Forbidden Sugar (Cube)

Chapters

How It All Began
Families
Errands
Fun and Adventure On The Farm
Stars and A Sleepover
The Next Morning

How It All Began

The clouds the pegasi had pushed over Ponyville were clearing as the weather ponies up the very earliest did their work to clear the sky to show off Celestia’s warm sun taking the place of her sister’s cool moon. Morning was here. Fluttershy’s birds chirped, her roosters crowed and her animals chattered. The chickens and roosters from Fluttershy’s set off the roosters at Sweet Apple Acres as per usual every morning, and a certain orange country-style pony with a Stetson hat perched on a straw blond mane and three red apples gracing her flank was already up and stretching her legs out in the glow of the morning light from her window. “It sure is a beautiful morn’. Well, time to get the family up.”

She strolled leisurely to her brother’s room which was opposite of hers. He wasn’t the deepest of sleepers, and got up with ease after a few shakes of the shoulder. “Big Mac, up and at ‘em.” She said loudly, and he quickly rolled out of bed.
She then went to the next room a small way up from Big Mac’s, Applebloom’s room. Applebloom was harder to get up, always a challenge because she loved her sleep. “Applebloom? Appleblooooom?! APPLEBLOOM!” She bellowed right in her sister’s ear while shaking her frantically. “Huhuhwhatsit?” She shouted just as loud, very surprised when she was woken up like this. “Hush now ‘Bloom. You’ll wake Granny Smith. You know how she likes her sleep. Just like you. Now, up and at em. There’s no time for sleep-ins.” Applejack gave and took no nonsense with little fillies, and her approach worked just right with Applebloom. After all, she was her sister and mother all in one, since Mom…well she’d rather not think about that.

“But ‘Jackie! Ah was having the most wonderful dream. And only crazy people like waking up at dawn.” Applebloom whined loudly. “Quit that whining. Ah didn’t raise you for that kind o’ whining. Come on, I’m doing this for your own good. You sleep in, you get lazy. Now Sugacube, be good and get ready real quick and I’ll fix you up whatever breakfast you like.” Applejack promised her. “Apple pancakes? Please please please pretty please with sugar on top?” Applebloom pleaded, begging further with her eyes. Applejack laughed at the filly’s dramatics. “Oh, ok ‘Bloom. Now you get ready now, alright? That’s our deal.” Applejack smiled, softening up her hard edge completely and giving her a motherly hug. “Ok!” Applebloom said sprightly and went to the bathroom to have a quick bath before breakfast. While Applebloom was bathing her yellow coat, brushing her mane and tying a ribbon in her hair for school, Applejack worked on some delicious cinnamon and butter slathered pancakes in the kitchen for the family breakfast. Applebloom loved apple pancakes, they were her favourite breakfast.

Right on six thirty, Applebloom bounced playfully down the stairs like Pinkie Pie would, and Big Mac followed slowly and steadily walking the steps. “Hold on there little ‘Bloom. Stop that jumping, Ah don’t want to you to hurt yerself, ok?” Applejack stopped her bouncing. “’Jack! Can Ah bounce anywhere?” Applebloom whined. “Of course, on solid ground, sugar. Just not on the stairs. You know, if you fall off, you could break a hoove, or even yer head, or sometimes if yer not careful..” “..You can fall off and injure yer spine, crack a back hoove, crack your back. Ah know, Ah know!” Applebloom groaned. “Ah’m just worried about you Sugacube. Ah’m…Ah’m practically your Momma right now.” Applejack reasoned with her. “B-b-but you’re not Mom! You smell like apples. Mom smelled like sweet berries and chocolate. She used to sing the best songs. Ah can barely remember her. How can you say yer my Momma? Yer just my Sis!” Applebloom looked down with wet eyes.

“Oh, Ah’m sorry sugar. Ah know what you’re saying. We can’t ever replace Momma. Ah know that. But remember she gave me this, she said: you run this farm now, and take care of Applebloom as if she was your own. Then she gave me this here hat. See here, property of Chocolate Berry.” Applejack showed off her hat. Applebloom groaned. “Applejack, Ah was only excited when Ah saw the hat the first time. Ah’m ten years old ya know!” Applebloom complained. “Ten?! My, time sure does fly. Well maybe you’re becoming a teenager that explains all the whining an’ complaining. When Ah was your age, there was no time for dilly-dallying like you can do as a filly. Ah was running the farm! You can’t even pick an apple, so think about that before you complain, Sis. Now on a nicer note, come, ‘Bloom, breakfast is ready, and Ah think it will taste better warm.”

They went to sit on the long table where Big Mac was powering through his breakfast. “Now Big Mac, you silly colt. Eat slower; you’ll get a tummy ache!” Applejack chided. “Hey! Applebloom may be your sister but I’m yer big brother. You don’t get to boss me around.” Big Mac replied. “Uh uh. Who is head of the farm? Who wears the Stetson?” Applejack proved her point. Big Mac sighed. “You.” He groaned. “That’s right!” Applejack smiled and dug into her breakfast, while Applebloom shovelled hers. It was safe to say that manners had no place in the Apple Family. You worked hard, and worried later. “Bye little ‘Bloom! I got farm business to take care of, but Big Mac is taking you to school as always.” Applejack told her sister.
As soon as she left, Big Mac sighed and put the dishes away in the sink to wash later. Applebloom walked up to him. “Big Mac, why is Applejack so bossy?” Applebloom complained. “Ah don’t know, little ‘Bloom. Ah think Momma gave her more responsibility than she needed. It goes to her head sometimes.” Big Mac responded thoughtfully. “Why didn’t she give you the farm? Yer the older pony; you were a teenager when she left us!” Applebloom wondered. “You what happened, with Pop, it made Momma less trusting of colts. She kind of distanced herself from me before she died.” Big Mac looked down. “Ah’m sorry Big Mac.” Applebloom hugged one of her brother’s forelegs. “It’s ok little one, what’s done is done. Now, Ah better be getting you to the ol’ schoolhouse.” Big Mac picked up his sister on his back, then backed up a few steps and burst out the door, galloping.

“Weeeee!” Applebloom cried happily, and she started giggling as Big Mac sang the tune of William Tell while he was running to the ol’ schoolhouse as he would have called it. He even passed through the town singing the tune; he didn’t really care of what people thought of it because he wasn’t that sociable, anyway. He stopped, panting at the destination. “Hoo-wee! That was some run. You’re getting bigger.” Big Mac said. “Hey! Ah’m not fat!” She shoved her brother. “Ow! Hey, Ah wasn’t saying that! You’re just growing, ‘Bloom.” Big Mac told her. “Oh.” Applebloom shrugged. “So Ah guess Ah’ll pick you up at three? Any friends coming along?” Big Mac asked. “Three, and Ah’m not sure, but maybe.” Applebloom said. “Eeyup. Well, have fun.” Big Mac said as he waved. “Ah will.” Applebloom responded.

“Hi Miss Cheerilee!” Applebloom happily greeted. “Hello Applebloom. Always bright and early.” Miss Cheerilee smiled at her early student. “So, before Ah start, you have anything that needs fixing?” Applebloom asked. “Applebloom, today I thought you could say hello to a new student. Her name is Dinky Hooves, she’s another early bird.” Cheerilee suggested. “Wait a minute. Dinky Hooves, as in Derpy Hooves’ kid?” Applebloom asked sceptically. Cheerilee frowned and sighed. “I thought I’d get this reaction. Derpy, although she has funny looking eyes, is a very nice mare, I met her the other day. Dinky is quite the same. I know this will affect her socially, so please just try to be nice at least.” Cheerilee whispered to her student.

Dinky looked down and sighed herself, sitting on the carpet in front of the two chatting in the frame of the front door. Her Mom was the greatest Mom ever, but also because of having a Momma like Derpy, people tended to poke fun and stare, especially when they saw she had a horn and Momma had wings. They sometimes thought either that her Mom was so stupid that she thought Dinky was hers when she actually wasn’t, or thought Momma had been taken advantage of because of her ditzy state. She knew, because people had the nerve to come up and ask her and poke fun at her, especially little fillies and colts. But sadly, the second was the truth. Her mother was the nicest, most genuine mare in the world but even Dinky knew that her mother was far from the brightest crayon of the bunch. She was manipulated by a smart but notoriously mean unicorn stallion into producing Dinky.

“Uh, hi. Ah’m Applebloom.” Applebloom said after being prodded enough from Cheerilee. “I’m Dinky. Nice to meet you.” Dinky held out a hand, and Applebloom suddenly wanted to impress the pretty, sweet looking unicorn filly. “Uhm, a pleasure making your acquaintance.” Applebloom gave a hard firm shake, learnt from observing Applejack meet new people so many times, but she shook a little too hard because of her nerves which came out of nowhere. “Woah, don’t shake my hand off! So, Applebloom, where do you live? I come all the way from Cloudsdale.” Dinky started the conversation. “Ah’m a local. But Ah live on the farm, Sweet Apple Acres with my sister, my brother and my granny. Say, if you have a horn, what are you doing in Cloudsdale?” Applebloom was genuinely curious. “My Mom has wings, so I’m living up with her in the clouds until I’m a grown mare, and I’m old enough to move to Ponyville or wherever I like. So how old are your sister and brother?” Dinky replied. “My brother is 25. My sister is four years younger, she’s 21. Is this your first time at school or…are you from somewhere else?”

The words echoed in Dinky’s head. When she heard from somewhere else she saw flashbacks of the kids being mean, shoving, pushing and jeering at her at her past two schools because of her Mom and her horn and looked terrified for a second. “Hey, are you ok?” Applebloom brang her back to life, and Dinky quickly switched back to a friendly smile. “Yeah, don’t worry about it. I’ve been to two schools, one near the Weather Factory and one on the outer skirts of Cloudsdale.” Dinky answered, leaving out why she left. “Why’d you leave so much?” Applebloom asked innocently. Dinky looked down. “Well actually, they didn’t like me. It was because I had a horn and they had wings. And Mom…has funny eyes. Derpy, you’ve probably heard of her, she’s the dark grey mailmare with bubbles on her flank. Now that I’m here, hopefully they won’t be able to make fun of my horn.” Dinky explained solemnly.

Applebloom softened to the poor pretty unicorn filly’s plight. “Yer alright Sugacu- I mean Dinky.” Applebloom covered her mouth when the affectionate name slipped out of her mouth. Why do I wanna call her Sugacube all of a sudden? Get yerself together Applebloom. But, she is a pretty filly, maybe I just can’t admit I want to call her Sugacube. Wait just a cotton-picking minute…do I have a crush? On a filly of all ponies? Applebloom thought to herself, an inner conflict taking place in her head. “Uh…Applebloom…wakey wakey.” Dinky waved her hand in front of her face while giggling the sweetest giggle Applebloom had ever heard. If you think you don’t have a crush, yer just kidding yerself, Applebloom thought as she sighed inwardly. “Oh, yeah. Yer alright Dinky. It’s still a while before the other kids come. Do you wanna play tag?!” Applebloom proposed. “No one’s asked me that before. Of course I’ll play with you, you’re the only filly that’s ever treated me nicely!” Dinky agreed whole-heartedly. Applebloom’s heart sank again momentarily. She really felt for the poor filly, and hoped to cheer her up.

Applebloom and Dinky enjoyed a fast paced game of tag outside of the school, running and jumping in the morning sun. Cheerilee smiled as she took a glance at the fillies running and shouting “You’re it!” playfully at different intervals. After half an hour, the two panting fillies came in when everyone arrived for class. “Good morning Class.” Miss Cheerilee started. “Good morning Miss Cheerilee!” The class cheered back. “Ok, now for today’s lesson, we’ll be talking about, intelligence.” Miss Cheerilee said. Diamond Tiara and her best friend Silver Spoon looked around the class as they pranced in late. “Hey look. It’s Derpy Hooves’ kid!” Diamond Tiara whispered to Silver Spoon, pointing in Dinky’s direction. “Oh this is rich. And they’re talking about intelligence!” Silver Spoon agreed, laughing. “This will be so funny. Watch.” Diamond Tiara whispered back, taking her seat.

“Excuse me Miss Cheerilee?” Diamond Tiara said with a pompous tone of voice, volunteering her hand. “Yes Diamond Tiara, is there something you’d like to share to do with intelligence?” Miss Cheerilee asked. “Yes as a matter of fact. I think it would worth pointing out that some certain ponies don’t have much intelligence at all. In fact, they have none, this unicorn is a disgrace to all unicorns, she’s probably as stupid as her stupid Mom! Right, Dinky Hooves?!” Diamond Tiara took perverse pleasure in seeing the fearful teary-eyed reaction on the new kid’s face. Silver Spoon laughed heartily, and in turn half the class laughed with her. “Students! How can you be so rude? Diamond Tiara, walk up to Dinky Hooves right now and apologise!” Miss Cheerilee ordered Diamond Tiara.

The filly marched dragging her feet on the ground. “Dinky Hooves, I’m so not sorry.” Diamond Tiara blew a raspberry in the face of the crying filly. “Diamond Tiara, apologise.” Miss Cheerilee ordered more forcefully. “I’m sorry…that you’re a retard!” Diamond Tiara emphasised the word retard and the same sheep in the class laughed their heads off to the poor bawling filly. Applebloom meanwhile was reddening in the face. Diamond Tiara annoyed her before, but now this was more than just annoyance. Applebloom was angry. “Diamond Tiara! You are getting a detention, young mare for saying that word!” Miss Cheerilee punished the out-of-hand filly.

“I don’t’ care, Miss Cheerilee. And I will not apologise. Ever ever ever.” Diamond Tiara said. “Miss Tiara, I think I also need to talk to you and your father after class. He will not be happy about this.” Miss Cheerilee remained calm despite her most challenging student. “Ok.” She sighed and walked off to her seat but a yellow filly stopped her, walking her backwards. “Apologise Diamond Tiara!” Applebloom shouted at the filly, pushing her smoothly because she already had the muscles of a good workhorse.

“Girls…” Miss Cheerilee started. “No.” Diamond Tiara answered. “You apologise or I will bust you up something good!” Applebloom threatened. “No, are you a retard too?” Diamond Tiara asked. “Don’t you call me that, you big meanie!” Applebloom growled, pushing her faster. “Girls! Stop!” Cheerilee ran fast to the other side of the room to keep track of them. A dust cloud formed around them as kicking, biting and whimpering sounds were heard from the two. Cheerilee held the two fillies up with her hands, sighing as Applebloom tried to leap out of her grasp to fight Diamond Tiara more, who was cowering because of Applebloom’s brute strength.

“You two, time out during lunch and detention and a talk with your parents for both of you.” “But Miss, Applebloom is a stinky orphan. She doesn’t have any parents. Loser.” Applebloom especially tried to struggle to get out and challenge Diamond Tiara after this. “Diamond Tiara! Your parents or guardian in Applebloom’s case.” Miss Cheerilee corrected herself. She put the fillies down in their respective spots. The next chunk of the class, thankfully, went rather quietly. Applebloom was rather annoyed and glum, until her friends said a quick hello. But the thing that really cheered her up was the pretty filly’s appreciative smile. “Thanks for standing up for me, Applebloom.” She said quietly and hugged her tight, making the yellow filly in question blush and feel warm and fuzzy inside. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell nearby gave the pair a strange look from a distance. Where did this filly come from and why did Applebloom like her so much all of a sudden? They gave each other a silent look that said they wanted to find out at lunch time.

As the fillies and colts filed out to play at lunchtime, Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell followed close behind the new kid Dinky. “Hello, Dinky.” Scootaloo said with suspicion. Dinky jumped. “Woah!” She quickly turned around to find the source of the voice and found it was an orange Pegasus and a white Unicorn. “Hey, you scared me. Who are you guys?” Dinky asked. “I’m Scootaloo and this is Sweetie Bell. So, how do you know our friend Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked with her suspicion still evident. “Oh, I just met her this morning! She’s great.” Dinky said, smiling. “I know. Are you a spy?” Scootaloo scrutinized. Sweetie Bell pushed her back, rolling her eyes.

“I’m so sorry Dinky. Scootaloo isn’t the most well-mannered Pegasus out there. She’s always just so paranoid of new people, she’ll get used to you. A friend of Applebloom’s is a friend of mine. You wanna play hopscotch? Or ball?” Sweetie Bell suggested. “Hopscotch sounds great!” Dinky agreed. Sweetie Bell and Dinky walked to the hopscotch court, with Scootaloo shrugging and tagging along, still with narrowed eyes. “So, don’t worry about Diamond Tiara. All she’s good for is being a professional brat. Ha! She’s the bully around here, that’s why people laugh with her. But they probably don’t really think you’re stupid.” Sweetie Bell reassured her. “Thanks Sweetie Bell, but that doesn’t make me feel much better. The fact that they laugh at me is enough. It’ll just be like my old schools.” Dinky looked glum. “What happened there?” Sweetie Bell asked gently. “They were mean to me, laughed at me, same old story. But at least there is one difference.” She said with a sigh. “What?” asked Sweetie Bell as they approached the hopscotch court. “I have friends.” She smiled slightly.

“Oh no. I didn’t know ponies could be so mean.” Sweetie comforted her. “I’m just unlucky, I guess.” Dinky sighed, and then cheered up momentarily during a rousing game of hopscotch, where even sceptical Scootaloo joined in and got a little friendly with Dinky during the game. It was safe to say this was the most welcoming school she had been at.**

Families

“Hello Mr Rich, Mr Apple. Your girls had a bit of a fight in class today. Now, Mr Rich, I think maybe you should seek some help. You need to give a long talk to Diamond Tiara by yourself about respecting other ponies. She is a repeat offender of teasing the other kids. Mr Apple, I’m quite surprised. Applebloom is a first time offender; she’s usually a well-behaved student, so this is something quite unusual. It probably isn’t a deeper problem, but perhaps you should talk to her about not using your physical strength for bad things, like brawling with another student. Diamond Tiara, I’m not surprised, but your attitude needs a change. You must learn to respect other ponies and show some kindness. It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor, big or small; we all need to be shown kindness or respect, dear. You are not showing enough. As for Applebloom, I have to say I’m a little disappointed. I thought you had your temper under wraps but I’m afraid that’s not the case. Sometimes everypony gets told something or sees somepony doing something that makes them mad, but violence and kicking or biting is not the way to solve it. Mr Rich, Mr Apple, you are free to go and may take your daughter or sister with you.” Cheerilee summed up her late talk to the students and their guardians about their attitude.

Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich went out first, Filthy Rich lecturing Diamond Tiara with several drawn out long cries of ‘but dadddd’ echoing through the classroom and outside. “Little ‘Bloom, Ah ain’t never heard of you roughing up the other fillies. Just what happened to make you that mad, besides the fact that that filly is little spoiled?” Big Mac asked his little sister. “Uh…Ah have a crush.” She mumbled the words. “Sorry, what was that?” Big Mac replied. “A crush.” She said with a fraction of a whisper. “Sorry, come again?” Big Mac said. “A CRUSH!” Applebloom bellowed so loud that the ponies passing by the schoolhouse stopped and stared for a moment, then went again about their business. “Wow, Applejack is right. You really are becoming a teenager.” Big Mac remarked, as they trotted side by side. “Ah know.” Applebloom sighed. “So, you were defending a crush’s honour, huh? Ah know what that feels like. Ah did that once. Who’s this colt?” Big Mac asked.

“Uh it’s not a colt.” Applebloom said. “Well who can it be then? You just said you had a crush! It’s impossible for fillies and fillies and colts and colts to like each other. It’s just not written like that in nature.” Big Mac explained. “But, why? So it’s not possible for any fillies to like each other?” Applebloom wondered. What are these feelings then? Applebloom thought to herself. “Eeyup. No documented cases. You don’t like a filly do you?” Big Mac stopped in his tracks. “Yes, Ah do. So Ah guess it’s not a real crush then.” Applebloom said. “Little ‘Bloom, how many times do Ah gotta say it? You don’t like a filly! It’s never happened before, chances are it never will. Everypony knows that. What’s the purpose of having love if for not bringing up little fillies and colts? Do we need to have that talk with you again?” Big Mac replied and started walking again, Applebloom following. Applebloom scrunched up her face. “Ew, no. Ah had enough when we all discussed where foals come from.” She said with disgust. “Then, tell me who the colt is.” Big Mac replied.

Applebloom frowned slightly and then didn’t talk, just walking slightly further ahead. “Oh come on. Don’t give me the silent treatment. Ok have it your way.” Big Mac rolled his eyes but wasn’t bad at holding his own silence as they trudged home in near darkness. Once they had reached the farm, it was completely dark. Applebloom was met by an angry Applejack, whom she knew not to mess with. “Sit down Applebloom.” Applejack ordered. Applebloom gulped and sat on a chair on the wooden kitchen table. “Applebloom, care to explain why Miss Cheerilee called me in the middle of my applebucking duty?” Applejack said in a measured but anger-laced voice. “Ah-Ah picked a fight with Diamond Tiara.” Applebloom replied in a small voice.

“More like started it! Applebloom, Ah am also angry about the fight but there’s one other thing that gets me all mad. The community…other than my good friends doesn’t exactly see our family in the right light even before you started that fight. They probably think we’re some ratty orphans who do whatever the heck we like. Now our reputation is even more soiled thanks to that fight. Ah work long and hard just to see through every day. You never have to work as hard as Ah did when Ah was your age. Now, you wanna be all defiant? What you got to defy? Having fun? Having a foalhood? Ah never even had a foalhood! So Ah’m sorry if this ain’t good enough for you, princess. Now that yer ruffing up other foals they’re all gonna think that Ah hit you, or that Ah taught you that was ok! Tell me princess, do you think that’s fair?” Applejack was reduced to tears and Applebloom and Big Mac were silent. Applejack rarely cried, even at her breaking point.

Applebloom trotted up guilty to Applejack, hugging one of her back hooves. “Ah’m sorry Apple-“ “NO! YOU GET OFF RIGHT NOW!” She shook the filly off her leg and Applejack’s strength sent her flying into the wall unintentionally. “Ow!” She squealed as she fell hard on her little front hooves. Big Mac ran over. “She’s bleeding.” He mumbled, checking her hooves. “Oh my dear Celestia, Ah’m so sorry Applebloom it was an accident.” Applejack rushed over, softening up when she saw the filly’s cut hooves. Applebloom locked on Applejack, scowling. “No. You hit me. You’re nothing but a ruffian!” Applebloom wept, and she ran upstairs crying loudly all the way, taking her schoolbag with her. Applejack ran after her. “Wait!” She said in her bedroom door frame but the door was shut hard in Applejack’s face.

Applejack dejectedly walked downstairs, passing Big Mac. “Big Mac, Ah am a ruffian. Ah only care about myself, and Ah didn’t stop to think about my favourite sister. She used to love me, but now…” “She loves you Applejack, you’re the apple of her eye. You’re not a ruffian and you know it, you care about everypony in Ponyville! Remember, you said yourself, the most dependable of ponies.” Big Mac attempted cheering her up. “Thanks Big Mac, but Ah think Ah need to applebuck and think about things.” Applejack turned to leave, but Big Mac blocked her. “You can’t applebuck at this time of night. You’ll get lost in the dark!” Big Mac tried knocking sense into her. “Well good then. Let the monsters find me. Celestia knows Ah’m already one myself.” Applejack sighed and slumped over. “Come on sis, stay inside. It’s warm and light in here.” Big Mac said, blocking her again.

“Away, Big Mac.” Applejack firmly said. “Fine. But if you’re not in here in an hour, Ah’m coming to find you.” Big Mac warned her. “Ah can take o’ myself!” Applejack announced as she shut the door. Big Mac sighed but he knew she was right. Applejack was twenty one and could easily find her way around the farm with her eyes closed. He was still coming to find her if he needed to though. But he had a little filly he needed to take care of for now. So he gathered some bandages, washcloths and warmed up some apple pie with flowers on the side. After about ten minutes he trotted up stairs with a tray in his mouth. He knocked on the door. “Go away Applejack.” Applebloom said to the door. “It’s just me, Big Mac. Ah brought food.” Big Mac answered. “Oh alright.” Applebloom sighed and opened the door. She scarfed down the pie and flowers, because she didn’t admit it but she was really hungry. “I’d better take a look at those hooves.” Big Mac said. Applebloom gave him her front hooves where they were cut. They were a bit cut up but nothing deep. Big Mac couldn’t even see any muscle. “I’ll just have to wash and em bandage em. But the washing might hurt just a little.” Big Mac prepared her. He got the washcloth and cleaned out the dirt from the hooves and the blood, with Applebloom whimpering all the while. Then he put band-aids on Applebloom’s cuts, covering the hooves then entirely in bandage.

“Ah hope you understand it was an accident ‘Bloom. Applejack was meaning to shake you a bit but she kicked you off like an apple tree. She didn’t know her own strength.” Big Mac told her. “Ah don’t wanna talk about it. Applejack doesn’t understand what Ah’m going through.” Applebloom said stubbornly. “Applejack is under a lot of stress running this farm by herself ‘Bloom! Ah think that’s a little bigger than a crush dilemma. I kind of agree with her. It’s not like you have to go straight from schoolwork to the farm everyday. She carries a huge responsibility from Momma which is too big for her to handle on her own in my opinion and it ain’t fair to wind her up like this.” Big Mac said gently.

“Don’t tell me you’re on her side! Everyone thinks Ah’m a stupid kid, but Ah’m not! Ah had to grow up too but at three years old! You’ve known Momma way longer than Ah have! Ah didn’t even know Poppa! Ah’m ten years old, Ah’m not a baby anymore! In fact, Ah’m due to get my cutie mark any minute! Then I’ll be a teenager! Ah like a filly, Ah still don’t have no cutie mark, and no one understands me.” Applebloom cried. “Ah’m not on anyone’s side. But you should’ve seen your sister; I’ve never seen anypony so guilty. Ah know you’re not a baby, you’ll get your cutie mark eventually, but this filly business has got to stop, ‘Bloom. It’s not possible, Ah’m sorry but Ah don’t know what else to tell you. Ask anyone, and they’ll say the same thing.” Big Mac calmed her, linking a front hoof around her shoulders, and for once Applebloom was too tired to argue back.

“Muwfins lil’ Dink.” Derpy drawled. “Thanks Mommy.” Dinky said as warm muffins laced with apple bits, flowerseed and berries were placed on her plate and her mother’s plate. “How was dey? Dwid Muwfin had friends? Did keds waugh at yoo?” Derpy asked. “Well, I made one good friend, and one sort of friend. But the kids did laugh at me. Just like I thought they would.” Dinky told her. “Tat’s na good! I donut want tem to Waugh at yoo! Yoo is favrit filly ewer. Best dwaughter ewer. Die wool talk toh Cheerilee.” Derpy said determined. “Aw Mommy, you’re the best Mommy ever. But you don’t need to talk to Cheerilee. I don’t think it will make much difference.” Dinky said in between big mouthfuls. “Die wool. Yoo donut dissolve tis.” Derpy reassured.

Dinky decided to give up. Derpy could be quite determined sometimes. “Oh, Mommy. I have a crush, on a nice friend named Applebloom! She’s so cute, charming with a pretty accent and she stood up for me.” Dinky said with bright eyes. Derpy spat out her muffin. “WUT? Yoo carrot ike a chilli! Chillis and chillis donut make fools! Everypoo woahs tat!” Derpy said sternly. “But…I do like one. I guess I’m just a weird filly. Well I knew that.” Dinky lamented. “Noh. Yoo ant a woo chilli. Yoo just nave. Yoo play pens!” Derpy enforced. “Ok, maybe I am playing pretend.” Dinky looked down. “Donut wowie lil Dink, my lil chilli. Why wuv yoo. Noo, I had to doh a pony!” Derpy rushed to the bathroom. Dinky had a weirded out look on her face, but then just laughed. Derpy…was just being Derpy.**

Errands

Applebloom finally felt restored after a good amount of sleep. “Ahhhhh…the joys of not sleeping like a crazy person.” Applebloom remarked to herself, after getting a good sleep in on Saturday. “Hey Applebloom! Do you want some apple pancakes?” Applejack cheerfully peaked in to Applebloom’s room. “No, Ah don’t want your pancakes!” Applebloom turned over. “Come on, you can’t be mad at a sister forever can ya?” Applejack smiled friendly, going over the side she turned. Applebloom turned on her front. “Ah can!” Applebloom announced. Applejack’s smile completely fell, but she tried remaining stoic. “Well…if that’s how you feel, I’ll get out.” She hung her head low. Applebloom felt a pang of deep guilt, but shrugged it off.

Applejack still had her head lowered as she walked down the stairs, her Stetson hat hiding her face. “Big Mac, I just don’t know what to do. When will she forgive me?” Applejack said sullenly. “Ah think you need to spend some time apart. Applebloom needs to figure out on her own that she is also at fault. You need to see those friends in town, or anywhere really. You need your friends, Applejack.” Big Mac advised. “Ah guess you’re right. Ah can always count on my friends. Thanks.” Applejack gave Big Mac a quick hug before cheering up and heading into town. “No problem.” Big Mac said, and then he headed upstairs.

“Applebloom, are you playing with those fillies today?” Big Mac asked. “No, we’re hanging out on Sunday because Sweetie Bell and Rarity are going to Canterlot together today, something about visiting some stallion called ‘Fancy Pants’. Why?” Applebloom asked. “Ah was hoping you could help me with a little errand.” Big Mac suggested. “Well, what is this ‘errand’?” Applebloom asked. “There are two sick chickens in our coop. Ah need you to carry one while Ah carry the other. Ah’m going to Fluttershy’s so she can treat the chickens, find out what’s wrong with them. She’s always good with her animals, birds and suchlike.” Big Mac explained. “I’ll go, ’cause Fluttershy is a cool mare. How do you hold the chicken?” Applebloom asked. “I’ll show you when we get down to the shed.” Big Mac simply said.

Big Mac and Applebloom held the chickens as they ventured the ten minute journey to Fluttershy’s. As soon as they got there, there was chatter from all the animals but there seemed also a strange sense of tranquillity from nature. Big Mac knocked on the door. Fluttershy opened the door, with a small graceful smile decorating her face. “Hello Big Macintosh. Oh, you’ve brought Applebloom too. Oh how wonderful. Please come in and sit on my couch, but be careful not to step on any small animals on your way over.” She greeted them. Applebloom and Big Macintosh followed her over to the couch, careful they didn’t step on anything. “Oh, these chickens are lovely, poor dears, how did they get so sick?” Fluttershy asked. “Ah don’t know. They have been sniffling, have runny noses and they be running a fever.” Big Mac noted. “So they have a cold?” Fluttershy asked. “Ah think it’s that.” Big Mac answered. “Ok, I know just the thing. Wait here.” Fluttershy said, rushing to get the remedy.

Applebloom watched two roosters inside the house, near the foot of the couch, to fill in the time. But then the roosters gazed at each other, then held each other’s talons while nuzzling. “Hey Big Mac, look at this.” Applebloom called his attention to the affectionate roosters. He stared at them puzzled. “Now what in the hay is that all about? That is strange for sure. Aren’t they both male?” Big Mac asked just as Fluttershy walked in. “Not at all. These roosters are in love. Aren’t they cute?” Fluttershy marvelled. “But two roosters don’t make a chick.” Big Mac intervened, trying to not get the wrong idea in his sister’s head. “Yes, you would think that, but it isn’t the ability to have chicks that brings these roosters together. They’re just in love, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Not saying that you can’t think what you like.” Fluttershy tried being nice about every detail. “But…these are the only pair right?” Big Mac continued. “Um…not exactly. There’s some more of these kinds of couples. There’s also chickens that love each other. I don’t know how it happens, but it’s still wonderful.” Fluttershy explained meekly.

“Ok then. So what’s this remedy?” Big Mac asked, sighing in the first sentence.
“Oh um, it’s a little something I worked up myself. Some honey, a squeeze of lemon, stewed eucalyptus leaves, some pineapple juice, and a pinch of spice. It’s my standard cold remedy. You give three doses to the chickens which is about one tablespoon, one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. After three days, the chickens should be better.” Fluttershy explained the remedy. “Thank ya’ll kindly Fluttershy. Well, Ah best be off. Ah have to buck the apples today because Applejack is out in town. Applebloom?” Big Mac nudged his sister. “Big Mac, Ah wanna talk to Fluttershy about…something. I’ll be back at the farm soon.” Applebloom said. “Do you know the way back?” Big Mac checked. “Big Mac…Ah have been walking to Fluttershy’s and back since Ah was five.” Applebloom replied. “Ok. See ya’ll later.” Big Mac said.

As soon as the door closed, Fluttershy turned to Applebloom with an encouraging big grin. “What is it dear Applebloom?” She asked in her usual quiet voice. “Um…Ah am like those chickens you mentioned. Ah’m crushing on another filly. Do you think that’s right?” Applebloom said unsurely, uncertain about how this would go down. But something unexpected happened. In something unlike Fluttershy, she jumped up, squealing with joy, as gracefully as she could of course.

“Oh of course it’s right Applebloom! This is a great day. I was wondering when ponies would wise up and act on their real feelings. You see, I’ve seen this with almost all my animal species. Sometimes, the boys like the boys and the girls like the girls. But Ponyville, even all of Equestria is so stuck in their old ways that they accept the opposite as fact. Don’t ever let them tell you that you’re wrong. There are probably some poor ponies out there who are hurting badly because they can’t express this. We are animals too after all. You have feelings. It’s ok to pursue them. They’re not fake, people just tell you that they are so they won’t have to deal with the fact that they are not. Now that someone brave like you is out there, more awareness can at least be spread around Ponyville.” Fluttershy said.

Applebloom leapt forward, hugging her close and taking Fluttershy by surprise. “Fluttershy, it’s great to have someone that finally understands. Thank you for understanding.” Applebloom said into her front legs. “That’s ok. If you ever feel conflicted, come back to my cottage and we can talk.” Fluttershy kindly offered. “Thanks again. Ah gotta go catch up with my brother, but I’ll come visit someday.” Applebloom accepted her offer. Fluttershy opened the door for her on her way out. “Goodbye Applebloom.” She waved her off. “Bye Fluttershy.” Applebloom called out as she left the cottage.
Applebloom took the scenic route through the town as she thought Fluttershy’s talk would be much shorter, heck she didn’t even think Fluttershy would accept her after what she confessed. But yet again, Fluttershy’s heart-warming kindness proved itself in leaps and bounds.

Then, by the apple stall of all places, she spied a purple tinted grey unicorn filly. Applebloom seemed frozen in place, as she watched a scene with Dinky and her mother Derpy who was looking puzzled over an apple. “This isn’t a muffin. This is an apple!” Derpy said, confused. “No Mom, I was thinking that you could use this in your muffin. It’s not a muffin yet. But you can make it into those sugary apple bits you put in your muffins.” Dinky explained to her mother. “Ok!” She nodded.
Applebloom’s heart meanwhile was beating in her ears. She felt like she couldn’t move a muscle, a light blush covering her cheeks. What’s wrong with you? Get yerself together silly filly! Applebloom scolded herself in her head. Luckily Dinky happened to look her way. “Hi! Applebloom!” She cried out happily, running towards the disarmed filly and disarming her even more with a greeting nuzzle, pressing cheek to cheek. Applebloom’s blush grew. “Hey Dinky. You look…nice.” Applebloom said, being so shy she could rival her family friend Fluttershy’s timidness. “Thanks.” Dinky smiled.

Derpy rushed over. “Muwfin, who is this filly?” Derpy asked curiously. “I know her from school. Her name is Applebloom, and she’s one of my new friends.” Dinky linked an arm around Applebloom’s shoulder. “She’s a lovely filly.” Derpy remarked after seeing how happy being around Applebloom seemed to make her daughter. “Yes, she is a lovely filly.” Dinky complimented. “Do you two like playing?” Derpy wondered. “Oh, well, we haven’t really apart from yesterday. Hey, do you want to come over tomorrow at midday? I’m inviting Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell, do you know them?” Applebloom invited. “Yeah, they kind of took it upon themselves to introduce me. But Scootaloo was kind of weird about it.” Dinky said. “Don’t worry. She’s suspicious of some ponies.” Applebloom told her. “Ok. What’s your address?” Dinky asked. “34 Apple Drive or just Sweet Apple Acres, the farm of Ponyville.” Applebloom answered. “Mom, can I go tomorrow? Please?” Dinky put on a puppy face for Derpy. “Of course Muwfin!” Derpy said with a mother’s love clearly present in the voice.

“She said yes! Oh thank you, thank you Mom!” Dinky squeezed her mother tight and then took Applebloom’s front hooves, bouncing up and down while both of them squealed. Then when Dinky stopped, Applebloom still kept a tight hold of her front hooves, and they lingered just a little too long, gaining some unappreciative glares from the various townsfolk who didn’t take these kind of relations between fillies too well. But Derpy couldn’t hide her admiring look. Even though it was another filly, maybe these were true feelings. Dinky shook herself. “Uh…huh huh…” She laughed awkwardly seeing the glaring townsfolk around them, bringing the two back to reality, and with clear regret Dinky pulled her hands away from Applebloom’s. “Sorry Dink. I didn’t know what I was thinking.” Applebloom apologized. “It’s ok.” Dinky meanwhile pleaded in her thoughts, Hold my hooves again, Applebloom.

“Muwfin, we have to make Muwfins! You can see Applebloom tommorrow!” Derpy reminded. Ok, bye!” Dinky said. “Bye!” Applebloom said back. “Bye! Time to fly.” Derpy grabbed Dinky, strapping her on her back before flying up to Cloudsdale, with Dinky waving all the way up to the cloudy point where Applebloom could no longer see her. She knew with joy that she would see her tomorrow, and with that thought she pranced happily back to Sweet Apple Acres.**

Fun and Adventure On The Farm

The next day came with another big sleep in for Applebloom, very happy her sister who she wasn’t the best of friends with right now wasn’t forcing her to wake up. Even Applejack’s friends knew she was much more dejected and her usual high spirit had been diminished. She almost had to tell them straight away what happened on the last Friday night. Applebloom felt extremely guilty now, but she was stubborn like most of the workmares in the Apple family and wouldn’t give up and apologise so easy. It was ten o clock once Applebloom had woken up, so she quickly scrubbed herself clean, brushed her mane and teeth scrupulously. She remembered Dinky was coming over, and then spotted some perfume on the sink counter, probably Applejack’s. She didn’t mind if Applejack was mad at her right now, so she sprayed a good quarter of sweet smelling candied apple perfume all over every corner of her body.

Since Rarity’s little sister was coming to the farm, Rarity also dropped in for a visit, Rainbow Dash decided to randomly visit too. Applebloom knew Scootaloo would probably be fussing, fanfillying and gushing over Rainbow Dash for most of her visit, but she couldn’t really change the way things turned out. Rainbow Dash also brought her long-time friend Fluttershy, which Applebloom was happy about. Rarity arrived first with Sweetie Bell, the sisters were always polite and early, Rarity never believed in being fashionably late.

“Hey Applebloom! You smell great, what’s that perfume? Why are you wearing perfume?” Sweetie Bell asked a good question as she was the only one out of their group who liked really girlish things like dresses and perfume, something she shared with her sister. “Apple perfume. Ah have a…special visitor.” Applebloom sheepishly replied. “Oh who is it?! Hoity Toity? Hayonce?” Sweetie Bell asked excitedly, not quite getting her point. “No, silly filly! It’s a pony Ah…like.” Applebloom said, blushing slightly. “What, another friend? We’re ponies you like. I don’t’ get it.” Sweetie Bell said, still not picking up the hint. “Pony Ah like? As in, crush?” Applebloom explained carefully. A little light-bulb went off in her head. “Oh! Who’s the lucky colt?” Sweetie Bell assumed. “Uh…you’ll see who the pony is.” Applebloom said, trying to be vague.

The next filly to arrive was Scootaloo, who was so shocked and excited when she saw Rainbow Dash. “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh! RAINBOW DASH!” She bellowed, pushing past Sweetie Bell and Applebloom. “Well, that was a nice greeting.” Applebloom sarcastically remarked to Sweetie Bell. Rainbow Dash chuckled at her enthusiasm. “Hiya kid.” She ruffled Scootaloo’s hair. “Hi Rainbow Dash! I love your routines and the Sonic Rainboom is so awesome! Can I show you some tricks on my scooter?” Scootaloo babbled at a hundred miles per minute. “Woah, slow down.” Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but laugh at her awestruck face. “Darling, I think Rainbow Dash wants to be with her friends at the moment.” Rarity reminded her. “It’s fine Rarity. Let’s see them tricks Scoots.” Rainbow Dash followed Scootaloo outside to see her scooter tricks, and Sweetie Bell and Applebloom followed, having nothing else to do.

Scootaloo set up her scooter on the usual practicing ground for Applejack’s rodeo practice, backing up a few steps and then going into full speed. She jumped over the first hurdle whilst spinning in the air. “Woah!” Applebloom and Sweetie Bell cheered, and even Rainbow Dash had to gasp at the expert aerodynamics. Then there was a set of two bars, one higher and one lower in quick succession. Scootaloo jumped high in the air, and then did a full body flip over the two poles, timing it just perfect so she cleared both of them. “Yeah Scootaloo! Woo hoo!” The two young fillies cheered, Rainbow Dash clapped at that one. Scootaloo, spurred on by her idol’s approval, came to a triple bar. How is she gonna clear that one? Rainbow Dash wondered to herself.

She got on the scooter again, gaining a lot of momentum before jumping high for the bar, then she jumped off the board and with two perfectly timed and executed full body flips to land back on the scooter just in time, otherwise she would have met with a painful landing on the hard ground. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell were cheering Scootaloo’s name with pride over and over again, and Rainbow Dash yelled “Woo! Yay Scootaloo!” while applauding. Scootaloo beamed, but then remembered there was one more pole to conquer, the quadruple pole. She decided she would wow Rainbow Dash with her most complicated trick she had yet made up. She hoped she’d get it, because not unlike the Sonic Rainboom, it was something very unbelievable but painful and scary if you messed it up. It was her paterned Loop-de-Loop of Death.

Scootaloo gulped, getting the momentum as hard as she could get it in a short space of time, focusing very hard. Rainbow Dash put a hoof over her mouth, realising she was going for a very high four-tier bar. She hoped the hopeful fan filly would be ok. Scootaloo jumped, getting just the right amount of height to clear the four-tier bar. Rainbow Dash gasped. She then immediately jumped off, going into quick body flips which were so fast they created a unique, fluorescent, shining purple light, the colour of her mane. Applebloom and Sweetie Bell tried counting the flips, but the full body flips were getting too fast and by the second bar she had transformed into an orange ball with a purple light not unlike an aura surrounding her. Then she landed on the scooter again, giving a big zoom to the scooter, as it went five times faster almost immediately.
The three watching were shocked, awed by this amazing trick. But that was only the build-up.

The orange ball circled in circles, upwards. It went up and up, slowly building a hurricane formation. Rainbow Dash shook herself, but it was apparent this filly had an amazing speed power that she mistook for a simple trick. When the orange glowing purple hurricane form was finished, the scooter went down the hurricane formation, until…a purple light, faint but shining out of the hurricane shone through. The three witnessing could only gasp. Then…the hurricane imploded! A huge shower of purple and orange flattened out, spreading it’s sea across the town, as the scooter spun at lightning speed. Eventually the scooter spun slower, and slower, and slower, until finally Scootaloo emerged out the ball, panting, dizzy, sweat-beaded and exhausted.

“YAY SCOOTALOO! SCOOT-A-LOO, SCOOT-A-LOO, SCOOT-A-LOO!” The fillies cheered with a lot of volume as they threw the orange filly up and down in the air. Rainbow Dash rushed to the filly. “That was awesome! Where’d you learn that?” Rainbow Dash asked curiously. “Um, I kind of made it up myself when I had nothing to do.” Scootaloo explained shyly. “You made that up? Kid, you just gained your first fan.” Rainbow Dash hugged Scootaloo. “Aw yeah!” Scootaloo shouted. “Hey Applebloom, I saw the purple and orange lights all the way from Cloudsdale! What happened?” A familiar voice piped up from behind them. Applebloom turned around, and there was Dinky.

“Scootaloo here just pulled off an amazing trick. But I think she’s too tired to do it again.” Sweetie Bell explained. “Hey, are you Derpy’s kid?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Yes. Dinky Hooves.” Dinky answered, hoping the blue mare with a rainbow streaked mane wouldn’t make fun, but she just gave a friendly small smile. “Rainbow Dash. I know Derpy, she delivers my mail! She talks about you all the time.” Rainbow Dash said. “Cool.” Dinky replied. “Well, I’m going to go hang out with the other mares now, but thanks for showing me those awesome tricks, Scootaloo. Keep practicing; maybe you should enter the Ponyville Scooter Competition someday!” Rainbow Dash waved as she went back inside.

“Hi again, Dinky!” Sweetie Bell greeted. “Yeah, hey.” Scootaloo mumbled, still not completely sure about this new friend. “Ok, so now that we’re all here, we have a new member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.” Applebloom announced. Dinky gasped, putting her hooves to her face. “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS NEW MEMBER YAY!” The four of them bellowed, with Scootaloo being less than enthusiastic. “I have to make you a cape! I’ll bring it to school tomorrow!” Sweetie Bell noted. “Now, what can we do?” Scootaloo wondered out loud, looking around. She spied an orange tabby cat in a tall apple tree. “Oh look, there’s a orange tabby cat in an apple tree. NEW CUTIE MARK CRUSADER TEST, YAY!” Scootaloo bellowed by herself, getting a worried look from Dinky. “Isn’t that tree a little tall?” Said the frightened filly. “Hey, Ah didn’t have to do something that drastic when we started up the Cutie Crusaders Scoo-“ Applebloom’s mouth was plugged by Scootaloo’s hoof so she couldn’t stand up for the new member. “Applebloom doesn’t know what she’s talking about. She had to do the same thing. Now, climb the tree.” Scootaloo ordered.

Dinky’s ears folded back, but she began climbing the tree anyway, her hooves slipped a bit, but as soon as she concentrated, keeping her eyes on the cat, she began powering up the tree. Scootaloo gasped, “Huh?” she said out loud. This Dinky sure was a gutsy filly. Dinky managed to get to the top of the tree, and then she called, “Kitty, kitty, kitty.” as she got there. The cat didn’t respond, so Dinky used her horn to magically levitate the cat to her. “Ok, you passed that part. But now, you have to get down. Hey, ow!” Scootaloo drew her hand out of Applebloom’s mouth when she bit on it.
“Don’t worry Dink! I’ll catch you!” She rushed forward to the side of the tree. “I don’t know Applebloom. What if you don’t catch me?” Dinky cried from the top of the tree. “Ah promise you Ah will! Ah Pinkie Promise! Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye, see?” Applebloom called out. “Ok, I’m gonna jump!” Dinky cried. She saw the height from the tree to the ground, and flinched looking back. “Just trust me, I’ll catch you Sugacube!” The affectionate name slipped out of Applebloom’s mouth. “Sugarcube?” Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo raised an eyebrow at the affectionate name, but Applebloom ignored them, focusing on the task at hand. Dinky counted backwards from three and fell closing her eyes. “AAAAAHHHH!” She screamed, but her falling suddenly stopped.

She realised she was in the arms of Applebloom as she opened her eyes. “You alright Sugacube?” She asked softly. “Well, the cat is safe. I passed your test Scootaloo, how you like me now?” Dinky said with a touch of cockiness.
“You’re kind of brave. I guess.” Scootaloo softened her toughness just a bit. “Thanks, I guess.” Dinky said with more apparent friendliness. Suddenly the cat jumped right out of Dinky’s arms. “Uh oh!” She exclaimed. “Hey, this looks like a job for…” Sweetie Bell started off, “CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CAT CAPTURERS AND RESCUERS!” They all bellowed, even Dinky who was beginning to catch on. They chased the cat over the training area, into the expanses of the farm, up the green hills. But they stopped, hobbling over the edge of a cliff on the other side of the hill. “Woah!” They cried, almost falling off of the cliff, but Applebloom gasped as Dinky fell fast. “No! Sugacube!” She cried, running straight down the cliff immediately after her.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell cried out in terror. “Oh no, she’s trying to save Dinky again, and this time if she fails, they’ll both get splattered!” Sweetie Bell squeaked. “Come with me!” Scootaloo announced as she grabbed Sweetie Bell onto her scooter, backing up with lighting speed, letting go of the scooter and pushing forward into the orange ball again as fast as she could, over the edge of the cliff. Sweetie Bell thought quickly and cast a spell to create a soft bed levitating over her head that could catch the two ponies, grabbing tight onto the spinning ball. Meanwhile Applebloom was running madly down the cliff, tripping over herself and falling every few metres but getting back up again and working her workhorse muscles, even through the pain of falling on the cliff. Dinky was falling faster than she was running, so she leapt off the cliff, screaming loudly.

But she reached Dinky and they held hooves spinning around flat in the air. Applebloom and Dinky closed their eyes, each filly hoping their hardest they wouldn’t plunge to the ground. But then--they fell onto a soft bed like object, jolting forward. Applebloom looked to see it was a bed levitating on Sweetie Bell’s head, and Dinky successfully saved the cat, who had it’s arms wrapped around her back and shoulders. “Thanks Sweetie Bell, and Scootaloo.” Applebloom grunted through her pain. “Yeah, I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for you guys!” Dinky thanked them. “No problem!” The two fillies chorused, although Scootaloo was still in a ball shape, but Sweetie Bell noticed something. “Hey, Scootaloo! Your wings! They’re open! Hey, we’re flying! Woo hoo!” Sweetie Bell cheered, and the two fillies on the bed looked out at their surroundings.
They were flying on a scooter, over the great cliffs, and towards the town of Ponyville. “Woah…” The ponies except for Scootaloo who couldn’t see because she was still a flying ball, awed at the way Ponyville looked from their flying scooter. Everypony looked like ants from the wide, landscape view of the township of Ponyville.

The town got closer and closer, so Sweetie Bell and Dinky quickly worked together to create a wooden plane-like structure around Scootaloo’s wings, combining their powers to make it complete with seatbelts, and safety measures such as extra wings in case Scootaloo’s stopped working. Scootaloo’s scooter plane spun around a few times before unwinding Scootaloo’s power and landing rather gracefully for a flying scooter in the middle of the Ponyville marketplace, where people looked on questionably. When the magic powers stopped, they looked at the fillies huddled together on a scooter even more questionably, wondering how in Equestria they got there.

“Hey, you fillies! You found my cat, Snookums! Oh, how can I ever repay you?” An elderly mare Earth pony coloured pink with a curly pink mane with some grey streaks, and deep purple eyes called out the fillies. She had a party planner’s cutie mark, which was three balloons with the addition of a list on her flank. She liked the organization of parties as well as the parties themselves, organizing all kinds of events when she was still working for the upper class ponies who paid her well for her services. Royal weddings, fancy balls and dances, royal birthdays, and even prom nights across all of Equestria for the higher level teenage ponies had all been frequented and organized by this pink elder mare. “It’s nothing really, although your cat has a very strong will.” Dinky commented. “Hey, you look very familiar. Do you know a pony called Pinkie Pie? Friendly party pony? You look exactly like her!” Applebloom said.

“I know her very well silly fillies. In fact I am related to her.” The pink pony smiled goofily, talking in a low but squeaky girly voice. “How?” Sweetie Bell asked curiously. “I’m her Grams. Granny Pie to Pinkie though.” Granny Pie explained. “Oh, awesome! Do you have any bandages on you by the way? My friend has cut herself up a bit.” Scootaloo mentioned. “Oh, you poor thing. Come to my apartment in Ponyville. I’ll get you fixed up, and we can have a great tea party!” Granny Pie said, glancing at Applebloom who had a number of bruises and cuts. Granny Pie led them back to her temporary place, very swanky for a retired Grandmother. The fillies oohed and aahed at the various amenities she had, such as spacious spas, TVs that took up a whole wall, and waiting butler ponies.

“You like it? Princess Celestia, my old gal pal let me rent this swanky upscale place for a while to repay me for all those wild parties I used to throw for her palace. It was so much fun! But I’m getting off track. Doctor!” Granny Pie clapped her hands and an on demand doctor came to Granny Pie’s service. “At your service Ma’am. Any medical worries?” Doctor Stethoscope, a brown unicorn pony with a Stethoscope cutie mark and brown shoulder length mane with white streaks running through it answered. “Stethoscope, I have here a filly that’s cut herself up a bit. Can you take a look at her?” Granny Pie ordered. “Right away Ma’am. So, what seems to be the problem?” Doctor Stethoscope asked.
“Well, Ah was running down a cliff to save my friend and Ah tripped quite a few times. Don’t think anythings broken though, Ah can still walk, thank Celestia.” Applebloom said.

“Follow me.” Doctor Stethoscope brang her to an examining table. “Ok, while that silly filly gets fixed, how about you join me for my famous Pie recipe cupcakes! I just put some in the oven before going to town!” Granny Pie giggled and practically shoved the girls in the kitchen. The fillies noticed that even though she was old, it was clear she hadn’t and wouldn’t slow down and mature completely. Hopefully, Pinkie would be the same. She took the cupcakes out of the oven. “Help me ice these girls!” Granny Pie spread icing around the table, and rainbow cupcakes too to ice. “Thanks for the cupcakes and everything Granny Pie, but…what are you doing in Ponyville anyway?” Sweetie Bell wondered. “Visiting my favoritest pink party pony granddaughter of course!” Granny Pie replied with a hyperactive bounce. “Granny Pie, is Granny your real first name?” Dinky asked, while busily icing a cupcake. “No! Where’d you get that idea silly filly?” Granny Pie jabbed playfully. “There aren’t any elder ponies where I live.” Dinky replied. “My real first name is Minnie. So my name is really Minnie Pie! But, out of respect people usually call me Granny Pie because of my status as an ol’ grams. They do that with most Grannies in Equestria. Otherwise, there would be an awful lot of old mares called Granny!” Granny Pie explained. “Ok.” Dinky replied.

“By the way, does any one of you know where Pinkie stays?” Granny Pie queried. “I know! My sister is very good friends with her, she lives in the top part of the bakery in Sugarcube Corner.” Sweetie Bell pitched in. “Thanks…” Granny Pie trailed off not knowing her name. “I’m Sweetie Bell. The orange Pegasus is Scootaloo and this grey unicorn is Dinky. The little yellow Earth pony who fell over, her name is Applebloom.” Sweetie Bell introduced. “Applebloom? Is she part of the Apple family, as in Granny Smith’s granddaughter Applebloom?” Granny Pie asked excitedly. “Yeah.” Scootaloo answered.
“Oh my gosh! My bestie Granny Smith! I thought I’d never see her again! She’s my bestest friend in the whole wide world, even closer than me and Celestia are now!” Granny Pie bounced around the kitchen as she babbled on hyperactively. “Ok, ok slow down! Do you want to see her after we finish these cupcakes? Applebloom lives with her; in fact Applebloom is one of her Grandchildren.” Sweetie Bell suggested. “Hay yeah!” Granny Pie agreed enthusiastically and Applebloom emerged a few seconds later with more supporting bandages around the hooves she already hurt on Friday, and a couple on her arms, legs and back in different patches. But she looked noticeably happier. “Ok, let’s get this cupcake party started!” Granny announced, handing a few finished cupcakes to the fillies who devoured the cupcakes, later dancing to some upbeat dance pop music blasting constantly on Granny Pie’s stereo.

About half an hour later they all decided to return, because the older ponies would probably be wondering where they were. When they got there, Dinky stopped them. “I just want to say thank you, for treating me well. I haven’t been treated that good in forever, it puzzles me why you guys haven’t all got cutie marks in friendship yet.” Dinky told them. “Aww…” Sweetie Bell and Applebloom chorused, giving a group hug to Dinky. Scootaloo waited behind them, and then decided “You know what? You’re alright Dinky.” And she gave her a small hug for a few seconds pulling away quickly, even though she didn’t really like that touchy feely stuff all that much.

When they got back to the farm the guardians and other mares were waiting for the littler fillies to come back. “Howdy! We’ve been waiting for you fillies to return. What took you so long?” Applejack wondered. “We were out adventuring. Granny Smith, there’s someone I’d like for you to see.” Applebloom talked just civil to Applejack, but happily to Granny Smith. She pushed Granny Pie in front of the group of fillies.

“Applepie!” Granny Pie cried out Granny Smith’s first name which was used when she was young. “Minnie!” They reconciled over a bear hug and a greeting nuzzle. “So how’s life ‘Pie?” Granny Pie asked Granny Smith. “Great Min’.” She replied and they had a long conversation over in the longue room. “Wow. I didn’t know Granny Smith was friends with Granny Pie.” Rainbow Dash said. “Well, it’s only natural they became friends. They were both friendly silly fillies in their day, and to escape their early hardworking lives, they visited each other from their farms. That’s how Ah know Pinkie.” Applejack explained. “Muwfin, we’ll go. Thanks everyone.” Derpy farewelled. “Bye, and it’s good Derpy. Ah think Dinky here had a great time.” Applejack said, as Derpy and Dinky waved them off while flying back to their Cloudsdale home. “Bye!” Applebloom cried extra loud.**

Stars and A Sleepover

“Sorry for the early start Dink’. I had to deliver that letter.” Derpy apologised, against the dark sky of the hour before morning. “It’s ok. I’ll just sleep earlier tonight.” Dinky said, with tiredness evident in her voice. “Sorry again Dink’.” Derpy said, looking to her daughter and not the tree right before her. “Mom! Look forward now!” Dinky cried out in warning. “Eye?” Derpy asked. “AAAHHHHH!” Dinky screamed in terror as her Mom got stuck in the tree and she started falling.
Twilight Sparkle had been working all night on some study. While it was riveting, an in depth study of the cosmos, she was aware she had gotten too into it, and was just about to finish and sleep in all day. She stared blankly outside while she was writing her last sentence, and saw a falling filly. WAIT, A FALLING FILLY? She thought and ran outside as fast as she could, creating a trampoline with her horn just a few metres before the ground. Dinky bounced, saying “Huh?” and then “Weeeee!” as she bounced up and down safely. Derpy finally managed to get herself out of the tree, not without shaking Twilight’s home a little. Then she hurried flew down to check on her daughter, whom she felt horribly guilty about dropping, relieved that she was bouncing on a trampoline.

“Thanks, mare pony!” She said as she saw the purple unicorn filly that was probably behind this. “It was nothing, you’re welcome.” Twilight said. Dinky got off of the trampoline. “So what are you doing up so late?” Dinky asked. “Studying in this library. The planets, stars and comets are very interesting to me. But I should really get to bed.” Twilight replied. “I like planets and stars! What’s your name?” Dinky asked. “Twilight Sparkle. How about you guys?” Twilight replied. “I’m Dinky and this is Mom, Derpy.” Dinky introduced. “Would you like to borrow a book? I always love to see little ponies interested in study.” Twilight Sparkle offered. “Mom, can I borrow a book? Please?” Dinky begged. “That’s alright.” Derpy said, letting her in the library to borrow a book.

“So what do you want to borrow, Stars and Planets 101, or Lawson’s Guide to The Cosmos, or maybe The Alphabet of Stars, or Planets and What They Do…” Twilight tossed a couple of books out of the bookcase. “Can I borrow all of them? It looks fascinating.” Dinky marvelled at the collection of books. “Really? Do you think you can finish all those?” Twilight looked at the collection of four thick books with a couple hundred pages each. “I read really fast. And there’s never such thing as too much reading. I love books!” Dinky said enthusiastically, much more enthusiastic about books and studying naturally than Twilight had ever seen in a little filly or colt. “I love books too. I’ve lived in libraries my entire life.” Twilight replied. “Wow that sounds like fun.” Dinky said.

“I hope you don’t mind, but I’m very tired. Maybe you should get going to school. But don’t worry; you can visit if you’d like to borrow a book with your Mom. My only term is that you return them the next fortnight, or every two weeks.” Twilight told her. “I’ll return these in two weeks time. Maybe even before that. I’ll see how I go. Thankyou Twilight Sparkle.” Dinky gave her a short thanking nuzzle. “Please call me Twilight. And no problem.” Twilight Sparkle said while accepting the nuzzle. “Thanks.” Derpy nuzzled Twilight shortly too. “It’s ok.” Twilight replied. “Bye!” Dinky farewelled. “Eye!” Derpy placed Dinky on her back and they zoomed out of Twilight’s window. She smiled a small tired smile, then blew out her candles and finally went upstairs to retire in bed alongside Spike sleeping soundly in his basket.

Derpy flew up out of the tree library and zoomed to Dinky’s school. It was still dark and barely five am when they reached the school, but Cheerilee was there, preparing notes and things for class. So Dinky was dropped off in the classroom, and she impatiently waited for Applebloom to arrive to the schoolhouse. Cheerilee tried to play some games with her, but she was happy Dinky already had a special bond with a pony at school. That’s exactly what Derpy wanted, and finally Dinky was getting what she needed. Applebloom came in at seven and it was still two hours before school. She was hit with beauty as soon as she walked in, the first thing she saw was the other filly and it claimed her full attention.
“Hey Dink’!” Applebloom said enthusiastically. “Hi Cupcake!” Dinky said without thinking and then put a hoof over her mouth. “Sorry, I meant Applebloom.” Dinky apologised. “Cupcake is fine, Sugacube.” Applebloom said putting a hoof on her shoulder, very happy that Dinky wanted to give her an affectionate name. Dinky blushed a bit, but then became aware of Cheerilee’s slightly judgemental frown, as did Applebloom. “Do you wanna go outside Sugacube?” Applebloom whispered the suggestion and Dinky nodded, following Applebloom. “Don’t go too far girls.” Cheerilee warned, with her judgemental look still filling her face.

Applebloom sighed as she knew she couldn’t hold hooves or put one on Dinky’s shoulder as long as Miss Cheerilee was watching and scrutinizing. They’d probably get calls to the parents or guardians about the ‘bad behaviour’ and Applebloom wasn’t sure that her sister Applejack would take the news of her crush on a filly so kindly right now. So she stayed a short distance from her friend she wanted to be more with. Dinky closed the space herself, holding Applebloom’s hoof herself. “Why are you doing that Sugacube? Don’t you think we’ll get in trouble?” Applebloom said, motioning to Miss Cheerilee on the word, ‘trouble’. “I don’t care Cupcake.” Dinky replied and broke Applebloom’s resolve consequently. They naturally walked closer together.

“Hey, what’s that in yer saddlebag?” Applebloom asked. “Oh, I’ve got four books in here. Stars and Planets 101, Lawson’s Guide to The Cosmos, The Alphabet of Stars, and Planets and What They Do. I’m kind of a nerd in case you haven’t noticed.” Dinky said amusedly. “Yer not that much of a nerd. You have social skills. Kind of like Twilight Sparkle. You know that mare?” Applebloom asked. “Yeah! I met her just this morning! She gave me these books; she’d been studying all night! How do you know her?” Dinky answered. “That sounds like Twilight. Twilight is one of my elder sister’s best friends. Sometimes Applejack wonders if she loves them books more than people. But she’s talented at magic, the pony you go to in this town if you be needing any spells.” Applebloom said. “Wow! She sounds awesom-er now! I’ve secretly always wanted to make a lot of magic too. But don’t tell any of the ponies that. They think I’m dumb enough, they’ll probably laugh right in my face.” Dinky looked down. “Ah won’t tell them, Ah promise. But if yer reading those, you have to be pretty smart. And Ah can tell yer a smart cookie anyway. If you gain the courage to answer some questions in class, I’d bet they’d all look stupid themselves! Miss Cheerilee is doing math in class today. Most of the class is pretty bad at math. If you answer a couple of questions, you’ll look like a genius!” Applejack attempted cheering her up. “Yeah, you’re right! I’ve got this! I was the math champion of both my schools you know.” Dinky boasted slightly. “I have no trouble believing that.” Applebloom sincerely said. “Thanks.” Dinky smiled and then they broke into a game of ball in the yard just to pass the time.

Once in class, Miss Cheerilee talked to all the ponies at improving their maths skills. Most of the ponies in the class groaned, but Miss Cheerilee made them pursue the topic anyway. Applebloom, who had chosen to sit next to Dinky, gave her a reassuring wink. Unfortunately, Diamond Tiara was made to sit away from Silver Spoon, so she gave a challenging smirk, passing a note. Dinky opened it, even though Applebloom quickly shook her head no. The note read, ‘Retard Hooves and Retard Hooves junior’ and showed a sketch of Derpy and Dinky with crossed eyes. Then underneath it read, ‘P.S You are probably the worst excuse for a unicorn I’ve ever met!’. Applebloom gasped as she saw the note and scowled menacingly at the filly responsible, signalling a fist punching her hand to Diamond Tiara, while she cowered away from the hand. Dinky sniffled, tears streaming down her face. She started crying loudly and then ran out of the classroom. “Sugacube!” Applebloom cried out, knocking over Diamond Tiara recklessly after her. “Hey! How rude.” Diamond Tiara exclaimed, rather contrary to her actions.

Dinky slumped onto her front and cried in the schoolyard. Applebloom trotted up softly behind her. “Hey.” She said quietly. Dinky quieted her crying a little bit, murmuring “Hi.” and then resuming crying loudly. Applebloom felt a wave of sadness too as she saw this filly in despair. She wrapped a front hoove around her back, patting it gently and letting her cry in her shoulder. Dinky leant into her shoulder, wrapping one front hoove around Applebloom’s. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo trotted slowly into the scene as well, raising their eyebrows collectively at the scene and giving each other a look that said ‘what is going on?’.“What are you doing Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked intrusively. Applebloom glared slightly as she looked over to her friend. “What’s it look like? Ah’m comforting Sugacube.” Applebloom said openly. “Scootaloo!” Sweetie Bell chided, but Scootaloo was taken aback by Applebloom’s open declaration. She realised she had probably taken her judgement of them too far, and Dinky was obviously a very sensitive filly but she had a kind heart. “I’m sorry Dinky, for being a total meanie to you when I first met you. Plus, you two are cute together.” Scootaloo threw in the last sentence just to shock the two fillies and see the look on their faces.

“That’s ok.” Dinky accepted meekly, cheering up a bit. “Maybe we should leave you two alone. But Miss Cheerilee’s coming in a few minutes, so watch yourselves, ok?” Sweetie Bell suggested. “Ok. Thanks you guys.” Applebloom said, overjoyed suddenly that her friends seemed to approve of her being with Dinky. “Thank you.” Dinky replied, her thank you meaning more than just thanking for their suggestion. She was also thanking them for their acceptance. A few minutes later, Dinky’s tears turned to mere sniffles and they quickly jumped apart as they heard footsteps coming closer. Miss Cheerilee had turned around the corner, and Applebloom pulled her hoove off, so did Dinky.

“Dinky, are you alright?” Miss Cheerilee quivered sensitively. “I’ll be fine.” Dinky finally began drying her wet eyes. “Thanks for comforting Dinky, Applebloom. Dinky, I’ve seen the picture and sent Diamond Tiara home to her father who is going to see it too and will punish her appropriately, because that is completely unacceptable kindergarten-like behaviour. It seems she just isn’t getting the message. And I’ve given a talking to the class about respecting others, a temporary diversion from our Maths. Do you think you could come back in now that you’re feeling better, or do you need more time?” Miss Cheerilee asked. “I’ll come in.” Dinky accepted, largely comforted by the fact that Diamond Tiara was no longer in the classroom.
Dinky and Applebloom slipped back into their spots as quietly as they could. Though the ponies with the exception of Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo did look at them a bit, it was nothing bad; they were just confused and curious. Dinky gained more strength again and answered a question when no one else got it, then another, then another until she was the new math champion of the class. The class marvelled at the seemingly impossible skill. “Very good Dinky. Here’s the class math medal.” Cheerilee said as the kids were all just about to be excused, they cheered, and she blushed slightly at the praise. The medal was clipped on her saddle bag, for everypony to see. Just as Dinky was about to go, Cheerilee stopped her again. “Dinky, your mother Derpy wants you to stay with one of your friends tonight. She has to do late night mail deliveries in Canterlot and Trottingham.” Miss Cheerilee told her.

She knew exactly who she was going with. “Hey Applebloom!” She tapped the filly on the shoulder. “Hey, Dinky.” Applebloom said. “Mom says I have to sleep over with one of my friends because she has deliveries all night. Do you think I could…stay with you?” Dinky asked. “Maybe, but Ah have to ask my big brother. Come with me.” Applebloom said and she followed. “Howdy Applebloom, Dinky.” Big Mac welcomed the fillies. “Do you think that Dinky could sleep over just for tonight? Her Mom has to work all night.” Applebloom asked Big Mac. “Sure thing. We have a spare sleeping bag lying around, and Applejack and Granny Smith are making a huge carrot and apple stew, which will be more than enough for Dinky.” Big Mac accepted. “Alright!” Dinky jumped up a bit. Big Mac chuckled and led the two fillies home.
Applejack was bucking the apples out front and Granny Smith was sitting on the veranda with two chairs pulled up, and in those chairs sat Pinkie Pie and Granny Pie. Well, as quiet as they could both sit. Pinkie and Minnie twitched and often looked around frantically, expressing their twin hyperactive natures. “Granny Pie! Tell me the story of how you and Granny Smith met again!” Pinkie exclaimed her question. Normal ponies would have frowned and groaned after the third time but not Minnie Pie. “Of course! But not without singing it in a song! One, two, three…” Granny Smith rolled her eyes, but listened patiently to their song.

“The resemblance is so scary.” Dinky commented. “Yeah I know. Shouldn’t they be twins or something?” Applebloom said as she saw their identical dancing as they passed by. “Now, Ah’m gonna go find you that sleeping bag. You can play around in the house, but don’t move much from this room ok?” Big Mac asked. “Ok.” Applebloom nodded. As he exited, Pinkie Pie re-entered. She gasped. “I haven’t seen you around before! Are you new to Ponyville?! Oh, we could have so much fun; a welcoming party needs to be thrown! And what about streamers and cakes and party hats and dancing and cookies and cupcakes and…”

“Hold on there. I’m not from Ponyville. I’m visiting from out of town to have a sleepover with Applebloom.” Dinky explained. “Oh. Then when are you from?” Pinkie asked. “North Cloudsdale.” Dinky said. “But, you’re a little unicorn! Shouldn’t you be in Ponyville? How are you up there?” Pinkie pointed out. “Mom is a Pegasus, so I have to stay in Cloudsdale until I’m old enough to move out. Mom has always tied balloons to me so that I won’t fall. But it’s only a temporary solution and I want to learn the spell that gives me wings, so one day I can fly with her. ” Dinky explained. “Ok. Well, I don’t want to crash your sleepover. I’ve got a party with Celestia and Granny anyway!” Pinkie bounced off. “That pony is just as hyper as her Grandma.” Dinky said when the door was finally closed, opened again by Big Mac. “Here.” He shoved the sleeping bag on the ground. “Ah guess Ah should show you to my room.” Applebloom said, and Dinky followed her when she started moving up the stairs. “So here’s where you can set up camp Ah guess.” Applebloom said a little awkwardly, motioning to the space of ground next to her bed. Dinky put her sleeping bag on the ground, chucking the contents of her saddle bag on top.

“This ain’t just some light reading. Yer Momma, has funny eyes, so how did you…never mind that’s a rude question.” Applebloom shook her head but Dinky didn’t seem fazed. “No, I can understand why you’d be curious. I’ve had worse things said to me before. My Mom isn’t the best academically. But that doesn’t make her any less of wonderful Mom, unlike what some ponies would think. My father…was a unicorn. Also where I got my brains from. But he was not a nice unicorn. His name was Black Heart even though he was a purple pony; he came from the family clan Heart. But their name was misleading, considering they had none. The Hearts all had cutie marks in pillaging. They called them the Viking Ponies, or the Viking Unicorns. Their leader, and Black’s father, my Grandpa, Heavy Heart had magic that rivalled even Princess Celestia’s herself. So each week they would steal apple cider from your family, the Apple family all across Equestria late each night, Heavy Heart would then cast two very complicated spells on the Sunday of each week, the invincibility spell and the spell of flight. They’d drink all the apple cider they could, making themselves more menacing than they were before. One week, they decided they would pillage Cloudsdale…and Mom…Mom was a young teenage mare in the middle of it all, she was oblivious to what was going on so she was an easy target for Black Heart. That’s how I’m here today. They’re still trying to find the Hearts, but they’ll probably never find them. They are elusive and incredibly smart too. So I just kind of taught myself. I have natural talent for reading and anything to do with books or spells, but it’s horrifying to think of where it came from.” Dinky told Applebloom.

“Oh. Maybe Ah shouldn’t have asked.” Applebloom said, knowing she had opened a can of worms. “No, it’s good. I’ve never told anyone. Mommy sort of knows what happened, but she couldn’t really understand what was going on. I’m glad she doesn’t understand, it’s better to be ignorant and happy in this case.” Dinky said. The two little ponies stopped their heart to heart as soon as they heard a rap on the door. “Hey ‘Bloom, it’s me Sugacube.” Applejack said through the door. “Whatcha want ‘Jack?” Applebloom replied through the door. “Still mad with me? Well alright, but can you tell your little friend that soup’s on in an hour?” Applejack called out. “Ok ‘Jack. Stew’s ready in an hour if you didn’t hear.” Applebloom groaned. “Ok. I want to get my mind off of the Hearts now. Can we go play for a bit?” Dinky requested. “Sure! I’ve got two hoses in the backyard. You know what that means?” Applebloom said, and Dinky looked confused for a minute. “No…” “Hose fight!” Applebloom called out, dragging Dinky running down the stairs. Applebloom galloped into a grey open space where the hoses were kept near the shed where the chickens slept. She threw Dinky a hose.

“On yer marks..get set…GO!” Applebloom and Dinky’s hoses started up on go. The two fillies giggled and Applebloom circled the water around her drowning Dinky’s blond mane and tail in the water. “Oh, you’re gonna get it Applebloom!” Dinky cried, ducking her next attack and then crash landing on Applebloom’s head drenching her with water. “Dang nab it!” Applebloom cried out as the other filly drenched her mane making it drip with water. She shook the filly until she fell off onto the soft grass, then dived onto her with the hose, getting her right in the face. “Ahhh! Cold! That’s so cold!” Dinky squeaked. She opened her eyes for one minute, quickly thinking and grabbing the hose Applebloom was holding. Applebloom and Dinky struggled with the hose in a game of tug of war, but very surprisingly it was Dinky that ended up with the hose.

“Hahaha! Surrender now or forever be drenched in icy cold water!” Dinky smirked as she had two hoses, one in each hand. “Guh!” Applebloom cried and ran away. Dinky tied the hoses over her shoulders and ran after Applebloom, who thought she was safe, facing a tree but she was very wrong. Suddenly two powerful jets of cold water hit her at once, making her jump out of her skin and shout “AIIIEEEE!”. Dinky fell back on her back laughing uncontrollably at her reaction, but wasn’t laughing when Applebloom plugged her mouth with the hoses. Applebloom chuckled at her full mouth and unamused expression but she just spat the water right all over Applebloom’s face. “Yuck!” She cried and shook her mane as it was Dinky’s turn to laugh. Applebloom frowned and grabbed the two hoses. Dinky gasped. “Well, gotta run.” She said hurriedly as Applebloom aimed them at her.

“Imma get you!” Applebloom bellowed, catching up fast to Dinky. Dinky looked behind her, but completely missed one of the many apple trees that were right in front of her. Because Applebloom was so close to she was touching her tail, the two turned over together. “Woah!” They cried as they hit the tree, Applebloom ended up pinning Dinky against the tree. “Ha!” She yelled, putting the hoses in her face, Dinky giving little squeals at how cold the water was. “Ok, ok! You win! I surrender!” Dinky squeaked. Applebloom dropped the hoses, looking into Dinky’s eyes. “Dinky Ah can’t hold this much longer, Ah...well…Ah...Consarn it I don’t know how to put this.” Applebloom sighed. “You…what?” Dinky asked one tone above a whisper. “Ah-“

“Applebloom!” Applejack called, breaking them out of their fight temporarily. “What, sis?” Applebloom groaned, staying in her spot pinning Dinky while Dinky was blushing a bit. “Yer wasting tons o’ water! Ah keep telling ya’ll to not have water fights with yer friends!” Applejack scolded, completely ignoring the position Applebloom was in momentarily. “Ah’m Sowry. Ah forget.” Applebloom droned. “Well, it looks like you keep forgetting on purpose ‘Bloom. Now turn off that darned water and…who is that yer pinning? Applebloom yer a little pony. I didn’t know ya’ll was into colts yet.” Dinky turned completely red, and Applebloom was a bit embarrassed. “Uh huh huh..um…” Dinky giggled slowly and awkwardly. “’Jackie!!! Ah’m not doing that!” Applebloom replied. “I don’t know about this ‘Bloom, you seem kind of young to date. Now who is that pony?” Applejack said firmly. “Ah’m not telling.” Applebloom stood her ground. “Tell me.” Applejack argued. “No!” Applebloom argued back. “Tell!” “No!” “Tell!” “No!” “Tell me now!” Applejack firmly said. “No!” Applebloom shouted back. “Well then. Ah’ll just have to…” Applejack pulled Applebloom swiftly off Dinky. “Dinky?” Applejack looked completely thrown. “Uh, hi, yeah, so, it’s kinda me..” Dinky bumbled. “Dinky? Really? But aren’t you a…a…FILLY? But you…but her…but…but…what? Can somepony explain?!” Applejack was completely dumbfounded.

“Ok. Here goes nothing. Ah like-“ “I can explain! We were water-fighting and Applebloom was right behind me so we fell over together and ended up in this position on the tree! But we weren’t doing anything I swear!” Dinky told Applejack. “That sounds…reasonable. Ah’ll take it. But you two have to come inside and get all dried off now.” Applejack ordered. “Ok.” They groaned in chorus, but grudgingly followed the bigger pony inside. They tried to step inside but Big Mac stopped them with two towels. “Usually we don’t care much about muck and dirt but you two are way too wet to come inside.” The two quickly dried their bodies with the hay-woven towels, and handed them back to Big Mac. “Well, Ah guess there’s nothing else to do now but our homework. Ah hate them fancy mathematics.” Applebloom grumbled. “I’ll help you, remember, math champion?” Dinky took up boasting again. “Oh yeah! If I do it with you, I’ll be sure to get it right!” Applebloom and Dinky happily trotted upstairs to complete homework.

A little over half an hour later, Dinky and Applebloom were called down to dinner just as they had finished their three worksheets, displaying teamwork and a lot of helpful hints from the math champion. Dinky’s mouth immediately watered at the smell of spiced apple and carrot stew and garlic scones. Her mother’s muffins were good but even the smell of the Apples’ cooking was enough to upstage them. Granny Smith and Applejack had obviously put a lot of hard labour into the meal. “SOUP’S ON EVERYPONY!” Applejack rang a bell. “Good food, good wheat, good ponies let’s eat.” Big Mac announced, and everyone shoved their faces deep into their meals. No one was afraid to be a pig, as they burped and slurped, basically anything that would make Rarity want to faint. In fact, if you weren’t being slightly uncouth you stuck out like a sore thumb. Luckily, Dinky happened to like shovelling in her food as well, and fit in perfectly with the family. After the initial eating frenzy was done, when time came around for seconds, people started finally having small talk in dribs and drabs over the table until Big Mac, the biggest pony, and logically the biggest eater, stopped finally at his fourth serving. Then everyone slowly dispersed from the table. Luna’s moon had finally taken over Equestria, but it was still far from bedtime for Applebloom and Dinky, the youngest ponies there.

“So, what are we gonna do now? We still have two hours left till bedtime!” Applebloom pointed out. “It’s dark out there. I’ve got an idea.” Dinky grabbed Lawson’s Guide to The Cosmos, and linked an arm around Applebloom’s shoulder. “What-“ She could barely get out and suddenly she was magically teleported to a large green open space, right under the stars and moon, somewhat far from the house. “I know what we can do! We can use my guide to look at the stars and planets.” Dinky said. “Ok.” Applebloom agreed. Dinky lay down in the soft grass that gently bedded her. She put her front hooves behind her head, and patted the seat next to her. Applebloom sat down in the same way. “So, the book says…” “Look Dinky!” “What?” Applebloom pointed at the shooting star whirling across the sky. “What a bright light.” Dinky remarked. “So beautiful. Like another pony Ah know.” Applebloom said shyly. “What pony?” Dinky asked. “Um…it doesn’t matter?” Applebloom shied away. “Ok?” Dinky cocked her head in confusion, but looked back up to the sky. “According to Lawson’s Guide, there’s Jupiter. See? And Venus, the purple one in the sky see? Those are some planets, and you know they’re planets because they don’t move or shimmer like the stars do.” Dinky pointed out the planets. “Alright.” Applebloom replied softly, and Dinky leaned in more against her, pointing out more stars from the book.

Meanwhile on other corner of the farm, Applejack was taking her frustrations out on a tree that was about to topple out of the ground. Big Mac approached the frustrated young mare, his elder younger sister. “Applejack, why are you punishing that tree?” Big Macintosh inquired. “Ah can do what Ah want!” Applejack defied, kicking the tree three more times before it toppled. “Ahhh. Now Ah gots to find me another one…” Big Mac blocked her. “Applejack. There’s no need to devastate the crops. Yer being a silly filly. Do want to be a silly filly or a grown mare?” Big Mac reasoned. Applejack sighed. “Big Mac…oh fine. Applebloom’s just not gonna forgive me. And what about this!” Applejack exclaimed, pointing to the two fillies pointing at the stars and getting comfortable with each other. “Applejack! What is the big problem with you, she’ll forgive you in good time. And what about that?” Big Mac argued. “Look at them. Ah just don’t want Applebloom to get hurt by the other ponies. The townsfolk might think they’re…you know together.” Applejack said, and pointed to the cuddling fillies. Dinky had her head on Applebloom’s shoulder, and they were pointing out stars together. Big Mac and Applejack watched on, and Big Mac couldn’t help but think maybe he had mistaken Applebloom’s feelings. “Ah have to admit…it’s actually kinda sweet. Ah don’t give a horseapple about the Townspeople. They can hush if they don’t like it.” Big Mac admitted.

“But how can Ah just forget the basic laws of nature?” Applejack argued back. “Basic laws of nature my hoof. It’s all just a cover-up. Fluttershy’s animals and come to think of it…our animals sometimes, show this kind of behaviour that we’re seeing now. Ah made a huge mistake by telling Applebloom the opposite. We’re animals, Applejack. It is possible. The proof is in that pudding over there.” Big Mac wisely said, and he trotted away calmly and quietly. Applejack sighed.
Meanwhile over with Applebloom and Dinky, they had stopped trying to look for stars in the book, and were just pointing at what they thought the stars looked like. “Hey, that one looks like a bunny, see the fluffy tail?” Dinky pointed at the bunny star. “Oh yeah! And that one looks like Luna and Celestia!” Applebloom pointed out an oddly detailed-looking star, that she suspected had been put there by Luna on purpose. “That one looks like…Dad.” Dinky looked down. “Aw, don’t be sad.” Applebloom comforted. “I know he’s only my biological father, but he’s still…a part of me. Maybe there’s a darkness in me too.” Dinky whispered. “There ain’t no darkness. He only gave you your horn, and nothing more.” Applebloom comforted the filly.

Applebloom and Dinky went on counting stars, effectively forgetting about their bedtime, pointing out the stars and sinking into sleep. Princess Luna, who was on her way to another engagement that night, spotted the pair and willed them with her powerful magic to Applebloom’s bed together, not knowing about the sleeping bag in the room next to the bed. But warm and cosy together, the fillies could not care less.**

The Next Morning

Applejack trotted into Applebloom’s room that morning to find that the fillies were in bed together, cuddled up, as she saw when she lifted the blanket. “Applebloom?” She called in her sister’s ear. “Huh…what…OH! Oh my gosh! Ah can explain!” She said, letting go of Dinky. “Applebloom?! That’s not the way you act around a filly!” Applejack exclaimed. “You know what? This isn’t how you usually act around a filly, but Ah like her. Ah’ll just wake her up now.” Applebloom said non-chalantly. Applejack sighed. “How do you know you like her, Applebloom? This could just be a phase, or perhaps you are playing pretend?” Applejack said dismissively, sitting on the bed next to her.

“Ah’m not playing pretend. How do Ah know? Ah’m all nervous around her. She makes me really happy, just Ah don’t know how. My heart beats a million miles per minute just at the sight of her.” When Applejack looked in her eyes it seemed sincere and pure, but her worry for her sister in the community’s light led her to push her slightly away even when she regretted it badly, when she knew deep down that her sister was baring her soul. She hesitated before she said, “She doesn’t make you feel like that. Yer imagining it, ok sweetie?” Applejack replied softly. “No, that’s a lot of hooey! Ah’m not imagining anything! Yer just being ignorant, Ah be telling the honest truth!” Applebloom persuaded gently.
“Don’t you twist the truth! Because of this outburst, Ah ain’t making you breakfast.” Applejack told her off conflicted and only just grappling with the situation, shutting the door louder than she meant.

“Applebloom?” A small sweet voice carried from Applebloom’s bed. “Yes, Sugacube?” She asked, looking to the owner of the voice. “Were you two arguing?” Dinky asked. “Yeah we were. Things aren’t so good between Applejack and Ah.” Applebloom explained. “Am I, in your bed?” Dinky asked, realizing were she was suddenly.
“Yes. Ah didn’t pull anything, Ah swear! In fact, Ah have no idea how we got in bed in the first place! Someone must’ve put us here.” Applebloom said confusedly. “Shame you didn’t put me here, maybe I wanted to sleep with you.” Dinky said shyly, and Applebloom looked at her like she had two heads, then she blushed replaying what she had said in her head. “Oh, sorry, I only now realize how that sounds now. I didn’t mean that I meant..um…never mind.” Dinky went bright red and avoided Applebloom’s gaze.

“Um, do you mind showing me to the bathroom? I think I need to wash up.” Dinky mentioned after a few moments. “Sure. But don’t take too long, Ah need a scrubbing too. After Ah’m finished, sorry Ah’ll probably have to cut us up some plain boring apples, Applejack’s being a plain ol’ pain in the patootie and she won’t make us breakfast now.” Applebloom grumbled the last sentence. “That’s ok, if it’s all you can do, it’s all you can do.” Applebloom showed her the bathroom and Dinky started scrubbing, whilst Applebloom got two apples from the family supplies. But she got more as she spied the Apple Family recipe pancake mix. Things were about to get a whole lot more interesting. She grabbed cinnamon, all-spice and butter, eggs and milk for the liquid in the pancakes and got to work. She didn’t mind if her sister got mad, it wouldn’t matter anyway. She surprised herself by actually being quite a natural cook. She was kind of nervous at first remembering the cupcakes incident with Pinkie Pie, but maybe it was just that she wasn’t so good at baking but the opposite was true with cooking. It did seem to run with the family mares after all, Applejack and Granny Smith. Dinky galloped down the stairs. “What’s cooking?” She wondered out loud. “Ah made pancakes myself because Applejack wouldn’t.” Applebloom explained. “Don’t you need to wash though?” Dinky pointed out. “Don’t worry. Ah’ll just get Big Mac to take us half an hour later or something.” Applebloom said. They both dug in, eating like it was a contest.

“Mmm…Applebloom this is great! What did you put in it?” Dinky asked. “An old family recipe pancake mix, with butter, eggs, cinnamon and sliced apples on top. Ah have no idea what’s in the old family recipe mix. Only Granny knows that. It’s passed down to eldest mare of every Apple generation, so Ah’m not ever gonna know either.” Applebloom said. “You have such a big family history.” Dinky marvelled. “Well, it’s kind of boring sometimes, and when you’re in a big farming family like mine you’re not exactly the top of the social food chain. Most little ponies and teenagers for that matter don’t care what their food comes from, they care about fads and fashion.” Applebloom replied. “I don’t know, having a nice, big family seems pretty great to me. I only know my Mom. Granny and Gramps, as she says didn’t like Mommy because of her eyes, and they shoved her out of the house when she got her cutie mark, they thought she was grown up just because of a mark on her flank. They hated her cutie mark too and teased her for it, so now she’s kind of ashamed of the bubbles on her flank and tries to hide them when she delivers mail.” Dinky said. “Ah’m sorry. Perhaps Ah do take it a bit for granted.” Applebloom said. “It’s ok.” Dinky said.

Applebloom went to bathe and clean up very quickly, then the two little ponies trotted together with Big Mac to the schoolyard some fifteen minutes later. “Bye, now don’t you be getting into no trouble again, you hear?” Big Mac told Applebloom. “Ah know Big Mac. Ah only did something bad once.” Applebloom reminded him. “Ok, still, don’t.” Big Mac repeated and he left with a wave. “Thanks again for letting me stay the night.” Dinky thanked. “No problem.” Applebloom smiled. “I really hope it gets better with your sister.” Dinky said. “Hello Applebloom and Dinky. Your Mom will be picking you up as per usual tonight, Dinky. Applebloom, I hope you don’t mind, but some repairs around here would actually be nice. As you know this school is pretty old, your sister and brother came here too, and some of the planks have come unstuck…” Cheerilee continued explaining her problem and Applebloom happily attended to it.

There was something that came so natural, so easy to Applebloom about carpenting. It seemed soothing to her to hit some nails on wood. But she hadn’t tried all her talents, so she couldn’t be sure if this talent could turn out to be her cutie mark yet. After all, there were so many things she could be talented at that she didn’t even know where to start! But for now, she longed to fix. And Dinky longed to read. So she headed outside to a space underneath a high, quiet tree, calmed and hushed by the birdsong from a nest in that tree and the wind weaving melodies together. It was the perfect spot. So she grabbed Lawson’s Guide and found the bookmarked page somewhere in the middle of the book. The thick, information-dense guide powered her hunger for knowledge for an hour, until a certain squeaky voice cut into her concentration.

“Hi Dinky! What are you reading?” Sweetie Bell said. “Lawson’s Guide To the Cosmos. It’s a book about stars!” Dinky put down her book. “I forgot your cape yesterday, but I have with me now. You wanna see?” Sweetie Bell asked. “Ok.” Dinky stood up from her spot, and Sweetie Bell presented the golden silk and red cape in all it’s glory. “Ta-dah! Do you like it?” Sweetie Bell squeaked. Dinky marvelled at the cape. “Wow, this is really nice of you. Did you make it?” Dinky asked. “No, I didn’t. My big sister Rarity did. She’s great at making capes and dresses and stuff.” Sweetie Bell answered. “Sweetie Bell, are you going to say goodbye?” Rarity wondered out loud, she had been trotting behind Sweetie Bell to get to school. “Yeah, I was just about to. I was telling Dinky about your beautiful cape. It’s way better than mine were.” Sweetie Bell complimented. “Oh, darling, yours were good designs too, but the best fashion takes years of stitching and designing.” Rarity reassured her. “But I only have two years! I can’t be a teenager without a cutie mark! That would be the most embarrassing thing ever!” Sweetie Bell exclaimed.

“How do you know? I’m sure there are many teenagers who don’t have their cutie mark yet, Sweetie.” Rarity attempted comforting the filly. “What teenagers?” Sweetie Bell questioned. “Uh…um…alright perhaps I don’t know off the top of my head, but I’m sure it wouldn’t be too embarrassing. Maybe there is something else that is your special talent, hm?” Rarity hinted. “Not singing Rarity! I can’t sing in front of everyone. That would also be embarrassing!” Sweetie Bell said. “You always sing in the bath and with the girls, and you have great showmareship. I think you just need to be put on a stage, Sweetie.” Rarity told her. “I didn’t know you could sing.” Dinky added. “Oh, it’s a little hobby I like, mostly when I’m alone.” Sweetie Bell explained. “A little hobby? Sing for us now, I bet Dinky will be the judge of that.” Rarity winked assuredly. “Oh…I don’t know…” Sweetie Bell said. “Come on, please?” Dinky put on her best pleading puppy face. Sweetie Bell sighed, and looked away from her audience, hoping they wouldn’t hear too well. (If you want to listen to what Sweetie Bell sings, try this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xicsALcqoN8&feature=related and listen from 0:13 to 0:43.)

“Old man lying by the side of the road, with the lorries rolling by,
Blue moon sinking from the weight of the load
And the buildings scrape the sky,
Cold wind ripping down the alley at dawn
And the morning paper flies,
Dead man lying by the side of the road,
With the daylight in his eyes,
Don’t let it bring you down..” Sweetie Bell crooned in a sweet, slightly low and emotional tumble of words.

“Well, it’s not that great.” Sweetie Bell kicked the ground, then looked up and was met with sparkling eyes and awed faces. “Not that great? Seriously, not that great?” Dinky exclaimed. “Well what is it then?” Sweetie Bell replied. “Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Captivating.” Rarity praised, with sparkling eyes. “What Rarity said.” Dinky agreed. “Aw, thanks.” Sweetie Bell smiled and gave Rarity and Dinky each a hug, even though she wasn’t quite sure of her skill herself. “Where did you learn that?” Dinky asked, and Rarity was about to ask the same thing. “I learnt it…by an old street singer. I gave him a couple spare bits, and he taught me the song. I don’t know where he is now though.” Sweetie Bell told the two.
“I’m sorry to cut this short, dear sister, but I need to get back to my sowing machine, I have important clients from Canterlot! They are very sophisticated, and I cannot be late on the deadline. But beautiful singing. Farewell.” Rarity said goodbye to the fillies. “Goodbye Rarity.” They said back.

“Hey guys!” Scootaloo zoomed in on her scooter, jumping up over a tree and doing a couple of flips just to show off a bit, then landing on her scooter with ease, stopping it and parking it when she was near the fillies. “Hey, you missed something great. Sweetie Bell’s singing.” Dinky said. “I’m not singing again!” Sweetie Bell exclaimed. “But you rock! Remember Fluttershy’s house?” Scootaloo replied. “Yeah, I guess that was kind of good. I don’t know if I’ll get my cutie mark from it and I don’t like singing in front of crowds.” Sweetie Bell explained. “You’ve got to practice more then. That’s how I got awesome on the scooter.” Scootaloo said. Applebloom’s repairs for the school finished just on time with everypony arriving as she was packing up. The whole class settled into their chairs, and readied themselves for another day of regular learning under the kind but firm hoof of Miss Cheerilee.**