//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: Apples & Rainbows // by Hazama //------------------------------// The afternoon sun hung lazily in the air, a warm summer breeze blowing through the fields of Sweet Apple Acres. It was just about time to harvest the orchard's hundreds of apple trees; the Apple family had spent the past week preparing for applebuck season and the hard work it would bring. Applejack was on her way back to the farmhouse after examining the last field when a rush of air blowing past caused her to recoil. It was then she noticed the blue streak following the gust and, after a few seconds, the sudden, cool breeze upon her head. "Rainbow Dash! I'd like it very much if you'd return mah hat!" Applejack hollered after the pegasus, who slowed down and turned back toward her. Rainbow Dash flew up to the orange earth pony and hovered in place, a brown cowboy hat perched atop her head. A wide, mischievious grin split her face from ear to ear. "Hey, Applejack!" Dash exclaimed. "What'cha doing?" Applejack reached up and reclaimed the hat for her own. "Ah'm helpin' Big Macintosh prepare the fields for the harvest. " Placing the hat upon her own head, she peered at Rainbow Dash. "What're you up to, besides a whole lotta nothin' as usual?" Applejack inquired as she resumed her previous course. "Practicing my moves for the Wonderbolts!" Dash exclaimed, flying a few circles around the earth pony before landing to accompany her on hoof. "I know I'm gonna wow 'em with this new one I've been working on! Say, you wouldn't wanna help me out, would you?" The orange mare quirked a brow. "Help ya, how? I'd love ta, Rainbow, but Ah don't figure Ah could do much without, ya know, wings." She cast a glance askew at the pegasus as she spoke. "That's the fun part," Dash said. "It's actually meant for an earth pony. Or a unicorn, I guess. You don't need wings!" The quizzical look on Applejack's face prodded her on. "Okay, look. A pegasus, like me, flies with an earth pony, like you, and they perform all kinds of awesome tricks together." "Ah don't know..." Applejack trailed off. "Sounds dangerous ta me." "C'mon, AJ, it'll be fun!" Dash said, lifting into the air with a flourish. "I promise nothing bad will happen! I'm the best flier in Equestria, remember?" she beamed pridefully, recalling her victory at the Best Young Flyer competition in Cloudsdale. "Ah like to keep my hooves on the ground, thank ya very much," the earth pony flatly stated. She had gone to Cloudsdale for Rainbow, for her friend, but she was relieved when they had returned to solid ground. "Applejack, you really need to lighten up. Have some fun once in a while. You're all work and no play!" Dash looped over in the air to accentuate the end of her sentence. "And Ah think you could stand ta learn the meanin' of a hard day's work," Applejack retorted sharply. Sighing, she said, "If 'twere anything else, Ah'd gladly volunteer. Ah'm just not comfortable with this idea." The pegasus hung her head dejectedly, sighing as well. "Okay. I guess I can try to find somepony else." She looked up at Applejack. "I'll see you around, AJ." The country mare stopped and turned to her friend. "Don't worry yerself 'bout it. Ah'm sure somethin'll work out. You take care, now." She watched until the pegasus was out of sight, then continued on her way to the farmhouse. Big Macintosh sat outside, staring out into the fields while chewing on a sprig of wheat. He said nothing as she moved to sit by his side, following his gaze out over apple trees as far as the eye could see. "Looks ta be another good harvest this year." The crimson stallion remained silent for a moment. "Eeyup," he finally drawled, swishing the sprig in his mouth. He finally broke his gaze, swinging his head around to face his sister. "C'mon, sis. Dinner's just about ready." He got to his hooves, followed by his sister, and they trotted inside. Rainbow Dash flew for many reasons. She flew to relieve stress and anxiety. She flew to bleed off anger. Most of the time she flew simply to fly, enjoying the wind beneath her wings. She flew, sometimes as she did now, to lift her spirits. Flying was the answer to everything, in her opinion. Dash was sure Applejack would have jumped at the opportunity to experience something new. Perhaps she didn't know her friend as well as she thought. I'm sure something will work out, she repeated to herself. After a few more minutes of soothing time in the sky, she angled herself toward the far end of Ponyville. A sudden knock at the door jolted Spike out of his concentration, the stack of books precariously balanced in one hand falling to the floor in a heap. Sighing in defeat, he hopped down from the ladder, walked to the door, and pulled it open. "Hey, Spike," Dash greeted the dragon. She peered around the room, books strewn everywhere. He was the only one present. "Is Twilight busy? I want to talk to her." He glanced over his shoulder at the door to the back room. "Actually, she is. Told me she didn't want to be interrupted by anyone." He shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, Dash." The pegasus sighed and nodded. "Okay," she mumbled. "Guess I can come back later. See ya, Spike." Spike closed the door as she took to the air and turned around, bumping into Twilight Sparkle as he moved to resume his work. "Whoa! Sorry, Twilight! I didn't know you were there." "It's okay, Spike," the lavender unicorn soothed. "Who was here just now? I could have sworn it sounded like Rainbow Dash." "Yeah, she wanted to see you," Spike said, proudly placing his hands on his hips. "But I told her you didn't want to be disturbed by anyone!" Twilight rushed past her assistant as the door tugged open with a purple glow. "Oh, Spike! You should know I always have time for my friends!" She stopped outside and looked for Rainbow Dash, to no avail. Her friend was already out of sight. She sighed and returned inside. "If she comes back, let me know right away. That goes for the others, too!" The young dragon's shoulders drooped as Twilight trotted into the back room. It seemed that no matter how hard he tried, there was no winning. Sighing in defeat again, he scooped up the fallen pile of books and began the slow climb up the ladder once more.