//------------------------------// // Late Night // Story: A comforting voice // by DauntlessRainbow //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash opened her eyes slowly as the morning sun hit her face. As she came to her senses, she quickly got out of bed and got ready for the party Pinkie Pie was planning on throwing. Usually she wasn’t this excited to go to such a large party, but for some reason, this time she felt like she wanted to spend all day and night partying. As she headed out of her cloud home, she looked around, hoping to hear even a single sound but her own breathing, but alas, only she was making sound. Why do I feel the way I do? What is going on? This was a common question that ran through her head ever since she got off the train last night. Oh I don’t care, I just want this party to get started! ==================== It was a normal morning for Applejack, She got out of bed, brushed her teeth, put on her hat, and walked down to the living room. “Howdy y’all? Apple Bloom up yet? That lil’ filly gonna be late to school again if she sleeps in” Applejack sat down at the table as she began eating the pancakes that Big Mac cooked up. A few minutes later, a sleepy filly came down, still yawning and rubbing her eyes, “Heya, sorry i’m late” Apple Bloom apologized and she sat down and received a plate of pancakes from her big brother. “Howdy Apple Bloom? Ya ready for school today? Best not be late again, or me or Big Mac gonna have to start walking you to school again” Applejack lightly threatened her little sister, causing her sister to blush in embarrassment as she began speed eating. “I hear ya! Well I best be off! Don’t wanna be late for school like you said!” Apple Bloom ran out the door and sprinted for the school, hoping to make it before the bell. “Well everypony, I best be off too, i’m afraid i’ll be mighty busy today, big day at the school, Starlight is getting a party thrown for her. Sorry Big Mac, I don’t think I’ll be able to help you with the orchard today, maybe tomorrow” Big Mac let out a frustrated huff before giving her a reassuring smile and nodding at her. “Ok see y’all later!” Applejack made her way to Ponyville. On the way, she happened to bump in to Fluttershy, who was escorting a group of bunnies across the country side. “Heya Fluttershy! Watcha doin’?” Fluttershy looked up at Applejack with a smile, “Escorting a group of bunnies across the country side” Applejack gave her an unimpressed look as Fluttershy sent off the bunnies alone and joined Applejack on her walk. After a few seconds of silence, Applejack spoke up with a sigh, “Do you really think Dash is okay? I have never seen her like that” Fluttershy gave a small chuckle, “So she’s been on your mind too huh? I’m not sure either, but i’m afraid that just asking her would be a lost cause” Fluttershy continued walking, eventually changing the topic of conversation to Starlight and her upcoming party. ==================== The party went great, it was upbeat all day, and when the sun set and the students went to sleep, Cider barrels began opening and emptying. Rainbow Dash was the life of the party, nearly topping Pinkie Pie herself in terms of party energy, but as the night became darker, and even Pinkie began winding down in energy, Rainbow Dash began getting agitated slowly watching everyone leave. “Hey guys! where is every pony going? There is still a bunch of fun to be had! Right?” The blue mare looked over at Pinkie Pie for back up, but much to her dismay, Pinkie Pie was already packing up her decorations. “Pinkie! What are you doing? Party is not over yet!” Rainbow Dash said this with a worried tone. “Oh silly-filly everypony is tired already, no point in keeping up the dance floor with no pony who wants to hit the floor!” Pinkie explained in her usual upbeat tone, but Rainbow could tell even she was exhausted. “Alright I guess…” Rainbow Dash quietly flew over to the Cider dispensary and sat down, while drinking mugs of cider. Eventually, all who remained where the 5 fiends, and a couple of other ponies helping with cleanup. Rarity and Pinkie Pie got distracted together figuring out the decorations for the next party Pinkie was planning on throwing, calling it her ‘Congratulations to the students for getting a new, super-duper head mare’ aimed at Starlight’s students. Applejack noticed her favorite Mare sitting all alone drinking on a table and was hesitant to approach, but eventually decided to leave her. My poor Rainbow, what could have her in such a knot? It pains me so much to see her like this For a while, Applejack entered a trance of thought, trying to figure Rainbow out. “Gosh, she looks tragic…” Fluttershy broke the train as she came behind Applejack. Applejack lowered her hat a bit, “You’re tellin’ me… It’s quite tough, to see such a tough pony like her in such a state, and not knowing the cause” Fluttershy noticed a glow in Applejack’s eyes, a glow of not just sadness, but something else she could not quite pinpoint. “You should go stop her, before she gets any drunker” Fluttershy quietly nudged Applejack forward. Applejack approached with a slight blush on her face, “Heya sugar cube, you doin’ alright? Ya been doin’ a whole lotta drinkin’ tonight, you should stop while you can fly straight” Rainbow Dash slowly looked up and the gave a smile, “Are you kidding? i’m doing amazing! I could probably still pull off a Wonderbolt precision session if I wanted to!” Rainbow Dash brandished her wings, trying to look like she was confident in herself. “Uh- sure sugar cube, well, party is over so you should fly back home don’t ya think?” Rainbow took a while to compose herself as she stepped out of the chair. “O- of course, yeah i’ll just head back home, you are right it’s getting very late” She got ready to take off with confident eyes, but as soon as her eyes met her home, that look momentarily got replaced with fear, “On second thought… you’re right, I’m waaayyyy too wasted to make the flight up there!” She looked around in a bit of a panic. “Hey Fluttershy! Can I crash at your place for the night?” Fluttershy smiled at Rainbow Dash. “I would love to have you over, but i’m afraid that i’m expecting… company tonight, sorry” Applejack noticed a small look of desperation on Rainbow’s eyes, and that made her heart sink. “I’ll take ya in sugar cube… I got no problem letting ya over in ma’ house” Rainbow slightly flinched at the comment, and then blushed. “Oh, AJ, um yeah sure thank you!” ==================== This night, Rainbow Dash nearly forgot all about her troubles, the Apple family loved Rainbow Dash, and she, admittedly, loved them too. Rainbow and Granny Smith spent a long time talking about their trips to Los Pegasus, and to Apple Bloom, Rainbow was already a lot like an aunt, since she was good friends with both her sister, and her sister-like best friend. Rainbow spent the rest of the night laughing and cracking jokes with the whole family, and trying desperately to make Big Mac speak at least a full paragraph, without results. “Alright fillies, it’s bed time for granny, i’ll see all of you in the mornin’ good night” Granny Smith slowly walked away to retire into her bedroom. “Got lots of work tomorrow, good night” Big Mac closely followed into his own room. Apple Bloom tried her best to stay up for long, but eventually wobbled herself to her room and quickly fell asleep. “Gee Rainbow, you look as straight as a plank o’ wood, it’s like you didn’t even drink a pint of cider…” I wonder… AJ decided to test the waters. “It’s almost like you’re purposely avoiding going home!” Rainbow was peacefully relaxing on the couch, but gained a panicked look at AJ’s words. “Umm, it’s- it’s different in the air, it’s way easier to walk drunk than fly drunk!” “Sure RD, what ever you say” Rainbow and Applejack continued on talking for the rest of the night, until Rainbow eventually fell asleep of the family couch. “Oh Rainbow… what has got you so darn troubled? It hurts to see you like this, and when I find your issue, i swear i’ll buck it as far from ya as ah’ can” Applejack slowly pulled a blanket on top of Rainbow to cover her. Applejack swept Rainbow’s mane off from her face, and sat a bit to admire the sleeping mare. A peaceful Rainbow Dash, a sight i’ll never see again for sure… She’s so beautiful like this. Applejack blushed at her own thought, and headed for her room, leaving the sleeping pegasus rest.