Author's Note

2nd attempt at writing a story, and I'm content with how it turned out. Hope you guys like it.

Disclaimer: I DID NOT WRITE "THE OUTSIDERS" (book). This was merely an MLP parody written based on the story. The official "The Outsiders" was written by S. E. Hinton.

I do not intend on making a sequel. Just sayin'.

Chapter 1

It was a perfect day in Ponyville. Sunny skies, cloudless, warm temperatures. Apple Bloom, younger sister of local farmer and Element of Honesty Applejack, walked out of a movie theater smiling. She had just got done watching Paw Newmare's "The Runner" with her bigger sister and brother, Big McIntosh. She made plans with fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo on how to finally obtain their cutie marks, symbols they always dreamed of having.

She went back to the Apple family's homestead to have supper. She had an apple pie baked by her sister. She had got done eating the delicious treat, and started for the Cutie Mark Crusaders' clubhouse. About three-quarters of the way there, she glanced out the corner of her eye and saw her school's bullies Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, along with a few other fillies coming for her. Heart thumping, she went from walking to trotting. The fillies walked faster, and then Apple Bloom started galloping for the clubhouse. By the time she could see it, she was pinned down by the fillies as Diamond Tiara and her cohort, Silver Spoon, began talking.

"Well, well. Seems the apple did fall too far from her tree," said Diamond Tiara.

"Let me go! Ah don't want no trouble!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, feeling anxious.

"I wouldn't dream of it. A makeover would certainly suit you. After all, your chances of getting a cutie mark are seriously low. Let's start with some eyeliner."

Tiara started the violence. Apple Bloom let out a scream for help, though she probably thought it was a scream for pain. After about 10 seconds of this barbaric act and suffering, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle came out of their clubhouse to investigate the noise, and when they saw friend and fellow Crusader Apple Bloom suffering under the hooves of those ruffians, they picked up a downed tree branch, and started swinging away at the bullies. The fillies ran away, and Apple Bloom was sore all over. She, fortunately, did not have a black eye, or the "eye liner" mentioned by Diamond Tiara.

"Are you hurt, Apple Bloom?" asked Scootaloo.

"Just a little. Thanks, guys," Apple Bloom answered.

"I hate those girls. What'd we ever do to them?" said Sweetie Belle.

"I dunno. I can't stand them," Scootaloo remarked.

After Apple Bloom's short recovery, the Crusaders retreated to their clubhouse to discuss what activity to endorse in to obtain their cutie marks.

"Baking treats? We could sell them to Sugarcube Corner," suggested Sweetie Belle.

"Uh-uh. No way. Absolutely not. Remember the last time I tried baking?" objected Scootaloo.

"...Oh, yeah. That was a flop," said Apple Bloom.

"Well, we gotta think of something! C'mon, Crusaders! Think." said Sweetie Belle.

"...I GOT IT! We could start takin' care of pets and animals like Fluttershy does!" remarked Apple Bloom.

"But the last time, with Spike, we-" Sweetie Belle tired to retort, hoping to get Apple Bloom to reconsider.

"We could get trainin' and tips from Fluttershy, and we could start up a business!"

"Hmm, that could work. You wanna try tomorrow?" said Sweetie Belle.

"Sure!" the other two Crusaders agreed.

"Then it's settled!" Sweetie Belle said, dismissing the CMC meeting.