//------------------------------// // Bucking Problems // Story: It's Not Just Pie // by jewelstealer //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash trotted around the Apple Orchard before setting her eyes on one tree in particular and bucking it with a force no pony would want to be on the other end of. The tree shuttered as its apples started to fall to the ground. Rainbow bucked the tree again. The tree shook as the remaining apples fell to the ground. "You sure are a force to be reckoned with I'll say" a voice called out. Rainbow turned to find its source her eyes being met with none other than Applejack. Applejack grinned at Rainbow Dash. "Sorry just upset I guess," the mare said in response looking down at the ground. "I see" Applejack relayed the smile dropped from her face as she caught a glimpse of Rainbow Dash's bruised and bloody hooves. Her eyes shifted back to Rainbow's. The other mare looked away with embarrassment. "I ought to treat those come here," Applejack said turning as she waited for the other pony to follow. Rainbow Dash sighed and trotted behind her. The two arrived at the barn. Applejack pushed its doors wide open and shuffled inside. She then reached to the wall for a first aid kit; taking it in hoof, before gesturing with her free hoof for Rainbow Dash to sit. Rainbow obliged the silent request as she moved slowly over to sit on the floor of the barn. "You can't keep doing this to yourself," Applejack said bitterly a hint of anger resonating in her tone. Rainbow looked away from the other mare and shifted to let her back hooves be disinfected. Applejack slowly but surely started to disinfect said hooves paying no mind to the small yelps the other mare let out. "You know I ain't told Twilight only cause she'd send you off to some facility" Applejack paused before continuing. "At this rate, I ought to you know, it's getting out of hoof," she said as she started to wrap the bandages around the injured mare's hooves. Rainbow Dash jolted her head to look at the other mare, panic in her magenta eyes. "Easy there you know I only want what's best for you," Applejack said as she turned her head to look into Rainbow's eyes. "I'm only telling you how it ought to be, I'm being honest here" Applejack muttered under her breath with a huff. "I'm sorry" Rainbow muttered under her breath. "What for sugarcube?" Applejack asked confused. "That you gotta deal with me like this" Rainbow said with a sigh. "Dash I'm here for you this ain't a bother," Applejack said looking at the other mare with a sad smile. "AJ... buck I relapsed because Pinkie has been giving me all these pies and I just can't deal with it," Rainbow said looking away embarrassedly. "Dash... why don't you just tell Pinkie about your eating disorder, I'm sure she'd understand and stop baking so many sweets for you," Applejack said looking at the other mare sadly. "Because I love her and I don't want her to think I'm gross" the other mare murmured tears streaming down her face. "Oh Dash" Applejack muttered softly wrapping her hooves around the crying mare. "I don't think Pinkie would ever think you are gross," Applejack said as she ran a hoof gently through Rainbow Dash's mane. "But how can you know?" Rainbow asked through choked sobs. "Because she's your friend," Applejack said as she leaned down and kissed the other mare's forehead. Pinkie Pie bounced around the library as she hung up streamers. Twilight sat in the corner blowing up balloons. Twilight finished blowing up a purple balloon and placed it on the floor and let out a sigh. "Pinkie are you sure a surprise party is the best idea?" Twilight asked as she watched the other mare prance around the library. Pinkie paused setting the streamers down on the floor and looked back at Twilight. "Not really but it's the only thing I'm good at you know Twi," Pinkie said a hint of sadness in her voice. "Pinkie you are so much more than just a party pony," Twilight said pausing to think out her next words. "Pinkie you are a great friend and just because you don't know much about other things doesn't mean parties are the only thing you are good at," Twilight said as she moved her hoof gesturing for the other mare to come sit with her. Pinkie sighed and walked over sitting beside the other mare. "I know that Twi... It's just sometimes I can't help but wonder if that is all you guys see me as" she said looking to the side as she moved her hoof in circles on the floor. "Pinkie we're your friends, none of us see you that way," Twilight said with a sad smile wrapping a hoof around the other mare's back. "What about Dashie?" Pinkie asked tears starting to fall down her cheeks. "Especially not Rainbow Dash" Twilight responded pulling the other mare into her arms. "Twi do you think Dashie likes me back?" Pinkie asked with a sniffle. "Pinkie I've seen the way she looks at you and that's the look somepony reserves for the ones they love, of course she likes you back," Twilight said with a chuckle as she played with Pinkie's hair. "You two really are something I don't understand how both of you are so oblivious to each other's feelings," Twilight said rolling her eyes playfully. "You think she loves me?" Pinkie said looking up at Twilight. "I know she does Pinkie" Twilight said as she removed her hoofs from the other mare and stood up. "Pinkie I know you care about Rainbow a lot but you got to realize that even with all the problems she has they aren't yours to fix" Twilight paused looking down at the other mare. "You need to talk with her and just be there for her, I know a surprise party seems so much easier but it would be way better if you just asked her what's wrong you know," Twilight said with a smile. "I know I guess I got carried away I'll talk to her later and see what's up," Pinkie said as she stood up.