//------------------------------// // The Not-so-Great Escape - Part One. // Story: The Trial of the Cutie Mark Crusaders // by Blue Wolf //------------------------------// Cadence trotted forward to stand a little in front of the Crusaders and smiled warmly down at them. "Alright my little ponies, let's start from the beginning shall we? Who is going to go first?" Three different hooves instantly pointed in three different directions, each of the fillies volunteering a different comrade. “Mm-hmm...” Cadence raised an eyebrow, her smile growing a little wider. "Any volunteers to go first?" The three Crusaders silently shook their heads, in perfect unison. The faintest of snorts escaped Princess Celestia's nostrils, forcing the Ruler of the Sun to quickly fix an inquiring gaze into a far corner of the room and hope nopony spotted her hastily disguised smirk. Luna patently gave her sister an evil look as Cadence glanced back towards her husband, whose implaccable Royal Guard frown had suddenly gone crooked at the edges. Cadence rolled her eyes. "Alright then. Applebloom; let's hear from you first." “Me?! Wh-why me?” whined Applebloom. “It was your idea...” muttered Sweetie Bell “No it weren't, it were Scootaloo's!” Applebloom growled back. “Hey! It was Sweetie Bell's idea to hide in that sack!” hissed Scootaloo. “Order!” Celestia rapped her hoof. “Come now Applebloom...” Cadence grinned at the younger Apple sister, beckoning her forward with her forehoof “At least I know you will be the most truthful...is that not so?” Applebloom merely gulped before trotting forward a few paces. “Do you promise to tell the whole and honest truth and nothing else my little pony?” asked Celestia. “Er...um...ah...maybe?...” “Applebloom!” snapped Applejack The little earth pony cowered on the floor, hiding her ears under her hooves. “Ok! Ok! Ah promise!” “Pinkie promise?” Pinkie Pie suddenly popped up in front of the filly, pressing her nose up against Applebloom's to squint suspiciously into the smaller pony's eyes under the glare of an inexplicably produced spotlight. Applebloom began to bite nervously on her forehooves, sweat trickling down her brow. “I...think that a simple promise will suffice this time Pinkie.” interrupted Twilight suddenly, approaching from behind the party pony and switching off the spotlight. “Okie dokie-loki Twilight!” Pinkie chirped, before turning away and bouncing back to Fluttershy and Zecora as if nothing had happened. Luna looked back and forth between Applebloom and the departing mare with a puzzled expression. “Take it from me, you should only make a Pinkie Promise if you're really really sure about it...” Twilight whispered darkly to a somewhat mystified Celestia, as she returned to her place beside the princess. She shuddered at the memory of the aftermath of a certain fashion show. “...otherwise, you'll have to live with the consequences...” “...Foreverrrrrrr!” came the inevitable hiss from the other side of the room. Cadence patted Applebloom gently. “Alright my little pony. Why don't you tell us what happened after you went to bed last night?” Applebloom sighed heavily in resignation, lowering her ears. “Well... Ah guess it all started when...” ----------------------- BANG BANG BANG BANG “What 'n tarnation...” BANG BANG BANG BANG “A'right! A'right! Ah'm a-comin'!” Applebloom yawned and sleepily peeked out from under the covers of her bed. The bedroom was still dark, and only moonlight lit the hallway outside her door. “Dangnabbit! Jus' who in Equestria's callin' at this time a' night?” The cursing and assorted crashing sounds from downstairs told Applebloom that Applejack had been woken up by the disturbance too, and was now on her way to the source -- now clearly recognisable as somepony banging on the door of the farmhouse as if their life depended on it. “Will somepony simmer down 'an hold their horses already? Ah told ya ah'm commin'!” The little filly slid out of bed and wobbled over to the door as Applejack's voice floated up from downstairs once more. The hallway was empty, and only the weak light of a small lantern showed from downstairs. Applebloom quickly trotted past the closed doors of Big Macintosh's and Granny Smith's bedrooms and peered down the stairs as Applejack finally got the door open. “Spike? Wha' in Equestria are ya doin' out here sugarcube? Where's Twilight?” Applebloom came down the steps as her elder sister peered curiously at the young dragon on the doorstep, who seemed to be hyperventilating into a paper bag. “Twilight!...Nightmare!...Help!...Luna!..Save her!” Applejack raised an eyebrow quizzically. “Err...Wha' was that again sugarcube?” “Trapped!...Won't wake up!...In trouble!” “Whoa, wait...simmer down Spike! Ah can't understan' ah word ya'll sayin'. Has somethin' happen' ta Twilight? Spike's head began nodding franticly up and down like an apple with Big Macintosh attached to the end of it's branch, indicating an answer most definitely in the positive. “Shoot...Alrigh' Spike, y'all go on back now 'an I'll be there in no time.” Applejack immediately turned and headed toward the stairs to grab her rope and trademark hat, just as Big Macintosh appeared. “Big Mac, ah'm headin' over ta Twilight's place and find out what's goin' on. Y'all better check on Granny Smith 'an come up after.” “Eeyup...” Within a few seconds Applejack had cantered back down the stairs and headed out of the front door after the fast-receding Spike. Applebloom suddenly jerked into action, and the little filly set off in hot pursuit of her elder sister. “Hey wait for me!” --------------------------- “ Applebloom...I think perhaps we can probably skip this little bit, don't you?” Cadence smiled down at the youngest Apple, who flinched a little. “But y'all said ta start from when ah went ta bed...” “Well, true enough. Why don't you start with when Twilight left Ponyville and you met up with your friends instead?” Applebloom squirmed. “Do ah have to?” she asked meekly Cadence nodded silently. As did Celestia, Luna, and Twilight. Applebloom deflated slightly. “Ah was afraid ah that...” ----------------------------- “Ah TOLD you ya'll were goin' back to bed Missy! BIG MACINTOSH!!” Applejack's frustrated yells from the back of the cart echoed around Ponyville as it took off, and sped into the starry darkness carrying Twilight and her friends. Unfazed, Applebloom merrily waved after her sister. “C'ya later sis! Ah'll find Zecora for ya!” As the cart receded out of sight Applebloom began heading into the streets of Ponyville at a brisk trot to find the other Crusaders. Tree sap and pine-needles aside, it had been the experience of the Crusaders' that there was relative safety in numbers while on a Crusade for a Cutie Mark, and something told Applebloom that such an important mission was going to require some serious backup. “Applebloom!” Applebloom looked round as a clattering of hooves approached. Most of the rest of the townsfolk had moved off back to their homes now the excitement had died down, although lights still showed at many of the windows. Down a deserted street, a familiar white and purple shape was rapidly drawing nearer. “Hey Sweetie Bell!” Applebloom paused for a moment to let her fellow Crusader catch up. “Ya'll won't believe what's been goin' on!” “Twilight got trapped in a nightmare and they carted her off to Canterlot?” asked Sweetie Bell. Applebloom stared. “How'd ya know that? Ya'll not turnin' into Pinkie Pie are ya?” “Nnope. Heard it when Rarity took me back home, I was sleeping over at her place.” Sweetie Bell replied. “Spike turned up in a panic and nearly broke the door of the Boutique down, I 'aint seen him so worked up since the time he tried pet sitting. After Rarity went back to the Library I just snuck back out. So what are we doing now?” “First we gotta find Scootaloo, then we're goin' ta find Zecora and get our Cutie marks” grinned Applebloom. “Cutie marks? What in?” “Message Couriers! Ah told Applejack that ah'd tell Zecora to come to Canterlot right away so she can help Twilight!” Sweetie Bell squinted in thought. “Didn't we try that one already?” Applebloom stroked her chin with a hoof “Hmmm...Ah don't know...ah kinda lost track. But even if we did, maybe the message wasn't important enough, maybe we're... Cutie Mark Crusader Emergency Broadcasters!” “Oooh! I like it, that sounds alot more exciting! And let's face it, round here that's gonna be WAY more useful...” Sweetie Bell's expression perked up as visions of a mountain of urgent messages in bright red envelopes flashed through her mind.” Applebloom grinned excitedly and turned around. “So what are we waitin' for? ---------------------- Celestia knew she was going to crack. It was just a matter of time, she hadn't heard anything so funny since the time the griffon nobles had demanded a hefty export fee on feathered goods. But she was determined to rein herself in to the very end. “Cutie Mark Crusader Emergency Broadcasters?” repeated Cadence slowly. “Ahem...Well, I suppose there could be something like that...” “Err...Does anypony know what in the hay is Applebloom talking about?” Rainbow Dash was looking over at the other ponies watching, who all shook their heads except for one. “Ooh ooh! I know! I know! I bet it's a really super-rare talent that...” “Not now Pinkie...” Celestia glanced over at Luna, who was regarding Applebloom with a mixture of complete confusion and suspicion before coolly regarding the three fillies once more. “Please continue my little pony. Was that when you went to find your friend Scootaloo?” Applebloom shrank a little. “Actually....” ------------------------ Both fillies quickly cantered towards the corner, only to crash headlong into a wall that stepped out in front of them. To be precise, a wall with red fur and an apple half cutie mark that regarded them with a neutral expression. Applebloom looked up. “Uh...Howdy...Big Macintosh...?” Applebloom plastered an innocent smile across her muzzle. “Eeyup.” “Um...It'll be okay if me an' Sweetie Bell go see Scootaloo right?” “Nnope.” Applebloom's ears wilted. “Oh...Ya'll heard Applejack hollerin' earlier?” “Eeyup.” “Ya'll here ta take me an' Sweetie Bell home huh?” “Eeyup.” Sweetie Bell sighed. “Not gonna win this one are we?” Applebloom gave her brother a hurt look before turning her head towards Sweetie Bell. “Nnope...” --------------------- “I see...” remarked Cadence. “So...your brother took you home, correct?” Applebloom nodded. “And I take it he took Sweetie Bell back to her parents' house as well?” There was another nod from Sweetie Bell. “Alright. What did you do afterwards Applebloom?” The little filly cringed a little and glanced at her elder sister, who was shooting death glares at Applebloom. “Um...Princess Cadence? Maybe ah should take tha... tha filth? Ah don't wanna intimidate mahself...” Cadance stroked her chin in thought, and also to hide her smirk. “Do you mean the Fifth, Applebloom?” “Um...yeah - ah think...If ah say the wrong thing, ah can intimidate...” “Incriminate dear...” “Oh, right - incriminate mahself an' mah friends.” “We were just getting to the good par...ahem...I mean it will be in your interests to tell us everything you know young filly” Luna advised. “And technically speaking Applebloom, you've already admitted to actually committing the crimes - you're just denying responsibility.” Twilight gave Applebloom a knowing grin as the filly's pupils shrank to pin size. “So regardless of how you might have seen it in movies, I don't think that's going to get you out of trouble this time.” “I'm afraid I believe Twilight and Princess Luna may be right my little pony...” admitted Cadence. Applebloom sighed. “Aww ponyfeathers...” --------------------------- Applebloom marched crossly into her room, defiantly sticking out her tongue at the door in annoyance as it swung firmly shut behind her. Waiting until her brother's hoofsteps receded, the youngest Apple then picked up a lantern and hurried over to the window, looking out to where darkness shrouded most of the distant buildings of Ponyville. Picking up a mirror in her hooves, Applebloom angled it back and forth in the lamplight, sending a series of carefully aimed flashes towards a single light that glowed faintly at one end of the darkened shapes. A few moments later an answering pattern of flashes winked back at her. Setting the mirror down with an excited grin, Applebloom quickly hurried over to her bed and began stripping off the bedsheets, rolling each one up and then tying them quickly together into a makeshift rope. Opening the window, she secured one end to her bed and quickly let the other end down to the ground outside, testing the knot carefully before climbing out of the window. Gripping the rope between her hooves, she began sliding steadily down towards the ground, careful not to make any noise with her hooves against the wooden side of the house. Only to find her flank settling on Big Macintosh's nose as she neared the bottom, the other end of the rope already in his mouth. A brief, frozen moment passed as brother and sister stared at each other. Then Big Macintosh stretched the makeshift rope with one mighty tug and let go, sending Applebloom rocketing all the way back up with a yelp and landing with a crash in a dazed heap back in her room. Shortly after, a sulking Applebloom was grumpily bouncing a ball back and forth off her wall, when an idea came to her. Five minutes later, Applebloom was ready with her second attempt. On all four of her hooves were suction cups that the Crusaders had recently borrowed from Pinkie Pie during an ill-fated window cleaning cutie mark attempt. After cautiously opening the door and checking the coast was clear, Applebloom crept out and slurped her way towards the wall by the stairway as quietly as possible... Ten minutes later, Applebloom wiped the sweat off her brow carefully with one fetlock before pushing her hoof up into place. She'd successfully navigated her way along the stairway wall and was now making her way, in Spider-Mare fashion, across the downstairs ceiling towards an open window. Down below, Big Macintosh lifted his head, silently considered the open window, then bucked the wall. The room shook as the window slammed shut, which was followed a second later by a soft 'schloop' and Applebloom falling out of the air with a surprised squeak and a heavy crash. Thirty seconds after, a disgruntled Applebloom was peeled off her brother's flank and deposited back onto the floor of her room. Left alone, the filly discarded the suction cups and rubbed her hooves together. A heavy wardrobe was moved aside, exposing a dark hole in the floor. Applebloom, having donned a miner's helmet and lamp began climbing down the vent shaft hidden in the wall, pausing only to peek out through a grill before descending into a hole dug at the very bottom. Boarding an old skateboard that waited below, Applebloom switched on it's headlamp and began hauling the improvised mine cart along it's crude track down the escape tunnel running out from under the house. Having arrived at the far end and collected the shovel lying ready, Applebloom lost no time in the final phase of her plan. A short session of digging later, she emerged coughing in a cloud of dust into the open. A quick sweep of her surroundings revealed she had come through the floor of the hen house, somewhat short of her intended target. With nothing else for it, the little filly began to creep daintily past the rows of sleeping fowl towards the door. Each step she took was carefully judged, the slightest creak threatening to set off the entire flock like feathered burglar alarms. And it was just poor luck that one happened to wake up at the wrong moment, just as Applebloom reached the door. The hen house seemed to suddenly explode into a riot of clucking and squawking, the wooden structure rocking dangerously back and forth on it's foundation before a panicked Applebloom burst out of the door in a shower of feathers and slammed it shut. Mercifully, silence followed and with a last quick glance to ensure the coast was clear, a somewhat pecked and scratched filly raced the last few feet across the yard into the darkness towards where Sweetie Bell was waiting. --------------------