//------------------------------// // Dash's Dare // Story: Apple Withdrawal // by AmblingAnarchy //------------------------------// Apple Withdrawal by AmblingAnarchy Chapter 1-Dash's Dare It was indeed a beautiful day in the land of Equestria. Why, if ever there were a day to perfectly serve as the setting for a story, it would be this one. On the orchard known as Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack and Rainbow Dash were in the midst of yet another plot-convenient competition to decide which mare was more stupid and insecure the most daring pony in the village of Ponyville. The lazy afternoon wind blew through the orchard, carrying the scent of freshly picked apples with the slightest tinge of animal manure; It was a farm run by animals raising more animals after all. We join our horse heroines Applejack and Rainbow Dash at the crux of an all important hoof-wrastlin' session. Spectating this portentous event were fellow pastel ponies Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy. "Ugh," Applejack grunted, "thinkin' 'bout givin' in any time soon, RD?" "Ppbbtt,'" Rainbow Dash scoffed, rolling her eyes dismissively,"you wish, AJ!" About 2 meters away from the designated competition area, an equally engaging bit of character interaction was taking place: "Oooo, Fluttershy, who do you want to win? I mean, obviously I want both of my friends to win, but then it would be a draw and nopony would win and that would be bad, but for that not to happen, somepony has to lose, which isn't good. Oh, but it's so much fun to watch! And Rainbow Dash and Applejack look like they're having fun too!" For a normal pony, so many words might have taken a while to say and involved taking a few breaths, but Pinkie Pie was not a normal pony. She was Pinkie Pie. The entire statement was a quick onslaught of syllables spoken at stifling speed. "Oh Pinkie, I just want them to have fun and stay safe. As long as everypony does that, then it doesn't matter who wins," said the sweet, seemingly impartial, but more likely disinterested Fluttershy. "C'mon..." Rainbow Dash could feel her opponent's strength and resolve weakening. "...just a little but more..." "RRRGGGG!" Applejack gave a final frustrated war cry in a futile attempt at overpowering the competitive blue pegasus. With a loud slam, an orange hoof collided with the unfortunate wooden crate being used as a platform, creating an indention the size of Applejack's bodily appendage. With that, Rainbow Dash gave the victorious shout of a conquering hero: "Yes!" "Ehehe, Ah guess ya beat me fair 'n square." "That's right I did! It's not really much of a surprise, though," said the shrugging Rainbow Dash. " 'Nd just what is that supposed ta mean?" "Nothing. Just that I beat you last time, so this isn't what anypony would call a shocker." "Are you sayin' that ya' were EXPECTIN' me ta lose?" "Chill, AJ. If that's what I wanted to say, I would have said it." "Are ya callin' me dense too?" "No, I'm not. I'm really not," the usually facetious Dash deadpanned. "Um..." Fluttershy began, feeling the need to get involved, "...Pinkie, do you think we should stop them before..." "Don't worry Fluttershy; Dashie's totally cool. Applejack would have to say something really bad to make-" "Ya think yer all that don't ya Dash? Well, I got one more challenge: a dare! Considerin' that yer 'bout as lazy as molasses goin' uphill in winter-" Dash flared her nostrils at this not entirely outlandish accusation,"LAZY!? Oh, I'm sure EVERYPONY seems lazy to Ponyville's resident WORKAHOLIC!" "Pinkie, I really think-" "Ah RECKON Ah know the value of a hard day's work! Something you never could understand! REAL WORK Rainbow! Not all that fancy flittlin' n' galavantin' ya do in the sky!" "Are you saying flying is easy? News flash, AJ: I MAKE it look easy! I'm sort of a professional level flyer!" "Only because ya ain't suited to nothin' on the ground!" "Earth to earth pony! I'm NOT!!!" "Ah betcha you wouldn't even last a day doin' real work. Hay, Ah betcha you couldn't go a week without nappin' in the middle of the day!" "Is that a CHALLENGE?" "Ah guess so, considerin' it seems ta be only way fer you to do much'a anythin'!" "FINE! But I've got a challenge for you too! I'll bet that YOU couldn't go a week without eating apples!" "A week? Is that really what ya think 'a me Dash? Just cause Ah live on in apple orchard don't mean all Ah eat is apples! Ah eat plenty 'a other things!" "One week, AJ," Dash countered, ignoring Applejack's bravado. "Alright then! Yer on!" "Pinkie, um...what just happened?" Fluttershy turned and asked to Pinkie Pie. "Something we probably should have stopped."