//------------------------------// // Glade - Craine // Story: AppleDash Group Collab // by DbzOrDie //------------------------------// An accident. That’s what it was. Surely, if Rainbow Dash were a scum-sucking, ankle-biting sociopath, she’d actually mean to ruin Applejack’s crop. But she didn’t mean to. She swore that up, down, and in other directions that didn’t even exist as she followed Applejack to the Everfree forest. Going there was nothing new to them, really. And ever since events that ‘shall not be named outside the bedroom’, it’d become a haven for the two mares. A glade, in particular. More pointedly, a place for Applejack to unleash the roaring beast that stirred within when Rainbow Dash showed off her shamefully sexy athletics. But even then, past Rainbow’s laughable small talk, horribly timed flirting, and mewling pleas for forgiveness, Rainbow Dash was at least 120% sure she was going to die. An easy conclusion to draw, of course. A conclusion that blind-sided Dash with a shovel when that lightning bolt bore down on that tree, burning it and all its apples to a crisp. Their blinding gleam, smoky and black. Their ripe smell, thick and burnt. If Rainbow could still see her reflection in those apples, she’d see a dead mare. A dead mare. The same dead mare reflecting off Applejack’s bright, warm, beautiful, calculating, plotting, scheming eyes every time they stared at Dash. Why else would Applejack smile when she saw all those burnt apples? Why else would she lead Dash to the Everfree Forest immediately after? Away from Sweet Apple Achres. Away from Ponyville. Away from all traces of civilization. Even through the forest itself—where it once stiffened the wings and bristled her fur—Dash stared at the one thing she’d ever need to fear: the orange farm pony leading her through beds of dead leaves, poky bushes, and trees that may or may not have been grinning at them. All Rainbow Dash wanted was to impress and awe the most amazing pony she’s ever met. And it was easy the last 27 times; a flip here, a cork-screw there… a conveniently placed storm cloud right above that tree for her to spectacularly crash into. It was an accident. That’s what it was. And now, as Applejack stopped in an oddly open, oddly tranquil, oddly secluded, oddly perfect-to-hide-a-body-nopony-would-ever-find glade, Rainbow shouted those words so loud, her throat nearly bled. Dash begged. Applejack turned to her. Dash shouted. Applejack stepped to her. Dash stumbled away and shrieked for mercy. Applejack smiled. Dash crumbled to the ground and cried like a wingless turkey. Applejack kissed her forehead. “You know Imma kill ya when we’re done right?” she said. The Everfree Forest was not quiet that night.