> Just One Chance
>  by ndisfoshiz
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Why Me?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Applebloom took the last bite of her peanut butter and zap apple jam sandwich. She loved zap apple season! All the quirky things she and Granny Smith had to do to prepare the jam just perfectly made it worth it. Her lunch was zap apple themed with her sandwich, zap apple juice, and zap apple sauce. 
She sat at the same table she and the other crusaders, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, always did. The same wooden picnic table outside on the school’s playground. Today, surprisingly, the three best friends weren’t talking about what they could get their cutie marks in, instead they were focused on Sweetie Belle and her new colt friend.
“We need more! Tell us more,” Scootaloo screamed. 
“There’s not much to tell,” Sweetie Belle said blushingly, “Rarity and I were in town and we stopped by the outdoor arcade. I wanted to play the same game he was going to play and we ended up playing together.”
“At least tell us his name,” Applebloom demanded kindly.
“His name is Button Mash.”
“Let me guess, he likes games,” Scootaloo asked.
“Yep! He also doesn’t have his cutie mark.”
“Really?” Scootaloo and Applebloom screamed.
“Yep!”
“Yeah! We could have a colt crusader,” Applebloom said jumping for joy as Scootaloo flapped her wings. 
Just then Applebloom felt something. She felt like she was being watched or stared at. Please don’t let it be him! she thought. She turned her head and her prayers were not answered. He was staring at her and not turning away. That colt was Snips. 
Snips had been acting weird around Applebloom for the past week. He would stare at her, follow her, even write notes to Snails about her. Sure Applebloom wants a special some pony but would really really REALLY like it to not be him. 
“Is he staring at you again?” Sweetie Belle asked Applebloom.
“Yeah. He’s been doing it all week. It’s starting to get creepy,” Applebloom explained.
“Have you told him to leave you alone?”
“She has. I was with her once,” Scootaloo said.
“I just don’t get it,” Applebloom said, “why me? Why now?”
Just then Applebloom felt a small wind blow behind her. Turning her head to see what it was, it turned out to be Snips and Snails frisbee they had been throwing back and forth with their magic. One of them probably missed or purposefully threw it this way. Either way, Snips was walking her way and there was nothing she could do.
“I am sorry my dear,” Snips said picking up a flower, “here, a flower in full bloom for my Applebloom.” He handed her a fully blossomed daisy and put it behind her ear. After registering the events of what just happened, Applebloom tore the flower out from behind her ear. 
“Snips you need to stop this! I don’t like you,” Applebloom screamed.
“But Applebloom,” Snails said, “you won’t find another pony like him.”
“That's what I am hoping for.” 
“Anyway my sweet, shall I walk you home again today?” Snips asked.
“You mean follow her home very creepily from like ten feet behind her again,” Scootaloo snapped. 
“No, today I wish to stand next to you as I walk you back to Sweet Apple Acres,” 
“NO!” Applebloom screamed, “I don’t get it! Why do you like me all of a sudden?”
“You don’t know?” Snails asked.
“I was with my family a few moons ago, we were all standing in line at Sweet Apple Acres waiting to get of fixes of zap apple products. Once we were next in line, I saw you, my fair Applebloom, standing next to your sister Applejack. The setting sun glistened off your mane and made your orange eyes shine like Luna’s million star nights. You then looked at me and smiled saying that the jam, my mother had ordered was specially made by you.”
Applebloom face-hoofed, “Snips I said that to everypony that day because I made the jam myself!”
“Still my fair Applebloom I will admire you from afar until your heart opens to me.” Snips and Snails walked away and Applebloom put her front hooves over her face. Scootaloo put a hoof on her back for comfort.
“Sweet Celestia! That colt is crushing hard on you,” Sweetie Belle said.
“I don’t get it,” Applebloom said, “I want a special some pony, but not him or Snails.”
“Applebloom,” Snips said. Applebloom turned her head to see Snips standing behind her with his magic floating a small bouquet of flowers. Daisies, pansies, and dandelions made up the just picked arrangement. Some even still had roots and dirty on them.
“What now Snips,” Applebloom asked.
“Will you go out with me tomorrow night?”
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle gasped as Applebloom stayed in shocked silence. She could not believe he just asked her that. She wanted to turn him down, but the look in his eyes that screamed ‘please’ wouldn’t let her. She could not win.
“I’ll think about it,” she replied.
“Really?!?” Snips asked excited.
“Yes really.”
“Oh, thank you my beautiful Applebloom!” Snips handed her the bouquet and walked away. 
“What. Did. You. Do!” Scootaloo said emphasizing every word.
“I don’t know myself.”
“Applebloom we just became the cool ponies in school because we know Princess Twilight,” Sweetie Belle explained, “now we’re going to become a laughing stock because one of us is dating Snips.”
“You are not getting your cutie mark in dating Snips!” Scootaloo screamed.
“Look you two,” Applebloom said starting to get angry, “I said ‘I’ll think about it’ that doesn’t mean yes.”
“But that doesn’t mean no!” the other two screamed.
After about two more minutes of arguing about how Snips and Snails are not dating material, the three friend settled down. They soon went back to laughing and having fun. Applebloom ate the rest of her zap apple sauce and drank the last of her zap apple juice. The school bell rang saying lunch was over as Applebloom finished her juice. Applebloom wasn’t sure of what she was going to do. Dear goddess Celestia and Luna, please help me. she thought as she sat down at her desk in the school house.
> Maybe....it's not so bad
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Applebloom took a sigh of relief as she stepped through the front door of her house in Sweet Apple Acres. Thank Celestia he didn’t follow me! Applebloom thought. She was so happy to be home now. No more ponies laughing at her, no more Snips staring at her, no more feeling of being stared at. Why? How? What did I do to deserve this? I don’t want my special some pony to be Snips! He’s so awkward and weird and not dating material. Then again better me then Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle. 
Applebloom placed her saddle bags next to the door and took a deep breath. Then it hit her. The beautiful smell of zap apple muffins. Granny Smith made the best zap apple muffins. Then again Granny Smith made the best zap apple anything. Applebloom followed the delicious smell until she stood in the doorway of the kitchen and hallway. The kitchen was covered in pink polka dots, zap apples need it to bake properly. There was Granny Smith, taking out of the oven a batch of muffins. On the table behind her, were boxes and boxes filled with zap apple muffins. There had to be at least eighteen boxes, four of which would go to their mail pony, Ditzy Doo, she loves her muffins. 
“Applebloom,” Granny Smith said, “Welcome home!”
“Thanks, Granny,” Applebloom replied, “looks like you’ve been busy.”
“Oh, we had a great zap apple bucking season! With the help of Big Mac, Applejack, and her friends we picked more zap apples, than we ever have before!” 
“Yeah, Applejack’s friends are great aren’t they? Even Princess Twilight helped out.”
“Well, I just finished all the muffin orders. Tomorrow I’ll complete zap apple sauce orders. Which, by the way, did you like your lunch today?”
“Oh, I loved it!”
“Good, now since I made too many muffins, we have same left over for the family! Here you can have the first one.” Granny Smith gave Applebloom a muffin from the tray she had just taken out of the oven. 
“Wow! Thanks, Granny!”
“You’re welcome sweetheart. That’s for being such a good filly at school today and always being kind to your classmates.”
“Oh, yeah, right. I’m going up to my room now.”
Applebloom walked up the stairs to her room down the upstairs hallway. She immediately closed her door, collapsed onto her back on her bed, and stared at the ceiling. Granny if you only knew what I had said today Applebloom thought. Applebloom peeled the muffin liner off her muffin and took a bite. It was as delicious as she remembers it to be. The tangy and juicy taste of the zap apple in a fluffy chewy muffin. Ah, so delicious! I need more! Applebloom thought. She then took another bite, and then another, and another, until the muffin was gone. I want another! Applebloom thought. She sprung up from her bed and ran to her door to go downstairs. As she opened the door, Applejack was standing ready to knock on the door. The two sisters startled each other. 
“Applejack! What in the name of Celestia are you doing outside my door,” Applebloom asked catching her breath from being startled.
“I came up her to give you your saddle bags and to tell you, they don’t belong near the door downstairs,” Applejack said assertively, “how many times do I have to tell you that your saddle bags don’t belong downstairs?”
“Sorry sis, I just had a long day is all.” 
“Long day? Applebloom, I had to collect the last of the zap apples from the barn and take orders into town. Now I gotta do the muffin orders too!”
“Fine! I guess me getting asked out by the most awkward loser of the class isn’t enough of a bad day!” Applebloom snapped and fell onto her bed pushing her head into her pillow.
“Applebloom,” Applejack said walking up to Applebloom, “who asked you out?”
“Snips.” she said looking up from her pillow.
“Oh, Snips? Snips is a good colt.”
“But he’s so not cool! I would rather date Featherweight then him! I’d rather date that stuck up Prince Blue Blood! I would rather date-”
“Ok, I get it Applebloom!”
“I don’t wanna date him Applejack. I didn’t even say no, I said I’d think about it.”
Applejack propped herself on the bed and sat next to Applebloom. “Applebloom listen,” she said, “Remember Thunderlane?”
“One of the newer members of the Wonderbolts?” Applebloom asked.
“Yeah. When I was in school he was a classmate of mine. He was the awkward kid that no one wanted to date. Then he went to flight school and soon became a Wonderbolt. Now mares everywhere throw themselves at him.”
“Thunderlane was a nerd?”
“Not just that, but do you remember my first crush?”
“Yeah, his name was Word Play right?”
“Yep! Every filly thought he was hot because he was mysterious. Now we just find him weird.”
“Applejack what’s your point?” 
“ My point is that ponies change. Who knows, a hundred moons from now, Snips could be a whole new colt on his way to being a stallion. You might end up saying ‘why didn’t I go out with him’.”
Applebloom looked at her sister. I do remember Word Play. He was weird but cool. Now he’s just weird. Thunderlane was a nice pony too. He even walked me home when Applejack stayed at school after class. Maybe I should give Snips a chance. Maybe he’s not all bad.
“Also,” Applejack said, “Ask Twilight about her brother.”
“Shining Armor? Prince of the Crystal Empire and head of the Royal Guard?” Applebloom asked.
“Yep! He used to be a nerd, who would play some role-playing game with his friends and he ended up marrying a princess.”
 Wow! Applebloom thought, maybe Snips will be like Shining Armor.
“Welp, it’s not up to me whether you date him or not. I got some muffins to deliver.” Applejack said walking to the door.
“Hey sis,” Applebloom said.
“Yeah?”
“Want some help?”


“Thank you so much, Applejack,” Rarity said on the front step of her boutique, “I have been waiting for these all day! I hope it wasn’t too much for you.”
“Nah,” Applejack replied, “if it was you’d have Ditzy Doo’s order.”
“That adorably friendly mail pony? Oh isn’t she great?”
“Yep! Well, enjoy your muffins Rarity!”
Applejack with Applebloom by her side walked with the delivery wagon attached to her back. Seventeen boxes delivered, only one more order to deliver.
“Who’s the last box for Applejack?” Applebloom asked.
“The Cakes, hopefully, Pinkie won’t get into them this year and they can actually enjoy them.” Applejack joked.
Applebloom looked out at the sunset as they pulled up to Sugar Cube Corner. Celestia lowering the Sun and Luna raising the moon was beautiful this time of year. Spring was in full bloom and everything was feeling happy, warm, and beautiful. Applebloom felt relaxed, a feeling she hadn’t felt since she ate one of Granny Smith’s muffins. She could even see Sweet Apple Acres off in the distance. As she looked at her home she saw a figure sitting on the ground watching the sunset. It was Snips. 
“Hey sis,” Applebloom said as Applejack grabbed the last box of muffins, “I’ll be right back.”
Applebloom walk up to Snips. She wasn’t sure why she was doing it, but she was. She walked up behind him, took a deep breath and sighed. 
“Hey Snips,” she said.
Snips turned his head and looked at Applebloom, “Applebloom! Hi.”
“Can I sit down?”
“Sure, go right ahead.” he said scooting over on the ground.
Applebloom sat down next to Snips and watched the sunset. “What are you doing out here by yourself?” Applebloom asked.
“I like watching the sunset. This time of year has the perfect sunsets.” Snips replied.
“I always thought the same thing,” Applebloom replied.
“Applebloom listen, about today-“
“Snips its fine. I’m not mad.” Applebloom reassured him.
The two little ponies sat side by side in silence watching the sun beginning to disappear behind the horizon. Maybe this isn’t such a bad idea Applebloom thought.
“Hey Snips,” Applebloom said, “what are you doing tomorrow night?”
> The Night That Changed Her Mind
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Applebloom put on her special occasions bow, which was just her pink bow, but with sparkles on it. She took one last look in the mirror, checking everything to see that she was ready for her date. He better has kept his promise! Applebloom thought. After Applebloom accepted Snips date invitation, she told him she’d do it on one condition. 
“Nobody,” Snips asked.
“Nobody. You can tell your family, but if Snails or somepony else finds out about this I will deny it and never speak to you again.” Applebloom proposed.
“I promise Applebloom! No pony shall hear of our plans if they are not of blood relation.”
“Other than that I’m leaving the date up to you.”
“So this is a date,” Snips asked.
“Yeah, yeah it is,” Applebloom replied smiling. 
Applebloom had to hold up her end of the deal too. She was only allowed to tell Granny Smith, Applejack, and Big Mac. They could not tell anyone, not their friends, not the townsfolk, not even Big Mac’s singing group, the PonyTones. It was going to be hard keeping it a secret from her BFF’s. They shared everything together and now she had something she couldn’t share. Even if she could share it, she wouldn’t. Applebloom was still embarrassed over the fact that she was going on a date with Snips. Even though she said yes, Snips was still an awkward colt who had no charm. Please Celestia and Luna, don’t let this date be terrible. Applebloom prayed.
“Applebloom,” Applejack said appearing in the doorway of Applebloom’s room, “Snips is here.”
“Okay, I just need a minute,” Applebloom said shaking.
“What’s wrong sugar cube? Nervous?”
“Well, yeah. I mean this is my first date and I don’t want it to be terrible. Plus I’m with the most awkward colt in school.”
“Listen sugar cube,” Applejack said scratching Applebloom’s back for reassurance, “it’s gonna be alright. I know it’s a bit weird but who knows how the date will go. Just give him a chance.”
Applebloom sighed, “Okay, I think I’m ready.”
Applebloom walked down the stairs to the parlor of the house with Applejack behind her. At the bottom of the steps, stood Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Snips. Snips was wearing a jacket, it wasn’t anything special, just black with a zipper and pockets. He does look good I guess Applebloom thought. 
“There’s my granddaughter! All ready for her date,” Granny Smith said.
“Applebloom,” Snips said as Applebloom stepped in front of him, “you look lovely. Here I got this for you.” Snips floated a pink rose in front of Applebloom. Applebloom took the flower.
“Thank you, I love roses,” Applebloom said.
Snips smiled at her and she smiled back.
“Have her back before nine okay Snips,” Applejack said. 
“I promise.” Snips replied looking at his watch. It was almost six o’clock. Three hours? I can survive that, Applebloom thought. 
After about five minutes of Applejack playing protective sister and Big Mac saying “Yep,” a few times, Snips and Applebloom were on their way. 
“I’m sorry about my sister, she can be protective at times,” Applebloom said to Snips. 
“It’s fine,” Snips said, “Besides, I told your brother where we’re going and it's not far from your home here on the farm.”
“Well, where are we going?”
“You’ll see. We’re actually almost there.” 
Applebloom started to get confused. They were only beginning to leave where the apple trees were. There was no place near the farm worth going on a date. In the town, there are restaurants, the theater, and the arcade. Here on the farm there were apples and that's it. 
“We’re here my sweet,” Snips said. Applebloom looked in front of her to find a picnic blanket with candles, rose petals, and a basket, which no doubt had food in it. The picnic site sat right next to the river that flowed through Sweet Apple Acres, with a perfect view of the sunset. “I figured we could eat some food, listen to the sounds of the river, and watch the sunset,” Snips explained sitting on the blanket. 
Applebloom sat across from him and watched Snips unload the basket. This is amazing! Applebloom thought, fresh food, peaceful river, beautiful sunset. It’s all so simple and yet so romantic! Applebloom took in the sites, sounds, and smells around her. The feel of the soft, cotton, white and red checkered blanket with beautiful, unscented, wide candles surrounding it and the beautiful red, pink, and orange sunset. The sound of the water flowing downstream, hitting rocks as it moves. The smell of food coming from the basket though she could not figure out what the food was. Then she saw Snips take out some sparkling, lemon-flavored water. 
“Would you like a drink,” he asked very gentlecolt like.
“Yes, thank you,” Applebloom said. Snips poured the water into two wine glasses and handed one to Applebloom. 
“To us and a wonderful evening,” Snips toasted. The two ponies clinked glasses and sipped their sparkling water. 
“Wow, this is really good,” Applebloom announced. The bubbles were not over whelming and the lemon was subtle but it was there and gave an extra kick to the bland water.
“Thanks, it's my uncle's secret recipe. He used to work in a cider factory in Fillydelphia.”
“Seriously? This should be sold!”
Snips laughed and floated out two bowls. He placed one in front of Applebloom and proceeded to take out a small pot.
“What’s in the pot,” Applebloom asked.
“It’s my mom’s recipe,” Snips said “it’s called loaded potato soup. It has potatoes, cheese, green onions, and chives in it. Would you like to try some?”
That sound delicious! Applebloom thought. “Yes, please,” Applebloom said.
Snips picked up a ladle with his magic and poured some soup into Applebloom’s bowl and then his own.
“Would you like some bread?”
“Yes thank you.”
Snips handed her a small dinner roll on a napkin and a spoon. 
“Go ahead Applebloom. Give it a try,” Snips gestured. 
Applebloom took her spoon on her hoof and lifted it into her bowl. She watched the soup pour onto her spoon. Watching chunks of potatoes, slices of green onions, and bits of chives float throughout the bowl. She then picked up the spoon and wiped the bottom on the side of her bowl to keep it from dripping onto herself and the blanket. She blew on the soup and placed the spoon in her mouth, sucking the soup off her spoon. Applebloom closed her eyes and began to savor the delicious flavor the soup had began to present to her. The tastes of the creamy, cheesy broth of the soup combined with the chewy chunks of potato were as Rarity would put it, simply divine. All the spices were in perfect harmony and did not overwhelm the soup. The potatoes were soft that any form of pressure would mash them easily. The feelings going through her body were relaxation and excitement. The same feeling you get when you eat anything incredibly delicious.  
“Applebloom,” Snips said pulling her out of her trance, “do you like it?”
“I. Love. It!” Applebloom emphasized.
Snips took a sigh of relief, “Good I am happy. Eat up, if you would like more soup or more bread just ask.”
The two ponies sat on the blanket in complete silence as they ate their food. Applebloom had two bowls of soup before she was full. When the two were done eating they finished watching the last quarter of the sun disappear behind the horizon. Applebloom learned so much about Snips, she learned that he is the only child and loves to cut figures and pictures out of paper and cardboard but is afraid of ponies judging his work. He even told her how he got his cutie mark. 
“I was just snipping out paper ponies and other figures when something felt different. I looked at my back legs and saw my cutie mark.”
“That's amazing,” Applebloom said.
“It’s really nothing special.”
“At least you know your special talent. I don’t think I’ll ever find mine.”
“Applebloom,” Snips said looking into her eyes, “you, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo will get your cutie marks when all of you are least expecting it.”
Applebloom smiled “you really think so?”
Putting his hoof on her cheek, “I do.”
Applebloom stared into Snips eyes as the two little ponies sat in silence once again. As her orange eyes met his dark brown eyes she contemplated everything that has happened in the past two days. The day he handed her the small wildflower bouquet and asked her out on this date. She also remembered being teased and laughed at for being liked by Snips. Then she realized that none of that mattered. She was actually having a good time. She got to watch the sunset and eat a great meal. Now she's getting to look at Luna’s moon and stars surrounded by candle light and next to a colt she was beginning to like. She never felt this way before, about any pony. She felt safe, relaxed, and appreciated. This has been an amazing date. I wanna do this again. I think I actually like him. Applebloom thought.
“Come on Applebloom,” Snips said, “I should take you home.”
“What about all this?” Applebloom asked.
“I’ll blow out the candles and come get the rest tomorrow.” 
And that's what he did. He blew out all the candles, except for one. He also wrapped up the blanket around the basket to cover it. Snips picked up the one candle that was still lit and used it to light the way back to Applebloom’s house. The light of the moon through the apple trees and the candle from dinner made the walk home even more romantic. Before she knew it the trees ended and they were standing on the porch of her house. 
Snips looked at his watch, “8:58, I have you for two more minutes. Anything else you would like to say?” 
“Actually Snips yes,” Applebloom said, “first of all have you kept this a secret?”
“Yes, the only two who know about us are my parents.”
“Okay, good and number two. When can we do this again?”
Snips smiled. He took a step forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Whenever you would like to.” Snips looked at his watch, it said 9:00. 
“I better go,” Snips took her hoof and kissed it, “good night Applebloom.”
“Goodnight Snips,” Applebloom said smiling as Snips walked away.
Applebloom stepped through the front door to her house to find her family standing there. She got scared, thinking they saw what had just happened. 
“Did you guys see anything,” Applebloom asked.
“Nope,” Big Mac said.
“We don’t do that sugar cube,” Applejack reassured her.
“Oh, okay,” Applebloom said.
“So how was your first date?” Granny Smith asked.
“It was good,” Applebloom replied, “We ate dinner.” 
“That’s it?” Big Mac asked, “Even I would have more to say than just that.”
“I know, it’s just I’m tired so I’m going to bed.”
Applebloom walked upstairs to her room and got into her bed. She tossed and turned for what felt like forever and finally gave up on sleeping. She looked at the pink rose that Snips had given her before they left. She picked it up from her bedside table and thought about the three hours she spent with Snips. I can’t believe the most awkward pony in my class just gave me, probably, the best night of my life. The food was incredible, the picnic site was beautiful, and everything was…..perfect. Just perfect. she thought as she finally fell asleep. 
> The Letter, What's it Say?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

          “I can’t believe he still hasn’t gotten the message,” Sweetie Belle said to Applebloom. The weekend was over and it was Monday. Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo were on their way to Sugar Cube Corner for an after school snack. 
“I know,” Applebloom said, “it’s so annoying! I would have thought he would have stopped when I turned down his ‘date’ invite.”
“Well, at least you’re no longer grounded,” Scootaloo said, “why did you get grounded again?”
“I threw a tantrum, apparently, when Applejack told me to clean the kitchen. It’s stupid I know.”
“Yeah, it is,” Scootaloo said.
The three best friends walked into Sugar Cube Corner to find no line. Only Pinkie Pie, who was giving the mail pony, Ditzy Doo, an order of what was without a doubt muffins. Beside her was her daughter Dinky Doo. 
“Hi Dinky!” the crusaders said in perfect harmony.
“Oh, hello Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle,” Dinky said. Dinky was not in school today and they three little fillies could tell why. Dinky was sick. Her nose was clogged and red, her voice was different, and she looked very tired. 
“Wow, you really are sick,” Scootaloo said. Applebloom shot her a death stare.
“I’m sorry Dinky,” Sweetie Belle apologized. 
“It’s okay. It’s just a cold, I’ll be back in school by the end of the week,” Dinky explained.
Ditzy Doo then turned around, holding two boxes in her mouth by a ribbon tied to them. “Why hello girls!” she said joyfully as her one eye looked at the crusaders and the other at the ceiling. 
“Hey, Ditzy Doo,” Applebloom said, “did you get a chance to try the zap apple muffins yet?”
“Yes and I loved them! Your Granny makes the best!”
“Good, I’m glad you liked them.”
“Oh,” Ditzy said putting down the boxes, “by the way, this letter is for you. I must have forgotten about it when I dropped off your family’s mail.”
Ditzy Doo gave Applebloom a plain white envelope with her name and address on it.

Ms. Applebloom
Sweet Apple Acres
Ponyville, Equestria 00008

“Thanks Ditzy,” Applebloom said smiling.
“You’re welcome,” Ditzy replied, “well we better be going.” Ditzy and Dinky walked out of Sugar Cube Corner as the door closed behind them and the bell above the door rang. 
“I hope Dinky gets better,” Sweetie Belle said. 
“Me too,” Applebloom said putting the letter in one of her saddlebags. 
The three crusaders walked up to the corner and ordered some vanilla cupcakes with strawberry frosting. Once they were all done eating and contemplating what they should try next in an effort to get their cutie marks, the three friends parted for the day. Applebloom walked back to Sweet Apple Acres. Before she opened the door to her house she sat on the porch and took the letter out of her saddle bag. She tried to figure out who it was from. The penmanship wasn’t one she recognized. Inside the envelope, was definitely a letter along with something else. What is it? she thought. Curiosity got the better of her and she began to tear open the envelope. Just then Applejack opened the door behind her startling the filly. 
“Hey, there sugar cube, how was school,” Applejack asked.
“It was good,” Applebloom replied tucking the letter into her saddle bag.
“Good, now come inside, we need your help with dinner.”
Applebloom got up off the porch and took her bags to her room, forgetting about the letter. She went downstairs to help with dinner. 
“No Big Mac,” Granny Smith said, “I told you this a thousand times!”
“Look Granny,” Applejack proposed, “we have zap apple jam, sauce, pie, juice, you name it! The only zap apple thing, we don’t have is, zap apple cider.”
“Yep,” Big Mac agreed.
Applebloom set the table as Big Mac set down a tray of grilled daisy salad sandwiches with hay fries in them. Applejack was right behind him with a tall pitcher of apple cider, left over from the season. Granny Smith was the last to the table with some thick cut caramelized zap apples. Applebloom immediately helped herself to a sandwich, some apples, and a glass of cider. Everything looked so delicious and smelled even better. Applebloom ignored the debate going on around her as she dug into her dinner. The sandwich had the perfect balance of the healthy taste and yummy taste. The lettuce was perfect and crunchy, which the daisies added a bit more taste to it. The hay fries were chewy and warm and gave a nice bit of saltiness to the sandwich. The bread was just store bought bread but when it’s fried up, it adds some crunchiness to the sandwich. Putting her sandwich down, she moved onto the apples. Zap apples on their own are great but when they are caramelized they taste even sweeter. Biting off half of one of her apple chunks, Applebloom chimed back into the debate. 
“Listen I’ve tried to make it before the flavors are just not right,” Granny Smith explained, “The zap apples are too sweet which make the cider too bubbly and foamy.”
“Then we just gotta find a way to modify it,” Applejack purposed.
“Yep,” Big Mac agreed.
“Well, you can try but I’ve tried everything,” Granny Smith argued.
Applebloom then remembered her date with Snips. The sparkling lemon water was his uncle’s recipe. Maybe that's the way to do it, Applebloom thought.
“What if it wasn’t cider?” asked Applebloom.
“What do you mean?” Granny Smith asked.
“Why don’t we make it into sparkling water instead of cider?”
“Oh Applebloom, that’s….” Applejack paused, “not a bad idea!”
“Yep!” Big Mac agreed excitedly.
“That’s great Applebloom,” Granny Smith said, “but we don’t know how to make sparkling water.”
“But I know some pony that does.” Applebloom proceeded to tell them about Snips's uncle Seltzer. She described the sparkling water to them,  how it had the perfect balance and one did not overpower the other. She then began to think about Snips and their amazing night together. She had never felt like that before and really liked it. This is going to be harder than I thought. Applebloom thought, I’m actually starting to like him.
“Applebloom!” Applejack said.
“Huh?” Applebloom said coming out of her trance.
“I said we’re gonna need to meet this stallion,”
“Oh, right. I’ll ask Snips if he’ll be in town sometime.”
The family then celebrated with a toast of cider. Applebloom finished her dinner and went to her room. After finishing her homework, she got ready for bed. She brushed her teeth, took a shower, and relaxed like she normally does. While relaxing she remembered the letter she had gotten earlier that day. She immediately rustled through her saddlebags and found it. Tearing open the rest of the envelope, she took out the letter and something fell out. It was a charm bracelet with a little amethyst gem hanging off the middle of it. Around the bracelet it had two charms, an apple, and a flower. Applebloom! My name, she thought. She immediately put on the bracelet. It was a little big but stayed on her hoof. This is beautiful who would do this for me?
She then picked up the letter and began to read it. The more she read it the bigger a smile she got.
 My Dearest Applebloom,
You have been on my mind nonstop since this past Saturday night. Those three hours, I had with you were everything I wanted to do gone completely right. You loved the food that was prepared, I knew because when you tasted the soup for the first time you lit up like one of Luna’s full moon nights. Getting to watch Celestia lower the sun and Luna raise the moon with you by my side was truly exquisite. Your eyes had stars in them and your mane looked elegant with the light from the candles shining onto it. Whenever the moonlight hit your bow, one of the few on it gems would sparkle brightly, but not as brightly as you though my sweet. I know I may not be the tallest, handsomest, smartest, or most athletic of all the colts in our class, but I can promise you this: I will respect you and admire you no matter what happens between the two of us, whether you become my filly-friend or not. Applebloom you are a very special filly to me and it is going to be hard to pretend you and I have nothing at all in class. I just want you to know that I like you and you are beautiful in every way to me. My heart will be waiting for when we may meet again.
With all my heart,    
Snips       
He thinks I’m beautiful? Applebloom thought, I don’t believe it! He thinks I’m beautiful. Applebloom rolled on her bed silently squeaking with excitement and happiness. She felt loved, respected and happy. She couldn’t believe that such an awkward colt could put together such a beautiful letter and with such woderful metaphors. She was charmed and romanced instantly. Once Applebloom had calmed down, She grabbed a piece of paper and a pen and began to write.
My Special and Charming Snips,
Come to the lake near my house Wednesday after school. We’ll swim, eat, and have fun, just the two of us. 
Applebloom    
P.s: I loved our date it was everything I wanted and more! 
Applebloom put it in an envelope and wrote Snips name on it. I’ll place it in his saddle bags tomorrow morning, she thought. She clutched the letter addressed to her in her hooves and pressed it to her chest as she fell asleep thinking of her new special some pony. 
> Cookies Make Everything Better
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

             I can’t believe I lied to them again! Applebloom thought, I hate lying to my best friends but they can’t know about Snips and I. Applebloom sat under the tree near the lake as she waited for Snips. She tapped her back hooves anxiously, looking in every direction she could, trying to forget the lie she told Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.
 “More chores? Seriously?” Scootaloo asked.
“Zap apple season is over! Shouldn’t your chore list be shorter now?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“You’d think it would, but no. We have to help the trees recuperate so they can get their old apples back,” Applebloom explained.
“We can help if you want,” Sweetie Belle offered.
“Nah, we don’t need that much help and really I’m just doing finishing touches to them. Gotta go, bye!” Applebloom said as she walked away from the other two.
Where is he! Applebloom yelled in her head. Just then she heard rustling behind her. She got up immediately and looked at her reflection in the lake water. She quickly fixed her bow and waited to see who was causing the rustling. He’s finally here! Applebloom thought as a big smile appeared on her face. Her face drew to a frown as she realized it was just Winona wandering among the apple trees again. Applebloom sighed and sat back down.
“I thought you would be happier to see me,” Snips said appearing on the other side of the tree.
“Oh, Snips, you’re….you’re here,” Applebloom said nervously, “did any pony see you?”
“Nope! Took a different way here,” Snips said reaching into his saddle bag and pulling out something with his magic, “would you like a cookie? They’re just sugar cookies but-“
“SURE!” Applebloom smiled excitedly. Sugar cookies were Applebloom’s favorite cookies. They were so simple yet so delicious. She took two from Snips’s bag and took a big bite of one. “How did you know these are my favorite?”
“I didn’t they were the only cookies we had at my house,” Snips said, “you know Applebloom I don’t know much about you.” 
Applebloom finished eating her cookies and decided she wanted to go swimming. “Well, I’ll start with this fact about me. I like to SWIIIIIIIIM!” she screamed as she swung from the swing Big Mac made out of some rope and an old piece of wood. She splashed into the lake and began to feel the gentle caress of the water around her body as she swam to the surface. Once she was above water she looked at Snips. He was soaked. I must have splashed harder then I thought, Applebloom thought. She began to laugh at the sight of wet Snips.
“Oh, so that’s how you wanna play huh?” Snips said climbing onto the swing, “well then, I should probably come in too!” Snips jumped onto the swing and swung. He jumped and landed in the water just a few feet from Applebloom. His splash was bigger then Applebloom’s. The splash soaked her. She shook out her mane quickly and watched Snips surface from the beneath the water. He shook the excess water from his mane and looked at Applebloom.
“Oh, so you like a little competition?” Applebloom asked.
“You could say that,” Snips replied.
The two pony friends continued to jump off the swing and into the water to see who could get the best splash. After about five rounds, the two became tired and rested under the shade of the tree. Snips and Applebloom enjoyed another one of Snips’s uncle’s sparkling water concoctions. This time the flavor was strawberry, and it was delicious! The strawberry gave a good touch of sweetness to the bubbly water. Applebloom then started to explain the business proposal of working with his uncle and her family to make zap apple sparkling water. 
“I’ve had your zap apples and they’re amazing, why don’t you just do cider instead?” Snips asked.
“One, cider season is over by that time, and two the zap apples are too sweet for the cider and the two flavors don’t mix well at all!” Applebloom explained, “With the sparkling water, I think we’d be able to show the flavor without overdoing the flavor.”
“I’ll have to talk to my uncle, see if he can come and work something out with your family. How many zap apples do you still have and how long do they last before going bad?”
“We have about 50 of them left, they normally last us forever, they don’t really go bad.”
“Good, we’ll need them. I’ll send some to my uncle and have him do some trial and error. He’ll need at least 10 of them.”
“I’ll give them to you as soon as I can,” Applebloom said, “in the meantime, I’m gonna eat your last cookie.” Applebloom grabbed the last sugar cookie out of Snips’s bag and ran with it.
“Hey, I had dibs on it!” Snips screamed. He got up and began to chase her around the lake. The two playfully taunted each other and laughed together. Snips finally caught up to her and grabbed her by her back onto her stomach with his front hooves. The two ponies went tumbling until Applebloom was on her back with Snips on top of her. Applebloom still had the cookie in her hoof. The two began to wrestle for it. Applebloom reached her leg up as far as she could so Snips couldn’t reach. Snips pushed himself forward until Applebloom’s hoof was close enough to reach it himself. He reached for the cookie and broke it in half.
“Ha! I got it!” he said teasing Applebloom.
“Ha! Joke’s on you I got the bigger piece,” Applebloom acknowledged. 
The two ponies ate their separate halves of the cookie once Snips got off of Applebloom. They sat closer than they had before as they rested from their little game of chase. 
“Sugar cookies make me hyper,” Applebloom quietly.
“Really? I didn’t notice,” Snips said making her laugh.
“I also really like looking at the clouds. Somedays Rainbow Dash will make clouds appear over Sweet Apple Acres just for me,” Applebloom continued, “I also wear this bow because it was the first present Big Mac ever gave me.”
She looked over at Snips, “Go on,” he said.
“I also have a big family, my favorite cousin is my cousin Babs from Manehattan. We didn’t get along at first but now we get so excited when we see each other. My favorite old cousin is Braeburn, he lives in Appleloosa. He reminds me a lot of Applejack, they’re both hard workers and love what they do.”
“Your family seems nice. I hope I get to meet them,” Snips added.
“Wanna know something else?” She said rolling onto her side looking at him, “I’ve never owned any jewelry before you gave me this.”
Applebloom held up her right front hoof. There was the charm bracelet Snips had given her, hanging just a couple inches above the bottom of her hoof. 
“You like it?” Snips asked.
“I love it, it’s beautiful,” Applebloom answered.
“Just like you,” Snips replied. 
Applebloom looked into Snips’s eyes. She saw the happiness in his eyes as he smiled at her. She felt relaxed. She felt like she could see passion and happiness just by looking into his eyes. 
“I don’t understand,” she said.
“What’s wrong?” Snips asked.
“I feel like I don’t have to hide anything from you. You accept me for who I am, and yet I’m scared to tell any pony about us.”
“Applebloom,” Snips said, “you think I’m not scared? I don’t want ponies saying things like ‘she feels bad for you’ or ‘you’re the practice pony’ to me. I’m just as scared as you are but as long as I have you I don’t care.” 
Snips began to lean towards Applebloom as if he were going to kiss her. Applebloom closed her eyes and tilted her head sideways whispering “Me too.” She wanted it. She wanted to be kissed, not by any pony but Snips. She actually genuinely liked him and wanted to be his filly-friend. Oh, Snips, she thought.
“Ahem!” a voice said from behind the two little ponies. It was Applejack. 
“Sis!” Applebloom yelled “What in the sweet name of Celestia do you want!”
“Sorry, sugar cube, but Snips your mom is here. She’s waiting for you.”
“Oh Celestia! Applebloom I have to go, I’ll see you tomorrow,” He said Kissing her forehead and stumbling to his hooves to grab his saddle bag. As soon as he got up he was gone. Applebloom’s special some pony had left Sweet Apple Acres. She began to cry.
“Applebloom, are you ok?” Applejack asked.
“No, I was about to kiss him,” she cried, “Applejack I like him! I actually like him!”
“Aw Applebloom,” Applejack said putting Applebloom onto her back to carry her, “go ahead and cry while I take you home. 
Applebloom continued to cry until the sun had set behind the horizon. I can’t believe it, I was about to have my first kiss and now it’s ruined! Applebloom thought, I like him, I actually like him! I, Applebloom, like Snips. 
Applebloom didn’t come out of her room the rest of the night. She just wanted to be left alone. That night before she fell asleep, she heard a voice say you won’t feel like this for long Applebloom. She didn’t know who the voice was but just went with it and fell asleep.
> The Voice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

               “Will you just tell us what’s wrong?” Sweetie Belle asked Applebloom.
“I don’t wanna talk about,” Applebloom said staring at the ground as the three best friends walked to school. Applebloom had not gotten what had happened the day before out of her mind. She felt heartbroken. She didn’t even pay attention to what either of her friends was saying at the time. Scootaloo was probably praising Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle was either talking about that Button Mash colt she met or something Rarity did. 
The three fillies walked into the schoolhouse and sat at their desks. Applebloom took her supplies out of her saddlebags and placed them on her desk. She stumbled and dropped a pencil. As she leaned down to pick it up she noticed a slip of scratch paper under her desk. Picking it up she quickly read the words written on the paper: I’m sorry Applebloom, were the words. She tilted her head up to see Snips sitting across the room talking to Snails. She smiled immediately and wrote on the back of it I forgive you. She then folded it around a small rock on the floor and slid it across the room. Luckily it hit Snips’s back hoof. Applebloom sat up in her chair as she saw Snips read the paper and smile. He glanced over at her and the two’s eyes met.
“Applebloom!” Scootaloo screamed.
“What?” Applebloom said snapping out of her trance. 
“Why are you staring at Snips?”
“I’m not,” she said as her heart began to pound saying yeah you are!!!!!
“Then what are you doing!” Sweetie Belle asked angrily.
“Thinking…. about some pony I met yesterday.”

During lunch time, the three friends sat at the same picnic table they always do. Applebloom began to describe the date she was on yesterday. She changed one thing about it though.
“His name was Slice, he’s the nephew of the stallion we will be working with for business soon.” Applebloom explained.
“He sounds incredible!” Sweetie Belle replied, “so sweet and eloquent with his words!”
“The fact that he gave you sugar cookies and still didn’t run away surprises me,” Scootaloo said.
“Yeah, he was really something,” Applebloom said thinking about the amazing time she had with Snips, not Slice, yesterday.
“So did you two kiss?” Scootaloo asked.
“No, we were going to but Applejack interrupted saying they were done with talking business.”
“That's why you were so grouchy this morning! Why didn’t you say something?” Sweetie Belle asked
“Because I didn’t want to talk about it.” Applebloom said throwing her finished paper bagged lunch into the nearby trash can. 
“I wanna meet him!” Sweetie Belle screamed.
“Me too!” Scootaloo replied.
“Yeah well, I wanna meet this Button Mash pony but we can’t have everything now,” Applebloom complained.
“Fine! I’ll bring him to the spring dance on Friday!” Sweetie Belle challenged.
“Fine! I’ll bring my colt-friend!” Applebloom argued.
“And I’ll bring Featherweight!” Scootaloo jumped in.
“Wait what?” Applebloom asked.
“Yeah, he asked me this morning and I said yes,” Scootaloo explained.
“Then it’s settled then! We will all meet these colts at the dance on Friday,” Sweetie Belle confirmed. 
“Deal!” said Applebloom.
Just then the school bell rang signaling the students to get back inside for class. I’ll show them! Snips is a better colt then either of those two! Applebloom thought, wait I just agreed to take Snips to the dance! Oh, sweet Goddess Celestia and Luna! Help me! 
 It’s okay Applebloom, a voice said. Applebloom began to get very confused as to where the voice was coming from.
After school Applebloom walked home alone. Once she was home she said hi to the family and went into her room. All she did was lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. What am I going to do? I can’t bring Snips to the dance, every pony will laugh at me. Then I’ll be the only one of my friends without a date. Ahhhhhhhh! Applebloom thought. She turned onto her side and stared out the window at the setting sun. Her eyes began to get heavy and soon she couldn’t keep them open. Applebloom soon fell asleep.
 Haha, Applebloom likes Snips! … What a loser! … She’s so stupid for dating him!… Wow, Applebloom you hit a brand new low! Applebloom was surrounded by her classmates pointing ad laughing at her. Her friends didn’t even want to look at her. 
"Stop it! Why does it matter!" she screamed. 
The laughter continued and soon Applebloom fell to the ground trying to cover herself from the sight of what was happening.
ENOUGH! a voice screamed. Applebloom looked up to see all the school ponies gone. Soon everything was white and blue instead of black and dark. 
“Hello?” Applebloom screamed, “Hellllo!”
“Hello Applebloom,” A voice from behind said. Applebloom turned to find a light pink pony behind her. She had golden shoes on her hooves and a gold necklace around her neck. Her mane and tail were slightly curly with a mix of fuchsia, purple, and blonde. Her eyes were purple like the gem at the end of her small gold crown. She had a unicorn horn and wings that went from pink to purple. Her cutie mark was a blue crystal heart with gold details around it. At that moment, she knew who the alicorn in front of her was.
“Princess Cadance?” Applebloom said so confused, “I thought only Princess Luna could coming into dreams.”
“How do you think I’m here?” Candance replied.
“You are so pretty! But what are you doing here? Aren’t you suppose to be in the Crystal Empire right now?”
“I am the Princess of Love Applebloom. It is my duty to help those with love and relationship problems.”
“But I don’t have those problems,”
“Are you sure about that Applebloom? So you’re not ashamed of your colt friend?”
Applebloom stopped and thought about what she had just said, it’s because she’s worrying about what other ponies will think that she had this dream.
“I guess I am a little, I’m just scared that all the other ponies will laugh at me for liking Snips.”
“Everyone fears something in a relationship Applebloom,” Candance said lifting her head with her hoof, “I should know, Shining Armor wasn’t always a smooth colt. He was awkward and funny and had very little friends. But when I began to like him I never turned back.”
“Really?”
“Really,”
“Then what should I do?” 
Applebloom! a voice yelled.
“Follow where your heart leads you Applebloom,” Cadance said walking backward and slowly disappearing. 
“Wait! Princess Cadance!!!!!” Applebloom screamed
Applebloom the voice said again.
“Applebloom!” Applejack said standing at the side of Applebloom’s bed as Applebloom shot her eyes open.
“Huh? What?” Applebloom said trying to understand what was going on.
“Sorry to wake you sugar cube, but you have a visitor,” Applejack explained.
Applebloom got up instantly and ran down the stairs. In the front doorway was Snips.
“Snips, hi!” she excitedly greeted him.
“Applebloom, can you come outside for a minute?” Snips asked.
“Of course,” Stepping outside Applebloom closed the door behind her. 
“Come Applebloom,” Snips said, “follow me.”
Applebloom did as she was asked and followed Snips to the barn. Snips opened the door. Applebloom stepped inside to find candles lighting up the barn so dimly and beautifully like the two’s first date. In the middle was a bouquet of daisies and a heart shaped letter that said, “Applebloom” on it.
“It doesn’t say anything,” Applebloom said looking at the note as she picked it up.
“No, but I do,” Snips said, “Applebloom,”
Applebloom looked up to find Snips floating another charm for her bracelet, it was a red ruby heart. Applebloom stood in shocked silence.
“Will you go to the dance with me?” Snips asked anxiously. 
Applebloom gasped and answered “Oh Snips, yes!”
The two ponies hugged each other. Leaning back to look into each others eyes, Applebloom felt something. It was the same feeling she had before when Snips tried to kiss her. She wanted him to kiss her and this time wouldn’t be interrupted. 
“Snips,” Applebloom said still being held by Snips.
“Yes Applebloom?” Snips replied.
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
Snips smiled and leaned forward to kiss her, “with pleasure.”
Applebloom tilted her head right and closed her eyes as her lips met Snips. She relaxed and began to enjoy the feeling she was getting from Snips’s smooth soft lips. Applebloom had never been so comfortable with another pony before and now she feels complete. My first colt friend, she thought, my first kiss, my first love. I love you Snips.
> Not the Belle of the Ball
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

                   Applebloom looked at herself in the mirror one last time. She had just finished her hair and makeup, which basically meant she put on mascara, some orangey blush, and clear lip gloss and braided her hair to one side and pulled on it to make it bigger. She turned to look at her dress from behind. It was a gorgeous dress, a Rarity original. It was the same pinkish red as her mane but sparkled. The skirt of the dress had four tiered layers and a muted pink saddle with pearls and hearts. Her shoes were muted pink as well and had ribbon on them that looked like ivy for laces. Her jewelry was a necklace with the same ribbon on her shoes and an apple pendant. She wore her apple earrings that Granny Smith had given her for Hearth's Warming Eve. Her favorite part was the bow. It was light green and sparkled! She loved it more then her special occasions box she wore on her first date with Snips. 
 Just one last thing to complete the look, Applebloom thought walking to her closet. She pulled out a wood jewelry box. She opened it to find a decent amount of jewelry inside. Some friendship bracelets made by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, some cheap-y fake clip on earrings, and a gold rusty necklace with a small gold apple pendant on it. Applebloom found what she was searching for. Her charm bracelet from Snips, which she affectionately calls her “Snips-let”. After shaking from excitement and anxiety, she put the bracelet on. Applebloom liked how she cleaned up. I feel pretty, she thought. She was ready for this dance. She wanted to see her special some pony and show the other school ponies that she is no longer ashamed to called him her colt friend. 
Just then she heard a knock coming her bedroom door. It was Applejack, as always. 
“Hey, sugar cube, Snips is here if you’re ready,” Applejack announced.
“I am sis,” Applebloom said walking towards her big sister. 
“Oh Applebloom, you’ve grown up so fast,” Applejack realized. 
Applebloom smiled and walked up to her sister. Applejack led her downstairs to the front hall where Snips and everyone else was waiting. Snips was wearing a black buttoned shirt with a white tie. He was also wearing black and white shoes and black top hat. Applebloom giggled at the site of the top hat.
“It’s the hat isn’t it? I’ll take it off,” Snips said.
“No!” Applebloom rejected, “I like it keep it on.”
Snips smiled at her and gave her a beautiful pink rose corsage with white baby’s breath. Applebloom slipped it on her front hoof that didn’t have the bracelet. Applebloom then put on Snips’s boutonniere. It was a pink carnation, simple and fancy. As she finished putting it on, Snips kissed her on the cheek. Applebloom blushed from happiness.
“Applebloom, this is my uncle. He ’s the pony I told you about,” Snips introduced, “Uncle Seltzer, this is my filly friend Applebloom.”
“Nice to meet you sweetheart, I look forward to doing business with you and your family,” the stallion greeted. He was a tall unicorn, big but not as big as Big Mac. He was a dark green stallion with a dark copper short mane and tail. His cutie mark was a soda bottle. 
“It’s nice to meet you too. I’ve heard great things about you,” Applebloom replied.
“Okay now,” Granny Smith said, “let’s get some pictures so you two can be on your way.” 
Applebloom stood next to Snips and smiled as Granny Smith took one picture after another. The pictures seemed to go on forever and finally when Granny put the camera down, Applebloom sprung an idea. 
“Granny, wait,” Applebloom said, “take one more.”
Granny Smith looked at Big Mac in confusion. Big Mac just shrugged at her, hinting to just take the picture. Granny Smith pulled up the camera.
“Okay, on 3. 1, 2, 3” Granny Smith said.
As soon as Granny Smith said three Applebloom turned her head and kissed Snips on the cheek. The flash went off signaling that the picture was taken. Applebloom looked at Snips.
“Now we’re even” she whispered.

The school dance was being held outside. It was a beautiful clear night, Luna must have heard the prayers of the school ponies it was so beautiful. There were lights, tables, food, a dance floor, and DJ-pon3 was spinning tunes on the turntable. Pinkie Pie definitely decorated! Applebloom could see all the ponies from school. She began to scout out her friends. 
“Are you ready?” Snips asked Applebloom.
She looked at him and smiled, “yes.”
Applebloom and Snips walked into the area where the dance was. Every pony was all dressed up and happy. It was going to be a great night. Pony after pony came up and said hi to Snips and Applebloom. Whenever Applebloom confessed to being in a relationship with Snips, ponies either congratulated the two or didn’t care. Applebloom began to see that she was worried about nothing and relaxed. After about ten minutes she was able to find Scootaloo, she was by herself though. 
“Scootaloo!” Applebloom screamed.
Scootaloo turned and looked at Applebloom and Snips. Scootaloo was also wearing a Rarity original dress. It was a two tiered dress with the bottom tier sparkly. The first tier looked like a cape and it was beautiful. The saddle had cream ribbon around it and a place to put her wings. The dress was ombre and went from mauve to a morning sunlight gold. Her shoes were fuchsia with lightning detail. She also had two pearl bracelets and a lightning necklace. Her hair was straightened and looked so much longer than normal. She had on eyeliner and a shimmery bronzer. She looked stunning.
“Applebloom!” Scootaloo screamed and charged towards her, “I’ve been looking for you, Sweetie Belle’s not here yet.”
“Typical!” Applebloom laughed, “Oh Scootaloo, meet my colt friend Snips.”
Scootaloo looked at Applebloom completely stunned. Applebloom prepared for the worst and waited for the anger to unleash, but that didn’t happen. Scootaloo’s dropped jaw turned into a smile as she threw her hooves around Applebloom.
“Snips! How did you get so charismatic?” Scootaloo asked.
“I don’t know,” Snips laughed, “she brought it out of me.”
The three ponies stood and talked for the next couple of minutes. Scootaloo didn’t seem a bit ashamed or embarrassed, in fact she seemed very proud of the new couple. 
“Applebloom, I’m sorry I made fun of Snips liking you,” Scootaloo apologized. 
“It’s fine Scootz,” Applebloom replied, “by the way where’s Featherweight?” 
“Oh, he’s sick,” Scootaloo explained, “so I got another date.” 
Just then Rumble came up behind her and hugged her. He was dressed in a simple white buttoned shirt with a black blazer. 
“Hey Applebloom, Snips. I hear you two are dating. Congrats!” Rumble said.
Applebloom began to wonder what she was so worried about. Scootaloo is one of her best friends and will accept her no matter what. Now she just had to find Sweetie Belle and her date. 
“Applebloom, look!” Scootaloo screamed pointing behind her. Walking into the dance was Sweetie Belle and her date. Her date was a brown earth pony with two-toned rust hair. He had dark orange and yellow eyes and had no cutie mark. He was wearing a red-orange shirt and a white blazer. He looked very handsome. Then there was Sweetie Belle wearing an amazingly beautiful one-of-a-kind dress her sister made. Her dress was two-tiered like Scootaloo’s. The first tier was a dark muted blue with a lighter muted blue ribbon with light green flowers around the bottom of it. The second tier was a sheer see through silver fabric with, of course, sparkles. She had on simple blueish silver shoes and a silver choker necklace with a blue heart. She also wore a blue sparkly headband and her hair was teased and curled vintage style. She looked absolutely beautiful! 
“Sweetie Belle!” Applebloom and Scootaloo screamed. Sweetie Belle looked away from her date and saw Applebloom, Scootaloo, and the colts. She smiled and headed towards them. The three best friends shared a group hug.
“You both look beautiful!” Sweetie Belle complimented. By that point her date had caught up with her. “Oh! Applebloom, Scootaloo, this is Button Mash.”
“Nice to meet you,” Applebloom said.
“It’s nice to meet the two of you. Sweetie Belle has told me a lot about you two,” Button greeted.
Sweetie Belle then looked at Applebloom with a grim look on her face, “Applebloom, who’s this?” she asked nervously.
“Oh,” Applebloom responded happily, “Sweetie Belle, you know Snips. He’s my colt friend.”
Sweetie Belle looked at her friend completely shocked in horror. After about a minute she finally spoke.
“Applebloom,” she said calmly but then raised her voice, “WHY!!!!!!!!”
Applebloom was taken back by her friends tone. The feeling of worry came back into her. 
“Why him! You told me about the amazing, charismatic colt you met and had fun with, and yet you bring him! What about the other colt! He was perfect for you!”
Applebloom interrupted, “that colt was Snips!”
Sweetie Belle looked angry, “you lied to us? Not only that but you actually like this colt? How! He’s awkward and weird and so low class!”
“I like him Sweetie Belle! Get over it!” Applebloom then turned and walked away. She wanted to get as far away from her as possible. She could not believe the amount of crap she had just taken from that filly. She was her best friend and she has the nerve to tell her she had a bad colt friend. 


Applebloom stopped behind a bush and cried. She didn’t want any pony to see her, not even Snips. She just wanted to be invisible from Sweetie Belle. She hated her, she hated her best friend who she has gone on numerous adventures with to find her cutie mark. Now she wanted nothing to do with her. 
“Is this what you were worried about Applebloom?” a voice said from in front of her. She looked up and there was Princess Cadance.
“Yes, yes this was,” Applebloom replied.
Cadance sat down in front of her and wiped her tears away with a tissue. 
“Applebloom, I know it’s hard to have a friend who does not approve. Believe me, when I started dating Shining Armor, my friends didn’t understand. He was awkward, quirky, and a giant nerd, but that's what I liked about him. Once you get over what others think and focus on yourself, others will follow.”
“But what if she never does?”
“If she is your friend, she will.”
“Applebloom!” Sweetie Belle’s voice screamed.
“Go Applebloom. Follow your heart.” Cadance said then disappeared into the night.
Applebloom got up and walked towards the sound of Sweetie Belle’s voice.
“Applebloom!” Sweetie Belle screamed, “there you are.”
“Sweetie Belle, hold on to whatever you have to say because I have something to say,” Applebloom demanded, “I like Snips, maybe even love him, nothing you say will make me change my feelings.”
“So Snips is the one who gave you the bracelet and took you on those dates?” Sweetie Belle ask.
Applebloom looked at her calming down, “yeah.”
“Maybe he’s not so bad, after all,” Sweetie Belle concluded.
The two friends laughed and apologized to each other and went back to the dance. After about an hour, Sweetie Belle saw what Applebloom saw. A kind, caring, charming young colt who cares deeply about her friend. The three couples hung out for the rest of the dance. They danced, talked, and ate good food. At 10:56 p.m DJ-pon3 had spoken.
“Alright all you fillies and colts out there! We got one more song to play for you. So grab your special some pony and hit the dance floor for a love song played by my best friend Octavia.”
Octavia brought out her cello with the rest of her ensemble and began to play a beautiful, classical, slow song. Applebloom hit the dance floor with her special some pony and began to dance. The two could not take their eyes off of each other as the song progressed. Applebloom finally felt happy. Her friends accepted her colt friend, she didn’t have to keep it a secret anymore, and best of all she had a colt friend.
The song ended and the three couples walked out of the dance together and went their separate ways after saying goodbye. Snips walked Applebloom back to Sweet Apple Acres. The couple reminisced about the night they had just had. They were both glad that their relationship didn't have to be a secret anymore. The two continued to smile at each other and as they walked up to Applebloom’s house. 
“Thanks for tonight Snips, I had a wonderful time,” Applebloom said.
“No thank you Applebloom. It feels so good that others accept our relationship,” Snips said.
“Me too,” Applebloom said.
Snips then pulled her close to her and kissed her on the lips. The two shared a passionate 10 second kiss as Applebloom’s heart melted.
“I love you,” Applebloom muttered loud enough for Snips to hear. Applebloom tried to cover her mouth, but Snips took her hoof in protest. Snips smiled at her.
“I love you too,” Snips replied.
Applebloom began to cry happy tears as her eyes met Snips. Snips wiped away her tears and kissed her once more. Applebloom couldn’t believe what has happened in the last couple of hours. She came out and told every pony about her relationship, got her friends approval, told Snips she loves him, and he even said it back. Princess Cadance was right, Applebloom thought, follow your heart and others will follow.
> The Diamond Spoon Effect
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“The Snip-let? That's so cute!” Sweetie Belle said to Applebloom. It was Monday and time for school again. Applebloom walked with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to school. 
“I can’t wait to see him today! I couldn’t see him the rest of the weekend because I had to help buck some apples and give his uncle some zap apples for the flavored sparkling water. Hopefully it goes well,” Applebloom preached.
The three fillies walked into the schoolhouse to find every pony surrounding Diamond Tiara’s and Silver Spoon’s desks. 
“Oh great,” said Scootaloo, “look who’s back from Manehatten!”
Applebloom had been so wrapped up in everything that she forgot about those two. Filthy Rich had to do business there and took them along. One week without those two was good enough, but everything with Snips and her was even better.
“And here we are on the tallest building,” Silver Spoon said showing every pony a picture of her and Diamond.
“We got to take the elevator, because my daddy’s rich. All of you would have to take the stairs.”
Applebloom toned out the two bullies bragging about their week away. It was no use though because a few moments later Diamond Tiara called her name.
“Oh Applebloom, Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle,” Diamond shouted, “I left all of you something on your desks.”
The crusaders looked at each other confused and walked towards their desks. Lo and behold there were three pendants sitting on their desks. They were a B and two F’s pendants. The three fillies lifted the jewelry off their desks.
“I got them because I saw them and thought of you three,” Diamond said.
“How?” ask Sweetie Belle.
“Hello! Isn’t it obvious?” Silver Spoon asked.
“BFF. Blank Flanks Forever!” The bullies announced as they laughed.
Scootaloo threw hers on the ground and stomped on it. Sweetie Belle threw her’s in the trash. Applebloom did something different, she walked up to Diamond Tiara and laid the pendants on her desk.
“Sorry Diamond, I got enough jewelry,” she said showing off her Snip-let. 
The class gathered around Applebloom to check out her bracelet. They were all mesmerized by the gold charm bracelet. 
“Apple, bloom! Clever!” said one pony.
“What gem is the purple one?” another asked.
“Look how pretty the heart is!” one more announced.
Diamond Tiara stood up and grabbed Applebloom’s bracelet, “Oh wow! This thing couldn’t be cheaper than grass!” Diamond screamed grabbing the Snip-let off Applebloom’s leg, “Where’d you get it? You’re sister’s closet?” Diamond and Silver Spoon laughed and threw the bracelet. Applebloom tried to say something but failed.
“Not only are you a blank flank but you also have a bad choice in jewelry,” Silver Spoon teased.
“Actually I gave it to her,” Snips said standing in the doorway to the schoolhouse. He had caught the bracelet, thankfully. Applebloom ran over to Snips and hugged him. Snips helped Applebloom put the bracelet back on.
“Wow!” Diamond Tiara screamed, “Blank flank, wearer of bad jewelry, and crushing on a loser! You might as well go hide in a hole Applebloom, your life would be better that way.”
“Don’t talk to my filly friend like that!” Snips screamed as Applebloom was close to tears.
“You two are….” Diamond said processing what Snips just said, “Oh Celestia! You two losers are dating? Wow! Snips you’re a lost cause and I’m sure she’s just dating you to hide the pain of not having a cutie mark. Applebloom you really are stupid like your family! All your brother says is nope and yep, your older sister is so uncouth, and your grandmother-“
Scootaloo threw a book that missed Diamond Tiara’s head by a matter of inches. “Don’t you dare insult Granny Smith, you stuck up, rich, poor excuse for a filly!” Scootaloo screamed angrily.
“Oh, shut up you flightless filly. You’re lucky you’re not the most pathetic of the blank flanks,” Silver Spoon burned. 
“Don’t talk about my friends like that!” Sweetie Belle screamed.
“Oh, Sweetie Belle,” Diamond snarled, “you’re no better! You used a princess to get popular and ended up being hated by her. You’re such a user, I’m surprised the other blank flanks like you.”
The crusaders stood in stunned and hurt silence as Ms. Cheerilee walked in.
“Good morning my little ponies, please take your seats and we will begin.”
Snips gave Applebloom a hug before sitting down. The crusaders sat down, all were hurt. Scootaloo was reminded, once again by those two that she couldn’t fly. Sweetie Belle began to feel guilty for how she used Twilight for attention. Applebloom had it the worst, not only was she hurt because she was Snips's filly friend, but she was also insulted because of her family. The term blank flank didn’t bother them anymore, but nothing could take away the hurt of the teasing they all had just received. 


“I can’t believe she would go so far to hurt you guys,” Rumble said sitting with the crusaders, Snips and Snails on the schoolyard, “that wasn’t the least bit cool.”
“I’m just happy you didn’t have to hear it,” Scootaloo said, “for once I’m happy you were late.”
Scootaloo was beginning to like Rumble more and more. She had always had a tiny crush on him but nothing more. The two had become good friends but this was something different. 
“Rumble just please take care of her,” said Sweetie Belle, “I know how much that hurt her and Rainbow Dash isn’t here to help.”
“It’s fine, as long as what she said to you wasn’t that bad,” Rumble replied.
“No, it was. I feel awful about using Princess Twilight. She reopened that old wound and it hurts.”
“Go see Button Mash after school,” Snips suggested.
“I will but I don’t know if I’ll last that long,” Sweetie Belle explained, “is she okay?”
Snips looked at Applebloom, she was in deep thought about what had been verbally thrown at her earlier today. Not only was she insulted because she did not have a cutie mark, but also for her family not being the smartest ponies around town and for dating Snips. Her worst fear come to life. Now the biggest bully is hitting her right in the most fragile spot of her dignity. 
“Applebloom?” Snips called her out of her trance.
She immediately came back to reality and looked at her special some pony as he put a leg around her for comfort. She did not respond. She was still upset about this morning and didn’t want to talk about it.
“Applebloom must still be upset,” Snails said, “she’ll be okay. Snips will comfort her and she’ll be better in no time.”
“I hope you’re right Snails,” Sweetie Belle said worriedly. 
The school bell rang and every pony went back into the school house. Applebloom hadn’t said a word since that morning. She remained quiet, reserved, and still. She sat at her desk waiting for whatever Ms. Cheerilee had to teach.
“Okay students, for our afternoon class we have two special guests. They will be teaching you about magic and love,” Cheerilee announced, “Please welcome Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and Princess Twilight Sparkle!”
Twilight and Cadance walked into the schoolhouse with smiles on both their faces. Applebloom looked up confused. I don’t understand! she thought she’s here? Is that how she got in my dream? 
“Hey, there my little ponies,” Twilight said, “I’m Princess Twilight.”
“And I’m Princess Cadance,” Cadance followed, “we are here to tell you about how we became princesses.”
Cadance and Twilight flipped back and forth about their journeys to evolving into princesses. They spoke about the alicorn transformations and their duties as princesses. They talked for about 30 minutes then took questions. Thankfully they were serious questions about their duties, friendships, and marriage. Then Applebloom spoke for the first time since that morning.
“Princess Cadance?” she asked, “How long have you been here in Ponyville?” 
“Oh, I’ve been here since about Tuesday. I’ve been helping Twilight with her castle and Shining Armor and I are taking a little vacation,” Cadance answered.
Applebloom asked another question, “Do you have any special abilities, say like walking into other ponies dreams or something?”
Cadance began to see where she was going, “Well, Twilight and I can actually do it. If Princess Luna runs into a pony who is having constant nightmares due to either magic or friendship, she’ll come get Twilight. If it’s a marriage, relationships, or love problems, Princess Luna will come get me.”
Applebloom smiled at the Princess. Diamond Tiara raised her hoof to ask a question.
“Princess Twilight, have you ever been used because you’re a Princess before?”
“Well, only once,” Twilight said as she looked at Sweetie Belle, who’s head was tilted down in shame, “but they learned from it and so did I. She didn’t actually use me, she just wanted to show every pony what I teach her and her friends sometimes.” Sweetie Belle looked up at Twilight as she walked towards her desk, “it’s been a while since I had time with them but I hope they still remember what I taught them.” 
Sweetie Belle then floated an apple off of Cheerilee’s desk and spun it in the air. She placed in gently on the desk again. Twilight then gave Sweetie Belle a hug, “I knew you could do it,” Twilight said to her. 
Just then, Silver Spoon raised her hoof to ask a question.
“Princess Cadance, you were originally a pegasus correct?” she asked.
“Yes I was,” Cadance replied.
“How do you feel about a pegasus who can’t fly? It must be so shaming!”
“Actually I knew a few who couldn’t,” Cadance responded to the mean question, “however they were not meant to fly. One became a stunt pony for movies in Las Pegasus and she still can’t fly. It’s never stopped her though. I say to whoever can’t fly, it’s completely fine.”
She looked at Scootaloo who was half-way to tears, “Scootaloo sweetheart,” she said walking up to her, “so what if you can’t fly? You’ve done a lot of other amazing things. You were a flower pony in my wedding, a flag carrier at the Equestria games, and have one of the best fliers in Equestria as a mentor. You will learn some day my little pony.”
Scootaloo began to cry as she hugged her. Applebloom was starting to see that Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were trying to bring her and her friends down. It wasn’t working because the Princesses saw things differently. She was next without a doubt.
“One more question Princess Cadance. Shining Armor was a nerd, why did you marry him? You could have married a better looking stallion who played polo!” Diamond Tiara said, “I mean look at the colt behind me,” she pointed at Snips, “he’s so pathetic I don’t understand why any pony would like him.”
Applebloom got angry and her boiling point was starting to come out. She couldn’t hold back anymore. She slammed her hooves on her desk and stood up.
“Princesses if I may,” she said.
“Of course,” Twilight said.
“Go ahead my little pony,” Cadance encouraged.
Applebloom prepared herself and opened her mouth to yell, “Diamond Tiara, what you said today about me, my friends, my colt friend, and my family was not cool! Do you even remember why your dad is rich? It’s because of my grandma’s jam! If it wasn’t for my ‘uncouth’ family you’d be just like the rest of us and not going to Manehatten to ride an elevator to the top of the tallest building. And my colt friend? You have no right to talk to him like that! This bracelet he gave me is 14k real gold! It is beautiful and I love it, just like I love him! Plus no pony would be caught dead dating you! No pony likes a bully and that's all you are! So go swim in your daddy’s money while my colt friend and I enjoy a date, something you will never go on!”
“Also Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon,” Twilight responded, “Remember what I said at your cuteceanera. Because they don’t have cutie marks they can be whatever they want.”
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked at each other as the school bell rang signaling the end of the school day. 
“Whatever!” Diamond Tiara said as she and Silver Spoon rushed out off the schoolhouse.
Cheerilee dismissed class and all the ponies rallied around Applebloom as they moved outside. Snips ran to her and gave her a kiss for her bravery. The crusaders hugged as Rumble fought his way through the crowd to find Scootaloo. Applebloom felt empowered and strong. 
“Well, something good must have happened today,” a voice said. The crusaders looked up to find Snips’s uncle Seltzer. 
“Hey, Uncle Seltzer, this is Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Rumble, my friends,” Snips introduced.
“Nice to meet all of you,” Seltzer smiled, “Applebloom, I have the trials of the zap apple sparkling water back at Sweet Apple Acres. Would you all like to come and test them out?”
“Can my special friend come?” Sweetie Belle asked referring to Button Mash.
“Of course, we need all the help we can get,” Seltzer said.
> Testing Gone Wrong
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

         The six little ponies all crowded around the Apple family’s kitchen table. All couples sitting side by side, even though Scootaloo and Rumble weren’t officially a couple.
“Okay, my little ponies,” Seltzer announced to them all, “in front of you there are five samples of the new zap apple sparkling water. Each is labeled and when I say try a number, you will pick up the cup with the number I had just said. You will then drink the sample and tell me your thoughts. Any questions?”
All ponies looked at Seltzer with anticipation, waiting to try the samples. Applebloom was hooves down the most excited of them all. This was her and Snips idea and she couldn’t have been more excited to taste their vision. 
“Okay, my little ponies, try #1” Seltzer declared.
All six of the ponies picked up their cups, whether it was with magic or their hooves. 
“Drinking race!” declared Button Mash. They all sipped the shot size of a sample. Applebloom closed her eyes waiting for the flavor to come, but it didn’t. All she got was an endless amount of bubbles and no taste of zap apple at all. There may happen been a tiny bit but none that crossed her taste buds. 
“Well, what do you think?” Seltzer asked.
The six were silent until Scootaloo spoke up, “Did you even try to put any zap apple in here? All I got was bubbles.”
“Same here,” Rumble agreed, “All I tasted was bubbles.”
Sweetie Belle looked at Button Mash and the two said, “0-10.”
“Uncle, I’ve had your sparkling water before, this doesn't taste like any of them,” Snips spoke.
“Okay, how about you Applebloom?” Seltzer asked.
Applebloom was hesitant but after a hoof to the back and a smile from Snips she voiced her option, “It felt like water with bubbles and no taste.”
“Okay! Now try #4” Seltzer requested.
The ponies stopped for a second, confused that they were not going in order. They obeyed, however, and tried the sample in cup #4. The second the water hit Applebloom’s tongue she felt bubbles again. This time not as many and she could definitely taste the zap apple. It was a beautiful mixture of water and zap apple. The taste was there and not overpowering. The bubbles brought the zap apple down a little but didn’t complete obliterate the flavor. Applebloom opened her eyes and looked at the others. Sweetie Belle had her head on Button Mash, Scootaloo had her front legs on the table and was staring into space as if she were daydreaming. Every pony just seemed relaxed as if the flavor and balance caused some sort of group climax. 
“I think I know all of your answers to this one,” Seltzer said.
“That was amazing!” Sweetie Belle spoke up.
“Yeah,” every pony else agreed.
“Alright, now try #2.”
The ponies obeyed and lifted their sample cups. Applebloom sipped the sparkling water sample and swallowed. She suddenly was taken out of her trance of harmony and was shot back into the real world. The zap apple flavor was different this time. It didn’t taste sweet, in fact, it tasted sour. There were too many bubbles and way too much zap apple flavoring. Her face shot a sour look, as she heard Rumble spit out the sample into his cup. Every pony in the room was horrified by the taste. Seltzer slid big cups of water in front of them. The six ponies accepted immediately and chugged the regular water as if it were an antidote for a deadly disease. 
“Okay,” Seltzer acclaimed as the six ponies caught their breath.
“Uncle! Seriously? What was that!?!?!” Snips spoke, “Whatever that was it was terrible!”
“Okay, moving on. Try #5,” he commanded kindly.
Applebloom was dreading the next sample. If it was anything like the last one, her taste buds would probably crawl out of her mouth and strangle her. Applebloom took a sip. It wasn’t sour this time but had way more bubbles and the zap apple flavor tasted like some pony had added 18 cups of sugar. She spat it out immediately and looked at her friends. Snips shivered as he swallowed the sample, Scootaloo, and Button Mash looked sick, Sweetie Belle looked as if she had just gotten a root canal from the Ponyville dentist, and Rumble had his head between his back legs as if about to throw up. 
“Okay, my little ponies, I get it! Just hold on for one more. Now try #3,” Seltzer explained.
The six all took a deep breath and sipped the sample. It tasted like #4 did. A beautifully harmonious balance of flavor, bubbles, stillness, zap apple, and water. Applebloom closed her eyes and imagined zap apples falling around her as she was lifted by bubbles in a sea of relaxation and inner peace.
“…just like it,” she heard Snips say.
“Yeah, just like #4! It’s divine as my sister would say,” Sweetie Belle agreed.
“You’re right you two, you wanna know why?” Seltzer said, “Because it is the same one as #4.”
The six ponies looked at each other from different sides of the table. They could not understand why there were two cups of the same sample.
“The reason why is because that’s what Applebloom’s family liked the most. The balance is perfect, the zap apple flavor has been brought down to a level where it is not overpowering but still existent. Therefore, this is the sample that will be mass produced during the next zap apple season.”
Applebloom was so happy that her vision had become a reality. Her family was finally going to have a special item specifically for zap apples, which will make zap apple season even more successful! She turned and kissed Snips on the cheek.
“So Applebloom, I’m going to go talk with your family. Where would they be right now?”





A few hours had passed. Applebloom and the other five ponies were all hanging out at the lake where she and Snips had had their second date. Every pony was laughing, swimming and having a jolly time together. They had all settled down under the shade of one of the apple trees. 
“I’m so excited that your family has a new zap apple product now!” Sweetie Belle said to Applebloom.
“Thanks, Sweetie Belle, it was Snips idea though, I just pitched it to my family,” Applebloom replied. 
“I bet its gonna be great!” Button Mash said.
“By the way Button,” Rumble said, “we don’t know too much about you, could you tell us a bit about yourself?”
“Sure!” Button screamed in excitement, “I live in Ponyville, obviously, with my mom, dad, and my big brother. My big brother's in Canterlot for high school and comes home on the weekends. My dad works a lot as a builder and is in Manehattan right now for some renovating things, whatever that means. I love video games!”
“What kind?” Applebloom asked.
“Well, my favorite right now is Colt of Duty. I really like playing as the head of the royal guard and this time we’re attacking-“
“Changelings,” Applebloom interrupted, “I’ve been playing it and I love it way more than Grand Theft Chariot, my favorite thing I stole was a blimp!”
“Really? I find them really slow, them and hot air balloons. My favorite was the detachable pegasus wings that one inventor pony was making.”
“Oh dear luna, they are awesome!” Applebloom replied, “Which game got you into video games?”
“World of Waricorn, believe it or not. My brother had it, he put the parental controls on it so I wouldn’t see anything I shouldn’t. I like role playing video games, they’re a lot of fun.”
“Wow cool! Me, I like the classics, Mareo Brothers, Ms. Pac-Mare, Donkey Kong, which my sister said it way being mean to donkeys everywhere, but I liked it. I like the pixelated games, they just leave so much to the imagination.”
“Oh, the Mareo games are awesome! Paper Mareo, Super Mareo, Super Mareo Galaxy!”
“I love Super Mareo Galaxy! You even get to meet Luna on the moon and Celestia on the sun!”
Scootaloo and Rumble listen in awe at how well Button and Applebloom were getting along. Sweetie Belle wasn’t liking the fact that her colt friend was getting along with one of her friends like this. Snips just sat back and watched his special some pony get along with another colt, who looks, talks, and seems better than him. He loved Applebloom and didn't wanna lose her.
“Well, this has been fun but Rarity wants me home soon, so I have to go,” Sweetie Belle said standing up, “Button, shall we?” 
“Well, I must walk my lady home now,” he said standing up and kissing her on the cheek, “Applebloom we should play some Minecraft some time!” 
Applebloom agreed and said goodbye. She had never played Minecraft before, despite the name being odd she heard great things about it. It was a good looking survival game that could be multiplayer or solo. She couldn’t wait to play with her new friend.
The others said goodbye to Sweetie Belle and Button Mash. Once they were out of sight, Scootaloo looked at Applebloom and told her what she had seen, “you made Sweetie Belle angry, you know that right?”
“What are you talking about?” Applebloom asked. 
“Talking to her colt friend about something she can’t? Bonding with him over something she's not too into? Talking about different video games in front of her? Come on Applebloom you can’t be that blind.”
Applebloom couldn’t believe what her friend was saying such things to her. All she was trying to do was get to know the colt that was dating her best friend, not take him from her. Besides she had Snips and she wouldn’t trade him for anything. 
“Oh, come on Scootz, I’m just trying to get to know the colt, not steal him from Sweetie Belle. So we both like video games, so what! For all I know that could be the only thing we have in common,” Applebloom proposed.
“She’s right Scootaloo,” Rumble said “anyway, we should be going. I gotta get you home before it gets dark. I’ll see you both tomorrow?”
“Yep,” Snips said.
Scootaloo got up with Rumble and the two were on their way. Snips and Applebloom were right behind them. Snips walked her to her house. Right before he left Applebloom stopped him.
“Snips, do you think I was doing something other than talking to Button Mash?” She asked.
“Applebloom, you’re with me,” Snips said, “I’m sure she’ll realize that you were just bonding over something you have in common and she’ll forget about it and everything will go back to normal.”
Applebloom smiled and nodded in approval. She kissed him goodbye and Snips left. She felt confident everything was going to be fine. 


He can’t take her, she’s mine! I had her first! I love her, he better stay away. Be thankful we go to different schools Button Mash.
> AppleMash?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

   I wasn’t trying to take Button from Sweetie Belle, I was just talking about video games. Applebloom thought as she laid in bed staring at the ceiling, I’m with Snips and I love him. Applebloom continued to toss and turn in her bed for what felt like hours. When she couldn’t fall asleep she got up and sat at her window, thinking of what she had said to Button Mash.
Is it because we bonded over video games? I was just being friendly, I don’t like him! Snips is mine, not Button Mash.
Applebloom kept thinking similar thoughts until she fell asleep near her window. When she woke she forgot why she was over there in the first place. She shrugged it off and got ready for school.
“Rumble and I had a great time yesterday! Hanging out by the lake was a lot of fun,” Scootaloo said to Applebloom as they walked to school.
“I had fun too,” Applebloom replied. Just then they saw Sweetie Belle walking their way. She seemed different though, something wasn’t right. 
“OH, SWEETIE BELLE!” Scootaloo and Applebloom screamed startling her. The sight of her friends made her both happy, but she still looked out of it. 
“Morning you two. Yesterday was fun, wasn’t it?” Sweetie Belle said happily. Her tone sounded fine.
Is she okay? Applebloom thought, she doesn’t seem like herself.
“You okay Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo asked.
“What? Me? Yeah, I’m fine,” Sweetie Belle said oddly. It was as if she was hiding something from them, “Oh look! We’re already at school, we better get inside before the bell rings.” 
“Uh…..okay?” Applebloom said as Sweetie Belle walked up the schoolhouse steps. “I wonder what’s got her upset?”
“Yeah I wonder,” Scootaloo said sarcastically as she walked to her desk. 
Applebloom entered the classroom and saw Snips sitting at his desk talking to Snails like he always does. She walked up to him with a smile and gave him a kiss on the top of his head. 
“Good Morning my love,” Snips said without even having to look at her. He got up from his desk and gave her a good morning hug. Seeing Snips smile at her made Applebloom feel better. All her worries of the day before had just gone away. After talking to Snips and Snails, the bell rang and she walked back to her desk and sat down. She then turned her head to look at Sweetie Belle. That’s when she caught a glimpse of what she was really feeling. Applebloom saw a single tear running down her right cheek. Something happened, Applebloom thought.
The lunch bell rang and all the fillies and colts rang outside with their lunches. The CMC walked to their table and sat down and before any pony could say something, Applebloom spoke, “Okay Sweetie Belle what’s wrong?”
“What are you talking about?” Sweetie Belle replied.
“I saw you crying earlier today, what is wrong?”
“It’s none of your business,” Sweetie Bell grunted.
Applebloom began to get angry and raised her voice, “It is my business if you’re upset!”
“Oh, so now you care if I’m upset?”
“What are you talking about?”
“What you don’t know?” Scootaloo interrupted, the two fillies looked at her, “You were flirting with her colt friend yesterday.”
“WHAT?!?!?!?!?!” Applebloom shouted.
“It’s true! You’re trying to take Button Mash from me!” Sweetie Belle screamed.
“What are you talking about? I was just seeing what video games he likes.”
“Oh really? Then why did he talk all about you when he walked me home?” Sweetie Belle questioned, “why did he pay more attention to you? Why did you have to make me angry to the point where Button and I had a fight?” Tears began to run down her face. Applebloom then realized what she had done. She had made her best friend jealous. 
“You two had a fight?” Applebloom asked.
 Sweetie Belle began to tell the story of what happened after they had left:
Once Button and I had gotten out of Sweet Apple Acres he had told me that he was really happy he met you guys. We were about half way to my house when he had stopped me and asked me “So how serious are Snips and Applebloom?” I told him you two were pretty serious and almost inseparable to which he replied “oh okay”. I asked him why and he said that he really like you, out of all of us you were the one that stood out to him. I asked him what that was supposed to mean and he told me “well she likes video games just like me and I wanna see her more.” I then asked him, “if you weren’t with me, you’d be with her?”, he told me yes. I looked at him and told him that I was his filly friend and he should be grateful for me. If he wasn’t with me he wouldn’t even know who you were. He then tried to redeem himself by saying he was happy with me and I told him that that was a lie and ran the rest of the way home.
Applebloom heard and felt her heart stop and shatter, she didn’t want to come between her best friend and her colt friend. Applebloom began to cry as she hugged Sweetie Belle. “I’m so sorry Sweetie Belle,” she cried.
Just then Rumble, Snips, and Snails came running up to the table. Snips took Applebloom in his arms and held her as she cried. Rumble gave Sweetie Belle a hug as she explained what had happened. Rumble and Snails were shocked, Snips looked furious. 
“He said that?” Snips asked. Sweetie Belle nodded her head. “I can’t believe that! She’s with me, why would he think she would leave me for him?”
Just then the school bell rang signaling that lunch was over. The group headed back inside. As Applebloom sat down, Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara walked by her.
“So I heard you ruined Sweetie Belle’s relationship.” Silver Spoon mocked.
“First, you date the pony who is a step below diamond dogs, and now you ruin a relationship. Wow, you give blank flanks a bad name,” Diamond Tiara insulted.
Applebloom just put her head down and plugged her ears until class started again. I didn’t ruin anything! she screamed in her head.

After school Snips ran to Applebloom to comfort her. “I didn’t ruin their relationship! All I did was talk to him, I don’t like him!” Applebloom cried.
“It’s okay Applebloom, everything’s going to be alright,” Snips reassured her he then turned to Sweetie Belle, “and Sweetie Belle, if he can’t see the amazing filly you are, he’s not worth it.” 
The three walked out of the classroom to meet Snails, Scootaloo, and Rumble outside. The group shared a hug and comforted Applebloom and Sweetie Belle. 
“Hey every pony!” a voice shouted. Everyone looked up to see Button Mash with his saddle bags walking towards them. Scootaloo shot him a dirty look while Snails and Rumble backed away. “Sweetie Belle, what’s wrong?” Button asked.
“What? You don’t remember last night?” Sweetie Belle screamed.
“We heard what you said Button,” Applebloom said, “How could you say such things to my best friend? I’m with Snips, not you!”
“Applebloom this doesn’t involve you,” Button protested.
“It does involve her Button!” Sweetie Belle screamed. 
“Okay yes! I said I wanna see her more, I did not say I wanna be with her!” 
“Button…” Sweetie Belle screamed.
“Sweetie Belle,” Snips said putting a leg between her and Button, “let me take care of this. It’s gotten personal now.”
“Snips,” Applebloom said putting her hoof on his shoulder. 
“It will be okay,” Snips reassured her, “just go to the other side of the building to the playground.”
Applebloom grabbed Sweetie Belle and walked to the playground side of the schoolhouse. The others followed. Once everyone was on the other side they sat on a bench to comfort Sweetie Belle. Then the shouts were heard.
“How could you do this to your filly friend!” Snips shouted, “Sweetie Belle is the best you’re going to get and you screwed it up by staring at my filly friend for too long!”
“Look if you like Sweetie Belle why don’t you date her?” Button shouted back.
“Because unlike you, when I’m in a relationship, I stay committed! I don’t look at other fillies! Even if I do, I remember that I have a filly who I love and who loves me! Sweetie Belle likes you, maybe even loves you and you’re going to give that up for a filly who is in a relationship? How stupid are you!”
“Look Snips, I made a mistake okay? I feel bad. You don’t think I care about her? She’s my filly friend and yes I said the wrong thing. Look Applebloom is yours and you can have her. I don’t wanna hurt Sweetie Belle, I love her!” 
Then the shouting stopped. Applebloom and every pony else looked at Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle immediately looked better.
“Sweetie Belle,” Snails said.
“Did you hear…” Applebloom said.
“I heard,” Sweetie Belle said choking back more tears. This time they were tears of joy, Applebloom immediately hugged her best friend. Every pony else joined in the hug as Sweetie Belle became happier. 
“Is she okay?” Snips asked. 
Applebloom nodded her head and got up and ran to Snips, “Thank you,” she whispered as she hugged him. 

Hours passed and the group separated. Snips told Sweetie Belle to wait a few hours to talk to Button. He had told him to think about how he will apologize for his misuse of conversation from their walk last night. 
“I had told him straight up that I knew what had happened from Sweetie Belle’s point of view and wanted to hear his. Sure enough they were the same and he admitted to screwing up,” Snips said as he walked Applebloom home. 
“We heard you scream at him for a little then didn’t hear anything after he said he loved Sweetie Belle,” Applebloom replied.
“I told him that Sweetie Belle wasn’t the only one angered by this. I was too.”
“What? Snips, I love you, I would never leave you.” 
“I know Applebloom, it’s just you two got along so well and I got worried.”
“You don’t need to. I love you Snips.”
“I love you too Applebloom.”
Snips then kissed Applebloom as they arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. They noticed a cart out in front of Applebloom’s house. It was Snips’s uncle Seltzer’s cart. The two ran inside to see Seltzer, Granny Smith, Applejack, and Big Mac sitting in the living room. 
“There y'all are!” Applejack welcomed, “We got some news on the sparkling water.”
Snips and Applebloom sat down and listened. Granny Smith explained that the results for the taste test are in and the fourth one would be the flavor for mass production. 
“This won’t happen until the next zap apple season though, which could be months or even a year,” Seltzer explained 
Snips and Applebloom agreed and didn’t care that they had to wait. They were happy, every pony was happy.