//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 - Better Than Ever // Story: Facing Consequences, Making Choices // by 1Bit //------------------------------// There were few times in Equestrian history when six ponies were brought together by such a powerful bond to become friends. Since Twilight's move to Ponyville, the lives of Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash had changed dramatically. Before that fateful day, Fluttershy rarely spoke to anypony on her trips into Ponyville, grabbing what she needed before retreating to the comfort of her remote cottage. Rarity was always busy with her boutique, pleasing everypony who asked for her expertise. Yet, she never really made any true friends. Pinkie was the life of the town. She was the only pony who knew everypony in Ponyville. She was best friends with everyone from the beginning, not singling out the five special ponies she now had as friends. Applejack and Rainbow Dash, however, had always had something that kept them connected from the beginning. Ever since Rainbow's move from Cloudsdale, they would hang out on the orchards or walk into town together. They had been good friends. And now, Rainbow had made that friendship into something more special and Rainbow's heart fluttered every time that she remembered that fact. I'm going out with Applejack! Rainbow practically squealed in delight as she had the last time such thoughts ran through her mind. After everything, she finally loves me back! She grinned, casually trotting through town. She took no notice of the goods that surrounded her in the heated atmosphere of the marketplace. She was lost to a sea of dreamy thoughts surrounding the orange mare, that had happily returned since their relationship had began. Even with her wing still healing from the events of the Everfree Forest earlier that month, the pegasus had a skip in her step and the sun was shining. For the first time in a long while, she was happy. "Hiya Dashie!" A bubbly voice said from behind, making Rainbow jump. Pinkie giggled at seeing the startled expression on the mare's face, prompting a groan from Rainbow. "Hey Pinkie. What's up?" "Oh, I don't know, just wondering where my bestest friend in the whole wide world is off to!" The smile never left Pinkie's face as she spoke, showing that she'd still not lost her optimistic charm. "You always seem to be going somewhere exciting these days." Rainbow smiled. "Well, it's nowhere exciting today." She gestured to her injured wing, still bandaged up tightly. "I'm just heading up to Sweet Apple Acres." She said, starting to walk up the cobblestone street again. "I promised I'd help Applejack with some chores today." "Ugh, again?!" Pinkie seemed a little disheartened at Rainbow's words, momentarily frowning frustratedly. I really need to come up with some new excuses. Rainbow thought, making a mental note. Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash had agreed that it would be safer to avoid telling their friends about them. In Equestria, there were mixed feelings towards fillyfoolers and the like, so the two mares preferred the notion that they would talk about it when they felt the time was right. Of course, this did however, make it hard to explain why Rainbow had suddenly began seeing a lot more of Applejack. At first, they simply said they were checking on Cloudjumper, who was still in a serious condition in the hospital. The tale of his heroic deeds, fending off a pack of Timberwolves to allow Applejack to escape, was quite the talk of the town, but it was not something Applejack and Rainbow wanted to celebrate. Cloudjumper was the one who brought them together, through it all. Rainbow had hated him at first, simply for dating Applejack. But after his sacrifice, Rainbow's view on him had drastically changed. He was a strong and kind pony, but his strength wasn't enough to defeat the Timberwolves. Even now, Rainbow still felt guilty for his situation, blaming herself for it all. Sure, times are rough and problems will come and go. Rainbow thought to herself in an optimistic fashion she wasn't used to. But for once, I know everything will turn out okay. "Rainbow?" Pinkie asked, concerned at her friend suddenly zoning out. "Buh- sorry, wha?" Rainbow stuttered, blinking. "Are you alright, Dashie?" Pinkie frowned, cocking her head slightly. Rainbow waved a hoof at her. "Pfft! Of course! Why'd there be anything wrong with me? I'm awesome!" Rainbow offered a confident smile, flicking her mane back. "Sorry, Pinkie. I'd love to stay and chat but I'm already running late-" She pointed at a non-existant watch on her foreleg. "-So I gotta run." Pinkie sagged slightly. "Oh, okay." She said quietly. Rainbow rolled her eyes. "I hear that Twilight's been working on a spell to make chocolate muffins appear out of thin air..." A small grin appearing on her face at seeing Pinkie's reaction. "WHAT?!" Pinkie exclaimed, jumping up and down on the spot excitedly. "Why wasn't I told about this?" And just like that, the pink mare was gone, a dozen or so ponies in her path to the treehouse, left in a daze. Rainbow chuckled as she trotted up to the Apple family farm. The sun was setting on the orchard when Rainbow finally reached it. She cautiously eyed the farmhouse, double checking that Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom had finished their chores. Sure the coast was clear, she quickly crossed to the orchard, passing the rows and rows of freshly bucked trees. The delicious red fruits lay perfectly within the surrounding buckets, only a few in the tall grass. Rainbow brought a hoof to her forehead, squinting up at the nearest hillside. She could just make out the small figure of an orange mare laid up against an apple tree. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight, heat already rushing to her cheeks as she hurried to be with her marefriend. Sweating slightly from the run up, Rainbow finally reached Applejack, who welcomed her with a sweet kiss on the lips, instantly soothing Rainbow. That'll never get old... Rainbow returned the kiss, pushing a little against Applejack, the mare giggling in response. "You sure seem feisty tonight, sugarcube." Applejack lay back down on the grass, gazing up at the sky. "I was worried you wouldn't turn up. You're pretty late...well, later than usual." Rainbow joined Applejack, carefully placing herself on the hillside so that her injured wing wasn't squished against the ground. Satisfied with her position, she returned to gazing at Applejack. "Yeah, I got a little caught up by Pinkie. She's always able to jump me when I'm in town." "Not much of a surprise, yer too busy dreamin' bout me to pay any attention to what's goin' on around you." The mare replied, laughing to herself. Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Oh please! I'm not that sappy!" She blushed slightly, knowing that was exactly what had happened. "Whatever you say, Rainbow." They lay there together quietly for a while, Applejack staring at the setting sun and Rainbow staring at Applejack. She sighed contentedly as her gaze fell upon her cute freckles and her deep emerald eyes, glistening in the sunlight. She took in every inch of her body, admiring her strong build mixed with her beautiful blonde mane and tail. Truth be told, Rainbow could never get enough of the sight. Back in her youth, she'd never have expected to be with another mare. Yet, here she was, years later, unable to take her eyes off of Applejack's body. "Did I ever tell you how beautiful you are, AJ?" She said half-mindedly, her cheeks turning a warm red as the Earth pony made eye contact with her. "Many times Rainbow, many times." Applejack rolled her eyes, returning to the sunset. "In fact, every second of every day you tell me." "Well, that's because it's true!" Rainbow smiled dreamily at her. "There aren't enough words to explain how perfect you are." "Honestly, when did you become so cheesy?" Applejack chuckled softly, bringing Rainbow into a close embrace. "It's like your tryin' to turn this into a bad romance novel!" Rainbow laughed too. "What, like the things Rarity reads?" "The very same!" Applejack said, nestling deeper into the grassy hill. She smiled warmly as she held Rainbow in her hooves. "Y'know, I always loved this spot on the orchard. It's a good place to think." She sighed, looking down at Rainbow. "And I was thinkin' we'd better tell a certain group of ponies about...us." "Come on, AJ." Rainbow replied nervously. "I'm sure they can be kept in the dark a little while longer." Maybe...but I hate hidin' it like this." Applejack confessed with distaste. "It's bad enough with my family askin' me so many questions..." She hung her head in defeat, slightly loosening her grip around Rainbow. "We got to tell somepony at some point, Rainbow. We can't just lie forever." The pegasus sighed, mulling it over for a few minutes. "Alright AJ, if it makes you happy, we'll talk to Twilight and Fluttershy about it soon. At least with those two, we know that we'll get a calmer response and we can trust them to keep quiet about it." "Doesn't Fluttershy already know? I mean, she kinda saw you blubbin' all over the place after the thing at Sugarcube Corner." Applejack reminded her, causing Rainbow to cringe a little at the memory of her sudden outburst in front of her friends. "Yeah, I suppose. She still doesn't know we're actually together though." Rainbow gave Applejack a small kiss on the cheek making the mare blush furiously. Rainbow smiled. "Soon. We'll talk about it soon." The sun was almost completely hidden behind the mountains, the moon beginning to take it's place. They both continued to sit in each other's embrace long into the night before finally trotting down through the orchard again, heading into the farmhouse. Stepping lightly up the stairs, they crept into Applejack's room and snuggled into bed, allowing the stars to take them away to their dreams.