August 17*

Applejack woke up to her alarm. She had a mild headache she got up and drank water. She refused to be slowed down by a mild hangover. She wrapped a bandage around her chest and then got dressed.

The house was dead silent. No one was up. Applejack imagined they were all sleeping off the alcohol. She made breakfast for everyone. She put her family’s food in an insulated bag. She wondered if Sunset had anything to eat wherever she was. She pushed the thoughts out of her mind. She needed to focus.

Applejack put a tarp across the back seat of Moon Dancer’s car. She loaded up what she needed and then took off.

Applejack arrived at the food bank on time. She uploaded crates from the car and found her boss. Her boss wanted her to be the floor resalker. Applejack set to work wheeling our crates of yogurt.

Applejack was considering taking a lunch break when Fluttershy and Zephyrus walked in. Applejack stood by the milk and juice cooler she had just filled and waited for them to come over.

“Hey Applejack how are you today?” Zephyrus asked excitedly.

“I’m doing well.” Applejack said with a smile.

“That’s good.” Fluttershy said quietly. Fluttershy did not meet Applejack’s eyes.

“So got anything fun planned for this week?” Zephyrus asked.

“Besides chores? Well there is a rodeo next weekend that I’m training for. Other then that I got nothing!” Applejack said.

“A rodeo? What events do you do?” Zephyrus asked.

“This weekend I am going to do pole weaving and two agility events and a knife throwing event.”

“Is Big Mac going to compete?” Zephyrus asked.

“Yes.”

“Cool.”

Applejack studied Fluttershy. Her friend had stayed quiet. Applejack wondered why. Her posture was different. Since their junior year Fluttershy had begun to carry herself with more dignity. Sure she was still shy but she held her head higher. Now she was hiding behind her hair and slouching behind her brother. She was dressing in the breeziest of tank tops and a very light weight skirt.

Fluttershy’s eyes flitted about. She kept looking around. Funny usually she can’t take her eyes off me. Now she can’t seem to look at me. Applejack thought. Should I say something? What would Sunset do?

“We are going to a rabbit breeder tomorrow to see if Fluttershy wants any of them” Zephyrus said cooly.

“Isn't it a little soon?” Applejack looked at Fluttershy.

It took Fluttershy a moment to notice where the conversation was.

“Oh no. I’m ready for another rabbit and I’m very excited!” Fluttershy said but her smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“Okay.” Applejack said.

“Yeah it should be interesting. Have you ever seen a baby rabbit. Like a tiny baby rabbit. Like right after it’s been born? Cause the breeder send us a video of the mother giving birth and well. The video didn’t gross me out or anything, I was fine, but I didn’t need to see that. I mean who wants to watch any baby being born?” Zephyrus said.

“I help lost of animals have their babies.” Fluttershy said.

“So do I.” Applejack added.

“What about a human baby? Have you ever seen a human baby being born. In person.” Zephyrus asked. “Besides me.” he glanced at his sister.

Fluttershy shook her head. “I wasn’t there when you were born.”

“Yes.” Applejack said.

“Your little sister doesn’t count.” Zephyrus said quickly.

“Doesn't matter. I’ve seen six human babies born and only one was my sister.” Zephyrus and Fluttershy stared at Applejack for a moment. Before the person behind them cleared their throat and the group moved.

One of Applejack’s coworkers tapped her on the shoulder. “Can you restalk the eggs?”

Applejack packed Moon Dancer’s car with boxes of food. It was crammed but she got it all to fit. Applejack set off to the nearest drugstore.

Applejack emerged from the drugstore with a leter of ginger ale, a bottle of naproxen, container of stool softeners, tube of antiseptic cream, and a pack of cigarettes. Applejack took a minute to reorganize and then took off.

Applejack was driving when she heard the flip phone go off. She immediately changed lanes and then pulled into a parking lot. She parked in an unoccupied aria and pulled out the phone.

“Hello?” Applejack tried to keep her voice calm but she was nervous about who would be on the other line.

A cats hissed as Applejack climbed the steps to Sunset’s apartment. Applejack pulled out her lanyard and unlocked the door.

Twilight was right. She left a huge mess. Applejack was surprised, out of all of her friends Twilight was a perfectionist and a neat freak. If Twilight hadn’t told her she left this mess she would have sworn it was someone else.

Applejack carefully examined the wreckage looking for clues.

Sunset’s Stuff is everywhere! When did she get all this stuff? I thought she didn't have much… like me.

Applejack picked up a high school sweatshirt and sniffed it. It was clean she set it on the table. Applejack made piles of clean clothes based on type. The dirty ones went into a hamper by the door. Applejack folded the clothes and put them away.

Applejack looked around. The mess was not all cleaned up. Applejack began picking up papers off the floor. Sunset had lots of notes from her classes. Applejack wished she knew how Sunset organized them. She set them in a neet pile on Sunset’s desk.

Applejack was rooting around under Sunset’s night stand and found a vibrator. Applejack stared at it. It was crescent shaped with bumps rather then penis shaped. Applejack set it down on Sunset’s bed. She felt uncomfortable. After a while of just staring at the vibrator on the bed Applejack went back to looking for things to put away.

Applejack made piles of things that came out of drawers. Twilight had thrown everything on the floor. Applejack thought back to all the times she had been in Sunset’s apartment. She started putting kitchen tools and food back first. That was easy. The personal stuff was harder. The bathroom was straightforward. Applejack found herself putting Sunset’s toiletries where she would want them when she didn’t know where Sunset wanted them. Sunset could move things when she got back.

Applejack had found twelve sex toys and a large bag of condoms. Applejack put them in the bottom of Sunset’s underwear drawer.

Applejack found Sunset’s personal diary. It was closed with a lock. The kind Applejack was good a picking.

I wonder what she writes about. What secrets does she not want anyone to know. Or perhaps she lets one person know. Applejack thought about Twilight. What secrets does Sunset share with Twilight when they are alone. Things she will never tell me.

Applejack stared at the journal. I mixture of jealousy and shame washed over her. Tears came to her eyes. She thought of Coloratura. Why can’t I love her. Everyone else does. Everyday she gets fan mail from people who lust after her. She loves me. Why can’t I just fall in love with her? Applejack looked at the wall. Because I love Sunset and she doesn’t love me back.

I wish. I can always wish. But it will never happen.

Applejack brushed Ribbon. Ribbon happily ate oats while she talked to him.

“You’re a good man Ribbon! Yes you are! You did very well today and now you can relax! You have earned yourself some pampering! When I am done cleaning you I will give you some sugar lumps okay love?” Applejack gave Ribbon a big kiss on the nose and he snorted and chewed.

Today’s rodeo practice had gone well. Applejack was confident in her skills. Ribbon had responded perfectly, he was so talented. She was looking forward to the competition.

Applejack was brushing Ribbon’s tail when Big Macintosh walked into the barn.

“You looked good out there. Nice tight turns and smooth jumps.” Big Macintosh complimented.

“Awe thanks Big Mac!” Applejack said. She smiled at her brother and he smiled back.

“So I was talkin’ to some fellers at the market the other week and everybody’s excited to see you next weekend.” Big Macintosh said slowly.

“Yeah.” Applejack slowed down her brush movements.

“I think some of them want to ask you out.”

“And.”

“Well I think you should accept. Go out with some guys. Have a fun night and see if one of them can make you happy.”

“And why do I need to do this next weekend?”

“It’s perfect timing. The summer is ending. Most bachelors are going to be looking for a woman who can keep them motivated through the winter.”

“Okay and why should I go out with any of them?”

“Really Jackie?”

“What?”

“You’re nineteen! And you ain’t even started looking for someone to settle down with. Someone to have a family with. You need to get out there while your still young. There are plenty of cow boys looking for a woman like you. Granny agrees with me!”

Applejack looked at her brother. He had a genuine smile on his face.

“Do I need to explain what it means to be a lesbian again?” Applejack said in an emotionless voice.

“I know your high school boyfriend cheated on you but that’s no reason to give up on men. Granny and I can help you find the right guy.”

“I like women not men. Is that so hard!? Plenty of farm women have settled down with other women. There is nothing wrong with me finding a wife.”

“The other Apples won’t like it. You have got to marry a male farmer and have kids with him. We already have two deviants in the family. One of us has to do things the normal way.”

“You got to marry who you wanted!”

“Well I was lucky.” Big Macintosh’s voice was still calm.

“Really!? So just because you chose to marry a teacher and Apple Bloom is not going to be a farmer I can’t marry for love?” Applejack sighed.

“You’ve got a big heart. I’m sure you can learn to love whoever you want. All that matters is that you keep an open mind.”

Applejack glared at Big Macintosh.

“What are you two talking about?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Nothing important.” Big Macintosh smiled. Applejack took a deep breath and when back to cleaning her horse.

“Okay. Granny wants chicken for dinner.” Apple Bloom said.

“Your turn” Big Macintosh said to Applejack. Applejack rolled her eyes. After a moment Apple Bloom walked away.

Ribbon Winnie's nervously.

“It’s okay Ribbon. I’m fine.” Applejack smiles at him and fed him some sugar lumps.

Applejack checked her phone and found a message from Pinkie Pie asking her about her availability later in the week. Pinkie Pie wanted to have a friendship meeting. Rarity wanted to know what kind of meeting Pinkie Pie was thinking of. Applejack told her she could be flexible as long as she had fair warning.

Applejack went and found the chickens foraging in the apple orchard. She spotted large one with a red band on it’s ankle. She slowly approached. Once she was close enough she charged. The chicken squatted. Applejack picked up the chicken and carried it away. Applejack carried the chicken to the meat shed. She set it on the table and pet it. The chicken calmed down. Applejack put on a clean apron. Applejack comforted the chicken.

In one quick motion Applejack grasped the chicken’s neck in both hands and snapped it. The chicken flopped a bit but it was dead. Applejack moves the dead chicken to her glass cutting board. Applejack plucked it with her hands and then pliers and then picked up the butcher knife and cut off it’s head and feet. She picked up an small sharp knife and cut into the chicken. Applejack carefully pulled out handfuls of minimally bloody entrails and examined them. She separated the heart and liver and through everything else into a bag. After she was done preparing it she put the chicken in a clean bag and the heart and liver into a second bag.

Applejack hung the apron back up and walked across the farm to the rabbit pens. She entered and sat and waited for rabbits to approach her. She picked a few up and felt their weight. She found one heavy enough and carried it away.

Applejack set it down on the table in the meat shed and placed one hand behind its head and grabbed its feet. She pulled and broke the rabbit’s neck. Applejack put her apron back on and grabbed her tools.

Applejack removed the head and front feet with clippers and then strung it up. She made a few careful cuts around the rabbit's ankles. She made another cut between the feet and then skinned the rabbit in one pull. Applejack carefully pinched the tip of the bladder to remove it safely and the pulled out the intestines without making a mess. She tosses the discarded organs in the same bag as the chicken entrails and saved the liver and heart.

Applejack took the rabbit, chicken and the heart and liver bag inside and gave them to Granny Smith.*

Applejack sat on her bed and checked her phone. Rarity had messaged everyone with Moon Dancer and Twilight’s report.

The day hasn’t gone so well. It had started fine. Magic and walking practice, check in’s and letters, but then there was a fight. Twilight was so caught up in the moment she picked a fight with Princess Luna. Apparently the other Moon Dancer was a seriously talented unicorn. Moon Dancer described it as both terrifying and awe-inspiring.

Twilight reacted badly to finding out that Celestia had ordered her guards to take pony Sunset by force and bring her back to the castle. Also human Sunset is still missing. Search efforts have been postponed until Princess Twilight wakes up from whatever Moon Dancer did to her.

The thing that stuck with her most was the age gaps. The other Applejack was twenty seven. Something about that made her uncomfortable. Applejack set her alarm for four in the morning and got ready to go to sleep.

Several minutes after laying down she felt a pressing need to urinate. Sighing to herself she got up.

As she walked down the hall Applejack noticed that Apple Bloom had left her door open just a bit. Applejack spotted light coming out of Apple Bloom’s dark room. Apple Bloom was supposed to be asleep at this hour. Applejack walked over and carefully peeked in the gap.

Apple Bloom was watching something on her tablet. She had her headphones on and her screen at full brightness.

Applejack opened the door all the way and crossed her arms.

It took Apple Bloom a full minute to notice she had been caught. She took off her headphones and turned around.

“Hey AJ. What’s up?” Apple Bloom said nervously.

Applejack didn’t respond. She just shifted her weight and weight.

“I’m sorry. I just wanted to…” Apple Bloom stopped herself. She knew Applejack didn’t want to hear her excuse. “It won’t happen again.”

“Good.” Applejack said firmly.

“I can delete the app.” Apple Bloom suggested.

“No need. I knew you would use that for more than just work and school. That’s fine as long as you get your work done and sleep when you are supposed to. I’m not mad at you for watching whatever you are watching. I am disappointed because you are using it when you aren’t supposed to. If you were up messaging someone I would be more forgiving. As of now I will dock your allowance for the week.”

“But-”

“When I gave you that tablet you promised to follow my rules.”

“Okay.” Apple Bloom said.

“I love you.”

“I love you too!”

Applejack rushed to the bathroom.

Adagio was in the kitchen staring at a mess that Sonata and Aria had made.*

“What the hell were you thinking!” Adagio snarled.

“I wanted to taste the batter to make sure we made it right.” Sonata explained.

Adagio turned to Aria.

“Don’t look at me! It was her idea to try to lick the batter of the mixer’s blades.” Aria said defensively.

“Yeah well you’re the one who pulled the mixer out of the bowl while it was running.” Sonata shot back.

“That doesn’t explain how the cake batter got on the ceiling.” Adagio mused.

“That’s her fault!” Aria snarled aggressively. “She tried to snatch it out of my hands and it fell back into the bowl and flipped over!”

“I asked and you would give it to me.” Sonata whined. “You didn’t give it to me!”

“That’s because you ruin everything!”

“Do not!”

“Do to!”

“This is all your fault.”

“No it’s all your fault.”

“Shut up!” Adagio roared.

Sonata and Aria quieted and looked at her.

Adagio took a deep breath. “Aria take that rag, wet it and wipe down the counter and the ceiling. Sonata at get the mop and wipe down the floor and the walls. Got it?”

“Yes Adagio.” Sonata and Aria said together.

Adagio opened her mouth to say something but she was interrupted by the door bell. Adagio walked to the door. She checked her watch.

Adagio opened her front to to find Applejack standing on the stoop.

“Well hello Applejack. I’m glad you could make it. Come in.” Adagio led Applejack into the living room. “Sonata! Aria! Get your asses in here now!” Adagio shouted.

Aria and Sonata scrambled into the living room.

“Do we not have to clean the kitchen?” Sonata asked hopefully.

“Cleaning has been postponed not canceled.” Adagio said.

“So what are we doing now.” Aria asked.

“We are setting up a plan to rescue Sunset. Now have a seat and pay attention.” Adagio turned her attention to Applejack. “Have you learned anything?”

“I got confirmation that Sunset is not in Canterlot castle back in Equestria and therefore most likely here in this world.” Applejack said.

“Oh really. And who told you this?” Aria asked.

“Princess Luna who wants both Sunset’s found.” Applejack said.

“Right and why do we want either Sunset found?” Aria asked Adagio.

“We owe her one. Also it would be better for us is the chain of command of The Dogs had some unfortunate misunderstanding and disagreements.” Adagio said smoothly.

“True. So where is she?” Aria asked.

Adagio started to respond, “Well-”

“I know where she is.” Sonata blurted out.

“Where!?” Applejack asked quickly.

“She is at the Dogs northern base.” Sonata said like it was obvious.

“You mean the one is the crystal county?” Applejack asked.

“No it’s even farther north. It almost a six hour drive.” Aria said.

“Goodness!” Applejack said. “Okay so we should leave around four in the afternoon to get there around dark.”

The sirens nodded.

“Great so how are we going to get there?” Applejack asked.

“Considering where we going going we need a car that looks average. One that they can’t identify later.” Aria said.

“Like Applejack’s?” Sonata asked.

“It’s not mine.”

“Whose is it?” Sonata asked.

“It’s Moon Dancer’s.” Applejack said.

“Who is Moon-”

“Sunset’s wife.” Adagio said slowly. Everyone looked at her. “I’m right.” Adagio looked at Applejack.

“Yes. Moon Dancer is the wife of human Sunset.”

“Yeah. Let’s not take her car.” Adagio said.

“Why not?” Aria asked.

“License plate.” Adagio said.

“What does that have to do with it?” Aria asked.

“The place is going to e crawling with security cameras. There is no way they wouldn’t get a clear view of it. Even if we switched it out there is no guarantee a normal car would escape undamaged.” Adagio said. “We are not taking a normal car on such a dangerous mission. Much less a borrowed car.”

“What car do you think we should take?” Applejack asked.

“Aria’s truck.” Adagio said immediately.

“What!” Aria demanded.

“We will put on a fake license plate.” Adagio said in an exasperated tone.

“But but…” Aria spluttered. “You just said this was going to be dangerous for the car. My truck is…”

“I know for a fact that your car is heavily armored with bullet proof windows and soled rubber tires.” Adagio countered.

“Oo and it had a lever that releases really deadly spikes!” Sonata said clapping her hands.

“Shut up Sonata!” Aria turned to Adagio. “Are you sure my car will be okay. I… put a lot of money into. I don’t want to start over you know.”

Adagio smirked. “Don’t lie to me Aria. I know you love your truck more than anything else. It will be fine. We won’t anything happen to your baby.”

Sonata giggled and Aria blushed deeply.

“Fine we can take it.” Aria said defeated.

“So we will meet here at four and take Aria’s truck.” Adagio said.

“What are you going to tell your family?” Aria asked.

“I’ll just tell them my boss wants me to cover someone else's shift.” Applejack said nonchalantly.

“Someone else’s shift.” Aria said confused.

“I told them I work as a night time security guard at the mall. Explains the cuts and the bruises.” Applejack said.

“And the paycheck?” Aria asked.

“I just tell them that I cash it right away.” Applejack said.

“That works.” Aria said nodding in approval. There was a silence.

“So you meet the other Sunset. What was she like?” Applejack asked.

“Well we didn’t exactly hang around to get to know her. We just got a god look at her. She looks just like the Sunset you know and love.” Adagio smiled as Applejack blushed.

“Yeah except for she is really fat.” Sonata said.

“She was obviously pregnant.” Aria said.

“Have they made any progress in finding her?” Adagio asked watching Applejack carefully.

“Not really. Celestia ordered her guards to take pony Sunset by force and bring her back for some reason. They got the wrong Sunset and then she was kidnapped away from the princess and we don’t know where she is.” Applejack explained.

“You’ll find her. At some point.” Adagio said.

“Yeah.” Applejack sighed. “So now what.”

“Now we plan.” Adagio said.

Author's Notes:

1 It is going to be on you the reader to keep track of the date. I am mostly posting chapters in chronological order.

2 I am vegetarian. FYI.

3 This was based on a true story f my mom's first adventure in the kitchen!