Rainbow After The Storm
by milesprower06
Chapter 5
Reflections and Refusals
When Princess Celestia received a Spike-delivered letter from Ponyville's Mayor Mare early the next morning, asking her to return as soon as she possibly could, she knew something had gone wrong. She saw the problem from her chariot on approach, even before landing in town. A considerably sized crowd had gathered at the front of the grocery store where the incident with Rainbow had taken place yesterday. Upon landing, she took in the scene as best she could. There were dozens of ponies crowded around the shattered storefront window of the Feed 'n' Seed, some held picket signs with various phrases such as 'Get Out!' and 'No Hatred In Ponyville!' Upon seeing the approaching royalty, the crowd gave her enough room to enter the store, but did not decrease their volume in the slightest. It was obvious why Mayor Mare was concerned.
“This is absolutely unacceptable,” were Marty's first words upon the Princess' arrival to the back of the store. “This is my store, and I can rightfully refuse business to anypony I want.”
“Sir, in that regard you would be correct,” Celestia began, starting the debate off calmly. “You are perfectly within your right to refuse service to anypony. But using that logic, I will also point out that the Ponyvillians are also completely within their rights to protest outside your store. The streets of town are public property, and thus, free for public assembly.”
“Further, you need to realize the impact of what you did yesterday. The Apple family founded Ponyville, and you sorely disrespected them yesterday. And what's more, you publicly demanded the arrest of the distressed sole survivor of the worst serial killing spree in our town's history. And the worst part is you don't seem to care.” Mayor Mare told him.
“Fillyfooling is disgusting behavior, and I will not do business with one” Marty said defiantly.
“Fine, I'll be more to the point. I do not have enough guards present to protect you from the townsfolk, nor is it my duty to protect you, especially considering your hateful behavior. If you don't begin backpedaling, and I mean right now, you might have to be concerned about more than your business. You might want to be concerned for your personal safety as well.”
Marty took a moment to glance out at the mob screaming shouts and insults into his store, and saw that Celestia did indeed have a point.
“What would you suggest?” he asked.
“Diffusing this situation as quickly as possible. Reinstate business with Sweet Apple Acres, drop the charges against Rainbow Dash, and personally apologize to them both” Celestia told him.
The expression that immediately followed on his face was evidence that he didn't like the idea, but he was left with little recourse.
“Fine,” he muttered.
Celestia turned and walked back to the front of the store, where two of her guards were waiting.
“Send for Applejack and Rainbow Dash at Sweet Apple Acres.” she instructed. The guard nodded and went to carry out his orders. Celestia addressed the crowd.
“Ponyville, please, I must ask for your patience. We are going to try and put an end to this right now.”
-
“Hey look guys, it's the lespony!”
“Haha! Hey Rainbow Crash, my sister starts Flight School next semester. You have to promise not to hit on her!”
“Stop it!”
“Ooh, what's the matter? You not get enough kisses from your mommy this morning? Mwah, mwah!”
“I said stop!!!”
“Aww, hey guys, look. Candy Vag is getting upset!”
-
“Knock it off!!” Rainbow shouted, bolting up in bed, blood boiling. She glanced around, realizing where she was. Her nightmare had also roused Applejack from sleep.
“You okay, sugar?” AJ asked, rubbing the sleep from her eyes as the sun rose above the horizon.
“Yeah, yeah. I'm fine. Just...just a bad dream.”
Their hooves were barely on the floor when there was a knock on the door. The two of them looked at the clock and realized that they had slept in for once. It was nearly 9 AM. Applejack went to the door, and was greeted by one of Celestia's royal guards.
“Good morning, Miss Applejack. Her Royal Highness has requested both you and Miss Rainbow Dash at the Feed 'n' Seed as soon as possible. They have a situation there” the guard reported quickly.
“Uh, thank you sir. We'll be there as fast as we can.” AJ replied. With a nod, the messenger was on his way, leaving Applejack and Rainbow to try and get ready in a hurry.
“That was fast, ah' wonder what's goin' on.” AJ commented.
PONYVILLE SCHOOLHOUSE
“Alright class, lets settle down. Now before we go to lunch, what topic should we have for today's Discussion Time?” Cheerilee asked, standing at her podium, getting the chatty class quieted down and under control.
"Ah know, Ms. Cheerilee! We can talk about all those ponies in front of Mr. Marty's store!" Applebloom suggested. She heard the commotion on the way to school that morning.
"Oh... Ermm... I don't know about that, Applebloom. I don't think that topic is really appropriate for foals as young as you to discuss," Cheerilee explained.
"Why not?"
"Because they're protesting that your sister's a fillyfooler." Diamond Tiara rudely broke in.
"Well, that's not exactly true D-" Cheerilee tried to say, but was cut off.
"What's a fillyfooler?"
"It means that your sister would rather marry a mare than a stallion!"
"That's enough Diamond Tiara." the schoolteacher said, now attempting to get the situation under control.
"Oh. Ah still don't understand why all those ponies would be angry.
"They're angry because your sister is unnatural!"
"Not another word Diamond Tiara!"
"And just what the hay is that supposed to mean?!"
"Don't you get it? Your sister is a filthy, disgusting excuse for a pony! She's almost as bad as the Cupcake Killer!"
“Diamond Tiara!!”
Luckily, Scootaloo reacted well before Ms. Cheerilee, and leaped up to hold Applebloom back as she jumped out of her chair and lunged at Diamond Tiara.
“That's mah sister you're talking about you stuck-up brat!” Applebloom screamed. The rest of the class looked on in shock and surprise, and Diamond Tiara, astounded that Applebloom was now intent on knocking her teeth out, held her tongue.
“THAT IS ENOUGH!” Cheerilee shouted sternly, in a tone that the class had never heard before. It brought an end to Applebloom's struggles to get at Diamond Tiara, as well as any murmurs among the class.
“Diamond Tiara, Scootaloo, switch seats, now. Diamond Tiara, for ignoring me, you will stay inside for lunch hour and recess. I am honestly surprised at you; saying those awful things when they are simply not true. I will be having a chat with your father. Applebloom, you will stay after class.”
The situation finally under control, Discussion Time was cut short, and Cheerilee realized her class needed time to unwind, so she let out for lunch early, leaving Diamond Tiara in the classroom to pout with her lunch.
SOUTH PONYVILLE
After making themselves presentable, Rainbow and AJ headed down the path to Ponyville at a quick trot's pace, and they weren't even in town yet before hearing the commotion. Turning from town square to the south part of town, Rainbow wasn't quite sure how to feel about the scene that was before her.
More than two dozen ponies surrounded the front of the Feed 'n' Seed grocery store. Two royal guards stood at attention at the shattered window, and they noticed Princess Celestia and Mayor Mare inside. The crowd outside shouted all manner of insults and protests towards the store, holding signs, some calling for the owner's ousting from Ponyville. Even if she had a fierce, competitive spirit, Rainbow still didn't want to see harm come to anypony. But still, she couldn't deny the rising feeling of gratitude when she saw how many ponies were in front of the store protesting, angry at Marty's hateful act yesterday. The pair of guards, seemingly there to only ensure the Princess' safety, took notice of the two ponies that Celestia wanted in the store, and made a path for them to enter the front doors. Making their way through the crowd, various ponies urged the pair to make Marty apologize, others telling them to not give into the demands of the mayor just for the sake of peace.
Setting hooves in the store, they found Celestia, Mayor Mare, and Marty at the front register, the last trying to hide his disgruntled mood.
“Thanks for coming on such short notice, you two.” Celestia greeted them.
“Indeed. The sooner we can calm this down, the better.” Mayor Mare added.
“Marty has something to say to both of you.” the Princess continued, motioning to the store owner. Marty cleared his throat, looking at Applejack.
“Applejack, I...I may have acted too harshly yesterday morning. Regardless of the choices you make in life, and whether you think they're right or not, neither of us will profit from canceling business with each other. I'd like to reinstate business with you as a produce supplier.”
Applejack nodded. “Apology accepted, Marty. You're right, losing each other's business won't do no good.”
Marty turned to Rainbow.
“Rainbow Dash, we all act impulsively sometimes, and sometimes we make mistakes when we do. I'm dropping the charges I had you arrested for yesterday. You've been through a very traumatic experience, and I won't charge you because your judgment was affected.
Celestia and the mayor looked at the pair. Applejack looked satisfied. Mayor Mare was worried, however, when she saw the look on Rainbow's face, clear confusion and resentment in her eyes as she stared at her.
“I don't believe this. You called us back into town to accept this coerced apology? When a town finally doesn't look the other way when it comes to bullying, the first thing you want to do is sweep it under the rug???” Rainbow asked her accusingly, before turning to Marty, with tears in her eyes.
“And you. You disgust me. I know you're only worried about your business. You turned away Ponyville's oldest and best apple supplier, and demanded that I be arrested for giving you exactly what you deserved. Applejack is the only reason my name isn't on that fountain out there, and you wanted to condemn us because we've grown to love each other. I ran away from home to get away from hateful ponies just like you. Ponyville isn't going to tolerate your bigotry. And Princess, with all due respect, I won't be a pawn in calming this mob.”
With that, Rainbow turned tail and stormed out of the store.
“Rainbow, wait!” AJ called.
Rainbow didn't look back, perhaps shocked and saddened that the farm pony had so quickly accepted Marty's apology. The crowd outside quickly returned to it's protesting shouts and insults, most likely fueled by Rainbow's angry, tearful departure from the store.
“I'm guessing that's not going to be enough.” Marty said in defeat.
“Ah don't think so. Not with the way Rainbow left.” Applejack replied.
“Applejack, please don't judge her too harshly. You see, I believe some childhood memories are resurfacing, and she's having a lot of trouble dealing with them.” Celestia told her.
“This can't go on too much longer. My profit margins aren't big enough to handle this much drop in business.”
“Maybe you should have thought about that earlier.” Celestia told him matter-of-factly.
Applejack went outside to the front of the store to face the crowd.
“Folks, please think about what you're doing. What is this protest going to solve?” she asked.
Among the mixed shouts and responses, she heard someone yell, “It'll teach bigots we don't tolerate hatred in Ponyville!”followed by shouts of agreement.
“Just, please. We need to calm this down before it gets out of control.”
It seemed that no matter what Applejack said, it was just fuel to the fire.
“Get the hater out of Ponyville!”
“We don't want your bigotry here!”
For now, the protestors did not advance on the store, and were content to stand and watch the Feed 'n' Seed bleed to death through the loss of business.
Applejack looked around, and found Rainbow to be nowhere in sight.
“Oh, what do 'ah do?” Applejack wondered aloud, making her way out of the crowd.
“AJ, there you are!” a friendly voice called out. Applejack looked over to see Twilight approaching.
“Oh, hey there Twilight. What can I do for ya?” Applejack asked her friend.
“You two were going to meet us at Sugarcube Corner for lunch, remember?”
“Oh, right. Sorry, things have been a little hectic. Give me a minute to find Rainbow.”
“Fluttershy found her. She's calming her down, and she'll meet us there.”
AJ nodded and followed her friend through town. The streets were considerably less crowded due to the large number of ponies protesting in front of Marty's store. By the time Twilight and Applejack got to Sugarcube Corner, Fluttershy was standing at the door, comforting a tearful Rainbow Dash. They went in together, where Rarity was already sitting at one of the larger tables. They all sat down, and Mrs. Cake brought them muffins and hot chocolate, and the conversation began.
“To be honest, we didn't want you guys to find out like this...” Rainbow began, “To be honest, I wasn't sure if I wanted anypony to find out at all.”
“Rainbow, darling. This is love! The strongest kind of friendship there is. Did you really think your friends, the Elements of Harmony, would judge you for this?” Rarity asked, a little shocked at Rainbow's admitted secrecy.
“I didn't know what to think. This has been happening so fast.”
“You shouldn't be ashamed of it, Rainbow Dash. You've finally found somepony who makes you happy. It should be celebrated.” Fluttershy encouraged.
“I know. It's just that with the way somepony like Marty reacted, I don't want AJ's farm or business to be hurt because of me.”
“Rainbow, don't you worry one bit about that. If that protest outside isn't entirely obvious, Marty's actions are not being tolerated in the slightest.” Applejack encouraged.
“So how's everypony doing today?” Mrs. Cake asked, bringing everypony refills.
“Well, good enough.” Applejack replied, “and yourself?”
“Things are a bit weird around here, actually. Every night, I could swear I'm hearing noises down in the basement. But every time I go to check, there's nothing there. It's been happening more and more often. I hope I'm just hearing things. And with what happened to poor Lyra last night, that doesn't help things either.”
“Huh? Something happened to Lyra?” Rainbow asked.
“I don't know much. Just that her scream woke up half of her block, and she was taken to Ponyville Urgent Care. She's probably still there.”
“I hope she's alright.” Applejack commented.
With everypony's lunch finished, they got up from the table and headed for the door.
“Hey AJ, I'm gonna go see Lyra at the hospital. I'm sure she could use another visitor. See ya back at the farm, okay?” Rainbow said.
“Sure thing, Rainbow.”
As Dash headed off for Ponyville Urgent Care, Applejack got an idea.
“Hey Twilight?” she called as the lavender unicorn headed back in the direction of the library.
“Yeah, AJ?”
“Uh, can I talk to you privately, in the library?”
PONYVILLE URGENT CARE
The front double doors of the care center slid open, welcoming the cyan pony inside. Checking in at the front receptionist's desk, she announced she was here to see Lyra. She was directed down a hallway to Room 14. The door was open, as was the custom during visiting hours, unless the patients requested otherwise. Rainbow saw the bright teal unicorn under the blankets of the partially reclined hospital bed, looking away from her out a window.
“Hey there, Lyra.” Rainbow gently greeted with a smile.
The lyre player turned to face her new visitor, and Rainbow saw the reason for her visit to the hospital. There was a square of gauze bandage patched over her right eye, and above her eyebrow, as well as on her cheek, was a deep red scar, running vertical out of both the top and bottom of the bandage.
“Hey there, Rainbow Dash. Always nice to have a new visitor.” Lyra said softly.
“What happened?” Rainbow asked, approaching her bedside.
“I imagine it looks worse than it feels,” Lyra began. “I woke up to my lyre playing itself on the coffee table last night. When I went in for a closer look, one of the strings snapped, and, well...” Lyra cut herself off, pointing a hoof at the bandage on her eye.
“Are you okay?”
“It spooked me, for sure. As for my eye, I won't be able to see with it for a few weeks, but the doctors say it should heal up entirely. I'm being kept overnight for a psych evaluation. Apparently they don't believe me when I said my lyre was playing itself. Derpy and Berry Punch came and checked on me this morning. But this is a nice surprise. So what can I do for ya, Rainbow?” Lyra asked.
“Well, actually, I came to talk. Ya see, I need to know...I need to know how you did it.”
“Did what?”
“You and Bon Bon. How did you two handle being together?”
Lyra stared at Rainbow for a few moments, and saw that she was sincerely interested.
“Why do you ask?”
“Applejack and I are...seeing each other. One of AJ's customers didn't take too kindly to it.”
“Ah, so that's what all that fuss outside is about. The hateful bigot is going to deserve whatever is coming to him.”
“So how did you and Bon Bon do it? How did you avoid all the ridicule and hate?”
Lyra cleared her throat, as she prepared to give Rainbow her explanation.
“Because we kept it private. We kept our affection for each other in public to a minimum. Nopony else needed to know.”
“Why not? Why didn't you celebrate your love for each other? Why is it okay for colt and mare couples to show affection for each other in public, but ponies like us have to keep it behind closed doors?”
“I'll be honest, Rainbow. I don't know. It's just the way things are. But Bon Bon and I didn't care. We had each other, and that's all that mattered to us. We kept it to ourselves because we didn't want the stress of anypony disapproving of our relationship.”
Rainbow scoffed. “You shouldn't have to hide it away like it's something to be ashamed of. I mean, at first that's what I wanted to do. But then because of what did yesterday, that's no longer an option, and now, suddenly, I feel proud of it. I want it to be out in the open” she argued.
“We didn't view it as hiding it away. Our relationship was personal. It was no other pony's business. Rainbow, I can't help but notice that in the very short time you've been here, your tone has been rather aggressive whenever you've mentioned your relationship with Applejack. You don't have to defend your relationship from anypony.”
“So I just let them say whatever they want?” Rainbow shot back.
“Let me ask you a question. Do you love her?”
“Absolutely. What kind of question is that?”
“An honest one. One you should be constantly reminding yourself of in these first days. You don't want to have to keep defending Applejack in the manner you did yesterday, or you might find yourself in a situation where you won't be able to be with her.” Lyra cautioned, essentially advising Rainbow to keep her temper in check.
“You don't understand. Growing up, I was teased and bullied mercilessly simply because of my hair; that was the excuse they used to brand me a fillyfooler. It got so bad that I had to run away from home to get away from it all. So you'll excuse me if I find defending myself a little more commonplace than you, Lyra. What about you? Did you have to deal with anything like that?” Rainbow shot back, albeit politely.
“No, I wasn't bullied, and even if that factors in to what you're going through right now, the love between you and Applejack is still very, very young. You still have some things to figure out.”
“Like what?”
“Like how far you'll go for each other. How far out of the way you'll go for one another. How much you'd sacrifice you each other. I promise, when you've figured all that out, when you are 100% sure of your love for her, you won't care what anypony else thinks.”
PONYVILLE LIBRARY
“So, Applejack. What can I do for you?” Twilight asked, once they were both comfortable at a table in the library.
“Twilight, 'ah was wondering. In all your books and studies, have ya ever done any research on...love?” AJ asked.
“Love's a pretty broad subject, AJ.”
“Well, 'ah mean...relationships. Making 'em work and all.”
Twilight gave the workhorse a quizzical look.
“Applejack, where's this coming from? Is everything okay with you and Rainbow?”
“That's just it. Ah...'ah don't think so. That's why I need advice. It hasn't even been two days, and I feel like we're struggling already.”
“Well, um, for starters, how did everything start?”
“Ya mean, when did I start having feelings for her?”
“Sure, start there.”
“Well, um, I guess a small part of it was way back when she came to Ponyville three years ago after running away from home. I found her sleeping in the barn. There was just...somethin' about her. As time went on, and she and I became better friends and more competitive with each other, it kinda grew without being noticed.” AJ explained.
Twilight listened intently.
“Then...then when Pinkie got to her, and I barely saved her, it hit me as I was sitting outside the ER. She's the most important pony in the world to me.”
“And then she came to stay with you.”
“Yeah. I made it a point to set my feelings aside, and focus on helping her recover. And then...two days ago...”
Twilight sat silently, noticing Applejack's cheeks tint red.
“She kissed me. Out on the swimming dock we built for her.”
“So she shared these feelings.”
“Yeah! At first I was stunned. Rainbow misinterpreted it and ran back to the house in tears. I fought through my stupor, and realized how happy I was. I chased after her to reassure her, and then...she...she made love to me.”
“Alright,” Twilight began, “obviously you two love each other, so what's the problem?”
“The problem is everything that's going on! That journal of Pinkie's, this crap with Marty, and Rainbow never told me why she ran away from home, and I think something involving that has come back to haunt her. I think that's why she broke Marty's window. The point is I'm...I...”
Applejack swallowed, tears pricking her eyes.
“I feel like I did outside the emergency room. I feel like I'm losing her all over again.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Another thing I guess is she's made all the moves. She kissed me, she made love to me, she broke a window in my defense.”
Applejack thought some more.
“Maybe I'm not as confident about this relationship as I'd like to be. It just feels like I'm surrounded. By my family, by work on the farm. Heck, even that first night together we had to keep it down to avoid bothering anypony else.”
“Then there's your solution.”
“What is?”
“Young love is delicate, AJ. To lay the foundation for a long, healthy relationship, you have to give it plenty of attention. It sounds like everything else has come first. And sometimes that can't be avoided, as long as you set aside time for just the two of you.”
“So, what, more time in bed?”
“No, not quite. Your bed is surrounded by a house full of sleeping family members. Here's what you do. You take Rainbow someplace secluded, someplace private – just the two of you.”
“And then?”
Twilight gave a smile at Applejack's naivety.
“And then you show her how much you love her.”
This made AJ blush again, and she smiled.
“Thanks, Twi. I think I will do that.” she replied, with a nervous chuckle.
Applejack left the library, and was about to head back to the farm, when she was approached by Cheerilee.
“Oh, Applejack, there you are. I need you to come with me to the schoolhouse, please.”
“Why, what's happened?”
“Applebloom almost got into a fight with Diamond Tiara over what's been happening today. You know as well as I do that her curiosity isn't going to just go away. I wanted to come and get you, so maybe you could talk to her about this. You're her legal guardian, so I wanted to check with you.”
Applejack let out an exasperated sigh.
“Ah do not need this right now...ugh, alright. I'll talk with her.”
The two ponies made their way to the southwest corner of town, where the schoolhouse was. The schoolyard was empty, due to class getting out a half-hour earlier. They entered the classroom, where Applebloom sat at her desk, with a worried, angry look on her face.
“Okay, Applebloom. First, I want you to know that you're not in trouble. I just wanted Applejack to come by so she can explain things. She can probably do it better than I can.”
“First off, what happened, sis?” Applejack asked.
“Diamond Tiara started saying you were disgusting and unnatural for 'fillyfooling'. I don't even know what that is, but I wasn't gonna just let her say those things.”
“Applebloom, I'm going to have a chat with her father right after we're done here, so you don't have to worry about her.” Cheerilee told her.
“And besides, just because she says these things about me, doesn't mean you can start swinging your hooves. She may be a bit of a brat, but she's entitled to her opinion. Believe me, sis. Nothing Diamond Tiara says is gonna matter all that much to me.”
“So what is all this fillyfooling talk going around? What's goin' on at Marty's store?” Applebloom asked. Applejack cleared her throat, and took a seat in front of Applebloom's desk.
“Sis, I'd say under more controlled circumstances, you're too young to hear this, but here it goes. 'Fillyfooling' is when a mare loves another mare. Over the course of Rainbow staying with us, I began to have feelings for her. And these past few days, I've realized I love her just as much as I love you, Big Mac, and Granny. And some ponies, like Marty and Diamond Tiara, believe that to be wrong. They think that a mare can only love a stallion. But it doesn't matter to me. Nothing anypony ever says will make me stop loving Rainbow. And a lot of ponies here in town don't like what Marty did to me, which is why they're protesting in front of his store.”
Applebloom looked like she understood, but was still a bit confused.
“Why does anypony care who you love? I know I don't. That's yer business.”
Applejack smiled.
“That's a question nopony can answer. And knowing that it's my business alone proves that you gotta good head on yer shoulders. So no more fights, okay?”
Applebloom nodded. “Alright sis. I just wish I landed a good one before Scoot held me back. Maybe she'd think twice before sayin' things like that again.”
“Sis, fightin' isn't the answer. If Diamond Tiara doesn't learn her lesson today, she will eventually. Now you get on home. Dinner's soon.”
Applebloom smiled and got out of her desk and ran out of the schoolhouse. Applejack exhaled. Cheerilee came over to her.
“I'm terribly sorry about putting you on the spot like that, Applejack.”
“No no, it's alright. Thanks for coming to get me.”
“If it's any consolation, I agree with those protestors out front. What he did was hateful and wrong.”
“I appreciate that, Miss Cheerilee. I just hope it doesn't get out of control.”
With that, the two ponies bid each other farewell, and Applejack made her way out of Ponyville back towards the farm, making sure to stay clear of the protests continuing at Marty's store as the sun began it's final journey toward the west horizon. She began to wonder if they would even go home for the night. She certainly hoped so. Ponyville needed some peace after today, that was for sure.
She arrived back at the farm, and was greeted by the aroma of crispy hay fries, apple cider, and hot apple crisp for desert. Entering through the side door at the kitchen, she also saw an arrangement of flower sandwiches at the table.
“There you are, about time. Everypony's starving!” Rainbow said. Applejack smiled at her. Rainbow always seemed more her usual self now that she was back here. It felt great to sit down to a nice home-cooked meal after the stressful day they had both had.
“So how did everything go today?” Big Mac asked, with Granny Smith also wanting to know. At first, Applejack wanted to berate her brother for bringing up the topic over dinner, but figured that they had a right to know.
“It's...hard to say. I agreed to reinstate business with Marty, but I don't think that did any good. The protesters didn't budge at all” Applejack reported.
Part of her wanted to ask Rainbow why she didn't just move on and accept Marty's apology, coerced or not. She suspected it had something to do with her childhood memories that she had manage to keep buried, until now. They had finished the main course and were just about to start dessert when there was a knock at the door.
“Now who could that be this time of the evenin'?” Applejack asked, going to answer the front door, visible from the kitchen down the hall. She opened the door, and came face to face with Marty.
“Hey, Miss Applejack. I...I was wondering if I could speak with Rainbow Dash.” he requested sullenly.
Applejack carefully considered his request, then called to Rainbow from the front door. Rainbow came around from the corner where the dining table sat, and her eyes widened briefly in surprise, then took on a look of annoyed anger.
“What do you want?” she asked, coming to the door. Applejack retreated back to the kitchen.
“I...I came to apologize again, Miss Rainbow. The situation in town is getting out of control. I didn't sell one item today.”
“So because your business is failing, you think I'm automatically going to believe that you're sincere now? Beat it.”
Rainbow turned to go back to the kitchen and was about to kick the door closed when he continued.
“Miss Rainbow, please. I'm not here for me. I'm not even here for my store. I'm worried about not being able to feed my wife and filly at home. I'm afraid only you can put a stop to all this.”
Rainbow paused, waiting a moment before turning around, giving him another look of disbelief.
“You still don't get it. You think I have any control over what that mob is doing? It's out of my hooves! It's been out of my hooves ever since you made such a public display out of this whole thing! Okay, maybe you patched things up with Applejack, but that still...” Rainbow breathed in, getting choked up, tears pricking her eyes. “...that still doesn't excuse what you did to us. You exposed us. You let all of Ponyville know about our relationship, thinking they'd take your side. Well, they didn't, and now you're paying for it. And you have a family? Really? Well why didn't you think about them before you made this whole mess?”
Marty couldn't reply. He had no ground to stand on.
“Now get off this property. We're having dinner.” Rainbow said, turning her back and closing the door.
Applejack saw Rainbow come back into the kitchen crying. Enough was enough. She set her piece of apple crisp down and got up from the table.
“I'm taking Rainbow for a walk. Don't...don't wait up for us.” Applejack said, walking to Rainbow's side, putting a hoof around her shoulders. “Come on, Dash. Let's go.”
Rainbow simply nodded, and followed Applejack out the side door out towards one of the orchards. When they got far enough away from the house, Applejack walked side by side with her upset marefriend.
“Rainbow, it's tearing me up inside, seeing you like this. I just think there are some things that you need to get off your chest. I've never seen you act the way you did today.”
Rainbow sniffled, swallowing, taking a few moments to gather her thoughts, as they walked through the apple trees.
“I...I never told you why I ran away, did I?”
“No. No, ya didn't.”
Rainbow took another few breaths.
“Growing up in Cloudsdale, I was always bullied for being a fillyfooler. And back then it wasn't even true. They just used the color of my mane as an excuse. It went on day after day after day. It never stopped. When I tried telling the instructors, they just did it behind their backs. When I tried ignoring them, they got in my face. And that's when I started fighting back. I was good at it, too. All that pent up anger. I wasn't going to be defenseless anymore. And that didn't sit so well with my parents. Fighting got me reprimanded, but it was the only way I could make the bullying stop. When it got me expelled, my parents wanted me to apologize to the school and to the ponies I fought with. And that would've put me right back at square one. I wouldn't be able to show my face in school again. I refused, and my dad kicked me out.”
Applejack comforted her friend as fresh tears fell from the cyan pony's eyes.
“Rainbow...I'm so sorry you had to go through that.”
“It's not your fault. You were actually the first one in a long, long time to show me any compassion. I haven't seen or spoken to my mom and dad since that night. And I'm glad I haven't. Maybe I wasn't fit to be their daughter. They weren't fit to be parents, that's for sure.”
“Rainbow, what a thing to say! They did raise you, after all.”
“Sure didn't feel like it those last few years. They didn't bother to notice when I came home from flight school stressed out day after day. They didn't hear me cry myself to sleep night after night after night. What was I supposed to do? They didn't listen. They didn't care. I was alone. So I took matters into my own hooves, and when they still didn't hear me out, I figured I was better off away from home.”
“So you haven't seen either of them in three years?” Applejack asked, still surprised at that fact.
Rainbow shook her head.
“I still don't know what I'd say to them. I'm not even sure I could forgive them. Luckily I managed to steer clear of them during the Best Young Flier Competition. So all in all, that's why I did what I did to Marty. I've had to deal with bullies all my life over things that weren't true. And I wasn't going to tolerate another one hurting you or your business over the first thing that was true. He gets no sympathy from me if Ponyville wants to hang him out to dry.”
They came to a single, secluded apple tree in the orchard. There was a clearing of at least 20 feet all the way around.
“So what's this?” Rainbow asked.
“This was the first apple tree I planted after being put in charge of the farm. When mama died after Applebloom was born, I was still too young to do anything but simple chores. Big Mac and Granny Smith kept things afloat until I was old enough, and then Big Mac and I got equal shares of the Acres.”
AJ turned to Rainbow, who stared at the tree.
“We've had a very trying day. And I figured we both need to unwind. Away from the house. Away from the family. Just you...” AJ paused, planting a quick peck on Rainbow's lips. “And me.” she finished, kissing her again.
The third kiss, she held firm, closing her eyes. Feeling Rainbow melt into the kiss as well, she allowed her self to fall over into the grass with Rainbow, sliding her hooves through her spectrum mane, sliding her tongue between Rainbow's lips. She slid up so her body was in full contact with her partner's, and began to grind against her, causing Rainbow to moan softly.
“No...” Applejack whispered. “We're alone. You, me, and the stars. Don't be quiet about it. Not tonight.” she said, before grinding hard against Rainbow, her intimate area coming into contact with her lover's, causing both to let out short cries of ecstasy.
AJ slowly felt herself get wet between her legs, and when she came in contact with an equally wet Rainbow, she became excited, knowing she wanted it just as badly.
She didn't keep up the grinding for long before rolling Rainbow onto her back, and then getting up briefly to turn around and position herself above Rainbow, and laid back down, her sex just inches from her lips. She teased Rainbow with a few light licks to her inner thighs, causing her to cry out with desire. Rainbow answered by spreading the lips of the workhorse's slit with the tips of her hooves, and she felt Rainbow's breath on her most intimate of areas. The question was who was going to be the first to give in?
Rainbow managed to be the first, slipping the tip of her tongue into the bottom of her slit, then drawing it up, causing AJ to cry out in sexual pleasure. This excited Rainbow, never having gotten a sound like that out of AJ before. She drew her tongue out, bringing a string of the workhorse's juices with it. Rainbow didn't wait for Applejack to begin on her, she was going to make the workhorse fight through her pleasure to do her job as well. She dove back in multiple times, each time pushing her tongue in just a little further. Applejack tried to return the favor, but with the waves of pleasure washing over her, she was sloppy. Rainbow wasn't giving her enough of a break to focus. Not being able to do any precision work on her lover, she pushed her tongue all the way in, but before she could do anything further, Rainbow did the same, and began to suck, causing Applejack to crane her neck up, moaning in bliss. Ever the competitive pair, Applejack had to admit that right now, Rainbow was winning this fight.
While she tried to continually go back down into her mate, Rainbow was just too good, knowing just when to up the intensity of her licking and sucking. When Rainbow's mouth was met with a slightly increased surge of wetness, she knew that AJ was close. Giving one final, long lick, Rainbow sucked vigorously on the farm pony's sex, causing her to scream out as she reached her climax, her body convulsing as she managed to ride her high for several prolonged moments, the muscles in her thighs nearly squeezing Rainbow's snout in her slit. Rainbow continued with the light licks, slowly bringing AJ down from her peak, and she shakily turned around, and nearly collapsed on Rainbow, rolling over onto the grass, laying next to her partner, breathing heavily, satisfied. Rainbow took this opportunity to climb on top of her, giving her a kiss.
“Too bad you barely started with me” Rainbow teased.
Still breathing heavily, Applejack looked Rainbow in the eyes.
“Yeah, well, you were relentless there” she said, kissing Rainbow again. “Besides,” she began again, adjusting slightly under Rainbow. “Who said I was finished with you?”
Finishing her sentence, Applejack brought her rear right leg up, and pressed her lower thigh and knee against Rainbow's wet sex. The move caught the spectrum-maned pony off guard, causing her to gasp in sudden pleasure. Applejack kept the soft pressure firm, and began rubbing up and down, massaging Rainbow's most intimate area with her leg. Soon, evidence of Rainbow's arousal became apparent, as it began dripping down Applejack's coat. She was also pleased at the new sounds she was getting out of her lover.
Her stimulation getting higher, Rainbow's legs instinctively raised her rump up into a mating position, and Applejack kept her leg's pace steady, slowly increasing the pressure as Rainbow began to grind back against it. Her front hooves dug into the grass on both sides of the workhorse, and at first she managed to kiss Applejack several times, but as the pressure and pleasure increased, she buried her face in Applejack's chest, eyes closed, beginning to nibble on her lower neck.
The wetter her leg got, the harder and firmer Applejack applied the pressure to her grinding. With a loud gasp followed by a short scream, Rainbow held herself against Applejack's leg as she hit her peak. AJ held her leg against Rainbow, as the wingless Pegasus' orgasm dripped down and soaked into her coat, and began slowly and softly rubbing against her again to bring her down from her high, making it last as long as she possibly could. With Rainbow impressively still half-standing, rear end raised above her, Applejack slowly drew her knee away, only to have Rainbow place her right knee behind Applejack's withdrawing leg.
“No. Please...please don't stop...don't stop,” Rainbow begged, her chest heaving, but obviously wanting more. Applejack seemed surprised for a moment, but didn't show it, and was more than willing to give her best friend more.
Pressing her leg once again against Rainbow's sex, she began again. Rainbow grunted, gasped, and moaned as she ground herself against Applejack's leg in tandem to her lover's pattern. Rainbow's juices continued dripping down, and soon found Applejack's slit, causing the farm pony to become aroused again as well.
The second time Rainbow achieved climax, she gave out an even louder, satisfied moan, louder then she ever had in the bedroom, and again remained on her hooves. Applejack repeated her actions, slowing and softening to bring Rainbow down from her peak, but this time, didn't pull away, slowing down to where she stopped for just a moment before beginning again. This pattern repeated for nearly a half-hour, and Applejack found herself surprised, thrilled, and not to mention aroused, at Dash's endurance.
Rainbow held herself hard against AJ's leg again, as she hit her climax for the fourth time this night, letting out a shuddering, stuttering scream, as she released the last of her love onto Applejack's already soaked leg. Finally, her energy reserves exhausted, Rainbow's legs gave way, and she clumsily set herself down, collapsing on AJ for a moment, before slowly rolling off onto the grass, laying at her lover's side.
No words came to Rainbow, as her chest heaved, her whole body shivering from sheer ecstasy. At first, nothing came to Applejack as well, but then, she knew the only appropriate thing to say.
“Only for you, sugarcube,” she said, tenderly licking Rainbow's ear. “Only for you.”
Rainbow leaned over to kiss Applejack. “Th-thank you, Applejack...thank you s-so much.”
“Ya lasted quite a long time there, sugar. I might have to get one o' them stallion toys to really give us a workout.”
Rainbow chuckled, quite aroused at the thought, but knew they were quite done for the night. They lay in the grass under the apple tree, as the stars and moon shone over them. Recalling that she had told her family not to wait up, Applejack snuggled into Rainbow, taking in the sweet scent of her mane, and together, the pair fell asleep.
Applejack wasn't sure how long she had been asleep, but all of a sudden her eyes shot open, and she was still there, in the orchard with Rainbow, the stars and moon still bright in the sky.
But she felt very cold, very fast. She knew something was wrong.
Upon sitting up to investigate her surroundings, Applejack was forced back down, suddenly and without warning, and found her hooves pinned to the grass by another. She couldn't do anything but draw in a short, frightened breath, as she gazed up at her attacker; at the long, straight mane, shrouding the face like a curtain...
...and she looked into the eyes of Pinkamena Diane Pie.