The Heart of Pleasure
By Haunter Rayne
Ch 77 – Rainbows After a Storm

Twilight stood in the center of Canterlot’s throne room as Celestia and Luna got out of their seats to step down and greet her. “So my faithful pupil,” the white alicorn began, “I see you’ve entered peacefully and without fret on your brow. Can I assume that all is well in forest?” Both sisters now smiled hopefully. Furthermore, Cadence stepped from down the hallway and immediately called for her husband to join them before rushing over.

“Uhh, well... The immediate conflict between the Thicket vs Equestria has been been resolved. King Aspen relinquished any and all grievances toward pony kind. Additionally, I don’t think it likely for him to pick said grievances up again in the future.”

Now the sisters both smiled as if to rejoice. But that was only until Cadence stepped forward with her eyebrow raised asking, “Buuuut?”

“But...” Twilight sulked, “the matter was complicated even further before it resolved. The real guilty party to Aspen’s ire revealed themselves.”

“Stop keeping us in suspense Twily.” Shining urged as the other princesses looked amongst themselves with concern.

“Oh, fine! It’s true. The culprit who had enraged the Heart of the Forest is the same creature who left tracks around the remains of Lord Tirek. Also it is the same being who abducted the suspected changeling right out of Ponyville. Whether it is truly a were-creature or not I can’t say. But we are definitely dealing with a panther of magical and intelligent origin.”

Luna turned to signal to two of the guard by the door way. One nodded and stepped out before returning with three others. “Please Princess Twilight, tell us what you have learned. Is it foe? Could it be friend? What is it capable of?”

Now Twilight regretted sending all her friend back home to while rest leaving her alone to deal with this pressure all by herself. “I… I have to be honest with you. I truly believe that if Equestria had offended the panther in place of Aspen, that we would be helpless to defend ourselves against it as we are now.”

This did not sit well with the other as they all trotted nervously. Twilight scowled as she remembered the panther’s words that all hooved creatures frighten the same. She continued by saying, “This creature is very fierce. He does indeed stand tall like a bear and his strength I fear could match that of Rockhoof’s. Not to mention his speed and reflexes seem as sharp as they could possibly be. This individual is also intelligent. I would dare say even educated. He seems to understand battle strategy, sciences, social etiquette's and even politics maybe.”

“And his ability to use magic?” Celestia asked, hoping for some weakness in the creature that Twilight was painting to be an absolute nightmare.

Twilight’s ears fell as she had to look up to her mentor and say, “If you want my real opinon, I’d put his capabilities on par with that of alicorn magic. And that is only from me seeing a glimpse of what I’m sure he is able to do.”

“Unbelievable!” Luna shouted in affront to this news.

“But Twilight, there’s just no way...” Cadence pleaded in obvious denial.

“Please, please girls. Settle down. If what Twilight says is true then we must be informed as much as possible.” Celestia called above the rest. “Go on Twilight. Is there anything else we should know?”

“Yes… there is.” She sighed and looked to her brother. “The reason why I said we wouldn’t be able to defend ourselves isn’t even because of the panther itself. It’s because he has an army at his disposal.”

“AN ARMY?!” The others all shouted in unison as two of the Canterlot guard stood there taking notes.

“Yes… and it is a force that I wouldn’t even begin to know how to fight. I’ve never seen magic like this before. He has an army of shadow creatures. They appear to be made half and half of obsidian stone and darkness. They can move without sound and travel invisibly between the shadows of other objects. Even the ground. Furthermore, the panther has mirrored his army after the wild beasts of Equestria. I saw shadows resembling swamp creatures, insects, mammals, serpents, even a tatzlwurm! But he seems to have a penchant for copying Timberwolves.”

Now the other princesses seemed staggered. “Goodness...” Luna gasped as she fell to her flank. “An invisible army of such force could… it could decimate the world! What manner of being could possibly control such a force and how?”

“Twily,” Shining Armor said as he stepped forward, “are you sure about this? Are you saying that even if we raised our own force to defend ourselves that this panther could slip his creatures right passed us without us even knowing?”

Twilight nodded glumly. “That’s exactly what I am saying. I’m sorry princesses but he could have his entire legion of Hydra and Manticore and other creatures in the shadow right under my hooves right now and I’d never know it.”

Before any of them could fret any longer Celestia stepped forward and outstretched her wings to comfort Shining and his sister. “Fear not as I might have a spell to help.” Now all eyes were on her as she concentrated for a moment before a brilliant light flashed throughout the room. They all looked around but nothing appeared to be different. “I think it is safe to say that this newcomer to Equestria is not stalking the shadows of any of us at the moment.” She told them.

Cadence spoke next as she worriedly looked to her husband. “I’m sorry everypony but given this news I feel it time for Shining and I to return home. We will of course return if you need us but if this panther chooses to spread his army through the shadows of ponies like an infestation then I wouldn’t want us bringing any back to the empire.

“That’s just it.” Twilight announced before any other could speak. “I don’t think he would.”

“What do you mean?” Shining asked.

“Well… as frightening as this individual may be I get the feeling that he has actually been living in Equestria for awhile now and he’s done nothing in all that time. He’s just been living amongst us in secret. It was only when Aspen threatened to attack us that he rose up. And he made it very clear that he was doing so in our defense. I don’t know why but he seems adamant on protecting ponies and our way of life.”

Now the others looked to her strangely. Shining responded with, “So... some foreign beast just decided to plop here and make Equestria it’s vacation spot?”

“Maybe?” Twilight squeaked out apprehensively.

“Oh well that’s just great!” Luna shouted as her temper got the best of her. “At least now we know that Equestria will forever be safe from invaders. If we ever get attacked we can just sit on our behinds and wait for a MONSTER to rise up and defend us!” She snapped while storming off to sulk on her throne while clearly not believing what she had said at all.

- Back at the Castle of Friendship -

Twilight’s friends were gathered as they all lounged together around the map table. Pinkie sat slouched with her hooves up and her head down in her seat. Applejack was was listening to Rarity drone on about the artistic choices that the deer made for their architecture. Rainbow Dash was playing with a tennis ball bouncing it off the bottom of Pinkie’s hoof while Fluttershy sat wondering how Pinkie wasn’t missing each time she kicked as she wasn’t even looking.

“So uh… Are we really just sitting here pretending to wait for Twilight when what we want to be doing is checking on our boyfriend over in Starlight’s room?” Rainbow Dash groaned sounding extremely bored.

“Eyep.” Applejack respond causing Rarity to huff as she realized no pony was listening to a word she was saying.

“Oh, well, you know… He may not be my boyfriend but I wouldn’t mind knowing how Rayne is doing.” Fluttershy added in.

“Then let’s go!” Pinkie cheered as she suddenly sat up while not even being phased by the tennis ball bouncing off her face. “If you wanna see how he’s doing then let’s all go together!”

“There’s no need.” Called a voice from down the hallway. “You ask, and I appear.” Rayne smirked as he walked into the room and bowed. But then as he lowered his neck he whimpered softly while holding his shoulder with a hoof. “Hhsss-oww.” Years of being in real pain helped to portray a convincing fake wince.

After that another new voice came from behind Rayne speaking in an agitated tone. “What did I literally just say to you?! I thought you were going for a drink of water? You promised me that if I let you get out of bed that you wouldn’t overdo it!” Starlight reprimanded him as she smiled to the other girls but then scowled with concern back to Rayne.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. You’re right.” The stallion chuckled as he nodded to her softly. “Don’t worry, I’m doing okay. I just need some more time to heal is all.” His copy told his friends. Just as they all looked down to sigh in relief there was a shadow which darted across the floor as the original Rayne melded back together in place with his copy. “Whoa… I feel like I’ve been threw quite an adventure during this recovery but I want you to know that everything is going to turn out okay.”

The whole lot of them smiled together and then there was a big group hug. Once everypony pulled away Starlight looked up but then balked in surprise at seeing only Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy standing in front of her. “Hey wait a minute!” She shouted as she looked down the hall at Applejack and Rainbow Dash carrying away a very confused looking stallion. “Just what do you think you are doing?!” She yelled after them.

Dash was quick on the reply. “You just had all night and most of the day with him! You’ve had enough of Rayne! It’s our turn!”

“Eyup!” Applejack added as she didn’t even break stride in carrying him toward the door.

“HEY!” Starlight hollered while not wanting Rayne to go. “Wait a minute! That isn’t how-” But everypony suddenly stopped as they saw Starlight’s flank begin to glow. “NO!!! Not now!”

Rainbow Dash burst out laughing so hard that she almost dropped her side of the stallion. “Hahaha! Sorry! Sucker, hehe!” Then out the door Rayne went as the girls whisked him away with Starlight looking defeated as she sauntered back toward the map table.

- A Few Hours Later -

A whistle chimed as the Ponyville Express pulled it’s way into it’s destination. “Now arriving at Appleloosa station! All ponies please check for all belongings before you exit the train!”

Two mares and a stallion stood in awe as the looked out upon the town. “Well would ya lookie there?” Applejack gasped as they saw what they had come for.

Rayne stepped forward and read from a signpost out loud. “Come one, come all, to Appleloosa’s newest attraction: The first annual County Fair! Games, prizes, and fun to be had for all ages. Recommendations for future attractions taken at the information booth.”

“Heh, I’ve got to admit it.” Dash announced as she let the stallion take her by the hoof before he also did so to Applejack. “When you first mentioned a county fair for what we could do today I had my doubts. I mean, it’s already pretty late in the day. So most of the attractions probably won’t be open for too much longer. But this definitely looks like it was worth the trip to see.”

“Hey now, I think it was a swell idea. Dun you go spoiling it now. Let’s just have us a bit of fun while we still can.” Applejack suggested.

“Well I bet I could have more fun with Rayne today than you can!” The pegasus challenged.

“Oh I wouldn’t bet yer bits on a thing like that if’n you know what’s good for ya!” The other mare countered.

“Girls, girls! Easy!” Rayne called out to them both. “We’re supposed to be relaxing. I’m still recovering, remember? I want the three of us to have a good time together.”

“You’re right.” They both said in unison before smiling as they were looking forward to it too.

The three of them stepped up to the ticket counter and Rayne spoke jovially to the other stallion inside the booth, “So first annual huh? I read that you all are taking suggestions for future fairs. What attractions do you have this time around?”

A light blue stallion with a dark mane and a top hat sat inside while smiling to the three of them. “Oh well we’ve got plenty! There’s face painting an a hay maze for the little ones. We got balloon popping and apple bobbing games. There’s a few prizes for each. We’ve got all the food that a town could eat at a fair, you trust me on that. And the big attraction is built us our very own Ferris wheel!”

“I agree that is definitely impressive. It certainly caught our eye as we came off the train station. Three tickets please.” Rayne told the ticket taker. Quickly Applejack and Dash reached back to pull out some bits for themselves but were surprised when Rayne turned around having paid for the three of them.

“Whoa, wait a minute now.” Applejack said in a soft but stern tone. “That’s mighty sweet of you and all but we ain’t exaclty fillies. You can go right on ahead and call this a date if you want to. But Dashie and I are capable of paying for ourselves too.”

“Seriously.” Dash added. “Money isn’t the kind of thing that I like to brag about but you wouldn’t believe the salary I make as a Wonderbolt! And since I don’t like shopping that means there’s hardly anything for me to spend my bits on ever.” The pegasus added in.

“Alright, alright. Message received.” Rayne smiled. “Just let your boyfriend do this nicety for you and then Dash you can buy us food later while Jackie can get us drinks when we’re thirsty. How’s that sound?”

“Deal!” Both mares again said together.

After that the three of them had a blast all afternoon. Rayne encouraged for them to get a face painting first thing so they could giggle at each other through the rest of their visit. Applejack was shocked that Rayne had never actually bobbed for apples before but he gave it his best try. Dash almost died of laughter from how bad at it he was and then laughed again when Rayne joked that Applejack needed to give him mouth-to-mouth or he’d die.

“If’n you can talk, you can breathe.” She scolded him as she crossed her hooves. But once he stood up she gave him a peck on the cheek saying, “But if you were just wanting a kiss then all you had to do was ask.”

The girls held him back from throwing any balls or darts at the balloon popping games on account of his recovering shoulder. But they were happy to take up the challenge and both earn him a small teddy bear prize each. Applejack’s was blue with a little Appleloosa flag and Dash’s was yellow with a country style hat on top.

After that they sat down and Rayne was surprised to see the menu they had. It wasn’t just sweets. There was fried corn on the cob, roasted vegetables, and hay burgers which he found to be surprisingly good. Of course when they walked away from the food area it was with a cotton candy stick so big that it took all three of them to share it.

The two mares teased Rayne when he insisted on stopped by the information booth because ‘of course a pleasure pony would want to help make a fair more fun.’ But he just laughed as he didn’t mind their teasing. “So if you have a fair then you’ve got to add the large hammer and bell game. Just make sure it’s fair for little fillies and bigger ponies alike. Oh also about the prizes… you need to have novelty prizes. Like teddy bears so big it’s hard to carry them around. And the smaller ones should at least be a decent size. Oh, oh! And how about a hall of mirrors to get lost in?”

He went on and on until the girls resorted to flirting in order to entice him away. Then with a laugh they all walked off looking for what else to do when somepony called out to them from behind. “Well I’ll be. Is that you Applejack?” Speaking was a light gold stallion with a two toned blonde mane under his cowboy hat.

“Braeburn? I wondered if we was gonna run into you. How ya doing cuz?” Applejack asked as she stepped over to give him a hug.

“I’m doing just great. You shouldn’t be surprised though. I’m one of the ponies who helped put this whole fair together. Could you believe that this morning this space where was nothing but open field? And now look at it.” He tipped his hat with a hoof as he smiled at the accomplishment.

“Whoa, whoa.” Rayne suddenly gasped. “You all put this whole fair together from the ground up in a single morning? No overnight prep?”

“Heh, nope. I guess after you’ve built a whole town then putting a little fair like this together just wasn’t no big thing. And nice seeing you again Rayne. You’re services sure were a delight. I don’t suppose I could throw together a little booth for you fer here at the fair?”

To this the dark stallion threw up his hooves and shook his head. “Oh no. I’m just here for a little recreation while I’m actually recovering from an injury. Plus, I’m a little busy at the moment if you know what I mean?” He smiled in a non-derogatory kind of way toward the two mares.

“Ah, hows that now?” Braeburn asked.

“Oh you know, I’m not here by myself. I’m… with company right now.” Rayne suggested.

“Is that so? I see you’re friends here but I’m afraid I don’t follow what you’re implying partner.” Braeburn replied.

Rayne shifted an eyebrow and said, “Come on, don’t make me sound rude like I’m bragging or nothing. I’m here on a date Braeburn. A romantic day trip to the fair.”

“Oh? Is that so?” The country stallion responded. “So where’s your lady at? Have I met her?”

Getting tired of this pointless exchange Applejack snapped, “The HER is standing right here!”

Then Braeburn straightened his hat and said, “Oh, you mean Rainbow Dash? The Wonderbolt? Well, I beg your pardon ma’am. I assumed that you’d one day find yourself a celebrity or another Wonderbolt to date. Not just a common work pony. Not that you’re too good for that or nothing.”

“Common?!” The pegasus screamed.

“WHOA! Hold on!” Rayne yelled as he put a hoof in front of Dash who looked like she was about to clock the other stallion. Meanwhile Applejack pulled her hat down her face in frustration. “Let me try to explain a bit more clearly. Braeburn, I am dating your cousin Applejack-”

“Say what now?” He interrupted as his smile faded completely.

“-AND I am dating Rainbow Dash. I am here taking them both out on a date together.”

There was a silence as the mares looked to each other in confusion while Braeburn just stood there processing this information. What happened next caught both girls by surprise. Quickly the country pony rushed forward and pushed Rayne’s back up against a wooden fence. “Now I don’t care if it’s wit Celestia herself! You two timing my cousin?! Cause if you are then you're about to find yerself in a world of trouble that you ain’t ready for partner!”

“HEY! LAY OFF HIM!” Dash shouted.

“BRAEBURN! YOU QUIT THIS FOOLISHNESS RIGHT NOW!” Applejack ordered.

“No, no it’s okay!” Rayne called out. Then he looked to the other stallion not even minding as he put the literal squeeze on him. “You wanna make sure your family is being respected, right? You wanna make sure some new fancy boy isn’t riding in here and taking your cousin for a rodeo that’s gonna end up leaving her hurt afterwards?”

“Well… Well yeah!” Braeburn agreed.

“Okay, alright. I hear that. But listen… Applejack who was the first mare to be interested in me when I first moved into Ponyville?” Rayne asked while looking over Braeburn’s shoulder.

“Uh, well. I suppose that probably would’a been Rainbow Dash.” Applejack, who was it who asked who out after we had gotten to know each other?”

“I asked you out. I told you I wanted an all or nothing with you and you accepted.” She admitted openly.

“And Dash, you were showing interest in me way before A.J. and I became official. But what was it you told me when I expressed interest back?”

“Heh, that I’d only date you if everypony was open and knew about it.” Dash admitted, clearly seeing where Rayne was going with this.

“And I agreed to it!” Applejack added.

Rayne then looked ahead saying, “You see Braeburn? I’m dating both of them. I’m not two timing anyone.” Looking back he asked, “And are you girls happy?” They both nodded. “I treat you good? No favoritism? No funny business that a bad guy would do?”

“Nope. Your a perfect gentlepony.” Applejack stated.

“Welllllll… There was that one time that you-”

“DASH!” Rayne scolded as the Cloudsdale story was the last thing he wanted Braeburn to hear right now.

“OOPS! But that was nothing and it was just between you and I and Applejack didn’t have anything to do with whatever it is that isn’t important!” She ranted in a single breath.

“Nice save.” Rayne mumbled sarcastically as she just blushed and the Applejack looked curious now.

That was when the country stallion loosened his grip. “Well… I don’t rightly know how I feel about that. But I think I can understand. I’m sorry that I lost my temper there. You-” But when Braeburn let Rayne go the dark stallion immediately collapsed. “Huh? Hey now, I wasn’t holding you all that hard was I?”

Instantly the two mares were by Rayne’s side as Applejack looked up and yelled, “Braeburn you dunderhead! Didn’t he just get to tellin’ ya that he’s here while recovering from an injury?! Rayne just got out of the hospital! He’s hurt, he coulda died you nincompoop!”

“Oh well how was I supposed to know?!” The golden stallion shouted as he reached down to help as gently as he could. “Hey now, I’m real sorry.”

“Heh, don’t worry about it. These two are overrating. There’s no harm done.”

“Yeah right.” Dash mumbled after Rayne’s comment.

“Hey, how about letting me make up for it?” Braeburn offered. “The lead ponies who helped put the fair together all have spare ticket’s and things. How’s about three free passes on the Ferris wheel for the happy couple… err triple… err, for the lot of y'all?”

Dash and Applejack both looked to Rayne for an answer as he just smiled and said, “Thank you Braeburn. That sounds great. I think we’ll head over pretty soon. What time’s it close?”

“Oh well I don’t rightly know. We weren’t exactly sure on a closing time for attractions yet. We figured most ponies would want to skedaddle before the sun went down. But I suppose that keeping the Ferris wheel running for a bit after dark could be a nice view of the sunset too.” He said while thinking it over on the spot.

That was when Rayne pulled the mares close and asked, “What do you think girls? Wait until sundown and catch the view from the top of the Ferris wheel?”

“I think that would be down right lovely.” Applejack told him while giving a flirty expression with her eyes.

Dash wrapped a hoof around him and said, “Yeah… I could go for that. I’m a pegasus so I’ve seen the sunset loads of times. But I’ve never seen it with you. That makes it different!” The three walked off from Braeburn and settled down in the sandy Appleloosan countryside. “So what do you want to do now? Just hang out until then?”

“Actually...” Rayne smirked and both mares chuckled knowing that probably meant trouble. “Okay call me a pleasure pony if you wish but I have an idea to help end this first annual fair with a bang. And it’s something that only a Wonderbolt as great as you could pull off Dash.”

“What?! Really?! You want me to work? On a date?!” She complained.

“Whoa, hold on! You haven’t even heard me out yet!” Rayne chuckled. “So we all know that it’s no sweat for somepony as awesome as you to pull of a sonic rain-boom.” Applejack rolled her eyes with a smile at him clearly playing to Dash’s ego. “But have you ever tried to do it more than once?” He questioned and the pegasus’ eyes suddenly lit up. “How about this? I think the fair could use some fireworks. And if you could provide a couple of explosions then I’ll give you a full body hoof and wing massage all night long?”

“ALL NIGHT LONG?!” Rainbow cheered with excitement at the prospects of what that might mean or lead to.

“That’s right… assuming that Applejack is okay with taking us in for the night so we can keep spending the evening together.” He added as a caveat he would not negotiate about.

“Good gracious you sure are one slick devil, you know that?” Applejack chastised him. “I can tell what you’re after there partner. AH-AH, nope! Don’t you even start.” She scolded as Rayne had opened his mouth to object. “Alright well let’s talk about this. Dashy, massage or no, would you want to come back to the farm with us? You know, at the same time? Together?”

Rainbow thought it over a bit but it didn’t take her long to say, “You know what? It really doesn’t bother me if it doesn’t bother you. Yeah, I’d like to. As long as it’s not imposing on your family or anything.”

“Heh, well then. Rayne, you’re luckier than a buried rabbit’s foot growing four leaf clovers!” Applejack shouted to him harshly.

“Uhhh… does that mean yes?” He asked her nervously.

With a sly smirk and a nod Applejack sighed, “Yeah… it does. Y’all both can come over tonight. I’ll work it out with Granny and the others some how.”

Rayne worked to suppress his grin as he kissed her cheek thankfully. But when he turned back toward Rainbow Dash he found that she was already up in the air. “Alright! If you want a light show then hold onto your hat ‘Jackie’ cause you’re about to get one!”

“Hey! Only HE gits to call me that!” The earth pony shouted while waving a hoof in the air.

The sky could not have been a more perfect backdrop. The sun was not yet set but a myriad of oranges and blues stretched from horizon to horizon. Sighs of amazement came from ponies all around as a rainbow exploded in an arc over the town. First there was one from the north. Then there was another from the east. When a third color explosion stretched out from the west ponies gathered together to sit and watch the never before accomplished multi-rain-boom event.

While this was going on Rayne and Applejack turned to look at each other as the streaks of color shined over their faces. “Jackie… about what Braeburn was saying earlier-” He began but Applejack placed a hoof over his lips to stop him. She smiled and shook her head before leaning in to give her stallion a gentle kiss.

‘Listen to me now. I don’t want you to worry about it. Ain’t no pony here gonna get hurt. I don’t know how the others feel but Dashy and I already talked it over. You’re a pleasure pony Rayne, not a love pony. Yer here to make all kinds of folks feel good. And boy you sure are good at it.” She chuckled.

“Aww, well Ja-” But as Rayne started she was quick to stop him again.

“I’m being serious here, I ain’t done yet.” He nodded and she continued. “I care about you Rayne. I care about you a lot. But I ain’t hearing wedding bells or nothing of the sort and neither is Dash. You make us happy. And we want you to keep on making us happy because we wouldn’t want to give a fine stallion like you up. But both her and I know that one day we’re gonna have to. We know about the down side of being what you are and what could happen if you get yer heart broke.”

“Oh.” He stated simply and then raised his hooves as she scowled at him. “Shutting up!”

“There ain’t no kinda happiness that you could give that would mean more to us than keeping you safe. So what I’m tryin’a say is that when you finally do go and find whoever it is that yer destined to be with I want you to know that the two of us will support you all the way. Now yeah, we’re gonna be sad. But you just go right on and let us be sad about it! Ya hear?! Dash and I already agreed on this. We’ll be alright. And who knows, maybe one day you might help fix us up with somepony like you did for good ol’ Rarity and Spike.”

He now tilted his head as if checking to see if she was done and then said, “I promise to always do right but you two. Whether that means making you smile… or allowing you to be sad. I care about you too. And thank you, I appreciate what you’ve told me.”

Now as the sun was getting lower Applejack looked up and whistled into the air. Slowly the pegasus drifted down like a feather before landing in Rayne’s outstretched arms. “Woooww… I am SO tired.” Dash sighed as she looked up with half slit eyes. “I didn’t know how much that would take out of me.”

“You did great Dash. Beautifully even, just like you.” Rayne told her as he pushed her mane back out of her face. “Come on, you’re all mine for the rest of the night.” He said as he stood up and draped her over his back so that she could just hang loosely there. After that he carried her over to the Ferris wheel while Applejack walked close beside him. “Uh, three tickets for-”

“Step right up! Braeburn told me to expect y’all to be coming by.” The ride operator said. She was a bright yellow mare with a vibrant green mane and green eyes. “You get the best ride of the day, my promise!”

“Thanks Apple Fritter.” Applejack said as they boarded the ride and Rayne slid Dash into the seat next to him.

“Alright, here we go girls!” Rayne said excitedly as Applejack scooted in on his other side. The stallion now sat with the two mares under each arm and they all chuckled as the ride began to lift with a small jolt.

“Ooooh!” They they cheered together as the whole town quickly came into view. They could see the fair grounds, the community in which the local ponies lived, and even all the way to the mountain range where the buffalo resided.

“Weeee!” Rayne exaggerated to the ride operator as they slowly swung back down and his two girls laughed while prodding him for being silly. “Hey! Arggh! No tickles!” Apple Fritter just giggled and then waited for their cart to raise back up to near the top again. Then she pushed the lever to stop the ride before turning away as if she wasn’t paying attention.

“Rayne… look.” Applejack stated as she tapped his shoulder. The three of them looked forward and gasped. It looked like the edge of the desert was on fire and burning upwards into the sky. The sunset was beautiful. “It’s amazing.” She sighed as she rested her head on his shoulder.

“It sure is.” Rayne replied as Dash also rested on his other shoulder. While he was looking forward Dash took that moment to glance up with her eyes. She looked to Applejack and then up to Rayne and back as if asking something. But Applejack just gave a subtle nod which made Dash smile.

“Hey Applejack… do me a favor would ya?” The pegasus suddenly asked as the other two looked over when the silence had been broken. “Push off against my hooves.”

“What? Why?” The other mare asked in confusion.

“Ugh, don’t argue. Just do it for me please?” Dash whined and then Applejack did as she asked. But she looked even more confused as nothing was happening except for making the cart rock a little bit.

Meanwhile Apple Fritter was smiling knowing the ponies above would be enjoying a very romantic view. “Awww, young love. Gee, I wonder how long to leave them up there for?” She asked to herself. However that was when she heard a noise and looked up to see the cart rocking back and forth. “HEY! YOU WAIT JUST ONE GOSH DARN MINUTE! THIS AIN’T YER BEDROOM! THAT’S MY COUSIN UP THERE!!!”

Then the rocking stopped and the pegasus looked down over the side. “Hehe, pranked ya!”

“RAINBOW DASH!!!” Applejack yelled at being made part of such a juvenile joke.

Author's Notes:

Ok so I learned something while writing this chapter. Did anyone know that the words "Hooved" and "Hoofed" are both technically acceptable in the English language? Gah, I find that so annoying! The perfectionist in me wants a real answer. But I went with Hooved.

Okay so we got a nice recap of the previous events in the beginning here. Twilight explains what she knows about the panther... which equates to nothing really because so far Rayne has still been careful. In his opinion the game isn't over even after it's over. He still has his guard up just as much as he did on day one. And it's paying off for him.

And who liked the carnival date? Yes this was a reference to season nine when in the latest episode to this date the CCC's go to the Appleloosa County Fair. So I decided to write the 'first' county fair.

And not only is there romance here but there is relationship development between the characters as well. Both Zecora and Starlight have told Rayne they love him. And Rayne had told Starlight that he loves her. But AJ and Dash are seeing their relationship with the pleasure pony for what it is... just a good time. There may be 'some' feelings there but none of these three are planning on exchanging the L word.

Meanwhile I will remind everyone that while it's clear there are heavy feelings for and from Maud, she specifically told him in the beginning that she wasn't looking for a lasting connection. And there hasn't been a direct conversation to change that, no matter how close they've gotten or how much Rayne has helped Maud out of her shell.

Also I have a lot of plot ready to continue the story... but who wants the next chapter to be a sex scene between Rayne, AJ, and Dash later that night? Haha.