Rainbow hovered beside Applejack with a cheesy grin and desserts across her muzzle. “You’ll never guess what just happened, AJ,” she giggled.

“Uh, ya went and dunked yer head in the dessert bin?”

“Ah only did that once, as a prank,” Rainbow crossed her forelegs and took on a daring look that sent butterflies through Applejack’s chest. Applejack took a stronger stance.

“Yeah, reckon Ah had ta pay Bonbon fer what y’all and Pinkie gobbled… and that was before us,” she pointed a hoof to Rainbow, then herself. “If’n yer done, Ah’d like a kiss g’bye and fer ya to let me get back ta-”

“Oh, be nice to our dear flagship of pride,” Quill said from behind Applejack. With a sharp gasp, Applejack spun like she heard a snake striking out and leapt ahead, embracing Quill and tackling her to the ground.

“Land sakes! Ah never thought you’d make it back, Quill!” Quill coughed and tapped Applejack with her wings. Applejack smiled and released the purple mare from her grasp and helped Quill to her hooves. Rainbow snickered from the side as she distracted herself with licking her muzzle clean of chocolate and what appeared to be cilantro whipped cream.

“Thanks, I needed a good back crushing,” Quill rolled her shoulders, “and it’s great to see you in the fur, too. Ya know, I wasn’t gonna say it,” she leaned in to speak softly with Applejack, “but she’s put on a few.”

Quill giggled as Applejack smirked and shoved her slightly. “Behave, or she’ll ‘moody’ all over ya.”

“Rainbow! Applejack said mphrit-”

“‘Mphrit’? AJ, why’re you puttin yer hoof in her muzzle?”

Applejack removed her hoof from Quill’s muzzle and flicked it dry. “Ah dunno what y’all’re talkin about. What say we have an apple ta celebrate our reunion?”

“An my triumphant return to Ponyville and to the party I’ll be having at my place next Saturday!” They all grinned at the thought. “And they guys are invited, along with your new friends,” Quill smirked, “Pinks and Shybie. I never woulda thought, to be honest.”

“Now, now. Ya keep in under wraps, darlin’. Some ponies are fine knowin’ they’re together’n that’s it. Now, here’s an apple each. Ah’ve gotta sell a few more, head back ta the farm, do mah chores, then Ah c’n visit. Rainbow, how’s about ya show off our home and all’a that.”

Rainbow saluted. “Yes, ma’am,” she turned to Quill, “so, ya remember Scootaloo?”

“That filly that you adopted? Yeah, I remember her.”

“Great! She loves showing off her room, so that’ll take a bit’a time and while she’s doing that I’ll tell you about what the Wonderbolts have been up to. Spitfire started the season off with a bang, literally when she-” Rainbow started as she and Quill flew up and towards Rainbow’s home.

Quill looked to Applejack with a pleading expression while Applejack shrugged and waved goodbye, mouthing ‘see ya later’.

Next Chapter: Party Night! (part1) Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 47 Minutes