Freedom is a Rarity

Chapters

A Broken Love Triangle
Anger is Restless
Keep Your Mouth Shut
The Case has Been Doubled!
Broken Bonds
The Steps to Healing
When She Thought it Couldn't Get Worse

A Broken Love Triangle

"Well, I know these Friendship Games haven't been what any of us expected, but given what we've all just been through, I think it's fair to declare us all winners!" Principal Celestia announced, followed by cheers from the crowd of both Crystal Prep and Canterlot High students.

"Okay, this has officially been the best Friendship Games ever!" Pinkie exclaimed, a bright smile on her face.

"Cheers to that! I'm just glad it's finally over! I never want to rollerskate again!" Rarity complained from her spot on the bleachers that were still outside," My ankles are still throbbing!" Applejack only laughed.

"Well, ya did do some pretty hard tricks during the race. I'm sure after you rest you'll go skating again one day." She said sitting beside her girlfriend.

"I'm sure you're right." Rarity giggled.

"Well, why don't we go and talk to some of the CPA students, maybe make some new friends!" Fluttershy suggested suddenly," I'm sure the students will be a bit nicer after the games."

"Fluttershy's right. Come on!" Rainbow smiled, taking the shy teen's hand as the girls begin to walk from the bleachers to the front of the school to talk to the other students.

"Comin' Rarity?" Applejack called, looking back to the teen, who was walking toward the school.

"I'll be back, I need to grab my backpack since we'll be leaving school when the CPA students leave."

"Alright!" Applejack responded with a smile, as she followed her friends to the crowd of students ahead of her.

"Hey AJ," Sour Sweet chimed suddenly, slightly interrupting Sunset Shimmer, who had been discussing future events that could bring the two schools closer together," Don't look now, but I think Trenderhoof is checking you out." She giggled with a small, playful smirk.

"Trender-what-now?" The country teen asked, turning around, to see a tan boy with a CPA uniform on heading in their direction.

"Um, should we tell-" Fluttershy started, but was interrupted by her girlfriend.

"Let's allow her to tell him. Come on girls." Rainbow instructed, the girls walking a few yards away.

"Hey uh, Applejack is it? You were amazing in the Games this year." Trenderhoof spoke gently, a smile on his face.

" Thanks..." Applejack replied with a small, nervous smile, her eyes darting from side to side.

"Could I maybe...take you out on a date? I think I might have a crush on you." He asked, a small blush on his cheeks.

"Look, um, Trenderhoof is it? My heart belongs to somebody else. I'm taken." She replied slowly," Oh look, there she is!"

"Jackie! Uh, who's this?" Applejack knew the look on Rarity's face, a mixture of nervousness, fear, and jealousy. The country teen was able to silently count down from three, before gesturing with her eyes to her hand, which now had Rarity's latched around it.

"Just a...friend from CPA saying hi. Come on, we should head home," AJ responded in a rushed tone, as she quickly pulled Rarity away from him and toward her truck.

"What was that CPA boy talking to you about?" Rarity asked suddenly, pulling Applejack's attention from the movie they were watching, to her girlfriend.

"He asked me on a date. He told me he had a crush on me." AJ replied, knowing that Rarity deserved to know the truth. After a moment of silence, with the exception of the television, Rarity was able to find her voice and respond.

"What did you tell him...?" Tears had formed on the brim of her eyes, threatening to escape. Applejack only smiled as she looked into her icy blue eyes. Wiping her tears, she replied,

"I told him my heart was with you, that I was taken." Rarity smiled, and laid her head on Applejack's chest,"I will never leave you. I promise." Rarity had always had a horrible past when it comes to dating. Her date would always abuse her, leave her for someone else, or both. Knowing this, Applejack vowed to treat Rarity the way she deserved to be treated.

"Thank goodness that it's Friday!" Fluttershy said as both Rainbow and herself approached their friends, which now held a new member, as Twilight had just transferred from Crystal Prep.

"I couldn't agree more! This week has been absolutely crazy!" Sunset responded with a laugh.

"So, any plans for the weekend?" Twilight asked as she sat at the lunch table with the rest of her new friends.

"Fluttershy and I are going on a date for our one-year anniversary!" Rainbow chimed, making the shy-teen blush. The sudden news made everyone at the table gasp, followed by a chorus of,

"Awww!!"

"I have a few plans for Rarity myself." Applejack cut in, a wide smile on her face. Her comment received approving looks from most everyone at the table. With the exception of Twilight, who had not been there long enough to learn about Rarity's 'romantic past," and Rarity of course, who was both confused and interested in the things her girlfriend had planned for the weekend.

"Hey guys, guess what!?" Pinkie exclaimed suddenly as she rushed up to the table and took a seat.

"Pinkie! There you are! We thought you might have gone home!" Rarity said,"What's up?"

"A hot new guy just transferred to CHS! Check it out!" Applejack gasped when she saw the new boy that had just entered the cafeteria,

"Trenderhoof!?" Turning her head away from him, Applejack shrunk back in her seat.

Applejack strolled down the halls of CHS, heading to her final class of the day when a terrifyingly familiar voice approached her,"Hey AJ! Good to see you again!" Trenderhoof said, causing the farm girl to face her acquaintance.

"What are you doin' here?!" Applejack exclaimed in a whisper.

"I told you, I like you, and I want to be closer to you." He responded as he ran his fingers through her hair. Instantly pulling away, she shot him an angry glare.

"And I said I don't love ya back! Just leave me alone! Please!" As she finished her sentence, she noticed a change from soft and gentle, to anger and aggression. Fear coursed through her veins, she couldn't remember the last time she felt truly scared. She gasped when he grabbed her hands and forced her into the boy's bathroom, which fortunately for Trenderhoof, but unfortunately for Applejack, was empty. Pinning her to the wall with his hands, he gave her a dark smile.

"Even if you're a little resistant...I am still going to get what I want." Applejack's legs were shaking as she struggled against his grasp. He was stronger than her however, she was helpless. She teared up as thoughts of what he could do her raced across her mind. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt his lips press against her. Her eyes widened as she released muffled screams as she struggled. She began to cry when he used his body to press her against the wall as he started lifting her shirt. Glancing down, she noticed that while her legs were shaky, they were free. Thinking fast she gave Trenderhoof a hard "low blow," causing her offender to groan and collapse. She took off running from the bathroom. Racing down the hall she was relieved to run into Rarity. Grabbing her hand she pulled her girlfriend, who was currently confused and scared, out of the school and to the truck.

"Get in the truck," Applejack commanded as she hopped into the driver's seat. Once Rarity was in the vehicle, she took off down the road until the school was out of view. After they reached the country, Applejack pulled over and burst into tears, burying her face in her hands.

"Jackie darling, what's wrong?!" Rarity's concern was growing dramatically,"What happened?"

"Trend...he...he....he came up to me and started runnin' his fingers through my hair, I told him to go away, but when I refused him, he..." Applejack took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down,"He pushed me into the boy's room, and pinned me to the wall. He kissed me, and started to pull my shirt off, I managed to kick him and get away before he did something else...." No words could explain the shock on Rarity's face. Once her mind was able to process the news bestowed upon her, she spoke up.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there to help you..." She said quietly, taking her girlfriend's hand.

"It's not just that...I feel like I c-cheated on you..."

"Sweetie, you did all the right things. You pushed him away and didn't give in to his seduction. There is no way I would accuse you of cheating!" After a moment, AJ had dried her tears and had a smile on her face,"Come on, let's go home, and Monday we will notify Principal Celestia of he actions." Nodding, Applejack drove the rest of the way home.

Anger is Restless

Even though the weekend hadn't started off on a good note, by the time Saturday morning arrived, Applejack was feeling better, and ready to pursue the plans she had made for her girlfriend. She had woken up at six am, two hours before Rarity usually woke up, and snuck downstairs to make Rarity breakfast in bed. Being quiet as possible, Applejack made all of Rarity's favorite foods, with a bit of an apple twist. She made french toast with apple jelly, scrambled eggs, sausage link, plain pancakes with apple syrup, and a glass of apple juice. As she finished, she looked at the clock with a smile,"7:59, perfect timing," she said quietly as she picked up the tray of food and carefully walked up the stairs and into the bedroom,"Rarity..." the farm girl called gently, making Rarity stir slightly,"Rares, time to get up..." AJ continued as she approached the bedside.

"Yes...Jackie.....?" Rarity replied sleepily as she rolled over, and propped herself up against her pillows.

"Made ya breakfast." She smiled as she placed the tray in front of her girlfriend, who instantly smiled.

"Aww thank you!" Rarity exclaimed gratefully.

"Your welcome sweetie, I have a nice day planned for us, so eat up."

"Can we start the day by enjoying this breakfast together?" Rarity asked, making AJ giggle.

"Sure hon."

After eating and getting dressed, the girls were on the road to a location only known to AJ,"Um, Jackie, where exactly are we going?" Rarity asked, and Applejack responded with a giggle,

"You'll see honey." Rarity only rolled her eyes with a smile as she stared out of the truck's window. Her smile soon grew even wider as the truck pulled into the park and stopped in front of the gazebo, where a romantic candlelit picnic was set up.

"We just ate AJ." Rarity laughed.

"I know, that's for later. I thought we could take a nice nature walk around the park, read together a little, and of course, the picnic!" Rarity blushed with a smile.

"This is all so sweet Applejack! What's the occasion?" Rarity asked, and AJ responded with a laugh.

"Only our 6-Month Anniversary!" Applejack replied with a smile and Rarity instantly gasped in surprise.

"Oh, my goodness AJ! I'm so sorry that I forgot!"

"Think it nothing sweetie, it's nothing too special, I just thought we would do a little something. Now, how about we go and find a spot to continue reading our book?" With a nod of agreement, AJ grabbed the book the two were currently reading,'The Princess Bride,' and lead her girlfriend down the park's nature path until they found nice shaded area under a large oak tree, where they sat down, and Rarity laid her head on Applejack's chest as the farm girl opened the book to their latest position in the story. The couple had always enjoyed reading together, and Rarity, in particular, found the activity even more enjoyable when her girlfriend would read the books to her while using different voices for each of the characters.

"Could you imagine us in this story?" Rarity asked suddenly, cutting Applejack off from reading.

"Always do, that's how I enjoy these romantic type books so much." Rarity only laughed at the response.

"I would be the princess," Rarity added with a smile as she looked up to face her girlfriend.

"And I the mysterious one in black." Applejack responded with a giggle. After a moment, Applejack continued reading, finally stopping at the end of the chapter they were on. The two then continued to walk down the path, holding hands as Rarity leaned against Applejack, letting the country teen guide her.

"AJ, I need to use the restroom..." Rarity said suddenly as they approached the gazebo.

"Okay Rares. I'll be here." Rarity smiled and walked up the hill to the park's main building. Walking around to the side she entered the girl's room. After she did her business, she went to wash her hands, when a sudden smash was heard from the window beside her. With a scream of fear and surprise, she turned her head to see the broken glass all over the floor. The glass was surrounded by a small rock, with what looked to be a piece of paper tied to it. Taking a few deep breaths to slow her rapid heartbeat to a calmer state, she slowly approached the small rock and reached down and shakily reached her arm out and picked up the item.

"What in the world...?" The teen whispered as she gently pulled the rubber band from the rock and unfolded the paper, and after reading it, she instantly teared up and began shaking in fear.

"Have fun while you can. You don't deserve to be with Applejack, she belongs to me. I will take you away from her, one way or another. It can be the easy way, which is you breaking up with her, or the hard way, me forcing you from her. I don't care which way it goes. You have 48 hours to make your decision.

-T

PS: If you tell Applejack about this note, you have automatically chosen the hard way, and don't think you can secretly tell her because I am always watching."

Breaking down into tears, Rarity shoved the note into her skirt pocket as she stumbled back against the wall and slid to the floor. Burying her face in her knees, she began to cry, unsure of what to do.

Author's Note

So, how many of you thought Rarity was gonna get kidnapped when she went to the bathroom? :rainbowlaugh: I was actually trying to make it seem like that was going to be the case.

SPOILER: For those who want to know, Rarity will be kidnapped within the next two chapters. (hover over the spoiler block if you want to know when Rarity will be kidnapped!)

Also, sorry that it took a while to update, I was busy with my semester finals, YouTube video editing, Christmas shopping and decorating, etc. I plan to release "Wedding of Loyal Kindness: Chapter 1" before New Years by the way, for those who wanted to know! :heart: :scootangel: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Don't forget to like and comment! :pinkiehappy:

Keep Your Mouth Shut

Rarity slowly strolled down the halls of CHS, squeezing tightly on Applejack's hand, she still hadn't said anything about the note she had received at the park, she was too scared, and though she knew that AJ was worried about her, she knew that if she said anything, this 'T' person would take her from Applejack himself. It was Monday, the last day she had before the forty-eight hours was up, and she had never been so scared in her entire life.

"Rarity, hon, you haven't touched your lunch, and you didn't eat breakfast. You must be a least a little hungry by now!" Applejack explained worriedly, gaining glances from the rest of their friends that were sitting with them,"Rares I know something is wrong with you, why won't ya tell me?" Rarity simply continued to stare at her tray of untouched food, the only time she moved was when she took a quick, and nervous glance around the lunchroom, looking for any suspicious glares or activity.

"Rarity, you know we all care for you and you can tell us anything! If someone is bothering you, or something is going on, you can tell us." Fluttershy informed, reaching over and gently rubbing her friend's back for a few seconds.

"I...I can't tell you! I'm not allowed to-" Rarity gasped and covered her mouth, had she already revealed too much? Had her stalker heard her? Had she mistakenly made her choice?

"Can't tell me? Sugarcube, if someone is threatening you, tell me right now and I will protect you!" Applejack exclaimed.

"We all will," Sunset added, the girls all giving their petrified friend an encouraging smile.

"I...He said I can't show or tell Applejack..." Rarity sighed.

"So, show one of us," Twilight replied, adjusting her glasses,"Then technically you won't be breaking, um, 'His' rules." After a moment a hesitation, Rarity nodded, and pulled a wrinkled piece of paper from her pocket, and slid it across the table to Twilight, who took the paper and unfolded it, reading it silently at first, before her jaw dropped, a gasp escaping her lips.

"What does it say Twilight?" Applejack asked, tilting her head in confusion, and slight fear.

Her voice shaking, Twilight read the note in a low, clear voice,"Have fun while you can. You don't deserve to be with Applejack, she belongs to me. I will take you away from her, one way or another. It can be the easy way, which is you breaking up with her, or the hard way, meforcingyou from her. I don't care which way it goes. You have 48 hours to make your decision.

-T

PS: If you tell Applejack about this note, you have automatically chosen the hard way, and don't think you can secretly tell her because I amalways watching." Twilight looked up from the paper, all of her friends, with the exception of Rarity, had open mouths.

"Thank you for being brave enough to say somethin' Sugar," Applejack whispered, wrapping her arms around her girlfriend.

"But who is 'T'?" Twilight asked, placing the note back on the lunch table.

"If I had to guess, it would be Trenderhoof, since he is the only guy that likes Applejack and seems like he would do anything to get with her! I mean he did move schools to be closer to her! Oh and he is the only guy that has a name that starts with the letter T that gave the back of Rarity's head a death glare and left the room!" Pinkie cut in suddenly, her words making Rarity's eyes widen and her body start to shake in fear.

"Yep, that makes sense, now how do we stop him?" Applejack said, letting Rarity lay her head on her chest to let her calm down.

"First of all, do you have your third or fourth class with him?" Sunset asked, worry on her face.

"Yes...fourth...my last class. Algebra II," Rarity whispered, making the others bite their lips.

"Isn't that the classroom that is in the small hallway in the back of the building? The one with only an exit and bathroom and a few lockers in that accompany that room?" Twilight asked, making the others glare at her.

"Thanks for that information, Captain Obvious!" Rainbow groaned, making the purple teen blush with embarrassment. Rarity slowly nodded.

"Well, that hallway is always pretty secluded, so how do we get Rarity to class and out of class without a chance of her being caught?" Fluttershy asked, speaking her thoughts as she patted Rarity's arm gently and rhythmically, attempting to comfort her.

"I will walk her to class, and Rarity, afterward, I don't want you to leave that classroom until I come in and get you, okay?" Applejack explained, earning a nod from Rarity, who was on the verge of tears.

"Rarity, look at me," Applejack commanded, getting a teary-eyed look from her girlfriend,"You are gonna be just fine. Just don't leave this room until I come and get you," Nodding, Rarity gave AJ a long, tight hug.

"I love you," She whispered, and AJ gave her an assuring smile, and ruffled her hair,"My phone is on if you need me,"

Applejack watched as Rarity entered the classroom before returning to her own class, Home Ec, which was across the school.

The class flew by, Rarity spent most of the time keeping in contact with Applejack, since she couldn't concentrate on anything else. When the bell rang, Rarity stood to pack her back when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She froze when his voice ran through her ear,"I see you made your choice."

"Please...just go away. We aren't even alone and I will not go with you." Rarity whispered she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

"Oh, I think you will."

"Why is that?"

"Because," His voice dropped to where only she could hear him,"I have a nice little gun in my bag that I can easily get to, and unless you want its bullet through your skull you are going to get your things and quietly come with me. Oh, and if you signal or call for help, the bullet will enter your brain. Understand?" Trenderhoof's voice was deep and harsh, each word piercing through her like a nightmare that refuses to leave your mind. She could only nod slowly as she shakily picked up her bag and followed her captor out of the room, and to his car,"In the car." A few tears rolled down her cheeks as she sat the vehicle's passenger seat,"Good girl!" He laughed before taking his gun from his backpack and placing it on his lap,"Now hand me your phone." Seeing no choice in the matter, she surrendered her phone to him. Smiling, the took out a small, but thick rope and grabbed her wrists, tying them together, then getting another rope and doing the same to their ankles,"Just a little extra precaution. Now let's go, shall we," Smirking, he put his car into drive and sped down the road. Rarity could only cry silently as she stared out the window.

Meanwhile, back at the school, Applejack entered the classroom, only to find it empty,"How..." She instantly begin to cry as she took off down the hall, in search of her friends.

The Case has Been Doubled!

Rainbow yawned as she pulled the van into a motel parking lot,"Well, I say we're hot on his trail, but the sun is going down, I think we should stop here for the night."

"What?! It's barely sundown! We can still get a couple more hours of driving in!" Applejack pleaded, making the others groan.

"AJ, we are getting close to her, I can feel it, but we have to have enough energy to actually do anything!" Sunset exclaimed, and Applejack sighed.

"Alright..."

The girls had all piled into one hotel room. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash took one bed, Twilight and Sunset took the other, and AJ and Pinkie shared the couch-bed. Everyone had quickly passed out, except for Pinkie, who was currently going through a sugar rush from eating sugar cookies she had stored in her hair, and AJ, who was too scared to do anything,"You should stop worrying so much Jackie, it's all gonna be fine! Oh! I found another cookie!" Pinkie exclaimed as she pulled her tenth sugar cookie from her hair.

"Pinkie shut up! I'm trying to sleep!" Rainbow groaned from her place on the bed next to Fluttershy, who snickered at her girlfriend's complaints.

"I guess..." AJ sighed as she laid her head on her pillow and stared at the ceiling until Pinkie rambling put her to sleep.

The next morning, AJ had everyone out of bed at six am sharp, and after breakfast, they were all in the car and on the road,"I really hope we find her soon..." Twilight muttered to Sunset, who nodded sleepily.

"Hey isn't that the same car Cherrilee described!?" Pinkie exclaimed, pointing to a blue Toyota.

"It is! Follow that car Rainbow Dash!" Applejack commanded, earning a nod from her friend, who smirked as she stepped on the gas, and followed the car down the highway.

After half an hour of following the car, it finally stopped at a gas station. Rainbow pulled in as well on the opposite side of the parking lot,"Okay gang, let's go!" Rainbow said, and everyone got out of the car and snuck up to the door. Rainbow gasped,"I see him! Twi, Sunset, call the police! We can't let him leave!" Nodding, Sunset and Twilight raced back to the car to grab one of their cell phones.

"I guess some of us should stay out here to make sure he doesn't leave, and the rest go in there to watch him!" Pinkie thought out loud, and Rainbow rolled her eyes.

"Duh!" She exclaimed, grabbing Fluttershy's wrist,"We will go inside, you guys stay here."

"Okie dokie lokie!" Pinkie exclaimed as both she and AJ stayed outside while the couple snuck inside to spy on Trenderhoof.

Meanwhile, Trenderhoof had known they were there and following him, and was prepared to get his next victim alone. Walking down an aisle, he stopped in front of a random shelf, which contained an assortment of snack foods. He pulled out his phone and sent out a quick text.

Distract the rainbow-girl and her girlfriend.

"What is he doing?" Rainbow asked in a whisper, looking back and forth from Fluttershy to their target.

"I don't know, but it can't be good..." Fluttershy replied, clinging to Rainbow's arm.

"Excuse me girls, but may I speak with you for a moment?" a voice from behind them said. They turned around to see Flash Sentry.

"What is it Flash? We're kinda busy!" Rainbow groaned, and while they were distracted, Trend snuck off toward the exit.

"I hope the cops get here before he tries to leave," Pinkie said as she paced in a circle near the exit, while Applejack leaned against the wall.

"And I wish you would pay attention!" Applejack replied, rolling her eyes.

"I am! I'm just not gonna stand still- hey where's Twi and Sunny? Shouldn't they be back over here by now?" Pinkie wondered.

"Well, why don't ya go find out?!" Applejack snapped, her agitation reaching its height.

"Okie dokie!" Pinkie skipped off across the parking lot to their car.

"Well, that made things much easier," Applejack gasped at the voice, and turned her head to see Trenderhood standing in front of her,"I was just gonna push a balloon past her, but you got rid of her for me,"

"Why do you care if she's-" Applejack was cut off as he grabbed her wrist and pulled him against her, then covered her mouth with his hand.

"Silly girl...it's you I've been after all along," Trenderhoof laughed and lifted the helpless teen into her arms, despite her protests, and shoved her into his car.

"God! I thought he would never leave us alone, now back to-"

"DASHIE!" Pinkie yelled as she rushed into the store, a worried Sunset and Twilight following suit.

"What?" Rainbow replied in confusion.

"Applejack! She's, she's gone! All we found was this!" Pinkie held up their friend's hat, which had been found in the parking lot.

"You don't suppose that Flash was distracting us on purpose do you?" Fluttershy asked, making Rainbow Dash groan and roll her eyes.

"Of course he was!" Growling, Rainbow raced out of the store and grabbed Flash's wrist before he could get into his car,"We need to talk Flash! Tell us where he is taking Applejack, and you won't go to jail!" Gulping, Flash bit his lip, before breaking down.

"Look, he paid me to do this, I didn't want to, but he threatened me, and all he said was he was planning on killing Rarity tomorrow morning then taking Applejack out of the country and forcing her into marrying him. He is taking her to the cabin he's been keeping Rarity in now. If you want to get there before he kills Rarity you better hurry."

Nodding, the girls thanked him for the information and took off to their car and jumping back on the highway.

Broken Bonds

Author's Note

Warning! This chapter contains sexual themes and mentions of rape (not scenes or details) between Applejack and Trenderhoof. There is also torture and gory scenes, as well as mentions of suicide. If this is not your thing then please proceed with caution! :)

Broken Bonds

"And...got it!" Rarity smiled as she finally managed to pick the lock that was keeping her trapped in the small room. She opened the door slightly to see if Trenderhoof and returned, and sighed happily when the cabin was empty. Unfortunately, a sudden door slam made her jump. She peeked out the window to see Trenderhoof carrying an unconscious Applejack in his arms. She gasped and rushed back to her dungeon cell and shut the door, and hoped he wouldn't check on her. Just in case, she laid down on her "bed," and draped the chain around her ankle, though didn't lock it, and faced toward the wall, pretending to be asleep. All while carefully listening to what was going on just outside the door. Within a few moments, she heard the door open and slam shut, and Trenderhoof talking quietly to himself,"I can't believe how easy that was! You have really terrible friends Jackie," Trenderhoof laughed as he placed Applejack on the bed, took out some ropes, and tied her arms and legs tightly to the bedposts,"Now to check on my other captive," He approached the door and put his key into the door, and turned the key to unlock the door. However, he found the door already unlocked,"Huh...guess I forgot to lock the door. Well, she can't get near the door anyway, guess that doesn't matter." He walked into the room and saw what he thought was Rarity asleep. He smirked,"Nah, I'll let her live until tomorrow morning." He cackled and closed the door as he approached the bed his other captive was tied to, just as she had started to wake up.

Until tomorrow morning?! Oh no, I gotta get us out of here! Fast! Rarity thought as she sat up, and begin looking for anything she could use to attack her captor with.

Meanwhile, Applejack was finally coming around. She had spent the first five minutes in captivity struggling to find an escape. Tired of it, Trenderhoof knocked her out with chloroform,"What...what happened? Rarity...?"

"Rarity is not here. I, on the other hand, am," Trend said as he approached the bedside. Gasping, AJ instantly tried to back away but found her limbs tied to the bed. Her breath instantly began to increase in speed.

"What did you do with her!?" Applejack commanded, trying to sound angrier than she was terrified.

"Nothing yet. Besides, what you should be worried about, is what I'm gonna do to you!" Nearly hyperventilating, Applejack began to cry as her captor grabbed a pair of scissors, and cut a line up her shirt, before tearing it off,"Whoops, forgot to take this off. Oh well, you won't be needing it anymore anyway." It took all of Rarity's power not to barge through the door and kill Trenderhoof right then and there, but she needed a weapon first, and at the moment, all she had against him was a hairpin, a half-empty bottle of water, and her bare hands.

"Maybe if I can sneak around to the kitchen, I can get a knife or something..." Rarity whispered to herself, just as she stepped toward the door, she heard a snap, and a bloodcurdling scream come from Applejack. Her jaw dropped. Was he whipping her?! Teeth clenched, Rarity slowly approached the door, and quietly cracked the door open. Luckily, Trend's back was turned to her. What she saw sent her into a fiery fury. Trenderhoof was holding a black whip and was violently smacking Applejack's stomach, arms, legs, and cheeks with it. Grinding her teeth, Rarity quietly tip-toed past him to the kitchen and looked for anything weapon-related. She smiled deviously when she found a baseball bat in the corner of the room,"Perfect," She whispered.

"Please! Stop!" Applejack screamed, she was having a panic attack as tears blocked most of her vision.

"Fine," Trenderhoof laughed as he threw the whip down,"I was just trying to break you into your new home. What I really want to do is this," He smirked as he began to strip himself. Applejack closed her eyes tightly. She had never wanted to die in her life, but right now, she wished she could end her life, just to relieve herself of all the pain. She readied herself for his assault. Just as she felt his hands touch her breasts, she heard a loud crack and a thud.

"See, this is why I hate boys." A familiar voice said with a groan. Applejack opened her eyes slightly and gave a broken smile.

"R...Rar..." She stuttered but found she couldn't speak.

"Shh, just a second darling, I doubt you want to see this," Rarity gave a disgusted look, as she took the ripped t-shirt that belonged to Aj off the floor and threw it over AJ's eyes. A few moments later, Applejack heard another thud, two clicks, and sigh as Rarity approached the bed and pulled the shirt from her face,"Trust me, I just did you a huge favor. Now, let's get those wounds cleaned. I'm sure our friends will be here soon to rescue us." Rarity added with a smile as she picked up a knife and cut her girlfriend free of her bonds,"There, now let's see if there is a first aid kit around here...Aha!" Rarity smiled as she found some towels, bandages, and a few packs of alcohol swabs,"Now just lay still sweetheart, this will hurt a little bit." Nodding, Applejack closed her eyes and grabbed on tightly to one of the pillows.

"There! Now doesn't that feel better?" Rarity asked softly as she placed the spare bandages on the floor, and looked down at AJ, who was shaking slightly and had stains of tears on her cheeks,"You're so brave," Rarity whispered as she kissed Applejack's cheek.

"M...me?! You're the one I was supposed to rescue!" Applejack replied, rolling her eyes.

"But you were the one he was after, and honestly, the moment he told me his true intentions, I wasn't scared at all, I was furious, and you know, I've learned a little something from all of this."

"What's that?"

"That I'm not as weak and helpless as I thought I was. I shouldn't have to worry about losing you or being abused by you. Becuase I now know that if you, or anyone really, truly loves me, they will treat me as such." Applejack smiled for the first time in several days, and the two shared a very gentle hug. All this, just as their friends, and several officers, barged into the room.

"Freeze! Put your hands up!" An officer yelled, but froze herself and put her gun down,"Uh, where is the criminal?" Rarity laughed.

"In there," She said with a smirk, then frowned,"Just be careful, he's kinda...naked. Thought he could rape my girl, and failed." The officers nodded and slowly approached the room that Rarity had been previously locked in.

"Um...why is Applejack not wearing a shirt and covered in bandages?" Twilight asked, adjusting her glasses as their friends entered the room.

"Well don't stare at her chest your perverts!" Rarity laughed as she took the blanket on the bed and wrapped it loosely around AJ's upper half," Like I said, attempted rape. I knocked him out with that baseball bat and have been doing my best to help her stay comfortable until you girls showed up."

"Wow Rarity, and here we thought we were coming to rescue you! Looks like you're the hero this time." Rainbow said with a smile.

"I know, now let's get out of here before we all get scarred by the smallest, uhm...body in the world." Rarity replied with wide eyes that guestured toward the room behind them.

"Eww!" The others exclaimed as they all piled into Fluttershy's van, and headed toward the county hospital.

The Steps to Healing

The only sound in the hospital room was the beeping of the heart monitor Applejack was hooked up too. Rarity was sitting in a chair next to the bed, one hand interlocked with AJ's, the other stroking her girlfriend's hair. The others were also in the room, sitting or standing around the bed, having nothing to really talk about. After another few minutes, Rarity broke the silence,"Applejack sweetie, are you alright?" Applejack only nodded and continued to stare at the ceiling,"I know you're scared. You don't have to put on a brave face for me." That sentence finally made the injured teen look at her. Rarity responded with a caring smile. Suddenly, Applejack burst into tears, and Rarity instantly wrapped her arms around her,"Shh...it's okay honey, I'm here."

"Rarity...I...I thought he was gonna-"

"I know...but he didn't. I would never let that happen to you. I promise." Applejack nodded, then sighed.

"I...I should have been the one saving you..." Rarity chuckled and wiped AJ's tears.

"You still believe that? I told you, I wasn't scared once I learned his real plans. I was angry. Frankly, I'm a little glad that this happened. Because if it didn't, I would still be the childish, dependent teen I was a week ago. Now I see that I'm a lot braver than that, and I shouldn't always depend on you. In fact, I want you to be able to depend on me. I want us to be a team, and for us to be together forever. In fact, I know this isn't the best time or place but..." Rarity pulled out a small, golden band,"I would like to ask your hand. Would you marry me AJ?"

Everyone in the room had tears in their eyes and smiles on their faces. Applejack could only nod as the ring was slipped onto her finger. The two then shared a gentle hug and a passionate kiss,"Where did you even get that ring Rarity?" Rainbow asked after a moment.

"Oh, it was my mother's engagement ring. Remember when AJ was in surgery for her broken leg and Twilight and Sunset left for a few? I had them go and get the ring for me." Rarity replied, and both Twilight and Sunset smiled and nodded.

The next few days were simple. Applejack was quickly released from the hospital, as the most serious injury she sustained was a broken leg, so she would be spending the next several months in a wheelchair. Rarity arranged for her fiance to go to therapy for her traumas. However, despite all that had happened in the past week, Applejack couldn't be happier. She was engaged to the best girl in the world, she had a wonderful family, and the best friends she could ever ask for. Yep, her life was just about perfect. The only thing that bothered her was the occasional nightmares that plagued her at night, but even then, Rarity was always there for her.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed this story! Gosh, it took forever to write this! XD

When She Thought it Couldn't Get Worse

The CHS band room that the Rainbooms always practiced in held the same, normal scene. Rainbow was sitting on a chair, flirting with Fluttershy, who was in her lap, Sunset was talking to Twilight, who was cleaning her glasses as she listened to her new friend, and Pinkie was practicing on her drums. Yep, everything was normal at that moment. However, a moment doesn't last forever,"Guys!" Applejack yelled as the teen barged into the room, throwing the door open, fresh tears still falling from her eyes and staining her cheeks.

"What's wrong AJ?!" Pinkie exclaimed as everyone gave the farm girl their attention,"And where's Rarity?!"

"I...I don't know how...but...but...Trenderhoof got her! They're both gone!" Her words caused everyone to gasp, and eyes to fill with fear.

"How is that possible? She said she wouldn't leave the room until you got there!" Twilight said, placing her glasses on her face.

"Like ah said, I don't know, but whatever he did, he has her now, and we gotta find her before he...he..." Applejack broke down into tears, and Fluttershy was instantly at her side, hugging her.

"We'll find her Applejack, but we can't find her by just sitting here doing nothing! I say we head to the police station and tell them what's happened." The shy teen said, earning a nod from everyone but Twilight.

"As much as I would love to do that, we don't have solid proof that he took her, and a person can't be considered missing until forty-eight hours after their disappearance." She explained, adjusting her glasses.

"How do you know that?" Sunset asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I watch a lot of documentaries about this kind of scenario."

"Well if we have to wait until Wednesday to report this to the cops, then we need to try and find her ourselves! Come on!" Rainbow commanded, beginning to run out the door when Fluttershy grabbed her arm.

"Dashie, we don't even know where to begin looking! We need to look for clues as to where he might have taken her."

"Good point...let's go talk to Mrs. Cherrilee! She teaches Algebra II, maybe she can point us in the right direction." Rainbow concluded, and the girls ran down the hallways, hoping the teacher hadn't left yet.

"...and so we need to know if you happen to see where they went!" Applejack finished plea in her eyes.

"Well, I remember seeing the two leave the room together, and if my memory is correct, they got into a blue Toyota, and after a few moments of talking, they headed down Firestone Alley."

"Wow...that's very important information! Thank you!" Twilight said gratefully before the girls took off toward Fluttershy's van.

"Good luck ladies!" Cherrilee called, before sighing,"If only I had known, I wouldn't have let her leave..."

"I'll drive!" Rainbow said, jumping into the car and starting the car, while AJ got into the passenger seat, and the others in the seats behind them.

"Why can't I drive?" Applejack asked as Rainbow began to speed down the road, driving at the exact speed limit of fifty-five.

"Because you're upset, and behind the wheel, your emotions can set your speed," Rainbow responded.

"Fine..."

"Let's just hope that they stayed on this road, and didn't take many turns..." Pinkie sighed, and the others gently nodded in agreement.

The car ride was silent, Rarity silently struggled against her bonds, but unfortunately, the knots were too tight. Nearly an hour had passed, they had pulled onto a highway, and were traveling as fast as possible. Rarity had finally worked up the courage to speak,"Where are we going?" Her voice cracked slightly from crying.

"Why do you care?" He asked, voice low and almost emotionless.

"I just...wanted to know..."

"If you must know, I'm taking you to Everfree. I have an old cabin there where you'll be staying for a while." Rarity sighed, looking at the floor of the car," Aw, don't look so glum Princess," He giggled,"It's not you I'm even after."

"Then why take me...?"

"Once you're out of the way, Applejack will be alone, and I can take what I want. You are my bait," Rarity's mouth dropped, her crestfallen mood turned to anger that was hard to hide, as she finally understood his plan.

"You...You're crazy! She is going to be with our friends looking for me! I seriously doubt she is going to be alone anytime soon!"

"So you think...just sit back and relax, the show will begin soon, for me anyway," Though she was slightly confused by this, she assumed he had a plan for everything, and simply slumped in her seat, looking, and failing, to find any kind of escape.

It was nearly sundown when Trenderhoof finally pulled up to the cabin. Rarity's breath quickened slightly as he approached her side of the car, and lifted her bridal-style from the car, and carried her inside. She attempted to struggle but failed to free herself,"Stop struggling my dear, it's no use."

As they entered the house, he brought her to a small room, that held nothing but a bucket, a blanket, and a pillow. Rarity realized that he had probably been here before in case he had to take her. He placed her on the floor and used a knife to cut the ropes on her wrists and ankles, and clamped a chain around her ankles, it was attached to the wall,"Make yourself comfortable," he laughed before leaving the room and closing the door behind him. Rarity sighed as tears once again filled her eyes and were slowly falling to the floor. She curled up on the floor, laying her head on the pillow before whispering,

"Please, Jackie...stay with our friends..."

"Applejack we have been driving all day, we will keep looking tomorrow, let's just stay at my place for the night," Pinkie groaned as the girls continued to try and coax Applejack out of the car.

"We can't stop lookin'! We don't know what he'll do to her!" Applejack cried, tears welling up in her eyes.

"AJ! It's sunset! We won't make any progress while we're tired and it's dark! We will continue looking as soon as the sun comes up! Now get your butt in this house before I use The Stare on you and we have to drag you inside!" Fluttershy yelled, and almost instantly, Applejack was out of the car.

All evening the girls were comforting Applejack, hoping she would cry herself to sleep. Of course, they were all thinking what their friend was hoping, that Rarity was okay.

"Good morning Princess," Trend said soothingly as he placed two apples and a bottle of water in front of his prisoner, who had just woken up,"Thought I would leave you some food. I'll be back...soon..." He cackled before leaving the room, locking the door and leaving the cabin, locking the front door.

Rarity sighed and faced the wall, she wasn't hungry, and she didn't know when he would bring her food again, and sparing it was essential,"Ugh! Stop moping Rarity! You have to get out of here! There's no telling what he is going to do to her!" A smile then came to her, and she ran her fingers through her unkempt hair,"Bingo!" Pulling a hairpin from her hair, she began to work on the chains locked around her ankle.