Chapter Two: Running of the leaves
Up in the sky was a hot air balloon that hovered over the race ponies that stood below stretching their hooves and body parts. In the balloon stood Pinkie-Pie, and Spike. Once again this year, Spike wanted to help with the announcing for the race. Pinkie-Pie was the main announcer.
"Once again we prepare for the Running of the leaves and our contestants seem rared up to go." Spike announced from a metal microphone.
"That's right Spike, It'll be a super dooper stooperly stooper heck of a race." Pinkie-Pie spazzed.
Apple-Jack stretched her legs as she had managed to push Rainbow-Dash out of her mind. At least for the time being. She smiled at Flutter-shy that gave a weak reassuring grin. On Apple-Jack's other side stood Twilight which was also stretching.
"On your mark, get set..." Spike was getting ready.
"GOOOO." Pinkie-Pie interrupted as she popped a balloon that she brought out of no where which started the race with a loud pop.
Apple-Jack stayed back with Twilight. She was planning on using her strategy from last year. Slow and steady wins the race. Last year Twilight took her time and at the very end while every-pony was worn out, Twilight darted up ahead and made fifth place. This time however, Apple-Jack was in it to win it. Apple-Jack leisurely trotted next to Twilight. Flutter-shy was looking at the confused, "You two do know it's a race... don't... you...?"
"Don'tcha fret, Sugarcube. This is how Twi won last year." Apple-Jack stated.
"Really?" Flutter-shy asked in shock.
"Yeah, at the end I darted up ahead and won fifth place." Twilight somewhat gloated.
"I'll try it too then..." Flutter-shy said quietly as she walked next to the other two.
They continued to walk as leaves were falling from the trees. Last time Apple-Jack didn't get to see it because she was in too much of a hurry to beat Rainbow-Dash. This time however she was seeing the beauty of the vast amount of colorful leaves that were falling in every which direction.
"Hey slowpokes!" A voice called from above.
The three girls looked up to see Rainbow-Dash leisurely watching the race from a cloud. Apple-Jack and Flutter-shy was speechless, they were instantly wondering what the other was thinking. Apple-Jack knew about Flutter-shy's crush and Apple-Jack felt guilty from having the same crush.
"Hey Rainbow-Dash." Twilight waved.
"I thought this was a race, not a nature walk!" Rainbow-Dash teased.
"Oh really, I don't see you racing none." Apple-Jack retorted. Her competitive side getting the best of herself.
"Come on AJ, Let's see just how fast those legs of yours can carry ya." Rainbow-Dash edged on.
"Fine then." Apple-Jack grinned as she darted off in a fast run.
"Wait! What about the... strategy..." Flutter-shy frowned.
Flutter-shy looked up at Rainbow-Dash that was watching Apple-Jack dart up ahead. Flutter-shy huffed as she whispered to herself, "I need to beat Apple-Jack, I want to show Rainbow-Dash I can do it too..."
Without warning Flutter-shy started running as fast as she could. Trying to catch up to Apple-Jack. Apple-Jack was shocked when moments later, Flutter-shy was right next to her with a determined look on her face.
"Whooo-WEE cowgirl, didn't know you could run so fast." Apple-Jack laughed as she cheered Flutter-shy on.
"You girls can't possibly win running like that!" Rainbow-Dash teased trying to see how far she could push them.
"Oh yeah Rainbow, watch this!" Apple-Jack lowered her head as she charged as fast as she could. She easily sped up to first place.
"HEY!" Flutter-shy yelled in a surprisingly loud voice.
Flutter-shy did the same and zoomed up ahead, neck and neck with Apple-Jack.
"Apple-Jack takes the lead." Spike called out into the mic.
"And what's this? Flutter-shy shy's her way and now they are neck and neck." Pinkie-Pie stated.
"I wonder if anything could possibly stop the two from winning." Spike commented.
"I bet a rock could, or maybe a banana, or even a dragon, or or... a um... party that was magically in the road or..." Pinkie-Pie randomly ranted.
"Um... Anyway... seems Apple-Jack and Flutter-shy are fighting to stay in first." Spike stated as he looked at Pinkie-Pie like she was crazy.
Twilight sighed as she spoke to herself, "This might turn out like a repeat of last year..."
Rainbow-Dash laughed at her success of edging the girls on. She was surprised that Flutter-shy was giving Apple-Jack a run for her money.
"Please Apple-Jack... I need to win..." Flutter-shy pleaded to the orange pony.
"Why? It's just a race." Apple-Jack pointed out.
"The... only reason... I wanted to race... was to prove myself to Rainbow-Dash... She's so athletic and awsome... I just wanted to show I can too..." Flutter-shy said in a worried yet hushed voice.
"Oh Sugarcube... You don't need to win to show that your worth any-pony." Apple-Jack tried to cheer her up.
"I... Just got too win..." Flutter-shy said with determination in her voice as she raced ahead.
Apple-Jack's heart sank as jealousy shot back into her heart. The thought instantly shot into her mind of Flutter-shy winning and Rainbow-Dash and her going off on there own. Ruining Apple-Jack's chance of a relationship with Rainbow-Dash. Apple-Jack fought herself when she thought that. All this time she had forced her feelings away and now that she has competition, she couldn't bare the thought. Apple-Jack growled loudly as she yelled, "Oh no you don't!"
Apple-Jack raced up ahead and once again they were neck and neck.
"Apple-Jack..." Flutter-shy whispered.
"Sorry Sugarcube, this is a fair race, I ain't gonna just let you win." Apple-Jack stated trying to make herself sound honorable.
A tear ran from Flutter-shy's eyes as she used all her might to dart up ahead. Apple-Jack was shocked to say the least that little Flutter-shy was easily faster than her. The race darted in a valley and they slowed down as to not make an avalanche.
"Flutter-shy, be very quiet in here." Apple-Jack whispered.
"I will win..." Flutter-shy was determined and saw this as a chance.
Flutter-shy darted into a run. Making rocks from above slowly fall.
"Flutter-shy!" Apple-Jack whispered in shock.
"NO..." Flutter-shy accidentally yelled back.
Flutter-shy and Apple-Jack froze as large boulders and rocks started rushing down on top of them. They were right in the middle of the valley. Running either way was too far to escape. Then Apple-Jack saw a cave and quickly ran and pulled Flutter-shy into it. They were soon caved in. Flutter-shy realized at what had happened. She had caused an avalanche and now they were both trapped and it was all her fault.
"I'm... so sorry... Apple-Jack..." Flutter-shy started to cry.
"Don't you fret, Sugarcube. I understand yer feelings." Apple-Jack admitted.
"You... do?" Flutter-shy sniffled as she wiped away one of her tears.
"Yeah... I um... I'm always tryin to impress my crush." Apple-Jack stated as she tried to make Flutter-shy feel better.
"What... do you do... to impress her?" Flutter-shy questioned.
"She can be kind of head strung and competitive, I'm always tryin to out do her." Apple-Jack tried to word it to not let her know it's Rainbow-Dash.
"Oh... I just wish I could just come out and tell her my feelings..." Flutter-shy lowered her head.
"Flutter-shy... I have to admit sumthin." Apple-Jack started before Flutter-shy interrupted.
"I see a light!" Flutter-shy happily smiled as she walked toward the light.
Suddenly rocks were being pulled from the cave entrance. Twilight going her leisurely pace had heard the two talking and used her magic to lift the rocks away.
"Twilight!" The two girls smiled as they darted from the cave.
"No problem, let's get back to the race." Twilight smiled at the two.
"There you three are!" Rainbow-Dash called from above.
"We just hit a wall is all. But all's good now." Apple-Jack stated as she trotted alongside Flutter-shy and Twilight.
Instead of lunging off to get in first, they just stood back staying with Twilight.
"I'm sorry again Apple-Jack..." Flutter-shy apologized.
"It's mighty alright, Sugarcube." Apple-Jack stated.
"Here we go girls, the finish line." Twilight called out as she started to run.
The finish line was coming into view and soon they would see who would be the winner. All the pony's up in front were tired and worn out. Twilight, Flutter-shy and Apple-Jack easily jumped up into the lead.
"How's bout we all finish together?" Apple-Jack offered.
Apple-Jack thought that this way, no one would be a loser.
"Sounds good to me." Twilight smiled.
"Sure..." Flutter-shy smiled shyly.
The three girls made sure to be neck and neck. They easily crossed the finish line as they all tied in first place. Pinkie-Pie landed on the ground and both Spike and her started hanging first place medals around their necks.
"That was AWSOME!" Rainbow-Dash cheered as she darted from her cloud.
"And that it was." Celestia stated as she seemingly came out of nowhere.
"Princess!" The girls said in shock.
"I come every year to the running of the leaves." Admitted Celestia.
"I decided to come this year too." Luna said as she walked out from behind her larger sister.
"NUUUUU it's NIGHTMARE-MOON!" Pinkie-Pie yelled out as she ran.
Luna sighed as she lowered her head.
"Ignore her Princess Luna, she just likes scaring every-pony." Twilight stated.
"We are over this scare thing, We are not worried." Luna said trying to stay in a soothing voice like Twilight had taught her before.
"I'm curious on what you have learned this time around Twilight-Sparkle?" Celestia asked.
"I've learned that you don't always need to be the best in order to impress some-pony. You just need to do your best and have fun doing it." Twilight stated and smiled as if to pat herself on the back.
"Very good Twilight." Celestia complimented.
After things settled after the race, Celestia had left and Luna had stayed to spend some time outside the castle.
"Luna, when are you going back?" Twilight asked straight forward.
"We are planning on living in Ponyville for awhile. To learn of the new ways of the pony's. We are still not accustomed of the pony's easygoing ways."
"I reckon that's a mighty fine idea, Princess Luna." Apple-Jack smiled.
"Yeah, It's awesome to have new friends, especially one that can fly." chuckled Rainbow-Dash.
"Rainbow..." Flutter-shy called in a very low voice.
Rainbow-Dash couldn't hear her because she was literally whispering. Flutter-shy was trying to build up the courage to tell Rainbow-Dash about her feelings. Apple-Jack noticed and figured that if Flutter-shy and Rainbow-Dash was meant to be together, then she should have the chance to tell her that. Apple-Jack put her feelings aside like she had so many times before and called out, "Rainbow, Flutter-shy wants to talk to you."
"Oh?" Rainbow-Dash trotted over to Flutter-shy, "What's up Flutter-shy?"
"Oh... Rainbow-Dash... I... need too... Talk to you..." Flutter-shy managed to say just loud enough for her to hear.
Twilight was watching out of the corner of her eye as she talked to Luna. She was worried about what was going to happen and tried to watch to see if Apple-Jack was going to be heartbroken.
"Let's go over here then." Rainbow-Dash offered as Flutter-shy followed away from the others.
They stopped under a tree and Flutter-shy started mumbling something under her breath.
"Flutter-shy, I know how bashful you are, but I can't hear you when you get shy like this." Rainbow-Dash stated.
"I..." Flutter-shy couldn't seem to spit it out. Every second was making her more nervous.
"Flutter-shy... The others are waiting..." Rainbow-Dash stated getting impatient.
"I... have... a crush on..." Flutter-shy said slowly.
"A crush... on who?" Rainbow-Dash raised an eyebrow.
"You... I have... I... mean..." Flutter-shy was started to shy away again. A red blush apparent on her face.
"I think I know what you are getting at Flutter-shy... I love you as a friend... I too have a crush though... I just don't like you in that way... I'm... sorry..." Rainbow-Dash said as she started backing away slowly.
Poor Flutter-shy felt like her heart was just ripped in half. Tears ran from her eyes and she took flight up into the sky. Heading straight for her cottage.
"Rainbow... What in tarnation did you do?" Apple-Jack asked in an almost furious voice.
"She said... she had a crush on me... I just don't like her that way..." Rainbow-Dash admitted.
Rainbow-Dash felt like a pony-pattie right about now. She had hurt Flutter-shy but she didn't know how else to reply. She didn't like Flutter-shy that way. She had another pony in mind and now she was afraid her crush was mad because she made Flutter-shy cry. Rainbow-Dash was now determined to fix this. She darted up into the sky and headed for Flutter-shy's cottage. She arrived and apparently Apple-Jack had beat her there. The door was open and she peered inside. Flutter-shy was in the middle of the floor crying her eyes out with a sorrowful Apple-Jack trying to make her feel better.
"Flutter-shy... I..." Rainbow-Dash started.
"Rainbow-Dash... It's ok... I spoke to Apple-Jack... If you don't like me that way... it's ok..." Flutter-shy sniffled, her heart still breaking even though she understood.
"Flutter... I'm sorry... I can't lie to myself into thinking I like you that way..." Rainbow-Dash said feeling sorry that she couldn't return her feelings.
"Rainbow... I'a reckon you outta just give her sum space." Apple-Jack stated as she led her to the door.
Apple-Jack led her outside and closed the door behind them, "Rainbow... I know you didn't mean to hurt her... but why... do you not like fillies?"
"Actually... I have a crush on a fillie..." Admitted a blushing Rainbow-Dash.
"Really... Who?" Apple-Jack asked feeling down that Rainbow-Dash liked some-pony else, but was trying her best to put aside her feelings at the moment.
Rainbow-Dash fell silent and just sat there.
"Rainbow... Come on, I'm just about your best friend. You can tell me." Apple-Jack tried to reassure.
Apple-Jack's eyes went wide when a pair of lips were forced against hers. Rainbow-Dash had kissed Apple-Jack and sparks were flying inside Apple-Jack's head. She was happy that her crush was returning her feelings, but inside ached for Flutter-shy. Rainbow-Dash pulled away and before Apple-Jack could say anything, Rainbow-Dash darted off into the sky. Apple-Jack was too stunned still to follow. Apple-Jack just decided to head inside to keep Flutter-shy company.
"Flutter-shy, you seemed to have calmed down a little..." Apple-Jack said as she used her hoof to place a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah... I still have a crush on her, but somehow... it doesn't bother me so much now."
"Sugarcube listen, I know there are a lot of sea-ponies in the sea, you just need to find yours and never let him or her go." Apple-Jack tried to reassure, "And who knows, maybe you could ask one of the other ponies out."
"I suppose..." Flutter-shy lowered her head to the floor on top of her hooves that lay crossed on the floor.
Apple-Jack started to lay down next to Flutter-shy when she said something, "Apple-Jack, I think I just need to be alone right now..."
"If that's what you really want?" Apple-Jack stated as she walked toward the door.
"And... Thanks..." Flutter-shy said with a weak smile.
"No problem there sugarcube." Apple-Jack gave a smiled before closing the door behind her.
Author's notes:
Dairu: Here is chapter two. What will Apple-Jack do about Rainbow-Dash's feelings and how will Flutter-shy get over her loss. Finally getting up the courage to tell her how she felt, and was turned down.
Apple-Jack: I'a think she'll be fine.
Twilight: Easy for you to say... You found out Rainbow-Dash likes you.
Flutter-shy: Wh... what? (starts to cry)