The Secret To Mah Success

AN APPLE FOR A PARADOX

Applebloom walked sluggishly to her clubhouse in Sweet Apple Acres giving a huge yawn just before she opened the door to see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo inside at which point Scootaloo stopped talking with Sweetie Belle, walked over the farm pony, nuzzled her gently, and gave her a quick kiss before she let the farm pony take another step inside the clubhouse.

“So what are you we going to do to get our cutie marks today crusaders?” Sweetie Belle asked in an excited tone.

“I know! How about we go hang-gliding!” Scootaloo replied to this with a grin.

“Tried that already...and ended up covered in tree sap.” Sweetie Belle replied sourly putting a hoof on her chin looking in thought until her eyes lit up a few moments later.” How about we try make dresses for everypony and sell them!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in s suggesting tone.

“How bout we try sleepin, ah'm bushed.” Applebloom replied giving a long yawn.

“Rough night again?” Scootaloo remarked as she nuzzled the farm pony again.

“Ya could say that. Ah got woken up three times bah Roseheart. Course ah know it's not her fault and all but can't a pony get a cotton pickin break? Ah barely made it through mah class today.” Applebloom replied as she lay down and gave another yawn.

“Well maybe me and Sweetie Belle can come over and take turns feeding the foal.” Sweetie Belle suggested.

“That's a might kind of ya to suggest Sweetie Belle but ya gotta have milk in your teats to feed her and unless ya is havin a foal anytime soon which ah hope ya is not, ya won't be able tah do much speakin as mah sister is plum against feeding her anythin but mah natural milk.” Applebloom replied giving yet another yawn as she spoke.

“Speaking of her, why didn't you bring her with? I would have loved to hold the little angel.” Scootaloo replied as she wrapped her tail around Applebloom's as she lay down next to her nuzzling her.

“Mah sister was a might kind and said ah could go out and spend some time with y'all as long as ah was back in about four hours to feed Roseheart. So she's keepin an eye on her while ah'm here with y'all.” Applebloom replied giving yet another yawn which would have made the fifth yawn the farm pony had made in the mere few minutes they had been in the same room.

“You look wiped out.” Scootaloo remarked with a grin.

“Ya think? This momma thing is tirin. Now ah know why Applejack said she'd see about meh still thankin her for keepin the foal a few weeks ago. Course ah'm still thankful and ah make sure to let her know that every single day.” Applebloom replied allowing a drowsy smile to appear on her face as she said this.

“Oh I know! Maybe we can get our cutie marks by helping Applebloom take care of Roseheart!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed suddenly.

“Yeah! That's an awesome idea!” Scootaloo exclaimed in agreement.

“Well if ya all want to see the little darlin we best be getting back to mah house, course she's probably sleepin right now. She does that a lot bein a foal and all.” Applebloom replied getting back to all four hooves sluggishly and walking out the door followed by Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

“Ya back early little sis, what's the occasion?” Applejack asked with a smile and a giggle as the three walked up to the apple family home with her sitting in a rocking chair just outside of it with a small tree leak in her mouth.

“Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle been wantin to see Roseheart.” Applebloom replied and gave another yawn.

“She's sleepin soundly in her crib, but ah reckon she won't be like that for long though.” Applejack replied with a smile as she jumped off the rocking chair, opened the door, and walked in closely followed by the three fillies.

As the four entered the bedroom where Roseheart slept Scootaloo couldn't help but stare in awe of the young filly. By now Roseheart had put on some weight and was looking rather healthy for a foal. “She was so tiny a week ago. And is that...?” Scootaloo remarked trailing off now as she now noticed the small horn on Roseheart's head.

“Ya guessed it right. We gots a unicorn in the family now. Ah never thought ah'd see the day though, speakin as the apple family tends to stick to breedin with earth pony's and all most of the time.” Applejack said with a smile.

“Wow, why didn't you tell us sooner Applebloom? Applebloom?” Sweetie Belle said looking at Roseheart then turned to look at the farm pony who was fast asleep just a few feet past the door frame into her and Roseheart's room.

“Wow, she wasn't kidding when she said she barely made it through class.” Scootaloo remarked in a quiet tone.

“Heh, ah suppose it's about time ah tell her how to milk herself so she can sleep while we me and Big Macintosh feed her. Figured ah'd give her a taste of what bein a momma is like first though. Ah reckon she's got the idea by now.” Applejack remarked with a grin earning a annoyed glare from Scootaloo. “Don't be lookin at meh like that young filly. Ah reckon Rainbow Dash or Rarity would do the same to y'all.” Applejack replied with a stern glance at the Pegasus as which point her expression softened.

“That's kind of mean though.” Scootaloo said folding her ears back as she said this with an annoyed expression.

“It's not bein mean, it's bout teachin her some responsibility. Ah have a motto, if ya is old enough to raise that consarned tail of yours to go hoof knockin, then ya is old enough to raise a foal. Ah know it seems a might cruel of meh, but ah wanted mah little sis to understand that raisin Roseheart ain't gonna be all apple pies and fritters. She ain't gonna get off of her responsibility to Roseheart though. Though ah plan on helpin her, she's still gonna have to be getting up with her to feed her at times.” Applejack said in a matter of fact tone with a warm smile.

“I guess you have a point there. But I want to help too.” Scootaloo replied looking back over to Applebloom who was snoring rather loudly at the moment.

“Ah reckon ya would speakin as you and her are fillyfriends after all. Course ya is gonna have to ask ya momma if you can stay here and ah can guarantee ya it won't be durin school days.” Applejack replied to which Scootaloo gave a annoyed sigh.

“I just don't want her to be so exhausted she can't spend time with me and Sweetie belle is all.” Scootaloo replied as she walked over to Applebloom and nuzzled her gently.

“Bein a momma ain't easy as Applebloom would tell ya. It'll get easier for her over time, but ah reckon you can count on her being tired most days for these first couple months till she adjusts.” Applejack replied as she walked over to Applebloom and placed a hoof on her shoulder as she slept. “Though ah expected her to complain a might bit when she first started wakin up with her, but she done me a might proud by not givin a single lick of complaint.” Applejack said smiling proudly at her little sister.

“Not even a grumble? Are you sure this is the same Applebloom we are talking about here?” Sweetie Belle replied with a cheesy grin earning a light laugh from the farm pony.

“Hard to believe ah know. Ah reckon she's adjustin to life with Roseheart a might faster than ah would have expected.” Applejack replied as she gently stroked Applebloom's mane.

It was at this point that Roseheart began to wine and a few moments later cry loudly at which point Applebloom's eyes shot open, got to all four hooves, and walked over to the crib. “Momma's here Roseheart, ah'll feed ya in a sec, let meh get ya out of this crib first though.” Applebloom said in a drowsy tone as she undid the locks on the side of the crib before looking at her sister. “Could ya do meh a favor and put the feedin blanket down for meh?” Applebloom asked as she sat on her rump, lifted Roseheart up carefully and gently, and began to rock her back and forth.

“Wow, one little peep from Roseheart and she's up in less than ten seconds flat.” Scootaloo remarked in a stunned tone.

“I know! And we were talking pretty loudly too. I thought we would have woke her up already.” Sweetie Belle chimed in with a grin.

“It's called momma's instinct fillies. Y'all understand when ya have your own foal one day which ah'm hopin ain't anytime soon.” Applejack said as she bit onto the blanket in which was rolled neatly in the corner of the room, flung it out and straitened it out a little before Applebloom gently laid Roseheart down on it and positioned herself so that the foal could easily latch onto one of her teats and begin to feed.

“Ah reckon Rainbow Dash would be a might jealous of meh for beatin her record though.” Applebloom replied with a grin as Roseheart continued to feed.

“You wish!” a voice blurted out at which point Rainbow Dash could be seen hovering just outside through her bedroom window.

“Quit spyin on us and get your consarned flank in here ya featherbrain.” Applejack said with a cheesy grin at which point the Pegasus flew out of sight and walked into the bedroom through few minutes later.

“I wasn't spying! I was...admiring.” Rainbow Dash replied with a cocky look trailing off intentionally before she said the final word in her sentence earning a giggle from the three fillies.

“For a second thar ah thought ya was gonna say ya was nappin.” Applebloom said with a smirk though yawned again after she said this.

“Ha! Nope, that's what you were doing though.” Rainbow Dash replied putting a hoof at the farm pony who blushed slightly.

“It's not her fault though.” Scootaloo said in a defensive tone.

“No need to get all over protective on me. I know it's because she's been waking up with Roseheart. I just can't help but poke fun for the heck of it.” Rainbow Dash replied with a smirk.

“Well cut it out.” Scootaloo replied though in a much less confident tone that sounded more like wine than speaking.

“Alright, Alright. I'll lay off on the poking fun.” Rainbow Dash replied still smirking followed by a light laugh.

“Ah reckon I should tell ya that Scootaloo was wonderin if she could stay and help Applebloom take care of Roseheart, course it wouldn't beh on a school day.” Applejack said looking at the cyan blue Pegasus now.

“Hmm, I don't know. School is just starting and I know she's got a ton of homework from her first week at flight school after the summer break. And it won't be any less in the weeks to come.” Rainbow Dash said in a thoughtful tone.

“I'll do it all and still be able help take care of Roseheart! I promise! Please mom?!” Scootaloo said sporting the cutest puppy dog eyes she could muster.

“Look out thar Rainbow, she's usin the puppydog eyes!” Applejack exclaimed in a joking manner with a soft elbow to the cyan blue Pegasus's side.

“My gosh, Could those eyes get any wider?” Rainbow Dash remarked with a smirk.

“Maaaybe!” Scootaloo replied in the cutest tone she could muster while dragging out the word as long as possible as she spoke it.

“Oh for pony's sake...” Rainbow Dash replied with giving a light laugh as she facehoofed. “Fine, but if your grades start falling, the deal is off. Understood young filly?” Rainbow Dash said after a few moments giving the young Pegasus a stern motherly look as she said this with a tone to match it.

“Yes, mom!” Scootaloo exclaimed running over to the cyan blue Pegasus and hugging her tightly.

“Bout as strong as rickety farm fence that resolve of yours is.” Applejack remarked in a jeering tone with a smirk.

“Can it, apples for brains.” Rainbow Dash retorted in in the same jeering tone sporting a smirk of her own as she stroked Scootaloo's mane gently as the orange Pegasus hugged her tightly.

Sister! How could you even consider such a thing?!

I have no choice....

Yes you do! It does not have to be this way!

Would rather their lives be destroyed?

No, but....

Then you see why I must do why am I about to do...

Please forgive me Applebloom...

Applebloom sat up in her bed with a start looking around her room and yawned loudly then suddenly became wide alert looking about her room. “Why do ah feel like somethin's different here? It's like somethin is missin but ah can't put mah hoof on it...” Applebloom said aloud to herself looking deep in thought as she looked about her room which was fairly empty except for a few schoolbooks which lay on her desk but shrugged it off after a few moments getting out of bed and running into the kitchen.

“Mornin lil sis. Ya sleep well?” Applejack asked with a smile as she sat a plate of pancakes on the table.

“Yep! Though ah couldn't shake the feelin that somethin is different today.” Applebloom replied as she munched down her pancakes.

“Oh? Like what?” Applejack replied with a curious look.

“Ah don't know, that's just it. It's like ah'm missin somethin important and been buggin meh a might fierce since I woke up this mornin.” Applebloom replied scratching the back of her head.

“Ah reckon it's nothin.” Applejack replied.

“Maybeh but ah still can't help but wonder what it coulda been.” Applebloom replied as she finished off her last forkful of pancakes, hopped off the chair and ran out the door.

“Howdy Crudaders! What ya wanna do to get our cutie marks today?” Applebloom said with a smile as she ran over to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in the park.

“Hmm...I know! How about we go hang-gliding!” Scootaloo replied to this with a grin.

“Tried that already…and ended up covered in tree sap.” Sweetie Belle replied sourly putting a hoof on her chin looking in thought until her eyes lit up a few moments later.” How about we try make dresses for everypony and sell them!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed in s suggesting tone.

“How bout we try sleepin, ah'm bushed.” Applebloom replied giving a long yawn.

“Rough night again?” Scootaloo remarked with a cheesy grin.

It was this exact moment all three fillies felt something jolt through them as if something somewhere jolted though them like a snap of electricity giving them a strong feeling of De'ja'vu.

“Why does this seem a might familiar?” Applebloom asked in an awkward tone with a confused expression.

“I know. I feel like we already said this before.” Scootaloo replied with a similar expression to the farm pony's.

“Would it be any weirder if I said was about to suggest going over to Applebloom's?” Sweetie Belle replied which didn't help the feeling anymore so in fact it made it even stronger if possible.

“Ah know somethin is a might off here. Ever since this mornin I've felt like ah've been missin somethin...somethin a might important that ah know ah'd never forget bout but ah can't figure it out for the plum life of meh.” Applebloom replied in a nervous tone.

It was then that a dark red mare walked by pushing a foal carriage with a small orange unicorn filly with a dark red mane inside which caught all three filly's attention which shoved the feeling out of their minds for the moment going over to admire the filly.

“Aww, she's so cute!” Sweetie Belle remarked with a smile.

“I know, she's totally adorable.” Scootaloo chimed in.

Applebloom on the other hoof just stared at the filly for a few moments as if in a trance until she snapped out of it and smiled at the filly. “Aww...Roseheart is adorable.” Applebloom remarked after a few moments.

“Excuse me, but have we met before?” The mare replied with a worried look.

“Ah reckon not, why?” Applebloom replied.

“It's just weird that you would know the name of my foal before I even told you is all, but I suppose you must have heard around town. After all we adopted her less than a two weeks ago and my husband has been bragging all week.” The mare replied giving a light laugh at this.

“Uhh..yeah...ah musta heard it from him at some point...eh-heh..” Applebloom replied nervously however something inside her was speaking to the unicorn filly as if a voice that was her own but one she didn't recognize. This voice was full of sorrow but also full of love as it spoke. "No matter where you go, no matter how far you are from me, you will ALWAYS be close to my heart...I will never forget you Roseheart...my daughter...always remember I love you..." Though Applebloom never spoke these words a silent tears could be seen streaking down her cheek as the farm pony looked at Roseheart.

"Are you okay dear?" The mare asked curiously noticing the tears.

"Yeah, ah'm just happy, happy but also sad and ah don't know why..." Applebloom replied wiping her eyes with a light sniffle.

If Applebloom ever finds out what you have done sister, she will never forgive you and neither will I for that matter!

If only you understood little sister...

TO BE CONTINUED IN “A FILLY'S TALE”