A Dash of Apple Sauce: chapter 11

>Month 8 in Equestria

 

>Rainbow Dash hurtles towards the ground at speeds you would have previously though impossible. Her wings are folded into her body, streamlining her. As the ground races to meet her, she pulls up, angling herself horizontally to the ground.

>She flies towards you, as fast as a bullet. You tense, bracing yourself for the shockwave.

>The air erupts around you as the shockwave hits you, a plethora of colours filling your vision. You briefly realise you are flying off the ground, before blacking out.

>”Dude? Anon, are you ok?”

“Uuuuuugh.”

>”C’mon, you’re still alive.”

“No, I’m not.”

>You open your eyes to find Rainbow Dash’s face inches from your own.

“That was pretty cool, even if it was sore as hell.”

>She nods, her face still dangerously close to yours.

“You mind getting off me? I’m ok.”

>”Oh, sorry, kinda… daydreamed there.” She jumps off you and you climb to your feet. >You were at the edge of the Evergreen Forest, and the trees were still swaying from the force of the shockwave. The sonic rainboom was stretching out into the distance.

>It was beautiful in its own special way.

“That was fun Dash, but lets’ never do that again. Ever.”

>”You’re no fun.”

“Hey, I just let you do a Sonic Rainboom on me. And I pay for the drinks each weekend, so no complaining.”

>Ever since Rainbow Dash had become a Wonderbolt, you came out with her to the edge of the forest to watch her practise. Despite her brashness, she had grace like no-one else in the air. You knew it meant a ton to her by hanging out with her like this.

>”Anon, my first show is next week. Do you think you could make it?”

“Does Celestia raise the sun every morning? Of course I’ll make it.”

>She squees and hugs you. She was kitted up in her Wonderbolt suit right now, and she suited it well.

>”Y’mind layin’ your hooves off him? He’s still mine.” Says a voice dryly.

>You turn round and see Applejack approaching, a frown on her face. For some reason, she didn’t like you and Dash hanging out. It’s almost as if she still didn’t trust you.

“Oh, hi sweetie. Dash was just showing me her moves.”

>”Ah’m sure she was, Anon.” she says with sudden bitterness.

“Is something wrong, Applejack? Because if I did something wrong, I’ll apologise.”

>”It’s nothin’ Anon. Just… forget it.”

“Applejack, you know I love you. You can talk to me about anything.”

>”Ah know, sugarcube. It doesn’t matter. Ah think I’ll just head on home. Got trees to buck.”

“Fine Applejack. I’ll meet you in the barn in a few hours, to help you sort out the apples.”

>”Alright.”

“Bye honey.”

>You watch Applejack as she walks off, head low.

>”What’s wrong with Applejack?”

“No idea Dash. She’s been acting really weirdly lately. Always moody and sulking around, I don’t know what I did to piss her off.”

>”It’s probably nothing dude.”

“I hope so. Hey, can you do me a favour and round up the rest of the girls? I want to give Applejack a surprise, and I’d rather you guys be there.”

>”What’s the surprise?”

“Can’t tell ya, then it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”

>”Ugh, fine Anon!” she says, putting on a fake pout.

“But seriously, get the girls round to the barn. It’ll be a surprise party for Applejack, so make sure they aren’t seen coming in. Got it?”

>”Sure thing!” Rainbow Dash takes off, leaving her namesake trail behind her in her wake.

 

A few hours later

 

>”Here she comes!”

“Quiet Pinkie!” you whisper, watching Applejack approach the barn through a crack in the wall.

“Any… second… now…”

>”SURPRISE!”

>Applejack recoils in surprise as confetti rains down on her.

>”What in the hay is this for?”

>You hoist her into the air, wrapping your arms around her.

“You’ve been moody lately, I thought I could try and cheer you up. And what better way than a Pinkie Pie party?”

>”Put me down, Anon.” Her bluntness and coldness shocks you, and you quickly set her down.

“Ok Applejack, what the hell? You’ve been distant and quiet these last couple of weeks, and nothing I do or say has made a difference. What’s wrong? Did I do something? Tell me, I really don’t fucking know!”

>”Ah know about you and Rainbow Dash! Every weekend you sneak off t’Celestia knows where with her! Today ah come out to find her in your arms. “Showin’ me her moves.” I bet she did Anon, and Ah hope she showed them good.”

>Anger courses through you. Had Applejack really never learnt to trust you?

“Applejack, every weekend I go off to watch Rainbow Dash practise her flying skills! That’s what good friends do!”

>”And ah bet you’re more than just good friends now, ain’t ya! Ah’ve heard the rumours, Anon. Everyp0ny knows Rainbow likes ya.”

“Go fuck yourself Applejack. I won’t stand for this. I have shown nothing but unconditional love and honesty to you! And then you accuse me of this! Of cheating on you with my best friend!”

>Your hands are shaking and everyone else in the barn has fallen silent. A party whistle hangs limply from Pinkie’s mouth as she watches on in shock.

“Applejack… until you learn to return the trust I have in you, we can’t be together… Earlier on today, Rainbow Dash caused me to blackout one of her stunts. Her being close to me was just checking I was ok. It’s… its plain insulting to think that you would think of me cheating on you. Get out of here.”

>Applejack stares at you for a long second, before running out of the barn.

>How the fuck did things turn sour so quickly? For how long has she mistrusted her?

>”Anon… are you ok?” Rainbow Dash asks hesitantly.

“No… I’m not. I thought… I didn’t know… Applejack will come back. This is just a misunderstanding. We’ll apologise, she’ll realise the error of her ways, and this’ll all be forgotten.”

 

>It was 11pm, and Applejack still hadn’t returned home. You anxiously paced around the sitting room. Rainbow Dash and the others sat around in silence, unwilling to speak first.

“That’s it. I’m going out to find her. If she comes back here, come find me Dash. I pray she hasn’t done anything stupid.”

>You run to P0nyville, hoping that someone there would know about her. Unfortunately, there weren’t many p0nies out at this time of night.

“Hey Hooves! Doctor Hooves!”

>”Hello Anonymou- what’s wrong? You look upset.”

“Have you seen Applejack? I’m in a hurry.”

>He appears to ponder the question. “Why, I am certain I saw her enter the bar not an hour ago.”

“Thanks Doc, I owe you one.”

>”Think nothing of it Anonymous. Good luck.”

 

>You enter the bar and a quick search shows that Applejack is nowhere to be found.

“Hey, Larry, did Applejack happen to come through here?”

>The barkeeper turns round and cringes. “Yeah, Applejack left a short while ago.

“Thanks. Do you kn-“

>”Completely drunk.”

“Well, I supp-“

>”And with Lucky.”

>You freeze.

“W-what did you say?”

>”She left with Lucky. He lives at the other side of town, beside the boutique.” The barkeeper sighs. “If you want a stuff drink, they’re on the house-“

“No… Applejack’s not the kind of p0ny who would do that. Even when drunk. I’m sure she’s just staying at Lucky's because they’re such good friends.”

>This was a barefaced lie, you had never seen Applejack even talk to Lucky before.

>”Well, okay then. Be careful out there. I take it you two had a falling out?”

>You pause at the bar doorway.

“Yeah, a bit of an argument.”

>”Well, we’re always open if you need a drink and a place to stay.” Many weekends of drinking yourself senseless here had left you and Larry close friends.

“Thanks. I don’t think it’ll come to that though.” You exit the bar and head in the direction of the boutique.

 

>It doesn’t take you long to reach his house. You test the door and it swings open, seemingly unlocked.

>You immediately notice Applejack’s hat, weathered and worn, hanging on a hook in the entrance. She was definitely here.

>A thump from upstairs grabs your attention. You quietly make your way up the set of stairs, approaching the room which is emanating noises.

>You hear Applejack moan, a sound which sends a chill down your spine. Applejack wouldn’t… it hasn’t even been a day!

>You tense, then launch a kick at the door, its flimsiness sending it flying off its hinges.

>There, on the bed, are Applejack and “Lucky”, their bodies intertwined, leaving no doubt as to what they were doing. Lucky stares at you, dumbfounded.

>Applejack also stares at you, her eyes widening in fear. “Anon, ah can explain!”

“No Applejack. It’s too late for that.” You clench your fists back, ready to run forward and strike… and then lower them. You were a better man than this.

“Goodbye Applejack. Don’t follow me home.”

>You turn round, ignoring her pleas. You make your way out of the house and begin the journey back home, silently anguishing.

>You hadn’t felt this hollow since Julie… you didn’t even have the energy to cry. Now what? Where do you go on from here?

>You trudge back into the farmhouse, and are immediately greeted by the others.

>”Well…?” Rainbow asks hesitantly.

>You stare at her, the look on your face being enough evidence as to how things went.

>”Anon? What happened?”

>You summon up as much energy s you can.

“Me and Applejack are over.” You say flatly, before making your way to the couch and collapsing on it. Sleep immediately takes you, a small mercy.