Applejack stood in front of her best friend's door, staring blankly at the handle. She had been doing this for what seemed like hours, along with twisting her hoof in the dirt; she couldn't bring herself to knock on the door.

You've never needed help before. Why would you need it now? thought Applejack. While she had always believed she could always handle anything if it faced her, she wasn't so sure about this. Being the Batmare was putting quite the toll on her, and in order for Twilight to help her, she would need to tell her the secret she thought only her uncle would ever know. Outside of that, if anypony could help her find Black Mask, it would be Twilight.

She knocked on the door.

It took a bit, but Twilight answered. Applejack expected her to be a little bit groggy, as it was late at night, but when Twilight answered the door, she seemed to be wide awake; Applejack assumed she was doing one of her late night study sessions. Twilight cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow upon seeing Applejack.

"Hey, AJ! It's kinda late at night...is there something you needed?" she asked. Applejack looked at the ground for a little while longer before answering her.

"Yea, um...listen, I...there's something I need to talk to you about, and I'm kinda going through something, and...can I stay here tonight? Would that be cool with you?" asked Applejack. Twilight's countenance went from lightheartedly confused to worried and serious, and unlike Applejack, didn't hesitate with her reply.

"Of course. Stay as long as you need. I'll have you know, I do have a friend over now, but she'll be leaving real soon, so we can talk then. Come on in!" she said, stepping back and opening the door wider. Applejack gratefully obliged, and as she came in, hung her stetson on Twilight's coat rack. When she looked into the room, she saw the friend Twilight had over sitting on the couch, and instantly recognized who it was.

It was that reporter from the Daily Planet, Action Shot. Applejack had seen her profile picture by the article she had read, but seeing her in person now, she knew something was odd. She wore what looked to be cheap clothing, and if you didn't look closely, you might call her obese; Applejack could see right through the charade, literally. The clothes were a size too big, and so were the glasses she was wearing. In fact, judging by the hooves and legs she could see, Action Shot appeared to be just as well built as Applejack was. She also had a slight hunch, and Applejack immediately knew it wasn't natural.

"Applejack, this is Action Shot, that reporter I told you about," Twilight said. Action Shot looked up at her and waved, and Applejack smiled back, trying her best to hide any suspicious behavior.

"Wow, you're the Billionare! It's so nice to meet you!" she said. Applejack had to keep herself from laughing.

The damn voice is fake, too! It's unnaturally high; she's trying to make herself seem weak. But...why in the world would anypony ever want to do that? Applejack thought.

"You as well; I read that article you wrote on the Batmare just yesterday after Twilight told me about it. Real interesting stuff! Where did you get those statistics about the crime rates before and after the Batmare's disappearance?" asked Applejack. Action Shot blushed and turned her head away at the compliment.

"I got it from the Ponyville guard; perks of being a journalist! I'm so glad you liked it!" Action said. She slowly got up off the couch.

"Well, it is getting late, and I have a train to catch tomorrow! Bye, Twilight! Bye, Applejack!" she said as she was walking out the door. As soon as she was about to leave, however, Twilight's eyes widened, and she gasped loudly.

"Wait! I almost forgot! I was meaning to show you this, Action Shot, but now that Applejack is here, it's even better!" Twilight ran to the back of the house, and Applejack and Action Shot looked at each other quizzically. Twilight started talking as she began to come back to the front of her house.

"I was out in the forest with Spike yesterday, going for a walk, when we saw this weird, glowing rock! I can't wait to run some tests on it!" Twilight said, pulling it from behind her back. It was, indeed, a green glowing rock; it was rather small, but the illumination it was giving off was incredible. It was certainly an interesting find, and Applejack was glad Twilight found it; if anypony could figure out what it was, Twilight Sparkle could. When she looked over to Action Shot to gauge her reaction, Applejack once again noticed odd behavior from the pony.

She was smiling, but Applejack knew that she wasn't too excited about it. She had taken a step back, and her whole body leaned backwards with it. That hunch she had earlier was gone, and it seemed as if she was almost wincing. She was clearly experiencing some sort of discomfort at the moment, but Applejack couldn't think of a reason in the world why.

"Heh heh...That's amazing, Twi! Do tell me what you think it is when we see each other again! I really should go now, see ya!" said Action Shot. Her voice was weak, and before Twilight could say anything, she had power-walked out the door. Both Twilight and Applejack looked at each other with a face of confusion.

"Huh. It's almost like this rock actually made her uncomfortable," said Twilight. Applejack nodded, still staring at the doorway the mare had run through.

Note to self: do a background check on Action Shot, Applejack thought, before turning around to meet her friend.

"Ok, Twi...I have a little something I'm doing, and I just realized tonight that I just can't do it alone. I have this...instinct, I guess, to do everything by myself, and I think the death of my parents made me not able to easily trust those around me...can I trust you, Twilight?" asked Applejack. To her surprise, Twilight ran up to her and embraced her, not letting go for several seconds, before recoiling and meeting her with a smile.

"Of course, AJ! I'm so honored you would say something like that! So what do you need help with? Coping? Do you need to tell me what you're feeling?" asked Twilight.

"Nothing like that. I need your help cleaning up this city," Applejack answered. Twilight's smile dropped, and she cocked her head to the side in confusion.

"You mean, like community service? I'm sure we can set up some appointments around the city, if you feel that strongly about environmental issues-" Twilight was cut off by Applejack, who had been shaking her head. Applejack rolled down one of her coat sleeves, to reveal her trusty grapnel gun; a bat symbol was etched into the top. Twilight's eyes widened as she connected the dots.

"Depends on what you mean by "community service"," replied Applejack.

Princess Celestia was a hard working pony. Even if raising the sun is taken out of the equation, she was still responsible for the safety of her country, working hours a day with jobs that ranged from dealing with diplomats to managing her taxes, along with plenty other tasks. Her sister Luna did the same, and together, through hard work, they had made their kingdom a prospering civilization. At the moment, Celestia and Luna were doing none of those things.

The royal sisters were currently having tea in the Castle Gardens, a marvelous place filled with rare flora and fauna that make the nation of Equestria beautiful. Their table was situated to the side of a small waterfall, where numerous beautiful species of Equestrian sea life would be going on with their daily activities. The clearing was surrounded by roses of many colors, and the slight breeze running through the air made it all the more perfect.

"So," said Luna, taking a sip of her tea and setting it down on the table. "What do you think about this Batmare business?" asked Luna. Celestia stared at the waterfall beside them before answering.

"She certainly has Ponyville scared," she began. "Maybe that's what she wants." Celestia took a sip of her tea as her sister began to speak once more, and held the cup to her mouth for a bit longer than usual.

"It seems to me she's doing more good than harm. Crime over there is slowing down rapidly, and the citizens feel safe again. It's a shame that the police force is going after her, though I suppose I understand their reasoning. What would you do in that situation, Tia?" asked Luna. Celestia took a long time to answer her.

"Considering my apprentice is there? I'd let her go. Twilight needs all the protection she can garner in that city. I'm glad her friends are safe, too; we all know how much she's grown to care for them all," said Celestia. Luna couldn't help but notice Celestia was still zoned out, and reasoned that she was getting bored with the conversation. Shrugging, she began to discuss a different topic that more suited her dear sister.

"So, about that diplomat from Saudi Arabia..." began Luna. Celestia, however, wasn't listening; she was still staring at the waterfall, thinking intently. There was only one thing on her mind, and it had been there ever since she had gotten news of the vigilante's mysterious appearance.

Keep my Twilight safe, Applejack, she thought. She needs it.

"You...you're the Batmare?" asked Twilight, her eyes still wide from shock. Applejack put her sleeve back down and nodded the affirmative.

"Yes, I am. I've been wanting to actually change things around this city ever since I was old enough to take the company. I tried my best, Twilight; I gave money to the guard, I sponsored neighborhood watches. It wasn't enough. Nothing was. If I was to truly help this city, the city that ate my childhood, I would need to do it myself. I realized that these criminals don't fear anyone, Twilight; I realized that I could make that happen," Applejack said. Twilight's face hadn't changed.

"The bats," she began, now looking up at Applejack. "The bats at Sweet Apple Acres. That was what inspired you." Once again, Applejack nodded her head. Much to the billionaire's surprise, Twilight launched a hoof out and smacked her in the face. It didn't physically hurt, but it had quite a mental impact, as Applejack knew exactly why she got it. Looking back at Twilight, she could she tears slowly trickling down her face.

"You could die out there, AJ! Don't you see how dangerous this is? Don't you realize what you're putting yourself through? Wearing that bat on your chest might scare off smaller thugs, Applejack but you're asking for attention from more dangerous criminals. You're a mark for anypony who wants to make theirs!" said Twilight. Upon hearing that, Applejack thought back to that Mysterious "Mare Do Well" character.

"Well, that's why I'm here," began Applejack. "I was just out patrolling, and I saw a family just like mine in danger. I realized that while I may be well trained and well equipped, I'm just one mare. It was hard, but I finally understood...I just can't do this one alone. So I want you to help me, Twi," said Applejack. Somehow, Twilight looked even more shocked than she had before.

"Me? Why would you want me to help you? Why should I?" she asked. Applejack didn't hesitate in answering.

"Because I think you want the same thing as me. I know. And I don't know a more intelligent pony in the world, Twi. It doesn't have to be much, if you don't want it to be, but I really think I need you." Applejack looked away. "And not just for physical support."

Twilight stared at her hooves for what seemed like a lifetime, and her tears slowly began to clear. Finally, she began to speak with just a little bit more confidence.

"What do you need me to do?" she asked, sniffling.

"I need you to talk to people I can't. I need you to do a little research here and there, I need you to tell me what I'm going into before it happens. I need you to tell me what I'm up against before they even know I'm coming. Can you do that for me?" asked Applejack. Twilight once again looked up to meet her face to face.

"Like some sort of Oracle?" asked Twilight. To her surprise, Applejack smiled.

"Yes, exactly like that," she replied.

Action Shot opened her hotel door, sighing as she collapsed onto the bed of her cramped, plain hotel room. She took of her "glasses" and looked up at the bland white ceiling, continuing to think about her encounter with the famed Ponyville billionaire.

She could tell something was wrong. She saw right through me! I saw right through her as well, of course, but that's irrelevant; I'll have to make something up to explain everything, but what would it be? Ugh! And furthmore...how in Tartarus did Twilight manage to find a piece of kryptonite in the Whitetail Woods?

Action Shot slowly climbed from her bed and began to remove the clothing she wore. She put her shirt and pants in the washing bin (rarely ever used, of course; clothing wasn't commonplace anywhere in Equestria) and walked into the bathroom. Drawing some water from the sink, she began to splash the mark on her flank. It was a light blond dollar sign, but when the water hit it, the fake mark washed away to reveal her real one; the symbol of hope from her home planet, as well as her family's sigil.

Sighing once more, she walked from the bathroom and trotted over to her briefcase, right next to the only lamp in the room. Unlatching the large black case, she was immediately greeted with her standard news equipment; her trust camera, her red and white hat she always wore (the only article of clothing she owned that was actually the correct size) and a news clipping of the changeling invasion, which she won multiple awards for, a feat she was legitimately proud of.

Smiling at the memory, Action Shot began to pull everything out, revealing the apparent bottom to the briefcase. Action shot looked for a tiny latch that blended perfectly with the black fabric; upon finding it, she clicked the switch back which set the false bottom loose. Action Shot carefully lifted it, revealing the one thing she still had from home.

It was a Kryptonian suit, found in her pod upon her landing to the planet. It was inscriped with the symbol of the House of El, her people, in the middle of the suit; the same symbol that made up her cutie mark. The suit was navy blue, with a dark red cape attached to the shoulders. It had fascinated Action for years and years after she discovered her heritage, and she kept it with her ever since; at first for no apparent reason than to just have it, but now she kept it for a different reason.

If the world was ever in trouble, in the people of the planet were ever threatened, she would be there to save them. She would be at the ready to defend her new planet against the worst the universe had to offer, because she was not like any other pony; and when she did it, she would be wearing the symbol of her people. After staring at the suit a little bit longer, she put the false bottom back in its place before putting the rest of her belongings back as well.

Knowing it was late, Action Shot turned off the light and crawled into her newly made bed (thanks to the hotel staff). After all, she had to wake up early and catch the train back to Canterlot the next morning, then get back to work the following day. Her boss was nice enough to give her a day off to visit her friend, but the visit didn't at all go as she expected, of course. She still found it hard to get to bed, replaying the day's events.

I know a few things for sure. Applejack isn't who she claims she is, and she knows that I am not who I claim that I am. With the appearance of this Batmare, and the rumblings she's causing, along with the Changeling invasion, I have a feeling I'd rather not be experiencing. Action Shot looked over to the briefcase. Despite the total darkness she could still make it out.

I have a feeling I'll be using the suit soon.

Author's Notes:

What only does it's job after it's fired?

a few things:

-Twilight's "mark for anyone who wants to make theirs" quote is a direct quote of Barbara Gordon's that I've always loved. It's just a little shout out to my love for the comics. The quote in question was directed at Stephanie Brown during her tenure as Batgirl.

-I can confirm a Supermare Story is in the works.