Apple Bloom yawned as she wiped away the sweat from her forehead. She looked up at the treehouse and smiled proudly at the work that had gone into it. She was happy with the nearly completed clubhouse, and so were her friends.
“Looks like we’re almost done with it, wouldn’t you say?” Spike commented, taking a look at the construct before him.
“I hope so,” Sweetie Belle squeaked, looking down on her hooves. “Can’t stand splinters anymore!”
“Jus’ one test to perform!” Pip yelled out from the top of the tree house, making his way to the slide.
“Don’t ya dare-”
“Yippee!” Pip jumped onto the slide and sled down fast towards the ground. When his haunches landed ontthe dirt, he couldn’t help but laugh at how exciting it was. “Nice!” he turned back to the slide, nodding his head in approval. “Ye really outdone yerself, Apple Bloom.”
Despite being frustrated at Pip’s carelessness, she couldn’t help but blush at the compliment she just received. “I-it ain’t that amazing…”
“Come now,” Pip dusted himself off as he stood up. “Ye really have a knack for building stuff, and it shows with the outcome,”
Apple Bloom’s ears flickered as she turned away from Pip. “Well, ye did help paint the clubhouse…”
“Me art is mediocre at best.”
“What?!” Apple Bloom was shocked at Pip’s words. “It aint, it’s very good! Even that mural ye working on...”
Spike and Sweetie stood one side, watching the two ponies talk. “I think we should give them some time,” Spike whispered in Sweetie’s ear.
“Agreed.”
Both unicorns trotted off to find Scootaloo and Light, not seeing two menacing fillies coming towards their friends.
“Well well well! What do we have here?”
Like a dark storm cloud on an otherwise sunny day, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were heading towards them.
Apple Bloom stepped up first. “Get outta here! This is my family’s land! Yer not welcome!”
“Oh yeah? And who’s going to make us?” the pink filly jeered.
“Mah brother an’ sister’ll make you leave!” she shouted.
Before Diamond Tiara could react to that, Apple Bloom was surrounded by her five friends. “We won’t even need to wait for them. There’s six of us and only two of you!”
“Wow, get the blank flank patrol...”
“Four of us have cutie marks now,” Spike pointed out. “You’re kind of slow, aren’t you?”
“Whatever, you’re all still losers! That clubhouse is going to be a dumb old shack, no matter what you do! Isn’t that right, Silver?”
“...Wow, that slide looks cool! Did you build...”
A hoof to the shoulder and a glare stopped the silver filly in her tracks. The Cutie Mark Crusaders snickered, much to Diamond Tiara’s frustration.
“Yeah, well, it’s still stupid. I guess it makes sense some dumb hick would try to get such a stupid cutie mark, you can’t be much good at anything else.”
Pip came forward first. “You leave her alone!”
“Aw, you don’t like...”
“No, Ah don’t like it! So beat it!” Apple Bloom demanded from the two trespassers as she was leering at them.
“You think I’m gonna let some dumb blank flank tell me what to do?”
“Ey, at least Ah can still make sure my special talent isn’t anythin’ as stupid as wearin’ jewelry.” a slow grin formed on Apple Bloom’s muzzle, seeing Diamond Tiara blabber on.
“M-my talent isn’t stupid!”
“Ah guess you wouldn’t think that, would you? All you know how to do is live off yer pa’s money!”
Diamond Tiara huffed, her face turning red from embarrassment. “At least I have a dad, unlike you!”
An eerie silence soon followed, where all the crusaders including Silver Spoon looked at Diamond Tiara as though she had committed murder.
Apple Bloom’s eye twitched, her face slowly forming a scowl. “Wanna repeat tha’?”
“Oh yes!” Diamond Tiara snickered as she stepped forward, her bravado overriding her reasoning. “You don’t have a mother or father, never knew them, did you?! You were just raised by that old coot and those two useless ponies you call your sister and brother! Ha!”
“Tha’ so?”
“Indeed it is, you little-” Diamond froze as she heard an answer that did not come from Apple Bloom, the latter staring upwards to something that was casting a shadow over the pink earth pony. Diamond Tiara turned around and all the colour from her face disappeared.
Standing behind her was the same pony she had just made fun of. Big MacIntosh. He looked down on the filly as though he was the judge and jury of what was to come for her. Big Mac lowered his head to Diamond Tiara’s level, glaring into the filly’s eyes.
“So is this the little missy tha’s been harrasin’ ye fer so long, Apple Bloom?” he asked his sister rhetorically, only receiving a nod from her little sister. “Ya wanna explain why ye think it’s funny to make ponies sad?” he leaned in threateningly closer. “Preferably ma sister?”
“I-I-”
“Wha’? Cat got yer tongue?” Big Mac chimed in, his eyes never leaving Diamond Tiara’s. “Ah think ya need to be taugh’ a lesson…” he raised his head up from her level. “Let’s go and have a little word with yer Pa. He ough’a know what kinda trouble ya been brewing lately…”
“Wait-” Diamond Tiara was cut off as she was led to the road towards Ponyville by Big Mac. She called out to her friend Silver Spoon, but the latter was stuck in place.
When her brother gone, Apple Bloom rolled her eyes in frustration to the bully. Her eyes being moist though.
Silver Spoon stood there awkwardly as the Cutie Mark Crusaders glared at her. Finally, she muttered a quick, “I’m sorry,” and then ran down the road after her friend.
There was silence for a moment.
“Apple Bloom...” Scootaloo started.
“Just get back to work,” she said, trying to keep the sadness out of her voice.
“You sure? We could...”
“Yes! We’re almost done, let’s just get a move on!”
That got four of her five friends to leave, but not Pip. He stayed behind with her.
“Ya shouldn’t let that dame get to ya,” he said. “She’s just lookin’ ta cut down anypony that’s not her.”
“I know,” Apple Bloom answered flatly.
“You could have a cutie mark in anythin’, and she’d belittle it, ‘cause I don’t think she likes her special talent.”
“I know,” Apple Bloom said louder, her tone making it clear she wanted the matter dropped. Pip noticed, but kept pressing.
“Don’t you give it any second thought,” he said. “An’... ya know, Ah bet you’ll get th’ best cutie mark out off all of us.”
“... Light’s gonna be a Wonderbolt, Sweetie a big singer, Spike a great writer... Ah’m gonna be buildin’ shacks in this backwater town.”
“Your sis is a farmer, and look what she’s accomplished,” he pointed out. “Anyway, why ya gotta worry about that? You never cared ‘bout bein’ the center of attention ‘fore, least not that I can tell.”
“I... I dunno...”
“Maybe it’s just them two gettin’ ya down. You saw how much Silver Spoon liked the slide. I’ll bet once all th’ foals see it, nothin’ Diamond says will change their minds.”
Apple Bloom couldn’t help but giggle at Pip’s words of encouragement. She smiled at her friend and looked back at the clubhouse. “Yer righ’, Ah just have to do what Ah like to do,”
“Exactly! Now stop being so daft and down, and let’s get back to the thin’ that needs yer attention,” Pip told Apple Bloom as they both made their way to the clubhouse.
“Oh, Pip!”
“Yea?”
Apple Bloom leaned into Pip, planting a soft kiss on his lips. She stayed like that for a few seconds before removing herself and giggling. “Thank ye.” She ran off to the clubhouse, her own cheeks burning furiously at what she just did.
Pip stood still there, mouth agape at Apple Bloom’s action. A broad goofy smile was starting to form on his muzzle, that he quickly shook off and galloped on to his destination. He was grateful nopony was present to see him like he was now.
“Thank you again for helping out with the commissioner, Twilight.”
“It was my pleasure, Cadance.”
Twilight and her company were at the train station of the Crystal Empire, bidding Cadance and Shining Armor farewell. After Cadance’s words, Shinning stepped forward and hugged his little sister tightly.
“Love you, Twilley,” he nuzzled Twilight softly. “You remember to invite us for the cute-mitzvah when it happens, ok?”
“I will,” Twilight smiled joyfully, reassuring her brother. “I love you too, BBBFF.”
Next to Twilight, Blaze stood there smiling at the touchy moment between brother and sister. He saw Cadance stepping towards him and giving him a nod, with a gentle smile from her.
“Take care of her, will you?”
“You can count on it.”
In a surprising moment, Cadance hugged Blaze firmly. The latter’s shock slowly dissipating as he chuckled and returned the gesture.
“I hope you all can come visit for something other than business soon.”
“I hope so too,” he smiled. He then turned awkwardly to Shining Armor. “Uh, so... are we cool?”
The prince of the Crystal Empire smiled. “Yeah. I guess there are worse stallions for Twiley to end up with.”
“Thanks... I guess.”
“I just better not hear of any foals before you have a ring on her horn,” Shining Armor warned.
Blaze gulped. “Believe me, I would worry about the Princess’ reaction before I worried about yours.”
The two had a final hoof bump before the pegasus boarded the train.
Cadance gave her husband a kiss on the cheek. “I’m glad you managed to come to an understanding with Blaze,” she said sweetly.
“Well, he’s not so bad... for an ex-con.”
“Well, I think I owe you a little reward,” she said with a mischievous smile. “I guess I was wrong to send you to the couch last night. I think I need to... make it up to you.”
She began walking toward the castle, flicking her tail across Shining Armor’s nose as she did. As she moved, she made sure to sway her hips, like she had done back when they were teenagers.
The military pony stood stiff for a few seconds. Then, a wide grin split his face in half. Without a second thought, he skipped off after her.
The six foals that made up the Cutie Mark Crusaders looked upon their finished creation. It had taken a lot of work, but the result was worth it.
“Ya know, it’s weird,” Apple Bloom said.
“What?” Pip asked.
“This was a lotta hard work... I knew it would be. I had ‘ta figure out how to do all sorts of things I didn’t know how to do. But... I still had fun doin’ it.”
Pip shrugged and smiled at Apple Bloom’s words. “Well, it all comes down to doing what ye love doing, I suppose…”
Sweetie Belle nodded her head in approval, before looking down on her splintered hooves. “I just hope we don’t have to do this every week…”
Before Apple Bloom could speak, she saw a familiar figure walking towards them. She smiled broadly when she saw her brother coming towards the completed treehouse.
“Well Ah’ll be!” Big Mach viewed the clubhouse as though it were a work of art. “Ya’ll really came through wit’ this here clubhouse!”
Apple Bloom giggled at the compliment, with all the others feeling appreciated for their efforts in restoring their treehouse.
“Ya’ll should see Pip’s work!” Apple Bloom suddenly jumped towards Big Mac and dragged him to the other side of the construct.
“W-what?!” Pip stammered, standing next to the other colts. “Don’t, Apple Bloom! It’s not finished!”
“Liar! Ya told me it was!”
“Yeah, but-”
Apple Bloom groaned and rolled her eyes, continuing to drag her to the next destination. Pip sighed in defeat and walked with the others following Apple Bloom, feeling like he was going to be judged before court for an offensive graffiti display.
Big Mac merely chuckled at his sister’s enthusiasm, allowing himself to be dragged by the tiny filly. “Apple Bloom, Ah can walk just fine on my own…”
“Eenope!” Apple Bloom copied her accent. “Ya need to close yer eyes now!” Apple Bloom ordered her brother, looking at him with the most intimidating look she could master. The stare of a puppy’s.
Cute. “Alrigh’.” Big Mac complied and closed his eyes, continuing to smile at his sister’s antics. Fillies… ye gotta have insurance with them lot…
“Ok, now stand still, Big Macintosh!”
Big Mac stood still in his place, feeling his sister letting go of his hoof. “Can Ah look now?” he asked curiously.
“No!” Pip yelled out, desperate to not let the elder brother of his friend see the art.
“Eeyup!” Apple Bloom shouted out louder, slightly confused as to why Pip was so nervous.
Big Mac opened his eyes.
Pip froze in terror.
“Why, that looks amazin’!” the farmpony commented.
And indeed, it did. The mural had been a hard-painted piece, featuring all six of the Cutie Mark Crusaders in a field. Spike was sitting at one side, a quill levitating next to him, as he wrote. Beside him was Sweetie, sitting on a stand, singing, as depicted by a few notes flying out of her mouth. On the top, in the blue sky, were Scootaloo and Light. The colt was flying in a straight line, while the filly was flying in circles around him. Finally, there was Apple Bloom and Pip himself. Apple Bloom was surrounded by boards and nails, while Pip was simply standing there, looking on.
It was an impressive piece. Pip still needed work to refine his skill, but it was a good start.
“Why are you so nervous, Pip?” Big Mac asked. “This looks wonderful.”
“It does?”
The stallion nodded. “I’ll bet yer ma‘ll be proud,” he said. He looked at it again. “How come you’re not doin nothin’?”
“I... I don’t have a cutie mark yet. I didn’t know what to paint.”
“But Ah don’t have a cutie mark either,” Apple Bloom pointed out. “So how come ya drew me doin’ somethin’?”
“Well, you were so good, I figured...”
“Cool!”
The new voice caused everypony to turn heads. Twist was there, next to Dinky and Featherweight, looking on with awe. Silver Spoon was behind them looking awkward.
“What are you guys doing here?” Spike asked.
“Sthilver Sthpoon told usth that you made a really cool slide on the clubhousth,” Twist explained. “We wanted to see it.”
Apple Bloom blinked and looked to Silver Spoon, seeing the filly shuffle her hooves nervously. A small smile became present on her face.
“Can we try the slide?!” Featherweight asked eagerly, floating a little off the ground in excitement.
“Um-”
“Go fer it!” Pip shouted out, pointing to the slide with his hoof. A trail of dust appeared before him, as the four new foals ran to the slide and tested it out for themselves.
Apple Bloom pouted, sticking out her lower lip in frustration to her friend. “Why do ya do that?”
“What?”
“Ya know what!”
Before Pip could defend himself, a shining light appeared on both of their flanks before dissipating the next second. Apple Bloom and Pip blinked twice, slowly turning their heads to their flanks before smiling broadly and yelling out in cheer.
“Yes!”
Both ponies celebrated, grabbing the other’s hooves and jumping on the same spot chanting out the word ‘Yes’ non stop. When they finally stopped, they turned to their friends. “Look ya guys! We finally got our cutie marks!”
Spike looked at Pip’s cutie mark, seeing a paint brush and an easel in the background. Surprisingly enough the easel had a fruit on it, resembling a red apple. Spike turned next to Apple Bloom’s cutie mark and saw a mallet with an apple in the background. A red apple at that. Spike’s smile grew mischievous as he looked to his friends’ eyes.
“What, Spike?” Pip asked, slightly afraid at Spike’s smile.
“Nothing nothing!” Spike waved his hooves at them, leaning his head to Light’s ear whispering something. Light’s eyes squinted for a moment before he too smiled sinisterly and cackled at what Spike said.
“What is with you two?” Sweetie and Scootaloo asked their respectable colt friends, only to be answered with a whisper from each other. Both fillies eyes widened before a faint blush appeared on their cheeks.
“What in tarnation is wrong with y’all!?”
“It’s nothing,” they said quickly.
Apple Bloom didn’t have much time to press the matter before her brother gathered her up in his forelegs. “Mah baby sister finally got herself a cutie mark! Ah always knew ya’d get one soon! Oh, it’s too bad yer sister had ta leave fer the weekend, she missed this. Oh, she’s gonna be so proud too. We gotta get yer cutecenera ready...”
“Hey, yeah, that’s right!” Spike suddenly said. “Now that Apple Bloom and Pip have their cutie marks, we can finally have that party!” Then he froze in terror. “Oh no, Mom’s gonna flip on all the preparations! She’ll probably go all out and...”
“Relax, Ah’ll make sure that won’t happen,” Big Mac assured. “But we better get started anyway. Ah’ll go to th’ bakery and ask the Cakes fer a reservation. If we need ta change it later, we can. Ya think ya’ll can get along with just Spectrum watching you?”
“Sure thing,” Apple Bloom said. “We gotta try out the clubhouse's new features, anyway.” With that the filly dashed off toward the tree with her friends behind her.
Big Mac smiled, then trotted off toward the farmhouse to tell Granny Smith and Rainbow Spectrum what had happened. then he needed to go into town. It was the only time he had to buy his sister’s cutieceañera present without risking running into her.
A few hours later, just as the sun was setting on the horizon, Twilight Sparkle and her friends disembarked from the train, back home in Ponyville. They were greeted by their families, with Apple Bloom and Pip jumping and squealing that they had gotten their cutie marks.
As Spike predicted, Twilight went into an overload mode. After Big Mac’s assurances that he had rented a space at Sugarcube Corner, she immediately began making up an invite list, calculating how much food they needed, and deciding what to get each of the foals as gifts. In the end, Blaze pushed her home and convinced her to let everything settle.
That evening Fluttershy found in her mail the papers she would need to sign to officially become Pip’s mother. The little colt jumped for joy, and Angel wept at his nightmares coming true.
Rainbow Spectrum settled into his bed at Rainbow Dash’s home. After all these years, all was right.