//------------------------------// // Happily Ever After // Story: Mending a Broken Rainbow // by malikvamp //------------------------------// Mending a Broken Rainbow- Chapter One- Happily Ever After -Author Note- This is a fanfiction for My Little Pony- Friendship is Magic. It is a romance story between Rainbow Dash and Applejac, and is sequel to my story 'Following a Rainbow'. If you have not read the prequel, please go do so now before beginning this story. The link to 'Following a Rainbow- Chapter One' is on my profile. Otherwise; enjoy! -End Note- It was a perfect day in Ponyville. The sky; a vibrant ocean blue, free of any clouds. The air; crisp and full of excitement. The grass; the same shade of lush green no matter what side of the road you were on. In light of the recent events that had taken place in their lives, Applejack and Rainbow were more than happy to take the day off, and to spend it together. "So, Dashie," Applejack spoke, having to raise her voice to be heard above the busy chatter of Sugarcube corner. The store was filled with ponies, young and old, searching for sugary treats to enjoy in the sunny morning. AJ herself sat across from Rainbow at a corner table, both of them working through one of Pinkie's specialty cupcakes. "Is there anything in particular that you had in mind for today?" Dash, caught in the middle of a large bite, simply smiled and shook her head. "You don't?" Applejack questioned. For a moment Rainbow did not answer, chewing furiously in an attempt to clear her mouth. When she finally spoke, it was not exactly what Applejack wanted to hear. Giving her filly-friend a large grin, Rainbow announced, "Nope! I just figured we'd figure that out once we had desert!" "Ah see..." Applejack said, smiling at Rainbow Dash. "Well, knowin' you, it'll take all day to make a plan! We could be here for hours, waitin' for ya to decide on what to do!" The look of shock on Rainbow Dash's face immediately told Applejack that she had won. Now there was no chance that Rainbow would take any longer than- "Ten seconds flat!" Rainbow shouted, hitting the table and gathering many odd gazes from the ponies in the shop. "I can figure out a plan in ten seconds flat, and it will be amazing!" "Really?" Applejack spoke, smiling happily and crossing her arms on top of the table. "Prove it." Applejack watched happily as Rainbow Dash began to panic, the Pegasus's eyes darting around the shop frantically, in search of something- anything to spark an idea. The longer she took, the more frightened she became. "Almost outta time, Sugarcube!" Applejack laughed, before beginning a countdown. "Three, Two, O-" "The park!" Rainbow practically screamed, locking eyes with Applejack. "We can, uh, go to the park and, uh, go cloud watching!" The park. That was Rainbow's brilliant idea. For a moment Applejack wanted to burst out laughing, and to draw attention to how generic an idea it was, but starring into Rainbow Dash's worried eyes, she couldn't bring herself to do it. After all, it wasn't like Rainbow's forgetfulness was causing any harm. "Ah'lright, Rainbow," AJ spoke, pushing herself away from the table and beginning to make her way towards the exit. Behind her, Applejack could hear Rainbow Dash give a heavy sigh, as if a great load had been lifted from her shoulders. "Now c'mon, there's a store Ah'd like to check out on our way to the park." The cyan Pegasus, her interests peaked, speedily flew to Applejack, landing beside the orange pony just as she made her way outside into the relaxing sunlight. Dropping a wing lazily across AJ's back, Rainbow spoke. "What kinda shop? Do they sell farm stuff or something?" "Farm stuff?" Applejack laughed, casting a wayward glance at her partner, then continued. "No, Rainbow, they do not sell farm stuff." "Oh. Then what do they sell?" "Antiques." At this, Rainbow began laughing loudly, having to fight herself to pause long enough to speak. "Antiques? Are you serious? Applejack, I never would have pegged you as the antique collecting sort!" "Yeah yeah, laugh it up." Applejack spoke, beginning to trot a little faster, forcing Rainbow to keep up. "It's a new shop in town, and Ah simply wanna check it out." Taking a sharp left turn, Applejack and Rainbow found themselves face to face with the new store. It was not the biggest store, but it was not small either. The building was bronze in color, as fitted an antique shop, and boasted a large orange sign that read 'Ralph's Antiques'. The store's front windows were large, one on either side of the entrance, and through the glass all kinds of nick knacks and strange figurines could be seen. "Wow," Rainbow spoke, her eyes exploring the left window's selection. "Maybe this place isn't as lame as I thought it was." Applejack, pleased by Rainbow's reaction, began to trot forward towards the building. Rainbow Dash followed closely behind. Upon opening the door, Applejack was greeted by a white unicorn stallion; a wide pearly smile filling his face. "Welcome to Ralph's Antique store!" The unicorn spoke happily, then swiftly moved to the side to allow Applejack entrance to the store. "That is to say, of course, my antique store!" "Well, thank ya kindly partner!" Applejack spoke, passing by the stallion and walking into the store. The building was filled with shelves, and each shelve stocked full of merchandise. Somehow, despite the store being new, it seemed as if a thin layer of dust had already settled around the old treasures. "This is a mighty fine store ya have here." Shouting a quick 'thank you' over his shoulder, Ralph turned and made his way to another customer in the store, offering his aid in their shopping. Applejack was impressed. Sure, most of the shops in Ponyville were friendly and all, but not this friendly! That is, with the exception of Roseluck's flower shop, where the cheery owner would be singing and dancing whilst she worked.      "Wait up, AJ!" Rainbow spoke, running into the store after her filly-friend. Flashing Applejack a quick smile, the Pegasus began to quickly sweep around the store with her eyes. Happily, she began to browse the many aisles, Applejack following contemptibly. "Ya know, Ah only wanted to take a quick peak!" Applejack spoke, laughing lightly at Rainbow's excitement as she looked each individual item up and down, several times. "If you're ready to go, then Ah'm-" "No!" Rainbow spun in place, her eyes wide and desperate. "Please, can't we stay just a little longer? I'm... Looking for something..." "Something?" "Yeah, well," Rainbow spoke, giggling at herself and the strangeness of her request. "I'm kinda looking for a replica of the statue, from Daring Doo and the Forest of Landlorian! It's kinda like a giant snake, sitting on a gorilla, who has emerald green eyes!" Applejack's loud laughter quickly gathered many eyes, and she swiftly quieted herself, a red blush forming at all of the attention. Finally catching her breath, the farm pony sighed, and spoke. "Fine. Ah'll help ya find that statue of yours. I'll check the left side of the shop, you check the other side." AJ was surprised by a quick kiss, before Rainbow darted away to the opposite side of the shop. Turning towards her area, the orange pony caught the eye of the storekeeper. There was no happiness in his eyes, the warm feeling replaced by... Hate? Before Applejack had time to identify the stare, it disappeared, the stallion turning and smiling to another guest. She must have imagined it. Casting the strange stare from her mind, Applejack began her search. Walking alongside the first row of shelves, she was surprised by the strange things that found home there. Small figurines of every kind, unicorns, earth ponies, and Pegasus alike. A small figurine of Princess Celestia, casting away the vicious Nightmare Moon. A large stone, shaped like the moon and with bright flames painted across it. That's when Applejack came to a realization that began to frighten her. Ralph was not just some friendly shop pony. He was one of the few ponies who would never accept the new views of Equestria. He still recognized the friendly Princess Luna as a tyrant of the night, and most likely would go out of his way to demoralize and hate any zebra folk he ran into. However, that was not what worried the farm pony. No. What worried her was the stare he had given upon seeing the two mares kiss. Quickly, Applejack turned from her search, and began searching for Rainbow amongst the antiques. Even without looking directly at the stallion, Applejack could feel the hateful stare of a certain unicorn. "Rainbow!" Applejack called out through the shop, in a vain attempt at keeping her voice calm and mellow. By the third time AJ called the name, the farm pony's voice was filled with fear. Making a quick turn around the next shelf, she saw her filly-friend. Rushing towards the cyan mare, Applejack spoke in a hushed voice. "Rainbow, we have to leave, now!" Rainbow Dash turned, smiling widely. In her hands rested her quarry, and AJ was sure that the Pegasus had ignored her previous statement. "I found it!" Rainbow cooed, planting another kiss against Applejack's cheek. "I can't believe I actually found it!" "Rainbow, we-" Applejack began to speak but was cut short by the excited Pegasus pulling her towards the counter. Before AJ could could respond they were standing before the store's owner. AJ wasn't sure when it happened, but Rainbow's wing had found a place for itself across Applejack's back. Rainbow was completely oblivious to Ralph's scornful expression. "Hi, I'd like to purchase this item, please!" Rainbow spoke happily, dropping the prized treasure onto the counter. Then, raising her eyes to those of the stallion, she finally caught wind of the situation. "Umm, is something wrong?" "Get out." Ralph's words were strict. They were not forgiving, nor were they arguable. Rainbow reacted as if she'd been hit by a brick, her footing faltering, causing the confused Pegasus to stumble back before finding her footing. A quick glance to Applejack only enforced her confusion, AJ glaring angrily at the store manager. "B-but-" Rainbow stammered. "But nothing," Ralph spoke monotonously, turning his gaze to a large vase beside him and using his magic to polish the thing. "I don't accept your kind here." "My kind?" Rainbow questioned. A quick glance around the store revealed several more Pegasus , shopping happily. "C'mon Sugarcube," Applejack spoke, attempting to pull Rainbow Dash out of the store. However, Rainbow did not want to go. She wanted the statue. "We should just get out of here." "That's right, listen to your little 'filly-friend'," Ralph spoke, putting a sour tone on his words. "Just leave, and never come back." And then it finally hit Rainbow. The reason for the stallion's cruelty, and the reason she would be un-able to get her prized statue. Rainbow paused, diverting her stare from the store keeper and back to Applejack; the other mare's eyes pleading for Rainbow to listen; to ignore. But no, she couldn't do that, now could she. Turning back to Ralph, Rainbow prepared herself for a heated argument. All around, the other shoppers had noticed the fight beginning, and had gathered to watch. "What the hay is wrong with you!" Rainbow screamed, knocking the mellow expression from Ralph's face and forcing the stallion to raise his brow in surprise. "What is your problem with one mare loving another? Were you bucked in the head or something?" Immediately Ralph regained his composure, arching his back into a proud, fighting stance. "It is you who has gone mad, you silly filly! Your love is a crime against nature itself, just like that disgusting 'princess of the moon'! Your filth is ruining this town, and I will stand for it no longer!" Rainbow began to shake in anger, her feathers standing on end. Placing a threatening hoof forward, she continued her verbal assault. "You take that back right now!" "Or what." Ralph spoke not a question, but a challenge. "Or... Or..." Rainbow stammered. She was too enthralled in her thoughts to notice the shelves in the store beginning to shake, or the strange rainbow mist forming around the vase atop the counter. "Rainbow, please!" Applejack threw her hooves around Rainbow's body. The Rainbow glow continued to grow. Suddenly, the vase exploded.   The store erupted into an uproar. Ponies screamed, as antiques fell from the shelves and shattered at their feet. Ralph erupted into anger. "What the buck did you do!" "Me?" Rainbow laughed. "You're the one with the horn! I'm a Pegasus, not a unicorn!" "But-" Ralph paused, his veins pulsing heavily in his neck. Rainbow was right. She did not have a horn, nor any magical abilities... Right? Before the stallion had time to further his argument, Applejack had already begun to flee the scene, a very confused Rainbow Dash being dragged behind her.