Author's Note: What the HELL is wrong with my writing program? OpenOffice is doing that stupid crap where it replaces or REMOVES words entirely. I was just reading my finished part of the Apple Spectrum on FanFic, and then I checked the document and I was right: There were words removed. [/rant]

Special thanks to user Civille/Bellum_Civille as my editor. Check out his stories, especially the Pinkie-verse and Old Friends.

Chapter 2.7:

Scooter Spikes and Welcome Party

Rainbow Dash soared through the skies, checking behind her every few seconds to look back at the massive banner she dragged. It was fully extended it's whole length, plain as day.

"'It's just around the Sugarcube Corner'" Rainbow said as she stared back at the banner before focusing on the air. "Smooth Pinkie, real smooth." Rainbow thought as she examined the airspace in front of her.

A few clouds were starting to roll in, nothing too major. They were higher up and there was one pegasus she could see above resting atop one. Around, there are two visible pegasi that were flying. Few more ponies she didn't recognize. She thought nothing and stared at the ground. She stared directly down to the top of Fluttershy's cottage; too far. She gave her wings a hard tilt and did a u-turn flying back towards Ponyville's centre. She could spot several pegasi flying low through the town. Darn, why was she thinking about pegasi? She shook her head and looked down as she soared over the school house.

Down below, one little pegasus stared up to the sky. A small orange filly with a purple mane and tail stared up, her indigo eyes ogling the rainbow pegasus as she darted passed, carrying the massive banner for Sugarcube Corner.

"Wow... Rainbow Dash is so awesome..." Scootaloo said.

Scootaloo slowly shuffled her feet forward, as if doing so would get her closer to her idol. After a few seconds, she hit something with her hoof. She snapped out of her trance and looked down at her hooves. There lay a small box, unopened, addressed to her, from Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. She looked up to try and watch Rainbow only to see her idol fly just out of sight behind a row of houses. Scootaloo gave the ground a light kick. She'd have to ask Rainbow why she was carrying a banner for Sugarcube Corner. Most ponies make a request to the Weather Patrol Pegasus Ponies for temporary advertising but Sugarcube Corner hasn't done than in some time. Either way, Scootaloo shoved that to a later date.

Scootaloo glanced over to a clock hanging just outside. It said 3:14; school was out for the day. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle left recently, all three parties knowing why, and knew why Scootaloo wasn't with them. She contemplated opening the box addressed to her but figured it could wait. She was going to go to Sugarcube Corner first. She picked the box up and tossed it onto her back, balancing it and walked to the front of the school to grab her scooter. She looked around quickly, spotting just what she wanted to see: Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking off... towards Sugarcube Corner. Scootaloo stared, facehoofing as she cursed her luck. She let out a drawn out sigh.

"Sugarcube Corner, home, Sugarcube Corner, home, Sugarcube home Corner..." she tapped a hoof on her chin. "Argh, Sugarcube Corner. I need to speak to Applebloom and Sweetie Belle later." Scootaloo said as she picked up the helmet off the handles of her scooter.

"Speaking to yourself is a rather common thing, these days." an older voice said from behind.

Scootaloo recognized this as her teacher's voice. She turned to Cheerilee who was standing in the doorway of the schoolhouse, just locking up. Scootaloo gave her a sheepish grin as Cheerilee let out a quick giggle.

"Sorry, it just seems to be happening more frequently." Cheerilee said.

Scootaloo let out a small chuckle. "I'll say, my friends are doing it way too often. Hay, I'm surprised it's not their Cutie Marks already." Scootaloo said as she fastened the strap before grabbing her scooter.

"Well, I'm sure one day, you won't have to worry about Cutie Marks." Cheerilee said. "Goodbye, Scootaloo. See you on Monday." Cheerilee said before closing the door and locking it before trotting away.

"See ya, Miss Cheerilee." Scootaloo said. When Cheerilee walked out of range, Scootaloo sighed. "That was odd, talking to Miss Cheerilee like that." she said to herself as she stepped onto her scooter and gave her wings a quick flutter.

She pushed off, placing all hooves onto her scooter, and began to furiously flap her wings, accelerating to a fast speed within seconds. The box remained on her back and she zipped through Ponyville's streets, just going for a simple ride to think. She curved around a corner, the Library spotted further ahead. She pondered for a moment. Zipped by the empty street towards the Library, looking up now and then trying to spot her idol. No luck. She approached the front door fast and quickly twisted her scooter and stretched her wings out, slowing down just short of the door; exactly where she wanted. She rolled the scooter over to the side of the door. She took off her helmet, set it atop her scooter and knocked on the door. A bit of shuffling was heard and the door opened up revealing Spike covered in a thick robe, an ice pack on her head, a thermometer in his mouth, and his leg chained to his bed which was dragged behind him.

"Oh, hey Scootaloo." Spike said, sighing as he had to be seen looking the way he does.

Scootaloo peered in the Library. "Twilight not here?" Scootaloo asked.

Spike turned and looked around before facing Scootaloo again. "... nope. Want to leave a message?"

Scootaloo shook her head. "Naw, just curious. I came here to kill time because Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon are at Sugarcube Corner." she examined Spike. "... but you seem to have the Pony Flu, or is it 'Dragon Flu' in your case...?" Scootaloo rubbed her head for a second.

Spike sighed. "I have a mild headache that is the symptoms of a severe influenza that could prove to be deadly to a cold-blooded reptile such as myself so I'm to rest all day for the next week until I'm better." Spike said, maintaining a pathetic imitation of Fluttershy.

Scootaloo looked at Spike oddly before smirking. "Fluttershy, huh?" Scootaloo rubbed her chin for a second. Then she let out a loud gasp, eyes wide, hoof in the air. Spike had to take a step back. "Cutie Mark Crusa..." she paused and looked around for a second. She coughed. "*ahem* Scootaloo Nurse." she said. There was silence; Spike slowly getting nervous, Scootaloo sighing. "Without Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, just doesn't sound the same..." she said, kicking the ground.

"I, ah, um... what do yo... um, what do you mean 'Nurse'?" Spike said, taking a few steps back.

"I can nurse you back to health and then I'll get my Cutie Mark. The thought of being a doctor's assistant, helping with daring, life-on-the-line surgical operations..." she looked at Spike with eyes of fire, staring the baby dragon down.

Spike looked around. "Um, wait, why were you going to Sugarcube Corner again?" Spike asked, nervously trying to change the subject.

Scootaloo completely lost the determination as her original plans came rushing back into her mind. "Ooh! I wanted to ask why Rainbow Dash was pulling a banner for Sugarcube Corner," Scootaloo said as she walked in passed Spike who closed the door. "Besides, who want's a picture of a nurse cap on their flank anyway?" she said as she waltzed in. She eyed Spike again. "Do you know why?"

Spike followed Scootaloo, dragging his bed over to the centre of the room. He stopped as Scootaloo sat down on the ground, sitting in his bed himself.

"Yeah, training." Spike said as he slipped under the covers.

He enjoyed sleeping usually but being forced into bed was tiring. He is starting to get used to it after being confined all day. Scootaloo let a smile break out on her face.

"Training! For what? A competition?" Scootaloo asked, full of excitement.

Spike yawned. "Yeah. She's acting as a model and a banner... puller for the Market Harvest Farming Competition." Spike said, trying to find a comfy spot in his bed.

Scootaloo's eyes are wide open; her jaw officially dropped.

"Rainbow Dash? MODEL!" Scootaloo said. She let out a little squeal. "Ohmygosh, we could totally do that! Sweetie Belle, Applebloom and I could be Cutie Mark Crusader Super Models! We can help Rainbow Dash model! Or we could model with her!" she rambled on as Spike covered his ears, actually getting tired regardless of his need to sleep. His head was still suffering from the mild headache.

"Ugh, Scootaloo, could you tone it down a bit? I actually am kinda sick. Really don't know why. Headaches like this are uncommon for me this time of year unless Twilight needs to refresh her memory of the Periodic Table again... and there are usually signs of that. None yet." Spike rubbed his temples as Scootaloo calmed down.

Scootaloo let out a chuckle. "Oops, sorry Spike. It's just that, I really wanna be just like Rainbow and she's doing something cool as modelling! It is girly, but Rainbow can make anything awesome." Scootaloo said, pumping a hoof into the air with a confident smile.

Spike nodded. "Uh huh." he let out a long yawn, causing Scootaloo to yawn. "Sorry, but I'm gonna fall asleep any second Scootaloo. Sorry, again. " Spike said as he finally found a 'comfy' spot in his little basket.

Scootaloo nodded. "It's all good Spike. Sorry again about getting loud. I'll be back whenever I need to." Scootaloo said. She let out a long yawn. "Thanks for the talk Spike. I think I've lost all reason to go to Sugarcube Corner now. I'll just head on down to my house." Scootaloo checked the box on her back, nodding before heading to the door.

"Bye..." Spike said as he slowly drifted off.

"Goodnight or... afternoon, Spike." Scootaloo said as she opened the door to step out of the Library.

"G'night... mommy..." Spike mumbled before his snoring became audible.

Scootaloo looked over at Spike as he slept. "Haha, he looks so defenceless." she said before closing the door.

Scootaloo picked up her helmet, placing it atop her head and hopped onto her scooter. She furiously flapped her wings, taking off at a fast pace. She sped away from the Library towards her home that is barely visited by her friends.

Meanwhile, Rainbow dived down towards the ground out back behind Sugarcube Corner, hearing Pinkie shout out recently and toss a solo-party to catch Rainbow's attention. She touched down behind the sweet shop to see Pinkie Pie and many, many decapitated, exploded, or savagely beaten pinata's strewn about. Candy was splattered everywhere. This was the most vicious display of inanimate brutality Rainbow had ever seen. There was even a rainbow maned cyan pegasus pinata pinned to a wall, wings merely a nub and the chest open with candy hanging out. Rainbow shuddered at the similarities between 'it' and her before quickly unstrapping the banner.

"So, how was your flight Rainbow Dash? Do we have hundreds of new customers? How about thousands? Did ya have fun? Are you ready for the Apple Spectrum?" Pinkie asked in her hyper-active jumpy mood as she quickly folded the banner up.

"Um, yeah, I had fun, I guess..." Rainbow trailed off.

It wasn't particularly exciting. She never did like dragging a banner; it was a boring job but it was good pay. At least now she was getting used to the sensation again... without pay. She sighed, but at least it was for a good cause. Pinkie had completely folded the banner and placed it into the box. Rainbow proceeded to unbuckle the harness on her body and when she finished, the entire mess of pinata's and candy was gone, only a single box of cupcakes left. Rainbow shrugged it off as another Pinkie Pie antic. She grabbed the harness with her hoof and pulled it off fully and handed it over to Pinkie who put that in the box too before closing it. Hoisting it onto her back, Pinkie bounced back in, right over the box of cupcakes.

"Of, Dashie, could you take that over to Sweet Apple Acres? Applebloom and Big Mac requested a box of cupcakes." Pinkie said. "Oh, and thank yoooou for your heeeelp!" Pinkie said before bouncing out of the backroom into the kitchen.

Rainbow smiled. "Alright. Catch ya latter, Pinks." Rainbow said as she closed the back door and grabbed the closed box and held it between her hooves.

She flapped her wings and hovered for a bit, testing the weight of the box. It wasn't too heavy. Just fine. She gave her wings her signature takeoff flap, bursting into the sky, hooves tightly holding onto the cupcake box. She soared over Sugarcube Corner and towards the direction of Sweet Apple Acres. As she darted through the skies above, she spotted an orange and purple blob below, zipping through Ponyville streets into the outer areas of the town. Much too fast to be an Earth Pony other than Applejack, but it was also too small to be Applejack... and the colour is off too. She recognized this as her crazed fan, Scootaloo, zipping around on her scooter. She thought for a second before diving down towards the speedy pegasus filly. Slowing down, she approached Scootaloo from behind before matching the scooter's speed.

"Heya squirt." Rainbow said.

Scootaloo's eyes shot open and she turned to look at the source of the voice belonging to the most awesome pony ever.

"Rainbow Dash! What're you doing!" Scootaloo exclaimed as she kept looking back between Rainbow and the road in front.

"Oh, nothing much. Just delivering this box to Sweet Apple Acres for, something." Rainbow said a she carelessly flew next to the speeding filly.

"I'm just going home. I was going to Sugarcube Corner to ask why you were pulling a banner but then I saw Diamond Tiara and Silverspoon heading down there so I just skated around before deciding to go to the Library where I then met Spike and..." she took a deep breath. "and then he told me that you were helping Applejack with this Marking Harvy-"

"Market Harvest." Rainbow corrected.

"Whatev's, anyways, Spike told me you were helping Applejack and then..." she paused, slowing down as she came up to her neighbourhood. "Why were you pulling for Sugarcube Corner?" she asked.

Rainbow slowed down with Scootaloo. "Oh, practice. Market Harvest isn't for a while, and it was a task I was doing for Sugarcube Corner to practice alongside helping in the kitchen." she said as she took on a very serious face.

Scootaloo nodded her head. "Mmm hmm! I get it, practice makes perfect! Oh! I heard you were modelling or something." Scootaloo said as her wings stopped flapping and merely acted as a light brake, slowing her down bit by bit.

Rainbow stopped flapping and spread her wings out to a light glide, touching her hooves to the ground as she slid slowly to a stop just short of a house that was presumably Scootaloo's. It had several things on it akin to Scootaloo's personality; a ramp off of the roof, a small rock-climbing wall, a basket ball hoop, and even a small half-pipe and a few rails. Essentially a small skate park. Her house looked beat-up to an extent; not due to age or lack of care to the house, Celestia knows how many parts of the wall were covered with new wood or whatever is used to seal a hole temporarily or permanently. Rainbow amassed it to Scootaloo simply getting a little too extreme near her own house.

"Yeah, I'm modelling. It's kinda cool since my face will be plastered all over kinda like Fluttershy when Photo Finish had her modelling." Rainbow said as she rubbed her hoof on the ground.

Scootaloo's eyes were as wide as her adoration of Rainbow. Rainbow Dash + Modelling = Rainbow Dash appearing EVERYWHERE? That sounded way too good to be true. If only she was as awesome as Rainbow Dash...

"Y'know, I bet us Crusaders could get our Cutie Marks in modelling." Scootaloo said. Rainbow pondered for a second before sniffing in through her nose, exhaling as she thought. "Until then, I'll just keep trying at the usual." Scootaloo said. Scootaloo looked at Rainbow who smirked as Scootaloo ended her sentence. "So I'll guess I'll be seeing you Rainbow." Scootaloo said as she parked her scooter next to a pole in her yard and took off her helmet, placing it next to it.

"See ya, squirt. Keep an eye open for me in the next few weeks." Rainbow Dash said as she flapped her wings, preparing to take off.

"Will do, Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo said as she waved, watching the cyan pegasus take off into the skies.

Scootaloo sighed. "Rainbow is so awesome..." she said before letting the box slip off of her back, landing on the ground behind her.

She cracked the box open and looked at it. A smile broke out on her face, her brow arched into a happy daze.

"That is so sappy, guys..." Scootaloo said, staring at the open box.

Inside the box lay a small cake, next to it is a photo. Scootaloo examined it, eyeing the picture with a smiling face. The photo was a picture of the Cutie Mark Crusaders the day they met each other at Sugarcube Corner; Pinkie had shot the photo just when the three Crusaders were digging their faces into a cake. The small cake in the box was a replica of the cake they ate. The occasion? The Crusader's one year anniversary. Scootaloo didn't keep track of something like that due to the "sappiness". This was just the sappiness needed since Scootaloo was just in a rut.

In the skies, dashing towards Sweet Apple Acres, Rainbow let loose a smile.

"Heh, that felt kinda good..." Rainbow said as she flew over the last house, now over the trail leading to the farm. "The last while has been giving me giddy feelings." Rainbow let out a happy sigh as she dived down, coming up to the porch. She saw Applebloom walking in through the front door just seconds before she touched down. She looked down between her hooves. "Either Big Mac or Applebloom... Applebloom's closer." Rainbow said as she placed the box on her back.

Rainbow walked up to the door and opened it up, stepping inside to be met with a very loud "SURPRISE!". It wasn't like her friends or Pinkie's shouts but instead a more chilled, warm shout. It's hard for her to describe, but she is still surprised. Inside, Applejack, Applebloom, and Big Macintosh had shouted surprise while Granny Smith slept in her rocking chair. There are several streamers hung and a few balloons. Big Mac has a big goofy smile while Applebloom has her rather cute smile. Applejack gave Rainbow her usual Applejack smile. Unlike yesterday, she never felt anything like the warm pressure in her chest; it was more. Rainbow smiled as she examined the scene.

"Oh, hey, you guys remembered my..." Rainbow paused, her smile vanishing as her brain struggled to think. She let her head hang as she rubbed her temples, Applejack and Applebloom letting out a few giggles. "... uh, I dunno. What did you remember?" Rainbow asked as she stepped in, closing the door and walking over to a nearby clean surface to set the box of cupcakes down.

"Heh heh, nuthin', Rainbow. We jus' thought about throwin' ya a surprise party t' welcome ya to th' Apple Family." Applejack said as Big Macintosh walked over and took the box of cupcakes into the kitchen.

Rainbow cocked her head. "Welcome to the family? Not even a first date?" Rainbow joked.

Applebloom, Applejack, Big Mac and Rainbow all laughed, Applejack and Rainbow stopping earlier than the others. Rainbow let out a small cough.

"Wait, I'm temporarily staying here." Rainbow said as she walked over to a chair in the kitchen, sitting down at the table; Big Mac, Applebloom and Applejack following suit.

"Rainbow, yer welcome t' our family no matter how long ya'll be stayin'." Applejack said as she stretched out her forelegs.

Rainbow felt a blush growing on her face. A smile broke out, that giddy, warm, tight feeling in her chest returning again.

"Thanks, Applejack." she stopped for a second. "So, how was your day? And, stuff." Rainbow asked.

Big Macintosh quickly set small plates down. Applejack adjusted the position of her plate quickly before getting comfortable in her chair.

"Same ol', ah bucked what we need, put th' crop in storage, worked up an appetite, an now we're here with yer party." Applejack said. "In short, t'was a good day." Applejack said as Big Macintosh set down glasses. "How 'bout you, Rainbow?"

Rainbow thought for a second, her smile still plastered on her face. "Pretty darn good. I did some modelling, talked with Fluttershy, cut a lot of banana bread, and then flew around, dragging a banner for Sugarcube Corner. On the way here, I ran into Scootaloo who had the grand idea of 'Cutie Mark Crusader Super Models'." Rainbow said as she fidgeted with her plate.

Applebloom perked up. "O' course! Why didn't ah think of that! It's so obvious!" Applebloom said as she immediately lost herself in fantasies of modelling.

Applejack and Rainbow chuckled, Big Macintosh shaking his head playfully as he started setting down napkins. Rainbow slammed her hoof lightly on the table.

"Oh yeah! Applejack, do you think Applebloom could help with the Marble Harvest?" Rainbow asked.

"Market Harvest." Big Mac corrected.

"Whatever." Rainbow rolled her eyes.

Applejack thought for a second and Applebloom stared on with wondering eyes.

"Ah said she was too young t' do any helpin'." Applejack said in a caring tone.

"Well, again, it's the 'Sweet Apple Acres' team, not 'Applejack and Big Mac' team. C'mon, let Applebloom help! I'll even split up my already messed schedule to help her!" Rainbow said. Applejack once again lost herself in her thoughts, Big Mac merely started bringing in a few pieces of cutlery.

"Ah dunno, but ah'll think 'bout it." Applejack said. "Ah'll have an answer t'morrow mornin'." Applejack said.

"Ooh! It's a maybe!" Applebloom exclaimed as she happily hummed to herself, eyes closed as the fantasized more about being part of the Sweet Apple Acres team.

Applejack chuckled. "Well, don't get too excited, ya hear? It's not a guarantee. Jus' focus on yer current chores. Rainbow already has so much t' do on her hands. Don't want ya t' get overworked too." Applejack said as Big Macintosh brought in an apple pie, setting it in the centre of the table.

The apple pie invaded Rainbow's senses; she could practically taste the aroma coming off of the pie. The memories of her trip to Troronto flooded back into her mind.

"Let's just enjoy th' party fer now." Applebloom said as Big Mac cut the apple pie.

The night was full of Apple family food, their typical games... it was just like a sleepover most schoolmares had on Friday. Except Big Macintosh was there. Rainbow never felt more at home than she did here. As the night dragged on, the ponies got tired. Applebloom went to bed after her, Big Mac, Applejack and Rainbow played a quick came of "Candy Land: Pinkie Edition". Rainbow remembered how this game was made... Pinkie sent a letter a day for six months after she got the original Candy Land game. She constantly praised their game and the fact that candy was involved that they cracked and offered Pinkie to make a version just for her so she'd stop writing. Rainbow chuckled at the memory when Pinkie nearly exploded with happiness when they sent her the copy promised to her.

Big Mac went to bed after reading the farmer's almanac (made in Cloudsdale). He nodded as he read the scheduled weather for bucking the next few weeks. Ponyville was due for a huge storm between now and the Market Harvest. After he left, he hurriedly came back and escorted Granny Smith to bed before finally going to sleep himself.

Now it was just Rainbow and Applejack, alone in the living room. There wasn't much talk, let alone small talk going on between the two. After a few minutes of nothing but silence plus "small talk", the two shut off the lights and walked upstairs to Applejack's room. Rainbow walked in, spotting a part of Applejack's room having been cleaned out earlier and with a new nightstand next to a rollaway bed. Rainbow's saddlebags were placed atop the nightstand.

"Well, there's yer part o' t' room, Rainbow. Go ahead an set up yer stuff." Applejack said as she removed her stetson, placing it on a hook on the wall.

"Alright, thanks." Rainbow said, trotting over to her corner.

Well, corner is a bit of an understatement. It was actually just a little under half of the room. Rainbow looked at her saddlebags. She opened one of them and pulled out a pair of PJ's. She set them atop of the rollaway and pulled out a blanket from her bag as well. She set her blanket, a Wonderbolts blanket on top of the otherwise plain bed. She looked over to see Applejack hopping onto her bed, stretching out on the big bed.

"Thank you, Applejack. I mean, you basically gave me half of your room for the moment." Rainbow said as she pulled her pj's out from under her Wonderbolts blanket.

Applejack let out a small chuckle. "Don't thank me, y'all are welcome here as long as ya like." Applejack said as she finally found a comfy spot on her bed.

Rainbow slipped into the pj's. She always did this when she had to rest in a bed other than her own for an extended period of time until she finally got used to it.

"I can't help it. I just don't believe how... open you are." Rainbow said, finding lack for a better word as she buttoned up her pj's.

"Ah'm jus' lettin' a friend into mah home. No biggie." Applejack said. Applejack looked at Rainbow as the cyan pegasus did a few stretches before pulling her blanket back. "Heh, ya look real cozy in them pj's, RD." Applejack said as she slipped under her own covers.

Rainbow let out a small chuckle. "Hey, they're only temporary until I'm used to this bed." Rainbow slid under the covers.

The bed was slightly hard compared to Applejack's bed but it was still comfy. It wasn't super heavy duty mattress comfy, but it'll have to do.

"Applejack, today, I..." Rainbow paused as Applejack's attention was on Rainbow. Rainbow attempted to find the right words. "... I think I was able to see through your eyes, so to speak." Rainbow said.

Applejack cocked her head. "Whaddya mean by that, Rainbow?"

"I mean, well, I went to Ponyville cliffs and saw the sunrise shining onto Ponyville. I could see the entire town, the mountains, the skies, and even Sweet Apple Acres infused with a golden glow. It shouldn't be something special since I see all on a daily basis in the sky but... I was at a place where an Earth Pony could see the view." she paused as Applejack listened intently. "I worked my flank off cutting banana bread, legitimately working up a sweat even if it was easy work. I've never worked an Earth Pony job to the point of working up a sweat, something you do on a daily basis..." Rainbow paused.

"Rainbow, ah had no idea ya were... well, ya were tryin' t' put yerself in Earth Pony shoes." Applejack said as she leaned back onto her pillows.

Rainbow nodded her head. "This competition is really making me act like an Earth Pony... like you. I'm seeing early morning sunrises and they're actually not so bad. I know what it's like to work all day long doing grunt work. It's such a satisfying thing to work myself to that stage." Rainbow said.

Applejack let out a small chuckle. "Rainbow, ah don't know what t' say. That's just dandy. Ah really am happy y'all are startin' t' see things from my perspective and..." she paused. "Wow, that sounded kinda rude..." both ponies chuckled. "Well anyways, reason why is 'cause it helps us build that 'friendly rivalry' relationship ya were talkin' about." Applejack said as she reached over and shut the lamp off.

"Applejack, you said you didn't want to be happy if I wasn't me... what if being me... being Rainbow Dash, meant making you happy? I mean..." Rainbow paused. She could no longer see Applejack, including her facial expression and body language. "I don't know why I want to, I guess I'm just tired of the same ol' same ol'. Y'know, the fact that I have an easy, quick job and you have a long, physically draining job, we argue... I don't want that. I can't be satisfied by getting off easy." she let a moment of silence pass. "I'll still try and get it done as fast as possible regardless of the job."

Applejack let out a laugh through the darkness. Rainbow chuckled, rolling over in her bed. She placed her head onto the pillow, instantly smelling what she did last night: Applejack's natural scent. This was a pillow from her bed. Rainbow's mind went ablaze as the sweet apple scent invaded her nostrils. She wanted to prove herself as a good friend, able to have a competitive moment now and then with Applejack, but not like usual where they argue and bicker over who's better. She wanted a relationship with less bickering and more hanging out like good friends.

"Jeez, listen to me go on and on... getting all sappy, and stuff." Rainbow let out a chuckle, Applejack chuckling along with her.

"Yer secret's safe with me, Rainbow. This'll be just between us two." Applejack said, rolling in her bed as she started to fall asleep.

The moonlight invaded the room, giving it a dim, light blue glow. Rainbow sighed happily. She felt like she was on cloud nine... which would be true if she was at home. Maybe after she proves to Applejack that she could be just like her, a hardworking, determined, honest pony. They could have a good laugh now and then, they can tease each other over who's better than who rather than argue and insist the other is wrong; the thought of being Applejack's equal sounded amazing to her. But for now...

"Well, thanks Applejack. I think we get to sleep because we've got stuff to do tomorrow." Rainbow said as she finally found a comfy position.

"Alrighty then, g'night Rainbow Dash." Applejack said as she mimicked what Rainbow did, unknowingly.

Soon, the two ponies fell asleep, the memories of the past week easing both minds as the world of dreams took over.

Author's Note: We're coming up to the end of Chapter 2; I'm definitely going to try and end Chapter 2 by my birthday next Saturday, March 10th. I've completely planned the entirety of the Apple Spectrum and in other news, I've plotted another story that will be posted after the Apple Spectrum ends. It stars Trixie and a few OC's, starts before the Apple Spectrum and goes to after. More details on my FiMFiction account. Same name, Arby Works. Just check my blog.

Special thanks to user Civille/Bellum_Civille as my editor. Check out his stories, especially the Pinkie-verse and Old Friends. Civille is also having a bit of troubles, so best wishes to him.