Far From the Light

by Midnight Sonare


It's not too late

“Ugh, I can’t believe it. This gotta be a mistake.” How is it possible that Scootaloo get a better score than me on the test!?

“Are you still upset about that, Applebloom?” Scootaloo groaned. Yes, Scoot, and asking doesn't help. I know I'm not the best student, but I'm definitely a better one than you.

“Ya sure ya didn't cheat? I have a hard time believin' ya got a better score than me.” To be honest, everypony in class got a better score than me. It isn't fair though! I've been busy on the farm picking apples. Winter's coming and I didn't have time to study.

“Hey! I don't need to cheat to get a good score!”

I rolled my eyes as I walk behind Scoot to the door. “Sure, whatever ya say.” I still think that she cheated.

“Well, what should we do to get our cutie marks today?” Scoot asked as we walked out of the classroom and into the schoolyard.

“I don't know. Any idea, Sweetie Belle?... Sweetie Belle?” I asked, but received no answer. What happened? Why she doesn't answer me. “Sweetie Belle, are you listening?”

I looked over my shoulder and saw Sweetie Belle trailing behind me. She looked distracted and moved slowly. “Sweetie Belle! Hello, Equestria to Sweetie Belle! Are you with us!” Scoot shouted, snapping her out of her trance.

“Sorry, do you said something?” Sweetie Belle asked. What could be on her mind that would distract her like this?

“Yeah! Applebloom was wondering if you had any idea to get our cutie marks?” Scootaloo cried in exasperation.

“Oh, sorry. It's just... I don't know, I feel... a bit distracted,” Sweetie Belle said with a small smile, but she still looked a little distant.

“Are ya sure yer alright?” I wouldn't mind holding off on our crusading if Sweetie felt bad. Okay, I would be a mite bothered, but it could wait.

“Yeah, I'm fine. I just need to stop thinking so much and focus a bit more,” Sweetie Belle said as she caught up to us.

“If ya say so. Got any ideas?” I asked as we walked away from the school.

“Mmm... I don't know. Haven't we already tried everything?” Sweetie Belle asked as she looked blankly into the distance.

“There must be something we haven't done yet,” said Scootaloo, who ignored Sweetie Belle's distraction.

“Oh, I know!” Sweetie Belle screamed next to me, loud enough to make my ears ring. “Why don't we try something different?”

“Like what?” Scootaloo asked in confusion. That's exactly what I wondered. What could be different that we haven't already tried?

Sweetie Belle paused. “Well, what if we try...” she pondered for a moment, “something... psychic. Like telepathy.”

“Psy what? Isn't that what unicorns do to move things?” Scootaloo questioned. Come on Scoot, even I know what that means... I think.

“No, that's Telekinesis. What I'm saying is try to talk to each other with our minds.”

“Ooooh, and we can try to predict the future, like Pinkie does,” Scootaloo said.

“How're we gonna do that?” Thoughts of seeing the future ran through my mind. I wonder what Applejack is getting me for my birthday.

“Maybe if we focus on each other. Let me try...” Scootaloo say as she tried to focus. I don't think closing your eyes and squirming like you have to go to the little filly's room helps, Scoot.

“Maybe we should go somewhere else. Other ponies are lookin' at us weird.” I turn my head to the side and see a group of ponies watching us, and I'm sure one of them is laughing.

I give Scootaloo a gentle shove to make her stop. “Cut it out, Scoot! I don't want everypony lookin' at us like that.”

“Fine, but how will we know we can't do it if we don't try?” Scootaloo said. She looks a bit frustrated, probably for having been interrupted.

“What if we try in that– agh!” Sweetie Belle said, lifting a hoof and massaging her head as if she had been hit. “...alley there.”

“Are you okay, Sweetie Belle?” Scoot asked, noticing Sweetie's grunt of pain.

Sweetie Belle lowered back her hoof to the ground and looked back toward the alley. “I'm fine. It's just a little headache, nothing serious.”

“Are ya sure yer alright? Ah mean, we can take ya ta the hospital if yer feelin' bad. Then we could tell Rarity,” I said as I took a step closer to Sweetie Belle. She had been acting weird ever since we left school. Maybe she wasn't feeling well.

“I'm fine, I told you that it was nothing serious,” Sweetie Belle said as she walked toward the alley, “Come on girls, let see if we can get our cutie marks.”


“Y'all stay here. Ah'll go look for her.” Applejack said as she trotted toward the door.

“But...”

“No, Applebloom! Ah know ya wanna look for her, but yer in no condition ta go out right now.”

“We... we should wait here... if she comes back...” Scootaloo said, standing by the bed where Applebloom was sitting upright. She looked worried, and her gaze shifted between the door and the bed. As if she was debating whether to go after Sweetie Belle or stay to take care of Applebloom.

“Fine! But Ah told'ya Ah'm better now!” Applebloom said as she crossed her forelegs in front of her chest and leaned back on the bed.

Applejack sighed and looked to Applebloom with a sad smile. “Ah know, sugarcube. Just let me do mah job as yer big sister and protect'ya.” She turned toward the door and left the room without saying any more.

Scootaloo kept looking toward the door for a couple seconds. When Applejack's hoofsteps faded she turned toward Applebloom. “I guess you won't stay here and wait for her?”

“Nope,” Applebloom replied as she slid down off the bed.

Scootaloo watched as Applebloom trotted to the door. After a brief hesitation she followed after her, calling, “Hey, wait up for me!”


“I... I'm a bad friend,” Sweetie Belle murmured between sobs as she galloped through the fields of Sweet Apple Acres. “I... I hurt one... of my best friends, and now... I couldn't even apologize to her.”

Sweetie Belle stopped for a moment to catch her breath and looked behind. “A coward and a bad friend like me doesn't deserve to have friends as good as them.” She returned her gaze forwards and started to walk.

Sweet Apple Acres was huge, and Sweetie Belle just wandered aimlessly through it. Part of her wanted to return to her friends. She had a feeling that Scootaloo and maybe even Applebloom would forgive her, but the guilt of her actions paralyzed her. She didn't deserve their forgiveness.

“What will happens if I lose control again? If I hurt somepony again? What If I hurt Scootaloo or Applebloom again? I don't want that to happen,”Sweetie Belle said to herself. She walked to a little apple tree and lay down in its shadow.


“Ah don't think this is gonna work, Scoot,” Applebloom said skeptically. Scootaloo had been trying to read her mind for almost ten minutes now.

“Come on Scoot, let me or Applebloom try now,” I said as I walked to her side, “Do you want to go first, Applebloom?”

“Ah, c'mon! I was really close this time!” snarled Scootaloo. She took a few steps back to give us some space. “Fine, but you both should work with each other. I don't think you could handle my mind's sheer awesomeness.” Apparently Rainbow Dash was teaching her more than just flying.

We both rolled our eyes in unison. Apparently Applebloom was thinking the same thing that I was.

“Ah still don't think it's possible,” Applebloom said.


“Oh, come on, Applebloom. This won't work if you don't show interest. I think that if you... you...”

“Sweetie Belle. Are you sure that you are okay?” Agh, I feel it again. Like something is calling me, and I feel kinda numb.

“Yes, I’m fine.” I said and Applebloom withdrew her hoof from my shoulder. When did she put her hoof on my shoulder? Agh! It felt like something was trying to claw its way out of me and drag me in at the same time. Why did I keep saying that I was fine?

“Are ya sure? Ya look tired.” I told you already I'm fine. Though I'm not fully sure that's true. Why do you kept insisting?

“I didn't noticed it before, but you really look beat. We can put off our quest until you feel better.” Now you too, Scoot!? I told you that I'm fine! And now why I feel so upset?

“I told you that I'm fine. Now, can we get this over?” I thought that my voice was normal, but their concerned looks told me that I may have shouted. Scootaloo stared at me for a few seconds, then she resumed her position a few steps away. When did she move to my side?

“Alright. Ah'll give it a try,” Applebloom said as she concentrated. Well, at least she didn't look like she has to pee like Scootaloo.

Should I do something? Maybe if I think about AppleBloom. Maybe if I... I... Argh! Is happening again. It's like if my... thoughts are... fading. I think we should stop and rest for awhile, but...

“Sweetie Belle, I don't think this is gonna work. After five minutes it's obvious that it ain't gonna happen.” Five minutes? That couldn't be right. It only felt like a few seconds had passed.

“Sweetie Belle, are you going to try it?”

“Yes, just be still.” I closed my eyes and tried to focus, but what should I focus on? Should I focus on Applebloom? But what about her? How she looks, how she acts, her personality, or maybe just how annoying she is being today...

“I still don't believe that it's possible for a pony to read minds.” Oh, shut up. I know you think it's impossible. Even I'm starting to think it's impossible, but I want to at least give it a try. Just give me a minute to focus.

“Sweetie Belle? Ah think that'cha should stop.” Oh c'mon! it hasn't even passed two minutes, let me try a bit more.

“Umm, what are you doing Sweetie Belle?” I think is obvious what I'm doing, Scoot. Now, if both could be quiet I could focus. “Sweetie Belle, I think that your horn is shining...”

“I think that... you... should stop... I am starting to... feel... weird...” And I'm getting tired of hearing you.

“Sweetie Belle, Seriously, stop! I think you're hurting Applebloom!”

“Oh, shut up both of you! I'm trying to focus!” Why did they keep bothering me? I just want them to be still and not speak.

“Stop! you're hurting her, Sweetie Belle!”


High in the clouds above Sweet Apple Acres, a team of weather pegasi were organizing a cluster of clouds for a light drizzle.

The pony in charge of the weather team was a pegasus mare with a pale greyish-blue coat. Her name was Cloud Kicker. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted something moving near a tree below. She descended to investigate and warn whoever it was about the rain.

When she was close to the ground she saw the familiar form of a little filly. Though Cloud Kicker never had the time to meet her properly before, she recognized Rarity's little sister, Sweetie Belle.

Cloud Kicker landed near Sweetie, relieved that she was alright. She remembered the panic that had gripped the town when she had gone missing. Then she noticed that something wasn't quite right. Sweetie Belle was crying.

“Sweetie Belle,” said Cloud Kicker, walking slowly toward the filly, “Are you okay?”

She was so lost in thought that she didn't even notice Cloud Kicker was there until she placed a hoof on her shoulder. Sweetie Belle squeaked at the unexpected touch. She turned her head away and attempted to dry her tears. “Uh, hello... emm... Miss Cloud Kicker.”

“Hello, Sweetie Belle. Are you okay?” asked Cloud Kicker again.

“Umm... Yeah, I'm fine,” said Sweetie Belle as she tried to dry her eyes and force a smile.

Cloud Kicker knew that something wasn't right and that the filly was forcing herself to hide it. “Sweetie Belle, I know that something is wrong. I can see the pain behind your smile.”

“Well, I...” Sweetie Belle didn't want to bother Cloud Kicker, but she couldn't lie. She needed to talk to somepony. A tear ran down her cheek while she contemplated what to say. “I... I'm scared, and... I don't know what to do.”

Of all ponies, Sweetie Belle never thought that she would speak about that with Cloud Kicker. She only knew Cloud kicker as one of Rainbow Dash's friends and for some things that Rarity warned about her. But in that moment she just wanted to talk with anypony who would listen to her.

The same way, Cloud Kicker only knew Sweetie Belle as Rarity's little sister and as the mischievous crusader, but she knew that she had to do something to help her. She sat by Sweetie Belle's side and said, “Tell me what happened, maybe I can help you.”

Sweetie Belle tried to think carefully about what she was going to say while wiping her tears. She looked to her hooves and sighed. “I... I'm afraid of lose my friends... I... I hurt Applebloom and now, I didn't even... apologize to her. I... I'm scared of hurting her again.”

For almost half a minute the silence remained between the two. Cloud Kicker thought about how to answer. “Sweetie Belle, I'm... I'm probably not the best pony to give this kind of advice, but at least I know what it's like to fight with a friend.”

“But I really hurt Applebloom! And... when I went to apologize her, I... I panicked. I... didn't knew what to do. When... when I saw her in the bed, I... I...” A few tears fell to the ground as Sweetie Belle remembered her friend in bed. “I knew that she... was there because of me. That she... she must hate me...”

A tiny smile formed on Cloud Kicker's face, one that Sweetie Belle noticed and made ​​her frown. “Oh sorry, it's just... Well, you reminded me a little bit of me,” said Cloud Kicker when she noticed the expression on the filly's face.

“What do you mean?” Sweetie Belle asked, wanting to know why she thought that she resembled her.

“Well, you don't exactly reminded me of me. You remind me of something that happened to me. You know that Rainbow Dash and I are good friends, right?” Cloud Kicker asked. Sweetie nodded in response so she continued, “Well, what few know is that Rainbow and I almost killed each other back in flight camp. We were good friends before, and we are still good friends now.”

Sweetie Belle looked up in surprise at Cloud Kicker, how can that be true? They seem to get along very well, she thought. Sweetie Belle thought for a few seconds until she decided to ask, “How... how did you become friends again?”

Cloud Kicker smiled but after a few seconds that smile lost its strength as she remembered. “Well, it wasn't easy, I can assure you that.

“At first I didn't want to see her, far less talk to her. But Rainbow kept insisting and you should know how stubborn she is. Well, I finally decided to give it another chance and we became friends again.”

Cloud Kicker's smile back, this time with more force. “There are no friendships that aren't worth the fight, Sweetie Belle.”

A small glimmer of hope appeared in Sweetie Belle's eyes, but was overshadowed by doubt as she looked towards the barn in the distance. “What if I hurt her again? I don't want to see her suffer.”

“Sweetie Belle, no pony is perfect,” Cloud Kicker said as she put a wing over Sweetie Belle's shoulders, “I can't tell you that you aren't going to hurt her again. I can't predict the future. But if you really care about her you should do everything possible to prevent that happen. Even though you hurt her, you should stay by her side to let her know that you really care about her and that you're willing to do whatever it takes to keep her friendship.

“Believe me, the worst thing you can do is run away. Thats doesn't fix anything. I'm telling you from experience, Sweetie Belle. Who knows, maybe she isn't upset.”

Sweetie Belle thought for a moment while she looked at the barn in the distance. well, she didn't look upset when she looked at me in her room. She felt bad for leaving the room without saying anything.

Sweetie Belle turned to Cloud Kicker with a big smile on her face. “Thanks, Cloud. I think you're right! I should stop complaining so much and make things right with Applebloom.”

Cloud Kicker answered Sweetie Belle's smile with a smile too. “Yeah, I wish I could solve my own problems that easy. Anyway, you don't have to thank me and, if you need anything else you can always count on me,” she said as she stood on four legs.

“Oh and thanks for not prying. I'm still not comfortable talking about that,” said Sweetie Belle as she stood by Cloud Kicker's side.

“It's ok. We all have things that we prefer to keep secret, but don't let those things stop you from being with the ponies that you love.” Cloud Kicker stepped forward and prepared to take flight.

“Good to know that not everything that Rarity says about you is true,” said Sweetie Belle just before Cloud Kicker rise in the air.

Cloud Kicker grimaced and turned her gaze to Sweetie Belle. “What does she say– You know what? Better not tell me. See you later, Sweetie Belle!” She opened her wings and soared into the air towards the others pegasi.

Come on, Sweetie Belle. Let's go back. It's not too late, Sweetie Belle thought. She began to gallop back to the barn with more self-confidence.


Argh! Why is everything... dark? My head... hurt... What... what happened? I was... I was with... Scootaloo and... with... Sweetie Belle, then... I was... I... I can’t remember... I... I was running? Why I... why was I... running?

Sweetie Belle... She... she... did something... I... she... hurt... me... She hurt me? But... why? She... was... upset? No, she... she felt... different... so... distant...

“But why? Why did this happened, Twilight?” Who... that is... that is Applejack's voice... But... I can’t... see her... I... I need see her...

“I do not know, Applejack. Sweetie Belle has always been good. I have no explanation for why she acted that way.” Twilight... is... is here too... Where I am? I can... I can’t see...

“It's hard'ta believe that Sweetie did this.” But... wasn't her.... It didn't... feel like... her...

“I'm not sure that she did it, at least not voluntarily. I have to do some research.”

Sweetie Belle... she really... hurt me... But... she... I... I don't think that... she... Something must be... happening to her. I need... see her... I need to know... what... happens to her... I... Argh! My... head... hurt...

“We should... Princess Celestia... she must... how... Applebloom!” Argh! I can’t... hear them... My head is... starting to... hurt... again...

“No! I mean, I... handle... on my own...”

“Twilight, Ah know y'are... but... Applebloom... If we do not... quick...”

“Please, Applejack... trust... just... some time...” Sweetie Belle... I need... be with... her... Something... happens... to her... I felt like... she... fades...

“Okey, Twilight... Ah trust ya... help mah...”

Sweetie Belle...

I am... losing... you?

...


“Are you sure about this?” said Scootaloo as she followed Applebloom, “I think it's going to rain. Applebloom I think that–”

“Oh come on, Scoot! Yer the one who's always tryin' dangerous stuff, and now yer tellin' me that we should go home?”

“But...” Scootaloo sighed and gave up on trying to convince her. She knew how stubborn Applebloom could be. “Where do you think she went?”

Applebloom stopped to think for a moment. As she thought she felt a little headache but ignored it and concentrated on looking for her friend. “Ah dunno. Ya think she went'ta the clubhouse?”

“I don't think...” Scootaloo knew that something was bothering her, but she chose to ignore it. She already knew how Applebloom would respond if she asked. “I think it's a very obvious place. She must have gone somewhere else.”

“Yeah, yer right,” said Applebloom as she began to walk again, “Applejack said that she didn't see her leave the farm, so she should still be around.”

Both fillies walked through the fields of Sweet Apple Acres looking for Sweetie Belle. They searched around for several minutes but couldn't find her.

“Applebloom... Can I ask you something?” said Scootaloo, walking behind Applebloom.

“Sure, but make it quick. We gotta find Sweetie Belle,” said Applebloom without stopping or looking back.

“Do you... do you hate Sweetie Belle?”

Applebloom stopped mid-step, taken off guard by the question. She looked at Scootaloo and answered, “'Course Ah don't hate her. If Ah hated her Ah wouldn't be lookin' for her.”

“I guess, but... she hurt you...” said Scootaloo, lowering her gaze a bit toward the ground.

Applebloom opened her mouth but then closed it without saying anything. She looked down and stayed that way for a couple of seconds until she was sure what she would say. She looked up at Scootaloo again and said, “Ah'm... scared. Ah don't know how'ta describe it. When Sweetie... attacked me, there was somethin' different about her. Like it wasn't really her.”

Applebloom looked away for Scootaloo for a few seconds and looked toward the fields. “Ah'm scared...” she said as she returned her gaze to Scootaloo, “Ah'm scared of losin' her.”

The silence remained for nearly a minute. Scootaloo wanted to say something but couldn't think of anything. After a while, Applebloom began to walk again and Scootaloo followed her closely.

“You know, she's also afraid of losing you,” said Scootaloo as she passed by Applebloom's side and stopped in front of her, “she's afraid that you hate her.”

“Really?” said Applebloom.

“Yeah, but I think that everything is going to end well in the end, because we're all still friends, right?” said Scootaloo with a smile.

“Ah hope so, but Ah'm still worried about her. Somethin' might'a happened to her.”

“Well, I don't know the details,” said Scootaloo as she began to walk again, “but I think that she is going to be ok.”

“What makes ya say that?” Applebloom asked, walking beside Scootaloo.

“It seems that Princess Luna is going to teach her.”

“Wow, really? Sweetie Belle's gonna be Princess Luna's student?” Applebloom shouted in surprise, “Then she's gonna be like Twilight, and Twilight is awesome at magic!”

“I know, Right?” said Scootaloo with a smile even bigger than the last.


A light drizzle fell upon Sweet Apple Acres as Sweetie Belle made her way back to the farmhouse. She didn't mind being in the rain, all that she cared about was what she would tell Applebloom. “What should I say? Oh, hey Applebloom, sorry I put you in a coma. Can we still be friends?” she said to herself. With a shake of her head she discard that idea, No, I can't just show up and say that. I need to say more.

Sweetie Belle approached the barn, then she suddenly froze. Taking shelter under a nearby tree were Scootaloo and Applebloom. Sweetie instinctively recoiled, frightened by the thought of confronting Applebloom.

After a second step back, Sweetie Belle frowned. Come on Sweetie Belle! You can’t chicken out now!

With trembling hooves, Sweetie Belle managed to take a couple of steps forward. She was about to take another step when she froze in place, her gaze crossing Applebloom's. They both stood still, looking at each other for nearly a minute. Sweetie Belle was starting to tremble and insecurity began to grow within her.

Slowly, Applebloom left the protection of the tree and walked towards Sweetie Belle, not caring that she got wet. She walked slowly until she was only a few feet in front of Sweetie Belle. She said nothing. Neither did Sweetie Belle. The two just stood there watching each other.

Scootaloo stayed behind under the tree. She saw Sweetie Belle, but she didn’t move. Scootaloo knew that this was something that the two should resolve alone, and she would probably only get in the way. She never liked this kind of cheesy stuff.

Come on, say something. She must be waiting for you to say something, Sweetie Belle thought. With more effort than she thought it would take, Sweetie Belle took a step forward. She was about to burst into tears, but she used all the strength she could to hold back. “Applebloom... I... I... I'm sorry!” she said with tears welling in her eyes, “I hurt you and I'm so sorry!”

Sweetie Belle wiped a tear running down her cheek and tried to calm down a bit. “Applebloom, I don't expect you to forgive me, but... I want you to know that I'm sorry. Even if you don't want to be my friend again; I want you to know that I really care about you. That no matter what happens, you'll always be one of the most important ponies in my life.”

Applebloom remained silent, listening to what Sweetie Belle said. She took a few steps and stopped right in front of Sweetie Belle, their noses almost touching.

What happened next came as a surprise to Sweetie Belle. With a flick of her right foreleg, Applebloom slapped her on the cheek. Sweetie Belle was shocked but didn't resist. She looked away as tears sprung from her eyes. But what really caught Sweetie Belle by surprise was what Applebloom said.

“Do ya have any idea how worried Ah was!?” Applebloom cried. She tried to sound angry but tears running down her face. “And who said Ah didn't wanna be friends no more!?”

“But... I hurt you... I'll understand if you're upset at me...” Sweetie Belle said, slipping her gaze to the floor.

“Yeah, Ah'm upset,” said Applebloom, placing a hoof under Sweetie's chin. She lifted her face to look her in the eye. “Ah was upset because I knew you were hurtin' and I couldn't do anythin' about it.

“Sweetie Belle, Ah don't hate ya, and the last thing Ah wanna do is lose yer friendship,” said Applebloom as she returned her hoof to the ground with a smile on her face.

For a few seconds, Sweetie Belle remained silent. She had expected Applebloom to be angry. Though she was happy to be wrong, she couldn't help but think about her problem. “But... what if I hurt you again? I don't want to see you suffer.”

“Ah... Ah don't want that ta happen again,” said Applebloom as she closed her eyes and shuddered. Images from that day raced through her mind. She opened her eyes and looked back at her friend with determination. “But if that's the price I gotta pay to be yer friend, Ah'm more than willin'ta take the risk.”

“I... I...” Sweetie Belle tried to say something, but the words were drowned out by a blend of different feelings within her. She collapsed on the ground as floods of tears sprang from her eyes.

Applebloom couldn't contain himself and rushed to hug Sweetie Belle as she too let out her tears. Both stood for a long time together, maintaining their embraced while one wept over the other. Tears mingled with the continuously growing rain, but neither of the two cared. The only thing that mattered at that moment was that they were together.

After venting, they broke their hug, but now they each had a broad smile on her face. “Friends?” said Sweetie Belle offering a hoof.

“Best friends!”

Sweetie Belle got up and hugged Applebloom but this time with a smile instead of tears. They separated and and looked to one side. Scootaloo was by their side with a hoof close to her eyes. “Are you... crying?” Sweetie Belle asked.

“Ermm, no! I'm not crying, it's... is rain,” Scootaloo said in defense, “Yeah, it's the rain. A drop must have fallen near my eye.”

“Sure Scoot,” said Applebloom as she rolled her eyes.

“Hey, Applebloom,” said Sweetie Belle with a mischievous smile, “I think Scootaloo needs a hug too.”

Applebloom looked at Sweetie Belle and a similar smile formed on her face.

“Don't you dare,” said Scootaloo as she stepped back. She turned and was about to start running, but was trapped by her two friends who jumped on her. “Help!”