As Pinkie tiredly made it to her bedroom, she plopped herself right on her bed and let out a long exhale.
"Boy, what a good day." She said staring at the ceiling.
"Then why were you upset a moment ago?" A familiar voice asked her.
"Who said that?" Pinkie asked as she sat up straight.
"Who's lives in your head bubble brain?" The voice asked sarcastically.
"Oh, it's you! How ya doin Pinkamena?" Pinkie asked to her head.
"There's a question already on the table. Why were you upset a minute ago?"
"Well...I don't know." Pinkie said as she twiddled her thumbs.
"Bullshit you don't know."
"GAH! I told you never to use that word!" Pinkie said as she covered her ears.
"Then tell me what's wrong, or I'll use even worse."
"Okay! Well...I was just a bit upset when Applejack left is all." Pinkie said as she twirled a lock of her hair.
"That's not all."
"What do you mean?"
"Why were you upset when she left?" Pinkie pondered this for a moment.
"I-I'm always upset when my friends leave!" Pinkie lied.
"When I ask you a question, you give me a real bucking answer!" The voice said angrily.
"Okay! Just please stop using that word! I just...wanted her to stay a bit longer, I don't know why, I just did. Now please stop asking questions." Pinkie begged as she almost shed a tear.
"Fine. But I'll be watching you baby girl." Pinkamena said with a slightly seductive tone. "and Applejack." This open Pinkie's eyes wide.
"Wait! What do you want with Applejack?" Pinkie asked with slight worry in her voice.
"Just remember, life's a party." With that the voice was silenced, leaving Pinkie puzzled.
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"How convenient. Enter omniscient conscience, right on cue." Applejack stated matter of factly.
"Well, you know what they say! When the oven is ready, the batter appears!" Pinkie stated.
"That's it, no more fortune cookies fer you." Applejack said as she turned back to her screen, but not before seeing the saddened look on Pinkie's face. "Aw, I could never take yer cookies from ya." She said warmly before pulling Pinkie to her, in which she accepted her invitation.
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As Applejack walked through the front door of the Apple family house, she was greeted by a welcoming hug from her little sister, Applebloom.
"Sis! Guess what! I finally got my cutie mark!" She happily announced.
"Really?!" Applejack asked excitedly.
"No. I'm just practicing what I'm gonna say when I do get it. Nailed it!" She said before running off.
"That filly's gonna be the death of me." Applejack said as she breathlessly sat herself on the living room couch.
"Now what kinda way is that to talk about yer sister?" A shaky voice asked. Applejack looked up to see her dear old Granny Smith standing in the doorway with her walker.
"Granny! I thought you were supposed to be in bed!" She said surprised.
“Aw, horseapples! I'm as active as ten grannies! Now don't go sleepin on that couch, dinner'll be ready in ten minutes, ya hear?" She then used her walker to get herself back in the kitchen. Applejack shaked her head and leaned back on the couch.
“So, did’ya take care of things?” A deep voice asked that she could only recognize as Big Macintosh’s. She looked up at the doorway to see him leaning on it with his arms crossed.
“Yeah yeah. I got yer dang bits.” She rolled her eyes and tossed him the bag that Pinkie gave her.
“Dang girl. What’s up your haystack?” He asked with a hint of shock.
“Nothin. Everything’s hunky dory!” She said before storming off upstairs into her room. She threw off her stetson and jumped face first into her bed. “Only everything’s not okay. I couldn’t get a dang good view of that flank! Now I gotta live with it longer!” She started to cry into her pillow.
“What must thou live with?” A female voice asked. Applejack looked up from her pillow to see Princess Luna sitting on the windowsill.
“Princess Luna?! What’cha doin here? Not that I’m complainin.” She said as she wiped her eyes.
“Tis my job to fix problems through other ponies dreams.”
“Uh...this ain’t a dream.”
“Oh no? Look out the window.” Applejack nodded and did as Luna requested. She looked out the window and her eyes immediately widened. Outside in the farmyard were swarms of Pinkie’s running around like scared chickens, laughing and smiling.
“Dang! I must’ve been more tired than I thought!” Applejack said in astonishment.
“Now if we may get back to my earlier statement. What must thou live with?” The princess asked, causing Applejack to look at her with hesitation.
“Um...I-I don’t know if I feel comfortable discussin that...” She said as she rubbed her arm.
“Why? We are friends, are we not?” She asked with a slightly hurt tone.
“Well...sure but, we’ve hardly ever really...hung out before.”
“We are doing the hangout right now, aren’t we?” She asked.
“Well, you’re a princess...who’s invading my dreams.” She said as her ears drooped.
“Alright. If thou are going to look at it that way, yes, I am your princess. Now tell me.” She said as she crossed her arms.
“What? You’re serious?” Applejack asked shocked.
“Yes, that is an order!”
“You’re seriously playin that card right now?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.
“I am seriously playing the card right now. Tell me, or I’ll put thee in the royal dungeon.” She threatened.
“Oh my goodness! Fine, if you have to know…”
“I have to know! Tell me.”
“...I’ve been having recurring thoughts about...Pinkie Pie’s flank…and I can’t get ‘em out.” She confessed with her head lowered.
“Hmm, has thou tried looking at it to get closure?” She asked, which earned her a raised eyebrow from Applejack. “...or perhaps thou tried that?”
“Darn right I did! I don’t know why...but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it...she’s just a kid.” She said as she rested her head on her elbows on the windowsill.
“Is she not the age of fourteen?”
“You know what I meant.” She let out a sigh before staring at her dreamscape’s moon, which was the color pink.
“Why is thou so distraught about an accidental view?” Luna asked.
“Because...it ain’t natural for somepony to be thinkin about that for so long...especially a friend’s…”
“What is so unnatural about it? I see no harm.” She said innocently.
“You mean aside from the fact that it’s another mare’s flank?” She asked with an eyebrow raised.
“So what? As young fillies, me and Celeste used eachother’s flanks as pillows. It was cute!” Luna confessed.
“No it wasn’t cute, it was gay!” Applejack instantly covered her muzzle with her hand. Luna stared at her with wide eyes.
“...excuse me?” She asked with her volume softer.
“I said...I-I don’t know what I said.” The farmer tried to cover up.
“It sounded like thou just called my sister and I homosexual…” Luna then did something uncharacteristic. She started to cry. Applejack realized what she just did, and mentally slapped herself. So...since she’s in her head, that would mean she did it to herself physically.
“Ow! What in tarnation?” The blonde asked to herself after she had slapped herself across the face. She then walked over to a silently crying Luna and tried to console her. “I’m real sorry Princess, but you don’t know how hard this is fer me. If I don’t get this outta my conscious, then I can’t live with myself.”
“I understand thee. It is not easy to get such an image out of one’s mind.” Luna said as she wiped her tears.
“So...what do I do? I mean, you know more about dreams than I do.”
“I cannot answer that Applejack. If you are going to conquer this flank, you have to do it on your own. I am sorry.”
“Aw, what? Can’t ya just...put some memory erase spell on my mind to make it go away?” She asked.
“...Applejack, you do know I am just a princess?” She said with an eyebrow raised.
“Ugh, fine. Now, can I just wake up?” She asked with tiredness. She needed a nap from this nap. Wait...how would that even work?
“Beware of the wandering eye, you little poriferan!” Luna said playfully as she waved Applejack goodbye.
~APPLEJACK’S ROOM~
Applejack woke up with a gasp, looking around to see that Luna wasn’t there, nor the figures of Pinkie’s flank outside, thank Celestia. She got up with a stretch and walked to the door to find a plate containing two apple gouda quesadillas when she opened it. She picked up the note on the plate and it read, “Even angry ponies gotta eat! ~Applebloom”. Applejack smiled warmly as she took the quesadillas into her room.
Pinkie Pie woke up with a long cute yawn. As she stretched, she looked out the window to find a beautiful morning full of possibilities. After putting her arms down, she looked over at her pet alligator, Gummy, on her bedside.
“Good morning my widdle Gummy! Did’ya sleep well?” She asked, receiving nothing but silence from the toothless creature, which to Pinkie was a lot of words. “Yeah, me too!” She said as she put Gummy down and hopped off her bed. As Pinkie started to slip off the yellow panties she was wearing, she caught sight of Gummy staring at her. “Gummy! You perv!” She yelled as she kicked Gummy out, not literally of course.
After a hearty breakfast consisting of pancakes and maple frosting, Pinkie walked giddily to the door, her hair tied into two curly pigtails, and her outfit consisting of a red and blue striped undershirt with a yellow overall shirt, and white shorts. After switching the closed sign to open, she jumped behind the counter and happily waited for the customers to roll in.
Pinkie still had a smile on her face as she waited, though she was a bit bored.
Pinkie still waited, her smile becoming faint as it turned into a bored frown.
Pinkie was faced down on the counter as she slept away. It was only by a knock on the wood that jolted her awake.
“Gah! Welcome to Sugarcube Corner! Can I take your...Applejack?” She asked as she looked up at the cowgirl.
“Well, good afternoon to you too!” Applejack said with a chuckle.
“Afternoon?!” Pinkie looked at the clock to see that it was twelve ‘o clock. “Aw, crab cakes! I slept the entire morning?!” She asked in shock.
“I guess so. Business has been that slow, huh?” The farmer asked as she leaned on the counter.
“Yeah. I thought business would be booming ever since I started running this place...I guess I’m gonna fail Mr. and Mrs. Cake…” She said as she looked down in sadness. She then felt a hand under her cheek and she was faced with Applejack again.
“Now listen here little missy! Don’t you ever doubt your success for one minute, ya hear? You are the best baker I’ve ever met, and I’ll be darned if I’m gonna let you beat yourself up about business bein slow!” She said before Pinkie climbed up on the counter and wrapped her arms around her neck in an embrace.
“T-Thank you...you’re the best Applejack!” Pinkie cried as she rested her chin on Applejack’s shoulder.
“Yer mighty welcome Pinkie.” She said as she wrapped her arms around Pinkie’s back, holding her close.
“Whoa! Where’s the fire?” A voice asked that they both could only recognize as…
“Hi Rainbow Dash! No fire! At least...I don’t think!” Pinkie said before she pulled away from Applejack and ran back into the kitchen to check.
“So AJ, makin moves on our little Pinkie, are ya?” Rainbow asked as she nudged her athletic friend’s shoulder.
“W-Why I don’t know what yer talkin about RD!” Applejack said with a blush.
“Dude! You really suck at lying! I can see your blush as clear as my day’s work!” She said with a cackle.
“Yer crazy Rainbow! I ain’t doin nothin but huggin a friend!” Applejack said as she crossed her arms.
“Alright, that’s cool. No problem.” She said as she raised her hands in surrender. “So...my mare! Would you have...gone further?” Rainbow asked casually.
“WHAT?! NO! Absolutely not!” Applejack yelled with a blush.
“Come on man, I know you would’ve! Come on, it’ll be fun! Like a game! I’ll say what I would’ve done, you’ll say what you would’ve done!” Rainbow proposed.
“Would’ve done about what Dashie?” Pinkie asked as she rose up inbetween the two of them.
“Applejack was just about to say! Go ahead!” She said with a cocky smile.
“Uh...we were just…talkin about...what would we do about...this hot day! I mean, it’s so hot, what is a mare to do?” She asked more dramatically than she would’ve, but she wanted anything to get out of this.
“Hmm, Dashie! Can’t you make it rain?” Pinkie asked.
“Sorry Pinks, the next rainfall isn’t scheduled until tomorrow. They wanna make sure the skies are extra clear for the GGG tonight.” Rainbow explained.
“The GGG?” Applejack asked confused.
“Grand Galloping Gala AJ! Keep up will ya?” Rainbow asked with a hint of annoyance.
“Wait! The swimming hole!” Pinkie pointed out.
“What about the swimming hole?” Applejack asked.
“Let’s go there! We’ll invite Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, even Spike! Come on, it’ll be fun!” Pinkie proposed.
“Aren’t you supposed to be runnin this place today?” Rainbow asked.
“Eh, this place is running so slow, I’d consider letting Gummy run the place!” Pinkie joked, but only slightly.
“Well...I suppose these hooves could use a dip from apple buckin all mornin.” Applejack said as she rubbed her legs.
“Yeah alright. I guess I can make it.” Rainbow said with a shrug.
“YAY!” Pinkie shouted before pulling them both in a group hug.
Applejack arrived at Ponyville’s swimming hole, wearing a polo shirt that’s been tied above her stomach and blue daisy dukes. After setting her basket down, she removed her hat and dove into the large lake. After coming up for air, she exhaled in delight. Directly behind her, there was a pink fin that rose up under the water. As it slowly made it’s way to Applejack, she called out, “OW! What in tarnation?! Somethin bit my flank!” Before Applejack new it, she found herself face to face with Pinkie Pie underwater.
“Hi!” Pinkie said with a gurgle. Applejack then pulled the both of them above the surface.
“Pinkie! What the Tartarus are ya doin?!” Applejack asked angrily.
“What? You can’t tell me you’re planning on swimming and not getting your hair wet?” Pinkie said with a confused expression.
“No! Why did ya bite my flank?!” Applejack asked, a small blush forming on her cheeks.
“Oh! Well, it was meant to be a little nibble, but it ended up being a chomp.” Pinkie explained.
“I still don’t fully understand!” Applejack exclaimed.
“Relax AJ. The girl can’t help herself.” Rainbow called from nowhere.
“Rainbow Dash? Where are ya?” Applejack asked looking around.
“Up here.” Applejack and Pinkie looked up to see the pegasus lounging on a cloud with a black sports bra and matching swim shorts on. “Miss me?” She asked lifting up her sunglasses.
“Yep!” Pinkie said as she started back swimming around Applejack. “But not as much as them!” Pinkie said as she pointed to Twilight and Fluttershy walking up. Applejack waved as well.
“Hey ya’ll! Where’s Rarity?” She asked.
“Oh...she’s making Spike’s suit. The Gala’s tonight after all.” Twilight noted as she set her beach umbrella down.
“Hoo-whee! I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since our last Gala! We had some times there!” Applejack said remembering the events from the supposed “best night ever.”
“Yeah...don’t talk about ‘em.” Rainbow said unamused.
“Who’s gonna make me? That guy who can stop me? What was his name? Ronald McDoesn’t exist?” She asked with a smirk.
“No, just Rainbow ‘Professionalism’ Dash!” She said as she jumped from her cloud and splashed Applejack, Pinkie, and Fluttershy who had just joined them. Ironic ain’t it?. Pinkie’s hair turned temporarily straight, but she quickly shook it out and her curls returned.
“Whew! That was close!” Pinkie thought in relief.
“Alright, now yer in for it!” Applejack shouted before crossing her hands and pounding the water with it, effectively splashing Rainbow Dash in the process.
“Oh, you want a splashfight? You got it!” Rainbow said before raising her hand and splashing the water in front of her, soaking everypony around her.
“Um, girls? C-Can we tone it down a little?” Fluttershy stuttered, but was soon ignored as Pinkie Pie climbed out of the lake and dived into her exact spot, splashing water on everypony, even managing to soak a few pages in Twilight’s book, which made her enraged. Oddly enough for some reason.
~ONE TANTRUM LATER~
Later on the gang including Twilight came over to Carousel Boutique in order to get dolled up for the big night.
"Man! I can't believe it's already that time again!" Rainbow dash said just coming out of the shower with a towel on.
"You said it RD! Shoot! I remember our last Gala like it was yesterday!" Applejack said putting on a white tanktop.
"Yeah me too! Only I had to muchmuchmuchmuchmuch longer than yesterday!" Pinkie pie said tranforming from Pinkamena back to her fluffy haired self, thankfully.
"So Twilight, is Spike excited about the Gala this year?" Fluttershy asked from behind a changing curtain.
"You could say that. I mean he was pretty bummed about being alone last year, so I'm gonna stay by his side all night!" Twilight said using a curling iron on her hair. Rarity came out wearing a long, bright blue, one strap dress with a…(y’know what, I’ve already explained this once, we all know what they dressed like for the Fall Formal right? Imagine that, but anthro.)
"Aw how sweet, you'llbe the cutest couple!" Rarity said with a smile, causing Rainbow Dash to snicker.
"Ha! C'mon Rarity! Twilight and Spike going together?! That'd be just, OW!" Rainbow yelped as Applejack elbowed her side.
"Now Rainbow, ah think it's mighty nice that Twilight's offerin her company to Spike." Applejack declared.
"Yeah! Especially since he's all grown up now! He'll be such a gentleman! Offering his arm, dancing with you." Pinkie Pie teased.
"Whoa whoa, easy girls. I appreciate the support, but we're just going as friends. Nothing more." Twilight assured.
"Um, pardon me but, how exactly are we going to get there?" Fluttershy asked calmly.
"Oh that won't be a problem. You remember the spell I cast on us to walk in Cloudsdale? I'll use that same spell on us so we can ride on a cloud there, if Rainbow doesn't mind pushing us up to Canterlot." Twilight inquired.
"Eh, no sweat. I'll have us there in a jiff!" Rainbow dash claimed rubbing a fist up and down her chest. Then there came a knock on the door.
"Okay it's almost time to go! Is everypony ready in there?" Spike called from behind.
"Just about! Come on in Spike!" Rarity called curling Fluttershy's hair. Spike came in wearing an amethyst suit with a white collared shirt, and a cyan tie.
"Wow Spike! Look at you!" Twilight said in amazement.
"Hey, look at you guys! You're gonna give Princess Cadance a run for her bits!" Twilight suddenly leaped in front of Spike.
"Cadance is gonna be there?!" She asked only inches from his face.
"Yeah, along with Shining Armor!" Spike said backing away slowly.
"Well then we have no time to waste! Rainbow dash get a cloud for all of us to fit! I'll cast the spell on you guys when we're out there, now let's go go go!" Twilight said grabbing Spike's arm out the door. The others just shrugged and followed after them. While Rainbow dash was looking for a cloud where her friends could fit, Twilight cast a spell on everyone so they would be able to sit on it.
"Alright guys! This was the biggest cloud I could find, so find a good spot, cause I won't be goin easy!" Rainbow dash announced as everyone boarded on. Applejack sat down next to Rarity who was sitting on her usual cushion.
"Really? So you pretty much take that cushion everywhere we sit, huh?" Applejack asked with a tone.
"Well pardon me for not wanting cloud stains on my dress." Rarity said sticking her head up high. Rainbow Dash then formed a motor out of the back of the cloud and wound it up so they would be on their way. Twilight found the takeoff so sudden that she grabbed Spike's arm with fear. Pinkie then made an 'I told you face’ at the Alicorn.
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“So, we’re on our way to the Gala, right Applejack?” Pinkie asked.
“Oh, you got that right Pinkie. At last, things were lookin up, I had the wind on my shoulders, the clouds at my hooves, and by my side was my crazy, candy mare!” Applejack declared.
“...you really think I’m crazy?” Pinkie asked shocked.
“Oh, Pinkie, Pinkie, Pinkie. Normal’s boring. It’s a compliment!” She explained with a smile.
“Ohoho! Thank you!” Pinkie said mollified.
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After finally hopping off the cloud in front of Princess Celestia’s palace, Twilight stared in awe at the castle before them. “I can't believe we're finally here! With all that we've imagined, the reality of this night is sure to make this the best night...!"
"Umm, are you gonna sing again?" Spike interrupted. Twilight shot a glare at him.
"Well I guess not now." Twilight said walking in with her head lowered. "Fluttershy why don't you take Rainbow dash, Applejack, and Pinkie pie to the garden and we'll meet up with you in the grand ballroom?" She asked.
"Okay Twilight." Fluttershy agreed as they went off.
“Aw what? We gotta go to the boring ol’ garden?” Rainbow Dash booed.
“Come on Dashie. It’ll be fun.” Fluttershy tried to assure.
“Yeah. Alright, sure Fluttershy. Nothing says fun like a bunch of animals and flowers, ooh!” Rainbow said sarcastically.
“Please come. For me? Please?” Fluttershy asked as she pouted her lip and gently tugged on Rainbow’s arm. Rainbow found the sight completely, and utterly adorable. There was no way she could ignore that plea! With a grumble, she reluctantly agreed.
“Fine fine, I’ll go.” Rainbow said with a roll of her eyes.
“Yay!” Fluttershy cheered as she and Pinkie ran off towards the garden. Rainbow looked at the pegasus that had began skipping with a warm smile. Applejack noticed this and scoffed with a smirk.
“What?!” Rainbow asked agitated.
“Nothin, nothin. Do what’cha want Rainbow.” She said with a wink as she followed the pink head’s.
“Yeah, kick your flank, that’s what I wanna do.” Rainbow muttered as she flew after them.
“Ooh! Look at all these pretty flowers!” Pinkie said as she practically shoved her muzzle into some daffodils.
“Oh, be careful Pinkie, you might encounter some…” Fluttershy tried to warn before an angry bee shook his tiny fist at Pinkie as he flew from the daffodil she was sniffing. “...bees.”
“Well! Someone was grumpy!” Pinkie said with a huff. Applejack chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Ah, it’s alright Pinkie. It’s the bee’s loss if it don’t like ya.” She said, instantly earning a hug from the party girl.
“Aw, you’re such a sweetie pants lately!” Pinkie said as she nuzzled Applejack’s chest, right between the valley of her hoofers.
“Oh my goodness! Her face is right between my boobs! She’s breathing right between them.” Applejack thought as she looked towards Rainbow Dash, asking her to do something with her eyes. The pegasus scoffed as she crossed her arms with a smirk. This truly was good payback for her. Applejack glared as she blushed. “Uh, Pinkie?”
“Hmm?” She asked, her eyes closed while she continued to hug, not wanting to ever let go.
“Maybe we should get inside now?” She suggested. As reluctant as she was, she needed to end this...for Pinkie's sake, of course.
"You're right! There's dancing duties to uphold! Hehe, 'doodie', but no time to laugh about it now! Come along, Applejack!" She took her hand and started dragging her to the ballroom, leaving Rainbow and Fluttershy in the garden.
"So...I guess we should get going, huh?" Rainbow asked, not wanting to be in awkward silence.
"Absolutely, but first...um..." Fluttershy twirled a lock of her mane.
"What is it?" Rainbow asked curiously.
"Well...there was this question I wanted to ask you. I-If you don't mind." She blushed a tiny bit. Rainbow's eyes widened a bit. IF she was blushing, that meant it would be something serious. She gulped as she folded her arms.
"O-Okay...ask away." She said with a nervous smile. Hopefully her dress wouldn't be drenched in sweat by the time she was done with this.