It had been four days since Sunset added the gentle, yet mysteriously aggressive, Fluttershy to her collection, joining Cadance. Though the young mare easily obeyed orders, Sunset couldn't harness the rage that she had shown during her first night. She had put her through several sessions of both pain and pleasure but nothing she did seemed to trigger Fluttershy like she had on her first night with her. Sunset knew that she too could make a great mistress, perhaps better than Cadance, if she could unleash that kind of attitude towards her friends. However time was not on her side and with her obedience training mostly complete, she had to get her prepared for their next victim.

The bell at the door rang, the cutie mark crusaders skipped with joy as they entered Sugar Cube Corner. All three of them had just earned a few Bits from Granny Smith for helping her out with a lot of chores that had to be done around Sweet Apples Farm. Their last task was to deliver a few bags of apples to Mr. and Mrs. Cake for their baked goods. Scootaloo was the first one to reach the counter, she rang the service bell several times. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cake? We brought you the apples you ordered.”

“Hey, am s’posed to do the delivery, they’re our apples.” Apple Bloom set her bag on the counter and gave her friend a rather annoyed look.

Scootaloo stuck out her tongue out but, before things could get out of hand between the two, Sweetie Belle stepped in between them and put her hands up at the two. “Come on girls, this isn’t the time to argue.”

“Yeah, you girls really should be enjoying yourselves and having fun.” Said Pinkie Pie as she popped out from behind the counter.

The three girls jumped back in surprise and let out a small scream. “Pinkie, you scared the b'geabers out of us!” Said Scootaloo as she looked at the pink mare.

“Really? I didn't see any geabers come out.” She said with a smile, “so what brings you three around?”

“Well, we’re here ta deliver some apples for the shop.” Replied Apple Bloom as she handed Pinkie a delivery slip. “Do ya mind signing for ‘em?”

Pinkie put her hand into her hair, pulled out a pen and signed the slip. “Here ya go kiddo.” She took the three bags of apples and placed them behind the counter. “Is there anything else you would like? Oh, how about trying some of my new triple chocolate fudge brownies with chocolate chips and dipped in chocolate syrup? My treat!” Without waiting for a reply from the trio, she quickly went to the kitchen, picked up a tray of her new treats and brought it back to them.

The three girls looked in awe at the morsels in front of them but, before they could pick one up, the front door bell rang once more. Princess Cadance walked into the sweet and pastry shop as her two body guards waited outside. “Hello pinkie, hi girls. How are you all doing today?” The CMC bowed to her but she giggled at their gestures. “Now now girls, there is no need for such formalities. Just treat me like any other friend, okay?”

“But you’re a princess,” said Sweetie Belle, “it’s kind of hard to see you as anything else.”

“Then how about this?” Pinkie jumped from behind the counter, went next to Cadance and took off her crown. “If you imagine her without the crown, then she’s just a pony with fancy clothing!” She put up her hand up in a high five gesture which Cadance laughed at and gently slapped.

Apple Bloom laughed at the two. “Yeah, then she’ll be just like yer sister Sweetie.”

“Hey!” She replied with an annoyed look, but she couldn't help but giggle. “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”

“So what brings you here Cadie? Did you come and try my triple chocolate fudge brownies with chocolate chips and dipped in chocolate syrup? Did you?” Pinkie grabbed the plate and offered the princess some.

“Oh… I guess I can give it a try.” She said with a weak smile. As she grabbed a treat with her hand, her wrist showed some injuries to which Apple Bloom gasped at.

“Wow princess, them’s some rough rope mark ya got there.” She said as she moved in for a close look, the others quickly followed. “I’ve not seen anything this bad since AJ tried teaching me some of her fancy rope tricks.”

Cadance tried to cover it up but it was already too late, all the girls had seen the rope marks around her wrist. She was warned by Sunset to wear gloves but she didn't listen and now she was paying the price for it. “Oh, this? This is why I came here!” She said quickly. “I was trying to test out some piñatas for the Summer Sun Celebration and I got a little too carried away with pulling the ropes on it. So I came here to ask Pinkie for some help with that and some other fun games I have planned for everyone.”

“That sounds like a great idea!” Cheered Pinkie Pie. “I would love to come and help you Cadie.” She rushed to a cupboard behind the counter, opened it and pulled out a backpack. “I always have a party planning pack ready for just the occasion.”

“Hey, maybe we can help out too?” Scootaloo said happily as she flapped her wings with excitement. “We can be…”

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PARTY PLANNERS!” All three girls, and Pinkie, joined in their cheer.

“What?! No! That’s a terrible idea!” Cadance said quickly with a look of shock in her face. All of them gave her a weird look but she managed to straighten herself up rather quickly. “Ahem. What I mean is that I wouldn't want to spoil all the surprises early on for you three. I know the Celebration seems far away, but I assure you that it’ll be one to remember.”

“Ah guess you’re right,” said Apple Bloom with a slight disappointed tone, “we can wait for the celebration to start.”

“Don’t be so sad Apple Bloom. Here, I’ll give you all something to make it up.” From her pocket Cadance pulled out three small gems and handed one to each of the girls. “Feel free to get ourselves something nice, you all deserve it.”

The three looked at each of their gems, they were identical to one another. “Wow Princess, you’re the best.” Scootaloo gave her a hug in return, the two others quickly followed.

“Group hug!” Yelled Pinkie as she too jumped into the hug.

A few tears began running down Cadance’s eyes. “What’s tha matter Princess?” asked Apple Bloom as she gave her a worried look.

“I… I’ts nothing, really. I've just been having a hard time lately and that hug felt so good.” She wiped the tears from her eyes and lead the group outside the shop, Pinkie flipped the sign to ‘Closed’ on her way out. Cadance gave the CMC one last hug before they parted ways. “Now girls, can you do me a favor before you leave? Make sure you give your sisters plenty of hugs, you never know when they’ll need them.” The three girls nodded in reply and ran off into the distance. Cadance almost felt bad for what future held for their sisters but she had her own worries to take care off first.

Cadance and the guards had brought Pinkie Pie to their cottage. “Oooo, so mysterious. I like the decorations.” She was pointing to a small gargoyle statue just outside the gate, Sunset had placed it there to warn her when ponies entered the premises.

“It was already there when we rented the place.” Cadance said awkwardly, she was thankful that pinkie was so focused on the promise of a party plan. As they entered the house, both Ultima and Flash sat on a nearby couch to relax as Cadance led Pinke upstairs.

“So… what kind of games do you have in mind? Scrabble? Magic: The Gathering? The Game of Life? Monopoly? Oh, I know, Candyland! That’s my favorite.” Pinkie jumped around with excitement as they walked up the stairs and reached a door.

“Good guesses but no,” said a voice from inside the room as the door opened. Fluttershy was tied down to a table, her butt fully exposed and her mouth gagged. She was wearing donkey ears on top of her head and a blindfold. “We’re going to play ‘Pin the Tail on the Donkey,” said Sunset Shimmer as she stepped out from the shadows holding a dildo gag in one hand and a pair of cuffs in the other, “and guess who gets to be the tail?”

Author's Note

writing dialogue for Apple Bloom has made me realize how much I'm going to hate writing for AJ.