Chapters It was a crisp, warm, Sunday afternoon, and Applejack had some spare time on her hooves for getting her chores done earlier than usual. So today, she decided to pay Rarity a visit at the Carousel Boutique. It had been a while since they'd seen each other, both busy with their own hard-working lifestyles of farming and fashion designing.
Applejack trotted inside, as the doorbell clinged. She smiles as she gases upon Rarity's many lines of clothing that ponies around the world, with a raw taste for fashion would die for! She never was the type of mare for such fanciness, but when worthy art came across her eyes, she'd gawk like she is now.
Rarity, upon hearing the doorbell, was prompted to greet the pony awaiting her at the entrance. "Applejack?! It's been quite a while since I've seen you! How's everything going at home, and I see you've...tracked mud into...into my shop..." Rarity nearly gagged due to its stench. She gave a sheepish smile with a nervous laugh, as a blush appeared on her face, whilst she stared at the horseshoe shaped marks on the floor.
"Yeah, it's been a long day at th' farm, like usual. Ah did my duties early so I could see you, since like ya'll said, we never get to see each other. And uh...about th' mud...I didn't even notice it! Sorry." She stares down at her muddy hooves, dirt clinging to the floor where ever she stepped.
"What!? How could you possibly not notice that!?" Rarity's eyes grow wide at the site. "Stay here...I'll I'll go get some rags." She turns around with a huff, bowing her head as she makes her way to the kitchen from which she retrives her rags, and heads back out to Applejack. "You at least could have tried cleaning up before you came. Even though staying clean isn't your best talent." Rarity mumbles that last part underneath her breath in hopes that nopony would hear her.
"Ah heard that!" Applejack snapped, giving Rarity a little glare, even though she's turned away.
"Well, most ponies prefer that muddy farm girls don't come waltzing in on them without giving the smallest attempt to sanitize themselves! Look at what you did!" She points at the floor with a hoof where the door is, then traces the path up to Applejack.
"Oh, that? That ain't nothin! I could have that the're mess cleaned up before ya know it!" She beamed, doing a little bounce as she speaks.
"Applejack..." Rarity sighed, "You just made it worse!"
What was just hoof steps of mud is now a splash of it do to her little hop.
"Why...why must you be so dirty all the time? I mean, I know you work on a farm and all, but really?"
"Woah, woah, Sugarcube, calm down! It's not that bad! I said I can help clean it!" Applejack pleaded in her defense, an expression of worry plastured on her face.
"Well, I think you've helped quite enough! Now I see why the ponies in Canterlot don't like us here in Ponyville! Because they won't have to deal with ruffians like you!" She barked, angrily pointing a hoof at AJ.
"It's not mah fault! Ah worked hard ta be able to visit you this early so maybe we could have a day to ourselves! But all ya care about is mah muddy hooves!" Applejack shot back in protest.
"It wouldn't be a problem if you took the least bit amount of time to clean up before coming here! You know how I feel about my career!" Rarity moaned worrily.
"Ah see. Apparently ya'll care more about making fancy clothing more than one of your best friends. Well, fine then. Ah'll just go on back home, where I can be as muddy as ah want!" Applejack snapped, turning around and taking her leave. She stops at the door, then smirks back at Rarity.
"What?" She asks.
Applejack wipes her hind hooves off on the floor, making long streaks.
"Oh, you!" She growls slightly, and you can just hear her head about to go off like a tea pot.
"Whoops!" Said Applejack, making an 'o' face, and bringing a hoof up to her chin. "Sorry!" She jokes, and leaves, leaving Rarity alone.
She sighs, she just got into another fight with her best friend, and she feels dreadful. Maybe if she hadn't called Applejack a ruffian, this could have all been avoided! But then again, if Applejack cared the least bit about proper sanitation, non of this would have started! Maybe they were both in the wrong.
Later that night, Rarity decided to finally clean up that mess by the entrance. She hadn't gotten any costomers today... except for Applejack. Normally she would make Sweetie Belle clean up this mess, but wanted it done, and on dirty rags in the wash, not a wrecked house that looked like a tornado came rushing through.
Meanwhile, Applejack was back at home, putting Applebloom to bed.
By coincidence, they both stare up at the full moon, out the nearest window, and sigh. At the same time, a comet went soaring overhead, and disappeared as fast as it showed up. Applejack kisses Applebloom goodnight, and went to bed. Rarity on the other hand, or hoof, rather, was just tydying up. But after a long day, she and Sweetie Belle went down to rest for the night.
Little did Applejack and Rarity know of the surprise that awaited them in the morning. Nor did they know what it would bring.
As morning came, Rarity woke with a stir, feeling more glum than usual. She rolled to her right, the early morning sunlight pouring down on her. Unable to get back to sleep, she sat up with a groan, rubbing the crusties from her eyes, and gave a yawn with a big stretch. With a smack of the lips, she got out of bed, and made way to the bathroom, somehow knowing where it was.
She relieved her self of private extremities, and brushed her teeth, and mane and all, but she had no clue she wasn't in her own body, or even in her own home for that matter! Some people, er, ponies can he very oblivious to their surroundings after accomplishing a certain amount of tiredness. She ached to go back to bed, but that's the last thing she'll be doing today.
She groggily trots up to the mirror, and screams at what she sees. Only it wast her scream that came out. Instead of seeing her self, she sees Applejack in the mirror, which also tells her that's she's not in her own home, either.
Applejack didn't fair any better. The room was well protected from the sun light, but not from the light in the room that Sweetie Belle had turned on. Just like Rarity, Applejack refused to wake up. But a small unicorn filly jumping on her, non stop talking and complaining, proved impossible to get any sleep.
"Applebloom..." Applejack said with a yawn. "Go back to sleep." She porcceeded to shove Sweetie Belle off, causing her to fall to the floor with a thump.
"What are you talking about, Rarity? I'm Sweetie Belle."
As everything finally clicked in Applejacks head, she finally realized what's going on. She looks down at herself, removing the covers, seeing the body of a white mare, rather than orange, with a long, curly purple tail, and a diamond cutie mark on her flanks. Noticing a mirror on the end table by the bed, she took it in one hoof and when she peered into it, Rarity's face was what she saw.
Just like Rarity, Applejack screamed her lungs out, getting a way more louder and higher pitched voice than expected.
"What in Equestria is going on here?" Sweetie Belle asked herself, confusedly tilting her head.
"H-how is this possible!" Rarity cried, pacing the bathroom floor, realizing she has woken up as Applejack. She wasn't used to the voice, which on instinct, caused her to cover her mouth with her hooves. She decides to try and think this through, rather than going loco over it.
I can't exactly tell them I'm Rarity, in Applejacks body, they'd think I'm nuts! But if I do, then maybe they can help me. Maybe I should just make a run for the boutique since I'm in Applejacks body, she must be in mine! But then that means...
The thought of Applejack in her body, not giving a care in the world, running and frolicking through anything and everything dirty, like mud, sent cold chills down Rarity's spine.
Oh, she's gonna ruin my complextion!
Rarity's train of thought was disturbed by a knock on the door.
"Are ya alright in there, young un?" Grannys voice was heard from the other side of the door.
"Yeah, ah...ahm alright...Jus' slipped a lil' is all." She lied.
"Well, breakfast is just darn near about done! So you better get yer keister in gear and git on down here before Applebloom eats all the pancakes again!" She hollers with her old timey voice, and hums a little tune as she trots away.
Rarity takes another look in the mirror, seeing two large, forest green eyes, with freckled orange cheeks, and a blonde mane with a ponytail to complete the image. Ahm sorry, Applejack.
She continues to stare at those large green eyes before her. Even though Applejack wasn't the prettiest mare in Equestria, in Rarity's opinion, she still felt that she had a little crush on the farm girl. She's always conplainging about how she's dirty, yet Applejack stays true to her loyalty. Especially the way she treated her at the shop. She felt horrible. She knows a relationship between herself an AJ would probably never work out. She at least wanted one kiss and be happy with that.
Upon taking her leave, she was pounced on by a blur of yellow, red and pink. She looks down, and is surprised to see Applebloom clinging to her leg. "Ah heard ya screamin'! Why are ya sad, Applejack?" The little filly asks with a tone of worry in her voice.
"Ahm not sad! Who says I'm sad?" She lies yet again. Yesterday she had been thinking of finally admitting her feelings to the mare she loved, but then they got into a fight, and now they've swapped bodies somehow. All Rarity could feel was our guilt for what she had done. "Ah'll uh...been down in a bit. Jus' leave a pancake or two for me, okay?"
"Sure thing, Applejack! And did you get to telling Rarity your feelings for her yesterday?" She beams excitedly, catching Rarity off guard.
Had Aj been having the same feelings as her? Is there still the posibilty of them getting into a relationship? She has no clue, but all she wants is to make up to her, and hope for the best. Yes she is a dirty mare, but Rarity's heart still wishes to he with her. For the past two weeks she's felt like this, and yesterday was her shining opportunity to make her wish come true, and she messed it up. Now she just hopes that Applejack will forgive her.
After her freak out, Applejack stares blankly at herself, unable to make the connection as to what caused this to happen. Her breathing was, heavy, and she just couldn't...stop...staring... She knows she has seen many a crazy things in her life time, but waking up as one of her closest friends was by far, the most messed up twist in her life.
"Uh, Rarity, don't you you have work to do besides staring at your hooves? Yes I know their all nice and whiney and need to look their best." She smirks, tossing her head left and right while rolling her eyes. "Just get off whatever piece of dirt is on them and get up! Besides, you owe Applejack an apology, plus you forgot to tell her what you were supposed to tell her yesterday!"
"Tell me what?" Applejack asks the little purple maned unicorn.
"Tell Applejack you love her, for Pete's sake! Might as well forget it with the way you treated her yesterday!" She barks
Wait...Rarity...loves me? And to think I made a mess of the place when I came in. She probably had to clean it up herself and Celestia knows how much she hates to get dirty, and I didn't even care! Some friend I am. But...does she really have feelings for me, like I do for her?
"Sweetie Belle!" Said Applejack, still not used to Rarity's exquisite accent.
"Its about time you said something!"
"I need to go out for a while!" Applejack Jumps out of bed, and as quick as she can, she heads for the front door.
"Rarity, where are you going?! You have to finish your special outfit for Applejack for the Grand Galloping Galla tonight!" Applejack turns to see Sweetie Belle pointing back into the room from the top of the stairs.
She had also forgotten about the Grand Galloping Galla! She assumed it must be some sort of surprise. Her subconscious compells her to go back and have a look at what Rarity has for her, but at the moment, Rarity, herself is more important. Her mare was out there, trapped in her body, and she longed to find her to correct what she'd done wrong.
"The dress is going to have to wait! I have to find Rari...Applejack now!" She shouts back, then gallops out of the door.
I hope I can get home quick. I can only assume she's at Sweet Apple Acres. Please don't let her be mad at me! She thinks to herself as she runs as fast as her legs can carry her, back to Sweet Apple Acres.
Just for good measure, she slows her pace while running through town to see if she's in any of the shops, and stores. Since she's searching for Rarity, she takes several glances around to try and spot the white and purple mare. Her heart and lungs burned, and beg for oxygen, after running for so long.
Her stamina never ran out that quick before, which puzzles her. She forgot to think of the fact she's in another Pony's body with a much lower stamina level.
Passing by Twilights library, she sees what she thinks is a reflection of her self. She stops dead in her tracks, and heads back, peering in the window, clearly seeing herself inside, talking with Twilight. A squees with joy, nothing she's ever done before! Maybe being in Rarity's body influenced it. She rapidly knocks on the door until it's opened, and doesn't realize Twilight standing there as her hoof begins rapping on Twilights face.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry, Twilight! I need to see Rarity!"
"But aren't you... And can we do without smashing my face in?"
"Sorry Twi! But I'm actually Applejack in Rarity's body, and I need to see her now!
"So, what Appleja- er...Rarity was telling me, was the truth?"
"Yes!" Applejack barks with a frustrated tone, and procceeds to approach Rarity in her body.
"Applejack, is that you in mah body?" Asked a very stunned and happy Rarity. Applejack nods.
"I'm so sorry about yesterday, Rarity, I should have cleaned myself up, and I was such a rotten Apple towards you! I'm so sorry. Can you ever forgive me?" She pleads, bowing at Rarity's hooves, and hers histerically at the same time.
"Applejack, darling, ah could never stay mad at you. An' don't bow to me, ahm not Princess Celestia! Of course ah can forgive you." She replies with a smile to go along with a soothing tone. Although, she was trying to keep herself from bursting with laughter. She had never seen herself in more worse of a condition, and bowing to herself at the same time. "What ah want ta know is, can you forgive me for being rather rude to you over a little dirt?"
"Of course...darling." Applejack joked with a smile as she resumes standing up right. "And, thanks."
"Likewise." Said Rarity with a tip of Applejack's hat. "Sugarcube."
"So, I hear you have a crush on me...right?" Applejack asked, with a blush, and rubbing the back of her neck.
Rarity was rather shocked she found out, but she as well found out Applejack felt the same way. "Yeah, I...I do. And Applebloom said you have a crush on me as well."
Applejack smiled. "Maybe you'd like to...maybe...-" she was cut off with a hoof covering her mouth.
"Have a date? I'd love to." Rarity smiles and they embrace in a warm hug.
Everfree Forest, Here We Come!!
Twilight could only watch, mouth agape, that two of her best friends have somehow swapped bodies, and have suddenly become marefriends. The two mares hold each other in their embrace for what seems like a century. Every fiber of her being decided that this has to be some sort of a dream, and that this can NOT be happening.
"Can I just start by asking... What just happened?!"
"We fell in love is what happened, Twilight." Said Applejack.
"Yeah we did. But, maybe we should wait for that till after we get this mess cleaned up." Rarity said with a sigh. Ah feel uncomfortable with doing all that right now."
"I agree with you, Rarity. Maybe Twilight knows something. Right...Twilight?"
"Eh heh heehh... Not really..." Twilight smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.
"WHAT!?!?" Both Rarity and applejack cried in unison.
"The moment we all need ya ta know something, you have no clue how to help?" Rarity barks, her face filling with anger.
"How about we see if Zecora can help. She knows about of a lot of crazy stuff like this!" She chirps, a big smile appearing on her muzzle.
"I hope you're right, Twilight. Because the Grand Galloping Gala is tonight. And I wanna be in my own body while I'm dancing with my special somepony!" Applejack said, wrapping her hooves around Rarity's neck, and nuzzles cheeks with her.
"What that's tonight, ah can't believe ah forgot!" Rarity whined. "But ah...I didn't get to...-"
Now it was Appkejacks turn to cut Rarity off.
"If it's about that dress, don't worry about it. As long as you're the one I'm dancing with, whether we're in our bodies, or still swapped, I'm happy."
"Awe, Applejack!" Rarity blushes furiously.
"Well, this isn't gonna get solved with you two just making googly eyes!"
Now they both blush uncontrollably, giggling, or chuckling in Rarity's case, since she's surrently the owner of Applejack's body right now.
"Sorry...we kinda got a little carried away there." Applejack apologizes.
"Lets get going then." Twilight lights up her horn, focusing the magic into it, and with a pop, they are gone, followed by another pop, and they appear in front of Zecora's hut.
The sound of birds chirping, and various unknown critters are the only sounds to be heard here as they scurry to and fro. The light from Zecora's but spills across the grass, and trees, and inside is the zebra of wonder herself. The three slowly enter the hut after knocking, and having said access granted. They each take in the strange, yet inspering decor, even though they've been here plenty times before, and the smell of various herbs around the hut fill the air.
The Zebra makes a warm greeting. "Hello my dear friends! What is it that you seek?"
"My two friends, Apple Jack, and Rarity have somehow swapped bodies, and we were hoping you could help." Twilight stated.
The mystic Zecora studies the two mind swapped equines, taking in as much information as she can.
"So, is there anyway you can help?" asked Applejack.
"Ah, this I have seen once before! Two friends minds are switched and confused ever more!" She continues.yes eyeing the two mares bodies. "Sadly for you, there is no way to reverse it! What I say is true, but to answer a riddle you must do! Before the clock reaches midnight!" The Zebra continues to chant. "This can only be done by means of friendship and love when two hearts become one!"
"Yeah, yeah, that's nice...But what's the riddle?" Asked an impatient Apple Jack.
"The riddle is a verse you must decipher, and only then, will you change back!"
"Can ya just tell us already? Please?" Rarity stomped a hoof on the ground, also growing impatient.
The Zebra sighs.
"One cannot see the soul through the eyes, but instead with their heart, pure and whole, and only then they will know true friendship for sure." Zecora said with a slight smirk
"So thats all we have to do is find the meaning of that riddle?" Apple Jack asks, sounding a bit confused
"Precisely my friends."
"And then, they'll be in their own bodies again?" Twilight asks with a slight tilt of her head.
"Exactly, now go! Before the clock reaches midnight!"
Twilight took no hesitation, and with a flash, they were back in the library. Applejack was rather confused by the riddle, as to what it may mean. Twilight began searching through many books, searching for any clue as to what the riddle may be.
"So, what do you think that riddle means, Twilight?"
"I'm not sure, but until we do, you two should stay together." Said Twilight.
"Ah can do that!" Rarity excplaims, leaning a bit on Apple Jack.
"Awe, shucks, Rarity." A blush forms on the white mare's cheek.
"An we can prove our love for each other by doing this as well." Rarity cooed
Apple Jack can't help but smile. "I hope so." Said Apple Jack, giving Rarity a kiss on the head.
"What if we don't switch back?"
"If that happens, then maybe Princess Celestia can do something about it, but if not, we'll make due with what we have, right?" Said Applejack.
"Ah love ya, Applejack." Rarity coos, nuzzling Applejqcks cheek.
"I love you too, Rarity." Applejack replied.
"So...this is a pretty funny predicament we got ourselves into, huh, Rarity?" Blushed Apple Jack, nervously rubbing the back of her neck.
"It is in its own cruel way, but other than that, ah really wanna switch back so we can have our first date!" Rarity sqees with delight a smile forming on her face.
"Same here, sugarcube. When Sweetie Belle first said you had feelings for me, I...I just didn't know what to do or say, so I ran all the way here, where I found you. I'm just happy this hasn't gotten more awkward than it needs to be. It's like I said before, even if you're in my body, and I'm in yours, I will still see you as if we weren't."
"Awe Applejack! Does that mean you'd still want to be with me?"
Applejack nods. "You're the one I love after all." Applejack nuzzles Raritys cheek, and smiles.
"I love you too, Jackie."
"Jackie?" Applejack tilts her head in confusion.
"Thats what ah hope ta call ya, unless ya don' like th' name." Rarity shrugs.
"I don't mind . I kinda like it! Now I have to come up with a nickname for you " said Apple Jack, making a skeptical face.
After a while of thinking, Rarity gives up
"Ah can't think of anything." She said with another shrug.
"Girls!" Twilight cried. "Are you gonna help me with this riddle? Or, are you just gonna sit around making gooey eyes like before?!" The young alicorn mare barked. "Because, if you want to be stuck like this for the rest of your lives...!"
"Alright, we get the point!" Applejack snapped in her defense.
"Now, let's get to business!" Twilight goes back to endlessly flipping through pages of many boos, as a mountain of them begin to build up around her
Just like with the nicknaming, Applejack stare blankly at each other as they try to solve the riddle. They still had pretty much all day. The sun was high in the sky, and only a few clouds scattered around, here and there. It was a beautiful day, just like usual, thanks to the pegasai of Cloudsdale.
About ten minutes later of guessing, and thinking, there was a knock at the door.
"Ah got it!" Rarity got up from her spot next to Applejack on the floor, and made her way to the door.
"Hey, is the egghead home?" Said Rainbow Dash, as Rarity opens the door. Rainbow flies around the room aimlessly, searching for Twilight. Little dude she know that Twilight was in the huge pile of books in the center of the room. "Where is she?" She asks, landing in front of Rarity, her hooves making a little clip on contact with the floor.
"Twilight Darling, it's Rainbow Dash! Do come out of there!" Rarity huffed as she removes the books from around Twilight. She pulls a few books away from the pile, revealing Twilight fast asleep.
"So, Applejack...since when have you decided you're Rarity all of a sudden?" Rainbow asks, rubbing her chin with a hoof as she hovers just above the ground.
"Rainbow Dash, this isn't a joke. This morning me an' Applejack somehow woke up in each others bodies. We jus' got back from Zecora's, to see if there is anythin' we can do about it." Rarity replies.
"What?..."
"It's very true, RD. Although this has been very interesting, we want our own bodies back, right, Rarity?" Applejack asks Rarity, who is trying to wake Twilight.
"Yes, an' she gave us this riddle to try and figure out so we can switch back." Said Rarity, who gave up trying to wake Twilight, when a speck of dust flies up her nostril, causing her to sneeze. This ended up with the books being hurled through the air, and being scattered about the room, and making Twilight conscious again.
"Woah what happened?!" Asked a very stunned Twilight, her pupils the size of pinpricks.
"You fell asleep in your temple of books, then you sneezed which woke you up." Applejack says flatly.
"Oh...sorry..." Twilight blushes a little.
"So, are these two really...you know?"
"Yes, Rainbow. They are stuck in each others bodies. I hope we can get this fixed before the Grand Galloping Gala, though."
"Being Rarity for a day has been sort of fun, but I want my own body back, now." Said Applejack, laying across the floor.
"Ah can say th' same." Rarity stated.
"Yeah, well, I was wondering if you had a certain kind of book I'm looking for." Said Rainbow to Twilight.
"What kind are you looking for?"
"How about this one?!" She said nervously, scooping up a random book from the floor.
"Are you sure you're okay, RD?"
"Maybe she's just eager for a good read." Twilight guessed, gazing up at the ceiling while tapping a hoof on her chin.
"Yeah, but I...gotta go!" Rainbow then flies out the door, and up into the day light sky.
"What was that about?" Asked twilight
"I dunno." Replied Rarity, as she walks over to Applejack and lays by her.
"Maybe we should get ready for the galla." Said Twilight.
"No, all we have to do is go to my place and get dressed!" Replied Rarity, with her head under Applejacks.
"True." Said Applejack, planting a kiss on Rarity's cheek, then Rarity kisses hers.
