“Tell me honestly, is there something wrong with me?”
Applejack, who had just been on her way back to the farm when she'd been ambushed by Rainbow Dash, raised a brow. The uncharacteristic question took her off guard. “What was that?” the bemused mare said, cupping her ear with a hoof in an exaggerated manner. She leaned in a bit closer and pretended to be as hard of hearing as her dear old Granny Smith.
“You heard me,” Rainbow Dash replied defensively. She sat down with a sigh and suddenly seemed to take a keen interest in her hooves, already regretting that she posed such a question to her long-time friend and rival. After waking from a brief and fitful nap on a cloud near the Everfree Forest, feeling restless and a bit lonely, it had seemed like a good idea to turn to the most trustworthy and athletic pony she knew for advice. But actually asking for it turned out to be trickier than she thought. Rainbow Dash knew she was being maddeningly vague and indirect, but she didn't really know where to begin. The two of them were always competing or arguing as equals, but right now Rainbow Dash felt like she was showing weakness. Applejack's teasing didn't help.
“I thought I did,” Applejack drawled. “Never reckoned I'd be hearin' it from you though, question like that.” She usually enjoyed teasing the proud pegasus, but when her playful taunting was met with silence the sympathetic mare realized that Dash was genuinely struggling with something. She quickly abandoned her little jest and frowned.
“Alright, no more tomfoolery,” Applejack said. She sat down on her haunches next to a dejected-looking Rainbow Dash and put a foreleg around the mare's winged shoulders in a gesture of camaraderie. ”You gotta speak plainer though, Rainbow. Can't just make your blue hide scarce for over a week only to come swoopin' in outta nowhere and go 'round askin' me queer questions like that. How d'you expect a mare to answer sensible-like?”
Applejack paused a moment, allowing the other mare to have a say. But when Rainbow Dash just continued fidgeting and averting her eyes, she lost her patience. “Spit it out, pony-girl!" she said, "What's eatin' you?” Her stern eyes studied the other mare's face.
Rainbow Dash inhaled deeply, struggling for words. She really wasn't very good at this whole asking-for-help business; usually she was the one coming to the aid of others. But Applejack's emphatic approach seemed to be working. The pegasus decided to swallow her pride. “I think there's something wrong with me," she said, "Because after weeks of trying I still haven't been able to pull off the Sonic Rainboom again. Not even once!”
“That all?” Applejack laughed. She looked rather relieved. "For a minute there I was 'fraid something serious was ahoof!” In truth, she had feared this was going to be about the other mare's lovelife, which would have been uncomfortable.
“It is serious, Applejack!” Rainbow Dash insisted. The severity of her tone wiped the goofy grin off the other equine's face. “Winning that tiara was great and all, but the Pegalympics are coming up soon and now everypony totally thinks the Rainboom is a part of my routine. They'll be expecting it! And the Wonderbolts'll be expecting it, too..” At the thought of losing the hard-won favor of her childhood idols, the usually composed blue mare buried her face in her hooves. “What am I going to do, Applejack?” Rainbow Dash said. There was a shrill note of desperation in her voice. ”Ponies will be coming to see the legendary Rainboom, I just know it. I can't screw it up in front of them! I'd be a laughing-stock!”
“Hadn't thought of it like that,” Applejack admitted apologetically, taking pity on the pegasus's plight. She eyed the miserable mare carefully, noting - not without concern - that she looked positively worn out. Her feathers were in disarray, her eyes looked sunken and dark-ringed, and she had slight but noticeable injuries. That settled it for Applejack. These were all symptoms of a problem she had first-hoof experience with, being an incurably stubborn pony herself. “Only thing wrong with you is you're pushin' yourself too dang hard,” she told the sleep-deprived pony. Her tone was maternal; reminiscent of a mare-mother addressing a recalcitrant filly. “Y'all're the fanciest flier I ever did see, Rainbow, but--”
“You're just saying that to cheer me up,” Rainbow Dash interrupted her. Her cheeks flushed purple at the compliment despite her objection, however, and she seemed to perk up a little.
“Uh, hello? Applejack here, the most honestest pony around?” Applejack said. She seemed upset at the mere suggestion that she would ever resort to empty flattery. Her blonde, pony-tailed mane swayed as she shook her head in disbelief. “I ain't never told no lies, and I ain't about to start when my best friend is runnin' herself ragged and needs some sense knocked into her!” The orange earth pony thwapped the back of Dash's head as though she meant the latter statement literally. “I'm speakin' from experience here, so y'all'd best listen up."
“I'm fine, Applejack..” Rainbow Dash feebly attempted to reassure her friend. "Really!" Though she had to stifle a tell-tale yawn before that final word had even left her muzzle.
Applejack narrowed her eyes. "Y'know, one of the perks to being such an honest mare is I've gotten awful good at tellin' somepony's lying to me..”
Rainbow Dash gulped.
“Y'ain't 'fine,' and you know it.”
Not for the first time, Rainbow Dash had the disquieting feeling that those shrewd, green eyes could read her like an open book. At the very least, she suspected that being the Element of Honesty involved more than merely being an abysmal liar. Whatever the case, it was hard to argue with the facts. And who could continue to be obstinate after someone went and called you their best friend like that?
“Ow. Okay, alright. Sheesh.." Rainbow Dash said, rubbing her head, "What do you think I should do?”
Applejack's expression softened. “I'd say y'need some shut-eye,” she suggested. ”After that, maybe we can see 'bout gettin' some training done. C'mon, y'all can crash in the guest-room up in the attic. Once you've recharged the ol' batteries, the Apple family'll treat you to a proper home-cooked meal, fresh off the farm. Do you good.”
Rainbow Dash did not protest. It was clear that Applejack would not be gainsaid, and her offer actually sounded really good at the moment. She felt awfully tired, having skipped at least a dozen of her customary naps. She'd be able to sleep for quite a while. Though she had to admit: she was pretty curious to see what Applejack had in mind.
When she awoke, who knows how many hours later, Rainbow Dash found that her cuts had been tended to. It was a testament to the extent of her exhaustion - or maybe her ability to sleep like a sedated rock - that she hadn't woken up during the treatment. She got up shakily and stretched her limbs. The much-needed rest had worked wonders; she felt a lot more like her old self again. Totally ready to take on the world!
Until a low, rumbling growl from her stomach reminded her that she had skipped far too many meals.
“Y'all called?” Applejack joked, poking her head in. The freckled farm-mare wasn't wearing her hat, which surprised Rainbow Dash since she had always figured the two were pretty much inseparable.
“Hey, any chance of a quick snack?” Rainbow Dash tried hopefully. “I don't think I'll last 'till dinner..”
“No can do,” Applejack said. But just as her famished guest despaired, she let the cat out of the bag. “Dinner's already served, y'lazy bum. Just comin' to drag you out of bed - by the tail if need be.”
No tail-dragging turned out to be neccesary, however.
Being used to a rather Spartan diet, since she hated cooking, the laden table of the Apple family would have seemed like a feast to Rainbow Dash on any given day. But on an empty stomach it was enough to make her drool. Apples were incorporated in nearly every dish, of course, but it seemed like granny Smith and Applejack could work miracles with this single ingredient. From the fresh salad starter to the delectable apple-pie desert, the pegasus pony savored every last bite.
“Woo, I.. am.. stuffed!” Rainbow Dash sighed after the table had been cleared. She was floating a few feet above the ground, her wings beating steadily as she gingerly rubbed her distended stomach with a hoof.
“Y'all sure can eat, being such a scrawny lil' filly,” her gracious host noted. “I ain't even sure how you're still able to float 'round like that. But y'know Rainbow, down here on the farm we've gotta work for our food. Come morning, you and me are gonna get our hooves dirty.”
“What d'ya mean?” Rainbow Dash said, a little warily. “I thought you were gonna help me pull off the Rainboom?”
“I mean to! Can't exactly flap my forelegs and show you how it's done though," Applejack laughed. "'Stead I figured we'd focus on something all you colts and fillies with your heads up in the clouds are clearly lacking."
"And what would that be?"
"Stamina, 'course! Y'all've got nothing on us earth ponies, it comes down to it.”
“I don't think I like where this is going,” Rainbow Dash said with a gulp.
“I definitely don't like where this is going!” Rainbow Dash echoed; her strong aversion to hard work kicked in now that she finally saw what Applejack had in mind.
It was just after dawn the next day. The pegasus still felt half-asleep, though a hearty breakfast helped to keep her on her hooves. But her heart sank at the sight of the large, rickety, wooden contraption before her, situated in an equally shabby building near the well. It looked every bit like an antique, with a thick layer of dust and countless cobwebs hinting at a very long period of disuse.
“One of those old, pony-powered machines?” Rainbow Dash said, eying two spots on opposite ends of the largest beam which were obviously intended for ponies to be harnessed there. It looked like they had to pull and rotate the large central axle, driving a system of belt and gears. This prospect did not amuse her.
“Ee-yup," Applejack said, "This here's how the Apple family pumped water to the trees 'fore we had Weather Patrol make it rain for us.”
“Yeah, so, about that," Rainbow Dash said hopefully, "If it's water you need, couldn't I just fly up and fetch us a nice, big cloud?”
“That ain't gonna do, Dash,” Applejack interrupted. ”T'ain't 'bout the water, we're tryin' to get you toughened up! We could do pointless push-ups and gallop some laps, but I reckon it's easier to do a work-out if there's a purpose to it.”
Rainbow Dash looked unconvinced. “It still sounds really lame..”
Applejack had anticipated this reaction however. She slyly employed her greatest gambit against the fiercely competitive pony. “Well, if y'think y'all can't handle it, that's fine," she said, trying to sound casual. "I s'pose we could do somethin' easier. My brother was probably right, sayin' there was no way two little mares could pump up enough water for all of our trees and crops.”
She didn't even have to lie.
“He said that, did he?” came the predictable reply.
And so, over the next few weeks two very sweaty and sore ponies went around in circles, struggling bitterly for every hoofstep as they made sure the sprawling orchards of Ponyville could bear fruit in the (very) old-fashioned way. They paused only to eat or sleep. Whenever the pegasus faltered, the stalwart workhorse would push harder. Before long, the winged mare would grit her teeth and persevere, unwilling to be outdone. And whenever Applejack wearied and hung her head, Rainbow Dash would pick up the slack without a word.
Then, one morning, just when the pair of them began to despair of their seemingly Sisyphean task ever being finished, Big Macintosh came over and told them they could stop now. There was wonder in the crimson stallion's usually disinterested eyes.
“Ha! In your FACE!” Rainbow Dash bellowed triumphantly. She pointed a hoof at the flabbergasted male, moments before collapsing to the floor.
“She okay?” Applejack's laconic brother asked. He blinked at the prone blue mare.
“She'll be alright,” his sister replied calmly, though she sounded like she was at the end of her rope herself. “Mind carrying her a ways?”
A few days later, after both mares had recuperated from the ordeal, Rainbow Dash told Applejack she'd be on her way again. While still far more aerodynamic than the sturdy farm-mare, it was clear that the long days of powering the pumping mechanism had paid off. Beneath her flashy blue coat clearly defined muscles flexed and shifted, and after going through all of that, the pegasus felt like she could fly around the world without stopping for a breather.
Applejack saw her off, mostly for a chance to get a few additional words of wisdom in. “Y'got friends you can count on, sugarcube,” she said earnestly, smiling as the boisterous blue mare impatiently flexed her wings. ”I don't wanna go all Twilight on you and bore you with a big speech on the Magic of Friendship. Gist of it is: y'all don't have to deal with your problems on your lonesome, no matter how awesome y'think y'are.”
Applejack put a hoof on the winged mare's shoulder. ”Why don'tcha go talk to some of the others gals, too, huh? They might surprise you.”
Rainbow Dash looked doubtful but nodded, if only to please her friend. “Alright. I suppose it couldn't hurt to ask.”
“Speakin' of which: you want I should put in a good word for you with Fluttershy?” Applejack suggested coyly.
“Buh.. Wha.. You can see into my mind?!” the pegasus sputtered aghast. As a precaution she feverishly tried not to think of all the apples she'd 'borrowed' from the orchards, or the adorable way Fluttershy would wiggle when she trotted along the meadows and hummed to herself. This proved to be incredibly hard.
“Sure can,” Applejack responded ominously, confirming the poor pony's worst fears. “Y'all ought to be 'shamed of yourself!" But she laughed when a profusely sweating Rainbow Dash winced and backed away a few steps. “Well, either that or y'all talk in your sleep a lot. What's the matter, guilty conscience?”
“Remind me again why I hang out with you?” a not-at-all-amused Rainbow Dash said, shooting Applejack an icy glare.
“Why, 'cause of my good humor and folksy wisdom 'course!”
“Good humor my flank,” Rainbow Dash muttered, “And would you quit smirking?!”
“Can't help it!” Applejack replied, switching to an I'm-not-smiling smile. “You two'd make a darn cute couple, y'ask me, and don't you be lettin' anypony tell you different.”
“Heh. You.. won't tell her will you?” Rainbow Dash sounded anxious.
“Cross my heart.”
“And hope to fly?”
“I ain't sticking a hoof in my eye, if that's what you're aimin' for..”
“Worth a shot.”
Instead of more banter, Applejack just smiled and moseyed on over to give the flustered blue skypony a hug. As embarrassing as it was to her, the winged mare clumsily reciprocated, until it became apparent that Applejack wasn't planning on letting go anytime soon and just kept squeezing fondly.
“Can't.. breathe..” Dash gasped theatrically.
“Y'all are gettin' a mite blue in the face,” the orange equine laughed, loosening her grip. “Take care of yourself now, y'hear?” she called after Rainbow Dash as the pegasus galloped off and spread her wings.
“Y'all can count on it!” Dash drawled with a grin, before quickly taking to the safety of the skies.
“I'll let that one slide, just this once,” the grounded pony mused. She stared after the departing pegasus a while, before heading back to her beloved farm.
“Thanks, A.J.” Rainbow Dash whispered gratefully as she steered towards the center of Ponyville. She vowed to herself that she would find some way to repay the mare for all her help, someday soon.
Soaring through the skies and feeling stronger than ever before, Rainbow Dash was sure she could handle whatever the world decided to throw at her. But little did she know of the unspeakable horrors that awaited her at her destination.