Just Friends

by lonewolf.007

Chapter 7

Another week passed in a flash, or so it felt for Applejack. Being around Rainbow all the time made her lose track of time. Working on the farm had never been more enjoyable, or more painful. Rainbow's eagerness and enthusiasm for helping on the farm made any work enjoyable, and the fact that they were spending time together only made it better.

But, inevitably, the day came for the Pegasus's check-up, on her wings. From the moment the cyan pony opened her eyes, she had been excited about the prospect of having her wings back. So excited, in fact, that she beat Applejack at waking up in the morning. Something that never happened.

"Applejack! APPLEJACK! AAAAAPPLEJAAAAACK!"

"Huh? Whazza'? What're y'all shoutin' 'bout, sugarcube?"

"Today's the day! Today I get my wings checked up! And remember what the doctor said?" The rainbow-maned Pegasus trotted around in a circle in anticipation.

The cowpony sat up, rubbing her eyes with a hoof and trying to wake up properly enough to comprehend what her friend was going on about. "Ah'm sorry, RD, Ah'm still a little sleepy, Ah missed what ya jus' said. What's happenin'?"

Rainbow huffed impatiently. "I get my wings checked up, AJ! I can fly again!"

That woke the orange Earth pony up. Looking at the excited face of the sky-blue pony, she smiled. "That sounds mighty fine, Rainbow. 'S been too long since anypony has seen ya gracin' our skies." Rainbow puffed her chest out proudly. "But don' forget, the doctor did say maybe. Ya don' wan' ta get too caught up, sugarcube. Ya migh' be disappointed."

At that, the colourful Pegasus looked at Applejack suspiciously. "I WILL fly today. I'm MADE of speed! My wings heal twenty per cent faster than anypony elses!"

AJ chuckled. "Ah know, Ah know, if there was a single pony who would heal faster than any other, it'd be y'all. Now, before y'all get all excited, Ah think we should go an' clean ourselves up, an' treat ourselves ta a good breakfast." Applejack looked down. "Ah gotta do mah chores firs', so Ah won' be able ta go down with ya to the hospital."

"Fine, I'll help with the chores first too. We can race down to the hospital when we're done!" Rainbow grinned at her friend, making her blush. Applejack couldn't stop herself blushing at Rainbow's offer. The usually lazy Pegasus had become a helping hand around the farm, and had even said she didn't mind pitching in with the harvesting, actually enjoying it. Applejack couldn't quite push away the hope that welled up in her heart every time she thought of Dash's eagerness to help. But she knew, deep down, that it was Rainbow's pride, not love, which drove her to help about the orchards. Rainbow would never be able to take it if she didn't do anything to repay the Apple family. Even if she would help them without a second thought. The embodiment of true loyalty.

Even so, it seemed too good to be true. "Ya sure abou' tha', sugarcube? Ah mean, y'all could be up in the air before ya know it."

"Yeah, AJ, I'll help. I want ya to be there if I do get these bandages off. I can show you my new tricks!"

It was as if Applejack's mind jammed on the Pegasus's words, I want ya to be there… She had t mentally shake herself. It wasn't like it meant anything. Rainbow didn't even say "you". No emphasis on the word. Applejack cleared her throat. "Alrigh', if yer sure. Ah'm gonna get ready, Ah won't be a minute." With that, the orange pony left the room, a mixture of happiness and sadness filling her chest.

Upon return, a minute later, she walked into the room to see Dash shaking her head, her messy mane becoming the customary rugged, windswept rainbow that AJ loved. "Ah still don' understand how ya do that." She turned to get her Stetson off the hook… to find it gone. "Wha–"

A sound came from behind her, and something fell onto her head perfectly. Reaching up with a hoof, Applejack felt the brim of her beloved hat. Turning, she came face to face with Rainbow. She was smiling at Applejack. But soon, a slightly competitive edge came in, as the smile turned to a grin.

"Still got it!" the winged pony puffed her chest out again, looking proud.

Applejack's heart regained its regular rhythm again. She shook her head at her friend, and also at herself. She had let herself go again. Just because Rainbow did something that they used to do all the time didn't mean that the feelings were the same. It was just friendship. Stifling a sigh, she turned, and said, "Come on, we got a breakfast to eat."

While they worked in the orchards, Applejack had some time to think to herself. Rainbow had insisted on actually doing a few bucks, to help with clearing the trees. She had used to do it while they were together, and it seemed she hadn't quite lost her touch. As they cleared the trees faster than ever, AJ contemplated the idea of losing her beloved Pegasus's company when she regained her wings. She felt so selfish, wanting the flier to stay grounded a little longer. The sky meant to world to the pony, her future was focused on it. Applejack despised herself for wanting to keep that away, just for a little while, so that she could spend more time with Rainbow.

Ah shouldn' be thinkin' like this. The boat has sailed. It won' work out. It can never work out. Wake up, Applejack, ya gotta stop livin' in the past.

But even as she resolved to try and move on, she could feel it break straight away. She loved Rainbow Dash more than anything in the world. For Rainbow, she'd give anything, even her beloved farm. But she knew that she would never have to. Rainbow would never ask anything like that of her. Sighing, she longed for Dash to feel the same way.

As Applejack worked, lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice a suspicious looking bush that seemed to be inching closer to her every second. Positioning herself to buck the next tree, Applejack spun around, ready to knock the apples into the baskets.

"BOO!"

"AARGH!" Applejack was just about to buck, and lost her balance. "What in tarnation– RAINBOW DASH!"

"BAHAHAHA! AJ, you should see the look on your face!" The rainbow mane peeked out from the top of bush, as the Pegasus fell over and laughed, rolling around and clutching her sides.

"Rainbow, tha' was not funny," the cowpony tried to look serious, but she couldn't quite conceal the grin spreading across her face at Rainbow's antics. Rainbow simply looked at her and burst out laughing again. Applejack frowned at her friend. "Well, if tha's the way y'all gonna play, Ah got a couple of tricks of mah own."

Rainbow looked up at that. "Like what?"

"Like this!" and the orange pony sprang on the cyan one, and began to tickle her. For such a plucky pony, Rainbow sure was ticklish. Just like AJ. Applejack still remember where Rainbow's weak spots were, and reduced the Dash to gales of laughter. But being competitive, there was no way she could let this slide. Managing to contain her laughter long enough, Rainbow suddenly attacked her friend, who was taken by surprise. Applejack's eyes widened as she began to giggle uncontrollably. Rainbow still seemed to remember exactly where to tickle AJ, and was using the knowledge to her advantage. Soon, the Stetson-clad pony began to roll around, trying to fend off the attack. In the mad battle that ensued, both ponies ended up laughing so hard they could barely breathe. Finally, Applejack collapsed, unable to take it anymore, and Rainbow fell on top of her.

Time slowed, and AJ's heart stopped. Rainbow's face was close to hers, and she could feel the Pegasus's breath on her face. Both their chests were heaving from the tickle fight they shared, and Applejack could feel the Rainbow's fur against hers. Staring into her deep rose-coloured eyes, Applejack could hardly breathe. Her mind screamed for her to lean in, and to kiss the pony above her. Her heart begged for Rainbow to close the gap between them. But in that second, that felt like an eternity to Applejack, Rainbow pushed herself back up, breathless from the battle. The disappointment Applejack felt manifested itself in a sharp stab to her heart.

"I win!"

"What? How the hay did y'all work that out?" Applejack picked herself up, her cheeks flushed, from the fight and the moment they shared.

"WELL, I was the one who tickled you last! And then you collapsed! So I win!"

"Not a chance, sugarcube."

"Want to make a bet?"

"Alrigh'. Next tickle figh' we have, if Ah win…" Applejack paused. What should she say? She knew what she wanted to say. She wanted Rainbow to love her, to kiss her, to hold her. But she couldn't ask for that. Apart from anything else, it would reveal her feelings to the Pegasus. And who knew what would happen next? Then she had it. "If Ah win, y'all gotta help on the farm for a month."

Rainbow Dash looked shocked for a second, before grinning. "Alright, sounds fair. If I win, then you have to…" she pondered for a moment. "I know!" She grinned deviously. "Ya have to cook for me, for a week."

Applejack chuckled. She didn't think she'd mind too much if she did lose… But keeping appearances, she replied, "Can' get enough of mah cookin' now? Ah guess Ah'm still the bes' cook between the two of us?" Applejack looked challengingly at her friend.

Rainbow narrowed her eyes and they both glared at each other. Then Rainbow grinned again, "We'll make a bet on that one after I win this."

"Keep dreamin', sugarcube."

By lunch, Rainbow was reaching positively dangerous levels of anticipation. She raced around everywhere, moving her wings without any trace of pain at all. All she needed was to paint herself pink, and she could have been Pinkie Pie's sister with wings.

"Come on, AJ! I wanna go see now! I wanna get these bandages off and fly again!"

"Hold yer horses, Dash, leave some energy for yer flyin'. Ya could give Pinkie a run fer her bits, with the energy yer firin' off righ' now!"

"Race ya to the hospital! One. Twothreego!"

A blue blur was racing off, kicking up dust in her wake. It took Applejack a split second before she went haring after Rainbow. She sped along with a smile on her face. Like old times. Racing along, trying to best each other, competing for the top spot. She chased the streak of rainbow, slowing gaining on her greatest adversary and her greatest friend. Soon they were charging along beside each other, speeding through town and managing to dodge the town folk that leapt out of the way at their approach. Soon the hospital popped up into view, and they had only just managed to stop before hitting into the wall of the building. Panting from the exhilarating run, Applejack and Rainbow breathed hard, feeling their pulse die down at last. After another minute, inevitably, the Pegasus looked up.

"I think I won that one."

"Rainbow."

"Alright, alright, it was a tie. Happy?"

AJ laughed, shaking her head. "Yeah, with yer sneaky performance there."

"No, I just have faster reflexes. I am the best athlete, after all." Arrogant. As always.

Simply smiling, Applejack shook her head, and they pushed through the doors into the white interior. The receptionist smiled at them both, and simply nodded them through to the rooms beyond. When they found the appropriate room, the doctor greeted them cheerfully.

"Hello again, Rainbow Dash, Applejack. Let's take a look at your wings again."

Rainbow sat down on the seat and stretched out her wings. The doctor nodded approvingly. "Good control of wings. No pain when you move them?"

"Nope. They feel great!"

"Excellent! Now let's just remove the bandages," and with a hoof gently supporting her wing, he carefully removed the gauze. The Pegasus showed no discomfort at all, and when the white coverings fell away, Applejack looked at her friend's beautiful wings, fully healed and spread in all its magnificence. "They're looking perfect, Rainbow Dash! I'm pleased to tell you that your wings have made a complete recovery! Now could you just flap them for now, just slowly, to make sure nothing hurts?"

Rainbow moved her wings at the doctor's instructions, confirming that nothing was wrong. With a smile, he said, "Great! Now why don't you try a test run? Just to make sure they're supporting you and working well."

At that, Rainbow sprang up. She flapped her wings, and in two beats, she was suddenly airborne again, and moving around in the room easily. She turned to Applejack, the joy on her face warming the cowpony's heart, and making her want to laugh and cry for Rainbow, who was finally able to be where she belonged. AJ's heart swelled with pride and happiness at her Pegasus's fast recovery. The doctor laughed, "You're free to go! Don't strain yourself too much, and be more careful. Enjoy your wings, Rainbow Dash!"

"Thanks, doctor!" Rainbow was out that door. In ten seconds flat.

Applejack walked over to the door, but turned back to the doctor. "Thank ya kindly, doctor. Y'all worked wonders. Ya saved mah friend's life. Thank ya. Fer everythin'."

"Not a problem, Applejack. It's what we do. Have a good day!"

And with that, Applejack was out, running after her flying friend. She was waiting outside, flapping her wings eagerly. "Applejack! Let's go and find everyone else! I can show everyone my healed wings! I can show you my new trick!"

That afternoon, the mane six were gathered together outside Sugarcube Corner.

"Congratulations on your recovery, Rainbow!" Twilight greeted Rainbow, seeing her wings out of their bonds.

"Thanks, Twilight!"

"Well done, dear! Have you flown properly yet?"

"Not yet, Rarity, that's what I wanted to show you guys! I wanted you to be the first to see me fly again!"

"That's really nice, Rainbow."

Rainbow simply beamed back at Fluttershy.

"YAY, Dashie can fly now! Are you going to show us one of your super-duper-alleyooper tricks? Or a fantastic trick, oh wait! I already said that! What if yo–"

"Alrigh' there, sugarcube, Rainbow said she'd show us she can fly again," Applejack cut across Pinkie, with a smile as everyone laughed at Pinkie's enthusiasm.

"Oki, doki, loki!" the party pony replied cheerfully, accompanied with an energetic jump.

"Alright! Let's do this! This is Rainbow Dash, and I'm dashing off!" Without further ado, a powerful flap of her wings immediately lifted the cyan Pegasus off the ground. Within a couple of minutes, she was up in the air, and zooming off. A rainbow began to stream behind what was now a blue blur, causing many heads to turn up at the long-absent spectacle and her friends to cheer. Soon she was just a small dot in the sky, hovering in the great blue kingdom of heavens. Then, she was suddenly speeding through the air, the trail behind her vibrant as she twisted through the air, diving low, pulling up, twirling through the air. It was the trick she had told AJ about last week. And soon the rainbow trail began to form a picture. It was amazing, as most of the townsfolk looked up at the astounding image resolving itself. A star, a butterfly, a diamond, a balloon, and an apple. It was a part of each of the friends' cutie marks. Super imposed on these was a lightning bolt. With the last streak, Dash pulled back to look at her handiwork. The rainbows glittered against the sky, as the proud Pegasus hovered in front of it. With a nod, she came back down to land beside her friends, who were still staring up at the beautiful picture.

"Th-that's amazing," Fluttershy whispered.

AJ was the first to turn to the grinning pony. "How did ya do that, Rainbow?" She looked back at the shimmering apple, her heart pounding.

The cyan wonder smiled at Applejack. I worked on it for a while, it was pretty hard. But nothing the great Rainbow Dash, Fastest Young Flier in all of Equestria, can't accomplish!"

The orange pony laughed, and had to fight the urge to walk over and nuzzle Rainbow, something she used to do whenever the Pegasus was being endearingly arrogant. The two turned back to the spectral spectacle.

Soon evening was drawing in, and Princess Luna would be bringing the Moon over Equestria soon. After Pinkie baked some delicious cupcakes for the six of them, it was finally time to make their farewells. Stretching, Rainbow leaned back in her seat casually. "Thanks for the cupcakes, Pinkie. I better get back to my cloud home. FINALLY. It's probably all messy now."

Applejack looked away at that, a sense of disappointment filling her heart. Of course Rainbow would leave Sweet Apple Acres for her own home. Given a choice between an old house on a farm and a palace in the sky, why would she choose to stay? Looking up, she saw Rainbow looking at her. She knew she wouldn't be able to hide her disappointment if she spoke, so she turned to the remains of her cupcake, nibbling it.

"Thanks for letting me stay at your place, AJ."

She looked up, meeting the magenta eyes. "'S not a problem, sugarcube. Yer free ta come any time."

The niceties were soon underway, before the group began to split off. "Well, I've gotta check on my house. See ya later guys!" Rainbow sprang into the air, flying off into the night, to her home.

"I simply must go to my boutique now. I must check on dear Sweetie Bell. She shouldn't stay up to late. Good night, darlings!"

"I had better go too, Spike will be sleeping soon and I don't want to come home late and wake him. See you all soon!"

"I need to go as well. All my poor creatures need to be prepared for bed. I have to go see them. Thank you for the cupcakes, Pinkie. Bye."

Applejack was the last left at the bakery. She turned to Pinkie Pie. "Thank ya fer the cupcakes, Pinkie Pie. They were mighty fine. Ah better head off now too. Ah gotta rest up fer tomorrow's work. Ah'll see y'all later."

"Wait, Applejack!" Pinkie bounced over to the orange pony. She turned her head to the side, and asked in her usual voice, but with a hint of concern under the bubbly voice, "Are you feeling okay?"

"Huh? Wh-Wha' do ya mean?"

"Well, I saw how sad you looked when Dashie said she was going to go to her house, and when I saw you were sad, it made me sad too and I knew I needed to turn that frown upside down." Applejack smiled. Pinkie could spot these things from a mile away. She knew it was no use lying, and she knew that keeping her feelings bottled up would only lead to bad things. And Pinkie was perhaps the most trustworthy pony in all of Ponyville.

"Yer righ', Pinkie. Ah wasn't happy when Dash said she was gonna go ta her own home."

"But why?"

Sighing, "Ya promise ya won't tell anypony?"

Pinkie Pie put a hoof on her chest. "Of course not! Losing a friend's trust is the fastest way to lose a friend FOREVER!"

Applejack nodded. "Ah still love her, Pinkie. Ah love her so much. But Ah can't tell her, she won' accept it. Ah wish we could be together, but Ah know it won't happen. What do Ah do?" The orange cowpony had fallen onto her haunches, as she struggled to hold the tears in. Pinkie came over and hugged AJ.

"Don't hold your tears in, AJ! It'll only get worse! Just let it out and tell Auntie Pinkie Pie about it."

Tears began to stream down her face, as she continued. "Ah was so stupid, Pinkie. Why did Ah let anypony else tell me what was righ' an' wrong? If Ah hadn't been so blind, we'd still be together! Ah wish Ah could turn back time. Ah wish Ah could tell mahself how wrong Ah was back then." She began to cry in earnest. "A-Ah don' d-deserve Rainbow. Ah lied ta her, ta m-mahself, an' ta all mah friends and family. Rainbow deserves b-better. B-but Ah love her so m-much! A-Ah'm a terrible pony."

"Of course you're not a terrible pony! Applejack, you are a good pony, and all of Ponyville knows it! You just made a mistake, and everyone makes mistakes! I once tried to bake a special cake for Mr and Mrs Cake once, but I ended up putting salt instead of sugar! It didn't taste very good."

Applejack gave a chuckle. Pinkie Pie did know how to make anypony laugh. Sniffling, she wiped her eyes, and looked at the pink pony. "But what do Ah do?"

Pinkie Pie frowned for a moment, in thought. Then she smiled. "You should tell her, Applejack."

"W-what? Ah can't do tha'!"

"Why not?"

"Well… 'cause that's jus' crazy! Ah can't jus' go an' tell Rainbow Ah love her. An' she won't accept me, she didn' last time, an' Ah don't wanna make things between us awkward! Ah can't tell her!"

"Oki, doki loki, it's your choice, AJ! But I think you should tell her. You can't keep these things inside forever."

"Thanks, Pinkie."

"No problem! Are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah. A lot better, thanks ta ya." Applejack smiled at her usually hyperactive friend. "Well, Ah better head home now. Thanks again fer everythin'!"

"Bye, Applejack!" The bubbly pony was back, and she waved at Applejack as she left. Applejack set off on the path to her house on the edge of town. Pinkie was a well-meaning pony, but AJ knew that this time, she wouldn't be taking her advice. Tell Rainbow how Ah feel abou' her? She shook her head. It wasn't going to happen.

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

[IncoherentOrange]

Not to sound insulting or anything, but was your thought process "I don't know what to write about, so I'd better write an appledash.", by any chance? That road is taken a bit often, don't you think? (Not like the thought process for my fic, "Better write a self-insertion like a bloody idiot." was any more original, though. Continue writing if it appeases you, I won't try to pressure you into stopping, nor will I vote this down because the genre of shipping makes me wanna puke sometimes. Carry on!)

[Bearycool]

I liked this. It beats a bunch of the fanfics that are coming out today by a billion miles! Tracked and favorited.

[Meeester]

Tracked. After reading the first chapter I'm hooked. I will have to finish reading this tomorrow then suffer through waiting for more epic chapters.

[Adam Crocker]

380097

Perhaps it is taken a bit often, though that may say less about the quality of the story itself rather than your personal preference as far as subject matter goes. I could probably say the same thing about Donny's Boy Rainbow Pie stories (or at least the series of drabbles he's been writing) but the execution on those is very strong.

[IncoherentOrange]

380644 I'm sure fine pieces of literature are crafted from these elements, but it is such a tired thing to see.

[Scarecrow]

roflcat.com/images/cats/I_Want_Moar.jpg

*slams his fist onto his desk* I demand it be sated!

[Nyysjan]

i read chapter 1 and was all "hmmm, this looks promising ",
then i read chapter 2 and was all "oh crap, it's going to be wings, isn't it "
then i read the rest of it and came out deciding to track, but not give thumbs up just yet.

[Arby]

Mixed reactions. Lonewolf.007 will be pleased. Or something. He has yet to update Chapter 8 on FanFiction, so I can't really update it here. x_x But yeah, just in case nobody clicked the link or cared to check, I posted it onto this site.

[Lord-Sparda]

Please AJ.... Tell her..... Tell her that you love her..... Remember who you are! You are the element of honesty! Being with her is a destiny! Its YOUR destiny! Tell her before its too late AJ!!!!!