> Just Another Gay Day > by FlutterDash777 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > That's Definitely Not The Way You Do It Applejack! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -That's Definitely Not The Way You Do It Applejack! "No way! What are you doing, Applejack?!?" Pinkie jumped up from her side of the blanket. She reached over for her orange friend and tried to grab the pie that Applejack was eating. "Hold yer horses there Pinkie Pie." The farm pony lifted her hoof into her friends face. "But!" The pink one tried to argue but she instead slouched back down upon the blanket next to Twilight; she was the smart one. "Pinkie Pie what's gotten into you?" Twilight lowered the book she had stuff to her face and set it beside her as she reached for a cupcake. However, Rainbow Dash reached at the same moment and snatched it away from the bookworms reach. With a snicker, the rainbow-maned pony stuffed it into her face without a second thought. Twilight did not seem amused, as she never was when it came to Rainbow's distasteful ways. The unicorn paid the rainbow pegasus no mind and returned her concern to Pinkie Pie's behavior. "As I was saying...." "What's your problem, Pinkie?" Rainbow interrupted. Twilight threw her a nasty glare but it only seemed to feed Rainbow Dash. "Applejack is doing it wrong..." Pinkie lowered her head and sniffled. All her friends glanced at her with complete confusion. "I...uh...sorry?" Applejack let her eyes wonder over to the white unicorn beside her, Rarity; she was the pretty one. "Do not look at me. I have no answers for you." Rarity, without looking up from her hoof, spat out. Her concern in this department were clearly not big enough to see. Her amusement level was almost as small as Twilight's. "What is she doing wrong?" Twilight folded her arms and let her eyes fall upon the book she so longed to pick back up and shove her muzzle into. "That's not how you do it...." Pinkie mumbled. "For Celestia's sake! What did she do wrong?" Rainbow threw her hooves in the air with frustration. Her eagerness nearly knocked Fluttershy to the ground; she was the shy one. Pinkie Pie looked up with teary eyes. "I...uh..." Applejack looked away from the large blue eyes that were staring her down. She didn't exactly know what to do considering she didn't know exactly what she did wrong. Her awkward level was on maximum. "Good god...." Rarity rolled her eyes mockingly. Applejack looked at Rarity quickly. She stared at her with pleading eyes until she was able to strike the attention of the angered unicorn. "She doesn't like the way you're eating that pie..." Rarity said quickly and turned her head in the opposite direction as if to hide herself. "What?!" The orange, blue, and purple ponies all said in unison. "She doesn't like the way I'm eatin'?" Applejack looked down at her halfway eaten pie and blushed mildly. "Well, my apologies. I didn't know I was eatin' so rudely.." Applejack patted her lips with a handkerchief quite like Rarity would often do. "No..." Pinkie pleaded again. "That's not what she meant." Rarity sipped her tea quietly while she somewhat translated for the desperate pink earth pony. "Then what did she mean?" Rainbow edged in closer. Twilight seemed a bit more interested too at the moment. Everypony was eager to hear what it was that was making Pinkie so worked up. "She simply thinks that is the wrong way to eat a pie." Rarity for the first time lifted her eyes to the group. Her expression had not changed though and she still seemed as if she would rather be doing other things then sitting around talking about complete nothing. "Then...." Twilight looked down while scratching the bottom of her chin softly. Her eyes narrowed into deep thought. "How...." Applejack looked up with a glimmer of fear in her green eyes. "....do you eat a pie correctly?" Rainbow Dash gulped down softly. Sweat dripped down the back of her neck as she anticipated the awaited answer. Fluttershy, who was not included into this strange conversation, was staring in the sidelines as she watched the mystery behind Pinkie's knowledge of pie eating and the anticipation that everypony else was going through. All the yellow pegasus could do was smile as she watched her good friends have a good time. Her mind wondered as she thought that they should hang out more often. If anypony at all were paying any attention to Fluttershy at the moment, they would laugh their flanks off. Her facial expression at this particular moment was too much too handle, however, like always, nopony was paying attention, therefore Fluttershy's expression will never be known. Back to business. "How...." "....do you eat a pie correctly?" All three of the ponies were wondering when they would finally hear Pinkie's secret. Everypony wanted to know how to eat a pie correctly! Everypony except for Rarity that is who seemed to know a little more than the others, but at the moment nopony was thinking of that. "Well?" Twilight shivered as she tried to get Pinkie to talk. Their eyes watched the pink pony with fear as they could see her tiny mouth starting to open as if she were trying to tell them something....something important....something about pie! Pinkie's lips curved open and with a deep breath she started to make out her secret that everypony was dying to hear. Only moments away and they would know the almighty power of eating a pie correctly. Any second now and she would tell them, then their lives would be changed forever. They were a few words away from learning the secret that would change their way of thinking in this world of Equestria. Soon they would know how to eat a pie....correctly! It was as if everything was moving in slow motion as Pinkie's lips started to form into the position of speaking the truth. This was the moment they had all been waiting for. This was moment was going to change them forever and they would know the all knowing. Now was the time. This was it! "I don't know." Pinkie smiled as she looked back at her three sweaty friends. One by one they gave her the glance of pure evil and as their minds began to process again, they each fell face forward into the ground before them. Rarity lowered her tea and a grin was visible in the corner of her mouth, however, nopony saw it. "What do you mean you don't know?!" Rainbow Dash flew up in the air in a jolt of anger and lifted the pink pony above the ground. She shook her by the arms for a few moments until Twilight made Rainbow drop her. Pinkie giggled as her head spun around from being shaken by the aggressive pegasus. "I never learned the secret!" Pinkie smiled as she began to stuff her face with a few sweets spread before her. "Well darn..." Applejack said as she looked back down at her pie. "You three would never understand unless you were there to witness it yourself." Rarity said with a smirk upon her muzzle. The three friends that she was addressing turned to her with wide eyes as they awaited another anticipating verbal trip. Rarity sipped her tea once more before realizing that the three were staring her down. "What? You actually expect me to tell you the story?" The white unicorn looked confused but with a hint of relief. "Well, duh!" Rainbow threw her arms in the air once more and this time she smacked Fluttershy right in the face. Slowly the yellow pegasus fell backwards. Her nose was all bloody, but she had a smile on her face. "Fluttershy?!" The cyan pegasus turned around swiftly and swooped the knocked out Fluttershy into her arms. "Tissue!" Pinkie Pie shoved a napkin towards Rainbow who kindly accepted it and began to place it on Fluttershy's nose as she tried to stop the bleeding. Everypony stared at her as she tended to the yellow ponies knocked up face. Rainbow's pink eyes quickly jolted forward towards her friends and a shimmer of pink invaded her cheeks. "What? I wasn't going to leave her there to bleed or anything..." Rainbow turned away embarrassed. "Hurry up and tell your story, Rarity..." She mumbled as her head faced the ground. Applejack and Twilight snickered under their breaths but Rainbow heard them and shot them both an evil glare which sent their giggles even more into a fit of laughter. Pinkie looked at Rarity and nodded her head sending her pink fluffy mane bouncing in the air. Rarity nodded back and as she began to clear her throat she caught the attention of everypony, except for Fluttershy that is who was sleeping soundly in Rainbow Dash's care. "Okay. So here is the story that me and Pinkie Pie share. This is the correct way to eat a pie!" Rarity said with such gusto. "Wait. I thought you just said you didn't know the correct way?" Rainbow considered as she looked up with disbelief. "Well..." Rarity looked over to Pinkie Pie. "We don't!" She smiled widely. The three ponies listening lowered their heads in disappointment. "Then what's the point in telling us this long story if we will still not know the secret?" Rainbow asked with annoyance. "Um..." Rarity looked over to Pinkie once again. "There isn't!" She smiled again, but this time larger. The three ponies listening lowered their heads in disappointment and then they sighed. "Then why are you telling us?" Rainbow asked. Her eye lids were narrowed with the thought of her time being utterly wasted on this. "You see...." Rarity once more looked at the pink pony. "We're not!" Pinkie giggled. The three ponies listening lowered their heads in disappointment, sighed, and then glared at the duo. "We're not?" Rarity looked over with her own disappointment. "I forgot the story silly!" Pinkie gleamed as she dove into the sweets. The white unicorn looked down as if in thought. Her eyes widened as if she remembered something and then she sighed. "Seems I have forgotten as well." She turned her muzzle in the air as she tried to save her pride. "I was hoping to hear a good story... I've been needing a good story lately." Twilight sighed as she looked at the book she had been reading earlier. "Yer right. A good story is nice every so often." Applejack's eyes glimmered as she looked up to the sky. "Pftt....eggheads...." Rainbow snarled as she looked back down to Fluttershy who was now moaning as if to be waking up, but then she smiled, shifted, and began to cuddle with Rainbow's waist which sent the cyan pegasus' wings straight out behind her. One could almost see the steam rolling out of her ears as she hid her redness. "Story..." Fluttershy mumbled quietly. Rainbow blushed as Fluttershy sent her into a tailspin of heart-throbbing pain and happiness all at the same time. She looked away and smiled softly. "I...uh...I have a good story..." Rainbow said quietly under her breath. All her friends turned to her with excitement. "Really?" Pinkie asked with excitement. Rainbow looked up as she saw all her friends were staring and awaiting her story. She didn't know she had said that loud enough for them to hear, but now she was in for it. How could she tell them that story? It was just too personal. They wouldn't want to hear that... "Come on. Tell us then." Twilight urged. Rainbow looked around quickly. She had no idea what she had just gotten herself into. Her heart raced as everypony waited to her what she had to say, but she didn't want to say it. She was too afraid to tell them her story... Her pink eyes widened as she tried to think of a way to brush it off and move on, but as she searched her mind, she felt a soft hoof touch her arm. She looked down at Fluttershy who was now looking straight at her with her aqua eyes, smiling. She nodded her head softly at the cyan pegasus. Rainbow couldn't believe it. Her heart raced even more. She looked back up to her friends as she felt her blood pumping and Fluttershy starting to sit up from her lap. "Let's tell them the story, okay?" Fluttershy smiled at her rainbow friend. Rainbow Dash looked at all the eyes watching her and Fluttershy. She took a deep breath and gulped down. "Okay." > That Was Very Heart-Touching, But When's Dinner? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -That Was Very Heart-Touching, But When's Dinner? "Okay." Rainbow said as she gulped down the last of her strength. She wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, but if Fluttershy wanted to tell them, then maybe it was a good idea after all. "Oh yay!" Pinkie jumped up and grabbed Twilight's purple arm. The unicorn looked over to her pink companion and smiled. "I'll start." Fluttershy said as she removed the tissue from her nostril. She breathed in deeply and then let it all out with a wide smile and bright shining eyes. Rainbow Dash quivered. "So it all started back in flight school before I ever knew Rainbow Dash even existed...." They each looked off into the distance dramatically as they awaited the flashback of Fluttershy's memories. Fluttershy's little legs shook as she heard the tormenting chants from her classmates as she walked through Cloudsdale. Nopony seemed to give her a break as she lowered her head and sulked. It seemed to the little pegasus that where ever she went there was always a filly or colt that was there to snicker at her. She wasn't exactly sure if she was just paranoid or if they were really talking about her, but whatever it was, she felt terrible all the time. Her long legs made her stand out the most as she towered over all the other fillies. All the colts told her that she was too tall for anypony to ever like her, and they would always tease her for being bad at flying. Fluttershy couldn't really help the fact that she was tall and that her wings weren't strong enough to hold her up yet. She was just a little different from all the others and they didn't seem to think she even the slightest bit the same. Fluttershy couldn't stand to hear them mock her all the time, but she couldn't exactly do anything about it either. She was much too afraid of confronting them about her feelings. They would only tease her for that too. The timid pegasus was too scared to confront any adults about it too. She never wanted to talk about her heartache because she believed that nopony would care, even her parents. She knew that her family loved her, but could they really end her sadness? She wasn't sure and she never found out either. With one hoofstep in front of the other, Fluttershy thought that her life in Flight School would always be the same. Horrible. That is until that very day as she walked through Cloudsdale thinking about all the terrible things that would always haunt her, Fluttershy caught a glimpse of a little filly in the face of danger. "Come on! You can't do anything about it!" A large bulky colt teased as he held up high a stuffed pony. Fluttershy stared at the toy for a bit, but then her eyes fell upon the little filly that it belonged too. A wild rainbow-maned filly was standing before the large colt. Her head was faced to the ground and it was difficult for Fluttershy to see the little pegasus' face. Her fringe was covering her eyes but Fluttershy could tell that the little filly was completely humiliated. The yellow pegasus was relating so well to the moment, but she wasn't able to move her legs and help. She was too afraid. "Give it back..." Fluttershy could hear a tiny mumble come from the little filly. She watched with more content as the little filly began to lift her head up for the first time at the large bully. "What was that?! Couldn't hear you!" The colt teased more. Fluttershy felt herself stepping back with fear. "I said...Give....it....BACK!" The large yell startled the colt and Fluttershy all at once. The rainbow-maned filly jumped up from her position and jolted for the colt as if to attack him. Fluttershy could sense all the rage inside of the little pony. She could hardly believe that the filly had so much courage. As the little pegasus flew towards the colts hooves that held her toy, the brutal pegasus caught her with is free hoof and shoved her into the dirt. Fluttershy flinched at the nasty sight. She was overwhelmed with fear for the rainbow filly. She didn't know what to do, but as she watched for a few more moments something inside of her began to push her forward. She couldn't bare watch this scene any longer without doing something to help. She had this feeling that if she didn't do something now, then things would always be the same for her. Fluttershy knew that it was the time for action, and now was her chance. "Hey! Stop!" The yellow pegasus leaped forward from her hiding place and began to confront the bully. She could see the little filly staring at her in the corner of her eyes but Fluttershy was too shy to look back at her. "What?!" The bulky colt turned his attention on the little yellow pony. Fluttershy began to rethink what she had just gotten herself into. "Well well well if it isn't Flutter-cry!" Fluttershy began to feel her legs trembling underneath her. She shook as the colt approached her with anger in his eyes. "I..uh....said to give that back...." Her words began to shrivel up into the air as she lowered herself upon the ground. Her heart raced with fear. "What if I don't?" The large colt taunted as he towered above the yellow pony. Fluttershy looked around frantically for somepony to help her. She was desperate for somepony to save her, but then she remembered that nopony had ever tried to stand up for her before and it was no different now. She looked around for the rainbow-maned pegasus but Fluttershy could not see her. The filly had probably ran away just like all the others. Fluttershy could feel that she was doomed. "Huh?" The colt taunted once more as he noticed that Fluttershy was completely defenseless. Fluttershy was starting to feel anger rise up in her for the first time. She was sick of being pushed around all the time, and she was sick of nopony sticking up for her. She was tired of being a pushover. Fluttershy began to stand back up on her tall yellow legs. She turned her face directly at the startled colt and she glared at him with eyes she had never used before. "I will just have to take it from you!" Fluttershy called out in a loud voice. She was almost surprised herself but she covered that up. "Huh? How do you plan to do that?" The colt yelled back. His voice rung through the little ponies ears but she didn't flinch or run. She stood her ground. With one hoof, Fluttershy reached up and snatched the stuffed pony away from the bully. He was almost as surprised as she was, but after all she was a pretty tall filly for her age. Taking things from high places for others was a much easier task for her, and she couldn't help but feel proud of herself. "Why you little--" With a blink of an eye, the colt fell over in complete agony. As he tipped over Fluttershy's eyes were revealed to the rainbow-maned pony that was standing behind him. She had kicked the colt right in the place that no colt wanted to be kicked, and she did it from behind. That was even worse. Fluttershy's large aqua eyes stared straight at the mare. She blinked a few times as she tried to capture all her thoughts, but after a few moments she began to laugh. It was the first time she was able to really enjoy herself in a very long time. It only took another few moments for the rainbow filly to fall back in a fit of laughter herself. The pair laid on their back for the longest time as they laughed at their victory. Fluttershy suddenly stopped her cackling and let her eyes fall over to the filly beside her. She smiled and with a glimmer in her eyes she hoofed the stuffed pegasus to it's owner. Pink eyes stared back at her for the longest time. The filly never reached over to accept the toy from Fluttershy, instead she just smiled. "You keep it for me." The filly said with a grin. Fluttershy seemed confused at first, but she could feel that the filly was being serious. She let her eyes look up at the stuffed toy she had in her hooves that she had fought for. She gleamed at it for a moment and then she began to smile herself. She brought it to her chest and hugged it. "Thank you..." Fluttershy said as she looked back at the filly. She could see that the cyan pegasus was blushing now. Fluttershy wasn't quite sure why, but she never asked. "I'm Rainbow Dash. Best flyer in all of Equestria!" The pegasus said as she jumped up from the place she had been laying. Fluttershy too began to sit up along with her. "I...I'm Fluttershy. Probably the worst flyer in all of Equestria..." The timid pony smiled as she teased her own self. "I doubt you're the worst!" Rainbow Dash said as she lifted her new friend up. "I bet you're almost as good as me!" Fluttershy looked away shyly. She had never felt this feeling before. Had she just made her first friend? Or was Rainbow Dash something else? "Maybe..." She smiled as she looked away. "Well Fluttershy! I've never really seen you around before, but I'm a first year student at Flight School! I'm sure you've heard of me. Everypony knows me!" Rainbow Dash gleamed as she talked about herself with so much pride. Fluttershy had never seen a pony so prideful in her life, but she couldn't say that it was a bad thing. "I'm just one year older than you then..." Fluttershy looked up once more at the colorful pegasus. Her heart pumped as she made eye contact. "That's great! Older fillies are the best!" Rainbow Dash snickered. Fluttershy wasn't exactly sure how to take her joke, or was it a joke at all? What exactly did Rainbow Dash mean by that? All Fluttershy could do was smile at her new-found friend and wonder for the rest of her filly days what she had truly meant by that statement. "You're making me seem sappy, Fluttershy!" Rainbow crossed her arms in a fit of embarrassment. "Well we were just children." Fluttershy smiled softly at Rainbow Dash. "I would really be interested in hearing more. It seems that you were really close as fillies." Twilight said as she looked over at her two pegasi friends. Pinkie was still cuddling her arm as she began to squeeze it tighter with excitement. "You are just nosy..." Rainbow said as she turned her head. "Well Fluttershy is making if very interesting to hear." Rarity raised her eyes a bit to look over to the rainbow-maned mare. "She's right." Applejack agreed. Rarity looked over to her and smirked. Applejack began to giggle a bit herself and it caught Rainbow Dash's attention. "Though you do seem a bit soft..." Applejack snickered along with Rarity. "Hey!" Rainbow growled and then turned to Fluttershy with pleading eyes. "Alright you can tell the rest." Fluttershy said calmly. "Good! Time to let you two hear how the great Rainbow Dash fought through a tormenting battle along with Fluttershy of course, who I protected because I'm just that awesome!" Rainbow lifted her head pridefully. "Of course ya are.." Applejack grinned. "Like I was saying...it was a couple months after me and Fluttershy first met. We had hit a lot of hardships after our first battle together, and believe me it wasn't easy..." "What is a colt doing in the girls bathroom?!" Snickers and glares were being shot at Rainbow Dash as she washed her hooves. Fluttershy walked over to the rainbow filly as she tried to overpower the sound of the other fillies around them. "Let's go to lunch now. I'm hungrier than usual." Fluttershy smiled as she tried to cover the whispers from behind them. "Sure." Rainbow Dash said as if she weren't paying any mind to them whatsoever. The two walked out of the bathroom together and began making there way outside to the place where they would usually eat lunch together. It was the only time of the school day that they would be able to hang out considering they were in different grades and classes, so they tried to make it special and separate from everypony else. "I brought us a salad. I mean...if you like salad. I thought it would be nice to eat the same thing....you know?" Fluttershy said as she blushed wildly. "You didn't have to do that." Rainbow said, however, she grinned as she laid eyes on the delicious lunch that Fluttershy had made her. It was a lot better than she could ever do for herself, so she excepted it wholeheartedly. "It's quieter than usual." Fluttershy noticed as she looked around. There was usually ponies around them and that was the only thing that seemed to ruin their lunchtime together everyday, but for some reason it seemed empty as if they were the only ones, and that was something to make them both happy. "You're right!" Rainbow began to notice it herself. She was relieved by it. They were finally able to be alone together, that was somewhat of a dream for Rainbow Dash; to be alone with Fluttershy. The two began to enjoy their lunch. The salads were as good as Rainbow thought. The were better. She was able to eat something that Fluttershy made and it made her the happiest filly in the world. Rainbow's eyes began to move over to Fluttershy. She noticed the cuteness that Fluttershy held as she watched her in her most peaceful time of the day. They were able to enjoy each others company without worrying who was going to tease them next and when their happiness would fall. For the first time, Rainbow was able to just stare at Fluttershy and soak up all of her happiness into her own. Fluttershy looked up to see that Rainbow was watching her. She blushed softly and looked away. This sent Rainbow's heart pounding the same way it did the first time she laid eyes on her. Something about Fluttershy was giving her shivers, but whatever it was, it was a good feeling. It was almost as if...they were meant to be together for some reason. Was it fate for them to become good friends? "Fluttershy?" Rainbow called out quietly. She looked deeply at the yellow pegasus that she loved the most. "Yes?" Fluttershy looked back up into Rainbow's eyes. She could see a glimmer, a tear? "Can I ask you something?" Rainbow looked away and quickly wiped her eyes with her hooves. "Of course you can." Fluttershy smiled as she set her food aside to listen to her friend. For some reason her heart was racing. "Um..." Rainbow looked down but then she brought her eyes upwards once more. Fluttershy never left Rainbow's eyes. "Do you love me?" Rainbow said quickly as she removed her eyes from Fluttershy's gaze. Her cheeks were stinging and her heart was beating against her ribs. Fluttershy opened her mouth as if to respond, but then she closed her lips together. She tried to gather together all that Rainbow had just said to her. Her mind was spinning but she wasn't sure why. Why was it such a big deal? "Y-yes....I love you." Fluttershy squeaked. She began to turn away too but Rainbow stopped her. The cyan pegasus pushed forward and let her lips sit upon Fluttershy's. Rainbow Dash could hardly believe she had done it. Fluttershy could hardly believe what was happening. But both of them were happy. Rainbow retreated from Fluttershy's lips softly and let her eyes drop. Fluttershy still was frozen in her same position as if she weren't ready for Rainbow Dash to stop. "I...uh...that's my protection seal to you...." Rainbow mumbled as she tried to look Fluttershy back in the eyes. She smiled as if trying to loosen the tension between the two. "Oh..." Fluttershy lifted her hoof to her lip and softly touched it. She then smiled back. The two looked at each other for a while but then their happiness was soon destroyed. "Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were kissing!!!!!!" The two shot up as they heard the terrifying shriek of a pony that had caught them. Why did that have to happen? Now everypony would know! "No!" Rainbow jumped up quickly but she soon stopped herself. She turned around to Fluttershy who was just staring in pure terror. A group of fillies and colts began to circle around them. They had all came to see what the fuss was about. Rainbow Dash's heart pumped insanely as she stood in front of Fluttershy as if to protect her from the stares of their classmates. "It's not like that!" Rainbow called out, but her voice was overpowered by the hundreds of laughs and chants that were directed towards the two. "Gay!" "Gross!!!" "That's just not right!" "They can't do that!" "They're both girls!!!" Rainbow Dash looked around in a panic at all the ponies surrounding them. She turned to Fluttershy who was now huddled up behind her, trying to hide herself. "It's....just...a protection....seal...." Rainbow dropped her eyes as they continued to mock her. "Yeah right!" "Fillyfoolers! Fillyfoolers! Fillyfoolers!" Rainbow tried to block it all out but she just couldn't. It was too loud for her to forget. The voices wouldn't stop. What about Fluttershy? She had done this to her and now she was paying for it.... Rainbow wanted to cry out for help but she knew that wouldn't do anything. She was the one that was suppose to protect Fluttershy, but she felt a hoof on her arm. Rainbow quickly turned around to see Fluttershy looking up at her. "Fluttershy, I'm so--" "I told you that I loved you, didn't I?" Fluttershy said. Rainbow's eyes widened and without enough time to think, Fluttershy pulled herself up and kissed Rainbow Dash in front of everypony. The crowd began to go wild, but for some reason Rainbow Dash didn't care. She pulled her arm around Fluttershy and kissed her as long as she could. This was the love of her life and she finally now realized it. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy both were ready for the future and everything it had in store for the two young lovers. Pinkie blew her nose loudly. It interrupted Rainbow Dash and everypony turned to the pink pony who had ruined the mood. Rainbow Dash quickly noticed a tear on her face and wiped it away before any of her friends could see. "It's just so heart-touching!!!" Pinkie wailed as she blew her nose once more. Rarity was dabbing her own eyes with a handkerchief, and Applejack was sniffling a bit herself. Twilight was patting Pinkie Pie's back as if to comfort her. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both looked at each other with concern. "It was suppose to be a happy ending..." Fluttershy said quietly. "I thought it was..." Rainbow looked away quickly. "You made it sound more sappy than me." Fluttershy teased as she grabbed Rainbow's arm softly and nuzzled it. "Yeah right!" Rainbow grumbled and turned away swiftly as she began to sniffle. It seemed everypony was sad. "Okay, I'm hungry!" Pinkie quickly changed her attitude and jumped back into the pile of sweets. Everypony stared at her. She didn't seem to have not one tear in her eye. "Weren't you just..." Rainbow started but then she was reminded of Pinkie's strange nature. "Oh well..." Applejack chuckled. "So who's next?!" Pinkie asked with her mouth halfway full. "Another story?" Rainbow asked. "Yeah! I'm sure we all have a similar story to that one." Pinkie winked at her group of friends. "She's right you know." Rarity said as she sipped on her tea cup. "Yep she sure is..." Applejack winked at the white unicorn. "Seems like you two want to tell us one." Twilight said as she gave them an awkward smile. "What do ya think?" Applejack looked over to Rarity. "I don't see why not." > Why Are You Even Friends? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Why Are You Even Friends? "Well, you see I was born in Ponyville unlike most of you." Rarity said as she pulled a hoof to her chest. She let her eyes lower a bit as if to sulk, but they soon lit back up. "I was too." Applejack said with a grin. "I never knew that. I could see you being a Manehatten pony, Rarity." Twilight said as she looked in with more interest. "No, no. Though Applejack lived there once." Rarity looked over to the orange farm pony. "Hated it." Applejack chuckled. "That's right.." Twilight looked up thoughtfully. "Anyways, considering we were both living here, there were few occasions when we would pass each other by." Rarity played with her mane curls for a while as she waited for the others to process the little background that she was setting out for them. "Well maybe more than just a few times. Her parents liked to buy from us. Apples that is. Ah would always watch Granny Smith as she tended the sales cart." Applejack confirmed. "They would always drag me out whenever they wanted to buy some fruit. I was always in my room sewing and such, so I guess they decided to make me go out with them on occasion." Rarity crossed her hooves against her white chest. The other ponies were all waiting for the story to start fitting together. So far all they were being given was the fact that Rarity and Applejack would see each other, but what about it? Twilight in particular was watching intently as if this story were a matter of live and death. Her heart was pumping from excitement, but of course that was like her to get all worked up over something as simple as a story. Especially a story that her friends had to tell. "So basically I was forced to see Applejack once a week, though we never spoke." Rarity said. Her voice seemed a bit rough, but Applejack didn't seem to mind her words. "But everything has a startin' point." Applejack grinned slightly. It was somewhat of a devious expression that made her friends a bit uneasy. Pinkie Pie clutched on to Twilight's arm even tighter, but the purple unicorn was too infatuated with the story that she didn't even notice. The two pegasi were both siting back and waiting for the good part to kick in while they held hooves secretly behind themselves. All the friends were listening and Applejack and Rarity were both smiling in such a way that they seemed like they were conniving together. But behind every smile is a secret and sometimes sadness. "So when is this story going to start?" Rainbow Dash asked with one eye perched upward. "Hold yer horses, we're gettin' there." The rainbow pegasus slouched back down and grumbled under her breath. It was unheard to everypony except Fluttershy who began to quickly silence her companion. "As we were saying..." "I don't want to go!" The little white unicorn cried. Her eyes were beginning to become puffy from all her tears. "Come on now. Don't give us such a hard time every week." A full grown unicorn sighed as she tugged to release her daughters grip from the bed poles. "Then stop trying to make me go!" The struggle was of no use. The little filly would lose every time, but she wouldn't stop fighting it. The two parents believed that their daughter was completely wrapped up in her sewing that she never wanted to go anywhere, and if she stayed locked in her room all the time she would never become sociable. "You always get to meet new ponies when you go out." Her father said as he held tightly to the pulling mother. "I don't want to! I always see her when I go out!!" The filly seemed to be fighting harder this time. She was determined to stay right where she was. "There is nothing wrong with her. She is your age and you should try to make friends with other fillies anyways." The mothers voice began to call out in concern as she continued to use all her strength on the young unicorn. "She's right, Rarity. Quit judging ponies so quickly without getting to know them." "I don't want to know her! I can't know her! She's different from the other fillies at school!" Rarity cried out in agony. "She is no different!" The two parents called out at once. Anger was starting to rise in them both. "You don't understand..." Rarity said under her breath and all at the same time, she released her grip from her bed and they all tumbled backwards onto the floor. "Now was that so hard?" "Yes." Rarity felt like she was on a leash as her parents walked her out of her room and out of their home. Her head was down the whole time as she slugged onward. Her parents never understood her. They thought that the reason she didn't want to go with them is because she was stuck up and didn't want to make friends with the farm pony down the road, but it was really the opposite. Rarity was truly afraid of that farm filly, but it wasn't because she was different from her. It was because there was something about her that made Rarity feel funny, and whatever it was, Rarity wanted no part in it. But alas, there was nothing she could do in the end to prevent seeing her, and so she walked alongside her parents as she always did once a week to that farm that she dreaded to see. "Is anypony home?" Rarity's mom called out as they finally approached Sweet Apple Acres. She used her magic to drag Rarity along as she could see that her little daughter was trying to escape. "What was that?!" An old familiar voice called out from inside the barn. Rarity's ears flopped backwards as she was forced to enter in with her parents in front. "Granny Smith! Nice to see you again." The stallion approached the old withering earth mare. Rarity watched as Granny Smith walked at her own pace towards her father. The old mare seemed to get older each time she saw her, but Rarity would admit that Granny Smith was a nice pony that she didn't dread to see. Actually Rarity would come here more often with her family if it weren't for....her.... "Lookie there! Ain't you just growin' up so fast!" The green mare shouted as her eyes caught the little unicorn. Rarity smiled as much as she possibly could at the moment. "I assume y'all are here to pick up your usual?" Granny Smith asked as she turned back around to grab a bushel of ripe red apples. "We sure are." Rarity's mother smiled as she accepted the bag. Her father paid the old mare the right amount of bits as she hoofed over the apples. Rarity watched as her parents said their farewells. A burst of happiness leaped throughout her chest as she looked around for any sign of the filly. This was her lucky day! She was no where in sight and they were already done with their business. Rarity couldn't believe what joy she felt. "Bye, Granny Smith!" Rarity said as she turned around and walk out with her parents. That was the first time she had ever said anything while at Sweet Apple Acres, and her parents noticed her odd behavior. "Looks like you're finally opening up." Her mother said as she smiled. "I guess....." "Wait!" The three turned around at the sudden call. Rarity's heart dropped at who it was. "Y'all forgot your change." A little orange filly approached them as she bared two bits in her little mouth. "Well thank you dear!" Rarity's mother received their due bits with appreciation. "You ought to be working more often little one." "I want to! I wanna' run this place one day." The little filly said with such confidence. Rarity felt like passing out. They were so close to each other it was unbearable. "Well you would do a fine job." "Maybe we should get going..." Rarity tugged at her fathers hoof. "Nonsense! Why don't you stay here and have a little fun for once." He said as he moved his daughter forward. Rarity felt like dying. "Really? That would be great! I could just ask Granny Smith and-- "No. No need for that. I really do have things I need to take care of at home..." Rarity turned back around without making eye contact. "Oh, don't make up stories. You stay here and we will come by and get you later." Rarity looked up at her parents with pleading eyes. She couldn't believe that they were forcing her to stay and leaving her here with that filly! She couldn't stay here with her! "We will see you after a while, Rarity." The two turned around and headed back home without the little unicorn. Rarity's heart was racing. There was no way they were doing this to her. She couldn't believe it for a second that this was actually happening. "Well..." The little orange filly muttered. Rarity gulped down her fear and brought up her courage enough to slowly turn around. Her blue eyes were quivering as they met the large green ones before her. "I...uh....need to go...." Rarity said quietly. Her heart beat inside her chest. "But...you just got here and....you don't even know mu name yet..." The filly lowered her head slightly. It was almost enough to send Rarity flying back home and locking herself in her room for the rest of her life, but of course at the moment that was impossible. "Well um..." "My name is Applejack." The orange filly said. Her eyes glimmered softly. "I'm...um...Rarity." The unicorn turned her head off to the side trying to avoid looking at Applejack; however, she knew that if she stayed any longer, something might happen. She didn't know what, but she couldn't help but feel strange around Applejack. "Nice to meet you Rarity!" The filly said enthusiastically. Rarity couldn't help but notice that she gleamed every time she spoke. "Likewise..." "Goodness. I bet that was a long day." Twilight said as she wondered silently. "Oh, believe me it was...." "Very awkward too....." The two ponies smiled at each other as their eyes met. "What happened after that anyways?" Rainbow asked. The two looked over to the rainbow pony and smirked. "It's not like I'm interested or anything...." She quickly turned away from the staring eyes. "Well we met a lot more after that, and we even got to the point where we would actually talk to each other without being so quiet and awkward." Applejack answered. "It took us a while though." Rarity added. "I can imagine. You both seemed quite shy." Twilight suggested as she rubbed Pinkie's soft mane. "You could say that." Rarity said as she looked up thoughtfully. "Even after we were able to talk, Rarity still seemed timid around me. As a filly ah didn't quite understand." Applejack looked over to the white unicorn with an arched eyebrow. "It took me a while, but I finally accepted something that I had been fighting against for a long time. It was not easy though. It was probably one of the hardest things that I will ever go through in my life..." "I love her." Rarity said to her reflection. Her face was scrunched up as if she were expecting somepony to slap her, but that hit never came. The little unicorn sighed as she looked away from her mirror and walked over to her bed. "I finally said it." --- "Rarity! It's time to go." The little unicorn jumped out of her bed and trotted downstairs to her parents. She didn't bother eating or cleaning up. She was just ready to go get their weekly usual. As they always did, the family walked side by side on their way to pick up their weekly bushel. Rarity was unusually happy this time and her parents noticed it with little concern. They were just relieved that she had finally decided to open up and to make a friend with Applejack. "Did you want to stay and play with your friend again today?" The mare asked her daughter without taking her eyes away from the dirt path before her. "Yes." Rarity answered with much less enthusiasm as she seemed to be holding inside. Nothing else was said the whole trek to Sweet Apple Acres. But the whole family could feel a sense of happiness thanks to Rarity's excited aura. Overhead, the little filly could finally see their destination awaiting them. Her heart leaped with joy as she could see Applejack waiting for her at the front gate. The young unicorn began to trot much quicker than her parents and she made it over to the earth filly first. "Good morning, Applejack!" Rarity cooed as she strutted her way over to the orange farm pony. "Mornin'!" "How about you two go ahead and go play somewhere." The two fillies turned around to see Granny Smith walking from behind them. "Really?" The little ones asked at the same time. They watched as the old mare nodded her head slowly and gave them both a small smile. "I'll have Big Macintosh help me fer today. Y'all deserve a good break." The two fillies exchanged glances and as they lit up, they ran off away from all the grown ups. Rarity had never been alone with Applejack before. There was always somepony around them when they played and talked and so for the first time since they met, Rarity could feel her heart racing once again. She let her mind wonder off to last night when she stood in front of her mirror and confessed to herself. The memory left a bright red tint on her cheeks and Applejack noticed it. "What's wrong?" The orange filly asked as she walked over to Rarity and touched her cheek with one hoof. Rarity's heart began to beat faster with her touch. "Nothing. It's just awfully hot out here isn't it?" The unicorn tried to make out an excuse for her faces strange behavior. "Now that you mention it...." Applejack looked up to the sun and tried to shade her eyes. "Maybe we should play inside?" The unicorn suggested considering she had never been in Applejack's home before. The orange pony turned around to her front porch as if to consider it. She then turned back around to let her eyes meet up with Rarity's. She had never before noticed how blue they were until this moment. "Yeah. That sounds okay." The two fillies began to walk over to the farm home that Applejack resided in. Rarity was feeling a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect, but she swallowed down her fear like she had done many times before, and chased after the little pony that made her feel so odd inside. They both entered into the door and Applejack shut it closed behind them. "So this is where you live?" Rarity looked around from where she was standing, trying to get a better idea of Applejack's home life. "It sure is." The little filly grinned much like she often would. "It seems...cozy" Rarity smiled. It was much different from what she was used to, but for some reason she liked it and it felt inviting to her. "Um...thanks." Applejack giggled a bit. The two stood in silence for a moment. Rarity's eyes were searching the home from her eyesight, and Applejack was staring at the curious unicorn that she had came to have a liking to. "Do you want to see my room?" Applejack tried to get the awestruck fillies attention as she cleared her throat. "I...uh...yes!" Rarity turned to the filly with a smile. "Follow me." Applejack said with a sweet smile that sent Rarity's heart fluttering. The whole way to Applejack's room, Rarity was nervous. She couldn't believe that she was going to see her room, the place where Applejack slept at night. When she thought of it, it was kind of creepy of her to fantasize about something like that. It was definitely unusual for a filly to dream such things, but was it wrong? Applejack had led Rarity up a flight of stairs and down a narrow hallway. She stopped in front of a lime colored door and turned her eyes back towards Rarity who was watching with anticipation. The orange filly turned back around and opened the door. She walked forward and moved over to let Rarity through. Rarity's eyes widened with excitement as she looked around Applejack's room. The walls were the same lime as the door and the bedding was a rosy color. There were a few apple engravings on the baseboards as well and Rarity noticed every single one of them with once glimpse. There were a few stuffed toys laying neatly on a chestnut dresser and the window currents were drawn back, letting light seep through. The unicorn was completely struck with awe as she noticed every detail about Applejack's chambers. Her heart raced as she began to finally walk upwards to see everything close up. "Your room is so beautiful." Rarity glimmered as she let her eyes jump from one thing to another. "Ah, shucks..." Applejack turned her head away with embarrassment and happiness. Rarity walked over to the dresser. She looked at every stuffed toy as she examined everything that was displayed. Her eyes wondered farther and farther until they stopped on a few picture frames. She quickly trotted over to them so she could look at them as well. The first one she laid her eyes on was one of Applejack's family. Granny Smith was there, and a large red colt. Rarity assumed that was Applejack's big brother. There was also a tiny newborn filly there as well. Rarity never knew that Applejack had a baby sibling before. She continued to look at the picture until she saw little Applejack. Rarity's heart pumped as she looked at the picture a while longer. She couldn't help but smile. "Your family looks happy." Rarity said as she continued to watch the picture closely as if it were going to run away from her. Applejack stayed silent and simply smiled as she watched Rarity snoop. The white filly moved on to the next picture. It was a class picture that was taken last year. Rarity looked around at all the fillies and colts until she realized that this was her class last year. She was a bit confused at first, but she looked closer. "Applejack, I didn't know you were in my class last year." Rarity turned around to see Applejack's rosy cheeks light up. "Yeah...Ah was.." Applejack turned away and smiled softly. "I was so shy I never even noticed..." Rarity looked back at the picture. "There's me!" Rarity pointed at herself and turned back to Applejack who was now approaching the picture. "Sure is. That's the only reason I knew I was in yer class." Applejack chuckled. "Isn't that a shame. We could have been friends sooner if only we had known." Rarity turned away from the pictures and looked at Applejack who was now standing right beside her. The fillies heart fluttered. "It is a shame..." Applejack mumbled under her breath quietly. Her green eyes were set on Rarity's blue eyes as she noticed that the unicorn was staring at her. "You're more beautiful then your room..." Rarity said softly. Applejack chuckled. "Thanks..." I love her. I love her. I love her. I love her. Rarity's mind was spinning with those thoughts of last night. Her confession to herself. She was finally able to say it out loud to herself and accept the fact that she was indeed in love with Applejack. The reason she had never wanted to see her before was because she was afraid that she would have to accept those feelings, but now there was no need to be afraid of accepting it because there was no running away from it. She was in love with Applejack and she had finally accepted that. But the next part was harder. Would Applejack accept it too? "I love her." Rarity's thoughts slipped through her lips and entered into the air where Applejack could hear. The little unicorn couldn't believe she had just said those words out loud in front of the one she was talking about. How could this be happening? "Who?" Applejack asked with confusion. She looked closely at her friend with concern. "I...uh....nopony...." Rarity turned her red face away from the earth filly that she loved. Applejack smiled. "It's okay. I love her too." Rarity turned to the farm pony with a stunned look on her face. What on earth was Applejack talking about now? "What?" Rarity's eyes grew wide with confusion. "Or rather, I love a her..." Applejack tried to explain herself. Rarity's heart sped up with those words. Did that mean that Applejack would understand if she told her? If Applejack liked another filly too then everything should be fine, right? "I love you." Applejack looked at Rarity wide eyed. "Really?" Rarity nodded. "Then it's mutual." --- Rarity jumped out of her bed the next day. She was excited for today. She couldn't wait. "Mom? Dad?" Rarity walked down stairs slowly. Her heart leaped with joy. Today was the day she would tell her parents that she found love. They will be so happy for her! "What is it Rarity?" She heard her mother ask from the kitchen. "Are we going to get some apples today?" Rarity asked as she walked to where her parents were residing. "Sure, if you want to." Her dad answered with a smile. Rarity's face lit up with joy. This was it! The three once again walked out together. Rarity's parents felt an even stronger happiness coming from their daughter today. They had never seen her shine so much in their lives. "What's got you so happy?" Her mother decided to ask as they walked the usual path to Applejack's. "Yes, I was wondering the same thing." Her father added. Rarity smiled larger than she ever thought possible. "I....I'm in love." Rarity shouted. She could nearly feel her heart leap upside down as she finally made it known. "Oh? Who's the lucky one?" Her mother asked, although her father didn't seem all too thrilled. Rarity breathed in deeply and then let it all out. "Applejack!" She grinned quite like Applejack did. She had picked it up from her. Her parents fell silent. "Dear, why don't you walk Rarity home. I will go on ahead." Rarity's mother said without looking at either of them. "What?! But I want to go!" Rarity whined. Her father took her by the arm and began to drag her back towards home. "That's not fair! I want to go too!!" As Rarity cried out in frustration, her mother turned her eyes to her revealing tears dripping down her face. "You are never to see Applejack again. Do you understand?" Her harsh voice was unfamiliar to Rarity and it shattered her heart to hear those words. "What?!?" The little filly cried out in pain. Her father still drifting her farther and farther away from Applejack's. "Do you understand?" Her father repeated in an angry voice. Rarity tried to gulp down her fear, but this time it didn't work. > Because Opposites Attract! > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Because Opposites Attract! Applejack lowered her head to her pillow. She hadn't seen Rarity in four weeks and nothing was ever explained to her. She would see Rarity's mother come by at the usual time each week to pick up some apples, but Rarity never came with her and neither did her father. The little filly was worried that Rarity had lost interest in her. What if that was the case and Applejack's feelings were only toyed with all this time? Maybe it was something she should discuss with Granny Smith, but how would she tip-hoof around the fact that she was in love with the white unicorn? It would be nearly impossible to not add that small detail, but would it be better to stay quiet about her feelings forever? Applejack knew that she couldn't handle keeping it to herself. She needed somepony honest to talk to about her feelings, but she just couldn't talk to anypony in her family. She just couldn't. \ The little filly looked up to the class picture that was displayed on her dresser. Her eyes fell straight upon Rarity who was timidly hiding in the back row. Applejack sighed with remorse and with one tear, doze off to sleep. --- Rarity's eyes drooped lower and lower with each second, but she would quickly slap her cheeks, attempting to wake herself up once again. She hadn't slept in weeks. There was just no way she would. There was just no way she could. The little unicorn was determined to get herself out of this mess that she had created. Her parents had kept her home ever since she confessed to them, and they treated her as if she were not ever their child. Rarity was getting sick and tired of it. She needed to see Applejack now, but how was she going to do that? The filly wasn't exactly sure how to answer any of her pressing questions. Her mind was letting reason talk to her. Rarity trotted over to her sewing station. She sat down in her chair and stared at her sewing machine intently. Resting her head on both of her hooves, she began to brainstorm all the different possibilities. She didn't just want to see Applejack, she also wanted to be accepted for loving Applejack and she wanted the same for the farm filly. She just didn't know how she would be able to convince both her parents and Applejack's family that their love was worth rooting for too just like any other ponies. "Please Celestia. Help me find a plan..." Rarity whispered. The little unicorn lowered her head upon the table. She was on the verge of just giving up. She had been at the same thing for weeks now and she was unable to figure out a plan. What made tonight any different from all the rest? Rarity opened her eyes slowly just enough to see a piece of thread laying out before her. It was a bright orange and she had never even noticed she had owned an orange threading before. But as she began to pull herself back up, Celestia answered her silent prayer. --- Rarity's eyes slowly began to open. Sun light seeped through her curtains and her heart began to race as she finally realized it was morning. Today was the day that her mom would go get the apples, but only this time Rarity was prepared. She knew that today her father was going to go along with her mom to help her with a heavier load of various fruits and vegetables. She also knew that they would make her stay home, but Rarity had other plans in mind. She lifted her head to see that she had fallen asleep in front of her sewing machine. She smiled happily as she stared at her hard work and all the love she had thrust into it last night. This was it. There was no turning back. And all Rarity could do was pray and hope that her plan would work. "Rarity! Come eat some breakfast." Rarity's ears perked to the sound of her mother downstairs. The unicorn covered her product and began her way down to her mothers voice. She tried to hide her smile and act as if there was nothing special about today at all. Just act like she had been acting these past four weeks. Depressed. "Me and your father will soon be going, okay?" Rarity didn't lift her eyes to her mother. She couldn't look her in the face anymore. "Okay?" Her mother kept persisting. Rarity just wanted them to go already. All the little filly could do at the moment was nod her head slowly as she pretended to eat down her food. She wasn't hungry at all though and her heart was throbbing with anxiety. "You ready?" Rarity could see her father walk from around the corner. He was whispering as if it were forbidden to talk about Sweet Apple Acres around the filly. This was of course annoying to her and there was nothing worse then knowing her parents were trying to sneak and tip-hoof around her as if she were some sort of fragile doll. "Yes." "Well, we will be off then. You stay inside, do you hear?" Rarity barely made any movements. She made it appear that she had agreed but she truthfully just shuffled lightly in her seat. It wasn't as if she were lying or anything, they just misunderstood her, that's all. The door shut behind them and as soon as she heard them trotting off, Rarity quickly jolted from the table and flew upstairs. She had to prepare everything before they got there. Everything needed to be timed perfectly and for that to happen, Rarity had to move as swiftly as possible but not so much that she would mess something up. No matter how precise everything had to be, Rarity was an expert at preciseness and she knew exactly what she was doing. She had planned this out all night long and now it was time to put her thoughts into action. Now was the time to let herself be heard and not let herself be locked away. Love was love, and that's all Rarity wanted her parents to understand. More than anything, that was what she wanted in this world. The little unicorn began to quickly dress and grab her things. This plan was going to be perfect, she knew it had to be. --- Applejack's eyes were nearly glued shut. She could barely stand on her own four hooves and she had to rest against Big Macintosh before she could regain herself. She stood side by side with her brother and Granny Smith. Today was the big load up day that Granny Smith had been talking about so much. Applejack wasn't exactly sure what that meant, but Big Mac seemed to understand. Her big brother stood tall as he always would, but his silence was almost sickening. Applejack wanted somepony to break the silence around hear, and it obviously wouldn't be her big bro. She decided that maybe she should. "Granny Smith?" The little voice called out weakly. "Yes?" The green old mare turned her head widely over to the little filly. "What's the big "load up" day?" There wasn't really much else to talk about, but she was kind of curious as to what was so special about today. "Well today is the day that most ponies come to buy all the last of the harvest for the season. We usually put a discount since it's the last of the batch and so ponies come in and buy what's left so we can start fresh." Granny Smith answered with such enthusiasm. As long as Applejack has known about how to grow, harvest, and sell apples, she never knew that they had a day like today. Granny Smith and Big Mac both seemed as if they had known of it for their whole lives. Maybe Applejack had just never noticed before today. The little fillies mind was momentarily subsided to a different topic, but as soon as she heard the voices of Rarity's parents approaching, her heart began to ache once again as there was a lack of Rarity among them. "Well, howdy!" Granny Smith shouted out when she noticed them as well. "Good morning, Apple family!" Rarity's mom sung as she trotted happily over to the stand. Applejack muted everything else out. She couldn't stand to hear them talk. It reminded her too much of Rarity, and she was once again not present. Applejack can barely remember the last time she ever saw Rarity. She remembered it well but at the same time she couldn't. At the time, she didn't know that would be the last time she every saw the white unicorn again. If she knew that then, she probably would have done things...differently... This whole time all Applejack could think about was how she never had the opportunity to really cherish her last moments with Rarity. If she only knew that would be the last time. If she only knew then... Her green eyes dropped in desperation. She was finally defeated. There was nothing more anypony could ever say to convince her that she would be alright. There was nothing anypony could say to chear her up. She finally gave up trying to fight it and she just let go. There was nothing she could do in her power to see Rarity. She didn't know enough about her to find where she lived and what she was doing and why she never came back to see her. Maybe Rarity just played with Applejack the whole time. Maybe she never meant any of the words she had said to her and she was at home now with her friends laughing about it. Maybe Rarity really never loved Applejack and it was all just a game to her. That would make sense of everything. If Applejack were to accept that then she wouldn't have to be in the dark about everything all the time, but if Applejack accepted that then she would never be able to move on forward ever again. So with the little hope that she had left in her body, Applejack kept on hanging on to that dark that she was given. She could now see that more ponies were entering into Sweet Apple Acres to get their share of the last of the harvest. They were surrounding the barrels full of various vegetables and fruits and some were already paying their due bits for what they were buying. Applejack never lifted one hoof to serve anypony. She never lifted her voice to speak or direct as she normally would. She had no more strength left in her to say or do anything. All she could do was fall silent upon everypony including her family. Granny Smith and Big Mac both noticed that Applejack was strangely quiet, but neither of them could bring it up now, not while there was so much business going on around them. It could wait, right? Applejack could see Rarity's parents in the corner of her eye. They hadn't even looked at her once the whole time, and Rarity's mother had never spoken to her since Rarity went missing from her life. Did they have something to do with it, or were they not even worrying about something like that? Either way, Applejack couldn't help but resent them for not giving her any attention or thought. Could that not at least tell her something? Time seemed to be flying by but at the same time it was going at such a normal and slow pace. Maybe it was just Applejack that couldn't help but it feel like hours when it was merely seconds. The commotion was loud. Applejack could hear various voices talking about various things in various places. Asking questions, counting bits, or simply just having small talk with ponies they knew. All of the voices were ringing through Applejack's ears and she couldn't stand to listen to it anymore, but there was nothing she could do about it. Applejack stood there with no intention of living life the way she always had. She stood there with no more goals to accomplish. She stood there with an empty place in her heart that she thought could never be replaced, but as she continued to sulk in her on skin, her attention was brought upon an entering filly. Applejack had noticed not one pony that had walked through those gates up until this point. She couldn't help but notice the filly and everypony else was feeling the same way. There came a small whit unicorn walking through the gates of Sweet Apple Acres. A bright orange dress was fastened upon her waist, and large red sequins were lining the cuffs and edges. This little filly looked like a huge pumpkin straight out of harvesting season and nopony missed it. Rarity approached the orange filly that she had longed to see. Applejack couldn't believe that it was actually her and she was walking towards her. What was going on? "Rarity! Why are you here?" Both parents began making their way over to their bright daughter. Embarrassment and confusion were visible in both of them. "Stop! You could at least let me say my farewells." Rarity lifted a hoof straight to their faces. Everypony gasped as they watched the scene with no idea what was happening at all. Even Applejack was left clueless. What was Rarity doing here? Why had she suddenly disappeared and reappeared without notice? What really was going on? Rarity's parents both began to stop in their tracks. They could feel their own guilt rising in their chests as they watched their young daughter approach the filly that she had told them she loved. They were afraid of this happening. This was their daughter! "Rarity!" Her mother called out with one last plea but to no avail. "Let me do this, or I will hate you forever." Rarity said harshly without putting an eye on either of them. Her eyes were set on the confused orange filly before her. "Uh....Rarity?" Applejack said quietly as the unicorn stopped right in front of her. Everypony was watching as if it were some sort of movie. Without a word, the filly pulled out two stuffed toys. These weren't any kind of stuffed toy that you could get anywhere else. These two toys were special. "Here." Rarity hoofed one towards Applejack. The orange pony wasn't sure what to think. She stared at the toy for a few moments before she realized that it was an exact likeness of Rarity herself. It was a white unicorn with small purple curls. Three blue diamonds were placed upon the toys flank. Applejack slowly reached out and accepted the toy that resembled Rarity, however, she was still unsure of what Rarity was up to by all this. "I have one too." Rarity showed the other toy that she was carrying. This one was orange with a blonde mane brought together in a loose pony-tail. A tiny brown hat was resting on it's head and three apples were shown on it's flank. It was a replica of Applejack herself. This made the filly look up with more amazement and wonder than ever. "What is....." "I love you, Applejack." Rarity said as loudly as she could for everypony there to hear. This of course brought everypony witnessing to an astounded state. Applejack wanted to reply. She wanted to tell her that she was in love with her too. She wanted to ask her what had happened to her all this time, but Rarity continued without giving Applejack that opportunity. "We can no longer see each other though. That is what this is. I made this for you, so you would never forget me. I made it so you would always remember that I once existed in your life and you were loved by me. I also made this one for myself. I never want to forget the way you looked. I never want to live a day without thinking about you and what you used to be to me. I want us to never forget each other even though this will be the last time we see each other." Rarity looked up to Applejack. Tears were streaming down her face as she poured her intentions out on the table. Applejack's mind was spinning from all these words. Rarity was pouring out her heart. This was the last time they would ever see each other, but why? Applejack looked over to Rarity's parents. They were watching with no emotion upon their face at all. Was it them? Was that the reason? It had to be. Rarity's parents were forcing them to be apart. There was nothing they could do about it considering they were still fillies and they had to obey. This was the last time Applejack would ever see Rarity. This was the real last time. This time Applejack knew. This time she would do things differently. "If this is the last time I'm going to see you.....please.....kiss me..." Applejack began to cry now. Her words were breaking up as her tears made it hard for her to speak. It was the first time she had cried in a long time. This was the first time for the last time. Rarity, without speaking another word, leaned into the pony that she had loved the most and planted her lips deeply into hers. The two ate away at each others tastes. Their lips were sweet and untouched. They were the first to feel them and it felt nice for the few seconds that it lasted. The two parted and they watched each other closely. Everypony around was left speechless. All they could do was stare at the pair without making a sound. Rarity and Applejack knew this was it for the two of them. "Farewell...." Rarity said as she began to slowly turn around. She never lifted her eyes to her parents or anypony for that matter. She started off in the direction of home but something stopped her. A hoof clop. Rarity turned around to see that several ponies were clopping their hooves on the ground as if to applaud her. Soon these several hoof clops turned into the whole crowd stomping their hooves on the ground and sending Rarity and Applejack both respect. The two looked at each other from a distance as if to ask each other what was happening, but then Rarity turned to her parents to see that they too were clopping their hooves on the ground and crying tears of happiness. Rarity was astounded. What was really going on? Had everypony actually accepted them just now? Rarity looked at her parents with questioning eyes. The two of them smiled and nodded their head as if to give her permission to move forward back into the hooves of her lover. It didn't take Rarity long to rush over to Applejack and hug her with all the strength she had left in her body. Everything actually worked out. Applejack squeezed onto the unicorn as tightly as possible. There was no way she was ever going to let her disappear on her like that ever again. She would never let go of this filly, ever. She knew in her heart that she would always stay by Rarity's side for the rest of her days. Rarity wiped a tear from her eyes as she completed her story. She moved over to Applejack and gave her a quick nuzzle. "That was so.....SAD!!!!" Pinkie Pie burst into tears as she held tightly to Twilight. "You had me worried there. I wasn't sure if you would ever get back together after that!" Twilight smiled as she comfortingly patted Pinkie's head. "Never knew you were so sappy Applejack." Rainbow Dash grinned. "Rainbow...." Fluttershy pleaded as she tried to stop her fillyfriend from teasing the orange mare. "Same could be said fer you." Applejack threw back. This was enough to quiet down the rowdy pegasus. "And that was so sweet of you to make those stuffed toys to remember each other by." Twilight continued. "Oh, weren't they? They were genius! And so beautifully crafted for a filly of my age." Rarity boasted as she brought a hoof to her chest in pride. "I 'member them bein' kind of ugly." Applejack snickered. "As if you would know anything about being beautifully made." Rarity snapped back. The two glared at each other as if they hated one another. Twilight wasn't sure which it was, love or hate? Maybe both? "Now, now. No need to fight." Fluttershy calmly said as she pushed her way into the conversation. "Oh we are not fighting, dear." Rarity reassured. "We're just teasin' each other, right sugarcube?" Applejack said through grinding teeth. "Right, darling!" Rarity spit back in reply. "Why are you two even friends?" Rainbow Dash asked in confusion. She threw her arms in the air with frustration. "Sometimes....we don't even know!" > Is This Really The End? > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- -Is This Really The End? "I guess it's getting kind of late." Twilight looked up to the sky to see that Celestia's sun was beginning to set. "Hm. It seems to be." Rarity looked up from Applejack to confirm. The friends hadn't even noticed how long they had been telling stories. Time had flew by so fast, it felt as if they had just gotten there. Rainbow Dash stretched her wings as she began to sit up on her hooves. She yawned slightly and then she turned to help Fluttershy up as well. "I guess I should be getting home." Rainbow said as she turned to Fluttershy. "Home? Oh....right." Fluttershy quickly interpreted what Rainbow meant by "home". "Well....." Rainbow looked back towards her four remaining friends. "I guess we will be leaving now. See you guys later?" Rainbow asked as she started to flap her wings, prepping them for flight. "Sure." Twilight reassured as she noticed her two pegasi friends were in quite a hurry. She nearly gagged at the thoughts her mind was throwing at her in the explanation of the two's rushing behavior. "I should be off as well. I need to go to Opal." Rarity got up as her two other friends flew off in the direction of Fluttershy's cottage. She puffed at her mane slightly as if trying to fix any stray hairs that were possibly floating around unattended. "Of course." Twilight answered back to her unicorn friend. "Thank you again for the picnic, Pinkie Pie. It was lovely." Rarity said her farewells as she started off only to be quickly reunited with Applejack who was now following behind her. "Uh...yeah! See ya guys later!" Applejack called out as she caught up with the white unicorn. Twilight could hear the two laughing lovingly as they trotted off towards town. She smiled slightly as she turned to Pinkie Pie who was now starting to pack all her things into a basket. "Need any help?" Twilight asked as she remembered she had nothing to rush home to. Spike was suppose to be taking care of things back at the library and he had Owlicious to help him out as well, so Twilight had no need to run off in a hurry. "Sure!" Pinkie smiled as she let her friend help her pack her things together. "It was a nice day to have a picnic...and all the stories were nice to hear too." Twilight began as she tried to small talk with her happy-go-lucky friend. It wasn't really like Twilight, but she couldn't help but feel like she was left out of the whole discussion earlier as her friends reminisced about their childhoods together and how they were able to find love within each other. It was nice to know and learn about, Twilight would agree, but she couldn't help but feel the slightest bit upset. She wasn't able to give any story to her friends and she couldn't help but let that thought linger in her head. She never knew any of her friends when she was younger so she didn't have any stories to tell them that they could relate to. Sure, she had stories about her fillyhood, but they weren't really anything interesting. Did her friends find her to be boring? Twilight looked down thoughtfully. Her mind wondered in the direction of her friends not finding any interest in her. All Twilight ever did was sit back and listen to her friends memories when she had none of her own to share. "What 'cha thinking about?" Pinkie Pie's eyes perked up at the sight of Twilight. Twilight jerked her head upwards at the sudden voice of the pony she had forgotten she was with at the moment. Pinkie's voice brought her back to reality. "Oh, nothing." Twilight smiled as she tried to seem as if nothing was wrong. Though, when Twilight thought about it again, she realized it was too silly to believe something like that. Of course her friends didn't think she was boring just because she had no love story to tell them. When Twilight thought about it even more, she realized that Pinkie Pie didn't tell a story either, which really relieved her in more ways then one. "You seem so deep in thought!" Pinkie giggled as she packed the rest of her belongings up. She set the basket down next to her and just stared at Twilight as if waiting intently for a response. "Oh, I was just thinking about a story I could tell next time we all get together like this." Twilight tried to make something up so she wouldn't seem too suspicious. "You're right. I would like to hear a story from you too!" The pink pony jumped up with excitement. "Yeah..." Twilight's large purple eyes glimmered as she smiled back at her pink friend. "I would like to hear one from you too." Twilight said back. Pinkie Pie looked up in consideration. She smiled as she looked back down at Twilight. "Maybe....we could make one together." Twilight was startled by Pinkie's response. What was that suppose to mean? What kind of story? Twilight wasn't sure but whatever it was Pinkie didn't seem like she was going to explain. Pinkie Pie got up from her position and grabbed her basket as if she were going to head back home herself. "Leaving?" Twilight asked as she watched Pinkie get up. "Yeah." The pink pony said without turning around to look at the unicorn. Twilight was a bit confused. She didn't know what was up with the sudden change in attitude from her friend, but Pinkie was very unpredictable and that didn't really surprise Twilight all that much. "Oh, okay." Twilight looked down with a bit of disappointment in her eyes. She wasn't exactly sure, but she always felt happy whenever she was around Pinkie Pie. It wasn't just the fact that Pinkie brought joy to everypony she met either, it was more like a peace of mind whenever Pinkie was around. Twilight felt relief when she was in the earth ponies company, but now Pinkie had to leave, and Twilight knew she couldn't keep her forever. "I guess I will see you later then." Twilight said without getting up from the ground she was seated at. "I guess....or....you could come with me?" Pinkie turned around and gave Twilight a quick wink. She then burst into a fit of giggles like she sometimes would and this sent chills down Twilight's back. Twilight nodded her head slowly and began to stand next to Pinkie. "Let's go together." Pinkie smiled as she offered one hoof to Twilight. The purple unicorn hesitated for a moment, but then soon accepted the hoof with her own. Twilight wasn't exactly sure where this was going, but she was glad she was going, where ever it was, with Pinkie Pie. The End?