//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Sweetie Belle // Story: Apple Trees Will Always Bloom // by Pissed-off-Pegasister //------------------------------// Ch. 2: Sweetie Bell “C’mon, girls! Let’s get our cutie marks in…Well, uh..Sweetie Bell, you can come with me to get a cutie mark in gambling!” Sweetie Bell rolled her eyes. Ever since Scootaloo got her cutie mark last month, Apple Bloom was completely out of her mind with jealousy. “Apple Bloom, gambling is illegal for fillies.” “But what if it’s our destiny! We gotta find out now!” Sweetie Bell rolled her eyes again. She was not partaking in ANY illegal activity, much less with Apple Bloom. She was quite frankly tired of Apple Bloom’s desperate antics, and just wanted to enjoy her time with her two best friends. Sweetie Bell turned to look at Scootaloo, who was looking horrifyingly dejected. Apple Bloom had not been happy for her at all, and despite Sweetie Bell calling her out on this, she continued to lie though her teeth saying just how happy she was for Scootaloo. But now the race was on for them to get theirs. “Apple Bloom, I’m not going. Why don’t you, me, and Scootaloo just go to the Cakes’ and get milkshakes or something? We can have a relaxing night and just hang out like we used to, remember?” Oh boy. Here we go. Sweetie Belle could see Scootaloo about to approve of her decision, but Apple Bloom was quicker to the remark. They just HAD to get their cutie marks. They just HAD to. “I know! Guys, there’s a new karaoke place that just opened up in town! Why don’t you two try for a cutie mark in singing?” Before letting Apple Bloom even open her mouth, Sweetie Belle gave a trademark squeak (Scootaloo would probably translate this to ‘thank you for your wonderful input let’s do this) and grabbed Apple Bloom by the tail, and before she could even protest, Sweetie was dragging Apple Bloom along. “This day is going to be perfect, the kind of day of which I dreamed since I was smaaaaallll” Sweetie Belle laughed at how over the top Apple Bloom and Scootaloo were being. Scootaloo was the “evil princess” in the song while Apple Bloom was the “good princess”. This was their favorite song to sing along to, even before the karaoke club opened. They spent almost hours singing this song, each taking turns being the good and evil princess. They had no idea who originally sung the song, but hey, it was catchy as heck! “MINE! ALL MINE! WAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAA!” “Alright Sweetie Belle, it’s your turn!” Apple Bloom seemed to lighten up considerable, most likely forgetting the small argument from before, much to Sweetie Bell’s happiness. Flipping through the small book of songs, Sweetie Bell droned out an argument about how nobody acknowledged Scootaloo’s evil laugh. After finally deciding on a lullaby-esque song her mom used to sing to her at night, she selected the track and hopped up on the stage. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo quickly jumped onto the small couches and got comfy. Anytime Sweetie Bell sang, they just wanted to curl up and fall asleep hearing her voice. Sweetie Bell begun to sing, filling the room with her sweet, gentle voice. She loved to sing for Apple Bloom and Scootaloo and especially loved seeing the relaxed looks on their faces. She knew they loved her singing, and she loved to sing for them. Hitting high notes, low notes, knowing exactly when to decrescendo and hold fermatas, Sweetie Bell, simply put in her own mind, owned this song. It was her personal favorite, and she made sure she knew every inch of this song. Unknowingly to Sweetie, one of the waitresses who worked at the club came in to slip the kids some drinks. Upon hearing Sweetie’s voice, the waitress could only stand there and enjoy the small filly’s beautiful, crystal voice. She wasn’t the only one drawn in, as soon other ponies were wandering in, even the Mane 6 who was just down the hall, all of them hearing Sweetie Bell’s singing voice. Fluttershy made a very quiet note to herself about how far Sweetie came, remember her musical debut at her cottage. Not many got to hear Sweetie Belle sing (except at the talent show which most like to forget) and now that they did, it was all the more worthwhile. Sweetie Belle finally noticed her audience. Normally, she would have stopped by now and freaked out over how many ponies were watching her. However, with this song and how Sweetie Bell was just honestly feeling, she really couldn’t care less at the moment. She finished her number, and received nothing but applause. Sweetie Bell felt a strangely familiar warmth rush through her body. This is what I was meant to do. This is my passion. I want to share it with everyone! There was a very small, almost unnoticeable flash of light, missed by all but the Mane 6 and the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Even Sweetie failed to notice, as she was too absorbed in her happiness. “Oh, Sweetie Bell, that was simply fabulous! And I will have to call mother and father and tell them the great news!” Rarity was trying her best to not cry, yet Sweetie couldn’t see why. She didn’t think it was her passion to make ponies cry with her voice. She looked over to Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, noticing that Scootaloo wasn’t actually asleep this time, but wide-eyed and smiling wide. Apple Bloom, however, was in fact asleep. Scootaloo ran up to Sweetie Bell, and just like Sweetie had done to her, Scootaloo pressed up on Sweetie Belle’s flank and lifted it in the air. When it finally hit Sweetie Belle, she let out such a high-pitched squeal, she was sure no one even heard it. However, they did all hear the next thing out of her, including Apple Bloom, who had finally woken up upon hearing all the commotion (and Rarity’s dramatic wailing). “OHMYGOSH I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!”