The AppleDash Project

by bookplayer

A Better Pony (Hurricane Fluttershy)

(Authors note: Credit to dbzordie for the idea for this one, and for proofreading it for me, and for being generally awesome all the darn time.)

Of course there was a party that evening. Ponies were happy that something happened, and Rainbow Dash knew that Pinkie couldn't resist throwing a party for that anymore than she and AJ could resist a challenge. Dash stayed by Fluttershy for most of it, making sure that she didn't hide and that other ponies knew that they couldn't have done it without her. After spending most of her life getting laughed at for her poor flying, she knew how important this was to Fluttershy.

But a few hours into the party, Dash noticed a conspicuous absence. She knew Applejack was around here somewhere, but she hadn't seen her in a while. So she left Fluttershy with Pinkie, and went searching for her marefriend.

It took a while, but Dash found her outside of the party, leaning against a wall and looking at the night sky.

“Hey AJ, you okay?” Dash asked, worried.

Applejack didn't seem to have noticed the question. “Fluttershy really came through for ya' today, huh?”

“Yeah. I wasn't sure she had it in her, but she did great.” Dash answered, a little confused.

“Good.” Applejack said with a nod, still looking at the sky.

“Wanna go inside and get some cake?” Dash said, really hoping that they weren't getting ready for another game of 'guess what's bothering AJ.'

“Maybe in a bit. First, I gotta tell ya' somethin'. Cause, ya' know, we're a team and all.”

Dash breathed a huge sigh of relief, and made a mental note to fix the humidity around the Carousel Boutique to be exactly right for a good mane day. “I'm listening.”

Applejack bit her lip, then said, “I'm jealous. Of Fluttershy.”

Dash rolled her eyes, “Again? Sheesh AJ, how many times do I have to say it-”

“Not like that.” Applejack interrupted quickly. Then she sighed and went on, “It's just, when I saw how hard you were workin', how much it meant to you to do this thing right, well. . . there's nothin' in this world I wanted more than to help you. And in the end, it was Fluttershy who could come through for ya, not me. All cause I don't have. . .”

Dash wasn't sure what that last word was until she followed AJ's gaze to the wing resting at her side. “Oh Applejack. . .”

Applejack blushed. “I never wanted 'em before in my life. I don't even like bein' in the air, you know that. But I wanted so bad to be there for you, and I couldn't. I'm sorry, Dash. After all the times you been there for me. . .”

AJ seemed close to crying, and Dash knew better than to say anything that might make her cry. AJ hated crying almost as much as Dash did. She decided it would be best to keep her mouth shut, so she just walked up next to AJ and nuzzled her cheek.

“Ya' know, normally anypony that said I was just an earth pony would be wipin' my hoofprint off their face, but that's how I'm feelin' right now. I'm just an earth pony, and Fluttershy's a pegasus, so of course she's gonna be more help to ya'. 'Course she's the one who's gonna be there with ya', the one you're gonna be proud of.”

“AJ, come on, we both need help from other ponies sometimes, and it can't always be each other. I mean, most of the time when you need help you get Big Mac, 'cause it's stuff I'm nowhere near strong enough to do.” Dash said quietly.

“Mac's my brother. That's different.” Applejack said with a huff.

“Fluttershy is practically my sister. It's the same thing.” Dash pointed out.

“You sayin' you never wished I had wings?”

“I- I-” Dash wanted to say something to make AJ feel better, but she knew that her answer wouldn't do that. She knew that AJ knew the answer already, her hesitation had confirmed it, so she went on honestly. “I've thought about it. But not because I want you to be more help, and not because I'm not proud of you. Just because it would be fun, ya' know? I love flying, and I love you, and it'd be so amazingly awesome to fly with you.”

“Fluttershy can fly with ya.” Applejack said with a sigh.

“That not what I dream about, AJ.” Dash said, nuzzling her cheek. “Even if I'd love to have you in the sky, I love you more on the ground than any other pony anywhere.”

“But you'd love me more in the sky. I bet you were wishin' I could be there for ya' today. . . and I let ya' down.”

Dash considered that for a long time. “I was thinking about you. A lot. But I wasn't thinking for a second about you having wings.”

“What do ya' mean?”

“When I found out that we'd never break that record, and we might not even have the wing power to raise the water, I thought about just quitting. I mean, what's the point if I couldn't be awesome, right?” Dash said, raising her eyebrows.

Applejack just rolled her eyes.

Rainbow Dash smiled. “But there was this little voice in my head, saying 'Dash, ya' can't let Cloudsdale down. There's gotta be somepony everypony can depend on, and right now that's you.' And that voice had a cute cowpony accent.”

Applejack gave her an almost hopeful look.

Dash thought about that moment, when everypony turned to her to make the call, and how she felt like AJ was there inside her, a part of herself that she couldn't let down. “You didn't even have to be there to help me, AJ. You helped me without ever leaving the farm. Being with you has made me a better pony. . . a pony I hope you're proud of?”

Applejack beamed and nuzzled Dash's cheek happily. “Oh Dash, you know I'm proud of ya'. You worked your tail off for this, and even if ya' didn't get all that glory you wanted you came through for everypony, and that's what matters in the end. You really think I helped ya' do that?”

“Do I usually give credit to other ponies for cool stuff I did by myself?” Dash said with a teasing grin.

Applejack chuckled, “Fair 'nough.”

“Let Fluttershy help with the flying, AJ. That's not the important part of this, not to me. It's awesome that we managed to get the job done, but we never would have started the job if it wasn't for your voice in my head. Fluttershy helped me today, but you've changed me forever. So, thanks Applejack. I couldn't have done this without you.”

Applejack just blushed and smiled, “Aww shucks. I didn't change ya', Dash. This was in you the whole time, I reckon I just helped ya' see it.”

“Whatever you did, it worked. Does that make you feel a little better?”

“A lot better.” Applejack said smiling. “This talkin' bout stuff ain't that bad.”

“Great!” Dash smiled. “Oh, and while Spitfire was here I brought up the whole you and her and a tub of cider idea. She's totally cool with it, she said to meet her in her hotel room later.”

“You did what now?!” Applejack said, eyes wide.

Dash tried to keep the smile, but it only lasted a few second before she burst out laughing. “Oh Celestia, your face. I totally got you.”

Applejack just smiled at her. “Did I say I was proud of you? Cause I meant to say that you're a great big pain in my rear end.”

“Yeah, but I'm a dependable pain in your rear end.” Dash said, still snickering.

“Yup. I can always depend on that.” Applejack chuckled.

Comments

[DbzOrDie]

This chapter earns my
headshift.com/assets/blog/seal-of-approval.jpg
I would say you got a pretty decent concept to put in this chapter but that would just be complimenting myself so...
I like the way how you resolved things with Applejack though, I had nothing to do with that whatsoever.

[LunaTheFox]

Are you a wizard? That Spitfire line was brilliant. I was not expecting that conversation to come back at all. This just gets better with every chapter!

[Gabriel LaVedier]

I was seriously starting to tear up in the middle, when AJ had her crisis of confidence and wondered if she was losing Dash by inches. Then came assurances, comfort. Love. I was overjoyed.

Then the menage a trois in a hot tub of cider idea popped up and I just And it ended on a clean, fresh, cheerful note. You are truly a master of Appledash.

[CircaCloud9]

images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110911021209/mlp/images/archive/a/a5/20110911022130!Filly_Rainbow_Dash_big_smile_S1E23.png

Adorable quota for the day has been filled.

I really enjoy that the relationship concerns you're addressing are legitimate and understandable. It makes it all feel much more real and understandable.

[bodo55]

LOL at the spitfire part. I was not expecting that one Great chapter!! Really looking forward to more updates!!

[Church]

Congrats on over 1000 views. Keep going and you'll hit one million in no time.

I don't even have anything witty to comment this time. Is that surprising? Whatever. I hope you get as much enjoyment out of me saying over and over and over again "Great job. You've done it again. I love this."

I might be a robot.

Clever with the Spitfire part, probably my most favorite ending to a chapter of yours

[Swagg]

'honestly? I knew Dash was gonna make a joke in the end, doesn't mean I didn't laugh though

I only have one little complaint...
'AJ seemed close to crying, and Dash knew better than to say anything that might make her cry. AJ hated crying almost as much as Dash did. She decided it would be best to keep her mouth shut, so she just walked up next to AJ and nuzzled her cheek.'

Every sentence in this paragraph has AJ's name in it. Usually that’s not much of a problem, but it did make me pull up a bit by the end of it and I had to re-read.
Maybe you should try mixing it up a little? For example, using phrases like 'farmer' or 'orange mare' and such instead of actual names?
I dunno, just a suggestion. It would make it flow a little more freely in my eyes.

(also, sorry if I'm posting this twice, my computer isn't in the mood tonight apparently )

[bookplayer]

893655
Not a wizard, but I do have a freaky memory. Not like eidetic memory, but you could quiz me on any event/joke/line in my fic, and most things on the show, and I would probably be able to tell you about it. And thanks!

893767
Why thank you! It's the ponies that make it easy to write.

893930
Thanks! I do my best.

[bookplayer]

894595
Thank you! Keeping the relationship realistic has been one of my favorite things in writing this. With such funny, cute, interesting characters to write about, I feel like normal relationship issues can be just as fun to read about as big dramatic scenes.

894730
Thanks! When I get serious in a chapter, I like to end on a little comedy.

895446
If there is one person online who is definitely not a robot, it's you. Alien I might believe, but not robot. And, thanks!

895555
Glad you like it!

And you're right about that paragraph. I think I can probably just use a "she" or "her" in there. People are better at figuring that out then a lot of authors think.

[the flying spaghetti monster]

Oh, your writing just gets better and better! MOAR!

[WereWolfGod]

Simply brilliant darling, bravo.

I was wondering how this chapter was gonna go. I didnt think you would go with the jealousy route again and for the most part you didnt. Its more wing envy than anything. I said more then once (maybe not to you ) I enjoy the idea of AJ getting wings and knowing that she thought about it makes me happy even if its only to help her marefriend do more work

I reckon you did a mighty fine job with this chapter... or dbzordie... or both. yes, you both did a fine job here.

[MellowMabari]

Well, you did it again. Yet another awesome and heartwarming chapter. I D'aawwed. You write dialogue exceptionally, I get drawn into every little conversation and find the characters so believable. What I really like about this series is that it follows the show - in that the issues that arise aren't earth shattering (like war or Rainbow losing her wings for the umpteenth time) but are everyday problems that RD and AJ have to work through. Plus the dash of humor is just icing on the cake.

[Roarin]

Finally got a chance to read it. Still one of the most enjoyable things on the site.
Thanks for the read!

[bookplayer]

897242
Thank you! Working on it!

898508
Thank you so much! Yeah, I hate to play the jealousy game with AJ too much, I mean I do think that would be one of the major issues in their relationship (with AJ being more conservative and Dash being so outgoing and hungry for attention) but I never was AJ to come off as shrill or annoying about it.

904751
Thanks! All of the things you mentioned are the things I like best about writing, so I guess it comes through. Once I finish season 2 I'm planning an AppleDash story that's a little more out there, but mostly as a way of exploring more issues like the ones I do here. I hope it'll live up to this one.

905688
You're so welcome! I'm glad you enjoy it.

[bookplayer]

908203
I think dense is the perfect word of Dash sometimes. She's not dumb by any means, but getting something through her head that doesn't involve flying takes some effort.

[bookplayer]

923552
Don't you dare worry about commenting too much, these comments are awesome.

[Licorice Twist]

This chapter upset me very much!

Because it's the last one! I can't wait to see your take on the rest of the episodes. :D
Five Dashies for you!

923618
Yay!

[bookplayer]

924171
Actually, I'm planning on tackling Ponyville Confidential, and adding some to the Royal Wedding fic. And now there are rumors going around that season 3 starts next month. . . So I might not even get the vacation I thought I would. Not that I mind, season 3 is going to be even more of a challenge, and I think I'm ready.

[Licorice Twist]

924187
I don't get Hub where I am, so it looks like I'll have to wait until it's on Netflix or something :/

Ponyville Confidential? Oh goodness, that has SO MUCH potential! I'm sure we didn't see all the issues they posted, so I could only imagine what you could come up with for what may have been put in about the relationship! Especially with Apple Bloom so close at hand!

[Twifight Sparkill]

OMIGOD I LOVE APPLEDASH.

[Buchi04]

Okay, after reading chapter 18 i have a new favourite. This was sooo darn cute

[Themaskedferret]

Pfffbwahaha The ending was perfect! I really like the idea that AJ has helped make Dash more humble since that's kind of my headcanon anyways. (To be fair my headcanon is more friendshipping but I have no issue with ships )

[Hesitant Brony]

this is nice enough spot to leave on. I'll finish it later, but I got to sleep now.
still, really enjoying the story. very sweet. now I'm taking off my eyes and going night night.

[PresentPerfect]

but you've changed me forever

Sometimes this story is so goddamn awesome and romantic I just want to die. .-.