desert?"

Applejack chuckled. "Ya didn' let me get the righ' map out, sugarcube."

"Oh…" Rainbow sat down, her cheeks blazing. Applejack couldn't help letting out a giggle at the sight of her embarrassed friend. It was so adorable. Of course, that kind of thinking soon got Applejack's cheeks pink, and Rainbow noticed.

"What are ya blushing, AJ?"

"Huh? Ah ain't blushin'!"

Rainbow wasn't fooled at all. "Yeah, you are! Your cheeks are going all red!"

This only made the orange pony blush harder. "'S nothin', sugarcube. Now, Ah think we're…"

"Is it me? Is it because I'm so awesome and talented and you feel so lucky to have somepony like me around?"

"Will ya give yer ego a rest, Rainbow?"

"Ego? What ego? I don't have an ego! I'm just telling you the truth!"

"That ego."

The Pegasus stuck her tongue out at AJ childishly. "Awww, c'mon, AJ. Tell me. Pleeeeeaaaaase?"

"Fine. It's 'cause of the heat."

"AJ."

She heaved a sigh, though internally, she was grinning. "Well, Ah was jus' thinkin'… 'bout jus' how adorable ya are when yer all embarrassed."

The look on Rainbow's face sent her into gales of laughter. The shock and outrage on her face hid the glee Applejack knew she was feeling inside. She would never ever tell the cowpony so, but whenever she called her any endearing names, she always felt extremely happy. To hide this, Rainbow turned her back on Applejack, folding her legs at her chest and huffing in a disgruntled fashion. This only served to make AJ even more tempted to call her "cute" and "adorable" and "lovable."

But having the Pegasus turn her back was too good an opportunity to miss. Especially after what had happened this morning. Applejack crept up behind the unsuspecting pony. The armour covered a lot of her ticklish points, but there was one, on the back of her neck, that got Rainbow every time. Without warning, Applejack tackled her, and sent her rolling. Rainbow cried out in surprise, before the Stetson-clad pony was on her, tickling her neck and making her squirm as she tried to escape the tickle attack.

"A-Applejack! Hehehe… no stop! Ehehe, STOP! P-p-p-hahaha, no, p-ple-hehehe-se stop! O-okay! Ahaha, y-you w-ehehe, you win! Just, ahaha, stop! STOP!"

When Rainbow had suffered enough, Applejack took a step back. "An' tha's why nopony messes with ME!" She copied Rainbow's proud stance, making Rainbow scowl slightly. As ever, AJ could see the inner competitiveness coming out in Rainbow.

"Alright, Applejack! Why don't we have a proper competition! A tickle fight! And we'll settle the bet once and for all!"

"Didn' ya learn anythin' from wha' jus' happened?"

"I wasn't prepared! This time, you're going down!"

"We'll see abou' tha', sugarcube."

The two ponies faced each other, slowly circling as they readied themselves for the battle. Applejack smiled, watching Rainbow's every move carefully, in case she'd try to make a quick dash or something. The wings would be an advantage for her.

"Okay, onetwothree GO!"

Rainbow lunged forward, aiming to knock Applejack over, but the years of rodeo practice meant that the farmer pony already saw it coming, sidestepping it and spinning to meet the unbalanced pony. Rainbow was fast though, and managed to recover her composure before Applejack could knock her over. They circled again, looking for a weak spot in the other. Rainbow then made another dash, which Applejack leapt out of the way of… only to find it was a feint, and Rainbow was on her. The problem was, Applejack was equally as ticklish around the neck as Rainbow was, and the flier happened to know the specific points that really got Applejack laughing.

Rolling around on the ground, trying to fight the rainbow-maned Pegasus off, AJ could barely breathe for laughing. "Gahaha, Rainbow!" She struggled against the pony, but Rainbow had her pinned, and was using her wings to help keep herself upright while she tickled AJ. "Alrigh'!" Applejack gasped out. "Ya win! Ya win the firs' round!"

Rainbow let go, and hovered in the air. "The first round, huh? That was easy. I'll get the second round!"

"Ah wouldn' be so confident if Ah were ya, Rainbow. Ya got me by surprise there."

"Oh yeah? You're ON!"

They began to circle each other again, cautious and eager to win. This time, when Rainbow made any sudden moves, Applejack stood her ground, proving each to be a feint. She knew the brash Pegasus wasn't patient, and soon she'd make a move. So AJ waited. Finally, Rainbow flew forward, her intentions real, and Applejack sprang aside, causing her to spiral past. She quickly turned around and took the rainbow tail in her teeth, giving it a tug. With a yelp, the already off-balance pony was brought off her hooves, and Applejack quickly grabbed a hold of her, and began another tickle attack. This battle was in her favour now, as Rainbow was now pinned to the ground and unable to move.

"Ahaha, NO! I'll, ehehe, win!" She was trying to throw AJ off, attempting a roll, but to no avail. The stubborn farm pony refused to budge, determined that the rainbow flier would concede defeat this time. "ALRIGHT! YOU WIN!" She finally gasped out, unable to take the tickling any longer. The blonde-maned pony backed off, grinning.

"One ta one, sugarcube. Ready fer the las' round?"

"You bet I'm ready! Prepare to lose!"

"Not in a million ye– oof!" The Pegasus tackled her, knocking her over. Rainbow immediately began to tickle AJ, making the orange pony shake with giggles. But this time, she didn't pin Applejack down properly, and she managed to get her hooves up and began to tickle Rainbow even as she attacked her. Unprepared for the sudden retaliation, Rainbow lessened her own tickling, and Applejack was quick to take advantage, knowing that Rainbow still had flying on her side. She knocked her sideways, and quickly got the upper hand, pinning down her down and beginning a more vigorous attack. But likewise, Rainbow managed to get her hooves free and reached up, making Applejack wriggle as she began to succumb to the tickling.

Continuing for as long as possible, neither admitted defeat. Laughing, giggling, rolling around and shouting for the other to admit they had lost the battle, they managed for another five minutes or so. At last, Applejack collapsed on top of Rainbow, both exhausted from all the laughter.

Wrapping her hooves around the blue Pegasus, she looked into Rainbow's eyes. Rainbow had her forelegs around AJ, holding her close. Sharing another kiss, Applejack closed her eyes, and whispered against Rainbow's mouth,

"Ah love ya so much…"

She felt the sensation of her lover smiling against her lips, and whispering back in the same fashion, "I love you more…"

Pulling back a little, they stared at each other for a moment, before saying simultaneously,

"I love you most."

"Ah love ya most."

Applejack clambered to her hooves, and went over to their abandoned maps and packs, sitting on the ground looking forlorn. Brushing the mane that had escaped her ponytail out of her eyes, she scrutinised the map again. A blue head peered over her shoulder, and she felt the Pegasus sit behind her. "So where are we then, Navigator Applejack?"

"Ah think… we're here. If we stayed here las' night, an' that there is tha' boulder we passed… This place should be this here area. Ah'm sure of it."

"Wow! We really covered some distance then!"

"We sure did, an' Ah didn' even notice… but then Ah did have some other things ta think abou'…"

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Like a certain rainbow-maned, cyan Pegasus Ah know…"

Rainbow gave a cheeky grin, hugging Applejack from behind. "You were thinking about me?"

"Mmmm…"

"Can't get me outta your head, can you?"

"Tha's mighty hard ta do when yer travellin' together every hour of every day, ya know."

She knew the Pegasus was rolling her eyes at that, before she gave AJ a nuzzle. "Even if we weren't, I'd still be on your mind all day…"

"Even if ya were, Ah wouldn't tell ya so, jus' ta keep ya from becomin' too proud." And with that, the orange pony got up and began to pull out stuff for lunch. She smiled at Rainbow's complaints. Pulling out more canned fruit, and an air-tight container of hay-sandwiches, she divvied out the rations. Rainbow floated over on her wings, dropping down next to her and grabbing a sandwich.

"What time is it?"

"Jus' after one."

"So we've got about another two hours?"

Applejack nodded, chewing on her own sandwich. Rainbow had already finished her first and had picked up another. After taking a bite out of it, she looked up.

"So what are we gonna do for two hours?"

AJ took another bite out of her food, thinking. She wondered if it was too soon to ask…

"Rainbow… ya… said ya never really stopped lovin' me… Ah… what did ya mean by that?"

"Oh…" Rainbow frowned for moment. "Well… I guess… that's exactly what I meant. After… everything… I still had feelings for you."

"But… why?"

The Pegasus scratched her chin thoughtfully. "I don't really know, I guess… It's like… you don't have control…"

"But… Ah hurt ya so badly… Ah thought ya would hate me after what Ah did… Ya should've hated me fer what Ah did…"

"AJ, don't say that. It hurt, yeah, but I can understand why you did it. It's not easy, it can get tough sometimes. You made a mistake. It's in the past."

She shook her head, tears coming to her eyes. She blinked quickly, willing them to disappear before they fell. Looking down at the ground, Applejack whispered, "Why are ya so good ta me?"

"'Cause you're my girl."

Applejack dropped her sandwich and threw her forelegs around Rainbow's neck, knocking her backwards. Rainbow managed to catch herself before the force took them both over, and cradled AJ in her grasp. Holding her close, Applejack felt the guilt inside her swell up. After everything that had happened, what she had put them through, Rainbow was willing to simply forget about it. She had forgiven Applejack, and had accepted her again.

"Ah don't deserve this. Ah don't deserve ya." She had to tell Rainbow, she needed to. She wanted Rainbow to love her forever, for all eternity, but a part of her always knew that Rainbow deserved somepony better. Somepony who hadn't been caught up in what other ponies thought, who only cared about the ones who mattered. It was the truth, and Applejack couldn't hide that from herself, or from Rainbow.

"AJ…"

"Ah love ya, Rainbow. If Ah have a chance at this again, Ah'll never let ya go again."

"So… what's the problem?"

"Because Ah know ya deserve somepony else, somepony better than me… Ah don' want ta make ya feel like ya have ta be with me… All tha' time ya were travellin'…" Applejack hid her face in Rainbow's mane, muffling her voice. "If ya found somepony else, then i-it's alrigh' fer ya… ta go with them…"

"AJ. I'll tell this once. In all those years of travelling, and being away from my friends, not a day passed when I didn't think about you. I know, I know, it's really corny, and when this is over, we never had this conversation, okay?" Applejack gave a watery chuckle into Rainbow's fur. "When I left after our argument, I was hurting. I was angry, and I sped off to have some time to think to myself. I realised that maybe it was hard for you. If it wasn't meant to work out, what could I do about it? I prepared myself to move on, but I was always jealous of that colt that took you from me… I figured out that I couldn't stop loving you… but if being with another pony made you happy, there's no point in me arguing, right?"

"Tha's what Ah decided ta do before all this happened…" Applejack whispered. "Ah thought ya'd find somepony else and Ah'd have ta stand by an' watch… but Ah promised ta never stand in the way of yer happiness…"

The Pegasus lifted the Stetson off the blonde mane and flipped it onto her own head, before resting her chin on top of Applejack's head lovingly. She continued, "When I came back, I just expected to patch everything up, ya know? You were my best friend, AJ, and what hurt me the most was thinking that I might've lost you as a friend as well. Then… when you said you wanted a second chance… at us… I was scared." Rainbow's voice went quiet, and Applejack lifted a hoof to stroke Rainbow's cheek. "I felt like… a coward… not being able to say yes… But it hurt so much, and I was scared that we'd mess it up again and our friendship would be hurt further. So I said no. I wanted so badly to say yes, but I didn't want anything else to go wrong between us. When I hung around for the two months–"

"And three days."

"And three days, I thought we could get back to normal. Ya know, like we used to be. It was a bit awkward, I guess, but I thought it might be okay. That's when that letter came. Threatening you guys, and I knew I had to track these Pegasi down. There was no way I was going to let anything happen to my best friends, and especially to you. And I figured, the time away from you might give us both time to relax and get over everything… Heh, it didn't work out for me very well. You were always the first thing I thought of every morning, and the last every night… I was always worried that they might've done something to you guys, and every time I managed to get news about Ponyville, I was always relieved when nothing bad came up."

"Oh, Rainbow… when ya were gone… when ya left withou' sayin' anythin'… Rainbow, Ah was hurtin' every day. Ya were always on mah mind an' Ah was always wonderin' where ya were, and what ya were up ta. Ah was worried 'bout ya." She felt the Pegasus bury her face into her mane, inhaling.

"You have no idea how badly I wanted that… for you to be caring about me."

"Ah'll always care abou' ya, Dashie."

Rainbow let out a small breath of contentment. Then her mood shifted slightly as she continued. "When I crashed back into town again, and finally woke up, I was greeted by Twilight, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rarity. You weren't there, and… it hurt. But I figured that you moved on. I mean, come on, three years. Of course you would've. I just… didn't think too much on it, and decided it was time for me to get on as well.

"Then you turned up in the afternoon… one minute there was nopony, the next, you were standing the looking at me. I really thought you were over me. I felt kinda awkward, 'cause… ya know, I still had feelings… but over the next couple of week, things seem cool between us, and I just made myself promise to keep my feelings to myself."

"Ya hid them real well, Ah'll give ya that."

Rainbow gave a quiet chuckle, her face still burrowed into the golden mane of the farmer pony. It felt so good, being in Rainbow's clasp again, holding her like that. "I'm glad you kissed me last night, Apples." Applejack felt her cheeks grow hot, but her entire body hummed with energy, joy at Rainbow's words, and her pet name for AJ. "Who knows where we'd be if you hadn't…"

"All because ya had ta be a hero and risk yer life fer me. And give me a heart attack while ya were at it, ya silly filly."

"Like I always said, I never leave any of my friends hanging! Especially the love of my life."

"Dashie…"

They nuzzled each other, cuddling under the small rock overhang as they waited for the day to cool down a little so they could resume their journey. After a time, Applejack asked, "Ah need ta check the time." Rainbow reluctantly disengaged herself from the orange pony so she could look at her watch built into their armour. "Jus' after three. We should set off." Rainbow groaned. "Come on, we haven' got far ta go, sugarcube. We covered a lotta ground in the mornin'. We should reach camp by five." AJ gave the Pegasus a kiss on the cheek. "We can keep goin' when we get there, Dashie."

"Fine. Let's go."

AJ knew that Rainbow wasn't going to stay, they were here to save her parents after all. But Rainbow would complain anyway, making Applejack smile. The lunch was packed away again, Rainbow managing to stuff a last sandwich in her mouth before it was gone. Setting off again in high spirits, Applejack laughed as Rainbow opted to zip around just above the ground, back and forth, until she finally grabbed the Pegasus by the tail.

"Alrigh', Rainbow, hold yer horses! Any more of this an' yer gonna tire yerself out. Then Ah'll have ta carry ya all the way ta the camp."

"What! No way!" Rainbow put her hoof on her chest. "I'm too cool to get tired that easily! You're talking to the Iron Pony here!"

"If ya say so," AJ teased. "Jus' don' collapse on me before we get ta camp."

Rolling her eyes, Rainbow took to the air again, forelegs crossed. She managed to stay airborne until they reached a narrow passage that was impossible to fly through. Walking in a line, Applejack led the way through the twisting canyon. Rainbow followed behind, annoyed at the inability for her to use her wings.

"Are we there yet?"

"Not long now, sugarcube."

… "Now?"

"No."

… "How about now?"

"Does it look like we're there yet?"

"Fine."

After what seemed like ages, due to Rainbow's complaints, they came out. "Now, should be 'round here somewhere…" Applejack pulled out the map in her bag and looked at it.

"Twilight said there was a small opening somewhere here that we need to watch for. It's supposed to be really well hidden."

"Along this here stretch. Tha' means we should turn 'round tha' boulder there, an' follow the path 'til we reach the archway."

"We'll have to be quiet, it's really close to their entrance."

"Well, let's go, sugarcube."

With that, the light-heartedness was replaced with a more serious demeanour. The two set off, watchful, as the finished the last leg of their journey… before the final battle of this war.

AWWWW YEAH, DREAMCEPTION. Did anyone get a little confused over the first bit? It was pretty fun writing that. And lot's of fluff! But how much longer can our heroes' happiness last? Well... we'll have to see.

Remember to check out the poll! This ones a big one, and will be around for a bit. Well... until this story is over. Sorry about the gap in updates, but things happen and life gets busy. Thanks for reading!

Review if you can!

And check out Arby Works "Apple Spectrum" too.

Yours truly,
Lonewolf

Note: Posted onto FiMFiction by Arby Works with permission from Lonewolf.007. All credit goes to him for his fanfic, please check it out here or on FanFiction.

Mr. Masato/Arby Works.

Comments

[Eyes of Avo]

I cant help but smile when I'm reading this story!
Great job keep it up.

[Meeester]

After all of those chapters of AJ withholding her feelings, MAN these past two chapters have been incredibly satisfying. Kudos to you.

Maybe the multiple kissing scenes could be considered excessive when only looking at this single chapter, but anyone who has been reading this entire story should recognize their necessity.

As always, LOVED the chapter. I don't care what the polls say, as long as your writing stays this fluid then idgaf what the ending is.

[Arby]

Arby feels like a sucker for posting the story of a rival and watch said rival's story explode with popularity that grew faster than everything else.

[Lord-Sparda]

DAMN YOU CLIFFHANGERS!!!!!!!! *insert main screaming on a mountaintop here*