//------------------------------//
// Tchernobog 
// Story: I'll Love You To Tartarus and Back - AppleDash Group Collab 100th Prompt Special 
// by LunaTheFox 
//------------------------------//

This chapter was written by Tchernobog.





The afternoon had been, in one word, wonderful.

She still owed Rainbow Dash a smack upside her head for springing this on her, but it looked like a lot of preparation had gone into it. The pegasus had waited for one of her more relaxed days, and had even helped around the farm to lower the workload. She’d gone to Twilight and had asked in advance for a cloud walking spell, and had even prepared the alicorn’s now mostly unused balloon in advance.

And then, Applejack had found herself in Cloudsdale, meeting none other than Rainbow Dash’s parents.



The city had been a lot larger than she remembered from her first trip there, but they’d only toured the weather factory and the coliseum. This time, Rainbow showed her the sights. She’d even dragged Applejack to a museum, which had been a momentary cause for worry, but the Wonderbolt paraphernalia within assured her that yes, this was still her Rainbow Dash, and not Twilight in disguise.

They’d eventually reached Rainbow’s old stomping grounds, trotting up to one of the homes with determined steps. At least, Rainbow’s had been determined. Applejack was just following the pegasus’ lead, wondering who they were going to visit.

Seeing a stallion with the same mane color as her marefriend, and hearing Rainbow greet the pony with ‘Hey, Dad!’ answered that question pretty clearly.

“So, what do you think of them?”

Applejack blinked as Rainbow’s voice snapped her out of her reverie. She took a moment to regain her bearings, finding herself once more on the path to Sweet Apple Acres, the sun making it’s way towards the horizon. She turned to glance at the pegasus, grinning at her marefriend.

“I first thought y’were a daddy’s girl, but your momma threw me for a loop. Figured she was like Fluttershy at first.” Applejack rolled her eyes. “Couldn’t’ve been more wrong.”

Rainbow’s answering snort of laughter almost had Applejack giggling herself. While Rainbow had inherited most of her father’s looks, her mother had made a few contributions herself. Most notably her eyes, her sense of humor, and the sound of her laughter.

“Yeah, sorry about that. Mom plays for keeps in hoofball. You all right?”

“I’m an earth pony, Dash.” Applejack rolled her eyes. “It’ll take more than a few tackles to keep me down.” She smirked at Rainbow, nudging her with a shoulder. “But I might still have a bruise or two.”

Rainbow picked up on Applejack’s tone immediately. “Oh, really? You want me to kiss them better?”

“I might take ya up on that.”

The pair shared a laugh, leisurely trotting down the path. But as fun as the afternoon had been, Applejack couldn’t hold back a sigh.

Rainbow’s sharp ears picked up on it immediately. “AJ? You okay?”

The earth pony slowed down to a halt, sitting down as she gave the question some thought. “I’m fine, sugarcube.” She smiled gently, easing her head against Rainbow’s neck as the pegasus sat down next to her. “Thanks for today. Means the world to me.”

Rainbow nuzzled Applejack’s mane in response. “They love you, AJ. Just like I do.”

“I know, Dash. I’m a lucky pony.” Applejack sighed once more. “I wish y’coulda met my parents. They’d have liked ya.”

"...So why don't we meet 'em?"

Applejack blinked, frowning at Dash. The pegasus could be somewhat insensitive at times, but this reached a new level. "Uh.  They caught a mild case of death?"

Rainbow waved a hoof in the air, ignoring Applejack’s expression. “Yeah yeah yeah, you told me that.  I know.  But..."

"But...?" Where in Tartarus is she going with this?

"Well, Twilight fought that dog-monster-thing from Tartarus, right?"

...Tartarus itself, apparently. "Uh, distracted it with a chew toy I thought?”

The pegasus nodded. "Right. She said it was the Guard. And guarding implies... keeping things in, right?"

"Yeah...?"

"And if you can get out... you can get in, right?"

Applejack could only stare.

"AJ?  AJ?” Rainbow asked, waving a hoof in front of Applejack’s face. “ A- OW!!  Hey!  Let go of my tail!  Where are we going?"

Applejack grunted as she dragged the now confused Rainbow back towards Ponyville. Her own confusion, however, was gone. Even with a mouth full of tail, her answer was loud and clear.

"We're goin' to see Twilight.  Right now."