//------------------------------// // I've got to admit // Story: priceless // by Derec mc coy //------------------------------// Rainbow Dash and Applejack stood on the stage again. The once so open field, changed into a deep valley, with tricky edges, and stiff climbs. “Dear competitors.” Twilight started her speech again. “As you can see, the landscape changed for the last time. You will have to race through this valley. It will test your guts, speed and strength. The first one who is on the other side wins the price.” Applejack and Rainbow Dash scanned the gorge, and were already looking for the easiest way to go. “As usual, there are no wings allowed. And to be sure, your wings will be blocked with magic, like yesterday.” Twilight continued. “Good luck, play fair, and have fun.” “May I ask the duos to go to their starting positions?” Filthy Rich said. Rainbow Dash and Applejack walked of the stage, and stood still in front of a thick white line. A few feet farther, Thunder Rush and Cloud Kicker did the same. “Get Ready.” Filthy said. And Twilight cast a spell, so the wings of the three pegasi would be blocked. “Set… GO!” Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other. “You want to go down to the bottom?” Applejack asked. “Nah, it takes to long.” Rainbow Dash said. She pointed at a ledge, a bit under the left side of actual edge of the valley. “See, we can walk over that.” “Are you sure?” Applejack said. “It will be faster, true, but also riskier.” Rainbow Dash trotted a bit closer to the edge ravine “It’s a risk I want to take.” She turned to her friend. “You’re coming too?” Applejack looked at the other duo. They were climbing down to the bottom. And slowly nodded. “Let’s do this.” “Awesome!” Rainbow Dash trotted slowly downward, while she was followed by Applejack. “Watch your steps. The rocks are a bit loose here.” Rainbow Dash said. “Got it.” Applejack said. And she walked right behind Rainbow. The climb to the ledge took a bit longer as they hoped so. Rainbow Dash looked at the other duo, and saw that they were running far ahead. “Shoot.” Rainbow Dash cursed. And she turned to Applejack. “We’ve got to hurry. If we’re fast enough, we can overtake them on the other side of the valley.” “Are you nuts? Ah’m not goin’ to run on this small ledge! Who knows how unstable it is?” Applejack protested, a bit scared. Rainbow Dash took her friend by her shoulder. “Listen, Twilight is still around. When we fall, she’ll catch us. But we’ve got to take this risk, or else we have nothing!” Applejack sighed. “Okay!” she yelled. “Okay.” And together, they ran over the small ledge of the canyon. Rainbow Dash in front. “We’re over taking them.” Rainbow Dash exclaimed. “We can make it!” Applejack was still a bit frightened by the unstable rocks. Each step they made, some rocks fall down. “Great. Maybe we can slow down a little now?” she asked. “Are you kidding?” Rainbow Dash laughed. “Victory was never been so close. If we can hold this for a little longer, then there is no way we lose!” Applejack sighed. “Okay, but please, tell me you watch your steps.” “Of course I do.” Rainbow Dash smiled. and she looked at the other duo. “We’re on one line with them now.” Applejack looked at the other duo too now. “Yeah, I start to belief you now…” At that moment, Rainbow Dash hind hoof slipped away. “Watch out here, it’s unstable here!” But it was too late. A big part was crumbling down. Rainbow Dash jumped forward to get on a stable spot, and she turned around to check out Applejack. Applejack’s hind hoofs were hanging over the edge, while she tried to get some grip on the edge. “Applejack!” Rainbow Dash jumped to her friend in need, and she slid over on her belly to her. The hard rocks hurt her tummy. “I should have thought this through.” She mumbled to herself. She grabbed Applejack’s front hoofs, and pulled her over. But just Dash started to pull, the ledge started to crumble a bit more. Rainbow Dash held Applejack’s hooves in her front hooves now, while her hind legs, and half her belly were laying on a stable part of the edge now. “Applejack” Rainbow Dash said with pain in her voice. “Can you hold yourself somewhere? Because there is no way I can pull you up.” Applejack looked around. “Nothin’ here.” She sighed. Tears formed in her eyes. “Dash, Ah’m a bit scared now…” “I know. Me too.” Rainbow Dash admitted. She tried to pull Applejack up, but slipped a bit farther in the canyon. “Come on Twilight, where are you!” “Rainbow…” Applejack started. “I don’t think I can hold it any longer…” “Just… hold on a sec…” Rainbow Dash said. And an expression of pain showed on her face. “Dash…” And one hoof slipped away. “Applejack!” Rainbow Dash yelled. She held Applejack’s hoof in her both hooves now. Dash looked around, searching for help, but nothing could be found. “Applejack, I’m not somepony who sees the things on a negative way…” Dash started. “Ah know Dash…” Applejack cried. “But I’ve got to tell you something.” Rainbow Dash said. “Tell me, before it’s too late.” Applejack said. And she slipped a bit farther away. “I… I figured something out yesterday.” “What?” Applejack looked downward. There was no way she could survive the fall. It was too deep, and the rocks were like sharp spears down there. “I finally know what makes me compete in this.” Rainbow Dash said. “Because of a strong desire, you said once.” Applejack said. “And you know what desire?” Rainbow Dash asked. “The money? So you could join the wonderbolts?” Applejack guessed. She tried to pull herself up, and grab Rainbows hoof, but failed. “No. You wanna know what keeps me going? It’s not the money, or the adrenaline. It’s the fact that I’m with you, competing with you on my side. I competed with many ponies, but you gave me a special feeling. The feeling that I should improve myself, to get better. I thought it was fear for failing, and being the second best pony in sports.” Applejacks eyes were wet, and her head turned red. “Dash, what are you trying to say?” She cried. “I love you Applejack. I really do. I love to compete with you, and to be with you. You gives me the feeling that I must go on. And I’m sorry that I was such a fool who was too blind to see that. But this is new for me too.” Rainbows Eyes were bloodshot red, and filled with tears. “I can’t explain it…” “Dash…” Applejack whispered. And she locked her gaze, and looked into Rainbow’s eyes. she could see the spark in her eyes. she pulled herself up. She felt stronger now. She grabbed Rainbows hooves with both hooves, and pulled herself up a little. Her face was coming close to Rainbow Dash. “Applejack…” their lips were really close now. Little teardrops dripped from Rainbows cheek on Applejack’s. But right before their lips met, Applejack slipped away, out of Rainbow’s hooves. “Applejack!” Rainbow Dash fell all her emotions boiling in her chest. she spread her wings, with all the force she had, and broke the spell. She jumped behind the pony she loved. Just before Applejack hit the ground, Rainbow Dash grabbed her. She pressed Applejack tight to her chest, and flew straight up. Applejack hugged Rainbow Dash, and cried in her shoulder. “It’s okay now.” Rainbow Dash comforted. “It’s okay. It’s all over.” And she stroked Applejack’s mane. Dash flew to the closest open spot she could find, and placed Applejack on the ground. They were both shaking off adrenalin and fear. Once Applejack got everything back under control, she turned to Rainbow Dash. “Do you truly love me?” she asked. The rainbow maned pegasus nodded slowly. “I guess so. I figured it out yesterday evening. I’m such a fool…” Applejack placed her hoof on Rainbow Dash’ mouth. “You’re not a fool Dash…” She smiled comfortingly to her friend and brought her mouth closer to Rainbow’s. she kissed her quickly on the cheek, and smiled like a little school filly. “Do you mean…” Rainbow Dash said with a spark of hope. “Ah have to admit… you are pretty awesome.” Applejack smiled. “And you saved mah live, so I owe you one. So, I’ll give you a chance.” Rainbow Dash smiled with all the happiness she had. “Do you mean pretty AND awesome?” she joked. Applejack giggled and rested her head on Rainbows shoulder. “Mostly pretty…”