//------------------------------//
// Well, Excuuuuuuuse Me, AJ 
// Story: Appledashery 
// by Just Essay 
//------------------------------//

	Rainbow Dash gawked at her, mouth agape. With folded ears, she murmured, "Applejack... it's me!  Rainbow Dash!  Don't..."  She gulped.  "D-don't you remember?"

"I'm so very sorry," Apple Jewell said, blinking with concern.  She spoke in a soft, velvety tone that was unbecoming of her.  "But you have me at a disadvantage.  My name is Princess Apple Jewell, heir to the throne of Queen Serenity Shindig, and possessor of the key to Philanthropy."

"But... b-but..."

"Are you not feeling well?"  Apple Jewell shuffled forward, skirts trailing.  She leaned her freckled, powdered face to the side.  "You poor thing, you're out of breath!  Perhaps you made a wrong turn somewhere."

"This can't be happening..."  Rainbow Dash held a hoof to her forehead as she teetered.  "This seriously. totally can't be happening...!"

"Shhhh... it's okay, sugarcube."  Applejack rested a hoof on the pegasus' shoulder.  "Just calm down.  Take a few deep breaths. Try to remember how you came here."

"I... I'm here because... b-because..."

"I hate to tell ya that most ponies ain't really allowed in here."  Apple Jewell smiled coyly.  "But I'm certain Shindig and her sons will make an exception in yer case, seein' as how confused y'all are."

"An... exception?"

"Well, at least I think they will."  The Cider Princess smiled sheepishly.  "They only executed three out of the last five servants who trotted in here without askin'."

"Uhhhhh..."

"Say!"  Apple Jewell squinted.  "Them's some elaborate duds yer sportin'."  She pointed at the corset and the leather wings on Rainbow's back.  "Why, if I didn't know better, I'd say you resembled the Blue Jay."

"Blue... Jay...?"  Rainbow was just then starting to come out of her fog of confusion and frustration.

"Hold on just a second..."  Applejack's usually deep voice briefly surfaced.  Her brow furrowed.  "Yer mane.  Yer coat.  That rasp in yer voice."

Rainbow's heart skipped a beat.  She leaned forward.  "Yeah...?"

Apple Jewell gulped.  "You really are the Blue Jay, ain'tcha?"

"... ... ..."  Rainbow Dash took a sharp breath.  "Yes."  She stepped forward, hoof stomping.  "And I have to get you out of here!"

"Oh my stars and garters..."  Apple Jewell leaned back, hugging herself.  "I knew this tower couldn't hold me forever!"

"It's for your own good—!"

"I do declare, Shindig's loyal forces will do everythang in their power to stop you—!"

"But... th-that's just the thing!"  Rainbow Dash exclaimed.  "You can't trust Shindig!"

"Hmmphh!"  Apple Jewell frowned, upturning her nose.  "I reckoned y'all would say that, ya thievin' vagabond—!"

"No, I-I'm serious!"  Rainbow pointed outside.  "She's wanting to feed you to that crazy death door and use your spirit to bring back her dead husband, Philanthropy!"

"I beg yer pardon...?"

"She and her sons, Flim and Flam, couldn't care less about what happens to you on the day of Coronation or afterwards!  Don't you see?!" Rainbow's voice cracked.  "They're using you to try and do something super crazy stupid!"

"How does any of this factor in to you gettin' all of Philanthropy's riches?"

"Dang it!  It doesn't!" Rainbow snarled, then pleaded.  "Please, you gotta follow me!  I promise I won't hurt you!  I just gotta get you out of this Tower and away from this crazy family before it's too late!  Too late for you, AJ!"

Apple Jewell blinked, lips pursed.  "But... b-but..."

"Look, all that matters is that you are safe," Rainbow said, stretching out a hoof.  "I don't care about this city.  I don't care bout the riches.  I don't even care about these fake-flank wings!  I came to get you out, and nothing more."

The Cider Princess took a deep breath.  "Ya really aren't gonna take 'no' for an answer, are y'all?"

Rainbow vigorously shook her head.

Gulping, Apple Jewell sighed and reached her hoof forward.  "Alright. Since there's no arguin' with ya, darlin'..."

Rainbow's breath left her as their hooves made contact.  She had to compose herself in time to say, "Awesome... you won't regret this.  I promise."

Apple Jewell smiled nervously.

Rainbow's heart fluttered, and for the first time in ages she emitted a tiny squeak of joy from deep within.  "Right..."  She turned and tugged on the Princess' forelimb.  "Let's roll!"