Rainbow Dash flew through the air at a relaxed pace. She had been invited to spend the day with the Apple family and, according to Big Mac, this was a very special day for them. Rainbow did not know anything about the occasion, but she knew that Mac had seemed very somber about the event and she assumed she was to be invited for moral support.
Rainbow was currently flying over the outskirts of Ponyville watching as the ponies on the ground walked by. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and nopony seemed upset about anything. Usually when there was a problem for the Apple family, everypony in Ponyville was affected in some way and yet nopony seemed upset at all.
Rainbow wondered if she had the wrong day, or if maybe there was some miscommunication between her and Mac. Rainbow continued to wonder as she flew, completely ignoring the beautiful landscape she usually enjoyed. The beauty of the lush apple trees completely lost on her today.
The farm she flew over was massive and full of life. Most days she would stop to either enjoy the serenity of the land or to nap in the soft trees, their branches more comfortable to her than any bedding. Sometimes she would even take a few of the smaller apples for herself.
She flew close to the treetops, enjoying the smell of the apples, and the feel of the morning mist clinging to the leaves as she brushed against them. The metallic smell of rain filled her nose as she flew. She knew there was a storm scheduled for today, but she had taken the day off for her friends. Several pegasi flew overhead pushing the dark storm clouds into place erasing the beautiful day that had been.
Rainbow flew lower to the ground, deciding to walk the rest of the way. The rain was not supposed to start for another couple hours, but Rainbow knew that without her to help coordinate the other pegasus ponies would rush to get the job done soon. So the rain would begin whenever they finished preparing the sky.
Rainbow walked down the long winding farm road, the dirt felt cool under her hooves and she relished the feeling. She could tell by the way Mac was acting that this was supposed to be a sad day for the Apple family, but it was hard to be sad when everything seemed so ordinary and nice.
Rainbow walked for several more minutes, taking her time to arrive. As Rainbow rounded the last bend of the road she saw the barn, it's wide doors almost permanently open. She also saw that Granny Smith was not in her rocking chair asleep as usual.
Rainbow could hear talking from the barn and approached the doors, pausing before entering when she heard the discussion.
"I know, sugarcube." Applejack said to somepony else in the loft of the barn. Rainbow could not see her, but her words were clear.
Rainbow hesitated, unsure of whether or not to interrupt the conversation.
"And I miss Daddy." Applebloom's sweet, childish voice broke as she choked back a sob. "And I miss Mama, and I wish they was still here." she said, sobbing.
"It's alright, Applebloom." Applejack cooed. "Just let it all out."
"They were supposed ta stay with us forever, sis. Mama promised, she said she'd always be here for us." Applebloom continued to cry. "She said we was her world and she would take care of us forever and she didn't, sis. She lied."
"Now, now. It's okay. Mama tried, sugarcube. Mama tried." Applejack said.
Rainbow was listening intently, trying to keep her eyes from watering. She had no idea what brought this on, and honestly she did not know what happened to Applejack's parents. It was known all throughout Ponyville that they were lost in a tragedy, but nopony knew exactly what happened. The Apples never really talked about it.
"But Mama ain't here for us anymore, sis." Applebloom said.
"Mama is here, Applebloom. Ya just gotta know how ta look for her." Applejack said. Her voice never broke, there was no quivering. Applejack was obviously being strong for her sister, and still Rainbow hated the burn behind her eyes as she listened.
"Mama's gone though..." Applebloom was sobbing loudly at this point and it tore at Rainbow Dash's heart to hear it. "Mama and Dad, they're both gone and nothin' can bring 'em back."
"You remember them though. You can hang on to those memories, sugarcube. That's what keeps 'em here. Keeps 'em close." Applejack cooed to her younger sister trying to sooth her. Her voice was still strong and steady, despite how loudly her little sister was crying.
Rainbow Dash jumped when she heard hoofsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Big Mac looking at her with sad eyes. This was why he wanted her here, to hear this... but why?
"She's always been like that." Big Mac whispered. "Too strong for her own good."
"What do you mean?" Rainbow whispered as well, trying to keep her voice low so as not to disturb the crying filly.
"She's always been there for us when it comes to this." Mac explained. "Nopony's been there for her like that though. She ain't shared her pain or problems with anypony. That's why I wanted you here."
"Why me?" she asked.
"Because, I think you're strong enough she'll accept your help. She won't take no help from nopony, not unless they're tough enough to handle it." Mac said.
Then Applebloom spoke again. "You remember what Mama and Daddy used to sing to me when I was a foal?" she asked. "Could you sing it for me?"
Applejack took a deep breath and the barn filled with the most haunting song Rainbow had ever heard her friend sing. The sound of it brought tears to Mac's eyes and Rainbow struggled to contain her own tears at the sound.
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You'll never know dear
Just how much I love you
Please don't take
My sunshine
Away
The song was short and obviously supposed to be happy, but Rainbow could feel the pain and sadness behind the words and she knew, the moment it was over, her friend Applejack was trying so hard to be strong for her family.
"Thank ya, sis..." Applebloom sniffed. "That always helps."
"Anythin' you need, sugarcube." Applejack said softly.
Big Mac nodded to Rainbow, tears still in his eyes, and he walked back to the house, no doubt to deal with his own grief. Rainbow stood and waited to hear more of the conversation between the two.
After several minutes of Applebloom sniffling, she finally spoke again, "Do ya think Mama and Daddy are happy?" the filly asked.
"I think they'd be real happy if you'd stop being sad." Applejack said with a chuckle. "C'mon, sugarcube. Don't ya wanna go play with your little friends, and stop bein' sad?"
"Yeah, I just wanted to talk bout 'em with ya sis.. I miss 'em both real bad." Applebloom said with a sniffle
"Me too, little sis... me too." Applejack said.
Rainbow heard the two sisters moving in the loft of the barn and decided not to let them know she had been listening. She flew just above the barn and hovered there until Applebloom ran under her heading in the direction of her clubhouse. Applejack exited the barn behind her little sister and smiled as she watched the filly run.
Rainbow landed silently behind her, causing her to jump when she spoke. "What's today?" she asked.
Applejack looked over her shoulder and narrowed her eyes slightly before watching her sister again. "Thursday." she said.
"No, you know that's not what I mean, AJ." Rainbow said stomping a hoof. "What's today?"
Applejack sighed looking down at her hooves. She kept her back to Rainbow as she spoke, "It's the anniversary of the day ma parents died." she said.
"Why haven't you ever said anything?" Rainbow asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to contain her emotions. "Why haven't you ever asked us for support?"
"Cause I don't need it." Applejack said. "My family needs me ta be strong, so I am. It doesn't matter anyhow, RD. I'm tough I can handle it and you-" Applejack stopped as she turned around and finally looked at her best friend. "Dash? Are you cryin'?" she asked, seeing the tears fall across Rainbow's cyan coat.
Rainbow threw herself at the other mare, wrapping her hooves around her neck. Applejack returned the gesture with a sad smile. "AJ?" Rainbow said, her voice breaking slightly.
"Yes?"
"Don't tell anypony I said this, but... you're a lot tougher than me." Rainbow said quietly. She had always known that Applejack had trouble asking for help, and now she finally understood why. Because she never really could before, but things were different now. "I'd be happy to be a wimp." Rainbow said, never removing her hooves from Applejack's neck.
"What?" Applejack asked, confused.
"I'd be happy to be a wimp. If you'll stop being tough for just one day... I would too." Rainbow said. "I know you've never had anypony to talk to about how bad it hurts, but I want you to talk to me... please."
"Rainbow..." Applejack sighed as she pulled away from the embrace. "I don't need to talk about it. I'm okay."
"No, you're not." Rainbow sobbed. "I heard it... in the song..."
Applejack's eyes widened slightly. "You heard that?"
"It was beautiful." Rainbow said, noticing Applejack's mouth twitch slightly. "It was wonderful, but I could hear the sadness in it too. You're hurting too, and you need somepony to be weak with you... for just one day... I wanna be a wimp, with you."
"Sugarcube..." Applejack sighed. "Believe me, I'd like nothin' more than ta be a wimp with you for today, but I can't."
"Why not?" Rainbow asked, finally stifling her sobs. "Everypony else is taking today to be sad... why can't you?"
"I gotta be here if Big Mac or Applebloom need me... they can't see me like that." she said. "I'm sorry, RD. I just don't have that luxury."
Then, as if in answer to Rainbow's silent prayers, Big Mac and the three cutie mark crusaders walked to the barn. "Hey, Applejack! Hey, Rainbow Dash!" the three filly's yelled in unison.
"Hey." Rainbow said. "What are you guys doing?"
"Big Mac was gonna take us to Rarity's, and then we were gonna have a sleepover." Scootaloo positively beamed.
"Eeyup." Big Mac said, looking meaningfully at Rainbow Dash.
"So y'all are gonna be gone all day?" Applejack asked incredulously.
"Eeyup." Big Mac nodded.
"You too, Mac?" Rainbow asked.
"Eeyup." He said, smiling.
"Alright... well I guess, we'll see y'all tomorrow." Applejack said, just as Applebloom gave her a quick hug.
"Love ya sis." the little filly said. Then Applejack returned the hug.
"Love you too, sugarcube." she said. Rainbow had to stifle a laugh at the unintentional rhyme. Today was not a day for laughing... or maybe it was. That depended on Applejack.
The two mares stayed in front of the barn, watching as the others disappeared from view. Rainbow then turned to Applejack. "What about Granny Smith?" she asked. She so hoped that the house would be empty today, save the two of them.
"She won't be back till tomorrow neither." Applejack said quietly. "She goes to spend the day with them every year."
Rainbow nodded, noticing the rain slowly beginning to fall. "So..." she said. "Do you-" she stopped as the other mare threw herself into a hug with the pegasus.
"Just... say it again... if you mean what you say, then say it again. Then I'll spend the day bein' a wimp with ya." She whispered. "Just... let me be tough... one more time today." her voice broke slightly at the last word and Rainbow felt a drop of water hit her cheek just below Applejack's eye.
Rainbow smiled a sad smile and returned the hug, burying her face in Applejack's neck. "You're tougher than me." she said.
A moment of silence broken only by a sniffle from Applejack, and then. "Thank you, sugarcube.... thank you."
Applejack, for the first time since her parents died, began to cry. She was crying quietly and the rain did well in hiding the tears, but she finally cried.
Rainbow snuggled her nose deeper into the other mares neck and allowed herself a few tears as well. She was glad that Applejack was finally letting it all out, but she was still sad for her friend. Applejack sobbed and buried herself into her friends mane, allowing her tears to add to the rain.
After several minutes of quiet crying, Applejack finally took a deep shaky breath and pulled away from the hug. "I ain't done yet, but... maybe we should get out of the rain?" she said.
Rainbow nodded and the pair walked into the house. After entering the farmhouse, Rainbow looked into her friends sad, beautiful, green eyes. "You wanna talk about it?" she asked.
"Yeah... but, let's go to my room... I feel weird doing it right here in the kitchen." Applejack said walking upstairs. Rainbow followed, noticing how shaky the other mares steps were. She was obviously nervous, but she needed this.
"Rainbow?" Applejack spoke, breaking the pegasus from her thoughts.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"What are the rules?" Applejack asked.
Normally, Rainbow would be lost at the question, however today she knew exactly what Applejack meant. It was easier for her to do this if she took it as a dare or a bet, so there had to be rules. "You have to be completely honest today, and you have to tell me everything that's making you sad even if I can't help." Rainbow said quickly, sounding almost as if she had planned her answer.
"And what do you have to do?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow thought for a minute and smiled. "I have to do whatever you want and listen to everything you say today. And I'm not allowed to leave until you say I can."
"And if I don't wanna be alone overnight?" Applejack asked.
Rainbow smiled and put a hoof on her shoulder. "Then you would have to put up with my snoring." she said with a wink.
Applejack smiled and pushed her face into the hoof. "Thank you." she said, a tear falling down her cheek. "Thank you so much..."
The pair entered Applejack's room. The room was small and had little in the way of decoration, but it was obviously home to the earth pony. The dresser held several pictures of all of her family and friends and the walls held several more photos.
Applejack sat on the edge of the bed and motioned for the pegasus to join her. Rainbow Dash took her seat next to the other mare and looked into her emerald eyes. "So," she said. "Why don't you start from the beginning..."