INT. APPLEJACK’S BEDROOM – AFTERNOON

APPLEJACK’S bedroom. Humble but tidy. A room that is cheerful enough in that folksy, down-home country way. There is little decoration here except for pictures of family and APPLEJACK’S many rodeo trophies. Unsurprisingly, there is an apple on her bedside table.  Next to the apple is a mound of dark purple and black cloth.

APPLEJACK is present. She is wearing an annoyed expression.

She stands facing RAINBOW DASH and PINKIE PIE. RAINBOW DASH looks focused, gesturing wildly as she attempts to explain. PINKIE PIE is uncharacteristically quiet, occasionally nodding along in agreement with what RAINBOW DASH has to say.

RAINBOW DASH

(talking quickly)

You remember how it started, right? I told you guys about it, and you all said it wasn’t you, but I totally knew better and started investigating anyway.

PINKIE PIE

(affectionately)

You’re so smart, Dashie.

APPLEJACK

(obviously annoyed)

Uh-huh. Get on with it.

RAINBOW DASH

But Rarity was really annoying and wouldn’t help me. She was all “ooh, customer confidentiality blah blah blah” so I was all, forget her, man. And then I decided to go out and do some real detectiving on my own, without any help, and then Mare Do Well totally came out of nowhere and creeped on me -

PINKIE PIE

Nuh-uh!

RAINBOW DASH

Huh?

PINKIE PIE

First you went flying and got hit by lightning.

RAINBOW DASH

Oh, yeah. Okay, first I went flying and got hit by lightning, which totally wasn’t cool at all. I mean, it hurt. But anyway, Mare Do Well caught me, which I guess was kind of nice of her or whatever. So I went looking for her again the next night, and then she creeped on me, getting all up in my face and stuff. And trust me, that was so not cool of her. It kind of negated the niceness she did when she caught me, I think.

PINKIE PIE

Ooh, “negated!” That’s a big word.

RAINBOW DASH

Then the next day I got flowers and they were kind of pretty but also really dumb. And then Pinkie Pie had her party, but Mare Do Well showed up there, too, and she bet me that she could get me to fall in love with her before I found out who she was. And I accepted. Like a boss. I mean, there wasn’t even any doubt who would win, right? There’s not even any point in challenging the Dash at a contest. I always win.

PINKIE PIE nods wisely, forelegs crossed over her chest. APPLEJACK stares on in confusion.

RAINBOW DASH

So then a bunch of stuff happened, but long story short, Mare Do Well was just Pinkie Pie being crazy and then we made out. And I guess technically that means she won and I did lose, but that doesn’t really matter. I’m not that mad. Mare Do Well was kind of sexy,  and I did already like Pinkie Pie, so if it turns out that Pinkie has some kind of secret sexy side, I’m cool with that.

PINKIE PIE giggles happily, resting her head against RAINBOW DASH’S shoulder. APPLEJACK looks even more confused.

APPLEJACK

Now, hold up there. None o’ that explains why there’s blood on this here costume.

APPLEJACK grabs the pile of cloth from the table. It is revealed to be her old MARE DO WELL costume, which does, indeed, appear to have a dark-colored stain on it. RAINBOW DASH and PINKIE PIE exchanged looks of confusion. There is a moment of silence.

RAINBOW DASH

(after a beat)

Oh, yeah. Pinkie killed a guy.

PINKIE PIE

(indignant)

I did not!

RAINBOW DASH

Well, you never told me what happened, so what am I supposed to think, huh?

PINKIE PIE

I didn’t kill him, though! I just kind of lost my temper. I mean, he hurt you, Dashie! I couldn’t just let him do that and get away with it!

RAINBOW DASH

But you got his blood on you.

PINKIE PIE

(pouting in a cute but angry way)

That doesn’t -

APPLEJACK

Okay, okay, wait up, you two. What are y’all talkin’ about?

RAINBOW DASH

When Pinkie was being all Mare Do Well, she took me superheroing once and it was pretty awesome. But then some lame jerks attacked us and she went completely psycho on them.

APPLEJACK

Um, what?

RAINBOW DASH

(sounding proud)

She kicked their flanks!

PINKIE PIE smiles proudly as well. APPLEJACK looks afraid.

APPLEJACK

Can’t y’all go to jail for that?

RAINBOW DASH and PINKIE PIE exchange another glance. They put their heads together and proceed to whisper furiously with each other. RAINBOW DASH is distinctly heard to say "Didn't I ask you that, too?" and PINKIE PIE is heard to say "I didn't know!"

RAINBOW DASH and PINKIE PIE turn back to APPLEJACK.

RAINBOW DASH

(threateningly)

Not if you don’t tell.

PINKIE PIE

(equally threateningly)

Promise you won’t tell anypony! PINKIE PROMISE!

APPLEJACK backs away nervously.

END SCENE. Next Chapter: Side Story: Sweeping Up Broken Glass (Guest submission from Donny's Boy) Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 54 Minutes