[A/N]: A very special thanks to Featherprop for helping me edit this story.
The Best Present of All: Part 1
“Hi-yah!” Rainbow Dash grunted as she kicked one final cloud, finishing her daily sky-clearing tasks. She looked around at the empty blue sky and admired her work. The radiant sun warmed her fur and she couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction at the admirable job she had done.
“Hehe, another day, another cloudless sky for my pals to enjoy,” she said with a snicker. “I am truly the most totally awesome pegasus to ever roam the skies!”
She then zoomed off towards Sweet Apple Acres, grinning as she looked forward to seeing her beautiful fillyfriend, Applejack. She felt ecstatic and full of warmth, her heart beating faster as she approached the farm where the country mare-of-her-heart lived.
This feeling was not anything new to Rainbow Dash. Sure she spent most of her time either clearing the skies or relaxing- napping was one of her favorite pastimes. But in the back of her mind there was always a great anticipation of finally being able to stop by Sweet Apple Acres and spend time with Applejack (once she had finished her daily apple bucking). The time they would spend with each other, however, didn’t consist of merely hanging out like most friends. When they were together, it was much more intimate and deep than that, for they weren’t just friends.
They were in love.
In fact, Rainbow Dash and Applejack had been in a relationship for the past few months, during which they had taken full advantage of the benefits of being a couple– namely learning how to connect on an emotional level neither of them would have believed they were capable of, and making out whenever they found themselves in a room alone together. Sometimes it would be innocent, other times drenched in passion as their competitive nature drove them to fight for control of the kiss. It was a “war of tongues” of sorts.
But by far the best part of being openly in love with each other, at least in Rainbow Dash’s opinion, was that they could spend every night in each other’s company, whether it be snuggling or just sitting side-by-side. Where they did so varied, but one of Rainbow’s personal favorite spots was outside, under the indigo sky and Luna’s moon. There, they would gaze up at the stars; the view was always a reminder of the night they had first openly expressed their love.
It was Hearth’s Warming Eve and Twilight was hosting a celebration at the library for her friends. It wasn’t the biggest party, but it didn’t really need to be. The company that was present made up for the size. Besides, most of the guests preferred smaller, less chaotic parties to large and wild ones- with the exception of Pinkie Pie.
Overall, the night had been a success: Fluttershy, with the encouragement of Rainbow Dash and Rarity, mustered up the courage to talk to Thunderlane (whom Rainbow Dash had invited for the sole purpose of setting him up with the shy mare). The speed with which they had connected stunned everyone at the party, since the two were so vastly different. Thunderlane, who was still on the road to becoming a Wonderbolt, was not known for being overly humble. However, when it came to the timid and less-than-confident Fluttershy, he had toned down his arrogance and acted like a pure gentlecolt. Eventually the two of them broke away from the rest of the party and went over in a corner to talk in private, leaving the other guests to make assumptions as to what in the world they were talking about.
The two lovey-dovey pegasi were not the only ones enjoying themselves– everypony else seemed to be having a grand time as well. Spike managed to steal a dance with Rarity, who talked endlessly about her new line of dresses; she was sure they would finally get her the recognition she deserved. Pinkie Pie enjoyed the sweets she and Twilight had made, which included cupcakes, cookies, cherry and apple danishes, and a gigantic chocolate cake. Her pink face was hidden behind globs of icing, but it wouldn’t last long for she would effortlessly clean it away with her tongue.
Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash spent her time standing in the corner, sipping from a small cup of punch. She was with a very talkative Twilight and a less-than-social Applejack.
In fact, while it was a night defined by a feeling of comfort and relaxation for most, Applejack appeared to be neither comfortable nor relaxed. She was not herself, acting much more withdrawn and timid than usual. Whenever any of her friends tried to goad her into joining the conversation, she would simply shrug off their efforts or give a nonchalant response before returning to her quiet moodiness. Twilight kept asking her if anything was wrong and Applejack repeatedly insisted she was fine, but the unicorn would not be deterred.
After being asked “What’s wrong?” by Twilight one time too many, Applejack couldn’t contain her anger back any longer and snapped.
“Ah already told you nothing is wrong, Twilight! Jeez, stop pestering me like yer mah dang mother!” She exploded at her concerned friend before storming out of the party, slamming the door behind her with such force it caused almost everything inside the library to rattle. Twilight seemed hurt by the outburst, but stoically sought to maintain her composure. Rainbow Dash looked over at her saddened friend.
“Twi, are you okay?” she asked.
With a small nod the unicorn answered, “Yeah, I’m fine.” As she turned towards the door she continued, “But clearly Applejack isn’t.”
Rainbow Dash could tell Twilight was lying about being okay and that she really had been hurt by Applejack’s words. At the same time, the cyan pegasus was not angry at Applejack– at least not yet. She knew that Applejack would never be so harsh to her friends unless something was truly bothering her; perhaps something she was too ashamed to mention but something that deep down she wanted to talk about.
So the pegasus told her friends that she would talk to the farm pony. The others at the party agreed it was the best course, most likely thinking Rainbow’s concern was merely due to her close friendship with the irritated pony.
In truth, Rainbow Dash cared about Applejack much more than simply as a friend– the feeling was closer to adoration. The truth of the matter was, ever since she had first laid eyes on the beautiful country pony all those years ago, she had loved her.
There were many times when she wished that she had the guts to confess her feelings to her best friend; but whenever she approached her friend any bravery or determination she felt immediately disappeared, replaced by fear of judgement and disgust. It was only later, after her crush had left, that the words would finally come forth. She would then scold herself for being such a coward, sometimes even to the point of falling asleep with teary eyes and a face drenched in misery.
But this wasn’t the time to reveal any of that to Applejack– something else was bothering her and Rainbow Dash, being the ever-loyal friend that she was, made it her mission to uncover what it was and help her friend.
She left the library and soon found Applejack sitting on her flank, forelegs crossed. Even though she could only see the earth pony’s back, Rainbow Dash could tell that her friend’s face would not be awash in happiness.. Sighing, she made her way over to the upset mare.
“Hey AJ.”
Applejack looked back at her friend, her eyes emotional yet dry. “Hey.”
“So...” Rainbow Dash asked, stopping once she was close enough to see the sad expression on the other mare’s face, “what was that all about?”
“What was ‘what’ all about?” Applejack snapped back.
“You know,” Rainbow Dash said, taking a seat on the soft grass beside her friend, “shouting at Twilight back there.”
Applejack turned away from her friend. “She was getting on mah nerves.”
“All she did was ask if you were okay,” Rainbow Dash said, pressing on, “and based on how you’ve been acting tonight, I can see why. She’s concerned about you. Heck, we all are.”
“Well everything’s peachy, so ya’ll can stop being so concerned,” Applejack said, still stubbornly refusing to meet Rainbow’s probing eyes.
“Right,” Rainbow Dash said, rolling her eyes before she prodded her friend with a hoof. “Applejack, I know you. You’re not the kind of pony to snap at a friend like that unless something is really bothering you.”
Applejack gave her friend a cold glare.
“Ah told ya and Ah told everyone back in the library, Ah’m fine,” she stubbornly spat before she turned away from her friend and went back to staring up at the stars. Rainbow thought she saw a faint blush in Applejack’s cheeks, but dismissed it and focused on the more important matter of Applejack’s sour mood.
“Are you sure?” Rainbow Dash asked in a way so Applejack knew she didn’t believe a word of what she was saying- her voice stern and face unconvinced. “You’ve been acting antsy since the party started.”
“Positive.” Applejack said, though her voice was much less certain and forceful than it had been before. If anything, it betrayed a measure of worry. It was clear that Applejack wanted to avoid the matter, but Rainbow would not let her. She was determined to find out what was ailing her friend and nothing short of an earthquake would stop her.
“Look,” the pegasus calmly said. “I understand how hard it can be to talk about some things– you worry about what others will think or you just don’t feel comfortable talking about ‘em. Trust me, I’ve felt like that plenty of times before.”
“Ah ain’t worried about what anypony thinks of me,” Applejack said, glaring at her worried friend. Rainbow Dash felt a chill run down her spine as the other mare’s green eyes speared her like a pair of daggers. She held onto her resolve and didn’t let her expression falter as she stared back at her friend with equal intensity.
“Are you saying that for my benefit,” she asked, “or yours?”
Applejack closed her eyes and looked away, clenching her teeth.
“Please tell me what’s on your mind, Applejack,” Rainbow said, placing a hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “I swear that I won’t be upset or think any less of you, no matter what.”
Applejack turned to her friend, her expression still hard for a moment before it softened in defeat.
“Okay... Ah’ll tell ya,” Applejack said before she gave Rainbow Dash a serious glare. “But only if ya promise not to tell anypony.”
The pegasus raised her right hoof in the air and solemnly said, “I promise.”
Applejack squeezed her eyes shut and let out a sigh before she was able to look her friend in the eyes and give voice to what had been causing such turmoil for her.
“Ya see...” she started, her voice shaky. “The truth is that Ah’ve... Ah’ve been having thoughts...” she took a deep breath before getting to the point, “... about ya.”
Rainbow Dash took her hoof off of her friend’s shoulder, shocked by this revelation.
“Thoughts about me?” She asked. “What do you mean? What kind of thoughts?”
That’s when Applejack –her face as red as the apples she spent all day bucking– took the plunge and tried to admit her true feelings to the cyan mare.
“Ah’ve... Ah’ve been thinking about you,” she stuttered before she hung her head in shame. “As more than just a friend. Ah... Ah think that Ah’m...” Applejack looked away, biting her lip. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.
Rainbow Dash, always impatient, leaned closer to her friend to demand an answer. “Well?”
“That Ah’m in love with ya, Rainbow.” Applejack forced the words out in a rush.
Rainbow wasn’t sure what to say, but she could tell that Applejack was on the verge of tears. The farmer’s eyes fogged up and her lip quivered as she tried to keep herself from sobbing.
Rainbow Dash continued to stare at her friend. Deep down she felt a sudden surge of hope jolt through her, but she wanted to make sure that she heard Applejack correctly before jumping to conclusions and doing something she would regret.
“You...you love me?” She asked.
“What, do ya have cloud stuck in yer ears or something!?! Yes, Ah love ya!” Applejack shouted before she shrank back, sealing her lips and looking away. She reached up and pulled her hat down a bit to cover her eyes. “Ever since Ah first met ya there’s been this...thing Ah’ve felt in the pit of mah stomach. At first Ah didn’t think much of it, but as time went on Ah realized that mah avoiding the feeling was causing me to live in denial and...and Ah can’t do it anymore.”
Rainbow Dash could tell her friend was about to burst into tears. She desperately wanted to help her feel better, but wasn’t sure what to do.
“A-Applejack– ” Rainbow Dash started, only to be interrupted by her friend.
“Look... Ah completely understand if ya don’t want ta see me right now, Ah know it’s weird... Ah know Ah’m weird,” the country pony whimpered. “So Ah’ll leave ya alone.”
As the thoroughly dejected mare got up to leave, Rainbow stopped her. Before Applejack could say anything more, Rainbow Dash took her hooves in her own.
“Please don’t leave,” the pegasus whispered.
Applejack looked up at her friend, her emerald eyes moist with tears. The pain in them nearly broke the pegasus’ heart.
“And why in the hay shouldn’t Ah?” She asked, her voice shaking.
“Because you’re hurting,” Rainbow Dash said, placing a comforting hoof onto her friend’s cheek, “and I hate to see the pony I love hurt as much as you do right now.”
The change of expression on Applejack’s face was amazing to behold: At first she was stunned, but then a wave of hope spread over her as the words sunk in.
“Ya... ya love me too?” She asked, and Rainbow Dash responded with a smile and a small nod.
Applejack’s eyes lit up gleefully and a smile spread across her face, joy and relief and hope all mixed together. The two mares gazed into each other’s eyes and kissed, their lips softly pressing together like petals on a rose. They slowly broke apart and smiled before looking up into the sky. The rest of the night was spent in each other’s embrace, gazing at the moon as a gentle breeze passed through their manes. A pair of identical shooting stars graced the night sky above, neither in front of the other– they both shone with equal, dazzling intensity.
It was a night that Rainbow Dash would never, ever forget..
Rainbow Dash felt her cheeks blush a bright red at this memory. She shook herself out of the daydream and flew on. It wasn’t as if she could help falling into such reveries; the last few months had just been so great for both of the mares. Not only did the love between them blossom like a rose in the spring, but it didn’t have to be hidden.
All of their friends and the Apple family, as Rainbow Dash had little contact with her parents, had accepted their relationship without reservation (to the unending relief of both mares). Pinkie Pie had even wanted to throw a party to celebrate, but the duo refused, not wanting to draw more attention to it than there needed to be.
All in all, everything had gone swimmingly and this day didn’t seem to be any different. It was Applejack’s birthday and that, of course, meant that a party would be thrown in her honor. Even more significant, however, was that it was Applejack’s first birthday since the two had begun dating. It was for this reason that Rainbow Dash had dedicated herself to making it the best party, birthday or otherwise, that Applejack ever had.
When Rainbow Dash had expressed her desire to throw the best bash possible for Applejack, all of her friends had been eager to help her make it happen. While most offered to help with setting up for the party, a certain pink mare decided it would be in Rainbow’s best interest if she gave a helping-hoof through the entire planning process. Reluctantly, Rainbow Dash had accepted Pinkie Pie’s assistance, knowing full well that if she was going to make the party as awesome as possible, she would need the help of Ponyville’s resident party pony.
But just because it was Applejack’s party, didn’t mean she was completely kept in the dark about it. In fact, she did have a tiny bit of say in planning the event, namely by sitting down with Rainbow Dash to pick out what foods she’d like to have. However, that was the limit of her contribution, as it was all Rainbow Dash would allow her to do, much to the disappointment of the hard-working earth pony.
Over the course of the past week, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie had worked tirelessly to organize the event. Rainbow Dash decided after looking over the guest list and the things they planned to have at the party, that the barn at Sweet Apple Acres would be the optimal place to hold it. Pinkie Pie drew up blueprints, displaying how everything would be set-up, from where the snack and punch table would go to where the dance-floor would be.
Rainbow Dash arranged for the foods that would be served, the music that would play –she hired DJ Pon-3 to perform for the day– and assisted in painting the banner even though she had no artistic talent. She even spent an entire night writing out the invitations, a total of sixty-nine, and mailed them the next day. In all about forty-five ponies confirmed they would attend, including many that the pegasus had never heard of, which were mostly relatives of Applejack that lived in far-off places like Appleloosa and Manehattan.
Overall, when everything was finalized and the party completely planned, Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but feel a great deal of satisfaction in her work. She had put more effort into preparing for the party than she had for anything else in her life– except for her flying, of course.
And that’s where she was off to now. To see her fillyfriend and check on the party set-up to make sure everything was going to plan.
After soaring over Ponyville for barely a minute, Rainbow Dash found herself at the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres. Thinking that Applejack would be in the barn watching the others set-up, she swooped towards the towering red structure that proudly stood at the top of a small hill, deep within the orchard.
But before she had flown far, she heard the familiar thunk of a pair of strong hooves slamming into the trunk of a nearby tree. She hovered and glanced around, catching sight of Applejack hard at work, bucking apples just like any other day. Her mane was sweaty, her face determined, and her muscles rippled each time her hooves struck a tree’s trunk. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but blush a little as she watched the powerful mare work. At the same time, though, any arousal she might have felt was overridden by her annoyance at Applejack’s stubborn obsession with work.
“Oh you have got to be kidding me.” She muttered under her breath. Suddenly, a sly smirk spread across her face as a deviously brilliant idea popped into her mind.
She dove straight at Applejack. Before the country mare even saw the rainbow blur headed her way, she was bowled off of her hooves. Both ponies tumbled through the orchard until they eventually slid to a stop under on of the larger trees, with Rainbow Dash’s lips planted firmly on Applejack’s in a passionate kiss. Dazed by the impact, Applejack returned the kiss until her senses returned and she realized what had just happened. The earth pony heaved the amorous pegasus up and off her, and Rainbow Dash fell backwards as a torrent of laughter poured forth from her muzzle.
“Rainbow! That was completely uncalled for!” Applejack sputtered.
“Oh, chill out Applejack, you know you liked it.” Rainbow Dash shot back with a wink.
Applejack opened her mouth to retort, then stopped and rolled her eyes. “Well...” Applejack said, trying to hide her blush, “as lovely as it might’a been, it was still dangerous and downright dumb of ya to do it.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Rainbow Dash waved off the impetuous act as if it were nothing, “by the way, what in the hay are you doing out here on your birthday?”
“What does it look like? Ah’m working,” Applejack answered, making her way over to a tree. “Now Ah’d appreciate it if ya let me finish up what Ah started.”
“But it’s your birthday,” Rainbow said, “and I thought Big Macintosh said he was going to make you take the day off.”
Applejack opened her mouth to respond when a lasso wrapped itself around her tail. Before she could protest, the lasso tightened and she was dragged back and hog-tied by Big Macintosh. She struggled to free herself, but it was no use– her brother’s knots were far too tight to undo. Big Macintosh spat out the end of the rope and looked up at Rainbow Dash, who was trying her hardest not to erupt into another fit of laughter.
“Ah would have, but she snuck out at dawn while Ah was still asleep,” the red stallion said with a deep chuckle. “She can be quite the sneaky one. Ya remember that now, Rainbow Dash.”
“Let me go ya fat varmint!” Applejack screamed, struggling against the rope. “Ah swear Ah’ll buck ya where Celestia’s Sun don’t shine!”
Big Macintosh shook his head with a smug smile. “No way, lil’ sis. Ah told ya to take today off, and Ah’m gonna make sure ya don’t work another muscle in yer body.”
Applejack struggled, then finally gave up. “If Ah’ gotta put up with this, ya’ll better have gotten me a really great gift.”
“The best gift ya could imagine,” Big Macintosh replied with a grin.
Applejack relaxed. “Well Ah find that hard to believe,” she said before letting out a small laugh. “Rainbow Dash is getting me a gift too and she knows me better’n anypony else, ain’t that right RD?”
As soon as Applejack’s words filtered through her bright blue ears, Rainbow Dash froze. She had spent weeks going over all the details for the party, but she had gotten so wrapped up in the preparations that she had completely forgotten something else, the most basic part of any birthday party. Her mind spun and she had to stop herself from trotting in place as panic gripped her.
“Rainbow Dash?” Applejack asked. “Hello? Are ya in there, sugarcube?”
“Huh?” Rainbow Dash shook her head and looked at her friend with a nervous smile. “Oh, yeah definitely. I got you a totally wicked sweet gift that will leave everypony elses’ in the dust. No offense, Big Mac.”
“None taken,” the stallion responded with a wave of his hoof. “Ya’ll are together now, Ah’d hope yer gift would be head and shoulders above mine.”
Rainbow Dash bit her lip as another pang of guilt hit her in the gut. She fought to hide her panic, hoping Applejack wouldn’t notice it and ask a question she couldn’t avoid answering. Fortunately for her, Applejack was not the best at deciphering other ponies’ feelings or thoughts.
“That’s great to hear sugarcube,” Applejack said, just before she started to slide across the ground. “Consarn it Big Mac! Stop draggin’ me like a sack of potatoes!” The red stallion had gripped the end of the rope in his teeth and was steadfastly hauling his sister away.
“How else am Ah to get ya back to the barn?” Big Macintosh asked, though his words were ever-so-slightly muffled due to the rope he held in-between his teeth.
“If ya untie me, ah can walk there mahself,” Applejack said, her voice sounding like a Manticore’s snarl.
“Sorry, ya lost yer free-reign walkin’ privileges.” Big Macintosh said as he continued to drag her off. “Ah’ll untie ya when we get to the barn, until then yer staying bound like a bull.”
“Let me out of these ropes, ya big lug!” Applejack spat before looking back at Rainbow Dash. “Remember to pick up the pies RD, Pinkie Pie told me that they’re done. The party starts at five-thirty, please don’t be late!”
Rainbow Dash smiled and gave her incapacitated friend a salute. “You’ve got it AJ, I’ll be there with bells on!” she called after her trapped friend.
Applejack smiled back before being dragged over a small rock. She let out a grunt and resumed yelling threats at Big Macintosh, who simply kept dragging his helpless sister through the orchard with a satisfied smile on his face.
Once the siblings were out of earshot, Rainbow Dash dropped her cheerful demeanor and began panicking in full.
“Oh no, this is not good! This is not good at all!” She said before leaping into the air and started to pace back and forth in the sky. “I can’t believe I forgot to get Applejack’s gift! Out of anything I could forget, why did it have to be this?” She smacked her hoof against her forehead a couple of times in frustration.
“Ugh, why am I such an airhead when it comes to remembering important stuff?”
Her mind churned and she nervously rubbed her hooves together, trying to think of a quick fix. She looked down at her wrist, where her custom Wonderbolts-themed watch showed the time to be three-twenty; she only had about an hour and forty-five minutes to find the perfect gift for Applejack before the party started.
“Crud, and I have to go pick up the pies,” Rainbow Dash said before she a thought struck her. “Wait... maybe Pinkie Pie can help me out!”
With that the blue pegasus flew off towards Sugarcube Corner, leaving a rainbow trail in her wake as she zoomed off. It wasn’t long before she landed in front of the bakery. The smell of baked goods wafted through the air, drifting into the pegasus’ nostrils. She caught herself drooling as she imagined the variety of flavorful goods just beyond the glass door. Shaking her head, she walked into the shop.
Surprisingly, the shop was nearly empty; Fluttershy stood before the counter, while behind it was a large white sheet on which the familiar silhouette of Pinkie Pie could be seen moving around. The pink mare popped her head out from behind the sheet and squinted at Fluttershy, her tongue stuck out as she held her hooves up in front of her face as if she was ‘framing’ a photograph of the timid pegasus. Her poofy mane was pressed down under a black beret, giving her the look of a true artist.
“Um Pinkie Pie…not that you’re wasting my time, because you could never waste my time,” Fluttershy said shyly, “but... are you... maybe... close to being done?”
“Uh-huh,” Pinkie Pie said with a nod.
“O-okay, I was... just wondering.” Fluttershy said, her face red as she looked down.
“Aaaand one more gumdrop should do it for this part.” Pinkie Pie said, reaching into a clear bag and gently pulling out a pink gumdrop. She then vanished behind the white sheet to complete whatever she had to tweak. Rainbow Dash could not tell what she was doing, but based on the size of the shadows on the sheet, it was big.
A small clock above a nearby shelf caught the pegasus’ attention– the hands showed it to be almost four. Realizing that her time was running out, Rainbow Dash pushed her curiosity to the side and made her way over to the counter where Fluttershy was standing.
“Hey guys!” She said with a wave.
Fluttershy had not heard Rainbow come in, and the her unexpected greeting had a predictable effect: The yellow pegasus let out a small shriek of terror and whirled around, looking as though a demonic phantom had just jumped out of a corner. One long bang flopped back down over her face, and her entire body was shivering as she held her hoof to her chest, like she was in the middle of having a heart attack.
“Oh my,” Fluttershy stammered, trying to catch her breath, “Rainbow Dash, you... you frightened me.”
“Sorry Fluttershy.” Rainbow Dash said apologetically.
“It’s quite alright.” Fluttershy responded.
“Hiya Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie Pie called out from behind the curtain, sticking a pink hoof out and waving.
“Hey Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash said before looking from Fluttershy to the still-hidden Pinkie Pie.
“Look, I need you two to help me out.”
“Oh my goodness, what’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked, her voice full of concern. “Is it an emergency?”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“An emergency?” Pinkie Pie shouted with a gasp. Before Rainbow Dash could follow up her statement with a proper explanation, Pinkie Pie jumped out from the sheet -her beret flying off- and leapt towards the pegasus. Rainbow leaned back as she found herself face-to-face with her hyperactive pink friend. “What kind of emergency? Was it the cupcakes I gave you and Applejack yesterday? Oh, I knew that milk I used to make them smelled funny.”
“No, that’s not it,” Rainbow Dash said, pushing her friend back. Pinkie’s cookie-laden breath was too much for the pegasus to handle. “Actually, it’s about her birthday present.”
Rainbow Dash felt a pair of pink hooves grip her cheeks and turn her face so that she was looking directly into the baking pony’s panic-filled blue eyes.
“There’s an emergency with Applejack’s gift?” Pinkie Pie asked with a gasp. “Is it stolen? Broken? Lost? Eaten by a big, grubby gift-eating monster!?!”
Rainbow Dash, once again, found it necessary to push her crazy friend off of her.
“Pinkie Pie, please, some personal space?” She shouted.
Pinkie Pie moved back. “Sorry Dashie. But when one of my friends mentions an emergency, I gotta know what it is so I can solve it. Especially when that emergency has to do with a party or making somepony happy!”
“Well, help me solve it from a over there or take a breath mint.” Rainbow Dash grumbled. She waved a hoof in the air in front of her nose to emphasize her point, but Pinkie Pie didn’t seem to notice as she had begun her next rant.
“Do you need help wrapping it? Because I’ve got a ton of wrapping paper in the back that you could use!” Pinkie Pie bolted off into the back of the shop. There was the sound of rummaging and chaos, which included what sounded like hammers hitting nails and a lion roaring (which only confused Rainbow Dash even more), before Pinkie Pie returned holding a mountain of wrapping-paper rolls in her arms. She skidded to a stop behind the counter, directly in front of her two friends. The tower of rolls threatened to topple over as Pinkie Pie danced back and fort, trying to balance it. She popped her head out from behind the rolls with a goofy grin.
“What would you like? I’ve got forest green, Columbia blue, manticore red, yellow with little birthday present designs on it, pink with thin blue stripes– which I call the Pinkie Pie brand. And there’s hot pink- which I call the backup Pinkie Pie brand.”
“Pinkie Pie...” Rainbow Dash started to say, but the party pony wasn’t finished reeling off the list of colors that were located somewhere in the massive pile.
“Red-orange, yellow-green, candy-cane, aquamarine, tangerine, green-bean, magic mint,” Pinkie Pie took a deep breath,“ and one that is indigo with cute little kitties. Oh! And banana mania– that one’s my personal favorite.”
Pinkie Pie grinned, a small ‘squee’ escaping her lips while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy stared at the mountain of wrapping paper, their mouths hanging open. Rainbow Dash shook her head, snapping out of her Pinkie-induced shock.
“No Pinkie Pie, my problem has nothing to do with the gifts’ wrapping paper.”
“Oh.” Pinkie Pie said with disappointment in her voice before she perked up again, tossing the wrapping paper over her head. “Then what exactly is this super-duper gift emergency that you have?”
Rainbow Dash looked away, embarrassed to admit her failure.
“I don’t have one,” She spoke in a near-whisper.
“You don’t have bun?” Pinkie Pie asked, putting a hoof to her chin in thought. “That’s odd, why would you need a bun for Applejack’s birthday?”
“No. I don’t have one.” Rainbow Dash repeated, a little louder than the first time though still quiet enough that her friends couldn’t quite hear her.
“You don’t have fun?” Fluttershy asked.
“Well that’s no good!” Pinkie Pie said, crossing her arms and staring daggers at Rainbow. “How could you not have fun today? It’s your fillyfriend’s birthday and you’re going to a party that I helped set up and...”
“I DON’T HAVE ONE!” Rainbow Dash shouted, rattling the entire shop.
“One?” Pinkie Pie asked. “One what? One bun?”
“No,” Rainbow Dash said with a sigh. “I don’t have a gift for Applejack.”
Both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy stared at Rainbow Dash as if she had spontaneously grown a third wing.
“W-what!?!” Pinkie Pie gasped.
“I don’t have a gift for Applejack. I forgot, okay?” Rainbow Dash bristled. “Now could you please stop making me repeat it? I feel bad enough as it is!”
Pinkie’s jaw fell to the counter and her eyes became so wide that they threatened to pop out of her head and smack her two pegasi friends in the face. Fluttershy just kept staring at her humiliated friend, a look of bewilderment on her face. Pinkie Pie placed both hooves under her chin and pushed her jaw back up off of the counter.
“But... how could you forget?” Pinkie Pie asked.
“It slipped my mind.” Rainbow Dash said.
“How could it slip your mind?” Fluttershy asked.
“It just did, all right?” Rainbow Dash said, glaring at her friend as if she had just called the cyan pegasus a slowpoke. “It’s not like I purposely forgot or anything.”
Fluttershy backed away. “Sorry, I was... I was just curious,” she whimpered. “I didn’t mean to insult you or anything.”
“That’s not a good reason to forget a fillyfriend’s birthday gift.” Pinkie Pie said, shaking her head in disapproval.
Rainbow Dash face-hoofed. “Look, if you two want a reason, it’s because I’ve been so focused on preparing the party itself that I forgot about the gift. That’s why I’m here– I need your help.” She pulled her hoof away from her face and looking directly at Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie Pie, please tell me you’ve got something I can give her. Anything.”
Pinkie Pie shook her head. “Sorry Dashie, I don’t have anything on me outside of food, and you’re already serving plenty of that at the party.”
Rainbow Dash turned to Fluttershy with a desperate look. “Fluttershy? Please?”
“I’m sorry Rainbow Dash,” Fluttershy said, shaking her head, “but all I have are animals, and she already has Winona.”
“Dang it, I knew that dog would be trouble at some point,” Rainbow Dash hissed, stomping her hoof. “Okay, I guess I’ll keep looking around town.” She began walking towards the door. “Thanks anyway girls.”
“Rainbow Dash! Wait!” Pinkie Pie called before she ran to the back of the store. Rainbow Dash turned, hope rising in her chest. A small smile even began to creep onto her muzzle.
But almost as soon as Rainbow’s hope returned, it sunk once Pinkie Pie emerged with two white take-home boxes, one in each hoof.
“I remember Applejack wanted these. Could you take them back to the barn for me? Thanks!”
Rainbow Dash looked at the two pie boxes, her ears flattening against her head as disappointment flooded her again.
“Oh… the pies, right.” Rainbow Dash flatly as Pinkie Pie handed her a take-home saddlebag to carry the pastries in. Rainbow Dash mentally scolded herself, ashamed that she had been so caught up in her own personal gift crisis that she had nearly forgotten the pies Applejack had ordered. Once again, her forgetfulness almost caused her screw up Applejack’s big day.
It was one more thing for the pegasus to feel shameful about.
“Yeah, one apple pie and one blueberry pie!” Pinkie Pie said pointing at each pie respectively. “I didn’t even know Applejack liked blueberries so at first I put down two apples, but then she corrected me later. I didn’t think she could eat any fruit besides apples. I mean, her name is Applejack.”
Rainbow Dash exchanged a confused look with Fluttershy before turning back to Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie, just so you know. Sometimes you make less sense than Twilight does when she’s talking scientific mumbo-jumbo.”
Rainbow Dash sighed and gave her friend a small nod as she stuffed the pies into the bag before sliding it over her body, then tightened the straps with her teeth.
“Okay, I’ll bring these with me,” she said before she looked up at the white sheet, large shadows on the other side. “Say, what are you working on back there?”
“It’s a surprise for the party!” Pinkie Pie said excitedly. “You’ll have to wait to find out!”
“Can’t you tell me? I mean, it’s Applejack’s party, not mine,” Rainbow asked.
Pinkie Pie shook her head. “Nope! This is a surprise for everypony that will be there, and I’d hate to have such a totally awesome gift that I put so much work into be revealed before it’s even finished.”
Rainbow Dash nodded, but didn’t bother to hide her disappointment.
“All right, then I guess I’ll keep looking around,” she said with a sigh. “Hopefully there’s one place that will have the perfect gift.” The pegasus waved to her friends and flew out of the shop to continue her search.