Like Sisters Now

The next day, Applejack and Rarity went to the library to alert Twilight about the avatar behavior yesterday. She didn't know what confused her more, seeing Applejack and Rarity come in together, or the fact that she didn't sense any tension between them. In fact, their body language toward each other seemed to show the opposite of tension.

“That's weird,” Twilight said, “It's one thing for nightmares to leave the Everfree Forest and act on their own, but why would avatars be doing it?”

“I'm beginnin ta think Fluttershy's really onto somethin,” Applejack said.

“About a pony leading the nightmares?” Rarity asked, “Yes, I hate to say it, but it does make a lot of sense.”

“Nightmares aren't just drawn to negative emotions, but they can cause them as well, right?” Twilight asked.

“Yes, and I'm thinking that's their angle,” Rarity said, “Filthy Rich is a lot of things, but he's still one of the most influential ponies in Ponyville.”

“Ah can't let anythin happen ta him,” Applejack said, “Ah hate his guts, but sadly Ah… Ah need him. Also, he's still a pony, so we gotta protect him.”

“I suppose you'll be wanting my help with that then?” Rarity asked. Here we go, Twilight thought.

“Ah'd… appreciate it,” Applejack said looking down, surprising Twilight, who was expecting Applejack to fly off the handle.

“Okay, what's going on with you two?” Twilight asked, “Did you two have a night of passion or something?”

“I bet you'd just love that,” Rarity taunted, “But no, Applejack and I didn't make passionate love under the moonlight. Though she probably wanted to.”

“Ah didn't see you resistin much last night either,” Applejack said with a smirk. Okay, these two are definitely acting weird.

“Okay, ignoring the fact that you two randomly became best friends,” Twilight said, “We need to put a parameter around Rich's mansion. Since all of the attacks happen at night, we'll gather there tonight and wait for the nightmare. At this point it's safe to say that the red type is going to be coming pretty soon.”

“Then we better get ready,” Rarity said, “Applejack, don't we have that thing to take care of?”

“Yeah, we should probably do that,” Applejack said, “We'll get in touch with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy, an' tell them 'bout the plan. Could you let Spike know?”

“Yeah, I'll let him know,” Twilight said, “I'm… confused about what happened with you two, but I'm happy you worked things out…”

“Believe me,” Applejack said looking into Rarity's eyes, “So am Ah.”

“Same,” Rarity said. After looking at each other lovingly, Rarity turned to the door, “Well, come along darling.”

Applejack chuckled, “Comin hun.”

Seriously, pet names now too?

After they left, Spike came downstairs and walked over to Twilight, who was frozen in shock.

“Are you okay Twilight?” he asked her.

“Yeah, I just…” Twilight was still trying to process what she was seeing. After a while, she knew what was so shocking about how Applejack and Rarity looked.

They looked like her and Trixie before the incident.

“Ah think we broke her,” Applejack said as she and Rarity walked side by side.

“Well, last time she saw us we acted like we hated each other,” Rarity said, “Though, even I'm surprised by how easily things changed between us.”

“You too?” Applejack said, “Crazy, but this jus' feels more natural. Almost like…”

“We were always this close?” Rarity finished for Applejack.

“Yeah, that,” Applejack confirmed, “It's crazy, but right now, it feels silly that I ever hated ya.”

“I didn't give you much reason to like me,” Rarity admitted, “Hell, I would have hated me.”

“Ah find that hard to believe,” Applejack said deadpanned. Rarity sighed playfully.

“You caught me in my lie,” she said airily, “Shame, I was trying so hard to be sympathetic.”

“Jus' stick ta bein an alpha bitch,” Applejack said, “Ya do that a lot better.”

They both laughed, something that felt relaxing to do with each other all of a sudden. After a few seconds, they got serious.

“So if this doesn't work, you're going to go back to Filthy Rich?” Rarity asked.

“Ah… yeah…” Applejack said somberly, “Ah can't ask ya ta cover my grandmother's medical expenses, even if ya could afford it.”

Rarity sighed, “I suppose I could understand that. I wish you didn't have to work for that stallion though. He's absolutely disgusting.”

“Yeah he is,” Applejack said, “But things are so expensive right now. Even without Granny Smith's expenses, we'd need the extra money. At least ta get outta the red this month.”

“You do know Filthy Rich isn't going to let you get out of this, right?” Rarity asked, “Otherwise he'd lose his pet.”

“I know that,” Applejack said, “But Ah ain't got another alternative, an' if Ah jus don't go, nothin's comin in, an' we'll be even worse off.”

“I don't understand it,” Rarity said, “Why do you let that stallion do what he wants to you? It's not like he owns you or anything,” when Applejack looked away somberly, Rarity frowned in confusion, “Applejack, does he own you?”

“Not me per say,” Applejack said, “But he does own the land. Ya see, my father apparently made a deal with him years ago ta get through a rough season. He was still alive back then, so they were partners on equal terms. Thing is, my father didn't read the fine print of the contract, which said that if anythin happened to one…”

“The other would get full authority,” Rarity finished nodding, “I see. So technically the land is in Filthy Rich's name.”

“Eeyup…” Applejack sighed, “Worst of all, he's the one with the contract, so while the bills are in me an' my brother's names, the land itself belongs ta him. If Ah don't do what he tells me, he could sell the land, an' put Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith out on the streets, an' he taxes us so much it's ridiculous. So… Ah made a deal with him myself. He let up on some of the expenses an' helps us with some of the bills, an' Ah be his servant part time.”

“Of course, he didn't tell you until it was too late that servant meant sex slave, right?” Rarity asked, “That's the kind of stallion he is. Believe me, I've had the unfortunate luxury of working with him. He doesn't do anything unless he knows he's going to reap all of the benefits. He cheated your father, and he's taking advantage of you.”

“Ah know that,” Applejack groaned, “But what can Ah do 'bout it? Even if Ah get a hold of the contract, Ah know he's got copies of it.”

“I don't know what we'll do, but we'll think of something,” Rarity said stopping and placing a hoof on Applejack's shoulder, “I promised I'd help you, and I always keep my promises. Even if I can't help your grandmother, I'm going to save you from Filthy Rich.”

As she moved her hoof to caress Applejack's cheek, Applejack closed her eyes and smiled, “Ah believe in ya Rarity. Thank you.”

“What are friends for?” Rarity said. The two of them hugged and then continued their walk to their destination.

Ponyville Hospital.

“What, so now they're all of a sudden best friends?” Trixie asked watching them, “Oh well, I can salvage this. Hm, I wonder what she's doing right now?”

Trixie waved her mane and sauntered deeper into town. She needed to get her alone if they were going to talk.

Thankfully they were able to get some alone time with Granny Smith. Rarity was surprised when Applejack transformed right in front of her, but when she explained everything it made sense. Apparently Applejack had been using her magic to strengthen her body as best as she could. Rarity transformed into her alicorn form and tried to use her magic to heal her.

Unfortunately, she hit a wall that was dangerous for her to pass.

Rarity fell to the floor exhausted, and Applejack ran to her side.

“Rarity! Are ya alright?” Applejack asked frantically.

“I'm sorry Applejack…” Rarity said sadly looking at Applejack, “I can't heal her. What's ailing her is beyond my normal capabilities.”

“Applejack sweetie, it's fine,” Granny Smith said, catching their attention, “Ah accepted that my time was up.”

“Granny Smith…” Applejack said looking away somberly.

“I… should leave you two alone,” Rarity said, “I'll be waiting for you in the waiting room.”

Rarity left the room, immediately using the magic of harmony to return to her unicorn state. She leaned against the wall and collapsed, thinking of what this meant for Applejack. She wished that she could have done more for Applejack, especially with her finally depending on her.

The first thing Applejack ever asked her to do, and she let her down.

“Sweetheart, don't cry,” Granny Smith said rubbing her alicorn granddaughter's head as she sobbed helplessly.

“What am Ah gonna do?” Applejack asked through her tears, “Granny Smith, Ah messed up. We don't have enough money ta pay fer all of the expenses, Ah promised Apple Bloom Ah'd get her somethin special for her birthday, but we have no way of affordin it, an' now Ah'm Filthy Rich's slave!”

“Oh Applejack…” Granny Smith said looking at Applejack sadly.

“Ah was stupid! Ah thought Ah could protect the farm on my own! The only reason Rarity couldn't heal ya now is because Ah waited too long, because Ah was too much of a bitch ta see how much she really cared 'bout me! Now it's too late! Ah'm gonna be Filthy Rich's slave fer the rest of my life, Apple Bloom is gonna hate me, an' worst of all, we're gonna lose the land unless Ah become Filthy Rich's live in servant!”

“Sweetie, you don't have anythin ta worry about,” Granny Smith said softly.

“Ya don't know what he does ta me, Granny Smith! Ah damn near lost my job at the club because of him! He's gets off on seein me humiliated! Ah don't know if Ah can-”

“Applejack, Ah ain't talkin 'bout that,” Granny Smith lifted her head to look at her, “Yer gonna get outta this, sweetie.”

“How?” Applejack asked helplessly.

“Yer not alone anymore,” Granny Smith said, “You got a great friend out there. Ah saw her devotion to ya. She's special, that one.”

Applejack calmed down a bit thinking about how far Rarity went. It looked like she almost killed herself trying to heal her. Actually, would healing Granny Smith have meant...?

“Ah feel better now,” Granny Smith said giving Applejack a peaceful smile, “Yer gonna be in good hooves with that one. Between the two of ya, this will be dealt with.”

Looking at how sure Granny Smith was, Applejack couldn't help but feel better herself. She knew it would work itself out.

Applejack didn't know how to feel about that, but when she changed back and stepped into the waiting room, she saw Rarity waiting for her. She looked just as upset as Applejack was. It was then that it became real to her. Rarity was really going out of her way to help her. How could she not see it before? Sure, she was a bitch, superficial, arrogant, and vicious when it came to what she wanted, but underneath all of that was a truly honorable pony.

Someone she would have been proud to call her best friend.

“Hey,” Applejack said walking over to Rarity, “Ready ta go?”

“Yes,” Rarity said using her magic to lightly dab her eyes with a tissue. She stood up and the two of them trotted out of the hospital, “So, when do you have to go into work with…”

Applejack sighed, “Let's see… it's one now, so… Ah got two hours before he's expectin me,” Applejack looked down, sighed, and then turned to Rarity, “Hey, Rarity-”

“Applejack-” they both stopped, “Um… you first, darling.”

“Naw, you can go,” Applejack said.

“I was going to ask if… nah, never mind,” Rarity said shaking her head.

“You were gonna ask if Ah wanted ta hang out till it was time?” Applejack asked.

“W-well, Spike is probably with Twilight at the moment, and Fluttershy is patrolling with Rainbow Dash, and with Sweetie Belle at school still… But you wouldn't want to spend time with me like that.”

“Actually… Ah was gonna ask if ya wanted ta… keep me company fer a bit,” Applejack said, “Ya see, Macintosh is workin the shop at the moment, an' Apple Bloom is still at school, so… Ah'd be alone in the house…”

“You know… I don't think you ever invited me over to your house,” Rarity said.

“Then, Ah guess Ah should change that then,” Applejack said, “We still got cider saved from last cider season.”

“Applejack,” Rarity said giving Applejack a suggestive look, “Are you trying to seduce me?”

“You'd like that, wouldn't ya,” Applejack said chuckling, “Ah see ya starin at my flank while we walk.”

“I can't help it!” Rarity whined, “You have the sexiest body I've ever seen! There, I finally said it!”

“You… think Ah'm sexy…?” Applejack asked, looking at Rarity like she grew a second head.

“YES! Ugh, it drove me crazy! You're just-” Rarity looked at Applejack in shock, “You seriously don't know, do you?”

“Don't know what?” Applejack asked.

“How hot you are,” Rarity said, “Do you seriously not know?”

“Uh, no, Ah ain't hot,” Applejack said, “Yer hot.”

“Well… yes I am,” Rarity said, Applejack rolled her eyes, “But that doesn't take away from you. You're gorgeous, darling.”

“Ah was gorgeous,” Applejack said, “Back when Ah lived in Manehatten, Ah was dainty, delicate, Ah could walk into a room an' stop every conversation. Now though… all Ah'm good for is bein fucked by sick rich stallions.”

“What?!” Rarity said aghast, “No no no no, that's wrong! Look around us,” Applejack did, and noticed a number of stallions looking at her and Rarity. Most of them turned their heads when she looked their way.

“Ah thought they were yer admirers,” Applejack said.

“Oh no Applejack,” Rarity said, “They're not looking at me. They know I'm currently dating a fire breathing dragon and don't want their heads bitten off.”

“Spike wouldn't bite their heads off,” Applejack said.

“They don't know that, so shush,” Rarity said quickly, “You on the other hoof, are single.”

“Wait, ya mean…” Applejack looked around again, “They're eyin… me?!”

Rarity sighed, “You think that's bad, you should see the fan club.”

“What fan club?” Applejack asked. Rarity laughed and trotted ahead of her, “Hold on! What fan club?” she asked running after Rarity. It was still weird being so friendly, but neither one of them could deny how natural this felt. All this time, they were best friends, and didn't even know it.

It was a little awkward at first, as this was the first time the two of them had ever spent this much time together, let alone at one of their houses. After a little while though, Applejack and Rarity started to fall into various conversations and saw that they had quite a bit in common.

It was getting close to when Applejack had to go to work, thus they were in her bedroom as Applejack applied her make up. Rarity found her attention drawn to a picture on the dresser near Applejack. In the picture was a young mare that looked like Applejack, but she looked younger and fancier. In the picture with her was a tall stallion with a yellow coat and a short red and white mane and matching tail.

“Is this you?” Rarity asked picking up the portrait in her magic. Applejack briefly looked at the picture, but then turned away blushing.

“Y-yeah… it is,” Applejack said somberly, “At least, that's who Ah used ta be.”

“Hm, I can see the difference,” Rarity said, “You're a lot prettier now than you were then.”

“Stop,” Applejack said smiling.

“No, I'm serious,” Rarity said, “Whoever this stallion is, he'd go gaga over you now. Speaking of, he looked familiar to me…”

“His name is Flim,” Applejack said, “He an' his brother Flam were big entrepreneurs when Ah lived in Manehatten.”

“Wait, Flim and Flam?” Rarity asked putting the portrait down, “As in, twin CEOs of Golden Apple inc. Flim & Flam?!”

“Golden Apple inc…?” Applejack asked.

“Those two are the owners of the biggest business in Manehatten!” Rarity exclaimed, “You were dating the younger twin?! Oh Applejack, you are so lucky!”

“Ah was lucky,” Applejack said resuming her task, “Ah broke things off with him when Ah had ta move back ta Ponyville. He probably hates me now. 'Sides, he wouldn't want ta be with me now, what with him ownin a business an' all.”

Rarity raised an eyebrow, “Hold on. Applejack, are you Abigail…?” Applejack, who had finished her make up, placed her hooves on her dresser and closed her eyes.

“You can probably imagine, but Applejack is my nickname. Ah was born Abigail Jacquelyn Ambrosia,” Applejack confessed, “When Ah was in Manehatten, an' when Ah'm with Filthy Rich, Ah always use that name cause it sounds…”

“More noble?” Rarity finished for Applejack, “You see, you have it lucky. You're second name is actually pretty.”

“Why? What's yers?” Applejack asked. Rarity closed her eyes looking away blushing, “Come on now. You found out my second name. It's only fair that Ah know yers.”

Rarity took a deep breath before she spoke again, “My second name… is Ruth.”

“Ruth?” Applejack asked, “Yer name is Ruth?”

“Yes, hardy har har, go on and make fun of it,” Rarity said rolling her eyes.”

“You do not look like a Ruth,” Applejack said.

“Which is why you will never see my high school pictures,” Rarity said.

“Ya know Ah have ta see them now, right?” Applejack taunted.

“Oh no! No no no no!” Rarity defended, “Not even Spike gets that pleasure! That's a side of me I'm actually trying to forget!”

“How bad could it be? It ain't like ya had thick glasses an' braces,” when Rarity closed her eyes painfully, Applejack was wide eyed, “No… seriously?!”

“I'm wearing contacts,” Rarity sighed, “And yes, I wore braces all through elementary and high school. I was desperate to change my image,” Applejack started laughing, “It's not funny!”

“No, Ah ain't laughin at ya,” Applejack said, “Ah'm laughin at how silly Ah was bein. All this time Ah thought you were my complete opposite, an' you were rubbin it in my face, yet all this time you were jus like me. Ah don't know, Ah guess Ah jus' feel silly.”

“Hey, it's alright,” Rarity said walking behind Applejack and wrapping her forelegs around her, “I don't make it easy to be my friend. I should have been a little more sensitive to your feelings,” Rarity tightened the embrace, “You know… we just shared our second names with one another.”

“That we did,” Applejack said holding Rarity's forelegs with her own, “Ain't that usually reserved fer married couples?”

“According to some people, we argued like an old married couple,” Rarity said, “But I suppose now that I know your second name, you're trusting me with a lot.”

“Ah guess Ah have to,” Applejack said smiling, “You tellin me yer second name is major though, especially with how much you wanted ta hide it.”

“Well, like you said, it's only fair,” Rarity sighed, “I hate what you have to do tonight Applejack.”

“Ah hate it too,” Applejack said, “But with the bills, an' Apple Bloom's birthday comin up in two days, Ah need this. Rarity, Ah made a promise to her. If Ah don't come through, she'll be crushed.”

“I want to help you, Applejack,” Rarity closed her eyes, “Please let me help you.”

Applejack's instincts were saying no, but she remembered the smile that Granny Smith gave her when she saw Rarity. She looked over when she felt something wet hit her foreleg, and noticed Rarity was crying a bit. She was serious.

“Ah don't know what you can do, but… alright. Ah… trust ya,” Applejack said.

After seeing Applejack off, Rarity sighed and began making her way back home. She needed to freshen up a bit before she got to work. The nightmare wouldn't attack till late, so that gave her a little bit of time.

On her way home, she saw Sweetie Belle skipping home from across the street. Rarity smirked to herself and then waved to her sister.

“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle said running over to her elder sister and hugging her.

“Hello Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said, “How was school?”

“Diamond Tiara was harassing Apple Bloom today, but other than that everything was fine,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Is that so?” Rarity said, “Well, it just so happens that I have an invested interest in Apple Bloom.”

“You do?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Yes, but I need your help,” Rarity said guiding her sister back home, “You wouldn't by any chance know what she has planned for her birthday, would you?”

Author's Notes:

I love how this turned out. It took a while for me to work out everything, but as you can see the final product is out. I don't know how much longer this arc is, but I think this coming to the finale of it.

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