Heroic Perception

I felt like a rotten apple the moment I accepted my cutie mark. As a filly, my cutie mark expedition was my all; my world and my escape from the farm. I love my farm and everything on it, from the bright red apples to the animals that lived there, every bit of it screamed "home". The farm wasn't enough, though. I needed more than the farm. The repetitive motions, the daily chores, they felt..they felt too boring when there is, obviously, so much more out to discover!

It started out small; I wasn't aware of it then, but now when I look back, I understand where it began. It started when Nightmare Moon captured Princess Celestia. Back then, it was a scary experience; the notion of being trapped against your will was unbelievably terrifying. Just the thought of going into pure darkness was a new experience I couldn't fathom at the time. Everything chances over time, of course.

I kept looking back, the pictures of the reformed Luna was odd to me. I couldn't pinpoint why. However, despite the seed being sown, it hadn't grown. Then I met her.

Scootaloo was an outrageous pony. Daring, bash...Rainbow Dash levels of crazy. She liked the dirt, the grime, the ability to do just about anything at the expense of, well, life. It was something positively beyond boring. While the others had adventures, I couldn't help but feel angry at it. Fluttershy facing a dragon? That would have been amazing to see! But alas, I was labeled a 'filly', of course.

When the days grew, so did other portions. I rationalize my anger towards my farming community; the dull thuds of apples falling never grated on me until I kept sensing all the wonders I was missing. Granny Smith's stories only enhanced the battle. The Apple Farm wasn't for me, I realized. It never would be, despite my family tradition.

That hurt the most.

Then she kept making me change. I developed something short of a crush after our first camping trip. She was a mystery to me before then; I thought she was just a one note pony. Very impulsive, one note, if anything. However, despite seeing her scared millions of times prior, she was different. She was horrified over something; she'd later admit it was over upsetting Dash but I swear there was more to those horrified eyes than that. They held a secret to unlock.

I wanted to unlock it.

Once we gained our marks-a shield with a different marking in each, it confirmed my fears. It wasn't apple related. I wasn't meant for the farm. In a way, the validation was a relief. My exploration ended but sating it hadn't. I needed a relief. I still had something pulling me towards Scootaloo and it kept growing as she kept going near me.

Her bumps and nudges, her hugs and her animated speeches were captivating. I imagined many activities for her. It was when I realized why Luna's reformation stuck with me the longest despite many ponies having reformations. Starlight was the latest reformation yet. I couldn't stop shivering; I couldn't accept it at the time. It was beyond normal. It was anything but normal.

I loved the idea of dominating a pony in the same way as Nightmare Moon. It was so close and personal; a pony controlling your every movement. I know I can't in the same fashion, but I came so close to it. Every fantasy played out the same way and ended the same way. I would dominate Scootaloo, force her into submission- but she would agree. I dreamed of just cornering her in the way Nightmare must have done so for Luna. It would become painful to think about.

I tried numerous avenues, only one actually sating the desire, but it wasn't by much. At least, wasn't by much in my standards. I couldn't say the same about Dinky or Alula. Was that 10? 20? The number only grew as I raise ranks in Ponyville High. With the Canterlot nobles and the numerous ponies experimenting, it felt like a nice avenue. Trenderhoof started the trend and it hadn't seemed to end lately, now fillies and colts want the more "commoner" life when they visited. To the fillies, I happily obliged. However, it wasn't her, so I wasn't satisfied. Scootaloo was a tough apple to buck off the tree. Took more than just dating her to get the fruit.

It fills a relief, so I'm hardly bored. It gives a challenge; just dating her doesn't mean much in terms of fulfilling this rotten core's desire. As daring as that mare was, she was terrified of many things. Sex was just the sprinkles on the sundae. Too bad it made her more desirable. I only just recently got a taste, and that taste wasn't an easy fight to get to. It had been only a day ago and she refuses to look my way.

I lick myself clean from my latest venture, Dinky. Dinky wouldn't get up this time around. Twilight had an invention, and for what it was worth, I needed a few mares to test it on. I didn't exactly know what it was, but Dinky loved the thrill of discovering it. Being taught under Twilight, she discovered healing magic. Her love of this magic fueled experiments. Dinky loved experiments, and love experiments were her favorite as of late.

"Dinky?" I called out. Dinky didn't move for a moment. Panic swelled at the base of my stomach. I nudged her, deciding to take to time in cleaning her. Her eyes fluttered open to reveal those yellow orbs I admire. A small smile formed at the base as she shook. "You alright there?"

Nod. "More than fine," Dinky concluded, stretching her limbs. With a small smirk, she pushed me playfully. "Twist will adore those tricks, hopefully." I nod, hoping she'd ignore my bubbling panic.

I don't like hearing other mares. The repercussions I might face are bigger than I can face at this moment. Hopefully that won't show through. "She'll like it. I'm sure."

"Mmhum..'She hummed, turning away slightly. "This invention seems a bit strange, don't you think?" I tilt my head, scrunching my nose in the process.

"Hhm..? How?" I frown. "It looks like something Twilight would make. Nothing new."

Dinky jabbed it with a hoof before settling it in my bag. "There has to be a catch somewhere, Bloom. Twilight doesn't make sex toys. I doubt she feels the need to try something like that." The idea Twilight knew about sex was unsettling. I can't unsee that. I decided to shrug it off instead.

"It can't be much. Its Twilight, remember?" Dinky sighed out before grabbing her saddle bags.

"Just..be careful with it, okay?" Dinky grew stern. There was something in those eyes that made me second guess something. She had a ray of knowledge on this subject, but I can't pinpoint what she's holding out. Instead of questioning her logic, I nodded. My mouth can't form words at this point. Stupid mouth. Dinky gave me a quick nuzzle before trotting to Twilight's castle. If my theory is correct, then she will be currently researching the latest spell she found earlier.

I sigh, leaning back against the barn's walls. They were secure walls. It didn't feel like infidelity when I was surrounded by the walls. My head drifts upward as I feel myself slipping into the bliss of security.

"APPLE BLOOM!"

Or not. My head immediately darted towards the sounds of crashes. When my eyes widen, I saw the culprit. It was an odd sight despite it all: Diamond Tiara seemed too refined for the farm life.

"What's up?" I nearly tremble. Diamond Tiara has had the fancy to show up after her performance a few days ago. This time Sweetie Belle came along.

"We need to talk."