Before the sun came up, Applejack was awake. She had gotten little sleep the night before. She couldn’t wait for the big day ahead. She wasted little time eating breakfast before barging into Apple Bloom’s bedroom to wake her.

“Rise and shine, sugarcube!” She flicked on the lights, making Apple Bloom groan and pull the covers over her face.

“Come on now, Apple Bloom! It’s a big day for us!”

“Applejack… it’s still dark out,” Apple Bloom said, rolling over in her bed.

“Exactly. It’s gonna be crazy. Ah bet ponies are already lining up,” Applejack mused trying to contain her excitement.

“Ugh,” was her only response.

Applejack rolled her eyes and left her sister’s room, promising to return in a few minutes. In the kitchen her brother was sitting at the table staring at a steaming cup of coffee.

“Morning, brother!” Applejack said cheerfully, to which he nodded slightly. “It’s going to be one busy day! Everypony in town will be here.”

“Eyup.”

Applejack took a seat opposite her brother, only to jump to her hooves seconds later. “Ah should get the paper. Ah can’t wait to see it—Ah bet it makes the front page!” Without waiting for a reply from Mac, she bolted from the kitchen.

“Good ol’ Ponyville Daily,” Applejack said to herself. As she trotted to the front gate, she took a quick glance at the barn. Silhouetted in the twilight were several crates overflowing with apples.

Smiling to herself, she knew it was going to be the best sale Sweet Apple Acres has ever had this year, and perhaps ever.

However, at the entrance to the farm, there wasn’t a single pony to be seen: just an empty dirt road and the rising sun over Ponyville.

Applejack’s spirits faltered a little. “It’s still early, Ah suppose,” she told herself. After all it wasn’t cider season. “When they read the article in the paper…” Applejack trailed off when she spotted the rolled up newspaper on the ground. “Dang that Snips! Ah tell him again and again to put it in this here box.”

Unable to wait and grinning from ear to ear, Applejack unrolled the newspaper. She stared at the picture on the front page for a whole minute, unable to process what she was looking at. Then, slowly, her smile faded.

Not only was it not the article she had submitted, the picture just couldn’t possibly be real. There was no way Rainbow Dash would be wearing one of Rarity’s fancy frou-frou hats. But there was no mistaking her prismatic friend, or the frilly hat on her head.

“What in tarnation…” Applejack said wondering if it was some kind of joke.



Ponyville— Rainbow Dash has always been known as the “cool” pony. “I never had time for fashion or fancy things. I’m too busy being awesome for that lame girly stuff,” she told a reporter last year as an excuse for her wild wind-swept mane after becoming the newest addition to the Wonderbolts.

However, on Tuesday afternoon, she was spotted leaving the Carousel Boutique wearing what can only be described as an extremely “girly” chapeau. The fashionista was unavailed to answer questions; however, a little unicorn, whom refused to give her name said, “It was really surprising when she asked my sister to make her one of those fancy hats—Rarity nearly fainted, but most things make her almost faint. Anyways, I think everypony will be shocked when they see her new style.”

She was certainly correct. The reaction was nothing short of pandemonium. Masses of ponies gathered around the brash pegasus demanding photos, autographs, and some were just too shocked and simply gawked. “Rainbow Dash is awesome, and if she thinks fashion is cool, then I’m getting a hat just like hers,” an enthusiastic pegasus filly told us.

As the shock wore off, many of us were stuck with the same questions. Why? Was it a publicity stunt? Probably, but most don’t seem to care as they are loving the new and stylish Rainbow Dash.

—Red Apple

Applejack sat the paper down in disbelief. “That made the front page! Where’s my article about Sweet Apple Acres’ amazing sale?” She frantically flipped through the paper, but found nothing. “Who is this Red Apple anyways?”

“Applejack! Ah’m up now and ready to take on the customers!” Apple Bloom shouted, cantering up to Applejack.

She eyed her younger sister suspiciously. “Are you Red Apple?” she asked abruptly, hoping to catch the filly off guard. She feared it was the return of the infamous Gabby Gums.

“What? No, Ah’m Apple Bloom,” she said with a frown. “Are you feeling alright, sis?”

“Ah ain’t sure, sugarcube.” Applejack passed the newspaper to Apple Bloom who read the offending article and smirked.

“Oops, they pretty much said Sweetie’s name in here.” Applejack frowned. “Come on, sis, it’s kinda funny.”

“Funny? They didn’t run my article! What kinda paper is this?” Applejack lowered her head and stalked off, cursing the newspaper as she went.

The whole day passed in a blur, and Applejack found it hard to focus on the work she was doing that day. She convinced herself that her article was simply set aside for the breaking news, and they’d run her article the next day. There was no way another more important article would push hers out again.

---

The next day started off much to same for Applejack. She was up before the sun, but this time she decided to wake up her sister after checking the paper. Yesterday came as a surprise to her, but there was no way they weren’t going to print that article now; it was big news after all.

She trotted to the front gate again and grabbed the paper. Her heart raced as she unrolled it. On the front page was something so shocking that she forgot what she was looking for. Then reality sunk in as there was, yet again, another picture of Rainbow Dash. This time it looked like she added a frilly dress to go with her hat.

Applejack groaned in frustration as she fought the temptation to read the article. She skimmed through the rest of the paper, but didn’t see her story. She flipped back to the front page and read.



Ponyville— If Tuesday’s news was exciting, just wait until you get a load of this! Rainbow Dash was spotted on Tuesday wearing a very fashionable chapeau that took Ponyville by surprise. Well, yesterday she seems to have found a nice dress to go with “dat hat!” All of Ponyville rallied in the town center as Dash strutted in her new lacy dress. She even walked down a makeshift catwalk. “My sister thinks this is all a joke,” the same young unicorn told us after the fashionista refused to answer our questions. But there’s one thing the town is now sure of: Rainbow Dash always dresses in style now. “I’m so awesome, it doesn’t matter what I wear!” she shouted to a cheering crowd.

While most ponies were really impressed with the new and “fashion secure” Dash, some of her most loyal fans are left in dismay and doubt. “I don’t know anymore… the hat was cool, but I-I can’t deal with this,” A pegasus filly tolds us as she herself sat in a frilly dress of similar design. “Why? Why?” she asked us again and again then rushed off on her scooter. “I can’t be seen wearing this!”

Her recent antics have also caught the attention of the Wonderbolts. “She’s just going through a phase. We’ve all gone through—um, ‘phases.’ We in no way regret having her as part of the team,” Spitfire, captain of the Wonderbolts, said and refused to answer any other questions.

The ruckus caused over the “hat incident” (as we’re calling it), has doubled by the addition of the dress. Ponies from out of town are showing up, hoping to catch a glance of Rainbow Dash as they’ve never seen her before. Everypony is excitedly awaiting her next big move.

—Red Apple

Applejack tossed the paper aside, stomping angrily. “Why in tarnation is Rainbow wearing a dress more important than the biggest sale Sweet Apple Acres has ever had? Where is that Rainbow Dash?” Applejack shouted, stomping on the newspaper. She didn’t notice her sister come up behind her.

“Whatsamatter, sis? asked a groggy Apple Bloom.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack stopped her tantrum and sat on her haunches, blushing awkwardly. “Ya startled me, s’all,” she said quickly. “It’s that darn Red Apple! He keeps stealing my spot in the paper!”

“Ah...um,” Apple Bloom laughed nervously, “Ah think it’s the Ponyville Daily that’s ignoring your article. Red Apple, she—she’s only a writer—” Apple Bloom gulped, but thankfully Applejack wasn’t really listening.

“Am going to find that Rainbow Dash and ask her just what in tarnation she thinks she’s doing!” Applejack stormed off.

“Wait!” Apple Bloom tore after her. “What if we go to the Ponyville Daily. Ah’m sure we can work this out. They’re, um, reasonable ponies.”

“Not now, Apple Bloom. Ah got a bone to pick with Rainbow!” Applejack charged off, leaving Apple Bloom in the dust.

Applejack figured Rainbow Dash would turn up at the Boutique, so she figured it was best to intercept her there.

She sat in front of the shop waiting. There was a light on inside, and although it was still really early, she feared the worst.

The sun had long since come up, and the morning in Ponyville started out as any normal morning would. Still, Applejack sat watching the front door of the Boutique. Eventually the front door opened, and just when Applejack thought she could no longer be surprised, she was quickly proven wrong.

Rainbow Dash strutted out of the Boutique wearing her hat, dress, and now it seemed like really fancy shoes and makeup. Applejack closed her mouth, remembering she was mad at her friend and marched up to her.

“Hey, AJ. Wh-what’s up?” Rainbow Dash asked smiling sheepishly.

“Just what the hay do you think you’re doing, Rainbow?” Applejack demanded.

“I’m just… you know… trying something new.” Rainbow Dash blushed looking away. “Oh look at the time! I’d like to stay and chat, but… I gotta make some appearances,” Dash said as a small crowd began to gather around the Boutique.

“No Ah don’t know!” Applejack replied. She grabbed onto Rainbow’s tail as she tried to take flight.

“Hey, let me go! AJ? What the hay?”

“Not until ya ‘splain what you’re doing!” Applejack said, still holding her tail in her mouth.

“Fine! Just let go of my tail.” Rainbow landed. “Why are you acting this way, AJ?”

“Why am Ah? Me? What about you, Rainbow? What is.. all of this?” Applejack shouted in outrage while waving her hoof around.

“It’s just a publicity stunt, sheesh,” Rainbow said. “Look, it’s kinda hard to explain. Have you ever expected something to be so awesome, but came to find out it wasn’t?”

Applejack deadpanned. “No. Ah have no idea what that is like,” Applejack spat.

“Look, AJ, I don’t know why you’re mad at me, but I’m sorry.”

Applejack sighed. She couldn’t stay mad at Rainbow Dash; it wasn’t fair, she didn’t know that she was messing up business on the farm. “Ah’m sorry, Rainbow. Ah don’t mean to yell at you. Ah was just really hoping for something—maybe Ah just had high hopes—”

“Hey, AJ, look, it’s alright.” Rainbow Dash sat closer to Applejack. “Let me explain… when I finally got into the Wonderbolts, it was the best thing ever! I mean it was big news right?”

“Er, yeah, Ah remember.”

“Then… I don’t know, ponies no longer wanted my autograph. Then it seemed like no pony even paid any attention to me—to me! I’m the Rainbow Dash and a Wonderbolt. I think they just grew bored of me…” she took a breath and shook her head. “I just wanted to be in the spotlight again. Rarity suggested I do something drastic, and so I did. I guess, I got a little carried away.” Rainbow gave Applejack a sheepish look.

“Ya know… Ah think Ah can understand. The past two days Ah’ve been trying to sell a large surplus of Apples real cheap. For business n’all. Except not really. Ah thought Sweet Apple Acres was, you know, really popular and everypony would go bananers for a big sale. Maybe the paper is right in ignoring my article. A big sale on apples ain’t all that exciting.”

“This whole thing kind of blew up, honestly. I didn’t know I was going to make the front page, twice. I-I can’t even believe I’m wearing this.”

“Please take that stuff off. Ya look like a wannabe Rarity! We all know Ponyville is a one Rarity town. Ah want the old Rainbow back. Ah want my friend back.”

Rainbow smiled and hugged Applejack tightly. “Thanks, pal. If you hadn’t said something, who knows what Rarity would’ve made me wear tomorrow.” She shuddered at the thought as Applejack returned the embrace. “And everypony would go crazy for something like that. Don’t sell yourself short. I’m sure this whole thing will blow over, and they will find your article interesting.”

As Applejack held her friend, the current setting returned to her: she was hugging her attention-starved friend wearing a frou-frou outfit while a growing crowd gathered around and awed. However, it was too late. She couldn’t break the embrace quick enough as she was temporarily blinded by the flash of a camera.

---

Before the sunrise Applejack found herself retrieving the morning paper, although she really dreaded what she might find. She halted at the front gate, staring in disbelief. Before here was an enormous line of ponies waiting to get in.

“They ran the story! Yeehaw!” she cheered as relief washed over her.

“When are you going to open, lover girl?” someone from the crowd taunted which was followed with a roar of laughter.

Applejack cocked her head at the jeering crowd. “Lover girl,” she muttered to herself. The feeling of dread returned as she picked up the newspaper and unrolled it. She gasped at the picture of her embracing Rainbow Dash and the title.



Ponyville— To many of us, Rainbow Dash has been an inspiration. She is talented, loyal, and just, well, really cool. The past two days we’ve seen her rapid change of appearance to very stylish outfits. I’m talking about outfits that rival Pony Vuitton in extravagance. And, wow, was it a crazy two days. Ponville really got swept away in it all, despite many thinking it was a publicity stunt. Now, however, it has become clear, just what our prismatic Wonderbolt was up to. It was all an attempt to catch the attention of the mare she had been secretly crushing on. And wow, what a tactic! All that style for Ponyville’s voted “least stylish pony,” because opposites attract?

After a heartfelt exchange of words, the two shared a tender moment embracing one another. Right in front of the Carousel Boutique! It seems Ponyville’s “too cool for romance” Rainbow Dash has found love at last. “That’s so cute!” cooed the young unicorn residence of the Carousel Boutique. “Romance, fewey, if she makes it awesome, then I guess I can try it too,” a young pegasus told us at the seen.

Many ponies have mixed feelings about this recent development. Some were outraged, but they were usually the ones with unrealistic hopes of having a relationship with Rainbow Dash themselves. And others are simply happy she’s found someone to be in her life. Others are confused on how fancy clothes were used to woo Applejack—they are happy for them nonetheless, though.

Since this is my third article, and I haven’t gotten a paparazzi cutie mark, I will be retiring from the Ponyville Daily.

—Red Apple

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack shouted. She was about to storm into the house and yell at her sister when she stopped. Ponies were lined up in front of her farm. Whatever they were really there for didn’t matter if she could interest them in buying some apples.

“Alright y’all. We are just gettin’ setup, then we’ll be open for business,” she told the crowd as she saw her other siblings coming up to her. She saw a certain pegasus land behind them and she grinned, a plan forming in her mind. Rainbow Dash was back to her old self, all accesories removed.

“Good turnout, sis. Ah’m glad they finally printed your article.”

Applejack ignored her sister and waited for Rainbow Dash to get closer. When the pegasus opened her mouth to speak, Applejack grabbed her and planted her lips on Rainbow’s. In the distance there was an uproar of cheers and mares sighing “aww.” Meanwhile Apple Bloom and Mac stared as she ended her long passionate kiss with a wide-eyed Rainbow Dash.

“What are you staring at? Don’t you have something to write about, Red Apple.” Apple Bloom gulped. “What?” She looked at the others that were still staring. “It was a business decision. If them stories about Rainbow’s love life got a mob of ponies out here, then Ah think we should keep the story going.”

Rainbow Dash, returning to her senses, spoke up, “umm, AJ… Apple Bloom wasn’t lying. They did print your story. It’s on the second page.”