My dad always told us that love hurts, and there is a reason why true love is rare. I didn't buy the mushy crap since I was with Gilda. I thought being awesome and tough meant you didn't act mushy. I had it all going smooth until everything fell apart when Gilda did the unforgivable. Now dealing with that mess, I have to sort out another confusion of my own. When the darkness is all around, how exactly do I find my light in the darkness? (credit for the cover art goes to the artist that made this art (found this on a forum))
Hey the name’s Rainbow Dash, and this a story of how my world was turned upside down. It started on a gloomy rainy day which was the main reason why everyone was pretty much bummed out. I was just sitting in my history class staring out the window annoyed. Today was supposed to be the day I take my little sister, Scootaloo, to the new skate park that just opened up a week ago after my usual kick-back with my pals. Damn this weather for wrecking my awesome sister-bonding time. It was at that thought that I had tuned out Professor Discord to glare at the depressing scene outside until Rarity nudged me. Shaking myself out of inner grudge match with the weather I turn to ask her, “What’s wrong?”, when the school bell rang.
“Don’t forget, students, tomorrow we will be going over the chaotic era.” Professor Discord reminds us as we pack our bags and leave.
Professor Discord is a really weird and cool dude. He looks like he is in his late 40's yet acts like a 20 something guy. Sure wish he would stop wearing super bright ties. Those things can blind someone. Still, he is pretty laid back, and class does get fun once he gets carried away in legends which is a bonus for me. We get out of class with our own things to take care of, still we all agreed to meet up at Friz ‘N Pop. Friz ‘N Pop is the food joint that we all hung out after school ever since we first met it became the staple of our friendship after a while. Although we each had our own things to do before our usual kick back, we still always went there around 4 pm. Rarity had an order to make, Pinkie had a party to plan, Fluttershy was going to volunteer at the animal shelter, and Twilight was going to go have a study session with Octavia. I however had a date before our hang out which should have made me happy yet it didn’t. I have been going steady with Gilda for two years now and it’s... ok for the most part. Sure we haven’t seen each other for a few days but it feels like something is missing. I guess I shouldn’t be picky. After all, Gilda works while I study, so our schedules are loopy. I had parted ways with the girls a while back heading over to Gilda’s job. She worked at a motorbike repair shop as the repair girl which is surprising considering she would never dare fix anyone’s bike unless it was her own. I had just got there when I saw her lock lips with another girl which by the looks of it the other girl was enjoying it a little too much.
“Ahem.” I cough catching her attention fairly quick, “Am I interrupting something?” raising an eyebrow at the scene.
“Huh… Dash baby! I thought you had class all day today!” She stammers trying to hide her girl on the side like I haven't seen who she was making out with.
She was cheating on me for I don't know how long. Yet, what makes it even worse she had the gall to act like nothing was going on. I was masking my pain while tightening the hold I had on my umbrella as best as I can. Taking a deep breath I glare at her with my coldest glare and ask, “Care to explain the makeout session you, my girlfriend, were having with another woman?” in the calmest voice I could muster. No matter what she said at this point I was done with her. All those missed calls, flaking, and just being distant started to make sense. She was cheating on me with someone else after all we had been through in the past as friends, and our two years as lovers.
“What’s it look like Dash? She gets me and you are my plaything. Try to leave me and Scoota-lame gets it.” She answers darkly making my blood run cold.
“You won’t hurt her.” I seethe at her cheap tactic. She dares to threaten my sister just to keep me on her arm. I should have listened to Fluttershy about Gilda's behavior back in Junior Speedster High. Why did I have to be so caught up in love? Why did I have to fall for Gilda's lies?
“Says you and who else?” she asks grinning smugly at me as if she can’t get caught.
I stood my ground though, constantly telling her we are done. What I didn’t count on is her attempting to beat me into submission. Thank heavens for my karate lessons at least I was able to hold off for a while. She had the advantage given my dosage of getting the worst possible realizations on who I thought loved me because she was going on how I wasn’t enough for her. I had slipped on the discarded umbrella which I had dropped moments ago. Just as I was about to black out the hits and emotional beat downs I feel Gilda being pulled off of me. I look to see a Stetson wearing girl standing in front of me. She wasn’t the other girl Gilda was making out with, I know that much. I was about to get up when Gilda shouts, “STAY DOWN! I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU!” at me.
“Sorry to disappoint you but you are done. You aren’t going to hurt her anymore, so give it a rest will you?” my defender quips in a cute southern accent.
“Watch me.” Gilda mutters rushing her.
Whoever this girl was, she wasn't even fazed by Gilda's attack. she simply does the fastest low sweep kick I have ever seen. Gilda falls to the ground faster than a blink of an eye, and if I'm the one saying it then that is some killer speed. I couldn’t really see much of the fight but from what I did see the girl standing up for me was a far more advanced fighter than I was. I wish I could have seen the fight though, it would have been awesome to see Gilda get what she truly deserves. All I could make out was she leaned heavily on kung fu and was accustomed to fighting in these weather conditions. Before everything went black I hear, “Strike one, varmint, and it’s only gonna get worse if ya try again.”
I woke up feeling like a train had slammed into me. I groaned in agony at how every inch of me was in brutal pain. Just when I about to lay on my back I realize one tiny important detail, I was in a bed. How did I even get here? I try to remember, but my memory seemed more hazy than Pinkie’s crazy sugar high. I tried to get up when I hear, “Yeah, she is currently resting in my bed with a few bruises and scrapes. Eeyup, I am right on 33rd and Towne Ave. Your name was Rarity, right? Alright I’ll be waiting for you to call my phone. Her phone is on low, and I don’t have a charger for this type of phone. Like I said earlier, Miss Rarity, I never caught her attacker’s name. I was too busy beating the shit out of that bitch to bother with the name. Yes, this happened at the new motor bike shop on 5th and Slope Blvd. Yes...her attacker did have white hair with the tips dyed pink. Anyway, I won’t be going anywhere. I don’t want to leave your friend in the state she is in. I will see you in a few. Ok, call my number once you’re here. Laters…”
It hit me worse than the pain I woke up with. Gilda really did cheat on me, and it wasn’t a nightmare. I can’t help but think it was my fault. Sure I knew I wasn’t at fault, but maybe if I spent more time with her. Ugh, thinking about this hurts my brain. I look around the room and noticed that the room had an earthy feel to it. The only thing I can see that was some-what technological was a digital alarm clock which read a time I wish was wrong. “Fuck, Scoots is so gonna be pissed at me for missing out on our sister-bonding time.” I mutter, face-palming, which only intensified my pain.
“Scootaloo, I reckon is her name, right?” That same voice that belonged to the girl who rescued me from Gilda’s abuse.
“Yeah, how did you know?” I ask, confused at how she knew. I turn to see her at the doorway, only to be breathless at her beauty. She was dressed in blue torn up jeans and a loosely button-up blouse. What got me the most was her eyes. They were the most beautiful set of emeralds, and I felt myself being pulled into that sea of forest green. I shake my thoughts before they could spiral. I was just cheated on by someone I loved. How in the blazes was I to start crushing on another?
“She called your cell when I was trying to figure out who you were and where you live. I told her that you were resting up after a rough spat and that one of your friends was gonna pick you up. My name is Applejack Apple and I was just looking for work when I saw you having a bit of trouble.” She sits next to me looking at the clock, “You were out for three hours, and not even five minutes that I placed you in this bed your phone was ringing like mad. You’re cared about and that bitch had no right to beat you like she was.”
She shakes her head at a thought that might have been too personal when a buzzing sound echoed. She leaves me to my thoughts to go answer the buzzing. I’m cared about? What did she mean by that? Isn’t there someone that cares about her? Was she hurt like I was? What’s her story? Before I could drive myself mad with questions, I see Rarity and Fluttershy rush in the room. Fluttershy being the first to jump on top of me crying in my shoulder. I heard words but I am so taken by surprise that I didn’t hear anything until, “Now hold on Miss Rarity, you’re friend ain’t to blame for those scrapes. She did all the right things and stood her ground. Apparently, the bitch I beat the bloody shit out of couldn’t handle a beautiful lass telling her that they were finished. Don’t you go blaming her for doing the right things when things went south.” Applejack softly told Rarity stopping a rant I didn’t even hear
“You’re right Applejack, but we all tried telling her that Gilda was no good for her. Forgive me for being cross with being right for a change.” Rarity calms down looking at me with worry in her sapphires orbs.
“Hey I’ve seen this happen many times before back at my old school. I have a good idea how you feel but you gotta calm down. If not for yourself do it for her.” Applejack comforts making me feel better.
“I’ll try darling, but for now we must get her home. Her sister must be really worried about her” , Rarity states after taking a deep breath
I finally got out of my daze only to lose my words as another realizations took ahold of me. Applejack is her name. I was already engraving the name in my mind when Fluttershy gets off of me. I was so taken by my hero’s name that I don’t even feel her hands. Ah, stop it heart! Stop feeling things that were meant for Gilda! Have you not learned your lesson?! Oh god, why is her smile so amazing? No, I can’t be falling again. I made a mistake once, I won’t make it again. I was pulled out of my mental rant when I hear, “So do any one of you girls know where Canterlot University is? I was just transferred and I don’t have a clue on how to get there.”
Dear heaven, why do you hate me so? Just why do you have to place the most irresistible, tough, and freakishly hot girl at my school? Ugh, this is so not my day. All I can truly hope for at this point is that she doesn’t have any of my classes. She is making my head spin way more than Gilda ever had, and that is confusing the shit out of me. Ugh, here is to hoping I don’t go insane just by her being near me.
“We all go there darling. I would be more than happy to give you a ride there.” I hear her offer still dazed.
“I couldn’t possibly impose you to come by and give me a ride. It just isn’t right to do so.” she bashfully declines making my heart pump twice as fast.
“Darling, you rescued my best friend, brought her to your home, and nursed her wounds. It truly is the absolute least I can do to repay you.” Rarity smirks pointing towards my bandages and the window, “Especially in a time such as this, you wouldn’t believe how worried we all were when she didn’t go over to Manticore Jr. High to pick up her little sister. She never fails to be the first to bring her along to Fizz ‘N Pop.” grinning a grateful grin towards her.
“Manticore Jr. High? As in the Manticore Jr. High down on 3rd and Main?” she asks confused
“Yes, darling I am speaking of that very same establishment. Why do you ask?” Rarity confirms just as confused as I am.
“My little sister is transferring to that there school. Looks like my little sister might find a friend in Scootaloo.” she smiles her charming smile that leaves me a stuttering mess.
Oh come on, why am I getting so sappy right after I got my heart shattered into itty bitty shards. This doesn’t make any sense! I’m sure the Gods are up on their thrones laughing their heads off at my misfortune. Seriously, I lose the one I thought loved me as much as I loved her, and right after that I’m rescued by someone I don’t even know. I’m not those love-at-first-sight type of girls and somehow she is getting under my skin. Ugh, this is totally going to be a long semester. Let’s just hope I don’t lose my awesomeness because of Applejack.
Thankfully, all this mess happened on a three day weekend making the whole I got my ass beat a little easier to take. Okay, maybe not that easy, but still a millions times more preferred than if it happen any other day. I did however have to deal with my little sister being over protective as all hell. Honestly, I get into one bad breakup and she immediately begins practicing how to murder someone three times her size.
I turn my gaze to my wonderbolt digital clock and was surprised when I saw 12:00 pm. Usually my dad or Scootaloo would wake me up at least around 11 or so. I decide to fall back into my bed to think about my savior, Applejack. She fought in a way that no one I knew ever had. Heck, even my sensei couldn’t fight like that! I couldn’t even ask her how she thoroughly beat the shit out of my now ex-girlfriend. Part of me wanted to be angry at her, and the other part wanted to repay her for saving me.
“Dash, are you up yet? Scoots is wondering when you are going to play with her.” My dad’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts
“Yeah dad, I’m up. I’ll be down in a minute.” I rub the back of my head trying to shake Applejack off my mind.
I need to figure out how to deal with the situation and fast. My dad is already asking me what happened that I couldn’t be on time to pick up Scootaloo. I have no doubt that he heard about me getting into some accident. I get through my morning routine pondering on how to deal with the confusion that has transpired yesterday and stills continues to bother me. I didn’t even feel Scootaloo tugging on my arm until I hear, “Rainbow, what happened yesterday? Rarity and Fluttershy said something happen. They wouldn’t tell me what though and I assumed Gilda was involved because she didn’t call home or stop by.” her ask.
“Gilda wasn’t loyal, kiddo. She and I had a few words which escalated beyond my control. Lucky for me, someone was quick to help me out. That is all you need to know at the moment, Scoots. You already figured out that I broke it off with Gilda, but do not get involved.” I calmly answer hoping she would at the very least listen to me.
“I won’t get involved if you tell me what the fuck happened. Hell, you wouldn’t even tell dad! You never leave us in the dark like this. At least let me know what happened. I can’t stand not knowing, Dash.” she sternly glares at me. For a high-schooler, she sure packs a punch in the word department.
“Fine… but later. You have to at least give me that much, squirt.” I breathe not entirely warming up to the idea of venting my problems to my kid sister.
“Alright, I want to know as much as you can tell me. All Dad and I know is that things happened between you and Gilda. Whatever that bitch did to you-” she groans in frustration
“Hey chill squirt. No matter what they did to me that is still no right to insult them like that!” I sternly glared at her to get my message across.
“Fine but if she hurt you in any way shape or form…” she exasperates rolling her eyes.
I don’t blame her for insulting Gilda, but I can’t have the kid fly off the handle like that. Our dad raised us to be able to show respect to anyone, no matter what they did. So, I feel like I should reign Scootaloo in when she is flying off the handle. Before I can suggest a good old fashion video game session, I hear the doorbell ring. I walk to the living room curious to see who it was, and my jaw hit the floor. There she was dressed up in baby blue jeans, a white button-up blouse, brown boots, a brown vest, and a well-worn Stetson.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Dash. I hope I am not too late to come looking for work.” she speaks in that pleasant accent of hers. Oh lord what is wrong with me? I don’t have the hots for her.
“No not late at all Miss…” my dad answers pleasantly surprised
“The name’s Applejack Apple, sir. I’m here seeing if you are still in need of a chef. Is the position still open?” she quips with that charming smile. Oh crud, this can’t be happening.
“Why, yes, it is still open, and you are just in time for the interview. Come on in.” My dad cheerfully waves her in.
“Thank you kindly for the chance, Mr. Dash.” she gratefully enters the house.
The food she made was (unfortunately) the most delicious thing I ever had. Yet seeing her cooking struck a chord in me that wasn’t never touched by Gilda. I had never felt this confused, and I still had no answer to how to deal with the situation. After my father and her discussed how the hours were going to be like, I soon learned that she was going to be in my life more and more. Hours went by before my dad entered his night shift and Applejack went to her home. I shook my head and turned to see a very expectant Scootaloo.
“It’s later, now what’s bugging you?” she interrogates leaving no room to argue.
“Gilda was cheating on me and I found out yesterday. I shouted at her and broke up with her right on the spot-”
“THAT BITCH!” she shouts interrupting me, “Good thing you dumped her, sis.” patting me on the back.
“That’s not the end of it. She tells me that so long as she wasn’t done with me that I was still hers. If I so much as try to leave her that she would hurt you and like hell I’m going to let that happen. I keep telling her it’s over, and was about to leave when she lunges at me. Those karate classes only help so much when your feelings are all mixed up. I ended up slipping on an umbrella that I dropped on the floor before the fight, and thought for sure I lost the fight. Then I feel her roughly get pulled off of me. I wasn’t able to see all that much, but that girl that cooked for us earlier was beating the shit out of Gilda. She fought in way that my sensei hadn’t, and damn, was she ruthless. My vision was dimming, but I saw Gilda’s ass get handed to her on a silver platter. Last thing I before I black out was “Strike one, varmint, and it’s only gonna get worse if ya try again.”. I wake later in her apartment hearing her talk to Rare on my cell giving her address so Rare can go pick me up. I had a few bruises, but she had bandaged me up as a way to make sure I didn’t accidentally hurt them. She managed to stop Rare and Flutters from yelling at me by telling them I was in the right. I was never once doing the wrong thing, and that I wasn’t picking a fight. I don’t know to feel towards that day or her.” I rant looking at the door thinking about Applejack.
“Well, Applejack is a badass that lend you a helping hand. Gilda is a bitch that I wouldn’t mind beating the shit out of, or at the very least, break a few bones. She really said that stuff to you?” Scootaloo glares at the ground before looking up at me.
“Yeah she really did squirt. Applejack royally kicked that smug grin off her face as well as knocked a few teeth out. I don’t even know if I should be pissed, or if I should be grateful to Applejack.” I answer looking at her with a frown on my face.
“I would be grateful to her, sis. She didn’t have to help you and she could have easily walked away. Yet, she helped you and by the looks of it you are still hung up on Gilda. Spend some time with Applejack and who knows you might become great friends with her.” she suggest before yawning.
“Okay. It sounds like my little therapist needs to go to bed.” I joke poking her in the side.
“Shut up. I’m not sleepy.” she tries to hide her yawn only to see my face smirk in amusement.
“Well, is my therapist done arguing, or is she going to try sneak a few more hours in?” I ask, enjoying the pout on her face.
“Ugh, not cool sis, not cool.” she groans before going to the bathroom, “Wake me up if you need anything.” turning back to me.
I don’t care what anyone says about my little sister, she is always there when someone needs support. I chuckle softly thinking about what she said, “Spend some time with Applejack and who knows you might become great friends with her.” . If only she knew how far this confusion went.
Either I have shitty luck, or the universe is out to get me, because I get reminded of Gilda every step of the way. Ugh, why does she haunt me? ‘She haunts you because you still love her, dumbass.’ my subconscious reminds me. Even if I still love her; she betrayed me. Disloyalty is the ultimate deal breaker for me. That’s why I’m not even going to think of getting her back. So after my morning class I am walking to the cafeteria to see Gilda looking for someone. Damn, Applejack really did some major damage that night. Gilda had what I can safely call the nastiest bruise in the history of bruises. Thankfully she hadn’t noticed me yet, so I quickly made my way into the cafeteria. Right at the door I hear, “Dash, babe, I gotta talk to you in private.” causing me to tense up.
“I have nothing to say to you, and I damn well don’t have time to hear your lame excuses.” I bitterly retort opening the door.
“Oh come on, you know I was joshing. That slut meant nothing to me other than a cheap thrill.” she pleads following me in the cafeteria, “I love you, babe. Let’s ditch this place and head over to my place to pick up where we left off.” she
“I want nothing to do with you.” I say feeling every inch of me grow disgusted at her cheap apology.
“Bitch, I said-” she grips my arm before I hear, “Oi, I believe the lady made herself clear. So let go of her arm and back away peaceful like.”
Applejack was standing right behind Gilda glaring at her grip on my arm. I honestly felt extremely grateful for her presence, but Gilda wasn’t letting up on her grip. If anything,
she gripped even tighter like she was showing Applejack that she owned me. Applejack gave an amused look and quipped, “Ya ain’t gonna get me ta lose my cool by gripping her arm in a death grip. She made herself clear that she wanted nothing ta do with ya. So do yerself a favor and leave.”
“What happens if I don’t want let go of this pretty little thing? What happens if I don’t leave?” Gilda questions pulling me closer to her much to my discomfort.
“Same thing that happened Friday afternoon. Only far much worse and painful. Let her go and leave.” she answers prompting me to shove Gilda off of me.
“Oh hell…” Gilda glares about to hit me.
I don’t know what happened first or even how. Applejack with one hand grabs Gilda by her throat and throws her a good distance away causing her to hit the door. I blinked in surprise due to the fact that I have never seen that type of grab before. Gilda gets up glaring daggers at Applejack. I don’t know what came over me but I grab Applejack’s arm saying, “She isn’t worth it. Let’s go before things get worst.”
Gilda obviously didn’t like my comment and lunges at me. I get pushed out of the way by Applejack, and watch her roundhouse kick the shit out of Gilda. I couldn’t believe how strong that kick was. She had pretty much gave the words kicked out a whole new meaning. Gilda tumbles all the way to the door before she attempts to get up. Gilda runs to recklessly beat Applejack into submission. She manages to get a few hits in but none of them seemed to faze Applejack. Watching them fight like that I began to notice something; Applejack was holding back. She didn’t go all out and was actually trying to stop the fight. Gilda was giving it her all and was losing the fight. I stared in awe as Applejack thoroughly beat Gilda in a fight despite her holding back. ‘She has to be trained fighter.’ I thought watching Gilda take a brutal kick to her torso. There were no words to describe Applejack’s fighting skills or how she just beat the shit out of Gilda twice.
“Strike two varmint. Don’t make it strike three.” Applejack warns right before she delivered the strongest snap kick I have ever seen in my life.
Gilda goes flying out of the cafeteria due a door being open by another student moments ago and the students who were there to witness the fight at the time cheered. I couldn’t believe it. Applejack had rescued me twice now and this time made me look weak in front of the entire campus. I wanted to be pissed off at her, but I couldn’t bring myself to feel anger. Before I knew it she had helped me pick up my things, helped me up, and asked, “Can’t let ya have all the fights now can I?”
She had calmly ignored all the others students and was checking my actual well-being. I couldn’t help but blush at her attention. Once she got to my arm, she froze. Without so much as saying a word she immediately grabs my stuff and begins to nudge me gently out of the crowd. I begin to protest until she whispers, “Sugarcube, trust me when I say that ya need ta get out of this here building and that I ain’t gonna let ya be on yer lonesome.” She wouldn’t let me look at my arm the whole time she guided me to a nearby restroom outside of the cafeteria. It was only then she let me look at my arm. Something I wished I hadn’t done when I saw why she froze.
“Shit, this isn’t going to look well tomorrow.” I grumbled at the bruise on my arm.
“I don’t know yer history with that bitch, and I highly doubt it is going to be explained in the next hour. So just tell me right here right now whether or not I should get authorities to look into this. She is clearly intending to put you in harm’s way, Rainbow. I don’t think you are in a state to be able to handle this issue on your own without consequences. Friday night was you in an unfair match, and today it’s the similar scenario.” she tilts my head so that our eyes met.
It was probably one of the rare moments where I enjoyed a sappy moment, but I didn’t care at the moment. This major badass beauty was actually worried about me. I don’t know why but it made me feel warm and fuzzy. ‘Stop it Rainbow. Remember what happened moments ago? She is way out of your league and even then she would turn out to be even worse than Gilda.’ my brain reminds as I am brought back to my senses long enough to answer.
“I can handle Gilda on my-” I respond before she places a finger to my lips shutting me up.
“It’s not about handling her, Sugarcube. I have seen ya fight with your head elsewhere and you are a good fighter. What I mean is this getting to be dangerous for you. You need legal help to stall this bitch, because the help I give is not the help you need. I handle the physical violence while you settle your internal battle.” she gently explains giving a tiny smile.
It didn’t take long for her to patch my bruises and while she was tending to them I notice a scar where her neck met her shoulder on the left side. It looked like one of those sick jagged scars too. So I decided to ask, “Where did you get that scar?” causing her to tense up.
“I rather not talk about that for now.” she cautiously responds giving me the impression that the subject despite being touchy was constantly questioned.
“Whenever you’re ready to tell me, I’ll listen.” I place a hand on her shoulder, “Fair trade?” smirking at her small smile.
“Fair trade, Rainbow.” she nods holding out her hand to shake on it.
I won’t admit this to anyone, but she had the most beautiful forest green eyes I have ever seen. Hey, I don’t have to love someone to think they are beautiful. I am not in love with Applejack. I’m just grateful she helped me out is all.
