//------------------------------//
// Hearing the Other Side of the Story 
// Story: The Rule of Princess Apple Bloom 
// by memphisgurl 
//------------------------------//

Princess Apple Bloom walked through the halls of Canterlot Castle back towards her chambers. Just as she reached the doors, somepony behind her clears their throat. She turns around and sees a pony holding a scroll. "What is it?" Apple Bloom asks.

The pony says, "I have a message for you from Princess Celestia." He holds out the scroll. 

Apple Bloom takes the scroll in her magic, unfurls it, and after reading it says, "Thank you. You are dismissed."

He bows and walks back in the direction he came from. When she is alone once again, Apple Bloom mutters to herself, "Why would my Mom want to see me now? It's late and she hasn't spoken to me since I've been here even though it has been more than a month now. Maybe she finally accepted what Luna did? Guess I'd better go find out."

Though she wishes nothing more than to just be able to go to bed, Princess Apple Bloom makes the long trek across the castle to Princess Celestia's chambers. Thankfully she meets no one who wishes to pull her into some princessy duty or other. Standing before the door to Celestia's rooms, Apple Bloom takes a deep breath, before using her newfound magic to actually knock. The door swings open to reveal a smiling Celestia who whisks Apple Bloom into her bedroom immediately and slams the door shut. 

Looking confused, Apple Bloom inquires, "Mom, why have you asked me here? Especially since you haven't spoken to me since I arrived."

Celestia whips around to face Apple Bloom, and retorts angrily, "Don't call me Mom. I don't deserve it. I'm sorry I didn't speak to you. I was afraid you hated me for what I did. Which is why I've asked you here tonight. With Luna not here I want to explain to you why I didn't want you to become a princess. That is, if you care to listen."

"Of course I want to know the reasons behind your actions." 

"Sit down then," Celestia says, "This may take a while."

Once Apple Bloom is settled comfortably on the plush rug in the middle of the floor, Celestia begins her tale, "When I spent that night with Ignis, in addition to creating you, we talked. Mostly about our relationship and how it could never work out."

"Why wouldn't it ever be able to work out?" Apple Bloom interjects. 

Sitting down upon her bed, Celestia replies, "Since I am and a princess and he was just a mere earth pony stallion from the lower part of Manehattan, the fact that we even had a relationship was enough to caus scandal amongst the nobility. Due to just that fact, we had kept our relationship a secret throughout the entire two years that it existed. If anypony found out that we had a child, it would destroy everything I worked for in forging political relationships with the nobles. They would see such a thing as blasphemy, and possibly even try to overthrow me. For the sake of Equestria I put an end to our relationship."

Apple Bloom gasps, but remains respectfully silent. 

Celestia removes her crown, necklace, and shoes before continuing, "No matter what I said to try to convince him otherwise, Ignis took it personally. He...he killed himself that very night by jumping off the highest cliff in Canterlot. My heart was torn to pieces and became even worse the next month when I learned that I was pregnant. I left for two reasons: the obvious one being that I needed to keep my pregnancy a secret, and the second being that I needed to be alone while I tried to deal with the mental pressure of all the decision I had to make regarding your future. I did not even tell Luna of what Ignis had done or of my second reason for leaving."

A single tear rolls down Celestia cheek as she is forced to relive this events in her mind. Seeing her mother's distress, Apple Bloom gets up from the rug and goes to stand by Celestia extending a wing over her back.

Celestia looks up at her daughter and smiles, "Thank you, that means a lot."

Apple Bloom says, "Your welcome, Mom. I'm glad I could help in some small way."

Choosing to ignore the title of 'Mom' this time, Celestia continues her narrative, "Throughout the months I spent in hiding, I came to the conclusion that I had to give you up. It tore a hole in my heart, but I knew it was the best option for all involved. That way the ponies of Equestria would never know the secret Ignis and I had which would preserve their trust in me. Something that was and is vital for me being a good ruler whom they would follow to the end of the world if need be. In doing so, I would protect myself from the heartbreak I would feel very time I saw you and was reminded of Ignis. A decision that was both selfish and selfless I suppose. And lastly, you would not be an immortal alicorn who would eventually become a Princess and leader of Equestria. You would not have to feel the agony of watching everypony whom you grew close to die while you lived on. You would not have to deal with the pressures of eternal politics. And, by making you a normal earth pony and giving you to the Apples, you would be able to live a normal, carefree life. Being immortal is more trouble than it's worth and I wanted you to be free of it. Now, however, the only thing to do is prepare you for the troubles of eternity."

Leaning down, Apple Bloom kisses Celestia cheek and says, "It's alright, Mom. I understand now, and I don't blame you for anything. Let's just work on having a normal relationship with each other now that you've told me all this, ok?"

Chuckling ever so slightly, Celestia replies, "I'd like that, Apple Bloom. I'm proud to be your Mom."

"And I'm proud to have you as my mother. Goodnight."

After giving her daughter a quick kiss on the top of her head, Celestia smiles, "Goodnight."

Apple Bloom unwraps her wing from around Celestia and walks out of the bedroom, quietly shutting the door behind her.