The morning at Sweet Apple Acres started out the same. Applejack, the earth pony caretaker of the farm, set out to do some applebucking. "Aw consarnit what the hay is wrong with me?" Applejack stated after her third attempt to buck all the apples out of one of the many trees. This has been a reoccurring theme for the past few days. It had started since she stepped aside and let Trixie proclaim her love for Twilight Sparkle, her performance on the farm had fallen dramatically. She wasn't upset that they were together. She just couldn't help but feel lonely. "Come on AJ, ya gotta pull yerself together". She heaved a heavy sigh and stared out across her beautiful orchard. She then caught a glimpse of a rainbow streak across the sky. A sight that could only be the sign of The Fastest Young Flier in Equestria!
The cause of the rainbow streak quickly made a turn and looked to be heading right towards Applejack, "Here we go" Applejack said as she braced for the all too familiar impact. With a loud crash the rainbow streak slammed on the ground just a few inches away from Applejack. Impressively enough, the cyan pegasus that created the rainbow streak had landed on all four hooves, a hard feat at that speed. The wind was just now catching up with her, as it blew downward and across the field.
"Sup, AJ long time no see!" the cyan Pegasus gave Applejack a broad grin, which was returned with a tip of Applejack's hat. The Pegasus known as Rainbow Dash trotted over to one of the apples and picked it up, "First one is always free for friends right?" A nod was the only answer she needed before devouring the juicy red apple.
Applejack stifled a laugh as she watched her friend destroy the defenseless apple with just a few bites. Flying at that speed must take it out on ones stomach. "What brings ya to mah orchard, Rainbow?" Applejack questioned her friend.
Rainbow had just finished her apple with a big gulp and gave a heartfelt smile, "To hang out with you of course! You're way overdue for some Rainbow Dash time. I'm starting to miss ya!" She had an eager expression that started to fall when compared to Applejack's own expression.
Applejack was giving a small frown, "Ah'm sorry, sugarcube. ah've still got some applebuckin' ta do." She exclaimed with another half enthused buck to the same apple tree. Her result was only a few more apples. The tree was only half bare now. This was sign enough to Rainbow that something was wrong.
"What was that AJ? I've seen you clear trees bigger than this with just one kick." Rainbow had questioned her with tone mixed with seriousness and concern. "You need more time off than I thought. You're hanging with me Applejack, and I'm not taking no for an answer!" Rainbow began to stare down her earth pony friend.
Rainbow was the only one who could be as stubborn as Applejack.
Applejack returned the stare, but started to break with a small smile, "Yer not gonna leave until I agree to hang out are ya"?
"Nope" was Rainbows only reply.
Applejack looked to the half bare tree. This wasn't how she worked. Maybe Rainbow Dash was right. Maybe she needed a day to just have fun and clear her head. It didn't take much more convincing, "Alright, Rainbow, ya win." Applejack stated with a defeated tone.
Rainbow Dash was already rejoicing in the air about her small victory. She flew back down next to Applejack, "I promise you won't regret this! I mean who regrets time with The Fastest Flier in Equestria anyway?" She gave a slight nudge to Applejack at the last statement which was returned along with a smile from AJ.
Their day started with a swim in one of the small lakes in Ponyville. With the two of them being so competitive, it was inevitable when the playful swim turned into a full on race to each side of the lake. A winner was never determined. It was more about the fun anyway.
Later, Applejack took some time to lay in the fields as Rainbow Dash showed off some of her latest tricks. She had greatly improved since her time in the Young Fliers Competition. She could pull off the sonic rainboom with ease. She was also able to control her speed without pulling off the sonic rainboom which resulted in some lightning fast tricks with a bright streak of rainbow creating all kinds of neat shapes and patterns. She landed next to Applejack with her chest puffed out and a smug expression, "What did you think of that?".
Applejack got to her hooves and gave a small grin, "Ah just don't get it." Her expression and tone were very nonchalant about the whole display. Not giving Rainbow Dash any feedback.
Rainbow Dash scowled a little brought herself closer to Applejack's face, "You didn't get WHAT!" Rainbow was almost fuming.
The expression on Applejack's face slowly broke into a sly smile, "Ah don't get how yer not already in th' Wonderbolts." A slight show of her tongue had made it clear that getting Rainbow Dash mad over nothing was the primary objective. The result was a stern tackle that ended up in a wrestling match. Once again, there was no winner.
Finally, as the sun began to set, the two ponies were sitting down to eat at Sugar Cube Corner. No other sweets and treats compared to the lovely confections made here. The two chowed down, obviously fatigued by the days activities. Each bite they took was like heaven on a pastry. They were soon joined by none other than the Sugar Cube Chef herself, Pinkie Pie. She was an energetic earth pony with a fuel source of sweets and parties. She bounced to meet them and began to chat up a storm, "Did you guys like the sweets? Because I worked really hard on them, well I work hard on all my creations, but I just had to make sure they were great for some of my best friends in all of Ponyville!" The two were very used to Pinkie Pie's overly energetic attitude and agreed that the meal was wonderful.
Applejack slouched with her had tipped downward, "Ah think ah've needed this for quite the while. Things have been a little stressful lately since..." She stammered at the end of her sentence, only to have Pinkie burst in.
"You mean since Trixie and Twilight started dating and made you feel like you were not good enough for anyone, because I think that is so not true. You are like the-" Her mouth was clamped shut by Rainbow's hooves.
Rainbow looked to Applejack, "Hold on a minute. Did you have a thing or something for Twilight? or...please don't tell me it was Trixie." She was obviously out of the loop on the whole situation.
A nervous sweat dripped down Applejack's face, "It ain't for Trixie. I...did sort of have a crush on Twilight...but I didn't tell anypony. How did ya'll find out Pinkie?" The pink pony just a gave a shrug as her muzzle was still locked up by Rainbow's hooves. "Ah'll tell you the details on the way back to the farm." Applejack had started towards her home, soon to be followed by Rainbow Dash. The pink pony felt she may have said to much and felt it better to give them some space.
The walk home was a long one as Applejack had told her about all that happened. She explained how she just felt her attraction was just a crush, where as she could feel Trixie's feelings were much deeper. She wouldn't feel right if she didn't back down. The end result however, just made her feel lonely and kind of worthless.
Rainbow Dash had to bud in at this point, "I can see why you did that, AJ. I think I would do the same in the situation you were in, but don't ever think you're not worth sompony's time." Rainbow was giving one of her rare serious looks. "You were one of my first, and certainly best friends, AJ. I don't ever want to hear you talk like that".
Applejack felt a little guilty about not talking to Rainbow sooner about the whole situation. Ponies go to their friends when they need a shoulder, and there was nopony more loyal to a friend than Rainbow Dash.
"Ah appreciate you talkin' to me Rainbow, I think I needed this day more than anything." The two shared a heartfelt smile. Soon to be interrupted by some small laughter from Rainbow Dash.
"I just can't believe you had a thing for Twilight!" Rainbow Dash was now on the ground from laughter. "You know she wouldn't be able to keep up with you, AJ".
Applejack couldn't help but laugh at the truth of Rainbow's last statement. Though, it didn't excuse her from a quick wrestle for laughing at her. The two were at it again trying to prove who was stronger. Applejack was in thought as this went on. "Maybe she is right though, maybe I should look for somepony more like me. Somepony like..." Her thoughts were interrupted as she felt herself now pinned by the cyan pegasus.
"Oh Yeah! Who's the champ?" her victory was soon cut short but a powerful buck from the orange earth pony.
"Ya just got lucky." Applejack stated as she rose to her hooves. She landed a hoof to Rainbow who was impressively bucked a few feet away. "I do feel a whole lot better though. Thanks fer that, Rainbow."
Rainbow quickly trotted to a tree full of apples and pointed to it with her hooves, "Prove to me that you are better." Her grin very apparent.
Applejack picked up on what she was saying and walked over to the apple tree. With one swift buck and a loud crack the tree began to rain down all of its apples. Applejack puffed out her chest trying to mimic Rainbows usual boasting stance, "How's that fer proof".
It was now Rainbow displaying that nonchalant expression, "ah just don't get it." She was now trying her best to be an Applejack doppelganger. Applejack already got where this was going.
"Didn't get WHAT!" Applejack shouted half joking half serious to the cyan Pegasus.
"Why you didn't come to me sooner." Rainbow responded with a small smile.
Applejack wasn't fully expecting that response. A slight blush showing across her features, "Ah don't know why, sugarcube, but ah'll be kickin' mahself for not finding your help sooner".
Rainbow gave her a friendly nuzzle and then took to the sky. "I'll be here anytime you need me, AJ. I am the Element of Loyalty after all!" With that she was gone. Applejack watched her leave until she was no longer visible.
She then started back to the farmhouse. She would owe big mac for making him do all the work today. She wasn't concerned about it though, she was much too happy from today's events. She went to her room and headed strait for bed. She quickly fell asleep. Reliving the rainbow filled events all throughout the night.
This is a sequel to my last story. I got most votes for Rainbow Dash. So, Rainbow Dash it is! Hope you all enjoy. More chapters to come later!