//------------------------------// // Episode 2 - Blooming for a Bruising // Story: Magical Filly Apple Bloomers Season 1 // by Apple Bloomers //------------------------------// “Zecora! Zecora!” Applebloom yelled as she ran through Zecora’s house, “Where are ya? Ah’ reckon ah’ did something really bad.” Applebloom opened the front door and saw Zecora picking herbs in her garden. “Zecora!” “Ah, Applebloom how do you feel..” Zecora stopped as she saw Applebloom holding the spell book, “What are you doing with that?!” Applebloom took a deep breath. “Ah’ heard some whispering and it was coming from this book so I opened it up despite there looking like a forcefield was around it then the book let out a bunch of darkness and a shadowy figure came out and almost killed me but ah’ fought it off using some magical ball ah’ shot from my hands but now it’s loose and ah’ don’t know what’s going on or what to do please help me!” Applebloom gasped as she said that all in one breath. Zecora sighed. “So Nightmare Moon has returned,” she said looking up into the sky. “Nightmare who now?” Applebloom asked tilting her head. “Come child, I will explain everything,” Zecora said leading Applebloom back into her house. “Have a seat,” Zecora said as she lit a fire under her cauldron. She then poured a potion into it making the room glow with a green aura. “Long ago Equestria was ruled by two alicorn sisters.” “Alicorns?” Applebloom said confused, “A fusion of a unicorn and pegasus? Ah’ thought they were just myths.” “The two sisters ruled Equestria together,” Zecora poured another potion into the cauldron as she continued causing two smoke figures to rise, “However one day one of the sisters betrayed the other,” one of the smoke figures stabbed the other through the back with a sword causing Applebloom to gasp. “With her sister slain the other ruled Equestria with an iron fist, enslaving everypony in the kingdom until a powerful wizard sealed her away in that very book,” Zecora pointed to the book in Applebloom’s hands. “Are you saying I released the evil sister who enslaved all ponykind?” Applebloom asked her heart sinking horribly. “Do not be so down on yourself child, Nightmare Moon was always predicted to come back one day and it seems you have the power to stop her.” “ME!?” Applebloom squeaked. “That energy you used to fight her off was no magical spell,” Zecora said as she poured yet another potion into the cauldron, “That was a special technique only a few earth ponies in history posses.” Another smoke figure came out of the cauldron. “You see Applebloom, that was not magic you used, it was aura. Aura of the earth itself.” The smoke figure gathered energy from the ground and shot out an orb of energy from its hands. “Wow,” Applebloom said her eyes sparkling, “Ah’ have a special magical power only ah’ can do?” “This is correct Applebloom, and thus it is up to you to defeat Nightmare Moon before it is too late.” “Wait,” Applebloom said, “Why me? Why can’t a powerful wizard do it again?” “The spell used to seal Nightmare Moon is written in that book you hold, however it is written in an ancient language that is all but forgotten. I doubt anypony has the ability to read the spell let alone cast it.” Zecora put out the flame under her cauldron. Applebloom laid on her back trying to take it all in. When she woke up today she was just an ordinary earth filly, now she held the fate of Equestria in her hands. “Zecora...ah’ feel sick,” Applebloom said as she held her stomach. Zecora sat next to Applebloom sitting her up and pulled her into a hug. “Nopony would ask of you this if it could be helped. I know this must be overwhelming for you.” “What if ah’ fail?” Applebloom asked as she hugged Zecora and buried her face into her chest trying not to cry, “What if Equestria is destroyed and it’s all my fault?” “You must not think of failure,” Zecora said warmly, “Believe in yourself and never give up.” Applebloom sighed. It was easy for Zecora to say, she wasn’t holding the future of the world in her hands. What were her friends going to think of this? What would her family think of this? Applebloom started to feel sick again. “Ah’....ah’ need to get home,” she said releasing her hold on Zecora. “Of coarse child,” Zecora said as they both stood up, “Get some rest, and remember Applebloom, you are never alone in this.” “Thanks Zecora,” Applebloom smiled weakly. As she trudged through the forest Applebloom tried to think how she was going to explain all this to everypony. “Howdy everypony, guess what? Ah’ accidentally unleashed an ancient evil that threatens to destroy Equestria but don’t worry cuz ah’ have the power to shoot magical stuff out mah’ hands and everything’s gonna be hunky dory,” Applebloom kicked a rock, “Even ah’ think ah’m nuts right now.” As Applebloom got close to Ponyville she suddenly heard a loud roar followed by screams. “My friends and family are in trouble, I have to help them,” Applebloom yelled as she started to run. She sprinted through the forest as fast as she could. As she got closer to the town she could hear screams and sounds of destruction. “Hold on everypony, your hero is coming!” she yelled as she bounded into the town square. “Woah nelly!” Applebloom came to a screeching halt as she saw what was causing all the commotion. A giant timberwolf was stomping around the square much to the dismay of the townsfolk. Timberwolves were common in equestria but Applebloom never saw one so big...nor one with a dark aura around it. The timberwolf stopped and sniffed under a cart. Appleblom could see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo cowering underneath it. “Stop right there evil monster!” Applebloom yelled, “Ah’ am here to put an end to your rampage.” Applebloom struck a pose, “Never fear ponies, magical filly Applebloom...uh..ers...bloomers, Apple Bloomers is here!” “Is that supposed to hide her secret identity?” Scootaloo snickered, “She isn’t even wearing a mask.” “Forget about her fashion sense, she’s going to get herself killed!” Sweetie Belle said as the timberwolf turned to face Applebloom. “No worries fillies, just wait till y’all get a load of this,” Applebloom took a fighting stance, “Your blooming for a bruisin.” “Seriously?” Scootaloo yelled. Applebloom thrusted her hands out. “HAAA!” she yelled, but nothing happened. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle both face palmed. “This isn’t make believe anymore Applebloom!” Sweetie yelled, “RUN!” Applebloom seemed too baffled and scared to move. “Ah’....a’h don’t understand...it should have….AH!” the timberwolf smacked Applebloom with its arm sending her through the wall of a nearby building. “APPLEBLOOM!” Sweetie and Scootaloo yelled. Applebloom lay dazed on a pile of rubble. “This is karma for all them trees ah’ bucked ain’t it? Now they are bucking back,” Applebloom slowly got to her feet, “Why didn’t my power work?” Applebloom jumped out of the building facing the timberwolf again. “Ah’m not giving up, ah’ will defeat you!” she yelled at the timberwolf. The timberwolf leaned down coming face to face with her before letting out a huge loud roar nearly blowing her off her feet and covering her in saliva. “Well that was just plain rude,” she said as she shook some of the saliva off her. The timberwolf raised its arm ready to crush her. “Take this!” Applebloom yelled as she thrusted her arms out again, once again nothing happened. “Oh applesauce…” Applebloom closed her eyes and raised her arms in front of her face preparing for the impact, but it didn’t come. She opened her eyes and saw Sweetie Belle in front of her holding back the timberwolf with a magical shield that surrounded them. “Sweetie Belle!” she yelled, “What are you doing?” “Run Applebloom! Save yourself,” Sweetie pleaded as her legs started to buckle under the weight of the timberwolf. “No way, you can’t hold him off by yourself, just give me a minute and I’ll figure out how to beat him.” “Darn it Applebloom, this isn’t one of your fantasies! Run!” Sweetie Belle fell to one knee as her magic shield started to crack. With one last blow the timberwolf shattered the shield causing Sweetie Belle to be blown back into Applebloom’s arms. “Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle?” Applebloom said as she lightly shook her friend but it was no use, Sweetie Belle had lost consciousness. “Oh Sweetie Belle,” Applebloom’s eyes began to water as she held her friend tightly, “This is all mah’ fault.” The timberwolf raised its arm again ready to strike. “Ah’m sorry ponies of Equestria, ah’m sorry mah’ friends, ah’m sorry Applejack, if ah’ never volunteered to take that cart this would never…..THAT’S IT!” Applebloom cried. Holding Sweetie Belle tight she jumped out of the way of the timberwolf’s arm. “Scootaloo!” Applebloom yelled as she ran towards her cowering friend, “Take care of Sweetie, ah’ have an idea.” “Wait what are you going to do?” Scootaloo asked as she took Sweetie Belle in her arms. “Ah’m gonna save the day by the power of bloomers!” Applebloom said as she gave Scootaloo a thumbs up. “Ok, seriously you need to work on your catchphrases,” Scootaloo said shaking her head. Applebloom ran back towards the timberwolf. “Hey bark breath!” she yelled turning around and spanking her own flank, “Tasty apple right here, come and get it!” Applebloom started running in the direction of the forest the timberwolf in hot pursuit. As soon as Applebloom reached the forest she jumped up into the first tree she saw and started jumping from tree to tree. The timberwolf raced after Applebloom but found itself being slowed by the thick forest of trees. “What’s the matter? Never picked an apple from a tree before?” Applebloom taunted. The timberwolf roared in frustration as it pushed past the trees knocking them down. “Just a bit further,” Applebloom said to herself. After jumping a few more trees she came to a rest on a rather large tree. “Ah’m right here,” she said sitting on a branch, “Come and get me!” The timberwolf came crashing through the trees. It licked its lips as it stared up at Applebloom then prepared to pounce, however it couldn’t move. The timberwolf’s arms and legs were sinking into the ground. “Whoops, did ah’ lead you into the forest bog?” Applebloom said smiling widely, “That’s a shame. Say hello to mah’ apple cart when you see it at the bottom of the bog.” The timberwolf roared loudly as it sank into the bog leaving only a few bubbles behind. “Yes! Ah’ did it!” Applebloom cried as she jumped through the trees back to town. “What a rush, I’m a true hero now, fighting monsters, saving ponies,maybe ah’ will get mah’ own action figure or something.” Applebloom made her way out of the forest and was greeted by a large group of ponies gathered near the entrance. “Is that monster gone?” one of them asked. “Did you beat it,” another asked. “Are you our town’s protector?” yet another one asked. “Yep, yep, and you bet your your bunions ah’ am,” Applebloom said proudly, “Evil beware because this world is now under the protection of the one, the only, APPLE BLOOMERS!” she yelled as she struck a pose. A bunch of ponies crowded around Applebloom taking pictures and asking more questions. “Where did you come from?” “Do you have a sidekick? ” “Will you sign my head?” “Alright everypony,” Scootaloo said as she made her way next to Applebloom putting her arm around her shoulder, “Apple Bloomers and her best friend will take your questions but one at a time please.” “Beat it kid,” one of the photographers said as he pushed Scootaloo aside. “Hey, what the heck?” Scootaloo said angrily as the crowd continued to push her away from Applebloom. “Apple Bloomers any idea where that monster came from?” The photographer asked. “Well…” she knew she couldn’t tell the truth about her being the one who set Nightmare Moon free, “Nopony really knows when or where evil will strike, what's important is as long as ah’m here ah’ will fight for you. By the power of my bloomers ah’ will punish evil!” The crowed cheered loudly causing Applebloom to smile even more, her dream was coming true….but she couldn’t help but feel like she was missing something. “Sweetie Belle!” she said suddenly, “Sorry ya’ll but ah’ need to go, somepony needs me.” she broke through the crowd and reached Scootaloo. “Sweetie Belle, where is she?” “She is at the the hospital along with any other ponies that were injured in the attack,” Scootaloo said. “All right, let’s go!” Applebloom said as she took Scootaloo’s hand and started to run. A few minutes later Applebloom and Scootaloo were standing beside Sweetie Belle’s bed at Ponyville hospital. “Is she going to be ok?” Applebloom asked nervously. “She’s going to be fine,” Scootaloo reassured her, “Unicorns usually faint when overexerting their magical capabilities.” Applebloom put her hand on Sweetie Belle’s shoulder. “She really saved my flank back there. Ah’ have never seen her so brave,” Applebloom said as she admired her friend. Sweetie Belle suddenly began to stir. Slowly she opened her eyes. “Applebloom?” Sweetie said weakly. “Ah’m here Sweetie Belle, thanks to you that is,” Applebloom said as she held Sweetie’s hand. “APPLEBLOOM!” Sweetie squeaked as she hugged her friend tightly. “Whoa calm down girl, take it easy, you just woke up.” Applebloom said as she lightly hugged back. “I was so scared,” Sweetie Belle cried. “Scared? You were incredible,” Applebloom said, “That was the bravest thing you have ever done.” “I was scared you were going to get killed you big dummy,” Sweetie said, “What were you thinking?” “Ah’ guess ah’ kinda wasn’t,” Applebloom admitted, “Although ah’ did beat it so everything is ok.” “I hate to interrupt,” Scootaloo said watching her friends embrace, “But are you going to tell us what's going on here Applebloom?” “Oh right,” Applebloom said letting go of Sweetie Belle, “Well to make a long story short, ah’ have a power only a few earth ponies in history have and it’s the only thing that can stop an evil alicorn known as Nightmare Moon, who apparently has the ability to possess creatures and turn them into monsters.” “What power?” Scootaloo asked, “All I saw was you getting you flank kicked until you ran into the forest.” “Yeeeeaaah… ah’ haven’t mastered it yet,” Applebloom said scratching the back of her head, “But ah’m sure I will get the hang of it...eventually.” Scootaloo and Sweetie exchanged worried looks. “Have you...told your sis about this yet?” Sweetie asked. “No...but ah’m sure she will understand,” Applebloom said. ***** “ABSOLUTELY NOT!” Applejack yelled. “But sis this is mah’ responsibility,” Applebloom whined. “Do you know how worried ah’ was when ah’ heard that monster stomping around? Ah’ had no idea where you were and now ah’ hear your the one who was fighting it?” Applejack said as she shoved a newspaper into Applebloom’s face. The headline read “New hero Apple Bloomers saves town from monster attack” accompanied by a picture of Applebloom posing. “ Ya’ll trying to give me a heart attack?....and where is the apple cart?” “Applejack ah’ know this is a lot to take in,” Applebloom said, “But ah’ am the only one who can stop this evil that has been unleashed on Equestria. Deep inside me lies a power only ah’ can do.” “Oh yeah? Show me,” Applejack snapped. “Uhh...the thing is...ah’ can’t do it right now because ah’m….tired, yeah that's it,” Aplebloom said laughing nervously. Applejack raised an eyebrow looking unamused. “You march upstairs right now youngin’ and take that ridiculous outfit off, and don’t let me catch you doing anything like this ever again. It’s about time you stopped playing make believe and grow up.” Applebloom knew better than to argue with her sister so she ran up to her room as fast as she could. Applejack sighed as she plopped down onto the sofa and reached for a photo standing on the side table. In the picture a mare and stallion stood smiling holding a baby filly. “Ah’ been doing ma’ best to protect her mom and dad,” she said as her eyes started to water, “But Applebloom just has too much of you two in her. Ah’ don’t know if I can keep the promise ah’ made to you for much longer.” Applejack held the picture to her chest as a tear rolled down her face. Meanwhile a dark hooded figure made its way through an abandoned forest in a far off region of Equestria. It moved slowly and silently until it came to an old decrepit castle that looked like it hadn’t been occupied in over a thousand years. The figure removed its cloak revealing a long ever flowing mane as well as a large pair of wings and a long sharp horn. “Even after all these years our castle still stands my dear sister,” the alicorn mare said in a hushed tone, “How nice to see our old home again….oh I’m sorry, does this place bring back bad memories? Don’t be scared sister...this is only...your final resting place.” The mare licked her lips as she tilted her head back. “Oohhh do you remember it sister? How I gutted you through your gutless stomach, mmmm those were good times.” she chuckled menacingly as she walked up the front steps and opened the castle doors. As she walked through the halls of the old castle she ran her fingers along the wall. “Remember how we use to play dear sister? How we shared everything? How you….BETRAYED ME!” Lightning cracked across the sky as she stomped her foot on the ground as she yelled. “I loved you sister,” she continued as she fell to her knees, “You were my sunshine in a dark and hollow life….and yet…” she looked at her trembling hands, “The blood...oh the blood…” her voice shook as she put her face in her hands, “I live in an endless nightmare alone...but not for long,” she said as an insane smile came across her face, “This whole world will share in my nightmare, oh don’t weep for me sister, for you see you brought this fate on this world yourself. As soon as my powers are fully restored the night shall last FOREVER! MUA HAHAHAHAHAH!” To be continued…. Preview of next episode: Who’s this new filly? She keeps going on about being mah’ sidekick. She’s got some sweet moves ah’ will give her that and a lot of fancy do hickeys, but ah hope she knows what she is getting into. Being a hero sure ain’t easy...huh? What’s the new fillies name? Ah’ think she said her name was...Twist. Next time: What a Twist!