Chapter 1: The Mysterious Foal
Applebloom quietly tiptoed out the door of her silent home, the only sound was the wee whisper of snores from upstairs. She then trotted into the dense rows of apple trees, it was just past dusk, when the Apple family hit the hay after a long day of Applebuckin’. Applebloom made sure that everypony in her family was sleeping before leaving.
She was happily trotting to the monthly Cutie Mark Crusaders Secret Slumber Party, at their secluded tree house. Two months ago, Sweetie Belle started the slumber parties strongly wanting a cutie mark of some sort; she thought a slumber party cutie mark would appear. Sadly it didn’t, but the sleepovers were much to fun to give up.
Applebloom had finally reached the back fence of Sweet Apple Acres; she was ready to make a turn; when she noticed a dark figure, sitting on a hill, looking over Ponyville. She quietly tiptoed forward trying to get a closer look, but she stepped on a bad zap apple; it exploded all over her and alerted the mysterious pony. The pony turned its head and looked toward her. She gasped and darted to the tree house in absolute terror.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were already there playing Go Fish when Applebloom burst through the door, gasping for air. Sweetie belle dropped her cards and rushed to her friends aid,
“Applebloom! What happened? Did Apple Jack catch ya??"
Applebloom finally sat down and shook her head, "Nah...on my way here..." GASP "...there was a pony on the hill...juss sittin there...watchin over Ponyville."
Sweetie Belle thought for a moment, "Maybe it was the Mysterious Mare do Well?"
Scootaloo landed on Sweetie Belle after doing a triple back flip and losing her grip on the handle bars, "Oof. Yeah, or ,maybe it was tree or a shrub?"
Applebloom shook her head, "Yall arent listenin, it was small and alive and looked like a small foal."
Scootaloo laughed, "Why would a foal waste their time watching Ponyville, the most boring place in EQUESTRIA! Besides why at night? there's so many better things to do."
Sweetie Belle shrugged,"maybe they were waiting for a meteor?"
Scootaloo shook her head, "It was probably just a rock."
Applebloom wasn't 100% sure," Well it scared the apples outta me!"
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle continued their game of Go Fish,
"Got any Celestia of Spades"
"Nope! Go fish. Got any unicorns of hearts?"
This went on until Scootaloo got bored and decided to do something else. For the rest of the evening, the girls tried diffrent games and small hobbies in hopes of getting a cutiemark. In the wee early morning hours they all fell asleep after devouring two whole jars of zap apple jam and a fresh loaf of bread. Scootaloo was snuggling against her scooter with jam smeared along her face, Sweetie belle was curled around the empty jar of jam with her flank in the air. Applebloom looked out the window trying to see the distant hill in the darkness of the morning. Wondering who that foal was and why they were on the hill, she blew out the candle, layed down and fell asleep.
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A cloaked foal sat quietly watching the nocternal activities of Ponyville. The pony sighed in despair, " If onl-", the foal sat straight up in alert; he heard something...he jerked his head in the direction of the sound trying to see if anything was there and like that, a soft explosion in the bush motioning down the unseen trail something darted away. The foal not wanting a chance to get caught, galloped downed the other side of the hill toward the mountains blocking the view of Canterlot.
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"Any luck?" Sweetie Belle stuck her flank toward her friends.
Scootaloo sighed, "Nah! Still blank."
"Awww." Sweetie Belle thought they would have earned a cutiemark for something; loudest snores, deep sleeper, party animal. Anything would have been nice.
Applebloom picked up her saddlebags. and opened the door for her friends, "Yall ready? We got crusadin' to do!"
Scootaloo attached her scooter to the wagon , and put on her helmet, "Ready?"
Sweetie Belle and Applebloom hopped in, "Ready!"
Scootaloo zig-zagged along the trees ducking under branches and leaping over dead branches, she escaped to her peace of mind, where it was just her, the scooter, and the space to ride around. Finally, the Crusaders made it to the center of Ponyville. Scootaloo looked back, surprised, but laughing at the same time; to see her friends jumbled and lopsided. Twigs stuck out and decorated Sweetie Belle's mane and dirt and mud smeared Applebloom's coat.
"While you were riding you forgot about us!" Sweetie Belle was helping Applebloom pull brambles out her coat, when Applebloom jumped up,
"Next time try to remember were here!"
"Hey Blank Flanks!" the snobby sneer of Diamond Tiara and the giggle of Silver Spoon greeted them. The two stuck up foals pranced over to them.
Applebloom glared at them completely forgetting the knots and brambles in her coat and mane, "What do ya'll want?"
Diamond Tiara smiled a fake innocent smile, "Nothing, I just wanted to check if our dear classmates received their cutiemarks...why I see no cutiemark, do you Silver Spoon?", Silver Spoon shook her head in fake pity, "I guess you'll never have a special talent." Diamond Tiara smirked.
Scootaloo growled,"And? At least we'll earn ours. When we get our cutiemarks it means we'll have a talent, I bet yours was given; you know since being a spoon...I'm sorry, a silver spoon is oh-soo talented."
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon glared in pure hatred at the three foals, scoffed and walked on.
"What yall wanna do today?" Applebloom pulled the last twig out of her mane and fixed her bow.
Sweetie Belle was about to suggest something but Scootaloo's hoof stopped her, " Sweetie Belle, youve suggested enough...lets go to Sugarcube Corner and get a cupcake." They smiled and headed to the sugary sweet bakery.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Dusk! It's time to wake up! Please get up!"
The foal pulled his blanket over his head, "MMMrrmmmm!" His mother being terribly impatient, magically pulled the covers away from him,
"Please," the beautiful voice of Princess Celestia filled his ears, "Mountain Dusk, why are you so tired in the morning?"
He groggily sat up, "I was..uh...restless...again."
She sat at the end of his bed, "What have I told you?"
"Not to sneak out."
"I know your curious about the outside of the castle, but its a harsh world out there."
"Not Ponyville." he muttered it under his breath loud enough to notice it but not understand it.
"What?"
'Nothing, nothing."
She nodded, and gracefully walked out. Mountain Dusk calmly crawled out of bed and trotted to his terrace, surronded by mountains and brush. He sighed in satisfaction. An eagle soared around the mountain, the beauty of it took his morning breath away, the eagle landed beside him and perched itself majestically, Mountain petted its feathers, "I wish i could fly; and be free like you." the eagle gave a confused look and looked over toward his center back, "Its not like I can use those with mothers' magic protecting me. They aren't able to fly in or around the castle." Mountain Dusk leaned against the railing and watched the morning happenings of the nature around him.
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The sun was setting as Mountain Dusk jumped over his terrace, he landed perfectly and began the high climb over the familiar rocky hills and trails, he was prepared for. Most foals, well grown ponies also, would have problems climbing and walking up and through mountains, but not him he knew it all to well. As hiked his mind trailed of to a not-so-long-ago memory:
An indigo- gray foal managed to clamber up rocks and around shrub and brush. He had never felt more free, when the sun was almost setting he looked up and saw a ledge, he tried to grab hold but it crumbled beneath his hoof, and began hurtling toward him. He pushed himself to the mountain and felt the rocks brush past his wings and back. When he was sure the rock slide was over he pushed himself to the next ledge a little bit away from him, then the next, until he pushed himself up to a flat surface. He looked around, he did it. he jumped and squealed in pure delight. He stopped and began to look around, he felt something. He felt like he belonged here. When he was about to turn around and leave he noticed a small town at the bottom. The sun was just setting a small sparkle and flash appeared over his flank. He looked back to see a cutiemark. He gawked at it, it was a gray mountain against the setting on the Celestia sun and the rising of the Luna moon. From that night, his hooves became tough as stones, his eyes stained with courage and determination.
He remembered that night like it was yesterday, but he slid that thought aside and continued on. Sneaking out of the castle and hiking over the mountains was never done at a fast pace. He never wanted the thrill to leave and besides Ponyville would always be there.
He saw hill few yards away, quiet, serene, and looking over Ponyville. As he climbed up he put his hoof in a hole and lost his balance, but as he was about to fall; a hoof caught himand pulled him up, "Evenin'! Like an apple? That was one mighty climb ya did there."
_________________________________________________________________________________________________" Evenin'! Ya' there?" Applebloom was standing to the side letting him catch his breath. Mountain Dusk panicked and hung his head,
" I'm sorry for trespassing. I wont come here again." He went to turn around, but Applebloom called him back,
" Ah don't think so, ya look exhausted! Come sit down!" She held out a juicy apple, he ready to take a turn and go, but that apple looked so delicious and the foals' golden eyes hypnotized him to stay. He walked over and sat down beside her, and she nudged the apple to him. "Ah'm Applebloom! Ah live here' on Sweet Apple Acres. Ah saw yesterday, in this spot! Ah don't mind ya being here, ah was jus curious, thats all." she looked over to see him sitting awkwardly and nibbling on his apple, guilt slowly crept over here, "Ah'll leave ya now, ah see that ah was botherin ya." she turned to leave, but was stopped by a hoof on her shoulder,
"Wait! I'm Mountain Dusk...I live in Canterlot." he didn't reallly want to tell her to much, but went more with his gut feeling than his brain tonight. he gulped his small breath of fear and waited for her to answer.
"Thats a mighty hike, ya did. Ah mean from Canterlot to lil ol Ponyvile. Those rocky trails dont look all that easy to gallop on."
He blushed at her admiration for him, "It was nothing. Thats how I received my cutiemark," he lifted his cloak ever so slightly to show his flank, it was dark enough to make the Celestial sun and Luna moon look normal.
Applebloom leaned in, from what she could see; it was one of the best cutiemarks she's ever seen, "Wow. When did ya get it? If ya wanna talk a'bout it?"`
He shifted uncomfortably, "Uh not really; what's your cutie-" he stopped noticing she was pulling herself in, he looked to her flank...blank," Oh I'm sorry...uh i mean..." his words trailed off as he was trying to think of a way to take the awkwardness away.
"It's not a problem, ah dont have one yet. uh, ya want another one?" she lifted an apple with her nose, and passed it to his waiting hooves., "So are ya from Canterlot, or juss live there for now?"
"I live there, and am from there."
"Really, are ya sure?"
"I'm pretty positive.
"Where do ya go ta school?"
"I'm home schooled."
Applebloom continued her "20 questions"(which turned into one hundred), until she fell asleep curled on the ground beside him. Mountain Dusk magically appeared a wagon and lifted her inside. He began to pull her through the dense orchard, following the faint hoofprints till he reached an opening. He looked in awe at the well cleaned tree house, painted in pastel colors, in the dark he could only tell by the moon's light it was friendly and cozy. He pulled the wagon close to the tree and lifted Applebloom on his little back,carried her up the stairs and carefully set her down on the floor. He tucked a blanket over her and galloped away.
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It was dawn when he returned, he instantly trudged to his bed and fell asleep sprawled out on it as his mother walked in,
"Dusk?" his mother softly shook him awake, "Dusk? where were you?" the princess stood, her eyes soft but furious. Mountain Dusk sat up and chuckled lightly,
"Nowhere, just outside."
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to tell me the truth now?"
Mountain Dusk gulped, shook his head and firmly stated,"No."
Princess Celestia smirked, walked out and came back with Princess Luna. Luna had a stern look on her face and avoided eye contact with Mountain Dusk.
"Morning Princess Luna!" Princess Luna did return Mountain's bright smile, instead she walked up to him and gently tapped her horn with his a blue light glowed around there heads.
Mountain Dusk's head filled with images of him and Applebloom under the- now he understood, the moon. Princess Luna watched the whole event and tattled to his mother.
"Dusk! You diosbeyed me! You left without permission, and then was caught by another pony!" her eyes burned with fury from her son's rebellious acts; but inside she felt fear of what might've happen if other ponies find out about her son...her's.
Dusk smiled,"Mother! She's my friend...yeah...my friend. My first friend!" the more he said it the more he beamed and the more confidence he had. Princess Celestia softened,
"I know! I know this isn't fair to you, but I understand you need a companion of some kind to help you. So I will allow you to continue these few conversations, but only her! I can't have to many ponies digging around our secrets!"
Luna looked rather displeased, she scoffed and trotted off to bed. Dusk didn't mind, he layed on his bed and opened up a book and began to study the geography of mountains around the world.
"Dusk?"
"Yeah ma?"
"Be careful."
He grinned,"I always am."
Princess Celestia went to her throne, sat down, and began to cry, nearby maids and servants came to comfort her, but it didnt help much. looking at Mounatin Dusk reminded her too much of his father. She remembered the young stallion she fell in love with,
It was an extremely sunny day in Canterlot, Princess Celestia was taking a slow stroll through the gardens of the castle, when of the Royal Guard's gracefully landed a few yards away, he waited patiently for the Princess. Princess Celestia noticed him out of the corner of her eye, a well groomed dark indigo-gray guard...new, she had never seen him around the castle; and his armor was sparkling new. She addressed him in a friendly manner, "Good morning soldier. What is needed?"
the colt looked straight on like a proper soldier, "Captain Cloud requests your presence at strategy planning, tomorrow evening." the colt tensed every bone in his body to stray away from looking directly at the princess.
"At ease soldier. What is your name?"
"Private Redwood."
"You may be top soldier around your fellow guards, but around me, be yourself..." her eyes locked with his. He melted inside at her steady gaze. She's lovely,he thought....then shook himslef out of his daze, 'she's the princess don't be a fool!' he carefully slipped his face out of her hooves, as she was curving the outline of his young face.
"Yeess...ma'am." he went back to his soldier position saluted and took off.
Private Redwood fell in love with Celestia and Celestia with him. Their love was secret due to tabloids and how it would seem to be an awful thing for the Princess to have an affair with one of her own guards. Although the secrecy tore them apart constantly, they endured through it. Time flew by, and they began to see eachother everyday. Princess Celestia was as happy as she could be.
Princess Celestia had a monthly check-up to make sure nothing was wrong and she would have happy long life. The doctor did his normal routine, but somewhere during her X-ray he gasped. After he was finished with the rest of the procedure he called the Princess over to him, "Um..uh..Prinnncess Celestia?"
"Uh, yes?"
"I'm not sure how to tell you this, but, uh...your pregnant."
At first she was shocked and wasn't sure how to respond, but she soon became filled with joy, "Really? Oh I must tell him." she went to go, but the doctor stopped her, "Um, Princess Celestia; I'd reccomend, you don't tell anyone, keep in mind the harsh people in this world."
Celestia stopped, Celestia may act like a regal ruler..but in actuality she was scared...scared of rebels, tabloids,anyone who had a reason to threatened her authority, "Your right, none of Equestria shall know!"
"Princess!" her thoughts retracted and she was brought back to Equestria and complaints of her citizens.
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Applebloom woke to three ponies poking and prodding her, "Finally yer awake!" Apple Jack had been awfully curious why Applebloom slept in the treehouse without the crusaders.
Applebloom sat up, "Mornin' AJ! Scootaloo? Sweetie Belle?"
"Why are you in the treehouse? I don't remember planning a sleep over last night."
"Were you looking for that 'shadow'?" Scootaloo pushed past Sweetie Belle.
Then Sweetie Belle pushed past Scootaloo, "It was the Mysterious Mare do Well?!" Scootaloo growled,
"Tree!"
"Mare Do Well!"
"Tree!"
"Mare Do Well!"
"Alrighty there lil fillies, settle down now!'
Apple Jack tried to control them but Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle tackled eachother to the ground. Apple Jack managed to pull them apart, "Tree or Mysterious Mare Do Well, it don't matter! Applebloom, why in Equestria were ya out here'!" Apple Jack watched Applebloom with threatening demeanor.
Applebloom panicked,"Uhh...um..Ah juss love this treehouse so much!" She ran to the curtain and all around,"Ah love this wall, Ah love this curtain!"
Apple Jack backed off, "Uh.. ohkay...then. Ah gotta go help uh..Big Macintosh. Ya'll go play now."
When Apple Jack was outta sight Sweetie Belle pounced on Applebloom,"What were you doin' out here Applebloom?"
"Uh..ya were right, ah was lookin' for that shadow."
"Oh."
Applebloom was relieved when they stopped pestering her with questions. She didn't recall coming back to the treehouse. 'Ah remember eating, talking and sleeping. Ah fell asleep on the hill...so how did ah get to the treehouse?'
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Mountain Dusk climbed up the small hill over Ponyville. A familiar filly bounced up to him, "Ah hope ya won't mind me joinin' ya!" Applebloom stood at the top with a basket of apples, she held out her hoof, it lingered for a moment until he finally accepted her help,
"You know, I could get use to this."
"Ugh! Where is she?" Scootaloo was pacing with Sweetie Belle in Ponyville Park. "This has been like the thousandth time she's been late!" Sweetie Belle sat on the ground and put her head in her hooves,
"ever since that sleepover last week, she's been acting all funny." Scootaloo nodded, Sweetie belle continued, "We need to investigate."
"Maybe we'll get a sleuthin' cutiemark!?" Sweetie Belle perked up, "But where will we start?" and slumped down again.
Scootaloo sighed, :The Apple Family of course."
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Ten minutes later, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle reached Apple Acres. On their way over to the main house, Granny Smith bumped into them, "What the-, oh hi there! What can I do for ya young fillies?"
"Granny Smith? Do you know where Applebloom is?"
Granny Smith scratched her head, "Nope, go ask- Hey! Would ya'll like some zap-apple jam?" Scootaloo groaned, while Sweetie Belle facehoofed herself. After twenty of repeating their question, Granny Smith hollered," Weel it was nice talkin to ya young fillies!" and walked off.
"Well, that was hopeless." Scootaloo scowled out loud to herself. they continued down the dirt road, and saw a deep red clydesdale picking fresh apples.
"Morning Big Macintosh!" Sweetie Belle ran up ahead to catch up to him.
"Mornin'." he replied in his normal deep baritone voice.
"have you seen Applebloom?"
"Ermm can't say I have." he cleared his throat," Haven't seen her since supper."
Scootaloo gasped, "Supper?! Are you sure?"
Big Macintosh nodded,"Eeeyup, went out to finish harvestin' after, try AJ she went in before me last night."
"Thanks Big macintosh!"
"Eeyup."
The two foals galloped toward the Apple family's house, as they approached, Apple Jack walked out with Rainbow Dash and a huge barrel of apples. Scootaloo bounced up to Rainbow Dash, "Ohmygosh!!Ohmygosh!! RAINBOW!! FREAKING!!DASH!!Your the greatest, fastest, most awesome pegasus in all Ponyville!!"
Sweetie Belle grabbed Scootaloo, "I think she gets it Scootaloo."
Rainbow Dash smiled uneasily at first then realized she was being praised for her awesomeness,"I'm not the greatest pegasus in all of Ponyville I'm the greatest pegasus in all Equestria! ", she smiled a cocky grin, while ruffling Scootaloo's mane.
Scootaloo gasped, she tried to speak, but was too overwhelmed by how her mane was just ruffled by her hero; Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes, " We're searching for Applebloom have you seen her?"
Apple Jack pushed past Rainbow Dash, "She ain't with ya'll?"
Sweetie Belle snuck an uneasy glance with Scootaloo, "Uh...no, we thought she was home, with you."
Rainbow Dash chuckled nervously, "What?"
Scootaloo stepped forward, "She's never on time anymore, and she's apparently not home anymore."
Rainbow Dash frowned, "That doesn't sound like Applebloom."
Scootaloo shrugged, "Well if she's not here, we can go check the tree house."
Before the four ponies departed, Scootaloo turned toward Rainbow Dash, "Rainbow Dash?"
"Yeah?"
"Whats with the apples?"
"Oh, I'm using them for my new trick, it needed some flavor." she laughed her own joke; which no else got.
""Oh, okay. Bye Rainbow Dash. Bye Apple Jack!"
"Bye!"
Apple Jack went back to the porch and began count barrels," Dag nab it!", the foals looked back at Apple Jack ,
"What wrong?" Sweetie Belle stepped forward
"Another barrel of apples are missing!"
Scootaloo gasped, " Another?"
Apple Jack explained in a very frustrated tone, "Big Macintosh brings in at least seven barrels every evenin', then by mornin' one barrel's missin'!! Someponies been stealin' from the Apple family!!"
Sweetie Belle thought for a moment; then answered, "Who in the world would steal apples? There just apples?"
Apple Jack snorted, " Just apples? They are not just apples! They are like family!!" Apple Jack began to recite every tree's name in Sweet Apple Acres.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo tiptoed away when Apple Jack's head was turned. They began to gallop to the tree house when Scootaloo called out, "Sweetie Belle! Look!" Sweetie Belle trotted over to Scootaloo, Scootaloo pointed to the ground, "Look a hoofprint!"
"Soo?"
Scootaloo sighed,"Sweetie Belle! We're being dectectives!! Remember? Its a clue!"
Sweetie Belle gasped,"Oh Yeah! Is it Applebloom's?"
Scootaloo looked at it for a moment," No, I don't think so. Appleblooms is smaller."
Sweetie Belle followed the trail of mysterious footprints to a large shrub, "Umm Scootaloo?"
"Yeah?"
"You might wanna come see this?"
Scootaloo walked over with excitement in her eyes, "What is it?"
Sweetie Belle lifted up a couple branches of the bush, revealing eight apple barrels, each branded with S.A.A, "Well these are definitely stolen apples...well barrels for them anyways." The two fillies quietly tiptoed up to the treehouse stairs, and ever-so-gently pushed past the door.
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"Applebloom! Wake up!" Sweetie Belle pounced on the golden filly, "Wake up!! Wake up!!"
Applebloom slowly opened her eyes, "Wha? Whats goin' on?"
Scootaloo scoffed,"You forgot again, didnt you?"
Applebloom sat up and facehoofed herself, "Oh! I'm sorry!I've just been really tired...honest."
Sweetie belles's expression softened, "Its oh-phhb!" Scootaloo put her hoof to Sweetie Belle's mouth,
"No it's not okay! You've been late almost every day this week! You have a reason don't you?" Scootaloo didn't like yelling at her friend; but Scootaloo felt like she was losing Applebloom.
"Uh...uh...reason for what?!" Applebloom's head raced for a legitamate reason to tell them why she's been so tired, "Uh...I haven't done anything."
Scootaloo rolled her eyes, "Thats the biggest load of-"
"Apples!" Sweetie Belle bounced up, "Whats with all the apple barrels?" We all know you can't eat a whole barrel in one night let alone eight in a week. Plus there were some strange footprints out there."
Applebloom froze, 'Oh no, they're going to find out! No; remain calm Applebloom.' she stopped from thinking to answer her meddling friends, "Their my hoofprints, and I was usin the apples to help me sleep!"
"What?!", Scootaloo wasn't buying it, "To help you sleep?"
Applebloom smiled uneasily, "Uh...yeah...I don't know why...but when i go to my room and fall asleep, i'll wake up in here with a overfull belly."
Sweetie Belle gasped, "You sleep walk?"
Applebloom nodded grimly, "Yall can't tell Apple Jack though."
"Why?" growled Scootaloo.
"If yall tell her, she'll send me to to Equestria's Mental Institution!"
Sweetie Belle gasped in pure horror, Applebloom continued, "They'll trap me in a room, put me in a straight jacket, and feed me......OATMEAL!" Applebloom pretended to shake and quiver.
Sweetie Belle ran to her friend's aid, "No! Not oatmeal! oh no! I prom-no Pinkie promise I won't tell Apple Jack or anyone ever!"
Pinkie Pie eerily rose from a nearby hedge, "If you really promise...Pinkie Promise, you must recite after me! Cross my heart Wish to Fly! Stick a cupcake in my eye!"
Sweetie Belle jumped up, "Cross my heart, wish to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye." and she followed the motion of sticking a cupcake in her eye, Scootaloo scoffed.
Pinkie Pie leaned in real close, "Now you can't ever, ever, NEVER tell anyone." Pinkie Pie began to slowly disappear under the hedge, then popped out again, "EVER!"
Once Pinkie Pie stopped bouncing back and forth from the hedge and them, Scootaloo got up and stomped over to Applebloom, "You know Applebloom, your a lot of things but i never thought you a liar!"
Sweetie Belle gasped, "She is not a liar! How could you say that?!"
Scootaloo scoffed, "Sweetie Belle! She's straight lying to you!"
"I am not lying! I swear on apples!" Applebloom stood up in her defense.
Sweetie Belle smiled, "See? She swears on apples!"
Scootaloo scoffed, " "Sweetie Belle...she stole apples; then hid them; then lied about it straight to us with no guilt." Scootaloo gently placed her hoof on Sweetie Belles shoulder, "Don't believe me?Ask her or...should we go to Fluttershy?"
Sweetie Belle gulped," Are you sure she's lying?"
"Would I pull a Fluttershy if i wasn't?"
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Twenty minutes later, the three foals slowly walked to Fluttershy's cottage, Scootaloo sighed, " Applebloom, I'm sorry; but you know i wouldnt do this unless i was absolutely about you lying."
Applebloom sighed in acceptance, "I know Scootaloo, I know." Sweetie Belle cowered to the back as Applebloom knocked ever so gently on the door. Fluttershy opened the door in delight, "Oh hi girls! What can i help you with today?" Fluttershy's smile dissappeared when she noticed the solemn expressions on the girls faces.
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"Are you sure...uh...you want me to do....this?" Fluttershy shifted uneasily. The foals nodded, Applebloom sadly trotted to the recently placed chair in the center of Fluttershy's living room, Sweetie Belle cowered behind a cushion on the couch. Fluttershy trotted in, "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Scootaloo nodded, "Absolutely." Sweetie Belle whimpered and Applebloom gulped in a reply.
Fluttershy prepared in her Stare stance, she tipped her head untill she was looking down into Applebloom's golden eyes. Fluttershy sent her body into a frozen position.
Sweetie Belle's voice turned into a raspy whisper, "We only want the truth Applebloom."
Applebloom knew what was coming, Fluttershy's caring eyes turned into a pounding, truth finding, soul gazing, burning into your deepest thoughts and regrets pair of eyes. Applebloom tried, but she couldn't take it; her eyes finally averted the strong gaze of the pure, raw material of Fluttershy. She sighed in guilt; Scootaloo smiled smugly, Sweetie Belle gasped, "Scoot- Apple-UGHHH!!!! Applebloom? You lied to me?!"
Applebloom looked down grimly at the ground, "I stood up for you! I did a Pinkie Pie promise! STICK A CUPCAKE IN MY EYE!! At first I thought Scootaloo was just being paranoid! But Now! The Applebloom I know, uh...I mean knew...would never ...NEVER lie to me!!!" Sweetie Belle plopped down on the the floor and took deep breaths. Fluttershy sat down beside her and began to comfort Sweetie Belle.
Scootaloo walked forward, "Will you at least tell us why you lied to us?"
Applebloom couldn't tell them about Mountain Dusk, he was just beginning to trust her! Applebloom shook her head, "No."
Scootaloo scoffed in ignorant disbelief, but her eyes filled with betrayal and the hurt that she felt, "If you tell just tell us whats going on, this will be over!" Sweetie Belle nodded, in hope of a cahnge of heart from Applebloom.
Applebloom just shook her head again,"No, I can't tell ya'll."
Scootaloo sighed, "Fine. Come on Sweetie Belle," she turned around holding out her hoof to her friend, she looked back at Applebloom,"When we walk out this door, I am no longer friend anymore, these lies have ruined our friendship. I hope what ever your lying about is worth losing me, your friend!" She continued to the door paused, in hopes of Applebloom blurting out what she's hiding. When she realized Applebloom had no intentions of telling her, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Applebloom looked at Sweetie Belle, Sweetie Belle let out a breath of air, "Um....I'm sorry Applebloom, the lies, the sneaking around, stealing! Its too much for me to bear." Sweetie Belle galloped out the door, not wanting to allow Applebloom see the tears welling up in her eyes. Applebloom layed in the chair for a minute, letting the heart splitting stake of realization sink in. Her two best friends were gone, just like that.
Fluttershy gently walked over to the sad-stricken foal, "I'm so sorry Applebloom, is there anything i can do?"
Applebloom looked up in the pure misery, Fluttershy sat by her and wrapped her wing around her,"I bet they'll come around." Applebloom nodded sadly, gently shook Fluttershy's wing off her back and trudged out the door.
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"Don't you think, you were a little hard on her?" Sweetie belle snuck a glance at Scootaloo, they hadnt said word since Fluttershy's cottage. Sweetie Belle felt guilty about how they left Applebloom.
Scootaloo shrugged, "Yeah, but if she couldnt trust us enough to tell us why she's stealing, and sneaking out, then......no, i don't"
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"Hi Applebloom! Why are you so sad?! I know! Evil alien ponies came down and stole the apple trees with their laser beams-WOOOSSHHH!" She self simiulated alien lasers beaming up apples, "And now Ponyville has no delicous apples to eat!"
Applebloom growled under her breath, "No Pinkie." She wasn't in the mood for jokes, or games or fun! She wanted to be left alone.the happy-go-lucky party pony stopped bouncing, "I know what will cheer you up! A giant cupcake from sugarcube corner!"
Applebloom shrugged, "No thanks."
Pinkie Pie thought for a moment, "Come on!" Before Applebloom could stop it from happening, pinkie pie was shovig Applebloom throught Ponyville to Sugarcube Corner. Pinkie placed the confused and bewildered foal in a seat and dashed to the kitchen.
Pinkie came out pulling a cart full of cupcakes, Applebloom's jaw dropped, "Pinkie! What is this?"
Pinkie Pie smiled, "Well," she took a deep breath, "youwerewalkingaroundPonyville,allsad," she reancted Appleblooms slow trudging from twenty minutes ago,"thenIsawyouandsaid,"HIApplebloom!Whyareyousosad?!IKnow-mmmhmm" pinkie had shoved a cupcake in her mouth, "ohh...mmm...sorry..that cupcake was distracting me, so the only solution was to eat it," she giggled, "It was just so delicous looking . Want one?"Applebloom nodded, the ooey gooey frosting was to tempting to resist.
Pinkie Pie slid over a green and pink cupcake, "Why are you so sad? You know my Grandma always told me to TURN THHAAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN!! Wait, where's Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle?"
Applebloom shifted uncomfortably, "We're no longer friends."
SPLOOSH!! "Wha??" a bright pink cupcake hit the floor, "What about the Cutiemark Crusaders?"
Applebloom shrugged, "I don't know PINKIE!"
Pinkie Pie burst in to tears and her mane went razor blade straight, it scared Applebloom a little bit, Pinkie pie finished sniffling, "No! But how are you guys gonna find your cutie-nevermind! Here!" Pinkie Pie pushed the cart of cupcakes to Applebloom, Applebloom gasped and struggled stopping the forceful cart from toppling over, "Uh...pinkie pie? How am I supposed to pull this around Ponyville?"
Pinkie Pie facehoofed herself, "Well, duh!! Let me wrap em up for You!" pinkie pie went back in the kitchen. After ten minutes of strange noises, hundreds of little snips of ribbon flying out the door, Pinkie Pie returned with a wagon filled with ten boxes of fresh cupcakes, "Here ya' go! one hundred and twenty cupcakes baked to the finest by your one and only Piiiinnnkkkkiiieee Piiieee!!!!!"
Applebloom smiled, "Wow thanks Pinkie Pie!!!" Applebloom attached the saddle and wagon to herself with the help of Pinkie Pie. She trotted away waving a good-bye and thank you to The bouncing pink pony.
Applebloom's head was held a little higher as she walked,she began to think to herself, 'Mountain Dusk will love these!! This should a week to two weeks, but knowing us, it'll most likely last a couple days. I really hope he's not allergic to cupcakes, but what if he is....then I have one hundred and twenty cupcakes for myself, I'll eat me all, And tur-'
"OW!!" Applebloom was so lost in her thoughts, she forgot to pay attention to what was in front of her.
"Applebloom? Are you alright?" Spike was scrambling to catch the scrolls and quills he dropped.
"uh.....yeah, what's with all the....umm....writing supplies?"
Twilight Sparkle cut in as she caught up with her assistant, "Restocking my supplies, but wow, that's a lot of cupcake, why so many?"
Applebloom smiled , "Pinkie Pie needed to get rid of the extra cupcakes she had, she said something about how they're distracting her."
"Oh." Twilight Sparkle nodded in amusement at her friends small distraction, " Were Mrs. And Mr. Cake there?"
"No, see or hear them or the twins while I was ther."
"Alrighty then, bye Applebloom!"
"Bye Twilight! Bye Spike!!"
Before she could be stopped again, she galloped as steady and fast as she could back to sweet apple acres.
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"Finally! What took you so long?" Mountain Dusk stood when Applebloom finally reached the top, "What Is that?" Mounntain Dusk gasped as Applebloom came up with a wagon full of apples and two white boxes tied in a pink polka dotted ribbon.
"Sorry i took so long. Pinkie Pie gave me one hundred and twenty cupcakes, so I brought apples and twenty-four cupcakes. Just on case ya didnt like the ones i brought.." Applebloom and Mountain Dusk unlatched the wagon,sat down, and relaxed for a minute. "Wanna cupcake?" Applebloom perked up and trotted over tho the wagon, Mountain Dusk nodded. "Hmm, seems like this box is chocolate." Appleblom closed the box and grabbed the ribbons in her mouth and brought it over to their spot. Mountain Dusk used his horn to magically float his cupcake to his mouth.
"Mountain Dusk?"
"Mmmm?"
"Why do you wear a cloak?" Applebloom had become quite curious about Mountain Dusk's cloak. It was a magnificent black coat made of the finest silk, It shimmered like a sea of black pearls in the night and Applebloom couldn't imagne how regal it would look in the day time. Its hood laid before his horn, letting the moonlight shine ever-so perfectly upon his young cheerful expression. Mountain Dusk's cheerful expression evaporated and was quickly replaced by panic.
Cupcake spit substance rained over the edge of the hill, "Whaat??Why does this matter at this time?"
Applebloom stepped back, taken by surprise at his sudden burst of his colt-like demeanor, " Well, uh...ah...jusst was curious. I mean why wear a cloak when there is no one around and during the night?" Her last few words became a whimper, as she looked at Mountain Dusk. He began to realize the fear on his friend's face, 'i was too harsh, I should just tell her.' he thought.
"Mountain?"
"I'm sorry Applebloom, I was just caught off guard."
"we don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Applebloom smiled at her friend, in reassurance that she push the sensitive matter.
Mountain Dusk sighed< "Thank you, Can i have another cupcake?"
She nodded, as she nibbled into a chocolate buttercream, he magically floated a vanilla on to his hooves.
Applebloom watched for a moment, "Thats funny, I thought you were an earth pony."
"You havent realized im an unicorn?"
"Well its pretty dark and never really paid attention to your head, until you used magic today."
Mountain Dusk shrugged, not really wanting to press on, and continue their subject, instead he chatted aimlessly through the evening.
Applebloom eventually told him about what happened with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo and also explained about the raw material of Fluttershy and such. Mountain Dusk looked at Applebloom...his expression sent sympathy and empathy toward his friend. He couldn't believ, or begin to understand, why she sacrificed her friends for him, a foal she barely knew. He felt bad, actually the correct term would be guilty, in his case, "Applebloom?"
"Then Scoota-oh, hmm?"
"I'm so so sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
"For you, sacrificing your friends to keep me a secret."
She shook her head, 'Mountain Dusk, don't be sorry, it's gonna urn out fine in the end.....i hope." she added the last of her sentence to reassure her more than Mountain Dusk.
"But, why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you give up your friends for me?"
she smiled, " Because you need a friend, i realized you spoke of anyone close to you-family or friends, so i figured you need one more than i need two. I hope ya arent mad."
<ountain Dusk chuckled, "I have..a..friend!! I HAVE A FRIEND!! I have a friend..you!" His insides jumped for joy, he chuckled uncertainly for a moment, letting it sink in.
"hey Applebloom!"
"Yeah?"
"Heads up!"
She looked up in time to have a cupcake fall on to her face, "Hey!" She wiped off the majority of the cupcake out of her, eyes . Mountain Dusk rolled around laughing, "Ya think that's funny?" Applebloom picked a cupcake, jumped on Mountain Dusk and smashed it into his face.
"Thhbbpppbb!!!" Mountain Dusk spit cupcake everywhere, "Thats how its gonna be? Fine!" he floated the second box of in-touched cupcakes and dumped it over Applebloom's head.
Applebloom gasped in surprise, "Mountain Dusk!" Applebloom chased him around the hill chucking apples at the frosting covered unicorn, "Come back here!!"
"No!" Mountain Dusk laughed as he threw back his head, unfortunately, a branch or reasonable proportions layed in front of Mountain Dusk's path. Mountain Dusk to busy to pay attention tripped over it falling face first into the dirt, "Owww..." he lifted his head in confusin, "Applebloom? Where are you? Aren't you gonna hel-what's wrong?"
"Applebloom stood there frozen with shock and fear. Mountain Dusk was very confused, "Uh.. hello?? whats wrong?"
Applebloom pointed, not at him, but at his magnificent cloak. It laid tattered and torn a few feet away, he gasped in horror and let his look toward his ribs, a pair of pegasus wings were folded in peace.
"Why....wha?....Why do you have wings and a horn?" Applebloom was stunned, her mind raced with thoughts and fears.
"Oh...Applebloom...I'm sorry...I didn't want to tell you, I was scared. Ans you were my only friend, I didnt want that to disappear."
Applebloom breathed slowly, "Does that mean your...a...um...." her words trailed off, letting the an awkward silence fill the void.
Mountain Dusk chuckled in disbelief, but even as disbelief and worry filled his face, he puffed his chest out with a pride, "Yes, I am an Alicorn. I am Mountain Dusk, son of Princess Celestia."
