An "Apple" to the Core

by kwr2k13

Rating: everyone
Tags: Human, Doctor Whooves, Apple Bloom, Alternate Universe, Applejack (EqG), Original Character, Equestria Girls, Mystery, Scootaloo, Adventure
Length: 6882

AJ Smith, was approached by one Rebecca Haddington, who was reporting her brother Tom missing. While investigating the disappearances, AJ ends up buying a brown Stetson from the Merchant.

AJ Smith was working security for Bronycon, and this year, he responds to cases of missing people, including Tom Haddington, whose sister Rebecca reported him missing. AJ ends up becoming one of the missing people after a chance encounter with the merchant and a brown Stetson. He ends up transformed into the EQ Girls Applejack.

Part of the https://www.fimfiction.net/group/214042/canterlot-adventures collab from Equestria Girls from EQ Girls Applejack's POV.

If you want a character, contact Apple Bloom (The Blue EM2) via PM. Needed are characters at CHS
and at Crystal Prep Academy (students, staff, as well as Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna), as well as other community members like Filthy Rich and his family. Also needed are members of the Apple family.

We are in the Legend of Camp Everfree arc and we need Timber spruce and Gloriosa daisy, as well as Filthy Rich and maybe Silver Spoon coming to the camp. Mr. Rich wants to turn the camp into a day spa and harasses Gloriosa Daisy about needing money to keep the camp afloat.

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425481/canterlot-adventures- Mah little sis, Apple Bloom
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425396/the-belle-rings-true - Sweetie Belle
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425505/a-case-of-the-scoots - Scootaloo
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425858/here-comes-a-new-challenger - Rainbow Dash
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425429/rainbows-times-two - Rainbow "Double R" Rose (Rainbow Dash's cousin)
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425595/of-booze-and-berries - Ms. Berry Punch (History teacher at CHS)

https://www.fimfiction.net/story/426129/in-the-twilight-hour - Twilight "Sci-Twi" Sparkle
https://www.fimfiction.net/story/425677/power-of-the-cybernetic-soldier - Tempest Shadow (CHS's Girls Physical Education Teacher).

We have a Discord server! If you signed up as a character, please use this server! https://discord.gg/EyBkx5g

Published 2018-11-22 21:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2018-11-25 02:28:41 UTC

Working at the Convention

AJ Smith worked as a security staff member for a popular convention for My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic called aptly titled Bronycon. Not only did fans get to purchase MLP “swag” (merchandise, plushies, fan art, etc), they could even cosplay. Cosplay, which stood for “costume play” was a standard fare for some artistic fans, whether they were a brony or a pegasister. Some put on skits involving the characters, while others entered contests.

AJ Smith had short blond hair and wore a typical security staff member shirt and black pants with comfortable tennis shoes. He also responded to various issues along the way. One such issue presented itself in the fact several people disappeared from the convention. A Rebecca Haddington, who was in the process of filing a missing person’s report on her brother, Tom.

“Now, hold on. I’m going to write down a description of your brother. What was he wearing and doing while at the convention?” AJ asked, getting out a notepad and pencil to write down the description, “He was dressed as who? Apple Bloom from Equestria Girls?”

As this was happening, a young man about thirteen carrying a rainbow wig walked over to a table in the food area.

AJ continued to write down information as he passed by the merchant table. There was a brown Stetson, similar to the one the Equestria Girls version of Applejack wore. He admired the hat’s handiwork. He also saw the teenager with the rainbow wig at the food area and went over to him, “Excuse me, young man, did you see a young man dressed as “Apple Bloom” around? His sister is worried about him. I’m AJ Smith and I am part of the security here.”

“Enope.” the young man, obviously mimicking Big Mac. He pulled the wig out of its bag. A.J. could see that the color pattern was mixed up. “I’ll keep an eye out for him.” the young man finished off his lunch and started heading back to the con proper, putting the wig on as he walked. AJ sees him rub his chest as he steps out of sight.

“Okay, Oh, nice wig. Let me guess; Rainbow Dash?” AJ asked, since there were a lot of Rainbow Dash merchandise, along with the other characters.

“Actually it's my character in the Equestria Girls game App, Rainbow Rose. Though I'm dressing up as the rule 63 version of her.”

AJ Smith nodded, “Okay, you like creating your own character? That’s cool. Just let me know if you see anything out of the ordinary or suspicious.”

The young man nodded himself, rubbing his chest again as if it was itchy. He then takes a long hallway toward the convention.

Meanwhile, AJ found himself at the merchant dealer’s place, where he learned that a young man fitting Tom’s description purchased a red bow earlier. Several items were for sale, including the Stetson. AJ decided to buy the Stetson and carry it around for a while.

AJ later thought about the red bow, which may have been purchased by Tom as part of his “Apple Bloom” cosplay. The young man with the rainbow wig was cosplaying as his Original Character, or a variant of her. He looked at his Stetson and decided to put it on.

Some time later, AJ’s blond hair started to grow longer, past his shoulders and to mid back. “What the?” AJ stammered as he looked around for a bathroom. As he approached the bathrooms, there were two doors, the male and female facilities. From the back, one could somewhat mistake AJ for a girl.

AJ’s face started to resemble a young girl’s, complete with freckles. His eyes changed to an emerald green as he started to shrink a bit. His body began to change, starting with his shoulders and arms, which became more athletic, yet slender.

The changes continued, starting in the chest region, which grew into a pair of breasts, “This isn’t goin’ to get me fired, is it?” The young man, soon to be girl thought to him/herself, as the changes continued to his/her groin area and legs. At the end of the transformation was a young girl with blond hair wearing the security uniform staring back in the mirror. “Is that me?” The new girl’s voice spoke out with a southern drawl. “Ah’d better find someplace t’ blend into the convention. Ah reckon Ah could just be one of the cosplayers.”

The new “AJ” made her way to the door when her clothes decided to change as well. The clothes changed from the old uniform to something the character of “Applejack” would wear in the Equestria Girls movies. She was wearing a pair of denim jeans, a pair of cowboy boots, and her trademark Stetson, as well as a red long sleeved blouse that had dark red apples on it. She wore a brown belt with a red apple for a belt buckle. Her emerald green eyes and freckles, as well as her long blond hair tied in a ponytail completed her new look. AJ looked down at her new ensemble, admiring herself. She blushed a bit and then composed herself, heading out to look for the missing convention goers while dressed as the Equestria Girls Applejack.

A short time later, a young 13 year old girl with rainbow hair jogs into view dressed as the young man at the con.

“Wait a cotton pickin’ second!” AJ told herself when she saw the rainbow haired girl at the convention. “ Didn’t Ah see that rainbow wig and those clothes on a young man earlier?” She then decided to see where the young girl was going to. Perhaps she may know about the missing convention goers. She approached the young girl, “Hey there, what’s the hurry? Ya late for somethin’?” The new farm girl asked.

The Rainbow haired girl stops and says, “As a matter of fact, I am.” AJ can see she's wearing a black tank top with an embroidered map with a compass over one corner, black & red sports shorts, and wearing footwear that looks exactly like the footwear Rainbow Dash wears. “I have to hurry or I'll be late for school.

AJ then introduced herself, “Uhm, Ah’m Applejack, but ya c’n call me AJ. What’s yer name. sugarcube?” She hoped the southern accent for this character was decent enough to pass for the new girl.

“Names Rainbow Rose, Double R to my friends.” Double R says.

Applejack smiled and extended her hand to Rainbow Rose, “Pleased t’ meet ya, Double R! Ah’m lookin’ fer someone named Tom. His sister’s worried sick about him. Maybe he’s at school?”

Just then, Applejack felt light-headed, “You feelin’ okay? Ah’m not feelin’ so good.” She passed out near Rainbow Rose.

The next time Applejack woke, she was in a medical office with Rainbow Rose and another girl who was identified as "Scootaloo" by the medical attendants. “Ugh, mah head!”

Welcome to CHS

Applejack slowly got up to look over at the others who were in the room, “Ugh, what in tarnation happened t’ me? And why do sound like a southern farm gal?” She was wearing a pair of denim jeans, a pair of cowboy boots, and her trademark Stetson, as well as a 9 long sleeved blouse that had dark red apples on it. She wore a brown belt with a red apple for a belt buckle. Her emerald green eyes and freckles, as well as her long blond hair tied in a ponytail, completed her new look. She noticed the rainbow haired-haired girl, “Howdy, Sugarcube. Ya one o’ mah sister’s friends?”

Rainbow Rose woke up from passing out and took stock of herself and her surroundings. She noticed that she had tan skin, emerald eyes, and surprise, surprise rainbow hair. She also noticed two sizable mounds in her chest. She sighed and said to herself, before saying, “Just my freakin’ luck. I’ve been turned into Rainbow Rose. Then this place must be the nurse's office in Canterlot High.” She looked around trying to find anything to tell when she was in the EqG timeline.

“Oh dear, are you okay?” Nurse Redheart asked the rainbow-haired girl. She went to check on her by feeling her forehead. “Can you tell me your name?”

She looked towards Nurse Redheart and said, “I'm Rainbow Rose.” She said. “Wh-where am I?”

The head nurse looked over the charts, “Rainbow Rose. You are enrolled at Canterlot High School and you are in my office because you collapsed out in the hallway? Is that right?”

Rainbow Rose looks towards Applejack, the other person in the room then asks, “Wh-what time is it?”

Applejack looked at her watch, “Why do ya wanna know? We are at school, right? Are we supposed t’ be somewhere?”

“I don't want to be later for class than I am.” Rainbow Rose seemed worried about missing classes.

Nurse Redheart said, “It’s 11:55 AM. Windy Whistles, your aunt, called to inform us you had missed breakfast and hadn't eaten all day yesterday.” She looked sternly at the Rainbow haired teen, “You get to the cafeteria and find something to eat. And you're not to go to phys ed today. Your passing out means you need to learn moderation.”

“No PE?!” The Rainbow-haired girl wailed. “They're doing Track & Field tryouts today!”

Applejack sighed, “Let’s go t’ the cafeteria and get somethin’ t’ eat. And perhaps we need a medical exemption f’r Rainbow Rose’s PE class. Ah’ll make sure she keeps up her eatin’.” She looks over at the other girls in the room, “Y’all comin’ to get lunch?”

Rose sighed morosely, got off the bed, took the medical exemption from Redheart and followed AJ to the cafeteria. ‘Rose barely had time to register when Rainbow Dash ran up and hugged her.

Applejack smiled as Rainbow Dash came up and hugged Rainbow Rose, “Howdy, uhm, Rainbow Dash!” She paused, hoping to remember the name of her friends from school. “Rose and Ah are headed fer lunch at the cafeteria and well, she won’t be participatin’ in PE later this afternoon. Somethin’ ‘bout skippin’ meals or somethin’. Know anythin’ ‘bout that?”

“Ugh! Double R tends to forget to eat when working out! Kinda like Twilight; both of them, when they're doing some research.” ‘Dash looks at Double R and adds, “You're not going to beat me in anything if you keep skipping meals!”

Double R glares at RD and says, “Is that a challenge, ‘Dash?”

‘Dash crosses her arms and says after some thought, “Yes. It is!”

The two rainbow haired teens glared at each other as Pinkie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Sunset, and Sci-Twi enter and freeze at the sight of two rainbow haired girls staring each other down.

Double R, noted Sci-Twi, and thought, “So this is after Friendship Games?”

“Rainbow Dash, is this young lady your little sister?” Rarity asks in her cultured voice.

“Uhm, Howdy, Y’all!” Applejack paused to break the tension between Rainbow Dash and Rainbow Rose. “This here’s Rainbow Rose. She’s wantin’ t’ try out fer the track and field team, but she can’t be in Physical Education class with Coach Tempest Shadow today ‘cuz she skipped breakfast an’ passed out in the clinic. Goin’ t’ run to the cafeteria for lunch an’ look fer mah sister. Ya haven’t seen her, have ya?” Applejack said, hoping the other girls would help.

“SISTER!” Both chromatic haired girls said in unison before pointing at each other and saying, “SHE'S NOT MY SISTER!!”

“Um, then who is she?” Fluttershy meekly asked.

“She’sRainbowRose,alsoknownasdoubleR;SheisRainbowDash’scousinfromLAandMRPH!” Pinkie Started to say before RR clamped her hand over the party planning Girl’s mouth.

“I think they got the picture, Pinks!” RR said.

“She’s definitely RD’s cousin.” Sunset Shimmer sardonically said.

Applejack sighed as her stomach growled, “Ah don’t know ‘bout y’all, but we’d better head to lunch in the cafeteria. Ah’m supposed t’ meet mah sis, Apple Bloom and her Crusader friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, there.”

Double R nodded and entered the cafeteria and got some spaghetti, an apple, apple roll-ups, milk, and fries. She sat down across from Applejack and asked, “Would they mind if I join you?”

Applejack picked up some apple treats from her Granny Smith, who was the lunch lady at in.

the school and the Home Economics teacher. “Not sure. They’ll be around shortly. Ah wouldn’t say “why not?”

‘Rose looked up before pointing to one of the entrances, “Speak of the CMC, and they'll appear.”

Behind them, the Canterlot Movie Club entered with Pipsqueak, Button Mash and Rumble. Pipsqueak pointed ‘Rose out saying, “There's the girl who passed out in the hall earlier today!”

Applejack nodded, eating her apple, “Oh, hey Sugarcubes! Ah was in the clinic too. Ah kinda passed out. Turns out we both skipped breakfast. Not doin’ that again, right, ‘Rose?’’

Rose rolled her eyes, muttering…

“No.” Double R replied sourly. “Not worth the hassle to miss meals.”

“Why is your like a mixed up version of Rainbow Dash's?” Scootaloo asked.

Double R looked at Scootaloo with The CMC come over, talk to the Mane seven and RR about the upcoming Everfree Camping trip. The girls wanted to come with their sisters and sisterly figure, in case of Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash.

Applejack nods, “That’s a swell idea, allowin’ y’all to come with us t’ Camp Everfree, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Apple Bloom! But, we have t’ get our parents t’ sign these here permission forms, though.” She pulls out the permission forms that Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna asked her to take care of. “What would ya want t’ do while at Camp Everfree?”

“Oh, nothing much,” Scootaloo started, and Apple Bloom jumped in to finish her sentence.

“Just wantin’ to spend some time with our sisters, is all.” the girls glanced at each other.

Applejack ruffled her sister’s hair, “Yup, nothin’ says sisterly bondin’ like this here Summer Camp. They gave everyone some brochures about activities we can try.” She hands out some brochures with Gloriosa Daisy and Timber Spruce, the camp counselors on them, telling about the activities one can expect.

Double R looked at the brochure offered her then said, “I hope I don't end up sharing a cabin with RD.”

Applejack shook her head, sitting with Apple Bloom at the lunch table across with Rose, “Why not, sugarube? She’s yer cousin. That means yer family.” She gives her sister a side hug. “After Friendship Games, Ah thought Ah wouldn’t see this lil’ apple again! But she came back t’ us, no worse the wear!”

Applejack then thought to herself “Is this the same kid Ah found at that convention sitting next t’ me, now callin’ me her big sister? Better keep playin’ ‘long. “Sides, this girl seems content with all her new friends and family.”

“You don't live with her.” Rose says with bitterness. “You don't have to listen to Uncle Bow & Aunt Windy call Dash the best at Everything, EVERY BLASTED THING!” Rose devoured her apple before continuing to stew as she finished her lunch before getting up, placing the fruit roll ups in her vest and getting up.

“I'll be in the library doing my history homework if anybody needs me.” Double R said as she left.

Applejack sighed, “Did Ah say somethin’ wrong?” She asked Scootaloo and the others.

“I think you hit a sore spot AJ; I myself would just find them and then not say anything.”
Rarity says as she gets there, and she sits down next to her.

“And If I am not mistaken, meet me in the restroom later. AJ, EM2 event.” Rarity says before heading to get her lunch and get ready for her next class in the process.

Applejack mouthed, ‘EM2 event’ then nodded, “Sure, Rarity. Ah’ll met ya in the restroom later. Right now, we need ta eat lunch.” “Ah wonder why Rarity needs me to meet me in private in the girls’ restroom?” She asked herself as she pondered what Rarity was talking about while eating her apple.

Rarity takes out her phone and makes a call. Data, Rarity’s contact answered, “Rarity, did you tell AJ the code?”

Rarity responded, “Yes, now to see how she reacted. Did you get what you need, dear? ”

Data answered back, “Yes I did, and I am now positive that my world and yours are crossing.” Data revealed.

Rarity continued to speak to her contact, ”I see, so you had to have known?”

Data replied, “I had my suspicions.”

Rarity asked her contact, “Thanks, dear; when can I call you in?”

Data replied, “Look for a rare purple pendant. Now, don’t you have a meeting with AJ? Better not be late!”

Rarity nodded, passing through the hallway of the school while on the phone, “Oh, I do have that meeting with AJ! Thank you for reminding me, dear! will keep an eye out for it then. Bye now, darling!” Rarity says before pressing the red end button on her smartphone, and headed to the bathroom in question.

Applejack later arrived at the ladies’ restroom that Rarity indicated just as she spotted the white skinned girl enter. She had a few minutes before her next class, so she took a deep breath, and opened the door.

“Rarity, did ya need to see me ‘bout this here emergency?” The apple farmer closed the door so it was just her and Rarity.

“Well, for one, you can tell me where Applejack is; thanks to a friend of mine, I know you are not her, or at least you replaced her?” Rarity says, showing the date she got from said friend on her phone.

Applejack’s face turned red beet red when she examined the date on Rarity’s calendar app, “I dunno what yer talkin’ ‘bout, sugarcube. Ah’m Applejack, right...or Ah’m supposed t’ be her?” She sighed and lowered her Stetson, “Aw shoot, Rarity! Ah cannot keep secrets from mah friends.” She sighed. “Ah bought this here hat from the merchant fella and ended up here. Ah was AJ Smith, a security staffer at that convention. I was investigatin’ a missing person report named Tom on behalf of his sister, Rebecca. The sister claimed her brother was dressed as mah “sister” Apple Bloom. Ah ended up findin’ her with a girl claimin’ to be Rainbow Rose at the school.” She hoped a confession would help keep her new friendship with Rarity together.

“Well I guess that makes sense,” Rarity says, “I will be texting you the number my friend uses; his name is Data, and he just got a Pendant from that same merchant not to long ago. But has not used it yet.” Rarity says.

Applejack looked at Rarity, “Ya sure yer the real Rarity? Ah’m so confused about all this right now.” The farm girl had a confused look on her face.

Rarity pulls out a device and tests herself, she tosses it to AJ so she can see that there’s not outside matter coming from her.

“How else do you think I found out?” Rarity replies.

Applejack nods, “Well, Ah reckon Ah should trust ya, since you are my best friend in school and the most generous o’ the lot o’ us. Plus, we have younger siblings who look up t’ us.”

“Well I did, turns out she’s been replaced as well.” Rarity says, “How else do you think I have a device for scanning someone?” She asks.

“So if Ah point this here do-hickey at, say mah sister, Apple Bloom, it’ll show her bein’ replaced as well as say, Rainbow Rose?”

“Well, it will at least tell you if the top screen my data is the same or not. If it says no matter, then she’s fine; if it finds matter then yes, but Rainbow Rose is 100% matter; she’s not from here.” Rarity adds.

“Yeah, Pinkie nearly spilt the beans on Rainbow Rose.” Applejack continued, “We’d better keep this here conversation private, y’know. Between us “girls’. Thanks fer lettin; me know.”

“Oh, AJ. keep the device; I have a feeling you may need it.” Rarity says before heading to class.

Applejack held the device in her hand examining it before clipping it on her belt like a cell phone.

Rarity made the same phone call. “Data, you are absolutely right! Seem you need to get here soon. I gave AJ the device and she knows how to use it, you are right about that creepy merchant! He’s the one behind it.” Rarity ends the call before feeling sleepy and faints right there in the hall going to her 3rd class. Good news was that a student got her before the whole classroom burst with water.

“Man, that’s the 5th time this week that water main breaks!” Discord says before getting the wet-vac and water shut-off key from his belt. “Now that Rarity girl is acting up, best let Alpha know.” he mutters to himself.

Rainbow Rose found herself a computer and pulled out her homework. She looked at her My Stable page and saw a video chat invite. She accepts and got and started when she saw Travis looking at her in the chat window.

Puzzled she typed, “Okay this is weird!”

‘Travis’ typed, “Tell me about it. Wait! You just did,”

“So what is someone like you chatting with me?” She typed.

“I’m giving you an out, if want the option.” He responded.

Interested she typed, “Okay. What is this ‘Out’?”

Travis typed, “I’m going to do a variation of the Pill Choice in Matrix. I’m sending you three links. Choose one.”

Rose watched as three links appeared.

“Return to the Con. You’ll cease to exist, and the people you met will remember you going back to LA.”
“Take Some time to think about it Things will continue as they have been. We’ll talk again at most eight more times and this option will vanish on the eighth time it’s chosen.”
“Live the life given you. I’ll cease to exist. You will retain the memory that I existed and I was turned into you (as well as the merchant you bought the wig from).

She typed, “Why do you give me an option that’ll erase you?”

He responded, “Because my family suffers under a curse and being erased is better than suffering under it.”

Rose sighed and thought it over one option she either effectively killed herself or Travis, and the third only delayed the choice. She found she wanted to live at CHS and free Travis. She typed, “Farewell, Travis Lincoln Lar!” His final response was, “Live in Harmony, Rainbow Rose!”

She moved her pointer to the red link, then with tears forming in her eyes, she clicked it. She watched the screen for a few minutes hoping that it was a prank, but when she felt her stomach cramp, she realized it wasn’t and broke down into tears. She felt a hand grasp her shoulder and when she looked up with tear streaked eyes into the eyes of Applejack.

“How long have you been there?” Rose asked AJ.

“From the time those there links appeared.” AJ replied. “Wanna tell me what’s goin’ on, sugarcube? Rarity told me her suspicions and Pinkie nearly told us ‘bout you.”

“Matter alert, matter alert!” a unknown voice says. Applejack picked up her scanner Rarity gave her and pointed at Rose. It was as Rarity had said in her private conference. Rainbow Rose was somewhat of an anomaly in this world.

“Looks like Rares is not joking.” Applejack paused and sighed, “Double R, be clear with me; are you related to Rainbow Dash or not?” Applejack asks

“Yes and No.” Double R says. “I was originally a character created by Travis L Lar. *sigh* but the moment I clicked that, he ceased to exist. Now the only thing that remains of him is my memory. Which will fade. But I was created as Rainbow Dash's cousin. So AJ, if that's who you are, what are you going to do?”

AJ smiled, and extended her arms to accept a hug, “Ah wanna be yer friend, sugarcube. If you want me t’ help ya reconnect with yer cousin Rainbow Dash and be the best ya can be here at school, just ask, okay? Ah appreciate yer bein’ honest with me and mah friends. It’s one o’ mah best qualities.”

Double R threw herself into AJ's hug and started bawling. “I feel like I just murdered him! You saw the options he gave me. Erase him or myself. And I chose to erase him selfishly. I want to live and get to come to school, but it has come at a horrible price!”

AJ was taken back by Double R’s emotional outburst and continued to hug her, patting her back gently, “Ah’m not sure what’s goin’ on, but you need some friends right now. Maybe you can talk to Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, or Rarity after school?” She suggested, getting more comfortable with working through Double R’s issues.

Double R nods. As she gets control of her emotions then sits back down then says, “I was alone in my last school. I would like friends.”

AJ nods, “O’ course, sugarcube! We all need friends, and thanks to our out-o’ town Princess o’ Friendship, she showed us we can share this with others who need it most. Right now, you need some friends who honestly care ‘bout ya. And ya need to care ‘bout how ya see yerself. Plus, Rainbow Dash is your cousin. You stayin’ at her house fer the semester?”

“I'll meet all of you at Sugarcube Corner after school.” Double R smiled as she got up to finish her classes with Applejack and the other girls.

Later at Sugarcube Corner, Double R enters the shop and looks around.

Applejack entered behind her, and waves to Double R, “Howdy, Double R! This here’s our usual after school hangout! Mrs. Cake is at the counter with her husband, Mr. Cake. Ah’ll buy your snacks. What’s yer fancy?”

“Fudge.” Double R replies as they approach the counter. “No nuts in it!”

“Yer allergic?” AJ asks as Mrs. Cake acknowledged the teens.

“No.” Double R replied. “Mom never made it with them.”

“Good afternoon, girls, What can I getcha today?” Mrs. Cake greets Double R and Applejack.

“One fudge treat fer mah friend, Double R, and Ah’ll have one o’ those Apple turnovers, fer here, Mrs.Cake.” AJ pays for the treats and greets Pinkie Pie, “Howdy, Pinkie!”

Mrs. Cake nods, taking the money to the register and then gives Pinkie their order. “Pinkie Pie, dear, your friends from school are here!”

“Hi, you two! So, looks like your going to be here a lot!” Pinkie says before heading to the kitchen.

“So care to fill me in on what has been happening in this school?” Rainbow Rose says.

“Well, we for one, are still finding out ourselves.” Rarity says.

“What kind o’ treats would ya like, Rarity? Oh, this is Rainbow Rose, Rainbow Dash’s cousin. She moved here, and she’s new to the community and school. Thought she could come and meet us.”

“Oh, I am just having some tea, Applejack. The Cakes are trying something new.” Rarity replied, sipping her tea.

Applejack smiled, “Ya feelin’ better, Rarity? Word is ya passed out around third period. You okay?”

“Just fine, Applejack! Seems Data and me have a little issue about what he calls my brain space. Remember what we talked about in the restroom?” Rarity replies, flagging the Cakes for a refill. “I would like a refill on my beverage, please.”

“Coming right up!” Mr. Cake poured Rarity her refill. “Let us know if you need anything else.” He went back to the counter to assist some customers and get the group’s order ready.

“Gotcha, Rarity.” Applejack nodded, tipping her hat to the fashionista.

Rarity got a good look at what Double R is wearing; a tank top, shorts and smaller versions of Rainbow Dash's boots. Double R's rainbow hair is long and unkempt. She noshes the fudge as her cousin and the others entered. There was Fluttershy, Twilight, Sunset Shimmer, and Rainbow Dash. Applejack waved to the other girls as she ate her snack.

“Well you seem to need a new change of clothes, if that’s all you're wearing. Plus, you may like to take a trip the the spa.” Rarity say, not trying to be to hard on the girl.

“Pinkie, your friends are here. Take a break!” Mister Cake called into the kitchen.

Applejack looked over at Rainbow Rose and started with introductions, “Ah believe introductions are in order. Y’know yer cousin, Rainbow Dash and me. There’s Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Sunset Shimmer. Girls, this here’s Rainbow Rose, or Double R.”

Double R waves to her new friends.

“Ah’d take Rarity up on her offer, sugarcube! She’s one o’ the most generous friends at school. Always helpin’ others see their inner beauty.” Applejack smiled. “She has a clothing store in town. Very popular with the female students.”

“Well, I do say that with the right outfit, life is a runway” Rarity said in response to Applejack’s comment about her new store.

“Got any good name fer your store?” Applejack asked Rarity. “Ah know Prim Hemline’s wantin’ to know.” Applejack commented. Prim Hemline was Rarity’s store manager and wanted to market the store for more customers.

“Sadly not yet! Twilight, that is, Princess Twilight, was saying I may try Carousel Boutique!”

“That’s a mighty fine name, Rarity! Ya sure Miss Hemline I'll go for it?” Applejack asked.

Rose thought a moment before saying, “Okay, I need some new clothes, but only one fancy smancy dress; the rest must be able to take punishment. I am a woman of action! I plan to become an adventurer like Indiana Jones!”

“Rose, Please. I have to design ensembles for Rainbow Dash, of all people. That I can do. But if you ask me, you may like to stop by and see what I have in stock, and if needed, I can make it myself.” Rarity says, passing a business card with the name ‘Carousel Boutique’ on the front, “If you may, please check the back, darling.” she adds before heading to the shop in question.

Rose looks at the back of the card before putting the card in her wallet. “Thanks.” She says.

Rarity outside ear shot of her fellow students, calls a friend. “Data, yes dear, it’s Rarity, I think I may have found that out of towner you are asking about. She attends my school, and her name is Rainbow Rose.” she says as the call goes to voicemail.

Meanwhile Double R looks at Dash then says, “Dash, could you ask Uncle Bow and Aunt Windy to tone it down with their supporting you all the time? I don’t like being compared to you, even at family events. Makes me feel embarrassed.” She allowed her own Rainbow locks obscure her face. AJ could guess one of two reasons why Double R chose this subject, but kept quiet.

“Odd, Rarity normally gets a cup of tea to go?” Pinkie says before getting back to work.

“Rose, was there something on the back of that card Rarity gave you? I checked, and most of ours are blank.” Sunset asks.

Then there were sounds of an event happening outside, alerting the group to investigate.

Everyone rushes outside to see what can only be a mega-drone flying around scanning every building, but not scanning the people. Rarity, with cup in hand seems to have been KO'd by a falling brick that fell from a nearby rooftop; the drone being the one that damaged said building when it took a turn too soon.

Double R hands the card to Sunset before rushing to the downed fashionista. She then picks her up in a fireman's carry, bringing her to relative safety with the assembled group.

Applejack sees the drone flying around as Double R helps Rarity to safety. “What in tarnation is that flyin’ ‘round here?” She asked the group as she helped investigate the strange mega-drone.

As if things didn’t get even odder, from out of nowhere another Rarity comes out of a nearby alley way, “Yoo-Hoo! Everyone, this way, please!” she says sounding oddly like the fashionista that’s KO'd in Double R’s arms.

Everyone rushes in to the alleyway Rarity ushered them into, and found a door to the side of a building. What Applejack can only think is that Data chap Rarity told her about in their meeting. Applejack saw this Rarity get a device out of her purse, aiming, and shooting something at the drone. Said drone shrunk in size and was promptly put out of commision.

“Man, three times this has happened...looks like someone is looking for something.” ‘Data’ says.

“Double R, you may like to keep the card. There’s an address and time slot on it.” Sunset says looking at it.

Applejack looks at the fainted Rarity and the one who saved their lives from the drone. “Okay, can someone explain t’ us why there are two Rarity’s?” Applejack examined the fallen drone.

Double R takes the card and puts it in her wallet. “Not sure how to say this, but things are changing.” ‘Rarity’ says, pulling up a map of some kind.

“Now most of you only know of this world and the one for Princess Twilight, but that’s only two in in a more expanded universe.” she starts with.

“This circle right here is your area in the whole thing and this double line connecting it to Twilight’s world. Something or someone is trying to find something and has started what I call an EM2 event.”

Rarity continues her explanation, “I myself come from another world. Somewhere in this map is my world. But, thanks to the drones and the fact some of you are...diverging is the best way to put it, I think, someone is trying to mix our worlds together, and in doing so make some people from my world transport here and then what I call “replace” a key player in the timeline.”

“Ya, I remember Scootaloo and the CMC hitting the element of magic off my head when I was corrupted.” Sunset says.

“That event has changed, but there are others; the dinner the CMC did for you girls, the fact we have a PE teacher who can If I remember one punched a kid to KO, and there are others that are able to work around the known timeline and change the story.”

“I take it, sugarcube, that if this is left unchecked then the whole world will change?” Applejack asks.

“Yes, in ways even I am starting to feel the effects of the changes. Normally, I am a man, but who ever is doing this has changed my gender to female. I am cosplaying as Rarity, but sadly the costume is starting to stick to me. So, it’s only a matter of time before I become Rarity and she,” (points to the KOed Rarity) may start to become me, or just *poof* dead.” ‘Rarity’ adds in reply, adding the appropriate hand gestures for “poofing” something out of existence.

Applejack scratches her head, “Ya think it has t’ do something with the “Equestrian” magic that the Twilight from out-o’-town brought with her? Those new girls were drawn to it like a moth t’ the flame durin’ the Battle o’ the Bands competition. Practically had everyone but us Rainbooms, our band, in the thrall o’ their spell.” Applejack recalled something about those girls being creatures called Sirens. “Ah wonder what happened t’ Adagio, Aria, and Sonata? Ah reckon that’s the names they enrolled with when they showed up fer the new student tour wit’ Sunset.”

“Sadly even worse, Equestrian magic may have started it, but something is using it to finish it.” Rarity says.

“So, the Sirens used their real names or something when they came to CHS?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Yes, but not the full names. If you found that out, they be yours to command. If I remember my Siren 101 class.” Sunset Shimmer stated.

Applejack nodded, “But they lost those red pendants they were a wearin’. Sunset said they were a little wary of letting others examine them, especially their leader. One of them really liked “Taco Tuesday” fer lunch.”

“Back up, did you say one of them liked Tacos?” Rarity inquires.

“Uh-uh.” Applejack replies, “Ah reckon it would be Sonata. Adagio was their leader, and Aria was sort o’ in the middle o’ those girls.”

RR carefully says, “Earlier today you might say I had a ‘Smegol chats with Golum’ event where I spoke to the person I changed from. In the end I was given a choice to erase myself or him.” She then sat down, and hid her face behind her arms. “I obviously chose for him to be erased.” She quietly said through her arms.

“I am sorry to hear that, dear Rainbow Rose. I hate to have that happen to me, but at this rate, I am on borrowed time.” Rarity says before walking over and hugging RR.

“Back up, sug, borrowed time?” Applejack asked, raising a curious eyebrow.

“Yes, over time this pendant has been slowly turning me into Rarity. If I didn’t have a good idea on the magic behind it, my brain will be adopting more and more of her persona. And to add insult to it, she may as well be a ghost, or better yet, transforming into me.” she replies.

“So how long do you think before you start feeling the effect?” Sunset asks, not sure if she will be safe from this event.

“Body wise I am slowly becoming her, my feet and hands being the only things not sticking. But, if you mean mentally, then a week, if not sooner.”

“Ah’m startin’ t’ believe that Ah’m Applejack mahself.” Applejack finally admitted to Rarity “Ah thought that if Ah just “blend in” and keep up f’r mah family and friends’ sakes, Ah’d be in the clear. But Ah’m here fer y’all, if you’ll have me through all this, and that’s my honest an’ humble take on this here situation.”

AJ says, lowering her Stetson from her head. “Besides, Apple Bloom looks up ta me as her big sister, so here Ah am!”

At that moment, a high pitched whine started to faintly hum and slowly started to get louder. As this happened, a golden cluster of lights began to swirl not more than about ten feet down the alley with more and more joining the cluster. Soon a saucer shaped object arrived. As this original series transporter effect concludes, a classic UFO saucer about one foot thick and five foot wide fades in. Seven slender legs lower out and it lowers itself to the ground.

“Land sakes! Are we bein’ invaded?” Applejack asked the assembled group.

“Reala translokigo kompleta. Komencante skani” It says in a synthesized feminine voice as an antenna with two vertical light strips on two sides extended from the creature’s head. The ends of the antenna lit up with an azure light and rotated, scanning the area.

“Uhm, howdy...we come in peace?” Applejack looked at the strange creature that arrived, wondering if anyone would be able to translate what “it” was trying to say.

As if in response to AJ's voice the device said, “Atentu! Du seres en fluo detektis. Atentu! Arkaza portalo detektita Du mejloj de alvena zono. Atentu! Estanta infuzita kun arka energio kaj overlay detektita. Elektanta pasivan protokolon.” What followed next was that as armored plates encased it after the antenna was retracted giving the object the look of a sci-fi themed table.

RR then says, “Let's get out of here!” The nervousness in her voice evident.

“Let’s!” Rarity say before tossing a smoke pellet, creating distance between the alien and the assembled girls..

Applejack took off to avoid the strange alien. “Uh, did that alien just declare war on us?”

RR looks back towards the saucer, a worried look on her face.

“Who knows; I sadly don’t know that language.” Rarity adds.

“Anybody think to record what that thing said?” RR asked..

Applejack searched her backpack for a recording device. “If we can get this recordin’ o’ that alien t’ say, Twilight, she could translate it. If she’s up fer it. Any other suggestions?”

“Well, someone will have to go back and get it to talk some more without showing the device,” Rarity says

“I am starting to get confused; if she’s Rarity, and the one KO'd in my arms is Rarity as well, then who’s who?” RR asks still carrying said friend’s body.

“Well I have been thinking that as well, but more to it about there being two Sunsets?” Fluttershy asks.

“Ya mean t’ tell me there are at least two o’ us runnin’ ‘round?” Applejack asks the group as she looks over at the alien creature from her hiding location. “Someone’s gonna have t’ distract that thing while the other gets it talkin’ fer us to get a clear recordin’. Then we need t’ find someone t’ translate this gibberish into somethin’ we understand.”

Author's Note

Please welcome Andrewtru as Rarity!