The sun was particularly mean today. With temperatures reaching up to the nineties, the public pool was crowded and everyone was staying indoors, well, except for the Apple family. They were doing work to their farm, as usual.
"Applebloom! We need your help!" Applejack called out. Applebloom walked to her sister, who was giving her an unapproving look.
Applebloom sighed before speaking, "What is it this time that your dissaprovin' of sis?" she asked.
"Your outfit in general, Applebloom!" Applejack scolded. "First off, those shorts are too short, and that tank top of yours has too thin of straps, not ta mention, your hair in that braid makes the whole outfit look like you're tryin' to hook up with a guy!" she listed off. Big Mac came over to see what the ruckus was all about.
"Uh, sis?" he asked.
"What?" Applejack replied.
"First off, the shorts while they don't go down to her arms, they aren't short shorts. Second off, her tank top straps are two fingers wide. Third off, that braid is normal if ya ask me, sis. So, Ah don't see the point you're tryin' ta make," Big Mac said. Applejack's face was turning red in fury while Big Mac gave his youngest sibling a wink of, "you're welcome."
"So uh," Applebloom said, "why did ya call me ova?" she asked.
"Uh..." Applejack muttered.
"She wanted ya ta go out around town," Big Mac said.
"No it wasn't!" Applejack shouted. Applebloom giggled as she took the opportunity to get off the property. While the two elder siblings were bickering away, Applebloom was already off the property and was wondering on where to go. That's when she saw Spike wearing a thin jacket and ripped blue jeans and his regular pair of sneakers.
"Hey Spike!" she shouted. Spike turned to see the teenage farmer.
"Oh, hey Applebloom. What's up?" he asked.
"My brother saved me from a sticky apple," Applebloom said.
"What kind?" he asked.
"Sour," she answered. The two giggled and then looked back at each other. "What about you?" she asked.
"Me?" Spike asked. "Well, uh... nothing much," Spike answered.
"Mind if Ah follow ya?" Applebloom asked.
"Well uh, I prefer you not," Spike admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
"Well, why not?" Applebloom asked.
"Um..." he said. Spike looked at his phone and dashed off. "Gotta go!" he shouted. Applebloom gave the running anthro dragon a questionable look before deciding to follow Spike.
While Applebloom was running behind Spike, she passed many places. The Golden Oak Library ran by Twilight, Sugarcube Corner run by Mr and Mrs. Cake along with Pinkie Pie, along with the Carousel Boutique which was run by Rarity. Seeing these stores blur by her, Applebloom realized that she was following Spike to the public beach.
She expected the beach to be super crowded but apparently, the sand was too hot for the citizens to handle. That, or it was closed. Applebloom saw the closed sign and she halted, watching Spike climb over the fence. She waited a little bit before climbing over the fence and following Spike to a little beach house. Applebloom just stopped to see the stone statue behind the beach house. It was amazing, and for some reason, she suddenly felt nostalgia trickle into her bloodstream. A little gasp managed to escape her mouth at the sight.
"Applebloom!" a voice barked. She jumped to see Spike engulfed with rage.
"Gah! Wh-what?" Applebloom said.
"Why did you follow me? I told you not to!" Spike shouted. Applebloom flinched and felt sorry.
"Stupid curiosity!" Applebloom thought to herself, "Now look what you got yourself inta!"
"Who's that?" a tall woman asked. She had a square afro and seemed around six or seven feet tall.
"My friend Applebloom!" Spike shouted. "Her curiosity got herself into trouble now!" he barked. Applebloom's hand began to shake as she slowly backed up to the point of feeling the metal fence. In fear, she clenched the metal fence with her hands as her entire body began to sweat. Her eyes began to feel moist as she regretted her decision.
"A-a-ah'm sorry!" Applebloom managed to stutter. She shut her eyes and felt her tears slide down her pale yellow cheeks. She saw her anthro dragon friend step closer and closer to her. Her fright came to a boiling point and she let go of the fence and curled up into a tight ball and began crying out loud. She began to feel insecure and unsafe. She didn't dare open her eyes. Applebloom kept her eyes shut tight. Suddenly, she began to feel cooler. Applebloom began to feel safe and secure, as though someone were protecting her from the fear that was going on right now.
"Applebloom!" she heard Spike say in what sounded like amazement, only she couldn't tell. His voice sounded muffled a little bit. Applebloom breathed in as she decided to open her eyes to reveal and pink atmosphere. Everything seemed to be a tint of pink. Applebloom stood up and looked around to see the pink filter everywhere she looked. While fright slowly began to disappear, curiosity began to pour into her body.
"What's goin' on?" Applebloom asked, her voice vaguely echoing. She reached out to touch Spike but instead felt a material that was similar to a hamster ball, but not quite a hamster ball.
