=====chapter 2 An Apple and A Tiara by applebloomfan=====
Dawn had not even arrived when Apples’ Barn already made some noise. It was 7 hours since Applejack and Big Macintosh went home from Cheerilee’s house. Applejack didn’t want to wait for sunrise. She just wasted her precious time –Apple Bloom’s precious time- and didn’t want to prolong anymore. Every second counted.
Applejack had her bath, meal, and sleep to regain her energy. Actually she fell asleep because she didn’t take a rest after yesterday in the middle of work to search Apple Bloom. But she currently fully woke up, was ready anytime to continue searching for her little sis.
An old green colored pony walked slowly approached her. She yawned and put her hooves to her mouth, clearly still tired.
“Ah ‘m sorry, Granny Smith. Didn’t mean to wake you up this mornin’,” said Apple Jack.
Granny Smith looked outside from the window. “I don’t see any morning, young ‘un.”
She chuckled, and then checked her saddlebag for last time. “I’m all set. Big Mac must stay to maintain the farm work, so I’ll be by mahself. Wish me found Apple Bloom, Granny Smith!” said Applejack while she hugged her grandma.
“Y’know, Applejack. Whatever happened, ya must bear in yer mind that she really loves ya more than anythin’ in her life,” said Granny Smith softly.
“I know that. Ah ‘ll find her no matter what. Promise,” said Applejack. She then galloped out of the barn in the darkness night.
She ran for five minutes until she slowed down and came to her sense. “Where now should ah begin?” said Applejack. Ponyville was just a small town, and she had search Apple Bloom all around Ponyville yesterday, north to south, west to east.
“Of course! If I want to search Apple Bloom, ah ‘ve to think like Apple Bloom,” she said with a bright smile. “Well, where would ah ‘m now if I was her?”
Everfree Forest.
Applejack touched her head. “Hmm, unlikely, but, she does like adventure and maybe- the hay?!” She jumped and directed the flashlight to the source. It was a little bright magenta filly, as sized as Apple Bloom. “Whoa, lil missy! What are you doing here? Guess it’s time for little filly in her warm blanket now,” said Applejack.
“She- huff, Apple Bloom, was, in Everfree Forest,” said Diamond Tiara in panting.
“Rest for a bit won’t cha, ah can’t hear you for- huh? Did ya just say Apple Bloom?!” asked Applejack.
Diamond Tiara gulped. “Yes, Apple Bloom was in Everfree Forest,” said Diamond Tiara in a clearer voice.
“Everfree Forest? Now what was she doing there?” Applejack then turned to Diamond Tiara. “And who ya ’re, lil missy? And why you run to me, if ‘s that the thang, in this late night?”
“I- I am-“
Applejack held Tiara’s face. “Worry none, sugarcube. I ain’t a filly eater, now I?”
She then looked Applejack in her eyes. “O- okay. My name’s Diamond Tiara, and I-“ “Diamond Tiara?! So ya who-“
Applejack immediately stopped when she looked at that poor little filly that covered her head with two hooves, afraid of her. “Oh, no. I did it again. Ah ‘m sorry,” she hugged Tiara. “Please don’t cry. Forgive me.” The filly sobbed and lifted her head a bit. “Look, sugarcube. I promise to you. I won’t ever do that again,” said Applejack to relieve her.
“Thanks,” said Diamond Tiara.
“That’s right. Here, Ah ’ll wipe yer tears.” Applejack’s hooves were hard as a farmer she was, but it kept them always warm and protective. It was of course matched her nature as a kind and helpful pony.
“Hop on mah back. We’ll talk a bit and you can nap then,” said Applejack as she crouched.
*
“Yee haw, Apple Jack!” said Apple Bloom cheerfully. “Look what can ah pull out!” She galloped, herded a big horde of bulls nine times her sizes along the yard. She had doing it for good 1 hour; just her daily practice.
“Show ‘em the boss, Apple Bloom!” shouted Apple Jack from the side. She sat with all of her friends: Dash, Pinkie, Twilight, Fluttershy, and Rarity. There were also Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle, Big Mac and Granny Smith, and all of Apples Family.
Apple Bloom’s grin widened. She then took full speed and managed to make the horde did smooth turn. “Ya can do it!” shouted Apple Jack again, cheered her beloved sister.
She was supposed to herd the bulls into their barn. Apple Jack promised her a special prize if she succeeded at that. There was nothing in this world made her happier anymore, she thought.
“Apple Bloom, look!” shouted Scootaloo, pointed at a single bull which went out from the horde. “Horseapples!” swore Apple Bloom. “Spike, Winona! Get ‘em!”
The pair then chased the runaway bull. “Oh you don’t get anywhere!” said Spike. “Faster, Spike! He will go through the gate!” said Winona. “Don’t you worry, Winona! The gate kept by Apple Bloom’s trusted friend, Diamond Tiara!”
The bull fastened its running directed to the gate; left Spike and Winona far behind. It was ready to break through the gate using its tough head and sharp horn. Until now, the bulls recognized to be the strongest land creatures of all Equestria. It couldn’t be sure whether the gate could hold from the bulls drive or not.
“Diamond Tiara! Keep the gate so-“
The bull ran freely through the opened gate. “Huh?”
All ponies were silent. Apple Bloom stopped too, stared at now faded bull as it run to Ponyville direction away from the barn. And on the gate, there was Diamond Tiara smiled. “Ti- Tiara? But-but I trust you,” said Apple Bloom.
There was hoof patted her shoulder. It was Applejack’s. “You have tried, Apple Bloom.” Them were sad and pity eyes, disappointed at her. “A-Apple Jack! Let- let me do it again!” Apple Bloom begged her sister.
Then there were disappointed sound from the ponies. They pointed and laughed at Apple Bloom. Slowly, they retreated one by one, left Apple Bloom and Apple Jack alone in a huge yard. “Oh no! Everypony, don’t go!” shouted Apple Bloom.
“Looks like there is nopony want you, Apple Bloom, my friend” said Diamond Tiara with devilish smile. “Or should I said, blank flank?”
“NOO!”
Apple Bloom bathed in sweat. Her big eyes opened wide and her mouth gaped. “Huh? What’s that?” said Apple Bloom while instinctively looked her two front hooves. Checked. She then looked around.
No horde of bulls. No Dash, Pinkie, Twilight, Fluttershy, either Rarity. No Big Mac. No Granny Smith. No Apples Family. No Spike. No, err, talking Winona.
No Apple Jack.
No Diamond Tiara.
She was alone, sat in somepony bed in somepony’s room. There were quite unique decorations. Colored flasks arranged in woody cupboard. Weird yet beautiful on its way masks hanged on the tree-wall. Sure the somepony who lived here liked those ancient culture much or something
She sighed, knew that she was just had a dream earlier. A nightmare.
Apple Bloom then tried to remember what was happened. There must was something to do with, oh, Diamond Tiara. What was that again? Why she had to do a work with a pony which spent her life to insult her, Scotaloo, and Sweetie Belle? She just remembered she was walk with Diamond Tiara, then chased by timberwolves; but what for?
“Good dawn to you, Apple Bloom. It looks like you were wondering what happened to your room,” a dark, bold, yet charming sound came from door.
“Oh, Zecora! Ah miss you so much!” said Apple Bloom. She hopped and hugged Zecora. Zecora looked at the filly. “I really appreciate that you’re miss me. But it’d be appropriate if you still rest your body,” Zecora returned the hug and lifted Apple Bloom back to the bed.
She then touched Apple Bloom’s forehead, then her muzzle. “I’m glad your temperature had back to normal. It right decision to leave it at magic floral.” Apple Bloom then noticed a nice smell atmosphere and a pot, probably contained flower Zecora talked.
Zecora released the bandage she put in Apple Bloom’s bruised hoof. “Looks fine, but don’t rush to be shine. The mixture had healed the surface wound, but I need to put it again at next round.”
Apple Bloom grinned happily. After all of the troubles, still remembering what the troubles though, she met her. “Can you help me remember something, Zecora? Ah don’t even know why ah ‘m here and-“
Hrrr.
Suddenly a growl broke up the conversation. Apple Bloom jumped to Zecora. “Oh that sounds! Its- its, the timberwolves!” a fragment flashed back to her. She now remembered most part of the chasing.
The growl came back again, but there were of course no timberwolves in Zecora’s room.
Zecora smiled. “I see this timberwolves don’t eat filly, but a hay cereal, maybe?” said Zecora as she rubbed the Apple Bloom’s tummy.
“Oh. Right. It’s me, hehe. No wonder ah woke up this, dawn, you said?” said Apple Bloom embarrassed.
*
Apple Jack walked slowly across Everfree Forest. It was twilight, but Applejack didn’t shut her flashlight off to get a better view. It was possible Apple Bloom stack in bush or something, and Applejack sure didn’t want to miss it.
Diamond Tiara napped peacefully on her back. She was stayed awake entire night. Applejack had some background from Tiara’s story. She knew that Apple Bloom was somewhere in this Everfree Forest. Tiara said that Apple Bloom mentioned a zebra friend; Applejack knew that was Zecora. It was possible Apple Bloom there, but unfortunately she didn’t remember exactly the route.
Two pair of sharp green glowed eyes watched them. They missed a nice prey last night, and didn’t want to miss this anymore.
As Applejack stopped, two hungry timberwolves jumped and ready to tackle her.
*
“Whoa, ah’m stuffed! Thanks a lot, Zecora!”
Zecora took the empty bowls –three bowls, one for her and two for Apple Bloom- and served Apple Bloom a relaxing tea. “Drink this tea whiles it still warm. It can help you, yeah, to be warm,” Zecora chuckled.
Apple Bloom took the drink with her two hooves. “Eww-, a bit bitter ah guess.”
A beautiful orange sunlight went through the window. Zecora then blew her lantern. “A day full of hopes has started it seems. The night has gone and it’s time to live up our dreams,” said Zecora opened the curtain, let the bliss through wholly.
Apple Bloom stretched all of her limbs. “Umm, Zecora. Where are you, ah don’t know, found me?”
“I found you somewhere when I went home in the middle of forest. But it looks like you who have to tell me the rest,” said Zecora took Apple Bloom’s hoof. “But, bath first, story later. Nothing loosens your muscle as good as warm water.”
Apple Bloom then got in to the bucket full of warm good smelly water. “Ah, ou yes,” Apple Bloom moaned in pleasure. Zecora chuckled. “Looks like you dear really love the ribbon; you forget it’s still on.”
“Aw, shucks!” said Apple Bloom. She then put off her big red ribbon; let her red mane dropped straight. “This so nice-“
Zecora took an herbal shampoo she made herself. “Now you keep remain, or your eyes will be in pain,” she then rubbed Apple Bloom’s mane.
“Ah ‘m not a filly,” protested Apple Bloom, but she didn’t move.
Zecora then washed her and brushed her, head to hoof. Sometimes Apple Bloom felt tickles and giggled, and sometimes held in a little of sting when Zecora touched the past-bruised hoof. “Oops, sorry, filly.” Apple Bloom chuckled. “Ya sure really need to make the rhyme, Zecora.”
Zecora just smiled and washed Apple Bloom’s body once more. “Now you may get up, Apple Bloom. Here, rub yourself while I take a mop and broom.”
*
Diamond Tiara just stared at Applejack. She wasn’t just kind and nice, she was strong and brave too. Applejack’s hard hooves weren’t just for the show. The timberwolves get bucked and runaway like a scaredy bunnies. “Y’all got to be kidding me, right? Those teeth made to bite last time ah know. Y’all should just eat a jelly or banana for breakfast!” shouted Applejack to runaway timberwolves. She then turned to Diamond Tiara. “Sorry disturbing your sleep, Diamond Tiara.”
“No, it-it is okay,” said Diamond Tiara.
Applejack crouched again so Diamond Tiara could hop in. “Oh, no, please Applejack. I just want to walk hoof to hoof by yours,” said Diamond Tiara. Applejack didn’t stand immediately. “Ya sure, sugarcube?”
Diamond Tiara just nodded. “Yes, I’m sure.”
“So be it. Just tell if you’re tired of something. Let’s walk then.”
A forest rooster alarmed Everfree Forest creatures to wake up; for most of them are sleep time though since them are nocturnal. “It’s mornin’ already. Ah really hope Apple Bloom was in safe place last night,” said Applejack.
Diamond Tiara looked Aoolejack with sad eyes. “Umm, Applejack? Could I ask something?” Applejack made a smug smile. “Sure ya could.”
“What is Apple Bloom to you?”
Apple Jack stopped. She stared at Diamond Tiara’s eyes, and then smiled weakly. “She’s mah life.”
“Your life, Applejack?”
Applejack chuckled. “Sort of.” She walked again, followed by Diamond Tiara. “What is she to you?”
“I-I’m sorry but, I-I guess I don’t see her other than a nuisance.”
Applejack tried her best to be calm as possible. “Care to tell?”
“I envy her,” said Diamond Tiara turned her face away.
“What’s for?”
“Everything. I envy her for everything. She’s cute, hopeful, has nice friends, full of adventure every day searching for her cutie mark. Me? I am just a dork that have dork friend that only could echoing me. Please, what’s my cutie mark again? Head accessory, that’s it. I don’t know how I can help my classmate with my tiara, or whether I can do anything with it.”
Applejack glared surprise. “Yes, it’s the truth, Applejack. I mock her every day, along with her friends. I just- I just want to be a part of them. And then- my envious lead to this. I left her here, in danger Everfree Forest. What was my stupid brain thinking-“
“Shus now, Diamond Tiara,” Applejack rubbed Tiara’s mane. “Ya don’t have to blame yerself that much. Y’know what? I did like what you did too when I was a filly.” Diamond Tiara blinked. “You did?”
“Yes Ah did. It was mah very first friend when I come to Ponyville. Ah didn’t know back then it is a terrible mistake for a lil’ filly wanderin’ to town by herself, ha.”
Applejack looked above to try remembering that story. “It was bright noon when I sat in a park, at the edge of Ponyville. Yuck, my apples didn’t sell back then. It was weird; apples are good for everyponies, isn’t it.”
“When Ah started eating those apples –I’m hunger y’know- a purple filly walked slowly to the park. Her eyes soaked like hay, and her mane was, ah don’t know, like wussed by a tornado. She sat at the other side, opposed me, but not really opposed me coz she just looking down rubbed her eyes.”
“Ah hopped and said to her, ‘hey y’all. Want sum apples?’ as Ah hoofed her an apple. She then lifted her head, stared me with her teary eyes. I then said, ‘It is edible, eh’. She took the apple with two hooves and ate it as fast as she can. ‘Don’t be so rush, y’all’ I said to her.”
“While she ate, I took a plenty of water and got mah towel wet. Ah said ‘Don’t move’ then wiped her muzzle. And when she stopped sobbing, we started to play together.”
“Sun sank; I decided to go home, to mah Apples Barn. After all, that’s the only home I had. I then said goodbye to her and walked. And that was when Ah heard a scream.” Diamond Tiara opened her mouth. “What-what was that?”
“I galloped as fast as I can, and looked at she ran from timberwolves. Not as big as we encountered before, though. I didn’t think anythang. I just hopped and bucked them all. It was lucky them go away; I didn’t think my legs were that strong back then.”
Diamond Tiara lifted her brow. “So, how was then your mistake or anything, Applejack? You were kind, brave, and she must think you were her heroine.” Applejack looked below. “She didn’t have home anymore.”
“Huh?”
“That day was when her parents suddenly left away. Ah failed to recognize that she doesn’t have home anymore. Ah failed to feel her sadness. Even when she didn’t answer my question when I asked her name, I don’t mind it at all; my stupid brain told me maybe it just a bit arrogant town filly attitude, instead she was so shocked that she forgot her name. And then, I said goodbye to her, only thought about mahself .”
“I took her home, with me, to my home, which is her home too. A beautiful rainbow –Rainbow Dash’s rainbow- appeared upon mah eyes above as we walked, and there was the day when I had mah ‘apple’ cutie mark; I thought that for those apples that bound the friendship between me and her,” said Applejack with sigh following.
“That was beautiful,” said Diamond Tiara. “Umm, well, what was then you called her after that? You couldn’t say ‘hey’ to her
for all times, right?”
She rubbed Tiara’s mane. “I promised to mahself to keep her from sadness starting from there, at least after she become adult enough. Ha, like Ah could keep my own hooves from danger mahself,” Applejack chuckled. “So-“
There was long silent.
Applejack then stared Tiara’s eyes. “I called her ‘Cheerilee’.”
*
“And there was when ya come, Zecora, ah guess.”
Zecora nodded after she listen Apple Bloom’s animated story. “That was a long story, Apple Bloom. I grate that at least end comes to your doom.”
“It was because of ya, Zecora,” said Apple Bloom. Zecora just smiled. “So what Is your feel now, after through all the sorrow?”
Apple Bloom looked gloomy. “Ah don’t know, Zecora. Ah just- want to trust her. Ah want to believe she can be mah friend after all this time, that we can play together and all. But-but.”
Zecora touched Apple Bloom’s chest. “Let your heart be your guide. It is always choice the path that right.” Apple Bloom stared Zecora in her eyes. “How do ah know?”
“Maybe if you ask her in pony,” Zecora stood. She then went to the door and opened it, “She will tell you her feel too, right filly?”
A worn filly and a blonde mare walked in. “Yes,” said Diamond Tiara.
Apple Bloom’s eyes almost jumped out looked at Diamond Tiara and her lovely sister, Applejack. “Oh gosh! Diamond Tiara! Big sis!” she then hopped from her chair.
Applejack jumped too to Apple Bloom and gave her a big hug. “Oh, Apple Bloom! Ya don’t know how much I worry you!” Her eyes couldn’t contain her tears anymore, but now, happiness tears, not sad ones. Applejack then released her and looked Apple Bloom head to hooves. “Ya ‘re allright, Apple Bloom? You weren’t in hurt or somethang, were you?”
“Nah,” said Apple Bloom. “Zecora treated me with her amazing magical herbal, well that was likely so.”
Applejack turned to Zecora. “I owe you big thanks, Zecora.”
“I was just doing what a friend would do, Applejack. Please don’t talk like you have to do a payback,” said Zecora. Applejack chuckled. “If you say so.”
Diamond Tiara approached Apple Bloom. “Hey,” said Tiara. “About that last night, I- I-“ “Sush now, Diamond Tiara,” said Apple Bloom, hugged Diamond Tiara.. “’s okay. Ah don’t blame you at all. What’s matter is future, not the past, right friend?”
Diamond Tiara then closed her eyes. “Yes, that’s right, friend.”
Applejack broke the icy atmosphere. “Yeehaw! It goes well after all. Why don’t we go to the barn and celebrate this new sweet friendship? Come on Zecora. At least we have to bring you the kindness of Apples family too!”
*
“So, this is a goodbye then? And it right after we could be a true friend.” Applejack rubbed her sister’s mane. “Don’t be silly. You gals could meet tomorrow at school right?”
Diamond Tiara smiled. “I can’t wait until tomorrow too, Apple Bloom!”
“Yeah! And tomorrow, you can come to cutie mark crusaders club’s tree house! Well ah know that you already had that cutie mark,” said Apple Bloom.
“Of course I will come,” said Diamond Tiara.
“Keep the chat for tomorrow then, fillies! Your parents must be worry too of you, right Tiara. Ah don’t want to see your parents galloping Ponyville to looking for you,” said Applejack.
“See ya tomorrow, Diamond Tiara!” The Apples then turned and walked home.
“See you tomorrow,” whispered Diamond Tiara. “friend.”
Diamond Tiara then walked in to her house. “I’m home!” she shouted.
Tiaras were one of richest family in Ponyville. They moved from Canterlot to Ponyville when Tiara’s mother was pregnant. They hoped that Diamond Tiara will grow to a nice and kind pony along with Ponyville atmosphere. Tiaras then built a house there, but their business kept in Canterlot; Diamond Tiara’s father went to Canterlot from Wednesday to Friday to check the workers.
But now it weren’t like those normal days. There was something weird, everything actually. First, the house was dark. They didn’t turn on the lamp, despite that sun was already set. Everything were turn off, like a day when Ponyville electric shut down.
And second.
“Welcome back, Diamond Tiara.”
A pair of mare and colt greeted Diamond Tiara with plain voice. They were Tiara’s parent.
With dark green glowing eyes.
“Yes, Ma. Pa. Diamond Tiara is home,” said Diamond Tiara. She then put her saddlebags in sofa.
“Dinner ready in five minutes,” said her mother. “Oh, my sweet mother. If you like it, please bring it to my room. I feel like so exhausted for everything,” said Diamon Tiara.
Her mother then smiled. “Yes, then.”
Diamond Tiara walked upstairs. She hummed while do it, “an Apple song”, the song sung back then in Apple Family’s Barn. “The tone is nice,” she whispered while still humming.
She then opened her door and walked to her dark room. It was a “little princess” room; with a frilly bed, classy mirror, and a filly.
A scared looking filly bounded in chair.
It was the third.
“I’m home, Diamond Tiara,” said her when suddenly a dark green aura glowing from her body unleashes the true form of grinning evil creature inside.
=====chapter 2 An Apple and A Tiara by applebloomfan=====