Rainbow Dash sighed as the alarm went off for the third time that morning. She pounded the snooze button, sat upright, and stretched. She got out of the bed and switched on the radio. She flipped through the stations until she found a news channel. As she got ready for the day, she half listened to what the radio was saying.
Flim: "You know, I just don't think that this Prince 'Golden Blade' or whatever is really doing his job."
Flam: "Oh yeah?"
Flim: "I mean it Brother! Just look at the past few weeks. Princess Twilight Sparkle was in need of some assistance in handling a border dispute and the Prince didn't show. Why? Because he was at the Electra Empire? Hey! Prince! You're the Prince of Equestria not Electra. Defend your home country if you claim to be the 'hero'."
Flam: "Now Brother, I heard that the Prince was off in the Electra Empire helping his Brother take out some of the last few shadow camps that were left after the last siege of the Empire."
Flim: "I understand that he is your brother but don't you think that could've waited?"
Flam: "Perhaps. However, while yes Twilight did ask for assistance, she didn't really need it. She just wanted it there for Damage Control which wasn't needed in the end. It was all under control. Besides, the Princess was the one who told him he could leave and go help his Brother."
Flim: "I... guess that make's sense. Well put Brother!"
Flam: "Thank you Brother!"
Flim: "Now on to 'Elsewhere in Equestria'."
Flam: "Over in Los Pegasus, famous music artists Tom Pony and Stevie Kicks performed 'Stop draggin' my heart around.' live. The show was sold out after 3 days!"
Flim: "Well, it's Los Pegasus, what did you expect?"
Flam: "Heh heh heh."
Flim: "In Manehattan, famous fashionista Rarity, and Ponyville's premiere party pony Pinkie Pie; opened their first shop together. The grand opening was yesterday."
Flam: "Who ever thought they would be a couple?"
Flim: "I sure didn't. Meanwhile in Aaaaaappleloosa, Applejack finished the Cherry Berry Mareathon in first place. Now, besides the Running of the leaves, the Cherry Berry Mareathon is one of the most rigorous and taxing races I know of."
Flam: "Oh indeed brother. After the race, our fellow reporter Photo Finish got word with her."
Photo: "So Applejack, do you know what pushed you to win the race?"
Applejack: "Well, if ahm gonna be honest. At the beginning of the race, ah jus thought of mah best friend Rainbow. That pegasus is one of the best racers in all of Equestria an nothin and no pony will ever change that."
Photo: "Your 'best friend'? Didn't you and Miss Dash have a falling out not too long ago?"
Applejack: "Yeah, we did, but no matter how much we fight, argue, or drive each other crazy... we won't ever truly fall apart. Me an Dash will be friends till the world stops turnin'. Maybe she's still mad at me but ah aint mad at her. What ah did was downright awfull and ah feel as low as the dirt whenever ah think about it. If yur out there listening Dash, all I want to say is. I'm Sorry."
Flim: "Well... that was quite sad and yet also heartwarming."
Flam: "I agree. It's just more proof that Friendship is Magic! Now, onto-"
Rainbow turned the radio off. She couldn't bear to hear anymore. With that, Rainbow put on her captain's jacket and flew off to start her day.
***
Applejack placed the medal from the race on top of her dresser. Then she sighed. She looked at the wall right above her bed. It was painted sky blue and decorated with painted clouds. Among the clouds were pictures of a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane. Applejack frowned and walked over to the phone. She quickly dialed Rainbow's number and after it rang a few times, she got a voicemail prompt. "You've reached Rainbow Daring Awesome Dash! It appears I'm too busy being awesome to come to the phone right now so leave a message and I will get back to you in a flash."
Applejack sighed, once again there was no answer. However, instead of hanging up, she decided that this time, she would leave a message.
"Rainbow. Ah know you probably don't want to talk to me after what ah did and I dont blame ya. However, ah do want to say I'm Sorry. We will always be friends, forever and ever, no matter what. I jus... wanted to let ya know that." Applejack silently debated about continuing but decided to be honest with her heart and do just that. "Ah miss ya Dash. Ah miss yer cocky smile and never quit attitude. Ah miss the feelin’ of knowing that yer comin' around today cause I always enjoy spending time with you. I miss you cause... ah love you." Applejack hung up the phone as the tears began to run down her face. AJ wiped the tears and walked over to her record player. She grabbed a record from her closet, put it on the player, and dropped the needle. The soft piano began playing and AJ knew by heart that it was "Hello" by Adele, one of Sky's personal favorites. Applejack began to sing along with the song as it played.
As the song ended, Applejack was sobbing into her pillow. She just wanted this all to be fixed. She wanted to be with Rainbow again. She was hurting her heart doing this and it wasn't doing anything for her. It didn't make each and every day that passed less painful. It didn't change the fact that Rainbow refused to speak to her or contact her in any way. It just repeated one message to Applejack, one she refused to accept. 'You're not my friend anymore.' Applejack thought about that for a moment. Then she wiped the tears from her eyes and stood up with newfound Determination. If Rainbow had given up on their friendship then Applejack would just have to find a way to make her realize that no matter what happened between them, they would always be Best Friends. Applejack put on her hat, but not before taking one of the pictures of Rainbow and putting it inside. AJ packed some of food, water and other necessities into her saddlebags and was soon ready to head out. The last thing she grabbed was something that she hadn't used in a long time. A set of mechanical wings made by Wind Blade. They were customized specifically for her, with an orange, blonde and red color scheme and had her Cutie Mark on it. However, the best modification on it was what Sky dubbed the 'Rainboom Buster'. It was a special type of afterburner that was supposed to be able to compete with the Sonic Rainboom. Applejack had been overjoyed to finally be able to race Rainbow both on the ground and in the sky. Sure, she wasn't as acrobatic as a Wonderbolt but it meant the world to her and Rainbow because they could finally experience things that wouldn't normally be possible. Applejack strapped on the wings to see if they still fit. Once she confirmed they did she took them off and placed them and her bags next to the door before heading out to have supper.
After dinner, Applejack asked Braeburn if he could gather everyone in the center of town. A few minutes later, all the Apples of Appleloosa were gathered, waiting to see what Applejack had to say. When AJ emerged from her house, wings and saddlebags on, a bit of confusion fell over the townsfolk.
Applejack turned towards the assembled apples. "Ah just wanted to let yall know that, ahm leavin'. Ahm heading back to Sweet Apple Acres. Back to mah family, back to mah home, back to mah friends... and back to Rainbow. Ah can't sit here and beat myself up for the rest of mah life. If she aint gonna make the move to try an fix our friendship, then ah will." Applejack explained. Then she bowed her head in apology as she continued. "Ahm sorry but-" She didn't finish as she was interrupted by a sudden hug from Braeburn.
"It's about time Cuz!" He said cheerfully. "We knew you were hung up about that pegasus and we've been waitin’ fer ya to get yer head out of the barrel and try an fix things between you two!" The rest of the apples nodded in agreement. "We just didn't want to push ya if ya weren't ready. Now, I think you've stayed long enough Cuz. Goodbye. Come back and visit anytime."
"Bye everyone." Applejack said and turned around. She began to walk away but then she heard Braeburn shout at her.
"Hey AJ..."
Applejack turned around and his expression was set in a confident grin. "Go get her!" He said and Applejack smiled. Then she galloped off as fast as she could towards the train station. When she got to it, she realized that she probably needed a bit more of a plan than just rushing back to Ponyville. She needed to do something for Rainbow, something that would tell Rainbow that Applejack did care and that she wanted to be friends again. Then perhaps they could become more. Applejack suddenly had an idea. Why not try to kill two birds with one stone? She could try to repair her friendship while also showing Rainbow how she really felt. Applejack then spied a newspaper stand and saw the story on the front page. The picture showed Pinkie Pie and Rarity standing in front of a new shop in Manehattan and the heading read 'Grand Opening of 'True Colors Boutique' is a huge success.' As Applejack saw the picture of her two friends more pieces of her plan began to appear and a smile crossed her face.
"Um, Miss?" A voice asked. Applejack looked up and the Ticket Pony was looking at her with a bored expression. "Are you going to get a ticket?"
Applejack looked back at the paper and then at the train. Then she looked at her wings. "Nah. I got my own ride."