//------------------------------// // Welcome Home // Story: Apple Skies // by Dynasty-Kaine //------------------------------// It was good to be back. After six months in the private training ground with no contact with any of her friends or family, Rainbow Dash was glad to be finally heading back to Ponyville where she belonged. She had changed quite a bit in the half year of her absence, both in appearance and personality. Of course, the main change being that she was now a fully pledged Wonderbolt, signed and sealed. She would be touring a lot with the team from now on, meaning she would be away from home most of the time. But Dash didn’t care. She had completed her life-long dream and she couldn’t be happier about it. Her ego had definitely grown bolder. Yet as her friends would find out, she had lost her ZAP of personality that made her the feisty young woman she was. During her time at the Academy, Dash had learned that speaking up to anyone who was anyone was a huge mistake, and often she had found herself left in a mangled heap in a corridor. She soon learned to keep her opinions to herself if she wanted to survive. But it wasn’t just her change in personality that was noticeable; she had shrunk considerably in body mass as well. The training and strict routine had denied her any chances of snacking or napping. She now only ate two meals a day, one of which was no more than an energy bar. Though her weight decreased, her muscle mass did in fact Increase. Dash was toned before, but now she was a whole new level of muscular. She still contained her sparky confidence, but it didn’t show half as much as it had half a year before. As the train pulled up to the Ponyville platform, Rainbow Dash rose from her seat and collected her luggage bag from overhead. Sweeping back the bangs from her eyes, Dash exited the carriage and looked around in search of her old friends. “DASHIE!!!” A blur of pink slammed into her, knocking the wind out of her and making her lose her footing, sending her and her pink attacker to the ground. She felt arms wrap around her neck and legs lock on either side of her hips in a tight embrace. Gathering her senses, Dash returned the embrace as a familiar face filled her vision. Tears spilled happily from the big bright blue eyes and a huge, quivering smile made her melt into the embrace further. “Awww, hey Pinkie. You missed me?” Rainbow chuckled lightly as the eccentric girl nodded her head at a breath taking speed. “Oh yes, oh yes, oh YES! I can’t believe you’ve been away such a long time I mean it-felt-like-forever-and-i-was-missing-you-so-much-i-didn’t-think-you-would-remember-me-i-just-wish-i-could-have-come-and-visited-you-so-you-wouldn’t-forget-me-but-then-Twilight-said-’hey-let’s-go-meet-Rainbow Dash-at-the-station-and-oh-i-was-just-so-nervous-you-wouldn’t-know-who-i-was-so-when-i-saw-you-i-was-just-so-happy-to-see-you-know-who-i-am-and-i’m-so-so-so-so-happy-you’re-back-now-i-thought-i-was-never-going-to-see-you-again-but-HERE YOU ARE!” Rainbow’s mouth hung agape at her friends’ ability to talk so much. “Oh Pinkie, you never cease to both shock and amaze me” Rainbow giggled to herself as Pinkie planted a sloppy kiss on the new Wonderbolts’ cheek. “Pinkie Pie, darling, I do believe Rainbow Dash will require air to breathe,” A familiar elegant voice mused from behind Pinkie Pie. Removing herself quickly from atop of Rainbow Dash, Pinkie giggled as she stood up, pulling Dash along with her. Smirking at the well-kept woman that stood before her, Dash waved off Rarity’s statement before pulling her into a tight hug. “Hey Rarity, How you been?” Dash released the beauty queen and looked into her eyes, seeing her tears reflected in Rarity’s own. “I’m quite alright, darling, thank you for inquiring.” Rarity’s eyes scanned over Dash’s body, taking in her trim body within the tight Wonderbolts uniform and leather jacket. Her muscular build drew the eye, as did her hair, which now fell down just past her moderately sized breasts. “My, my, Rainbow Dash, you look simply divine! And your hair! Oh sweetie, you’ve grown it out! It looks simply gorgeous!” Rainbow rolled her eyes at her friends’ antics before frowning and looking around the platform. “Hey, where’s everyone else? Didn’t they come?” a rush of disappointment ran up her spine at the thought of her friends not being here after so long. She couldn’t possibly wait any longer to see her dearly missed friends. Even… Rainbow Dash had thought about her argument with Applejack quite a lot, the way she just left the way she did… She regretted nothing. She’d blocked Applejack out of her mind whilst training, realizing pretty quickly that thoughts about the farmer only distracted her from her training. It was only after hours that Rainbow Dash allowed her mind to slip to see her best friends’ face. ‘Is she still my best friend? Does she hate me? No. Don’t think about her. She’s merely a distraction. Who cares how she feels towards me. It was clear six months ago that she doesn’t care, so why should I? That’s it then. She’ll never know any of the feelings I may have previously had for her, if I had any at all. She’s just another face in the crowd, easy to ignore.’ “Oh no, darling, they’re here,” Rarity’s silky voice brought her back to reality. She blinked absently at her friend, raising her hands up in front her slightly as a sign for Rarity to clarify. “They’re waiting for us on the other side of the platform, you see Rainbow-“ “Well, come on then, let’s go! It’s been six months since I’ve seen everyone, and I don’t want to wait any longer” Rainbow started down the stairs of the platform, hand luggage slung casually over her shoulder. A clatter of heels on wood suggested that Rarity was following close behind, followed by a small giggle that indicated the location of the Pink circus that was Pinkie Pie. “Yes of course but Rainbow you need to-“ “So, anything big happen while I’ve been gone? Or is it just the same old boring Ponyville that I know and love? Well, when it’s not being taken over by some form of villain, I mean.” Rainbow chuckled to herself as she rounded the station, eagerly searching for her friends. Spotting a group of people at the end of the building, Rainbow Dash picked up the pace and headed towards them. “Actually, darling, there is something that you…” Rarity’s agitation grew even more as Dash continued to interrupt her. Rarity had pulled the short straw on telling Rainbow Dash about the current situation. Unfortunately, the recently made Wonderbolt was NOT making this easy for her. “So how’s the boutique doing? Still got all those fancy schmancy dopes from Canterlot hanging around you?” Rarity gasped at Rainbow Dash’s insult, momentarily forgetting her main focus. “The boutique is doing just fine, thank you, and those ‘fancy-schmancy dopes’ just so happen to be the people who are getting me up into the more, how shall I put it, ‘extravagant’ parts of Equestria.” “Sure,” Dash laughed over her shoulder to the uptight fashionista, “whatever you say Rarity.” As Rainbow Dash grew closer to the group of people huddled in a circle, distinct features of her friends met Dash’s eye. She could see the three members of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, with their red capes, Twilight’s purple hair, Fluttershy’s yellow turtle-neck, App-- Rainbow Dash faltered momentarily at the site of her dearest friend. She looked amazing. She had her old Stetson on of course, the same old work clothes, and not to mention her golden straw hair. In fact, there was nothing different about her than there was six months ago. Dash had just forgotten her. A huge smile broke out on the WonderBolts’ face. Any doubts and worries she may have previously had dispersed and she practically skipped up to her group of friends. “RAINBOW DASH!” a chorus of happy cries followed by numerous ‘hums’ of joy as her friends caught sight of their returned friend. Dash’s smile grew even wider as the small group ran up to meet her half way, enveloping her in a sandwich of fabric and smiles. Rainbow Dash greeted each of her friends individually, hugging them tightly, recollecting their feel and smell. ‘Twilight, Fluttershy, Scoots, Sweetie Belle, Rarity, Pinkie Pie…’ Rainbow Dash looked around her group searching for Applejack's familiar face, but she wasn’t there. She lifted her head above the top of the others to see where she was. Hanging back from the group a little, Applejack stood with her arms crossed across her chest, a soft smile played on her lips as she met Dash’s eye. Stepping out of the group, Dash slowly walked up to the tentative friend, stopping just before her. Something in Applejack’s eye showed she was sorry for what had happened, and hoped Dash could forgive her. Seeing this look in her eye, Rainbow Dash threw away all the thoughts she had previously owned about holding a grudge and fiercely pulled the farmer into a strong hug. They wrapped their arms around each other, both forgiving and apologizing silently as they held onto each other like the world depended on it. It felt good to feel the firm hold of the farmer again, having missed it for six months. A familiar feeling rushed through Dash. Wanting to relieve herself of such feelings, Dash pulled out of the embrace to look Applejack in the eye. “I’ve missed you, Applejack, I’m sorry I treated you like I did before leaving.” She squeezed the rough hands she held slightly, receiving a squeeze in return. “Me too, Sugarcube. Ah’m sorry ah argued with ya like ah did.” On hearing the long missed accent of the farmer, Rainbow Dash immediately relaxed and smiled brightly at her friend. “Ah’m glad you’re back, RD, I’ve missed ya some. It’s been hard not having ya here to help me around the farm.” Applejack playfully punched Dash in the arm, but when Dash flinched under the touch, her eyes filling with pain, Applejack instantly regretted it. “Dash? You okay?” Rainbow Dash was silent for a moment before opening her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a new voice. “Rainbow Dash! Welcome back!” Wincing slightly, Applejack turned to the voice that approached. Seeing the confusion, and maybe even annoyance, on the WonderBolts’ face, AJ turned back to Dash, matching her confusion. “Erm... Rarity told you, right?” She questioned cautiously. The clear look of puzzlement upon her friends’ face indicated that no, Rarity had in fact NOT told her the news. “Told me what? Why, what’s going on?” Applejack looked over Dash’s shoulder to shoot a scowl at Rarity who smiled at her apologetically. “Wait, you’re still with him?” She pointed to Caramel as he arrived next to Applejack and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close, to Applejack’s horror. Rainbow Dash’s face seemed to fall in understanding as she nodded her head slightly. Applejack expected her to say something snarky or at least sarcastic about the fact but she didn’t, which surprised not just AJ, but the whole group who stood just behind Rainbow Dash. All of a sudden, a light chuckle emanated from beside Applejack. Rainbow frowned deeply at the tall man as Applejack nervously bit her lip. “Still with me? Come on, Rainbow keep up, we’re-” Caramel doubled over slightly as Applejack’s elbow made contact with his lower stomach. Rainbow Dash shot Applejack a questioning look as she removed Caramel’s limp arm from her hip and approached her friend. She’d known Dash for many years, way before Twilight had even arrived in Ponyville, and so she knew more than her friend thought she knew. She hadn’t said anything in fear that she would frighten her friend into leaving her forever. She hadn’t really felt feelings for Dash, but she definitely cared for her. So here she stood about to break the news to her, and she was terrified of how her friend would react. She couldn’t lose her closest friend. She’d almost lost her once and for six months she’d worried that Rainbow and herself wouldn’t talk ever again. For six months she feared for their friendship, and now after just being reassured their friendship was not in jeopardy, she was going to break the news to her and risk it once again. “Dash, me and Caramel… we… you see, Sugarcube, me and him… we’re-” Caramel came up beside the concerned farmer, a huge smiled planted on his face. “We’re getting married!” he shouted in joy. A deadly silence filled the air as Applejack cursed under her breath at her big mouthed fiancée. “For Pete’s sake, C, ya’ll need to quit doin’ that!” Caramel looked at her and shrugged his shoulders slightly. Turning back to her friend with concern, Applejack tilted her head to the side, attempting to read the expression on the Wonderbolt’s face. Rainbow stood rigid, glued to the spot, looking from Applejack to Caramel. Married? She mused silently B-But… Applejack would never get married! She’s too busy working on her farm for marriage! “He helps around the farm a lot,” she spoke quietly, apparently reading Dash’s mind “A-And we’ve been courtin’ for nearly a year now. Ah really do love him, Dash, ya’ll understand, don’tcha?” The words stung at Rainbow’s heart as she stared deep into the green eyes of her friend. But… I thought… “Yeah, ‘course I understand. Congrats, AJ, I’m happy for ya,” Rainbow Dash placed her hand on Applejack's shoulder and gave it a little push. “It’s about time you settled down a bit.” Applejack smiled sadly at her friend, relief rushing through her. “Hey, guys I’m gonna head on home, I’m feeling worn out and wanna settle down for the night.” All of Rainbow’s friends nodded in understanding and offered her hugs before going their own ways for the evening. “Hey, mind if ah walk home with you?” Applejack asked as she started walking next to her weary friend, Caramel holding her hand next to her. Rainbow shot a glance at their intertwined hands before looking back to the farmer and offering a half smile. “Sure, AJ, we need a catch up any way.” Walking side by side, Applejack and Rainbow Dash talked about their time apart. Caramel stayed silent most of the way, offering a small input and opinion here and there, but mainly allowed the girls to catch up. They talked about the farm, Applejack's family, Rainbow Dash’s time at the training grounds, leaving out all the bad parts for now, and eventually went on to discuss Applejack and Caramel. “We thought since we’ve been together almost a year anyway that it’d just make sense to get married and make it official.” Caramel chimed happily as he looked into the beautiful green eyes of his wife-to-be. “We’re thinking that the wedding should be next month, exactly one year since we started dating. What do you think, Dash?” “Huh? What?” Rainbow Dash looked up from the ground, having zoned out about five minutes before. “Uh, yeah, sure. Sounds… great.” She offered a somnolent smile to her friend as the approached Rainbow’s apartment. “Sorry guys, I’m beat. Can we talk about this tomorrow?” Applejack released her hand from Caramel’s to wrap her fatigued friend into a hug. Returning the hold, Rainbow took a deep breath, taking in the smell she had longed for. Applejack’s straw hair smelled of apples, dirt, and hay. All the things Rainbow loved about Ponyville. “Sure thing, Sugarcube. Ah understand. Ah’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” Rainbow nodded in response and headed up the stairs to the front door of her apartment. Intertwining her fingers once more with Caramels, Applejack headed toward Sweet Apple Acres, sighing sadly. “Hey, you okay, Apples?” Carmel pulled her hand, pulling his fiancée to a halt. He wrapped his arms around her. Swaying slightly, he kept hold of her, feeling her shake beneath him. “Yeah, ah’m just scared ah’ll lose her again. Ah came so close to ruining our friendship last time, ah don’t wanna risk doing that again.” Unshed tears stung at the corners of Applejack’s eyes as she held on to Caramel tightly, taking comfort from his tall, warm body. Pulling back a little to look into her eyes, Caramel placed his forehead against hers and spoke to her softly yet firmly. “If she’s as much of a good friend as you make her out to be, then she’ll understand and support you. She may not like me, which by the way is fine by me,” he stated, earning a quiet chuckle from his companion, “but if she wants to keep her friendships with one of the kindest people in Ponyville, then she’s got to make an effort.” Applejack nodded hesitantly before kissing Caramel lightly on the lips. “I love you, Apples.” he whispered lovingly, smiling as he teased Applejack with his nickname for her. “I love ya, too, C” Applejack countered before the separated and continued to walk home. ------------------------------------------ Rainbow Dash lay on her soft bed, cold from being unused for so long. Silent tears covered the cerulean blue covers, unknown to the world outside. Dash recalled the past hour, relishing in the smell and touch of her engaged friend. ‘Engaged. She had to be engaged. I don’t even stand a chance. These feelings… I thought they’d gone. I thought… why me’? “Why me, dammit! Why me!?” she shouted to the still air of her room. “I don’t want these feelings! They hurt! They’re burning me up!” She was glad no one was here to see her like this. So out of character, so vulnerable. She was reminded of her time at the training ground. Flashes of fists and blood zoomed around under her closed eyelids. She cringed as she recalled the feeling of bone against her face, her stomach, and her arms. Her silent tears soon turned into audible sobs as she clenched her sheets and pillows, thoughts of her friend and the academy drifting her into a dreamless sleep. The academy had broken her, but Applejack had wrecked her.