//------------------------------//
// Chapter 4: Three's Company 
// Story: Broken 
// by Blue Cord Dragoon 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 4: Three’s Company


        Rarity used the magic in her horn to affix the “will reopen tomorrow for normal business hours” signs to the front glass display windows at Carousel Boutique. She made her way outside and locked the door as she left. She turned in the direction of the spa, but found Applejack standing in front of her.
        “Oh! Applejack.” Rarity stopped herself from running into her friend. “You startled me. What brings you here, pray tell?”
        “Well, Rarity, it seems that Angel bunny has gotten sick, so I’m here to tell ya that Fluttershy won’t make it to the spa today.” Applejack tried to grimace while she delivered the news.
        “Really? That is most unfortunate.” Rarity lamented upon hearing she was deprived of her favorite spa partner. “I remember the last time that I went to the spa by myself. It was so dreadfully boring, I had no pony to talk to and share the experience with.” She let out a sigh as her head momentarily dipped to the ground. She then brought her head back up in a proud posture. “Still, I must go to the spa. My beauty needs demand it. Even if it will seem more like a chore than a treat, I must maintain my image for all of Ponyville’s sake.”
         “It’s funny ya should mention that, Rarity.” Applejack started in an uneasy voice. She had gone over what she was going to say next innumerable times, but now that Rarity was standing right in front of her, she found it difficult to speak. “Since, well… ya don’t like going to the spa alone and all…and I got nothin’ else to do today… I was wonderin’ if…I could go to the spa with ya?” The wanting smile that the earth pony gave to her friend was even more awkward then the question she just posed. 
        “You want to go to the spa? You of all ponies?” Rarity asked with a sense of disbelief in her voice that was rivaled only by the puzzled look on her face.
        “Yeah.” Applejack replied back meekly. She had failed, she just knew it. “Why’d I even bother with this?” Applejack asked herself. She knew what would happen next. Rarity would start laughing at her. She could hear in her mind what the beautiful mare was going say. “I’d never let such a beast like you near me! Of all the creatures in Equestria you have to be the most boorish, crass, uncouth, ill-kempt…”
        “That sounds like a marvelous idea, Applejack!” Rarity replied, snapping Applejack out of her nightmare fantasy world. The smile of excitement on the unicorn pony’s face was unmistakable, which gave an indescribable lift to Applejack’s heart. It took every ounce of the earth pony’s self-control to hide her joy that she would be spending the rest of the day with her secret love.
        They started to walk in the direction of the spa together. Applejack wasn’t sure if she should say something, but then she remembered what Fluttershy had said about Rarity liking it when somepony listened to her. She decided to do just that.
         “I must say that I am surprised that you would want to go to the spa, but it certainly is fortuitous for me.” Rarity glanced over at Applejack. “What made you decide to accompany me to the spa?”
        “I, uh…” Applejack tried to think of answer, but Rarity cut her off mid-thought. 
        “Oh, who cares? It’ll still be fun none the less. I haven’t had a new spa companion in forever and wouldn’t mind a change to the normal routine. Now don’t get me wrong, Fluttershy is a wonderful pony and all, but the most she ever talks about is her work with the animals. Of course, the most I ever talk about with her is my work at the dress shop, so I guess we’re even, but still…” She droned on about the details of the many visits to the spa that she and Fluttershy had shared, leaving Applejack smiling as the earth pony took in every word Rarity said.


***


        Aloe and Lotus were alarmed by the calamitous noise that came when a rainbow streak burst through the front door of their spa. When the momentary commotion subsided, they were baffled. The two resplendent ponies had only once ever seen Rainbow Dash inside their establishment before, and the brash manner that she entered with was even more unnerving.
        Looking around, Rainbow Dash spied the front counter and galloped up to it. “Has Rarity shown up yet?” 
        Aloe (or was it Lotus? Rainbow Dash could never remember which pony was which) quickly found her voice. “No, Miss Rarity has yet to arrive, but she should be due any moment now.
        “Yes! Made it!” Rainbow Dash said triumphantly to herself. As soon as she had had the thought she heard a familiar graceful voice.
        “My word, why is the door ajar?” Rarity inquired upon stepping through the spa’s entrance. She received another surprise when she noticed a pegasus pony with a polychrome mane and tail.
        The winged equine zipped over to Rarity by flapping her wings and lifting herself off the floor by a hair. Rainbow Dash would allow herself to smile, but not let any other physical symptoms reveal her emotions this time. “Whoa, what are the odds of seeing you here Rarity?” She said in a sarcastic tone. 
        “Oh, better than average I should think, but why are you here?”
        Rainbow Dash started to think of some funny story she could give as an explanation, but instead thought better of it and decided to be truthful. “Well, I heard through Pinkie Pie that Fluttershy would be looking after her sick bunny today instead of coming here with you, so I decided to come in her place so you won’t feel so lonely while you’re here.” 
        Rarity was left speechless, but the smile she had answered for her.        Rainbow Dash was elated and did not think that anything could bring her down from the joy she was feeling. That was until another familiar voice spoke.
        “That seems mighty kind of ya, Rainbow Dash.”
        The pegasus pony looked to see Applejack behind Rarity. She had a neutral expression, but her eyes seemed fixated on Rainbow Dash. The earth pony then looked down and noticed the band-aids on the winged mare, a look of puzzlement now on her face. 
        “What’s she doing here?” Rainbow Dash asked herself, instantly becoming suspicious and resentful towards the interloper. “I could say the same thing about you, Applejack.” Rainbow Dash returned the gaze that Applejack gave her, starting an impromptu staring contest as each tried to discern the other’s motive. 
        Oblivious to the tension in the room that her friends were creating, Rarity reveled in the opportunity of having another cohort join her at the spa. “Oh, what luck. Instead of having only one pony join me at the spa today, I have two. This going to be so much fun.” She faced Aloe and Lotus and called out to the pair. “The usual!”
        The twin proprietors flashed smiles at their most valued customer and disappeared to the back to prepare her regimen. Rarity returned her attention to Applejack and Rainbow Dash. “Any thought on what treatment you two would like?”
        The competitors forgot about their duel when they heard the question. Neither of them knew exactly what a spa treatment entailed, so they weren’t sure how to answer. Rarity saw the confused looks on their faces, and believed she should choose for them. “Why don’t I just decide for the both you?”
        “Thanks, Rarity.” The reply came in concordance. While they were annoyed they had both given the same answer, they were delighted that Rarity was being thoughtful. 
        “Oh, and my friends shall have the same as well.” Rarity yelled out into the back
        “Yes, Ma’am.” Said another pony who worked at the spa as she walked into the lobby from the back. She ushered the three patrons into a changing area with robes and towels for them. Rarity used her magic to put on her personal robe complete with a monogramed initial.  Applejack put her forelegs through the sleeves of her own robe and tightened the sash. Rainbow Dash, on the other hoof, had a difficult time of trying to put on her robe. There were no holes in it for her wings and it felt odd for her to have them wrapped up in a way she couldn’t use them. 
        Rarity saw her friend’s trouble and felt the need to help her. “Here, Rainbow Dash, allow me.” Using her magic, she straightened up the robe on the pegasus pony and secured it as well. 
        “Thanks, Rarity.” Rainbow Dash said in reply, making sure that Applejack noticed the kind gesture. The scowl on the earth pony’s face was proof that she had and Rainbow Dash returned it with a smug look.
        “Oh, let me wrap your mane for you, Applejack.” Rarity took off Applejack’s stenson hat and undid her hair. After letting it fall free, she wrapped it in one of the spa towels. “You need to protect your mane from the heat of the sauna.”
        “Thank ya kindly, Rarity.” Applejack told her friend, giving her own smug expression to Rainbow Dash in reciprocity.
        All three of them were led into the steam sauna and sat down in relaxed postures in the hot and humid chamber. Lotus was already pouring water onto the hot rocks causing clouds of steam to billow. The heat in the room quickly became oppressive and wasn’t long before until beads of sweat started to form on their coats. 
        The unicorn member of the three felt right at home in the sweltering vapor, while Rainbow Dash and Applejack felt like vegetables in a cooker. They were used to sweating through work and exercise, but the sweat that clung to their bodies from just sitting was too much for them. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes and wiped the moisture from face with her leg. When she opened her eyes, a strip of glitter was hanging from her muzzle. She looked at her legs and saw that the steam of the room was causing her band-aids to unglue themselves, the same band-aids that Rarity had affixed to her. 
        “Oh no, the band-aids!” Rainbow Dash blurted aloud. Rarity saw the reason for her friend’s grief and came to her aid.
        “It’s alright Rainbow Dash.” She said, taking the pegasus pony’s hooves in to hers like she did yesterday. The alabaster mare gently peeled the glittering strips off of her friend and observed the wounds. “It looks like the cuts don’t need the bandages anymore. Besides, I think you would find this preferable to ripping the hairs out of your coat.” The band-aids found their way into a trash bin, and Rarity returned to her previous spot. She let out a gentle laugh. “It’s ironic when you think about it, I was the pony who put the band-aids on you and now I’m the one to take them off too.”
        “Whaddya mean you put them band-aids on?” Applejack interjected suspiciously. 
        “Oh, well Rainbow Dash was thoughtful enough to try and get Opalescence out of a tree yesterday. Unfortunately Opal scratched her all up, so I brought her into my shop and treated her injuries.” 
        Applejack did her best to keep herself from going into a panic until Rarity spoke again.         “I think it would be best if we stop our steam right here. Rainbow Dash is becoming red from the heat.” Applejack looked and saw the crimson on Rainbow Dash’s embarrassed face. The earth pony quickly and correctly surmised that the pegasus pony’s blushing had nothing to do with the heat.
        The air outside of the sauna welcomed the three ponies with a cool breath. Each was given a towel to wipe away the sweat from their faces, and then they were shown to a luxurious lounge where they all sat as Aloe produced a cart with a tub of facial mud and cucumber slices on it. A healthy coating of the mud was spackled to each of the mares’ faces and garnished their eyes with the cucumber slices. 
        “Now, Applejack, you must promise not to eat these cucumbers like you did that night of the sleep over.” Rarity quipped. Applejack gave a slight chuckle as she reminisced to the faux-pas she had committed months ago, delighted that Rarity would remember such a minute detail from that night. 
        Rainbow Dash’s mood turned guarded. She could not see because of the rounds on her eyes but still faced the direction where the voices were coming from. “What sleep over?” She asked in tone lightly laced with jealousy.
        Rarity answered. “Well, it was the night of that large rain storm you and the other pegasai created some time back. Applejack and I were unlucky enough to be caught far from our homes when it started. Fortunately, we were very close to the library and were able to ride out the storm with Twilight Sparkle. It became a slumber party, and while we weren’t the most gracious of guests in the beginning, it took a turn for the better later on. It ended up being a very enjoyable evening.”
        “It sure was.” Applejack added with an underlying inflection of satisfaction in her voice. “Why, we even shared a bed together that night, didn’t we Rarity?”
        Rarity gave a vociferous laugh in embarrassment. “Oh, Applejack! You make sound as if we were engaged in some kind of indecent activity! Such a tease you are!”
        Rainbow Dash’s jaw unclenched as she heard Rarity dismiss Applejack’s taunt with a laugh. She was glad that they couldn’t see, otherwise they would have noticed her teeth barred in anger.
        As suddenly as Rainbow Dash had gone blind before, the cucumber slices came off of her eyes and she could see again. A towel found her and rubbed off the mud mask until her face was as clean as though it had never been covered in the pasty substance.
        The spa customers remained where they were as Lotus brought out a file and began to buff Rarity’s horn to slight shine. Aloe interrupted the rasp that filled the room with a question. 
        “Excuse me madams, but it seems that one of our regular masseuses is running late today. Would you mind if your massages were saved towards the end of the treatment before you all bathe?” 
        Applejack and Rainbow Dash were unsure of how this would affect their visit. They didn’t particularly care if it went out of order, but they were also concerned that to say yes automatically might be a breach of protocol. Once again, Rarity spared their mental energy by reaching a decision for them.
        “It’s a bit unusual, but there are so many unordinary things that have happened already today.” She glimpsed at her normally tom boyish friends with a sly grin on her face. “What’s one more deviation from the norm? It will be quite alright.”
        The single proprietor smiled in relief as the other finished the horn filing. They then relocated their clients to shallow pools of fragrant water that only covered their hooves. After a short soak, three of the spa’s attendants produced clippers and small files, and started the pedicure. 
        A thought occurred to Applejack to try and monopolize Rarity’s attention. “Ya know, Rarity, it seems like a shame that you do all this prettifyin’ fer yerself when ya don’t have a special somepony. I’m sure that if ya had somepony, they’d be real appreciative of ya if they knew all the trouble ya went through to keep up appearances.” Applejack said. 
        Rarity turned her head towards the earth pony in puzzlement. “Why, whatever do you mean darling?”
        Rainbow Dash inserted herself into the conversation, not liking the way that Rarity had used the word “darling”. “I’m sure that what apple head here is trying to say is that a beautiful, proper, and elegant mare like you doesn’t deserve to be all alone.”
        The unicorn’s face turned from a slightly perplexed look to a decisively stern stare. Her lips puckered as though she had just bit into a lemon, and her brow furrowed to form a ridge on her face. The two rivals realized that they had upset their secret love, but were not sure how.
        “So, that’s what brought you two here today.” Rarity said in vexed voice. “I should have been suspicious from the start. After all, why would the two least likely ponies in all of Ponyville want to join me here at the spa today?”
        Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood as still as they could while their minds imploded in shock. They did not know how Rarity had figured out about their affections so suddenly. Their thoughts raced and tried to think of how to continue to hide their secret. Unfortunately, they could not think as quickly as Rarity could speak.
        “I am thoroughly ashamed of you Applejack, and you too Rainbow Dash. You have no idea of just how much I disapprove of what you’re doing.” Rarity continued to berate them, her words cutting like a knife into them each time she spoke. “You two are supposed to be my friends, but this is not how friends act and you two should know that.”
        Their worst fears were being realized. It was horrible enough that Rarity had deduced their intentions, but to reject their love, deny them her friendship was an unimaginable tragedy. Plus, to have it happen at the spa compounded their humiliation. The spa was the epicenter for gossip in Ponyville. By the time Applejack and Rainbow Dash would return home to hide in shame, the entire village would know about how their hearts were shred to tatters. 
        The spa personnel, finished with tending to the nails of their patrons, backed away from the emotionally charged scene under the pretext of going to prepare the next part of the regimen. Rainbow Dash and Applejack wished that the pedicure sinks they were in were deep enough so they could drown themselves in penance. Since they could not, they shut their eyes in preparation for Rarity’s final strike.
        Rarity leaned towards the ponies that were the object of her scorn. She spoke in an indignant voice so that they would understand just how disgusted she was.
        “You tell whatever stallion or stallions that begged to have you name drop themselves to me that I have no interest in the likes of them!” Applejack and Rainbow Dash’s eyes opened in surprise and looked at Rarity, who seemed to have calmed down slightly. As she continued to speak, her temper continued to lessen. “Using a go between to inquire about how another pony feels is just so immature. It’s something that I would expect my sister to deal with, like I did when I was her age. But to have an adult do it is just so childish that I would laugh if it wasn’t so infuriating for me.”
        The pegasus and earth pony slowly sighed in relief as they returned to the world from their self-concocted horror. Never before had either of them been so glad that their friend had jumped to the wrong conclusion. 
        Aloe and Lotus reappeared, seemingly out of nowhere now that the drama had subsided. They once again led the group, this time to a different set of baths filled not with water, but mud that was even thicker than the kind used for their facials. 
        Before either Applejack or Rainbow Dash had chance to ask what these were for, they found themselves being bound in strips of kelp. The two were amazed at not only the strength of the seaweed they were being tied with, but also the strength of the spa employees that were tying them up. After they had been thoroughly wrapped in the kelp, they were unceremoniously plopped into the mud which covered them up to their withers. 
        Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked over to Rarity, who was already swathed in green leaves of seaweed, and entered the mud bath with more poise and grace than her friends did. She let out a long “Ah” as she settled in the murky tub. She then faced her friends looking crestfallen.
        “I’m sorry that I berated you two that way. I’m sure that it was just something nice you were doing for somepony you know. I guess that I’m a little miffed at you because my parents have also been badgering me to find a special somepony. Ever since they found out about the disaster that was the Grand Galloping Gala, they’ve been pressuring me to try and be more realistic about my dating life.”
        “What do you mean when you say ‘realistic’?” Rainbow Dash inquired.
        Rarity sighed before she answered, she was about to reveal a personal lament.
        “Well, you see, I’ve always thought about marrying a prince ever since I was a little filly. When I read about all the wonderfully brave and kind princes in my story books, I was convinced that being married to a prince would be a dream come true. It was then that I committed myself to become a bride fit for a prince. I learned all I could about etiquette, fashion, and Equestria high society so I could be able to impress any potential suitor. Why, I’d even toss a bit into a fountain and wish that one day my prince would come. I held it in my heart for many years, and I thought that I would have my chance at the Gala.” 
        “But after meeting that cad, Prince Blueblood, my illusions were shattered. I realized that princes aren’t always the heroes that you read about in stories. Some of them can be quite detestable, if not outright inelegant.” Rarity gave a slight smile. “I guess that’s why they label those books ‘fantasy’.”
        A thought occurred to Applejack. “So, yer sayin’ that ya only have eyes for princes, is that what yer trying to tell us?”
        Rarity shook her head. “No, Applejack. I’m saying that I only had eyes for princes. It’s not easy to give up on ones fancies like that, but that encounter with Prince Blueblood taught me something. I shouldn’t just limit myself to princes, but broaden horizons to include others as well.” A quiet giggle came from the unicorn. “So long as my parents stay out of my love life. Still, mother and father notwithstanding, I now think that anypony could be my special somepony. Provided, of course, that they have the fortitude to be direct about it.” 
        “So, when you say anypony could be your special somepony, does that include mares as well?” Rainbow Dash asked without thinking, causing Applejack to gloweringly shoot her eyes at the pegasus pony. 
        “Oh, of course you would ask such a question Rainbow Dash.” Rarity replied nonchalantly, referring to the open secret that was Rainbow Dash’s personal preference for mares. “One never truly knows the course that their heart will set for them. I never really gave the idea much thought because I don’t wish to pigeonhole myself. I won’t speculate the matter, but neither will I dismiss it.”
        Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s hearts simultaneously skipped a beat. While they were both puzzled as to why Rarity had failed to pick up on the undertones of the questions they were asking her, the fact that she said wouldn’t instantly reject to being in a relationship with a mare eclipsed all remaining doubts they had. The mere possibility of such a relationship made it difficult for them to talk because their minds were so clouded with emotions right then. 
        Fortunately, their spa attendants reappeared and snapped them back to reality. They helped pull the three ponies out of the sludge, blasted them with a high pressure hose to remove the mud, and peeled off the seaweed from their bodies.
        “Ya know, Rarity, if ya really wanted to, ya could come and wallow in the mud at my place sometime.” Applejack suggested with a smile on her face.
        “Or I could make it rain over by your shop and create your own personal mud bath for you.” Rainbow Dash countered.   
        “Oh, girls, while those sound like wonderful suggestions, I don’t just come here for the mud, but for the whole treatment. While I’m sure that the mud you could make would be quite fine, I’m not as sure if you would be comfortable with giving me a massage.” The unicorn replied in jest, not noticing the faces of Applejack and Rainbow Dash turning red at the idea of being so intimate with Rarity.
        Now the patrons were guided into another area of the spa, this one with high beds for massages. A large and muscular stallion now appeared and spoke with a thick baritone voice.
        “Many apologies for my tardiness, Miss Rarity. I do hope that I did not inconvenience you much.” 
        “No need to apologize, Quake. Although, since you’re here now, I assume that we can commence with the massage.” Rarity commented.
        “But of course.” Quake gestured Rarity to one of the massage tables and she laid on it. He then deftly maneuvered his hooves and started to work his craft. The stallion rhythmically thumped Rarity as though she were a drum, causing her voice to sound silly.
        “Um, so do we just wait fer Rarity to finish and then it’s our turn?” Applejack asked Rainbow Dash, who was just as unsure as the earth pony as how this was supposed to work. Lotus settled them matter for them.
        “Oh, you do not have to wait, my sister and I will each do your massages.” She said in her ethereal accent. The answer caused Applejack and Rainbow Dash to burst out in laughter.
        “You two? But you two are so small, do you think that you can give us a massage as strong as Quake over there?” Rainbow Dash asked with no hint of irony. Applejack couldn’t stop herself from laughing long enough to actually talk.
        The faces of the twin spa owners grew serious. They were not amused by their clients’ humor and displeased by their doubt. 
        “I assure you, you will receive very strong massages if you so desire.” Aloe replied causally. The sisters guided Applejack and Rainbow Dash to their own massage tables and they laid down on them. The spa ponies gave each other a quick nod and went to work.
        Yells of pain shattered the tranquil atmosphere of the spa. The gentle demeanor of Aloe and Lotus had concealed their adeptness at the art of massage. The two aestheticians actively sought out, found, and ground every muscle knot and nerve cluster that existed in Applejack’s and Rainbow Dash’s bodies. The customers had asked for strong massages and Aloe and Louts were more than willing to accommodate them.
        “This sort of discomfort is normal, madam. When you wake up tomorrow, you will feel incredibly limber and energetic.” The blue pony that was working on Applejack said. The tangerine mare’s mind was so clouded from pain that she couldn’t remember whether it was Aloe or Lotus.
        “You have built up so much tension in your bodies over time that this sudden of a release is called for.” Rainbow Dash heard the words from the pink pony that was torturing her. 
        While the massages were agonizing for them, Rainbow Dash and Applejack were both too proud to ask for a reduction in the pressure of the massages. They laid there and endured the pain, both of them silently thinking the same thought.
        “When they say love hurts, they weren’t kidding!”
        

***


        The ivory unicorn walked out of the spa feeling invigorated and rejuvenated. Her two compatriots, however, could barely stand, let alone walk. The soreness from the massage had not left them yet, and it did not seem as if would leave anytime soon. They only had enough strength in them to put one hoof in front of the other, and even that was as struggle. Despite their lameness, neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash regretted the experience. They had spent time with Rarity and had certain doubts wiped away. It was more than either could have hoped for. 
        Rarity thought back on the day, thinking how fun it was to have Rainbow Dash and Applejack as spa partners. She had been too enraptured by her own massage to notice the suffering being inflicted on her friends. Quake’s hooves had the ability to make a pony forget about the real world. But as Rarity thought harder about it, the more she noticed that there seemed to be an undercurrent during the day trip that she could not put her hoof on. It was as if Rainbow Dash and Applejack were vying for her attention, like they were almost jealous of the other and wanted to have Rarity all to herself. 
        “A foal’s notion. I really should learn how to get over myself.” Rarity thought. “They were merely trying to best each other like they do at everything. The only prize this time was my courtesy. It’s only their competitive natures getting the better of them.”
         As enjoyable as the day had been for her, Rarity knew when to bring things to a close. A lady always did. 
        “Well, I’m afraid that I must bid you both adieu for the day. I still have a great deal of work to catch up on, so I must be off back to my shop. Though, I must admit, I had the most wonderful time. I do hope we can all do this again soon.”
        Applejack was the first to respond with a cringe that tried it’s best to be a smile. “Likewise, sugar cube.”
        Rainbow Dash could only muster a single word in agreement. “Ditto.” 
        “Until then girls, Au revoir.” Her duties to etiquette fulfilled, Rarity trotted off to her abode, leaving the adversaries alone to sort things out.
        The two rivals looked at each other menacingly. Gathering all the strength they had left in their beings, Applejack and Rainbow Dash confronted one another by standing as erect as they could and touched muzzle to muzzle in challenge. They made boastful statements, which they did in unison. 
        “What do you think you’re doing? Me? Don’t change the subject I asked you first! Listen, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay away from Rarity! Why should I listen to you? If you don’t butt out, you’ll be sorry! Oh yeah! Well, I’ll show you!”
         The pretense that the other saw Rarity only as a friend was gone now, their suspicions confirmed. Their passions were in full control of their actions. They braced themselves for the ensuing battle, taking fighting stances, flaring their nostrils, and filling their eyes with anger. Applejack and Rainbow Dash knew that this moment would be decisive. They made their opening moves.
        But no sooner had they raised their hooves up did they both slam down to the ground on which they stood. The day had already proved too much for them, and their bravado siphoned the last of their might. They stayed down for a while, panting from exhaustion and reflecting on the situation. 
        Applejack was the first to break the silence. “Ya wanna… settle this… another time?”
        “Sure.” Rainbow Dash stuck to her one word answers.
        Slowly but surely, the two ponies picked themselves up. Rainbow Dash tried her best to take off into the sky, but could only manage a low hover above the landscape. Applejack walked one hoof at a time back to her farm.
        Each pony knew that the truce was only temporary as they limped towards their homes. It was all right. They knew how to top their foe and capture Rarity’s heart. They only had to grab what was in the drawer of their bedroom.