Chapters Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. After the blows from their sisters, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom raced to the CMC clubhouse.
"C'mon, Scootaloo! We're runnin' away!" Apple Bloom said to a sleepy Scootaloo.
The CMC ran and ran and ran. They reached a park with a fountain. Oddly enough, there was a switchblade on the ground. It had the initials J. C. written on it.
"Are we gonna go back?" asked Scootaloo.
"Yeah, we just need to cool down, first," said Apple Bloom.
Then, as if on cue, Diamond Tiara and her cohort, Silver Spoon, came walking up to the CMC with a couple more fillies.
"Well, well. We got some fugitives," Diamond Tiara said.
"What do ya want from us, Tiara?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Oh, nothing. I just heard you guys outside and wanted to do an activity with you. You know what cutie marks are? Something we have that you'll never have," Tiara smirked.
"You know what courage is? Something we have a lot more than you do," Sweetie Belle retorted.
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon grabbed Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and dunked their heads into the fountain. Some more fillies went and started to take down Sweetie Belle. All Apple Bloom and Scootaloo could do was struggle to survive. Sweetie Belle saw this, and knew she HAD to save her friends and fellow Crusaders. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon went for one last dunk to the two Crusaders in the fountain to finish them. Sweetie Belle pushed the other fillies away, quickly grabbed the switchblade, and lunged for the two bullies. All Scootaloo and Apple Bloom saw before coming unconscious was a crimson liquid spilling into the fountain...
When they came to, they noticed distress on Sweetie Belle's face.
"I killed her... I killed that snob..." Sweetie Belle managed to say. She was still, holding the switchblade with her two front hooves.
The two fillies who were in the fountain looked over and inspected Diamond Tiara. She was dead, with a hole in her stomach, and blood everywhere. There was even blood in the fountain.
"Scootaloo, I think I'm gonna be sick," said a nauseated Apple Bloom.
"Yeah, I am too," said Scootaloo with the same status.
"Go ahead guys. I'm not looking," said a still distraught Sweetie Belle.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle went to different areas of the park, and emptied the contents of their stomach.
"Where'd the other fillies go?" asked a confused Apple Bloom.
"They ran off. Once they saw me lunge for Tiara, they all ran off, even Silver Spoon," answered Sweetie Belle.
"We can't stay here in Ponyville. The authorities... They'll come and throw us in the big house," said Scootaloo.
"Where can we go?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"I dunno. My parents had a friend who specialized in hideouts in Equestria. We may be able to ask him for advice," answered Scootaloo. "...I wonder if he's an ex-criminal..."
"We gotta get to him pronto!" exclaimed Apple Bloom.
The ex-criminal's house wasn't far from the park, ironically. Scootaloo knocked on the door. A gruff, middle-aged-looking stallion answered the door.
"Ah, Scootaloo! It's been a while! My, my, look how big you've gotten!" said the stallion.
"Gunther, meet Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. We need your help," said Scootaloo.
"What's your problem, dudes?" asked Gunther.
"We killed a snob, and we need your advice on where we can go and what weapon we could use to keep the authorities of our flanks," answered Scootaloo.
"'Ey, don't worry! I got your solution!" Gunther said.
"Who is this wacko, Scootaloo?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"F. N. Gunther. He specializes in hideouts and weapons. We can trust him... I think," answered Scootaloo.
"This little number should keep the fuzz off your tail. This Python. Double-action handgun chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, built on a large I-frame. Smooth trigger pull, good accuracy, and a tight cylinder lock-up," Gunther explained.
"Yeah, we'll have that," said Scootaloo.
"'Kay. There's an abandoned church over near Appleloosa. Should be good for you to hide out there till the smoke clears. Use the train to get there." said Gunther.
"Okay. Thanks, Gunther!"
"Anytime, Scoots!" Gunther said, as the CMC left the house.
The CMC headed for the train station.
"Scootaloo, why on Celestia's green Equestria do we need a gun?!" Sweetie Belle said on the way there.
"In case anything bad happens. It's self-defense," answered Scootaloo.
Thankfully, the train was loading one last time for the night for Appleloosa. The Crusaders snuck onto one of the train's boxcars. A guard inspected it, and came *this* close to discovering the CMC, but thankfully didn't. The train started to move, and the hypnotic sound and movement of the train's journey rocked the Crusaders to sleep...
Author's Note
Notice the Easter Egg yet? In the line where the switchblade makes its first appearance. I'm gonna leave it up to you guys.
The train ride to Appleloosa had felt like it had gone on for years. When the train finally reached the CMC's destination, they snuck out of the boxcar. The walk to the hideout took roughly 10 minutes. The hideout was very obscure. It seemed like the perfect hiding place. Sweetie Belle regularly stepped out and went to the town to purchase groceries and necessities.
"Water, some apples, bread, a deck of cards, a lantern, some books, and some bleach," Sweetie Belle said when she returned.
"Bleach? Why bleach?" Apple Bloom asked.
"We can't fit our descriptions in the paper. Soon, it'll spread to all of Equestria. People will know what we look like," Sweetie Belle replied.
"You're not gonna...?" Scootaloo wondered, looking concerned.
"Yeah. We're gonna bleach our manes. We'll be able to get their color back by the time this is all over. We could probably ask Twilight to use her magic to get their color back," said Sweetie Belle.
"...If she even trusts us after this..." Scootaloo doubted.
"Okay... Let's get started," Apple Bloom replied.
The process was started. Sweetie Belle was surprisingly good at dying manes. It was a skill Rarity taught her to do long ago. The three fillies felt awkward with their new colors.
"We're done," Sweetie Belle implied.
"We look awful," Scootaloo replied.
"At least the authorities won't find us easily," Sweetie Belle said.
Over the next few days, the Crusaders read their books and owed each other over 20 bits from card games like Blackjack and Poker. On the 4th day, Apple Bloom received a letter from Big McIntosh:
Dear Apple Bloom,
Me and your bis sis have been worried about you. It's hard to get Granny Smith to bed; she just worries too much about you. Applejack keeps up hope that you're alive and well. Word on the street is that you accidentally killed one o' them rich snobs or somethin'. We'd really like you to come home safe and sound. Nopony knows where you are. Please come home.
Your brother,
Big McIntosh
The other two Crusaders could almost see tears in Apple Bloom's eyes.
"We're turning ourselves in," Sweetie Belle said.
The other two Crusaders looked on in fear.
"What?! Are you crazy?!" Scootaloo implied.
"I think if we turn ourselves in and plead manslaughter, we'll be let off easier," Sweetie Belle replied.
"We'll spend at least 6 months in Juvenile Detention!" Scootaloo said, hoping to get Sweetie Belle to reconsider.
"6 months is, at least, better than a year," Sweetie Belle implied.
The three incognito Crusaders headed to Appleloosa to pick up more supplies. Surprisingly enough, nopony knew that those were the same fillies as in the newspaper, which didn't even get there yet. The three tried their hardest to stay out of the sight of Apple Bloom's cousin Braeburn.
When they returned to their hideout, some other young fillies who decided to check out the hideout were caught in a fire there. They had accidentally tipped over the lantern and the spilled oil ignited. Scootaloo remained outside as Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom went and tried to get the fillies out. Their mother was nearby.
"Why didn't the mom come? Too scared?" Apple Bloom asked, practically choking on the smoke.
"Yeah. *cough* Too scared," Sweetie Belle coughed.
The fillies were scared of both the fire and of the two Crusaders. One of them bit Apple Bloom. She cried out in pain, but continued relaying the fillies to Sweetie Belle and got them out. There was a creak in the ceiling, and it gave way. The board struck Sweetie Belle's back. She cried out in pain, and fell to the ground outside the hideout. Apple Bloom reported to Scootaloo, not realizing there was a fire on her back, and Scootaloo struck her there to put it out. Apple Bloom fell to the ground, unconscious...
For the rest of the day until 8 p.m., Apple Bloom helped her big sister and brother with chores and apple bucking. She helped with cooking, cleaning up, and other chores.
Around 7:30, Applejack said to her sister, "Welp, the time has finally come. Do what ya gotta do. Come back to us in one piece, okay?"
Apple Bloom nodded at this implication, and trotted out of the house. The Weather Patrol had a schedule to make it rain at 8:00 p.m., right around the time of the rumble. The rumble was to happen at a field near Ponyville. There were a lot of fillies Apple Bloom didn't know, such as Dinky Hooves and Button Mash, but she couldn't find Scootaloo, who promised she would be there. Silver Spoon, best friend and cohort of the late Diamond Tiara, appeared with several other fillies with cutie marks, like Snips, Snails, and several others whom Apple Bloom wasn't familiar with.
Silver Spoon stepped forward. "So, you didn't chicken out. I'm surprised. I see a one-in-a-million chance you leaving this place without serious damage."
She threw a punch, and the brawl began. Each side started to yell battle cries. The blow hit Dinky first, and she retaliated with a stronger punch. Snips pursued Apple Bloom. He was about to combo her when Scootaloo showed up and roundhouse kicked him, saving her friend. Silver Spoon repeatedly struck Button Mash in several critical places until a dodge broke out from the video game master, gave a huge kick to her face, and moved on to duel another filly. Dinky was giving random, but effective kicks and punches to Snails, who didn't do much to retaliate. Snips and Snails both ran home about 5 minutes into the rumble. Scootaloo double-teamed Silver Spoon with Apple Bloom, and overwhelmed her. The cutie marked fillies fled the scene 10 minutes after the first punch, and the bares rejoiced in victory.
After three cheers, Apple Bloom and Scootaloo raced to the hospital to tell the declining Sweetie Belle the news. It was self-evident that she was close to death. Already, her two friends looked sad.
"Hey, Sweetie Belle. Guess what? We cleaned those snobs. Chased them away. We won!" Scootaloo implied.
"Useless... Fighting's no good... Hey... Apple Bloom...?" Sweetie Belle meekly said.
"Yeah?" Apple Bloom asked.
"I thought about this one poem... That Rarity taught me... Something about gold... But it was a metaphor... The author meant that you're gold... When you're a kid... I wanna thank you guys... For everything... Stay gold, Apple Bloom... Stay gold..." And with those final words, Sweetie Belle passed away. Although it looked like she just fell unconscious, after checking her pulse, Apple Bloom shook her head at Scootaloo, concluding Sweetie Belle's fatality. Scootaloo banged on the wall, tears showering from her eyes. She ran out of the room, leaving Apple Bloom with the corpse...
Author's Note
About 3 days after I made the last chapter. Good God. I went back against my promise, didn't I? Oh, jeez...
Apple Bloom had walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. Upon arriving, she could see all the blank fillies making recoveries under Applejack's care. When Applejack saw the damage done to Apple Bloom, she quickly ran over to assess the damage.
"Dear Celestia, you're bleedin' almost everywhere!" Applejack said, surprised.
"Yeah, remind me never to get into fights again... All the pain just stinks," Apple Bloom replied.
"How's Sweetie Belle...?" Applejack asked.
"She didn't make it... Scootaloo's gone away. Couldn't take the shock. She's gonna blow!"
The local market... The place where everypony buys everything. Only a hooful of stores were open this late at night (8:30 p.m.). Scootaloo was at a comic book store that had opened up merely days earlier. She was reading "Iron Stallion," the newest comic from the company Marvelous.
"Hey, if you're gonna keep readin' that book, it'd be best to buy it," the store clerk said.
As if in response, Scootaloo promptly ripped up the comic.
"You destroy those, you'll have to pay for 'em," the clerk responded.
Scootaloo walked up to the clerk, pulled out the revolver Gunther gave her and her friends, and threatened, "Gimme the money. Just give me it!"
The clerk was helpless to give her money from the cash register, as she was "armed" and he was defenseless (like he was in his childhood). She quickly galloped from the market, and about 8 seconds later, Scootaloo could hear the authorities coming to get her. She ran to a payphone not far (but secluded) from her absolute location.
The Apple Family received a call. Applejack picked up the phone. When the caller was finished talking, the orange pony stared into deep space with a look of horror on her face.
"Apple Bloom, Scootaloo just robbed a comic book store, and now the fuzz are after her," she said, still petrified by the news.
"As much as I don't wanna admit it, we gotta hide her! She'll never survive the slammer!" Apple Bloom replied.
Applejack, Big McIntosh, and Apple Bloom rushed over to the field Scootaloo said they'd rendezvous at. Scootaloo was there when the three Apple siblings arrived, but pointing her revolver at the police. All the siblings could do was watch as Scootaloo met her end. The police had thought that the Python was loaded, and the young orange filly was going to shoot. In response to the challenge, the police opened fire. Apple Bloom, Applejack, and Big McIntosh all screamed the word "NO!" in fear during the bullets' journeys through Scootaloo's body. When they couldn't hear gunshots anymore, Apple Bloom's former friend and Cutie Mark Crusader Scootaloo was no more than a lifeless corpse with several bullet holes all over her body. Apple Bloom could make out a very weak "Apple Bloom..." break past the dead pony's lips mere moments before giving her final breath.
"HOW COULD YOU!!! SHE WAS ONLY A KID!!! SHE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT SHE WAS DOIN'!!!" Those were the last words Apple Bloom could hear before the ground rushed up to her face; the booming words of the fury of her big brother...
"Apple Bloom..." The filly could hear Applejack say.
"Am I sick...?" Apple Bloom said in response.
"Yeah, you're sick. Now go to bed," Applejack replied.
Considering there wasn't much she could do at the moment, Apple Bloom obediently laid her head down, closed her eyes, and drifted off to sleep...
Author's Note
We're getting close to the end, guys! You know what that means, right? NO MORE WAITING!!!... Except we're not done yet... Oh, jeez... This took what? A whole week to finish? And don't expect the last (or last 2) chapters to be out anytime this week. Tuesday through Friday morning I'll be on vacation, so, yeah. However, expect the story done by August, alright, my little ponies?
When Apple Bloom woke up the next morning, she was still wondering if the 2 fatalities she watched last night were not a dream. "But it is a dream," the filly thought to herself. She gave a sigh of defeat. She got off her bed and walked downstairs to the smell of apple pastries for breakfast.
"Applejack, was everything that happened last night a dream?" Apple Bloom asked her sister.
The orange pony sighed. "Sadly, no. It was all real. Wish it was a dream," she replied.
Apple Bloom finished her pastry and walked to the CMC clubhouse to look at the memories she had with her two late friends: Thinking about how to get their cutie marks, running away, the time the same clubhouse was stolen by Babs Seed, Silver Spoon, and Diamond Tiara, how the Cutie Mark Crusaders fixed up the treehouse to make it their HQ. Apple Bloom had realized that with the final moments of Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came the final moments of the Crusaders. She started to sob. The waterfall of tears went on for roughly 2 minutes. When the tears stopped, Apple Bloom walked out, still reminiscing about the CMC's past adventures.
"Uh-oh! The court ruling is today!" she suddenly realized, and ran back to the farmhouse.
As one would guess, the ruling was full of anticipation and suspense, with Apple Bloom tense the whole time. Oddly, the Cutie Mark Hunters were there, and were asked a few questions about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Apple Bloom was clearly asked why and how Diamond Tiara was murdered, and answered more than honestly.
The ruling went on for roughly 30 minutes, but for Apple Bloom, it felt like 30 days. When it was done, the judge found the young filly not guilty, and kept her under the care of the Apple family. She ran and embraced her two older siblings, some weight finally taken off her back. With the exiting of the courthouse, Apple Bloom could return to her normal life, albeit a little sadder and without two of her best friends.
Apple Bloom went back to school the next day. Silver Spoon came up and finally apologized to Apple Bloom and begged the yellow filly to forgive her for what she and her late cohort did. Apple Bloom forgave her, and simply walked off.
Cheerilee came up to her. "Apple Bloom, I understand you're failing English. However, I can give you a chance for some extra credit, if you'd like," the teacher said.
"Oh! Sure!" Apple Bloom replied.
"OK! You'll have to write an essay for an upcoming optimist contest. If you can turn it in by next Friday, I'll pass you with a C-grade. At least, that is," the older mare implied.
"You can count on me!" Apple Bloom concluded and walked off.
The young filly had visited the graves of Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Rarity was there and bawling her eyes out at her sister's grave. After her first visit, Apple Bloom vowed to return to those graves every day for the rest of her life to revisit her fondest childhood memories.
Apple Bloom trotted home, and went straight to her room to get started on her essay. She noticed a book similar to the one the CMC read while in hiding. She opened it and found a note. It was Sweetie Belle's hoofwriting.
Apple Bloom, if you're reading this, there's some things I wanna get off my chest before we won't see each other anymore. First off, thanks so much for being the most awesome friend and Cutie Mark Crusader a mare could ever have. I told the nurse to give you this book to let you finish reading it. Second, I know there's still a lot of good left in the world. I thought about that poem Rarity read me, and the guy who wrote it. He meant that you're gold when you're a kid. I remember the sunset we looked at while in hiding, while Scootaloo was trying to sleep. That was the big kicker for me. Tell Scootaloo these words, and tell her to look at a sunset for once; I don't think she's seen one yet. Well, here I go. Thank you, Apple Bloom.
Your friend, Sweetie Belle
Apple Bloom smiled at this note and said, "So long, pardner." She went on, trying to think of how she should start her story...
She thought of these first words: "When I stepped out of the movie theater one afternoon, I had only 2 things on my mind: Paw Newmare and how to get my cutie mark."
Author's Note
IT'S FINALLY DONE, GUYS!!! THE WAITING IS NOW TRULY OVER!!! Good Celestia, getting this up was a huge pain in the flank. Not because of time or anything, but because of all the distractions I got. My fault.
Anyway, hope you enjoyed, and thanks for reading! Hades, out!
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.
When Apple Bloom woke up, she was in a hospital, recovering from 1st-degree burns. The mother of the fillies she and Sweetie Belle heroically saved came and visited her.
"You did a good thing today," she said.
"I did? Oh, I mean, I did!" Apple Bloom replied.
"You must be heroes sent by Celestia," the mother said.
"No. We're just young fillies wantin' to get cutie marks, that's all," Apple Bloom implied.
When Apple Bloom felt well enough to leave the room, she waited for status on Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who went in the burning hideout to rescue Sweetie after Apple Bloom was knocked unconscious.
"Your orange friend is recovering from 1st-degree burns. She'll be fine. Your white friend... Has suffered 3rd-degree burns, and may not recover. She's paralyzed from the waist down," Nurse Redheart said.
Just as Apple Bloom was about to visit Sweetie Belle, her siblings Applejack and Big McIntosh walked into the hospital. Apple Bloom and Applejack locked each other's eyes together, and ran and embraced each other.
"Oh, Apple Bloom. Glad to see you're safe. Don't you ever leave us again!" Applejack said, overjoyed to see her younger sister.
"Promise I won't!" Apple Bloom replied, also overjoyed.
"What the hay happened to your cute mane? It's gone all white!" Applejack implied.
Apple Bloom trotted to the room where Sweetie Belle was was trying to recover. Sweetie Belle clearly looked like she was paralyzed.
"Hay, Sweetie Belle. Did Rarity see you?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah... She was a little upset, but overjoyed to see I was all here," she answered. "The nurse said I'll probably never walk again. I might not make it... I don't wanna die young here without a cutie mark. 7 years isn't long enough! 7 years and without a cutie mark just isn't long enough! ...Apple Bloom, I heard that those bullies wanna challenge us to a rumble tomorrow. I might not attend it. You and Scootaloo, maybe, but not me. Other fillies without cutie marks also wanna get in the rumble," Sweetie Belle said.
"We'll win for you," Apple Bloom replied.
"You're the best friend a filly could ask for, Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle replied.
Apple Bloom decided to see Scootaloo next. When she walked into her room, Scootaloo laughed out of pride.
"Hey, Apple Bloom. How's it goin'?" Scootaloo said.
"Eh, good, I guess. Sweetie Belle's not looking too good. We're supposed to get in a rumble with the rich snobs and a couple other fillies they've been pickin' on," replied Apple Bloom.
"I'm not gonna let it slip by. We gotta get even with those jerks! We'll do it for Sweetie Belle!" said Scootaloo.
"You sure you'll be well enough to fight? I know you don't encourage fightin'," Apple Bloom said.
"Like I said, I won't just let it slip by," Scootaloo implied.
Apple Bloom left on the back of her sister, Applejack. She fell asleep on the way back to Sweet Apple Acres. She woke up and walked to her room, after saying good night to Applejack and Big McIntosh. When she covered herself up in her sheets, she instantaneously fell asleep. She forgot how comfortable a bed really was.
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.