The Outsiders

When Apple Bloom woke up the next morning, she could smell apple pie being baked. She got out of bed, and trotted downstairs. She had a slice for breakfast. She looked outside, and saw it as a beautiful morning.

"Apple Bloom, can I speak to you?" Applejack said to the still drowsy filly.

"Sure," the young filly replied.

"A couple o' fillies said you were invited to a rumble at 8 o' clock tonight. Is this true?" asked Applejack.

"...Mmm-hmm..." said a worried Apple Bloom.

"You're a big filly now, Apple Bloom. I'm givin' you this big decision. No way I can stop you. Are you gonna attend?"

"Y-yeah..." said an even more worried Apple Bloom.

"That's okay. Like I said, it was your decision. Word is you also accidentally killed a snob. Who was it? Diamond Tiara, or somethin'?" Applejack replied.

"Well, Tiara and Silver Spoon was drownin' me and Scootaloo, and a couple other fillies were beatin' up Sweetie Belle. She grabbed a nearby knife, strangely with the initials 'J. C.' on it. She lunged for Tiara, and accidentally killed her. Tiara's cohorts ran away. She saved both me and Scootaloo's lives," said Apple Bloom.

"Hmm... I already spoke with a judge. Said he was gonna give you guys a trial for manslaughter," replied Applejack. "I also told him that Sweetie Belle was out of commission, so she won't be there. The trial's gonna happen tomorrow... I'm gonna have Twilight restore each of you guys' mane color," said Applejack.

Apple Bloom simply nodded at this information, pleased.

Apple Bloom paid one of her frequent visits to Sweetie Belle in the hospital. Sweetie Belle was clearly getting weaker.

"Hay, Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom greeted.

"Hey, Apple Bloom. Rarity came by earlier. She asked the obvious 'How are you feeling?' and 'You'll be okay.' conversations. She also said she was proud of me for my courage and dignity in our attempts to get our cutie marks. I still hate to be here, in this bed, instead of out there, gaining what we made this club to get. I just don't wanna go down without a cutie mark..." Sweetie Belle managed to say before becoming unconscious from stress and pain.

Apple Bloom trotted over to Scootaloo's room. In there, the orange filly was feeling really well.

"Hey, Apple Bloom. Nurse says I'll be out by 8 o' clock, so I'm gonna be at the rumble," said a spunky Scootaloo.

"Do any of the burnt places still hurt?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Nah. They just feel really weird when I rub them, but I'll be fine. Can't wait to teach those jerks who's boss. We're doing this thing for Sweetie Belle!" replied Scootaloo.

"Okay! Be ready at 8!" implied Apple Bloom, and walked out of the room.