//------------------------------//
// Chapter 34 - Rainbow Permission 
// Story: Quest For Harmony 
// by destinedjagold 
//------------------------------//

	"WHAT!?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed, catching a few ponies' attention behind us. "Are you two crazy or something!?"

"Keep it down, Rainbow," Applejack hissed, shuffling a bit after noticing a few stares that we gained.

Rainbow Dash glared at us with angry flaps of her wings. "Keep it down?" she echoed angrily, but with a low tone this time. "Why the hay are the two of you going to the horn-heads anyway?"

Applejack opened her mouth to answer, but I stopped her by extending a hoof in front of her face. She glared at me, though I didn't bother looking at her as I fixed all my attention at the pegasus. "I..." But I think I need to make it sound official, or important, for this pegasus to believe us...or me. "I am tasked to go back there so I could learn of a way to get rid of the black clouds up above."

Rainbow arched me an eyebrow. "You know that cloud-removal jobs are for pegasi ponies only, right?"

I tilted my head to the side, acting as though I didn't knew that. "So why are the clouds still up there?" Rainbow was taken aback with that question o'mine. It wasn't really a question to get her though. I honestly wanted to know why those clouds are still up there if the pegasi ponies could simply and easily just get rid of them.

Rainbow tore her gaze away and mumbled something that I failed to hear well. She shook her head before facing us again. "Why are you doing that task-thing of yours, anyway?"

"Luna," I simply replied, and I think it was enough of an answer, for Rainbow's eyes grew big in maybe disbelief or awe. I am not quite sure. "Anyway, we should be moving now."

"No," Rainbow said coldly, standing her ground. "I won't let you."

"Yah can't stop us, Rainbow," Applejack said with a glare. "We're goin' there whether ye like it or not." She then turned to me, and gestured with her head to move. I am not sure if that's a good idea, but her glare's telling me that I'll be in serious pain if I won't budge. Sigh...

I slowly started walking pass the glaring pegasus. "You wouldn't dare," she whispered threateningly.

"I'm sorry Rainbow," I sighed as I stopped beside her, "but I really need to do this." I looked up the heavy clouds. "These clouds are affecting my home... Princess Luna told me of a way to learn how to get rid of it," I then returned my gaze at Rainbow, "so please forgive me," even though I shouldn't be apologizing, "but I love my family, and I am willing to do anything and everything to make sure that they'll have a better tomorrow."

We stood on our places for minutes, not moving nor talking nor averting our attention elsewhere. Rainbow was glaring at me, Applejack was glaring at Rainbow, while I was uncomfortably staring at the forest beyond the treeless hills.

"We don't have all day, Rainbow," Applejack suddenly said, breaking the tension that was swirling about. She walked towards the pegasus and flashed her a small smile. "It's okay. We can take care of ourselves, ye know."

Rainbow dropped her gaze on the ground and sighed. "I know," she hung her head low, "I know..."

I smiled at the pegasus. "Tha---"

Rainbow pressed a hoof on my chest, slightly throwing me back. I was completely startled that I didn't even realize how threateningly close her angry face was to mine. "If something happens to my sister, you're dead, you get that!?"

I gulped and nodded nervously and vigorously. "Yes ma'am!" I said with haste, but she pressed her hoof even harder, and it was starting to hurt.

"I told you not to call me that!"

Applejack chuckled as I was about to apologize. Rainbow Dash then returned my personal space as she moved back and faced the earth mare. Sheesh...

After a few quick change of words, Applejack and I said our goodbyes to Rainbow Dash, who kept her glare on me as the two of us started walking away from the town, and onward to the forest.

"What was that about?" I asked Applejack, who was quietly following my lead.

"What was about what?"

"Rainbow Dash."

"What about her?"

I sighed... "Why is Rainbow Dash so protective of you?" I turned my head to look at her. "And why does she call you her sister?" Does Rainbow even have siblings?

Applejack looked away with a small smile, which confused me. "Heh, that was a long time ago, Brownie..."

I frowned. "I'd rather you call me Gold Blitz..." I looked ahead. "Care to share? This will be a long journey, so..."

"Fine, fine..." Applejack suddenly said with surrender. "Ah guess, since Ah owe yah, Ah might as well share a story." She shrugged.

Hm... I get to hear a story. That's something new. I just hope that this won't be a ship-like AppleDash story...