Blue Frosting

Apple Bloom had been asleep for a long time when she was awoken by activity outside. Multiple hoofbeats on the ground around the cellar door, and a deep voiced pony barked out orders. There was a rumble and a golden-armored hoof punched its way through the cellar door, knocking it off its hinges. A second kick sent it crashing to the cellar floor. A stallion of the Royal Guard jumped through the broken door and landed in a fighting stance. He surveyed the room with military precision, on the lookout for anything dangerous or potentially dangerous. Satisfied the room was safe, he called the same up above.

Princess Celestia, Supreme Co-ruler of Equestria, floated down the stairs and immediately gagged on the odor of decaying flesh. A quick thinking guard handed her a mostly-unused handkerchief which she immediately placed over her muzzle.

"Oh my," said the startled princess, as she looked around. "This is a truly horrid place. Now where is she?" The decrepit pony poked her head around the corner. The Princess spied her immediately. ""Come here, filly," reassurred Celestia. "I promise you I'm safe." Apple Bloom limped toward Celestia but stopped at the end of her chain. The Princess spread her wings wide and smiled, and Apple Bloom half ran, half stumbled the rest of the way across the room. The filly was instantly enfolded by her soft wings. Knowing that she was truly safe, Apple Bloom cried and cried and cried.

As Apple Bloom sobbed, Celestia closed her eyes and bent over the filly. Her horn began to glow, the little chips and clumps of paint fell off her hide like rain. The open sores, so painful, were healed and the bones of her shattered leg knit back together correctly until it was as healthy as ever.

"Come filly, you don't belong here any more."

A guard started to hoist Apple Bloom onto his back. Celestia stopped him. "No, the bravest pony ever in all of Equestria flies with me." She smiled at her loyal subject. "Put her on my back."

It was done. Celestia and her passenger took to the air and her powerful wings quickly gained altitude. Below them Ponyville receeded.

"What about Pinkie Pie?" asked the passenger.

"She forgot the true meaning of friendship, so she won't be coming." Banking right, they came out of a cloud's shadow, and Apple Bloom felt the warmth of the sun on her face. There was a time when she believed that she would never know the bright kiss of Celestia's heavenly charge again.

Apple Bloom peered over the princess' shoulder. "Aren't we going to Canterlot, Princess?"

"No dear, you're going to a place even more special than Canterlot." The Princess gave a flap of her mighty wings, and the bravest pony ever in all of Equestria ascended above the clouds.