//------------------------------// // Chapter 05 // Story: Just A Couple of Ponies // by Tchernobog //------------------------------// “And then – then she feathermarked me!” Dash said, staring at Fluttershy with her wings flared. The yellow pegasus shrank back from the display, unconsciously hiding her cutie mark with her tail as she collected herself. “Um. Maybe she didn’t know what it means?” Rainbow shook her head. “She knew. They both knew. And then they kissed me!” Rainbow blinked at Fluttershy’s gasp. The other pegasus was blushing. “O-on the cheek. But still! I thought they wanted a threesome but…" “But?” Fluttershy prompted, her cheeks still flaming. She knew she had to say something, but hadn’t found the right time. Dash usually figured out things on her own, but she’d always needed an open ear. She still didn’t know if she should tell Dash that she’d known – that they’d all known this was coming. That was probably best left to Twilight and Applejack. “Th-they actually want me in their relationship. Outta nowhere!” Dash said, staring out of the window. “And I'm not even sure I like them back!” Dash collapsed back into her seat. The blue pony had started pacing midway through her long, rather jumbled explanation of the situation – it had been just over an hour since her best friends had… propositioned her, and Dash was no less confused now than she had been then. So she’d gone straight to her best friend's house; Fluttershy had always been able to help her straighten out things like this in the past. The yellow pegasus waited until her friend had calmed down before answering. “You do. Like them back, I mean.” Dash stared at her the same way she would if she’d grown another head. “I do?” “Yes.” “How the hay are you sure?” Fluttershy smiled. “Did you say no?” Rainbow opened her mouth to retort, but no words came out. She’d been confused, sure, but it was still something that she could have answered on the spot. But she hadn’t. She’d hesitated. She thought about the two ponies, and immediately pictured their warm smiles. She hadn’t refused. “I… I guess I didn’t,” Rainbow answered, averting her gaze and looking thoughtful. “And you preen a lot when you talk about them.” Rainbow blushed, staring at her wings for the second time that day. Fluttershy was right. She’d been taking more care of her wings than she had for a long time. Suddenly, she felt like she understood Rarity just a little bit better – past the usual realignment of feathers, a good preen was essentially a wing makeover, making a pegasus look good. Usually Rainbow preened once every so often, when she really needed it. But thinking back on it, she’d been preening before every meeting with Applejack or Twilight. Maybe she’d stop giving Rarity such a hard time so often. … Nah. “Mom did say they looked good today,” Rainbow said. She smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Fluttershy. You know me better than I do myself.” She blinked in realization. “… And so does Mom, apparently.” “What do you mean?” “I never mentioned A.J. or Twi, but she still knew who I was having lunch with today.” Rainbow sighed as Fluttershy giggled. “Why am I always the last to know?” “It just happens that way?” “I guess.” Rainbow stretched, rolling off the couch. She flapped over to Fluttershy and drew her into a hug. “Thanks for listening, ‘Shy.” Fluttershy smiled, nuzzling Rainbow’s cheek. “Always. Are you okay?” “Yeah.” The blue pegasus nodded. She looked Fluttershy straight in the eyes. “You?” “Me?” Fluttershy asked, confused. “I’m fine. Shouldn’t I be?” Rainbow shook her head. “No no, you’re fine. It’s just…" Her ears drooped as she stared at the floor. “Are you okay with this?” “Me?” Fluttershy repeated. “Why me?” “I mean, it kinda used to be… us.” Rainbow looked up once more. “And now I’m thinking about Twi and A.J. and you’re still here and–” Fluttershy hoof sat on Dash’s lips, interrupting her tirade. The yellow pegasus shook her head, smiling gently at Rainbow as she lifted the hoof, then firmly bopped Rainbow on the head with it. The blow had no force behind it, but Rainbow still winced, her hooves flying to her head. Her eyes were wide with shock, staring at her friend. “I’m fine, Rainbow. I’m glad we had what we had.” She leaned over and kissed Rainbow on the forehead, in the same spot she’d hit her friend. “But I’m just as glad we have what we have now. I’ll be okay.” She smiled, pulling Rainbow to her hooves. “I think, however, that Twilight and Applejack need you. And you them.” “But–” “Go fly, Rainbow. You always think better when you fly.” “I…" Rainbow swallowed, the words barely forming. “I will, ‘Shy. I got a lot to think about.” She turned to give Fluttershy one final nuzzle, then lifted off into the air. The yellow pegasus watched her leave, sighing happily to herself. Rainbow would be all right. Fluttershy was right. She did think best while flying. The rhythmic beat of her wings set her mind at ease, the wind in her mane cooled her temper, and the simple lack of hard ground under her hooves gave her a sense of freedom that let her really focus on things. Namely, in her case, two very special ponies. She did like them. Fluttershy was right about that, too. She liked all her friends, really. Each of them was special, and they all meant the world to her. She’d do absolutely anything for any of them, and wouldn’t think twice about it. The feeling she felt when she thought of them was warm and comfortable. Like sitting next to a fireplace with a hot mug of chocolate. But when she thought of Applejack and Twilight, that heat felt like it came from a massive inferno, a bonfire, even a volcano. How in Celestia’s name had she missed that? Okay, she thought. I lo– I like them. What do I do about it? No, that question didn’t feel right. There was something else she needed to ask herself even before that. Should I even do anything about it? She knew her friends sometimes thought she was a bit scatterbrained, and even thoughtless. She couldn’t really blame them. Often enough, it was true, and it didn’t change how they all felt. They all loved her, and she loved them all. But she knew herself better than most gave her credit for. When did I get so philosophical? Rainbow mused, a smile tugging at her lips. I’ve been hanging around Twilight too much. She knew that she wasn’t the best at talking, especially where feelings were concerned. She wore them on her sleeves, and couldn’t really control her impulses that well. Unlike Applejack. Despite her numerous responsibilities, she knew she still had to grow up a bit. Be more mature, as Rarity put it. As seriously as she took her work, and her time at the Academy, she still had things to learn about dealing with others. Unlike Twilight. She shook her head. Those two were a nearly impossible standard to match, no matter how hard she tried. But still, she wanted to. I guess that’s the point, she thought. She wanted to. She wanted this to happen. Almost more than anything. But she was absolutely terrified of messing it up. She wasn’t new to relationships. Fluttershy had been her first, and it had been wonderful. Rainbow’s heart ached at the thought of those years spent apart, changing what they had. Where she once saw a marefriend, she now saw a slightly older sister. As nice as it had been back then, she wouldn’t change their relationship for anything in the world. There’d been a few others afterwards – all pegasi, now that she thought of it. Thunderlane had been the last, all those weeks… no, months ago. Jeez, has it been that long? She shook her head, focusing on the issue at hoof. Twilight and Applejack. They were most definitely new territory for her. Not only was this a new relationship – which were never easy, she’d found – but neither of them was a pegasus. Plus they were her best friends. Plus one of them was a freaking princess. Relationships were hard, and here she was thinking about getting into two. At the same time. I must be nuts. And what of Applejack and Twilight? They were good to each other. Real good. The rest of the group had seen how the two had grown closer and spent more time together, but thought nothing of it, until they suddenly announced that they’d decided to start dating. It had surprised all of them, including the two in question. But they’d said that it had just felt right. And, well, so did this. But did she want to risk damaging what those two had, for a chance at that feeling being on the mark? Was it worth it? Was it– “A bit for your thoughts, Rainbow Dash?” Rainbow yelped at the sudden intrusion of a voice that was not her own, jolting upwards and sending herself into a short tumble until she got her bearings. She spun around, facing in the speaker’s direction, and blinked at what she saw. She’d have to add Luna, sitting on a cloud with a telescope to the list of things she’d found while flying. “P-Princess Luna?” “It is I, yes.” The dark alicorn nodded. “I apologize if I scared you.” “S-scared? Pfft. Ha!” Rainbow puffed up her chest. “You just surprised me!” “You seemed to be deep in thought. What troubles you?” Rainbow frowned. “Trouble? Who said I’m in trouble?” “Nay, I mean that you are troubled by something.” “What? Says who?” Rainbow crossed her hooves and looked away. “I’m perfectly fine.” The princess silently observed the pegasus, before her horn lit with magic. A nearby cloud moved towards them, attaching itself to the one she sat on. A few pokes and prods later, her cushion had expanded in size, enough for another pony to sit comfortably. She stared back at Rainbow, who had watched the whole process. “Sit,” she said. Rainbow hesitated. The princess hadn’t worded it like an order, and she was even thinking of refusing the offer, but the way Luna was looking at her quickly changed her mind. With a few flaps, she settled herself next to the larger pony, jumping slightly as Luna settled a huge wing over Rainbow’s back. “If you were fine, dear Rainbow Dash, you wouldn’t have almost crashed into my cloud.” She glanced down at the smaller pony, before looking through the telescope once more. “Now, what troubles you?” Rainbow stared at Luna. Could she tell her, just like that? She looked away, blinking in surprise as she spotted Canterlot almost within throwing distance. Wow. She really had been out of it. Her eyes wandered back to the alicorn. The princesses were the only ponies she had more than a passing acquaintance with in Canterlot, and one of them was offering to listen. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she still felt like she needed to talk. Here goes nothing. Just take it slow. “Twilight feathermarked me and Applejack kissed me and they both want me in their relationship!” she blurted out, then smacked her head with a hoof. So much for slow. Luna smiled, an eye still looking through the telescope. “So they went ahead with it, did they? Good. You are a fine specimen.” “I– What?” Luna looked away from the telescope, raising an eyebrow at the shocked pegasus under her wing. “Twilight Sparkle and Applejack sent us a letter, telling us about your interest in them and seeking advice on how they should proceed.” She smiled at Rainbow. “It seems they heeded our advice and approached you. You will make an excellent addition to Twilight Sparkle’s harem.” “Twilight’s har–” Rainbow shook her head, beating that line of thought out of her skull before her face caught fire. Still, she could feel the blush on her face. “N-no! Not like that! They aren’t like that.” “Oh? I may have misunderstood her intentions, then.” She leveled a critical eye at Rainbow, and turned back to the telescope. “Perhaps I should not have sent Cadance that letter…” Rainbow frowned. “Wait, what? What letter?” “I just told you.” Luna replied, tweaking the telescope’s orientation. “Your friends sounded quite flustered, and sought my sister’s advice. She decided I should weigh in on this as well.” “What did you tell them?” “That you and your friends are all pleasing to look at, and are all excellent choices for her harem. However,” Luna continued, unaware of Rainbow’s slack jawed expression. “I sense from your reaction that Twilight may take after my sister more than I. Pity.” She once again pulled away from the telescope, and faced Rainbow directly. “It is likely, then, that their intentions are just as they seem, and they truly wish to court you as equals.” “C-court?” Rainbow stammered, wondering for the hundredth time how she had gotten into this conversation. “Indeed. How will you act, dear Rainbow?” “I-I don’t– Okay, what are you even looking at?” she asked, as the princess’s attention seem to wander once again. “It’s not even pointed at the stars!” “We have no need of a telescope to see Our stars, young pegasus,” Luna chuckled. “Besides, those are not the celestial bodies I am studying tonight.” “What?” “Have a look,” Luna offered, folding her wing back. Rainbow craned her neck, putting an eye to the telescope. “What the hay is so interes-inter-in…" She leapt back, her face consumed with a fiery blush. “W-w-was th-that Fleetfoot? With Fire Streak?” She blinked, her eyes wide in shock. “Flyers Illustrated said he was gay!” “Bisexual, from what I have seen,” Luna said. “Like most of the team.” Her magic shone, gently tilting the telescope. “See? They do this after every tour.” Rainbow stared at the instrument, telling herself she shouldn’t be doing this, but somehow found her body was already craning upwards, peering through. “I believe you’ll find that Soarin’, Surprise and Spitfire are most definitely enjoying themselves.” Luna paused, frowning as a thought struck her. “I must apologize to you, Rainbow Dash.” “Huh?” The pegasus turned away from the telescope. “What for?” “I had forgotten that you dream of joining the Wonderbolts. I should have realized seeing this would affect you. I deeply regr–” Rainbow laughed, cutting her off. “Are you kidding? Now I want to be a ‘Bolt even more!” Luna stared, then snapped her jaw shut. “Truly? That is fortunate. But are you not forgetting something?” “Like what?” Rainbow asked, once again staring through the telescope, her raised wings saluting the sky. “Applejack and Twilight Sparkle?” Rainbow flinched, jerking away from the telescope. She stared at the cloud she sat on, then lifted a hoof and punched it angrily. She kept hitting it until she felt her hoof stop. She glanced up and saw the blue shimmer surrounding it. “Before you destroy the rest of my bedding, may I ask why you are trying to do so?” “Because I’m a horrible pony!” Rainbow yelled, squeezing her eyes shut. “Let me go!” “Not before you explain yourself.” Rainbow opened her eyes, glaring at the princess. “I like – no, I love them, Princess. Both of them.” She stomped the cloud with a free hoof. “But the first chance I get, I completely forget about them!” Rainbow stared in disbelief as Luna started laughing. “What is so bucking funny?” Luna immediately caught herself, her tone serious once more. “I apologize, I am simply amused at how mistaken you are. It seems even after another thousand years, ponies are still failing to distinguish between lust and love.” “What?” Rainbow stared at the princess, her upraised hoof falling back onto the cloud as Luna released her magic. “Lust is not the same as Love, my little pony. You wish to be with the Wonderbolts, both professionally and physically. But do you feel anything towards them emotionally?” The gears in Rainbow’s mind churned frantically, seeking an answer. “I…" “Now think of Twilight Sparkle and Applejack,” she said, paying no heed to Rainbow’s attempt to speak. “Do you wish to be with them? To protect them? To love them? To support them in any way you can?” Rainbow heard the words, and even understood them, but she felt like she was moving through mud. Everything felt sluggish, except her heart. That, she could feel beating a million times a minute. Luna smiled gently. “Then do so, Rainbow Dash. Take what you want. Make it real. Pin them to the wall, and kiss their minds away.” “R-right.” Rainbow gulped, then grinned at the princess. “Right!” She leapt up, her wings flaring as she readied herself for flight, but paused when Luna lifted her hoof. “Before you depart, I have a question, Rainbow Dash.” “Uh, sure? What?” “Do you know whether or not Applejack’s brother is currently enamored with or claimed by another mare? Or stallion?” Rainbow blinked. “… What?” “I believe the term nowadays is single? That is what I am asking. Is he single?” “Big Mac? I think he's dating Cheerilee, but they haven't really said anything. They're both pretty private.” “Truly? And who is this Cheerilee?” “Uh, she's the town's teacher, and–” “A teacher?” Luna asked, a glint in her eye. “Yeah?” “Excellent.  Educators tend to have open minds.  No doubt she will be easy to persuade.” “Persuade?” Rainbow eyed the princess warily. “To let you have Big Mac?” “No, to join in my harem as well,” Luna replied, glaring at Rainbow. “I am not a harlot. I have no desire to steal her lover, but if she can be convinced to share, then we both win, do we not?” “I-I guess?” Rainbow said, not meeting Luna’s eyes. The idea of Luna and Big McIntosh together was funny, especially for the teasing material she’d get on Applejack, but the way the princess was talking about harems was really weird. Luna had lifted a hoof to her chin, deep in thought. “There are some other potential candidates in Ponyville I would like to know more of. What about–” Oookay, enough of that. “Oh hey, sorry Princess! I gotta be going, got places to be.” The moment the words had left her mouth, she felt some thought nagging at the back of her mind. Like she’d forgotten something important. Very important. The princess blinked, unaccustomed to being interrupted quite so abruptly. “But–” “Oh horseapples! The date!” Rainbow exclaimed. “I've really gotta go!” “Hm?” Luna pondered a moment. “Oh, yes, I suppose your lovers await.” She glanced at the spot where Rainbow had been, but the pegasus was long gone, her chromatic contrail already fading. “Pity. I had further inquiries. Oh well!” She put an eye back on the telescope, resuming her observations. “Oho! Dear Spitfire, wherever did you learn to do that?” The walk back home to the Acres was quiet and dark, the only light coming from Twilight’s horn as she lit their path through the night. Over time, Applejack had learned a lot of Twilight’s quirks. She’d known many even before they’d started dating; since, she’d just learned more. Later on, once the unicorn had suddenly grown wings, she’d taken on a another set of quirks. A.J. found all of them adorable, and her heart swelled from the knowledge that she’d grown to know her partner so well. Right now, however, she knew that Twilight didn’t want words, but simply the comfort of Applejack’s closeness. As they walked, their coats brushing against each other, Applejack had to admit she quite enjoyed one of those new quirks in particular, as she enjoyed feeling the feathers of the wing draped across her back brushing her spine. Still, though, the expression on Twilight’s face was worrying her. Gone was the look of contentment, or even the adorable way her muzzle crinkled when she was deep in thought, or lost to some daydream. Twilight’s expression was downcast, her eyes never leaving the road. Applejack had humored Twilight when the alicorn had said she wanted to watch the sunset before heading home. She’d kept silent about how Twilight’s eyes were everywhere except on the sunset itself. She hadn’t even commented on the long and circuitous route they’d taken back, which had seen them wandering through almost every street in town. She understood. Sometimes, Applejack mused, words were necessary – wanted or not. But as she opened her mouth, Twilight’s voice interrupted her. “I’m so stupid.” The farmer blinked, momentarily at loss for words. “What?” “It’s all my fault,” the alicorn muttered, looking away. Applejack stopped, lifting a hoof to block Twilight. She turned to face her lover, glaring from under her hat. “Now don’t you start with that, Missy.” Twilight started, taken aback by the earth pony’s tone. “But–” “I know what yer thinkin’, Twilight. Yer thinkin’ that you shoulda thought the plan through some more, or we shoulda waited, or even just done nothin’ at all. Am I right?” Twilight stared, her mouth open. She couldn’t refute a single word Applejack had said. Applejack knew it, too. “Thought so. If anyone was t’blame, Sugarcube, it’s me. I pushed you into all this. I ain’t sayin’ we were wrong though,” she said as Twilight tried to speak. “Approach was just fine, but this is too danged big for her to just up and be okay with. We just gotta wait while she mulls it over.” “Wait?” Twilight repeated in disbelief. “How can you wait?” “ ‘Cause I know Dash. Celestia knows she’s probably the fastest pony alive, but even she’s gotta slow down. And I’m glad she’s takin’ her time with this. The only quick answer would be a ‘no’.” Applejack nudged Twilight’s neck with her muzzle, breathing in the smell of the alicorn’s coat. “You know her too. Y’cant tell me I’m wrong.” Twilight sighed, leaning against Applejack as the farmer nuzzled her. “No, you’re right. But what if she does say no? What if we got it all wrong?” she asked, leaning back. Her ears twitched. “And what is that whistling sound?” Moments later, Twilight shook her head, clearing the dizziness from it. Something had crashed into her, sending her flying into Applejack, tumbling across the ground to end up in a pile of pony limbs. Her body was draped over Applejack’s, covering almost all of the earth pony’s body. When the world stopped spinning, she found herself staring back at Applejack, their faces inches from each other. They both looked up as their assailant loomed above them in the dark – Twilight’s light spell had gone out during her tumble. Twilight lit her horn, ready to blast whoever it was, but stopped with a gasp as the light revealed the pony’s identity. “Rainbow Dash!” Applejack exclaimed, glaring at the pegasus. “What in tarnation do ya think yer doin’?” Rainbow stared at them, her gaze shifting from one to the other, her mouth opening and closing, but no words were coming out. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them once again. “Yes.” Twilight frowned. “ ‘Yes’? That doesn’t answer her questi-mmmph!” Applejack’s eyes widened, staring as Rainbow kissed her marefriend. The alicorn was still in shock, but she quickly responded, lifting her head to push into the kiss. The farmer could only grin as Rainbow broke away from Twilight, leaning towards Applejack. “Uh… by ‘yes’ you mean–” Applejack began, her eyes wide with anticipation for what she hoped Dash meant. “I mean yes!"  Rainbow interrupted, “Now shut up and let me kiss you!” She forced the issue by doing exactly that. Applejack eagerly reciprocated.