Chapter 22: Part 1

As quickly as it had come and made its presence, Winter had gone, paving the way for Spring to arrive. The heat had surely taken its toll on the small farmhouse in Sweet Apple Acres and its residents. Rainbow wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and sighed as she poured a glass of apple juice for herself and her fiancee, who was waiting in their bedroom for her. Clenching the small tray between her teeth, she carried the tray through the hallway. As she entered the bedroom, Applejack smiled at her.

"Oh, Dash. Howdya know Ah was thirsty?" Applejack inquired. Rainbow layed the tray upon the nightstandand shrugged.

"Meh, lucky guess." Rainbow said. "I just thought you'd like a cool glass of juice before bed."

"Well, what if Ah wasn't thirsty?" Applejack asked.

"Then I'd force you to drink it." Rainbow said with a confident smirk. "No effort of this mare goes to waste."

"Oh, ya'd make me, huh?" Applejack asked the pegasus as she dropped herself onto the bed next to the farm mare. "What makes ya so sure you could make me?"

"'Cause I just could." Rainbow said with a taunting smirk. "I'm faster than you, stronger than you..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa." Applejack said with a raised eyebrow. "There's no way in tartarus that you're stronger than Ah am. Now, Ah'll give ya speed, but that's it."

"Oh yeah?" Rainbow Dash countered. "Hoof wrestle, you and me. Right now." Applejack smiled at her.

"On the bed?" Applejack asked with a small chuckle.

"Yeah!" Rainbow said with a smile, dropping onto her belly and setting one of her forelegs up. "If you think you're mare enough." Applejack giggled and dropped to her belly in front of Rainbow Dash.

"You wanted it, sugar." Applejack said. "You got it." They interlocked their forehooves as Applejack began to count down.

"One..." Rainbow narrowed her eyes.

"Two..." Applejack continued as she smiled confidently.

"Three!" With this final count, the two mares began applying force against each other. The application of strength from both sides seemed to make the contest a complete standstill. Rainbow's forehoof trembled as she struggled to keep Applejack at bay. What pain that was in Rainbow Dash's forehoof was in Applejack's tricep muscle as she too had to put up all of her efforts to resist the pegasus she was competing against.

"Had enough?" Applejack asked in a strained voice.

"Please." Rainbow said, closing an eye. "You can't win."

"Ah...won last time." Applejack said.

"That was because I hadn't eaten anything that day." Rainbow explained. "What about the time before that?"

"Alright, ya...won that one." Applejack strained herself. "Ah'll give that to ya, but there's no way you're winnin' this one."

"Watch me." Rainbow said with a smirk before beginning to put Applejack over. Little by little, Applejack's forehoof came closer to hitting the blanket below the two of them. The farm mare clenched her teeth as she struggled to fight against the pegasus' overwhelming assault. Just as Rainbow thought she had the contest won, Applejack seemed to pull out a set of reserved strength as she evened the match once more. Dumbfounded, Rainbow looked at Applejack, her eyes widened.

"How did you-"

"Ah told ya that Ah ain't gonna lose this." Applejack said between huffed breaths. Rainbow and Applejack both strained harder and harder as the contest continued, both of their strengths ebbing away. Slowly, Rainbow began to lose ground in the hoof wrestle as Applejack began to put her over. Their constant groaning and straining seemed to wake up a certain red stallion who slept down the hallway. His voice echoed down the hall.

"What in the hay are the two of you doin' ruttin' with the-" He began as he approached the doorway. Applejack and Rainbow immediately stopped their contest and looked at Big Macintosh in disbelief. When he realized that he was wrong, Big Mac's eyes widened in embarrasment. "Oh...pardon me, Ah thought y'all were...doin' somethin' else."

"Well, we're hoof wrasslin'." Applejack said, still surprised at Big Mac's outburst. "Or were."

"Well, uh..." He gulped. "Who won?" Big Mac asked.

"No one yet." Rainbow said, irritation evident in her tone.

"Oh..." Big Mac said as he backed out of the doorframe slowly and awkwardly. "Ah'm gonna go to the tree house...check on Applebloom and the girls."

"You do that." Applejack said as she furrowed her brows. Big Macintosh rushed away from the two of them. Their hoof wrestle broken up, Applejack sighed wistfully.

"Draw?" The farm mare asked. Rainbow seemed to think for several moments before shrugging.

"Sure." Rainbow said. "Could you pass me my juice?" Applejack, after giving Rainbow Dash her drink, took her own between her two forehooves. The farm mare sighed deeply and looked over at Rainbow before taking a sip of her juice.

"Can you believe it, Dash?" Applejack asked. "We're gettin' married...the day after tomorrow!"

"I know." Rainbow said, feeling her stomach flutter. "I've been on pins and needles all day long. I can only imagine what tomorrow's gonna be like." Applejack giggled.

"Ah know." Applejack said. "We're gonna sleep in tomorrow. After we wake up, we've gotta go place the order at Cafe Du Mane, check on the cake at Sugarcube Corner and go look at our attire at Rarity's tomorrow, so Ah'm hopin' the day'll pass by quickly."

"You know it won't." Rainbow said. "We're gonna have to do something else to take up some time."

"Well, what do ya wanna do?" Applejack asked her.

"I think I have an idea." Rainbow said. "We should go to the movies. Nopony ever goes to the movies on a thursday. I bet we'll have the whole theater to ourselves."

"Ah'm likin' the sound of that now, sugarcube." Applejack said with a smile. "Sounds like a plan to me." They both sat and drank their juice in relative silence until Rainbow spoke up.

"I'm not even sleepy!" Rainbow said.

"Me neither." Applejack said. "But we've gotta try. Come on, darlin'." Applejack grabbed Rainbow Dash and pulled her into a tight embrace, which Rainbow lovingly returned.

"You know, even if I don't fall asleep, I could lay like this all night and I'd be cool with it." Rainbow said, nuzzling Applejack's cheek. Applejack placed a kiss on Rainbow's lips and smiled at her.

"Me too." Applejack said.

Rainbow turned out to fall asleep nearly five minutes later, falling ever deeper into slumber. Content with her position, Applejack lay and thought of what would happen the next day briefly, but the vast majority of her thoughts focused on the day after tomorrow, when their wedding would take place. The more her imagination roamed, the more it began to delve into the less happy possibilities. Pushing these useless thoughts out of her head, she closed her eyes and eventually fell asleep with Rainbow Dash, wrapped in her comforting embrace.

"Get up!" Applejack said. "C'mon, get up, Dash! We only got a day before the weddin' and we have to go make sure everything is in ship-shape!" Rainbow groaned as she rolled over. A sudden hard slap on her flank sent her jolting up from her quasi-slumber.

"Woah! Hey, what the-" Rainbow said, rubbing her flank before looking at Applejack and raising an eyebrow. "Ow!"

"Oh come on, Ah've spanked ya harder than that." Applejack said, making Rainbow blush. "Get up. We've got stuff to check on." Rainbow Dash sighed and nodded slowly before exiting the bed and standing next to Applejack.

"What time is it?" Rainbow asked drowsily.

"Four P.M." Applejack responded. "We did wanna sleep in last night." Rainbow shrugged.

"Meh, okay." Rainbow said before giving off a yawn. The pegasus placed a small kiss on Applejack's cheek and began moving out of the bedroom toward the bathroom.

"Save me some hot water!" Applejack said as Rainbow closed the door. Stepping into the walk-in shower, Rainbow sighed as she turned on the water. She jumped and exclaimed, forgetting once more that the water had to have time to heat up. She stood rigid in the cold downpour before it warmed up relaxingly into the hot water she so adored. Quickly washing her body, wings, mane and tail, Rainbow exited the shower, dried off, and left the restroom. She walked into the living room to behold her family chatting merrily. Applebloom noticeably stood among the talking ponies.

"Shouldn't Applebloom be in school right now?" Rainbow Dash asked Granny Smith.

"Naah. Figured that since her sister's gettin' married tomorrow, it's enough of a special occasion to merit a day off." Granny Smith replied with a small chuckle. "She does well enough in that 'ol schoolhouse anyways."

"Sounds cool to me." Rainbow said. "Shower's ready for you, AJ." Applejack nodded and moved to the bathroom and shut the door behind her.

"So, what do y'all have planned for the day before your weddin'?" Applebloom asked with a smile.

"What do you mean?" Rainbow asked her.

"Well, y'all must have some kinda plans to break the ice before the wedding." Big Mac said with a raised eyebrow. "Must be mighty nervous, the both of y'all." Rainbow chuckled and threw her nose into the air.

"Me? Nervous?" Rainbow asked with a fake scoff. "That's funny."

"Ya can't lie to us, Rainbow." Granny Smith said with a wry grin and a raised eyebrow. "We could practically smell it on ya yesterday. Ah saw it in your eyes." Rainbow sighed and shook her head before looking down at her hooves quickly.

"Yeah, yeah okay." Rainbow said. "But give me a break, huh? I'm getting married tomorrow." They all laughed and smiled at her.

"Oh, don't you worry none, dear. Ah'm absolutely postitive that it'll turn out perfect. Alla your best friends are gonna be there, even Princess Celestia! Now that's an honor Ah woulda killed for back when Ah got married." Granny's eyes gained a sad expression momentarily.

"I'm sure it was great." Rainbow said. "And I'm pretty sure Princess Celestia is really only coming to our wedding because me and Applejack are bearers of the elements of harmony."

"Even so, that's a good reason! Ah can't wait for it! And the reception ought to be fun, too." Granny Smith said, immediately gaining the attention of Rainbow Dash. Rainbow groaned and put her forehooves on her forehead, allowing the front half of her body to fall forward onto the ground.

"Applejack hasn't told me anything about that freakin' reception." Rainbow said. "It's driving me crazy!"

"And it's gonna stay that way, sugarcube." Applejack said as she entered the living room. Rainbow looked up at her fiancee from the ground. The farm mare looked just as breathtaking as usual, which caused Rainbow to stand rather quickly. "Ready to go?"

"Yeah." Rainbow said with a small nod before turning to their family. "We'll be back later on."

"Alright, then." Granny Smith said. "Y'all take care of yourselves! Wouldn't want anything bad happenin' before the wedding!" The old mare laughed happily before turning to walk into the kitchen. Rainbow and Applejack left the house and began moving toward Ponyville.

"First stop, sugarcube corner." Applejack said. "We've gotta check on the cake."

"I'm not lying when I say that I cannot wait for that cake!" Rainbow said. "I can taste it now...creamy frosting on the vanilla base..."

"Quit it, now, you're makin' my mouth water." Applejack said with a small chuckle. "We're gonna be seein' it within the next few minutes, so Ah'm sure we're gonna be able to imagine it real good then."

They finally reached Ponyville and walked happily through the streets, waving to several ponies they knew in the midst of their daily activities. Rainbow Dash sighed as she finally looked upon Sugarcube Corner with a smile. As the two mares entered the eatery, Mrs. Cake smiled warmly at them.

"Hello, you two!" She said. "Hold on a moment. I'll got get Pinkie Pie. I think she's actually working on your cake." The mare moved into the kitchen and returned after a few moments with Pinkie Pie, who, sure enough, was covered in flour and droplets of icing.

"Hey, guys!" Pinkie Pie said happily. "You're cake's coming along great! It's pretty much ready now. I've just gotta put on a couple of the finishing touches. Come on, I'll show you." Pinkie Pie then led the duo into the kitchen where their cake was sitting, waiting for them. Truly, the cake was a marvelous and delicious-looking spectacle to behold. The intricately placed icing and decorations adorning the white frosting made the cake look like a delectable piece of art. Even the tiers themselves were patterned and did nothing but accentuate the beauty of the cake.

"Three-tiered amazing yumminess!" Pinkie Pie said with a small giggle. "It's almost time for me to wrap it up. I just have to put on a few small little details!"

"Pinkie, it already looks so amazing." Rainbow Dash said through a smile.

"Yeah. Really, it's gorgeous." Applejack said with a smile as she looked at the pink party pony. "Pinkie, you've outdone yourself." Pinkie blushed and giggled, throwing a hoof Applejack's way.

"Well, it's the least I can do for you guys." Pinkie said. "I'm just...so happy that the two of you are getting married. It's like you were made for each other."

"Well, even so, we can't thank you enough." Rainbow said. "We're gonna go ahead and let you get back to it. We didn't mean to interrupt you."

"Oh, don't worry about it!" Pinkie Pie said with a smile. "I'm always happy to see the both of you!"

"And by the way, Pinkie, about the reception...." Applejack said before looking at Rainbow standing behind her. "Close your ears, Dash."

"What? Oh, come on!" Rainbow said, widening her eyes in disbelief.

"Nope. Do it. Ah want it to be a surprise." Applejack said. Rainbow sighed heavily and put her forehooves over her ears, blocking out any sound that might be produced. Applejack then seemed to whisper into Pinkie Pie's ear, occasionally looking back at Rainbow to see if she was eavesdropping. Pinkie Pie giggled and nodded happily before responding with a statement. Applejack seemed to overflow with happiness as she wrapped Pinkie Pie into a large hug. Applejack turned and nodded at Rainbow, who unplugged her ears.

"Real glad you're keeping me in the loop." Rainbow said, furrowing her brows.

"Oh, don't you worry none, Dash." Applejack said. "You won't be so angry when ya see just what we're keepin' a secret from ya."

"Whatever." Rainbow said with a small harumph. Applejack turned to Pinkie and shrugged.

"She'll get over it." Applejack said with a smile. "Thanks again, Pinkie. Ah don't know where we'd be without ya. We're gonna go on and head out now and get outta your mane."

"You're never in my mane, silly filly!" Pinkie Pie said. "It's not big enough!" Applejack paused for a moment at what she just heard before continuing.

"See ya, Pinkie." Applejack said, giving Pinkie a quick hug.

"Bye, Pinks." Rainbow said before doing the same.

"Bye, you guys! I'm so excited for tomorrow!!!" Pinkie yelled. Applejack and Rainbow Dash waved at Pinkie one more time before exiting the kitchen. Saying a quick goodbye to the Cakes on their way out, they headed for Cafe Du Mane.

"Let's just get in and out of here, okay, Dash?" Applejack asked. "Ah'm not in the mood to be dealin' with the catering business too much."

"No problem, AJ." Rainbow said. "Go in, ask how the food's coming, get out. It's simple." Rainbow said. "Remember though, you wanted to go check on everything." Applejack nodded, looking up at Cafe Du Mane, which they were now approaching.

"Ah know, Ah know." Applejack said. "Even so, Ah'd rather not spend too much time in here." They approached the hostess, who recognized them from before.

"Hello. I'll get the manager for you." She said with a warm smile. Rainbow nodded at her before she left. Letting out a small sigh, Rainbow walked over to Applejack and stood beside her as they waited. Before long, the manager walked out and smiled at them.

"Hello, ladies." He said with a smile. "What may I help you with?"

"We're just here to see how the food is coming along." Rainbow said. "You remember it's for tomorrow at eight, right?" The manager gave a curt nod.

"Yes ma'am." He said. "I have several of my cooks working overtime to prepare the food, and it will be ready in time for the reception, I assure you." Rainbow nodded and smiled back at the stallion.

"Okay." Rainbow said. "I suppose we'll leave now. We just wanted to check on everything."

"Alright, then." He said. "Thank you for stopping by! We look forward to serving you." Applejack and Rainbow walked out of the eatery promptly before Applejack muttered under her breath.

"Yeah, ya look forward to our money too, don'tcha?" This went either ignored or unnoticed by Rainbow Dash.

"Alright. What did I tell you?" Rainbow Dash asked. "In and out, no problems." Applejack nodded.

"You were right." Applejack said. "Now Ah guess it's off to Rarity's place to pick up our wedding attire?" Rainbow Dash nodded happily.

"I told her to make me an extra awesome-looking tux, you know, to fit the natural awesomeness of me." Rainbow said as they walked. "I'm honestly really glad I'm wearing a tux."

"You've worn a dress before." Applejack said to her.

"Well yeah, I mean, dresses aren't bad when they're cool-looking enough." Rainbow said. "But tuxes just...I dunno, go better for me. They allow for more movement."

"Ya look really pretty in a dress." Applejack said with a smile and a nuzzle. Rainbow giggled quietly and blushed.

"Well, I'll wear one for you some other time." Rainbow said, returning the nuzzle with a smile. "But for now, I'm getting a tux!" Rainbow said as she increased the pace of her walking. Applejack adjusted her own pace to catch up. They both cantered the entire way to Rarity's boutique, where Applejack knocked on the front door. After a short while, Rarity opened it and smiled warmly at the two mares before her.

"Hello!" Rarity said happily. "Here to see your respective wedding ensembles, I presume?" Rarity raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"Yeah!" Rainbow said excitedly, smiling widely. The pegasus realized how she looked and cleared her throat before leaning on the doorframe, taking on a cool look. "Yeah, so where's the tux?"

"Right this way, ladies!" Rarity said. Excitement and happiness was evident in the unicorn's voice. Rarity stopped before the door and turned to Rainbow and Applejack. "Now, if either of you don't like anything about the tuxedo or the dress, you just say the word and I'll change it in a snap."

"Alright." Applejack said. "But we've seen your work before. Ah don't think we'll be disappointed."

"Well, let's hope!" Rarity said before opening the door. Applejack and Rainbow stepped into the room and dropped their jaws at what they saw. "So...what do you think?" Both mares stood for several seconds, silent. Rainbow spoke up after the moment of silence.

"What do I think?" Rainbow said, approaching her tuxedo. "I love it!" Rainbow hopped up and down momentarily. The tuxedo on the mannequin before her was a shade of cyan darker than her coat, with a golden hem. The white undershirt was overlapped by a gold vest and a gold tie.

"Extra cool, just like you ordered." Rarity said with a smile. "Custom wing holes, made for maximum movement potential."

"Rarity..." Applejack said, spellbound. "It's just....Ah don't know what to say...It's so beautiful." The dress was the customary white, but with gold glitter subtly lining the veil. The veil band was gold, as was the trim for the dress.

"I wanted to keep a sort of...'Gold' theme." Rarity said. "Oh, I'm so happy the two of you like them!"

"Rarity, this belongs in Canterlot." Applejack said, still wide-eyed.

"Oh, stop it, you!" Rarity said, blushing. "You're making me blush!"

"Ah mean it." Applejack said, completely serious. "This is probably one of the best dresses you've ever made. So much better than what you showed me in the design preview."

"Applejack, it truly warms my heart to hear that." Rarity said happily.

"You deserve payment." Applejack said with a warm smile.

"Yeah!" Rainbow chimed in. "This is just way too awesome."

"No, no. I will not accept payment from either of you!" Rarity said. "Consider this a wedding gift."

"We can't Rarity." Rainbow said. "Not for this kind of work. Applejack was right, this belongs up in Canterlot in those big fashion stores." Rarity couldn't help but giggle, but nearly instantly returned to form, taking her stance and not budging.

"Absolutely not." Rarity said. "Any money you leave with me will be returned to you, post-haste!" Applejack groaned.

"Aw, come on, Rarity." Applejack said. "Just let us pay ya."

"No." Rarity said simply, throwing her nose into the air.

"Rarity-" Rainbow began.

"No." Rarity repeated.

"But we-"

"No."

"Can we just-"

"No."

"Is there-"

"No!" Rarity finally yelled, shutting the other two mares up. "I will not accept any sort of payment from either of you! This is a gift from me, for free. Nothing you say or do could change my mind, so you might as well stop attempting to sway me." Rainbow sighed.

"She means it, AJ." Rainbow said. "We might as well just accept it."

"Ah guess so." Applejack said. "We'll just take the clothes and go, then." Rarity nodded and went to work, undressing the mannequins before placing their garments in hanging bags to keep them wrinkle-free and clean for the next day.

"We'll be seeing you, Rarity." Rainbow said as she grabbed her tuxedo. Applejack grabbed her dress and nodded.

"See you tomorrow, Rarity." Applejack said with a nod and a smile. The two mares began to leave the boutique before a certain idea flashed through the unicorn's head.

"Oh! Idea!" Rarity said excitedly. "Girls! Girls, wait, come back!" Rarity called. When Applejack and Rainbow returned, Rarity cleared her throat. "Applejack, why don't you spend the night with me tonight?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow.

"I'm sorry, what?" The pegasus asked.

"You both know that it's bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, don't you?" Rarity asked. "I'd figure the cutting off point is some time tonight. We could have a girl's night!" Applejack looked at Rainbow Dash.

"Well, Dash?" Applejack said. "What do ya think?" Rainbow looked down for a moment then back at Applejack.

"Do you want to stay here tonight?" Rainbow asked her.

"I dunno...maybe?" Applejack said. "It seems like it'd be a lot of fun." Rainbow smiled at her.

"You do whatever you want, AJ." Rainbow said. "And she does have a point. We don't really need any bad luck. Just on one condition, though."

"What's that, sugar?" Applejack asked.

"We still go see that movie together." Rainbow said with a smile. Applejack nodded.

"Hun, Ah'm all yours until tonight." The farm mare said. Rainbow nodded and turned to Rarity, who was positively beaming.

"Alright, Rarity, we're gonna go drop off my tux at home and go see a movie." Rainbow said. "Then, I'll bring her back here and you guys can...accesorize, and....dress up, or whatever." Rarity squeed and clapped her hooves together.

"Perfect! Oh, Applejack it's going to be so fun! I could arrange for Lotus Blossom and Aloe to keep the spa open a few hours late tonight! You can try on your dress and we could play a board game-" Rarity said, the smile never leaving her face. "Oh! I'm going to go get started on dinner! See you tonight!" The unicorn put a sing-song tone to her voice for the final part. She ran into her kitchen as Applejack and Rainbow let themselves out. Rainbow couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

"Well, she didn't seem very excited at all to me." Rainbow said, sarcasm heavily evident in her voice.

"Aw, she's sweet." Applejack said. "Ah haven't seen her that happy in a long time."

"Yeah, the only pony she ever really gets one-on-one time with is Fluttershy." Rainbow said. "And she talks so quietly, I can't understand her half the time."

"But Rainbow, are ya sure you're okay with me stayin' at Rarity's tonight?" Applejack said. "Ah completely understand if you want me with you tonight. Ah could still cancel the stuff with Rarity."

"Oh no, AJ, it's fine." Rainbow said with a smile. Applejack raised an eyebrow at her, unsure if the pegasus was using sarcasm in her speech. "Really, it is! I mean, isn't it some kind of tradition anyway?"

"Ah'm not sure." Applejack responded. "Are ya sure ya won't be too lonely without me?"

"AJ, come on. I'll be fine." Rainbow said. "I've got Applebloom, Big Mac and Granny Smith there with me. You need to have a little fun, anyways."

"But Ah always have fun with you." Applejack said with a slight frown.

"Well, AJ, it's sounding to me like you don't want to go." Rainbow said with a smirk. "Do you?"

"Well, yeah." Applejack said. "All that stuff Rarity described sounded fun, and a late night trip to the spa is soudin' mighty fine. Ah'm just worried about ya."

"Why're you so worried about me?" Rainbow said. "I lived in the sky alone for years. Seriously, AJ, you should go if you want to. Besides, that trip to the spa is going to make you look even better tomorrow when you walk up that aisle." As they turned into the entrance to Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack giggled and kissed Rainbow on the lips briefly. They walked down the main path of Sweet Apple Acres until they reached the front porch.

"Well, thank you, Dash." Applejack said. "That's mighty sweet of you."

"Don't worry about it." Rainbow replied.

"Ah'm gonna make sure that ya don't regret it." Applejack said with a small wink that made Rainbow's stomach flutter.

"I'm gonna go put this tux in our room." Rainbow said with a blush and a smile. "Be right back." The pegasus ran inside before promptly returning, a happy bounce in her step.

"Let's hit it." Rainbow said. They then left Sweet Apple Acres and walked through Ponyville until they finally reached the movie theater. They looked up at the movie marquee, seeing what movies were currently showing at their cinema.

"What're ya in the mood for, Dash?" Applejack asked the pegasus beside her. Rainbow anazlyzed the marquee, humming subtly to herself.

"Horror." Rainbow said with a smirk. "So Phobia looks like it fits the bill!" Applejack chuckled and nodded as they got in line at the ticket booth.

"Is there ever a time when you're not into horror?" Applejack asked Rainbow, who nodded.

"Sure, babe." Rainbow said. "Whenever I'm in the mood for Action, Adventure or Thriller."

"Isn't thriller the same thing as horror?" Applejack asked.

"Oh no, no, no." Rainbow said. "Most of the time, Horror focuses on things that couldn't ever happen. Thriller focuses on things that could possibly happen."

"You've done a lot of analyzing, huh?" Applejack asked.

"The difference is pretty obvious, AJ." Rainbow said. "But I wouldn't have expected you to get it, anyways." Applejack raised an anamused eyebrow and frowned at Rainbow, who smiled wryly.

"I'm kidding." Rainbow said with a satisfied smirk before jumping in front of Applejack and raising an eyebrow. "Rainbow Dash: One, Applejack: Zero." Applejack smirked back at the pegasus.

"Everything's gotta be a competition with you, huh?" Applejack said. Rainbow scoffed.

"You betcha." Rainbow Dash said with a small laugh. They finally arrived at the ticket booth and Rainbow smiled at the stallion running the place. "Two for Phobia please." The stallion behind the counter printed off their tickets and handed them to Rainbow.

"Three bits, please." The stallion said. After Rainbow delivered the total amount, the stallion smiled at them. "Enjoy the show, girls." He said to them with a small, curt nod. Rainbow returned the nod before giving Applejack her ticket. As they passed the concession stand, Rainbow turned to Applejack.

"You want some snacks?" Rainbow asked. Applejack thought for a moment before nodding.

"Yeah, some popcorn sounds good. Maybe a cola?" Applejack asked.

"Perfect." Rainbow said. "You go ahead and get our seats. I'll grab the snacks and meet you in there." Rainbow said. Applejack nodded and moved to their theater as Rainbow approached the snack counter.

"Uh...one large popcorn and two large colas, please." Rainbow said as she used her teeth to pull the bag of bits from her saddlebag. "Light on the ice with the colas." The fat, teenage colt behind the counter slowly filled the tub of popcorn before placing it before Rainbow Dash. The pegasus raised an eyebrow upon noticing that more popcorn could be put into the tub.

"Um, excuse me." Rainbow said, gaining the attention of the worker. "Put more popcorn in this, please." The worker huffed loudly as he took the tub back and slowly filled it up to the brim. After placing the tub on the counter, he went to work filling their drinks. He completely filled the cups with ice before beginning to fill them with the cola. Rainbow narrowed her eyes in anger.

"I said light ice, sir." Rainbow said, her tone of voice beginning to show her frustration.

"Okay...ma'am, I remember your order, okay?" The colt said in a nasally voice. Rainbow tilted her head slightly.

"What?" Rainbow said, disbelieving of what she had just heard.

"I'm giving you light ice." The colt responded.

"No you're not." Rainbow said. "Pour half the ice out in both of those cups." The colt huffed again before pouring out the ice and filling the cups with cola. After fulfilling the order, he rung it up on the cash register.

"Eight bits." He said flatly.

"Eight bits? Are you kidding?" Rainbow said.

"No." He responded. Rainbow sighed heavily and nodded.

"Fine." Rainbow said, placing eight bits on the counter before the stallion. "You guys are lucky I'm even buying this overpriced crap." The colt looked at her, uncaring before sighing again.

"Enjoy your movie." He deadpanned. Rainbow clenched her teeth, prepared to say something else, but she held her tongue and placed the drinks and the popcorn in a holder which she gripped in her teeth before heading towards the theater where Applejack was waiting. Rainbow entered the theater to find it completely empty, save for Applejack. The farm mare waved at Rainbow to indicate her postition, after which Rainbow moved up and gave Applejack her drink before sitting down next to her. The trailers seemed to have been going for quite a while.

"Thanks for the snacks, hun." Applejack said. "But what took ya so long?"

"The waste-of-skin colt they have running that thing couldn't find his tail if his mom slapped him with it." Rainbow said in pure disdain. "Didn't even fill the order right and when I asked him politely to actually do it right, he gave me an attitude." Applejack giggled.

"Oh, wow." Applejack said. "Honestly did ya expect anything different?"

"I shouldn't have." Rainbow said. "What trailers did I miss?"

"Well, ya missed one for a pretty good lookin' thriller movie." Applejack said, putting extra emphasis on the word thriller.

"I'm gonna pay for the thriller comment in some way later, aren't I?" Rainbow asked.

"Maybe." Applejack said with a smirk. "You'll just have to find out later." The trailers ended as Applejack said this, paving the way for the movie to begin.

"So...there's no one in the theater." Applejack said, a sly smile on her face.

"Yep." Rainbow responded, returning the smile.

"You know...if we wanted to, we could do all sorts of things in here." Applejack whispered into Rainbow's ear, making the pegasus smile knowingly.

"Yeah, we could." Rainbow said. Applejack slowly dragged her lips across Rainbow's neck, making the daredevil bite her lip.

"Ah'm..." Applejack whispered before kissing Rainbow's neck, making her moan quietly. "Sure that the movie is interestin'...but there's something else Ah'd rather focus on right now." Rainbow smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, me too." Rainbow responded as she moved the foreleg rest that separated her from Applejack up and out of her way. Rainbow then pushed Applejack down to where she layed on top of the farm mare. She kissed Applejack passionately before pulling back and licking the farm mare's lips lightly before giggling. Applejack grabbed Rainbow's flank and began kneading the smooth muscle. Rainbow moaned and panted lightly.

"You know...out of all the places I've ever done it, I would never have expected a movie theater." Rainbow said before kissing Applejack, moving her tongue along her fiancee's momentarily before separating to moan again as Applejack pulled lightly on her tail.

"Well, now ya got the opportunity, so ya'd better not waste-" Applejack was interrupted by the sound of the door to the theater opening.

Latecomers.

Rainbow scowled at the situation and quickly got off of Applejack as they both reassumed their original sitting position.

"Buck." Rainbow whispered, making Applejack giggle.

"It's alright, darlin'." Applejack whispered before kissing Rainbow on the cheek. "Let's just enjoy the movie." Rainbow smiled at Applejack and laughed quietly.

"I can't believe we were doing that!" Rainbow whispered. "We could've been seen at any time."

"That's what makes it fun." Applejack whispered back. Rainbow nodded and sighed.

The movie turned out to be about a stallion who seemed to realize his worst fears every day in different ways. It was frightening enough up until a boring segment in the middle of the movie that started to explain that the stallion's fears were only in his mind and that he was hallucinating, that none of the things that were happening to him truly were happening. Rainbow sighed and looked over at Applejack.

"This is kinda boring." Rainbow whispered.

"Ah like it alright." Applejack said. "It's not bad." Rainbow suddenly pulled Applejack's face toward her and kissed her. Applejack kissed her back until Rainbow disconnected from the kiss.

"Betcha I can think of something better to do." Rainbow said with a smirk.

"What about them?" Applejack asked gesturing to the ponies ten rows down from them. Rainbow shrugged.

"We'll just make out." Rainbow said. "Teens come in here and do it all the time. Come on, live a little." Applejack thought for a moment and nodded, giggling quietly. Their lips connected as they slipped their tongues together and began to kiss more fervently as time passed. Applejack wrapped her forelegs around Rainbow's neck to pull her closer, Rainbow wrapping hers around Applejack's waist before giving her flank a firm squeeze, making Applejack lightly bite onto Rainbow's neck in pleasure. Over their time together, Rainbow had discovered that among Applejack's sweet spots, her flank took precedence.

"Dash!" Applejack whispered after she had come to her senses.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist." Rainbow said, smirking knowingly before kissing Applejack again. They continued to kiss passionately, holding onto each other, praying to Celestia and Luna that the ponies below them did not hear them. Suddenly, a well-timed and rather loud jump-scare involving a zombified version of the protagonist's wife shocked Rainbow and Applejack out of their make-out session.

"Buck!" Rainbow exclaimed, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Holy...Wow, that got me good." Applejack whispered, breathing heavily, her eyes widened.

"I guess that means that we should just watch the movie now, huh?" Rainbow whispered with a smile, wrapping her forehooves around Applejack. Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, we should." Applejack responded as she snuggled into Rainbow Dash's embrace. "There ain't nothin' wrong with good old-fashioned cuddlin'."

"You got that right." Rainbow whispered as she took a sip of her cola before settling down with her future wife to enjoy the rest of the movie.

The movie was over, after a rather long runtime of two hours. The two hours were well spent, however, due to the fact that from what they saw of it, Applejack and Rainbow Dash had very much enjoyed the movie. Rainbow smiled in fond remembrance of the films scariest moments as she and Applejack walked to Rarity's house.

"Wow, that was awesome!" Rainbow said. "I can't believe that I thought it was boring at one point. It was so much scarier than I thought it was going to be."

"Ah know." Applejack said, smiling as well. "It blew my mind when it turned out that all the guy's fears were real and he was part of some observational experiment."

"At least in my opinon, that was worth the price of admission." Rainbow said.

"Yeah, it was." Applejack said. "Especially considerin' that little make-out session we had." Applejack raised an eyebrow saucily.

"Yeah, that was awesome." Rainbow said with a blush. "But still, I'm glad we didn't miss any more of the movie. It seemed like a good time to stop." Applejack nodded as she looked into the sky. Night had descended on Ponyville, and the street lights illuminated the town, providing an inviting atmosphere. They turned toward Carousel Boutique and upon reaching the doorstep, Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash and smiled at her.

"Can you believe that we're gettin' married tomorrow?" Applejack asked, excited. "It seems so unreal."

"Yeah, I know." Rainbow responded. "It's funny, I grew up thinking that I was going to marry a stallion."

"Same here." Applejack said. "Funny how life can change on us in a flash, huh?"

"You've got that right." Rainbow said.

"Rainbow, remember, if ya want me to come home with ya, all it takes is you sayin' the words." Applejack said with a sweet looking smile.

"AJ, seriously. This time to hang out with Rarity will be good for you." Rainbow said. "The only thing stopping yourself is you if you don't want to do it."

"Okay." Applejack said, blushing slightly and nodding.

"...So?..." Rainbow said.

"What?"

"Are you gonna stay or not?"

"Oh. Uh...yeah, Ah think so."

"Okay, because you weren't very clear with it then." Rainbow said. "Well, Rarity's probably waiting for you to go to the spa. She did say something about having Aloe and Lotus Blossom keep it open late." Applejack nodded.

"Okay." Applejack said with a smile. "Well, Ah guess Ah'll see ya tomorrow." Rainbow nodded.

"See ya." Rainbow said before giving Applejack a tender kiss on the lips. Applejack smiled as Rainbow disconnected slowly. "Love you, Applejack."

"Ah love you too, Dash." Applejack said. "Bye."

"Bye." Rainbow said before backing up a few steps and turning around to leave. After a few steps the pegasus turned around again. "Love you." She repeated.

"Love you too." Applejack said. Rainbow then turned around and flitted up into the sky slowly, looking back several more times before truly flying away back to Sweet Apple Acres. Applejack smiled and turned around to knock on Rarity's door. Her hoof passed through air, however, as Rarity opened the door immediately to wrap Applejack into a hug.

"Hey, Rarity." Applejack said with a smile, returning the hug.

"I'm sorry, I just had to." Rarity said. "That was so adorable! The way Rainbow left just melted my heart!" Applejack smirked awkwardly, knowing now that Rarity had been watching them.

"Alright, should we go to the spa now?" Applejack asked the white unicorn, who nodded with a smile.

"Yes, let's." Rarity said, exiting the boutique and closing the door behind her. "We have so much to talk about!"

Rainbow touched down in front of the farmhouse and entered through the front door to find Applebloom and Granny Smith, each reading a book.

"Howdy, Rainbow!" Applebloom said with a smile. "Applejack still decided to stay at Rarity's huh?"

"Yep." The pegasus said.

"You gonna go to bed, then?" Granny Smith asked.

"Uh..." Rainbow said in an unsure tone. "Not yet, I don't think. Do we have any more apple pie?"

"We got a few pieces worth in the fridge, Ah reckon." Granny Smith said with a smile.

"Good." Rainbow said before moving into the kitchen and removing the pie. She cut herself a piece and after placing it on a plate, slid it into the small toaster oven they had on the counter before setting it to warm up. After waiting for the oven, Rainbow removed her pie and scarfed it down quickly before placing the plate in the sink. The pegasus then re-entered the living room and sat on the couch that Applebloom was sitting on. The filly had probably wandered off to bed while she was it the kitchen.

"So where's your pie?" Granny Smith asked her.

"Oh, I already ate it." Rainbow said.

"Well, that was quick!" The old mare said. "You must've been hungry!"

"I was." Rainbow said with a heavy sigh.

"So, are ya excited?" Granny Smith asked her. "Tomorrow's the big day!"

"Yeah, I couldn't be more stoked." Rainbow said. "But I'm also scared out of my wits."

"Now what do ya mean by that?" Granny Smith asked Rainbow, who rubbed her right foreleg nervously.

"Uh...it's nothing, Granny Smith." Rainbow said. "I'm not in my right mind. I'm gonna go ahead and go to bed now."

"Well, alright, then, dearie." Granny Smith said sweetly. "If ya wanna talk, Ah'll be in here." Rainbow nodded and smiled at her surrogate Grandmother.

"Thanks, Granny." Rainbow said before moving to her and Applejack's bedroom. The pegasus' stomach sunk when she realized once again Applejack was not waiting for her.

Applejack cringed as Lotus Blossom stepped on her tense back muscles, painfully loosening them. The farm mare looked at the white unicorn who had brought her to this spa. Rarity gritted her teeth.

"Are ya...Oh!" Applejack exclaimed as another jolt of pain shot through her back. "Sure this'll help, Rarity?" Her friend, closing an eye, nodded before exclaiming herself.

"Yes, Applejack." Rarity said. "It hurts now...but...Ow! Tomorrow you'll feel great!"

"Ah'm not sure if this is worth it." Applejack said.

"Well, if you'd like to move on to the next phase of the treatment, miss Applejack, that would be fine." Lotus Blossom said with a smile. Applejack looked at Rarity, who nodded.

"Yes, I think we've had enough. Don't you think so, Applejack?" Rarity said. "We can move on to the next phase."

"What's the next phase again?" Applejack asked.

"The hot tub." Rarity said with a smile. "And after that, the massage...the normal one, more or less. And then after that, the hooficures."

"Alla that sounds mighty fine to me." Applejack said as the spa ponies led them to the sauna that housed the hot tub. Applejack stopped herself for a moment and looked to the ground, a look of slight worry on her face. Rarity noticed this and frowned at her.

"What's wrong, dear?" Rarity asked the farm mare. Applejack snapped back into the moment and smiled at Rarity.

"Oh, it's nothin'." She said. "Ah'm fine."

"Please remove your hairties, miss Applejack." Aloe said. "They could get lost in the drain."

"Oh, right." Applejack said, removing her hairties, allowing her mane to flow freely. Rarity's eyes went wide at the beautiful flowing locks. Applejack noticed this and raised an eyebrow. "Uh...you alright, Rarity?" The unicorn snapped out of her stupor and nodded.

"Oh! Yes, yes I'm fine." She said. "I just couldn't help but note how beautiful your mane is."

"Oh, thanks." Applejack said. "Rainbow loves it when Ah untie it."

"I can see why." Rarity said as she got into the hot water, smiling at the feel. Applejack followed suit and they soon were both relaxing. "Applejack, you simply must have your hair untied for the wedding."

"What's that now?" Applejack asked, an eyebrow raised.

"Have it untied! It would be so much more beautiful and fitting with your dress." Rarity said. "Oh! Oh! You have to let me style it for you!"

"Well, gosh, do ya really think it's that pretty?" Applejack asked, a blush not caused by the hot water forming on her cheeks. Rarity nodded enthusiastically.

"Rainbow will absolutely adore it!" Rarity said giddily. Applejack sighed and looked to the side in worry.

"Yeah...Ah guess so."

"Applejack...the mere thought of you makes me feel like I can do absolutely anything. Like, I can-No! Stop it with the 'likes' Rainbow!" Rainbow said, slapping herself roughly in the face. "No 'likes' or 'ums'...No 'likes' or 'ums'." Rainbow's knees trembled and she paced the bedroom nervously, flubbing her vow for what seemed like the hundredth time. Her knees shook violently until she finally steadied herself on the bedpost.

Rainbow exhaled deeply and steadied herself. She walked to the window and looked out into the night sky before closing her eyes. She began the vow once more.

"When I look at you, I feel my heart start to pound in my chest. The mere thought of you makes me feel like I can do abolutely anything. I would slay three dragons bare...bare hoofed..." Rainbow put her forehooves on her forehead and groaned loudly before throwing herself back onto the bed. "I can't believe this..."

"Memorizin' your vow the night before the wedding, huh?" Granny Smith said from the doorway. Rainbow shouted in surprise as she shot up from the bed, blushing heavily.

"Granny Smith!" Rainbow said. "Um...How much of that did you hear?"

"Enough to know that you're more nervous than a baby filly in a manticore's den." Granny Smith said. "Ah knew there was somethin' wrong when ya sped off like that. Why don't ya tell me about it?"

"Oh, Granny Smith, I'm not nervous! I mean...come on! I'm me!" Rainbow said, a fake smile plastered on her face. Granny Smith, not fooled by Rainbow's charade, raised an eyebrow. Realizing she had failed, Rainbow frowned and blushed once more. "Oh...okay." Rainbow sighed before sitting on the bed. "I had my vow memorized, down to the very last word, by the way. Trust me."

"Don't worry dearie. Ah trust ya." She said.

"I've just been doing a lot of thinking lately. What if Applejack and me being married doesn't work out?" Rainbow said, her eyes brimming with tears. "I mean...I'm probably just suffering from pre-marriage jitters, but...we're two completely different ponies. I'm headstrong, competitive and...stuck up. Applejack is patient, modest and probably the sweetest pony I've ever met." Rainbow wiped her eye

"Now what the hay are ya sayin' those fool things about yourself for?" Granny Smith said, slight anger tinging her voice. "If ya keep sellin' yourself short like that, Ah just might lose my goshdarn mind!" Rainbow's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Ya didn't list any of your good qualities either. You're kind, energetic, fun, protective and, Ah'm sure ya know this already, loyal."

"Well, yeah, but." Rainbow said.

"And Applejack's got her faults too." Granny Smith said. "Like you, she's headstrong and competitive, and she's stubborn as all getout. We've all got our faults. Will we ever overcome them? Ah dunno. But there is one thing Ah do know, sweetie." Rainbow looked at her.

"What?" Rainbow asked as she wiped her eyes.

"Applejack's choosin' to marry you." Granny Smith said. "Ah would be a hundred bits she didn't hesitate a second in sayin' yes to your proposal."

"You'd win that bet." Rainbow said with a small laugh and a sniffle.

"Ya see?!" Granny Smith said. "Rainbow, at Rarity's right now, there is a mare that can not wait to marry you. Tomorrow is gonna be one of the best days of both your lives. So quit your stressin', and be happy!" Rainbow smiled and nodded at Granny Smith before taking the old mare into a gentle hug.

"To think that just a few years ago, you were pushin' me across the street tryin' to help me." Granny Smith said with a small giggle.

"Yeah." Rainbow said, letting go of Granny Smith. "You hit me in the face with your purse." Granny Smith laughed.

"Ah sure did, didn't Ah?" Granny Smith said with a laugh. "Well, Ah am sorry, Rainbow."

"No, no." Rainbow said, lightly giggling. "I deserved it."

Applejack stepped out of the changing room in her wedding dress to reveal herself to Rarity, who sat waiting for her. The unicorn squealed happily and clapped her hooves together.

"Oh, Goddesses, Applejack you look so beautiful!" Rarity said. "And with makeup and your mane done, I'll bet that you'll make Celestia herself blush!" Applejack turned around and looked into the mirror behind her.

"Well, thank ya, Rarity. That's awfully nice of you to say." Applejack said as she appraised herself in the mirror, a noticable lack of tone in her voice. The dress was incredibly beautiful, and she did agree, she looked good in it, but she still could not escape the feeling of worry coursing through her being. After she turned to reveal her eyes dropped to the ground, Rarity herself was filled with worry.

"Applejack, what's wrong?" Rarity asked, feeling anxiety flow through her. "Is it the dress? Oh, no, it's the dress, isn't it? Oh, I knew I shouldn't have waited so long to show you the finished product!" Rarity stood and ran over to Applejack, beginning to unzip the dress.

"Rarity..." Applejack said.

"I can fix it!" Rarity said. "What is wrong about the dress to you, dear?"

"Rarity..." Applejack repeated, escalating her tone of voice. Rarity began to pull the dress off of her.

"Oh, dear, it's the veil band, isn't it?" Rarity continued.

"Rarity!" Applejack finally yelled, gaining the frantic unicorn's attention.

"What is it, Applejack?" Rarity asked.

"It's...not...the dress." Applejack said, her voice muffled by the dress that had been halfway pulled off of her. Rarity sighed in relief before pulling the dress back onto the farm mare before her. "It's...somethin' else."

"Well, for goodness sake, Applejack, tell me." Rarity said.

"Well...you know how awesome Rainbow is, right?" Applejack asked. Rarity nodded and smiled.

"Yes, yes, one of the many reasons you're marrying her." The fashionista said with a smile. "...Why?"

"Well...Ah'm more...simple." Applejack said.

"Whatever do you mean, Applejack?" Rarity asked. Applejack sighed.

"Rainbow's always cruisin' along, gettin' into adventures, never satisfied with savin' a filly from certain doom, or doin' a sonic rainboom. She lives for adventure." Applejack said. "Ah'm content just goin' about my daily routine of workin' on the farm, not really doin' much of anything that's that interestin'...and...what if that's not good enough for her?"

"Well, you two have been living together for quite some time now." Rarity offered.

"But we weren't married." Applejack said. "It's different."

"Well, Applejack, I'll tell you something..." Rarity said.

"What's that?" Applejack asked the unicorn.

"I think what you're proposing is proposterous and idiotic." Rarity said, earning a surprised look from Applejack. "You say Rainbow lives for adventure, and this is true. But after everything that has happened and everything that I have seen since you two told us all that you're together, I am certain of one thing. She may live for adventure, but she would die for you. If you don't believe me, and I don't know why you wouldn't, think back to when she saved you from that rogue timber wolf, nearly at the cost of her own life." At this comment, the memories came flooding back to Applejack, and the emotions hit her like a freight train. Tears flooded her eyes as she sat and looked at her forehooves in disbelief of what she had just said.

"You're right...Ah can't believe Ah just said that..." Applejack said. "Ah feel so stupid..." Rarity shook her head as she wrapped a foreleg around Applejack's shoulders.

"No, you're not stupid, Applejack." Rarity said with a smile. "You just have a lot going through your mind. You're getting married tomorrow, after all." Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, Ah suppose that's it." Applejack said.

"You know what I think?" Rarity asked Applejack. Applejack shook her head. "I think you need to go to sleep. You have a big day tomorrow, and you're going to need to be rested." Applejack nodded.

"Yeah, Ah think a good night's sleep will help a lot." Applejack said. "Just let me get out of this dress real quick." Rarity nodded and turned to prepare the bedroom for them. As the unicorn walked away, Applejack looked at herself in the mirror once more.

"Rarity." Applejack said to the unicorn just before she left the room. Rarity turned to look at her. "This really is a beautiful dress."

Obligatory End-of-Chapter Author's Note: Well...this isn't the end of the chapter. If you need a break, here it is. If you don't, read on!