Author's Note

I didn't think I could have a pure Apple Bloom & White Flame chapter. Heavy AU incoming.

Chapter 60: A Flame Against the Darkness (Bloom & Gloom AU)

Apple Bloom was a little dejected today. And it wouldn't be hard to understand why. It had been earlier that day when Diamond Tiara decided to pick on specifically Apple Bloom that day.

"So, still lacking a cutie mark, huh?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"No insult this time?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Actually, I'm just thinking, perhaps it's best you don't ever get a cutie mark. At least I have one my family is willling to accept. But considering how many family members I heard you have, I'd hate to be in your horseshoes if you got a cutie mark your family could NOT accept." Diamond Tiara said. "What I'm saying, maybe you should be glad you don't have a cutie mark. I mean, just think what would happen if you got a cutie mark your family couldn't accept, and thus, disowned you!" She added.

"Th-that'll never happen. Ah'll get the best cutie mark ever!" Apple Bloom argued.

"Right. Just keep telling yourself that. I bet you'll get a cutie mark that'll make you become an Anti-Apple in a matter of minutes!" Diamond Tiara said.

That was what did it. That was the straw that put Apple Bloom in a funk all day long. Not even her friends could help her.

And that was what made White Flame worried. Such negativity was a hot spot for Zanth. The unicorn colt knew that he needed to snap Apple Bloom out of this funk, and FAST.

That is why after School, White Flame headed for Sweet Apple Acres. He soon approuched Apple Bloom.

"Oh. Hey White Flame." Apple Bloom said.

"Still worrying over what Diamond Tiara said? You know what I say to what she said? That she doesn't know your family at all." White Flame said.

"H-huh?!" That got Apple Bloom's full attention.

"You think my cutie mark changed how my family viewed me? Because it didn't. Diamond Tiara is trying to get under your skin, and your letting her." White Flame said. "There's no way in the world your family would disown you just because you got a cutie mark that wasn't in line with the other Apples." He added.

"H-how can you be so sure?" Apple Bloom asked, voice a little shaky.

"Because they accepted me. And I'm about as different as it can get. Even Granny Smith doesn't mind that I hang out with you a lot. Not only am I a unicorn, but I'm also essentially a reborn being. That's about as out of place as it can get. And despite that, your family has accepted me. Heck, I've even been named an honorary Apple. And as you know, that's not given out lightly." White Flame explained. "So what if your cutie mark ends up different? That shouldn't change who you are, nor should it effect how your family treats you." He added.

"I...your right..." Apple Bloom said, coming out of her gloomy state. "Your certainly insightful sometimes White Flame." The earth filly said.

"Hey, you also accepted me for who I am. Despite everything I've told you, you refuse to see me for some pony besides the pony I am now. And that means more to me then you could ever think." White Flame said.

"Well, ah was honestly just trying to be a good friend." Apple Bloom said. "But then again, perhaps at this point, we're more than just friends." She added.

"Aren't we a little young to be special someponies? No clue what the future will hold." White Flame said.

"Screw what the future holds. Ah know in my heart, the two of us can tackle anything the future can throw at us. So long as we have each other and our friends." Apple Bloom said.

"...Heh. Now who's the insightful one?" White Flame asked, teasingly.

"Gotta hand it to White Flame, my sister has been doing much better. Far as ah'm concerned, he's more than earned his place as Apple Bloom's special somepony." Applejack said.

"He really is different then. Goes to show what I know." Discord said, currently disguised as a Pegasus stallion as he, the main six, Soarin, Fancy Pants, and Flash Sentry were all hanging about Canterlot.

"Yeah. Those two really get along, don't they?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Wish mom and dad could see my little sister now." Applejack said.

"They just might be. In their own way." Twilight said. "Gotta keep that hope alive, right?" She asked.

The next day, both the CMC and WFG were gathered at the CMC clubhouse.

"So, why are we all here exactly?" Rumble asked.

"It's kind of important." White Flame said. "After discussing things between us, Apple Bloom and I came to a realization about our two groups." He added.

"You mean besides our groups being opposite genders?" Button Mash asked.

"Yes Button Mash. Besides that. Just because you and Sweetie Belle play video games together a lot is a huge part of this meeting." White Flame said.

"Don't forget Rumble's continued help with my flying." Scootaloo said.

"And our continued flying sessions with Scootaloo's mom. And I don't mean that--" Rumble was suddenly interrupted when Scootaloo put a hoof in his mouth.

"I know my mom used that word to describe Mane Allgood, but that doesn't mean you get to repeat it." Scootaloo said.

"Besides, language!" Sweetie Belle said.

"All right, so what's going to happen here isn't much, but I figured it was best to make this official." Apple Bloom said, giving some capes to the three colts. "I think the three of us fillies can agree, you would make great additions to the CMC." Apple Bloom said.

"All right. Now we can hang out even more often!" Rumble said.

"What the heck? I'm game." Button Mash said.

"You already know my answer when we discussed this." White Flame said.

"Heh, I don't mind them joining one bit." Scootaloo said.

"We should get Pinkie Pie to throw a small party." Sweetie Belle said.

"ALREADY PLANNING ONE!" Pinkie Pie said, suddenly appearing from a nearby cabnit drawer.

"PINKIE!" The six foals said. The pink mare then vanished back into the drawer.

"Still don't get how she does that." White Flame said. "But then again, it's Pinkie Pie. Best not to question it." He added.