Jewel of the Orchards

Applejack was not in a good mood, currently. Recently she'd been having pains somewhere deep inside that she couldn't reach. She couldn't put her hoof on it; it was just the feeling that something was broken within her and she had no idea how to repair it.

At first she'd tried ignoring it, leaving her family out of the whole ordeal. It was her pain and they likely couldn't do anything to help. She'd figure it out on her own terms.

At first it was just a slight pain, nothing that she couldn't work through. But as time wore on she began hearing a voice now and then, saying, “Applejack.... Let me out!” or something to that effect.

Now THIS had her worried! After much deliberation, she decided that she'd go to one of her best friends for aid; Namely, Twilight.

Applejack explained her plight to Twilight. The lavender princess listened intently, simultaneously scribbling on a sheaf of parchment.

“An' that there's mah story, Twilight. What the hay's happenin' ta me?!”

Twilight considered this for a while, casting several spells to try to determine what could possibly be wrong with her friend. All tests came up negative. For all intents and purposes, Applejack was still fit as a fiddle. “You know what? I don't know what to tell you, AJ. BUT we both know somepony -or rather, some zebra- who might!”

Applejack's eyes widened. “Zecora!” they said in unison.

Moments later they were at the entrance to the Everfree forest.

Applejack shivered. “Ugh. This forest gives me the creeps!”

“Let's just go quickly. The sooner we get there, the sooner we'll be safe.”

They continued through the spooky forest, keen eyes looking out for danger. However, none was forthcoming. Suddenly, Applejack seized up and collapsed.

“Applejack!” Twilight was swiftly at her friend's side. “Deep breaths.”

“Applejack! You must let me oooout!”

Twilight's eyes widened. “What was that?!”

Applejack did a double take. “You can hear that too?!”

“This is worse than we thought!” Magically raising her friend onto her back, Twilight galloped through the distance remaining.

At length, they had reached Zecora's hut. Twilight rapped on the door. A few seconds later, Zecora opened the door.

“Ah! Twilight and Applejack, I see. What would the reason for your coming be?”

Twilight lowered herself to let Applejack slide off of her. She hit the forest floor with a slight “Oof!”

“Zecora... AJ here needs your help.”

“So i surmised. I am not surprised.” the zebra shaman deadpanned.

Just then, Applejack moaned in pain.

“Applejack! Free me!”

Zecora's eyes widened. “Never mind, I think i see what's going on! Bring her in, then! Let us move on!”

Shortly thereafter, they had Applejack lying on a mat, looking pale... and a touch bloated, oddly enough.

Zecora was working her own magic, casting various shamanic spells. After a while, she spoke.

“This isn't good! This will not do! Instead of one soul, Applejack has two! No wonder she suffers such pangs in her heart. She has not acknowledged this part! If something drastic we do not start... her souls will tear their host apart!”

“Free me! We must be together!”

“Is there any way we can save both?” Twilight asked.

“Let me see. There might just be.” Zecora replied.

Zecora searched her shelves and soon came back with a potion.

“Here we are! I have a notion. I suggest we use this powerful potion. A potion of separation it is called. But a painful process is involved. To avoid this place being her tomb... the second soul must exit through her womb.”

“You mean Applejack is effectively... pregnant?!”

This gave Zecora pause for a few seconds, but she shook that off and replied “I'm not sure; as you can tell, this is a first for me as well. But Twilight, do not despair. To save your friend, let us prepare.”

Having no better ideas, Twilight followed.

Lowering the bottle to Applejack's lips, Zecora said through her teeth, “Thwiftly! Drink! Thereth little time to think.”

Applejack opened her mouth and drank of the potion. It was nasty tasting, but she'd accepted long ago that that's the way medicine is.

Almost immediately, she started screaming in pain. Zecora started rubbing some oils on Applejack's now-swollen abdomen.

“This will ease the pain somewhat, that burning feeling in your gut. But believe me, the pain will ensue. You're more or less birthing another you!”

Twilight and Zecora worked for a long time, enhancing their safety nets (like casting a major iron gut spell as well as several others) and dulling Applejack's pain. By the end of it, Applejack indeed looked like there was another of herself inside of her. What they expected to happen, however, did not. The second soul moved into the growing mass and began to shape itself. And, like a cell undergoing division, Applejack literally divided!

The second Applejack was nearly indistinguishable from the first, but for a few key differences. Her mane naturally curled into a queen bee do and her cutie mark was of three sparkling fruits; two apples and one orange.

Both orange ponies passed out. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. Then, oddly enough, the second Applejack unconsciously snuggled against the first, who hugged back

“Whew. At last, they're okay”

“Let us put that on the shelf.” Zecora smiled. “When Applejack awakens, I feel that she's going to-”

“Don't say it, don't say it!” Twilight pleaded

“-be beside herself.”

“You said it.” Twilight said, and facehoofed.