//------------------------------// // The Accent // Story: Spike's Apple Bloom // by Bronymind //------------------------------// "Apple Bloom!” Applejack yelled, “Get yerself outta bed!" “Aw c’mon, jus’ one more minute, sis?” a voice from upstairs wailed. "No, Apple Bloom.” Applejack called, “Yer gonna be late fer school!" The earth pony chose to ignore the stream of irritated mumbling that followed. "Hey, cheer up, Sugarcube! Yer friends an’ y’all can go... eh, what’s it called?" "Cutie Mark Crusading." the filly answered as she appeared at the top of the stairs and grumpily descended them. She scowled when she reached the bottom.. "Aw, come on, Apple Bloom. Yer friends will’ve missed you." “Ah guess so...” Apple Bloom mumbled in response. "Spike. Spike!” the unicorn yelled, “C’mon, Spike. Get out of bed. You’ll be late for school!"  "But Twilight,” Spike complained, “I didn’t even sign up for this!” "I know,” Twilight smiled, “But I think you’ve been neglecting talking to ponies your age. Besides you already know a few of the ponies that go there, like Sweetie belle, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom.” Twilight continued, “When did you last talk to them, anyway?”   "I dunno know,” Spike grumbled, “They just disappeared a year ago. I haven't seen them since." "Well Rarity and Applejack said their sisters are back now, so you can all catch up.” Twilight said, clapping her hooves in delight. “Heh, yeah, I guess.” Spike sighed before jumping out of his bed. “Alright, you better get ready quick. We’re late as it is, and we need to be there before the bell rings.” Twilight said, “The last thing I want is for you to be tardy on your first day!” Spike simply rolled his eyes. Later that morning at Ponyville’s local school Applejack ushered her younger sibling into the classroom. As the doors of the classroom opened, two fillys squealed at the new arrival. "Apple Bloom!" they exclaimed in perfect unison. "Sweetie belle! Scootaloo! Oh ah ain’t seen y'all in donkey’s years!" Apple Bloom replied with rivalling enthusiasm. "Aww c’mon, AB. It’s only been a year." Scootaloo chuckled as she tried to look embarrassed when the three embraced in a hug. "Yeah, but ah guess it jus’ feels like a long time, yah know.” the filly said, pouting. The three fillies chatted excitedly as they walked into the classroom and sat at their seats. Apple Bloom found herself in awe of how much she’d missed out on as they eagerly exchanged gossip. “And then they were like ‘naaaaooww’, and everypony was all ‘whoaa’, but I was there like ‘meh, I’ve seen Rainbow Dash do better’. And oh yeah! Did I mention-” “Hey,” Sweetie Belle interrupted, “Isn’t that Spike?” Apple Bloom and Scootaloo followed Sweetie Belle’s gaze and saw the purple dragon standing awkwardly in the doorway. “Aw yeah. I think ma sis said somethin’ aboou’ Twilight makin’ Spike go t’school.” Apple Bloom said, “Ah thought he was too clever fer school.” “Don’t think I’ve ever seen him out of that library.” Scootaloo giggled. “Well, he’s always over at Rarity’s boutique. I can’t be sure if he’s Twilight’s assistant or my sister’s!” Sweetie Belle replied. “He doesn’t look like he wants t’be here.” Apple Bloom stated as she watched the dragon cautiously pick a seat at the edge of the class. He mumbled to himself and scowled when he sat down. As if on cue, Miss Cheerilee strolled in merrily. "Let’s quiet down, please! It’s time to start the lesson.” she announced, “Today I would like to welcome a new student to our class.” Cheerilee motioned to the back of the class. “Would you like to introduce yourself?” Somepony, or somedragon, grumbled at the back of the class before a chair scraped along the floor and the short dragon walked to the front of the room. “Well, my little ponies, this is Spike. I’m sure many of you know him from Ponyville’s very own library!” the mare squealed in delight, and turned to him, “I’m sure you’ll fit right in, Spike.” The dragon didn’t look convinced. "So where’d y'all go fer the year? Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked as she carefully designed a card for Applejack on one of the outside tables while the other fillies and colts chased each other around the playground. "Well my parents wanted me to stay with them in Fillydelphia for the year. We went to some places and see stuff. It was neat, but I kinda missed you girls and my sister. What about you, Scootaloo?" Sweetie belle asked. "My year was totally amazing! I went up to Cloudsdale, and I got to tour the weather factory and see the pegasus races and check out all the cloudscrapers. I even got to see the wonderbolts!” She squealed, “And they were totally awesome. Remember I was talking about them when I came in? I think Rainbow Dash is way better. I don’t get why she isn’t already a Wonderbolt. They should make her one.” she said before shivering, “And, by the way, don't try eating a rainbow. I don’t know what they put in them, but whatever it is, it’s not tasty at all!” "Wow, you two sure had fun. See what ah did-” "Hey, Blank Flank! That’s my spot you’re sitting in." A voice called. “Oh no.” Sweetie Belle sighed. “Look, I’m going to go talk to Miss. Cheerilee about that homework she set us.” “Better that than Diamond Tiara.” Scootaloo said, scowling. Apple Bloom frowned as she realized the card she was designing anchored her to the bench. “I said move it!” Diamond Tiara repeated as she approached the lone filly. "Why do ah have to move out of mah spot, it don't even have your name on it. Go pick another one, Diamond Tiara." Apple bloom said coldly. "What’re you making? A card?” she snickered, “Is it to say sorry for your last catastrophe you and your lame Cutie Mark Crusaders caused, Blank Flank?” “It’s for ma sis!” Apple Bloom said. “Oh really? Is it to say sorry for the last barn wreckage? How many barns is it you’ve destroyed now? Eurgh! I’m surprised your family’s still in business.” “Ma family’s doin’ jus’ fine, Diamond Tiara. Don’t you forget how Ponyville was founded.” Apple Bloom reminded. “I wonder if your family manages to strike any business with any other ponies. My daddy’s probably the only one that buys from you, considering that accent. What kind of an accent is that, anyway? It’s so stupid.” Apple Bloom winced, “Hey, there’s nothin’ wrong with ma accent.” Diamond Tiara grinned as she realized she’d hit a nerve, “Oh c’mon, that accent’s hideous! It’s no wonder no one wants to hang around you, apart from those other Blank Flanks.” Diamond Tiara said, “You should see if you can get it changed at a doctor." "Ma accent’s jus’ fine the way it is!” Apple Bloom said quietly as her eyes grew hot." “Pff, I bet you’ll be alone for the rest of your life. No colt would go for that accent. Apple Bloom didn’t bother grabbing any of her stuff. She turned around and ran away, tears streaming down her face. "What a loser. She can’t even take a joke." Diamond Tiara sighed just before she went out of earshot. "Hey, Spike! Want to play tag?” “Erm,” Spike replied, “No thanks, Pipsqueak. Maybe later. Right now I think I’ll just, er... stand here.” The young colt raised an eyebrow questioningly, but probed no further, “Okay, no problem. I guess I’ll speak to you later. See ya!” “Yeah, I guess.” the dragon sighed as Pipsqueak ran off. Spike didn’t bet on his chances on winning tag, anyway. All the colts and fillies were much faster than he was when it came to running. It was strange to think that these ponies were his age. He couldn’t remember when he’d learnt to count or read, but he was sure he shouldn’t be in school if he often helped Twilight with her Calculus. Something caught his eye. He glanced over to see Apple Bloom running into the school building. “Huh?" Spike said he saw tears streaming down the filly’s face. He glanced around but nobody seemed to have noticed the bizarre occurrence. Spike chased after Apple Bloom. "Hey!” he called as he ran, “Hey, Apple Bloom!" She pricked her ears and turned round in the doorway. "Oh, Spike. It’s you.” she sniffled as she wiped her cheeks and turned away, trying to hide her red eyes. “Apple Bloom, are you okay?” Spike asked. “Who, me? Naw I’m fine. Nothin’ wrong here." Apple Bloom said quickly. "You don’t look okay.” Spike frowned, “Apple Bloom, you can tell me." "Spike, it’s jus’ Diamond Tiara bein’ her usual mean, old self.” "Diamond Tiara?" Spike said slowly. “What’d she do?” “She was tellin’ me ah couldn't get my cutie mark, and that I break everythin’, and that nopony likes ma accent!" Apple Bloom cried.. "What? You don’t believe her, do you?” Spike said. “C’mon, Apple Bloom, you could choose to do anything with no cutie mark, and you don’t break things all the time, and I like your accent.” Spike added, “I think it’s kinda cute." "Really? Yah think ah have a cute accent?" "Well, yeah, all the ponies in Canterlot talked like snobs. It’s cool you sound different." "That's the most nicest thing anypony’s ever said to me!" Apple Bloom squealed, forgetting her sadness.. "You’re welcome, I guess-" Spike gasped as he was pulled into a tight hug, "Ouch.” he rasped, “Apple bloom, could you loosen me just a little?" "Oh sorry, Spike. It's just nopony’s ever told me they like mah accent before.” "Heh, that's alright, just don’t try killing me next time.” Spike chuckled. Apple Bloom laughed, “Sorry, Spike.” The pair stood there in silence. “So, ah guess I’ll go see what Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo are up to.” “Yeah, okay. I’ll see you later then, Apple Bloom.” “Yeah, sure.” "Hey, Spike how was school today? Did you meet anyone new?” "How could you!?” Spike howled. “That was horrible!” “Oh c’mon, Spike, it can’t have been that bad.” Spike scowled, “Easy for you to say. They were trying to get me to play tag, and it’s only the first day and Apple Bloom’s already been reduced to tears by Diamond Tiara. Are you sure these ponies are my age?” “Apple Bloom was upset by Diamond Tiara today?” "Yeah,” Spike said, “She was running towards the school building during one of the breaks in tears.” “Oh,” Twilight said, “That’s not good. What was she upset about?” “Diamond Tiara said something about her breaking things and her accent.” Spike said, shrugging. “Hmm, was she okay? What did you say to her?” “I told her not to believe Diamond Tiara, of course.” Spike chuckled, “I think Apple Bloom’s pretty good at building things - dId you see the float the Cutie Mark Crusaders made for the Summer Harvest Parade? - and I think her accent’s cute. It’s way better than the Canterlot accent. "You told her you think her accent’s cute?" Spike frowned, "Yeah. Although she almost killed me with a hug afterwards. I’m not sure what that was all about." "I see.” Twilight said, smiling, “Will you be seeing her tomorrow?” Spike couldn’t shake a sinking feeling that he was missing something, “Yeah I suppose so, if she’s gonna be at school tomorrow." “Okay.” Twilight giggled, and said nothing more and she danced off into the kitchen. “What was that all about?” Spike muttered to himself.