The Family Mareby Siglo de OroChaptersA Lesson to Be LearnedA World to Be LivedA Family to Be LovedA Dinner to Be CookedA Friend to Be HelpedA Night to Be AvoidedA Story to Be ToldA Problem to Be FixedA Future to Be...A Lesson to Be Learned"AJ? AJ?" said an oddly familiar voice. "Huh? What's goin' on?" I groaned as I struggled to wake myself up. Did I oversleep again? That voice did not belong to my brother that is for sure. I slowly opened my eyes, only to quickly close them again once the bright light from outside hit my eyes. "Ugh, what the buck is the time?" I groggily exclaimed, I quickly hid under the bed sheets to shield myself for the bright sun. "It's eight in the morning hun." said the voice. I know that voice sounded familiar, but who does it belong to? Why did this clearly male voice call my 'hun'? I peeked my head from under the covers to find myself in a completely new room and bed. A bed for two ponies. "Huh?" I was confused. "Don't worry AJ, I took care of the mornin' chores, I couldn't bare to disturb you after the great night we had." said the voice again. I looked up only to get the shock of my life, a stallion stood before me by the bed, and this is not just ANY stallion but; "TRENDERHOOF?!" "Uh...yes...that's me." he looked at me like I was crazy or something. Me crazy? That would be the day! To my surprise he was wearing overalls and a straw-hat. He looked like a farm pony despite being a unicorn. "What are ya doin' here at the farm...ah told ya ah don't like ya!" I really had no idea what was going on. "Are you okay AJ?" he looked on with concern. Maybe I AM going crazy. I quickly jumped out of the bed, accidentally knocking off a picture from the nightstand with my tail. "Ah...don't know...what's goin' on?!" confused. I haven't been this confused since I last took mathematics in Elementary school. "Well...it's the day after our wedding anniversary...and-" "WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!" Me? Married to Trenderhoof? How? I never liked him that way! I looked down at the picture I accidentally knocked over. It was a shattered photo of me dressed in a fancy wedding gown cutting a wedding cake with Trenderhoof. "No..." "AJ?" he came up to me with a worried look on his face. Suddenly, the bedroom door bursts open and two foals ran in. "MOMMY! DADDY!" they both yelled as they climbed on the bed and jumped on it. One was a female filly with an orange coat and blond hair, the other was a male colt with Trenderhoof's coat and same blond hair, both were Earth ponies and both had blank flanks. "Macoun! Cortland! No jumping on the bed!" Trenderhoof ordered. "Sorry daddy." they both say in unison as they immediately stopped jumping on the bed. They quickly came up to me and hugged me. "Morning mommy!" "Uh...uh..." I'm their mother?! Since when?! I don't remember EVER getting pregnant. Is this some kind of sick twisted joke? If it is Rainbow Dash is going to get a beating. "Are you going to make pancakes today mommy?" asked Macoun, the filly. "Or is dad going to make his signature omelettes?" asked Cortland, the colt. "Why not both?" chimed in a smiling Trenderhoof to the foals. "REALLY?!" the foals say with eagerness in their voices. "Oh yes, my signature omelettes with all you can eat apple pancakes." "YAY!" and with that, they both zoomed out of the bedroom and straight downstairs. I just stood there completely confused as the stallion just stood before me with a smile on his face. "Last night was amazing as always AJ...so honored to be your loving husband of nine years." he walked up to me and kissed my cheek. I flinched. "Don't ya kiss me!" I yell out as I back away. "Hun?" "Is this some kind of joke!?" I demanded to know some answers...NOW! "AJ?" he looked at me like I was going crazy. "Did Rainbow Dash and Rarity set ya up?!" I asked. "What are you talking a-" Suddenly, the entire world stopped, Trenderhoof frozen mid-sentence. "This is not a prank Applejack." said the last voice I wanted to hear. I looked to see that it was him with a smug look on his face. "Discord! Ah should've known ya had somethin' to do with this! What did ya do!" I angrily snorted. "Oh...just taking this opportunity to show you that there is a lot more to life than just working on the farm all day." Discord said without much care. "What do ya mean?" "AJ...you really need to relax...all you do is work and work and work, putting off a social life outside your friends, missing out on what is important in life." he assured me with an evil smirk. I didn't trust him at all. "And just what IS important in life?" I asked skeptically. "That, you're going to figure out yourself." he chuckled. I stomped my hoof in anger. "BUT WHY TRENDERHOOF! AH DON'T LIKE HIM!" "Maybe not where you came from." Discord laughed. "Anyways, I guess I have to let you go so you can figure out this important lesson you need to learn...if you have any questions, comments or concerns, just say my name three times fast and then do it again but backwards. Bye!" "But-!" Discord snapped his fingers and he disappeared. Time started to move again. "-about?" resumed Trenderhoof with confusion. "Uh..." I shake my head with disbelief. "...sorry, uh, just tired from last night is all..." I nervously told him. Which was kind of true. But not the entire truth. "Ah think ah'll go take a quick shower to wake myself up...be right down." I slowly made my way to the bathroom. To my surprised, despite being in a new room, I was still in the farmhouse at Sweet Apple Acres. "What must ah do?" I asked myself unsure what to do. Should I play along? Or fight it? I am so confused. Author's Note I was watching "It's A Wonderful Life" when I came up with this idea. Hope you like it. A World to Be Lived"Ah can't believe ah'm doin' this!" I said to myself as I climbed out of the bathroom window and slid down the drain pipe. What the buck is going on around here? Why is Discord pairing me up with Trenderhoof of all ponies all of the sudden? This whole thing doesn't make sense. I quickly trotted away into Ponyville to get some answers, maybe Rarity can shed some light on what happened. Ponyville looked almost exactly the same the last time I remember, a bit more ponies walking around town but other than that, the same. "HEY APPLEJACK!" yelled a chipper voice. It was obviously Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie?" turning to look at my pink friend. "Just wanted to ask how your wedding anniversary went and all, it must have been super duper magical." beamed the mare. "It was...uh...nice..." I nervously told her. I just woke up in this world, I have no clue how last night went. "Did he name a star after you like he said he would?!" "Uh...ah think so...ah..." "THINK SO?!" gasped Pinkie. She suddenly grabbed me and pinned me to a nearby wall. "What in tarnation-" "WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO APPLEJACK!" she exclaimed to my face in desperation. "But ah am Applejack-" "A DIFFERENT Applejack! An Applejack that looks, acts and sounds like her but actually isn't!" she hissed. "You're a doppelganger!' "Ah what?!" I had no idea what that word even means. Pinkie for some reason sniffed my neck. "I find the lack of domestic smell disturbing. Where are you from and why are you impersonating Applejack?" "Look, ah don't know if you'll believe this or not...but ah don't belong here! This is not my life!" I finally decided to just straight up tell Pinkie everything I know since she's on to me. "Keep talking impersonator!" she made a skeptical look. "Discord sent me here to some unlikely future where ah am married and have foals with Trenderhoof because he wants me to learn some kind of lesson about the importance of life or somethin'!" I admit. "Why does it have to be Trenderhoof? Ah never liked him, he only likes me because ah'm a country pony, why is he with me and not Rarity?" Pinkie just gives me a suspicious look. "Hmm...your story checks out...for now!" she let me go. "So...what is the last thing you remember before you woke up here?" "Me falling asleep after sayin' goodbye and good riddance to Trenderhoof. Next thing ya know, nine years pass and ah'm married with two foals with him! Tell me how in tarnation it came to be!" I really wanted answers. "I have no idea, since you and him were already dating and in love when you finally told us, what with not wanting Rarity to find out and all, but I do know three ponies who knew what happened!" she smiled. "Who?" "Well..." Pinkie looked around. "...I see one of them now!" she pointed to a white teenage unicorn mare carrying groceries on her back, she looked a lot like an older version of- "Sweetie Belle?" "Yep, that's her." confirmed the pink pony. "Got to go." I quickly dashed straight to Sweetie. "SWEETIE!" I trotted up next to her. "Applejack?" she looked nervous to see me. "Ah need to ask ya some thin's!" "Uh...I don't know AJ..." she nervously looked around. "...my sister will kill me if she ever catches me speaking to you." "What do ya mean?" confused. "Look, I'm not really supposed to talk to you, sorry, but tell Apple Bloom I said 'hi'!" afterwards, Sweetie teleported away from me in front of my eyes. "Sweetie can use magic now?" I was shocked. Never thought I'd see the day. Pinkie trotted up next to me. "Well...she DID learn from the best." Pinkie giggled. "Why doesn't Rarity want me to talk to her sister?" "Well...that's the thing...uh...you see, Rarity was the last pony to know about you and Trenderhoof...and when she found out...she found out the hard way." she started. "Things between the two of you haven't been the same since." she said with guilt and sadness like it was partially her fault. "B-but...how did me and him get together in the first place?" I sighed, so confused. I was not getting the answers I needed. "Forget it, ah'll just accept my new life and go along with it...two foals and a husband...never though ah'd see the day." with my head down low I slowly walked back to the farm. By the time I reached the farm house, everything was unusually quiet. "Hello?" "AJ!" yelled Trenderhoof as he ran out the door and towards me. "Where have you been? Me and the kids were worried sick about you!" "Ah...ah..." I didn't know what to say to him. "...just needed a walk that's all. Sorry to have worried you." He walked up and gave me a loving hug, I jolted a bit in his forelegs, unused to him touching me like that. "Are you sure you're okay? What has gotten into you?" "Ah...ah...ah don't know, ah feel lost for some reason, that's all hun." It felt extremely awkward saying 'hun' to him. I don't have feelings for him, yet I am married with foals to him. For now, until I learn this important lesson about life or whatnot, I might as well accept this and play along. "Uh...where are our children?" "They went off to see Aunt Bloom and spend time with her, you know how much she loves to spoil them." he chuckled. "Uh..yeah...Aunt Bloom..." I laugh along. That's right, Apple Bloom would be an aunt now! Oh goodness. "So, that kind of leaves us some time to ourselves..." he said in a flirty tone. I immediately realize that he was in that mood again. Need to distract him so I would not have to do something I will defiantly NOT enjoy. "Uh...uh...ah'm still a little sore from last night hun...yeah...maybe tomorrow." I gave a nervous smile and sweated a bit, hoping he will buy it. "Are you sure? A bit odd considering that you hardly ever turn down an offer for some fun." he looked at me strangely. "I am sure." I give a big nervous grin. "Maybe this will change your mind." he said flirty, he went up to my ear and gave a growl. The growl sent pleasurable shivers across my body. What the buck? Growling? Growling is a turn-on for me? Since when?! Gosh darn it! "No seriously hun...ah'm a bit sore right now...uh...maybe later?" I gently push him away from me. "Okay, okay, suit yourself...I'll be going into town to get some new tools and writing equipment if you ever need me." he kissed me on the forehead. "Uh...good luck...see ya later." I nervously wave goodbye to him and watch him leave. I sighed with relief. Now I have another unwanted problem, being intimate with my husband that I have no feelings for. Growling? Seriously? You have got to be kidding me! A Family to Be Loved"Where the buck is my diary!" I desperately searched everywhere in the house for it. Hopefully it would give me the answers I need. I check my room, Mac's former room that now is used by Cortland, Granny's former room that is now used by Macoun and Apple Bloom's now empty room. No where to be found. "There's only one place ah haven't searched yet...the attic." I climbed up to the old dusty attic, the whole place still looked exactly the same from where I left it, filled with boxes and other family antiques. I scanned the room until I finally saw it; the safe. I walked up to the floor safe. "Ah hope the combination stayed the same." I turned the combination lock to match Apple Bloom's birthday. I quickly hear the tumblers inside spring open. It worked! I gently opened the safe door to see several documents, the deed to the farm, my parent's will, our copies of our birth certificates, the access code to Trenderhoof's safety deposit box at the Equestrian Royal Bank...Trenderhoof has a safety deposit box?! Ugh, never mind, and...Granny Smith's will? Curiously, I took out the document. It was indeed Granny Smith's last will in testament. It was only one full page long. To MacIntosh: My personal savings to help him and his special somepony make their dreams of starting their own farm a reality To Applejack: Full ownership of Sweet Apple Acres and the house along with all of my possessions. To Apple Bloom: Custody of her will go Applejack until she starts university to study architecture. Granny is dead? Things changed so much in just nine years. But as much as I would love to mourn her inevitable demise, I have answers to seek. I looked deeper in the safe to finally see what I was looking for...my diary. I quickly took it out and desperately flipped to where I last remember leaving off. Dear Diary, Today I met this very strange stallion by the name of Trenderhoof, he seemed like a nice colt, but was a bit creeped out over the fact that he has a crush on me for some reason. Like I would ever have the time for a steady relationship, I have farm to work for Celestia's sake! Anyways, I quickly told him that I am just not interested in him at all. Okay, so far so good, I defiantly remember writing that. But wouldn't you believe it, that stallion just won't give up. Whenever he wasn't with Rarity, he was at the farm begging to go on a date with him. My goodness he was desperate! And after a while it just started to get annoying. I also remember writing that. So after thinking about this long and hard, I decided to do what I felt is right Threaten to buck him so hard that he won't be able to have foals for as long as he lived? I took pity on him and went with him to the Ponyville fair as his date WHAT?! I don't remember ever writing that! I though I was going to have a horrible time with him, but surprisingly, I actually had a lot fun, he treated my so nicely and treated me like a proper mare, I swear I was instantly smitten with him. He even participated in the hoedown with me! Him, a fancy writer, doing a perfect hoedown, I was really impressed. Anyways, I have to go to bed now, but I will continue this tale for tomorrow. Hopefully there is going to be a second date! Good night! P.S. Mac, if I catch you reading this I'm going to buck you so hard that you won't be able to have foals for as long as you live! I mean it! I gently closed my diary shut, I was in complete shock. I took pity on him? Was that where everything changed? I took pity on him?! I sighed. I quickly thought back to how I treated Trenderhoof, how I did not take pity him, Maybe I should have just given him a chance a make him happy. It's not like a stallion comes up to you and confesses his feelings for you every day. "AJ!" yelled a familiar voice from downstairs. Apple Bloom? "AJ! Ah'm here with the foals!" I quickly put everything back in the safe and closed it. I then trotted down the stairs. "Apple Bloom?" I reach the living room to see an older Apple Bloom standing before me. Her pink bow was gone, now replaced by a pink bandanna around her neck. "Mommy! Mommy!" yelled the foals as the ran to me and hugged me. "Auntie Bloom taught us how to play dominoes today!" "Oh really?" I smiled at them. "I kicked Cortland's butt!" bragged Macoun. Cortland rolled his eyes. I couldn't help but smile at how cute and adorable they were. "They were well behaved as always sis." assured Apple Bloom. "Thank ya so much." I smiled at her, in awe at how much she grew. The two foals both ran off to what I assume play with each other. "Wow...uh...nine years? Can ya believe it AB?" "So glad ya two made it work, everyone was a bit shocked when ya told everyone the news that ya was datin' him." nodded my little sister. "Speakin' of which, Sweetie Belle said 'hi'." I remembered my earlier meeting with her. "Oh that's great, ah'm so glad Sweetie Belle at least TRIES to talk to us every once in a while despite what happened to ya and Rarity." "By the way, ah'm uh...havin' trouble rememberin' how exactly me and Rarity stopped talkin'." I really wanted to know more about what happened. "Applejack, ya should trust me on this..." she placed a hoof on my shoulder. "...ya don't want to know." she looked at my face, her eyes pleading with me not to talk about it, whatever it was. "Oh..uh...of course." I nervously answer. "APPLEJACK! I'm home!" announced Trenderhoof as he walked through the door with a new toolbox. He entered the living room to see me and my sister. "Oh hey Apple Bloom." "Hey Trend, new tools?" "Yep, now we can start building that gazebo Applejack always nags me about." he joked. "She just won't stop with the gazebo?" laughed Apple Bloom. "I know, I can't go a week without her mentioning how great it is to have one." he continued. "That's my sister all right, anyways, ah have to get goin' home now, great talkin' to ya again." my sister said as she made her way out the door. "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!" and with that, my sister left for her place in Ponyville. Trenderhoof turned to me. "Anyways, are you going to get started on dinner while I draw up the gazebo blueprints?" "Oh...uh...sure, ah'll get started on that." I have no idea how often I cook, but I am so glad that I at least know how to cook most dishes. "Mommy?" suddenly, Macoun comes running inside. "Cortland messed up my mane, do you mind brushing it for me like you always do?" she pleased with big puppy dog eyes. "Ah have to get started on dinner...uh...sweetie...why don't ya ask yer dad?" I was worried that I would do a horrible job at. "Please mommy! I really want us to have some filly talk together, I already spend enough time with daddy as is." she continued pleading. Trenderhoof laughed. "She is daddy's little girl after all." I sighed and caved in on my daughter. "Okay, okay, take me to yer room so ah can brush yer mane." "YAY!" exclaimed Macoun as she lead me upstairs to her room. I really hopped I don't accidentally mess her mane up any further. The filly happily took me into her room, I still surprised at how pink everything was, the whole thing was SUPER girly with pictures of castles, royalty and posters of colt bands. On the wall above the bed was a series of wood block letters that spelled out "Princess Macoun" I looked to see her sitting at her desk in front of the mirror with a mane brush at her hooves. "I'm ready mommy." "Okay." I nervously took the brush out of her hoof and placed it on mine. I reluctantly started to brush her mane. Macoun gave a relaxed moan in response. "That's it mommy, feels so nice." "So...any plans for tomorrow Macoun?" I ask, trying to make small talk. "I'm going to hang-out with my filly friends so we can go shopping!" Shopping? Yuck! How did my daughter become so darn girly?! She must have got it from Trenderhoof. "What else are ya goin' to do?" "Probably go over to a friends house and spend the night." "Well, that's nice." at least my daughter has friends, so I must have raised her right. That's a good sign. I continued brushing her mane until it looked good enough. "Okay, how's that?" "It's perfect mommy! Thank you so much!" she turned around a gave me a tight squeeze. As soon as she let me go, I smiled. "Yer welcome, glad ah did a good job." "You always do a good job mommy." she assured me. I smiled back at her, touched. "Well...ah have to get started on the cookin'." "What will you be making for dinner?" "Uh..." I seriously had no idea. "...whatever is in the family cookbook?" "So, the usual, got it." she giggled at me. I nervously laughed back as I left her room. Parenting may not be so bad after all, I practically raised Apple Bloom myself, so this must come naturally to me. As I walked I passed by Cortland's room, I peeked inside to see that it was neatly organized, with train models, science and travel posters, bookshelves and a fancy video game system. I decided to go in and talk to him. "Cortland?" "Yes mommy?" he was on the bed reading a book about model trains, wearing reading glasses. How adorable! "About to get started with dinner." "Okay, just holler when it is done." Cortland said with a smile on his face. "Will do." I nodded and smiled at him as I left for downstairs. Now for my next challenge, what to cook? I really hopped I did not mess this up. A Dinner to Be Cooked"Ah have no idea what the buck ah am doin'!" I exclaimed to myself as I worked my rump off trying to cook this meal. It was so much harder than I thought. I was so worried about messing up that I practically AM messing up. I managed to get the biscuits out of the oven just in time before they started to burn, but they unfortunately got stuck to the pan. "Oh come on!" I quickly tried to look for a spatula, but couldn't find it. "Looking for this?" said a voice as a paw holding the spatula I looked for showed up in front of my face. "Oh, thank ya so much." I grabbed it without thinking who that paw belonged to. Wait...paw?! "DISCORD!" I turned around to see that no good creature standing in front of me with a smug look on his face. "Smells good Applejack." he said to me. "What do ya want now Discord!" I spat, not exactly in the mood to deal with him. "Oh, nothing, just wanted to see how you were adjusting to this new life." he said to me without care. He went over to a family photo of me, Trenderhoof and foals on the wall. "Awww...you look like the perfect family unit, you're living the dream in this world!" "Cut the bull hockey, and tell me why ya sent me here in the first place! Ah demand answers!" I snarled. "Ugh, I already told you the first time, I sent you here so you can learn an important life lesson so you can change your life for the better." he said with some annoyance in his voice. "But WHY are ya doin' this?" "To set your priorities straight my little silly pony." he smirked. "Well...ah think ah know what the lesson ya wanted me learn is." I stated, although it was all just a bluff so I can return back to my own life as soon as possible. "Oh? What is it?" he was on to me. "That ah should learn to give ponies a chance to make them feel better about themselves even though ah don't like them in that way!" I proudly stated. "WRONG-O!" laughed Discord. "That is NOT the lesson I wanted you to learn." "Then what is?! Ah'm so lost here!" I desperate to go back. "Okay, well, since I am not COMPLETELY heartless, I might as well cut you some slack and give you a hint, think about your priorities and schedule before you came here, then compare it to now, the answer might surprise you and lead you another step closer to figuring out that important lesson." he instructed. "My goodness, and I thought you were only horrible at math!" "Ah'm not horrible at math." "Okay, what is 16 divide by four?" "Uh...ah got this!" I said with confidence. "Twelve!" Discord gave me an annoyed look. "Not even close! Come on! Your brother was captain of the mathletes!" "Just leave me the buck alone Discord! Ah can navigate this world without yer help!" "Well, well, well, if it isn't the signature Applejack stubbornness, how interesting." mused the draconequis. "Oh, then I guess since you don't need myself, I guess I can leave you here to fend for yourself, or transport you to another universe where you're married to someone else." "Well...right now, anyone else is better than Trenderhoof." "Like Rainbow Dash?" "Huh?" "Oh yes, there is a universe out there where you and Rainbow Dash are in love and married. You make a cute couple." he cooed. "Why do ponies think that me and my friends are a bunch of fillyfoolers?" I was always confused about that. "We're just FRIENDS who are really close, nothin' more." Discord just shrugged. "Same reason why ponies think Lyra and BonBon are in a relationship." "They're not?!" I was shocked. Discord gave an annoyed sigh. "I'm going to leave you alone now, good luck with dinner." "But!" I really did not want to be alone, I wanted out. "Oh, and one more thing." he went up to my ear and gave a primal growl. Shivers went across my body. "GOSH DARN IT!" I yelled in annoyance, a slight moan came out of my mouth. Discord just boomed with laughter. "Serves you right!" he snapped his fingers and disappeared. I was so very pissed off at him that I threw a rolling pin at him just as he faded away, but it instead went straight through him and hit the opposite wall. "Applejack?" said Trenderhoof as he walked into the kitchen. He saw the rolling pin hit the wall and land on the floor. "You okay?" I gave an angry grunt. "It's nothin'." I turned around to finish up with the cooking. Not only do I have a dinner to serve, but now I must do it while slightly turned on. Damn you Discord! "You look stressed hun." he said with concern as he walked up to me. "Mind if I take over?" "No, ah got it, ah got it, ah'm almost done anyways." I insist. "Are you sure? Because I hate to see you needlessly push yourself." he assured me as he nuzzled my neck. I jumped a bit from that. "AJ?" "Ah'm fine okay? Just get the foals down here while ah serve the food." Although that nuzzle did not really help with my current 'condition'. I was careful to keep my tail between my legs so no further embarrassment would happen. He just sighed. "If you insist." he trotted out of the kitchen. "MACOUN! CORTLAND! DINNER!" he yelled. The unmistakable stampede of two hungry foals came running down the stairs and in to the kitchen. "What are we having mommy!" they both ask with excitement as they sat at the table. "Oh, uh, biscuits and mashed potatoes." I answer. "YAY!" they cheer as I came up to the table and served each of the foals their portions. I then sat in my spot at the table and me and Trenderhoof served ourselves. I watch as both foals ate messily, and happily gorging themselves. I smile since it reminded me so much of my eating habits. "Delicious as usual hun." Trenderhoof smiled at me as he calmly ate his meal. I kind of blush from that compliment. Suddenly, the mood was ruined by a loud belch. "Excuse me." said a sheepish Cortland. This was followed by a super loud belch that nearly shook the house. I was in shock. "Uh...sorry..." blushed an embarrassed Macoun. Such power from a girly girl. I was impressed. I decided to let a loud belch rip as well. It also nearly shook the house as well. The foals and Trenderhoof just laugh. "That's my country mare!" cheered the stallion. "Go mom!" exclaimed Cortland. The entire meal went pretty well. I could get used to this. Later that night, Trenderhoof carried Macoun on his back, and I carried Cortland. "Mind tucking in Cortland while in tuck in Macoun?" he asked me. "Oh, uh, sure." I nodded. It shouldn't be that hard, I tucked in Apple Bloom loads of times when she was younger. I carried the colt over to his room and placed him on the bed. "Okay buddy, time for bed." "Okay mommy." he crawled under the covers of his bed and lied down on his back. "Mommy?" "Yes son?" I asked him, curious. "How did you and daddy fall in love?" he asked me, he looked very curious. "Well...that's a question for another night, it's gettin' late." I bluffed my way out of it since I don't have a complete picture. "Oh, alright." he looked disappointed but did as told and went to sleep. "Night mommy." "Night sugarcube." I smiled as I kissed his forehead, walked out the room and gently closed the door. As I reached my room, I saw Trenderhoof levitating a quill, paper and ink, writing. "What are ya doin' hun?" I asked as I took off my hat so I can get in bed. "Oh, just editing my column for the magazine." he said focused on his work. "Ah, well, today was very interestin'," I crawled under the covers. "It was, although you seem to be acting stranger than normal." "Ah guess ah was a bit out of it today, but ah should be normal now." I gave a nervous smile, I did not want to raise his suspicions any further. Trenderhoof used his magic to put away the quill, paper and ink, and took off his glasses. "Anyways, I have a tough day tomorrow getting that gazebo you always wanted built." "Ah, ya don't have to, if ya want ah can take care of it." "No, no, no, I'm going to build that gazebo by myself for you, think of it as a late anniversary gift from your loving husband." he jokingly insisted. "Besides, didn't you say after the foals were born that you were going to focus on them more than the chores?" "Ah did?" I quickly caught myself. "Oh, ya ah did, must have forgotten." "Yeah, it was then, when you looked into their eyes, that you finally realized that there was more to life than just work and chores." he said nostalgically. "Anyways, good night my beautiful country mare." he kissed my cheek and went to bed. Beautiful? He actually called me beautiful? I never thought myself as beautiful, sure my family and friends would say that I am, but I always felt that they were just saying that because that's what their supposed to do. I never heard anyone outside of my friends or family say that about me before. I was shocked. "Beautiful?" "That you are." he said as he drifted off to sleep. I was kind of touched by that, I smiled with pride as I closed my eyes to sleep. Beautiful...he genuinely thinks I'm beautiful...gosh. A Friend to Be Helped"Ah had such a great time, never thought ah would." said Applejack as she trotted next to Trenderhoof back to the farm. "Anything for you, I had a great time as well." smiled the stallion as they reached the front porch of the farm house. "Never knew a city slicker like ya would be so good at hoeing-down." the orange mare mused. "Don't let my lifestyle fool you, I know how to hoedown with the best of them." he said. "Anyways, I'll be leaving for Canterlot for thing in the morning, so, if you want, you can always message me and maybe next time I come here we can meet each other again?" he nervously proposed. "Hmmm..." Applejack tapped her hoof on her chin in thought. "...let me think..." she suddenly gave a smirk and gave a quick peck to the stallion cheek. Trenderhoof blushed in response. "So...was that a yes?" he asked. Applejack chuckled. "Of course that's a yes ya silly pony." she began to trot to the front door. "Ah look forward to our second date whenever ya get back." she opened the door. "It was nice meetin' ya sugarcube." the mare winked. "The same." he grinned, so glad that this date turned out perfectly, and with the mare he had a crush on too. Applejack chuckled and closed the front door. "Huh?" I bolted awake. Was that a dream? Or a memory? I had no idea. I quickly looked around the room to see Trenderhoof asleep next to me on the bed, drool came out of his mouth as he gave a cute snore. I got out of the bed to hopefully get an early start to the chores. I trotted over to the bathroom and turned on the shower, turning the lever so that really hot water came out. I sure love my showers to be hot. After I removed my hair bands and shook my mane loose, I happily got in the shower and gave a loud relaxed sigh as the hot water hits my body. "Ah, just like old times." I sighed as I stood under the hot water. "Applejack? You're awake?" asked the voice of Trenderhoof as he walked into the bathroom. I was kind of embarrassed since I prefer privacy when I am in the bathroom. But I remembered that he's my husband and it would be odd if I kicked him out. "Uh, yes, ah'm awake." I said. "That's good, anyways, mind doing the grocery shopping for dinner tonight while I work on the gazebo with Apple Bloom?" he asked me as he started to comb his mane in front of the mirror while he levitated a comb. "Oh...not at all...hun." still felt weird to say that. "Good. You'll love it when it is done." he turned to smile at me. I decided to go ahead and ask him a question. "Uh...do ya really think ah'm beautiful Trenderhoof?" I really wanted to know if he meant it or not. "Why of course I think you're beautiful." he chuckled, he thought I was joking. "You are the most beautiful mare I have ever met, and I am so honored and lucky to have you." "Ya think so?" I was kind of touched. "I know so." he smiled. "GOOD MORNING APPLE CREW!" yelled a cheerful loud voice from downstairs. "AUNT PINKIE!" I heard the foals yell back as the sounds of hooves pounding went downstairs. "Oh, no, she's here." joked Trenderhoof. "I'll keep her busy while you finish up." he said as he trotted out of the bathroom and downstairs. I managed to finish up my hot shower. I dried my fur and hair, put on my hair bands and prized hat, then trotted downstairs to see the foals with Pinkie. "What treats did you bring us this time Pinkie?" exclaimed an excited Cortland. "Why, apple muffins for both of you of course!" giggled Pinkie as she gave the two foals their muffins. Macoun looked at her muffin with suspicion. "Uh...Pinkie...you know I'm allergic to apples right?" she said. Macoun is allergic to apples? How? She's a blood born apple, that can't be right! "Oopsie, sorry, silly me." the pink mare took the apple muffin away and then gave the filly a raisin muffin in its place. "Here you go." "Thanks Pinkie." the filly smiled as both foals ate their muffins in one bite. Pinkie suddenly turned to me. "How are you holding up AJ?" "Oh, uh, ah'm holdin' up just fine, gettin' used to things and all." I answer, but I did not want to get Trenderhoof or the foals suspicious. Suddenly, Trenderhoof walked in the house levitating some letters. "Oh, Applejack, we have a letter from your brother." "Big Mac?" I exclaimed surprised. I always wanted to know what Mac was up to in this universe, I quickly nabbed the letter from the stallion's magical grip and opened it. Dear sister, I would like to say Happy Anniversary, sorry if it was a bit late, but things have been a bit crazy at the farm. Anyways, I would like to say that me, the wife and Apple Blossom will be coming over for a visit tomorrow, can't wait to see you again. Also, tell little Macoun and Cortland that Big Uncle Mac is coming and his wife is coming along to spoil them rotten. With regards, Uncle MacIntosh "Big Mac is comin'! My brother is comin' to see us!" I exclaim with excitement. "Big Mac? You mean the crazy son of a bitch that punched me in the face when he found out I bedded you?" the stallion said jokingly. "Uh...yeah..." "Wow, it sure has been a while since we last saw him. How's the wife and Apple Blossom?" "They seem to be doin' fine hun." "Uncle Mac and Cousin Blossom is coming over?" asked an excited Macoun. "Yes they are." happily confirmed Trenderhoof. "YAY!" the foals cheer. Trenderhoof took me off to the side. "Mind getting everything ready for them while me and Apple Bloom get the gazebo done? I want it completed before their arrival." "Uh..." "SURE WE WILL! I CAN HELP!" interrupted Pinkie as she suddenly showed up between us and wrapped a foreleg around us. "Uh...thank you so much Pinkie." stated the stunned stallion. "You are welcome!" grinned the pink mare. "Mind if Pinkie tags along with you hun?" he asked me. "Like ah have any other choice." I admitted, slightly annoyed. "See Applejack?" began the mare. "Isn't this fun? Shopping together and hanging out like old times!" I was not too overjoyed with spending time with Pinkie, mostly because there is only so much of her craziness I can stand before I go crazy myself. But at least she's my only ally in this new universe, maybe she can guide me. I hope. As we trotted towards the market, I saw along the way the Carousel Boutique, only this boutique seemed slightly in need of repair and closed. "What happened to the boutique Pinkie?" I asked her. "It was shut down after Rarity had a mental breakdown...she hardly ever comes out anymore and some say that she now owns money to some Diamond Dogs." explained Pinkie. "Her sister and occasionally her friend with benefits takes care of her." "All because of me and Trenderhoof?" "No, although that didn't help matters at all." she clarified. I decided to do something potentially stupid; go up to the boutique, knock on the door and demand that Rarity talk to me. I did not want to see a friend miserable like that, plus, I felt partially responsible for it. I determinedly walked up to the boutique door and knock on the front door. "Rarity, ah want to talk to you!" The door opened to reveal a teen-aged Sweetie Belle. "AJ? What are you doing here?" she nervously looked around. "Ah want to talk to yer sister." "Rarity isn't in the mood to see anypony right now, not after she was humiliated and betrayed like that." "Please...ah want to talk to her and make things right!" Plus I wanted to know how she ended up this way. "I'm sorry, but my sister is done with dealing with the world." Sweetie slammed the door on my face and locked it. I felt like a failure. "Applejack?" asked Pinkie with concern. "Let's just get the shoppin' done and over with." I say, dejected. I must get Rarity to talk to me again. But how? A Night to Be AvoidedI tried my best to make it through the rest of the day, but I still couldn't stop thinking about how bad Rarity's life is going in this universe. I lied on my bed as I stared at the ceiling in deep thought. "Ready for the arrival of your brother AJ?" asked Trenderhoof as he removed his glasses and got on the bed. "Very much so." I say without looking at him. "Anyways, I was thinking..." he slyly said as he moved closer to me. I gave him a suspicious look. "...since it would be awkward to have our fun time with your brother and his wife staying with us...how about we enjoy our last night of freedom for a while?" he winked. Oh no, he wants me to have sex with him. I must try to find a way out of this, too awkward. "Uh...ah don't want the foals to hear hun." I nervously chuckle. Trenderhoof laughed. "Silly Applejack, you and I both know that the first thing we did after we got married was soundproof this room so no one can hear your moans." He knows I moan? Since when? Oh, wait, he's my husband here, of course he will know, oh great. "Uh...but ah'm a bit tired, long day preparin' and all." "That has never stopped you, you always manage to get the energy to do it to celebrate a successful harvest." "Ah'm just tired is all." I turned my back on him to pretend I wanted to sleep. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked me with concern. "You know they'll be staying here with us for a week, and the last time you went a week without sex with me, you desperately tied me up to the bed and rutted me like an animal...which I didn't mind of course...but still." "Ah said ah'm TIRED!" I exclaim with annoyance. No means no mister, you may be my husband here, but I do not like you as much as that other Applejack. Trenderhoof was dumbstruck. "Does this have something to do with me? Is there anything I can do to improve my performance? Did I angle down enough?" I was confused. "What are ya takin' about?" "Oh, I always felt things were becoming bland, we always do the same thing over and over again, I could spice things up you know!" he looked like he was panicking. "I would be willing to add another stallion to our fun time if it means more variety for you! I would do it to keep you happy if that is what you want!" "Trend, it's not that, ah'm just tried." I tried to calm him down. Does he really love me that much? "Are you sure?" he asked me with concern. "Ah'm sure." I assured him. "Now relax and go to sleep, okay?" The stallion took a deep breath and calmed down. "Anything for you hun, anything to satisfy you." he kissed me on the lips with full passion. I was in complete shock. He soon broke the kiss and placed his forehead on mine. "I love you AJ, and I am so lucky to have you. The most beautiful mare in Equestria." I blushed from that comment. Still having trouble believing that I am THAT beautiful. "Thanks." He kissed my forehead and tucked himself in. "Night my love." "Night." I say back before I fell back to sleep. I can't avoid this forever. Sooner or later I might as well have sex with in order to keep appearances up and not raise suspicions. But until them, I have my brother and Rarity to deal with. Wardrobe Malfunction at Sapphire Shores concert! Costume designer blamed! "No! Please! I didn't know that would ever happen! I swear that the threads were placed properly!" pleaded Rarity's voice. "Oh, Trenderhoof, you're so good..." I moaned. "...such a bad colt." "Applejack! Help me-" she interrupted. "RARITY?!" I was in shocked. "HOW! DARE! YOU!" growled Rarity with anger. "YOU PROMISED!" "Ah...ah...ah'm sorry, Rarity-" "DON'T YOU RARITY ME YOU TWO TIMING APPLE BUCKER!" Rarity cried. "AH'M SORRY! RARITY!" "RARITY!" I yell as I shoot straight out of bed. I looked around taking deep breaths to calm myself down. It was just a dream...or was it a memory? This is so confusing. I lie back down on my bed for a night of restless sleep. The next morning, I was sweeping the porch while Trenderhoof built the gazebo and the foals played. Over the horizon, I saw a large cart with bags headed towards the farm with a red coated yellow maned pegasus flying next to it. "TREND! WE HAVE VISITORS!" I yell. I took a closer look to the cart to see, with my complete surprise, Big Mac pulling it. "Your brother is here!" he stopped what he was doing so he could join me to greet them. "UNCLE MAC IS HERE YAY!" exclaimed the foals as they ran out the house. "Hey there brats." smirked the red coated pegasus filly as she softly landed on the ground. My foals just tackled her to the ground. "COUSIN BLOSSOM!" they both yelled as they hugged her tightly. "Big Mac?" I asked, surprised to see him again. "Applejack!" greeted my brother with a smile before he pulled me into a hug, practically crushing me. "Nice to meet ya too..." as I tried to breathe. "Mac hun...I know you miss your sister and all but you have to watch your strength." giggled a familiar voice. "Oh, right." Mac let me go and dropped me to the ground. "Sometime's ah forget." I shook my head and got back on all fours to see an unexpected sight; Fluttershy, and a very pregnant one as well. "Shy?" "So good to meet you again." she pulled me into a gentle hug. She seemed a lot less shy and nervous that I remembered. Wait, is Fluttershy my brother's wife now? "Well, well, Big Mac you son of a bitch, how's the farm treating you?" jokingly asked Trenderhoof as they both pounded their forehooves. "Same old, same old, gettin' things ready for when the triplets arrive." "Triplets?" I asked, confused. "Didn't you hear the news Applejack? I'm pregnant with triplets and I'm due in about three months." answered Shy, a bit shocked that I didn't hear the news. How was I supposed to know? I just got here about two days ago. "Well, let me help you carry your things to the spare bedroom." Trenderhoof levitated several pieces of luggage. "It's been a long trip, and I don't want to make things difficult for your pregnant wife." he told my brother as he trotted inside. "That is very kind of you." said the yellow pegasus as she slowly made her way up the balcony and inside. "HEY AUNT AJ!" said a new voice. I turned to see the red pegasus filly floating in front of me. "Oh hey uh...Blossom." I really hoped I got her name correct. She pulled me into a hug before she flew inside the farmhouse. "HEY! NO FLYIN' INSIDE THE HOUSE MISSY!" yelled Mac to his daughter as he carried in some more luggage. "YES DADDY!" yelled Blossom back as she did as told. Wow, Mac is married with Fluttershy and they have a daughter with three more foals on the way, so much has changed. "So, things over at Angel Apple Farms are going wonderfully, we managed to finally make a profit off of it after many years of hard work." said Shy as she told us how their year went over dinner. "We can finally afford to have more mouths to feed." she rubbed her belly. "So...triplets? How are you holding up?" asked Trenderhoof as he ate his food. "The morning sickness as horrible at first, but as the months pass, it got more and more easier and manageable." answered the yellow pegasus. "So AJ, how's Pinkie?" "Pinkie is still the same as always." I answered. For what I saw that is true. "And Rarity?" "Still the same as well." I answer with guilt. Fluttershy looked on with concern. "Having your reputation ruined can take its toll on a pony." Trenderhoof saw that I was sad, so he changed the subject. "So Shy, did you settle on names yet?" "Well, I decided to continue the flower naming theme with the triplets, I think Prime Rose is a beautiful name, along with Petunia." "They do sound like beautiful names." Dinner went by smoothly, but I still thought about Rarity. So much happening so fast. I'll have to talk to Fluttershy tomorrow about this, maybe she can get through to Rarity. Hopefully. A Story to Be ToldThat night, I sat at the front porch as I looked at the night sky. So peaceful and quiet. "Mind if I join you?" asked a soft voice. I turned to see Fluttershy next to me. "Ah wouldn't mind for a friend." I smiled. She gently and carefully sat down into a comfortable position for her. "Can you believe it has been nine years?" congratulated my friend. "I always knew you would find a special somepony despite your busy schedule." "Yeah, but sometimes ah wonder, why him?" I wanted to tell Shy the truth about my situation. "What do you mean? You two are perfect for each other, he would do ANYTHING for you." explained the pegasus. "Anything?" "He nearly gave up his promising career so he can work on the farm and spend more time with you." continued Fluttershy. Trenderhoof almost gave up his fancy life and career to be with me? Why? I'm just an insignificant farmer, nothing special, why would he do such a thing? "Shy," I began. "do you know how me and Trenderhoof came to be, and why Rarity got in this situation?" "I thought you know?" Fluttershy looked at me with confusion. "Well...ah...ah just like bein' told of this story, it soothes me is all." I nervously lied with a big grin. "Well, remember that festival in Ponyville that Trenderhoof came here to write about?" she happily played along. I nodded. I do indeed remember that. "Well, for Trenderhoof it was love at first sight, he came up to you asking for you to go with him to the festival, and you kept saying 'no' since you had so much chores to do. After several tries, he went down on his knees to grovel and beg for you to go with him. Somehow, you pitied him and finally said 'yes'." she related to me. "And Rarity?" Fluttershy reluctantly started. "Things went great for Rarity, her career took off when she was hired to be the costume designer for Sapphire Shore's concert tour." I continued listening. "Unfortunately, something went wrong, the costume that Sapphire Shores wore while on stage fell apart and Rarity was naturally blamed for causing such a humiliation. Rarity's reputation suffered along with her business, and that's when she started to become 'unhinged'." "The stress finally got to her?" "Not just the stress of the job, but the pressure as well." Fluttershy continued. "Anyways, two months later, she finally snapped after she...well...caught you and Trenderhoof..." "Having sex?" I completed the statement for her to avoid embarrassing Shy. "Yes...and Rarity felt betrayed since you did promise her that you would stay away from him." I felt even more guilty. So all the dreams I have been having where indeed memories for the other Applejack. "Thanks for tellin' me this, ah think ah'll go on a nice quiet walk, see ya tomorrow Flutters." I said as I got up off the porch and walked to the back of the farmhouse. "The same." was the last thing I heard Shy said before she was out of earshot. As I headed to the field behind the house, I inadvertently passed by Trenderhoof's study where he and my brother were talking. "I don't know Mac, I'm extremely concerned about your sister." Trenderhoof said. I stopped in my tracks to listen in from outside though the window. "What do ya mean?" "I think she feels disgusted to be with me." he sighed. "What makes you say that?" "I try to be affectionate with her, she either backs away or shivers, I try to kiss her, same thing, I even tried to be intimate with her lately and all she does is try to avoid it, it's like she has stopped loving me all of the sudden." "Sounds mighty unusual." "I don't know what else to do Mac, I managed to get a bucking star named after her for our anniversary! Isn't that enough?" he exclaimed with worry. "No, there's no need to worry Trend, ah know ya love and care for her a lot, but please calm down for a bit." "I do, I really do, I whisper in her ear, I tell her that she is beautiful and that I am lucky to be with her, yet she doesn't seem to believe that." "Ya really mean those thin's?" "When we got married nine years ago, I promised I would love her, please her, care for her and support her until the day I die. I gave up everything for her. I'm living the simple life because of her, and I would gladly do it all over again if it means falling in love with her." I started to cry. He really does care for me, all this time I just thought he only liked me because I'm a country mare. But he does care and love me, and he genuinely thinks I am beautiful. "Ah...am...beautiful..." I whisper to myself with a smile. "He really does think ah'm beautiful." I took a peek through the window to see Trenderhoof at his chair, sad, while my brother comforted him. "How heartwarming isn't it?" said a new voice. "DISCORD!" I turned to see the draconequus himself next to me. "So, it finally dawned on you that he actually does care and love you?" he smirked. I looked back inside with sadness and guilt. "Yes, yes ah do, first stallion ah have seen care for me that much." "There was actually more." "Huh?" I looked at him with confusion. "Yep, there were a lot of stallions who cared and loved you as much as Trenderhoof, but you didn't care about them as much back." "What are ya talkin' about?" "AJ...when it comes to a battle between work and love, work always, ALWAYS, wins." "What?!" "Remember when Caramel asked you out for drinks to celebrate the end of Winter Wrap-Up?" I nodded. "You blew him off because you wanted to quickly get started on planting and do those chores, chores that Mac would have gladly done in half the time." "That was important!" "More important than trying to better your life?" he bluntly asked me. "Uh...uh..." "You know, there's a reason why Rarity went mad in this alternate future." "And what's that?" I was skeptical and suspicious of him. "Because that's what will happen to you if you had continued on the path that you were on!" he started to maniacally laugh. Suddenly, my head started to hurt and I grew extremely weak. The world began to spin. "What's goin' on." Discord continued laugh as my joints and began to hurt, I fell to the ground in pain, I looked at my legs to see them bruised and sore, my hooves chipped, cracked and worn. "WHAT'S HAPPENING!" "Your body and mind can only go so far before it breaks down on you." I felt blood gush out of my nose. "Not even the drugs can stop the inevitable forever!" laughed Discord. Bald patches formed on my fur as the amount cuts and bruises continued to increase. My tail completely flared and messy. I grew weaker and more exhausted. "STOP IT RIGHT NOW! JUST STOP IT!" I yelled with all my might. Soon, everything went quiet and black. TO BE CONTINUED... A Problem to Be Fixed"AJ? AJ?" I groggily woke up to find myself back in bed. "Huh? What happened?" "Oh hun!" I was suddenly enveloped into a hug. I was shocked to see it was Trenderhoof. "Trend?" "Are you okay hun?" he sounded worried. "I heard a scream and then I found on the ground passed out, what happened?" he didn't let me go. "Ah-ah-" I had no idea how to explain everything to him. "Ah thought ah saw a fruit bat and passed out...yeah..." I nervously smile, hopping he would buy it. Trenderhoof gave a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad you are okay hun." he suddenly kissed me to my surprised. But this time, I let the kiss happen, I wanted to actually savor it because I finally knew that his love for me was genuine. But I quickly realized something. "Wait." I gently push him off. "Ah have somethin' to do first, must be done." "What?" he looked at me with confusion "Ah'll explain later," I jump out of the bed and put on my hat. "but ah really must do this now, be right back." I kiss Trenderhoof on the cheek and ran out of the room. I quickly left the farmhouse to see Cortland, Macoun and Blossom playing tag. "Hey kids." I smile. "Hey Mommy!" "Hey Aunt AJ!" they say to me with a smile. "Hey Macoun, Apple Blossom, how about we go shopping together later today, just us girls?" I offer the fillies. "Really?!" the fillies exclaim with excitement. "Really." I nod. They both squealed in celebration. "And as for you Cortland, how about we do some mother-son bonding over helpin' ya with yer model trains and then readin' some scary stories?" "Oh cool!" Cortland smiled. "I would really love that!" "Great, but ah must go now and do somethin', hold down the fort ya three." I instructed them. "We will." nodded the foals. "Good, cya." I tipped my hat and walked off into town with a purpose; to meet Rarity whether she wants to or not. "Hello?" asked Sweetie Belle before I barged through the door and pushed her aside. "HEY!" I quickly ran up the stairs before Sweetie would stop me. "Rarity! Ah want to talk to ya!" I reached the door to her room and pounded on it. "Ya need help Rarity, please, what happened wasn't yer fault." I continued with the pounding. "Applejack? Darling?" I turned around after I heard that to see to my surprise, Rarity in her robe standing before me in the hallway. "Rarity?" "I was just leaving the bathroom when I saw you pounding on my bedroom door." Rarity explained. She had dark circles around her eyes, her mane was a mess. "Look, ah just want to be here for ya Rares-" "Say no more Applejack, but I already moved on from the whole Trenderhoof thing darling." she explained to me. "I should not have been so selfish and territorial with you, that was wrong of me. You more than deserve to be with him." "What?" I did not know what to say. "Without Trenderhoof, you would be focusing too much on work." she continued. "Just like me, you put work before love and that's not good in the long run." "Ah don't feel like ah deserve him." "Don't be such a silly pony darling, you should consider yourself the luckiest mare in the world because you got him and started a nice family." Rarity smiled. "Ah still don't think ah deserve him." "Applejack, you do, you really do." she smiled. "You are honest, loyal, understanding, loving and most of all beautiful." "Really?" I was stunned. "To be honest, I am sometimes so jealous of you." "Ah don't know what do say-" Rarity suddenly placed a hoof on my mouth. "Don't say anything." she quickly grabbed me into a hug. We both cried of joy. After having some nice fancy tea with her, I proudly left the boutique for home. I had a shopping trip with the fillies to do. Oh horse apples! I have shopping! Buck! After a long afternoon and evening, I tucked in Cortland and Macoun before I walked back into my room. Once I walked in, I saw Trenderhoof on the bed as he wrote his column. "Hey hun, long day?" he smiled at me. I say nothing but nod and smile. I climbed onto the bed and took off my hat. I couldn't help but continue to stare in awe of him. Trenderhoof noticed that I wouldn't stop staring. "What is it hun?" he asked as he put down his paper and quill with his magic. "So...is it true this room is soundproof?" I gave a smirk. "Of course, why do you ask?" he smirked back. With a large grin, I quickly tackled my husband down on the bed, me on top. "Growl in my ear lover boy and don't hold back." I instructed. Trenderhoof smiled and did as told. He gave a nice spine-tingling primal growl. My body shivered. "Oh yes...." I moaned before I roughly kissed him. The last thing I remembered saying was screaming "OH MY GOODNESS!" and seeing stars. The most fantastic stars I have ever seen. It was my best night so far. I just wished it never ended. The next morning... "AJ! WAKE UP!" yelled gravelly voice. I woke up, I felt like I was hit hard by a train. "Ugh...five more minutes Trend..." "Trend? Who's Trend?" continued the voice. "Huh?" I quickly opened my eyes to see a bitter Granny Smith by my bed. "Granny?" "Yer breakfast is gettin' cold AJ...we're all waitin' for ya!" I was shocked and confused. "What's goin' on?" "Yes, ah know ya had a little too much fun at the festival last night, but those chores won't finish themselves ya know." Granny said as he hobbled out of the room in her walker. "The festival was last night?!" I exclaimed. "Yes." "Oh my goodness!" I quickly got up. "Where's Trenderhoof?!" "Trenderhoof? That stallion who wouldn't leave ya alone and stop harrassin' ya?" "Yes! Where is he? Ah need to talk to him!" Was I really back in my own world? I couldn't be, I was starting to enjoy my time with him. "He's probably at the train station to go back wherever he came from." Without saying a word, I dashed out of the room and to the train station. I hopped that I wasn't too late to talk to him. For the first time, I realized that I actually did had feelings for him. I should have given him a chance in the first place. I'm coming Trenderhoof. A Future to Be...I continued my sprint to the station. In fact, I ran so fast that my hat flew off my head, but I didn't care about that. Just as the station was in sight I suddenly crashed myself into somepony. "OW!" "Oh, I am so sorry darling." I got up from the ground to see that it was Rarity I crashed into. "Rarity?" "You okay Applejack?" she asked me as she helped me. "Uh...no time to explain." should I warn her about her future? I had no idea, I was in too much of a rush as is. "Okay...?" "But word of advise; double check the theardin' of Sapphire Shore's costume, in fact, triple check before givin' it to her!" "What does that have to do with everything-?" before she completed her sentence I was already in the distance out of earshot. "How strange." "Oh well, I guess my one to be is not here, maybe in the next town then." sighed Trenderhoof as he walked towards the awaiting train. "TRENDERHOOF! WAIT!" I yell as I sprinted towards him. "Applejack?" he was in shock to see me. "What are you doing here?" he was skeptical. I wouldn't blame him if he was. I stopped in my tracks and caught my breath. "Ah wanted to apologize for ignorin' ya." "What do you mean?" "Ah should've given ya a chance or at least helped ya out gettin' to know this town better, but ah was afraid it would take me away from work." I told him with guilt. "No, you're right," began the stallion. "the only reason I fell in love with you was because you were a country mare and that was a stupid reason to fall in love with somepony." "It was still wrong of me to ignore ya like that, please let me make it up to ya by buyin' ya drink." I really wanted that future to happen. Trenderhoof just sighed. "Look, I really have to go back to Manehatten to meet my boss, but I tell you what," my ears perked up. "next time I arrive here in Ponyville, you can buy me that drink and we'll get to know each other more over it." he looked at me with a smile. "When will ya come back?" "I don't know, but I'll make sure you are the first pony to know." he winked at me before he walked into the train. I just stood there stunned. Does that mean there's still a chance? I don't know. "HEY APPLEJACK!" I looked up to see Trenderhoof with his head out of a train window. The train began to move. "Trend?" "Tell Miss Apple Jewel that my heart already taken by some other mare." he instructed at me with a smile. "Who?" I was confused. "A country mare by the name Applejack..." he smirked. "...I'm sure she'll understand!" "Oh..." I blushed and smiled. "...ah'm sure she will." The train soon left the platform. We both waved to each other goodbye, but it felt like it was not goodbye because I was certain we will meet each other again. "At least it was better than nothin'." I said to myself with hope. "AJ?" I heard a soft voice speak. I turned to see Fluttershy with my hat, next to her was Discord. "DISCORD!" "APPLEJACK!" Me and Discord growled at each other, ready to attack. "Now, now, Applejack, be nice to him, he was only following orders." assured Fluttershy as she gave me my hat. "Orders?!" I looked at my friend with confusion. "My orders." the pegasus smiled. "What?!" I was in complete shock. "You see, I was always worried about you and how you usually put work before love and sometimes your friends. So I ask Discord to help me into convincing you that there's a lot of things that you're missing out on because of that. To show you that you can be happy outside of just working on the farm." she explained to me. "This was all yer idea?" "It was either go along with her idea, or wear that maid outfit again." Discord shuttered at the thought. "But I guess I ended up having too much fun from it." "Sorry if anything bad happened." apologized Fluttershy. I smiled. "That's okay Shy, ah guess ah needed that." I straightened out my hat before I left for home. I felt a large weight lifted from my shoulders as I walked back to the farm. I had a lot of hope for that future coming true and I couldn't wait to meet him again. And that my children, is how I fell in love with your father. The end. Author's Note Thank you for enjoying my story.
A Lesson to Be Learned"AJ? AJ?" said an oddly familiar voice. "Huh? What's goin' on?" I groaned as I struggled to wake myself up. Did I oversleep again? That voice did not belong to my brother that is for sure. I slowly opened my eyes, only to quickly close them again once the bright light from outside hit my eyes. "Ugh, what the buck is the time?" I groggily exclaimed, I quickly hid under the bed sheets to shield myself for the bright sun. "It's eight in the morning hun." said the voice. I know that voice sounded familiar, but who does it belong to? Why did this clearly male voice call my 'hun'? I peeked my head from under the covers to find myself in a completely new room and bed. A bed for two ponies. "Huh?" I was confused. "Don't worry AJ, I took care of the mornin' chores, I couldn't bare to disturb you after the great night we had." said the voice again. I looked up only to get the shock of my life, a stallion stood before me by the bed, and this is not just ANY stallion but; "TRENDERHOOF?!" "Uh...yes...that's me." he looked at me like I was crazy or something. Me crazy? That would be the day! To my surprise he was wearing overalls and a straw-hat. He looked like a farm pony despite being a unicorn. "What are ya doin' here at the farm...ah told ya ah don't like ya!" I really had no idea what was going on. "Are you okay AJ?" he looked on with concern. Maybe I AM going crazy. I quickly jumped out of the bed, accidentally knocking off a picture from the nightstand with my tail. "Ah...don't know...what's goin' on?!" confused. I haven't been this confused since I last took mathematics in Elementary school. "Well...it's the day after our wedding anniversary...and-" "WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!" Me? Married to Trenderhoof? How? I never liked him that way! I looked down at the picture I accidentally knocked over. It was a shattered photo of me dressed in a fancy wedding gown cutting a wedding cake with Trenderhoof. "No..." "AJ?" he came up to me with a worried look on his face. Suddenly, the bedroom door bursts open and two foals ran in. "MOMMY! DADDY!" they both yelled as they climbed on the bed and jumped on it. One was a female filly with an orange coat and blond hair, the other was a male colt with Trenderhoof's coat and same blond hair, both were Earth ponies and both had blank flanks. "Macoun! Cortland! No jumping on the bed!" Trenderhoof ordered. "Sorry daddy." they both say in unison as they immediately stopped jumping on the bed. They quickly came up to me and hugged me. "Morning mommy!" "Uh...uh..." I'm their mother?! Since when?! I don't remember EVER getting pregnant. Is this some kind of sick twisted joke? If it is Rainbow Dash is going to get a beating. "Are you going to make pancakes today mommy?" asked Macoun, the filly. "Or is dad going to make his signature omelettes?" asked Cortland, the colt. "Why not both?" chimed in a smiling Trenderhoof to the foals. "REALLY?!" the foals say with eagerness in their voices. "Oh yes, my signature omelettes with all you can eat apple pancakes." "YAY!" and with that, they both zoomed out of the bedroom and straight downstairs. I just stood there completely confused as the stallion just stood before me with a smile on his face. "Last night was amazing as always AJ...so honored to be your loving husband of nine years." he walked up to me and kissed my cheek. I flinched. "Don't ya kiss me!" I yell out as I back away. "Hun?" "Is this some kind of joke!?" I demanded to know some answers...NOW! "AJ?" he looked at me like I was going crazy. "Did Rainbow Dash and Rarity set ya up?!" I asked. "What are you talking a-" Suddenly, the entire world stopped, Trenderhoof frozen mid-sentence. "This is not a prank Applejack." said the last voice I wanted to hear. I looked to see that it was him with a smug look on his face. "Discord! Ah should've known ya had somethin' to do with this! What did ya do!" I angrily snorted. "Oh...just taking this opportunity to show you that there is a lot more to life than just working on the farm all day." Discord said without much care. "What do ya mean?" "AJ...you really need to relax...all you do is work and work and work, putting off a social life outside your friends, missing out on what is important in life." he assured me with an evil smirk. I didn't trust him at all. "And just what IS important in life?" I asked skeptically. "That, you're going to figure out yourself." he chuckled. I stomped my hoof in anger. "BUT WHY TRENDERHOOF! AH DON'T LIKE HIM!" "Maybe not where you came from." Discord laughed. "Anyways, I guess I have to let you go so you can figure out this important lesson you need to learn...if you have any questions, comments or concerns, just say my name three times fast and then do it again but backwards. Bye!" "But-!" Discord snapped his fingers and he disappeared. Time started to move again. "-about?" resumed Trenderhoof with confusion. "Uh..." I shake my head with disbelief. "...sorry, uh, just tired from last night is all..." I nervously told him. Which was kind of true. But not the entire truth. "Ah think ah'll go take a quick shower to wake myself up...be right down." I slowly made my way to the bathroom. To my surprised, despite being in a new room, I was still in the farmhouse at Sweet Apple Acres. "What must ah do?" I asked myself unsure what to do. Should I play along? Or fight it? I am so confused. Author's Note I was watching "It's A Wonderful Life" when I came up with this idea. Hope you like it.
A World to Be Lived"Ah can't believe ah'm doin' this!" I said to myself as I climbed out of the bathroom window and slid down the drain pipe. What the buck is going on around here? Why is Discord pairing me up with Trenderhoof of all ponies all of the sudden? This whole thing doesn't make sense. I quickly trotted away into Ponyville to get some answers, maybe Rarity can shed some light on what happened. Ponyville looked almost exactly the same the last time I remember, a bit more ponies walking around town but other than that, the same. "HEY APPLEJACK!" yelled a chipper voice. It was obviously Pinkie Pie. "Pinkie?" turning to look at my pink friend. "Just wanted to ask how your wedding anniversary went and all, it must have been super duper magical." beamed the mare. "It was...uh...nice..." I nervously told her. I just woke up in this world, I have no clue how last night went. "Did he name a star after you like he said he would?!" "Uh...ah think so...ah..." "THINK SO?!" gasped Pinkie. She suddenly grabbed me and pinned me to a nearby wall. "What in tarnation-" "WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO TO APPLEJACK!" she exclaimed to my face in desperation. "But ah am Applejack-" "A DIFFERENT Applejack! An Applejack that looks, acts and sounds like her but actually isn't!" she hissed. "You're a doppelganger!' "Ah what?!" I had no idea what that word even means. Pinkie for some reason sniffed my neck. "I find the lack of domestic smell disturbing. Where are you from and why are you impersonating Applejack?" "Look, ah don't know if you'll believe this or not...but ah don't belong here! This is not my life!" I finally decided to just straight up tell Pinkie everything I know since she's on to me. "Keep talking impersonator!" she made a skeptical look. "Discord sent me here to some unlikely future where ah am married and have foals with Trenderhoof because he wants me to learn some kind of lesson about the importance of life or somethin'!" I admit. "Why does it have to be Trenderhoof? Ah never liked him, he only likes me because ah'm a country pony, why is he with me and not Rarity?" Pinkie just gives me a suspicious look. "Hmm...your story checks out...for now!" she let me go. "So...what is the last thing you remember before you woke up here?" "Me falling asleep after sayin' goodbye and good riddance to Trenderhoof. Next thing ya know, nine years pass and ah'm married with two foals with him! Tell me how in tarnation it came to be!" I really wanted answers. "I have no idea, since you and him were already dating and in love when you finally told us, what with not wanting Rarity to find out and all, but I do know three ponies who knew what happened!" she smiled. "Who?" "Well..." Pinkie looked around. "...I see one of them now!" she pointed to a white teenage unicorn mare carrying groceries on her back, she looked a lot like an older version of- "Sweetie Belle?" "Yep, that's her." confirmed the pink pony. "Got to go." I quickly dashed straight to Sweetie. "SWEETIE!" I trotted up next to her. "Applejack?" she looked nervous to see me. "Ah need to ask ya some thin's!" "Uh...I don't know AJ..." she nervously looked around. "...my sister will kill me if she ever catches me speaking to you." "What do ya mean?" confused. "Look, I'm not really supposed to talk to you, sorry, but tell Apple Bloom I said 'hi'!" afterwards, Sweetie teleported away from me in front of my eyes. "Sweetie can use magic now?" I was shocked. Never thought I'd see the day. Pinkie trotted up next to me. "Well...she DID learn from the best." Pinkie giggled. "Why doesn't Rarity want me to talk to her sister?" "Well...that's the thing...uh...you see, Rarity was the last pony to know about you and Trenderhoof...and when she found out...she found out the hard way." she started. "Things between the two of you haven't been the same since." she said with guilt and sadness like it was partially her fault. "B-but...how did me and him get together in the first place?" I sighed, so confused. I was not getting the answers I needed. "Forget it, ah'll just accept my new life and go along with it...two foals and a husband...never though ah'd see the day." with my head down low I slowly walked back to the farm. By the time I reached the farm house, everything was unusually quiet. "Hello?" "AJ!" yelled Trenderhoof as he ran out the door and towards me. "Where have you been? Me and the kids were worried sick about you!" "Ah...ah..." I didn't know what to say to him. "...just needed a walk that's all. Sorry to have worried you." He walked up and gave me a loving hug, I jolted a bit in his forelegs, unused to him touching me like that. "Are you sure you're okay? What has gotten into you?" "Ah...ah...ah don't know, ah feel lost for some reason, that's all hun." It felt extremely awkward saying 'hun' to him. I don't have feelings for him, yet I am married with foals to him. For now, until I learn this important lesson about life or whatnot, I might as well accept this and play along. "Uh...where are our children?" "They went off to see Aunt Bloom and spend time with her, you know how much she loves to spoil them." he chuckled. "Uh..yeah...Aunt Bloom..." I laugh along. That's right, Apple Bloom would be an aunt now! Oh goodness. "So, that kind of leaves us some time to ourselves..." he said in a flirty tone. I immediately realize that he was in that mood again. Need to distract him so I would not have to do something I will defiantly NOT enjoy. "Uh...uh...ah'm still a little sore from last night hun...yeah...maybe tomorrow." I gave a nervous smile and sweated a bit, hoping he will buy it. "Are you sure? A bit odd considering that you hardly ever turn down an offer for some fun." he looked at me strangely. "I am sure." I give a big nervous grin. "Maybe this will change your mind." he said flirty, he went up to my ear and gave a growl. The growl sent pleasurable shivers across my body. What the buck? Growling? Growling is a turn-on for me? Since when?! Gosh darn it! "No seriously hun...ah'm a bit sore right now...uh...maybe later?" I gently push him away from me. "Okay, okay, suit yourself...I'll be going into town to get some new tools and writing equipment if you ever need me." he kissed me on the forehead. "Uh...good luck...see ya later." I nervously wave goodbye to him and watch him leave. I sighed with relief. Now I have another unwanted problem, being intimate with my husband that I have no feelings for. Growling? Seriously? You have got to be kidding me!
A Family to Be Loved"Where the buck is my diary!" I desperately searched everywhere in the house for it. Hopefully it would give me the answers I need. I check my room, Mac's former room that now is used by Cortland, Granny's former room that is now used by Macoun and Apple Bloom's now empty room. No where to be found. "There's only one place ah haven't searched yet...the attic." I climbed up to the old dusty attic, the whole place still looked exactly the same from where I left it, filled with boxes and other family antiques. I scanned the room until I finally saw it; the safe. I walked up to the floor safe. "Ah hope the combination stayed the same." I turned the combination lock to match Apple Bloom's birthday. I quickly hear the tumblers inside spring open. It worked! I gently opened the safe door to see several documents, the deed to the farm, my parent's will, our copies of our birth certificates, the access code to Trenderhoof's safety deposit box at the Equestrian Royal Bank...Trenderhoof has a safety deposit box?! Ugh, never mind, and...Granny Smith's will? Curiously, I took out the document. It was indeed Granny Smith's last will in testament. It was only one full page long. To MacIntosh: My personal savings to help him and his special somepony make their dreams of starting their own farm a reality To Applejack: Full ownership of Sweet Apple Acres and the house along with all of my possessions. To Apple Bloom: Custody of her will go Applejack until she starts university to study architecture. Granny is dead? Things changed so much in just nine years. But as much as I would love to mourn her inevitable demise, I have answers to seek. I looked deeper in the safe to finally see what I was looking for...my diary. I quickly took it out and desperately flipped to where I last remember leaving off. Dear Diary, Today I met this very strange stallion by the name of Trenderhoof, he seemed like a nice colt, but was a bit creeped out over the fact that he has a crush on me for some reason. Like I would ever have the time for a steady relationship, I have farm to work for Celestia's sake! Anyways, I quickly told him that I am just not interested in him at all. Okay, so far so good, I defiantly remember writing that. But wouldn't you believe it, that stallion just won't give up. Whenever he wasn't with Rarity, he was at the farm begging to go on a date with him. My goodness he was desperate! And after a while it just started to get annoying. I also remember writing that. So after thinking about this long and hard, I decided to do what I felt is right Threaten to buck him so hard that he won't be able to have foals for as long as he lived? I took pity on him and went with him to the Ponyville fair as his date WHAT?! I don't remember ever writing that! I though I was going to have a horrible time with him, but surprisingly, I actually had a lot fun, he treated my so nicely and treated me like a proper mare, I swear I was instantly smitten with him. He even participated in the hoedown with me! Him, a fancy writer, doing a perfect hoedown, I was really impressed. Anyways, I have to go to bed now, but I will continue this tale for tomorrow. Hopefully there is going to be a second date! Good night! P.S. Mac, if I catch you reading this I'm going to buck you so hard that you won't be able to have foals for as long as you live! I mean it! I gently closed my diary shut, I was in complete shock. I took pity on him? Was that where everything changed? I took pity on him?! I sighed. I quickly thought back to how I treated Trenderhoof, how I did not take pity him, Maybe I should have just given him a chance a make him happy. It's not like a stallion comes up to you and confesses his feelings for you every day. "AJ!" yelled a familiar voice from downstairs. Apple Bloom? "AJ! Ah'm here with the foals!" I quickly put everything back in the safe and closed it. I then trotted down the stairs. "Apple Bloom?" I reach the living room to see an older Apple Bloom standing before me. Her pink bow was gone, now replaced by a pink bandanna around her neck. "Mommy! Mommy!" yelled the foals as the ran to me and hugged me. "Auntie Bloom taught us how to play dominoes today!" "Oh really?" I smiled at them. "I kicked Cortland's butt!" bragged Macoun. Cortland rolled his eyes. I couldn't help but smile at how cute and adorable they were. "They were well behaved as always sis." assured Apple Bloom. "Thank ya so much." I smiled at her, in awe at how much she grew. The two foals both ran off to what I assume play with each other. "Wow...uh...nine years? Can ya believe it AB?" "So glad ya two made it work, everyone was a bit shocked when ya told everyone the news that ya was datin' him." nodded my little sister. "Speakin' of which, Sweetie Belle said 'hi'." I remembered my earlier meeting with her. "Oh that's great, ah'm so glad Sweetie Belle at least TRIES to talk to us every once in a while despite what happened to ya and Rarity." "By the way, ah'm uh...havin' trouble rememberin' how exactly me and Rarity stopped talkin'." I really wanted to know more about what happened. "Applejack, ya should trust me on this..." she placed a hoof on my shoulder. "...ya don't want to know." she looked at my face, her eyes pleading with me not to talk about it, whatever it was. "Oh..uh...of course." I nervously answer. "APPLEJACK! I'm home!" announced Trenderhoof as he walked through the door with a new toolbox. He entered the living room to see me and my sister. "Oh hey Apple Bloom." "Hey Trend, new tools?" "Yep, now we can start building that gazebo Applejack always nags me about." he joked. "She just won't stop with the gazebo?" laughed Apple Bloom. "I know, I can't go a week without her mentioning how great it is to have one." he continued. "That's my sister all right, anyways, ah have to get goin' home now, great talkin' to ya again." my sister said as she made her way out the door. "HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!" and with that, my sister left for her place in Ponyville. Trenderhoof turned to me. "Anyways, are you going to get started on dinner while I draw up the gazebo blueprints?" "Oh...uh...sure, ah'll get started on that." I have no idea how often I cook, but I am so glad that I at least know how to cook most dishes. "Mommy?" suddenly, Macoun comes running inside. "Cortland messed up my mane, do you mind brushing it for me like you always do?" she pleased with big puppy dog eyes. "Ah have to get started on dinner...uh...sweetie...why don't ya ask yer dad?" I was worried that I would do a horrible job at. "Please mommy! I really want us to have some filly talk together, I already spend enough time with daddy as is." she continued pleading. Trenderhoof laughed. "She is daddy's little girl after all." I sighed and caved in on my daughter. "Okay, okay, take me to yer room so ah can brush yer mane." "YAY!" exclaimed Macoun as she lead me upstairs to her room. I really hopped I don't accidentally mess her mane up any further. The filly happily took me into her room, I still surprised at how pink everything was, the whole thing was SUPER girly with pictures of castles, royalty and posters of colt bands. On the wall above the bed was a series of wood block letters that spelled out "Princess Macoun" I looked to see her sitting at her desk in front of the mirror with a mane brush at her hooves. "I'm ready mommy." "Okay." I nervously took the brush out of her hoof and placed it on mine. I reluctantly started to brush her mane. Macoun gave a relaxed moan in response. "That's it mommy, feels so nice." "So...any plans for tomorrow Macoun?" I ask, trying to make small talk. "I'm going to hang-out with my filly friends so we can go shopping!" Shopping? Yuck! How did my daughter become so darn girly?! She must have got it from Trenderhoof. "What else are ya goin' to do?" "Probably go over to a friends house and spend the night." "Well, that's nice." at least my daughter has friends, so I must have raised her right. That's a good sign. I continued brushing her mane until it looked good enough. "Okay, how's that?" "It's perfect mommy! Thank you so much!" she turned around a gave me a tight squeeze. As soon as she let me go, I smiled. "Yer welcome, glad ah did a good job." "You always do a good job mommy." she assured me. I smiled back at her, touched. "Well...ah have to get started on the cookin'." "What will you be making for dinner?" "Uh..." I seriously had no idea. "...whatever is in the family cookbook?" "So, the usual, got it." she giggled at me. I nervously laughed back as I left her room. Parenting may not be so bad after all, I practically raised Apple Bloom myself, so this must come naturally to me. As I walked I passed by Cortland's room, I peeked inside to see that it was neatly organized, with train models, science and travel posters, bookshelves and a fancy video game system. I decided to go in and talk to him. "Cortland?" "Yes mommy?" he was on the bed reading a book about model trains, wearing reading glasses. How adorable! "About to get started with dinner." "Okay, just holler when it is done." Cortland said with a smile on his face. "Will do." I nodded and smiled at him as I left for downstairs. Now for my next challenge, what to cook? I really hopped I did not mess this up.
A Dinner to Be Cooked"Ah have no idea what the buck ah am doin'!" I exclaimed to myself as I worked my rump off trying to cook this meal. It was so much harder than I thought. I was so worried about messing up that I practically AM messing up. I managed to get the biscuits out of the oven just in time before they started to burn, but they unfortunately got stuck to the pan. "Oh come on!" I quickly tried to look for a spatula, but couldn't find it. "Looking for this?" said a voice as a paw holding the spatula I looked for showed up in front of my face. "Oh, thank ya so much." I grabbed it without thinking who that paw belonged to. Wait...paw?! "DISCORD!" I turned around to see that no good creature standing in front of me with a smug look on his face. "Smells good Applejack." he said to me. "What do ya want now Discord!" I spat, not exactly in the mood to deal with him. "Oh, nothing, just wanted to see how you were adjusting to this new life." he said to me without care. He went over to a family photo of me, Trenderhoof and foals on the wall. "Awww...you look like the perfect family unit, you're living the dream in this world!" "Cut the bull hockey, and tell me why ya sent me here in the first place! Ah demand answers!" I snarled. "Ugh, I already told you the first time, I sent you here so you can learn an important life lesson so you can change your life for the better." he said with some annoyance in his voice. "But WHY are ya doin' this?" "To set your priorities straight my little silly pony." he smirked. "Well...ah think ah know what the lesson ya wanted me learn is." I stated, although it was all just a bluff so I can return back to my own life as soon as possible. "Oh? What is it?" he was on to me. "That ah should learn to give ponies a chance to make them feel better about themselves even though ah don't like them in that way!" I proudly stated. "WRONG-O!" laughed Discord. "That is NOT the lesson I wanted you to learn." "Then what is?! Ah'm so lost here!" I desperate to go back. "Okay, well, since I am not COMPLETELY heartless, I might as well cut you some slack and give you a hint, think about your priorities and schedule before you came here, then compare it to now, the answer might surprise you and lead you another step closer to figuring out that important lesson." he instructed. "My goodness, and I thought you were only horrible at math!" "Ah'm not horrible at math." "Okay, what is 16 divide by four?" "Uh...ah got this!" I said with confidence. "Twelve!" Discord gave me an annoyed look. "Not even close! Come on! Your brother was captain of the mathletes!" "Just leave me the buck alone Discord! Ah can navigate this world without yer help!" "Well, well, well, if it isn't the signature Applejack stubbornness, how interesting." mused the draconequis. "Oh, then I guess since you don't need myself, I guess I can leave you here to fend for yourself, or transport you to another universe where you're married to someone else." "Well...right now, anyone else is better than Trenderhoof." "Like Rainbow Dash?" "Huh?" "Oh yes, there is a universe out there where you and Rainbow Dash are in love and married. You make a cute couple." he cooed. "Why do ponies think that me and my friends are a bunch of fillyfoolers?" I was always confused about that. "We're just FRIENDS who are really close, nothin' more." Discord just shrugged. "Same reason why ponies think Lyra and BonBon are in a relationship." "They're not?!" I was shocked. Discord gave an annoyed sigh. "I'm going to leave you alone now, good luck with dinner." "But!" I really did not want to be alone, I wanted out. "Oh, and one more thing." he went up to my ear and gave a primal growl. Shivers went across my body. "GOSH DARN IT!" I yelled in annoyance, a slight moan came out of my mouth. Discord just boomed with laughter. "Serves you right!" he snapped his fingers and disappeared. I was so very pissed off at him that I threw a rolling pin at him just as he faded away, but it instead went straight through him and hit the opposite wall. "Applejack?" said Trenderhoof as he walked into the kitchen. He saw the rolling pin hit the wall and land on the floor. "You okay?" I gave an angry grunt. "It's nothin'." I turned around to finish up with the cooking. Not only do I have a dinner to serve, but now I must do it while slightly turned on. Damn you Discord! "You look stressed hun." he said with concern as he walked up to me. "Mind if I take over?" "No, ah got it, ah got it, ah'm almost done anyways." I insist. "Are you sure? Because I hate to see you needlessly push yourself." he assured me as he nuzzled my neck. I jumped a bit from that. "AJ?" "Ah'm fine okay? Just get the foals down here while ah serve the food." Although that nuzzle did not really help with my current 'condition'. I was careful to keep my tail between my legs so no further embarrassment would happen. He just sighed. "If you insist." he trotted out of the kitchen. "MACOUN! CORTLAND! DINNER!" he yelled. The unmistakable stampede of two hungry foals came running down the stairs and in to the kitchen. "What are we having mommy!" they both ask with excitement as they sat at the table. "Oh, uh, biscuits and mashed potatoes." I answer. "YAY!" they cheer as I came up to the table and served each of the foals their portions. I then sat in my spot at the table and me and Trenderhoof served ourselves. I watch as both foals ate messily, and happily gorging themselves. I smile since it reminded me so much of my eating habits. "Delicious as usual hun." Trenderhoof smiled at me as he calmly ate his meal. I kind of blush from that compliment. Suddenly, the mood was ruined by a loud belch. "Excuse me." said a sheepish Cortland. This was followed by a super loud belch that nearly shook the house. I was in shock. "Uh...sorry..." blushed an embarrassed Macoun. Such power from a girly girl. I was impressed. I decided to let a loud belch rip as well. It also nearly shook the house as well. The foals and Trenderhoof just laugh. "That's my country mare!" cheered the stallion. "Go mom!" exclaimed Cortland. The entire meal went pretty well. I could get used to this. Later that night, Trenderhoof carried Macoun on his back, and I carried Cortland. "Mind tucking in Cortland while in tuck in Macoun?" he asked me. "Oh, uh, sure." I nodded. It shouldn't be that hard, I tucked in Apple Bloom loads of times when she was younger. I carried the colt over to his room and placed him on the bed. "Okay buddy, time for bed." "Okay mommy." he crawled under the covers of his bed and lied down on his back. "Mommy?" "Yes son?" I asked him, curious. "How did you and daddy fall in love?" he asked me, he looked very curious. "Well...that's a question for another night, it's gettin' late." I bluffed my way out of it since I don't have a complete picture. "Oh, alright." he looked disappointed but did as told and went to sleep. "Night mommy." "Night sugarcube." I smiled as I kissed his forehead, walked out the room and gently closed the door. As I reached my room, I saw Trenderhoof levitating a quill, paper and ink, writing. "What are ya doin' hun?" I asked as I took off my hat so I can get in bed. "Oh, just editing my column for the magazine." he said focused on his work. "Ah, well, today was very interestin'," I crawled under the covers. "It was, although you seem to be acting stranger than normal." "Ah guess ah was a bit out of it today, but ah should be normal now." I gave a nervous smile, I did not want to raise his suspicions any further. Trenderhoof used his magic to put away the quill, paper and ink, and took off his glasses. "Anyways, I have a tough day tomorrow getting that gazebo you always wanted built." "Ah, ya don't have to, if ya want ah can take care of it." "No, no, no, I'm going to build that gazebo by myself for you, think of it as a late anniversary gift from your loving husband." he jokingly insisted. "Besides, didn't you say after the foals were born that you were going to focus on them more than the chores?" "Ah did?" I quickly caught myself. "Oh, ya ah did, must have forgotten." "Yeah, it was then, when you looked into their eyes, that you finally realized that there was more to life than just work and chores." he said nostalgically. "Anyways, good night my beautiful country mare." he kissed my cheek and went to bed. Beautiful? He actually called me beautiful? I never thought myself as beautiful, sure my family and friends would say that I am, but I always felt that they were just saying that because that's what their supposed to do. I never heard anyone outside of my friends or family say that about me before. I was shocked. "Beautiful?" "That you are." he said as he drifted off to sleep. I was kind of touched by that, I smiled with pride as I closed my eyes to sleep. Beautiful...he genuinely thinks I'm beautiful...gosh.
A Friend to Be Helped"Ah had such a great time, never thought ah would." said Applejack as she trotted next to Trenderhoof back to the farm. "Anything for you, I had a great time as well." smiled the stallion as they reached the front porch of the farm house. "Never knew a city slicker like ya would be so good at hoeing-down." the orange mare mused. "Don't let my lifestyle fool you, I know how to hoedown with the best of them." he said. "Anyways, I'll be leaving for Canterlot for thing in the morning, so, if you want, you can always message me and maybe next time I come here we can meet each other again?" he nervously proposed. "Hmmm..." Applejack tapped her hoof on her chin in thought. "...let me think..." she suddenly gave a smirk and gave a quick peck to the stallion cheek. Trenderhoof blushed in response. "So...was that a yes?" he asked. Applejack chuckled. "Of course that's a yes ya silly pony." she began to trot to the front door. "Ah look forward to our second date whenever ya get back." she opened the door. "It was nice meetin' ya sugarcube." the mare winked. "The same." he grinned, so glad that this date turned out perfectly, and with the mare he had a crush on too. Applejack chuckled and closed the front door. "Huh?" I bolted awake. Was that a dream? Or a memory? I had no idea. I quickly looked around the room to see Trenderhoof asleep next to me on the bed, drool came out of his mouth as he gave a cute snore. I got out of the bed to hopefully get an early start to the chores. I trotted over to the bathroom and turned on the shower, turning the lever so that really hot water came out. I sure love my showers to be hot. After I removed my hair bands and shook my mane loose, I happily got in the shower and gave a loud relaxed sigh as the hot water hits my body. "Ah, just like old times." I sighed as I stood under the hot water. "Applejack? You're awake?" asked the voice of Trenderhoof as he walked into the bathroom. I was kind of embarrassed since I prefer privacy when I am in the bathroom. But I remembered that he's my husband and it would be odd if I kicked him out. "Uh, yes, ah'm awake." I said. "That's good, anyways, mind doing the grocery shopping for dinner tonight while I work on the gazebo with Apple Bloom?" he asked me as he started to comb his mane in front of the mirror while he levitated a comb. "Oh...not at all...hun." still felt weird to say that. "Good. You'll love it when it is done." he turned to smile at me. I decided to go ahead and ask him a question. "Uh...do ya really think ah'm beautiful Trenderhoof?" I really wanted to know if he meant it or not. "Why of course I think you're beautiful." he chuckled, he thought I was joking. "You are the most beautiful mare I have ever met, and I am so honored and lucky to have you." "Ya think so?" I was kind of touched. "I know so." he smiled. "GOOD MORNING APPLE CREW!" yelled a cheerful loud voice from downstairs. "AUNT PINKIE!" I heard the foals yell back as the sounds of hooves pounding went downstairs. "Oh, no, she's here." joked Trenderhoof. "I'll keep her busy while you finish up." he said as he trotted out of the bathroom and downstairs. I managed to finish up my hot shower. I dried my fur and hair, put on my hair bands and prized hat, then trotted downstairs to see the foals with Pinkie. "What treats did you bring us this time Pinkie?" exclaimed an excited Cortland. "Why, apple muffins for both of you of course!" giggled Pinkie as she gave the two foals their muffins. Macoun looked at her muffin with suspicion. "Uh...Pinkie...you know I'm allergic to apples right?" she said. Macoun is allergic to apples? How? She's a blood born apple, that can't be right! "Oopsie, sorry, silly me." the pink mare took the apple muffin away and then gave the filly a raisin muffin in its place. "Here you go." "Thanks Pinkie." the filly smiled as both foals ate their muffins in one bite. Pinkie suddenly turned to me. "How are you holding up AJ?" "Oh, uh, ah'm holdin' up just fine, gettin' used to things and all." I answer, but I did not want to get Trenderhoof or the foals suspicious. Suddenly, Trenderhoof walked in the house levitating some letters. "Oh, Applejack, we have a letter from your brother." "Big Mac?" I exclaimed surprised. I always wanted to know what Mac was up to in this universe, I quickly nabbed the letter from the stallion's magical grip and opened it. Dear sister, I would like to say Happy Anniversary, sorry if it was a bit late, but things have been a bit crazy at the farm. Anyways, I would like to say that me, the wife and Apple Blossom will be coming over for a visit tomorrow, can't wait to see you again. Also, tell little Macoun and Cortland that Big Uncle Mac is coming and his wife is coming along to spoil them rotten. With regards, Uncle MacIntosh "Big Mac is comin'! My brother is comin' to see us!" I exclaim with excitement. "Big Mac? You mean the crazy son of a bitch that punched me in the face when he found out I bedded you?" the stallion said jokingly. "Uh...yeah..." "Wow, it sure has been a while since we last saw him. How's the wife and Apple Blossom?" "They seem to be doin' fine hun." "Uncle Mac and Cousin Blossom is coming over?" asked an excited Macoun. "Yes they are." happily confirmed Trenderhoof. "YAY!" the foals cheer. Trenderhoof took me off to the side. "Mind getting everything ready for them while me and Apple Bloom get the gazebo done? I want it completed before their arrival." "Uh..." "SURE WE WILL! I CAN HELP!" interrupted Pinkie as she suddenly showed up between us and wrapped a foreleg around us. "Uh...thank you so much Pinkie." stated the stunned stallion. "You are welcome!" grinned the pink mare. "Mind if Pinkie tags along with you hun?" he asked me. "Like ah have any other choice." I admitted, slightly annoyed. "See Applejack?" began the mare. "Isn't this fun? Shopping together and hanging out like old times!" I was not too overjoyed with spending time with Pinkie, mostly because there is only so much of her craziness I can stand before I go crazy myself. But at least she's my only ally in this new universe, maybe she can guide me. I hope. As we trotted towards the market, I saw along the way the Carousel Boutique, only this boutique seemed slightly in need of repair and closed. "What happened to the boutique Pinkie?" I asked her. "It was shut down after Rarity had a mental breakdown...she hardly ever comes out anymore and some say that she now owns money to some Diamond Dogs." explained Pinkie. "Her sister and occasionally her friend with benefits takes care of her." "All because of me and Trenderhoof?" "No, although that didn't help matters at all." she clarified. I decided to do something potentially stupid; go up to the boutique, knock on the door and demand that Rarity talk to me. I did not want to see a friend miserable like that, plus, I felt partially responsible for it. I determinedly walked up to the boutique door and knock on the front door. "Rarity, ah want to talk to you!" The door opened to reveal a teen-aged Sweetie Belle. "AJ? What are you doing here?" she nervously looked around. "Ah want to talk to yer sister." "Rarity isn't in the mood to see anypony right now, not after she was humiliated and betrayed like that." "Please...ah want to talk to her and make things right!" Plus I wanted to know how she ended up this way. "I'm sorry, but my sister is done with dealing with the world." Sweetie slammed the door on my face and locked it. I felt like a failure. "Applejack?" asked Pinkie with concern. "Let's just get the shoppin' done and over with." I say, dejected. I must get Rarity to talk to me again. But how?
A Night to Be AvoidedI tried my best to make it through the rest of the day, but I still couldn't stop thinking about how bad Rarity's life is going in this universe. I lied on my bed as I stared at the ceiling in deep thought. "Ready for the arrival of your brother AJ?" asked Trenderhoof as he removed his glasses and got on the bed. "Very much so." I say without looking at him. "Anyways, I was thinking..." he slyly said as he moved closer to me. I gave him a suspicious look. "...since it would be awkward to have our fun time with your brother and his wife staying with us...how about we enjoy our last night of freedom for a while?" he winked. Oh no, he wants me to have sex with him. I must try to find a way out of this, too awkward. "Uh...ah don't want the foals to hear hun." I nervously chuckle. Trenderhoof laughed. "Silly Applejack, you and I both know that the first thing we did after we got married was soundproof this room so no one can hear your moans." He knows I moan? Since when? Oh, wait, he's my husband here, of course he will know, oh great. "Uh...but ah'm a bit tired, long day preparin' and all." "That has never stopped you, you always manage to get the energy to do it to celebrate a successful harvest." "Ah'm just tired is all." I turned my back on him to pretend I wanted to sleep. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked me with concern. "You know they'll be staying here with us for a week, and the last time you went a week without sex with me, you desperately tied me up to the bed and rutted me like an animal...which I didn't mind of course...but still." "Ah said ah'm TIRED!" I exclaim with annoyance. No means no mister, you may be my husband here, but I do not like you as much as that other Applejack. Trenderhoof was dumbstruck. "Does this have something to do with me? Is there anything I can do to improve my performance? Did I angle down enough?" I was confused. "What are ya takin' about?" "Oh, I always felt things were becoming bland, we always do the same thing over and over again, I could spice things up you know!" he looked like he was panicking. "I would be willing to add another stallion to our fun time if it means more variety for you! I would do it to keep you happy if that is what you want!" "Trend, it's not that, ah'm just tried." I tried to calm him down. Does he really love me that much? "Are you sure?" he asked me with concern. "Ah'm sure." I assured him. "Now relax and go to sleep, okay?" The stallion took a deep breath and calmed down. "Anything for you hun, anything to satisfy you." he kissed me on the lips with full passion. I was in complete shock. He soon broke the kiss and placed his forehead on mine. "I love you AJ, and I am so lucky to have you. The most beautiful mare in Equestria." I blushed from that comment. Still having trouble believing that I am THAT beautiful. "Thanks." He kissed my forehead and tucked himself in. "Night my love." "Night." I say back before I fell back to sleep. I can't avoid this forever. Sooner or later I might as well have sex with in order to keep appearances up and not raise suspicions. But until them, I have my brother and Rarity to deal with. Wardrobe Malfunction at Sapphire Shores concert! Costume designer blamed! "No! Please! I didn't know that would ever happen! I swear that the threads were placed properly!" pleaded Rarity's voice. "Oh, Trenderhoof, you're so good..." I moaned. "...such a bad colt." "Applejack! Help me-" she interrupted. "RARITY?!" I was in shocked. "HOW! DARE! YOU!" growled Rarity with anger. "YOU PROMISED!" "Ah...ah...ah'm sorry, Rarity-" "DON'T YOU RARITY ME YOU TWO TIMING APPLE BUCKER!" Rarity cried. "AH'M SORRY! RARITY!" "RARITY!" I yell as I shoot straight out of bed. I looked around taking deep breaths to calm myself down. It was just a dream...or was it a memory? This is so confusing. I lie back down on my bed for a night of restless sleep. The next morning, I was sweeping the porch while Trenderhoof built the gazebo and the foals played. Over the horizon, I saw a large cart with bags headed towards the farm with a red coated yellow maned pegasus flying next to it. "TREND! WE HAVE VISITORS!" I yell. I took a closer look to the cart to see, with my complete surprise, Big Mac pulling it. "Your brother is here!" he stopped what he was doing so he could join me to greet them. "UNCLE MAC IS HERE YAY!" exclaimed the foals as they ran out the house. "Hey there brats." smirked the red coated pegasus filly as she softly landed on the ground. My foals just tackled her to the ground. "COUSIN BLOSSOM!" they both yelled as they hugged her tightly. "Big Mac?" I asked, surprised to see him again. "Applejack!" greeted my brother with a smile before he pulled me into a hug, practically crushing me. "Nice to meet ya too..." as I tried to breathe. "Mac hun...I know you miss your sister and all but you have to watch your strength." giggled a familiar voice. "Oh, right." Mac let me go and dropped me to the ground. "Sometime's ah forget." I shook my head and got back on all fours to see an unexpected sight; Fluttershy, and a very pregnant one as well. "Shy?" "So good to meet you again." she pulled me into a gentle hug. She seemed a lot less shy and nervous that I remembered. Wait, is Fluttershy my brother's wife now? "Well, well, Big Mac you son of a bitch, how's the farm treating you?" jokingly asked Trenderhoof as they both pounded their forehooves. "Same old, same old, gettin' things ready for when the triplets arrive." "Triplets?" I asked, confused. "Didn't you hear the news Applejack? I'm pregnant with triplets and I'm due in about three months." answered Shy, a bit shocked that I didn't hear the news. How was I supposed to know? I just got here about two days ago. "Well, let me help you carry your things to the spare bedroom." Trenderhoof levitated several pieces of luggage. "It's been a long trip, and I don't want to make things difficult for your pregnant wife." he told my brother as he trotted inside. "That is very kind of you." said the yellow pegasus as she slowly made her way up the balcony and inside. "HEY AUNT AJ!" said a new voice. I turned to see the red pegasus filly floating in front of me. "Oh hey uh...Blossom." I really hoped I got her name correct. She pulled me into a hug before she flew inside the farmhouse. "HEY! NO FLYIN' INSIDE THE HOUSE MISSY!" yelled Mac to his daughter as he carried in some more luggage. "YES DADDY!" yelled Blossom back as she did as told. Wow, Mac is married with Fluttershy and they have a daughter with three more foals on the way, so much has changed. "So, things over at Angel Apple Farms are going wonderfully, we managed to finally make a profit off of it after many years of hard work." said Shy as she told us how their year went over dinner. "We can finally afford to have more mouths to feed." she rubbed her belly. "So...triplets? How are you holding up?" asked Trenderhoof as he ate his food. "The morning sickness as horrible at first, but as the months pass, it got more and more easier and manageable." answered the yellow pegasus. "So AJ, how's Pinkie?" "Pinkie is still the same as always." I answered. For what I saw that is true. "And Rarity?" "Still the same as well." I answer with guilt. Fluttershy looked on with concern. "Having your reputation ruined can take its toll on a pony." Trenderhoof saw that I was sad, so he changed the subject. "So Shy, did you settle on names yet?" "Well, I decided to continue the flower naming theme with the triplets, I think Prime Rose is a beautiful name, along with Petunia." "They do sound like beautiful names." Dinner went by smoothly, but I still thought about Rarity. So much happening so fast. I'll have to talk to Fluttershy tomorrow about this, maybe she can get through to Rarity. Hopefully.
A Story to Be ToldThat night, I sat at the front porch as I looked at the night sky. So peaceful and quiet. "Mind if I join you?" asked a soft voice. I turned to see Fluttershy next to me. "Ah wouldn't mind for a friend." I smiled. She gently and carefully sat down into a comfortable position for her. "Can you believe it has been nine years?" congratulated my friend. "I always knew you would find a special somepony despite your busy schedule." "Yeah, but sometimes ah wonder, why him?" I wanted to tell Shy the truth about my situation. "What do you mean? You two are perfect for each other, he would do ANYTHING for you." explained the pegasus. "Anything?" "He nearly gave up his promising career so he can work on the farm and spend more time with you." continued Fluttershy. Trenderhoof almost gave up his fancy life and career to be with me? Why? I'm just an insignificant farmer, nothing special, why would he do such a thing? "Shy," I began. "do you know how me and Trenderhoof came to be, and why Rarity got in this situation?" "I thought you know?" Fluttershy looked at me with confusion. "Well...ah...ah just like bein' told of this story, it soothes me is all." I nervously lied with a big grin. "Well, remember that festival in Ponyville that Trenderhoof came here to write about?" she happily played along. I nodded. I do indeed remember that. "Well, for Trenderhoof it was love at first sight, he came up to you asking for you to go with him to the festival, and you kept saying 'no' since you had so much chores to do. After several tries, he went down on his knees to grovel and beg for you to go with him. Somehow, you pitied him and finally said 'yes'." she related to me. "And Rarity?" Fluttershy reluctantly started. "Things went great for Rarity, her career took off when she was hired to be the costume designer for Sapphire Shore's concert tour." I continued listening. "Unfortunately, something went wrong, the costume that Sapphire Shores wore while on stage fell apart and Rarity was naturally blamed for causing such a humiliation. Rarity's reputation suffered along with her business, and that's when she started to become 'unhinged'." "The stress finally got to her?" "Not just the stress of the job, but the pressure as well." Fluttershy continued. "Anyways, two months later, she finally snapped after she...well...caught you and Trenderhoof..." "Having sex?" I completed the statement for her to avoid embarrassing Shy. "Yes...and Rarity felt betrayed since you did promise her that you would stay away from him." I felt even more guilty. So all the dreams I have been having where indeed memories for the other Applejack. "Thanks for tellin' me this, ah think ah'll go on a nice quiet walk, see ya tomorrow Flutters." I said as I got up off the porch and walked to the back of the farmhouse. "The same." was the last thing I heard Shy said before she was out of earshot. As I headed to the field behind the house, I inadvertently passed by Trenderhoof's study where he and my brother were talking. "I don't know Mac, I'm extremely concerned about your sister." Trenderhoof said. I stopped in my tracks to listen in from outside though the window. "What do ya mean?" "I think she feels disgusted to be with me." he sighed. "What makes you say that?" "I try to be affectionate with her, she either backs away or shivers, I try to kiss her, same thing, I even tried to be intimate with her lately and all she does is try to avoid it, it's like she has stopped loving me all of the sudden." "Sounds mighty unusual." "I don't know what else to do Mac, I managed to get a bucking star named after her for our anniversary! Isn't that enough?" he exclaimed with worry. "No, there's no need to worry Trend, ah know ya love and care for her a lot, but please calm down for a bit." "I do, I really do, I whisper in her ear, I tell her that she is beautiful and that I am lucky to be with her, yet she doesn't seem to believe that." "Ya really mean those thin's?" "When we got married nine years ago, I promised I would love her, please her, care for her and support her until the day I die. I gave up everything for her. I'm living the simple life because of her, and I would gladly do it all over again if it means falling in love with her." I started to cry. He really does care for me, all this time I just thought he only liked me because I'm a country mare. But he does care and love me, and he genuinely thinks I am beautiful. "Ah...am...beautiful..." I whisper to myself with a smile. "He really does think ah'm beautiful." I took a peek through the window to see Trenderhoof at his chair, sad, while my brother comforted him. "How heartwarming isn't it?" said a new voice. "DISCORD!" I turned to see the draconequus himself next to me. "So, it finally dawned on you that he actually does care and love you?" he smirked. I looked back inside with sadness and guilt. "Yes, yes ah do, first stallion ah have seen care for me that much." "There was actually more." "Huh?" I looked at him with confusion. "Yep, there were a lot of stallions who cared and loved you as much as Trenderhoof, but you didn't care about them as much back." "What are ya talkin' about?" "AJ...when it comes to a battle between work and love, work always, ALWAYS, wins." "What?!" "Remember when Caramel asked you out for drinks to celebrate the end of Winter Wrap-Up?" I nodded. "You blew him off because you wanted to quickly get started on planting and do those chores, chores that Mac would have gladly done in half the time." "That was important!" "More important than trying to better your life?" he bluntly asked me. "Uh...uh..." "You know, there's a reason why Rarity went mad in this alternate future." "And what's that?" I was skeptical and suspicious of him. "Because that's what will happen to you if you had continued on the path that you were on!" he started to maniacally laugh. Suddenly, my head started to hurt and I grew extremely weak. The world began to spin. "What's goin' on." Discord continued laugh as my joints and began to hurt, I fell to the ground in pain, I looked at my legs to see them bruised and sore, my hooves chipped, cracked and worn. "WHAT'S HAPPENING!" "Your body and mind can only go so far before it breaks down on you." I felt blood gush out of my nose. "Not even the drugs can stop the inevitable forever!" laughed Discord. Bald patches formed on my fur as the amount cuts and bruises continued to increase. My tail completely flared and messy. I grew weaker and more exhausted. "STOP IT RIGHT NOW! JUST STOP IT!" I yelled with all my might. Soon, everything went quiet and black. TO BE CONTINUED...
A Problem to Be Fixed"AJ? AJ?" I groggily woke up to find myself back in bed. "Huh? What happened?" "Oh hun!" I was suddenly enveloped into a hug. I was shocked to see it was Trenderhoof. "Trend?" "Are you okay hun?" he sounded worried. "I heard a scream and then I found on the ground passed out, what happened?" he didn't let me go. "Ah-ah-" I had no idea how to explain everything to him. "Ah thought ah saw a fruit bat and passed out...yeah..." I nervously smile, hopping he would buy it. Trenderhoof gave a sigh of relief. "I'm just glad you are okay hun." he suddenly kissed me to my surprised. But this time, I let the kiss happen, I wanted to actually savor it because I finally knew that his love for me was genuine. But I quickly realized something. "Wait." I gently push him off. "Ah have somethin' to do first, must be done." "What?" he looked at me with confusion "Ah'll explain later," I jump out of the bed and put on my hat. "but ah really must do this now, be right back." I kiss Trenderhoof on the cheek and ran out of the room. I quickly left the farmhouse to see Cortland, Macoun and Blossom playing tag. "Hey kids." I smile. "Hey Mommy!" "Hey Aunt AJ!" they say to me with a smile. "Hey Macoun, Apple Blossom, how about we go shopping together later today, just us girls?" I offer the fillies. "Really?!" the fillies exclaim with excitement. "Really." I nod. They both squealed in celebration. "And as for you Cortland, how about we do some mother-son bonding over helpin' ya with yer model trains and then readin' some scary stories?" "Oh cool!" Cortland smiled. "I would really love that!" "Great, but ah must go now and do somethin', hold down the fort ya three." I instructed them. "We will." nodded the foals. "Good, cya." I tipped my hat and walked off into town with a purpose; to meet Rarity whether she wants to or not. "Hello?" asked Sweetie Belle before I barged through the door and pushed her aside. "HEY!" I quickly ran up the stairs before Sweetie would stop me. "Rarity! Ah want to talk to ya!" I reached the door to her room and pounded on it. "Ya need help Rarity, please, what happened wasn't yer fault." I continued with the pounding. "Applejack? Darling?" I turned around after I heard that to see to my surprise, Rarity in her robe standing before me in the hallway. "Rarity?" "I was just leaving the bathroom when I saw you pounding on my bedroom door." Rarity explained. She had dark circles around her eyes, her mane was a mess. "Look, ah just want to be here for ya Rares-" "Say no more Applejack, but I already moved on from the whole Trenderhoof thing darling." she explained to me. "I should not have been so selfish and territorial with you, that was wrong of me. You more than deserve to be with him." "What?" I did not know what to say. "Without Trenderhoof, you would be focusing too much on work." she continued. "Just like me, you put work before love and that's not good in the long run." "Ah don't feel like ah deserve him." "Don't be such a silly pony darling, you should consider yourself the luckiest mare in the world because you got him and started a nice family." Rarity smiled. "Ah still don't think ah deserve him." "Applejack, you do, you really do." she smiled. "You are honest, loyal, understanding, loving and most of all beautiful." "Really?" I was stunned. "To be honest, I am sometimes so jealous of you." "Ah don't know what do say-" Rarity suddenly placed a hoof on my mouth. "Don't say anything." she quickly grabbed me into a hug. We both cried of joy. After having some nice fancy tea with her, I proudly left the boutique for home. I had a shopping trip with the fillies to do. Oh horse apples! I have shopping! Buck! After a long afternoon and evening, I tucked in Cortland and Macoun before I walked back into my room. Once I walked in, I saw Trenderhoof on the bed as he wrote his column. "Hey hun, long day?" he smiled at me. I say nothing but nod and smile. I climbed onto the bed and took off my hat. I couldn't help but continue to stare in awe of him. Trenderhoof noticed that I wouldn't stop staring. "What is it hun?" he asked as he put down his paper and quill with his magic. "So...is it true this room is soundproof?" I gave a smirk. "Of course, why do you ask?" he smirked back. With a large grin, I quickly tackled my husband down on the bed, me on top. "Growl in my ear lover boy and don't hold back." I instructed. Trenderhoof smiled and did as told. He gave a nice spine-tingling primal growl. My body shivered. "Oh yes...." I moaned before I roughly kissed him. The last thing I remembered saying was screaming "OH MY GOODNESS!" and seeing stars. The most fantastic stars I have ever seen. It was my best night so far. I just wished it never ended. The next morning... "AJ! WAKE UP!" yelled gravelly voice. I woke up, I felt like I was hit hard by a train. "Ugh...five more minutes Trend..." "Trend? Who's Trend?" continued the voice. "Huh?" I quickly opened my eyes to see a bitter Granny Smith by my bed. "Granny?" "Yer breakfast is gettin' cold AJ...we're all waitin' for ya!" I was shocked and confused. "What's goin' on?" "Yes, ah know ya had a little too much fun at the festival last night, but those chores won't finish themselves ya know." Granny said as he hobbled out of the room in her walker. "The festival was last night?!" I exclaimed. "Yes." "Oh my goodness!" I quickly got up. "Where's Trenderhoof?!" "Trenderhoof? That stallion who wouldn't leave ya alone and stop harrassin' ya?" "Yes! Where is he? Ah need to talk to him!" Was I really back in my own world? I couldn't be, I was starting to enjoy my time with him. "He's probably at the train station to go back wherever he came from." Without saying a word, I dashed out of the room and to the train station. I hopped that I wasn't too late to talk to him. For the first time, I realized that I actually did had feelings for him. I should have given him a chance in the first place. I'm coming Trenderhoof.
A Future to Be...I continued my sprint to the station. In fact, I ran so fast that my hat flew off my head, but I didn't care about that. Just as the station was in sight I suddenly crashed myself into somepony. "OW!" "Oh, I am so sorry darling." I got up from the ground to see that it was Rarity I crashed into. "Rarity?" "You okay Applejack?" she asked me as she helped me. "Uh...no time to explain." should I warn her about her future? I had no idea, I was in too much of a rush as is. "Okay...?" "But word of advise; double check the theardin' of Sapphire Shore's costume, in fact, triple check before givin' it to her!" "What does that have to do with everything-?" before she completed her sentence I was already in the distance out of earshot. "How strange." "Oh well, I guess my one to be is not here, maybe in the next town then." sighed Trenderhoof as he walked towards the awaiting train. "TRENDERHOOF! WAIT!" I yell as I sprinted towards him. "Applejack?" he was in shock to see me. "What are you doing here?" he was skeptical. I wouldn't blame him if he was. I stopped in my tracks and caught my breath. "Ah wanted to apologize for ignorin' ya." "What do you mean?" "Ah should've given ya a chance or at least helped ya out gettin' to know this town better, but ah was afraid it would take me away from work." I told him with guilt. "No, you're right," began the stallion. "the only reason I fell in love with you was because you were a country mare and that was a stupid reason to fall in love with somepony." "It was still wrong of me to ignore ya like that, please let me make it up to ya by buyin' ya drink." I really wanted that future to happen. Trenderhoof just sighed. "Look, I really have to go back to Manehatten to meet my boss, but I tell you what," my ears perked up. "next time I arrive here in Ponyville, you can buy me that drink and we'll get to know each other more over it." he looked at me with a smile. "When will ya come back?" "I don't know, but I'll make sure you are the first pony to know." he winked at me before he walked into the train. I just stood there stunned. Does that mean there's still a chance? I don't know. "HEY APPLEJACK!" I looked up to see Trenderhoof with his head out of a train window. The train began to move. "Trend?" "Tell Miss Apple Jewel that my heart already taken by some other mare." he instructed at me with a smile. "Who?" I was confused. "A country mare by the name Applejack..." he smirked. "...I'm sure she'll understand!" "Oh..." I blushed and smiled. "...ah'm sure she will." The train soon left the platform. We both waved to each other goodbye, but it felt like it was not goodbye because I was certain we will meet each other again. "At least it was better than nothin'." I said to myself with hope. "AJ?" I heard a soft voice speak. I turned to see Fluttershy with my hat, next to her was Discord. "DISCORD!" "APPLEJACK!" Me and Discord growled at each other, ready to attack. "Now, now, Applejack, be nice to him, he was only following orders." assured Fluttershy as she gave me my hat. "Orders?!" I looked at my friend with confusion. "My orders." the pegasus smiled. "What?!" I was in complete shock. "You see, I was always worried about you and how you usually put work before love and sometimes your friends. So I ask Discord to help me into convincing you that there's a lot of things that you're missing out on because of that. To show you that you can be happy outside of just working on the farm." she explained to me. "This was all yer idea?" "It was either go along with her idea, or wear that maid outfit again." Discord shuttered at the thought. "But I guess I ended up having too much fun from it." "Sorry if anything bad happened." apologized Fluttershy. I smiled. "That's okay Shy, ah guess ah needed that." I straightened out my hat before I left for home. I felt a large weight lifted from my shoulders as I walked back to the farm. I had a lot of hope for that future coming true and I couldn't wait to meet him again. And that my children, is how I fell in love with your father. The end. Author's Note Thank you for enjoying my story.
