Sisterhooves Sabotage
"Is everything ok, Applejack?"
Applejack looked up from her cup of tea. She looked at Twilight, Pinkie and Fluttershy, somewhat a little confused as to what they were doing there, but then remembered she had been invited over to Twilight's for tea.
"Mmm... yeah," Applejack mumbled. She spun her spoon around in her tea slowly, watching as the liquid swirled round and round. She sighed and the spoon clanged on the table.
Rarity and Rainbow Dash were supposed to be with them as well. Rainbow Dash had canceled at the last minute because of some weather emergency, and Rarity... well, she was out with Tom. Again.
Applejack groaned and buried her head into her hooves. The first week of Tom's visit was up. And he had spent most of it was Rarity. Every day he seemed to be going off to the Carousel Boutique for long hours, and by the time he would arrive back at Sweet Apple Acres, Applejack would be so hurt and heartbroken, that she could barely stand to look at him. She tried to not worry about it, to remind herself that their friendship was what was important, but her feelings for him were too strong.
After Rarity had given Tom the notebook with sewing tips in it, they had continued to chat. Applejack had tuned most of it out, as she stood there, stirring in jealousy and heartache, but now she wished she knew what they had been talking about. Because then, she would have maybe had some idea of what Rarity had done to bewitch Tom. He was going off every day to spend some time with Rarity. Sure, Rarity was gorgeous, but she must have done something else to win over super sweet Tom. Applejack wouldn't be surprised if she had a wedding invitation in the mail soon.
"Applejack? Earth to Applejack," Twilight said.
"Huh?" Applejack said. She lifted her head out of her hooves and snapped back to reality.
"Applejack, are you sure you're ok?" Twilight asked again. She and the others stared at Applejack, waiting for her to answer.
"Yes," Applejack said, a little more firm this time. Yes, she would be fine. She promised herself, she would be fine. Her friends still looked at her uncertainly, and she gave them a winning smile.
"How's your visit with Tom going?" Fluttershy asked.
Applejack involuntarily sighed again. She had been debating over the past couple of days if she should tell her friends how she felt. Surely they would have some idea on how to deal with the situation. But what if they thought less of her because she wanted to ruin Rarity's potential happiness? What if they got mad at her for not telling them about her feelings for Tom sooner?
"It's been good, I guess. He's been spending a lot of time with Rarity," Applejack said slowly. Maybe they could tell her more information on what was going on. Just so then she wouldn't be blindsided to learn that her best friend and the love of her life had eloped or something. Although she already knew that eloping wasn't Rarity's style.
"Yeah! Tom's been giving her a lot of advice on setting up a shop in Canterlot," Twilight said, "Since he has the experience with the shop his family owns in Neighgley. I think today they were going to look at a small boutique, just as a potential site for Rarity."
Applejack recalled Tom saying something about helping Rarity with real-estate and on the workings of how to run and manage a shop. But she had been avoiding him a bit, so she couldn't be too sure.
"It's just so nice of him," Pinkie Pie said, "And I think I heard Rarity say something about giving his sister more insider tips on sewing and stuff. He seemed really grateful that she was helping his sister."
"So... that's all they've been doing? Helpin' each other out?" Applejack asked, as innocently as she could. Twilight smiled a little too cheerfully.
"Yes, that's all," Twilight said. "Why, what did you think was going on?"
"Nothing," Applejack said quickly. She took a deep breath and a long sip of tea. Everything was going to be ok. Maybe she would hang out with Tom later tonight, assess the damage that may have occurred from her sort of ignoring him the past few days. Things would work out.
"Are you excited about the Sisterhooves Social?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Yes," Applejack said, relieved at the change of conversation, "Only two days to go! Apple Bloom is super excited, as always, especially since Rarity and Sweetie Belle will be competin' again."
Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Applejack all stood, and thanked Twilight for the wonderful late evening. As they made their way through the streets of Ponyville, Applejack continued to chat about the Sisterhooves Social. Pinkie Pie talked about her two younger sisters, and about how one year she would have to convince one of them to try it with her. As they passed one of the restaurants in town, something caught Applejack's eye. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy at first didn't notice that she had stopped and had continued walking a few feet.
There, inside the restaurant, under the twinkling lights and in the soft glow of the candles on the table, where Rarity and Tom. Rarity was laughing at something Tom said, and Tom had a big, gorgeous smile on his face. As Applejack stared at them, they seemed to be in their own little world. Tom leaned in as Rarity began to tell him a story, and there was just something so intimate about the whole thing. There was no way that this was anything but a new friendship, no way that this was just a big act of generosity between the two, helping one another. This was something romantic.
"Applejack?" Pinkie Pie asked. Applejack whipped her head away from the window and looked towards Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy, who were slowly starting to walk towards her. Applejack stepped away from the window so they wouldn't see what she saw and ask questions.
"Yes?" Applejack. She could clearly hear the croak in her voice. She tried to push back the tears that were making their way to the front of her eyes. Slowly, another feeling began to take over. Jealousy. Extreme jealousy.
"I was asking you if you thought the Sisterhooves Social was going to be fun?" Pinkie asked.
"Oh yes," Applejack said, as she stepped back into line with her friends. She took one last look at the restaurant over her shoulder. "Yes, it's going to be very fun."
Applejack avoided Tom for the next two days. She barely saw him in passing. She waited until he would have breakfast and leave before she would go downstairs. She would try to spend her time on the opposite side of the farm that he was on, and if he came towards her, she would come up with an excuse to get away from him.
But she wasn't mad at Tom. Really, who wouldn't fall in love with Rarity? She was a gorgeous, generous pony. She was ambitious and delightful. Applejack couldn't be mad at Tom, it wasn't his fault. But she could be mad at Rarity. A good friend would have gone to Applejack first before potentially starting anything with Tom. Why hadn't Rarity come to Applejack at all? She hadn't seen her since she had introduced Tom to her friends.
Applejack spent most of her time preparing for the Sisterhooves Social. She had finished making up the last bit of the race track, and had put together all of the other small events. She had washed and mended all of the team tunics, and had printed out the finalized list of the sisters competing.
On the day of the Sisterhooves Social, Applejack got up bright and early. She pulled her mane into her signature low ponytail, and made a big breakfast for everypony in the house. Apple Bloom was up early as well, too excited about the event.
Tom came into the kitchen and smiled brightly when he saw Applejack.
"Hey Applejack!" he said. Applejack looked up as she set the table and flashed him a big smile.
"Hey there, Tom! Hope you're hungry," she said, the smile still plastered on her face. Tom smacked his lips and rubbed his hooves together. He sit down at the table and Apple Bloom sat next to him.
"I haven't really had the chance to see you that much the past couple of days," Tom said, when Applejack sat down across from him, "And I'm leaving in three days."
"Yeah, well, I've been busy gettin' ready for the Sisterhooves Social," Applejack said. She broke eye contact with him and began to pile food onto her plate.
"You must be excited that the big day has finally come! I can't wait to see it!" Tom said.
"Yeah. Rarity and her sister will be here too," Applejack said.
"Yes, Rarity was telling me about it. She mentioned about how you helped her and Sweetie Belle better their relationship together last time through the social. That was really nice of you!" Tom said. "She was really grateful."
"Yeah, I'm sure she was," Applejack muttered. She knew she had brought Rarity up, but now she didn't want to talk about her any more.
"I hope you're not upset because I've been spending a lot of time with your friend Rarity," Tom said, "She just had a lot of questions about running a business, especially if it was going to be from a distance."
"Uh-huh," Applejack said. She shoved food into her mouth, "I'm not mad. Why would I be mad?"
Tom opened and closed his mouth. He looked at Applejack, and there was something about his expression that she couldn't quite explain. He looked like he wanted to say something, but he didn't.
Applejack swallowed her food. "Excuse me, I've got to go start things up for the social. I'll see y'ah later."
"See you," Tom said in a quiet voice.
Applejack stood from the table and walked towards the hall. She took one last look at Tom before she left.
Applejack kept busy for the first half of the day. Since she and Apple Bloom only participated in the big race at the end, Applejack oversaw the pie eating contest, the apple bobbing, and the smaller races (six-legged race and sack race).
She would wave at Tom here and there, as he walked around with Big Mac to check out the various events. When she saw Rarity and Sweetie Belle arrive, she knew it was almost time for the big race. She waved politely at her unicorn friend, and walked with Apple Bloom to meet them.
"Good afternoon, Applejack, Apple Bloom," Rarity said.
"Hi Sweetie Belle! Hi Rarity! You guys ready to race?" Apple Bloom asked excitedly.
"We sure are!" Sweetie Belle said, "I'm so excited! Be prepared to lose, Apple Bloom! It's on!"
Oh, it was on alright. Applejack smiled at Rarity, and just as she opened her mouth to say something, Tom approached them, along with her other friends. They all chatted and exchanged pleasantries. Then the horn sounded, the sign that the race was about to begin. Tom and the others headed for the stands, while the pairs of sisters made their way to the starting line.
The row of sisters lined up, Granny Smith made her speech about having fun and a clean race, and then sounded the horn. The sisters took off.
Applejack and Apple Bloom sprinted off, Rarity and Sweetie Belle right behind them. They raced down the dirt path. As they approached the mud pit, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle laughed with each other as they raced across. Applejack glanced at Rarity, who was a step behind her. Applejack slowed a second, and just as she was at the edge of the mud it, she jumped at the same time as Rarity, and knocked into her, pushing the white unicorn deep into the mud.
"Eekkguhgg!" Rarity said, as she slammed into the mud.
"Rarity!" Sweetie Belle shouted. She waited for her sister on the other side of the pit, as Applejack and Apple Bloom raced past them, Applejack's dirty deed going on unseen.
They raced on to the next leg, jumping through the barrels. Applejack glanced behind and saw that Sweetie Belle and a very dirty Rarity were catching up to them. Applejack ran faster, and helped Apple Bloom jump up the crate pyramid. As Rarity and Sweetie Belle came to the pyramid, Applejack 'accidentally' caused one of the crates to tumble down towards them. Both unicorns had to dodge it out of the way. Applejack's plan had backfired though, because now the pyramid was shorter and they had less to climb, and caught up again quickly.
"Applejack!" Rarity called. She tried to signal towards Applejack that she wanted to talk to her, but Applejack ignored her and raced on.
As they approached the pie eating table, Apple Bloom and Applejack ate quickly. Rarity and Sweetie Belle ate quickly as well, but the Apples finished first. Just as Apple Bloom and Applejack were leaving the table, Applejack swung the empty tin out of her mouth, and it hit Rarity in the side of the head.
"Ouch! Applejack!" Rarity whined. But Applejack didn't care. Her heart had been broken and it was all the unicorn's fault. Jealousy had taken over completely.
Applejack and Apple Bloom, who still seemed oblivious to the things her sister was doing, ran up to the bale of hay and began to push it towards the designated distance line. But Rarity and Sweetie Belle were suddenly beside them, pushing their own bale very fast. Applejack's jealous surged again. She began to push so that her bale of hay ran into Rarity's, and it began to push the unicorns off course.
"Applejack, what are you doin'!?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Whoops! Sorry, wasn't payin' attention!" Applejack said.
Apple Bloom seemed to buy it and they continued on with the race. They raced around the bend and came up to the juice making portion. Applejack threw in the grapes as Apple Bloom began to press them. The whole time she glared at Rarity's back in the tub next to them. Applejack and Rarity began to bring their jars of juice towards the stools at the same time.
"Applejack, are you ok? Are you mad at—"
Applejack cut off Rarity, both in speech and on the way to the stools. She bumped into Rarity, causing her jar to fall over and smash. Applejack didn't look back as she continued down the track.
Apple Bloom was waiting at the far end to catch the apples. Applejack jumped on the bench and sent the bunch of apples flying in the air towards their bucket. Apple Bloom caught them easily and they continued over to the chicken coop. The two carefully carried the egg to the basket and began to race towards the finish line.
Applejack wasn't even sure what the other teams were doing. All she was aware of was that Rarity and Sweetie Belle were right behind them. Apple Bloom ran ahead and was almost at the finish line. Sweetie Belle was just passing Applejack when she acted. She turned around slightly and stuck out her leg. Rarity had no time to respond and ran full force into it, and tripped, falling hard to the ground. Applejack ran past and crossed the finish line.
But as she crossed the finish line, nopony came to congratulate her and Apple Bloom. As a matter of fact, Apple Bloom was looking at her with a look of horror on her face. Some ponies from the crowd were rushing from the stands to something behind her. Applejack turned around. Rarity was standing slowly, and wincing sharply as she tried to put weight on her left foreleg. Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy held her up between them. Sweetie Belle looked in tears as she stared at her big sister.
"Applejack! What the buck was that about?" Rainbow Dash asked. She flew down into the earth pony's face. When she moved aside, Twilight Sparkle and Tom were walking towards her.
"Applejack, why did you intentionally hurt Rarity? You sabotaged the whole race for her!" Twilight said.
"I just... I... It was all an accident," Applejack stuttered. She glanced towards Rarity, the jealousy fading away fast, guilt quickly replacing it. Rarity looked like she was in a lot of pain. Applejack hadn't meant to trip her that hard. What if her leg was broken? Rarity was looking towards Applejack, a hurt look on her face, tears in her eyes.
"Why would you do that to your friend, Applejack?" Tom asked her quietly. Just his voice made her heart ache. The way he was looking at her, disappointment plastered all over his face, was unbearable.
"Oh, of course you'd be concerned for her," Applejack said, some of the jealousy seeping in again, "She is your girlfriend after all!"
"What are you talking about?" Tom sputtered, "We're just friends! I have no interest in Rarity!"
Applejack stared at him dumbfounded. The guilt quickly came washing in again, and this time it was ten times stronger. He wasn't interested in Rarity? He hadn't been this whole tine?
"Is that why you did this to her? Because that's what you thought?" Tom asked, putting two and two together.
"I—I just—" Applejack stuttered.
"I've just been helping her with her business! As a way to repay her for helping my sister! And she was nice enough to give me some dating advice, because it was you I was interested in, Applejack, but after what I just saw... I'm not so sure any more," Tom said.
Tears began to swell in Applejack's eyes. Rarity had been giving Tom advice on asking her out? He wanted to be with her? Except now that was all a maybe. It was all jeopardized because of what she had done.
The tears began to spill down Applejack's cheeks. She couldn't take the look of disappointment from everypony any more.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered.
Then she shut her eyes and ran away.