Warning: this is long so you might wanna get comfortable and have alot of time since you'll be reading for a while. So enjoy!!
:)
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"Please".

The king sighed. "Fine. You can go but you'll need an escort".

Applejack nodded excitedly.

"Okay sure".

She hugged her father. The king chuckled and pat her back.

"You'll be with Jet".

Applejack nodded. The guard stepped foward.

"Come on!!".

The two set out on horse back. They were on their way to the village. Applejack wore a hood so noone would recognize her.

The blonde got off her horse and looked around. There wasn't many people out in the market place today.

"Stay where I can see you your highness", Jet said quietly.

Applejack nodded. "Ah will".

She walked ahead, looking at all the sights and smells. It was amazing.

Suddenly, a horse ran by her. The villagers gasped and moved back and out of the way.

A man got off the horse, holding a girl that was struggling.

"Let me go!!", she said.

Applejack stepped up.

"What is goin in here??".

The man looked at her. He sneered. "Why is this of your concern??", he asked.

Applejack took of her hood. The people and the man gasped. He bowed. "Your highness".

Applejack frowned. "Why is this girl tied up. What did she do??".

The man looked at the girl in his grasp. He threw her to her knees. The girl grunted as she fell before the princess. Slowly she lifted her head and looked up.

Her eyes widened. She looked at Applejack in fear and shock.

"Your highness".

"This girl is a whore. She has 7 kids in her home and they're hers. That is against the law!!".

The people around her began to whisper. Applejack raised an eyebrow.

The girl looked at the man.

"How do you know that they're mine??. They don't even look like me", the girl asked.

"Of coarse I know they're yours. I've seen you with them for a long time in the same house but recently heard them call you mommy or mom and mama. Clearly, you are their mother".

Rainbow looked up at the princess.

"Yes. They are".

The gathering crowd gasped.

"But not that way", the girl added. "I've taken care of these kids since they were small. These kids are orphans and so am i. I took on the role of being their mother since they don't have one and because of me being a parent to them, they call me as such".

She looked at Applejack, truth burning in her magenta eyes.

"I am not a whore. That was just a misunderstanding. I promise".

Applejack knelt down. She smiled. "I believe you", she said quietly.

The girl smiled. "Thank you".

Applejack gave a nod. The girl was quite beautiful. Her long Rainbow hair, her magenta eyes. Her clothes looked a bit poor but that didn't matter.

Applejack stood up. Suddenly a group of kids came running towards them.

"Mom!!".

The kids knelt down.

"Mommy!!", one little girl cried. "Are they going to hurt you??".

Rainbow shifted shaking her head.

"No Scarlett. They won't hurt me. They won't".

"Are you okay??", another girl asked.

"Yes I'm fine". Rainbow smiled. "Please, go back home".

"No. Not without you".

The kids saw Applejack. They clung onto the girl.

"Please your highness. Don't hurt her. She didn't do anything wrong", a girl begged.

Applejack knelt back down.

"It's alright. Ah won't hurt her. Ah promise".

"Jet!!", she called. Her guard came over to her.

"Release her".

Jet took out his knife and cut the ropes. Once the ropes fell off the girl stood up, rubbing her wrist.

"Thank you very much your highness", she said bowing.

Applejack smiled. "I'll walk ya home".

The girl smiled. "Okay".

Applejack turned to Jet.

"Have the horses taken to the lake nearby. Ah'll be a while".

Jet raised a brow. Applejack rolled her eyes.

"I'll be careful".

Jet nodded and turned away. The crowd began to leave. The man that had accused the girl stood there.

"Why would you want to be around a low life shepherd girl like her??".

Applejack looked at him.

"Ah didn't know she was a shepherd girl. Thanks fir tellin me".

The princess looked at the girl. They began to walk. They walked out to the pasture. It was full of sheep.

One of the kids ran up to the girl.

"Here", he said holding out a staff.

The girl smiled and took it. "Thank you".

The kid ran towards the other kids.

The girl looked at Applejack.

"So, your highness".

Applejack smiled. "Please, call me Applejack".

The shepherd girl nodded. "Okay then. Applejack, why would you step in and help me like you did??. Thank you for that by the way".

Applejack laughed slightly.

"Because it wasn't fair how he was accusin' you without any proof an he was being rude an ah hate people that just think he can throw you around like that".

Rainbow smiled and shrugged. "You get use to it. When you're a shepherd, things like that tend to happen to you".

Applejack frowned. "Really??. Like what??".

The girl sighed. "You get laughed at, mocked. You're the least in the kingdom and somehow people think that at one point you were a witch. One time the other villagers did think I was a witch they almost burned me at the stake. It was pretty scary".

Applejack looked shocked. "What??. Without my father's consent??".

Rainbow looked around the green pastures. She smiled. Applejack couldn't help but love the girl's smile.

"So", Applejack said. "Ah never got chur name".

The girl looked at her.

"I'm Rainbow Dash".

Applejack smiled and shook her hand.

"What a beautiful name. Ah like it".

Rainbow blushed.

"Thanks".

Applejack looked around. At the land. It was a great sight. Didn't smell so good but if she was with Rainbow Dash, she'll deal with it. The princess thought Rainbow was beautiful, dirty face and all.

"So, why did you decide to take these kids in??".

Rainbow sighed.

"Well, my parents died when I was young and I lived on the streets. One day I found Scootaloo, the girl with the dark magenta colored hair".

She pointed to the girl.

"I found her on a street corner and I found out that she and some other orphans had their orphanage burned down. So they had nowhere to live. So I raised them all at 10. They were about 5 at the time. I'm 15 now and they are now about 10. I found an abandoned house and we live there. We usually go to towns and sing a few songs out in the open. Sometimes people will give us a few coins. Just enough to pay for a loaf of bread. We get our water from a well".

Rainbow pointed to a stone well near the run down house.

"Then I got a job as a shepherd girl. It pays almost nothing. But it's something".

Rainbow shrugged.

"It's a struggle but the end I get to come home and spend the night taking care of the kids and reading to them and then 3 in the morning, putting the baby to sleep when she finally stops crying. Oh yeah I also take care of a baby".

Applejack turned to her frowning. "You have a baby??. That's a lot of responsibility".

Rainbow nodded. "You have no idea. I don't get sleep much. I spend all my time with the kids, putting the baby to sleep, working, or getting money for food. No time to sleep".

Applejack looked at the kids playing with the sheep. They were laughing and having fun. She looked at Rainbow.

Applejack looked down at her bag that she brought with her. She dug in it and pulled out a small bag.

"Here".

Rainbow looked at her, then at the bag in her hand. She gasped.

"Oh, I couldn't possibly. I can't take your money your highness".

Applejack smiled. She took Rainbow's hand in hers. She dropped the bag of coins in it.

"You're not takin' it. It's a gift. Here. Ah won't be able to sleep tonight if you dont. You deserve it".

Rainbow looked at the bag of coins and then at Applejack. "Why??".

Applejack smiled. "Ah would feel so guilty if ah knew someone from my kingdom was struggling and ah didn't do anything to help. Do it for me".

Rainbow sighed and took it.

"Thank you Applejack. So much".

Applejack smiled and hugged her. Rainbow hugged back.

"Your welcome".
-----------------------

So Applejack became good friends with Rainbow Dash. Rainbow was able to g er the house fixed and buy food for the kids everyday. Applejack made sure of that.

Everyday Applejack would watch her spend time with the kids. The kids loved Applejack. The blonde old read to them and play music with them.

And everyday she fell more and more in love with her best friend.
-----------------------

"I have to what??".

The king nodded. "Yes. You must marry Prince Flash. He's a wonderful young man. A very polite gentleman too. I think you've met him before".

Applejack nodded. She had. He wasn't her type and she just didn't love him that way.

"But........I love someone else".

Her father asked, "Who??".

"A girl I met in the village".

The king did not look happy.

"A commoner??. Are you out of your mind??".

Applejack's shoulder slumped.

"Dad. I've come ta knew her and she's my best friend and ah love-".

"No!!. Stop right there", he cut her off. The king stood there for a moment.

"You will marry Flash whether you like it or not and that is final. Do I make myself clear??".

Applejack sighed. She nodded. The king's face softened.

"Applejack. I just want to be sure that whoever you marry will be able to take care of you and be a good ruler when you become queen. Only a wealthy man can do that. Not a peasant girl. I only want the best for you".

Applejack smiled and nodded in understanding.

"Ah understand".

The king smiled and said, "Go on. I'll have a maid sent for you when supper is done".

Applejack turned and walked down the hallway. As she walked she looked at the many paintings on the wall. Small, big, bright, dim, every color of the rainbow. Applejack sighed. Rainbow.

She passed by her servant Jet. He smiled at her.

"Hello Applejack", he said.

Applejack smiled back. The two talked in the hallway laughing and smiling. Jet was a friend of hers since she was small. He had worked for her family for 10 years. He was her favorite gaurd and trusted him the most.

"You have to get married??. To who??".

Applejack sighed. "Prince Flash of Canterlot".

Jet smiled sadly. "I'm sure it won't be so bad. He likes you so he'll a respectable young man and treat you well".

Nodded. "Ah know but I can't help-".

"But love someone else??".

Applejack nodded. "Yeah".

Jet smiled. "Don't worry. Fate has a good sense of humor. You'll end uo with who you're meant to be with your highness. That I know for sure".

Jet always found a way to make her feel better. Applejack nodded.

"Well, let's see what fate has fir me".
-------------------------

Applejack had told Rainbow of the wedding. She was happy for them. But something in her tone had a hint of sadness in it. Applejack couldn't get why.

It was the day of the wedding. Guest had arrived. Nobles and princesses and princes and king rich people of the kingdom and other kingdoms had come.

Applejack looked in the mirror. She wore her wedding gown, a crown on her head.

She sighed.

"Looks like ah was meant ta be with Flash".

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in", Applejack called.

The door opened. A maid came in.

"It's time".

Applejack took a deep breath. She and the maid walked out of the room and down the hall. They arrived at the room where the ceremony would take place.

Her father was there. He smiled at her.

"You look as beautiful as your mother".

Applejack smiled at her father.

They got ready. Taking him by the arm, Applejack prepared herself.

The doors opened and the music played. The two walked down the Isle towards the front of the church.

Suddenly the windows broke. Everyone gasped. Men came in through the broken windows with swords.

"Get them!!".

Applejack and her father. Turned and ran out of the room. The intruders were being fought off by the other guards. But 2 followed them.

Applejack and the king had come to a two way hallway.

"Go left. I'll go right", the man said. Applejack ran to the left. She heard footsteps behind her. The blonde weed through the halls and was able to avoid the men. Applejack stopped for second and turned around. Noone was there.

"That was close".

She turned and came face to face with a man. He grinned at her. Applejack backed away slowly. The man raised his sword to strike when he was pushed to the ground. Applejack looked up. She smiled.

Rainbow stood there, breathless.

"Knight Rainbow Dash, your highness".

Applejack ran up to her and hugged the girl.

Suddenly the man got up. Rainbow pushed Applejack behind her. The man's struck out. Rainbow and him clashed swords. The two fought well. Rainbow was very skilled with a sword to Applejack's surprise.

The girl fought as well as her best knight.

Rainbow was knocked to the floor. Their swords were fighting, pressing against one another. Rainbow struggled to keep the weapon away. Applejack had to do something.

Looking around she spotted a vase. Grabbing it, she pitched it at the man's head. It hit him right on.

He fell to the floor, releasing his sword. Rainbow picked it up and pointed it at his him.

"Do not move".

Guards were heard down the hall. They came into sight. Two of them grabbed the man.

"Are you alright your highness??", one asked.

Applejack nodded.

"Yes".

Rainbow looked at her.

"Come on. Let's go get the king".

The two girls ran down the hall. Rainbow fought off many other men that came their way and protected Applejack.

They suddenly stopped at the end of the hallway. The king was backed up to a corner. A man had the sword at his throat. Rainbow looked at Applejack and put a finger to her lips.

Rainbow Dash crept foward. She raised her sword to strike when the man spun around. The girl was barely about to dodge the sword.

"Oh Looky here. A little shepherd girl is here to save the day".

The man laughed. He struck out at Rainbow. She used her sword to block it. The clashed with eachother. Rainbow was being backed up but that was just what she wanted.

The two battled for what seemed like forever. Both were growing tired. Applejack and her father watched.

Rainbow looked at Applejack for second. That one second gave her the strength she needed. Using all of her energy, she knocked the sword out of the man's hand. She pointed her sword at him. The man froze.

"Don't move".

Guards hurried to the scene.

"We heard a commotion. Get him!!".

The guards arrested the man."Are you alright your highnesses??".

Rainbow looked at her father. The two hugged.

"Yes. We're fine", the king said to the guard. The man was lead away.

Applejack ran over to Rainbow Dash who was on the floor, catching her breath.

Kneeling down she hugged her. Rainbow hugged back.

"Are you alright??", she asked.

Applejack nodded and pulled away.

"Thanks ta you. You saved my life and my dad's life. Thank you".

Rainbow smiled. They stood up. She looked at the king.

"He didn't hurt you did he??".

The king smiled. "No. Not with those skills of yours. You were incredible. You fought better than my best men".

Rainbow smiled. "Thank you. It was nothing".

The king chuckled. "Thank you for saving me and my beloved daughter".

Rainbow nodded. "Let's get back to the other people".

The three walked back to the wedding room. Everyone was right. The people were happy to see that the king and the princess were alright.

Applejack turned to Rainbow Dash.

"Wait. Why were you in the castle??".

Rainbow rubbed her neck.

"I was watching the wedding. Can't miss my best friend's wedding day now can i??".

Applejack looked at her confused. "How did you get in??".

"Jet".

Applejack laughed and looked at Jet who was standing nearby.

"Good job. Thank goodness ya did".

Jet chuckled. "I had to. She had to be there. It seemed right that was there to see it. It was almost ........fate".

Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked at eachother. They smiled.

"Well, thank you again", Applejack said placing a hand on the girl's arm.

Rainbow looked away blushing.

The two girls talked a bit. They smiled and laughed. Jet joined in the conversation shortly.

The king watched the three. He smiled.

He rubbed her chin in thought. "Hmm".
------------------------------

Rainbow sighed as she chased the toddler around the field.

"Kicker. Get back here", she called although she knew that the kid couldn't understand most of that sentence.

Finally she caught him. The kids were playing with the sheep again. Rainbow was beyond tired. Last night she had stayed up all night taking care of the baby that wouldn't stop crying because it was hungry. But Rainbow didn't have money to buy food for the baby.

She held said baby in her arms.

"Scootaloo", she called.

The girl came walking over to her. The girl had dirt on her dress.

"What happened to you??".

"Me and Sweetie Belle were playing in the dirt".

"Oh alright", Rainbow replied.

She handed Kicker to the girl.

"Take him and the others in the front of the house where I can see you all".

Scootaloo nodded. She got the other kids and they went to the front of the house. Rainbow smiled at them. The kids continued to play while Rainbow rocked the baby.

Suddenly she heard a horse. Turning she saw Applejack riding on her horse towards them. What surprised her was who was with Applejack. Her father.

The two came to a stop. Applejack got off her horse. Rainbow smiled. She saw the king and bowed.

"Hi. What brings you here??".

"Please", the king said, "You needn't bow down. I came to thank you properly for what you did for us. Your willingness to put yourself in danger and your bravery has saved us".

Rainbow smiled. "Oh thank you. But I just did what I had to do. I wasn't trying to be a hero".

The king stepped up.

"Exactly. But you are a hero and I don't want you to think I didn't notice. Thank you Rainbow Dash".

Rainbow shook his hand. She suddenly cringed.

"Ow".

Applejack frowned. "What's wrong??".

Rainbow placed placed a hand on her own shoulder.

"It's nothing. Just got kicked by a horse yesturday. It was going mad and I had to.calm it ddown before it hurt one of my kids. I have a bruise on my back".

Applejack turned her around and pulled the shoulder of the dress down. A large black and blue bruise was showing.

"Does it hurt??".

Rainbow nodded. "I'll live. It's happened before".

She turned back around and smiled at the princess.

Applejack took her hand.

"Rainbow. I didn't want to marry Flash".

Rainbow was surprised.

"Why??".

"Ah was in love with somebody else. My best friend. The girl who is brave and strong and selfless and beautiful if ah do say so myself".

Rainbow looked at her confused.

"Me??".

Applejack nodded. Rainbow frowned.

"But I'm not a princess. I can't give you what he can. I can't give you anything at all".

Applejack laughed. "That doesn't matter ta me. Rainbow I love you fir you. I've seen you struggle and fight to stay alive and you go through so much that ah can't believe ah didn't know until now. You and these kids deserve better".

Rainbow looked at the kids. She smiled.

"Yeah. They do".

Applejack took her hand in hers.

"And so do you. What im try'na say is..... will you marry me??".

Rainbow was shocked. She was speechless.

"Yes".

Applejack smiled. She pulled Rainbow in close. Suddenly they heard a scream. Turning they saw the kids by a cliff.

Looking at Applejack said, "We'll talk about this later. C'mon".

The three ran towards the kids. They gasped. Scootaloo was handing off the side, hanging on to a branch that was sticking out.

"Scootaloo!!".

Rainbow kneeled down.

"Grab my hand!!".

She reached her hand out. The little girl looked up at her.

"I cant!!".

"Yes you can. I'll catch you. Just let go with one hand and grab mine".

Scootaloo nodded. She let go one hand. She reached up and Rainbow grabbed her wrist.

"Hold on tight Scoots!!".

Suddenly the hand dirt at the edge of the cliff came loose and caused the hand Rainbow was leaning on slipped.

Rainbow felt herself fall foward when suddenly two strong hands grabbed her around her waist.

Rainbow was pulled back, Scootaloo in her grasp. The teen hugged the young girl.

"Are you alright??".

"Yes mama. I'm fine. Thank you".

Rainbow let her go and turned around. She saw the king kneeling behind her. He was the one that had saved her from falling.

"Oh. Thank you your majesty".

Applejack helped her up.

"Are you okay??".

Rainbow nodded. "Yeah".

The king smiled.

"You're welcome".

Rainbow exhaled. "That was quite an adventure".

The girl tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Applejack smiled and took her hand.

"I am not lettin' you out of mah sight fir the rest of the day".

Rainbow blushed. Suddenly her stomach growled.

"Well, I have some things I need to dk. You're welcome to come with me".

The three walked back to the house. They walked in. The kids were sitting on the floor talking. The king looked around.

"It's not much but welcome to our home".

Applejack looked around. It was small and in very poor condition but clean.

"Mommy??".

Rainbow looked at the kids. "Yes??".

"When are we gonn get money??".

Rainbow sighed. "I don't know".

"I hope it's soon", Scootaloo said. "I've been hungry all day".

Rainbow nodded. "Me too guys. But don't worry. I'll figure something out".

Rainbow smiled and got up. The kids continued to talk. Applejack got up and followed Rainbow Dash outside.

"Rainbow??. Are you alright?".

Rainbow looked at her. "Those kids need to eat or they'll get sick. I have to figure something out and I don't know what to do".

Rainbow ran her hands through her hair. "But I'll figure something out. I have to".

Applejack and her sat down. Applejack laughed. Rainbow looked at her.

"What??".

Applejack smiled. "Rainbow. Um hellooo. You're going to marry me. I have money. I can help".

Rainbow looked at her. "I can't take your money".

"Rainbow".

Rainbow looked at her.

"You've done everything you could. Let me help you. I love you and refuse ta let chu struggling any longer. Plus, I know some great noble families that could adopt them".

Rainbow bit her lip.

"Well. I'll have to talk to them about that".

Rainbow got up and walked inside.

"Guys??. I need to talk to all about something".

The kids looked at her. Rainbow kneeled down.

"How would you feel about being adopted??".

The kids looked at her shocked.

"You know. You kids can't keep living like this. You need someone who will be able to keep you safe and warm and have a loving family in a real house that can buy you things like clothes. It might be better for you".

"But, you did all those things".

Rainbow looked at Scootaloo. The girl looked right at her.

Rainbow sighed. "Scootaloo. This", she said motioning around at the home.

"Isn't enough to take care of you guys. You need a real family. What do you think??".

The kids looked at her.

"What about you??", Sweetie Belle asked.

"We can't be happy if you're not".

Rainbow smiled. "I'll be just fine".

The kids frowned. They looked at their mother in worry.

"We don't wanna get adopted unless we know that you'll be safe with someone too".

Applejack knelt down beside Rainbow. She took her hand. Rainbow smiled at her. She looked at the kids. They gasped and smiled.

"Are you gunna marry the princess??".

Rainbow nodded.

"I think I'll be just fine".

The kids cheered. Scootaloo looked at Applejack.

"So, you wanna marry our mother??".

Applejack smiled and nodded. She knew way was going on. Over protective kids.

"Will we be able to see her??".

"Of coarse. Anytime you want".

"And you'll be nice to her??", a boy asked. "You won't hurt her".

Applejack shook her head. "I would never hurt your mother".

"You'll protect her when she needs you??", Scootaloo asked.

Applejack nodded. "We have the best knights and guards. She'll be safe".

The kids nodded. They seemed satisfied.

"So. You're not takin her away from us??", a little girl asked.

Applejack frowned. "Of coarse not. I would never. You'll still see her and she'll always love you. As long as you don't forget her which I know you kids are too smart to forget".

The kids nodded. "She's our mother. We will never forget her".

Applejack smiled at her dad.

"Well. I propose we go to the castle and have dinner and you all can have a meal together".

The kids nodded.

"We'll send someone for the horses tomorrow. We need horses in our stables".

Rainbow smiled. She got uo and walked out of the room. She came back holding the baby. She looked at the kids. They got whatever belonged to them.

They all went outside to find a few carriages waiting for them. A woman walked up to Rainbow.

"May I?", she said holding her arms out.

Rainbow looked down at the sleeping baby in her arms. She nodded and carefully handed the maid the baby. The kids and the maid and knight went in one of the carriages. The king went in one and Rainbow Dash and Applejack went in another.

The two girls smiled at eachother. Rainbow leaned against the carriage, eyes closed. She felt herself lay on top of Applejack. The teen was rocked to sleep.

--------------------------

"I now crown you Princess Rainbow Dash of Hearth".

The crown was placed upon her head. Rainbow raised her head with a smile. She looked at Applejack. They were officially married. The two princesses kissed. Rainbow smiled. Pulling away she looked at the crowd.

The kids were jumping with joy. They were dressed in the finest fabric in the kingdom. They were now grand duchesses, noble men, future Zhars.

Rainbow looked at Applejack with a smile.

"I could get use to this".

Applejack laughed.

"Who wouldi thought. A princess marrying a shepherd gal??".

Rainbow smiled, the kids around her and Applejack by her side.

"Yeah. I cannot wait to see what happens in the future".

Applejack held her hand. "I'll be there with you every step of the way".

"Us too mommy!!".

Rainbow smiled at the kids. "I know you will. I know".

The end