A Bad End Leads to a Good End

Chapters

The Discovery
Honesty and Loyalty
Battle! Luna vs. Darkrai
Truth Time
Worry or Relief?
Battle! Vs. Black Kyurem
Stormy Comfort
Darkrai's Attack

The Discovery

Chapter 1: The Discovery

It's already been a few hours after her funeral and Apple Bloom was as bored as Twilight without her books. The moon had already risen and the rest of the Apple family had already gone to bed. However, due to being a zombie right now, Apple Bloom could not sleep at all, no matter how hard she tried.

"Why did this have to happen?" asked Apple Bloom. After what happened in Sunny Town, she thought she was cursed to live like this for the rest of her life. Not that she was alive anymore, but she wasn't dead as well. Deciding that lying all night in bed wouldn't help, Apple Bloom walked out of her room and carefully snuck out of the house, making sure not to wake up Applejack or Big Macintosh. Granny Smith had gone to help a relative with something in another town so she was gone, making things a little easier for her to sneak out. After she got out, she walked through the fields of Sweet Apple Acres. If there was one thing she was thankful for is that she could still smell normally as the smell of apples was overwhelming.

"At least Ah can still smell normally. Ah always loved this smell." said Apple Bloom. However, as she got further through the field, she thought she heard crying. Curiosity got the best of her as she started walking towards the source of the crying. She then came upon where the crying was coming from, which was from inside the Cutie Mark Crusader Treehouse.

"The treehouse? Why would somepony be there this late at night?" Apple Bloom asked as she cautiously walked towards the entrance of the treehouse. As she reached the top, she carefully took a look inside, making sure her glowing red eyes didn't give her away. What she saw was something she never expected. She found Scootaloo on the other side of the treehouse crying for some reason. Apple Bloom saw that she was holding something so she tried to see what it was and got a big surprise to see Scootaloo holding a picture of her when she was still normal together with Scootaloo.

"...Why did you have to die?" Scootaloo suddenly said. Apple Bloom could easily tell that there was deep sadness in Scootaloo's voice. It made her heart, or whatever was left of it, hurt a little.

"We had so much fun together...ever since me and Sweetie Belle helped you during the party, we always helped each other try to get our Cutie Marks...but things won't be the same without you...Applejack misses you....Sweetie Belle misses you...Twilight misses you...heck, even all of our classmates miss you.......I...miss you." Scootaloo said, nearly choking on those last words as she started to cry heavily. Apple Bloom felt her heart drop even more as she saw Scootaloo cry her own heart out. She was about to head back, knowing she couldn't even let her friend know what had really happened, but then she heard Scootaloo start singing something very familiar. It was the same song both of them as well as Sweetie Belle sang at the talent show sometime ago.

"When your, a younger pony and your flank is very bare feels like the sun will never come when your cutie marks not there...." sung Scootaloo as she continued to cry.

"So the three of us are fighting the fight...There is nothing that we fear...Will have to figure out what we'll do next until our cutie marks are here..." Scootaloo sung some more as she tried to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders...On a quest to find out who we are...And we will never stop this journey..."

" ...Not until we have our cutie marks." Apple Bloom suddenly sang herself, almost immediately realizing what she just did as Scootaloo's head immediately shot up. She started looking around the room, looking for the source of the voice, knowing it belonged to Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom!? Is that you!? Where are you!?" Scootaloo said, almost sounding desperate to find the source of the voice. Apple Bloom thought she could sneak away, but deep down, she knew it was pointless. Besides, no matter what she looked like now, she had to let Scootaloo know what happened.

"Relax Scoots, Ah'm right here." said Apple Bloom as she walked into the room right in front of Scootaloo. Scootaloo immediately saw Apple Bloom, or what she thought was her. She saw a black, decayed looking pony with red eyes and black teeth that could possibly rip her apart in seconds. But what let Scootaloo thought that this zombie thing was Apple Bloom was the red ribbon in her hair. Both it and the hair looked exactly like Apple Blooms. Scootaloo even knew that the voice also sounded just like Apple Bloom's.

"A-Apple B-B-Bloom, i-is that y-you?" Scootaloo asked, either through fear, sadness, or shock.

"Yeah, it's me. Ah know Ah may not-OOF!" yelled Apple Bloom as she thought she was being tackled by Scootaloo...until she felt Scootaloo wrap her two front legs around her body.

"Oh Apple Bloom, I missed you so much! I don't care what you look like either, you're back and that's all that matters!" Scootaloo said as she continued to hug Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom, realizing the weight of the situation, decided to hug Scootaloo back. For some reason, Apple Bloom felt more comfortable in this embrace and thought she could feel her cheeks burn a little bit.

'Why am Ah feelin' like this? Do Ah feel this good about lettin' Scoots know what happened to me?' thought Apple Bloom as Scootaloo then released the hold and Apple Bloom thought she could see Scootaloo's cheeks look a little red as well.

"Sorry, I'm just so happy to see you. But what happened and why do you look like that?" asked Scootaloo. Apple Bloom knew that Scootaloo was going to asked this and sighed as she knew she had some explaining to do.

"Get comfy Scoots, this is going to be a long story"

Honesty and Loyalty

Chapter 2: Honesty and Loyalty

Apple Bloom told Scootaloo the entire story of what happened in the Everfree Forest. She told her about finding Sunny Town, the blank-flank zombies, getting bit by one of them, making her way back to Sweet Apple Acres to find out she was a zombie as well, how she had be forced to eat meat, and even having to fake her own death. Scootaloo was more amazed then shocked or grossed out after hearing this story.

"...And that's it Ah guess." said Apple Bloom after she finished her story.

"Wow, that's pretty messed up Apple Bloom. But at least you're still yourself." said Scootaloo, who was still amazed from the story Apple Bloom told her.

"Ah guess that's true. But Ah think the sun is going to rise soon and Ah really need to get back home before Applejack or anypony else wakes up." said Apple Bloom, obviously not wanting to let Applejack find out where she was or who she was talking to. Scootaloo immediately understood and the two walked out of the treehouse. Suddenly, Apple Bloom slipped as she was stepping down the ramp.

"Woah!" yelled Apple Bloom as she tumbled forward. Scootaloo turned around to find out what was going on, but the next thing she knew was Apple Bloom colliding into her. As they hit the ground, Scootaloo had her eyes closed while Apple Bloom was blinded by her mane getting in her eyes, but both of them felt something weird on their lips.

'What the hay is on my lips? And why does it feel so nice?' thought Scootaloo.

'What's goin' on? Ah can feel something on mah lips and it feels...warm. Very warm...and nice too. But what is it?' thought Apple Bloom as she brushed her mane aside at the same time Scootaloo opened her eyes. Both of them suddenly found themselves kissing each other. They immediately broke it as they scrambled to get back up, both of their faces a bright red.

"Uhh...sorry about the Scoots." said Apple Bloom, who was a little embarrassed about accidentally kissing her friend, even though she liked it.

"It's alright Apple Bloom. I know it was an accident. I guess I better go then" said Scootaloo as she tries to recover from the kiss, even though she also enjoyed it. Scootaloo got on her scooter and put on her helmet, but decided to say one last thing to Apple Bloom.

"Apple Bloom, you know how Rainbow Dash represents Loyalty?" Scootaloo asked.

"Yeah. Why are ya askin' that Scoots?" asked Apple Bloom, who was curious now.

"I'm asking because I'm going to show my own loyalty to you and find a way to get you back to normal. I Pinkie promise it. Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye!" said Scootaloo before she sped off on her scooter. Apple Bloom blushed some more as she smiled, knowing Scootaloo was going to say true to her word. But on the way home, Apple Bloom kept thinking of that kiss.

'Why do Ah feel like this right now? Ah mean that kiss was accidental, Ah know that fer sure. But why did Ah like it? And why does bein' with Scoots make me feel warm inside? One things fer sure, Ah many have to ask Applejack about this after Ah'm back to normal.' thought Apple Bloom as she got back home just in time as the sun had begun to rise. She made her way back to her room and laid down on her bed to continue thinking about what happened. Meanwhile, with the sun now high in the sky, Scootaloo made her way to Sugarcube Corner to look for Rainbow Dash. She was also thinking of the kiss that happened. Scootaloo arrived at Sugarcube Corner and made her way inside. Inside, she found Dash talking with Pinkie Pie, whos mane and tail had been deflated ever since the funeral.

"Still sad about what happened?" asked Scootaloo.

"Yeah, I'm just having...I guess you can say I wish Apple Bloom is still here..." said Pinkie sadly as she continued to cry.

"She's been like this ever since the funeral squirt. And I don't blame her." said Dash, obviously trying to hide her own sadness. Scootaloo was about to say something until Applejack walked into the room.

"Hey there you two, Ah just came to see how you were dealin' with all this." said Applejack. Scootaloo knew she was lying since she knew what really happened. After Dash and Pinkie got done talking with Applejack, Scootaloo suddenly pulled Applejack to a different room.

"Now what the hay is this all about Scootaloo?" asked Applejack, surprised Scootaloo brought her here. But then Scootaloo gave the farm pony an 'I know the truth' look and Applejack immediately thought she knew about Apple Bloom.

"W-why are ya givin' me that look?" asked Applejack, obviously trying to avoid the subject. Scootaloo would have none of this though. She glared at Applejack even more. Even though she knew the farm pony could easily walk away, she had to get the truth of her.

"Applejack, I know what really happened to Apple Bloom because I saw her last night!" Scootaloo almost yelled, which gave Applejack a shocked face.

"H-how...?" Applejack started to ask, but Scootaloo cut her off.

"I was at the Cutie Mark Crusaders treehouse last night crying over her death when I heard her sing. She revealed herself to me and told me everything. If I was scared to see her as a zombie, then I didn't show her at all because I was more happy to just see her." said Scootaloo. Applejack found herself at a lost for words as Scootaloo continued.

"I've already decided to show my loyalty to her by finding a way to bring her back to normal, but Applejack, you have to know that you can't hide her forever. You have to tell everypony the truth." Scootaloo said.

"S-Scootaloo...y-you r-right. But how am I suppose to do so? What if everypony in town tries to get rid of her? I don't want to lose my sister..." said Applejack, not wanting to know what would happen if she lost Apple Bloom.

"You won't. Trust me Applejack. Besides, probably like you, I'd die before I'd let her go away. But just like how I'm being loyal to Apple Bloom, you have to be honest to everypony else, no matter how hard it is. You don't want to do what Discord made you do, right?" said Scootaloo, making Applejack remember that Discord made her a liar when they battled. Deciding she wouldn't go down that road again, she straightened up and look at Scootaloo.

"Yer right Scootaloo. The time fer lyin' is over. But Ah'll need yer help. Can ya help me?" asked Applejack, which was answered with a confident nod from Scootaloo. The two made their way back to the room Dash and Pinkie were at. However, around this time, a dark portal appeared in the sky above Canterlot and a creature came out of it. This creature had spikes at the bottom of it with smoke like stuff coming from the top of it's head and shoulders. It's body was pitch black while it had a red collar like thing around it's neck. A single blue eye was seen on it's face.

"Hmmm...this place seems very peaceful. Yes...too peaceful. I think this land should face the power of darkness as my rise to ultimate power continues. They will face the rise of I, Darkrai!" the creature, now know to be Darkrai, proclaimed as he made his way towards the castle below. The legendary Pokemon had a made it it's goal to turn Equestria into a land of darkness.

Battle! Luna vs. Darkrai

Chapter 3: Battle! Luna vs. Darkrai

Princess Luna was right now asleep, even though it was daytime. As the princess of the night, she slept during the day and woke up during the night to raise the moon and make the stars appear. Luna was sleeping peacefully until she started to struggle against something, like she was having a nightmare. In her dreams, Luna was seen running through a dark hallway from something. She suddenly tripped as she looked back and saw a large shadow creature come up towards her.

"AHHHHHHH!" screamed Luna as she woke up from the nightmare. She had no idea why she had that nightmare. The last time she had one was a couple of days after the Night Mare Moon incident.

"Why hast thou...Ugh, why did I have that nightmare in the first place? And what was the creature?" asked Luna, obviously confused. However, a large shadow was seen in the room, startling Luna as she jumped out of bed. She looked towards the window and saw a pitch black creature floating just outside the window.

"Enjoyed my nightmare? That was my ability for your information, Bad Dreams. When you're asleep while I'm around, you have terrible nightmares while also taking damage." exclaimed the creature.

"Who are you!? I demand an answer!" yelled Luna, obviously enraged knowing it was this creature who made her have the nightmare. She then took notice of the small amount of pain she had, knowing this creature's ability caused this.

"Well princess, I am Darkrai, the legendary Pokemon who has control over nightmares. And the reason I'm here in Equestria is because I plan on turning it into a land of darkness." said Darkrai, obviously chuckling evilly. Luna could sense the power Darkrai had and it felt like both Night Mare Moon and Discord's power combined was nothing compared to this. She got into a battle stance anyway.

"I will not allow you to bring harm to my subjects! If you want to take over Equestria, then you'll have to go through me first!" yelled Luna as she fired a powerful magic beam from her horn. Darkrai, however, seemed to disappear into the walls and the beam harmlessly went out the window. Darkrai reappeared behind Luna and used a Dark Pulse attack to knock Luna out of the room through the window. Luna used her wings to keep herself afloat as Darkrai came up to her.

"You honestly think you stand a chance against me? I'm more powerful then you think." said Darkrai, sounding as if he was not impressed with Luna's power.

"You haven't seen anything yet!" yelled Luna as she suddenly teleported behind Darkrai and bucked him in the back. Luna then shot another beam from her horn, which struck Darkrai and sent him crashing into the wall. Luna then charged at Darkrai, sending him through the wall back into the bedroom. Luna then delivered another strong kick to Darkrai right to the face, causing some blood to come from his mouth.

"Hmmm, seems as if you actually do have some power. But play time is over now! Thunderbolt!" Darkrai yelled as a blue lightning bolt came from his hand and struck Luna, sending her flying through the hole and she landed in the Canterlot Garden. Dakrai came down to where she was, but then took notice of the statue next to her.

"That's quite an interesting statue there. A draconequus, huh?" Darkrai said. Luna, after she recovered from the electric attack, looked up at the statue and immediately knew who it was.

"Discord..." Luna said, remembering what the draconequus had done before. Darkrai suddenly laughed, which got Luna's attention.

"This is the spirit of disharmony, huh? Well it seems he doesn't need his powers anymore so I'll take them for myself!" Darkrai said as he suddenly used a weird looking beam to start sucking power away from the statue.

"No! You can't!?" Luna said, knowing what would happen if Darkrai was successful in obtaining Discord's power. But the process took faster then she expected as Darkrai returned the beam.

"Not bad. This is impressive. Now let's see what I can do now." Darkrai said as he suddenly lifted up his hand, using psychic powers to lift Luna by her necklace. Darkrai then pointed his arm at the statue of Discord and Luna suddenly flew at it. The collision caused the statue to suddenly break into pieces as Luna went through it. Luna found herself struggling to get up, not believing what had just happened. Discord was no more thanks to Darkrai. She then saw Darkrai forming a black energy ball above him.

"Y-You won't get away with this!" yelled Luna . Darkrai just laughed at this, knowing he had won this fight.

"I'd like to see anyone try to stop me. Now I believe it's past your bed time so good night. Dark Void!" yelled Darkrai as he threw the energy ball at Luna, which consumed her and Luna suddenly found herself falling into a black void. When she finally landed, she started to get up, still suffering from the wounds of battle.

"W-Where am I?" asked Luna. She looked around and immediately saw that she was in the Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters, or as she remembered it, what was formerly Canterlot Castle. She looked up and saw Darkrai's shadow in the sky.

"W-what the hay is going on!?" Luna said terrified as she backed up into a mirror. She turned around and was greeted with a terrifying sight. She looked exactly like Night Mare Moon. Her face turned into a terrified one as tears formed in her eyes.

"No...NO! This can't be happening!" yelled Luna as she collapsed onto the floor crying. What she didn't know was that she was actually asleep. In reality, Darkrai stood over the sleeping form of the real Luna.

"That was easy. But she put up more of a fight then I expected. I'll need to rest before I can go after the other princess." Darkrai said as he suddenly slipped into the shadows. Meanwhile, some of the royal pegasus guards were seen flying overhead. They had seen what had happened to the bedroom and were looking for Luna. They soon found her asleep in the garden next to the destroyed statue of Discord. They saw the injuries on Luna and immediately rushed her to the nearest hospital. Princess Celestia was soon informed of what had happened to her sister.

"This is bad. I must inform Twilight immediately." Celestia said as she began righting a letter to Twilight. While she had no idea who attacked Luna, she knew that if this creature defeated her, then it was a threat to Equestria. If she ended up getting beaten by it, Equestria's only hope would be the Elements of Harmony. Celestia only hoped this letter would get to Twilight in time as she rolled it up and teleported it to her.

Truth Time

Chapter 4: Truth Time

"Come on Twilight, you can't stay in there forever." said Spike, who was Twilight Sparkle's #1 assistant. The baby dragon had been sad since Apple Bloom's funeral. Not even listening to his favorite song, Colt of Personality by Living Rainbow, wasn't helping. Twilight, however, was worse off then anypony else. She was in charge of looking over Apple Bloom and she was blaming herself for what happened.

"Please go away Spike, I don't want to see anypony." said Twilight in between sobs. Spike, starting to get annoyed, started to open the door. However, he heard the front door open and saw Rarity come in. Instead of a sad look on her face, she had one of pure excitement.

"Twilight! Are you home darling!?" asked Rarity very loudly. Spike had never seen the pony he loved look so excited, even if she had just met a famous pony.

"What's going on Rarity?" asked Spike.

"Spike! It's absolutely THE! BEST! POSSIBLE! THING! I just heard from Applejack that Apple Bloom isn't dead!" Rarity said.

"WHAT!?" yelled Twilight from her room and without warning, the door came open, knocking Spike right into Rarity. After they recovered, they saw Twilight running faster then they thought possible towards Sugarcube Corner.

"My word, I never thought Twilight could run so fast!" said a surprised Rarity.

"Rarity, are you serious about what Applejack said?" asked Spike.

"I sure am! Though I didn't hear the whole story, I'm sure she didn't lie. But we best be on our way towards Sugarcube Corner." said Rarity before she made her way back towards Sugarcube Corner with Spike right behind her. Meanwhile, at Sugarcube Corner, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were waiting for their friends to arrive. Fluttershy had already arrived and was told of what happened from Pinkie, who's mane and tail were back to their original forms. Soon, Twilight bursted through the front door and almost ran over Dash.

"Woah Twilight, I had no idea you coul-" Dash started, but didn't finish as Twilight suddenly spoke up.

"Is it true!? Is Apple Bloom alive!?" Twilight asked. Applejack came up to her.

"Yes Sugarcube, mah lil' sister is still alive. Well, Ah shouldn't actually say that..." said Applejack.

"What do you mean Applejack?" asked Pinkie.

"You'll see. Ah asked Scootaloo to go on over to the farm to get her." said Applejack. Meanwhile. Scootaloo was riding her scooter towards Sweet Apple Acres. After helping Applejack tell Dash, Pinkie, and Rarity about Apple Bloom still being alive, she was asked by Applejack to go get Apple Bloom. She could remember what happened clearly.

*Flashback*

Both Scootaloo and Applejack soon came back out from where they were. Applejack clearly looked nervous and this caught Dash and Pinkie's attention.

"Hey AJ, what's going on?" asked Dash.

"Yeah Applejack, why do you look so nervous?" asked Pinkie.

"Well..." started Applejack.

"Come on Applejack, you can't keep it away from them forever! You have to tell them!" said Scootaloo

"Tell them what darling?" asked Rarity as she was stepping into the shop.

"You're here Rarity! That helps out a lot!" said Scootaloo.

"What do you mean squirt? What is she talking about AJ" asked Dash.

"Forgive me fer lyin' to all of you, even though yer all mah friends...but Ah've been lyin' about Apple Bloom bein' dead." Applejack admitted, which caused everpony in the room's mouths to drop, except Scootaloo as she already knew.

"You mean she isn't dead!? My goodness, I must go tell Twilight right away!" Rarity said, obviously shocked after hearing what Applejack just said as she ran towards Twilight's house.

"She's alive!? YIPPEE!!! I'll go tell Fluttershy!" yelled Pinkie, with her mane and tail suddenly poofing back to it's original form as she ran out of the shop in a flash towards Fluttershy's cottage.

"AJ, why did you lie to us about this in the first place?" asked a curious Rainbow Dash.

"Ah think it's better if Ah show ya what Ah mean. Scootaloo, can you go get my lil' sis' fer me?" asked Applejack.

"Sure thing!" said Scootaloo as she exited the shop, got on her scooter, and made her way towards Sweet Apple Acres.

*Flashback end*

Scootaloo, thinking back to what happened a few moments ago, didn't see where she was going as her other friend and fellow Cutie Mark Crusader, Sweetie Belle, was crossing the road and saw Scootaloo coming towards her.

"AHHHHH!" yelled Sweetie Belle.

"Huh? WOAH!" yelled Scootaloo as she did her best to stop before she crashed in Sweetie Belle, luckily able to do so.

"Watch where you're going Scootaloo!" Sweetie said.

"Sorry Sweetie Belle, but I was thinking of something and I didn't see you there." said Scootaloo.

"Were you thinking of Apple Bloom?" asked Sweetie. Scootaloo then remembered that Sweetie Belle had not learned about what had really happened. Scootaloo also knew she had to tell somepony about something else and since she had known Sweetie Belle for a long time, even longer then Apple Bloom, she decided to tell her.

"...Sweetie Belle, I've got 2 things to tell you something." said Scootaloo.

"What is it?" asked Sweetie.

"One thing is...well...Apple Bloom isn't really dead." said Scootaloo, which made Sweetie Belle's eyes go wide.

"WHAT!? How do you know!?" asked Sweetie, shocked while also excited to know that Apple Bloom wasn't dead.

"Because I talked to her last night and she explained what really happened. But if you want to know what happened, then you should come with me." said Scootaloo. Sweetie immediately got on the scooter and Scootaloo once again started speeding towards the farm.

"So what was the other thing you wanted to tell me?" asked Sweetie Belle.

"Well.....I'm not sure if I should tell you. But if I do, promise me you won't tell Apple Bloom." said Scootaloo, who's face was turning red a little bit, but enough to where Sweetie noticed it.

"Ok. Why are you blushing Scootaloo? Does it have anything to do with Apple Bloom?" asked Sweetie. The blush on Scootaloo's face grew deeper as she simple nodded. Sweetie was wondering why Scootaloo was blushing until it finally dawned on her.

"Oh my gosh! You have a crush on Apple Bloom! Don't you!?" Sweetie Belle said as Scootaloo's face turned as red as possible.

"...Yeah, I guess I do. But how am I suppose to tell her? What if she doesn't like me the same way? I just can't tell her." Scootaloo said.

"Well the best thing you could do is tell her and then if she doesn't like you the same way, then at least you two can still be friends. Oh look, we're here!" Sweetie said as they had finally arrived at the farm. Sweetie Belle, excited to see Apple Bloom, immediately ran into the house with Scootaloo just walking in.

'Maybe what Sweetie said is the best thing I can do. But will Apple Bloom still want to be my friend even if she doesn't like me the same way I like her. What if she doesn't? What will I d-' Scootaloo's train of thought was stopped when she heard a loud scream come from Apple Bloom's bedroom.

"Sweetie Belle, what are ya doin' here!?" Scootaloo heard Apple Bloom's voice come from the room and she immediately went upstairs to her room. Once she got there, she saw Sweetie Belle backed into a corner with a scared look on her face as she looked at Apple Bloom, who was still a zombie. Scootaloo immediately knew that Sweetie didn't know that the zombie was Apple Bloom and she chuckled a bit.

"WHAT'S SO FUNNY SCOOTALOO!? THERE'S A ZOMBIE IN HERE!!!" yelled Sweetie.

"What the hay is goin' on Scoots?" asked Apple Bloom, now aware that Scootaloo was in the room.

"First of all, Sweetie Belle, this zombie IS Apple Bloom. It's a long story." said Scootaloo towards Sweetie Belle, who's eyes widened even more as she then noticed the familiar pink ribbon in Apple Bloom's hair.

"Apple Bloom, is that really you!?" asked Sweetie.

"...Yeah, its me." Apple Bloom said and almost right away, Sweetie jumped onto the bed and gave Apple Bloom a big hug.

"Scootaloo was right! You aren't dead! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are still all together! YAY!" Sweetie said as tears came down her face while she was still hugging Apple Bloom.

"That's great an all, but...could ya please....let go? Can't....breathe...." Apple Bloom struggled to say. Sweetie immediately realized that she was hugging Apple Bloom too tightly and let go.

"Sorry about that, I got carried away." Sweetie said as she wiped the tears away.

"It's alright. But Scoots, when did you tell Sweetie Belle about me?" asked Apple Bloom.

"...Apple Bloom, you may not like this, but I sort of got your sister to tell everypony the truth about you. Applejack also asked me to come get you and take you to Sugarcube Corner so they can see what really happened to you." Scootaloo confessed as she expected for Apple Bloom to get mad at her. She saw Apple Bloom hop off the bed and walked towards her. Scootaloo closed her eyes, expecting to get hit in the face. However, Apple Bloom instead hugged her suddenly, which surprised Scootaloo as well as made her face flush.

"Thanks Scoots. Ah've been wantin' to tell everypony about what really happened." said Apple Bloom as she continued to hug Scootaloo, who eventually returned it, causing Apple Bloom's face to also turn red a bit.

"No problem Apple Bloom. What are friends for?" said Scootaloo. They released the hug and stared in each others eyes for a bit before Sweetie Belle stepped in.

"Well, aren't we going to Sugarcube Corner or what?" asked Sweetie.

"Oh yeah, let me go get my scooter ready." said Scootaloo as she stepped out of the room. Before Sweetie could follow her, Apple Bloom suddenly pulled her aside.

"Sweetie Belle, there's somethin' Ah've got to tell ya. But promise me ya won't tell Scoots." said Apple Bloom.

"Sure. What is it?" asked Sweetie.

"Well...Ah think Ah've got a crush on Scoots." Apple Bloom said as her face turned red.

"!!! Are you serious!?" asked Sweetie, who was clearly surprised.

"Yeah 'cause when we were leavin' the treehouse, Ah slipped and fell on Scoots and we accidentally...well...kissed. But even though it was an accident, Ah kind of liked it." Apple Bloom admitted with her face more red then it was before as Sweetie Belle gasped from what she had just heard. Before she could say anything to Apple Bloom, Scootaloo called from the living room.

"Hey you two, time to go!" yelled Scootaloo.

Apple Bloom put a sheet over her to protect herself from the sun and also put on sunglasses to hide her eyes before she went downstairs to join Scootaloo, having to get Sweetie Belle's help going downstairs. They met Scootaloo outside and saw she had gotten the wagon attached to her scooter. Both Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle got in the wagon as Scootaloo then sped towards Sugarcube Corner, with her friends in tow.

Author's Note: I would like to thank WWE Superstar and current WWE Champion CM Punk for allowing me to make a reference to his theme, Cult of Personality by Living Colour.

Worry or Relief?

Chapter 5: Worry or Relief?

The Cutie Mark Crusaders arrived at Sugarcube Corner finally. Sweetie Belle immediately went inside but before Scootaloo could also enter, she turned around and saw Apple Bloom had yet to get out of the wagon.

"What's wrong Apple Bloom?" asked Scootaloo.

"Well...what if everypony tries to get rid of me after they see me. Ah don't think Ah can do this Scoots. It's just....Ah can't....Ah don't know what to do." Apple Bloom said, obviously on the verge of crying as her voice cracked in the end. Scootaloo went up to her and place a hoof on Apple Bloom's shoulder, causing the youngest Apple family member to look up at her as her sunglasses-hidden glowing red eyes met Scootaloo's purple eyes.

"Apple Bloom, you're my best friend. And like you saw, I was so sad when I thought you were gone forever. I'll never let anything else bad happen to you. If everypony does try to get rid of you, I'll be there to protect you with my very life. Heck, I'll even run to the ends of Equestria and beyond with you if it means you're safe." said Scootaloo. Apple Bloom found herself blushing afterwards and also found herself lost in Scootaloo's eyes.

'Oh Scoots, Ah wish you knew how much ya mean to me. This whole thing may have started out as a nightmare, but could become a dream come true if ya liked me the same way Ah liked you.' Apple Bloom thought as she smiled at Scootaloo, who then nodded and held out a hoof to help Apple Bloom out.

"Need any help getting out?" asked Scootaloo. Apple Bloom thought that even though she could get out herself, she should still be polite as she let Scootaloo take her hoof and help her out of the wagon. Afterwards, she soon found Scootaloo just staring at her with a small blush on her face while still holding onto her blanketed hoof.

"Uhhh, Scoots? You can let go now." said Apple Bloom as she found her cheeks burning a little bit.

"Huh? Oh, sorry!" Scootaloo said as she let go of Apple Bloom's hoof with her face a bright red. After they recovered, they went inside and everypony inside saw what they believed to be Apple Bloom hiding under a blanket.

"Uhhh, AJ. Are you sure that's really Apple Bloom?" asked Dash.

"Yeah, all I see is a pony in a blanket. And is that pony wearing sunglasses?" Twilight said.

"It is my little sister and Ah'll prove it. But first, Apple Bloom, I know ys don't want to, but can ya please take off yer disguise?" asked Applejack. Apple Bloom nodded and took off her sunglasses, revealing her glowing red eyes which already made Fluttershy hide in fear, though Pinkie would be able to calm her. Scootaloo then helped Apple Bloom get the sheet off and as soon as Apple Bloom's zombie form was revealed, Scootaloo made a defensive pose to protect Apple Bloom in case somepony tried to attack her. However, nopony made a sudden move forward to try to get rid of Apple Bloom.

"A-Apple B-B-Bloom, i-is t-t-t-that r-really y-y-you?" asked Rarity, probably almost as scared as Fluttershy.

"Yeah, it's me. Even though Ah look like this...Ah'm still myself and Ah Pinkie Promise Ah won't hurt any of ya. Cross mah heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye." Apple Bloom said as she did the motions for the Pinkie Promise.

"Oooooohh, she's serious right now! And even if she is a zombie, nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise." Pinkie said as she gave Apple Bloom a hug, convinced that this zombie was indeed her.

"I-It really is you Apple Bloom! I'm so glad you're not dead!" Twilight said loudly as she also hugged Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom was already surprised, but was even more when everypony else who didn't already know about Apple Bloom;s current state hugged her.

"I really missed ya kid." said Dash.

"No word on happiness can describe how happy I am to see you Apple Bloom." said Rarity.

"Even though you're a zombie, you're still the same Apple Bloom we know and love. I'm sorry for being scared of you in the first place." Fluttershy said as Apple Bloom looked at everypony in the room.

"Y-Ya mean yer all alright with me lookin' the way Ah am?" asked Apple Bloom, which made everypony in the room to nod silently. If Apple Bloom could cry right now, she'd be crying tears of joy. Suddenly, Rarity held her nose for some reason.

"Ugh, Apple Bloom, you really should clean yourself darling. You smell very unpleasant." Rarity said in the kindest way she could say it.

"Ah would if Ah could, but when Ah try to, parts of me come off." Apple Bloom said.

"Also, the reason she smells bad is because we accidentally ran into a bad smelling plant while on the way here." Scootaloo said as both her and Sweetie Belle revealed some plant stuff in their manes and tails.

"My word, this won't do at all! Come Sweetie Belle, we must get you home right away! It's starting to get late anyway!" Rarity said as she and Sweetie Belle made their way to Carousel Boutique. Everypony else in the room then noticed that Celestia's sun was already starting to set.

"Well Apple Bloom and Ah should be gettin' back to the farm." Applejack said.

"Awww, I was about to say we should have a slumber party!"

"Hey, that actually sounds like a good idea." Twilight said.

"U-Ummm...I-I guess that would be fine..." Fluttershy said.

"Even though I'd rather sleep in my home, I'd guess this would be cool." Dash said.

"Well...Granny Smith and Big Mac had to go take care of some Apple family business in Appleloosa, so Ah guess we could stay. If ya want to Apple Bloom." said Applejack.

"After spending so long without any of mah friends, of course Ah want to stay!" Apple Bloom said.

"Well if we're going to spend the night together, I need to at least get myself cleaned." Scootaloo said as she made her way to the bathroom. Scootaloo got the bath water running and started cleaning her mane and tail, but was slower then usual as Apple Bloom suddenly came into her thoughts.

'Why do I always feel like there's butterflies in my stomach every time I'm around Apple Bloom? I already know I've got a crush on her, but is it something more then that? Am I really that in love with her? Then again, even if she's a zombie, she's still really cute. And her voice is like an angel talking into my ear. And the way she calls me Scoots makes me feel very warm on the inside. And she's also very kind to me as well. Wait, what am I saying!? I don't know if she even-'

"Hey Scoots, you in there? Ah need to do some 'business' in there." Scootaloo's train of thought came to an abrupt stop as Apple Bloom's voice came from the other side of the door. Scootaloo immediately knew what Apple Bloom was talking about.

"Uhhh, Yeah, I'm in here. Come on in." Scootaloo said as the door opened and Apple Bloom came into the room. Scootaloo blushed at the fact that her and Apple Bloom were in the bathroom together and suddenly felt her wings poof out and stiffen up, causing her to blush even more. Apple Bloom did her 'business' and after she was done, she noticed Scootaloo's wing boner.

"Uhhhh, Scoots. What is that?" asked Apple Bloom, making Scootaloo blush even more knowing that Apple Bloom had noticed her wing boner.

"Uhh, I guess I tired my wings out when getting you and Sweetie Belle here." Scootaloo lied, hoping Apple Bloom would buy it, which luckily she did.

"Okay. Well Ah know of a way to help stiff muscles. It's somethin' Applejack taught me. Do ya want me to help unstiffen your wings?" asked Apple Bloom and if Scootaloo's face could become even more red.

"Uhhhhhhh, n-no thanks! I'm good!" Scootaloo said, trying to hide her blushing face.

"Oh come on Scoots, Ah insist. Besides, it's the least Ah can do for what you've done fer me." Apple Bloom said as she, even though she was a zombie, somehow gave Scootaloo a puppy dog look. Scootaloo knew that she wouldn't be able to convince Apple Bloom to not do this, so she turned around in the tub and let her wings face towards Apple Bloom.

"Okay, Apple Bloom, I guess a quick message wouldn't hurt." Scootaloo said as she admitted defeat. Apple Bloom walked up to Scootaloo and placed her front two hooves on the young pegasus' wings and started rubbing them while also pressing hard on them. Scootaloo was surprised by how good Apple Bloom was as she closed her eyes and let out a satisfied moan as Apple Bloom continued to massage Scootaloo's wings.

'My Celestia, how is she so good? This is the best message I've ever had. Actually is this my first message? I don't care, she's so good.' Scootaloo thought as she continued to moan.

"Ya okay there Scoots? Ah can quit if ya want me to." Apple Bloom said. Scootaloo's only response was to simply shake her head, telling Apple Bloom to continue. However, as Apple Bloom was about to reach the other side of Scootaloo's wings, Scootaloo opened her eyes and saw a water bug in the tub and immediately sat up to throw it out of the tub, but it caused Apple Bloom to suddenly get thrown into the tub. Scootaloo's eyes widened in fear when she heard the splash behind her and turned around as Apple Bloom's head rose from the water.

"SCOOTS, WHAT WAS THAT FOR!? DO YA REMEMBER WHAT AH SAID ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN AH GET IN WATER!?" Apple Bloom yelled at Scootaloo, causing her to flinch.

"I-I'm so s-sorry Apple Bloom, I-I saw a b-bu in the tub and I i-i-immediately tries to get it out of the tub, not realizing what would happen." Scootaloo said as she remembered Apple Bloom saying that he could actually fall apart if she got in water, due to her being a zombie. But when Scootaloo looked around the area Apple Bloom was in, she didn't see any part of her even floating.

"WELL YA COULD HAVE WAI-WHAT ARE YA LOOKING AT SCOOTS!?" asked Apple Bloom loudly, as she was still mad at Scootaloo, but then she noticed that no part of her was floating off her at all as well. Thinking of something, Apple Bloom bit a seemingly loose part of her rotten flesh and tried to pull it off, but was met with pain as she let go and saw that the part she tried to pull off stayed connected to her. Apple Bloom responded to that with a happy sequeel.

"Hey, Ah can't lose any more parts of me! WOOHOO!" Apple Bloom cheered, causing Scootaloo to smile knowing that one of the consequences of being a zombie was gone from Apple Bloom, but then a playful smirk came onto Scootaloo's face as she suddenly splashed Apple Bloom with water.

"Hey, what was that for Scoots!?" asked Apple Bloom.

"That was for yelling at me." Scootaloo said in response, but Apple Bloom responded to this by splashing Scootaloo back and the two engaged in a playful splash fight, laughing like the little fillies they were. Soon, they both got tired and the splash fight ended.

"Ha....that was...ha...fun..." Apple Bloom tiredly said.

"Yeah...ha...it was..." Scootaloo said, also tired.

"...Scoots, Ah'm sorry for yellin' at ya." Apple Bloom said, now a little sad for yelling at Scootaloo for dragging her into the tub.

"It's alright Apple Bloom, I probably would have done the same thing if I were you." Scootaloo said. Apple Bloom, now fully aware that she couldn't lose any more of herself, started to wash herself, knowing she needed it badly. After cleaning her front parts, as well as all 4 of her legs and her own mane and tail, Apple Bloom tried to get her back, but couldn't reach far enough behind her.

"Uhhh, Scoots? Could ya help wash mah back fer me?" asked Apple Bloom, causing Scootaloo's face to turn a deep shade of red.

"A-Are you s-sure Apple B-Bloom?" asked Scootaloo, earning a nod from the young earth pony. Scootaloo took the soap from Apple Bloom and started rubbing it against her back. To Apple Bloom, this felt more like a massage like the one she gave Scootaloo just a few moments ago. The more Scootaloo rubbed her back, the more Apple Bloom moaned as she closed her eyes.

'This feels so good...wait, are mah eyes closed? Ah don't know and Ah don't care. Ah wish this could last forever.' Apple Bloom thought. Soon enough, she ended up laying her head against Scootaloo's chest as soon as Scootaloo got finished. Scootaloo blushed a deep red as Apple Bloom, who was completely unaware to it, rested against her chest.

'My goodness, even as a zombie, I still can't believe how cute she can be. Heck, I may even find her...beautiful.' Scootaloo thought. The moment ended though as they heard a 'Awwww' come from the door, causing Apple Bloom's eyes to fling open and her head to fly up as both her and Scootaloo looked towards the door to see Pinkie Pie at the door.

"P-Pinkie Pie, what are ya doin' in here!?" Apple Bloom asked with her face completely red.

"WellIthoughtIheardsomethinglikeapartygoingonuphereandIthoughtIwouldjoinafterIgotdonewithagamewitheveryponyelsebutIsawyoutwolikethatandIjustwentawwbutnowIguessIwillleaveyoutwoalonesoyoucangetcleanedsoseeyoulater!" Pinkie said in just one breath before zooming out of the room, leaving the two fillies wondering how she did that, but decided it was just Pinkie being Pinkie. Both of them soon got out of the tub and got themselves dried. They didn't realize how long they were in the tub because now it was time to go to bed.

"Wow, I can't believe how much time has passed. Well Apple Bloom, good night." Scootaloo said as she went to one of the extra beds, but stopped as Apple Bloom suddenly called out to her.

"Wait Scoots!" Apple Bloom said, making Scootaloo turn around to her with a curious look.

"Ah w-was wondering if you'd.....like to....share a bed.....with me." Apple Bloom said while blushing very hard, but Scootaloo seemed to be blushing harder.

"Uhhh...okay, I guess." Scootaloo eventually said. Both of them then went to the bed Scootaloo was going to sleep on and got under the covers.

"Good night Apple Bloom." Scootaloo said.

"Good night Scoots." said Apple Bloom as both her and Scootaloo closed their eyes and Apple Bloom soon realized how much she wanted to sleep as she almost immediately fell asleep, quickly thanking Celestia for being able to sleep now. However, what she didn't realize was that the pegasi had apparently scheduled for a storm to happen during the night.

--------------------------------------------------------I'd like to thank my friend on deviantART, XGBlue, for proofreading this. Thanks dude.

Battle! Vs. Black Kyurem

Chapter 6: Battle! Vs. Black Kyurem

After everyone had gone to bed, Twilight Sparkle and Spike were right now trying to figure out how Apple Bloom became a zombie in the Everfree Forest. However, just as Spike was bringing a book to Twilight, he suddenly coughed up a green flame, which turned into a letter from Princess Celestia.

"A letter from the Princess? This late at night?" asked Twilight as she took off the sacred seal and unrolled the letter to read it.

'My Dearest Faithful Student Twilight Sparkle,

It has brought be great pain to tell you that Equestria is once again under great danger. A unknown enemy invaded Canterlot today and easily defeated my sister Luna, leaving her in an very unstable state. Also, this new enemy has apparently taken the powers of chaos from Discord and even destroyed his petrified form, thus killing him. The only way left to defeat this new threat is the Elements of Harmony. You and your friends are our only hope.

Yours truly,

Princess Celestia'

After reading this letter, Twilight dropped it with a petrified look on her face. Luna easily beaten? Discord dead and his power in the hands of someone more powerful? Twilight couldn't believe she just read that. Spike picked up the letter and looked it over before his eyes went wide.

"Holy guacamole! How is that even possible!?" asked Spike, also shocked.

"I-I don't believe it myself, but it's got to be true. But who would be able to those things?" asked Twilight.

"Maybe...me?" asked an unknown voice. Both Twilight and Spike turned around and saw a shadow in the ground. Something then came up from the shadow itself. It was a creature with pitch black skin with something like smoke coming from it's shoulders and heads. It also had something like a red collar around it's neck and only one of it's eyes, which was blue, were visible.

"The one your princess mentioned in that letter that beat her sister and killed the spirit of chaos as well as taking his powers was me. I am Darkrai, the legendary Pokemon of darkness!" exclaimed Darkrai as both Twilight and Spike got into battle positions.

"So you're the one who did those things! What could you possibly want with Equestria in the first place!?" asked Twilight.

"If you want an answer, then you must first beat one of my minions. If you choose to accept this challenge, then follow me" said Darkrai as he went back into the shadow in the floor, by this time a portal opened in the shadow. Twilight looked at Spike, who gave Twilight a confident nod before both of them jumped into the portal. When they finally came out of it, they saw that the scenery had changed to a familiar, yet very unpleasant location. Somehow, they were in Ponyville when it was under Discord's control. As they looked around, they could see both Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy when they were under Discord's influence arguing. A gray Rainbow Dash was seen sleeping on a cloud while Rarity, also under Discord's influence, was busy guarding a rock from the gray Applejack.

"Whoa! What's going on!?" asked Spike.

"I hoped we'd never saw this again. But where is Darkrai?" asked Twilight.

"Right here." came Darkrai's voice as both Twilight and Spike turned around and saw Darkrai right there.

"I bet you're wondering how I knew this happened? Well while I was taking that spirit of chaos' powers, I peeked into his memories and saw this. So I decided this would be a perfect battlefield for you against my minion." said Darkrai as he suddenly raised what appeared to be a gray and black orb into the air. Suddenly, blue and white lighting came from the orb as it floated high into the air.

"So, Twilight Sparkle, let's see how powerful you truly are! Come forth, Black Kyurem!" yelled Darkrai as he then slipped back into the shadows as the orb suddenly transformed into a beast that had a gray underside with a black tail with blue electricity flowing through it with blue wires connection to it's back, which had wings coming out of it, one black and the other one looking frozen. It had two arms, one that was black and blue and one that was black until it reached the elbow joint, from then one, the rest of it's arm was frozen. The front of it's neck was gray while the rest of it was black. It's head had a black face with yellow eyes with one ear being black with a blue tip while it's other ear as well as the rest of it's head was frozen. It's chest was also black, but it's shoulders were covered in ice as well. This was the beast Darkrai had summoned, Black Kyurem

(Play this now)

Youtube Video

Black Kyurem gave off a deafening roar as it flew at Twilight with an Fusion Bolt attack, but Twilight teleported out of the way. Spike waited for an opening to attack as the larger dragon fought Twilight. Twilight tried lifting up some nearby objects with her magic and launching them at Black Kyurem, who knocked them out of the way with it's large claws before firing an Ancientpower attack at Twilight, who got hit and was knocked onto a cotton candy cloud.

"Ugh, this thing is powerful...better try hitting it from behind." said Twilight as she took a nearby boulder and then teleported behind Black Kyurem and threw the boulder right into it's back, knocking the large Pokemon down, allowing Twilight to run up to it's head and buck it in the head several time, causing some more damage. Black Kyurem got back to it's feet and fired a Dragon Pulse attack to knock Twilight away, but she dodged it and fired a beam right into the dragon's chest, which caused it to stumble back a bit before it let off another deafening roar as it started charging up for an attack.

"What is it doing?" asked Twilight. However, she didn't want to know as she charged at Black Kyurem, who suddenly got done charging and fired it's ultimate attack, Freeze Shock, at Twilight at blinding speed, striking her hard as the sound of ice breaking and lighting hitting the ground was all that was heard as Twilight was sent flying. She landed hard on the ground. Black Kyurem thought that this battle was over, but was suddenly blinded as Spike came from out of nowhere and blasted green fire in Black Kyurem's eyes, causing the dragon to roar in pain

"This is for Twilight!" yelled Spike as he continued hitting Black Kyurem with his green fire while crawling all over the larger dragon's body, causing it to collide blindly into everything it could hit, trying to knock Spike off it. Spike refused to let go, however, as he then sank his own claws into the tail of Black Kyurem, causing even more pain. Twilight somehow recovered from the painful move, though blood was running from her mouth. Twilight charged at Black Kyurem while charging up some magic. The large dragon finally threw Spike off it, causing Spike to fly right into a tree with enough force to knock it over. Twilight gasped, but Spike gave her a weak thumbs up. Twilight responded by jumping as high as her legs would let her before releasing her energy.

"Take this you monster!" yelled Twilight as she launched a smaller version of the Elements of Harmony's rainbow beam move, which hit Black Kyurem with enough force to knock the wind out of it as it finally fell over. Twilight, after she landed, fell over to her side. Both her and Spike had taken a lot of damage, but they were victorious.

(Stop music)

"We.....we did it." said Twilight as she struggled to get back to her hooves. When she did, Black Kyurem suddenly started glowing brightly, causing Twilight to shield her eyes. When the light died down, Twilight looked over to where Black Kyurem was at and in it's place was 2 dragons, one that looked just like the ice version of what she had just fought, but was was smaller and had no black or blue parts of it. The other dragon did however, but it was still unconscious unlike the ice dragon, who looked very healthy. The black dragon suddenly had a flash come from it's body before turning into a black orb. The other dragon stayed the same though as Darkrai reappeared.

"Congrats Twilight, you've beaten one of the forms of Kyurem." said Darkrai.

"Kyurem? So what I was just fighting was just one form?" asked Twilight as Spike recovered as joined Twilight at her side.

"Yes. You see, the dragon you just fought was Black Kyurem, a fusion of the regular Kyurem that is right here beside me and the dragon that just turned into that orb, known as Zekrom. Since you've beaten Black Kyurem, I'll let you take the orb that is now Zekrom, the Black Orb." Darkrai said as he picked up the Black Orb telepathically and flung it towards Twilight, who caught it with her magic.

"Now I said if you beat my minion, then I would tell you what I want with Equestria. So here you go...I plan on turning Equestria into a land of darkness. And once I find the power I need to do so, I will do just that." said Darkrai.

"I won't let you! Me and my friends will stop you! You won't win Darkrai!" yelled Twilight, though Darkrai just chuckled.

"If you want to stop me, then find a way to return Zekrom back to normal and then find it's counterpart, Reshiram...Until then, Twilight Sparkle, you will have no chance of beating me. We'll meet again." said Darkrai as suddenly, darkness consumed both Twilight and Spike as well as the Black Orb. The next thing both of them knew, they were back in the room they were in before the whole incident began.

"Whoa...that was crazy." said Spike, who was still weak from the battle. Twilight only nodded as she looked on the bed and saw the Black Orb there. Both of them decided to call it a night as they put the Black Orb somewhere safe. Both of them finally went to sleep as a storm started outside.

Stormy Comfort

Chapter 7: Stormy Comfort

The storm that had now started outside the ring was very strong as the wind kept on blowing like a hurricane and many lightning flashes kept on happening. But the one thing that woke Scootaloo up was the sound of thunder. She looked outside the saw the strong storm outside. To her, it brought up many bad memories.

'Scootaloo, come on dear! We have to hurry!'

'I'm coming mom!'

'This place is going to collapse any minute!'

CRASH!

'AAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!'

'MOM!!! DAD!!! NOOOOOOO!!!'

"Scoots, why are ya cryin'?"

Scootaloo was brought out of her memories by the sound of Apple Bloom's voice. She noticed that there were tears in her eyes and quickly wiped them away before looking at Apple Bloom, who had a look of concern on her face.

"Oh, it's...it's nothing, I just had a bad dream, that's all."

"Scoots, Ah've learned from mah sis' about when other ponies are lyin'. Ah know somethin' is wrong with ya. Please tell me."

Scootaloo silently cursed Applejack for teaching Apple Bloom to be a living, breathing lie detector, though she wasn't so alive right now. She sighed as she turned towards Apple Bloom, who was now sitting and facing Scootaloo.

"This is going to be a long story. You see Apple Bloom, long before I came to Ponyville, I lived in Hoofington with my mom and dad, both of them being Wonderbolts. They took me to all of their shows, allowing me to come to them for free, and still finding a way to spend time with me. They were really great parents and I loved them so much. They even let me meet some of the other Wonderbolts that we know today, like Spitfire, Soarin' and Fleetfoot. But one night, kind of like tonight, tragedy struck...while I was asleep, I thought the house was shaking cause I was woken up by a strong clap of thunder and the first thing I saw was fire. I realized that my own home was on fire and my mom and dad came in to get me out of there. We had to be careful since they couldn't fly me out of there because of the smoke. We almost made it out of there before...they ceiling collapsed...and my parents were buried underneath it. I got lucky and the collapsing parts of the ceiling only cut me up a little bit. I tried to get my parents out of there, but I got sick from the smell of smoke and the sight...of my own parents blood. I passed out from it all the next thing I knew, I was outside with some other ponies trying to put out the fire. I kept asking some of them where my parents were, but...all one pony told me was that they didn't make it. I couldn't believe my parents, who were famous Wonderbolts, got taken out so easily. I couldn't live in that town anymore without the memories haunting me so much...so I ran away and came here to Ponyville, where I met Sweetie Belle, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and many others and became friends with them before I met you at that party. You know what happens from there."

Scootaloo finished her story with more tears in her eyes and felt like she was on the verge of crying, but fought back the urge to cry and looked at Apple Bloom, who looked like she could start crying at any minute, despite not having any eyes thanks to being a zombie.

"Oh mah gosh Scoots, Ah...Ah had no idea ya've had such a bad life so far. Ah'm so sorry." said Apple Bloom.

"It's alright Apple Bloom, I still have you and everypony else. My life so far may have had a rough start, but I've got to live my life to the fullest for my parents." said Scootaloo.

"That's really brave of you Scoots...but it's not alright. Ah mean, yer parents are gone and...where have ya been sleepin' anyway?" asked Apple Bloom.

"Welllll...I did sleep wherever I could sleep before your sister showed us the clubhouse. I've been sleeping there ever since." Scootaloo said, earning a gasp from Apple Bloom.

"Mah goodness Scoots, that's terrible! Why didn't ya ask mah sister about sleeping at out home?!" asked a shocked Apple Bloom.

"Because....Because...I was scared. I didn't want everypony to know that I was an orphan. I thought they would try to put me in a foster home. I don't want to live in a place like that..." Scootaloo admitted.

"...So...Ah guess Ah'm not the only one as well." Apple Bloom said, causing Scootaloo to look at her with a now curious look.

"Applejack, Big Macintosh, and Ah lost our parents in a fire in the Everfree Forest..." Apple Bloom shuddered horribly from the mention of that forest, for not only did her parents die in the forest, but it's also where she became a zombie. But Apple Bloom continued her story anyway.

"It happened right after Ah was born. Our family, even Granny Smith, was on our way back home when we suddenly had to take a detour through the Everfree Forest because of the bridge collapsin'. While we were goin' through it, a fire suddenly started, though later we found out it was because of a dragon, and Granny Smith did her best to get us all out. Me, Big Mac, and Applejack got out safely, but our parents weren't so lucky. We tried findin' them after the fire went out, but we couldn't..." Apple Bloom admitted, seemingly on the verge of tears. Scootaloo, right now, didn't care anymore if Apple Bloom thought she was the tough filly everyone thought she was. She was crying like no tomorrow as she then hugged Apple Bloom, who returned it and finally, she cried. Apple Bloom buried her zombified face into Scootaloo's shoulder and cried, with Scootaloo also crying while continuing to hug the filly she cared about more then anything else in the world. For the two fillies in the room, the pain of losing their parents had finally become too much to bear and they were letting all of that pain come out. After a few minutes of this, they finally stopped hugging and looked at each other, their faces drenched with tears, and was unconsciously slowly going towards each other before they suddenly closed their eyes and pressed their lips against each others in a kiss. For Apple Bloom. it was everything she imagined. She was kissing the love of her life, the pony of her dreams, the filly she wanted by her side for the rest of time. She felt like her veins were filled with liquid fire, rushing through them at incredible speed. The zombie filly felt that her cheeks were going to explode, they were hot on the inside, and cold outside, because of the two twin streams of tears flowing from her eyes from pure happiness. For Scootaloo, it was no different. She felt like she was in heaven. She forgot about her scooter, she forgot about her terrible past, she forgot about her parents, she forgot about Rainbow Dash, she ever forgot her own name. She could only think of Apple Bloom’s lips, those sweet lips that were kissing her. The lips that were driving her out of her mind. Her wings sprung to the sides wide open. She felt them all tingly and alive she felt like they were going to break free and fly off. She was the queen of the world and nopony ever before had been as happy as her in that moment. The kiss ended all too soon for both of them, but they looked into each others eyes. Scootaloo then took notice that Apple Bloom's eyes were back, though they still had a reddish hue to them. That didn't matter though, all that mattered was herself and the filly she loved.

"Apple Bloom...I-" Scootaloo started, but Apple Bloom cut her off with another kiss before looking into her eyes.

"Ah love ya too Scoots. And please don't ever let another pony tell ya differently." Apple Bloom said, earning a smile from Scootaloo as she smiled.

"Apple Bloom...I love you too much to let anypony else make me think differently of you. Heck, even as a zombie, you're still the most beautiful mare I've seen in my life." said Scootaloo, earning a blush from Apple Bloom as she and Scootaloo kissed again, this time with Luna's moon breaking the storm and breaking through the clouds, illuminating the room with it's heavenly glow, making the scene even more romantic. Soon, they stopped kissing and fell back down, with Apple Bloom nuzzling her face into Scootaloo's chest.

"Mmmmm...you make the perfect pillow Scoots." said Apple Bloom.

"Well you make the warmest blanket ever...my Bloomy" Scootaloo said, giving Apple Bloom a nickname in the process. Apple Bloom blushed at the sound of the nickname before giving Scootaloo one more kiss before closing her eyes and going to sleep, with Scootaloo soon joining her in peaceful sleep, despite the storm returning. Scootaloo didn't care this time. As long as Apple Bloom was with her now, she would be happy. The only thing that wasn't noticed was a white orb suddenly appearing in the room.

Darkrai's Attack

Chapter 8: Darkrai's Attack

The first thing Scootaloo noticed when she woke up was the the storm had passed on during the night and Celestia's morning sun was shining brightly through the window. She felt something warm on her chest and looked down to see Apple Bloom asleep on her chest with a smile and a blush on her face. Scootaloo got the same look on her own when she saw that, remembering the events of last night. However, the silence was broken as the sound of Scootaloo's stomach growling loud enough to wake Apple Bloom up, who lifted her head and giggled at the sound.

"Mornin' Scoots, sounds like yer hungry." said Apple Bloom, who was still giggling.

"Yeah, I guess so." said Scootaloo, who was blushing from embarrassment. However, Apple Bloom suddenly noticed a white orb in the room.

"Huh? What's that?" asked Apple Bloom as she got up off Scootaloo and picked up the white orb.

"Maybe Twilight will know. She is an egghead after all." said Scootaloo, earning another giggle from Apple Bloom. The two made their way downstairs to see Pinkie Pie already awake baking some pancakes. Soon, everypony else came down, but Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were surprised to see Spike carrying a black orb similar to the orb they had now. Everypony gathered at the table right as Pinkie came in with the pancakes.

"Here ya go everypony! I hope you like these pancakes!" said Pinkie as she sat down with her friends and began eating. As they were eating, Twilight got everypony's attention.

"I've got to tell all of you something. Last night, I got a letter from Princess Celestia telling me that Princess Luna was attacked by a unknown creature. After I read it, I met that creature and battled one of it's minions with Spike's help. The creature that attacked Luna is called Darkrai and he wants to turn all of Equestria into a land of darkness." said Twilight, earning a small gasp from everypony else as Spike picked up where Twilight left off.

"What's more is that Darkrai killed Discord and took his powers, then made us fight that minion of his back in Ponyville when it was under Discord's control. We even saw the corrupted versions of all of you, except for Apple Bloom and Scootaloo of course. But after we beat that large dragon that was Darkrai's minion, the dragon split into 2 regular dragons and one of the dragon's turned into this orb." said Spike as he picked up the Black Orb.

"Wait a minute Spike, when me and Scoots woke up this mornin', we found an orb similar to that one!" said Apple Bloom as she revealed the white orb and put it on the table. Before anyone could speak up, Spike suddenly belched up a letter and Twilight grabbed it with her magic, unraveling it and began reading the letter out loud.

"Dear Twilight Sparkle and friends,

After doing some studying myself, I've found out about two creatures that could have the potential to defeat this new threat. Like me and my sister, these 2 creatures are also deities and they're power is unimaginable. One is called the God of Fire, or in other words, Reshiram. The other is called the God of Lightning, or in other words, Zekrom. However, it is said that one time in a land called Unova, they were part of a great war that destroyed their physical forms and turned them into orbs, one black and one white. And I have sensed that these 2 orbs have been transported to Equestria by some unknown power. I will inform you of anything else I find.

Yours Truly,

Princess Celestia"

"Wait, maybe these 2 orbs that the princess was talkin' about are the ones we have right now!" said Applejack, which got everypony curious until Pinkie started shaking uncontrollably suddenly.

"W-W-W-Whoa! M-my P-P-Pinkie S-S-Sense is g-g-going w-w-whackers!" said Pinkie when both Rarity and Sweetie Belle suddenly burst through the front doors of Sugarcube Corners.

"Hey, you guys need to come see this!" said Sweetie, with a look of panic on her face.

"The sky has gone completely dark!" said Rarity, which made everypony get up rush outside to see the sun still out, but the entire sky pitch black.

"W-What's going on?" asked a terrified Fluttershy.

"Alright, who ever's doing this, get your flank out here so I can kick it!" yelled Rainbow Dash, only to be awarded with an eerie laughter, one that Twilight recognized.

"Oh no...that voice...Darkrai!" Twilight said, with her being awarded with an icicle spear hitting the ground near them. They all looked up and saw Darkrai standing on Kyurem, who was floating in mid-air.

"I'm pleased you now know my own voice Twilight Sparkle." said Darkrai.

"So you're the one who's been causing havoc all over Equestria?!" asked Rainbow Dash as she got ready to charge at Darkrai.

"That's right...Hmm?" Darkrai then took notice of Apple Bloom, who was hiding behind Scootaloo, who was trying to act brave in front of Darkrai.

"Why is there a zombie in this town? No matter, I here to send you all a message, and looks like I now know who I want to use to send it." Darkrai said as he suddenly used his powers to lift Apple Bloom in the air.

"AHH!" yelled a surprised Apple Bloom.

"APPLE BLOOM!!" yelled Scootaloo as Kyurem suddenly started charging up something. Rainbow Dash tried to stop it, but Darkrai suddenly blasted Dash with a Dark Pulse attack, sending her crashing into everypony else except Scootaloo.

"This will happen to those who get in my way! Now Kyurem, Glaciate!" commanded Darkrai as Kyurem suddenly blasted a large amount of icicle spears and a shock wave that started destroying the buildings while the shock wave started freezing most of the ground and many other things. Twilight was able to use her magic to prevent everyone from getting frozen, but one icicle spear was headed right for Apple Bloom, who only watched in terror as the spear came closer.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!" yelled Apple Bloom as she closed her eyes and waited for her doom to come, but it never did. The only thing she felt was some blood splatter on her face as she opened her eyes and saw a very unwelcome sight. Scootaloo had jumped up in front of her and took the hit for her, with the icicle spear piercing all the way through her body. Blood oozed from the wounds as Scootaloo coughed up blood and fell down to the ground motionless. Apple Bloom felt herself get dropped and as soon as she was on the ground, she rushed over to Scootaloo's side.

"Oh no...SCOOTS!" shouted Apple Bloom as she tried to help Scootaloo in any way while Darkrai just laughed.

"Seems like she wanted to die very badly! At least my message was sent! Good bye for now!" said Darkrai as he and Kyurem vanished into the darkness. Everypony else got up and saw Scootaloo, which made them all gasp.

"This is bad! Rainbow Dash, go get a doctor!" said Twilight as she began trying to take the spear out of Scootaloo's body. Rainbow Dash, knowing how bad the situation was, immediately flew towards Ponyville Hospital as fast as she could, doing a Sonic Rainboom in the process but no one didn't care because of Scootaloo's condition. After the spear was taken out, Fluttershy did her best to wrap the the would up with some bandages before taking the now unconscious young pegasus filly inside to a bed so she could rest. During all this time, Apple Bloom never left Scootaloo's side. The sky also returned to normal, but Apple Bloom didn't care at all. She was praying to Celestia that Scootaloo survived.

"Please Scoots...Ah love ya so much...don't leave me..." Apple Bloom said as she started crying, burying her face into the side of Scootaloo's bed. She was so busy crying that she didn't notice another pony coming up to her and placing her hoof on Apple Bloom, causing her head to shoot up and turn to the pony. She was met with a familiar sight as the pony she was now looking at had a blonde mane and tail, nearly similar to Applejack's, and had a gray coat with a magnifying glass as a cutie mark. The most significant feature of this pony was the glowing yellow eyes.

"Ruby?! What are ya doin' here?! Last time Ah saw ya, Ah was gettin' help from ya gettin' out of the Everfree Forest!" said Apple Bloom, completely surprised from the appearance of the ghost pony.

"I know and I'm sorry you ended up like this. It's my fault I couldn't help you as much as I could." said Ruby, sounding very sad.

"It's alright, ya did yer best. But me bein' one of those zombies...it was worse before." said Apple Bloom as she then started explaining to Ruby what had happened ever since she got out of the Everfree Forest, from Applejack finding her to her revealing herself to Scootaloo to even sharing her first kiss with the young pegasus. Unknowing to both of them though, Scootaloo had regained consciousness, but was too weak to even open her eyes or even say anything. All she could do was listen to Apple Bloom explain everything. After Apple Bloom got done explaining, Ruby nodded and then put a hoof on Scootaloo's forehead, causing the pegasus to seemingly flinch, but it went unnoticed to Ruby as she pulled her hoof off with a sad look on her face.

"I'm afraid she won't make it on her own." said Ruby, earning a gasp from Apple Bloom and for Scootaloo's heart to suddenly sink.

'I'm going to die!? No, I don't believe it!' Scootaloo thought, trying to desperately even open her eyes, but her body wouldn't respond to her needs.

"W-W-What am Ah suppose ta do!? Ah won't let Scoots die on me, not after what she's done fer me!" Apple Bloom said. Ruby closed her eyes as if she was in deep thought. But then she opened her eyes and looked at the nearby table, where she then noticed the black and white orbs on the table, causing Ruby's eyes to widen.

"Those orbs...Apple Bloom, where did you find them?!" asked a shocked Ruby.

"Twilight said she got the black one after she beat someone called Darkrai and me and Scoots found the white one in mah room this mornin'." said Apple Bloom. Ruby looked at the orbs with much curiosity before turning back to Apple Bloom with what seemed to be a smile on her face.

"Consider yourself lucky friend, these orbs have some sort of special power. If you can unlock this power, you can save the one you love." said Ruby, earning a big gasp from Apple Bloom.

"Really!? Please Ruby, if ya know how ta get those dragons back to their regular forms, please tell me! Ah'll do anythin' ta heal Scoots!" said Apple Bloom, only for Ruby to look at her with a now serious look.

"I do know where you can release this power...but unfortunately, in order for you to do so...you must return to where you became one of the cursed ones in the first place." said Ruby.

"Y-Ya mean Ah've got ta head back ta Sunny Town?" asked Apple Bloom, earning a nod from Ruby.

"...Ah'll do it. If it means Ah can save Scoots, Ah'll do it." said Apple Bloom, only for both of them to hear somepony at the door.

"That's mah lil' sis' fer ya, just as stubborn as me." came the voice of the new pony as both Apple Bloom and Ruby saw Apple Bloom's own sister, Applejack, standing there,

"APPLEJACK?! What are ya doin' here?!" asked a surprised Apple Bloom.

"Well ya don't think we're goin' to let ya do this on yer own, did ya?" asked Applejack, giving Apple Bloom a confused look until she saw both Twilight and Rainbow Dash also enter the room.

"We heard everything and if what I've learned is true, then that White Orb is actually Reshiram and if reviving both it and Zekrom is the only way to save Scootaloo, then we'll do everything to help you Apple Bloom." said Twilight, giving the filly a warm smile. Ruby, however, had a concerned look on her face.

"Are you all sure about this? You saw what happened to this young one after she entered Sunny Town. Are you willing to risk your own lives to help your friend?" asked Ruby.

"Heck yeah! I'm not the Element of Loyalty for nothing! Plus, if that Darkrai shows up, I'll give him one heck of a beat down! Besides, I care about squirt more then you think." said Dash, getting a smile from Apple Bloom.

"Thank you everypony, you really are the best friends anypony could ask for." said Apple Bloom. Soon, they all exited, but Ruby took one last look at Scootaloo, who was still motionless, before exiting. However, after she did, the bed sheets seemed to move and after some time, 4 orange hooves hit the ground, with the pony they belonged to fighting her injuries to slowly follow her friends.

"I'm not...going to let...those guys...go on...without...me..." said Scootaloo weakly.