Author's Note

I know I'm a day late for the update this go around. I really have no excuse here, so I do hope that you'll accept my apology. So, while it's a day late, here comes Hamtaro to make your weekend become that much brighter.

Season 3: Episode 7 - Takes One to Know One (One Bad Apple AU)

It was a seemingly ordinary day in Ponyville, though it seems the CMC is up to something on this fine day.

"Tell me again why we're at the train station?" Scootaloo asked.

"Because my cousin Babs Seed is coming." Apple Bloom said. "And I'm really hoping to make her feel welcome around here."

"Do you even know what your cousin is like?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Hey, you have me. I may only be a hamster, but I know how to keep others in line." Sparkle said.

"There you go again with sort of bringing up your background as an actress." Scootaloo said.

"It's just as surprising to me just how much that comes up." Sparkle said.

That's when the group was caught off guard by a giant golden apple being sighted that was apperently from manhatten. And this caught even Sparkle off guard.

"...Of course perhaps, this is going to be when something else from my past comes into play instead of my actress background." Sparkle.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Apple Bloom asked. But by the time she asked, Sparkle had jumped off her and gone somewhere that she wasn't sure of.

"...One of these days, Sparkle has got to tell us how hamsters do that." Scootaloo said.

Diamond Tiara was trying to play suck-up to Babs Seed, and it was looking like it was going to work. However, suddenly a kart ran by, getting mud all over her. This caused Babs Seed to just burst out laughing and ruined all of Diamond Tiara's progress.

"...We're leaving Silver Spoon..." Diamond Tiara said. She and Silver Spoon then left.

"Oh man, that was priceless!" Babs Seed said.

"How convenient, wouldn't you say?"

"Huh? Who said that?" Babs Seed asked, looking around.

"Your looking in all the wrong places."

"Okay seriously, whose saying that? I swear I'm not crazy. I-I think..." Babs Seed said.

"Ahem, try looking down." Babs Seed did so, and that's when she saw none other then Sparkle. "Hiya." The hamster said.

Babs Seed blinked. "A-A talking hamster?! My mother warned me Ponyville was the weird magnet of Equestria, and apparently, that was an understatement." The filly said.

"Wow, where have you been the past few months? Talking hamsters in Equestria is old news. What, did the news that talking hamsters got magically transported to Equestria not reach the streets of Manehatten or something?" Sparkle asked.

Babs Seed suddenly blinked some more. Who is this hamster? And why does she talk like she's from the city? Babs thought to herself. However, Sparkle was suddenly gone. "Now where'd she go?" The filly asked.

"Up here." Sparkle said, dropping down in front of Babs Seed's eyes from the top of her head.

"What the...how did you do that?!" Babs Seed exclaimed.

"Hamster trade secret." Sparkle said. "But on a serious note, when I noticed you arrive in that fancy golden apple float, I knew right away what kind of person you like to prop yourself up as. And I'm here to bring you back down to earth before you do something you'll regret."

"And how do you believe I'll do something like that?" Babs Seed asked.

"Because admittedly, you and I share more then you think we do. I know your type. The kind who thinks that they can be above everyone just because you come from a place with a lot of celebrities." Sparkle said. "And from what I've researched, a lot of famous ponies live in Manehatten."

"Wh-where could you have lived that is similar enough to Manehatten?" Babs Seed asked.

"Well like I hinted at earlier, a bunch of hamsters were teleported into Equestria. Me included. In the place I come from, I was this super mega star actress hamster, and the place I lived was called Hollywood." Sparkle began.

Sometime later, Babs Seed found herself in the CMC clubhouse thanks to Sparkle. Who had shared her entire life story the entire time over there.

"So, this is what Sparkle meet when she said that she'd be pulling something different from her past." Scootaloo said.

"Yeah, sort of put me straight. I didn't know ya kept such a unique friend as part of your club for finding cutie marks cuz." Babs said.

"To be fair, the main reason she hangs around, is because she feels like she's lost her place being an actress, so she's more than willing to hang out with us and see if there's not something else for her." Apple Bloom said.

"...We really do share a lot in common huh? I thought I was going to be a big actress but...well...it's embarrasing to admit, but...I don't have a cutie mark. Not even in acting." Babs said.

"Well, it's a good thing your amongst good company then, because your cousin and her two pony friends don't have cutie marks either." Sparkle said. "And really, don't be too discouraged so quickly. Just ah, if you do happen to become an actress, don't get such a big head about it. Trust me, you'll push potential friends away if you do."

"You know, Rarity told me you do do make up for hamsters at the Ham Ham clubhouse; and she admits your very good at it." Sweetie Belle said.

"That's like the one thing from my old life I was able to retain." Sparkle said.

"Well, it's just, why don't you focus on that? See how broad you can get that?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Hmm...I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give that a try." Sparkle said. "But even if that is where I find my calling now, I won't stop hanging around you girls. Because honestly, you need a voice of reason around, and that's going to be me."

"No arguing with that. Something tells me, without you, we'd be constantly getting covered in tree sap." Scootaloo said.

"...Okay, that image is just as hilarious as seeing Diamond Tiara getting covered with mud." Babs Seed. "...So why do I don't feel like laughing?"

"Because you realize that, you like having friends. So your already making the steps needed to be more down to earth." Sparkle said.

"Honestly, the fact that your the way you are; your like Diamond Tiara except if she was nice and actually used her resources for good." Scootaloo said.

"Is Diamond Tiara a bully? I had enough of those in Manehatten." Babs Seed said. "Still, I certainly know that there are some friendly folk here; ponies and hamsters alike."

"Heh, glad we could make your trip that much better. So, what do you say; wanna come have fun with us?" Sparkle asked.

Babs Seed smiled. "I'd love to~"

Post A/N: I know Manehatten and Hollywood aren't exactly the same since Manehatten is more based on New York City then Hollywood because of Babs Seed in the golden apple float. Although to be honest, Manehatten from what I saw from the show feels more like a hybrid of New York City & Hollywood what with all the various theaters and actors. Though that stuff feels more like it's all because of Broadway. And even then, the differences between New York City & Hollywood blur together because of Broadway. I know there are differences, but I think the similiarties between the two cities really helps sell a "Babs Seed and Sparkle bonding" AU spin on "One Bad Apple" as Sparkle can really relate to Babs Seed in that sense. Now onto the next episode and...oh. Oh no.