Applejack Is An Interdimensional Alien

“Have you learned of anything, my dear Twilight?” Celestia asked from her throne as the alicorn stepped into the room. “The longer time goes on, the more the word ‘Earth’ bothers me.”

“I have, Princess,” Twilight Sparkle answered respectfully, bowing low. “I found out that Earth is in an alternate universe, one that Gaia the Great visited many years ago.”

“Gaia the Great… I haven’t heard that name in years… I should have remembered it was her… please continue.”

“Well, it says it was placed on a list of banned worlds because of how dangerous it was for ponies, and that the name ‘earth pony’ is because earth ponies outnumbered native Equestrian horses here by a lot, over five to one. So that’s where the name comes from. Earth ponies have genetics that come from the world Earth.”

“I see… a simple explanation then,” Celestia responded, speaking half to herself as she took a breath. “I do believe I remember those times, yes. I have made more than one stop with Starswirl there, yes. It’s coming back to me now. I guess it really wasn’t anything to get worked up over, but it’s always good to be thorough. Good work, Twilight.”

“Thank you, Princess,” Twilight smiled, proud of herself. “Glad I can help, and learn something new, too! But, um, I have to ask: do you think I could make a stop by the Royal Library today?”

“Of course, you know you’re always welcome. Although I must ask what ever for?”

“Well, when I was reading through, I saw something that said the portal to Earth was opened up once after being placed on the list of banned worlds, and was curious about why.”

“It was opened up again?” Celestia asked, tilting her head. “Are you sure you read that correctly? I don’t remember doing so, and I’m certain that Starswirl wouldn’t have done so if it were on that list. You must have misread.”

“I didn’t misread, Princess. The book definitely said it was opened up again.”

“I can back that up,” Spike added. “Twilight practically threw a fit because it didn’t say why it was. I’m pretty sure half of Ponyville heard her scream.”

“Spike!”

“What? It’s true. I’m just trying to be helpful.”

Celestia put a hoof on her chin, deep in thought. “I don’t recall ever opening it again. I’m certain I’d remember opening a world on the banned list again, although my memory isn’t what it used to be because of how long ago those days were… I certainly would have recorded doing so though, I know that much. Take a look for me as to why, please Twilight?”

“I’m already on it!” the pony assured her, turning around to run out of the throne room before her teacher stopped her.

“One more thing before you go: how has Applejack been? Has she been acting strangely?”

“Huh? Oh! No, I think she’s been normal for the most part. She’s been sick though. We actually went to the doctor earlier this morning. Her legs were weaker than normal, and so we-”

“Weaker than normal? What do you mean? How weak? Was there anything else?”

“Well, she couldn’t buck her apples like she normally could,” Twilight said. “But we went to the doctor and they said that she was just getting sick.”

“Hmmm… if I recall correctly, Earth hasn't any magic, so if somepony came from there, they’d be overloaded with it all at once. That might be why she’s sick. Do you think you could bring her in here, please?”

“I can, but I don’t think anything’s wrong with her. She said it was just a joke, the thing about being from Earth. Plus, I thought you wanted me to check out why the portal to Earth was opened.”

“I do, but bring Applejack in first. But make sure it’s not obvious why. Make up an excuse, like we want her family’s apples for our chefs to cook with. Say we want her to demonstrate her and her family’s cooking skills. And then once she’s here, I can keep an eye on her while you do your research. As well, you'd be able to look around her home and farm for clues to see if she really is being truthful.”

"Being truthful? AJ? She's always truthful, but about what specifically."

"About if she's really the mare she says she is. If she is, then all that's needed from us is an apology, but if she's not, then... well, I'm getting ahead of myself. Are you able to do what I ask, Twilight?"

“Of course, Princess, but I really don’t think anything’s wrong with her. But I can go bring her in. Should I go get her now?”

“Yes please, and thank you. The sooner she’s here, the better.”

“The princess wants me ta cook somethin’ fer her?” Applejack asked as she spoke to Twilight. “But Ah’m sick.”

“I know, but she said she’s really been craving apple pie, and wants the Apple family to cook for her,” the mare responded. “I tried to tell her you needed to rest, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

“Ah, well… if you think it’s okay fer me to, Ah guess Ah’ll go.”

“That’s the spirit! Let me get us teleported there, but um, maybe you should get the best apples first? I don’t think Princess Celestia will want anything but the best.”

“Heh, Twilight, all my apples are the best. We don’t grow nothin’ but good apples here. But did ya want me ta bring some of my family, too? You know us Apples work better together.”

“I don’t see why not. That should be fine. Did you want to go get them?”

“Won’t be but a minute. Just wait here, Twi.”

With that, the mare left, leaving the alicorn alone to take a breath and look around the home. Nothing really looked out of place since the last time she was there just a few hours ago. However, it did smell weird, like cleaning chemicals she thought. And something else, too, but she couldn’t tell what it was. Another home was the best way to describe it, as if she was opening the door and entering somepony’s home for the first time. It was an obvious smell, and it made Twilight just the tiniest bit concerned that Celestia might be right.

“Calm down. It’s probably nothing. Probably just AJ working on a new food with apples or something. She should be resting, but she's probably still trying to work on stuff. You know how she gets.”

Still, she knew she’d have to report it to Celestia when she could, and probably come back here and do a bit of investigating to see what was going on. She could come back and do a deep magic sweep of the home and the surrounding area. Not that she thought she had to, but she had to admit, she was a little concerned about her friend, especially since Princess Celestia was concerned.

But it was probably going to be alright. She would check for any strange magic, then do her research in the Royal Library, then report back to Celestia that everything was fine and that her friend was just playing a harmless prank. Easy peasy. There was no way that Applejack was anypony besides Applejack.