//------------------------------//
// Chapter 16 
// Story: Just Friends 
// by lonewolf.007 
//------------------------------//

Author's Note: Holla, everypony! Back again with the next chapter! There may be a short hiatus after this, just for two weeks, got a couple of exams. I'll update as soon as I can.

Thanks to my reviewers, you guys are the best, and it always reminds me that there are people waiting for the story to go on! You guys motivate me to keep this thing going, and I won't forget.

Remember to check out the poll on my profile, and please, please leave a review!

Applejack's heart was beating loudly, as they inched along the path. The enemy suddenly seemed overwhelming close, and this wasn't helped when they crouched in the shadows of rocks and boulders to try and avoid all life forms. They were wondering along the supposed stretch of rock in which there should be an opening to lead them away from the extreme proximity of the entrance to the enemy stronghold and to a well-hidden site they could use to begin operations.

After venturing along the stretch for about half an hour, with nothing to spare, Rainbow held up a cyan hoof. They drew into the shadows, and listened carefully. The thud they had heard didn't come again. Turning to AJ, Rainbow shook her head.

"We've gone too far. It can't be past this point. I remember this area. When I flew off, I remembered seeing that rock formation thing there," she whispered, gesturing with a hoof towards the giant structure that had been worn over time to give it an oddly bestial look. "We must've passed it."

Applejack frowned. "Are ya sure? We looked real carefully at every section of them rock walls back there."

"We must've missed it."

"Alrigh'."

A sudden thud came again, followed by a creaking sound. Rainbow stuck her head out from behind their boulder, and AJ had to pull her back.

"Didn't see anything."

"Good! Now don' stick yer head out like that again!"

"Okay, okay."

After waiting for another moment and hearing nothing, they set off again, quietly. Jumping from rock to rock, boulder to boulder, they hid whenever they heard a sound. Extremely weary, Applejack twitched her ears every which way, determined to catch the slightest sound in case it proved a threat. Rainbow, staying close by, was doing the same. And the caution proved well founded when they suddenly heard hoofsteps.

Applejack heard it first, and grabbed Rainbow by the shoulders, pushing her into a small crevice behind a small wall-like rock formation. She dove in after her, and they barely allowed themselves to breathe as a troop of muscular ponies marched past. Earth ponies.

When they had passed, the two didn't move for a moment, making sure that they were gone for good. "Dear Celestia! Those there ponies are built bigger than Big Mac!" They looked at each other.

"Patrolling?"

"Ah'd say so."

"We better find this opening fast."

Sneaking out, they followed the path they had just come down, doubly as watchful now. When they made it back to the thin passage, there was still no sign of the hidden passage way to their secret base.

"We passed it again?"

"How?"

Rainbow could only shake her head in response. Applejack pulled out the map again, and quickly scrutinised it. It didn't make sense. Twilight had indicated the pathway they were walking on in yellow. There was an opening somewhere there, but that was all she had indicated. Apart from a small note.

Turn towards the east for sunshine. Right behind is darkness in the west. The great northern plains hold treasures. Boulders along the south side keep faith.

Applejack shook her head. What in tarnation was tha' purple unicorn thinkin'? Something about the strange words didn't sit right with her. Rainbow was frowning over the lettering as well.

"What is that?"

Applejack looked up to see Rainbow frowning at the reverse side of the map. She flipped it and saw… dirt. When she went to wipe it off, however, it appeared to be stuck. Some of it spread, and began to stick to the paper.

"It looks like something…"

Quickly putting the map on the ground, back facing up, AJ took up some dirt and dusted it over the paper, while Rainbow kept an eye out for guards. The cowpony worked quickly, dusting the back of the paper, and words began to form.

"'Look behind the words?'"

"What?"

"Tha's what this here says."

Another round of hoofsteps jolted them out of their thoughts, and they quickly dove back into the narrow passage. There was a bend they could hide behind, and as quietly as they could, they rushed to crouch away from the eyes of the guards. Rainbow knocked a rock, and it hit the ground with a small thud, just as they managed to get behind the corner, and just as the guards passed.

"'ere, didja hear somethin'?" The walking stopped right outside the opening of the passageway.

"Sounded like a rock hittin' the ground," another grunted.

At that very minute, a bird somewhere gave a squawk, and oaths were heard along with clamours. Then there was the sound of rocks or something tumbling down.

"Arrrgh, just a good-for-nothing bird," a third voice growled, his voice almost guttural.

"Let's move, shifts almost over an' I'm starvin'," the second pony spoke again, and they left.

Applejack began breathing again, relaxing from her fighting pose, in the event that the patrol might have been more suspicious. Rainbow let out a breath herself, shaking her legs out.

"That was close. Sorry, AJ."

"Don' worry 'bout it, sugarcube. Now let's see this here puzzle…"

Rainbow's eyes lit up. "AJ! That's it!" Her voice was an excited whisper. "It's a puzzle!"

Her eyes widened as Applejack realised she was right. She quickly stretched out the crumpled map and looked at the words again. "Look behind the words… there's a code. This mus' be some clever code tha' Twi's set up fer us ta work out!"

"Is there anything else?"

"Hmmm… no… Ah don't think so…"

"What about on the other maps? Anything there?"

Applejack flipped her pack down and looked through it. She took out the maps and laid them out. Rainbow took one and opened it, while AJ seized another. Combing the map for clues, she came across a sentence at the bottom corner of the page. "'Remember what Ah told ya.'"

"What? What did you tell me?"

"No, no, it's what Twi's written down here. 'Remember what Ah told ya.' She must be talkin' abou' that…"

The rainbow-maned pony frowned at AJ, her rose-coloured eyes confused. "What?"

"Before we left, Twilight took me aside an' told me ta remember, 'Two is a powerful. Always remember. Two.' When Ah asked her what she was goin' on abou', she jus' said ta remember that. She said Ah'd need it sooner or later. A-Ah though' she mighta been talkin' abou' us… but maybe it had somethin' ta do with this…"

"That's funny… Twilight pulled me away and told me something weird too. She said, 'You need to remember this. The beginning is always important. A sentence, a life, a love, can't happen without a beginning. The end counts too. Don't worry so much about what happens in between.' She just said I'd need to keep that in mind. I was wondering… I thought she might've been reminding me about us. How we began... and how we should end… as friends or something more… I always had a feeling that she could see right through me."

They both turned back to the strange inscription. Frowning at it, they tried to apply their new found clues.

"The first… of a sentence? The first words of the sentences! Uh… 'Turn… right… the… boulders… But there a million boulders out here!"

"Wait… Twilight said 'two'. The firs' two words?"

"'Turn towards… right behind… the great… boulders along.' Still doesn't make sense."

"What was it Twilight told ya abou' endings?"

Both looked at each other in sudden understanding. "Turn towards right, behind the great boulders along the south side!"

"This whole time, we were goin' in the wrong direction! We turned left, moving north west!"

"The giant boulder! It's right next to the opening of this passage!"

Hurriedly packing away the maps, they glanced around the corner, before Rainbow crept up, to look both ways. She waved a hoof, indicating an all clear. AJ moved quietly, coming up behind Rainbow. As silently as they could, they edged out, and Applejack kept a sharp eye and ear out for anypony approaching. The Pegasus began to move towards the right, to a huge boulder that sat about three metres from the entrance. Edging around the boulder, a shifting of rocks could be heard. Applejack kept her back to Rainbow, watching the path. Then there was an exclamation of satisfaction. The orange pony turned to see a decent sized opening between the boulder and the rock wall that had been mostly covered by what appeared to be a natural rock slide. The cyan flier crawled through, and she was quick to follow.

It was a tunnel. And it was old. The place smelt of mildew, damp and mossy. It was immediately evident that a pony had not travelled through this rock passage for a long time. Before they began down the tunnel, AJ, turned and kicked some loose rocks out the opening and blocking up the opening again. When it was covered, they discovered another problem. It was completely black. They couldn't see a thing.

"AJ?" the voice was whispered, and Applejack tentatively made her way towards it. "Did Rarity say there were torches built into our suits?"

"She did. Ya jus' have ta press the button on yer chest armour." As her eyes grew slightly more accustomed to the lack of light, the cowpony realised she could make out shapes, and saw a pony-like figure poking her own chest. Moving over to her carefully, Applejack reached out a hoof and pressed a point on Rainbow's suit. A beam of light lit up the cave area. She did the same for herself, locating it just over her heart.

"This is awesome!"

Then they were underway. Avoiding the cracks and holes in the uneven ground, Applejack and Rainbow followed the tunnel as it led on. The silence of the rocky passage was oppressive, with only the dripping of water somewhere and their own hoofsteps and breathing to break the quiet of the untraversed path.

After what might've been a few minutes, or a few hours, the tunnel came to an end. Confusion set in, as the ponies looked at each other. "Dead end?"

Applejack took a closer look at the wall, and shook her head. "Ah don't think so. Looks like we can break through."

Rainbow flattened herself on the ground, looking through the bottom. "There's an opening here. I can see light and feel fresh air."

Switching their torches off, cracks in the wall showed light on the other side. Nodding at each other, the two friends began to shift the rocks slowly, and quietly. Caution had become second nature in their time wondering around the area. Finally, Rainbow managed to punch through, removing a hoof-sized rock to reveal the outside. Peering through it, she confirmed that the place on the other side was open and deserted.

"Just like Fluttershy described to us."

Working faster, the small opening became larger, and larger, as Applejack and Rainbow finally uncovered enough rocks to fit through. Rainbow was first out, stretching her wings. Applejack was quick to follow. Working for years in the orchards, travelling down dank tunnels with only artificial light was in no way at all enjoyable. Then looking at the Pegasus, she decided, it was mostly not enjoyable.

"So this is the place, huh?"

"Ah'd say so, sugarcube."

The area was open to the sky, but only a little. The rock walls towered around the site, reaching up and almost leaning inwards so it seemed to become dome like. There was a wide rock platform that could be reached, and it had a handy overhang that meant any fliers wouldn't be able to see them if they set camp there. Despite still being closed off, apart from the small amount of sky they could see, it was a welcome change to the narrow passage they had just wondered through.

"Ah wonder where we are exactly on the map?"

Twilight had purposely left the map blank of their spot, and now Applejack realised that the highlighting was only there to throw anypony else who looked at it. It was a masterstroke, and she shook her head in wonder at the brilliance of Celestia's star pupil.

Rainbow called out to her, standing on the platform. "C'mon, AJ. Let's get the place set up."

She made her way over, as the cyan pony pulled out food, firewood, blankets. Applejack began to do the same, unpacking her bag and pulling out water, more blankets and matches. She found Rainbow sitting by the wall right in the centre of the platform, building a formation of wood to light.

"What're ya doin', Rainbow? Why are ya buildin' the fire here?"

"To hide the smoke. When the fire starts, the smoke will go up and hit the overhang. Then it'll spread out and the smoke won't be as thick. If we keep the fire small, nopony should notice it."

Applejack smiled. "Another trick ya learned from those novels ya love ta read?"

"Yep!" The Pegasus grinned proudly.

"Maybe Ah should read them sometime. If it teaches ya this kinda stuff, it jus' might be worthwhile."

"I'm holding you to that!"

This made Applejack chuckle. She left Rainbow to the fire, and began to drag over the blankets and packs so they were by the fire. Arranging a bed arrangement, she placed the packs neatly on top of the spread out blankets, the remaining coverings put aside for when the night got colder. The day was still light, but dusk was fast approaching, as Applejack glanced at the watch. It was near six, and the sun was quickly making way for its sister of the night. The farmer pony sat down, and watched Rainbow lay the last of the twigs on the arrangement. Grabbing a match, Rainbow proceeded to light the flamed expertly, holding the match in her teeth and running it along the side of the box in her hooves. When it was burning, Rainbow flicked her head, sending the match onto the wood pile. She had ripped paper as well and laid them on top. The white material quickly caught the flame before the match was out, burning long enough for the wood to catch.

They began to heat the food, and Rainbow wore a preoccupied expression on her face. After a week of planning and two weeks of travel, they were on the cusp of storming the enemy base and rescuing her parents. The worry in her marefriend's eyes pained AJ, but she knew it would stay until they had succeeded. In an attempt to take her love's mind off the terrifying mission, Applejack sidled over to the young flier.

"Rainbow," she nuzzled the Pegasus on the cheek. "Are ya feelin' alrigh'?"

Rainbow turned to her, a smiling easing across her face. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just… nervous."

"Well, Fluttershy's messenger should be here real soon, an' then we can start plannin', but while we're waitin'…" AJ gave her a light kiss on the cheek, making the blue face turn slightly red. It worked, taking Rainbow's mind off worrying. There'd be time for that later.

Applejack gave her a cheeky grin, before turning away and taking the food they were warming out of the fire. Prodding a dumpling with a hood, she decided that it was ready. She was about to split the food into two, but a hoof stopped her. She looked at Rainbow in confusion, to see Rainbow wearing the cheeky grin now. Rainbow put all the food on a single plate, much to Applejack's surprise. Then, gesturing with a hoof for AJ to join her, she leaned against the wall, sitting on the blankets. The cowpony sat down next to Rainbow, unsure of what was happening. Then Rainbow put the plate down between them and picked up a dumpling. She held it between her hooves, squeezing it slightly. It seemed to pass the test, because she gave a nod, then held it out in a hoof to Applejack. She finally understood the Pegasus's intentions, as she smiled and ate the dumpling.

As opposed to the last time Rainbow had fed her, this was heaven. The fire light danced off the light blue coat, the deep rose-coloured eyes looking into her own with passion. Applejack was fed bits of apple pie, apple dumplings, and even hay fries, all thanks to Twilight's food preserving spells and air-tight containers. But the Earth pony soon decided to step it up a notch.

She moved closer to Rainbow, picking up some apple pie. Rainbow tilted her head slightly, surprised at this. When Applejack put them in her own mouth, Rainbow's confusion increased. But before she could query this, Applejack was kissing her passionately, a hoof on her cheek. Applejack used her tongue to push the apple pie into Rainbow's mouth, making sure she received this particular morsel of dessert. Straight from the horse's mouth.

Pulling back, Rainbow looked slightly dazed, making Applejack giggle. "Yer supposed ta chew, sugarcube." At that, Rainbow did so, still looking befuddled, like she had just experienced heaven for a second and wasn't sure what happened.

Finally swallowing, Rainbow was red in the face, her face covered in delight at what had just transgressed. And they spent the rest of dinner feeding each other with both hoof and mouth.

When it was done, both ponies sat back in a state of contentment. Rainbow had her head in AJ's lap, as AJ fiddled with the colourful strands in that mess of a mane. The Pegasus seemed completely relaxed, eyes closed except for every now and again, when they'd find the emerald green ones above them. Applejack brushed the dirt off the emblazoned thunderbolt on Rainbow's chest, before caressing her face with a hoof.

"Hey, AJ."

"Yeah, sugarcube?"

"Remember when we were on the train, and I asked you what was bothering you?"

"Mhmm."

"Can you tell me what it was now?"

Applejack smiled, stroking Rainbow's mane. "Ah think Ah can."

"Well? What was it?" Rainbow made to get up, concern in her eyes, but AJ gently stopped her.

"It's fine, Dashie! It was jus' ta do with bein' in love with ya." Rainbow subsided slightly, but was still slightly worried. This made Applejack giggle. "Yeah. It was jus'… Ah though' this would never ever happen. Ah thought… it'd always be a dream…"

The Pegasus gave a chuckle. "AJ, I never thought this would happen again too… I thought I lost my chance when I said no… I… regretted that decision every day after that. And then… this happened." Rainbow pushed herself up again, and kissed Applejack gently. The farm pony gave a sigh of happiness, which made the cheeky flier grin. Laying back down across Applejack's lap, they simply looked at each other, Applejack continuing to play with Rainbow's mane.

They stayed like that, until they heard a quiet scuffling. Applejack was instantly alert, looking about. Rainbow had bolted upright as well, as both ponies tried to identify the direction the scuffling was coming from. Suddenly it stopped. Applejack glanced at Rainbow, who gave her a slight nod. They slowly walked to the edge of the platform, straining for any more sounds. There was nothing, as they reached the end of the flat rock.

Then out of nowhere a familiar white bunny hopped up in front of them, holding an envelope. AJ let out a sigh of relief, and saw Rainbow rub her forehead out of the corner of her eye. "Hello, lil' fella. Ya gave us a righ' fright jus' there." The little white hopper tilted its head in apology, handing the envelope over. Walking back to the fireside, Rainbow opened up another tin of apples for the hungry messenger as Applejack opened the envelope.

The mood had changed, the carefree attitude shifting into seriousness as their minds turned back their tasks. Applejack was determined to see this through. She had lost her parents at a young age, and knew how lonely and painful it was. But she had always had a family – something the Pegasus had missed out on. Applejack had always wondered how Rainbow had managed to survive without the support of her family. AJ couldn't imagine life without hers.

She felt a brush on her shoulder, and turned to see the flier looking down at the letter she held. She turned to it as well, reading the confusing words of Celestia's star pupil.

Life is simply organised confusion. When you understand, things will take their course and all will be well. Friends will always be there to support you when you need it most, and often they can lead you through unimpressive doors into a world of wonder. Word travels quickly, and so do deeds. When things come to light, ponies will talk, and they will search. Certainty is a fool's crutch, if one could be certain, there would be nothing to worry about. Be light-hearted and smile, for they are the charms that do make life worthwhile. Be unafraid, but take your time. Remember: Organise your confusion, be prepared and do not let words lead you astray.

"Huh, Twilight really talked in this one."

"'Organised confusion' what in the hay? 'When ya understand, things will take their course…' plannin'? Plannin' the method of attack?"

"That's the only thing that makes sense at the moment. The next bit, friends, they must be beginning to get ready for the storming with Twilight's teleportation once we get in and plant the locator for her."

Applejack nodded in agreement. "But wha' this here 'bout doors an' all?"

A small cough came up behind AJ, and both ponies turned to see the bunny standing there and looking up at them. When it had their attention, it pointed at them, then to itself, before springing off. Frowning slightly, Applejack followed the white dot skipping through the darkness, Rainbow beside her. The bunny stopped by the wall, much to their confusion, as they came up to the bunny. It looked at them pointedly, then hopped through a small gap in the wall. In another second, it had reappeared. Rainbow leaned in to take a closer look at the wall.

"It looks like a rock fall we could break through, AJ. Is this where you came in?"

The little fellow nodded, and then pointed at her and Applejack. "Are we meant ta go through here fer the break in?"

It nodded again.

"What's on the other side?"

The bunny jumped off, heading for the platform again. It ran right over to their packs and waited. They followed in curiosity, and when Applejack pulled out their plans and maps of the base that had been compiled by Fluttershy's critters the little bunny immediately hopped up and pointed at the entrance of the stronghold. The cowpony's eyes widened as Rainbow's jaw dropped.

"This is brilliant! We can't be better placed anywhere!"

The little bunny smiled proudly and ate the rest of the canned apple.

"So now we got where we're gonna go when we break in…" Applejack picked up the abandoned letter again. "Now let's see the rest of this here letter."

"'Word travels quickly and so do deeds'? 'When things come to light… ponies will talk… and search…' AJ, is she talking about the ponies we took out?"

Applejack stared at the letter, slowly nodding. "Mus' be. Ah think Twi' means tha' they know we're– "

"HELLO, RAINBOW DASH." The voice spoke out suddenly, appearing to come from every direction, with the crinkling static that meant it was being said through a speaker. "WE KNOW YOU'RE HERE." The voice echoed around the entire area, and Applejack saw Rainbow's eyes widen slightly. "LEAVING BEHIND A TRAIL TO FOLLOW ISN'T A WISE MOVE. NOW I'LL MAKE THIS SIMPLE. VERY SIMPLE. WE KNOW YOU ARE HERE, HIDDEN AMONGST THE ROCKS. WE'LL FIND YOU, BUT THAT WOULD TAKE TIME AND EFFORT. BUT WE HAVE A LITTLE LEVERAGE, WOULDN'T YOU SAY?" The voice bounced off the rocks, deafeningly loud, and Applejack looked at Rainbow in worry. "YOU CAN SHOW YOURSELF, AND TURN YOURSELF IN. GIVE THE INFORMATION WE'RE AFTER. AND NO ONE WILL GET HURT. IF YOU DON'T, WELL… WE DON'T REALLY NEED TWO TROUBLESOME PEGASI IN OUR BASE. I'M SURE THE GUARDS NEED SOME AMUSEMENT, AND THEY HAVEN'T HAD ANY CHANCES TO GET A DECENT FIGHT. SKILLED THOUGH YOUR PARENTS ARE, I DON'T THINK THEY'RE QUITE UP TO TAKING OUT AN ARMY. IT IS ELEVEN O'CLOCK. YOU HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT. ONE HOUR. SHOW YOURSELF. OR YOUR FAMILY DIES."

Perhaps the worst place to stick a hiatus... but life sucks. Thanks so much for reading, if you left a review it would mean the world to me!

Remember to check out "Apple Spectrum" by Arby Works.

Yours truly,
Lonewolf



Note: Posted onto FiMFiction by Arby Works with permission from Lonewolf.007. All credit goes to him for his fanfic, please check it out here or on FanFiction.

Mr. Masato/Arby Works.