The last words from Spoiled Rich rang inside Pear Butter’s head. It had been only a minute or two since the rich mare fled. She had left her daughter behind with her friends, as well as a confused Pear Butter. The farm pony has not moved since her confrontation with Spoiled. All she did was stare in the direction of which the rich mare fled with a blank expression on her face.
W-what did she mean when she said, I’m supposed to be dead? Pear Butter sat on the ground, still processing what happened. She bit her lip. The mere thought of it made Pear’s headache.
Spoiled looked completely terrified when I said I’m Apple Bloom’s mother. I-is it because she believed I’m dead? Pear rubbed her chin, trying to make sense of Spoiled’s last words. It didn’t look like she was lying. The expression on her face says otherwise.
Pear groaned. All the thinking she’d done made her head hurt. Regardless, she took a deep breath, recomposed herself and thought back to her current situation.
Let’s see. If Spoiled, Chiffon, Burnt Oak, and Apple Bloom have pony counterparts, then that must mean I have one too. But Spoiled said that I’m supposed to be dead. If that’s true, then that would explain why Chiffon was shocked when she saw me.
Pear’s eyes widened as her thoughts returned to her friend. Wait, Chiffon acted just like Spoiled when she saw me earlier today! Oh gosh, why didn’t I realize this sooner?! She looked terrified of me, just like Spoiled! Is that why she ran away, because she believes I’m dead too?
Frustration started to kick in. Pear began to rub her forehead vigorously with her front hooves. What about pony Burnt Oak? Does he think the same way? He acted calm sure, but he looked surprised as Chiffon did. And accused me of being a—whatever is that thing he called me.
She shook her head. Okay, so if Chiffon, Burnt Oak, and Spoiled all believe that I’m dead. Chiffon and Spoiled were terrified of me and ran away. Oak did not act like them, but he was upset with me. He probably thinks I’m dead to. If I put the pieces together, then that would mean—”
Pear’s eyes widened in shock. A chill ran through her spine. She had put all the pieces together, but the truth was harsh. Water began forming on her eyelids. She slumped to the floor, grasping her head as her headache began to worsen.
“Oh my gosh. I’m dead in this world.” Pear bit her lip. Tears began flowing down her cheeks. She felt queasy. The mere thought of this revelation made her head spin.
“M-my counterpart. She must’ve died some time ago,” Pear whispered to herself. “That’s why Chiffon looked so afraid when she saw me. Why Burnt Oak seemed angry at me. And why Spoiled ran away. They must’ve thought I was an imposter or something worse.”
Pear lifted herself off the ground, wiping away the tears from her face. I shouldn’t be here. Who knows what’d happen if I met any other pony counterparts. Can’t image meeting more of my family members here.What would happen if Applejack saw me? Or Big Mac and Granny Smith? Oh god, what about Bright Mac?
She shook her head. The thought of meeting her husband’s counterpart made her feel queasier. Can’t say their reactions would be any good. I don’t think I should stay here any longer. I need to get back to the castle now and return home.
“Um, excuse me, miss?”
Pear’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard a soft female voice all out to her. She turned around to see the filly counterparts of Apple Bloom’s friends, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The two of them had approached her along with Diamond Tiara.
“Um, we want to thank you for standing up to Diamond’s mom,” said Sweetie Belle. “You really helped us out, especially when she threatened to suspend Apple Bloom.”
“Yeah, Diamond’s mom is nothing but a big meanie,” Scootaloo replied, flinching as soon as she heard herself. “Uh, no offense, Diamond.”
“None taken,” replied Diamond. “It’s not like I don’t disagree with you or anything. My mom can be kind of a jerk sometimes.”
Pear smiled. Hearing the pony Diamond Tiara criticize her mom brightened her mood. Oh, you don’t know the half of it little one. You can’t imagine how good it feels to know that you are aware of your mother’s bad attitude.
“Hey, um, can we ask you something?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Of course,” Pear replied, returning a smile at the young filly. “What do you want to ask?”
“Are you really Apple Bloom’s mom?”
Pear flinched. “I-I—” Oh my gosh, I completely forgot about, Apple Bloom! She turned toward her pony daughter and spotted her. It was the first Pear looked at her pony daughter straight in the eye.
O-oh dear. what should I do? Pear froze in her place. Her head throbbed in pain, while her heart began to beat uncontrollably. She wanted to help this filly so badly, perhaps comfort her in any way. This pony may not her Apple Bloom, yet Pear knew in her heart she had to do something. The filly almost got suspended because of her.
After a moment of hesitation, Pear trotted toward Apple Bloom, hoping that she could perhaps have a brief talk with the filly. Maybe she can figure out what happened to her counterpart too.
“Apple Bloom, are you alright?” Pear asked. She sat down in front of the filly and reached out to her.
“Um.” Apple Bloom remained silent. She looked at Pear in the eye for a brief second, but quickly turned her head away.
“Apple Bloom?” Concerned about her daughter’s silence, Pear stood up and inched closer to the filly, hoping to ease some tension between them. But Apple Bloom refused to open to her, backing away as soon as Pear moved.
Pear frowned at the sight of her daughter’s reluctance. Although she did not run away like Chiffon and Spoiled, Pear noticed that her daughter felt nervous, scared even. The filly was outright trembling at the mere sight of her.
“Apple Bloom, please, talk to me,” plead Pear Butter, hoping that her pony daughter would at least say something. Though her pleas did not work. It’s no use. She won’t speak to me at all.
“Hey! Why aren’t you talking to her, Apple Bloom?!” Pear turned around and saw Diamond Tiara approaching the two of them. “Come on, don’t just sit there all day doing nothing. At least say something to her!”
“Oh, s-sorry,” replied Apple Bloom. She looked up at Pear Butter again; still trembling, but otherwise made a somewhat decent effort to talk to the mare. It was all in vain though, as Apple Bloom immediately shied away again.
“H-hey, are you alright, Apple Bloom?” asked Scootaloo as she slowly approached her friend. “Why aren’t you saying anything? Come on, aren’t you going to talk to her at all? She’s your mom, right?”
Apple Bloom remained quiet, shifting herself away from her friends and Pear Butter.
“Gosh, what’s wrong with her?” Diamond Tiara asked. “It’s like she’s a completely different pony.”
Pear sighed. Perhaps it’s because she doesn’t believe that I’m her mother. I mean, I am supposed to be dead after all. Don’t think makin’ a big statement out loud sayin’ that I’m her mother didn’t help in the slightest. Probably best if I kept my mouth shut.
“Excuse me, miss? Can we ask you something else?” asked Sweetie Belle.
“Yes, what is it?” replied Pear Butter.
“Well, remember when I asked you that if you’re really Apple Bloom’s mom?” Pear Butter nodded in reply. “I asked that question because, well, we all thought Apple Bloom didn’t have a mom anymore. We were told something happened to her a long time ago.”
Pear looked at Sweetie Belle with her eyebrow raised. “I see.” This is my chance to know what happened to the other me. I need to ask more questions; see if these fillies know anything. “Can you girls tell me more.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “Well you see, Apple Bloom’s mom—”
“What’s going on here?”
Pear Butter and the four fillies’ ears perked up as they heard a voice coming from nowhere. They looked around, trying to figure out where the voice came from. Eventually, they looked back at the school building and found a mare standing next to the school porch.
Pear grumbled. Oh great, I’m gonna be butting heads with another pony today. Goin’ by my luck, it’s probably someone I already know. Wonder who it is this time?
She stared directly at the mare, examining the pony closely. Hmm, a dark pink coat and a light-pink mane with stripes. This mare does look familiar, but who is she?
Pear scratched her head, trying to think of anyone who could be directly related to this mare. Then, it clicked.
Wait a minute, I know who that pony is! It’s Cheerilee! She examined the mare’s features closely again. No doubt about it. That pony’s her counterpart! Her mane and coat match perfectly! Oh gosh, I’m really getting good at identifying these ponies!
“Can somepony explain to me what happened here?” asked Cheerilee. “I’ve been hearing a lot of noises coming from outside lately. Goodness, it was so loud that I could hear it from inside the school!”
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle, and Diamond Tiara all rushed to Cheerilee, shouting frantically at their school teacher. Each one of them tried to explain what happened, but in their anxiety, could not be understood by the teacher.
“Girls, please, one pony at a time,” pleaded Cheerilee, trying her best to calm the fillies down.
“Mom tried to suspend Apple Bloom!” cried Diamond Tiara.
Cheerilee flinched. “Wait, she did what?!”
“Yeah!” shouted Scootaloo. “She threatened to expel Apple Bloom after she got into a fight with some mare just now!”
“A fight? A mare?” Cheerilee shook her head. “Okay girls, the three of you need to calm down right now! Something big just happened and I need somepony to explain everything!”
Pear sighed. Looks like I have some explainin’ to do. Oh well, I should have seen this coming. She took a deep breath and approached the school teacher.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but perhaps I can help,” Pear said, catching the attention of the school teacher. “I am partly to blame for what happened. Spoiled acted horribly to these children here, so I had to step in. I apologize, I didn’t mean to start a huge ruckus.”
“I-I see,” replied Cheerilee, a bit surprised by the farm pony’s sudden appearance. Pear watched as Cheerilee eyeballed her. It looked like the mare was examining her. “Excuse me for being rude, miss, but I’ve never seen you around town before. Ponyville is a small town, and everypony knows each other well, including me. Are you new in town?”
“This mare says she’s Apple Bloom’s mother,” said Diamond Tiara.
“What.” Cheerilee stared at Diamond, surprised by the filly’s proclamation.
“Yeah, when she and Mrs. Rich were in the middle of their argument, this mare said out loud that she’s Apple Bloom’s mom,” explained Scootaloo. “After she said that, Mrs. Rich left us alone and ran away.”
“I… I see,” said Cheerilee, returning her gaze to Pear Butter.
Pear bit her lip, returning the glare with an awkward smile. She knew Cheerilee was suspicious of her, the look on her face said it all.
Cheerilee sighed. “Well then, looks like I need to get some answers. Ma’am, would you please trot with me inside the school. I need to know what happened during your argument with Spoiled Rich.”
“O-of course. I’ll be happy to tell you,” replied Pear Butter. “But if I may ask, why are we speakin’ inside the school?”
“I just want this conversation in private,” explained Cheerilee. “Since you are the one who got into an argument Mrs. Rich, it’d be best if I heard it from you, right? Besides, Mrs. Rich isn’t here. You’re the only one besides these girls who knew what happened.”
“I see. So, this is basically a parent-teacher conference, right?” asked Pear Butter. Cheerilee nodded in response, causing the farm pony to groan. Just great. Two conferences in one day. Oh well, guess having one more won’t hurt. “Alright, I accept. Let’s just get this over with.”
“Wonderful,” said Cheerilee, clapping her hooves. “Kids, why don’t you all check on Apple Bloom if she’s okay while I talk to this mare, alright.”
“Yes, Ms. Cheerilee,” nodded the fillies. Pear watched as they trotted back toward Apple Bloom. They crowded around her pony daughter, socializing and embracing the filly in attempt to comfort her. She sighed. She wanted to be by her daughter’s side, not get stuck in another conference for who knows how long.
“Excuse me, ma’am, but can we hurry along please?” asked Cheerilee. “Forgive me if I’m prying a bit, but we need to get a move on now. I’d like to get this incident cleared up as soon as possible before Spoiled does anything brash.”
“Yes, I know, I’m coming,” Pear replied. She looked back at Apple Bloom one more time. Don’t worry, sweetie. I’ll be there soon.
She followed Cheerilee into the school building, where upon entering, began surveying the area. The inside appeared to be rather small. Rows of school desks lined up together in one area, all facing the teacher’s desk and chalkboard. There were a few bookshelves at the back corner, but aside from that the classroom seemed normal.
“Alright, now we can talk,” said Cheerilee as she closed the front door. “We’ll have our discussion at my desk. Please follow me.”
She trotted over to the largest desk in the classroom, taking one of the nearby chairs and placed in front of her desk. Pear followed, and climbed onto the chair.
“Alright, now we can get started. So, can you please tell me what just happened out there? The girls said you had an argument between yourself and Spoiled Rich. I assume that the argument involved Apple Boom, correct?”
“Not necessarily,” replied Pear Butter. “I was just passin’ by and I saw Spoiled needlessly scolding on her own daughter for the friends she made. I just felt like that I needed to step in.” Well, that’s technically half true. The real reason I wanted to step in is because I wanted to protect Apple Bloom.
Cheerilee nodded. “I see. So, seeing Mrs. Rich scold her daughter and her friends caused you to step in. I suppose that’s reasonable. Mrs. Rich’s brash attitude can be a bit…. unnecessary sometimes. Especially since her daughter is trying to make up for her past mistakes.”
“What do you mean?” asked Pear Butter.
“Diamond was the former school bully,” answered Cheerilee. “She used to pick on other foals a lot, especially Apple Bloom and her friends because they didn’t have their cutie marks. But she’s progressed rather nicely ever since she stood up to her mother.”
Pear tilted her head. Cutie marks? What the heck is that? The term seems rather, childish. Her eyes widened. Wait, is that what those tattoo things are called on the flanks of all those ponies? That’s what they’re called?! Seriously?!
“Diamond has come a long way,” continued Cheerilee. “I know that, deep down, she loves her mother. Although I do understand that Mrs. Rich can be an unreasonable mare sometimes.”
Pear rolled her eyes and scoffed. “Well that’s one way to describe her. Though I prefer a much more harsher word.”
Cheerilee frowned. “Ma’am, can I please ask you to put your grudges against Spoiled Rich aside? I know you may not like her, but she’s still a well-respected mare of the community. She isn’t the head of the school board for a reason.”
“Fine, have it your way,” Pear replied, scoffing at the thought of Spoiled being an upstanding citizen.
Cheerilee sighed. “All I ask is that you give her a chance. I know she stepped out of line today, but please know that, despite her mistakes, she’s done good for the town here. However, this does bring up another question I want to ask you.”
“What is it?” Pear asked, tilting her head.
Cheerilee leaned forward on her desk, giving Pear Butter a leery stare. “Why are you so concerned about Apple Bloom?”
“W-what?” Pear Butter flinched back on her chair. “W-why wouldn’t I be. The poor little filly was being scolded by that mare for no reason.”
“No ma’am, that’s not what I’m implying at all,” replied Cheerilee. “What you did was the right thing. I believe you did have good intentions and I didn’t mean to pry. I just wanted to ask why you defended a filly that you probably never even heard of until today. You are new in town, aren’t you?”
“Y-yes, I am,” Pear answered.
“Then explain to me how you already know about Spoiled Rich and Apple Bloom?” asked Cheerilee. “I can understand Apple Bloom due to her sister being famous and all, but how are you already familiar with Spoiled? Last I checked, and no offense to her, she isn’t that well known outside Ponyville.”
“Wait a minute, Applejack is famous here too?” asked Pear Butter.
Cheerilee blinked. “Yes, she is. So, I take it you are familiar with her.”
Pear nodded. “Of course! I-I’m just surprised my daughter is popular here too.” She groaned, throwing her head back in frustration. “I can’t believe this! First, she’s becomes popular at Canterlot High, and now I’m hearing she’s popular in this pony place too?! Goodness, what’s with her sudden spike in popularity these last few months?”
Pear’s eyes snapped open. Upon realizing what she had just said, she immediately covered her mouth with her hooves. She looked at Cheerilee. The mare was no longer staring at her out of suspicion, nor was she leaning forward on her desk. Instead, she had a surprised look on her face.
“Um, I—” Pear bit her lip, finding it difficult to find the right words. Before she could say anything else, Cheerilee snapped out of her stupor and shook her head.
“I see. Well, this is…. unsettling. I was hoping that Diamond Tiara was joking earlier, but it looks like she was telling the truth.” Cheerilee leaned forward on her chair and gave Pear Butter a fierce glare.
“Look, let me make this clear. Claiming to be Applejack and Apple Bloom’s mother is low. No, disgusting.” Pear Butter remained on her seat, surprised by the mare’s sudden hostility toward her. “I’ll give you once chance to make this right, so listen up. You’re going to go back outside and apologize to Apple Bloom right now. I don’t know what you’re planning changeling, but you need to come clean with the filly before I turn you in to Princess Twilight!”
Pear sat still in her chair, eyes widened at the sudden threat and accusation. At first, she said nothing. The sudden accusation and threats made by Cheerilee left her dumbfounded. The term, changeling, also caught her off guard, as this was the second time a pony accused her of being.
“Well, are you going to change back or what?” asked Cheerilee, still glaring fiercely at Pear Butter. “I don’t have all day! Do it now or I will report you!”
Pear slouched on her chair, biting her lip in frustration. These ponies were threatening her for some reason she did not understand. She could not sit here and do nothing!
Recovering from her stupor, Pear placed her hoof on her chest and took a deep breath. She looked at Cheerilee again. The mare seemed a bit puzzled at what she’s doing, but nonetheless remained focused on her gaze.
“Alright, now you listen to me, Cheerlee," Pear said in a calm voice. “I am usually a quiet, reasonable woman, but these threats against me have gone too far. So, before you say anything else or report me, shut up and hear me out!”
Suddenly, Pear slammed her hooves on the teacher’s desk, causing Cheerilee to stumble back on her chair. Pear leaned forward and looked at the teacher straight in the eye.
“No one, and I mean no one, threatens me like that, you hear me!” Pear said. Her voice was much more intimidating this time, but remained poised on her seat. “I have no clue what you’re talking about. I am no some…. whatever that thing is you called me, got that! I am Pear Buttercup Apple, and I am Apple Bloom and Applejack’s mother! No accusations will change that fact!”
Cheerilee was left speechless. She tried to speak up, however, Pear Butter slammed her hooves on the desk again, stopping the mare from saying anything.
“Enough, Cheerilee! No more accusations! I am telling you the truth,” continued Pear Butter. “If you’re gonna to continue makin’ accusations against me, I’m leaving!”
The classroom was silent in the wake of Pear Butter’s abrupt outcry. The farm pony continued to glare at Cheerilee for several seconds, who remained slouched and silent on her chair.
“Well? Are we done? Guessin’ since your silent n’ all, this conference is finished.” Cheerilee did not reply. “Good. Now if you excuse me, I have a daughter to attend to.”
Satisfied, Pear removed her hooves off the desk. She leapt off her chair and began making her way toward the exit. She approached the door and was about to open it, but stopped as soon as she heard someone call out to her.
“Wait!” Pear sighed, as she looked back at Cheerilee. The mare called her out in desperation, trying to prevent her from opening the door. Cheerilee immediately leapt off her chair and trotted toward the farm pony.
“What do you want?! Did I not make myself clear earlier?!” shouted Pear Butter. “Leave me alone, Cheerilee! Or do I really have to get rough with you just so I can leave? If that’s the case, then I’m not afraid to do so.”
“W-what?! No! J-just, please, hear me out,” replied Cheerilee, trying to calm Pear Butter down.
“Then what is it?” Pear barked.
Cheerilee opened her mouth to speak, but instead remained quiet. She briefly stared at Pear Butter, then drifted her eyes to the floor. She scratched the hard-wooden floor with the tip of her hoof, mumbling quietly to herself.
“Um, are you going to answer me, or not?” asked Pear Butter, tilting her head in confusion.
After a minute of silence, Cheerilee stopped scratching the floor and looked back at Pear Butter directly in the eye.
“Are you telling me the truth?” asked Cheerilee. She trotted closer to Pear Butter, touching the mare with the tip of her muzzle. The move surprised Pear a little bit, but remained her composure.
“Is it true? Are you really Apple Bloom’s mother?” Cheerilee asked in a more serious tone. “Are you really her and not some changeling who took her appearance?”
Pear grumbled and returned Cheerilee’s glare with one of her own. “Yes, I am Apple Bloom’s mother. And for the last time, no, I am not that thing you keep calling me.”
“I see.” Cheerilee closed her eyes, sighed, and backed away. “Very well, I’ll let you go.”
“Finally, thank you.” Pear Butter trotted past Cheerilee and went straight toward the door. “Bout time this meeting ended! Now if you’ll excuse me—”
“Wait a minute, there’s one more thing I need to say before you leave,” said Cheerilee. Pear Butter groaned again, frustrated that this pony wouldn’t let her leave. But her complaint was ignored by the mare.
“It’s just one more thing, ma’am, hear me out,” continued Cheerilee. She opened her mouth to say something, but hesitated. For a few seconds, her eyes drifted somewhere else. She took one deep breath before turning to Pear Butter again.
“Listen, I’ve lived here in Ponyville for my entire life. This town is my home and my childhood. In fact, his very building is the same place where I got my education, where I met all the colts and fillies who I consider as friends. Most of them have children of their own now, and I’m fortunate that I’m teaching some them.”
“Um, Okay.” Pear Butter gawked at the mare, confused as to why she’s bringing up her life story so suddenly. “What’s your point?”
Cheerilee smiled. “One of the fillies I grew up with was Applejack, who I consider a great childhood friend. We, along with many other children, played alongside each other at Sweet Apple Acres. I remember playing with her at the Apple farm after school and.... having a childhood crush on Big Macintosh.”
“I-I see. You must have had a happy childhood,” said Pear Butter. Wait a second, so this Cheerilee grew up with Applejack instead of me and Chiffon! That would make this pony much younger than the Cheerilee that I know!
“There’s a reason why I’m telling you this, Mrs. Apple,” continued Cheerilee. “Well, if you really are Mrs. Apple is still up for debate. I still don’t believe you, nor do I trust you.”
Pear grumbled. “Just get to the point.”
“Very well. You see, during my times spent at Sweet Apple Acres, I’m met Applejack’s mother and father several times,” Cheerilee explained.
“Wait, what? You know them?” Pear Butter dashed toward Cheerilee. “Can you tell me anything about them? Are they here in town somewhere? What happened to the other me?”
Cheerilee, caught off guard by Pear’s sudden move, stared at the farm pony. “What? Other me? What are you talking about?”
“I beg you, please tell me what happened to those ponies!” asked Pear Butter. “Spoiled said that I’m supposed to be dead, and Burnt Oak also accused me of being that thing you mentioned earlier!”
Cheerilee froze. “I-I, what?”
“If you know anything about those ponies, tell me please,” pleaded an anxious Pear Butter. In desperation, she rushed closer to Cheerilee, hoping that the mare answer her.
“Ma’am, calm down! And stop leaning so close to me!” cried Cheerilee, pushing the frantic farm pony out of her way. “Now, I can see that you’re a bit…. surprised. To be frank, this situation left me even more confused now. Seeing you standing here after all these years is making my head spin.”
“So, you know what happened to them?” asked Pear Butter.
Cheerilee shook her head. “It’s not for me to say. If you really want answers, speak to Applejack. She should be at the marketplace right now at her family’s booth. Once you see her, then you’ll know the truth.”
Pear frowned. She did not like the fact that Cheerilee refused to answer her question, but at least she got something out of this.
“Come on, let’s not keep the children waiting,” said Cheerilee as she trotted toward the exit. She opened to door and trotted outside. Pear followed. She stepped out of the building to find four fillies waiting for her and Cheerilee.
“Hello, girls,” greeted Cheerilee.
“Hi, Ms. Cheerilee,” the four fillies greeted back.
“Are you done with your meeting?” asked Scootaloo.
“Yes, we are,” Cheerilee answered. “I’ve spoken to her and concluded that she did nothing wrong. Mrs. Rich stepped out of line. You girls don’t have to worry about Apple Bloom getting suspended.”
The fillies sighed in relief.
“Before I let you girls go, however, there’s one more thing I need to say,” said Cheerilee. She turned her head toward Apple Bloom. “Apple Bloom, would you please escort this mare to your sister please?
“Huh, why?” asked Apple Bloom.
“The mare has something important to tell your sister,” replied Cheerilee. “It’s important that you take this mare to Applejack as soon as you can, okay? Don’t worry, I’ll be coming along too.”
“Huh, why?” Pear asked, surprised by Cheerilee’s sudden move. “Don’t you have papers you need to fill out?”
“I can fill out those papers at another time,” replied Cheerilee. “Besides, I’ve wanting to visit the Apple family’s stall for some time. Been needing to restock on Apples.”
Pear raised her eyebrow at Cheerilee. Should’ve guessed she wanted to come along. She doesn’t trust me yet. I can’t blame her, but I feel like having her along might bring up more trouble.
“I—um.” Apple Bloom began to fidget. She looked in the direction of Pear Butter, who looked back at her in return. For a moment, their eyes meet again. Pear Butter tried to give her warmest smile, waving back at the filly, but Apple Bloom immediately looked away.
The young filly’s hesitation made Pear Butter frown. Oh, Apple Bloom.
“Mrs. Apple, can you come here please?” Cheerilee said, snapping Pear out of her thoughts. “Now, we’re going to follow Apple Bloom to Ponyville’s Marketplace and find Applejack. Once you meet her, you’ll know the truth.”
Pear Butter nodded. “Alright. Thank you, Cheerilee.” She trotted past the mare and went straight toward her pony daughter. Apple Bloom, still frightened by the whole ordeal, nearly stumbled to the ground as the farm pony approached her.
“It’s alright, Apple Bloom, you don’t have to be scared,” said Pear Butter in the most calming voice she could possible do. “Everything’s going to be fine. Let’s just go to Applejack first. Then we can finally talk. Is that okay?”
“Um, okay,” replied a hesitant Apple Bloom. The filly stood up on her hooves, waving goodbye to her friends one more time. She trotted toward Pear Butter, but kept her distance, standing a few inches away from the farm pony. Pear Butter frowned at the filly’s reluctance, but brushed her feelings aside and followed the filly back toward Ponyville’s marketplace.