“Are you ready?”
“Ready for what?”
“I’ll meet you at the top.”
“The top? You mean the wall?”
Applebloom gazed upwards. The walls weren’t as high as she expected. She thought that the white walls, very much purple in the night sky, would end far beyond the limitations of her eyesight. That they would break through the clouds, their tips like icebergs in a sea of fluffy water. But no- she saw their jagged tops perfectly, square and regular. The walls were certainly high enough so a pony couldn’t simply jump over them, but a pegasus would have no problem flying over.
It was but another obstacle shoved in their path. Biding their time until the day ended invited the pair to a number of activities, but Innocence declined them all. Applebloom didn’t know how to feel about this- they drew enough attention to themselves as they journeyed through the city, but Applebloom wanted to explore what Canterlot had to offer. She yearned to have full reign of the city without having a sister or brother to pull her back whenever she drooled on the windows of candy stores. But Innocence took on the role of Applebloom’s siblings easily, pulling her along until they were hiding in some bushes just outside Canterlot. There, they waited until night fell, listening to the nearby city quieten. Its lights contrasted more in the darkness, but their number decreased. The waterfalls locking in Canterlot gushed, their consequent streams chattering, no longer background noise. Their intensity only shattered when one of the ponies spoke, though the water’s persistence never failed to take centre stage once they ceased talking.
No pony ever stopped to question them or ask who they were. Applebloom worried that the unicorns would gossip about their presence and Celestia would soon find out about it. Thankfully, none of the ponies seemed to recognise them, though Applebloom found this odd. If Canterlot had banished Innocence, wouldn’t they recognise her when she returned? Twilight was her immediate successor, but Applebloom supposed that Celestia may have gone a long time without having an apprentice. After all, if she had been betrayed by somepony close to her, then she wouldn’t be keen on getting a new apprentice anytime soon.
The more Applebloom thought about everything, the more cracks she started to notice. She had seen hints of them before but ignoring them became a struggle. As ridiculous as it sounded, Applebloom didn’t want to know how things didn’t make total sense. It just made her question what she was doing more and more. There were parts of what Innocence said that Applebloom could piece together very loosely, but she wanted a straightforward answer. If the garden was so secret, why did Celestia risk telling her? Why had Innocence been exiled from Canterlot for one mistake? Twilight caused lots of trouble when she enchanted her doll but hadn’t been punished. And how could she have been Princess Celestia’s apprentice if she didn’t have a horn?
Applebloom could guess why (except the last one), but she couldn’t say why. During their long wait, Applebloom tried to get some straightforward answers but Innocence danced around what Applebloom asked. How long had she been in exile? A very long time. Why did Celestia tell her about the garden? She trusted her. Where was her horn? It came with the banishment. It was obvious that Innocence didn’t feel like satisfying her with answers, and it didn’t boost Applebloom’s morale.
Dejected, she had to accept it. Innocence didn’t like talking about herself.
“There ain’t no way we’re gonna get over that, even with your bouncing,” Applebloom said, still looking at the wall. “We’ll have to find another way in.”
Innocence placed her head under Applebloom before raising her neck. Applebloom gasped as she rolled down her neck and came to rest on Innocence’s back. Smirking, Innocence turned away from the wall they were in front of. Meeting Applebloom’s stunned expression with smugness, Innocence bucked.
“Eep!”
Applebloom flailed her legs as she soared upwards. She chanced a look at the ground below, where an ever-shrinking Innocence peered up at her. By the time Applebloom’s eyes honed in on what was Innocence and what was grass, she started to fall.
“Grab the wall!” Innocence commanded.
Not totally taking in what her friend said, Applebloom felt around for the top of the wall. Her front hooves swept across it, not clinging on, and she continued falling. Innocence groaned, leaping into the air and catching Applebloom on her back. The two descended together and Innocence bent her legs as they landed, still on the outside of the Royal Gardens. Neither said anything, preparing for guards to swoop down on them, but no one came.
“You were meant to hold onto the top,” scolded Innocence.
“It doesn’t matter,” Applebloom said, annoyed and embarrassed. “You would still need to get to the top anyways.”
“I was going to find my own way in.” Innocence tilted her body to one side, causing Applebloom to roll off. Upright, Applebloom gawked.
“You mean... you were gonna send me in by maself?”
“I would have been right behind you. It’s no big deal.”
“It is a big deal!” Applebloom stomped. “What if a guard saw me and asked what ah was doin’? What if he got the Princess? You think ah was gonna be able to talk ma way outta that?”
Innocence declined her head so her eyes were level with Applebloom’s. A spark crackled between their eyes and they simultaneously leaned towards each other. “What difference would me being there have made? Then we would both be caught.”
Red rushed across Applebloom’s face. “Seriously? That’s how important ah am to you? Ah thought we were in this together. You said you’d protect me, you... you promise-breakin’...” She scrunched up her face. “... Liar!”
Innocence averted her gaze and straightened up, anger draining away. Applebloom became aware of how heavily she was breathing and sighed, feeling guilty. How come that despite Innocence being the one who was so willing to put Applebloom into such danger, she ended up feeling bad after calling her out? Innocence had a knack for looking miserable. Her eyes would glaze over, blank to those who didn’t look closely, and the nothingness in her expression was like she had gone into a state of thoughtful shock.
“I keep forgetting that you want the best for us... for me.” Innocence looked at Applebloom. “I’m so used to disregarding others before they can do the same to me. It’s in my nature. It’s what I’ve been destined to do.”
“That’s no excuse!”
Innocence blinked, shocked.
“You shouldn’t try to live up to what you’re told you’re meant to live up to. You can make your own choices.”
“But... my cutie mark! Our cutie marks! We’re here to change them, remember? That’s why you wanted to come.”
“If you’re so intent on doing what it says, maybe you shouldn’t bother tryin’ to do somethin’ about it.”
Innocence opened her mouth and shut it a few times. “You’re right.” She grimaced. “I hate to say it but you’re right.”
“Right. Now come on.” Applebloom climbed onto Innocence’s back. Pointing towards the top of the wall, she added, “Seein’ as you can’t jump that high, we’ll have to think of another way in. Are you sure there aren’t any side entrances or anythin’?”
“Nothing that isn’t guarded,” Innocence replied. Her face darkened. “It looks like we haven’t got much of a choice. Hold on tight, Applebloom.”
Smoke erupted out of Innocence’s body as she jumped. Applebloom shut her eyes, flapping one hoof in front of her in an attempt to clear the air. Spluttering at the smoke rising towards her, she forced her eyes to stay open and tried to focus through a watery haze. Innocence descended, but just as Applebloom’s eyes started to readjust, another wave of smoke engulfed Innocence and clouded Applebloom’s vision.
Innocence landed, taking a few steps before coming to a rest. Applebloom clung onto her, face buried in her back even though that was where the smoke had come from. Allowing Applebloom to recover, Innocence surveyed the area. They were inside the castle grounds, standing by a flower bed of roses. Looking up, she located two nearby white pillars that had bushes with pink flowers on top of them. In fact all the pillars, seemingly randomly placed, were decorated with flowers. The plants wrapped round them, bluish leaves framing the cheerful petals tainted black in the night. Surrounding each pillar was grass, level apart from the odd, longer tufts.
The castle was in eyeshot, its doors shut at such a late hour. Surprisingly, Innocence couldn’t see any guards. Usually, they were positioned so there was always one in sight, but the area was deserted. More pleased than cautious, Innocence angled her body to the side. Applebloom’s grip loosened until she fell off.
Shaking her legs out, Innocence trotted over to where the main gardens were. Not hearing Applebloom’s hoofsteps, Innocence looked over her shoulder and called, “We need to make haste, Applebloom!”
“R-Right!” Applebloom chased after her and the pair walked towards the main gardens. They passed under a metal archway (unlocked) made up of multiple curls that met and parted at various points. Applebloom raised her head, admiring the roses intertwined with the arch. Then it was behind them and she turned forward. Their path was lined with hedges and bushes that were taller than her, simple blue flowers mixed into their leaves. Gulping, Applebloom slowed. They were getting further away from the subtle glow surrounding the castle, and Applebloom felt confined. The fireflies’ dancing did little to brighten up their surroundings and the inside of her.
“So, uh, this garden...” said Applebloom. “Where is it?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there,” Innocence said.
Applebloom, wanting to take in as much as possible, added a spring to her step. She could only catch glances of what was past the greenery either side of her. There were many gardens, with flowers and exotic plants and small fountains and benches to rest on. As well as this, there were clearings that, bordered by trees and flowery shrubs, were home to a range of animals, many of which Applebloom had never seen before. Small monkeys hung from trees, swinging as they nattered to their friends. Beneath them, deers galloped in circles, racing each other. It was more of a zoo than a garden, with rare birds squawking and trying to be louder than their rivals. It was a lot louder than the near silence Applebloom had been subjected to for the past few hours or so.
On one side of her, there was a wide gap leading into one of the clearings. Curious, she stepped towards the creatures, causing them to scuttle into bushes and up trees. The birds fell silent, watching her guardedly. She turned to Innocence, eyes wide.
“The animals here are shy,” explained Innocence. “They have always been like that. We are close. Follow.”
Innocence strode past the clearing, Applebloom in tow. They turned at the next gap between the bushes on their left side, entering an area that only had a fountain in it. It was white and quite low, low enough for Applebloom to be able to see the sparkling water within. In its centre were a series of stone goblets stacked on top of each other, the cracks in their rims letting water fall into the structure below them. Right at the top was a marble statue of an alicorn that Applebloom immediately knew was Celestia. It had the same crown, cutie mark and stature. Squinting, Applebloom studied it. One of the statue’s legs were raised, like it was about to step towards her.
“Hm,” went Innocence, circling the fountain. The water gurgled. Frowning, she peered into the fountain. Her shaky reflection looked back at her, its eyes sky blue with black snake-like pupils. Innocence broke eye contact immediately, looking up at the Celestia statue. Her mouth thinned.
“This ain’t exactly a garden,” Applebloom remarked, attention still on the statue. “Are you sure this is the right place?”
“The Princess wouldn’t keep the garden where just anyone could reach it,” Innocence scoffed. “I’m certain that this is the place. The fountain is the key. I just need a moment to remember.”
Applebloom pointed to the statue. “Ah think the statue might have somethin’ to do with it! Maybe we have to touch it?” She hopped into the lowest section of the fountain, splashing. The icy water stung Innocence and she pulled a face. Applebloom climbed up the fountain until she was standing in the highest bowl. Water poured out of the tip of the statue’s horn and Applebloom stared into its eyes. Up close, it was even creepier. Its eyes were so lifeless yet... it was like it was watching her, understanding her motives.
“Uh... now what?” Applebloom said, peering down at her companion.
“It was your idea to go up there, remember?” said Innocence. “Try... I don’t know, pulling it?”
Turning back to the statue, Applebloom put her hooves on either side of it and tugged. Nothing happened. She yanked harder, leaning as far back as possible. Innocence groaned.
“Come... on... do... something!” Applebloom came forward before throwing herself back, still holding on. A coin from her tail fell out and plopped into the water below. “How are we supposed to get into the garden?”
The statue’s eyes glowed. Applebloom let go and fell, drenching herself and Innocence with water. Innocence glowered at her for a moment before looking up at the statue at the same time as Applebloom.
“To get where you wish to go,” a voice frighteningly like Celestia’s said, “you must be more specific.”
“What? Oh,” Applebloom said. “We want to go to the garden with fruit that will give us lots of wisdom. You see, we want to know if we can change our cutie marks. We don’t want to be bad.”
No longer did the statue’s eyes glow. Applebloom turned to Innocence, opening her mouth, only for the ground to shake. Falling on her face, Applebloom’s body vibrated in sync. Innocence yanked Applebloom out of the fountain, the pair of them rolling away to a safer distance. Soon after, it collapsed in on itself, starting at the top before traveling down. When the trembling stopped, Innocence and Applebloom looked at each other. They crept over to the fountain.
Where it once stood was a hole. The goblets of the fountain were now steps leading down it. Wordlessly, they descended to the beginning of a pitch black tunnel. Shivering at the sudden temperature drop, Applebloom stayed close to Innocence. Innocence led the way. Their hoofsteps echoed. It sounded like they walking on something hard- not dirt. Not something that hadn’t been placed there by someone.
“This is it,” Applebloom whispered. Her heart raced and she laughed. “We’re gonna do it!”
“Yes,” Innocence replied. “Just a little further...”
The tunnel burst into light, torches attached to the walls burning. They hesitated. All of the tunnel was made of stone with carvings etched across the walls. Strange symbols ran up and down the tunnel’s length, separated by images of ponies. Ponies eating apples. Alicorns being worshipped. Then... as they went on, disaster. Ponies running from fire, ponies screaming. Ponies fighting. Innocence was unmoved but Applebloom couldn’t pretend that they weren’t there.
“Uh... Innocence?” Applebloom walked past a carving of an alicorn crying. “Are we headin’ in the right direction?”
“There is only one direction,” Innocence pointed out. “And yes. Why?”
Applebloom widened her eyes at a carving of ponies holding their heads, miserable and in pain.
“Are you seein’ what ah’m seein’?” said Applebloom.
“Wisdom can be a gift or a curse,” explained Innocence. “It depends what a pony wants it for. Do they want it to better their lives? Others’ lives? For peace? For revenge? It’s all how you handle it. Some so wise can be so short-sighted.”
“Can we handle it?”
Innocence snorted. “Of course! Look, we’re at the end now.”
Indeed, ahead of them was a staircase. Applebloom reached the top first, desperate to get away from the images of distressed ponies. They entered some grassland that was enclosed by silver walls. There were no stars- no moon- in the black sky far above yet the area was bathed in light. The only thing in front of them was a tree, apples in its leafy top. Red, glistening... Applebloom’s tongue fell out of her mouth. She grew up with apples yet the ones on this tree made her stomach tingle. Like a bee to a flower, Applebloom was drawn to it.
“There it is...” Innocence remained where she was, staring up at it. The leaves were a livid green, shining. They were almost as appetising as the apples. Almost. “Just one bite and...”
“And what? Please, do tell.”
Applebloom and Innocence froze. They had only heard that voice minutes ago. Innocence spun around and backed away. There, in all her glory, was Princess Celestia. Her multi-coloured mane and tail, which usually swayed in a non-existent breeze, now trembled with rage. Blue, green, purple, pink... the colours crashed together as she stepped out of the tunnel. Innocence remained where she was, unshaken by the sudden arrival.
“P-Princess Celestia!” Applebloom bent her legs and bowed, only just keeping her balance. She didn’t move, clenching her eyes shut and keeping her head downcast. “Ah... Ah...”
Celestia ignored her, eyes on Innocence.
“I thought you’d catch on,” Innocence said. “Anything in particular that gave it away?”
“You assumed the fountain wasn't enchanted to alert me of any visitors,” answered Celestia. “Not many know of this garden and for good reason.”
‘Then why have it in the first place?’ Applebloom asked in her head, peeking at Celestia.
“This is quite peculiar.” The Princess's calm voice contrasted with the expression she wore. “As far as I was aware, only two knew of this garden including me.” She raised an eyebrow. “The other was Luna.”
Applebloom didn’t like the sound of this. At all. Innocence had her back to her so Applebloom couldn’t see her face.
“You’re obviously mistaken,” said Innocence.
“Obviously,” agreed Celestia, tilting her head to one side. “Just who are you?”
Alarm bells rang in Applebloom’s head.
“You don’t recognise me?” Innocence looked down.“Oh, right. Let me make things clearer.”
In a puff of smoke, Innocence disappeared. In her place was a moss green unicorn that made Applebloom do a double take.
“Hi,” said the pony.
“Show Screen.” Celestia's tone lacked the kind of shock Applebloom anticipated and felt. This wasn't confusion: this was disappointment. A kind of shock one experienced when something bad but expected happened. "How?"
“Quite easily.” Show Screen flashed her pearly white teeth, lowering her eyelids. A big, twisted smile remained on her face. “Things have gone very smoothly.”
“How did you find out about this garden?”
“HOLD UP!” Applebloom held up a hoof. Celestia stared as if she hadn’t noticed her until then. Show Screen half-turned towards her, declining her nose so her sunglasses fell down slightly. Her eyes were a pale blue. “So, let me get this straight... Innocence, you’re Show Screen.”
“I prefer the name Jokey,” said Show Screen. “But yes.”
Applebloom furrowed her brow, studying the ground for a moment. Then, a spark igniting in her eyes, she glared at Show Screen and snarled, “You lied to me! You ain’t somepony who was cursed. You’ve been livin’ with pony folk all this time. Ah bet you were never the Princess’s apprentice either!”
“My apprentice?” Celestia blinked. “Show Screen, what were you planning on doing? Why did you trick her into accompanying you? Reaching here surely isn’t beyond your abilities.”
Innocence parted her lips but a different voice rang out.
“Zecora didn’t tell me to come look for you! You did!” Applebloom pointed at Show Screen, hoof quaking. Her voice cracked. “You turned into Zecora... You saw ma cutie mark at the store! You planned all of this, didn’t you? Ah thought we were friends.”
“Oh, but we are friends!” Innocence strode towards her. Applebloom flinched. This had been a face of trust to her minutes ago. Now she could barely stand to look at it. “I just had to twist some facts to make you come here. You wouldn’t have gone otherwise. I had to give you the courage to do so.”
“But why?” said Celestia. “Show Screen, this is nothing like you. And you still haven’t told me how you knew about this garden.”
Show Screen smirked. “Patience.” She turned back to Celestia. “I have been looking forward to-”
“And!” Applebloom shook her hoof. “You turned into a pegasus to get into the castle grounds!”
“... Yes, I did. Anyway, Celestia-”
“And you made me pay for the ticket here? You have a job!”
“That would kind of go against my disguise. Celestia, now it is-”
“This also explains why you knew your way around everywhere and-”
Show Screen spun around with the most terrifying expression Applebloom had ever seen. She still smiled but all her other facial features indicated rage.
“YES, APPLEBLOOM, I KNOW,” said Show Screen through gritted teeth. “I DID THIS FOR YOU. AND BEFORE YOU ASK, I MET YOU EARLIER AS YOUR GRANDMOTHER. I'VE BEEN WATCHING YOU NEARLY ALL DAY, BUILDING UP A STORY. I DID THIS ALL FOR YOU.”
“Ah’m supposed to believe anythin’ you say now?” Applebloom said. “Ah don’t think so.”
“What about your cutie mark, Applebloom? Don’t you want infinite wisdom so you can change it? The fruit here can do that. I didn’t lie about that.”
Celestia directed her horn towards Applebloom’s cape and made it rise, revealing her cutie mark. Pursuing her lips, Celestia used her magic to summon a wet cloth. It floated over to Applebloom’s flank, rubbing and smudging the cutie mark until it vanished. The cloth floated to the side and the cape fell down.
It took Applebloom a while to comprehend what just happened. She removed the cape. Stared at her flank. Blank. Her hooves dragged as she walked towards the discarded cloth, picking it up with her teeth.
One fake cutie mark remained, burning her. She attacked it. Scraped the cloth against what started it all. Celestia pointed her horn at the piece of material. It glowed, destroying the pen marks in three strokes.
Then Applebloom glared at Show Screen, who held up her hooves.
“Hey, that wasn’t me!” Show Screen said. “I thought it was real... I didn’t give it much of a look, all right? You should have been able to work it out. Psh...” She snorted. “What a fool.”
Applebloom sniffed, trying her hardest not to cry. But what Show Screen said stung and a single tear escaped her eye, rolling down her cheek.
“She isn’t a fool," said Celestia. “You took advantage of someone far younger than you.” Her horn sparkled. “You will tell me how you found out about this garden or else I will not be lenient with your punishment. Don’t think this is not hurting me... I trusted you, and you betrayed me. My first feelings of unease coincided with your departure to somewhere I couldn't keep a close eye on you. It was too early to make any solid connections but I wanted to give you the benefit of the doubt. Never did I expect you would go as far as this. I went to your store to heed you a warning. A chance. Why? Why did you do all this?”
Show Screen didn’t bat an eyelid. “I’ll answer a question if you answer one of mine. Where did you get the seed for this tree from?”
All of this was too much. Applebloom fell back, making to lie down, and hit the back of her head against the tree. An apple fell off and landed in front of her. She gazed at it.
“The seed?” Celestia paused. “It’s always been here, as far as I am aware.”
Applebloom leaned forward. The apple sparkled. She looked away. She wouldn’t eat it. Wisdom was great and all, but being tricked into it left a bitter taste in her mouth. It didn’t matter how inviting the apple looked and smelled... or how tasty and enticing it was... she looked at it again, mouth watering.
Show Screen nodded. “It was planted by your father. On his travels, he came upon a special apple tree in an unexplored forest. He was starving- he had been trying to find somewhere to hide in a time when Discord ruled Equestria. No mortal could resist the apples’ appeal. A single apple gave him, a simple earth pony, wisdom that outdid anyone else’s... and it also transformed him into an alicorn. But he didn’t want anyone else to find what he had found. He chopped down the tree, eating all of its apples and saving one seed, before heading to a nearby city... Canterlot. The unicorns there accepted him- they worshipped him- and he later married their queen. His wife gave birth to two alicorns- you and your sister. In the castle grounds, he secretly planted the apple seed and it grew into this tree.”
Bending forward, Applebloom picked up the apple. She was only protecting it from Show Screen, who would have used it for who knows what. Breathing deeply, Applebloom brought it to her face and smelled it. Its scent was overpowering, smothering her thoughts. She shuddered, pressing her hooves against it. Her tongue slipped out of her mouth, absorbing the coolness of the apple’s skin.
“How do you know this?” whispered Celestia.
“But it came at a cost, his immorality,” Show Screen carried on. “His wife was not immortal. He offered her an apple one day when she was very ill, explaining everything he knew about it, but she declined. She didn’t want to see all her friends grow old and die, and if she was to suddenly become an alicorn... well, ponies would get suspicious! I’m sure you remember what happened next, Celestia.”
Celestia said nothing.
“Your mother grew iller and your father told you about this tree before performing one final spell. The two of them ascended together to the great beyond, stars in the night sky. You and your sister became joint rulers. You decided to uphold your father’s wishes and never tell anypony of its existence.”
“Your retelling is very enlightening,” Celestia remarked, “but you did not explain how you knew about all this. It’s like...” She widened her eyes. “... You were there.”
Show Screen gave a wry smile. “The original tree was planted long ago- perhaps Discord made it to see how ponies would react to such a thing, but it may have been there before him, before many things... and your father killed it along with the spirit residing within. I spent much of my life researching, finding out everything I knew about it. Any hint of an answer I pursued, collecting anything I could get my hooves on no matter how ridiculous. Twilight was always willing to let me look at her books, never one to deny research. And neither did you. I created such a picture of the past... I don’t think any one living creature knows as much about it as I do.”
“It seems like a very specific field of study,” Celestia observed. “I've never known more than one pony to research this area at any given time, and there were gaps spanning generations where no pony offered this topic much thought. You're just creating more questions with your answers. Tell me, why did you bring Applebloom with you?”
Applebloom vaguely heard her name being said but took no notice.
“That would be telling,” Show Screen replied. “Your father killed the tree and with that, he tainted all its fruit. I’m sure you know what happened when your sister happened across this tree after an argument with you.”
Celestia averted her gaze.
“And now,” Show Screen closed her eyes, “it happens again.”
Celestia blinked before shouting, “Applebloom, don’t eat that apple!”
Show Screen exploded into a ball of black smoke, spreading out and circling Applebloom and the tree. Applebloom broke out of her trance and shut her mouth, choking, flicking her head upwards and watching the smoke that threatened to swallow her up. She coughed, spluttering and gasping as its blackness pressed against her body.
The smoke took the shape of an orb, constantly spinning and completely obscuring Applebloom and the tree from view. The immediate area darkened, purple and blue flecks of light dancing in the smoke. On the outside was Celestia. Rearing her head, she ran into it. An invisible force blasted her back and she skidded to a stop, horn glowing blue. The air fizzed, electricity crackling in the air.
Applebloom jumped to her hoofs, trying to find a gap that she could escape through. Above her, a wispy pony-shaped figure emerged from the smoke. It descended slowly, the end of its tail attached to the smoky prison. Coughing, Applebloom raised her front leg over her eyes, watching the figure fall and completely detach itself. With eyes like Show Screen’s reflection in the fountain, it regarded the trembling Applebloom emotionlessly as it landed. Its inky mane blew in random directions, a shaking backdrop to its skeletal face.
The apple floated until it was level with Applebloom’s eyes. The air rattled and whistled.
“No!” Applebloom answered, barely audible. She smacked the apple away and it fell to the ground some distance away. Her mane shook in the wind. “Ah’m not stupid! You’re evil!”
“I am neither good nor bad,” the pony replied in a voice vaguely like Show Screen’s, only more crisp and haunting. “I merely seek an eye for an eye.”
“But what have ah got to do with all this?” Applebloom said.
The pony didn’t respond, melting away until it was a puddle that sunk into the ground. Applebloom bit her lip, all alone. What was she supposed to do now? The smoky hurricane didn’t seem to be dying out, and Celestia was nowhere in sight. She looked around anxiously.
“Hello?” Applebloom called. “Someone, anyone... help!”
There was a flash of lightning and Applebloom screamed, covering her eyes. When she realised that she was unharmed, she removed her hooves from her face and caught sight of the two familiar figures standing in front of her.
“Sweetie Belle?” exclaimed Applebloom. She laughed. There was something suspicious about their presence, but she was far too relieved to worry about that. Anything was better than being alone. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who were facing away, turned around and looked at her silently. “Scootaloo! What are you doin’ here?”
The two of them started to fade away, starting from the edges.
“No, look!” Applebloom directed her hoof towards her flank. “See? It was fake. Someone must have drawn it on. We can still be friends!”
“That doesn’t change what you did earlier,” Sweetie Belle replied in a deadpan tone. Her outline frayed further, flickering like a dying fire. The same was happening to Scootaloo, and the two of them became more and more shapeless and grey. “Face it, Applebloom, things can’t be like before. You broke our trust.”
“But ah didn’t mean to!” insisted Applebloom. She raised a hoof. “Don’t go! Please!”
“I’m sure that’s what Twist wanted,” sneered Scootaloo, whose colour had all but drained away. “But it’s not like you were there to hear her.”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “We aren’t choosing to go, Applebloom. We’re simply products of your memory. You’re beginning to forget us.”
“That ain’t true!” Applebloom concentrated, trying to conjure their faces in her mind. Try as she might, they weren’t any more detailed than the ones in front of her. Panic clouded her mind, rising higher and higher, until Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo disappeared completely. Crying out, Applebloom collapsed and whacked her hoof against the ground. When nothing happened, she started pounding it for a while. She did it one final time before leaving her hoof where it was, bending forward and sobbing.
Without her noticing, the pony reappeared by Applebloom’s side. It tucked its hoof under Applebloom’s chin and lifted it. Where her friends had been was the apple, radiantly red. Applebloom gritted her teeth.
“Ah told you! Ah ain’t ever ever EVER gonna eat it. You can play as many mind tricks as you want but it ain’t gonna work.”
The apple rolled over. There was a bite-sized chunk missing from it. Applebloom rose, backing away in horror. She quickened her pace as the apple rose and drifted towards her. She stumbled on one of the tree’s roots and tripped over. On her back, mouth failing to muster a response, she watched the apple hover over her face.
It had to be another of Show Screen’s tricks. She couldn’t remember taking a bite from the apple. Yes, she had held it, and yes, she had even put her tongue on it by accident, but she couldn’t recall ever eating any of it. Licking her teeth, Applebloom tasted apple.
Turning her head to the side and spitting as much of it out as possible, her stomach churned.
Show Screen exploded into a ball of black smoke, spreading out and circling Applebloom and the tree. Applebloom broke out of her trance and shut her mouth, choking, flicking her head upwards and watching the smoke that threatened to swallow her up. She coughed, spluttering and gasping as its blackness pressed against her body.
“No...” whispered Applebloom.
The apple fell onto her chest, sending a wave of pain over her body. Standing over her was the pony. They locked eyes, the pony’s eyes brightening while everything else darkened. Then, smiling, the pony lurched towards her and that was the last thing Applebloom remembered.