Ya know that stereotype ‘bout us farmers who love getting’ up early at the crack of dawn, lookin’ all bright and cheerful, ready to start the new day of farmin’? Yeah, that’s not always true. Personally, Ah like to get a little extra bed rest after the rooster gives out to give his mornin’ caw. And sometimes there are days when Ah just don’t feel like gettin’ out of bed. Which is why Ah was relieved yesterday when Ah learned that today was mah family’s day off from work. Granny always did say that while we may be strong and took our apple-bucking seriously, we weren’t super ponies.

But the unfortunate thing was, despite havin’ this day off, Ah couldn’t go back to sleep. To be honest, Ah didn’t get much shuteye last night because of what happened yesterday. Ah learned somethin’ that Ah never thought Ah’d hear from one o’ mah best friends. It was just one sentence, but Ah could still hear Rainbow Dash say it as if she was right next to mah bed, whispering it in mah ear.

Just the thought of it made me open mah eyes and quickly check to see if that reckless pegasus slipped into mah bed and slept next to me. Ah sighed when Ah realized it was just me and me alone. That Rainbow Dash… even when she wasn’t here, she was still causin’ me all sorts o’ trouble -- especially since that little scare made me fully awake with no hope of getting’ that extra shuteye Ah wanted. Ah realized it was pointless to keep stayin’ in bed if Ah wasn’t gonna use it, so Ah got up and headed into the hall.

Mah big brother was exiting his own room when we caught each other’s eyes. He must have seen how tired Ah was judgin’ by the concern he showed me when Ah walked towards him. “Mornin’, Big Macintosh.”

He nodded his head before pointing at mah face. “Sleep badly?” he asked.

“… Ah just had a rough night, ’s all.” Not a complete lie, really. It was rough thanks to mah mind goin’ in a million directions at once. That dang Rainbow Dash knew how to drive a pony crazy, ya know? Most of the time it was her actions or her silly stunts that caused ya to stop and wonder what in Luna’s Moon she was doin’. However, she also had a habit of sayin’ somethin’ that could make ya more twisted inside than goin’ on a roller-coaster.

Thankfully, Macintosh didn’t press the issue further and just warned me to take it easy today. Ah nodded mah head, but didn’t say anythin’ as Ah made mah way to the bathroom to freshen up. After empyin’ mah bladder, Ah soaked mah hooves with water and began to wash mah face, hopin’ to make mahself look less tired than Ah did to avoid any suspicion. Lookin’ at mahself in the mirror, Ah found mahself askin’ the same question that had been plaguin’ me all night.

Should Ah go out with Rainbow Dash or not?

Of all the ponies in Ponyville, or even Equestria, why was Ah asked out by Rainbow Dash? Ah mean, why not somepony she was closer to, like Fluttershy or one o’ her Wonderbolt Academy friends? You’d think she’d be pinnin’ her interests on either Spitfire or that Soarin pony, but no, she asked me out. Well, sorta asked out, really. It was more like an open-ended question and Ah left the entire conversation hangin’ in the breeze. Ya can’t blame me, though; it was a moment that came out o’ nowhere…

Ah was tryin’ to get mah load o’ trees down when Rainbow Dash showed up halfway through and offered to help. Not one to waste a chance for an extra hoof, Ah agreed. We had just finished and Ah had sat down to drink the last of mah apple juice when Rainbow Dash flew onto one o’ the branches on one of the nearby trees and laid down.

Ah’ll admit, sometimes Ah wish Ah had wings so Ah could reach them branches and sleep on ‘em. Curious ‘bout somethin’ Ah’ve always pondered on, Ah wiped the sweat from mah brow and asked, “Doesn’t that ever hurt yer wings?”

Rainbow Dash looked at me and shrugged. “Eh, not that often. What you have to do is find the right branch to lie down on. And your trees have the best napping spots out of all the trees in Ponyville.”

“Glad to know our trees are good for somethin’ other than growin’ apples.” Ah chuckled a bit before gettin’ up. “Ah really appreciate ya helpin’ me out today, sugarcube. Ya wanna come inside for some grub? We got leftover pie in the fridge.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m just gonna rest here a bit before heading home and feeding Tank,” Rainbow Dash said before she turned her back to me. Not wantin’ to interrupt her nap, Ah started makin’ tracks for home, but before Ah could go more than two steps, Rainbow Dash shot up and suddenly, out o’ nowhere, asked, “Applejack, do you want to go on a date?!”

This made me stop and nearly stumble as mah brain tried comprehendin’ what Ah just heard. Ah slowly turned towards a blushing Rainbow Dash who looked like she had been shocked by her own words. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Ah asked, “Wha-what did you say?”

Rainbow Dash gulped and started nervously lookin’ around like she was tryin’ to find an escape route. Ah wouldn’t let her go even if she tried; Ah wanted her to repeat what she said and make sure Ah wasn’t just hearin’ things. Rubbin’ the back of her head, Rainbow Dash continued to sway on the branch she was on, keepin’ her eyes away from mine. “I… I want to know… if you want to go out with me.”

Ah realized that Ah wasn’t hearin’ things. One of mah best friends was actually askin’ me out on a date. This was somethin’ Ah never thought Ah’d hear, much less from Rainbow Dash of all ponies. Ah’d never been asked out on a date, and Ah’ve never even asked somepony mahself for one. Yet at that moment, Ah was presented with a question that Ah couldn’t come up with an answer for. Mah heart was beatin’ so fast Ah thought Ah was havin’ a heart attack. Ah tried to say somethin’, but all that could come out was a sort o’ gurgle that made Dash’s hopeful expression dry up like crops under the burnin’ summer sun.

Before things could get anymore awkward, Ah heard the dinner bell ringin’ in the distance. Ah praised it in mah mind as if was the bell of the heavens themselves. “Ah’m sorry, Dash, dinner is callin’ and Ah’d really like to answer ya, but Ah gotta, well, go.”

“Y-yeah,” muttered Rainbow Dash. She tried her best to sound like nothing was wrong, but Ah could easily hear how disappointed she was in her voice. It made me cringe, as the last thing Ah wanted to do, if this really was serious, was break her heart -- but Ah didn’t know what to do. “Tomorrow then? Will you have an answer?”

“S-sure. We can meet here, same time as now.”

“G-great! Um, later, I guess.”

The last thing Ah did was watch her fly away as Ah made a scamper for home. When Ah arrived, Ah didn’t eat much, nor did Ah engage much in conversation. Soon enough, Ah went to bed, but Ah still continued to think about Rainbow Dash and what she said.

“Applejack!” shouted Apple Bloom’s voice from the hall, awakin’ me from mah daydreamin’. “Are ya gonna be in there any longer?! Ah’ve gotta use the bathroom!”

After dryin’ mah face, Ah walked out and gave mah gruntin’ sister an apologetic smile. “Sorry ‘bout that, Apple Bloom. Guess Ah got lost in mah thoughts.”

Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she went inside. “Geez, Sweetie Belle was right. Older sisters do hog the bathrooms all the time.”

Ah chuckled upon hearin’ that, all too familiar with Rarity and her habit o’ takin’ an hour or more in a bathroom to beautify herself. Rainbow Dash often joked that the reason Rarity was in for so long was due to her havin’ a problem with constipation, a joke she stopped usin’ when it got her on the receivin’ end of Rarity’s wrath. She may have been a drama queen, but Rarity knew how to kick flank when she was pissed off. Thinkin’ o’ Dash made me remember that Ah had ‘till the end o’ the day to give her an answer to the question that was still in the back of mah mind. Yes or no? Do Ah end so many years o’ good and honest friendship by takin’ it a step further in a direction Ah knew nothin’ about? Or do Ah play it safe and just let things be as they were, possibly breakin’ a good friend’s heart while Ah was at it?

Too many questions... and Ah hated questions.

Headin’ downstairs, Ah saw Granny Smith in her rockin’ chair and greeted her with a loud “Good mornin’!” while she looked at me with her tired eyes and said “Happy New Year!” before goin’ back to sleep. Ah won’t lie when Ah say Ah’ve been gettin’ worried ‘bout Granny. She was gettin’ tired much too often, and sometimes she had a hard time breathin’ on most days. Ah wanted to take her to the hospital, but she refused to go. Stubbornness ran in the family, after all. Ah knew that chances were it was just her age actin’ up, but that was also mah deepest worry. Ah know mah Granny is old, and that she ain’t got much time left, and while Ah’m sure me and Macintosh can handle… such an event, Ah worry ‘bout Apple Bloom. She was too young when Ma and Pa left us, but Granny’s been around her entire life.

Ah knew Ah couldn’t shelter her forever from the crueler parts o’ life, but Ah only hope she’ll be older when it happens. Ah shook mah head and made mah way to the door. Ah was havin’ enough problems thinkin’ ‘bout mah situation with Dash; Ah didn’t need to think about other worries -- especially ones Ah had no control over.

After announcin’ that Ah was headin’ out, Ah made mah way towards the outside gate and stopped to think on mah next move. Ah had so many questions Ah needed answers for, and only a little time to get ‘em. The first question on mah mind was simple: why me?

Of all the ponies in Ponyville -- hay, Equestria -- why was Rainbow Dash interested in me? What did Ah have that Dash looked for in a mare? Ah needed to know what type o’ mare Dash liked; maybe it would help me understand where she was comin’ from better. But to do that, Ah needed to know from somepony who knew Dash better than the rest of us. The answer came to me like a whip to the flank.

Fluttershy.

Before Ah met Fluttershy, Ah never knew any pegasus who enjoyed the ground as much as an earth pony. Unicorns always had a fascination with gems, so there was some common ground, so to speak, between mah kind and them magical folk. But pegasi? They were all about the sky and weather, just like Rainbow Dash.

Fluttershy had to have had some earth pony blood in her, and if she didn’t, then Ah would have sworn she was one with wings planted on her magically or somethin’. She gardened and grew her own food like most earth ponies with green hooves, and she could take care o’ animals better than anypony Ah’ve ever seen. Hay, she even tamed that three-headed dog from Tartarus, Cerbe-somethin’ or whatnot.

Fluttershy was mah best chance to get the information Ah wanted since she and Dash both knew each other before they came to Ponyville together. The two were friends, sisters even, from a long time ago, and they knew each other better than themselves sometimes. If anypony could help me, it was her.

Ah knocked on the door and listened to the familiar gasp along with the sound o’ somepony hidin’ behind a piece o’ furniture or somethin’. Ya’d think after all the adventures and adversaries we faced she’d at least stop bein’ scared o’ somepony knockin’ on her door. Soon enough, the door opened just a bit, givin’ me a peek o’ Fluttershy’s left eye and mane before she opened the door with a bright smile. “Oh, good morning, Applejack. Sorry about that, you surprised me.”

“No big deal, sugarcube,” Ah said as Ah entered her home. The animals gave me a quick, curious look before scatterin’ back to their business. Ah took a seat as Fluttershy flew into her kitchen and soon came back with some tea for the both of us. Ah would have preferred coffee, but Ah wasn’t gonna be rude, so Ah accepted it. Besides, next to Twilight, Fluttershy makes the best tea Ah know.

“Um, is there a reason why you came to visit me?” asked Fluttershy before she started to panic. “Not that you need a reason! I mean, you’re always welcome here anytime. Unless it’s a bad time, it’s not a bad time now, right? Oh dear, I’m rambling, sorry.”

“Relax, Fluttershy,” Ah said after takin’ a sip o’ her drink and puttin’ it down on the table. “Ah just need yer advice on somethin’”

“Me? Are you sure? Twilight would seem more suited for that role, wouldn’t she?” asked Fluttershy, tiltin’ her head.

Ah shook mine and answered, “It’s somethin’ to do with Rainbow Dash.”

“Oh dear, you two didn’t have a fight, did you?”

Ah quickly calmed her down and said, “No, it’s… wait, Discord ain’t here, is he? This isn’t somethin’ Ah’d like him knowin’.”

Although Ah had made peace with that dang chaos spirit, and somewhat forgiven him for all he had done, it didn’t mean Ah trusted him yet. Ah’m a forgivin’ pony, it’s true, but Ah’m not somepony who forgets all that’s happened, either. Especially when it’s dealin’ with somepony who turned me into some… discorded version o’ mahself and almost ruined mah home… twice. Truth be told, Ah was the only one who didn’t fully trust Discord yet. Everypony eventually did, includin’ Twilight, and to my surprise, even Rainbow Dash made peace with the crazed spirit. Maybe in the future Ah’d finally let all that old history go, but Ah wasn’t gonna say that to Fluttershy who was, after all, his closest friend.

“No, he and Princess Luna are away dealing with something in Eagleland for a few days,” answered Fluttershy, sippin’ her tea.

With that settled, Ah figured there was no point in beatin’ ‘round the bush. Ah sat straight up and said, “Well, Rainbow Dash asked me out and—“

“Oh, she finally did it!” cheered a happy Fluttershy while Ah was left starin’ at her with mah mouth wide open. “Oh, this is wonderful. I’m so happy for you two!”

“Wait a minute! Hold on!” Ah said, puttin’ mah hooves out. “Ya knew?”

Nervously, Fluttershy nodded. “Well, it was a tiny bit obvious that she… liked you liked you.”

Ah couldn’t believe it. Fluttershy knew that Dash had a crush on me, and yet Ah mahself didn’t see it comin’ at all. It only hit me just then that there was a possibility that Rainbow Dash had been plannin’ this for a long time. This wasn’t just some spur o’ the moment thing that she did. She actually had been pinin’ for me. How long, though? Days? Weeks? Months?! Was one o’ mah best friends really that into me? Ah didn’t know what to feel. Shocked? Happy? Scared?

“Um, did you say yes?” asked Fluttershy, leanin’ forward on her seat.

“Well, no… but Ah didn’t say no, either!” Ah quickly said, seein’ the disappointed look on her face. “Ah told her Ah needed to think about it and, well, Ah still am. Ah just need to know somethin’ first, somethin’ you can answer for me.” Fluttershy nodded and urged me to continue. “Why does Dash like me... like that? Ah mean, what do Ah have that makes her attracted to me?”

“Oh? Um…” Fluttershy sat back and rubbed her chin. “Well, Dash has dated before, but she’s never been as serious with any of her other crushes as she is with you.”

“Really? Well, what qualities do Ah have that made her like me?” Ah asked, eager to learn more about mah friend.

“Well, she likes athletic girls, mares who can keep up with her, and you definitely can do that.”

Ah gave a smug smile. Ah didn’t like to brag, but Ah was Ponyville’s top athlete and a top rodeo champion in Equestria. And the only reason Ah lost that Iron Pony match was because o’ Rainbow’s wings. Just sayin’.

“She really likes blondes. She mentioned you look good with your hair down,” continued Fluttershy, who then blushed. “And well… she has mentioned your… um… you know…”

“No, Ah don’t.”

Fluttershy hid behind her mane, strugglin’ to say the words. “… your flank.”

Now it was mah turn to blush. Rainbow Dash was checkin’ me out? Checkin’ mah flank out? Ah remember one time when Pinkie had dared Rarity at a sleepover to say what she thought o’ all our flanks, because she always worries that hers was too flabby and squishy like a marshmallow. Ah remember squirtin’ chocolate milk out o’ mah nose as Pinkie Pie shoved hers into Rarity’s face to help her judge. When it came to me, Rarity mentioned that Ah had a good, rounded flank with nice muscle tone. Ah can still remember Rarity goin’ over Rainbow Dash’s, sayin’ it was like mine, but more lean and smooth lookin’. Uh, not that Ah cared or nothin’…

“O-okay, so that’s the physical stuff, but what else? What separates me from all her other crushes?” Ah asked, hopin’ to avoid more embarrassin’ topics.

After her flush faded, Fluttershy continued, “Well, there is your personality. You’re kind, honest, and hardworking, you never give up, and you always follow your morals. She really admires you for that.”

“R-really?” Ah said, pickin’ up mah cup, but not drinkin’ from it. “Ah never knew she thought so highly o’ me…”

“Oh, she does!” said Fluttershy with a wide smile. “When we went to our school reunion a few months ago, she talked more about you than any of our other friends.”

Ah couldn’t help but blush at the praise. Was Ah really that impressive to her? Ah knew Dash and she wasn’t the kind o’ pony who praised others often; usually she saved that for herself. But to tell old school friends about me like that? Have to say Ah was surprised.

“And perhaps this is the most important part,” said Fluttershy with a bigger smile. “She admires that you never give up on your family.”

“Mah family?” Ah asked, surprised. Of all the things that made Rainbow Dash attracted to me, Ah’d never thought that would be one o’ them. “How so?”

Fluttershy’s smile turned into a sad frown that warned me that the things said weren’t gonna be pretty. “Rainbow… she admires how you’re so close to your family. How all of you never give up on each other and… the fact that you call us part of your family really means a lot to her. She… she never had an easy family life…”

“Couldn’t have been that bad? Right?” Then Ah remembered Ah never met Dash’s parents even after all these years. Fluttershy’s Ah had met in Cloudsdale the few times we went up there, but never Rainbow’s. Ah remember Pinkie askin’ Dash if we could see her folks, but Dash always said they were busy with work.

Fluttershy looked torn between continuin’ or not, but in the end she took a deep breath and started up again. “Promise you won’t tell anypony I said this? Rainbow Dash doesn’t really like talking about her parents and I don’t want to hurt our friendship…”

“… FOREVER!” shouted Pinkie Pie at the top o’ her lungs, pokin’ out o’ one of Fluttershy’s vases. The two of us were spooked when we saw her vanish inside, but neither of us made an effort to question it. Why? Because it was Pinkie Pie; best to accept it and move on. After we had both calmed down, Fluttershy takin’ longer since she had nearly fainted, Ah quickly went through the motions of a Pinkie Promise and waited for Fluttershy to tell me what the big secret was.

“Rainbow Dash’s parents… are tribalists.”

Of all the things Ah had expected, that was the last on mah mind. Ah couldn’t believe it. Ah thought mah ears were deceivin’ me. Rainbow Dash had always hated tribalists for as long as Ah knew her, and quite frankly Ah didn’t like ‘em mahself. It’s been nearly fifteen hundred years since Equestria was founded, and even now there was still some old hatred between the three tribes on racial superiority. Shamefully, the Apple Family used to be just like them narrow-minded idiots, but that all changed generations ago when Princess Celestia, who had no tribalist love since they saw her as an abomination, granted us the land we use now. Now we fully welcomed unicorns and pegasi into our clan; Apples are Apples no matter what race ya are. There was definitely none o’ that bigotry in Ponyville, but some tribalists still existed in high-population areas like Manehatten, Canterlot, and apparently Cloudsdale.

Fluttershy continued, “Her family never liked how she was friends with me. They saw me as a disgrace to the pegasus race because of my special talent with animals, saying I was no better than a filthy earth pony. They would even call me… well… I don’t think I should say it…”

“Let me guess,” Ah said, havin’ a grim idea what they called the sweetest pony Ah knew. “They called ya a ‘mud pony’, right?” Ah made a mental note to wash mah mouth out for sayin’ such a horrible slur.

A tear in Fluttershy’s eye that she wiped away all but confirmed mah suspicions. Frankly, Ah was findin’ it hard to believe Rainbow Dash even came from such hateful ponies. “She always argued with them, especially about her dream. Since the Wonderbolts answer to Princess Celestia, and none of the tribalists like her, they often tried to stop her from achieving her dreams and wanted her to work at the weather factory or Cloudsdale’s own personal guard. They argued to the point where Dash left and they disowned her. They haven’t spoken to each other in years.”

Ah felt torn up. On the one hoof, Ah understood why Dash wouldn’t want to associate with ‘em. On the other hoof, they were family. Ah don’t think Ah could have lived without mine, even if they were tribalists themselves.

“When you told Rainbow Dash and the rest of us that we were part of your family, it really touched her. I think, maybe, that’s when she started having her crush on you, I don’t know…” finished Fluttershy.

Fluttershy’s comment then suddenly put me back into the past as Ah recalled a memory from a few days after we had met Zecora. Lookin’ back now, Ah really should have noticed somethin’…

It was a few days after that little incident with the poison joke and meetin’ Zecora, and Ah was wishin’ Ah’d befriended her a long time ago. She was a big help to the farm right away by givin’ us a few apple seeds from her homeland. The Apple Family was always happy to grow new kinds of apples, and already Ah couldn’t wait to start plantin’ them. Plus, it was nice that Apple Bloom had made a new friend, as long as Zecora walked her back and forth from her home to the edge o’ the Everfree Forest every time she visited.

Ah was lookin’ at our open fields, thinkin’ of where we could plant the new trees, when Ah saw somethin’ that was unnatural. Rainbow Dash was in mah farm, a sight that wasn’t strange by itself since she had this strange habit of sleepin’ in mah trees, but she looked bluer than her own coat. Naturally, Ah couldn’t sit on mah butt while one of mah best friends was feelin’ sad. Ah wasn’t Pinkie Pie, but Ah wasn’t gonna not give cheerin’ her up a try.

Ah marched over and greeted Dash with a warm smile. “Howdy there, partner. Everythin’ alright?” Rainbow looked at me for a quick second before glancin’ back down, her face all scrunched up like she was havin’ one of them internal battles. Ah sat down and nudged her shoulder. “Somethin’ wrong?”

Rainbow Dash sighed before lookin’ at me and asked, “Applejack? You know how we treated Zecora before we found out she was okay? That we were all just a bunch of paranoid idiots?”

“Yeah?”

“Well, don’t you think we kind of acted like… tribalists?” asked Rainbow Dash, solemnly.

The question made me stop and think. Had we really acted like that? Granted, Zecora was no pony, or at least she was a different kind o’ pony, but she was different and we treated her pretty much like an outcast. The more Ah thought about it, the more Ah realized Rainbow Dash was right. “Shucks, Dash, Ah think… maybe we did."

Rainbow Dash, covered her face with her hooves in shame. “I can’t believe this. I fly away to get away from it, and suddenly I’m the one who helped cause it here in Ponyville! Ponyfeathers to it all!”

“Get away? From what?” Ah asked.

Rainbow Dash shook her head and pounded the ground. “One of the reasons I moved to Ponyville was because there were a lot of tribalists back in my neighborhood in Cloudsdale. They would always call unicorns a bunch of magical freaks that should have had their horns stuck up their flanks or talk about earth ponies as inbred filth that was only good for feeding their superiors. I got made fun of for being friends with the other tribes and eventually I couldn’t take it anymore, so I left.” Rainbow Dash gritted her teeth and looked at me, plumb ashamed of herself. “And now I acted like that to Zecora! And it just makes me so angry that I did that! How could I have just been so blind to the fact that I was acting like those jerks back home?!”

Ah didn’t blame Dash for feelin’ the way she did. Ah was still ashamed for mah behavior. The way we accused her, feared her, maybe even downright hated her: it made us no different from those horrible ponies Rainbow Dash was describing in Cloudsdale. Ah put a foreleg around her neck and nuzzled her. “Hey, it’s okay. We all made the same mistake. Ya didn’t do anythin’ different from the rest of us. But ya know what makes ya better than them narrow-minded rotten apples back up in them clouds?”

“What?” asked Rainbow Dash, raisin’ her head towards me.

“That y’all feel sorry for what ya did. That ya learned what ya did was wrong and ya want to make up for it,” Ah said with a smile. “Ah think nopony would think less o’ ya if ya wish to make up for what ya did. Maybe ya can give Zecora a show with yer fancy tricks?”

“You think that will work?” asked Rainbow Dash, lookin’ more hopeful.

“Sugarcube, Ah’d bet mah hat it will,” Ah said with confidence. Rainbow Dash finally smiled and hugged me in return. Feelin’ a risin’ hint of hunger growin’ inside me, Ah turned to one of mah best friends and offered, “Why don’t we head inside and have some dinner?”

“You want me over for dinner? Are you sure? I don’t want to get in the way,” replied Dash.

“Shucks, sugarcube, yer already family. Both yerself and the rest of the gang are like kin to me. At least in mah eyes,” Ah said, earnin’ a wide-eyed stare.

“R-really? W-well thanks,” said Rainbow Dash before licking her lips. “In that case, let’s go! I’m starved and I bet I can eat more than you.”

“That a challenge?” Ah asked with a smirk before the two of us started racin’ for home.

The sound of a cuckoo clock knocked me out of mah memory, so Ah got up and thanked Fluttershy for her help. “Oh, it’s no problem; I really hope you two get together. It would be so cute!” she said as she guided me to her door. “Of course, if you stay friends, that’s fine too. I mean, it’s all up to you to decide.”

Ah waved goodbye and made mah way along the path, thinkin’ about Fluttershy’s words. It’s true that Ah could say no to Dash, just lettin’ us be friends, which was always somethin’ Ah hoped never changed between us. But still, that left an important question. Was it worth riskin’ our friendship over being somethin’ more? Ah’ve heard stories about how friends become lovers over time and sometimes it worked, other times it didn’t. Ah loved all the girls like sisters, and Ah’d die for any one of ‘em if the situation called for it.

But to treat one of 'em as somethin’ else? In a romantic sense? Ah needed to know what Ah wanted more, friendship or romance. So who else could I turn to but the Princess of Friendship herself for help?

Now, Twilight was probably the most special kind of friend Ah had. Don’t think that Ah didn’t love all mah friends equally, but with Twilight there was, as cheesy as it sounds, somethin’ special about her. It was all thanks to her that Ah became such close friends with everypony. Before her, the only pony Ah really ever considered a close friend was Pinkie Pie, but that was because she was friends with everypony. Rarity and Ah grew up in Ponyville, but we were far from friends due to our different natures. Ah only saw Rainbow Dash when Ah needed weather handled, after she became the captain o’ the patrol. And Fluttershy? Well, that one should be obvious.

It was only when Twilight came around that the six of us actually formed up and became the closest o’ friends. Twilight was special because she was what held us together. She was our leader -- now one of our princesses -- and whenever we were in a bind, we would turn to her for help, and she would likewise turn to us. Regardless of who each of us were closer to, one thing we could all agree with was that all of us were closest to Twilight. She knew us inside and out, and there was no pony Ah’d sooner follow into Tartarus than Twilight Sparkle.

She had come a long way from bein’ the socially awkward unicorn that only lived to please her mentor and read books. Now she was a princess (although she didn’t hold much power), with a strong heart and a wise mind. She had been nervous at first, growin’ into this new role of hers, but ever since she came back from that… human world, she had been more confident in herself. Ah shivered as Ah stopped in front of the library’s door. It was weird enough to know that there was another “me” in a different world, but walkin’ on two legs? Wearin’ clothes even when not goin’ to the Gala? Eatin’ meat?! Ah couldn’t help but be glad that our worlds were separated.

Ah knocked at the door, and little Spike opened it up and greeted me with a smile. “Hey, Applejack, nice timing! We were just about to have lunch! Want to join us?”

A rumble in mah tummy reminded me that Ah had skipped out on breakfast. Plus, Spike was a great cook and it would be foalish of me not to taste whatever it was he had whipped up. “That sounds delightful, Spike. Thanks a bunch. Is Twilight here?”

“Yup, she’s setting the table, come on in.” Spike opened the door and let me in. After Ah was inside Ah noticed Twilight levitatin’ the plates and silverware onto her kitchen table.

She turned around and noticed me, her wings flappin’ in delight. “Oh, Applejack! This is a pleasant surprise. Did you come here for something?”

“Well, Ah kind of need to talk to ya, but it can wait ‘till after lunch,” Ah said, takin’ a seat.

“Of course,” answered Twilight, sittin’ down next to me as Spike went into the kitchen and brought out a large salad, fried green beans and potatoes, and some cake left over from one o’ Pinkie’s parties. The three of us ate, with mahself divin’ into the food faster than a starved buzzard on a dead corpse. We chatted for a bit, laughin’ and exchangin’ the recent gossip that had been goin’ ‘round town lately. When were close to finishin’ up, Ah figured it was about time Ah told Twilight the reason why Ah was here.

“Twi, Ah need yer help with somethin’,” Ah said interrupting her and Spike’s talk about which hoofball team was better.

“Sure, Applejack,” said Twilight, with a smile. “I’m always here to help out my friends.”

“Well,” Ah said nervously, rubbin’ the back o’ mah neck. “Rainbow Dash asked me out and…”

“Ha!” shouted Spike, slammin’ his claw on the table and smilin’ with glee. “I told you she would finally confess this week! Hand over those jewels, Twilight!”

“Ugh, fine,” muttered Twilight, levitatin’ a bag o’ what Ah assumed to be gems. Meanwhile, Ah was starin’ at them no different from how Ah was with Fluttershy a little while ago. Ah couldn’t believe this! Was everypony in on this?! Ah couldn’t help but huff at the fact that two o’ mah friends just bet on both me and Rainbow Dash. Twilight seemed to notice this and gave an awkward grin as she blushed. “Sorry, Applejack. It’s just… well, it was kind of obvious. I hope you and Rainbow Dash don’t mind, since you two are together now I would like to say that…”

“Hold on there, Princess,” Ah said, stoppin’ her right there. “Ah didn’t say yes. Ah said Ah would think about it and that’s why Ah’m here. Ah need help figurin’ this out.”

Twilight tilted her head and rubbed her chin. “Well, I’m not really knowledgeable when it comes to romance, AJ. I’ve never been in love myself.”

“What about Flash Sentry? Human one,” pointed out Spike, makin’ Twilight blush some more.

“Th-that was just a crush,” muttered Twilight, lookin’ down at the ground with a dreamy look in her eyes. “Besides, I really only knew him for three days and we’re from different worlds. We’re better off being friends.”

“That’s actually a part of mah question,” Ah said, hopin’ to steer the direction back to mah problem. “Rainbow Dash is one o’ mah best friends, but Ah don’t know if Ah should risk that by bein’ her… special somepony.” Ah took mah hat off and started fiddlin’ around with it. “Ah mean, am Ah really willin’ to let everythin’ we have now just turn into somethin’ Ah’m unsure will even work?”

Twilight’s face lit up in realization and she slowly touched mah hoof. “I see. You and Rainbow Dash have always been at a certain comfort level, but with this revelation that’s all gonna change. The way you speak to her, touch her, even hang out with her. Not to mention it’s gonna affect us all as well. You two would be closer than any of us can if you two become a couple. Who knows how it will change our friendship as a whole.”

Ah was really glad Twilight was a smart pony. She understood everythin’ Ah was worryin’ about. The friendship Ah had with Rainbow Dash was precious, just like all the other ones Ah had with the girls. Was Ah willin’ to risk it for somethin’ more? Somethin’ possibly more magical?

“Ah just don’t know what to do, Twilight,” Ah said, sighin’. “What if we do get into a relationship? Sure things could work out, but what if they don’t? What if Ah screw up and cause things between us to end up in hurt? Is it worth the risk? Can we go back to bein’ friends if things don’t work out? And what about Rainbow Dash and her dream o’ bein’ a Wonderbolt? Let’s say we do become special someponies, can she really be in a relationship with a mare who doesn’t want to leave her home? Ah couldn’t do that to her and…”

“Wait! Stop right there!” shouted Twilight, out o’ nowhere, makin’ me and Spike jump. “She would come back for you! And she would never abandon your friendship with her! I can’t believe you even forgot that incident!”

“Incident? Which one? We’ve had a few,” Ah said, rubbin’ mah head in confusion.

Twilight looked at me and said, “Well, first let me apologize for bring this up, but do you remember the… timberwolf incident?”

Spike groaned and covered his face with his claws. “Can we not talk about that? I wasn’t myself during that time, and it was really embarrassing thinking of the way I acted back then.”

Twilight shook her head. “No, not that one. The one where…” she turned to me, “… where you almost died.”

Mah eyes widened as it all came back to me. And to be honest, Ah wish it hadn’t.

Ah was barely conscious when Twilight burst into the hospital with mah broken self on her back. She was screamin’ for help, louder than Ah had ever heard her. The only pony who was screamin’ louder than Twilight or the staff was me, havin’ to deal with the wounds them dang timberwolves had given me. It was all comin’ back to me as they put me on those transportin’ beds. One of our pigs had gotten loose and went into the Everfree Forest, but soon came back. Only it brought a few terrifyin’ friends with it. Upon seein’ all our livestock, as well as us, the timberwolves went out of their way to make a feast of us all. Ah sent Apple Bloom out for help, and to get her out of danger, while Mac and Ah did our best to defend our home.

However, before Ah knew it, Ah let mah guard down and one of ‘em managed to get behind me and tear me up. Ah never felt such pain before. Its teeth dug into mah flesh and tossed me around like a ragdoll. By the time helped arrived and pushed back the wolves, Mah legs were broken, mah blood was everywhere, and Ah felt mah chest torn apart. Ah wasn’t a fool. Ah knew Ah was dyin’.

Ah continued to scream, tears streamin’ down mah face as the nurses and doctors quickly dragged me down the white halls in the mobile bed, mah blood trailin’ behind us. Twilight was castin’ healin’ spells, tryin’ to keep me alive, but Ah didn’t think it’d help. Ah was done for and Ah just wanted it to end. Ah thought about mah family, how Ma and Pa were waitin’ for me and how sad Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith would be, knowin’ they were gonna add another tombstone to the family’s graveyard.

Ah thought o’ mah friends, how much Ah loved them and wished that they were all with me right then. Ah thought o’ Rainbow Dash, how she was supposed to be havin’ the best day of her life, flyin’ with her heroes at one o’ their shows as a replacement for a sick flyer. And Ah was gonna ruin her day when she learned that Ah was dead. Ah wished she was there, by mah side for the last time. Ah soon felt it growin’ dark and began to feel the pain leavin’ me. Ah knew this was it. Ah felt a sense of peace as death began to embrace me in its grip.

Twilight was lookin’ at me, tellin’ me that everything was gonna be okay. Ah knew she was just sayin’ that to make me feel comfortable and Ah smiled. Ah figured it was best to die smilin’. After Ah closed mah eyes, Ah quickly said mah last prayers in mah head before that feelin’ of peace took over and Ah lost all thought…

“Applejack?” said Twilight, knockin’ me out of mah daydream. “Are you okay? You look a bit pale.”

“Sorry,” Ah apologized, “Ah was just… rememberin’.”

The others winced and looked away, and Ah didn’t blame them. It was the closest we had ever come to losin’ somepony in our group. Even Ah thought it was all over ‘till Ah opened mah eyes…

When Ah regained mah thoughts, the first thing Ah thought Ah’d hear was some harps or bells or somethin’. Instead, Ah heard a beepin’ sound. Ah struggled to open mah eyes, mah entire body was all numb and wrapped up in somethin’ tight. When Ah finally managed to get mah vision cleared, Ah didn’t see some grand afterlife like Ah was expectin’, but the walls of a hospital room. Ah slowly turned mah head, which itself was a struggle, ‘til Ah saw what that infernal beepin’ was comin’ from: a heart monitor.

It then dawned on me. Ah was alive. Ah was gonna live. Ah cried tears of joy, thankin’ mah lucky stars for the chance to still live mah life. A look out the windows made me realize it was dark out, and Ah wondered how long it was that Ah had been out. Hours? Days? Hay, Ah might have just woken up from a coma and found mahself ten years in the future.

With mah body still bandaged up and wrapped nearly head to hoof, Ah struggled to look around for anypony nearby. Ah was about to call for help, when the door opened and mah eyes widened, along with mah guest’s. It was Rainbow Dash, dressed in that Wonderbolts uniform Ah’ve seen a lot, starin’ at me with her mouth open as the soda can she was carryin’ dropped from her hoof and rolled on the floor. When she finally snapped out o’ her shock, Rainbow dove into me while Ah held back a scream.

“Applejack!” screamed Rainbow Dash, nuzzling mah face with her teary-eyed face. “You’re awake!”

“Rainbow! Stop or yer really gonna kill me!” Ah shouted, feelin’ mah ribs ready to crack again. Rainbow Dash realized this and backed off, blushin’ as her ears lowered in shame. Nevertheless, Ah smiled because Ah was really happy to see her.

“Applejack,” she said, wipin’ her tears. “Darn it, AJ. That was so stupid, almost getting yourself killed like that.”

Ah nodded. “Ah’m sorry. That timberwolf just came out of nowhere and…”

A somber silence was in the air between us. It wasn’t a surprise considerin’ Ah had almost just died. Such a thought made me shiver like a cold breeze had just come in. It was the closest brush with death Ah had ever had, and Ah managed to barely make it out in one piece. Well, more or less so.

“What happened? Ah thought for sure Ah was a goner,” Ah said, still tryin’ to wrap mah head around the fact that Ah wasn’t in some morgue.

“You were close, according to the doctors,” muttered Rainbow Dash with a pale face.

“What about everypony else? Are they alright?” Ah asked, worried about the wolves and if they had gotten anypony else.

“Your family is fine, I hear Big Macintosh went berserk on them after seeing you get chewed up. Our friends are good, too, just worried about you.” Rainbow Dash’s expression fell. “But… a few cows got seriously injured and… one of them died. Butterfly, I think. Applejack, I’m so sorry.”

Ah felt mah breath leavin’ me as Ah closed mah eyes. Rainbow was quick to nuzzle me as Ah thought about sweet Butterfly. She had joined our farm’s dairy team just a few years ago and was well popular with the other cows. We got along so well, that Ah even called her one of mah best cow mates. And now she was gone.

Ah laid there, cryin’ for a few more minutes until Ah sighed. “Was it quick? Did she feel any pain?”

“I… I don’t know,” admitted Rainbow Dash. “I just came to the hospital as soon as I heard you were dying. When we finally heard you were gonna be okay, I volunteered to stay with you for the night while everypony went home.”

“Wait,” Ah blinked and stared at Rainbow Dash. “Ya heard that quickly? How?”

“Princess Celestia was in the stands for the performance. Right before the show was about to begin, she got a message from Spike saying what had happened at Sweet Apple Acres. Just five minutes before the show started, she sent a guard to me at the locker room who told me everything. He wasn’t even done when I left the stadium. I was flying back to Ponyville as fast as I could.”

Ah couldn’t believe what Ah was hearin’. Ah gave Dash a long, stunned stare before Ah whispered, “But… what about the performance? And the Wonderbolts?”

“Yeah, Spitfire is gonna chew me out good,” groaned Rainbow Dash, shakin’ her head.

“No, Ah mean... wasn’t it yer dream to fly with them? Why did ya just bail like that?!” Ah nearly screamed, “Why did ya even bother, Dash! Ya couldn’t have done anythin’! Now ya might be in trouble with them flyers!”

Rainbow Dash gave me a disbelieving look and stomped her hoof. “Are you serious?! You think I wouldn’t be here, worried sick about my best friend and I’d be at some stadium instead?! Applejack, for all I knew you were already dead by the time I arrived here! Do you know how worried I was?! All I could think about was you to the point where they almost had to sedate me to calm me down! I’d do what I did again in a heartbeat! Every time!” She shook her head. “Applejack, I would rather never have a chance to fly in the sky with the Wonderbolts than ever abandon my friends when they need me. Especially somepony as important to me as you!”

I smiled and placed mah shakin’ hoof on hers. “Sugarcube, thank you. Ah’m glad ya came…”

The two of us nuzzled again. Dash stayed by mah side the rest o’ the night.

The memory faded, and a smile grew on mah lips. Ah could still feel Dash’s hoof against mine and her words were still resonatin’ in mah heart. If Rainbow was willin’ to sacrifice such a moment for me, at mah worst, then Ah seriously doubted a bad end to a relationship would stop us from bein’ friends. Nopony had ever showed such willingness and sacrifice for me outside o’ mah own family. Rainbow Dash was loyal to me as a friend, and she was willin’ to take it to the next level. The question now was, was I?

“Ah guess everythin’ will be okay, whether this works or not…” Ah said, with a smile on mah face, but a new question then appeared in mah head. “But how do Ah know if Ah feel the same way Rainbow does about me?

Twilight and Spike looked at each other before she sighed. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but there’s only one pony I can think of that can help you, Applejack.”

She leaned forward and said, “You need to talk to Pinkie Pie.”

When it came to ponies in our group gettin’ a special somepony, the pony Ah would have put last on mah list was Pinkie Pie. But one day, he came towards town, lookin’ for a chance to live on his own, and then somethin’ happened that to this day nopony alive now will ever forget. There was no welcomin’ party. This was a big deal since Pinkie Pie always greeted new ponies with a party, to make them feel welcome and help ‘em gain new friends, but to all our shock there wasn’t a single balloon that day. Needless to say, a few ponies got paranoid and Ah myself wondered if the end times were nigh.

The five of us went to Pinkie’s room where we found her hiding under her bed and blushing, saying she couldn’t meet the new pony because every time she tried she felt, in her words, “more jumbled up than a box of jigsaw puzzles.” It didn’t take Rarity long to figure out that Pinkie had a crush on the new guy, and once Pinkie herself learned this from Rarity, her attitude reversed with the idea that she had found, again in her words, “the icing to my cupcake!” We had to persuade her to not go with a “Welcome to Ponyville and by the way I really like you do you want to go out?” party, and just do the welcoming one first while gettin’ to know him.

After four months, the two of ‘em were as close as could be. Ah’d be lyin’ if Ah said Ah wasn’t a bit jealous that Pinkie had found somepony special, but Ah was more than happy for her. That bein’ said, she was the closest pony I knew who could help me figure out mah own feelin’s, and Ah trusted Twilight’s judgment.

Arrivin’ at Sugarcube Corner, Mr. Cake and Mrs. Cake were out by the counter, and Ah greeted them before headin’ up the stairs to Pinkie Pie’s room. Ah knocked on the door and waited for her to open the door, but there wasn’t anypony comin’. Ah checked the door and found it unlocked, but when Ah opened it Ah felt mah heart stop at what Ah saw.

Pinkie Pie was on the ground, covered in blood, with a bloody dagger not too far from where she was. Ah rushed forward, barely breathin’ as mah mind went at a thousand thoughts a minute, most of them screamin’ ‘bout how one o’ mah best friends was maybe dead! Ah grabbed Pinkie’s shoulders and shook ‘em hard, tears fallin’ out of mah eyes. “Pinkie Pie! Speak to me!”

“Yes, Applejack?” asked Pinkie Pie, openin’ her eyes and makin’ me jump higher than a pogo stick. She giggled and pointed at me. “The look on your face!”

Turnin’ red in the face, Ah stomped on the floor and screamed, “What the hay was that for! Celestia’s sake, Pinkie, Ah thought ya got murdered or somethin’!”

Pinkie Pie took a hoof-full of the blood and shook it around. “Aw, don’t worry, Applejack. This blood is fake and that dagger is just a prop. I was just practicing being dead for my upcoming Murder Mystery Party next week. Pretty convincing, huh?"

“If by convincin’ ya mean makin’ a pony have a heart attack, sure,” Ah muttered as Ah wiped the sweat off mah face. Sometimes Ah swear Pinkie Pie is gonna send me into an early grave, and if she does she ain’t comin’ to mah funeral.

Pinkie Pie hopped into her nearby bathroom, closed the door, and in a split second came right back out lookin’ clean as fresh laundry. Ah didn’t bother askin’ how she could get clean that quickly, ‘cause… well, Pinkie Pie. “So what do you need my advice for, Applejack?” asked Pinkie Pie, sitting down across from me.

“How did ya know Ah came here for yer advice?”

“Pinkie Sense!” said Pinkie cheerfully. She then stood up and proceeded to shake her flank, flap her ears, blink three times, and shake her rump one more time. “See that? That means that somepony is gonna come to me for advice. So what can your Auntie Pinkie do for you?”

“We’re the same age…” Ah muttered before takin’ mah hat off and rubbin’ the back of mah head. Ah couldn’t believe Ah was gonna tell Pinkie Pie of all ponies this, but stranger stuff has happened. “Ya see…”

“You were bucking apples yesterday when Rainbow Dash, who has liked you for a really long time, asked you out! But you didn’t know what to say so you postponed the answer until later today so you could gather your thoughts! Then you went around to find answers to a bunch of questions that seemed to cause you doubt, but now that you have those answers you feel confused if you really like Rainbow Dash or not and you have to hurry because that question needs an answer! And the author should have really come up with a better title than this one! Am I right?” asked Pinkie Pie with a smile.

Ya’d think Ah’d be used to this, but nevertheless Ah stood there with mah eyes wider than dinner plates and mah mouth almost as wide. Mah brain was still tryin’ to restart itself until Ah finally managed to close mah mouth, shake mah head, and ask, “How did ya know?”

“Just a hunch,” said Pinkie Pie, shruggin’ like she does. “So you need to know if you really like Rainbow Dash or not, right?”

“Y-yeah, what was it like when ya knew ya were in love with yer special somepony? Can ya help me figure it out?”

“Applejack, I can’t help you figure that out,” said Pinkie Pie, shakin’ her head. “Having feelings for ponies is always different for everypony. Like when I met my coltfriend, I felt like my insides started doing a parade and my heart was beating faster than that time I tried coffee ice cream.” Pinkie Pie blushed and nervously pawed the ground. “And later? When he’s holding me and telling me how much he loves me? I want to stick to him and never let him go, just like gum you get under your hoof at a stadium. Every day I spend with him is like a party that never ends.”

“Ya… ya really feel that?” I asked nervously, “But how do Ah know what Ah’m feeling is like that?”

“It’s different for everypony,” repeated Pinkie Pie. “Like when Spike talks about Rarity? He feels a need to always protect her like a knight and does anything she wants because it makes him feel warm. Twilight, whenever you bring up that boy she met in that mirror world, always acts like Fluttershy and looks at mirrors in a dreamy-like way. But what do you feel when you’re with Rainbow Dash?”

What did Ah feel when it comes to Rainbow Dash? That was a question that should’ve been easy, but Ah stopped and thought long and hard about it. Ah’ve known Dash for a long time, but what do Ah experience whenever she’s with me? Ah never thought about it before and now that Ah was bein’ asked, it was all Ah could think about. Ah closed mah eyes and tried to remember a time when me and Dash were alone, tryin’ to get an idea of what it was like. Soon enough, one moment came to mah mind…

A disaster. All that hard work, all those baked apple goods, every hope Ah had of earnin’ money for mah family. All of it was a waste. A part of me knew Ah had to get over it, but despite what Ah said at that donut shop, Ah was still feelin’ a mite down ‘bout what had happened at the Gala. Ah was pretty sure the girls were too, maybe not Twilight and Pinkie so much since the former got to talk to Celestia and Pinkie managed to throw a party at the donut place. But Ah saw the broken-hearted expression on Rarity as she went home in silence, Fluttershy walkin’ home in tears, and Rainbow Dash mutterin’ curses in the air.

Me? Ah was feelin’ like a failure. Ah went to the Gala hopin’ to earn a lot of money to pay off some of the expenses around here, and repair our rusty tools. Yet all I earned were two bits that Ah forgot when we rushed out of the castle durin’ all the chaos. And why was that? ‘Cause them dang fancy snobs can’t tell a good home-cooked meal even if it was laid out in front of ‘em.

Ah didn’t want to think of the expressions on mah family’s faces when Ah told them that Ah came home empty-hoofed. Takin’ off mah hat, Ah just settled for lookin’ at the moon, ignorin’ the tears in mah eyes. That’s when Ah started feelin’ that Ah wasn’t alone. Closin’ mah eyes and haltin’ mah breath, Ah stood still until Ah heard the sound of somepony sneakin’ behind me while their hoof snapped a twig. “Ah know yer there, just come out already. Ah ain’t in the mood.”

Turnin’ around, Ah saw Rainbow Dash walkin’ out of the cover of one of mah trees, lookin’ like she had just been caught with her hoof in the cookie jar. “Heh, guess I should have flown, huh?”

Ah ignored her and turned mah attention back at the moon while Dash walked over and sat right next to me. We sat together, side by side, in silence until she asked, “So let me guess? Suffering from Post Gala Stress Disorder?”

Groanin’, Ah closed mah eyes and said, “What are ya doin’ here?”

“Well, I’m still angry over the whole Gala too, so I decided to take a small night flight. Saw you hanging around here so I figured you could use a friend to talk to,” she said with a small smile. “So what’s got you all beat up?”

Since there wasn’t any point in hidin’ the fact that Ah was blue, Ah sighed and answered, “Besides the fact that Ah made mahself look like a fool at the biggest party in Equestria and failed to get the money Ah wanted for mah farm? Not much else.”

“Hey,” said Rainbow Dash, wrappin’ her leg around me. “I’m sure you’ll get a chance to earn that extra money. Cider season is coming up soon right? Not to mention there’s that big rodeo contest you’ve been talking about all year. And your family’s not gonna be mad at you or anything.”

“How do you know?” Ah muttered. “Ah made a promise and failed to live up to it, doesn’t that make me a failure? Wouldn’t you be disappointed in somepony if they didn’t keep up a promise they made to you?”

“Yeah, I guess, but I would be more disappointed if that pony didn’t give it their all!” Dash said loudly, then pointed at me. “And the AJ I know, the best rival I ever had? She never does anything half-flanked! She does her best from start to finish! And besides, it’s not even your fault to begin with! It’s those stupid Canterlot jerks who decided to act all snooty without knowing how a real party is supposed to go! Personally? I blame them for all our problems.”

“Even yours?” Ah asked.

Rainbow Dash winced a bit but slowly nodded her head. “Yeah, I was really angry at the Wonderbolts, especially when I saved their lives, but I should have known better. Most of those ponies they were talking to were sponsors and I guess they were obligated in a way to talk to them and kiss their flanks.” She then snickered. “I hope I don’t have to go through something like that when I become one.”

Ah snorted. “Ya wouldn’t last five minutes.”

“Yeah, I’d die of boredom instantly,” Dash said before fallin’ on her back. She lifted her hooves up in the air, closed her eyes, and stuck out her tongue. Dramatically, she said, “Conversation… so… boring… can’t… seem… to…breathe…blah.”

This time Ah was really laughin’ on account of her silliness, feelin’ mah earlier woes slowly fade away. Ah turned back to mah ‘dead’ friend and hit her on the shoulder. “Quit it already, Rainbow. Yer gonna get yer dress even more dirty than it already is.” Ah raised mah eyebrow when she didn’t answer. “Rainbow? Are ya listenin’?”

“I can’t hear you, I’m dead,” said Rainbow Dash, stayin’ still.

Ah took mah hat off and grinned. “Oh really? Then Ah guess ya don’t mind a tickle attack!”

Before Rainbow Dash could react, Ah was already on top of her, mah hooves blazing across her stomach and sides as she laughed hysterically. She tried to shove me off, but Ah still held firm. That was until she started ticklin’ me in mah upper flank and thighs, which caused me to weaken mah grip and let her tackle me. The two of us continued our assaults, wrestlin’ and ticklin’ each other like we were a couple o’ innocent fillies.

By the time we were exhausted, we lay down next to each other, gaspin’ for breath while covered in our own sweat. The two of us looked at each other and grinned, slowly gettin’ up and pattin’ each other on the back. Ah sighed in relief. “Thank you, Rainbow. Ah really feel better now and Ah couldn’t have done it without you.”

“It was nothing…”

“No, really, ya did come through for me, Dash. It was a really nice thing that ya helped me out of mah funk like a true friend’,” Ah said, speakin’ from mah heart. “That’s what Ah like most about ya, Dash. Yer always there for us when we’re at our lowest and never leave us ‘til we’re back to our usual selves. Plus, when Ah’m around ya Ah feel… well… like yer somepony who understands me and Ah understand her too. We both know each other well enough to the point that we know when we’re hurtin’ and when we’re in need of each other. We got each other’s back and bein’ around ya kind of makes me feel like Ah can take on the whole world. Yer like… mah other half Ah guess.”

“Whoa…” said Rainbow Dash, who was actually blushin’. “I… I never thought about it like that before.”

“Well, it’s the gosh darn truth,” Ah said before Ah gave her a surprise hug. “Yer the best friend Ah have and ya mean a lot to me, sugarcube.”

Rainbow Dash hugged me back, but only for a short while. She wasn’t the kind of pony who acted well in these “emotional” moments, but Ah respected that. Flapping her wings, Rainbow Dash smiled and said, “Well, I guess I better get to bed. It’s been a long night and I could use some shut-eye.”

Ah nodded, feelin’ the same. Ah wasn’t afraid anymore of tellin’ mah family of the disaster, thanks to Rainbow Dash. Hopefully, Ah would dream somethin’ good to compensate for this terrible night. We bid each other goodnight and Ah was about to turn away, when Dash suddenly called me. Ah turned around and saw her wink at me. “You know, you look pretty good in that dress Rarity made! Wear it more often!”

Ah blushed and turned away while she laughed and flew off. Silly mare.

“…whenever Ah’m with Rainbow Ah feel like there isn’t anythin’ Ah can’t do,” Ah said, answerin’ Pinkie’s question. “She makes me feel sure about mahself, and Ah can depend on her as if she was mah own kin. But it’s more than that, the way she talks about herself, prides herself, and always goes forward with no backin’ down makes me wish Ah was her sometimes. She’s never afraid to speak her mind, and will support me no matter what. Ah feel… Ah feel like she’s the most important pony Ah need in mah life, other than mah family. She’s like…”

“The chips in your cookie dough?” asked Pinkie with a metaphor she would naturally think of.

Ah nodded and sighed, wonderin’ how Ah never realized how much of an importance Rainbow Dash was in mah life. How much we supported each other and how close we were to one another. She was mah sister, mah best friend, mah rival, and maybe she might even be mah special somepony. Would Ah have known all this if Rainbow Dash didn’t ask that question?

“But does this mean Ah love her?” Ah asked, still unable to get the answer. Even though Ah came to realize how important Rainbow Dash was to me, was this love Ah was feelin’ in the sense of romance or sisterly? Rainbow Dash was clearly in love with me, but was Ah? If Ah was gonna accept the idea of Rainbow Dash bein’ mah special somepony, Ah wanted to be sure one hundred and ten percent, and Ah wouldn’t accept any less. Not for Rainbow Dash.

Sensin’ mah distress, Pinkie Pie placed her hoof on mah shoulder and said, “Only you can decide that, Applejack. But you had better decide soon.”

She was right. Ah looked at the clock and realized it was gettin’ closer to the time when Ah had agreed to let Rainbow Dash know mah answer. The problem was Ah still didn’t have one. Yes, Ah get why she was attracted to me. Yes, Ah know that no matter what happens, we’ll still be friends. And yes, she is special to me. But was Ah ready for somethin’ like this? This sort of thing would change so much and yet Ah was torn between wantin’ this and not wantin’ anythin’ to change. If Ah was gonna do this, Ah needed to be sure.

“Ah’ll find an answer soon, Pinkie,” Ah said, headin’ towards her door. “Maybe Rarity can ask me, she’s the only one Ah haven’t talked to about this and she’s the romantic type.”

“Okay, but if you two do become a couple, and I’m pretty sure you will, you have to let me throw you a party!” said Pinkie Pie, wavin’ me goodbye.

Ah didn’t stop to think about the idea; Ah was gunnin’ down the stairs for Rarity’s faster than Ah could think. Ah didn’t have much time left and Ah needed to know.

Should Ah go out with Rainbow Dash or should Ah not?

Walkin’ down the street, the sun gettin’ close to goin’ down, Ah spent mah time thinkin’ ‘bout what Ah had learned from mah friends. To be honest, Ah was startin’ to feel that maybe there was a good chance me and Rainbow Dash could work out, but Ah still wasn’t a hundred percent convinced. And Ah wasn’t gonna give an answer until Ah was completely sure. Rainbow Dash deserved that much, after all.

Ah soon made it to Rarity’s shop where Ah was sure she could help me figure this out. All mah other friends had been a great help, and now Ah just needed the last one. Ah was about to knock on the door, when Ah heard voices comin’ from inside; one of them was Rarity’s but the other was a surprise that made mah heart jump.

As Ah pressed mah ear against the door, Ah heard Rainbow Dash say, “What am I going to do, Rarity?! She’s gonna reject me! I know she is! She’s gonna say no and things are gonna be so awkward and just… just… agh!”

Yup, that was Rainbow Dash. Softly, Ah made mah way towards one of the open doors and peeked in. Normally, Ah wasn’t much of a nosy type, but Ah had a feelin’ they were talkin’ about me. Rainbow Dash was pacing around while Rarity was shakin’ her head before stoppin’ Dash by pullin’ on her tail. “Rainbow Dash, honestly. I know things didn’t work out so well the first time­—“

“Oh yeah, great advice,” said Rainbow Dash, rollin’ her eyes. “Just be upfront and ask her out, you said, but she stared at me like I had grown three heads!”

“Well, you can hardly blame Applejack, dear. She’s never been outright asked on a date, if memory serves me correctly, not even when we were growing up.” Rarity pondered while rubbing her chin. “Though personally, I’m surprised she was as shocked as you said she was. The hints you were giving were so obvious.”

“It doesn’t matter if she knew or not, the problem is that she’s going to think I’m weird! Who was I kidding, asking her out?”
“But Rainbow, didn’t you tell me how much you’ve wanted this for so long? You even saved your bits for dinner at that fancy restaurant that opened up a while back,” chided Rarity, poking her in the chest. “I can’t believe Ponyville’s own Rainbow Dash is throwing in the towel so quickly!”

Rainbow Dash seemed to take offence to this as she smacked away the hoof and leaned forward. “Hey! I’m not quitting! I never quit! And I’m not saying I’m going to stop liking…” she looked away, frownin’ while Ah saw a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Rarity went to touch her when her eyes suddenly shifted towards the window and Ah froze; for one second Ah thought she saw me, but she quickly turned back to Rainbow Dash and backed away. “Continue, Rainbow Dash. Just let it all out.”

“I just don’t want her to reject me. I mean, I like her! Really like her! Maybe I even love her! But what if she doesn’t like me that way and things just become too awkward for us?!” Rainbow Dash looked at Rarity with a fearful expression as Ah kept silent, watchin’ with bated breath. “She’s important to me, Rarity! In so many ways I can’t even express! I’d rather never love her then lose her as my best friend!”

Ah slowly looked away from the window and rested mah head on the wall, closin’ mah eyes. Ah can’t believe this. Of course Rainbow Dash would be havin’ the same thoughts as me, the way she looked at me when she confessed, not to mention how Ah acted after? She had to have been goin’ through her own doubts. Here Ah was worryin about our friendship by mahself when Rainbow Dash was worryin’ about the same thing.

Hearin’ Rarity sigh, Ah listened to her say, “Rainbow Dash, Applejack is your friend. Even if she rejects you, she will not hate you. But you have to show her just how much you mean to her. Why don’t you say it right now, in one sentence!”

Mah eyes widened, and Ah realized that Rarity had seen me. Before anything else happened Ah heard Rainbow Dash say, “I would give up flying for her.”

That… was just… there are no words to say when ya hear such a thing. If any normal pegasus had said that, Ah wouldn’t make it too much of a big deal, but this was Rainbow Dash. The same Rainbow Dash who dreamed of being a Wonderbolt, whose life was all about flyin’, who would rather… rather be mah special somepony over all that. Ah felt tears slowly drip down mah face, but Ah was smilin’. Smilin’ like Ah had struck oil on mah farm. Ah wanted nothin’ more than to rush in there and kiss that silly pegasus right on the face and never let go of her. This was what Pinkie was talkin’ about. This was what it meant knowin’ when y’all were in love. All she had done for me, her loyalty and dedication, Ah was so moved that it finally awakened those feelin’s Ah had for her. Maybe they had been born right then and there or over time or who knows what. But Ah had mah answer.

Ah was in love with Rainbow Dash.

Ah slowly peeked out again and saw Rarity lookin’ at the window while Rainbow Dash was busy lookin’ elsewhere. She winked at me and Ah nodded before headin’ off her premises. Ah really needed to thank that sly unicorn; maybe Ah’ll model for her on one dress in the future. Just one.

With energy Ah didn’t know Ah had, Ah galloped straight for home, ready to give mah Dash mah answer.

Only half an hour after Ah arrived back at the farm did Ah see Rainbow Dash flyin’ towards me. Ah was doin’ mah best to keep mahself from smilin’, which lead her to nervously look at me as if Ah was ready to bite her head off. Neither of us said anythin’ until Rainbow Dash took a deep breath and said, “Applejack? About yesterday… I’m sorry I brought it out of nowhere, but the truth is…” she looked at me with a brave expression, her chest puffed out, “I really like you! I’ve been having these feelings for a long time and I want us to become more than friends! You mean so much to me that I want the whole world to know that I lo-like you!” The bravery soon faded, but mah heart had already been won over earlier. Still, it took a lot of courage to do what she did and that’s one of the things Ah like most about her. “But… if you don’t feel that way, then just promise me we’ll still be pals? That’s more important than anything really.”

She closed her eyes, as if waitin’ for the hammer o’ disappointment to come down. Ah opened mah mouth, but stopped and giggled. Ah walked forward, leaned toward her shakin’ face, and kissed her on the cheek. Her eyes opened immediately. Ah think her hair even pointed up, as she slowly looked towards mah beamin’ face.

“Yes,” Ah said, “Ah’ll go out with you, Rainbow.”

“Y-you… will?” she said, starin’ at me like Ah was some dream come true.

“Yup,” Ah said before kissin’ her on the cheek a second time. “Ah’ll be waitin’ for ya tomorrow at five in the evenin’. See ya then?”

“Y-yeah…”

“Great!” Ah said before walkin’ in the direction of home. Halfway there, Ah heard a familiar explosion in the air and looked up to see a rainbow ring flash out into the distance followed by a loud, happy voice.

“YAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOO!!!!”

Ah chuckled before continuin’ on mah way back home. Ah made a mental note that I should let Big Macintosh know he’ll be cookin’ for only three tomorrow. After all, Ah had a date!

Author's Notes:

This was for a contest I was taking part in with the AppleDash group. I didn't win, but it came close. I forgot all about it until last week. Thankfully, this was one of the works I had that was already on fimfiction before my laptop shut down so I could still work on it. Hope you enjoyed.