I don't have a pin or a symbol on my shirt. Or, at least, not anymore. My name is Lemon Lime. And that's the problem. My symbol used to be a book, and that's all wrong. My name had nothing to do with how I looked or my talent, like it was supposed to. One day, Principal Celestia gathered me and two other girls. One was be named Sunshine Meadows, the other Cotton Sky. They were wrong, like me. She gave us some sort of pill, then everything changed. My pin disappeared, I didn't know my name, and all of my colors faced grey. The same with the other two. Principal Celestia said in a moment, we wouldn't remember what we used to be at all. She explained that she was sending us to another dimension. One where we could get our lives right, she said. Somebody would adopt us, and rename us to fit our new colors. I didn't get to say goodbye to my family, or my friends. Principal Celestia told us if we didn't match this time, it would 'end quite badly for the three of you'. Then she pushed us through.
...
"Are you okay Applebloom?" An orange pony asked me.
"Who are you? Where am I? My name's Lemon Lime!" I shouted.
"Oh no." The orange pony said. "Here."
She fetched a needle with some sort of liquid in it.
"This has all your new memories, fresh and stored." The orange pony injected me.
It felt like my head has exploded. I had two sets of memories. I was two people... Ponies? I was a person and a pony.
"Now then, I know your head may hurt a bit right now, but I promise it'll be alright." The pony grabbed me, and I was too stunned to move. She shoved me into a room. There was no... Nothing.
"This room is completely blank so nothing will distract you from getting your proper memories set in place. Now it could take a while for your old memories to leave, and your new ones to set in. Probably a year or so. Princess Celestia told me strictly not to talk to you, or do anything until that time is done. Not even food. But don't worry, you won't need it, according to her. You'll still feel a bit hungry, but I'm sure you'll be fine. Princess Celestia, and Luna agreed on this. I'll see ya soon, Applebloom."
She closed the door, leaving me with nothingness.
I tried to brighten the situation, saying at least I had lots of time to think. But then there was the effect of the meds. I fell into a deep sleep, and unfortunately, a nightmare.
There was a terrifying creature, torturing me with all of my deepest fears.
A part of me was curious to see if I even survived. But I knew I would find out.
(Lemon Lime's Journal Inside Her Head) Day 1 My name is Lemon Lime. I've got to remember that. Well, I learned one thing at least. That pony's name is Applejack, the orange one. Apparently she's supposed to be my sister or something. Yeah right. If SHE set up those memories, I can tell you one thing for sure. She sure is full of herself. According to these 'false thoughts' I've been drugged with, we're supposed to be best friends. I'd go to Tartarus before I let that happen.
Day 56 My name is Lemon L-Lime. See? I still remember! How's your stupid thing working now, you dumb farm horse?
Day 93 My name is Lemon... Lime? Yeah, yeah, that's it. I think I'm starting to get that dumb country accent. Luckily I can still think without saying 'Ya'll'.
Day 204 My name is Lemon Bloom. Wait, no it's not! But then... What is it?
Day 248 I'm really freaking out! My family! I can't remember what they look like, or any of their names! When I try to think of family, all I get are the names of like 50 brands of apples! What do I do?
Day 299 My name is Applebloom. NO IT'S NOT! I- I can't even remember my name! I HATE them both! Applejack AND Princess Celestia! Wait... Why do I feel like her name wasn't Princess Celestia? But I can't remember it ever being anyone else...
Day 304 My name is Applebloom. No! Yes! Maybe?
Day 332 I can only remember one thing... I need to find my cutie mark. I don't exactly remember why, but I need to desperately. I'll have to ask sis when I wake up. Gosh, this is a long dream.
Day 364 I wonder what my cutie mark will be? I hope Applejack will help me! Maybe Big Mac and Granny Smith will too!
"Hiya, Applebloom! You finally awake?" Applejack said as I came to. I looked at my surroundings. I was in a bed.
"Yeah." I say. "Finally. I feel like I was asleep for a long time. And my head really hurts." I said suddenly, realizing the pain.
"I'm sorry, sis. You still tired? Do ya wanna go back to bed?" She asked.
"Yeah, I think so. Besides, I had a weird dream I don't really remember. I'd kinda like to see more, though."
"Really? Do ya remember anything from your dream?" Applejack asked.
I thought a moment. "All I remember is I felt self-conscious about my cutie mark. I'd really like to get it."
Applejack laughed. "How about this, little sis? You go on ahead to bed, and maybe tomorrow you can try to help me sell some apples. You might get your mark then. What'da'ya say?"
I smiled. "Yeah. Thanks, Applejack. Night. Love ya."
"Love ya too. Sleep tight."
I headed up to bed, yawning.
"I don't know why I feel so nervous about my mark. Oh well. I'll have to (yawn) get it tomorrow." I quickly fell back asleep.
*** Applejack sighed guiltily. "I really don't know if this is right. Aren't I mean for doing this?"
She looked down at the letter she had gotten from Princess Celestia. Then she shook her head.
"Princess Celestia has been doing this for awhile now. I can trust her... Right?"
She leaned on the window and watched two stars twinkle past.
"What do I do, Ma? Pa?"
Applejack perked her ear upstairs to see if Applebloom was still awake. She sounded asleep, however. Applejack turned away from the staircase and sighed.
Epilogue (After Crusaders Of The Lost Mark, At Sweet Apple Acres)
"I really am proud of you, Applebloom." Applejack smiled at me.
I grinned back. "Thanks Applejack. It's definitely a nice cutie mark."
"And it matches you very well." She commented.
I paused. "Huh?"
"Well, your name's APPLEbloom, and your cutie mark has an apple."
"But that's not what it's for-"
Applejack, however, continued. "And it kinda matches your color scheme."
I shook my head. "I... guess? Why point it out though? Aren't most marks like that?" I asked her.
Applejack grinned. "The right ones are. You can finally go home!"
I stopped, confused. "Go home? Applejack what do you mean?" Applejack stuck me with a needle. I started crying, and turned my head to Applejack.
"Why- Why would you do that?"
Applejack looked at me seriously. "Lemon Lime." She stated.
It was a trigger phrase, and boy did it work! The moment she said it, everything came flowing back.
"Applejack..." I said, somewhat coldly. I was feeling very conflicted. On one hand, she had took me from my home, brainwashed me, and trapped me in a room for a year. But on the other hand, the pony I had gotten to know these past few years was one of the nicest ponies I'd ever met.
Applejack began to tear up. "Goodbye Applebloom. I'm sorry for everything, they said it was for the best. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm really sorry. I love you so much. Goodbye."
Then she pushed me through.
*** Principal Celestia finished explaining.
"So, wait a minute, Principal Celestia. You're saying... It's our job to do what you did to us?"
Principal Celestia nodded.
It slowly dawned on me. I would be taking people from their families, trapping them, drugging them, brainwashing them. Making their life complete Tartarus.
I cried.
And the minute everyone was out of sight, I shot myself. I did it wrong, and I ended up dying more painfully then I had hoped. But my final request to the other 'crusaders' was to let everyone know about what happened.
To help make sure everyone's mark was correct.
And for them to never forget my story, cruel, sick, and vile. So that no one would ever have to go through what I went through.
