Chapters The sun rose over Ponyville. The rooster had crowed and almost everypony was up. Rarity woke and went to take a shower before opening up Carousel Boutique for the day. Rainbow Dash woke and took a few laps around her house before reporting to the Wonderbolt Corps. Fluttershy woke up and went to feed her animals breakfast. Pinkie woke up super excited because she was supposed to cater to a birthday party that morning. Twilight woke up and embarked on her first day of teaching Starlight Glimmer about friendship.
It was a different day for Applejack however, as she had to tend to the cows that day. Big Mac was responsible for applebucking that day. When Applejack went to wake the cows, a very smelly stench filled the air.
“What the hay is that?” She asked herself as she went to investigate. When she went into the cow stables, it was a horrible sight. Every cow in the stables was on its side, dead. Flies and other insects were buzzing around. Applejack let out a gasp of shock and disbelief.
“H-how?!” She asked trotting in place quickly almost on the verge of tears.
Applebloom happened to hear it and came running in to see what was wrong.
“What’s wrong si…” She stopped and looked at the horrid sight in front of her. These were the only cows that were in Ponyville. Without them, there would be no milk at all and milk was a vital resource in Ponyville.
“I…I don’t know what to…say…” Applejack said sniffling trying to hold back the tears. Applebloom went to Applejack’s side and hugged her to try to make her feel better.
“Oh Applebloom…thanks for trying to…comfort me…but…” Applejack sniffled again. Applebloom hugged Applejack tighter. She didn’t like seeing her older sister like this. She started sniffling too.
After five minutes of trying to fight the tears, the two finally got themselves together.
“We…should better go tell Twilight…” Applejack stated.
“O-okay…” Applebloom stated as they shut the barn up so that way the smell wouldn’t spread. Meanwhile in Twilight’s castle, Twilight was telling a story to Starlight Glimmer about how her studies almost got the best of her.
“…And I’m very grateful up to this day that Celestia sent me down here to Ponyville. Who knows what I would’ve been doing if I hadn’t moved here. Heh, I wouldn’t have even gotten these wings and become the Princess of Friendship.” Twilight explained with a smile spreading her wings.
“B-boy…now that makes me feel even worse…filling up with jealousy because of one cutie mark…” Glimmer said lowering her head.
“Starlight, you don’t have to berate yourself. The past has passed. Look at now, you’ve got the Princess of Friendship by your side teaching you how to become a better pony and most of all a better friend.” Twilight stated.
“Y…you’re…” Before Starlight could say her next word, the door swung open and Applebloom and Applejack were revealed. They were both panting and short of breath.
“Whoa…what’s the matter Applejack? Everything okay at Sweet Apple Acres?” Twilight asked.
“The…the cows…” Applejack said panting and trying not to fall out from exhaustion.
“What about them?” Twilight asked.
“They’re…they’re…dead…” Applebloom stated.
“WHAT?!” Twilight asked with a jolt of shock getting a wingboner in the process.
“Starlight…I…we have to stop early today…I’m sorry…” Twilight said to Starlight.
“Okay…” Starlight said a little disappointed.
“You wouldn’t mind me coming with you all…right?” Starlight asked. Starlight was still a bit hesitant to trust Twilight’s other friends.
“Not at all.” Applebloom chimed.
“Th-thanks.” Starlight said smiling at Applebloom.
The three headed for Sweet Apple Acres, after Twilight got her book on infectious diseases. When they arrived, Applejack stood by the stable door.
“Now…the stench is gonna be mighty strong. I suggest you…cover your noses…” Applejack warned. She then opened the door. A big wisp of the nasty stench blew out the barn. Everypony covered their nostrils. Once the waft was clear, they entered. Twilight examined the cows for any outer scratches and wounds.
“Okay, it certainly was not foul play. Nopony physically harmed your cows.” Twilight stated. She then examined the cows’ abdominal area. Bloat was a common disease in cows, which was caused by consuming harmful types of grass. However, the cows’ abdominal areas were at their natural states.
“No bloat either.” Twilight stated. Applejack sighed.
“Then what is it?” She asked, getting slightly impatient.
“Patience Applejack, it takes a while for me to figure out what could’ve killed these cows of yours.” Twilight stated. She then looked in her manual for diseases related to cows.
“If it doesn’t have to deal with the digestive system nor the physical as the cows don’t have any marks. I think…it has to do with…the heart, the cardiovascular system.” Twilight stated turning her manual to the page about heart diseases.
“Aha. I think I may have got it. I think…these cows have suffered from a heart disease due to blood clots. I suspect that the blood clots have to deal with something they may have eaten.” Twilight deduced.
“Hmmm. Foul play could still be present here, honestly.” Applejack stated.
“The grass wasn’t fertilized wasn’t it?” Applebloom asked.
“No Applebloom, remember, grass doesn’t get fertilized during the summertime…” Applejack stated.
“It’s definitely a cardiovascular disease. I just can’t pinpoint the exact disease…” Twilight stated.
“But really, this doesn’t solve our problem. Where will we get our milk from now? We would have to travel all the way down to the Foal Mountains because that’s where these cows were born and raised before they were imported here.” Applejack stated nervously. She’d never trekked down to the Foal Mountains and it was a pretty long journey from Ponyville to there.
“You know…there is a certain mare who could help…” Twilight remembered.
“You mean…that…Milkmare of Trottingham?” Applejack asked with a faint smile on her face.
“Yep. You remember how she was born right? She had a genetic mutation that caused her mammary glands to produce more milk than usual. It’s why she always has to carry around a pump to make sure her breasts don’t grow too big and full of milk.” Twilight stated. Applebloom happened to hear this and blushed at the fact.
“But…what if she’s…not in Trottingham? What if she’s outside of Trottingham, helping other ponies in need of milk?” Applejack asked.
“Oh Applejack, don’t be that negative. Even if she’s not there…it’ll still be worth the trek.” Twilight stated. Applejack sighed at the fact.
“Ok…if you say so…” She said.
As Twilight and Applejack set foot in Ponyville, a gentle breeze blew a newspaper with an article right in front of Twilight’s hooves.
“Huh?” Twilight asked as she lit her horn and levitated the article. The article explained that through biological and genetic enhancements, it is possible for a pony to be given a cow’s udder so that way they can produce milk. The article also warned that this method was only in it’s beta form and anything could happen. Twilight gasped.
“I think we have something…” She stated.
“What? Let me see!” Applejack stated with a smile on her face. She read the article.
“It…it’s worth a try…but who would be up for it…?” Applejack asked.
“We’ll have to find out. I’ll get everypony else and we will meet at the castle.” Twilight stated.
“Ok.” Applejack stated as she trotted towards the castle.
Five minutes passed and everypony was at the castle.
“So…why’d you call us here?” Rainbow Dash asked.
“Well…you may have heard that Applejack had lost all her cattle due to a disease. Well…we went to Trottingham to see if the Milkmare was there, but unfortunately, she was out of town. Nonetheless…we found this article here, and wanted to know who would be up for it…” Twilight stated.
“Ooh! Let me see!” Pinkie said rushing forward and swiping the paper.
“Careful Pinkie you’ll rip it!” Applejack said panicked.
“Calm down Applejack…Pinkie’s just being herself…” Twilight stated.
Pinkie read the article.
“What?! No way.” Pinkie said clearly disgusted. Next, Rainbow read the article, and after making a disgusted face, flew out the room saying “No! No! No!” Fluttershy read the article.
“Uhm…it doesn’t sound…that bad…” She said. However, she clearly was nervous.
“Hmmm, I don’t think reading this article alone would help. I wonder if there is any contact information regarding to the pony who came up with this method…” Twilight wondered, talking out loud.
“But…Pinkie and Rainbow have bailed out…” Applejack said still retorting to that mentality of no hope.
“So…? We still have Fluttershy, you and Rarity. Let’s try to get as much details as we can about this new method. This way, we can see what exactly has to happen in order to obtain the milk.” Twilight stated.
“A…alright…” Applejack said still doubtful of this article.
The research landed them in the Ponyville hospital…where it so happened that the scientist who created this new method was paying a visit. Twilight walked into the doors and noticed a stallion in a white coat. He had an emerald green mane and greenish-blue fur. His name was Dr. Green Flask. Twilight gasped.
“That’s him!” Twilight said excited.
“Phew…at least we found…somepony…” Applejack thought to herself, smiling at Twilight’s excitement.
Twilight walked up to Green Flask.
“Uhm…hello. My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She said, waiting for Green Flask to turn around. He did, and smiled.
“Why, hello there Ms. Twilight Sparkle. How can I help you?” He asked.
“Well…we read an article about your method for milk production, which seems quite…uhm…interesting…” Twilight said stumbling a bit at the thought of having an udder.
“Well…you see…after constant testing on ponies, with the help of unicorns who were able to reverse genetically injected transformations, we have finally got it to the point where it could serve the pony public…but…it’s hard to find somepony willing to try it…since…the thought of being turned into part-cow turns everyone off…” Green said rather disappointed.
“Hmmm…I bet now that I’ve got that information, I could let you meet my friends and have us discuss who could be up for this.” Twilight stated.
“Now that I got that info…I could be…well…I don’t know…” Applejack said still doubting.
“What don’t you know about?” Twilight asked.
“Nevermind…” Applejack stated.
“Ok…let’s gather up everypony and see what they think.” Twilight stated.
Everypony was soon at the castle, along with Dr. Green Flask. Dr. Green Flask was able to explain the whole genetic process of how the udder would grow.
“Still…that won’t cut it. I cannot fly around with an udder. I gotta make sure the weather’s perfect for the day.” Rainbow said crossing her arms and looking at the others.
Pinkie still said no. Twilight had it all in her head and stated she wouldn’t be up for it too. Fluttershy thought about it and declined as well, stating that she may get humiliated and didn’t want to suffer through that. Green Flask completely understood that, since Fluttershy told him about herself.
The only two ponies left to choose were Applejack and Rarity.
“I…I don’t know…it…would get in the way of all the chores I’d have to do around the farm…but…” Applejack said starting to sniffle again.
“I don’t want Ponyville…to go without milk another…day…” Applejack added beginning to choke on her words. Twilight and Rarity hugged Applejack, and so did the others who were present.
“I know it’s hard Applejack, but whatever happens, we’re all here for you…” Twilight said. The group all gave Applejack one big hug, making Applejack blush.
“But who will go then…?” Green asked. After a few seconds, Rarity stepped forward.
“I will.” She said confidently.
“What?!” Twilight asked in shock. Starlight was still in the room with the group.
“But…she’s so beautiful…that would…completely ruin her look…” She thought to herself.
“B-but…Rarity?! Do you know what’s at stake here? You’ll lose your looks, your beauty. That udder you’ll get will be visible to anypony and everypony! And I don’t want you to suffer through that.” Twilight said.
“Oh relax darling. It doesn’t sound so bad.” Rarity stated.
“May I remind you that this experiment is still in the beta phase…and we’re still refining it back at my lab. The results are not always perfect…” Green warned.
“But we’ve got a town to serve, and I won’t let them go another day without milk.” Rarity stated. The fact that Rarity was basically putting everything on the line made Applejack tear up again. Rarity turned in hugged her.
“Awww, don’t cry Applejack.” She said.
“But…you’re…putting…everything…your beauty…your looks…the way you…carry yourself…all on the line...for…me…” Applejack said starting to sob lightly. Rarity was hugging and stroking Applejack.
“Please darling…everything is going to be ok.” Rarity said stroking Applejack’s mane and hugging her.
Twilight Sparkle was concerned. The fact that the experiment is still in the beta phase, could affect the way Rarity would carry herself. Even worse, Green hadn’t even explained the reversal process in order to get the pony back to normal state.
Rarity was determined to go through whatever she needed to do in order to help Ponyville. The great thing was, Dr. Green’s lab was right next to the hospital. Twilight, Rarity, Applejack and the others, including Starlight Glimmer went to the lab to meet Green the next day after Rarity made her decision.
In the lab, Green had set up all of his things, including the udder injection formula, some pills and a pump. The pump was for pumping the necessary fats and other vital things to keep the udder from consuming too much of Rarity’s vital sources of energy in her body.
Rarity was the first one through the door.
“Good morning Rarity.” Green said smiling.
“Good morning Mr. Green.” Rarity said back. The others entered and they exchanged greetings with Green.
“Now…as you can see, there are several things I must warn you about before we start. Firstly, if anyone is uncomfortable with anatomic details…I suggest that you leave the room now.” Green stated. Rainbow was the first one gone, followed by Pinkie and Fluttershy.
Twilight wanted to know exactly what went on. Applejack stayed because although it hurt to see Rarity want to go through this, she would support her no matter what.
“Now then…are you ready to know what will happen?” Green asked. Rarity nodded yes in anticipation.
“Now then…the way this works is that the genetic formula for the udder will either have to be injected in a certain area or an extra ingredient will be needed for it to form…” Green stated. Starlight winced when Green mentioned it would have to be injected in a certain area. Twilight already knew where it was. Applejack was worried, but wondered what the extra ingredient was.
Green eyed the various expressions on the ponies’ faces.
“I assume you are wondering about where exactly the formula has to be injected?” Green asked. Rarity nodded.
“It must be injected in the lower section of the abdomen, close to, but not directly on to the vagina.” Green explained. Rarity sort of blushed when she heard this.
“Four needles will penetrate all at once.” Green explained as he pointed to a machine that had four needles that made the shape of the udder.
“If you don’t want to go through that pain…you will…” Green stopped, and sighed. He knew that the other method would involve Rarity having to sacrifice one of her friends.
“What dear?” She asked.
“Eat…one of your friends whole…” He said. Rarity gasped.
“Oh no no! I am certainly not going to do that.” Rarity said. Applejack suddenly stepped forward.
“I…if you don’t want to go through the pain…I’ll be up for it…” She said sniffling. Rarity was stunned. How could Applejack be so willing to sacrifice herself, after Rarity stepped up to the plate?
Both Twilight and Starlight looked at the two ponies with baffled expressions on their face.
“All you’d have to do after is take a pill…” Green added. Rarity still wouldn’t do it. Rarity sighed.
“No pain…no gain…” She said.
“But…but…” Applejack said looking into Rarity’s eyes.
“Trust me darling. Everything is going to be okay.” Rarity said hugging Applejack again.
“O…ok…” Applejack stated, still nervous.
Rarity climbed on to the lab bed, which was a little firm.
“Ugh…” She sort of groaned trying to get comfortable.
“Would you like a pillow or two?” Green asked.
“Certainly.” Rarity said. Green went and fetched a few pillows for Rarity. Rarity was able to get comfortable. Applejack went by Rarity’s side as Green gave the injection machine one last sterilization.
“Get ready, because here come the needles.” Green warned. Applejack offered Rarity her hoof to squeeze. Rarity could be seen quivering.
The injector machine slowly came down onto Rarity’s lower belly. The needles slowly pierced through. Rarity gridded her teeth, squeaking and letting out little whiny noises to prevent herself from yelling and screaming in pain uncontrollably. Applejack was squeezing Rarity’s hoof, trying not to start sobbing herself. The needles went all the way in. Then, the fluids for the udder were injected. They sort of stung a little bit, which caused Rarity to yelp once, almost driving her to tears in an instant. However, Rarity was able to hold on. All the fluid was soon injected. The injector stayed down for a little while. Rarity looked at it with a confused look on her face.
“Uhm…why is it down there for so long…the needles are still inside me…” She said a little worried.
“Just to make sure that every drop of fluids get inside.” Green answered. The machine soon lifted to reveal full flat udder. Rarity blushed at this. She gave it a little poke. Green then got the pump. Twilight looked at Starlight.
“Well…very glad that that part went well…but I think we’re gonna leave now.” Twilight said.
“Okay.” Green stated. Applejack stayed behind.
“I…can’t believe you…did it…” She said.
“It’s not quite over yet.” Green stated. “The udder must be filled and the sustaining fluids must be pumped inside you.” Green stated.
“And how will they be pumped, another injection?” Rarity asked.
“No…a painless but…oh how should I say this…?” Green said, a redline started appearing across his muzzle.
“Uhm…you mean…?” Rarity asked blushing herself. Applejack couldn’t help but let out a little snicker during this somewhat cute and awkward moment. Green nodded yes.
“If it must be done…go ahead.” Rarity said gesturing a “go on” signal with her hoof. Green spread Rarity’s legs revealing her two holes. Rarity was blushing quite deeply.
“You will…feel something go up your anus…” He warned. He gently stuck the tube of the pump up Rarity’s anus. Rarity bit her lip and wriggled around lightly, trying to adjust to the feeling of the tube up her anus.
“Now this won’t last long. I promise.” Green said. Rarity looked at Green in his eyes. Green then flipped on the pump. It whirred up slowly and bubbling was heard as the fluid began to move through the hose. The pump was like an automatic hand pump, sort of like the ventilators used in hospitals. Because Rarity was an average pony in size, she only needed 10 pumps of the fluid, which would make her quite chubby. The liquid started to enter Rarity one slow pump at a time. It sort of tickled on the inside as Rarity’s belly slowly inflated. It caused Rarity to have a giggling fit, and soon, Applejack started giggling too.
“Oh it tickles quite a bit!” Rarity said giggling and covering her muzzle, not knowing that pinto splatter patterns like those of a cow were appearing over her fur.
The pump continued going and Rarity finally calmed down, though she let out a giggle here and there. Soon, the pump turned itself off. Rarity was quite chubby, but now that the sustaining fluids were inside Rarity, the udder was able to keep on functioning without it feeding off too much of Rarity’s blood. The fluids also provided faster milk production from Rarity’s mammary glands. The udder essentially took over Rarity’s crotch breasts.
“Well…you’re all done.” Green stated. Rarity was a bit woozy. She tried to get up, but had a hard time.
“Careful now. You may want to wait a little while. That wooziness is normal. It will go away soon though.” Green advised. Rarity lay there, still not noticing she was a full-fledged cow, minus the large muzzle. Her tail was longer with some of the purple curled tip present.
Rarity looked at her hooves. One was all white, but the other had a pinto splatter on it.
“Wha?!” She sort of shrieked.
“What happened to my hoof?” She asked in shock. She was still woozy, and nearly fell off the table. Applejack was right there to catch her.
“Whoa there sugarcube. Calm down now, you don’t wanna hurt yourself.” Applejack said as she lifted Rarity back on to the table. She then looked at her body and almost fainted.
Rarity was able to keep herself conscious, but was still shocked.
“I…I…I’m a…c-cow?!” She asked.
“Wha…what did you do to me?!” She asked almost bursting into tears.
“I…I told you this was still in the beta phase…” Green stated. Rarity still remembered what she said earlier. However, it would now be three times as hard now that she was a full-fledged cow.
Applejack just covered her face with her hat. She knew that it would be hard and knew that Rarity’s beauty and looks would be sacrificed in order to help Ponyville. Rarity was about to blame Green when Applejack suddenly revealed herself from under her hat.
“R-Rarity…?” She asked. Rarity had been sobbing lightly, her face burrowed in her hooves. Rarity stopped sobbing for the moment and looked at Applejack.
“Y…you have my…full support…I know it’s hard…to embrace this new form…but I will support you no matter what.” Applejack said with candor.
All Rarity could do then was give Applejack a big hug. She ended up sobbing again into Applejack’s fur. Rarity had regained her energy back and after the hug was broken, she slowly got herself up off the bed. Rarity sighed.
“I’m just worried about how ponies would see me, as I carry this new form around.” Rarity said honestly.
“No matter how ponies will see you, you’ll always be the Rarity I know.” Applejack said. Rarity blushed at this remark. Applejack smiled at this. Green started to clean up. Rarity was still nervous about going out in public as the official cow-mare of Ponyville, but would do whatever it took to keep Ponyville’s milk stable until the cattle population was restored and stable.
Applejack held Rarity’s hoof as they both said goodbye to Green. Green stated he would stop by for a visit for the next few days to make sure that Rarity’s vitals were still stable. Rarity was still a bit wobbly from the extra weight that was pumped into her, which required Applejack to hold her extra stable so she wouldn’t fall and cause damage to her new udder. The two walked back to Rarity’s boutique together. As they walked, ponies were eying Rarity, talking amongst themselves.
“What happened to her?” One asked.
“I don’t know…did she go through some experimenting?” Another asked. Rarity was quivering a bit, knowing that the ponies may look down at her because of her appearance. Applejack gave her a nuzzle to remind her about what Green said. Rarity smiled at Applejack, and nuzzled her back.
They soon arrived back at the Boutique, and Rarity decided to re-organize everything. However, Applejack remembered something.
“Oh ponyfeathers! I just remembered something!” She said.
“What darling?” Rarity asked.
“Well…the milk has to be filled in bottles…to be distributed. So, you’ll need to use our milk pump from this day forth…” Applejack said. Rarity sort of blushed at this.
“Well…minus well get used to that feeling now…” She said. However, another thought had slipped into her mind. She shuttered, for it was the thought of the Canterlot ponies seeing her like this.
Applejack noticed the worried expression on Rarity’s face.
“What’s wrong hun?” She asked.
“Well…I’m just…worried about…Canterlot…” Rarity stated.
“Knowing how those ponies are uptight and all…” Rarity said.
“But what about your boutique up there? That mare Sassy Saddles…she’ll have your back.” Applejack said with a smile.
“Y…you may be right darling.” Applejack hugged Rarity once more, as she started to get used to her new form.
The next day, Rarity woke to find her udder heavily filled with fresh milk. Applejack had dropped off a stash of empty bottles for her plus the milking machine.
“Ugh…” Rarity moaned as she tried to get out of bed almost falling over. Rarity managed to get herself up. She was wobbly on her hooves. Sweetie Belle had woke up too, and went to Rarity’s room to ask what they were going to do that day.
“Rarity…what are we going to…EEEK!!!” Sweetie screamed when she saw Rarity in her new form. Sweetie started backing away.
“Sw-Sweetie Belle. It’s okay. It’s only me…I-I can explain.” Rarity said extending a hoof. Sweetie still didn’t trust Rarity. Rarity simply sighed.
“I can tell you about what happened…” She said. Sweetie sat down in front of Rarity, still quivering.
“All of Ponyville’s cattle…is gone. A disease wiped all of them, and now…I have taken it upon myself to keep Ponyville’s milk supply stable until Applejack can obtain more cattle.” Rarity explained.
“WHAT?!” Sweetie shrieked.
“I know it’s hard Sweetie…but we’re just going to have to push through it…” Rarity said coming forward and hugging her own sister. Sweetie hesitated, but returned the hug.
Suddenly, Rarity felt her udder expanding. It was time for her first milking session. Rarity blushed.
“Uhm…Sweetie…I…need a bit of privacy…” Rarity stated.
“Uhm…o…k?” Sweetie asked awkwardly and backed out of Rarity’s room. Rarity closed the door and lit her horn. She got the milk machine that Applejack gave her.
“Well…here goes…” Rarity said. She then got the sucking tubes and attached them to the teats of her udder. Rarity sighed and turned on the pump. Milk started to be pumped out of Rarity’s udder. Rarity let a moan escape, but was happy that she was alone.
Three minutes passed and the tank of the milk pump was full. Rarity was able to fill 6 bottles. She then pumped more out and filled 6 more. She finally felt some relief after she pumped out 12 more bottles. Rarity then thought.
“Hmmm, I guess I could…I don’t know…” She thought out loud. Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door.
“Uh-oh…” Rarity stated. She thought it could be a customer, and hesitated. However, she didn’t want to break her promise, and quickly unhooked the pump and went to the front door. Rarity opened the front door to find Applejack.
“Oh hello Applejack.” Rarity said smiling.
“Hey Rarity. How’s everything goin’? Is that pump workin’ for ya?” She asked. Rarity blushed.
“Y-yes…I was able to fill 24 bottles…and…it was..eh…” Rarity blushed deeper.
“It was what sugarcube?” Applejack asked.
“A…arousing…” Rarity stated blushing deeper and putting her head down.
“Awww, don’t feel bad hun. Cows feel it too.” Applejack stated. Rarity sighed.
“I know darling…” She stated.
“So us Apples got up early this morning and discussed our plans for a long trip. The cattle that I raise are found in the Foal Mountains, which is south of Ponyville. It’s about a 4 day trek…” Applejack explained. Rarity sighed. She was happy that Applejack was going to a place where she could get her beloved cattle back, but disappointed that her best supporter was going away for a few days.
“I know hun, but…you still have the others by your side. It won’t be so bad…” Applejack stated.
“Y…you’re right dear…guess I’d better open things up now…” Rarity said clearly nervous about this. Applejack still had that worried look on her face. She then slowly made her way downstairs to her boutique. She opened up the curtains and switched her sign to open.
“Ok…here goes…” Rarity stated as she went to the main part of her boutique and began to get out her supplies. She started working on a dress that needed to be delivered to a pony for an upcoming event.
Twenty minutes passed. Rarity then felt her udders gurgling again.
“Uh-oh…looks like it’s that time again…” She said as she stopped sewing and went upstairs for her second milking session. She set herself up. This time, she was able to fill 18 bottles of milk.
“I should probably go and deliver some of these…” Rarity said. She was worried that ponies may not recognize her. This was a time to call Applejack.
Rarity hooked herself to a cart with the bottles full of milk and headed towards Sweet Apple Acres. Three minutes later, she arrived to see Applejack doing a little bit of applebucking. Applejack turned to see Rarity.
“Oh, hey there Rarity. What’s up?” Applejack asked.
“Well…I need to deliver these bottles of milk for the ponies of Ponyville…but…” Rarity stopped and sighed.
“But what sugarcube?” Applejack asked.
“I’m just…worried that…ponies may look at me differently…” Rarity said lowering her head. Applejack used a hoof to raise Rarity’s head back up to look her right in the eyes.
“Hun, listen. You’re still you. You’re still the wonderful and generous Rarity everypony knows. Sure it might take ponies a little bit to get used to this new form, but they’ll see the light that you shine from the inside.” Applejack said smiling at Rarity. All Rarity could do was hug Applejack with tears welling in her eyes.
“Th-thank you darling, for being such a good friend.” Rarity said with a sniffle. Applejack held the hug, before breaking it and wiping the tears from Rarity’s face.
“Now let’s get these bottles delivered. I must get back to the farm so that my family and I could plan our trip to the Foal Mountains.” Applejack stated.
“Okay darling.” Rarity stated as she turned around to face Ponyville. She then walked forward. Applejack followed behind. Derpy Hooves spotted Rarity, and waved hello with a smile on her face. She swooped down clumsily, but managed to swoop up a package of six bottles.
“Heh, looks like a certain Pegasus wants to help…” Applejack said with a chuckle.
“Still don’t get why ponies don’t respect Derpy that much. I mean, she always wants to help, but is rather clumsy. She can’t help it. I’ve even heard some ponies say she may have Aspergers. Twilight knows about it.” Rarity stated.
Rarity went up to a door and knocked. Lyra opened the door.
“Oh, hey Applejack and…Rarity…are you a…?” Lyra asked. Rarity sighed.
“Yes darling…I can explain.” Rarity stated. She then told the story. Lyra was stunned.
“No…cattle? How horrible…” Lyra stated.
“That’s why my family and I are headed to the Foal Mountains in a couple days.” Applejack stated. Rarity was levitating a pack of six bottles of milk. Lyra used her magic to take the pack.
“Oh, thanks Rarity. I hope this pack holds up.” Lyra stated.
“Don’t worry dear, I’ll be making daily delivery rounds…” Rarity stated.
Rarity then said goodbye and moved on. After thirty minutes, Rarity delivered all packs of milk. She then continued the rest of the day. That night, Rarity hooked herself to the pump and put it on a very low setting.
After a quick bite of pancakes, supplied by Spike himself, Twilight and Applejack packed their saddlebags and headed out for Trottingham. It was a rather long trip. During the trek, Twilight and Applejack talked about crops, animals and Equestria’s valuable resources.
“I still don’t understand how my cows could just die all of a sudden…the only way I could think a disease is transmitted is by insects…” Applejack stated.
“Don’t forget it can also be transmitted through the air and fertilizer…” Twilight reminded.
The two mares soon arrived in Trottingham. It was a nice little town. Ponies were roaming around. Suddenly, a mare noticed the two and walked up to them.
“Hi there! Welcome to Trottingham!” She said smiling.
“Thank you kindly ma’am.” Applejack said tipping her hat.
“So…anything you need?” The mare asked.
“Well…we were looking for a specific pony.” Twilight stated.
“Oh? And who would that be?” The mare asked.
“The Milkmare of Trottingham, you see…my friend Applejack lost all of her cattle to a disease, and her cattle is the only source of milk we have in Ponyville.” Twilight explained.
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that…but unfortunately, Milky Way is not in town at the moment. She had to go help a town close to Dodge Junction, who’s milk tank fell down. She won’t be back for a couple of days…” The mare stated.
At that moment, Applejack began to sob softly again, sitting down as the tears cascaded from her face. She felt hopeless, like there was no way that Ponyville would get its supply of milk back. Twilight turned and hugged Applejack.
“I…feel…hopeless…” Applejack managed to say in between sobs.
“We’ll…never get our milk back…” She added.
“Hey now Applejack…don’t say that. You know how I always say…there’s always a solution no matter what.” Twilight said. The mare came beside Applejack as well and nuzzled her lovingly.
“Your friend’s right. Don’t be sad…y’all will find a way.” She said. Applejack sniffled.
“Th…thanks…” Applejack stated. She was still in a mental state of hopelessness.
Applejack was soon able to get herself together and the two then prepared to make the long trek back to Ponyville.