The life of a pranksterby fluttershylover357ChaptersChapter 1Chapter 2Chapter 4Chapter 6Chapter 3Chapter 5Chapter 7Chapter 1"Wake up little sis! It's April Foals Day!" Apple Jack shook her sister violently, making the little filly's head spin. Apple Bloom's eyes spun, and she felt very dizzy. "Ugh... Could 'ya please stahp shakin' me? I'm startin' to feel sick..." She put a hoof in her mouth to prevent herself from vomiting. Apple Jack let go of Apple Bloom, and she fell backwards to the head of her bed with a thud. "Ow..." She rubbed her back where it had hit the bed. 'Ya could've been gentler, 'ya know, She thought to herself. "Sorry, but today's a big day! Plus, 'ya gotta get up 'fer school anyway!" She gave Apple Bloom a noogie, wrapping her arm around her after she finished. "Don't 'ya wanna see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?" The moment the orange mare finished her sentence, Apple Bloom was gone, already out the door. "Wait!" She called after the small yellow filly. "'Ya gotta eat some breakfast first!" Apple Bloom dashed back in the room, grabbed her saddle bag, and was back out the door before anyone could stop her. Apple Jack sighed. She'll never learn, She thought. Apple Bloom galloped down the street, her saddle bag barely staying on her. She smiled, feeling the breeze in her mane. 'Ah can't wait to get to school! 'Ah wonder what Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo have planned for today... When she arrived at the school, she stopped so suddenly that a huge cloud of dust was thrown into the air, causing her to cough. Once the cloud had cleared, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were standing right in front of her, both of them smiling wide. Apple Bloom couldn't help smiling herself. She took a breath, then greeted them. "Hey guys! What'cha got planned 'fer today?" She asked. "Something big," Scootaloo jumped into the air, her small wings fluttering excitedly. Sweetie Belle looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean? I thought the plan was_ mmph!" Before she could finish, Scootaloo stuffed a hoof in her mouth. The moment she licked Scootaloo's hoof, Sweetie Belle swallowed wrong, and she began to cough furiously. Scootaloo quickly pulled her hoof away, wiping it on the ground. "Eeww..." She said, wiping it as hard as she could to get Sweetie Belle's spit off of it. After she had finished, she turned to Apple Bloom. "I think we should tell you later. It's really big.... and Sweetie Belle almost spoiled it." Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a small kick. After she had finished coughing, Sweetie Belle bit her lip in pain. "Ow! What was that for?" She exclaimed, her back leg stinging. "Well... 'Ah'll see 'ya in class then, 'Ah guess," Apple Bloom sighed, walking towards the school in a slump. She wondered why her two best friends would hide something from her. They were her best friends after all, what was there to hide? Maybe they didn't have somethin' big after all? Or... maybe Scootaloo just wanted to surprise me at lunch... Or... She went over all of the possible options in her mind as class began, sighing as she rested her head on her hoof. Meanwhile, in the back of class, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were still arguing about earlier. "That really hurt, you know!" Sweetie Belle whispered angrily, eyeing Scootaloo with a glare. "Well, what was I supposed to do?" Scootaloo glared back, her eyes just as sure as Sweetie Belle's. "You made me cough!" "Well you licked me!" The two continued to argue, not noticing Ms. Cheerilee had long ago started the lesson. "Girls..." She said, her voice at a medium volume. Because they didn't stop, she tried again, a bit louder this time. "Girls...!" Still arguing. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "GIRRRLS!!!!" She shrieked, her hoof rapping on her desk as she shouted it. Both fillies looked up, silenced immediately by her yell. "Yes Ms. Cheerilee?" They both asked innocently. "Please don't interrupt class with your arguing!" She gave them an angry glare. "You will both serve a detention at lunch today," She said, looking at both of them as she said it. "B-But..." Sweetie Belle stuttered, her eyes starting to water. She had never seen Ms. Cheerilee this angry before. It really upset her. "No buts!" She slammed her hoof on the desk again, startling both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. She then looked around at the class. "Now, can anyone tell me how to solve this problem?" She picked up a small pointer stick, pointing to a problem on the chalkboard. "I can!" The filly most call The Teacher's Pet called, raising his hoof and waiting patiently to be called on. Eventually, he was, and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other with shocked looks on their faces. "I've never seen Ms. Cheerilee so mad at us...." Sweetie Belle's eyes filled with tears, the waterworks threatening to overflow down her cheeks. Scootaloo looked back at her, not responding with words, but with an expression that displayed all of her mixed emotions at once. It read, 'I'm sorry.' Sweetie Belle could not hold in her tears. She tried her best, but they still slid down her cheeks, despite her efforts. Soon, her entire desk was covered in tears, and she was still bawling like a little foal. Scootaloo looked down at her hooves. She just couldn't bear to see either of her friends cry, it made her feel really guilty and sad, although she couldn't explain why. Her life wasn't exactly full of sunshine and lollipops and rainbows. But... that still didn't explain why she felt like it was her fault.... She shook her head, clearing all of the bad memories that had popped to the surface. No, I won't think about that right now. I need to comfort Sweetie Belle. But.... how... after all, I was the whole cause of the argument.... She looked down at her hooves, a very depressed look beginning to come onto her face. She felt as though she had no purpose in life... until she realized that she had a great way to cheer Sweetie Belle up. Her face brightened a bit, and she knew it was perfect. I'm sure Ms. Cheerilee was just playing a prank on us anyway, She thought. Now I just have to tell Sweetie Belle... She waited until Sweetie Belle's crying became whimpering, and then she began to tell her. "Sweetie Belle, what if all of this is a prank she came up with?" She tried, hoping it would cheer Sweetie Belle up before she fell into the deep abyss that was her sadness and guilt. "Really?" Sweetie Belle wiped her eyes, her face brightening almost immediately. Suddenly, it darkened again. "But... what if it isn't? What if she meant what she said?" What would Rarity say? She thought. Scootaloo sighed. Her one attempt... Had failed miserably. Well.... I can try again after lunch... If we even have one with Apple Bloom... She sighed again, laying her head down on her crossed hooves and blinking back tears. Before she could stop herself... She dozed off. She hadn't slept all night, and she was exhausted. The last thought she had was of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and her past. Sweetie Belle looked over at Scootaloo. She was... asleep? I thought she liked class, Sweetie Belle thought, thinking of how intently she usually listened. I wonder why she.... She yawned, interrupting her thoughts. Why did I stay up all night helping Rarity with her boutique again? She wondered. She yawned again. Maybe I should get some sleep too... She laid her head down on her desk, and fell asleep. Apple Bloom sighed, looking down at her notes. Her teeth ached from holding and moving the pencil for so long, wondering when they would get a break. She sighed again, looking back at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. 'Ah wonder what they were arguin' about... She thought. Was it really somethin' worth disrupting class? She then noticed their heads were both down. What are they doin' back there? Are they.... asleep? She looked at them again, focusing on their expressions this time. Yes, they were asleep. But... why? She suddenly remembered it was April Foals Day. She really wanted to play pranks on them.... But... she couldn't. Not now. She looked at Ms. Cheerilee, suddenly extremely bored of the subject the lesson was on. It probably isn't that important anyway... She laid her head on her desk, sighing, then dozed off. Scootaloo's Dream Scootaloo opened her eyes to find herself in Ponyville, in her usual lot in the alley. A snowflake gently touched her flank. She shivered under her newspaper blanket, her small body extremely cold. If the little orange filly didn't warm up soon, she would get hypothermia. She shivered again, curling up into a small ball to keep warm. Suddenly, she saw a filly in a green hat and scarf and green socks standing in front of her. Her eyes were green, her fur was white, and her mane and tail were pink and purple. Scootaloo shivered again, still struggling to get warm. She watched the filly run away from her towards a white unicorn with a purple mane and tail and three diamonds for a cutie mark. The two ponies came back, and the purple maned unicorn grabbed the box Scootaloo was still in with her magic, making her levitate in the air. Scootaloo sighed, not moving inside the box, but still shivering. The moment the white filly saw her shiver, she took off her scarf, placing it on Scootaloo. She warmed up a little, but still shivered. Suddenly, she felt exhausted, and with one last shiver, she fell over, unconscious. Scootaloo opened her eyes again, her body much warmer than it had been. She tried to get up, but was forced down by the white filly, who then placed a bowl near her. Scootaloo stared at the bowl for a minute or so before realizing it was soup. Immediately she picked up the bowl, gulping down every drop she could without choking. The filly giggled, watching her. Her laughter was gentle, yet sweet, like silver bells ringing on Christmas Eve. The filly looked at Scootaloo with a smile. "My name's Sweetie Belle," She said. After she had finished her soup, Scootaloo gently set down the bowl, smiling at her. "My name is Scootaloo," She said in a really raspy voice. The filly smiled, gently placing a small glass of water near her. Gladly, Scootaloo gulped it down. "I'm nine," Sweetie Belle said, smiling. "How old are you, Scootaloo?" "I'm nine too," Scootaloo guessed. She didn't know her real age or birthday.... She usually just assumed it was close to other fillies'. About half a year earlier, she had been in an orphanage, but then some mean stallions chased her away from it, and she hadn't found her way back. She had lived in her box in the alley since then, digging through the dumpsters near her for food scraps. "Sweetie Belle," A mare's voice called. "Could you be a dear and come help me prepare the guest room, please?" Sweetie Belle jumped to her hooves. "I'll be right there, Rarity!" She called. "I'll be right back," She said, looking at Scootaloo with a smile. The moment Scootaloo smiled back, she ran off to who knew where. Scootaloo sighed, looking at her hooves. If only she had known.... Sweetie Belle's Dream Sweetie Belle opened her eyes to find herself on the couch of her sister's work room. She looked up to see her sister smiling down at her. Oh no... she thought. That look can only mean one thing.... she wants me to do something for her. As usual, her guess was correct. "Darling," Rarity said, her voice sweet as honey, "Would you mind doing me a teensy tiny little favor?" She looked down at Sweetie Belle with the pouty face she knew her sister would never ever deny. As usual, it did it's job. "Ugh.... fine," Sweetie Belle forced out, defeated. "What do you need?" Rarity gave her the biggest of smiles. "I need you to try this on..." She put a small saddle bag on her before she could object. It fit Sweetie Belle perfectly, as though it was made for her (which it was). Rarity then put a small pair of light pink glasses on her. "Um... Rarity?" She looked up at her sister, her vision now clearer than before. "Yes, Sweetie Belle?" Rarity smiled, her red glasses (Looking pink in the lighting) seeming to match Sweetie Belle's perfectly. "How long is this going to take?" She regretted saying the words as soon as they left her mouth. Rarity looked at her, a hurt expression on her face. She frowned, then sighed. "As long as it needs to," She answered, still not answering Sweetie Belle's question. Now it was Sweetie Belle's turn to sigh. She put on every piece of clothing Rarity put in front of her, but Rarity still wasn't satisfied. "Hmm..." She thought out loud, "It seems as though it needs... and... yes, just a tinge of that, and maybe... ah! Yes! Perfect!" Sweetie Belle was pushed in front of a mirror, her mane in the same style as her sister, with the same color. Her eyes were now blue, and her glasses were red. She looked as though she was a clone of her older sister. The moment she realized this, she screamed so loud the entire boutique shook. Rarity laughed so hard that Sweetie Belle felt like a real fool. It was the first prank, and she had fallen for it. "April Foals!" Rarity giggled. Apple Bloom's Dream Apple Bloom looked around the room, her entire body sagging as she did so. All around her were the bullies and mean ponies she had dealt with since magic kindergarten. She heard all of the names she had been called, saw all of the moments when they embarrassed her... and she wanted to cry. Her entire life had been nothing but bullying, sadness, and pain. That is... until she met Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The moment she thought about them, a bright white door appeared in front of her, and she opened it, peeking inside curiously. Inside was an almost completely empty room.... Except for Discord and her. She looked up at the Draconequus, startled at his sudden appearance. She gave him a sour look, remembering what he did to her sister. "What do 'ya want?" She asked him, her voice echoing in the emptiness that was Discord. He laughed, looking down at her with an evil grin. "I'm here to give you a riddle," He said, walking around her. He then began to twist, turn, and swerve around her, making her head spin. "It's April Foals Day, a day for a prank. And perhaps, with my help, you can fill up your flank. If you wish to say no, I will know how you feel. But with one little prank comes a cutie mark that's real." He snapped his fingers, and a poison joke flower appeared. But it wasn't just any poison joke flower.... it was a cutie mark of one.... Apple Bloom felt herself beginning to slip away as her desperation began to take over. But before she did, she heard him finish his offer. "You, little filly, could be a Prankster so clever. And with a touch to this flower, your life will change forever." As the word 'forever' rang in her ears, her vision became blurry, her desperation completely overwhelming her. She couldn't resist or control herself, she simply had to get a cutie mark. And the sooner the better... right? Her hoof reached out, touching the flower before she could stop it. Discord laughed and danced around her, circling her... making her feel quite dizzy.... until.... Chapter 2The discorded Apple Bloom opened her eyes, looking around the room. Everyone had left for lunch except her, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. The other two were still asleep, so she started to get up from her desk. "Yes," She heard a familiar voice whisper. "Go grab the permanent marker from the teacher's desk, and draw mustaches on both of them," It said. She felt a strange will to go against it, and she began to agree with it, trying to escape to the lunchroom before pranks hurt her friends. Trying to prevent the very being of chaos from destroying her relationships with those she loved. "Oh, come on now," Discord whispered. "Have a little fun. After all, this is what you wanted, right? You touched the flower that will soon be your cutie mark." Apple Bloom shook her head. If it's going to hurt my friends 'Ah don't want it. Discord laughed. "Did you really think that would change anything? That I would let you resign? Cancel? Well sorry, little Apple Bloom. No take backs," He said, laughing all the while. But... what about... She tried to fight her urge to prank, but his spell was too strong. She had to prank someone. So she grabbed the permanent marker, drew mustaches on both of her friends, and put it back, leaving no evidence she had done the prank. As she exited the room, she turned an even darker shade of gray, laughing all the while. Sweetie Belle opened her eyes, still somewhat drowsy. She looked around the room, but found no one except her and Scootaloo, both sitting in their desks. She sighed, then noticed not even Ms. Cheerilee was there. That was a good sign. She got up, stretched, then sang the major tonic scale (do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do). Scootaloo heard Sweetie Belle, and she opened her eyes drowsily. "Ugh..." She stretched out, everywhere aching for some reason. "Good morning," Sweetie Belle giggled. "Or, should I say, afternoon?" She helped Scootaloo out of her desk quickly. The moment they were both on their hooves, they left the classroom, smiling and talking the whole time. Apple Bloom sat down at her normal table, the empty one in the middle. She then waited there for her friends, hoping they would show up soon so she could embarrass them. No, 'Ah shouldn't be pranking.... She fought against the bonds yet again, trying to escape the puppet strings that held her taut. "No, no no..." Discord laughed. "You know, there is an easier way to do this. I could silence you like I did to your sister and her friends..." He twisted one of the puppet strings to show her what it would feel like. She felt helpless, and when she tried to do something to make the event or action change to something less evil or awful, it got worse. Discord snapped his fingers, and the puppet string became straight again. "So... which do you prefer?" He asked her in his taunting voice. "The way you are now, or the way your sister was?" Apple Bloom thought for a moment. "Is there any way to make it so 'Ah'm even more useless?" She asked. Discord laughed. "Of course there is! But as the spirit of chaos, I want something in return for me being less chaotic." Apple Bloom tilted her head. "Ah'm listening..." She said in a patient voice. Discord laughed again. "The way to earn more from me is to lose yourself. Completely surrender yourself to me, and it will feel more natural to you, which will make it less painful." He smiled. "We both win. You get less pain, and I get some gain. It's fair. So, whaddaya say?" Apple Bloom sighed. "Okay..." She did her best to embrace pranking, after all, giving it a chance wouldn't be bad, right? What if Discord's trick really worked? She would have a cutie mark, and she would be happy! She felt herself letting go, accepting the future he had planned for her. Eventually, she felt as though she had fallen asleep, and everything passed by in a dream while the real Apple Bloom slept and Discord took over. Chapter 4Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at their grey friend, both of their mouths open. Before they said anything, Discord said something to the dreaming Apple Bloom. "Look at them. Some friends they are. Couldn't even take a good prank without hurting the prankster." Apple Bloom could now open her eyes, though she was stuck in a trance. She could not respond, only look at Discord blankly. Her entire body was tinged grey, including her eyes. She was still a blank flank, since this was her first prank to pull. Discord sighed. "You still can't hear me, can you?" He looked at the entranced filly, sighing again with no answer. "Well, this is no fun." He snapped his fingers. Apple Bloom regained a bit of color, but not much. She could now respond. "'Ah don't think this is fair," She said. Discord came right up to her face. "Did I ever SAY it would be fair?" He asked, giving her an angry look. She shook her head. "'Ah guess not, but you could at least let me have SOME say in this." Discord sighed. "Okay, I'll make you another deal. In exchange for COMPLETE control over your entire body and relationships, you can speak to your friends one last time_" "What about Apple Jack?" Apple Bloom interrupted, hoping she could somehow get out of this with her sister's help. Discord nodded. For her complete cooperation, he was willing to let her speak to as many ponies as she wanted to. Apple Bloom felt a beam of hope. She would explain everything to her sister, and she would help her. But wait, if 'Ah tell her, won't she get mad at me? She suddenly doubted her sister would help her, she would either think she was lying or hate her. The little filly sighed. She had no choice. She had to tell her sister.... She looked up at Discord. He snapped his fingers quickly. Apple Bloom (Not discorded) Apple Bloom opened her eyes, her head aching fiercely. She looked up at her two friends. They both had shocked expressions on their faces for some reason.... Her vision suddenly got really blurry, and she put a hoof on her head. Looking down at it, it was smeared with blood. Oh no.... How will 'Ah talk to Apple Jack now? That was her final thought. The last thing she heard was a ringing in her right ear, and Sweetie Belle saying, "Apple Bloom? Are you okay?" Sweetie Belle Sweetie Belle maintained her shocked expression as she looked at the blood on the wall Apple Bloom had smashed her head into. She then watched her. As Apple Blooms eyes got really watery, she raised a hoof to her head, only to find it covered in blood. As her friend began to wobble, she got really worried and scared. She suddenly found herself shouting something at her. "Apple Bloom? Are you okay?" Scootaloo Scootaloo watched the entire spectacle unfold, right down to Sweetie Belle's shouting. The only difference was that her heart had beat even faster than ever when she had noticed the blood on the wall, and on Apple Bloom's hoof. She began to hyperventilate, her fear taking over fully. She had to get out of there and into the fresh air. She tried to run, but her loyalty to Apple Bloom kept her there. She was frozen in fear, hyperventilating, and couldn't think straight. The moment Apple Bloom passed out and Sweetie Belle yelled, she sprinted out of the room. After she was out the door, she heard Sweetie Belle call after her. "Scootaloo!" Scootaloo knew she would eventually have to come back, but she needed fresh air. She took several deep breaths, then came back in. Sweetie Belle sighed in relief. "Oh, good. You're back." She was holding Apple Bloom when Scootaloo walked in, and she was now attempting to drag her out of the room. Scootaloo walked over, picking up Apple Bloom's other end when she was over there. She sighed, then finally said, "C'mon. Vet's brhagh 'er touta 'ere." Her mouth had Apple Bloom's tail in it, and she was holding up her body with her front hooves. Sweetie Belle gave a small nod, then both ponies attempted to drag her away from the bloodstained wall. Chapter 6Paramedics grabbed the long blue stretcher, making sure it was steady. It would be a long sprint to the hospital, their ambulance had broken down and they needed all the support they could get. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo watched the blue clothed stallions, wishing they could help in some way. Fortunately, they got their chance. "Erm... Girls?" A tall blue stallion asked, looking at both of the fillies as he said it. "Can you two be brave and help me out with something really important?" Both of them nodded, their thoughts clearing as they focused. "Good. Can you two go over there and grab me that little blue cart?" Sweetie Belle grabbed it with her teeth, wheeling it out of the white van. The moment it was on the ground, she pushed harder than ever, encouraging Scootaloo to do the best she could. After about a minute, the cart was in front of the stallion, and he placed the blue stretcher on it. "Thank you," The stallion said quickly. Both fillies nodded, their heads clouded once again, and they gave Apple Bloom a worried look. Her face had gone pale, and the cloth was completely dark red now, blood trickling down her head in small drops. Scootaloo suddenly felt a surge of energy. She didn't know whether it was the loyalty for her friend, her love towards her, or the inspiration Apple Bloom provided her everyday, but she knew she had to help, more than just wheeling a cart over to a stallion. Taking a slow step, she advanced towards the cart and stretcher. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her. "Scootaloo? What are you doing?" Sweetie Belle looked at her, confused. Scootaloo just simply shook her head, then kept going. Almost immediately, Sweetie Belle understood. She knew that if they didn't help now, Apple Bloom would die. Both of them looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then sprinted forward. "HEY!" A paramedic had noticed them, and he came running. Neither filly stopped to think. They just ran faster, only a couple yards from the cart. They were going to make it in time. The moment Scootaloo's hooves hit the cart... It went flying forward, glowing light pink. She looked over to see Sweetie Belle's horn glowing. "Did I just..." Sweetie Belle looked up at her horn, which was radiating a soft pink glow. She was even more determined now, and she ran faster than ever before, her magic getting stronger and stronger as they neared the hospital, paramedics chasing after them. Eventually, after what seemed like a century.... Chapter 3Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo entered the lunchroom, completely oblivious about the mustaches, almost everypony staring at them, and the giggles near the very back of the tables. Sweetie Belle smiled. "There's Apple Bloom!" She burst out excitedly. Just as she and Scootaloo came over and sat down, Discord moved Apple Bloom, putting her with the troublemaker kids. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watched her, puzzled. Right at that moment, all of the pranksters noticed the two fillies' mustaches. Immediately, they all burst out laughing. They laughed so hard that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were completely confused. One of the pranksters, the leader of the group, finished laughing and looked at both of them. "Look at those hideous mustaches. What kind of freaks would want to sit with them?" Everyone burst out laughing again, even Discorded Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both touched their faces at the exact same time, wiping the spot a mustache would be if they were stallions. They then both looked down at the hoof they had each used, and found smudged black marker. They both then blushed and awkwardly ran away, everyone laughing as they left. A small tear slid down the dreaming Apple Bloom's cheek, and she knew that if she continued down this dark path, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle would no longer be her friends. But... now that she was on this path... how would she escape? Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both ran into the little fillies' room, which, luckily, was completely empty. They both looked in the mirror, screaming as they saw the mustaches. Sweetie Belle's was a pencil thin mustache and goatee, making her look absolutely hideous. Scootaloo's was a curvy mustache, swirling at the ends. Apple Bloom had followed them to the little fillies' room, listening to their reaction from the other side of the door. The moment she heard them scream, she laughed so hard that they both heard it. "Did you just hear something?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said at the exact same time. "Oh, you go first. No, you go first." They said it at the exact same time again, smiling a bit. "Okay, for ponies' sake, I'll go first," Scootaloo said, glaring at the door as she said it. She ran over to the door and gave it a hard kick. Apple Bloom went tumbling out, crashing into the wall headfirst. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both gasped. They had just made a huge mistake. Chapter 5"Unngh..." Apple Bloom groaned, rubbing her head with her hoof gently. She was definitely in more pain than she had expected.... "Oh good, she's awake!" Scootaloo exclaimed, hopping into the air and fluttering her wings with a smile. Sweetie Belle sighed in relief. "Phew, I thought you were going to be out all day!" She held a hoof to her head, then wiped off beads of sweat. Apple Bloom looked around. She was in an ambulance, being taken to the hospital. She then looked back to her friends. "Do 'ya know why 'Ah'm here?" She asked, looking around again. Both fillies nodded slowly. "Well, yes, of course." Scootaloo said, looking at Apple Bloom's head again. She just couldn't help it. Apple Bloom immediately noticed her looking at her head, and she shot a nervous look towards Scootaloo. "What's wrong? Is there somethin' wrong with 'mah head?" She put her hooves on her head, trying to find the problem. "Um... no.... not exactly...." Scootaloo tried to distract Apple Bloom from it, but it was too late. Apple Bloom touched the spot where she had hit her head on the wall, and she felt something rough. "What.... wha...." Her head had a huge pad taped to it, dark red and wet with blood. She could feel a strong pain spreading throughout her head, making her dizzy. "Why can't 'Ah...?" She couldn't finish the question. Her head was throbbing, the pain so intense, she was fighting just to stay conscious. She took one last look at her two friends, then blacked out. Chapter 7Two fillies burst through the doors, a cart glowing a soft pink popping in first. Both of them were panting, almost completely out of breath. Sooner than they had stopped, they took off running again, faster than before. Suddenly, a huge group of paramedics broke in after them, shocking everyone in the hospital even more than before. "It's okay, everyone," The lead one rasped. "Everything's under control." He and the other paramedics caught as much of their breath as they could, then went running after the two fillies. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were now only a white and orange blur, running at a canter faster than anyone had ever seen. Up ahead, a huge grey door read in big capital letters, "Assistance". They ran as fast as their bodies would carry them, bursting through the door at an incredible speed. A peach colored mare gasped in surprise, watching the cart as it flew through the doors. "C-can I help you?" She stammered, looking down at the two panting fillies. Scootaloo nodded. "We need your help right away. Our friend is losing too much blood, and..." Her voice trailed off. How could she explain what had happened? Luckily, there was no need. The soft colored mare nodded, pointing her pen towards a door. "Right this way," She said in a calm tone. Both fillies followed her, walking as fast as they could. A moment later, the paramedics burst through. "Where did they go?" One of them asked in a furious tone. "I dunno boss," Another said, tilting his head in confusion. "Maybe, this way?" "No, this way." "No way, it was this way, I watched them run through this exact door." The group continued to argue, not sure which of the thirteen sets of doors they had run through. Making sure no one but he and his group were watching, the lead blue stallion's horn flashed a bright green, and he transformed into his true form, a changeling king married to Queen Chrysalis herself, King Metamorphis. "Never mind where they went," He spoke in a raspy voice, loud and scratchy like tearing tinfoil. "It is important we wait until the yellow one is fully or at least close to recovery, or the plan will fail," The others thought for a second, then nodded their heads in agreement. Soon, the time would come... And everything would change.
Chapter 1"Wake up little sis! It's April Foals Day!" Apple Jack shook her sister violently, making the little filly's head spin. Apple Bloom's eyes spun, and she felt very dizzy. "Ugh... Could 'ya please stahp shakin' me? I'm startin' to feel sick..." She put a hoof in her mouth to prevent herself from vomiting. Apple Jack let go of Apple Bloom, and she fell backwards to the head of her bed with a thud. "Ow..." She rubbed her back where it had hit the bed. 'Ya could've been gentler, 'ya know, She thought to herself. "Sorry, but today's a big day! Plus, 'ya gotta get up 'fer school anyway!" She gave Apple Bloom a noogie, wrapping her arm around her after she finished. "Don't 'ya wanna see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?" The moment the orange mare finished her sentence, Apple Bloom was gone, already out the door. "Wait!" She called after the small yellow filly. "'Ya gotta eat some breakfast first!" Apple Bloom dashed back in the room, grabbed her saddle bag, and was back out the door before anyone could stop her. Apple Jack sighed. She'll never learn, She thought. Apple Bloom galloped down the street, her saddle bag barely staying on her. She smiled, feeling the breeze in her mane. 'Ah can't wait to get to school! 'Ah wonder what Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo have planned for today... When she arrived at the school, she stopped so suddenly that a huge cloud of dust was thrown into the air, causing her to cough. Once the cloud had cleared, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were standing right in front of her, both of them smiling wide. Apple Bloom couldn't help smiling herself. She took a breath, then greeted them. "Hey guys! What'cha got planned 'fer today?" She asked. "Something big," Scootaloo jumped into the air, her small wings fluttering excitedly. Sweetie Belle looked at her, puzzled. "What do you mean? I thought the plan was_ mmph!" Before she could finish, Scootaloo stuffed a hoof in her mouth. The moment she licked Scootaloo's hoof, Sweetie Belle swallowed wrong, and she began to cough furiously. Scootaloo quickly pulled her hoof away, wiping it on the ground. "Eeww..." She said, wiping it as hard as she could to get Sweetie Belle's spit off of it. After she had finished, she turned to Apple Bloom. "I think we should tell you later. It's really big.... and Sweetie Belle almost spoiled it." Scootaloo gave Sweetie Belle a small kick. After she had finished coughing, Sweetie Belle bit her lip in pain. "Ow! What was that for?" She exclaimed, her back leg stinging. "Well... 'Ah'll see 'ya in class then, 'Ah guess," Apple Bloom sighed, walking towards the school in a slump. She wondered why her two best friends would hide something from her. They were her best friends after all, what was there to hide? Maybe they didn't have somethin' big after all? Or... maybe Scootaloo just wanted to surprise me at lunch... Or... She went over all of the possible options in her mind as class began, sighing as she rested her head on her hoof. Meanwhile, in the back of class, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were still arguing about earlier. "That really hurt, you know!" Sweetie Belle whispered angrily, eyeing Scootaloo with a glare. "Well, what was I supposed to do?" Scootaloo glared back, her eyes just as sure as Sweetie Belle's. "You made me cough!" "Well you licked me!" The two continued to argue, not noticing Ms. Cheerilee had long ago started the lesson. "Girls..." She said, her voice at a medium volume. Because they didn't stop, she tried again, a bit louder this time. "Girls...!" Still arguing. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore. "GIRRRLS!!!!" She shrieked, her hoof rapping on her desk as she shouted it. Both fillies looked up, silenced immediately by her yell. "Yes Ms. Cheerilee?" They both asked innocently. "Please don't interrupt class with your arguing!" She gave them an angry glare. "You will both serve a detention at lunch today," She said, looking at both of them as she said it. "B-But..." Sweetie Belle stuttered, her eyes starting to water. She had never seen Ms. Cheerilee this angry before. It really upset her. "No buts!" She slammed her hoof on the desk again, startling both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. She then looked around at the class. "Now, can anyone tell me how to solve this problem?" She picked up a small pointer stick, pointing to a problem on the chalkboard. "I can!" The filly most call The Teacher's Pet called, raising his hoof and waiting patiently to be called on. Eventually, he was, and Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle looked at each other with shocked looks on their faces. "I've never seen Ms. Cheerilee so mad at us...." Sweetie Belle's eyes filled with tears, the waterworks threatening to overflow down her cheeks. Scootaloo looked back at her, not responding with words, but with an expression that displayed all of her mixed emotions at once. It read, 'I'm sorry.' Sweetie Belle could not hold in her tears. She tried her best, but they still slid down her cheeks, despite her efforts. Soon, her entire desk was covered in tears, and she was still bawling like a little foal. Scootaloo looked down at her hooves. She just couldn't bear to see either of her friends cry, it made her feel really guilty and sad, although she couldn't explain why. Her life wasn't exactly full of sunshine and lollipops and rainbows. But... that still didn't explain why she felt like it was her fault.... She shook her head, clearing all of the bad memories that had popped to the surface. No, I won't think about that right now. I need to comfort Sweetie Belle. But.... how... after all, I was the whole cause of the argument.... She looked down at her hooves, a very depressed look beginning to come onto her face. She felt as though she had no purpose in life... until she realized that she had a great way to cheer Sweetie Belle up. Her face brightened a bit, and she knew it was perfect. I'm sure Ms. Cheerilee was just playing a prank on us anyway, She thought. Now I just have to tell Sweetie Belle... She waited until Sweetie Belle's crying became whimpering, and then she began to tell her. "Sweetie Belle, what if all of this is a prank she came up with?" She tried, hoping it would cheer Sweetie Belle up before she fell into the deep abyss that was her sadness and guilt. "Really?" Sweetie Belle wiped her eyes, her face brightening almost immediately. Suddenly, it darkened again. "But... what if it isn't? What if she meant what she said?" What would Rarity say? She thought. Scootaloo sighed. Her one attempt... Had failed miserably. Well.... I can try again after lunch... If we even have one with Apple Bloom... She sighed again, laying her head down on her crossed hooves and blinking back tears. Before she could stop herself... She dozed off. She hadn't slept all night, and she was exhausted. The last thought she had was of Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, and her past. Sweetie Belle looked over at Scootaloo. She was... asleep? I thought she liked class, Sweetie Belle thought, thinking of how intently she usually listened. I wonder why she.... She yawned, interrupting her thoughts. Why did I stay up all night helping Rarity with her boutique again? She wondered. She yawned again. Maybe I should get some sleep too... She laid her head down on her desk, and fell asleep. Apple Bloom sighed, looking down at her notes. Her teeth ached from holding and moving the pencil for so long, wondering when they would get a break. She sighed again, looking back at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. 'Ah wonder what they were arguin' about... She thought. Was it really somethin' worth disrupting class? She then noticed their heads were both down. What are they doin' back there? Are they.... asleep? She looked at them again, focusing on their expressions this time. Yes, they were asleep. But... why? She suddenly remembered it was April Foals Day. She really wanted to play pranks on them.... But... she couldn't. Not now. She looked at Ms. Cheerilee, suddenly extremely bored of the subject the lesson was on. It probably isn't that important anyway... She laid her head on her desk, sighing, then dozed off. Scootaloo's Dream Scootaloo opened her eyes to find herself in Ponyville, in her usual lot in the alley. A snowflake gently touched her flank. She shivered under her newspaper blanket, her small body extremely cold. If the little orange filly didn't warm up soon, she would get hypothermia. She shivered again, curling up into a small ball to keep warm. Suddenly, she saw a filly in a green hat and scarf and green socks standing in front of her. Her eyes were green, her fur was white, and her mane and tail were pink and purple. Scootaloo shivered again, still struggling to get warm. She watched the filly run away from her towards a white unicorn with a purple mane and tail and three diamonds for a cutie mark. The two ponies came back, and the purple maned unicorn grabbed the box Scootaloo was still in with her magic, making her levitate in the air. Scootaloo sighed, not moving inside the box, but still shivering. The moment the white filly saw her shiver, she took off her scarf, placing it on Scootaloo. She warmed up a little, but still shivered. Suddenly, she felt exhausted, and with one last shiver, she fell over, unconscious. Scootaloo opened her eyes again, her body much warmer than it had been. She tried to get up, but was forced down by the white filly, who then placed a bowl near her. Scootaloo stared at the bowl for a minute or so before realizing it was soup. Immediately she picked up the bowl, gulping down every drop she could without choking. The filly giggled, watching her. Her laughter was gentle, yet sweet, like silver bells ringing on Christmas Eve. The filly looked at Scootaloo with a smile. "My name's Sweetie Belle," She said. After she had finished her soup, Scootaloo gently set down the bowl, smiling at her. "My name is Scootaloo," She said in a really raspy voice. The filly smiled, gently placing a small glass of water near her. Gladly, Scootaloo gulped it down. "I'm nine," Sweetie Belle said, smiling. "How old are you, Scootaloo?" "I'm nine too," Scootaloo guessed. She didn't know her real age or birthday.... She usually just assumed it was close to other fillies'. About half a year earlier, she had been in an orphanage, but then some mean stallions chased her away from it, and she hadn't found her way back. She had lived in her box in the alley since then, digging through the dumpsters near her for food scraps. "Sweetie Belle," A mare's voice called. "Could you be a dear and come help me prepare the guest room, please?" Sweetie Belle jumped to her hooves. "I'll be right there, Rarity!" She called. "I'll be right back," She said, looking at Scootaloo with a smile. The moment Scootaloo smiled back, she ran off to who knew where. Scootaloo sighed, looking at her hooves. If only she had known.... Sweetie Belle's Dream Sweetie Belle opened her eyes to find herself on the couch of her sister's work room. She looked up to see her sister smiling down at her. Oh no... she thought. That look can only mean one thing.... she wants me to do something for her. As usual, her guess was correct. "Darling," Rarity said, her voice sweet as honey, "Would you mind doing me a teensy tiny little favor?" She looked down at Sweetie Belle with the pouty face she knew her sister would never ever deny. As usual, it did it's job. "Ugh.... fine," Sweetie Belle forced out, defeated. "What do you need?" Rarity gave her the biggest of smiles. "I need you to try this on..." She put a small saddle bag on her before she could object. It fit Sweetie Belle perfectly, as though it was made for her (which it was). Rarity then put a small pair of light pink glasses on her. "Um... Rarity?" She looked up at her sister, her vision now clearer than before. "Yes, Sweetie Belle?" Rarity smiled, her red glasses (Looking pink in the lighting) seeming to match Sweetie Belle's perfectly. "How long is this going to take?" She regretted saying the words as soon as they left her mouth. Rarity looked at her, a hurt expression on her face. She frowned, then sighed. "As long as it needs to," She answered, still not answering Sweetie Belle's question. Now it was Sweetie Belle's turn to sigh. She put on every piece of clothing Rarity put in front of her, but Rarity still wasn't satisfied. "Hmm..." She thought out loud, "It seems as though it needs... and... yes, just a tinge of that, and maybe... ah! Yes! Perfect!" Sweetie Belle was pushed in front of a mirror, her mane in the same style as her sister, with the same color. Her eyes were now blue, and her glasses were red. She looked as though she was a clone of her older sister. The moment she realized this, she screamed so loud the entire boutique shook. Rarity laughed so hard that Sweetie Belle felt like a real fool. It was the first prank, and she had fallen for it. "April Foals!" Rarity giggled. Apple Bloom's Dream Apple Bloom looked around the room, her entire body sagging as she did so. All around her were the bullies and mean ponies she had dealt with since magic kindergarten. She heard all of the names she had been called, saw all of the moments when they embarrassed her... and she wanted to cry. Her entire life had been nothing but bullying, sadness, and pain. That is... until she met Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The moment she thought about them, a bright white door appeared in front of her, and she opened it, peeking inside curiously. Inside was an almost completely empty room.... Except for Discord and her. She looked up at the Draconequus, startled at his sudden appearance. She gave him a sour look, remembering what he did to her sister. "What do 'ya want?" She asked him, her voice echoing in the emptiness that was Discord. He laughed, looking down at her with an evil grin. "I'm here to give you a riddle," He said, walking around her. He then began to twist, turn, and swerve around her, making her head spin. "It's April Foals Day, a day for a prank. And perhaps, with my help, you can fill up your flank. If you wish to say no, I will know how you feel. But with one little prank comes a cutie mark that's real." He snapped his fingers, and a poison joke flower appeared. But it wasn't just any poison joke flower.... it was a cutie mark of one.... Apple Bloom felt herself beginning to slip away as her desperation began to take over. But before she did, she heard him finish his offer. "You, little filly, could be a Prankster so clever. And with a touch to this flower, your life will change forever." As the word 'forever' rang in her ears, her vision became blurry, her desperation completely overwhelming her. She couldn't resist or control herself, she simply had to get a cutie mark. And the sooner the better... right? Her hoof reached out, touching the flower before she could stop it. Discord laughed and danced around her, circling her... making her feel quite dizzy.... until....
Chapter 2The discorded Apple Bloom opened her eyes, looking around the room. Everyone had left for lunch except her, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle. The other two were still asleep, so she started to get up from her desk. "Yes," She heard a familiar voice whisper. "Go grab the permanent marker from the teacher's desk, and draw mustaches on both of them," It said. She felt a strange will to go against it, and she began to agree with it, trying to escape to the lunchroom before pranks hurt her friends. Trying to prevent the very being of chaos from destroying her relationships with those she loved. "Oh, come on now," Discord whispered. "Have a little fun. After all, this is what you wanted, right? You touched the flower that will soon be your cutie mark." Apple Bloom shook her head. If it's going to hurt my friends 'Ah don't want it. Discord laughed. "Did you really think that would change anything? That I would let you resign? Cancel? Well sorry, little Apple Bloom. No take backs," He said, laughing all the while. But... what about... She tried to fight her urge to prank, but his spell was too strong. She had to prank someone. So she grabbed the permanent marker, drew mustaches on both of her friends, and put it back, leaving no evidence she had done the prank. As she exited the room, she turned an even darker shade of gray, laughing all the while. Sweetie Belle opened her eyes, still somewhat drowsy. She looked around the room, but found no one except her and Scootaloo, both sitting in their desks. She sighed, then noticed not even Ms. Cheerilee was there. That was a good sign. She got up, stretched, then sang the major tonic scale (do, re, me, fa, so, la, ti, do). Scootaloo heard Sweetie Belle, and she opened her eyes drowsily. "Ugh..." She stretched out, everywhere aching for some reason. "Good morning," Sweetie Belle giggled. "Or, should I say, afternoon?" She helped Scootaloo out of her desk quickly. The moment they were both on their hooves, they left the classroom, smiling and talking the whole time. Apple Bloom sat down at her normal table, the empty one in the middle. She then waited there for her friends, hoping they would show up soon so she could embarrass them. No, 'Ah shouldn't be pranking.... She fought against the bonds yet again, trying to escape the puppet strings that held her taut. "No, no no..." Discord laughed. "You know, there is an easier way to do this. I could silence you like I did to your sister and her friends..." He twisted one of the puppet strings to show her what it would feel like. She felt helpless, and when she tried to do something to make the event or action change to something less evil or awful, it got worse. Discord snapped his fingers, and the puppet string became straight again. "So... which do you prefer?" He asked her in his taunting voice. "The way you are now, or the way your sister was?" Apple Bloom thought for a moment. "Is there any way to make it so 'Ah'm even more useless?" She asked. Discord laughed. "Of course there is! But as the spirit of chaos, I want something in return for me being less chaotic." Apple Bloom tilted her head. "Ah'm listening..." She said in a patient voice. Discord laughed again. "The way to earn more from me is to lose yourself. Completely surrender yourself to me, and it will feel more natural to you, which will make it less painful." He smiled. "We both win. You get less pain, and I get some gain. It's fair. So, whaddaya say?" Apple Bloom sighed. "Okay..." She did her best to embrace pranking, after all, giving it a chance wouldn't be bad, right? What if Discord's trick really worked? She would have a cutie mark, and she would be happy! She felt herself letting go, accepting the future he had planned for her. Eventually, she felt as though she had fallen asleep, and everything passed by in a dream while the real Apple Bloom slept and Discord took over.
Chapter 4Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at their grey friend, both of their mouths open. Before they said anything, Discord said something to the dreaming Apple Bloom. "Look at them. Some friends they are. Couldn't even take a good prank without hurting the prankster." Apple Bloom could now open her eyes, though she was stuck in a trance. She could not respond, only look at Discord blankly. Her entire body was tinged grey, including her eyes. She was still a blank flank, since this was her first prank to pull. Discord sighed. "You still can't hear me, can you?" He looked at the entranced filly, sighing again with no answer. "Well, this is no fun." He snapped his fingers. Apple Bloom regained a bit of color, but not much. She could now respond. "'Ah don't think this is fair," She said. Discord came right up to her face. "Did I ever SAY it would be fair?" He asked, giving her an angry look. She shook her head. "'Ah guess not, but you could at least let me have SOME say in this." Discord sighed. "Okay, I'll make you another deal. In exchange for COMPLETE control over your entire body and relationships, you can speak to your friends one last time_" "What about Apple Jack?" Apple Bloom interrupted, hoping she could somehow get out of this with her sister's help. Discord nodded. For her complete cooperation, he was willing to let her speak to as many ponies as she wanted to. Apple Bloom felt a beam of hope. She would explain everything to her sister, and she would help her. But wait, if 'Ah tell her, won't she get mad at me? She suddenly doubted her sister would help her, she would either think she was lying or hate her. The little filly sighed. She had no choice. She had to tell her sister.... She looked up at Discord. He snapped his fingers quickly. Apple Bloom (Not discorded) Apple Bloom opened her eyes, her head aching fiercely. She looked up at her two friends. They both had shocked expressions on their faces for some reason.... Her vision suddenly got really blurry, and she put a hoof on her head. Looking down at it, it was smeared with blood. Oh no.... How will 'Ah talk to Apple Jack now? That was her final thought. The last thing she heard was a ringing in her right ear, and Sweetie Belle saying, "Apple Bloom? Are you okay?" Sweetie Belle Sweetie Belle maintained her shocked expression as she looked at the blood on the wall Apple Bloom had smashed her head into. She then watched her. As Apple Blooms eyes got really watery, she raised a hoof to her head, only to find it covered in blood. As her friend began to wobble, she got really worried and scared. She suddenly found herself shouting something at her. "Apple Bloom? Are you okay?" Scootaloo Scootaloo watched the entire spectacle unfold, right down to Sweetie Belle's shouting. The only difference was that her heart had beat even faster than ever when she had noticed the blood on the wall, and on Apple Bloom's hoof. She began to hyperventilate, her fear taking over fully. She had to get out of there and into the fresh air. She tried to run, but her loyalty to Apple Bloom kept her there. She was frozen in fear, hyperventilating, and couldn't think straight. The moment Apple Bloom passed out and Sweetie Belle yelled, she sprinted out of the room. After she was out the door, she heard Sweetie Belle call after her. "Scootaloo!" Scootaloo knew she would eventually have to come back, but she needed fresh air. She took several deep breaths, then came back in. Sweetie Belle sighed in relief. "Oh, good. You're back." She was holding Apple Bloom when Scootaloo walked in, and she was now attempting to drag her out of the room. Scootaloo walked over, picking up Apple Bloom's other end when she was over there. She sighed, then finally said, "C'mon. Vet's brhagh 'er touta 'ere." Her mouth had Apple Bloom's tail in it, and she was holding up her body with her front hooves. Sweetie Belle gave a small nod, then both ponies attempted to drag her away from the bloodstained wall.
Chapter 6Paramedics grabbed the long blue stretcher, making sure it was steady. It would be a long sprint to the hospital, their ambulance had broken down and they needed all the support they could get. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo watched the blue clothed stallions, wishing they could help in some way. Fortunately, they got their chance. "Erm... Girls?" A tall blue stallion asked, looking at both of the fillies as he said it. "Can you two be brave and help me out with something really important?" Both of them nodded, their thoughts clearing as they focused. "Good. Can you two go over there and grab me that little blue cart?" Sweetie Belle grabbed it with her teeth, wheeling it out of the white van. The moment it was on the ground, she pushed harder than ever, encouraging Scootaloo to do the best she could. After about a minute, the cart was in front of the stallion, and he placed the blue stretcher on it. "Thank you," The stallion said quickly. Both fillies nodded, their heads clouded once again, and they gave Apple Bloom a worried look. Her face had gone pale, and the cloth was completely dark red now, blood trickling down her head in small drops. Scootaloo suddenly felt a surge of energy. She didn't know whether it was the loyalty for her friend, her love towards her, or the inspiration Apple Bloom provided her everyday, but she knew she had to help, more than just wheeling a cart over to a stallion. Taking a slow step, she advanced towards the cart and stretcher. Suddenly, a voice interrupted her. "Scootaloo? What are you doing?" Sweetie Belle looked at her, confused. Scootaloo just simply shook her head, then kept going. Almost immediately, Sweetie Belle understood. She knew that if they didn't help now, Apple Bloom would die. Both of them looked around to make sure no one was paying attention, then sprinted forward. "HEY!" A paramedic had noticed them, and he came running. Neither filly stopped to think. They just ran faster, only a couple yards from the cart. They were going to make it in time. The moment Scootaloo's hooves hit the cart... It went flying forward, glowing light pink. She looked over to see Sweetie Belle's horn glowing. "Did I just..." Sweetie Belle looked up at her horn, which was radiating a soft pink glow. She was even more determined now, and she ran faster than ever before, her magic getting stronger and stronger as they neared the hospital, paramedics chasing after them. Eventually, after what seemed like a century....
Chapter 3Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo entered the lunchroom, completely oblivious about the mustaches, almost everypony staring at them, and the giggles near the very back of the tables. Sweetie Belle smiled. "There's Apple Bloom!" She burst out excitedly. Just as she and Scootaloo came over and sat down, Discord moved Apple Bloom, putting her with the troublemaker kids. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle watched her, puzzled. Right at that moment, all of the pranksters noticed the two fillies' mustaches. Immediately, they all burst out laughing. They laughed so hard that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were completely confused. One of the pranksters, the leader of the group, finished laughing and looked at both of them. "Look at those hideous mustaches. What kind of freaks would want to sit with them?" Everyone burst out laughing again, even Discorded Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both touched their faces at the exact same time, wiping the spot a mustache would be if they were stallions. They then both looked down at the hoof they had each used, and found smudged black marker. They both then blushed and awkwardly ran away, everyone laughing as they left. A small tear slid down the dreaming Apple Bloom's cheek, and she knew that if she continued down this dark path, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle would no longer be her friends. But... now that she was on this path... how would she escape? Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both ran into the little fillies' room, which, luckily, was completely empty. They both looked in the mirror, screaming as they saw the mustaches. Sweetie Belle's was a pencil thin mustache and goatee, making her look absolutely hideous. Scootaloo's was a curvy mustache, swirling at the ends. Apple Bloom had followed them to the little fillies' room, listening to their reaction from the other side of the door. The moment she heard them scream, she laughed so hard that they both heard it. "Did you just hear something?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said at the exact same time. "Oh, you go first. No, you go first." They said it at the exact same time again, smiling a bit. "Okay, for ponies' sake, I'll go first," Scootaloo said, glaring at the door as she said it. She ran over to the door and gave it a hard kick. Apple Bloom went tumbling out, crashing into the wall headfirst. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo both gasped. They had just made a huge mistake.
Chapter 5"Unngh..." Apple Bloom groaned, rubbing her head with her hoof gently. She was definitely in more pain than she had expected.... "Oh good, she's awake!" Scootaloo exclaimed, hopping into the air and fluttering her wings with a smile. Sweetie Belle sighed in relief. "Phew, I thought you were going to be out all day!" She held a hoof to her head, then wiped off beads of sweat. Apple Bloom looked around. She was in an ambulance, being taken to the hospital. She then looked back to her friends. "Do 'ya know why 'Ah'm here?" She asked, looking around again. Both fillies nodded slowly. "Well, yes, of course." Scootaloo said, looking at Apple Bloom's head again. She just couldn't help it. Apple Bloom immediately noticed her looking at her head, and she shot a nervous look towards Scootaloo. "What's wrong? Is there somethin' wrong with 'mah head?" She put her hooves on her head, trying to find the problem. "Um... no.... not exactly...." Scootaloo tried to distract Apple Bloom from it, but it was too late. Apple Bloom touched the spot where she had hit her head on the wall, and she felt something rough. "What.... wha...." Her head had a huge pad taped to it, dark red and wet with blood. She could feel a strong pain spreading throughout her head, making her dizzy. "Why can't 'Ah...?" She couldn't finish the question. Her head was throbbing, the pain so intense, she was fighting just to stay conscious. She took one last look at her two friends, then blacked out.
Chapter 7Two fillies burst through the doors, a cart glowing a soft pink popping in first. Both of them were panting, almost completely out of breath. Sooner than they had stopped, they took off running again, faster than before. Suddenly, a huge group of paramedics broke in after them, shocking everyone in the hospital even more than before. "It's okay, everyone," The lead one rasped. "Everything's under control." He and the other paramedics caught as much of their breath as they could, then went running after the two fillies. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were now only a white and orange blur, running at a canter faster than anyone had ever seen. Up ahead, a huge grey door read in big capital letters, "Assistance". They ran as fast as their bodies would carry them, bursting through the door at an incredible speed. A peach colored mare gasped in surprise, watching the cart as it flew through the doors. "C-can I help you?" She stammered, looking down at the two panting fillies. Scootaloo nodded. "We need your help right away. Our friend is losing too much blood, and..." Her voice trailed off. How could she explain what had happened? Luckily, there was no need. The soft colored mare nodded, pointing her pen towards a door. "Right this way," She said in a calm tone. Both fillies followed her, walking as fast as they could. A moment later, the paramedics burst through. "Where did they go?" One of them asked in a furious tone. "I dunno boss," Another said, tilting his head in confusion. "Maybe, this way?" "No, this way." "No way, it was this way, I watched them run through this exact door." The group continued to argue, not sure which of the thirteen sets of doors they had run through. Making sure no one but he and his group were watching, the lead blue stallion's horn flashed a bright green, and he transformed into his true form, a changeling king married to Queen Chrysalis herself, King Metamorphis. "Never mind where they went," He spoke in a raspy voice, loud and scratchy like tearing tinfoil. "It is important we wait until the yellow one is fully or at least close to recovery, or the plan will fail," The others thought for a second, then nodded their heads in agreement. Soon, the time would come... And everything would change.
