//------------------------------//
// The Bullies 
// Story: The Rotten Core 
// by StarlightFeather 
//------------------------------//

     It was a sunny morning in Ponyville. This was the kind of day where you don't feel like doing anything but kicking up your hooves and relaxing. More importantly this was the last day of spring. Tomorrow summer would begin, and that meant summer vacation. 
Unfortunately, jobs still needed to be done and foals still needed to be schooled. Cheerilee, though, capitalized on this lovely whether and decided that today's class would be outside. At the moment, it was free time and the foals were doing whatever they liked while Cheerilee relaxed. 
Scootaloo was talking with Rumble, who looked nervous with his set back ears and red cheeks. Sweetie Belle was playing tag with Dinky Doo, Shady Daze and Button Mash on the other side of the yard. Apple Bloom was sprawled out on the grass, half asleep in the warm sun. She vaguely registered a shadow looming over her and was awakened by a very unwelcome voice. 
“Hey, blank-flank!” Diamond Tiara's voice demanded. “Get into any trouble lately?” 
Apple Bloom knew she was talking about the incident from a few days ago. In her and her friends' quest for their cutie marks, they had somehow ended up destroying a large number of shops in the town square. All three had been soundly scolded for it. Apple Bloom tried to move away with a slight frown but Silver Spoon was already there, ready to pick up where Diamond Tiara left off. 
“I heard it'll take weeks until those shops see any more business.” the gray filly mocked. “So embarrassing.”
“The shops'll all be back up tomorrow. Applejack said.” Apple Bloom muttered, her face turning a slight shade of pink as she opened her eyes. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders helped fix them up.”
“Pfft! The Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Tiara scoffed. “You're just a bunch of misfits trying to look special when your just a bunch of not-special blank-flanks.”
At this point, Apple Bloom stood up to face Diamond Tiara. Her orange-amber eyes blazed. “We're on a mission, and more important we're friends, which is more than I could say for you! Silver Spoon's the only one willing to put up with your stuck up hoo-haa!” 
Diamond Tiara lost her smirk and looked furious. “At least I have one real friend.”
“I have real friends!” Apple Bloom shot back indignantly and stamped a hoof on the ground. 
“Really?” Tiara's face regained its smirk. “What about Twist, huh? You two were best friends before she got her cutie mark. After that, she totally left you in the dust.”
“When's the last time you two hung out?” Silver Spoon asked. “She left you out to dry as soon as she became special, unlike you.”
“And that's just what your so-called friends are gonna do once they get theirs!” the pink filly hissed. “You're just a crutch, Apple Bloom. A crutch that other blank-flanks use until they get their cutie marks. Better get used to it, too; it's all you'll ever be good for.” 

As lessons continued, Apple Bloom tried her hardest to concentrate, but Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon's taunts kept nagging at her mind. By the end of the day, Apple Bloom had a headache from the war in her head. All the other fillies and colts were jumping for joy and cheering for summer break, but not Apple Bloom. 
“Apple Bloob!” Twist called as she pranced up to her. The off-white filly had rarely spoken to Apple Bloom since she got her mark. Twist was busy making sweets 'til her heart's content and Apple Bloom was always off with the crusaders. Or at least that's what Apple Bloom told herself. But it was true, Twist and Apple Bloom were once the best of friends but once Twist got her cutie mark... “Applejack hath a thop oped toborrow, right? Bon Bon wanth to take be out for thome thruddleth toborrow, if we have timbe.”
Apple Bloom was quiet for a minute, then looked at Twist with the most serious yet sad look the candy-making pony had ever seen on her. “Twist, we're still friends right?”
“Of coarth!” Twist was surprised, having not expected something like this from Apple Bloom especially when her question had had nothing to do with their friendship. 
“It's just that,” Apple Bloom began. “we haven’t been spendin' much time together these last couple years, once that you got your cutie mark -”
“Hey, we're thill frieds.” Twist smiled. “I probith. Ith just that I've been making tho bedy thweets I've beed buthy. Ad you sped all your tibe with the cudie bark cruthaders, tho of coarth we're dot godda sped as buch tibe together.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Apple Bloom smiled, even though Twist's reasoning didn't cheer her up in the least.
“Apple Bloom!” An orange, purple and red blur stopped on the other side of Apple Bloom. Scootaloo was pulling a wagon with her scooter again with Sweetie Belle in it. “You ready? We've got loads of things to try before it gets dark. Hop in!”
“Girls, if it's all the same, I just wanna get home and go ta bed.” Apple Bloom smiled sweetly but weakly. Even her bow was drooping. 
“Yeah, I guess we'll have all summer to look for our cutie marks.” Scootaloo shrugged cheerfully.
“Tomorrow’s the first day of summer anyway.” Sweetie Belle noted. The first day of summer was always a busy day, especially for young colts and fillies who tried to fit three months worth of fun into a day. “We should probably all get some rest tonight.”
“Okay, then. See ya 'round!” Scootaloo called as she sped off. Sweetie Belle waved goodbye as she was also scooted away.
Apple Bloom didn't say another word as she trudged home alone. Applejack was in the orchard looking at the apple blossoms when she saw Apple Bloom. Seeing her sister's depressed face, Applejack decided to speak carefully. “You're home early. No schemes today?” Her face fell in worry when Apple Bloom didn't answer. “What'sa matter, sugarcube?”
“Diamond Tiara says that when they get their cutie marks, Sweetie Belle n' Scootaloo won't be my friends anymore.” she explained. 
“Aw, don't let her get to ya.” Applejack lifted Apple Blooms chin for eye contact. Orange-amber eyes met bright green. “Scootaloo n' Sweetie Belle'll always be there for ya.”
“But what about Twist?” Apple Bloom whined. “We were best friends but as soon as she got her cutie mark -” Apple Bloom paused for a breath. The flush was hurting her face and she still had a headache. “The Cutie Mark Crusaders were formed to get our cutie marks, but what then? When we all have our cutie marks, what'll be keepin' us together?” she asked. 
Tears began to run down her face. It occurred to her that maybe that's why all of them always hoped to get cutie marks in bowling, zip-linning and whatever else together; if they all got cutie marks in the same field they could all stay friends. “None of us have anythin' else in common. Why else would we be friends?”
“Now don't you go sayin' that.” Applejack scolded the filly but tenderly. She clearly had more than enough on her plate as it was. “Just look at my friends. Rainbow Dash n' Fluttershy, Twilight n' Pinkie, myself n' Rarity? None of us have that much in common that n' we're as close as friends could hope to be.” 
Apple Bloom didn't seem to hear her, she just looked at the ground and kept crying. “Ya know what?” Applejack said. “Why don't you go on up to bed? Maybe you'll feel better after a night's rest. I'll tell Granny Smith n' Big Mac that you had a hard day and you need rest.”
Apple Bloom smiled. “Thanks, Applejack.” She sniffed and hugged her big sister gratefully. For the first time in hours, Apple Bloom felt happy. True, all of her family adored her and always did what they could, but Applejack would always, always, always find a way to come through for her. Minutes later she was in her room with the curtains drawn and snuggled up all cozy in her bed.
Applejack was the one who thought her everything she knows, who played with her, comforted her, and took care of her when she was sick. There was a strong love between the sisters, a bond few others understood. 
In fact, Apple Bloom couldn't see her mother's face anymore. However hard she tried to remember, the only face she ever saw was Applejack's. And she was okay with that. It always made her feel a little guilty whenever she heard anyone else talking about her parents, but she never felt bad otherwise of replacing something that was lost years ago with something that would be there forever. 

The sun was bright the next morning even through the still-drawn curtains. A good night's sleep seemed to be just what the little filly needed because she was up bright and early as bubbly and happy as ever. 
“Well, somepony's sure chipper today.” Applejack smiled after setting down two plates of breakfast; eggs, toast with jam, apple juice and chocolate fritters. They were basically apple fritters, but the batter for the pastry was chocolate and they were lightly glazed like doughnuts. They were an invention of Granny Smith's and Apple Bloom's favorite treat. Applejack always made them to go with breakfast on holidays and special occasions like the first day of summer. “Ya feel any better this mornin'?”
“Yep. Looks like all I needed was some rest like ya said.” Apple Bloom said before wolfing down her breakfast. Having slept through dinner last night had left Apple Bloom hungry. 
“So, feelin' up for some first-day-of-summer fun? I hear the Cakes cut half off everything in their store for the occasion.” Applejack winked. Apple Bloom knew that Applejack wouldn't be partaking, she always spent the first day of summer selling apples and treats in town, but she always loved hearing about all the fun Apple Bloom had on these days. 
“No, I'll just find Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. They were ichin' to try some new ideas yesterday.” Apple Bloom said as she wiped the chocolaty crumbs from her face. 

Ponyville was as busy as ever. Ponies running in and out of shops, shop keepers trying to calm crowds of excited foals, and small crowds of said foals playing, talking and buying ice creams and other summer treats. 
Applejack got in line at Sugarcube Corner because before she opened up the stand she was hoping to pick up an order she'd placed about a week ago for a large cake. Pinkie had promised that it would be terrific, and she trusted her pink friends' word. 
Apple Bloom blazed though the town towards the Carousel Boutique. She hadn't been able to spot Scootaloo, so maybe she'd go see Sweetie Belle first. As expected, Sweetie Belle was trying to get Rarity to do stuff with her. 
“C'mon, Rarity!” Sweetie Belle whined, “You promised we'd get ice cream!”
“What?” the older unicorn gasped, “And risk getting surgery mush on my coat? Sweetie Belle, honestly!” 
“Hey, Apple Bloom.” Sweetie Belle sighed as the other filly approached. “I guess you and Applejack are having all sorts of fun today.”
“No, actually.” Apple Bloom shrugged. “First sis has to pick up somethin' up from Sugercube Corner, than she's sellin' treats all day.”
“It's nice to know Applejack's sister has a life of her own.” Rarity muttered irritably as she stitched some kind of trimming onto the edge of a violet silk sheet. Sweetie Belle glared back at her. 
“Have you seen Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom asked. “You guys looked pretty ready to get to it yesterday.”
“We were, but you're right.” Sweetie Belle said. “We have all summer to look for our cutie marks, so we decided to take the day off. I don't know where Scootaloo is, ether.”
“Oh,” Apple Bloom's ears fell in disappointment. “Well, okay then.”
“Rarity, can -”
“Nonononononono!” Rarity shook her head. Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. So Sweetie Belle wanted to do things with her sister today and Scootaloo was nowhere to be found. Maybe Twist was available. 
Actually, Apple Bloom thought to herself as she left the boutique, this was perfect. She and Twist could catch up, seeing as Apple Bloom was free from the Crusaders for a day and the Shakes couldn't have been that busy. 
Twist's family the Shakes owned an ice-cream parlor near their school. Back before Twist had gotten her cutie mark, they had often joked  that it would be good if Twist moved in with her sister Bon Bon at her candy store. It turned out the Shakes were busy, but not that much. “Hello?” Apple Bloom called and was greeted by a familiar face. It was Twist's mother Strawberry Shake. 
“Apple Bloom? Well isn't this a surprise?” she smiled as she opened the door allowing the filly in. “We haven’t seen you in a while. How've you been?”
“Fine, Mrs. Shake. Is Twist home?” Apple Bloom asked walking into the house. Mr. Shake was manning the parlor selling ice creams and shakes, some with what Apple Bloom recognized as Bon Bon and Twist's handiwork. Although Bon Bon worked her own store now, she always sent some of her candy back to her parents on days when they would need it. 
“She's taking a break in the back, playing with Swirl.” 
“Huh?” Apple Bloom asked, showing herself into the main room as Mrs. Shake went back to the parlor. Twist was there playing with a foal, maybe a few months old. He was mint green with a spiky white mane and eyes the same color as Apple Bloom's own.
“Twist?” Apple Bloom asked.
Twist looked confused at first, than happily surprised to see her old friend. “Apple Bloob! Cub id!”
“Who's this youngin?” Apple Bloom asked as the foal belched. 
“Oh, thorry.” Twist smiled guiltily. “Thith ith Thwirl, by dew brother!”
“New brother?” Apple Bloom stamped her hoof in outrage. The noise spooked Swirl, but only enough to make him pout a little. “Why didn't ya tell me? How could ya not tell me somethin' as big as gettin' a new brother?” 
“Well, like you thed, we haved beed speding that buch tibe together.” Twist explained. Apple Bloom opened her moth to speak, but a bell rang. Mrs. Shake came in and took a yawning Swirl into another room. “Oopth! By breakth up. I godda get back to the thtore. Thorry I can't talk, but I'b deeded up there. We cad talk tobarrow, okay? I probith.” 
Apple Bloom, feeling as dejected as ever, trudged sadly out of the house. Twist didn't have time for her, and how could she not tell her about something as big as gaining a new baby brother? Twist had told her the day her sister had moved out years ago, that she'd finally be getting the bigger bedroom. 
“Well, well.” Apple Bloom was startled by the voice. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were here, glaring at her. “Looks like we were right, weren’t we? Twist has better things to do.” 

“Looks like not even Scootaloser and Squeaky Belle want to hang out with you now.” Silver Spoon sneered. Apple Bloom meant to stand up in their defense, but words wouldn't come. Because Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were right. Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Twist were all far too busy with their own stuff to be with her. She didn't want the crusaders to drift apart but what she just saw with Twist...
Unable to deal with it, Apple Bloom ran. 
“Go on! Run home to you're cooky granny.” Tiara yelled. Her blue eyes glittered with malice. Silver Spoon didn't often look their victims in the eye, almost as if she was afraid of what she might find, but Diamond Tiara seemed to relish in the pain she caused. 
“Hey, sug-” Applejack tried to greet Apple Bloom as she raced passed but the heartbroken filly didn't even notice her as she ran home in tears.