& & &
Rainbow Dash flapped her wings as rode the warm morning air. Canterlot was still visible, but just a shape on the mountainside. Looking below she saw farmland and homes set out in a sprawl. She waved idly at the ponies below her, but none of them looked up. It wasn’t long before her stomach politely reminded her that she hadn’t had breakfast—or anything since last night’s disastrous dinner party—and if she didn’t so something about it her stomach would quickly become roommates with her backbone.
Unable to argue with a grumbling stomach, Rainbow Dash looked around for someplace where she could grab a bite. Seeing as she was flying over an enormous apple orchard she decided not to look a gift pony in the mouth and settled down in one of the trees. She found herself surrounded by the richest, fullest and most delicious looking apples she’d ever seen. Licking her lips greedily, she yanked an apple off the branch and tossed it up in the air, catching it and taking a bite in one smooth motion. “Hrrrrrm!”
Getting comfortable, she settled back in the branches and helped herself to a few more. When she was full she patted her stomach contentedly and belched. “Heh, no need to excuse myself for that here!” She smirked, feeling free from the confines and rules of Canterlot.
Rainbow Dash soon found herself drifting off into a bit of a nap. It wasn’t long before it was rudely interrupted by the tree shaking. “W-whoa!” She grabbed for the branches a split second too late as she tumbled out of the tree and towards a yellow-orange earth pony beneath her. “Look out belooow!” She cried.
The earth pony looked up and Rainbow Dash got to see her green eyes grow big as she fell. “Aw nuts.” The pony managed to get out before being flattened by Rainbow Dash.
“Oooooh.” Rainbow Dash groaned. The pony beneath her grumbled something. “Huh? What?”
“Gerroff!” The orange pony grunted as she bucked Dash off her. “Landsakes!” She groaned as she climbed to her hooves, cracking her back. “How’s a skinny little thing like you weigh so much?”
“Hey! For your information this is muscle and everypony knows that muscle weighs more than fat!” Dash protested as she also got up, flapping her wings to straighten them out. “Who are you anyway?”
“Ah’m Applejack and y’all ‘re sleeping in MAH apple trees!” She stomped her hoof. “This is Sweet Apple Acres, not a motel! Now, y’mind telling me who you are? Never seen you ‘round these here parts before.”
“The name’s Rainbow Dash!” The pegasus grinned as she put her hooves behind her head as she ‘sat’ in midair. “I guess you could say that I’m just passing through.”
“Passin’ through huh?” Applejack frowned as she looked at the apple cores that littered the ground beneath the tree. “An’ helping yerself to a bunch of mah apples while you’re at it, huh?”
Rainbow Dash gave a nonchalant shrug. “Hay, yeah…they were great!”
“Thank yew kindly.” Applejack deadpanned. “Ah’d sooner you paid for yer apples with bits than compliments.”
“Hm? Oh, right I—erm.” Dash sheepishly patted herself down. “I, uh, kinda left without any bits.”
Applejack snorted. “That right? You left your home without any money?”
“It was a bit sudden.” Rainbow allowed, not wanting to say more. Distressingly, Applejack seemed to see right through her. Her face softened a touch.
“Sugarcube, are you runnin’ away from something?”
Dash shook her head. “No, I’m not! I’m just…I just needed a break. That’s all.” She took a half step back. “Sorry about your apples, I swear I’ll pay you back…I’ll just go.” She leaped into the air and started to fly only to feel a sudden tug on her tail as she was yanked backwards.
“Woah there nelly!” Applejack said around a mouthful of tail. “Not s’fast! Ptah!” She spat out the multicolored tail. “Listen hun, ah don’t rightly know what your story is, but if you need to rest a spell, well we got plenty of room here at Sweet Apple Acres.”
“…I thought you said you weren’t a motel?” Rainbow grinned.
Applejack rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, don’t go expecting room service, but me and mah kin always have a door open to anypony who needs it. In fact, we’re about to have a passel of relatives over for the family reunion. Ifn you’d care to stick around, you can pay us back for the apples by helping us set up. Afterwards, we’ll have plenty of tasty vittles! Apple pies, apple fritters, caramel apples, apple brioche, apple brown betty and heaps of good old Apple Family Cider, saved special for the occasion!”
Dash shrugged. “Cider huh? Sounds neat. Never had any.”
“Oh, you don’t know what you’ve been missing!” Applejack grinned. Rainbow Dash found herself grinning too. There was just something about her…perhaps it was her lack of airs, her country manners or just her down-to-earth attitude, but Dash found herself liking Applejack. She wasn’t like the mares in Canterlot. She was…honest. With herself, with who she was and that placed her way ahead in Rainbow Dash’s book from all the pretentiousness and fakers she had to put up with.
“Deal!” Dash spat on her hoof and was surprised to see that Applejack did the same without any hesitation. The two ponies bumped their hooves together. “Sounds like it’ll be a blast AJ!”
“Heh, it sure will RD.” Applejack winked. “An iff’n you want to talk about whatever it is you’re, ‘taking a break’ from, I’m all ears.”
“…Thanks.” Rainbow Dash stretched her wings, trying to extricate herself from having some lame, ‘soft’ moment. “So, you look pretty fit.”
Applejack gave a snort. “Gee, thanks.”
“You up for having some fun?” The cyan pegasus grinned in a way that made the country mare uneasy.
She gave a hesitant step back. “Uh, what kinda ‘fun’ are you talking about?” AJ asked with a twinge of worry.
“Competition!” Rainbow Dash beat her wings. “Races, hoof wrestles, name your speed and I’ll beat it!”
AJ’s eyes widened as her mouthed formed an ‘o’ shape. “Ooh. Sure!” She wiped her forehead with her leg. “That’s a relief.”
“…What did you think I meant?” Rainbow tilted her head.
“Nothing.” Applejack said quickly, her nose scrunched up as her eyes darted this way and that, looking at everything but Rainbow Dash.
“Applejaaack…” She tapped her hoof impatiently even as she made a mental note to play poker with her sometime. The earth pony was the worst liar ever.
“Ah didn’t mean nothing by it! Except for, well, you kinda made it sound like…” AJ trailed off.
Rainbow looked like she was starting to get the picture. “…You didn’t think that I--?” A look of enlightenment lit up her face. “You did! Didn’t you?”
Applejack gave a weak, sheepish smile. “Well, what with your mane and all…”
“Arg!” Rainbow Dash facehooved. “It’s my natural color!”
“Sorry!” Applejack cleared her throat. “A-anyway, as much as I’d like to have a throw down with you sugarcube, I cain’t. I’ve got chores to do. After all, these apples won’t buck themselves! Maybe later?”
“Sure, I guess.” Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes.
Seeing her annoyed look, Applejack put a hoof on her withers. “Ah’m sorry Rainbow, I really am. Look, I’ll be a while. Why don’t you head into town for a bit and I’ll catch up with you?”
“Hmm, there anyplace where I can grab a snack or something?” She asked, her annoyance already gone.
Applejack scratched her muzzle with her hoof. “Well, there’s always Sugarcube Corner. Big ol’ sweet place, looks like you could literally eat the walls. But—”
“Sounds good! Catch you later Applejack!” Rainbow Dash called as she took to the air. “Better step back ‘cause I’m gonna show you why I’m the most awesome pony ever!” Flapping her wings quickly, Rainbow Dash zoomed through the tries, slaloming quickly through the tightly packed trees and then burst up; through the canopies and up into the sky, flying so fast she left a rainbow trail as she went into town.
Applejack whistled. “Woohee, girl sure is fast!” She made a face. “A mite too fast, I reckon. Never got to warn her…ah well, she’ll figure it out soon enough.” She chuckled.
& & &
I can almost see the papers focusing on "Celestia's student disappears" and giving details. Then her finding out about the Summer Sun Celebration and... really not understand what all the fuss is about. "Celestia just raises the sun, she does that every day." Not in that order, but She'd probably've asked the question to Celes herself. Also not sure how the alicorn'll react to her leaving or if Twilight ever found out about Nightmare Moons return. Different timeline and all. Ran out of questions, but each chapter just raises more. Leaves me with more variables to draw multiple conclusions from. Also surprised how regularly this updates, but not complaining by any means.
I assume Pinkie was gonna warn her;
A: That Pinkie's more hyper than Dashie after drinking a years supply of coffee
B: That Pinkie will react strangely and throw a surprise welcome party.
Was thinking about putting a joke regarding an infamous story, but it was a lousy idea.
706489
All I can say is wait and see. XD
706531 *Shrugs* Good enough for me, I've had enough spoilers to last a lifetime and it's more enjoyable if I have no idea what's gonna happen.
But even more questions arise. Are the elements of magic and Loyalty gonna change forms? Would Celes send a search party or prefer to search by herself? Either way she ain't gonna be happy... or will she find them after Nightmare's reverted? Is that when they'll find out she's Celes' protege? Has the alicorn taught her the Mare in the Moon story so she'll remember the EOH when the time comes?
Too many variables! I love this!
Why do people associate rainbows with homosexuality?
I can deal with a saddening lack of AppleDash in this otherwise amazing story.
Keep up the great work!
706489
Even IF Twilight does somehow find the same book, and reads the same story, how exactly is she going to go about saving Equestia?
"Shining Armor, you have to warn the princess! The evil demon spirit sealed away on the moon for a thousand years is going to return from exile during the upcoming festival and bring night everlasting!"
"Twilight, you know I would really like it if you'd make some friends. This is exactly why."
706713
"Aww man, I knew I should have paid more attention to the Myths and Legends unit!"
707685
Okay, what you just posted there? THAT is freaking hilarious.
707645
Heh! I love a good shipping story (when they're done right) be it AppleDash or other, but considering this is a retelling of the first two episodes I just didn't think it was really appropriate or even needed.
Plus I liked playing with the assumption that Dash is gay simply because every author ships her with everypony...and everyone..and in a few cases, everyTHING.
707685 *Shrugs* I dunno, if she does maybe a teacher'll alert Celes of an extremely anti-social yet magically gifted student flipping out over a "myth", Celes thinks there might be a slight possibility of her being an element perhaps? Just coming up with possible theories mate.
707735
Close but you're way off. XD
707735
To be honest, I have no idea why Celestia wouldn't at least be aware of the filly who practically blew up an entire building during an entrance exam, turned her parents into houseplants, and super aged a dragon wyrmling into a more or less fully grown individual. At the very least she should be keeping an eye on Twilight as a possible candidate for the position of Magic, maybe trying to see if she can manipulate her and Rainbow Dash into becoming friends somehow. She probably also agents scouring Equestia looking for possible candidates for the rest of the positions.
Ahh, Rainbow Dash, always awesome.
Good stuff, again. Can't wait to see how Pinkie Pie reacts, and how the others will get introduced. Especially Twilight, though I think the answer to that one would be that she was becoming so introverted her parents and brother talked her into moving away for a while for a change of pace. She found the live-in Library job open in Ponyville and fell in love with the idea of running her own library and has been there for a few years, now.
At least, that's my guess. Dunno how or even IF Spike can be around, but we'll see, I'm sure. Just write some more, man, and git 'r done.
707154 Good fucking question. I also hate how the word "gay" is associated with homosexuals...
I WANT MY GAY AND RAINBOWS BACK!
“Ah didn’t mean nothing by it! Except for, well, you kinda made it sound like…” AJ trailed off.
Rainbow looked like she was starting to get the picture. “…You didn’t think that I--?” A look of enlightenment lit up her face. “You did! Didn’t you?”
Applejack gave a weak, sheepish smile. “Well, what with your mane and all…”
“Arg!” Rainbow Dash facehooved. “It’s my natural color!”
“Sorry!”
Gaybacon Strips, anyone?
"Listen hun, ah don’t rightly know what you’re story is, but if you need to rest a spell, well we got plenty of room here at Sweet Apple Acres.”
Your.
this is a great fiction, except for the lack of paragraphing.
Dat Pinkie foreshadowing...
This is great. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Twilight who didn't get the student life.
Prepare yourself Rainbow Dash, a hurricane of energy and magic powers is coming your way
Oh and, don't forget to bring your party hat
Strip poker.
For months I put off reading this story (stupid real life obligations). I saw the description and was interested but I was afraid of it being another case of 'good idea wasted by bad author'. Thankfully, that is not the case! It's been awesome so far, characters have been spot on, everything plausible, everything interesting, etc etc. Can't wait to read more.
I LOVE THIS
1165722
Pinkie...put the knife down...
Finally, an alternate universe story in which the author has a logical manner of assembling the cast without just swapping character roles. Far too often we see 'X unicorn is Princess Y's Student, sent to ponyville to prepare for festival.' used to be the only real backstory to it. I like how you've actually put relationships and reasons behind RD's actions here!
Oh dear lord...
Are you aware that 'yew' and 'you' are pronounced in the exact same manner?
I only ask because while I don't object to writing in an accent, I absolutely hate when someone substitutes a homonym.
I may be alone in this opinion (though I doubt that) but it's something that really takes me out of a story and impairs my ability to enjoy it.
A way!
Glad I waited till this was completed to start reading!
Err, ballpark figure on their ages, here? What are we talking, teenagers, cutie mark crusader age, what?
3318242
Well, this is just an alternate universe in the same timeline as the show, so it'd be whatever age they are in canon universe. Admittedly, I don't know how old that is, but somewhere in their late teens/early adult years, I'd imagine, since a few of them already have self-sustaining jobs and such.
Who would have thought that AJ was so dirty minded. Oh well, time for Pinkie to kill RD with he parties.
That sounds... wrong in pony language if you... know what I mean..
Rainbow Daash and Apllejack do get along well, they are usually honest, they are both hard workers when they get to it, and exceptional in their field, Applejack is pretty strong for an Earth Pony, and Rainbow Dash is the only one to ever perform a Sonic Rainboom, 3 times!
HAH! AppleDash and other ships like that are shot down now! YES. Now I'm happy. Don't make me unhappy, please. I like being happy. Also, I'm loving the fic on a bunch of other levels too. Can't read much more right now, but rest assured, you're doing a great job to this point. Keep up the good work on future projects.
You know. I freaking HATE it when people assume RD is a lesbian because of her hair.
It's naturally coloured hair. I don't see how that makes her gay.
707718
What can I say buuuuut....
"Everything is Awesome with Rainbow! Everything is Awesome with Rainbow! Everything is Awesome with Rainbow!"
Well, the cats outta the bag!
The hair means nothing but awesome!
Soooo...
Rainbow Dash is a fillyfooler in this fic or not?
Coz if she is, this fic will become more than 20% cooler, coz lesbian RD is the best RD)
Glad to see that Dash is making friends. And the skewing of the whole "Dash likes traditionally masculine things and isn't easily warped into a bigoted stereotype, so she must be homosexual!" Thing was brilliant! Can't wait to see her meet with the pink one!
5362679 I KNOW! I mean, I act like I'm gay, but I'm straight, I'm just effeminate with low inhibitions.
5288647 Straight rd is best rd xD
As much as I originally thought the premise was pointless and sort of dumb, I'm really starting to like this story.
Here, take this Fave.
you're
[y'all is second person plural. Meaning 'you all'.]
________________
Ah
____________
which one is it?
______________________
trees
Figured AJ would show up soon...
5521502 I perfer I f all mane 6 fics where steoght but boop Rd a lesbian every single bloody time when will the madness end
Rainbow Dash is gay confirmed
7484469
When Hasbro feels like putting multiple male characters with redeeming qualities into their monetary flagship.
somepony was having naughty thoughts. appledash confirmed. muahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.
I think that removing the comments in this chapter about Rainbow's mane colours in the remastered version was a good thing.