Rainbow Dash's Future

by scorpclawFF

A World of Meaning

Applejack was introduced into a world of meaning when she was born. She has been through a lot of twists and turns and her life has went through some "natural and spontaneous changes." She went to Manehattan in search of a true life with her Aunt and Uncle Orange, only to find herself returning back to where she started. She has dealt with being an outcast in the grand city of Canterlot for being a simpleton with her apple treats. She has faced off against competition and nearly failed to the hands of the Flim Flam Brothers.
She has been through all of these twist and turns and have managed to overcome them. Though, Rainbow Dash's farewell seems to be Applejack's one and only spontaneous change that she cannot handle. She wants to resist it, despite the sorrow that may come of it. Though, what would be the alternative?
Rainbow Dash's Sonic Rainboom is the reason why Applejack found her place in Ponyville on Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow Dash felt a similar rejection from the Wonderbolts, the ponies that represent her passion, at the Grand Galloping Gala. Rainbow Dash assisted in the competitive war of who can make the most apple cider, a moment where Applejack was most vulnerable. This was despite the fact that Rainbow Dash was upset with her for not supplying her with apple cider earlier that day.

The point is, Rainbow Dash was always there for Applejack, and Applejack sadly chose to see it when Rainbow Dash was leaving. Even though she didn't know that Rainbow Dash was leaving at the time, she still wished that had noticed it earlier. Now it's too late.
When Rainbow Dash flew off to the distance, Applejack was left in the rain. Despite all of the emotions that she could possibly feel at that moment, she decided to go with the emotion that hurt the most: acceptance. She accepted that Rainbow Dash may never return her feelings. She "let reality be reality" and she seemed perfectly fine with it.
For now.
She stayed under the large tree for another few moments until she finally began feeling shivers all around her body. She ran off into the rain and went back into the house. She silently went up to her room so that she wouldn't disturb anypony (and so nopony would disturb her). She slowly closed her door and place her hat on a nightstand.
Applejack began to lay down in her bed, but she didn't close her eyes. She wasn't tired, and there was no way at this point that she would be able to fall asleep. There were too many things roaming around in her mind, and she felt that she never would be able to get some sleep without resolving every single thought. Though, every thought had the same solution: accepting all of the events that had just happened and letting them occur naturally. Such a simple solution, though a painful one.
She slowly lowered her head into her pillow and sleep overtook her. It was perhaps one of the best feelings to sleep, especially following the events earlier that day.

The next morning, Applejack actually woke up pretty peacefully. The sun was just barely bringing itself above the horizon, bringing a pleasant sunrise and introducing Ponyville into a new day. A new start.
Applejack got out of bed, put her hat on her head, and walked out of the room. As she walked downstairs to head to the kitchen, she heard some general chitter-chatter and even a bit of laughter. Most of the Apples tend to wake up early, even if they didn't need to do anything that day. It was a form of habit that they developed. Applejack assumed that Applebloom and Big Macintosh were talking over some breakfast. Though, when she made it down to the kitchen, she was shocked to see how wrong she was.
Applejack almost thought she was dreaming when she saw Rainbow Dash in her kitchen, telling an amusing story to Applebloom and Big Macintosh. Despite all of the sadness that had occurred only hours before, here was Rainbow Dash, seemingly happy to be in her crush's home.
"Rainbow Dash," Applejack said in a somewhat exasperated tone.
In mid-sentence, Rainbow Dash stopped and looked up at the confused farm mare. Surprisingly, Rainbow Dash smiled with her signature slick smile. She looked back down to her previous audience and said, "Sorry to leave you like this guys, but I actually need to talk to Applejack."
"Oh, I don't want to interrupt your story. I can just wait outside."
"Yeah... this is actually pretty important, Applejack, and you're probably going to want to hear it." Although, Rainbow Dash's tone was a little more sullen, she still managed to keep a smile on her. This worried Applejack, because such a smile could've meant anything.
"Uh... alright. Would you like to go up to my room or somethin'?"
"Actually... can we go out to the orchard?"
Applejack nodded. "That sounds good." Applejack went ahead of Rainbow Dash and opened the door for the both of them. When Rainbow Dash stepped out, Applejack closed the door behind them and began going back into the orchard. It was almost too emotional for Applejack to be going back out there, because last night, she was in misery. Now, everything seems uncomfortably calm.
Applejack went a few more steps and realized that she had had enough with the brief silence and agony. "Uh, Rainbow Dash?"
"Yes, Applejack."
"Excuse me for being a bit impatient, but what is it that you wanted to tell me? I'm getting a bit anxious."
"Well, if we're being honest, I'm a bit anxious myself. I'm almost... afraid to tell you."
"Remember our conversation last night? You can tell me anything."
Rainbow Dash turned away from Applejack and said, "Yeah, I remember the conversation. But I think it was last night's conversation that is making me feel so... weird. I'm sure... you feel the same way. Especially how I ditched you and everything."
Applejack nodded. "Yeah, yesterday was weird, but I guess... that's all behind us. You can still tell me anything. I certainly did last night."
"Alright, I guess that's only fair." Rainbow Dash a folded piece of paper revealed that she had been holding while going out to the orchard. She handed it to Applejack.
"What is this, Rainbow Dash?"
Rainbow Dash frowned. "Just read it."
Applejack began to worry with the frown on Rainbow Dash's face. She tentatively opened up the folded piece of paper and began to read its contents to herself.

She didn't even bother to read on, because she knew what the meaning of this letter. Despite Rainbow Dash's immense flying capabilities, there were still people that are better than her. She wanted to bring all of her thoughts to a close, though she knew that there was something that was more important. Being there for Rainbow Dash.
"Rainbow Dash... I'm sorry. I don't even know what to say other than that."
Before, Applejack could break out into more sorrys and hugs, Rainbow Dash raised a hoof up to her mouth. "You know, don't be sorry. I'm actually alright. Of course, I was upset for a little bit after getting this letter, but then it gave me something to think about. It allowed me to think about what I would be leaving behind if I decided to join the Wonderbolts."
"I would leave behind a place that I could call home for so long. I have learned to get to know and get along with these ponies, instead of getting bullied by them like I was in Cloudsdale. I would leave behind a life where everypony knows who I am and what I can be capable of. If I were up there with the Wonderbolts, everypony would have high expectations of me, and even if I were able to meet a lot of those expectations, I would not meet all of them."
"You know what the worst thing there is for me to leave behind? My best friends. Especially you Applejack." Applejack blushed, enjoying the recognition. "Like... I'm the Element of Loyalty along with 5 of the most awesome Elements of Harmony."
Applejack smiled, trying really hard to hold back a tear that was threatening to flow out of her left eye. "So... does that mean you're happy that you're not going to be a Wonderbolt?"
"Well... I would like to be a Wonderbolt and everything, because that's my dream. But I would much rather stay here in Ponyville where everything is awesome."
"That's great, sugarcube. I was afraid that you were going to be really upset, and I can't stand it when you're upset." Applejack caught Rainbow Dash staring and smiling at her. Applejack blushed. "You know... because I can't stand it when any of my friends are upset."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Yeah right, Applejack. I can see right through that blush of your's."
Applejack tried to keep a shy smile. She looked down when she said, "Well... the last time I showed... certain feelings, I never really got a response from you when you flew off to the Academy."
Rainbow Dash frowned along with Applejack. "Yeah... I actually thought about that a lot. Probably even more than I thought about being rejected from the Wonderbolt team. To tell you the truth, I was actually tried really hard to keep myself from crying when I stepped into Spitfire's office. She probably would have taken away my acceptance if I started crying... if she, you know, gave me an acceptance."
"Wow... that was my fault," Applejack said sullenly.
"Don't be sorry, Applejack. There is a point to all of this. I realized that if I wasn't going to be a Wonderbolt or anything, then it may be worth it to make something happen in my life. So..." Rainbow Dash blushed cutely. "I hope you didn't really... change your mind about me yesterday, because I think I changed my mind about you."
"No, Rainbow Dash. I still have the exact same feelings for you. You've always been there for me whenever things got a little... hard. You've felt what I've felt. I have given you so many reasons for you to be angry with me, but you always went past those things and continued to smile. I love your good, cheerful side and your bad, arrogant side equally. I lo..." Applejack tried to refrain from using the 'L' word in this sense. "I like you a lot, sugarcube."
Rainbow Dash blushed wildly, because he had not realized that he would ever make it to this point. "I don't even know what to say, actually."
"Let me help you with that, partner." Applejack leaned her head in. When Rainbow Dash caught the 'memo', she began to lean her head forward as well. They closed their eyes in sync with each other. A moment later, their lips connected, an embrace representing the beginning of their love and relationship.
They continued to kiss for another few moments until Applejack came up for a bit of air. She was smiling and a faint blush filled her cheeks. She looked around the farm and noticed that there were some passersby that were staring. Applebloom was included in the crowd. She was still fascinated about love and matchmaking after she tried to pair up Big Macintosh with Cheerilee, and seeing Rainbow Dash and Applejack kiss made her smile. She ran off to get the rest of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to tell them the exciting news.
"Oh, this is embarrassing," Applejack said.
"Don't worry about it, Applejack. They were going to find out about it anyways. This town is impossible with secrets."
"Heh, I guess you're right."
"Maybe we can... put on a show for them, to show that we weren't kidding."
Applejack giggled a little more than she expected to. "Yeah, I think I'd be okay with that." Applejack planted another kiss on Rainbow Dash's lips. It was perhaps the most amazing moment that the two have ever experienced and will ever experience. Though, they will have more experiences to come in their relationship that will make them even happier.
When they separated, they looked back to Applejack's home to notice that Granny Smith, Big Macintosh, and the entire CMC were looking at them and smiling. Scootaloo for some reason though didn't seem quite as happy. Weird. As embarrassed as Applejack, she still managed to smile. She knew that that's what Rainbow Dash would've wanted. She was proud of her decision, because she wanted to be with Rainbow Dash for the rest of her life. She's not even afraid to think that she will be with her for the rest of her life. It seemed set of stone. That made her smile.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash. The new couple of Ponyville.