The First Steps Are Always The Hardest
AppleJack and Rarity were arguing again.
It's always the same.
Whenever those two are alone together for too long they always seem to break out in a fight, Twilight thought.
Rarity had just come over to drop off a book she had borrowed on 'The seeds you sow.' Twilight had pre-ordered it for her because, well...... because, she's her friend and friends help each other, do things for each other without ever asking questions. The title is self-explanatory anyway. When she returned the book they began chatting, considering that they hadn't been able to spend much time together lately.
They began talking of things they had both been up to lately, Rarity with her large dress orders and her upcoming fashion show. (Glad I'm not in that Twilight thought, we don't want a repeat of the last one.) Twilight snickered at the memory.
Twilight told her of the new spell she was working on that swapped the colours of two items. Pinkie had asked her to help her with some baking. She wanted to make some new kind of cakes but wanted the colours to be completely different, so Twilight decided to invent a spell that could swap the colours of two items for instance, turning a red book white, and a white quill red.
Both items had to be in place in order for the spell to work.
Suddenly Twilight heard a knock at the door, she went to go answer it.
“Howdy Twi I just came round cus Pinkie said ya'll been workin on a new spell or sumin and that ya'll might need some 'elp”
Twilight can't remember how long it was until everything went bad. When AJ and Rarity started fighting.
“AppleJack how many times must I tell you to wash your hooves before entering someponys home, just look at mess you've made!” Rarity Huffed.
Indeed there was a large trail of muddy hoof prints leading from the door right up to AppleJack. Twilight didn't particularity care, I mean she was living in a tree, what harm could a little mud do, as long as it didn't get on any of her books.
“Rarity I told ya'll I'd clean it up I don't unda stand why ya'll getting ya mane in a mess bout it!” AppleJack rebounded.
“My mane is never a mess, unlike some ponies, I know how to be a mare by acting with grace and finesse, something I'm sure you've never heard of!”
“I can act just a frilly as ya'll Rarity, I just choose not ta, an at least I anit lived my hole life with a silver spoon shoved tween my haunches, I can appreciate a ard days work!”
By now Twilight was worried she tried to calm the two down but nothing was working, she thought for a few moments, trying to think of something to say to end this bickering.
“At least I know how to act accordingly dear, not like a ruffian who looks like she's never even seen a bath before!”
By now AppleJack was livid and just about ready to buck Rarity into one of Twilight's bookcases. Twilight had to think fast before the exchange of harsh words turned into a full out brawl.
“Hey girls why don't we just relax and take some deep breaths- Twilight began before being interrupted.
“Shut up Twilight!” Both Rarity and AppleJack said in unison before just starring at each other with rage filled eyes.
'Oh I don't think so!' Twilight's mind said, that's it she thought, you two are going to learn to get along whether or not you want to. She began charging up her latest spell in order to change Rarity and AppleJack's coat colours and she'd change them back when they learned to get along.
Completely oblivious to Twilight, AppleJack and Rarity just continued they're argument, Which had almost broken out into a fight.
“That's it Rarity I anit sticking round for any more of ya nonsense” AppleJack turned to walk away before Rarity said something she would later regret.
“Good leave, see if I care, you uneducated, over muscled, hick!” Rarity screamed before immediately realising what she said, Twilight too lost in her spell to hear the words that were uttered.
“What did ya'll just call me” AppleJack turned to face Rarity who looked like she'd just seen a ghost.
Before Rarity had any time to apologise AppleJack began charging, running at her, at full speed.
“I'll show ya'll a hick!” AppleJack roared before smashing head first into Rarity sending her flying into Twilight, who was nearly complete with the spell.
They both tumbled on the floor before everything went white.
As the blinding light slowly subsided., Twilight awoke not being out long, to find nothing had changed breathing a sigh of relief, until she noticed AppleJack starring at Rarity with an almost mortified facial expression.
“AppleJack are you okay?” Twilight asked until she looked at Rarity noticing a small amount of blood coming from her nose as she lay on the floor unconscious.
“Rarity!” Twilight screamed running over to her to check if she was okay. She checked her pulse and it seems she had just been knocked out from the impact. Twilight breathed a big sigh of relief.
She turned to look at AppleJack who was still stuck in a state of horror.
“AppleJack are you crazy I know Rarity said some mean things but there was no reason to buck her with all your power, we both know how much stronger you are than her!” Twilight screamed franticly. AppleJack's expression still not changing.
“AppleJack?” Twilight questioned
“Twilight what were you doing while this happened?” AppleJack stated sounding much different than her normal southern accent but still in an utter state of shock.
“Oh I was going to use my colour changing spell on you and Rarity to change your coat colours in order to teach you both a lesson, Why?” Twilight seemed scared now.
“Well because dear I think that spell might have worked, but not the way you intended” AppleJack seemed almost ready to faint.
“What do you mean AppleJack?” Twilight asked fearing the answer.
“Because I'm not AppleJack Twilight, I'm Rarity, I think you changed our bodies” AppleJack or, er, Rarity said.
“What!” Twilight screamed unable to comprehend what AppleJack just said.
“I think when AppleJack threw me towards you while you were casting the spell, it must of backfired because I'm now in AppleJack's body” Rarity said almost panicked.
Twilight couldn't form words, I mean it's one thing to change the colours of something, but to change someponies body that just seemed illogical.
A Couple of hours passed.
AppleJack being in Rarity's body had finally awoken, although she did seem a little disorientated, she rubbed her head with her hoof obviously having a headache from being head butted by?, well?, herself. She saw Twilight sitting reading a book and looked around, to her relief Rarity was nowhere in sight.
“Hey Twi where's Rarity and y do I have such a hedache” AppleJack spoke causing Twilight to jump and fall off her chair. AppleJack seemed confused, not at Twilight that was normal, but to why her voice sounded so different.
“Ya alright sugercube?” AppleJack said before continuing “Twi am just wondring y does ma voice sound so- AppleJack started, standing up and realising that she felt a lot lighter and a lot weaker. She looked down to see white hooves and froze on the spot.
“Twi?” she said before.
“Hey AppleJack, there may have a backfire with a spell, but don't worry! Your not hurt, your just, just.......” Twilight stuttered
“In Rarity's body?” AppleJack finished
“Uh, yeh” Twilight flat lined “Sorry AppleJack, I was just tired of you and Rarity fighting so I began charging the spell which changes two items colours, I was gonna change yours and Rarity's coat colours to teach you a lesson, but when she crashed into me it kind of backfired” Twilight explained.
“So where's Rarity?” AppleJack asked still staring at the floor.
“She went, well you.... went...... Argh! Upstairs sleeping” Twilight facehoofed.
“In tha middle of tha day? Lazy good for-nothin- AppleJack started before being cut off.
“AppleJack!” Twilight yelled “Now is not the time to begin bickering again!”
“I guess ya'll right, aint we better go get her”
“I guess so” Twilight shrugged
They went to Twilight's room and saw a sleeping AppleJack curled up on the bed. With her mane and tail untied. It was the first time Twilight had seen AppleJack's mane and tail fall free, and the first the time in a while AppleJack had since..... She shuddered at the memory.
“You okay AJ?” Twilight asked looking concerned
“Just fine sugarcube, so we gonna wake her?”
“I'd rather you did it, I've seen Rarity when she's cranky already, I'd rather not see it again.” Twilight backed away slowly.
AppleJack raised an eyebrow “Fine guess all wake er up”
“Hey AppleJack you look really pretty with your mane down, and that sleeping face” Twilight smiled
“Twi don't make me get ma rope” AppleJack glared
Twilight quickly sat quiet.
AppleJack walked towards her own sleeping form.
She nudged Rarity with her hoof and whispered “Rares it's time to get up sleepy hed” No movement.
“Uggh” AppleJack sighed “Rarity!” she screamed in full force causing the sleeping mare to jump awake and scamper across the bed, falling flank first onto the hard wooden ground.
“Ouch i'll feel that tomorrow” AppleJack laughed
Meanwhile Rarity stood up after being 'Rudely Awoken' only to see the sight of herself, causing her much discomfort.
“Not a dream then I suppose?” Rarity stated
“Fraid not sugarcube” AppleJack grinned
The tension in the air became to much to bear as Twilight was the first to break the silence.
“So girls sorry about this whole mess, but I do have some good new, and some bad......” Twilight stated
AppleJack's and Rarity's ears perked up.
“Good news?” Rarity beamed
“Yeh turns out the spell I cast has a counter spell, meaning I can swap you both back” Twilight smiled
AppleJack and Rarity smiled before AppleJack asked.
“And the bad news?” AppleJack cringed
“It will take me a full week to learn it properly and gather enough energy to cast it” Twilight blushed
“Well aint that just great” AppleJack huffed
“Oh come now AppleJack none of this would have happened if you'd not brutishly bucked me into our dear Twilight, and that! would not have happened if you would have just washed your hooves!” Rarity started before noticing the blood for the first time on her own face.
“And just look what you've done to my face, your going to pay for it as soon as were back in our own bodies!” Rarity gasped
“My bad little miss prim and proper, if only ya'll coulda kept ya gawd darn muzzle shut we wunt be in this mess” AppleJack glared
“Oh so it's my fault is it, well be rest assured- Rarity started before being interrupted by Twilight.
“Stop! Fighting is what got you both in this mess, more fighting isn't going to fix it” She screamed before burying her face in her hooves.
“Sorry Twilight” They both said
“But wait how we gonna explain this ta Big Mac an Sweetie Bell?, We can't exactly go on with our lives as normal ya know” AppleJack questioned
“I agree dear as much fun as it would be to dress AppleJack up I'm afraid this just won't work” Rarity sighed
“An as much fun as it'd be ta get Rarity to roll in the dirt, Big Mac gunna find it mighty strange” AppleJack scratched her head.
“Well.....” Twilight pondered tapping her chin with her hoof “You could say you two made made a bet about who would be better at each others job AppleJack at making dresses or, Rarity at apple bucking and it lasts for a week?” Twilight shrugged
“Guess so it'd be might lot easier than tryin to explain this to everypony”
“I guess your right darling, shall we head to mine to talk to Sweetie Bell and then to yours to talk to Big Mac?” Rarity just blatantly stared at AppleJack
“Reckon we should sugarcube, A gotta be up early for Applebucken, although in this flimsy body don't know how I'll manage” AppleJack laughed
“Humff not like making dresses in your body is going to be any easier, you don't have the finesse it takes to make them, oh so perfectly like yours truly” Rarity scoffed
“Whatever silver spoon let's get going” AppleJack began walking towards the door.
“AppleJack wait!” Rarity yelled
“Yuuuupppp” AppleJack turned back
“Please wipe that blood from my face it's very unmarelike” Rarity glared
AppleJack's eyes narrowed “Ugh fine! Twi may I use ya bathroom?”
“Sure thing AppleJack and girls one more thing?” Twilight said with a sly grin.
“Yes dear what is it?” Rarity asked
“If this plan is going to work you might want to try to sound like each other” Twilight giggled
“Huh?” They both tilted there head in confusion.
“What I mean is your both going to have to swap speaking mannerisms” Twilight laughed
Rarity and AppleJack gulped
The walk home couldn't have been more awkward.
Rarity and AppleJack were still trying to get a grip on being in each others bodies, with Rarity feeling like she could run to Canterlot and back again, as she was finding it easier to pace her self constantly pulling ahead of AppleJack and having to be told to slow down. While AppleJack found it much easier to breathe maybe due to the fact of how relaxed Rarity's body was from all those Spa trips.
“Hello darling how are you today?” AppleJack tried copying Rarity's way of speaking but it was still managing to come out different due to her accent.
“Not bad AppleJack but you need to loose the accent dear, even if you pronounce the words correctly, I can still hear them being filtered through your accent, and rather than 'how are you today?' try saying 'how has your day been?” Rarity began lecturing AppleJack who, looked as though she was fed up.
“Gawd darn it Rarity, I can't just loose sumin a was born with, an I don't think it'll work anyway ya'll use way to many fancy words that I don't even no the meaning of” AppleJack huffed
“Okay let me give it a try” Rarity breathed in “Howdey partner, marvellous weather were having aren't we” Rarity said before thinking it didn't sound right.
“Right there!” AppleJack began to get annoyed “I would not use the word marvellous, mighty fine weather sounds good enough to me, and ain't instead of aren't” AppleJack sighed
“Well I'm sorry AppleJack but I find it very hard to grasp your way of speaking in your accent, just like I'm sure it is for you trying to loose it, and what's wrong with trying to throw in a sophisticated word every now and them?” Rarity turned her head away in a 'Humpf' kind of manner.
“An uneducated, over muscled, hick like myself don't understand sophisticated words” AppleJack frowned. Rarity turned to look at AppleJack's showing a face filled with regret.
“An please stop walking like that” AppleJack sighed
“Like What?” Rarity questioned
“Like ya'll parading ya self round Canterlot, I walk with humbleness”
“You mean like a slouch 'Fine!' but you must walk with grace and passion dear if you expect me to”
This switching bodies thing seemed harder than she thought as AppleJack tried walking the way Rarity did. Hooves propped out, head held high, taking a kind of stride. AppleJack found it very uncomfortable walking this way.
“There you go darling doesn't that feel much better than walking with your shoulders hunched over” Rarity mimicked the walking same as AppleJack.
Suddenly AppleJack stopped and began to walk in her usual stance.
“No Rarity it don't” AppleJack cringed
“Whatever do you mean darling, walking this way feels amazing, feeling strong, confidant and- Rarity said before being interrupted.
“Feelin like ya better than every pony” AppleJack raised an eyebrow
“Whatever do you mean dear?” Rarity looked offended
“Sorry Rarity but when I walk like that I feel just like those ponies at the Gala. Who paraded around like they were better than everypony else, now am not saying ya'll like that cause I know ya not, av known ya'll longer than anypony, but when I walk like that a feel like am trying be better than every pony else, feel like am trying to show off, and if ya'll no me at all then ya'll no I don't like doin that” AppleJack sighed
“And you think I'm just like every ponyelse who was at that Gala?” Rarity looked like she was about to cry, being in AppleJack's body it was very uncomfortable to look at.
AppleJack sighed again, it seemed that's all she was doing today.
“No Rarity, it just reminds me of the time I was in ManeHatten, when I wanted ta av a life that wasn't apple bucking, an I went ta live with ma auntie an uncle, yeh they were nice ta me an taught me so many things........., but they were real nasty pieces of work Rarity. They'd invite so many ponies round at once talking, seemed like they were havin fun. But when everypony left they would just start saying some real mean things bout em. An am mean real mean things, an a hated it. I didn't wanna be a pony were as soon as everypony left, I would just start saying mean things bout em. I wanted ta like ma friends. But if a lived there i'm sure I wouldn't av” AppleJack sighed again
“I'm sorry AppleJack I didn't realize you hated the way I walked” Rarity sniffled
“Now don't go thinkin like that sugarcube, ya may be a snooty, prissy, mare but ya'll also the most generous one a ever met, even if ya'll walk like those stuck up rich folks, ya sure as heck don't act like one” AppleJack smiled
“Really?” Rarity wiped away at her eyes before any tears could spill.
“Positive an looky were here” AppleJack pointed to the Carousel Boutique,a mear few feet away.
“Oh so we are” Rarity said staring up at the Carousel Boutique
“Rarity ah ya sure I can do this I don't like lying an a sure don't like lying to ya lil sis” AppleJack sighed
“I know how you feel darling but if you tell her, AppleJack's going to be doing my job for a week, it isn't technically lying, she just doesn't understand the situation and it would be best if she's kept in the dark, wouldn't you agree?” Rarity put a hoof over AppleJack's shoulder trying to comfort her.
“I Guess ya'll right, lets get going then”
The two walked inside the Carousel Boutique as AppleJack was trying her best keep up with Rarity's mannerisms. Finding it much harder than she thought.
“SweetieBell!” AppleJack called in Rarity's voice.
No sound. “Ya sure she's ome” AppleJack whispered
“Wait for it” Rarity whispered back
“What in the hay is that surposed ta -” AppleJack's started but being interrupted by Rarity counting down.
“4, 3, 2, 1 and...... now” Rarity ended
“What are ya'll- Uggh!” AppleJack felt a large weight slam down on her only to find out that it was SweetieBell. In her own body she could have handled that, why did rarity have to be so weak she thought.
“Hiya Rarity! Welcome home!” SweetieBell yelled in excitement.
AppleJack still in a daze form the impact “Coulda warned me” AppleJack tried standing up.
“Huh? SweetieBell questioned as to why AppleJack sounded different
“Oh-uh sorry SweetieBell you just startled me ha” AppleJack stood up trying to sound comfortable but panicking on the inside.
“Rarity what's wrong?, you sound different”
“Nothing dear I'm simply feeling under the weather as of today, and.... I just wanted to have a talk with you”
“About what big sis” SweetieBell looked up to AppleJack with big, wide, eyes and it started to make AppleJack panic.
“Ha well..., myself and AppleJack here have made a little bet” AppleJack could feel her teeth grinding from the lying.
“A bet?” SweetieBell asked
“Yes, you see dear, me and AppleJack believe that we could do each others job just as good as we do our own, so for the next week AppleJack is going to stay here, go gem hunting and make dresses, while I'm going to go apple bucking in the......... urgh dirt” AppleJack faked Rarity's way of over dramatizing which caused the mare to raise her eyebrows.
“Ha ha... Yeh SweetieBell an we best be going, ifin we wanna explain this to Big Macintosh, come on Rares, lets get moving” Rarity sounded annoyed
“Oh fine, Sweetie you'll be fine for another hour right?” AppleJack asked concerned more for Rarity's sister than Rarity seemed herself.
“Yeh and when you get back, can we play a game together?” SweetieBell asked sounding sarcastic
“Sure whatever game you like” AppleJack smiled
“Wow you must really be sick, anyway see you when you get back” With that statement SweetieBell bounced away.
“We best be off then dear” AppleJack began trotting past Rarity who looked really annoyed now.
They both trotted outside on their way towards Sweet Apple Acres.
“What in tarnation what that all about AppleJack!” Rarity screamed fortunately not drawing any attention from by passing ponies.
“What ever do you mean dear?” AppleJack sounded sarcastic as she resumed her usual walking stance.
“I mean did you have to make me act like an utter drama queen?”
“Wasn't acting sugarcube” AppleJack grinned
“I certainly do not act anything like that AppleJack!”
“Really?, So this body switching thing isn't The. Worst. Possible. Thing.” AppleJack pretended to faint
Rarity's face almost became as red as the apples on her flank.
“Face it Rares, your life is one big show aint it, and all your friends an family are nothin but a bunch of actors an your the one holding the strings, why don't you stop thinkin bout yerself for once and yer image an focus on the important stuff” AppleJack sighed again.
“How dare you!” Rarity almost wanted to buck AppleJack in the head but knowing she was only going to be hurting herself she restrained herself.
“How dare I!?” AppleJack huffed “Did ya'll not hear what SweetieBell said Rares? When was the last time you spent time with her, had fun with her, without worrying about getting dirty, face it Rares, she's clearly number two on ya list and ya'll only interested in number one, remember the sister hooves social Rares thought ya'll woulda learned but no, ya still looking out for number one and if ya aint careful ya'll gonna loose her” AppleJack began to cry remembering a memory she thought she had repressed long ago, she was really hitting a lot of nerves today.
“AppleJack?” Rarity asked seeing herself cry wasn't the problem but in all the years she'd known AppleJack she had never once, not, once seen her cry and for the first time AppleJack was showing emotion.
“What Rares?” AppleJack said completely unaware she was even crying.
“Nothing I'm sorry I should try to spend more time with her and I will from now on I promise”
“Ya'll best do” AppleJack said before walking ahead, still crying.
They made it to Sweet Apple Acres silent for the entire walk.
“Were here” AppleJack said and she began walking towards the house
“AppleJack are you sure this is a good idea I mean, I know I don't know your work schedule but wouldn't it be better if I stayed here rather than you mess up my beautiful mane, I mean your body is made for apple bucking after all” Rarity said with AppleJack's face still not changing.
“No matter the body Rares ya'll still don't like dirt, ya body aint that strong but it should be enough to do ma job, I don't want ya'll running round because ya hate dirt, an not doing the job, an then Big Mac is sure ta notice somethins up” AppleJack sighed again
Rarity felt like AppleJack had been hiding something the entire day she'd never seen AppleJack so... well.... depressed it just seemed like this was just something the mare was finding hard to adapt to, but she couldn't understand why. She was about to say something until Big Mac appeared.
“Howdy girls” He said
AppleJack turned to Rarity as if to say Show time.
“Hello Big Macintosh how has your day been?” AppleJack's started
“Might fine thank you” He turned to look at Rarity
“uh... Howdy Big Mac just wondered if a could talk to ya'll for a minute” Rarity was caught off guard.
“Eeuup?” He began to narrow his eyes.
“Well me an Rares made a bet ya see” Rarity felt as though she was being interrogated.
“A bet?” he narrowed his eyes even more.
“Ha yeh we wanted ta see if we could be better at each others job so Rares is gonna stay here an applebuck, an I'm gonna go make..... urgh...... dresses” Rarity Facehoofed
“Ha would love ta see how that works out, well it's the dry season so we aint got much bucking ta do so I guess it's okay” Big Mac shrugged
AppleJack sighed and Rarity took notice.
“So I guess I should take Rare round an show er the fields she needs ta buck then” Rarity said trying to get alone with AppleJack.
“Eeuup”
“See you another time Big Macintosh”
“Eeuup”
They walked away and wandered round the fields for a few minutes just to make it look like AppleJack was showing Rarity the ropes.
“Guess I better head back to SweetieBell then, I need to feed Opalescence anyway, so I shall see you later then AppleJack”
“See ya Rares” AppleJack sighed as she walked away, Rarity noticed again and nearly began to cry.
The two parted ways and began to head back to their designated homes.
Day 1
AppleJack woke up at dawn and began apple bucking but she had to be careful or Big Mac would notice something.
“Hey there miss Rarity” Big Mac walked towards the bucking mare
“Hello Big Macintosh” AppleJack was sweating more than normal due to the fact that this wasn't her normal body, by now she would have bucked thirty trees but due to being Rarity's body it was a lot harder and she'd only made it through six.
“Better be careful miss Rarity otherwise ya'll gonna collapse” Big Mac asked looking concerned
“No need to worry Big Macintosh I am perfectly fine, I will not be out best by AppleJack”
“Now I don't know bout that, ya'll doing pretty good for your first time apple bucking, but AppleJack's been buckin since she sprouted from a filly to a ful grown mare, heck i'll tell ya she could buck circles round me” Big Mac began to laugh. Laughter something AppleJack hadn't heard from her brother in a long time.
“Yes well guarantee I'm not as good as somepony who's been doing it there whole life, but the bet was that we could survive each others job and get the required amounts. I gave AppleJack instructions and she has to make twenty dresses by the end of the week, quite easy mind you and I have to buck three hundred trees by the end of the week” AppleJack began to feel ill from all this lying.
“Woo thats a lot of trees but if ya buck 50 a day which aint too ard ya'll got a day ta rest wont ya”
“Yes so I should be continuing with my work dear” AppleJack sighed
“Eeuup” Big Mac trotted off
AppleJack collapsed on the ground after he left, panting heavily.
“How does she do anything with this body” AppleJack sighed
Day 2
Rarity was rushing about the house in a frantic manner trying to organize everything.
“Opal stay there,- wait not on the fabric,- oh don't touch that,- Argh! SweetieBell” Rarity began to loose it.
“Urg how do earth ponies survive without magic, I can't stand this!”
Suddenly AppleJack's voice began to ring in Rarity's head.
'Ya'll never worked a ard days work in ya life Rarity'
'Least I aint live ma hole life with a silver spoon shoved tween ma haunchs'
'That's it Rares I aint still round for anymore of ya nonsense'
'Ya'll only looking out for number one Rares'
Rarity dropped all the fabric she was holding and began to cry.
Day 3
AppleJack was hard working and noticed Big Mac across the field bucking more than her. She began to feel a little bit down and began bucking the same tree over and over again even after all the apples had fallen off, Big Mac took notice and rushed towards her.
“Wow there miss Rarity calm down ya'll gonna hurt yerself if ya keep that up!”
AppleJack wasn't listening she bucked even harder causing a few pieces of bark to fly off.
Big Mac stepped in and decided to put an end to all this. He grabbed the mare which had caused AppleJack to panic and she quickly bucked him in the ribs. Big Mac fell to the floor with a thud.
“Ouch” He said holding onto his stomach
AppleJack broke out of her daze and realized what she had done.
“Oh I'm so sorry Big Mac are you alright” She nearly began to cry
“Might fine just surprised me as all” Big Mac began to stand up
“I'm so sorry I was just lost in the work and I'm sorry” AppleJack held her head low
“No problem miss Rarity not need to apologise, but why in the heck were ya nearly beating the life outa that tree?” Big Mac tilted his head
“I just- well I.... never mind it doesn't matter any more” AppleJack began to cry
“Now hold on there, no need ta cry miss Rarity” Big Mac pulled AppleJack into a hug trying to calm her down.
It had felt like years since some pony had held her in that kind of embrace, and she tightly hugged Big Mac having her hind legs wrapped around his waist.
The smell of her mane, the feel of her coat, caused Big Mac's well.... Mac to grow some. He pulled AppleJack out of his embrace. AppleJack still blinded by tears. He leaned forward and he kissed her. AppleJack shocked and disgusted by this backed away falling to the ground. With Big Mac falling on top of her. AppleJack felt something large and warm lying on her stomach. She looked down to notice Big Mac's stallion-hood had come out of it' sheath. AppleJack's eyes narrowed, her heart beat fast, as AppleJack looked back up to Big Mac, he was looking down with lust filled eyes and leaned in for another kiss.
AppleJack scrambled out from underneath Big Mac and began to run. Big Mac sitting there looking confused. He thought the moment seemed right. AppleJack just ran past the fields and trees into town. She just had to run, anywhere, anywhere but here.
Rarity was fed up she realised that without her magic she was useless at making dresses and even more useless at finding gems for her outfits. She began to cry realising that if AppleJack was a Unicorn or a Pegasus she could still do her job. But Rarity couldn't, she couldn't do anything without her horn. But then she realised something.
“Even if I can't make my dresses without my horn, I can certainly do what AppleJack said I couldn't, Do a hard days work!” Rarity screamed she realised that was something she could try. Buck the dirt, Buck the work, Buck the sweating and the messy mane...... On second thought this might not be such a good idea...... No no I can do it Rarity thought 'I can!'
After dropping SweetieBell with her parents, Rarity began to head towards Sweet Apple Arches. Humming every step of the way. Until she saw a flash of white and everything went blank. Rarity arose to see what she had crashed into. It was non other than herself or AppleJack technically. But there was something horrid to this scene. AppleJack looked tired, she looked scared but most of all she looked broken.
AppleJack's stared up towards Rarity, eyes red, dripping sweat and most of all the crying, she just couldn't stop crying. “Am sorry Rarity” She whispered
“Huh?” Rarity was confused
But before she could ask what was wrong AppleJack started running again. She just ran.
Rarity got up and quickly chased after AppleJack trying to get her to slow down.
“AppleJack! AppleJack! Stop!” Rarity screamed despite knowing she was faster than AppleJack in her body she felt tired for some reason. Maybe that blow took more than she thought out of her.
“Go away Rarity now!” AppleJack screamed almost running into several trees due to being blinded by tears.
“What's wrong! Slow down! We need to talk” Rarity tried everything to get the mare to let up but she was having none of it.
“Nothings wrong” She lied “I'm fine just over stressed” She Lied again “I don't need ya'lls help” She couldn't stop the lying.
Suddenly AppleJack stopped she couldn't go any further. She knew where she was running too and she didn't want to go there. Not ever again.
Rarity pulled up behind AppleJack breathing heavily.
“Now what in tarnation is going on AppleJack!”
“Nothin Rarity I'm right as rain” All the crying, all the lying, AppleJack was going insane.
“Now I can clearly see that isn't the case darling what happened on the farm?” AppleJack flinched
“AppleJack something happen to you and I want to know what! Your clearly upset, terrified even there's something your not telling me”
AppleJack flinched
“AppleJack why won't you tell me?” Rarity stood firm
“Because it aint non of ya business Rarity!”
“It clearly is if one of my best friends is in trouble, look I know we fight but you are important to me AppleJack I want to know what your hiding!”
“What does it matter Rarity, tellin ya'll would only cause ya grief, it would only upset ya, I can deal with it on ma own!”
“I don't think you can dear, be honest with me you are the element of honesty aren't you?”
AppleJack snapped
“Ever wondered why I never talked bout ma family for to long?! Ever wondered why I never like bringing up ManeHatten when ponies ask me?! Wanna know why I don't let things get ta me too often?! Because all the memories I av of them are just thoughts that cause me grief! And they sure as heck aint thoughts I wanna put in any other poines head! A never said nothin cos no pony ever asked! A may be the element of honesty but I still deserve some bucking privacy Rarity! An ya'll don't need ta know what happened on that farm because it aint gonna help ya! An it sure as buck didn't help me to forget those memories I thought was gone! So buck off Rarity!”
“AppleJack what in the world happened to you down there?” Rarity didn't understand and by the sound of it she shouldn't want to. But AppleJack was her friend and she sure as buck wasn't gonna let her sit through this on her own.
“Buck off Rarity, no pony elped me then, no pony elped me an hour ago, and aint no bucking pony helpin me now, ya don't know ow a feel, ya never will so bucking! leave! Me!- AppleJack couldn't finish her sentence, as she felt a pressure from inside her head begin to form and build.
“AppleJack?” Rarity became worried as the mare suddenly went quiet.
AppleJack felt the pressure expand until it just seemed to burst. Rarity watched in horror as AppleJack's right eye suddenly burst and turned red and blood began to pour out of her nose. Until the mare just fell to the ground unconscious.
Rarity began rushing through the trees with AppleJack's unconscious form on her back running at full pace. She didn't know were to go, she didn't know what to do, all she knew was her friend needed help now, FlutterShy's was the closest. She charged through the town almost knockin over a few ponies on her way towards the cottage. FlutterShy may be a doctor of animals but she's the closest doctor there was. She made it towards the cottege and banged on the door repeatedly.
“FlutterShy it's AppleJack open up now I need ya elp!” Rarity tried to stay in control but was loosing the battle. No answer.
“FlutterShy please Rarity's in trouble!” No answer. Why? What did AppleJack mean? Why had this happened? Rarity seemed almost deranged. Then suddenly the door opened up.
“Oh AppleJack it's you I was in the kitchen and couldn't really hear anything- FlutterShy's started before being interrupted.
“No time FlutterShy! Sumin happned to Rarity she was yelling an screaming then her eye suddenly burst an went red, an her nose started bleedin, and she just passed out, I didn't know were ta go cos the hospitals five miles from ere an you were the closest!” Rarity was frantic
“Oh my, oh my, oh no, oh no!” FlutterShy quickly went over towards AppleJack. She began checking her pulse and looking into her eyes. Rushing around and Rarity was frightened, she felt her heart clenching shut and she could barely breath she didn't understand. Why was AppleJack's body acting like this. Sure she should be panicked, but this just began to hurt. Until she noticed FlutterShy breathing a sigh of relief. That lowered her heart rate but not by much.
“She's going to be fine her brain just suffered from a large amount of stress which cause a blood vessel in her vain to expand and burst causing the bleeding, you don't normally pass out from this kind of thing though, so I wonder why she did, Anyway she'll be fine, I'll take her home and look after her until she wakes up, you should go back to the farm and calm down, we don't need two ponies having an aneurysm”
The walk back towards the farm proved to be almost non-existent to Rarity.
“An aneurysm?, how could AppleJack have one of them?, she was too young, but if they're caused by stress then what could have happened in only a few short days? So many questions ad not enough answers”
Rarity made it to the farm not even understanding how she got there but she didn't care as much. As much as she wanted to go straight home and sleep, it was still mid day. She wanted to prove something to AppleJack, she wanted to help and Celestia be her witness she was going to.
She walked towards the barn looking for Big Mac, but he spotted her before she could.
“Howdy Sis” Big Mac yelled
“Hey there Mac...” Rarity sighed, what was that?
“Sumin eatin ya?” Mac raised an eyebrow
“I just ran into Rarity, without magic, making dresses is ard, I came back to tell er that she won our bet but she ran off crying. A chased her down but she got all mad and an had an aneurysm”
“A what?” Big Mac seemed confused
“Oh it's were theres so much stress in yer hed that a blood vain just blows and yer eye can go red”
Big Mac gulped Rarity noticed but chose to ignore it.
“So I ran her to FlutterShy's and she's taken her ome and lookin after her, she gonna be mighty fine anyway's a best get back to apple buckin, i'll check on her later”
“Wow now make sure ya go an take yah meds first, before ya start apple buckin ya aint needed em the last two days cos ya aint been running much but if ya'll gonna be buckin go take em”
“Meds?” Rarity panicked
“Ya no ya meds for ya heart” Big Mac was worried
“My Heart?” Rarity panicked even more.
“Now come on AppleJack's don't tell me ya aint been taking em, ya'll gonna work yerself ta death if ya don't take em, remember that's how ma died”
Ma? Meds? Died? What the buck is going on Rarity thought.
“Sorry remind me Mac guess I kinda blocked it out like a done with a lot other stuff”
“Remember ma had her weak heart, it want to strong and she wouldn't take her medicine, so she died from a panic attack, come on AJ, me n AppleBloom got lucky by not inheritin it from her but unfortunatly ya'll did get it, if ya don't take ya med ya heart it gonna fail ya and I aint loosing ma sister, not again”
Weak heart? Loosing again? What the buck is going on!
“Again?”
“Remember after what had apened with pa, an ya left fer ManeHatten, a though ya'll were never gonna come back but ya did an luckly pa died”
Luckily? Died?
“Am sorry a wasn't there for ya AJ, a shoulda been, then it woulda never av happened but please don't end up like ma or pa, be the lil sis a know an love alright the one who aint a liar”
What. The. Buck.
Rarity looked down to notice that Big Mac's....... Mac was out and her heart began to thunder
“Uhh..... Big Mac?” She pointed a fore-hoof to his waist
He looked down and hid his side with shame.
“Uhh... yeh Miss Rarity kinda gota bit mad an started bucking trees wildly, a tried ta calm her down but she wouldn't listen then she kicked me in the ribs, apologized and then began crying a hugged her ta calm her down, but the smell and her fur just got ta me, an a kissed her she ran away after that obviously upset, seein her cry when I did that made me feel like pa, he became so mean when ma died, an Rarity ad one of those things yall have bout three times a month”
Processing.....................Ma, Died, Weak heart, Inherited, On Medication, Aneurysms
Processing.....................Big Mac, Kissed AppleJack, Ran away crying, Stressed induced black out
Processing.....................Pa, Died, Mean, Did something to AppleJack, ManeHatten
Processing.....................Big Mac almost did, what pa did ta AppleJack, Liar
'Buck off Rarity, aint nopony elped me then, aint no pony elpin me now'
'Memories I thought a forgot, Thoughts no pony should see'
'Thoughts that only cause me grief, Why do you think I stay calm Rarity'
'Buck off Rarity ya'll will never understand how a feel'
Rarity's heart stopped for a brief moment. All of her senses failed her. Her mind broke down as she smelt blood in her nose. Saw red in her eyes. Big Macs voice being drowned out in her ears. It wasn't until she coughed up blood, that she noticed she was dying.
AppleJack how long have you been alone like this?
Was the last thought that went through Rarity's mind before she had to black out.
Authors Note: Hey Bro's 1st chapter to my 2nd story I was gonna do another one shot but I felt like I was dragging this out so i've cut them down. There will be a clop lite version to this but the clop doesn't start until the second chapter. So please relax as always I am open to requests and tell me guys what you think if it needs improving. I Know the near incest thing was kind of sketchy but the general story of this fan fic is what happens within the mind and not the body