//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: A New Start. // by Digitalis //------------------------------// After quickly getting up to their feet and hooves, and being chewed out by Applejack about their reckless behavior in their race and not caring about making her work harder than it already was, Spike and Rainbow Dash were both dragged back to Sweet Apple Acres to help pick up the fallen apples. The task took them all the rest of the afternoon, and the sun was setting when they finished. “There! That was the last one.” Rainbow Dash detached herself from the cart full of apples she had been pulling, leaving it in the barn along with three more carts. “Whew! I didn’t know AJ’s work was so hard, it left me exhausted. Maybe I’ll try to not make it so difficult from now on.” “Really?” Spike asked as both left the barn. Rainbow looked at him for a moment and snorted. “Yeah, right.” Both of them laughed a bit as they walked through the orchard. Applejack met them a moment later. “We picked up all the apples.” Spike told her. “And?” The farmer raised her eyebrow. Spike elbowed Rainbow, who rolled her eyes. “And we’re sorry for causing trouble.” She reluctantly said. “It won’t happen again.” Applejack was still not convinced. “I swear. Really, Pinkie Promise.” She finished crossing her heart and putting her left hoof on her eye. “Alright.” Applejack then turned to Spike. “And you?” “Heh heh, yeah, I’m sorry too.” He answered sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. “Well, if you don’t do it again it’s all forgiven.” Applejack then looked at the horizon. The sun had set, and it was night already. “It’s getting late, I guess you want to go home soon.” “Yeah, Twilight will surely be waiting for me.” Spike said. “Yeah, I should go home too.” Rainbow added. Applejack started trotting back to her house. “Alright then. Bye!” “Bye, Applejack!” The farmer and the winged duo parted ways, Spike and Rainbow Dash taking the road back to Ponyville. While they were walking, Rainbow remembered why she had gone to the library in the first place. “Hey, Spike. Listen, about what happened today…” “Uhm, yeah, sorry for falling over you.” Spike blushed a bit under his scales upon remembering what had happened earlier that day. “No, no, that’s okay.” Rainbow shook her head. “I’m sorry for flying away like that. I just panicked. Really, nothing happened back there, right?” “Right…” Both stood there looking at each other for a moment, before looking away, blushing a bit. “Anyway, if you want to hang out like that, you know, another race and such, I’m always available for that.” “Oh, okay then. I would love it.” Spike said with a smile. It took them a bit more time before they were near Rainbow’s house. She said goodbye and flew back. After that, Spike went back to the library. The young dragon felt as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. The embarrassment of the accident was now gone. Not that it was a big deal anyway. And he could hang out with Rainbow Dash more often. With a smile still on his face, he entered the library. Twilight was there, reading a book as usual. She lifted her sight from the book and looked at her assistant. “So, did you finish picking up the apples?” “Yep.” He answered, going straight to the kitchen. “And did you apologize to Applejack?” “Yep!” He said from the kitchen, where he had started preparing dinner. “Good.” She said with a grin. “And may I ask why you are so happy right now?” “Nothing important.” He answered. “It’s just that this has been a good day.” Two days passed without incidents of any sort. Spike and Rainbow Dash went out to race every afternoon, and the others went on their usual business. Right now, Rarity was taking a break, she had been trying to draw designs for new dresses for the whole morning, but until now nothing had come to her mind, and the few ones she had been able to think of had been scrapped down for not being good enough for her. “I don’t have any luck or inspiration today.” She said to herself with a sigh. “Maybe later.” In that moment she heard a rustle in the front door and went to see what it was. It was mail, as usual. “Let’s see: bills, bills, bills, a letter from Cherilee about Sweetie Belle –this one goes to mom and dad-. Wait, what’s this?” One envelope caught her attention: a bit larger than the others, and it was written with a very fine writing. It addressed her, so she opened it in the moment and began to read the letter inside. Her eyes widened and her smile grew bigger and bigger as she read it. Finally, after she finished the letter she jumped in the air and let out a filly-like squeal. “I can’t believe it! This is my dream come true! I have to tell the others!” With that she got out of the Boutique and headed towards one of her friends’ house, almost skipping like Pinkie Pie. In the library, both Twilight and Spike had finished breakfast already, Twilight was reading a book in the middle of the room while Spike was busy cleaning the shelves with a duster. A knocking on the door interrupted the unicorn’s reading, who quickly stood up and walked to the door. “I’m coming! Wait a moment!” She opened the door and was greeted by her friend. “Oh, hi Rarity! You look…happy today.” Twilight was a bit taken aback by Rarity’s attitude. The normally calm pony was almost skipping in the place just like Pinkie Pie would, and had a big grin in her face. “Twilight, you’re not going to believe this! I’ve been officially invited to the Equestrian Fashion Week, in Manehattan! I’ll be able to show all my work to the rest of Equestria! Can you believe it?” Her voice was to octaves higher due to her excitement. “Here, read it.” She handed a letter to Twilight, who grabbed it with her magic and started reading it. "’…Officially invited to the Equestrian Fashion Week… Will start the 3° of July.’ That´s in a month. Wow, congratulations, Rarity!” Twilight gave the letter back, happy that her friend had such luck. “Have you told the others?” “Oh, yes, I have. But that’s not all.” Rarity smiled widely again and rubbed her hooves together. “I’m also allowed to take some ponies with me, and I was thinking if you and the others would like to come. What do you think?” Twilight gasped and put a hoof on her mouth. “Are you serious? I would love to. Thanks, Rarity.” “Well, good for you.” Spike landed next to the mares, still holding the duster. “I hope you enjoy it.” He said with a smile. At hearing this, Rarity giggled. “Darling, do you think I’m going to leave you alone while we have all the fun? You can come with us too if you want.” Spike was surprised at this. “Wow, really? I mean, of course, I would love to.” Rarity clasped her hooves together in glee. “Perfect, darling! We are all going to Manehattan!”