//------------------------------//
// Individuality Part 3 
// Story: Life In Ponyville: Individuality 
// by TheWriter7 
//------------------------------//

As we made it back to her home, Sweet Apple Acres, I noticed Twilight, and her friend Applejack on the front porch of a farmhouse. I then called out to them trying to get their attention, in which it did. When they saw us, both mares ran over to us, and they reached us, Applejack immediately ran over to her sister, picking her up in a hug. The looks on both their faces, was something that certainly warmed my heart. "Oh Applebloom!" Applejack said to her little sister. "Ah'm so glad you're home!" As she put her sister down, Applebloom looked down, her ears were flattened.

"Ah'm sorry I ran off sis, that was completely stupid of me, can you forgive me?" With that Applejack nuzzled her sister, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Of course Ah can Applebloom." She then gave her sister a thorough inspection, and gave out a hearty laugh. "Now go inside, and Ah'll start up a bath for you." She nodded, and ran off inside the farmhouse. Applejack than looked towards me, giving me a small smile. "I am eternally grateful for you bringing my little Applebloom safe and sound. Thank you..." She then paused, giving me a look of deep thought. "Ah'm sorry, Ah never got your name."

"Ryder" I answered. She then nodded.

"Thank you Ryder, you're always welcome around our farm." With that she turned, and walked back home. Twilight then turned to me, giving me a look of surprise.

"Ryder, you're not wearing your cloak." Her eyes then proceeded to search my body, until she saw my flank, her eyes then widened, but she remained silent. I then gave a smile, knowing that she saw my bare flank. "So that's why you always wore that cloak?" I simply nodded. Her eyes then began to fill up with guilt, as she then spoke "I'm so sorry, I didn't know that's why... I'm so sorry."

"It's okay Twi, you didn't know, it's not your fault. In fact, I should've been honest in the first place, and not have made it a big secret." I then looked back at the farmhouse, as I gave a gentle smile. "I should really thank that filly, she made me realize that I shouldn't be ashamed to hide my... should I say, flaws." I then turned to her again, "It's amazing how our youth can teach us things we have never cared to learn. Anyway, I think it's time, for us to go home as well."

Twilight nodded, as we then left Sweet Apple Acres, today, was a good day, and I have Applebloom to thank for that. She wasn't afraid of what would bullies say to her, as she didn't care what they thought, and neither should I.