A Bad End Leads to a Good End

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.