“Twilight means well, Minty. She just wants what's best for you, that's all.” Fluttershy sighed, looking at her reflection in her teacup. She glanced up at the green pony, who was still silent and staring off into space. “Are you okay?” No response. Fluttershy was worried now. Her kindness only stretched so far, but Minty was so distant that none of her charms worked. Her eyes perked up as a thought crossed her mind. She remembered how calm she felt when her mother groomed her, and Minty certainly could use a bit of grooming. Guiding Minty to lie down on the floor, the yellow Pegasus took a position next to her and got close. “Now don't worry, Minty. I'm not going to hurt you,” she mustered her best motherly voice.

Minty's eyes went wide when she felt a tongue lap at the tip of her ear. She flinched, and Fluttershy paused. After a few seconds, Fluttershy determined the earth pony was okay, and resumed her grooming, trying to remember if she was doing it right. Minty's ear twitched in reaction to the licks and nips, and soon the Pegasus was working her way down to the mane, curious if she really was tasting peppermint as she performed her duty. The green pony flinched and squirmed at the strange sensations down her spine as she felt gentle teeth nipping at her neck. She wanted to break away and run, but part of her found this oddly comforting. Soon she realized that Fluttershy was only being motherly and nothing more. All of her thoughts about Pinkie and her horrible act faded as Minty closed her eyes and lost herself in memories of her own mother grooming her.

A rainbow blur streaked through the night, heading towards it's goal. The barn that stood as a landmark that ponies were entering Sweet Apple Acres as it had for generations, shown a faint light from it's windows that acted as a beacon to the sweeping colors approach. Landing with a bravado to rival that of the Wonderbolts, the Pegasus opened the door to see somepony had been busy.  

“You said you got something for us?” Rainbow Dash asked, a confident smirk on her face as she strolled into the barn, kicking a hind leg to slam the door shut. Applejack nodded, pushing some bales of hay over to free up some floorspace. Little did she know the event that happened here the night before.

“Well, Dash....ah got ta thinkin' and I figured that maybe....ah was a filly fooler too.” Applejack confessed, adjusting her hat. She began to blush at this situation. She was all for trying it, but felt a little guilty that she turned to Dash automatically. Just because she liked other mares didn't make her an expert.

“You knew?” Dash was surprised. “I never told anypony!” She shook her head as if trying to wake up. “Plausible denial!”

“It wasn't hard to figure it out,” Applejack smirked. “The way you kept tryin' to one up me, the way we were fightin'. Truth be told, after a while....ah started to feel the same way about you. But ah had to know for sure.” She turned her green eyed stare away and blushed brighter than before.

“So you called me here to find out? Well, I'm game!” Dash smirked, lying down on the newly cleared floor in a casual manner. Applejack nodded in satisfaction and joined her, snuggling up close into a comfortable position and removing her hat. “And if you're not, I can probably make you one!”

“Is that a challenge, sugarcube?”  Applejack eyed the Pegasus. “What do ya even know about doin this stuff anyway?”

“I read...things....” Dash blushed. “Besides, some of the moves look like flight moves anyway.”

“Flight moves?! Dash ya'll better not be tryin' any funny stuff.” Applejack warned.

The Pegasus took the jibing in stride as she awaited the first move. Applejack started nuzzling her head under Dash's chin, enjoying the feeling of warmth and the faint sound of the heartbeat in her ear. “Well then, if yer such an expert, why don't you make the first move?” she glanced up, her green eyes meeting violet just above her.

Dash smirked and began nibbling at Applejack's ear, unsure of where this was going to go, or even if the orange pony would go any further than cuddling at best. But she was up for the challenge of making her want more. A few well placed tugs elicited a moan from Applejack she hadn't heard before, and this spurred her on to continue.

“OW! Dang it, Dash! Yer doin' it all wrong!” Applejack pulled her head up and stared at the Pegasus, rubbing her ear with a hoof.

“Sorry! I did say I just read about this stuff!” Dash replied, shrugging a bit. Way to go, Dash. Blew it before it even began.

“Well, ah wouldn't reckon a Pegasus to know about how an earth pony does it.” Applejack smirked. “But ah can show ya.” She began to lick and nibble on Dash's ear, getting a few moans and murrs in response as she tugged gently on the tip. “Like that, understand...”

Dash could only nod slowly, her eyes closed as she was lost in the sudden feeling. She felt her wings begin to rise up on their own, until they were fully spread. This made her blush and she opened her eyes to see Applejack looking at the impressive display.

“Well, ah'll be. So what they say about the wings is true!” she gasped, rubbing a hoof gently over the feathers.

“Who says what about wings?” Dash asked, looking over her shoulder.

“About how they're a tell that a Pegasus is excited. I read about it in Cosmoponitan.” she returned to nibbling at Dash's ear, adding a few licks for good measure.

“Mmmmh, you read that junk?” Dash muttered, a blissful smile on her face. This was working out better than she had hoped.

“Nah. I just remembered the way your wings shot up when you saw Pinkie in that showmare outfit in Appleloosa.” Applejack whispered into the Pegasi's ear, causing Dash to blush again and shoot her a dirty glare.

“Yeah well, I might not know about how an earth pony does it, but I know you don't know how to handle my wings!” Dash replied, a grin across her face. She was playing right into her hooves Applejack accepted the challenge, and began running her muzzle through the soft feathers, taking in the faint sent of sweat from her speedy flight to this point. She didn't know the first thing about preening, but she did know of a few sweet spots. She lowered her head though the feathery barrier until her muzzle met the joint where the wing connected to the shoulder, and gave a playful nip at the taught muscle, causing Dash to yelp. That's one... she smiled as she worked her way across Dash's back and to the nerves that rested in between the wings. Another nip, and this time, Dash's wings jerked with an electrical shock as she let out an uncharacteristic moan. “I stand corrected,” the Pegasus admitted defeat.

“It ain't right you getting all the fun now!” Applejack stopped her loving nips, annoying Dash who shot her an angry scowl. “Ya'll still got to get me all worked up. Now remember what I showed ya!”

“Oh, I got a better idea...” Dash stood and turned around, laying down facing the opposite of Applejack. “I bet I can clop you off faster than you can do me!”

“Well, it ain't no fun if ya rush through it, Dash. What say we take it nice and slow, and whoever does win, loser has to wear the thing I wanted to show ya?” Applejack gave a confident smirk. Even in this, Dash was competitive, and it made the whole event more exciting than it should be. The earth pony was sure in her abilities as she lowered her head, a rainbow tail brushing over her face as it swayed in impatience.

“Are you ready....yet.....” Dash's voice trailed off when she felt a warm tongue against her, and a shudder escaped her body. “No....fair....” she frowned, quickly getting her head into the game, so to speak. Applejack's eyes went wide as she set about her work, trying hard not to let up her assault as she noticed Dash had to pause every now and again to let out a squeak or a moan. When she was in action, however, she was very good. She found herself wondering if Dash had done this before when a long lick sent her eyes rolling, and she finally had to stop to breathe.

Dash smirked as she felt the flagging tail banging upon her withers, and knew Applejack was close rather she wanted to admit it or not. She bent her head down to resume her explorations, noticing that her rival's steady diet of apples had somehow lent a flavor of warm cider, which spurred Dash on even more. Her hungry tongue wanted all the nectar from this stubborn oak.

Applejack began nipping at the soft flesh on her end, hoping that she could outlast the Pegasus. She glanced back to see Dash's wings were attempting to rise even higher now, almost as if they were going to pop from her shoulders and fly off on their own. She wondered how Pegasi dealt with that kind of social faux paux, and then her mind drifted to wonder if unicorn horns had the same effect. Another involuntary shudder through her body snapped her back to reality, as Dash was closing in on her goal. A few more minuets of treatment like that and I'd be a puddle on the floor! she mused, swishing her golden tail from off of Dash's withers and down over her eyes, a few strands getting into her nostrils.

“Hey!” Dash cried out. She sent her own rainbow appendage down over the earth pony's eyes, attempting a perversion of the usual competitive activities. Applejack fought back a sneeze and continued her duty, enjoying the kaleidoscope of color swishing before her. Without warning her tongue seized the fleshy nub that reminded her of how neglected her own had been. She rolled her eyes at the notion that Dash was in it to win it and therefore forgot the most important rule. A rule she quickly taught the Pegasus as her tongue swirled around. She felt her tail yank violently as Dash's head shot up, eyes wide and her muzzle glistening. She shot an angry scowl over to the earth pony, who glanced over her shoulder to give a wink. Dash looked so adorable with a blonde wig over her own rainbow locks and a sticky smirk, like a little filly who just got caught eating an Ursa Major's porridge.

“Oh it's ON! Dash proclaimed, diving back into the unknown and seizing the enemy fort. Applejack gasped as fire raced up her spine, and her hind legs began to kick, sending a hoof colliding with Dash's head. The Pegasus was undeterred however, and Applejack smirked at the notion that Dash did have a thick skull after all.

“There, there...it's okay...” Fluttershy cooed as she continued her grooming. Her expertise in anatomy, first aid, and her own memories guided her hooves as she kneaded them into the muscles around Minty's cutie mark. She looked at the three peppermints and smiled, wondering what her interests were. After building up the courage, she decided to ask. “So...um...how did you get your cutie mark?”

Minty opened her eyes slightly and glanced around, her mind trying to make sense of why something that felt so wrong before felt so right now. “I...I used to sell candy back in Fillydelphia....peppermints were my favorite...”

Fluttershy smiled widely. She's talking! That's good!, she paused her massaging for a moment to think about the next question to ask. She had to take this slow. “What was it like....?” then she quickly added “In Fillydelphia I mean...”

Minty shrugged, still in a bit of a haze but at the same time, opening up more. “It wasn't anything like this. Big cities are full of noise and carriages and trains. Here it's so.....”

“Peaceful?” Fluttershy finished, biting her lip thinking that she just ruined any chance she had.

Minty nodded. “Yes. Peaceful....” she glanced at the floor and gave a sad sigh.

“What's on your mind?” the Pegasus asked, laying back down next to the green pony. She raised a hoof and began to stroke Minty's pink mane. “I love your hair.” Minty blushed slightly, but regained composure. She gave a casual glace to her naked rear hooves, prompting Fluttershy to follow. “Is something wrong with your hooves?”

“Socks....” Minty replied, tears in her eyes. Fluttershy blinked in confusion at this scene, then registered an idea. She dashed off over to her knitting basket then bounded back with a pair of socks in her mouth. Minty gave the generous soul an odd stare.

“I made these for the winter, but you can have them...if you want to.” Fluttershy used her nose to gently push the items across the floor.

Minty finally smiled for the first time. “Thank you...”

Rainbow Dash lie on her back, her sides heaving and her tongue hanging out of her mouth. Applejack stood proudly over her new prize, glancing down at her worthy opponent. “A bet's a bet...” she nodded, licking her own sticky lips.

“You....cheated.....” Dash panted, rubbing the spot where the earth pony's powerful hoof collided with her cranium. “You're lucky you didn't knock a tooth loose!”

Applejack had already walked off and was just returning with a bag in her teeth. She placed it on the floor and gave a grin. She produced a leather collar and a riding crop, lying them gently on the floor.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Dash began to back away. “Don't you think you're getting a little carried away? I do have my dignity!” She spread her wings proudly and held her head high.

“Dash, ya'll lost yer dignity when ya came to mah door.” Applejack smirked. This made the Pegasus frown and droop her wings. “Sides, I ain't the one who got this, Big Mac did.”

“Really? How rough does he think you are?” Dash recoiled, her mind trying not to think of how Applejack could possibly answer that.

“Dunno,” she shrugged. “But it seems a right shame to waste his hospitality” Applejack placed the collar around Dash's neck and fastened it tightly. “Now then...” she picked up the riding crop and gave a swift whack across the flank, making Dash yelp. Big Mac knew that she would enjoy this. “You will address me as Master, and do as ah say.” Dash could only cringe in mock terror, waiting for the right moment. Applejack bent down and gripped the other end of the leash in her teeth. Dash's brow perked up and she seized the opportunity, taking off into the air while jerking the earth pony up with her. Applejack hung by her teeth, flailing her hooves in anger. Dash smirked and turned over, reaching down and pulling her up. Now safely in hooves, Applejack spat out the collar. “What in the hay you think yer doin?!”

“You didn't give me a chance to show you how we Pegasi do it!” Dash grinned, lowering herself until she was a few inches above the ground. She didn't want a long fall in case this didn't work. Showing surprising strength, she turned and brought Applejack around so the orange pony was sitting on top of her. She glanced down to see they were still in the air and looked a bit ill. “I won't drop you, trust me!” After a bit of repositioning, Applejack gasped when she rubbed up against Dash, both blushing.

“Ya'll do it in the air?” she gasped, trying to hold on until the anxiety fully subsided.

“Not all the time, but it's awesome!” Dash smiled, urging Applejack to continue her grinding against her need, trying to keep her wings flapping amidst being lost in pleasure. The earth pony complied, and began to grind with more vigor, trusting Dash wouldn't let her fall, if only for a few inches. It didn't take long for her to reach her peak, as she had been left hanging by Dash earlier in their contest. An embarrassing whinny escaped her lips as she threw her head back, her golden tail wagging frantically. Dash still hadn't fully come down from her last one, and this didn't help matters. Soon her whole body was shuddering, twisting wildly in the air until her wings locked up and she hit the floor. She had only a few seconds to ensure she took the brunt of the fall, Applejack snickering at this turn of events. “It works...better with....two sets of wings....” Dash panted, eliciting a weak laugh from Applejack as she rolled off. “So...” she rolled over to face the earth pony. “Did I convince you?”

“Ah'll admit it was fun an all, but...” Applejack bit her lip, looking for the right words to say. “Ah still don't know....” she saw Dash's eyes glance to the ground, and she could feel the hurt in them. “Don't take it the wrong way, Dash. Ah don't want ya'll to think ah just used ya or anythin'.”

That was Dash's first thought. But this was the Element of Honesty she was talking too. Applejack would never use her friends, not in this capacity anyway. Her hoof fumbled with the collar until it released and hit the floor. “Well then,” she mustered a smile. “Call me if you want some more.”

Applejack smiled and nodded. “Sure thing. Be safe out there.”

Dash nodded and walked out of the barn. Applejack knew what she was thinking, but didn't know what to say.