Days later...
On the edge of Ponyville...
"Yes! Civilization!" Trixie skipped forward ahead of Applejack and her wagon. "Ohhhhhh how Trixie missed civilization!"
"Heehee!" Pinkie Pie waved a hoof. "Ahoyyyyyyyyyy there, Civilization!"
Fluttershy giggled. "Not to be a party-pooper, but I think I'm going to get a head start on returning home." She stifled a yawn. "It's been fun, everypony. So very... very fun, but I do have to check on my animal buddies."
"Ya sure ya dun mean check up on Big Mac?" Applejack said with a wink.
"I... erm... n-no..." Fluttershy pouted, cheeks puffy and red. "But... mmmmaybe if I'm in the vicinity..."
Applejack chuckled and waved a hoof. "Get a move on, sugarcube. It's been a knee-slappin' good time."
"Yes. Very." Fluttershy beamed, flying backwards. "I do hope we get to do it more often."
"Absolutely!" Twilight exclaimed.
"Darn tootin'," Applejack added with a wink.
"Goodbye everypony!" Fluttershy waved, giggling. "It's been an absolute blast!"
"I agree. But I must be getting home as well." Rarity trotted off. "I must take the longest shower of my adult life."
"Ungh." Twilight rolled her eyes. "Really, Rarity?"
"Yes, darling. And I would suggest the same for you."
"It's camping!" Twilight's voice cracked. "What would you expect?" She stood in place, blinking. Her muzzle scrunched as she raised a forelimb and sniffed herself.
Trixie leaned in. "Trixie thinks Sparkle smells just fine."
"We all know what you think, Trixie."
"Buh?"
"Better go home and check on the library," Twilight said. "Assuming Spike hasn't... I dunno... invited a bunch of dragon friends over and emptied Golden Oaks of all its gemstones."
"He can do that?"
"Truth is stranger than fiction." Twilight waved and trotted off. "So long, everypony! I'll be sure to write Celestia lots of what I learned about this experience!"
"I'm assumin' you'll leave out some of the saucy 'never have I ever' parts, ya reckon?"
"Saucy?" Twilight blinked from afar. "What was so saucy about—"
"Sparkle won't mention a word!" Trixie barked, pushing the other unicorn along. "Trixie will make certain of it!"
"But... but I don't get—"
"Move along, Sparkle."
"Heehee..." Pinkie Pie winked at the remaining two mares. "They'd make good sisters, don't you think?"
"Heh... sure..." Rainbow Dash smirked at Applejack. "Sisters."
Applejack winked back.
"Welp! I gotta go and give Gummy his weekly bath or else he gets grumpy!" She hopped off. "So long and thanks for all the trail mix!"
"But Pinkie..." Rainbow squinted crookedly. "You made all the trail mix."
"Did I?" WHUMP! "Oh hey! Sugarcube Corner! Right where I left you!" The front door's bell rang. "So longies, friendies!" And she hopped inside.
Applejack chuckled, then sighed. "Well, sugarcube, guess this is where we part ways."
"Yup." Rainbow nodded from where she hovered with her saddlebags. "You'll be okay with that wagon?"
"Pffft. I've been haulin' it all trip." Applejack winked. "Besides, I'm sure to get plenty of help long before I return home."
"Heh. Good point." Rainbow cleared her throat. "I... uh... gotta rest up. My time off is over with, and I got lots of cyclone-practicing to do tomorrow."
"Best of luck with that."
"Oh, I've got... plenty of help in that area."
"Guess we're both lucky, huh?"
"Sure." Rainbow Dash nodded. "Sure thing, AJ."
"This..." Applejack fidgeted slightly. "Was a really good trip, Rainbow."
"Oh, totally."
"It... it helped nicely." She gulped, smilingly tenderly up at the mare. "Really, it did."
"That's cool."
"Yeah... cool..."
"Yeah."
Silence.
"Well..." Applejack smirked, saluted, and pivoted about. "Wagons west..."
"Ugh..." Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Bet you were waiting days to say that."
"You dun know me that well."
"And you suck at lying."
"Heheh... yeah..." Applejack sighed, shuffling off with a smile. "Reckon I do."
Rainbow Dash watched her... for a bit longer than she needed to. About two minutes into Applejack's departure, she was joined by a masculine figure. As soon as Applejack saw him, her ears perked up. She stopped the wagon in time to lean in, sharing a gentle nuzzle and a hug with the pony.
Then, after a brief exchange, Stu Leaves hitched himself to the wagon in Applejack's stead, and the two continued the rest of the trek to Sweet Apple Acres, taking their sweet time.
Rainbow Dash forced a heavy lump down her throat. Courageously, she spun around, breaking off her vision of the pair. Then she flew slowly for her cloud home on the east end of town.
Alone.