Applebloom trailed after her big sister. She had been to Ponyville many times but for some reason this time felt different. She was only young but even she could feel the stares of ponies as they walked past. And they weren't the only ones acting different. Applejack wasn't either. All moon she had been more impatient and quick to anger. In fact nobody had been the same and little Applebloom couldn't figure out why.
She supposed that the ponies didn't mean it but when they stared at her Applebloom couldn't help the hairs on her back prickling slightly. She didn't like being stared out. It was like she was some kind of zoo animal or something.
“Applebloom!” an angry voice cut through her thoughts. Applebloom looked up and saw her sister stalking towards her. “How many times do I gotta tell ya, ya can’t just stop in the street. It's like ya can’t do nothin’ right!” she yelled furiously.
Applebloom took a few steps back. What?. She hadn't done anything. WHat was Applejack annoyed at?
“Hmm Applebloom. Ya got nothin’ ta say for yerself?” Applejack said coldly. Applebloom could feel tears prick behind her eyes. She hadn't done nothin’ and yet Applejack was yelling at her.
“I-I…” Applebloom stammered tears rolling down her cheeks. She didn't understand. What had she done. She could feel the stares of ponies on her back. The street had gone silent watching her with interest.
Her sister stepped forward, looming over little Applebloom. She was so close Applebloom could feel her sisters breath on her cheek. “Haven’t y’all done enough Applebloom?” she whispered. Applebloom tilted her head, confused. What had she done?
“I try n’ be a nice sister but that's hard ‘bloom.” Applebloom trembled slightly. Applejacks glare was piercing like it was trying to see inside Applebloom. “Ya know why sis’” She whispered. Applebloom shook her head slightly. “Its coz of you that ma n’ pa are gone!”
Applebloom looked up and saw tears in her sister's eyes.Her eyes, still glaring at Applebloom, were full of hatred, sadness and a new emotion that Applebloom hadn’t seen before.
Applebloom looked around and saw the judgemental stares of ponies around her. She whimpered slightly, backed away and charged away. She wanted to go somewhere, far away from these ponies.
Her hooves thudded on the tiled ground so quickly they looked like a blur. Her heart was thudding in her chest and she was breathing so fast she swore her lungs were gonna fall out of her body.
She wasn’t sure what she had done and why everyone decided that she was the enemy. Only a few days ago Ma and Pa had been there but then they went for a picnic; there was a storm then- then she slipped. Falling just falling down. But somepony caught her and she was not falling. She was safe, safe… But they hadn’t come home yet. Her Ma and Pa didn’t come home that night nor any of the following and Applebloom was just so damn confused.
So lost in thought, Applebloom didn't realise she had run out of the town. She just kept running not sure what else to do with her hooves. The scenery blurred past her.
Eventually she stopped, completely winded and exhausted. She looked around trying to see if she could recognize anything to tell herself where she was. In fact all she could see what white. It was pale and shrouded the land around her in a blanket. Applebloom shivered. It was damp against her skin.
Tears surfaced on her eyes. She was lost. She was annoyed at her sister and very very confused but she still wanted to be home. Home was safe. It was warm. It was love and all things precious. It had changed since her parents disappeared for sure but she still knew that her family was there and all her precious toys. A bed. A cabinet. The smell of hay and apples.But what if she never saw home again? Home was only for good ponies after all.
Applebloom whimpered for the second time that day. It was so cold here. She could barely see her hooves . It almost felt like she was floating but she was being dragged down. The water around her pressed on her coat and it was cold.
So cold.
Applebloom lowered herself to the ground. The grass beneath her was cold and gray. It was unfriendly and harsh.
She wasn’t sure how long she sat like that. She had her eyes closed, resigning herself to the fact she may never see home again. What was the point of moving though. She wouldn’t get anywhere. Even if she did get home, they may not want her back.
Her thoughts were cut off by a rustling noise. Appleblooms eyes opened suddenly her nose flaring.
“Who’s there?” she rasped, her throat dry with fear. She stumbled to her hooves, biting her lip slightly. She peered into the white shroud. She could feel warm tears rise unbidden from her eyes again but she couldn’t bring herself to care.
She squinted and looked carefully. She could just about make out the shape of a pony. It was hard to see but every blink Applebloom made it seemed to be moving closer. It wasn’t until it was really close that Applebloom could make it out properly.
It was a dark orange colour. She was a mare but that was all Applebloom could see. She was wearing a dark cape covering her cutie mark and a mask that covered her face.
Applebloom shivered and for the first time it wasn’t in fear. The mare was standing right in front of her. Applebloom had to crane her head up to see her masked face. She gulped slightly as the mare stared at her, or at least she assumed. It was hard to tell with maske in the way.
The mare reached up an orange hoof and gently prodded the small pony in front of her. Applebloom cried out in fear. What was the mare planning?! Applebloom wanted to go home.
When she realized what she was doing the mare quickly retracted the hoof. She lowered herself slowly to Applebloom’s eye level.
“What are you doing out here little one?” the mare said softly. Applebloom blinked in confusion. Her voice was not how she imagined it. It was clear and low. It was so nice and comforting. Applebloom smiled slightly. Maybe the mare was friendly?
“This is no place for a little sugarcube like you.” the mare stated kindly, “You must be cold, huh?” Applebloom nodded quickly. She shivered to prove her point.
“Now little pony what is your name?” Applebloom blinked again. Her parents had always told her not to trust strangers but this mare didn’t seem to want to hurt her.
“A-A… Ma names Applebloom.” For some reason the mare froze slightly at her name. Applebloom tilted her head slightly and looked at the mare. Did the mare know her or something?
The mare shook her head like she was getting rid of a pest. Applebloom smiled cautiously at her. She wasn’t sure what this mare wanted especially if it seemed that she knew her.
“Where do you come from Applebloom?” The mare asked gently. Applebloom eyed the mare distrustfully. She thought the mare was nice but what is she wanted to capture Applebloom or, or- Applebloom's mind went into overdrive telling her all the things that could happen.
The mare’s shoulders started shaking and Applebloom looked at her in apprehension. She wasn't sure what the mare was doing. Most ponies didn't randomly start shaking out of nowhere. It wasn't until a bubble of noise escaped the mare that Applebloom realised what was happening.
The mare was laughing.
Laughing at her. Applebloom felt a tad indignant, not completely understanding why she was being laughed at.
The mare's laugh was deep and bubble. It was inviting and kind and Applebloom couldn't help smiling slightly.
Eventually the mare's laugh turned to slight chuckles and she wiped her eyes.
“Woowee filly. Y'all sure are funny! The way you looked at me was like I was going to eat you or something!” Applebloom looked away slightly ashamed.
She had considered that possibility.
“ Nah little Applebloom. I only wanted to help ya home. I'm don't eat ponies I promise.” The mare chuckled slightly at that.
"I'm from Ponyville." Applebloom told her shyly.
The mare stretched to her full height and wrapped her tail around Applebloom's shoulders. “Just follow me filly. I know the way to your home.”
Applebloom instinctively snuggled into the mares thick tail. It was warm and made Applebloom realise just how tired she was. Her eyes started to close and her steps slowed.
However before she could fall asleep the mare spoke up. “ Hey filly don't fall asleep on me. I ain’t carrying you home.” Applebloom started and looked at the ground ashamed. Her eyes started looking around for a distraction but all she could see was grey grass a mist. She sighed slightly.
“Hey don't be like that we’re not far from your home.” Applebloom yawned against her will then blushed. Well at least they weren't far.
“Ok filly how 'bout you tell me why you left your home.” Applebloom felt tears well up on her eyes. Where would she start?
She sighed. “W- well I was walking through Ponyville with ma sister, Applejack. She was basically ignorin’ me. I got caught up in ma thoughts and I stopped in the street. She got mad and yelled at me. Then she said that its
ma fault that ma n’ pa haven't come home for a while.” Applebloom stopped talking and took a deep breath in.
The mare didn't speak for a few moments either, carefully phrasing her words.
“Is your sister always like that?” She asked gently. Applebloom shook her head fiercely.
“Nah ma sisters usually nice but since ma n pa have been gone she is more easy ta annoy. She keeps getting angry at nothin’ then becoming nearly emotionless.” Applebloom looked at the ground sadly. “An’ I don't know why…”
The mare took a deep breath in. “Do you really think your sister meant those words?” Applebloom looked at the floor, confused at the mares question.
“Well yeah why would she say it if she don't mean it?” The mare let out a long sigh.
“Well little Bloom have you ever said something you don't mean?” The mare asked softly. Applebloom furrowed her eyes and thought.
“I hate ya so much. Yer always so mean Applejack. You hate me!”
Applebloom shuddered as she remembered that argument from a few days ago. Applejack had been so hurt and Applebloom had wanted to shove her words back down her throat.
“Yeah I guess…” Applebloom said sadly. The mare pulled the filly closer to her body.
“Why did you say it then? If you didn't mean it?” The mare asked. Applebloom thought again.
“I guess I was just so angry. And confused. Ma family has been so strange and I don't know why! Ponies keep sending us weird looks and I don't like it. It feels like they are keeping something from me and the Applejack always lashes out at me! Heck, I can't remember the last time I had an actual talk with her!” By the time she had finished her rant Applebloom was breathing heavily. But for some reason her heart felt lighter.
The mare stroked her back soothingly with her tail. “ Put yourself in Applejack's hooves. She is also confused yet she wants to seem strong. How would you feel if you were her?”
Applebloom felt guilty. She had only been thinking King about herself but Applejack must have been feeling the same but she had ignored her. She bit her lip.
“What she said was stupid and I'm not saying what she did was right but she had reasons. And I'm sure she cares about you! She's probably worrying her fur off!” The mare said firmly.
Applebloom nodded, determined.
“I'll make ma sister feel better! An’ Big Mac and Granny Smith! I wanna help them all!” the little filly said, light in her eyes for the first time in days.
“Good because we're here.” The mare stated. Sure enough Applebloom looked ahead of her and she saw her house in the distance.
Never before had it looked so good. It looked inviting warm and friendly. The filly buzzed with anticipation.
“This is where I'll be leaving you little filly.” The mare said and she looked into Appleblooms eyes. “Good luck Applebloom. It has been a joy meeting you.”
Applebloom looked at her in confusion. “A-are you sure? I'm sure ma family would want to meet ya and ya could stay fer tea.” The mare shook her head and patted the little filly on the head.
“See ya sugarcube.” She called then turned and walked off into the mist.
Applebloom stared after her but then shrugged and ran to her home.
She charged up to the door and slammed her hoof on it. She listened and she heard slow steps behind the door. She was filled with adrenaline.
The door opened slowly revealing Applejack.Her mane was ruffled and her eyes were red. She glared out the door.
“Who is-” Applejack looked down and noticed her sister. Her eyes widened and she stood still in shock.
She leaps out the doorway and tackled Applebloom into a hug, tears streaming down her face.
“Where the hell were you Applebloom?” She sobbed, “I was so worried!” Applebloom hugged her sister tight and clung to the hope in her heart.
No matter what she would make sure Applejack was happy again.
The mare walked away at a leisurely pace. Her heart was light and happy as she thought about Applebloom.
The mare reached up and took off her mask revealing her green eyes.
The mare looked down and saw her hooves begin to turn to mist.
So it was happening.
It was worth it too see two sisters reunited. Besides this would be a time she would be happy to die.
After that day she never believed she would see her sister again but there she was. It was hard not to hug her and never let her go again.
Applejack thought about her younger counterpart. She was lucky. Applejack never got the chance to see her sister again. No she had chased her off. She had been rightfully shunned and was no longer an apple but the guilt she felt was far worse than anything else.
Applejack wouldn't let her sister die again.
Each step she took Applejack felt herself get lighter and lighter as parts of her dissolved. She wasn't sad though, but happy as she was lifted into the sky.
Soon it was hard to tell her apart from the mist and she faded away taking all her memories with her. She would finally get to see her family again.
Applejack took one last breath and the disappeared completely leaving only a black cloak lying crumpled on the ground.