Author's Note: ... I've got nothing.

Special thanks to Civille/Bellum_Civille as my editor. Check his fics, 'specially the Pinkie-verse. 'tis pink. And thanks to the reviewers, 'specially 'those' ones (you know who you are, durr hurr o_e).

Chapter 2:4:

The Weak and the Weak Minded

Everypony in the immediate area let out enthusiatic cheers, even if they weren't on the Sweet Apple Acres team.

"Yeah, Fullbody is full of himself."

"One of us has to beat him."

"Good luck, everypony."

Rainbow looked around for a second before letting out an embarrassed giggle. She sat down on the bench and faced Applejack who was smiling, chock full of glee and motivation. Apparently everybody else was too, because there was now excited chatter throughout the train car, all talks of how they're raring to go, and they're creating a secret weapon or even talks about possibly collaborating with other teams in secret. It wasn't against the rules, hay, they even suggested it to spread more of the friendly relations between farms and facilities.

Rainbow cleared her throat, now seemingly left with no words to say. Applejack was staring at her hooves which rested atop the table top, deep in thought. Rainbow was feeling excited right now after her speech. Her wings were trying to spread as she grew more excited and motivated... and she was stuck on this train, unable to express any of this. She felt like she was going to explode with excitement. She wanted to fly as fast as she could, race, do a thousand pushups and run a triathlon.

But this train, this slow, hour long train ride was a tedious, mind num-

"Sugarcube, ah asked if ya wanna go straight home when we get back or d'ya wanna take a walk?" Applejack asked.

Rainbow shook her head, realizing the excitement of everypony else in the train car had died down and she was getting too excited. On a scale of one to ten, her excitement was "dangerously Pinkie Pie". She quickly gave herself a light slap on the face.

"*ahem* Yeah, but what for?" Rainbow asked out of curiosity.

Applejack leaned back, taking a deep breath and exhaling. Rainbow merely leaned back as well, let out a small breath and put her bottom half on the bench too so she was lying on it.

"Well, ah jus' wanted t' talk fer a bit. We spend too much time as rivals 'n stuff ah figured after t'day, we could just end our relatively non-rival'y day with a simple walk." Applejack said as she poked her saddlebag, looking away from Rainbow.

Rainbow felt a pang of joy as she heard this. This was good. This was what they talked about earlier. A more friendly rivalry instead of their slap-high five rivalry. This was pretty much something she wanted with Applejack, she just never realized it until now. She was too obsessed with showing off and trying to prove herself to Applejack as the better athlete, rival, anything involving competitive nature people that... that she never tried to connect with Applejack any more.

"That would be great. Thanks, Apples." Rainbow said.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash both blushed; of course they weren't looking at each other. The silence was not unwelcome however. Both were flustered at this sudden connection and any attempt to talk would be met with stuttering or an unwelcome pause in their sentence. Rainbow however, had decided to remove this potentially awkward air.

"Sooo, wanna hoofwrestle?" Rainbow offered her hoof on the table as she sat up.

Applejack tilted her head up to meet Rainbow's eyes. Her small smile eventually grew into a larger one as her brow also bent. She had her game face on. She fixed her sitting position, she extended her hoof, placing her elbow on the table. She then slapped her hoof against Rainbow's, gripping it.

"It's on."

Later, the train came to a screeching halt as it slowed into Ponyville Train Station. Outside, the moon was peeking out over Canterlot, a waxing gibbous. It was obviously a night yielding no clouds for the morning as the moon shone undisturbed. The stars were in position, the sun all the way down, it was 9:13 according to the clock on the wall. They arrived earlier than expected. Rainbow and Applejack stepped onto the platform where they did a quick stretch; Applejack doing her usual work stretches as if she was going to buck, Rainbow doing her usual pre-competition stretches. Both were quite stiff as the train ride was a little more cramped and... bumpy for some reason.

"Luna sure knows how to make the nights, well, nice." Rainbow said as she looked up, done her stretches.

Applejack finished her stretches before looking upward. The lighting of the platform is dim, lit enough that people can walk in and out of the station and/or train. It is just dim enough that they can see the sky with little light pollution from the area. It was a breathtaking view and for a second, for a split second of her usually earthbound life, Applejack wished she had wings. She wished she had wings so she could fly to the skies, Rainbow at her side. She wanted to explore the skies herself. Every now and then, she wished she could fly for various reasons. She was jealous of Rainbow for that split second; she had the athletic figure, an eye-catching mane, and to top it off, something Applejack didn't have: wings.

"Sometimes, I wonder how high I can fly. If I keep flying, could I go to the stars? I've never tried to go too high because I was taught to not fly, well, too high." Rainbow said as she stared.

Applejack smiled. Neither noticed the train leaving and soon, they were left in quiet. "Flyin' can be a great thing, Rainbow, ah'll admit. But fer now, why don't ya indulge in the usual travel tactic. It's called walkin', Rainbow. Dunno if ya heard of it." Applejack joked, nudging Rainbow in the arm.

Rainbow smiled at this. There was a hint of wing-envy in Applejack's voice but Rainbow decided not to dig deep.

"So, where to?" Rainbow asked.

Rainbow and Applejack strolled off towards the edge of Ponyville near the cliffs. Rainbow remembered this from her times as a "hero", where the cart full of Ponyvillian's was speeding down the hill and only Mare Do Well was able to stop it. This particular incident...

"That was a good buck." Rainbow said as they started the ascent up the hill.

Applejack looked over at Rainbow, brow lowered. "Hmm? Well ah'm usually a good bucker, RD." Applejack said, giggling obliviously to what Rainbow said. Rainbow let out a small chuckle.

"During the whole Mare Do Well thing. I couldn't stop the cart from falling. Mare Do Well... you, were able to. To think, if my ego wasn't radiating like it was, you would have never needed to dress as Mare Do Well." Rainbow said, a slightly sad tone entering her voice. Applejack leaned in curiously. "... that cart would have gone over..."

Applejack was lost in a trail of thoughts. This was out of nowhere, and it was rather depressing for the rainbow pegasus. Applejack let out a small chuckle before growing into a fit of quiet giggling. Rainbow looked over wondering why Applejack was giggling. "The sick pony." Rainbow thought.

"Rainbow, that was th' past and in the end, everything turned out fine. Ya learned a lesson and..." Applejack paused. "Ah'm sorry."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

"We embarrassed ya, made a fool of ya in front of everypony." Applejack said.

"But I deserved it."

"Nopony deserves embarrassment, sugarcube."

"Everypony does at some point."

"Everypony is a big ol' fool then."

"Nopony is a bigger fool."

No more words were said. The two ponies walked upwards on the hill, both lost in thoughts. Rainbow was regretting the entire facade, not because she was embarrassed in front of everypony but, her ego made her an arrogant jackass. She ignored the reason for heroics and pursued fame. Applejack was sad because she had to utilize the perils of people who could have died to prove a point and because she embarrassed Rainbow in the first place. Both ignored the proper reason for saving people, both had hurt the other in some way.

"Applejack, the games we play," she stopped walking as they reached the peak of the cliff. "they're a bundled mess of emotions. It's rivalry; bickering, arguing, competing, biting each others tail off. It's tedious; repetitive gnashing at each other, bruising each other constantly." Rainbow sniffed the air, breathing in deeply. "I don't wanna compete anymore if it's the same stuff over again, Applejack. I want what you and Sweet Apple Acres' has with the other farms and whatnot. I want to have a friendly rivalry." she said as she turned her head towards Applejack.

Like earlier, the moon highlighted half of Applejack's face. They had the same warm smile mixed with the emotions given off by the light of the moon. It was like watching a visual of her and Applejack; two opposites conflicting. A warm front vs. a cold front. The result is always a storm of chaos and a hellfire of aggression. Rainbow focused more on Applejack's face. Her smile wasn't large, it wasn't small, it was the usual smile Applejack gave off; her happy smile often kept as she worked or hung out with friends. It filled Rainbow with the odd, warm sensation again. It could be called happiness but it was much too warm to be happiness.

"I don't want to be strong, and tough, and egotistical and famous and a brash little airheaded, cloudwalking, sky clearing rainbow maned Pegasus if my friends... if you aren't happy. I don't want to hurt you with my antics." Rainbow said.

Rainbow held her breath now. These past few days, Applejack has let Rainbow have speech after speech without interrupting. Awfully generous of her but, why? She was glad ; she'd wishy-washy feelings that way.

"Rainbow, ah don't want t' be happy if you're not you." was all Applejack said.

Rainbow opened her mouth to say something but no words came out. Her eyes were wider than before. She didn't know how to reply to Applejack. This was a stalemate in the AppleDash rivalry.

"Now, what d'ya say we get on t' my house an ah can introduce ya t' yer room, or, yer section of the room." Applejack said.

"Uh, ah, um..." she ran a hoof through the back of her mane. "alright, let's go."

Minutes later, they entered Sweet Apple Acres. Rainbow had a saddlebag filled with whatever she needed from her house. Entering the building, Applejack was met by Big Macintosh sitting in the living room on the couch, munching away on, coincidentally enough, a Macintosh apple. Well, met is the wrong word. He is actually more accurately described as "staring off into space". He had no emotion. He brought his hoof and apple up, took a bite, munched and swallowed at the same pace every five seconds. Applejack stood in the doorway watching Big Mac in what she dubbed "autopilot mode" as Rainbow set her bags down on the ground.

"Phew, I brought my medals, a poster out of my like, 2,000 Wonderbolts posters, my copy of the newest Daring Do novel, my PJ's just in case aaaand, I brought a bunch of other things I don't really care about enough to mention." Rainbow said with a peppy smile as she stared at the rocking chair in front of her for a second.

Applejack glanced over at Rainbow for a second before giggling. Big Macintosh slowly turned his head to spy Applejack chuckling.

"Rainbow spendin' th' night?" Big Macintosh asked as he began chewing the apple core.

Applejack turned to face Big Mac as Rainbow did a quick stretch. "Yup. Stayin' indefinitely. She wanted t' get used t' our schedule since she seems t' be getting really into apple buckin'." Applejack said.

"Mmm hmm." Big Macintosh said as he finished the apple core.

"Rainbow, go take yer stuff t' mah room. Ya'll should know where it is. Jus' be quiet because Applebloom is sleepin'." Applejack said as she walked over to the couch.

"Gotcha." Rainbow said as she did a quick stretch and placed her saddlebags back on her back and trotted slowly up the stairs.

Rainbow got to the hallway and walked to the very end where Applejack's room was. Opening it, she saw the usual clean room Applejack kept regardless of her gritty everyday life. She turned the light on for an extra bit of seeing regardless of the bright moon. She walked to the centre of the room and dropped her saddlebags on the small carpet. She looked around and spotted Applejack's bed. It wasn't a cloud but it did look large and soft. She trotted over and put a hoof on the top and pressed down. It was softer than she thought for an Earth Pony bed. She hopped on it and sprawled her limbs over the bed. It was very, very soft. Her body was rather stiff and sore from the long day she had and the train ride.

She stared up at the ceiling, meeting the dull brown of the boards. She rolled over to plop her head down on the pillow. It smells of apples, sweet leaves and the usual scent Applejack carried whether she was sweating up from work or she just washed. Rainbow felt a pressure on her chest, like the one from before. She sniffed it, taking a big whiff. The sensation came back three times as powerful. She grew very relaxed and excited at the same time. Her body enjoyed the softness of the bed but her heart was beating much faster than normal. Not rapid as if she finished a race or just finished a set of pushups but, well, she couldn't think of the right words. Nothing could describe this feeling...

"Things went well as 'spected." Applejack said as she sat down on the soft couch, right next to Big Mac.

"Eeyup." he replied.

Applejack poked her hooves together. "Do you think we have a shot this year?"

Big Mac didn't reply immediately. He merely stared off into space or more accurately, at space through the window.

"Eeyup." he replied as he let out a sigh.

Applejack joined Big Mac in staring out the window. It was dimly lit so there was little glare obstructing their view of outside. The few trees able to be seen through the window, the fence, and the sky... it was all visible.

"All my friends are helpin' this time, we're able t' do a lot more, what with less tasks for us to do." Applejack said.

"Eeyup." Big Mac replied.

"No matter how much work we did, we didn't get that many customers last year."

"Eeyup."

"Ah think it was 'cause o' our way of advertisin' our crop. Rainbow an Rar'ty really are the ones who're holdin' the victory keys."

"Keys t' victory, AJ."

Applejack let out a giggle. Big Mac had a smile as he stared off. Both sighed at the same time. Applejack turned her neck back and forth to stretch it out a bit.

"While you an Rainbow were at Troronto, ah looked aroun' fer a bit before comin' up t' Miss Rar'ty in the acres. She was takin' a few photos an notes. We spoke fer a bit, talkin' 'bout the whole thing. Miss Rar'ty was skeptical 'bout usin' Miss Dash as a model due t' her nature of, well, not stayin' in one spot." Big Mac said in what was probably his longest set of words the past few months.

Applejack nodded slowly before fully shaking her head. "Hmm, Rainbow 'erself got a little too excited t'day about this whole event. Made several big speeches over th' past few days an, well, ah feel she's gonna take this seriously." Applejack thought back to what Rainbow said earlier on the hill. She said she didn't want to be happy if Rainbow wasn't Rainbow but Rainbow was her own pony and if she decided to change herself to make her happy...

"Ah, I'm a bit tired, big brother. Ah'm gonna head t' bed now. If they get up, could ya tell Granny Smith an Applebloom that Rainbow'll be spendin' the next lil' bit with us?" Applejack said as she stood up.

"Eeyup." Big Mac leaned forward and he and Applejack nuzzled for a second. "Luv' ya, sis. G'night." Big Mac said as he resumed his staring at space.

"Luv' ya too, Big Mac. G'night." Applejack replied as she checked her saddlebags for a second before walking upstairs.

Big Mac stared off, looking at the stars and watched as the moon slowly traversed the night sky. The moon was rather enticing tonight.

"Eeyup."

Upstairs, Applejack walked through the hallway quietly, not to disturb Applebloom or Granny Smith as she walked down towards her room. The door was agape, the light still on but there was no noise. She paced herself as she came up to her door and pushed it open slowly as she walked in. Rainbow's saddlebags lie in the centre of the room and everywhere else, Rainbow wasn't there. She looked over at her bed and she saw Rainbow, nuzzled up on her bed seemingly sound asleep. She shivered now and then, a blush on her face. She was sprawled out on the middle of the bed and Applejack stared for a second before smiling. She walked to a table and set her saddlebags on there and moved Rainbow's over to the table as well. She took off her stetson and set it on the table. She walked over to her lamp and turned it down until it the small flame died out by itself.

After, Applejack walked over to her bed and nudged Rainbow's wing. She twitched, a quick shiver entering her body. Applejack smiled. She bit the blanket and gave it a good yank. Like fancy waiters, she yanked the cloth out without disturbing what was resting atop. Rainbow merely shifted out of her own volition in her sleep. Applejack crawled on top of the bed, tossing the blanket over the bed, Rainbow, and herself. She gave Rainbow a small shove so she could lie down comfortably. Both had a long day and she didn't feel like disturbing the rainbow Pegasus. Resting her head atop the pillow, she wondered if there would be any repercussions for this act. She shoved the thoughts away, merely wanting her and her friend to sleep well.

Applejack sighed, opened her eyes and was merely inches away from Rainbow's sleeping face. She was warmer and Applejack still noticed the blush never faded. She smiled at this and felt herself relaxing as the claws of sleep scratched away at her mind. The only sound she heard was her and Rainbow's breathing. It alternated between in and out through the nose and mouth as every now and then, a bigger breath was needed. Applejack could smell the natural scent Rainbow had. Crisp, clean air and the scent of freshwater. Clouds could do wonders.

. . .

The next morning, Rainbow fluttered her eyes. They were heavy as all mornings left her slightly drowsy. She noticed she was wrapped in a blanket smelling of crisp, fresh apples and she was closer to the other edge of the bed. The indent of where Applejack had slept was almost gone due to Rainbow's constant shifting as she entered the world of the waking ponies. She sat up in the bed and rubbed her eyes. She threw the blankets off and rolled off the bed and looked at her surroundings. The room was given a golden glow by, what else, the sun. She observed the room, looking for her saddlebags before spotting them in a shadow on the table. She hadn't realized Applejack slept on the bed and instead thought that she made Applejack take the roll away which... wasn't out from the looks of things. She let out a big yawn and she turned her head to the door as a few hoofsteps were heard. The door creaked open and Applejack walked in, mane, tail and coat a bit damp.

"G'mornin', sugarcube." Applejack shot a smile at Rainbow.

Rainbow gave her a lazy smile as she did a few more stretches.

"*yawn* Good morning, Aaaaapplejaaack." Rainbow said through her yawn/stretch. "Got out of the tub, I take it?" Rainbow asked as she arched her back and extended her wings.

"Yup, it's all free fer ya." Applejack said as she walked over and placed her stetson on her head.

Rainbow thought for a moment. "Nah. I'm fresh as I'll ever be. Never got much of a workout yesterday." Rainbow said as she walked towards the door.

Applejack chuckled. "Th' time is 6:30. Y'all are gettin' use t' the schedule subconsciously, it seems." she said as she followed Rainbow to the door.

Rainbow chuckled. "Yeah. I'm gonna fly a few laps around the acres before heading over to the Carousal Boutique for my," she stuck out her tongue. "modeling..." Rainbow let out a groan. "But hey, at least I'm doing it."

"Ah got ya." Applejack said.

The two ponies trotted downstairs and walked over to the table.

"Dunno about you but I'm going to skip out on breakfast." Rainbow said as she examined Big Macintosh setting the table.

Applejack cocked her head to the side. "Ya sure?" she said as she trotted to the dining room.

"I'm suuure, I'll eat when I've actually done some work." Rainbow said as she approached the door.

"Well," Applejack sat down, nodding as Appleboom drowsily plopped down at the table staring at a blank plate. "if y'all want anythin', just come on over 'ere. Our pantry's open t' ya." Applejack said as she waved at Rainbow.

Rainbow smiled. "I will. Thanks. Bye Applejack." she waved a wing at her as she opened the door.

"G'bye, Miss Dash." Big Mac said as he set a small bowl of apples on the table.

"Byyyye, Raaaainbow..." Applebloom's face fell onto her plate.

"See ya later." Rainbow opened the door and stepped out.

She closed the door, and took off, starting her flight around Sweet Apple Acres. Applebloom seemed intent on leaving her face on her plate. Then her head shot up.

"Wait, Rainbow Dash was here?"

Author's Notes: Huzzah! A shorter chapter! I apologize. Just slow. I intended a scene with Sweet Olive and Rainbow + Applejack on the train, but that kinda went nowhere so I scrapped it for later. I built up some relations with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Big Mac and even decide to include some sibling love. Huzzah. Next part, Rainbow models, does stuff at Sugarcube Corner, and, stuff.

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