Twilight sat up and stretched. She had just spent the best part of three hours studying. Around her were piles upon piles of dusty old tomes, ranging from local history in the past one hundred years, to the origin of their species. So far she had only managed to get through the one book, but she had a free day, so she was certain she could blast through another seven or so. She continued her stretching,listening to her joints crack into place. Finally she stood up properly, giving her tail a playful flick as she did. She did a quick scan of the room and quickly noticed something was wrong.She couldn't see Spike anywhere, although it was rare for him to leave without annoucing it.
"Spike?!"
Across the room, a few books shifted and Twilight was certain she heard a low groan. She darted over the numerous book piles to where the groan had come from. She nudged a few books away to reveal a small purple arm.
"Spike?"
The books shuddered again and Twilight nudged them away until all that was left, was a purple, baby dragon.
"Spike, are you ok?"
Spike sat up and rubbed his forehead.
"Yeah, i'm fine. You really need to work on your awareness while studying."
Twilight blushed. Spike was right, it wasn't the first time that this had happened. Spike got to his feet.
"Now you're expecting me to tidy this aren't you?"
Twilight snapped out of her thoughts to reply.
"No !Of course not! I'll do it."
Twilight focused her magic, causing her horn to glow. Books started to levitate from their stationary positions and up onto the shelves.Spike sat and watched as the last of the books were put away.
"So what now?"
Twilight sat back on her haunches, and thought to herself. She had planned to spend the entire day studying, but it wasn't healthy to revise too much.
"Maybe we could go for a walk?"
"Maybe you could go for a walk Twilight. I'm gonna stay here, my head hurts a little."
Twilight gave a small smile, and trotted over to the door. She slipped outside, leaving Spike some time to rest. Now that she was outside she wondered how she could pass the time. She decided to stroll up to Sweet Apple Acres to see if Applejack was home. She set off at a steady pace and soon reached her destination. Twilight could see Applejack out in the field and walked over to her.
"Hey AJ"
"Twilight! How're y' doin'?"
"I'm ok, just taking a stroll. Say, do you fancy coming with me?"
"Ah dunno Twi, Me 'n mah brother have our work cut out here"
Applejack gestured to the orchard, where Big Macintosh was pulling a large cart of apples.
"Well maybe Big Macintosh could let you take a break?"
"Ah'll go 'n check"
Twilight watched as Applejack galloped over to her brother and asked him for a break. Twilight gently tapped the floor with her hoof, tapping the time away. Soon enough Applejack galloped back over to her.
"He says he'll rest up and wait fer me to hop on back."
"Great!"
The two ponies turned tail and set a course for the town square. Applejack turned back briefly to shout something to her brother.
"An don't you be startin' without yer sister ya hear?!"
Applejack didn't wait around for a respone, but Big Macintosh gave her an "Eeyup" just in case.
As the two ponies approached the square, something flew over their heads. This something happened to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash. Both Twilight and Applejack stopped to stare at the aerial spectacle. Rainbow Dash, realising she had an audience, started to perform for the forming crowd. She looped in circles, twisted through the air, and landed without so much as one fault. The crowd stomped their hooves in approval, as Rainbow Dash basked in the appreciation
she was getting. Eventually the crowd grew weary of cheering and soon dissipated, leaving only Twilight and Applejack behind.
"Those were some nice moves Rainbow!"
"Thanks Twilight! Although you didn't expect anything less from Ponyville's best flyer did you?"
"Heh, of course not!"
"How about you AJ, did you enjoy the show?"
"Uh, yeah! You were really somethin' Dash"
Rainbow Dash soaked up the compliment, like the many she had received beforehand.
"So where were you guys heading?"
"Oh we were just going for a stroll, say do you want to come with us?"
Before Rainbow Dash could utter a response, Applejack butted in.
"She can't! She's got trainin' to do, right Dash?"
"Well I didn't have anything planned, but I guess a little more fine tuning wouldn't hurt. Catch you guys later."
With that said, Rainbow Dash took to the sky, leaving a bewildered Twilight, and a relieved Applejack behind. Applejack quickly started to hurry off, forcing Twilight to quickly catch her up.
"Twilight, can ah have yer honest opinion on somethin'?"
"Sure Applejack, what is it?"
"What do you think of fillyfoolers?"
"I don't think there's anything wrong with them, if that's what's troubling you. If a filly wants to love another filly, then that's
fine. Why do you ask?"
"Because..."
"Because?"
Applejack turned away from Twilight.
"Ah think ah love Rainbow Dash..."
"What was that? I didn't quite catch it."
Twilight leant in closer to hear what Applejack had to say.
"Twilight, ah think ah love Rainbow Dash..."
Twilight took a step backward in shock.
"What do you mean by, you think?"
"Ah'm not too sure, ah just git this feelin' ev'rytime she's around..."
"What kind of feeling?"
"Jus this kind o' happy feelin'. Butterflies in mah stomach y'know?"
"Hmm, I remember reading something that said that those are a few of the things associated with love for someone."
"What should ah do Twi?"
"Well you'll have to tell Rainbow Dash at some point."
Applejack lowered her head and looked to the floor.
"Ah know Twi, ah know."
"Have you told anypony else?"
"You would be the first Twi..."
"Maybe you should ask some of your other friends, see if they can make the situation easier for you?"
"Ah dunno Twilight. What if they don' like me because of what ah am?"
"Applejack! They're your friends, it shouldn't matter to them whether you're a fillyfooler or not."
"Ah guess yer right Twilight, thanks."
Applejack bolted off, heading in the direction of Rarity's boutique. Twilight headed off to go see if Spike was feeling any better. Applejack soon arrived at Rarity's place of work, the carousel boutique, and rapped her hoof on the door. After a few minutes the door swung open to reveal a white unicorn with a purple mane and tail.
"Applejack! To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"
"Ah need to talk with ya about somethin'. Could ah come in?"
"Of course Applejack! Business has been rather slow as of late."
Rarity stepped aside to allow Applejack inside. Applejack hurried inside, checking around to make sure that no-pony else was present.
"Rarity, it's just us here right?"
"Of course. Sweetie Belle is at school, and as I mentioned before, business is a bit slow."
"Oh ok, good."
"Applejack, if you don't mind me asking, what's wrong? You seem very nervous about something..."
"Well that's what ah came here to talk t' ya about. Ah'm in love wi-"
"You're in love?! Oh that's wonderful news Applejack! Come, we should talk more in private, oh you must tell me every little detail!"
Rarity locked the door, and took Applejack further into the boutique.
So tell me Applejack, who's the lucky colt? Where did you two meet?"
"Rarity, ah'm in love with Rainbow, not some colt."
Rarity stopped in her tracks.
"Rainbow, as in Rainbow Dash?"
Applejack nodded nervously.
"Well, you certainly have shocked me Applejack. Though I congratulate you on finding someone. Might I ask how you came to the conclusion that you were in love with Rainbow Dash?"
"Everytime ah'm around her, she makes me feel like ah'm on air. Ah feel so happy, just bein' near her is so upliftin'."
"Hmm well Applejack, I'm happy for you. Are you certain that Rainbow Dash is a fillyfooler as well? I'd hate for you to embarrass yourself.."
"Ah'm not certain mahself, but there's only one way t' find out!"
"Yes of course. Well Applejack I wish you the best, and I hope all turns out wonderfully for you."
"Thank ya Rarity."
Rarity unlocked the door, and Applejack left the boutique, a spring in her step. Talking with Rarity and Twilight had certainly helped her confidence, now she felt like she could easily tell Dash her feelings.The only problem she had left was to actually find Rainbow Dash. It wasn't going to be easy to find someone who spent most of their days in the sky. She decided she would check all the places on the ground that Dash usually trained at. The first wasn't too far away from Sweet Apple Acres, so she decided to check there first. She took off as fast as she could, her desire to tell Rainbow of her feelings only spurred
her on. Applejack arrived at the field and looked about for Rainbow Dash. Sadly there were no signs of her at all. Applejack turned away, saddened, and began to trot off back to town. She hadn't managed to move more than a few paces, when a familiar voice called out to her.
"Look out below!"
Applejack dashed to one side, hoping that this new distance would be enough to avoid the object hurtling towards her.
Applejack heard a loud thud, and a cloud of dirt and dust covered her vision. She batted aside the cloud and looked to find the cause. The cause was obvious to Applejack, it had been Rainbow Dash, probably trying some sort of new trick. She found Rainbow Dash shaking dirt from her body. Rainbow looked up at Applejack apologetically.
"Sorry about that AJ. New trick, haven't quite got the hang of it yet."
"Ah'm glad you dropped in Dash. Ah've got somethin' t' say t' you."
"Oh cool. I could use something funny to forget about that little
failure back there"
"Well actually this is kinda serious..."
"Oh, that's ok too I guess."
Rainbow Dash sat on her haunches and waited to hear what Applejack had to say. Applejack cleared her throat.
"Rainbow Dash. Ah...love you."
The two ponies sat in silence for a few minutes, before Rainbow Dash broke the silence.
"Pfft Hahaha! That was great AJ. Oh man, you really had me going there. The way you said it was perfect. I never knew you were such a joker!"
As Rainbow Dash spoke, she beat her wings causing her to rise into the sky.
"Later AJ!"
Applejack sighed.
"Later Dash..."
Rainbow Dash took no notice of Applejack's obvious disappointment and soared into the sky. Applejack turned away and headed back home to Sweet Apple Acres, her heart filled with sorrow.
Later that day, Rainbow Dash met up with Twilight, Rarity and Fluttershy to talk about her meeting with Applejack.
"Hey guys! Have you talked to Applejack recently?"
"Only this morning."
"Same here."
"I haven't seen her at all."
"Well Fluttershy, all I can say is that you missed out on some pretty hilarious stuff!"
Rarity and Twilight both shared the same look of confusion. Fluttershy was the only one not confused.
"What did I miss Rainbow Dash?"
"Ok ok, get this. Applejack told me, that she loved me!"
Rainbow Dash started to laugh uncontrollably, while Fluttershy chuckled to herself. Twilight spoke out to correct Rainbow Dash.
"She was serious, Dash."
Rainbow Dash stopped laughing and looked at Twilight.
"What?"
This time Rarity spoke out.
"She really does love you, she told me so earlier today."
By this point Fluttershy had also stopped laughing, and gasped as she heard this news. Twilight and Rarity approached Rainbow Dash.
"Dash, what did you do when she told you?"
Rainbow Dash looked at the floor and spoke quietly, almost on a Fluttershy-esque level.
"I laughed at her. She told me that she honestly loved me, and I laughed and called her a joker."
Twilight and Rarity became a little annoyed at Dash's ignorance, but they kept their cool. Rarity took it upon herself to make sure Dash did the right think next.
"Well Rainbow Dash, I think you should go straight to Applejack and take her confession a little more seriously this time."
"Yeah, you're right."
Rainbow Dash took to the sky, a solem look plastered on her face. She didn't fly off with any grace or style, much like she normally did. Instead she simply drifted along, making little haste.
Night soon fell and Applejack was laid on her bed, her head buried in her pillow. She had come straight home after suffering her embarrassment with Dash. She hadn't told Big Mactintosh what had happened, she just locked herself in her room, shutting herself off from the outside. So one can imagine her surprise when she heard a tapping on her window. Normally this wouldn't be classed as odd, it could've been a branch or something knocking against it. However Applejack's room wasn't on the ground floor, it was on the first floor. Plus there weren't any plants or loose items to knock against the window. So Applejack got up, sniffing back any remaining tears she had, and made her way to the window. She couldn't see anything outside, but she knew something was there. She opened the window and was greeted by a voice.
"I'm sorry Applejack"
Applejack didn't say anything, just incase it was a prank, albeit a very hurtful one.
"I didn't know you were being serious. I never thought you were the sort of pony who went that way, let alone the sort of pony to love somepony like me..."
Applejack was almost certain that this was who she thought it was.
"Dash? Is that you?"
Rainbow Dash moved a little further towards the window, allowing the light from the room to illuminate her features.
"Yeah, it's me."
"You really hurt mah feelin's y'know that Rainbow?"
"I know, and I can't even begin to imagine how you must have felt at that moment. I just came here because I wanted to make it up to you..."
Applejack didn't get chance to ask what she meant, because that was the moment that Dash kissed her. Applejack didn't struggle, she simply embraced the act of love Rainbow Dash presented to her. She closed her eyes, thinking of the times she had prayed for a moment like this, and now here she was, living that very moment. Eventually their loving embrace came to a close, and the two ponies moved back a little.
"Dash...does this mean..."
"I feel the same way? Yeah, it kind of does."
Applejack stepped back from the window.
"Then git in here Dash."
Rainbow Dash slipped through the window, however she clipped a wing against the frame and fell to Applejack's bedroom floor. Applejack stifled a giggle, and helped her up.
"Yeah yeah, laugh it up."
Applejack nuzzled up to Rainbow Dash.
"Ah've just got one thing t' say sugarcube..."
"What's that?"
"Thank you fer comin' back Rainbow."
Rainbow Dash blushed and nuzzled Applejack. The two ponies spent that entire night together, and tommorow they would tell their friends about the best night of their lives.