Poison Kiss

I get up early the next morning to work at the orchard. The leaves on the trees were already changing to reds, yellows, oranges, and browns. The leaves are falling off the trees. Cider Seasons is coming up. I kick a few trees and let the apples fall. I turn around and look at my flank. I forgot that I'm still wearing Rarity's green dress. I go back into the house hoping that I didn't get her dress all dirty. Apple Bloom is getting ready for school. She has her saddle bags on. She stares at me.

"What's gotten into you?" Apple Bloom asks.

"Ah'm all back to normal. There ain't nothin' to worry 'bout, Sugarcubes." I say.

"Ain't nothin' to worry 'bout? You're wearin' a dress. You got flowers in your hair. What's goin' on! Why are ya lyin' to me? I don't know who ya are, but ya ain't mah sister." She says slamming the door behind her and trotting into the school carriage in tears.

"Apple Bloom!" I shout. Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell put their hooves on her shoulder. I go to my room and take off my dress and put the hat back on. My cutie mark's back. I can't wait to tell Apple Bloom. I prance outside just to find out that she already went to school.

I go back to the orchard and work for about four hours. Then I go meet with my friends at the cupcake shop.

"I heard that you lost your cutie mark for a while. I've been reading this book on cutie marks and it's very fascinating. I still don't know how you managed to lose yours. On chapter nine it says you can only lose your cutie mark if you lose interest in your gift." Twilight Sparkle says.

"She would never do that." Fluttershy says.

"Ah, did!" I say lowering my head in shame.

"It's back now, though. That's all that matters." Twilight Sparkle says.

"This isn't about the fight we had at Sweet Apple Acres, is it?" Rainbow Dash says trying hide her guilt.

"It might have somethin' to do with it." I say trying not to hurt her feelings.

"I didn't mean for you to take it that way." She says.

"Why the long face? Here have a cupcake!" Pinkie Pie says stuffing one in my mouth. She sits on the stool and smiles.

"How is your bunny, Fluttershy?" I ask trying to switch the subject.

"He's doing much better now. I think I'm going to let him go live with his family. His parents probably miss him." She says.

Rarity and Tunesong walk into the cupcake shop. Rarity looks even happier than Pinkie Pie today. They must really be getting along. Twilight Sparkle looks stunned.

"Have you all met my new boyfriend yet?" Rarity asks.

"Twilight?" He says.

"Tunesong?" She says.

"You two know each other?" Rarity says.

"Yes." Twilight Sparkle says bitterly.

"She's my ex girlfriend." Tunesong says ignoring Twilight's glare.

"Why did you two break up?" Rainbow Dash asks.

"She was a nice mare, but I dumped her because she spent so much time studying. I felt like she never spent any time with me. I told her we should start seeing other ponies." He says.

"I knew it wouldn't be a bad reason. He's so sweet." Rarity says putting her head on his shoulder.

"Sweet as a lemon." Twilight Sparkle muttered. Pinkie Pie does a little dance and stuffs a cupcake in her mouth. The vanilla frosting makes her look like she has rabies. She skips over to Tunesong.

"Here's one for the guest!" She shrieks.

"No thank you." He says. Pinkie Pie pouts. "How have you been after you stopped modeling Rarity's outfits?" He asks to Fluttershy.

"I'm doing wonderful." She says taking a step backward. "I better be going I have to go check up on the bunny." She says.

"Your friends are so thoughtful, just like you, Rarity. Actually, I better get going too. I can't be late for my piano recital. See you later, beautiful." He says kissing her cheek. Spike blows fire at his tail and misses burning a hole through the door.

"I hope you're not jealous, dahling." She says.

"I am NOT jealous." Twilight Sparkle mutters.

"She's probably just hungry." Pinkie Pie says.

"Ah think ya should save some cupcakes for the customers, sugarcubes." I say.

"Why are you so mad at him?" Rainbow Dash asks. "It's going to be a blast having a stallion buddy around. I wonder if he's good at racing." She says.

"He's not that kind of guy. He's a poet. Just look at this love letter he wrote me. Just look at the necklace he bought me." She says. I read the card and cringe.

"It looks like something ah read on the back of mah Oat-Wheat cereal box this morning." I tease.

"The necklace has a real diamond." She says. Spike stares at the diamond and licks his lips.

"Not for you to eat." She scolds.

"What's so bad about Tunesong anyway? I think we should throw him a one day anniversary party." Pinkie Pie says.

"When he dumped me he got with Trixie a week later." She says.

"How long ago was that?" Rarity asks.

"Three years ago." Twilight says.

"He's probably changed by now. You don't understand. We are meant to be togetha." She says.

When I get home Apple Bloom is gone. Big Mac is serving the long line of customers.

"Big Mac, where's Apple Bloom?" I ask.

"She ran away." He says.

"Ah'll go find her. You take care of the customers." I say. I franticly sprint through Ponyville shouting her name into the streets. Twilight Sparkle was sulking at the park. I ran into her and make her drop a stack of books on the ground.

"Applejack? What's wrong?" Spike asks.

"Apple Bloom ran away. Have ya seen her?" I ask.

"I think I saw her at the Everfree Forest." Twilight says.

"Thank Yall so much." I say.

I see hoofprints in the Everfree forest. Something caught my eye. It was her little pink bow stuck in the twigs. "Apple Bloom!" I yell. My voice echos through the trees.

I hear something rustling in the bushes. I hide behind a tree and peek at the bush. It was Fluttershy and Tunesong. They were kissing each other passionately on the lips. I gasp. This can't be happening. This CAN'T be happening. Fluttershy would never do that. Tunesong swaggers away and disappears behind the cluster of trees. I jump from behind the tree.

"Hey, Fluttershy!" I say. She squeals,ducks, and runs as fast as lightning. I never saw her run that fast. I'm even having trouble catching up with her. I tackle her to the ground.

"I'm sorry!" She cries.

"Ah just want to know where Apple Bloom is. Have ya seen her?" I ask.

"How much did you see." She says.

"Ah've seen more than enough. Now tell me where mah sister's at." I say.

"She's at Zecora's tent." She says trembling. "I'm so sorry. He was helping me release the bunny and I got really upset and he started comforting me and beign all sweet and I don't know what came over me. You can't tell Rarity! You just can't. It'll ruin my friendship." She sobs.

"If you help me find Apple Bloom, ah'll try to sort things out with Tunesong." I say.

"You promise?" She asks. I hesitate. She has tears streaming down her face and she's laying on the ground scared to death.

"Ah'll see what I can do." I say. Fluttershy takes me to Zecora's home.

"Apple Bloom!" I say.

"You came back for me. Your cutie marks back! It is you." She says running over and hugging me.

"Of course ah did." I say. "Let's go home."

"I'm so happy that you found her." Fluttershy says.

" Bye Zecora!" Apple Bloom says.

" Bye! Apple Bloom, Applejack, and Fluttershy." She says.

" Do ya wanna' stay for dinner, Fluttershy?" I ask.

" No." She sniffles. " I just want to go home." I guide Fluttershy out of the forest and back to Ponyville.