//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 // Story: Steel Apples // by Silentpegasus //------------------------------// Chapter 4. It was 6:55 PM. Rainbow Dash was talking with Mr.& Mrs. Cake concerning Applejack’s date situation. “Please Mrs. Cake can’t you just give Pinkie the night off or something?” Rainbow pleaded. “I’m sorry dear, but we need her tonight. Were jam packed and we can’t serve the customers without her help.” Mrs. Cake said as she took cupcakes out of the oven. Rainbow hung her head in defeat and zoomed out the door and just so happened to run into a certain grey unicorn sporting a bow tie. “Hey, Rainbow what are you doing here?” Steel said with a grin. “I was.........just.......um.....checking.......on......my order. Yeah that’s it! I ordered a special cupcake from the Cakes and I wanted it to see if it was done yet.” she said with a nervous grin on her face. “Well....okay then. See ya round I guess.” he said as he walked past the cyan pegasus as he gave her a suspicious look. As soon as he went was inside Rainbow wiped her fore head in relief. She then noticed two familiar looking unicorns sneaking in bushes near Sugar Cube Corner, she followed them with haste. “Twilight what are we going to do?” Rarity asked with a worried look on her face. “I don’t know, but we promised to help Steel out in whatever way we can.” “What are you two doing back here?” Rainbow said as she hovered over the two unicorns with an intense look in her eye. This caused both unicorns to scream, their mouths were soon covered by the pegasus’s hooves. “Shhhhhhh! You’ll blow my cover!” Rainbow said as she poked her head in the window to see that Applejack had arrived. “Rainbow what are you doing here?” Twilight said softly. “Making sure Pinkie doesn’t ruin AJ’s date. What are you guys doing here?” “Same reason. We want to make sure things go smoothly.” Rarity said as she peered into the window. “Twilight and I have been thinking of different ways to stop her but we’ve had no luck. Do you have any ideas?” “I tried to get the Cakes to give Pinkie the night off, but they need her to handle the crowd tonight.” Rainbow said with a defeated look on her face. The three mares then turned their attention back to their friends date. Back inside Sugar Cube Corner, Steel and Applejack had found a booth and began to talk. Soon Mr Cake came over to take their orders. “Howdy Mr. Cake” AJ said as she tipped her hat. “Hello Applejack, what brings you here?” Mr. Cake then noticed Steel sitting across from her. “Is this is a da-” Mr. Cake was cut off by both ponies making the ‘hush’ sound. AJ then whispered to Mr. Cake. “Yes it is and we would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell Pinkie, we’re trying to be discreet here.” Applejack said with a concerned look on her face. “Of corse, don’t worry were so crowded I doubt she’ll even notice you and I’ll be your waiter this evening.” he said as the two ponies breathed a sigh of relief. Mr. Cake then took out his note pad, “Now what can I get for you two?” “I’ll have the hay fries with a salad.” Applejack said. “I’ll have the same.” Steel said as he handed the menu’s to Mr. Cake. “Alright, be back in a couple of minutes with your food.” Mr Cake said as he took his leave. Steel then looked at Applejack who had a blush across her face. “You were worried about Pinkie too?” Steel said with alight chuckle. “Yeah, but don’t worry ah got Rainbow to keep her busy.” she said with a sly grin. “Oh you did? Because I kinda told Twilight and Rarity to do the same.” he said as he scratched the back of his mane in embarrassment. “Well, it looks like the Cakes and Pinkie have their hooves full at the moment, so I think we’re in the clear.” AJ said as she winked at Steel. Mr. Cake had just come back with their food, and the two began to eat and talk while Rainbow, Twilight and Rarity all watched from the nearby window. “Awwe, they are so cute together.” Rarity cooed. “They do seem pretty compatible.” Twilight said. “Who’s compatible?” “Steel Hammer and Applejack who do you think Rainbow?” Twilight condescended. “Um, Twilight I’m up here.” Rainbow said as Twilight looked and saw that Dash was above her. All three mares turned their head to see a giddy pink mare barely able to hold in her excitement.“Uh oh.” before the pink pony could burst inside she was stopped by a magical purple cage. “Hey! What gives! I wanna see who AJ’s dating and throw them a par-” Pinkie was cut off by a cyan hoof. “Thats the problem Pinks, they don’t want a big party right now. The reason why we didn’t tell you earlier is so that they could have their first date in peace.” Rainbow said as she put a hoof on her friends shoulder. “Oh, is that all? Okay then I’ll throw them one some other time.” she said with a smile and started to bounce away. “Wait! you mean to tell us that you WON’T disturb them? Just like that? No crazy scheme, no party cannon? ” Rarity said in surprise. “Well, ya c’mon it’s AJ’s first date and I don’t want to mess that up. Plus if their expecting it then it won’t be a surprise.” Pinkie said as she trotted back inside leaving the three mares dumbfounded. “How did she get out of the cage?” Rainbow said, but soon let it go. If it’s one thing the three mares learned from their friend its ‘don’t question the Pinkie Pie.’ When Twilight looked back through the window she saw that Steel and Applejack were gone. “C’mon city boy, this way!” Applejack said as she led Steel through Sweet AppleAcres. “Where are you taking me?” Steel said as he kept up with the orange mare. “You’ll see.” she said as they made their way into a clearing. The clearing was on top of the highest hill in Sweet AppleAcres except for a lone apple tree. Steel then sat down next to his mare friend and began to stare up at the sky. Applejack then rested her head on Steel’s side and began to nuzzle the stallion. The two sat there for who knows how long. the two then made their way back towards the farm house. Steel kissed Applejack goodnight and headed home himself. Once he laid down in his bed he couldn’t help but smile at the result of the night. Authors note: Okay, I know this chapter wasn't as good as the others, I haven’t been able to focus on this, I have too much to do with finals and term papers right around the corner and I just wanted to get this chapter over and done with. The rest of the story will be way more interesting.