AppleDash Group Collab

by DbzOrDie

Neon - bahatumay

Applejack stared at the neon lights and steeled herself to enter. It was just a rumor, right? There was no way Rainbow would descend to working in a place like this.

Right?

She swallowed and realized that she would never find out if she never took that first step, so she pulled her hat lower over her eyes and entered.

It was not a classy establishment. She nearly choked on the smoke and stench of stale alcohol and she was fairly certain that the carpets hadn't been cleaned in ages. The flickering lights above head mingled with the flashing neon signs to give the whole atmosphere a slightly contrasting bright yet gloomy feel.

She slid into the barstool and ordered a cider, which she quickly received. Her eyes widened as she drank. It was actually fairly good. She scanned the shelves and then her eyes narrowed as she recognized the Flim-Flam Brothers' label on one of the bottles.

Luckily, she didn't have time to brood on that, as a stallion with a ratty-looking mane stepped out on stage. “Fillies and gentlecolts,” he started. “We've got quite the treat for you tonight. First off, we have our very own Radiance!”

A mare stepped out on stage to thunderous applause. She wore socks on all four legs, a saddle that was a bit tighter than it had to be, and finishing her outfit was a small red bridle glittering with rhinestones. But that's not what surprised Applejack the most.

She knew this mare. Sure, the mane was different, and the cutie mark was disguised, but there was no denying the arrogant strut, the tail flick, or that smug smile.

That was Rainbow Dash on stage, bathed in garish neon lights. And what's more, it looked like she was enjoying herself.

Applejack's jaw dropped even lower as she grasped the pole and began to lift herself, looking as though she were trotting on air. Her muscle control was immaculate, her positioning flawless. Applejack found herself powerless to look away as Rainbow continued her performance.

***

Rainbow Dash was in her dressing room cleaning some of the stage makeup off when there came a loud knock on the door. She rolled her eyes. “What?”

Only another knock answered her.

Rainbow groaned and slid off her stool to go open the door. “Look, I'm not doing an encor- oh.”

Applejack stood in her doorway, and she didn't look particularly happy. Rainbow quickly realized that she wasn't wearing her fake mane or tail and thus was completely exposed, and so decided to do the most logical thing and slam her door shut.

Unfortunately, Applejack had expected this reaction and had placed her hoof in the way. It bounced open and out of Rainbow's hooves, so she went with the pleasant conversation of plan B. “Hey! Uh… how'd you get back here?”

Applejack sidestepped slightly to hide the prone form of the unconscious bouncer. “Earth pony magic,” she said. “What are you doing back here?”

“This is my dressing room,” Rainbow said.

“I gathered,” Applejack said flatly. “I'm askin' why you're here.”

Rainbow hesitantly tapped her hooves together. “Remember when you said I was an idiot for donating all that money to your barn fund?” She grinned sheepishly. “You were right!”

“So you ended up working here?” Applejack couldn't help but feel guilty.

“It started out as just a one-night thing,” Rainbow defended herself. “Then I overslept the next day and it was performance review day with the big shots from Cloudsdale and I kindof got fired from my weather job and-”

“I got you fired?!”

“I got me fired,” Rainbow corrected sternly. “I'm not putting that on you.” Then she smiled sheepishly again. “Rent came due, I needed the bits, and here I am.”

“I would have given the bits back…”

“I can take care of myself,” Rainbow retorted. “They were a gift. It's all cool. Besides, you needed them more.”

“Yeah, but you're here, and-”

“And I kindof like it here,” Rainbow finished. “It's fun and I get to be the center of attention. I get up there and ponies can't look away.”

“I couldn't,” Applejack mumbled.

She didn't mean it as a compliment, but Rainbow took it as one. “You liked it, eh? How about a private show?”

Applejack blushed redder than her cutie mark. “No! Th- that's not what I meant!”

Rainbow just smirked as she reached for her bridle again and slid it over her head. “And just for you, I'll make it extra special.”

Comments

[Jondor]

Earth pony magic

[Fury of the Tempest]

Just as long as she still got a chance to be a Wonderbolt, I'm good here...