Chapter Fifteen: A Return

Laying on a small cushion, Apple Bloom's gaze was fixed firmly on her hooves. After waking up in the library nearly half an hour ago she was still angry, but now her thoughts were on something else.

After a few more minutes of contemplation, she had made up her mind. Regardless of what Granny Smith said, nopony was going to keep her away from home. She just had to convince her fellow Crusaders. She stood and walked out of the room. Faint sounds she recognized as her friends voices could be heard from somewhere close to the front desk.

Scootaloo was pointing at a picture in a slim book. Sweetie Belle was sitting on her hindquarters, covering her eyes with a foreleg and waving the other at the book as if to shoo it away. Both fillies were talking loudly.

Twilight sat behind the front desk, floating a large rubber stamp and watching the two with barely restrained laughter.

As Apple Bloom approached the others, their words came clearer.

"But Scootaloo, that's really gross! I don't think we should be looking at that." Sweetie Belle squealed from the protection her hoof provided to her young eyes.

"Sweetie Belle, it's art! It's supposed to be that way. You want us to get our cutie marks don't you?"

"Can't we just make flowers or trees? Maybe a bunny?" Sweetie whined, making a very dramatic gagging sound.

Scootaloo flipped a few pages, a serious look on her face. Her eyes skimmed through the passages and pictures until she found what she was looking for. "It says here that 'A healthy understanding of equine anatomy is essential for any aspiring artist' blah blah blah 'skeletal and musculature accuracy' yadda yadda 'basis of all work in paint, ink or clay.' See, it says it right there!" She held up the book for Sweetie Belle to see.

Apple Bloom trotted up to Twilight. Pointing to Sweetie and Scootaloo she asked, "What's going on? They're talkin' 'bout sculpting right?"

Twilight stifled a giggle. "I gave Scootaloo a book on classical Maresopotameian statues. I think she took it a bit too seriously. She's fixated on anatomical studies."

Apple Bloom cocked her head, with a blank look she responded, "And in real words?"

"Scootaloo wants to sculpt naked ponies." Twilight snickered.

"Twilight, aren't you s'posed ta be an adult?"

Sweetie Belle peeked over her hoof. Greeted by the open book Scootaloo was thrusting at her she quickly looked away again. Scootaloo scowled.

Twilight covered her mouth in a futile attempt to hide her amusement. She cleared her throat, changing the subject she put on a straight face. "Are you feeling better Apple Bloom?"

"Ah guess." Apple Bloom looked down. Shuffling her hooves, she clenched her teeth. "Ah'm sorry ah hit Spike, there's just a bunch goin' on right now."

"You might want to say that to him. I sent him to the mayor's office a while ago, he should be back any minute."

Apple Bloom squinted her eyes and wrinkled her nose. Mouthing nonsense and shaking her head in mockery, she was certain Twilight couldn't see her face.

Twilight gave a short whistle, capturing the three fillies attention. "We're closing for lunch in a minute, if you're going to check anything out you should do it now."

Scootaloo lowered the book. Exchanging glances with Sweetie, she rolled her eyes. "I guess I'll just put this back. We'll find something else to do today."

Apple Bloom stared at the ground. They had spent the entire morning at the library and had nothing to show for it. Now, as they pushed their way through the crowds in the market square, she felt her frustration returning.

"I still think sculpture is the way ta go." Scootaloo said. "I don't see why we can't even try it out."

Sweetie Belle groaned. "And I still think you are a little too interested in looking at naked ponies."

"It's ART! There is nothing wrong with looking at art! Besides, nopony wears clothes anyway."

"Yeah, but nopony goes around showing off their private parts either." Sweetie said loudly, oblivious to the strange looks they were getting from all directions.

Scootaloo frowned. She sighed under her breath, "It's art."

Sweetie Belle looked around at all the ponies shopping and chatting at the various stalls and stands, a new sparkle in her eyes. "Hey girls, there's lots of things here we can do. Why don't we just look around for a bit?"

Apple Bloom perked up, that gave her an idea. "Mah brother should be at the apple stall right now. Ah'll bet he knows why Granny won't let me go home." She smiled, certain that she was close to the answers she sought.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Scootaloo said. "It seems to me that your Granny Smith doesn't want you to know. I don't want you getting in trouble."

"Ah'm already gonna be in trouble for fightin' with Spike. Ah can't get in any worse trouble fer askin' questions." Apple Bloom said before sprinting off in the direction of the apple stall.

Struggling to keep up, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo galloped along behind her. Passing numerous stalls of every shape and color, they did their best to not bump into anypony as they charged through the crowded square.

"Apple Bloo-UGH!" Sweetie collided with Apple Bloom's back before she could finish asking her to slow down. "Wha-OOF" Scootaloo crashed into her, causing all three fillies to tumble over into a heap on the ground.

Apple Bloom growled "Watch where yall're goin'. Didn't ya see me stop?" Her voice was hushed.

"What's the matter? Why did you stop?" Scootaloo whispered, ignoring Apple Bloom's annoyed tone.

Apple Bloom ducked behind a nearby crate, urging her friends to follow. When all three were huddled together behind the crate she peeked her head out. Motioning to the others and pointing to a nearby stall she whispered "Look over there, it's Rarity and mah brother."

"Doesn't Applejack take over for you soon? Are you sure you don't want to come with me?" Rarity's voice lacked energy. Her hair, while still neatly styled, was a bit flatter than usual.

"Ah told ya already," Big Macintosh sighed, "it's not right."

"And what, pray tell, is wrong with it? Fluttershy is in need. You and I will simply be helping a friend."

"Ah'm not dumb Rarity, ah know what yer tryin' ta do."

"And what of it? You already said you don't like how things are going. What's wrong in tipping the scales in your favor?" Rarity closed her eyes and took a deep breath, attempting to rid herself of the annoyance creeping into her voice.

"Ah don't like how things'r goin' 'cause ah like Fluttershy too. It has nothing ta do with who does or does not like mares."

"I know darling, that's exactly why I need you to come talk to her with me." Rarity rubbed her forehead, she felt a headache coming on.

"You want me ta come with ya 'cause you know ah don't like the thought o' mares liking mares. Sure, ah don't like tha thought, but ah'm not a bigot. What other ponies do in private doesn't effect me in tha slightest, no matter how ah feel about it." Big Macintosh was making no attempt to hide his irritation. He continued. "Ah'm not like you Rarity, ah respect others no matter how they live."

Rarity's eyes widened, her jaw went slack, a cold knot formed in her stomach. Grasping for her voice she stammered, "W-where did that come from? Th-th-that is… that is ABSOLUTELY NOT what this is about."

"Ya can't take back what ya said Rarity. Ah know why yer tryin' ta come between AJ an Fluttershy an ah want no part of it."

Rarity's eyes began to glisten. She carefully wiped them with a hoof, trying not to ruin her makeup. "The reason I am trying to come between them is that they are my friends. I told you that Fluttershy isn't gay. Applejack is though. She practically forced herself on Fluttershy, and we all know that Fluttershy is not the kind to say anything she thinks would hurt somepony's feelings. She needs somepony to stand up for her."

"Ah told ya once ta watch what yer sayin 'bout mah fam'ly. Ah'm gettin real mad now, an ah don't wanna lose mah temper. Ya best be movin' along." Big Mac's face was beginning to flush with anger. He sat back down behind the stall. "AJ would never, and ah mean NEVER, do anythin' ta anypony without their consent."

"I know that! That's why I need your help!"

"If'n ya know that then why tha hay are ya sayin things like that?" Big Mac gritted his teeth, hissing uneven breaths. "Ya said AJ is yer friend, but ya sure aren't actin' like it."

The tears in Rarity's eyes began to flow in streams down her face, carrying her mascara with them in long, dark streaks. "F-Fluttershy w-wont speak up f-for herself. Applejack won't know she's h-hurting her i-i-if… if she…" Rarity's head was spinning. She was unable to tell the ground from the sky. "if… she…"

Rarity's vision blurred, the world around her becoming impossibly bright. She closed her eyes and sat on her behind, attempting to steady herself. Slowly drawing a long breath the air seemed frigid. Her chest felt like ice. Her head felt as though it was floating miles above her. She placed a hoof on her head trying desperately to stay upright as she weaved back and forth.

Big Mac stood up. Forgetting his anger, he rushed to Rarity's side.

"Applejack needs us." Rarity breathed weakly. The world spun around and above her. The ground seemed to give out under her. The brightness turned to white and she fell over, limply, into Big Macintosh's hooves.

Several onlookers called out at once, "SOMEPONY GET HELP!"

Apple Bloom's legs ached. Despite the pain she couldn't slow down. She was almost at Sweet Apple Acres, just a little further to the clubhouse. Scootaloo's voice had faded to nothing behind her as she galloped down the dirt path. Apple Bloom forced all thoughts out of her head, all she knew, all she wanted to know was to reach the clubhouse.

Far behind, Scootaloo galloped, out of breath. She silently cursed herself for not bringing her scooter along today. As Apple Bloom disappeared from view Scootaloo slowed to a trot. She could guess the destination, but she was unsure if her legs would be able to get her there. She felt bad about leaving Sweetie in the square, but surely she would understand.

Apple Bloom did not slow when she saw the clubhouse. Her heart was racing and her breathing was ragged but her mind was focused solely on reaching the safety of the clubhouse.

Touching her hooves to the stairs, she felt like a warm blanket was being wrapped around her. As she passed through the doorway it felt as though she was falling into her sister's arms. She stumbled to a stop in the center of the room, the comfort offered by these four walls was immeasurable.

The relief did not last long. The scene in the market seemed to follow her inside, silently creeping up to her and grabbing her by the throat. She laid down, pulling her knees tight to her chest, she made herself as small as she could.

A short time later Scootaloo reached the tiny clubhouse. Her pace slowed as she approached the stairs. The sound of Apple Bloom's sobbing ringing clearly through the air. For a brief moment, Scootaloo looked back towards town, contemplating not going inside. Steeling herself for the sight of her friend, she reached out and slowly opened the door.

Apple Bloom's wailing was deafening in the small room. Scootaloo looked at the floor, a trail of dark droplets lead from a puddle in the center to the corner, where Apple Bloom lay, surrounded by stuffed animals and covered in a sleeping bag. She nervously inched her way towards her.

"Apple Bloom, are you okay?"

Apple Bloom responded with a shrug. She sniffled, attempting to stop her sobbing, and began to sit upright.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Apple Bloom turned around to face Scootaloo, her cheeks soaked with tears. She wiped her muzzle with a hoof, smearing a streak of snot across her cheek. Staring at the floor, she answered with another shrug.

Scootaloo frowned, unsure of how to continue. "I don't know what to say."

Apple Bloom shook her head, "There ain't nothin' you can say that will fix this." Tears continued to pour from her eyes. "Ah knew that Applejack liked mares, ah didn't know that was a problem. That's what this is all about isn't it? None o' this woulda happened if ah didn't tell Granny."

"If you didn't tell Granny Smith nothing would have changed. Remember what Rarity and Big Mac said last night? They already knew." Scootaloo said in an attempt to comfort Apple Bloom. "None of this is your fault."

"That's not true! Granny didn't know till ah told her last night. If ah hadn't said anythin' then me an' Applejack an' Big Mac would all still be at home an' happy." Apple Bloom wiped her eyes down the length of her forelegs, smearing tears and snot everywhere.

"I dunno, are you sure that's the reason? It doesn't seem like that big of a deal to me." Scootaloo said, scratching the back of her neck.

"Ya heard them arguin'. Rarity an' Big Mac HATE Applejack. An' it's all 'cause she likes mares."

"Are you sure about that? It didn't sound like they hated AJ to me. I think there was some kinda misunderstanding."

"Applejack is the closest thing ah have to a mom. If everypony hates her then what's gonna happen ta me? Ah can't lose mah sister!" Apple Bloom's pupils shrank as a new realization occurred. "What'll happen to US if everypony hates her? Ah won't be allowed ta talk ta you an' Sweetie Belle!"

"C'mon Apple Bloom, that's not gonna happen. Nopony hates your sister. And even if they did, that wouldn't keep us from being friends." Scootaloo walked to the corner and sat down beside Apple Bloom. "Everything's going to be okay, you'll see."

"Ah hope yer right." Apple Bloom leaned on Scootaloo's shoulder. Her tear stained face soaking Scootaloo's fur.

"Ah'm so scared."