Invisible Earth Pony: I'm Living A Lieby Ember_ArtsChaptersPunishmentWhat To Do NowPower SurgeTroveNew SchoolStudy HallHayfries & Blue SkiesNow Ya KnowRunTrain StopUnnamedBeginingsEscapeThe Realization Escape 2.0CallSecretsGun FirePunishmentThe curtains swayed and books fell from the shelf as Gemstone stormed in. She was holding a tall stack of papers. “Alright, sweetie we are gonna play a game.” Gemstone said. At this point Applebloom was thrashing against the rope. “Relax, you won’t feel a thing as long as you cooperate.”Gemstone said, setting down the stack of papers. “Now, open up.” She said a bowl of soup hovered close to her. Apple realized how hungry she was right then and there. Applebloom opened up and hot soup burned her mouth, she quickly spat all over Gemstone. “Uh-I’m so sorry. But you look so hila-” Applebloom started, before being cut off by a shock. The pain roasted her fur and anywhere that touched the chair. Soon it stopped and her eyes crossed in and out making her see double. A punched then wailed her cheek and she blacked out. “Ahh.” She said, waking up. Applebloom wondered why she screamed, maybe because she was still in the chair. Hours passed until the door creaked open. Gemstone stepped in and walked over to the cards. “All you need to do is say something about the picture on the card. If I like the answer then no shock, but if not-”She trailed off. And a short crack shocked Applebloom. “Now look.” Gemstone said, the card had shown a couple, a stallion and mare. “My retarded parents.” Applebloom said and braced for a shock. It hit her but she was ready. Her body absorbed most of the pain by spreading it through her body; weakening the attack to her heart. “Love,” Applebloom said, which ended the shock. Another poster showed a filly being teased. “Bullying. Somepony should do something about it, bullying is never nice.” Applebloom cringed and braced for a shock, but the next card was shown. This pattern continued until she reached the last card. It showed a filly running away from a house. “That’s bad, her parents love her. She can’t run away.” Applebloom said. “Good girl!”Gemstone cooed. “Bitc-” Another shock hit Applebloom hard and she blacked out after hitting her head on the chair. Applebloom awoke in her room on her soft bed. A tray of her favorite foods was on the dresser. She grabbed it and ate up the eggs and drank one of the many milkshakes. Gemstone kept thinking she could buy Applebloom’s love. She was wrong. Applebloom sipped the strawberry one and wiggled back under the covers. She silently planned another escape attempt…. What To Do NowApplebloom panicked, suddenly unable to breathe, she sucked it air desperately. Her heart pounded as she staggered toward a sink. She twisted the faucet on and splashed its cool water on her face. She sighed before sipping some of the water and wiped her face off. She carefully emptied the milk out and ripped the part with her information off, tucking it in her dress pocket. “Thank you,” she said to the guard blocking the door and she trotted to class. “What took you so long,” Ms. Cloudy asked angrily. Applebloom sat down, ignoring the teacher’s next racist remark. “Class take out your textbooks and answer 12-17 on page 13 and 14,” the teacher explained. Applebloom took out her book but couldn’t find a pencil. She wanted to ask but deciding against. She chanced a glance at the teacher who was dealing with another student. When she looked back a long orange pencil sat on her book. “How did that get there?” Applebloom muttered. It was strange. First the doll, now this pencil. Applebloom pushed that thought back. Way back. She flipped open her textbook. Her hoof lowered the pencil down, she had been taught to not use her teeth to write with her pencil. Not matter how neater she wrote when she used her teeth. Applebloom finished her work and carefully pulled out the cardboard from the milk carton. She was inspecting it when it was suddenly snatched from her. She looked up to she the teacher holding it in her magic. It was ripped to shreds right in front of her. “Why do you have this?” The teacher asked. Applebloom whimpered nervously. “I-I found it in the buffet hall,” she cried. “I shall be telling your parents about this,” Ms. Cloudy huffed and tossed the pieces in the trash. This was worse than a racial slur, Gemstone would hurt her. Hurt her. Did it really matter? Only your parents can hurt you. And they ain't my parents. Applebloom paused, sometimes her accent came out, but why would she have an accent. She was raised in a Canterlot family. She shouldn’t be saying ain’t. She suddenly remembered something. Power Surge“Oh little Apple Blossom, ain’t you hungry for some homemade apple pie,” Applebloom heard a soothing voice say. It appeared she was in a kitchen but everything was blurry and it was clear that she was in a high chair. A spoon filled with a scoop of apple pie was pushed into her mouth. Applebloom swallowed it after briefly chewing. A loud bark interrupted her peaceful bliss, she looked down to a white and brown dog, it yapped cheerfully at her. Applebloom awoke from her daydream, she was being led back home. The cart was pulled into the yard. And she was taken to her room. Applebloom kept her eyes on the floor. “So what did you find at school,” Gemstone spat. “I found...no sorry, I saw my face on the carton sayin’ that I was missing,” Applebloom admitted sadly. “I read it and it was saying I was kidnapped from some place in Ponyville.” “And what did you do with that carton,” Apple Stone asked. “I cut off the information but the teacher caught me with it and threw it away,” Applebloom heard her ‘parents’ sigh with relief. “So do you remember what it said,” Gemstone asked. Applebloom realized it was in her best interest to say no. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.” “We aren’t taking you to that school anymore, you are to stay in your room until we find another school for you.” Stone explained, they then walked out of her room. Applebloom sighed. But then a thought entered her mind. “If I can find a pencil by thinkin’ about it. Could I find that milk carton again?” She closed her eyes. Thinking of the milk carton in detail. The neat and thin black font. The happy smile of her younger self. Suddenly, the carton was in her hooves. Applebloom gasped she had done it. She created the milk carton in her hooves. She examined the back, she read the writing again, thinking about who Apple Blossom was. Was it her twin sister that got taken from her? She knew about ponies, Twins, who ended up with different parents. She also heard of parents who get divorced and take the child without telling the other one. So was it the latter or the former? Applebloom grunted and made to stomp the box but it disappeared. Just popped out existence. Did she make it go away as well? Applebloom decided to do it again. She made a sparkly pencil and wrote her name on a piece of paper. She waited five minutes and the pencil disappeared, the writing on the paper disappeared too. Applebloom smirked, she made a tall dollhouse, countless dolls, the works. But after five minutes of playing with them. They were all gone. What was the point of this new power? She could make this best clothes, the best food, the best houses, but they’d all be gone in five short minutes. Applebloom chewed her lip. This power didn’t seem to have any benefit. She paused, suddenly remembering a memory she had. Somepony was feeding her apple pie. She could feel the taste on her tongue. “APPLEBLOOM GET DOWN FOR DINNER!” The butler called, his shift was over so he stopped by her room. Applebloom paused, a wicked smirk played her face. She peeked out her room to see the butler walk away. She created a puddle of soapy water causing the butler to slide. “Woah, woah, woah…” Butler shouted. Applebloom made transformed the ground into trampolines. The butler was bounced around. Applebloom giggled, she heard her father call for her again. Quickly, she made everything disappear and hurried out, laughing at the fallen butler. TroveApplebloom struggled, her hooves were restrained by thicker leather straps. She strained against them. They began to turn white, the straps stretching past their limits. However, they suddenly tightened again. “What the ” Applebloom muttered. She created a screwdriver, she held the handle in her teeth and used it to stab through the strap. She ripped it off and crept out the door. She could hear her parents talking, she knelt down by the keyhole and peered through. “What are we going to do, her powers are showing,” Gemstone muttered, pacing the room. Apple Stone was pacing too. “She always had her powers, she just never knew about them.” “We should never have taken her, we should have left her…” Gemstone whimpered, stopping to hold herself tightly. “We needed to protect her, her parents wouldn’t understand. We understand.” Gemstone’s horn glowed and a chest was taken from under a table, which was obscured by a white cloth. She opened it up. “What are you doing,” Stone asked. Gemstone was about to open it but stopped. “I’m sorry.” She levitated the chest back under the table. “I’m gonna check on Applebloom.” Applebloom gasped, running into the room and jumping onto the chair. She turned around and created thick straps. She hung her head, willing herself to stay still. Two minutes later, Gemstone walked in. “Applebloom, I’m going to set you free. But go to your room and never leave. If you step hoof out of it for a second I will find you.” Applebloom jerked at a sudden and sharp pain in her flank. Suddenly the straps released themselves and Applebloom made to run. But her hooves wouldn’t obey. She had a sneaking suspicion whatever was in that chest, would give her the answer to all her questions. “And you’re starting a new school tomorrow.” Seven simple words. Each one threw Applebloom for a loop. Really? Ah new school now. Applebloom was lead into her room and she laid on the bed. She could hear the door click shut. What about dinner? New SchoolApplebloom was lead to school again. It was a bit better seeing how it was a public school. She walked into her classroom. A purple mare stood in the middle of the class. “Okay class, may I have your attention, please? We have a new dirt pony- err...student. Her name is Applebloom.” “Good morning Applebloom!” The class shouted. “Please sit next to Tender Taps,” The teacher pointed to an orange colt with purple mane, his cutie mark was a black hat under a spotlight. Applebloom slide into the seat next to him. “Now! Take out your notebook and solve the problem on the board.” Applebloom turned to Tender Taps. “Can ya lend me a pencil and paper?” Tender ripped a page out of his notebook and hoofed it to Applebloom, he then hoofed her a pencil. “Hey, I heard the teacher being mean to you. Why didn’t you do anything?” “I guess...I have been used to it,” Applebloom muttered tears burning her eyes. “Stand up for yourself, that’s what I did,” Tender Taps said. Applebloom stared at her paper. Would it matter if she stood up for herself? There were ponies she couldn’t stand up to… Study HallIt was time for study hall, something Applebloom never heard of. They all went to the library and did their homework or schoolwork. Applebloom found herself tying her mane into a braid as she did her schoolwork. She couldn’t understand what she was reading. Maybe because she came here in the middle of the school year. She decided to ask somepony for help. Applebloom searched the room for Tender Taps. She took her book in her mouth and walked over to him. “Umm, hi Applebloom,” Tender said, glancing at her. Applebloom swore she saw him blush. “Can you help me with this,” Applebloom asked. She pointed a hoof and one of the equations. “Seven times eight divided by four,” Tender read, he looked confused as if it was the easiest problem ever. “Ah never learned it,” Applebloom muttered, scratching her neck. “Oh…” Tender pointed his pencil at the problem. “Everypony knows seven times eight is fifty-six, so fifty-six divided by four is?” “Umm...ten?” Applebloom said. “No, fourteen,” Tender shook his head. “I’ll just do it for you. Can you get me another piece of paper?” Applebloom reached under the table and pulled out a piece of paper from seemingly nowhere. “Now hurry up,” Applebloom laughed. Tender’s hoof became a blur as he quickly scribbled down answers in Applebloom’s book. Applebloom quickly crumbled the paper that he used to do his work up, seconds later it popped out of existence. “Thank you so much!” Applebloom hugged Tender tightly. She then skipped away, leaving Tender speechless. Hayfries & Blue SkiesIt was time for lunch. And at this school, they didn’t have a cafeteria or even the luxurious buffet hall Applebloom’s old school did. They got to go to the surrounding restaurants and cafes to get lunch. Applebloom followed some of the foals to a McLuna. Outside was the brilliant blue sky Applebloom never stopped to admire before. “What would you like,” the cashier asked her. “Umm...hay fries and a...DIY slushy.” Applebloom glanced at Tender Taps, who sat alone in the corner. “Make that...two hay fries and slushies.” The clerk did some taps on his screen and spoke, “that will be fifteen bits.” Applebloom created fifteen bits with their smooth gold surface under her hoof, she calmly placed the onto the counter. Minutes later she had a tray of food. “Hey, Tender, I got you lunch,” Applebloom blushed. Tender looked up his eyes widened, “thank you!” He practically snatched one of the white boxes of fries. He slide his slushy over and sipped at it. “It was nothing,” Applebloom stopped to think about something. The bits would disappear in five minutes. Would they know? How would they know? Applebloom began to eat her fries. “You know Applebloom,” Tender Taps paused, Applebloom looked up. “Nevermind…” Lunch came to a close and it was time for school again. However, Applebloom very quickly found herself walking home. She entered her bedroom and dropped her saddlebag. She pulled out her schoolbook and got ready to make a pencil. “Wait...it would just disappear and the words I write will too.” Applebloom thought back to her old school, how her teacher collected her work along with the other foals, and when she got around to her paper, the scowl that formed on her face. Applebloom giggled but decided against doing that again. She managed to find a pencil with a dull tip, but it would do. She filled out her homework and tapped the pencil against her chin. She thought about the chest her parent’s office. Applebloom peeked out the door. Nopony in sight. She tip-hoofed carefully over to the office. She looked into the keyhole and couldn’t find anypony, she turned the knob. It was locked! Of course! Applebloom quickly snuck back into her room. Now she had to find a key... Now Ya KnowAt school Applebloom found that many of the students and teachers wore deep frowns or melancholy expressions. She caught a glimpse of the teacher’s newspaper on her desk. UNKNOWN VIRUS SPREADS TO OVER TWO HUNDRED PONIES IN PONYVILLE. HOSPITALS OVERWHELMED. Virus? Applebloom assumed they meant the cutie pox or the feather flu. It was flu season so there was no reason to worry. However day after day the news of this virus spread like wildfire. Until it was something much more serious. Ponies were dying. The simple flu was now much more than that. Applebloom was sitting next to Tender Taps, “have you heard of this virus that ponies are dying from?” “I know, I’m so worried about them, and ponies can’t find a vaccine or a cure!” Tender shook his head slowly. “I’m sure they will,” Applebloom said, holding onto a thin strand of hope. After that it was lunch. “What do ya want?” “Wait, what,” Tender asked. “From McLuna or do you wanna go somewhere else,” Applebloom asks as they enter Celestial’s, Diner. Tender shrugged, “anything!” “Okay two milkshakes, two hayburgers, and a cookie,” Applebloom ordered. Applebloom and Tender trot to a table. “How are you gonna pay,” Tender asks. Applebloom created a bit purse under the table, she holds it. “With this!” Applebloom smiles. “You know, I see you take stuff out of thin air, how do you do it,” Tender replied. Applebloom blushes. There was no reason to keep it a secret. And as much as Applebloom would hate to admit it, she trusted him in a way she never trusted anypony before. “I kinda am. Ya see, I can create things.” “Out of thin air?” Tender Taps said, catching on. “I never have seen anypony do that not even a unicorn!” “Well they disappear after five minutes,” Applebloom says. “That makes sense,” Tender paused. “Maybe if you were a unicorn then they would be permanent. N-No offense.” Applebloom never thought of it that way, “do you believe me?” “I’d believe you more if you made something for me,” Tender said. Applebloom waves her hoof across the table, many boxes of nachos and fries appeared on the table. “Wow,” Tender said, he grabbed a can of soda and chugged it down. Applebloom waved her hand and it all disappeared, even the juice as it flowed in Tender’s mouth. “Even if ya eat it it disappears!” Applebloom remade her bit purse right as the stallion called out their number. Soon their trays were placed on the table. Applebloom munched her cookie as she watched Tender slurp down his milkshake. “So you can just make things,” Tender asked after a long slurp. “I guess so, but only from memory.” Applebloom thought back to the time she remade that milk carton. She barely remembers the neat black words engraved on the surface of the carton, but she made that with ease. “So you don’t remember your foalhood home?” Tender asked, “if you could you could remake it.” “My foalhood,” Applebloom decided to come clean. “I don’t remember, ya see, I have the sneakin’ suspicion my parents aren’t my parents, they're my foal nappers and my real parents are somewhere else.” Tender spat out his milkshake, he coughed, wiping his mouth with his hoof, “really?!” “And I found a chest inside my ‘parents’ office, I wanted to get in there and open it but, it’s locked!” Applebloom added. “Just make a lockpick,” Tender quipped. “A what now,” Applebloom squinted. “A lockpick, it can open any lock! But I guess you can’t make it…,” Tender sighed.” Cause you don‘t know what it is,” Tender stole a bite of his hayburger. Applebloom smiled, “it’s okay. I have a plan, you can come over to my house and we can unlock the office together!” Tender Taps seemed dizzy all of a sudden, “okay…” RunApplebloom shivered, her eyes squeezed shut and when she opened them. Gemstone had thick iron bands around her hooves, they wrapped up to her shoulders, making her drop. “What did you do!?” Tender squeals. “Come on, we don’t have time to waste,” Applebloom dragged Tender into her room, she grabbed her saddlebag and began shoving her blanket inside. A jacket, a hat, a scarf. Applebloom didn’t know why she was packing this. I’m going to Appleloosa. “STOP APPLEBLOOM! THERE’S MORE TO THIS THAN YOU KNOW!!” Gemstone’s screech brings Applebloom to a halt. “Where are you going!?” “I...do not know,” she snapped. Tender gripped Applebloom’s shoulder, making her look at him. “Where are you going? And what are we gonna do with her?” Tender jerked his head in the direction of Gemstone. Applebloom could still hear her pleas. “She and my father...kidnapped me. And somepony named Daniel…” Applebloom pulled away to stuff things into her saddlebag again. “Can I stay with you for a few days?” “Uh...sure,” Tender blushed. “Applebloom,” a voice shouted. It was deeper and scratchy...her DAD. Applebloom peeked outside, seeing her father climb the stairs. “Please, Applebloom it’s just me,” Stone said shakily. “Rick, she knows,” Gemstone whimpered. Rick? Stone/Rick turned to Gemstone, “why are you here?” “Because you broke into Gemstone’s office,” Stone/Rick grunted. “How do you know,” Applebloom said, stepping back, feeling Tender’s fur brush her’s. “When you did,” he sighed, almost like he was out of breathing, “it set off an alarm.” Applebloom cursed. How have she not thought of that? Applebloom blinked and thick ropes tied Stone/Rick, they wrapped around his chest, binding his arms to his side. “Come on Applebloom,” Stone/Rick says out of annoyance rather than any fear. “Don’t think I didn’t fergot about the abuse you put me through,” Applebloom gritted her teeth. Her desire for revenge was making her forget about what mattered. “We have to go,” she said to Tender. “No!” Gemstone shouted, “you know who you need to find and it isn’t him! His in Ponyville you need to find him!” “STOP! I CAN’T LISTEN TO ANY OF YOU!” Applebloom shouted, clapping her hooves over her ears. “Tender led me outside. HURRY!” Applebloom settled against Tender’s side and Tender sprinted off, her saddlebag in his mouth. “How do we get to the train station,” Tender asked. Applebloom stared at the sleek cart in the cart. “To get around my parents used a cart, they had ponies pull them.” Applebloom frowned. “You can make a pony to pull them,” Tender suggested. Applebloom shook her head. Each organ, each cell had to be recreated with precise care. All their brain cells, their memories, their hopes, and dreams. Just CAN’T be remade. “We can find somepony to pull it, and pay them later,” Tender added, seeming to know what Applebloom was thinking. “ANYPONY WANT TO PULL MY CART I’LL PAY HOWEVER MUCH YOU WANT!” Appleblooms shouted, two strong looking stallions stepped up. “We’ll do it,” they smiled. They seemed rather poor but Applebloom didn’t mind. Tender climbed on and turned around, he gripped Applebloom’s hooves and pulled her onto the cart. “To the train station!” Applebloom yelled. “WAIT, APPLEBLOOM,” Stone/Rick shouted, he staggered outside. “GO! GO TO PONYVILLE! The virus…” he shook his head. “YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO-” A loud bang rang through the air and blood blossomed on Stone/Rick’s chest. He had been shot. The ponies who were going to pull the cart bolted. Applebloom spun around, seeing a pony, sunglasses sat on his nose. He held a gun, which swung over to Applebloom. “Come with me. Or die. Forever.” Applebloom squeezed Tender close. Loud bangs rang through the air. Applebloom created a shield around herself. Thick cast-iron. The loud bangs rang through Applebloom’s ear. She held Tender tighter. Until it all stopped. “Who was that,” Tender whispered, fear edged in his voice. “Whoever...my parents were trying to warn me about,” Applebloom watched the shield flicker. She gasped. Gemstone stood, holding a gun of her own, the stallion who shot at them was now dead in his own pool of blood. “Gemstone,” Applebloom sobbed. “You need to go to Ponyville. Find a colt named Lighting...Rumble, do as I say. Please!” Gemstone shouted tears streamed down her eyes as she held Stone/Rick. “It’s fine Stone...I’ll see you soon...in the next lifetime.” Applebloom felt tears whelm in her own eyes, her eyes shot open, she grabbed Tender. “I need you to listen. I have nopony else I can trust! Look into my eyes.” Tender’s eyes rose, staring back into Applebloom’s green ones. “Y-yes.” “I-I don’t know, how’s after me, but you’ll be safer with me. I need to trust you! I LOVE YOU!” Applebloom blurted. “I...love you too,” Tender breathed. Applebloom gulped, leaning forward and pressing her lips against Tenders. Tender melted in Applebloom’s hooves. He managed to regain some of his consciousness and pressed his lips against her’s. It was a tender moment, when love bloomed. Train StopApplebloom pulled away. A strange sense of longing tugged at her heart as she stared into Tender’s eyes. Applebloom blinked, almost tossing away the warm feeling she had, she grabbed Tender’s hoof and dragged him up. Police pony serins boomed in the distance. “We have to get to the train station on hoof,” Applebloom grimaced, sprinting down the sidewalk. Luckily Tender fell into step so she didn’t have to keep dragging him. They rounded a corner. Applebloom stopped. “What’s wrong,” Tender asked. “I need to go to Appleloosa…” “What! Even after all of this, you still want to find your family? After you almost died? After you put my life and the ponies around you’s lives in danger. No. I’m not coming.” “I need you Tender, you’re my...last strand of sanity. Without I’m alone…” Applebloom hugged him. “I love you Applebloom, I really do. But we have to think about the safety of everypony,” Tender held Applebloom close. “Now come on, we got a train to catch.” Applebloom sighed and nodded her head. After about an hour of walking, they reached the train station. Applebloom sighed, conjuring up a train ticket. Tender squeezed her hoof, “it’s gonna be alright.” “I hope,” Applebloom muttered. They boarded the train, heading all the way to the back. Finding a seat by the window, Applebloom sighed, watching the tall Canterlot building drift away. “I never been to Ponyville,” Tender chuckled, clearly trying to start a conversation. “Me neither, but since it’s pretty much Ground Zero for whatever virus is going on, we need to be careful.” Applebloom mused. “Did you hear what your father said? He said only you, and something about the virus. So only you can find a cure,” Tender asked. “I don’t know,” Applebloom shook her head. “But I need to find Lighting Rumble.” “And then what,” Tender asked. “And why do you need him?” “Maybe,” Applebloom smiled weakly. “Maybe I and this Rumble colt could find a cure for the virus.” Minutes of silence passed, the only sound was the sound of the train racing across the tracks. Applebloom finally spoke, “I’m hungry.” It was a simple statement which brought a red blush to Applebloom’s face. “Yeah, me too, when would the train attendant gets to us,” Tender asked. “Yeah,” Applebloom was low on energy. Energy she figured she’d need for whatever has to go on. She remembered how no matter what she always had a big meal to look forward to. Her favorite, Watercress Soup and Daisy Sandwiches. The exact thing appeared a white bowl filled with thin green liquid and a fried white petals between toasted slices of bread. Applebloom was tempted to just dig in, but it wouldn’t do any good. Applebloom just settled with a blanket and curled up next to Tender until the attendant came. UnnamedApplebloom yawned, she felt more comfortable than she had in years. She looked out the window, all she could see were cottages and trees. They must be in Ponyville. Applebloom shook Tender gently. Tender groaned and swatted Applebloom, “stop…” “We’re in Ponyville,” Applebloom squealed. “Oh shoot,” Tender grumbled, sitting up. “We could get infected.” “Way ahead of you,” Applebloom created a mask over her muzzle and Tender’s light orange one. A can of disinfectant spray forms in Applebloom’s steady hooves. “This might last…” The train comes to a halt in the station. Ponies wearily staggered off as Tender sprayed the air with the disinfectant spray. Applebloom clung to his side and remade the masks fixated to their faces. “So this is Ponyville,” Applebloom smiled. Houses lined the wide streets. Timber-framed and thatch-roofed. “So where should we go first.” “We need some place to say for a while,” Tender nodded. “Is there a Motel,” Applebloom asked. “I’ll find a map,” Tender left Applebloom’s side, making her shiver. Tender trotted over to a map plastered over the side of a building. His hoof ran over the smooth surface, he tapped a spot on it thoughtfully. “There’s a hotel just up the road,” Tender turned back. “Great, and it’s getting late,” Applebloom nodded. BeginingsApplebloom trotted into the kitchen, “Hello.” She said, peering to see what was for breakfast. She saw a plate of pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate chips. “May I?” Applebloom said, and grabbed a dry plate. The unicorn stallion flopped some pancakes onto her plate and added whipped cream. She then went to sit and saw Father flipping through the paper. She remembered her punishment and got scared if he would see her. He looked up and sighed he then turned the page in his magic. Applebloom turned and Gemstone entered, she was the one who would hurt her. So Applebloom looked at the floor and spoke, “Good morning .” Applebloom said. Gemstone turned her, purple eyeshadow glittering in the light. She rolled up her newspaper and SMACKED Apple bloom’s head. “Go to you’re room!”Her Gemstone, Apple Gem, said but Applebloom called her Gemstone. It hurt so she got up and went to her room. She sniffed and went to her bed. Applebloom slipped under the covers and pulled out her diary. And crossed off cooking from her cutie mark list. She was running out of ideas, stories and stories of ponies who died before they go their cutie mark filled her mind and plagued her soul. She didn’t want to be like that she couldn’t! She drew her dream cutiemark: a apple with… she tapped her quill on her chin, it tickled… EscapeAt school, they were holding a concert. The large auditorium, buffet hall and medium-sized bathrooms was down the hall from the classrooms. Applebloom followed behind Gemstone to her private dressing room. “Sit down.” Gemstone ordered. Applebloom sat and faced the mirror. Gemstone levitated the brush in front of her face, and combed through her thick red hair. Applebloom walked onto the stage with the other ponies, she opened her mouth a squeaked, her mouth raw. She cleared her throat and spoke, “I can be what I wanna be, don’t let other ponies hold ya down!”She sang with her class. After the concert, she followed her Father into the buffet hall. She loaded her plate her tofu, salad, daisy sandwiches, and eggs. Applebloom sat down and ate her food carefully, soon she would go back to school and sneak off. Father thinks I love him, Gemstone thinks I look up to her. But I don’t! They hurt me...i’m losing my sanity, I have to go. The orphanage is better there. I have seen it! Rooms and rooms of soft plush bunk beds and big playgrounds and endless lessons to get mah cutie mark. Applebloom woke up from her daydream to find Apple Stone yelling at her. “Applebloom!” Apple Stone yelled, “Damn you earth ponies are useless. Only for digging dirt.” “I’m sorry. You were saying?”Applebloom asked. It wasn’t the first time Applebloom tried to book it and it wasn’t the first time she was brought back by the Royal Guard. Soon she was back at school, she carefully pulled at the door nob and left for the “bathroom”. She ran toward the door, pulling the hairpin out of her mane, she then stuck it into the padlock, it opened with a CLICK. Which was music to her ears, but she was not out of the Everfree Forest yet. She ran fast, her hooves pounded the hard stone floor. Every step she took she used to push herself forward. She turned away from the school and toward The Joke Shop, there she could hide in the cellar. The cellar had been covered in warm blankets, ever since the, Can of Worms started to freeze shut. She could stay there sneaking out into the Produce Stand nearby for food. Her thighs throbbed and her knees buckled, and she fell onto the ground. Sliding down the ground caused ponies to look her way. Ponies came over to here, quickly realizing who she was. They carried her in the direction of her house. She kicked and screamed wanting to run again. Soon she was at her doorstep, being held down by magic. “I thought you had learned, I thought you were improving,”Stone said, Applebloom quickly found herself strapped by the ankles and wrist to a metal chair. Her bindings were leather and she knew what was gonna happen. The Realization The Realization Applebloom sighed, she wore the school’s uniform, a frilly dress. Her parents were walking her to school. They wanted to be sure she wouldn’t run away. And the two guards at every exit ensured the latter. Applebloom walked into class, foals briefly looked up from their fun and games to stare at her. “Glad you decided to not run off,” Ms. Cloudy snickered. “Your hooves are only good for digging dirt anyway,” she added, the last part under her breathe. Applebloom popped onto the carpet, many blocks and dolls were littered on the floor, but now they were all taken. “Can I use one?” Applebloom said, reaching out for the doll in a filly’s hooves. “No!” She shouted, holding the doll against her chest and scooting closer to the tall dollhouse. Applebloom sighed. “There are no more toys,” she complained. Applebloom stood up and opened the chest, she closed it after finding it was EMPTY? She checked again and a plastic Celestia doll lay at the bottom of the box. She picked it up, “I could've sworn there were no more dolls. Oh well…” She thought aloud. She began to play with it, changing its close into pink and frilly dresses. Suddenly, the bell for lunch rang and the kids made their way to the buffet hall. Today they had PB&J sandwiches, an apple, and a carton of milk. Applebloom took her tray to one of the empty tables. She lifted her sandwich and got ready to take a bite. “LOOK AT THE MILK CARTON! APPLEBLOOM’S FACE IS ON IT!” A colt’s voice rang. The teacher gasped, her horn glowing and collecting all the cartons up. Her eyes darted as beads of sweat dripping down her forehead. Applebloom stowed her carton under the table. The cartons were gone but the questions persisted. “Ms. Cloudy why was Applebloom on there?” “Misses Cloudy why do you think Applebloom put her face on there?” The questions continued throughout the class. Applebloom keeping the carton hidden in her dresses pocket. “Ms. Cloudy can I use the bathroom?” Applebloom was lead to the bathroom by the teacher and a guard blocked the door and the windows were shut for sure. Applebloom went one of the stalls, she pulled out the milk carton. And sure enough, her face was on it. She had her mane out of its usual braids and big bow sat in her head. Her green eyes were now red and orange. Next to it was a description of her. Missing on: June 14th, 2005. The kidnapping took place at Ponyville Theater, at 3:37 p.m. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Apple Blossom. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-472-8400. It really was her. But why was she one there, and why Apple Blossom and not Applebloom? Is she really who they say they are? Did they change her name? WAS SHE KIDNAPPED!? Escape 2.0“What are you laughing at,” Gemstone snapped. Applebloom looked to the floor and stopped her skipping, “nothing, I’m sorry.” She sat the dinner table and forked the mash potatoes into her muzzle. Applebloom then hurried back to her room and locked the door. She spun around. What to make? Out of ideas she slide into her bed and made a chocolate bar, it would disappear and the captives it gave her would too. Right? She munched happily until she passed out. Applebloom was back in the blurry kitchen. She was on the ground with the white and brown dog. The dog licked her, causing her to fall back. “Oh, Winona!” Applebloom woke up, the chocolate wrapper and chocolate stains on her pillow were gone. She licked her lips, rising up. Applebloom collected herself. She could make things out of thin air. She turned to her window. What could she make to take it away? She settled on a red crowbar. She used it to pop the window open. She made a ladder and climbed down it quickly. Guards stationed outside her house caught her, they shouted and ran after her. Applebloom huffed, her nostrils flared, and she stomped her hoof. A brick wall was created in front the guards causing them to crash. Applebloom chuckled and continued on, suddenly she was floated into the air. She looked around, seeing a unicorn holding her up with their magic. She struggled to find something to create, however it came to her. A bucket appeared over him, countless snowballs pelted the unicorn until her let her go. She hit the ground running. Her hooves pounded the smooth cobblestone streets. Whistles blew behind her, it was the police. Did her parents know? If they didn’t they knew now. Applebloom created thick fog behind her and around. Quickly everywhere she went was drowned out by a misty gray. She ducked into an alley, police officer running around aimlessly in the fog. She ducked into a garbage can, which she emptied out before-hoof, and peeked over the edge after a few minutes the fog disappeared at once. She climbed out and looked over the edge, police pegasi searched for her, looking everywhere in the sky. Suddenly something grabbed her from behind. “I got her!” The police officer shouted, more police pegasi flew over. Hoof-cuffs were slapped over her hooves and she was taken back home. She awoke in a metal chair... Call“Excuse me, Gemstone,” Applebloom squeaked, keeping her eyes on the floor. It was big enough of a risk to leave her room. “Applebloom why are you out of bed,” Gemstone snarled. “I just wanted to ask, can a colt I might in class come over, he’s helping me study,” Applebloom lied. Gemstone gasped, “why of course, dear. Now, go back to your room!” Applebloom snickered once she entered her room. She turned her bed into a jacuzzi and relaxed in it, falling asleep in the warm, bubbly water. However, she awoke on the floor, the jacuzzi gone… She trotted into her private bathroom and lowered in the tub. She suddenly remembered something. Everything was the same blurriness as all her memories seemed to be. She was in a bathroom, the walls were lime green with apples at the bottom. The same pony as the pony in all her other flashbacks was there, seemingly bathing her. Her memory stops right after the water is drained from the tub. Applebloom gasped and jerked out of the tub, water splashing at her sudden movements. She got up and exited her room again. “It’s really not a good time, Applebloom just said she invited a colt over.” “You’re sure? That doesn’t mean it’s her- how long do you think we have before they find her again? They already launched the virus.” It was her father’s voice, and by the sound of, he was talking over a home phone. “We need to talk to her, we need to explain to her what’s going on. WE CAN’T KEEP WASTING TIME ON HIM!” Her father’s sudden shout made Applebloom flinch, her ear pressed against the keyhole. “I’m sorry, Gem, I need to calm down. But...it’s only a matter of time before they find us again. Yes, we’ll tell her, when that colt comes over.” Applebloom bolted for her room, hearing very clearly her father end the call with Gemstone and turn for the door. She couldn’t let Tender Taps come over. Or could she. Maybe ah could sneak him in and find him in my room. Today’s Friday too, so we’ll be able to sneak into that office. SecretsTender Taps stood under Applebloom’s window on the ground floor, actually, he was hiding in the bushes. Applebloom had insisted on waiting until midnight when her parents were gone and the guards had moved to the front doors. Now was the time. Applebloom peaked out the window, she made a flashlight and clicked it on, she saw an orange lump. “Tender you can come out now,” she whispered-screamed. Tender jumped up, shaking twigs and leaves from his fur, “make a ladder!” “Already ah-head of ya,” Applebloom made a ladder that leads up to the window and held it in place as Tender climbed up it. Tender stepped in, eyes scanning her bedroom. “Well let’s do this,” Tender said, walking into the hallway. They slowly made their way down the hall and to the office door. Tender tries the knob, and of course, it was locked. “Did ya bring the lockpick thang,” Applebloom asked, scooting closer to Tender. Tender ruffles his mane and two thin sticks fell out, he snaps them together and pushed them into the keyhole. “That’s the lockpick,” Applebloom observed. “Maybe,” Tender grinned as the door swung open. “Now where’s that chest!” Tender shouted, trotting around. Applebloom took in the view. The white walls, the green carpet, the plants on tables, the desk and file cabinet. The fish tank. Applebloom walked over to the covered table and peeled back the cloth. There was a gray chest, engraved with many swirls and patterns. It too was locked. Tender stepped over to it, he jammed the lockpick into it and after some fiddling, it opened. A thick file sat at the bottom, Applebloom carefully pulled it out. A feather over a flame was stamped onto the cover. Applebloom blew the dust off and pushed it open. It showed letters from a pony named Daniel. A black and white photo of a stallion in his thirties. And an entire essay on Applebloom, no, Apple Blossom. Applebloom read through it, parts explained how they kidnapped her, how they had to move her to different houses over five times. Applebloom’s mouth flew open, “they did kidnap me. And sent my parents some certificate saying that I was dead.” Tender gasped, “Applebloom I’m so sorry. Do you know where your parents are right now?” “They’re in Appleloosa...oh Celestia…we have to leave! Now,” Applebloom shouted. “I’m sorry, you’re not going anywhere,” Applebloom and Tender spun around to see… Gemstone. Gun FireApplebloom groaned, it sounded like somepony was calling her, no...her name wasn’t Apple Fire. But it still felt like they were talking to her. She was standing in what was an old fashioned living room. The stallion...no...colt, calling her, had gray fur and dark gray mane. His mane is longer than average. She trotted over to him, by the window. His hooves tighten around her. A semicircle of fifty stallions tops surrounded them. They wore masks, and torches burned around them. Each stallion has a rifle on their shoulder, many have two. Applebloom clung to the colt and watched the window as the stallions spread out and closed the circle around the entire house. There would be no running. Tears sting Applebloom’s eye, she had to gulp. The colt’s hooves are in her mane and his lips murmur, “be strong.” His muzzle brushes her ear. “I need thirty seconds.” Applebloom’s hooves clench the colt’s upper hooves, it was as if she was in a movie, just acting a role and not able to control her actions. One more breath and Applebloom looked into his eyes. Green. She tore herself away and flew to the door, she burst out into the freezing night. The icy wind slapped her cheeks and inhaled frozen air. She coughed an icy chill, she raised her head to the stallions around her. Her eyes rise past the barrel of their guns and to their face. The masks hide them well. But even a mask can’t hide their eyes. These eyes, all of them, burn with hatred. With murder. And not a spark of mercy. Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty. Please, gods, let him be ready. Applebloom spun back to the house, her braid flaring out in the darkness, the end stiff with cold. She was praying they would give her the three seconds it will take to close the door. She could hear amused chuckles and know their heartlessness is what will ultimately save her life. She slammed the door shut and the slam is drowned out by the explosion of guns from everywhere. My mouth opens in a piercing scream, then a steely hand wraps around my hoof and yanks me downward. A soft cloth covers my mouth to stifle the sound, and the colt’s leaf-green eyes meet mine, calming me in an instant even as the roar of gunshots continues over my head. Suddenly, his eyes roll skyward and we’re encased in total blackness. “No,” she whispered, and it echoes in my mind I can’t see him. He’s gone! “No!” Applebloom cried louder, but it only makes her head hurt as her brain fills with the echoes of a scream that can’t escape by mouth. he's...dead
PunishmentThe curtains swayed and books fell from the shelf as Gemstone stormed in. She was holding a tall stack of papers. “Alright, sweetie we are gonna play a game.” Gemstone said. At this point Applebloom was thrashing against the rope. “Relax, you won’t feel a thing as long as you cooperate.”Gemstone said, setting down the stack of papers. “Now, open up.” She said a bowl of soup hovered close to her. Apple realized how hungry she was right then and there. Applebloom opened up and hot soup burned her mouth, she quickly spat all over Gemstone. “Uh-I’m so sorry. But you look so hila-” Applebloom started, before being cut off by a shock. The pain roasted her fur and anywhere that touched the chair. Soon it stopped and her eyes crossed in and out making her see double. A punched then wailed her cheek and she blacked out. “Ahh.” She said, waking up. Applebloom wondered why she screamed, maybe because she was still in the chair. Hours passed until the door creaked open. Gemstone stepped in and walked over to the cards. “All you need to do is say something about the picture on the card. If I like the answer then no shock, but if not-”She trailed off. And a short crack shocked Applebloom. “Now look.” Gemstone said, the card had shown a couple, a stallion and mare. “My retarded parents.” Applebloom said and braced for a shock. It hit her but she was ready. Her body absorbed most of the pain by spreading it through her body; weakening the attack to her heart. “Love,” Applebloom said, which ended the shock. Another poster showed a filly being teased. “Bullying. Somepony should do something about it, bullying is never nice.” Applebloom cringed and braced for a shock, but the next card was shown. This pattern continued until she reached the last card. It showed a filly running away from a house. “That’s bad, her parents love her. She can’t run away.” Applebloom said. “Good girl!”Gemstone cooed. “Bitc-” Another shock hit Applebloom hard and she blacked out after hitting her head on the chair. Applebloom awoke in her room on her soft bed. A tray of her favorite foods was on the dresser. She grabbed it and ate up the eggs and drank one of the many milkshakes. Gemstone kept thinking she could buy Applebloom’s love. She was wrong. Applebloom sipped the strawberry one and wiggled back under the covers. She silently planned another escape attempt….
What To Do NowApplebloom panicked, suddenly unable to breathe, she sucked it air desperately. Her heart pounded as she staggered toward a sink. She twisted the faucet on and splashed its cool water on her face. She sighed before sipping some of the water and wiped her face off. She carefully emptied the milk out and ripped the part with her information off, tucking it in her dress pocket. “Thank you,” she said to the guard blocking the door and she trotted to class. “What took you so long,” Ms. Cloudy asked angrily. Applebloom sat down, ignoring the teacher’s next racist remark. “Class take out your textbooks and answer 12-17 on page 13 and 14,” the teacher explained. Applebloom took out her book but couldn’t find a pencil. She wanted to ask but deciding against. She chanced a glance at the teacher who was dealing with another student. When she looked back a long orange pencil sat on her book. “How did that get there?” Applebloom muttered. It was strange. First the doll, now this pencil. Applebloom pushed that thought back. Way back. She flipped open her textbook. Her hoof lowered the pencil down, she had been taught to not use her teeth to write with her pencil. Not matter how neater she wrote when she used her teeth. Applebloom finished her work and carefully pulled out the cardboard from the milk carton. She was inspecting it when it was suddenly snatched from her. She looked up to she the teacher holding it in her magic. It was ripped to shreds right in front of her. “Why do you have this?” The teacher asked. Applebloom whimpered nervously. “I-I found it in the buffet hall,” she cried. “I shall be telling your parents about this,” Ms. Cloudy huffed and tossed the pieces in the trash. This was worse than a racial slur, Gemstone would hurt her. Hurt her. Did it really matter? Only your parents can hurt you. And they ain't my parents. Applebloom paused, sometimes her accent came out, but why would she have an accent. She was raised in a Canterlot family. She shouldn’t be saying ain’t. She suddenly remembered something.
Power Surge“Oh little Apple Blossom, ain’t you hungry for some homemade apple pie,” Applebloom heard a soothing voice say. It appeared she was in a kitchen but everything was blurry and it was clear that she was in a high chair. A spoon filled with a scoop of apple pie was pushed into her mouth. Applebloom swallowed it after briefly chewing. A loud bark interrupted her peaceful bliss, she looked down to a white and brown dog, it yapped cheerfully at her. Applebloom awoke from her daydream, she was being led back home. The cart was pulled into the yard. And she was taken to her room. Applebloom kept her eyes on the floor. “So what did you find at school,” Gemstone spat. “I found...no sorry, I saw my face on the carton sayin’ that I was missing,” Applebloom admitted sadly. “I read it and it was saying I was kidnapped from some place in Ponyville.” “And what did you do with that carton,” Apple Stone asked. “I cut off the information but the teacher caught me with it and threw it away,” Applebloom heard her ‘parents’ sigh with relief. “So do you remember what it said,” Gemstone asked. Applebloom realized it was in her best interest to say no. “I’m sorry, I don’t remember.” “We aren’t taking you to that school anymore, you are to stay in your room until we find another school for you.” Stone explained, they then walked out of her room. Applebloom sighed. But then a thought entered her mind. “If I can find a pencil by thinkin’ about it. Could I find that milk carton again?” She closed her eyes. Thinking of the milk carton in detail. The neat and thin black font. The happy smile of her younger self. Suddenly, the carton was in her hooves. Applebloom gasped she had done it. She created the milk carton in her hooves. She examined the back, she read the writing again, thinking about who Apple Blossom was. Was it her twin sister that got taken from her? She knew about ponies, Twins, who ended up with different parents. She also heard of parents who get divorced and take the child without telling the other one. So was it the latter or the former? Applebloom grunted and made to stomp the box but it disappeared. Just popped out existence. Did she make it go away as well? Applebloom decided to do it again. She made a sparkly pencil and wrote her name on a piece of paper. She waited five minutes and the pencil disappeared, the writing on the paper disappeared too. Applebloom smirked, she made a tall dollhouse, countless dolls, the works. But after five minutes of playing with them. They were all gone. What was the point of this new power? She could make this best clothes, the best food, the best houses, but they’d all be gone in five short minutes. Applebloom chewed her lip. This power didn’t seem to have any benefit. She paused, suddenly remembering a memory she had. Somepony was feeding her apple pie. She could feel the taste on her tongue. “APPLEBLOOM GET DOWN FOR DINNER!” The butler called, his shift was over so he stopped by her room. Applebloom paused, a wicked smirk played her face. She peeked out her room to see the butler walk away. She created a puddle of soapy water causing the butler to slide. “Woah, woah, woah…” Butler shouted. Applebloom made transformed the ground into trampolines. The butler was bounced around. Applebloom giggled, she heard her father call for her again. Quickly, she made everything disappear and hurried out, laughing at the fallen butler.
TroveApplebloom struggled, her hooves were restrained by thicker leather straps. She strained against them. They began to turn white, the straps stretching past their limits. However, they suddenly tightened again. “What the ” Applebloom muttered. She created a screwdriver, she held the handle in her teeth and used it to stab through the strap. She ripped it off and crept out the door. She could hear her parents talking, she knelt down by the keyhole and peered through. “What are we going to do, her powers are showing,” Gemstone muttered, pacing the room. Apple Stone was pacing too. “She always had her powers, she just never knew about them.” “We should never have taken her, we should have left her…” Gemstone whimpered, stopping to hold herself tightly. “We needed to protect her, her parents wouldn’t understand. We understand.” Gemstone’s horn glowed and a chest was taken from under a table, which was obscured by a white cloth. She opened it up. “What are you doing,” Stone asked. Gemstone was about to open it but stopped. “I’m sorry.” She levitated the chest back under the table. “I’m gonna check on Applebloom.” Applebloom gasped, running into the room and jumping onto the chair. She turned around and created thick straps. She hung her head, willing herself to stay still. Two minutes later, Gemstone walked in. “Applebloom, I’m going to set you free. But go to your room and never leave. If you step hoof out of it for a second I will find you.” Applebloom jerked at a sudden and sharp pain in her flank. Suddenly the straps released themselves and Applebloom made to run. But her hooves wouldn’t obey. She had a sneaking suspicion whatever was in that chest, would give her the answer to all her questions. “And you’re starting a new school tomorrow.” Seven simple words. Each one threw Applebloom for a loop. Really? Ah new school now. Applebloom was lead into her room and she laid on the bed. She could hear the door click shut. What about dinner?
New SchoolApplebloom was lead to school again. It was a bit better seeing how it was a public school. She walked into her classroom. A purple mare stood in the middle of the class. “Okay class, may I have your attention, please? We have a new dirt pony- err...student. Her name is Applebloom.” “Good morning Applebloom!” The class shouted. “Please sit next to Tender Taps,” The teacher pointed to an orange colt with purple mane, his cutie mark was a black hat under a spotlight. Applebloom slide into the seat next to him. “Now! Take out your notebook and solve the problem on the board.” Applebloom turned to Tender Taps. “Can ya lend me a pencil and paper?” Tender ripped a page out of his notebook and hoofed it to Applebloom, he then hoofed her a pencil. “Hey, I heard the teacher being mean to you. Why didn’t you do anything?” “I guess...I have been used to it,” Applebloom muttered tears burning her eyes. “Stand up for yourself, that’s what I did,” Tender Taps said. Applebloom stared at her paper. Would it matter if she stood up for herself? There were ponies she couldn’t stand up to…
Study HallIt was time for study hall, something Applebloom never heard of. They all went to the library and did their homework or schoolwork. Applebloom found herself tying her mane into a braid as she did her schoolwork. She couldn’t understand what she was reading. Maybe because she came here in the middle of the school year. She decided to ask somepony for help. Applebloom searched the room for Tender Taps. She took her book in her mouth and walked over to him. “Umm, hi Applebloom,” Tender said, glancing at her. Applebloom swore she saw him blush. “Can you help me with this,” Applebloom asked. She pointed a hoof and one of the equations. “Seven times eight divided by four,” Tender read, he looked confused as if it was the easiest problem ever. “Ah never learned it,” Applebloom muttered, scratching her neck. “Oh…” Tender pointed his pencil at the problem. “Everypony knows seven times eight is fifty-six, so fifty-six divided by four is?” “Umm...ten?” Applebloom said. “No, fourteen,” Tender shook his head. “I’ll just do it for you. Can you get me another piece of paper?” Applebloom reached under the table and pulled out a piece of paper from seemingly nowhere. “Now hurry up,” Applebloom laughed. Tender’s hoof became a blur as he quickly scribbled down answers in Applebloom’s book. Applebloom quickly crumbled the paper that he used to do his work up, seconds later it popped out of existence. “Thank you so much!” Applebloom hugged Tender tightly. She then skipped away, leaving Tender speechless.
Hayfries & Blue SkiesIt was time for lunch. And at this school, they didn’t have a cafeteria or even the luxurious buffet hall Applebloom’s old school did. They got to go to the surrounding restaurants and cafes to get lunch. Applebloom followed some of the foals to a McLuna. Outside was the brilliant blue sky Applebloom never stopped to admire before. “What would you like,” the cashier asked her. “Umm...hay fries and a...DIY slushy.” Applebloom glanced at Tender Taps, who sat alone in the corner. “Make that...two hay fries and slushies.” The clerk did some taps on his screen and spoke, “that will be fifteen bits.” Applebloom created fifteen bits with their smooth gold surface under her hoof, she calmly placed the onto the counter. Minutes later she had a tray of food. “Hey, Tender, I got you lunch,” Applebloom blushed. Tender looked up his eyes widened, “thank you!” He practically snatched one of the white boxes of fries. He slide his slushy over and sipped at it. “It was nothing,” Applebloom stopped to think about something. The bits would disappear in five minutes. Would they know? How would they know? Applebloom began to eat her fries. “You know Applebloom,” Tender Taps paused, Applebloom looked up. “Nevermind…” Lunch came to a close and it was time for school again. However, Applebloom very quickly found herself walking home. She entered her bedroom and dropped her saddlebag. She pulled out her schoolbook and got ready to make a pencil. “Wait...it would just disappear and the words I write will too.” Applebloom thought back to her old school, how her teacher collected her work along with the other foals, and when she got around to her paper, the scowl that formed on her face. Applebloom giggled but decided against doing that again. She managed to find a pencil with a dull tip, but it would do. She filled out her homework and tapped the pencil against her chin. She thought about the chest her parent’s office. Applebloom peeked out the door. Nopony in sight. She tip-hoofed carefully over to the office. She looked into the keyhole and couldn’t find anypony, she turned the knob. It was locked! Of course! Applebloom quickly snuck back into her room. Now she had to find a key...
Now Ya KnowAt school Applebloom found that many of the students and teachers wore deep frowns or melancholy expressions. She caught a glimpse of the teacher’s newspaper on her desk. UNKNOWN VIRUS SPREADS TO OVER TWO HUNDRED PONIES IN PONYVILLE. HOSPITALS OVERWHELMED. Virus? Applebloom assumed they meant the cutie pox or the feather flu. It was flu season so there was no reason to worry. However day after day the news of this virus spread like wildfire. Until it was something much more serious. Ponies were dying. The simple flu was now much more than that. Applebloom was sitting next to Tender Taps, “have you heard of this virus that ponies are dying from?” “I know, I’m so worried about them, and ponies can’t find a vaccine or a cure!” Tender shook his head slowly. “I’m sure they will,” Applebloom said, holding onto a thin strand of hope. After that it was lunch. “What do ya want?” “Wait, what,” Tender asked. “From McLuna or do you wanna go somewhere else,” Applebloom asks as they enter Celestial’s, Diner. Tender shrugged, “anything!” “Okay two milkshakes, two hayburgers, and a cookie,” Applebloom ordered. Applebloom and Tender trot to a table. “How are you gonna pay,” Tender asks. Applebloom created a bit purse under the table, she holds it. “With this!” Applebloom smiles. “You know, I see you take stuff out of thin air, how do you do it,” Tender replied. Applebloom blushes. There was no reason to keep it a secret. And as much as Applebloom would hate to admit it, she trusted him in a way she never trusted anypony before. “I kinda am. Ya see, I can create things.” “Out of thin air?” Tender Taps said, catching on. “I never have seen anypony do that not even a unicorn!” “Well they disappear after five minutes,” Applebloom says. “That makes sense,” Tender paused. “Maybe if you were a unicorn then they would be permanent. N-No offense.” Applebloom never thought of it that way, “do you believe me?” “I’d believe you more if you made something for me,” Tender said. Applebloom waves her hoof across the table, many boxes of nachos and fries appeared on the table. “Wow,” Tender said, he grabbed a can of soda and chugged it down. Applebloom waved her hand and it all disappeared, even the juice as it flowed in Tender’s mouth. “Even if ya eat it it disappears!” Applebloom remade her bit purse right as the stallion called out their number. Soon their trays were placed on the table. Applebloom munched her cookie as she watched Tender slurp down his milkshake. “So you can just make things,” Tender asked after a long slurp. “I guess so, but only from memory.” Applebloom thought back to the time she remade that milk carton. She barely remembers the neat black words engraved on the surface of the carton, but she made that with ease. “So you don’t remember your foalhood home?” Tender asked, “if you could you could remake it.” “My foalhood,” Applebloom decided to come clean. “I don’t remember, ya see, I have the sneakin’ suspicion my parents aren’t my parents, they're my foal nappers and my real parents are somewhere else.” Tender spat out his milkshake, he coughed, wiping his mouth with his hoof, “really?!” “And I found a chest inside my ‘parents’ office, I wanted to get in there and open it but, it’s locked!” Applebloom added. “Just make a lockpick,” Tender quipped. “A what now,” Applebloom squinted. “A lockpick, it can open any lock! But I guess you can’t make it…,” Tender sighed.” Cause you don‘t know what it is,” Tender stole a bite of his hayburger. Applebloom smiled, “it’s okay. I have a plan, you can come over to my house and we can unlock the office together!” Tender Taps seemed dizzy all of a sudden, “okay…”
RunApplebloom shivered, her eyes squeezed shut and when she opened them. Gemstone had thick iron bands around her hooves, they wrapped up to her shoulders, making her drop. “What did you do!?” Tender squeals. “Come on, we don’t have time to waste,” Applebloom dragged Tender into her room, she grabbed her saddlebag and began shoving her blanket inside. A jacket, a hat, a scarf. Applebloom didn’t know why she was packing this. I’m going to Appleloosa. “STOP APPLEBLOOM! THERE’S MORE TO THIS THAN YOU KNOW!!” Gemstone’s screech brings Applebloom to a halt. “Where are you going!?” “I...do not know,” she snapped. Tender gripped Applebloom’s shoulder, making her look at him. “Where are you going? And what are we gonna do with her?” Tender jerked his head in the direction of Gemstone. Applebloom could still hear her pleas. “She and my father...kidnapped me. And somepony named Daniel…” Applebloom pulled away to stuff things into her saddlebag again. “Can I stay with you for a few days?” “Uh...sure,” Tender blushed. “Applebloom,” a voice shouted. It was deeper and scratchy...her DAD. Applebloom peeked outside, seeing her father climb the stairs. “Please, Applebloom it’s just me,” Stone said shakily. “Rick, she knows,” Gemstone whimpered. Rick? Stone/Rick turned to Gemstone, “why are you here?” “Because you broke into Gemstone’s office,” Stone/Rick grunted. “How do you know,” Applebloom said, stepping back, feeling Tender’s fur brush her’s. “When you did,” he sighed, almost like he was out of breathing, “it set off an alarm.” Applebloom cursed. How have she not thought of that? Applebloom blinked and thick ropes tied Stone/Rick, they wrapped around his chest, binding his arms to his side. “Come on Applebloom,” Stone/Rick says out of annoyance rather than any fear. “Don’t think I didn’t fergot about the abuse you put me through,” Applebloom gritted her teeth. Her desire for revenge was making her forget about what mattered. “We have to go,” she said to Tender. “No!” Gemstone shouted, “you know who you need to find and it isn’t him! His in Ponyville you need to find him!” “STOP! I CAN’T LISTEN TO ANY OF YOU!” Applebloom shouted, clapping her hooves over her ears. “Tender led me outside. HURRY!” Applebloom settled against Tender’s side and Tender sprinted off, her saddlebag in his mouth. “How do we get to the train station,” Tender asked. Applebloom stared at the sleek cart in the cart. “To get around my parents used a cart, they had ponies pull them.” Applebloom frowned. “You can make a pony to pull them,” Tender suggested. Applebloom shook her head. Each organ, each cell had to be recreated with precise care. All their brain cells, their memories, their hopes, and dreams. Just CAN’T be remade. “We can find somepony to pull it, and pay them later,” Tender added, seeming to know what Applebloom was thinking. “ANYPONY WANT TO PULL MY CART I’LL PAY HOWEVER MUCH YOU WANT!” Appleblooms shouted, two strong looking stallions stepped up. “We’ll do it,” they smiled. They seemed rather poor but Applebloom didn’t mind. Tender climbed on and turned around, he gripped Applebloom’s hooves and pulled her onto the cart. “To the train station!” Applebloom yelled. “WAIT, APPLEBLOOM,” Stone/Rick shouted, he staggered outside. “GO! GO TO PONYVILLE! The virus…” he shook his head. “YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE WHO-” A loud bang rang through the air and blood blossomed on Stone/Rick’s chest. He had been shot. The ponies who were going to pull the cart bolted. Applebloom spun around, seeing a pony, sunglasses sat on his nose. He held a gun, which swung over to Applebloom. “Come with me. Or die. Forever.” Applebloom squeezed Tender close. Loud bangs rang through the air. Applebloom created a shield around herself. Thick cast-iron. The loud bangs rang through Applebloom’s ear. She held Tender tighter. Until it all stopped. “Who was that,” Tender whispered, fear edged in his voice. “Whoever...my parents were trying to warn me about,” Applebloom watched the shield flicker. She gasped. Gemstone stood, holding a gun of her own, the stallion who shot at them was now dead in his own pool of blood. “Gemstone,” Applebloom sobbed. “You need to go to Ponyville. Find a colt named Lighting...Rumble, do as I say. Please!” Gemstone shouted tears streamed down her eyes as she held Stone/Rick. “It’s fine Stone...I’ll see you soon...in the next lifetime.” Applebloom felt tears whelm in her own eyes, her eyes shot open, she grabbed Tender. “I need you to listen. I have nopony else I can trust! Look into my eyes.” Tender’s eyes rose, staring back into Applebloom’s green ones. “Y-yes.” “I-I don’t know, how’s after me, but you’ll be safer with me. I need to trust you! I LOVE YOU!” Applebloom blurted. “I...love you too,” Tender breathed. Applebloom gulped, leaning forward and pressing her lips against Tenders. Tender melted in Applebloom’s hooves. He managed to regain some of his consciousness and pressed his lips against her’s. It was a tender moment, when love bloomed.
Train StopApplebloom pulled away. A strange sense of longing tugged at her heart as she stared into Tender’s eyes. Applebloom blinked, almost tossing away the warm feeling she had, she grabbed Tender’s hoof and dragged him up. Police pony serins boomed in the distance. “We have to get to the train station on hoof,” Applebloom grimaced, sprinting down the sidewalk. Luckily Tender fell into step so she didn’t have to keep dragging him. They rounded a corner. Applebloom stopped. “What’s wrong,” Tender asked. “I need to go to Appleloosa…” “What! Even after all of this, you still want to find your family? After you almost died? After you put my life and the ponies around you’s lives in danger. No. I’m not coming.” “I need you Tender, you’re my...last strand of sanity. Without I’m alone…” Applebloom hugged him. “I love you Applebloom, I really do. But we have to think about the safety of everypony,” Tender held Applebloom close. “Now come on, we got a train to catch.” Applebloom sighed and nodded her head. After about an hour of walking, they reached the train station. Applebloom sighed, conjuring up a train ticket. Tender squeezed her hoof, “it’s gonna be alright.” “I hope,” Applebloom muttered. They boarded the train, heading all the way to the back. Finding a seat by the window, Applebloom sighed, watching the tall Canterlot building drift away. “I never been to Ponyville,” Tender chuckled, clearly trying to start a conversation. “Me neither, but since it’s pretty much Ground Zero for whatever virus is going on, we need to be careful.” Applebloom mused. “Did you hear what your father said? He said only you, and something about the virus. So only you can find a cure,” Tender asked. “I don’t know,” Applebloom shook her head. “But I need to find Lighting Rumble.” “And then what,” Tender asked. “And why do you need him?” “Maybe,” Applebloom smiled weakly. “Maybe I and this Rumble colt could find a cure for the virus.” Minutes of silence passed, the only sound was the sound of the train racing across the tracks. Applebloom finally spoke, “I’m hungry.” It was a simple statement which brought a red blush to Applebloom’s face. “Yeah, me too, when would the train attendant gets to us,” Tender asked. “Yeah,” Applebloom was low on energy. Energy she figured she’d need for whatever has to go on. She remembered how no matter what she always had a big meal to look forward to. Her favorite, Watercress Soup and Daisy Sandwiches. The exact thing appeared a white bowl filled with thin green liquid and a fried white petals between toasted slices of bread. Applebloom was tempted to just dig in, but it wouldn’t do any good. Applebloom just settled with a blanket and curled up next to Tender until the attendant came.
UnnamedApplebloom yawned, she felt more comfortable than she had in years. She looked out the window, all she could see were cottages and trees. They must be in Ponyville. Applebloom shook Tender gently. Tender groaned and swatted Applebloom, “stop…” “We’re in Ponyville,” Applebloom squealed. “Oh shoot,” Tender grumbled, sitting up. “We could get infected.” “Way ahead of you,” Applebloom created a mask over her muzzle and Tender’s light orange one. A can of disinfectant spray forms in Applebloom’s steady hooves. “This might last…” The train comes to a halt in the station. Ponies wearily staggered off as Tender sprayed the air with the disinfectant spray. Applebloom clung to his side and remade the masks fixated to their faces. “So this is Ponyville,” Applebloom smiled. Houses lined the wide streets. Timber-framed and thatch-roofed. “So where should we go first.” “We need some place to say for a while,” Tender nodded. “Is there a Motel,” Applebloom asked. “I’ll find a map,” Tender left Applebloom’s side, making her shiver. Tender trotted over to a map plastered over the side of a building. His hoof ran over the smooth surface, he tapped a spot on it thoughtfully. “There’s a hotel just up the road,” Tender turned back. “Great, and it’s getting late,” Applebloom nodded.
BeginingsApplebloom trotted into the kitchen, “Hello.” She said, peering to see what was for breakfast. She saw a plate of pancakes with whipped cream and chocolate chips. “May I?” Applebloom said, and grabbed a dry plate. The unicorn stallion flopped some pancakes onto her plate and added whipped cream. She then went to sit and saw Father flipping through the paper. She remembered her punishment and got scared if he would see her. He looked up and sighed he then turned the page in his magic. Applebloom turned and Gemstone entered, she was the one who would hurt her. So Applebloom looked at the floor and spoke, “Good morning .” Applebloom said. Gemstone turned her, purple eyeshadow glittering in the light. She rolled up her newspaper and SMACKED Apple bloom’s head. “Go to you’re room!”Her Gemstone, Apple Gem, said but Applebloom called her Gemstone. It hurt so she got up and went to her room. She sniffed and went to her bed. Applebloom slipped under the covers and pulled out her diary. And crossed off cooking from her cutie mark list. She was running out of ideas, stories and stories of ponies who died before they go their cutie mark filled her mind and plagued her soul. She didn’t want to be like that she couldn’t! She drew her dream cutiemark: a apple with… she tapped her quill on her chin, it tickled…
EscapeAt school, they were holding a concert. The large auditorium, buffet hall and medium-sized bathrooms was down the hall from the classrooms. Applebloom followed behind Gemstone to her private dressing room. “Sit down.” Gemstone ordered. Applebloom sat and faced the mirror. Gemstone levitated the brush in front of her face, and combed through her thick red hair. Applebloom walked onto the stage with the other ponies, she opened her mouth a squeaked, her mouth raw. She cleared her throat and spoke, “I can be what I wanna be, don’t let other ponies hold ya down!”She sang with her class. After the concert, she followed her Father into the buffet hall. She loaded her plate her tofu, salad, daisy sandwiches, and eggs. Applebloom sat down and ate her food carefully, soon she would go back to school and sneak off. Father thinks I love him, Gemstone thinks I look up to her. But I don’t! They hurt me...i’m losing my sanity, I have to go. The orphanage is better there. I have seen it! Rooms and rooms of soft plush bunk beds and big playgrounds and endless lessons to get mah cutie mark. Applebloom woke up from her daydream to find Apple Stone yelling at her. “Applebloom!” Apple Stone yelled, “Damn you earth ponies are useless. Only for digging dirt.” “I’m sorry. You were saying?”Applebloom asked. It wasn’t the first time Applebloom tried to book it and it wasn’t the first time she was brought back by the Royal Guard. Soon she was back at school, she carefully pulled at the door nob and left for the “bathroom”. She ran toward the door, pulling the hairpin out of her mane, she then stuck it into the padlock, it opened with a CLICK. Which was music to her ears, but she was not out of the Everfree Forest yet. She ran fast, her hooves pounded the hard stone floor. Every step she took she used to push herself forward. She turned away from the school and toward The Joke Shop, there she could hide in the cellar. The cellar had been covered in warm blankets, ever since the, Can of Worms started to freeze shut. She could stay there sneaking out into the Produce Stand nearby for food. Her thighs throbbed and her knees buckled, and she fell onto the ground. Sliding down the ground caused ponies to look her way. Ponies came over to here, quickly realizing who she was. They carried her in the direction of her house. She kicked and screamed wanting to run again. Soon she was at her doorstep, being held down by magic. “I thought you had learned, I thought you were improving,”Stone said, Applebloom quickly found herself strapped by the ankles and wrist to a metal chair. Her bindings were leather and she knew what was gonna happen.
The Realization The Realization Applebloom sighed, she wore the school’s uniform, a frilly dress. Her parents were walking her to school. They wanted to be sure she wouldn’t run away. And the two guards at every exit ensured the latter. Applebloom walked into class, foals briefly looked up from their fun and games to stare at her. “Glad you decided to not run off,” Ms. Cloudy snickered. “Your hooves are only good for digging dirt anyway,” she added, the last part under her breathe. Applebloom popped onto the carpet, many blocks and dolls were littered on the floor, but now they were all taken. “Can I use one?” Applebloom said, reaching out for the doll in a filly’s hooves. “No!” She shouted, holding the doll against her chest and scooting closer to the tall dollhouse. Applebloom sighed. “There are no more toys,” she complained. Applebloom stood up and opened the chest, she closed it after finding it was EMPTY? She checked again and a plastic Celestia doll lay at the bottom of the box. She picked it up, “I could've sworn there were no more dolls. Oh well…” She thought aloud. She began to play with it, changing its close into pink and frilly dresses. Suddenly, the bell for lunch rang and the kids made their way to the buffet hall. Today they had PB&J sandwiches, an apple, and a carton of milk. Applebloom took her tray to one of the empty tables. She lifted her sandwich and got ready to take a bite. “LOOK AT THE MILK CARTON! APPLEBLOOM’S FACE IS ON IT!” A colt’s voice rang. The teacher gasped, her horn glowing and collecting all the cartons up. Her eyes darted as beads of sweat dripping down her forehead. Applebloom stowed her carton under the table. The cartons were gone but the questions persisted. “Ms. Cloudy why was Applebloom on there?” “Misses Cloudy why do you think Applebloom put her face on there?” The questions continued throughout the class. Applebloom keeping the carton hidden in her dresses pocket. “Ms. Cloudy can I use the bathroom?” Applebloom was lead to the bathroom by the teacher and a guard blocked the door and the windows were shut for sure. Applebloom went one of the stalls, she pulled out the milk carton. And sure enough, her face was on it. She had her mane out of its usual braids and big bow sat in her head. Her green eyes were now red and orange. Next to it was a description of her. Missing on: June 14th, 2005. The kidnapping took place at Ponyville Theater, at 3:37 p.m. If you have any information about the whereabouts of Apple Blossom. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-472-8400. It really was her. But why was she one there, and why Apple Blossom and not Applebloom? Is she really who they say they are? Did they change her name? WAS SHE KIDNAPPED!?
Escape 2.0“What are you laughing at,” Gemstone snapped. Applebloom looked to the floor and stopped her skipping, “nothing, I’m sorry.” She sat the dinner table and forked the mash potatoes into her muzzle. Applebloom then hurried back to her room and locked the door. She spun around. What to make? Out of ideas she slide into her bed and made a chocolate bar, it would disappear and the captives it gave her would too. Right? She munched happily until she passed out. Applebloom was back in the blurry kitchen. She was on the ground with the white and brown dog. The dog licked her, causing her to fall back. “Oh, Winona!” Applebloom woke up, the chocolate wrapper and chocolate stains on her pillow were gone. She licked her lips, rising up. Applebloom collected herself. She could make things out of thin air. She turned to her window. What could she make to take it away? She settled on a red crowbar. She used it to pop the window open. She made a ladder and climbed down it quickly. Guards stationed outside her house caught her, they shouted and ran after her. Applebloom huffed, her nostrils flared, and she stomped her hoof. A brick wall was created in front the guards causing them to crash. Applebloom chuckled and continued on, suddenly she was floated into the air. She looked around, seeing a unicorn holding her up with their magic. She struggled to find something to create, however it came to her. A bucket appeared over him, countless snowballs pelted the unicorn until her let her go. She hit the ground running. Her hooves pounded the smooth cobblestone streets. Whistles blew behind her, it was the police. Did her parents know? If they didn’t they knew now. Applebloom created thick fog behind her and around. Quickly everywhere she went was drowned out by a misty gray. She ducked into an alley, police officer running around aimlessly in the fog. She ducked into a garbage can, which she emptied out before-hoof, and peeked over the edge after a few minutes the fog disappeared at once. She climbed out and looked over the edge, police pegasi searched for her, looking everywhere in the sky. Suddenly something grabbed her from behind. “I got her!” The police officer shouted, more police pegasi flew over. Hoof-cuffs were slapped over her hooves and she was taken back home. She awoke in a metal chair...
Call“Excuse me, Gemstone,” Applebloom squeaked, keeping her eyes on the floor. It was big enough of a risk to leave her room. “Applebloom why are you out of bed,” Gemstone snarled. “I just wanted to ask, can a colt I might in class come over, he’s helping me study,” Applebloom lied. Gemstone gasped, “why of course, dear. Now, go back to your room!” Applebloom snickered once she entered her room. She turned her bed into a jacuzzi and relaxed in it, falling asleep in the warm, bubbly water. However, she awoke on the floor, the jacuzzi gone… She trotted into her private bathroom and lowered in the tub. She suddenly remembered something. Everything was the same blurriness as all her memories seemed to be. She was in a bathroom, the walls were lime green with apples at the bottom. The same pony as the pony in all her other flashbacks was there, seemingly bathing her. Her memory stops right after the water is drained from the tub. Applebloom gasped and jerked out of the tub, water splashing at her sudden movements. She got up and exited her room again. “It’s really not a good time, Applebloom just said she invited a colt over.” “You’re sure? That doesn’t mean it’s her- how long do you think we have before they find her again? They already launched the virus.” It was her father’s voice, and by the sound of, he was talking over a home phone. “We need to talk to her, we need to explain to her what’s going on. WE CAN’T KEEP WASTING TIME ON HIM!” Her father’s sudden shout made Applebloom flinch, her ear pressed against the keyhole. “I’m sorry, Gem, I need to calm down. But...it’s only a matter of time before they find us again. Yes, we’ll tell her, when that colt comes over.” Applebloom bolted for her room, hearing very clearly her father end the call with Gemstone and turn for the door. She couldn’t let Tender Taps come over. Or could she. Maybe ah could sneak him in and find him in my room. Today’s Friday too, so we’ll be able to sneak into that office.
SecretsTender Taps stood under Applebloom’s window on the ground floor, actually, he was hiding in the bushes. Applebloom had insisted on waiting until midnight when her parents were gone and the guards had moved to the front doors. Now was the time. Applebloom peaked out the window, she made a flashlight and clicked it on, she saw an orange lump. “Tender you can come out now,” she whispered-screamed. Tender jumped up, shaking twigs and leaves from his fur, “make a ladder!” “Already ah-head of ya,” Applebloom made a ladder that leads up to the window and held it in place as Tender climbed up it. Tender stepped in, eyes scanning her bedroom. “Well let’s do this,” Tender said, walking into the hallway. They slowly made their way down the hall and to the office door. Tender tries the knob, and of course, it was locked. “Did ya bring the lockpick thang,” Applebloom asked, scooting closer to Tender. Tender ruffles his mane and two thin sticks fell out, he snaps them together and pushed them into the keyhole. “That’s the lockpick,” Applebloom observed. “Maybe,” Tender grinned as the door swung open. “Now where’s that chest!” Tender shouted, trotting around. Applebloom took in the view. The white walls, the green carpet, the plants on tables, the desk and file cabinet. The fish tank. Applebloom walked over to the covered table and peeled back the cloth. There was a gray chest, engraved with many swirls and patterns. It too was locked. Tender stepped over to it, he jammed the lockpick into it and after some fiddling, it opened. A thick file sat at the bottom, Applebloom carefully pulled it out. A feather over a flame was stamped onto the cover. Applebloom blew the dust off and pushed it open. It showed letters from a pony named Daniel. A black and white photo of a stallion in his thirties. And an entire essay on Applebloom, no, Apple Blossom. Applebloom read through it, parts explained how they kidnapped her, how they had to move her to different houses over five times. Applebloom’s mouth flew open, “they did kidnap me. And sent my parents some certificate saying that I was dead.” Tender gasped, “Applebloom I’m so sorry. Do you know where your parents are right now?” “They’re in Appleloosa...oh Celestia…we have to leave! Now,” Applebloom shouted. “I’m sorry, you’re not going anywhere,” Applebloom and Tender spun around to see… Gemstone.
Gun FireApplebloom groaned, it sounded like somepony was calling her, no...her name wasn’t Apple Fire. But it still felt like they were talking to her. She was standing in what was an old fashioned living room. The stallion...no...colt, calling her, had gray fur and dark gray mane. His mane is longer than average. She trotted over to him, by the window. His hooves tighten around her. A semicircle of fifty stallions tops surrounded them. They wore masks, and torches burned around them. Each stallion has a rifle on their shoulder, many have two. Applebloom clung to the colt and watched the window as the stallions spread out and closed the circle around the entire house. There would be no running. Tears sting Applebloom’s eye, she had to gulp. The colt’s hooves are in her mane and his lips murmur, “be strong.” His muzzle brushes her ear. “I need thirty seconds.” Applebloom’s hooves clench the colt’s upper hooves, it was as if she was in a movie, just acting a role and not able to control her actions. One more breath and Applebloom looked into his eyes. Green. She tore herself away and flew to the door, she burst out into the freezing night. The icy wind slapped her cheeks and inhaled frozen air. She coughed an icy chill, she raised her head to the stallions around her. Her eyes rise past the barrel of their guns and to their face. The masks hide them well. But even a mask can’t hide their eyes. These eyes, all of them, burn with hatred. With murder. And not a spark of mercy. Twenty-eight, twenty-nine, thirty. Please, gods, let him be ready. Applebloom spun back to the house, her braid flaring out in the darkness, the end stiff with cold. She was praying they would give her the three seconds it will take to close the door. She could hear amused chuckles and know their heartlessness is what will ultimately save her life. She slammed the door shut and the slam is drowned out by the explosion of guns from everywhere. My mouth opens in a piercing scream, then a steely hand wraps around my hoof and yanks me downward. A soft cloth covers my mouth to stifle the sound, and the colt’s leaf-green eyes meet mine, calming me in an instant even as the roar of gunshots continues over my head. Suddenly, his eyes roll skyward and we’re encased in total blackness. “No,” she whispered, and it echoes in my mind I can’t see him. He’s gone! “No!” Applebloom cried louder, but it only makes her head hurt as her brain fills with the echoes of a scream that can’t escape by mouth. he's...dead
