Chapter 1

On a dreary, rainy, late-autumn Ponyville day, Sweet Apple Acres dreamt of the harvest season...and an orange mare. Applejack sighed wistfully to herself as she felt the multitude of ice-cold raindrops fall on top of her signature stetson hat. She looked up at the tall, stately apple tree, one of many at her farm in Sweet Apple Acres. She turned around and grunted as she bucked the tree. The strike felt off to the farm pony, and sure enough, very few apples fell into their receptacles. She tried once more to buck the apples free from their snug, wooden perch. Her back hooves slipped off of the trunk of the tree and she fell forwards into a muddy puddle created by the rain, losing her hat in the process. Again, very few apples fell. She had had a very off day when it came to applebucking, her success rate at a much lower level than it usually was. She clenched her teeth in anger as she put all of her strength into one last buck. At last, the bright red fruits fell from the tree into the buckets, a few stragglers rolling along the ground aimlessly like a child who had lost their parents.

Applejack then went to work picking up the individual stray apples by the stems with her teeth, tossing them back into their buckets. She sighed when the task was complete, looking about quickly to see if there were any other apples littering the ground. When she saw that the ground was free of the red fruit, she began to pick up the large buckets to put them on the wagon she had sitting there next to the tree. The first two of the four were thankfully easy, due to the fact that Applejack grew up doing this kind of work. The other two seemed to be giving the mare a much harder time than they should have. After she loaded the third bucket, the fourth, the heaviest of all, seemed to be unnaturally slippery. She groaned as she picked the large bucket up. To her utter horror, it slipped from her hooves, falling to the ground and spilling apples everywhere.

"Ponyfeathers!!!" Applejack yelled at the rain in the sky as if it had something to do with it. She looked down at all the apples and frowned heavily. She shivered as the cold air nipped at her skin, accentuated by the water currently falling from the sky. She went to work, individually picking the apples up and placing them back into the bucket. The process was long, tedious and required a meticulous eye, and with the rain soaking her through and through, this day was getting worse and worse for the mare. Normally, she wouldn't be working in these conditions, but today was a special occasion. The Apple Family's Harvest Celebration Hoedown was that night, and being hosted in Sweet Apple Acres for the first time ever. Her family still had apples on their trees, and seeing as how their whole family was to be in attendance, they had to be looking as best as they could.

Applejack was happy that the hoedown was being held at Sweet Apple Acres that year because it was always held at one of the more high-profile family establishments, like Appleoosa, and she would have to go away and leave her friends in Ponyville. This year, she could invite them all to come. She smiled to herself as she put the last apple into the bucket and successfully loaded it into the wagon. She then closed the back gate to the wagon, strapped herself into it and began to trek back to the farmhouse, where Big Macintosh and Applebloom where waiting to unload and sort them.

The uphill walk wasn't much of a strain for Applejack, even with the heavy load attached. She was very used to this kind of physical strain. Just as she seemed to be getting on top of things, however, she slipped on a mud puddle and again fell to the ground, the wagon dragging her a few feet before she stopped it. She stood again and growled in fury as she continued to walk, making sure to watch her step everywhere she went. When she finally arrived, Big Mac smiled genuinely at her, still moderately wet from his turn out in the rain.

"Heya, sis. You okay? You're lookin' a might dirty." He asked.

"Yeah, Ah'm alright, Big Mac." She responded as she unhoooked herself from the wagon. "That's the last of 'em. Ah'm gonna go get a shower before Ah go and invite the girls to the hoedown."

"And Ah'm gonna invite my friends!" Applebloom chimed in sweetly. Applejack smiled and nodded at her little sister before walking into the farm house. The rain had mostly washed off a lot of the mud she had picked up from her falls, but some mud decided to be tougher than the other mud and stick to the mare. Applejack looked over at her Granny Smith, sitting in her rocking chair knitting. She smiled at Applejack and slightly grimaced.

"You're dirty, baby." She said. "Good day's work, eh?"

"No, Granny. It wasn't a good day. Ah'm cold, muddy and more tired than Ah should be. Ah just need to go get a shower. At least Ah can invite the girls to the hoedown tonight." She responded with a small smile. Her day really had been awful. She had gotten next to no sleep the previous night. The hoedown with her friends really was the only highlight of her day.

"Dern tootin'!" Granny Smith said. "First time ever the thing's been hosted here at Sweet Apple Acres! We gotta make the place look as good as possibly for the fam'ly." Applejack nodded as she walked through her hallway into her bedroom. She took off her hat and put it on the bedpost, certain that it would be dry by the time she got out of the shower. She removed the ties from her mane and tail, letting them flow loose and beautifully. Applejack quite liked the way they looked when they were untied, she just hated the upkeep and maintenance. She felt that it looked fine tied anyway. She turned on the shower and waited a brief moment for the cold water to warm up to a comfortable hot.

"Finally..." She said to herself as she stepped into the shower.

Applejack donned her stetson as she began to leave the house. She picked up an umbrella as she called for her sister.

"Applebloom! Come on, Ah'm headed out!" She waited a few terse seconds before her little sister came bounding into the room, her rainboots on.

"Alright! Let's go!" Applejack nodded as she handed an umbrella to her little sister.

"Be back soon, Granny!" She said, tipping her stetson.

"M'kay, dearie. Be safe." She said, not looking up from her current knitting project. Applejack sighed as she left the house with her sister in tow. She shut the door and shook her head mildly. She looked down at her sister, umbrella in hoof and rainboot-clad.

"Our Granny sure is something else, isn't she?" Applejack said, beginning to walk toward Ponyville. Applebloom giggled and nodded. "Alright, how about we visit Carousel Boutique first? That way, Ah can invite Rarity and you can invite Sweetie Belle. We can kill two birds with one stone." Applebloom gasped and immediately gained a scared expression on her face.

"B-but...Ah don't wanna kill any birds!" She said on the verge of tears. Applejack mentally kicked herself for using such an expression around her sensitive sister.

"It's just an expression, AB. We ain't really killing anything." Applejack explained as they neared the boutique. Applebloom sighed with relief. Applejack ruffled her sister's mane playfully, earning a giggle from Applebloom. Applejack knocked politely on the door three times and waited for a reply or the door to open. When no response came after thirty seconds, she knocked again.

"The door is open!" They heard Rarity shout from inside the building. Applejack shrugged and entered the building and looked around, Rarity was rushing back and forth, talking to herself madly and surveying all of her possessions and items. She quickly looked at Applejack and smiled.

"Applejack, darling! What brings you here today?" She said before going straight back to her listing of her items. She slammed a dress into one of several suitcases laying on her bed. "I am a little busy at the moment." Applejack still watched as Rarity shot back and forth. Sweetie Belle rushed out of a hallway and looked up at her sister.

"No more ribbons, Rarity." She looked over to see her friend. "Hey, Applebloom." Rarity grabbed her sister by the shoulders and shook her slightly, looking down at her.

"Find...ribbons." She said, a hint of hostility in her voice. Sweetie Belle ran off, undoubtedly to find ribbons. Rarity then looked at her friend and smiled warmly. "What can I do for you, Applejack?"

"Oh. Well, you know how my family usually has a big 'ol shindig every year to celebrate a successful harvest?" Applejack said. Rarity looked at her and quickly nodded. "Well, Ah know that this is short notice, but we're hostin' it at Sweet Apple Acres this year! Wouldja like to come tonight?" Applejack smiled hopefully at Rarity. The white unicorn only frowned.

"Oh...Applejack, dear, I'm so sorry, but Sweetie Belle and I are meeting our parents tonight for a family trip to Fillydelphia." Applejack frowned as well, but quickly smiled again.

"Don't worry about it, Rarity! Have fun on your trip!" She responded before turning to leave.

"I really am sorry." She said as Applejack opened the door. Applejack looked back over her shoulder at Rarity.

"Ah know. It's no problem." She smiled as she closed the door to the boutique. She sighed sadly as they headed for Twilight Sparkle's library.

"Sorry, sis." Applebloom said.

"Oh, it's alright. She probably wouldn't have enjoyed it much, anyways." The walk from Carousel Boutique to Golden Oaks Library was not a long one, but it seemed to be prolonged by the dark weather. Applejack knocked on the door, to have it promptly answered by Twilight, a welcome change from Rarity.

"Howdy, Twilight." Applejack said to her friend.

"Hey, Applejack." Twilight responded, seemingly slightly distracted by something. "Come in." As Applejack and her sister entered the library, they witnessed an awe-inspiring show of floating parchment and quills, writing down a seemingly infinite amount of data.

"Whatcha doin' here, Twi?" Applejack asked, still slightly stunned. Twilight looked up at her friend momentarily from a central piece of paper.

"Oh, just writing some things down." She responded matter-of-factly. "Did you need something?" Applejack nodded at her.

"Well, y'know the Harvest Celebration my family has at the end of harvest season each year and how Ah usually have to go away for it?" Twilight quickly and efficiently nodded. "Well, this year, it's being hosted right here in Sweet Apple Acres. Wanna come tonight? We're gonna have good food, dancin' an-"

"I'm sorry, Applejack." Twilight said, still not looking up from her paper. "But I have a meeting with Princess Celestia tonight to discuss my studies on friendship and the like. I really would come if I could." Applejack sighed and nodded.

"Alright. Don't worry about it. Ah'll just be leaving now." She said, a tinge of sadness lacing her voice. Twilight looked up from her papers and her magic dissipated, letting all papers and quills down.

"Applejack, I'm sorry. I'm being incredibly rude. Would you like to stay a while for some tea?" Applejack politely shook her head.

"No thank ya, Twi. Ah'm just gonna go invite the others. Thanks for the offer, though." She left the library and closed the door, followed by her sister. Twilight immediately went back to work, writing down different facts and data to present to the princess. Applejack unfurled her umbrella as she made her way to Sugarcube Corner. The confectionary was closed, but Applejack knew Pinkie Pie would be there. She smiled at the thought of seeing the pink party pony. If anypony was going to be there, it would be Pinkie Pie. She knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before it was finally answered by a tired looking and worn Pinkie.

"Oh, hey, Applejack! What's up?" She whispered, slightly out of breath.

"Hey, Pinkie. Ah was just wonderin' if you could make it to Sweet Apple Acres Tonight. See, we're hostin' the Harvest Celebration Hoedown this year" Pinkie shushed her.

"I just got the babies to sleep." She whispered. Applejack rolled her eyes slightly and continued, whispering.

"for the first time ever, and it would be great if you could make it." Pinkie frowned and teared up at this.

"Oh, Applejack!" She yelled. She was interrupted by the sound of the two foals in the upstairs room of Sugarcube Corner erupting into fits of crying. Pinkie looked up. "Excuse me a sec." The zipped upstairs and came back holding the two foals, still crying, but not as loudly. "You know I'd absolutely positively love to, Applejack!" Applejack smiled to herself happily. "But I can't." Applejack's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. She had never heard Pinkie Pie refuse an invitation to a party.

"You can't come?" Applejack said, disappointed. "Why not?"

"Well, the Cakes are having a second honeymoon in Canterlot. They just left me in charge of Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake. I'm so, so, so, so, so sorry!" Applejack looked down and nodded.

"It's okay. Ah'll see ya later." She said before she turned to leave.

"Applejack! Don't you wanna come in for some snacks before you leave?" Pinkie asked her.

"No, Ah don't think so. Ah'm just gonna get goin'." She responded, before walking out into the rain again. Pinkie sniffled before she shut the door. 'Please, for the love of Celestia, let at least one of 'em come.' Applejack thought as she walked down the street to Scootaloo's house and accompanied her little sister to the door. She let Applebloom knock. Scootaloo answered. Scootaloo was all too happy to go the the hoedown, of course. She promised to be there and shut the door.

"Alright. Time to head to Fluttershy's place." Applejack said.

"Ah'm so happy Scootaloo can come! Ah'm sure at least one of your friends will be there!" Applebloom said cheerfully, in spite of the bad weather.

"Ah sure hope so." Applejack responded. They walked through Ponyville as quickly as they could, attempting to get their task finished before they got too wet from the rain. They eventually arrived at Fluttershy's meager cottage near the outskirts of Ponyville. Applejack was suprised to find that the door was open. She entered to see Fluttershy kneeling over a small bed, worriedly mumbling and stroking the head of Angel, her pet bunny, who was currently laying in it.

"Hey, Fluttershy!" Applejack said happily, making the timid yellow pegasus nearly jump out of her skin with a small shriek. She turned, breathing heavily to see Applejack. "Any particular reason why you're door is wide open?"

"Oh, hello, Applejack." She said before turning back to Angel. "It's getting stuffy in here, so I left it open for a little while. It's fine now, though. Could you close it for me?" Applejack nodded and closed the door.

"Ah would like to extend to you an invitation to come to the Apple Family's Annual Harvest Celebration Hoedown. We're hostin' it in Sweet Apple Acres for the first time ever tonight and Ah sure would love it if you could make it."

"I'm very sorry, Applejack, but Angel Bunny has the bunny flu, and he's going to need me to take extra special care of him for the next few days. I can't...I'm sorry." Fluttershy responded, turning to Applejack. Applejack frowned and looked to the side, adjusting her stetson.

"Oh....well...it's okay, Ah guess. Ah really would've liked for you to have been there, but ya can't change what is..." The farm mare said sadly.

"Would you like a drink...or something like that? It's awfully rainy out there today. You're welcome to stay here until it stops." Fluttershy affirmed, aware of her friend's disappointment.

"That's alright. Ah'm just gonna go invite Rainbow Dash, now. See ya." She said as she left. Applebloom waved goodbye to Fluttershy before closing the door. She walked next to her nearly-defeated sister as she hung her head slightly.

"Ah'm sorry sis. Rainbow Dash will probably be able to come." Applejack merely mumbled a reply. They arrived under Rainbow Dash's cloud home after a short walk and stood under the cloud, shielded from the rain. Applejack called out.

"Rainbow Dash! Ya up there?" After a few seconds, Rainbow Dash came out of her house and landed in front of them.

"Hey, Applejack, Applebloom. What's up?" She said to them. She looked to be mildly carefree at the moment. Nothing to do. A glimmer of hope lit up in Applejack.

"Heya, Dash. Ya know that annual Harvest Celebration Hoedown I'm goin' away for every year?" Rainbow nodded. "Well, it just so happens that it's bein' hosted at Sweet Apple Acres for the first time this year! Wanna come tonight? It's gonna be fun. We're gonna have good food, dancin', games, contests and a whole bunch of other stuff." Rainbow frowned.

"Aw, Applejack. I wish I could, really, I do. But I'm just getting back here for my lunch break from weather patrol. These clouds were unscheduled, so we're having to work really late tonight." This news seemed to hurt Applejack more than the rest of her friends refusing her invitation. For some reason, she couldn't place it, she had wanted Rainbow to be there more than anypony else. She frowned and nodded.

"Alright...It's okay." She said. Rainbow felt a small pang of guilt shoot through her. Her friend looked tired, sad and defeated. It tore her up inside.

"Hey, you alright? You don't look very good." The pegasus said with a frown. Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, Ah'm okay. Ah just gotta get some rest." She said.

"If earth ponies didn't fall through clouds, I'd invite you guys inside to warm up." She told them. "Hold on a sec-" She said before speeding up into her house and coming back about thirty seconds later. "Here's some hot cider. Go ahead and drink up. You both look like you need it." Applejack looked at Rainbow, who had a warm smile on her face. She had to admit, that for a pony who just got on break after the strenuous duty of weather patrol, Rainbow Dash looked very good. Her mane was slightly messy, yet well kept as always, her well toned body was accentuated by her cyan coat perfectly. Her beautiful wings folded against her sides neatly. Applejack returned the smile and took the mug gratefully, as did Applebloom. The filly took a sip and marveled at the taste.

"Mmmm! This is great!" She said happily.

"Well, duh, it's Apple family cider." Rainbow said. "I always keep some stored away for special occasions."

"This ain't a special occasion." Applejack said to her.

"Well, yeah, but you guys looked like you both needed it. A day like this pretty much requires drinking the best cider in Equestria." Rainbow said. Applejack, though she had heard this compliment from Rainbow before, felt especially flattered about it now. She smiled and nodded at Rainbow, who smiled back. The sisters finished their cider and gave the mugs back to Rainbow, who took them back inside and returned to them.

"Alright, well, Ah guess we'll be headin' out now." Applejack said before giving Rainbow a quick, unexpected hug, which to pegasus returned. "Thanks for the cider."

"No problem. See you guys later!" The rainbow-maned mare said before going back into her house. Applejack had almost forgotten that Rainbow couldn't come to the Hoedown either. When she remembered, all the disappointment came flooding back. Her ears splayed back, she adjusted her stetson, opened her umbrella and walked into the rain.

"Sorry, sis." Applebloom said. "Ah can tell Scootaloo not to come it that'll make ya feel better." Applejack chuckled and hugged Applebloom.

"No, Applebloom, you don't have to do that. Thank you, though." She responded. At that moment, a sharp wind blew. It pulled on Applejack's umbrella, and seeing as how she wasn't prepared for it, the umbrella flew from her hoof. She started to chase after it, but stopped. 'Ah, buck it.' She thought to herself as she just continued to walk in the rain. This really had been one of the worst days the mare had had in a long time. She continued walking, tired, disappointed and defeated. She teared up from the pure disappointment and stress of it all. She thanked Celestia and Luna that it was raining so that Applebloom could not distinguish her tears from rainwater.

"Applejack! Your umbrella!" Applebloom exclaimed.

"Don't worry about it. Ah don't mind." Applejack said as they ambled down the path through Ponyville back toward Sweet Apple Acres to get ready for the rest of the Apple family to arrive.

Applejack sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time that day as she put up the other sign of a large banner above the barn doors that said in large, bold lettering- 'HAPPY HARVEST'. The painfully obvious banner was quite cumbersome to manage, flying to and fro with the wind. It was drizzling at this point, differentiating itself from the way it rained earlier in the day. Applebloom struggled to keep the ladder her older sister was standing on steady as she hammered the banner in roughly. At this rate, Applejack wouldn't have been suprised if a heavy gust of wind blew her ladder over, causing her to plummet to the ground. Her day had been bad enough.

No gust blew, however, and she was able to descend the steps of the ladder unscathed. She exhaled lightly as she closed the ladder and folded it up into it's space-efficient formation. Most of the apple-themed decorations they had stored away had already been put up in the barn, and Big Macintosh was finishing up clearing out the barn floor.

"Ah sure am tired." Applejack said. "This thing is startin' to look less and less enticing." Big Mac looked at his sister.

"Now, sis, you'll be okay. Ya know that'll change once the hoedown get's 'goin. You have fun every year." He said as he moved the last bale of hay to the back corner of the barn. "Go ahead and plug the lights in, Applebloom. The family's gonna start arrivin' pretty soon." Applebloom nodded as she ran outside the barn, along the long, concealed line of extension cords to the water-protected outlet. She plugged the lights in, and the barn was instantly made to look more inviting. The lights illuminated the barn in a happy, bright hue, contrasting the dark it was starting to take on due to the late hours encroaching.

Applejack smiled in spite of her bad day. It really did look to be a nice night, even without her friends. Her thoughts quickly drifted back to Rainbow Dash and her sweet smile. Applejack thought about how she hadn't seen Rainbow act in such a way, save for a few special occasions. The thought only made Applejack want Rainbow Dash there more. She wilted slightly.

"It'll be okay, Applejack." Applebloom said, surprising Applejack slightly with a small pat on her back. "They'll hang out with ya when they get the chance."

"Ah know that." Applejack said. "Ah just really would've wanted them to be here. Ah have to leave 'em all here in Ponyville every year to come to this derned thing. It's the first time ever this thing's bein' hosted here, and none of 'em can make it." Applebloom nodded silently, looking up at her sister.

"Ah just wish you weren't so sad." She said. Applejack huffed and put on a brave face and gave her little sister a noogie.

"Now who said Ah was sad?" Applejack asked, smiling as her little sister giggled happily.

"No one. You just looked really sad, sittin' here all lonesome." Applebloom responded, breaking free of the affectionate noogie.

"Well, I ain't sad. Just a little disappointed, is all." Applejack said. The statement was a lie, of course, but even Applejack could tell such a small, white lie in order to preserve the happiness of her little sister.

"Alright." Applebloom said before they heard a small knocking at the open barn doors. They looked to behold Braeburn, of all ponies.

"Hey, everypony!" He said happily. "I hope I'm not too early!"

"Maybe just a little." Applejack said, smiling. "But it's good to see ya anyways, Braeburn." He nodded.

"The band should be gettin' here any time now. They left at about the same time as Ah did." He said to her.

"Well, that's good. Ain't much of a shindig without some music." Big Macintosh said. The ponies made small talk for a while, greeting the other members of the family who arrived to partake in the festivities. The band arrived just when Applejack thought the place was getting dull. They began playing lively country music that made even Applejack want to get up and dance for a bit. Granny Smith hobbled into the barn, nodding to the other members of the family and greeting when she was greeted. She took a seat overwatching the barn. Several members of the family had started to dance.

Over time, the rest of the family arrived, bringing their different platters of food for the feast later on that night. The center of the barn was essentially a large dance floor that about half the ponies there occupied. The other half talked and caught up with their family who they hadn't seen in a year. Applejack merely sat on a stool politely, saying hello to her family when they approached her and making small talk, but for the most part, keeping to herself. Very much unlike the mare. Applebloom approached her sister with Scootaloo and their cousin Babs Seed, all three had worried expressions on their faces.

"You okay, sis?" Applebloom asked. "You ain't dancin' or talkin' to nopony." Applejack promptly nodded to her sister.

"Yeah, Ah'm okay, Applebloom. Just a little tired from today, is all." She responded.

"You're usually dancin' at around this time." Applebloom said. "What's wrong?"

"Nothin', okay?" Applejack said, slightly irritated. "Y'all just go play." The fillies nodded and ran off to play a game with the other foals. Applejack continued to sit, stewing in her disappointment. She felt lonely, even as she was surrounded by her family, having a fun time listening to the music, dancing, eating and recounting their adventures together. Applejack decided to go get a drink, willing to accept whatever they had, which at the moment was cider. After drinking her cider, Applejack looked among the crowd of ponies occupying her barn. The place was big enough, to be sure, providing enough space for each member of the family to be comfortable. She watched her brother talking to another stallion, one whose name she couldn't place before becoming distracted by her sister, Scootaloo, Babs Seed and several other foals playing a game of what looked to be tag. She smiled as she heard her little sister's sweet giggle above the rest of the hoedown. She felt tired, however, tired from her hard day Applebucking in the cold rain, and tired from her feelings of disappointment not having her friends at the get together with her.

She missed all of her friends, to be sure, but none so much as Rainbow Dash. Out of all of them, she wanted her speedster pegasus friend there the most of all. Applejack found their times together, whether they were squabbling over a trivial topic, competing physically or simply relaxing and talking to be truly great times. She didn't doubt the night would be much better with Rainbow for a second. She sighed as she resolved to go back to her farmhouse and retire for the night. Her eyes surveyed the hoedown once more, looking over the many members of her family and the various colors of their coats and manes. Orange, yellow, red, brown, green, black, cyan.

'Wait a minute...' Applejack thought to herself, looking through the crowd again for that source of cyan. She found it. Rainbow Dash entered the barn, slightly moist from the rain. She looked back and forth among the family, an eyebrow raised and her rose eyes widened slightly. She coughed into her hoof as she began to walk into the barn. Applejack's stomach felt light as she was overcome with joy. She ran through the barn, through and around her various family members until she finally reached Rainbow.

"Hey Apple-UGH!" She said as she was interrupted by Applejack grabbing her up into a large hug. "Hey, Applejack..." She said, slightly strained.

"You came!" She said before realizing how stupid she must of looked to her friend. She put her down, cleared her throat and adjusted her stetson. "Ah mean, glad you could make it." Rainbow nodded.

"I just figured that Weather Patrol could hold their own fine without me. The storms calmed down a lot, so I just left." The rainbow-maned pegasus responded. "Besides, I couldn't just leave the coolest farm pony in Equestria hanging." Applejack smiled happily.

"That's awfully nice of you to say Rainbow..." Applejack said, blushing at the compliment and looking to the side. "Thank you." Rainbow smiled and nodded. Applejack looked at Rainbow, and Rainbow looked at Applejack, making eye contact. They looked into each other's eyes for what seemed like minutes. To their respective horrors, they both realized they were staring at each other. Rainbow looked around at Applejack's large family and cleared her throat. Applejack adjusted her stetson again and nodded.

"So yeah, you have a big family." Rainbow said.

"Yep." Applejack responded simply.

"A lot bigger than I thought."

"Yeah, Ah know." Applejack felt it...the awkwardness of the moment. She had been staring at Rainbow, and Rainbow had been staring right back at her. She felt her stomach sink. One of her friends actually came, and to top it off, it was the one she wanted to come the most. She wasn't going to let the night get thrown away over some stupid little moment. "Hey, come on." Applejack said, offering a hoof to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow put her hoof in Applejack's, allowing her to lead her through the dance.

"Where are we going?" She asked her friend.

"We're going to get you a nice cup of cider." Applejack said, looking back at Rainbow Dash with a confident smile, blushing. "And then we're gonna dance." This caused Rainbow to blush as well as they reached to drink table. Applejack poured a cup for herself and Rainbow Dash.

"I must admit." Rainbow said, taking her cup from Applejack, smiling. "This is a lot cooler than I thought it was going to be." Rainbow took a big swallow.

"That's what most ponies who haven't come to an Apple Family shindig say." Applejack said, drinking hers as well.

"So, Pinkie Pie isn't even here?" Rainbow asked.

"Nope. She had to babysit for the cakes." Applejack said.

"That's really suprising." Rainbow mused.

"Ah know! But Ah'm proud of her, takin' responsibility. Besides..." She said before looking over at Rainbow, who looked back at her. "The pony Ah wanted here most actually is." Rainbow smiled and blushed.

"Wow...thanks, AJ." Rainbow said before she was interrupted by the band ceasing to play and Granny Smith's shrill voice rising above everypony else's.

"Alright now, y'all!" Granny Smith yelled. "How're y'all doin' tonight?!" The Apple Family cheered nearly in unison. "Now alla y'all get ready! The annual switch-'em-up dance is comin' up! Y'all know the music, so be preparin' yourselves!" Applejack and her family cheered. Rainbow's eyes widened.

"Switch-em-up dance?" Rainbow said nervously. "What the hay is that?"

"It's somethin' really fun we Apples do here at the hoedown every year." Applejack responded with a smile.

"But I don't know it!" Rainbow said as the music came on and the family cheered. Applejack grabbed Rainbow's hoof and led her onto the dance floor.

"Don't worry about it! It's easy to learn!" Applejack said, throwing Rainbow into a line of Apple Family members before joining the line opposite. She looked at Rainbow and winked. Rainbow laughed nervously and nodded. She looked to both of her sides to see two large stallions.

"Hey there." She said. He nodded at her. "How're you doing?" She said to the other. He smiled at her. The music began a verse and the two lines began dancing toward each other. The steps seemed simple enough and Rainbow had done her fair share of dancing in her life. She adapted to this part easily. The lines intersected and each pony came out of their lines with a different partner. Rainbow was paired with a well-built handsome stallion. He smiled down at her as they began to dance together.

"Evenin' lil' filly." He said to her politely. Rainbow blushed and giggled slightly.

"Hey." She said. The stallion was quite attractive.

"You ain't a member of the family, are ya?" He asked her as they stepped in tune jubilantly to the music.

"Gee, what gave me away?" Rainbow said sarcastically. The stallion laughed. "I'm a close friend of Applejack's." The stallion nodded.

"Yeah, I seem to remember her talkin' about you last year...she was sayin' how much she wished you were there...you're Rainbow Dash, right?" He said. Rainbow blushed and nodded at hearing how much Applejack really missed her. "She kept talkin' about how you guys are racin' and fightin' dragons and stuff like that." Rainbow smiled.

"Yeah, we have a lot of fun."

"Oop, the switch is comin' up! Been nice talkin' to ya." The stallion said as he promptly dropped Rainbow Dash in the middle of the dance floor. Her eyes widened as she looked around for any indication of what she should do next. Everypony else had a partner by now and she was just standing there. Suddenly, she was swooped up by another mare.

"How ya doin'?" She said happily. "Havin' fun?" Rainbow Dash nodded, blushing again. The Apple Family was definitely an attractive one.

"Yeah, this is pretty awesome!" Rainbow said happily, continuing to dance with the mare. She looked around the dance floor, searching for Applejack. The song sounded like it was coming to a close, and no matter what, Rainbow Dash wanted to dance with Applejack. She finally laid eyes upon her friend, happily dancing with a stallion. Applejack looked up and met her eyes with Rainbow's and they didn't come away from each other. The longer Rainbow looked at Applejack, the more she wished to dance with her. The more time Applejack spent looking into Rainbow's beautiful rose eyes, the more she wanted to see them closer.

The crescendo in the chorus was arriving, so the two mares both realized that their last chance to dance with each other was coming up. They both moved their partners to where they were in close proximity with each other, ever so slightly to where their partners wouldn't notice. The moment arrived, and the partners all split up. Rainbow disconnected from her current partner, and felt her stomach drop. She had lost sight of Applejack. She had her mind set on dancing with her friend so intently, and she had lost her. Rainbow felt the need to call her friend's name welling up in her throat. This urge dissipated however, as Applejack swept the pegasus up in her arms, as they started to dance. Rainbow was filled with joy as she stepped in synchronization with Applejack.

"Geez, Rainbow, ya sure are light." Applejack said with a smirk, a blush present on her face.

"Yeah, well, I have to be to be as great a flyer as I am." Rainbow responded. She was certain Applejack was looking at her, but she couldn't look Applejack in the eyes for some reason. Something felt like it was keeping her from looking at her friend. She heard Applejack giggle.

"Ya are at that." Rainbow's inhibitions dissipated as she looked Applejack square in the eyes. She took in Applejack's natural beauty. Her freckles, her bright green eyes, her golden mane, all putting the pegasus in a small trance. She blushed as she gazed upon her friend, Applejack gazing right back, blushing as well, her eyes half lidded. She appraised Rainbow's attractive facial features. Her multicolored mane that seemed to be pefectly separated, yet slightly scruffy at the same time, her beautiful rose irises, calling to her, her adorable little smile adorned by the blush she was currently sporting. They held each other and danced, jumping and stepping happily along with the music.

Applejack felt a fire burning in her stomach, blazing whenever she got closer to Rainbow. Rainbow felt as light as a feather, nearly exploding with joy whenever she looked into Applejack's eyes. After a fast, unexpected step in the dance, Applejack's stetson fell from her head. Rainbow, seemingly on instinct, reached down, took the hat and put it on her own head. Applejack smiled at how cute Rainbow looked, Rainbow smiled back.

"Couldn't let your hat get stepped on, partner!" She said, in a country accent, half giggling. Applejack chuckled as the dance continued. Rainbow laughed as they spinned. Applejack smiled widely as they stepped to a fro, moving along to the upbeat music. The song began to come to a close and the couples began to separate. Applejack and Rainbow kept dancing slightly longer than the others, however, finally noticing that the song was coming to a close. After all the couples separated, they ended up in the lines they began in. Finally, the dance ended with a bow to the other line. The music ended and everypony cheered, especially Rainbow Dash, who took to the air momentarily.

"Now, y'all, that was some mighty fine a-dancin'! Enjoy the rest of the night!" The dance floor eventually filled back up with different Apple family members as Rainbow Dash made her way back to the drink table where her cider was. She found Applejack waiting there for her.

"Dear, sweet Celestia, that was awesome!" Rainbow said happily. Applejack chuckled.

"What'd Ah tell ya?" She responded before taking a sip of her cider. "The Apple Family Switch-'em-up Dance is not something to be missed." Rainbow nodded extravagantly.

"I know that now!" Rainbow exhaled and took a swallow of her drink. "I just didn't think it was going to be this fun! If I'm fired from weather patrol, totally worth it!" Applejack laughed.

"Well, you're comin' to a shindig with pretty much a hundred and fifty Applejacks, so..."

"No I'm not." Rainbow responded.

"Huh?"

"There's not another pony like you. You're one of a kind."

"Well, thanks, Rainbow. That's really sweet of you to say."

"I know it sounds corny, but I mean it." Rainbow said. "I've never met another pony like you, and that's the truth."

"Well," Applejack responded. "Ah've certainly not met anypony like you." Rainbow snickered.

"Yeah, well, that's obvious." She quipped. Applejack smiled as she noticed that Rainbow ws still wearing her hat. She decided to see how long it would take for Rainbow to notice. Perhaps the pegasus just liked to wear it.

"Rainbow Dash?!" They heard a voice call from behind them. They turned to see Scootaloo running at them. She jumped and grabbed Rainbow in a hug, smiling widely. Rainbow hugged her back.

"Hey, Scootaloo. What's up?" She said.

"I'm here with Applebloom." The filly responded.

"Well, it's good to see I'm not the only pegasus here." Rainbow Dash said. Scootaloo smiled at her.

"Hey, Scootaloo! Come on! Babs has something she wants to say!" They heard Applebloom calling.

"That's me. Gotta go!" Scootaloo said before speeding off to her friends. Rainbow nodded.

"See ya, scoots!" She said. Applejack smiled and sat down next to Rainbow.

"That filly really adores ya, doesn't she?" Applejack said. Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah. Can you blame her?" Rainbow said, puffing out her chest. Applejack smiled as she took her hat off of Rainbow's head, earning a "Hey!" from her friend.

"C'mon, Ah wanna introduce you to some of the family." Applejack said, beginning to walk through the barn, being followed closely by Rainbow.

"Well, that's gonna take all night." Rainbow said. Applejack laughed.

The Apple Family Annual Harvest Celebration Hoedown was over. The family was saying their goodbyes to each other, hugging and nodding and shaking hooves. The night had been spectacular for Applejack and Rainbow Dash. They had played a game of horseshoes, which Applejack won, but not by much. Applejack had introduced Rainbow to a lot of the family, who received her warmly. They had danced some more, enjoying the live music, they ate heartily, supplied with all of the specialized dishes of the Apple Family, and they had just sat and talked over cups of warm, delicious cider. But now, the get-together was over and all the ponies were going home. Rainbow sighed as she stood up from the table her and Applejack were sitting at.

"Well, I think I'm gonna head out too." She said. "Thanks for the great time, AJ." Applejack quickly stood up and trotted after her.

"Now, hold on a minute there, Rainbow. What kinda friend would Ah be if Ah didn't walk ya home?" She said. Rainbow shrugged.

"Alright. Cool." They exited the barn into the cool night, no longer burdened by rain or weather conditions. The skies were clear, and Luna's moon shone as clearly as it ever did. Applejack noticed Big Macintosh carrying Applebloom, who was dead asleep, back to the farmhouse. He looked at her and waved, getting the message that Applejack was accompanying her guest home. Applejack waved back as she and Rainbow continued to amble along the path.

"So let me get this straight..." Rainbow said to Applejack. "None of the others could come? Not Twilight or Fluttershy?" Applejack shook her head.

"Nope. You're the only one that showed up." Applejack said with a small smile. Rainbow was frowning, however.

"I mean, I can understand they all had their reasons for not being there, but come on!" She exclaimed. Applejack chuckled. "Who wouldn't want to party with you like that?"

"Ah appreciate that, sugarcube." Applejack responded. They continued to walk in relative, comfortable silence, each mare stealing quick glances at the other when they were sure the other wasn't looking. They failed miserably at one point, making full eye-contact for a moment. They both laughed nervously and continued walking toward Rainbow's home. The wet grass transferring moisture to both of their hooves soothingly. Mist blanketed the fields where the humidity was dropping closer to the ground. When they finally arrived at Rainbow's house, Rainbow sighed and turned to Applejack.

"Well, it's been really fun, Applejack. I hope I can come next year." Rainbow said with a smile.

"Definitely. Ah'm glad you could make it." Applejack responded, also smiling. Rainbow nodded.

"Alright, well, I'll be seeing ya." The pegasus said as the began to fly up to her house. She was stopped in her path by Applejack grabbing her tail between her teeth unexpectedly. She looked back to see Applejack blushing heavily and rubbing the back of her head.

"Wait a minute, Dash...Ah need to talk to ya about somethin'." She said.

"Oh, okay." Rainbow said, touching down in front of Applejack. "What's up?" Applejack skiffed her hoof on the ground, searching for the right words to say. She looked at Rainbow, who had an expectant look on her face. Applejack immediately became nervous as she began.

"Well, today had been a pretty bad day for me. Ah barely got any sleep last night, Ah had to work in the rain all day, my apples spilled everywhere and Ah had to pick 'em up, just...not a good day. The one bright point of it all was the Harvest Celebration Hoedown. Ah could finally invite alla my friends after leavin' you guys in Ponyville so many times. Ah went from house to house, invitin' you all. But none of ya could come. That just made my day even worse. Ah wasn't even enjoyin' the dance, Ah was so down in the dumps. But, outta nowhere, you showed up. And all of a sudden, those bad feelings, they just disappeared, and Ah was just so happy to see ya. You pretty much saved the night for me. You were there for me when everypony else couldn't be, for whatever reason. So...thank you. Ah appreciate it, is all Ah'm tryin' to say." Rainbow smiled warmly and put a hoof on Applejack's shoulder.

"Don't worry about it, AJ. I've always liked you the most." She said happily.

"Ah appreciate you." Applejack said. Rainbow closed her eyes and nodded.

And then Applejack kissed her.

Applejack kissed her square on the lips.

Rainbow Dash's body seized up in suprise. Her eyes shot open and she turned the color of one of Applejack's apples as she sat there, feeling Applejack's soft lips on hers, unsure of what exactly to make of this new development. She had expected this the least out of all the things she ever could have expected Applejack to do then and there. Applejack slowly disconnected from the kiss and moved her head back slowly. She opened her eyes dreamily, expecting to see a happy and satisfied Rainbow Dash. Her eyes widened as she saw Rainbow's expression. Applejack turned beat red as well. They stood there for a few seconds, before either of them made a sound.

"Uh..." Rainbow began. Applejack stumbled back even further.

"Oh, Godesses! Rainbow, Ah'm so sorry! Ah thought we made a connection at the Hoedown. I must've read it wrong...Ah'm sorry. Ah'm so sorry" Applejack's eyes went to the ground. "Ah'll just go, seein' as how your probably disgusted right now." Applejack said, nearly in tears as she turned to leave Rainbow under her home. She stopped as she felt a hoof on her shoulder.

"Am I surprised?" Rainbow said. "Totally. Am I disgusted?" She turned Applejack to face her. Rainbow was blushing heavily, her eyes half lidded. Applejack's eyes widened slightly. "Hay, no." Rainbow said as she shot her face forward and locked lips with Applejack a second time. Applejack almost immediately returned the kiss as they both moved closer to one another, bathed in the light of Luna's pale moon. They seperated for a moment. Applejack kissed Rainbow on the cheek quickly before they both began kissing again.

As the kiss continued, it became more passionate as the two mares embraced each other and sank to the ground. Their tongues explored each other's mouth as their kiss became more and more fervent. Applejack disconnected from it and began to kiss Rainbow's neck. Rainbow moaned loudly, alerting Applejack that this was one of the pegasus' sweet spots. Applejack moved and rolled Rainbow onto her back, moving on top of her and continuing her loving assault. Rainbow breathed heavily as her wings unfurled at her sides. Applejack began to massage one of the feathered appendages. Rainbow gasped sharply at this motion. She felt herself become wet between her legs as they spread on instinct.

'Sweet spot number two.' Applejack thought to herself as she continued to rub Rainbow's wing.

"Ya like that, sugarcube?" Applejack asked Rainbow. Rainbow merely nodded as she continued to revel in the pure pleasure. Applejack had become quite wet as well at this point. Rainbow sensed this and brought her back leg up, in an attempt to reach Applejack's marehood. She was successful. Applejack moaned and closed her eyes, throwing her head back. Rainbow smirked as she began to move her knee back and forth, further pleasuring the farm mare. Applejack continued to massage Rainbow's wing, making the pegasus throw her head back. That was when Rainbow noticed they were out in the open, pleasuring each other.

"Applejack, wait!" Rainbow said.

"No, Rainbow...Ah'm lovin' this too much..." Applejack responded.

"We're out in the open. It's not even that late. There could still be other ponies out here." Rainbow explained.

"Aw, Dash, don't make us stop now..." Applejack said, disappointed.

"No...not, stop, just...relocate. Somewhere darker, quieter..." She looked up at Applejack and raised an eyebrow saucily. "Sexier." Applejack's ears raised up and she smiled.

"Lead the way, Dash." She said, Letting Rainbow get up. Rainbow giggled as she looked around for a spot. Her eyes fell upon a group of trees nearby. They seemed dense enough to hide them, yet sparse enough to be comfortable for them both. Rainbow looked back at Applejack and smiled.

"Come on." She said before running to the trees. Once they got inside, they both realized that it was indeed darker within the trees. This excited Applejack, as she followed Rainbow through the trees. They came upon a clearing, blanketed with soft moss. Rainbow turned around to face Applejack and smiled. Her ears splayed back and she blushed, sitting down on the moss. Applejack got the message, moving closer to her, her heart beating into her ribcage.

"Wow, Rainbow, you were right." Applejack said. "This is quieter."

"Yep." Rainbow said.

"And sexier." Applejack said.

"Just kiss me." Rainbow said, her voice filled with want. Applejack was all to happy to oblige, locking lips with Rainbow once again. Rainbow began to push Applejack down onto her back, their lips never parting. Applejack slipped her tongue into Rainbow's mouth, making Rainbow moan into the the kiss. Applejack put two hooves on Rainbow's shoulders, making her wings flare out. Rainbow put a hoof on Applejack's chest and began to slowly move it downward. Slowly, enticingly, she moved it downward. Applejack felt her clitoris stiffen out of the pure anticipation of the moment. Applejack's back legs spread before Rainbow's hoof got there. When it did, Rainbow began tracing circles around Applejack's sensitive marehood. The farm mare moaned and disconnected from the kiss.

"Please, Rainbow...don't tease me." She said. Rainbow snickered and gave Applejack a quick peck on the lips.

"Why not?" Rainbow responded. "Makes it all the more better when it actually happens." Applejack was preparing a rebuttal before Rainbow finally began rubbing her marehood with her hoof. Applejack arched her back and gasped. Rainbow chuckled. She continued to pleasure Applejack, bringing her partner closer to orgasm. Applejack's breathing quickened as she started to moan loudly. The pressure Rainbow applied gradually increased, second to second and the effect on Applejack was dazzling.

"Keep goin' sugarcube! Oh, Ah'm so close!" Applejack cried, her ears splayed back, her eyes closed. After a few more seconds, Applejack finally was overtaken by glorious orgasm. She cried out and pulled Rainbow Down. She hungrily kissed her until the orgasm subsided. Rainbow became infinitely more aroused feeling Applejack's juices leak down her hoof. When it was over, Applejack immediately flipped Rainbow Dash onto her back and spread her legs.

"Woah! Whatcha doin' there, AJ?" Rainbow asked her lover, blushing.

"Showin' ya how it's really done." Applejack said before she took Rainbow's entire flower into her mouth. Rainbow moaned loudly and spread her legs to the rest of their capacity to give Applejack full access. Applejack took a lick. "No teasin'..." She licked again, making Rainbow jump. "No messin' around..." She sucked on her marehood, making her moan again. "Just gettin' straight to it." She then went to work fully on Rainbow Dash, using her lips and tongue to make Rainbow feel like a queen. Her wings flared as Applejack licked up her slit then focused on her clitoris, sucking on it. Rainbow threw her head back and basked in the pure ecstacy and pleasure Applejack was giving her.

Rainbow's moans became more frequent and high pitched, coming between each breath. Rainbow began moving her hips up to meet Applejack's face, urging her to go on. Rainbow was at the brink, about to go over the edge. Finally, she exploded, moaning loudly as ever as her ejaculate flowed into Applejack's mouth. Applejack swallowed it and moved up quickly, taking one of Rainbow's legs and turning her onto her side.

"Wait! Applejack, what're you doing?" She asked.

"Goin' again before you cool down a little too much." The mare said. Rainbow had no qualms with this as she let Applejack do her work, still in the afterglow of her orgasm. Applejack smiled as she positioned herself between Rainbow's legs to where her marehood was inches from Rainbow's.

"You ready?" Applejack said.

"Ready for wha-AH!" Rainbow exclaimed as Applejack began rubbing her flower on Rainbow's slowly, thrusting forward gently. Rainbow moaned and looked up at Applejack, who was smiling down at her. "That's nice..." She said.

"Yeah, Ah know." Applejack said, before leaning down and kissing Rainbow on the cheek. Rainbow giggled and kissed Applejack on the lips, both of their pleasure being built up by Applejack's movements. They looked into each other's eyes dreamily as Applejack continued her gentle thrusting, slightly increasing and pressure and velocity. Rainbow moaned adorably as Applejack put her forehead on Rainbow's. Both of their ears were splayed back as they smiled at each other. Applejack began to rub their marehoods together until she felt herself on the edge of pleasure.

"Gettin' close here." Applejack said, smiling.

"Me too..." Rainbow said. It continued until Applejack finally climaxed once more, leaking her juices onto Rainbow's lower lips. Applejack continued to thrust, however, aware that Rainbow had not climaxed yet.

"Keep going...just a little more..." Rainbow moaned. Applejack began thrusting a little harder, rubbing her juices and Rainbow's together, increasing friction. Rainbow moaned loudly as she reached orgasm at last, grabbing onto Applejack and pulling her close as she breathed into her ear. Applejack layed down next to Rainbow after it was finished, they both breathed heavily.

"Wow." Rainbow said.

"Yeah...wow." Applejack responded simply. They both continued to lay there for what seemed like hours. Rainbow finally started to get up. She stood as well as Applejack as they began to walk back to Rainbow's house. The sky was completely clear, and the moon shone brilliantly on the both of them. It was as if this night was set aside for just the two of them. They pressed their bodies together affectionately and walked until they finally reached the cloud home. Rainbow disconnected from Applejack and stood before her.

"So...what happens now?" Applejack asked. Rainbow smiled at her and began hovering in the air, her wings flapping quickly and in short strokes.

"Well, assuming you didn't kiss me and start all of this for nothing," She said, smirking. "Would you like to go on a date?" The question was a legitimate one. Rainbow wanted to try to have a relationship with Applejack. Applejack was not prepared for the question, but smiled all the same and nodded.

"Ah would love to." Applejack responded. "How about the day after tomorrow?" Rainbow smiled and blushed, her stomach feeling light.

"Sounds great." Rainbow flitted up to Applejack and kissed her on the lips quickly. "See ya then, AJ." She said before flying up into her house. Applejack sighed and shook her head, smiling as she turned and headed back to Sweet Apple Acres for a well-earned good night's sleep.

Author's Notes:

Well, there is the first chapter to this story. I am really quite happy to be back on FIMfiction, and with my favorite shipping, too! Man, this place has changed since I've been gone. We've got this fancy little Author's Note box, and everything! Yes, I am aware that there was a fair amount of sex in this chapter. No, there will not be sex every chapter. NO sex will not be common in this story, though it will be present. It's not really clop, either. It's more like romantic, loving sex. In this chapter, it was pretty much just a passionate spur-of-the-moment thing, but from here on out, there's not going to be any more of that. (Or will there? *evil laugh*) This is a pretty hefty chapter, I know. The rest of them will be 3000 words at the shortest, and 7000 words at the longest. Anyways, I'm glad to be back, and I would appreciate if you would leave a comment on what you think so far! Cheers!