Friendship Not Failure
by:
Darthshadow25
Dear Princess Celestia,
Today is the 5th anniversary of when I got my cutie mark; 6th of the day Twi Princess Twilight started helping me and my friends discover just what, exactly, makes us special, and mentoring us in the following years. As Promised I am writing to you to let you know what I have learned in that time. I’m sorry princess, I am not very good at writing letters, but I will do my best, so here it goes.
What I have learned throughout these last few years is invaluable and is due to three important things that have concurrently led to my success. Without them I don’t know where I would be today. Probably leading a monotonous life of farm work. The first of these three things is, what I believe to be the most important, my fellow crusaders. Without the constant companionship and assistance from my best friends I would not have had enough of the second thing to succeed. This second thing is my will and perseverance to accomplish my goals. As my granny always said ‘If there is a Where you have a wi Let’s just say that she imparted some wisdom into me that stuck. The third key thing to my success was the help that your most faithful student gave me, as well as my friends. With her help and guidance I was able to progress from a frustrated filly who would try a bunch of random things every spare minute she got, trying to get her cutie mark, to a happy mare that contributes to society.
Now on to what I learned. I have learned that no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you do, no matter how successful you become you will NEVER get as far as you would have gotten with the help of those that care about you. You can only do so much alone, and when you reach an obstacle that prevents you from moving forward you need have to turn to your friends and ask for help. Because without friends to catch you when you slip, you are fated to fall.
Sincerely and with much respect,
Apple Bloom
As Apple Bloom sat her quill back into the dark depths of Twilight’s inkwell, she ran her tongue across the front of her teeth. “Ah can’t believe how much writin’ dries out your mouth”, the young mare complained, glancing at the clock.
“I told you that you needed to take breaks while writing”, Twilight said, trotting back into the room. Apple Bloom gave her a flat stare. “Like you’re one ta talk, you once stayed up for three nights straight writing that report about something or another that you needed to present to those educated fellas. My sister wouldn’t stop talking about how worried she was that you were going ta hurt yourself from neglect”.
“Well yes, I did in fact do that, but it was quite important. That was my introductory thesis to the Board of Canterlot Scholars,” explaining it with impeccable eloquence that should befit a princess. “but even so, point taken”, she added with a chuckle.
Standing up and glancing at the clock again, Apple Bloom gave a short chuckle herself. “Well, I better get going. If I take too long of an extended lunch break my boss will get mad at me”. Giving a slight stretch before making her way to the door.
As she was walking away, a certain purple mare shot her a quizzical glance before looking back and voicing her question. “Aren't you your own boss?”.
Apple Bloom turned back to face her with a grin plastered on her face as if she was savvy to the punchline of an inside joke that nopony was telling, “ Why of course I am, but that doesn’t mean that I want to get on her bad side,” dropping her voice to a pseudo-whisper, “she’s not the most understanding of ponies. Or so I ah’v heard”. She turned back around to face the solid oak door. “You have a good one ya hear!”. And with that she trotted out and left.
Calling after her, Twilight walked to the door. “You too! I also wish you the best of luck with your alchemical shop. I’m so glad that I no longer have to go all the way to Canterlot to get some simple propylene glycol to add to my dihydrogen monoxide”.
Without turning back around, Apple Bloom waved her hoof in goodbye and trotted away. Going back to the shop that she has been working, no. That she has been fighting for, for the past 5 years. That dream, as of last week, has now become a reality. Reflecting on what she has accomplished, she trotted down the street with her head held high, waving to anypony passing her that she recognized. She glanced at her flank, or more importantly, at the flask containing an apple red fluid adorning it.
To have been 5 years since that fateful day was astounding to her. It felt just like yesterday they were going off on little adventures, cooking up schemes, and sometimes literally cooking to try and earn their cutie marks. Twilight really sped up the process with her help, something she would be forever grateful for. After a few months of practice under the guidance of Twilight, Sweetie Belle discovered her special talent.
She was playing with her magic one day when, suddenly, one of her spells backfired. Instead of causing a scarf to appear around her neck(a spell that Rarity insisted that she learn), it caused her voice to be amplified, much like the Royal Canterlot Voice Luna used to use. But the only difference was that no matter how she spoke while affected by the spell, she had a sort of melodic elegance to her voice. This coupled with her innate singing voice caused her to instantly become a hit.
The next month, Scootaloo got her cutie mark performing a 900 double backflip on her scooter at one of Sweetie Belle’s shows. She was meant to juxtapose Sweetie’s elegant voice with her own exciting style of reckless elegance. But as soon as she pulled off that trick all eyes were on her.
After seeing both of her closest companions get their cutie marks she was inspired with newfound determined to get hers, but after awhile that inspiration became exasperation when all of her labors proved to be fruitless. It wasn’t until eight months later that all of her hard work paid off. While concocting a potion meant to turn somepony’s mane an ugly dirt brown(Diamond Tiara had been decidedly more obnoxious that week), she discovered a potion that caused food to stop aging. Effectively preserving the food forever. All you had to do was pour some of the potion on the food and poof, instantly ready for storage.
Bringing herself out of her reverie, noticed she was getting close to her shop. It was a small, quaint looking building. Just like any other you would expect from Ponyville. But this one was hers. Over the door hung a sign that read, ‘Apple’s Alchemical Arts Shoppe’.
As she approached the threshold she took a deep breath, letting an ineffable feeling of pride wash over her. Stopping at the door, she gazed down at the welcome mat at her feet. Smiling to herself she reached out and turned the doorknob. A wonderfully familiar acrid stench of various chemicals assaulted her nostrils as she crossed over the threshold of not only her store, but her life.