Author's Notes:

Most of the first arc is finished, and I've been working on it nonstop, so this story will update pretty frequently up till the end of the first arc (in other words, where the movie technically ended).

Please consider checking out my Patreon if you wish to fund my campaign for world domination.

Chapter 2

School ended, and Rarity sat outside waiting for her mother to come and pick her up. She preferred to walk home, but her mother wanted to make sure that she didn't go to someone else's house after school. If she had any plans, she wouldn't have been so obvious with it.

She'd come home and then sneak out like always, when she was supposed to be asleep.

Rarity looked up at the school entrance, and saw Suri and Trixie step out together laughing. She remembered a time where she'd be right there with them, probably gossiping about some other student. Now they didn't want anything to do with her, and instead did everything in their power to push her reputation as a slut.

Well, you are a slut, remember?

The sound of a car horn caught her attention. Rarity looked to see her mother waiting for her in front of the school. She stood up and sauntered over to the car, sitting in the passenger seat next to her mother.

“Did you have a good day at school?” her mother asked curtly.

“Mm hm,” Rarity nodded, “I kissed a girl today. I think I liked it.”

Her mother sighed as she started up the car, “Seriously Rarity? It was bad enough when it was just boys, now it's boys and girls?”

“I thought you'd be happy,” Rarity shot back, “I can't get pregnant if I decide to have sex with girls.”

“It's not about you getting pregnant,” her mother said, “Your behavior and attitude when it comes to sex, it makes you-”

“A slut, right?” Rarity asked looking at her mother slightly, “That's all I am, after all.”

Rarity's mother shook her head, and the rest of the car ride was in silence. It was a shame, because Rarity and her mother used to be really close. After “the party” though, she just became another person who treated her like a cheap whore.

Not like she was anything beyond that though.

When they arrived at home, Rarity immediately got out of the car and walked inside, where her father was sitting at the computer working.

“Oh, hey Rarity,” her father said, eyes bulging out of his head when he saw her, “Um… you look… nice…”

“Don't encourage this, Magnum,” her mother said closing the door behind her, “She looks like a slut right now.”

“And she finally says it,” Rarity said throwing her arms up, “Now that my day's complete, I'm heading up to my room.”

“Rarity!” her father called out, sounding worried. Rarity ignored him and continued walking up the stairs, “You didn't have to say it like that.”

“Well what do you expect me to do? Compliment her like you?! All that's going to do is inspire her to keep dressing like that and sleep around!”

“Calling her a slut isn't going to help. All that's going to do is make things worse.”

“She's setting a bad example for Sweetie Belle! What if she starts imitating that behavior?!”

“Hmph!” Rarity turned nose to the air and stormed off toward her room. On the way, she saw Sweetie Belle sitting on her bed apparently doing her homework. Rarity smiled softly and knocked on the door to get her attention. When the little girl looked up and saw Rarity, she beamed.

“Rarity!” Sweetie Belle cried happily running into her big sister's arms.

“Hello darling, how was school?” Rarity asked.

“It was nice,” Sweetie Belle said, “A new student came today. Her name is Apple Bloom. Scootaloo and I are going to make her a part of our group.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Rarity said sitting down on the bed next to Sweetie Belle, “I met a new student today too. Interestingly enough, she has an apple themed name too.”

“Was her name “Applejack”?” Sweetie Belle asked, “Apple Bloom said she has a big sister named Applejack.”

“Yes, that's the one,” Rarity said, lovingly running her hands through her little sister's hair, “She seems nice. A bit rough around the edges, but nice.”

“You should be her friend,” Sweetie Belle said, “That way, you and I could maybe have twin play dates.”

Rarity laughed softly, “I'm a little old to have play dates, but being Applejack's friend…” Rarity looked to the side pained, “I'd… like that… but…”

She looked at the door and saw her father leaning against it smiling. Rarity sighed and stood up.

“I'll see you later, Sweetie Belle,” Rarity said.

“See you Rarity. I love you.”

Rarity stopped briefly, “I… love you too,” she walked past her father out of the room and continued onward to her room. Naturally her father followed her.

“She really looks up to you,” he pointed out.

“I'm a bad influence,” Rarity said throwing her backpack aside and sitting down on her bed, “That's what you're going to tell me, right?”

“She… could pick up some things that… well…” he shuffled nervously. Rarity folded her arms and glared at him.

“Stop dancing around the subject,” Rarity shot, “You don't want Sweetie Belle to grow up and become a slut like her big sister, right?”

“I didn't say that.”

“No, but you meant it,” Rarity continued, “I know how you think of me. You and Mom are the same. At least she's open with how she feels about me.”

Rarity's father sighed, “I'm just worried is all. How would you feel if Sweetie Belle were to, well… you know…”

“If you're so worried about me teaching Sweetie Belle my bad habits, maybe you should keep her away from me,” Rarity said lying down on her bed.

“Rarity-”

“Go away,” Rarity urged, “Please just go away.” She heard him sigh and leave, closing the door behind him. Once alone, Rarity hugged herself and broke down. Even if she were to try and become Applejack's friend, it wouldn't last long. Once she realized how much of a slut Rarity was, she'd run far away from her.

It's a shame too. She did sort of like that kiss.

She didn't feel like staying home, so she decided to just sneak out to her secret spot to relax for a bit. Her parents wouldn't bother her for the rest of the day, and she actually didn't have much homework to do.

So after wiping her eyes and retouching her makeup, Rarity climbed out of her window and walked to her secret spot, heading in the direction of a dense forest close to her house.

Applejack knew that this was crazy. If this didn't pan out, she'd be in so much trouble. But if this worked, she'd have a little more freedom in this boring town. Hence that's why she was riding on her bike as fast as she could to the address that Twilight gave her.

She checked her watch, seeing that it was 6:50. She only had ten minutes before the feds showed up.

“I'm crazy! I'm absolutely insane!” Applejack cried, “Why in tarnation am I even considerin’ this?!”

She reached the address, which turned out to be a small blue and white house. She wasted no time, throwing her bike to the side and running to the front door ringing the doorbell. A gentle, intelligent looking man opened the door looking shocked.

“Um, hello?” he asked in the stereotypical nerd voice.

“Hi! I'm here… to see Twilight…!” Applejack panted. The man, obviously her father, lit up and hugged Applejack.

“Thank you! Thank you so much! She's downstairs in her room!” the kind man said. Applejack thanked him and wasted no time rushing down to what appeared to be the basement, where she saw the most complicated looking computer ever, books on magic and machines, a complete map of Ponyville, every game system ever from the third generation up, and a shelf full of games organized alphabetically and by generation and genre.

And sitting in front of the computer typing was Twilight.

“Sorry I'm late!” Applejack cried running to Twilight's side, “My grandmother wouldn't leave me alone.”

“You're actually right on time,” Twilight said, “I'm putting the finishing touches on the program, now I just need something from your ankle brace.”

Before Applejack could ask, Twilight shot up and opened a section of the ankle brace, taking a small chip from it. As she sat back down at her desk, the ankle brace started flashing red.

“Twilight…!” Applejack exclaimed, eyes wide in fear, “That's the five minute warnin’!”

“This will only take four minutes to finish,” Twilight said, not taking her eyes off her work.

“Only take four minutes?! Twilight, I'm about to be sent to jail!”

“There's no need to panic. I've worked it all out in my head, and timed everything perfectly.”

“Oh! That's wonderful! Ya worked it all out in your head!”

“The mind is essentially an organic computer capable of infinite information and processing. My mind just happens to be better at that than most.”

“There's no way I can get home in time!” Applejack looked around panicking as Twilight put the chip back in. A second later, the ankle brace started beeping faster, “Twilight! TWILIGHT!!!”

“Everything will be fine,” Twilight said standing up and walking over to her shelf.

“Fine! FINE!!! When this thing goes off I'm gonna be-” the beeping stopped, and the light turned green, staying green. Applejack looked down at her ankle brace, and then at Twilight, who was just looking at her with her usual expression.

“What were you saying?” Twilight asked. Applejack didn't move for the longest time, but then hugged Twilight tightly, “Oh! Okay, we're… hugging now…?”

“You are wonderful!” Applejack said, “I could jus' kiss ya!”

“Um… please don't…” Twilight begged, “I'm sorry you haven't worked your sexuality out yet, but I have and um… that would be awkward. Actually… could you maybe… let go now?”

“Just a few more minutes,” Applejack said, “Please.”

“S-sure…” Twilight said lightly patting Applejack on the back.

She knew that it was late, but she needed to be someplace quiet. Somewhere away from all of the energy of her house. Both of her parents were hippies, as was her little brother, so they didn't really take any of her issues seriously.

But out in nature, she felt truly at home.

She waved her impossibly long and full pink hair to the side and then knelt down in a prayer position. She sent a silent prayer to the gods of the forest, thanking them for allowing her to come here and be at peace. She felt her heart beginning to calm down a bit, and was about to get up and begin her nightly ritual, but was alerted by the sound of movement.

The girl yelped in shock and scampered behind a tree, looking out at the lake. She saw a girl with long purple and white hair step out of the water, wearing nothing but her black bra and panties. She walked over to where her clothes were apparently and picked up a towel to dry off.

Why is someone else here?!

This is MY special place!

Both she and the swimming girl heard something else in the distance. They both looked and saw lights moving. Was there a car driving close to the forest. The girl who was swimming quickly got dressed and began making her way toward the car, leaving the pink haired girl alone.

“More intruders…?” she asked rubbing her arm, “Why are people coming here?”

She took a deep breath and decided to follow the initial intruder. She needed to see who else was coming to invade her sanctuary, and if possible, drive them out.

After giving Twilight's dad some excuse for where they were going, the two of them borrowed his jeep and drove off, Twilight guiding them. They passed a few houses, but after a while they seemed to reach the outskirts of the town.

It wasn't until they reached a gate that said “off limits” that Applejack got worried.

“Um, are we goin’ the right way?” Applejack asked.

“Yes.” Twilight said simply.

“But the sign says…”

“Keep going.” Twilight requested. Applejack shrugged her shoulders.

“Gonna get me right back in juvie…” Applejack sighed driving the car through the gate. Unknown to both of them, Pinkie Pie had been following them on her bike and stopped it right at the gate looking inside.

“Now, why are they going to the Everfree Forest?” Pinkie Pie asked. She giggled to herself and then rode in after them.

As for Applejack and Twilight, they parked the car and exited it. Twilight picked up a book and walked toward the deeper part of the forest mumbling to herself.

“Um… this don't look safe at all,” Applejack said.

“There are a lot of mysteries about this place,” Twilight said, “There's an old castle that I want to explore here.”

“You serious?” Applejack asked, “By yourself?”

“I've been planning this for a long while,” Twilight said still walking, “My Mommy and I were going to come here together, but she died before we could. Daddy's too skittish to want to do this, but I wanted to see what Mommy loved about this place.”

Applejack groaned, “Damn it. I can't let ya do this alone. Wait up!”

She ran next to Twilight and walked next to her. Twilight didn't respond, but if Applejack didn't know better, it looked like she smiled. The walk was silent, and Applejack felt the need to break the silence in some way.

“So… can I ask ya a personal question?” Applejack asked.

“Sure,” Twilight said, looking around using the flashlight app on her cellphone.

“Now, try not to take this the wrong way, okay? Cause I ain't tryin to offend ya or anything. It's jus'… somethin’ that's been buggin’ me 'bout ya.”

“I'm very hard to offend,” Twilight said, “You can ask me your personal question.”

Applejack played it in her head a bit before asking, “What's… your deal exactly? I mean, ya seem sorta… um…”

“Strange?” Twilight asked.

“I… didn't want to use that word…” Applejack said taking a deep breath.

“It's okay. I know I'm strange. I'm actually on the spectrum of autism.” Twilight explained. That was not what Applejack was expecting.

“Wait… so you're… autistic…?” Applejack asked.

“A bit,” Twilight said, “It's not severe or anything. I just have problems with social interactions and understanding humor. At best, I'd be considered highly functioning autistic.”

“Ah, I see. Well, that explains a lot,” Applejack said. Twilight frowned and looked at Applejack.

“Your reaction is very underwhelmed,” Twilight reasoned, “Most students tend to get freaked out and run away from me when I say that.”

“Really? That's a shame. Ya seem real cool to me. Super smart, nice, reasonable, an' you’re a gamer. That's sounds like an awesome person to me. Bein’ autistic or whatever doesn't take that away.”

Twilight looked at Applejack intently as she spoke, but then nodded and turned her attention back to where they were going.

“I like you,” Twilight said suddenly, “Can we be friends?”

Applejack was wide eyed, but suddenly felt really touched. Now that she knew why Twilight seemed so off, she saw a lot of her mannerisms in a different light. Something told her that her asking that outright like that was huge.

“Honestly, I figured we already were friends.” Applejack said with a smile. This time she was sure. Twilight smiled. As they walked deeper into the forest, Twilight slowly reached out her hand and held Applejack's.

“I… have a real friend now…” she said to herself, probably unaware that Applejack heard her. They heard a twig snap behind them. Applejack immediately pulled Twilight behind her to defend her.

“Who's there?!” Applejack shouted. Twilight held her phone flashlight out, revealing to their surprise, Rarity standing there.

“Well this is a surprise,” Rarity said covering her eyes from the light, “The new kid making friends with the one girl that's always alone. You're just making waves everywhere, aren't you?”

“Rarity?” Applejack asked motioning for Twilight to lower her flashlight, “Why are you here?”

“I could ask you both the same question,” Rarity said, “This forest is my special place, so that makes you trespassing.”

“Um… I should probably mention that there's an off limit's sign outside,” Twilight said quietly, “So technically all three of us are trespassing.”

“Four!” a high voice said from behind them. Everyone looked and saw Pinkie Pie standing next to a tree waving to them, “Hi hi!”

Applejack groaned, “An' jus' who are you?” she asked.

“I'm Pinkamena Diane Pie, but everyone in school calls me Pinkie Pie,” the girl said skipping over to the three of them, “I was just following you, but I didn't expect to run into such a large group. You even have Easy Rare with you.”

“My my my, aren't you popular?” Rarity asked leaning forward and placing her hands on her hips, “Should I start getting jealous?”

“Ack! Jealous?!” Applejack cried.

None of them knew, but the girl following Rarity was watching them. She trembled nervously, seeing such a large group of girls before her.

Oooh… please stop talking so loud…

“I didn't know we were even a thing yet!” Applejack continued.

“Yeah, what are you two, anyway?” Pinkie Pie asked, “I mean, Easy Rare never makes the first move.”

“What I do is no one's business but my own.” Rarity said turning her nose to the air.

“Um… this is really nice and all, but Applejack and I are still here to explore the forest,” Twilight said.

“Yeah, we don't have time for this,” Applejack said, “Let's go.”

“Ooh! This sounds fun! Can I come with?” Pinkie Pie asked jumping in front of Applejack.

“Why do you wanna follow me so much?” Applejack asked.

“Because of this!” Pinkie Pie said motioning around them, “You've made friends with both Twilight and Easy Rare! You're totally the hero I've been looking for!”

“Hold on! Yeah, I'm friends with Twilight now, but I don't know if Rarity an' I are friends yet!”

“Now you reject me?” Rarity said playfully holding her hand to her chest, “You cut so deep Applejack.”

Applejack looked at Rarity, giving her a confused and incredulous look before continuing, “Second of all, what's this 'bout me bein a hero? I'm jus' the new kid at school who keeps attractin’ freaks,” she turned to Twilight, “No offense.”

“None taken,” Twilight said.

“But that's the thing, this is how it always start,” Pinkie Pie said holding Applejack's shoulders, “The mysterious transfer student comes in and shakes things up, makes friends with the school's social outcasts, and then gains some super awesome power or just ends up saving the entire school!”

“You… watch too many cartoons,” Rarity said pointedly.

“Hey, it could happen,” Pinkie Pie fussed, “Magic is real, after all.”

“Magic is nothing more than science without knowledge,” Twilight said, “Once you figure out how to bridge the gap, you learn that “magic” is kind of everywhere.”

“See? She agrees with me,” Pinkie Pie said. Rarity shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“Whatever. Look, this crowd is a little too big for me, so I'm going to go somewhere else,” Rarity said, turning to leave. Feeling relieved, the girl watching them stepped back, but stepped on a twig alerting them to her presence.

“Now what?” Applejack fussed. The girl panicked and ran off deeper into the forest.

“I saw someone!” Twilight called out, “They ran that way!”

“I'm sick of this! I'm getting to the bottom of this now!” Applejack said, running after the girl.

“Wait for me. Applejack!” Twilight cried running after Applejack.

“Come on!” Pinkie Pie said to Rarity, “Let's go too!”

“Why would I follow them?” Rarity asked, “They're not my concern.”

“But this could be it! The moment where something really cool and magical happens! Don't you want to be a part of that? Maybe have an adventure?”

“Well… I suppose I am curious,” Rarity said with a shrug, “Fine, on one condition. Stop calling me Easy Rare.”

“You got it, Rarity. Let's go!” Pinkie Pie ran after Applejack and Twilight. Rarity sighed and ran after the group, albeit not as fast as she was still wearing high heels.

Applejack chased their mysterious watcher all through the forest, eventually catching up when the person tripped and fell to the ground. Applejack jumped on the person and pinned them to the ground, holding her arms behind her back, surprised by the high pitched scream the mysterious girl gave out.

“LET ME GO!!! LET ME GO!!!” she screamed, struggling against Applejack's grip.

“Calm down first, an' I'll consider it!” Applejack said sternly, taking a good look at who he captured. It was another girl, this one with impossibly long light pink hair. She was wearing a simple yellow sundress that fell to her knees, a silver belt around her waist, and cute heeled sandals. She was surprisingly full figured. The girl took a few deep breaths to calm down, but then started trembling.

“Please don't hurt me…!” the girl begged, her voice soft and melodious, “I won't tell anyone… I promise…!”

Applejack sighed and released the girl, moving to let her up. When the girl sat up and turned to Applejack, she was shocked. She had beautiful cyan eyes, was wearing rose lipstick, and pink eye shadow. What shocked Applejack was her bust though. While Rarity was pretty top heavy, this girl looked to be at least a high D-cup.

What was she doing in this forest?

“Holy… cow…” Applejack said, eyes wide. When the girl realized where Applejack was looking, she quickly turned away holding her arms over her chest, “I'm sorry, but your dress calls a lot of attention to it!”

The girl groaned to herself, looking almost to be on the verge of tears. Twilight, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity all ran up to them at that moment.

“Is this who was watching us?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, she was,” Applejack said, “Don't know why though, or who she is.”

“I've seen her a few times at school,” Pinkie Pie said walking toward the mysterious girl and looking her her closely, “You're Fluttershy, aren't you?”

“Fluttershy?” Applejack asked.

“Yep. I'm sure of it. She's super introverted, and runs away from most people,” Pinkie Pie said, completely oblivious to how much Fluttershy was trembling.

“Everyone, please,” Rarity said suddenly stepping forward, “Stop crowding around her like this. She's terrified.”

Applejack and everyone watched intently as Rarity knelt down in front of Fluttershy, who was clearly sobbing and speaking softly to herself.

“Please… Please go away…” Fluttershy sobbed, shaking her head and hugging herself even tighter.

“Shh… there there,” Rarity said softly, “We're not going to hurt you. I promise,” Rarity reached out to touch Fluttershy, but she recoiled away.

“Don't touch me!” Fluttershy ordered. Rarity held her hands up looking shocked.

“Oh my word, you are afraid of us, aren't you?” Rarity asked, now looking really worried. Twilight looked up ahead and gasped in shock.

“Applejack, there it is!” she said pointing forward. Applejack looked and saw a ruined castle up ahead.

“Well what do you know?” Applejack asked, “Ended up findin’ it by accident.”

“You… shouldn't go in there…” Fluttershy said, “It's… dangerous… and old… and um…”

“We came this far, might as well go all the way, right?” Pinkie Pie said, skipping toward the castle. Twilight straightened her glasses.

“I'm doing it, Mommy. I'm going to find out this castle's secret,” she said before walking toward the castle. Applejack shrugged her shoulders and followed after them.

“So, what do you want to do?” Rarity asked Fluttershy, who looked up at her in shock.

“W-what do I…?” Fluttershy asked.

“Are you following them, or are you leaving and going home?” Rarity asked. Fluttershy looked back at the group, looking a little worried about them. After a second, she took a deep breath.

“We… shouldn't leave them…” Fluttershy said softly. Rarity smiled and rose to her feet, holding out her hand. Fluttershy looked up at Rarity and slowly took her hand, allowing Rarity to pull her to her feet. The two of them then followed their companions into the castle. Completely unaware of the shadows that gathered around them.