//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 (Apple Bloom) // Story: A Diamond Comes Between Friendship? // by Yukito //------------------------------// It was coming around late afternoon now, and Applejack was beginning to feel the burn in her legs from all of the hard work she had done that day since early morning. She had easily reached her daily target for number of apples picked, and she was quite pleased with the combined harvest she and her brother had come up with. And so, with one final buck to collect the last remaining apples from the tree she was currently working on, Applejack decided to call it a day, and go back to the farmhouse to give her legs a rest. Once she was back home, she poured herself a glass of water, and grabbed a towel to wipe the sweat off of her face. She brought the glass to her mouth and chugged it in just a few seconds. Sighing after drinking the refreshing beverage, Applejack started to make her way to the living room, but stopped when she heard a loud crash from upstairs, followed by the sounds of fillies arguing, and then quiet, and then, right on cue, giggling. Applejack looked over at the clock, and decided that it was still a ways to dinner. She smiled as she heard the giggling upstairs, and decided to spoil her sister and her guest a little bit by baking them some tasty apple fritters. It also gave her an excuse to go and check on them, but she would deny such an accusation if anypony made it. After whipping up a quick tray of fritters, and pouring a couple of glasses of fine quality apple juice, Applejack balanced the tray onto her back, and made her way upstairs, heading towards her little sister’s bedroom. When she got there, she raised a hoof, as if she were about to knock on the closed door. However, the door wasn’t closed, just left ajar. And the conversation inside made Applejack curious, so instead of knocking, she pushed the door open a little more, and peeked inside. She could see Apple Bloom and her ‘friend’, Diamond Tiara, sitting inside, at opposite ends of a small table. Apple Bloom was happy sitting on the floor, but it seemed that Diamond Tiara required one of the sofa cushions from downstairs before she would be seated. Their seating styles were also different, too; whilst Apple Bloom was slouching over the table, Diamond Tiara sat up straight, and kept her chin up. It was like she was watching a miniature version of herself and Rarity, and she had to suppress a giggle when Diamond Tiara scolded Apple Bloom for slurping her tea. ‘Guess the juice wasn’t really necessary…’ She was happy that the two were able to make up and become friends again, and, although she was a little uneasy about it at first, she couldn’t deny that the two made a cute, if mildly dysfunctional, couple together. Despite Apple Bloom’s best attempts to hide the fact, Applejack and Big Macintosh could see right through her, and they were both happy for their little sister, though they did feel the need to watch over her, in case things suddenly went south. Thankfully, it seemed that Granny Smith, the one pony they were actually afraid of finding out, was still none the wiser. What made Applejack feel the most uneasy, though, was remembering how she had watched Apple Bloom running away from the station in tears, with Scootaloo and Diamond Tiara chasing after her. She didn’t see what had happened, and she still had no idea what the fight Apple Bloom and Scootaloo had at school was all about, but their Crusader meetings were still being held as usual, and it seemed that the two fillies were alright now, so she decided to just leave it be. “How can you not get this?” Diamond Tiara asked Apple Bloom. It seemed she was trying to teach Apple Bloom the ‘correct way’ to hold a teacup, which caused Applejack to roll her eyes. “You already got this the last time I taught you!” “You know ah can’t remember that!” Apple Bloom argued, rotating her teacup as she awkwardly tried to mimic Diamond Tiara. “This is stupid! What does it matter how ah hold it, so long as ah can still drink from it?” ‘You tell her, Apple Bloom!’ Applejack cheered in her head. That was the exact argument she had used on Rarity so many times before, and she still maintained that it was a good one. “A lady should know how to do this, anyway!” Diamond Tiara argued back. “Then maybe ah ain’t a lady.” Apple Bloom answered in a sarcastic tone. “So you’re a colt then?” “If it means ah can hold mah cup however ah want without it bein’ a federal case, then sure!” “Alright. In that case, you have to carry all my bags for me around school, open all doors for me, buy my snacks and drinks for me when we’re out and, while you’re at it, do all my homework for me.” “No,” Apple Bloom replied with a deadpan stare. “Ah said ah’m a colt, not a dolt.” “Same thing,” Diamond Tiara quickly said back, causing both fillies to giggle simultaneously as Apple Bloom agreed. Applejack decided now would be as good a time as any to cut in, whilst tensions are low and both fillies are in a good mood. She moved back, raised her hoof to knock on the door, opening it in the process. She acted as if she hadn’t noticed it was partially open, and then walked inside as the two fillies quieted down. “Hey there. Just thought you two might appreciate a nice snack,” she said, laying the tray down on the table. “Ah see y’already have drinks. Guess I should take these back down.” Apple Bloom shook her head, and reached for the glass nearest to her. “Nah. Ah prefer juice ta tea any day. Plus, there’s no ‘proper way’ ta hold a glass… right?” Diamond Tiara reached a hoof forward and picked up a fritter. “It must be so embarrassing, having a sister who doesn’t have any grace or social etiquette.” Applejack wanted to point out that she was the same way, but decided to respond with a joke, instead. “Ah dunno. Ah think Big Mac’d like a lil’ brother ta play ‘round with,” she laughed as she roughed up Apple Bloom’s mane. “In fact, ah think she should enter the brotherhood social this year. That way, we can finally show that featherhead Thunderlane what we’ve got.” Apple Bloom batted away her sister’s hoof and pouted she tried to tidy up her mane. “But ah like doin’ the sisterhood social with ya! Are you sayin’ ya don’ wan’ me as yer sister no more?” “‘Course ah’m not! Sister or brother, y’all always be mah lil’ Apple Bloom.” Applejack wrapped a foreleg around her sister, and nuzzled her lovingly. The affection was returned by Apple Bloom, who nuzzled back. Meanwhile, Diamond Tiara had lost track of the conversation at some point, and was looking confused. “So, wait. Is she a colt now?” Apple Bloom flipped a page in her family’s album, revealing a photograph of her entire family at their last reunion. “An’ this is our most recent Apple family reunion, where Applejack went jus’ a lil bit overboard…” “Why are you hiding behind a stack of hay with that Manehatten blank flank?” Diamond Tiara asked, looking at a picture of Apple Bloom and Babs Seed huddled together behind some hay, both looking nervous and worried. “So we didn’t have ta run Applejack’s seven-legged obstacle course of doom no more.” Diamond Tiara looked over at Applejack, who was pretending not to hear them speaking as she set the table. “Her what now?” “Trust me, ya don’t wanna know,” Apple Bloom said, shuddering from the memory. “It’s a miracle neither of us got our Cutie Marks from that, considerin’ how much stuff she crammed into one race.” “Applejack!” Granny Smith called from the kitchen. “Ah could use an extra hoof here! Your brother’s completely hopeless!” “Comin’!” Applejack called back, placing down the final dinner placement and then heading into the kitchen. “Okay, what next?” Diamond Tiara, flipping through the photo album with a bored look on her face. “What next in the oh-so thrilling life that is the Apple family?” Apple Bloom narrowed her eyes and jabbed Diamond Tiara’s foreleg with her hoof. “Oh, pipe down! Ah had ta sit through your family photo album! An’ at least ah’m lettin’ you touch ours.” “I was my hooves regularly, and don’t crease the pages as I turn them.” “Honestly, ye’re so finicky.” Apple Bloom was about to explain the next photograph in the album, which showedher cousin Braeburn flirting with her other cousin Apple Fritter. What the photo didn’t show, was the big turndown her received from her, and the five glasses of apple cider he drank later, offered by his buddies to him up. However, a quick look around the room reminded her that the two were alone for the moment. “So? What’s the story behind this one?” Diamond Tiara asked, trying not to sound interested. However, the stallion in the photograph was somewhat cute, so she was just a little curious about it. However, Apple Bloom didn’t answer. “Bloom?” “Huh? Oh…” Apple Bloom tried to form the words in her mouth, but not that the thought of them being alone had entered her mind, she just couldn’t dismiss it. “Uh, hold that thought.” “What’re you-” Diamond Tiara was stopped by a sudden kiss from Apple Bloom, catching her completely off guard and stunning her into silence. It only lasted for a few seconds, before Apple Bloom pulled away and grinned. Diamond Tiara flustered, and her voice cracked as she whispered: “S-Stop doing that so suddenly!” Apple Bloom was ready to talk back with a witty retort, but didn’t get the chance when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw something green moving towards her. Slowly, she turned her head, followed by Diamond Tiara, and they both shook with fear as they saw an angry-looking Granny Smith looming over them. “G-Granny-” “Young lady,” Granny Smith said to Diamond Tiara, “Ah think you’d better leave, now.” “Now hold on there, Granny!” Applejack pleaded, but it fell on deaf ears. “Ah said now. And don’t ever think of comin’ back, y’hear?” “D-Diamond…” Apple Bloom gave her fillyfriend a worried look, and tears began to form as she watched Diamond Tiara slide of the sofa, nervously sidestep around Granny Smith, and then bolt towards the door. “Wait!” “Ah think you an’ ah need ta have a talk,” Granny Smith said to Apple Bloom. “You go to yer room right this instant. Without supper.” “Granny!” Applejack shouted. “Ya can’t do that! So what if she-” “Applejack!” Granny Smith said in a warning tone. “Now y’all know ah do mah best ‘round that there rainbow friend o’ yers. An’ ah ain’t gonna cut our relationship with the Richs off just because of their daughter. However, ah’ll have none of that sinful behaviour in this house!” “That ain’t fer you ta decide!” Applejack responded. Apple Bloom’s tears started to increase as she watched her sister and her grandma argue, and she jumped up when she felt a hoof on her shoulder. She looked up to see Big Macintosh, his usual calm expression still on his face. “Apple Bloom, go wait in yer room,” he said, his tone much kinder than the one Granny Smith had used. “Ah’ll bring ya some supper soon as it’s ready.” “But-” Big Macintosh shook his head, and Apple Bloom’s face fell as she slowly slid off of the sofa. She then walked silently around the two arguing mares, and then ran up the stairs, towards her room. Once she was in, she slammed the door shut, jumped onto her bed, and began to muffle the sounds of her crying into her pillow. Diamond Tiara sat mulling on her bed as she ran a brush through her favourite doll’s mane. The strokes were random and without purpose, they just helped her calm down as she thought about how things were going to be from now on. How Granny Smith was sure to keep her and Apple Bloom apart. How she had probably destroyed the long-lasting relationship between the two families. How Apple Bloom was probably going to move to Manehatten now. “It’s not fair!” Diamond Tiara shouted, throwing her doll aside and falling down onto her side. She was interrupted from her sobbing by a sudden thud! from her window. She jumped up with a start, and turned around to look outside her window. Down below, she saw Apple Bloom standing outside of her house, waving up at Diamond Tiara. “Bloom?” Diamond Tiara opened the window so that she could call out to her. “What are you doing here?” “Ah ran away from home,” Apple Bloom explained, shocking Diamond Tiara. “Can y’all let me in? Ah need ta talk ta ya.” “Y-Yeah. Just wait right by the front door, okay?” Diamond Tiara turned around, jumped off her bed, and ran straight for her bedroom door. She grabbed the handle and opened it quickly, then ran through the house, down the stairs, and finally reached the front door, where she unlocked and opened it to find Apple Bloom standing there. The two fillies immediately embraced each other in a warm hug, both so happy to see the other, and afraid that this might be their last time together. “Ah’m so, so sorry,” Apple Bloom said. “It’s all mah fault Granny Smith found out about us. If only ah wasn’t so stupid-” Diamond Tiara shook her head, and pulled away to look Apple Bloom in the eyes. “Forget about that. What are we going to do? I don’t want to lose you again!” “Ah don’ know. Granny can be pretty stubborn, especially when it’s ‘bout somethin’ she believes in.” “Diamond Tiara?” The two fillies jumped at the sound of Filthy Rich’s voice coming from the stairs behind Diamond Tiara. “Who’s that at the door?” They turn to face the stallion, who was now standing right behind his daughter, looking down at them quite confused. He then looked worried, as he saw tears running down both of their faces. “Apple Bloom? What’s wrong? Did something happen?” “Daddy,” Diamond Tiara said, grabbing her father leg and holding onto it tightly. “Can Apple Bloom stay here for tonight? Please?” “What? But, that’s rather sudden. And, what about her family? Do they know she’s here?” Filthy Rich asked, looking down at Apple Bloom, who’s ears had flattened against her head. “Well, not exactly,” Apple Bloom answered, looking guilty. “Ah, uh, kinda had a fallin’ out with Granny Smith, so ah… ran away from home…” Filthy Rich sighed, and moved his free forehoof over to pat Apple Bloom on the head. ‘Dear Celestia, poor filly. That old mare can be a tough opponent…’ “Well, come on in, Apple Bloom. I’ll let your family know you’re here, and ask them if you can stay over.” “But-” Apple Bloom began, but was cut off by Filthy Rich. “I’m sure they’re all worried sick about you, provided they’ve noticed you’re gone yet. They deserve to know where you are, and that you’re safe. Besides, I can’t just let you stay here without their permission, now can I?” “… Ah guess not,” Apple Bloom said, hanging her head low as she entered the house. Diamond Tiara held her hoof as they walked inside, and Filthy Rich ushered them into the living room. “But, they’ll be mad at me.” “I’m sure they’ll be more relieved to find out that you’re okay,” Filthy Rich assured her. “Now then, I’d like to get a good idea of what exactly happened between you and Granny Smith, and make sure that you’re okay, before I go over to the farm. So, do you think you could tell me what happened?” The two fillies exchanged nervous glances, and huddled together to whisper to each other. “D’you think we should?” Apple Bloom asked. “What if he takes Granny’s side?” “Daddy wouldn’t do that!” Diamond Tiara whispered back. “And if he does, just make a cute pouty face, and he’ll change his mind.” “Ya sure?” “It’s worked for everything else.” Filthy Rich waited patiently for the two fillies to reach a decision, which didn’t actually take as long as he thought it would. Once they were done, they explained to him about how they were both in love with each other, how they had started seeing each other, and how Granny Smith had found out, and was against the idea of two fillies together. Filthy Rich was quite surprised, to say the least. He knew that the two were on friendlier terms lately, but he never imagined that there was anything romantic going on between the two. Part of him was in shock, and wasn’t quite sure what to say, other than offering a congratulations to the two for finding love between each other, and assuring them that he was happy for them. Another part of him wasn’t sure if he was willing to accept it, because it told him that his little girl was growing up faster than he realised. He dismissed that side, though, so that he could concentrate on the more important matter at hoof. “Right, well…” Filthy Rich looked between the two fillies, and sighed. “I get the basic idea here… But, quite frankly, I don’t really know what to do here. Granny Smith is one of my oldest friends, but I can’t say that I agree with her on this…” Just then, there was a knock at the door. Filthy Rich hesitated for a second, before excusing himself to go and answer it. Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom waited in silence, watching where the corner that the stallion had rounded anxiously, for what felt like forever. Finally, he returned. “Apple Bloom, your sister is here.” Apple Bloom grabbed Diamond Tiara’s hoof harder. “She wants to know if you’ll go back with her. But, she says it’s your choice. If you want, she’ll bring some of your things so that you can stay here for tonight.” Apple Bloom breathed a happy sigh of relief, and eased up a bit as she nodded her head. “Ah think ah’d prefer ta stay here tonight.” “Wait!” Diamond Tiara said, startling Apple Bloom. “What about tomorrow?” Filthy Rich shook his head. “She can’t stay here forever, Diamond Tiara. Just tonight, so that she can calm down.” Apple Bloom’s nervousness seemed to return at that, and Diamond Tiara frowned as she held the shaking filly close. “… Can I,” she began, but stopped for a second as she considered what she was about to ask. A quick look at Apple Bloom steeled her resolve, though, and she continued. “Can I… talk with Granny Smith?” “Do what?” Apple Bloom asked quickly, not quite sure she had heard correctly. “I want to talk to her… to get this situation settled now, because I…” Diamond Tiara stopped herself from saying anything ‘dorky’ in front of her father, and instead just settled with nuzzling into Apple Bloom’s mane, hiding her red face from the world at large. Filthy Rich couldn’t help but smile. His daughter really had grown up faster than he realised… and he couldn’t be any prouder. “I’ll ask Applejack if that’s okay. It’s best to wait for Granny Smith to calm down after she gets angry, before trying to approach her.” Diamond Tiara nodded, and the two fillies waited again as Filthy Rich rounded the corner to speak with Applejack. “Have y’all gone an’ lost yer marbles?” Apple Bloom asked as soon as they were alone again. “There’s no way ya can convince Granny Smith ta let us stay together!” Diamond Tiara tutted, and pointed her hoof down at her flank, brining attention to her Cutie Mark. “Did you forget who I am? I’m Diamond Tiara, talented Princess of the Rich family. I can sell anything to anyone.” “… Ah dunno.” Diamond Tiara frowned, and placed her hoof under Apple Bloom’s chin to lift her head, and cause their eyes to meet. “Look, we can’t avoid this forever, right? Daddy always says that resolving a problem before it can escalate is the key to a successful business, so that’s what we’re going to do.” Apple Bloom smiled, and then grinned as she gently moved Diamond Tiara’s hoof away. “That again? Just how many ‘keys to a successful business’ are there, anyhow?” Diamond Tiara harrumphed, and turned her head away. “Just you wait and see.” After a quick talk with Applejack, the two Apples went back home together, along with Diamond Tiara, who wanted to talk to Granny Smith, and Filthy Rich, who wanted to be there for his daughter in case things didn’t go well. Upon returning to the farmhouse, Applejack asked everypony to wait outside whilst she went inside to talk to Granny Smith. Whilst they were waiting, Diamond Tiara started to feel nervous, and second thoughts began to fill her mind. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, after all. Maybe she should leave now, while she still has the chance. Apple Bloom sensed her unease, and joined her hoof with Diamond Tiara’s to try to calm her down. “You sure about this?” she asked, giving the pink filly a worried look. “… Y-Yeah… totally…” Diamond Tiara answered, still shaking on the spot as she stared at the farmhouse in front of her. “Ya don’t have ta force yerself. If ya don’t think y’all can do it… ah’d rather not see you get hurt ‘cause of me…” Diamond Tiara turned her head to face Apple Bloom. “But… I want to do this. You came to my aid when I was in trouble once, so I should do the same for you…” Apple Bloom smiled, and leaned forward to nuzzle her fillyfriend’s cheek. A quick cough from Filthy Rich startled both fillies, and made them distance themselves a bit, both blushing madly. Filthy Rich watched the two with a look of amusement on his face, but remained vigilant. No matter how adorable it was, now was not the time for such things… Besides, he didn’t have his camera right now, so he couldn’t get any good shots for the family photo album. Applejack came back out moments later, and motioned for the three to follow her in. They did so in silence. When they reached the living room, they found Granny Smith sitting on her rocking chair, waiting for them. Diamond Tiara gulped, and stepped forward, Apple Bloom following closely behind her. Filthy Rich tried to follow, too, but was stopped by Applejack. “Let’s let them have a go, first,” she whispered. “We’ll just wait here ‘til it’s our turn ta step in.” Filthy Rich reluctantly nodded. The room was silent for a short while, and the tension in the air was almost suffocating Diamond Tiara as she tried to find the courage to start off the speech she had thought up on the way there. Diamond Tiara opened her mouth to speak, but Granny Smith decided to get the first word in instead. “First off, ah guess ah owe y’all an apology…” Nopony in the room saw that coming, and it showed in their facial expressions. “Don’t get the wrong idea. Ah’m apologisin’ fer shooin’ ya outta the house like that. It wasn’t somethin’ ah should’ve done to a child, especially not the child of one of mah oldest friends…” “Oh, um… A-Apology accepted?” “But,” Granny Smith continued, “Ah still don’t approve of yer… relationship, with mah granddaughter. Ye’re both fillies. Y’all should be with a colt, not another filly.” Diamond Tiara’s eyes narrowed, as she rediscovered some of her lost resolve. “I… I don’t care if she’s a filly, too. Daddy and Miss Cheerilee said there’s nothing wrong with that…” “It’s a sin against Celestia.” “The Princess wouldn’t be opposed ta two ponies bein’ happy together!” Apple Bloom shouted. “Ah’ve met her! Ah mean, only once… but still, ah don’t think she’d be that kind of pony.” Applejack nodded her head. ‘That’s right. Ah can’t imagine the Princess would be against this, either.’ Granny Smith leaned forward, ignoring Apple Bloom’s outburst, and glared into Diamond Tiara’s eyes. “… Are you sayin’ yer love is real? Despite the fact that ye’re both fillies?” Diamond Tiara tensed up and backed away a bit from Granny Smith. There was something about this old mare that really intimidated the filly right now… Apple Bloom held Diamond Tiara’s hoof, which offered some comfort. “… Y-Yes. It is.” Granny Smith observed Diamond Tiara for a while. ‘… She reminds me of that foolish son o’ mine. Always doin’ what his heart told him, even if he an’ everypony else knew it was wrong… At least he was happy, though…’ Granny Smith leaned back in her chair, and closed her eyes. “An’ suppose ah forbid ya from seein’ her?” “You can’t do that!” Apple Bloom shouted. “That ain’t fair!” Diamond Tiara furrowed her brow, and stepped forward. “I’d still find some way to see her! My daddy’s the most powerful pony in Ponyville! There’s nothing you can do to keep us apart!” Filthy Rich laughed nervously. “T-That’s quite a weight she’s putting on my shoulders…” Granny Smith sighed, and raised her head to look up at the ceiling. “… What is up with you young folk these days? Ah remember when foals respected and obeyed their elders…” “Granny,” Applejack started, “Ah’m sorry. Ya know ah’m always with ya on everythin’, but ah’m afraid ah can’t agree with ya this time.” “Ah know ya can’t,” Granny Smith said. “Ya have a kind heart. A lil’ too kind… But, ah’m too old ta try an’ change that, an’ it seems our lil’ Apple Bloom ain’t a filly no more…” Applejack’s face lit up with a shimmer of hope. “Does that mean-” “It means,” Granny Smith interrupted, “That ah still don’t approve of this relationship o’ yers, an’ never will. An’ ah’ll thank ye ta keep it out of the farm. However, ah can’t stop ya… so just do whatever y’all think’ll make ya happy.” Apple Bloom’s eyes widened, and tears began to form in her eyes. “Granny…” Granny Smith lowered her head again, and smiled at her granddaughter. “An’ ah’m sorry fer yellin’ at ya like ah did earlier. Ah don’t approve of this relationship, but ye’re still mah granddaughter. An’ ah still love ya.” Apple Bloom immediately ran up to the old mare, and jumped up onto her lap to tackle her into a hug. “Oh Granny! Thank you, thank you!” Granny Smith patted the back of Apple Bloom’s head as she cried into her chest. “C’mon now, half-pint. Ah though y’all were a big pony now.” Apple Bloom pulled her head back, and wiped away her tears, before looking up at her grandma and offering a wide smile. “If you two’re dead set on goin’ through with this, then just do me one favour…” “What’s that?” Diamond Tiara asked. Granny Smith turned back to face her, but this time, she didn’t look quite so intimidating… “… Prove me wrong. Show me that two fillies can be happy together, so ah can tell ‘er parents that she’s doin’ just fine.” Diamond Tiara didn’t hesitate to smile at that. “Well, duh! That was my intention all along!” Filthy Rich and Applejack both approached the scene from their background viewing spot, both satisfied that the situation had been resolved peacefully. “Well then,” Filthy Rich began, “I suppose we had better be heading back now. We still haven’t had dinner yet, after all.” “That so?” Granny Smith asked. “As it so happens, we haven’t eaten yet, either. Why don’t y’all stay an’ have dinner with us? It’ll be just like ol’ times.” “That sounds like a fine idea,” Filthy Rich answered. Diamond Tiara and Apple Bloom both looked excited by the proposal, and the latter filly quickly jumped off of her place on Granny Smith’s lap and landed beside her fillyfriend. “You two sit at opposite ends of the table, though,” Granny Smith said, rising to her hooves and looking down at the two fillies. Both fillies moaned, but nodded their heads anyway. “Yes, Granny Smith.”