Jewel of the Orchards

by Chrome Masquerade

Rating: mature
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Zecora, Other, Drama, Random, Main 6, Applejack
Length: 6169

At length, Applejack gets a serious reminder of her childhood, staring her in the face.

Thanks to Gpizano for the awesome cover.

Applejack: Honest hard working farm pony. But she wasn't... always that way. Once she dreamed of being in the big city. But that's all behind her. Or is it?

When she starts feeling pains somewhere deep inside and hearing voices, she knows that something serious is up.

What happens next would make her life -or lives- change forever...

Published 2017-06-19 01:20:06 UTC
Last updated 2022-07-26 21:16:56 UTC

Chapter One: Pains Great and Small

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.

Chapter Two: Duplications and Explanations

When Applejack awoke, she found herself snuggled by what looked like herself. At this she was suddenly a LOT more awake than a second ago!

*Click!*

“Rainbow Dash! You promised that you would leave that at home!” Twilight scolded.

“So i got the other one.” Rainbow smugged back. “Since when would I miss out on this?”

Facehooves all around!

While they were waiting for Applejack and her twin to wake up, Twilight had gone to get the rest of her friends and Applejack's family.

Applejack asked, “Uh, Ah'm a mite out of sorts still. What happened?”

“Long version or short version?”

“Short, please.”

“You had a second soul that you totally didn't know about, but haven't bothered to tap into it for so long that it decided that it would do better on its own and wanted out.” Pinkie summarized.

“Oh.” was all that the orange mare could say.

Just then, the other Applejack awoke, stretching and yawning. She said with a demure voice -in a slightly posh southern accent-, “Good morning everypony. I take it that you all have questions.”

Applejack pointed to the duplicate. “This here's ma other side, Jacqueline. She was a personality that Ah had to assume while in public in Manehattan, livin' with ma aunt n' uncle Orange. Betcha didn't know Ah was a debutante, didja? Whew! Now thar's a part of m'life i didn't think Ah'd ever be revisitin'.”

“True. But the last time she tapped into my ponsonality was back with that 'Apple Jewel' act (You may address me as that if Jacqueline is too complex, by the by). As you dears can see from my cutie mark, I'm still an Apple, but i do stick much closer to the Oranges' traditions than she does.”

“Gosh, it's odd. She jus' got here but Ah feel like Ah've known her fer years.” Applejack said, still shaken somewhat.

“I never truly left you... sis.”

“Sis? Yeah, come to think of it, we are practically twins, ain't we? Ah wonder how close that bond is... Maybe we could-”

“Finish each other's sentences?” Jacqueline finished

“Or maybe send thoughts to each other?” Applejack wondered.

“That might be a stretch, dear, but do make the attempt. I'm curious too.” Jacqueline answered

Applejack searched in her mind for something intelligent to project. “I got it! What's the circumference of an apple divided by its diameter?”

The answer came immediately. “Apple Pi!”

The two sisters laughed aloud.

Granny Smith, who had hitherto been silent, decided to speak up. “Well, it's fine an' dandy that m'granddaughter is -excuse me, granddaughters are- okay, but ah think that this is enough excitement fer one night, don't y'all? Let's gitcha both back home.”

Apple Bloom exulted, “Ah have another sister! Again!”

“I could make a joke about you having two half sisters, but I hardly think that to be necessary.” Jacqueline said, ruffling her little sister's red mane.

Later on, back at the Apple family household, Big Mac was about to start on dinner, when Jacqueline offered to help. Her reasoning was, “I think i might like to earn my keep in that way.”

With the two of them cooking, the work was done in record time with a fair few style points for the fancy orange Pony. The whole time she did everything that she could to make the preparation a spectacle, tossing some things in the air and catching others, arranging the food with flair and so forth.

“Showoff.”

“Jealous?”

After a hearty meal, the two mares went to bed, still tired from what happened that day to some extent. They fell asleep in the same bed, even snoring in unison.

Chapter Three: A New Morning

When Apple Bloom awoke the next morning, she smelled something. Something nice.
“Mus' be time fer breakfast.” she said to herself. She could smell the apples that were her home's pride. But there was something else...

Oranges?!

The events of the previous night rushed back in a wave, causing her to literally leap out of bed onto the floor with a three point landing. Snagging a bow and putting it on, she dashed out of her room... before rushing back in and hurriedly making up her bed.

That done to satisfaction, she rushed back out, before she remembered that she wasn't supposed to gallop in the house.

Oops.

Blushing, she continued at a more sedate pace.

Applejack and Jacqueline toiled in the kitchen. They had awakened at the same time and had the idea to make breakfast together and... bond a bit more, not that they needed it. Jacqueline threw on a dress and tidied her mane for a moment. Applejack just needed to tie her mane and get her signature stetson.

So shortly thereafter, the two were in the kitchen. Working in unison to create the most important meal of the day.

Now and then one of them would need an ingredient, but being psychically linked meant that they could react with split second timing to each other's needs.

“Flour!”

“Here!”

“Jam!”

“Zap apple?”

“You know it!”

On the two went, their movements so precisely timed that you could call the whole production a dance and not be too far off!

By the time that everything was baked, fried, cooked, cleaned, dried and doled out, the two were sweating a fair bit. The sisters wiped their brows, letting out a synchronous “Phew!”

Only then did the clapping alert them to the audience that they had.

Big Mac, Granny Smith and Apple Bloom had watched raptly. When the twins were done had applauded loudly.

“Well, if that there weren't th' best cookin' demonstration Ah ever did see!” the elderly green mare cackled.

“Eeyup.” Big Mac said in his minimalist way.

Applejack had made apple fritters, dumplings, pancakes, pies and omelettes.

Jacqueline, on the other hoof, had made orange rolls, waffles, cookies, muffins and milkshakes.

“Now,” Granny continued, “There's jus one test left...” She went over to one plate (containing the orange rolls and apple fritters). Taking a sample of the plated foodstuffs, she bit into the first, chewing slowly in thought.

“Yer fritters're as good as mine used ta be, Jackie! Y'should be proud.” Granny Smith praised.

She then took a bite of the orange roll. As she chewed, her eyes widened

“Whoo-ee! If that there isn't a fine confection! Cain't say as Ah've ever tasted anythin' like it.”

“We're glad you enjoy them, Granny.” Jacqueline said.

The family tucked in to a hearty breakfast. It was then that Apple Bloom asked, “So... why wear a dress while cookin'?”

Jacqueline considered that for a few seconds. “Hmm, how shall i put this? It... gets my creative juices flowing, as it were. I simply find it easier to make fancy food while I'm dolled up, dear.” she answered at length. “Also, we thought ahead and made a few snacks for you to share with your class.” she added, pointing to a basket covered with a cloth.

“That there was ma idea,” Applejack put in, “but it was a team effort.” The twins clopped their hooves together.

After breakfast, Apple Bloom was off, basket handle in her teeth. “Ah cain't wait to tell the rest of the class!”

Applejack had to do her duties, as usual, but since Jacqueline waas not as powerful as her twin, despite looking about the same externally, she instead elected to help Granny Smith with what she needed to do. While the twins were reluctant to separate, they begrudgingly did so, but reunited to make dinner that night.

At some point that night, Jacqueline had an idea. She took the time to get a sheet of paper and an envelope. In a flowing script, she wrote,

Dear Aunt and Uncle Orange

I'm baaaaack~!

Chapter 4: School Goes on and Practice Pays Off

Apple Bloom walked along the path through Ponyville, toward the school, a basket clutched in her teeth. As usual, at her sides were Scootaloo -daredevil in training, adoptive sister of Rainbow Dash- and Sweetie Belle -musical magician, sister to Rarity Belle-. As usual, the trio was practically inseparable.... until curfew, anyway.

Scootaloo spoke up. “So... What's in the basket?”

Apple Bloom, through her teeth, said, “It'th a thecret. You'll thee wha' i' ith lay'er.”

Scootaloo drooped a bit at that. Much like her sister, she hated having to wait for things. But -also like her sister-, she was not unreasonable, so she made no further protest. When Apple Bloom decided to reveal what was under the towel, the payoff would be all the sweeter.

She didn't know the half of it.

As the three progressed, Sweetie decided to break the silence and asked Scootaloo, “So... how are your flying lessons going, Scoots?”

“Much better since Twilight decided to help. You should have SEEN the look on Rainbow Dash's face when i got in the air!”(1)

The three fillies laughed together.

“I wasn't able to go very high, but now i know what to do! I can FLY! Isn't that great?!” the orange filly exclaimed, actually leaping into the air and demonstrating her new-found ability.

“Thath great, Thcoo'aloo!” Apple Bloom, praising her friend for her improvement.

Scootaloo landed back at Apple Bloom's side, quickly getting back into step.

“How about you, Sweetie?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well... Rarity's been trying to teach me how to control my magic better. Apparently I have a thing for fire magic.” Tapping the obligatory joke, she added, “I'd even go so far as to say that i have a... 'flare' for it now.”

Both of Sweetie's friends facehoofed, one with more difficulty than the other.

“Really, Sweetie?” Scootaloo deadpanned.

“It had to be said by somepony.” Sweetie said in her defence.

Apple Bloom put in, “Tho that'th why-” halting, she put the basket don and working her lower jaw, she tried again. “So that's why yer eyes're red now?” Question asked, she bit into the basket handle and they proceeded.

“Yeah. About those. These are enchanted contact lenses. They turn my eyes the proper colour and let me use my magic more easily. Now i can actually cook something without burning it instantly.”

“What was the deal with that, anyway?” Scootaloo asked.

“Well, it seems that i have something called Confused Magic Condition(2). Rarity asked Twilight about it when i got frustrated at one point. When i started crying, my tears became musical notes. I was crying music.”

“So....?”

“SO, my condition was mussing my attempts with magic. Now I have better control over it.”

Apple Bloom halted. “Wait. Confuthed Magic Condithion?”

“Yeah.” Sweetie confirmed.

Apple Bloom took on a deadpan countenance. “CMC?”

Somewhere in the background there was a “wop wop” sound.

The trio moved on.

“How about you, Apple Bloom?”

“Well... I'm thaving that for thow and tell. Trutht me, it'th gonna be a doothy.”

Later, upon arrival, the three fillies sat down at their respective desks.

Cheerilee said, “Punctual as always, girls.”

“Our sisters are kinda... stringent about that kind of thing, Miss Cheerilee.” Sweetie answered, her friends nodding in agreement..

Cheerilee smiled. “Good.”

One by one, students came in. The last to arrive were, of course, Snips and Snails. The bell rang just as they got to their desks in a rush.

“You two are just barely on time.” Cheerilee reprimanded.

Snails spoke up. “Sorry Miss Cheerilee. Snips and I got a new respi- ruspo-”

“Responsibility.” Snips prompted.

“That.” Snails affirmed.

Cheerilee quirked an eyebrow. “For what?”

Snips answered, “A puppy dog. It's a long story.”

From somewhere in the background, a rim shot could be heard.

After a brief cast around for the phantom drummer, Cheeriliee coughed and moved things along.

“Ahem. Anyway, we'll start with Show and Tell. Who wants to go first?”

Some hooves were raised.

“Apple Bloom, you look like you have a-” Cheerilee chuckled, indicating the basket, “juicy story for us.”

Apple Bloom smiled and brought the basket to the front desk. Taking the towel on top of it off (it had been tied on in such a way that if the basket fell it would more than likely stay on) she revealed the treats inside.

After doling some out, Apple Bloom was asked, “Who made these? They're delicious!”

It was none other than Diamond Tiara who had spoken. Her refined palate had detected the high-class quality of the foodstuffs and she of all the ponies present appreciated it the most.

“Mah sister did.” Apple Bloom answered proudly.

“Applejack made these?!” Diamond exclaimed.

Well... Yes 'n no. Lemme explain.“ Apple Bloom said, launching into the story of what had happened, as far as she knew. From Applejack's pains to Zecora's timely aid to that very morning.

Upon the tale's conclusion, the class reacted with awe.

“Aww.”

I said AWE A. W. E.

“Woooow!”

Much better.

Her presentation completed, Apple Bloom returned to her seat. But not before she noticed a look from Cheerilee that said that she was going to get the full story later, from the source.

After the other presentations, class began in earnest. Apple Bloom knew that she'd be answering a LOT more questions before the day was out.

Author's Note

Borrowing a couple of ideas, here.
1:
2: for more on that, read

TWoundsalt, Mother Bucker.

MLP: FiM

Romance

Comedy

Slice of Life

Meet the most cynical pony in Canterlot, who under the latest Princess' orders, moves to Ponyville to meet up with the Mane Six for his own quest to find friends. Many Swear words ensue.

Sex

DJ P0N-3

OC

Octavia

Other

Main 6

OneUppington · 98k words  ·  1,230  74 · 12k views

Chapter 5: Close Relations with Distant Relations

Mosely Orange was leafing through his daily mail, having recently received it. He tipped the mailmare for a timely delivery. Though sometimes seeming stuck up and standoffish, Mosely was really a nice guy at heart. And even more so; generous.

Anyway, he was checking his letters and sorting them out.

“Bill... trash... trash... bill... ” and on he went, until he found something interesting. It was lightly speckled with glitter and had a stamp of a large red apple. He knew what this meant.

“Darling?” he queried.

“Yes dear?”

“You might want to read this too.”

His wife, Mandarin Orange, appeared in short order, curious. It had been some time since she'd heard her husband speak in that tone.

Mandarin saw the envelope and she knew immediately that something interesting was about to be shared.

“A letter? From... Sweet Apple Acres, was it? Whatever for?”
“Yes, and I don't know. Let us find out, shall we?”

Mandarin opened the letter and be began to read (aloud, for the benefit of her husband)

Dearest Aunt and Uncle Orange.

I'm baaaack~!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, you now have a new niece. Namely, Me. The details are esoteric and complicated, but the long and the short of it is that Applejack (my “twin sister”) apparently had two souls inside of her, where a normal pony would have one. So where there was Applejack, there is also Jacqueline.

“Jacqueline?! However did that happen?” Mandarin exclaimed, nearly dropping the letter in shock.

"I think we're about to find out." Mosely replied, motioning for his wife to read on.

With the aid of a zebra shaman by the name of Zecora, after a process that separated us, I now have my own vessel. Needless to say, we now are able to share the same space without sharing the same body.

The Orange couple chuckled a bit at that.

Bad news? Applejack is now barren; you won't be getting any more nephews or nieces by her, failing a miracle. Good news? More orange-based products for Ponyville! Could you bring some if you come?

Speaking of, should you ever feel the desire to come for a visit, (I'm sure we would be glad to have you) enclosed are two tickets for any inn in Ponyville, and two passes for a deluxe treatment at the Ponyville Spa, care of the Elements of Harmony.

Naturally you would also want to keep up appearances, so i would suggest also visiting Rarity Belle at the Carousel Boutique. Just give the owner the code "Apple Jewel" to get 40% off. ;)

Though, who knows? We might end up visiting you instead!

Hoping to see you soon!
Ever yours,
Jacqeline Smith Apple

P.S.: If you do come, watch out for Pinkie Pie. She will likely want to throw a party for you. Don't bother trying to find her. She'll find you.

"What do you make of that, dear?" Mosely queried.

"I have no idea, but we should be prepared for that." Mandarin said, making a note to pack their insulated impact vests.

"I think we should go, if nothing else, then to bring more oranges to them." Mosely chuckled.
His wife nodded in agreement, moving to pack.

Sadly, they were only able to reserve a spot on a train to Ponyville for the day after next. But they could be patient. This news was worthy of seeing to in pony.

Chapter 6: Fruity Fun - Edited

Big Macintosh and Jacqueline were walking through the berry field that they had nearby. While not the mainstay of the eponymous Apple family's profits, they still used berries now and then. Which brings us to Big Mac's current question.

"Sooo.... why're we out here, sis?"

"Because i recently had a... 'brainstorm', as they say. And for the purpose we need Apples, but also blueberries and currants, which we naturally have over here. I call it ABC Cider."

"And you've tried this... when?"

"Oh, never. I just wanted to see if this works. Apples aren't the only thing we have that can make such a beverage, after all."

Jacqueline replied, snagging one bush with her tail and shaking it, thus coercing the blueberries on that bush to fall into the buckets arranged around the bush.

"Oh." Big Mac simply said, loading the berries into the cart he was drawing.

The two worked in silence until the produce was gathered to Jacqueline's satisfaction. Then they brought all of that back to the farmhouse, where several apples awaited them, cut into wedges and stored in the dark, so to keep their colour, thanks to Granny Smith.

Say what you will about her, she sure knew how to use a peeler and knife.

These were loaded along with the berries into a press that was recently bought, along with some herbs and spices. Can't tell you what; Trade secret.

Several kegs were arranged by the spout for the press. The contraption worked by turning a crank, which would lower a plate to crush the juice out of the fruit. The pulp could later be used in jams.

As Big Mac turned the crank, Jacqueline replaced the kegs. By the end of that, they had eighteen ready for storage. A decent job, by anypony's standards.

"Aaaand.... there we have it." Jacqueline said, with finality. "Beautifully done, brother."

Big Mac smiled at this. "Well, in a few weeks, we'll see what happens."

Just then, Applejack trotted up to his siblings. "Well, sis, Ah got the last o'those thingamajigs installed." she began. 'Now if'n ya'd kindly tell me what they're for?" she added in a deadpan tone.

Jacqueline, being her own pony, had an idea that would save lots of effort. Enlisting the aid of some of Fluttershy's moles, long tunnels had been dug under the ground (about eight to ten hooves down, on a slant) and reinforcedwith wooden slats. These were then connected to holes around the apple trees and, if done properly, should result in easy storage of the apples.

"Oh. it's very simple, dear." With that, the fancy mare trotted over to a nearby apple tree and gave it a solid kick. Immediately, a cascade of apples fell from its boughs and into suddenly opening holes around the tree. some tumbling later, the apples ended up in a nearby barn, just as planned.

"Fabulous!" Jacqueline ballyhooed. "It works just according to plan!"

Applejack grinned. "Whoo-ee, sis! This'll make thin's much easier on th'hooves."

"And will also mean less time spent going back and forth." Jacqueline added happily..

"Tha's what Ah meant. Less walkin'." Applejack said with her trademark deadpan expression.

"Speaking of walking," Jacqueline said, "I have a bit of a surprise for you. Recently I sent a letter to our aunt and uncle in Manehattan." she explained.

"Okaaaay..." Applejack said, waiting for the other horseshoe to drop.

"Well... Let's just say that I'm planning a surprise for them too." Jacqueline said, cryptically.

Author's Note

I was briefly looking at the wikia article on Aunt and Uncle Orange. It seems that they really get around!

I mean that they've made several background appearances over the years, as said article states.:twilightsheepish:

Chapter 7: A Surprise Visit

Applejack and Jaqueline were walking down the streets of Manehattan, the former (being the stronger of the two) towing a cart, enchanted to be -more or less- invisible and nigh-on incorporeal until necessary -among various other enchantments-, for which they had Twilight to thank.

"Remahn'd me a'gin why we're here, sis?" Applejack said, through their mind-link.

"To give our relatives a surprise visit while also bringing them a gift. Why else?"

"So... why did Ah hafta get all dolled up(1) fer this, anyways?"

"You know how our aunt and uncle are about keeping up appearances. I know you know, because I know. You know?"

Applejack chuckled at that. "'Kay, fair 'nough. So... we're gettin' close, if Ah recollect rightly."

"Yep. We're almost there, it seems."

"An' yer confident that this here cart'll balance 'long the way? Much less fit'n an elevat'r?"

"I don't see why not. Twilight triple-checked everything. We could run up a mountain and it'd be stable. Or go through a passage barely big enough for ourselves. Why, we won't even have to worry about bringing dirt indoors, unless it's on our own hooves. Now stop worrying."

Applejack sighed. "Ah know, Ah know. Jus'... Ah can't help it. It's been... how many years since we saw aunt and uncle Or'nge?"

"You were still a filly at the time. You created me right around then." Jacqueline answered matter of factly.

"Heh. Ah kinda fergot 'bout that." Applejack said, trying to calm down as they came to the apartment building that they were looking for.

Striding up to the desk, Jacqueline spoke up. "We're here to see a mister and miss Orange? We're family." she explained.

The clerk at the desk told them where to go, and the two got into the elevator. As Jacqueline said, they fit just fine, invisible cart and all.

Eventually they got to their destination; Room 506. When they got there, they noticed the runes upon the door and the walls beside it, with some gems embedded in the walls and door as well. Neither of them were able to tell what those were for, but could tell that they were charged with magic, currently half full.

"Do you want to knock, or shall I?" Jaqueline asked.

Applejack knocked on the door.

"Come in!" came the voice of Mandarin Orange.

The two farm-ponies went through the door...

And were floored by what they saw.

The area was far bigger than you would expect. The entryway alone extended for about 30 hooves. The bathroom that they could see off to the side had (aside from the cursory items) a shower, a hot tub, two washers and driers (powered by charged crystals as well), a towel dispenser, and that was just what they could see! The living room (which was more or less straight ahead) had enough space for at least twenty ponies to fit. And quite comfortably, too!

"Well, butter my coat and call me corny, but wow." Applejack said.

Jacqueline said nothing, but nodded mutely in agreement.

It was safe to say that the place had expansion charms, at least. Really strong ones, at that.

Mandarin Orange started to come over and said, "Impressed? It's amazing what having friends in- Oh!" she finished, only then noticing who had come to their doorstep.

"Why, hello darlings!" she said in greeting. "May I say that your ensembles look just amazing on you."

"Hello to you too, auntie. We come bearing gifts." Jacqueline said. "Applejack, if you'd do the honours?"

Applejack nodded. "Pleased as punch to, sis."

With a little bit of mental effort, she dispelled the enchantments on the cart, causing it to reappear, fully corporeal. When she removed the cover, it turned out that there were pies, cakes, fritters, rolls, jams and more, apple, pear and orange.

"Wow, girls! This is amazing!" Mandarin said, impressed by the spread. "As is your coming here, for that matter. Perhaps we should celebrate, tonight!"

Mosely came into the room, saying, "Now, now, darling, They must have come for a reason."

Applejaack shook her head. "Yer lookin' at it." she said, indicating the cart.

"How did you...?" Mosely queried.

"How didya fit all'a this stuff into an apartment suite?" Applejack countered. "By the way, them crystals outside are only half full, jus' so ya know. Also, Granny Smith sends her regards." she added.

Mosely nodded. "Duly noted. I'll have those checked in the morning, and send our regards back to your grandmother when you return to... Ponyville, was it?"

"That's correct, uncle." Jacqueline said.

"So... why are you here? I thought that we were going to visit you." Mandarin asked.

Applejack nudged her sister.

"Yes, but as it turned out, Rarty needed to stop by her shop in town for a bit anyway, so it dovetailed nicely." Jacqueline said.

"You don't mean... THE Rarity, do you?"

"'Less y'know any other Rarities, Ah reckon we do."

Mosely changed the subject. "You girls simply must stay the night. We can catch up on old times, over dinner."

Author's Note

1: For the duration of this chapter, Applejack is wearing her outfit from The Best Night Ever

Chapter 8: Fashion Talk

It had been several days since Apple Jewel had come to town, and on this particular day, she decided to get acquainted with some of her twin's friends. Currently she and Rarity were sitting in one of the hot tubs at the spa.

Nearby, she and Rarity had their drinks and some snacks for when they eventually removed the masques they had applied..

At the moment, the tub was at a steamy 102 degrees. Just perfect.

"Hahahahaha!" they laughed in tandem.

"So... so you have that many branches on the proverbial 'family tree', eh?" Rarity said, still chuckling.

"Yes!" Apple Jewel affirmed. "And that's just the ones we know of."

"To recap, how many families would that be?" Rarity queried, just to be sure.

Apple Jewel counted off, "Ten. The Apples, Oranges, Pears, Bananas, Mangoes, Cherries, Grapes, Plums, Dates and Figs. And like I said, that's only the ones we know of. For all we know there might be a Nut or... I don't know... Jackfruit family out there. Crazy, huh?"

"Indeed. That said, from what I hear about those, they'd need some major headgear if they were to harvest those safely, darling.(1)"

"No kidding." was the curt confirmation. "But enough about our family lines. We met for a different reason, right?"

"True." Rarity said. "You had a couple of dress ideas and wanted to... 'compare notes', as it were, yes?" Rarity summarized.

"Yes, that's right." Apple Jewel affirmed. "Applejack has told me of how swiftly you can make a dress out of basically anything at hoof, practically at a moment's notice. So I thought, 'who better to ask?'"

Rarity tittered at that. "I'm flattered."

Apple Jewel continued, "And I also thought that at the same time I coul;d get to know some of my sister's friends, too. It's feeding two birds with one scone! Doesn't hurt that I can get a beauty treatment while I'm at it; It's the next best thing to multitasking!"

Rarity grinned outright at that. "You're even more pragmatic than your sister, darling. I love it! Somehow, I get the feeling that we're going to get along famously."

Just then, Lotus Blossom came in. "Ees time for ze removing of ze masques first, Ja? 'Old still, please." she said, putting her words into action.

After that, Rarity said, "Ahh, having that done now ansd then does wonders for cleansing the pores."

Apple Jewel nodded, taking a sip of the cup of tea she had; part Spiced Apple, part Orange Pekoe. "True, but be careful not to cleanse them too often. It can also deprive said pores of their essential oils.(2)" she warned.

Rarity waved that off. "Of course, of course." She took a sip of her own tea -chammomile-. "Still, darling, even your sister can appreciate a treatment now and then." she added.

Though, to be fair, Lotus had added some special oils to their water. Effectively, not only would that mitigate the drying of their pores (in limited quantities), but it would make them smell goooood!:heart:

At any rate, the two of them discussed dress designs for a short time. As it happened, Raroty also had a few ideas for what the Apple twins might do with any excess apples. -Her mother made a mean Apple Crumble, apparently-. And if one of the trees had to be cut down, the campfire that came of that (among other things) would definitely be sweet.

Eventually the time came to proceed to the next part of the treatment. Rarity had signed up for a deep tissue massage, and judging by the alterating screams of pain and extacy, she was overall enjoying it, quite a bit.

Apple Jewel had requested a rather lower key standard massage; enough to work the knots out of her back, if naught else.

Sfter that came a dip in the mud tub. Rarity said that she always turned somewhat brownish for a day or so after this, but mare, it was worth it!

Then came a nice steam in the sauna, followed by a final rince before being done for that session.

"We simply must do this again sometime, dear!" Rarity said. "The only thing better than sharing time with friends and doing things that you enjoy is doing them in tandem."

"Oh, I plan on it!" Apple Jewel said, nodding. "Who knows? Maybe next time we can get Twilight or Fluttershy in on it." she added with a chuckle, eliciting one from Rarity as well.

"We'll see. Anyway, I have things to deal with and so, I guess, do you."

Apple jewel said, nodding, "Absolutely. Some of those suggestions you made simply NEED to be written down before I forget!"

The two laughed as they parted ways until next time. Their respective nights would absolutely be intersti.

Author's Note

1: No joke, some Jackfruit can weigh upward of 55 kilos! That's a serious headache at best, a crushed skull, much more likely!
2: Also no joke. It's suggested that you take a shower every two days to avoid that.