Chapter 1: An Exhausting Awakening
It was 11:00. All of the ponies were doing their daily routine. Spike was watching Twilight as she practised some new spells, Rainbow Dash was clearing the clouds with ease, Rarity was getting some new dresses ready, Fluttershy was doing a daily feeding to her animals and Pinkie was at Sugarcube Corner dealing with customers.
At Sweet Apple Acres however, things weren't going perfect. Applejack, Big Macintosh and Granny Smith were up but the young filly Apple Bloom was not. She had been very tired after doing more advanced working at the family reunion the other day and she had stayed up later than Applejack and Granny Smith, still interested in the family photos.
Apple Bloom's fellow filly friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo ran into the house.
"Hi, is Apple Bloom home," inquired Scootaloo.
"Nah, she had a bit of an exhaustin' day after the reunion," explained Applejack.
"No crusader meeting for us then" sighed Scootaloo dissapointed.
"Don't worry youngin's," responded Applejack. "Ah can just call her for breakfast and then she can join you. Do either of you want something to eat?"
"We're fine," answered Scootaloo.
"We're trying to get cutie marks in hunger strikes," added Sweetie Belle.
"That's a might' dangerous," rebuttled Applejack.
"Don't worry, we had five large cupcakes from Pinkie Pie earlier," defended Scotaloo. "Do you fillies even know what a hunger strike is?" asked Applejack confused.
"Yep, exactly what it says, you strike on hunger," answered Scootaloo. "Eat as much as you can when you're hungry, responded Sweetie Belle.
"Uh, okay?" responded Applejack, now even more confused. "Apple Bloom your friends are here!" she called. Apple Bloom was exhausted after her fun yesterday.
"Coming" she sighed.
"Are you okay?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo asked in unison.
"I'm super duper," she murmured. The two fillies, no longer worried started to run off. Apple Bloom stood there spinning back and forth.
"Maybe we should take my scooter?" suggested Scootaloo. The two young fillies hoisted Apple Bloom on Scootaloo's cart as Sweetie Belle got in and joined her. Scootaloo drove off on her scooter with the other two.
"Apple Bloom, you forgot to have breakfast," called Applejack annoyed. "Should I have put her to bed earlier rather than save the photos for the next day?" she queried to Big Mac and Granny Smith.
"Eeyup," acknowledged Big Mac.
"Ah, what do you know?" responded Applejack angrily.
Scootaloo focused hard on her scooter and was in the spirit of it.
"So Apple Bloom, have any ideas of what we should do today to get our marks." Apple Bloom didn't answer. She was fast asleep.
"Scootaloo, I think she's asleep." Scootaloo looked over and facehoofed. She halted her scooter and walked over to Apple Bloom.
"Wake up!" she yelled in Apple Bloom's face. Apple Bloom was still asleep, turned in, treating the cart like a cushion. An idea suddenly popped in Sweetie Belle's head. She hopped off the cart and ran off.
"Where are you going," asked Scootaloo as she called out to Sweetie Belle. "To Rarity's", Sweetie Belle answered as she trotted off. "I have a great idea".
Sweetie was gone. Scootaloo looked at the sleepful Apple Bloom. "Ugh, I wish Rainbow Dash was a blank flank," sighed Scootaloo.
Sweetie Belle rushed to Carousel Boutique and noticed Rarity inside. "Hi Rarity" greeted Sweetie Belle."
"Hello Sweetie Belle what brings you here?" Rarity inquired.
"Remember how you told me that my cooking can wake an exhausted pony up from deep slumber?" asked Sweetie Belle?
"Yes?" answered Rarity confused.
"Can I cook?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Celestia forbid, no!" Rarity snapped. Sweetie Belle gave a sad frown. Rarity cleared her throat to correct herself. "I mean, sure. Just please try not to interfere with my task."
"Thanks Rarity", Sweetie Belle said happily. "I'll cook like I always do". Rarity smiled awkwardly but on the inside, she was worried and confused at the same time.
Scootaloo meanwhile, was sitting impatiently, waiting for Sweetie Belle's return. Suddenly, she noticed Rainbow Dash hovering above her. Scootaloo became excited, seeing her idol.
"Hi Rainbow Dash". Scootaloo was delighted.
"Hey Scootaloo," answered Dash. Rainbow Dash looked behind Scootaloo. Behind her was the sleeping Apple Bloom.
"Um, why is Apple Bloom asleep on your cart?" asked Dash.
"Oh, uh, her, oh she's just napping, yeah she's trying to gain energy by sleeping to be as cool as me," commented Scootaloo nervously while stuttering.
"Uh, right?" responded Rainbow awkwardly. "I was going to hang out by the watering hole. You want to come with me?"
"Would I?" answered Scootaloo uproariously. "I, I mean, sure, whatever." Scootaloo followed Dash as the two walked off, leaving Apple Bloom alone on the cart.
Back at Carousel Boutique, a disaster was occurring. A bird had broken in and was trying to get Sweetie Belle's food. Rarity screamed with a gasp.
"Shoo, annoying pheasant", she demanded.
"It's alright I got this Rarity," answered Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle and the bird we're trying to get the slice of toast. "Give it back, dumb bird," cried Sweetie Belle. The bird ran around the room with the toast as Sweetie Belle ran after it. Fabric, paper, scissors, and a sewing table we're knocked over. Rarity recovered from her reaction to the bird as she was now angry with Sweetie Belle. She jumped on the bird and snatched off the toast as it scratched her. With bruises, she gave the toast to Sweetie Belle, annoyed with her.
"Now leave," ordered Rarity.
"But...". Sweetie Belle tried talking, but was too guilty to defend herself. "Leave!" Rarity roared.
Meanwhile, with Apple Bloom, she was still asleep. Applejack, who had ran off, found her. "Apple Bloom, ya need to come home and rest." She lifted the filly up from the cart and carried her home.
At the watering hole, Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash were relaxing.
"This is the life, eh kid?" asked Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah, doesn't get any better," replied Scootaloo. "I can't help feel like I'm forgetting something though". "You mean soda?" asked Rainbow Dash as she held up a hay flavored soda in front of Scootaloo. "That's it, thanks R," thanked Scootaloo, proud of having come up with a new nickname for her new friend.
Sweetie Belle came back to the exact location Apple Bloom was at, upset as ever, looking down.
"Here's my cooking", moped Sweetie Belle. She looked up and noticed Apple Bloom and Scootaloo gone. "Oh my goodness! Where's Apple Bloom and Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle looked left and right and noticed Twilight coming. "Twilight! Do you know where Apple Bloom and Scootaloo are?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Well I did hear Applejack telling me she's bringing Apple Bloom home because she needs rest", answered Twilight.
"I wonder if Scootaloo's with Rainbow Dash," pondered Sweetie Belle. Twilight laughed.
"Nah, she's probably kidnapped by a monster," answered Twilight sarcastically.
Sweetie Belle let out a gasp. "Oh no, I need to save her!" shrieked Sweetie Belle. Twilight facehoofed herself as Sweetie Belle ran off.
Back with Scootaloo and Rainbow Dash, the two were relaxing by the watering hole. Rainbow Dash stretched and yawned until finally maintaining herself.
"You know kid, these few hours have been really cool," she said.
Scootaloo was quite proud of herself as she began to answer Rainbow Dash."Thanks R".
"Here I'd like to give you this pair of sunglasses," exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
Scootaloo's eyes widened as she gasped for breath. "Oh my gosh, thanks Rainbow Dash you're the coolest ever, and I can't believe your giving me this really relaxing pair of sunglasses, I feel like I'm on your level right now at the minute," yelled Scootaloo quickly with intense passion in her voice.
"Woah kid relax", responded Rainbow Dash. "They're just sunglasses".
"Oh yeah, uh, thanks Rainbow Dash," said Scootaloo nervously.
"Well I'm about to leave," announced Rainbow Dash. "Do you want to come with me?"
"Sure," said Scootaloo, now more relaxed.
Applejack put Apple Bloom into bed. "Have a nice sleep sis' ",she stated. Apple Bloom turned into bed as Applejack left the room.
Apple Bloom was now asleep. She was dreaming.
Inside Apple Bloom's dream, there was Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
Scootaloo greeted her friend. "Hi Apple Bloom".
"Do you want to come with us?" requested Sweetie Belle.
"Sure", answered Apple Bloom. The three crusaders skipped off.
"So did you enjoty the reunion?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"How was Babs?" wondered Scootaloo.
"The reunion was great and Babs said she'll probably visit again", explained Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo cheered.
Suddenly inside the dream, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo vanished. So did Ponyville. Apple Bloom stood there with a black background behind her.
"Hello Apple Bloom," greeted a mysterious voice.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" boomed Apple Bloom.
"I'm afraid I can't", answered the mysterious voice.
"Why not?" snapped Apple Bloom.
Another mysterious voice started speaking. "Do you remember that family reunion?" asked the other voice.
"Yeah what 'bout it?" asked Apple Bloom.
"Did you talk to all of your relatives?" one asked.
"Well no it was mostly Babs", admitted Apple Bloom.
"Exactly", one said.
"Apple Bloom did you ever meet your parents?" asked the other.
Apple Bloom's eyes opened wide as she thought for a second. After a few seconds, she stood there, looking a mixture of annoyance and anger but mostly, sadness. "Well not really", she admitted. "Ah heard from Sweetie Belle 'bout her parents and when the three of us were looking for crusader stories we heard parent stories from Twilight and Pinkie Pie," she added. "Ah didn't know ah had."
"Apple Bloom, everyone has parents," answered one voice.
"Ah didn't know everyone had to", responded Apple Bloom. "Do you know where mah' parents are?"
"Yes," one anwered.
"We're your parents", added the other.
Apple Bloom was shocked. "Wh-why weren't you at the reunion," she stuttered.
"Apple Bloom, your questions will be anwered, " replied one voice. "Just go to Appleloosa and ask where the east garden is," added the other.
Apple Bloom suddenly woke up. She looked at her clock and realised she was asleep for three hours. "Parents..." she thought confused. "Appleloosa... I better get there."
Back with Sweetie Belle, she was running through all of Ponyville.
"Excuse me, do you know where Apple Bloom or Scootaloo are?" she yelled to Lyra.
"No, who's Apple Bloom and Scoota-." Sweetie Belle interrupted Lyra by running off again. She noticed Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo in the sky. Rainbow Dash was holding Scootaloo by flying just like she did on the camping trip. Sweetie Belle managed to jump high enough. She landed on Rainbow Dash. "Oh thank Celestia, Scootaloo, you're okay." Sweetie Belle screamed in delight.
Scootaloo was confused."Yeah what's your point?"
Rainbow Dash entered the conversation. "Scootaloo, I actually need to get going. It's 5:00 and I promised Applejack I'd help with farming."
"Bye Rainbow Dash," said Scootaloo. Rainbow Dash waved as she flew away.
"Now I just hope Apple Bloom is okay from the monster", announced Sweetie Belle.
"Uh, okay?" anwered Scootaloo, even more confused.
Apple Bloom sat on her bed, thinking about her parents. She started talking to herself.
"Ma? Pa? Their alive? Ah' jus' can't believe it..."
Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight were at Sweet Apple Acres.
"Why did you call us here Applejack?" asked Twilight.
"Ah' need the help of the two of you", commented Applejack.
Rainbow Dash seemed impatient as she asked her friend a question. "With what?"
"There was a storm last night and it broke off the bottom of one of mah' apple trees knocking the whole thing down", explained Applejack. "Twilight, ah' need your help and I need yours too Rainbow. Could the two of you agree to help me?" Twilight and Rainbow Dash nodded. "Good. Rainbow Dash, I need you to dash into the small log and lift it up. Ah'll help you with it. Twilaght, I need you to levitate the tree. Rainbow, with the levitated tree, ah' want you to help me put the log into the tree. Then Twilight, I want you to use your magic to put the log in tight. Cider Season is startin' soon and we need all the apple trees we can. Do ya' both understand?" The two nodded. "Good".
Apple Bloom shown up about to ask Applejack about the question. "Applejack ah' have a question".
"Not now Apple Bloom we're working", argued Applejack. "Well can ah' atleast have twenty bits", asked Apple Bloom.
"Uh, sure", uttered Applejack not listening. She gave the money.
"Goodba' Applejack", exclaimed Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom ran off.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were looking for Apple Bloom. Sweetie Belle was still carrying her now moulded dish, incase Apple Bloom was still asleep.
Rarity was walking, and noticed Sweetie Belle, as she galloped over to her sister.
"Sorry, Sweetie Belle, for yelling at you", apologised Rarity.
"It's alright Rarity", assured Sweetie Belle, as the two hugged. Rarity stood back though, as soon as she could smell something horrid. She saw Sweetie Belle's distasteful dish and groaned to herself.
"Is that your toast?" gasped Rarity.
"Yep, ready to give to a sleeping Apple Bloom", Sweetie Belle answered. "Or to throw at a monster".
Rarity was confused. "I see", she answered worriedly. Rarity walked off back to her store.
The two fillies saw Apple Bloom approaching. "Apple Bloom you're okay!" cried Scootaloo.
"Wait, maybe the monster but a curse on her to make her sleepwalk with her eyes open", pondered Sweetie Belle.
"I doubt it", assured Scootaloo, raising one eyebrow.
"No simple guesses", argued Sweetie Belle. She stuffed the toast inside Apple Bloom's mouth. Apple Bloom spat it out as she wiped her tongue.
"There's no curse Sweetie Belle", she yelled. "But there are parents I have that I need to find'.
"Wait, you never met your parents?" asked Scootaloo.
Apple Bloom nodded. "Ah' don't know where they are. Ah' heard their voices in a dream and they told me to go to Appleloosa to discover answers.
"Wait, this was in a dream?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Maybe you were just thinking about them and dreamed about them talking to you", added Sweetie Belle.
"But ah' never thought of them before", argued Apple Bloom. "At first I didn't even know everypony had to hav' parents. Besides I was too busy with Babs to think of them at the reunion. Now I'm going to Appleloosa because they told me to".
"Wait. You can't go alone", argued Scootaloo.
"Yeah, we should come with you", suggested Sweetie Belle.
"That way you won't be lonely", added Scootaloo.
"Alright girls, you two can come with me", agreed Apple Bloom. The three set off to start their journey.
Meanwhile, Applejack was finished with Twilight and Rainbow Dash. "Thanks girls. Now to get Apple Bloom. She's probably still asleep.
"Wasn't she with you", wondered Twilight.
"Oh yah' where'd she go then?" wondered Applejack. Twilight and Rainbow shrugged their shoulders.
Rainbow Dash commented, "Guess you were distracted".
Applejack frowned. "Oh fingle fangle."
Chapter 3: The Adventure Begins
The three fillies got to the train station with packed bags, and each paid for the train.
The six ponies and Spike were in the centre of town.
"Why did you call us here Applejack?" asked Rarity.
"Ah' can't find Apple Bloom and ah' need all of your help", explained Applejack.
"Hm, that's weird, I didn't see Scootaloo follow me around after I was finished at Sweet Apple Acres," said Rainbow Dash.
"And I have been looking for Sweetie Belle but haven't found her", added Rarity.
"They must've went somewhere together", said Twilight.
"We should probably start at their clubhouse", suggested Applejack.
"Yes, that is where their usual antics take place", added Rarity. The seven walked the way to the crusaders clubhouse.
The seven made their way to the clubhouse. Rainbow Dash flew up and entered it. She flew back down and shook her head.
Rarity was worried. "Where are they?"
"Wait, I know somepony who can help us", announced Twilight. She trotted off and the others followed her.
On the train, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were running up and down. Apple Bloom snapped at her friends."Girls, calm down, it's hard to think straight seein' ya' runnin' around like this".
"Why are you so demanding?" asked Sweetie Belle.
"Ah' just want to find out 'bout mah' parents", she reasoned.
Sweetie Belle looked at each other and nodded. "Okay Apple Bloom we'll stop," agreed Scootaloo.
Apple Bloom calmed down. "Thanks, girls. Ah' don' know how ah' can thank you two".
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle began chatting to eachother but Apple Bloom put her hoof under her mouth and thought for a second about her parents.
The three fillies reached Appleloosa and got out. "Alright' girls, we need to split up an' ask where the east garden is", ordered Apple Bloom.
Sweetie Belle put her hoof over her head in salute. "Agreed." She ran off to the left. Scootaloo nodded and galloped off to the right. Apple Bloom galloped into the south of Appleloosa.
"Ah'm coming Ma an' Pa", she said to herself.
The seven reached the home of Zecora. "Why are we here Twilight", asked Applejack.
"Zecora is a wise old zebra", Twilight answered. "She probably has some answers. The ponies, and Spike knocked on the door and Zecora opened it.
"What brings you ponies to my home, I'm busy making remedy's alone."
"Sorry to disturb you Zecora, but we were just wondering if you've seen Apple Bloom, Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle", explained Twilight.
"I'm afraid I cannot help you with this, I'll try my best, but my answer will most likely, be a miss."
"What do you propose we do", asked Rarity.
"Applejack, you have relatives all over the country, maybe those fillies went off to do something lucky."
"But mah' relatives are all over Equestria, where would they have went and why would they even go to my relatives", questioned Applejack.
"Apple Bloom is loyal, she'd ask your permission first, before endangering herself with a stranger's bloodthirst."
"Wel' she did ask my permission about something but ah' was too busy", realised Applejack. "And the safest place for her to go, where my relatives would be, would be... Appleloosa", realised Applejack. She galloped off and the others followed her.