THE APPLE OF MY EYE
CHAPTER 10
Applejack was relaxing in the living room when Applebloom came in. "Applebloom, your back, did you have a good time?" She pulled the yellow filly into a hug ruffling her mane affectionately. "Yes ah did, now stop that!" The foal giggled as she pulled out of her older sisters grasp. "Ah'ma go play in my room before dinner" she wandered up the stairs, her cute bow bobbing with her every step. Applejack looked at the clock. 5:00, an hour till dinner, and then an hour afterwards Rarity would pick her up for the sleepover, that is if Twilight wasn't too busy. The Orange mare decided now would be a good time to prepare dinner. She trotted into the kitchen and got some leftover's of her dinner last night, popping them in the oven. Turning the dial she sat back in her kitchen chair to relax, her hat shadowing her face and turning her eyes a shade darker. She crossed her left hind leg over the other, her eyes flittering over to where Winona stood, pawing at her food bowl. "Ah'll be right there girl" the farm mare stood and walked over to the cabinet with the dog food in it, she taking the box out and using a combination of mouth and hoof to pour the biscuits into the bowl, her canine hungrily gobbling them up in a greedy fashion. Chuckling the Orange earth pony patted her pooch on the head and sat back down, her haunches aching from the work she had done today. Her Granny entered. "Oh hey Aj, ah was just about to put dinner on, but looks like You Beat me to it!" The tea green mare smiled affectionately at her granddaughter. Applejack grinned up at her Granny as the elderly farm pony sat her frail frame down. "Oh and uh granny, mah friends have organised another sleepover if ya'll don't mind-" she was cut off as the tea green earth pony waved a hoof. "Of course sugar, yah need to do things like this, your only young once!" The granny rocked in her chair as she spoke. "Oh, but are ya'll sure you can handle all mah chores, again?" She worriedly questioned her elderly gaurdian. "Now don't be silly Applejack, we can handle your chores any day!" The tea green mare realised her granddaughter was still unconvinced, her eyes patched with uneasiness on that certain topic, that mare sure didn't like not doing her responsibilities. But the honest earth pony shook it off, sighing as she could see her defeat before it arrived. "Ah'ma go to my room" she stood up, the chair squeaking against the floor, as she pushed it backwards. Applejack slowly wandered over to and up the steps, her blonde mane bouncing slightly as she trotted up the inclined surface.
The Orange earth pony relaxed upon her bed, the soft covers beneath her feeling very inviting, actually just the thought that she could be snuggled in their warm embrace was very welcoming to the tired mare. To be completely honest with herself, she actually felt a bit numb, and giddy at the same time, she had no clue what was happening to her. All she knew was that it had started, ok well not started but appeared more frequently, after her dream. Something odd was going on, and Applejack couldn't shake the feeling her Granny Smith knew something she didn't. What ever it was, she intended to find out. And soon. A bark distracted her from her thoughts as her dog leapt up onto the bed, crawling over to Applejack enthusiastically. "Hey Girl, sorry ah didn't walk you today, how about an extra big one tomorrow?" The canine confirmed with two more barks, shortly after covering her owner in 'kisses'. After stopping the bombard of licks Applejack laughed and snuggled her companion tight as she dog lay down beside her. "Just as long as there are no more cat finding!" The Orange mare nuzzled the soft fur of Winona, the collie giving her an affectionate lick across the cheek. "Winona!" Applejack sat up shocked as she wiped saliva off of her freckled cheek. The dog's tail increased in wagging speed at the mention of her name. Applejack burst out laughing, laying down beside her critter, enveloping the loyal pet in a hug. It is amazing how much you can forget for a while when you where with any loyal animal companion.
The Apples once again, ate in silence, as not much was to say, each apple knew exactly what had happened through all the other's day. Although it may seem uncomfortable, or even awkward for a newcomer, the family greeted silence like an old friend, none of the country ponies trying to break it, accepting it joyfully as they enjoyed their delicious food. Applejack felt the same, quite, peaceful, yet happy atmosphere as she ate. The youngest of the apples gathered was the first to break the quite. "Me and the girls met up at our clubhouse today!" She informed no pony in particular, her slight accent not as strong with her young age. "That reminds me, what crazeh schemin' are ya'll up to know?" The next oldest teased Applebloom, Applejack's smile showing it to be just sibling affection. "Well we where thinking..." The yellow filly started only to trail off as the second eldest cut in. "That's dangerous." Applejack and Big Mac chuckled until the eldest gathered shushed them "alright, you've had your fun, now let little Applebloom speak!" The granny continued grinning though as she turned back to face the foal. "We are going to try bungee jumping!" The farm filly smiled at her idea while her older sister spat out some water she had been conveniently drinking at the time."say what?!" The Orange mare glared at her sister. "Go on, Applebloom, ignore your sister." Granny Smith waved Applejack off. "You seriously aren't going through with this are you?!" She leaned in towards the tea green mare, whispering furiously. "Of course not, I mean where is she gonna get the stuff for that anyway" the elder waved Applejack off again, returning to Applebloom. "Oh trust me, they'll find uh way!" The mare mumbled under her breathe. "Trust me, just leave it me AJ, besides by tomorrow they will have forgotten completely about it" the Granny whispered back. "Ah heard that" the filly frowned, her red/orange eyes half lidded as she snorted. Chuckling AJ leaned back into her chair, her forelegs behind her head, and her hind ones crossed as she left her hat slide over half her face. Applejack waited until the rest of the apples had finished dinner, flicking her hat back upwards so she could glance at the clock, it slowly ticking away. 6:20. The earth pony wasn't in a rush, she had little to pack for yet another one of these little slumber parties. To be honest with herself yet again, she was looking forward to meeting up with her friends, but she wasn't exactly in the mood for Rarity to go all lovey Dovey on everyone with her dramatic tale of her and Fancypants, it was sickening really, but not being Rainbowdash she actually enjoyed the mushy stuff from time to time, as long as it didn't get too overboard. "Ah'ma go pack mah stuff then!" Her chair squeaked yet again as she stood up, trotting up the stairs.
She pushed hard down on the pillow, struggling to make it fit in the green saddlebag. "Damn it, it's too hard!" She then spun around, pushing it In backwards. Once she thought she had succeeded, Applejack turned around and just in time as the the pillow sprang out of the saddlebag, hitting her smack in the face. "Grrr!" She felt like hitting the pillow, to pound it with her hooves, but AJ ignored the urge to destroy the pillow And finished packing her saddlebags leaving her pillow on top, ready for her friends to arrive and pick her up. On cue a loud knock on the door resounded through the house. She slung her saddlebags over her sides and grabbed hold of the Pillow, her mouth instantly making the corner she had grabbed it on wet with saliva. She galloped down the stairs, eager to join her best friends in whatever adventure they would have that night! She opened her door with a spare hoof and walked outside to greet her friends, it was only then that she realized the moon was up and the stars twinkled in the dark night sky. "Should we get going?" Rainbowdash bluntly stated, glancing over at her country friend's found enthusiasm with magenta eyes. "Sur!" Applejack's accent didn't help as she mumbled around the pillow. They started their journey, the mares giggling at how joyful and excited Rarity was, obviously not being able to wait to tell her friends, minus the one who already knew, the delightful news. Giggling some more, the girls talked while walking. "So, I've heard, you got a report to do for Princess Celestia?" Fluttershy asked Twilight, the butter coloured pegasus making excellent small talk. "Yes, I full report, I hope to turn it in by tomorrow!" The lavender alicorn smiled back at her friend taking care in her work. "Ooo, what's it about?" The pink earth pony suddenly popped up beside her, giving the princess of friendship a small fright. Realising it was just the party planner the studious alicorn answered Pinkie pie's question, her deep purple eyes closed while explaining. "So you have to complete a full report by tomorrow on the power of friendship?" The blue pegasus stopped gliding above and landed beside the element of magic. "I don't have to, I would like too" the mare corrected the element of loyalty, the pegasus rolling her eyes, grinning. "Whatever" she ignored her friends correction, continuing to trot beside the lavender former unicorn. "Besides that, yes, yes I do." The trotting had slowed to a walk while the six mares continued to gossip freely, and despite each of them having completely different personalities, their gentle eyes shimmered with enjoyment, just welcoming each other's company.
Upon arrival at Twilight Sparkle's grand crystal tree, the ponies where silenced in awe. Sure they had been here a lot, but the beauty of the shimmering crystals never seemed to stop being so majestic, it made you feel like you where in the presence of a beautiful and wise ruler. And although the front of the grand castle gave off an welcoming appearance, inside, despite Twilight's attempts to brighten up the place with candles, it was still quite gloomy, especially in the current night state. And as the six mares walked along the floors, Applejack could see small bites marks in one of the walls, no doubt where Spike had 'taste tested' the crystal castle. I'm sure to a dragon it would look very inviting. Speaking of Twilight's number one assistant, where was that rascal? Despite the gloomy lighting Twilight led her five friends into the same room they had slept in multiple times now. Realising everyone's stuff was already set out she automatically went towards the spare mattress by the window, which had been upgraded to bed. All of them had been. setting down her pillow and saddlebags, the country mare sat down on the bed, the soft mattress almost too soft."alright, everypony, have fun while i cook some dinner!" Twilight enthusiastically called out, turning to leave but before she could Aj stopped her. "Twialight, I already had dinner, you don't have to make muh any!" the Orange mare stopped the alicorn from making excess food. "Ok, thank you, anyone else already had dinner?" The princess asked the others, when none spoke up she left. The mares filtered through the room. Laying on their usual beds.
Applejack could feel how awkward the silence was getting, so she decided to, 'spice things up a bit'. Preparing for her mischievous plan the cowpony placed her hat on one of the bed posts. The earth pony then slyly grabbed her pillow, holding it behind her back, before chucking it at a certain blue Pegasus while she was looking elsewhere. "Hey who through tha-" Rainbowdash trailed off as Applejack pointed at Pinkie pie. Rainbowdash was silent for so long she thought her cover was obvious, after it was almost impossible for her to lie. But then the blue mare narrowed her eyes at the pink earth pony, also grabbing her pillow. "THIS MEANS WAR!" The pegasus screeched and threw the pillow at the unsuspecting mare. The pillow hit her in the face, making Pinkie pie fall off the bed with a small squeal. Everything was silent until a head rose up from behind the bed, her blue eyes narrowed icily. "It is on!" She almost whispered. With a fierce war cry the earth pony and pegasus flung their pillows at each other furiously, their eyes locked in a battle to the death. Ok that's exaggerating, a battle to the near death. Applejack struggled not to burst out laughing in hysterical laughter, giving off the impression she was snorting. The light blue mare and the light pink one, eventually grew tired, so they took a simultaneous break, panting with the effort. "How did this even start?" The poofy maned pony ask between pants. "You- *pant* threw a pillow at me!" The cyan mare was covered in sweat, as she explained the origins of the pillow fight. "What, no i- *pant* didn't? The party pony hopped back up curiously, as Rainbow's magenta eyes widened. "Well then who di-" she was cut off by the sound of Applejack almost breaking a rib in hysterical laughter. Fluttershy and Rarity giggled behind them aswell, they had watched the whole scene unfold. Turning around Rainbowdash glared at Applejack. "You" the mare said grumpily as the Farm pony continued her laughter. Rainbow glanced over at Pinkie, the ponies sharing a understanding and mischievous look. It was then Applejack realised she made a mistake. "Revenge!" They both chorused frivolously, fetching their pillows and chucking them at the regretful earth pony. Soon they had started another pillow fight, each trying another tactic, although it was similar to their one a couple of days ago. Rainbowdash still rained pillows from above, but being sneaky and in stead of having to go to the ground to fetch more pillows, as she now knew she would be a easy target, she snatched pillows out of the air while they where still hurtling towards their victims. Rarity was ducking behind her bed, only peeking up to guide her magic to where it needed to go. Fluttershy joined in this time, and although her way was a lot more subtle, it still made a large difference. The bashful pegasus would hide under her bed, and whenever a pillow landed near her she would grab it and waited till a bunch of hooves came closer, then she would slip it out into the open, where the pony would trip over it, leaving them an easy target for anyone else. Pinkie pie decided that a moving target would be a whole lot harder to hit, as she leapt and bounced from bed to bed, and when a pillow landed near her she would pounce on it throwing it immediately back at it's sender. Applejack didn't think much about her own strategy, it be honest it was a whole lot like apple bucking, buck the trees and avoid the falling apples, it was the same here, kick the pillows at ponies and avoid ones returned. Still, she Waited until her victim was about to throw a pillow at someone else before kicking the pillow. No matter how tense these pillow fights got, they where still really fun and ended up in laughs all around. After bucking a pillow at the White unicorn when the diva peeked up, the Orange mare promptly ducked as The other earth pony in the room hurtled a pillow towards the cowpony, her relentless energy helping her to no end. About to kick another one into the arena hoping it would hit somepony, Rainbowdash had other plans as she was pummelled from above by some pillows the blue mare had obviously collected for a while. The farm pony's forelegs flicked away pillows, that had covered herself, looking up to glare at the pegasus. "Sweet, sweet revenge!" The rainbow maned daredevil laughed maniacally, and went to continue the fight. Suddenly the door slammed open. "What is going on in here?" Twilight stood in the doorway frowning, a sleepy looking Spike beside her. Everypony froze in their tracks. Pinkie was about to leap to the next bed, so she was all crouched. Under such bed visible was two guilty teal eyes, and two butter coloured hooves, placing a pillow Into the open. Rarity was in the middle of a crazy grin as she held a pillow over Rainbowdash's head with her magic, the blue Pegasus mentioned flapping in the air, throwing some pillows onto Applejack, who currently gave a sheepish smile as her blonde tail held a pillow ready to fire. "I mean honestly guys!" The alicorn growled, seemingly disappointed. "You started a pillow fight without me!" The purple princess grinned, pulling her upset facade off as she burst inside, her wings spread in excitement. her five friends unfroze in relief, and continued with what they where doing, laughing all the while. Twilight's strategy was quite devious, everypony agreed, the purple pony would stand in front of somepony without any pillows, acting vulnerable until someone threw a pillow at her, as soon as they did, she either ducked or teleported away, the pony behind her getting hit in the face. And then once that pony that had been behind her had gotten hit in the face, she used the pillow before they could take it. Oh so evil. But it was still enjoyable, they needed these challenges to have fun. Spike, despite his sleepy state eventually joined in as well, him being the only one able to hit Fluttershy because he could swiftly crawl under the beds. He hit ponies in the legs, causing them to get distracted or fall, leaving them easier targets for others.
Once everypony was spent, panting fiercely and sweat trailing down their bodies, Twilight called "ok, everypony-*pant* game over!" Taking a breather they grinned at each other, the extreme bonding experience making them feel closer than ever. "I think I have a stitch!" Rarity whined, laying down on her bed, clutching her side. "But you barely moved!" Rainbowdash panted from above, fluttering to the ground to relax. "I know, but magic Is harder than it looks!" The diva complained The non unicorns/alicorns shared a confused glance at each other, Fluttershy crawled out from under a bed, the others now only realising it wasn't the same bed she started out under, the butter yellow pegasus had switched without them noticing. "Does anypony smell something burning?" The soft voiced mare timidly asked. Almost in exact sync, everypony including Spike took a sniff of the air. Smoke definitely drifted into Applejack's nostrils, making the mare Shake her head, trying to get rid of the smell. "Oh my, the dinner!" Twilight streaked out of the room, tail
streaming behind her. Aj sighed, she had been tired before, but after the excitement of the extreme pillow fight had died down it left the cowpony exhausted, She let out a small yawn. "Tired Aj?" Rainbowdash teased, smirking. "Wha, what, no, of course not!" The country mare sat up straight, her eyes darting from side to side and her alarmed tone clearly giving away her lies. The rest of them giggled at her failed attempt to lie. She gave a sheepish grin. "Awe it doesn't matter anyway, we all know you work hard on the farm" the blue mare patted her friend on the pack acceptingly. "Come for dinner everypony!" The alicorn called from her, kitchen/dining room, the five ponies and the dragon licking their lips, eager for food. A loud growl rang through the large room. "Looks like my tummy, has the rumblies, and there is only one cure for that!" The bubbly pink mare did a single bounce, then zoomed out the door towards the food. "Hey leave some for me!" Rainbowdash dashed after Pinkie Pie, wanting to have at least SOME food to eat. Rarity moved towards the door, Spike right afterwards. When they reached the for the little dragon stepped aside to let the beautiful unicorn pass. "Ladies first!" He did a small bow, his arms pointing to the open door. "Oh Spikey Wikey!" The White mare cooed at him Before strolling out the door. Applejack next, moved to go out the door, Spike still in his bow, but the dragon instead of keeping to his words of 'ladies first', burst in front, racing after his crush. Applejack subconsciously clenched her teeth in frustration "Applejack, are you ok?" Asked the gentle pegasus behind her after the farm pony had been standing there, frustrated for a sec. "Yeah, ah'm fine, don't know what came over me" the Orange mare shook her head and followed towards the table. Fluttershy looking unconvinced for a moment, but shortly after followed the cowpony.
While the others had dinner, Applejack had a shower, once again the warm water relaxing her muscles, the tension in between her shoulder blades decreasing as it pelted her fur. Once she had got out, she could hear the ponies packing up their dinner, and she dried herself with a towel, her mane and coat still one shade darker then usual. Aj looked around on the cupboard for her signature hat, only then did she remember she left it in the bedroom. Sighing the mare trotted out Into the kitchen to help pack up dinner. After dinner was cleaned, and the others promised they would have showers later, the ponies thought of things they could do, after all the night was still young, and despite her exhaustion the farm pony couldn't deny the others had boundless energy still to spare. "Oo, Idea!" The albaster element of generosity clapped her hooves together, happily. "And that is?"the blue element of loyalty questioned, wondering what she would be getting into. "My version of spin the bottle!" Rarity sprang up, her purple mane bouncing in it's perfect curls. "Oh I know that game, it's in my book, slumber 101!" The lavender element of magic referenced. "Yes, but this is my own twist!" The fashionista giggled excitedly. Applejack frowned, she had heard of the game but didn't know how it worked, and with Rarity's 'little personal twist', this could be dangerous turf, for herself and by the look of Rainbow's confused face, the blue mare's aswell. "Right, well everyone, into the throne room!" The unicorn shooed them out of the room, picking up her saddlebags in her blue magical aura. The five ponies spread out on their thrones, and Spike seemingly uninterested, the young dragon went to bed. Ten minutes later Rarity set about ten folded pieces of paper in a circle, inside the middle she placed what seemed to be A water bottle. "It's really simple darlings, just watch me!" The mare gave the bottle a firm whack, it spinning in the circle for a little bit until it stopped on one of the folded papers. Squealing with delight she picked it up, and unfolded it. "This one!" The unicorn giggled, Twilight seeming to understand what was going on asked "what do you have to do?" Applejack leaned in curiously. "Give somepony a makeover!" She squealed excitedly. AJ caught Rd's eye, both of them realising what kind twist Rarity had put On the game. Rainbowdash suddenly stood up "I'm sorry, it seems I left something in my saddlebags." The Pegasus holding a nervous expression on her face. Applejack also stood up. "Oh no, it also seems that I left something in my saddlebags" her lie sucked, it was plainly obvious. Both mares edged towards the doorframe, their nervous grins plastered onto their faces. "Think they're buyin' it?" The country mare whispered to her friend, through an awkward grin. "Well they won't if you say that!" The Pegasus whispered furiously back through her teeth as they both took another step back towards the exit. "Not so fast you two, your going to play this game, like it or not!"Rarity lectured. Both sighed, snorting with displeasure. They looked up at Twilight, who was regally sitting on her throne, asking desperately if they could leave. she gave them stern looks. "Fine!" Both mares grumbled, heading back to their respected thrones sulkily. "Hmm, Fluttershy can I do the makeover on you, you have such a darling face?" Rarity levitated a makeupkit out of nowhere. "Oh um, oh my...ok..." She got quieter as she went on, stuttering a bit. "Trust me you'll look fabulous, and I know you don't like as much on as me!" The unicorn gently did something to the pegasus's face that Aj didn't understand, and probably won't ever understand. When she was finished the gentle mare was left with a slight bit of blush on her cheeks and some teal green eyeshadow. "So pretty!" Pinkie pie shrilled, and Fluttershy smiled cutely. "Oh is it my go now?" The butter coloured element of kindness realised her throne was next to Rarity's, with a confirmation nod from the starter of the game Fluttershy went up to the bottle and gave it a small push. When it stopped at it's target the soft hearted animal carer read it out loud. "Curl or style another ponies mane." She flew over to Rarity, her soft cotton candy pink mane flowing behind her and fetched a curler out of Rarity's saddlebags. Why or how she keeps all that stuff in there was beyond Applejack's head. She then shyly wandered over to where Twilight sat, her purple eyes showing wisdom beyond her years. "Um Twilight, if you don't mind could I do your mane, I'm sorry it's just your mane looks good with a curl or two..." She trailed off nervously. Honoured her friend would think that the princess of friendship nodded smiling and turned around so Fluttershy could hover in the air behind her. Once The kind pony had finished her mane styling, she returned to her throne, giving Rarity back her curler and smiling at a job well done. "Well Pinkie pie it looks like your nex-" she trailed off as she realized the pink party planner pony was already out oh her seat and had started spinning the bottle. She watched it go around and around, her head following it's movements. Getting dizzy by the usual Pinkie stuff she looked away until the element of laughter read out her paper. "Skip a turn, and eat a cookie!" The pink earth pony giggled "I didn't write the part about the cookie..." Rarity said confusedly before Pinkie pie consumed a cookie out of nowhere. "Moving on" Twilight started directing the game, earning a grateful glance from Rarity. "Aw nuts, it's my turn now isn't it?" The light blue Pegasus, asked hoping she was sitting on the wrong throne. After a quick examination and there was no denying it was her seat the daredevil mare walked slowly into the middle, wondering which depressing fate would accompany her regretfully until death. She whacked the bottle, seemingly effortlessly but it spun for quite a while. Eventually it slowed to a stop, pointing at a folded piece of paper that would haunt the pegasus for the rest of her dreary opened it slowly, ever so slowly, until it was fully open, and the vile words where now released into the open air for her worried magenta eyes to see. "Oh, Polish your hooves, that's not so bad, thank Celestia!" The light blue mare stopped being incredibly dramatic and retrieved the hoof polish and sat back down in her chair, starting the deed. While she was polishing her front hooves the pony in the throne next to her went, the certain purple pony giving the bottle a medium sized and firm push. It spun but shortly came to a stop, the alicorn quickly taking it into her magic, opening it reading it's contents out loud. "Wear a dress" the mare seemed content with the simple task, going to fetch one fro, her room while Aj thought. Thank Celestia I didn't get that one, I can understand dresses for important formal events, but that's it really, oh and the occasional wedding of course, besides that I hate wearing them. When Twilight Sparkle returned she was wearing a simple blue and purple dress, that intersected the blue and purple on the part that went around the chest and the back that was closest to her neck. Honestly the country pony had absolutely no clue about dresses, you would be able to tell easily. Satisfied everyone had seen enough the princess returned the dress, and while she did Applejack realised it was her go.
This was awful, as she leapt off her seat she swore it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the only thing she heard was her own beating heart, which was pounding rapidly away in her chest, and as the Orange earth pony slowly walked over To the circle, she could hear her own hooves clip clopping agains the cold floor. When she reached the paper circle with the dreaded bottle inside it she looked up, catching Rainbow's eye with her green ones, her friend gave her a reassuring smile, one that Applejack nervously tried to return. She kicked the bottle with one of her forelegs, it going for quite sometime. But everything comes to an end, and the bottle eventually skidded across the floor, stopping at it's target, gulping the country mare frowned, worried, and picked up the small piece of paper in a hoof, the texture sending chills down her spine. She unfolded it, her eyes widened until they where the size of saucers. "What is this?" She spun to face Rarity. "Oh, did you get that one, let me see?" The diva levitated the paper in front of her. "Yes you did, I'm sorry darling" the White unicorn chewed her lip. "Why'da put that one in there anyways, none of us have colt fiends!?" She glared fiercely at her friend. "Y-yes, your right that was silly of me, pick another one." Blushing the mare crumpled the piece of paper in her magic throwing it behind her. The rest Of them shared confused looks. She spun again, it sooner skidding to A stop. She read the words on it, sighing, it was better then the last one. Rarity sensing the Orange mare's distress, picked it up in her magic and returned to her the correct tools. THe farm pony sighed again mad picked the tool kit up. "Ah'll be back!" She trotted towards the bathroom.
Applejack wasn't entirely ok with this. She had to put her mane up in a fancy bun. Luckily she knew the tricks, her aunt and uncle Orange had taught her when she went to stay with them as a filly. Although she knew them, her hooves still weren't as experienced, and had trouble doing it. She took out her lucky band that currently resided in the bottom of her mane, making her blonde ponytail fallout of place. She didn't like it wHen her mane was free like this, it gave her the chills. So she swiftly got to work, twirling it up and around, until it was done. Celestia... She looked like Applejewel. Snorting the cowpony packed up the kit she grabbed it in her mouth, and trotted back out into the throne room. When she entered she heard Rainbowdash snickering. "You shush!" She glared at the blue mare, after returning the mane kit to it's owner. When she sat back down Rarity started to speak. "Alright, who's up for another round?" She glanced over her circle of friends with her deep blue eyes. "Not in!" Rainbowdash and Applejack chorused, yelling before zooming out the door. They both dashed back to the bedroom, collapsing onto their beds. "Thank Luna's moon we got out of there alive!" The Pegasus looked over at her earth pony friend, who was currently letting her mane free so she could tie it back up in it's usual 'ponytail'. "Yeah, ah don't think ah could have stood anymore of it!" The Orange farm pony finished with her mane turning around and placing her beloved hat on her head. "What was that first one you got anyway?" The blue mare's curiosity got the better of her. "It said kiss a stallion" she answered truthfully, a light brush sprinkling across her freckles. "Oh wow!" Rd said stunned. "I Bet she put it in there hoping she would get it so she could kiss Fancypants!" The Pegasus guessed easily. "Ah know, but it was stupid, it coulda landed on anypony, as you saw." Aj answered back. The element of loyalty shrugged.
Soon the others joined them as the game was finished, and they rostered themselves through the shower. The farm mare lay down on her bed, struggling not to let her eyes closed as Rarity told them of her day with Fancypants. She zoned out until the studious alicorn asked a question. "Do you have any more plans with him?" She lavender princess asked curiously. "Yes, actually how could I forget? We are going out for afternoon tea at one of the cafés in ponyville!" The unicorn squeed in delight. "Oh my it's getting late should we go to bed?" The gentle pegasus asked, looking up at the clock while she finished preening her slightly wet feathers. Everypony glanced up at it. "Indeed, thank you Flutters, I need my beauty sleep if I'm going out tomorrow!" The fashionista lay down, pulling a sleep mask over her head. The rest of them settled down, Aj putting her hat back on the bed post, and Twilight turned out the light with her magic. Applejack relaxed, letting her eyes flutter closed.
The Orange Mare was in a very familiar place, what seemed to be the everfree forest, large trees looming over her and, what appeared to be a pony next to her. Under a closer examination she realised it was the element of generosity herself. Before Aj could ask why they where here she scented something. It was rank, and smelled awful. In reflex Applejack's ears pulled themselves closer to her head in fear, she knew that smell. Whipping around she spotted two canine looking creatures that where made out of sticks and twigs. Timberwolves. Eyes laced with fear she turned to Rarity beside her. "Run!" She cried to her friend. Without another word, the unicorn sprinted deeper into the everfree, the earth pony swiftly following behind her. They galloped as fast as their legs would take them, Applejack's heart racing in her chest, the Timberwolves not far behind their targets. Suddenly as they passed a pile of rocks, their hooves pounding the ground made some of the rocks fall, trapping both her and Rarity under them. She scrambled upwards, struggling to get her hoof free, but no matter how hard she tried, it was stuck like glue. The Two Timberwolves growled, they where much closer now and took a pony as prey each. They loomed over their victims, drool hanging from their mouths and, their breath making the ,are Scorsese their eyes in disgust. Suddenly A bright light loomed to the left where they had come from, in it was a determined looking Spike. The dragon drew closer, growling at the Timberwolves. "Oh thank you Spike-" Applejack closed her eyes In relief, only for the Orange mare to open them as the young dragon raced straight past her, standing in front of Rarity. The Timberwolf was leaning right over her now, dangerous sharp fangs bared. Spike grabbed a rock and hurtled it into the Timberwolf's mouth that was standing over him and Rarity. Suddeny Rarity was free from her rock and the two embraced joyfully. Applejack turned her head back to the dangerous predator that was leaning over her, her eyes widened in pure terror. She struggled even harder to get loose now, as the Timberwolf pulled back, ready to strike. A scream was heard and Aj realised it was her own as the twigged wolf bit.
The farm pony sat up in bed with a short cry. Her heart pounded in her chest and her eyes flittered around, furiously trying to figure out where she was. When she remembered where she was, she wiped some sweat off her brow, as the cowpony panted In shock of her dream. No not a dream, a nightmare. "Are you ok Aj?" She heard a voice from the doorway. She turned to see the same dragon that had refused to save her. "Y-yes ah-ah'm fine!" Her shock made her accent thicker as she tried to calm herself down, letting go of the bedsheets she had been clutching. "You don't sound so sure, I can wake up the others if you need to talk to them-" the purple and green dragon started to step in the room when the earth pony cut him off, realising none of them had been woken up by her cry. "Ah'm fine, honest, just a dream" she soothed Spike, lying back down, as the sun had barely risen, dawn light slowly coming in through the window. "If you say so..." He backed slowly out of the room, his small tail lashing behind him. Yes I'm just fine... Applejack stared up at the ceiling, confused.