//------------------------------// // Answers come with problems // Story: For love or for Pain? // by Applejack is best peach //------------------------------// The road smoothly transitioned from soft, apple scented dirt, to a paved path that led to a bridge which crossed over a flowing stream, ending at a cottage, which belonged to an isolated mare, named Fluttershy. Applejack trotted along at a rather slow calm pace, as she continued to re live the day in her head. Firstly, Twilight, why had she questioned Applejack's honesty? Surely she of all ponies should know that she could ask Aj anything, and expect nothing but the truth. And then there was Rainbow dash, Aj was used to her spontaneous surges of randomness by now, but this seemed a little extreme, even for her. Around the farm raised mare, the number of wild life seemed to increase as she neared the bridge which crossed the stream. The day seemed peaceful and tranquil, of course Applejack was currently attempting to make sense of her friend's actions and therefore, paying little attention to the weather. She began crossing the bridge which led to the Pegasus's house, as she took note of a certain white rabbit sat cross legged in the front door's wake, as if it had been kicked out. Applejack shook off all other thoughts as she neared the small white ball of fluff, remembering the rabbit's intelligence, Applejack thought at least to make some kind of small talk with it, "Hey there varmi-I mean er, Angel" If Angel had taken offense he hid it well, as he continued his apparent tantrum. "O-okay, is Fluttershy inside then?" To which Angel gave a brief nod and turned its head away from the farm pony and held its chin up. "Thanks, Ah guess." Moving past the rabbit, Applejack stepped closer to the door, raised her hoof and knocked once, twice, and went for a third when the door opened to an extremely dark room. Fluttershy stood in the door way, she looked unnervingly happy to see Applejack, there was also a slight twitch to her right eye. She had slightly bloodshot eyes and small sleep bags had become present under her eyes. Applejack had taken only a second to recover from the frightful look she was given until she was yanked inside. With frightening speed, Fluttershy flew Applejack to the couch, slammed the door shut, used five locks to secure the door, checked every window and door around the house, and then zoomed back to the couch. She now sat cross hoofed , back straight, with the same crazed look in her eyes. Applejack, who was extremely unnerved by what had just happened, lay strewn out on the couch, where she had been dropped. Slowly rising to a sitting position Applejack tried to shake off the frightened feeling which was now evidently present. Fluttershy's eyes never faltered, they followed Applejack's eyes, wherever her head was turned, adding to the crazed, unsettling atmosphere already present. "F-Fluttershy, ya ..." "Hi Applejack! I am, oh sooooo glad you could come by! Now erm could you maybe tell me everything, erm please? How did she tell you? Was it romantic? Oh I'm sure it was!" The crazed look in Fluttershy's eyes was slowly losing its grip as Fluttershy began thinking of how perfect the farm mare and librarian were together. There was something else that Aj took note of, a look of pain? Maybe regret, it left before she could analyse further. Applejack now sat in the dimly lit room, mouth wide open, with an evident puzzled look plastered onto her face. "Fluttershy, Ah'm gonna need you to start from the beginning. Wait, oh no, are you sick too?" Fluttershy's content mood quickly changed to a concerned one, "Oh dear you mean someone's sick, oh that's just awful! Oh but I don't think I'm sick, I mean I might be, but, well I feel okay. Sorry if I scared you before" A sheepish expression made its way onto Fluttershy's face, "I thought about giving you two sometime alone, you know what with you both being in such a new relationship. Well I guess now that you're here we can talk about everything that happened! I-if that's okay with you..." Fluttershy had an extremely hopeful expression replacing her previous sheepish one. "Fluttershy!" Fluttershy flinched at the sudden frustration in her guest's voice, Applejack quickly remembered the peaceful nature of her friend and immediately regretted snapping, "Ah'm sorry Fluttershy it's just, everyone's been acting all weird today, guess I just let it get to me." Applejack placed her head in her hooves, Fluttershy couldn't understand why Applejack would be so stressed on a day where love has bloomed, or did Twilight change her mind, or maybe Applejack said no. Or maybe Twilight, hadn't asked yet; a though crept into Fluttershy's head, maybe, just maybe... Fluttershy moved closer toward her friend in need, firstly placing a hoof on her shoulder then moving for a soft hug. She wished she could hold her like this forever. "It's okay Applejack, Cheer up. I'm sure we're just acting weird because you and Twilight are our friends, and we want you to both be happy together!" The words were worded differently in Fluttershy's head however (...because you and I would be happy together). To this Applejack lost all sense of confusion as she lifted her head, "Twilight..." She once again ran through the day's events in her head, Twilight nervously asking her if she would be honest come a time when she needed her to be, Rainbow dash congratulating her for no reason, " If I had someone tell me that they love me, I would be totally over the moon!" , "Oh, Twilight ..." The sudden nervous school filly act whenever Twilight talked to her. The practically transparent lies about how Rd was 'ill'. "Oh ... I never woulda' ... Wow...Fluttershy I ...." She took a moment to collect her thoughts as Fluttershy realised the look on Applejack's face was realisation. Twilight must have not told her yet. "Oh my goodness! Applejack, I am so sorry, oh no I've ruined everything, oh will Twilight ever forgive me?! Oh dear, oh maybe you could, erm, forget everything that I said and, you know act surprised when she tells you?" Fluttershy was on the brink of crying once she realised the mistake she had made. Applejack sat staring through Fluttershy, lost in the thought that Twilight, liked her. As in Liked, liked her. Applejack stood up, "Why me? W-... Ah'm nothin special. Just a farmer! Not some princess, o-o-or some fancy pony like Rarity."Applejack now began pacing back and forth, "Ah ain't no one special! What in all good's name could she see in a simple old fool like me?! All I can do is buck apples and farm, can't fly, can't use magic, Hell Ah'm barley good for anythin! Ah'm a nobody..." Fluttershy, broke out of her shell shocked state as she noticed the comments Applejack was making about herself. "Applejack! How dare you! You stop that right now!" Fluttershy had now stood up on top a nearby table, glaring down at the orange mare, who was practically shrinking under the gaze she was under. "I will not allow you to talk like that! You are one of the most honest, kind, caring and loving ponies I know! You are always there to help anyone that needs it, you look out for everyone around you, you would sacrifice anything if it meant saving family or friend. You are strong, beautiful and have such a lovely personality, that if somepony didn't fall head over hooves in love with you then they are insane! You have always been there for me! If I was down you would be there, by my side, cheering me up. Always caring, always comforting, and never asking a thing in return" As Fluttershy made her way off the table and toward the frozen mare, Applejack was sure that she was blushing at the flow of kind comments spewing from her usually demure natured friend. "Applejack, I don't ever want to hear another word like that from you, ever again! You are probably the most attractive mare that I have met so far, in my whole life!" By now Fluttershy was practically touching snouts with Applejack, "And you know what?" Fluttershy whispered, " You really are beautiful", With that, Fluttershy leaned the last centre metre that separated the two ponies and kissed Applejack directly on the lips. Applejack felt about ready to pass out now. She was still too shocked to move though, and instead simply stood as Fluttershy continued the embrace. Applejack felt like crying, why of all ponies did this have to happen to her?! Not only Twilight, but Fluttershy too? The last thing Applejack wanted though was to upset a friend, and seeming as nopony was watching, Applejack began to return the kiss. To Fluttershy, this was every dream come true. She had been dreaming of embracing Applejack in this way for a long time now. Ever since the joining of the elements in fact. She was in heaven. Applejack was more confused and frightened at the moment. She had no idea how to respond to such a sudden gesture she had no real experience in love. However before the kiss could continue further, a bright flash occurred from near the kitchen in the cottage. Fluttershy let a mumbled squeal as she broke the kiss and dove for the couch, managing to quickly hide under a cushion. There was a pop which was shortly followed by the sound of running hoofs. Applejack was still too shocked to move, she just stood there, mouth open, eyes wide and an obvious rose red blush painted to her cheeks. As Twilight entered the room she flicked on the light switch, using her magic. She could now see the mare that held her heart hostage, frozen stiff. "Applejack, thank Celestia you're alright!" Twilight ran toward her frozen friend, feeling the stress that she had left with wash away at the sight of the mare. "Oh no, I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that there's a chance that Fluttershy might be i..." "ill?" Applejack finished, moving her head to face her unicorn friend. "Y-yes, erm so... How are you" She added with a sheepish grin, Whilst scanning the room for any sign of Fluttershy. "Honestly? Ah don't rightly know Twi." Applejack answered honestly, for she truly knew very little at the moment, her mind was almost blank. As Twilight spotted a pink tail peeking out from behind one of the couches cushions, Twilight quickly wrapped up Fluttershy in the same ball as she had with Rainbow dash. "That's just great Applejack!" Twilight answered, focused on the extraction of the pony who could give away her feelings and not the small talk. With Fluttershy found, Twilight needed an excuse to leave, "alright, so I guess erm, I'll see you later then, Fluttershy needs her medicine after all." Applejack shifted her gaze to the now floating Pegasus, who was looking back at her, sitting upright, with an adorable smile pasted to her face. She then glanced to the Unicorn holding the mare, who had reverted to her nervous roots and now showed a more nervous smile, than anything else. Applejack put on the most realistic smile she could muster for them both, which turned out to be rather weak and transparent. After a few more moments of awkward staring, Twilight broke the tension with a cough which seemed to frighten Fluttershy, as she instantly dove to the far end of the floating prison, even though she didn't actually hear the cough, the sudden movement simply scared her. She quickly curled up into a protective ball, which Applejack truthfully thought to be adoreable. "Sooo, guess I'll see you later Aj?" A small tone of crimson creeping onto Twilight's already incredibly nervous face, which, admittedly, Applejack did find pretty cute. With another moment of awkwardness passing the two mares blinked out of sight, leaving the farm mare staring at a table which had previously been obscured. On said table, was a drawer with a photograph peeking out of the top. Curiosity pushed out all stress and worry from the mare's mind temporarily, as she moved toward the table. Slowly pulling the drawer open, Applejack got a perfect view of the half hidden photo. The photograph was of her best friends, each with a mug of cider in their hoofs. All but one had closed their eyes, Fluttershy was gazing adoringly at Applejack, Fluttershy also had a smile that could put a weak hearted pony in hospital, and was directing toward Applejack. Now that Aj looked closer there was definitely a tone of red accompanying the yellow of her friend's coat. She just looked so content. "Why me..." Placing the photo back and closing the drawer. Applejack gave one final sigh and sat on the ground, defeated. A few moments later, an abrupt, yet somehow sophisticated sounding knock, beckoned from the door. Throwing herself to her hooves, brushing herself off and straightening her mane, which had become tangled. She galloped to the door, went for the handle, and pulled. The door itself didn't budge, however the five locks, currently in place jostled slightly. Deadpanning, Aj one by one, unbolted the door. Once that was accomplished, she attempted the handle by giving another forceful pull, the door swung open, revealing a snow white, elegant looking unicorn. "Applejack! I didn't except to see you here darling! How are you?" Rarity gave an innocent looking smile. Applejack's stressed mind honestly just needed a rest. "A might puzzled!" With a sigh, she walked slightly passed the confused unicorn and sat on the front step. Concerned for her friend's well being Rarity used her magical abilities to sweep the dirt from the space next to Applejack and took a seat next to her. "That is simply awful darling, come, tell me your troubles. I am quite the counsellor you know." "I don't Rarity, it's just... I'll be honest with ya, I was kissed today, and that ain't never happened before now. It felt weird, but kinda nice, ya know?" Applejack turned her head to face her pristine friend. 'Oh my stars she finally did it!' "On my goodness darling that it is simply wonderful, and yes, I remember my first kiss, it felt slightly spontaneous but all the same, exhilarating. Now, if you don't mind me asking, who was it that kissed you exactly?" Rarity asked. Truthfully, she had a fairly decent idea of who the culprit was, but it was polite to ask. "Ah ... Ah don't think it would be right tellin right now Rarity, sorry." Rarity looked slightly disappointed but was more confused by the rather depressed expression on her friend's face. "Oh darling don't you worry, I'm sure you just need time, that's all. But why do you look so down my dear, if you just experienced your first kiss, surely you should be through the roof." Hearing this Applejack's mood simply dropped further into the cavern of depression. "Rarity, Ah... Ah.. Ya ju..." Applejack stuttered, then began silently sobbing. She knew inside that she would leave at least one friend heartbroken if she chose one over the other. She hated seeing a friend down, or depressed, she was used to helping them back on their hooves, whenever it happened. But helping them up, after knocking them down would just be cruel. Rarity immediately closed the gap separating the two, and embraced her weeping friend in a comforting embrace, "Shh, hush now. Come, come now, whatever happened to that unstoppable rough and tough mare who lived by the farm, hm?" Rarity soothed out her friend's mane as she hugged her, meanwhile Applejack had hugged her back, sobbing silently into her friends shoulder. "Oh, R-Rarity, why did they have to fall for me? Why not someone who was more like 'em, It ain't fair! They ain't even asked how I feel about this! Hell, one of 'em ain't even told me yet!" Her sobbing grew as tears poured onto her friend's shoulder, who, for once, seemed not to care for the effect it would have on her otherwise immaculate coat. 'They'? Oh dear. "There, there Applejack, I tell you what, why don't we head back to the boutique, I'll make you some tea, or you could have some apple cider, I kept a little from last season, for emergencies" She added a playful wink, which seemed to lift the farm mare's spirit. "That'd be j-just dandy. Thanks Rarity, I mean it. You're a great friend." Rarity smiled as she rose from her seat, she then helped her vulnerable friend rise. They then began their journey to Ponyville. As the two followed the path to Ponyville, small drops of water landed around them, slowly but surely ending up with a full scaled downpour. The surrounding animals fled into their holes and trees to find shelter from the change in weather. Rarity was no Twilight, but she knew her fair share of spells, she quickly conjured one that she was taught from her purple friend, and after a flash of blue, two transparent, aura surrounded umbrellas appeared hovering above the two mares. Satisfied that they would be safe from the mane wrecking water, Rarity, looked over at her upset friend, to find her resting her head on her back, while they both slowly trotted through the downpour. Applejack felt like she could finally forget all that had happened during the day as her friend was taking care of her in a moment of weakness. That was what she needed right now, no lies, no out of the blue (or yellow in this case) kisses, just a generous friend, looking out for her. The rain continued to fall and the sun shone it's last rays through some stray gaps in the clouds for the last final hours, signalling the end of a day.