//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 // Story: Mending a Broken Rainbow // by malikvamp //------------------------------// Mending a Broken Rainbow- Chapter Seven With a loud creak the old, worn wooden door to Applejack's room slid open, and one after another Dashie and AJ entered. Golden rays of evening light filtered throughout the room as the day met the night. The two were quiet, and sluggish. Applejack made her way towards her desk, Dashie straight to the oh-so-appealing bed. "Whew!" The cyan Pegasus hit the bed with a silent flop, and breathed out a heavy sigh. "I'm pooped! I can't believe you manage to do that almost every day! My hooves are killing me." "Ya get used to it," Applejack giggled back. The farm pony rested her beloved Stetson upon the desk before her, and just as she was turning to her filly-friend, a glint caught her eye. Doing a double take, Applejack saw two thin slips of paper slipped into the brim of her hat. Curiosity swept over the orange earth-pony, and she quickly moved closer to investigate. Out stretching a hoof, AJ grappled the targets of her attention, and raised them to her eyes for examination. Tickets. Wonderbolts tickets. Had Rainbolt left them, during her... Visit? Did Rainbolt want Applejack to come to Canterlot? "Something wrong?" "Nothing," Applejack spoke, and tucked the tickets back into their place. Spinning on place, she spotted the target of her affection. Dashie lay outstretched, hooves flung in every direction, and wings erected to either side. The pegasus's eyes had slipped closed, and her face had twisted into a silly mix between exhaustion from the day's work in the orchard, and pure bliss from finally settling down for the night. With a spring to her step, Applejack approached the foot of the bed an found a place to rest her plot. "Listen," Applejack pocked one of Dashie's hooves playfully. "I've been thinkin' lately..." "Uh-oh!" "Oh shush!" AJ attempted to push her friend from the bed, but the Pegasus refused to budge. "Seriously, I wanna talk to you about this. It's important!" "Oh?" A single cyan eyelid slid open, staring up to the backside of the farm pony. "Is something wrong?" "Nothin' like that, silly!" Applejack giggled again and fell back onto the bed, landing in the warm embrace of her filly-friend. A wing quickly found it's way around her. "It's been pretty crazy lately. I was thinkin' we should get away for a bit? Kinda like a vacation." "A vacation?" Dashie squirmed to find a more comfortable position, all the while keeping her hold on AJ. "Yeah, y'know, like a date of sort." Silence conquered the room. Taking a quick peek to the side, Applejack saw that once again the pegasus's eyelids had decided to take a rest. Dashie's chest rose and fell dramatically with her breath, lifting Applejack with it. After a moment of intense thinking, Dashie shot strait up, a gigantic pearly smile painted across her lips! "That sounds like a fantastic idea!" Dashie rolled over, on top of Applejack and placed a soft kiss on the farm mare's nose. "Where were ya wanting to go, exactly?" "Canterlot." "What?" Dashie lowered herself until her head rested upon AJ's collarbone, tucked into the nape of her neck. "Why Canterlot?" "We could go visit some of our friends at the castle, or just explore the city together!" Applejack's hooves began to forcefully rub the pegasi's back, forcing happy moans from Dashie. "Besides, Ah have some business to take care of there for the orchard. Shouldn't take more then a few hours, an' then Ah'll be all yours!" "Mmkay..." Dashie spoke between sighs of relief, as AJ continued the massage. "Really?" "Sure," Dashie's body fell completely limp, forcing AJ to support her. "Why not? I've been wanting to go there myself." "Oh yeah?" the farm pony concluded her handiwork, and rested her hooves in the middle of Dashie's back. "Why's that? "Rainbolt." Applejack flinched at Dashie's response. "I mean, I just kinda wanna meet her. Just a feeling I guess." Once again, silence dominated the room; not awkward, but peaceful. Relaxing. From her place beneath the sleepy pegasus, Applejack attempted to free herself as to prepare for bed, but she was stuck. Sighing heavily, the farm pony gave up. There was no moving a sleepy pegasus when they were comfortable. The farm pony's eyes glanced around the room. The sky outside was dark, with only the faintest remnants of daylight struggling on the horizon; a loosing battle. Usually at this time of night the room would be filled with the scent of apples, as it always was, and yet tonight was different. Having Dashie resting so close to her nose, AJ could smell only the scent of sweat. Under any other circumstance, disgusting. However, something about the scent of one's lover was simply intoxicating. After a moment, the pony's eyes drifted to her desk, to her signature Stetson, and then to the two golden tickets tucked into it's rim. If Dashie wanted to go to Canterlot to meet Rainbolt... Applejack could make that happen. "Yeah," Applejack rand a hoof lovingly through a certain rainbow mane. "Ah'm sure we can make that work." Instead of a response, Dashie let put a happy yawn, and tucked closer into the farm pony. The chilly evening breeze simply gave the pegasus even more reason to get as close as possible, not that she needed it. Something about Dashie's innocence... it stung Applejack in the heart. She had to tell Dashie. About Rainbolt's visit. It was un-fair if she didn't, wasn't it? "L-listen darlin'," Applejack's voice trembled as she worked up her courage. It was not in her nature to lie, or to hide the truth. "Ah wanted to tell you somethin'..." AJ's heart began to beat faster in anticipation of her next few words, to be chosen with upmost caution. Dashie was fragile, easily hurt, and quick to jump to conclusions. If this conversation didn't go right, Applejack may not be enjoying this sweet embrace for some time. Dashie began to stir, and Applejack awaited her response... ... ... But it never came. In it's place was a loud, obnoxious snore. "Sigh... Probably for the better anyways." --------------------- The two filly-friends awoke early the next morning, and made a quick departure from the Apple family farm. They made quick time through Ponyville, refusing to stop along the way to the train station. To their delight, the two caught the morning train, and by noon they were on their way to Canterlot. Two days. That was how long the train sped forward, through night, and day. Service on the train composed of three daily meals, brought to passengers by servers at scheduled intervals each day. The ride was long, and tiring. On the dawn of the third day, the sun brought with it on the horizon the silhouette of the great capital city. By the time Dashie and Applejackk touched down at Canterlot station, they were glad to have stable ground beneath their hooves once again. --------------------- "Well," Applejack stretched her legs as she stepped onto the station platform, taking in the scene around her. Dashie was quick to follow her lead. "It certainly is as busy as Ah remember." The train station was a hotspot for traffic in Canterlot, even in the early mornings. Buisness ponies ran here and there, suitcase-like saddlebags bumping against their hips as they hurried along. Several run down earth-ponies sat in the middle of the station, dressed in rags, and playing happily on their small collection of instruments. No one minded, though. If anything the music added a small tinge of joy to the otherwise overwhelming setting. "So," Dashie stepped up beside AJ and allowed a wing to lazily fall atop the farm pony. "Where to first?" "Actually," Applejack said," if ya wouldn't mind Ah'm gunna try to go take care of that business for the orchard, now. That way we won't have t' interrupt our trip later, right? Would ya mind headin' on down to our hotel, and waitin' for me there until I come back later? Ah promise Ah won't be too long." "You sure you don't want me to come along?" Dashie glanced around through the crowd. "There are some pretty shady characters here in Canterlot." "Ah'm sure," AJ planted a light kiss on Dashie's cheek. "You'd be bored half t' death, with all that business talk." Slowly, Dashie retracted her wing from AJ's back, and returned it to her side. "Well, alright. If you say so." "Thanks, hun!" AJ made a quick second kiss before she began walking in the direction of downtown Canterlot. Shouting over her shoulder, "I'll be back soon! Wait for me!" It didn't take long for the farm pony to loose herself in the crowd, any chance of looking back and seeing Dashie long gone. She walked, block by block through the streets, keeping a steady pace. As she passed by shops, despite being to Canterlot before, she was still amazed by the cultural difference between the capital city and Ponyville! From simple clothing shops to corner store bakeries, everything in the royal city had been designed as if the princess herself was living there. In all honesty, Applejack did not see what was so appealing to it. The city was like a labyrinth, and to those who did not live there, finding anything was nearly impossible. Nearly. One thing stood out, above the crowd and above the city itself. No matter where one was, he or she could always see the spiraling, snow white towers of Canterlot Castle, built into the side of a mountain and ever reaching up into the sky, beckoning for attention. At the top of the tallest tower sat a golden dome, where the princesses themselves restlessly watched over their kingdom. Lucky for applejack, her 'business' was taking place in the tower itself. Turning towards the royal castle, the orange mare began to pick up her pace. After all, she didn't want Dashie to get suspicious if she took too long. After several minutes of intense crowd dodging, AJ found herself at the base of the steps to the castle. Trotting proudly up to the front door, she pulled to a stop at the sight of two armored stallion unicorns standing on either side of the giant, arch-like doors to the castle. "Well howdy, gentlecolts," Applejack advanced up to the guards. "Might you please allow me by, I need speak to Ms. Twilight Sparkle, right away." The guards did not answer right away. Instead, one of them sighed heavily, as if Applejack's presence was ruining his day. The other slouched against the stone wall behind him, clearly not paying attention to the situation. They looked like bored, lazy oafs. "Name?" one of the guards asked more out of habit then actual interest. "Twilight Sparkle. Ah need to talk to Twilight Sparkle." The second guard chuckled lightly. "No, your name!" "Ah!" AJ felt her cheeks beginning to redden. "Um, Applejack." Immediately both of the stallions shot up from their slouched positions, eyes wide open and alert! One of them even went as far as to quickly check that his mane was in order. "Ms. applejack, of course!" the first guard chuckled nervously. "the royal consultant has been accepting you!" The second stallion turned, his horn beginning to glow in a faint pink aura, and with a similar aura encompassing the large door, he magically it open. Beyond waited the radiant hallways of the castle. "She has?" Applejack stepped back, confused. "Right down the hall," the guard pointed with his spear, keeping as upright and proud as possible. "And into the throne room, please. They will be with you shortly." Another pink aura wrapped around the farm pony, pulling her through the golden doors. Confused, she turned to shout over her shoulder. "They!?" The door slammed shut behind her, locking the orange mare into the desolate halls. "...alrighty then." Without wasting any time, Applejack began her advance towards the throne room. Usually she would take her time, to admire the intricate design of the castle, but Dashie was waiting. After several attempts at turning, and getting lost, and asking passing guards for directions, she finally found her destination. Taking a deep breath in, Applejack outstretched a hoof to open the door. But she was too slow. A purple aura erupted around the entrance's frame, and in the blink of an eye the doors exploded away, swinging open at a dizzying speed. There, sitting atop her throne, was the princess of the sun. Beside her, in an only slightly smaller and less intricate seat, was Twilight Sparkle in her uniform. That is, if you could call a flabbergastingly beautiful dress a uniform. "Come in, Applejack," Celestia smiled sweetly at the most honest of her six heroes. "Hurry, now." AJ did so, trotting in and stopping in a spot not far from the base of the throne. Twilight was next to speak. "Finally, you are here! We have a lot to talk about!" "Whad'ya mean?" "Is Dashie with you?" the princess spoke in a quiet tone. "No," Applejack felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of her lie. "But she is here in Canterlot. Should I go get her and come back?" "It..." Celestia paused for a moment. "It would be better to have this conversation without her. Now tell me, Applejack, what is your standing on the situation with my daughter? Or... daughters?" "My opinion?" Applejack looked down to her hooves, pondering her next words heavily. "Ah'm not sure. At first Ah thought it was perfect; a solution! But now... Ah'm just not so sure." Twilight Sparkle once again broke into the conversation. "What do you mean?" It was as if Celestia and Twilight were simply speaking for one another. It was weird. "She's so different now!" Applejack's voice was beginning to shake a little. "Dashie, I mean. There's no doubting that she loves me, but sometimes it seems like all she loves is me! It's smothering." "I see." Celestia's head hung down for a moment. "I suppose you have a very important decision ahead of you then." "What's that, princess?" "Twilight and I," the princess glanced over to her pupil, who smiled happily in return. "We have discovered the means to put Dashie and Rainbolt back together. To reassemble Rainbow Dash. However, with magic this complicated, we may only have a day more, two at maximum, before the separation is complete, and irreversible." "That's great! How do we-" a wide smile dominated Applejack's face, but it was quick to disappear. "Wait, but what if they are happier this way? What if they don't want to go back together?" "That is a possibility," Twilght's turn again. "And it could mean that asking them could only strain an already strained relationship." The room fell silent for a moment, before the unicorn continued. "However, what happens if in a few days you find out that they do need one another, but it is too late because you never asked them; never gave them a chance?" The room became void of sound, as all three present contemplated the weight of their actions in the next twenty-four hours. However, Applejack was quick to make her decision. "You're right," Applejack said. "Ah suppose it's worth the risk." "I could come with you?" Twilight's expression softened. "Help explain the situation to them?" "Thanks, Sugarcube," Applejack began to turn slowly. "But this is something I have to take care of. This was my fault, after all." Celestia nodded. "You must hurry away, then. There will be time to discuss with us later, but my daughter's chances dwindle with the minute." "Thank you," Applejack began towards the exit, speaking over her shoulder. "Ah hope Ah'll be seeing you two real soon!" --------------------- Applejack trotted quietly down the hallway of the hotel. It wasn't the nicest hotel in Canterlot, but it was plenty fancier then any in Ponyville! Red carpet laced the floor of the halls, and the walls had been decorated in all kinds of fancy art pieces that Applejack would never understand the importance of. Instead of the dangling light bulbs that would illuminate a Ponyville hotel, the light came from over exaggerated fixtures every ten hooves or so. "379... 381..." Applejack spoke out room numbers as she made her way towards her mark. "Ah! 383!" Swiping a small plastic card through the door's electronic lock system, the farm pony received a satisfactory click, and the door buzzed as it opened. The room was bigger then AJ thought it would be. A chandelier hung in the centre of the room, casting a soft light across the room's delicate design. The interior reflected the hallway, the only difference being the presence of furniture. At the far end of the room rested a gigantic red bed, on which, somehow, Dashie had maneuvered and rearranged to create a fort of pillows and blankets. Within the makeshift fort Dashie lay, belly down, happily humming with a book spread out before her. The door clicked as it closed behind Applejack, pulling Dashie from her trance. "You're back!" Dashie launched to her hooves, collapsing the fort around her. But she didn't care. Before Applejack could blink the cyan pegasus, with a fierce beat of her wings, propelled herself across the room for a full on collision with the farmer. Soon the two were tumbling across the carpeted floor, and when they finally came to a stop, Applejack was on top. Dashie stared at her, wide eyed and excited. "How was your meeting?" Dashie's words hit Applejack right in the heart. How was her meeting? Does she lie, and tell Dashie that it went well, and that she has successfully landed a new business partner? What if Dashie asks who, or about the specifics? The orange mare could say that it didn't go as well as planned, but wouldn't Dashie then want to know why not? No... surely by now Applejack was sick of lying. It was time to tell the truth. "Oh," Applejack pushed herself from Dashie's stare, and stood from the ground. "it was.... Well.... Look we need to talk." Dashie was quick to lift herself up, and return to Applejack's side. "Ooooh, I love talking with you! What do we need to talk about?" Applejack avoided the question for a moment, and made her way over to the bed where she rested her flank. The giddy pegasus was quick to follow, blanketing AJ with her wing. However, before the wing had time to settle, Applejack maneuvered away to the other side of the bed so that she could look Dashie in the eyes. "What's wrong?" Dashie's smile began to fade, her perky ears faltering slightly. The smile became forced, as if she was trying hard to stay happy. "Ah wasn't at a meeting today," Applejack said. "Ah was talkin' with Twilight, and the princess. About you, and Rainbolt." "Oh." Dashie's ears flattened against her head, the desperate smile turning into a quivering, confused frown. The pegesi's eyes fell to her hooves, soon followed by the rest of her body. Dashie curled her tail up around her legs, and her wings became a wall between the two lovers. Total isolation. When Dashie finally spoke again, it was a barely audible cry. "Why?" Whoever said that words could hurt more then any wound was right. Applejack's heart was screaming at her- pleading for her to comfort the delicate pegasus. Dashie's words- her hurt- stung like a poison tipped arrow into Applejack's breast. But Applejack knew from the moment she left Canterlot Castle that this was going to be hard, and it was only going to get harder. She had to remain strong. "Dashie, are you really happy? Are you okay with the way things are right now?" "I..." Dashie had begun to cry. Heavily. "I don't understand! I'm happy as long as I'm with you!" "Really?" Applejack scooted closer to the wing covered form before her. "There is nothin' you would change? Nothin' more you want from me, or from your life?" "No." Dashie's wings softened, as her body began to simply give up. "I just... I want to make you happy. Do I not make you happy?" "Well... No." Applejack was taken back by the cruelness of her own words. How could she say such a thing when Dashie was obviously so hurt? Something, though, compelled the farm pony to continue. "Not you alone. I don't want just Dashie, and certainly not just Rainbolt. I... I want Rainbow Dash." "Oh." "I'm sorry," Applejack crawled closer across the bed, laying down on her belly and placing two hooves on the cyan wing before her. "I do love you." Dashie said something, quietly, but from beneath the muffling of her wings it was illegible. "What was that, Sugarcube?" In a heartbeat the pegasi's wings unfolded, and Dashie sat upright, eyes wide and bloodshot. Streams of tears spilled down her cheeks even as she spoke through muffled breaths. "What can I do?" Dashie pleaded, placing her hooves on AJ's own. "There has to be something I can do! What did the princess say?" "Well, there is one thing..." Applejack smiled sweetly. "But Ah'm not even sure if it'll work yet." "Tell me!" Dashie stared down Applejack, two bright magenta eyes full of determination. Nothing was going to stop her from getting what she wanted. "Alright, but we don't have much time," Applejack said. "Get ready, we're going to the Wonderbolts show tonight." "Why?" "I'll explain on the way."