After a few days, Applejack got into the swing of things. Maid's work was easy compared to farm work. The masters of the house were often gone opening this gallery and attending that garden party. Applejack still didn't understand why no gardening took place at them.

AJ even got to go to some of them as "help." She insisted to be there when Rarity paid the shop owners she stole from. Most of them were angry but were quickly satisfied by the double payment. It was a relief for Applejack to get that off her chest.

About a week into the job Rarity told AJ she would be hosting a dinner party that night and she wanted the orange mare to make the meal with the house chef, Gustav. "I'd be much obliged to."

"Oh and can you make some of those Apple recipes especially for Prince Blueblood? I want to see him squirm when he finds out he's been eating country food."

Applejack grinned, "it'd be my pleasure."

The country pony spent the rest of the day cooking in the kitchen. Gustav was nice enough for a griffon if you could get past his ridiculous accent. He probably felt the same way about her. They mutually agreed that Applejack would take of the appetizers and dessert while he will handle the main course.

By the time she was done, ponies started to arrive. There was the usual Canterlot crowd; Hoity Toity, Fancy Pants, and Prince Blueblood were all present. None of them noticed the earth pony serving ho derps, or was it our dirts. Frankly, Applejack didn't want to associate with anypony who couldn't come across a plow without giving it a fancy name.

Suddenly, Applejack spotted a familiar purple mare and a little dragon come through the door. Rarity immediately greeted her new guests, "I'm so glad you could come Twilight. You never seem to call anymore. And Spike! You keep getting bigger every time I see you. I can tell your growing into a handsome young dragon."

Spike blushed,"Aw shucks. Your just saying that. I don't really grow that fast. My wings haven't even sprouted yet."

Twilight rolled her eyes,"I only came because Princess Celestia told me to. I'm already two months behind schedule this year."

Rarity patted Spike's head, "come you will never guess who my newest maid is." She called Applejack over.

Spike gasped at the sight of his old friend, "Twilight, you didn't tell me Applejack was released."

Twilight kept a frown on the entire time, "I didn't have time to tell you. You were hibernating again at the time. I hope you kept to the rules of parole Applejack. That seems to be a difficulty for most paroles."

"I followed them straight as I could." the mare in question half lied. She bent more than a few rules since her release. She hated having to hide that fact.

The Princess did not seem convinced by AJ's reply but did not press the issue.

Prince Blueblood interrupted from the appetizer tray, "Rarity, these pastries are delicious. Whatever are they?"

Applejack cleared her throat, "Well yer highness, yer enjoying the classic Apple Family recipe for apple fritters." With a look of disgust, Blueblood spit the pastry out like it was poison. Everypony but Twilght laughed aloud as the stallion guzzled a bottle of wine to erase that country taste from his mouth.

The evening continued swimmingly. Spike grumbled every time Trenderhoof nuzzled with Rarity. Which was about every ten minutes. Sweetie Bell was talking music with that grey celloist, Octavia. They seemed to be planning another Equestria tour together. Rarity was having a particularly good time chatting with Fancy Pants about an upcoming charity drive.

Near the end of the meal Twilight got a message through Spike. "Excuse me everypony there is a small matter I must attend to. I will be back in a few minutes." With a flash she tried to teleport but she didn't disappear.

"Oh, you can't teleport in here Twlight," Rarity informed, "The crystals just reflect the spell." So Twilight just trotted out normally.

"That's a shame," said Spike, "I guess that means more food for me right." The young dragon reached for Twilight's plate only for his claw to be swatted away.

"Hold yer horses sugar cube," Applejack scolded, "if y'all want dessert you'd want to save some room."

Prince Blueblood pushed his plate aside, "One wouldn't want to spoil the best part of a meal. Bring the desserts in now if you will."

Applejack raised an eyebrow, "but not everypony's done eating.."

"Do as your told now servant. You speak too much already." AJ cursed under her breath as she left. The royal turned to his stunned host, "mouthy peasants need to know their place don't you think."

A few of the guests nodded but the Rarity rose up and said, "Prince Blueblood, you will not treat my employees like that in my home." Her husband and Spike stood up to agree with her. All the conversing at he table ceased. The jovial atmosphere blew out like a candle.

The pompous prince started looking angry, "you have always been too soft Rarity. You may speak like a Canterlot noble, but you are still a peasant at heart. You'll never belong here."

Rarity only barely held her composure, "Everypony, it seems I will have to cut my dinner party short. The mood has been lost."

Disappointed, the well to do guests started filing out. Rarity gave a confused Applejack the order to clear the table. Sweetie Bell bolted off with Octavia in tow to work on a new song. Spike stayed behind to wait for Twilight. The dragon suddenly looked very sleepy. Rarity levitated him to the upstairs study to lie on the couch up there.

Applejack went about clearing the table. Suddenly she heard yelling outside the window. When she investigated she found Prince Blueblood scolding a brown earth pony who must have been his servant. The royal white unicorn was brandishing a cane in his magic. Applejack was about to go back to work when Blueblood struck the cowering pony. Even from inside, AJ heard the prince curse like a drunk bandit as he beat the poor stallion. She realized that Blueblood had no intention of stopping.

Quick as a whip, Applejack charged out of the dining hall, through the main hall, and out the door. With whooping yeehaw, she tackled the obnoxious royal off the earth pony.

"You," Blueblood cried, "it's time to teach you little dirt scratcher a lesson." He got up and lowered his horn in a practiced fencing position. He jabbed so quickly Applejack was barely able to dodge.

The prince tried to press the attack but AJ stepped inside his horn. She quickly sweeped under his forelegs. Blueblood tripped under the unconventional tactic and faceplanted into the ground. Applejack jumped to his tail end that was still supported by his rear legs. She cocked her own rear legs and gave a mighty buck right in the prince's inheritance. The once proud, suave buck was sent flying through the air towards the castle. The next day Celestia would wake up to find her nephew unconscious and crippled on her private balcony.

The stallion who was being brutalized got up on shaking hooves, "Thank you orange mare. Trust me, one day I'll make it up to you." Then he ran off into the night.

"Eeyup, thats how we do it on the farm," said the victorious mare smugly. But her revelry was interrupted by familiar voice.

[Twilight]
Applejack, of course
Now I see you plain
Your act of rage
Will land you back in chains

Applejack started to back into Rarity's manor, followed steadily be Twilight.

[Applejack]
What in tarnation do ya mean, Twilight?
I was trying to save a life
It was Blueblood! don't ya see?
The poor pony was being beaten to death
There was none but me to intercede
Should I ave let Blueblood do the deed
It's the right thing to do
In the name of friendship...

[Twilight]
That's where your wrong!
That Blueblood will get his due
but your crimes are just as bad
So says Celestia's law.

[Applejack] [Twilight]
What's happened to you Twilight? Theft, trespassing, now assault
I thought you were once a friend Did you think these would go unseen?
Now ya refuse me forgiveness No! 24601
Ya don't even give me a chance Love and tolerance that's our goal
Don't ya see what ya've become? There are those who'd end it all
Ya've become as mean as sin Like you, 24601
Caring nothin' bout what I've through
I'm warnin' ya Twilight Luna and Rainbow had their chance
I'm a stronger mare by far You have even had your chance
I'll not be goin' back to jail Harmony's like apple pie
Not for what I haven't done If the ingredients don't pitch in
I never betrayed you Twilight the entire thing crumbles up
I never got to choose a side Celestia's rule holds it true
How can I abandon any of y'all Loyalty to her must come first
I don't understand. You chose blood over water

Your family has caused your curse!

Pfthnk shink! A massive wall of crystal shot up and enclosed Twilight, separating the ponies at each others throats. AJ spun to see Rarity and her family running down the stairs. Rarity's horn was glowing with magic keeping the crystal up.

"Nopony will fight in my household and no employee of mine will be arrested under my watch." Rarity snapped as she stood next to Applejack.

Twilight tried to blast out of her prison. Rarity strained to keep it intact, "I- I don't think I can hold her much longer. Sweetie Bell, get Applejack out of here. Ugh! Take her to Pinkie's."

"I don't want to leave you," protested Sweetie Bell.

"Don't, ah, argue with me. She needs you more than I. Now g- go!" Sweetie and AJ ran for the back door. The rest of the household started to follow except for Trenderhoof, who added his own magic to Rarity's. "Go with them Trend. I beg, hah, you."

Trend smiled and grit his teeth, "I would never leave you my jewel. Besides I was always fascinated with the aesthetic of mines." Rarity chuckled between her gasps.

It took Twilight a couple minutes to shatter the diamond cage as Rarity and her husband collapsed in exhaustion. "You traitor, you will tell me where the fugitive went or by Celestia I'll see to it you'll never see daylight again," the princess steamed.

Rarity weakly rose her head weakly, "no. AJ's right Twilight. You've changed. I was just afraid to admit it till now. Can I make one request. Take care of my servants please."

Twilight snarled, "They'll be taken care of. Their going to prison with you. There is no place for the lot of you in Harmony." She enveloped the couple, the remaining house residents, and the sleeping Spike in her magic and took them outside to teleport them to the guardhouse.

Twilight returned to her room in one of the castle towers and gently tucked Spike into his bed. She would have to explain a lot to him in a few days when he'll wake up. While she was at the guardhouse she ordered the guard on high alert and told them to stop and search everypony trying to leave the city.

Exhausted, Twilight walked out onto the balcony. All of Equestria could be seen from there, dark and cold under the mare in the moon. The embodiment of magic gazed up at the constellations hang in the night sky,. constant guardians over the slumbering ponies below.

There, out in the darkness
A fugitive running
fallen from love
fallen from peace
Celestia be my witness
I never shall yield
Till we come face to face
Till we come face to face

She's become a part of the dark
I am a mare of the light
For those who bask in the sun's warmth
They'll always be alright
And if they leave
Like Nightmare Moon
They can't escape
Their plight

Stars
In your great patterns
Standing your post
Filling the darkness
With order and light
You are the beacons
Silent and sure
Guiding us through the night
Guiding us through the night

You know your place in the sky
You don't need magic's guide
And you keep in formation
Year after year
Always remaining the same
And unlike the light of the moon
You never fade

And so it must be
So it is written
That the key to harmony
Is the that everypony has a destiny
And must follow it true

Celestia help me find her
So I may see her
Back in the light
Or if it come to it
End the shadow that she casts
This I swear by the stars

Author's Note

EEyup, two songs for one this time. I hope this chapter gave y'all a better look at Twilight's behavior. The Confrontation and Stars are two of my favorites done so far. Anyway, School is starting up for me soon so updates will take longer. Please comment and critique to your hearts content.

Note: The Confrontation may not link well with the original score. I tried my best but the internet lyrics just list one after the other, making it hard to sync the opposing lines.