//------------------------------//
// An apple a day... 
// Story: Apples, cider and rainbows. 
// by scootaloocutestfilly 
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Applejack rolled over in her bed and peeked out the window, the sky was illuminated with the brilliant orange glow of the early morning sun rising over the horizon. Applejack climbed out of bed and made her way to the kitchen where she would prepare some breakfast prior to a big day on the farm.

Applejack stepped out to her front porch and took a seat in a rocking chair and gazed out over the orchard. From her front porch she could watch over a great portion of Sweet apple acres, the sight of all those fresh apples waiting to be harvested filled her heart with joy for she knew that it was, once again, going to be yet another successful harvest for the apple family.

The sun had started peaking over the horizon and it's golden rays of light had started casting it's first shadows upon the farm. Applejack stepped down from her porch, tossed her apple baskets over her back, and headed down to the first row of apple trees. One buck after another the apples would rain down into her brown wicker baskets as she works the morning away.

In the distance Applejack could hear the sound of a fillies laughter and sees Scootaloo, Sweetie belle, and Applebloom playing around near the barn. While she watched the fillies play she had a small moment of nostalgia, a small flashback from her childhood when her and Dash would run around the farm and make countless priceless memories. 

Applejack looked back at her apple trees and went back to work, but she couldn't help but think about what Dash may be up to right now. Perhaps she is still sleeping on a cloud somewhere above, Applejack knows that Dash likes to sleep late and even take midday naps mainly because she spends so much time working in the weather factory making rainbows and stuff like that.  

As Applejack continued bucking apples she hadn't even noticed that she had already harvested a large part of the apples from the orchard. She soon reached the middle part of the farm and took a moment to look back at her work. Almost all of the trees were stripped of their fruit, and were now ready to grow more. Applejack had just started walking back to the house when she heard a familiar noise that made her stop in her tracks. In one quick motion Applejack dropped to the ground and put her hooves over head just in time to miss being tackled by a speeding Rainbow Dash. Dash missed her by inches and flew straight into one of the many apple trees, knocking all the apples loose and being buried under a mix of red and green apples. 

"RAINBOW YOU ALMOST TOOK MY HEAD OFF THAT TIME!" Applejack yelled with a smile on her face as she stood up off the ground. 
"I almost got you AJ! I'll get you tomorrow!" Dash said as she arose from her apple pile.
Applejack walked over to Dash and gave her a big hug, "I'm happy to see you today Dash, what have you been up to so far today?" 

"Oh you know, same as usual. Sleeping and napping!" said Dash.
Applejack let out a small chuckle and grinned as Dash smiled and took a bite from one of the apples off the pile.
"You know AJ, I wasn't asleep all day today," Dash explained as they walked down the rows of trees. " You see that little cloud just above the barn?" Dash said as she hovered a few feet in front of Applejack pointing ahead, "I've been hiding up there watching you this whole time!" Dash said as she floated back down and put an arm around Applejack and whispered, "I sure do love watching you work." 

Applejack's face broke out in a blush as she stepped out from under Dash's arm. "So Dash would you like to come with me back to the house? I could use some help with these apples."

Rainbow Dash knelt down and picked up one of the baskets full of apples. The two of them laughed and played as they walked through the rows of trees, they had just reached Applejack's porch when Rainbow Dash came to a sudden stop and  was staring blankly into the distance. "What's wrong sugar cube? do you see something?" Applejack asked with a hint of worry in her voice. 

Dash looked back at Applejack and shook her head, "nothings wrong, let's head inside and get some dinner. I'm starving!" as Dash stepped into the house she couldn't help but think about what she saw outside. It's the one thing in the world that scares her the most, the one thing she has feared since she was a little filly.
she hopes and prays that it doesn't come and get her again, like it did so many years ago... 

The thunder storms that Rage on just underneath Cloudsdale have never been a threat to the citizens of Ponyville.
Come to think of it, the storms have never been a real threat to anyone. The reason Dash was so horrified of them is because when she was just a filly she witnessed the worst storm to hit Equestria in a hundred years. Dash will never forget the day when it hit, it was her first day of flight school. Dash was so excited to start the school, she could hardly contain herself. As soon as the early school bells rang she was on her way to class. Dash sat in the classroom as her and the other students awaited the arrival of their teacher. While she was in her chair she looked out the window and saw the horizon was black with large storm clouds that were headed towards Cloudsdale. Dash stared out the window fascinated at the sight of lightning splitting the air in half with a bright flash and a booming clap. 

The teacher stepped into the classroom with a few other teachers and stood behind her desk, she tapped on the board and everyone sat and waited to hear what she had to say. 
"Welcome students to the first day of flight school! I hope you are all having a good morning so far. Before we start our first lesson for today there is something that we all must talk about."

One of the ponies behind the teacher stepped forward and looked over the class, he was wearing a blue and yellow suit that had "Cloudsdale weather control" printed across the front. The large pony introduced himself as "Cloud catcher" and said it's his job to watch over any areas that may be in danger of being directly hit by large storms and hurricanes. Cloud catcher continued talking about weather control, but he had lost Dash's attention a long time ago, for she is way to fascinated with the storm that has gotten much closer over the past hour. The bolts of lightning striking from the clouds have started to frighten Dash and the rest of the students. 

Cloud catcher noticed the fear from the kids and decided it was time to step up. "OK class stay calm and listen to me, I want everyone to come over here and get in a straight line and follow me out to the hall way" Dash and the rest of the students lined up and followed Cloud catcher out of the class room and started walking down the hall. All the other class's at the school have also left their rooms and were all headed to a large building just outside the school. The sign on the front of the building said "Flight School gymnasium" and both front doors were propped open to allow all the class's fast entry to the gym. Dash was close behind her class when she noticed the storm was right over their heads. The wind from the storm was intense, and the rain drenched her coat as it fell from the heavens. Dash looked back at the gym and ran inside to meet up with her classmates. All the students in the Gym were obviously scared, none of them have ever experienced something like this before and the sound of the thunder shook them to the core. 

One of the ponies in the gym ran over to the window, pointed out and said "LOOK! IT'S THE WONDERBOLTS!!"
Everyone in the gym ran over to the windows and looked outside, The wonderbolts came from around the gym and flew in formation into the heart of the storm. Cloud chaser came over to Dash and said "You know who they are don't you?"

YEAH! THEY ARE THE AMAZING WONDERBOLTS!" Dash said with a big smile and her face pressed against the glass.

Cloud chaser smiled and said "That's right Dash, and you know what their job is? their job is to protect Clodsdale from anything that may want to cause trouble, just like this big storm."  Dash stared out the window with pure amazement as the Wonderbolts bucked, rounded up, and blew away parts of the giant storm cloud. All four of The Wonderbolts flew straight into the could and disappeared within it's massive center. The only thing everyone could see was the flash of lighting and the constant thick sheet of rain pounding on the glass, then The Wonderbolts appeared and met in front of the gym, the leader of The Wonderbolts started to frantically look around with a horrified look on his face, "Where's Thunder mane? he went in there with us! I'VE GOT TO GO BACK FOR HIM!" 

"NO IT'S TOO DANGEROUS! HE CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF!" one of the wonderbolts said as he held the leader back from going in. The leader broke free from the wonderbolts hold, "THUNDER MANE! I'M COMING FOR YOU BUDDY!" 

Everyone in the gym watched as the Fearless leader of The Wonderbolts made the decision to leave nopony behind and fly straight into the face of danger, the two other members stood there in front of the gym waiting for a sign, waiting for their friends to come out of the deep black hell that they have barely escaped from once before. Then without warning, there was a loud scream from the leader, "GIVE ME BACK MY FRIEND!"  just before there was a large flash of lightning and a deafening boom from the thunder. Thunder mane was thrown clean out of the cloud leaving a spiraling black smoke trail behind him as he smashed through one of the glass windows in the gym, ricocheted off the floor and hit the wall with full force. the leader and the other two Wonderbolts rushed to him and knelt down beside him. 

"Thunder mane! are you OK? please wake up! THUNDER MANE! WAKE UP!" the leader yelled as he shook Thunder mane and cradled his limp body in his arms. One of the other Thunderbolts spun around and ordered for someone to go get help.
The storm was still raging outside, but Dash couldn't hear it, the rain from the gaping hole in the window blew in her face, but she couldn't feel it. All Dash could hear was the leader whispering to his friend to come back to him, and make everything OK again. Dash stepped over to the door of the gym and looked outside, the storm was starting to dissipate and she could once again see the blue skies and the rays of the sun break through the darkness. It was on this day that Dash became horrified of thunder storms, she feared being struck down by lightning like Thunder mane was. 

Dash shook away the flashback of flight school and stepped into the living room where Applebloom and her friends were doing some arts and crafts. "Hi Rainbow Dash! were going to get our cutie marks in art!" Applebloom said with a smile and lots of paint on her face. 

Dash smiled and laughed at the sight of the three fillies attempting to paint a masterpiece. "You girls keep it up and i'm sure you will have your marks in no time!" Dash said as she went into the kitchen, where Applejack was hard at work on dinner. 
I just saw that there's a storm coming our way Dash, and it looks like a big one!" Applejack said as she put a apple pie in the oven and prepared some apple cider on the stove top. 

Dash started feeling uneasy and slid into one of the chairs at the dining table "Yeah I saw that too, it does look like a big storm. I hope it's not bad."  Dash said with a hint of fear in her voice as she stared down at the table.

Apple jack walked over with a plate of food and set it in front of Dash and gave her a puzzled look, Applejack sat next to her and said "Why do you look so down Sugarcube? Do you not like thunder storms? I thought you always enjoyed a good storm here and there?" 

Dash just sat there staring blankly at the table and tears started to gather in her eyes and run down her face,  Applejack scooted closer to her and wrapped her hooves around her, Dash laid her head on Apple jacks shoulder and started crying. Applejack brushed Dash's hair back and held her close, "it's OK Dash, shhhh it's OK. Your safe in here, no storm is gonna hurt you in here."  

Applejack held Dash close to her and told her that everything is OK, Applejack looked her in the eyes and asked her why she is so upset. Dash told her the story of what happened in flight school, Applejack remembered hearing about that storm the day after it happened. It was said to have been the storm of the century, and it wrecked a good part of Cloudsdale.  Applejack stood up from her chair and got Dash a glass of water, "If you need anything tonight Dash you just ask OK? I will be in the room right across from yours. You can sleep in the guest room." Dash and applejack started walking down the hallway and applejack gave her a hug and squeezed tight, "good night Rainbow Dash, if you need anything tonight I will be right over here." Applejack gave Dash a small kiss on the check, stepped into her room and closed the door.

Dash put a hoof up to her cheek and smiled, walked into her room and laid in the bed. She couldn't sleep with thoughts of applejack swimming around in her head. She thought about how lucky she is to be friends with Applejack, and how lucky she is to have someone care for her as much as Applejack does. Dash closed her eyes and was almost asleep when the silence was broken by the boom of thunder, and the room was light up by the flash of lightning. The windows in her room would rattle against the hard rain as the storm made it very clear that it was right on top of the house. Dash pulled the blankets over her head and and started to quiver in fear, she put her head under the pillow and dried her tears in the sheets.  There was another bright flash of light followed by the loud crack of thunder that shook Dash to her core. She leaped out of the bed, opened her door and Applejack's and jumped in the bed shaking like a leaf. Applejack rolled over, and wrapped the blankets around Dash and held her close once again. Dash was still shaking and crying on Applejack's shoulder, she cuddled up as close to applejack as possible as if she was trying to get away from the storm.

Applejack snuggled with Dash and whispered, "Don't worry Dash, your safe here, with me. Nothing will hurt you. Close your eyes and go to sleep, the storm can't take you from me now." Dash's shaking had stopped by now and her tears have dried. Applejack would give her a kiss on the head and tell her that it's all going to be OK, that nothing can hurt her as long as their together. Dash fell asleep and so did Applejack. The storm raged on outside for good part of the night, lighting the house with bright flashes of light before rocking the foundation with sound. Even though the storm outside was raging on, Dash was not afraid. As long as she was in the hooves of her best friend she knew she was safe, and she knew that everything was going to be just fine.

At some point during the night the storm had died down and moved on. As the sun rose and the fog settled, Applejack and Dash were still asleep. The sound of birds chirping and the first rays of morning sun kissing Applejack on the cheek woke her up. Applejack stretched and noticed Dash was still asleep with her hooves wrapped tightly around her waist.
Applejack smiled and slid down closer to Dash, now face to face with her and muzzled her nuzzle against Dashes until she started to wake up. With every nuzzle Dash would scrunch her nose up and swipe at it with her hoof, Applejack had to contain her giggles every time she did it. Dash eventually opened her eyes, smiled, and gave Applejack a small kiss on the forehead. Applejack couldn't help but blush and smile, "you see Dash, I told you no storm could hurt you as long as your with me." Applejack whispered as she also gave a Dash a kiss and sat up out of the bed. 

"Thank you for letting me sleep with you AJ, that storm was very scary."  Dash said as she slid out of the bed and stepped over to the window.  Applejack and Dash went down stairs, had some breakfast and stepped outside to start bucking and gathering apples. Dash decided to stay and help Applejack with her work throughout the day. Applejack would buck apples and catch them in her basket while Dash would furiously shake the trees and gathering them by hoof. The work lasted through most of the day as Applejack and Dash would gather,sort, and pick numerous bushels of apples. As the sun would set, the two friends would laugh and play as they finish up the last bit of apples left over from the day before. 

Applejack and Dash walked up to the house and sat down in the grass watching the sunset. This moment is perfect, the sun is glowing the most beautiful orange over the low flying clouds and emerald green grass. Applejack looked over at Dash and could see the reflection of the sun in her eyes as she also enjoyed the sight, "So Dash what are you gonna do now?" Applejack asked as she scooted closer to Dash and giving her a hug.

"It's almost time for me to return home, I've got the night shift at the factory tonight, and I don't want to be late" Dash said with a sigh of disappointment as she hugged applejack back and stood up. 

Applejack stood up and looked Dash in the eyes and could still see the glow of the sunset reflecting off her eyes.
"So Dash, do you plan to come back tomorrow?" Applejack asked as she put a hoof to Dash's cheek and stared into her eyes. 
"Of course Applejack, I will always come over to see you, and you know that i'll stay with you, that's why they call me loyalty."
Applejack took another step closer and gave Dash a kiss on the lips, Dash wrapped her hooves around her and also gave her a kiss. 

Dash rose up into the sky and hovered for a second "good bye AJ! i'll see you in the morning!" Dash said as she flew off into the distance and started to turn back around, Applejack was wondering what she was up to when Dash suddenly sped past her and flew straight up into the sky, causing a sonic rain boom that sent her flying straight towards Cloudsdale.
even over the sound of the boom Applejack could hear Dash yell "GOOD NIGHT AJ!!" 

Applejack held onto her hat,smiled and said "goodnight Dash, see you tomorrow." Applejack sat there in front of her farm house on the grassy hill watching the sun go down, and her friend go up to Cloudsdale. It was easily the most beautiful thing Applejack had ever seen, and she will never forget it. Dash is her best friend, a pony that she will never forget.