Sweet Apple Darknessby MellowSoulChaptersSongs for a Rainy DaySomber LaneShadows of GloomSullen Days (Interlude)Songs for a Rainy DayAuthor's Note Apple Bloom is now canonically a 2007 goth/emo/metal kid. I will not tolerate dissent! BOW, MORTALS! BOW! Songs for a Rainy Day Apple Bloom stared out her window as droplets of precipitation pelted against the glass. Winona slept softly next to her as the room was pervaded by sludgy guitars and tortured screams. The weather was just right for metal, and Apple Bloom's first selection was an obvious one. Inside the gears of her stereo, Zao's Funeral of God rotated in progression, tearing through each song with brutal, controlled precision. The filly reached over, petting her dog in a warm display of affection. "I feel ya, 'nona. Just that kinda day ain't it?" The girl sat in silence, waiting minute after minute for each song to end. When the last riff stopped, she rose to her hooves, ruffling her Possessed shirt and swaying the cross around her neck. She trotted downstairs into the kitchen. Because of the rain, no one could work, meaning the rest of the family had slept in. It was the perfect opportunity for some peace and quiet - or at least, what passed for it in the farm pony's world. Her thoughts were captivated by two subjects - food and television. In that regard, she wasn't much different from other children. Even Diamond couldn't resist the occasional Totino's roll or Twizzler. Apple Bloom looked around, checking for anything she could munch on. She found a bag of Doritos and a bottle of Mountain Dew on top of the refrigerator. "What is this? Fuckin' CoD land?" She decided against the treats, figuring they must've been her brother's. She opened the fridge door. There were fixings for sandwiches, cereal, and of course, lots of Apple products. "This family eats apples like crack. I swear." The filly sucked in her cheek, coming to a quick if less than ideal decision. "What the hay. Ain't had cereal in a while." She reached into the cupboard, pulling out a box of Applejacks. She promptly slammed it against her face. Apple Bloom decided on a quote, unquote "scary" movie over breakfast. Given the title was Freddy vs. Jason, she viewed it more as a comedy, but it had a good soundtrack. At least the crew knew how to pick music. She found herself laughing at certain points because of how ridiculous the death effects were. It was cartoonishly bad. Still, that didn't stop her from putting her bowl down to rock out to the music. By the end, she was jamming so hard she got whiplash. Big Mac came into the room as the credits rolled on-screen. "Havin' fun?" he questioned jovially. "Hell yeah! This movie's crazy!" The stallion wrapped a foreleg around his sister for a noogie. "Lemme go, ya ass!" "Nope." The pair burst out in a fit of laughter. Once they calmed down, they discussed their plans for the day. "Saw your stuff on the fridge. You gonna start CoD 4 today?" "Yup." "I'll probably call Sweetie and Scoots for a round of BioShock. It's pretty fun." "Wanna trade when we're done?" "Sure. How are Granny and AJ doin'?" "Granny'll be down soon. AJ ain't feelin' too well. Must've picked up somethin' outside." "I told ya them gotdang Apples wasn't no good." "All right, all right. It's just a summer flu. Probably spreadin' around right now. It ain't nothin' to worry about." "Says you." "Well, I'm older, so I know thangs." "You a clairvoyant? Got some demons in ya?" "Where in tarnation do you kids pick up this stuff?" "The internet. It's a scary place." "Tell me about it. Should probably stay offline until you're older." Big Mac did a double take, realizing what he'd just said. "On second thought, don't go there ever." "I'm with ya, brother. Should we make her some soup or somethin'?" "Later. Better to let her rest right now." "I gotcha. I'm gonna head back upstairs. I'll see ya for lunch." "All right. Just try to keep the volume down today." "I will." The filly booted up her computer, typing in her credentials for Skype. She selected a custom chat she'd made specifically for the crusaders. "You guys wanna vid chat?" Scootaloo was the first to reply. "Nothin' better to do." Sweetie Belle followed suit, informing them of her sister's situation. "Same here. Rarity was gonna deliver some dresses today, but had to postpone 'cause of the rain." Apple Bloom replied quickly, firing up BioShock as she originally intended. "Who's turn is it to pick the music?" "Mine." Sweetie responded. "Oh, great," Scootaloo huffed, "We get to listen to Beyoncé for the billionth time this week." "Hey, her music's good! Besides, I have some other stuff you might actually like." "This, I gotta hear." Scootaloo initiated the call, eager to see what her friends had in store. "So? What ya got?" "It's an album called 'The Fall of Ideals' by All That Remains." "I know those guys," Apple Bloom revealed, "Good band." "It's kinda heavy like the stuff you guys are into, but it's got more normal singing." "Is it auto-tuned?" Scootaloo asked warily. "I don't think so." "Huh. Might actually be good, then. Let it rip." "Just one second..." Sweetie selected the record from her playlist. Scootaloo was surprised to learn it matched her description to a t. "Hey! It's actually not bad!" "Figured you'd like it." "Ya know," Apple Bloom interjected, "we're kinda like that meme with the Slayer and Anthrax guys." "Love that meme," Scootaloo exclaimed, "I'm the Slayer guy. You're Anthrax." "That's 'cause YOU need to take a fuckin' chill pill." "I can't help it. Crazy runs in my veins." "You're both nuts." Sweetie pointed out. "Oh, yeah." Apple Bloom remembered. "You gobble 'em..." Scootaloo uttered. "What was that?" Sweetie perked. "Nothing!" Apple Bloom tuned out the squabble, opting to focus on her game. When it was Scootaloo's turn to pick the music, Sweetie rolled her eyes. "Why am I even friends with you people?" "'cause we're dead inside and need a sounding board for our collective existential dread." "Aren't we ten?" Scootaloo shrugged. "Things've changed since Cheerilee's day." "True." Apple Bloom heard a knock at her door. "Lunchtime!" Big Mac called out. "Comin'!" "That Big Mac?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah. I'll be back in a minute. It's rainin' cats and dogs right now." "Tell him to send nudes!" "Yeah, yeah." Apple Bloom left the room. There was no point in muting the microphone. She'd be back soon anyway, provided the power didn't give out. Even if it did, they had a generator to keep 'em goin' for a few hours. She strolled down the stairs for lunch. Somber LaneAuthor's Note "The blackness that falls is coming to stay! Under the snow lies angels so cold, yet with each crystal of frost that is falling, another story is told! A spell was cast and the sky turned red, and the angel's heart froze to ice in the gloomy sky - the silence where dead angels lie!" Somber Lane Downstairs, Apple Bloom consumed her meal in a calm, relaxed manner. She seemed lost in thought - a fact noted by her family. "You all right, youngin," Granny asked, "Ya usually eat like a wolf on the hunt." "Yeah. Just tryin' to think what to do with myself." "Are ya bored?" "Nah. It's just...I dunno. I feel like situations like this show us what the world's really like, ya know?" "Situations like what?" "Bein' stuck inside, lookin' for ways to kill time. I wonder what it'd be like if it kept goin' every day." "My old mind ain't what it used to be, but it sounds to me like you're talkin' about the apocalypse." "Maybe..." "Tell me. child - are ya lonely?" "A little. I'm sorry..." "It ain't your fault. I know we don't have much time for ya outside the farm. Talkin' to your friends on that there internet ain't the same as seein' 'em outside. The head can go to some pretty deep places when you're left alone." "I know. I just wish I knew what to do about it." "Ya gotta let it out some way. Ya leave it alone to fester, it'll eat ya alive." "Not gonna lie: sounds pretty metal." "Now this is serious, young lady. Whenever somethin's on your mind, you tell us, understand? Keepin' your head straight ain't no joke." "I gotcha, granny. I will." "Why don't you take Applejack her food? I'm sure she'll be glad to see a familiar face." Apple Bloom cleaned her dish in compliance with her grandmother's request. Once the filly was out of earshot, the elder mare conversed with her grandson. "How'd you know what she was thinkin'?" "When's the last time you seen me have a friend over, Mac? All them old goats are long gone." "There ain't many of ya left, huh?" "I'm the last one." "Are ya scared?" "When my time comes, it comes. I've lived a long life: carried a lot of burdens. Losin' your ma and pa was the worst. Truth is, y'all are all Apple Bloom's got. I'm countin' on you to take care of her when I'm gone." "Don't count yourself out yet. Ya've still got some fight left in ya." "Goddamn right! I ain't ready to leave just yet. Gotta make sure you knuckleheads don't run my business into the ground!" Upstairs, Apple Bloom found her sister surrounded by mountains of tissue. Her nose was reder than a bloody beet left in the oven a few minutes too long. "You look like Rudolph." the filly teased. "Shush, you. You're one to talk, lookin' like jailbait for horny old pervs." "Least I'd get reward money from the cops." Applejack rolled back her eyes, too worn out to think of a comeback. "Begh." "I brought you some soup. It's tomato - your favorite." The child handed her sister the bowl, her goofy expression replaced by heartfelt concern. "Sorry you feel so bad. I wish there was somethin' I could do." "You've done plenty. I'm takin' medicine for it now. I'll be right as rain before ya know it." "Heh. Irony." "I heard you guys downstairs. You know you can come to me when you're feelin' blue, right?" "I know...I guess...I just don't want to drag others into my problems." "People don't just feel that way for no reason. World's a hard place to live. That's why we got each other." "Ya think?" "Without you, Mac, and Granny, I woulda done lost my mind ages ago. Y'all keep me sane when I'm feel like there ain't no reason to try." "I feel the same." "I love ya, sis. Nothin' in the world's ever gonna change that." Apple Bloom wrapped her sister in a crushing embrace. "Oof! Careful. Right now these old bones feel like Granny." "Sorry." Applejack smiled at her sibling, tilting he head to lamp desk next to them. "Check inside. I got somethin' for ya." Apple Bloom obliged, opening the top drawer. She found a notebook decorated with a butterfly graphic. "Somethin' Granny got me for school a few years ago. Never ended up usin' it." "A notebook?" "Figured you'd put it to better use. I know how much you love that nonsense with your video games and music and shit." Apple Bloom gazed starry-eyed into the blank pages of her new outlet. "I want you to write in that when somethin' comes to mind." "I have an idea. I'll be back in a minute." The filly jogged back to her room, reappearing on-camera for her friends. "Oh, no," Scootaloo joked, "It's the creature from the black lagoon!" "Hey, guys. I'm gonna get off for a bit and spend some time with Applejack. I'll be back later." "Leave Winona on." "Why?" "Dogs have hypnotic powers. True fact." "Whatever you say, Gorge Washingbitch." Scootaloo smirked. "Good one." "I learned from the best." "Check your WoW account when you get back. Left a little surprise for ya." "What did you do?" "You'll see." "Whatever. Later, butt-munches." "10-4, Slutty McSlutterson." Sweetie snickered. Somewhere, in a place no one would ever suspect, she kept an exact record of Rarity's body count. Winona jumped on Apple Bloom's chair, commanding her friends to speak in foal talk. "Must. Obey. Dog!" Scootaloo cracked. Sweetie snorted in hysterical laughter akin to Pinkie Pie. Shadows of GloomAuthor's Note Shadows of Gloom Apple Bloom sat at her sister's side, listening to melo-death while she scribbled in her journal. "Whatcha writin'?" Applejack questioned, curious what her sibling's brain could've cooked up in just a matter of seconds. "A story." "What about?" "Angel fallin' in love with a pony." "Sounds hot." "It ain't that kinda story." "I know, I know. I'm just messin' with ya." "Ya ever seen Blood: The Last Vampire?" "Heard about it back in the day. Can't say I've seen it." "It's all dark and slow: real emo stuff. It's kinda like that, but not really." "I gotcha." A moment of silence passed before the pair spoke again. "What're these guys called, anyway?" "Eucharist." "Like in the bible?" "Yeah." "Surprised you still read that thang. Figured you didn't believe in it anymore." "I don't. Just somethin' ingrained in redneck DNA I guess." "True." "Ya ever wonder why that is?" "Incest, probably." "That's uncomfortable." "You asked." "Ya think Ma and Pa were siblings?" "Nah. None of us are mutants." "Good point." "Do you remember anything about 'em?" "Nah. I was too little to remember much of anythang. I don't even know what happened to 'em." "We don't neither. Just one day up and went missin'. Was the last we heard from 'em." "Which one ya think it was: milk or cigarettes?" "Wasn't nothin' like that. Nobody knows." "Eighth wonder of the world, huh?" "Looks like it." "I'm about as far as I'm gonna get for now. You should get some rest." "You gonna smother me in my sleep." "Takes too long. Ain't effective to kill somebody if they still got the strength to move." "Now I'm really worried." "I'm gonna finish talkin' to Scoots and Sweetie Belle. Still gotta try Crysis before I go to jail." "Okay, well, I love ya, sis." "Not in that way I hope." "Get outta here, fucknut." Apple Bloom smiled. Despite the gap in age, her sister could still keep up with the best of 'em. "We're a fucked up ass family, ain't we?" "Darn tootin'." "Want me to turn off the music?" "Nah. I kinda like it. Pretty relaxin' when the volume's low." "I'll check on you before I go to bed." "See ya then." "Night." "Night." Back in her room, Apple Bloom lifted Winona onto her lap. She seemed notably less cheerful than she had earlier in the day. This shift in mood didn't escape her friends. Scootaloo tried acting like her usual stupid self, hoping something would give. "Hey, Apple Bloom, me and Sweetie are havin' a debate. What are your thoughts on abortion?" "How am I supposed to eat 'em if their ho-bag mamas keep killin' 'em?" "That's what I said!" "Are you okay," Sweetie asked, unable to keep up the charade any longer, "You look kinda tired." "I'm always tired." Apple Bloom answered honestly. "And here millenials thought they were burnt out." Scootaloo teased, praying to God she could break the tension weighing over their conversation. "Guys, I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight. I was gonna play Crysis, but I don't feel like it anymore." "You're not goin' anywhere. The shit going through your head's as plain as your snout." "Some days it just gets to me more than others. I'll be fine tomorrow." "Somehow I don't believe you." "Would you relax? It's not what ya think." "You better come over in the morning. You don't, I'm gonna smack your corpse." "Cross my heart and hope to die." "Stick a cupcake in your eye?" "You know it." "You so much as think about offin' yourself, you call us, ya hear? We're not lettin' you go anywhere alone." Apple Bloom couldn't hold her tears back any longer. "I just want everything to stop..." "I know, kid...I know..." Sullen Days (Interlude)While Apple Bloom ate downstairs, Scootaloo and Sweetie spoke amongst themselves. "Hey, Scoots?" "'sup?" "Do you ever feel like Apple Bloom's...I dunno...Depressed...?" "Probably. Who can blame her? Mom and dad are gone, she lives in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere, and her family can't afford therapy. I'd feel the same." "Don't you live in the woods, though?" "We're closer to town than she is. It's a lot easier for me to get around." "I never thought about it like that..." "Don't feel too down. She's the leader for a reason." "Yeah. I guess that's true." "Hey, I know a good way to fuck with her if you want a good laugh." "I dunno. She might get mad." "Better to be pissed off than an emotionally vacant husk, right?" "Good point. Just promise me you won't take it too far." "Promise. Now follow my lead." Author's Note
Songs for a Rainy DayAuthor's Note Apple Bloom is now canonically a 2007 goth/emo/metal kid. I will not tolerate dissent! BOW, MORTALS! BOW! Songs for a Rainy Day Apple Bloom stared out her window as droplets of precipitation pelted against the glass. Winona slept softly next to her as the room was pervaded by sludgy guitars and tortured screams. The weather was just right for metal, and Apple Bloom's first selection was an obvious one. Inside the gears of her stereo, Zao's Funeral of God rotated in progression, tearing through each song with brutal, controlled precision. The filly reached over, petting her dog in a warm display of affection. "I feel ya, 'nona. Just that kinda day ain't it?" The girl sat in silence, waiting minute after minute for each song to end. When the last riff stopped, she rose to her hooves, ruffling her Possessed shirt and swaying the cross around her neck. She trotted downstairs into the kitchen. Because of the rain, no one could work, meaning the rest of the family had slept in. It was the perfect opportunity for some peace and quiet - or at least, what passed for it in the farm pony's world. Her thoughts were captivated by two subjects - food and television. In that regard, she wasn't much different from other children. Even Diamond couldn't resist the occasional Totino's roll or Twizzler. Apple Bloom looked around, checking for anything she could munch on. She found a bag of Doritos and a bottle of Mountain Dew on top of the refrigerator. "What is this? Fuckin' CoD land?" She decided against the treats, figuring they must've been her brother's. She opened the fridge door. There were fixings for sandwiches, cereal, and of course, lots of Apple products. "This family eats apples like crack. I swear." The filly sucked in her cheek, coming to a quick if less than ideal decision. "What the hay. Ain't had cereal in a while." She reached into the cupboard, pulling out a box of Applejacks. She promptly slammed it against her face. Apple Bloom decided on a quote, unquote "scary" movie over breakfast. Given the title was Freddy vs. Jason, she viewed it more as a comedy, but it had a good soundtrack. At least the crew knew how to pick music. She found herself laughing at certain points because of how ridiculous the death effects were. It was cartoonishly bad. Still, that didn't stop her from putting her bowl down to rock out to the music. By the end, she was jamming so hard she got whiplash. Big Mac came into the room as the credits rolled on-screen. "Havin' fun?" he questioned jovially. "Hell yeah! This movie's crazy!" The stallion wrapped a foreleg around his sister for a noogie. "Lemme go, ya ass!" "Nope." The pair burst out in a fit of laughter. Once they calmed down, they discussed their plans for the day. "Saw your stuff on the fridge. You gonna start CoD 4 today?" "Yup." "I'll probably call Sweetie and Scoots for a round of BioShock. It's pretty fun." "Wanna trade when we're done?" "Sure. How are Granny and AJ doin'?" "Granny'll be down soon. AJ ain't feelin' too well. Must've picked up somethin' outside." "I told ya them gotdang Apples wasn't no good." "All right, all right. It's just a summer flu. Probably spreadin' around right now. It ain't nothin' to worry about." "Says you." "Well, I'm older, so I know thangs." "You a clairvoyant? Got some demons in ya?" "Where in tarnation do you kids pick up this stuff?" "The internet. It's a scary place." "Tell me about it. Should probably stay offline until you're older." Big Mac did a double take, realizing what he'd just said. "On second thought, don't go there ever." "I'm with ya, brother. Should we make her some soup or somethin'?" "Later. Better to let her rest right now." "I gotcha. I'm gonna head back upstairs. I'll see ya for lunch." "All right. Just try to keep the volume down today." "I will." The filly booted up her computer, typing in her credentials for Skype. She selected a custom chat she'd made specifically for the crusaders. "You guys wanna vid chat?" Scootaloo was the first to reply. "Nothin' better to do." Sweetie Belle followed suit, informing them of her sister's situation. "Same here. Rarity was gonna deliver some dresses today, but had to postpone 'cause of the rain." Apple Bloom replied quickly, firing up BioShock as she originally intended. "Who's turn is it to pick the music?" "Mine." Sweetie responded. "Oh, great," Scootaloo huffed, "We get to listen to Beyoncé for the billionth time this week." "Hey, her music's good! Besides, I have some other stuff you might actually like." "This, I gotta hear." Scootaloo initiated the call, eager to see what her friends had in store. "So? What ya got?" "It's an album called 'The Fall of Ideals' by All That Remains." "I know those guys," Apple Bloom revealed, "Good band." "It's kinda heavy like the stuff you guys are into, but it's got more normal singing." "Is it auto-tuned?" Scootaloo asked warily. "I don't think so." "Huh. Might actually be good, then. Let it rip." "Just one second..." Sweetie selected the record from her playlist. Scootaloo was surprised to learn it matched her description to a t. "Hey! It's actually not bad!" "Figured you'd like it." "Ya know," Apple Bloom interjected, "we're kinda like that meme with the Slayer and Anthrax guys." "Love that meme," Scootaloo exclaimed, "I'm the Slayer guy. You're Anthrax." "That's 'cause YOU need to take a fuckin' chill pill." "I can't help it. Crazy runs in my veins." "You're both nuts." Sweetie pointed out. "Oh, yeah." Apple Bloom remembered. "You gobble 'em..." Scootaloo uttered. "What was that?" Sweetie perked. "Nothing!" Apple Bloom tuned out the squabble, opting to focus on her game. When it was Scootaloo's turn to pick the music, Sweetie rolled her eyes. "Why am I even friends with you people?" "'cause we're dead inside and need a sounding board for our collective existential dread." "Aren't we ten?" Scootaloo shrugged. "Things've changed since Cheerilee's day." "True." Apple Bloom heard a knock at her door. "Lunchtime!" Big Mac called out. "Comin'!" "That Big Mac?" Scootaloo asked. "Yeah. I'll be back in a minute. It's rainin' cats and dogs right now." "Tell him to send nudes!" "Yeah, yeah." Apple Bloom left the room. There was no point in muting the microphone. She'd be back soon anyway, provided the power didn't give out. Even if it did, they had a generator to keep 'em goin' for a few hours. She strolled down the stairs for lunch.
Somber LaneAuthor's Note "The blackness that falls is coming to stay! Under the snow lies angels so cold, yet with each crystal of frost that is falling, another story is told! A spell was cast and the sky turned red, and the angel's heart froze to ice in the gloomy sky - the silence where dead angels lie!" Somber Lane Downstairs, Apple Bloom consumed her meal in a calm, relaxed manner. She seemed lost in thought - a fact noted by her family. "You all right, youngin," Granny asked, "Ya usually eat like a wolf on the hunt." "Yeah. Just tryin' to think what to do with myself." "Are ya bored?" "Nah. It's just...I dunno. I feel like situations like this show us what the world's really like, ya know?" "Situations like what?" "Bein' stuck inside, lookin' for ways to kill time. I wonder what it'd be like if it kept goin' every day." "My old mind ain't what it used to be, but it sounds to me like you're talkin' about the apocalypse." "Maybe..." "Tell me. child - are ya lonely?" "A little. I'm sorry..." "It ain't your fault. I know we don't have much time for ya outside the farm. Talkin' to your friends on that there internet ain't the same as seein' 'em outside. The head can go to some pretty deep places when you're left alone." "I know. I just wish I knew what to do about it." "Ya gotta let it out some way. Ya leave it alone to fester, it'll eat ya alive." "Not gonna lie: sounds pretty metal." "Now this is serious, young lady. Whenever somethin's on your mind, you tell us, understand? Keepin' your head straight ain't no joke." "I gotcha, granny. I will." "Why don't you take Applejack her food? I'm sure she'll be glad to see a familiar face." Apple Bloom cleaned her dish in compliance with her grandmother's request. Once the filly was out of earshot, the elder mare conversed with her grandson. "How'd you know what she was thinkin'?" "When's the last time you seen me have a friend over, Mac? All them old goats are long gone." "There ain't many of ya left, huh?" "I'm the last one." "Are ya scared?" "When my time comes, it comes. I've lived a long life: carried a lot of burdens. Losin' your ma and pa was the worst. Truth is, y'all are all Apple Bloom's got. I'm countin' on you to take care of her when I'm gone." "Don't count yourself out yet. Ya've still got some fight left in ya." "Goddamn right! I ain't ready to leave just yet. Gotta make sure you knuckleheads don't run my business into the ground!" Upstairs, Apple Bloom found her sister surrounded by mountains of tissue. Her nose was reder than a bloody beet left in the oven a few minutes too long. "You look like Rudolph." the filly teased. "Shush, you. You're one to talk, lookin' like jailbait for horny old pervs." "Least I'd get reward money from the cops." Applejack rolled back her eyes, too worn out to think of a comeback. "Begh." "I brought you some soup. It's tomato - your favorite." The child handed her sister the bowl, her goofy expression replaced by heartfelt concern. "Sorry you feel so bad. I wish there was somethin' I could do." "You've done plenty. I'm takin' medicine for it now. I'll be right as rain before ya know it." "Heh. Irony." "I heard you guys downstairs. You know you can come to me when you're feelin' blue, right?" "I know...I guess...I just don't want to drag others into my problems." "People don't just feel that way for no reason. World's a hard place to live. That's why we got each other." "Ya think?" "Without you, Mac, and Granny, I woulda done lost my mind ages ago. Y'all keep me sane when I'm feel like there ain't no reason to try." "I feel the same." "I love ya, sis. Nothin' in the world's ever gonna change that." Apple Bloom wrapped her sister in a crushing embrace. "Oof! Careful. Right now these old bones feel like Granny." "Sorry." Applejack smiled at her sibling, tilting he head to lamp desk next to them. "Check inside. I got somethin' for ya." Apple Bloom obliged, opening the top drawer. She found a notebook decorated with a butterfly graphic. "Somethin' Granny got me for school a few years ago. Never ended up usin' it." "A notebook?" "Figured you'd put it to better use. I know how much you love that nonsense with your video games and music and shit." Apple Bloom gazed starry-eyed into the blank pages of her new outlet. "I want you to write in that when somethin' comes to mind." "I have an idea. I'll be back in a minute." The filly jogged back to her room, reappearing on-camera for her friends. "Oh, no," Scootaloo joked, "It's the creature from the black lagoon!" "Hey, guys. I'm gonna get off for a bit and spend some time with Applejack. I'll be back later." "Leave Winona on." "Why?" "Dogs have hypnotic powers. True fact." "Whatever you say, Gorge Washingbitch." Scootaloo smirked. "Good one." "I learned from the best." "Check your WoW account when you get back. Left a little surprise for ya." "What did you do?" "You'll see." "Whatever. Later, butt-munches." "10-4, Slutty McSlutterson." Sweetie snickered. Somewhere, in a place no one would ever suspect, she kept an exact record of Rarity's body count. Winona jumped on Apple Bloom's chair, commanding her friends to speak in foal talk. "Must. Obey. Dog!" Scootaloo cracked. Sweetie snorted in hysterical laughter akin to Pinkie Pie.
Shadows of GloomAuthor's Note Shadows of Gloom Apple Bloom sat at her sister's side, listening to melo-death while she scribbled in her journal. "Whatcha writin'?" Applejack questioned, curious what her sibling's brain could've cooked up in just a matter of seconds. "A story." "What about?" "Angel fallin' in love with a pony." "Sounds hot." "It ain't that kinda story." "I know, I know. I'm just messin' with ya." "Ya ever seen Blood: The Last Vampire?" "Heard about it back in the day. Can't say I've seen it." "It's all dark and slow: real emo stuff. It's kinda like that, but not really." "I gotcha." A moment of silence passed before the pair spoke again. "What're these guys called, anyway?" "Eucharist." "Like in the bible?" "Yeah." "Surprised you still read that thang. Figured you didn't believe in it anymore." "I don't. Just somethin' ingrained in redneck DNA I guess." "True." "Ya ever wonder why that is?" "Incest, probably." "That's uncomfortable." "You asked." "Ya think Ma and Pa were siblings?" "Nah. None of us are mutants." "Good point." "Do you remember anything about 'em?" "Nah. I was too little to remember much of anythang. I don't even know what happened to 'em." "We don't neither. Just one day up and went missin'. Was the last we heard from 'em." "Which one ya think it was: milk or cigarettes?" "Wasn't nothin' like that. Nobody knows." "Eighth wonder of the world, huh?" "Looks like it." "I'm about as far as I'm gonna get for now. You should get some rest." "You gonna smother me in my sleep." "Takes too long. Ain't effective to kill somebody if they still got the strength to move." "Now I'm really worried." "I'm gonna finish talkin' to Scoots and Sweetie Belle. Still gotta try Crysis before I go to jail." "Okay, well, I love ya, sis." "Not in that way I hope." "Get outta here, fucknut." Apple Bloom smiled. Despite the gap in age, her sister could still keep up with the best of 'em. "We're a fucked up ass family, ain't we?" "Darn tootin'." "Want me to turn off the music?" "Nah. I kinda like it. Pretty relaxin' when the volume's low." "I'll check on you before I go to bed." "See ya then." "Night." "Night." Back in her room, Apple Bloom lifted Winona onto her lap. She seemed notably less cheerful than she had earlier in the day. This shift in mood didn't escape her friends. Scootaloo tried acting like her usual stupid self, hoping something would give. "Hey, Apple Bloom, me and Sweetie are havin' a debate. What are your thoughts on abortion?" "How am I supposed to eat 'em if their ho-bag mamas keep killin' 'em?" "That's what I said!" "Are you okay," Sweetie asked, unable to keep up the charade any longer, "You look kinda tired." "I'm always tired." Apple Bloom answered honestly. "And here millenials thought they were burnt out." Scootaloo teased, praying to God she could break the tension weighing over their conversation. "Guys, I think I'm gonna turn in early tonight. I was gonna play Crysis, but I don't feel like it anymore." "You're not goin' anywhere. The shit going through your head's as plain as your snout." "Some days it just gets to me more than others. I'll be fine tomorrow." "Somehow I don't believe you." "Would you relax? It's not what ya think." "You better come over in the morning. You don't, I'm gonna smack your corpse." "Cross my heart and hope to die." "Stick a cupcake in your eye?" "You know it." "You so much as think about offin' yourself, you call us, ya hear? We're not lettin' you go anywhere alone." Apple Bloom couldn't hold her tears back any longer. "I just want everything to stop..." "I know, kid...I know..."
Sullen Days (Interlude)While Apple Bloom ate downstairs, Scootaloo and Sweetie spoke amongst themselves. "Hey, Scoots?" "'sup?" "Do you ever feel like Apple Bloom's...I dunno...Depressed...?" "Probably. Who can blame her? Mom and dad are gone, she lives in the middle of bum-fuck nowhere, and her family can't afford therapy. I'd feel the same." "Don't you live in the woods, though?" "We're closer to town than she is. It's a lot easier for me to get around." "I never thought about it like that..." "Don't feel too down. She's the leader for a reason." "Yeah. I guess that's true." "Hey, I know a good way to fuck with her if you want a good laugh." "I dunno. She might get mad." "Better to be pissed off than an emotionally vacant husk, right?" "Good point. Just promise me you won't take it too far." "Promise. Now follow my lead." Author's Note
