Frosty

by Exhelah

Part 1 - Apprehension

"Ah won't!"

"Ya get out here right now! Right this instant, or I'll come in there and getcha myself!"

"Ah won't do it!"

"Okay, ahm comin' in! One... Two... Th-."

"Alrighty then! Ahm a comin!" Apple Bloom practically screamed in anger as she opened her bedroom door. She didn't want to come; There was no point. She'd end up being a nobody, just like the last two years she remembered. As she made her way downstairs and to the front door, she was hit with the onslaught of cold air from outside. But thanks to her coats, she remained quite warm.

"Yer in a heap of trouble youngin'," Granny Smith grimaced at her as she stumbled out the front door. Apple Bloom's head fell, and a single tear fell from her eye. Granny Smith was always the most frightening when she was angry. Her kind, loving face would turn into a contorted mess of fury, and it was one of the most horrifying things Apple Bloom had ever experienced. The only time before now she had seen Granny Smith this angry had been when the Flim Flam brothers had taken over their farm unfairly.

Applejack broke the silence with a snap, "Come on! We've gotta scoot if we wanna make it there before it starts!"

"Eeyup," Big Mac replied heartily. Instantly, all three of their faces lit up, with excitement at what was to come. As for Apple Bloom, a dark shadow crossed her face, unnoticed by her siblings and grandmother. The happy trio began on their way, bundled up in their several layers of winter coats, scarves, socks, boots, and pants. Apple Bloom followed suit, her guise resembling more of a ball than anything else. It was annoying, but it was preventing her death by frostbite.

As they trotted through the crunchy snow, Apple Bloom's dread for the upcoming weeks settled in still further. The Winter Festival was always the worst part of the year, in her opinion. Why would everypony want to work hard for three weeks on something that Pinkie Pie could get up single-hoofedly in 10 seconds flat, just to party for a day, take it down, and store the materials for another year? It just didn't make sense to Apple Bloom. December was supposed to be a time for relaxation, bonding, and Hearth's Warming Eve. Not this horrific mess that Ponyville has been setting up for the past 72 years.

To make it even worse, it was mandatory that all citizens help set it up. For the next three weeks, there would be nothing save sweat, tears, and even some blood. Everypony needed to help, whether they be big, small, mare or colt - it was the law. Except for one issue: Apple Bloom didn't have a Cutie Mark.

This was the unsolvable crisis. Having the title of Blank Flank literally meant that you could not help with the festival. Wherever you would try to do something, somepony else with a Cutie Mark would promptly scold you over nothing, then proceed to to the exact job you were doing, sometimes even doing a worse job than you would have done. This was the source for all of Apple Bloom's resistance and hatred towards the Festival: She was required to help by the law, but wasn't allowed to by the social community.

There was a small dot of light in all of this shadowy darkness; Something that could potentially lead her through this maze, whether she be blindfolded or her legs cut off: Her fellow Cutie Mark Crusaders - Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. Those two ponies were the only others in Ponyville who understood what she was going through. They were the only others that she could communicate with fully.

Of course, she couldn't be seen actually playing with them. If you were known to be sluffing the setup of the festival, you would find yourself without any friends and excluded from all groups and clubs for several months afterward. Apple Bloom knew this, because it had happened to her last year. She managed to stay home and work there, but she didn't have any groups to hang out with for several months. She had to secretly meet with the CMC to avoid public ridicule.

During her musing, the foursome had traversed the entire quarter-mile hike from Sweet Apple Acres to Ponyville. She had been so lost in thought that she almost ran into a pole. Just beforehand, however, she was jerked back by Applejack.

"Watch where yer goin'!" she snapped. She wasn't yelling, but the bright happy face they had departed with was gone, replaced with a shadowy face similar to Apple Bloom's, but towards the opposite subject. Apple Bloom quickly apologized, then looked up at what she had almost knocked over.

Apple Bloom almost groaned audibly. She managed to catch herself in time, however, so no actual sound escaped her mouth, save it the sound of her breaths, crystallizing in midair because of the cold temperature.

"Applejack! Big Mac! Granny Smith!"

The source of the sudden yell was none other than Pinkie Pie, the ultimate party pony. Apple Bloom cheered up considerably when she saw Pinkie. Maybe she could find work with her! But no, she had tried that last year and it didn't work...

This miraculous spark of joy lasted no more than a second, for at that moment, Pinkie Pie sped right past her without even glancing. She proceeded to hug Applejack, Big Mac, and Granny Smith in turn, but didn't even notice her. Her rage was returning.

"I'm so happy you made it! Come on! It's about to start!" She sped off without saying another word.

"You heard the filly - move!" Granny Smith yelled, and at once the three of them sped off, the bright happy looks returning to their faces once again. They completely forgot about her.

On the plus side, Apple Bloom wouldn't have to deal with her family during the course of the meeting. She immediately darted behind a building, beginning her immediate search for the Cutie Mark Crusaders, her only hope through this entire ordeal.

Her mission was accomplished less than ten seconds later. She darted around a corner, and smashed headlong into Sweetie Belle.

"Oof!" they both squeaked as they collided. Apple Bloom hit her head on the ground, and was knocked silly. Sweetie Belle managed to stay on her hooves, but just barely.

Apple Bloom raised herself off the ground a bit, shaking slightly, "S-sorry!. Didn't see ya there!"

Sweetie Belle simply smiled, "It's okay. You're the pony I was looking for!"

"Really?" Apple Bloom said, now fully recovered, aside from some bruises, scrapes, and a giant goosegg that was forming behind her right ear, where she had struck the ground.

"Of course! I wanted to talk to you before we left!"

This took Apple Bloom for a loop. Did she just say leave!?

Just then, a third, orange mass joined the group. Like Apple Bloom, Scootaloo was so wrapped up in coats that she resembled a large orange ball.

"You found her!" she exclaimed, looking at Apple Bloom. "What happened to you?"

Apple Bloom looked at herself, "Oh, just a little bump."

"That was some bump - you've got a goosegg on your head!" She laughed at Apple Bloom for a second, then grew serious.

"Just thought we would say goodbye," she said. This brought Apple Bloom back to what Sweetie Belle had said before, and she began to panic at once.

"Yer leavin!?" she yelled. This was simply impossible! Why would they leave at a time like this!? They were perfectly aware of the isolation and stress that came with being a blank flank, especially when the festival rolls around each year.

Sweetie Belle spoke up, "Yes, we're leaving. Me and Rarity got invited to see some family in Fillydelphia. And since they know Scootaloo has no family, they invited her to come too."

"So... Yer leavin me here by myself?" Apple Bloom felt her happiness get sucked out of her like a leech sucking blood. It was quick, yet extremely painful. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

Sweetie Belle stumbled, as if Apple Bloom had hit her on the head with a bat, "We don't want to go! We would much rather stay here with you!"

"Yeah!" Scootaloo chimed in, looking insulted. "We would totally stay here with you! But-"

"But Rarity won't let us. When I ask her, she always-."

"Alright! Ah get it!" Apple Bloom yelled, silencing them. Tears were still falling from her eyes, but the look of insult has passed. Now it was anger. She didn't usually get this angry, but her usual personality had been thrown out the window the moment this all began.

"I tried everything," Sweetie Belle went on, much quieter, "But Rarity would always say," She imitated Rarity, "'You simply cannot miss this opportunity because of some silly fantasy that Apple Bloom cannot have a fabulous time without you!'"

"That makes sense... Ah guess," Apple Bloom muttered, her spirits as low as they could possibly be at this moment.

"Sorry," Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said in unison, their voices drooping tremendously to express the sadness they also felt. Then they simultaneously extended their forelegs and embraced her. Even though it was done with good intentions, it just made Applw Bloom feel even more miserable, if that were possible..

"Sweetie Belle!" a voice called from afar, making the three of them jump. "Scootaloo! We need to go at once! The train leaves in five minutes!"

"We're coming, Rarity!" Scootaloo shouted back, then after hugging for a few more seconds, they let go. Apple Bloom watched in utter gloom as her one chance for happiness fled to the big city during her time of need.

"Draw us a big picture and show it to us when we get back!" Sweetie Belle called, and Apple Bloom actually smiled and waved. Then as soon as her friends were out of sight, her hoof dropped. She was left to brood on her own feelings again, and it multiplied the effect of what had been going on before. Apple Bloom was almost tempted to sneak back home. Then, with a jolt of horror, she realized that her family must be angry with her for galloping off.

In a frenzy of adrenaline and tears, she made her way to town square, where she knew the meeting was taking place. Luckily, she arrived just a few seconds before it started. She managed to slip into the crowd and next to her family without them even noticing she was gone and returned.

"Fillies and Gentlecolts," a loud voice she recognized to be Mayor Mare's began. Apple Bloom stared at Town Hall with disbelief, wondering how in Equestria the Mayor could possibly think this festival was fun. Her voice sure made it sound like they were preparing to go visit the moon.

"As you all know," Mayor Mare went on, "This festival is very important to all of us. Long ago, there was a pony, who we keep unnamed as to protect his descendants from ridicule. Rather than believing in the principles of friendship and harmony that was shared by everypony else here, this individual wanted more; He wanted to become more powerful than the other ponies."

Everypony in the crowd let out a collective gasp. Apple Bloom groaned audibly, which caught Applejack's attention. She received a quick kick from Applejack, winced, and didn't make another sound.

Mayor Mare continued, "This idea alone was bad enough that he was banished from the town for violating the peaceful ways they had worked so hard to establish. This stallion was not welcome anywhere else either; The word of how he acted had spread, and nopony wished to let him stay anywhere near them for fear of him attempting to indoctrinate them into his beliefs.

"This stallion searched and searched, but never found purchase. He was forced to leave the country to find somewhere else to live. But everypony here knows that the lands beyond Equestria can be a hard place for a pony to live. We don't know what happened to him.

"That aside, my predecessor the Mayor decided that to keep this spirit from re-awakening within the borders of this fine town, a Winter Festival would be held each year on December 15, 10 days before Hearth's Warming Eve. This festival would bring together the hearts and souls of everypony who lived here by promoting a sense of equality and teamwork between individuals.

"Everypony in the town, no matter if they were mother, governmentalist, or chef, would help prepare for the festival. Once preparations were completed the festival would begin and they would party themselves out. Then there would be a rest period between that and Hearth's Warming Eve. After that, the festival would be taken down and the materials stored for next year.

"So now that I have reminded you why we're here, let's get down to business," the Mayor went on. "This year, we are extremely grateful to have Princess Twilight Sparkle and Granny Smith to oversee the preparations for the festival. If you two could come up here...?"

There was a woosh of wind, and in about 1 second flat Granny Smith, undeterred by her bad hip, had galloped around the crowd from the place near the back where they had been standing to right beside the Mayor. The festival was one of the only things that could get her this excited.

As for Twilight, she simply fluttered her wings once and literally jumped onto the stage from more than halfway back. She and Granny Smith would have tied if it had been a race.

"Now," Mayor Mare went on. "These two individuals will be in charge of various different aspects of the festival..."

At this point, Apple Bloom's attention drifted back to her friends. Sure, she understood completely why they had to go and that it wasn't their fault, but she was still... Angry. She didn't know how or why, but she was angry at them for leaving her, despite the conditions.

As if the world was trying to make her even more miserable, at that point she heard the whistle of the train leaving the station. She craned her neck, trying to look at the train, but there were too many buildings and taller ponies in her way.

"Let's all have a brilliant time!" Mayor Mare yelled into the microphone. The entire crowd cheered, and ponies began galloping in various direction to begin the setup process. Applejack looked at Apple Bloom, a stern look on her face.

"Com'ere you," she said, gesturing for Apple Bloom to come closer. The solemn feeling returned to Apple Bloom, and she prepared for the worst. Applejack grabbed her and pulled her close, "You'll be comin' with me and granny, so we can be sure yer doin' what'ure supposed ta."

"Alright!" Apple Bloom responded, faking a tone of excitement. Her goal was achieved as Applejack's face lit back up, smiling. She relinquished her grasp on Apple Bloom, turned, and galloped off. Apple Bloom inwardly congratulated herself, then galloped after her older sister.

"Hold on y'all!" Granny Smith yelled, causing the group to screech to a halt. She was pointing towards a cardboard box with decorations inside. Instantly, she, Applejack, and Big Mac all dived for it, causing the contents to spill everywhere.

"Alrighty then!" Applejack said, picking up a decoration. "Let's get this show on the road!"

Apple Bloom picked up a decoration. It was a plastic string with a lot of little flags attached. She looked around, trying to decide where to put it. But before she could move an inch, the decoration was swiped from her hooves.

"Hey!" she shouted at the thief, reaching for the string.

"Ah'll get that fer ya, youngin'," Granny Smith replied, swiftly throwing it up to the roof of the building they were standing under. The string was caught by Big Mac, who promptly attached it to the gutter. Granny Smith then tossed the other end to Applejack, who ran to the opposite side of the road. She then climbed up the building and attached the other end of the string.

"Woah..." Apple Bloom trailed off, amazed. The entire process had been completed in less that 10 seconds flat.

"Well don't just stand there!" Granny Smith yelled once again. "Move!" They moved. All four of them bolted off, searching for another box.

This process repeated for the next hour, with Apple Bloom's attempts at helping being rejected by her family. She wanted very badly to just disappear, doubting that her family would notice for a long time. But she knew that when they did notice, she would be in a terrible amount of trouble. So she stayed, putting up with the prejudice against her shared by her family and everypony else.

At one point, they neared another group. Apple Bloom noticed right off the bat that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were in the midst of it. Gasping in horror, she hid behind the box they were currently taking decorations out of.

"Whatcha doin' down there!?" Applejack spat, noticing Apple Bloom for the first time since they started.

"Hidin' from them," Apple Bloom replied, gesturing towards her two archenemies.

"Stop bein' such a fruitbat. They're not so bad! They're two sweet little fillies!"

"Easy for you to say! You don't have to go to school with 'em every day!"

"Look here, sugarcube." Applejack then turned and called out to the group. Apple Bloom almost buried herself in the snow out of anticipation.

"Look who it is!" said two voices in unison. Apple Bloom's spirits literally sank below her hooves, leaking everywhere into the snow in the form of sweat. The sweat was not from overheating, but from nervousness and hatred.

"My oh my, isn't it Apple Bloom! What a surprise!" Diamond Tiara recited off of her nonexistent script, her rich girl accent drilling into Apple Bloom's skull like a hydra with spikes for heads.

"Hey y'all," Apple Bloom replied dully, twitching her hoof. They merely laughed in tandem with their extremely aggravating high-pitched giggles. Apple Bloom looked at Applejack hopelessly, Applejack's response to which was to glare at her and gesture back to Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon.

"How's it goin?" said Apple Bloom, coming out from behind the box on Applejack's gesture.

"Oh, it's simply marvelous," they said together.

"We're working so hard, and it's really fun!" Silver Spoon yelled.

"Unlike some ponies, we are in the cool group. We're doing much better than... This muck." She gestured to Apple Bloom's family.

"Oh no you don-," Apple Bloom began to yell, but she was instantly restrained by Applejack. She wanted to kill Diamond Tiara; She wanted to literally rip her head off. She was surprised by this emotion, because she hadn't felt anything like it before. But like her outburst at her friends, her actions were to be blamed on her family's ignorance for her pain.

After struggling furiously for a few seconds, Apple Bloom managed to escape the grasp of her older sister. Finally, she was able to vent her frustrations on something. She bore down on Diamond Tiara, raised a hoof, and punched her on the muzzle, hard.

"That's enough outta you!" Applejack screamed, grabbing Apple Bloom yet again. Before being pried off, Apple Bloom managed to get a few more good punches to Diamond Tiara, who was now suffering from an intense nosebleed. When she was finally separated from her, Apple Bloom was roughly thrown headfirst into the snow. Grunting in pain, she struggled to get her head out of the snow, just to get air.

"You stay right there, y'hear?" Applejack yelled again.

She didn't need to be told; She couldn't have gotten out even if she tried. As she attempted hopelessly to unbury herself, she quickly realized that she was struggling for breath. She was suffocating! At this realization, she tried even harder to remove herself and get air, but to no avail. After going limp and a few quick breaths, she passed out, oblivious to the world around her.