When a freak science experiment at Twilight's library zaps Rainbow Dash with temporary aphasia, it's up to Applejack to get her a cure.

Rainbow Dash has been absent for longer and longer periods of time, but nopony knows why. Feeling her absence perhaps more than she would like to admit, Applejack decides to find out exactly why her friend seems so distracted and why she seems to be avoiding everypony.

Twilight is stuck in a lengthy diplomatic meeting and can’t spend her time with the other girls during their beach vacation. Her being away causes Rainbow quite some distress – not only because she’s missing her, but also because there is a thing she needs to discuss with Twilight.

So when Twilight starts sending letters, Rainbow is excited. And she decides that she doesn’t care if Twilight is on a tight schedule – Rainbow Dash wouldn’t be Rainbow Dash if she couldn’t come up with a solution!

Written for the Third TwiDash Group Contest.

Cover art credits: Rainbow Dash, scroll, ink and quill, Twilight Sparkle.

Rarity and Applejack catch their kids sneaking into the house three hours past curfew.

Side story of Bloodlines

It was only a few days ago when I lost my voice and Fluttershy had to sing in my place with the Ponytones. Then, just the other mornin', Rarity's asked me out to a big fancy dinner in downtown Ponyville. What could this mean? Have I done somethin' wrong? Is she finally kickin' me out of the quartet? Or, even worse, could an elegant unicorn like that actually be interested in a stallion like me?

I ain't no good at reading ponies, and I'm even worse at speakin' my thoughts out loud. Rarity is a nice, elegant lady, and I'd be a plum fool to hurt her feelings. Still, the truth's gotta come out somehow. There's only one mare in this-here town who strikes my fancy, and it ain't her.

Based on an idea given to me by Propmaster.

It's a hot summer day, and the Mane Six are eating lunch together. Fluttershy is enjoying her burger immensely. But in the presence of a certain apple farmer, could she possibly be after more than just a good sandwich?

DISCLAIMERS: I planned,wrote and edited this between 2-4 in the morning. Any inconsistencies, confusion, etc. probably stems from that.
I blame my buddy Lion for absolutely everything to do with this story. Send him some love; he's awesome.

She waited for Rarity’s face to bloom into softness, the way it always did when Rainbow made some big romantic gesture like this. Rarity’s face stayed impassive. But she smiled. It was a smile that was reserved and slightly tired—barely genuine. The warmth in it was quiet, self-contained.

And that’s when Rainbow’s entire world came crashing down.

She did not need her any longer.

The first story in the What Could Go Wrong? series

She's the artist of the two of us. She's always been the dreamer, and she always drifts off somewhere between a fantasy and the stars above us. And I'll always be nearby to pull her back to the ground. Every day she shows me how to be more, and I show her how to be herself again. It's not perfect, but it works, and that's what matters.

Cover art provided by the wonderful Esle Ynopemos. (Seriously, check his stuff out. He's wonderful)

Rainbow Dash was loyal. She would never betray the love of her life.

Applejack was honest. She knew that if she sensed something wrong, she would speak up.

This is a story of the promises we keep, and the ones we break. Of the truths we tell, and the ones we keep silent.

Rated Teen for brief language and some adult themes. Big thanks to Loving Tolerance for giving this a look-over and telling me what works and what doesn't. One of these days, I might even listen to him!

You forgot your bracelet at my place when you came for your visit. So I came back to Ponyville to return it to you.

And, by the way, Twi—why did you cry?

Written for the Twidash Army's second contest.

Thanks to my prereaders: Invisible Pink Unicorn and He Who Wishes To Remain Unnamed