Foal
By The Rated Ponystar
Edited by Starfall and Apple Cinnamon
Artwork done by RatofDrawn
*******
Even when she was a filly, Applejack knew nothing better than waking up in the morning on a farm. Seeing the first rays of light spread over the luscious green valley was a sight she never got tired of. The mixture of yellow and orange slowly overcoming the dark green and brown earth always took her breath away. The smell of morning dew, fresh from a rainstorm, was just as much a picker-upper as a cup of hot coffee. And why bother having an alarm clock when the rooster did the same job?
It was these small but wonderful morning signs that made her rise from her bed pumped up for another brand new day. It was only later in life that she found a new sign that caused her to love mornings even more. Specifically, six colors that blended together to create a majestic sight, each speaking volumes of the wild emotions tied to it; passionate red, outgoing orange, light hearted yellow, relaxing green, loyal blue and mysterious violet. And all of these traits were tied to the one pony that Applejack loved so very much; she would never trade what they had for anything. Not for all the bits or apples in Equestria.
Leaning over from her side of the bed, she pressed her snout against the rainbow-colored mane of her bed partner and giggled. Rainbow Dash shifted under the covers a little from the touch, her cute smile widening, a further kiss against the forehead quickly waking her. Yawning, she smacked her lips together and opened her magenta eyes to find herself looking into a pair of emeralds, glimmering with warmth. Rainbow Dash chuckled before pressing her lips against Applejack’s. It was quick and simple, but enough to rouse both ponies from their morning drowsiness.
“You know… it’s rude to wake your wife up when she wants to sleep late,” taunted Rainbow Dash. A keen grin stretched across her muzzle as she slowly pressed her right hoof against Applejack’s outer thigh. It slowly inched upward, Applejack’s cheeks getting redder as she felt every pelt hair brushed by the cold yet relaxing hoof. “However, I might be able to forgive you if you’ve got enough energy to continue our little fun from last night?”
Applejack felt a wing wrap around her side as she was dragged closer to her wife, chest to chest. She put a foreleg around Dash’s waist while the other weaved through the multi-colored mane. The kiss lasted longer this time, both sets of lips giving their all as they slowly made way for their tongues to get to work. Upon touching each others tongues, excitement jolted their senses like an electric shock. Both mares fought for dominance, their years-old competitive streak coming into play.
Rainbow Dash’s hoof slowly made its way between her lover’s legs, only for Applejack’s hoof to stop her from going further. Whimpering in displeasure, she looked into Applejack’s teasing eyes as the earth pony shook her head. “Not now, Dashie. It’s market day and Ah promised Big Macintosh Ah’d help him in town.”
Groaning, Rainbow Dash turned her back to Applejack and huffed, “Thanks for getting me excited over nothing.”
“Aw, come on, Sugarcube,” said Applejack, sitting up and pressing her hoof against Rainbow’s shoulder. “Ya’ll been back from yer Wonderbolts tour for a week now and all ya done since ya arrived is sleep in the house. As much as Ah love makin’ love to ya every chance Ah get, some of us have jobs to do.”
Rainbow Dash sighed and sat up against the headboard of her bed, before turning to Applejack and smiling. “I just missed everything so much. Ponyville. The girls. You. Our adventures. I sometimes wish everything was like it was in the old days when all six of us were inseparable.” She looked up at the ceiling, her eyes shining with both nostalgia and sadness. “But I guess it couldn’t stay like that for long, huh? Twilight’s married and living back in Canterlot, principal of her old school. Rarity’s in Manehatten with Sweetie Belle, helping her singing career while she gets her fashion company started. Even Spike’s off on his own, exploring the world and seeing what it has to offer. Shame they couldn’t stay for long after the welcome back party you guys threw for me. At least Fluttershy and Pinkie are still their old selves.” She looked back at Applejack. “But what I missed the most was you. Every time I’m flying or performing, I keep thinking about how you’re doing. Are you lonely? Are you sick? Is everything okay with the farm? I know we’ve been doing this for three years, but for those seven months a year that I’m gone I just… I just wish you were there with me.”
Applejack embraced Rainbow Dash, nuzzling her wife as their warm bodies pressed against one another. It was these moments that made them forget the world around them. Their house could be on fire and it wouldn’t be enough to distract them from this.
“Ah miss ya all the time too,” whispered Applejack, rubbing Dash’s back. “It’s hard living in this house without ya, but it’s these moments when ya come back that make every minute worthwhile.”
They stayed that way for a while longer, until Applejack reluctantly broke away from their embrace. Swinging herself off the bed, she began to made her way to the bathroom but turned when Rainbow Dash whistled. She saw Dash point towards a small table next to her side of the bed, on top of which lay a blue feather tied to a golden chain. Smiling, Applejack trotted over and put the chain on, her eyes glancing at a similar chain around Dash’s neck, one that displayed a lock of her hay colored mane instead of a feather. With a satisfied nod, Rainbow Dash quickly flopped back onto her pillow and closed her eyes in an attempt to catch some extra sleep.
Rolling her eyes at Dash’s antics, Applejack redirected herself towards the bathroom. With no time to prepare a bath, she turned on the shower, letting the water wash away the smells of last night’s activities. As she relaxed, her hoof reached up and pressed against the wet feather she treasured just as much as her father’s hat. While unicorns and earth ponies used rings for marriages, pegasi continued their ancient tradition of feathers chained with gold.
Applejack’s eyes misted over as she remembered the day three and half years ago, their second year anniversary together, and the proposal that changed her life forever. Of all the places in the world, Rainbow Dash had decided to do it at the Grand Galloping Gala, which wasn’t terrible that year thanks to the combined work of Pinkie Pie and Twilight. She got down on one knee, presented the feather and asked Applejack, in front of hundreds of ponies including their friends and the princesses, to marry her.
Naturally, she said yes.
It was a bit girlish on her part, considering she had often been called a tomboy growing up, but Applejack had always wanted to be a bride, to wear a gown and walk down the aisle with all her friends and family in attendance. It was a fillyhood dream she had never really abandoned, and Rainbow Dash had made it all possible. She only wished her parents and grandparents could have been there physically to witness such an amazing wedding, but she knew they were watching her from whatever afterlife existed beyond this world.
Despite Dash’s Wonderbolt duties that kept them separated for seven months of the year, their relationship was as solid as a rock. Applejack would never have imagined when she first met Dash eight years ago, just a year before Twilight arrived, that one of her best friends would become her wife. Hay, she didn’t even know her barnyard swung that way until Rainbow Dash had gotten drunk one Hearth’s Warming Eve and kissed her while they were under a sprig of mistletoe. That one kiss evolved into a three year marriage that was perfect in every way… except for one thing.
A sigh escaped Applejack’s lips as she applied soap and shampoo. There was one thing left to complete her dream as a married and settled-down mare. It was a topic that both excited and scared her at the same time. Only a very few she trusted knew this secret wish of hers, but the sad thing was that none of those few were Rainbow Dash. Applejack knew she had to tell her at some point, and such a question would surely take their marriage and overall lives to higher levels, but how do you present such a question? Especially if it’s about raising foals?
Washing away the last of the shampoo in her mane, Applejack got out of the shower and shook herself dry. Feeling refreshed, she exited the bathroom to discover Rainbow Dash missing from the bed. She sniffed the air and detected a rich aroma of coffee from downstairs. Licking her lips she followed the scent, arriving at the kitchen where Rainbow was pouring them both a cup and setting them next to a batch of fresh muffins.
Taking an apple and a full cup, she lightly tapped her mug against Rainbow’s before proceeding to eat. As Rainbow Dash dipped one of the muffins into her coffee, she said, “I think I’ll spread my wings out a bit today. Show off some of my moves to my favorite fans in Ponyville.”
“Scootaloo will be happy to see ya. She’s gotten better since ya last saw her,” commented Applejack, taking a bite out of her apple.
“Well, she has an awesome teacher,” bragged Rainbow Dash with a cocky grin. “Element of Harmony, master of the Sonic Rainboom, youngest Wonderbolt ever, amazing teacher... It’s a wonder how much cool I can apply to myself.”
“Don’t forget sexiest pegasus with the best flank this side of Equestria,” teased Applejack, giving a wink to the blushing Rainbow Dash.
Applejack quickly finished her meal and leaned over the counter, kissing Dash on the cheek. She then headed on over to the door, picking up her trusty hat from the coat hanger nearby. “Ah’ll be back around five tonight. Enjoy yer day, Sugarcube. Love you.”
“Love you too,” said Rainbow Dash, waving goodbye.
Giving Rainbow Dash one last smile, she opened the door and was greeted by the wonder that was Sweet Apple Acres. Across from her own house was the one her family had built generations ago, in which she was born and raised. It had taken some adjustment to get used to living in a different home, even though it was right across from her old one, but as long as she was on the farmland she was content. Just outside her old home’s entrance Applejack could see Big Macintosh already preparing their produce cart, filled to the brim with apples and apple accessories.
“Mornin’ big brother,” said Applejack, walking up to him and helping him get the harness fitted snugly around his neck. “Ready to go?”
“Eeyup,” replied Macintosh as it snapped into place.
After a quick double-check they made their way down the road towards town, passing the fields they worked hard on every year. A few of their hired helpers noticed them while tree-bucking and waved, to which they responded with a greeting or a wave of their own. Eventually Applejack, deciding to break the silence, asked, “Any mail from Apple Bloom? How’s she doin’ at that school in Trottingham?”
“Doin’ good,” grumbled Big Macintosh, something Applejack didn’t ignore.
“What’s wrong now, oh over-worried brother ‘o mine?” teased Applejack, elbowing his side.
“… she’s met a colt.”
Applejack laughed. “That all? Shucks, Big Mac, she’s gettin’ to be that age. Ain’t nothin’ wrong with her findin’ a special somepony.” Big Macintosh muttered something inaudible. “Ya never had problems with me an’ Dash when we started dating.”
“That was different. Dash was a friend and a mare. Ah didn’t have to worry about ya’ll endin’ up with a foal after some horseplay in the haystack,” pointed out Big Macintosh, making Applejack blush. “This is different. Ah don’t want mah littlest sister endin’ up big-bellied, especially from some colt Ah know nothin’ about.”
Applejack could honestly say she felt similar, but her little sister was far from the curious and naive Crusader she had been years ago. She was much wiser now, and Applejack trusted her to do the right thing in life. Nuzzling her brother, she said, “She’s her own mare now, Mac. We just gotta trust that everythin’ will be all right. Who knows, ya just mind end up bein’ an uncle soon anyway… if things between me and Dash work out.”
“Still didn’t tell her yet?” asked Big Macintosh, shaking his head. “Ya need to do it soon, sis. Ya had four months last year and ya didn’t say anythin’ then.”
Head drooping, Applejack frowned and kicked a rock across the street as she continued her trot. “That’s ‘cause Ah was still unsure mahself… Ah mean… am Ah really ready for takin’ care of a foal, Big Macintosh? It’s a huge responsibility and some days I feel like it might be an even bigger challenge than Discord was years ago.”
“Applejack…” Big Macintosh ceased his trotting and looked at his sister with a comforting smile. “When Ma and Pa died, ya fast became the mare of the house. Ya filled Ma’s roles and became a mother figure to Apple Bloom. Ya raised her, fed her, changed her, and loved her just as much as the rest of us. And look how she turned up? Best art school in Trottingham thanks to all that ya done for her. Ya got what it takes to be a great mother, Applejack. Believe me.”
Applejack felt her blush return twofold as her confidence returned higher than before. The rest of the trip passed in silence, but her mind still continued to ponder on the idea of her as a mother and what impact that would have on her life.
***
Applejack hated slow market days. It wasn’t because it meant low income for the day; such times were bound to happen. It was because she would end up bored and she hated being bored, a trait she suspected she had acquired from Rainbow Dash over the years. The only exciting thing to happen all day was Pinkie Pie bouncing around with the Cake Twins, who had become Pinkie Pie’s ‘Party Assistants’ over the years, to announce another upcoming party for some reason or another.
“Afternoon, Applejack!” greeted a customer, snapping Applejack back to reality. She looked up to see her old classmate Bon-Bon waiting with a bag of apples on the counter.
“Howdy, Bon-Bon. Where’s Lyra and Tootsie?” asked AJ, looking around.
Before Bon-Bon could answer, a green blur suddenly tackled her from the side, tumbling them across the ground before coming to a complete stop. Bon-Bon’s eyes rolled around in her sockets before they refocused on the pony leaning over her. Lyra, grinning like she had won the lottery, said, “Bonny! You have to see this! She’s walking, Bonny! She’s walking!”
“Lyra, our daughter already knows how to walk,” replied a deadpan Bon-Bon. She pushed her wife off her before getting back on all fours and shaking off the dust on her pelt.
Lyra put her foreleg around Bon-Bon and pointed across the street. “Yeah, but have you see her walk like that?!”
Applejack and Bon-Bon both looked, the latter gasping while the former just chuckled. A light gray filly, still blank flanked, with a pale purple mane was walking on her hind legs only. Her forelegs were half-raised in the air to help her keep her balance. A few bystanders watched the filly with bemused looks upon recognizing whose foal she was. She walked all the way towards her parents where she lifted her forelegs up and cheered, “Look, Mommy! I’m walking like Daddy does!”
Bon-Bon glared at her wife, who was trying her best to look innocent. “Lyra Heartstrings, how many times have I told you to stop filling our daughter’s head with your human hobby?”
“Hey, it’s not a hobby! It’s an actual scientific study,” defended Lyra, who stood on her own hind legs. Reaching down, she grabbed her daughter and lifted her up for a hug. “And Tootsie always loves hearing me talk about humans. Right, sweetie?”
“Yup! Humans are funny!” shouted Tootsie.
Despite Bon-Bon shaking her head, Applejack could see the faintest glimmer of a smile on her lips. “What am I going to do with you two?”
“Let us get ice cream to celebrate?” asked Lyra as she and Tootsie gave large toothy smiles.
Bon-Bon looked at both of them as her previously tiny grin got larger. “Fine, go ahead.”
“Yay!” cheered Lyra and her daughter as they scurried away towards the nearby ice cream stop.
Bon-Bon chuckled before turning back to Applejack. “Sorry about that, AJ. Those two are always so outgoing it’s a wonder how I can keep up.”
“It’s all right. Must be nice… havin’ a filly of yer own…” said Applejack, trying to hide her tiny pang of jealousy.
It didn’t work, as Bon-Bon tilted her head before gasping. “Oh my! Applejack, are you and Rainbow Dash thinking of adopting a foal too?”
“Well…,” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck, “… Ah guess Ah am. It’s kind of been mah dream to start a family.”
“I remember!” exclaimed Bon-Bon, clapping her front hooves. “That one time in class when we had assignment on what our greatest dream was? I remember you wrote you wanted to marry a big, strong, hard-working stallion and have lots of foals playing around your farm.”
“Shucks, that old assignment? Forgot about that ‘till now,” chuckled Applejack, blushing. “Well looks like that outcome didn’t come out as I thought it would. Ah’m married to a mare, an’ an amazing one at that, so Ah got no regrets.”
“Same here, but back to the foal. Are you thinking adopting a colt or a filly?” asked Bon-Bon, on the edge of her hooves.
“Hold on there, missy,” said Applejack, “Ah never said we was or wasn’t. Besides, Ah haven’t asked Rainbow yet on her view.”
“I’m surprised,” said Bon-Bon. “I think you two would be great parents. You’ve always been sort of a mother to Apple Bloom and Rainbow’s always had kids that look up to her. Sure, she’s not exactly the ideal version of a ‘parent’, but neither was Lyra when we brought Tootsie to our home from Canterlot two years ago.” The two of them glanced over towards the ice cream parlor where they spotted Lyra coloring Tootsie’s nose with her lemon-colored ice cream cone, earning a laugh from the two old classmates. “And yet every night, I see Lyra tell her a story before kissing her on the forehead and bidding her good night. It’s not easy, Applejack. But it’s worth it. It’s so worth it and I believe you and Rainbow will be even happier with one.”
Applejack kept up her silence as accepted Bon-Bon’s bits and waved goodbye. Alone again, she thought about what Bon-Bon said. Can Ah really be a mother? Can Rainbow Dash be one too? Do we have what it takes to raise a filly or colt?
Her thoughts turned to the happy expressions she had seen on the family of three earlier and she began to picture herself and Rainbow Dash as Lyra and Bon-Bon. The looks on their faces as they watched their foal slowly begin to walk its first steps; taking it out into town, playing in the park and eating ice cream; telling funny stories before kissing him or her goodnight. To raise a child, watch him or her grow up, giving it all the love it deserved and more. Applejack felt something drip down her cheek and touched it, recognizing it as a tear.
Now she was sure what she wanted.
***
Rainbow Dash had an addiction. Not the type you normally think of, such as smoking or drinking. Her addiction was cheering, specifically for her. It never failed to raise her spirits the way ponies would shout her name like she was a goddess of the skies. During stunt after stunt she would hear their gasps of amazement as she continued to baffle their minds. The Thunder Blitz, Fantastic Filly Dash, Rainbow Tornado, Ring of Fire, it didn’t matter what trick. She could do them all in her sleep. She was awesome. She was Rainbow Dash.
Rising higher into the sky she turned her head towards the large crowd below, mostly consisting of fillies and colts that had come to see one of Ponyville’s greatest idols. A grin stretched across her muzzle as she turned around and made a dive for the ground, her body poised like an arrow. A familiar cone of energy began to appear in front of her, attempting to push her back, but she was no longer the rookie from years ago who was trying to become a Wonderbolt.
She was a Wonderbolt.
Rainbow tore through the cone with ease, sending out a burst of rainbow-colored energy that lit up the sky like one big firework. The adoring cries of excitement echoed across the open valley, bringing joy and pride to Rainbow Dash’s ears.
But she wasn’t finished yet.
Licking her lips, she continued to dive further down, getting closer and closer to the ground. The crowd down below was now gasping, most likely assuming something had gone wrong. Truth was, something could go wrong if she didn’t do this perfectly. She had only managed it twice in practice, but that had been in a training area with safety precautions should she fail.
Instead of clouds, she had the hard bone-breaking earth. No other fliers would be there to catch her, and chances were they wouldn’t be able to keep up with her even if there had been. At this point there was no stopping the trick; there was only success or failure.
She was now fifty feet from the ground and already she could feel the energy vibrating through her body. If she didn’t break through again in the next five to ten feet it was the pearly white gates for her. But there was an old pegasus saying that she thought every time she performed any stunt where there was the possibility of getting killed. It was a message to death itself.
Not. Bucking. Today.
Gritting her teeth and giving out a war cry, Rainbow Dash broke the sound barrier a second time, unleashing a second Sonic Rainboom in a row. She used all her strength to lift herself, dragging the rainbow streak behind her and sailing through the air.
The crowd went nuts. The previous cheering paled in comparison to the deafening roars that could be heard for miles. Rainbow Dash sighed in relief and began to lower her speed. As she floated towards the crowd her fans, all wearing Wonderbolt merchandise or that silly replica of her mane, who ganged up on her at once.
“That was amazing! A double Sonic Rainboom!”
“I thought you were a goner for sure!”
“I want to be a flier just like you, Rainbow Dash!”
“So cool!”
Rainbow Dash soaked it all up like a sponge. Their smiles, their laughter, their applause; she loved it more than a changeling at a wedding. One pegasus caught her eye as she watched her number one fan float down to her side and exchange a quick hoofbump with her.
“That was amazing, Rainbow Dash!” shouted Scootaloo, her wings still flapping. “You told me you managed to do a double Sonic Rainboom, and I believed you of course, but to see it first hoof…”
Rainbow Dash shook her head, eyeing her fan and sometimes student. She still couldn’t believe how much the little pegasus had grown over the years. From a tiny little filly searching for her cutie mark and learning to fly to a growing pegasus with a proud purple winged horseshoe on her flank.
“Well, I’m glad you liked it, squirt,” said Rainbow Dash, ruffling the teenager’s mane. “How’s your own flying going?”
“It’s going great! I managed to do the Gust Kicker and the Ixion Spear Dive last month!” proclaimed Scootaloo proudly.
“Nice to hear that, kid. Later in the week you can show me and I’ll teach you some new stuff,” said Rainbow Dash.
One of the fillies looked at Rainbow Dash with wide eyes. “You taught Scootaloo how to fly?”
Blushing, Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her neck. “I didn’t teach her. I just gave her a few pointers.”
“Pointers my flank, if it wasn’t for you I would have been stuck on the ground like some… well… chicken,” joked Scootaloo, using the old nickname she had hated so much growing up.
Everypony laughed as one by one the children and their parents dispersed, after getting some autographs of course. Soon it was just Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash who took off into the air and sat down on a cloud to watch the sunset in the distance.
Things were silent between the two until Scootaloo sighed. “I really missed having you around here, Rainbow Dash. Things really haven’t been the same since Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle left to pursue their dreams. I mean I’m happy for them and all, but still…”
Rainbow Dash chuckled and smacked her on the shoulder. “Don’t get teary eyed on me now, squirt. You’re better than that. So how are your folks?”
“Busy as always,” snorted Scootaloo, rolling her eyes. “At this point, I don’t bucking care anymore.”
“Hey, they’re your parents,” said Rainbow Dash. “I know they’re always busy out of town, but they care about you. Parents are always there for their kids.”
Scootaloo blinked and tilted her head. “If that’s true, why didn’t yours come to your wedding?”
Rainbow Dash’s smile faded from her muzzle as she turned away, focusing back on the sunset. Scootaloo nervously shifted her hooves, leaning over to see Rainbow Dash’s expression. Her idol sighed and scratched her head. “Well… sometimes things get complicated…”
“Is it because… you know, you married a mare?” asked Scootaloo, nervously.
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “No, it’s nothing like that. I… I did something to them… hurt them really badly… and…” Shaking her head, Dash stood up and flexed her wings. “It’s not important now. Just talk to your parents, Scootaloo. That’s really all I can say. Catch ya later.”
“Rainbow, wait!” shouted Scootaloo, but Dash was already long gone.
As she flew through the sky, heading for home, Dash’s thoughts turned towards her parents and she closed her eyes. The truth was they didn’t choose not to come to her wedding.
She just hadn’t invited them in the first place.
***
Honesty was always the best policy. That was Applejack’s mantra. Even before she was called the ‘Element of Honesty’, she had always been one to tell the truth and never hide her feelings. Call it being raised right or having good morals, Applejack had never been nervous about telling the truth.
Well, until now anyway.
“Okay, Applejack,” she muttered to herself, pacing around the living room carpet. “Ya faced worse dangers than this. It should be a piece ‘a apple cake for ya. Just tell her ya want foals and everythin’ will work out.”
Her sweating brow spoke otherwise. She wanted to kick herself for not asking Bon-Bon for advice on how to tell Rainbow Dash. Hay, she would even welcome Twilight suddenly blinking in and telling her how she and her husband decided to have a baby. Maybe I can put it off for another day? It doesn’t have to be now, right?
Another voice in her head thought differently. This is no time to be actin’ like some scared filly on her first day of school! Ya’ll have put this aside for too long! Buck up and tell her already!
Her short internal battle came to a close when she heard the door open and slam shut. A voice cried out “I’m home!” as Rainbow Dash came into the living room with a smile plastered on her face. Applejack forced a smile of her own to hide her nervousness and gave Dash a quick peck on her cheek.
“So, how was yer day?” asked Applejack, trying to keep conversation as normal as possible. She directed them towards the couch where they both sat down, Rainbow’s wing over her shoulders like a blanket.
“Awesome. Some of the fillies and colts came to watch me practice and boy did I give them a show,” said Rainbow Dash, a proud smile adorning her face. “They were all really shocked. Especially when I showed them the Double Sonic Rainboom!”
“You showed them what?!” shouted Applejack, mouth wide open. Her earlier worries temporarily left her mind as her features hardened into a scowl. “Ya told me that was still a dangerous move to do and ya haven’t fully gotten it down yet! What on earth were ya thinkin’, doing a dangerous stunt like that without any backup safety equipment?! Ya gotta death wish?!”
“Hey, it turned out all right, didn’t it? It’s okay,” reassured Rainbow Dash, inching away from the fuming Applejack.
“But what if ya got hurt?!” shouted Applejack. She shook her head and took a few deep breaths. “Consarn it, Rainbow. It’s bad enough ya always go off doin’ them dangerous stunts for a livin’, but do ya have to make me worry even when yer home?”
“I’ve been doing tricks like that since forever, AJ,” reasoned Rainbow Dash, placing her foreleg around her wife’s shoulder and giving her a hug. “It’s just what I do. Risking my life for the thrills is who I am. Just like you with your apples.”
“Ah-h know…” muttered Applejack. “It’s just… Ah don’t want ta wake up one mornin’ ta see one of them Wonderbolts holding out yer uniform for me and offerin’ condolences.”
Rainbow Dash leaned forward and kissed Applejack’s lips, following it up by nuzzling her cheeks. The farmpony, in turn, took her forelegs and wrapped them around Dash’s waist, bringing them closer together for another kiss. Her worries disappeared in an instant as she felt their hearts beating as one.
Breaking the kiss, Rainbow Dash smiled her usual cocky grin. “Look, AJ, I’m not going to die. At least not like that. We’re gonna live our lives to the fullest together before we grow old and kick the bucket. I love you and I’m gonna make sure that our time spent together is something neither of us will forget. In this life or the next.”
Applejack nodded, wiping a small tear from her eye. “Shucks, Rainbow. What did Ah ever do to deserve ya?”
“By being the sexy, cool earth pony that you are,” replied Rainbow Dash, nibbling on Applejack’s ear and making the latter blush and whimper in pleasure. “It’s gonna be you and me forever, Applejack. Just the two of us…”
“… what about makin’ it three?”
Rainbow Dash stopped her teasing and blinked. She leaned back and stared at Applejack, who was shifting her hooves around on the couch. Applejack gulped but continued to hold strong as she looked in the confused eyes of Rainbow Dash. Applejack scooted forward and placed her hoof on Dash’s side, rubbing it slowly. “Well, Ah mean… we’ve got a big house so we can maybe add an extra pony to live here… maybe two.”
“Applejack, a-are you saying …” mumbled Rainbow Dash, eyes widening as she started to tremble.
Deciding to come straight out, Applejack took a deep breath, and said, “Rainbow Dash, Ah wanna have foals.”
Silence stood between them. It was so quiet that Applejack could hear the ticking of the clock rooms away. She tried to detect any sign of approval from Rainbow Dash, who was staring at her in shock, mouth wide open. Applejack’s own smile faded as she began to worry that she hadn’t coaxed Rainbow Dash well enough. It was a big decision after all, for both of them, but Applejack wanted this more than anything and she was confident Rainbow just needed some reassurance.
“Ah know this is comin’ out of nowhere, sugarcube,” said Applejack. “The truth is, Ah’ve been thinkin’ about this for nearly a year. Ah want us to have a family, one where we have a healthy and beautiful baby to take care of together.” A smile stretched across her lips. “It’s been a dream of mine ever since Ah was little. Can ya imagine it, Rainbow Dash? A son or daughter, crawlin’ in the house, lookin’ and callin’ us Ma and Pa? It could be whatever kind of pony, Ah don’t care. Ah’d love it all the same.” She put both her hooves over Dash’s right hoof, nearly making the stunned pegasus jump.
“It would take us to a new level in our relationship, Dash. The two of us can do it, Ah know we can. So what do ya say?” asked Applejack, anxiousness in her tone.
Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack’s hooves before staring into her eyes. She then closed her own and started mumbling to herself, much to Applejack’s confusion. Before she could press on it, Rainbow Dash jumped off the couch and made her way to the middle of the living room with her head turned. The silence came up between them again, only this time it brought more worry to Applejack. After minutes of waiting, Rainbow Dash turned her head and glared at Applejack.
“No.”
The answer nearly knocked Applejack over in shock. “N-no?”
“No. No foals. Not now. Not ever,” stated Rainbow Dash, stomping her hoof. “Besides, it’s not a big deal to have one.”
“Not a big deal?” repeated Applejack in disbelief as she got off the couch. “It’s sure is hay a big deal, havin’ a kid or not! Ah’ve been wantin’ one for a long time and Ah don’t see any reason for us not to have one!”
“Well, I don’t want a foal. There’s your reason,” growled Rainbow Dash, narrowing her eyes. Applejack stepped back from the intensity they were giving off. “So sorry, but the answer is gonna be no.”
“Come on, Rainbow. Ya can’t just drop the idea of havin’ a child like that!” shouted Applejack, matching the glare with one of her own. “Ah mean there’s nothin’ wrong with havin’ a foal, right?”
“I’m not saying that! I just… don’t think either of us would be suitable,” answered Rainbow Dash, looking away.
“That’s a load of horseapples and ya’ll know it! So stop tryin’ to make excuses!” warned Applejack, stepping forward and poking Rainbow’s chest. The pegasus nervously stepped back as Applejack towered over her. “Ya’ll are great with kids! Look at all the fans ya got who admire ya! Look at Scootaloo! Ya’ll helped that filly grow up more than her lazy parents ever did. You two’re practically like sisters to one another!” Rainbow Dash winced at the mentioning of this, catching Applejack’s attention, but she soon dismissed it. “Ya’ll mean to tell me that after all that ya don’t think ya can be a mother?!”
“… I can’t have any…” muttered Rainbow Dash.
“Why not?!” demanded Applejack. “Just tell me already!”
“I can’t alright! I don’t want some dumb baby around the house! Regardless of what you want!” answered Rainbow Dash, making Applejack gasp.
“Y-you…” Applejack tried to say something, but her mind—and heart—were still processing what she had just heard. How could she say that? Doesn’t she know how much this means to me?! For both of us! She just wanted to tear her hat apart from witnessing such stubbornness. “Why in Celestia’s mane can ya not just—“
“Because I’m not worthy of having a kid, all right?!” screamed Rainbow Dash, her voice so loud it caused the windows to vibrate. “I just can’t, so leave me alone and drop it, AJ!” Before Applejack could press further on what that meant, Rainbow Dash made her way to the door and slammed it open. “I’m heading out. I’ll be back whenever…”
“Rainbow Dash! Don’t you dare walk out on me like this!” demanded Applejack, but her threat fell on deaf ears - her wife was already sailing through the night sky. “Get yer butt back here, Dash! I mean it! This ain’t over!”
She hollered a bit more before exhaustion overwhelmed her. Walking back inside, she flopped onto her couch and closed her eyes, cursing to herself. Stupid stubborn pegasus. Just getting up and leaving the conversation like a coward. Rainbow Dash saying no was a shock, but the bigger shock was how adamant Rainbow was against the idea of even having a foal. It was like she considered the idea to be immoral or wrong in nature. But why? Why think in such a way?
Remembering the scared yet determined expression Dash had worn when the topic was mentioned, Applejack began to wonder if she was hiding something. But what? What could she be keepin’ from me? Dangit, Ah hate secrets.
Applejack lay on her back as she felt her anger slowly be replaced with heartache. It hurt to hear that Rainbow Dash cared little to nothing about her dream. The idea of never having a foal, no family to start, was enough to start making Applejack tear up. She held her forehooves to her chest, imagining herself holding a tiny foal in her hooves, rocking it to sleep after a long day. She could still remember all the times taking care of Apple Bloom when she was a baby and how warm and proud she felt doing so. If that was just with her sister, then what would the feeling be with her own child?
She wanted to share that magical moment with Rainbow Dash, to go through all the trials together as a family and grow stronger from it. Yet Dash was more than just afraid of being a parent; she seemed almost terrified and ashamed. She pondered Rainbow Dash’s last words on the subject. ‘Not worthy of having a kid’? Why would anypony think that?
Baffled and hurt, Applejack tilted her hat over her eyes and decided to just sleep on it. The conversation was far from over, though. As soon as Dash got back from whatever she was doing, Applejack was going to demand some answers.
Whether Dash liked it or not.
***
Several hours later a loud series of knocks awoke Applejack from her slumber. Smacking her lips, she made her way to the door and opened it, surprised to find her big brother waiting on her porch.
“Sorry to come over here this late at night, sis, but Ah figured ya might want yer wife back,” apologized Big Macintosh, nodding his head to a hiccuping Rainbow Dash who was barely hanging onto the big stallion’s neck. “Ah was going to the bar with Berry Punch an’ Ah found her drinkin’ worse than a deserted pony in a desert.”
Applejack didn’t know what she wanted to do first: thank Big Macintosh for his kindness or kill her spouse for getting wasted. The smell of alcohol filled Applejack’s nostrils, making her wince as they dragged the drunk and sleeping Rainbow Dash towards the couch. After laying her down Applejack fetched a pillow and blanket, making sure her wife was comfortable despite how angry she was with her.
Shaking her head, she turned to Big Macintosh.“Thanks for bringin’ her home, Big Mac. Ah’ll take care ‘a the rest.”
Macintosh looked at Dash and then his sister, concern plain on his face. “Is everythin’ all right? From what some of the patrons told me she’s been drinkin’ non-stop to the point where she was acting out of control.” He pushed away some of Dash’s bangs, revealing a few scars and bruises on her face. “She got into a couple’a fights and started breaking stuff up, and then all of a sudden she started cryin’.”
“Cryin’?” asked Applejack, turning her head towards Dash with worry in her tone.
“Yeah, kept mumblin’ to herself and wailin’ like somepony close to her had just died. The bartender didn’t know what to do except just throw her out. That’s when Ah came in and brought her back. Bein’ drunk is fine at times, but Dash wasn’t actin’ like a happy drunk. She looked just as bad as ya were when Granny Smith passed away.”
Applejack winced as she remembered her actions during that period in her life. Granny was old and her time had finally come. She died in bed, smiling and looking so peaceful. She only wished it had been her who had discovered the body and not Apple Bloom, who had nightmares for weeks. Applejack didn’t want to believe it at first, but after the funeral she felt more lost than ever. Granny Smith had raised her nearly her whole life, even more than her parents had done before they passed away. All the memories she had of her grandmother kept eating away at her to the point where she started drinking heavily, often consuming enough to leave empty bottles covering her entire bedroom floor. It took a sitting down with her friends and family to finally get her to talk about what had happened, and many tears, screams, and hugs before she accepted it. She had been so grateful for their help. If Dash was feeling just as bad as she had, all because of having foals, then there really was more to this story than she had believed.
She walked her brother out the door and hugged him goodnight. Heading back to Rainbow Dash, she sighed and began to rub her cheek, making the pegasus squirm a bit. “Dangit, Dash. Ya just never stop bein’ trouble, do ya?” She kissed her on the forehead and made her way towards the bedroom.
“Spectrum….”
Applejack froze and slowly turned back, watching Rainbow Dash moan and kick against her covers.
“Spectrum… I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”
Applejack waited a few minutes to see if Dash might say anything else, but she was quiet once more. Heading towards her bed, she decided to ask Dash about her issue with foals come tomorrow. But as she put her head against her pillow she began to wonder one thing.
Who is Spectrum?