A FILLYDEPHIA STAR IS TORN

PART 3

“Where the hay would she go?! It's nearly ten o'clock at night for Luna's sake!” Applejack exclaimed as she paced back and forth in the suite.

“Showtime's kept her out later than this.” Babs remarked sourly much to the farm pony's shock.

“Ya can't be serious. Just how late we talkin here?” Applejack inquired curiously.

“Nearly four o'clock in the morning. It's what lead to some of our fights...” Babs replied and sighed heavily.

“Ah ain't any expert on Equestrian law but Ah'd sell mah farm before Ah thought there weren't some law out thar statin that a filly her age can't work that late!” Applejack exclaimed as her expression became pissed off.

“If there is, Showtime isn't following it.” Scootaloo remarked morbidly and sighed aloud.

At this moment, the door swung open revealing a stallion and a mare walking in. “Um, who are you ponies?” The mare asked with a confused expression.

“Ah'd like to ask ya the same question. Do ya work for Showtime?” Applejack asked curiously.

“No, we booked this hotel's suite and this room was vacant according to the receptionist.” The stallion spoke up.

“That's a load of horseapples if I ever heard it! Applebloom has this suite reserved for her, me, and Silverspoon!” Babs exclaimed pointing a hoof at the couple only for Applejack to stand in front of the filly.

“Calm yourself down Babs. Gettin huffy with random ponies ain't gonna get us anywhere but kicked out.” Applejack said before she turned around and looked at the couple. “There must be some kind of mistake then.”

“I concur.” The stallion replied, walked over and pressed the room service button.

“Ya can't be serious! Why the hay you kickin us out for?!” Applejack exclaimed looking completely outraged as they stood outside of the hotel at the security ponies.

“Yeah! I even have the key to prove that we were staying there!” Babs exclaimed as she showed the security pony her key with the room number on it only for one of the security ponies to walk up and yank it off of her hoof before she could react without a single word. “Give that back, it's mine!”

“No, it's property of hotel management.” A prim and proper voice spoke up from behind the security ponies at which point a few stepped to the side and allowed a stallion to walk in front of them.

“We were staying here! And that key was proof!” Silverspoon exclaimed.

“No, Applebloom was staying here. You two...” The stallion replied and gave an audible shudder. “Were only allowed to stay because she requested it. A privilege which expired once she checked out which was earlier this morning.” He finished as he looked at Babs and Silverspoon as if they were lowly creatures.

“A P-Privilege?! I'm her fillyfriend!” Babs roared looking positively livid as she glared at the stallion.

Upon hearing this the stallion began laughing much to the aggravation of Babs and Silverspoon. “You, A mere city pony, dating a star like Applebloom? And a filly no less. I must say, I've heard some stories but that takes the custard off my trays!” The stallion exclaimed and laughed once again.

“It's true!” Applejack spoke up cutting off the stallion laughter.

“We were informed by Showtime himself. Applebloom was staying here and she had two friends with her at her request. There was no mention of a coltfriend or fillyfriend for that matter. Not that she would date a filly anyways.” The stallion remarked giving a disgusted expression at the mere thought.

“What the buck would you know about her anyways?! I bet you read that horseapples in the paper didn't ya?” Babs retorted much to the stallion's annoyance as he could not properly defend himself to this fact.

“Regardless of that, significant other or not, Applebloom was registered with our hotel and no pony else. However if you want to insist that much, then you can pay the ten thousand bit bill that her account racked up instead of the music company.” The stallion replied with a smirk as he looked on at the two whom simply glared at him.

“No? Then begone from my establishment, you city slicker ruffians!” The stallion exclaimed rudely before he turned about-face and walked back into the club.

“Come on y'all, lets leave these hoity-toity rich ponies to their bits.” Applejack remarked giving one last glare at the hotel before she walked down the street followed by the four.

“I can't believe dat stallion! How could that bit hungry mule even know a single thing about Applebloom's personal life?!” Babs exclaimed as she stomped her hooves into the concrete as she walked now.

“Now, now, Babs. We all know that pony don't know jack about Applebloom. Heck, ya know more than even me by now Ah reckon!” Applejack replied with a supportive smirk before she gave a light laugh.

“I understand that everypony is trying to lighten the mood after we got kicked out and all but Applebloom is still missing.” Scootaloo remarked in a serious tone.

The Pegasus may as well have said the farm filly got ran over as once the others had heard this, their moods plummeted from happy to worry and sadness.

“Well we know one thing. Applebloom checked out of the hotel this morning.” Silverspoon pipped up to break the depressing silence between the five.

“Dat's true but we don't know where she went. How much you wanna bet dat Showtime checked her out and moved her.” Babs replied as she gritted her teeth at the mere thought of that stallion coming to mind.

“Ah wish the others were here. We could use their help in findin her.” Applejack remarked aloud and sighed heavily.

“We'll find her, Applejack. Can anypony else remember anything she may have said before she found me and Swift this morning?” Babs asked curiously as she looked at the other three.

“This morning, Showtime gave her an invitation to perform at Fillydephia's tenth annual Grand Galloping Gala and she agreed to do it as her career ending performance.” Silverspoon recalled at which point everypony looked at her with annoyed glances. “What?! With everything that's happened today, that event was bucked clear out of my mind till now!”

“Okay, so anypony know where this Gala is gonna be at?” Scootaloo asked which was met with shrugs from everypony at which point she slammed her right hoof on her face.

“Bet Showtime didn't like hearin dat.” Babs remarked with a devious smirk as she snickered to herself.

“You should have seen him. He looked like somepony just got murdered or something!” Silverspoon exclaimed at which point both fillies broke into spontaneous laughter.

“Quit trailin behind you two! We need to find out where this consarned Gala is bein held at!” Applejack's voice called out from down the street at which point both fillies realized the two had begun to leave them behind and ran up to catch up.

“If Applebloom is performing at the Gala then you can bet the place is going to be jam-packed.” Dancing Hooves remarked to Applejack as the club bustled with patrons while the six sat in the staff room.

“So ya know where it's bein held?” The farm pony inquired hopefully as she lifted up a glass of apple juice and took a drink.

“Yep. It's always held at the most expensive part of town. Which is to say the part of town that you'd have to be a rich pony to even get inside. Fillydephia Gala's have a strict dress code usually. If ya don't look like your made of money, they'll turn ya away at the door.” Dancing Hooves remarked as he also took a drink from his own glass.

“Looks like we're not getting in then.” Scootaloo remarked dismally.

“Tell me somethin though, how the hay could Applebloom get into this singin career anyways without mah consent? Ain't thar laws against that kind of thing?” Applejack asked curiously.

“You've heard of the golden rule right? Who ever has the gold makes the rules. Applebloom ain't the first to get thrown into the music business while the law turns a blind eye and she sure as hay won't be the last.” The stallion replied and sighed heavily.

“This is all my fault! I'm the one who pushed her into getting into this singin career to begin with. Who knows where Showtime will ship her off to now that we're out of the picture!” Babs said as she slammed a hoof on the table in frustration.

“Don't go blaming yourself Babs. It was Applebloom's choice, not yours.” Silverspoon pipped up now as she placed a comforting hoof on the city filly's shoulder.

“But...” Babs began to say only to trail off and sigh heavily.

“If it's any consolation, there is a silver lining to this situation.” Dancing Hooves said to which the five looked at the stallion now expecting an answer. “No matter how much money this Showtime fella has, he can't sign Applebloom into a contract, not legally anyways.”

“So Applebloom's been freelancin this entire time?” Applejack asked incredulously.

“Um, what's freelancing?” Sweetie Belle's voice pipped up with a confused expression.

“It's when a pony works for a company but isn't officially employed with 'em. In other words, they ain't required to do anythin they don't wanna do for the company. Course that also means that the company can refuse to pay 'em if they aren't satisfied with their work.” Applejack explained to the unicorn filly before turning to face Dancing Hooves again.

“I bet Applebloom had no idea she was doing this freelancing thing either! If we didn't know this at the time, there's no way she could have!” Silverspoon exclaimed in realization of this new information.

“So Showtime can drop her anytime he wants? That's as bad as using somepony! When I get my hooves on Showtime, dat stallion's gonna be walking and talkin mare by the time I'm through with 'em!” Babs exclaimed as she slammed both hooves on the table this time in anger.

“Calm down Blank-flank, geez. We still gotta get into that Gala in the first place.” Silverspoon remarked with a slightly apprehensive look at the city filly.

“Well, I suppose I could spare some of my funds to you ponies out.” Dancing Hooves said much to the surprise of the five as they snapped their faces to him.

“Ah appreciate the offer but we couldn't impose on ya like that.” Applejack replied with a smile though she did appreciate the thoughtfulness of the stallion.

Upon hearing this Dancing Hooves gave a hearty laugh. “Then how about this; I help you out and you pay me back when ya can? Since you own a farm and all that shouldn't be too hard should it?” The stallion replied much to Applejack's delight.

“Ah like those terms. Ya got yourself a deal partner!” Applejack exclaimed as she reached hoof out and shook Dancing's.

“Why don't you guys head up the apartments and get some sleep. We'll head out tomorrow and get ya all fitted for the Gala.” Dancing Hooves said as he stood up and began to walk to the door of the staff room.

“Sounds like a good idea to me.” Applejack replied as she stood up as did the other four and followed the stallion out of the staff room and to the front door of the club.

As the five began to leave, Babs noticed Swift not far to the left. “I'll catch up with ya later. I need to do somethin first.” Babs said as she began to walk towards Swift.

“Don't be hangin around too late. We need to be up bright and early.” Applejack remarked just before she walked out of the front door of the club.

As Babs walked up to Swift, the colt noticed her approaching and smiled at her. “Hey.” He greeted politely as he washed a few cups out.

“Hey...” Babs replied nervously. “So um, about last night and this morning...” Babs began only to trail off.

“Don't worry about it. You were seriously messed up and with all things considered, you had every right to think I took advantage of ya. Heck, I would if I woke up in the same way you had.” Swift replied as he put one glass down and picked another up.

“There ya go again, bein a goody two-hooves. Seriously, can't you ever just get upset with somepony for anythin? I really messed up last night and this morning. You should be furious with me!” Babs exclaimed feeling even more guilty that Swift wasn't upset with her at all.

“Ya know, I probably should be but I'm not. I guess it's just not in me to hold a grudge against somepony. Sides, it's not like your cousin would forgive me if I let myself get upset with ya over something that wasn't your fault.” Swift replied as he continued cleaning the glass.

“But it was my fault! I stole and drank all those alcoholic beverages, I tried to seduce you, I hit you in the balls for Luna's sake!” Babs exclaimed feeling herself become flustered over the fact that Swift was being so kind to her even though she knew she didn't deserve such kindness.

“Just drop it!” Swift exclaimed suddenly slamming the cup on the counter hard as he glared at her.

“No, I won't drop it! Get mad at me! I deserve it!” Babs exclaimed as she glared back at him.

“Ya just don't know when to leave well enough alone do ya? I already said it's fine! It wasn't your fault!” Swift exclaimed as he walked from behind the counter, past her, and out the front door.

Babs however wasn't willing to let the colt drop the topic as she quickly followed him outside. “What the buck is your deal?! We both know that last night was my fault, I had no right to try to seduce you, no matter how drunk I was! Yet your standin here tryin to act like it's nothin!” Babs exclaimed as she walked up to the colt whom refused to look at her.

“Yeah it annoyed me! Is that what you wanted to hear?!” Swift exclaimed as he turned to glare at her.

“It only annoyed you? Oh come the buck on Swift! Quit bein such a goody two-hooves already! Tell me how it really made you feel already!” Babs exclaimed. She wanted Swift to tell her that he hated her guts, that he never wanted to see her again. The guilt of nearly betraying Applebloom had been eating at her ever since she heard the whole story from the colt earlier this morning just before Silverspoon showed up.

“Ya wanna know what it really made me feel?!” Swift exclaimed as he turned to face her.

“Yeah! Tell me!” Babs retorted only to get the shock of her life as the colt suddenly put both hooves around her cheeks and locked lips with her. After the initial shock wore off however, she whacked him upside the cheek with her right hoof and backed away. “Ya buckin crazy colt! What's the big idea?!” Babs exclaimed with a crimson red blush as she glared at Swift whom rubbed his cheek.

“Kind of figured that would happen. Not like I could compete with Applebloom anyways.” Swift remarked dejectedly.

“Okay, did I miss something?! Since when do ya go from bein ticked off at me to lockin lips with me?” Babs asked with a confused expression.

“I-I've had a c-crush on ya, okay?!” He stuttered out and sighed.

“Well that explains a lot.” Babs remarked and sighed. “No wonder he was bein so nice to me and not holdin last night against me.” She thought to herself. “Must have taken a lot of willpower not to give in to your crush last night I suppose.”

“More than you know. All I had to do what let it get up and well...” Swift replied but trailed off with a beat red blush.

“Wait, what?! Just how close did I come to betrayin Applebloom last night anyways?!” Babs exclaimed suddenly more worried than she was before that she couldn't recall last nights events clearly.

“You were on top of me. I don't think it'll be that hard to image the rest. So yeah, all I had to do was let it get up and-”

“Okay, Okay! I would have rode you like a cowpony, I get it!” Babs exclaimed cutting Swift off and looking away from him now as she blushed just as red as he was. “Horseapples, I'm never drinkin again as long I live.” She remarked under her breath and sighed heavily.

“Is Applebloom really your cousin?” Swift asked suddenly which made Babs' chest go ice-cold.

“Y-Yeah...” She stuttered slightly as she turned to look at him only for the colt to be staring up at the moon now.

“Wow... I could never imagine myself dating someone I was related to much less doing it with them.” He remarked thoughtfully as he continued to stare up at the moon.

“Ya got a problem with it?” Babs asked trying to act brave in preparation to defend her love for Applebloom.

“Not really, well, a little yeah but it's not like I got the right to judge ya for it.” Swift replied as he turned to look at the city filly now. “Everypony has the right to choose who they love, even if the rest of the world don't like it.”

Upon hearing this Babs gave a light laugh as she walked up to him. “Ya really are a goody two-hooves.” She whispered before she gave him a peck on the cheek which caused the colt to blush furiously as she walked past him towards the apartments. “Oh and don't worry, I won't tell anypony your a virgin.” She said a little louder so the colt could hear her.

“Y-Y-You remembered that?!” Swift exclaimed feeling his cheeks burn even more as he watched Babs burst into a giggle-fit as she opened the door to the apartments and closed it behind her.

“Applebloom?” Showtime asked as he walked through the new suite she was staying in looking for her until he found her. “Oh, there you are. We're you crying?” He asked curiously taking note of the farm pony's puffy red eyes.

“Ah don't know if Ah can do this Showtime. Ah know Ah said Ah would but...” Applebloom replied and sighed heavily as she wiped tears from her eyes.

“Did something happen between you and your fillyfriend? I have noticed that you haven't requested we go fetch her or that other filly yet and I can't help but wonder if that is somehow connected to your saddened state.” Showtime remarked as he looked at her.

“Well ya did say that they would be able to stay there a little longer and well, Ah'm not so inclined to see Babs at the moment since Ah found out she cheated on me.” Applebloom replied though her voice threatened to crack as she said this.

“Cheated on you? Oh, I see. No wonder you're so depressed! Ya know, I had a fillyfriend who cheated on me too. So I dropped her like a bad habit and pushed on with my career. True story!” Showtime replied in a seemingly genuine sympathetic tone before he rose his hoof up as if he was a colt scout as he spoke his second sentence.

“Ya point is?” Applebloom replied with a slight glare at the stallion as she knew this kind of attitude from him was more or less his way of attempting to get her to focus on her singing career rather than anything else.

“Ahem! Well, my point is, eh-heh, that you should not let this get you down! I know you were hurt badly but look on bright side! You have your whole singing career ahead of you now and this event will be the one that skyrockets your fame all over Equestria!” Showtime exclaimed enthusiastically though Applebloom didn't partake in this enthusiastic attitude of his she did understand what he was getting at.

“Ah get it, Ah need to get mah head out of the clouds and focus on singin tomorrow night right?” Applebloom replied as she looked out of her window to the city.

“Exactly! I'm glad we see eye-to-eye Applebloom! Get a good nights sleep and we'll begin rehearsal tomorrow morning!” Showtime replied as he turned about-face and closed the door behind him and left the filly alone.

The next morning, Applejack, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Babs, Silverspoon, Swift, Hooves, and Dancing Hooves, headed out to the richer parts of town to fit the five in outfits that would allow them to get into the gala.

“Are ya sure this kind of outfit is required?” Applejack asked as she stepped out of the fitting room with an uncomfortable look on her face as she wore a bright blue silk dress.

Dancing Hooves gave a hearty laugh upon hearing this as he looked at her. “Ha, ha. Yeah, I know it's not the most comfortable but this is what most ponies who go to the gala will be wearin.” He confirmed as Sweetie Belle, Babs, Scootaloo, and Silverspoon stepped out of the fitting room themselves.

“My chest feels like it's being squeezed.” Sweetie Belle whined as she stepped out wearing a bright pink dress.

“I can barely breathe in this thing!” Babs winced as she stepped out wearing a dark blue dress.

“Is this thing supposed to ride up on my foal-hole?” Scootaloo asked aloud with a blush as she stepped out wearing a maroon colored dress to which the other four looked at her and blushed also.

The only filly who had not uttered a single complaint was Silverspoon who simply scoffed at the other four. “You four a real piece of work.” She jeered with a smirk.

“Oh come on Silverspoon, you can't say this is comfortable for you.” Scootaloo retorted with a glare.

Silverspoon simply laughed lightly at this remark. “I'm used to wearing these kind of outfits. Me and Diamond Tiara used to wear them all the time when Filthy Rich took us with him for upper class events in Canterlot.” Silverspoon replied relishing in the fact that the others were uncomfortable while she was perfectly fine.

“Drop the attitude Silverspoon, Ah know ya come from a hoity-toity family and all but no need to rub it in everypony's face.” Applejack censured the filly.

“Sorry, Applejack.” Silverspoon replied feeling a little guilty for behaving like she had.

THAT EVENING...

Ponies flooded into the Gala grounds at around eight o'clock that evening as did Applejack and the others.

“I really wish we could have brought Tiara with.” Silverspoon remarked sourly as the four walked amongst the rich stallions and mares.

“Sorry Silverspoon but if Diamond Tiara's momma found out we were here, Ah'd never hear the end of it from Filthy Rich.” Applejack replied and though Silverspoon didn't like it, the farm pony had a valid point.

“Besides, we're here to find Applebloom, not have fun.” Babs added with an annoyed look at the filly.

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Silverspoon replied with a scowl.

“Accordin to this here pamphlet we were given, Applebloom should be performin in the heart of this little gatherin in twenty minutes. Course we're gonna need tickets so lets head that way now.” Applejack remarked as the five took a sharp right turn and headed in that direction.

“Applebloom, you're on in ten minutes.” A female voice called out which snapped the farm filly out of her daze and looked over the the stage mare.

“Oh, right. Thanks.” She replied doing her best to sound cheerful despite the fact that she wanted to cry her eyes out all over again.

“I must say Applebloom, I find it amazing that you were able to create a new song in such a short time! Just how did you think of it? These lyrics are truly moving!” Showtime remarked as he looked over the music sheet.

“Just somethin that came from mah heart, that's all.” Applebloom replied giving the best small she could muster as she walked past the stallion and towards the stage.

Performing live for everypony with a surprise brand new song for all of us,

Applebloom!

A voice exclaimed which echoed a crossed the auditorium as Applebloom walked up on stage and up the microphone as a stage light shined on her. “This new song is a little somethin that came from mah heart so Ah hope y'all enjoy it.” Applebloom said into the microphone as a gentle yet sad music began to play.

(Play Sad Acoustic Guitar Instrumental Beat now)

The farm filly stood in place silent for a few moments as the band behind her began to play their instruments before she opened her mouth to sing:

♫ Ah walked upon a lonely ground,

never seeing the light,

always in the darkness,♫

As Applebloom sung these words the images of her life before Babs flashed before her eyes. She recalled the fun she had with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle yet throughout all of it she felt empty, as if what the talent she was meant to find eluded her and refused to show itself.

The images of the moment Babs showed up for the first time and the events that followed which lead up to her falling in love with the city filly now flowed through the filly's mind as she sung the next line to her song.

♫ then you came into my life and showed me a world I never knew. ♫

♫ All my life Ah never knew mah destiny

Till you came and changed my world ♫

“Oh come on! Ya gotta let us in!” Babs exclaimed at the stallion whom was guarding the entrance to the auditorium.

“I already told you, the show is sold out. I can't let you in. I can let you in after the show is over for the autograph signing.” The stallion remarked with a stern glance at the five.

“I don't wanna go in after the show is over, I wanna go in now!” Babs roared at the stallion.

“Come on y'all, it's obvious he ain't gonna let us in.” Applejack remarked and walked away from the stallion followed by everypony except Babs.

♫ Now that world is broken

Ah learned, mah only talent was in you ♫

As Applebloom sung these lines, tears began to drip silently from her eyes. She managed to hold herself together however despite the images of Babs in bed with Swift now playing before her eyes.

Her voice carried a crossed the auditorium now as she song the following lines, the sadness and pain in her voice able to be felt by everypony in the auditorium now as she sung.

♫ Ah want that world back. ♫

♫ Ah'm lost in the Darkness♫

♫ Ah can't find mah way♫

♫ Mah only Talent was in you.♫

“Do you have wax in those ears? For the twentieth time, I can't let you in without a ticket!” The stallion exclaimed becoming very annoyed with Babs now.

“Ya wanna see my ticket? Here it is!” Babs exclaimed as she dove under the stallion, socked him squarely in the balls, and made a mad dash for the door only for the stallion to grab her by the dress with his mouth which prevented her from progressing any closer to the door.

“L-Let me go! I have to see her! Applebloom, I'm here!” Babs exclaimed as she fought with all her might to get loose of the stallion's grip and eventually ripped the dress in two due to the delicate fabric unable to handle the pressure of being stretched in such a fashion.

The city filly quickly slid the other half of the dress off her and darted for the door once again only to be pounced on by the stallion. “Just great! Another crazy fan thinking the world owes her everything because she thinks she the filly's biggest fan!” The stallion thought to himself dismally. “I'm gonna need some help over here!” he called out which flagged down additional security ponies over to help him deal with Babs.

Eventually Babs was trapped within a bubble of magic and was being dragged away from the door as she frantically pounded at the bubble but to no avail. “No, stop! You don't understand! I have to see her! She needs to see me! Applebloom!” Babs shrieked at the top of her lungs as tears flooded from her eyes.

Applebloom!!!

Babs voice shrieked at the top of her lungs which seemed to echo throughout the area though her voice was unheard by the filly she wanted it most desperately to reach.

♫ Ah can perform for the world

But can Ah see your face? ♫

♫ no ♫

♫ you've left me here alone

and it won't mean a thing... ♫

The filly was beginning to have a really hard time with trying to keep herself together now as tears flooded from her eyes which were clearly visible by the crowd. Her voice had nearly cracked a few times as she sung those lines but she pressed on, she had to...

♫ Ah don't understand why, ♫

♫ you're off with that colt and not at mah side ♫

She was really starting to lose it now, she could barely hold herself together as she sung those lines. Despite this she took a deep breath, her stifled sob clearly heard by the crowd as she pressed on.

♫ Mah love for you is now a pain Ah can't hide...♫

♫ Ah'm breaking in two... ♫

♫ Ah'm lost in the Darkness... ♫

♫ Ah can't find my way... ♫

♫ Mah life is now shattered... ♫

♫ Mah only Talent was in you... ♫

The curtain swung in front of her just before she fell to the floor and began to sob loudly. “Are you okay darling?” A mare who worked as a stage hand asked with a concerned look on her face as she walked up to the filly and helped her to all four hooves.

“Of course she is! The emotion in that song was so compelling that it almost made me break down in tears! Wonderfully done Applebloom!” Showtime exclaimed looking as happy as ever while the mare simply glared at him with a disgusted expression.

“Ah-Ah fine, really. Ah just lost mah composure for a moment thar is all. Thanks for your concern though. ” Applebloom finally managed to speak up as she wiped tears from her eyes and sniffled while at the same time, did her best to fight the urge to fall back to the floor and sob some more.

“Well the show should be done by now, let's get goin back to the auditorium.” Applejack remarked as she did a headcount. “Hold up a sec, where's Babs?” Applejack asked with a worried expression as she looked around.

“Knowing her, she probably never followed us when we gave up on trying to get into see Applebloom's show.” Silverspoon remarked and sighed as she went to take a drink of some of the tea she was offered only to spit it out. “Bleck! You call this tea?!” Silverspoon exclaimed in disgust to the mare whom blushed in embarrassment.

“I-I'm sorry if it's not to your liking.” The mare stuttered slightly looking away.

“Okay, move aside and let a filly who knows what she's doing take over.” Silverspoon remarked as she looked over the ingredients the mare was using.

“Come on Silverspoon! We need to find Babs!” Scootaloo exclaimed at the filly.

“Go on without me, I'll catch up and besides, Babs is probably already inside for the autograph signing now.” Silverspoon replied as she continued to look over the contents in front of her only to halt as she looked over the recipe for the mare's tea. “No wonder this stuff tastes terrible! Your adding too much baking soda and not enough sugar!” Silverspoon exclaimed as she looked at the mare.

“O-Oh! Well that does explain a few things.” The mare replied with a light blush as she rubbed the back of her head with her left hoof.

“Let me see, I might be a little rusty at this but with what ya got here, I could make one of my tea recipes. Wanna let me take a shot?” Silverspoon asked curiously.

“B-By all means! Please! I haven't sold a single glass and I need the bits badly!” The mare remarked looking positively thrilled at the filly's interest to aid her sales.

Applebloom now sat at a desk in the auditorium signing paper after paper with her autograph barely even speaking to anypony she saw walk up excitedly to her.

“Wow, for a Fillydephia star, ya sure don't look like ya is enjoyin yourself.” A familiar voice said which caused Applebloom to look up from the desk. “S-Sorry, Ah'm a little dis-dis-- A-A-Applejack?!” Applebloom exclaimed as her mind was suddenly brought back into reality full stop as she stared at her older sister.

“Took her a few seconds.” Scootaloo remarked with a smirk to the farm pony whom chuckled at this remark.

“Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle? What in tarnation are y'all doin here?!” Applebloom asked incredulously.

“Ah could ask you the same question little sister.” Applejack asked allowing her tone to become stern as she spoke now.

“Hey! We want autographs too!” A colt shouted from behind the three.

“Yeah! Quit holding up the line!” A mare chimed in.

“Can this wait till after mah autograph signin? Ah know this is important but...” Applebloom said trailing off as she looked behind the three.

“As long as ya promise not to disappear afterward.” Applejack replied to which Applebloom nodded with a soft smile.

Applejack, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle were truly a sight for the filly's sore eyes. Until now she hadn't realized just how much she had missed them. However, she knew that if she didn't complete this mundane task, she could get in trouble with Showtime and she didn't want to have to deal with two lectures instead of just one.

The filly signed every single autograph now with renewed enthusiasm despite the sadness she still felt and soon reunited with her big sister and fellow crusaders.

“Now, Ah don't know how ya got wrapped up in this here singin career of yours and frankly Ah don't care. What Ah wanna know is why in tarnation did ya leave without so much as a letter to where ya was goin?” Applejack asked in a stern tone.

This simple question however caused the filly to recall the same line spoken by Babs not to long ago which caused her eyes to swell up in tears.

“Um, Applejack, maybe now is not the best time to be lecturing her?” Sweetie Belle suggested timidly hoping that the farm pony wouldn't get upset with her next.

“Right. Good point.” Applejack conceded much to Sweetie Belle's surprise and her attitude took a one-hundred and eighty degree turn now as she placed a hoof on her little sister's shoulder. “Ah heard about what happened with ya and Babs.” Applejack said in the most comforting tone she could muster.

“Don't mention her name around me. Ah can't forgive her for what she's done.” Applebloom replied resentfully as she turned away from her big sister.

“But Babs didn't-”

“Ah said, don't mention that mule's name around me!” Applebloom shrieked at Sweetie Belle cutting the unicorn filly off in such a fashion that caused her eyes to swell with tears due to being yelled at in such a fashion.

“But Applebloom, what we're trying to say is that Babs-”

“Did Ah stutter?! Or am Ah talkin to a couple of brick walls?! Ah said not to mention that horseapplin mule's-”

KER-SLAP!

Applebloom's shout was brought to a screeching halt as Applejack's hoof sailed a crossed her face. A few seconds later she stared at Applejack in shock.

“What have Ah told ya bout speakin ill of ya family youngin?! Be glad it was me and not Granny Smith! Why if she heard ya talkin like that she'd bend ya over her knee and tan that hide of yours a new fur color! Ah don't what this new fancy life's been teachin ya but nothin and Ah mean nothin, excuses talkin ill of ya family!” Applejack exclaimed fiercely to the farm filly whom continued to stare at her.

Once Applebloom's wits finally caught up to her thanks to that slap knocking them back a few miles so to speak, her expression became hurt and pissed off as she glared at her older sister. “She cheated on me Applejack! Ah don't care if she's family or not! Nothin excuses doin what she did!” Applebloom shrieked at her older sister as fresh tears streamed from her eyes.

“That's what they're tryin to tell ya, it was a big misunderstandin! Babs didn't cheat on ya!” Applejack exclaimed back which caused Applebloom to blink twice at her.

“Wh-What?” she asked in a stunned tone.

“Swift and her told us! She got really messed up what night before but Swift refused her knowing she wasn't thinking strait!” Sweetie Belle added quickly after the farm filly's stunned response.

For a few moments Applebloom believed what they were saying but the images of seeing them in the bed came back to her mind. “Ya wasn't thar so how could ya know!” She exclaimed before she turned away from the three. “Ya didn't see what Ah saw...” She added a few moments later softly as tears fell from her cheeks to the floor.

As much as the three wanted to argue this farther, she did have a point. They weren't there.

“Where the hay is she anyways? Ah know Babs wouldn't miss a chance to talk to ya and that's got me worried.” Applejack remarked as she looked around for the city filly but saw her no where in sight.

“She probably didn't want to show her face, knowin what she did.” Applebloom remarked the resentment in her voice so thick it would be cut with a knife.

“Okay so we weren't there, you got us there but Babs came here to see you and tell you herself! Can you come with us and at least hear her out? You owe her that at least since you ran out on her without letting her say anything.” Scootaloo said as she placed a hoof on Applebloom's cheek and gently turned her around to face the others.

“Fine. Ah listen to what she has to say but Ah ain't sayin Ah'll believe ya or her.” Applebloom replied though it was clear she didn't like the idea.

“Wow! This is some of the best tea I've ever had! I say, how did you make this remarkable brew?” A stallion remarked as he took ginger sips of the beverage.

“If you like that then you'll love my specialty brew.” Silverspoon remarked with a prideful grin.

“Wow, I haven't sold so much tea in years! Usually my husband makes the tea but he was sick. How are you so good at this?” The mare asked in amazement.

“It is my special talent after all!” Silverspoon exclaimed without thinking only to gasp in surprise at her own words. “Holy Luna! I just remembered what my cutie mark really represents!” Silverspoon exclaimed joyfully.

“How could you forget something so important?” A random stallion asked her curiously.

“You know, I really don't know. I guess the past has a way of making us forget happy memories like these when most of it is filled with unhappy memories.” Silverspoon replied and sighed as she looked at her cutie mark with a prideful smile.

Author's Note

Hope you enjoy the chapter! This one is a tearjerker!