Twilight Sparkle sat upright, eagerly waiting for the arrival of her least punctual friend for this so-called important meeting. She had been preparing for this a long time and the young princess just knew that this try would not fail. She had run multiple computations of the possible results and they always ended up as a square. The alicorn could not contain the excitement anymore, as she felt her wings twitching.
“Where is she? Where. Is. She?” Twilight snapped her head from left to right, frantically looking at her present friends.
Applejack, Twilight’s most punctual friend, placed both of her hooves on the princess’ shoulder after standing up to calm the purple mare. “Get a hold o’ yourself, Twi. She's gonna come ‘ere in a moment.”
The alicorn sprung her wings and gripped the farmer’s arms, which almost took the latter’s heart away in surprise. “I know you can't wait as well, right, Applejack?!” She said in a hoarse voice, narrowing her eyes at her friend.
Applejack glanced sideways, as she scrunched her nose. “Uh, sure. Sure I can't!” She beamed unusually, as she looked at Rarity for rescue.
“Look at me, AJ. Look. At. Me!” Twilight whined like a filly, shaking her poor friend. “I've prepared real hard for this. You must not let this fail! Okay?!” She panted.
The orange mare had enough of it. She frowned and rolled her eyes, as she released a tired sigh. “Look, Twi,” she pulled herself out of the other mare’s grip. “Ya know that we ain't lettin’ you down, so don't be tad crazy ‘bout it. To be honest, I have no idea what's this here meetin’s all about,” Applejack snorted and looked at her messed best friend. “Jus’...calm your horses down an’-”
“I'm here!”
The doors slammed open, which made Fluttershy jump off her seat in surprise. Applejack turned her head to the door and glared at the newcomer.
“So much for the fastest flyer in Equestria,” the mare in a hat released her half-crazed friend and sat back on her seat.
Rainbow Dash, among her friends, always came late in their gatherings. It irritated the orange farm mare the most.
“Oh, thank Celestia you came!” Twilight exclaimed, as she flapped her wings in excitement.
The cyan pegasus smiled a bit at her alicorn friend’s reaction, but scoffed at Applejack’s remark. The latter scoffed back and rolled her eyes, frowning slightly.
“Soooo…” Rainbow rolled her eyes and hovered to her throne, marked by her cutie mark. “What's this all about?” Her voice squeaked slightly at the end of her sentence, as she sat on her seat, securing the place of her prismatic tail around her flank.
Rarity raised her hoof, raising her nose a little as well. “I am also quite involved with...how should we call this…” the unicorn tapped the table with a hoof. “...arrangement. I request dear Applejack to take Twilight’s seat for once, please,” she turned to the farm mare and batted her eyelashes.
“Uh, for what?” Applejack raised a brow, uncertain from the request. She glanced at Twilight Sparkle, who nodded her head with a smile.
The white unicorn straightened her posture. “I have to be by Twilight’s side and explain the arrangement with her,” she looked at the orange pony.
Applejack sighed. “Alright,” she stood up and exchanged seat with Twilight. Once both were set, Rainbow Dash shifted nearer to left, while Applejack to her right, lessening the distance between the two.
Twilight and Rarity noticed this and smirked devilishly at both of them.
The alicorn cleared her throat and leaned on the table. “I know that most of us don't even know why I called all of you for a meeting in this time of the day, despite all of you having a busy schedule,” she declared happily.
“Yes, but it is really fine with me. I don't have much to do anyway,” The yellow pegasus said softly, with a smile.
Twilight smiled back and resumed to her posture. She could notice that Pinkie Pie was scribbling something on a notepad, but she thought that she must not disturb her. The pink pony seemed to be caught up on what she was doing. “This, I tell you, is very important. As I've said a while ago, I prepared, or rather, we prepared for this a long time,” she winked at Rarity. “I know for sure that you are all hyped to know what is this we're planning to have. To tell you, so am I!” She beamed.
Rainbow Dash grew impatient, as she groaned. “Get into the point already!” She stretched out her arms and crossed them, creasing her brows.
Twilight looked at the cyan pegasus and rolled her eyes. “So, without further ado, Rarity,” she beamed at the unicorn.
Rarity nodded. “A big event is coming before winter ends. I know that all of you is well informed, aren't you?” Multiple uh-huh’s and yes echoed in the throne room simultaneously. The white unicorn was about to speak when Rainbow started to talk.
“Let me guess: Fluttershy’s tea party?”
The yellow pegasus slumped slightly and smiled sheepishly.
Rarity shook her head. “No, Rainbow Dash. But… I am really looking forward to it,” she looked at Fluttershy and smiled.
Dash raised a brow and hovered in air. “The official chicken coop cleaning day at Sweet Apple Acres?” With that, Applejack flinched.
“No,” Rarity once again shook her head.
“Uhm. The third anniversary of Daring Do series?”
“No.”
“Golden delicious harvesting day?”
“No.”
“Plowing day?”
“No.”
“Water-the-East-orchard day?”
“No.”
“Hey, that's today,” Applejack cut in, placing a hoof on her chin.
“Uhm. Well…” Dash swallowed and tried to think of any more events.
Rarity flashed a smug look. “What else is the day you're looking forward to?”
Rainbow’s face painted a “huh?” look. “Many, of course! Like the horseshoe game, a heavy downpour on Saturday, AJ’s promised tour at Cloudsdale, and-”
“Whoa, nelly. My promised tour at Cloudsdale? When is that?” Applejack raised her head to look at the hovering pegasus. “I know nothin’ ‘bout no plan.”
Rainbow Dash gulped and glanced side by side, trying to find a believable excuse. “Maybe you weren't listening when I told you that.”
“What?” The farm mare gritted her teeth.
Rainbow flipped her bangs. “At least now I told you...again,” she smiked.
Applejack rolled her eyes and faced the table top. “Whatever.”
The white unicorn gasped and leaned on Twilight’s ear. “Did you get that?” She whispered.
Twilight lifted the notepad and quill that were hidden under he table and chuckled. “What do you know?”
Rarity cleared her throat. “All of those that you mentioned were wrong. Can you not think of anything larger than that?”
Rainbow Dash flattened her eyelids. “Winter Wrap-Up?”
“No~” Rarity sung.
“Then what the buck it it?!” Rainbow Dash yelled, as she flapped her wings wildly, blowing off Applejack’s hat. She seemed to notice it, but she was so angry to pick it. Instead, Applejack stood up, frowning deeply, as she grabbed her hat.
Rarity sucked in air, closing her eyes. “Hearth’s and Hooves Day!” She squeaked and beamed brightly.
Rainbow Dash hung her mouth open, as Applejack almost stumbled from her seat.
“That's it. I'm outta here,” Dash voice became raspy than usual, as she headed to the door.
“Oh, no you don't,” Twilight cloaked her horn with magic, then around Rainbow Dash. She dragged the glaring pegasus back to her seat, who looked away annoyed.
“I'm not yet done, darling. So, Ponyville is going to hold some special events for this day. One of those is a ‘couple race’,” Rarity nodded once, as she flicked her mane.
“Y’all think we're gonna go join that contest jus’ because of the embossed race word in it?” Applejack said with a frown, with her hat slightly nearer to her eyes.
Both Twilight’s and Rarity’s ears drooped, as they stared at each other with forlorn expressions, in which the others pair, AJ and Dash rolled their eyes at.
“But listen, darling. That race does not include any necessary romance. In fact, I am going with Fluttershy…” She looked at the yellow pegasus. “...if that is, fine with you dear.”
Fluttershy sat upright and nodded her head. “Of course, Rarity. It sounds fun,” she smiled.
“Fun?! Who says anything about fun?!” Pinkie Pie pulled her stare from the paper she was busy with.
Twilight smiled at Pinke and continued Rarity’s statement. “Everypony already has a partner, based on the registration form, well, at least…” She levitated a scroll and scanned it, as she gasped shortly. “...at least not Pinkie,” the princess turned to the pink pony. “Pinkie, who is the pony you want to take with you in the race?” She tilted her head.
“Huh? What race?” The pink mare raised a brow.
“Uhm. Well. For the Hearth’s and Hooves Day. It doesn't have to be a mare or a stallion. You can choose a close friend.”
“Ohhh…” Pinkie leaned on her seat. “Does a sister count?” She said, hope glimmering in her baby blue eyes.
Twilight nodded with a smile. “Yes! That's not a problem at all!”
Pinkie Pie sighed. “Phew. Thank goodness!”
“Is there anythin’ that bothers you, Pinkie Pie?” Applejack asked with concern.
“Uhm. It's just…” The cheerful pony looked at her notepad. “Maud is gonna take a stop here in Ponyville, exactly on the Hearth’s and Hooves day. I can't just think of anything to amuse her on that day…” She shook her head. “But luckily…” She suddenly popped in front of Twilight. “Twilight here said something about that race thingie!” Pinkie shrieked. “Isn't it great?!” She bolted towards her seat and beamed.
The other ponies in the room smiled at Pinkie.
It was Twilight’s turn to get sone concern. She sighed deeply and drooped her ears, looking at Applejack with the pleading eyes. “You promised to me, Applejack.”
The farm pony choked and narrowed her eyes. “Huh?”
“That you wouldn't fail me,” she pouted.
Rainbow growled and rolled her eyes.
“Yeah, I know I did, but-”
“But I worked hard for this. I organized this. I need all my friends with this,” she looked carefully at the stunned orange pony.
“But… but…” Applejack stuttered, but finally gave up by sighing. She turned to Rainbow Dash and wore a stern gaze. “Dash. Listen. You know I don't even want this ‘ere race. But… ya know. I ain't lettin’ Twi down. So are you,” she looked at the pegasus in the eye, retaining the stern gaze.
Rainbow Dash glanced sideways to share a look with the farm pony. “Yeah, whatever,” she turned her head up and breathed out through her nostrils.
Applejack cracked a taunting smirk. “I thought ya wouldn't dare.”
The rainbow maned pegasus blinked. “What do you mean, huh?” She creased her brow and snapped her head to AJ’s direction.
“Nothin’. Do you think I do?” Applejack craned her neck up with her smug look, tormenting the hovering pegasus.
“Oh,” Rainbow Dash bumped her head against Applejack’s. “You think you can beat me in that race?”
The farm pony scoffed. “No. ‘cause I know so,” she pushed her head.
Rainbow smirked and pulled away, spitting on her right forehoof which earned a cringe from Rarity. “Bring it on,” she stretched out her hoof to Applejack.
Applejack smirked back and soitted on her hoof as well. But before they bumped-hooves, Twilight cleared her throat. Both the orange pony and the cyan pegasus turned to meet the alicorn’s gaze.
“There's something you two, don't understand,” Twilight earned a short nod from Rarity. “You're not going against each other. You must form a team to win over the other pairs,” she explained.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other with raised brows.
“Wait. Is this serious? Having me and AJ to race,” Dash frowned slightly and pointed her dry hoof at Twilight. “...all of you?” She snorted. “You got to be kidding,” she suppressed laughter.
Twilight’s sarcasm detector wasn't activated. “Technically, I will not join the race. I'll be one of the judges, together with Mayor Mare and Princess Celestia,” she said with a smile.
Rainbow Dash swallowed and shrugged, as she turned back to the hat-wearing mare. “We still got this, right?”
“Bet your apples, we do!” Applejack tipped her hat, as they sealed the deal with a hoof-bump.
“Great!” The young princess exclaimed, clapping her hooves together. “Hearth’s and Hooves Day is on next Friday, which is about, eight days from now. Prepare yourselves, everypony!” She beamed and scribbled something on her notepad beneath the table.
“I must say, that this is an incredible progress, don't you think?” Rarity whispered to Twilight.
“Indeed, Rarity,” the alicorn looked up. “This will be really unforgettable…” Both of the horned ponies looked at the orange farm pony and the weather pegasus with smiles that totally meant something rather than happiness.
Twilight had never been this excited since she got her cutie mark. She could almost jump in every step she would take. Finally, Hearth’s and Hooves day came and the main event would really make her heart leap.
She wasn't the only one who was excited, though. Rarity had those giant sparkly eyes the princess could see within miles. The unicorn squealed incoherent words, until she slowly calmed down.
Why were they excited, anyway? It wasn't much worth screaming for, but as shippers, the two couldn't contain such feeling.
At Sweet Apple Acres, the race field had already been set. Streamers, stalls and banners scattered the open field. The royal parade soon came, bringing some unicorn and pegasi guards, respectively, forming a defensive stance around the magnificent Sun princess.
On the other hoof, Rarity and Twilight met on the dirt road to the farm, with the princess levitating a scroll and a stack of papers.
“I feel so elated, Twilight!” Rarity beamed.
The alicorn turned to her and returned the gesture with the same excitement. “I know!” Her voice raised a few octaves. “I hadn't had a nice sleep for thinking about this!”
Rarity was taken aback by that. Every lady must get the right amount of sleep, as far as she was concerned. She cringed ever slightly but forced a smile. “Oh my. I suppose you should have at least,” she bit her lip. “...put the cucumber slices and the cream I recommended?”
Twilight chuckled. “Spike ate all of them.”
The fashionista choked. “What?!” She almost fainted, but then realized they were in the farm already.
Or rather, her couch was not around.
“Princess Celestia just arrived!”
Rarity looked at where her friend was pointing at. She saw the white alicorn from within distance, sharing a word with the mayor of Ponyville. Not a long seconds after, she saw Applejack, coming out of the barn, followed by Rainbow Dash.
“Oh, you haven't seen everything, dear,” she nudged Twilight on the ribs.
The purple alicorn grinned. “Our progress is indeed quite the shot, isn't it, Rarity?” She grinned even more broadly but then the smile fell when her companion didn't reply. She looked at the unicorn, her eyes filled with hurt. Twilight became worried. “Rarity?”
Rarity shook herself from her daze. “Oh, uh. Forgive me, darling. I was…” she glanced sideways. “...distracted.”
Twilight sighed, as she smiled softly. She already knew what this meant. “Still thinking about AJ, eh?” She placed a hoof on her friend's shoulder.
Rarity sighed. “Yes,” she looked at the direction of the farm pony and the weather pony, who were somewhat yelling at each other. “But we're in the same boat, aren't we?”
The princess bit her lip. “Y-yeah.”
The two fell in an awkward silence until Twilight realized it was time to work.
“We're doing this for our friends, remember?”
“Of course, dear. But what if we are wrong about our assumptions?” Rarity arched an eyebrow.
Twilight thought about it for a second, but afterwards, looked at the unicorn with a determined face. “Trust me.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Twilight had never had troubles explaining the rules.
That's what she assumed.
But in almost every sentence she said, a particular cyan hoof would be raised from among the ponies and asked questions. She wasn't the only one who did it. The cyan hoof was then followed by a pink one and the discussion would go on.
Luckily, the nonsense had been stopped by Twilight’s little outburst. Soon enough, everypony calmed down and went to their respective places, as all the participants went to the starting line.
This should be really exciting.
She surely hoped.
The first race had Rainbow Dash and Applejack, who stood side by side wearing their competitive smirks.
“Hey, AJ,” Rainbow Dash looked at her side. “Did you notice the strange looks Twilight and Rarity were giving?”
Applejack flicked her tail and glanced at the white unicorn, who was approaching the starting line with Fluttershy. “Yup. I can sense that they have somethin’ within their barns,” she frowned slightly.
Rainbow mimicked the gesture and scratched her hind hooves against the dirt. “But no matter what it is, I am gonna win this race!” She smirked.
The earth pony arched her brow an inch.
“Uh, we, I mean,” The pegasus pulled back slightly. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Big Macintosh and Cheerilee, smiling at each other. She cringed at the sight and turned to Applejack. “Whoa, your brother’s joining?”
“Uh huh. It took a bit of stretch to pull him out of his shell to ask Cheerilee. The Crusaders did all of it, actually,” Applejack chuckled.
Out of the blue, Rainbow Dash felt her heart leap and slowly smile. Maybe it was because of the crowd that gathered, or the sound of the horn. But looking at the farm pony beside her somehow made her weak. Or strong. Or smile more. Or be awesome. Or-
“Racers ready?”
Dash shook herself out of her daze. She composed herself and glared at the race track. She couldn't be distracted. Not now. She needed to prove to her partner that they could outstand all the other racers and win. Besides, she had already cleared her schedule for the tour in Cloudsdale, which, was for the celebration of her inevitable victory. Nothing more.
Partner. She liked the sound of it.
“Good luck, Rares an’ Fluttershy,” Rainbow saw AJ winked at their friends.
“Good luck to you, too, dears,” Rarity smiled. Beside her, the timid pegasus smiled as well, and to Dash’s suprise, she seemed to be quite confident.
“Well, you must prepare yourselves ‘cause we're gonna win thing, right Applejack?” She elbowed the farm mare.
Applejack snorted and wrinkled her nose. “If you say so.”
Dash frowned. “Hey. You should know better than that.”
“Yeah, but this is all for fun, alright. Don't get yourself too fired up,” Applejack poked the pegasus’ forehead once.
Rainbow Dash turned away and scoffed. “Whatever,”she muttered.
“Ponies, prepare your hooves!”
Fillies went around the racers and tied a pink ribbon around all the unicorns and pegasi participants and that included Rainbow.
The orange filly, Scootaloo, was the one who tied the ribbon for Rainbow Dash. The mare couldn't stop herself from asking.
“Hey, Scoots. What is this for?”
Scootaloo raised her head and fluttered her tiny wings, creating the sound of buzzing bees. “It is a magical tool, but I am not sure what it does.”
Dash frowned. “Oh. Right.”
“Scootaloo, weren't you listening?” Sweetie Belle’s voice squeaked. “It gives inability to unicorns to use their magic and-”
“And pegasi use their wings, yeah right,” Scootaloo grumbled, as she rolled her eyes in annoyance.
“In this way, it'll be fair for Earth ponies, who ain't have no wings or horns,” Apple Bloom popped from behind and wrapped her forehooves around her sister's left hind leg. Applejack was quite surprised as she turned her head back and patted the filly’s mane.
“Why now, Apple Bloom?” Ain't y’all proud of your kind?” Applejack asked, slightly tilting her head.
“Huh?” Apple Bloom leaned back, still hugging her sister's leg. “I am proud!” She pouted.
The farm mare rolled her eyes upward, then down to Apple Bloom. “That's good ‘ta hear from a lil’ filly who always straps herself onto a freaky zipline,” Applejack teased her little sister and turned away from her.
“Aww!” Apple Bloom stomped her hind legs and unwrapped herself from AJ. “It's one o’ them Crusades!” She whined, which earned a chuckle from the elder mare.
Sweetie Belle’s face struck with jealously, as she watched the Apple sisters. She turned to face her sister and formulated a plan. “Rarity, make me whine!”
Rarity looked down and stared at Sweetie with a raised brow. “What ever do you mean, darling?”
“Aww!” Sweetie shrieked and made Rarity cringe and fold her ears. “Yay! You're the best sister, Rarity!” She hugged her sister's hooves. The elder unicorn just shrugged and returned the hug.
Scootaloo creased her brows and turned away. “Hmph! I don't need a childish whine to show that Rainbow Dash is the best sister!” She looked at the cyan pegasus. “Right, Dash?”
Rainbow sucked her lips and wore her best caring expression. “You want a hug, too, Scoot?”
At first, Scootaloo was uncertain. But when she noticed that Dash was shifting a bit to give room for her. She slowly smiled, until it grew into a beam. Rainbow Dash pulled the little pegasus into a warm embrace, which she gladly accepted.
Rainbow Dash and Applejack looked at each other, wearing a half of a smile.
With another blow of the horn, the fillies departed from the starting line and went to the audience corner, ready to cheer for the ponies they wanted to win. In the table of the judges, where Mayor Mare, Celestia and Twilight sat, the purple princess levitated a magical microphone and tapped it with a hoof, checking if it worked.
“Everypony,” Twilight Sparkle announced, as the contenders lowered themselves to the ground, in a galloping stance. “On your mark.”
Dash looked at her partner with a grin, who squinted her eyes ahead. They both kicked their forelegs, scratching the ground.
“Get set.”
The pegasus breathed out through her nostrils.
The tension hung in the air, as ponies paused their breaths; the sound of the ruffling of the leaves echoed.
“GO!” Twilight flared her wings and beamed.
The racers started to gallop across the dirt path of the farm, with the two competitive ponies -Dash and AJ- taking the early lead. Both Fluttershy and Rarity were left behind the dust, coughing simultaneously. Nevertheless, the two continued to run.
Along the first turn, was the first obstacle. The pairs must cross a thin plank the size of a hoof. If they fall, they would land the mud pit and try crossing again.
Both Applejack and Rainbow Dash halted, with the latter turning around to see if anypony was near them. It turned out to be Lyra and Bonbon, who were approaching them slowly.
“Applejack, what do we do?” Dash started to flap her wings, but before she ascended an inch from the ground, an aura of magic pulled her hooves back.
“Hop on!” The farm mare lowered herself, raising her flank a bit. Rainbow resisted the heat building up to her cheeks by biting it inside.
“What?” She managed to mutter.
Applejack growled and went in between Dash’s forelegs and hindlegs, slumping the pegasus on her back. Rainbow was taken by surprise, but then wrapped her forelegs around the other pony’s neck to prevent her from falling.
“Hold on tight, Rainbow. This here plank is wobbly. Don't y’all try to tremble back there or we'll both bathe into Mrs. Babe’s mud,” Applejack adjusted her hat.
Rainbow Dash’s eyes narrowed. “Mrs. Babe? Of all the pigs you have?!” She yelled at AJ’s ears, in which the orange mare cringed at.
“Yee-haw!” Applejack sprung herself onto the plank, which shook tauntingly. She cautiously moved her left front leg, followed by her right hind leg.
“C-careful, AJ!” Dash unconsciously squeezed Applejack’s neck tighter. The earth pony stopped from moving forward, and irritably looked at the pagasus with a frown.
"Stop squeezin' for Land's sake!" Applejack hissed and continued to move forward, the wood creaking, as it shifted because of the added weight.
Rainbow spreaded her wings wide to add balance. She frowned a bit. She was a pegasus and pegasi were known for this. She must be the one crossing. “You're slow,” she said.
It never stopped the farm mare. In fact, she ignored the pegasus on her back. She almost didn't feel that she was there. Rainbow was as light as a feather.
Just a little more steps, they were approaching the end. When Dash turned her head back, she saw a cloud of smoke, which meant that the other racers were near. “Applejack, hurry!”
Applejack felt a trail of sweat trickling from her forehead, as the pressure of falling went on her. She wasn't afraid of the pit, but if they fell, they should repeat it again. She'd come so far and she must not fall the last minute.
But at the back of her mind, as evil as it sounded, she wanted to see Rainbow Dash soaked with mud. It would be ridiculous.
Yet, she followed the rational part of hers.
Applejack reached the end, where the ladder awaited. She went down, as she felt the fast beating of the pegasus’ heart behind her. She couldn't help herself to smile.
“You can go now,” Applejack said over her shoulder. She waited for at least three, seconds for Rainbow to respond and her patience wore thin. She growled and glared at nopony in particular.
“Oh! Uh,” Dash entangled her hooves from the farmer’s neck, as she went on her four hooves awkwardly. She smiled sheepishly at the frowning Earth mare. They stared at each other for a moment -with Applejack still frowning- until the Earth pony rolled her eyes and galloped.
Rainbow Dash couldn't believe she lost her cool. She's the awesomest pony out there. How could she ever act awkwardly around Applejack -who was almost as awesome as she was- when she had to be cool and radical to her friend's eyes?
How pathetic and...uncool. She needed to retrieve her poise and prove her title. She was the Iron Pony anyway.
It was time when she caught up with Applejack. She bumped her, to make her turn her head and look at Dash. Rainbow expected her to be mad, but making AJ mad, made her happy. She was clearly sadistic.
Thw two leading pair approached the second obstacle where they should enter the chicken coop and grab an egg from one of the hens there. After getting an egg, they should balance it between their noses, without letting the egg fall and break. If it breaks, they would once again enter and get another egg.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash went inside the coop and scanned for a lone egg. They both spotted one and hurriedly went to it, while the chickens made panicked noises. Applejack quickly settled them down with a stomp of a hoof.
“Rainbow, can you trot backwards?” Applejack asked hastily.
Dash turned to her and puffed her chest. “Of course. Why’d you ask?”
“I can't do it,” Applejack bit her bottom lip, as she leaned down until the tip her nose was against the egg.
Rainbow took the gesture as it meant to her to stop asking. She made a mental note to talk about it later. She craned her neck and pressed her nose against the egg
“On my signal,” Applejack raised a hoof. “One, two….three,” slowly, they lifted the egg, as they both looked at it, making their eyes crossed.
Rainbow Dash took her first step back, while Applejack did the same. “Is the ladder near?” Dash asked, as her right hind leg tapped the wooden floor.
Applejack’s eyes rolled downwards as she muttered, “Mm-hmm…”
The pair went out of the coop, as Rainbow was guided by AJ’s words. Once, the egg almost slipped from their hold, but Dash saved it using her tongue. Applejack almost did the same, but somehow, a force within her stopped her. As if she expected that Rainbow would save the egg. She was right about it, anyway.
They carefully laid the egg on the nest ahead, as they once again shared a look, that neither of them expected.
Without any more interruptions, they galloped ahead, as the other racers approached the chicken coop. Rarity and Fluttershy were nowhere to be seen. Dash just accepted the fact that perhaps Rarity was too afraid of the mud and Fluttershy was too scared to go on. She was just glad that Applejack was her partner. She could not stand those kinds of drama.
They reached the final trial; it was the thing Twilight called as “Blind Bind.” Rainbow found the name pathetic and laughable. The princess might never found any other word that rhymed and was relevant.
The third and last obstacle contained a mask, that would cover the eyes. It would be worn by one from a pair, while they gallop to the finish. The other one without blindfold would guide the “blind” across the barrels and jumping over the mud pit. They must cross the finish line together.
Applejack inhaled air. “Rainbow, do you trust me?” She asked rather sternly.
Dash rolled her eyes and grabbed the blindfold. “Meh. That leaves me no choice,” she put on the mask like a pair of goggles, “Alright, boss. I'm all set!” She grinned.
Applejack grabbed Dash’s hoof and led her in front of the scattered barrels. To her shock, Lyra and Bonbon were already preparing to tackle the last obstacle. Added to her horror were her brother and Cheerilee. She couldn't help herself but to gasp, which took her partner in the same surprise.
“What? What happened?”
“Listen to me, and me alone, ‘ya hear that? Somepony’s catchin’ up an’ y’all better gallop ‘n’ go,” Applejack nudged Dash on the flank to push her onto the course.
“Do I have a chance?” If Rainbow wasn't blindfolded, she must have rolled her eyes.
The farm mare squinted her eyes and counted the barrels. “There are three on your left and two on your right. At the end is another mud pit. Jump over it an’ you're all done. Got it?” She glanced behind and saw the blindfolded Bonbon and Big Mac, with their guides, Lyra and Cheerilee. From afar, were Fluttershy and Rarity, who were, surprisingly, galloping in a notable pace. Applejack panicked in her mind, as she felt the sweat covering her fur.
“Yes, ma’am. Three on the left, two on the right and mud pit,” Rainbow sprinted, leaving a significant rainbow trail. She dodged the barrels effortlessly, wearing her smirk. On the other hoof, Applejack jumped over the hurdles and galloped toward the other side of the pit and waited for Rainbow Dash.
At Dash’s tail, were Bonbon and Big Mac, who were slowly catching up. But the pegasus wouldn't let them. She reached the pit first, but then stopped. She didn't know how high or large would she jump. She hesitantly took a step, as her hoof had contact with the mud. She withdrew it immediately and cautiously moved back.
“Applejack?” She called.
“I'm just on the other side, Dash. Now listen. Do you remember Barkley?” Applejack said.
Rainbow Dash flicked her tail. “Your sappy tree that overviews the Cloudominium? Yeah. I wouldn't forget him.” She smiled a bit. He's my favorite tree,” she whispered.
The orange pony nodded once and cracked a smile. “Barkley’s trunk is as long as where I am right now. Can ya’ jump that far?”
The pegasus’ ears flicked as she tapped a hoof on the ground. When she had the hoof in the computation, she took two steps backwards and leaned for a jump. “Here I go!”
Applejack stepped back, as Rainbow Dash successfully landed in front of her. She lost her balance for a while, but the earth pony quickly caught her.
“Hoo-wee! Rainbow! You did it!” AJ waved her hat and raised her forelegs in the air.
“So, let's run?” Rainbow asked, her head facing the opposite direction.
Applejack giggled and wrapped a leg around her friend's neck. “Yup. Jus’ stay close to me, ya’ hear?”
Rainbow scoffed. “Yeah, of course,” being temporarily blind, she felt vulnerable and helpless. It was like, she was caged with darkness. She was not afraid. But she definitely needed help.
“Can I, ya’ know,” she bit her lip. The earth pony turned to her expectantly. “...put my wing on you?”
“Anytime, partner,” Applejack elbowed the pegasus, as Rainbow flapped her wings excitedly.
When they were both set -with Dash’s right wing wrapped around Applejack’s torso- they galloped side by side. Rainbow held the earth pony firmly, as if her life depended on her. This time, she couldn't see. She only relied to Applejack, as if she was her guiding light. She knew she could trust her. She was her best-est best friend.
Rainbow felt that Applejack increased her speed. If she were to confess, the farmer was really fast. Her legs couldn't keep up.
After a few seconds, Dash could hear hoof stomps. At least now she knew why they needed to rush. Aside from the hoof stomps, both hers and Applejack’s breathing went wild. They could feel each other's heartbeats.
“Jus’...a lil’ more,” The farmer gasped for air, as she continously paced toward the striped ribbon, marked as the finish line.
Dash felt that Applejack went slower, until they both skidded into a stop. It was then followed by the booming cheer of the crowd.
Rainbow’s heart leapt, as she hastily pulled off the blindfold. “AJ! Did we win?!” She placed both of her hooves on Applejack’s shoulders.
Applejack turned to her, as she smiled softly. “Yeah.”
Rainbow Dash jumped in glee, as she wrapped the farmer in a bone-crushing hug. “Yes! We did it! Whoo-hoo!”
“Ooof! Y-eah, Dash,” Applejack was squeezed by the extremly happy pegasus. “Are ya ready to claim the victory?” ~~~~~~~~~~~~ “Congratulations, to both Miss Applejack and Rainbow Dash, for winning this year's first Hearth’s and Hooves Day, couple race!” Mayor Mare announced to the crowd, as the winners waved their hooves sheepishly.
Princess Celestia stepped forward. “You two deserved to win. Not only that you galloped with perfect teamwork, but you both showed invaluable trust and loyalty to each other,” she levitated two medals, the shape of two broken hearts. She put the medals around Applejack’s and Rainbow’s necks, as the two bowed down. Celestia smiled softly at them. She stepped back, as she gave room for Twilight, whose face was painted with joy.
“Now that you two won the race, you will receive a ticket for a nice vacation on a cruise ship!” Her wings flared, as she levitated two golden tickets.
The crowd bursted into applause and whistles, as some muttered to each other.
Both Rainbow Dash and Applejack raised their brows in confusion. They both tilted their heads at Twilight.
“Wait.” Rainbow silenced the crowd. Twilight turned to her with a smile.
“What's a cruise ship?” Applejack and Rainbow Dash asked the silliest question the whole Equestria had ever heard.
Winning is great, yes. Nothing is wrong about it. One will receive honor and appreciation and those are good. Awesome, actually.
But today, Rainbow Dash's perspective about winning changed.
It even discouraged her from winning again.
Today, she was forced to wear a fancy dress. Too glittery for her. Too itchy. Too warm. Too irritating. In fact, she wanted to tear it apart.
The dress wasn't the only problem. Aside from what Rarity made her wear like the shiny horseshoes, her mane was crafted into something she saw as a rainbow-colored ice cream, sprinkled with sparkly marshmallows and hanging crystal candies.
She knew she was not Pinkie Pie, she was still sane enough for that. But all the irritating objects on her head looked like a delicious dessert.
Again, she wanted to tear it apart.
She looked horrible. And she felt like she was in Tartarus.
Tartarus. She asked herself; was Tartarus floating? Did it have fancy ponies who wore fancy costumes like her? Did it have delicious smelling food and annoying slow music? Was it called a cruise ship?
She just already knew the answer to her own question. She was currently on the worst section of Tartarus. If there was a ninth circle, perhaps there was the tenth circle. How sinful was she to be placed here?
Celestia knew how.
Literally.
Her sin was winning. Winning with her best-est best friend. Now, both of them were banished in the tenth circle of Tartarus known as MV Gentle Heart for an entire night.
Just the mention of the name sent chill galloping through her spine.
She wanted to get out of the ship immediately. She wanted to dash and hide in her cloud house forever.
Currently, Rainbow Dash was at the far corner of the upper class deck of the ship. She was standing there awkwardly, trying not to be noticed.
But stallions constantly went to her and asked for a dance.
What she did to drive them off was to get mad. Really mad. And said to them that she had five left hooves. She was too awesome to have a dance with other ponies. Those stallions were just Rarity's type.
Only if she had Applejack by her side, she wouldn't be socially awkward.
Where was that pony anyway? From what Dash remembered, after they were forcefully pushed to ride the ship, they were taken into different rooms, while she was taken into her doom.
Doom, as in dressed-up like a doll.
She knew that Applejack experienced the same fate. Poor filly. She thought. Like me. Her other side countered.
Rainbow Dash looked around, finding for an orange speck, without lifting a hoof from the carpet. She hoped that Applejack would come out as soon as possible, for them to plan an escape routine.
For the first time in forever, she felt excited. When the door opened, she guessed it would be Applejack. She almost galloped, but then stopped.
The pony who went out from the door was not her friend. She couldn't be.
But her eyes didn't lie.
At the doorstep, stood a gorgeous mare, wearing a dandelion dress, a really frilly dress, but just enough sparkles to show the mare's beauty. She wore golden horseshoes and her mane was tied in a bun, leaving a strand on the side of her ear. She also wore a golden tiara and a sheepish smile, trying to hide her lovely pinkish cheeks with a hoof.
Everypony on the deck stopped and gawked at the mare. That included Rainbow Dash, who found her wings spreaded widely.
The mare was downright beautiful. And that mare was her best-est best friend, Applejack.
Applejack's emerald eyes scanned the crowd. Rainbow knew that she was finding her, but she found herself immobilized from she stood. She just stared at her friend.
"Rainbow Dash! Where are ya'?!" Applejack started to walk, as the other ponies gave way for her. She turned around, and found Rainbow at the corner, standing still. The orange mare stared at her, as her lips curled into a smirk. She ran to the dazed pegasus, as all eyes were still at her.
The cyan pegasus regained her bearings. She cleared her throat and unconsciously folded her wings. "Hey, Applejack, nice..." Applejack paused, still wearing the smirk, as Dash rolled her eyes from her friend's hooves up to her eyes. "...m...mane... heh-heh," The pegasus stuttered as she scratched the back of her neck.
Applejack raised a brow, but then leaned on Dash's right ear. Rainbow's furs shivered from the other mare's breath. "Let's get outta here," The farm mare whispered.
Now that made everything exciting. Applejack finally showed up and she also wanted to get out. Of course, she would. AJ was a cool pony like her, and cool ponies didn't fit in fancy places like a ship.
So, Rainbow gasped and grinned like a madmare.
"Whoa, there, lil' filly. I've got somethin' to tell ya'" Applejack rolled her eyes around, as she nodded half-heartedly at the ponies who were staring at them. After that, she tugged Rainbow's neck and bumped her forehead against the pegasus'.
As expected, Dash let out a high-pitched squee, as she looked at her friend in the eyes. Instead of giving her a smirk, she frowned and hissed, "Why?!" as her wings flapped, trying to escape from the other mare's grip.
"Look at them, fancy ponies. We ain't like them. An' Twilight and Rarity should have a piece of my mind," Applejack hissed back at Rainbow, her nerves in her temples pumping rapidly.
Dash couldn't stop gulping from how angry those emerald eyes were. She just wished goodluck for both Twilight and Rarity. When she last received a piece of Applejack's mind, she wasn't able to get out of her bed for an entire week.
"We need ta' get outta 'ere as soon as we could."
Rainbow glanced at the round window. All she could see was the vast blue sea, "How?"
Applejack's mood quickly changed like the weather. "I have a plan."
"What?"
"But I don't think it will work."
Rainbow Dash just knew it. The Elements of Harmony really chose its rightful bearers. Out of all of them, the Honsety shard never really just surrounded Applejack because she was orange; and the Honesty shard was never really a liar. In fact, it picked the best bearer there could ever be.
Applejack was right. Her plan didn't work. Well, she was always right. And....right now, Applejack was literally on her right.
"Say, Applejack..." She looked at her side, as she wiped the dusty table with a towel.
"What..." Applejack said lazily, muttering something about cursed apples.
"How'd we get here?"
It seemed like her question was in a bad timing.
Applejack shot her a killing glare, piercing through the air and against Rainbow's own eyes. It felt like a hot laser beam and Dash wished she had the power to stop time.
Followed by the glare was the really intimidating frown. Dash called it as the general alarm. All ponies nearby should take cover and find the nearest evacuation center.
And finally, the Task Force Alpha which...
...didn't come.
Rainbow Dash's forelegs were already covering her ears, but she stopped and put them down. She slowly felt bad, as she watched Applejack's face twisting with sorrow. "Hey, what's wrong?" She furrowed her brows, as she hesitantly approached her friend.
Applejack shut her eyes tightly, fighting back the tears. Her ears drooped, as everything went out through a deep sigh. A stray hair strand went down from her mane, as she opened her eyes and looked at the pegasus before her. "I'm sorry."
Now Rainbow felt evil. There was nothing she should apologize for. Perhaps there would be in the future, but Dash couldn't see anything to blame her friend.
"Wha-? Why?" Rainbow asked with a raised brow. "You know this was that fat mare's fault she didn't know we're the saviors of all of Eque-" she stopped when Applejack's reaction didn't change. She silenced herself and thought of something to say.
"It's not that, isn't it?" Rainbow said, her head slightly low.
Applejack grabbed the towel, Rainbow held a while ago, as the pegasus followed it. She wiped the table and stared at it, solemnly. "This brings back mem'ries."
Rainbow Dash decided to listen, as she scratched her chest behind her sweaty magenta gown.
"I mean, ya' know. When I was in Manehattan doin' some Rarity," she scrunched her nose.
The cyan pegasus snickered. "You got me there," Applejack giggled, which was music in Dash's ears. It always made her smile out of the blue.
"It ain't never easy, havin' every lil' bit o' your action checked, watched, criticized, everythin'. All eyes were on you," she paused. "I don't wanna go back there. I feel...imprisoned, ya' know."
Rainbow Dash cracked a smile, as she wrapped a wing around Applejack. She never knew why it seemed comfortable when she was with the farm mare. She always wanted to see her and hug her with her wings. She felt like Applejack was a very special friend. They somehow understand each other deeply. Weird, but Dash didn't feel the depletion of her awesomeness. In fact, she felt awesomer. Or more awesome.
Applejack looked at Rainbow, perplexed.
"Oh, come on, AJ. I'm being sappy with you!" Dash quickly folded her wing, as her cheeks tinted with pink.
The farmer grinned. "I was jus' messin' up with ya."
Rainbow choked, as she furrowed her brows. "Eh?" She frowned.
Applejack's snicker evolved into a laugh. She raised a hoof as she laughed, while Rainbow Dash watched her, the side of her muzzle twitching.
"Okay..." The farmer wiped a tear drop, as she finally ceased laughter. "Thanks," she smiled genuinely, her misaligned tiara sparkled once because of the chandelier above them.
Rainbow Dash thought about it, but it slowly sank in. She just made her laugh. She just eased the sadness her friend was feeling. She looked away and wore an annoyed expression, failing to conceal her blush. "Yeah. Whatever."
"I have another plan, Dash," Applejack grinned, as she went to the window.
Rainbow's ears twitched, as she followed the other mare curiously. "Really? Then tell me!"
Applejack smiled. "We have a pass to go to the view deck, or whatever fancy they all call it, right?"
"Uhm. Yeah. But do you think they'll let us go there with..." Dash gestured to her messy outfit. "...these?"
The orange pony rolled her eyes. "C'mon. Y'all jus' brush your mane and wipe all those dirt. As long as we both say, we're the ones from Ponyville, those ponies ain't sayin' nope ta' us."
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and turned around. "Yah. You always know what to do."
"Is that a bad thing?"
Dash stopped, as her eyes narrowed. "No," she said with a frown.
"Good. At least we have now an agreement."
It was about time for Rainbow Dash to turn around and meet the smug look of Applejack. It made her blood boil. "Wait. What? Are you saying you're gonna be in charge?" She raised a hoof threateningly.
Applejack snickered. "You're sayin' it."
Rainbow Dash's muzzle hung open for three seconds, until she closed it with a growl and a really deep frown. "I hate you Applejack."
The farm pony trotted past the fuming pegasus. "I hate you too, Rainbow Dash."
The wind blowing against her fur eased her stressed mind and body. She'd always loved the breeze, but this was the first time she smelled the wind from the sea.
But there was something she should be doing.
"So, uh. What's your plan?" She turned to her side and found Applejack, who was enjoying the breeze, her eyes were closed. Maybe she didn't hear her, so it was time to shake her friend out of her reverie.
Rainbow Dash went in front of the farm mare and inched her muzzle close to Applejack's. Then suddenly, something unusual came over to Dash.
Her stomach gained millions of itchy stuffs.
She leaned back and frowned. As far as she remembered, she just ate. It was a full course meal that filled her stomach, not crawling cratures.
But she found herself still staring at Applejack. Those cute freckles and sweet as apple looking lips and her-
"Rainbow Dash."
The cyan pegasus was brougt back to reality. She found her friend, staring back at her, a brow arched an inch. She quickly opened her wings and flapped them, ascending herself from the floor.
She had to escape from these weird feelings and she must prioritize their escape from the ship. To cool herself, she did a swift somersault and landed gracefully in front of her friend.
"Do you like it? Am I awesome?"
Applejack raised her other brow.
Rainbow rolled her eyes and sighed. "You see. I was wondering about your plan," she tried to say casually.
"Oh. Well..." Applejack went at the edge of the ship and pointed at something, which was covered with a cloth. "Ya see this here thing?"
Dash nodded. "Yup. 20-20."
AJ flashed a glare. "What I mean is, this here thing is somethin'," she tapped a hoof against the concealed object, as it sounded like wood.
"So? What do we do?"
Applejack flattened her eyelids. "Didn't ya hear it? It is wood."
"Well....? So what if it is wood. Ponies don't eat wood," Rainbow leaned on the "wood" and crossed her arms.
The farm mare growled. "For Pete's sake, Dash!" She bit the edge of the cloth and pulled it, stumbling Rainbow from the force. She spat the fabric and pointed both of her arms at the "wood." "It's a boat. Ya' know. Sailin'?!" She hissed, as she furrowed her brows.
Rainbow Dash recovered from the stumble and looked at the boat. "Well. It really is a boat."
Only if Applejack had her hat, she would have dropped it and fled. "If y'all don't wanna come, I'll go by myself," she started to entangle the ropes that held the boat.
"No, wait!" Dash went to the farm mare, as she stopped from working on the ropes. "What kind of friend are you to leave me here? I was just messing up with you," Rainbow Dash wore her comeback smirk.
Applejack growled once more, as she rolled her eyes. She continued to entangle the ropes, as Rainbow Dash helped her, wearing her victory smirk.
"We should put this here boat down there, and keep it tied with the ship, so we don't get lost, ya understand?" Applejack looked at Rainbow with a raised brow.
The pegasus tapped her chin. "Wait. I thought we'd escape. It's just like, we separated ourselves from the other ponies."
"Well. Do you know how ta' get back ta' Ponyville from 'ere?"
Three seconds of silence. "No, but-"
"Nope. Don't but me, Rainbow Dash. Remember, I'm in charge," she waved a hoof, as she shook her head slowly.
Rainbow scoffed. "Fine."
They dropped the boat on the sea, just in time when the ship stopped for a good view of the nearing sunset. Applejack secured the rope, as Rainbow Dash hovered in the air.
Dash realized that AJ couldn't just jump down the boat, or climb down using the rope. It may break, or whatsoever. So, she held Applejack on both armpits and carried her, as she flew. At first, she struggled from the earth pony's weight, but she carried on. "Do apples make you fat?"
Applejack's eyes narrowed. "What?! No! Apples couldn't make anypony fat. And I eat somethin' rather than apples!" She protected the dignity of her favorite fruit. She turned her head up and glared at Dash.
"Whatever you say." They landed on the boat, as it shifted because of the added weight.
When they landed on the boat, one took the other side, and one took the other, making them facing each other. But they didn't talk or look at one another. Instead, silence between the two mares dominated, as the gentle swish of the waves was the only noise. Both looked at the sunset, admiring Celestia's work of art.
But the mention of the name made Dash somehow furious. Even looking at the sunset made her mad. It was like Celestia and Twilight in one place, sticking out their tongues at her.
"What do you think about Hearth's and Hooves day?" Applejack broke the silence, still staring at the setting sun.
Rainbow thought for a while.
It wasn't half-bad. In fact, she enjoyed the race so much. If it wasn't because of the cruise ship, everything would have been perfect. She was with her best-est friend all throughout those moments.
And came the itchy insects once more.
"Not really my thing. I hate sappy stuffs, and Hearth's and Hooves day got everything in the world of sappiness."
Applejack smiled. "Yeah. I kinda know how it feels."
"Yeah."
Silence again. Rainbow hated it when everything fell into complete silence.
"Applejack."
The farm mare turned to her.
Dash shook her head. "Never mind. I'm getting weirder."
"Tell me." AJ demanded.
Rainbow sighed. "Don't tell anypony what I'll say to you, alright?"
Applejack nodded once. "Yup. I promise. Pinkie Swear," she did the necessary gestures and didn't forget to close her eyes before poking it.
"Have you ever been...." Rainbow leaned on her front, as she covered the side of her muzzle with a hoof, looking around to see if anypony was watching. Applejack leaned as well to hear what Dash was about to say. "....in love?" She whispered, as if the last word was a great sin.
They were frozen for a while, with neither of them blinking.
"No, I ain't have no feelings of such 'sides of family and friendly type of love. Why, now. Have y'all been?" Applejack arched an eyebrow.
"I'm not sure.... and... I'm confused," Rainbow scratched the back of her neck.
"Why now, I can probably help ya' with that! In fact, I was Big Mac's love adviser when he needed guidelines on Cheerilee. Well. Even vise versa," Applejack beamed brightly at her statement.
Dash looked at AJ's eyes. She didn't know what to do. She didn't know what was this feeling that continously bothered her. Every time they lock eyes, insects crawl in her stomach and tickle it mercilessly. She always wanted to see her, watch over her as she worked. The way she smiled made her happy. Her caring and honest words always helped her.
Was Rainbow falling in love? With.... her best friend?
No, she couldn't be. Applejack was her best-est best friend and nopony would ever dare to deny that. But what if this special feeling was really.... special?
No. She was awesome. Awesome ponies didn't fall with their best friends.
What if she would be the first in the history of awesomeness?
Again, it couldn't be. Maybe she just felt her own awesomeness from Applejack. That would be it.
Both of them were awesome. If two awesome ponies become together, it would be.....
"Applejack...." Rainbow Dash bit her lip.
The farm mare looked at her expectantly.
"I'm crazy."
Applejack rolled her eyes. "I already know that from the start."
From the corner of Dash's eye, she spotted something dark. After that, her nose raised up, as she smelled the air.
Applejack noticed this behavior and sniffed the air as well. "Ain't that chilly." She commented. Slowly, realization occurred to her. The farmer's eyes narrowed, as she gripped the edge of the boat tight. "Rain...." she muttered nervously.
"Not just any other rain. A storm." Rainbow Dash's mane fluttered with the wind, as the setting sun was covered with dark clouds. The clouds quickly hovered above them, shrouding them with darkness. Soon enough, the waves grew as both the ship and their boat were carried by the force.
"This ain't good."
"Yeah....." The two ponies looked at the clouds, as Rainbow Dash opened her wings and felt the air. Her eyes narrowed, as she gasped shortly. "This is bad. Really bad." A drop of rain fell on Dash's cheeks, as it rolled down to her chin. Quickly after that, was a heavier, then followed by a thousands of pelting rain. The two ponies were soaked by the rain.
"Go, Rainbow. Fly over the ship!" Applejack pointed a hoof at the large ship. It started to sail, trying to get out of the storm. Their little boat was brought by it.
"Too late. I can't fly anymore!" Rainbow's ears drooped, as she frowned.
"Huh? What do you mean?" Suddenly, a flash of lightning scarred the sky until it was followed by a loud rumbling of thunder. The winds got stronger, as a wave pushed their boat with great force, losing Applejack's balance. She stumbled forward, but she was quickly caught by Rainbow.
The pegasus looked at her friend. "Have you ever seen a pegasus fly during a storm?" She shouted, because her voice would be muffled in the loud pelting of rain. "Our wings would get heavy and we wouldn't be able to fly, that's how!" She frowned.
Applejack looked at her side and stood up on her four hooves. "We're messed up." She furrowed her brows.
The waves got wild. The earth mare lost her balance again, and fell onto Dash. She didn't pulled herself from the pegasus, instead, she slumped herself onto her.
Rainbow Dash's felt her heart beating real fast. "Applejack?"
"It's happenin'. Again," Applejack sniffed, as she finally pulled herself from Rainbow.
Dash was clueless. She raised her brow and looked at the earth pony, as she held her to prevent another falling.
The waves were unstoppable and the storm got stronger. Their boat was sent in circles, as both ponies held on tight with each other.
"Applejack!" She looked at her friend, who looked at her with glassy eyes. "if we're gonna die, I just want you to know that....." Rainbow Dash spotted something on their boat that put her in utter horror.
Rainbow Dash yelled in panic. Applejack turned around and found the problem.
It didn't look good, not even a bit.
There was a hole in the boat, and water entered from it. Actually, it gushed in, quickly filling their boat halfway. Applejack hugged Rainbow Dash, as the pegasus did the same. They both shouted, as they stared at the water in horror.
It was now really their end. And Applejack blamed herself for it. If she hadn't proposed riding on the boat, this shouldn't be happening.
It was her fault again, just like the last time.
The two ponies continued screaming, until the last parts of the boat had sunken. They were separated because of the waves, as the ship were out of Applejack's sight. Her heart beat increased, as her entire body was swallowed with sea water.
Was this it? Was she really dying? Was this the feeling of drifting away from this world?
At least she would be with her parents finally.
But she remembered somepony: Rainbow Dash.
She quickly pumped her hind legs, and then her forelegs, swimming out of the deep water. She continued pumping, as she finally opened her eyes.
Darkness. All but darkness.
It didn't matter to her. She needed to see her friend.
She continued kicking hard, giving all of her strength to every thrust she would release. Her lungs burned, and were slowly being filled with water.
Yet, she continued pumping. A friend needed her and they must survive this together.
Finally, she reached the surface. She gasped for air, as a wave carried her with its force. She looked around, finding a sign of the pegasus. "Rainbow!" She coughed. "Rainbow Dash!" She yelled.
She swum around, turning her head to every direction. Suddenly, a rainbow head popped from the waters and gasped for air.
Applejack instinctively swum towards it. "I'm comin', Dash! Hang on!"
Rainbow Dash flapped both hooves and wings, as she sank in the water. She continously swallowed saltwater, as she struggled.
Applejack could see that Rainbow couldn't swim. And it was a bad news. She rushed, as the strong waves separated her from the drowning pegasus.
Since she couldn't swim from the surface, Applejack inhaled air, and dived in to get to Rainbow Dash faster. She fought back the stronger current and finally saw Rainbow, sinking before her. She somehow gathered more power and reached the unconscious pegasus. She wrapped an arm around her friend's figure, as she turned her head up, brows furrowed. She pumped her legs and surfaced, as both ponies coughed.
Applejack looked at the slumped pegasus. She was unconscious and the cyan mare was pale. The orange pony furrowed her brows as they were carried away by the waves. She held Rainbow tighter and the rain pelted her head, as lightnings flashed above them.
"Dash, y'all need to wake up," She coughed, as she felt her lungs incinerating with pain, but her will to survive was stronger. She swum and continously paddled her sore legs and an arm. She didn't know where the waves would take them; lest they would.... begone.
She grew tired. Her head was getting lighter and lighter, as her vision turned hazy. Her eyes slowly closed, but something hit her on her back. She turned and saw a plank of wood from the boat they occupied lately.
It seemed like the world still wanted them to survive.
Applejack's mind worked really fast, as she dived in, leaving Dash on the surface, but still holding her. She teared the hem of her dress, and surfaced, biting the long piece of cloth. She tied it around Dash and around her, as she slumped the pegasus on her back. She grabbed the plank, and leaned her weight on it and grabbed one of Rainbow's forelegs. She clung it on her shoulder, as she let the waves carry them.
The storm didn't seem to stop, or weaken. It retained its strength.
At least, she and Rainbow Dash are together. She knew that the sea would take them to safety.
Scorching heat. Bright light.
Applejack felt beaten, like she brawled a pack of Timberwolves all day and night long. Her head felt like it was hit by a huge boulder. Her legs felt sore, as well as her arms. Her lungs were burning.
Her eyes were hit by a blinding light, as she instinctively moved a muscle, but it turned out bad. Her entire body was painful. She let out a faint groan, as she fluttered her eyes open.
She tried to get up by leaning on her right elbow first. Her brain seemed to float as she cringed.
Her ears perked when she heard hoofsteps coming to her, followed by muffled sounds.
"Applejack! You're awake!" A hoof helped her to sit upright. Her vision slowly cleared, as she turned her head back. She saw a grinning face, a very familiar face.
"Rainbow?" She squinted her eyes. Suddenly, she found herself wrapped in a hug, hurting her sore body in the process. She winced, as Rainbow's hold became gentler.
"I thought I'd lost you," Rainbow Dash whispered, as Applejack heard her sniff.
Applejack found herself smiling slowly. "I'm fine," she tapped the pegasus' back.
Rainbow Dash released her friend, as she wiped her eyes. "Why am I always sappy with you?"
Applejack cracked another reassuring smile. She knew they would be saved and thankfully, Rainbow Dash wasn't hurt or something. The last night she thought they would die. She looked at Rainbow Dash's bright magenta eyes. It was the moment she'd seen that her friend was pretty in her own way. Not the kind of Rarity, or Cadence type of beauty, but it was the kind Applejack liked in her.
But Dash's mane and tattered dress said otherwise. Rainbow looked like a ball of mess. Applejack couldn't hide her smirk.
Yet to Dash, she was just happy that her friend finally woke up. "What?" She frowned behind a smile.
"You look like a piñata," Applejack snickered.
"Don't you?" Rainbow countered.
Applejack was no different. Her once beautiful dress was tattered as well, her flank not covered anymore. Her mane was like a bird's nest, still occupied by the tiara. She put a hoof on her head, as she touched the tiara. "Whoa. It's still here. Ain't that amazin'..."
"Well..." Rainbow looked at her side. "It really suits you."
Applejack stopped from touching her tiara and looked at Dash. "What did you say?"
Dash turned her back. "Nothing!"
The farm mare just rolled her eyes and looked around. "Where are we anyway?"
The two ponies were sitting on a warm sand under the noon heat. Applejack turned around and saw the horizon, blue and calm waves coming to the shore. It was completely different from the raging ocean last night. It seemed like nothing happened. She frowned of the thought. Then, she turned her head to the other direction and saw a thick rows of trees. Besides of all those, she didn't see any sign of anypony alive aside from them.
Rainbow Dash looked up. "In a desolate island. With nopony but us around," she said with a sigh. She flapped her wings and ascended to the air in a notable speed, blowing Applejack's mane. She looked around and groaned loudly.
Applejack stood up on her four hooves and went to the shore. The cold water reached her hooves, as she went nearer to the sea.
Rainbow Dash turned her head down and saw Applejack, approaching the sea. She flew to her and stopped in front of the earth pony. "Where are you going?" She asked with a frown.
"I'm gonna fish. We can't eat sand," Applejack trotted past Dash.
The pegasus furrowed her brows. "But.... you won't find a way to get us outta here?"
Applejack groaned. "Does it have to be always me?" She frowned and looked at the clear seawater.
"Yeah. You're the reason we're here."
Applejack was caught off guard. She stopped in mid-trot, as her ears drooped.
Yes, indeed. This was all her fault.
They couldn't have been on the island if she didn't find that stupid boat. Well, they wouldn't be here if they didn't win the race.
But still, the frustrations bulit up inside her exploded like a bomb. Her patience reached its end and she felt like punching. She'd always fail, she was always downgraded. Nopony had ever appreciated her, maybe aside from her family. A friend had already shown than she was a complete failure. And she was behind her.
Her knees trembled, as she gritted her teeth. Hot tears flowed down from her eyes, as they cascaded on her cheeks and fell on the seawater, creating multiple ripples.
Did she always have to be a failure? Did she always have to involve somepony in her failures?
All her life she tried everything to be at her best. But all this time, she was doing her worst.
Applejack turned around and faced Rainbow Dash, her face twisted with anger, frustration and other built up emotions, tears flowing rapidly from her firery eyes.
"I know!" She blurted out. "You could have flew up there an' leave me when you had time, an' you should be safe in that stupid ship! You shouldn't have agreed with me when I showed ya' the buckin' boat! And y'all shouldn't be here when...." she finally lost it. A sob escaped from her muzzle, until it was followed by another one. "....when you weren't my friend..." she cried.
Rainbow Dash's eyes narrowed, as her wings weakened, letting herself splash on the water. She stared at Applejack, as her ears drooped.
"Everything that I do, was always a failure. I ain't nothing but a big ball of failure. I should have died when I had the chance. I..." Suddenly, Rainbow galloped to her, sending splashes of water all around. She wrapped the earth pony into another hug.
"Stop being a crybaby. This isn't you, Applejack."
Applejack gasped faintly, as if a huge baggage was lifted off of her shoulder.
"You were always there when I need you and heck.... you saved my life. I couldn't have a better... friend than you," Rainbow said. "Don't ever think that you're nothing because you're...." she released Applejack and locked her eyes against hers. ".....you're my everything, Applejack."
The farm mare's eyes glittered with the sunlight above them. They stared at each other for a very long time with neither moving a muscle.
Realization came to Applejack like a tidal wave.
Rainbow Dash. She was a very strong pony who had been there with her in this time, when she doubted herself. In fact, it was her, who strengthened her to swim and stay alive when they reached the edge of death. Now, she was there, telling that she was important.
She was always there.
"And AJ..." Rainbow Dash broke the silence, as she bit her lips. "I've been thinking of this for a long time. I've been asking myself why. And now, I finally know the answer," Rainbow Dash leaned in. "I love you, Applejack," She planted her lips against Applejack's, as she let herself dissolve with the kiss.
Applejack stood still, her eyes narrowed. But Dash's kiss seemed to ease all of the pain she felt. She slowly closed her eyes, as she returned the kiss.
Their lips danced, as the waves passed them, the wind blowing their manes. For the first time, Applejack finally felt that she was special. And there was a pony who knew it better than her.
"So, what's your plan?" Rainbow asked, as Applejack laid her head on the pegasus' shoulder, both of them staring at the horizon.
"Nothin'. Do you?"
"You're in charge, remember?"
"Oh, so you wanna do it? Are you sure?" Applejack smirked.
"Of course. Anything for my best-est marefriend," Rainbow winked.
Applejack looked around. "There. Let's do it there," she pointed at a tree.
"Alright. Let's go!" Rainbow Dash hovered, but before she could fly, Applejack bit her tail and pinned her to the ground. The farm mare looked at her rather seductively, smirking. Rainbow Dash gulped, as she felt heat rushing up to her cheeks.
"Gotcha!" Applejack laughed and galloped ahead, heading to the tree.
Rainbow Dash frowned, but she slowly found herself smiling. "You're never getting away with it!" She flew and tackled Applejack, sending them rolling on the sand. When they stopped, the farm mare was beneath the pegasus, and were both panting heavily.
"I haven't said this to you, RD."
"What?"
"I love you too."
Rainbow Dash smiled as she leaned once more for a kiss.
From a far, was a hot air balloon, carrying somepony. "Applejack! Rainbow Dash!" It turned out to be Twilight Sparkle, with all of their friends.
Applejack and Rainbow Dash were too caught up. In their minds was immesurable happiness; they could become something more.
