Survival Through Resignation

Rumble didn't watch the group for very long. Perhaps he intended to, but after receiving a notice from Lily, he had her take over the watch while he walked off. This change in supervisor was not really much of a change to Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon at first, but it wasn't long before the fillies started slacking off and pretending to be hurt, or tired. The whining, the mares could stomach. It was how they slowed down that caused them distress.

Honestly, right now, Apple Bloom hoped one of the zebras would whip one of these kids, and the other would fall into line. She didn't mind being part of a team, as long as everyone on that team was applying the same amount of effort.

Then they came to a full stop. That was agonizing. All Apple Bloom had wanted today was to finish the whole field and be sent back to her quarters to rest. This equipment was heavy, and would be easiest to operate if she kept a steady momentum. Starting and stopping was making her more tired than just pulling it. She could be done in less than an hour if she just did everything herself.

That's when her stubborn pride kicked in. "Lily, we have ta stay together or be whupped, right?"

"That's right."

Apple Bloom nodded. "Ah come from the most ill-behaved group of slaves at the school, and this is the route Ah'm gonna take. Whip me if ya can!"

Digging her toes into the soil, she started up immediately and pulled the plow at the speed she had wanted to go at all day, powering through the dirt easily.

Silver Spoon thought for a moment and looked back at the fillies that had given up, then to Apple Bloom plowing ahead, then finally to Lily. "I can't fall behind, I'd be holding everypony up." Pushing her planting machine forward, she soon caught up to Apple Bloom just as she was turning a corner.

This was much faster, and also easier. It did receive a nasty look from Rumble as he moved past, though, dragging Sweetie Belle behind him. He didn't look angry, just disappointed. Apple Bloom was ready to receive her punishment, though, and Silver Spoon was ready to say that she thought she was doing the right thing by staying close to her.

It took almost forty-five minutes to finish all the plowing and seeding, and in that time, the irrigator had barely moved. Apple Bloom hooked herself in and pulled it along as the fillies should have been doing all along, not only carrying the entire apparatus, but dragging the girls along, too, as they rode on top of the yoke. Despite the extra weight, she handled it with relative ease, even without Silver's help, who was just walking beside her.

As they rounded the first corner, the barn door opened, and Sweetie walked out, looking excited as she walked away. Rumble followed her out, storming over to the group. "What did I say about staying together?!" he demanded. "What did I say about teamwork?"

Silver Spoon fell to her knees. "Master, I tried to stay with my team. But when they went off in opposite directions, I had to make a snap decision, and I opted to stay with the team that would actually finish the job. I was only thinking of how best to serve you, Master."

While Apple Bloom was not fond of Silver Spoon, she had made part of the job easier. Perhaps she had learned the lesson about teamwork, in that the entire team has to work. "It was my idea," she growled. "Nopony here except me was misbehavin'. You can punish me all ya want, so long as the first step of that is finishin' this whole field on my own."

Rumble shook his head. "You're going to finish on your own," he growled. "Then go back to your quarters with Lily." He turned to Lily. "You're going to make sure she stays there, and you're also going to fill out a full report." Finally, he turned to Silver Spoon. "And you, you're coming to the barn with me, right now."

"Y-yes, Master," shivered Silver Spoon, standing up and walking toward the barn. Apple Bloom immediately felt remorse for her. She hadn't wanted to cause trouble for Silver Spoon, and had opted to take all the trouble onto her own shoulders, but it didn't seem to have helped.

Under Lily's watchful eye and still carrying two fillies, Apple Bloom finished the job. As soon as she was finished, the two fillies that had been too tired to work sprinted off to their rooms while Apple Bloom put away most of the equipment in their designated sheds. Lily helped, of course, then escorted Apple Bloom back to her quarters.

"I know this doesn't mean much coming from me, as I'm being made to keep you here," sighed Lily, "but that was something I've not seen before. Very few ponies I know would brave the lash like that."

"Ah learned it from Applejack. If ya finish your work early, you can take some time off later. Ah wanted ta be able to finish before we ran outta daylight. Ah don't fancy plowin' a field after dark."

"Nope. That's a safety hazard. For what it's worth, I stand behind your decision."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Silver Spoon came in with Rumble. She sat on her bed, a blank stare on her face. Lily stepped outside the door with Rumble and they talked for a few minutes. Silver said nothing, and as she looked like she was trying to compile her emotions, Apple Bloom left her alone. If she needed a hand to hold, Apple Bloom would stay as long as she could, but that depended on Rumble.

Sweetie Belle came in a moment later. "Hey, girls. Busy day?"

Apple Bloom snorted. "Glad you're chipper."

"I received good news," smiled Sweetie. "I can't say what it is, right now, but there's something good in my future."

"Was it that hour you spent in the barn with Rumble?" asked Silver. Sweetie Belle smiled and nodded. "I received the same news, but I don't know if it was good..."

"How about you, Apple Bloom?"

She shook her head. "Ah haven't been out there yet."

"I'm sure he'll take you soon."

As if cued by Sweetie Belle's statement, Rumble pushed the door open. "Apple Bloom. Come with me to the barn, now."