Learning to Love: An Apple Tiara

by Wolfe15

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Cutie Mark Crusaders, Romance, Original Character, Adventure, Diamond Tiara
Length: 7693

Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara bonding over studying

It's a normal day for Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle but Apple Bloom is missing...yet again. With Apple Bloom missing the two remaining crusaders decide to held out and have some fun on their own. Imagine their surprise when they find Apple Bloom coming out of Sugarcube Corner with Diamond Tiara!

Second Learning to Love Story. Have to read the first one to get some of the stuff mentioned in this one.

Cover art found here: http://diamond-tiara-lovers.deviantart.com/gallery/?set=32585929&offset=0#/d4pvlcj

Published 2012-02-24 07:14:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-03-21 21:42:16 UTC

Diamond in the Rough

Chapter 1

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both sighed softly as they zoomed around town on Scootaloo's scooter. Scootaloo slowed as they neared Sugar cube Corner and said, "Where do you think Apple Bloom is?"

Sweetie sighed then said, "Not sure Scoots. This is the third time she's disappeared from us! Do you think she doesn't like us?" They stopped in front of the bakery and Scoots pushed her scooter against the side of the building, shrugging as she did so.

"I don't know Sweets." Scoots mumbled but just as they were both about to go in when the door opened and Apple Bloom trotted out with Diamond Tiara at her side.

Both crusaders hurled themselves into the nearby bushes. Their jaws hit the ground when Diamond Tiara nuzzled Apple Bloom. Scoots looked close to fainting while Sweetie looked positively ill when Apple Bloom looked around again then nuzzled her back. "What'd Ah say about the public?"

"Oh yeah, you're still worried that your friends will see you."

"Ah'm sorry it’s just that they still..."

"Hate me?"

"Ah wouldn’t say hate, more like really, really dislike." Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes then looked down.

"Look maybe its better if we-." Diamond Tiara began looking away sadly.

Apple Bloom frowned then nuzzled her softly and said, "Ah'm bein a coward. Ah'm sorry. Ah'll tell'em today okay?" Diamond Tiara smiled and nuzzled her hard causing her to laugh.

"Oh thank you!" Apple Bloom grinned then kissed her cheek before frowning.

"Might as well get it over with."

"Too late!" Scoots jumped out of the bushes, pointing an accusing hoof at Apple Bloom, who squeaked in shock and dived behind Diamond Tiara.

Diamond Tiara gave her a chilling glare before trying to strain out a pleasant greeting, "Hello Scootaloo."

"Silence wench!" Scoots cried before advancing on Apple Bloom. Sweetie rushed out and moved between them and pushed Scoots back to keep her from attacking. Apple Bloom moved out from behind Diamond Tiara and glared.

"Hey! You take that back! She ain't a wench! She's a sweet filly." Apple Bloom yelled in Diamond’s defence. Scoots laughed then moved forward and grabbed Apple Bloom and shook her violently.

"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND!” she yelled “this is The Diamond Tiara! The filly who's teased us and made us feel terrible about not having cutie marks!" Apple Bloom moved away and nodded slowly.

"Ah know that...Look can we talk inside? Ah want to explain everythin'." They nodded curtly and soon all four were in a secluded corner in the back. Diamond Tiara sat close to Apple Bloom and nuzzled her chin every so often. Scoots glared at her but Sweetie raised her hoof to stop her from attacking. Apple Bloom sighed and looked down. "Okay. Well here it goes. Ta start with Ah’m the highest ranks student in class." Both of her friends looked shocked and Sweetie frowned.

"Wait what?!" Scoots yelled making people look at them. Apple Bloom blushed and looked away.

"Ah'm really, really smart. Not ta toot mah own horn 'er anythin'. Ah know it’s hard to believe but Ah really am the highest ranked student in class." She paused in thought and Diamond Tiara kissed her cheek and she smiled down at her. "It started two months ago Ah guess."

Apple Bloom sighed tiredly as she worked on the farm. Oh how she hated chores. Applejack was a few feet ahead of her knocking apples from a tree and messing with her new vest. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes slightly then turned around and jumped in surprise. Behind her was Mister Filthy Rich, Diamond Tiara, and Miss Cheerilee. "Hello Miss Cheerilee! What brings you here?" Greeted Applejack, walking over and tipping her head and nodding.

Cheerilee grinned and pulled out a stack of papers from her saddle bags, saying, "Hello Applejack. Can I ask you something?" At Applejack's nod she said, "Has Apple Bloom ever shown you her test papers?"

"No ah can't say she has." Applejack said softly giving Apple Bloom a look, Cheerilee looking shocked to her.

"Really? That's weird. Well why don’t you take a look?" Apple Bloom winced slightly and watched as Applejack looked over each paper, her eyebrow rising slowly.

"Now Ah don't see why ya hid this Apple Bloom. Yer a right genius you are." Apple Bloom flushed and scuffed the ground with her hoof.

"Not really. Ah just get things real quick is all."

"Come on Apple Bloom. Don't sell yerself so short." Apple Bloom grinned at her older sister and Cheerilee gently pushed Diamond Tiara forward.

"Now onto my idea. Diamond Tiara here is failing...just about everything really. So I was wondering if Apple Bloom could tutor her!" Apple Bloom looked at her blankly trying to process the request while Applejack nodded happily.

"Don't see why not." Diamond Tiara grimaced, giving Apple Bloom a look of irritation, while Cheerilee clapped her hooves then pulled out a stack of books and papers from her saddle bags.

"Well here you go girls. I have to get some stuff talked about between us adults so why don’t you just run along?" Apple Bloom whined then watched with hopelessness as the adults trotted off, leaving them alone.

"What just happened?" Apple Bloom whispered in shock.

"You're my new tutor..." Diamond Tiara mumbled. Apple Bloom sighed then moved the huge stack onto her back and looked at her.

"Come on, might as well get this over with." The two trotted towards the house and Diamond Tiara scoffed.

"Nice shack." Diamond Tiara scoffed as she trotted in.

Apple Bloom growled silently then looked up and whispered, "Ma if yer watchin' from heaven...please keep me from killin' her." She looked forward and trotted inside and shut the door behind the filly she did not like at all. She trotted to the kitchen then called out, "Granny?" Her grandmother snorted from somewhere in the living room and Apple Bloom shrugged to herself. "Oh well. Do ya want something to drink?"

"You don't have anything up to my calibre." Diamond Tiara said smugly as she hopped onto a chair in the kitchen.

Apple Bloom's eye twitched and she mumbled too low to hear, "Do you even know what that word means?" She shook her head to dispel the insult then painted a pained smile on her face. "Sorry ‘bout that. Let's just get started."

"What ever."

"Mother in heaven please let her figure out the stuff Ah teach her before Ah end up killin' her."

Okay, chapter one is done and edited! Props to VodkaMeister. Hope this story gets better attention than the other one. Blah. Please comment if you want. If you have not read the other Learning to Love story, please take the time to read it or else this story will confuse you more than you will like.

Rain Storms Pt. 1

Chapter 2

Apple Bloom paused in her story to drink some hot chocolate she had ordered and smile as Diamond Tiara pigged out on some cupcakes. The door to the shop opened and Silver Spoon trotted in along with Dinky Hooves. "Hey Silver Spoon! Dinky!"

Both fillies looked at her and waved then paused and trotted over. "Are you finally telling them Apple Bloom?" Apple Bloom nodded and Sweetie looked a bit hurt.

"Are we the last ones to find out?" She asked pouting slightly.

"No. Silver Spoon and Dinky found out by accident too about a week ago I think. Continue please Apple Bloom?" Diamond Tiara asked softly.

"Sure thing sugarcube." Apple Bloom giggled at the pet name her sister used for her marefriends then sighed. "Okay. Skippin' the boring stuff, we were a week into our tutorin' sessions, we decided that we were gonna be civil so we wouldn't kill each other, when the storm hit."

"You mean the Big Thunder Storms? The ones that weren't scheduled?" Scoots asked.

"Eeeyup!"

Apple Bloom fixed her bed then pulled a face and looked to Applejack. "Sis?"

"Yes Bloom?"

"Why does she have to spend the night?"

"Cuz you both need ta work together ta get her up to speed with the other kids." Apple Bloom sighed softly then nodded and trotted after her sister. "Sis?"

"Yes?"

"Can Ah kill her?" Applejack rolled her eyes and shook her head, chuckling lowly.

"No Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom smiled strained then sighed before trotted downstairs after Applejack. She looked out a window and frowned.

"It looks like it's gonna rain." Apple Bloom said. Applejack nodded then shuddered lightly.

"Ah'm gonna go out ta check on everythin'. Get the house settled then report to Big Mac." Apple Bloom saluted her then rushed to do her job. When she finished, she was trotting towards the house when the first crack of thunder illuminated the orchard. Apple Bloom smiled and took in a deep breath then released it. She loved the rainy days.

"Get yer hat on Apple Bloom." Applejack yelled while she ran towards her.

Apple Bloom pulled on her brown stetson hat, Applejack had made Rarity make one for her, and grinned up at Applejack, who was at her side, looking to the sky with a slight frown gracing her face. "Daring and Dash are in their house but it'll freeze in the sky. Should Ah head up?" Apple Bloom nodded then turned to see Filthy Rich and Diamond Tiara rushing up the steps to their door, both shivering violently.

"Ah'll handle them sis. You go make sure Dash and Darin' are okay."

"Thanks Apple Bloom! Ask Mister Rich if he want's ta spend the night! Ah don't want him headin' out in the rain!" Apple Bloom nodded and galloped towards the house, managing to get to the porch just as the sky opened up and rain began to pour down in sheets. She smiled at the shivering Mister Rich and Diamond Tiara, nodding towards the house.

"Come on inside! Do ya want ta spend the nice Mister Rich?"

"I would hate to impose." Apple Bloom shook her head and ushered them in. She looked back to see Applejack, streaking towards the house, helping Daring and Dash fly through the torrent of rain.

"Get the fire roarin' Bloom!" Applejack yelled over the roaring of the wind. Apple Bloom nodded then ran to the small but cozy fireplace and tossed another log in to get the fire to burn bigger. As soon as the fire was roaring Applejack, Daring, and Dash collapsed in front of it. They panted heavily and Rich tried to stroke the fire higher, so the mares could warm up faster.

Apple Bloom looked to the disgruntled Diamond Tiara and grinned in a friendly manner, "How bout we go up to mah room?"

Diamond Tiara shot her a glare and a grunt but nodded, following Apple Bloom as she trotted out of the front room and to the stairs. Right before they were about to climb the stairs, though, Diamond Tiara grabbed her and snapped out, "I'm not going to be one of your stupid friends if that's what you want."

"Ah don't care. Just don't mess up mah room."

"Ha, what can a hick like you own that's so important?" Apple Bloom snarled silently and readied a buck kick to Diamond Tiara's descending flank but a shadow fell over her head. She gulped then looked up to see Daring standing over her. Daring raised an eyebrow and Apple Bloom blushed a bright red.

"A-Ah..."

"I heard what she said. You know how to beat a bully?"

"Hit'em?" Daring chuckled then walked her next to the staircase and they sat down.

"No dear. What you do is give her no reason to make her insult you. Be the kindest pony you can be. If you are and she is still being rude then show her what she's been doing is wrong. Give her some kindness and a guide and she'll turn around."

"Are ya sure? What if she doesn't?"

"If she doesn't then she doesn't deserve your friendship. Also I'm completely positive that will work! Or I'm not Daring Do!" Suddenly Applejack trotted out and glared at Daring.

"Darin'! Go back to the fire! You're probably frozen still!" Daring stuck out her tongue then trotted over and nuzzled her before trotting off. Apple Bloom got up and trotted up the stairs, hoping Daring was right.

When she came in Diamond Tiara was sitting on the ground looking tired and shivering slightly. Apple Bloom trotted to her closet and pulled out her special quilt, sighing deeply before gritting her teeth. She hoped nothing bad happened to her quilt. "You look cold Diamond Tiara. Wanna cover up with mah quilt?"

"So you shared a quilt with her? How did you guys start dating?" Said Scoots in boredom, listening to sappy stories was not her strong point. Apple Bloom gave her a dead panned look and Diamond Tiara looked at her in irritation.

"Don't interrupt." Sweetie said gently while Scoots snorted and grumbled under her breath. Apple Bloom gave Scoots a look and smiled tiredly.

"It wasn't because she used mah quilt. Plus you both know the quilt Ah shared was mah ma's."

"Wait. The quilt I used was your mothers?!" Diamond Tiara squeaked out as Apple Bloom nodded with a shrug.

"Ah was being nice. Anyway, the real event happened after dinner."

Apple Bloom was looking over the flash cards and arranging them when Dash rushed in, kicking the door closed behind her. "Hey! Hide me squirt!" Apple Bloom pointed to her closest without looking up and Dash rushed into their right as the door opened and two angry mares came in.

"Where's Dash?!" Apple Bloom pointed to the closest without looking up and grinned as Dash was dragged out screaming. She chuckled then finished arranging the flash cards and got up to get Diamond Tiara. Suddenly the orchard was alight with lightning and she watched it in awe.

She was snapped out of her watching by a loud crash and she rushed to the front to see Diamond Tiara holding onto Rich. He was trying to soothe her and she was whimpering into his chest, her eyes shut tightly. Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow then trotted over. "Um, maybe we won't do any work for tonight. She looks tired."

"Thank you Apple Bloom." Rich said quietly. She shrugged then began to clean up the mess Diamond Tiara had made when another crack filled the air and Diamond whined loudly. Rich hushed her tenderly and stroked her mane rapidly,hoping he could soothe her. Apple Bloom went to take the pieces of the plate Diamond had broken to the kitchen when Rich let out a yell. She jumped then rushed back and found him holding his hoof in pain and the front door was open.

"Damn it!" Rich yelled. Apple Bloom rushed to her room and pulled on her bandanna, then her stetson hat, running out as soon as she was done. She rushed down the path and the wind whipped her hair into her face. She shook her head then looked and found a trail of filly hooves. She took off after it and soon found herself in a cave. She ran inside and found the hooves doubled back. She grunted in irritation then turned and ran out.

She was growing tired, as she looked down, following the filly tracks. The hooves were fading fast in the mud and she looked up. A streak of lightning slammed into the ground close to her left and she jumped in fright/shock. She looked up and found pegasus were fighting the clouds back. This wasn't a scheduled storm! She gulped then rushed faster after the fading trail of hooves and came to the path leading to her clubhouse.

She took a look up and sighed in relief when she found a light on in the clubhouse. She rushed down the path and to the clubhouse. "Tiara?!" The light flickered and a shivering head poked out of one of the windows and looked down at her.

"Tiara! Git down here now! It's not safe up there!" Tiara shook her head and moved back into the clubhouse. Apple Bloom looked up nervously and rushed up into the clubhouse. Tiara was sobbing into her hooves and she trotted over slowly and nuzzled her, trying to offer some kind of comfort. "We gotta get out of here."

"N-No." The distraught filly whimpered.

"Ah'll protect you but we gotta-." The lighting sliced through the air and the branch under the tree house began to crack. Tiara whined loudly and the tree house shifted then fell. Apple Bloom managed to grab her close before a searing pain shot through her right forehoof. She let out a strangled cry as she hit the ground and the roof crashed into her back. She whined softly then looked down at Tiara.

Tiara's eyes were wide and she was panting in short quick gasps. "Calm down Tiara. Shhhhh." She nuzzled the filly and whispered soft words of comfort until the filly began to sob raggedly. Only marginally better but better than the short pants. Apple Bloom sighed then moved and winced as her fore hoof throbbed in pain.

She moved back then said, "Get up. Can ya move? Anything hurt?" Tiara shook her head then sobbed harder before moving to her feet, trembling hard. Apple Bloom looked around then took her stetson off and put it on Tiara's head.

"Come on, we gotta get home." Tiara sniffed loudly and Apple Bloom sighed softly and moved under Tiara, moving her onto her back. Tiara wasn't heavy and she was thankful as she limped away from the tree. Apple Bloom looked back and saw the tree go up in flames as lightning crashed into the trunk. She shuddered and took off for home.

She limped down the path as fast as she could and looked up into the cloudy sky. Each time the sky was illuminated with lightning she would pause. The lightning was wild and she knew one wrong step would spell her and Tiara's doom. She looked up as the rumble began then jumped to the right as lightning rushed down. She cried out in pain as she landed on her injured fore hoof, briefly, but gritted her teeth and looked behind her at Tiara.

Tiara was whimpering and whispering softly. Apple Bloom forced the pain down and took off again. She came to a hill and looked down. Down one path was Fluttershy's house and down another was hers. The difference was Fluttershy's house was closer. She moved to take the path home when a tree was knocked over and she looked to Fluttershy's house once again. Looks like she was staying there.

When she got to the door she slammed her left hoof on the door and it banged open. She rushed in and shut the door panting heavily. "A-Apple Bloom?" A soft voice said. She looked up and smiled weakly at Fluttershy.

"Hey Shy." She managed to get out before collapsing onto her side, while Tiara screamed.

Apple Bloom paused and frowned at the small crowd at her table. Scoots looked at her with wide eyes, Sweetie's eyes held tears, Silver looked a shocked as did Dinky and their newest addition Pinkie looked shocked. "So that's why your fore hoof was in a sling!" Pinkie squeaked out.

"Yup! Broke it clean through. Ah'm not done though." Apple Bloom said, grinning.

"More?!" Pinkie said with a bit of excitement.

"Eeeyup." Apple Bloom said, taking another sip of her hot chocolate.

Author note time: Thanks everyone for the comments, they make me feel better bout my writing. I just have a few questions for you. If someone could help me figure out how to structure the damn stories so every one would feel comfortable. If people would like I'll go back and redo Learning to Love: A Daring Apple Spectrum. Who ever wants to beta read please drop me a message. I want help, seriously dudes.

Rain Storms Pt. 2

Chapter 3

Apple Bloom took a sip of her drink then paused to think. "Ah'm a bit fuzzy on the details."

"I can take over dear."

"Thank ya kindly sugarcube." Diamond Tiara cleared her throat then blushed when Applejack, Daring and Dash came over.

"Maybe we should-."

"Continue." Apple Bloom said in a dead panned voice as they joined in.

"O-Okay. Well it happened like this..."

Diamond Tiara shuddered as lightning illuminated the sky but looked to Apple Bloom's sleeping face and felt her fears melt away. She was hurt because of her, she had rescued her and all she did was cry. Tiara sniffed then moved forward and nuzzled her gently. "I-I'm sorry Apple Bloom. I am a terrible person huh?" She heard a grunt and a hoof hit her head. She yelped then looked to see a tired Apple Bloom glaring at her.

"Shut up."

"B-But..."

"Ah said shut up. Fer once yer gonna listen to me." Tiara nodded and looked down tears welling in her eyes. Apple Bloom sighed and rolled onto her side, facing Tiara. "Yer a mean, spiteful person but it ain't yer fault." Tiara's head snapped up and she looked at her in shock.

"W-What?"

"It's not yer fault. Yer only real friend is Silver Spoon. Something happened huh?" Tiara looked away and sniffed softly.

"It happened when my mom died. I-It was also the day I realized I was scared of lightning."

Filthy Rich smiled as his wife, Sonata Crown, played with their filly. Sonata Crown was a rough and tumble type of mare with a heart of gold and a voice of an angel. She was the singer at one of his lounges. She was young but age meant nothing to the two love struck ponies. Sonata smiled and whined in happiness when she saw him. "Love come play with us!" Rich smiled then trotted outside and nuzzled his wife gently. Diamond giggled and nuzzled her father's chest and said, "Daddy! Play with momma and me!" Rich nodded and the family of three began to play. Slowly clouds began to roll in and Sonata sighed. "Okay, inside! It's gonna rain!" The family began to trot inside but Diamond saw a toy under a tree and smiled. She rushed over and grabbed it giggling then turned to see her mother looking at her with a tired smile.

Her mother motioned for her to come inside but she shook her head and sat down. The rain began to come down and her mother lost her playful expression. She made another motion but Diamond shook her head harder and giggled as her mother frowned. A loud rumble came from the sky and Diamond looked up in curiosity. Suddenly a bright light came from the sky and hit the ground a few feet from her. Diamond jumped and tears sprung to her eyes as she whimpered loudly. Sonata gasped then looked back, her eyes set in determination and rushed out to her. Rich screamed after his wife but she was determined to get her filly.

When she got to the tree she grabbed Diamond roughly and turned to run but the lightning hit the ground in front of her, tossing her back into the tree. She groaned, dazed but not seriously hurt and looked up to see a large branch snap from her impact into the tree. She tossed Diamond away and the branch hit her full force in the head. She collapsed onto her side and Diamond gasped, rushing to her mother’s side. "Momma!" Rich galloped over and made to move the branch then froze. Her head was under the branch and a river of blood was coming from under it. He looked at the crying filly then grabbed her and rushed inside. Diamond screamed out for her mother but...she just laid there. Dead.

Diamond sobbed softly as she finished her tale and looked to Apple Bloom, who looked sad. "Ah'm sorry Tiara."

"It was my fault. I should have listened. I'm mean because if I get close to someone, what if they get hurt? What if they don't wake up l-like momma?"

"Mah mom died protectin' Applejack." Tiara looked up at Apple Bloom in shock and Apple Bloom smiled slightly. "Sis told me ma died protectin' her from a pack of wolves. Sis didn't want ta let people close but she said it was a part of letting go. Yer mom wants ya ta live Tiara. Try and be nicer, make some more friends and live." Tiara sniffed loudly then nodded and smiled at her.

"W-Will you be my friend?"

"Ah rescued ya didn't Ah? Ah’d say we're friends already." Tiara grinned and nodded when a large crack came from outside. Tiara flinched then looked at Apple Bloom and smiled sheepishly.

"Can I still be scared of lightning?"

"Ah think we all get ta be afraid of that." Tiara giggled then sighed gently.

"I wonder where that nice pony is."

"Shy?" Suddenly the lights went out and Tiara screamed loudly. Apple Bloom winced then slowly rolled out of the bed she rested in and limped to the door.

"Come on." Right when she reached for the door knob, she stopped and limped back to the bed and grabbed a blanket.

"What are you doing?"

"Something is wrong." She put the blanket on the door knob and turned it slowly then limped out with Tiara following closely. They both went down stairs and found Fluttershy on the ground. Tiara whimpered but Apple Bloom went over then sighed in relief. "Ah think the doors are electrified, one touch and you get hit by a jolt of electricity." She nudged Fluttershy and got a groan from her. "Tiara, we need to get back to mah house."

"B-But…"

"Promise me you will help me?" Tiara nodded and Apple Bloom looked around then rushed over to a table and broke the legs off. "Help me get her on this." Both fillies rolled her onto the broken slab of wood and Apple Bloom rushed to the room she had used, grabbed a few blankets, and dragged them downstairs. They tightly strapped her to the wooden slab then made a rein. "Okay. We need ta drag her to the farm okay?" Tiara nodded and they each gripped a piece of rope and dragged her to the door. Balanced on one leg Apple Bloom kicked the door open and they began their trek to the farm.

Tiara whined as another streak of lightning came dangerously close to them. "Apple Bloom?"

"Yes?"

"How come you know so much?"

Apple Bloom flushed then grunted, "Well Ah really like ta read so Ah ask Applejack ta take me to the library some times. Ah just read a lot." Tiara nodded then froze.

"There's a tree on the path." Apple Bloom spit out her rein then groaned softly.

"It'll take too long ta go around!" She looked around and Tiara pointed to two wooden planks. "Perfect! Stay here!" Apple Bloom rushed over and moved one of the planks onto her back then set it up on one side of the tree then did the same to the other side. "Okay, you pull, Ah'll push."

Ten minutes later both fillies’ managed to get Fluttershy over the tree and Apple Bloom looked up. The sky was lighting up and the lightning had stopped. She wiped the sweat from her head then nodded to Tiara and they gripped the reins tightly, beginning again. Apple Bloom and her trekked for another thirty minutes before they got to the gate. "Run ahead Tiara." Apple Bloom said weakly before she collapsed onto her side and whined softly. Tiara ran off and Apple Bloom looked into the sky and smiled as the clouds cleared revealing the golden sky behind. She grinned wider when she rolled over and a rainbow shot out of her house and headed towards them. She yawned then passed out.

Apple Bloom frowned into her cup then shrugged and looked to see Tiara was grinning. She looked forward and blanched slightly seeing now Twilight and Rarity had joined the bunch and Rarity had tears in her eyes. "That was so amazing!" Apple Bloom cringed and grumbled, "What is this, a sowing circle?"

"So you guys started to date after that?" asked Sweetie

"Nope. There's still some stuff."

"Seriously?! Dang Tiara! You play hard to get!" Scoots said whistling lowly. Tiara flushed then rolled her eyes and shook her head.

Voice of the Departed

Chapter 4

Apple Bloom sipped more hot chocolate as she thought back to the next event that lead to her rather unusual relationship. "Now where to start?"

"The next event dear." She made a face at Tiara then nodded.

"Well the next event Ah'd say happened at the Rich Folks Party."

"You mean Papa's Party?" The other mares looked confused until Daring smiled.

"Ohhhhh you mean Filthy Rich's cast party!" Apple Bloom nodded and sat back.

"The next event was that night."

Apple Bloom glared down at her dress and looked over to Applejack who was busy talking with another farmer. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes then trotted over to the refreshments table. The stupid singers sucked anyway. Scootaloo sang better than them and that was saying something.

(“HEY!”

“Sorry Scoots, but it's true.”)

Apple Bloom got herself some juice then trotted over to a table and looked around. The room was packed with older and richer people and she rolled her eyes. "Hello Miss Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom looked up and grinned.

"Hello Mister Rich."

"How are you?"

"Good."

"Your hoof?"

"Gettin' better every day!" He chuckled then leaned in and whispered, "I thought the musical was terrible." She laughed and he stood then made a shush motion then trotted off. She smiled then looked around the room before tiredly jumping from her chair and trotting out of the room. She trotted down the hall and paused as she heard a beautiful voice singing from a room.

Tiara
I always hear when you sigh
Never in my woodland
Could there be words to reveal
In a phrase how I feel

Have you ever heard two turtle doves
Bill and coo when they love
That's the kind of magic
Music we make with our lips
When we kiss

And there's a weepy ol' willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I cry in my pillow
If you should tell me
Farewell and goodbye

Lullaby of Birdland whisper low
kiss me sweet & we'll go
Fliyin' high in Birdland
High in the sky up above
All because we're in love

Apple Bloom flushed and looked around before trotting to the door and found Tiara moving around her room humming to the music. She was cleaning her room and looked lost in the smooth jazz coming from her music player. Suddenly she opened her mouth and Apple Bloom was memorized.

And there's a weepy ol' willow
He really knows how to cry
That's how I cry in my pillow
If you should tell me
Farewell and goodbye

Lullaby of Birdland whisper low
Kiss me sweet & we'll go
Fliyin' high in Birdland
High in the sky up above
All because we're in love

As she finished her voice dipped low then up and she looked to the door and blushed. "A-Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom blushed then scratched the back of her head before trotting in and looking around.

"Nice room." Tiara blushed redder then looked around then shrugged.

"It's nothing really. What are you doing here?"

"Well Mister Rich invited Applejack and her friends ta the play and they brought me along. The play sucked." They both laughed and Tiara grimaced.

"You're telling me. The only one who could sing was Sweetie Belle, Dinky Whooves, Miss Fluttershy and Miss Rainbow Dash." Apple Bloom nodded then trotted over to the bed and sat on it. Tiara smiled then turned off the music and Apple Bloom cocked her head to the side.

"Yer a really good singer."

"N-Not really. My mom was better." Apple Bloom smiled and chuckled softly.

"Come on. She couldn't be better than you." Tiara flushed redder then grinned.

"Come on. Let me prove it." Both fillies left the room and trotted down a hall and into a huge music room. Tiara turned on a light and Apple Bloom gasped. On one of the walls was a huge picture of Sonata Crown. She was a pale pink mare with a lavender mane and grey eyes. She had a golden crown made of music notes resting on her flank. Tiara trotted up to a music player then shifted through some records before grabbing one and putting it on. "The music is from a musical called, Next To Normal."

Sonata Crown
I saw you light the ballroom
With your sparkling eyes so blue
Graceful as an angel's wing
I dreamed a dance with you

You whispered slyly, softly
You told me you would be true
We spun around a thousand stars
I dreamed a dance with you

I know the night is dying dear
I know the day will dawn

The dancers may disappear
Still the dance goes on

Both
And on

Sonata Crown
I'll wake alone tomorrow
The dream of our dance is through
But now until forever love
I'll live to dance with you
I'll dream my love
I'll live my love
And I'll die to dance

As the thread of music faded Apple Bloom looked to Tiara and found she had been singing softly with the music. "That sounded beautiful."

"I told you she-."

"Ah meant you." Tiara colored and looked at her.

"W-What?" Apple Bloom smiled and looked to the picture of the beautiful mare.

"You sounded beautiful. Have you practiced the song before?"

"No. I listen to it a lot though." Apple Bloom looked at her and smiled.

"Why?"

"I don't want to forget how my mom sounds." Apple Bloom smiled and nodded and the music shifted.

Stallion
There's a world, there's a world I know
A place we can go where the pain will go away
There's a world where the sun shines each day
There's a world, there's a world out there
I'll show you just where
And in time I know you'll see
There's a world where we can be free
Come with me
Come with me
There's a world where we can be free
Come with me.

As the song faded they both leaned on each other.

A/n: Soooooooo sorry it took so long to get this chapter out. I feel terrible. College is killing me and my editors going through crap too. Hopefully he'll finish the next chapter soon. Oh! Try to look up the music to this. Song one was I Dreamed a Dance and song two was There's a World. Listen to the songs. Their pretty good. Well see ya for now.

Ending of a Story

Chapter 5

Apple Bloom stared mares across from them, looking close to crying. "Why are they blubberin’?"

"Cuz it was a sweet moment." Apple Bloom rolled her eyes then nuzzled her.

"Ah'm goin’ to the bathroom." Apple Bloom jumped off her chair and trotted off to the bathroom and Tiara grinned.

"Well I guess I should tell the ending to our little tale. If that almost made you cry this event will. This was when I knew she was the filly for me." Tiara smiled and looked off.

Apple Bloom smiled and sat at a chair watching as Tiara sang. "Higher!" Tiara forced her voice an octave higher and Apple Bloom looked to the glass in front of her. It vibrated rapidly and she grinned. "Higher!" Tiara went higher and her face began to grow red from the strain. Suddenly the glass exploded and Apple Bloom yelled, "Stop." Tiara stopped and panted heavily. "That was amazin’!" Tiara grinned then sat heavily and giggled. The door opened to the music room and Filthy Rich looked in curiously.

"What was that?" They shook their head and he looked around nervously then left.

"What's up with yer dad?"

"He doesn't want me to sing." Apple Bloom looked at her in shock and raised an eyebrow.

"Why not?" Tiara sighed and looked away. The track changed and they paused.

Sonata Crown
We were still living downtown
My black coat thrown over my blue nightgown
You ran too fast, the lights of the city flew past
How could I ever forget?
Outside the morning was cool and wet
He had such chills but still
He lay there so still
Just 18 months old, so cold
We ran him inside
Lost, worrying, wondering
That hospital room, that gloom

(overlapping)
How could I ever forget?
Screaming at doctors
Alarmed, upset
They said too wait
They never said we were too late
But I was a child raising a child
Those weeks full of joy, then a moment of dread

Stallion (overlapping)
How could I ever forget?
I was so upset
Diana don't
You think this will help but it won't
So many years ago
So much we could not know

Sonata Crown
Someone simply said, your child is

Stallion
How could I ever forget?

Sonata Crown
How could I ever forget?

Stallion
This was

Both
the moment my life was set
That day that I lost you
It's clear as the day we met
How could I ever forget?

The music faded and they looked at the ground. "My mother didn't die when she was hit with the branch." Apple Bloom looked up and Tiara looked at the picture smiling. "She lived for three more hours but she was in a lot of pain. She told me she loved me, she told dad to watch over me, she told him...not to get caught up in his work." Apple Bloom looked down and sighed.

"He's not there, huh?"

"No. He doesn't even know my talent is singing. He thinks its business." She laughed hollowly then rubbed her eyes. Apple Bloom trotted over then nuzzled her tenderly and sat there.

"Ah'm here." Tiara smiled tiredly then nodded.

"Yes. Yes you are." Both fillies sat there for a short while and Tiara looked up. "Apple Bloom?"

"Hm?"

"Can you help me with something? I think my dad needs to really see my talent."

"What'd ya have in mind?"

"A song rewrite."

Apple Bloom smiled as Tiara nodded and looked to her. "You sound perfect. Now go get my dad?" Apple Bloom nodded and trotted off to get the business stallion then led him back. "Daddy?"

"Yes sweetie?"

"Can you sit down? I have something to tell you." He sat with a smile on his face and she gulped. Apple Bloom trotted over and smiled. Tiara smiled back then blushed when she realized something. No matter what, she would have Apple Bloom and she was really happy about that. She shook her head then looked at her father. Now was not the time for those feelings.

Tiara
One light shines in the drive
One single sign that our house is alive
Our house, our own
So why do I love there alone
Tell me why I wait through the night
And why do I leave on the light
You know, I know
Our house was a home long ago

Take this chance cause it may be our last
To be free, to let go of the past
And to try to not to ignore my young life
To let love never die not just bury your wife
Take my hand and let me take your heart
Keep you far from what keeps us apart
Let us start with a light in the dark

Night falls I stare at the walls

Apple Bloom
She stares at these walls

Tiara
I wake and wander the halls

Apple Bloom
You get lost in these halls

Tiara
And I ache to the bone

Apple Bloom
It's like nothing she's known

Both
I/She can't get through this alone.

Tiara
Take this chance and we'll make a new start
Somewhere far from what keeps us apart
And I swear that somewhere in the night
There's a light, a light in the dark

Tears rolled down his cheeks and Tiara looked down as Apple Bloom placed a hoof on her back. "Mister Rich just...please listen ter her. She needs her pa. Not a friend. Or someone who just made her." Apple Bloom moved back and Rich slowly got up and trotted over and hugged Tiara. Apple Bloom smiled and slowly back out of the room.

Apple Bloom returned and found everyone was crying. She looked to Tiara to see she was crying too and rolled her eyes. "Weirdoes." She trotted over to the register and bought another cupcake then trotted over to the table and sat, beginning to eat her cupcake. "What'd ya tell'em?"

"About the song we sang for my dad." Apple Bloom nodded then said, "Mah turn Ah guess."

Trotting down the path to the house Apple Bloom frowned. Tiara was caught up with school and this was going to be the end of her tutoring sessions...did she want them to end? Apple Bloom sighed then trotted into the house and up to Tiara's room. "Tiara?" She opened the door to her room and found her reading on her bed.

"Hey Apple Bloom, what are we learning today?"

"Test day."

"Test?" Tiara looked at her curiously and Apple Bloom giggled then trotted over and dropped a test on the bed.

"Test. Start now." Tiara rolled her eyes then began. As Tiara worked Apple Bloom paused and watched, feeling nervous. When Tiara finished she passed her the test and Apple Bloom began to grade it.

"What's the test for?"

"To see if I'm still needed as a tutor." Tiara went silent and she looked up to see her frowning.

"Oh." Apple Bloom smiled softly then finished and grinned tightly.

"Congrats. Perfect score." She handed her the test and packed up her stuff.

"Apple Bloom?"

"What?" She snapped. Tiara went silent and she pulled on her saddle bags and trotted to the door briskly.

"Ah'm not needed anymore."

"Wait!" Apple Bloom rushed out of the room and down the stairs.

"Apple Bloom! Wait damn it!" Apple Bloom slowed and paused outside. Tiara rushed out and to her panting heavily. "You're fast."

"What do ya want? Ah'm not needed anymore."

"We're friends right? Tell me what's wrong." Apple Bloom looked away and tears began to swim in her eyes.

"Nothin's wrong."

"Please tell me...please?" Tears began to roll down Apple Bloom's cheeks and she sniffed.

"If Ah stay...yer not gonna like me."

"What?"

"You can't feel the same way."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's impossible, improbable, out of this world, not gonna happen, no-." She was forcefully shut up as Tiara slapped her hard in the face.

"I'm sorry that I did that." Apple Bloom rubbed her mouth then sat on her haunches and looked down.

"Sorry." Tiara smiled and sat next to her.

"Please. What are you talking about?"

"Ah like you. As more than a friend." Tiara's face colored and she looked down.

"Oh!"

"Yeah...weird huh?" Tiara flushed redder and shook her head.

"No. Not really."

"Why"

"I-I kind of like you too."

"Yer shittin' me." Tiara gave a look of disdain and she flushed. "Seriously?" Tiara smiled at her tenderly then nuzzled her neck.

"Yes. Seriously." Apple Bloom blushed redder then smiled and nuzzled her back.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Chapter 6

Apple Bloom trotted out of the bakery and frowned. The sun was much lower than the last time she was outside. She shrugged then looked to see Tiara waving to her new friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Tiara finished then looked up at her. "What would you like to do?

"Let's go nap fer a little." Tiara giggled and nodded.

Apple Bloom settled against Tiara under a nice looking tree and nuzzled her gently. "Why didn't you tell them about that other thing?"

"What other thing?"

"After the confession." Apple Bloom flushed then looked away.

"Ah don't think Applejack needs ter know ‘bout that."

"You singing?"

"Yeah. She thinks herself a right good Taylor SwiftTail." Tiara chuckled then kissed her softly and Apple Bloom grinned.
"Well she does sing nice." Apple Bloom made a face then kissed her cheek and snuggled closer. "I love you Apple Bloom."

"Ah love ya too Diamond Tiara."

"Ah can't believe Ah lost..."

"Sorry Gala. I told you I would win." Not far from the two napping fillies two white wearing mares stood smiling. One was a large mare with a red coat but a white stetson rested on her head and white vest was on her torso. Her eyes were an emerald green and her mane a golden sunset. The other mare was wearing a white lounge dress over her pale pink coat and her lavender mane was pulled into a low bun but a few wisps of hair escaped. She her grey eyes danced with mischief and she smiled at the red mare. "Seriously Gala. I could see this a mile away!

"Oh shut up Sonata!" The lavender mare laughed and trotted over to the two fillies and nudged them closer together. The red mare grunted then trotted over and nuzzled Apple Bloom. "Nice of Sickle ta give us the day off."

"Ah yes. I hate judging souls."

"Hey you get ta judge them, Ah have ter drag the reluctant souls ta hell! Ya can't guess how many times Ah'm called a hick! We should be gettin' back though."

"Yes we should. Momma loves you Tiara."

"Same fer you Apple Bloom." Both mares turned and trotted off towards a tree and disappeared from sight.

Apple Bloom was wiser and more mature for her years, while Diamond Tiara was immature and selfish but both fillies were up to the challenge of Learning to Love one another.

Well that's it, sorry this took so long. Don't forget to keep an eye out for the next one, Learning to Love: A Sparkling Sun.