The Treasurefruit Tree

by Amethyst_Dawn

Rating: teen
Tags: Original Character, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Slice of Life, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Dark
Length: 19123

The Cutie Mark Crusaders are each given a gift by a mystical tree, gifts that they each have different uses for.

One day, Applejack takes the Cutie Mark Crusaders to a mysteriously secluded corner of the farm, and when she sends them all home: each arrives with their own gift.

However, despite the treasures being similar in purpose, the way the fillies use them couldn't be more different.

Published 2017-09-10 06:00:06 UTC
Last updated 2017-09-10 06:00:06 UTC

The Treasurefruit Tree

“C’mon, young’uns!” Applejack called over her shoulder as the three fillies followed her down the paths of Sweet Apple Acres. “Y’all don’t want to tucker out before we get there, do ya?”

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle trekked behind her with heavy breaths, as Applebloom seemed to be the only one who wasn’t tired. Instead, she was looking around the scenery with wide eyes. She’d never seen this corner of the farm before, as she was told never to go further than the gate her sister had led them through half an hour ago. She was excited to know why.

Each of the fillies bore an empty saddlebag on their backs, and were specifically told not to put anything in them.

“How come Ah was never allowed out here until now, Applejack?” She asked aloud, lifting her eyebrow suspiciously at her elder sister.

“Ah’ll explain it once we get there, sugarcube.” Applejack assured, her voice cracking just enough to be heard. “Don’t you go and fret none,”

“I didn’t even know this corner of Sweet Apple Orchards existed!” Scootaloo panted. “This is taking forever!”

“We don’t take ponies back here too often. Now hush, we’re almost there…”

“The scenery here is beautiful,” Sweetie Belle admitted, before giving a sheepish smile. “Even if the hike is a bit much.”

“The long hike’s t’ make sure no foals sneak out here unless they’re supposed to.” Applejack laughed, further confusing her tails. “And now would you look at that? We’re here!”

The trio stopped, and gasped in amazement at the sight that awaited them. For on the top of the hill was an ancient tree, so old that its bark had turned white as snow, and its trunk was bent to the side as if it was resting. Its leaves shimmered like flowing silver as the wind swirled around their branches, and nearly invisible pink wisps of what looked like gentle steam circled around the branches in elaborate dances, and swooped up and down the bent trunk gracefully as they seemed to drink from the roots before returning to the leaves. The tree itself stood in the center of a large crater, too steep to be climbed except for a single footpath, and too deep for the tree to be noticed from anywhere outside of the farm.

“It’s… it’s beautiful.” Sweetie Belle cooed, eyes wide and sparkling as the sunlight caught the leaves and made the tree glow like white fire. Scootaloo nodded dumbly in agreement, silenced by the sight. Applebloom, sharing the awe of her friends, walked up to her sister.

“What is it?” She whispered, the words barely escaping her mouth. When there was no response, she looked up to Applejack, who was beaming a bittersweet smile as tears started to roll down her cheeks.

“Applebloom, Sweetie, Scoots…” she sighed, “the time has come for you to grow. This… this is the Treasurefruit Tree.”

Applebloom tilted her head slightly. “The what now?”

Applejack sighed, but otherwise didn’t move more than a simple flick of her head before walking into the crater. The fillies took the hint, and followed her down the thin dirt path wordlessly. Once their heads dipped beneath the lips of the crater, the air became much fresher, and smelled of lilac and vanilla. The path continued to wither and wind through the floor of the crater before finally letting them step up onto the small incline where the tree grew.

As she got closer to the tree, Applebloom noticed movement out of the corner of her eye, and shrieked when it swooped beneath her. The startled scream would’ve drawn attention to her if the other two hadn’t had the same reaction to what they saw: tens of glowing tendrils emerging from the base of the tree writhed majestically beneath them. They endlessly eached out and grabbed at what looked like a galaxy of colorful orbs bearing all hues beneath the soil. And that was perhaps the most dizzying aspect of all that they saw, the fact that the dirt felt and acted no differently than it did anywhere else, but they could clearly see the glowing roots dancing beneath the soil as if it was glass, or even air!

She was distracted from the ethereal display when she heard a creaking groan as if an old door was swinging open, and she looked up to see the tree gracefully twisting and straightening. Eventually it rested once it stood at its full height, and a gentle breeze seemed to emanate from it as if the tree was sighing in content. Even though the only unique feature of the trunk was the shining color, Applebloom felt as if it was staring at her expectantly. It almost felt like seeing the smile of your mother before she shows you a gift.

A small part of her insisted that she should be terrified of everything that was happening, but the rest of her felt safe, comforted. She’d even say she was… enchanted by the beauty of the thing. It didn’t feel right calling it a tree, even in thought. This thing was alive, and she could feel it. She wanted to speak to it, call it by name as if it was an old friend. But for a second, she couldn’t recall its name.

The other two Crusaders eventually gathered the courage to approach it as she did, and were soon standing by her side. That was when the name returned to her, and she bowed low to the ground while still staring at the creation.

“Treasurefruit,” she greeted simply, and reverence rang clear in her tone. Scootaloo and Sweetie mirrored her bow, but remained silent.

It didn’t look like Treasurefruit moved too much, but all three of them could- for lack of a better word -feel it give an expression, almost like it tilted its head in confusion if it had one. Three vines like kunzite ropes slithered down from her branches, and gently pushed their chins upwards, signaling them to stand. Once they had, three more vines lowered, each bearing a single glowing fruit.

Applebloom stepped back slightly at the sight of the one in front of her: it was metallic, almost translucent, and looked to be made of pure gold. Tentatively, she reached out with a hoof, and plucked the fruit. She expected Treasurefruit to recoil, or at least flinch at having something ripped off of her. Even if it was no more painful than a plucked hair to her. Instead, the silver vine gently petted Applebloom’s head before retreating back into the branches.

Applebloom was unsure of what to do, but she felt… fulfilled when she held the gift in her hooves. As if one chapter of her life had ended, and a new page was turned. She stared at the object for a moment longer before looking back to Treasurefruit with a grateful smile.

“Thank you,”

“Thanks,”

“Thanks, Treasurefruit.”

She looked between her friends, and her smile widened when she saw their gifts. Scootaloo held a present that lit up with an purple light that flickered like fire, and Sweetie’s glittered like it was filled with gets of amethyst.

The Crusaders looked between each other, and beamed grins of pure contentment. The gentle breeze momentarily strengthened into a furious howl that whipped their manes back, yet even the untamed wind felt like the soothing caress of a caring mother. Treasurefruit slowly turned, and relaxed into the position she was in when they approached her. The vines and fruit nowhere to be seen amongst the silver branches.

All was silent as the three friends basked in what they had just received. Applebloom embraced the fruit held close to her heart, Sweetie Belle admired hers like a rare gemstone, and Scootaloo smiled at hers like she’d been given a new scooter. Applejack silently watched the whole scene from the end of the path, prideful tears threatening to run down her face.

“They’re beautiful,” Sweetie sighed, before turning to the farmer. “What are they?”

Applejack snickered, and shook her head. “‘Tain’t my business to tell ya, sugarcube. Only your family should explain it to you.”

“But it’s a secret tree on your farm,” Scootaloo said as she held up her gift, “how would our families know about what these are?”

“Every mare from Ponyville and beyond knows about the Treasurefruit Tree,” Applejack said cryptically, “that includes yer sisters. Now you go on and ask them while I explain it to Applebloom, here.”

“Go on, git on home!” She called as she walked behind them, and shook her hoof in a shooing motion. Obediently, the two rushed up the path, and eventually made their way home. But just before they disappeared over the lip of the crater, Applejack remembered one last thing for them. “And put those gifts in your bags!” She shouted, lifting a hoof to the side of her mouth. “Ah had ya bring those for a reason!”

As soon as they were out of sight, she looked down to her sister with a gentle smile. “C’mon, Applebloom.” She sighed with a crack in her voice as they walked back towards the incline. “Follow me,”

“Ain’t I gonna hear what this is?” Applebloom asked, eagerness clear in her voice as she stashed Treasurefruit’s present into her own saddlebag.

Applejack laughed softly. “Ah almost forgot how excitable you were. Heh, yeah, Ah’ll tell ya as soon as we get outta this pit.”
For the anxious young filly, the short trek to the top seemed to take an eternity longer than it was when they walked to the bottom. So, as soon as they stepped hoof on familiar soil, she began bouncing excitedly.

“Alright, Ah promised Ah’d tell ya, and Ah ain’t one to break mah promises.” Applejack giggled, before taking a deep breath, and muttering. “Ah just wish Momma could’ve been here to tell ya...”

Picking up on her sister’s melancholy tone, Applebloom stopped bouncing, and took a deep breath. “How about y’ tell me all about it back at th’ house, instead?”

Applejack glanced down at her with a confused look. “You sure ‘bout that?”

Applebloom smiled. “Ah could learn a few things about patience, sis. Figured this was a good time to practice it.”

Applejack stared for a moment as they walked, before shaking her head with a quiet laugh. “Heh, you really are somethin’ else, Applebloom.” She looked up at the path as her voice creaked again. “Ah get prouder of you every day.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Rarity! Rarity! You won’t believe what just happened!”

It was early in the evening when Sweetie Belle’s enthusiastic shouts echoed through the boutique as she threw the door open, catching Rarity’s attention almost instantly. The seamstress turned around, and caught sight of the saddlebags on her sister’s back from over her glasses before connecting it with the filly’s smile that bore the purest of joys. The happiness and thrill in her eyes glittered almost as brightly as Sweetie’s once she figured out what happened, and she practically pounced out of her chair.

“Oh, so it was today!” She cheered, clapping her forehooves together. “Oh, I only wish she wasn’t camera shy! What was she like? Is she as beautiful as I remember?”

Sweetie Belle nodded, still wearing her wide grin. “Oh, she’s magnificent! And so majestic! And look what she gave me!” She reached into her bag, and produced the large, shimmering fruit for her sister to see.

As soon as she saw the treasure, Rarity’s eyes began to water with unbridled pride. She tried to choke back a joyful sob, but failed miserably as she broke down and embraced her sibling. Her tears all but ran with her mascara, but she was laughing as much as she was crying.

“Sweetie, my sister! I’m so proud of you...” She choked, chest heaving with every gasp for air.

Sweetie still didn’t have much of an idea of what had been happening that day, but she clearly understood the importance as she began to cry too, gently returning Rarity’s hug as she set the gift back in the bag. She could ask what it was later.

But, whatever it was, she could see that it was life-changing for her.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Scootaloo roughly slapped the saddlebags onto her bed, before jumping up and examining her present once more. It felt like an apple, but glowed like a furnace. She could tell it was a fruit of some kind, but she wasn’t sure if she trusted it yet. She was tempted to ask her guardians about it, but she decided to wait until tomorrow. If she wanted to be frank about it: she trusted her mentor more with something as big as this.

Her head shot up as there was a knock on the door. “You doing alright in there, sweetie?” A masculine voice called from the other side.

“Yeah, I’m fine, Che-- err, Dad.” She replied, feeling a little giddy at finally being able to give somepony that title.

“If the calender’s right, today’s the day you go with Applejack, right?”

“Yea Dad, I just got back!”

There was a brief silence before a high-pitched feminine voice called through the door. “Scoots, do you... want us to explain anything?”

Even though she knew she couldn’t be seen, she squirmed slightly. “If… if it’s alright with you, I was hoping that Rainbow might be able to tell me tomorrow?”

There was another pause before hushed muttering could be heard on the other side of the door. As far as Scootaloo could tell, they didn’t sound angry. Maybe slightly disappointed, and curiously cautious, but not angry. It was close to three minutes before a reply came through.

“That’s fine, Scootaloo.” The female voice sighed. “Just... don’t... don’t take everything she says as good advice, alright?”

That was strange. They usually trusted Rainbow, even if they didn’t think of her as the perfect influence on her, but this is the first time she’d heard them use such a guarded tone. Especially her mother.

“Thanks,” she called back. She supposed she’d understand more about it tomorrow.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“So... what is this thing, Sis?” Applebloom asked once the had planted themselves on their living room couch, an eager smile on both of their faces.

“See that’s the thing, Applebloom,” Applejack chuckled, “what the tree done gave you out there is none other than a treasurefruit. And b’fore ye ask me what that is, let me tell ya: a Treasurefruit is... well, a treasure. Ev’ry filly ‘round these parts gets one once they earn their Cutie Mark, but only just the one.”

“Why is that?”

Applejack glanced towards the floor, and scratched her chin as she quirked her brow. “Well, it’s cuz if what I’ve heard is true, it’s some sort of enchanted fruit. Y’all can eat is as much as ya like, and it’ll regenerate itself. Kinda like how skin grows back, but y’still have a scar, y’know?”

Applebloom nodded.

Satisfied, Applejack continued. “Now, that don’t mean you can go on and pork out on that there fruit. It’ll never expire, but it’s highly addictive. You’ll get sick if you eat too much, eat it too early, or don’t eat enough. That’s one reason we’re supposed to save it until a very, VERY special occasion, after it’s ripened. You’ll know for yourself when to take the first bite, and the one you want to share it with.”

“Share it with?” Applebloom questioned, doing her best to memorize all that was being told to her.

Applejack chuckled again. “That’s the special thing about the Treasurefruit, it’s got more’n one enchantment. No one pony can eat from it alone, it takes two to take a bite. That’s why we mares are taught to save it. We don’t just share it with anypony off the street, we wait until we meet somepony... special.” She got a distant look in her eye. “But even then, we don’t just give it to them. We wait until a very special occasion, once they make it all official that they ain’t leaving, and that’s when we take the first bite.”

Applebloom stared at her sis with an arched eyebrow. “Y’mean like a weddin’?”

Applejack paused for a minute, and bobbed her head back and forth. “Purty much, yeah.”

Applebloom gave the Treasurefruit a look that was mixed between curiosity, excitement, and melancholy. “So yer sayin’ Ah can’t eat this until Ah get muhself hitched?”

Applejack guffawed loudly in response. “Yup! Though Ah ain’t sayin’ that you need t’ get yerself hitched just because of this here fruit, y’need to take marriage a mite more serious than that. Ah’m just saying save it. Heck, Ah still haven’t even tasted mine!”

“Well, that’s because you ain’t been married, Ah reckon.” Applebloom teased.

The far-off look returned to Applejack’s eyes, and she turned her head to the fireplace. “Well, Ah almost did once…”

“What?”

She shrugged. “Aw, that’s a story for another time. Right now, let’s get you to bed!”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Rarity, despite still being a little teary-eyed from the scene she made the night before, carefully set freshly brewed tea on a small table as she made herself comfortable on their couch. Once the pot was set, she looked to her sister with an almost motherly smile as the early morning sunbeams leaked through the curtains.

“Do come along, Sweetie Belle. Make yourself comfortable, anywhere you like!”

Sweetie, endlessly curious as to what got her sister so emotional the night before, pounced onto a large armchair that nearly swallowed her whole once she hit it. With a bouncing giggle, she made a few small circles in an attempt to mat down the soft fabric enough so she could talk to Rarity without straining her neck. Once she had accomplished that, she laid her chin over her crossed forehooves, and levitated a cup and saucer off the table with a beaming smile. Rarity had to look away from her sister’s antics, else she’d risk bursting into tears.

‘Celestia, they grow up so fast…’ she choked inwardly as she poured some tea for the eager filly, ‘why, of all the days to act like the little filly I remember, did she choose now?’

“So,” she started, struggling to maintain her composure as her sister was being adorable. “I see that you’ve received your gift from Treasurefruit, finally.”

“Yep!” Sweetie chirped, her excitement starting to become contagious.

“Do you wish for me to explain it to you this morning, or when you get home from school?”

“Now, please!”

“Very well, I’ll just have to send Miss Cheerilee a note explaining why you’re late today.” Rarity affirmed, taking another slow sip of tea to calm herself. “Now then, about the Treasurefruit, it’s... oh, it’s hard to explain.”

Sweetie Belle sat up, a questioning expression on her face. “Why? Is it enchanted or something?”

Rarity bobbed her head back and forth lightly. “Well, yes, in a way. It never expires, even once it’s bit into. It never gets dirty, you can’t ever lose it, and even if you think you do, it will just show up at your home. And it tends to... regenerate, so to say. Though, that first bite never does grow back…”

“So… it lasts forever then?”

“Well, it lasts as long as the pony who it belongs to, yes. Once the pony dies, it just… vanishes into dust.”

“So, I can eat it?”

Rarity chuckled as she lifted her cup to her lips. “Well, no. At least not alone. You need to share it with a very special friend, who you love very dearly, more than anypony else in the world.”

“Applebloom?”

*PLLTTHH!*

Rarity’s tea explored the new frontiers of the table, floor, and even ceiling as she spat it out in surprise. With a quick clear of her throat, she patted her lips with a napkin and used her magic to recover the scattered droplets before they soaked into anything valuable.

“Not… not quite what I had in mind.” Rarity admitted. “I’m talking about a kind of love that fillies your age don’t normally experience, the kind you read about in those fairytales of yours. The prince charming and all that.”

Sweetie’s smile turned sheepish. “Oh,”

“However, even though I hate to assume things, if you do see Applebloom in that way…”

Sweetie’s face flushed with red. “What? No! No, nonononononono!” She frantically waved her hooves in front of her. “Why would I--? How in--? What ev--? Just--… No!”

Rarity cleared her throat again. “Oh... I’m only saying, I won’t disapprove. Even I--”

“Can we just get back to the fruit?”

“-- Ah, right. Very well...”

There was a brief, painfully awkward silence as Rarity poured them both another cup. Sweetie Belle looked ready to have a meltdown if the conversation got any more uncomfortable, and her sister was obviously experiencing some regret.

“Not how I hoped this conversation would go,” Rarity admitted with a sigh, before doing her best to explain further.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Rainbow Dash!”

The prismatic Pegasus swooped to a stop in the middle of her tricks once she heard the welcome voice of her surrogate sister. Beaming an honest smile, she glided down to the filly, and draped a wing across her back.

“Hey Scoots,” she chuckled, giving the foal a playful noogie. “So, what’d you wanna do today?”

Scootaloo snuggled into Rainbow’s chest with a giggle. “Actually, I was hoping you’d be able to explain something.”

Rainbow glanced down at her with a skeptical smirk. “Oh yeah, sure. Like what?”

Scootaloo reached into her satchel, and pulled out the fiery purple fruit. As soon as she saw what it was: Rainbow’s smile fell into shards, and her eyes narrowed into suspicious slits.

“Look, kid…” she began. Her tone was gentle, yet held an air of warning. “That’s not my place to tell you about. Your parents won’t exactly like what I’d have to say about it, and I don’t want to get in trouble with them. Your mother especially.”

Scootaloo drew the fruit closer to herself as she tilted her head. “Well… they did seem kinda hesitant when I asked them if you could tell me what it is, but... Mom did say that you could tell me.”

Rainbow wasn’t convinced. “On what condition?”

Scootaloo shrank a little under her mentor’s uncharacteristically intimidating glare, still not understanding what exactly the big deal was. “Just that I don’t take everything you say to heart?”

There was a brief moment of tense silence before Rainbow looked away from her, and glanced around with striking focus. Scootaloo couldn’t tell what she was looking for, but it apparently had something to do with this whole ‘Treasurefruit’ thing.

Rainbow gave a slightly annoyed sigh as she likely didn’t find what she was seeking, and muttered something about being ‘no good with kids’ before she finally looked back to the befuddled filly.

“Fine," she groaned, allowing a rueful chuckle to escape her lips. "I’ll explain as much as I can. But let’s grab something to eat first, alright?”

Scootaloo agreed, and soon found herself just outside the local Hayburger Prince downtown, sipping on a raspberry shake. Rainbow was downing a full pack of ciders, and munching thoughtfully on a thick burger as she stared into space.

“Y’know…” she began, after what seemed like hours of waiting. “A lot of ponies claim that this joint is just a disgusting place, and swear that they’d never eat here. But if that was true, with the prices this place has, they’d’ve been out of business years ago.”

Scootaloo quirked her brow. “Interesting. What about the fruit?”

Rainbow made a subtle attempt to avoid eye contact as she glanced to the large ‘in-n-out’ menu plastered onto the storefront window. “Well, it’s not too bad, but they can’t beat Apple Acres. They might do better business if they didn’t insist on having their fruit imported.”

“I meant my fruit.” Scootaloo rolled her eyes, catching on to what she was doing.

Dash glanced at her, her expression oozing with sarcasm. “It’s an apple, Scoots. And I’m a little concerned that you haven’t taken a bite yet, hasn’t your mother taught you about eating healthy?”

“Rainbow…” Scootaloo groaned.

Rainbow’s smile grew sheepish. “Oh, right. Forgot who I was talking about.”

“Rainbow!” Scootaloo barked quickly, before calming herself with a deep breath. Now that she effectively had her attention, she took another sip of the shake. “Look, I asked you to tell me about the Treasurefruit. If you don’t want to, just say the word, and I’ll ask Pinkie.”

“Don’t you mean your mother?”

Scootaloo shrugged indifferently. Rainbow slumped back into her chair, and massaged her brow with a free hoof.

“Okay, fine,” she groaned in defeat. “I’ll talk. But just know one thing, kid, my opinions aren’t the most popular.” After no response from Scootaloo other than eagerly resting her chin on her forehooves and giving Dash an expectant smile- those eyes should be registered as weapons -Dash caved.

“Look, most ponies think that those fruits are the most sacred thing on Equus, just because every mare only gets the one.” She began, taking a bite of her burger and chewing leisurely. “Personally, I think they’re just being stupid, I mean come on!”

She gestured to Scootaloo’s satchel offhandedly. “That thing? That thing’ll last until you die, it never expires, almost never gets dirty, and grows back whenever you take a bite...” she paused, and shrugged, “... minus the first bites, of course. And yet for some reason, most mares save it for ‘special occasions’.” she mocked, making quotation marks in the air with her hooves. “But that’s just silly, traditional, close-minded nonsense. Use it while you can once it’s ripe, I say. It’s nothing special.”

Scootaloo opened the flap on her bag, and looked at the fruit curiously. Something told her that what Rainbow was saying wasn’t quite right. Still, she did her best to listen as Rainbow attempted to help her figure out the fruit’s purpose.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Now, several years have passed since the day of their gifts, and the Crusaders remained as close as siblings throughout the passage of time. Several changes came and went, but their bond as friends endured.

At the same time, their lives grew busier and busier: more colts, fillies, and even full-grown ponies came to them for advice on their marks. The Crusaders grew so popular that they decided to tour Equestria, and a few of the lands beyond for the next few years.

Thusly, once they returned, Crusading became more that their Destiny: it became their career. Much to their disappointment, they often found themselves divided on separate missions across the world.

It also came to pass that within the eighteenth year of Applebloom’s life, each of the Crusaders in turn found somepony that they each grew closer to, and their fruits began to show signs of ripening: the glow intensified, and they would grow so hot during the summer that they would catch fire. The blaze never consumed them, however, as it just seemed to aid in the ripening. It reminded Applebloom of the life-cycle of the Phoenix in a way.

During one of their social picnics, which were now more scarce than they would’ve liked, they each decided to discuss and compare their separate lives...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Lemme get this straight, because I don’t think I heard you right.” Scootaloo laughed, waving her hooves in front of her as she desperately tried to swallow her food. “Button did what to who?”

The Pegasus had grown into quite the athletic pony as the years passed. Her muscles were toned, her energy unchanged, though her manestyle had been tamed and organized years ago: resulting in thick, dual braids that rested over her shoulders. She bore two simple earrings on each ear, and her smile had only gotten more cocky with time.

Applebloom’s changes weren’t as tame, however: her mane grew longer, and she traded her pink bow in for a smaller blue one that held a long, flowing ponytail in place. Her work in the orchards proved effective to her physique, and that- combined with her love for a hard day’s work -made her quite the capable mare. Her eyes showed curiosity and wisdom, while her smile was gentle.

She observed as her two friends were nearly in hysterics, and shook her head with a giggle. “Ah’m dead serious, girls! That punk Rumble was flirtin’ with me all day, and wouldn’t leave me alone. So as soon as Button saw how he was behavin’, he smacked him a new one!” She watched with a smile as the others doubled over in laughter- Scootaloo nearly rolling down the hill -and started to laugh herself. “Gave ‘im a black eye, what he did!”

“But he’s such a pacifist!” Sweetie managed to say between fits, failing to catch her breath. She had emerged from her younger years much like a butterfly: more beautiful and delicate than ever. Her figure and makeup was the envy of the self-conscious among Ponyville mares, and her mane was combed into a flowing spectacle.

Applebloom shrugged at the remark, and took a bite from her sandwich. “Guess Rumble pushed a button.”

There was a solid three seconds of pause before all three girls burst into raucous cackling at the unintentional pun, poor Applebloom nearly choked on her food.

After they began to catch their breath, Scootaloo chuckled just a bit more. “My gosh, I haven’t laughed like that in ages. You always have the cutest stories, Applebloom!”

Sweetie nodded in agreement, and Applebloom blushed. “Well, Ah guess so... Ah mean, Button’s always doing something either romantic, stupid, or both.”

Sweetie rolled her eyes with a small smile. “He hasn’t changed a bit, has he?”

“Ah guess not,” Applebloom giggled. “How about you? Got any stories ‘bout ol’ Pipsqueak?”

Sweetie’s face heated up, and she chuckled bashfully. “I still can’t believe Rarity’s letting me date him.”

“And why wouldn’t she?” Scootaloo snorted. “Dude meets all her standards: he’s a knockout!”

“I know, right?” Sweetie chirped. “Thankfully, he also has a personality, unlike somepony we all know.”

Scootaloo nodded, and lifted her forehoof. “Up high,”

Three hooves met with a loud clack as the others accepted the offer, and Applebloom persisted on hearing a story.

Sweetie caved with an amused sigh. “Alright, fine. The funniest one I can think of is when I first asked him home for dinner…”

“Oh, this oughta be rich!” Applebloom grinned as she settled down. Sweetie ignored the comment, and continued on.

“Well, I’d forgotten to notify Rarity until it was almost time. Once I saw the clock, I panicked, and told her I’d invited a colt over for supper. Her, being Rarity, proceeded to freak out about what I should wear, what she should cook, you all know the deal. Anyways, after I’d calmed her down, she asked me who it was. I told her it was Pipsqueak, and she then tried- and failed -to not laugh.” Sweetie cleared her throat, and did her best impression of her sister. “‘Oh, darling, I don’t mean to be a wet blanket or anything, but might you have chosen a stallion of a more... well... suitable stature?’”

“Lemme guess,” Scootaloo laughed, “then she opened the door?”

Sweetie made a desperate attempt to withhold a snicker, but only succeeded in snorting. “Yep, and I wish you both could’ve seen the look on her face when he walked in! Sure, he wasn’t exactly the tallest pony, and is still about as high as a mailbox, but dear Celestia did he own what he had! I’m telling you, he had a tux, a rose, slick mane, muscular build...” she trailed off for a moment, before shaking her head when her friends started giggling. “Hot damn, he was gorgeous!”

“And what was her reaction, exactly?” Scootaloo prodded.

Sweetie tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Well, the only way I know to describe it is... imagine she’d just discovered a diamond the size of a boulder, wanted to give it to her sister, then saw that it was dating her sister. I don’t think she could have been more proud.”

“That paints a very peculiar picture,” Applebloom stated slowly, smile never leaving her face.

“Yeah,” Scootaloo nodded, “even by our standards, I think that metaphor is a little strange.”

Sweetie huffed playfully, and turned her nose up at them. “You're just envious of my vocabulary!”

Scootaloo blinked bemusedly. “Yeah, because ponies are always jealous of dictionaries.”

Sweetie flinched with a snort, and her eyes went wide as her face flushed. Applebloom burst into another fit as Scootaloo just grinned in smug victory, Sweetie doing her best to bury her face in her hooves with a groan.

“I thought I finally grew out of that…” she laughed through her embarrassment.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

After the time came for their picnic to end, Scootaloo decided to walk the scenic route to her home. It was a quiet evening, and the cool breeze refreshed her as it caressed her face and mane.

She was nearly halfway to her house when the bush running alongside the path began to rustle slightly, immediately catching her attention. Not amused, she stopped in her tracks, yet refused to turn and look.

“You could just come out, you know.” She deadpanned.

“Why should the brush bend to your will?” A thick, masculine voice called from the flora behind her. “They’ve already got a pretty good view.”

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, but let a small smile creep onto her lip. “Well, bushes don't get any Treasurefruit, but my coltfriend might~”

Instantly, a blur of grey dashed from the bushes, and assumed the form of a cocky Pegasus with a slick black mane. He flashed a toothy grin as he stood in front of her, and leaned forward. There was a large, purple bruise over his left eye, which Scootaloo couldn't help but chuckle at.

“Are you sure you're not a bush?” She teased. “It looks like you're growing an award-winning blueberry.”
Rumble’s cocky smirk never left his face as his good eye twitched. “Yeah, got my tail handed to me by AB’s colt. Y’think you might have told me she was dating?”

Scootaloo walked past him with a chuckle. “I thought we agreed that you would check for these things before you go flirting around?”

Rumble quickly followed her without missing a beat. “We did, I just got a little... distracted, is all.”

Scootaloo shook her head with a playful smile. “Can't blame you. Now how about us getting another bite of the fruit? I can probably sneak it out past Mom if she's busy.”

Rumble's eyes lit up as his mouth started to water, and a few muscles in his neck jerked.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Sweetie Belle, who had strolled home at a leisurely pace, now opened the door to the boutique with a satisfied yawn, and stretched a little as she stepped inside.

“Rarity, I'm home!” She called, her voice echoing through the shop. She was greeted by the sight of her dear sister quickly trotting out of the kitchen: mascara running, but the biggest of smiles was worn by her.

Despite this peculiar note, that wasn't the strangest thing Sweetie noticed about her. No. That title belonged to the self-tailored tuxedo she was wearing, as well as the small table, twin candles, and twin glasses she carried in her aura.

Sweetie was about to ask what exactly was going on while Rarity was doing… whatever, when she noticed something else about the boutique: there were no dresses, no mannequins, not even a customer in sight. The entire space was empty except for the candlelit table, and a record player in the corner. Her curiosity struck her dumb when she realized that the lights were dimmed lower than the candles’ flame.

Once Rarity had lit the candles with her magic, she silently looked at Sweetie. It wasn't a sad look, per se. Not by any means. In fact, it captured numerous emotions. The most recognizable ones being absolute joy, unquestionable thrill, and the small contribution of melancholy acceptance. Sweetie felt a mixture of dread and anticipation well up in her stomach as the look lasted for a solid minute before Rarity disappeared back into the kitchen.

Sweetie flinched when a bright light swallowed her with a quiet pop, and she felt something snug itself around her barrel, all within a split second. She glanced down at herself, and was slightly startled to find that she was now wearing a long, crimson dress that bobbed and flowed in a fashion similar to her mane. Her befuddlement was tripled by this point, yet something in her gut was telling her to stay.

Cautiously, she walked up to the table, and sat on an expensive-looking stool that was remarkably comfortable and plush. She turned to eye the kitchen door, just at the moment Rarity stepped out one more time.

She had cleaned herself up rather well, as there were no signs of the previous splotches of mascara, and held her head high in silence as she kept the door open. Sweetie was once more tempted to ask what the fuss was all about, but her mind was silenced when Pipsqueak waltzed in: his smile a mixture of nervousness, yet oozing with confidence.

Sweetie’s heart leapt into her throat as the pieces began to fall into place, and her voice became little more than a squeak.

“Oh… boy…”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Applebloom closed the front door behind her with a deep sigh of content, and slowly meandered towards her room. Her elder sister poked her head out of the lounge, and smiled brightly.

“How was th’ picnic, AB?” Applejack asked, brushing her mane away from her eyes.

Applebloom looked to her sister, and smiled as sadness poked at her heart.

Even the most polite of ponies could see that the years had not been kind to Applejack. She had barely hit her thirties, and already her mane had streaks of silver running through it. Applebloom admired her sister's willingness to work through pain, and not let it show: but she was beginning to notice the limping, the shaking hooves, and the sweat.

What concerned her most, though, was how little argument Applejack put up when she was accused of overworking. It barely took a minute for her to cave.

“The picnic was fine, AJ.” Applebloom said with a nod. “How was the meetin’?”

Applejack’s smile fell slightly, telling Applebloom all she needed to know. She gave a small sigh, and shook her head with a grateful smile.

“Thank Celestia, you actually hired them!”

“Yeah, Ah did. Ah'll admit, yer fella certainly sent the right ponies for the harvest.”

Applebloom giggled. “He should’a! He's a practical genius about stuff like this.”

“Yeah, but Ah'm gonna miss working in those orchards…”

Applebloom glared at her sister. “AJ, you know what the doctor said!”

Applejack snorted indignantly. “Ah know, Ah know! Just… just git to bed…”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

A few weeks later, as their everyday life went on, the three mares had scheduled themselves for another calming picnic. Applebloom and Scootaloo were both ecstatic to hear of their friend’s engagement, and Sweetie was thrilled to hear more of the constant growth of Apple Acres. They continued to share stories of their various separate lives. At least, until the trouble came along.

Yes, of course, as life often shows: the peace of their holiday could only last so long. With comfort comes secrets, and no secret stays unknown. This especially was the case on that day, as a particular Pegasus showed up without welcome...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“... I’m just sayin’, Scoots, you seem a mite ticky lately. Ah didn’t want to say anything before, but ye’ve been twitching quite a bit for around a season now. Maybe longer!”

Scootaloo’s muscles tensed defensively at Applebloom’s observation. Consequently, her foreleg spasmed as she grit her teeth in pain. “I’m fine.” She hissed, doing her best to sound pleasant. She knew it didn’t work, though, when her friends’ looks of concern only deepened. Scootaloo opened her mouth to insist, but she barely got a sound past her lips when an all-too-familiar call rang out to her.

“Yo, ‘Tloo!”

All three friends turned their head to see Rumble stumbling up the hill, tripping over his own hooves more often than anything else. Applebloom and Sweetie immediately stood between him and Scootaloo, effectively halting the wobbly stallion in his tracks, yet not completely deterring him.

“I’d like you t’get outta mai way…” The colt chuckled, his slurred speech making it quite clear what his problem was.

“Like we’d ever let you hassle her again!” Sweetie barked, holding her ground. “You did enough damage last time!”

Rumble tilted his head at her stupidly, and smiled mischievously. “Again? I’m afrain I don’t know whet you’rrre tlaking aboot~!” He blurted in a singsong tone, getting close enough to boop Applebloom playfully on the snout. “I’m just a ninno-scents little colt who’d like to talk with his fillyfriend~.”

Enraged by his action, Applebloom bit his hoof hard enough to draw blood, and immediately spat out what little of it got in her mouth. Rumble withdrew his hoof quickly enough, but didn’t seem to be too phased as he stared at the wound. His smile only disappeared for a moment before returning with added idiocy.

“Heh, that’sh an impreshish… shishive chomper, there.” He laughed, his eyes getting a little droopy as he acquired a lisp. “That’sh gonna hurt in a few… hours, or shomthin’.”

Scootaloo was beside him in the blink of an eye, and whispered something slowly into his ear. Much to the amazement of the other Crusaders, he actually paused, and seemed to listen intently as whatever she was saying sank in as far as it could be able to go in his current state. Once she stepped back, he nodded loosely, and slowly turned around before plodding back to where he came from.

Scootaloo watched him until he was out of sight, and only then did she turn around to see the faces of her friends. Sweetie’s showed concern, where Applebloom’s glared in clear upset. She slowly lowered her head as both stares felt like weights around her neck.

“He... he was telling the truth, wasn’t he?” Sweetie ventured carefully. “You’re... involved with him, aren’t you?”

Scootaloo looked over her shoulder, and shuffled her wings uncomfortably. “Can we go somewhere else? Ponies are staring…”

After looking around to confirm her statement, the others agreed to move their picnic elsewhere for more privacy. They packed up in a hurry, leaving behind a couple sandwiches, and departed on a long, silent walk. Nopony said a word until they came to an isolated clearing, and set out the blanket again.

Even after all the settings were unpacked, there was still a heavy silence that oppressed them, and seemed to forbid each from attempting to start. Sweetie and Scootaloo kept opening their mouths, only to close them again in the same moment, and Applebloom merely watched in silent contemplation.

Many things ran through the farmer’s head in those tense moments, but the most punishing thought was that she was somehow responsible for this lapse in judgement. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she should have spotted something-- anything, and acted on it. Now, it looked like her best friend was dating Ponyville’s most promiscuous resident, and was keeping it a secret.

“So…” Scootaloo began after what must have been thirty minutes of harsh quiet.

“Yeah, care to explain?” Applebloom inquired, her tone stern.

Scootaloo flinched. “I forgot how much you hate beating around the bush.”

“Never saw it as a good way to spend time.”

Sweetie raised a hoof to signal her want to interject, but it was a sign that went unnoticed as the Pegasus’ wings began to unfurl, and the talk grew louder.

“Well, what’s there to explain? You guys saw it all, so there’s no need to dig too much deeper.”

“Ah think there is, if you’re datin’ that scumbag after what he did.”

“So what if I am? I don’t need to explain myself to you!”

“Not to me, but to your momma. How did she react? Was she proud that you were datin’ Rumble?”

“She might be, if she knew!”

“Then why doesn’t she know?”

Scootaloo’s eye twitched. “Because she doesn’t need to know everything about m-- Churk!”

Before she could finish her shout of defense, her wings snapped into an almost unnatural position, and she fell to the ground with a choke of pain. Applebloom immediately ran to her side in concern, while Sweetie’s eyes widened in shock.

“What’s happening to you, Scoots?” Applebloom cried as her friend’s hindlegs began to spasm uncontrollably.

“I-I’m f-f-fine, AB.” Scootaloo seethed, her jaw clenched shut. “It’s just a l-l-litt-tt-ttle t-t-tick-k. It-t’ll be go-one in a min-inute.”

“This happened before?!” Sweetie shrieked in a panic, mind racing faster than she could process. “What is this?”

“The s-s-saddleb-bag!” Scootaloo gasped, before her lower half stopped shaking, and her head collapsed onto the grass with a tired groan.

Applebloom retrieved some water from their basket for her ill friend, and Sweetie opened Scootaloo’s satchel.

Sweetie’s gasp of horror caught Applebloom’s attention before she could hand the water to Scootaloo, and the farmer was equally terrified by what the Unicorn pulled out of the bag.

Scootaloo’s Treasurefruit, which used to shine bright as a torch, was now dimmed and dented. It had numerous bite marks on it, some very distinctly different than others, and the skin seemed to be peeling off. The only light illuminating it was that of the sun, which made what was once a glorious gift appear to be nothing more than an overgrown grape.

“Oh, Scootaloo, what has he done to you?” Applebloom breathed, a tear coming to her eye. “What has that fiend made you do?”

Scootaloo swiped the bottle of water from her dazed friend irritably, and downed as much as she could in one gulp, nearly drowning herself as she choked on it. When she coughed out what little had gotten into her lungs, she glared at her friends.

“He didn’t make me do anything, you idiots.” She rasped. “T-that stupid fruit has been nothing but a pain since I started eating it. Sure, it tastes wonderful, but what use is it? Just something to give to whoever asks, that’s all.

“And now look at it.” She spat, reaching out and snatching it out of Sweetie’s hooves in a quick, violent motion. “Heh, ‘fruit that lasts forever’ my foot. This thing is just as useless as the mud it grew from… yet I love it.”

Her eyes glazed over as she stared at the fruit longer, and began to stroke it. “Every time I take a bite, it feels like… happiness. I get tingles all up and down my spine, and my brain wants to do nothing but laugh! I need it, I can’t live without it. Not an hour goes by without me needing a bite, and the only way I can get one is that stupid skirt-chaser, and his idiotic friends. If I can’t get them, I use a stick to trick the fruit. Make it think it’s two ponies biting in, when it’s just a stick!”

As her friend began to laugh a terrible, empty sound, Applebloom’s eyes went wide once her sister’s words returned to her.

‘it’s highly addictive, Sugarcube. You’ll get sick if you eat too much, or eat it too early.’

She stared at Scootaloo with a slack jaw, praying to whoever listened that she was dreaming, or hallucinating, or something. She didn’t want to believe that what she was seeing was actually happening to anypony, let alone one of her best friends in the world. Is this what addiction looked like? She felt her heart break for Scootaloo, and she held back tears as the Pegasus began rambling as she stared into the fruit.

“You two always talk about what loving coltfriends you have, how wonderful it is to be loved, how complete you feel with them around…” Scootaloo muttered, only just loud enough to be heard. “Guess what? Not everypony gets that. Not all of us get to feel love, or anything even close… the rest of us, we get happiness however we can, don’t we? Yes, we do. We feel just as happy with the fruit, don’t we? Yes, just five bites a day, and our worries go away! Who cares if it’s rotten, or if it’s just as tasty as bricks? It’s happiness, right? That’s what it’s here for. To provide happiness…”

Sweetie lifted a hoof to her mouth, and let her tears spill openly. She could believe that such a thing could happen, but not to poor Scootaloo!

“We need to get her home,” She stated, “now!”

Applebloom nodded dumbly, and they both carefully approached Scootaloo: hoping she wouldn't put up a terrible fight.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Together, Applebloom and Sweetie sat on the porch outside of Scootaloo’s home, listening to the normally sweet and bubbly voice of her mother speak in sad, broken tones. Scootaloo had been taken upstairs, and effectively sedated, but her forehooves started shaking again on the way. They had yet to stop.

Applebloom stared emptily at the grass just off the porch, and let a painful sigh shake her shoulders. “Do you… do you think we could've noticed?”

Sweetie looked over to her, and slowly placed a hoof on her back. “Hey, we did notice. We asked, and she wouldn't tell. What happened here isn't our fault, and it's not your fault either.”

“Ah know it, Sweets.” Applebloom said, her voice barely above a mutter. “Ah just… Ah just wish Ah’d have done something earlier, back when we first started worrying.”

Sweetie felt a pinch in her heart as she tried to comfort her friend. “AB, there's no way we could've known she'd be keeping something like this from us. We were both blindsided, and that's the truth.” She grappled Applebloom’s head, and turned her so that she was forced to look her in the eyes. “Applebloom, I need to hear you say it. I'm not letting another one of the Crusaders damage themselves, now say it!”

Applebloom lifted her eyes to Sweetie's, and sneered slightly. “It's not mah fault…”

Sweetie, calming herself down, slowly released Applebloom's head, and sat back. Applebloom just laughed a hollow sound.

“Heh, AJ told me about the Treasurefruit bein’ mighty addictive. Ah won't lie, Ah’ve been tempted to try a bite mahself. But this…” she glanced towards the door sadly. “Ah’m convinced, Ah’m saving the darned thing until it's ripe. Right, Sweetie?”

Sweetie brushed her mane back, and looked away. “Y-yeah…”

Applebloom recognized that tone. She didn't even turn around as her own voice went cold.

“You too, Sweets? Really?”

Sweetie Belle stared at her friend in disbelief. “What?! I'm not addicted to it!” She shouted defensively. “I just ate some with little Pip yesterday, to celebrate our engagement!”

“If yer not addicted, how come you got yer shields up?” Applebloom shot back. “It's supposed to be saved until it's ripe! Look what happened to the last pony who ate it early!”

Sweetie stood up, and stepped back. “Did you seriously just say that? Here? Now?”

Applebloom rose to her hooves as well. Her more muscular tone and conflicting emotions making her presence dominate the conversation, despite them being the same height. Sweetie shrank a little at the look in AB’s eyes.

“Yes, Ah did.” The farmer fumed. “Ah just learned that one of mah friends is slowly killing herself, and in the same day Ah figure out that the other started it, too. Only difference is your fruit is slightly less unripe.”

“But it was ripe!” Sweetie protested, stomping her hoof firmly on the porch. “I saved it until I actually had someone to share it with! Besides, how would you know that it's not ripe?”

“How exactly did you know that it was?” Applebloom retorted, quirking her brow at the Unicorn. Sweetie opened her mouth to answer, but shut it immediately after. She tossed the question around her mind, and found no answer. Her ears drooped in defeat.

“I guess I just wanted to celebrate the engagement…” she admitted.

When she saw Sweetie's shame, Applebloom sighed, and rubbed the bridge of her snout with a hoof.

“Ah… Ah’m sorry, Sweets.” She groaned. “Ah’m bein’ unfair, it's not mah place to judge you. It makes sense: you saved it until now, and he ain't gonna be using you just fer the fruit. Ah… Ah have reason, but Ah have no right to scold you.”

“It's alright, AB.” Sweetie breathed, relieved that the frightening look was out of Applebloom's eyes. “You're on edge, I understand. Today has been… rough on all of us.” She gazed up at a window on the second floor, where she knew Scootaloo was sleeping. “We all need our rest…”

Applebloom followed her gaze, and felt her heart sink with guilt once again.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“... I'd like you to accept, but I understand if you want to decline, and I respect your decision either way.”

Applebloom shut the door behind her, only just loud enough to let her family know she was home. She instantly recognized the voice that greeted her ears as she stepped inside, an smiled weakly as she realized what was going on. As she expected, Button Mash poked his head into the hall from their dining room, and have a gentle grin.

“Hey, honey. I heard about Scootaloo.” He said softly, stepping out to embrace her. “You doing okay?”

“Not really,” she chuckled bitterly, kissing his cheek, “but Ah’ll be fine. Just need a break from everythin’, is all. What's going on here?”

“Just trying to convince your brother to sell us some of the Apple family cider. Diamond Tiara wants to give your family sixty percent of the profits!”

Applebloom's smile remained intact as she nodded. “Sounds interesting, but Ah take it Ah ain't as tough a sell as my brother?”

Button laughed. “Actually, he's on board as well! I just need the signature of your sister, since she--"

“Since she's the one who runs the place, yeah.” Applebloom chuckled. “Where is AJ, anyways? Ah didn't see her on the way up.”

“She told me she was headed to the Third North Orchard when I got here.” Button shrugged. “Said something about gathering any apples that missed the buckets.”

Applebloom's smile instantly fell, and she looked to Big Mac as he stepped into view.

“Are you sure she said the Third North Orchard?”

“Yeah?” Button confirmed carefully.

Big Mac glanced out the window. “Oh no,”

Applebloom's blood began to race, and she prepared to bolt out the door. “Follow me, NOW!”

"Wait, what's wrong?!" Button asked, as he himself began to panic.

Applebloom spared him a brief glance. "We haven't harvested that orchard yet," she growled, "and Ah know exactly what that stubborn sister of mine's doing..."

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Sweetie Belle’s head jerked off of the pillow once she heard a vicious thunder ringing through the Boutique, startled so greatly she knew she wouldn’t sleep again that night. In a flash, she was off her bed and halfway down the stairs, and was already at the door when Rarity peeked out of her own bedroom. With a speed that made her hoof a blur, she tore the door open, and was greeted by a very concerned- and sweaty -Button Mash.

“Button?” She shrieked, “What’s going on--!”

“Good, you’re here!” Button interrupted, glancing over her shoulder to see Rarity wearily descending the stairs. “You’re both here... perfect.” He took a deep breath before speaking loud enough to be heard by both of them. “You’ll both want to come with me. It’s... it’s Applejack.”

Sweetie instantly knew what he was talking about, and whipped to grab her coat as she saw Rarity collect her own. In barely a moment’s time, all three of them were running down the street as fast as their hooves could carry them, allowing Button to lead the way. The door to the Boutique was left wide open, but no one cared. The crisp night air pelted their faces as they dashed across the streets of Ponyville, sweeping any last traces of sleep from the mares.

It barely took them ten minutes to rush into the hospital, where the rest of the Elements were gathered as well: along with Cheese Sandwich, Filthy Rich, and Diamond Tiara. Fear, panic and concern was evident amongst the crowd as Applebloom and Big Macintosh were clearly distraught by their conversation with chief nurse Redheart.

“We came as soon as we heard!” Sweetie panted, walking up to Pinkie. “How bad?”

Pinkie Pie, her mane deflated and flattened, looked back to her as tears matted the fur on her cheeks. “They… she's… she's bad, really bad this time, Sweetie.”

“Pinkie, darling?” Rarity inquired carefully. “How bad?”

Pinkie was fighting back another breakdown. “They say she might not make it.” She choked. “They had to… they put her in a coma...”

Sweetie Belle and Rarity both held their hooves to their mouths. Today just wasn't going well.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Applebloom winced as her aching hindlegs dug into the bark of yet another massive tree, triggering the ripened apples to fall into the wooden pails placed beneath. Sweat matted her coat as she stumbled forward, and snatched up the water bottle from her satchel to cool her parched throat.

As she doused the flame inside her neck, she heard the sound of grass under hooves. She heard this often enough to tell exactly who it was without looking, and sighed as she let the empty bottle fall to the dirt.

“Howdy, Sugar Belle.”

The sound ceased for a moment as soon as she spoke, and she heard a soft chuckle.

“I swear I'll never get used to those ears of yours, AB.”

“It's muh job t’ be observant. What do you want?”

Applebloom felt bad for using such a tone with her sister-in-law, but she wanted to be left alone. Sadly, it didn't seem that wish would be fulfilled, as Belle walked into her line of sight with a caring smile that hurt to look at.

“Come on, hon.” Belle pleaded. “Lunch is ready, and it's apple strudel, your favourite!”

Applebloom quirked her brow just barely, and wearily trotted to the next tree.

“Ah dunno, there's still a powerful lotta harvest to take care of…” she lifted her hindlegs into the air, and smashed them into the tree. “Ah’d hate to be responsible for an orchard of overripe apples.”

Belle smiled coyly. “Button’s having lunch with us.”

Applebloom froze, and looked up to the house. It was quite a bit larger than it used to be, now a full three times the size it was when she met the other Crusaders. Which was fitting, because the same could be said for the farm itself: which was now home to several hired hooves, Applebloom and Applejack, as well as Big Mac, Sugar Belle, and their toddlers.

For a brief moment, a familiar image flashed through her mind: the entire Apple family of Ponyville gathered around the table, feasting on another bountiful harvest beside a winter fire. Granny sharing stories of past harvests with her and Button, Sweetie and Scootaloo glued to every word spoken. Big Mac and Sugar Belle were still only dating, and she herself was only still just a foal.

But those days were long gone. The farm had grown too large and successful for the Apples to maintain on their own, and Granny Smith… Granny joined Bright Mac and Buttercup when Applebloom was only thirteen. Scootaloo’s sickness was getting worse and worse, despite her parents’ efforts, and Applejack had been kept in her sleep: teetering constantly on the precipice between life and death.

Applebloom felt her heart grow cold as reality crushed her nostalgia, and her mood darkened until her face twisted into a snarl. Her stomach and joints were aching, screaming for her to take the afternoon and relax, but she paid them no mind. Her hears told her that Belle was speaking her name again, but she didn’t care. She ignored everything, and stormed up to the next tree. She miscalculated how much her frustration was affecting her, though: and her kick sent a web of cracks through the trunk, and felled the still youthful apple tree.

She turned with a grunt, and was shocked to see a full buck of apples scattering across the hill. This only added to her stress, and she felt something delicate inside of her snap like a dry leaf. With a furious roar of unbridled anger pent up from months of sadness and lost emotion: she threw herself at the fallen bole, and began pounding at it relentlessly. Her muscles screamed, her stomach mangled itself, and her eyes saw nothing but red as her hooves dug into the trunk. Splinters flew in every direction as she began to tire out, and she finally heard Sugar Belle’s screams.

“Applebloom! Stop it! Stop it now!”

She was spent. Her sight went from red to black, and every muscle in her body was crying out in anguish. She couldn’t even hear that she was doing the same, but anypony within an acre could.

She collapsed atop the wreckage of her victim, and blacked out. When she stirred, she was still unable to move, but she saw she was on Sugar Belle’s back as the mare raced her back to the mansion, and she barely heard her groan out six words that stung her to the core:

“You’re just as bad as Applejack…”

She would’ve cried, if she wasn’t too exhausted to shed a single tear.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Applebloom!” Big Macintosh shouted, his tone utterly paralyzed said sister amidst her stubborn struggling. “Ah don't care what you say, and Ah don't give a damn about the harvest: you're staying in that bed for three days.”

Applebloom could see the pain in his eyes at needing to use such a tone with her, and Sugar Belle laid a hoof on both of their shoulders. She gave Big Mac a silent look that calmed him down, and quietly spoke to the bedridden mare.

“Applebloom, this is the same selfish behavior that put Applejack where she is.” She sighed gently, but bluntly. “If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to see her again.”

Applebloom opened her mouth to protest, but the words stuck in her throat the more she thought. Was that what she was trying to do? Was she trying to duplicate her sister's behavior in hopes that she would end up wherever Applejack is?

Her ears flattened against her mane. It was true. She was damning herself to the same selfish fate, and she was doing it intentionally. There was no excuse for it.

Silently, and obediently, she rested down into her bed: and let the tears flow freely. She felt both her brother and his wife gently pull her to the edge of the bed, and wrap her in a soft embrace.

She let the touch of their forelegs soak into her nerves, and calm her shuddering. Her breaths slowed, and she stretched out her own arms to return the gesture.

It would take her tapping into a patience she doubted she had, but Applebloom felt herself fill with the determination to see this through. To watch her sister wake. And, if necessary, she needed to be there to say goodbye.

She couldn't give up, not yet.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Sweetie Belle rolled over in her bed with a groan. Her head ached from the stress that had been gathering over the months. She'd just returned from trying to help Pinkie with Scootaloo, but she could barely keep herself from crying whenever she had to use sedatives just to keep her best friend alive.

Scootaloo was going paler by the day, and her eyes lost their focus just that afternoon. Sweetie was praying to whoever listened that she could do something more for the fellow Crusader. When nothing came to mind, she gave another exasperated groan, and gently thwacked the shape next to her with her outstretched hoof.

The pony beneath the covers stirred with a snort, alerting Sweetie to her accident. The blanket gently rose as the body sat up, before falling to reveal the tired face of her sister: face all but covered in what she insisted upon calling her “Morning Chic” manestyle.

If Sweetie Belle wanted to be brutally honest, it was a rat's nest with a few curlers, but she didn't want to say so in front of Rarity. She liked breathing.

Rarity stretched out her forelegs in a tired yawn, and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes with her aura. “Hmm, what's the matter, Sweetie Belle?” She sighed, arching her back with the delicate sound of several pops as she looked at her younger sibling.

Sweetie shrugged quickly. “I’m not sure, there’s just been so much happening lately, I’m not sure how to feel about anything. I can’t seem to sleep anymore.”

Rarity shot a glance at the clock. “Well, I do hope you get some sleep soon. We need to start preparing you in six hours…”

“I’m aware,” Sweetie giggled, “but do I really require all the fuss?”

Rarity feigned a horrified gasp as she stared at her sister like she was a complete stranger. “The nerve! My own sister not expecting me to go above and beyond the call of duty for her big day?!”

Sweetie couldn’t help but let her smile grow as she rolled her eyes at her sister’s antics. “That’s not what I meant at all, and you know it. I mean, everything I have to do is just walk up the chapel, look pretty, and say ‘I do’. Pip’s doing all the hard work: arranging seating, clarifying costs, and standing at the end of the aisle while somehow making sure everypony can see him over each other’s heads.” She finished with a wink.

Rarity playfully batted Sweetie’s snout. “Don’t tease your groom so much, darling! It’s not polite.” She tittered. “And besides, I have a few tricks I want to try out to help your legs not get so tired from standing for an hour…”

Sweetie’s eyes narrowed. “You’d better not be thinking what I think you’re thinking…”

Rarity’s smile turned devious. “I think we’re both aware it’s too late to change anything, darling…”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Pinkie shot up the stairs as the blood-curdling screams started up again, her speed making her little more than a pink mist to the naked eye. She opened the bedroom door, sedatives ready, when the screaming suddenly stopped. Instead, she was greeted with a hollow gurgling.

Terrified for her daughter, she flung the door open, and was greeted with the sight of the Pegasus lying motionless on the bed: chest slowly falling as her breath escaped her.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Applebloom opened her eyes leisurely, and glanced out the window. It must've been her third day of just resting in bed, and she was sick of it already.

Her mood didn't improve when her pupils tracked the sunbeams to a particular day encircled by red marker on her calendar, and she snapped into an upright position: mind overtaken by a single goal.

“Crap! Ah’ve gotta get t’ the Town Hall!”

Within movements of speed unexpected, she was by her dresser: throwing the drawers open as loudly as possible in hopes that she'd catch somepony’s attention without having to shout. Just when she located her finest dress, as expected, her brother opened the door and marched in.

“What do you think yer doin’?” He asked sternly.

“Ah’m getting ready fer Sweetie's weddin’, Big Mac.” Applebloom retorted, expecting him to fret about it. “Ah ain't missin’ it!”

Much to her surprise, Big Macintosh’s face went white for a second as he gained a look of shock. Then, he smiled widely and shouted to his wife over his shoulder.

“Belle! Get the young’uns ready! The weddin’s today!”

Applebloom's jaw dropped as her brother disappeared out of the atrium. She stood in stunned silence for nearly a minute before deciding to hurry up and get ready.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Cheese Sandwich quietly walked up the stairs. He had begun to worry when Pinkie made no sound for around ten minutes, and his concern deepened as he got closer to their child's bedroom: not a single sound emerging.

He saw the door was cracked open, yet only the dim light from the closed blinds leaked into the hall from inside. He felt genuine fear stab at him as he cautiously approached, and gently pushed the door.

The sight that greeted him was horrific.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Applebloom's smile widened as the family cart sped down the streets. She was having quite the time keeping her mane in place, and laughed aloud whenever a stray lock tickled her nose. Today was going to be wonderful, she just knew it!

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Sweetie Belle blushed as she looked in the mirror, Rarity’s reflection betraying the tears gathering in her eyes as she held a hoof to her mouth.

“C-come on, sis.” Sweetie pleaded. “Don't you start crying again, or I'll start crying again, and we'll both be a mess by the time the ceremony starts...”

Rarity immediately turned away, and snuffled a bit while waving off Sweetie's concerns. “Oh pish-posh, Sweetie. I'm plenty capable of withholding my tears, thank you.”

Sweetie chuckled, wiping a slight mist from her own eyes. “You mean like at the last wedding we went to?” She poked.

Despite her best efforts, Rarity's bittersweet emotions rang in her voice as she chuckled sincerely. “That doesn't count, it's hard not to cry whenever that friend you always thought would be single gets married before you do. And I thought we agreed to never speak of that again?”

Sweetie laughed. “I never agreed to that, you know. You're too fun to mess with.”

Rarity giggled fondly at the remark, and slowly let her hoof rest on Sweetie's cheek: her voice cracking when she spoke.

“I'm going to miss those moments… when you were just a filly… when we'd relax for tea in the evenings… when you would come to me for everything. Now, you're a beautiful mare: with a life of her own, a job to support herself with, and soon a husband to spend eternity with.”

Sweetie paused, and set her hoof atop her sister's, looking her in the eye.

“H-hey, don't worry. We're sisters first, foremost and forever, remember? I'll always make time for you, you practically raised me!”

Rarity lowered her hoof, only to step back and offer it for a shake. “Promise me?”

Sweetie accepted the hoof, and shook it firmly with a smile. “Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. You're basically a mother to me.”

There was a knock on the door, grabbing their attention just as it opened a crack.

“They're almost ready, Sweetie.” A voice called through, obviously hurried despite the polite tone.

“Is Applebloom here yet?” Sweetie asked as she scampered out into the hall. “We're not starting without her!”

“The groom said the same thing…”

Rarity held back for a moment as the voices faded out of her hearing, just staring into the doorway with a sad smile.

“‘Almost a mother to me’, huh?” She sighed, looking in the mirror. “If only I could tell you just how fitting that statement is…”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Pinkie barely felt her husband's hooves wrap around her as the last of her tears drained out. Her throat was parched and hoarse, the floor beneath soaked with her mother tears, and the sheets wrinkled and torn from her desperately pawing hooves. She felt cold inside, cold and dry. Everything her sight touched was dark and dreary, and she could feel the light in her eyes dimming.

Slowly, she tore her gaze away from the body of the closest thing she had to a child, and screwed her eyelids shut while pawing gently at Cheese’s breast, and letting herself become enveloped in his embrace.

“Should we… tell the others?” Cheese asked, looking at the heartbreaking sight atop the mattress.

Pinkie choked, and shook her head. “Not today, I'm in too much pain to ruin Sweetie's wedding day…”

Cheese smiled bitterly, and kissed his wife gently on the forehead as tears of his own began to leak.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

After the ceremonies, the reception was far underway: and five close friends, thicker than thieves, bumped glasses of punch in celebration.

“Here's to the happy couple!” Applebloom began, looking a blushing Sweetie Belle in the eye. “May eternity support them, and wealth and friendship unite them!”

“Hear, hear!” The rest agreed, downing their individual drinks expediently. Sweetie and Pip shared a glance as they quenched their thirst, one that didn't go unnoticed by the farmpony.

“So, you two lovebirds got any plans for yer honeymoon? ‘Sides the obvious, o’course.”

Pipsqueak spat out his drink, and cleared his throat. “Well, I wouldn't say we have too much planned. A short cruise, maybe, since my candidacy is in good hands now.”

“Candidacy?” Rarity inquired, refilling her cup.

“Yes,” the small stallion said carefully, before a beaming nod from Sweetie begged him to continue. “I'm proud to say that... I'll be running for Mayor next election!”

That time, it was Diamond Tiara who spat out her drink, and laughed sincerely as she snatched a napkin to clean up.

“This ought to be interestin’...” Applebloom chuckled, stepping beside Sweetie.

Pip raised an eyebrow with a curious smile, and glanced at Tiara. “What? I think I could handle your position for a few years, and I was hoping this could be a sort of… ‘rematch', shall we say?”

Tiara stood up, and cleared her throat. “Sorry, I believe you could handle it perfectly. The news was surprising, that's all.” She chuckled, extending a hoof. “It'll be fun running against you again, especially now that my… tactics have improved.”

They shared a laugh as they shook hooves, and Sweetie shooed them off to discuss politics. Sweetie, Rarity and Applebloom sighed in bittersweet tones as they returned attention to each other.

“It's too bad some of us couldn't make it today…” Rarity blurted, stating what was clearly in everypony’s minds. She took a swig of the stronger punch, and looked to Applebloom.

The farmer chuckled warmly, and waved her hoof. “Ah’ll tell AJ ‘bout the whole affair when Ah visit her today. Doctor says she c’n hear everything around her, and with the way her heartbeat calms when Ah’m around, Ah'm inclined to believe ‘im.”

“It’s good to hear that she’s feeling better, at least.” Sweetie affirmed, allowing her smile to grow more sincere. Applebloom nodded, then glanced back and forth, and leaned in as if she were about to tell a secret.

“The Doc said Ah’m not supposed to get mah hopes up an’ all, but he told me an’ Mac that there’s a very likely possibility she’ll be able to wake up in the next three weeks!” She whispered. The unicorn sisters gasped with hooves to their mouths simultaneously, and clapped their hooves together.

“That’s glorious news!” Rarity cheered quietly, nearly throwing her drink aside as she plopped it onto the refreshments table. “Does he have any theory for a more narrowed time?”

Applebloom shook her head. “He said they took out every piece of equipment, other than the necessities. The rest is up to her.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

*Knock knock knock*

Applebloom lowered her hoof from the door, and smiled readily. She knew Scootaloo’s condition was unstable, and that Pinkie was having a rough time with everything considered, so she figured the Pie-Sandwich family would like some company. If she felt that she was intruding, she was ready to leave.

She felt a reassuring hoof on her shoulder as the silence prevailed, and saw Button offering her a supportive smile. He was as torn up as she was about Scootaloo’s condition, and she knew it, but things like this weren’t anything new to him. He’d help her get through until Scootaloo was feeling better, and she loved him for it. She returned the smile, just as a click signaled that the entrance was being unlocked.

They both looked to the oor as it slowly creaked open, revealing a deflated and darkened Pinkie Pie standing on the other side: marks of tears long since spent marked her cheeks, and heavy bags dragged under her eyes. The optimistic light that persevered behind her eyes was nearly gone, and she shivered as if she was caught naked in the snow.

She didn’t say a word. She didn’t have to. The look she gave them told them all they needed to know, and Applebloom’s heart stopped. The farmer felt her heart break as she looked into Pinkie’s eyes, and she shook her head.

“No,” she breathed, before darting past the weary mare like a bullet. She charged into her friend’s bedroom, and froze with tears in her eyes as she beheld the sight that had stricken two speechless already:

Scootaloo was laying atop the bed, facing the ceiling with a face contorted in anguish. Her lifeless eyes stared endlessly at the light above her, and her mouth was filled with a pink foam. Her hooves had flopped limply at her sides, and her mane and tail were rough and unkempt.

The Pegasus was dead.

"SCOOTALOO!" Applebloom shrieked: her anger and sadness both ringing clear. Tears began to stream down her face as she rushed to the bed, and held the limp form of her childhood friend in her arms. She didn’t want to believe what she was seeing, but she knew better than to doubt her eyes. Her head dropped as she hugged the lifeless husk into her chest, and a single tear fell from her eye. She couldn’t think. She couldn’t speak. She couldn’t hear. She couldn’t feel. She couldn’t even cry.

All she could do was grieve.

After what felt like an eternity, she began to sense another presence beside her. Weakly, she opened her eyes, and saw Button gently holding her in a welcome embrace. She could also hear Cheese and Pinkie slowly entering the room.

“Wh-... When did it happen?” Applebloom asked, turning her head so she could see the couple out of the corner of her eye.

Pinkie’s response was quiet, but the vacuum of silence made it feel like she was shouting.

“First thing this morning, ‘Bloom.” She choked. “I-... I didn't want to ruin Sweetie's wedding with… this.”

Applebloom flinched. Pinkie’s logic was still the same in spite of her grief: odd, yet impeccable. She was going to allow herself and her husband to suffer in grief alone, as long as it meant that a moment of joy could be preserved.

For a long time, nopony moved. Nopony spoke. Nopony even seemed to breathe until Applebloom broke the silence.

“We need to tell her,” she stated bitterly, “we need to tell everypony, today.”

Pinkie opened her mouth as if to speak, but Applebloom lifted her hoof in the air in request for her to lend an ear.

“Ah know you want the weddin’ to stay pleasant, but once we tell her about…” she swallowed a lump in her throat, and focused back on Scootaloo: the foam had begun to drip from her mouth, and stained Applebloom's dress. “... this, the memory of today’ll be stained anyway.

“Besides…” she choked, looking up to Button. “They need to know,”

Pinkie glanced at her husband, whose eyes never left the body of the child they chose to raise. Eventually, he turned to her, and nodded soberly.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Applebloom's been gone for an awfully long time…” Sweetie commented, glancing at the large clock on the wall. Pipsqueak looked at his wife, then to the timepiece, and sighed.

“Scootaloo must be having a rough time again today,” he suggested soberly, “poor girl's been getting it pretty bad, from what you've told me.”

Sweetie nodded, and took a sip of her drink. “Yeah, it's gotten to the point where Pinkie can't even leave her side anymore.”

Pip opened his mouth to say something, but the sound died in his throat once he saw who was entering the reception. Sweetie's puzzled expression showed that she'd noticed his staring.

“Honey?”

Pipsqueak finally found his voice once the four ponies began to approach them. He cleared his throat, and whispered to her as he gestured with his glass.

“You might want to turn around, darling.”

Still perplexed, Sweetie obeyed, and stared blankly at the sight of the pink pony walking up to her.

“Pinkie?”

Without a word, Pinkie immediately raced up to Sweetie Belle, and nearly tackled her as she captured the stunned mare in a strong embrace. The Unicorn looked at the party pony in concern, before her eyes focused on Applebloom. The devastated look on her friend's face set her mind feeling to figure out what had happened, before her mind rested on the inevitable conclusion. A conclusion she didn't want to believe once it was found.

Her pupils shrank, and her ears flicked back. Her jaw opened just enough to let the silent scream of anguish seep out of her lungs, and Applebloom's sad nod confirmed the worst.

Slowly, she dropped her head over Pinkie's shoulder, and tears began to run.

Applebloom sat down with a sniffle of her own, but swallowed her grief as she looked around. Everypony in the hall was witnessing the scene, and it didn't take a genius to figure out what had happened. Nopony spoke, and the entire party grew quiet as they all sat, and allowed themselves to process the unspoken news.

It would take Ponyville days to recover.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“What does it taste like?”

Sweetie Belle shifted her gaze to the pony suddenly sitting beside her at her table. “Excuse me?”

“The Treasurefruit, what does it taste like?” The other mare, hood covering her face, asked again.

Sweetie Belle, recognizing the voice, shrugged and looked back to the menu. “It's hard to explain…”

“Can you try?”

With a sigh, Sweetie conceded. “Alright… well… first of all, the fruit doesn't only [ taste ] good, it's unbelievable. As soon as you take a bite, shivers run down your spine. Just like when you hear a very soulful singer. And the taste itself is interesting: mostly saccharine, with a hint of delightful tang. That's… about it, I guess.”

“That's it?” The figure asked, sounding somewhat disappointed. After a nod from Sweetie, the cloaked pony thanked her, and disappeared around a corner.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“Button?”

Button Mash looked up from his workbench, and smiled as Applebloom timidly walked into the garage he had converted into an office, carrying a small saddlebag marked with her cutie mark.

“Hey, Abs. What can I do for you?”

His curiosity only increased as his marefriend acquired a particularly furious blush, deeper than when she usually responded to the nickname. Seeing she was unsure about something, he slowly rolled his chair from his workbench to his desk, turning to face her fully as he rested his forehooves together atop the flat surface. He lowered his head enough so that his mouth was concealed by his forehooves, quirked his brow, and nodded for her to sit. Quietly, she complied: and rubbed the back of her neck, avoiding eye contact.

“Ah’ve… Ah was w-wonderin’...” Appleblom began. Her hoof never left the back of her neck, nor the color her face.

Now, Button wasn’t known for being the sharpest tack in the wall when it came to how other ponies felt. Especially as a child, he’d miss obvious tones, body language, etc.. But he’d grown into quite the observant stallion, and it didn’t take him too long to piece guess what was happening.

“What’s in the pack?” He asked tenderly, effectively stopping Applebloom from her blushing and incomprehensible babbling. Cautiously, she picked up the satchel, yet ended up dropping it onto the desk nervously. It flopped onto its side immediately, opening the flap and spilling out it’s content: an object that resembled a great plum carved from imperial topaz, and glowed with a golden light from within.

Button instantly knew what the object was that rolled to a stop in front of him, and his eyes snapped shut as his assumptions were proven correct. He let out a lengthy sigh as his mind searched itself for something to say, but Applebloom beat him to it.

“Ah guess you've fig’red out why Ah came here?” She asked, clearly feeling hesitant.

Button nodded solemnly. “Yeah, subtlety isn't usually your strength, Abs.” He confirmed, reaching his hoof out, and bumping the fruit just hard enough to roll it halfway between the two of them. “My main concern is… why? Your family is a great deal more traditional than mine, but even my father knew to respect the traditions of the Treasurefruit.”

Applebloom's blush grew with her frustration, and she threw her hooves up in disgust. “Ah dunno! This year has been nothing but trouble for me, and muh family. Ah just want to feel genuinely happy again, Ah guess.”

“And you think that the Fruit will help you feel happy?”

“It's worth a shot, ain't it?”

Button closed his eyes again, and nodded as he disappeared into his own thoughts. Applebloom began to grow antsy after a solid minute had passed, and fidgeted in her seat as she glanced hopefully at her coltfriend.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Button looked down at her Treasurefruit. He reached out with a careful hoof, took it in his grasp, and rolled it back into the saddlebag.

“No,” he stated bluntly. Applebloom reeled her head back, a look of confusion and dejection in her eyes.

“W-... w-w-... WHAT?!” She screamed, staring at the stallion as if he'd grown a horn and wings. “Bu-b-b-but… it's supposed to… Ah need… you--”

Button cut her off with a raised hoof, and looked out the small windows adorning the top of the garage door with a soft sigh.

“Applebloom, I love you. You know that, right?” He asked.

Applebloom, still shocked, nodded her head with a quiet “Ah know".

Another moment of silence, as Button struggled to think. Applebloom felt her muscles grow tense: had she gone too far? Was the Treasurefruit really that serious? Was he going to bre--

“Do you know [ why ] I said no?” He inquired. Applebloom's mind was swimming in a bizarre concoction of emotions, and she struggled to answer him.

“N-no, not really…” she finally managed, still tense as a stone.

Button looked back to her, and focused intently on her eyes. “It's because I love you,”

When his statement only seemed to confuse her further, Button decided to elucidate.

“Look,” he offered, “I've known you for years, Abs. You're traditional, stubborn, thoughtful, and wise. But this isn't the first time I've seen how much grief changes you.

“I hate to bring it up, especially now, but when Granny passed: you turned into your own complete opposite. For a while, you were inconsistent, Inconsiderate, and incomprehensibly indecisive emotionally. You turned out your friends, and shut down almost everything that tried to help you.

“I know that it feels like you want to do this, but I love you too much to let you. I refuse to help you make a decision that I know you'll regret later, and I hope you understand that.”

When he had finished his tame rant, Button looked back at Applebloom, and smiled hopefully.

Applebloom blinked blankly: her mind seated in chaos, and her thoughts scattered asunder. Her emotions swirled between her lips as she opened them to speak, only to shut them again without an utterance. She couldn't think straight. She was frustrated. She needed something to distract her from everything that was happening, and the Fruit was the only thing she could think of that should've worked. Now, she was even being refused that.

Yet, a small part of her held firm. It told her that Button was right: the Fruit’s pleasure would be noticeably temporary if she used it now, and she'd only regret it later. Though small, that voice eventually drowned out the others as she hung her head.

“Ah… Ah suppose you're right…” she murmured. “Ah’ll go on, and… and get out, Ah suppose.”

Button’s head lifted as Applebloom stood, and began to walk away. He jumped from his seat, and planted himself between her and the door.

“And just where are you going?” He asked sternly. Applebloom looked up to him with a quirked brow.

“Back home, Ah guess?” She offered, stepping back slightly. Button shook his head, and trotted over to his desk.

“Nope,”

Applebloom blinked. “‘Nope'?”

“Yes, ‘nope'.” Button reaffirmed, ducking behind the desk, only to reappear with a backpack. “You're my mare, and you're downtrodden. Those two things don't go together!”

“A-Ah beg your pardon?”

“You already have it,” the determined stallion said offhandedly, “I've sent a few extra workers to Sweet Apple Acres, and notified your brother of your absence for this weekend.”

“What?”

“Applebloom,” Button asked, draping a hoof over her shoulder: “how do you feel about Prance?”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Though unexpected, the trip to Prance was a much needed break for Applebloom. Her worry and grief never left, but her stress melted away over the next few days. After she returned, Applebloom returned to her daily ritual of sitting at her sister’s bedside, and recalling her days.

Today in particular, she was waiting for something- anything -to signal the return of the pony she needed most. Scootaloo’s death weighed heavily on her still, but she neglected to shed a tear. She had begun to feel numb inside again, but she was determined to power through it. She knew she could fight on.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

*Sskkkrrrth*

For a brief moment, Applebloom thought she heard the sound of cloth moving against cloth as she sat by her sister's leg. But, a quick look proved that Applejack hadn’t moved at all.

She had sat in silence for the better part of the afternoon, until she finally summoned the will to speak: though her tone was thin, quiet, and hollow.

“H-hey, AJ.” She started, stuttering slightly as she looked to the peaceful face of the mare who’d practically raised her. “There’s… something you need to know about what all happened after Sweetie’s weddin’...” She took a deep breath. “Ah know you can hear me, and that you’ve been hearin’ me. And Ah know you, so Ah know you noticed me avoiding telling you what we learned after the wedding.”

She chuckled emptily. “There’s… no easy way for me t’ say this, and Ah still don’t want t’ believe it m’self, but… Scootaloo… Scootaloo died from her sickness. The one that put her in bed th’same day as you…”

*Sskrrrthh*

This time, she didn’t just hear a movement, she felt it. Her eyes popped open as she clearly felt a hindleg lift up what must’ve been one-fifteenth an inch from the bed, and bump her tail. Hardly daring to hope, she looked to the leg: and found that in had, in fact, moved. If only a miniscule amount.

She watched with bated breath as Applejack’s head rolled ever-so-slightly, and her eyelids twitched.

“A-... AJ?”

After hearing her nickname, Applejack’s eyes fluttered thinly: eventually opening just enough to reveal two tired, motherly green eyes that had been hidden away for months. The farmer smiled meekly, and parted her lips enough to let out a playful whisper.

“Mornin’, Applebloom… must've missed th’ alarm again, huh?”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Pipsqueak shuffled uncomfortably in his seat as the receptionist- a Pegasus mare named Quick Call -sorted through a rather immense drawer of files. She’d occasionally spare a fast glance in his direction, then ignore him before he could ask anything.

Sweetie sat at his side, and was none too appreciative of the looks that the mare was giving her husband. She’d always been protective of Pip- even before they were dating -so the thought that she was being paranoid had crossed her mind, but the clerk just seemed annoyed at the stallion for some reason.

Finally, Quick pulled out the right file, and walked it over to the shredder. She set her hoof on the ‘On’ switch, but paused just long enough to glance back at the couple.

“Are you sure you want to cancel your reservations?” She inquired, offering the pair one last time to back out.

“Yes, we’re sure.” Sweetie confirmed, tenderly holding Pipsqueak’s hoof. “We still… we still have things to take care of here.”

Quick shrugged, and proceeded to shred the documents inside the folder. “Suit yourselves. Would you like a full refund?”

“If possible, Quick.” Pip nodded. The receptionist returned the gesture, and trotted over to a large register.

The newlyweds both eyed the tray that held what was left of their promised cruise, before sighing contently. They were both of one mind on the matter, as they volunteered to make the arrangements for Scootaloo’s funeral, but they couldn’t help but feel a small tinge of regret that they had to postpone their honeymoon.

When Quick gave them their receipt, and refunded their payment, they filed out with a soft thanks. Hearts heavy from the grim business they’d soon be attending to.

“I still can’t believe she’s gone…” Sweetie muttered as she took her seat on the train back to Ponyville. Pip sat beside her, and wrapped an arm around her barrel.

“I know,” he sighed as she rested against him. “I don’t want to believe it either…”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

She couldn't believe it. She didn't want to believe it.

Diamond Tiara stood over the open end of the casket: staring with bleary, tear-soaked eyes at the pristine face of her friend's body.

The main portion of the ceremonies had been completed, and now everypony was in line to say their farewells to a dear friend. Nopony was without tears, and even the Princesses had attended, though Luna was far more distraught than her sister.

As Diamond wrapped up with her goodbye, her eyes began to water again as her past mistake bore down on her. For despite how well she'd hidden it, she never truly forgave herself for how she'd treated the Crusaders, and Scootaloo especially. She was always determined to redeem herself in the Pegasus’ eyes, and now she was left with a pit in her stomach. Grief and despair weighed on her heart as she bent her head down, and kissed Scootaloo's cold forehead in farewell.

Rainbow Dash followed behind her, mirroring the gesture without hesitation. Diamond heard her whispering, but she couldn't decipher what was being said. Slowly, she made he way to the furthest corner of the pews, and rolled herself into a ball on the seat.

She had no want to withhold her grief, and buckled over as the weight of her own tears fell from her heart. She knew that her sobbing was audible, which was why she forced herself to the back. She didn't want to disturb the ceremonies any more than she already had. She wanted to leave the Crusaders room to grieve in pe--

“You really liked her, didn't you?”

Diamond gasped as her eyes shot open. She looked to the mare who had interrupted her grief, and was met by the magenta eyes of a pony who was suffering more than her.

“She… I-I still had so much to apologize for…” Diamond cracked, not ceasing her tears. Rainbow Dash draped a wing over the Earth Pony in a comforting gesture.

“Heh, you're not the only one who has things to apologize for.” She laughed bluntly, her voice breaking as well.

Diamond looked at her, not sure of what to say. “What… what would you have to apologize for?”

Rainbow looked back to the coffin at the front of the room, and allowed several tears to run down her cheeks.

“I put her in there, for one thing…” she stated, pinning her ears back. Diamond stared at her in disbelief.

“How? Why?!”

“‘How'?” Rainbow chuckled. “Because I was a total idiot, I told her what I thought of the Treasurefruit. I set her on this stupid path, and now she's paid for listening to a bitch like me…

“I tried to dissuade her from following my example, I told her countless times that she was going too far. But that's all I ever did. If I'd have reported her condition sooner…”

Rainbow couldn't speak anymore. She buckled over right in front of Diamond, crying so loud that the whole hall could hear her. Everypony either stared, or spared a glance at her, but nopony was disturbed. Everypony knew how much Dash loved little Scootaloo, even adopting her biggest fan as a surrogate sister all those years ago.

Now, Diamond watched as the mare broke down in front of her, and poured out all the guilt she had been withholding. She still felt the weight of her own grief, but she didn't hesitate to embrace the weeping mare in a gesture of comfort. Together they sat, each in the other's arms, and sharing in their sadness.

As the town gathered after the service to eat, Diamond and Rainbow stuck to each other like glue. They continuously chatted up a storm; sharing memories they both had of Scootaloo, and laughing merrily as they could. After all was said and done, Rainbow shifted slightly in her seat, and carefully eyed the mare seated across from her.

“Look,” she began, fiddling with the remainder of her food uncomfortably. “I… I realize that this is hardly an appropriate time to ask, but… would you… like to chill with me for a while?”

Diamond Tiara tilted her head. “Of course I would, Rainbow. It would be nice to have some company, and get away from mayoral responsibilities for a day…” she smiled, before looking at the slightly less nervous Pegasus across from her. “But, why would this be an inappropriate time to ask?”

Rainbow’s hoof sped up as it mercilessly batted around a loose macaroni noodle.

“I was… just wondering if you also would like… uh... some fruit?”

“Oh? I… suppose so. I'm allergic to pineapples, just to get that out there.”

Rainbow Dash visibly squirmed in place, only adding to Diamond's confusion. What was she trying to…?

“That's… not the kind of fruit I mean.”

“Oh? Then, what--?”

“I'maskingifyouwanttosharesomeofmyTreasurefruitwithme,”

Rainbow's eyes were clenched shut as she hurriedly whispered her answer, keeping just quiet enough to keep the conversation from being heard by anypony else.

Diamond, on the other hand, was frozen. At first she wasn't sure if she'd heard her friend right, but the expression on the Pegasus’ face was more than enough to wipe any doubt from her mind. Then her mind wandered into darker territory: using the Treasurefruit as a distraction from life's hardships was exactly what killed Scootaloo, she'd examined the paperwork herself, and Rainbow's earlier outbursts of self-incrimination made more sense now. Obviously, Dash didn't use the fruit as often or recklessly as her surrogate sister had, but it was clear that this was one of the behaviors that she'd passed on. Inadvertently or not.

Rainbow began to panic inwardly as she couldn't read the expression on Diamond's face. She was undecided if she'd just pissed off the mayor by flirting with her, horrified her by flirting with a mare, or broke her with the fast approach.

‘Way to go, idiot.” Her mind berated her. “You broke her. The first pony you've approached in two months, and you break her. Practice obviously doesn't make perfect.”

After a brief eternity, Diamond's smile returned to it's former gentleness. She tilted her head, and looked Dash in the eye.

“I'd like that,”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Applejack sat up on the couch, staring out the living room window at a sight she didn't realize she missed so much: the sun setting over the orchards.

She'd been in the void for so long, she'd missed so much because of her reckless pride. One choice was all it took to remove herself from her family's lives.

Now, here she sat after nearly a year of sleep, gently caressing her sister's mane as she weeped in her arms. She never truly realized just how selfish she was being when she went into the orchards. Taking such a risk meant that her family would be worried sick, and that Applebloom would be robbed of one of the two ponies she ever fully opened herself up to.

Now that she was back, however, Applebloom was allowing herself to let every single tear she'd withheld fall freely. Applejack held her tightly, shushing her in calming tones as she felt her own heart break for the former filly.

“Shh-sh-sh… it's alright, Sugarcube…” she whispered into her sister's ear, “Ah'm here… Ah'm right here for you now… and Ah ain't ever leavin’ you again…”

Applebloom felt herself warm up at her sister's words, the last tears of her hours of crying dripping from her cheeks:

One of sadness, for all the months of living without her sister.

One of grief, for the death of her childhood friend.

And the last one, a tear of joy from her sister's return.

Still choking slightly, she looked up to Applejack. “C-... can we s-stay here for a while? L-like old times?”

Applejack smiled, and repositioned herself so that she was lying side-by-side with Applebloom. Applebloom gave her a tired, thankful grin, and snuggled up to her.

Applejack have a content sigh as she rested her head atop Applebloom's, and together, the sisters drifted off to sleep: cuddled up on the couch…

… Just like they used to after a hard day's harvest.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

It took a few months, but Ponyville was soon returned to its former joy. Ponies pranced about; laughing, singing, and just hanging out with their friends. Everypony came to work with a smile on their face: Pinkie was soon as bubbly as always, and even Diamond Tiara seemed more chipper than usual.

When Sweetie Belle and Pipsqueak came home from their long-postponed cruise, they were ecstatic to see Applebloom back to her cheerful self. Life was going well for our friends, and they didn't think it could get any better...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“So, Button, why'd ya drag me all the way out here?” Applebloom chirped curiously, all but skipping alongside her coltfriend as they made their way up a large hill.

“Umma terr yer urn ur surcund!” Button mumbled with a chuckle, mouth clamped around the handle of a large picnic basket.

It didn't take them too long get to the top, but Button looked like he was starting to sweat. Applebloom shrugged it off as his response to the long walk to the park after a hard day's work, and helped him set up the picnic. It was quite the feast for just the two of them, including a couple cakes custom-ordered from Pinkie Pie. Applebloom insistently asked if there was some kind of special occasion she forgot, and Button always just laughed out a “No".

Still skeptical, but glad to be hanging out with her coltfriend for a day, Applebloom cheerfully chomped down on her sandwich. Peanut butter and honeysuckle. Not her favorite, but never a bad choice.

“Do you remember the first time we met?”

Applebloom blinked, and swallowed her food before answering.

“As if Ah could ever up and forget that,” she sighed blissfully, “ya weren't exactly the best at first impressions.”

“Heh, no kidding.” Button blushed, brushing the back of his neck with a hoof. “It took your sister a week just to get all the sap out of her coat…”

Applebloom chortled. “And poor Scoots was stuck to that tree for two days! Ah’m surprised how quickly she laughed it off!”

They shared a laugh for a good few minutes before Button gathered the will to speak again.

“Applebloom, we've been friends for eleven years. And as of today, we've been dating for two…”

Applebloom quirked her brow. “Yeah..?”

“This hill was our first date,” Button lamented with an odd smile, “when we first decided to see exactly how well we fit together. Ever since then, we've stuck with each other. Am I wrong?”

Applebloom felt her heart beat faster as he stood up, and walked to the peak: gazing at Ponyville with a distant look in his eye. What is he doing? She rose, and tentatively approached him.

“I can honestly say that now that I know you, I love you more than anything.” he asserted as he turned back to her, “In business, we all but own this town. We've built our lives here, but that's not enough for me…”

Without warning, he knelt in front of her, and Applebloom's head went spinning.

‘Wait… is… is he…?’

“Applebloom, I can't imagine what my life would be like without you, and I never want to.” Button chuckled nervously, pulling a small box out of his vest’s pocket. “I don't want us to build our lives anymore, I want us to build our life, together.”

“Oh my god…”

“Applebloom…” he opened the box, revealing a glowing ember stone set into a golden ring. Applebloom blushed madly as her hoof silenced her shocked gasp.

“... Would you like to do me the honor of marrying me?”

She didn't give him time to blink before she tackled him to the ground, shouting out a single phrase...

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“I do,”

“By the powers given to me by the Heavens, and the government of Equestria: I pronounce you Mare and Colt. You may now kiss the bride,”

Button gentle lifted Applebloom's veil, but was barely given a chance to lean in before she grabbed him, spun him around, and firmly planted her lips on his.

Several whoops and whistles boomed from the crowd as they each melted into the kiss, and the cheering continued even after they broke it. Applebloom stared deeply into her new husband's eyes, blushing bright as her brother.

“Don't that feel good?” She laughed, allowing the lightheaded stallion to stand.

“Heh, indeed it does.” Button agreed, his smile only growing bigger as ponies began to be shooed out by the waiters. He pointed out the open doors. “Want to head to the concession stands?”

“Ha!” Applebloom chortled. “Ah don't think so, Button! There's something else we need to take care of first…”

Button's brow lifted. “And… what might that be?”

With a glint in her eye that set Button's heart racing, Applebloom seized his tie between her teeth: and began dragging him out the chapel’s back door. This action earned a guffaw from Applejack, who was the last to be escorted out the front.

She dragged him into the privacy of the “backstage”- which she'd arranged to be empty of ponies for about a half-hour -and spat out his tie with a quiet ‘ptoo!’

“Uhm… Applebloom?”

Whether she didn't hear him or was ignoring him, Button wasn't sure. What he was sure of was that his new wife suddenly was in possession of a large satchel, and was in such a hurry to open it that she wound up just ripping it open.

Once again, Button found her Treasurefruit rolling to a stop in front of his hooves. But this time, something was different.

The Treasurefruit was glowing brighter than it ever had before, and it's coloration had changed; instead of the ember-hued plum that it once resembled, it was now a balanced swirl of gold and chocolate brown.

Button picked it up with a gentle hoof, and held it out in front of him: smiling at Applebloom with a confirming nod.

“Ah figured it was time,” she smiled back, before eying the fruit nervously.

“Are you ready, Applebloom?” Button asked, reaching the fruit out so it was closer to her. The only response he got was a determined nod.

After only a moment's hesitation, they both leaned forth, and bit into the fruit.

Immediately, Applebloom's vision was flooded with white colors, and her nerves dances with sparks. Her spine shuddered delightfully, as if she'd gotten rid of a crik that bothered her for months. The fruit's taste was pure pleasure, and it echoed far beyond her tongue. Every piece of her felt rejuvenated, and her mind overwhelmed.

With a barely intelligent mumble, she fell to the ground. Basking in what felt like the healthiest sugar high of all time.

While waiting for her body to function properly again, Applebloom's mind began to drift back.

She saw the smile of her grandmother as she came home from school, she heard the laugh of Scootaloo as she did her first loop-de-loop, she felt the embrace of her sister after a hard day's work.

She was finally happy again, and she was sure she'd figured out why.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

She had only been here once before, as a filly. It seemed like an eternity ago. In fact, she was sure that it was even longer. But somehow, everything looked exactly the same as it did that one day, eleven years ago. Not even a mound of dirt was misplaced.

She walked down the gentle, spiral slope of a path once more. She thought she saw movement in her peripheral, and turned to look. What she saw set her heart racing with nostalgia.

Three wisps of an ethereal smoke danced past her, each in the form of a small, running filly. Each filly a face she fully recognized.

With a triumphant call lifted to the skies, Applebloom raced alongside the shapes as they tried to run past her. She felt her responsibilities melt away from her mind as she reached the green field inside the deep crater, and began to play with the images.

She danced, she skipped, she cheered, she chased, she laughed. Her bright, flowing laughter was echoed by the children in the smoke, and that caused her smile to grow brighter.

All too soon, however, the wisps faded away, and Applebloom was left alone in the crater.

Well, almost alone.

With a smile in her heart and a spring in her step, she walked up onto the barren hill that housed a being she hadn't seen in those eleven years. She stood just as high as Applebloom remembered, and was laid back in the same way. Her bark shone as brightly as ever, and the pink steam still traced the grooves of her branches.

Once Applebloom was standing in the same place she had when she first saw this place, the tree began to groan, and the leaves stirred as she slowly rose. Soon, she was at her full height as she faced Applebloom, and she was just as large and powerful as the mare remembered.

“Treasurefruit,” Applebloom addressed with a small bow, “A’ve figgered it out.”

She felt Treasurefruit’s focus drift from her, and look around. There was an air of both pride, and curious disappointment emanating from the tree.

Applebloom knew that the disappointment wasn't anything to do with her, but she still flattened her ears against her head.

“If you're looking for the others… I don't think they're coming.”

Treasurefruit shifted barely an inch, but her movement displayed her curiosity.

“Sweetie Belle is busy, and will be fer quite some time.” Applebloom spoke, answering the unasked question. “And Scootaloo…”

Her silence told everything, and Treasurefruit's branches drooped. Slowly, a gentle vine of gold stretched out, and carefully caressed the mare's cheek. Applebloom smiled, and nuzzled into the motherly gesture.

“Thanks, but Ah’m fine. I had mah time to grieve,”

Treasurefruit swayed with the breeze, stretching her branches into the sky with a sound of musical rattling. She focused her ‘sight' on the faithful filly, and gracefully reached down with seven colorful, crystalline vines intertwined. Once the plants were right in front of Applebloom, they turned themselves upwards, and opened like a budding flower.

Inside the center was a small pool of water, which Applebloom approached excitedly. She looked in, and saw her reflection. But she barely recognized that it was her. She had looked in the mirror several times in the past two years, but she'd always seen a mare who bore the weight of grief and anguish in her back, even if her burdens were invisible to others. Who she saw in this mirror was an energetic, optimistic young mare who looked like she hadn't a care in the world.

She choked out a laugh as she stepped back, a year of satisfaction falling from her eye.

“That's what your gift’s for, ain't it?” She asked. Treasurefruit withdrew the basin, and emitted an aura that asked her to continue, but made it obvious she already knew what would be said.

“Scootaloo said that your gift tasted like happiness, that it gave her a distraction from life's hardships. Sweetie said it was a way to show your love, but it's more than that… ain't it?”

As Applebloom spoke, she brought out her gift, and proudly displayed the duality in the colors. As well as the twin bites on either end. Treasurefruit lifted another vine, and picked up the fruit with it.

“It's a symbol of unity, ain't it? A way to celebrate joy and love, not distract from grief and despair!”

The air began to swirl patiently as the fruit was hidden by a funnel of the pink mist that flowed off of Treasurefruit's trunk. Applebloom felt her mane pick up in the wind as it grew more furious, to the point where she had to yell to be heard.

“It's not an idol, it's not a distraction… Ah don't think it's even a food!” She shouted with a cheer in her tone. “It's a treasure!”

The wind slowed to a stop, and Treasurefruit reached out: her branches cradling Applebloom's gift, but with a small change. Inside it were three small seeds that glowed with white fire.

Applebloom took the renewed fruit, and ducked her head in a polite bow.

“Thank you, Treasurefruit. For everything.”

Author's Note

After what I'd swear was more than a few months of sweaty, sleepless nights of furiously swatting away at an unreliable phone keyboard, I've finally finished it: my masterpiece.

An immense thank-you to Galaxina the Unicorn for proofreading and moral support, and to my beloved Whitelight for her support.

As well as a huge thanks to my followers for their patience, and hype.

As always, feel free to alert me to any misspellings, typos or inconsistencies, and I'll be happy to fix them.

Please remember to leave a comment, and to smash that thumbs-up if you enjoyed this! :twilightsmile:

Until Next Time, God Bless You All!
~ Amethyst Dawn