//------------------------------// // Ch8: Stacked Trouble // Story: Believe // by Rapplejack //------------------------------// " Goodnight, Rar'." Rarity stared at the imposter in delight, finally able to see her beloved marefriend. She blushed after remembering what had happened on their last encounter; her confessing and what not. The fake Applejack smiled and approached Rarity. " Heya there." she said mischievously. " Rar', why don't we do somethin'... Interestin'?" The imposter said in a raunchy tone. She looked straight at Rarity, who's face was flushed a deep red. " W-well what do you have in mind..?" Rarity said eagerly. She was used to many mares and colts going up to her and flirting with her, but she always brushed them off like they were nothing. Her situation with Applejack put her at the other end of the stick, having to gather the courage to even speak with Applejack. Now that "Applejack" was being so forward with her, she couldn't help but feel flustered. " I was thinkin' we could go on a... Trip." The fake Applejack said; giving her a comforting smile. She quickly glanced at the plush Applejack, smirking at it. She averted her eyes back to Rarity, walking towards her. " Well how 'bout we go to a place where we can be... Alone. " But aren't we already alone?" Rarity asked, tilting her head at Applejack. The phony Applejack gave a light chuckle, gazing at the doll behind her. " Oh.. I wouldn't be too sure about that, Rar'.." She said, putting her hoof around Rarity. Rarity could feel the blood rushing to her face, taking deep breaths to maintain her sanity. " Well, whaddya say?" " Oh, well that would be just lovely!" Rarity said, smiling at the fake. "Applejack" smiled as she led Rarity out of the room; she looked back at the plush doll one last time before closing the door behind them. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack laid there; unable to do anything. She felt so powerless as she watched the two of them converse.. Watching her Rarity treat this fake Applejack with such.. Love. Rar'.. How could you let that fake trick you... How could you smile like that to another pony.. Right in front of me... Applejack's heart was aching; she never felt this kind of pain before in her life. She felt like Rarity had abandoned her.. She felt like she had abandoned Rarity. Her entire will to find a way to get out of the plush doll fell into oblivion. She didn't even have the strength to think of the horrible things that the imposter was doing to her Rarity. I'm so useless.. I can't even help my dearest friend.. Applejack thought, falling into a deeper state of depression. She had lost all hope. Then, the door opened. Hello there, dearest Applejack. I have come to bring you back. A certain magical zebra thought, entering Carousel Boutique. W-what..? Applejack thought. She swore she just heard Zecora, but she couldn't see her through the reflection of the mirror. Do not panic my dear; I am downstairs, very near. Zecora started to walk up the steps towards the bedroom. A potion I have brewed, to be able to speak with you. So you can hear my thoughts, and I can hear yours? Zecora entered the bedroom and nodded at the plush doll. You are correct, my dear. Zecora picked up the doll and set it in the bag. " We must be quick, for Rarity's end is very clear." Zecora said aloud, leaving the Carousel Boutique. Applejack was sitting up in the bag, confused at what was going on. She didn't know how Zecora knew that she was in the plush; much less how she knew Rarity was in danger. She decided it was best to leave these unanswered for now. So where are you takin' me? Applejack thought questioningly, trying to peak out the small opening in the bag. " Back to my cottage." Zecora said flatly, hurrying back into the Everfree Forest. " I will help brew a potion, to help you gain back your devotion." Applejack was already lacking in the "high level" vocabulary department, so it took her some time to think about what that meant. So what yer tryin' to say is.. You can change me back? Applejack thought, piecing things together. " That is correct." Zecora said as they approached her cottage. Once they entered, Zecora set Applejack on a counter and got to work immediately. Applejack saw Zecora throw all kinds of potions into the mix; it seemed that she threw a never-endless supply of potions into the cauldron. How long is this here potion going to take? Rarity is in danger! Zecora turned to face Applejack, frowning. " I am working in much haste; all we can do now, is wait." Zecora stopped throwing potions into the mixture and took a seat next to Applejack. So you're sayin' we don't know when the potion is going to be ready..? Applejack thought, concerned that it might be too late. Zecora gave a smile and reassured Applejack that Rarity would be safe. Applejack solemnly accepted the situation; she had to sit here and wait for that stupid potion while her Rarity was in danger. She mentally sighed, staring at the potion that took seemingly forever to finish. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rarity walked next to "Applejack" in joy, savoring every step. She looked over to her beloved Applejack, smiling at the mare who had stolen her heart. They walked near the edge of Ponyville, away from anypony else. Rarity gave Applejack a confused look; wondering what they were doing at such an isolated place. " Applejack, why are we at such an.. Isolated spot?" Rarity said, innocently blinking her eyes. "Applejack" turned to face Rarity, a wide grin on her face. " I just wanted a place where nopony could see us.." The imposter said, approaching Rarity. Rarity blushed, wondering what they would be doing momentarily. " W-well.. What do you have in mind?" Rarity said, turning a deeper shade of red. She watched her beloved marefriend walk closer and closer to her, confidence in each step. "Applejack" gave Rarity a smile, but then she looked around and her face became concerned. " Rarity, we have to go somewhere else; now." The imposter said, quickly dragging Rarity back into Ponyville. Rarity noticed the urgency in "Applejack's" voice, so she followed her without question. Once they were in a dark alley near the outskirts of town, Rarity decided to ask "Applejack" what had happened. " Applejack.. What's wrong?" Rarity said, panting from the unexpected run. She looked over at "Applejack" who was murmuring to herself. " I was too slow.." The imposter said in anger, spitting on the ground. She turned back over to the confused Rarity and grabbed her shoulders. " Listen to me, and you listen to me well." Rarity stared at "Applejack", confused. She totally lost her southern accent and had a serious look in her eyes. Rarity nodded her head, confused and scared. " Okay, now I need you to run as far aw-" The imposter got a swift kick in her side, leaving her sprawled along the floor. Rarity looked at "Applejack" in horror, running towards the fallen mare. " Applejack!!" Rarity screamed in dismay, looking at her beloved marefriend who was struggling to get up. " Don't get near that imposter!" A voice called out behind Rarity. She turned around face to face with another Applejack. " A-applejack?" Rarity asked, doing a double take at the fallen Applejack. She felt her head spin in confusion, not knowing what was going on. " Rar' I'll explain everything in a minute, for now we have to get away!" Rarity didn't know what was going on; she looked at the Applejack that was now running, deciding to follow her. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Applejack led Rarity to an abandoned gem mining cave outside of Ponyville. Rarity looked over to Applejack, who was standing on the other side of the cave. She tried to piece together all the recent events that had just occurred. Okay Rarity, let's see what's going on.. Rarity started to think, keeping her gaze on the Applejack who was idly standing there. There are two Applejacks.. Apparently Applejack #1 was evil and was some sort of.. Imposter.. And now Applejack #2 is the real one saving me.. Rarity could see the smoke leaving her head, shaking it off quickly. She looked at Applejack; she seemed to be walking around the cave, inspecting every detail of it. Rarity couldn't stand being clueless anymore. " Applejack.. Explain to me what in all of Equestria is going on!" Rarity finally said, walking up to Applejack with a stern look on her face. She was so confused, so she demanded an answer. Applejack turned towards Rarity and smiled, putting a hoof on her shoulder. Rarity blushed, returning the smile at Applejack. She then took her hoof that was on Rarity's shoulder and hit Rarity right in the temple, knocking the unfortunate pony cold on the ground. " Goodnight, Rar'."