My baby brother

Chapter Two A Little Red Bow

Although the Everfree Forest took over a large part of the Apple farm, Zecora lived on the other side of town. The sun was still shining and it really does not take much time to get to her hut. Applebloom trotted through Ponyville thinking about the cattle drive,and her reasons for being upset. She thought to herself maybe she's overreacting a bit,the cattle drive isn't the one thing where she always wanted to go. But, then again, that's where Big Mac got his cutie mark and a year after that Applejack got hers too.  A cutie mark is a part of growing up in every ponies life, it shows the ponies who they really are and what they were meant to do. As simple as acting like a bratty princess with a silver crown, to being knowledgeable, and powerful with six stars. Cutie marks came with many shapes and sizes just like ponies.  Applebloom has yet to have her own.

"That's why they don't want me going. They don't want me to grow up."

She mumbled to herself. Ponyville was a very simple town, ponies lived in trees, clouds and sometimes built them on top of their stores. There was a large market place which was held outside, most ponies sold food like fruits and vegetables, while one oddly sold sushi and crab.

"BUY SOME SUSHI ITS FRESH....I think."

Applebloom had to pass through the market to get to the forest she could get there in less then ten minutes if there wasn't so many ponies blocking her way. Some stepped on her hoof others shoved her to the side. At first she could sort of understand, it was very crowded.  But then, it really started to bug her. It was like she was walking through a stone wall and no matter how much she pushed and pushed, she was not getting anywhere.  Applebloom finally took a deep breath and screamed with every cord in her voice.

"EXCUUUUUUES ME!"

"Oh? I'm sorry little lady, I didn't see you there.  Are you in a hurry?  Oh!  Your bow looks so cute on you."

Applebloom thanked the mare, she was a yellowish brown with dark sea eyes.  Applebloom liked the fact she called her lady, but not the "little" nor did she like her tone when she said "cute". So after Applebloom thanked the mare she nodded and wiggled her way through the crowed shouting from time to time when she couldn't get past. Sometimes shouting worked, other times it just had ponies giving her an odd stare. But what happen every time was comments on her bow.

"Awh look at that little fillies bow!

"I just want to dress her up in something that matches it!"

"Where did she get that bow? Lets get it for our foal."

Her ribbon that danced on her head happily while the wind blows, was pasted down from her parents, like her brother and sister's harness and hat. It's really the only thing except a few pictures that they have to remember their mother and father. Applebloom blocked out the other ponies voices and found herself entering the forest.

The forest had a dark beauty to it both mystic and different then what Ponyville was all together. Colors of violet, starless and watercourse echo through out the trees and bushes. The wind blows through Applebloom's mane kissing her cheek. This was a forest of wild music, full of life, Bird chirping and clicking. Ferrets digging and munching on berries. Everywhere she looked, there was something interesting going on. There was a stream that glows and silver sparkly fish would swim in it. The river goes through the forest getting wider and wider at parts.  It ran through Ponyville and all through the other towns. It was a famous river that at times in the Everfree Forest it would glow and shimmer colors that would sway along with the water and whatever was swimming along with it at the time. Not harming anything, but just giving anything a good show if they were lucky enough to see it. The river was called Celestial Borealis. The stream was not doing anything odd today it was as normal as seeing bark on a tree. Applebloom kept walking closer and closer to Zecora's hut.

"Mind your step dear Applebloom, for in that hole something looms."

Zecora said, as she took the little filly away from a large snake hole that she almost shoved her little hoof in. Applebloom smiled at Zecora. It looks like she was out gathering flowers and herbs to use for her spells and medicine. Applebloom was so busy looking for the hut she didn't even notice Zecora was there. Zecora wasn't really a pony, she was a zebra with flashing colors of ebony and ivory dashes along her body. Her mane and tail were as wild as her homes surroundings. She had a sharp mohawk. With gold earrings, a necklace, and bracelets to match.Her eyes were hypnotic with blue and green clashing with in them. She smiled at Applebloom and asked.

"What brings you here to the forest today? How about some sandwiches, what do you say?"

"No Zecora, I came here to talk to you, you see I having some problems. Can I talk you about it? Maybe you can help?"

"Let us talk in my hut, so I can hear all about your fuss."

Zecora lead Applebloom in to her home. It looked as if an evil witch with ill plans lived there. Odd masks, blood ink lettering, and a big black cauldron with green bubbling goo dripping down the sides. It did not seem the best way to say "lets be friends." But Zecora was all and all a sweet and loving zebra, who treated Applebloom as her closest friend, maybe even her own child. Applebloom loved her very much as well and respected her way of living from the very day she met Zecora. Applebloom sat beside the black boiling pot, getting warmed by the fire. Zecora gave her a plate that had a sandwich filled with flowers and greens. Then she made her own meal and sat beside Applebloom, her ears perked up and her soothing eyes were watching Applebloom's every movement. Applebloom took a bite of the snack and told Zecora about the cattle drive and how Applejack and Big Mac are going, but not her. How they never see how much she has grown nor does anyone else. How she will always be the baby sister and never be able to get her cutie mark. She ranted on and on, Zecora never lost any interest, she took in every sentence.  As Applebloom carried on Zecora imagined herself in Appleblooms' hooves.  Applebloom insisted that she was happy and proud to be one of the Apple family. She just wants the day to come when they see her as a full grown pony living life. After she was done ranting Applebloom gulped down the sandwich looking for more food, she was very hungry after ditching lunch to go see Zecora.

"And I just wanna go to the cattle run and prove I'm a big pony now!"

Seeing how hungry Applebloom was, Zecora gave her a platter of sandwiches that she was planing on eating all by herself. She didn't mind giving the food away. Zecora took a deep breath and thought for a moment on what she would say to Applebloom.

"Growing up is what you wish, and all these problems you pile on a list. I don't wish you to age so fast instead enjoy your childhood while it lasts! You say your family won't let you grow, because of the mother you'll never know.  And because you are the last one, no foal behind you shall ever come. Growing up takes time, just wait and you will shine. Believe me when I say, your family is not in your way.  They want you to cherish the foal years ahead, unlike your siblings who had to grow quickly instead.  Oh!  Your family will always be proud of the things you do, for they stand fast beside you. Applebloom, growing up, means you have to give up. You want to give up your childhood, I say WAIT and I think you should."

"You rhymed up with up, Zecora."

Zecora tilted her head and thought about her speech as if it was a lost memory she was trying to fish out. Applebloom laughed and so did Zecora. Applebloom didn't really understand the message, but knew the main point of what she was trying to say. Applebloom and Zecora talked a little bit after, but it was nothing too important.  Zecora was agreeing with the Apples' family that she is to young but maybe next year Applebloom could go to the cattle run. The visit ended when Applebloom realizing how late it was.  Zecora offered to walk her out of the Everfree Forest  but Applebloom told her she knew the way home night or day. Zecora still felt she should do something so she packed her a saddlebag with sandwiches and a flash light. The saddlebag was hoof made with warm wool and flower scented colors. Zecora then decided she would walk Applebloom out no matter what the little filly said. Applebloom then replied sneakily that instead she wanted to spend the night with Zecora but she needed a place to sleep. As Zecora went into the other room to get her some pillows, Applebloom snuck off in to the dark forest.