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Applejack never usually showed strange behaviors, at least... that's what Rarity knew. Sure, the apple farmer could be brutally honest and hot-tempered with a mouth that would get her in trouble; but she was warm, kind, caring and... a wonderful wife. That is, until she came home from the store one day.
Rarity knew something was off the moment her eyes landed on Applejack in the doorway. From the way Applejack looked, to the way she spoke, the way that she walked, and more. Terrified by just the figure in the doorway alone, the woman felt her heart start to race out of her chest.
Slow and eerie with her movements, Applejack merely smiled. It wasn't that same loving smile that she usually gave, instead it was creepy; very off putting.
It had only taken a couple of hours and even their friends noticed that something was off with her, but they were unable to prove anything. When asked what was up, Applejack just shrugged the question off and told them that she didn't know what they were talking about.
The past few days have been a disaster, for everyone in town. From Twilight trying to figure out what was wrong with Applejack, to Rarity trying to act normal around her wife and as if nothing was wrong. None of the others knew what could be done, the most they could do was play along for the time being.
In a nightgown, Rarity lay in bed. Watching the doorway, she swallowed. Was Applejack still up? Should she check on her? "....." Deciding that she probably should, she threw the blankets off of herself and put on her classic pink robe, tying it.
Before she could reach the doorway though, Applejack appeared with that same eerie smile on her face; carrying a glass of warm milk for her wife. "Hey, Rarity."
"...! Oh, um... hello, Darling..."
"Somethin' the matter?"
"No, I've just-"
"Come to ask me to join you in bed?"
Rarity would clear her throat, trying to contain herself and her fear. "Yes... I'd like you to get some rest, it isn't healthy for you to stay up so late."
"Ain't you just the sweetest?" One arm would wrap around the other's shoulder, handing the milk over.
"...I-Is this for me?"
"It is. I can't have my sweetheart strugglin' to sleep now, can I?"
"I... suppose that's true."
Hands grasp the milk carefully, holding it firmly in grip. Rarity's not drinking it, merely staring at it. This causes Applejack to stare at Rarity, almost expectantly. Feeling her gaze on her, the fashionista begins to drink the milk; chugging it. It doesn't taste... bad. At least, it doesn't seem poisonous.
"There we go." Green hues move down now and off of Rarity, the blonde taking the glass from the other. "Let me go put this away, I'll join you shortly."
"Oh, you really don't have to do th-"
"Go back to bed." Applejack didn't yell, didn't scream, nothing. She spoke in a calm demeanor, but it still came off as threatening almost as she walked back to the kitchen.
"Sure." was the only thing the fashionista said, turning on her heel and moving back to their bed. She didn't want to, but she felt that if she didn't? Applejack would do something terrible. Climbing back into bed, she was lost in thought.
But was this even Applejack? Over the past week or so, strange things had been happening. Reports of people missing, demons supposedly called 'alternates' replacing people, other creatures that were unknown disguising themselves as humans but coming off as uncanny popping up out of nowhere and much more.
That couldn't be what's happened to Applejack, could it? Lost in thought, she pondered this.
None of this made any sense... Big Mac had called a few times to check on his sister, only to be rejected and told that she didn't want to talk. The only one who answered after a while was Rarity. As much as both tried to get the country girl to talk with her family, neither prevailed. Eventually, The Apples stopped calling after the week.
This did worry Rarity, given how close all of the Apples were. It was so odd for her beloved to behave this way... she normally never ignored her family.
The other day, the two went out on a date like usual; but Rarity was the only one eating her food. Worried for her love, she asked her what was wrong. Of course, anything asked was denied with a simple "I'm fine." or "I'll eat later". She decided to take the country girl's word for it, paying for the food that they had at the register once it was time to go. The cashier would point behind Rarity, looking freaked out. Confused, she'd look behind her to see Applejack on the table-top eating with her hands like some wild animal. Thank goodness that night was over...
Sighing, she turned on her side, hugging her pillow to herself. She just wanted her wife to be okay again.
Rarity dozed off for about twenty minutes, eyes opening to find a peering gaze on her. This caused her to jump a little, startled.
"What's wrong, Sugarcube?" asked Applejack, with a smile; it being that same, eerie one that Rarity hated.
"N-Nothing, nothing! You just startled me, that's all."
"Sorry about that... what can I do to make it up to ya?" An arm wraps around Rarity's waist, pulling her in close.
Don't touch me. Rarity thought to herself, feeling her heart start to pound out of her chest due to anxiety. "You've done enough, Love... really."
"...You're tense, hon. What's the matter?"
Rarity would ponder on what to do next. Should she confront Applejack? Address her concerns? Was this even Applejack? So many questions, so little answers... and yet, she wanted nothing more than to get to the bottom of it all.
"You can talk to me about anything, Rarity."
"A-..Anything?"
"I'm your wife, aren't I?"
"...." Was she...?
"Rarity?"
"Yes, you are." Rarity finally responded, trying to sound as calm as she could while clearing her throat. "Darling, I'm worried about you... you've been acting off since you came home a week ago."
"Is that what this is about?"
"Yes... yes, it is. You've been doing strange things, things that I've never seen you do or behave like. What's going on, Dear...?"
"I have been actin' a little off, haven't I?"
No shit. Rarity would think to herself, waiting for an explanation.
"Well..." Applejack would start, pausing in between her words; almost like she were trying to find a good lie to come up with. "I've been feelin' awful physically, and this lady at the store recommended some exercises with other things for me to do so I feel better."
"...What lady?" was Rarity's question.
"Just some random lady I spoke to." answered Applejack. It was clear that she didn't want to answer anymore questions.
"How do you explain the eating at the restaurant then?"
"Baby Doll, it's best not to push for answers you don't want to hear." Threatened Applejack, causing Rarity to pause for a moment.
That caused an awkward silence between the two, green hues with no light in them staring Rarity down until-
"Applejack, you're not some... strange robot, are you?"
"I am a real person, Rarity."
Right then and there, Rarity finally confirmed in her mind that this... whatever creature this was, wasn't Applejack. How? Simple.
Applejack never ever lied to Rarity before now.