Hidden in the Heart (title)

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                                                      Liar  (Chapter 1)

Applejack's failed attempts at sleep were concluded when her bedroom exploded.  She fell out of her bed and hit the floor with a thud. Objects flew from their shelves and hit the floor or walls, unable to withstand the ensueing chaos.

When Applejack got her bearings, she became aware of a certain cyan pegasus cantering brisk circles around her while staring her eyes intently. "You wanted to see me?" Rainbow Dash asked.

She was the last mare Applejack wanted to see right now. She needed to get away from Rainbow Dash for awhile. The irony was not lost on Applejack that she had indeed told Rainbow Dash yesterday that she'd want to see her sometime today. She mentally kicked herself. It wasn't as if she could have predicted things would turn out this way.

She almost believed that.

Applejack's  heart was racing. Every so often, the tip of Rainbow Dash's swishing tail would touch Applejack as she circled her, sending electric sparks throughout her body. No, this wouldn't do.

Rainbow Dash took Applejack's hat and placed it on her own head as she landed in front of her, then abruptly leaned forward, causing Applejack to fall back on her haunches. Even after Applejack was on her flank, their noses were almost touching. The proximity sent a shiver up Applejack's spine.

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and said in as exaggerated a country accent as she could muster, "Ah need ta see ya tomorrow night, Sugarcube."

Barging into Applejack's bedroom, making as much noise as she possibly could, and mocking her, Rainbow Dash wasn't getting off to a good start with Applejack this morning. It didn't help that she was advancing on Applejack, and backing her up against a wall.

Normally she would have stood her ground, but she was overcome with desire. Not a physical desire, though that wasn't absent in the least bit. Attraction had always been there, but if it was only that, then this wouldn't be so much of a problem.  No, she's finally realized what may very well be her true feelings, and they were much more dangerous than some superficial carnal desire. She couldn't have these kinds of thoughts about her closest friend. She needed to control herself before she said or did something stupid.  She needed Rainbow Dash to leave immediatly.

Finally Applejack snapped out of it and collected herself. She flashed Rainbow Dash an annoyed glare and snatched her Stetson from Rainbow Dash's head. "Yeah, I said tonight, what in tarnation are ya doin’ here at the crack o'dawn?" If only Applejack had admitted it to herself sooner, that it might not be just some easily-brushed-off attraction, she never would have agreed to get her here for Twilight. At the very least, if Rainbow Dash had waited until evening instead of the crack of dawn, it would have given Applejack time to recover from her revelation and decide how to put such damning feelings behind her. "I said tonight. Tonight, Rainbow. Now you gotta leave before your wake up the family!"

"I have a show tonight."  Rainbow Dash hadn't moved an inch as she spoke; she sat in front of Applejack, eyes never breaking contact with her. Applejack would have expected a dismissive gesture with such a simple reply, but she oddly had Rainbow Dash's full attention.  The way her eyes stayed locked with Applejack coupled with the uncharacteristically serious tone gave Applejack a strange feeling of enthrallment. Rainbow Dash stepped over to the bed, climbed up and curled herself halfway around Applejack's pillow while Applejack stared up at her from the floor.

Applejack stared down at her hooves. "Oh, well, that makes s--" the moment she raised her head to look at Rainbow Dash, they were once again almost touching noses.  Applejack fell back, but Rainbow Dash moved to close the distance.

"Come on, let's do this." Rainbow Dash said in an oddly gentle tone. "Just come on up here, and we can...talk. That's what you want me here for, right?"

Applejack could almost strangle Rainbow Dash for her obliviousness and how all of that sounded in Applejack's head, but she reminded herself it wasn't Rainbow's fault. Rainbow Dash had no idea what was going through Applejack's mind.

"Applejack!" Rainbow Dash blurted in exasperation, louder than Applejack would have liked. It immediately prompted Applejack to put her front hooves on Rainbow Dash, one hoof to her mouth and the other pushing her shoulder down on the bed.

Despite being pinned under the weight of her own body, Rainbow Dash's wings shot up, freeing themselves and flaring out instantly. Applejack wondered how powerful her wings had to be to do that. In any case, it was one of the very few subtle expressions of Rainbow Dash's wings that Applejack didn't quite understand yet, though it did bear something of a similarity to her "anger" expression. Rainbow was certainly easily riled up, always quick to temper, and the faint blush showing on her cheeks through  her cyan fur made Applejack think maybe embarrassment was the cause. If she was to be embarrassed for her own loudness, that was fine, and she could just be mad about it for all Applejack cared.

Still, she let up off of her, and explained, "Yer makin' too much racket. I don't want you waking up the family."

"Oh." Rainbow Dash said as she looked away. She put a hoof to the back of her neck, rubbing nervously as she looked back toward Applejack. "Well . . . then we should go somewhere else."

Go somewhere else? Oh, no, this was Applejack's chance to be rid of her. "Nothin' doing, Sugarcube, I got chores to do. Not to mention I got to make breakfast for the family." Applejack said as she started to walk out of the room.

"Pfft. Whatever." Rainbow's face had scrunched up in annoyance, or bitterness. Applejack couldn't tell which. She obviously felt like she was being jerked around. That was just fine with Applejack.

"Its yer own fault for showin' up too early. Come back later, alright?"

Rainbow Dash didn't say anything, but she didn't leave either. She followed Applejack, all the way into the kitchen.

"Can I help?" There was still a heavy sigh in her voice that conveyed her unhappiness. The offer itself was the last thing Applejack expected.

"Help what, exactly?"

"Making Breakfast."  

That’s what Applejack was afraid she meant. She needed a clear head. Having Rainbow Dash there fueling her desires, and pissing her off, wasn't going to help at all.

"I'm not sure I want you anywhere near the stove, RD."

She had expected Rainbow Dash to leave off in a huff. Instead, Rainbow Dash looked disheartened. Her ears were folded down and she was staring down at Applejack's mattress. Rainbow simply replied with an "Oh."

Applejack's heart sank. She could only imagine what it must look like to Rainbow Dash, Applejack being in such a hurry to get rid of her. Having time to think and put a lid on her feelings quickly began to seem pointless.

What was she afraid of? That she was going to suddenly confess her love right then and there to Rainbow Dash? Well, it wasn't a completely ridiculous notion. Applejack never did feel comfortable lying, or keeping secrets, and she was terrible at both. She could keep a secret, though, if she put her mind to it, and it wasn't as if Rainbow Dash was particularly perceptive. Avoiding Rainbow Dash to spare their friendship was the very definition of counter-productive.

Or maybe she just couldn't stand to see Rainbow Dash looking so defeated.

It only took Applejack moments to change her mind. "...Well, alright. But ya gotta keep quiet, ya hear?"

Rainbow Dash sat up and nodded enthusiastically, excited grin on her face. Applejack sighed and led the way into the kitchen. Once she got to the stove she turned on a burner. Figuring it'd be easier for Rainbow Dash to fly up to the pans hanging from the ceiling than it would be for Applejack to stand on a chair and try to reach them, she said, "RD, can ya pass me the fryin' pan?"

"Sure thing!" Rainbow Dash's reply came louder than Applejack would have liked, causing her to wince. She reached behind her to take the metal object Rainbow Dash handed her. When she brought it in front of her, her expression went flat.

"Uh, Sugarcube...that's a cookie sheet."

Rainbow Dash stared blankly at Applejack, then down at the cookie sheet in her hooves. “Oh. Sorry." Applejack put the cookie sheet aside. She reached behind her again.  This time what was handed to her was much heavier.

Applejack sighed. "That's a soup pot."

"Oh right. Here you go."

It took her a moment to process what was in her hooves. "Land sakes, Rainbow! This is a vase!"

Rainbow Dash looked away in embarrassment. "Uh . . . I-I don't cook, ok?"

"A vase, though?" Applejack reached for the nearest chair so she could reach the pans hanging up on the ceiling.

"Shut Up." Rainbow Dash put her chin on the table, nose between her front hooves. By this time, Applejack had found a skillet and was pouring a light amount of cooking oil. When Applejack turned to look back at her, she was watching Applejack with curiosity. She was watching what Applejack was doing. Applejack stepped aside to give Rainbow Dash a clearer view. She then motioned for Rainbow to come closer.

"No more of this microwave foolishness. Yer gonna start eatin’ real food, and I'm gonna teach ya how."

Rainbow Dash blinked and slowly got up from the table, and made her way over to Applejack. She took the spatula when Applejack handed to her. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do." She was looking down at the pan.

"Now don't you worry none, RD, I'll show ya." So Applejack moved in behind Rainbow Dash and took her hooves. Rainbow gave a nervous gulp as Applejack closed in on her. The moment she touched Rainbow Dash, the contact sent both her heart and mind into a panic.  

Applejack's mind was screaming in protest. What did she think she was doing? This wasn't going to help her think straight. This was exactly what she shouldn't be doing. At least that was her first thought. On the other hand, this was going to continue to be a problem if she couldn't get this close to Rainbow without losing her mind.

She raised her chin and took a deep breath through her nose, out slowly through the mouth. She could do this, she just needed to relax. She told herself that it was no different from when she passed off such feelins as purely physical attraction. Easily written off and ignored, or at least it should have been. Her mind occupied with what this feeling might be, it seemed she was much weaker to impulses she'd have shrugged off in the past. If she could keep from just smelling Rainbow Dash's hair, she'd consider herself doing rather well.

"Um, AJ?" Rainbow looked up at Applejack, shooting her a questioning look. The way Rainbow was biting her lip struck Applejack as uncharacteristic of her, even in a slightly uncomfortable situation. She found it incredibly cute . . . and reminded herself that telling that to Rainbow Dash was a bad idea.

Applejack continued making breakfast, manipulating Rainbow's hooves to do so, and explaining to her each step as she went.  "Only thing you probably missed was me puttin' the oil in. Ya don't want everything stickin' to the pan, and everything will burn without it too. A light amount, though. Don't want the food swimmin' in the stuff. Just enough to coat the bottom." Despite it being one of the first things needed to be done, it was explained nearly last since it was already done by the time Rainbow Dash got to the stove.

"What wrong, AJ?" Rainbow Dash was still looking down at the pan as she spoke. This wasn't asked in a casual tone. Serious. Concerned. Rainbow Dash actually seemed deep in thought.

Applejack was in the middle of finishing up the second batch of eggs and gravy, with biscuits in the oven, making sure there was enough for the voracious appetite of her family, but paused after Rainbow Dash asked her that. Rainbow was still looking up at her as Applejack stood behind her. At first she said nothing. Her mouth opened slightly, but she didn't have much faith that whatever she came up with would be believable. She ended up settling on a question, "Why would somethin' be wrong, RD?"

" . . . Fine." Rainbow Dash didn't seem very happy about the response, but she let it go.

"Well alright then, Sugarcube, why don't you help me set the table?”

"Yeah, ok."

The two started putting plates of eggs, toast, biscuits, and gravy all out on the kitchen table. to Applejack's relief, Rainbow Dash's mood picked up rather quicklly. She'd let out a sharp "Psst" to get Applejack's attention. When she looked up at her, Rainbow Dash was balancing several plates on the tips of her hooves, nose, and wings.  Applejack covered her mouth with a hoof to stifle a smort. She couldn't hide the laugh in her voice when she said "Gimme those" And took the plates away. The ones they didn't need, she put back in the cabinets. She didn't even have to call for anypony upstairs, the food started to lure them down one by one.

Applejack's younger sister, Applebloom was the first down, still rubbing her eyes with one hoof. Her older brother, Big MacIntosh, carefully followed their grandmother, Granny Smith, down the stairs. He wouldn't say it to her face, but with her hip, her getting up and down stairs always worried him. He wasn't about to let her fall.

"Jus' a coffee fer me," Granny Smith said tiredly, "Black."

"Oh no ya don't." Applejack said in mock-sternness to her grandmother. "We're all eatin' a nice, healthy..." She looked over at the breakfast she and Rainbow Dash made, the eggs alone defeating her with its army of cholesterol, and the fattening gravy driving the point home, "...well, hardy breakfast. Oh, uh, Rainbow Dash's joining us for breakfast, if y'all don't mind?"

"A good mornin' to you, Miss Dash." Big Mac nodded to the pegasus politely.

"Mind?" Granny Smith shot Applejack a brief, puzzled look before turning to Rainbow Dash. "I was wonderin' when we were gonna get to see ya again. Been so busy with them Wonderbolts, why Applejack here's been really missin' ya!"  Applejack looked away with mild embarrassment.

"Oh did you, now?" Rainbow Dash's tone was teasing, arrogant, with a sly smile to her face. Applejack narrowed her eyes, wanting to wipe that smirk off the pegasus's face. She scooped up gravy with her spoon and almost catapulted it at Rainbow Dash, but the stern glare from her elder brother caused her to decide against it. Rainbow Dash's expression took on a more serious tone. Thoughtful. Hopeful? "You know, you could just come to my shows, like tonight for ex--"

"You know I can't, Sugarcube. I got responsibilities here on the farm."

 "Yeah, I get it." Rainbow Dash said as she looked away. The resentment wasn't lost on Applejack, but she couldn't do anything about that.

"You know, I could--" Big Mac started to say, but then  Applebloom cut him off, finally unable to restrain herself any longer after waiting since she first saw Rainbow Dash to blurt out, "What's it like in the Wonderbolts?! It must be SOO COOL!"

Normally, Applebloom had only a passing interest, especially in comparisn to a close friend of hers. However, she'd been taken to a show with her friends recently, and it'd be probably be all the three little foals talk about for the next couple days.

"The youngin's got a point." Granny Smith said with a grin. "Now why don'tcha tell us all about what it's like with them Wonderbolts." Applejack wasn't sure if she was as geniunely interested as Applebloom, or just wanted to diffuse the tension between Applejack and Rainbow Dash.

Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash, carefully studying her expression. Despite Granny Smith's apparant efforts, Rainbow Dash's participation in the conversation was half-hearted, when she should have been excitedly bragging by now. It must have really hurt her that Applejack turned down her invitation to watch her perform, again.

 It would have been a lot easier if Rainbow Dash actually knew when she would be performing throughout the week.The Wonderbolts liked to make surprise appearances, and deciding which of their members would be to assigned to what show was generally the last thing they did, leaving Rainbow Dash's scheduling unpredictable. The biggest issue was that Applejack ussually couldn't just drop everything on a dime. She had many responsibilities at the farm, and while she could occasionally pull favors with her brother, that took planning.

She decided she was going to see one of Rainbow Dash's shows, hay or high water. She didn't have a plan yet, but she'd think of one. Rainbow Dash's attention would frequently waver to Applejack while she answered Applebloom and Granny Smith's questions, so getting her attention required merely locking eyes.

Applejack had Rainbow Dash's attention. She simply gave a subtle nod. Rainbow Dash stared at her for a moment. She patiently waited for the wordless message to sink in, until a faint smile slowly formed on Rainbow Dash's face. The smile alone filled Applejack with elation. She suddenly felt so much better about her being here.                                          

                                                                      _______

“. . . and just when I flew so high that the air was getting thin, I just closed my wings! You should have SEEN the looks on their faces! I guess I took it too far, 'cause the rest of the team looked like they were going to take off after me. So I opened my wings, did a corkscrew on the way down--"

As Rainbow Dash spoke, Applebloom's eyes widened, "How fast were you going?!"

"Eh, I was only going a couple thousand miles per hour." She waved her hoof in the air dissmissively, her tone suggesting it was nothing, but her chin pointing up and the way her eyes closed to put on an aire of 'playin' it cool' told Applejack that she knew very well the others would be impressed.

"Whoa . . ." Applebloom was completely starry-eyed. Not to the extent of Applebloom's over-the-top Dash-obsessed friend, but Rainbow Dash had at least something of an effect on all foals, it seemed. Applejack couldn't help but smile. She wouldn't want Rainbow Dash in charge of looking after Applebloom, but she certainly admired Rainbow Dash's way with children.

Applejack herself had heard it all before, so she wasn't so much paying attention to the story as she was paying attention to Rainbow Dash. How excited she could get when she talked about what it was like to be living her dream.  The subtle unfurling of her wings as they tried to take to the air while she spoke.  The twitching of her left ear if Granny Smith teased her. Her chest puffing out any time either Granny Smith complimented her abilities. Once in a while Big Mac chimed in to affirm Granny Smith's responses with an "Eeyup."  

While Rainbow Dash was preoccupied, Applejack entertained herself by tracing over the contours of Rainbow Dash's body. She didn't do hard labor like Applejack, but she worked out a lot, normally in exercises pertaining to agility. She had a compact frame, subtly toned with feminine curves.

 It was by the time that Applejack began pondering over the meaning of Rainbow Dash's cutie mark that she started to notice a rose hue on Rainbow Dash's face. A deep blush. Applejack's attention shot up to the others, to find Applebloom talking about a monumentally failed stunt tried by Rainbow Dash. Applejack hadn't caught enough of the conversation to understand what the stunt entailed, specifically.

So that must have been why Rainbow Dash was blushing. Applejack breathed a sigh of relief. Her heart was racing. She had thought that Rainbow Dash caught her staring, fortunately that didn't seem to be the case. Still, it was a bit unnerving that Rainbow Dash was looking right at her. Applejack turned her head to the side and cricked her neck while running a hoof through her mane. For whatever reason Rainbow Dash was looking at her, she figured it was best to pretend not to notice.

"I'm gonna go ahead and get started on my chores." Applejack said as she excused herself from the table.  Rainbow Dash was hovering in the air behind her, following her. Applejack sat down and looked back at her, shooting her a bewildered look.  "Yer followin' me." Applejack noted.

"And? What of it?"

Applejack cocked her head, raising an eyebrow. "Uh, Sugarcube, since when do you ever want to help me with my chores?"

"Help? You mean breaking my back? No thanks, I'm good."

"Relax," Applejack said with a chuckle, "You go ahead and just hang out while I get some work done. I could use the distraction." Rainbow Dash nodded enthusiastically and followed Applejack out to the barn.

Several minutes later, Rainbow Dash lay on a crate among a stack of them, one forehoof idly swinging alongside it, while Applejack pitched bales of hay. "Ugh. This is boring." Rainbow groaned, and then shoved her face against the crate.

Applejack looked up at her and smirked, "Ya know you could help me pitch this here hay, Sugarcube."

"Pass."

Applejack let out a light chuckle and went back to her work. After a while, she began to think it was strange that she was working in silence. Rainbow Dash hadn't said anything for a good while. When she looked up at Rainbow Dash, the pegasus was staring down at what Applejack was doing, and seemingly deep in thought. The quietness didn't suit her.

"Uh, RD?"

"Did you mean it, AJ?"

Applejack knew what she was talking about. She didn't exactly promise to be there at her next show, but she was determined to see one soon. "Yeah, I did. I'm gonna be there, sooner or later. I promise ya that. I just don't know when, ok? I'll figure somethin' out."

Rainbow Dash continued watching the pitchfork while Applejack worked. "It means a lot to--I mean, cool, I gues, you know? Thank you, AJ."

"Don't mention it, RD."

Rainbow Dash sat up on her crate. "So, ok, maybe now you can tell me what's up?"

Applejack stopped and looked at her. "What are you goin' on about? I already said I was going to to one of yer--"

"What? No!" At this point Rainbow Dash was suddenly standing up, wings flaring up slightly in exasperation. She leaned forward abruptly, once again invading Applejack's personal space.  "Something's up with you, you know? Just say it, ok?"

Applejack froze at that. She knew at this point Rainbow Dash would see straight through a lie. Applejack didn't have a poker face, and she could clearly see Rainbow Dash's patiences leaving very quickly. Applejack scrambled to think of how to respond, but only incoherent babbling escaped her mouth. What was she supposed to say?  "I don't . . . what do you mean? You need to just settle--"

Rainbow Dash had left the crate and was circling Applejack now, her brow furrowed, eyes narrowed. It made Apple uneasy. Normally she'd stand her ground with Rainbow Dash, but the threat of her secret being discovered didn't exactly leave her in the right frame of mind.

"Oh cut the crap, AJ. You don't have a poker face, and I'm not stupid." Rainbow Dash spat out abruptly, cutting her off. It was somewhat jarring for Applejack, at the very least. Her wings were spread, not straight up, but to either side, and flickering in agitation. This was Rainbow Dash starting to become angry.

Applejack feared she'd have to come clean and confess then and there.

"HI GIRLS!" Came suddenly in a loud, high pitched voice as a pink, puffy-maned mare thrust her head and forelegs from the bale of hale Applejack had been pitching just moments before. Rainbow Dash jumped in fright and yelled out while Applejack's heart leapt into her throat. Applejack fell over on her back, and Rainbow Dash fell forwarrd, right on top of her. Nose to nose with Rainbow Dash, with Rainbow Dash laying right on top of her, Applejack's cheeks had gone red-hot. Rainbow Dash's face had turned beet-red.

Pinkie Pie giggled profusely. "See? I Tollld ya they'd be here!"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash broke their prolongued eye contact with one another to look in the direction Pinkie Pie was calling out to. Through the partially open barn doors. Applejack could make out the lavender coat, horns, and wings of Twilight Sparkle, with her adolescent purple dragonling walking bipedally behind her. As they drew nearer, the bags under Twilight's eyes clearly showed the alicorn's tiredness. Spike was pulling wheeled luggage considerably larger tham himself or Twilight. The fact came back to Applejack that she had promised to get ahold of Rainbow Dash and convince her to help Twilight with some tests, but how did Twilight and Pinkie Pie know that Rainbow Dash would be here so early?

"Were you surprised?" This time, Pinkie Pie was talking directly to Rainbow Dash and Applejack. "'Cause you were like AHH! And I was all 'haha!' and ohmygosh I'm so glad Applejack didn't fork me in the head or something 'cause that would really hurt and then you'd all have to take me to the hospital--"

"Wait, how did you know I was here?" Rainbow Dash tried cutting her off, but Pinkie Pie just kept talking.

"--and no one likes soggy birthday cake, 'cause like, that would be silly so you have to be careful not to bring the wrong sunglasses I mean duh?  It's not like elephants can--" An apple glowing with a purple aura thrust itself into Pinkie Pie's mouth at high speed. Instead of resuming her rant, which Applejack had failed to follow anyway, she busied herself with chewing on the apple.

"That's better," Twilight said as she entered the barn, to nopony in particuarly. There were dark circles under her eyes and her tone was deadpan, the weariness obvious in her voice. She turned her head slightly, toward Applejack. Her eyes followed, but in a shaky, darting motion. When she made eye contact, Applejack could see the redness in her eyes. "You were selling them two bits per apple?"

"Consider it free for services rendered, Twi'," Applejack said with a gentle smile. She could hear Rainbow Dash snort out a brief laugh at that comment.

"So what's going on?" Rainbow had directed the question at Twilight.

"Oh yeah, that's the whole reason I called ya over here in the first place," Applejack said as she looked down at Rainbow Dash. While Applejack was still sitting upright beside her, Rainbow Dash had laid down on the ground at this point. "Twilight wanted to talk to ya."

"Yes, if you don't mind, I'd like to collect data on you." Twilight wasn't looking at Rainbow Dash as she spoke to her. Instead, she was opening the oversized bag that Spike brought in.

Finally free of his responsibility with the luggage, Spike wandered over to one side of the barn and slumped down to sit on the ground against the wall. He scowled at Twilight, who didn't even see this. "Couldn't you have, I don't know, enchanted the bag?" The question went ignored..

"Wait . . . tests?" Rainbow Dash had perked her head up, but it was distaste rather than excitement that showed on her face. "Like an experiment? Yeah, no, pass. I think I'll leave the egghead stuff to you, Twilight."

Twilight narrowed her eyes at Rainbow Dash, but she was used to these kinds of jabs from her, so the annoyance was brief. She stamped her forehoof confidantly in place against her other forehoof, raising her chin, her eyes closed as she summoned her patience. "Actually, I want you to demonstrate your wing agility while I record the results."

It took a moment for it to sink in, before Rainbow Dash suddenly shot up into the air and thrust her hoof out triumphantly. 'Aww, yeah! Why didn't you just say so? I'm totally game!"

Twilight turned to Applejack. "Will you help? I think a game is precisely what's needed here. You and Rainbow Dash can turn it into a competition. Pinkie Pie came up with the idea. We thought you'd both appreciate that."

Applejack couldn't hold back her delight. Her grin was tempered with the same confidence and attitude shown on Rainbow Dash's face, and she was well aware of that fact. "Well I think that's a great idea. We're going to try a race?" Her expression was dropped after she said it, remembering that Twilight wanted to involve Rainbow Dash's wings. "No, wait. I ain't racin' her if she's taking to the air." She looked at Rainbow Dash, expecting her to scoff at this, maybe accuse her of cowardice.

Rainbow Dash looked at Applejack and clearly caught on to whatever was showing on Applejack's face, because she shrugged and said, "What? Totally agree with you there, AJ. It's not the same race if I'm flying. It'd be like . . . I don't know, you throwing darts while I see how long I can hold my breath?" Rainbow Dash turned to Twilight. "So, what are we doing?"

Twilight bit the corner of her lip. "Ah, well . . . Let's see . . ." She simply trailed off.

"A wrestling match!" Pinkie Pie blurted out. It wasn't immediatly clear to Applejack why this suggestion would be relevant to flying, and one glance at the others showed they were just as confused as she was. Well, everyone was confused except for Spike and Pinkie Pie, and only because Spike was asleep now.

"Oh I know! Dashie uses her wings to dodge this way and that, even when she's standing on the ground! I've seen her do it! It's not cheating if the game isn't about who's faster. Ooh! If we let Applejack use her rope, we can let Rainbow Dash fly in the air!"

" . . . provided that we limit Rainbow Dash's flying height to within the length of Applejack's lasso. That's actually a pretty clever idea, Pinkie Pie," Twilight said with an astonished blink.

"Soo, let me see if I got the gist of it. Lots of full-body grappling, trying to pin each other down, and Applejack tying me up."

Applejack's face flushed. She wasn't sure if Rainbow Dash was double-checking her understanding of the competition, or pointing out how overtly suggestive it sounded.

"Sounds good, so let's do this," Rainbow Dash concluded. Twilight now looked uncomfortable, but Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie seemed completly oblivious.

Twilight suddenly perked up, her eyes widening a bit. "Oh! We need to figure out what we're going to do about a stage."

"I've got a gym in my house. There's mats there we could use," Rainbow Dash offered.

Applejack looked to the pile of spare wood in the barn that was just collecting mold. They also had plenty of rope,   Which could also serve as crude turnbuckles if knotted right. "We pretty well got the rest of the stuff we need right in this here barn."

Applejack certainly wasn't opposed to the labor it would require. She could haul huge loads and hammer away for hours without tiring. Twilight's telekinesis would be extremly useful in this situation. Not only could she do some pretty heavy lifting, but several fine-detail tasks at once. She wouldn't ask Rainbow Dash to haul wood, but she could certainly talk her into doing some of the light work, especially if it was easier in the air. Just when she realized she had no idea how to handle Pinkie Pie, she noticed that not only had Twilight drawn diagrams and notes on what specifically each pony could be doing, but she had come up with ways to keep Pinkie Pie on-task--and entertained, for quite awhile.

"I'll go get my brother." Applejack said before heading for the house.

                                                                   -------

The stage was set, with ropes for guard rails, and surrounded by wooden bleachers. On the bleachers were Granny Smith, Big MacIntosh, Applebloom, and Twilight. Applejack was leaning against the ropes, waiting for Rainbow Dash and Spike to arrive, when she overheard Fluttershy's voice.

"Um . . . no, please."

"It'll be fun!" Pinkie Pie squealed.

"What . . . what if they get hurt? Oh, I can't bear to watch." Fluttershy's eyes widened as her head shot up, the pupils becoming pinpricks. Gradually, her manner of speaking became less calm and subdued and more hysterical. "They could get hurt whether whether I watch or not! Pinkie you have to make them call the whole thing off! Um . . . I mean, asked them politely to call the whole thing off. That is if you don't m--What am I saying? You have to make them call this off! Quick! I'll . . . I'll ask Mr. Bear to break the stage, I need you to cause a distraction! We have to stop them before they--"

When Applejack looked over at them, Pinkie Pie had grabbed the base of both of the yellow pegasus's wings and was massaging firmly. Fluttershy's wings shot upright and she immediatly trailed off. Her forelegs folded against her chest and her eyes went half-lidded, rolling back a bit so that Applejack could no longer see anything of them except white. Applejack found it exeedingly cute that the tip of Fluttershy's tongue was sticking out of her mouth. She wondered if Rainbow Dash would react that way to whatever Pinkie Pie was doing, or if it was just a Fluttershy thing.

After having finally subdued Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie wrapped her forelegs around Fluttershy's chest, and picked her up off the ground, standing on her hindlegs. All of Fluttershy's limbs were folded to her body. She was awake, but no one seemed to be home upstairs. Pinkie Pie awkwardly walked on her hindlegs as she carried Fluttershy over to the bleachers, and took a seat next to her.

Pinkie Pie herself was wearing her old Ponyville High School cheerleader uniform. It was mostly red with white stripes and letters, and a white skirt. Next to her where she'd sat down, opposite to Fluttershy, was a pair of red and white pompoms.

A rush of wind and the sound of rustling feathers, followed by an impact made on the ring told Applejack that Rainbow Dash had arrived. When she faced forward, Rainbow Dash was standing in the middle of the ring with her wings curled and bobbing predatorily, with a devious grin to match. On the back of Rainbow Dash's wings were two adhesive plugs that Twilight had magically linked to the large machine she had next to her, a device that had previously sat in the lungage carried by spike.

Little dragon claws appeared on the edge of the mat just before Spike pulled himself up into the ring. He was wearing black-and-white stripped referee uniform, or at least the top half of one. He wore a whistle hanging from his neck, thought Applejack couldn't decide if that seemed appropriate in this particular competition. Granny Smith had a bell beside her, after all.

"Ok," Spike began, "in this corner," He held a paw toward Applejack, "At . . . no, wait, this can't be a pony's height. Dear Sweet Celestia, look at that weight!"  Applejack's eyes widened. She launched from her position from one ring corner, toward Spike, and jerked the papers he was reading out of his paws. "H-Hey! Give that back!"

"Why, you . . . this is my brother's measurments! Ain't proper to say a lady's weight anyhow!" She lightly bapped Spike on the head. It wasn't rough, but he rubbed his head in annoyance anyway.

" . . . Applejack Apple." Spike said this with no enthusiasm or fanfare, glaring at Applejack.

Spike clearted his throat, then gestured toward Rainbow Dash. "In this corner, officially recognized as the fastest pegasus in Equestria, newest member of The Wonderbolts and our very own local weather team captain--"

"THE Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow Dash cut in. Rainbow Dash had her forehooves resting atop her hips in a champion's pose.

"Hey, hooves on the mat until the bell rings." Spike glared at her. Rainbow Dash grumbled to herself incoherently as she touched down on the mat. Spike added, "Also, remember your height limit when the bell rings, or it'll count as a ring-out."

"Yeah, yeah." Rainbow Dash waved him off dismissively while staring Applejack down. Applejack smirked, meeting her stare dead-on. The bell rang, and both mares charged after each other. Applejack intended on crashing into Rainbow Dash and mowing her down then and there, but Rainbow Dash wrapped her wings around herself as they both charged. It confused Applejack and made her wary, forcing her to a top. She didn't want to charge directly into her wings and risk hurting her.

Rainbow Dash stopped charging as well, though she had an annoyed look on her face. "What gives? Come on AJ."

"Your wings, I might . . . " She trailed off when she watched confusion form on Rainbow Dash's face, then quickly turned into amusement.

Rainbow Dash bit her lip to stifle a snort, then let loose with full laughter. "What? Are you kidding me?" She charged Applejack, who was more concerned about the idea of Rainbow's wings taking the full brunt of the impact rather than with any attempt to defend herself.

The impact came, with none of the cruching noises Applejack expected. Rainbow's wings were as solid as her torso. Applejack found herself rocketing toward the other side of the ring, but this wasn't caused by Rainbow Dash's body colliding into her. Rainbow Dash had opened her wings the moment she'd impacted with Applejack's body, and somehow that sent her straight into the ropes on the opposite side of the ring.

It didn't hurt, at least not the impact with Rainbow Dash. Expert manipulation of her wings made the impact feel much more like a shove. What hurt was the sudden impact with the mat after being launched into it by the ropes. Though she had no clue why Rainbow Dash's wings weren't hurt by that kind of force, Applejack quickly understood that if Rainbow Dash's wings hadn't already been touching her when Rainbow decided to shoot them open like that, the impact with just her wing would have hurt badly.

Applejack straightened her hat as she adjusted her game plan, and charged after Rainbow Dash again. Rainbow Dash hadn't touched the mat once ince the bell rang, and when Applejack came after her, she quickly barrel-rolled out of the way. Applejack dived in again only to come up empty hooved, as well as hit the mat face-first.

Applejack turned over just in time to see Rainbow Dash dive in after her. The air exploded around Applejack rapidly as Rainbow Dash collided with the mat in a flurry of impacts. It was like being hunted down by the hornfire of an army of powerful unicorn wizards. It almost looked like Rainbow Dash was trying to kill her! Rainbow Dash didn't touch her, though, not once. Instead, it looked like she was trying to throw off Applejack's balance and disorientate her. In that, Rainbow Dash was succeeding.

Applejack fell over, and she felt Rainbow touch her on the next impact. She thought for sure that she'd have broken bones if Rainbow touched her at that speed. However, as Rainbow Dash's wing closed around her on the moment of impact with the mat, Rainbow Dash used such gentle precision that Applejack only felt as if she were being lovingly--and tightly--embraced.

Warm. Comfortable. She could stay like this, cuddled up against Rainbow Dash forever. It was by the time Spike slid in to do the three-count, that Applejack snapped out of it and struggled to get free. Rainbow Dash's wings were stronger than Applejack had expected, but Applejack had strong legs. Pushing against the wing was taking everything she had, but she finally managed to lift it off of her. She crawled out of the wing and stood up just before Spike could pound his fist a third time on the mat.

Applejack grabbed the first thing she could, which happened to be Rainbow Dash's wing. It caused her to freeze. She was till hesitant to apply any sort of force to bending or pulling at Rainbow Dash's wing, especially now that it was at the mercy of her forelegs rather than simply facing impact with her body.

Instant regret filled Applejack as she was lifted straight off the ground and shaken violently. The world became a blur, and Applejack was nauseous. Applejack held firm, but eventually her grip began to loosen slightly. When it did, Rainbow Dash slowed her wing to match. It seemed she didn't plan to fling Applejack with bone-crushing force upon release, at least.

Applejack needed to think of something fast. While still latched to the flailing wing, with Rainbow Dash now bucking full-body, Applejack risked compromising her hold on Rainbow Dash's wing to reach out with one hoof and grab the base of Rainbow Dash's wing. She massaged it, as she'd seen Pinkie Pie do to Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash's wing settled down to a stop.

Once on the mat, Applejack rubbed her hoof along the base of the other wing. Rainbow Dash's hindlegs gave out, and she stretched her forelegs accross the mat with a groan, biting her bottom lip. Her eyes went half-lidded and rolled to the back of her head. Within the crowd on the bleachers, Pinkie Pie had stopped attempting to work up the crowd, and was instead sitting on the ground snickering to her self with a hoof over her mouth. Pinkie Pie quickly lost her composure and broke down in a fit of laughter. Fluttershy's face was beet red. Applejack took particular notice of Fluttershy's reaction.

Twilight was looking at them in confusion first, alternating her glance between Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. Twilight raised one of her own wings, reached a foreleg behind her back, and curiously touched the base of her own wing. She instantly shivered, froze with widened eyes and a blush on her cheeks. She quickly looked around to see if anyone saw her before she hunkered down. Apparantly Twilight had not noticed Applejack looking her way.

It suddenly dawned on Applejack that there might be something to what she just did that she didn't fully understand.

She released Rainbow Dash. After all that effort to hide what very well may be romantic feelings, she might very well have been doing something romantically affectionate. She had to get out of there. She immediatly stood up and rushed for the ropes.

"A-Applejack, wait . . . " Rainbow Dash said weakly. Applejack ignored her and vaulted over the ropes. Her hold on the rope was frantic and clumsy as she leapt over it. "Hey, be careful!" Rainbow Dash shouted as she reached a hoof toward Applejack.

Rainbow Dash was too late as Applejack launched herself straight into one of the stage posts. Sharp pain shot throughout her head as Applejack's vision went black and starry for a brief moment. She next had a first-hand view of the edge of the stage, where the mat didn't cover the wood. This too she met with her face, and again she saw stars and darkness. At this point she couldn't open her eyes, and only felt the movement of air before her body crumpled to the ground.

                                                                         _______

"She's um...coming to, I think." Fluttershy's voice was the first thing Applejack could make out. The light pierced through Applejack's brain, even through her eyelids. Panic was her first instinct. Where was she? How bad was she hurt?

As Applejack's vision cleared, she was staring into two rose discs, then the whites of eyes, and finally Rainbow Dash's light blue fur. Applejack started to calm down. The light touch of the tips of Rainbow Dash's polychromatic mane made her cheek tingle and her heart flutter.

"AJ, are you ok? How do you feel?" It took her a moment to register that Rainbow Dash was talking to her, quite frantically.

"Mm . . . I'm ok. Where is everyone?"

For a moment, Rainbow Dash just stared at her wide-eyed, her mouth slowly wavering as if trying to work her jaw to speak, but not actually accomplishing this. Finally she managed to answer Applejack's question.

"G-Granny Smith had to take Applebloom to school. Fluttershy sent Big Mac to get more bandages, and stuff, you know, in case we needed it. Are you sure you're ok?"

"Yeah. Fine. Stop yer fussin'. Just a little bump."

Fluttershy moved in between Applejack and Rainbow Dash gently, and started to adjust the bandages that Applejack was suddenly aware were wrapped around her head.

"Did I do it wrong?" Rainbow Dash asked her.

"You um . . . did really well, just a little loose."

"I uh . . . didn't want to hurt her."

Applejack winched as Fluttershy pulled the bandages tighter. How could such a gentle pony get so rough?

"And that's very sweet of you." Fluttershy continued, causing Rainbow Dash to blush and look away in embarrassment, "and you did surprisingly well otherwise."

"What can I say? You're a good teacher."

"And you did so much better than with the badger." 

"Are we done? Can I get up now?" Applejack asked impatiently.

"Oh!" Fluttershy moved back to give her room.  Applejack slowly got to her feet.

"Are you sure you're ok?" Rainbow Dash asked her. The concerned look on Rainbow Dash's face just didn't seem right. It didn't seem like Rainbow Dash. Applejack needed to say something to get her back to normal.

"Congratulations on yer victory, Dash. ‘Course it wouldn't of happened if I hadn't took that fall."

"What!" Rainbow Dash suddenly took to the air a couple inches, her wings flapping in agitation. "Fall?! You practically swan-dived out of the ring! That's forfeit!." She started to land on the ground. "Well, it would, except I ringed out too."

"Oh." Was all Applejack could say. Well of course Rainbow Dash ringed out with her. She'd never take advantage and just stay in the ring when a friend was hurt. That wasn't the way she was. Even if she was a dirty cheat sometimes when it came to a 'friendly' competition. The admiration Applejack had for Rainbow Dash's character was just a small part of it. The feelings she had for Rainbow Dash radiated from the core of her being and stayed with her, drawing her closer.

For the sake of their friendship, Applejack needed to bury those feelings.

"Hey, Applejack, I think, you know, we really need to talk . . . " Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck with her hoof nervously. "You know you can tell me anything, right? If there's something eating at ya, I'm here for you, you know? I'll listen, and I-I won't judge you or anything stupid like that. I mean, yeah, I know, I can be not cool sometimes, uh . . . insensitive?

"I'm fine." Applejack got up to her feet. It wasn't as if Applejack never lied. Sure, she was uncomfortable with it, wholly objected to it in the vast majority of cases, but that didn't mean she would spoil a suprise birthday party, or tell somepony they looked six different ways of ugly. What worried her was that it just rolled off her tongue so easily.

"It's almost like you've been avoiding me for awhile." Applejack had been avoiding her for awhile? No, that couldn't be right. She only just realized . . .

No, that was another lie, that one to herself.

"I'm fine, Rainbow. You're imagining things. Stress, maybe. You're all freaked out 'cause I took a spill, and I'm--."

 "Save it." Rainbow Dash cut her off with a stoic expression on her face as she stared out the window. "I have to go. Spitfire's here." Rainbow Dash opened the window, and jumped on the sill before flying off.  When Applejack got to the window, Rainbow Dash was already a blue speck, but Applejack didn't see the Wonderbolts Captain anywhere.

"Did you see Spitfire?" Applejack asked as she looked back at Fluttershy. Fluttershy shook her head.

"That's what I thought." Applejack let out an annoyed huff as she rested her chin on her front hooves at the window sill.

"You um, really like her . . . don't you." Fluttershy said as she slowly moved toward Applejack and placed a hoof on her shoulder. It wasn't a question.

"'Course I like her. She's my friend, ain't she? What kind of question is that?" Applejack dared not show her face to Fluttershy.

Fluttershy lifted up a hoof to her chin and gently turned Applejack's head so that they were making eye contact. "You know what I mean," She said gently. "There might be a chance, you love her, maybe?"

"I love all of my friends."

"But you're not in love with your friends, except maybe Rainbow Dash."

Applejack turned her head abruptly, now meeting Fluttershy's eyes. "I am not in love with RD."

Fluttershy's brow furrowed, and she stood up. "Don't you lie to me Applejack! What's gotten into you? This isn't the Applejack I know!"

"Maybe I am in love with Rainbow! What of it?" Her stance was a bit more hostile than she probably should have used with Fluttgershy, leaning troward her, inches from her face, with an unpleasant, aggressive tone. Fluttershy did, predictably, shrink back at this. To Applejack's surprise, however, Fluttershy held her chin high and looked down at her sternly. It wasn't exactly 'the stare', but she could see why such a thing could be so effective for her.

"Tell her."

Applejack stepped back from Fluttershy, not wanting to get into the normally-timid mare's face. "Tell her? Tell her what? That I might love her? Like romantically? Yeah, I really want things to get weird between us. That's exactly what I want."

"It . . . it won't be like that. If she doesn't feel the same way, I'm sure she won't think any less of you for how you feel. I think . . . I think she'll be glad you were open with her. Besides, what if she--"

Applejack's patience was wearing thing. "What if she what? Likes me like that too? That what you mean?" Fluttershy's shoulders scrunched up as she pointed her nose to the floor, though her eyes still looking at Applejack. Applejack did notice this, but as much as that reaction from Fluttershy tugged at her heart, there was no stopping her now. "And what, we become a nice, happy couple, right? And just how many relationships  work, 'Shy? I'll give you a hint: It ain't many. My friends are everything to me. Nothing . . .nothing is worth the risk involved here."

Fluttershy's ears folded back, and she took a step back. "It . . . it doesn't have to be that way."

"You're wrong. She either don't like me back, and things get weird between us, and we grow apart, or she does like me like that, chances are it don't work, and things just get ugly. She means too much to me for that. You all do.

"But . . . "

"You don't. Date. Close. Friends." It was onmly then that Applejack realized that her teeth were gritted, and Fluttershy was hunkered down in defeat. It also occurred to her that this might be a subject close to home for Fluttershy, but that didn't chance how Applejack felt and if she was right about Fluttershy, then she was making a mistake too.

"I . . . I think I should go."

"Yeah, ok. It's getting to be lunch time anyway, I'm gonna have work to get on soon." Applejack's tone was still rough around the edges, but she was more weary than angry now. She turned away from Fluttershy and headed for the house, unable to bear seeing that hurt look on Fluttershy's face.

She felt empty throughout the rest of the day. She didn't leave her bedroom, except to eat and do her chores. She tried sleeping, but that didn't work very well, even when night fell. In the end, it wasn't having cross words with someone like Fluttershy that really got her down. Seemingly fragile as the aptly-named mare might be, she was stronger than anypony ever gave her credit for.

In fact, in some ways, Applejack felt that Fluttershy might even be braver than her. She knew full well what she'd done. Pretending not to realize it when she was saying it, it was just another lie to herself. Fluttershy did what Applejack could not, and Applejack threw it in her face.

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                                          The Masks Ponies Wear   (Chapter 2)

Eventually, Applejack gave up on sleep. She wondered if Fluttershy would be awake soon, or was awake already. If not, she probably wouldn't mind being woken up.  Applejack wasn't considering taking advantage of Fluttershy's patience or anything like that, she simply knew that Fluttershy's duties with the forest animals surrounding Ponyville didn't hold her to any strict schedules or guidlines. Ponyville rarely had incidents with it's pets that needed the serious attention of a vetnarian, and Fluttershy held chaotic sleeping shedules anyway just to make sure nocturnal forest animals were frequently taken care of.

Seeing Pinkie Pie take advantage of what was apparantly a universal pegasi trait didn't necessarily mean anything, except that maybe Pinkie Pie didn't know the meaning of personal space. She'd have to be careful not to say anything based on false pretenses, risk embarrassing herself or creating an awkward misunderstanding. Either way, she needed to make sure she and Fluttershy were ok, and apologize for her behavior.

Applejack grabbed her Stetson off her bed's headboard, and searched her desk for her hairtie. She decided to leave breakfast to either Big Mac or Granny Smith, depending on who woke up first. One thing she couldn't do was skip out on her chores. They were a little more difficult at night, harder to see what she was doing, but nothing she couldn't handle.

By the time Applejack was finished, the Luna's craftwork still shown brightly in the sky. Applejack knew, however, that the alicorn demigoddess would be taking the moon down soon enough, and Fluttershy would most likely be awake before that happened.

The way to Fluttershy's wasn't a short walk. Applejack and Fluttershy lived on opposite sides of Ponyville. The fastest way to Fluttershy's cottage from Sweet Apple Acres was to walk alongside the edge of the Everfree Forest, as it bordered both their properties, but that fact didn't come without some hesitation. Sure, she could take down a Timber wolf or two, but there were worse things in that forest. It wasn't as if she was shaking with fear of just being near the place, but neither was she honestly looking to find trouble.

A bit of distance from the omnious trees of the Everfree Forest, plenty of quietness, and a fair amount of common sense eventually lead Applejack to more and more sightings of birds and squirrles here and there.  Applejack found herself avoiding more snakes than she'd like to have seen in a single night, but when it was clear that forest animal sightings were becoming more abundant when there rarly were forest animal sightings in other parts of town, she knew she was getting close.

This was confirmed when she heard Fluttershy's voice. She was...singing? She couldn't make out the words, but Fluttershy had a beautiful voice, for certain.

When Applejack caught sight of the source of the sound, she noticed the yellow pegasus sitting on her roof. She was staring at the horizon. Fluttershy's wings were relaxed, elegantly draped over a quilt laid out over her roof. It was then that Fluttershy started her song once more, almost as if singing to the horizon itself.

Hear my solemn vow

My heart for you I freely share

Hear my solemn vow, for you I greatly care

Falling, deep in love

Let the feeling take you

Falling, deep in love

Let my love-song gently wake you

Hear my solemn vow

My heart for you I freely share

Hear my solemn vow, for you I greatly care

Applejack looked around, wondering if there was any birds, or perhaps bats this early in the morning that Fluttershy happened to be singing to. Reaching up and pulling herself onto the balcony of the lowest window was easy enough, this was only a couple feet off the ground. To get to a wooden plank that held a bird feeder, however, Applejack had to stand on her hind legs on the railing of the balcony, jump with her forelegs outstretched, and land in such a way that she could wrap her forelegs around the plank. Once she pulled herself up, walking the leaves of Fluttershy's roof wasn't too hard. It was like walking a steep hill, and it helped that one part was less steep than the rest of the roof.

Even with the noise made by the leaves under Applejack's hooves, Fluttershy didn't even flinch as she approached. Normally she would have been startled by the slightest noise. Fluttershy began humming the song she'd been singing earlier. She stopped to ask, "How did things go with Rainbow Dash?"

At first Applejack was confused by the question. Was she supposed to have seen Rainbow Dash? She might have been in her cloud home for the rest of the day, if she'd lied about Spitfire showing up. Rainbow Dash returning at night after her performance was a little less plausible, since she'd be sleeping.

"Remains to be seen," Applejack replied as she sat next to Fluttershy, "Haven't seen  'er yet."

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. Um, how's your head?" Fluttershy looked at Applejack, who removed the Stetson to reveal the bandages that Rainbow Dash had applied yesterday. Fluttershy frowned slightly. "Applejack, you haven't changed this yet?" Rather than waiting for an answer, Fluttershy began removing the bandages, then reached into a small pouch--wait, she had her medical supplies with her? "This is all I have, It'll have to do," Fluttershy said as she carefully applied a large, adhesive pad.

"Thanks, 'Shy."

Fluttershy nodded with a small smile, and resumed staring foward. When she actually scanned the sky in a slow, vertical sweep, Applejack realized that she was actually watching the stars. Her hoof idly traced the lining of a cupcake sitting nest to her. "Would you like a cupcake?" Fluttershy had not looked at Applejack to ask the question, she simply continued to watch the horizon. "I don't much care for them."

Applejack thought about declining out of politeness, but she knew from experience that Fluttershy wasn't lying about her distate, and it seemed pointless to waste a treat. Besides, Fluttershy had already extended to her. "Thanks," Applejack said to her.

"She seemed . . . angry."

It took Applejack a moment, but then she realized Fluttershy was talking about Rainbow Dash.

"She knows I lied to her," Applejack pointed out, "She's not used to that from me. I'm not, either."

"I've known you to lie. Are you so certain that's it?"

Applejack grimaced slightly. What was she supposed to say?  She couldn't think of anything else. Well, that wasn't true. "It's not often. It don't sit well with me. I don't do it unless I feel I gotta good reason. Ya can't tell somepony yer throwin' a surprise party. I'm not gonna tell somepony where another pony is if that somepony wants to do harm. Ain't gonna tell somepony a situation's gone from bad to worse if neither one of us can do anything about it. She was concerned for me, it seemed like, and I brushed her off. It was easier than it shoulda been, too. I think she noticed that."

"It's easier to trust someone when you know you can tell when they're lying," Fluttershy said, "She might feel like she doesn't know you as well as she thought."

That made sense, not that it was particularly easy to think. Fluttershy's strangely calm and untimid demeanor threw her off, it was distracting. This lasted only until Applejack finally noticed the the glass of wine Fluttershy was holding in her hoof, and the half-empty wine bottle standing between her knees. Mystery solved. Applejack just hoped it was casual rather than 'problem-solving'.

"Maybe she doesn't know me," Applejack said with a sigh. "I'm not sure if I know myself."

Fluttershy was busying herself with humming her song again, now idly  swinging her hind hooves off the edge of her roof. "You're still you," Fluttershy pointed out. "Don't set unrealistic expectations for yourself. You're a norma mare with flaws just like anypony."

"I'm the Element of Honesty," Applejack pointed out.

Fluttershy shook her head. "We aren't the elements. We represent them." She then turned her head towarrd Applejack. "Applejack, what element does Twilight represent?"

"Magic," Applejack replied.

"A certain kind of magic. Friendship, the magic of that connection between ponies, yet, we both know Twilight. She's not just an introverted shut-in, there are certainly a few of those in our  group. Before she met us, she was completly asocial. Uninterested in connecting with others. Even today, after three years, she still needs books to tell her the very basics. She's learning things that most ponies learn during foalhood. We all are."

"I don't know, 'Shy," Applejack said with a shrug. "I don't think any of us are much different than most ponies. How many adults do you see that wouldn't gain somethin' from . . . well about almost anything we've learned in the last three years?"

"True, but you're missing the point. We're talking about the element of friendship represented by Twilight Sparkle. You're worried because you suddenly realized you're not this perfectly honest pony that never lies to her friends for selfish reasons."

"Selfish?! I lied because--"

"Applejack," Was all Fluttershy said to cut her off. Applejack made no further attempt to justify her actions. "It's not just Twilight, either. Haven't you noticed? Tell me you can't look at Rarity or Rainbow Dash and see flaws in them that directly offend the elements they repesent, and that's just the examples I know you've seen for yourself. We aren't the Elements of Harmony, Applejack. We're ponies with thoughts and feelings and flaws that represent the Elements of Harmony. When we start thinking otherwise, and start placing unrealistic expectations on ourselves, we do that role no good."

"Heh. You get all philosophical on a wine buzz, 'Shy. Ain't used to that side of ya."

Fluttershy tilted her head, but was still looking at the horizon. Or was she looking at the sky? it was a beautiful sky, though the stars were started to fade. "Do you not like it?" She didn't seem nervous at the prospect, only curious.

"Nah, it's interestin'. Though I like the normal 'Shy too."

Fluttershy smiled, looking at Applejack now, "I think if you really tried, you'd like all of your Applejacks too."

While Applejack contemplated this, she noticed, out of the corner of her eye, Fluttershy filling two glasses with wine. Fluttershy handed one of them to Applejack. Applejack was still holding a half-eaten cupcake, so she had to take the glass in the other hoof. "To take the edge off?"

"Edge? Oh, no. To celebrate."

"Celebrate what?"

"Love."

Applejack looked down at the glass. and swirled it in her hoof. the aroma was pleasant, she could tell just from that, that it was finely aged. She didn't feel particular cause to celebrate, though.

"Love felt," Fluttershy continued. "Love reciprocated. Love unrequited. Love gained and lost. Just . . . to love. Doesn't it feel good, just to love?"

Applejack felt pain. Longing. Frustration. Despair. She couldn't deny, however, that simply loving Rainbow Dash filled her with what she could only describe as a gentle warmth. If she focused on that feeling, it was rich with bursts of joy. She wanted to share this feeling with Rainbow Dash. She decided she had to tell her, but she didn't know how, or even if she could. She was now determined to try.

"To all of those we love. To our friends." Fluttershy said as she raised her glass. That, Applejack could drink to. She lightly clinked her glass against Fluttershy's.

When both downed their glasses, Applejack noticed that Fluttershy had another bottle with her. This one wasn't a wine bottle, but it was filled with a reddish-purple liquid. It was grape juice. Fluttershy hadn't diluted the wine, or Applejack would have noticed. The grape juice bottle was filled completly and sealed anyway. Applejack knew of only one teetotaler in their band of close-knit friends, and it wasn't Fluttershy or herself. Streamers littered Fluttershy's yard in an obvious trail leading to her front door. The professionally crafted cupcake she'd been given by a pony who didn't bake or particularly like cupcakes, was just one more dead giveaway that Pinkie Pie was here.

It also occurred to Applejack that Fluttershy's relaxed, serene state might not have been wholly attributed to an alcohol buzz, but it wouldn't have been appropriate to ask how her night was if her suspicions were correct.

"So. You and Pinkie Pie. How long?" The moment Applejack said this, Fluttershy paused while in the middle of refilling their glasses. She didn't completly freeze up or anything like that, else she wouldn't have tilted the bottle up, and the glasses would have overfilled.

"I suppose I should probably clean my yard," Fluttershy commented with a blink as she looked down at the streamers leading to her front door. "It's hard to say. It depends on what you mean specifically. It didn't exactly start in the best of ways. The kind of way that makes friends agree not to . . . well, not to speak of certain decisions again, though that's a moot issue now."

When Fluttershy handed Applejack a second glass of wine, Applejack put her hoof on it but said, "Are you sure? I don't want to impose."

"Pinkie Pie doesn't drink, so it's not like she's going to come up here and want to 'catch up' with me, and I'd rather drink with a friend than alone. Besides, I'm not looking for drunk, so I could use some help with the bottle."

Applejack nodded to that and accepted the glass. When they both downed them, Fluttershy continued her explaination of her relationship with Pinkie Pie. "Heh, agreeing not to talk about it, and yet every now and then we'd end up kissing when no one was paying attention. Eventually we both came to the conclusion that we were kidding ourselves if we kept saying all the kisses and cuddling were just moments of weaknesses we needed to avoid. We both admitted to loving each other once we had time to ourselves at Twilight's coronation."

"So you two been datin' on the official for, what, six months?"
Fluttershy gave a nod to this.

"Can I ask ya when ya first started to . . . you know, realize you were feelin' something for Pinkie Pie? I'm sorry if I'm prying too much."

Fluttershy just smiled gently and shook her head. "Oh, no, I don't mind. You can ask. Actually, it feels nice to finally share this with a friend. It was Pinkie Pie who insisted we, um, 'keep it secret, keep it safe.' Of course I would have certainly respected that, but you figured it out on your own. In . . . in any case, she and Rarity saw that other me one day. A real bully, not some farce fabricated by Discord. I was a monster that day. I'd ended up saying things to Pinkie Pie and Rarity that I shouldn't have. It . . . it basically amounted to criticizing them for liking what they like and being who they are, instead of being like everypony else. I didn't mean it. I don't want them to ever change.

"I hurt them, pushed them away . . . but they forgave me so quickly. In fact, they soon returned to . . . to protect me. When it was all said and done, Pinkie Pie approached me in private and told me about her other self. It's not my place to repeat--"

"I understand, Sugarcube. If Pinkie Pie wants to talk about it with anypony else, she will."

Fluttershy smiled and nodded. "In any case, she opened up to me, and I to her. I'm not sure when I began feeling . . . something other than friendship. At first I passed it off as . . . well, as other things I also felt. In the end, I realized I was just using those other feelings: friendship, admiration, um," Fluttershy hunkered down meekly, "w-well, lust, for examples. I was just using those as excuses to pretend it was just some silly crush, that I wasn't really falling in love with her."

 Applejack frowned slightly. She had something of an idea where this was going. "You were afraid, weren't ya."

Fluttershy didn't look at Applejack when she nodded. "But, um . . . I really don't think it's that scary, anymore. I think--"

"I'm sorry."

Fluttershy looked up at Applejack questioningly.

"I was out of line yesterday, Sugarcube. "I'm afraid, and I let that cloud my head. I had no business saying what I did to ya, and I wasn't aiming to criticize or nothin' like that. If I had stopped to think--"

Fluttershy put a hoof to Applejack's mouth. "You were, um, expresssing your fears, Applejack." Fluttershy took her hoof of of Applejack's mouth, and rubbed the top of her head with it. "I want you to open up to me. I want you to tell me what you're thinking and let me help you if I can. Don't hide them to spare my feelings, I want the real Applejack I'm here for you if you need me. We all are."

Applejack couldn't hold back. She suddenly reached forward and wrapped Fluttershy into a hug. Her eyes widened and she stiffened up, but she relaxed in Applejack's embarace, and soon Applejack found Fluttershy returning the hug. "Thanks, 'Shy."

When she released her, she looked out at the horizon. The stars were gone now. "Pinkie Pie's going to miss the sunrise if she sleeps too long," Applejack noted.

"I don't mind. I can sit down with her at any time. Although, watching the sunrise with her would be nice."

"Say no more, Sugarcube, "Applejack said as she moved to find the path she took to get to the roof in the first place. Jumping onto the plank that held the bird feeder was fairly easy. "Might want to pick up the glassware, 'Shy . . . and don't stand up or nothin', either."

Fluttershy picked up the glasses, and scooped up the wine bottle and grape juice in one foreleg. Once Applejack was on the ground, she let out a "YEEEE DOGGIES!" at the top of her lungs, while simultaneously delivering a sharp stomp to the side of Fluttershy's home with one hoof. This immediately earned her widened eyes and clenched teeth from Fluttershy, and a shriek from Pinkie Pie from within the cottage, followed by a giggle interrupted by a snort. She just continued on giggling from there.

As Applejack left Fluttershy's, she could see Pinkie Pie's silhouette sit down next to Fluttershy's  on the roof, where they watched the coming of dawn together.

                                                 _______

"Dash!"

It took a moment, but Rainbow Dash poked her head out of the window. The cyan pegasus had dark circles under her eyes. "AJ?" What is it . . . it's too early for this . . ."

"We need to talk, Sugarcube."

"Ugh. Let me sleep! Do you have any idea what my night was like yesterday?"

"Quit yer whinin' and get yer flank down here."

Rainbow Dash retreated back into her house. Applejack thought that Rainbow Dash had gone back to sleep. However, she soon shot out of her window, and flew in slow circles descending to the ground. She landed in front of Applejack, facing her. Rainbow Dash put a hoof through her mane, combing down the chaotic mess of tangles. "Yeah?"

Applejack steeled herself. She decided she was going to say it, but just how much did Rainbow Dash already knew? Rainbow had been pretty insistent on knowing what was on Applejack's mind, and why would that be? She obviously knew something was going on.

Some of the things Rainbow Dash said sometimes, it seemed like . . . like she might know. Other times? Rainbow Dash seemed entirely oblivious. Applejack couldn't decide which. "You wanted to know what's been eatin' me? I'm ready to tell ya, Sugarcube."

"Oh . . . Oh yeah." She walked toward Applejack and sat down. The only movement from Dash after that was the idle swishing of her tail.

Applejack thought about how she was going to put this. 'I love you' was something she could technically say to all of her friends and it be true, sans any romantic meaning. Knowing Rainbow Dash, the pegasus could very easily misintepret Applejack's meaning. Other ways of saying that she loved Rainbow Dash didn't strike her as any less ambiguous. 'I am romantically in love with you' would sound like it came from a robot. She could maybe tell her everything she felt for her, not just romantic love? Well, she could tell her everything positive, at least. 'Rainbow Dash, I think you're very beautiful, and I've never been more attracted to any other pony. That part doesn't matter, though, next to how I feel about ya in my heart. You're my friend, and I love ya. I also love ya in another way. It's kinda a selfish way in some ways, I think. More selfish than friendship, at least. I want your time and attention. I want to know what's on your mind and in your heart more than any other pony. I hope to be in your mind and heart and I want to share my everything, all that I am, with you. I want to be closer to you, if you'll let me near.'

Chances were, that Rainbow Dash would hear only the praise and fail to catch anything Applejack was saying that made her intentions clear, or she'd get bored and habitually tune her out when she noticed a speech coming. The words just weren't Dash-proof enough. She had to think of another way to put it.

"Ugh, could you make this quick?"

Seriously? She was going to pour her heart out to Rainbow Dash, and that's what she says to her? "Now you look here, Missy . . . " Applead pulled the front of her hat down and stormed toward Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash immediatly grinned as she took an aggressive stance. "Want a rematch, do ya? Well bring it on, Cowpoke!" Her chin was low to the ground, flank in the air, tail swishing idly, though her wings were a bit more vertical than they should have been for competitive aggression.

There was nothing for it. If Rainbow Dash wanted a fight, she was going to get a fight, provided it was all in good fun. Applejack remembering the rules from the first wrestling match, and something she'd been allowed to do that she never actually got a chance to utilize during the first time around.

She wasn't going to let Rainbow Dash get a drop on her this time. Ignoring a pegasus's flight speed during a fight was a tactical error, monumntally so when the pegasus in question was the current holder for the world record in flight speed.  Applejack's mistakes should have cost her the original match, and she knew it.

The moment Rainbow Dash charged, Applejack yanked off her hat and flung the lasso coiled within. The rope reached it's full length, and then went slack as it caught only empty air. Applejack couldn't actually see Rainbow Dash's movements anymore, but she could still track her by the air currents.

Applejack turned to meet Rainbow Dash as she tried an aerial assault from behind. Applejack hadn't even turned her body completly yet before she began quickly coiling the rope around Rainbow Dash. She pulled it tight, capturing both wings and her forelegs. The forelegs were completly immobolized, but the wings spread the coils effortlessly, and Rainbow Das escaped. Applejack flung the rope again. This time she lassoed Rainbow Dash. She'd tied the knots for the lasso in such a way that the looped in would close in on whatever it captured. What it captured, however, was the base of Rainbow Dash's wing.

This wasn't Applejack's intention. The appendages didn't look like they could take a great deal of pressure, and she had no desire to test the tensile strength of the joints connecting to the bones in her upper back. Applejack let go of the rope the moment it snagged the wing. Rainbow Dash had fallen to the ground, and was picking herself up when Applejack rushed to her.

"RD, Are you ok?!" Applejack's heart raced. Rainbow Dash looked at her with mild confusion as she untied the rope from her wing.

"Huh? Oh, this again?" Rainbow Dash sighed, dropped the rope and fluttered her wing a bit. Applejack thought Rainbow Dash might take advantage of the situation and come at her now, but instead, Rainbow Dash picked up the rope and handed it to Applejack. "Look, you're not going to hurt my wing's AJ."

"But--"

"The bones in a pegasus wing is stronger than-- ugh, nevermind, ask Twilight. I don't remember the word. Some type of metal. I'm not big on the science. I just know that these things are friggin' strong. And the muscles? Same stuff coiled around a unicorn horn. Something about fibers and junk, I don't know. Also very hard to hurt. Twilight started ranting about it when I was trying to give her flying lessons, but I wasn't paying attention." She flared her wings out in grandious display. "Lastly? I'm Rainbow Dash. Need I say more?"

"You were in the hospital 'cause--"

"Sonic rainboom into a rare magical storm in the sky. Didn't see it. Nasty little slingshot effect with that. It's like being used as an arrow by a planet-sized god. Doesn't help that my landing pad was a large iron vein. Oh, Sweet Celestia that hurt." Rainbow Dash was cringing at the memory. "Heh, and lastly . . ."

Applejack looked up to see that Rainbow Dash had found a rather sharp-looking, edged rock. Applejack's eyes widened when Rainbow Dash brought the natural blade to her wing. "Rainbow!"

Rainbow Dash winced as she dragged the edge across her flesh under her feathers before Applejack could stop her. If this was a demonstration that the skin of her wings couldn't be cut, it failed, because blood soaked into Rainbow Dash's feathers. Rainbow used her hoof to spread the feathers so that Applejack could see the deep gash made in her flesh.

It closed almost imediatly. Rainbow then nonchalantly walked over to a puddle on the ground and collected the water in her hooves to wash her wing.

Applejack bit her lip and stared down at her hooves. She felt kind of silly, now. Still, she didn't feel like she'd be getting over the urge to be careful when her wings were so decepitively fragile in appearance, at least not any time soon.

"Would you like to touch them?"

Applejack perked her head up, a bit thrown off guard by the offer. Wasn't that kind of . . . instimate? It couldn't be outright lewd if Pinkie Pie could get away with attention to Fluttershy's wings in public. Reguardless, Applejack understood now to a certain level that touching a pegasus's wings was an exeedingly intimate gesture. Or, perhaps that pertained only to the base of the wing. Applejack wasn't sure.

"I want you to be comfortable with them," Rainbow told her. "Go ahead."

Applejack was curious. She'd never really had an opportunity to run her hooves through those feathers, and she wondered what it felt like. Part of her also shamefully delighted in the implications.  Hesitantly, she reached out and ran a hoof over the top edge of Rainbow Dash's wing. Rainbow Dash's eyes closed her eyes. Applejack started to experimentally run her hoof one way, and then then other. Rainbow Dash opened her eyes and  touched her hoof to Applejack's. "Um, this way, AJ." She gently manipulated AJ's hooves so that the strokes only touched down in the same direction of the feathers.

"Oh. Sorry," Applejack said in embarrassment.

"No prob." Rainbow Dash turned so that her back was now facing Applejack, giving her full access to her wings. Applejack ran her hooves along the feathers at the back of Rainbow Dash's wings. They were silky, smooth, and soft to the touch. Rainbow's eyes stayed closed, and her breath stuttered. It quickly became apparant to Applejack that the entirity of Rainbow Dash's wings were sensitive, though she got stronger reaction's from Rainbow Dash the closer to the base of the wings she got.

When Rainbow Dash bit her lip to stifle a groan, Applejack grew hesitant and took her hooves off of Rainbow Dash's wings. Before she could lift her hooves to pick up where she left off, Rainbow Dash lifted one of her wings and started to preen the feathers with her teeth. Both of her wings were severely rustled by her flying earlier.

Applejack carefully watched as Rainbow Dash smoothed out the feathers, gliding her teeth expertly so that not only did the feathers fold down, but the fibers in individual feathers closed together. She not only used her teeth, but her tongue on certain parts as well. After Applejack was sure she'd gotten a good idea on how the whole thing was done, she asked, "Can I try?"

Rainbow Dash stopped and turned her head back at Applejack. She released her wing from her mouth and dropped it, then gave a short nod. She raised her other wing up, extending it to Applejack. Applejack took the edge of the wing between her teeth, and ran down the length of her wing. Rainbow Dash closed her eyes again. She inhaled deeply as Applejack started to drag her tongue in long, firm strokes down the back of Rainbow Dash's wing.

Rainbow Dash's wings went vertical. Applejack had already begun to understand what that meant. She started to work on the other wing as her forehooves worked their way up the base of Rainbow Dash's back. She massaged along the spine, until she reached the base of Rainbow Dash's wings. Rainbow Dash's jaw lowered, and she nuzzled the back of her head against the side of Applejack's neck as Applejack massaged the base of her wings.

Applejack noticed a blush forming on Rainbow Dash's cheeks through her fur. Rainbow Dash was looking up at her, staring right into her eyes. Applejack lowered her head, and Rainbow Dash offered no resistance as their lips met.

Rainbow Dash's lips were gentle and clumsy, but also needy. When Applejack touched the tip of her tongue to Rainbow Dash's lips, Rainbow eagerly pushed hers against Applejack's, fighting her for dominance. When their lips parted, the only evidence of the kiss was the taste of mint from Rainbow Dash's breath.

Rainbow Dash leaned forward to take Applejack's rope and Stetson, both of which were lying on the ground. Rainbow put the hat on as she down down on Applejack's lap, and held the rope taut in her hooves, with her hooves about a foot apart from each other. She whispered gently in Applejack's ear, "I'm a bad girl, AJ, and bad girls get tied up."

Applejerk jerked her head back, taking a step back from Rainbow Dash in the process. If this got carnal, Applejack would never be able to convincingly convey what she really felt for Rainbow Dash. She wouldn't be satisfied with that, and she needed to make that clear right now. Besides, she wasn't ignorant to just what getting hot and heavy too soon did to budding relationships.

"Rainbow, wait--"

"It's ok, AJ. You're my friend and I trust you. I want you to tie me up. Wings too."

"No, RD, listen to me, I have to tell you--"

"You know, all you had to do was ask, AJ." Rainbow took a step back as she spoke. "That's what you were thinking yesterday."

"That isn't--"

"No, stop. That is what it is was, ok?"

Applejack started to get the impression that the statements were requests--pleas, rather than accusations or declarations. "Rainbow, you need to know that I lo--" Applejack reached a hoof toward Rainbow Dash's shoulder

"I said STOP!" Rainbow Dash jerked away from Applejack, causing her to freeze. Applejack lowered her hoof and took a step back from Rainbow Dash.

Itr could have been Applejack's imagination, but it seemed like Rainbow Dash's mane had become more dishelved than usual after her violent retreat. Her bangs cast shadows over her face, hiding her eyes completly. Rainbow Dash just stood there awhile on her hind legs, not saying anything.

Applejack was confused. Hadn't Rainbow Dash known to begin with?  For the first time in a long time, Applejack didn'tr know how to read her, didn't know what to make of anything she was saying or doing. She certainly didn't know what Rainbow Dash was thinking. It scared her. It angered her.

Rainbow Dash's voice was quiet and cracked. "I have to go . . . "

"To see Spitfire, right?" The outburst was sudden and laced with a growl. Applejack herself hadn't seen it coming before it rolled out of her mouth. "What, is she hiding in the bushes? That's real good, Rainbow. Any excuse so you can up and ditch me, right?"

"I have to go to bed!" Exasperation, desperation, and a little anger laced Rainbow Dash's voice. Applejack could now see Rainbow Dash's eyes through her bangs. The hurt look in her eyes instantly disarmed Applejack. Rainbow Dash sat down. She'd calmed down a bit, and brushed her bangs outr of her face with her hoof. Applejack's heart went heavy when she noticed the wetness in the corners of Rainbow Dash's eyes that she'd not quite successfully wiped away.

As Rainbow calmed, she slowly returned to her normal, casual mannerisms. "There's a cold front coming in." She was looking at the horizon, presumably where the wind would be coming from. Her voice was still a little shaky, but otherwise this seemed like normal banter. "I have to be up and ready tonight in time to get the team rounded up so we can cause some rain, or else that cold front's going to hit this heat. We don't need a tornado in Ponyville."

Applejack couldn't argue with that. "Well alright, RD. I think it's about time I start headin' back to the farm anyway. Afternoon chores and all that.

"See ya around, AJ." Rainbow Dash said as she looked up at her cloud home, preparing to take off.

"You too, Rainbow." Applejack grabbed her Stetson.

When they parted ways, she didn't feel like the friendly way they'd left things was in any way insincere. For the most part, they were 'ok.' That didn't mean there weren't issues, and oh how there were issues. Applejack realized now that Rainbow Dash was far more a mystery to her than she ever imagined. More importantly, her missteps with Rainbow Dash weren't good for their friendship, and Applejack needed to start thinking about how to avoid a repeat of something like that, and repair whatever damage done. Fortunate, then, that texts on friendship resided in the same place as a scholar on the subject. Once Applejack was done with lunch and her afternoon chores, she would need to hit the library.

                                                               -------

Golden Oak Library stood on a large plot of land, not too far from the town hall in the center of Ponyville. The giant tree was huge, but it always seemed larger from the inside. Not to mention, a tree that housed the entire library, plus a kitchen and an upstairs bedroom, shouldn't have been still living. Applejack always figured that the tree had been modified with magic, somehow. Such was fitting for Twilight Sparkle, after all, possibly Equestria's most powerful mortal wizard.

When she arrived at the library, Applejack noticed blue lights flashing through the windows. As she got closer, she could hear the distinct crackle of electricity accompanying the flashes, as well as Pinkie Pie shrieking, and Twilight Sparkle cackling madly.

Oh no. She's finally done it. Twilight's plain lost her mind.

Applejack turned around and gave the door an unrelenting, forceful stamp with her rear hooves. The door gave way. The doorknob and lock mechanism dangled from the remains of the door before falling to the floor.

"What in tarnation are you doing!" Applejack shouted.

Pinkie Pie's "shrieking" turned out to be squeals from unrestrained, constant laughter. This died down slowly after Applejack’s entrance. The aptly-named pink mare was sitting in a chair, hooked up to electrodes that lead to a clockwork machine taking several recordings. Twilight was dressed in a lab coat and a pair of goggles. The lab coat had two sets of sleeves: one for her forelegs, the other for her wings. The lavender alicorn was in the middle of interrogating and electrically torturing . . . a walnut. A stream of electricity still trailed from Twilight's horn to the walnut for a few seconds after her attention had been abruptly turned to Applejack.

"I'm frying a nut, what are you doing?!" Twilight cried out in shock, "What in the hay did you do to my door?!"

"I'm sorry! I thought . . . I thought . . . " Applejack looked over at Pinkie Pie, who had burst out in a fit of giggles. She muttered, "I thought you were fryin' another nut."

Twilight followed Applejack's line of sight, then looked back at her, blinked, then tilted her head questioningly. "Why would I electrocute Pinkie Pie?"

"I don't know . . . " Applejack said with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Sugarcube. I haven't been thinkin' straight lately. I'll get yer door fixed as soon as possible."

"Don't worry about it," Twilight said as she walked over to her, "What's wrong?"

"Ooh, you should look in sections F, I and R! No, wait! Try RARITY'S!" Pinkie Pie's face was suddenly right in front of hers, earning a yelp from Applejack, who scrambled back frantically.

"Quiet, Pinkie." Twilight said with an exasperated huff. She then looked to Applejack. "So what has been on your mind, Applejack?"

Applejack considered that she probably didn't want too many knowing how she felt about Rainbow Dash just yet. The incident with Rainbow Dash earlier was awkward enough . . . and it seemed pretty clear that Rainbow Dash was afraid of so much as knowing for herself how Applejach felt. Rainbow being angry with her for spreading it all over town, that would just be unbearable. It wouldn't help ensure that their friendship survived the situation.

Rainbow Dash seemed to just want to have casual sex and leave it at that. If Applejack knew for certain that Rainbow Dash didn't feel the same way as Applejack, was it still worth it for Applejack to share her feelings, as Fluttershy had suggested?

What if their friendship didn't survive Applejack's confession?

"Applejack?" Twilight had a worried expression on her face. "You kind of look . . . a little lost."

"Ah, sorry, Sugarcube. If you don't mind, I think I'd like to borrow some books on romance and friendship. Uh . . . for . . . " Applejack struggled to think of an excuse as to why she'd be looking for books on the subject of romance. It wasn't so much that she couldn't think of something, but rather knowing that she'd probably set off some obvious red flags if she lied, not to mention how ill she'd probably feel. Something technically true, she needed to say something that was technically true. No telltale body language would out her if she did that.

"How interesting! I had no idea no idea you were interested in intellectual pursuits! I mean, aside from the practical. You know, they say knowledge is it's own reward." Twilight was practically beaming. Applejack just stared at her in astonishment. She decided it was best to just stay completly quiet and just leave Twilight to her assumptions.

Remembering that Pinkie Pie actually knew of her feelings toward Rainbow Dash, she flashed Pinkie a pleading expression out of Twilight's line of sight, to which Pinkie Pie responded with motions that symbolized locking her mouth, tossing the key into the air . . . shooting at the key with a cannon? At that point, Pinkie Pie lost her, but there was definitely something in there about a chicken egg and a raccoon.

Twilight, completely oblivious to Pinkie Pie's antics, was in the middle of searching through a card file system. "Let's see . . . 'Friendship is Magic Vol 1.', 'Infatuation, Love, and Similar Emotions', and 'Romance: A Beginner's guide.' Huh, it looks like Rarity already checked them all out. When did so many of my friends grow a passion for the social sciences . . .?" After a moment, Twilight just shrugged it off.

"Do you like doughnuts?" Pinkie Pie said out of nowhere.

"Oh yes, we made some earlier," Twilight said as she suddenly perked up a bit, "Uh . . . well, Pinkie Pie made doughnuts. I just . . . watched. The batch I helped with . . . ugh let's not talk about that."

"What are you talking about? They were good! I saved one for later!" Pinkie Pie then tossed a blackened, shriveled, ring-shaped monstrosity up into the air, and chomped on it on its way down. Both Twilight and Applejack winced at this. "Shee? Ish good!" Pinkie Pie assured them.

After finishing off the positively inedible baked good, Pinkie Pie cleared her throat, turned to Applejack, and asked, "So do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Like doughnuts, silly."

"Uh. Yeah. I suppose I do. Doesn't everypony?"

"Great! Then I'll go get some!"

Pinkie Pie tossed both Twilight and Applejack a doughnut. Unlike the one Pinkie Pie had eaten just moments ago, these could be described as perfect. Applejack was no slouch when it came to the making of desserts, but couldn't hold a candle to Pinkie Pie.

"Doughnuts can be a lot like ponies," Pinkie Pie started to say, "Or maybe ponies can be a lot like doughnuts. Hey, Applejack! Which is it?"

After swallowing the first bite of her doughnut, Applejack tilted her head in confusion and said, "Uh . . . neither, hopefully?"

Pinkie Pie gasped. "Oh my gosh! You got it right! More doughnuts for everypony!" She rushed to the kitchen to retrieve more.

Applejack sat there confused, before she shook the cobwebs out of her head and decided not to try to make sense of it She turned to Twilight and asked, "So what were y'all doing?"

Twilight's face lit up. That look she got when someone made the mistake of asking about her research and experiments. Applejack instantly regretted it.

"Well, my instruments detected harmonic resonance of different wavelengths during what I'd like to refer to as a 'symphasis event'--"

Applejack interrupted her by clearing her throat. "Um, can ya speak Equestrian, Sugarcube?"

Pinkie Pie giggled as she re-entered the room and handed Twilight and Applejack each a second doughnut, "She means the elements do different stuff, and she noticed that the last time we 'friendship'-blasted a big baddie!" Applejack looked over at Pinkie Pie, and for the first time noticed that Pinkie Pie was wearing her 'laughter element' amulet.

"Yes, well, as I was saying," Twilight continued, "I believe there are peripheral abilities held by the Elements of Harmony in addition to the binding spell. These abilities don't seem to follow any specific pattern, however. They have nothing to do with the virtues of the elements, nor necessarily a bearers' special talent designated by their cutie marks. Pinkie Sense is particularly hard to test, because it can't be induced on a whim."

Applejack noticed Pinkie Pie silently miming Twilight's motions and lip movements from behind her back, and fought the urge to laugh. Her attention returned toward the end, when Twilight said, "I also suspect that these peripheral abilities increase in magnitude not only when the amulets are simply worn, but also when the bearer 'honors' their element, and in Pinkie's case the way to test that out is to get her to laugh . . . "

Applejack could hold it in no longer and finally let out a snort. She replied, "Gettin' Pinkie to laugh is about as hard as gettin' Rainbow Dash to brag."

Their conversation was cut short by a heavy breathing. Applejack looked back to see Spike at the door. The little purple dragon fell down to his hands and knees, huffing in exhaustion.

"Spike, you're back! Are you ok?" Twilight said as she moved over to Spike.

"So much . . . digging . . ."
"Aww . . . did Rarity overwork you?" Pinkie Pie asked, "Here, have a doughnut!"

Spike waved her off, as well as the doughnut. "It was . . . hah . . . worth it." He then held up a gemstone the size of his head. Applejack recognized the type, but couldn't remember the name. She knew that it was worthless, but absolutely beautiful. Which was the case with most of the gemstones Rarity used in dresses, save for the off-chance that she had the opportunity to make a dress for a celebrity. The gem was a deep rose hue.

Like Rainbow Dash's eyes.

I really need to stop doin' that. Think about something else.

"So you're going to eat that right away?" Twilight asked.

"You betcha!" Spike held the gemstone up with both hands and eyed it hungrily. He paused, "But . . . it's a gift from Rarity . . . "

"Thinking with your heart and not your stomach, are you?" Twilight then added with a giggle, "Infatuation wins over hunger."

"In-fach-you what now?" Spike gave Twilight a blank stare.

Twilight smiled warmly at him and held out her hoof. "I'll put it in a safe place for you." She assured him. Spike handed over the gemstone.

"Someplace where it can be seen . . . and admired?" Spike asked. Twilight nodded.

"If Spike's here, then that must mean Rarity's home!" Pinkie Pie suddenly exclaimed. Applejack hadn't thought about that until she mentioned it. She could go over there right now, and see if she'd let Applejack take a look at those books.

"Shopping!" Pinkie Pie continued, "The ponies at the market are so funny! Especially when they forget their own prices!" She cracked up in a fit of giggles, Ooh I wonder if we can get Fluttershy to come with us! She still has sooo much to learn!"

"Actually, Rarity seemed pretty determined to get started on some project right away." Spike said tiredly.

"Oh, fiddlesticks. Work-work-work. Workaholics are so . . . " Pinkie Pie trailed off as she noticed Twilight and Applejack beginning to narrow their eyes at her.

"We're so what?" both said in unison. It was difficult for Applejack to maintain a look of annoyance and keep a straight face. Seeing Pinkie Pie uncomfortable for once after putting her hoof in her mouth was just priceless.

"Um . . . awesome-er-riffic?" Pinkie Pie gave a nervous grin, then turned specifically to Applejack "So where's Rainbow Dash?"

"She's sleepin', Sugarcube. Let her rest, will ya?" Applejack almost asked what Fluttershy happened to be doing, but she realized Twilight would probably pick up on the implications of Applejack randomly assuming Pinkie Pie would know that. Instead, she directed the question at both Twilight and Pinkie Pie, "Either of you two seen Fluttershy?"

Twilight shook her head.

"Fluttershy!" Pinkie Pie shouted and bolted out the open doorway immediately, and then she was gone. She could be heard repeating Fluttershy's name contiuously, though growing more quiet as her distance from the library grew. A moment later, Applejack turned away from the door.

She was suddenly face-to-face with Pinkie Pie. Applejack jumped with a yelp.

"Doughnuts are doughnuts, but sometimes they're not."

"Sure thing, Sugarc--um, what?" Applejack blinked once, and stared blankly at the aptly-named pink mare.

Pinkie Pie just flashed her a wide grin and continued, "Sometimes a doughnut is something else entirely but we just treat them like doughnuts, you know? It's safer that way, at least it seems like it. It doesn't turn out well for the doughnut, I mean we just shove them in the frier and turn the temp up reaaallly high and sometimes if we burn them we throw them away but I don't want to burn them I just want to enjoy them and if I do burn them I'd rather treat them just like the doughnuts 'cause that's fair right? Either way we're just going to eat the doughnut anyway and that sucks for the doughnut so can we really say we're thinking about the doughnut?" 

Applejack genuinely tried to follow all of that. She and the others had learned the hard way that sometimes they needed to hear her out more. Even when she made no sense.

"And so we must realize the truth." Pinkie Pie said in an oddly sage-like manner. Oh, this had to be it. The part that Applejack should pay attention to, lest she regret dismissing her words.

"Yes?" Applejack replied, leaning forward.

"There is no doughnut!" With that, Pinkie Pie bounded through the doorway, leaving the library.

Applejack's face fell flat. She really should have known better. She wasn't even sure what she had expected.

Being around Pinkie Pie since early childhood didn't necessarily mean that she would ever understand Pinkie Pie. She was an unsolvable puzzle. It was no wonder Twilight spent so much time with Pinkie Pie.  Twilight’s scientific brain could  hardly resist trying to figure her out.

That only brought her back to Rainbow Dash. It wasn't the same, for sure: Applejack was closer to Rainbow Dash than any other pony, her family included. She knew so many of her strengths, flaws, and quirks. Applejack was having trouble understanding Rainbow Dash lately, though, and she was beginning to realize there were aspects of her she wasn't familiar with. Could she really say she knew anypony, then?

Could she say she loved Rainbow Dash, romantically, or was it just sexual desire toward a friend? The way it seemed that Rainbow Dash had planned to go about things, Applejack actually felt a bit used.

After Pinkie Pie's abrupt exit, Twilight sighed and  started to walk toward her ruined door.

"Are you sure you don't want me to fix yer door?" Applejack asked her, "A few bits and a little work is the least I can do. And the latter'll do me some good too, I think."

Without a word, Twilight closed her eyes. A purple glow enveloped her horn. The same purple glow radiated from the ruined door before it lifted up from the ground, and moved back into place in the doorframe. The doorknob and lock mechanism floated back into place. Frayed splinters from the door began to rearrange themselves . . . and soon the door was mended, as good as new. A metallic click could be heard as Twilight used her telekinesis to unlock the door.

"Well color me impressed, Twi'." Applejack said as she watched Twilight completely restore the door.

"Oh, Applejack . . . your head, is that from yesterday?"

Applejack had forgotten about the injury. She took her hat off. "It's just a bump."

"Let me see." Twilight said as she started to unravel the bandages. Applejack's first instinct was to protest, but she kept quiet for a moment. "Fluttershy used a good antiseptic, it won't get infected, but . . ." It was at that point that Applejack realized Twilight was scanning her head.

"But?"

"You have a concussion."

"Huh? How do ya figure? I thought yer area of expertise was magic. Don't that kind of thing normally go away after about a day? Besides, I think I'd have noticed if I had a concussion, 'Twi."

"My tutelage under Princess Celestia encompasses all of the sciences, actually. Magic is just the one that takes priority. ," Twilight corrected, "I have to admit I woudn't have detected the concussion without my magic. Fluttershy's got a huge one up on me in the medical field, make no mistake. In any case, as far as concussions going away after a day, no, not always. Sometimes these things last longer, and there doesn't necessarily have to be syntoms. You could have even missed the signs. Now hold still."

Applejack did as she was told and allowed Twilight to use her magic to investigate and work on Applejack's concussion. "Now I just have to take care of the bruising and abrasions" Twilight muttered to herself under her breath. Even her wings had a faint glow to them during the spellcasting, which struck Applejack as odd. So far, Twilight had not been able to fly with them, beyond gliding. "There! Good as new!"

Applejack was skeptical at first, but when she felt her head with her hoof, even roughly, there was no pain. "Hey, you really did fix me! That's incredible . . . thanks, Twi!"

Twilight looked away in embarrassment. "It was nothing. It was just minor injuries after all." She suddenly turned to Applejack, a stern look on her face, "Don't get too reckless, thinking I can save you a trip to the hospital."

"Wish friendships could be patched up with just a zap" Applejack said with a sigh.

Twilight tilted her head questioningly. "Oh, but they can. Why? Did something happen?"

There was a brief pause before she said, "Twilight . . . can I ask ya something?"

Twilight Sparkle tilted her head to the side questioningly. "Of course. What would you like to ask?"

Applejack looked down at her hooves as she thought for a moment, then looked back to Twilight. "Have you ever thought you known somepony . . . for a pretty darn long time, then looked at 'er and thought maybe you didn't know them quite as well as you thought you did? Like everything she says and does suddenly throws ya off?"

Twilight sat down as she thought about this. "Well . . . let's see. I'm not so close with my parents. I love them of course, but perhaps I don't see them as much as I should. I don't really understand them at all. There's Princess Celestia, who I've known most of my life. Out of all those that raised me, she's the one I've spent the most time with, but in many ways She's a mystery, even to me.

"My older brother and I were close throughout my childhood and teen years, but we've lost touch ever since he became the captain of the royal guard. It's only recently that I'm starting to get back in touch with him, so that isn't much of an issue. In any case, the only close friends I really have are you, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash.

"I'm still learning." After three years of knowing you all, I'm still learning. When I first came to Ponyville, I didn't think I needed friends. You all taught me otherwise. Getting to know all of you has been a real blessing. I'm always only just scratching the surface. There's always more to learn. I don't think that'll ever change. I think that's part of the fun, though."

"Hm. I suppose you're right, Sugarcube."

Twilight stepped forward and tilted her head a bit, "Applejack . . . you're not trying to, uh . . . decipher Pinkie Pie, are you? Because I can tell you right now that all my empirical data on her leads nowhere . . . "

Applejack's eyes widened and she waved a hoof frantically, "Oh hay no. I like my sanity, thanks."

Twilight let out an amused snort at this. "Oh, Applejack, you wanted to borrow those books . . . could you remind Rarity she's overdue? At least, that's what it says on the cards. I've been so busy lately, I can't keep track of any of the library's loans."

"You got it, 'Twi. Thanks for the chat, and for healin' my noggin'."

Twilight smiled, "It's no problem. Just take care of yourself, ok?"

"Will do," Applejack tipped her hat to Twilight, "And good luck with your experiments on Pinkie Pie's element."

"Actually, it's not just the laughter amulet I'd like to investigate. Do you think you could wear yours sometime and let me ask you some questions?"

"Sure thing, Sugarcube. Be seein' ya"

Applejack left the library. Not long after, she heard "Applejack." being called from a few feet away. When she turned around, it took her a moment to recognize Pinkie Pie in the shadows.

"What was all that earlier?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm sorry," Pinkie Pie said as she bit her lip, "I'm not really sure. Maybe I probably reeally shouldn't have said it like that."

Pinkie Pie almost seemed . . . worried? Her mane was curly, so it wasn't sadness, if Applejack had her figured out right.  "What's on yer mind?"

"Do you feel like Dashie treated you like a doughnut?"

Applejack's heart skipped a beat when the metaphor sank in. Applejack mentally kicked herself for not catching that before. She chalked it up to stress, affecting her mind.

Applejack took a step back. "How did you--? No, no it wasn't like that. She just . . ."

Pinkie Pie gave Applejack a large, pained smile. The kind of smile that one gives when they don't want to let on that they've just stepped on a nail, except it wasn't Pinkie Pie's pain, but rather a deep concern for Applejack. "Don't be mad at Dashie, Applejack. She didn't mean to."

Applejack tore her gaze away from Pinkie Pie. She was finally letting herself reflect on the incident. She and Rainbow Dash might have parted on 'ok' terms, but Rainbow Dash's was clearly ok with using Applejack for her ends so long as Applejack kept her mouth shut about how she really felt. She grimaced bitterly. "Like hell she didn't mean to," Applejack spat. "I never expected anything of her. I just wanted her to know. I just needed to get it off my chest. She didn't care about that, though, did she? She didn't even let me talk. It has to be her way, and it's fine for her as long as I stay a nice little tool for her."

Pinkie Pie was biting her lip and shrinking back. Her ears folded down. The image struck Applejack to the core. She didn't mean to hurt Pinkie, and she didn't want to do so any further, so she thought it would be best if she left now. When she turned to leave, however, Pinkie spoke again.

"Do you think Rainbow Dash is this invincible, unbreakable thing?" There was quiet, somber tone that Applejack was just not used to hearing in Pinkie Pie's voice. "Well, she's not. In all your self-righteous indignation, did you ever stop to consider that maybe she loves you too? Did your new-found confidence make you suddenly forget how scary that is?"

Applejack bit her lip, and looked back at Pinkie Pie--if only to make sure that it was actually her that Applejack was listening to. Pinkie Pie's mane was still curly, but Applejack could not see her eyes behind her bangs. Pinkie Pie's head was tilted toward the ground, the direction she was obviously looking.  Applejack was more careful with her words and tone as she spoke. "Pinkie, friendship is love, I love all o'ya. What I have with her, it's different. Not better, maybe, but different. Yeah, I get it, a lot of the difference is sexual. I think. I'm not sure. I don't really know what I'm doing. I do know she ain't some tool for my amusement, and I don't fancy bein' considered as one myself. I feel a special connection with RD, and I want to be closer to her. What's she afraid of? Ruining our friendship? If she think a relationship's gonna do that, just what does she think foolin' around's gonna do!"

"Maybe she thinks it's safer," Pinkie Pie said with a tilt of her head. Her tone was thoughtful now rather than somber, but she still hadn't returned to her normal squeals and giggles. She was subdued.

"But it's not sa--"

"I didn't say it had to make sense, Applejack." Pinkie Pie's voice was gentle, careful, and full of understanding. She slowly approached Applejack. "You said you didn't know what you were doing. Does Rainbow Dash necessarily have to know what she's doing?"

Applejack had no reply to that. As far as she was concerned, Pinkie Pie had a point.

"Are you angry because she might not love you back?"

Applejack's eyes widened. "No! That's not . . . If Rainbow Dash isn't in love with me, that's fine. Yeah, it'll hurt, and I'll get over it, and we'll still be friends. She's not required to love me back. I just want her to know how I feel . . . "

"Good," Pinkie Pie said with an abrupt nod. The somber tone from before was but a memory now, and Pinkie Pie's reply came in a happy chirp. It still unnerved Applejack to realize this was Pinkie Pie talking to her. "Now, suppose she doesn't love you. At least not that way. Dashie's not thinking of you as some treat to gobble up. That doesn't necessarily mean she doesn't find you attractive, but she'd want to give you something special."

Applejack blushed slightly. She was too embarrassed to look at Pinkie Pie so she kept her head low to the ground. "That's . . . that's not very smart."

"You expect Dashie to think these things through?"

"Well . . . no."

Pinkie Pie giggled. "See? That's Rainbow Dash!" The laughter in Pinkie Pie's voice died down, and spoke calmly once more. "If that's not what you want, then you have to make that clear that you'll be her friend or her lover, but not her friend-with-benefits, but don't be mad at her.. She'll listen. Dashie would never use you. Now suppose she does love you."

Applejack picked her head up at that, and looked at Pinkie Pie, who was looking into her eyes with an eerily serene expression. "Suppose she does love you," Pinkie Pie said again, "Maybe she doesn't quite understand how she feels. Maybe she's afraid. Maybe she feels like 'just playing' is safer. I'm not saying she'd be right.

"How many times have we seen her try to hide? She can't even show her pet affection unless she thinks nopony's looking! She's got to be strong, and fearless. Even after so many years, like Twilight said, there's still going to be more to learn. Sides to her you've never seen. It's up to you to look behind Rainbow Mask and find Rainbow Dash."

                                                                        _______

After lunch with her family, followed by her afternoon chores, Applejack was in her bedroom rolling a ball across the floor at Winona. There was barely any room to play, but the collie was more than happy to excitedly bap at the ball with her paws, rolling it back at Applejack's hooves. Their little game was interupted by a rapping at the window. Applejack caught a glimpse of the tip of a pegasus wing, but the yellow feathers certainly didn't belong to Rainbow Dash, and the tips of the just-barely-visible orange mane didn't belong to Fluttershy. When Applejack faced the window, the sudden appearance of Spitfire's face when she lowered her body caused Applejack to yell and fall out of bed.

What in the hay do pegasi have against using the front door?

Applejack opened the window to let her in. Her deadpan expression made her seem a cross between bored and annoyed. It was likely her usual appearance, though Applejack couldn't tell because she'd only seen her in her mask and bodysuit, and didn't want to take the chance of upsetting her.

"Is this the Apple residence?" Spitfire asked curtly. Applejack nodded. Spitfire had immediately begun a search through Applejack's room the moment she'd let her in, "Reports indicate that she was seen heading this way."

"Who?"

"Rainbow Dash.." Spitfire narrowed her eyes and drew her face closer to Applejack's. "You're not hiding her, are you?"

Applejack planted her front hooves on Spitfire's shoulders, "No, I ain't hidin' her! Whats this about? She ain't AWOL is she?"

"Negative," By this time, she was looking under Applejack's bed, "If she's still gone by tonight, she'll miss the Manehattan show."

"Wait . . ." Applejack eyed the Wonderbolts captain suspiciously. "Does she even know about this show?

Spitfire snorted in response, "She will when I tell her about it." Spitfire turned to Applejack and narrowed her eyes, "Are you sure you're not hiding her?"

Applejack turned up her chin defiantly, staring Spitfire down. "You know what? I wouldn't tell ya if I was." Rainbow Dash should have still been at home sleeping, but since that should have been the first place Spitfire looked, Rainbow must have given her the slip.

"What in the hay do you got against usin' my front door anyway?"

Spitfire didn't look at her. She just kept going through Applejack's things. Applejack highly doubted that Rainbow Dash was hiding in her banjo case. "Already tried. No one was home. Thought I could get the drop on her this way."

"Leave her alone." Applejack's tone was a low warning

"Rainbow Dash is our fastest--"

"I don't care. Leave her alone." Applejack stepped toward Spitfire. "You can't do this. You can't just push this on her at the last minute, it ain't right."

"Now, look, three-thousand paying fans want--"

"No, you look." Applejack said with a snarl, taking an aggressive stance that intruded into Spitfire's personal space. The yellow, fire-maned pegasus actually fell on her flank, blinking up at Applejack in surprise.

"Here in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash is the head of our weather patrol. If they don't cool down the air before the cold front gets here, we've possibly got ourselves a problem. Let her sleep. More importantly? She's got a life. She ain't your little slave at your beck and call. That sure as hay ain't what she signed up for. You want her to work? Fine. Let her know when she's workin'. You guys like to make surprise appearances? Fine, but what in the hay do ya accomplish by keeping the performers in the dark too?"

"Actually, it's just the privates that don't get--"

Applejack glared at Spitfire, and Spitfire went quiet again. "And another thing, as I understand it, you can pretty much assign any 'bolt to any show, right?" Spitfire nodded to this. "Then respect that she has a life, and give her a chance to turn down shows."

Applejack expected a rebuttall, but when she finally calmed down, all she saw was Spitfire rubbing a hoof between her eyes. Spitfire let out a sigh. "You're, um, Applejack Apple, right?" Applejack nodded. "Wow. Rainbow Dash was right about you, you really do got moxie." Spitfire lowered her hoof. Applejack distinctively noticed a switch from cold and rough, to actually pretty laid-back and down-to-earth. "You're absolutley right, though. I'm sorry, I've had a lot of property damage lawsuits on my desk in the last few days, cases of bullying and sexual harrassment among my Wonderbolts, and just this morning my idiot husband Soarin' tried to cuddle a porcupine so I had to take him to the friggin' hospital. I'm not really making excuses, I'm agreeing with you--I haven't been in my right mind lately and my decision-making's suffering for it. I should thank you for giving me a good dose of common sense."

When Spitfire took the air and headed for the window, Applejack sait to her, "Spitfire, wait."

Spitfire lowered down to the floor. "Yes? I'm sorry, I don't have a lot of time."

"Did you come here yesterday, to come get Rainbow Dash?"

Spitfire looked back at her. "Yesterday morning? Yes. I came to her house. She wasn't home but I ended up running into her before I left anyway. Lucky she must have seen me. I figured she could use an early start on training."

Applejack narrowed her eyes, "Is that a routine deal or was that just yer whim?"

Spitfire looked away in embarrassment. " . . . I get it, already. Is that all?"

When Applejack nodded, Spitfire finally left. Applejack decided to step through the window as well, and get some fresh air. Unlike the pegasi who could just fly through it, Applejack struggled to touch down safely from her window sill to the wood awning below. Even then, it took a bit of planning to get from there to the ground. A few crates, a couple haystacks, and one barrel made her path down to the ground. That side of the house was ussually used to store a lot of things, so there was always a way down.

There was a cool breeze as Applejack leaned against one of the wood posts holding up the awning. The coming of dusk was certainly a thing to behold. Applejack intended to watch it for a while before it was time for her to hit the hay.

"Applejack."

Rainbow Dash stepped out of the shadows.

Applejack turned her head in Rainbow Dash's direction. "What in blazes do ya think yer  doin'?" She said as she narrowed her eyes at her. "You should be sleeping."

"Yeah, yeah. I know," Rainbow Dash said as she raised a hoof dismissively, you're a hard  mare to find."

"Huh?"

"I was here earlier, " Rainbow Dash explained, "Twice, actually."

Applejack felt silly. She thought Rainbow Dash had made up seeing Spitfire, just to avoid  her all day yesterday. She should have known better.

She let out a sigh and gave Rainbow Dash a smile. Rainbow smiled back obliviously.  Applejack then furrowed her brow at her, which earned a worried gulp from Rainbow Dash.  Applejack stepped toward her. "Go to bed."

Rainbow Dash looked away, rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof nervously. "It's fine."

"Yer gonna regret it tonight, RD." Applejack said as she leaned toward Rainbow Dash  with a stem look on her face.

"I had to see you."

Applejack froze at that. A warm sensation slowly spread throughout her body. The heat  flooding her face made her worry that she might be blushing. She quickly tore her face  away from Rainbow Dash to keep her from noticing.

Rainbow Dash's voice directed Applejack's attention back to her. "I need to tell you I'm sorry for this morning."

Applejack waved her off. "Naw, we were both bein' kinda silly. Kinda funny if ya think about it." both of them laughed a little. "Say, RD. Them wings."

"Yeah?"

"Seen ya in plenty of hooffights. Never seen ya use the wings. Why not?"
Rainbow Dash raised her eyebrow. "Uh, duh? Same reason you pull your punches?"

Rainbow Dash sat down. Her wings stopped mid-flap, and slowly folded to her sides. She raised her chin up a moment, as if in thought, then flash a grin. "We never finished our match, you know."

Applejack thought for a moment, then it came to her.

"I got a better idea."

                                                                        _______

"Aha, found it!" Applejack said in a somewhat muffled tone, with a hammer in her mouth.  She had just finished rummaging through some of the stuff she'd saved from high school.  When she put it on, the red and white jersey was a bit tight. Staying in shape wasn't the  problem: She'd actually put on more pounds in muscle since she'd graduated.

"Found mine!" Rainbow Dash called out. However, when Applejack left the barn to see  Rainbow Dash's "Ponyville High School" jersey, she found Dash wearing her deep-purple "Cloudsdale Airmasters" jersey. Where on the back of Applejack's jersey was the word "Apple" Near the top, Rainbow Dash's read "Dash".

"You. . . you actually fit in yer middle school jersey?" She was almost jealous of Rainbow  Dash's slender, compact frame. Applejack's senior-year jersey was the last of several that had to  be made into increasingly larger sizes to accommodate Applejack's growing physique as the years of apple-bucking filled her out. The  jersey Rainbow Dash was wearing was from when the pegasus was a fourteen-year-old, before Applejack knew her as anything closer than a player from a rival school.

"Well, not at first. I had Rarity modify it a bit," Rainbow Dash explained. "Too bad we don't got Pinkie Pie in the bleachers--"

"--Cheerin' fer both teams and pesterin' the mascots." Applejack said with a laugh, which elicited a laugh from Rainbow Dash as well.

 "Come on, let's do this!"  Rainbow grabbed the basketball, eyeing the goal post Applejack had nailed to the barn door.

"Now hold up, Rainbow. You know we're doin' this by high school rules, right?"

Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes and huffed, "Yeah, yeah. Two wing-flaps per jump. Anything more's a  penalty. I remember."

Since there was no timer, they decided that the first to six points would win. Rainbow  Dash zeroed in on the goalpost, dribbling the ball as she stepped from side to side,  trying to find an opening around Applejack. Impatient, Rainbow Dash didn't wait for an  opening, and just popped the ball right over Applejack's shoulder. Instead of blocking it  with her forehoof, she twirled a full circle, bucking the basketball with a rear hoof.

It bounded off a tree, hit the backboard, and dropped into the net. Both Applejack and  Rainbow Dash stared at this with jaws dropped.

"That counts as my score!" Rainbow called out and went after the ball. Applejack was still  in shock for a couple moments, giving Rainbow Dash a head-start for the ball.

"H-Hey!" Applejack started after her, but it was already too late. She caught up with her  just in time for Rainbow Dash to jump into the air. Two wing-flaps, and Applejack had to  rear her head back just to miss getting clocked by Rainbow's rear-hooves. Rainbow shoved  the ball into the basket, hanging off the goal a bit before dropping to the ground.

"Awww Yeeah! That. Was. Awesome!" Rainbow Dash began to strut around. Applejack thought  that her head-bobbing resembled that of a rooster. Even more so when Rainbow puffed her  chest out with her wings spread.

Of course, Applejack wasn't just standing there gawking. Rainbow Dash's theatrics left  Applejack an opening for a free shot. The sound of the basketball hitting the backboard  must have snapped Rainbow Dash out of her moment of self-idolization, because she suddenly  stopped strutting and scrambled after Applejack.

Applejack grinned as she watched the panic on Rainbow Dash's face. Rainbow was fast,  however, and managed to sweep in just as Applejack was lining for another shot. "Oh? Ya  thinkya can block me?" Applejack jumped up to take the shot. Rainbow Dash shot up with her, using  two wing-flaps, with a look of determination on her face. Applejack saw Rainbow grin as  she moved to bat the ball out of Applejack's hooves. Applejack spiked the ball, bulleting  it right past Rainbow Dash's block.

"Ow! Not cool!" Rainbow dropped to the ground, and shook her hoof. The ball swished into the basket.  "Oh you want to play dirty, huh? It. Is. On!" She suddenly grabbed the ball and shot into  the sky like a rocket.

Applejack blinked. It took her a few moments to register what'd just happened. She then  collected herself and called out, "HEY! NO FLYIN'! THAT'S CHEATIN'!"

After a few moments, Applejack began to wonder when Rainbow Dash would be coming back  down. Then it dawned on her.

Oh no. . . she ain't gonna . . .

Applejack's fears were realized when she noticed the visible arc in the air that lay  before Rainbow Dash as she came down. Fast. The arc became more acute, and Applejack  frantically looked around for cover. Luckily, there was a ditch not far by. The explosion happened the moment she jumped in. Ripples of color spread across the sky with a deafening  roar filled with what could only be described as metallic chimes.

Applejack poked her head out of the ditch to see how much of the barn was still left. The  rainbow ring spreading through the sky was high enough above the barn that it didn't  affect the barn, probably intentional on Rainbow Dash's part. A lot of dirt had been  thrown into the air from where the ball had impacted--and entered--deep into the ground, and the net  of the basketball goal was on fire. Applejack was worried that it might catch the barn on  fire. That is, until the goalpost fell off the barn and hit the ground, tumbling a safe  distance away and putting itself out.

Rainbow Dash started doing circles in the air, and moonwalking. "HA! I win! Take that!"

"Now wait just a minute, ya darn fool!" Applejack grabbed Rainbow Dash's tail by the teeth  and said between clenched teeth, "Ya coulda hurt somepony, or wrecked the--"

Tugging on Rainbow Dash's tail pulled her out of the air, into a collision with Applejack.  Rainbow Dash ended up on top of Applejack. The  pegasus said nothing, merely looked up at Applejack silently, eyes open wide as she stared into Applejack's.

Rainbow Dash's wings spread out. A light amount of sweat from overexertion caused some of  her fur and bangs to cling to her face. Rainbow Dash's grin faded into a dumbstruck gaze, and she slowly brought her head down. Applejack's breath hitched, and she remained  silent, making no move to pull back. Her forehooves were resting over Rainbow's shoulders. She felt herself slowly closing the distance between them. Rainbow Dash pushed herself up to her feet, and brushed herself off.

"Be um . . . be more careful next time." Applejack said as she sat down, staring down at  her forehooves.

'Y-Yeah." Rainbow Dash said as she looked away, rubbing the back of her neck with her  hoof. "I should probably get back to bed."

"Alrighty, I'll see ya later, RD."

"Catch ya later."

                                                                           _______

Applejack made her way to Carousel Boutique. She was just about to knock on the door when she remembered to wipe her hooves on the doormat. It struck her as odd that the blinds were closed and only the upstairs light was on. When she knocked the first time, she didn't get a response. When she knocked a second time, Rarity opened her upstairs window and popped her head out, "I'm sorry dear, I'm closed. You'll have to come back next wee--" She stopped as she realized who she was talking to and said, "Why, Applejack! One moment, Darling, I'll be right down."

Rarity disappeared back into the building. One by one, the downstairs lights came on, and Rarity unlocked and opened the door. "Please, come in! Would you like some tea?"

Applejack walked in and could see that the Boutique was a mess. Rarity wasn't one for messes, unless she happened to be deep in her work. Her "inspiration room", which she called "controlled chaos", could testify to that. There was measuring tape, thread, fabric, and other things scattered everywhere. On the table was a half-finished drawing for a dress design, and on the floor was several balls of crumpled up paper, most likely the rejects.

"You know, I can come back at a better time, if yer busy."

"Nonsense, Darling," Rarity was standing on her hind legs as she reached into the cupboard in her kitchen, which lay beyond a small living room adjacent to the lobby where her latest dresses were displayed, "I always have time for my friends. Besides, I could use the distraction. Now why don't you tell me what's on your mind?" She'd set a couple cups out, but she had only just then got the tea brewing.

Applejack noticed that most, if not all of the dresses and suits Rarity had already begun work on were too small for full-grown mares and stallions. "So watchya doin', Rare?"

Rarity followed Applejack's line of sight toward the unfinished dresses and suits and design plans. "Oh, that," She said as she waved a hoof dismissively, "Several school districts decided to collaborate for a massive musical  performance. I think it's a wonderful idea, it would be an incredible experience for the children. Of course, who else would they turn to but Equestria's most talented, most beautiful fashion designer?"

A smile broke faintly across Applejack's face. She couldn't help it. Rarity's vanity reminded her of Rainbow Dash. Despite Rarity's boast, however, she was not that well known quite yet. That could change in the future. Applejack couldn't deny that Rarity really was probably the best at what she did. But hardly anypony outside of Ponyville knew that. Hardly within Ponyville, either. Back during Fluttershy's brief modeling stint, in which she gained much unwanted popularity,  residents of Ponyville had come to the Boutique looking for Fluttershy, and didn't even know who Rarity was. The sad part was, she had lived in Ponyville all of her life. Rarity had a few social-elite friends in Canterlot, however, and it was more likely that they recommended her to the schools.

A thought struck Applejack, after she thought about the fact that Rarity had mentioned multiple schools. "Uh, Rarity . . . just how many dresses and suits are ya makin'?"

"Oh, not many, just . . . um . . ."

Applejack raised her eyebrow, "Yeah?"

"Just a little over fifty. Give or take. It is for multiple school districts, after all."

Applejack's eyes widened. When they relaxed, she sighed and said, "Well, at least you'll be gettin' paid plenty of bits for a project like that . . . " Rarity smiled in response.

A nervous, forced smile, accompanied with an insincere laugh. Applejack was afraid of that.

"Rarity. You didn't. Tell me you didn't offer to do this for free."

Of course she did.

"Why, Applejack! It's for the children! Surely you don't expect me to charge them!"

Applejack narrowed her eyes. "I expect ya to charge the schools . . . they're takin' advantage of ya!" She then walked briskly toward the door, adjusting her Stetson so that it oddly followed the contours of her furrowed brow. "Why I oughtta march right over to Ponyville Elementary right now, find that good-for-nothin' superintendent, beat the tar outta him, and demand the names of the other schools. I ain't close enough to Cheerilee for her to be connected to it and lose her job or nothin'."

"Applejack you sit down this instant." The authorative tone in Rarity's voice caused Applejack to immediately sit down on the floor, and for the life of her she didn't know why." She was just inches from the door.

"I meant on the furniture." Rarity said more gently. Applejack moved over to a chair, while Rarity sat down in one across from her. She set the cups from earlier down on the coffee table between, and began pouring the newly brewed tea. "Now then, how can I help you?"

"Are you sure you got time for this, Sugarcube? I really didn't know you were so busy when I came over here."

"Oh, Applejack," Rarity said with a fake laugh and a dismissive wave of her hoof, "Don't be ridiculous. I have a rather liberal deadline, you see."

Applejack frowned. Rarity was probably the most dishonest pony out of her circle of close friends. Insincerity just seemed to flow naturally from her, and it ran against Applejack's nature. It wasn't why she frowned at her response, however. Applejack was Applejack, and Rarity was Rarity, and she wouldn't change any of her friends for the world. The part that worried Applejack, was that Rarity was overworking herself . . . again, and she probably had another insane deadline that nopony had any business taking on.

Applejack knew that this wasn't something that she could talk Rarity out of. Besides, if there was one thing she'd learned, it was that if Rarity said she could make a deadline, she could.

"Now then, What was it you wanted to see me about?"

Applejack sighed and gave up on the prospect of talking Rarity out of anything, and focused on the issue she came here about. To be perfectly honest, she didn't come here for the books. Rarity got her knowledge on romance from fiction . . . however, charm came naturally to her. She could charm the pants off of--well, anypony who actually wore pants in Equestria. More importantly, while Applejack hadn't putting much thought in how she would want to be swept off her feet by somepony, Rarity had thought about it constantly and would have more insight, even if Rainbow Dash was a COMPLETLY different individual. "I uh . . . sort of have a thing for somepony."

"Well what is it?" Rarity asked as she took a sip of her tea. Applejack found herself mirroring the action. "And who's it for?"

"No, I mean . . . I like somepony."

Rarity set her cup down, and Applejack did the same. "Why, Applejack, of course you like somepony, don't you like several p . . .?" Rarity trailed off as realization dawned on her. "You . . . like . . . somepony . . . " She muttered under her breath. Then her expression slowly started to brighten. She started to form a starry look in her eyes...

Oh. Oh no. 

Applejack winced as Rarity let out a squeal and bolted off the chair, her front hooves stamping down on the coffee table. Applejack's tea was in her hooves, but Rarity's spilled a little on the table. Rarity momentarily snapped out of her excitement to meticulously wipe up the mess with a handkerchief.

When she was finished, she immediately resumed going insane.

"I simply must provide you a wedding dress!" Rarity said as she rushed over to a storage bin, apparently filled with previously finished works, and began rummaging through it.  

"Uh, wedding?"

"No, no, no . . . " Rarity kept repeating to herself as she flung extravagant--and rather expensive-looking--wedding dresses in the air, "Too gaudy, too tacky, it just doesn't mesh with her coat or mane at all, no this one simply won't do at all!"

"Uh, Sugarcube?"

"I'll MAKE The dress!" Rarity said with psychotic glee as she slammed the lid of the bin down with both hooves, "And a suit! I must make a suit for the stallion . . . ugh, but tuxedos are so bland."

"Mare." Applejack corrected, "And there's not gonna be a--"

"A mare! Perfect! that means TWO wedding dresses, twice the jewelry!"

Rarity's eyes crossed to focus on Applejack's hoof when Applejack placed it gently on her forehead, just under the alabaster unicorn's horn, and the other on her shoulder.

"Are ya daffy?" Applejack placed her hoof down on Rarity's other shoulder, and gently coaxed her toward the nearest chair, which happened to be the one Applejack had been sitting in earlier. "Calm down, and take deep breaths. There ain't gonna be no wedding."

"But why--"

"I said I like somepony. I ain't in a relationship with anypony, and I sure as shoot ain't gettin' hitched."

Rarity looked away in embarrassment.

"I came here to ask ya for advice, ya know, on romance?"

Rarity turned her head to face Applejack. There was a look of both confusion and skepticism on her face.

"I need to know how to sweep a mare off 'er feet."

There was a brief pause before Rarity raised her chin in thought, breaking eye contact with Applejack. After a moment, she just walked away without explanation.

"H-hey!" Applejack said as she followed her. She followed Rarity into her 'inspiration room', and into a small office. Rarity began rummaging through a stack of file cards.

"Um, Sugarcube...what in the hay are ya doin'?"

Rarity didn't answer at first. Her attention was completely trained on the cards.

"Rarity?"

"Oh, my apologies. I'm simply looking through my list of contacts. I'm fairly certain I can put something together."

"Rarity, you really don't need to stick yer neck out for me. I really only needed advice."

"Nonsense, Darling, it's no trouble to me at all. You want my advice? Going all out is exactly what you need. Now do you have any idea what kind of flowers she'd like best?"

Applejack grimaced and held up her front hooves as she sat down on her haunches, waving Rarity off, "Hold up, Sugarcube. I don't think she's the flowers type. Or the candlelight dinner type. It's just not her. Know what I mean?"

Rarity held up one card closer to the light so she could read it better. "I suppose I should expect as much if she's to have anything in common with you, dear--no offense."

"Heh, none taken." Applejack said with a laugh.

Rarity opened the door to the study and motioned for Applejack to follow her back into the living room. Once there, Rarity poured a couple more cups of tea as they both sat down. Applejack sat down on a sofa next to a window, where she could stare out at Rainbow Dash's cloud home, while Rarity reclaimed her original seat. "But it's hardly relevant to the point."

"...Come again, Sugarcube?"

"You aren't entering a contest on how much you know about her," Rarity elaborated finally, "Nor about what she likes. You're sending her a message. You're expressing how you feel about her. I suppose personalizing it couldn't hurt on later dates when you're actually in a relationship, but doing so initially could come off as platonic. 'Hanging out', as it were. You need to be perfectly clear about the nature of the outing. By the time you actually confess your feelings, it'll be easier because she'll have suspected it already, and there won't be any misunderstandings."

Huh. That actually makes a lot of sense.

Heh. Misunderstandings.

Just being here with Rarity reminded Applejack of Twilight's words. There's always more to learn. Rarity was probably the best example of that. Like Pinkie Pie, she'd known Rarity since childhood. They were all lifelong residents of Ponyville, and had gone to grade school and high school together. She hadn't really known them, though. She'd always written off Rarity as one of those posh snobbish types, and steered clear of her. There was so much to her, though, that she couldn't be pigeonholed into one-dimensional stereotypes. Most of the things she ever thought about Rarity were completely off base.

"You're alright, Sugarcube." Applejack said somewhat lazily. She didn't know when, but she had somehow ended up laying on her side on the sofa.

"Why, thank you, Darling, but what ever do you mean?"

Applejack's eyes were half closed. "Ya remember Twi's first slumber party."

Rarity blinked, "Well, yes, but that was...three years ago, was it? Or nearly so. Surely you're not troubled by something so long ago?"

Applejack smiled and shook her head. "I always thought you were this stuck-up, mater'listic, self-absorbed little priss."

Rarity smiled, showing that it didn't offend her at all to hear this, "And I thought you were the most uncouth, backwoods hick I'd ever met, and I'd have been embarrassed to be seen around you by certain members of high society."

"And now that ain't the case?" Applejack said with a raised eyebrow.

Rarity grinned, "Oh? I never said it wasn't." Applejack's face fell flat. Rarity sipped her tea before continuing with a more serious expression, "Relax, Dear, I'm playing with you. I find your country flavor charming. To hell with what anypony else thinks."

"Whoa. Rare." Applejack blinked a few times, lifting her head up from her prone position.

"Goodness, I apologize. In any case, There were a lot of things I had assumed about you in the past that aren't true. I'm guilty of giving in to the notion of a few . . . unsavory stereotypes. Such things are unworthy of you, I don't care to repeat them."

 The stress Applejack had been going through had taken its toll on her, and despite it being nowhere near evening, Applejack found her eyes growing heavy.

"Why don't you stay and rest awhile?"

Applejack would have declined, but she was in no condition to even speak, she was falling asleep. She could feel Rarity pulling a quilt over her, and Applejack resigned herself to take Rarity up on the offer. Applejack was lulled to sleep by the oddly soothing, rhythmic sound of a sewing machine as Rarity resumed her work, as well as the gentle sound of rain against the window as Rainbow Dash began hurts

She would need her rest, and have a clear mind for what lay ahead. She realized she had much to learn about Rainbow Dash, even after nine years. She didn't understand every mannerism. She wasn't always sure what she was thinking. She had even made the mistake of thinking Rainbow Dash had ditched her, when she should have known better. She also wasn't completely sure why Rainbow Dash seemed afraid to hear what Applejack wanted to tell her, or even if she just imagined that. She did not know how Rainbow Dash would react to Applejack's feelings. but she didn't mind. Not anymore. Sure, she was nervous, but also confidant. If not in Rainbow Dash's reciprocation, then at least in that their friendship wouldn't suffer from it.

She knew much of Rainbow Dash like the back of her hoof, but much of her, she realized, was a mystery. Now, however, that only excited her. Twilight was right: Uncovering new layers of one's friends was a never-ending process, and was something to be cherished, not feared.

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                                                                   A Destructive Force (Chapter 3)

Whether or not Rainbow Dash would reject her no longer plagued her mind. She was happy for the prospect of just getting it off her chest, and knew without a doubt that it wouldn't harm their friendship, no matter which way it went. Maybe Rainbow Dash would even appreciate that she told her, even if she didn't feel the same way.

Now there was a plan. . . the plan was to leave it in Rarity's hands. At first she was uneasy about letting Rarity take care of her problems, but she trusted Rarity, and in the end knew that this had been a good decision.

Applejack slept better than she had in quite a while.

 She decided to see how Rarity was faring, and return the quilt she'd slept with, to her. She folded it up and carried it on her back as she headed up to Rarity's most likely location, her inspiration room.

Rarity was wearing a pink housecoat with fluffy trim, and her purple mane was up in curlers. She was slumped over her drawing desk, drooling on a half-drawn dress design. Rarity would have been horrified if she knew anypony had seen her like that. Applejack smiled and started to move the quilt over Rarity's shoulders.

"Take me into your hooves, my valiant errghm..." As Rarity sleepspoke, Applejack let out a snort. The sound jarred Rarity awake, "Sweetie Belle, I'm busy, could you..." She looked around as her mind seemed to thaw out of its slumber. She looked down beside her as if looking for something that wasn't there. She then noticed the wetness on her cheek  and pulled a handkerchief from her housecoat to clean herself up. She finally turned and jumped a little when she saw Applejack. Rarity put a hoof to her chest and breathed in deep.

"Sorry, Sugarcube."

"I seem to have...dozed off. Did you sleep well, Darling?" Rarity moved out of the chair and touched her hooves to the floor. She then sat down and started to pull the curlers out of her mane. With a few moments, and the telekinetic use of a brush, her mane was styled to its usual beauty.

"Yeah, I did, as a matter of fact. Thanks for yer hospitality and everything, but I reckon I gotta head on home. I actually missed my evenin' chores last night, and if Mac ends up doin' my share for the morning, he ain't gonna be happy."

"You simply must stay for breakfast." Rarity's eyes were narrowed and she didn't look like she'd be deterred. Applejack supposed that her family could have breakfast without her, and Applejack would surely be home in time for her morning chores.

"Alright then. So what's the plan?" Applejack asked as she followed her to the kitchen.

"Plan?" Rarity looked puzzled for a moment, "Oh, about your predicament. We'll discuss it over breakfast." Rarity's horn took on a blue aura as she started to pull down a skillet, retrieve some plates, and some utensils, all with her telekinesis. When she retrieved the eggs and the sausage as well, Applejack moved to help with the cooking, but Rarity smacked a hoof over Applejack's.

"Um, ow?"

"Sit down, Dear."

Applejack obediently pulled up a chair and sat down. It didn't take long before Rarity was filling plates with their breakfast. Out of force of habit, Applejack almost tore into it, but she caught sight of Rarity meticulously and neatly cutting at a sausage, and Applejack decided that treating Rarity to what the unicorn would consider an uncouth and barbaric display would not be the best way to repay her hospitality.

"I'm going to run a few errands today," Rarity said after swallowing and dabbing at her mouth with a napkin, "I'll see what I can do about arranging something as soon as I can, but in the meantime I want you to act normal around the target of your affections. Don't think about spilling your feelings to her, just interact with them as normal. If there's any hope that she'll genuinely reciprocate your affections, then she'll appreciate you being you."

Applejack nodded at this. She couldn't argue with that. "I can't thank ya enough, Rare. For everything." Rarity smiled at this.

"Please, make no mention of it. " She waved her hoof in circles, not even looking up at Applejack at first as she spoke. When she finally did look at her, she smiled and said, "You just try to relax, Dear. Do I make myself clear?"

"Understood." Applejack said with a tip of her hat. She moved to take her plate to the sink and rinse it under the faucet. Rarity did the same without actually getting up, a blue aura encompassing her plate and utensils as they levitated to the sink and ran themselves under the faucet.  "Well I oughtta head on out, Sugarcube. Already missed out on my evenin' chores, don't want Mac and Granny thinkin' I'm skipping out on them this morning too."

"It was a pleasure having you, Applejack. I do hope we can do this again sometime." While this was something Rarity would have easily said just to be polite, Applejack could tell that she was being sincere. Applejack accepted her for her faults, but she couldn't help but smile whenever Rarity was being honest.

"Oh, could you be a dear and return some books to Twilight for me?" Rarity asked, to which Applejack nodded. Rarity's horn took on its blue glow, and several books floated down the stairs. Applejack recognized three of them as the ones she'd tried to check out at the library yesterday. 'Friendship is Magic Vol. 1', 'Infatuation, Love, and Similar feelings', and 'Romance: A Beginner's Guide.' It struck Applejack as a bit interesting that Rarity had checked these books out. Unlike Twilight, Applejack wasn't about to assume that Rarity had suddenly grown hungry for knowledge for knowledge's sake. The books placed themselves in a satchel that bore Rarity's diamond-cluster cutie mark. Applejack followed the satchel with her eyes as it floated to her, then took it between her teeth and placed it over her back. Chances were good that Twilight wasn't even awake, and she needed to get her morning chores done as soon as possible, so she decided to head home to face her grandmother and elder brother.

                                                  _______

Big MacIntosh had been up and waiting for her when she got home. He was upset with Applejack for being gone all day and night without telling anypony in advance. His lecture was cut short, however, when Granny Smith said "Let 'er alone, Mac."

Once Big Mac backed off, Granny Smith stepped out of the kitchen, into the living room and lifted up Applejack's face with one hoof. "Have ya been feelin' alright?" Her tone was gentle and concerned. She then muttered somewhat under her breath, "You've been outta sorts lately..."

"Don't ya worry none, Granny. I'm fine. I promise." She gently pulled her head away from Granny Smith's hoof, and stood up to stretch. "I fell asleep o'er Rarity's. Won't happen again."

"You've been overworkin' yerself again is what you've been doin'," Granny Smith's tone dripped with annoyance and accusation now, her eyes narrowed at her, "Ya wrought havoc on this town over that once before. I won't see ya doin' it again. You take care of yerself now, ya hear?"

"Yes'm."

Applejack started breakfast, but didn't make a plate for herself because she was still full from breakfast at Rarity's. When Applebloom tiredly walked down the stairs, and everypony was seated at the table, Applejack dished out the plates. She decided that then was a good time to get started on her morning chores.

At some point, Applejack noticed out of the corner of her eye that a low cloud had a rainbow hue to it. When she looked up, the colors were too vibrant and solid to be rays of light, and too short. Rainbow Dash's tail was hanging off the side of the cloud.

"Heya Rainbow." Applejack said idly without looking up at her, just before giving an apple tree a good, hard, whack with her hind legs. Apples fell down into carefully positioned baskets. Rainbow Dash did not respond.

"Huh."

Applejack took one of the apples from a basket, and tossed it into the air. She then quickly turned around and slammed a hind hoof against it. The apple shot into the sky while Applejack turned to watch, arced over the cloud, and hit Rainbow Dash in the head.

"Ow!" Rainbow Dash raised her head up. There were dark circles under her eyes. "Oh, hey AJ." She said weakly, with a faint, goofy smile. She glided down from the cloud, but ended up hitting a tree on the way down, and fell on her face against the ground.

"Oh shoot, Rainbow, are you ok?" Applejack rushed toward her. Rainbow Dash picked herself up off of her feet.

"I'm...I'm fine..." She said as she wobbled from one side, then the other, "Just a little...tired is all." She sat down.

"What in tarnation have ya been doin'? Are you sure you're ok, Sugarcube?"

"A lot . . . a lot of the weather pegasi called in sick. Fakers. Nopony wants to fly up as high as we need to move the colder clouds. Eh, anyway several ending up getting hypothermia during the process. I had to pick up the slack. Ugh . . . I can't feel my wings." She looked back at one of them and fluttered them.

At least she can still move them, Applejack thought to herself.

"That ain't a good sign, Sugarcube."

Rainbow Dash snorted at this. "I'm fine. Watch this." She then took to the air. She spiraled in a rising corkscrew, circles growing wider, then more erratic. Finally her wing strokes became stuttered, and she was flying chaotically. When Applejack realized Rainbow was going to fall, she rushed to move under her. Rainbow Dash ended up crashing into Applejack.

Rainbow Dash was on top of Applejack. Their noses were almost touching. Applejack's body was on fire. She kept her forelegs stretched out across the ground, pressing into it as hard as she could to keep herself from reaching up and grabbing Rainbow Dash. Applejack thought she saw a slight tint of pink over her cheeks under her fur. Rainbow Dash's wings pointed straight up at the sky, then slowly began to waft.

Rainbow Dash and Applejack stared into each other's eyes for a moment, before Applejack forced herself to break eye contact.

Confidant in her own self-control, Applejack relaxed her forelegs. She then carefully slid out from under Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash seemed to snap out of her apparent stupor at that point, because she started to get up off of Applejack as well.

"I uh...guess I do need a little sleep." Rainbow said as she looked away in embarrassment. She looked back toward Applejack and said, "I'm gonna head home now. I'll see you later?"

"Oh no you don't," Applejack said as she planted a hoof on Rainbow Dash's shoulder, "No flyin'."

"But--"
"No buts," At this point, Applejack was forcefully guiding Rainbow Dash to the house, "Flyin' sleepy an' wore out is like flyin' drunk. It ain't safe. You could hurt yerself, or somepony else." Applejack led her to the house.

                                                                             -------

Granny Smith first looked at them questioningly. Then. when she saw the state Rainbow Dash was in, her expression took on a worried tone.

"Her wing muscles, along with pretty much everything else I reckon, are shot from last night's performance," Applejack explained, "and she ain't slept. I'm takin' her up to my room."

Granny Smith gave a nod, "I'll save ya the takin'-care-of-yerself lecture since it's yer work, Dashie, you just have yerself a good long sleep, and I'll see about gettin' ya something to eat later."

"I don't want you to go through any trouble for me." Rainbow Dash said wearily.

"Hogwash," Granny Smith retorted, "Ain't no trouble at all. Now you march yerself up there before I change my mind about not whippin' ya for bein' so gosh darn reckless."

                                                                     _______

"You sure yer going to be ok, Rainbow?" Applejack asked Rainbow Dash, after she'd finally guided her into bed. She tried to hide her worry, because she knew it would just offend Rainbow Dash, but couldn't command her face to stop showing the concern she felt.

"I'll be fine." Rainbow said as she nuzzled against Applejack's pillow. Rainbow Dash took in a few sniffs through her nose, then let out an "Mmm" As she started to allow herself to drift off.

"If ya say so, RD. I'll come back and check on ya later." Applejack turned off the light on her way out. As she walked down the hall, heading for the door, her brain wouldn't shut up about the fact that Rainbow Dash was in her bedroom. She had never been more sure of how she felt about Rainbow Dash. She felt like going in there and pouring her heart out right then, and gagging Rainbow with the rope if she tried to stop her again. It was no good with her being asleep.. . Applejack would have to wait for Rainbow Dash to get better, and she would have to trust in Rarity.

Ignoring the fact, of course, that Rainbow seemed to already know, and was afraid to hear it. Applejack wasn't going to let that bother her. She wasn't afraid. Not even of rejection.

There was no point in worrying anymore about Rainbow Dash. What the mare needed was sleep, and she wouldn't get it if Applejack didn't leave her be. Now was a good time to go and return the books that Rarity borrowed from Twilight. Applejack had left the satchel on the front porch. When she started looking through the titles of the books, her face contorted with uneasiness.

Aside from the three she'd wanted from Rarity, there were four romance novels. The titles of the firstr two were 'When Our Horns Touched,' and 'My Heart Beats For You,' which elicited a "Seriously?" From Applejack. The next two were 'Princess Valiant and the Dashing Damsel,' which only served to confuse Applejack, and 'The Lusty Librarian.' Applejack felt a little guilty for reading through them, as if it had been a breach on Rarity's personal space. The titles were certainly telling, for better or worse.

Applejack placed the books back into the satchel, and threw the satchel over her back before she started toward Twilight's.  

Once Golden Oak Library came into view, Applejack could see that the lights were on.

Good. That means Twi's awake.

The moment Applejack approached the door, it swung open. Applejack just barely jumped back in time to miss it. Twilight Sparkle stuck her head out of the doorway abruptly, and turned her head rapidly and erratically from one side to the other. "What was that! Who's there!"

Her mane was a mess. There were dark circles under her eyes. Applejack was almost certain that one eye's pupil was open a little wider than the other. The inside of the library smelled profusely of coffee grounds. The moment Twilight caught sight of Applejack, she formed a crooked grin with clenched teeth. "Theeeere you arre!"

Applejack had never been more afraid in her life.

"Um, Twi? Are you ok?"

The other mare took Applejack by the hoof and pulled her inside. "Quick! Before they see!" She said in a brief, quiet hiss. She shut the door behind Applejack. Applejack watched as Twilight paced circles around the library lobby, muttering to herself.

"Um . . . before who sees, Sugarcube?"
"THEM! . . . I don't know! Shadow ponies? I keep seeing them . . . they're outside! I think they're in HERE!" Twilight looked around rapidly, her eyes continued to dart every which way. She then let out a disconcerting giggle.

Applejack sighed, "I think you've had too much caffeine. Something on yer mind, Sugarcube?" Applejack walked into the kitchen. Now that she thought of it, there was no sign of Spike. He must have holed himself upstairs when Twilight's behavior went neurotic. Applejack poured a glass of ice water, and brought it over to Twilight. "Drink this. Take some nice, deep, slow breaths. Then tell me what's on yer mind."

Twilight reluctantly sipped at the glass of water when Applejack brought it to her lips. Soon, however, she was gulping it down. "Now breathe," Applejack instructed. Twilight did as she was told and took in a deep, slow breath.

Twilight's forelegs were laying down her chest as she looked up at Applejack, looking as innocent and vulnerable as a foal. As Applejack held the glass to her, Twilight slowly reached her hooves up and wrapped them around it, hugging it to her chest.

"The answer's right there in front of me . . ." She said almost sadly after she finished the glass of water, "And I just can't get to it."

"Come again, Twi?"

Twilight sighed, "I can't measure any of the data I collected on Pinkie Pie. I can barely collect data! I need to measure her Pinkie Sense, for instance, but it can't be invoked at will, so there's no way to run experiments on it . . . I even made a clairvoyance amplifire! It's a magical amplifier that extends the scope of clairvoyance! Instead of hoping something will happen soon that Pinkie Sense picks up on, I just increase the magnitue of the clairvoyance amplifier until it DOES pick up on something . . .but . . . but, oh I can't get the damn thing to work!"

Applejack blinked, "Twilight . . .I thought you gave up trying to test Pinkie Sense . . ."

Twilight shook her head, "Oh, no no no no. I resolved to believe in Pinkie Sense despite not understanding it. It's extistence is backed by empirical evidence. Ugh, evidence I've never gotten a chance to record.  I never said anything about not continuing to try and understand it. There's logic to the phenomena, there has to be. I just haven't discovered it yet. In any case, that's not the only thing about her I wanted to test. There's also her sleight of hoof..."

"Sleight of hoof?"

Twilight looked down as she twiddled her hooves in her lap, "Well, I don't know what else to call it. How do you explain how she can be next to you one moment, and in the cabinet next? How does she pull a party cannon out of nowhere? Psychic link to the space-time continuum?"

Applejack shook her head, "I don't know Twi'. Are you sure you have to specifically test Pinkie Pie? You said you were uncovering secrets of the Elements of Harmony, right? Couldn't you use one of the other bearers? Any of us other than her?"

Twilight looked down at her hooves for a moment, as if in thought, then looked up at Applejack, "Will you help me?"

Applejack could see that her eyes were still bloodshot, and her hooves were shaking. "Sure thing, Sugarcube...but you need to take a cold shower first, ok? I think you'll be right as rain afterward."

Twilight nodded and got up from her seat, heading toward the stairs. When she passed by the satchel, Applejack spoke up, "Oh, and Twi? I brought back the books Rarity borrowed." Twilight looked down at the satchel and pulled the books out. "Huh. You know, she borrows these every day now. I think I should just let her keep them."

Twilight left to go take a shower. No sooner than Applejack heard the running of water, she also heard a light rapping at the door. Applejack was hesitant to answer the door to someone else's home, but she also wouldn't feel right ignoring whoever was out there until they gave up and left. If it turned out to be someone looking to borrow or return a book, the least should could do was fill in for Twilight. Applejack breathed a sigh of relief when she opened the door to find that it was Rarity.

"Applejack, Darling! I was hoping you'd be here . . . I tried Sweet Apple Acres first, but I was told you'd stepped out. Nopony could tell me where you were."

Applejack moved aside so that Rarity could enter. Heat formed on her face at the realization that Rarity could have found Rainbow Dash, and she turned her head away. She was uncomfortable with the idea of Rarity finding Rainbow Dash sleeping in Applejack's bed, and getting the wrong idea. Then again, Rarity didn't know that it was Rainbow Dash that Applejack was in love with. It probably wouldn't stop Rarity from jumping to the wrong conclusion, though. "Sorry about that Sugarcube, So what's up?"

Rarity looked around, biting her lip for a moment. "Where's Twilight?"

"She's in the shower. She's gettin' ready to run some tests on me, actually."

Rarity hid her face a moment, then looked around. "I need to sit down." Applejack left to retrieve a chair from the kitchen. "Thank you." Rarity said as she sat down. She cleared her throat. "In any case, as I was running my errands, I thought I could stop by the local restaurants. Scout them out, as it were, and wouldn't you know it? I run into none other than Fancy Pants. As it turns out, he was actually here in Ponyville to see me. Social visit, as it were. So I took the opportunity to 'let slip' that I know a couple that asked me about good restaurants--"

"Knowin' darn well he owns a chain of 'em. Nopony asked you nothin' of the sort," Applejack said as she narrowed her eyes, "Why ya gotta dance around the issue? Couldn't ya just tell truth an' ask him upfront? Shoot, Rarity!"

"I needed him to think it was his idea!" Rarity said with exasperation, "I'll not ask you to understand the delicacies of these kinds of situations. All you need to understand is that you now have a dinner voucher and a seat for two...free of charge."

Applejack glared at Rarity for that last part, but reluctantly accepted the voucher anyway. Rarity had an indignant expression, as if offended by Applejack's objections. Her chin was held high and she looked down her nose at Applejack, waiting patiently.

Applejack sighed. There was nothing for it, she decided. Besides, Rarity did go out of her way for her, and if there was any merit to Rarity's methods, this could be the best situation for conveying her feelings to Rainbow Dash, at least according to Rarity's claims. "Thank you, Rarity."

Rarity's eyes widened briefly. Applejack realized then that Rarity had not expected Applejack to thank her. Maybe lecture her instead. Applejack regretted not doing just that. Rarity quickly covered up her surprise, however, and acted as if she'd expected Applejack's response all along.

"You're quite welcome. Do try to enjoy the dinner. I realize it's all very much not your cup of tea. I'll have the actual vouchers to you as soon as possible."

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck nervously, "Yeah...I still don't know about this. Are you sure...?"

Rarity placed her front hooves on Applejack's shoulders, "Applejack. Trust me. This kind of thing is universally understood. Remember that you're sending a message. This one will certainly be loud and clear."

"Rarity!" Twilight walked into the room with a grin, her hair wrapped up in a towel.

Applejack watched Rarity's face contort with a mixture of elation, and dread. 'Tw-Twilight, Darling!" Rarity looked away from her for a moment, and Applejack caught her checking her mane in the faint reflection of the nearest glass paneling.  

Oh Rare . . . really? It's just Twi'. Don't act so darn nervous . . .

"You're just in time to help me with an experiment!" Twilight exclaimed and clapped her forehooves together, "Oh, but now we'll have to take this outside . . ." Rarity just tilted her head, confused.

Applejack remembered back yesterday when she had been running tests on Pinkie Pie right in the lobby. "Um, Pardon, Sugarcube, but normally don't ya do this kind of stuff in the basement? Ya know, in yer lab?"

Twilight put a hoof between her clenched eyes and sighed, "It's a mess down there. Canterlot University keeps sending me magical items they want my opinion on. Along with my other projects, it gets hard to get to everything in time. On top of that, Princess Luna sends me even stranger things to investigate. There's hardly any room to move down there. Besides, if Rarity's going to participate, this has to be done outside." As if only now just remembering that Rarity hadn't agreed to anything, she turned to her and stammered, "Th-that is, if you're ok with it. If you're not busy, that is . . ." Twilight nervously bit her lip, a hopeful look in her eyes.

"Of course, Dear." Rarity assured Twilight with a warm smile, her earlier nervousness seemingly gone, "I'm not busy at all. Why, these last few days I've hardly found anything to do with myself!"

Applejack knew very well that was a lie, and an unnecessary one at that, but she left it alone. It was harmless, and just the way she was. Besides, it had been kind for Rarity to offer to help when she already had so much on her plate, and Applejack had known Rarity long enough to realize that it wasn't something she couldn't handle.

"So, let's start with Applejack." Twilight said as she led the two toward the door. Twilight stopped to close her eyes. Her horn took on a purple glow, and several instruments floated up from the basement, through the kitchen, and into the lobby. Some of these were small, like pencil and paper, the plugs that were attached to Pinkie Pie yesterday. Others were large, like the machine recording readouts that Applejack had seen yesterday, plus a tall machine with a round plate that she'd never seen before.

                                                                       _______

The property surrounding Golden Oak Library was not spacious like Sweet Apple Acres, but more so than businesses in town. It was at least large enough for several large instruments, a lawn chair, and several large holes that Twilight said would be made later.

The first time Twilight asked Applejack to buck the plate, Applejack had destroyed the machine. Twilight had to not only had to restore the device with her magic, but cast another spell to allow it to withstand much more force. Twilight had Applejack buck the machine several times with and without wearing her Honesty amulet, but Twilight's expression or words didn't reveal any reaction to either result, nor did she share any of the data she was recording. Not that Applejack minded.  Twilight had Applejack repeat this process wearing her Honesty amulet, once more while stating facts.

"Your family name." Twilight said without looking up from her paper.

"Apple."

"Kick the plate."

Applejack turned and slammed her hind hooves into the plate of the tall device Twilight had brought out.

"Your favorite food?"

"Apples."

"Kick the plate." And so Applejack did.

"Greatest fear?"

Applejack was silent.

Twilight looked up at her. "Applejack?"

"Oh, come on Twi'!"

"Please."

Applejack rubbed the back of her neck with her forehoof. She muttered under her breath.

"What was that, Applejack? I can't hear you."

Applejack said it again, louder, but it was still mumbled beyond comprehension.

"I'm sorry, I really didn't catch that."

"Clowns!" Applejack kicked the plate again. "I'm afraid of clowns, ok? They scare the ever-livin' daylights outta me! Ain't natural, the way they look. It's unsettlin'."

"Oh." Twilight blinked. "Moving on . . ."

"Oh, my, it's a good thing Pinkie Pie chose to be a baker," Rarity said under her breath,  "Um, rather than her other childhood dream . . ."

Applejack liked polka. She was afraid of clowns. She'd checked out all of her friends at least once. While Twilight went bashful at that fact, Rarity shrugged and said, "It's to be expected, Dear, and I appreciate the compliment. Why, I find you quite fetching, myself. It doesn't mean anything, of course. It's my job to see the beauty in ponies. I do wish you'd let me put you in a dress, though."

Applejack cringed, "Unless it's a special occasion, you come near me with measurin' tape and I'll buck ya through the wall."

Applejack said before hitting the plate once more, "Oh, and I'm in love with Rainbow Dash."

Twilight choked on air.

"Rai--," Rarity blurted out in disbelief when Applejack made that confession. She then said, "Rainbow Dash," flatly. She looked more concerned than anything else.

"Now this an ideal experiment." Twilight said with a pleased clap of her forehooves. "Repeatable procedures with well-defined controls and variables. This I can measure. Now it's Rarity's turn." Applejack could barely wait for Twilight to finish her sentence before she started pulling the plugs off of her body.

"What would you like me to do?" Rarity asked with a tilt of her head as she approached.

Twilight didn't look up at Rarity. She was too busy looking over the stacks of paper produced by the machine that had been recording data from  all of Applejack’s bucking. "I'm going to have you find gemstones as deep as you can find them. Monetary value and density makes no difference."

"Well that should be simple enough," Rarity noted.

Applejack raised up a hoof and gently poked Twilight on the shoulder, "Uh, Sugarcube...why exactly did ya need Rarity for this? Don'tchya have the same spell?"

Twilight finally looked up from the paper, looked at Applejack as if she didn't understand the question at first, then finally let out an "Oh!", and explained, "Rarity's spell can find minerals far deeper than my copied version can. I can only find gemstones close to the surface. Applejack. Could you dig them up as she finds them? The shovel is over there." Twilight motioned over to a shovel resting against the library.

"Sure thing, Twi'.

Twilight's requests were often repetitive and tedious, asking Rarity to do the same things over and over under the same conditions, but the unicorn showed plenty of patience with Twilight. Rarity had found a great deal of quartz in Twilight's backyard, as well as a couple samples of amethyst. Each time Rarity found something, Applejack would go to dig it up so they could find out what it was, and so that Twilight could scan the ground and measure how deep it was found.

"Fifteen feet! Very impressive!" Twilight said as she scanned the dig site. By this time, Applejack's breathing was getting heavy, with her chin laying on her forehooves at the tip of the shovel's handle.

"Can we . . . take a break . . . Twi'?"

Rarity was sitting under the shade of a tree fanning herself with a stack of Twilight's collected data. She was wearing a Sunday hat and a pair of sunglasses to combat the sun. "Why, what on earth do you mean? I myself haven't broken a sweat." Applejack simply glared at her, to which Rarity seemed oblivious. Twilight reached over and took the papers from her with narrowed eyes.

"I kind of need those," Twilight grumbled. Rarity gave her a sheepish, apologetic grin. Twilight smiled gently at her to show no hard feelings. She then moved to open the book that held their elements. It was Rarity's turn to wear hers . . .

"All right then, we're ready to continue." Twilight said with glee. She then frowned when she noticed Rarity once again fanning herself with Twilight's papers. "Honestly," Twilight said with a furrowed brow, clearly annoyed. Rarity smiled sheepishly and handed them over.

"Now cast your spell, and tell me if you sense anything," Twilight instructed.

Rarity closed her eyes, and a blue aura enveloped her horn. She then opened her eyes. "Huh. This one's . . . heavy. Rather . . . dense" Her face then lit up, "I wonder if it's valuable!"

"Wait, you can sense it's physical properties?" Twilight truly looked puzzled.

"Why, yes. Yes I can." Rarity said with a blink, seemingly just as surprised as Twilight. Twilight then turned to Applejack, "Applejack, could you come over her and dig--

Suddenly, a black object shot out of the ground, throwing up soil and rocks. The dust caused all three ponies to go into a fit of coughing. When it cleared, and they recovered, Twilight examined the black gemstone.

"Huh...this is mythrilium."

"Simply, garish." Rarity said with distaste, "This isn't fabulous at all. Oh, but I've never seen one before, that must mean it's priceless!"  She reached forward excitedly to grab it with her hooves. Once she canceled her telekinesis, however, the object brought her abruptly to the ground. She strained to get it even a couple inches off the ground with her hooves.

"Nearly worthless, actually." Twilight replied. Rarity pouted. Twilight then added quickly, "And toxic." Rarity immediately stepped away from it. She then looked at Twilight with a frantic expression, her hooves waving wildly.

"Have I been poisoned?!" Rarity put the back of a hoof against a forehead, and fell prone. Somehow she had the clarity of mind to telekinetically pull a couch through the back door of the library before melodramatically 'fainting' on it.

"Just relax." Twilight said with a roll of her eyes as she started to scan Rarity, "If you've been poisoned, It's not going to be hard to cure, and . . . and actually you're fine."

Twilight picked up the mythrilium gemstone with her telekinesis, walked over to the hole in the ground, and dropped it back in. She then scanned the hole. "It was once used for the uh...business ends of weapons. It lost its value when Princess Celestia discontinued its use. Odd, though. It's normally only accessible by heavy tools and large amounts of ponies at a dig site. Wait . . . "

Applejack's ears perked up as she sat down on the ground. Rarity leaned forward, waiting for Twilight to finish her sentence.

". . . This hole is three miles deep."

"Well, I'll be darned . . ." Applejack said as she stared down the hole. It was too dark to actually see how far it went, but she trusted Twilight wasn't exaggerating. "Well since wearin' the elements seems to improve our abilities, I betcha I can grow some mighty big vegetables."

"Well, no . . . I don't think it works that way."

"How do ya figure?"

Several feet away, Rarity watrched with shock as her own magic caused the ground to projectile-vomit a flurry of gems of multiple colors, obliterating a couple trees in the process.

"The Elements of Harmony," Twilight whispered in Applejack's ear, ". . . their peripheral effects, they only seem to improve abilities relevant to combat."

                                                                        ______

Twilight had a lot of data to sort out, Rarity needed to get back to her dresses, and Applejack had chores at the farm to take care of. When Applejack was satisfied that they were far enough away from Golden Oak Library, she said to Rarity, "I gotta say something."

Rarity stopped and turned toward Applejack, "Hm?"

"Why Twilight?"

Rarity's eyes widened and she turned away in embarrassment. Even as Rarity hid her face, Applejack could see the blush through Rarity's white fur.

"I know you always fantasized about findin' yer prince," Applejack said as she stepped closer to her, "But don't ya think this is goin' too far? Twilight's yer friend. Ya shouldn't go after her just 'cause she's a princess. That's not fair to her. I know when Blueblood didn't turn out what you thought he'd--"

"It's not because she's a princess." Rarity's expression didn't show annoyance, or offense. Rarity's demeanor was gentle, actually, and she bore a slightly sad expression, or perhaps it was longing, a feeling that Applejack could sympathize with. "I cherish the times when we're both discussing a book we've read. I don't share her passions for science and magic but I enjoy listening to her talk about that too. She doesn't share my passion for fashion design, but she does love learning, and there's always plenty of history and technical details I can feed her rather curious mind with."

"So yer gettin' rather close." Applejack noted.

"Fluttershy and I are close friends and have been for a long time. I don't feel about her the same way I do for Twilight, though."

Applejack fought the urge to point out that Fluttershy was unavailable. It would have betrayed the trust of Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, and it was beside the point anyway.

"Twilight Sparkle has . . . such elegance, such grace. The beauty of it is, she doesn't even try. She doesn't care about that kind of thing, yet she's brimming with it, and it fascinates me. You'd think that someone with such a . . . uh . . . asocial history would be cold and abrasive . . . but she's not. She's a very warm, fun-loving person. A carefree spirit, which is something I suppose I envy."

Applejack couldn't help but smile a little. At first, she was worried that Rarity was desperately projecting her life-long fantasies on Twilight, having failed to find her 'Prince Charming' up to that point. But it really sounded, to her, like Rarity liked Twilight for Twilight. Whether or not it was genuine romantic feelings, or misplaced feelings toward a close friendship, was not for Applejack to say.

"And she's brave," Rarity continued, "Oh so brave. That much I knew when she faced down Princess Luna."

Applejack's eyebrows raised. She was surprised to hear that Rarity had seen that. Applejack herself had not. She was stuck behind everyone else while they were rushing down the stairs to reach Twilight.

". . . and I know what it's like to be a fish out of water. "

"How do ya mean?" Applejack said with a tilt of her head.

"Please," Rarity said with a roll of her eyes, "I've lived in Ponyville all my life. A place where I fit in so well." The sarcasm dripping from that statement wasn't lost on Applejack. Rarity continued, "My obsessions are fashion and high class culture, in the middle of a community of farmers. Not that there's anything wrong with farmers, mind you--"

"No problem. Different strokes. I get it." Applejack said with a reassuring smile.

Rarity nodded, "I've always been . . . well a bit of a shut-in. I didn't interact with ponies much. I had my stories."

"Kind of like Twi'." Applejack pointed out.

"Yes, well, of course her love of books runs on the extreme, and besides that she's more into scientific and magical references than fiction. In any case, even as a foal, others didn't like the way I spoke. They didn't like my interests, thought I was weird, thought I was stuck-up and snobbish."

Applejack cringed. She had been guilty of the same assumptions.

"By the time Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash transferred to Ponyville High, I latched onto Fluttershy almost instantly. In any case, I highly value friendship. Twilight's fascination with friendship . . . even if it's partly from a scientific standpoint, it's something I admire greatly. That she could start out so disinterested in friendship or other ponies in general, then come to represent  the element of friendship, and that it became so important to her . . . why, that's incredible."

Rarity then sighed, "But, this just doesn't say it. It's a nice list and all . . . but the way Twilight makes me feel . . ."

"Applejack had a faint smile. She understood what Rarity was going through, the confusion and uncertainty. She wanted to encourage her, let her know that it wasn't as complicated as she thought.

Rarity smiled and nodded, but the smile quickly faded as she stared off into the horizon. ". . .It's certainly not worth the risk, though."

"Come again, Sugarcube?"

Rarity turned to her. "What if she rejects me? What if she doesn't reject me, we start a relationship, and it doesn't work out? Our friendship . . . it's not worth it. I value it too greatly. Furthermore, our friendship is bigger than any of us. Jeopardizing our friendship jeopardizes the Elements of Harmony, something we have a responsibility to protect. What right do we have in endangering that?"

"Our friendships won't break, Sugarcube."

Rarity turned to Applejack, a sad expression on her face. "Listen to me, Applejack. You must not pursue Rainbow Dash. It's not like in the stories, Applejack. There's no guaranteed happily-ever-after. You know as well I do that many relationships don't work."

"It might not," Applejack replied, "But our friendships'll be just fine. Rare."

"Oh? Haven't you dated before?"

"Um, well, yeah . . . I guess I ain't the most social of ponies, seeing as I got my duties on the farm and such, but back in high school--"

"And where is he?" Rarity cut in impatiently.

"She. I think she makes candy here in--"

"You 'think'? You don't talk?" Now Rarity's tone was condescending, and Applejack wasn't appreciating it.

"Well, guess we kinda grew apar-'"

"Exactly. Do not. Pursue. Rainbow Dash."

                                                          _______

"And then I pulled off TWO rainbooms at once!" By this point, Rainbow Dash was standing on top of the dinner table with her arms and wings outstretched, but Big Mac and Granny Smith were so enthralled by the story, that they didn't seem to notice or mind.

Applejack narrowed her eyes, "You did not, that entire story is made-up!"

Rainbow Dash sat down and crossed her arms over her chest, and stuck her tongue out at Applejack.

Applejack stuck her tongue out at her as she went to put her dishes away. Granny Smith left to read in the living room. Big Mac went to go plow the field. This afternoon, Applejack would need to take their latest apple hauls and try to sell them at the market.

"Yer comin' with, right?" Applejack said as she looked back at Rainbow Dash on her way out the door. "Hay yeah!" Rainbow Dash abruptly stood up and shot a hoof in the air. Applejack winced almost the same time that Rainbow Dash had.

"Ow."

"Take it easy, Sugarcube." Applejack said as she moved behind Rainbow, where she had fallen on her flank. Applejack firmly massaged in between Rainbow's shoulders, then down her body along her spine.

"At least my wings feel ok now." Rainbow said as her wings wafted. "It's everything else that hurts . . ."

Applejack wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow Dash, and set her chin in the crook of her neck. She could feel Rainbow tense up immediately, then slowly relax. "Ya need to take care of yerself, Sugarcube. All that showin' off's gonna get ya real hurt one of these days."

Rainbow Dash turned her head away, obviously trying to hide the blush on her cheeks. "I-It's not my fault, ok? Ponyville needed me would have been fine if it weren't for Spitfire's constant death-practice routines. She's trying to KILL me!"

Applejack decided not to tell Rainbow Dash about her talk with Spitfire. Hopefully Rainbow would noticed a change soon enough.  Instead, she played ignorant. "She's just trying to whip ya into shape." Applejack said as she ran her hoof through Rainbow Dash's mane in continuous strokes.

"I'm already in shape." Rainbow said with a grumble.

"I noticed." Applejack mentally kicked herself when she said that. More so when Rainbow Dash shot her a cocky smile. She needed a distraction. She let go of Rainbow Dash and finally headed outside. "Can I count on ya to help me put up the stand, Sugarcube?"

"You betchya!" Rainbow Dash said with a salute, following Applejack out to the cart. Applejack loaded several bags of apples on either shoulder and loaded them on the cart.

                                                                     _______

Business was slow, many customers were rude, and Rainbow Dash did nothing but complain about how bored she was, and would occasionally help herself to the merchandise. Applejack was annoyed, but at the same time she couldn't be happier.

"I'm chargin' ya for those. Ya know that, right?" Applejack said with narrowed eyes. This stopped Rainbow Dash in mid-bite. Rainbow gulped, and was about to put the partially eaten apple back, until Applejack pointed out, "Ya might as well finish that, Sugarcube. 'Cause I'm chargin' ya for that one too."

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to protest, but her own name being shouted at the top of a filly's lungs interrupted her.

Applejack turned her head to see Applebloom's friend, Scootaloo, excitedly jumping into the air. The kid couldn't fly, but the rapid flapping of her wings gave her jumps more distance. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were a short distance behind, looking away in embarrassment at the spectacle their friend was making.

When Scootaloo asked Rainbow Dash to show them a few moves, Applejack instinctively stepped on Rainbow Dash's tail. "Oh no. Not today. She ain't movin' a muscle unless it's nice and slow."

"Oh come on, AJ!"

Applejack glared at her, and Rainbow backed down, and resigned to simply recounting to Scootaloo what the Wonderbolts performance had been like.

Applejack tuned out Rainbow Dash as she relayed the exact same story she'd heard twice today. She turned to her sister and asked her, "How was school today, Sugarcube?"

"A disaster." Applebloom slumped her head on the edge of the apple stand. "Miss Cheerilee had us practice singin' for the play. I was a laughin' stock."

"You weren't that bad."  The unicorn filly next to Applebloom assured her, patting Applebloom on the shoulder.  

"You were horrid." Another filly said behind her. This one Applejack recognized as Diamond Tiara. She was closing in on Applebloom. "You're useless. That's why you're a blank flank."

"Now wait just a gosh-darn min--" Applejack started to say in defense of her little sister. She had pushed her hat down snug on her head, and had risen up from her apple-stand, prepared to run the little snob off.  Before she could finish her sentence, however, she noticed that Diamond Tiara had collided with a blue foreleg. Applejack looked beside her and noticed Rainbow Dash was missing. She looked over at the kids, to see Rainbow Dash lowering her head to glare at Diamond Tiara. Rainbow Dash took Diamond's tail between her teeth, marched her over to a nearby mud puddle, and promptly dropped her in it.

Applejack groaned and moved to go get the filly out of the mud, though Applebloom and Sweetie Belle were already fishing her out. Scootaloo remained at the apple stand, not seeming in the slightest bit interested in helping.

Applejack walked up to Rainbow Dash and lightly hit her in the back of the head.

"Ow! What the hay?!" Rainbow rubbed the back of her head.

"Land sakes, Rainbow Dash! That there's a filly . . . and yer a grown mare! What's wrong with you?!" Rainbow just rolled her eyes.

"When my father hears about this, you'll be sorry!" Diamond Tiara was pointing a hoof at Rainbow Dash once she'd finally gotten to her feet. Rainbow Dash just stared down at her in curiosity, blinked, then used her hoof to pick the filly up by the tail and drop her back into the puddle while she was in the middle of an angry rant.

" . . . that does it, RD, yer gettin' a time out." Applejack said with Rainbow Dash's tail between her teeth as she dragged her away from the scene. She didn't stop until they were well into the woods outside of town.

Applejack bore a cross expression as she walked with Rainbow Dash into the woods. She put a hoof to her mouth as a snicker escaped, accompanied with a smile. She quickly removed the smile from her face and forced herself to look stern as she turned to Rainbow Dash, "You ought to know better. Pickin' on kids like that."

"She was bullying your little sister." Rainbow muttered.

"And you were bein' a bigger bully." Applejack said with no attempt at hiding her contempt. Out of the corner of her eye, Applejack could see Rainbow Dash's ears folding back and her head lowering. Applejack's expression softened a bit, and she stopped. "Thank you."

"Huh?"

Applejack turned and rustled Rainbow Dash's mane with her hoof, "Thank ya for stickin' up for my sister. I may not agree with everything you get in that silly head of yours to do, but you think with yer heart and I like that about ya." Red flooded Rainbow Dash's face as she looked down at her hooves.

Applejack would never get tired of that sight.

Rainbow Dash locked eyes with Applejack. It was at that moment that Applejack realized that she'd been staring at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow's smile faded.

"AJ . . . "

Applejack's heart sank as she watched Rainbow Dash distance herself from her, and look away with that grim expression.

"Come on." Applejack said as she turned to back to the way they came.. Let's head back and pack up the stand. I ain't gettin' any more customers. I ain't looking to be out here 'till nightfall."

All in all, this had been a pleasant outing with Rainbow Dash. And it didn't require them to be in a romantic relationship, either. Was she risking losing this?

                                                                -------

Applejack had faith in their friendships. Their friendships would never break. She kept telling herself that over and over, like a mantra.

Even if it could, what was worse? Bonds breaking because of an unrequited love or a failed relationship, or bonds breaking because of bitterness, lonliness, and bottled emotions tearing somepony apart? Rarity needed courage. She needed help. Applejack decided that the best sources of advice right now were the two among their circle of friends that were actually in a relationship. Applejack also needed to talk to Pinkie Pie again about Rainbow Dash, so she headed for Sugarcube Corner.

"I don't need you to protect me, Pinkie Pie!" Fluttershy's voice sounded angry as she emerged from Sugarcube Corner and ran. Applejack couldn't see her face because it was covered by a foreleg. When Fluttershy ran past her, however she could see her shoulders heaving, and she could hear her sniffling into her foreleg. The side of Fluttershy's face was wet. Before Applejack could ask her what was wrong, she took to the air and flew off.

After a moment, Applejack walked toward Sugarcube Corner. When she knocked, a voice said "We're not open yet, come back in fifteen." It was a normal voice, like any other pony. Except that it should have been. Pinkie Pie should have spoken as if she'd been fed a ton of sugar in the space of an hour. She should have rambled, giggled, laughed, squealed, and made nonesensical statements just to mess with somepony.

"It's me." Applejack said to the door. She waitred for a little over a minute, and slowly the door opened.

What Applejack saw made Applejack's heart sink.

A straight mane was a pretty look on Pinkie Pie, but the implications it brought were not good. Pinkie Pie gave Applejack a weak smile. "Come in . . ." She stepped aside to allow Applejack entry. Pinkie Pie walked toward the back shelf and picked up four cupcakes. She then walked around the counter. Her back was to Applejack as she placed them on the countertop in a straightline. "Could you . . . taste-test these for me?"

Applejack tilted her head questiongly as she looked up at Pinkie Pie, though Pinkie Pie couldn't possibly see the expression with her back turned. Still, Pinkie Pie explaimed as if she'd seen the expression. "New recipe I came up with."

The most unsettling thing was hearing a phrase said in such a subdued manner, that was normally 'HEY! Could ya like, try these out for me? Their new  I made the recipe myself and I really really really want to see if other ponies like it so can ya try it can ya huh huh huh?'

"Uh, sure thing, Sugarcube . . . " Applejack walked over to the counter and picked up the cupcakes one-by-one, depositing them in the crook of her foreleg.  She then walked to a chair sitting against a wall. While Applejack nibbled one of the cupcakes, She was watrching Pinkie Pie's back . . . and her straight mane, while Pinkie scrubbed the countertop with a wet towel.

The first cupcake she bit into somehow tasted like ice cream. Applejack's concern for Pinkie Pie was momentarily interupted by contemplating how Pinkie Pie could have come up with a recipe that ended up tasting like ice cream. Putting actual ice cream into a baked good, Applejack imagined, would be impossible, and even if it wasn't, it certainly wouldn't come out tasting so strongly of the flavor.

The second cupcake tasted strongly of apple, with mint. Anyone who'd ever gotten within hugging distance of Rainbow Dash knew that she habitually chewed  mint leaves. It wasn't lost on Applejack that Pinkie Pie had made this particular cupcake with Applejack in mind.

The third one was chocolate and cinnamon. There were other, more subtle flavors there too, but Applejack couldn't quite identify them. The flavors complimented each other incredibly.

The last one taste exactly like cinderblock.

Pinkie let out a brief chuckle while Applejack lapped at the air to get the taste of the last cupcake out of her mouth. It sounded like "Hn", and in no way resembled Pinkie Pie's usual, unrestrained giggles. The small smile that'd come with it was gone almost as soon as it appeared. She resumed washing the counter, probably expecting Applejack to finish eating the cupcakes. Instead, Applejack set them down on her chair as she stood up. She needed to ask her what was wrong. "Pinkie . . . "

"I uh . . . I don't want to get involved in Twilight's tests anymore." She'd paused her attentions to the countertop, for the moment.

"Is that where Fluttershy went?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head, her head hanging. "She . . . she went home."

Her face then suddenly corntorted in anguish, and her shoulders began heaving. The hoof that'd been scrubbing the counter shot up to her face, covering it as she started sobbing.

Applejack immediatly rushed over to Pinkie Pie and wrapped her forelegs around her, both ponies standing on their hind legs. Pinkie turned in Applejack's embrace, burying her head in Applejack's chest. Pinkie Pie's sobs turned to mournful wails, until she was crying hysterically. If her voice hadn't been muffled by Applejack's chest, it would have been loud enough to hear from outside.

When Pinkie Pie finally grew quiet, and still, she lifted herself from Applejacks chest. Pinkie wiped her eyes with a foreleg, opposite the one she'd used to clean the countertop. It was then that Applejack noticed that Pinkie Pie had been holding her laughter amulet in that hoof, no doubt having taken it from the library.

She that hoof and the amulet aganst her face, the same one holding the amulet. Applejack could no longer see her the expression on her face, only the tell-tale heaving of her shoulders. Pinkie Pie slowly walked backwards, away from Applejack, until she hit the counter. She slid down it, until she was sitting on the floor. Applejack slipped down to all fours and walked over to Pinkie Pie, and sat down next to her.

"I'm so stupid." Pinkie Pie's face was buried in her hooves. "I just want her here. I want to hold her, Applejack.

Applejack didn't know what to say. There wasn't anything she could say. She didn't even have the slightest idea what happened. Thinking back, to what Fluttershy had said when she left Pinkie Pie's, and what Pinkie Pie had said to her just before she broke down, Applejack asked, "Were you trying to protect Fluttershy from Twilight's tests?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head. She lowered her hoofs to her knees, an sniffed deeply. The fur of her face was matted with tears, but she managed to finally compose herself. She looked up at the ceiling. "She just wanted to know what was wrong." Her voice was shaky, but at least she wasn't crying anymore. "I couldn't tell her, Applejack. Not her. It would . . . I guess . . . I guess there's more to it than that, but she isn't telling me anything either."

"Can you tell me?"

Pinkie Pie looked down at the gold-colored amulet in her hoof, which rested on her knee. She nodded. Applejack waited patiently until Pinkie Pie was ready to speak.

"I've been lying to Twilight."

Applejack blinked. The confession threw her off. "Why would you--" She cut herself off mid-sentence. That might have come off as condemning. She shouldn't ask the why until she learned the what. She worked up as understanding and non-accusatory tone as she could muster. "What have you been lying to Twilight about, Pinkie?"

Pinkie Pie was still staring down at her amulet. "Twilight's amplifier works just fine."

"That means, your tail--?"

"No," Pinkie cut her off before she Applejack could finish the question. "Not when I wear this." Her ears folded back. "I see things, Applejack."

Pinkie Pie's face contored in anguish again. Instead of sobbing, her face became filled with rage, and she threw the amulet with a scream that caused Applejack to cringe. The amulet tinked against the wall on the other side of the room, then the floor a couple times.

"I'm sorry . . . " Pinkie Pie pushed her forehooves against her her hindlegs, causing her back to press against the wall.

'I see things.' Applejack rolled the words around in her head. Pinkie Pie's reaction gave the kind of context to those words that frightened Applejack. As much as she hated asking Pinkie Pie to recollect, she had to know. "Did you . . . did you see one of us die?"

Pinkie Pie shook her head. "Nothing like that. At least, not yet." Her ears folded back. "I see the future of Equestria." She put a hoof to her mouth as her voice suddenly cracked. "There's going to be so much violence."

All Applejack could do was allow Pinkie Pie to lean against her as she sobbed in Applejack's forelegs. As Applejack stroked Pinkie Pie's mane, the emotions eventually took their toll on Pinkie Pie, and she drifted off to sleep in Applejack's forelegs.

Carefully, Applejack lifted up Pinkie Pie into her forelegs, while trying not to wake her. Carrying her wasn't hard, but walking with her in tow meant that Applejack had to walk on her hind legs. It was awkward, and slow, but Applejack managed to eventually make it up the stairs, into Pinkie Pie's bedroom.  After placing her in bed and pulling the cover over her, Applejack decided there was no more she could do for Pinkie.

Upon exiting Sugarcube Corner, Applejack noticed a multi-colored tail around the corner of the bakery, and the tips of cyan wings.  She walked around the building to see what Rainbow Dash was doing. Her head was lowered, nose close to a mint plant. Applejack surmised that she probably had planned to eat the leaves, until the ladybug crawling on one of them caught her attention. Rainbow was watching the little creature in curiousity.

Applejack's brow furrowed. "Rainbow Dash." The unexpected, stern tone caused Rainbow Dash to jump, but she didn't turn to face Applejack. "What are you doing out of bed?" And how did you get h--you flew, didn't you!"

"I'm fine. Just a little wonky."

"Consarnit, Rainbow!"

Rainbow Dash turned around to face Applejack. "Hey, chill. I got here ok." She stared at the door to Sugarcube Corner. "Uh . . . is something going on? I thought I heard crying? I didn't think it'd be cool to barge in."

"Friendship crisis. I'm gonna get Twilight."

"Let me do it."

"Oh no you don't! You ain't flyin', Rainbow."

Rainbow Dash's face contorted in annoyance. "Try and stop me. Look, I'll be fine. I won't fly long, and I'll be careful, ok?"

Applejack gave a gruff sigh as she realized she wasn't going to win this one. "Fine. Go get Twi'. I'll go see Fluttershy."

"On it." Rainbow Dash said with a salute and took off. Applejack cringed when Rainbow's flight patterns took on spirals that she knew Rainbow hadn't intended.

                                                                     _______

Fluttershy's cottage was locked. It was also eerily quiet. The only animals present were chickens, and those were penned up. Applejack tried looking through some of the windows, even climbing up far enough to peek into Fluttershy's bedroom window, but she was already pretty certain that no one was home. The animals must have followed her when she left.

Applejack kicked a neaby tree in frustration. She wasn't mad at Fluttershy, only the situation. Rainbow Dash flew in from the sky. Applejack winced when Rainbow's errattic flight patterns smacked her against a tree.

"Ow." It sounded more like acknowledgement, when she said this the moment she hit the tree, rather than interjection. Applejack walked over to her and looked her over as she circled her, earning a light blush from Rainbow Dash. "I'm fine. Twilight's with Pinkie Pie, by the way."

"Good, two birds with one stone," Applejack said. When Rainbow Dash shot her a questioning look, Applejack elaborated, "It's nice to have her in a situation like this, but in other news Pinkie and Twilight really need to talk."

"Gotchya. So . . . what now?  What do we do about Fluttershy?" Rainbow Dash was seated on the ground, with her tail swishing idly from side to side.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "You think she won't be back?"

"Well, no, of course she will."

"Twilight's got this. I'm tired. I'm going home."

                                                                            _______

Applejack had been watching Rainbow Dash the entire time they walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. Even on the ground, Rainbow Dash was clearly in pain at every step. After having watrched her long enough, she'd observed that it seemed to be along her back. Applejack eventually had enough, so she  moved in position behind Rainbow Dash.

"What are you--?" Rainbow Dash started to say, but cut herself off with an "Mmm . . ."

Applejack leaned forward and whispered in her ear, "Shh" As she massaged the base of Rainbow Dash's wings. At first her wings went rigid, but slowly started to relax, and melted at Applejack's firm attention. Rainbow’s wings lay completely relaxed, stretched across the grass.

Once she was finished with the wings, she started on Rainbow Dash's back. Her muscles were in knots. "What in blazes do ya do this to yerself . . ." Applejack muttered under her breath. Rainbow Dash ended up laying on the ground, on her stomach, with her forelegs tucked under her chest. "Yer muscles are all in knots."

Applejack had at some point ended up straddling Rainbow Dash while working the muscles of her back. Rainbow looked up at her without lifting her head from the ground. The way she looked at Applejack, with her forelegs tucked under her . . . it struck Applejack as overwhelmingly cute.

"You have the hooves of a goddess." Rainbow Dash said with a content groan. This caused Applejack to blush.

"Soup's on!" Granny Smith called out. It was dinnertime already? Rainbow Dash let out a quiet whimper when Applejack started to get up.

"Come on, Sugarcube." Applejack said as she tugged at Rainbow Dash's tail.  She couldn't help but notice Rainbow's half-lidded eyes and the tip of her tongue partially sticking out of her mouth, even as Rainbow Dash got to her feet and followed Applejack

                                                                            _______

Applebloom had been put to bed. Applejack was on the porch, looking up at the sky, at Rainbow Dash's cloud home. "Why don't you stay here for the night, Sugarcube?" She said as she looked in Rainbow Dash's direction. Oddly enough, however, Rainbow hadn't made a single move to go home. Her head was laying on her hooves, wings idly swaying.

"Ok."

Applejack headed for a storage closet to grab an extra blanket and quilt. "I'll take the couch. You go on ahead and take my bed."

"Wait . . ."

"No ifs, ands, or buts, Sugarcube. Couches ain't good for ya when all yer muscles are all dang near shot."

"I don't want to be alone."

Applejack blinked, and look back at Rainbow Dash. Her expression was unreadable, she just sat there looking at Applejack. Her wings were folded to her sides. No way of telling what was going on through Rainbow Dash's head, and it worried Applejack.

"Oh . . . ok. Um, why?"

Rainbow Dash looked to her hooves. "Uh . . . I . . . I'm not used to sleeping in strange places." She nodded quickly. "Yeah . . . "

Rainbow Dash was bad liar. Even worse than Applejack. Either that, or Applejack was just that good at reading her by now, even if she sometimes wasn't so sure about that. It took every fiber of Applejack's being not to smile, to not let on that she saw through Rainbow. If she gave it away, Rainbow Dash might flee.

Applejack realized that Rainbow Dash just needed a push. Applejack just hoped she could do that without pushing her away.

                                                                   _______

Applejack slipped into bed after Rainbow Dash got herself situated. Her heart was racing. She could feel the heat off of Rainbow Dash's body. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and let it out slowly. She would have to calm down, she didn't want Rainbow Dash to know just how much this situation messed with her head.

The bed was small, but she managed to put a couple inches of space between herself and Rainbow Dash. This changed when Rainbow stretched, pressing herself against Applejack. Applejack had nowhere else to put her forelegs except around Rainbow Dash. As much as she didn't want to give up those normal, friendly, platonic experiences . . . she didn't want to stop this either. She couldn't, not now. There was no turning back.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a golden slip of paper. Her brow furrowed. On top of the golden paper, was a normal white one. This she read first. It was a voucher for a party of two, at a resturant in Canterlot.

But the gold-colored paper? This one caught her off guard.

As Applejack drifted off to sleep, she had but one thought. 'Thanks for the vote of confidence, Rarity.'

                                                                               -------

Applejack found the spot she was looking for. A vast field of flowers, vibrant with various colors. She took her Stetson off and set it down. The flowers held the weight of her hat. She then settled down the ground, tucking her forelegs under her chest.

Some changes should have never happened. Some changes had nothing good in them, and there was no changing them back. For the first time, Applejack realized just how afraid she truly was. Not just for herself. For all of her friends.

This land mocked her. There was false symbolism here. It was a reminder that something beautiful could come out of something ugly, but that was only true for the marring of the land. Nothing beautiful came from her parents' deaths, and the physical beauty of this place was no equal trade for their lives.

Nothing beautiful would come out of destroying her friendship with Rainbow Dash,  nor from her friends destroying their friendships with each other.  Change were happening whether she wanted it to or not, however. She could keep how she felt inside, and maybe that would protect her friendship with Rainbow Dash, for a while. Or maybe it would choke it, corrode it, leaving it barren and desolate.

"So, I love Rainbow Dash." Applejack said to nopony in particular. "I don't have a problem sayin' it. I don't have a problem tellin' anypony. Anypony except Rainbow Dash. For the life of me, I just can't say it to her. It'll change everything, ya know? I admit I'm afraid. Or maybe I'm bein' stupid? Maybe it won't change nothin'. I don't know, I never felt like this. Was it like this for Y'all?"

Applejack just laid there for a good while. After some time, she looked around at the flowers. There were a lot of purples, reds, blues, greens, yellows, limes. There were even flowers with cyan petals. It was almost like a sign, maybe. She decided that some would look good in Rainbow Dash's hair.  "I'd be mighty appreciative if y'all parted with some of these here flowers, seein' as more'll grow back anyway. Y'all ok with that?" Some might find it silly, but Applejack liked to think she got her answer when a gentle breeze rustled through the field the moment she'd asked.

The sun still showed half its face when Applejack had finished collecting flowers. Among those that Applejack had collected, she had made sure to gather flowers of each color that matched Rainbow Dash. Additionally, she gathered light yellows and tans that matched Applejack's coat and mane. She wanted the message to be unmistakable.

 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                    The Bonds of Friendship

Applejack had gotten an early start as usual. Early enough to know that Sugarcube corner was open, and that Fluttershy had returned. She had no idea how things were between Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, but this was a start, at least.  If things were still turbulent between the two, Applejack would have to remind herself to talk to Fluttershy right away, since she already had Pinkie Pie's half.

Now, she was standing in front of her bed, taking in Rainbow Dash's features. That is, until the pegasus finally opened her eyes.

"Hey." Rainbow's voice cracked.

". . .Morning."

She could feel Rainbow Dash's eyes watching from her position on the bed, her forehooves tucked under her chest and her wings moving in slow, wafting motions. It took a moment for Applejack to remember where she left her hair tie, then grab her Stetson and put it on.

"Do you always have to wear that?" Rainbow Dash asked with a tilt of her head.

"It's my lucky hat."

"You look better without it. With your hair down."

Applejack's back was already to Rainbow Dash, so there was no danger of her seeing Applejack's face. It was hot, and she was sure she was red. She put her hoof to her cheek.

Oh, what am I doin'? I'm actin' like a little schoolfilly.

"Ugh. Why's the sun so bright?" Rainbow Dash complained. Applejack turned and looked out of the window, seeing that it was well into the morning. They'd missed breakfast. Applejack got to her hooves and headed for the door. Rainbow Dash hovered in the air behind her.

When they got to the kitchen, Granny Smith had left a note stating that she was out getting her hair done, and Big Mac had already finished all the morning chores and was out selling apples. Applejack felt a pang of guilt at the unintentionally shirked responsibilities. "Oh great. All the work's done."

"Big Deal. Less stuff to do. Why are you down about it?" Rainbow asked as she flew over her shoulder. She brought her nose down toward the note. "'Eggs and sausage in the fridge.' All right! Now a microwave I can handle!" Rainbow Dash hoof-pumped the air.

"Simmer down, Sally." Applejack said as she grabbed Rainbow Dash's tail with her hoof and brought her to the ground. "Feel like going and visitin' with the others?"

Rainbow's face brightened up. "Hey, yeah! That's a great idea! . . . ugh. It's actually been too long since I went praking with  Pinkie."

"Unfortunately yer not the only one who's been busy. Pinkie's working more now that the Cakes 'retired', and yer not takin' account that she sleeps. Fat chance of seein' Rarity or Twi'. But Sugarcube Corner is open."

"Awww but if it's open, that means she's working! that means Pinkie can't go prankin', though. Guess you want to head there and have breakfast?"

Applejack gave her a flat expression, "No, I was just statin' it was open 'cause it happens to be a fact."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "So . . . we're not going to Sugarcube Corner? Why not?"

Applejack sighed in exasperation, grabbed Rainbow Dash by the hoof, and headed out the door.

                                                                       _______

Pinkie Pie spent an extended amount of time tightly hugging Rainbow Dash's head. "Ohmygosh I can't believe you're here it feels like it's been FOREVER even though it's only been like seven days! And you know you could really just come in when I'm working we don't have to go and pull pranks we could just talk! And you really need to give me a copy of your schedule so I don't make other plans and end up gone and all the sudden you show up! And I'm not here and then we can go pulling pranks! Like we did last week when we replaced Derpy's mail with MUFFINS!! 'cause she really likes muffins! but one time I asked her what kind of muffins she wanted me to bake and she said 'Oatmeal!' and I said 'Oatmeal? Are you crazy?!'"

"Pinks. Off." Rainbow Dash protested, her hooves planted on Pinkie Pie's arms while trying to pry her head out of Pinkie Pie's grasp. Applejack couldn't stop herself from laughing the entire time, her forelegs wrapped around her sides as if afraid she'd explode. "Don't just sit there laughing, help me!"

"Alright, Pinkie, let 'er up 'fore ya suffocate her."

Pinkie Pie finally freed Applejack. So what can I get ya two?"

"I'll have a coffee, Sugarcube."

"How about a medic." Rainbow Dash muttered.

Pinkie Pie tilted her head, "Are you sure you don't want anything to eat?"

Applejack rested her head on one hoof, smirked, and said, "I'll have me a doughnut." Pinkie Pie stared at her for a second. It only took her a brief moment to catch on to what she was driving at, and let out a giggle. This drew a look of confusion from Rainbow Dash. "I'll have a stack of 'em, actually." Applejack added.

"Cake. A piece of Cake." Rainbow Dash said. "A large one."

"LIES!!" Pinkie Pie, earning a look of confusion from Rainbow Dash. She giggled, "I'll go get your orders!"

While Pinkie Pie moved to do just that, Movement shifted from Pinkie's bedroom upstairs, in the form of Fluttershy slowly and sleepily walking down the stairs into the lobby. Rainbow Dash tilted her head at this, not really comprehending. Pinkie Pie turned around and froze.

Fluttershy had bed hair, and her eyes weren't all the way open. She made herself a cup of coffee, and held it in her front hooves as she sat down in a chair with it. She then noticed that both Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash were staring at her. Rainbow Dash in mild confusion, Pinkie Pie in mounting panic hidden behind a nervous grin.

Fluttershy's expression didn't change as she calmly set the cup of coffee down on the counter, then suddenly wrapped one foreleg around Pinkie Pie's waist, the other held to the back of her head, and dipped her back while locking lips with her.

"Whoa! Way to go, 'Shy!" Rainbow Dash called out as she hoof-bumped the air. Fluttershy was still passionately kissing Pinkie Pie for a few more moments, before releasing her. Pinkie Pie's hair was frizzled, far beyond it's normal curly state.

Pinkie Pie let out a giggle, "Aww, but I thought you wanted to keep it between us?"

Fluttershy tilted her head, "But you're the one who suggested it."

"Oh you silly filly. We both know you wouldn't like some mega-super-spotlight on ya."

Fluttershy looked down at her hooves, embarrassed. "Yes, but, um, these are our friends, and I know they wouldn't do anything to make either of us feel, um, uncomfortable."

"Got that right, 'Shy." Applejack said as she dipped a doughnut in her coffee.

She then turned to Pinkie and kissed the back of her ear, "Besides, we've talked about this. No more making each other's decisions for each other."

"And no more secrets." Pinkie Pie said with an apologetic smile at Fluttershy. Fluttershy gave a nod.

"So  . . . you guys. Never would have guessed." Rainbow Dash said with a huge grin on her face. "How long?"

"We did it at the wedding after the changeling invasion!" Pinkie Pie blurted out.

"P-P-Pinkie Pie, that's personal!" Fluttershy squeaked with her hooves over her cheeks.

Pinkie Pie froze up for a second, her grin cracking a bit and her ears folding down, "Oh . . . I  went too far didn't I? I'm sorry I--"

Fluttershy reached forward with one hoof and gently stroked Pinkie Pie's hair. "I told you. These are our frie--" She paused when she caught sight of Rainbow Dash snickering with a hoof over her mouth.  Applejack was glad that she had just sat there with her mouth shut at that point, because Fluttershy's stern expression defeated Rainbow Dash in seconds. Fluttershy then put her chin up, staring down at Rainbow Dash as she said, "As I was saying, these are our friends and they would never judge us for how we feel about each other. Isn't that right, Rainbow Dash?"

"Yes ma'am." Rainbow said with a blink.

Fluttershy's brief moment of authority was cut short when she literally shot up onto the ceiling at the sound of the front entrance to Sugarcube Corner bursting open.

"I HAVE TAKEN IT'S HEART!" Twilight's voice accompanied the bursting of the door. In her telekinetic grasp, she was holding a metalic object with dislodged gears and several hanging wires over her head.

"DON'T EAT ME!" Fluttershy cried out.

Twilight looked up at Twilight with a raised eyebrow while the pegasus clung to an overhanging light figured.

"Uh . . . why would I eat you?" Even with the dark circles under Twilight's eyes, she still seemed more sane than Fluttershy when Fluttershy panicked.

"Oh, it’s just you, Twilight." Fluttershy said nervously as she let go of the light and slowly descended toward the floor with gentle wing-strokes.

Pinkie Pie had an impossibly huge grin on her face as she said with a giggle, "That's great, Twilight! Slay the beast!" She then broke out in a fit of giggles. "Oooh that's to the pinkie-sense-machine-a-bob!"

"The core to the clairvoyance amplifier," Twilight corrected.

"Applejack! Rainbow Dash! Uh . . . Good morning!" Twilight said as she looked to both. ". . . and Fluttershy?" By the way Twilight tilted her head, it was apparent to Applejack that Twilight didn't realize that Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie were an item. "Well, it's fortunate you're all here! Though I guess I'll have to find some other time to tell Rarity."

"What did you find out?" Pinkie Pie interrupted.

Twilight just stood there a moment, eyes glazed a bit. She then slowly smiled. "Nothing! Absolutely nothing." She giggled, but it wasn't a sleep deprivation giggle. It was rich and genuinely happy.

"Come again, Sugarcube?"

Twilight didn't answer Applejack. Instead, she promptly set the severed machine part on fire with her magic. Applejack and Rainbow Dash dropped their jaws and yelled out.  Fluttershy gasped and almost fainted. Pinkie Pie, on the other hand, simply giggled and said in a sing-song voice,  "Twi-light's a py-ro-man-i-ac!"

Applejack immediately shot up from her seat and headed for the sink, turned it on, and frantically searched cabinets for any containers she could use to put out the fire.

"Applejack, the fire is enchanted, it's not going to burn the counter."

"Um, why do you seem so, um, happy . . . about not learning anything? That is, if you don't mind me asking."  Fluttershy slowly floated down from the light fixture, but kept her distance from the fire.

Twilight lowered her head, her ears folded down. "I have to apologize to all of you. I've just shut myself up in the library, with my research, and only paid attention to any of you when I could use you in my experiments. I thought it was so important. So many long-buried secrets I could uncover." She raised her chin, stamped one hoof on the floor, and said "And it's a complete waste of time. I should be with my friends."

Applejack formed an idea. "I'm glad to hear it, Sugarcube. I got just the thing." She looked at Rainbow Dash, who looked back at her questioningly. "Next time Rainbow here does another show, we're all gonna make time to go and see 'er."

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened. "R-REALLY?!" She immediately shot into the air and did a backflip mid-flight. "That's so awesome! . . . wait, how?"

"And I can ask the Cakes to fill in for me!" Pinkie Pie said with a giggle. "Being a full-fledged baker isn't any fun if I'm here all week. Awww, but Rarity's still working on like . . . a super duper bazillion million dresses!"

Twilight shook her head then turned to Fluttershy, "Fluttershy, can you help Rarity sew?"

Fluttershy nodded, "Y-yes. I think I can. I mean yes."

"Good. Tomorrow we'll all help her in any way we can. You and Rarity just tell us what to do." Twilight then turned to Rainbow, "Rainbow Dash. I need you to get a copy of the Wonderbolts performance schedules for the entire year."

"Huh? They're not going to give me--"

"Just try it, Sugarcube," Applejack said to Rainbow Dash.

"On it." Rainbow Dash said with a salute.

"Pinkie Pie, how would you like to throw a party?" Twilight asked.

Pinkie Pie burst into a fit of giggles, "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! Have we met?"

Applejack was excited that they'd all be hanging out with each other for multiple occasions, even if she did know Twilight was going to plan them to death. Her brow furrowed as she realized that she could be helping out with the catering, but Twilight completely overlooked that fact. "Ya know, I could help out with the party."

Twilight looked toward Applejack, "Uh, Applejack? You do realize the party's for you? Your birthday's coming up."

She had completely forgotten about that.

                                                                  _______

This morning had left Applejack feeling flushed. The way she woke up with Rainbow Dash. Seeing Fluttershy act with more passion than she ever thought the normally-timid pegasus possessed. The way she felt every time she so much as glanced at Rainbow Dash. Being Rainbow Dash's friend was great. But to say she was content would be a lie.

Friendship shoved in the oven and turned up real high.

Rainbow Dash had to return to her duties with the Ponyville weather-team. Despite having become a Wonderbolt, she'd never left her duties with Ponyville. Rainbow Dash would be working for a bit, then she'd be asleep as soon as she came home. At least, if she were to fall into her usual habit. This would surely leave her open and awake for tonight.  Applejack stopped her before she left, and said to her, "You'll be free tonight, right, Sugarcube?" Applejack asked her.

Rainbow Dash looked back at her, "Huh? Oh. Yeah. I want to take a nap after, but I'll be free tonight."

"Well, that's good, Sugarcube." Applejack practically forced herself to say it. "I thought we could go out for dinner."

Rainbow Dash stared at her and blinked.

Applejack was panicking on the inside. "Uh, yeah, well you see, Rarity got ahold of a couple free vouchers--"

"O-Oh, oh yeah! So like, she got stuff sent in the mail by mistake, and she decided to give it to you. Yeah. That's just like her. Well. Free food, right? You bet I'm not going to waste that!"

Applejack's eyes widened. Ironically, she was just going to flat out say how she got the tickets and why. She pulled her hat down a little and tilted her head, hoping to hide anything readable on her face after Rainbow Dash came up with that conclusion. "Uh, y-yeah. That's it. Good guess, Sugarcube."

"Great. Pick me up tonight." Rainbow Dash then left.

Applejack had played out the scene again and again. She could barely comprehend it. She had finally asked Rainbow Dash out on a date. Even if Rainbow misunderstood, it still counted, right?

                                                                                     =======

Applejack galloped back to Ponyville at full speed. Entering town with a bouquet of flowers between her teeth earned her a few odd looks, but she didn't mind. She was a mare on a mission. She was sure Rainbow was home. The pegasi weather team had finished a long while ago. Furthermore, Rainbow Dash had plenty of time to sleep. It was time to wake her up.

Applejack dropped the bouquet in her hooves. "Rainbow Dash!" She called out. She expected to take a few tries to wake her up, but before she could even take in another breath, Rainbow poked her head out her bedroom window. She flew out and landed on the ground.

"Hey." Rainbow Dash said as she sat there looking at Applejack. Applejack was at a loss for words at first. She suddenly realized she was holding a bouquet of flowers, and handed them to her.

"I . . . gathered this for ya."

Rainbow Dash's attention drew to the flowers. She looked at Applejack for a moment, then at the flowers, before hesitantly reaching out a hoof to them. She then reached the other out, and gently took them, and held them to herself. "Um, thank you."

Her wings fluttered and her body lifted into the air a short distance. "W-We're already going to get some grub, though, so . . . so I'll put these away for later. Yeah . . ." She then flew back up into her house.

Applejack's face fell and her shoulders slumped. Rainbow Dash thought the flowers were a snack. Applejack mentally kicked herself, she realized she should have seen that coming. It was just as well, though. There would be plenty of time to figure out how to win her over.

And if "oblivious" Rainbow Dash was playing mind-chess with her? Then it was on.

When Rainbow returned, she landed on the ground beside Applejack. "So, where's this dinner?" She asked.

"Oh, in Canterlot," Applejack said as she turned to face her, "One of Fancy Pants' restaurants."

"Ok. Canterlot. So you got us a ride?"

Applejack grinned sheepishly, "Uh, a ride? I thought we'd walk."

Rainbow Dash's face fell flat. It was pretty obvious she didn't like that idea. "You want us to walk. To Canterlot."

Applejack shrugged, "What's wrong with a little excer--" She paused when she started to do the math in her head. They'd never make it in time for that little surprise Applejack was saving.

"Eh, I got this." Rainbow said as she hovered over Applejack, wrapped her hooves around her, and picked her up off the ground. Applejack began to panic. If there was one thing she wasn't comfortable with, it was leaving the ground. Probably an earth pony thing, she always figured. Or maybe just a vertigo thing.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I ain't said anything about doin' no flyin!"

"Relax, I got this. I'm not sore anymore, I've never felt better."

Applejack was beside herself with panic. She started to flail her arms frantically, "Put me down, put me down, dagnabbit!" Much to her relief, Rainbow Dash lowered toward the ground and gently set Applejack down.

"You gotta trust me, AJ. I'm not going to drop you. I promise."

Applejack couldn't stop breathing heavily. After a moment, however, she was able to collect and calm herself. "I know that, Sugarcube . . . at least, my mind knows that. I'm sorry, I just ain't comfortable with it. I know you ain't gonna drop me or nothin', but bein' dangled like that, with no control over anything . . . it just don't feel right."

Rainbow Dash raised her chin, as if deep in thought, and tapped her hoof against her chin. She then struck her forehooves together. "Ok, got it. Will you feel any better if you get on my back?"

Applejack thought about that for a moment. She might be on to something. That did sound better, actually. "Are you sure you can fly like that? I won't be in the way of yer wings?"

"I'll be fine," Rainbow said as she brought herself low to the ground, "Get on."

Applejack was hesitant at first, but then slowly made her way to Rainbow Dash. She lowered herself down on top of her, settling between her wings. The contact was warm, and it made Applejack's body grow hotter. She was glad Rainbow Dash couldn't see her face.

"Hold on tight" Rainbow Dash said as she rose into the air. Applejack intended to. That was why her forelegs were around Rainbow Dash's chest instead of her neck. She didn't want to strangle her.

"And what if I . . . ya know, accidentally let go."

"Don't."

The answer wasn't very comforting. However, Rainbow added, "But if you do, you know I'll catch you." She was right about that. She'd once seen Rainbow rescue Rarity from a near-fatal fall from Cloudsdale, after all. It wasn't just that, though. Even without that, Applejack trusted her.

It didn't make the flight go any easier. Applejack was thankful that Rainbow Dash hadn't broken the sound barrier--as she could have easily done five times over, but the wind rushing against her face, not to mention having to press the top of her head against the back of Rainbow Dash's neck to keep her hat from flying off, it was all more than she could take.

"Do ya think you could slow down a bit, Sugarcube?!" Applejack cried out frantically, having to yell at the top of her lungs to keep the wind from drowning out her voice.

Fortunately, it did not take them long at all to reach Canterlot.

Applejack carefully slipped off of Rainbow Dash's back. even after breaking the contact, she could still feel the pegasus's warm fur. Applejack's face was flushed. Her hair was a mess, but at least it hid her face somewhat. She could understand why Fluttershy used her mane that way all the time.

Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed her hat fall off of Rainbow Dash and head for the ground. Applejack snatched it out of the air. When she smoothed out her hair with her hoof, she realized her hair tie was missing. "Dagnabbit, now I'm gonna have to buy another--"

"Don't. I like it like this." Rainbow Dash cut in. Applejack's face went warm and she turned her head away, continuing to straighten out her hair with her hoof. When she got to a point where she was satisfied with it, she reached into her Stetson to retrieve the voucher stuffed inside. Any of Fancy Pants' restaurants. Chances are, he wouldn't be there personally. It was just as well. Applejack was familiar with him, but not nearly to the extent of Rarity. It wouldn't me much different than dealing with the other staff, she supposed.

When they arrived at the restaurant, the doorman asked Applejack, "May I take your hat?" This prompted her to clamp a hoof over her Stetson.

"No you may not." Her eyes were narrowed, brow furrowed.

"Very well. This way, please." The doorman showed them to their table, then told them, "A waiter will be here to serve you shortly," before leaving.

Rainbow Dash pulled out a chair, but she didn't sit in it. Instead, she just stood there. Applejack tilted her head, a little confused about this. She wasn't pulling out the chair for Applejack, was she? Because Applejack could pull out her own chair.

"I-I think you should sit here. Because . . . uh . . . the wind! Less chance of the wind knocking your hat off."

Applejack didn't feel any wind, but maybe pegasi were more in tune with that sort of thing? She'd noticed on more than one occasion that Rainbow Dash's wings were sensitive. Soon after they were both seated, a waiter came to hand them both menus

"Would you like anything to drink, Madames?"

"Water." Rainbow Dash said idly while looking over the balcony, looking at the artificial lake below. It was fed by aqueducts leading the body of water that ran over the water that Canterlot was built into. "Huh. It looks like they're setting up a fireworks show down there. We'll have a nice view from here."

"Well, I'll be." Applejack said as she smiled in the direction of the lake, though she hadn't caught sight of the workers setting up the fireworks displays. "That oughta be somethin'." She then turned to the waiter, "Ya'll got any hard cider."

"I'll see what I could do." There was noticeable displeasure in his voice, and more in his expression.

When he left, Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash and said, "Well I wonder what's got his goat." Rainbow Dash just shrugged at her.  

Ok, so they'd gotten this far. Either Rainbow Dash was completly oblivious to this being a real date, or she was pretending to be. Either way, confronting Rainbow Dash directly about the elephant in the room was going to end up in Rainbow Dash flying off, regardless of what Rainbow Dash might feel. As much as Applejack wanted to see if there was really something there, she had to go easy on her.

Perhaps start off with idle bandter, something platonic

"So, you and 'Shy. How'd you two get to become friends way back when? Never did figure that one out. Ain't exactly a likely pair."

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "You know how we met. Fluttershy already told that story." She leaned back in her chair, one foreleg draped over the railing next to her.

"Ya'll told us about the race. And then Fluttershy sings an ode to the dang ground. Ya'll ain't ever said anything about how ya became friends."

Rainbow Dash blinked. "Oh." She rubbed the back of her neck with her hoof, "Well, uh, after the race, I found out that Fluttershy fell. I freaked out, went after her. Found her singing on a cloud of butterflies . . . how do butterflies even carry a pegasus?"

Applejack snickered at the thought of Rainbow Dash getting worked up only to find Fluttershy singing on top of a bunch of butterflies.

"That . . . that could have turned out differently. What if she wasn't so lucky? She would have died. And I didn't even notice until it was too late." Rainbow Dash was staring down at the edge of the table, with her ears folded down.

Applejack suddenly felt guilty for making light of it. She hadn't quite thought about 'what could have been'. She reached forward and brushed some of Rainbow Dash's bangs away from her face, tucking them behind her ear. "You ain't the only one that didn't see her fall that day, elsewise somepony else woulda gone after her. It's not your fault, Sugarcube."

Rainbow Dash looked up at Applejack. Applejack couldn't read her expression. She was just watching her. Applejack realized then, that she had been playing with Rainbow Dash's hair. She withdrew her hand, and a light blush formed on Rainbow's cheeks under her fur.

"A-Anyway . . ." Rainbow hid the blush for a moment, before making contact with Applejack again. "Those colts that were teasing Fluttershy? They were my friends. Or they were. They turned on me after that."

"Because you stuck up for 'Shy. Some friends." Applejack said with a roll of her eyes.

"Yeah. Exactly. So who needed them? After that day, I decided that I'd protect Fluttershy against anything and anypony."

Applejack couldn't help but grin. She rested her cheek on her hoof, unable to hold back the admiration she had for her, after a story like that. "That sounds exactly like the Dash I know, Sugarcube. So why'd ya end up in Ponyville?"

"Fluttershy wanted to go," Rainbow Dash replied, "She only really stuck around in Cloudsdale 'cause I asked her to. She wanted to see the forest again, though. As she got older, she talked about it more and more. Finally her parents sent a steward with her and allowed her to live in Ponyville. So I went with her."

Applejack's brow furrowed. A steward? So Fluttershy's family was well off? But that's not what really struck her as odd. "They didn't go with her?"

"Who?"

"Her parents."

Rainbow Dash looked toward the lake. She let out a snort through her nose. Applejack got the feeling that there was some animosity in that response. "No. They didn't." Rainbow's voice was dripping with venom. "They just sent her on her way. They didn't care."

As Applejack watched her, a thought struck her. "Sugarcube, did the same thing happen to you?" Rainbow Dash jerked her head toward Applejack, eyes widened a bit. That alone confirmed Applejack's suspicion.

'Uh, y-yeah. Sort of." Rainbow Dash's ears were folded down as she stared down at the table. "I ended up in an orphanage. I only have bits and pieces of memories from back then, so I don't know the details. I'm not even sure what my parents looked like."

Applejack's heart ached for the way Rainbow Dash had been hurt. She wanted to reach over the table and grab Rainbow Dash into a hug. She would have too, if it weren't for the fact that it would have made a spectacle and embarrassed Rainbow Dash. So instead she put a hoof to her cheek. "They missed out, Sugarcube. Ya ain't somethin' to be tossed away like . . . like that.  Yer a right treasure, Sugarcube." Rainbow Dash just stared at her with widened eyes, the blush returning to her cheeks.

"Do you miss yours?" Rainbow Dash was staring down at the table, tapping her hooves idly.

"'Course I do. I won't say it don't get easier, though. I still got Applebloom, and Mac, and Granny, all of my friends. You. Besides that, I kinda like to think I'll see them again."

Rainbow Dash looked away in embarrassment. "Uh . . . how'd it happen?" She then quickly turned to Applejack, "Wait. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked that."

Applejack placed her hooves on Rainbow Dash's. "It's alright. Not really a sore subject for me. I don't mind talkin' about it. Especially not with you. Let's see . . . it was shortly after Applebloom was born. Just before you and 'Shy transferred to Ponyville. My folks liked to spend a lot of time out in the woods, they took samples and stuff and studied the plants."

Rainbow Dash tilted her head, a skeptical expression on her face. "Wait, your parents were eggh- I mean botanists? I'm sorry but I'm imagining a couple of Twilights living out in the woods."

Applejack chuckled, "They didn't live out there. We've actually always lived at Granny Smith's house. My ma's ma. They did have a cottage set up. in the woods. They spent a good portion of the day out there, right after breakfast and just before dinner most days."

Applejack was slightly hesitant to finish the rest of the story. She looked up at the sky, wondering how to put it. "It wasn't . . . wasn't built too good, though." Applejack dropped her head and sighed. "The door sometimes got stuck. Candles . . . cheap kerosene lamps . . . don't mix . . ."

"You really don't have to talk about this if you don't want to."

Applejack shook her head. "I guess it's good to get this off my chest. I never talked about it to anypony. It's actually . . . I reckon the word is 'cathartic'."

Rainbow Dash just stared at her blankly.

"It makes me feel better to say it."

"So where did this--?"

"You'll find a flower field out in the woods some ways away from Ponyville. I suppose I'll show ya sometime. The land's real fertile over there. Ash has a way of doin' that to the ground. They liked plants a lot. I guess they woulda liked that place. Could be even something of them remain' there. Oh listen to me? I sound like a dern foo--" She had raised her head up as she spoke just in time to be interrupted by Rainbow Dash hugging her from over the table. Applejack was stunned at first, but then slipped her arms around Rainbow Dash.

"Don't say you're a fool, AJ.." She whispered in Applejack's ear. "You can believe anything you want." To Applejack's surprise, Rainbow Dash pecked her just behind her jawline. Applejack noticed for the first time that Rainbow Dash was wearing a yellow flower and a tan flower in her hair, the same ones she had supposedly mistaken for a 'snack.'  

"Are you ready to order?" The waiter returned and gave them their drinks. The two mares reluctantly parted from their embrace, and picked up their menus. . It was in another language. Applejack tilted it a bit, hoping to find captions in Equestrian, but no such luck. Rainbow Dash had a similarly confused expression on her face.

"Y'all got apple fritters?"

The waiter's face fell flat. "What?"

"Or maybe jus' some cornbread and a side of beans. And fried apple slices."

The waiter's brow furrowed. "I beg your pardon, but I suppose I'll have to speak very slowly, since I don't speak 'hick'." Behind him, Rainbow Dash pushed her forehooves against the table, rising slowly to her hind hooves. The waiter obliviously continued, "This is a high class establishment where we serve only the most exquisite of delicacies; not your backwoods, redneck carnival fa--" He had noticed Rainbow Dash apparently, and was turning as he spoke, only to catch the sight of an angry pegasus, and to be interrupted by a right hook to his jaw.

Rainbow Dash's wings spread out the moment her hoof struck the waiter, one wing going straight through the wood frame and glass surface of the table, causing bits of glass and splinters to explode. The glass was at least an inch thick, and the wood was a couple more. Applejack made a mental note never to get hit by one of those wings. The waiter flew into the air and landed on what was left of the table, causing it to crumple to the ground.

Some of the larger and tougher looking staff, probably hired specifically for the purpose of 'asking ponies to leave', started to head their way.

"Well I never!" came from the couple at the table nearest to them. Rainbow Dash jumped onto their table, standing on her hinds and beating her chest while yelling like some wild junglemare.  As the large stallions closed in on them, Rainbow Dash took Applejack by the hoof and said  "Let's go!"

So they ran. Applejack couldn't help but grin. A rush of adrenaline flooded her body as they escaped their pursuers. This was exciting. As they got outside, however, Applejack noticed a large number of guardponies. It started to dawn on her how serious this was. They could be arrested.

The streets were populated with ponies, which made it easier to slip away. However, at every turn they'd spot another guardpony, presumably looking for them. As they ran together, holding hooves, Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash. She had a grin on her face, the sparkle of adventure in her eye, and her hair billowed with the wind. She looked incredible. She looked like Rainbow Dash.

The pond.

More like a giant pool, having been artificially created, and shaped like a giant square, but it stretched a vast distance, and was a major landmark of the city, second in prominence only to Canterlot castle. The important thing, however, was that it was black as night right now, and would hide them easily. If only they could get to it. It was pretty far away. The only reason why they could clearly see it, was because of the way Canterlot was terraced. That also meant that not only would they have a pretty long run, but they'd have to somehow manage a series of several fifteen-foot drops.

There was only one way. Fly.

"Dash! Water!"

That's all it took for Rainbow to understand. Taking to the air was risky, because it would put them right out in the open, and pegasi might simply be sent to intercept their path no matter how fast Rainbow Dash was. When She picked Applejack up off the ground, however, they weren't in the air long. Almost instantaneously, they were submerged in the water.

Both of them stayed under for a while, looking at each other. There didn't seem to be any commotion above the surface, though it was hard to hear much from under the water. They would both have to come up sooner or later, however.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash gasped for air when they broke the surface of the water once more. Applejack looked around. It was quiet. It didn't seem like anypony was looking for them. She started to chuckle a bit, then bellowed out into laughter, which Rainbow Dash joined in on.

Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash. Her laughter was like music. Her wet bangs were matted against her face. The sight caused Applejack to go quiet, as she just took it in. Her smile had faded as she just stared at Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash's smile had faded as well, and she stared back at Applejack. Applejack wondered if that open-jawed, blank stare Rainbow was giving her, reflected how Applejack herself looked.

Applejack closed the distance, running her forehooves over Rainbow Dash's cutie mark, and over the sides of her body. She received no protest from Rainbow Dash. The water was cold, causing her to shiver, her jaw shudder faintly.

"You're cold." Rainbow Dash said softly as she slipped her wings around Applejack. The tips of Rainbow's wings halfway overlaid Applejack's cutie marks. It was a gesture too precise to be an accident, but it's meaning was lost on Applejack. The only thing she knew right now was that she was running her hooves slowly up and down Rainbow Dash's body, and Rainbow wasn't stopping her.

"Dash . . . "

"I know." Rainbow Dash stared down at the water, refusing to meet Applejack's eyes. She put her forehead to Applejack's. "If you say it, it becomes real, Applejack. "

"What, how I feel about you?"

"How we feel about each other . . . "

"It's already real, Sugarcub. We can't change it back."

Rainbow Dash clenched her eyes shut and put her forehead to Applejack's. Rainbow then said in a desperate whisper, "Promise me."

"Promise you?"

"Promise me, AJ." She said throught gritted teeth, but she wasn't angry. She looked like she was trying to keep herself from crying. Her fur was already wet so there was no way to tell if there were any tears. "Promise me that no matter what happens, we'll always be friends."

Applejack's heart became heavy at this. Not because she couldn't make the promise, but because she was starting to really understand just how scared Rainbow Dash really was.

"No, not just that," Rainbow quickly added, she lifted her chin up, now stairing directly into Applejack's eyes. "Promise me that we'll never drift apart. No matter what, we'll always be AJ and RD, best buds and rivals." Gritting her teeth in anguish again, "I you promise me that AJ . . ."

"Yeah. That one I know for dern sure. I love you, RD"

Applejack leaned her head forward, prompting Rainbow dash to do the same. The parting of Applejack's lips was met with Rainbow Dash following her lead as Applejack locked lips with her. As they kissed, Applejack ran a hoof up the back of her neck, through her mane, and held the back of her head.

Rainbow Dash seemed to make a very conscious effort to keep the tips of her wings latched over half of Applejack's cutie mark, on both sides. Applejack decided she'd have to ask her about that later.

Rainbow Dash lifted her head up, her lips taking Applejack's bottom lip and tugging demandingly. Applejack leaned in and sealed their lips, and they kissed deeply.

"I won't ever leave ya behind, RD." Applejack whispered in Rainbow Dash's ear when they finally parted lips.

"I believe you." Rainbow Dash said softly.

"'Course you do. I ain't no liar."

"That's a lie." Rainbow Dash said with a smile. Applejack felt a bit confused by that statement. "Sometimes it's a lie," Rainbow Dash elaborated. "I believe you, because I know what your lies look like." She then lightly bit the crook of Applejack's neck.

It was then that the fireworks display began. Applejack could feel the bursts of air as the palm-tree explosions of light spread in the sky above them. Applejack didn't see them, save for the reflections in the water. She was far more focused on Rainbow Dash.

The rectangular rim of the artificial lake lit up, as fixtures rigged around the perimeter unleashed continuous, giant floods of sparks, surrounding the two ponies kissing in the water.

"And now for the main event!" This from the booming voice of an announcer, magnified by magic. Applejack had almost forgotten they were making out in the middle of a fireworks display.

Oh no That's right. This isn't just a fireworks display! Why did they have to do this now!

"I give you, the Wonderbolts! Leading today, the fastest pegasus in Equestria,  the one, the only

. . . Raiiiiinbow Daaaaassh!"  

Spotlights seached fantically in the sky. When that didn't work, somepony must have spotted the two in the water, because the spotlights suddenly zeroed in on their intended target. Rainbow was frozen their with widened eyes, her hair a mess and matted to her face, her lower jaw quivering in utter shock.

Applejack said to her with a sheepish, apologetic grin, "I told you I'd go to one of your shows."                                                                      

                                                                       _______

"Can I go home with you tonight?" Rainbow Dash asked.

Applejack's arms were wrapped around her neck, and Rainbow Dash was holding her in her arms. Applejack could barely believe it. She was so lost in the thought, that she barely registered Rainbow Dash's question.

When she realized what she was asked, It occurred to her that it would be another night of sleeping in the same bed as Rainbow Dash. In the House. With Granny Smith and Big MacIntosh probably realizing full-well that Rainbow Dash could fly just fine. It would raise questions. Give her family the wrong idea.

"I don't think that's a good idea, Sugarcube. I ain't ready for all the questions that's gonna bring up."

Rainbow Dash's ears folded. "I . . . I don't want to be alone."

She thought about it for a moment. It wasn't as if she could walk around in Rainbow Dash's house. Rainbow Dash's house was made of clouds. Only pegasi could walk on them. Other ponies would fall straight through. The only exception was that time that Twilight found a cloud-walking spell she could cast on her friends. It was well into night, however, and Twilight was surely asleep. If she wasn't, then she would probably be so drawn into some experiment that she wouldn't be coherent anyway.

"RD, is your bed made of clouds?" Applejack asked.

"Enchanted mattress." Rainbow Dash said with a blink. She didn't ask what Applejack had in mind. She simply headed for Ponyville, and Applejack knew exactly where she was taking her.                                                                          

It didn't take long. Rainbow Dash didn't bother going through the door. Applejack saw that coming. It wasn't as if she could set Applejack down to open the door. Applejack would fall straight through. Rainbow Dash's cloud home wasn't exactly in the sky, but even if Applejack survived the fall, she wouldn't be in good shape. The open window was the only option.

When Rainbow Dash set her down, Applejack was relieved to be on a firm surface. As long as she stayed on the mattress, she would be fine.

On Rainbow Dash's mattress.

She tried to tell herself that it shouldn't be such a big deal. She'd slept in the same bed as Rainbow Dash before. That was when they were 'just friends' though. The same couldn't be said now.

Then again, maybe she had less reason to be nervous? Now she had no reason to avoid contact with her. She could hold her. They were . . . a couple. She could barely believe the words as she thought them, they didn't seem real.

Rainbow Dash slipped into the bed. Applejack touched her forehooves to Rainbow's as they stared in each other's eyes. Though Applejack had certainly made all the first moves before, this time it wasn't certain who had leaned toward the other first as they touched lips.

Over Rainbow Dash's shoulder, Applejack noticed that all of the flowers that Rainbow Dash supposedly mistook for a snack, were in a vase displayed on her dresser.

                                                         _______

Twilight Sparkle's dancing was terrible. Applejack suspected that she knew this, but she just carried on anyway, without a care in the world. Applejack admired that about her.

She sat on a stool at Sugarcube Corner, watching the various ponies laugh, dance, or play games. As usual, Pinkie Pie had invited more party guests than should have fit comfortably in the building, and somehow made it work. Applejack wondered if all of Ponyville was here.

Fluttershy was hiding from everypony, in an elaborate costume disguising her as foliage. Applejack frowned slightly. If Fluttershy didn't become more comfortable soon, Applejack would have to go over there and calm her down.

Applejack noticed blue, pink, and cream out of the corner of her eye. It did kind of strike Applejack as odd, that she lived in the same town as a lot of ponies she went to high school with, yet hadn't spoke to in years. Side effect of being a homebody, perhaps? Then again, it seemed like The Elements of Harmony had chosen mares that had some odd social quirks.  Applejack would have to write to Celestia about that and ask her if that was just how the elements did things.

Applejack picked up her cide and headed toward Bon-Bon. "Howdy." Bon-Bon paused her conversation with a mint-green unicorn, and turned. "Hm? Oh, Oh! Hey! How have you been?"

"Still workin' the farm." Applejack said with a shrug.

"Huh. I wonder why I never paid Sweet Apple Acres a visit . . ." Bon Bon tapped at her chin. She then turned to the mint-green unicorn she was talking to earlier. The unicorn lazily leaned back against the bar with the knees of both forelegs resting on the edge, while her hind legs straddled a barstool. "Lyra, this Applejack Apple. We went to High School together."Applejack, Lyra Heartstrings, my wife." Applejack reached a hoof out to shake Lyra's. "You can call me AJ or Applejack if ya like, Whichever." Lyra shrugged and said, "Ponies tend to call me by eithr my first or last name, it doesn't matter. Nice to meet ya."

"I really must thank you," Rarity said behind Applejack, "and apologize."

Bon Bon and Lyra politely excused Applejack when Rarity addressed her, and went back to talking amongst themselves.

"Huh? But ya already thanked us all for helpin' with the dresses. Besides, no need."

Rarity shook her head, and looked down at her hooves. "No. For trying to encourage me. If I said anything to cause you to share my doubts, I couldn't possibly forgive myself. Just because I was too afraid to take steps toward my own wish was no reason to spread that trepidation. I should have chosen my words more tactfully ."

Applejack shook her head, "If that's how ya feel, then that's how you feel. Heck, I might be makin' a mistake.  Riskin' my friendship--"

"I don't think that you are," Rarity cut her off, finally looking up at her and making eye contact. "You were right. To have faith in our friendships, I mean. That's the attitude I should have had." She looked in Twilight’s direction. "That's the attitude I've decided I will."

"So yer gonna go for it." Applejack said with a smile.

Rarity fidgeted her front hooves nervously. "I'm . . . still deciding how to go about it. I don't know how. I honestly don't know what to do . . ."

Applejack smiled warmly at her and placed a hoof over her shoulder. "You'll do fine. Maybe you'd be more comfortable startin' reeal slow. Ya don't gotta ask her on a 'date'. You could just set up opportunities to hang out with 'er more."

"That's actually not a bad idea." Rarity said with a tilt of her head, still looking at Twilight. She then turned toward Applejack. "Thank you, Applejack. If I may excuse myself?"

"Ya may." Applejack said with a chuckle. It was only after Rarity started walking in Twilight's direction, that Applejack noticed Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash hiding under a pair of tables, with a tripwire outstretched between them. When Rarity tripped and fell toward Twilight, their lips met.

                                                                      _______

Rainbow Dash couldn't stop laughing. "Did you see that?!"

"Yeah, I saw." Applejack said with a smirk. She took the ladle from the punch and filled her cup with it. After taking a drink and setting it down, she held her hoof out to Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash just stared at her, dumbstruck. Applejack rolled her eyes, grabbed Rainbow Dash's hoof, and pulled her out to the dance floor.

"Hey!" Rainbow protested. There was a blush on her cheeks as Applejack wrapped her foreleg around Rainbow's waist, and placed her other foreleg over her shoulder. Applejack placed her head over Rainbow Dash's shoulder, her chin nestled in the crook of her neck. Rainbow Dash did the same.

As they swayed slowly on the dance floor, Rainbow Dash said, "So, tell me something. Ever get all 'worked up up' during one of our competitions?"

Applejack turned her head to look at Rainbow, though she could only see her mane in this position. "Seriously, Rainbow?"

"Yeah. Spill it, Honesty."

Applejack didn't say a word.

"Fine. So why'd you wait so long to tell me anyway? Or did you just suddenly fall in love with me in the last four days?

"Thought about not saying anything at all. I won't say it wasn't scary. The idea of it not workin' out, and ruining our friendship . . . a few good memories would be a right sorry exchange for a friendship."

Rainbow Dash nuzzled against Applejack's neck. "Nothing's going to break our friendship, AJ."

"I know." Applejack tilted her head down, as Rainbow Dash looked up at her, and their lips met.

                                                                       _______

Eating apple pie at the birthday party made a mess of Applejack's hooves, so she headed for the bathroom to wash up. As she approached, she heard the gentle sound of Pinkie Pie singing. She sang softly enough that Applejack couldn't make it out. It was gentle, soothing. Every time Pinkie Pie trailed off into a brief pause, Fluttershy would giggle.

Applejack quickly left when she realized she was probably listening in on an intimate moment. At least somepony had finally dealt with Fluttershy before she had a panic attack.

Rarity and Twilight were talking at the counter while sipping punch. Applejack couldn't hear anything that was being said, though that was just fine. She had no desire to eavesdrop. She instead searched the room and laid eyes on Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow was pulling some pretty wild acrobatics on the dance floor, eating up as much attention as she could muster. When she turned and locked eyes with Applejack, however,  she stopped and smiled, her wings flaring up.

Once she was close enough to run her hooves up Rainbow Dash's sides, Applejack was encircled by wings, the tips overlaying her cutie marks. "That was some mighty slick moves, Rainbow, but let me show ya how it's done."

Rainbow Dash grinned as she moved to the dance floor to rise to the challenge.

                                                                  _______

Dear Princess Luna,

I was both honored, and confused, when you asked for my help in uncovering the mysteries of the ancient alicorn race. I would have thought I could ask you or Celestia about them. Why isn't she answering my letters, by the way?

However, I regret to admit failure in learning anything but the most superficial of observations. I'm also returning the artifacts you've sent me.

I'm curious, though. The metal found in many of the artifacts, including the Elements of Harmony, seem to be the same metal found in Canterlot guard armor. Can you explain         this?

I'm embarrassed to admit that in studying the Elements of Harmony themselves, I began to lose sight of what was important in my life. That's another reason I need to abandon         this endeavor. I became obsessed with them, thinking that through them, I could uncover the secrets of friendship.

Friendship isn't in material objects. It's in us. What I've learned from the amulets doesn't tell me anything about friendship at all. They seem more like instruments of war. Aside         from binding great threats in one way or another, it seems to increase our durability and any ability that's combat-relevant. I have even seen Fluttershy summon butterflies with         incredible magical mass, the offensive potential I haven't yet informed her of. Why? Why would the Elements of HARMONY have such a power?! It makes no sense!

On a more pleasant note, I'm happy to state that Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie have recently revealed being in a long-standing relationship, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash have announced a newly formed one.

I also recently discovered that one of my friends holds those kinds of feelings for me, and I'm sort of thinking there's a possibility I might feel the same way. The attraction is         certainly there, and I'm willing to give it a try. Me and Rarity are going on a date tonight!

Are you busy, by the way? My friends and I would like to invite you to hang out with us.

P.S: Could you stop referring to me as 'Princess' in your letters? I don't really care for the                   title.

                                                                                Sincerely,

                                                                           Twilight Sparkle

Dearest Twilight Sparkle,

We art most appreciative with thy efforts, and while we hath much respect for thine insight, thou shouldst rest assured that we will utilize the royal archaeological division to         continue where thou left off.

Thy suspicions of the Elements of Harmony are indeed correct, they are weapons. This paints a grim picture of our race indeed. Understand, however, that many believe that the road to peace brings with it the necessity of violence. We are unsure if this is true. We feel we should point out that thy seldom use of them, and of violence in general, makes thee ideal bearers, for in the wrong hands, they are dangerous.

We do not pretend to be informed of the true nature of the amulets, as they are older than us . . .but we believe thusly; They can no more teach you of friendship, than an oar can teach you of the ocean.

Rather than a weapon, however, thy may take comfort in thinking of the Elements as a         Shield. To protect others, as well as thyselves. In turn, I have very rarely seen thee resort to violence. Thou mastery of 'friendship and tolerance' surpasses any original intention of the Elements by those who forged them.

We are most happy that thou and thine have found love in each other, and cannot wait         to hear how thy fare in this. We are most honored in thy invitation, and are pleased to         inform you that we are not busy. We would very much like to 'hang out'.

Pertaining to our sister . . . we do know. We cannot find her. Twilight Sparkle, we implore then to make haste to the cavern of dreams. There, we have hidden Discord. We must warn you that his power is waning, and he is not well. He cannot directly help thee in the tribulations to come.

Our allies are growing few in number. Stay strong, Twilight Sparkle.

On I side note, we must bring complaint of this illusionist that thou hath implored us to         take in as a student. This 'Trixie' is insufferable, and We are at our wit's end.

P.S.: We will desist referring to thee as 'Princess' if thou will agree to the same.

                                                                                                                           Thy friend,

                                                                                                                                    Luna