Learning To Laugh Again
A Cupcake Chronicles Side Story Series
by milesprower06

Part 1

The young filly's eyes and smile went wider as the ink-covered hoof made it's way down and firmly stamped a hoofprint on the Wonderbolts poster. The fight suit-clad rainbow-maned pony quickly wiped her hoof from the ink and handed the poster to the eager young fan with a wink.

“This is so awesome, thanks a bunch!” the filly exclaimed as she scampered away, her newest treasure rolled neatly into her saddlebag, Rainbow Dash leaned back into her chair and stretched, glad for the brief reprieve now that the line had finally ended, for now, as Wonderbolt fans mingled with one another. There were easily over 50 ponies in the convention hall, and the dozen Wonderbolts who had performed this year were seated at tables that encompassed the hall. Spitfire and Soarin were sitting at the table to the left of the rear center, and Rainbow sat at the one on the right, directly next to theirs.

Applejack sat next to her, in her black 'mystery' suit that she performed in, sans mask. This was the last Wonderbolts Meet and Greet session of the season. Their last performance was here in Las Pegasus two nights ago. After this, there would be a month off before they got together in Cloudsdale and began planning next year's show. It had been close to a year since they had been back in Ponyville, and to Rainbow, it had felt like forever. She had just begun patching things up with her parents before they had left on the nationwide tour. The life of a Wonderbolt was frantic and fast-paced, which is particularly why Rainbow thrived in it. Still, there was no place like home.

Applejack glanced over and saw Rainbow sitting back, stretching her legs. She smirked at her marefriend.

“More than 100 shows, and yer' fans are the ones that wear you out?” she asked. Rainbow smiled back.

“These meet and greets are fun and all, but there's a reason we only do one of these at each destination. It gets exhausting after a couple of hours.”

Applejack had to agree there. She also wasn't without her adoring fans, being the very first Earth pony to have a central role in a Wonderbolts performance. Whenever they were at a ground-based location, Applejack was nearly overwhelmed by fans. She was grateful for the attention, especially today, because it kept her mind off of something she had been wanting to tell Rainbow for several weeks now. As always, she wanted to be straightforward and honest about it, but she was trying to figure out away to tell her lightly.

“Listen, Rainbow, I've been meanin' to-”

“Ohmygosh ohmygosh!” came a female voice of another excited fan. Both ponies turned their heads to see their approaching admirer.

She was a pearl white Pegasus with purple eyes, and a rich blonde mane and tail, both wildly poofy. She came hopping up to their table, wings fluttering excitedly. Rainbow noticed the lanyard around her neck, and more importantly the navy blue and gold badge attached to it. That was a VIP badge, and the Wonderbolts only sold a small handful of those to each event, and they certainly cost a beautiful bit. It entitled the purchaser to the best seats in the venue for the performance, as well as free access to all after parties and events. Rainbow sat up, eager to make sure this dedicated fan got her money's worth. Only when the ecstatic fan was mere feet from their table, did Rainbow and AJ both notice, that aside from the color of her coat, mane, and tail, that she was the spitting image of Pinkie.

“I'm so thrilled to finally meet you Rainbow Dash!” the pearl-coated Pegasus greeted.

Wanting to be absolutely sure she wasn't seeing a different-colored double, Applejack stole a glance at the fan's flank, and saw a purple party hat and single balloon for a cutie mark.

“Hey there. What might your name be?” Rainbow asked casually, remembering to bring her professionalism forward and keep the bewilderment in check.

“Oh I'm so sorry. My name's Surprise. I've been a huge fan of yours ever since I read what the Wonderbolts show was gonna be about this year. I think your story of perseverance is simply awe inspiring!”

“Well, that's awesome, glad to hear you've enjoyed it.” Rainbow replied, getting out a considerably bigger poster to not only stamp with her hoof, but also sign.

“You're amazing too, Applejack! The first earth pony ever to perform with the Wonderbolts! So I supposed you're supposed to represent her significant other?” Surprise asked.

Applejack blinked, followed by a nervous chuckle. The question had honestly never come up. She assumed that most fans either knew of their relationship, or didn't think much of it. Her suit was meant to promote gender neutrality in the romantic part of the show, but obviously, with Applejack not wearing her mask...

“I am her significant other, sugarcube. That's the main reason I'm performing with the Wonderbolts this year.”

Surprise's eyes widened, and then her expression showed that her heart had melted.

“That is sooo romantic!” she exclaimed, met with light blushes and smiles from both Rainbow and Applejack.

“So what about you, hun? Where are you from?” Applejack asked, as Rainbow passed the poster over to her to stamp and sign.

“I'm from up north in Seaddle. But I didn't have enough saved up when you guys performed there. I figure if I missed the Seaddle performance, that I should just save up all the bits I could and come see you guys in style. I finally had enough saved up by the time you got here to Las Pegasus.”

“City girl, eh? Your family from up there?” Applejack asked as she wiped her hoof off and got the quill and ink ready.

Surprise's face took on a brief look of sadness, and Rainbow got the feeling that AJ had touched a nerve.

“I...I don't have any family. I lived in the Seaddle Orphanage for as long as I can remember. The doctors said I had underdeveloped primary feathers and a pretty bad case of amnesia. I don't even remember how I got my cutie mark. But I know that I really enjoy making sure everypony has what they need for fantastic parties.”

“Sorry to hear about your feathers and amnesia.”

“That's alright. You didn't know, and there's no harm in asking!”

“So that's what you do for a living, I'm guessing?” Rainbow asked as Applejack signed her poster.

“Yep! I've worked in a party supply shop ever since I was old enough to work, and I've loved every minute of it. Now that I've got enough saved up, I've left the orphanage, and I'm moving to open my own store.”

“That's awesome. Where are ya moving to?”

“To the central valleys, to a cozy little town called Ponyville!”

“Get outta town! I mean, um, not literally, sorry. We're both from Ponyville.”

“Sweeterific! How is it like living there?”

“Nice enough town, to be sure. We haven't been there in nearly a year, touring and all. We're quite anxious to get back.” Applejack said, finishing up her signature and rolled up the poster, sliding it over to Surprise.

“Well I'm glad you've been enjoying yourself here. Maybe we'll be seeing more of ya.” Rainbow said.

“I certainly hope so. See you guys around!”

With that, Surprise took her poster and headed over to Spitfire and Soarin's table, and after that, over to Twilight and Rarity's table. After she got it signed by everypony, she disappeared back into the crowd. After another half hour of greeting fans and signing merchandise, the convention hall was finally closed, allowing the crew to pack up supplies and be on their way. As this was the very last event of this year's season, the Wonderbolts and crew would be going their separate ways from here. Most of the crew already had their bags packed, so all they had to do was go across the street to the hotel and be on their way. It was the same for Rainbow, Applejack, Twilight, and Rarity, as they gathered their luggage up, and took a short carriage ride to the train station for the next train eastbound. It had been a thrilling six months. Rainbow and Applejack loved performing together, Rarity loved the attention her outfits got, not to mention the bits she got from each performance, and Twilight loved mesmerizing each audience with her special effects. It was a Wonderbolts season for the history books, but everypony was still anxious to kick back and relax at home.

By the time everyone had their tickets, boarded the train, and got their luggage stowed, and got comfortable in the bunks, the sun had sunk below the horizon, and everypony was set for a comfortable night train ride to Ponyville. Everyone had their own bunk, save for Rainbow and Applejack, who shared the private car in the rear.

“Hey Rainbow, there's something ah've been meanin' to tell ya” Applejack said, snuggled in close to Rainbow under the covers.

“What's up, AJ? Is...is it about the other night?” Rainbow asked, wondering if AJ had held back some reservations about their first dominance session two nights ago.

“No, no it's not that. I've been thinking about what the Wonderbolts are gonna do next season. Judging from the mail I've got from home over the past year, it hasn't been easy covering for me at the farm. Granny had ta' call in all kinds of favors to make sure everything kept moving, what with Big Mac running the apple carts at all these shows, and with me bein' away. It's just...even if the 'Bolts wanted me to come back for the next season, I'm not sure I'd want to put my family and friends through that hassle again. So I guess what I'm sayin' is...”

“That you don't want to come back next year.” Rainbow finished her marefriend's sentence. Applejack's silence was her confirmation.

“It's not a big deal, AJ. I figured this was a one time thing, and that next season the Wonderbolts would return to something more traditional.”

Applejack breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thanks for understandin', sweetheart. Now let's try and get some sleep. We'll be in Ponyville by morning. It'll be great to be home.”

Applejack wrapped her legs around Rainbow, and drifted off to sleep. Rainbow stared out the window as the starry desert night loomed overhead. This past year was some of the most fun she had ever had, and she was afraid that this month off was going to go by even quicker. She wanted to enjoy this time off to the fullest extent.

Especially if AJ wasn't going to be there next season...

Author's Notes:

A/N: I dedicate Learning To Laugh Again to the late Ace2401. This series would not be what it is without his contributions. Rest in peace, brony.