Rainbow Dash was plagued by nightmares this night. She tossed and turned hearing the jeering voices and teasing sing-songs of the fillies and colts of her past. Within the dream she saw Rarity and Twilight talking to each other. Rainbow was about to call out to them, but froze upon hearing the subject of their conversation. "Can you believe they kept it a secret from us this whole time," asked Twilight.

"Honestly, if Rainbow Dash wants to be a fillyfooler that's her business, but to include dear Applejack," Rarity exclaimed. "You can't expect not to be doing something like that and for there not to be consequences."

"I feel bad for AJ; most of the clients for Sweet Apple Acres are pulling out and refusing to do business with her family just because of her orientation. How could Rainbow do this to her, I knew something was up when AJ asked me to cast that 'Walk on Clouds' spell on her a few times," said Twilight, concern heavy in her voice for Applejack.

Rainbow Dash was about to yell at her friends, but then the scene shifted. She heard sobbing cries out of nowhere, Rainbow looked around for the source; her heart sank when she saw who it was who was crying. Applejack was on the ground in the woods; her Stetson hat covered her face, shoulders trembling. The image in front of Rainbow Dash was hard to comprehend, the normally strong and steadfast orange earth pony was sobbing in a heap on the ground before her. The sight was almost enough to break her heart, but keeping strong Rainbow Dash quickly trotted to her friend. Rainbow gently placed her hoof on the shoulders of the crying mare. "AJ, you alright," she asked.

Applejack slowly looked up, her green eyes were red and puffy from crying, her blonde mane disheveled. AJ rose up slowly, and then turned to the cyan pegasus. Rainbow Dash smiled at her, but what she got in return was a hoof to the face, sending her reeling back against a tree. "It's all yer fault Rainbow Dash!" The Rainbow pegasus looked to her friend, shock and horror plain on her face from having been struck by one of her best friends. "Because I indulged these feelin's for you, it cost me everythin I care about! Granny Smith has pretty much disowned me; Big Mac and Apple Bloom are either embarrassed or ashamed to even be seen with me! And now our business is gonna suffer because ah me!" shouted Applejack.

Rainbow Dash staggered to her hooves, the punch from the orange earth pony having taken a greater toll on her than she had first thought. "Applejack, I – I never meant for you to go through all this – you gotta believe me I'd never wish this on anypony," said Rainbow Dash.

"Ha, ha, well the cat's outta the bag RD, where am I supposed go now!? Once the rest of meh family gets wind of this I'd just as soon be thrown out before I get two words in!" Fresh tears began to stream down Applejack's face, but instead of a sad forlorn face, anger and hate contorted her face. "I'll kill you!"

Rainbow Dash could only stand there, too stunned to process the words coming out of her friends mouth, too scared to comprehend the look of hate being radiated at her. Before Rainbow Dash could say a word Applejack galloped at full speed and rammed her body into Rainbow's. Knocking the air out of her and more than likely cracking a few ribs, Applejack then unleashed one powerful punch after another, causing pain to surge through Rainbows body as the metallic taste of blood began to fill her mouth. Rainbow Dash looked up into the eyes of her attacker. Primal rage, no compassion, no fear of retribution, the look of some pony who had lost everything and nothing left to lose. Rainbow Dash, in a desperate attempt, raised her left hoof up to the mare she admired. "A-A-Applejack…p-please *cough*…stop…*cough* *cough*…I…I love you," she pleaded.

Applejack clenched her teeth, and then let out a heavy sigh. Looking down on the pegasus mare Applejack said "I love you too, sugarcube," her voice void of all emotion and colder than a severe winter blizzard.

Rainbow Dash watched as her best friend reared back, balancing on her hind legs. The last thing Dash saw were the hooves of her best friend bearing down on her face. Then…everything went black…

Rainbow Dash awoke with a start, her fur matted with sweat, and sheets damp. Rainbow Dash placed her right hoof over her heart, afraid that at any moment her heart would burst through her ribcage. She gulped hard as tears descended down the sides of her face. Rainbow looked around, no longer trapped within the nightmare; she stared out and looked around her room. "That was the worse one yet," said Rainbow Dash.

She got out of bed and walked over to her bathroom, after turning on the faucet and filling the water basin, Rainbow Dash plunged her face into it. Sloshing her head in the water before finally bringing it back up, Rainbow Dash stared at herself in the mirror, her mane, like her coat, was matted from sweating, as well as frizzy and unkempt. Well you're a mess aren't ya?

"Don't you think I know that, well that's worst case scenario, but still you gotta admit Applejack's pretty awesome – almost as awesome as me," said Rainbow proudly.

Yeah, but being awesome doesn't mean you can stare at her flank when she isn't looking!

"Hey, I've caught her doing the same thing to me, and I'm cool with it, actually…" Rainbow Dash began to raise an eyebrow.

With a solemn sigh, Dash replied to her reflection, "No…never…I'll never let what happened to me happen to Applejack."

The sun had risen and it was finally the day of Rainbow's and AJ's outing. The two of them were able to get a lift to Las Pegasus. When they arrived the duo were amazed at the sights. Large signs promoting the various eateries, casinos, and pubs, along the way they passed by multiple grand hotels, each with their own personal theme park built inside. Rollercoasters that twisted and winded their way in and out of the buildings, as well as giant swimming pools and water parks, all of this was a bit overwhelming for the farmpony. This was a place of fun, and various other things, way bigger than Ponyville, yet not quite as big as Manehattan or Canterlot. Their lift was able to drop them off at one of the street corners, from the looks of things walking through the streets was a bit of a bad idea, so RD and AJ stuck to the sidewalks. Applejack's gaze would wander to her friend every now and again, wondering why Rainbow Dash wasn't hovering as per her usual way of getting around.

"Hey Applejack you alright, you look like a deer caught in the headlamps," commented Rainbow Dash.

"What, oh, sorry RD. There's a lot goin on around here, ma cousin Apple Bumpkin told me about Las Pegasus when I was a filly, never thought I'd get the chance to come here," said Applejack.

"I know what you mean, I've flown over the place every once and a while but I never actually walked around, or did anything. Let me tell ya, wait till tonight, this place is going to come alive and shine!" Rainbow flared her wings for emphasis. "Till then let's go into some of these parks, those rides look sick!"

"Aren't those the hotel's amusement parks, will they let us in, since we're not guests and all," she asked.

"No sweat, these parks are open to the public! Long as we pay, we're free to play!"

"In that case last one to the coaster is ah rotten apple," Applejack took off towards one of the hotels. Rainbow Dash, after it finally registered that AJ had left her in the dust, took off after her earth pony companion.

It was one ride after another. First a roller coaster marathon, suggested by Rainbow Dash of course, to see how long either of them could last on the twisted, loop de loops, and jerking turns. For a while it was Rainbow Dash who seemed to have the advantage, Applejack was looking pretty green, not used to going faster than her legs or a wagon could carry her. AJ was able to pull ahead slightly when the two of them rode a coaster that drove backwards. Rainbow Dash was used to seeing where she was going, plus the inertia and pull made it harder for her stomach to – well – stomach the ride. Agreeing to a mutual tie, the pegasus and earth pony continued on with their day.

As they were trotting along Applejack and Rainbow Dash noticed a large crowd gathering around an alleyway. The local authorities had cordoned off the area with yellow tape that read "DO NOT CROSS POLICE LINE" in big bold letters. Curious, the duo approached one of the earth ponies in a palm tree shirt, Tourist Trap, and asked him what was going on. "Oh you won't believe this, some pony was frozen solid!" Tourist Trap seemed to note their disbelieving looks. "No, no, it's true I swear! Look for yourselves," said Tourist Trap.

Rainbow Dash hovered overhead, while Applejack moved into the space that Tourist Trap opened for her. Their eyes grew wide with surprise, indeed it was true. A solid block of ice stood fixed, frozen to the ground, while the walls were all frosted, pools of water forming from the melting ice. In the center of the block they could make out a stallion, but whatever defining features he had were obscured by the refracting light and waviness of the ice itself. Many of the Police Ponies were busy gathering evidence from the alleyway, while others were keeping the growing crowd from getting any closer to the crime scene. "What the hay happened to him," asked Rainbow Dash.

"Ah, apparently his name was Tipsy – kinda the town drunk and foal – Celestia rest his soul. They found him like this early this morning, right now they can't figure out if he's even alive in there, and they've been afraid to move'em thinking the block might break," explained Tourist Trap.

"No way – a cold wind sometimes, thunderstorms – but never snow or ice," said Rainbow Dash.

After a while contemplating how a pony could turn into an ice sculpture in a city that had a desert climate, Rainbow Dash and Applejack decided to go on about their day. It was late, the sun was going down and soon the moon would rise. Applejack was having a pretty fun day as far as RD could tell. She had to tell herself multiple times that this wasn't a date, just an outing between two good friends, but still that didn't stop her from imagining it as one. Even though it went against her normal MO, even at the risk of turning this into a date, Rainbow Dash risked asking Applejack to ride on a rather large Ferris wheel. Applejack seemed a little hesitant at the cyan pegasus's request after looking over the huge ride, but with some prodding and coercion, Rainbow was able to get the earth pony up into the Ferris wheel car. As it started up Applejack was noticeably breathing faster, almost hyperventilating. Rainbow Dash dismissed it, probably not used to being in a Ferris wheel.

The large contraption slowly winded around, the car swaying a little from the occasional crosswind. Applejack seemed to be a bit edgy, almost nervous. "C'mon AJ, don't tell me you're afraid of heights," grinned Rainbow Dash as she sat back comfortably on the seat.

With an irritated glare, Applejack retorted, "Easy for you ta say, you have wings, ah ain't got nothin to keep me from fallen and goin SPLAT on the ground!"

Rainbow Dash's grin began to slowly leave her face. No way… "Applejack…are you…are you afraid of heights?"

"WHAT!? Ah'em not afraid of heights! I've been to Cloudsdale, rode in that fancy balloon of Twilight's, and jumped off cliffs! What in Equestria would make ya think somethin' so downright ridiculous!?" shouted Applejack, taking the pegasus's words as an insult.

"Whoa, whoa, Applejack calm down, I just – it's just the way you're acting, there's nothing wrong with being afraid of heights. Every pegasus is afraid of heights at first, but then we start to learn how to fly we just forget about it," said Rainbow Dash, trying to calm her friend.

"Well I ain't no pegasus! Darn it Rainbow why did ya bring me up here in the first place!?" As if to answer her question the Ferris wheel stopped moving, which elicited an immediate panic attack from Applejack. "What's goin on!? Why'd it stop!? Is it broken!?"

Without thinking Rainbow Dash quickly went to Applejack's side, her movement made the car swing a little, making the orange earth pony panic even more. Rainbow Dash brought her friend into a tight embrace, she was surprised, Applejack was shaking – she was truly scared. After a few moments Dash could feel the trembling in her friend subside, lightly brushing AJ's blonde mane with her hoof. Applejack's breathing became calmer as well, when Rainbow Dash noticed that Applejack was less agitated Dash thought it was about time to answer her question. "I-I'm sorry Applejack, I didn't know…Believe me I wasn't trying to scare you. There was a reason why I brought you up here, look out the window."

Applejack shot a worried expression to her rainbow mane friend. Rainbow Dash smiled back at Applejack, "I won't let anything happen to you, not as long as I'm around," proclaimed Rainbow Dash.

With a bit of reluctance, Applejack turned her head and stared out the right side window. Celestia's sun had just ducked behind the horizon, turning day into night, and making way for Luna's moon to rise in its place. The city of Las Pegasus was dark for a couple of seconds, but then, one by one, the lights of the city began to ignite. Large multicolored neon signs, lit up buildings, and many other attractions, there was so much light being radiated from the city that you could barely tell if the sun had fallen. All of this silhouetted by the crescent moon over the city, gave it a sort of – dare RD think it – a romantic aura. Applejack leaned forward towards the window, staring out towards the city, in awe at how bright it was. "Tarnation…Not even Manehattan was this bright at night, this is – this is –" Applejack seemed to be stumbling over her words, not quite sure how to sum up her feelings.

Rainbow Dash noticed that she was no longer afraid, letting her go, and sitting back to enjoy the expression of awe on her friend's face. Rainbow Dash wasn't the kind of pony to set up romantic encounters, but this one was something she thought Applejack would love to see. Even if it was only once, she wanted to give AJ a chance to see the world as she did every day, and she could think of no better place than here, Las Pegasus. Soon – perhaps too soon – the Ferris wheel started turning, bringing them back to the ground.

They walked in silence for a while, not wanting to mention the incident that happened in the Ferris wheel car. Applejack didn't think it was possible, but the city seemed more alive at night then it was during the day. The inhabitants seemed to have all come out of the woodwork as soon as the sun left the sky. The amount of ponies seemed to have doubled, the atmosphere having become much livelier since they arrived this morning. "What the hay, it's gotten a lot more crowded, where'd they all come from," asked Applejack.

"Las Pegasus is a city that lives for the night life, it's gained the nickname 'The City That Never Sleeps,' but unofficially it's known as the 'Favored City of Princess Luna.' Unofficially of course," said Rainbow Dash with a wink.

"Uh Rainbow…Ya mind not mentionen what happened on the Ferris wheel between us, ah would rather not let the others know," asked Applejack.

"What happened? Did something happen, all I remember is the two of us riding a Ferris wheel ride," said Rainbow Dash with a smug look on her face. Applejack returned the smile, her cheeks reddening a bit. "C'mon there's one last place I want to go to, it's a dance club."

The club had strobe lights hanging from the rafters, with others that had color filters of red, blue, green, yellow, and violet, all swiveling in different directions, bathing all the ponies in different light combinations. The dance floor was divided into squares that flashed, illuminating all who cantered onto it. A giant stage with a DJ's mix table in the center, and two large speakers thumping music, pulsing through the entire club, Rainbow Dash led Applejack inside, a noticeable nervousness about her as they entered. "What's the matter 'Apple Snack,' scared of a little dancing," asked Rainbow Dash, a sly grin forming on her lips.

With a smug look, Applejack grinned back. "I ain't scared to dance I just haven't –!" Just then all the lights in the room were pointed to the stage, the eyes of everypony drawn to the center as somepony started to rise from the center of the stage. "What in tarnation is go'n on, do you know somethin' about this," asked Applejack.

Rainbow Dash shook her head, she had no idea what was going on. The pony who was rising from the center of the stage was an earth pony, with a backwards turned hat, black shades, and gold chains hanging from his neck. A dark purple coat and black mane sparkled from the lights. "HEEEEELLLLLLLOOOOOO LAS PEGASUS! I'm Big PWNY, but y'all can call me Big P for short! Listen up all you night owls; we have a special guest Mixer in the house tonight! So fillies and colts, colts and fillies, give it up for the Mare of Mix, the Diva of Techno – the one, the only, DJ-PON-3!" shouted Big PWNY.

The dark purple earth pony struck a pose as a bright light shined from behind him, disappearing when it faded. Behind the mix table was a white unicorn mare, with a cerulean colored mane, and black rimmed shades with pink glass. "Hey Las Pegasus, I know most of ya are down cause ah the war, family and friends off protecting our homes and lives. So tonight, as part of my tour, I'm dedicating all my music to those brave ponies in the UEA, long live Equestria and long live rock! Now let's kick it!" The crowd went into a frenzy of cheers and whooping at DJ-PON-3's declaration. Using her magic DJ-PON-3, or Vinyl Scratch to Rainbow Dash and Applejack, moved the needle onto the vinyl discs on the table. Almost instantly the rhythmic, funky, head bopping, music began to play. Almost everypony around started to dance on the spot, moving to the groove of Vinyl Scratch's music.

Applejack knew from experience how good her music was, having heard it once at Rarity's fiasco of a fashion show, the second time at the Royal Wedding. Rainbow Dash watched as the orange mare's right forehoof began to tap to the beat of the music, eliciting a thought from the cyan pegasus. "Now I know this isn't your kind of dance music AJ, so I'd totally understand if you wanna hang back," said Rainbow Dash.

"Is that a challenge, RD," asked Applejack, giving her friend a sideways glance.

Rainbow Dash then bumped Applejack's flank with her own, making her stumble a bit. "Maybe…"

Before they knew it the two of were dancing. Side-by-side, back-to-back, circling, and spinning, their manes whipping around sheening from the strobe lights up above. Their coat's beaded with sweat, sparkling as it flew from their bodies, for brief instances Rainbow Dash's and Applejack's eyes met, a kind of mutual intensity moving through them. What began as a competition suddenly turned into an enjoyable duet between them, complementing their dance partner's moves as the music moved them. The two mares struck a pose as the music ended; AJ's right hoof interlocked with RD's left, Rainbow's wings flared up, while Applejack kept one hoof on her Stetson hat to keep it in place. They both panted hard, their eyes locked on the others, as if the world around them had faded away and time stood still. A smile started to appear on their faces – then they were quickly snapped back to reality as a spot light shined on the both of them.

"Give it up for the fiercest dancers in the club tonight, Applejack and Rainbow Dash!" Vinyl Scratch announced. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked around, a ten foot radius of free space made for the both of them, with many of the other ponies staring at them in awe. Were we really dancing that good, thought Rainbow Dash. The crowd stamped their hooves on the ground repeatedly, applauding them both, which was followed by another round of cheering and whooping. After a few seconds they realized that they were still holding the others hoof. Upon which they quickly let go and went back on all fours. Suddenly, in a rather dramatic fashion, Big PWNY reappeared.

"Sure, they're close friends of a certain party pony I know, and as I hear it they're also big time war heroes," announced Vinyl Scratch. She raised her shades up, showing her magenta red eyes, and gave them a quick wink.

"Well then we have double surprise guests here tonight! First round of cider is on the house!" Big PWNY again disappeared with a flash of light, leaving some to wonder if he really was an earth pony or was a unicorn hiding his horn.

Hours passed as both Rainbow Dash and Applejack continued to dance to one song after another. Finally exhausted, the two athletes found an open booth and sat down. They didn't realize just how sore they were till they did, all four of their legs throbbed at the same time as their stomachs began rumbling. "Whoowee, ah hadn't worked up ah sweat like that since our last battle, and now I'm hungry somethin' fierce," said Applejack.

"Just hang here for a sec, I'll go see if I can get us something to eat – I'll bring us back some drinks too," offered Rainbow Dash.

Before she could protest, Rainbow Dash had already headed straight towards the Oasis. She already knew what Applejack was going to say. "Hold on now ah can get mah own food and drink, thank you very much!" Dash laughed inwardly at that, looking over her shoulder to confirm that Applejack was indeed thinking just that. But Rainbow didn't mind, she wanted to, she was having fun with her marefriend – FRIEND – not marefriend – just a friend! Jeez Rainbow get it together, this isn't a date, we're just two friends having an…an – outing! Rainbow thought, trying to convince herself.

Rainbow Dash arrived at the Oasis, a pegasus stallion stood in the middle of the U shaped bar, he was using his hoof to gently clean one of the glasses. "Hi, uh, two glasses of your best ciders please, and two orders of tofu-burgers and crispy hay fries," asked Rainbow Dash. The barkeep nodded and floated off to fill the order. Rainbow Dash leaned on the edge of the bar, looking out to all the ponies who were still dancing, Vinyl Scratch had changed the tempo of the music, giving a slightly slower and more meaningful pulsing thrum. She could tell that by the way many of the dancers were dancing in close proximity to each other, and that this music was meant for couples. A part of Dash wanted to dance with AJ during this song, but they both needed a break, and she knew what the implications would be if she did. So Rainbow Dash only watched and sighed, imagining in her mind's eye that the two of them were on the dance floor together. Suddenly a drink appeared next to her left hoof, a fruity beverage with a little umbrella sticking out. "I didn't order this," said Dash to the barkeep.

Rainbow shrugged, not one to pass up a free gift, she hooked it in the crook of her hoof and brought it to her lips. "You never did pass up a Strawberry Frizzy, huh Dashy," said a gruff female voice.

Dash quickly put down the drink and looked to her left, she knew who that voice belonged to, but wished with all her might that she was wrong. She wasn't. Golden eyes, with gray light purple eye shadow around them, a white feathered head, and yellow beak, she had a strong lion body, and sharp eagle talons. She stretched out her large dark brown wings as her lion tail whipped from one side to the other. The griffon that Rainbow Dash once considered a friend, "Gilda…what in the hay are you doing here," asked Rainbow Dash, her good mood flying out the window.

"Dang Dash, that was cold. Haven't seen ya in a couple of years, and this is the reception I get!" Gilda laughed it off, apparently not fazed by Dash's change in attitude. "If you wanna know, I'm in Las Pegasus because I heard the night life here is awesome, that, and I heard a rumor that DJ-PON-3 was going to perform here at Sonic Wub," explained Gilda.

"Oh…alright…So, how've ya been G, didn't hear much from you since you left Ponyville," asked Dash, still keeping her guard up.

"Oh you know, traveling around, perfecting my moves, stuff like that. But I was amazed to find out that you joined the UEA, although now that I think about it, I could totally see you duken it out on the battlefield," said Gilda.

Gilda blocked Rainbow's advance with her wing, and stared down at her "friend." "Yeah I was watching you two – she's that farmpony from Ponyville, the one with the hat."

"What about her, I know you don't like my new friends Gilda, but do me the courtesy of leaving us alone," asked Rainbow Dash.

"Ah naw Dashy, go right ahead…" Gilda folded her wing; Rainbow Dash took a couple of steps forward, making sure that Gilda wouldn't block her again before trotting forward. "…I wouldn't want to ruin your date with your marefriend."

Rainbow Dash stopped suddenly and turned to face Gilda, a fire slowly kindling behind her rose colored eyes. "What did you say!?"

"You heard me, you little fillyfooler, looks like you proved all those foals, back at Flight School, right." Gilda casually strolled to the bar and took a sip of the Strawberry Fizzy that Rainbow Dash didn't finish. "So, what's it like being a freak, couldn't find a stallion who would put up with ya so you decided to see how green the grass was on the other side?"

Rainbow Dash was trying to rein in her temper; their excursion had been going well up to this point, so she didn't want to ruin it by getting into a fight with Gilda. Especially after how Vinyl Scratch announced that they were acquaintances of hers. With a heavy, and anger filled, sigh, Rainbow Dash finally responded to Gilda. "We're not dating; Applejack and I are just in town to unwind because we've been fighting hard. She's not – I repeat – not my marefriend, she is my friend! Got it!?"

"Whatever you say Dash, whatever you say, but there's nothing you can say that can explain what I saw."

Unbeknownst to them, or at least to Rainbow Dash, a crowd was watching and listening. Some of them were getting worried, keeping their distance. Some the clubs bouncers were hovering close by, ready to move in just in case things got out of hoof.

"The way you looked at that earth pony when the two of you were dancing, if I didn't know any better I'd swear you were –!"

"Hold on there Dash!" Before Rainbow Dash could unleash her fury upon her former friend Gilda, Applejack had gotten between them. With a stern look on her face, Applejack stared Rainbow Dash in the eye, silently telling her to let it go. She then turned to Gilda and gave an equally, if not more, stern look at the griffon. "And you missy, ah think you should leave. No need to be cause'n trouble for us or these folk, alright" said Applejack, the tone in her voice telling her that it was an order and not a suggestion.

Gilda looked around, accessing the situation. With a nonchalant shrug, Gilda conceded to Applejack's wishes. "Alright, alright, I'll leave. This crowd's starting to get lame anyway." Gilda then started to walk past the two mares, but stopped to place a claw on Rainbow's shoulder. "See ya around Dashy…." Rainbow could feel a slight pressure, icy chill coming from her shoulder, she grinded her teeth behind her lips, not wanting to show Gilda that she was that strong. With that Gilda left the club, making the night end on a bittersweet note.

Rainbow Dash fears the consequences of having a relationship with Applejack, not wanting her to suffer the same hardships as she did. Applejack loves Rainbow Dash, but will not admit it for fear of making Rainbow relive her past hardships. WHAT THE BUCK!?

Is Gilda's return a sign of bad tidings, we shall see. Love and war continue on…

War in Equestria: The Tale of Bright Blade

by Michael_Ravencroft

Chapter 23