//------------------------------//
// Applebloom's bow was a changeling the whole time.  
// Story: Bits and Pieces 
// by Author-Man 
//------------------------------//

Things could have still been salvaged, really. Yes, the Changeling Invasion had put a damper on the affair, but Cadence and Shining Armour had dealt with that. It would have taken time to get the bride presentable (spending several weeks underneath Canterlot without access to any kind of bath or food had done her no favours) and to repair the superficial damage done to the chapel, but surely the wedding guests would have been more than willing to lend a hoof on the latter front, at least. Going through with the wedding immediately after a failed invasion probably wouldn't have gone over well with the media, but that was a problem that could have been dealt with later. No, the wedding was almost still on. Really, the only problem was that one of the flower girls had somehow been flung out of Canterlot along with the Changeling army. Naturally, all plans were put on hold - finding Applebloom was a higher priority.

Of course, finding her was the easy part. Dealing with the fact that she was apparently a Changeling, however, took a bit more time.

"I'm telling you, I'm not a Changeling! I've got no idea what you're talking about!"

Applejack sighed deeply. "Sugarcube, y'all got thrown all the way to the Everfree Forest." She kneeled down and gave her younger sister a hug. "That ain't to say I don't believe you - I do - but there's gotta be some reason that happened. Twilight did some fancy magic things and she says that if you are a Changeling, you've been one for at least as long as she's known you."

"But I'm not!"

"I know that, hon. But..." Another sigh. "Look, Princess Celestia says that sometimes, a long time ago, Changelings would kidnap baby ponies and replace 'em with Changeling babies. Maybe that's what happened ?"

"No it isn't!"

"Okay, it isn't. But there's gotta be some reason why-"

"I don't know! But I'm not a Changeling!"

There were a few minutes of silence before Applejack, at a loss for words, leaned in and gave Applebloom a second hug. "I'll go talk to Princess Celestia and see if I can't get you out of here. Sit tight, sugarcube." She got up, walked to the exit of the small room, and left, closing the door behind her while Applebloom sat in sullen silence.

She glared upwards. "I blame you for this, by the way."

"What?! What did I do? It's not like I knew some dumb hive would decide to pick the wedding of all days to try some dumb world domination scheme!"

"Bringing you along was your idea, not mine. I wanted to leave you at home."

"Yeah, and then someone asks 'hey, Applebloom, why aren't you wearing that bow that you literally have never taken off before now?' Sounds like a brilliant plan."

"Because bringing you along turned out so much better."

"Not my fault!"

"It's totally your fault. Now hush, before someone notices me talkin' to myself."

Applebloom's bow grumbled slightly, but then was silent. Applebloom rolled her eyes. She had no idea why she kept on trying to reason with that thing. Maybe it was time to foist it off on somepony else. Maybe on Punpkin Cake.

Meanwhile, Applejack stood outside, shaking her head in exasperation. "Dang kids."

"See, the smart thing to do would be to do what we do and have an actual bow set aside for situations like this."

"Quiet, you."