> The Fruits of Our Labors (Book 4)
>  by LotusTeaDragon
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter One: Surprise!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER ONE: SURPRISE!	

"This process isn't a guarantee for either of you. It's something I want to try because you're my best friends."

Twilight Sparkle leaned backward, closing the massive text sitting on her desk. She was propped up on an overstuffed pillow, reading glasses laying next to her on the antique desk given to her by Princess Luna for their 2nd Anniversary. Sitting across from her were Rainbow Dash, and Applejack, worried expressions on their faces.

Rainbow Dash sighed, scrunching her muzzle before speaking. "What do you mean not a guarantee? It's magic, you just say a few words, think real hard and make it happen."

"Yeah, Twi," Applejack spoke up, "Ah've seen ya handle all kinds o' magic before. Powerful magic. Remember when ya saved Ponyville from the Ursa Minor all those years ago? An' what about that there time ya reversed gravity just so's ya could run down, er, up stairs faster, back when we was in the Crystal Empire? Shoot, Twi, ya jus' became an Alicorn Princess! Ya gotta give yerself some credit, ya know."   

Twilight sighed as she became aware of her wings, and ruffled them slightly in irritation, settling back into her pillow. "You don't quite understand. Alicorn or not, the type of magic I would need to use is very arcane, very fragile, and nearly impossible to handle. I'm not even certain I can pull it off. Are you absolutely certain this is something you want to do? You know, having foals is a huge responsibility, and as parents, you will be tasked with them every hour of every day. They require great amounts of attention, lots of love and care, and if you can't give them that, it could regress their development; at least, that's what I've read anyway." A light blush appeared on her cheeks, and she looked away for a moment. Clearing her throat, she turned back toward her friends, her expression resolving itself into a visage that brooked no indecisiveness. 

"If you really want to do this," she said, "I'll help you, but you have to be certain. Once it happens, once that magical seed has embedded itself, and once your body has taken over, there's nothing that will stop it. The magic will take on a life of its own, and the end results will be yours to deal with, so be sure, because if we go through with this, there's no turning back."

Rainbow Dash looked to her wife, who returned her gaze. They sat there for a moment, in silence, seeking only the closeness of one another, that intimacy that only those who truly love each other can experience. After a few moments had passed, Applejack let a small smile appear, and Rainbow Dash's muzzle broke out into a grin. 

She turned her head to look at Twilight. "Absolutely, Twi." Turning her head back to Applejack, she continued. "Before AJ came along, I woulda never thought about being married, or having foals, but I know this is what I want to do." She planted a soft kiss on Applejack's muzzle. 

Twilight's eyebrows shot up. "You're going to carry the foals, Dash?" She asked, her voice raising half an octave in the process.

Dash beamed. "Yep! Applejack and I decided that I should be the one to carry the foals."

"Why? I mean, what made you decide?" Twilight asked, confusion on her face. "I mean, no offense, Dash, but I never really saw you as the wholesome, motherly type."

"Hey!" Dash said, a tinge of hurt in her voice. "I may not look like a lovey dovey type of mare's filly, but I can be wholesome." She looked at Applejack, "Wholesome's another word for mega awesome, right?"

Applejack's expression turned deadpan. "Sure, sugarcube. It means mega awesome."

Rainbow Dash smirked at Twilight.

"Well, then, pardon me," Twilight said, letting the obvious gaffe pass in an effort to restore the calm that had existed before her observation. "I didn't mean to imply you couldn't be motherly, but how did you two decide on who would have the foal?"

Applejack spoke in turn. "Ya see, Twi, Rainbow and Ah sat down one night, and worked it all out. Ya see, Ah'm the only one o' the two of us who can move the harvest real fast. Don't get me wrong, mah sugarcube works hard, but Ah'm the one who can buck the fastest and the hardest."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yep, and while I won't be able to practice for a while, I can still manage the weather team until it gets close enough to where I won't be able to fly as fast or work as hard."

Applejack took up the rest of the explanation. "Yessir, and while we can go without Rainbow's weather pay for a while, payin' the farmhands without bringin' in harvest income would make it real hard on us."

Twilight nodded. "So it was a purely economic decision?"

Rainbow Dash waved her foreleg, as if wiping away the statement. "No, Twilight. See, not many ponies know this," and at this point she lowered her voice to a conspiratorial level, as if afraid everypony would learn of this admission, "I've kind of always wanted to have a foal of my own."

Twilight gasped and sat back, her face an expression of surprise. "You?! You?! Rainbow Dash?! Equestria's fastest flyer?! The mare who practiced 16 hours a day to become the greatest aerial acrobat in the world? Rainbow Danger Dash?!"

"Okay, okay, okay, Twi, geez, we get it, you're shocked, now lower your voice!" Dash hissed.

Twilight had the good grace to blush. "Sorry," she said as a look of contrite embarrassment spread across her face. "It's just hard for me to believe. I've always seen Applejack as the family mare, and you as more of an independent free spirit. I didn't know you harbored such feelings for motherhood."

"I do, so what?" Dash replied, this time earning her own blush in return.

Twilight smiled. "Oh, no, don't get me wrong, I have no doubt you would be a terrific mother, Dash, but I figured you had too many career plans to slow down long enough for motherhood."

Dash huffed, a smirk appearing on her face. "Slow down? Twilight, taking care of a foal is going to be the most awesome, busy job I could possibly have. There won't be any slowing down, and what's even cooler is that my foal is going to grow up to be just as awesome an athlete as me." She finished her words with pride in her voice. Applejack leaned over and affectionately nuzzled her neck.

Twilight grinned as the two focused on one another. "Well," she said with a sigh, "I can't say the two of you aren't committed to this. So here's what we'll do," she continued, rising from her pillow and trotting over to a large bookshelf, "I'll spend the next week or so preparing for the spell. We'll have to do it in two sessions, in order to better reinforce the magic that will end up binding itself to you."

She grabbed a large tome with her magic, and returned to the desk. As she began reading the text, she grabbed a piece of parchment and her writing quill, and began scribbling furiously, her eyes never leaving the pages of the large text on the desk.

"Here are some instructions for you, Rainbow Dash. This is a list of foods you'll need to eat to aid in the development of the foal, along with the daily exercise requirements. It would be best if you started on these today. The more we can prepare, the better the results." 

She floated the finished parchment over to Applejack, who placed it under her hat. "I'll see you two in a week," Twilight said with a smile, and turned to place the book back in its place on the bookshelf.

Rainbow Dash glanced to her left to see Applejack staring right at her. As she turned her head to ask AJ what was wrong, she was caught off guard by the sudden, crushing embrace of her lover. 

"Yer gonna make the best mother, sugarcube," she heard a voice purr into her ear with that sweet, southern twang. "Ah love you."

Rainbow Dash, having collected her wits, returned the embrace, whispering in the orange mare's ear, so low that only the farm pony could hear, "I love you too, AJ, and I always will."


Sunlight danced on her eyelids as she wondered where she was. Only a moment ago, she was in the sweet embrace of her wife, but now all she could see was black. Slowly, the blackness, and the fog of confusion began to lift, as she opened her eyes. She was in a room; the furniture was worn down from use, but otherwise well cared for. On the walls, she saw several paintings, one or two of them were of ponies she knew, others were ponies she had heard about, but had never met. She noticed that in her position, she could see the ceiling quite clearly, with its overhead bulb swaying slightly in the breeze generated by the open window nearby. It was morning.

She realized that she was in bed.

It took her only a moment to realize she had been dreaming. This brought on a moment of slight distress, as she suddenly became concerned that all of it had just been a dream, that the past year hadn't actually happened. The very thought made her heart jump, her breathing becoming more rapid, and intense. A tingling shard of ice began to make its way down the nape of her neck, sweat breaking out on her forehead. As she was about sit up, a foreleg fell across her chest.

"Mornin' sugarcube," a sweet, honeyed, slightly slurred, southern drawl tickled her ears, and she looked over to see the most beautiful orange mare she had ever seen in her life staring back at her. Her deep, emerald eyes were dazzling, made moreso by the sunlight glinting off of them, highlighting the flecks of gold in her irises. Her soft muzzle was curled up in a tiny smile, and her mane was wild, her hairbands she used to tame it were lying on the table next to the bed. Dash watched her for a moment, as her chest rose and fell gently. She was the embodiment of everything Rainbow Dash held dear, and she was compelled to pull her tight to her, to keep her from the world, to hold her only for herself. The world didn't have a right to her. She did not belong to it, she belonged only to Dash.

She fought off the idea, realizing quickly how selfish it was, even if it was also well meaning, and motivated only by the love she had for her wife. 

Applejack's smile grew a little wider as she said, "Cat got yer tongue, Dashie?"

The mention of her pet nickname made her spine tingle with delight. She could feel the warmth in her chest grow, and she wanted to take that mare in her arms and kiss her until the Sun went back down for the day. But, they had things to do today, so instead, she just smiled, and replied in that raspy voice, one occluded somewhat by the remaining vestiges of sleep that chose to hang on until the final second. 

"Hey, AJ."

"Ya know, sugarcube, ya look darn cute there with your mane all ruffled and messy."

Dash snorted. "My mane's always ruffled and messy, silly."

"Ah know," Applejack replied, "but it's ruffled and messy right here, in our bed, and ya got the Sun shinin' on ya, and it makes ya look just so durn purty."

Applejack leaned over, kissing her wife on the lips. Rainbow Dash, needing no further provocation, leaned into the kiss. They lay there for many moments this way, enjoying one another's company, but alas, as was said before, there were things to do today, and their lips parted. As a final thought, Rainbow Dash took her hoof, and rubbed it gently on Applejack's belly. When she had first broken the news the night before, Applejack had told her the doctor figured she was a little over a month along. Dash thought about the road ahead, and for a moment, nothing was said, and they both lay there in silent communion of what was to come. Finally, the silence was broken.

"Hey, Dashie?"

"Yeah, AJ?"

"How would ya like some Apple crumb cake and lemongrass tea for breakfast?"

"Doesn't that take a while to bake?"

"Ah made some last night after ya went to bed."

"Best. Wife. Ever."


Twenty minutes later, having showered and made herself somewhat presentable for the day, Rainbow Dash trotted down the steps into the main living room of the Apple family farmhouse. Not much had changed over the past year that they had been married, though there were a few more homey touches that were personal to the pair.

Up on the fireplace mantel lay a clear display box, with two hoof bracelets nestled inside. They were intertwined, and the names of the couple were on each one, facing outward so that anypony who came to visit would see them, and perhaps share in their joy, even just a tiny bit.

The couch had finally been re-upholstered, as the old seat covers had been thrown out. It was inevitable, as all things age, and then there are the things that catch on fire because a certain somepony thought they could get their cutie mark by juggling fiery batons in the living room. All Dash remembered was that old sofa seat covers are very flammable, and that for several weeks, she missed having eyebrows.

A knock at the door brought Rainbow Dash out of her reverie. A voice from the kitchen called out, "Ya down here, Dash?"

Rainbow Dash called out as she began to walk toward the door. "Yeah, I'll get it!"

"Thanks, sugarcube!" came the response.

A few steps later, Dash was at the door. As she opened it, she was surprised to see who was standing there.

"Uh, can I help you?" she said, uncertainty in her voice as she took a moment to absorb the sight in front of her, because standing there, wings folded back, his barrel shod in brass and silver, holding his helmet in one hoof, and a pack on his side, was a member of the Royal Guard. 

The stallion bowed his head slightly before speaking. "Good day to you, Madam. I am Sprint Signal, and I am looking for one Mrs. Applejack Apple."

"Um, is she in trouble or something? Because, I, uh don't think she lives here. Yeah, she moved to Colton last spring. I don't even know her, in fact, you know, um, who is she?" Dash replied, her eyes darting back and forth as she spoke.

"Who is it, Dash?" came a voice from the hallway.

"Oh, um, nothing, Applej-, uh, Smith. Applesmith. You can go back in the kitchen."

The guard chuckled. "No, no, my dear. I'm a Royal Courier. I have a letter for Mrs. Applejack Apple, courtesy of Her Royal Highness Princess Cadance.

"Oh, I see, well-" Dash began, but stopped when Applejack sidled up next to her at the door.

"Howdy there, Mister. Mah name's Applejack Apple. You'll have ta excuse mah wife, she's a tad paranoid sometimes."

"Hey, I'm not paranoid. I don't even think that's a word!" Rainbow Dash replied indignantly.

"Check June 5th on your calendar, sugarcube. It's a word."

In response to this, Rainbow Dash scrunched her face, turned and cantered up to their bedroom.

"Ah'm sorry, Mister. Mah wife is bein' a bit odd this mornin'," Applejack said, chuckling.

"It's not an issue, Madam, and if it makes you feel any better," he said, leaning in just a bit to make his point, "I'm married to a rather temperamental pegasus myself." Applejack grinned as the courier reached into his pack and, a moment later, retrieved a scroll with his mouth. Applejack politely accepted it in her own.

"Well, Madam," he said, taking a second to place his shining brass helmet on his head, "I thank you, and shall be off. I have many rounds to make today." With that, the courier flew off into the morning sky.

Applejack stepped back into the house, shutting the door with a back hoof. She dropped it onto the coffee table, broke the official seal of Her Royal Highness Princess Cadance, and began to read. After a few minutes of silence, her brow furrowed.

"Ah ha!" she heard from behind her. She turned to see Rainbow Dash trotting down the stairs, with confidence written all over her face.

"What in tarnation are ya smilin' about? Ya look like the cat that swallowed the durn canary."

"Ew." Dash replied, her face scrunching up at the thought of such a thing. "Anyway," she continued, "I looked up that word, and you messed up."

"Oh really?"

"Yeah, really."

"Well, then, tell me where Ah messed up, smarty britches."

"I will, corn pone. You called me paranoid. Well, I looked it up, and it says that somepony who is paranoid thinks everypony is out to get her."

"Yeah, that's right."

"Yeah,... wait, what?"

"Yup."

A moment of silence passed, and then Dash replied. "Oh. Well in that case, yeah."

Applejack blinked a couple of times before shaking her head.

"So, AJ, is breakfast ready?" Dash asked, waving her foreleg in her wife's face.

"Huh? Oh, yeah, but first, Ah want to show ya the letter we got from Princess Cadance."

Dash nodded. "Okay, so what's it say?"

Applejack turned to the coffee table, and spread out the letter with her hoof, in order to give Dash a better chance of seeing it. "It pretty much says that the Princess is requestin' our help up in the Crystal Empire. Somethin' about findin' a new type o' apple seed, and they want mah help gettin' it inta the soil."

Dash's eyebrows shot up. "She wants you to go to the Crystal Empire?"

Applejack nodded. "Not just me, though, sugarcube, she's invitin' ya up as well. Says we can stay at a ski resort they just built, an' maybe have a little vacation all ta ourselves. Says down here we'd be there a week. So what do ya say?"

Rainbow Dash let out a shout, and jumped into the air, doing a double backflip without managing to hit the living room ceiling. "That is awesome! A week in the Crystal Empire, skiing, snowboarding, drinking hot cocoa, and I get to spend it with the best mare ever!" 

A moment later, she floated back down to the ground. "So, when do we leave?"

Applejack consulted the letter once more. "She wants us on the Friendship Express by tomorrow mornin', 8 A.M. She says we'll have the tickets at the station."

Rainbow Dash pumped her hoof into the air, grabbed her wife and kissed her passionately on the lips, and broke away long enough to say, "Crystal Empire, here we come! Also, can we eat now? I'm starving!"

***
> Chapter Two: Crystal Conversations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER TWO: CRYSTAL CONVERSATIONS

"It's probably getting dark outside, by now." A coltish voice whispered across to the seat next to her. 

A hushed reply came a few moments later. "Ah'd say so, sugarcube."

Rainbow Dash moved to a sitting position on her couch, and looked around. The train car was dim, lit only by a pair of small lanterns; one at the front of the car, and one at the rear. They cast just enough light for any pony to make out the shadowy forms of other pony travelers, some sitting silently and staring out the windows, while others were likely asleep, curled up on their acceleration couches, trying to keep warm in the drafty car. Dash could see Applejack across the aisle from her, nodding off once more, lulled to sleep by the rhythmic clacking of the train tracks beneath the speeding locomotive. 

It had been the standard routine from the moment they had first descended into Icewind Canyon, one of the few travel routes that made it possible to reach the Crystal Empire without any traveler freezing to death, or getting hopelessly lost amidst the vast, icy plateaus that lead up to the base of the Crystal Mountains.

She turned her head to stare out the passenger side window. After a few minutes, she became weary of seeing nothing but the discomforting aquamarine blur of the ice right outside her window, as the train sped along the canyon floor. Her eyelids became heavy, and after a few bouts of momentary resistance, she closed them and slipped off into dreamland.

She only figured her eyes had been closed for a heartbeat before she felt the soft tug of deceleration pulling her slightly forward. It was enough to cause her to jump slightly, opening her eyes to make certain she didn't fall blindly into some kind of embarrassing situation, such as cartwheeling out of her seat to the eternal amusement of her wife, and half the other passengers of the rail car. That kind of thing could make the coolest pony look like a newborn foal. I mean, you could brush off the dirt and the dust, but you couldn't brush off the lame.

She made a note to herself to write that down in her journal next time she had the chance. 

"You awake, sugarcube?" 

"Yeah, AJ. I think we're slowing down."

"Eeyup." Applejack looked out her window. "Ah can see a train depot up ahead. We mus' be stoppin' ta refuel."

Rainbow Dash breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank Celestia! I don't know if I can stay cooped up in this box for much longer."

The statement was completely true. Rainbow Dash knew she could handle just about anything anypony tossed her way, but she couldn't tolerate closed spaces. Elevators, small rooms, train cars, they all made her nervous to the point where she wanted to flee. It was only Applejack's nearby presence that kept her from panicking and trying to fly out the nearest window.

The train came to a complete stop, a loud thunk followed by a hiss of steam could be heard moments later.

"Stretchin' mah legs feels mighty nice, I have ta say." Applejack observed as she stood to her hooves, and began leaning forward and backward, grunting in satisfaction as she stretched and pulled each leg.

Dash tore her eyes away from the all too entertaining sight, and focused on the other passengers, who were already making their way toward the exits. The conductor, a white maned, older stallion with brown fur, and wearing a small, blue cap, appeared at the front of the car. 

"Attention, passengers," he called out in a loud, clear voice, "we will be departing for the Crystal Empire in 30 minutes. Please take this time to stretch your legs, patronize the local shops, and be back on the train by the third whistle blow." He unlocked the side exits at the front of the train car.  "Oh, and keep in mind that we won't be coming back for any dawdlers, so when you hear the whistle, I suggest you step lively, or else the only way you'll be leaving here is on the way back toward Ponyville," he added, a touch of reproachful humor evident in his kind voice.

The way now clear, Applejack and Rainbow Dash followed the procession of ponies out the exits, and onto the station platform.

"So what do you want to do to kill some time, AJ?" Dash asked as she looked about the train station. 

"Ta be honest, Ah'd like ta use the little filly's room," came the reply.

Dash looked askance at the farm mare. "Why didn't you go to the bathroom on the train?"

Applejack looked away and mumbled.

"What was that, AJ?" Dash asked, flitting around to face the country pony, "I didn't catch what you said."

Applejack glared at her. "Ah said, Ah can't use that one."

Rainbow arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because mah mama always taught me never ta use any toilet that moves faster than you can. Now if you'll pardon me, Ah ain't really in the mood ta go into detail."

With that, she made a beeline for a small building with a placard, showing the outline of a filly and a mare, on the side.

Rainbow Dash chuckled as she mentally filed that little tidbit away for possible use later.

While Applejack was indisposed, Dash took a few moments to look around at the station itself. It was rather simple; it had what looked like half a dozen small shops, mostly focused on souvenirs, though she wondered what a tourist would find interesting in a backwater station at the bottom of an icy canyon, she shrugged it off. 

A shout to her left caused her to turn her head, and she saw a couple of colts playing next to a tofu dog stand. Now aware of the tiny stand, she raised her muzzle to the air, and sniffed. She could smell the delightful fragrance of the mustard, relish, and onions, wafting through the air, enticing her. Sure, there were meals served on the train, but they were those freeze dried affairs, where everything was small and tasted like cardboard, not that she knew what cardboard tasted like, or anything.

Flapping her wings, she floated, almost cartoonishly, over to the small stand, where a smiling earth pony stood, ready to take her order.

"Hey there fella, how about a couple of tofu dogs, fully loaded?" She asked the mustachioed stallion.

The vendor grinned, and began to assemble the dogs. "So, are you heading to the Crystal Empire to visit our world class ski resort?" He asked, as he piled relish onto each waiting frankfurter. 

Dash, who was salivating and rubbing her hooves together, shook her head. "Nah, my wife and I are out this way, visiting the Princess."

The hot dog vendor paused, a heap of sauerkraut in his ladle. "The Princess?"

Dash looked up from the aromatic, steaming food. "Yeah. They found some kind of apple seed that they lost a long time ago, I think, and my wife is an expert in growing apples. Have you ever heard of Applejack, or Sweet Apple Acres? Oh, that reminds me, I'm Rainbow Dash, fastest flier in all of Equestria."

The vendor blinked, and then continued fixing the order. "Oh, er, my name is Serving Suggestion, Mrs. Dash."

"Just Rainbow is fine."

"Ah, forgive me, uh, Rainbow. I just wasn't expecting you to be visiting the Princess, but no, I have never heard of Sweet Apple Acres. In all honesty, you must understand that we are still adjusting to this new Equestria in which we find ourselves. Being tucked away for a thousand years has left us out of the loop, I'm afraid to say." 

He sat a thick paper plate carrying two tofu dogs, burdened by their toppings, on the small cart's wooden counter top. The scent alone nearly drove Dash to grabbing the both of them, and shoving them into her muzzle all at once, like a thirsty mare during cider season. Instead she resisted, and dropped the sum of 4 bits onto the counter.

The burly stallion merely waved his large foreleg. "No no, my dear, you are here to help us regain our economic independence, to come to the aid of our Princess and Her Consort. It would be remiss of me not to offer you a small gift in exchange for your services. Please keep your bits."

Rainbow Dash smiled. "No way. These tofu dogs look way awesome, you have to take the bits."

The vendor shook his head. "Please, I insist you keep them. It is an honor just to serve my tofu dogs to ones called on behalf of the Princess."

Before Dash could refuse again, an orange mare sidled up next to her. 

"We'll take the bits back on one condition." Applejack said, as she scooped them up with her hoof. She trotted away from the hot dog stand, and over to a bench that sat by a shopkeeper's door just a few meters away, where a crystal earth pony colt, and filly, were sitting restlessly. Serving Suggestion looked at Rainbow Dash, who only shrugged her shoulders. If Applejack had planned something, she didn't know about it.

As she looked to where Applejack was now standing, she saw that the foals, who had sullen expressions on their young faces, appeared to be waiting on their parents, who were likely shopping inside. Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice the filly looked, for all the world, like a younger Apple Bloom. She even had a pink bow in her shimmering hair. 

Rainbow watched on, as Applejack talked with the pair, unable to make out what was being said due to the distance she was from the vendor stand. As she watched, she saw that the two foals would nod their heads every so often, smiles growing on their despondent faces. This went on for some time until, finally,  she saw Applejack hand them two bits a piece, and wave her hoof toward a sign on the shop window advertising sugar fruit; two bits a bag.

The foals grinned, and bolted toward the door so fast, the gust of wind created by their speed nearly pushed Applejack's hat from atop her head. She grabbed it and held it down as they sped off. She turned back in their direction, and sauntered over to the hot dog cart, a smile on her face.

"Does that seem like a fair deal, Mister?"

The hot dog vendor's smile was wide as he answered her. "Yes, ma'am, that seems like quite the fair deal."

Applejack gave a curt nod and extended her hoof to the plump, brown furred stallion. "Pardon mah manners. Mah name's Applejack."

The vendor shook her hoof politely. "I am Serving Suggestion, Mrs. Applejack. I serve the finest tofu dogs in the Crystal Empire. Am I to assume that this lovely blue pegasus is your wife, and that you are visiting our lovely kingdom on a mission at the request of Her Royal Highness?"

Applejack smiled. "Ya are right on both counts, and it's nice to meet ya, Mr. Suggestion."

"Serving, please."

"Alrighty, Serving, as long as ya just call me plain ol' Applejack."

The sound of a train whistle pierced the air.

"Oh well, sorry ta meet an' run, but that's our cue. Won't do no good for the empire if we're just standin' around jawin' while our ride goes off an' leaves us in the dust. It's been a pleasure to meet ya, Serving."

Serving Suggestion bowed slightly. "The honor is all mine, Applejack, Miss Rainbow Dash. I do ask that when you're returning home, please stop by my stand, if you have the time. It is of no urgency, but I would like to hear how your visit went, and not to worry, the tofu dogs will be on me."

Applejack tipped her hat to the aging stallion. "Why thank ya, Serving. That's mighty kind o' ya. We'll be sure ta stop on by on the way back home." 

With a smile and a wave, returned in kind by Serving Suggestion, they walked back toward the train. 

"What a nice feller," Applejack commented to Dash as they made their way past a group of ponies standing along the platform.

"Mmhmm..." came Dash's reply.

Applejack looked over to find her wife chowing down on a fully loaded tofu dog. She watched with utter fascination as the blue pegasus finished it in two large bites. 

Rainbow Dash, upon seeing she was being observed, responded quizzically. "What?" she asked, "these are good! I mean, you don't even know! The mustard, the sweet relish, it's just so... well... you know what? You won't know until you try it." 

Without any further preamble, she stuffed the other tofu dog into Applejack's muzzle. Unprepared for the culinary onslaught, Applejack nearly choked as she quickly tried to swallow the gourmet dog that had nearly lodged itself in her throat. Several ponies on the platform looked at the earth pony with concern, some even asking if she was okay. Finally, after a few moments of gasping for breath, and a few thumps across the back from Rainbow Dash, the orange mare finally managed to finish the hot dog.

She waved off the concerned onlookers with a bashful grin, and turned to the rainbow maned menace.

"Rainbow Dash! Ya just can't force food onta somepony else! It ain't right!"

"And?"

"And what?"

"And how did it taste?"

Applejack sighed. "Well, if ya have ta know, and if Ah can remember from what I could get before it got all crammed in ma mouth, it was okay." 

This was met with extreme skepticism. "Just okay?"

"Yeah, a tofu dog's just a tofu dog."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Dash, really."

"Really really?"

An audible sigh followed. "Fine, it was durn near the best tofu dog I ever done ate. Ya happy?"

Rainbow Dash smiled. "Ha! Told ya! Yeah, we're definitely coming here on the way back."

Applejack merely shook her head as the two boarded the train car. 

As a blond tail disappeared beyond the doorway, a raspy, coltish voice could be heard asking, "You think he sells tofu burgers, too?" 

The whistle sounded a third time, and the train began moving along the platform, continuing the final leg of its journey across the icy tundra, and into the heart of the Crystal Empire.

***

The rest of the train ride was uneventful, and the early morning Sun found the pair standing on a bustling station platform, each carrying their saddlebags, and a suitcase a piece. All around them, the Crystal Empire train station was filled with travelers. Some appeared to be business ponies, while others wore flowery shirts and straw hats, snapping pictures of the cityscape with their cameras.

"Who are we looking for, AJ?" Rainbow Dash asked as she jumped aside in order to avoid a cart full of luggage from running over her tail. "Hey, watch it!" She called out, but was ignored by the driver.

"If Ah recall correctly, she's the aide to the Princess. Jade somethin'."

"Running Jade, Chief Royal Aide to Princess Cadance and Prince Consort Shining Armor."

"Yeah, that's her. That word calendar's helpin' yer memory, Dash."

"I didn't say anything."

"Well, who did?"

"That would be me."

The two mares turned in time to see a young, green crystal earth pony standing behind them. 

"May I assume you are Mrs. Applejack, and Mrs. Rainbow Dash?"

The two nodded their assent, replying in the affirmative.

"Ah, good. Well, as I said before, I'm Running Jade, and I'm the Chief Royal Aide. Yes, it rhymes," she added, noting that Rainbow Dash had moved to say something.

"I apologize if I sound short with you, but you have to understand how many times a day I hear that." She smiled wanly, hoping the two mares wouldn't be offended by her forthright nature. Fortunately, that  seemed to be the case.

"Hello, there, Miss Jade, a pleasure ta meet ya," Applejack said as she extended a hoof. 

Running Jade accepted it politely, doing the same for Rainbow Dash. As she turned, she motioned to two soldiers in shimmering silver armor. They trotted over and stood next to the group, one on each side of the trio.

"Follow me, please," she said to Applejack and Rainbow Dash, as she began walking forward, away from the train platform toward an open iron gate that lead out of the station.

"As you can see," she began, "the Crystal Empire has grown by leaps and bounds since your last visit. We've added on to the train depot, and now see more than a thousand travelers a day pass through our gates."

They stepped outside of the building, moving along a cobblestone path that lead to the outer edge of the Bazaar, a huge marketplace that made up the outer layer of the "snowflake" pattern that was the city of the Crystal Empire.

"Our Bazaar, once being the lifeblood of hundreds of individual shops and attractions, has expanded to the thousands, perhaps even the ten thousands."

Applejack and Rainbow Dash, walking behind the young Aide, turned their heads in every direction, trying to take in all of the sights, sounds, and smells of the organized chaos that was the Empire Bazaar. Dash could even smell a tofu dog stand nearby, and briefly wondered whether that vendor's offerings were superior to Serving Suggestion's, but any plans on finding out were quelled by a quick glance at her significant other, whose expression nipped that idea in the bud before it ever had a chance to flower. Maybe later.

"As you can see," Running Jade continued as they passed the Bazaar, and continued further into the interior of the city, "our residential section has grown as well. New designs in architecture make it possible for us to build skyscrapers some twenty stories high, and capable of providing homes for thousands of ponies."

She waved a forehoof upward. "We have even begun to build new crystal terraces, to allow for any pony that wishes it to stand high above the earth, so that even without wings, they may gaze in awe and admiration at our beautiful city."

True to her word, and many hooves above the crystal pathways on which they walked, could be seen outcroppings jutting from the side of each skyscraper. 

"Ah must say," Applejack said, her voice tinged with an impressed tenor, "these newfangled buildings remind me of Manehattan."

While Applejack was too busy looking up to notice, Rainbow Dash caught the slight expression of distaste on the Royal Aide's face as she replied, "Yes, while we do share some similarity with Manehattan in that regard, that is likely where it ends. Manehattan may be the largest city in Equestria, but it is highly unlikely that they share our level of sophistication."

The tone of her voice troubled Rainbow Dash, and she filed that away to ask AJ about it later. Up ahead, she saw the familiar grand arches of the Crystal Castle.

"Looks like the castle is as cool as ever," she commented out loud, as they approached the base.

"Yes, the Crystal Castle is the pride and joy of every citizen of the Crystal Empire," Running Jade said as she presented identification to the rather intimidating guardsponies standing at the gate that lead up the staircase.  

"It is beauty, luxury, and refinement," continued the Aide as they climbed the stairs. "More importantly, it is the unifying symbol of all that is good, and just, of Her Royal Highness, His Royal Consort, and all who work diligently to uphold the values of the Crystal Empire."

"Ah have ta admit, it sure is nice that we'll be able to see Princess Cadance again. We ain't seen hide nor hair of her in a moon's age." Applejack replied as they stepped out of the stairwell and into the main area of the royal complex.

"Yes," said Jade, "you are most fortunate to be granted an audience with Her Royal Highness. It is a rare thing indeed to be given consideration, while also being a non-citizen of the Empire."

Rainbow Dash wanted to roll her eyes, but before she could, she saw a familiar face as they walked under an archway and into the Royal Court.

"Heya, Princess!" she called out as she waved to the figure sitting on the throne.

Running Jade blanched as she heard Rainbow Dash refer to her Princess in such a casual manner. As she turned to rebuke the pegasus (and to order her not to fly while standing in the Royal court), she watched in barely concealed horror as the Princess trotted up to where they were standing, and grabbed the brash pegasus in a hug!

This was doubly compounded when she did the same for the earth pony mare.

Cadance, for her part, didn't even notice as she greeted, with all smiles, her two very dear friends into the sanctum of the Royal Court.

"Running Jade," she called to her Aide, who hurried to stand next to her.

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Jade, how many times have I told you not to call me Majesty? I'm a Princess, but you don't have to treat me like I hung the Moon." Cadance exclaimed, a touch of exasperation in her voice. "Though now that I think about it," she said, an impish tone taking its place, "I do know the pony who did, so maybe you should just call me Most High Princess of the Empire."

Running Jade's only response was a half lidded expression on her face, punctuated by a slow blink.

Cadance merely giggled. "Okay, okay, Jade. I will leave you alone for now, but please see that you send somepony with refreshments for my friends."

With that, the Royal Aide was off; orders being given to a nearby pony who immediately dashed out of the room. Moments later, Running Jade followed him out.

"You have to forgive her," Cadance said as she turned back to her friends, "she's very formal and very devoted. I assure you, she's a very kind pony."

Applejack nodded. "Ah can respect that. She sure did seem like she loved her country."

Rainbow Dash agreed. "Yeah, she was way into Crystal Empire this, and Crystal Empire that," at which point she caught herself. "Uh, not that the Crystal Empire is a bad thing. It's really, you know, cool!"

Applejack facehooved. 

Cadance simply laughed, and patted Rainbow Dash on the back. "It really is good to see the two of you. I have so many things to talk about, and I'll also fill you in on what it is I need you to do, Applejack. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by what we've found. Crystal Apples could change the future of Equestria. I knew once I saw what we had, it was imperative I take advantage of our friendship in order to make the most of this discovery. I do hope that doesn't bother you."

Applejack shook her head. "Nah, I understand, Princess. Hey, Ah feel kinda proud that ya decided to have me come up here and take a look at what ya got."

Cadance grinned. "I just know that with you overseeing our project, Applejack, we're sure to succeed."

Rainbow Dash spoke up. "By the way, where's Shining Armor?"

"Oh, he'll be here, shortly. He's been overseeing the latest recruit enlistments, over at the barracks. He thinks a little intimidation is good for the soul." Cadance said, smiling while rolling her eyes.

Before they could continue, a stallion dressed in a tuxedo appeared in the doorway. "Your Highness," he began, "forgive my intrusion, but dinner is ready to be served, at your convenience."

"Thank you, Silver Chalice, we will be along momentarily." She replied. 

The stallion dipped his head. "Yes, Your Royal Highness," he added, and disappeared behind the door once more.

"Well," Cadance began, "who's hungry?"

(/)*(\)
> Chapter Three: New Soil
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER THREE: NEW SOIL


Rainbow Dash sat back and rubbed her full tummy. They had adjourned to the dining hall, where Cadance had peppered them with questions about Twilight, their friends, Ponyville, and just about anything that had to do with the mundanities of life in a small town. 

They were finishing dessert when Shining Armor arrived.

"The Princess' Consort, General Shining Armor!" called the servant near the door.

"Sorry I'm late, Cadance. Don't get up on my account," the alabaster unicorn called out as he stepped through the entryway. He placed his helmet on a nearby pillow, and took a seat at the low table.

"Aw yeah, vanilla bean!" he commented to himself, as he used his magic to ladle a rather large helping of ice cream into a bowl, setting it before him.

The other three ponies sat in silence as he began digging in. This went on for several minutes until finally Cadance, with eyebrow raised in his direction, cleared her throat.

Shining Armor looked up from his half eaten bowl. "What is it, sweetheart?" he asked.

Cadance motioned toward her guests, a small smile on her lips.

Shining glanced over to see Rainbow Dash and Applejack sitting across from him. Both were grinning at the stallion, who began to blush furiously for not only missing the obvious fact that there were guests who had witnessed his informal behavior, but that he also happened to know these two mares as dear friends of his sister.

"Oh, hey," he replied as he quickly dabbed his lips with a napkin. "I didn't know the two of you had already arrived!"

"They arrived about an hour ago, and you shouldn't be late to dinner. You never know when Twily's friends will make a trip up here just to help you," said Cadance, a smirk on her face.

Shining Armor sputtered for a moment, flecks of ice cream dotting the table. "But you said they wouldn't be here until tomorrow!"

Cadance nodded. "Indeed I did say that, my oh so busy warrior, but do you remember when I said that?"

Shining drew a blank look, his years of experience as a husband telling him this was a trap. He answered anyway. "Umm, this morning? I think?"

Cadance shook her head. "Yesterday."

"Yesterday?"

"Mhmm. Yesterday. Which was also the day of our anniversary."

A high pitched squeak followed. "Really?"

"Really."

The air was quiet and still, yet somehow abuzz with an energy that was as yet undefined by the two observing ponies sitting across from the royal couple.

"Well," Shining Armor began again, after a moment of silence, "it seems I am in trouble. If you ladies will excuse me, I will avail myself of the couch in the guest waiting area, and will see you in the morning. Goodnight Applejack, Rainbow Dash, my sweet and understanding wife who loves me very much and won't forget that I love her very much."

A chorus of "goodnights" followed.

After Shining had left the dining hall, the three mares broke out into laughter.

"I didn't know yesterday was your anniversary, Princess." Rainbow Dash said as she rubbed her sore tummy; which was a result of the very rich dessert combined with the fresh giggles.

"Oh, it isn't." Cadance said, a mischievous smile on her muzzle. "But he'll think next time before coming home late to dinner."

A fresh flurry of giggles broke out among the group. After a few moments, they subsided, and Cadance motioned for a servant to remove the dishware. 

As the servants began removing the dirty cups and saucers, Cadance rose to her hooves, and ask the girls to follow her. Together, the trio passed through the large hall, and into a smaller sitting room, replete with overstuffed pillows, and a crackling crystal firepit in the center of the room.

As they became comfortable, the Princess spoke first.

"So," she began, "the trials and travails of Ponyville and her residents aside, how have the two of you been handling married life?"

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at one another, expressions of surprise on their faces. After a moment of uncertainty regarding who should speak, Applejack finally spoke up. 

"Well, Princess, Ah'm not really sure what ta say. Ah mean, me and Dash get along right good, and we take care o' each other. Ya know, like good ponies do."

Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah, I mean, we fight sometimes, but we make up for it, and even when AJ can be a stubborn mule, it doesn't change how much I love her."

"Hey!"

"What?"

"Ah ain't no stubborn mule."

"Yeah, you really are sometimes."

"Well, if Ah'm a stubborn mule, you're a stubborn mule, too. Twice as one, really."

"Oh yeah? Remember that time we went running through Whitetail Woods and you got covered in tree sap? You got stuck to the tree, and wouldn't even let me help get you free."

"It's a matter o' pride."

"Matter of pride my flank, you were embarrassed."

"Ah was not."

"Were too."

"Was not."

"Were too."

"Dash, Ah weren't embarrassed, Ah was just stuck. Ah can get unstuck from a tree, ya know!"

"Applejack can buck 'em, but she can't unstuck 'em!"

Cadance sat back and listened as the two mares continued bickering back and forth. 'They remind me of an old married couple already', she silently mused. 

"So how's the sex? It must be great!"

Cadance's question silenced the room in an instant. Both mares turned a deep shade of red, and began looking down at their forehooves.

"Uh, pardon me, Princess?" Applejack's question was tinged with a shyness that could rival her butter yellow friend's penchant for meekness.

Cadance smiled. "I asked you about the sex, though truth be known you don't have to answer the question. I just wanted to stop the arguing so that I could get a few words in edgewise."

She laughed softly.

"It worked. Also, the sex is way awesome. Like, blow your mind awesome!" The words burst forth from Dash before she could stop them. This caused Applejack to turn a shade of red so dark, she would have been mistaken for her older brother.

Cadance broke out into a deep belly laugh. Nervous laughter followed from the two lovers sitting across from her, deep blushes on their faces.

After a moment, Cadance managed to quiet herself, and cleared her throat. "Now that I have managed to gain your attention and get the blood flowing, as it were, I would like to discuss with you what my plans are regarding these new crystal apple seeds we have found."

She levitated a scroll from a small table next to her. Opening it, she placed it in front of Applejack, who began looking it over in earnest.

"As you can see from the report," the Princess began, as Applejack read, "it was about a week ago that we discovered an underground storehouse of these seeds underneath the Magic Theory wing of the castle library. From what we can tell, a unicorn apprentice managed to accidentally nullify a camouflage spell that revealed a small staircase. After consulting his Master, they notified Running Jade, who informed me of the development. Shiny, being the more accomplished defense caster between the two of us, investigated the hidden alcove, and found bags upon bags of these crystal apple seeds."

Cadance pulled from a tiny pouch lying by her pillow, a hoof-ful of what appeared to be tiny, crystallized apple seeds. She showed them to both Rainbow Dash and Applejack, letting Applejack hold them as if to inspect them, which she did.

"Princess," Applejack began as she closely examining the seeds, "why do ya need mah help on this one?"

"I'm not certain what you mean, Applejack. You're an expert in growing apples, you're Equestria's premiere apple product provider. You're the best choice." Cadance said to the orange mare.

Applejack blushed lightly. "Ah appreciate that, Ma'am, but Ah'm not a unicorn, and ta be honest, wouldn't a unicorn have ta plant these magic seeds?"

Cadance nodded. "You'd think so, Applejack, but the truth is, these seeds won't respond to unicorn magic. They won't even respond to Alicorn magic, at least not my magic, anyway."

"That's weird. Is there something wrong with them? Maybe they don't work." Rainbow Dash chimed in, looking over Applejack's shoulder at the seeds in her hoof.

"We considered that, Rainbow Dash, but I can feel the magic in them. It's vague, and weak, but it's there. I can't tell you how much it would mean to me if we could get these seeds into the ground and growing. Just think of the poultices, the extracts that could be made from the essences of these apples. Imagine how easy it would be to follow the old adage of eating an apple a day. It would truly keep the doctor away."

Cadance finished her impromptu speech, and waited as Applejack continued to sit in silence, studying the seeds. Finally, she spoke.

"Princess, Ah promise ya Ah'll do everything Ah can ta make these apples grow."

Cadance beamed. "Then we can start in the morning. In the meantime, let me show you two to your suite. We have a busy day tomorrow!"

Cadance rose from her pillow, and walked out of the sitting room, with Applejack and Rainbow Dash behind her. After a moment of walking in silence, Cadance continued.

"I really am happy to know you'll do this for us, Applejack," she said, slowing her long strides just enough to allow her two companions a chance to walk beside her, as they traveled down the large, crystal hallway. 

"It means a lot not only to me, but to the Crystal Empire as well. Our nation has been out of the loop for a thousand years, and we really want to make a firm hoof-hold in the global economy. Crystal apples represent more than economic security, they represent further advances in our strive for civilization to improve itself; just think of all the non-magic creatures who would benefit from our apples."

Rainbow Dash piped up. "But I thought the Crystal Empire was doing great, Princess. You had the Equestria Games a few years back, there was the Equestrian Festival of Love and Kindness! I mean, I performed a double Rainboom there, and the crowds were huge!"

Cadance nodded and smiled as she turned her head to look at Rainbow Dash. "We are doing better, Rainbow Dash, that's true, but we are still struggling. I don't mind telling you that more recent budgetary meetings have become hotbeds of anger and heated discussion. Our Minister of Economic Diversification feels that if we can find a new market, something that the Empire can build upon. With Applejack's help, we can make that happen with these Crystal Apples."

She turned back toward Applejack, "So, once more, I thank you for choosing to help, Applejack."

Applejack blushed. "Ah would have done it for ya anyway, Princess. Ya have always been kind ta all o' us, and hey, you're Twilight's sister-in-law, which practically makes ya family, and Ah don't have ta tell ya what the Apples think about helpin' out family."

Cadance smiled, as she stopped at a set of double doors. "Here we are. This will be your suite."
Using her magic, she opened the large doors, and motioned for her two friends to enter.

As they did so, their eyes went wide, and their mouths agape. The room was the pinnacle of sumptuous opulence. The walls were crystal, which was to be expected, but the gold filigree that created intricate designs on the bas reliefs, the beautifully woven tapestries that depicted historical events during the better times of the Empire, the silver accents that lined the bed frame, the doorways, the water fountain that sat beside the entrance to a bathroom so large, it could easily fit a dozen ponies and still have room for the hot tub that sat in the center of it.

As her two companions stared about the luxurious suite, Cadance smiled. "This suite is normally reserved for the Lord High Seer of the Griffon Kingdom," she said, and then with a wink added, "but I don't think she would mind if I let two of my dear friends use it for a while." 

Applejack, still wide eyed, nodded absently. "Thank you, Princess! Ya didn't have ta go through all o' this trouble. Ah mean, this is jus' too..."

"Awesome!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed as she flew up into the air, and dove down into the huge Emperor sized bed. It was so soft, she sunk into it halfway and became stuck.

Cadance couldn't help but laugh as she saw the surprised expression on Dash's face. After a quick burst of her magic to pull Dash out of the plush crater in which she found herself, she made her way toward the doorway. "I'll let you two settle in. In the morning, we will be traveling to the Botanical Complex, where Professor Sparse Seed will be waiting with everything you'll need to get started."

***

The next morning, the trio, along with a small complement of servants and guards, arrived at the Botanical Complex. The large, horseshoe shaped crystallized glass and steel structure appeared to be made up mostly of large windows, and was adorned in hues of silver and gold, with what appeared to be an ivy motif running alone the outer facade of the building.

"Sweet Golly, Princess, y'all don't do nothin' halfway, do ya?" Applejack commented as they walked into the building.

Cadance chuckled. "While it's not really to my taste, the Crystal Empire has a long tradition of merging style with function."

Applejack couldn't help but think of Rarity at that moment, and what she would have to say about the utter truth of that observation.

"So, where will we meet this Seed fella, Princess?" Rainbow Dash interjected, bringing Applejack out of her momentary haze.

"If I have anything to say about it, right now!" came a voice from right beside Rainbow Dash.

Caught off guard, Rainbow Dash bolted upward, clinging to a strut that supported one of the many glass aviaries that dotted the lobby ceiling. 

Cadance and Applejack couldn't help but giggle at the result of the pegasus' excellent reflexes.

Rainbow Dash, blushing hard from embarrassment, flitted back down to the ground and sat down, crossing her forelegs, her half lidded expression relaying all her companions needed to know about how funny she found the whole thing.

Their newest arrival turned to the Princess. "Forgive my sudden intrusion, Your Highness, I did not mean to cause alarm."

Cadance smiled and waved a hoof in dismissal. "It's no trouble, Professor, though Rainbow Dash may not feel quite the same about it."

"I apologize for startling you, ma'am," the stallion said, as he offered his hoof to Rainbow Dash. 

She reached out with a foreleg, as if to shake his own, but he quickly leaned forward and kissed her on the top of her hoof, and continued before she could react. 

"I did not mean to cause you any distress," he said, a warm smile on his face. 

Rainbow Dash snorted, and raised an eyebrow at this display of chivalrous affection. A moment later, she stood to her hooves. "Yeah, it's cool. It's not like I was actually afraid or anything, you just startled me."

Applejack rolled her eyes.

The Professor, not seeing this, merely nodded his head at the young pegasus.

"Perhaps introductions are in order." Princess Cadance stated, in such a way that indicated that it was not a question.

"Applejack, Rainbow Dash, this is Professor Sparse seed. Professor Sparse Seed, this is Applejack, and her lovely wife Rainbow Dash." Cadance motioned to her two companions, raising an eyebrow at the Professor, who began blushing deeply.

"Ah, I see, Your Highness," he said, pushing down the desire to begin a nice, long, coughing fit. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet the both of you."

The silver stallion, sparkling ever so lightly as all crystal ponies did, shook each mare's hoof. "Well then, Applejack is it?" He said to the orange earth pony. "You'll be the one making our new seeds of hope grow into trees of success!"

He motioned to the party, bowing to the Princess. "If you'll follow me, Princess, I will take the three of you to the hydroponics chamber."

Cadance waved a foreleg. "Actually, Professor, I have duties I must attend to. Rainbow Dash, if you wish, I can assign someone to escort you around the city, you can go alone, of course, or you can stay with Applejack. It's up to you."

"Thanks, Princess, but if it's okay, I'll just go and take a look around by myself."

The Princess nodded. "Very well, then. Have fun!" 

She turned to the Professor, and Applejack, "Professor, please keep me up to date on any progress that the two of you make. I will be at the castle if the need arises to summon me."

Professor Sparse Seed tipped his charcoal gray trillby, which complemented his charcoal gray mane, in deference. "Yes, Your Highness. I shall keep you informed."

With that, Princess Cadance took her leave, with Rainbow Dash following beside her. As they left, Applejack could hear Rainbow Dash mention something about a tofu dog stand.

After a moment of quiet, she heard her new companion clearing his throat. "Well, Applejack, are you ready to get to work?" the Professor asked, causing Applejack to turn to the stallion.

She smiled a friendly smile that she usually reserved for a farmhand new to the orchard. "Ah sure am, Professor. Let's get down ta business, and get some apples a' growin!"

Together, they made their way toward the corridor at the far end of the lobby.

***

As Rainbow Dash parted company with the Princess, she took flight, heading toward the Bazaar, a large marketplace that was situated on the outer ring of the city. Using her nose, it didn't take her long to find the tofu dog stand she had seen when they had first arrived the previous day.

"Hey, could I get a tofu dog with everything on it?" she asked the vendor behind the counter, who only grunted and began making the order. Seeing that this stallion wasn't really the idle conversation type, Rainbow glanced around at her environment.

The billowy purple and pink tents that made up most of the Bazaar had changed little in recent years, some of them still sporting the Equestrian Olympics logo that the city had hosted a few years ago. The pathway was no longer a dirt affair, but had since been filled in with cobblestone, giving it a more professional look. 

Rainbow wasn't really impressed by cobblestone. Sure it kept hooves from getting muddy during the Spring and Summer Rain days, but it could get really loud when a bunch of ponies were walking by at the same time, and loud clopping sounds just didn't work for her when she was trying to take a nap in a nearby tree. 

On the other hoof, she thought to herself, it makes it harder for Pinkie Pie to sneak up on me when she's pranking.

"Your order's ready, lady. That'll be twenty bits."

Rainbow Dash nearly choked as she turned back to the counter. "Twenty bits? For a tofu dog?! That's highway robbery!"

The vendor's expression didn't change. "That's the price," was all he said in response.

Rainbow Dash scoffed at the non-answer, and crossed her forelegs. "I'm not paying twenty bits for a tofu dog!" 

The corners of the stallion's mouth curled into a sneer. "Then you ain't eatin. You should consider yourself lucky and just pay the twenty bits."

Rainbow looked at the stallion like he was mad. "Lucky? Why would I be lucky to pay you ten times the cost of a tofu dog?"

The vendor snorted as he tossed the tofu dog in the garbage can. "You chickens just don't get it, do you? You're here, in our city, stinkin' it up with your airheaded stupidity, and we have to deal with it like everything's okay. Well it's not okay. We don't want you here, and the sooner you featherbrains get that into your empty featherheads, the better off we'll all be. Got it?"

Any response Rainbow Dash might have had to the racist stallion's quip immediately died in her throat as she heard a voice rending, blood curdling scream ring out from across the way, where a large tent sat, its flap closed to any outside observer.

Not even bothering to glance back at the idiot stallion, and his probably crappy tofu dogs, she shot into the air, racing toward the tent.


(/)*(\)

> Chapter Four: A Race to the Finish
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHAPTER FOUR: RACE YOU TO THE BOTTOM


She closed the gap within a split second, and barged into the tent. Landing on all fours, she crouched, quickly glancing about the inside of the tent, ready to take on any assailant. All she saw, as she looked about, were shelves of various candies, some in jars, others in barrels. She eased up from her crouch, and slowly crept forward, looking about for any signs of a hidden assassin, or armed thief.

"Oh my! Can I help you?" came a meek voice from the other side of the tent.

Rainbow Dash started at the sudden break in the eerie quiet. She ducked back into her crouch, and squinted toward the source, which had come from behind a counter some six or seven meters away, and laden with assorted candies, sitting next to an old cash register.

"Where are you, and what have you done with the hostage?!" Rainbow Dash shouted, putting as much intimidating anger into her voice as possible.

"Oh, goodness, dearie! You don't have to shout...er, what hostage?"

Rainbow Dash was caught off guard by the question. "Uh, the hostage that was screaming right before I came in here?" She asked, uncertainty creeping into her voice.

A light chuckle was the response.

Rainbow Dash frowned. "Listen, whoever you are, there's something funny going on, and I'm going to get to the bottom of it. Now if you don't tell me where the hostage is, I'll-"

"Oh relax, child. There's no hostage here."

A moment later, the source of the voice came from behind a flap next to the register. It was an elderly mare, and she was holding a small cage with some bird inside that Rainbow Dash didn't recognize. The mare's steps were feeble, but Dash remained on alert just in case it was all a ruse.

Dash cocked her head. "If there's no hostage, then how do you explain the scream, there, Miss, whoever you are." 

The old mare chuckled drily as she sat the birdcage on the counter. "Because, child, the only ponies in here are you and I."

Dash grunted in frustration. "I heard a scream. Now if you don't tell me where they went, I'm going to have to take you to the authorities."

The old mare outright guffawed at this. "Oh my, darlin', you'd arrest an old mare for nothing? There's no hostage, and that wasn't any scream. It was the call of my harpie crow here."

Rainbow Dash frowned as she examined the bird that was sitting in its cage. It was a tiny, black, and about the size of a parakeet. Its orange eyes darted about the tent, and it ruffled its wings slightly, every so often. 

Rainbow turned back to the old mare. "Do you really expect me to believe your story? That's silly! How could a-"

"Liddy, speak."

A scream erupted from the harpy crow without any further warning, knocking Dash to the ground. The blue pegasus put her hooves to her ears, and scrunched her eyes shut, the sound keeping her from even standing up.

And like that, it was quiet again.

Dash got to her hooves a moment later, dazed from the bird's devastating squawk.

"What IS that thing?" Dash asked the elderly mare as she tried to keep her balance. The ringing in her ears was going to stick around for a while, and that only agitated the already growing headache.

The elderly mare smirked. "That, darlin', is my harpy crow. Her name is Liddy, and she is my security system. No thief would ever think of stealing from my shop while she's around. Her squawk penetrates most forms of ear protection, and it's strong enough to disrupt a magic user's ability to cast."

With what appeared to be pride, Liddy chirruped softly.

Rainbow Dash gazed upon the bird with newfound respect.

"Um, okay, but could you promise not to do that again? Hey, why did it squawk in the first place? Was there a thief in here?" Dash asked.

The elderly mare shook her head. "No, I'm afraid that was my fault. Liddy is a sound sleeper when she knows I'm around. Well, I stepped out for just a minute to gather a few flowers for a candy I've been working on, and I guess it scared her that I was gone. I'm sorry about that, dear. I didn't mean to scare you."

"S-scared? No way, I wasn't scared, I was, uh, concerned. I was just, you know, concerned that somepony had been ponynapped, or something, and I, uh, wanted, you know..." Dash's voice trailed off as she looked about the room.

"Oh, don't worry about it, sugar. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Everypony gets scared; being scared is what tells us there's danger on the hoof. You know what? Why don't I give you something as a thank you gift for coming to my rescue." 

The cream furred mare reached under the counter and pulled out a small box wrapped in silver foil.

"Here you go, honey, you can have these. They're Prench Chocolates, sent to me by one of the premiere chocolatiers in all of Equestria." She handed the box to Rainbow Dash.

"Oh, um, thanks, but you don't have to give me anything. I didn't save anypony." Dash said, trying to politely wave off the gift, even though she was curious as to what Prench chocolate tasted like.

"I insist, youngin'. Your intentions were good, and I've no doubt that if I were in trouble, you would have saved me, so please, make an old mare happy and accept the gift." The mare smiled gently, her glasses edging a little further down her muzzle as she did so.

Rainbow Dash smiled, and accepted the gift. "Thank you, ma'am," she added.

"So, do you have somepony you plan on sharing those with?"


***

"Come on, now! Let's get this ground furrowed!" Applejack called out to the young stallion pulling the plow. Dozens of crystal earth ponies, yoked to plows, were preparing the hard soil for the new apple seeds. She had measured out a hundred acres of the best growing land they could find, and now she was plying her special talent to making it fertile, and profitable, for the new seeds. 

"Miss Applejack," came the voice of one of the research assistants beside her, "we're ready to plant. Do you want us to proceed?"

"Ah sure do. Let's grow some apples."

The assistant nodded and trotted off to carry out her order. A few moments later, a team of ponies began spreading apple seeds, traveling along the furrowed ground, with another team of ponies behind them, covering and patting down the soil to prevent any birds from eating the precious seeds.

Applejack smiled as she watched the crystal ponies working. She admired a strong work ethic, and these ponies had it. It was no wonder that a few ponies turned a frozen wasteland into an amazing empire that spanned the entire northern regions of Equestria.

"Miss Applejack?"

Applejack turned to see a courier standing behind her. 

"Princess Cadance has asked to see you in her chambers. You can take this carriage back to the castle," he said, motioning to a single carriage that had pulled up as he spoke.

Applejack thanked him and climbed inside.

***

Upon returning to the castle, she was directed to Cadance's personal chambers, where she saw both Cadance, and Rainbow Dash, seemingly in conversation. They both stopped as she approached.

"Ah'm sorry, Ah didn't mean ta interrupt ya, Princess," Applejack said as she came close enough to speak without raising her voice.

Cadance smiled. "You didn't interrupt me, Applejack. I was just discussing something with Rainbow Dash."

"Really, now?"

"Mhm." The Princess continued. "I hear that the two of you have been busy as of late, is that true?"

Applejack nodded. "Yep, but that ain't nothin' unusual for us."

"No kidding. It's always apples, apples, apples." Rainbow Dash commented.

Applejack raised an eyebrow. "Well, we are Apples, aren't we?"

"To the core, AJ."

"Heh. That's cute. Still, Ah don't see any complainin' when we sell our harvest every year."

Rainbow Dash smirked. "Of course not. I've got this thing where I like food."

"Ah noticed."

"You callin' me fat?"

"Nah, but sometimes, when Ah'm asleep, Ah mistake ya for mah pillow."

"So?"

"Ah once had a dream Ah ate a giant blue marshmallow."

"Sounds like a great idea. Maybe we should try it sometime."

"Ahem. Mares, please."

The bickering couple stopped upon hearing the kind, but cutting, voice of Princess Cadance interjecting herself into the conversation.

"Sorry, Princess," said the pair.

"Anyway," Cadance continued. "I called the both of you here because I want you to take a break."

"Princess, Ah-" 

"Don't interrupt. Applejack, the seeds are in the ground, and according to this report, which I'm holding, we're on track for the largest, and most bountiful, crop the Crystal Empire has ever seen. You've done everything I've asked, in little time, and what's more is you've executed it flawlessly."

"Pardon mah interruptin', Princess, but Ah don't think ya should count yer apples before they're growed."

Cadance smiled at the earth pony mare. "Applejack, I have confidence in your abilities. I have no doubt they will be the best apples we've ever seen."

"Er, aren't they the only apples ya have ever seen up here?"

Cadance chuckled. "Point taken. Still, I don't want the two of you around here bored off your flanks while we get on with the day to day routine. So, what I have done is this." She nodded toward Rainbow Dash.

Rainbow Dash smiled. "We're going to a ski resort!" 

She reached under her wing and pulled out two tickets, and handed one to Applejack, who took it and began studying the gold slip of paper.

"Crystal Plateau Ski Resort? Ah ain't never heard of it." Applejack said, as she absently scratched behind her ear. 

Rainbow Dash grinned. "It's the biggest ski resort in the Crystal Kingdom! You can ski, go snowboarding, they've got the Polar Pony Club, where you jump into ice water without any clothes on!"

"Well, we don't actually-"

"It's so cold, you can't feel your hooves!"

"Uh-"

"And then we all drink hot chocolate, and sit around a fire telling ghost stories!"

While initially hesitant to leave the potential apple crop unattended, Applejack couldn't hold out once she looked at the expression on her wife's face. There were times when her stubborn will could refuse anything to anypony, but this wasn't one of those times.

"Oh, alright. We can go."

Rainbow Dash jumped up and down, and then grabbed Applejack in a tight embrace, peppering her muzzle with kisses.

Cadance, for her part, just laughed at the display from the young couple.

"Well, we better get packing, we have to leave tonight!"

With that, Rainbow Dash dragged the surprised earth mare out of the room.

***

Two hours later, they found themselves standing in front of the fanciest ski resort they'd ever seen. Considering they had never been to a ski resort, that wasn't saying much, but still, it was pretty big, and posh. Very posh.

"Have ya seen anythin' this fancy?" Applejack asked as they grabbed their luggage and entered the main lobby of the resort hotel.

"Nope. Even the Ritz-Colton back in Los Pegasus didn't look this awesome. Plus, they never had snowboarding."

They approached the front desk, and handed the clerk the two reservation receipts. The stallion glanced at the paper, his eyes bulging for a moment, and he cleared his throat.

"Welcome to the Crystal Plateau Resort, Mrs. Applejack and Rainbow Dash. I will have you to your room promptly." 

He tapped the bell sitting on the counter, and an earth mare bellpony appeared a moment later, offering the couple a crisp salute.

"Gold Star, please take our guests' baggage to their room, and see to their immediate comfort."

He turned to the pair. "Please enjoy your stay. If there's anything you wish, you need only ask us. We are at your service." With that, he bowed.

Applejack glanced at Rainbow Dash, who merely smiled, and they turned to follow the bellpony to their room.

"Well, that was right nice of him. Better than what happened last time we was in a fancy hotel." Applejack commented as they entered the elevator, watching as they passed each floor.

"Why do ya think he looked at us like that anyway?" she asked a moment later.

Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Don't matter to me. I just think it's awesome! The Princess must have let them know we were coming or something."

A few seconds later, the elevator came to a halt, and the bellpony stepped out as the doors opened. The couple followed behind her. 

Mouths agape, the stood outside the elevator entrance.

"Sweet Celestia," Applejack muttered.

"Ohmigosh ohmigosh ohmigosh!" Rainbow uttered.

The room was furnished in bright hues of blue and pink, trimmed with gold and silver accents. There was a floor space in the center of the room, that was filled with cushions and throw pillows. To each side were overstuffed couches and chairs, a large screen television was mounted on the wall.

They could see into the fully stocked kitchen on their left, and on their right, the entrance to the game room, where one could see a pool table, a poker table, a private bar, and toward the back, the entrance to the bedroom.

The piece de resistance was above them. Floating in air, mere centimeters from the ceiling, was a massive chandelier, red and purple gems glistening, emitting a soft warm glow, and casting the room in a lavender hue. Each mare could almost swear she heard the chandelier give off a soft hum.

The bellpony left them to stare as she took their bags to their bedroom.

"You know," Rainbow Dash said after a moment, "I'm not so sure I want to actually leave the hotel."

Applejack merely nodded.

The bellpony returned a moment later, and gave Applejack the keys to the hotel.

"If you need anything," she said, "just call for me. I will be your personal assistant, always at your service, day or night. Do you require anything as of this moment?"

The two mares shook their heads, still in awe.

The bellpony smiled. "Very well, then. My name is Gold Star, and if you need anything, simply press the jewel on the key, and I will be summoned right to your door."

She entered the elevator. "Please enjoy your stay," she said with a smile, as the doors closed.

A few seconds of silence passed, before Applejack whooped loudly. She ran for the living area, and dived into the pile of pillows laying in the center. Her hat flew up, off her head, as pillows, and feathers, flew away. 

Without hesitating, Rainbow Dash ran right behind her, and dived in, on top of her. She pulled the orange earth pony to her, and kissed her passionately on the lips. The farm pony's emerald eyes closed as she took in the sweet and tender love of her wife.

They broke from their ministrations, and snuggled into one another.

"You know, I never thought that you would ever love somepony like me."

"What do ya mean, sugarcube?"

"Well, ever since that first day I asked you out, it's felt like this great big dream, you know? I mean, we've been through so much together, and I love you just as much now as the day I first saw you. No, wait, not as much, I love you even more now."

"Ah know what ya mean, Dashie. Ah figured Ah'd settle down someday, maybe with some cowpony with the same work ethic as mahself, but Ah think I did far better than any cowpony. Ah got the most beautiful, athletic, stubborn pony Ah ever did lay eyes on. Ah feel like Ah also got a sister, in Violet, and Ah jus' can't believe mah good luck. Ah will never stop lovin' you, Rainbow Dash, an' that's the honest truth."

Tears ran down Dash's face, and she pulled the orange mare close to her body, pressing her tight against her chest. She kissed Applejack on the forehead, and then on the lips.

"I love you, Applejack."

Applejack smiled, and kissed Dash on the forehead as well, and then the lips.

"Ah love you, Rainbow Dash."

They held each other in that warm embrace, the cold kept at bay, while the snow fell softly, outside their window. There was nothing that would ever hold them back; could ever hold them back. Honesty and loyalty would forge a path to the brightest future for not only them, but the two unicorn foals that Applejack carried within her. The fruits of their labors; the labors of love.

THE END

***