//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Crimson and Gold: An Unlikely Friendship // by TwilightAppleDash //------------------------------// “So now yeh know.” I replied soberly, raising my bottle for another slug. “Applejack.” She puts her hand over mine, and lowers the bottle. She pulls me closer to her and wraps her arms around me. I rest my head on her shoulder and close my eyes, seeking the strength to go on. We sat there in silence, for maybe an hour or two, neither one of us feeling the need to do anything else but just sit together. Finally we were roused by the sudden arrival of the others as they came out of the barn, Pinkie and Rainbow, nudging each other and trading insults half-heartedly. I lifted my head from flutters’ shoulder, pausing to kiss her soft, sweet lips and then quickly rose to my feet. “Eeeyup guys.” I called out to the group, a warm smile developing over my face. “What’s up?” “This silly filly drank the last of our ciders, A.J.” Rainbow Dash replied, poking Pinkie Pie in the stomach, to which she hastily replied.” “Yes well, the matter still stands.” Rarity continued, interrupting the duo before they could come to blows. “We seem to be fresh out of drinks dear.” “Yeah, so A.J, we were kinda hoping that maybe you could grab a couple more batches of cider.” Sunset chimed in, shuffling around and digging the toe of her boot into the ground. “What, a 40-pack already gone this early!?” I exclaimed, eyebrows raised. “Ah don’t think so, it sounds like y’all had enough tonight!” Naturally, this did not sit well with both Pinks and Dash, but surprisingly, it was Rarity who kicked up the biggest fuss. “But darling!” She cried, elbowing the duo out of her way. “You’re just punishing me and Sunset here, for the silly and immature antics of the terrible two behind me!” “Hey!” Chroused Rainbow and Pinkie, outraged. “Welp, matter is, we’ve all had a few drinks tonight, despite the quantity those two guzzled, and if’n ah bring out any more, y’all be cryin’ and moanin’ tomorrow f’sure.” So saying I stooped over and picked up my shabby old Stetson. “Well now, A.J, we’ve got the whole weekend ahead of us to adjust.” Dash protested, while Pinkie nodded enthusiastically behind her. “Last time we all hung out together as a group, we all like, had like, a 40-pack each and we were hardly out of it the next day.” She chimed in, bouncing around the group. A coy smile grew upon her face as she continued. “Besides, as far as I can remember, we were all steady, except for Flutters there!” Fluttershy blushed as a quiet chuckle went around the group. Indeed, last time we had all hung out, including Princess Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy’s inhibitions had been significantly lowered by the cider, and she had came clean about her feelings for me. Funnily enough, that was the reason we started going out. “That’s exactly why we don’t need anymore cider tonight!” She cried, the flush fading from her cheeks. “Horrible, nasty stuff, makes you blurt out your deepest and darkest secrets!” “Weel now, sugarcube. Is that really a bad thing.” I ask her, pulling her close and whispering slowly into her ear. “I mean, thanks to mah cider, you and ah are now a thing.” She flushed a darker colour, but remained silent. “But guys!”: Rainbow pleaded, falling upon her knees in front of me. “Besides, there’s a rare showcase of shooting stars at midnight tonight.’ Sunset replied, matter-of-factly. “This sort of event only happens like every 4 decades.” I looked over at her, trying to see whether she was being honest or not. “Weel, ah guess we will need another round of cider, if’n we wanna stay up for the occasion.” I relented with a smile, as Pinkie and Rainbow let loose some loud cheers. “Ah’ll jest hafta go down now.” I paused to grab a lantern from inside the barn and was about to head off, when I felt a restraining hand upon my shoulder. “Are you sure this is a good idea?” Fluttershy asked me, concern clear in her voice. “Going down, at this time of night, in pitch black darkness with only a dim lantern to guide your way, on your own?” Turning, I slid my hands over her sides and rested my forehead against her own. “Relax, Fu-fu.” She blushed again as I used my special pet name for her. “It’s nothin’ more’n a quick stroll down t’the storage room and back up, bout ten minutes.” I continued, murmuring softly. “Are you sure you don’t want me to come down with you, maybe give you company?” Flutters squeaked back, quivering violently. Ever since we had started going out, Fu-fu had become a lot brave and self-confident. But well, at the end of the day, Fluttershy was still Fluttershy. “Naw, thanks but no thanks.” I console her, holding her tightly against me. “B’sides, some girl’s gotta stay up here and keep t’peace, and ain’t nobody else as good at it as y’all are.” To prove my point, a scuffle broke out behind us, between Rarity and Rainbow, leaving a frazzled Sunset trying to calm things down and an amused Pinkie Pie watching the show. “See what ah mean sugarcube?.” I responded, patting her hair. “They need ya to put ‘em in their place. Ah’ll be fine, seriously.” Fu-fu seemed to be pondering the matter, her adorable blue eyes fluttering between worry for me and annoyance towards the others, who were now fiercely arm-wrestling. Suddenly she pecked me on the cheek. “Oh all right.” She relied in my ear, embracing me again. “But I want you to promise me that you’ll be careful out there, Jackie.” “Flutters, ah promise with the bottom of my heart, that ah, yore special somebody, will stay safe and come back to you.” I replied solemnly. I took a moment to kiss her passionately upon the lips and we stood there, caught up in the moment. Our tongues swam backwards and forwards, each seeking the sweet taste of the other. Finally, gasping, we broke off and after one last gentler kiss, I quickly set off with lantern in hand down the beaten track. I had just reached the steps down the hill when I stopped and, remembering something, ran back to Fluttershy, calling out her name. As I got back to the barn, I saw that she had managed to calm everyone down and they were heading back into the barn, where someone, Pinkie presumably, had already turned on the sound system, filling the old building with pumping beats. “Flutters, wait!” I cried, jogging towards the barn. She stopped and turned, confusion etched upon her brow. “Fluttershy, ah was jest thinking.” I mumbled, embarrassed at my undignified arrival. “Ah mean, even though ah;ll only be, what, ten minutes, ah was jest wonderin’, would y’all wear my stetson and keep it warm for when ah return?” “Ah mean, you don’t have ta if’n ye don’t wanna…” My blustering was cut short as she kissed me upon the cheek and lifted my hat atop her head. “I’d be honoured to wear your hat, Jackie.” She replied. “Now go forth and bring back that cider, my noble farmer and hurry back to your princess!” “Tide life, tide death, ah’ll come without delay!” I said and galloped off down the hill again. Sunset’s P.O.V. “C’mon guys you’re embarrassing!” I chided Rarity and Rainbow. They looked pretty abashed, heads low, eyes searching the ground and feet kicking the dirt. “We actually managed to convince A,J, to bring us up some more cider, and just as she was leaving, you two think it’s funny to act up!” “Hey now, Sun, that’s not entirely fair.” Rarity protested. “This little shit…” “Ho, what did you just call me, you bitch?” Exclaimed Rainbow, grabbing her in a headlock. “Imma make you eat dirt, fashion mule!” So saying, she tripped Rarity into the dirt and the duo began happily wrestling, grunting and snorting, smearing each other in dirt. Pinkie, chuckled and sat back to enjoy the show, scarfing cupcakes she got from God know’s where. I was just about to tell Rares and Dash to quit it, when it hit me suddenly. Who am I to say or do anything to two, almost life-long friends, who have shared laughs together, experienced tragedies together. Who was I, some silly little girl who had delusions of grandeur and bullied those two girls, along with the rest of them mercilessly. I winced and backed down, retreating over to the snack bar, feeling empty inside. Finally Fluttershy walked in and fixed the rising tensions. Strangely, she was wearing A.J’s hat, something she doesn’t really allow the others to do. A.J., Applejack. Just hearing her name in my mind made me quail. Even 2 years after my defeat at the Canterlot High school Fall Formal, even after the other girls had accepted me and considered me their friend, even though Princess Twilight believed I had changed, A.J was the most wary about trusting me, though she kept it to herself now. Everytime she voiced her concerns, the others would tell her off, including Fluttershy, my biggest champion. I’m surprised she even invited me here, but then again, she might have had to , to stop the others from throwing a fit. I thought sourly to myself. I resented her hesitant and wary acceptance of me, resented the careful tone she used whenever she talked to me in front of the others. I especially resented that way she had of narrowing her eyes and tightening her lips whenever she had to look at me. I hated it more than anything in the world. I was changed, for God’s sake! I beat the Sirens at the Battle of the Bands a couple of months back when the other girls had been defeated! Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Principal Celestia, Vice-Principal Luna, Flash Sentry, even Princess Twilight all think I’ve changed for the better. Hell, even I think I’ve changed for the better. At least, I hope so. Being evil is kinda lonely. [Sunset.] a tiny voice whispered in my head. [Applejack has her reasons for being wary to trust you, remember?] When I didn’t acknowledge the voice, it carried on. [Well, firstly, out of all the girls you bullied, you bullied her the most, for her thick accent, the way she acted, the way she talked, the way she looked, the fact that her parents were dead, the fact that she lived on a small, backwoods farm with her stupid brother and idiotic sister.] That’s enough, please stop! I begged my subconscious, but still that dark voice continued, relentlessly tormenting me with memories of my past misdeeds. I watched Fluttershy sort out the fight and calm everybody down, wishing I could tell her what was happening to me. [When you became me.] The voice continued. [You enslaved the entire school population, including said brother and sister, when you know she prides herself on being able to protect and look after her family. It’s no wonder she doesn’t like you.] [In fact, I’m surprised that everyone pretends to like you, because you and I both know, they’re only pretending.] SHUT UP! I told the demon in my head. It’s not true! Rarity and Pinkie and Rainbow, they realy do like me! The demon just chuckled darkly and replied. [Oh really. Then why do none of them invite you to their house after school?] She asked me. Uh, they're p-probably busy with other t-things. I lamely replied. The voice laughed harder. [You will be forever alone. Unloved, unwanted, friendless forever.] Shut up, shut up, “SHUT UP” I yelled, the last one aloud, as I felt the demon inside of me attempting to take control of me again. Silence reigned in the barn, and everyone looked at me concerned. Or was it suspicion? I wondered darkly, thoughts plagued by the demon’s evil interference. Maybe they couldn’t wait for me to lose my marbles, so they could lock me away, forever. Gasping, I sprinted out of the barn and punched the door as I left, leaving behind a noticeable crack in the thick wood. Once outside, I knelt on the ground, my face in my hands as my heart thumped and sweat poured off me and I fought the voice for control of my body. [They want you gone, Sunset.] The demon voice echoed through my head, louder. [Let’s face it, who’d wanna be friends with a girl who was a demon once, only defeated by them, who could prove to backstab them again?] ‘Please, please stop.” I whimpered pathetically. ‘S-s-surely, somebody o-out t-t-there w-wants me.” Unbidden, my demon counterpart rose into my subconscious, chuckling softly, yet evily. [Who?] It asked me mockingly. [Who likes a short, skinny girl, once a bully, a traitor and a backstabber?] ‘No.” I whispered, clawing the ground with clenched fingers, as I felt myself drift away. “I a-am loved.” “Sunset! Ohmigosh, are you ok!?” A voice cried out from behind me. Suddenly the demon-me disappeared and I was able to open my eyes to see four wide and pale faces crowded around me. Rainbow and Pinkie gently helped me to my feet. “Thank you, girls.” I say to them, a trifle shakily after my ordeal. “You will never know how much that simple gesture means to me.” “Any time Sunset.” Replied Rainbow, anxiously. “But...what the fuck was that?” I started to reply, but was cut short by a terrified scream echoing from the middle of A.J’s paddocks. “GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME!” There was only one girl that voice could belong to. Watching Fluttershy, I saw the colour drain from her face, leaving it the colour of old milk, and her eyes shrank to pinpricks. I felt my heartbeat pick up again as adrenalin coursed through my veins. “APPLEJACK!” We all shouted and took off in a mad rush, down the hill to find her.