Conflicting Love

Chapters

Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 16

Chapter 1

It was a bright and beautiful day in Ponyville with birds flying in the clouds alongside the pegasi, gorgeous flowers blooming in the fields and somehow in the trees (rewatch may the best pet win), the apples on the trees were ready to be taken down, it was a perfect day for the young crusader who was at the moment inside of the tree house that she built so that the Cutie Mark Crusaders could have a place to hangout whenever they wanted but that was not the reason the Applebloom was there. She was currently sitting on the floor, snuggling the pony that was next to her who she had been dreaming of for weeks now. The two were right now watching the sun as it started to set.

"Beautiful" Applebloom said unable to think of a better word.

"I guess but I know one thing that's a lot more beautiful" The pony next to her said making Applebloom's face turn a very dark shade of red.

"Really? What's that?" Applebloom asked trying to be cute by playing innocent.

The pony chuckled knowingly "You of course"

The two faced each other, looking into each other's eyes lovingly, and both leaning forward until their lips were just an inch away.

Applebloom woke up instantly from the strange dream. Why do I keep dreaming about being with….

Applebloom was interrupted from her thoughts as she heard a knock on her bedroom door. "Applebloom breakfast is ready. Better get it before Ah let Winona have it" Applejack said through the door.

"O-okay, I'll be out in a minute" Applebloom said doing her best not to be nervous hoping Applejack wouldn't notice her stutter. She heard the sound of footsteps go down the hall before letting out a sad sigh. Why do I keep having these dreams? What's wrong with me?

At breakfast Applejack noticed that Applebloom had been strangely quiet the past few weeks and was just flipping her eggs over and over. Usually she would be hyper and would have already been gone to go hang out with Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell. "Applebloom are you alright?" Applejack asked.

"I'm fine" Was the only response she got from Applebloom who continued messing with her food, not making eye contact with her. Something was up.

"Applebloom I'm your sister. You know that you can tell me anything right?"

"Yeah" Applebloom said quickly wanting to avoid talking. "I'm not that hungry anyways, I'll see you after school." And with that Applebloom left leaving a confused Applejack to wonder what could be wrong with the little filly.

This isn't like Applebloom at all. She's never like this. What could be wrong with her? She let out a sigh. "Please be alright Applebloom"

Applebloom couldn't stand to be around Applejack right now especially after having those dreams that still scared her but made her feel happier than she had ever been. Why do I keep having dreams like this? Maybe I'm going insane, or maybe I'm just a freak waiting to be locked up. Why am I starting to fall in love with…? "Ouch" Applebloom said as she fell to the ground. She looked up and saw that she had accidently bumped into Big Mac. "Oh sorry big brother, I wasn't paying that much attention to where I was going" Applebloom said hoping that would be enough so that she could get going but as she tried to go around Big Mac brought out a hoof blocking her path.

"Why weren't you paying attention to where you were going?"

Applebloom couldn't tell him the truth that she was distracting with thinking about….. but she couldn't lie to him either. "I just have a lot on my mind is all; it's no big deal honest"

"It doesn't look like it from the way you sound so nervous and evasive" Big Mac said.

Applebloom let out a sigh. Her siblings could always tell when she was lying or trying to hide something from them or somepony. "I just really don't want to talk about it. Can I please just go to school?" She asked trying to get around but Big Mac brought his hoof in front of her again.

"Not until you tell me what's bothering you" He said sternly.

Applebloom knew that she was cornered. Big Mac was not the pony who backed off from something especially when it came to his family. Maybe she could just tell him part of the truth. "Well I've been having these dreams that are kinda weird"

"What kind of dreams are they?" He asked curious.

Applebloom gulped while pacing a hoof on the ground nervously. "Well I've having these dreams about me and…. a pony that I know and in the dreams we're always watching a sunset, talking about how much we care about each other and then…"

"Eeyup?" Big Mac encouraged.

"And then… we lean forward and are about to kiss and then I always wake up" Applebloom finished hoping that she didn't have to explain any more than she already had to her brother about the strange dreams and the strange feelings she was having.

"So you've acting different because you have a crush on somepony?"

Applebloom nodded. "So can I go now?"

"Eeyup but only after you tell me one more thing"

Applebloom gulped quite loudly. What could he want to know? "W-what?" She hoped that he would just ask something like how long had she had these dreams or why hadn't told her siblings about her crush. But what he did ask was the last question she wanted him to ask.

"What's his name?"

And with that she couldn't control the tears that formed in her eyes as they started to fall down the side of her face. She got down on the floor and began to sob uncontrollably. Big Mac was confused for a few seconds. All he asked was what the name of her crush was so why was she crying? He knelt down beside her and put a hoof around her hoping to calm her down as much as he could. "Come on it can't be that bad" He tried to reassure her but the sobs got a bit louder.

"How would you know?" She managed to gasp out as the tears continued to roll down her face. "I'm a freak"

"You're not a freak little sis. Everypony goes through this. It's normal to have a crush on somepony" He said hoping that that would make her cheer up.

"There is no he"

Big Mac was confused. There wasn't a colt? Then how could she…. The realization hit him harder than a grand piano falling on top of somepony's head. "It's a she isn't it?"

For a moment Applebloom just continued to sob until finally she managed to slowly nod her head. She was sure that he would call her a freak or just abandon her but he did something completely different. He laughed.

"Liking a mare isn't as uncommon as ya think sis. You know Lyra and Bon-Bon right? They're both mares but they're together"

Applebloom considered this for a bit. Yeah it couldn't be that bad to like another mare.

But it is bad depending on the mare you like.

"So do you think that you can tell me what her name is? Is it Sweetie Bell or Scootaloo?"

She thought for a while of whether she should tell him who it was. Maybe I should tell him. I shouldn't have to keep it a secret from my family.

Yet you're keeping it a secret from your sister. The voice in her head was right. If she couldn't tell her sister then how could she tell her brother?

You can't. Just like Scootaloo you're just a big chicken.

Applebloom looked up at her brother and finally made her decision. "Do you Pinkie Promise to not tell anypony?"

Big Mac chuckled. "Cross mah heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye" He said doing the movements.

Applebloom let out a long sigh readying herself to tell somepony about the feelings she had.

You're a freak and he'll think the same.

"The pony in my dreams is….."

AN: CLIFFHANGER.

Guru: Ha. Nice.

Nitronus Prime: Thank you Super Kami Guru. Sorry for sticking you guys with a cliffhanger but I felt this would be a good place to end this chapter. So tell me what you think and tell me anything you think I could improve on or fix, etc. And now questions: Who does Applebloom like? (Not Sweetie Bell or Scootaloo. It's also not an OC or background character. Oh what the hay it's one of the mane six. Tehehe). One hundred brohoofs to whoever figures out who Applebloom has been having dreams of. And before anypony says in a review: EW you can't have a kid like one of the mane six that's being a pedophile. So it's fine for Spike to like Rarity (who is the oldest of the six) but not Applebloom (who is close to the same age as Spike) to like one of the mane six think about that while I finish My Little Dashie. Curse these ponies they drive me to cry. And I hope that no matter which of the mane six she likes will stop anypony from reading the rest of this story. Brony on.

Chapter 2

Applebloom was now lying down on the ground with her hooves covering her face waiting for Big Mac to call her a freak or run off in disgust and tell everypony about her crush. She moved her hooves just enough so that she could take a peek at her brother's face and saw that he had a sympathetic smile on his face. "W-well, aren't y-ya gonna call me a f-freak?" Applebloom asked between sobs.

Big Mac's smile didn't falter as he sat down next to his little sister and put a hoof over her to comfort her "Nope."

Applebloom was extremely confused. Why hadn't he called her a freak and why was he comforting her like it was normal? "Why?"

He just let out a small chuckle "Ah admit that it's a little strange but everypony is strange in their own way. So when are ya going to tell her?"

Applebloom was silent for a few minutes. Yes Applebloom when will you tell her? The voice in her head taunted her. "Ah can't. If I tell her how I feel she'll never want me to be around her. She'll hate me ah just know it" Applebloom started to sob a bit louder.

Ah know that ah can't speak for her but A'm sure that if you told her she would at least respect it and ya never know; she just might have the same feelings towards ya but don't let that get your hopes up. Whether she returns your feeling or not ya need to tell her or you'll regret it for the rest of your like."

Applebloom fell silent once again. If you do tell her you'll regret it more when she calls you a freak and you know that, The voice continued to taunt her. "Ah'll think about it" She finally said.

Big Mac knew that this was the most he was going to get out of her, "Well ya better get along or you'll be late for school."

Applebloom nodded and was just about to leave but stopped to give her brother a hug. "Thanks big brother, you're the best."

"Really? You think I'm better than her?" He asked teasingly which embarrassed the little filly.

"Big Mac" Applebloom said with a blush.

"Aim just easing ya. Now get to school."

Applebloom nodded and began the walk to school with many thoughts. Could I actually tell her how I feel? Would she return the feeling that I have? Why ask a question that you know the answer to?The voice asked mockingly. She wanted to tell the voice off, tell it that it didn't know anything but she knew that it was right. She couldn't tell her how she felt and even if she did, her feelings wouldn't be returned. Why would she ever like me?

Big Mac watched as Applebloom walked towards her school feeling sorry that she had to go through something like this and at such a young age. He knew that he had to help her as much as he could but he did need to work at the moment. After careful thinking he began his walk back to the barn.

*Takes place right after Applebloom leaves the barn*

Applejack was extremely worried for Applebloom. One day she had been happy and ecstatic but then the next morning she was quiet and secretive. Had she just had a really bad dream that scared her? No, she would have told them about it if it was just a bad dream. Maybe she snuck out that night to hang out with Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell to try and get their cutie marks and something bad happened? Why couldn't Applebloom just tell them what was bothering her? Applejack recalled the moments right after the Cutie Pox incident.

Applejack had just finished another long and hard working day of apple bucking. She was sweating immensely and her hooves were shaking slightly from exhaustion. She couldn't wait to get back to the barn to unwind on her bed and sleep for the rest of the night. Just as she was about to go into her room she thought of Applebloom and decided to check up on her. As she got to her little sister's room she knocked on the door "Applebloom can ah come in?" She asked politely.

"Sure" She heard through the door. She opened the door and saw Applebloom lying down on her bed with a sad look on her face. It nearly broke Applejack's heart to see Applebloom like this and all she could do was walk next to the bed and put a hoof on her little sister's shoulder, "What's wrong sugarcube?"

Applebloom was silent for a moment until she simply mumbled "I don't want to talk about it."

"Ah'm not leaving until ya tell me what's bothering ya" Applejack said stubbornly. She wasn't going to just walk away when her little sister was upset about something and Applebloom probably realized that two because she let out a sigh of defeat.

"Okay fine. Ah guess part of it is that even after everything that happened Ah still didn't get my actual cutie mark," Applebloom explained.

"Part of it?" Applejack asked curious.

"Ya know how ah said that ah wanted to get a cutie mark so that ah wouldn't get teased all the time at school?"

"Of course, ya only complained about it every second of each day," Applejack teased earing a giggle from the little filly.

"Okay ah get it. That was true but it wasn't the whole truth. The actual reason ah want to get my cutie mark so much is because… Ah'm jealous of ya."

Applejack was confused. Why would Applebloom be jealous of her? Just because she had her cutie mark and Applebloom didn't? "Jealous of what?"

"You're the most respected pony in the entire town and everypony looks up to ya. But me; ah don't have that. Ah've heard ponies say that A'm a walking disaster when they thought ah couldn't hear them. Ponies always look down on my but everypony loves ya. Ah always would tell myself if ah finally got my cutie mark then ponies might start to look up to me and respect me like they do to ya. Ah hated being in ma big sister's shadow" Applebloom explained leaving Applejack dumbfounded.

She never knew that Applebloom had been jealous of her this whole time. She had no idea what to say so she simply gave her little sister the biggest hug she had ever given her in her whole life, tears sliding down the side of her face. "Ah'm so sorry ah made ya feel like ya weren't important. You're so much more important than ya think. And ya better give me the names of the jerks who said those rude things about ya so that ah can buck them right in the head. They're just jealous that they can never be as amazing as ya are," Applejack said still holding her little sister in a hug that Applebloom had gladly returned.

"Thanks big sis," Applebloom managed to say through the tears that were dropping down her own face as well.

Applejack quickly got an idea while having a mischievous smile on her face. "Oh Applebloom do ya think that ya could remind me of where you're the most ticklish."

Before Applebloom had a chance to process what her sister meant, Applejack immediately began to tickle (or poke since they don't have hands) Applebloom's stomach making her squirm around while laughing. "Applejack please stop" She said through her laughs.

"Not until ya say you're sorry for keeping secrets from me."

"Okay Ah'm sorry."

"Ah'm sorry ah couldn't hear ya with ya with ya moving around and laughing so much," Applejack playfully remarked.

"Ah'm sorry" Applebloom said much louder.

"Good now say that ya love dresses."

"Never"

"Say it" Applejack said tickling her even faster.

"Okay ah love dresses."

Applejack finally ceased tickling the filly giving her some air. "Applebloom ah want ya to promise me that if ya ever have a problem or something is bothering ya; tell me so that ah can help ya and be there for ya."

"Cross mah heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in mah eye," Applebloom said while doing the movements.

Applejack gave another hug to the young filly. "Ah love ya Applebloom."

"Ah love ya too sis"

Applebloom had Pinkie Promised that if she ever had something bothering her that she would tell Applejack. But for the past few weeks Applebloom would rarely speak at all. Why would she break her promise? Her thought were interrupted by Big Mac coming into the kitchen. "Oh hey big brother did ya happen to see Applebloom?" Something seemed a bit off with Big Mac but Applejack couldn't quite put her hoof on what it could be.

"Yeah ah did. Listen we need to talk."

"What about? Is Applebloom alright?" She asked concerned for her little sister.

"Applebloom's the one ah need to talk to ya about. Ah found her while she was on her way to school and ah found out what's been bothering her so much."

"Wait she told ya but not me?" Applejack asked with a mix of shock and a bit of anger "Applebloom Pinkie Promised that she would tell me if anything was ever bothering her but she avoids me and tells ya?"

"Don't be mad at her, she's just going through a really hard time right now. And before ya ask, ah can't tell ya what's been bothering her because ah Pinkie Promised her that ah wouldn't say," Big Mac explained.

"She Pinkie Promised she would tell me though but then again ah didn't give her a time for her ta tell me," Applejack said in defeat.

"She'll tell ya in time but right now she has a lot on her mind and needs to figure things out."

"Ah guess, let's go. We got apples to buck." The two headed out of the barn while Applejack let out a sigh. Ah hope that she'll be alright.

Chapter 3

The walk to school felt like ages for Applebloom as she thought about what to do about her feelings. Should ah tell her how ah feel or should ah just give her hints? Maybe ah could make her a really nice and romantic dinner or take her out to a nice restaurant.

Ug you two aren't even together and you're already making date plans.

It won't be a date, it'll just be a fun time for us to hang out and spend time together.

Just you and the pony you like, alone, having dinner; yeah that doesn't sound like a date at all.

It won't be a date; ah just want to give her small hints about how ah feel without having to actually tell her. Maybe ah could get her a really nice gift or maybe ah could just give her some flowers; she would love that.

Yeah I'm sure that she'll just love the flowers, until she eats them that is.

Ah could just get her some really good tasting flowers then. Oh ah know, ah can write her a poem.

Ooh a poem, maybe you could get help from the millions of other poems ponies have made. That's what everypony does when they like somepony. If you're actually going to go through with telling her then at least do something unoriginal.

Just as she was about to make some kind of comeback she heard two voices yell out her name in unison. Applebloom turned around and saw her two best friends Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell running up to her. "Oh hey Scootaloo, hey Sweetie Bell. What's up and why are your manes so messy?" Applebloom asked.

"Scootaloo here thought that we could get our cutie marks in parasailing again but thought that this time we shouldn't use our hooves and we ended up crashing into a tree," Sweetie Bell explained giving Scootaloo a glare.

Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "Parasailing's lame anyways. What we need to do is something more cool like cliff diving."

"Yeah that sounds cool," Applebloom said absent mindly while looking forward as they walked.

Sweetie Bell gave her a shocked look, "Cool? That's dangerous not cool."

"Oh well ah meant um it's cool because uh, it would probably teach Scootaloo a lesson that we shouldn't do dangerous stuff so much," Applebloom said hoping that her friends wouldn't notice how nervous she was. It seemed like they didn't since Scootaloo was glaring at her while Sweetie Bell was doing her best to not laugh.

"Oh ha ha ha very funny. Do you have any better ideas?" Scootaloo asked sarcastically. Applebloom thought for a bit until she got an idea that could buy her some time from friends suspecting anything.

"How about we have a race to the school to see if we can get our cutie marks in being fast like Rainbow Dash?"

Scootaloo instantly perked up and had already started running as fast as she could to the school yelling behind her "Eat my dust losers."

"Come on Applebloom we can't lose to her" Sweetie Bell said chasing after Scootaloo.

Applebloom let out a sigh of relief that her plan actually worked. She started to run while starting to feel a bit guilty from having to lie to her best friends.

You can call them your best friends and yet you can't trust them with your secret?

Ah want to trust them with it but ah know that Scootaloo will tell somepony. Ah don't want to lose them as friends if ah tell them.

You told your brother and he didn't think differently of you. Then again he probably just said all of that stuff just so that you would feel better and probably told her about your feelings.

He wouldn't do that. He Pinkie Promised that he would wouldn't tell anypony about it and nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise.

Didn't you Pinkie Promise your sister that if anything was ever bothering you, you would tell her no matter what it was?

But ah can't tell her. It's bad enough that it's a mare that ah like but the fact that it's her makes it way worse. How could I tell my sister about how I feel?

My point exactly. If you tell her then she'll never want you to be around. You know that she'll never return your feelings. But if you don't tell her than you would be breaking your promise and like you said nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise.

For the second time that day she had nothing to say as tears rolled down her face knowing that the voice was right. She had promised that she would tell her sister whenever anything was bothering her but ever since she had the dreams she had completely avoided her sister. But ah can't tell her about it or she'll think ah'm a freak.

Why wouldn't she think you're a freak when you are one?

Applebloom looked ahead and saw the school in the distance. She wiped the tears out of her eyes as best as she could so that her friends wouldn't suspect anything. After a couple more minutes she finally got to the school out of breath with Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell waiting for her.

"Wow you're getting pretty slow Applebloom. What took you so long?" Scootaloo asked with a smug but playful grin.

Yes what did take you so long?

"Ah'm just pretty tired is all. Ah didn't get that much sleep last night," Applebloom said giving part of the truth.

Sweetie Bell didn't look very convinced, "Then why are your eyes watery and your face wet? Were you crying?"

Now Applebloom was starting to sweat from being so nervous, "Oh um on the way up here ah tripped on a rock and it had hurt a lot is all."

Even Scootaloo didn't look convinced at this point, "Applebloom we're your friends right?"

Yes Applebloom aren't they your friends?

"Of course you two are my friends why wouldn't ya be?" Applebloom was getting more nervous. Do they know that something's up?

"Then why are you acting like you're hiding something from us?" Sweetie Bell asked.

Yeah Applebloom it's not like you're hiding anything from them right?

Applebloom knew that she was trapped. She couldn't lie to them but she couldn't tell them the whole truth. "Ah'll tell ya both at the tree house after school. Ah just don't want anypony to know about it."

Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell wanted to know more about what Applebloom was hiding from them but knew that if she told them now then others would overhear them so they decided to drop it. "Okay but you better tell us or else," Scootaloo said.

The three walked into the classroom unknown to the fact that two ponies had eavesdropped on them. "After school? Oh we can't have that now can we? She should tell everypony before school's over," One of the ponies said.

"I don't know about this, this seems a little bit too mean," The other pony said nervously.

"Hey don't be going weak on me Silver Spoon. She's going to pay for what she and her two loser friends did to me. I was supposed to be in charge of the newspaper team but noooo they had to ruin it and get me covered in ink. And what better way than to get back at her then to force her to reveal her biggest secret in front of the entire class," Diamond Tiara said angrily.

"But that was just an accident. They didn't mean for that to happen."

"I don't care if they did it on purpose or not. They will pay. Their blank flanks remember? Applebloom humiliated me so I'm going to humiliate her."

*One hour later*

The first lesson was finally over and so far Applebloom had been sitting alone trying to think of what she should do about her feelings until she heard hoof steps from behind her. She looked around and noticed Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell but they had saddlebags on. "What's with the saddlebags?"

"You mean the saddlebags that we were wearing when we caught up to you?" Scootaloo said with a deadpan look.

"Oh ah'm sorry ah didn't really notice. Anyway what are they for?"

"Today's show and tell remember?" Sweetie Bell reminded her.

"Great, another chance for Diamond Tiara to somehow humiliate me"

"Did somepony say my name?"

The crusaders turned and saw Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking over.

"What do you two want?" Scootaloo asked with a glare "How about you just leave?"

"Why do you want us to leave? We just wanted to give our sympathies to Applebloom" Diamond Tiara said with a fake sympathetic smile.

"Why?" Applebloom deadpanned wanting her to just get to the point.

"Well on our way over to school we couldn't help but overhear what you and your brother were talking about," She said with a sinister smile.

Applebloom's eyes widened. Did she know about the dreams? "W-w-w-what do you mean?"

"I think you know exactly what I mean. And I think it would be such a shame if your sister found out about it"

Applebloom now had a look of absolute terror. Diamond Tiara knows! How could this get any worse?

You really should not have said that.

Why?

Because every time somepony says that things always get worse.

"But I think I could keep it a secret from her if you do just one little thing"

"W-w-w-w-what?" Applebloom was now beyond mortified. What could Diamond Tiara possibly want her to do?

Wouldn't it be worth it no matter what it is? If you don't do what she wants then she'll tell Applejack and I know that you don't want that.

"Since you don't have anything for show and tell I guess you could just tell the class that so that you have something for it"

I told you so. You shouldn't have asked if things could get worse. But what will you do? If you don't do what she says then your sister will find out how you feel but if you do then your whole class will find out. Your choice.

Applebloom was torn. What could she do? Why can't things just make sense?

Make sense, oh what fun is there in making sense?

"….Fine"

Diamond Tiara grew a satisfied smirk "I knew that you would listen to reason. See you at show and tell"

And with that the two walked away leaving a horrified Applebloom and a confused Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell. "What did she mean Applebloom?"

Applebloom was silent and just stared at the ground. "…You'll find out in show and tell" Applebloom walked over to the classroom leaving behind her friends.

Why? Of all the ponies to hear it, it had to be Diamond Tiara. Why?

Because life is cruel and the sooner you realize it the better.

Chapter 4

AN: If you don’t know who Applebloom’s crush is by the end of the chapter then something weird is going on. Anyways enjoy chapter 4.

Applebloom was now running back home with tears coming down her face hoping that Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell weren’t following her. Her hopes were diminished when she heard them both calling out her name. She started to run faster and took a turn trying to shake them off. Why did Diamond Tiara have to overhear her tell her brother about her feelings for her sister? Applebloom finally made it to the barn not noticing Big Mac on the way.

“Hey little sis why are you back from school so early?” He asked before noticing her running by with tears in her eyes. Had something happened in school? Did she tell Applejack the truth and was rejected? Whatever happened he was going to help her no matter what.

Applebloom didn’t even acknowledge her brother as she ran past him heading to the house. As soon as she got inside she ran up to her room and shut it behind her. She then headed to her bed and started sobbing into her pillow.

Are you really going to cry like it’s the end of the world? So what if a few of your classmates know about your secret, at least Applejack doesn’t know.

But both of my best friends know about it now. How can I ever show my face around them? I’m a freak and now they know it too.

Before the voice was able to say anything else, Applebloom heard a knock on her door. “Applebloom what happened? Are you alright?” She heard her brother say.

Applebloom wasn’t in the mood to talk to anypony right now so she just ignored him hoping that he would just leave. Applebloom heard more knocking but a different voice spoke this time “Applebloom are you okay sis?” She heard Applejack say.

“I’m fine,” Applebloom lied trying to not cry more than she already had.

“Applebloom what aren’t ya telling me? I thought we promised that we wouldn’t keep secrets from each other,” Applejack said worried.

“Ah don’t want to talk about it,” Applebloom said stubbornly but she knew that it was pointless to not tell anymore.

“Applebloom we’re both really worried about ya. Please can we come in?”

Applebloom sat for a bit longer on her bed thinking of what to do. Maybe I should tell her the truth. I did promise her that I would tell her anything that was ever bothering me.

You actually think that, that will work out? What makes you think that she’ll ever return the feelings you have? I say that you should only tell her half of the truth. Tell her that you do have a crush on somepony but don’t tell her who it actually is. That way you can tell if she does have any feelings for you based on how she reacts to you liking somepony.

“Sure” Applebloom said reluctantly granting entrance for her siblings. They both walked through and saw how upset she was by the tears that were still rolling down the side of her face.

“What happened?” Big Mac asked.

“Ah went to school and well, Diamond Tiara walked over and said that, she heard what I told you earlier and she, made me tell the whole class about it,” Applebloom explained hiding as much as she could while Applejack was in the room. Big Mac’s face was simply anger at the fact that Diamond Tiara had made Applebloom reveal her secret to her whole class while Applejack had a look of pure rage.

“Okay that’s it, that kid is getting the bucking of a lifetime,” Applejack said angrily just about to head out of the room but was stopped by Big Mac.

“Ah’m mad too sis but hurting her isn’t going to do anything”

Applejack knew that he was right but still wanted to kick that little brat in the head for making her little sister cry like that. “Fine. But Applebloom why won’t you tell me what’s bothering you?”

Applebloom gulped. Should I do it? Should I tell her what’s really going on?

Of course not. Just lie and say that you like some random colt that you met a while age.

But I don’t want to have to lie to her more.

And you think that telling her will have better results than lying to her? You know how she’ll react if you tell her the truth. All the truth does is make your heart ache, sometimes a lie is easier to take.

Applebloom let out a reluctant sigh. “Okay the truth is that… I’ve been having weird dreams for the past few weeks.”

“Weird dreams? Like what?”

“Well, Ah'm always watching a sunset with… a pony that ah know and ah always wake up right before… before we kiss,” Applebloom admitted sweating like crazy. So far so good.

“So that’s what you’ve been hiding? Why wouldn’t ya tell me about that?” Applejack asked confused.

“Because, ah was scared of what you would think”

“Why would you be scared of what ah think about you liking somepony?”

“Well because…”

If you tell her then she’ll be afraid of you and will never want you around her.

“Because ah was afraid that if ah told you about it that ya would be overprotective of me,” Applebloom lied.

“Applebloom you don’t have to worry about that. Ah promise that ah won’t be overprotective but do you think I could at least know his name?”

“His name? His name is uh… Wheeljack”

“Wheeljack? That’s a bit of strange name. What’s he like?” Applejack asked curious.

Big Mac said nothing but did have a disappointed look on his face that Applejack didn’t see.

“He um likes to build stuff and he’s nice and funny” Applebloom said while feeling a bit guilty from lying to her sister again.

“Well he sounds pretty nice. Do you think that we could meet him some time? And when did ya meet him?”

“Well ah met him when ah was with Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell near the Everfree Forest and ah met him there while he was looking for something for a project he was working on. And ah guess that ah could try to see if he could come over sometime”

“Can’t wait to meet him. Ah hope you two end up together. And Applebloom you better not keep anything from me alright?”

“Okay.”

Applejack gave her sister a hug before leaving the room while Big Mac stayed behind still giving Applebloom the same look.

“Ah want to tell her really but ah just can’t yet. You saw how she acted when ah told her about ‘Wheeljack’. She looked happy that ah like somepony but ah can’t tell her, ah just can’t” Applebloom said with tears starting to slide down her face once again.

Big Mac walked over to her and put a comforting hoof over her and puller her into a hug. “Ah know that you’re scared to tell her but you can’t lie to her forever.”

“Ah know ah’m just not ready to tell her yet, Ah will though but ah just don’t know when.”

“Good, oh and the best ya could come up with was Wheeljack?” Big Mac teased.

Applebloom’s cheeks reddened as she tried to sink into her bed. “It was the first thing ah could think of.”

“Ah don’t think it’ll take too long for her to notice that they both have jack in their names,” He pointed out. “And ah think ya should talk to your friends though, they already know about it and ah wouldn’t be surprised if they’re on their way here.”

Applebloom let out a reluctant sigh just before she heard knocking from downstairs. Applebloom slowly got out of her bed and went down to the front door. She opened it to see both of her friends standing outside looking exhausted.

“Hey Applebloom are you okay?” Sweetie Bell asked.

“Yeah you ran off before we could talk to you about it,” Scootaloo said.

Applebloom didn’t say a word as she looked down ashamed. “How about we go to the clubhouse?” Sweetie offered. All Applebloom did was nod and walked toward the clubhouse behind her two friends. It felt like years getting to the clubhouse as she kept thinking the same thing over and over in her head. This is the last time I’ll ever get to talk with them.

As much as I hate to admit it, I don’t think that they are going to abandon you. They wouldn’t have come all the way to find you if they were going to just ditch you.

Finally they had made it to the clubhouse with Scootaloo standing at the door just in case Applebloom tried to run off like earlier. Sweetie Bell was standing next to the window while Applebloom stood in the middle of the room. None of them spoke for several minutes not sure where to start. Eventually Scootaloo broke the silence with a cough. “So, is it true what you said?”

Applebloom continued to stare at the ground afraid to look either of her friends in the eyes but she managed a small nod. She noticed out of the corner of her eyes that both of her friends her slowly walking towards her. She braced herself to be beaten up and called a freak but was surprised when they each hugged her and laughed. “Wh-what’s so funny?” She asked confused.

“That’s what you were hiding from us? Rainbow Dash has always treated me like a sister and ah used to have a huge crush on her,” Scootaloo admitted.

“At least she wasn’t your actual sister” Applebloom muttered.

“We don’t think you’re weird for it, you two would actually be pretty cute together,” Sweetie Bell said making Applebloom blush from embarrassment.

“So you still want to be my friends?”

“Totally, the Cutie Mark Crusaders never leave a member behind. Besides this gives us an excuse to try and get our cutie marks in match making. You two will be together in no time,” Scootaloo said confidently.

“Thanks, but ah really doubt she has feelings for me like that.”

“What makes you say that?” Sweetie asked.

“Well ah tried to tell her but instead ah told her that ah had been having dreams about somepony named… Wheeljack”

Scootaloo tried her best to hold in a laugh but failed as she lay on the ground. Sweetie stopped her by kicking her in the side. “Okay but why does that make you think she doesn’t like you?”

“Well she asked what he was like and even wanted to know if she could meet him, plus she said that she hoped that we would be together,” Applebloom said sadly.

Scootaloo thought for a bit after recovering from Sweetie’s kick until she got an idea. “Maybe she said that because she does like you but she just wants you to be happy since she thinks you like somepony else.”

“Yeah ponies usually do that when the pony they like has feelings for somepony else,” Sweetie Bell said.

“Ah… ah guess” Applebloom said unconvinced.

“Well we’re gonna go try and get our cutie marks while you go and tell Applejack how you feel,” Scootaloo said “And don’t worry we won’t tell anypony.”

“Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye” They both said in unison.

“Good luck Applebloom I hope you two work out,” Sweetie Bell said confusing Scootaloo.

“Why do you want them to work out?”

Sweetie Bell face hooved. “I mean I hope that they end up together.”

“Oooh”

Applebloom chuckled seeing her two friends acting like their usual selves and was glad that they had accepted her. But ah still don’t think that ah can tell Applejack the truth yet.

Maybe you can visit Pinkie Pie and get help from her on asking Applejack.

Yeah, she knows everything about everypony. She’ll know exactly how ah should tell Applejack. “Ah’ll see ya both later, ah’m gonna go to Sugar Cube Corner”

"Why are you going to Sugar Cube Corner? Isn't Applejack at the farm still?" Scootaloo asked confused.

"Ah know that she isn't there but ah figure since PInkie knows everypony that she could help me"

"Oh, well good luck Applebloom. We'll keep our hooves crossed," Sweetie Bell said.

Applebloom bro hoofed her friends and headed out to Sugar Cube Corner.

AN: Did I actually break the 2,000 word mark in a chapter?

Snowflake: YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.

AN: I second that, YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Chapter 5

Applebloom walked into the Sugar Cube Corner trying to find any trace of the pink party pony but surprisingly didn’t see her anywhere. Weird usually she’s bouncing around in here.

Maybe she’s in the kitchen baking things; that is her job isn’t it?

Yeah ah guess so. Applebloom looked around and noticed that there wasn’t anypony else here. Good, that means that nopony will be able to overhear. Applebloom walked up to the counter and rang a bell and immediately heard somepony bouncing from the kitchen. The next thing that she knew she was being suffocated by Pinkie Pie.

“Oh hey Applebloom, it’s so good to see you. So what’s up? Are you here to try out the cupcakes I just made? Wait how did you know that I was making cupcakes if you just got here? Ooh are you a secret agent like Donut Joe?” Pinkie asked at a rapid speed that Applebloom could barely keep up with.

“Ah didn’t know ya were making any cupcakes and ah’m not a secret agent and ah don’t think Donut Joe is one either,” Applebloom explained.

“Oki doki loki. So what’s up? Did you come here to get some cupcakes or cheesecake or chocolate pie or”

“Actually ah wanted to ask for your help with something”

“Well why didn’t you just say so silly filly? Ooh do you think you could help me with my next batch of cupcakes? I need to get a bunch of cupcakes for a picnic and so far I’m only about half done and I really really really need some help.”

Applebloom sighed “Sure” She wanted to have Pinkie help her now but she figured it would be fair to give help to get help. Pinkie led her to the kitchen where she noticed a really big mess. There was flour all over the walls, floor, and ceiling and there was many other things scattered everywhere.

“Sorry about the mess, I’m just so excited for the picnic and I just had to make a whole bunch of cupcakes for it cuz who doesn’t love cupcakes?”

“So what do ya need help with?” Applebloom asked.

“Well mostly I just need somepony that can help me decorate the cupcakes while I make them. It won’t be that hard plus you’re pretty good at decorating stuff so it’s perfect”

For the next hour Applebloom was decorating each of the cupcakes as quick but steady as she could hoping to be done as soon as she could. Eventually she noticed something coming out of the side of one of the cupcakes she was about to put frosting on. It was red and it looked a lot like…

“Um Pinkie?” Applebloom asked nervous.

“That’s my name what’s up? Is something wrong with the cupcakes?” Pinkie gasped “Did flying monkeys come in and steal some? I knew I shouldn’t have trusted them”

“Flying monkeys? No, ah was just wondering what that is” She pointed toward the red substance slowly leaking from the side.

Pinkie let out a sad sigh. “Oh I was hoping that it could be a surprise but I guess I could tell you about it if you promise not to ruin the surprise”

“Um o-o-okay. Cross mah heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye”

Pinkie motioned for Applebloom to come closer even though there was nopony around that would overhear them. “I made these cupcakes using something totally new and delicious. I woke up one morning and thought of how I could make some great cupcakes and so I came up with the idea of” Pinkie looked from left to right. “Strawberry jelly”

“Jelly?”

“Of course silly filly, what else could it be? Is that all you wanted?”

Applebloom took a few seconds to get back to normal “Yeah that was all” For a moment it had looked like blood was coming out of the cupcake. Just to make sure she took a bit of the leaked jelly to taste it. She put it in her mouth and let out a satisfied hum. The rest of the time went by pretty quickly as Applebloom thought of how to ask Pinkie for advice. Should I just say it flat out? Or should I just slowly get to it and leave it kind of anonymous?

...

Hello?

… I’m sorry did you say something?

I really am going insane if I’m talking to myself like this aren’t I?

Probably now as for telling Pinkie about your feelings for Applejack considering she is hyper you probably should say it sooner but not too soon. But then again it is up to you I’m just a voice in your head.

Gee thanks so much.

You’re welcome now if you’ll excuse me.

So much for your help. Eventually all of the cupcakes were finally done. “Wow cupcakes look super dooper looper Applebloom. I can’t wait for them to try my cupcakes. I bet they’re going to be so surprised to taste jelly when eating it.”

“Thanks Pinkie. So do you think we could talk about something?”

“Of course what did you want to talk about? Cookies, bears, balloons, monkeys, flying monkeys, flying balloon monkeys?”

“No ah wanted to ask ya, have ya ever had a crush on somepony?”

“Well I do have a bit of a crush on somepony but I don’t really have a way of telling them how I feel”

“Why not?”

“Because um… because he well moved away a while ago” Pinkie said nervously “Why do you ask?”

Applebloom could tell that Pinkie was hiding something but figured that she should just leave it alone. “It’s about Applejack”

“What about her?”

“Do ya promise that ya won’t tell anypony?”

“Of course silly. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise ever. So what is it? Is something wrong with her?”

Applebloom felt guilt climb up inside of her when she heard Pinkie say that nopony breaks a Pinkie Promise. But I did. “Nothing’s wrong with her, it’s just that a few weeks ago ah… started to really like her.”

“Well she is your sister so why wouldn’t you like her?”

“Ah don’t mean like as a sister, ah mean like as in… like like”

Pinkie was surprisingly quiet for a few moments with a frozen look. In just a second she left and came back with her party cannon with a huge smile on her face. “FINALLY” She yelled as she fired her party cannon decorating the kitchen somehow making the mess from earlier disappear.

“What?” Applebloom was beyond confused at this point.

“Oh silly I’ve always thought for a while that you two were always cute together plus my Pinkie Sense was always telling me about a cute couple about to be made. So how long have you two been together?”

“Actually ah haven’t told her yet” Applebloom explained from the very beginning of everything that had happened since that morning. After she was done Pinkie had a smile on her face but it wasn’t a usual smile it was a sympathetic smile.

“Oh it’ll be okay Applebloom. So you just want help on telling her about how you feel?”

“Yeah, ah really want to tell her but ah’m really scared of what she’ll think”

“Oh Applebloom sometimes you got to learn to just put your fears aside and let yourself shine” As soon as Pinkie said these words music started playing from nowhere.

Here I am once again

Feeling lost but now and then

I breathe it in, to let it go

And you don’t know where you are now

Or what it will come to if only somepony could hear

When you figure out how

You’re lost in the moment you disappear

You don’t have to be afraid to put your dream in action

You’re never gonna fade you’ll be the main attraction

Not a fantasy, just remember me

When it turn out right

Cuz you know that if you live in your imagination

Tomorrow you’ll be everypony’s fascination

In my victory, just remember me

When I make it shine

Reachin high, feelin low

I’m holding on but letting go

I like to shine, I’ll shine for you

And it’s time to show the world how it’s a little bit closer

As long as you’re ready to go

All we have is right now

As long as you feel it inside you know

You don’t have to be afraid to put your dream in action

You’re never gonna fade you’ll be the main attraction

Not a fantasy, just remember me

When it turns out right

Cuz you know that if you live in your imagination

Tomorrow you’ll be everypony’s fascination

In my victory, just remember me

When I make it shine

Everyone can tell you how it’s all been said and done

The harder times will change your mind and make you wanna run

But you want her and you need her

Like you need to breathe the air

If they doubt you, just believe it

That’s enough to get you there

You don’t have to be afraid to put your dream in action

You're never gonna fade you’ll be the main attraction

Not a fantasy, just remember me

When it turns out right

Cuz you know that if you live in your imagination

Tomorrow you’ll be everypony’s fascination

In my victory, just remember me

When I make it shine

Pinkie finally finished her song letting Applebloom think for a bit. “You really think that ah should tell her?”

“Totally, there’s no way she would just turn you down. Knowing Applejack she would probably like something simple like flowers but you should probably wait a little while before telling her. For now you should give her small hints and do things like make her dinner or give her something nice like a really nice new hat. And then once you’re ready you can tell her how you feel. Oh and thanks for helping me with making all of the cupcakes today”

“No problem Pinkie Pie, thanks again for the advice”

“No worries oh yeah I almost forgot” Pinkie quickly ran off and came back with a small bag of bits “This is for helping me all day, maybe you can use them to buy Applejack some really nice flowers”

“Okay thanks again Pinkie”

“Good luck”

Applebloom left Sugarcube Corner heading over to buy flowers for Applejack. She noticed that the sun was already starting to slowly set. Wow have I really been helping Pinkie all day. I wonder who Pinkie’s crush is and why did she seem like she was keeping something a secret? Oh well I’ll worry about that later right now I’m going to get some flowers for Applejack and head home. She quickly got several blue daises from Rose and headed back to the farm where she noticed Applejack was finishing up some last minute apple bucking.

“Hey Applejack”

Applejack turned and saw her little sis “Oh hey Applebloom, where have ya been all day? Let me guess, ya were hanging out with Wheeljack” She teased. “What are those flowers for?”

“Well ah’ve been helping Pinkie at Sugarcube Corner and ah used some of the bits to get my favorite big sis some flowers” Applebloom said doing her best to fight back a blush.

Applejack smiled grateful “Aw thanks little sis. Now how about we finish up the rest of these apples and go back to the barn”

“Sure”

After about an hour of apple bucking or Applejack trying to teach Applebloom to apple buck, they were finally finished and headed back to the barn. Once to their rooms Applejack got a vase and put the flowers in them and set it next to her bed with a smile on her face. Applejack went over to Applebloom’s room to thank her again but saw that she was already in bed. Applejack walked over to Applebloom, kissed her on the forehead and simply said, “Good night little sis”

Chapter 6

Warning: This chapter contains small amounts of child abuse. I own nothing.

It was another warm and beautiful sunny day at Sweet Apple Acres. Applebloom was currently pacing around her room trying to motivate herself to tell Applejack how she felt by repeating ‘Ya can do this Applebloom, ya can do this’. Finally after she had gotten enough courage she walked out of her room and knocked on her sister’s bedroom door. After a few seconds Applejack opened the door and smiled seeing her little sister “Oh hey Applebloom, did ya need something?”

“Well ah just wanted to tell ya something” Applebloom started already getting nervous.

“What about?” Applejack asked confused.

“Well… ah lied to ya about Wheeljack” Applebloom confessed.

“What do ya mean? There isn’t anypony named Wheeljack? Ya lied to me again?” Applejack said with a hint of anger in her voice.

“Ah’m sorry sis” Her voice trembling.

“Is that a lie too?”

“N-no, ah was just scared to tell ya the whole truth”

“Ah thought ya promised me that ya would always tell me whenever anything was wrong and ya lied to me”

“Ah didn’t completely lie, ah have been having dreams about a pony just not one called Wheeljack”

“Alright then who is the pony you’ve been dreaming about or are ya going to lie again?”

“No ah’m not. The pony that Ah’ve been dreaming about is… you” Applebloom finally confessed unable to look at her older sister afraid of what her sister would say or do.

“What do ya mean that ah’m the pony you’ve been dreaming about?” Applejack asked with fear in her voice.

Applebloom looked at her older sister’s face and was torn by what she saw. Applejack had a look of pure disgust and fear on her face. Tears started to well up in her eyes as she looked at Applejack’s eyes. “Ah… ah…” She couldn’t find the words to say.

“Is this some kind of sick joke Applebloom because ah’m not laughing?”

“I… it’s not a joke, ah… ah really like ya” Applebloom managed to say while cowering at Applejack’s glare with her voice slowly abandoning her.

Thankfully Applejack turned around making it so that Applebloom didn’t have to see those hateful eyes but then Applejack raised her back left hoof and bucked Applebloom in the face sending her hitting the wall and falling on the floor hard. Applebloom put a hoof on her face in pain but was bucked again sending her sliding down the hall towards her room. She tried to get up but was stopped when Applejack put her hoof above her to keep her down. “Now how about ya stay in your room so that nopony will have to know about this and want to do to ya what ah want to do,” She said with hatred and venom in her voice “In fact why don’t ah make sure that ya never have to worry about this ever again.” With those words Applejack raised her other hoof ready to crush the young filly below her.

Applebloom awoke letting out a terrified scream as she curled up and began to ball her eyes out from the nightmare. I can’t tell her, I can’t.

Applejack awoke to the sound of the scream. That sounded like Applebloom. She quickly got out of her bed and galloped to Applebloom’s room to find her little sister cowering while tears poured down her face like a broken dam. Applejack stood for a moment feeling devastated just seeing her little sister this upset. She slowly walked over towards the bed and climbed on putting a hoof around her little sister only for Applebloom to turn around instantly and hugged Applejack tightly. Applejack returned the hug while Applebloom continued to let out her tears. “It’s okay Applebloom; it was just a bad dream, there’s nothing to be afraid of” Applejack’s attempts at first didn’t seem to work as Applebloom continued to sob but eventually she started to slowly calm down but was still holding on to her sister as though she was going to disappear any second and never come back. “There ya go; now do ya think ya can tell me what happened?”

Applebloom sniffled a bit before letting go slowly and nodding her head. “Ah… ah had a dream where…” No ah can’t tell her she’ll hurt me just like in mah dream. “Ah told Wheeljack how ah felt and… he… rejected me and then kicked me in the face” Applebloom said with more tears falling down her face.

“Applebloom ya don’t have to say anything else if you” She was interrupted by Applebloom.

“And then he kicked me again making me slide a few feet and then…” Applebloom looked ready to cry enough tears to flood the town.

“Applebloom please stop” It was breaking her heart to see Applebloom break down like this.

“And then… he… raised a hoof ready to… make sure that ah would never… have to worry about it again” And with that Applebloom started to cry once again, tears falling down her face even more than before. Applejack just hugged her little sister again trying to calm her down once more.

“It’s okay Applebloom, it was only a dream. Ah’m sure he wouldn’t do that. You're an amazing filly and he'll have to be downright stupid if he said no to ya”

Applebloom sniffed a little bit before giving a grateful smile that made Applejack's stomach flutter. "Ya really mean that?"

"Of course ah do. Ya are mah little sister after all"

This finally caused Applebloom to let out the cutest giggle she had ever heard. Wait cute?

Applebloom wiped away the few tears she had left and managed to say, “Could… could ya stay here… please?”

For some reason Applejack felt a blush creep up on her face but pushed it aside. “Of course”

Applebloom slowly got back under her covers with Applejack. She slowly closed her eyes and tried to fall back asleep while Applejack simply watched her with a worried look. Ah’ve never seen Applebloom this upset before, she must really like this colt if it made her like this. Why would anypony ever do something like that to Applebloom? She's kind, sweet, and…

Beautiful?

Applejack immediately had a blush on her face that would any apple on the orchard jealous. Where did that come from? Of course ah think she's cute and beautiful, she's mah little sister. She looked back to Applebloom and saw her resting peacefully. She did have to admit she looked adorable right now. Applejack smiled slightly and leaned over kissing Applebloom on the forehead. “Good night Applebloom” With that she layed down and shut her eyes attempting to fall asleep while wondering why she had thought things like that and why that voice sounded familiar.

AN: Sorry about the shorter chapter but I Pinkie Promise that the next one will be longer. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye. Also I hope that this chapter was cute enough (after the dream part obviously). I'm crossing my hooves hoping that nopony dislikes the story because of that.

Chapter 7

Applejack woke up slowly and noticed that Applebloom wasn’t in the room anymore. Her curiosity was answered by the smell of food and assumed that Applebloom was trying to make some breakfast. Shrugging she headed downstairs expecting to see burnt food but once she reached the kitchen she was amazed to see an amazing breakfast set up with Granny Smith and Big Mac already eating. On the table were a few stacks of fluffy pancakes with a tray of some blueberry muffins and biscuits. Applejack’s mouth was beginning to drool seeing the delicious looking food in front of her. “Who made this?” She asked amazed.

“Applebloom” Big Mac simply said but still left Applejack awed. Applebloom had made an amazing looking breakfast without burning anything?!

“Well don’t just stand there ya little whipper snapper, dig in” Granny said taking another bite of her pancake.

“Well don’t mind if ah do” With that Applejack headed to her seat and saw that a plate was already made for her. Without a second thought she began eating the food to realize that it tasted 20% better than it looked (I had to). “Where is Applebloom?”

“She’s in the kitchen right now cleaning up”

Almost as if on cue Applebloom walked out of the kitchen with an apron that read “Really Applebloom? Kiss the Cook?” Applejack said chuckling.

Applebloom immediately started to blush from embarrassment. “It was the only clean one”

“Ya know ah’m just teasing ya. Thanks a bunch for the breakfast Applebloom. It’s amazing”

“Eeyup” Big Mac agreed.

“Are ya going to be going to school Applebloom?”

“Well…” Applebloom was silent and kept her head down a bit.

“Applebloom ya can’t just skip school every day because of Diamond Tiara. Don’t let her get to ya, ya can’t let bullies like her get the best of ya or you’ll never live it down. If she tries to treat ya bad just tell me and she’ll end up living with a few timber wolves”

“Okay ah guess ah can go” Applebloom said reluctantly.

“How about when school’s over ah’ll pick ya up?” Applejack offered.

“NO”

Everypony was surprised by her sudden outburst even Applebloom. “Ah mean uh ya don’t have to do that, ya have a lot of work ya got to do right?”

“Nope, we got all of the apples yesterday so we all get to have the rest of the day off”

“Okay sounds cool” Applebloom said with as much enthusiasm as she could.

“Alright now it’s almost time for school so ya better hurry on outta here. Ah’ll pick ya up after school”

“Okay, ah’ll see ya later” Applebloom said as she galloped off to school. I hope that everypony is sick or something today.

Well that's a little mean of you don't you think?

What do you want?

Hey I thought that you enjoyed my company. In fact wasn't I the one who suggested talking to Pinkie Pie for advice?

Yeah but during that whole time I was there you didn’t even say anything. Why is that?

N-no reason, but I have a good feeling that Diamond Tiara won’t be at school today.

Why is that?

Just call it a gut feeling.

Sure enough once Applebloom reached the school and entered the classroom she noticed that everypony was here except for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Had they got suspended or sick? Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell were the first to notice Applebloom and waved over to her. She slowly waved back nervously walking to her seat trying to avoid looking at any of her classmates. She got into her seat and looked over to her two friends “Where are Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?”

She heard chuckling behind her and saw several of her classmates trying not to laugh. “Oh let’s just say that they’re in a… sticky situation” Twist said laughing with Featherweight, Snails, and Snips.

“Yeah, that was pretty mean what she did to ya” Featherweight said. "So we found her after school yesterday and poured her with a bunch of ink"

“So yawl don’t think ah’m a freak or anything?”

“No way, we won’t think you’re a freak because of something that you didn’t choose to have happen” Twist said giving a reassuring smile to Applebloom.

Applebloom let out a sigh of relief. How could I have doubted by best friends?

Easy you just say I doubt you and boom there you go.

Ha ha you're so funny.

Why thank you.

I was using sarcasm.

Ooo what does that taste like?

... I'm going to just ignore you now.

The rest of school was perfect so far with nothing going wrong; no Diamond Tiara, no Silver Spoon, and all of her friends her still being nice to her and weren’t calling her a freak. Today seems like my special day. Everything has gone perfect so far and it feels like nothing could go wrong.

*facepalm*

What?

What did I tell you about saying that?

... That if I said that things are going to get worse.

Exactly, but honestly even I’m wondering how this day could possibly get any worse. Everything has been going perfectly; you’re even going to be walking home with Applejack after school. It does seem like a good day but a wise pony once said, all good things come to an end.

Okay I’m getting sick of you. Who are you? I know that you aren’t just a voice in my head so spill.

Well looks like somepony’s a little upset. Fine I’ll tell you who I am but under one condition.

Fine what is it?

Well it has two parts to it. The first part involves telling Applejack about your feelings.

What?!

Hey after you fell asleep last night I actually noticed her look at you with a blush on her face.

She did?!

Quite so, now if you tell her how you feel and she does return your feelings then I will never bother you again but if she doesn’t return your feelings then you have to find a way to release me.

What do you mean release you?

Well thanks to the Elements of Harmony I was turned to stone when I didn’t even really do anything wrong. I mean seriously I made cotton candy clouds that rained chocolate, I made apples grow ten times their size, I gave rabbits horse legs, I made dirt roads into soap that you can slide on, does any of that sound evil or dangerous?

Not that much no but… what a minute chocolate rain? You’re that Discord guy that my sister fought aren’t you? And how are you even in my head if you’re a stone statue?

Ding, ding, ding we have a winner. Do you really think that I could be stopped that easily? Right before I was turned to stone I used my powers to make it so I could go into the minds of other ponies so that I could have some fun like when I found you.

Forget it, there is no way I’m going to release you.

Tell me then, what have I done that is so bad that I deserved to get turned to stone?

Well... um...

Exactly, if you were turned into stone for over a thousand years then wouldn’t you want to have some fun? And I’m the spirit of chaos; it’s what I’m supposed to do. So do we have a deal?

Applebloom thought for a bit. Should she trust the spirit of disharmony and chaos? Why should I?

Because once I’m free I will do my best to restrain myself from causing too much chaos. If you think that I’m going to far then I’ll stop. I’ll be like your own personal bodyguard. If anypony tries to tear you down I could give them a taste of my infamous Poison Joke. So?

...Fine. You're on.

Alright but here's a riddle until we meet face to face:

What do colts love more than life

Fear more than death or mortal strife

What the poor have, the rich require,

and what contented colts desire,

What the miser spends and the spendthrift saves

And all colts carry to their graves?

Good luck.

And with that her head went silent as she tried to understand the riddle. What could that riddle mean? Colts love it more than life but fear it more than death? Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the school bell. I guess I'll try to figure it out later, right now I got to go meet Applejack. She walked out to the front of the school and saw her sister waving over to her. “Hey Applebloom ready to go?”

“Sure thing sis”

As the two started walking home Applebloom continued to think of how or when she should confess to her sister. Could he be right about Applejack liking me too? Or did he just trick me into agreeing with him? She looked over at Applejack and couldn’t bear to look away. She was beautiful in her eyes; she was strong, kind, and caring and couldn’t help but stare at her.

“Um, Applebloom why are ya staring at me like that?”

Applebloom immediately was taken out of her trance and smiled sheepishly with a blush. “Oh uh ah just was thinking about… Wheeljack is all”

“Ya really can’t stop think about this colt can ya?”

“Nope”

“So how was school today?”

“It was amazing; Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were both absent and all of my friends were supportive of me”

“See, ah told ya, ya wouldn’t have anything to worry about. And ah was wondering why did ya make breakfast this morning?” Applejack asked curious.

“Well, ah just wanted to thank ya for last night and… ah wanted to practice for making something nice for Wheeljack”

The two walked into the market area when Applebloom noticed Applejack pull out a paper from the saddlebag she was wearing. “Alright do ya think ya could help me get some groceries?”

“No problem sis” And with that Applejack carefully tore the paper into two even halves for the two to use. “Think ya can handle this on your own?”

“Definitely”

The two then headed off for the different groceries giving Applebloom a bit of time to think. . Alright after we’re done with getting the groceries ah’ll tell her the truth about how ah feel. Ah can do this and nothing’s going to stop me.

We'll see about that.

It was then that she noticed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking over to where her sister had gone. Curious, she slowly followed them as quietly as she could so that they wouldn’t notice her.

“Excuse me Applejack”

Applejack turned around and gave the filly in front of her a glare. “What do you two want?”

“I just wanted to say that I feel really bad for making Applebloom tell the class about her crush and I wanted to make it up to her by helping her with an essay,” Diamond Tiara said with a seemingly shameful face.

“What’s the essay about?”

“It’s a family biography. Each student has to pick a relative and do an interview on them. And I want to try to make it up to Applebloom by doing her assignment for her with your help”

Applejack wasn’t fully buying what they were saying but decided to go with it. “Fine what do ya need to interview me about?”

“Mostly basic stuff like favorite food, favorite color, and stuff like that. There are a few things like what do you think of this or this also.”

“Alright ask away then ah guess”

Applebloom continued to follow the two until she noticed that they were now gone. She let out a frustrated sigh and looked around trying to find some sign of them until she saw Silver Spoon walking over to her. “What do ya want?” Applebloom said angrily.

“Look I’m really sorry about what we did; I actually tried to talk Diamond Tiara out of it but she didn’t listen.”

“Sure ya are, so where’s Diamond Tiara then?”

“She’s talking to Applejack right now and is doing an ‘interview’ with her. She said that she was going to make sure you paid for what you did and was going to tell Applejack the truth,” Silver Spoon said.

“Pay for what?”

“I promised her that I would never tell anypony about it and I really don’t want to break that promise. And I’m really sorry for everything that I did to you. Truce?” Silver Spoon offered a hoof out.

Applebloom wanted to just ignore her and leave but looking into Silver Spoon’s eyes she saw nothing but truth. “Truce” She brought out her own hoof and brohoofed Silver Spoon. “So where did Diamond Tiara go?”

“I think I saw her head over to the vegetable stands”

“Alright thanks” Applebloom immediately galloped to find her sister hoping that she wasn’t too late. She was just about to walk around a stand when she heard Diamond Tiara’s voice ask, “What is your view of mare and mare or colt and colt relationships?” Applebloom froze with fear.

“Cherilee is actually having you kids research something unnatural like that?”

Applebloom’s heart began to tear in half. U-unnatural?

“I thought the same thing when I heard about it but that was part of it. And what is your view and the fact that relatives have sometimes fall in love with each other? And what would you think if one of your relatives was in love with you?”

Applebloom felt her heart start to burst as tears slowly began to form in her eyes. P-please no.

“Relatives falling in love with each other? That’s completely wrong in more ways than anypony could count. If one of mah relatives fell in love with me, ah would try to be as nice as ah could but there is no way that ah would ever like one of mah own relatives like that. It’s disgusting and unnatural. Mares are supposed to like colts and colts are supposed to like mares. Only a freak could possibly like somepony of the same gender and especially a relative.”

And with that Applebloom could no longer keep the tears in her eyes as she galloped as fast as she could back to the barn. I should have known, I should have known she would think I'm a freak.

AN: … Dear Celestia, today I made a poor little filly cry. Your messed up student Nitronus Prime. I promised a longer chapter and I have given it to you. Hope you liked it… or at least didn’t dislike it. And you’re all probably thinking that Applejack was being a bit too harsh but she is an old fashioned pony plus it’s my story not yours.

Chapter 8

Applebloom continued to run as fast as she could not caring if anypony saw the tears that were in her eyes. She just wanted to get back to her room as soon as she could so that Applejack would never have to see her again. She eventually made it to the barn thankful that Big Mac wasn’t around to see her and stop her. She headed right to her room and shut the door heading to her bed and letting all of her tears slide down no longer caring about anything.

Well I don’t always like to say that I told you so but if you had simply listened to me then maybe none of this would have happened.

Applebloom gave no response as she continued to cry.

So are you just going to stay in your room forever? If this is your way to make sure that she doesn’t have to see you again then you’re not going to have much success. You do realize that as soon as she realizes that you’re not at the market she’ll head back here and won’t stop until you talk to her right?

... I just want to be alone.

Well you can't really do that once your family gets here now can you?

... Where's your statue?

It’s back where it was in the Canterlot Garden. Unfortunately Princess Trollestia put powerful magic around the statue to prevent me from escaping. So the only way you could release me is if you find somepony who has a lot of magic that’s strong enough to break me out.

Well I can’t ask Twilight or the princesses. I don’t think I know anypony else who could do it or would want to.

Well you’re not going to get any progress if you stay here are you? If you stay here than you’ll just be pestered by your family until you finally tell them the truth.

Applebloom simply got off of her bed and headed over to her dresser. She looked on top of it to see a picture of her and Applejack having fun like they always did. She continued to look at the picture for several minutes as tears still continued to fall down her face. Why? Why did I have to like her? Why couldn’t I just like a colt like a normal filly would?

Everything happens for a reason; whether it’s for the better or the worse. Maybe it happened so that you could have a taste of what heartbreak feels like. And where’s the fun in being normal I mean look at me.

Gee thanks that makes me feel so much better.

You really need to lighten up. You know there’s a saying that I once heard that I really enjoy. Yesterday is history, tomorrow's a mystery, but today is a gift that is why it is called the present.

Yeah today has been such a gift hasn’t it?

Okay maybe not the best example but staying here isn’t going to make anything better in fact things will just get worse staying here. Just head to the train and head over to the Canterlot Garden.

And how would I get you out?

Trust me, you’ll find a way by the time you get here.

Applebloom sighed and looked around her room sure that she would never come back here. She took one last look at the photo and let another tear fall down her face. “Goodbye Applejack” With that she headed away from the farm and to the train. She went around Ponyville to make sure that nopony would see her on her way there. After about half an hour she finally saw the train station in sight but was stopped when a familiar voice called out her name.

*30 minutes ago*

“Thank you for the help Applejack, tell Applebloom I said I’m sorry” Diamond Tiara said with a fake grateful smile on her face.

“No problem but remember if ya ever do anything like that again ya just might find yourself having a pet play date with Cerberus” Applejack said with a small glare. With that she headed off to get the rest of her groceries when she turned around a stand and noticed groceries sitting scattered across the ground. She looked closer and saw a piece of paper that had a list of groceries. That’s the list ah gave Applebloom! Panicking she began frantically looking around the market looking everywhere for the little filly but to no avail. Where is she?

“Are you okay there missy?” A vender asked.

“Have ya seen a little filly with red hair and a bow in her hair lately?” Applejack asked.

“Yeah I did a couple minutes ago I saw her running past crying like she lost a loved one”

“Thank ya kindly” Applejack began running in the direction that the vender pointed to which seemed to lead back to the farm. Why had she been crying? Had she bumped into Wheeljack and got rejected? She didn’t care as long as she could find her little sister. She continued to run until she saw the barn in sight and was thrilled to see Applebloom walking past it but she seemed to be… just broken. Applejack slowed down a bit so that she could figure out where she could be heading. After following for a while she saw the train station in the distance. She was running away?! “Applebloom”

Applebloom stopped in her tracks but didn’t turn around. Applejack ran up and finally caught up to her, “Applebloom what’s going on? Why are ya heading to the train station?”

Applebloom was silent for a while as she continued to face away from her sister while looking at the ground. “… Ah’m leaving”

“Why are ya leaving Applebloom? Did ya bump into Wheeljack at the market?”

Applebloom was still silent as she debated about what she should do. Why not just tell her the truth? Ah already know that she'll think that ah'm a freak. “Because… ah lied to ya about Wheeljack”

“What do ya mean?” Applejack asked confused but an idea slowly started to make its way through her mind. “There is nopony named Wheeljack is there?”

Applebloom slowly looked down before shaking her head. “Ah have been having dreams but… they haven’t been with… a colt”

Applejack stood with her mouth agape. Applebloom is a... fillyfooler?! “Ah-ah” She didn’t know what to say. The only thing she could think of was, “Who is the… filly?”

Applebloom’s ears flattened as even more tears fell down her face. She mumbled something that Applejack didn’t hear. “Who is it?”

Once again Applebloom simply gave an inaudible response. “Applebloom who is it?”

Applebloom finally raised her voice enough for her sister to hear her but Applejack was sure she heard wrong. “Y… y… you”

“Ah-ah don’t think ah heard ya right”

Applebloom now sat down on the ground tears increasing with every second. “The… pony from… my dream… is… is… you” Applebloom now laid down on the ground with her hooves covering her face preparing for her sister to hurt her just like in the dream from last night.

Applejack stood completely shocked. Then she realized, Wheeljack… Applejack… how could I not have realized that? How is Applebloom in love with… me? “Is this just some kind of creepy joke?” Applejack asked with a small laugh hoping that it was just a joke but Applebloom’s tears said otherwise.

“Stop laughing at me” Applebloom managed to say through her tears.

Applejack couldn’t comprehend what was happening. She said that she overheard me… Did she hear what ah said to Diamond Tiara? And she says that she likes me… that’s why she’s running away.

“Don’t try to say that ah’m not a freak because ah heard ya say it yourself”

“Applebloom… ah’m sure that you’re just going through some kind of phase. Ya are starting to get to be a teenager and you’re probably just having hormones”

Applebloom finally looked up and the look on her face devastated Applejack. Just by looking into Applebloom’s eyes she knew that she was truly heartbroken. What’s wrong with me? My sister needs comfort more than she ever has in her life and all ah do is say that she’s going through a phase? “Applebloom… ah…”

Applebloom miraculously managed to slowly stand up and looked her sister in the eyes causing her to go silent. “Is that all ah am now? Just because ah like somepony that ah never would have wanted to, ah’m just going through a phase? Ah know that ya think ah’m a freak. That’s why ah’m leaving so that ya never have to see a freak like me again” With that Applebloom turned around and ran towards the train station leaving Applejack behind unable to move.

“… What have ah done?”

Applebloom finally got to the train station and headed right for a ticket machine. She inserted some of the bits she earned from Pinkie Pie to get her ticket for Canterlot. She picked it up and headed into the train. As soon as she got into the train she headed into a private area on the train so that she could be alone. Once she got to the private area she fell to the floor letting the rest of her tears come out of her eyes.

Chapter 9

3 days 14 hours 28 minutes 35 seconds

Applejack was currently lying in her bed just now starting to wake up. Although she didn’t really get any sleep last night because of the guilt that was eating at her ever since Applebloom had left. How could ah have hurt her when she needed me the most? What kind of big sister am ah?

She had yet to tell anypony about what had happened even Big Mac. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell had come over just yesterday and had been asking about Applebloom wondering why she hadn’t shown up for school. Applejack was sure that they knew about Applebloom’s feelings but she couldn’t bear to bring it up so she simply said that Applebloom was busy at the moment. Even Cherilee had come to make sure everything was all right one day but Applejack gave the same response. She had already hurt her little sister enough so she wasn’t going to tell anypony about what had happened in case she ever did come back.

All of her friends had noticed Applejack’s depressive state and had tried everything they could think of to cheer her up even though she still would never say what was wrong. Pinkie tried to throw a party, Twilight tried to show her a book, Fluttershy had tried to have a relaxing tea party with her, and Rarity had even offered to do stuff with her and Rainbow Dash even if it meant getting dirty. But Applejack had declined each and every offer they gave her. She felt that she didn’t deserve to be given anything special after what she had done to Applebloom.

She considered telling Pinkie about it since the party pony always was able to keep a secret but she shuddered when she remembered what happened when Pinkie had thought that she had broken her Pinkie Promise. Applejack didn’t even want to begin to think of what would happen if Pinkie found out that she had broken Applebloom’s heart like she did.

But the one thing that had made her feel even guiltier for what she had done was seeing Applebloom’s face. It had been a mix of shock, sadness, pain, and heartbreak. She couldn’t even say anything once she saw Applebloom’s face and especially her eyes that had been completely soaked by the tears that had been flowing from them. Her little sister had just confessed to her about something that was already tearing her up inside and all she had done was treat her like a child blaming her feelings on hormones. Applebloom needed comfort and reassurance at that moment more than she had needed in her entire life but Applejack hadn’t given it to her. Instead she stood there and took Applebloom’s last words before she had left to the train. Ah caused her so much pain without even knowing and even when ah did know ah just made it worse. Ah deserved everything she said. Ah don’t deserve to even get her forgiveness. Ah’m a monster.

Applejack looked over at her table stand next to her bed noticing the vase of blue daises that Applebloom had given her only a few days ago. She had worked hard all day just so that she could get me some beautiful flowers that ah don’t even deserve. Just looking at the flowers was causing Applejack to feel guilty and have tears start to fall down her face. She just barely heard the sound of somepony knocking on her bedroom door calling through it, “AJ breakfast is ready. Are ya gonna come out?” Big Mac asked concerned for his sister.

Ever since Applebloom had left Applejack had hardly left her bedroom and even when she wasn’t in her room and was out working she still could only think of the pain she had caused to her little sister. Right now she really didn’t want to come downstairs sure that Big Mac would try to get her to tell him about what had happened. “Ah’ll be down in a little bit Big Mac, ah’m still tired.”

She heard Big Mac let out a loud and heavy sigh, “Listen AJ, ah know that something’s wrong and nopony has seen Applebloom in about three days. So if ya know anything could ya please tell me?”

She desperately wanted to tell him right then and there, to get rid of all of the guilt that she had been keeping inside of her ever since Applebloom had confessed to her about her dreams. But no matter how much she wanted to tell Big Mac, she just couldn’t find the strength to do it. “Ah don’t know where Applebloom is big brother. Ah’m sorry” Not the full truth but not a complete lie. She only hoped that he at least would drop it for the moment and leave her alone.

“Alright then, but ya better hurry up and get your breakfast, otherwise it’s gonna get really cold sis” And with that Applejack heard the sound of hoof steps slowly walking down the stairs leaving her to think alone once more. She once again looked over at the blue daises with a guilty look on her face. Ah’m so sorry Applebloom. Ah wish that ah could make it up to ya. With that Applejack put on her usual hat and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Big Mac and Granny Smith were both already at the table eating the food that Big Mac had made that morning since Applebloom wasn’t there to cook. It still looked like a great meal but Applejack’s guilt only rose when she realized that it was the same breakfast Applebloom had made the day that she had told Applejack the truth and it took most of her strength to not cry right there but she knew that she couldn’t especially with Big Mac standing right there. So she quietly went over her plate and took a few bites. She noticed that it didn’t really have the same flare that Applebloom’s breakfast had but still kept eating hoping that Big Mac would not try to pester her about Applebloom.

Her prayers were not answered. “Applejack ah know that you’re getting tired of me asking and ah know that ah’m getting tired of asking so much but ya got to tell me the truth. What happened and why has nopony seen Applebloom?”

Why couldn’t he just drop the subject for at least one day? No he does have a right to know what happened to Applebloom just as much as ah would. But how can ah tell him that ah’m the reason that Applebloom ran away and the reason that she is in so much pain right now? “Look big brother ah don’t know what you’re talking about. Ah’m fine, ah’ve just been having trouble sleeping lately is all,” Once again she had told only part of the truth towards her older brother and by the look on his face he was not convinced.

“Ah’ll drop it for now Applejack because right now we got to buck us some apples for the next harvest,” Big Mac finished the rest of his food and headed out into the farm. Applejack stayed behind eating slowly as she continued to think of what she had done to even deserve to have had Applebloom as her sister. The two had been like two peas in a pod and yet now; they were like water and fire. After a few minutes she finally managed to finish her breakfast and headed out to buck some apples and try her best to get Applebloom out of her head.

3 days 16 hours 5 minutes 47 seconds

She couldn’t do it. No matter how hard she tried to think of anything else, Applebloom always managed to make her way into the front of her mind. Whenever she was about to buck a tree she saw an image of her sister but as soon as she blinked she was gone. This had been going on the entire time she had been attempting to get any apples from the trees. She hated herself more than anything for what she had done and just wished that she could see Applebloom one more time. Just to see her smile, just to have her there with her would be enough. If ah could see her again ah would hold her and never let her go. She looked around just to make sure that nopony else was around. She took a slow and deep breath before starting to sing.

I always needed time on my own

I never thought I’d

Need you there when I cry

And the days feel like years when I’m alone

And the bed where you lie

Is made up on your side

When you walk away

I count the steps that you take

Do you see how much I need you right now?

When you’re gone

The pieces of my heart are missing you

When you’re gone

The face I came to know is missing too

When you’re gone

The words I need to hear to always get me through the day

And make it okay

I miss you

I’ve never felt this way before

Everything that I do

Reminds me of you

And the flowers you left that lie in my room

And they smell just like you

I love the things that you do

When you walk away

I count the steps that you take

Do you see how much I need you right now?

When you’re gone

The pieces of my heart are missing you

When you’re gone

The face I came to know is missing too

When you’re gone

The words I need to hear to always get me through the day

And make it okay

I miss you

We were made for each other

Out her forever

I know we were

Yeah

And all I ever wanted was for you to know

Everything I do I give my heart and soul

I can hardly breathe I need to feel you here with me yeah

When you’re gone

The pieces of my heart are missing you

When you’re gone

The face I came to know is missing too

When you’re gone

The words I need to hear will always get me through the day

And make it okay

I miss you

As she finished the song tears were falling from her eyes freely without any kind of restraint. Right now she didn’t care if anypony saw her like this, all she wanted was to have her little sister back. It was right then that she heard a snap of a branch on the ground meaning that somepony was behind her. She turned around slowly and saw Pinkie Pie standing a few feet away with a basket in her mouth. “Hey Applejack I know that you haven’t been feeling so good, so I made you some yummy super delicious cupcakes. Applebloom helped me make them”

Before Applejack could say anything, Pinkie had already took out a cupcake from the basket and held it out for Applejack to admire. She had to admit that it looked delicious but once she looked closely at it she noticed the colors of the cupcake. It was a vanilla cupcake with red frosting and even had a little edible bow on top of it. Just like Applebloom. “No thanks Pinkie ah’m not that hungry”

*Grumble*

Applejack let out a frustrated sigh as she silently cursed her stomach for betraying her. She decided to be nice and took the cupcake into her hooves and slowly ate it a bite of it.

“Well what do you think? Is it good? Or is it super good? Fantabulous? How about Super Special Awesome?” Pinkie asked extremely fast.

Applejack had to admit that it was amazing but the fact that the cupcake reminded her so much of Applebloom made it a lot harder to enjoy the cupcake. She simply put the rest in her mouth so that she wouldn’t have to see it anymore. Pinkie noticed this and looked extremely concerned. “Applejack what’s been bugging you lately? You haven’t been yourself for like three days.”

“3 days 16 hours 10 minutes and 13 seconds” Applejack simply said.

“How did you know that?” Pinkie asked.

“Ah’ve been counting every second ever since…” Applejack paused realizing that she almost had told Pinkie Pie about what had happened. “Never mind it’s not that big of a deal”

“Not that big of a deal? If that’s true then why have you been such a grumpy pants for the past three days? Applejack we’re all really worried about you. What’s wrong? And where’s Applebloom? I haven’t seen her anywhere for the past few days.”

Applejack was now just a thread from telling Pinkie everything but she knew that she couldn’t. Ah can’t tell anypony about what Applebloom told me. Ah already hurt her enough, if she found out that ah told somepony about it, it would hurt her even more.

“She told you didn’t she?” Pinkie asked with a sad tone.

For a moment Applejack didn’t quite understand what Pinkie had meant by that but eventually she understood seeing the sadness on Pinkie’s face. Applebloom must have told Pinkie at some point about her feelings. “Yeah… she did.”

“So?” Pinkie asked with a sad look which Applejack only returned with a look of guilt and sorrow.

“When she told me… the first thing that ah asked was… if she was pulling a… creepy joke on me” Applejack started already feeling even more terrible than before. It was bad enough having to live through it once but now to explain it through and through hurt so much more. And now looking at Pinkie’s face of pure rage was making the guilt inside her overwhelm her even more than it already had been doing for the past few days.

“You did what? How could you do that to her? She was already hurt enough about all of this and you told her that?!” Pinkie asked starting to get as angry as she had when Applejack had supposedly broken her Pinkie Promise.

“Ya don’t think ah know that” Applejack could no longer hold it in as her tears fell just like Applebloom’s tears had three days ago. “It’s all my fault. She need me more than she ever had in her entire life and all I did was treat her like a freak. Ah said that her feelings were just a phase she was going through and that she would grow out of it. Ah’ve been hating myself for it ever since and ah don’t even know where she went. All ah know is that she went to the train station and that’s it. She was already in so much pain from it and all I did was make the wounds deeper.”

Pinkie was completely shocked and for once speechless. Applejack, one of the toughest ponies she had ever met, was crying her eyes out like she had lost a loved one. Although in this case she did. Unsure of what else to do Pinkie simply gave the farm girl a hug which she gladly returned continuing to cry her tears completely dry. “It’ll be okay Applejack and don’t blame yourself. If anypony should be blamed it should be me”

Applejack wiped a few tears away and looked at her friend confused. “How is it your fault?”

“I’m the one who motivated her to tell you about her feelings and look how well that turned out. All I wanted was for her to be happy with her own special somepony”

“No it ain’t your fault Pinkie, it’s mine more than it is anypony’s. She needed me at that moment; she needed comfort and ah didn’t give it to her. Nopony else is to blame except for me,” Applejack said guilt fully evident in her voice.

“Applejack can I ask you something? And you have to promise that you won’t get mad at me for asking”

“Ah guess it’s alright, what’s the question?”

Pinkie Pie was silent for a few moments deciding how to ask the question but eventually simply asked “Do you love her?”

Applejack couldn’t give an answer even if she wanted to. She had never thought about Applebloom that way, in fact the only time she had ever had any kind of thoughts like that were after Applebloom had that nightmare. Applebloom meant everything to her but as more than a sister? She wasn’t sure if she could do that especially considering Applebloom’s age. “Ah… ah don’t know. Ah’ve always seen her as my little sister and ah always wanted to keep her safe but loving her more than a sister? Ah just don’t know, don’t get me wrong she means everything to me but even if ah did ah’m not sure what I would do. Ah mean she’s still a little filly and ah’m a full grown mare plus we’re sisters. What would ponies think of us if we were together?”

“Ah don’t have an answer for that Applejack but ah’m sure that no matter what happens that everything will turn out in the end, you’ll see,” Pinkie reassured her friend.

“Ah hope that you’re right Pinkie” Applejack let out a sigh. Ah wish that ya could hear me Applebloom, ah’m so sorry for hurting you like ah did. Ah would do anything to make it up to ya little sis. Wherever you are Applebloom, ah hope that you’re alright.

AN: And Applejack FINALLY gets her own dang song. It’s about time huh? Lol episode 20 joke. But in all seriousness I hope you guys enjoyed that chapter. I did my best to make it longer to make up for the shorter chapters I’ve had so I hope to get positive feedback on that. I’m not sure when the next chapter will be up but I will do my best to get it up as soon as possible. Until next time brohoof /)

Chapter 10

Applejack was currently working on the orchard attempting to buck as many apples as she could when she noticed a figure walking towards her in the distance. They were too far away for her to make out who it was so she walked a little bit towards them and saw that it was Applebloom. Tears of joy and happiness rolled out of her eyes as she ran towards her younger sister giving her a massive bear hug. “Applebloom you’re alright”

She expected her little sister to return the hug but instead she simply pushed Applejack away while giving her a glare that could take on Fluttershy’s infamous Stare any day. “Why would you care if I’m alright or not? You think I’m a freak remember”

Applejack was torn. “Applebloom, I’m so sorry for what I did to you. I would do anything to make it up to you”

Applebloom let out a laugh that sounded strangely metallic. “Sorry? You’re sorry? That’s the best you’ve got after you ripped my heart into millions of pieces? If you were really sorry than you would have tried to stop me when I left”

“Applebloom, I… I really am sorry for everything. I’ve been hating myself ever since you left. I haven’t been working well, I haven’t gotten any sleep, and I haven’t even spoken to any of my friends since except for Pinkie Pie once”

“Good, now you know exactly how I felt when you abandoned me” Applebloom said coldly with the same metallic voice that now was filled with anger and venom.

“Applebloom… please” Applejack reached a hoof out but Applebloom backed away instantly turning around and running as fast as she could. For a moment Applejack stood frozen in pain but forced herself to start running after Applebloom. She would not make the same mistake twice. She followed Applebloom for what seemed like years until she reached a cave on the side of a hill inside of the Everfree Forest. Something seemed wrong with the cave but Applejack wasn’t sure what it was. The cave seemed to be emitting a strange feeling from it one of which Applejack had never felt before. It was similar to Nightmare Moon, Discord, and Queen Chrysalis’s presences but this felt even more evil than any of them combined. For a while she stood frozen in fear of the strange feeling until she saw Applebloom in sight looking back at her.

“What’s the matter sis? Scared? I thought you said you would do anything to make up for what you did” With that Applebloom ran further into the cave leaving Applejack behind. For a while Applejack stood still trying to figure out what kind of presence this was. It felt ancient yet more evil than anything she had ever met. Slowly she moved her hoofs and ran into the cave after her little sister determined. She wasn’t going to lose her. Not again.

After a few minutes of going down numerous tunnels following Applebloom she wound up in a dead end. She was now in what looked like an ancient temple room of some kind. All around her there were pictures carved into the walls of a monster destroying cities and devouring souls out of ponies. To say that she was creeped out and disgusted would be an understatement. She also saw torches lined up between each carving and noticed at the end of the room Applebloom was standing next to what looked like a gold coffin. Curiosity won over her as she walked over to the coffin that seemed to be giving off the same essence that she felt earlier. Once she reached it she noticed Applebloom was not looking at her with a hateful glare before looking back towards the coffin and then looking towards words inscribed on the side of it. Applejack tried to read the words as best as she could but they were in some strange language that she could not understand.

“Read it” Applebloom demanded.

“I… I can’t”

Then I guess you won’t be able to have your little sister back. A menacing voice came from Applebloom’s mouth that was completely different from her own. This voice had the same metallic sound but also had malice and death in it. It truly frightened Applejack to the core. She looked back at the words but no matter how hard she tried she couldn’t figure out what the words were saying. “Applebloom… I’m so sorry”

She looked back to her little sister and backed away in fear seeing Applebloom’s eyes. They were now pure blood red with a hint of flame inside of them. Prove you’re sorry then by releasing me. Only then can you have your sister back, The voice was now coming from the coffin itself which only brought more fear into Applejack.

“What are you?”

I am known by many names, none of which will take away the fear you hold. If you don’t release me then you will pay the ultimate price.

As soon as these words were spoken she heard a sizzling sound. She turned and saw Applebloom slowly melting in front of her until she was just a puddle of blood. Applejack wanted to simply puke at what she was now seeing but couldn’t take her eyes away from the spot where sister had just been.

If you do not release me then she will suffer much more than this.

Applejack could no longer stay put as she turned and began running as fast as she could away from the coffin until she heard the menacing voice call out to her once again.

Leaving so soon? Don’t you want your parting gift?

Applejack slowly stopped and turned her head back to see Applebloom running towards her. But she didn’t look the same. She had no eyes in her sockets and her skin looked old and rotten while blood slowly dripped from her mouth as she ran towards her. Applebloom jumped on top of Applejack knocking her down to the ground scraping her back on the sharp rocks that were scattered on the floor. “Applebloom?”

The monster didn’t seem to understand or it just didn’t care as it bared its teeth and began to slowly eat away at Applejack.

4 days 15 hours 38 minutes 8 seconds

Applejack woke up with a loud scream that probably was heard in Manehattan. What kind of nightmare was that? Applejack tried her best to slow down her rapid breathing but couldn’t get the images out of her head from what had just happened.

Big Mac had apparently heard his sister scream as he came bursting into her room with a worried look on his face. “AJ are you alright? What happened?”

Applejack was still hyperventilating which caused Big Mac to run over and try to calm her down. Slowly she finally began to stop her fast breathing long enough to let out a few tears. “What happened sis?”

Applejack looked simply traumatized at the moment so he wasn’t sure if she even would have the strength to speak. Eventually she calmed down enough to say words but only a few at a time. “I just… had a really… bad dream is all… I’m fine”

“You don’t look fine to me. You looked like you had just seen a ghost” Big Mac said annoyed that his sister continued to lie to him like this when something was clearly bothering her.

“I’m just going to go into Ponyville and go hang out with the others alright?” Applejack said without waiting for a response from her older brother as she walked out of the room with the same face.

Big Mac was extremely worried. First Applebloom had a terrifying nightmare, then the very next day she disappeared, and now Applejack seemed to be having nightmares too. Was she going to disappear soon just like Applebloom? “What is going on sis?”

The walk to the library seemed to take forever but that was fine for Applejack as it gave her time to think about the nightmare that she had. What was that monster? How did that thing know me and what did it want with me? It said that it wanted me to release it but release it from what? The more she thought about the nightmare the more frustrated and afraid Applejack became. Maybe Twilight has some kind of book that knows about this monster and maybe a book about those words on that coffin that the monster continued to demand me to say even though I couldn’t read it. Applejack shuddered thinking about what it had done to Applebloom in the nightmare. Would it actually do that to her? Could it actually do that?! Applejack almost started to hyperventilate again just thinking about it again but stopped herself as she saw the library in sight.

As soon as she got to the library she knocked on the door waiting for the bookworm to open the door but was instead greeted by her assistant. “Oh hey Applejack. What brings you here?” Spike asked surprised to see Applejack considering almost no one had seen her for the past few days.

“I just wanted to look for some books is all. Is Twilight there?” Applejack asked looking behind Spike into the library.

“Yeah but she’s busy downstairs working on something. I can help you get some books if you want” Spike offered.

“Thanks Spike, I won’t take long at all”

“So what kind of books are you looking for?”

“Well I need some books about different languages preferably ancient ones. And I also might need a book about monsters” Applejack explained frantically looking through the books leaving Spike with a dumbfounded look on his face.

“Okay, what do you need those kinds of books for?” The dragon asked curious.

“Honestly even I’m not sure but I just have a really bad feeling from some dream I had and those books could be helpful”

Once again the baby dragon was left with a confused look but shrugged it off and looked through the books trying to find whatever Applejack might be looking for. After a while of searching the two could only find one book but it didn’t seem to be helpful as Applejack went through every page looking for something as she flipped through the pages frantically.

“Latin… French… German… ugh why the hay can’t I find what those bucking words mean?” Applejack said angrily as she threw the book at the wall.

Apparently Twilight had heard the book hit the wall because as soon as it hit the floor she came running upstairs to see what had happened. “Applejack? What’s going on in here and why did you throw a book? Are you okay?”

“Sorry Twi I’m just really stressed right now and I’m trying to figure out what some words mean from a dream I had earlier and that book didn’t have anything about it. Each book I’ve looked through hasn’t helped me whatsoever and I’m just really irritated. Plus the fact that my little sister has been missing for 4 days 17 hours 3 minutes and 28 seconds isn’t exactly helping. How do you think I’m doing?” Applejack asked quickly but with frustration in her voice.

“Well you sound really stressed, do you want to talk about it?” Twilight asked trying not to run in fear of Applejack’s possible breakdown.

Applejack started to calm down as she gave Twilight an apologetic look, “I’m sorry Twi, I haven’t gotten much sleep in the past few days and the dream I had last night didn’t exactly help me at all.” Applejack began to explain about the cave and the coffin but left out Applebloom not wanting to tell Twilight about what had happened between her and Applebloom.

For a while Twilight was silent as she thought of what the monster could be or what the words were. “I’m sorry Applejack but I’ve don’t think that I’ve ever heard of anything quite like that.” Twilight said.

Applejack let out a sigh of disappointment. Great, even Twilight doesn’t have any idea what it could mean. Maybe the princess might know something about it. “Thanks anyway Twi, I really appreciate it”

“No problem Applejack that’s what friends are for. But what exactly do you think caused the dream? How did you find the cave in your dream? Was it just there or did somepony bring you there?” Twilight asked curious to possibly learn something.

Applejack was silent for a while debating on what she should do. If I tell the truth then she’ll know about what happened to Applebloom but I don’t want to have to lie to my friends. “I’d rather not say Twilight. It’s just a bit too personal”

“Okay I understand. But these dreams seem really strange. I’ve never heard of any creature like the one you told me about. I’ve heard about lots of different beings like Gargoyles and Basilisks, but I’ve never heard of anything that had anything to do with a gold coffin. I’ll send a letter to Princess Celestia and see if she has any idea on what it could be. You should go home and rest for a while; we’ll tell you if we learn anything”

With that Spike quickly wrote down everything into a letter and used his magic dragon breath to send the letter to the princess. “Thanks Twilight, I just hope that I was just having a crazy dream”

“You’re welcome, now you should probably go home and rest. You’ve been really stressed lately”

Applejack wanted to argue saying that she was fine so that she could stay and learn if the princess knew what her dream could be about but a yawn escaped her before she could say anything. “Alright fine.” Applejack headed off to the barn but was stopped by the sound of Spike burping out a letter.

Spike opened the letter and read it quickly. “Princess Celestia says that she wants everypony to go to Canterlot right away”

Chapter 11

AN: Sorry about the long wait everypony but I've been really lazy and have had a lot of writer's block but have finally overcome it. Yay. Hope you guys enjoy. Also two side pairings that will be in this story are revealed in this chapter as well. And if anyone wants to be my pre-reader please ask in the comments or a private message.

Pinkie Pie had just woken up as she usually did with a small bounce out of her bed ready to start another wonderful day. She looked over and saw her pet alligator Gummy still curled up and asleep in a little basket that Rarity had made for him. She smiled watching the little alligator snore quietly and went over giving him a small kiss on the forehead. "You can sleep in if you want Gummy, but I have to go to work right now" With that she bounced towards the stairs ready for a day of baking.

Once she was downstairs she saw Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake playing with the oatmeal that the Cakes had seemed to have made for them. Pumpkin Cake was trying to eat her spoon again while Pound was splashing his oatmeal all over the table getting it all over the floor as well. She laughed slightly seeing them act just like they had when she first babysat them when Mr. and Mrs. Cake had to leave for a delivery. She bounced over taking the spoon out of Pumpkin's mouth and gave Pound a small noogie making him stop and giggle cutely making Pumpkin and Pinkie join in the laughter.

"Pinkie is that you dear?" Pinkie heard Mrs. Cake ask from the other room.

"Yeah I just woke up"

"Oh thank goodness, we really need to make another delivery so do you think it would be fine if you could babysit the babies again?" Mr. Cake asked.

"Of course, I love taking care of those two" Pinkie said joyfully. In truth, she knew that she would also have to work today while babysitting so it would be quite stressful for her but she didn't want to dissapoint the Cakes by saying no.

"Thanks Pinkie, but try not to overwork yourself okay?" Mrs. Cake asked.

"No problem Mr. and Mrs. Cake, I'll watch them like a fox. Wait do foxes watch babies or is it hawks?"

Mr. and Mrs. Cake simply let out some chuckles since they were used to Pinkie acting like... well Pinkie. Ever since she had first come to Ponyville asking for a job at Sugar Cube Corner, she had been just like a daughter to them and she was sure that Pound and Pumpkin saw Pinkie as an older sister. "It's fine Pinkie, thank you so much" Mrs. Cake said as she walked out of the bakery.

"Make sure that you feed them when they need to Pinkie" Mr. Cake said leaving right behind his wife.

"Don't worry, they're in good hooves" Pinkie said loudly so that they could hear her. She turned around to see Pumpkin holding up her front two legs signaling Pinkie that she wanted a ride. Pinkie gladly placed her on her back and began bouncing around the room picking up Pound and placing him on her back as well. The two babies contined to laugh bringing great joy to Pinkie. She always loved being to make others smile even during the times where she couldn't even get herself to smile. After a few minutes she bounced to their bedroom and placing them in the middle of the floor. The two babies started to cry a bit telling Pinkie Pie that they needed food. She quickly headed off to find their bottles and just as she put them into the babies mouths she heard a knock coming from the front door. She put the two into their cribs and bounced up to the door. Once she opened it she saw Applejack in the doorway with a blank face almost like she had lost her soul.

"Applejack are you alright?" PInkie asked concerned for her friend who continued to look at the ground with a blank stare while walking in and shuting the door. Pinkie couldn't read her face no matter how hard she tried. Her face seemed like a mixture of sadness, fear, and regret but thinking of what had happened several days ago she could understand.

"Princess Celestia needs us to come to Canterlot right away" Applejack responed in an almost emotionless voice that actually scared Pinkie a little bit.

"Why? Did something happen? Are the changlings back? Did Discord break free?" Pinkie asked the last question with a bit of hope that Applejack didn't seem to notice.

"No none of that, but I had this really strange dream and Celestia send a letter wanting all six of us right away"

"What was the dream about?"

Applejack wasn't sure if she wanted to relive what she had seen for a third time but Pinkie was the only one who she had told about Applebloom so she deserved to know. With that she explained everything in her dream including Applebloom leaving Pinkie with looks of shock, horror, and disgust. "Applejack I'm so sorry that you had to have something like that happen" Pinkie said sincerly.

"No, I deserved it especially after what I did to Applebloom"

"Stop saying that Applejack, you were just confused about it is all. I'm sure that Applebloom will forgive you once you see her again"

"Why would she ever want to see me again after what I said to her? I tore her heart into shreds Pinkie. When she needed her big sister more than anything I tore her heart into pieces. How do I not derserve this?" Applejack asked with sudden anger paralyzing Pinkie.

"I... I..."

"She's probably alone right now in pain because of what I did to her. Do you have any idea what it's like to have your heart broken like that?"

"YES" Pinkie suddenly screamed with tears in her eyes shocking Applejack. "I do know how she feels because I went through something like she did too. I fell in love with somepony the moment I met him but then..." Pinkie stopped while more tears began to form in her eyes "...He was taken away before I could tell him. And the worst part of it is that I helped get rid of him. So yes I know how both you and Applebloom feel" Pinkie couldn't say anything else as the tears consumed her eyes.

"Pinkie, I'm sorry" Applejack immediatly gave her friend a hug trying to calm and comfort her as best as she could "I'm not going to make an excuse for what I said but I'm really sorry. When did this happen?"

For a moment Pinkie was silent as she tried to calm down and think. Should I tell her about my feelings for him? Will she accept me or would she think I'm a traitor for it? No, I can't doubt her, she trusted me with everything that happened with Applebloom so I'll give her the same trust back. "Well... do you promise not to laugh at me?"

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye" Applejack said doing the movements now looking the baker in the eyes. "Now have any of us met this stallion before?"

"Well... you guys met him once when he came to Ponyville. But technically he's not a stallion"

"What do you mean he's not a stallion? Is it a mare?"

"No it's not a mare. It's kind of hard to explain but he's only part stallion" Pinkie said.

Applejack was completly confused and started to think. Okay what could she mean by somepony only being part stallion but not being a mare either? Maybe whoever it is, is part pony or. The realization hit Applejack hard. She had only met one being that was part pony and she had fought him over a year ago. "Wait... do you mean that the one you like is..."

Pinkie simply nodded answering Applejack before she finished. For a moment Applejack was silent as the confession sank in until she did something that she hadn't done since Applebloom had ran away that both shocked and confused Pinkie Pie; she laughed. For a moment Pinkie stood silently until she became very angry. "Hey you said you wouldn't laugh at me"

Applejack started to calm down and looked back at her friend. "I'm not laughing at you sugarcube. I'm laughing because I can't believe you think we didn't know that"

"Wait... you knew?! But how?"

"We may have been under his spell but I still remember what happened and I saw how close you got to his face and I also saw your blush when doing it" Applejack teased a bit making Pinkie's face go red in an instant.

"Can we just go meet Princess Celestia right now?" Pinkie asked wanting to change the subject.

"Alright fine we need to get the others though first but can I ask one thing?"

"What?"

"Do you think his laugh is sexy?" Applejack asked teasing PInkie again but this time was only met by a blank stare.

".... Cupcakes"

"What?"

"Nothing. Let's just go. Wait I have to babysit the babies for the Cakes while they're making a delivery. I can't just leave those two alone. The Cakes trust me to take care of them while they're gone"

"Is there anypony that you know that can babysit for you while you're gone?"

"Well" As if on cue the two heard the front door of the bakery open as a pegasus came inside with two saddlebags on her sides with imprints of muffins on them.

"Hi Pinkie Pie and Applejack" Derpy said cheerfully.

"Oh hey Derpy are you here for some muffins?" Pinkie asked.

"Yup, so do you have any?" Derpy asked excitedly with her mouth drooling a bit thinking about muffins.

"I think I have some in the back. Oh hey Derpy how would you like to get paid muffins?" Pinkie asked.

Derpy gasped happily and immediatly started to beg at Pinkie's feet. "I would love to be paid muffins. Can I please please please please?"

"Sure, all I need you to do is babysit Carrot and Pumpkin while I go to Canterlot for a while" Pinkie explained a bit nervous about trusting Derpy with taking care of two infants.

"No problem Pinkie, you can count on me" Derpy said confidently.

"Thanks a bunch Derpy it means a lot"

As Applejack and Pinkie headed off to get the others, Applejack couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure that it's a good idea to trust her with those two? I mean no offense to her or anything but she's not the brightest of ponies"

"Of course, she always has to babysit her little sister Dinky so I'm sure she's responsible enough to take care of them"

"I guess so" Applejack said sounding a bit sad again.

"Let me guess, Applebloom?" Pinkie asked. Applejack probably was reminded of Applebloom once she said little sister. "Who knows maybe Celestia might know where Applebloom is"

"Maybe"

*transtion*

The ride to the Canterlot castle seemed to take years for the farm pony who was simply staring out of the window in the side of the large carriage that Princess Celestia had sent to get them. She couldn't help herself from looking around frantically for the small chance that she might see Applebloom somewhere in the distance. But all she ever saw were fields of beautiful green grass and lucious apple trees as far as anypony's eyes could see. Applejack looked around the inside of the carriage looking at each of her friends. Twilight was rereading the books that they had looked through earlier probably trying to fine out something about the creature Applejack had dreamed of, Pinkie was trying to show Rarity a design for a new party dress involving confetti coming out it the sides while Rarity was trying to get some beauty sleep by smothering herself with a pillow trying to drown out Pinkie's rambling, while Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were sitting together and having a nice conversation by the looks of it. She could also just barely see a faint blush on Fluttershy's face at one point that Rainbow hadn't noticed. Fluttershy had told her about her feelings for Rainbow Dash several weeks ago. At first she had been against it a bit but ultimately decided to accept it and support her friend. Seeing the two like this reminded her painfully of Applebloom and the times that they had spent together.

"Are you okay Applejack?"

Applejack was brought out of her thoughts turning around and seeing Fluttershy looking over at her with a concerned look on her face. "I'm fine Fluttershy, I'm just really tired is all. Thanks for the concern though" Applejack did her best not to look at Fluttershy in fear that she might become a victim of Fluttershy's infamous Stare.

"Are you sure? You look really upset about something" Fluttershy said still wanting to make sure that her friend was alright.

"Yeah, what's with you Applejack?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I said that I'm just tired okay. Now could you please drop it?" Applejack asked angrily looking back out of the window.

"Tired huh? Applejack almost nopony has seen you in days and when we finally do see you, all you say is that you're tired?! Some element of honesty you are" Rainbow Dash remarked with a glare that only served to increase Applejack's already bad mood.

"Last time I checked it wasn't any of your buisness Rainbow. And you're one to talk when it comes to their element. What about that time that Rarity and Pinkie Pie had fallen out of the carriage when you were chasing me? Some element of loyalty you are" Applejack said with anger as the two stared down at each other daring the other to say or do something to give the other an excuse to attack the other. If looks could kill then both ponies would have been incinerated on the spot until Fluttershy got in between them.

"Please stop fighting. Rainbow if she doesn't want to talk about something that's bothering her than she doesn't have to" Fluttershy said sternly causing the pegasus to simply look away with her sour expression starting to soften. She then looked over to Applejack "And we're just really concerned is all. You're aren't mad any more are you?"

Applejack's expression went back to her old face as she gave an apologetic look to her timid friend. "No I'm not mad, I've just been going through a really hard time lately and it's just not something that I want to talk about"

"It's about Applebloom disappearing isn't it?" Rainbow asked calming down a bit. The only answer that she received from the farm pony was her looking back out the window with a sad expression. "Look Applejack it's not your fault. I'm sure she'll come back eventually"

"Yeah I guess" Applejack said with doubt and guilt knowing that it actually was her fault. Even though Pinkie had temporarilly cheered her up at the bakery she still had the same guilt eating away at her. She hated not telling the rest of her friends the truth about what had happened but she had to for the better. All she could even think about right now was Applebloom. Where are you little sis? She thought back to her talk with Spike before she had gone to talk with Pinkie.

Right now Twilight had already left to get the others while Applejack stayed behind looking through the books with a blank expression. "Are you okay Applejack?" Spike asked concerned.

Applejack seemed to get out of whatever trance she was in and simply said "I'm fine"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Sure, next thing you'll tell me is that Twilight hates books. You're not a good liar AJ." Spike tried to study her face as best as he could noticing she had a distant but sad look on her face. The same one he usually had when he couldn't spend time with Rarity. "What's his name?"

Applejack's eyes widened as she looked at the baby dragon. "What do you mean?"

"What's the name of the stallion you like?"

"I don't like any stallion Spike"

"How do you feel when you think about him?" Spike asked with a small smirk.

Applejack wanted to punch him now for what he was saying but did her best to keep her cool. "What makes you think I like sompony?"

"Just by the look on your face. It's the same one I always have when I can't be with Rarity. Now how do you usually feel when you think about them?"

Applejack was silent for a while thinking. Does he actually think that I like Applebloom?

"What would you do in order to see them for just one second?" Spike asked.

"I... I would give anything to see them again. But I don't have a crush on anypony, they're... just a good friend is all." Applejack said with her cheeks heating up for some reason.

"Cru-u-ush" Spike teased in a sing song tone noticing her blush.

Applejack had, had enough. "Look I don't have a crush on anypony got that? I'm going to go gather up the others" With that she left the library leaving Spike smirking to himself.

"She so has a crush" Spike said thinking Applejack couldn't hear him but was proven wrong when he heard her yell out in annoyance.

He had really irritated her at that point. There is no way that I have those kind of feelings for Applebloom. She's my little sister for pony sake. I'm over twice her age, it doesn't matter if she's cute, kind, sweet, and. Applejack immediatly deadpanned. Where had those thoughts come from? It's probably just the guilt making me think like that. Besides me and Applebloom as a couple? That just couldn't work even if I had the same feelings. But no matter how many times she repeated it to herself, she couldn't help but feel like it might be nice to be with Applebloom. She stubbornly shook her head seeing the castle up ahead hoping that Celestia would know about that monster from her dreams.

AN: Sorry about the two week wait everypony :(. I have been having a bit of writer's block plus school is starting back up for me so I won't have as much time to write chapters. Hope you liked this chapter and please give any ideas that you have. Also it will be up to all of you how the next chapter goes. I am either going to start off right where this left off or start from when Applebloom left Ponyville and showing what she's been doing since then.

Chapter 12

AN: I think that it's about time to give poor Applebloom a bit of love don't you agree? This takes place right after Applebloom gets onto the train to Canterlot. Also as a heads up there will be a duet for one of my favorite songs from my favorite Disney movie. I will not be putting into detail what happens during the song because I want you the readers to imagine it for yourselves.

Applebloom had been crying on the floor for what felt like years. How could I have been so stupid to think that Applejack would ever return my feelings? Why can't I just be normal like other ponies?

For once Discord had nothing to say as he watched the distraught filly. Normally he would be making some kind of sarcastic remark or laughing at somepony that was in pain but even he couldn't stand this kind of pain. Nopony deserved to have their heart torn apart like Applebloom had. When he had made the bet with Applebloom he actually was sure that he would lose especially after seeing Applejack's blush when comforting Applebloom just last night. Applebloom... it's alright. Let's try and find some positives in this.

Applebloom's crying slowed down a bit but was replaced by a glare towards the spirit. Positives? What positives? I'm in love with my sister who thinks I'm a freak that needs to be taken out of existence. How can there be any positives?

... I don't know. Applebloom what are you even going to do once I'm free? You can't just avoid Applejack forever, and what about your two friends the singer and the chicken? Don't you think that they'll be worried when they can't find you anywhere?

Applebloom knew that he was right, her friends would go crazy trying to find her but she couldn't go back to Ponyville or she would have to deal with the pain of having to face Applejack again and she couldn't bare to go through that pain again. I know but what else can I do? Just go back to Ponyville and pretend like nothing ever happened?

Then where could you possibly go?

Maybe I can go live with my cousing Braeburn in Appleoosa. I'm sure that he wouldn't mind me staying there.

I don't want you to make the same mistake that I did years ago.

Mistake? What mistake?

Before she even had time to blink Applebloom's surooundings completely changed. She was now in a valley filled with blue grass and a green sky, along with clouds made out of cotton candy while pigs flew in the sky above her. She also saw that she herself was transparent and blue for some reason. "What just happened?"

"I'm showing you some of my memories Applebloom" Applebloom turned to finally meet the spirit of chaos face to face. He looked pretty strange with all the different parts.

"What memory is this?"

"This is the day where I met Princess Celestia for the first time, before I even became the spirit of disharmony as you know right now" Discord explained looking in the distance.

Applebloom turned to see what he was looking at and saw a younger looking Celestia and Luna. Celestia looked a bit shorter than she did now and had a pink mane instead of her usual rainbow like mane. Luna looked just like she had when she came back to Ponyville after changing back from Nightmare Moon. But why were they were?

"Sister are you sure that it's here?" Luna asked with fear in her voice from seeing the strange and unfamiliar things happening around them.

"I hope it is otherwise we would have come here for nothing" Celestia said also seeming a bit unnerved from the dancing buffalos passing them.

"So why are we here again?"

"Because I want to learn about the species known as draconequus but Starswirl won't teach me anything about them no matter how much I ask him. He says that I should avoid them" Celestia said with an annoyed tone showing she didn't approve his decision. "And ponies have said that one lives somewhere in this valley where it creates all of these things"

As if on cue a cloud loomed over Celestia as it started to pour down chocolate rain over her which she was immediatly annoyed with while Luna was laughing. "I think I like this draconequus already" She said between giggles which her sister didn't share in.

"I think that I might not want to learn about draconequus anymore" Celestia said with a glare to the cloud that finally stopped pelting her in chocolate milk. "Now where could it be?"

"Are you two looking for something?" A voice said next to the two sisters who turned to only see a large boulder which confused the two.

"Did that boulder just talk?" Luna asked a bit intruiged but jumped when it spoke again.

"I'm not just a boulder" As it said this in the flash of a bright light, it changed into a creature that looked almost exactly like Discord. Except this one didn't have a beard and was a bit shorter than usual. "I'm a rock" The younger Discord said now laughing on the ground with Luna laughing along side him while Celestia glared at the spirit.

"Hahaha very funny" Celestia said sarcastically but Discord didn't catch it as he continued laughing. "Are you the draconequus that everypony has spoken about?"

"You know you can say everybody instead of everypony" He said with a smirk. "Frankly I don't see what the point in that is. That just seems like the kind of thing everybody is doing just because everybody else is doing it"

It looked like Celestia was just about ready to strangle the spirit. "Who exactly are you?"

"I think the better question is: who are you?"

"I am Princess Celestia and this is my younger sister Luna" She answered gesturing at herself and then her sister.

"Well I am Discord and yes I am a draconequus but why are you here looking for me? Ooh are you here to try my amazing chocolate milk?" He asked.

"Well no but" Before she could finish DIscord produced a glass of chocolate milk in front of Celestia and Luna with a look that showed he really wanted them to try it. Luna shrugged and levitated the glass to drink it.

"Mm, you have to try this Tia it's really good"

Celestia was a bit hesitant but finally decided to take a sip and couldn't believe what she had tasted. "This is amazing"

"Isn't it?" Discord created his own glass of chocolate but to the amazement of the two alicorns he didn't drink the milk but instead drank the glass. Once finished he threw the chocolate behind him causing it to explode. "So now that's out of the way why are you two here?"

"Because my teacher won't teach me anything about draconequus because he says that they're dangerous" Celestia said causing the younger Discord to gain a surprised look.

"A draconequus? Dangerous? Far from it, I for one refuse to harm other ponies. Probably the most dangerous thing I've ever done is give rabbits horse legs. So you're here to learn about draconequus from me?"

"Well yes"

"And what would I get in return?" He asked with a bit of hesitance.

If Celestia or Luna noticed his hesitance they didn't show it as they thought of what to do. Finally Celestia faced him, "What would you like?"

This seemed to surprise the spirit "You actually want to know what I want? Is this some kind of trick to skin me or something?" He asked with a nontrusting glare.

"Why would we want to do something like that? You're a lot of fun" Luna said.

"Even though it is a little strange, I admit that you seem more fun than dangerous" Celestia admitted.

"Fun?" Now the spirit looked completely dumbfounded. "I think that you two are the first ones to ever think that my chaos was fun. Most ponies say it's dangerous, wrong, or evil."

"What could be evil about chocolate rain?" Luna asked.

"That's exactly what I ask them but they say things like; it'll ruin the crops and soil. It's not like I make it rain all the time plus I make most of their crops bigger for them so that they have more food but instead of being thanked I'm called a monster"

For a moment Celestia paused to think about what she could give the spirit in order for it to teach her about them when she came up with an idea. "How about you become an assistant to the King and Queen of Equestria?"

"And why exactly would I want to do something like that?"

"Because if ponies learn that you work with my parents then they won't be afraid of you or call you a monster"

Discord pondered on this for a while until he gained a smile. "Alright but only on one last condition"

"What?" Celestia asked excited to have the chance to learn about a whole new species.

Discord smirked evily while snapping his fingers causing Celestia to get pelted by chocolate rain once again causing another huge laughing fit between Discord and Luna.

Applebloom watched the scene with confusion wondering what any of this had to do with her situation. "Um Discord what's the point of this?"

"Well this is only the first part of what I'm going to show you. After this day I began to work for Celestia and Luna's parents as their assistant and backup incase Luna or Celestia were unable to raise the sun or moon. But it's also the day that I started to gain a bit of a crush on the princess"

"You had a crush on Celestia?"

"Indeed I did. In fact at one point she even began to return my feelings"

"So you both liked each other but then why did she turn you into stone?" Applebloom asked confused. If Celestia had liked Discord then why had she done that to him.

Discord snapped his fingers again changing the scenery from the chaotic field in the daytime to a garden at night. Applebloom looked around to take in her surroundings. She mostly just saw beautiful plants and flowers blooming while glistening in the moonlight. She also saw a nervous looking Discord pacing back and forth while holding a boquet of flowers and standing on a purple carpet with pictures on it. "Um what's going on?" Applebloom asked.

"This was me preparing to tell Celestia about how I felt about her. This takes place about 2 years after I starting working for her parents" Discord explained as his past self started to fly up to the window... on the carpet. Once he reached the window he knocked on it a few times waiting for Celestia to open it. After a few minutes Celestia opened the window looking outside to see the nervous spirit.

"Oh hi Discord is something wrong?" Celestia asked while yawning.

"Um there isn't anything wrong... I just wanted... to ask you something" Discord said while his face started to turn a very dark red.

"What did you want to ask me and what are those flowers for?"

Discord slowly handed the flowers to Celestia while starting to blush even more. "Um they're for you"

Celestia used her magic to levitate the flowers and gave the spirit a grateful smile to the spirit. "Thanks Discord that's really sweet. Is that all that you wanted?"

"Um... no I also wanted to know... if you would maybe want to... go on a date... with me" Discord said nervously while looking away from Celestia who now had a look of surprise.

"You want to go on a date with me?"

"Yes" Discord said still not looking at Celestia afraid of what she would think of him. He was a draconequus and she was an alicorn how could that even work? Before he even had the chance to do anything he felt Celestia kiss his cheek. After a minute Celestia looked into Discord's eyes with her own blush matching his.

"Of course I would want to but I can't"

"Why not?" Discord asked a bit heartbroken.

"Because my parents have a law remember? A princess can only be with a prince not a draconequus"

"Well can I at least have this flight?" Discord asked motioning to the large carpet.

Celestia smiled and walked onto the carpet suprised to see that it was quite large with plenty of room for both her and the spirit who laid down next to her as the carpet began to fly above the clouds as Discord began to sing.

Discord: I can show you the world. Shining, shimmering, splendid

Tell, me Princess now when did you last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes, take you wonder by wonder

Over, sideways, and under on a magic carpet ride

A whole new world

A new fantastic point of view

No one to tell us no or where to go

Or say we're only dreaming

Celestia: A whole new world

A dazzling place I never knew

But when I'm way up here It's crystal clear

That now I'm in a whole new world with you

Discord: Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Celestia: Unvelievable sights, Indescribable feeling

Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling

Through an endless diamond sky

A whole new world

Discord: Don't you dare close your eyes

Celestia: A hundred thousand things to see

Discord: Hold your breath it gets better

Celestia: I'm like a shooting star, I've come so far

I can't go back to where I used to be

Discord: A whole new world

Celestia: Every turn a suprise

Discord: With new horizons to pursue

Celestia: Every moment red-letter

Discord and Celestia: I'll chase them anywhere, there's time to spare

Let me share this whole new world with you

Discord: A whole new world

Celestia: A whole new world

Discord: That's where we'll be

Celestia: That's where we'll be

Discord: A thrilling chase

Celestia: A wondrous place

Discord and Celestia: For you and me

The present Discord was flying behind his past self with Applebloom on his back so that she could watch as well. "Wow" Was all that Applebloom could say seeing the two like this. "You two cared about each other so much. So what happened?"

Discord once again snapped his fingers bringing them to the middle of a town where she saw the past Discord playing with a few foals while their parents were trying to get them away from what they kept calling a monster which seemed to sadden and anger him. The past Discord snapped his fingers causing clouds to appear over the parents but instead of chocolate rain, boiling hot tea soaked them. They instantly ran to their kids while running away from Discord who was extremely furious as he snapped his fingers going back to the Canterlot Castle where he eventually was met up with an angry Celestia.

"Why did you soak those parents with tea Discord?" She asked furious at the draconequus. "I thought you said that you don't hurt others"

"They were exceptions. You yourself said that if I became an assistant to your parents then ponies would stop calling me a monster and finally respect me so I guess we both lied didn't we?" Discord said returning the glare that Celestia was giving him. "Is there anything else that you've lied to me about Celestia?"

"How could you do something like this? I thought that you could change and become kind and considerate to others but maybe those parents were right. Maybe you are a monster" Celestia said turning around and leaving the spirit alone.

Discord was furious. Even Celestia saw him as nothing more than just a horrible monster. "Fine, if they want a monster I'll give them a monster." With that the present Discord snapped his fingers bringing him and Applebloom back to the train where she was still shocked from the third memory. Though it was much more brief than the first two memories it was nonetheless painful to see Discord called a monster by the one pony he cared about more than anything else.

What happened after that?

After that I went out and spread chaos all over Equestria, showing the citizens just how much of a monster I could be. I destroyed crops, rained tea on ponies, burnt down ponies homes until Celestia and Luna stood up to me and used the Elements of Harmony to turn me into stone for over a thousand years. But I didn't show you this for nothing, I showed you this so that you could learn from my mistake.

What do you mean?

I mean when Celestia called me a monster I let my emotions get the best of me and I got turned into stone and even when I finally broke out so that I could get revenge on Celestia I was just turned right back into stone. You can't live in the past Applebloom. Remember that saying I told you about earlier; yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present.

Applebloom walked over to the closet window to and saw that it was already night time so she decided to go to sleep while thinking about what Discord had said and showed her. Should I go back to Ponyville after this even if Applejack still thinks I'm a freak? She let out a sigh as she closed her eyes ready to go to sleep but as she was drifting off she thought she could hear a small and distant voice say: "Please come back Applebloom"

AN: Hope you all like this chapter. Please leave in the comments what you would like to see next.

Chapter 13

AN: Well you guys asked for it and I have delivered. Also from now on dreams will be underlined with italics. This chapter is short but I hope you guys like it. Also thanks to For The Plot for being my pre-reader.

It took Applejack a few moments to realize where she was. She seemed to be in a room painted mostly in white with some floral decorations scattered around. She also noticed a large mirror near the edge of the room. She slowly walked towards it until she was face to face with an image of herself, but she saw herself in what seemed to be a wedding gown. It looked very similar to the bride's maid dress she had worn at the Royal Wedding in Canterlot, but was outlined in more white and also seemed to have a veil that looked to be made out of silk. But why was she wearing this? Was she getting married? She heard a knock at the door and decided to let whoever it was in. Once the door opened, her brother walked through laughing in disbelief. "Wow, I can't believe this day is already here. My little sister is growing up on me."

For a moment Applejack wasn't sure what to say, do, or think during this situation. All she could do was give a simple "Yeah"

Big Mac seemed to notice her nervousness and gave her a reassuring smile. "Look I know that you're nervous but you don't have to be. All of your friends and family are here for you"

"What about Applebloom?" Applejack couldn't help but ask but started to feel annoyed when Big Mac laughed a bit.

"Well I would hope so otherwise we would have set up this whole wedding for nothing. Well mostly Dizzy set this up but we all played a bit of a roll. He was the most exicted about all of this and was the one who got just about everyone to come here."

"Who's Dizzy? And what's with this wedding? And where is Applebloom?"

"Are you alright Applejack? You're starting to sweat a lot. Look stop being so nervous, everything is going to be alright. And the groom can't see the bride in her dress before the wedding, you know that"

Everything that her brother was saying was confusing Applejack. "Look could you just tell me what's going on big brother?"

Just as she said this, music was heard making Big Mac turn his head with a smile. "Come on it's time to go and for you to finally get married to the pony of your dreams"

Big Mac went over to the door opening it for Applejack, who was a bit frustrated to not have any answers, but decided to just go along with it as she headed out of the room as he lead her to the main hall where hundreds of ponies had appeared to attend the wedding. Big Mac lead her up to a spot next to a strange looking stallion that looked extremely familiar but she just couldn't put her hoof on where she had seen him before but simply stood next to him as she looked out into the audience trying to see who had come to the wedding. She saw all five of her friends as her bride's maids smiling and waving at her. But she couldn't fine Applebloom anywhere in the audience but something that had been bugging her was how everypony looked a bit older than usual. Is this supposed to happen in a few years from now? Hearing more music she noticed everyone look towards the large double door as it slowly was opened revealing three little fillies that Applejack didn't recognize and behind them was what seemed to be a mare who was wearing a dress that covered most of her body and had a veil that she couldn't see through but she was sure that she could she a small bit of red hair in the mare's mane and she seemed to have yellow fur. For some reason seeing this mystery mare made Applejack feel strange inside, she felt her face start to heat up, she felt like there were butterflies flying around in her stomach, and she felt happy not even knowing who she was.

Eventually the mare reached the same spot where Applejack was and slowly lifted her veal shocking Applejack. The mare looked just like Applebloom only as a full grown mare instead of a little filly. She wanted to run off or say something against this but couldn't say anything as she looked into Applebloom's eyes unable to look away as she felt her face heat up even more than before. Applebloom seemed to be in the same trance as Applejack as they both stared into each other's eyes until Applejack felt a nudge behind her. She turned to see the familiar stallion smirking at her "We know the two of you are exicted, we all are but the sooner you two stop looking lovey dovey the sooner you two can finally be married"

She took a bit of a closer look at this stallion and saw that he had a black mane, while the fur from his head and neck were brown while the rest of his body was silver. But a strange thing about the stallion was that he had a pegasus wing and a bat wing. He also seemed to have two horns on his head, one being a goat horn and the other being a deer horn. But the strangest thing was his eyes that were golden and his pupils were red with one being smaller than the other. He seemed almost... chaotic. Before she could ask who the stallion was her attention was drawn to Princess Celestia as she began to speak.

"Mares and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to unite these two mares together in holy matrimony. Applejack do you take Applebloom to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, to cherish and to love, for richer or poor, in sickness and health, til death do you part?"

Applejack wanted to say something in protest saying that this wasn't right. This was her little sister, she can't marry her. But she couldn't bring herself to say anything other than "I do." Why did I just say that? I can't marry my own sister. But looking at Applebloom's smile and the tears of joy in her eyes she couldn't bare to say or think anything else as she once again was lost in her sister's eyes. She had become so entranced in her eyes that she had barely heard Celestia speak until Applebloom said "I do"

"I now pronounce you mare and wife. You may now kiss the bride"

This was it. This was her last chance to say or do anything to stop this but once again she couldn't do anything looking into Applebloom's beautiful eyes. She started to get nervous as Applebloom slowly approached her. Time seemed to slow down immensly as she started to get closer to Applebloom. No stop this is wrong. You can't kiss your sister let alone marry her. But her thoughts were pointless as their lips were only a few inches away from meeting. She could feel the heat grow even more in her cheeks and she could even feel the heat coming from Applebloom's face as well. Just half an inch away...

APPLEJACK WAKE UP!

Applejack immediatly sat up sweating and panting immensly. "What in tarnation? What's going on?" She asked still a little shaky from that dream. She noticed Pinkie Pie looking over at her with excitment.

"We're finally at the castle to talk to the princess silly. You dozed off on the way and I woke you up like a rooster. So what were you dreaming about Applejack? Whatever it was it seemed like a really good dream since you had a smile while you were sleeping" Pinkie said quickly.

Applejack sat silent for a moment as she slowed down her heavy breathing. Had she really been happy about that dream? No that's ridiculous. I don't have those kind of feelings for Applebloom, she's my little sister. "I... I really don't want to talk about it Pinkie"

"Ooh is it a dream that's filled with your favorite sweets that if anypony knew about it, they would take it? Or is it one of those dreams that show your future like a lottery ticket?" Pinkie asked.

"No nothing like that, I just had a really... strange dream and I really don't want to talk about it" Applejack said as she walked out of the carriage heading to the castle with dozens of questions filling her mind. Why did I have that dream? Why did I enjoy it? Do I actually like Applebloom that way? Was it just the guilt that caused it? Was it just from me missing Applebloom so much? Applejack attempted to get rid of all of her thoughts as she headed towards the castle ready to learn about her dream from last night but just as she passed through the door into the throne room she thought she heard a voice in her head say "So close"

Chapter 14

Applejack opened the royal throne room door entering into the room where everypony else was already waiting for her. As she walked closer to the others, she couldn't help but bring her thoughts and the two dreams that she had had. The first had scared her beyond belief which was the reason she had sent a letter to Celestia in the first place while the second dream she couldn't decide if it was worse. She still didn't understand why she kept thinking about Applebloom like this, though she continuously told herself that it was just the guilt for hurting Applebloom that was causing it. But then why does it feel so... right? I shouldn't even have these kind of thoughts, she's my little sister for hoof's sake. That's incest and pedophilia. It's just the guilt, it's just the guilt.

She finally reached the others who were standing in front of Princess Celestia waiting to hear what she had called them all here for. "Welcome my little ponies. Thank you all for coming on such short notice."

"Of course Princess, is something wrong?" Twilight asked.

"Indeed. I'm sure that you all recall when the spirit of chaos and disharmony Discord escaped from his stone prison and caused chaos in Ponyville. After you all managed to turn him back to stone, he was placed back into the Canterlot garden but was given many magical precautions to prevent him from escaping again. But earlier today, Luna had told me that a young filly who was just an Earth pony had gone into he garden last night and somehow managed to release him," Celestia explained leaving the mane six dumbfounded.

"But how is that possible? How could an Earth pony break through your magic and a filly at that?" Twilight asked confused.

"We aren't sure, but for some reason he has been extremely quiet and hadn't spread any chaos whatsoever which worries me deeply. I need you all to take the Elements of Harmony, find Discord, and turn him back into stone. And I need you to find the one who freed him as well."

"Um how are we supposed to find him?" Fluttershy asked.

"Yeah if he isn't doing anything then it won't be easy tracking him down," Rainbow Dash added.

"Does Luna know what the filly looked like?" Applejack asked hopeful.

"I'm sorry Applejack but all she knew was that is was a young filly Earth pony. I know that you're still trying to find Applebloom but none of my guards have spotted her anywhere."

"Yes it would be nice to know where she is now wouldn't it?"

Everypony immediately froze up at the familiar voice. They all looked over at one of the stained windows where Discord had put himself in. "Discord? Why are you here and how did you release yourself?" Celestia demanded causing Discord to fake a yawn.

"Right to the chase huh? Don't you think that things would be too boring if they end so quickly. How can you enjoy something if it's so short?"

"I asked you a question."

"Actually you asked me two questions," Discord remarked with a smirk angering the princess even more.

"Fine, how did you release yourself?"

"I didn't really, with so much chaos going on around all of you, getting out was quite easy. In fact one pony I met has had quite the chaos in her life, I mean really having scarring dreams, getting emotionally damaged by her own sister, she had chaos written all over her. Just her presence near my stone prison was enough for me to escape with ease," Discord explained still keeping a smirk on his face.

Applejack felt a large rush of guilt and hope at the same time. It sounded like Discord was talking about Applebloom, had she really hurt her that badly? "Who was it?"

"And why would you care Applejerk? You're the one who caused her to be in such a state. I would think you would be the last one to want to find her."

"Applejack darling what is he talking about?" Rarity asked causing Discord to laugh.

"Oh this is just perfect. You haven't told any of them yet have you?"

"I don't think it's any of your business Discord. Now where is Applebloom?" She demanded now glaring at the spirit.

"If you actually think she wants to see you after what you did then to her there must be something really wrong with you. By the way have you been having pleasant dreams lately Applejerk?" Discord asked with a grin.

"Wait, you're the reason I've been having those dreams?"

"Well the one from last night was all me but the one on your way here to the castle was simply me setting it up. The rest was all you. Messing with you is just too entertaining."

"You were the one who made her have that twisted nightmare? You're sick," Twilight said in disgust only for Discord to laugh once more.

"That's called karma Twilight, what goes around comes around. At least I don't emotionally destroy other ponies like your good friend Applejerk over here," Discord responded confusing everyone and making Applejack nervous.

"Applejack what is he talking about?" Rainbow asked.

"I... I can't tell you."

"Well its either you tell them or I do, your choice," Discord said.

Applejack let out a sigh as she thought of the right thing to say. She couldn't tell them about Applebloom's feelings but she couldn't bear to lie to her friends even more. "You all know that Applebloom has been missing for the past few days right? She didn't just disappear... she ran away."

Everyone, except for Pinkie, was surprised to hear this but were more confused. "How do you know that?" Rarity asked.

"... Because I watched her leave on a train. We had been in the market place and we split up to get what we needed quicker. But after a few minutes I found Applebloom's saddlebag in the middle of the ground. I started to go nuts running around trying to find her until a vendor said that he had seen her running past him and that she had been crying. I headed over to Sweet Apple Acres only to see Applebloom running so I started to try and catch up to her. Once I did I tried to figure out why she upset and where she going but... I only made it worse. Apparently she had gotten a crush on... a filly in her class and the first thing I did was ask her if she was pulling some kind of sick joke on me. I found out that she had told the filly how she felt and that she had been called a freak and because of her heartbreak she decided to run away, and all I did was add to it."

Everyone was shocked at what Applejack had told them as they stood wide eyed but Discord simply laughed. "What's so funny?" Celestia asked.

"The fact that you ponies can cause even more chaos in just a day then I ever have in my whole life. I just find it simply hilarious."

"Why are you here?"

"Simply to have another fun game with my favorite elements."

"Ooh what kind of game? Is it like Twister?" Pinkie asked excited.

"No it's more like a game of hide and seek like last time. You see I have once again borrowed the elements and hidden them and Applebloom somewhere in Canterlot. All each of you have to do is find them, simple isn't it?"

"And what's the catch?" Twilight accused the spirit who feigned innocence.

"What makes you think that there's a catch?"

"Because you're Discord, there's always a catch."

"You know me too well. Fine, there are two little limitations. Just like last time no flying and no magic allowed." Just as the words left his mouth, Twilight and Rarity's horns vanished along with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's wings. "Also I have rigged the elements so that they require more than just obtaining them to use them. In order to activate them each of you must express your own element at its full nature. Rarity must show true generosity, Fluttershy must show true kindness, etc. And just to be fair I'll give you a hint on how to find them."

To find what you need, do not quarrel or fight.

Just look hard between wrong and right.

Look for the place of light and dark.

For it is there that you must all embark.

If you find yourself stuck, just sit and look by.

For there are more to things than meets the eye.

Finding a child, who has heart devastation.

Simply keep her safe from cold isolation.

But when you find her, she will speak to none.

Until you give her what makes two souls into one.

And with that Discord vanished while his laugh echoed through the room while the mane six tried to make sense of his riddle. "A place of light and dark is where we must embark. Ug what does that mean?" Twilight asked.

"Maybe it's that dark castle in the garden," Pinkie suggested pointing out of a window. Everypony looked to where Pinkie had pointed and saw a black castle with the exact same design as Celestia's castle.

"A place of light and dark. Could it really be that simple?" Twilight wondered.

"D... do we have to go in there? Couldn't we just stay here where it's nice and safe and not dark?" Fluttershy asked.

"Hey don't worry Shy. I've got your back. If Discord tries to hurt you I'll best him down so hard he'll feel it for the rest of his life," Rainbow comforted her friend with a hoof around her while not noticing Fluttershy's blush from the close contact.

"Good luck my little ponies," Celestia said as the mane six started their way to the dark castle with Applejack in the front of the group.

What did his riddle mean by giving Applebloom something that makes two souls into one? We don't even have anything with us so how are we supposed to help her? And what did he mean by looking between wrong and right? The more she thought about the riddle the more her head started to hurt. It doesn't matter, all I have to do is find Applebloom and turn Discord back to stone permanently even if Pinkie will be upset about it, it's what needs to be done.

"Hey Applejack?" Pinkie asked as she walked beside her. "Do we really have to turn him into stone again?"

"I'm sorry Pinkie I really am, but we can't let him be allowed to go around wherever he wants. He'll cause chaos everywhere and to everypony in all of Equestria. If there was some other way Pinkie I might take it but we have to do this. I can't let Applebloom get hurt, not again."

Pinkie nodded in understanding even though Applejack could see that she didn't like it. Applejack focused her attention on getting to the castle to get Applebloom away from Discord.

Inside of a dark throne room, Discord watched the group through a small mirror in his hand laughing. "Oh you have no idea what you're getting into Applejack." But one thing confused him a bit though, "Why does Pinkie Pie not want me to be turned back into stone? Could she... No it's probably just because I can make chocolate rain at will."

Discord took another look in the mirror to see the eight ponies in front of the castle. "Let the game begin," He said before snapping his fingers.

AN: It is finally here after a whole month. Sorry about the wait you guys, I've had no inspiration lately until my new pal ShadowOfOrder gave me an idea which inspired me instantly. 10 points to the first one to notice at 2 references in this chapter, 15 if you find all three. And another 10 points to the first one to figure out what the last two lines of Discord's riddle meant. Until next time, Arrivederci.

Chapter 15

"So what do you girls think the rest of his riddle meant?" Rarity asked as they made their way to the dark castle Discord had created.

"I don't know," Twilight admitted. "I may be smart but I've never been great with riddles. You girls remember the first time we faced Discord and how far off I was on his riddle."

"Yeah but you figured it out, so you can probably do it again," Rainbow assured.

"I guess. The first line said that to find what we need we must not quarrel or fight. I guess that would mean we need to work together to get the elements to work."

"I'm not sure if it will be that easy. Have you girls seen how focused and angry Applejack is right now? She looks like she'll actually try to kill Discord if she gets the chance," Rainbow said.

"Well she has been going through a lot and he does have her little sister. She's just really stressed," Fluttershy pointed out.

"Didn't you hear what she said? She was the reason Applebloom ran away."

"But she feels super sorry for hurting her like that. She didn't do it on purpose," Pinkie said stepping into the conversation.

"Y'all know that I can hear you right?" Applejack asked ahead of them.

"Um, sorry?" Twilight said sheepishly.

"Well at least I myself can feel satisfied knowing that Sweetie Belle is safely at home doing her homework and chores as I instructed her to do," Rarity said.

Just after she spoke the mane six heard rustling in a nearby bush. "D-did that bush shake?" Fluttershy asked scared.

"Who's there? Come on show yourselves," Rainbow demanded.

For a moment everything was still as the group waited for whatever was inside of the bush but it seemed to stop moving. "It was probably just a small bird or a squirrel," Twilight said.

"Squirrel?" Pinkie asked staring at the bush intensely.

Rainbow looked at the bush herself for a few seconds before tackling the bush causing a few sounds of pain. The others looked to see none other than Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. "Sweetie Belle what are you doing here instead of being home where you should be and how did you get here?" Rarity asked furious.

"I, uh, well," Sweetie was too nervous to say anything until Scootaloo stepped in.

"It was my fault, we were really concerned about Applebloom since she had been gone for so long and we overheard you all talking at the treehouse getting ready to go here and I had the idea that if anypony could find Applebloom it would be Princess Celestia. So I convinced Sweetie Belle to come with me on my scooter to follow you," Scootaloo explained but the glare didn't leave Rarity's face.

"Nonetheless Sweetie you should have stayed home like I said. You two shouldn't be here right now."

"But we really want to help get Applebloom back," Sweetie insisted.

"I'm sorry but this isn't a child's game."

"But isn't hide and seek a kid's game?" Pinkie asked.

"Please Rarity at least don't be mad at Sweetie Belle for this. It was all my idea," said Scootaloo.

Rarity was silent for a moment as she pondered on what she should do but simply let out a reluctant sigh. "Well since there really isn't any way for us to send you home I guess you can help but you need to stay close to us."

"Yes," the two fillies said in unison.

"But when we get home you will be grounded for disobeying me Sweetie."

"Okay sis," Sweetie said hanging her head.

"That goes for you too squirt," Rainbow said to Scootaloo.

"Alright let's see if we can get our cutie marks by finding Applebloom," Scootaloo said.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER PONY FINDERS, YAY."

"Fluttershy dearie how ever can you stand their shrieks?" Rarity asked.

"Oh it really isn't a bother, they're just having fun is all."

"So how can we help? Do we get to fight a monster?" Scootaloo asked pumped.

"Like I said before you two will be staying close to us and help when we see fit and most importantly behave. Is that understood?" Rarity asked getting two nods from the fillies.

"We promise we'll be on our best behavior," they both said as they ran over to Applejack. "Hi Applejack."

"Hey you two, what's up?" She asked still focusing on getting to the castle.

"Did Applebloom really tell you?" Sweetie asked.

"Were you two eavesdropping on us in the throne room?"

"No," Scootaloo said causing Applejack to raise an eyebrow. " Okay maybe a little. We only heard right before the thing in the windows came scaring Sweetie Belle."

"I wasn't scared, I was just startled," Sweetie said.

"Sure you weren't," Scootaloo said sarcastically. "You ran down the hall and was on the floor shaking. She turned back to Applejack. "The only other thing we heard was the riddle I promise."

"So do you know where she is?" Sweetie asked.

"Well we believe she's in this here castle thanks to Discord."

"Discord? I thought that sounded familiar. Miss Cheerilee told us about it on a field trip to the garden once," Sweetie said.

"So why has Applebloom been gone?" Scootaloo asked.

"She ran away because of me."

"She told you didn't she?" Sweetie asked though it sounded more like a statement.

"... Yeah she did. But all I did was treat her like some kind of disease."

"You don't hate her for it do you?" Sweetie asked.

"... Of course not. No matter what she does she's still my little sister. I've had so much guilt for what I did that I could barely eat, sleep, or work. But once we find her I'm going to apologize and bring her home."

"So you do like her?" Scootaloo asked.

No was what she wanted to say but strangely she couldn't make the word leave her mouth. Before she could think of anything, they all found themselves in front of the dark copy of Celestia's castle.

"Cool and spooky," Pinkie said.

"Yeah, spooky," Fluttershy agreed looking up at the higher part of the castle.

"Alright let's get in there and take Discord down," Rainbow said.

"It doesn't seem like we can. There's no way to open the door," Twilight said. And she was right, there was no door knob or switch or anything.

"Great, how are we supposed to get in?" Applejack asked. She was answered with Fluttershy vanishing in a light startling everypony.

"Where'd she go?" Sweetie asked.

"Discord has to be doing this. He's splitting us all up like last time," Twilight said.

Before anypony could react, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie vanished. Then Scootaloo, then Twilight, then Rarity and Sweetie Belle. All that was left was Applejack who simply stood ready for Discord to teleport her inside.

"You're not getting in just yet," Discord said behind her.

"What do you want?" Applejack asked glaring at the spirit.

"That will be revealed in good time but for now I'm going to simply tell you this," he said as he walked over to Applejack. "You will never get Applebloom out of here."

"Is that some kind of threat?"

"No it's a fact. The only way that you can get her out is if she asks me to let her which she can't do until you solve the last part of my riddle. But even when you do, I doubt you'll give it to her," he said as he laid down on a cloud he conjured up.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get her back."

"Even if it means getting ridiculed by your friends?"

"... Yes."

"Well we'll have to see about that now won't we?"

"How much longer are you going to stall before I can go in and get my sister back?"

"In a rush are we? Don't you know that good things come to those who wait? Quite frankly I doubt that you will even be able to figure out what the last part of the riddle means anyway let alone give it to her."

"I don't even have anything with me so how can I give whatever it is to her?"

"Oh but you do have it with you Applejerk, you just don't realize it yet."

"Let. Me. In."

Discord let out a sigh as he twirled his lion paw in the air. "Your wish is my command. Though I doubt that Applebloom will even want to go back with you when you find her."

"And what do you know? You're just a monster," she said glaring at the spirit who returned it. If looks could kill she would have been incinerated on the spot.

"What do I know? Who was the one who actually comforted Applebloom when she needed it? Me. Oh and I'm a monster?! Why don't you look in a mirror Applejerk. When your sister needed you the most, you pushed her down as though she were just a bug. Oh and by the way, unless you learn to express true honesty then you will never get your sister back. So Arrivederci."

And with that he snapped his fingers making Applejack vanish. Once she was gone he began to laugh. "Everything is going according to plan. Now which element should I visit first?" Discord simply shrugged and made himself vanish.

AN: Wow I got another chapter done in just one day. Hope you all enjoyed it.

Chapter 17

"Ug, how can that brute possibly make a castle so dreary and unstylish? Somepony needs to teach him how to make things more fashionable," Rarity complained as she walked through a dark hallway. "I hope that Sweetie Belle isn't alone in this dreadful place at least."

She peered around a corner to see another hallway that looked exactly the same as the one she was already in. "Is everything in here the same? Talk about tacky." Looking closely she could even see one of her floral ribbons that she had left on the ground as a way for the others to find her.

"I've been going in a circle? But how is that possible? I went left and right in a pattern so how can I end up back where I started?"

She stopped as she heard an echoing laugh fill the dark hallway. "Discord you brute, show yourself."

"Oh and what fun would that be? It really is quite humorous to mess with you ponies though."

"Yeah, humorous," Rarity said through clenched teeth.

"Hey it's just a harmless prank, nothing to get angry over. In fact how about I give you an apology gift for making you go in circles?"

"And what would that be?"

"Well if I told you then it won't be a surprise now would it? All I will say is that you will simply find it smashing."

The moment he finished his sentence, Rarity heard a loud boom in the next hallway. She knew that whatever it was that she probably shouldn't go to it but curiosity got the better of her as she slowly walked toward the hallway. She took a deep breath before she looked into the hall to see the most strangest gift that she had ever seen. "A boulder?"

She heard Discord feign a gasp of surprise. "How could you possibly be so rude as to forget his name? After all, you named him. Tom meet Rarity, Rarity meet Tom." He once again began laughing as Rarity glared at the boulder.

Rarity used her magic to levitate the boulder and slammed it into the floor as hard as she could. She repeated this pattern over and over putting all her anger into each slam until the boulder was nothing but a large pile of rubble. She started breathing heavily trying to calm herself down until she noticed something metal inside of the rubble. She used her magic to move some of the pieces covering it and saw her necklace, the Element of Generousity.

"I told you it would be smashing."

Rarity rolled her eyes at his choice of wording as she picked up the necklace. She noticed that the gem that resembled her cutie mark was dull and gray just like she herself had been the last time Discord had been free. "Let me guess it doesn't work?"

"Don't you like my thoughtful gift? Well your little sister would have," Discord said with a sinister chuckle that sent chills up Rarity's spine.

"Where is Sweetie Belle?"

"Oh you know she's here, there, and everywhere these days. But I guess I would be willing to bring you to her but I will want something in return."

It wouldn't take a rocket scientist to know that he was talking about her element. "You expect me to give you one of the Elements of Harmony? The only means of stopping you? Forget it, I'll find her on my own," She said as she started to walk off.

"Go ahead but you'll just keep going in circles over and over again. Plus you wouldn't want anything bad to happen to poor little Sweetie Belle would you?"

That stopped Rarity in her tracks as she glared even harder around her. "If you touch her I'll tear you to pieces."

"Ooh I'm scared of the pony who makes dresses. Whatever will I do being the spirit of chaos? I don't stand a chance," He replied sarcastically.

Rarity wasn't sure what she should do. On one hoof she needed to keep her little sister safe while on the other hoof she needed to save Equestria. "... If I give my element to you, will you promise that you won't harm her?"

"Really? You would be willing to give me the only thing that can stop me or any future threat to Equestria just to protect your little sister?" He asked though it sounded more like a statement.

"I would be willing to give up my own life if it meant protecting my little sister. She is one of the most important things in the world to me and I will not let anyone harm her, even if I have to get hurt myself to do it," She remarked not noticing her necklace glowing.

"You know I think you should hold onto it instead. You have more use for it than I do. Oh and FYI, when I said I don't turn ponies into stone I thought that harming them would fall into the same category. You'll find Sweetie Belle in good time but for now she is needed elsewhere."

Rarity looked back into the hall and noticed a door that was slightly opened. Taking the opportunity to get out of the endless circle she ran right to it and shut it behind her. Once inside she saw Applejack lying on the floor. "Applejack are you alright?"

Rarity walked over to the farm pony and saw that she appeared to be sleeping with a goofy smile on her face for some reason. "Applejack wake up right this instant." Nothing. "Applejack if you don't wake up right now we'll never find Applebloom."

That did the trick as Applejack's eyes shot open instantly. "I'm awake, I'm awake, I was just resting my eyes that's all."

"You actually fell asleep while trying to save your sister?"

"Look I don't need a lecture right now, I've hardly slept at all the past few days. I only meant to rest my eyes for a minute but I guess I was more tired than I thought."

"So what were you dreaming about?" Rarity asked.

"Pardon?"

"Well I saw that you had a smile while you were asleep, one that I always see Spike having whenever he's helping me at the Boutique. So what's his name?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Applejack said stubbornly.

"Oh don't be coy, you can tell me. I promise I won't say a word."

She looked at Rarity noticing her element. "You got your element?" She asked in an attempt to change the subject.

Rarity looked down with a surprised look. "Wait it was dull and gray earlier."

"Discord did say that we had to use them to their full potential, so I guess you expressed true generosity."

"I guess so. Well let's not waste anymore time. We need to find the others if we're going to stop Discord," Rarity said as they headed down the corridor. "But you're telling me about this pony you were dreaming about once we get out of here."

"I don't like anypony alright? I bet it was just Discord making me have those dreams again."

"Applejack you know that there's nothing wrong with liking somepony right?" Rarity asked concerned for her friend's avoidance of the topic.

"I said that I don't like anypony so it doesn't matter."

Rarity looked like she would protest but decided to just end the conversation seeing that Applejack wasn't going to tell her anything. Stubborn as usual. She obviously likes somepony though why she's afraid to admit it I have no clue.

Applejack meanwhile was really starting to get annoyed with everything that was happening. First Spike and now Rarity have accused her of liking somepony when both times she had been thinking about Applebloom. I don't like Applebloom. I don't like Applebloom. I don't like Applebloom... right?

Chapter 18

"When I get my hooves on Discord he's gonna pay," said an angry Rainbow Dash as she paced back and forth on an archway on top of the castle. Unfortunately there was no way down thanks to there being no doors and the fact that she didn't have wings thanks to Discord didn't help.

"How am I supposed to get back to the others if there isn't a way down?"

"You could always jump," Discord remarked above her while laying down on a cotton candy cloud munching on popcorn.

"Get down here and fight me Discord," Rainbow challenged as she mimicked the same fighting stance from their first encounter.

"I'm too lazy, but here's an idea. Why don't you come up here? After all you are the greatest flier in Equestria capable of performing a Sonic Rainboom in ten seconds flat. Oh wait that's right you can't without your precious wings," Discord said as he ate another handful of popcorn.

"Is this all some kind of stupid game to you?"

"Stupid no but it is indeed a game. And it is quite enjoyable."

"You think you're so tough? Give me back my wings and I'll show you who the toughest pony around is."

"Hm let's see should I give you your wings back when all you'll do is attempt to harm me which would be quite hilarious if I do say myself or should I just sit up here and watch you get angry while I have some of this delicious popcorn? Hmm, tough choice."

"What's the matter? Are you chicken?" Rainbow taunted the spirit but only got a laugh.

"A chicken? Is that really the best that you can come up with? I'm part dragon, pony, goat, deer, lion, snake, and eagle. Adding a chicken to the list won't really change anything. Plus I believe I know where a bigger chicken is inside of this castle. She is your biggest fan after all."

"Where's Scootaloo?"

"Oh for once I'm actually not referring to that little filly. No there's someone else who is a much bigger fan of yours than little Scoots down there."

It didn't take long for Rainbow to put the pieces together until she was ready to rip the spirits wings. "If you hurt Fluttershy you'll have to deal with me."

"Well that is quite simply up to you dear Rainbow Dash," Discord replied holding up Rainbow Dash's necklace. "Let's test how loyal you really are."

With a simple snap from the spirit, Rainbow heard screaming coming from below her. She peered over the edge and saw both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were tied with a rope and hanging from a ledge.

"Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo! Hang on you two I'll get you both down from there," She assured the two fillies. "Give me my wings back now."

"Ah-ah-ah. I haven't even shown you what's behind curtain number 2 yet." Another snap and a door appeared on the wall in a flash of white. "You see Rainbow Dash, every choice comes with its consequences whether they be good or bad. Now I will give you your wings and element back to you and all you have to do is leave those two poor defenseless fillies hanging right where they are. Although if you abandon them, I doubt that your friends will be happy with you but at the same time you do need this little element here now don't you?"

"I... I..."

What could she possibly do? She knew that she needed to be loyal to her friends by saving the fillies but she also needed to be loyal to Equestria by getting her element back. But would it be worth it at the cost of two fillies' lives? No matter what she choose she would end up betraying someone.

"Tick tock Rainbow Dash. Better come up with a decision or you don't get either of your prizes."

"I... I can't..."

"Ah loyalty is quite something isn't it? Even though you're being loyal to one pony, you're disappointing another by not being there for them. I'll give you about a minute to decide what you're going to do."

"It's okay Rainbow Dash, we'll be fine," Sweetie reassured the troubled Pegasus.

"Yeah, you gotta find Applejack so she can-" Scootaloo was stopped as a flash turned her mouth into a zipper.

Rainbow Dash's mind was working on overdrive trying to think of what to do. She wanted to believe that they would be fine but she knew that a drop from this high would not be pretty.

"Going once," Discord warned her.

Maybe she could get her wings and then instantly go to them. A win-win situation, at least it would be if the one stopping her from doing so wasn't able to do anything with a simple snap.

"Going twice."

Many possibilities swarmed around in her head but couldn't find any way for them to work in saving the fillies and keeping her wings and element. She let out a sigh as she realized what she had to do. "...Fine. You win. I know I need to help them but if I do, we won't be able to save Equestria."

Discord smiled as he flashed back Rainbow's wings and the necklace around her neck which started to glow a bit. "Huh, what gives? I thought it was only supposed to work if I expressed true loyalty."

"And you have. Loyalty is more than just simply being there for a friend. True loyalty is being able to follow the right thing even if it means doing something against your own wants or needs. And you have shown that by being loyal to Equestria even though you want to save these two little ponies," Discord explained wisely leaving Rainbow confused.

"Wait you mean you planned for us to have our elements like this? Why?"

Discord raised his paw ready to answer but put it under his chin in thought. "Well I am doing all of this for one reason only and it is simply to help Applebloom with what happened between her and her sister."

"You mean the whole Applejack treating her badly because of her crush?"

"Exactly although I am so tempted to tell you the entire reason why Applebloom ran away."

"What do you mean?"

"Meh it's nothing important but you should be getting over to the rest of the gang so ta-ta."

And in an instant she was gone in another flash. Discord snapped his paw making Sweetie and Scootaloo appear in front of him. "Was the zipper really necessary?" Scootaloo asked.

"Well we can't risk Applejack just knowing what to do from Rainbow Dash now can we? She needs to figure it out on her own," He said glaring at Scootaloo.

"Fine. So where did you take Applebloom?"

"Sorry but that is classified information that you don't need to know as of this moment."

"So that means that Rarity and Rainbow both have their elements?" Scootaloo asked.

"Indeed although I believe Fluttershy is about to get hers unlocked in just a moment."

"Why can't you just tell me about who this pony is that you're saying you don't like?" Rarity complained.

"Because I haven't been thinking about anypony at all. The only thing I'm focused on is getting my little sister back."

"You are so stubborn, I know romance when I see it and you definitely like somepony. Now just tell me."

"For the last time I do not like anypony at all," Applejack said furious.

"Why are you so evasive about this? It's only-" Rarity stopped and grinned at Applejack. "It's a mare isn't it?"

"Excuse me?"

"That is why you keep denying it because you've always been against that sort of thing so if you started to like a mare you would never admit it."

"Wow great theory really but there's just one itty bitty problem with it. I don't like any mare or stallion so stop pestering me about this."

"Woah what's with all the arguing?"

Rarity turned to find the daredevil herself standing behind them with a confused look. "Oh darling it's wonderful to find another friendly face and it looks like you have your element as well. And how did you get your wings back?"

"Probably the same way you got your horn back," Rainbow remarked.

"My horn?" Rarity reached up and felt her horn in shock. "But I don't remember Discord giving it back unless he did it before I destroyed that boulder with... my magic."

"It took you that long to figure out that you have your horn back?" Rainbow asked holding back a laugh.

"Ha ha ha that was so funny. Now let's get going and find the others before Applejack's denial drives me insane."

"Denial?"

"I'll tell you later."

Just as the two caught up to Applejack they all heard a voice speaking angrily to someone. "Is that?" Rainbow started hopeful.

"Let's find out," Applejack said as they turned the next corner to see and hear something that Rainbow would never forget.

Chapter 19

Fear. Fear was the only thing going through Fluttershy's mind as she walked alone through the seemingly endless hallway. She jumped at every creak and even her own heavy breathing. She had been walking through this hall for quite some time but hadn't found any of her friends, a door to another room, or even a turn into a different hallway.

It's okay Fluttershy. You can be brave, be brave like Rainbow Dash. I'll find someway out eventually right? She continued to slowly walk down the corridor but began sprinting as soon as she heard something from behind her. If she had turned for just a second she would have seen a laughing draconequus. She continued to run as fast as she could even turning into a new hallway before bumping into something.

"Ow."

Fluttershy looked up from the floor to see Rainbow Dash rubbing her head in pain. "Oh I'm really sorry Rainbow. Are you okay?"

"I would be if you would just watch where you're going," She remarked.

"I... I'm sorry."

"That's what you always say Fluttershy. If you can't handle this then just leave and let the ponies who can actually do something get this done," Rainbow said glaring at Fluttershy.

"But I... I..."

Rainbow Dash turned around and began walking down the hallway while Fluttershy fearfully followed behind. "Why are you following me?"

"I... I don't want to be by myself in here."

"You're just pathetic you know that? You might be one of the Elements of Harmony but you're totally useless. You're afraid of everything, even your own shadow. You're afraid to tell ponies that you're afraid of something, if anypony even chuckles at you you start flooding your house with tears, your special talent is taking care of animals yet Angel has abused you more than anyone else has, you wouldn't even have your cutie mark if it wasn't for me, and if that's not enough you actually think that I would ever like you more than a friend. Yeah I know about your stupid little crush on me, everypony in Equestria probably knows. What makes you think that I would ever have feelings for someone who would just slow me down from becoming a Wonderbolt? In fact, the only reason that I'm even your friend is because my mom wanted me to be nice to the 'poor shy filly'. I never liked you, I don't like you, and I never will. So why don't you just do me a favor and get lost?"

Rainbow began walking faster as Fluttershy slowed down with tears pouring from her eyes from the hurtful words. Was everything that Rainbow said true? Had she never even seen Fluttershy as a friend? Why am I so useless?

Aw poor little Fluttershy.

Fluttershy immediately started to cower from the sudden voice speaking up in her head. W-what do you want?

Did those words hurt you? Don't you just want to hurt her back for it?

No, even though she hurt me doesn't mean that I should hurt her back. Especially when she's right about everything; my cutie mark, my talent, everything. I'm just the sensitive girl that no one likes or cares about.

Looks like Hurricane Fluttershy isn't so great after all.

Fluttershy sniffed at the name that Rainbow Dash and the rest of the Pegasi had given her for getting the tornado to eight hundred wing power. Rainbow was the one who was always there for me when I needed it. When I was scared of doing flight duty, she was there. But why isn't she now all of a sudden? She's the Element of Loyalty but she's abandoning me? She promised that she would never treat me like she did when we went up to get the dragon to move somewhere else for its nap.

"Y-you're wrong."

Rainbow stopped in her tracks in disbelief as she looked back at Fluttershy who had caught up. "What?"

"You heard me, you're wrong. I may be scared of a lot of things but that doesn't make me useless. Who was the one who stood up to that manticore? Me. Who was the one that convinced a dragon to leave Ponyville? Me. Who got the tornado to eight hundred wing power? Me. Who was the one you praised over yourself in front of Spitfire the captain of the Wonderbolts? Me. Who is the one that was seen as an amazing model by a famous Canterlot celebrity? Me. Who's the one that was crashed more times than even Twilight could count? You. Who was the one that came to me to get a pet when you wanted one? You. Who was the one willing to run over a baby bunny? You. Who abandoned Rarity and Pinkie in the desert? You. You think that you're so great just because you can do a Sonic Rainboom when no one else can but do you see me bragging that only I can talk to woodland creatures? You think you're the best flier in Equestria, then why haven't the Wonderbolts accepted you yet? Because you're too cocky and headstrong to be one of them. I always had liked you ever since you stood up for me in flight camp and ever since the tornado I've been pushing myself to get faster and faster to impress you hoping that I could join the Wonderbolts with you. But I am useful even if you say I'm not. I'm going to find everyone and a way out of here, as you would say, in ten seconds flat."

Before Fluttershy had time to react, her wings and necklace appeared in their rightful places with her element glowing. She looked up just in time to see Rainbow Dash change into Discord in a flash. "Discord? But why? How?"

"Well what better way for you to express full kindness than hearing your idol berate you?"

"But I was so rude though."

"No, you were doing what you have barely ever done. You've been kind to yourself. You've always belittled yourself at every opportunity you had but this time you stuck up for yourself. By the way you might want to check on your friends. They look quite amusing," Discord said as he vanished.

Fluttershy was for a moment dumbfounded at what had happened. Had Discord been... nice, at least in his own way? But why and what did he mean by checking on her friends? She looked behind her to see Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash staring mouths gaped and eyes wide at Fluttershy's outburst. "Oh um, hi girls. Um... how much did you all here?"

"A lot," Rarity said.

Fluttershy gulped nervously as Rainbow walked towards her. "You... like me?" Rainbow asked though still a bit taken back.

Fluttershy backed away a few feet but nodded her head taking great interest in the floor. "Y-yes. But you don't need to say anything. I know that you wouldn't like me."

Rainbow fell silent which Fluttershy took for agreement until she heard her chuckle. "You're right Shy, I don't like you." In just a moment Rainbow pressed her lips on Fluttershy's causing the shy mare to be as shocked as they had been. Just as quick as it had happened, it ended. "I love you, you silly feather brain."

"You do?"

"Always have, and always will."

Applejack couldn't help but smile at the scene before her. Even though she had never really agreed with mares liking other mares but these were her friends. She found herself thinking about moments that she had shared with Applebloom; when she helped their mom raise her as an infant before she and dad had left, their bonding from the time the CMC had worked on the newspaper, celebrating after Applebloom had won the talent show for comedy, the tickle match after the cutie pox incident, comforting Applebloom after her nightmare the night before she had left, the two working together before the Sister Hooves Social. She couldn't help but smile from thinking back to everything. Two souls into one.

"What are you thinking about Applejack? Let me guess, it's about the pony you like," Rarity accused.

"Are you ever gonna stop with that?"

"Not until you admit it."

"Admit what?" Fluttershy asked walking back with Rainbow.

"That she has a crush on someone."

"Aha! I knew that something was up with her. So who is it?" Rainbow asked.

"She won't say nor will she even admit to liking them," Rarity explained.

"Because I don't have a crush on anyone."

"Okay then... do you love anyone?" Rainbow asked smirking.

Do I? She thought carefully of what to say. Rarity was 100% sure that she liked somepony but ponies are wrongs sometimes but the more she tried to say no, the more she thought of Applebloom. Her cute running, her sweet voice, the way her mane was done along with the ribbon, the adorable way she curled up, and those eyes. Those beautiful brilliant gamboge eyes that looked like a sunset. She could look into them forever if she could.

As much as it scared her, she knew she couldn't deny it any longer. She had been denying it for far too long. "... Yeah. I do."

I love her.

Chapter 20

"Hello?" Twilight called out as she walked through the darkness. "Is anypony here?" She wasn't given an answer as she looked around her. All that she could she was darkness, even if she had her horn she wasn't sure it would make that much of a difference. All she could do was walk endlessly, hoping to find some way out of the darkness and find her friends. I wonder if anyone has found their elements yet. I hope so, this darkness isn't bringing back good memories.

"Twilight Sparkle," A voice slowly said, causing the unicorn to freeze in fear. She knew that voice but it couldn't be him.

"Just ignore it Twilight, it's just Discord trying to mess with your head. I mean ponies can't come back from the dead, right?" She tried to reassure herself to no avail as she started shaking while continuing to walk.

"I see you."

Once again, she froze in terror at the voice. How could he be alive? She slowly continued her pace as a chill ran down her spine, almost like something was behind her. But when she turned there was nothing but darkness still. Calm down. It's just Discord and his stupid games. There's nothing to be afraid of. She turned back around only to instantly cower in fear.

A small portion of the darkness around her had merged together to create the head of King Sombra, who was grinning evilly at her. "The unicorn who's dragon shattered me into pieces."

"W-what do you want from me?" Twilight asked still rooted to the floor.

"What do I want? Simply to have a new body. Thanks to that scrawny dragon and that princess, my form was turned to crystal and scattered into the winds, all except for my horn that is. With it still in tact, I was able to resurrect myself with ease. Though the only form I now have is my gaseous state. But if I were to take the body of a unicorn, well..." He stopped as he grinned more, not needing to explain more as Twilight's eyes widened.

"You're going to take my body?!"

"I would prefer a more powerful body, one whose magic was actually capable of simply teleporting away from a few crystals," He taunted. "But as you are a student of the one who imprisoned me in the arctic wasteland, what better way to enact my revenge?"

"Y-you won't defeat C-Celestia. She's the most p-powerful being in Equestria," Twilight tried to sound strong but Sombra simply laughed.

"For one so smart, you aren't very bright. My magic alone is stronger than yours will ever be, you know that. But imagine my power combined with that of the Element of Magic, nothing could stop me from taking control of this world, and crushing it."

Twilight wanted to blast Sombra right then and there, she wanted to stop him, she wanted to show him that she could defeat his magic. But she couldn't, even if she still had her horn, she was no match for him. She couldn't stop him before, so how could she now? She was alone, magic less, and powerless. What could she possibly do?

"You're afraid, you know your fate, good. You can not stop me, even with your friends and magic, I am unstoppable. Your feeble magic is nothing compared to my power." Sombra raised himself so that he was high above Twilight, ready to finish her. All Twilight could do was watch as this beast prepared to take over her body and use it to destroy the world. She would never get to see her teacher, her family, her friends, everything was over.

"Twilight darling, where are you?"

Rarity?

"I think I heard something over here."

Rainbow Dash too?

"Hm, it seems that your friends wish to deal with me now. I enjoy a good fight," Sombra said as he snarled at Twilight.

Twilight looked back to where she heard her friends speak and realized how she could stop Sombra. "You won't hurt my friends."

He laughed. "Is that so? Who shall stop me? A weak unicorn like you? You have no magic and your friends can not stop me either. You are hopeless."

"You're wrong," Twilight stated as she looked at the shadow like unicorn as brave as she could.

"Pardon?"

"There's more to magic than just destroying things or gaining strength or just having a simple strategy. Without one important thing, power is just an empty threat."

"Indulge me. What is this factor that I need in order to defeat you?" He asked before his horn became fueled by dark magic, raising dark crystals around Twilight like at the Empire. "Even with your magic you were helpless against my power. What is it that your weak magic has that mine does not?"

Inside of the crystal prison, Twilight concentrated all of her energy to the top of her head, hoping she could do the same thing Sombra had done. She strained as her body began to ache but she needed this to work. With all of her strength, she slowly created a new horn. It glowed a bright purple as it shattered the crystals around her.

"The one thing that your black heart can never achieve. The magic that fuels the power of the Elements of Harmony, friendship." Her eyes and horn turned into a bright assortment of light, targeting the creature in front of her. A light as bright as the sun shot forward to Sombra who only grinned as he was enveloped. Once the blast subsided, Twilight passed out from exhaustion.

"Come on sugarcube, wake up," Twilight heard Applejack say as she slowly opened her eyes to see four of her friends standing around her looking relieved.

"Are you alright Twilight? What happened?" Fluttershy asked concerned as the bookworm rubbed the back of her head.

"I... I was in darkness and... I found King Sombra."

"But didn't that guy get blow to bits?" Rainbow asked confused.

"Indeed he did," Discord said from behind them, causing the five ponies to jump.

"What do you want Discord?" Twilight readied her horn to attack.

Discord put his paw and talon in front of him in defense. "Hey I'm not here to fight, I just want to give you help is all."

"Why should we believe you?" Twilight questioned the spirit who brought his paw to his chest in feign shock.

"You won't trust a poor misguided spirit who only wants to help? That truly hurts Twilight, I thought we could be good friends. After all, wasn't I the one who gave each of you your elements back?"

"After taking them away," Twilight reminded the spirit while glaring.

"Meh details, details. I don't give gifts to ponies with attitudes, not even coal."

Twilight sighed as she asked with as little annoyance as she could, "What is it?"

"See, was that so hard? Since you at least tried to ask nicely," Discord tossed the Element of Magic to Twilight which glowed as it rested on her head. "5 down, 1 to go little ponies."

"But how did I-?"

"Like you said my dear, power is just an empty threat if you don't have the strength of friends with you. So I thought to myself, what is the best way to have Twilight unlock her element to its full potential? Well I couldn't figure anything out so I took a little peek into your memories to see if there was something in there."

"You went into my memories?" Twilight asked disturbed. "And created your own copy of Sombra?"

Discord created a cotton swab to clean Twilight's ears. "Didn't I just say that? What, you didn't actually think that King Sombra was alive did you? He was turned into crystal and blasted into pieces. Nothing could survive something like that, except for timber wolves but other than that, nothing. Also I would like a thank you for giving you your horn back."

"What? You mean that I didn't remake it?"

"Sorry to say but pretty much. That is very powerful magic that would take years, at least months for you to learn. Now where's that thank you?"

"For making me think that all of Equestria was going to be destroyed by someone controlling me?"

"Well when you say it like that I sound a bit rude, but yes."

Twilight let out a quiet, frustrated sigh. "Thank you."

"You're quite welcome. Now if you all will excuse me for just a moment while I escort the final element and those two fillies here." With that he flashed away leaving the five elements alone in the room.

"He's only bringing Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?" Applejack questioned. "Where is he keeping Applebloom?

"I don't know darling, but so far he has kept his word on everything he's said."

"And if he does try anything, we can just use the elements and stop him for good instead of just turning him to stone just so he can somehow escape again," Rainbow remarked.

"I'm gone for a few seconds to get the rest of your friends and this is how you all thank me?" Discord asked as he flashed in with Sweetie, Scootaloo, and Pinkie Pie, with her element glowing around her neck, next to him. Sweetie immediately ran to her big sister while the other two simply walked over.

"Are you alright Sweetie? He didn't hurt you, did he?" Rarity asked checking every hair in her sisters mane.

"No, he's actually kind of nice when you get to know him." Just after she finished her sentence, a bucket of water fell on Rarity's head with Discord laughing on the floor.

Trying to keep her temper in tact, Rarity turned all her attention to Pinkie Pie who was struggling to not laugh. "Hello darling, may I ask how you got your element?"

"Well, it all started when I opened a cool looking door..."

Chapter 21

Pinkie hummed to herself as she bounced along the dark and long hallway. Doors where on every wall; to her left and right, even above and below her. Each door seemed to have a different object carved into it. One had a tree, another an egg, and many other things that called out to her curiousity. She stopped at a door that had an image of ghost in a red circle with a line through it. Opening it, she was greeted by a dark room with fire far below the non existent floor. Far off was a strange hound-like creature that looked right at her and yelled, "Zuul, motherbucker, Zuul." She instantly shut the door as quickly as she could before bouncing away like it hadn't happened.

She repeated this with several doors only to find even stranger things behind each one; a creature looking for something called Stephano, a round metal ball on the moon, even singing chipmunks. Finally she stopped in front of a door with two blue balloons and one yellow balloon etched into it. She slowly opened the door expecting more crazy things to behind it but all that was in the room was the silhouette of a pony in the corner.

"Hi there, are you okay? What are you doing in here? Are you playing hide and seek too?"

The pony raised its head to face her but said nothing. Pinkie tilted her head in confusion and took a few steps closer. "Who are you?"

At first the pony simply stared at Pinkie like she hadn't said a word until it started to laugh, and not in a nice happy kind of laugh. "Who am I?" The pony got up and slowly starting to walk towards Pinkie who backed away upon seeing them. The grey pink coat, the cold grey eyes, and the flat mane... "Have you forgotten about me just like that? I thought we were such good friends Pinkie."

Pinkie backed away in fear until she hit a wall where the door used to be. The only light in the room was a flickering lightbulb hanging from the middle of the ceiling. "No... You can't be here... You're not real."

"Not real? Poor Pinkie, have you truly come to no longer enjoy my company? How can I not be real if I am you?"

Pinkie slowly walked her way to the closest corner while her darker self took a few steps closer towards her. "Were all of those poor ponies not real? Those poor innocent ponies that had done nothing to you? What you did to them wasn't real?"

"T-that wasn't me... I w-would never do that to a-anypony. Y-you did that."

"And who was the one who created me when she was a little filly? You were so lonely and sad at that rock farm... all you wanted was a friend to keep you company. I was that friend Pinkie, the one who was always there for you. If you hadn't made me, then nothing would have happened to those poor unfortunate souls."

Pinkie curled up in the corner, tears forming in her eyes as she slowly shook her head in denial. "N-no... no... no."

Pinkamena laughed at the site, "You're so pathetic aren't you? What would all of your friends think of you if they knew what you had done? I doubt they would ever want you around, heck maybe they would turn you over to Celestia and have you turned into stone just like Discord. Maybe she'll be nice and have both of your statues next to each other," She taunted as Pinkie put both of her front hooves over her face, sobbing quietly.

"Aww, what's the matter? It's not like that beast would ever care for a pony, much less a pony as pathetic as you are. Everypony laughs at you every single day so what would make a draconequus like him any different?"

S-she's right. I'm so pathetic. All I am is the crazy pony that just throws parties and has a crush on an evil spirit of chaos and disharmony. I've done so many bad things to ponies that had never done anything to deserve it. I deserve to be turned into stone. Ponies always laugh at me and talk about me when they think I can't hear them. They always call me crazy, stupid, annoying, childish... They laugh at me for everything I do... and they're right. I can't even make two babies eat oatmeal without it spilling over the floor and on me.

Pinkie thought over the last part until she started giggling at the memory of taking care of Pumpkin and Pound which confused and enraging Pinkamena. "What are you laughing about?"

Pinkie continued her giggling which gradually turned into laughter as she rolled on the floor which only made the flat maned mare more angry. "Stop laughing right now. Is this how you deal with somepony talking to you?"

Pinkie started to calm down as she stood up and looked at her twin in the eyes. "Yep. You're right that ponies do laugh at me a lot, but why should I care? I don't think there's anything in the whole world that everypony likes. And some of the stuff I do that ponies laugh at me for are things that I can look back on and laugh too. Like that one time where I gave out the baked bads that Applejack made, everypony was super mad." Pinkie immediately resumed laughing.

Pinkie didn't even notice that Pinkamena was slowly starting to fade away as she put her hooves on her ears, "Stop laughing this instant."

"But laughing is so fun, why would I want to stop?" She asked still giggling on the floor to the other mare's horror as she slowly disappeared with a small clank on the floor.

Pinkie didn't notice for a few minutes while she was thinking of other things that she had done that were silly. "Where'd she go? Ooh, she left me a present." Pinkie picked up her element that had dropped and placed it around her neck, causing it to glow brightly. "Ooh pretty."

"...And that's how I got my cutie mark," Pinkie finished causing everyone including Discord to give her a strange look.

"Um Pinkie," Rainbow started. "All you said was that you opened a cool looking door. How did opening a door today get you your cutie mark that you've had for years?

"I don't know but isn't my necklace a lot shinier now?" She replied causing Rainbow to bring a hoof to her forehead with a smile.

"Pinkie Pie, you are so random."

"Indeed I am, but everypony knows that. What's new with you girls?"

"Applejack is in love with a pony but won't say who it is," Rarity said.

Pinkie gasped, ran over to Applejack with a smile on her face bigger than an Ursa Major asking very quickly, "Really? Who is it? Is it somepony we know? Is it somepony new in Ponyville that I haven't met yet? Is it you know who?"

"... Yes Pinkie, it is."

Pinkie's smile somehow became even bigger as she bounced around Applejack. "I knew it, I knew it. I just knew the two of you were perfect for each other. Once we get you two together, you can confess your love and go on a romantic canoe ride, and then years later the two of you will get married and live happily ever after."

"Um Pinkie, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Applejack begged hiding her red face with her stetson hat.

"Wait, you know about this pony?" Rarity asked surprised. "Applejack, you can tell Pinkie about this mystery pony but none of us?"

"Uh, well... uh."

"Go ahead Applejack, tell them about the pony who has stolen your heart even though you shattered theirs," Discord said with a soda cup in his lion paw. "It would be extremely entertaining."

"Where's Applebloom?"

Discord yawned as he snapped his fingers making the final element appear around Applejack's neck as it glowed like the others. "There you go."

"I asked where my sister was, not my element."

"Oh right, hmmm, where did I put her? Was it in the Gobi desert? Maybe the Arctic Circle? I'm so sorry Applejack but I may have forgotten where the poor filly is."

"Discord if you don't give me my little sister back then I'm-"

"Going to use the elements to turn me back into stone, leaving you with no way of finding Applebloom?" He guessed with a smirk.

"Why not? You said in your riddle that we would find her in this castle, so that's what we'll do."

"Hmm, in theory that would work since she is in this castle technically but she also isn't in this castle."

"What in the hay does that mean?" Twilight demanded.

"Simple Ms. Worst-thing-ever-to-exist Sparkle. Though I'm sure that it would only take you a few years just to figure out what I mean and then another few years just to find the way to get to her and then-"

"Okay we get it, we can't turn you into stone yet," Applejack glared at the spirit who clearly was enjoying every second of her frustration. "But when I do get my sister back and you're turned to stone, I'll make sure that you never can get back."

"And here I thought we were getting along swimmingly. Alright fine but I'll only take you to where she is on one condition."

"What?" She asked. She instantly regretting having asked once she saw the grin on his face.

"Oh not much, just simply tell your friends who the pony you are in love with is and we're good to go."

"What?!" She exclaimed.

"Or not and never find Applebloom. Though to be fair, I'm pretty sure she wouldn't be that stoked to see you again after hurting her so bad. But the choice is yours; tell your friends so you can get your sister back or don't tell them and never see her again."

"I swear Discord. Never. Coming. Back."

"Applejack if it's me that you love than all you have to do is say so but I'm sorry to say that my heart belongs to another," He said trying his hardest not to crack a smile.

Applejack was getting extremely ticked off by Discord at this point. He was forcing her to have to tell her friends about her feelings for Applebloom and having fun at her expense. She turned to her friends who all gave her sympathetic looks. "I guess I should explain everything huh? It started when Applebloom was on her way to the train station..."

Chapter 16

AN: Sorry for another two week wait guys, I don't have a good excuse. I have two; my brother has been using the computer a lot more often to play WoW, plus I've had lots of homework. Hope you all enjoy the chapter though. I still don't know how it takes me so long to get working on a chapter when it only takes like an hour to type.

“Scootaloo, Scootaloo wake up.”

The orange Pegasus slowly started to open her eyes to see Sweetie Belle looking at her concerned. “Scootaloo are you awake?”

“Ug, yeah I think so.” She sat up while rubbing her head. “I feel a bit dizzy though.”

“Yeah it’ll wear off soon, it did for me. So where do you think we are?” Sweetie asked observing their surroundings.

Scootaloo looked around as well seeing that they were in a dark room with only a single small window for light. Scootaloo walked over to the window and peered outside to see Celestia’s castle across from them. “I guess we’re somewhere inside of that dark castle. Applebloom is supposed to be somewhere in here but how do we get to her?”

Looking around again they noticed that there wasn’t even a door. The only other thing in the room was a small note in the middle of the room. Curious, Sweetie walked towards it and read aloud what was on it. “If you find yourself stuck, just sit and look by; for there are more to things than meets the eye. Isn’t that part of the riddle he made?”

“I think so but what does it mean? We can’t just sit here; we have to find a way out of here to find Applebloom.”

Scootaloo was now feeling every part of the wall to find some sort of secret door while Sweetie Belle was just sitting in the middle of the room next to the note. “Um Scoot maybe we should just sit here like the riddle says.”

Scootaloo let out a sigh as she sat next to Sweetie. The two simply sat for what seemed like hours until Scootaloo yelled out in frustration. “This isn’t working Sweetie. Nothing is happening.”

“What about that?” Sweetie asked pointing towards a small part of the wall that seemed to be uneven with the rest of the wall. “I don’t think that it was like that earlier.”

“Guess there’s only one way to find out.” Scootaloo walked over towards the tile and placed her front hooves on it as she pushed as hard as she could but it didn’t budge. “Is this thing stuck with super glue or something? It won’t move.”

Sweetie walked over next to Scootaloo and chuckled. “Maybe you need to pull it instead of pushing it.”

“Oh right I knew that.” Scootaloo pulled on the tile as it slipped off with ease. She looked through the small hole that was now through the wall and saw a golden eye with red pupils. Startled, she fell backwards while laughter was heard from the hole. “Who’s there? Show yourself,” Scootaloo said standing back up glaring at the now empty hole.

“Oh where are my manners?”

Once again Scootaloo jumped in surprise when she heard the voice from behind her. She turned to come face to face with the creature that was called Discord. “I’m Discord, the spirit of chaos and disharmony. Although I would think that the two of you would remember me. After all you two and Applebloom’s fighting was what brought me back to Equestria the first time and funny enough, Applebloom is the reason for me being released a second time. At least now I know who to call if I get trapped in stone again.”

“What do you want from us?” Scootaloo asked still glaring at the spirit.

“Where’s Applebloom?” Sweetie asked hiding behind Scootaloo.

“Oh you two don’t need to worry about little Applebloom. You two aren’t the ones that are supposed to find her anyway so it doesn’t really matter where she is. And as for what I want from you well, Applebloom does need some friends to help her. Poor little thing is almost over the edge of no return.”

“What do you mean?” Scootaloo asked.

“She’s more than just heartbroken right now, she’s nearly soulbroken.”

“Soulbroken?” Sweetie asked puzzled.

“Soulbroken is simply a way of saying when a pony is damaged emotionally to the point where they no longer wish to exist and she is only a step from it.”

“So if you aren’t going to tell us where she is then why are you telling us this? And who’s the one who is supposed to find her?” Scootaloo asked.

“There is only one pony who can fix Applebloom which they don’t even know how to help her yet but you two could probably at least back her away from the edge. But what if I told you both that I could give you your cutie marks right now?” Discord asked smirking causing the two fillies to get excited.

“You can? How?” They asked in unison.

“Normally even magic cannot make a cutie mark appear but since my magic changes the norm, I can give them to you in ten seconds flat. But nothing in the world is free. You will have a choice to make,” He said as he snapped his fingers making a door appear in the wall that lead outside. “You can get your cutie marks but leave Applebloom behind forever or stay here and possibly never get them. Your choice.”

“So if we choose to get our cutie marks we would never see Applebloom again?” Sweetie asked with her ears lowered.

“Indeed. But here is some food for thought little fillies; you can only get one cutie mark in life but you can get thousands of friends.”

The two fillies were dead silent as they thought of what they should do. They had wanted their cutie marks more than anything in all of Equestria but would it be worth it to have them but not have Applebloom? Scootaloo looked over to Sweetie Belle who simply nodded her head in understanding. “Thanks Discord… but no thanks. You’re right about us being able to get lots of friends in life, but none of them will be the same without Applebloom being there with us. Now where is she?” Scootaloo asked simply gaining a chuckle from the draconequus.

“Why whatever do you mean? She’s right there,” He said motioning behind them. They turned around to see none other than Applebloom with an almost blank stare but they didn’t notice as they ran over and hugged her tightly.

“Applebloom you’re alright,” Scootaloo said overjoyed.

“We thought we wouldn’t see you again,” Sweetie added with tears in her eyes.

The two felt Applebloom tap them with her front hooves as they let go. Applebloom started to gasp for air as the two fillies apologized. “Why are you here Applebloom? Why didn’t you tell us anything? We were worried sick about you,” Sweetie asked but didn’t get any response from the earth filly except for a lowered head. “Applebloom?”

“She can’t speak,” Discord reminded the two fillies as they thought back to the riddle.

“But when you find her she will speak to none, until you give her what makes two souls into one,” Scootaloo recited but still looking puzzled. “But what does that mean?”

“Neither of you need to worry about that since neither of you have it. Only one pony can give it to her but she doesn’t even realize that she has it yet. Stubborn as a mule I swear.”

Sweetie Belle suddenly came up with an idea. “Wait I think I know the answer. I’ve read some of Rarity’s romance stories and they always talk about how the other pony they love is like the other half of their soul. It’s love isn’t it?”

“Very good young Sweetie but like I said, neither of you can give her the love she needs to speak again. Only one pony can do that. Now if you’ll excuse me I need to go pay a visit to each of the elements. Ta-ta,” He said as he vanished in a white light leaving the two fillies alone.

“Well at least we found… wait where is Applebloom?” Scootaloo asked no longer seeing her.

“She was here just a second ago. Did Discord take her somewhere else?” Sweetie wondered.

“Applebloom, Applebloom where are you?” Applejack called out as she walked through a corridor. She had gained consciousness only a few minutes ago but had immediately begun looking everywhere for her little sister. “Applebloom please if you can hear me come out. I’m going to bring you back home. Applebloom.” No matter how many times she called though she didn’t get any kind of answer. “Well Discord did say that even if we find her that she won’t be able to say anything.”

Frustrated she kicked the closest part of the wall with as much force as she could muster putting a small dent in it. “When I get my hooves on you Discord, you’re dead.” She continued to kick the wall repeatedly in anger until she fell to the floor in exhaustion as tears started to form in her eyes. “Applebloom… where are you? I… need you.”

For a moment she had thought she had heard someone else crying as well right next to her. She even thought that she heard Applebloom speak. I… miss you sis.