The Secret Life of... Apple Bloom
Apple Bloom trotted along the old country lane that led to Sweet Apple Acres, heading home after spending all afternoon at Hoofer Steps’ dance studio. Despite her inauspicious beginnings, she had decided to continue with the class and improve her dance skills. And improve she did, not that she could have gotten much worse. But it wasn’t so much due to Hoofer Steps’ instruction as it was working with Tender Taps. He had taken her under his wing. Well, not really, as he wasn’t a pegasus. But he worked with Apple Bloom everyday, showing her how to move fluidly, teaching her advanced choreography, and dispelling her notion that kung fu was the basis for modern dance. Working with him she had developed as a dancer and the two had become close friends. Some ponies thought that the two of them were more than friends, perhaps a budding young couple. At his point, their relationship was purely platonic, merely two good friends who danced together and hung out occasionally. Maybe someday they would venture into a romantic relationship, but that was still some time off. Right now, Apple Bloom was just happy to have a new friend with whom she could share an activity she enjoyed. But still–
“Apple Bloom?” came a male voice from behind her.
Turning, she saw a middle-aged stallion with a grayish-amber coat and dark mane. He wore a collar with a red tie knotted in a prominent Windsor and sported a cutie mark of three money bags on his flank. Apple Bloom instantly recognized the stallion standing in front of her as Filthy Rich, the father of her classmate Diamond Tiara. But more than that, the Apple and Rich families shared a history that went back decades. The Apples had learned the secrets of harvesting zap apples and the peculiar process for turning them into the highly prized jam. Filthy Rich’s grandfather, Stinkin’ Rich, had begun his retail empire by reselling the popular jam to hungry and eager customers all across Equestria. Since then, the two families had continued their business arrangement, profitable to each side, though it was limited to jam and did not extend to the Apple’s lucrative and famous apple cider. There was also an incident involving an epidemic of apple blight, though the family preferred not to openly discuss that particularly embarrassing episode. So, though it was certainly unusual for Mr. Rich to speak to her alone, it was not something that caused her any concern or alarm.
“Hello Mr. Rich,” she greeted.
“Hello Apple Bloom,” he said, smiling back.
“How can Ah help you?” she asked, a little confused as to why he approached her on the country lane out of sight of any other pony.
“I am in need of your services,” he replied.
“Zap apple season hasn’t arrived yet, so Ah don’t know when we’ll have another shipment of jam for you,” she explained.
“No, that is not it,” he corrected.
“Oh, then you’d like to get some of Granny’s dee-licious apple pies?” asked the filly.
“Not exactly.”
“You’d like to buy a bushel of apples?” suggested Apple Bloom, uncertainty pervading her voice as she wore a confused expression on her face.
“No, it involves your special talent,” he explained.
“Oh, are you having trouble with your purpose? The Cutie Mark Crusaders will be more than happy to help you reconnect with your cutie mark.”
Mr. Rich shifted uneasily, “No, your other special talent.”
“Ohhhhhhh,” she replied, suddenly understanding what he was referring to. “Well, Ah’m expected at dinner shortly.” She rubbed her chin with her hoof while she thought. “How ’bout the day after tomorrow at the Crusader Clubhouse? Scootaloo will be attending a Wonderbolts show in Manehattan with Rainbow Dash while Sweetie Belle will be working at Rarity’s boutique in Canterlot.”
“I have meetings in the morning, could I stop by at two o’clock?”
“Yes.”
“I will see you then.”
“’Ave a nice day Mr. Rich,” bade Apple Bloom.
~~~
On a secluded spot on Sweet Apple Acres, overlooking the town of Ponyville, stood an apple tree. But this was no ordinary apple tree. Unlike the hundreds of other trees that filled the orchards of the farm, this apple tree bore the world headquarters of the Cutie Mark Crusaders (and also the Rainbow Dash Fan Club), an organization dedicated to helping ponies find their purpose. From this unassuming clubhouse, three young fillies launched their quest to win their cutie marks. Their adventures had changed the lives of the residents of Ponyville and beyond. Most of their exploits led to positive impacts, whether convincing Troubleshoes to perform as a rodeo clown or helping Diamond Tiara become a better pony. Sometimes though, their efforts had backfired, like when they brewed a powerful love potion poison for Big Mac and Cheerilee. But no matter the obstacles, the three persevered until they earned their cutie marks. Since that fateful day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders had transformed from an organization dedicated to winning three fillies their marks to one of helping ponies learn their purpose and reconnect with their special talents. Tender Taps had been among the first, followed by others such as Blue Note and even Gabby the Griffon.
Within the walls of this historic institution, young Apple Bloom sat looking at a book. She carefully read the page, before flipping towards the end and reading another. After studying a few more recipes, she placed the book down and walked over to the table. On it sat a stone mortar containing herbs, roots, and berries. Picking up a pestle, she ground the ingredients until they became a fine powder, which she added to a large beaker. She poured several colorful liquids into the container, before stirring with a pegasus feather. The contents turned a beautiful, shimmering gold. Carefully Apple Bloom extracted a small amount, using an eyedropper to place a few drops onto a nearby apple. After a brief moment the apple turned a dark shade of blue. Picking up her creation, she took a cautious bite, before letting out a frustrated sigh. She grabbed a small journal and began scribbling down a few notes.
A knock on the door interrupted Apple Bloom’s train of thought. Putting down the journal, she approached the door and opened it to reveal Filthy Rich.
“Hello Mr. Rich,” she greeted.
“Hello Apple Bloom,” he responded. Apple Bloom stepped aside and Filthy Rich entered the small clubhouse, taking a moment to gaze upon its contents... a map of Ponyville drawn in crayons... a podium placed at the front of the room... a large bowl in individually wrapped mints... images of all the ponies helped by the Crusaders... what appeared to be a blue apple with a few bite marks. “What is that?” he asked, motioning to the apple.
“Oh that? Well, we heard that Strawberry Sunrise doesn’t like apples. She prefers strawberries. So Ah was trying to create a potion that gave apples a bit of a strawberry taste so she might eat them.”
“Why the blue color?” he asked out of curiosity.
“Well, that’s just a side effect from the ingredients Ah used,” said Apple Bloom with a shrug of her shoulders.
“If you succeed, be sure to come talk to me. I’m sure we could find a place to sell your – strawberry apples – at my store. But, I think you should keep them blue.”
“Why’s that?”
“It makes them look different from other apples. And rare and unique items are always a hot commodity. I once got a shipment of square watermelons – and sold out in less than twenty minutes,” he boasted.
Apple Bloom thought for a moment, “Well, Ah’m using the farm’s apples, so Ah’d ’ave to talk with Applejack first, but Ah think she would let me sell you some strawberry apples.”
“Excellent. Now, about my other business proposition....”
“Ah didn’t forget. Please take a seat,” she directed.
Filthy looked around but only found a few small stools, ideally suited for a filly, but not big enough to suit a grown stallion. Under Apple Bloom’s expectant gaze from the podium, he politely took a seat on the floor. Apple Bloom instructed, “Please start from the beginning.”
“Is that really necessary?” he protested.
“It helps me in ma work,” she countered.
“Very well.” Hesitantly he began at the beginning, “Well, Mrs. Rich and myself have been going through a very rough patch. We haven’t been able to get along for almost a year now. After trying to work it out, she has decided she wants a divorce. She has demanded half of everything, including my share of the store.”
“Ah see,” noted Apple Bloom.
“It’ll ruin me.... So, can you help me?” he asked.
“Does she have any medical problems?”
“No, not that I know of,” admitted Filthy.
“What ’bout her parents?”
Filthy paused for a moment. “Well, her mother lives in the Ponyville Retirement Village. Her father died a few years ago.”
“What was the cause?” she pressed.
“Heart attack.”
“Well, that might work,” mused Apple Bloom. After a long pause, she turned to Filthy, “Yes, Ah can help you. Come back in a week.”
“A week?” he asked quite surprised.
“It will take some time to gather the ingredients and mix the potion.”
“And how much will this cost me?”
“A thousand.”
“A thousand!” exclaimed a shocked Filthy.
“Paid in bits, not cash.”
“Why?”
“It’s easier for a filly to spend bits, not dollars.”
“Why so much?” asked a skeptical Filthy.
“Well, it’s goanna take some expensive ingredients so this potion can’t be detected by doctors. Second, with what’s goin’ on between you and Mrs. Rich, it will be mighty suspicious, so Ah’m takin’ a big risk helpin’ you. And third, you’re payin’ for my silence.”
“Your silence?”
“Not all ‘death by natural causes’ you’ve heard about have been natural. Of course, Ah can’t go into details ’bout who poisoned who, Ah’m sure you understand.”
“Of course.”
“So, do we ’ave a deal?”
“I will bring the money.”
“Good. Ah will ’ave it ready next week. Pleasure doin’ business with ya Mr. Rich.”