//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Unsettling Days and Nights // Story: The Blank Truth // by Screw //------------------------------// This is a story of what happens if Apple Bloom thought that she had escaped from Sunny Town The third dream after the incident The Sun is about to set, lighting the last few of its bright orange light onto everything it touches. The Sun's light glisten off the fresh bright green leaves of the Everfree forest. Sounds of galloping were masked by the thick forest trees, a filly Earth Pony barely escaped from the town which was once full of happy and uplifted souls was now covered in torn down buildings and somber surroundings. Apple Bloom small body managed to push the giant boulder that blocked her exit and barely escaped from a zompony grasp. She continued down the barely visible path that the Everfree forest block almost all the setting Sun's light. Apple Bloom break into a full gallop, straining her body to push herself as it starts to get sore and wobbly. The closer she got to the town's entrance, more of the rotten quadrupedal equines started to rise. The two rotting reanimated corpse limped towards the panic stricken yellow Earth filly. "All we want is friendship. Don't leave. The others won't like it," the voice from one of the undead spoke to Apple Bloom, it was a voice similar to Roneo. Apple Bloom stood rooted on the spot with watery salted tears continued to pour before she blinked and turned around to leave. The two zomponies just stared with a stoic expression at Apple Bloom, knowing that she won't get away when a fellow zompony raised from the ground, blocking the exit for Apple Bloom as she got close. The filly started to sob more, knowing now that she couldn't escape. "Fools, even in death they do not understand." the zompony blocking the exit casually limped towards the frighten filly. "I should have protected her, but I made my choice. This is our everlasting punishment, what we deserve." Apple Bloom's overwhelming panic was slowly calming down but is still shaking, after realising that the zompony was trying to help her and the voice sounded like Mitta. "Now run, run for your life." Apple Bloom's instincts instantly came back to her after Mitta made her last statement. She break into an instant gallop out of the town while trying to hold back her overwhelming tears. Her nightmares began to turn surreal as her surrounds got blood red out of nowhere. More zomponies started to dig its way out of the ground and then gave chase to Apple Bloom. She galloped as fast as she could with tears dropping everywhere on her yellow fur, the tress got darker and the blood red path have gotten pitch black, the Sun is almost setting. Apple Bloom couldn't see any more zomponies chasing her for now, but she found the path ahead had glowing red hoof marks. The Sun was setted. Now all the filly could see was the path that has glowing red hoof marks, she galloped along the hoofmarks. Her tears started to fade when she saw an actual pony in front of her, it was the Earth Pony that she followed deep into the forest. She stood there waiting there with anticipation. Apple Bloom's slowed her galloping as she was happy and in tears to finally find help. She finally realised that she was not a regular pony, but she was a spector and Apple Bloom gulped. "I am sorry, I didn't mean to bring you into this. I was just curious." The spectre apologised. "Don't be sad. I don't blame you." Apple Bloom tears faded and smiled but she had a lot of dark patches of yellow on her fur due to her tears. Zomponies started to rise out of the ground, surrounding the 2 mare and filly. "Your cutie mark, a magnifying glass?" She managed to let curiosity override part of her fears. "It turns out that I'm really good at finding things. I finally understands what it means. And I will find you a way out of this!" Apple Bloom stopped tearing and and gave a small weary smile, after the spectre assured her safety. The zomponies moved closer to the two but they started to chuckle as a large grin appeared on their decaying bodies. A zompony tunnelled out of the ground below Apple Bloom and held both her hooves down. The spectre disappeared, the zomponies got Apple Bloom. This day can't get any worst "Gahh!" Apple Bloom thrust her upper body out of her bed. She was broke out in cold sweat and stared at the wall for a few seconds with a worried expression. She then hesitantly looked around her surroundings. She let out a heavy sigh of relief, realising that it was just the same dream again. Apple Bloom didn't had much sleep at all like the previous day and the day before ever since she barely escaped from the zomponies' grasp. She got out of bed lazily, trying to muster all the energy she had. She wearily walked to the cabinet and slowly stretched her hooves before she open the cabinet to grab her bow. After she wearing her puffy bow, she stood there for a moment for her brain to process what she needs to do that day. "Wait... What day is today?" Apple Bloom questioned herself. She quickly spun her head to the window, she frowned. "Oh horseapple! Ah'm late! Again!" She had no time to comb her mane, so she hastily trotted out of her room and down the stairs. Ah' wonder why nopony wake me up for school? She thought to herself. After looking around, she concluded that her family must be either busy with the apple trees or out doing business in town, save for Granny Smith sleeping on her rocking chair. Brrrrhhh... Why do I feel this cold chill every time before I leave a building? Apple Bloom wondered while she galloped to Ponyville's local school. Oh hayseed! Class's about to start! Come on Apple Bloom! You gotta hurry! Apple Bloom forced herself to quicken the pace of her weary body. Apple Bloom's eye's started to blur and her hearing became temporary impaired. "Phew! Ah' made it just in time. Hey girls," Apple Bloom greeted her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders member. "What? Uh... Hello?" one of the supposed CMC stammered. "What'cha want to do together after school?" Apple Bloom asked while they trotted into class. "Huh? Why would we want to hang out with a blank flank?" "Huh? Ah' thought we're goin' to crusade this afternoon?" Apple Bloom lift an eyebrow. "Ha! This poor blank flank think's we're their crusaders!" Apple Bloom's ears started to straighten out, realising the voice doesn't sound like Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle. Both of them went into class giggling away while tossing blank flank remarks to the dazed Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom rubbed her eyes. Huh? That voice... Oh great! That must be Diamond Tiara! Ah'm going to be teased for who knows how long... Apple Bloom was snapped out of her daze when Scootaloo tapped on her shoulder from behind. "Are you okay Apple Bloom? Why were you talking to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?" Scootaloo tilted her head to the side. "Yeah, Ah'm alright. Ah'... uh... Thought that they were you..." Apple Bloom blushed with embarrassment. "What do you mean you thought they were us? And what happen to your mane?" Sweetie Belle perked an eyebrow while trotting behind Apple Bloom to class. "Sorry girls. Ah'... Mah' eyes got foggy, and Ah' didn't had time to brush my mane because Ah'm running late." "How come? Wait, I chance my mind. Try not to do it again Apple Bloom. Anyway, I've got an idea what we should do after school! I'll fill you in more after school," Scootaloo glee. "Class is about to start, I can't wait till school's over!" "Oh well, from the looks you're givin'," Apple Bloom's vision got clearer, "it sounds like fun! Ah' think Ah' can safely say that Sweetie Belle is excited too!" After Scootaloo, followed by Sweetie Belle then Apple Bloom entered the school, she shivered again. Worst day ever Apple Bloom's head started to become woozy, sounds are starting to get muffled, the room felt like it is spinning and her eyes slowly dropped. It just after recess and Ah've just eaten! Why do Ah' feel so tired? Apple Bloom tried to question her brain. Slowly, her head started to lower its self to the desk and her eyelids felt like she was lifting a boulder. Her body forced her towards the table to relax more then she could sit up straight. Apple Bloom shivered, and finally softly laying her head on the desk, she was asleep. A dream of the past Apple Bloom woke up, feeling refreshed that she had enough sleep to help her carry out any activity during the day. She let out a yawn and stretched a bit and got down from her desk when her teacher dismissed the class. She scanned her immediate area. Wait, did Ah' just slept throughout Cheerilee's lesson? Ah'm not sure how Ah' should feel about this... Wait, why is everypony a blank flank?, Apple Bloom's mind was snapped when she realised that everypony started to gossip, trotting out to see what's happening. She followed the crowd out of the school and soon found herself in a strangely familiar environment. What she saw was a large crowd, gathering along the pathways, staring at something or somepony. Apple Bloom curiously tried to take a peak at what was happening but all the mares and stallions were in the way. A desperate cry came from what the crowd was looking at. Apple Bloom jumped in shock and froze on the spot for a quick moment. What was that?! She hurriedly squeezed her way to the front of the gathered crowd to only find something all to suspiciously familiar. Apple Bloom first saw that the town hall was replaced with a log cabin with a well to its left and a couple of trees with overgrown vines. She looked to the crowd in front of her, she could see that they were too, blank flanks. She then turned her head to the left, the direction of the sound. Huh... That mare and those 3 stallions... They look familiar... Why are they dragging the mare? "No! You got it all wrong! I'm not cursed!" The mare with alternation amber and vanila yellow straight mane and tail, silver coloured fur and probably the only pony who has a cutie mark, a magnifying glass, was crying and was tied by a rope around her four hooves and was being dragged by the four stallions. "You know what happened to those who got the curse! It could be contagious and I don't want to wait to see if my town contract it too!" A stallion with blank unkempt mane and tail, grey fur and without a cutie mark despite being an adult, shouted and carried the mare on his shoulder. "Grey Hoof's right! What will I do if my Starlet got the mark then?!" Another stallion with cobalt blue mane and tail, carrot orange fur and without a cutie mark, cast a worried face. "What's more is that there is no cure! We don't want to suffer like those ponies during the Paleopony period! We're deeply sorry ruby, but there is no other choice..." A stallion behind the first two with a sandy brown mane and tail, chocolate coloured fur and without a cutie mark too, lowered his head down an sigh a deep regret. All Apple Bloom could do is stare in shock when those names names were mentioned. What the hay is happening?! Argh! Why is this happening?! What do Ah' do?! How am Ah' goin' to save that Ruby?! Apple Bloom's mind was filled with with endless worries as she watched Ruby being carried to the house. Just before Ruby was dragged into the building, Apple Bloom tried stop the 3 stallions from continuing the ritual but she was held back by somepony beside her pulling her back into the crowd. It was the spectre. "I'm sorry Apple Bloom, you can't do anything about this." The spectre closed her eyes and shook her head. "This is nothing but a recreated memory, a memory of what happen to me." "Ruby..." Apple Bloom looked at the ghost of Ruby and started to tear up, knowing that it was hopeless trying to save the victim. "Now, now. Please don't cry Apple Bloom, there is nothing you can do to save me from my fate. All we can do for now is watch. There is no way for me or anypony else can wake you up from this horrible dream." Apple Bloom cried onto the ghost of Ruby's coat. " *Sniff*... Why... Why do Ah' have these dreams?" Apple Bloom managed to tame her crying to mild tearing. "I've been keeping an eye over you everyday after you escaped from them. I've always checked on you to see if you were traumatised, especially when you dream. I'm really sorry little 'Bloom, I really don't know what is happening. You got to try and keep yourself strong little 'Bloom, have at least hope that there is an answer for this out there." The ghost of Ruby comforted Apple Bloom. "Ah'... *sniff*... Ah' will." Apple Bloom cleared her tears from escaping her eyes. "Thank you, Ruby." Apple Bloom tears got her eyes red but nevertheless, she gave a hopeful smile to the ghost of Ruby. "Their about to drag me into my house, the one where you found my remains..." Ruby sighed. "I know you can't really bare to watch me burn to dust. But, do you want to?" Ruby's ghost had bad mixed reactions about letting Apple Bloom watch her demised. "..." Apple Bloom thought for a moment, wondering whether to witness her downfall. "You promise to protect me if they turn to me again like my other dreams? I feel safer around you." Apple Bloom tried to give her best smile she possibly could. "Hehe, I promise I will guard you from those baddies little 'Bloom" Ruby's ghost gave a warm smile and blush a little at Apple Bloom's last remark. The crowd slowly dispersed, knowing what will happen to the poor soul. Both Ruby and Apple Bloom began making their way to the window of the house, the house where Ruby was burned. Ruby lifted Apple Bloom to her back so she could see what was happening. Apple Bloom watched with grimace. They tossed the tied up Ruby down on the ground of her house. Both Ruby and Apple Bloom couldn't hear what they were saying since the windows were sealed shut. Gray Hoof and Roneo went to the kitchen while Gladstone look at the tied up Ruby and say a few words before sighing and piling the wood in the fireplace. Apple Bloom tried to prepare herself for the worst when both Gray Hoof with the matches and Reneo with some oil. After Gladstone finished piling the wood, the tree stallions carried Ruby over the the fireplace and laid her on the chunks of wood. Gladstone couldn't bare to watch his friend get burn to death so he turned to face the wall. He tried his best to keep himself from crying while Gray Hoof commanded Roneo to oil all over Ruby and the wood to make sure she dies fast. Roneo turned to his back on Ruby, he couldn't bare to watch her burn. Gray Hoof began lighting the all the matches at once and began to chuckle with the matches held by his teeth. Apple Bloom managed to figured out what Ruby mouthed before Gray Hoof toss all the matches into the fireplace. "Ah' hope you die in hell." Apple Bloom whispered what Ruby mouthed. Ruby shrieked in pain as the heat was too much, Gladstone and Roneo sigh with deep regret on the other hand (or hoof), Gray Hoof began laughing menacingly over at the Ruby. Apple Bloom closed her eyes and slowly started to cry, seeing how helpless she is to save her, Ruby's ghost managed to comfort Apple Bloom once more. Apple Bloom heard that the scream was slowly silenced, she then turned to face the Ruby in the fireplace and saw that her fur have gotten covered in black sooth all over. Apple Bloom became traumatised and she sobbed, she was too young to witness such things. "I knew I shouldn't have shown what happened to me before I became a wondering spectre... Ruby cursed herself under her breath. "Now, now Apple Bloom. Please calm down, there is nothing we can do about past me. But hey, I'll still here!" Ruby attempted to carry Apple Bloom down from her back to pat her but she was interrupted when... The door suddenly burst opened and it slammed onto the wall. Apple Bloom screamed in fright, in that instant, everypony in the room turned to where Apple Bloom and Ruby were watching, they return to their zompony state and one of them immediately jumped into view in front Apple Bloom. "Gah!" Back to reality "Gah!" Apple Bloom jumped out of her seat and landed flat on the ground when her teacher slammed her desk. She heard everypony in the area laughing and giggling about. She slowly opened her eyes to see that she was in class and Miss Cheerilee was standing in front of her. "Young miss, I've been watching you from the start, care to explain why you slept in throughout my class?" Cheerilee looked down on Apple Bloom and questioned with annoyance. Apple Bloom took a quick glance out of the window and the area around her. Then a similar thought occurred to her again, did I just slept throughout the whole class lesson? School must have been over not long ago... "Ah'... Ah' was sleepy?" Apple Bloom gave a weak smile and blushed red from embarrassment. "Since you can't explain it, give me a hundred lines why you slept in throughout class by tomorrow!" Cheerilee punished Apple Bloom and she then walked out of class. "Great... Ah' can't get a good night's sleep, Ah' got to do lines because Ah' slept in class and everypony will probably tease me about it tomorrow..." Apple Bloom sigh as she got to her hooves. "Well, at least Ah'm not tried anymore, Ah' should probably go crusading to help clear my mind off these dreams..." Cheerilee was waiting patiently for Apple Bloom to leave school before closing down for the day. "Remember to finish those lines by tomorrow Apple Bloom, otherwise I will increase it" Cheerilee reminded Apple Bloom one last time when she left the school compound. Apple Bloom felt the familar cold went down her spine upon leaving. "Yes miss Cheerilee," the Earth filly replied. Afterwards, Apple Bloom looked around to find her fellow crusaders, but they wasn't there. Hm... Maybe their waitin' for me in the clubhouse. Apple Bloom's eyes were still sore and red since after her dream in class, but she was happy that she could spend time with her friends nevertheless. On the way back, she bought something to eat for lunch. Soon after she anticipatingly gobble up her lunch, she trotted back to Sweet Apple Acres where their clubhouse resides near the Everfree Forest. What she didn't know what that she was being watched all the way from the Everfree forest...