The Bluestar Element

Chapter 4: A New Day...

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

"Ughhh."

*Bang! Bang! Bang!*

"UGHHHH" Skate grunted louder, hoping that the pony banging on her front door so early in the morning heard. The pony banged a third time, then she or he stopped for a moment. She lifted up her head up off the pillow to try and listen closer. All Skate could hear were the calm, faint noises of the morning. The birds were tweeting and the crickets were chirping in the light summer morning air outside. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon and a slim ray of sunlight met Skate's eye when she lifted up her head. Seeing blue dots and satisfied that the pony was gone, Skate laid her head back down on the soft pillow. She was just about to doze off again when...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Oh for bucks sake." Skate muttered under her breath. She moaned in annoyance as she kicked off the blankets and got up off of the bed. Grabbing a comb, she brushed it through her mess of a mane a few times and quickly tied her bow to make her mane look half way decent, and walked to the front door. Yawning loudly, she opened the door to see an orange earth pony with three apples for a cutie mark standing on her doorstep.

"Ugh, its six o clock in the morning miss. Do you need help with something?" Skate asked the pony.

"Hiya there Skate Bluestar! I'm Applejack, a fr-" Applejack began, but Skate interrupted her.

"Applejack? You're the Element of Honesty! I've read about you in my books, and Twilight told me a bit about you. Nice to meet you! I'm Skate Bluestar! Well, I guess you already knew that. Um, sorry for my grumpiness. I'm used to waking up at around 8AM."

Applejack laughed. "Being a fancy city pony, I guess y'all ain't used to workin' at the crack of dawn." Applejack noticed the anger filter into Skate's face, and quickly added,"I'm just pullin' yer' tail sugar cube. Ah came by wantin' to introduce myself and welcome ya to Ponyville! If y'all are ever wantin' some apples, we at Sweet Apple Acres grow the best in Equestria!"

Skate's anger left her, and suddenly she became very hungry for some apples. "Thank you, and if these apples are as good as you claim them to be, I would love to try one. Do you have some on you, or a kiosk or..." she trailed off, waiting for an answer.

"Oh, um, I ain't got any apples on me. Today is harvestin' day, where me and my brother Big Macintosh buck all the apples off the trees. I reckon we'll be sellin' apples within the next couple o' days. But it may take longer, dependin' on if Apple Bloom can buck the trees hard enough." Applejack responded. Skate smiled at the opportunity presented to her. She was craving apples, today was harvesting day, they needed help, and Skate had very powerful legs from skateboarding.

"How about I help you? I've got nothing to do until I start my job as a weather pony in a week, and I could always use a few extra bits. Plus I'm really craving apples." Skate asked with a friendly smile. It was true, Skate had nothing to do for a week. Her Ponyville citizenship didn't finish cycling through the system for another few days, then she would have to wait for her application to get sent through to the weather ponies.

"Ah don't know, you're kind of a small pony. And its a lot of work kid. You gotta kick em trees pretty darn hard ." Applejack replied, uncertain if the young city pony could handle the work. Even though Applejack had small doubts because of her size and origin, it was mostly her stubborn pride giving her the doubt.

"It would be no problem! Skateboarding has made my legs really strong. I'm positive I can buck the trees hard enough!" Skate pridefully said. Back in Canterlot, Skate's bucking power was one of the things that kept the ponies her age from picking on her as a filly. But the older ones were much bigger and stronger, and just the more uptight. They would use their fancy words to insult her, knowing that they had the power if she decided to try and buck them.

Applejack was still unsure, but more willing to let her try. "Hmmm, ah might give y'all a chance. Big Mac is getting older, and he can't go for so long now. I still look and feel the same as ah did 10 years ago when ah was in mah' early twenties cause of  them Elements. Apple Bloom isn't the strongest filly, er, mare either. Ah guess I'll give you a shot."

Skate beamed excitedly, she had always loved working. If Skate wasn't inside reading or sleeping, she was outside working or having fun. But then Skate realized Applejack didn't say anything about payment, and Skate only had 10 bits. She had literally spent all of her money on the house. "Um, I'm sorry Applejack if I sound pushy or greedy or something, but will I be receiving some type of payment? I spent almost all of my money on my house, and I could really use the extra bits."

Applejack chuckled,"Of course ah'm gonna pay ya. I wouldn't let nopony who's not not family spend hours buckin' at trees sweatin' and workin' without being paid! How does a thirty bit payment sound? Maybe we can get ta know each other a little too."

Skate sighed with relief. "That sounds great, when do we start?"

"Now, the early the better. We got some new trees this year, and ah reckon it'll take a might longer since Big Mac is startin' to feel the effects of middle age creepin' up. Though ah'm gonna warn ya, its dirty work. You sure you wanna be messin' up your-" Skate interrupted Applejack.

"Oh I'm not afraid to get my hooves dirty, don't you worry." Skate said, a determined grin on her face ready to make some money.

"Well alright then, follow me to Sweet Apple Acres and ah'll show y'all how and where to buck the tree."

Skate and Applejack walked through town, Applejack leading the way to Sweet Apple Acres. Skate was surprised by the largeness of the farm, it was going to take a long time to harvest all of those apples, but at least she'd be able to pass the time talking to Applejack, and if she was lucky, talk to Apple Bloom again. Skate had met Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom when they came to see the Hearths Warming Eve play 3 years before she moved to Ponyvile. Skate was sitting in the Royal Booth with Luna, Celestia, and Silver, when she saw Scootaloo walk in. She had recognized the orange coated, purple maned filly from an old family book Skate kept after a certain event that happened when she was 14. Skate told the three Princess's that filly looked like her cousin that she hadn't met before named Scootaloo. Celestia then told her that that was Scootaloo and that she should go  talk to her. Skate was already up and off her chair by the time Celestia finished, and she rushed down the stairs to meet her cousin. Her only blood-related family member that hadn't caused her pain...

Three years earlier.

"Excuse me, Scootaloo?" Skate had asked the adolescent pony. Scootaloo turned around, confused as to how this stranger knew her name.

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle was standing right next to Scootaloo, trying to tell her something when she turned around to see the pony who had called her name. "Shush for a second girls." She began, speaking to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "Um, hello. Do I know you from somewhere?" She asked  Skate, confused.

"I'm Skate Bluestar! We've never met, but we're cousins! I recognized you from an old family book I carry with me." Skate informed her, smiling widely.

"Ohhhhh! You must be the little blue filly Auntie and Uncle would always talk about. I won't go into detail the things they would say. Um, anyways, I see your cutie mark is pretty similar to mine. I've always wanted to try and ride a skate board, but they don't sell them where I live." Scootaloo said, remembering the times when her aunt and uncle would visit when she was little.

"Thanks, I really don't want to hear what my parents said about me. And I could show you some skateboard tricks after the show if you'd like. You and your friends, who I haven't met." Skate said.

Scootaloo looked at her friends, who were giving her a look that basically meant, "Well?". Scootaloo grinned awkwardly and let a out a little chuckle."Skate, this is Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, the three of us has been best friends since before we got our cutie marks. That's actually how we met, Sweetie Belle and I stood up for Apple Bloom when ponies were making fun of her for being a blank flank. We were blank flanks too, and decided to form a group called The Cutie Mark Crusaders. We had a lot of fun times."

Skate put her hoof out, and shook hooves with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle. "Nice to meet you Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle! Well I guess I should head back to my seat now. You girls wanna meet outside after the show?"

"Su-" Apple Bloom began, only to be interrupted by Scootaloo.

"Hey, why don't you sit next to us? I don't think Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle will mind."

"Not at all! It would be nice to meet some of Scoot's family." Sweetie Belle said.

Skate told them "Ok" and sat next to them. They began talking before the show started, but even after the show started they continued whispering. At one point, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo couldn't contain their laughter from a from a funny story Skate had shared, and a security guard had to tell them to be quiet. Which only made them want to laugh harder, but they managed to contain it. They giggled and talked through the whole show, and hung out for the rest of the night. When the three ponies had to leave, Skate was a bit sad. She very much enjoyed the night.

Back in the present, Skate had fallen far behind Applejack, zoning out while remembering that night.

"You comin' or not?" Applejack hollered at Skate. Skate stopped zoning out and quickly caught up to Applejack.

"Sorry, you talking about Apple Bloom reminded me of the Hearths Warming Eve play three years ago, when Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and me met each other. That was a fun night." Skate apologized.

"So you were the cousin of Scootaloo that little filly wouldn't shut up about fer' days. Well Apple Bloom might not be here today, dependin'  on if she finishes some art project for some fancy art show."

"Well I hope she can make it. And is that what her flower cutie mark represents? Art?" Skate asked, a little disappointed.

At least I'll be able to see Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle again. Skate silently reassured herself.

"Yup. But enough of that, we need to get to buckin' and ah gotta show ya how to do it." Applejack then showed Skate the position to stand, how far away, what part of the tree is the best part, and how strong the kick has to be. After a few practice bucks at air and some more thorough explanations, Skate was ready to buck an actual tree.

"Alright, so position yourself, and buck at that part I showed ya." Applejack told Skate.

"Mkay." Skate stood close to the tree, lifted her back legs off the ground, raised her hips up, and hit the tree with a powerful buck. All the apples came clean off into the baskets that had been setup underneath the tree. However, there was a pretty big chunk of wood missing from the tree trunk now from Skate's kick.

"Um, I think I kicked it a little too hard. So you just have to barely kick it then?" Skate asked Applejack.

"You mean to tell me that was a light kick? You've got yer self a powerful buck there sugar cube. Come on, lets start buckin' these trees." Applejack responded, surprised at the strength of Skate's kick. They made their way around the farm, putting baskets underneath the trees then bucking the trunks, making all the apples fall. It took a few trees, but once Skate found the perfect amount of force to put behind her kick, she effortlessly bucked tree after tree. Skate and Applejack made a great team, they cleared almost half of the farm in just a few hours.

"Come on, lets rest a bit after this here tree. You're a natural Skate! Ah think ah'm gonna have ta pay ya 40 bits. Ah'm gonna go see if Apple Bloom is finished with her project. You can just sit here or come with me if ya want." Applejack told Skate.

"I'd like to go with you. It would be nice to at least say hi to Apple Bloom if she's not done." Skate replied. She followed Applejack through the apple orchards and to the farm house. Applejack walked in the front door and held it open for Skate, when Apple Bloom came down the stairs.

"Hiya sis, I just finished and was about to go out there an-" Apple Bloom started, but stopped when she saw the blue pegasus walk through the door.

"Skate!" She yelled joyfully.

"Hi Apple Bloom!" Skate replied in her own cheerful yell. They walked up to each other and locked into a tight hug.

"Its so nice to see you again! What brings you to Ponyville?" Apple Bloom asked Skate. They broke the hug and stood next to each other.

"I moved into the house on 128 Mane Street. I was sick of Canterlot and decided to move to Ponyville so I could be in a small town and still be able to easily visit Silver." Skate answered. Applejack walked to Skate, wondering if the "Silver" she had mentioned was the Silver she was thinking of.

"Wait, are y'all talkin' bout Princess Silver Dream? Luna's daughter, Silver Dream?" Applejack curiously asked.

"Yup, Silver and I have been best friends since before we even got our cutie marks." Skate answered. She used to find the question annoying, but after hearing it hundreds of times, she got used to it.

"Well ain't that somethin'. I'm gonna go back to buckin' apple trees, thank ya kindly Skate for your huge help, but me and Big Mac can get the rest of the fields. Ah'll let ya catch up with Apple Bloom." Applejack told Skate. A huge smile came on Skate's face, grateful for the money and for letting her speak with Apple Bloom.

"Thanks Applejack! Oh wait, before you go, I forgot to ask Twilight yesterday, who the hay is the pink pony with balloons as a cutie mark? She nearly gave me a heart attack yesterday. She popped out from no-" Skate began, but Apple Bloom and Applejack interrupted her at the same time.

"Pinkie Pie." They said at the same time. Then Apple Bloom continued, "Go to Sugar Cube Corner today, she lives and works there. She'll probably want to throw you a Welcome-To-Ponyville party. She does it with everypony. Sugar Cube Corner is in the middle of town, ya can't miss it."

"Oh I love parties. I'll make sure I do on my way home. But now, how have you been Apple Bloom?" Skate asked.

"I've been doing great! I recently sold a painting to some fancy art collector and he went to the Canterlot Art Museum and showed them it. They want to pay me 300 bits to put it in their museum. I've never been so happy! What about you? How have you been?" Apple Bloom cheerfully replied. Applejack silently slipped her way out of the house to get to work while the two young mares continued to chat.

"I'm okay, I really like my new house, its much bigger from my old one. And I've met quite a few nice ponies. Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy are among them. They're really nice ponies, I can see why they're the Element Bearers. But I do miss Silver Dream, but I'm sure I'll get over it eventually, I can still visit her whenever I like." Skate answered. Skate noticed a slight trace of concern in Apple Bloom's face. She gave her own expression of confusion, and Apple Bloom spoke.

"Do you still get the nightmares and flashbacks?" Apple Bloom asked quietly, concerned.

"Yes, they still haunt me. I don't know if they'll ever stop." Skate replied grimly, a sad expression on her face. Apple Bloom could tell Skate was struggling to keep tears from coming out. "They won't stop until he gets what he deserves. Until I see the same pain in his eyes. Until-" Skate continued with rage building up with every word.

"Skate, you know seeing the same pain will not make you feel better. You just need closure, that's all." Apple Bloom interrupted. Skate let out a few tears, and Apple Bloom gave Skate a warm embrace. They then continued to talk for hours. They continued to talk about Skate's haunted nightmares, but eventually they moved on to less grim subjects. Skate felt a lot better talking to an old friend. After about 4 hours, Applejack walked back into the house.

"Hiya girls, Big Mac and I just finished harvestin' the fields. Thanks a might for the help Skate! Here's your payment, 40 bits. Ah'm gonna go check on Big Mac, he was gettin' pretty tired when we were finishin' up." Applejack said.

"Thank you Applejack, it was nice talking to you and Apple Bloom. I should be going now, I have some things I need to do at my house. Thank you again for today!" Skate replied with a grin. "Bye girls!" She said as she was walking out of the door.

"Make sure you drop by Sugar Cube Corner on the way back!" Apple Bloom yelled at Skate.

"Okay!" She yelled back.

~~~~~

Sugar Cube Corner, here it is! Skate thought to herself. She pushed the door open and walked in, a bell ringing from the door being open. Skate walked up to the counter and ringed the bell there. From upstairs, Skate heard a loud thud and what sounded like hoofsteps going toward the stairs. From the stairs appeared a hyper pink pony, the same that had scared her so bad the day before. The pony let out the same loud gasp, and began speaking extremely fast.

"Oh my gosh you must be Skate Bluestar I'm Pinkie Pie its so nice to meet you we're going to be great friends and have funny times and smile and eat cupcakes and cake and muffins and hang out and I'm going to throw you a super duper awesome party tonight welcoming you to Ponyville and its gonna be awesome and the whole town will be there and we're gonna laugh and sing and have fun and play games and drink punch and cider and its just going to be amazing and the party starts at 8PM okay!!!" Pinkie said in one breathe. Skate stood there with eyebrows raised, unsure whether she should be scared of how hyper this pony is, or if she should laugh at it.

"How did you say that in one breath?" Skate asked while chuckling.

"I take in a big breath like this," Pinkie inhaled a large amount of air, "and then I let all out while I talk really fast and say everything I need to say before it runs out because I don't like waiting for me to take small breaths and say it slowly because that takes too long so do you have any other questions?"

"Uh, no. No more questions. Um, party! At 8PM. I'll be there!" Skate replied awkwardly.

"Okay! See you tonight here at Sugar Cube Corner!" The pink earth pony said energetically as usual.

Skate awkwardly made her way out of the store, and walked home. She walked up the steps to the door, pulled out her key to unlock it, then went in and locked the door behind her.

"Looks like I have to get ready for a party." Skate thought out loud.