//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Choosing Fate // by Livi-Love //------------------------------// Eerie perfectly defined how it felt walking through the forest alone. How Zecora put up with living there, Applebloom didn't know. Granted, she was different to many a pony, but the forest succeeded in creeping her out even during the day. Somehow, it was both alive and dead. Alive things moved. Laughed. Played. It remained still when one was looking, but stirred when one placed their attention elsewhere. Every time she tried to confront any movement in the corner of her eye, everything around her froze as if nothing happened. Applebloom’s breathing slowly returned to being as steady as her nerves allowed them to be. The only thing running accomplished was cause her to be even more scared and out of breath. It made her heart race and the forest become too animated for her liking. Branches leaned towards her, trees sneering at her immaturity. She lost her bow at some point- most likely at the start of her journey. Its absence only came to her attention when she slowed down and felt it missing. A part of her wanted to go back and search for it, but Applebloom didn’t want to encourage her fear. First it would be going back for her ribbon, then visiting Ponyville, and then she'd go back and see her friends for a final time, and then... She shook her head. Finding this mysterious pony Zecora had mentioned was her first priority. Just... to talk to. She needed to focus on this first step and the others would follow. Shivering, Applebloom stopped and looked around. A wide mud trail snaked through the trees. Trees that greatly outnumbered her, tightly knit for the most part though sparse in places. The gaps enabled smaller creatures, such as herself, to fit through and explore the forest with ease, but her line of vision remained devoid of life. In hindsight, asking Zecora to elaborate may have been a good idea. The zebra told her that the pony would soon come to her. Now, Applebloom didn’t know how long 'soon' was, but it felt like not much time had passed despite her body giving a different impression. The sky was still pale in the sky, though not as pale as it could have been, and Applebloom’s legs ached. However, she knew better than to hang around in one place. That made her easy prey. “Hello?” Applebloom set off. Her voice, although trembling slightly, sounded very clear and loud. Too clear and loud for her liking. “Anypony?” Applebloom remembered why she had entered the forest in the first place. “Diamond Tiara?” Something rustled behind her. Applebloom spun around. “Who’s there?” Nothing, apparently. Usually, Applebloom would conclude it was a bird or her senses playing up, but any wild animal she knew of would have fled. That sounded like something had fidgeted. Her imagination consisted of footsteps and the cracks of branches, not the sound of leaves moving. Applebloom opened her mouth to call out when she realised she didn’t know what was there. Did she really want to invite who-knows-what to come out? It could have been practically anything. ‘Hey, ah’m Applebloom. Wanna see if ah taste as good as ah look?’ Whatever it was, it seemed disinclined to leave its hiding place. Suspicious, Applebloom stepped back only for something to swoop past several feet behind her. She turned around fast enough to see a lingering trail of silver glitter in the air. It seemed to originate from some trees to the left of her, the last of it fading away near the trees on the other side of her. Applebloom knew that the pony Zecora had told her about was nearby. That, or it was the dandruff of a vampire pony from a book Rarity liked. “Ah ain’t gonna hurt ya!” Applebloom promised. She lifted her cape to reveal one of her cutie marks. “See? Ah'm like you.” Nothing happened but Applebloom wasn’t going to leave just yet. She puffed out her cheeks, eyebrows lowered. Energy surged through Applebloom’s eyes, ignited by her determination. She dug her hooves into the wet soil and waited. The stillness pressed against her but she retaliated with her own, willing the other pony to come out. Something pink emerged from between the trees a dozen metres away. A pony. Applebloom blinked. “Uh...” Applebloom smiled even though she felt uneasy. The pony didn’t go any further out, staring at her with large grey eyes. From the distance, it looked like the pony didn’t have any pupils. “Hello?” The pony continued watching her. Applebloom tilted her head away and scuffed the ground with her hooves, struggling to maintain eye contact. She tried again. “You-?” “Your friend, Diamond Tiara, is in Ponyville. I sent her on her way and she was willing to comply.” The pony remained under the shadowy arch created by the trees, voice hushed yet somehow echoing. She tilted her head to one side and regarded Applebloom with empty eyes. “You should leave.” The pony backed away. “Wait!” Applebloom shouted. She shook her hoof, the corner of her cape nearly slipping off it. “Ah... Ah'm here to see you as well! Look!” The pony hesitated, eyes shining. Applebloom tensed as the pony decided to approach her, only stopping when the gap between them was minimal. “You are like me,” said the pony. “My name is Innocence.” Applebloom didn’t understand at first but then she noticed the cutie mark on her flank. It resembled Applebloom’s greatly, the only difference being that the blade of the knife on the other pony's cutie mark was surrounded by a faint whiteness. “Yeah, ah got ma cutie mark today.” Innocence appeared interested in it, which was saying something as Applebloom didn’t see her as a particularly expressive pony. With her strange eyes on Applebloom's flank, the filly felt more confident. “Ah’m losin’ all ma friends and ah thought you’d understand, what with bein’ in the same position an’ all…” Innocence’s ears drooped and Applebloom half-regretted bringing it up. Mane shivering, Innocence directed her face to the side. Applebloom noted that her mane was the same colour as the glitter she saw earlier. Long, messy and resembling a waterfall, Applebloom allowed herself to examine it before shaking her head. Pretty or not, things needed to be done. “There is little that can be done, Applebloom,” said Innocence. That was enough for Applebloom to cling onto. “Little? That means somethin’-“ She narrowed her eyes, mind catching up with her ears. “Wait, ah never told you ma name.” “But I have heard it,” Innocence pointed out. She paced, looking sour. “I did exist before we met. I watch you and your friends whenever you journey into this forest, wishing to join you but forever cursed by my cutie mark.” She stopped, facing away. Applebloom, situated behind her, tried to rise as high as she could without leaving the ground. “But yes, something can be done.” “What?” Applebloom only waited a moment. “What? What can be done?” Innocence smirked before turning around and looking sad. “I can only tell you if you promise you will never speak a word of this to anypony else. Normally, I do not trust others with my knowledge, but never have I met a creature who can understand how I feel. The small, neglected part of me that was once the entirety of me, I long to share.” Applebloom nodded. Innocence gazed into her eyes and Applebloom felt compelled to stare back. It felt like she entered Applebloom’s mind, spreading her presence through it. She didn’t like it but Innocence didn’t avert her gaze, even when she started to pace again. Walking in a slow circle around Applebloom, Innocence spoke. “... In Canterlot, there is a secret garden that the princesses keep hidden from their citizens. Within that garden are some fruit. Fruit that could solve your problems. It grants wisdom far beyond the realms of mortals. If there is any way to change your destiny, it would enlighten you on it.” Had it always been this cold? A gentle gust of wind made Applebloom tremble. “But ma friend, Twilight, she said-” “She is a mortal.” The reply was instant. Applebloom hesitated. She liked logic, but she struggled to find the pieces for this puzzle and where they went. It sounded almost too good to be true, yet Innocence’s expression didn’t waver. Either Innocence was a good liar, Applebloom was gullible or Innocence spoke the truth. Now, Applebloom thought of herself as mature for her age, so that left only two possibilities with one that could be eliminated with some probing. “If it’s so secret, how come you know about it?” Innocence sighed. “The city I was sent out of was Canterlot.” Applebloom widened her eyes. “But... But… the Princess!” Celestia had never talked to her before, but Applejack and her friends had. They spoke highly of her, about how kind and powerful she was. She sent Twilight to Ponyville to make friends... why would Celestia send a pony away to live in solitude? “She was the one who ordered me to leave,” said Innocence. “I found out about the garden. I used to know her quite well but she couldn’t risk me telling anypony what I had discovered. And... I blew it.” She bowed her head. “I told somepony else about it. It was foolish, but I thought that what I knew would help me make friends. The pony I confided in turned out to be the Princess in disguise. I failed her test! I... lost... everything.” Two glistening tears splashed against the ground. Innocence sniffed. When she raised her head, her face was devoid of emotion. Yet with so little expression she looked so strong. Such a young face seemed so aged. “Wow,” said Applebloom finally. That sounded lame. “How long have you been here?” She winced. “If… If you don’t mind me askin’.” “Too long,” said Innocence. Something stirred within her eyes. “Far too long.” “Did you know Twilight? She’s ma friend. Or… was… Ah’m not really sure…” “I know of her.” Innocence squinted. “She was my replacement.” Applebloom gasped. “Your… Your replacement? Really?” “Indeed; I was the Princess’s apprentice.” Applebloom opened her mouth. “I do not like being reminded of what I no longer have.” Applebloom closed her mouth and furrowed her brow. Innocence studied the ground, scowling. Something touched her side and she flinched. Applebloom kept her hoof on her, looking her in the eye. “Ah… don’t know what to say.” Innocence emitted a sound that was a cross between a snort and a chuckle. She nearly smiled. “There is nothing to be said. I am to stay here for the rest of my days.” “What about the fruit in the garden? You said they could help.” “I do not dare wander out of this forest,” explained Innocence. “The journey would not do me well. I came here afraid to leave, and I have stayed like that. I have accepted my life here and so should you.” Her tone was brisk, definite. Applebloom grew up hearing it, but she also grew up defying it. “Ah don’t wanna live here for the rest of ma life and you shouldn’t have to either!” Applebloom stomped her front hooves. “You and me, Innocence, we could go to the garden and have some of the fruit! Together. You could get your life back… I could get mine back!” “I don’t…” Applebloom changed her expression to one younger siblings learned to do. “Please?” “We could get caught.” “And what? Be sent here?” Innocence stared, showing a hint of teeth. Her pupils shook. Then she smiled. “Your bravery is enviable. Fine, Applebloom. We will go. Come.” Leaping into the air, Innocence drifted away, heading towards some trees. A trail of silver followed her. She didn’t wait for Applebloom to follow and the filly had to run after her after she recovered from her trance. There was something mesmerising about how Innocence moved. It was elegant with a magical quality. Never faltering, Innocence simply rose off the ground whenever she met it. Applebloom dodged through the glitter, feeling nothing. Innocence continued bouncing, head poised forward. “That’s so cool,” Applebloom said. Innocence merely grinned. “Hey, how are we goin’ to get to Canterlot?” “By train.” The only times Applebloom had travelled by train were when her family were attending a faraway family reunion or when her sister had business in Canterlot. She had never gone on a train with only a practical stranger for company. But... Innocence wasn’t a stranger; they were connected by their new bond and Applebloom trusted her. Soon, they were back on the dirt trail that led to the entrance of the forest. Innocence walked the rest of the way. Applebloom stuck by her side, looking around. The forest didn’t seem so scary anymore. Coming to think of it, Applebloom hadn’t felt nervous about the forest since meeting Innocence. The trees were nothing more than trees. The noises that had made her jump before were now murmurs. She stared up at Innocence in awe. Arriving at the forest's edge, Innocence hesitated. Applebloom nearly departed without her, breathing loudly. She hadn’t realised how cramped she felt until she was no longer confined in the forest. After taking a few paces, Applebloom looked back. “Aren’t you comin’?” “It’s so bright,” Innocence remarked. “So... happy. I’ve forgotten what it’s like.” “I can show you around later,” said Applebloom. She frowned at Innocence's apprehensiveness. “Are you alright?” “Yes! Of course I am.” Innocence caught up with Applebloom and the pair of them journeyed towards the train station. The grass here was softer and didn’t feel uncomfortable against their bodies. In the forest, the grass was either dry and itchy or wet and slimy. Applebloom allowed Innocence to absorb their surroundings, occupied with her own thoughts. They were actually going to Canterlot to infiltrate the Royal Gardens to eat some fruit. Taking some Heart’s Desire was one thing but this was the Princess, not Zecora... It was a whole new level. Would they even be able to reach it? Wouldn’t there be guards? Would her family and friends find her before she could do anything? What would they do if they found out? Peeking at Innocence, she pushed these troubled thoughts aside. They had to try. Applebloom would rather crash into the last hurdle than walk away from the first. Ponyville was fairly busy, with ponies enjoying the last few hours of sunlight, though the number had dropped significantly from earlier. None of them seemed interested in Applebloom and her new friend. This surprised Applebloom; in Ponyville, everypony knew nearly everypony else and Innocence wasn’t exactly a native. Her mane sparkled nearly as much as the Princesses’ yet nopony gave her more than a passing glance. They must have become accustomed to unusual visitors. Innocence bolted into an alleyway between two cottages and Applebloom followed. Most likely, something similar crossed her mind as well. Reaching the other end, Innocence observed the area beyond. Applebloom checked it for anypony she knew. There were a few ponies she recognised the faces of, but none that she could recall conversing with. “The train station is nearby,” said Applebloom. “In fact, ah can see it from here.” There wasn’t a train there yet, but there were some ponies waiting by the railroad on a brown platform. They were all unicorns, and three of them possessed suitcases. It was apparent that they were heading back to Canterlot after visiting Ponyville, backed up by the fact that Applebloom didn’t recognise any of them. She shifted her gaze upwards to the ticket office’s hay-hatched roof, where there was a sign with a small picture of a train’s silhouette hanging on it. “Wait! We need money to buy tickets!” Applebloom shook her tail. “Ah nearly forgot. Ah hope ah have enough.” “We’re not buying tickets.” “What?” Applebloom widened her eyes. “We can’t go on the train with no tickets. What if we get caught?” Innocence looked at her sideways and said dryly, “We are going to Canterlot, breaking into the Royal Gardens and eating their fruit... and going on a train without a ticket is wrong?” “Ma friends and family are more important than what’s right and wrong,” Applebloom told her. “They mean everythin’ to me but ah ain’t gonna break any rules if ah don’t have to.” Her tail rattled and some coins fell onto the ground. She counted them. “Ah’ve got enough... barely.” Picking them up with her teeth, Applebloom hurried over to the train station. Innocence followed and they entered the ticket office together. Applebloom paid for two return tickets and took one from the counter, Innocence taking the other. The male pony behind the counter locked eyes with Innocence and she smiled. He blushed, holding a hoof to his mouth. Innocence chuckled and whipped around, tail swishing, before following Applebloom out of the building. Eyes glazed over, the pony flapped his hoof in front of his face and sighed. Neither spoke to each other until they sat in the train. They settled in a corner opposite each other, away from the other ponies in their carriage. It was nearly empty, and the few ponies there were too wrapped up in their own conversations and their own lives to give the odd couple much thought. Their voices blended into static. Innocence lay down on her wide maroon seat, watching Applebloom. She had her face pressed against the window next to her, humming. Even though they hadn’t left yet, Applebloom felt queasy. Was she homesick? That was ridiculous. They were still in Ponyville and it wasn’t like she was leaving forever. Her breath on the window made the exterior of the train appear cloudy, like she was viewing Ponyville in a memory. She rubbed at the condensation with her hoof. “You are a good pony,” said Innocence. Applebloom removed her face from the window. “Huh?” “Doing this...” Innocence gestured to where they were. The walls of their carriage were burgundy, bearing posters of regulations and advertisements to movies Applebloom had little interest in seeing. Below, the sienna brown flooring had lines carved into it that created a pattern of rhombuses. It wasn't first class but it was, in Applebloom's opinion, pleasant nonetheless. The navy blue curtains were a subtle touch that added to the homely atmosphere, and the ponies’ presence in such a place felt like a feat in itself. “I don’t think I can express how thankful I am that you are here with me.” “It’s no problem.” Applebloom smiled feebly. “Really.” “This should only take an hour or so,” Innocence said. “Then...” “Yeah, then... we do what we’ve gotta do.” Innocence wasn’t much of a talker so Applebloom stared out of the window for most of the trip. The landscape passed by in a blur and she made a game of trying to find as many interesting things as possible. She hardly ever ventured far from Ponyville and seeing them go through so much land so quickly made her feel funny. What if the others were trying to find her now? No longer was the sky a pale blue; it wasn’t dark but it would be by the time they arrived in Canterlot. A lilac pony whose mane was arranged on top of her head in a beehive came by partway through the journey with a trolley of food, but neither had enough money to purchase anything. Applebloom’s stomach rumbled and she realised that it had been some time since she last ate. The smell of coffee and chocolate settled in her nose. “You poor thing,” cooed the pony with the beehive mane. She was supposed to look sympathetic but her irises were very dark, and her eyes heavily outlined with black made her look slightly psychopathic. “Where are your parents?” “In Canterlot,” Innocence said before Applebloom could muster a response. “We went to visit relatives in Ponyville for the day. They had to stay at home to look after our sister. She’s very ill.” Applebloom didn’t expect the pony to believe this as she and Innocence looked very different, and Canterlot was dominated by unicorns, but the food trolley pony let them each have a free celery sandwich. She smiled at them before crossing the carriage to where four unicorns were situated. “You lied!” hissed Applebloom. Innocence, who had been gazing at the unicorns, blinked and turned back to her. “So?” “You didn’t have to.” “I wasn’t going to tell her the truth, was I? Applebloom, you’ve got to stop fretting about trivial things like that. Eat.” “But-” “Eat.” Innocence forced Applebloom’s sandwich into her mouth. Applebloom grumbled, words lost in her mouthful of food. She pointedly ignored Innocence for the rest of the journey, and Innocence made no effort to try and patch things up. The train ascended as they climbed the mountain Canterlot rested upon. Applebloom watched, unafraid, as they got higher and higher. She had been to Canterlot twice before but hadn’t done any sightseeing. Most of what she knew about the city derived from her sister and her friends, but hearing was nowhere near as real as seeing. The city wrapped around the mountain face, white towers with gold and purple tops level with clouds. Attention captured, Applebloom barely noticed the train become horizontal and enter the city. As soon as the train pulled into the station, Innocence nudged Applebloom with her snout and the pair got off. The train station here had a more modern feel to it than Ponyville's, with silver walls and a roof of shining purple tiles. There was a clock on the platform that said it was nearly six in the evening. Applebloom’s mouth hung open as Innocence led her away from the train station and into the main part of Canterlot. Most of the buildings were either white, blue or purple, lacking the wooden colours commonly found in Ponyville. Nearly all the stores had coned roofs with small flags on top, which waved in a non-existent breeze. Speaking of stores, Canterlot had a vast number of streets dedicated to them. They passed a hairdressers and peering inside, Applebloom saw a mare with dozens of ribbons and clips in her mane. Innocence rolled her eyes and dragged her away. Applebloom placed her attention on the residents of Canterlot that ambled by, noses pointed upwards. How could they see where they were going with their heads directed skyward? Everypony gave an impression of being related to royalty, and it made Applebloom more conscious of her background. Then there were the stares. They made little attempt to be discreet, regarding the two visitors with disgust and amusement. Applebloom tried to ignore them but unless she looked down, she caught somepony's eye. She didn't know why they were so interested in them; yes, her cape wasn't the most fashionable thing on the market, and Innocence... Realising, Applebloom inclined her head towards her friend. “Don’t you feel naked?” she whispered. The unicorns of Canterlot all seemed to wear clothes, uncommon in Ponyville unless it was due to a pony’s profession. These ponies liked short frilly dresses with bows. While Applebloom could understand the attractiveness of bows, she didn’t care for much else they wore. Innocence wasn’t wearing anything, and some of the unicorns had noticed and were talking to each other in high-pitched voices. “Not really. Let’s go.” Innocence ran off and Applebloom followed her, face burning. This wasn’t the behaviour the unicorns were used to and many stuck up their snouts even further, making less of an attempt to hide their verbal complaints. Applebloom couldn’t blame them. This wasn't the sort of behaviour she expected of herself. Was she doing the right thing? It had been easier to reassure herself earlier, but now that they were actually here, everything was too real. She didn't belong. The Applebloom she knew or at least thought she was wouldn't do something this crazy. Stopping at the end of an alleyway, Innocence spun around and made sure they hadn't been followed. Applebloom fidgeted. Even the alleyways were grand, with no rubbish or dirt in sight. “Now we can talk without them listening in,” said Innocence. “It would be unwise to get into the gardens via one of the castle’s main entrances, so we’ll have to climb over its wall. The hard part is finding the garden itself... unless the Princess has done some interior decorating, she's sealed it off. That shouldn't be a problem though.” “Uh... Innocence?” “Yes?” Applebloom gulped, throat tight. “Ah... Ah’m beginnin’ to have second thoughts.” “... What?” Innocence turned her head slowly, staring at Applebloom. Her mouth thinned. “Are you telling me, Applebloom, that you want to turn back? After all we went through... you want to give up? You gave me the confidence to leave that dreadful forest... you encouraged me to pursue my dreams... and... you want to go home.” Applebloom shifted. “W-Well... You can go by yourself, right?” “I knew it!” Innocence laughed curtly. “They all do this to me. I don’t even know why I tried and got my hopes up. This was going to happen. Maybe I thought... you’d understand.” Her tone became cold. “It looks like I was wrong about you.” “Ah’m sorry! Ah... Ah don't know what came over me. Ah’ll go with you!” Innocence ignored her. Applebloom didn't know whether to roll her eyes, sigh loudly or walk away. None of these seemed... not inappropriate, but tolerant. She drew nearer to Innocence and held her head an inch away from hers, looking at the ground. “Ah'm... scared, Innocence.” She averted her gaze. “I want this as much as you, really.” Finally, Innocence turned. Applebloom blinked and turned as well, the two locking eyes. “I'll protect you,” Innocence whispered, and Applebloom found herself believing her.