So Nice of You to Drop In
Applejack delivered a mighty kick to the apple tree in front of her, trying to make all of the fruit fall off. Despite being strong for her age she was only a filly, so only a couple of apples fell. Something else fell as well, but it wasn’t an apple. A shout was heard above her. Applejack looked up in time to see a rainbow blur crash into her. Applejack fell to the ground, eliciting a small “Ow...”
However, the unknown assailant fell into one of the buckets that were placed around the trees. Applejack got up off the ground lightly rubbing a small bump on her head. Looking over at the bucket, her eyes widened. There was a rainbow-maned filly sitting inside it. She was eating an apple.
“What do ya think yer doing!?” Applejack shouted at the strange pony who was basically stealing her family's income.
The pegasus giggled and said in a slightly raspy voice, “Hehehe, you have a funny accent.” Finishing of the apple, she got up and went over to the orange filly. “And by the way, my name’s Rainbow Dash.”
Glaring at the Pegasus, she whispered, “Ah do not have an accent.” It was time to get some answers. “What were ya doing in mah apple tree anyways? And mah name’s Applejack.”
Rainbow Dash flew into the air and landed on a low tree branch. “Well AJ, these branches are really comfortable. I was taking a nap.”
Applejack deadpanned, “Really? You were napping...in a tree?” Looking up, she saw Rainbow Dash nod her head. “Well ya can’t! Get out of mah tree!” If this filly didn't have a problem with stealing apples it wouldn't be smart to leave her unattended in the orchard.
Rainbow Dash lazily waved a hoof and gave a small yawn. “Make me.” She said in a defiant tone, before closing her eyes.
Applejack's left eye gave a slight twitch. This pegasus didn't know who she was messing with. Grabbing the end of a lasso (that she always kept inside her hat in case of emergency), Applejack threw it at Rainbow Dash, and it snagged her tail.
Rainbow Dash opened her eyes when she felt something around her tail tighten. Before she could investigate further, she was forcibly pulled out of the apple tree. Dash's wings didn't open in time and she fell onto the hard ground, where Applejack tied up Rainbow Dash's wings so she couldn't fly off.
“What the hay are you doing!?” Rainbow Dash shouted while trying to free herself.
Applejack finished tying the rope around the filly’s midsection, effectively keeping her wings from opening up. Getting off of Rainbow Dash, Applejack smirked, “Y'all were asking for it.”
Rainbow Dash was trying to undo the ropes’ knot, but it had been tied too well. “Ugh!” She shouted. “Untie me now, or you’re gonna pay!”
Applejack just turned around and started walking at a slow pace. She turned her head so she could see Rainbow Dash, and then she said, “Make me.”
Hearing her own words being used against her caused her to let out all of the anger building inside of her. Running at full speed, she got close to Applejack. Once she reached her, Rainbow Dash tackled her. Both fillies fell down, rolling on top of each other. They kept trying to pin the other, until they hit an apple tree. They were actually rolling around pretty fast, so the impact knocked them away from one another.
Groaning beside each other, Applejack decided that things had escalated a little too far. “Ah'm sorry Rainbow. I didn't want ta start a fight.” Applejack got up and stood over the pegasus, holding out her hoof, she asked, “Friends?”
Rainbow Dash gave Applejack a cautious look. Slowly, she grabbed Applejack's hoof and said, “Yeah we’re cool. You’re just lucky that tree was there, ‘cause I would have beaten you.”
Applejack chuckled, “There is no way ya would have beaten me. But Ah'll admit y'all would put up a good fight.” Not yet aware of the cocky attitude Dash possessed, Applejack didn't know that the filly refused to lose.
Rainbow Dash excused the pony’s ignorance; after all she doesn't know how awesome I am. “Is that a challenge? I can beat you at anything.” She stuck her tongue out at the farm-pony.
Narrowing her eyes, Applejack countered, “How about a race? There's no way you can beat me.”
Rainbow Dash said, “For your information, I'm the fastest pony in Ponyville.”
“Then let’s do this. As soon as Ah'm done wiping the floor with ya, y'all see who's the most athletic.” Applejack looked around for a good route. “Hmm...okay. How about we run to the barn, and race back to this spot?”
Rainbow Dash went over to Applejack, and they stood right beside each other. “Fine AJ, but after you lose, you must untie me.” Applejack nodded.
“1...2...3...GO!” As soon as Rainbow Dash started the countdown, both ponies readied themselves, each one determined to win. Once Rainbow shouted ‘go’, the two fillies rocketed forward, using all of their strength. While Dash was initially faster, her bound wings proved to be a problem. Not used to racing without the use of her wings, she fell into the same pace as Applejack. Applejack however was used to running using only her hooves. Even with the advantages and disadvantages, both ponies were neck as they rounded the barn.
As they neared the finish line, Applejack pulled ahead. It wasn't that much of a lead, but it was enough. Rainbow Dash was not about to give up so easily. Using all of her reserve energy, she got closer to Applejack until they were neck and neck again. Both of them crossed the finish line at the same time. The two fillies stopped and panted for a while before Rainbow Dash broke the silence.
“Whoa. I didn't think other fillies could match me; usually they're too busy playing with dolls or dumb things like that. They don't do fun things!” Her breathing returned to normal and she sat down, looking tired. But I didn't win, she mentally chided herself. Sighing, she looked at the ground.
Applejack didn't see the change of mood, so she said, “None of that nonsense is for me. Ah'm not afraid ta get dirty.” Looking at Rainbow Dash's face, she noticed her somber expression. “Is everything alright sugarcube?”
Dash looked up and didn't see anything malicious in the earth ponies eyes, so she answered, “I hate to lose! I would always get made fun of if I did.”
Applejack said seriously, “Ah wouldn't laugh at a friend’s expense.”
Rainbow Dash wasn't quite sure she heard that right. “You...you consider me a friend?”
Applejack gave the warmest smile she could. “Ah know Ah just met ya, but we seem ta have a lot in common. Ah think we could be best friends!” After she finished, Applejack untied the rope, allowing Rainbow Dash's wings to unfurl.
Rainbow Dash was speechless. Other ponies always teased her at Flight School, and the only pony she trusted was Fluttershy, and a griffin named Gilda. She slowly nodded her head. “Yeah, I think I would like that.”
A ringing sound could be heard from the farmhouse nearby. Applejack, just noticing the time, realized that it was suppertime. Looking at her new friend, she asked, “Hey RD, ya want ta eat with me and mah family?”
Rainbow Dash gave a genuine grin and proclaimed, “Yeah that sounds great! Besides I'm starving.” The two ponies walked towards the farmhouse laughing together, as Celestia's sun slowly set behind them.