//------------------------------// // Chapter Seven: Splash in the Cold // Story: Flying Without Wings // by FierceRainbow //------------------------------// Splash in The Cold The pool was within reach, it’s tempting wet surface glistening at Applejack as she drew closer, tempting her to touch the cold water. And she was hardly resisting, running as fast as possible could to reach it. Twilight was rapidly falling behind until she could no longer see her, but Rainbow Dash still galloped along her side. At the last centimeter, the Pegasus flapped her wings, launching herself into the air, only to plunge into the water. The force of her drop caused a huge splash to rise from the water, soaking Applejack from head-to-toe. She wiped her sopping wet hair from her eyes so Rainbow could see her irritated scowl. “Hey! Ya’ll cheated!” “I don’t care,” she replied, turning onto her back to swim backwards across the water. “Hehe,” she grinned, lowering her body into a predatory position. “I’m gonna get ya, Rainbow.” With that said, she discarded her saddlebags on the dry grass to charge into the water, feeling it wash up against her hooves as she crossed the shallow stretch. She was almost there, at her target, the arrogant mare, when she felt the ground disappear. A strangled yelp escaped her lips before plunged down into the dark depths. The water surrounded her, swooshing in her ears and tugging the bubbles of air out of her mouth. She thrashed her forelegs wildly, eventually making contact with a furry blue chest. Relieved, she slung her arms around Dash’s neck, pulling herself up and leaning over her shoulder, spluttering madly. “Woah, pony girl!” laughter spilled out of Rainbow Dash’s lips, gripping Applejack’s shivering body as she did so. “Can’t you swim?” “‘Course I can!” she scowled. “I jus’ didn’t expect th’ water to suddenly go all deep an’ all.” Rainbow’s mouth twisted up into a smirk, her eyes half covered by a curtain of wet, shimmering hair. “Sure.” Before Applejack could continue her protests, the sound of heavy breathing and hoofsteps could be made out. She turned to see Twilight standing at the bank, an indignant look plastered behind on her face. “How could you... just leave me… behind like th-that?” “Whoop, hehe,” she forced a bit of laughter sheepishly. “Sorry.” “Well, it was a race,” Rainbow interjected, before Applejack silenced her with a look. “Wh-whatever,” stumbling slightly from her weary lack of balance, Twilight began to trot slowly over to them, liquid washing around her purple hooves. “Wait, Twi’-” she suddenly remember the drop in depth, but her warning came too late. The mare disappeared beneath the surface screaming, bubbles rising up as her words were lost. Instant fear for her marefriend took an icy hold grip on her heart before Twilight reappeared, coughing up fluids. “Ya’ll okay, sugarcube?” Applejack fretted, slipping her forelegs around Twilight’s slick shoulder and paddling her over to where Rainbow was waiting. “I’m sorry I didn’t getcha warn ya in time.” “I’m okay,” the soaked pony said softly, gently kissing Applejack’s cheek with damp lips. “Ugh, cut it out with the mushy stuff already!” Rainbow made fake gagging motions, before realizing the looks Applejack and Twilight were both giving her. “What?” She shared a glance with the alicorn, seeing a grin that matched her own one spreading across her face. They both turned to face Rainbow, who was beginning to show signs of nervousness. “Guys…?” the squeak of her voice was cut off as they both pounced on her, replaced with a shocked yelp. “Hey!” Applejack leaned down to slowly bring Dash into a kiss, slining her forelegs around her leg to hold her upwards, while Twilight snuggled against her side and peppering her with small kisses. She broke off, leaving the blue mare breathless. “Ya’ll ain’t a fan o’ mushy stuff, huh?” She joined Twilight in snuggling and caressing Rainbow Dash, who floated upwards onto her back. “Okay… this is nice.” Both mares laughed at that, soon joined by Rainbow. “You know, this is a really good resting point,” Twilight gestured towards a ring of broad-leaved trees surrounding the pool they currently rested on. “We can cool off and fill the water bottle again, maybe even have a bite to eat.” “Oh yeah!” Rainbow flipped over suddenly so she was facing Applejack, who drew back in surprise. “You got any grub?” “Uh, I got a few apples in mah bags over there.” As soon as she had spoken those affirmative words, Dash had leaped out the water, droplets slipping of her waxy feathers. The Pegasus shot towards the bank where her saddlebags lay, eagerly tearing them open. Applejack rolled her eyes as Rainbow found her stash of apples, taking a big bite out of one. “Ya’ll wanna ‘ave an apple, if Rainbow hasn’t eaten them all,” Applejack smiled kindly at Twilight, Rainbow Dash sheepishly drawing back her hoof before she took another delicious red fruit. The Alicorn giggled, nodding as she unfolded her wings, taking to the skies as Rainbow had done. Feeling the jealousy once again biting at her chest, she sighed and trudged through the water after them. “Heads up, pony girl!” Just in time, AJ sprung into action, deftly catching the apple thrown at her between her teeth. She dropped to the floor, taking a large bite of it as she did. “Haha, awesome!” Twilight took a small bite out of her own apple floating close to her lips, chewing it up quickly. “Only one each, though. It doesn’t matter how hungry we are, we have to make this last. We still have several days left in our journey.” Applejack’s brow wrinkled with worry. “‘Bout that. We ain’t really been goin’ fer too long from Ponyville. Ya’ll would think that somepony woulda come up ‘ere before an’ found th’ wishin’ cave.” The studious mare glanced away, a sigh escaping her lips. “Yes. Yes, they would,” she seemed to hesitate, reluctant to tell Applejack whatever information she was withholding. With a fierce look, Twilight broke down. “The forest, which is about a day’s journey from here, is said to be inhabited by some ponies of the more hostile type. Apparently they’re still in the tribal stage, but we know little about them. Most ponies are too scared to even go near their forests, and the ones that do come running back in terror.” Fear gripped her chest, her heart beating slightly faster as she tried to come up with a response to such news. I cain’t be set back by such a beast! Before she could, however, Rainbow chimed in. “Ah, we can have handle a few little ponies. It’ll be fine.” Twilight scowled. “Don’t brush off danger like that. Any one of us could get seriously hurt.” Rainbow Dash sighed, drawing closer with a shake of her head. “But worrying about it isn’t going to do no good. We’ll just keep thinking something bad will happen, and then because of that, something bad is going to happen. We just have to keep our heads up, and we’ll be okay.” Applejack blinked softly. “Oh. Alright then.” Rainbow dropped the calm manner, springing into the air again. “Now who wants to play?” With a chorus of cheers, the few marefriends charged back towards the clear, blue water, laughter among them. Whatever came next they would face with a smile.