//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: The Bet // by Blueninetails //------------------------------// It's been three days since their return from Lunar Bay, and life had pretty much gone back to how it usually is, minus one detail anyway. Over the course of the trip back and in the proceeding time after that, Twilight and Rainbow had continued to stay near one another whenever they could afford the time. Despite the Rainbow and herself shouting their names off the top of Lover's Echo, Twilight insisted in both of them waiting and observing to see how their newly formed relationship progresses, lest it be only an after-effect of them pretty much hanging out for hours at a time over their vacation. So far, the after-effect hypothesis seemed to be crumbling to dust as their interactions with one another seemed to only deepen their mutual attraction. It's very close to sundown now, and Twilight and Rainbow were finishing up their duties for the day at Sweet Apple Acres. "Just a few more baskets Rainbow." Twilight announced out-loud just before using her magic to pick all the apples from a tree "Great! I really need a good nap right about now." then proceeded to shake the branches of another tree, which unfortunately didn't have any baskets underneath it, so all the apples fell straight to the grassy ground below Twilight looked at all the fallen apples before looking back up at the pegasus. "You know, this would be easier if you put a few baskets under the trees first, Rainbow." she remarked with a smirk, before using her levitation magic to pick up every last one and place them into an empty basket. Rainbow gave a nervous grin as she looked back down at Twilight, "W-well, that's what you're there for right...? I knock the apples off, and you pick 'em up." Twilight shot the pegasus an amused look. "I'm not here to clean up after you Rainbow. You know as well as I do that we're simply paying the price for losing our bet with Applejack." "Don't remind me." Twilight smiled before lifting herself up into the air to see if Rainbow had actually shaken all the apples that were in the tree. Afterall, it never hurt to be thorough. As soon as Twilight was comfortable that Rainbow, who was looking at her, had effectively shaken all the apples out the tree, she regarded the pegasus from the corner of her eye and smiled as she quickly took the chance to nuzzle the side of Rainbow's face. Rainbow only responded with a smile of her own, just before the two of them heard Applejack's voice. "Rainbow? Twilight? It's almost sundown. Have ya finished harvestin' this area of the field?" the farmer pony asked as she came into view of them. "We're almost done here Applejack. Just a few more trees and we should be done." Twilight replied as she landed back on the ground. "Good ta hear. Pinkie finished up a while ago, so she's jus' checkin' the apples now." she stated before picking up a basket of apples and placing it on her back, "Jus' finish up here, and ya two will be free ta go fer the day." As Applejack turned to leave, Rainbow landed next to Twilight as they started going toward the next tree. Back at the barn, Pinkie was checking the apples for quality. It was really between ripe and rotten though. Pinkie didn't really need to help, having taken no part in the vacation-long bet outside of an observer, she had no obligations to be there; but, she wanted to, she wanted to help. "Ripe...ripe...ripe...bad...bad...ripe." Pinkie stated outloud to herself as she checked each one, before tossing them in either one of two baskets based on their condition. "Ripe...bad...ripe...ba-" she paused as she pulled out one that seemed much darker than it should be. Pinkie then brought it to her nose to sniff it before reeling back and pinching her nose, "Ew, yucky! How did this get in there?" then looked over at the 'rotten' basket and tossed it in, "Smelly." "Almost done here Pink?" she heard Applejack ask as she entered the barn. "Hmm....nope. I haven't even finished checking the third basket yet." "Well, yer only 'ere as a volunteer, so ah suppose it ain't too bad." she stated as she placed the basket on her back down, "Thank ya kindly fer helpin' out today." Pinkie gave a wide smile in response. "If ya want, ya can stick around fer dinner. It's the least ah could do consider ta repay ya fer the help." "Actually...I already have something to do." Pinkie replied with a nervous look "Oh?" "I'm foalsitting Pound and Pumpkin tonight. Mr. and Mrs. Cake are having a lovey-dovey dinner tonight together, and asked me to watch the twins while they're out." Applejack chuckled, "Well, hope ya have a fun night then. Best of luck with Pound though. Last time ya were watchin' them, Pound found his way ta the roof." "Yeah..." Pinkie scratched the back of her head nervously, "I'm just glad I was able to get him down before he got himself hurt." "I'd hate ta keep ya, but before ya go, mind helpin' me take these ta the apple cellar?" "Okie-dokie!" They both then picked up a basket of apples that had passed and headed toward the Apple Family cellar. "Speaking of, where's Rainbow and Twilight?" Pinkie asked, "I haven't seen them all day." "That's 'cause ah asked 'em ta help me in a part of the western field today. Ya were helpin' me in the southern field, ya wouldn't have seen 'em at all." Pinkie merely nodded in understanding. After the two earth ponies dropped off the apples, Pinkie merrily went on her way, while Applejack went to get Twilight and Rainbow. The sun was now setting, and it'll be dark soon, it was time to gather up everything and call it a day. Upon reaching her destination though, she couldn't find them. Looking around, it did appear they finished with their work. All the trees that she had specified for them to work on were bare, and all the baskets underneath them were full. They couldn't have passed her since there was only one path to this area, so Applejack assumed they went in deeper into the orchard. After trotting on about an extra 50 yards, she finally started to hear voices and quietly approached the location. Once she saw Twilight and Rainbow, she blinked a few times in mild disbelief, as she saw the alicorn and pegasus sitting side-by-side with each others' wing draped over the other's back. Both were chatting as they watched the sunset together. "I'm just saying Rainbow, it's a little thought provoking don't you think?" Twilight asked, "Nopony seems to be the wiser about us being together." "I thought that's what you wanted. That we don't tell the others till you're sure it's not just an after-effect." "Well, yes, I did say that. I'm just saying since we haven't exactly been subtle, it's a little confusing no one has noticed yet." Twilight explained, "On the trip back, we were practically glued together because we never left each others sight, and you were giving me a quick peck on my cheek so frequently." "I didn't hear you complaining." she rebutted with a smirk, and as if to add some expression to her statement, she gave Twilight a peck on the cheek. Twilight lightly scoffed before continuing, "And you know these last couple of days, you've been spending a lot of time at the library, more so than when the newest Daring Do book comes in." Rainbow looked off to the side then looked back at Twilight, "Yeah, I guess you have a point there. Especially since Pinkie hasn't said a thing either." Twilight nodded, "Yeah, Pinkie, who seemingly has this ability to find things out to a frightening degree, hasn't done anything to indicate she knows." "She probably will though. Pinkie always does." Rainbow stated as Twilight leaned up against her, "Betcha she'll figure it out the second we decide to tell the others." "Another bet?" "Why not...? I got Equestria's coolest former-unicorn as my reward last time I took a bet." Twilight scoffed in response but didn't mind the compliment and tightened her wing against Rainbow. Just as they were about to settle down and enjoy the view in front of them, Applejack decided that it was best if she left the two of them alone and started backing up. Unfortunately, that proved to only be wishful thinking as she stepped onto a twig with her hind limb, causing it to snap loudly. The snap caused both Twilight and Rainbow to be alarmed, as Rainbow jumped up onto her hooves and flared her wings out in a defensive posture. "Hey, who's there?" Rainbow shouted out, "Come out and show yourself!" "Simmer yourself down Rainbow, it's...it's just me." Applejack replied as she came into view. "Applejack!" Twilight exclaimed as she got up as well and faced the earth pony, all the while Rainbow brought her wings back down to her sides. "Hehe..." Applejack forced a nervous chuckle. "Were you spying on us?!" Rainbow asked "N-no, no, ah wasn't. Ah just found ya a few moments ago." Applejack explained, "Ah was lookin' fer the two of ya." Twilight remained silent for a moment as her ears flattened up against her head, "How much did you hear?" "Enough ta know what's goin' on between ya two." "..." "Listen, a-ah apologize if ah ruined any secrets. Ah really didn't mean ta." "It's okay Applejack. In retrospect, Rainbow and I probably should've expected you to come check up on us." "So, um...how long have ya...?" Applejack muttered before trailing off. "About three days at the longest." Twilight replied, as Rainbow nodded in agreement. "Three days, huh...? Well, ah suppose that's why ah-" she then paused, "Wait, three days? That means ya'll start-" "Yeah, we pretty much started just as our vacation was ending." Rainbow interrupted "Boy-o'-howdy..., how did that happen?" she asked with a smile toward the two, genuinely wondering how a week-long vacation could've ever led to her two friends deciding to go beyond 'just friends'. "Believe it or not, but...thinking over all that had happened, I'd say we have you to thank for that." Twilight replied with a embarrassed smile "Wait?! Me...? How did ah help?" Applejack asked, the amount of surprise in her voice was very obvious. "It was actually a result of Rainbow and myself hanging out more than usual, as a direct result of our agreement that I wouldn't study or use magic and Rainbow wouldn't fly during our vacation." Twilight explained, "The extra time allowed us a chance to learn about each other." "Yeah, I mean, I kind of found out that some of Twilight's eggheady-ness isn't that bad. Some stuff she knows are actually...you know, pretty cool." Rainbow remarked. "Like I'm sure you heard though, we're still trying out the water so to speak. We're just going on a gut feeling right now." Twilight added as she positioned her head underneath Rainbow's chin and rubbed her cheek against Rainbow's coat, being ever so careful that she doesn't accidentally stab Rainbow with her horn. Rainbow gave a gentle smile as she nuzzled the alicorn's head. "Looks like ya'll are already pretty sure." Applejack remarked as she smirked at the couple, "Well..., yer welcome, ah guess. Ah didn't think ah'd accidentally pair ya both up, that wasn't what ah had in mind when ah betted agains' ya." "We know Applejack, but we still have you to thank for it." Twilight stated Applejack chuckled, "Well, again, mah apologies fer easedroppin' on ya'll; but, ya do know yer still on the clock." "Oh come on Applejack! Can't we take a break? We've been working our tails off since we got here this morning." Rainbow stated in a slightly pissed-off tone. "Relax Rainbow." Twilight simply said to her, then turned to look at Applejack, "We wanted a quick break is all." Applejack regarded the two with a raised brow before sighing and let a smirk on her face again, "Well..., alright ah suppose ya'll have earned it. Ah'm givin' ya till Luna's moon comes out though. No later than that, ya hear?" "Of course, thank you Applejack." Twilight smiled, "Also, if you may. Um, could you not mention about me and Rainbow to the others?" "Mah lips are sealed." "Again, thank you." Twilight then turned back around to regard the setting sun "Yeah, thanks." Rainbow repeated then turned around as well Applejack turned to leave as well, then stopped and looked back at them, "Oh right, ah almost forgot ta ask, when ya two decide on how ya'll feel 'bout each, fancy tellin' me? It'd be nice ta know." "We'll try, I might forget though." Rainbow replied Twilight lightly elbowed Rainbow's side, earning a grin from the pegasus, then looked at Applejack, "I'll let you know. I promise to let you be the first to know...Well, unless Pinkie finds out and she decides to throw a party about it." Applejack chuckled in response, and nodded to say thanks, "Ah am serious about ya two returnin' ta the barn by Luna's moon. Once it get's that dark, ah can't make any promises that Applebloom or Big Mac won't come out lookin' fer ya." The two nodded in understanding, as Applejack tipped her hat before taking her leave. Applejack trotted along the path, and arrived at where Twilight and Rainbow were working at and picked up a basket to bring back to the barn. "Me a matchmaker, huh?" Applejack mused to herself, and chuckled at the thought, "An' here ah thought only Rare would be the one ta do somethin' like that." ---------------------------- Meanwhile, back at Canterlot: Luna was returning from the kitchen, having swiped a generous slice of chocolate cake for herself, and was on her way to the throne room. From there, she would raise the moon into the sky, then begin meditating to begin her nightly rounds to ensuring any pony sleeping right now was safe from potentially threatening nightmares. The throne room was typically a lonesome and quiet place during the night, save for two of her personal guard being there to protect her and awaken her from meditation if somepony did come in to talk to her, but it was a rather fitting place for her to meditate. Princess Luna had actually just returned several hours ago, the last three days she was out on business at Manehatten in regards to dispute about a shipment of fruit from the Griffon Empire and how it correlates to the current import laws. As she was about to round the corner that lead into the throne room, she bumped into her sister, Princess Celestia, who was returning from the study and heading for her private quarters. "Evening sister." Luna greeted her "Princess Luna, remind me that tomorrow night, I'm banishing you to the moon for three days." Princess Celestia stated as she glared at her sister. "What?! I have done nothing wrong." to say Luna was shocked would've been an understatement, "What have I done to warrent another banishment?" Princess Celestia gave a sigh, "Nothing very severe, but only you can tell me that. I've been very overworked since I returned. I don't know what you did, and at this point I'm uncertain that I care, but I couldn't convince our financial adviser to drop her grudge against you." Luna groaned at the news. "I'm close to considering just firing her, since I'm sure she's about ready to chew MY ear off with whatever problem you two have; but, that probably wouldn't be fair to her considering this a quarrel between the two of you." Celestia added, "And to top it all off, I have to deal with Discord now since apparently he tried help in the matter as well, only for him to get into a bad mood about it and now he's taking it out on the garden and the gardeners." "This is quite bothersome..." Luna complained, then gave a loud sigh, "I'll deal with it first thing tomorrow when she comes in for work." "Good. Do so, and I'll lessen your banishment to 12 hours." "And what exactly am I to do for 12 hours on the moon?" "That is for you to decide. Sleep if you must, it makes no difference to me." "Understood." she replied with a nod and tried continuing toward the throne room. "One more thing dear sister." Luna stopped in her tracks and looked back at her. "Several nights ago, several ponies and myself witnessed a comet in the sky." "Is this not within my jurisdiction as the Princess of the Night?" "Well...no, it's very much within your jurisdiction to make a comet appear at your own discretion." "So, what is the problem?" "Right around the same time, I started receiving rather...interesting letters from Twilight." Luna could only smirk, but tried to hide it as she did her best poker face. "Most of which mentions Rainbow Dash in very high regards. So high in fact, I'm starting to suspect that she's decided to pursue a more romantic relationship with aforementioned pegasus." Luna's eyes darted away from Celestia, finding time to admire her night sky through a window. "This wouldn't happen to have anything to do with a certain landmark at Lunar Bay, would it?" Celestia asked as she gave a knowing smirk at her sister. "Well..., um...that-" Luna started, before stopping to clear her throat, "How I choose to decorate the night sky is nothing you should be concerned about dear sister. You know how I can be at times when I'm feeling more artistic about my work." "You're avoiding the question." Celestia remarked. "I am...?" Luna asked outloud, before giving a loud yawn, "Hm, it appears I'm still ill adjusted to sleeping during the day after adapting a pattern of sleep at night for our vacation. I'm going to head to bed for a short nap." she announced and forcefully gave Celestia the slice of cake, who caught it in her magic. "Luna." "I'll raise the moon from quarters before I do. Tell a guard to awaken me in an hour" she replied as she quickly made her way toward her room "You have yet to answer my question." Celestia stated as she began following "As I've said, it's nothing of your concern Tia." Luna repeated, a wide smile now on her face, no longer able to keep her poker face. "It is when it involves my own hoof-picked protege." "I'm sure it's nothing that can't wait till breakfast, around when you awaken, and I'm about to go to sleep." "You better be there Princess Luna. I'm planning to hold you to that." she stated loudly, convinced there was no way she was going to get Luna to talk before breakfast. Luna simply nodded in acknowledgement as she started climbing up the stairs that will take her to her private quarters. The alicorn only stopped when she noted a guard standing at the top, who was missing his helmet. "Speaking of, I wish to talk to you about your little 'incident' that occurred a little over a week ago." The guard gave a nervous look "Nothing of great concern, but I'd like to advise you about your level discretion for future reference." she added before pressing on toward her room. "Y-yes, your highness." then gave a sigh. Princess Celestia watched as her sister disappeared from view before giving a sigh and shaking her head. She then looked at the slice of cake she was still carrying in her magic before lifting up the fork and tentatively poking it. "I really shouldn't eat this, but it would be too much of a waste to throw it away." she mentally stated to herself, "Hm, perhaps Discord would like this." then started for the garden outside. It's possible that Discord wouldn't even touch it, but for now it'd make a good peace offering to at least make sure she could convince him to stop annoying the gardeners.