A FILLYDEPHIA STAR IS TORN

PART 2

Applebloom's eyes snapped open as she heard a loud knocking at the door. Despite the nightmare she had, she had gotten a good nights sleep. The farm pony nearly spring-boarded off her bed, flung her door open, and charged for the front door.

“Babs Ah-” She began to exclaim only for her words to be cut off as Showtime looked at her with a confused expression. “Oh, it's just you.” She deadpanned with a disappointed look as she less than enthusiastically opened the door for the stallion and allowed him to come inside.

“Oh? We're you expecting somepony else?” Showtime asked curiously as he walked to the couch and sat down.

“No, not really.” Applebloom replied depressingly as she walked to the kitchen, pulled out some breakfast and began to prepare it. “So what brings ya over here today? Ah thought ya wanted me to have a day off to clear mah head?” She asked curiously as she continued to prepare her meal.

“Well naturally that was the idea until I got this.” Showtime replied as he pulled out as piece of paper from his side-pack and placed it on the side table next to the couch.

“What's it say?” Applebloom asked as she finished preparing her meal, carried it over, and read the contents of the paper.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO PERFORM AT

THE FILLYDEPHIA'S TENTH ANNUAL GRAND GALLOPING GALA

PLEASE REPLY ASAP IF YOU WISH TO ACCEPT THIS INVITATION AS TIME IS LIMITED!

Clatter!

Applebloom's jaw dropped as she finished reading the invitation which caused the meal she had just finished making to fall to the floor and spill its contents. “Th-This a joke right?” Applebloom stuttered in disbelief.

Upon hearing this Showtime gave a hearty laugh. “No it's not. This is it Applebloom, your chance to perform at one of the most important events in Equestrian history.

“Ah take it ya already penned me in?” Applebloom replied expecting to hear the stallion confirm her suspicions.

“Actually... no, I haven't. This is beyond my position Applebloom. This invitation was directed to you and you alone. Events such as these require the performers explicit written consent and acceptance of the invitation according to equestrian law. If I were to accept in your place, I would lose my job.” Showtime replied simply.

“So Ah have to tell 'em mahself? How long do Ah have to accept this?” Applebloom inquired curiously. Despite her initial impulse to scream “Ah'll do it!” something inside her halted this impulse in its tracks. She soon figured out what it was however.

“Twenty-four hours. The Fillydephia Grand Galloping Gala takes place in two days.” Showtime replied as he stood up from the couch. “I can only imagine the fame you'll have and bits we'll make in the upcoming years to come if you accept this invitation. I'm sincerely hoping you don't turn this down.” He replied as he walked up to her.

Applebloom looked at the floor now with an unsure expression on her face. “Ah... Ah'll do it.” She said finally much to Showtime's joy.

“Excellent! I just need you to sign your name and I'll get this back to them.” Showtime replied enthusiastically.

“What better way to end mah career than with a performance like this.” Applebloom remarked after she signed her name at which point Showtime's expression changed from joyful to horror-stricken.

“E-E-E-E-E-E-E-End it?!” The stallion stuttered as he stared at her in shock and disbelief.

“Ya heard me right. Ah'm done after this Showtime. Ah know this is sudden and all but this singin career made me break a promise Ah made to Babs, the filly who matters most to me in all of Equestria.” She replied and sighed heavily. “Ah can't believe Ah let mahself be foalish enough to think she was bluffin a couple of days ago.” She thought to herself and sighed aloud once again.

“B-B-B-But why?!” Showtime stuttered once again unable to accept something which to him was as simple as breaking a promise.

“Ah let this singin career nearly destroy who Ah am and Ah got the consarned images of that nightmare in mah head still hauntin me to prove it! Sides, Babs gave me a choice, mah singin career or her. Tell me Showtime, what would choose?” Applebloom asked looking at Showtime with a dead serious expression.

“My career of course! What kind of question is that?!” Showtime exclaimed as if the question was so easy to answer.

The farm pony simply blinked at him several times before she slammed her right hoof over her face. “Boy am Ah glad Ah'm quitin after this. To think, Ah might have become you in a few years.” Applebloom replied and gave a visible and audible shudder.

“You speak as if that's bad thing.” Showtime remarked taking offense to that statement.

“Ah'm sorry. That was a bit tactless of me. Anyways, Ah'll be seein ya around Showtime.” Applebloom replied as she stood up, and walked towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Showtime asked curiously.

“Not like its gonna be any of your business anymore but Ah'm off to make up with somepony Ah've been ignorin.” Applebloom replied as she opened the door and closed it behind her.

“Well crud, looks like it's back to working at the club and living in that dust filled heap.” Silverspoon remarked as she watched this entire event transpire from within her room with the door opened enough so that she could see through the crack. “For some reason though, I'm not as upset as I thought I'd be with the idea. Guess the blank-flanks really have been rubbing off on me.” She remarked to herself and let out a small giggle.

“Guess I better bring Tiara over again and really make use of privacy while it lasts.” She added a few moments later with a devious grin.

Applebloom's carriage pulled up next to the club and walked inside to see Dancing Hooves. “Haha, well look who it is. What pleasure to we owe one of Fillydephia's biggest stars showin up at this time in the mornin?” Dancing hooves asked with a smirk.

Applebloom gave a soft giggle upon hearing this as she smiled back at the stallion. “Ah came here to ask ya bout stayin here again if ya don't mind.” Applebloom asked curiously as she looked at him.

“Why would you be askin somethin like that? Did you get fired?” Dancing Hooves asked with a worried expression.

“Nah, Ah quit!” Applebloom replied with a big cheesy grin which caused the stallion to nearly drop the glass he was holding.

“Why would ya do somethin like that?!” He asked incredulously.

“It's a long story but Ah got one last performance to do 'fore Ah officially quit which is why Ah'm here. Can ya tell me which apartment Babs is stayin in?” Applebloom asked curiously.

“Same one ya three were stayin in before. When ya have the time, I'd love to hear what it's like to be a big star though.” Dancing Hooves replied as he resumed cleaning the glass he had in his hooves.

“Ha, ha, trust me. There ain't much to tell but Ah'll fill ya in later!” Applebloom replied as she left the club and walked in next door.

“Hey! Looky who it is!” A familiar voice called out which the farm pony knew.

“Hey Blues! Long time no see!” Applebloom greeted as she walked up the stairs and stood next to the filly.

“So what brings a star like you to this run down shack?” Blues asked with a smirk as she watched the filly walk past her.

“Ah'll tell ya later. Ah gotta talk to Babs.” Applebloom replied as she stopped in front of the apartment door and knocked once.

No answer.

“That's strange, Ah figured she'd be awake by now. Ah wonder if she's already gone out?” Applebloom asked curiously as she knocked again a little harder this time. Much to her surprise the door creaked open a little which meant that it had not be shut properly the night before.

“Babs? Ya in here?” Applebloom called out as she pushed the door open and walked in only to kick a few bottles with her hooves which caused her to look down.

“What the hay?” Applebloom remarked as she lifted a bottle and read the label. “Why in tarnation would she be drinkin for?” She mused to herself curiously and ventured farther into the apartment towards the bedroom.

Babs came into view shortly much to her relief only for said relief to be replaced with horror and shock as the scene became clear to her eyes. The smell of musk was in the air as she slowly stepped into the bedroom and got a good look at Babs. The filly was laid out on the bed fast a sleep it seemed yet between her legs was the unmistakable stain of filly juices. To her left laid Swift sleeping just as peacefully.

“She only said she was comin here because she wanted me to make the right choice... right? This can't be what it looks like right?” Applebloom thought to herself as her mind raced at a thousand miles per hour while her chest continued to grow colder and colder.

Babs, how could you?!

Applebloom screamed at the top of her lungs which caused Swift and Babs to snap up in surprise to see Applebloom staring at the two as tears streamed from her eyes.

“Ow, my head! Applebloom?” Babs groaned as her eyes adjusted to her surroundings. Once they had come to full focus she saw Applebloom's tear-filled face just before she turned about-face and bolted out of the apartment.

Babs then turned to look at Swift, looked between her legs, taking note of the stain, and immediately slugged the colt a crossed the face knocking him off the bed. “Ya buckin mule! How dare ya take advantage of me! Ow, buck! My head!” Babs exclaimed as she held her head before she stumbled off the bed and stumbled her way to the door as the room spun in circles. “Applebloom, wait!” She called out only to slam her hooves on her head as it throbbed again painfully.

Swift came from the bedroom a few moments later sporting a bruised cheek and a black eye and attempted to help the city filly up only to get a swift hoof to the sack which made him double over. “Ye-ouch! I didn't take advantage of you I swear! Geez, my balls!” Swift exclaimed as his eyes brimmed with tears due to the sheer pain he was in at the moment.

“Then explain to me why my bed has my juices stained on it which was right between my legs!” Babs roared only to slam her hooves on her head again as her skull throbbed once again.

“You probably came in your sleep! For Celestia's sake, you tried to seduce me last night!” Swift exclaimed as he continued to hold his colthood.

Babs sat in place for a few moments as she did her best to recall the events of last night despite the fact that the majority of them were a big blur. She did manage to recall her behavior last night even if it was as blurry as a panting done by a two-year old foal.

“What in the Luna's name happened?! I just saw Applebloom run by...” Blues began to say only to trail off as she looked at the two.

“It's not what it looks like!” Swift exclaimed as he attempted to get to all four hooves despite the throbbing pain in his balls still.

“I sure hope not but even if it isn't, Applebloom thinks it is!” Blues exclaimed as she looked back down the hall.

“Buck it all, I can't barely walk right now and Applebloom thinks I just cheated on her with Swift!” Babs exclaimed holding her head as the room continued to spin around her.

“Applebloom?! What happened?!” Silverspoon asked as the farm pony walked in sobbing loudly as she fell to her rump against the front door and huddled herself against it with her head buried between her front longs as she sobbed.

“Ah... She... Swift...” Applebloom said between sobs unable to make a proper sentence due to being so distraught by what she saw.

“Applebloom, you're not making sense! Speak Equestrian, Blank-flank!” Silverspoon exclaimed in frustration.

“She cheated on me with Swift!” Applebloom managed to wail out after a brief silence before she buried her face once again between her front legs and continued to sob.

“No way... Not Babs! She would never do something like that! Not after everything she's told me!” Silverspoon exclaimed unable to believe what she heard from the sobbing filly.

“Ah saw them mahself!” Applebloom exclaimed between sobs.

“Were they actually... doing it?” Silverspoon asked fearing the answer she might get.

“No but the room smelled like they had and Babs had a stain between her legs that wasn't urine!” Applebloom replied before she sobbed even louder than before.

“Okay, that does look pretty bad...” Silverspoon remarked aloud thoughtfully and sighed. “Listen, I need to go out for a while, you gonna be okay here?” Silverspoon asked in the most comforting tone she could muster.

Applebloom gave a small sniffle as she stood up though she was far from done crying her eyes out, she managed to pull herself together long enough to allow Silverspoon to pass through. “I'll be back soon, I promise.” Silverspoon replied and closed the door behind her only to hear more loud sobs coming from within the suite.

“I'll go find out myself and if what Applebloom says is true than Babs and Swift are gonna wish they had never been born!” Silverspoon remarked aloud as the elevator doors closed.

“This is the last spot anypony saw them.” Applejack remarked looking up at a club. “Lets hope they're here.” The farm pony said aloud hopefully as she, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle walked in.

“Um, excuse, business hours aren't until eight o'clock at night.” Dancing Hooves said as he stood in front of the three no sooner they walked in.

“Don't ya worry, Ah'm not here for any drinks. Ah wanted to ask ya if ya have seen these fillies.” Applejack replied as she pulled out a photograph of Babs and Applebloom then one of Silverspoon. There names are Babs Seed, Applebloom, and Silverspoon. Have ya seen or at least heard these names round these parts?” Applejack inquired.

“Of course I have but why are you lookin for them?” Dancing Hooves asked with a suspicious look at the farm pony.

“Ah happen to be Applebloom's older sister and Babs' cousin that's why.” Applejack replied with a slight glare due to fact that the stallion was looking at her suspiciously.

“C-Cousin?!” Swift's voice erupted from behind Dancing Hooves at which point the stallion stepped to the side revealing Babs, Silverspoon, and Swift sitting at a table.

“Babs!” Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle shouted simultaneously as they charged past the stallion and up to Babs.

“Scootaloo? Sweetie Belle? How did ya find us?” Babs asked as she reapplied an icepack to her forehead.

“It wasn't easy, Ah'll tell ya that much!” Applejack's voice exclaimed as she walked up to the filly with a stern glance. “Ya had me, Granny Smith, Big Macintosh and ya parents worried sick 'bout ya!” The farm pony exclaimed with a stern look only for Babs to slam her hooves over her head and groan loudly.

“Not so loud. She suffering from a bad hangover.” Swift said only to regret this immediately as the farm pony's expression became livid.

“A hangover?! Where in the consarned Tartarus did she get a hold of alcoholic beverages?!” Applejack roared at the top of her lungs as she whirled around and glared at the stallion while Babs winced loudly.

“She stole them the night before without my knowledge. You see, I run a homeless shelter for runaways and homeless ponies. We don't ask questions usually as we get runways a lot and we like to respect their privacy. The ponies who stay at our shelter work here to pay for their stay. I assure you this is legit business and we do not deal in shady dealings.” Dancing Hooves replied calmly.

“Ah don't give a flyin horseshoe if ya a shelter for baby bunnies! Haven't ya even read about the missin foal alert?! That stuff is Equestria wide news that spreads fast so Ah know ya must have read or heard of it already! So ya best start explainin why ya haven't told the local authorities bout mah little sister and Babs bein here!” Applejack exclaimed as she walked up to the stallion.

“I already told you, we do not ask questions! This is a shelter for ponies, not a buckin equestrian government placement facility!” Dancing Hooves exclaimed feeling his temper rise at this mares attitude towards him.

“Why Ah outta-” Applejack began to say only for Babs to halt the farm pony in her tracks as she wrapped her hooves around Applejack's legs. “Don't hurt him! Dancing Hooves and Swift have done nothin wrong!” Babs exclaimed only to clam her hooves around her head, wince loudly, and resume wrapping her hooves around the farm pony's.

“That's true! Swift found us just after we got mugged and brought us here!” Silverspoon exclaimed as she rushed up to Applejack herself.

The farm pony looked at the two fillies for a moment before she sighed aloud. “Ah wasn't gonna hurt him for pony's sake.” She replied as she placed a hoof on Babs' head gently.

“Me and my father have been running this homeless shelter for about five years. This town isn't safe at night and we both know this. Runaways have come to us over the years from abusive parents, rapists, and even worse. They came to us knowing that we would provide them a safe place to stay without being forced to answer twenty questions. That's why we don't ask questions. Not everypony wants to be forced to tell us that they were raped repeatedly or beaten within an inch of their life every night.” Swift explained as he walked up to the farm pony as well now.

“To answerer your question, yes I saw it. However, I would sell my club before I went back on my motto.” Dancing Hooves said after a few moments of silence.

“So if ya knew that we were lookin for 'em, why didn't ya tell the authorities? Ya didn't answer that yet.” Applejack replied in a much calmer tone though she still was upset.

“Swift already did.” Dancing Hooves replied simply.

“Ya can't possibly think that Ah or anypony in mah family would-”

“You need to look at it from our perspective. Three fillies came to us from the streets and who knows what their lives may have been back home.” Swift said cutting off the farm pony much to her annoyance.

“Fine, Ah won't hold it against ya but that don't mean Ah'm happy with ya for doin so.” Applejack conceded even though she still had ill reservations about this establishment.

“Where's Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked curiously which snapped Applejack's attention to the Pegasus.

“Ya gotta be kiddin me!” Applejack exclaimed in disbelief as the group stood in front of the large hotel.

“I told the filly on the billboard looked like Applebloom...” Sweetie Belle remarked with a glare at the farm pony whom could only shrug sheepishly as they made their way inside.

“Mah little sister, a singin sensation. Who woulda thunk it.” Applejack remarked aloud as the elevator rose to the upper floors.

“She's quitting it anyways but that's not important! We need to tell her that it was a big misunderstanding.” Babs said as she placed a hoof on her head once again as her had throbbed while the group stepped out of the elevator into the hall.

“Okay so here's the plan, we explain the situation to Applebloom and then everything should be...” Silverspoon began to say only to trail off as the door to the suite swung open revealing no pony in there.

“Applebloom? Ya in here cuz?! Ow, my head!” Babs called out only to place a hoof on her head again.

“Serves ya right for drinkin so much and stealin the stuff to boot.” Applejack said in a stern tone before she looked around the suite for her little sister.

“She's not here!” Silverspoon's voice came from the bedroom and ran to the others.

“Where in tarnation is she?!” Applejack exclaimed as she looked around with a worried expression.

“Applebloom...where did you go?” Babs remarked aloud as she walked over to the window and looked out at the city below.

“I must say Applebloom, you had me worried for a while there. However I am pleased that you've suddenly decided to work with us on a more permanent bases.” Showtime remarked with a smile as Applebloom wrote her name down on the contract.

“Not like Ah got anythin to go back to now. Sorry for not signin on sooner.” Applebloom replied though her voice was saddened and distracted as she spoke.

Author's Note

DAH,DAH,DUUUUUUM!