Chapter 5: Blue Ocean Strategy
Bastion wriggled into his peejays, with Bon Bon tugging carefully at the sleeves. The wrappings around his legs got another little check, then a rub when she confirmed they were still doing their job.
“There. You’re still a little sharp, you know. Guess those edges grow back pretty quickly.”
“Yeah, I noticed.” The boy clambered into bed. “Maybe I should change my shape to fix it?”
“No,” Bon Bon replied sternly. “Remember what we told you: don’t change shape unless it’s an emergency. You don’t need to ‘fix’ yourself with magic, you’re fine.”
The little changeling sighed and nodded. Bon Bon tucked him in nice and snug, then rubbed his web mane. He still looked worried.
“What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“It’s Apple Bloom. She was acting kind of weird.” The boy looked away and fidgeted shyly.
“Weird? How?”
“She was asking me about some things today, and I think I said something wrong.”
“What did you tell her then, Bastion?”
“I told her about my mom. You know, my birth mom.”
“She asked you about that? That’s not like her. She should know better by now, she’s gotten into trouble like that before.” Bon Bon shook her head.
“She didn’t ask about it. We were just talking, and she wanted to know about me. She looked really impressed when I showed her my bees, mom. I thought she wanted to be friends, but then… she doesn’t act like she wants to be friends. I really want her to be nice to me, and I wanna be nice to her. I just don’t know what I should do.”
“And Lyra told you I’d know this better than her, huh?” She smiled.
“Uh huh. What do you think I should do?”
Bon Bon stroked over the sheets covering her son’s belly as she thought.
“If Apple Bloom’s acting a little off, it just means something’s bothering her. It’ll pass, and she’ll warm up to you. Sometimes it just takes time to see how alike ponies are, or changelings. You’ve met Twilight Sparkle, you’ve heard the stories. Her friends weren’t that close with each other at first, but they got to know each other.”
“But what if I’m doing something wrong and she’ll hate me for that? What if she never wants to be friends with me?” The boy cringed at the thought.
The Earth pony mare looked him right in the eye at that.
“You’re still worried about that drink?”
“I-I don’t know. I thought it might be a good idea, but it’s not. I just wanted ponies in town to like me, but it’s getting too much.”
“But ponies do like you, don’t they? I’m sure most of town knows your name by now, and they say ‘Hi’ when they see you, right?”
“Yes, everypony’s really nice. But not Apple Bloom. I want Apple Bloom to be nice to me,” Bastion insisted.
Bon Bon suppressed a knowing chuckle.
“So try a little gift. If she’s really that upset about the juice thing, and I doubt she is, a little present might show you want to be friends. You’re not going to make friends with her if you avoid her, you know.”
“That’s what Lyra said. But all I’ve got is that red nectar. And I don’t want to give her that, it’s probably the reason she"s acting like that to begin with. It doesn't feel right.”
“Then maybe you should try something different. Some of your beehive’s honey, maybe some honey waffles?”
“But I didn't make that honey, my bees did. And I already tried making waffles. I nearly burned myself, remember?”
“Right, baking’s not your strong suit. You just need practice, sweetie, we can try it again this weekend if you like.”
“I’d like that. But, mom?”
“Yes, sweetie?”
“Do you really think Apple Bloom will come around? Even if I can’t do anything to cheer her up?” Bastion narrowed his eyes, and his wings buzzed under the sheets.
“Of course she will. She’s a nice girl, and you said she liked your bees. She does come from a farming family, and there aren’t a lot of foals in town who can say the same thing. You like making food, and her family's all about that, too. And you're trying to find your place here, just like she's trying to find her cutie mark. Trust me, you’ve got more in common than you think. And whatever’s bothering her will go away. Even if you don’t think you can help, she has friends and family who can. It’s no big deal. Give her another day, and if you still think she's acting weird after tomorrow, why not bring your game to school?” Bon Bon suggested with a smile.
“You mean my board game? How would that help?” The boy raised an eyebrow.
“You don’t fly or use magic for a board game. Applejack is really strict when it comes to being fair, and I think her little sister has picked up on that over the years. Maybe if you have a little competition and show her that you really care a lot about playing things fair, she’ll open up a bit.”
The changeling thought it over, then smiled.
“That might actually work. Thanks, mom.”
“It’s what I’m here for, honey. Now go to sleep, okay? And you can stop making more of that drink. You’re starting to look a little pale.”
“I know. I just wanted to put some effort into it, I guess.”
“Of course you did, sweetie.” Bon Bon kissed him on the forehead and moving to the door. “Good night.”
“Good night." He paused, biting his lip before speaking again. "Umm, mom?”
“Yes, Bastion?” the mare asked, one hoof already raised to the light switch.
“This might sound weird, but… h-how long is this going to last?” Bastion asked with a shiver.
“What do you mean?”
“How long are you and Lyra going to be my moms?”
Bon Bon suddenly felt a little choke in her throat. She swallowed and put up her bravest smile.
“For as long as we live, Bastion. Even when you're grown up and ready to spread your wings, we'll still be your moms. And you'll always be our son, nothing is going to change that.” Bon Bon switched the light off.
“What about my birth mom?”
Bon Bon shrugged, standing in the light of the hallway.
“No reason to think she’s going to make any difference, honey. Sapphire Gaze said it wouldn’t matter, and we promised to take care of you from now on.”
“And what about the others?”
“What others?”
He hid his face under the covers.
“The ones who don’t want me to be here.”
“They don’t get a say in this, Bastion, princess Celestia made sure of that. No one is going to get to you, and no one is taking you away. There’s no reason to worry. But if you still feel bad or scared about it, just say so. You can talk to us about anything.”
“I’ll be fine, I was just curious. Thanks, mom.” Bastion turned in his bed. “Good night.”
Bon Bon closed the door and left her son to doze off. She knew he’d sleep well, the boy still went out like a snuffed candle after being overcharged with maternal love.
Lyra was watching some action movie when Bon Bon came down the stairs.
“Everything okay?”
Bon Bon chuckled softly.
“I think our boy may have a little crush on Apple Bloom.”
“You noticed that, huh?”
“Oh, it’s obvious, and cute. They'd look so nice together. I’m worried, though. I’m not sure if he really knows what’s right and what’s wrong. It’s like he thinks he’s doing something wrong just by running a simple lemonade stand.”
Lyra patted the seat next to her, which her mate eagerly took.
“He’s just getting used to living with ponies. He’ll loosen up. The ponies in town all know him by now.”
“True. And Bastion’s really happy his drink's so popular.”
“But competing with Apple Bloom's not what he wanted, huh?”
Bon Bon nodded, lying down to rest her head on Lyra's lap.
“It’s nothing to worry about, though, right?” the cream-coloured mare asked, looking up at her mate's face. “He’s done what he wanted to do. He can’t make any more, but he won’t need to.”
“Exactly.” Lyra pulled Bon Bon closer into a hug. “He’s making Ponyville his new home, just like we told him to. He’s fitting in just fine. Nothing to worry about.”
“Not for us, maybe. But there’s plenty for him to worry about, still.”
“What makes you say that?” Lyra looked down at the mare in her hug.
“He just asked me how long we’d be his moms, and if his birth mom might come around to change that. And he asked about… you know, the other thing.”
Lyra sighed, and for a moment even the explosions on the television didn’t distract her from her train of thought.
“He’s here to stay, and no one’s taking him away. That’s all that counts.”.
Bon Bon let her head sink in that comfy lap, absently watching the film.
“Hey, Lyra?”
“Yeah, hun?”
“You’d know if Bastion used any kind of magic, right? Like when you were under that queen’s influence? You’d recognise that spell next time someone cast it, wouldn’t you?” Bon Bon asked carefully.
“I guess so. It was a pretty high level spell, though. Really snuck up on me, on all the bridesmaids. Why?”
“Just something that’s bothering me. I feel like I’m missing something, something important. You don’t think Bastion would cast a spell on Apple Bloom to make her be nice to him, do you?”
Lyra put a hoof under Bon Bon’s chin and moved it so she could look her right in the eye.
“No. I do not think our son would do that. He’s a good boy, you know that. He’s got a good heart, and even if he does do something bad, we’re his parents now. Whatever happens, it’s on us.”
Bon Bon smiled at the sudden surge of determination. She reached up and planted a kiss on the unicorn’s lips, just a gentle touch that gave them a moment of perfect contentment.
“You’re right,” Bon Bon remarked once she regained her composure. “It is up to us to make sure he does the right thing. So you’d better not be a bad influence on our boy.”
“Who, me? I swear I have no idea what you’re talking about, Bonsy.”
Right at that moment, the television screeched as Robocolt unloaded his canon and five unicorns and a pegasus found themselves exploding in gore.
“You sure about that, honey?”
The next day saw Applejack and her three tagalong salesponies breaking up their stalls after another round of sales.
“Well, that went a lot better, didn’t it?” Applejack started once the afternoon market was done.
“I’ll say. We’re nearly sold out,” Scootaloo replied, breaking down their little stall.
“Guess a bit of advertising went a long way,” Apple Bloom agreed.
“Right, so now you know what to write in your report,” the mare casually remarked.
“Oh yeah… the report,” Sweetie Belle replied with an air of dread.
The Cutie Mark Crusader clubhouse was silent, save the sound of pencils being aimlessly pressed to paper.
“We should start by saying why our first sales didn’t work,” Sweetie Belle tried.
“That’s easy; Bastion had a more popular drink. Nopony wanted ours if they could have his,” Apple Bloom remarked.
“Will you stop blaming Bastion for that?” Scootaloo snapped. “We didn’t get anything sold because nopony knew we had different apples in it.”
“I’m just sayin’ he gave us competition, is all. I still don’t understand how he got so much done."
Scootaloo groaned. Sweetie Belle shook her head at her Earth pony friend.
“What?” Apple Bloom asked.
“You still hate him,” Sweetie Belle remarked.
“I do not hate him. I’m just saying we had to compete with him and he beat us. Isn’t that a fair thing to say?”
Sweetie Belle looked at Apple Bloom with a sad expression.
“Oh, come on, it’s not like I’m picking on him or calling him names, I just thought it was weird. I do like him. I thought we went over this.”
“You did say some pretty nasty things about him, Apple Bloom. You practically accused him of poisoning half the town,” Scootaloo remarked. “And you might say otherwise, but I don’t think you’d have done that if Bastion wasn’t a changeling.”
“That’s not true.”
“You should talk to him again,” Sweetie Belle offered, “just to get it out of the way. I think maybe he likes you. Enough to be upset because you’re angry with him.”
“Now you’re just bein’ silly. Even if I was angry with him, and I’m not, why would he care about how I feel?”
“Maybe because he’s trying to make friends and you keep ignoring him or blowing him off in school. He’s gotten scared to play with us, you know. All he does is hang around Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon and talk about that assignment. He doesn’t play at all anymore,” Sweetie Belle argued.
“If he wants to be friends, all he has to do is ask. If you’re so sure he wants to hang out with us, why didn’t he sign up with us for the assignment?”
“Would you have let him?” Scootaloo retorted.
Apple Bloom shrugged.
“It wouldn’t have been good idea, but I wouldn’t have said ‘no’ to him if he’d just asked.”
Sweetie Belle groaned and put her pencil on the table. She knew, right then and there, that they weren’t going to get anything done if they didn’t work this out.
“Why? What is your problem with him?” Scootaloo asked, barely containing her frustration.
“What’s my problem? I’m not the one with a problem here, you two are the ones acting all crazy. I’m just as nice to Bastion as I am to all the other colts in class. Why do you keep thinking I hate him? I walked him home, I talked, I was nice.”
“And then you basically called him a liar and a villain,” Scootaloo remarked.
“Oh, like you wouldn’t, if you heard that? Like it wouldn’t be the first time a foal slipped something into a drink for adults?”
“How would you like it if ponies talked like that behind your back?” the pegasus retorted.
Apple Bloom looked to Sweetie Belle, then to Scootaloo, then sighed in defeat.
“Fine. I’ll talk to him again tonight, after dinner. I’ll tell him the whole thing, I’ll apologise, and I’ll make friends with him. Is that good enough?” She started visibly twitching with anger.
Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle exchanged a glance.
“For real this time,” Scootaloo insisted. “You’re not gonna come back and say he’s been putting something bad in his drink, right?”
“I promise I'll make up and I’ll be as nice as I can when I'm done,” Apple Bloom replied, holding up a hoof to swear. “Pinkie promise.”
“Okay,” Sweetie Belle agreed, “so now we can finally finish our report.”
Silence fell.
“And how exactly do we turn ‘we told ponies it had special apples’ into two pages?” Scootaloo asked.
“So no luck on the report, huh?” Applejack asked as she washed the last dish.
“No. We’re just not sure what to say, I guess,” Apple Bloom replied, drying off said dish and putting it back in the cupboard.
“Well, what did Cheerilee teach you so far? You can count by now, can’t you?”
“Of course I can. But all we really got was how you should supply stuff for a demand. We got that double curve thingie with prices and all, but that’s it.”
“And that’s already pretty advanced at your age, actually. Time was we didn’t get that class ‘till we were old enough to vote.”
Apple Bloom sighed.
“Applejack, if someone’s beating you at something, it’s fair to say so, right?”
“Sure it is. You shouldn’t give up, but if you got beat, you should be big enough to admit it.”
“So it’s okay if I say I didn’t get any juice sold at first because Bastion was selling his, then,” Apple Bloom concluded.
The mare turned to look intently at her little sister.
“I wouldn’t go that far. He was only trying to do what he thought was best, after all. You shouldn’t say anything bad about him, Apple Bloom. He did lose his home, and his parents.”
Apple Bloom bit her lip at that.
“Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo said I should apologise for thinking badly about him.”
“Badly? How?”
“I just thought it was weird he got so much sold, and the ponies I’ve seen with his drink were acting all strange. I thought maybe he put something in his drink, like a drug. That’s not bad of me, is it?” Apple Bloom asked, sounding a little hurt.
“Apple Bloom, you know full well that’s bad. It is not okay to say things like that about a boy who’s lost everything. I told you to be nice to him, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, you did.”
“And have you been?” Applejack asked.
Apple Bloom reluctantly shook her head.
“I guess not. But –“
“But nothin’. Bastion needs to get used to his new home, he’s lost everyone in his family,” Applejack insisted.
“How do you know? Did he tell you?”
“No, I heard it from Rarity, and Twilight, and a lot of other ponies. Did he tell you anything different?”
“He told me his birth mom is still alive,” Apple Bloom said bluntly.
The mare gulped at that.
“You talked to him about his birth parents? Really? I thought you knew better than to talk about something that painful.”
“It’s not what you think. I wasn’t mean to him or anything, I just wanted to get to know him. And he didn’t cry when he told me, I didn’t even ask about it. He told me on his own, and he looked pretty calm about it, too. He wasn’t anywhere near as sad as you made him out to be, and he’s not bottling anything up, either. I don’t get why everypony’s making such a big fuss about him.”
“Yeah, well, it probably hasn’t had time to sink in yet. For all you know, he could have started crying when you left. I’m surprised at you, Apple Bloom. I thought you knew better than to open up his wounds like that. Don’t you wanna make friends with him?”
“I did not open up any wounds. He just went and told me his birth mom is still alive. What would you think about that?”
“Um, I’d think that means either the others lied to him about it so he wouldn’t be upset, or his mom had to abandon him, and that still makes him an orphan. Either way, that's not something you oughtta talk about. What’s gotten into you, Apple Bloom? I honestly thought you’d like him. You two have got a couple of things in common, you know.”
“I know. I saw,” the filly grumbled.
Applejack smiled softly at her sister and knelt down to get to her eye level.
“I think I see what’s goin' on. That’s the problem, isn’t it? You do like him, and you’re scared to admit it because of what he is.”
“I am not,” Apple Bloom objected, before shaking her head as she thought it over.“ Okay, maybe you're half right: I do like him. It is nice to have another foal in town who’s interested in farming, even if it is farming honey and bees. And even if he's not really a foal, technically.”
“So do you think you should apologise for jumping to conclusions? Again? You realise he doesn’t know you do this sort of thing all the time, right?”
“I do not jump to conclusions all the time, sis.”
“Oh no? So what Rainbow Dash and Twilight told me about what happened the day you met your friends, that wasn’t true? And what Rarity told me about how you freaked out when Big Mac had that love poison in him, that wasn’t true, either? Or the time you just had to get out from letting Granny Smith do her talk in front of your class, all of that wasn’t overreacting?”
Apple Bloom sighed in defeat.
“Yeah, it was. Guess I’m just dumb that way.”
Applejack ruffled the little filly’s mane.
“No, you’re not. This is exactly the sort of thing Twilight gets all the time, and she’s the smartest pony I know. But the thing about being smart is: your mind can play tricks on you and make you say things you regret. Did it really look that bad that you thought he was doing something evil?”
Apple Bloom nodded.
“Yeah, it did.”
“And does he look evil now?”
The filly sighed.
“Not really, no.He is nice, and I want to be friends. And Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon wouldn’t fall for that kind of thing, anyway. I guess you’re right, my mind’s just playin’ tricks on me.”
“It happens. But if you wanna be friends, don’t you think you should explain it to him and apologise? Let him know that it’s not his fault?”
“I guess I really should, huh?” the filly conceded.
Applejack offered patted the girl’s back.
“Just be back before sundown.”
Scootaloo took a sip of her milkshake, looking around Sugarcube Corner. While school had been the usual fare, the afternoon market had been an unexpected success. Not only that, but she’d found quite the novelty after dinner.
“So then you don’t focus on your hooves, but on the point just beyond them. That’s how you get your magic to work,” Rumble explained.
“I’ve been wondering about that. So that’s how you get lightning out of a cloud.”
“Yup. And rain and hail, but you need to squeeze that out. Lightning’s got more of a clap to it.”
“Obviously. So you already learned that just because you wanna be on the Weather Patrol one day? You must be pretty sure about it if you're starting this early, and without a cutie mark.” Scootaloo noted.
“I like riding winds, so why not? That waterspout thing was really fun, too. Rainbow Dash said I was a natural.” He blushed, taking a sip of his own milkshake as an excuse to stop talking.
Scootaloo noticed Rumble’s nervousness. No one was watching them, though. Nopony around seemed to really care that the boy and girl were together, there wasn’t any real reason for him to feel embarrassed. She certainly didn’t; Rumble was the cool kid of their class and always seemed to follow his own logic. She’d never known him to get nervous about anything, but then she’d never really hung out with him.
“You must be a pretty good flyer, then.”
Rumble shrugged.
“I wouldn't know. I don’t really compare myself to anyone, except maybe my brother. And he’s a way better flyer than me.”
The filly blinked in surprise as that remark set in.
“You mean Thunderlane, right? Isn’t he going for the Wonderbolts, too?”
Rumble raised an eyebrow.
“Umm… yes?”
“And you only compare your flying to him? To somepony who might actually make it to the Wonderbolts?”
“Isn’t that kind of what you do with Rainbow Dash?”
Scootaloo opened her mouth to retort, but found her reply caught halfway.
“Good point. Except I can’t fly yet.”
Now Rumble blinked in surprise.
“Seriously?”
“Hey, don’t laugh. My wings just aren’t strong enough for it yet.”
“I wasn’t going to laugh. Your wings aren’t strong enough for it? But I’ve seen you carry heavy stuff with your scooter. That thing doesn’t have a motor, does it?”
“No, I push it myself.”
“So how are your wings that strong, but not strong enough to carry you?”
“I don’t really know. I get off the ground sometimes, but I can’t stay up.”
“Have you asked Rainbow Dash about it? Or a doctor?”
“Not yet. It’s pretty embarrassing. And I don't feel sick or anything, either.” Now it was Scootaloo's turn to blush and sip her milkshake just to stop from saying something she'd regret.
“I could try to help, if you like.”
Scootaloo suppressed a gasp. He didn’t look like he was kidding, or that it was an offer out of pity. It was just a casual offer to help her with one of the most defining aspects of her life.
“You’d do that?”
“Sure, why not? I’m pretty much done with our assignment. And like you said: there's nothing wrong with your wings, you just haven't learned to fly yet. I wouldn't mind showing you. It’d be nice to do something a little different. Besides, you shouldn’t have to be embarrassed about asking Rainbow Dash for help, or your friends not being able to help. You’re a pegasus pony, for some things you need help from another pegasus pony. Unless you’ve asked your family about it.”
“My aunt Vinyl can’t fly, and neither can Octavia. As for my mom and dad… when I go up to see them, there’s a lot of other stuff I’d rather do than try to fly. Especially if I can’t be sure it’ll really work. I don’t see them every day, so –“
“So you wanna make the days count, of course. I know a few places where I can practise with no one watching. You can come along with me sometime, if you like. It might help. But would learning to fly mean you’d move out of Ponyville?”
“Nah, it’s closer to school this way, plus my parents don’t have to worry about any emergencies at work keeping them busy. This is more like boarding school, except it’s fun.”
“Oh, right. I guess it would be.”
“Speaking of which, I should get going. Aunt Vinyl’s got a gig in Canterlot, and I need to be back home before she leaves. Thanks, Rumble.” Scootaloo finished her milkshake and headed out.
“No problem. See you around, Scootaloo,” Rumble offered with a smile, calmly sipping his milkshake, which hadn’t even been done halfway yet.
As Scootaloo made to leave, she found herself wondering. She turned for a moment to look at the colt. He was a pretty cool guy, all in all, she decided. He was kind of cute, a good flyer, and he’d gotten approval from Rainbow Dash. Plus, he was so nice. She’d gotten used to the idea that ponies who were really good at something could be cocky about it, or that any help offered would be out of pity. But here she had a colt, a fellow blank flank, who was an excellent flyer yet didn’t so much as call her out on her little hindrance. He hadn't even hesitated to offer help.
A stray thought nagged at her in the back of her mind about it.
“What's wrong?” Rumble asked the frozen filly.
“You ever get the feeling you’re missing something? Something really important?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. It’s just a feeling.”
“Okay, Apple Bloom, you can do this. Just walk on over and apologise for bein’ mean. Even though you were tryin’ to be nice and never even called him names. Ya just need to apologise for thinking bad of a classmate. You’re not allowed to think bad. Thinking bad is bad.”
The more she considered it, the less she was looking forward to it. She stood in the middle of the street, right in front of Lyra and Bon Bon’s house. She took a deep breath to steady herself, then put one hoof forward.
She stopped when she heard a noise behind her, like bottles chinking together. Berry Punch’s house was right behind her, and with a perk of her ears Apple Bloom realised she heard Bastion’s voice coming from the brewer’s basement.
There was nopony else around, it was still dinnertime for most, since her family always ate a little early. She inched closer towards a basement window, careful not be seen. Some flowerpots with tulips in them would hide her from any passers-by, and as long as she didn’t make a sound no one would know to look there. With a quick peek inside, she spotted Diamond Tiara and her dad as well Berry Punch with the changeling.
“I’d say that’ll be pretty much the last of it. You did a good job, Bastion,” Berry offered.
“Thanks. And thank you for finding that mix, I couldn’t have done it without your help,” the changeling offered.
“Any time, neighbour.”
“You know, it’s a pretty popular treat you have there,” Filthy Rich offered. “You might want to consider spreading out.”
“I thought of that, but I don’t think I really should. I’m out of stock now, and the assignment’s done. I don't really need to do more than that.”
Apple Bloom perked up a little at that. Apparently Bastion really wasn’t trying to beat her at anything. Maybe he did care about how she felt.
“But can’t you get more?” Diamond Tiara tried. “It’s a two-week assignment. You could make good money selling changeling blood.”
Apple Bloom went wide-eyed at that remark.
Changeling Blood? No, it couldn't be.
“I know,” Bastion replied. “But I’m all out. I can’t make any more meat to put in it, I’m sorry.”
Meat?
Apple Bloom covered her mouth with her hoof to stop from calling out. Her breath quickened, and she hoped to all she held dear no one would see her eavesdropping like this.
“That’s alright, Bastion, no one’s forcing you," Rich assured him. "If you’re really not up to it, I know where to get more. I’m just saying that you’ve got a good product. I didn’t even believe Berry here when she said you’d been making it on your own, but… well, I stand corrected. I am honestly impressed.”
Get... more?
“Thank you, sir.”
“Something wrong, Bastion?” Diamond Tiara asked.
“Just feeling a bit weak, is all. Must be the shots." He blushed a bit, and from the reaction he got it looked like nopony believed him.
Berry Punch tilted her head at him.
“My little sister was right, huh? You’re worried about Apple Bloom.”
Apple Bloom bit down on her hoof. She looked around nervously, reaffirming that she was still well hidden among the flowerpots.
“I just want her to be nice to me, that’s all. It’s no biggie.”
“Why would you care? Everypony in town is acting nice to you now, aren’t they?” Diamond Tiara added.
“Everypony except Apple Bloom. I don’t think I want to compete with her for anything. It just doesn’t feel right.”
Apple Bloom’s heart was racing at this point. She didn’t know what to think.
“Well, if you really care about it that much, I could always try to help. Just let me know if you need any advice,” the filly offered.
Letting him join her team to she could exploit him was one thing, but this? Apple Bloom’s left eye twitched when she heard Diamond Tiara, of all ponies, be nice to the changeling. If ever there was anything that should set off the alarm bells in her mind, this had to be it.
“That’s a good girl,” Filthy Rich offered. “Now, why don’t you two head on off. You don’t need to hear the grownups discussing boring business.”
Apple Bloom shot up and bolted clean out of the front garden. She didn’t think anypony would have seen her, and she was so amped up she never even touched the flowers or left a trace, but she wouldn’t have cared either way. She was panicking, she had to get away.
It was sundown by the time the filly got home.
“Did you have your talk with Bastion?” Big Mac asked, walking over from the kitchen to greet her.
“You heard about that, huh?”
“Eeyup. AJ told Granny Smith, Granny told me.”
“I-I was going to, but I lost my nerve. I thought I was going to do the right thing, but then all of a sudden it didn’t feel right anymore. I chickened out.”
The big stallion walked over and rubbed his little sister’s mane.
“It’s alright, Apple Bloom. Admittin’ when you’re wrong is a hard thing to do. It’s even harder to figure out when you’re wrong and when you’re not sometimes. Ya make mistakes, and it can hurt to own up to them. At least you're not tryin' to make his life hard over a misunderstanding.”
Apple Bloom shook her head, thinking.
“I don’t want Bastion to feel bad. And even if I haven’t been trying to make him feel bad, I guess I haven’t really tried to make him feel better. But wouldn’t it be better if I just tried being nice in school? You know, so everypony else would see I’m not trying to be mean?”
“Sounds like a good plan, sis. Always show your true colours, that’s the best you can do.”
"Show your true colours. Okay, I can do that."
"Maybe you should just give him a little present. Somethin' you made, just as a peace offering," Big Mac offered.
With her brother’s advice finding some foothold in her mind, Apple Bloom nodded.
"I think I know just the thing to make everything alright."