//------------------------------//
// Looking Into The Past 
// Story: The Black Apple 
// by Duke of Canterlot 
//------------------------------//

Apple Bloom flew as fast as she could back to the castle, but she suddenly lost control over her wings. Was she falling? Oh no.. what was happening? The alicorn filly was knocked out.

She opened her eyes and saw that she was in Zecora's hut. Wait what? Didn't she destroy that flimsy thing? 

"Hello, Apple Bloom", said Zecora softly, "you have done many things."

"Haven't we all?"

"Do you like my new home?"

"Fuck you. I hate it."

"So much hate and so much anger. What is wrong, my little prodigy?"

Apple Bloom couldn't move. She was stuck listening to Zecora. The filly had used Zecora as a mentor to learn the art of potion/poison making, but school was over.. the world was now that of Apple Bloom.

"You are in so much trouble", said Apple Bloom, "my loyal subjects will come after you and save me."

"You really think so?"

"They obey me. They have seen the consequences of disobeying me."

"Do they do it out of love or out of fear?"

"As far as ah'm concerned, it's better to be feared than loved."

"I see", said Zecora, "what about those of us who neither fear nor love you?"

"You're a hard-headed zebra, aren't you? Look.. I know you live in the Everfree Forest and shit like that and so that makes you think you're above my rule..but you know something, you're not. You still must obey me."

"Kill me now."

"Smartass", snarled Apple Bloom, "you know very well that ah..."

"I see. The reason why I brought you here is something most important. Drink this."

Apple Bloom saw the clear white liquid.

"What? Is this milk", spat Apple Bloom.

"Drink", said Zecora, "I promise you will benefit from the knowledge."

"Why should ah trust you?"

"I value my own self-preservation", said Zecora, "alas, if I were to kill you, every pony who obeys you would stop by wanting to bludgeon me to death. You will live, I promise."

Apple Bloom groaned. She saw the glass over by her face. She couldn't move her body, but she picked up the bottle with her teeth and took a sip.

The sky looked brighter. The sun was shining with confidence. This was certainly something which had never happened during Bloom's reign. Apple Bloom scanned her environment. She must be near Sweet Apple Acres. Her old home... the home which tried to make her a different pony. 
Apple Bloom couldn't believe what she saw next. Were those her parents? She remembered them mostly from pictures. There they were. Appleseed and Chery Blossom. The two of them were walking across the fields, pushing the carriage with a baby inside. Apple Bloom could only see a little red bow sticking out. Holy shit!?!? Did Zecora take her to the past? Why?

Apple Bloom could only watch. Cherry Blossom began to sing a soft lullaby to the baby. The song was so sweet and harmonic. Apple Bloom shook those feelings away. She was beyond such softness. She had all of Equestria and every pony else was simply looking to take her down. Apple Bloom's parents walked out of Bloom's line of vision.

Suddenly, the sky grew darker. She saw Tirek in his smaller and more craven-looking form. Tirek, her real father. He appeared to be spying on the two earth ponies. Apple Bloom could feel the jealousy inside Tirek. He wanted Cherry Blossom and his daughter. He hated Appleseed. It was clear as night and day to the alicorn filly that was the case.

Suddenly, Tirek whistled. Three large timberwolves appeared. 

"My friends, I want you to kill that stallion who just passed by. Do it swiftly."

The wolves snarled and ran towards them.

Tirek...  could he? Was it his fault? No.. it was simply a magic trick by stupid Zecora.

Apple Bloom found she could move again. She followed the wolves. 

She followed them to the edge of the Everfree Forest. The timberwolves had attacked Appleseed. The stallion tried to fight back, but it was three against one. He was killed quickly.

"No!!!", cried Cherry Blossom, "how could you do this to my one true love!?!?! Tirek, you think this will make me love you more.. but it does the opposite. I hate you. I know you sent these wolves to kill my husband. I hate you and I will teach my daughter to hate you just as much."

Suddenly, Tirek appeared right behind the timberwolves. He was wearing an invisibility cloak, but Apple Bloom could somehow see him. Tirek whistled softly and the wolves lunged after Cherry Blossom. They tore her apart even quicker than they did Appleseed. The wolves began to run away, but a gun went off.

There was Granny Smith. "No dang wolves getting in my backyard."

Tirek and the wolves ran away.

Granny then ran over to the dead bodies.
She began to cry. Her only son and his wife were both murdered by such horrible beasts. 
The baby Apple Bloom was also crying inside the carriage. Granny had picked her up and cooed, "my little sugarcube, I promise I'll take good care of you."
It was a sad day for the whole Apple family over the deaths of Appleseed and Cherry Blossom. Amazingly enough, Apple Bloom was unharmed. Probably, because she was in the carriage and the wolves didn't see her. That was what they always thought.. but it must have been because of Tirek. 

Granny had shown more love for Apple Bloom than Tirek ever did, as did her dead parents... perhaps, the alicorn filly did do something wrong.

Apple Bloom woke up, shocked at all of this. It was Tirek who had killed both of her parents in cold blood. Tirek did not even care to take Apple Bloom into his care. No..no... her mom and sort-of-dad were morons for going against the will of someone as strong, smart, and charismatic as Tirek. Tirek was great. He was the best dad a filly could have. Everything he did was for his daughter, including the murder of Appleseed and Cherry Blossom. No, that didn't seem right.. it didn't even make sense. Was Bloom going crazy?

"So, what did you think", asked Zecora.

"Ah can't believe that my mom was dumb enough to choose Appleseed over Tirek. Ah can't believe it."

"Did Tirek show any signs that he loved you?"

"No, but he doesn't have to. He's helped me enough. Hell, he could have killed me too."

"What about your parents? Did they show signs that they loved you?"

"I know.. it's something I...oh my gosh", said Apple Bloom with tears streaming down her face. She had hit the point of no return a while ago. Damn Zecora. She was always looking to mess around with ponies. Apple Bloom had felt like a pawn of Tirek, but no.. her father did love her. He did. He must have had good reasons for killing her mother. He must have, right? No, he didn't. All Apple Bloom saw was a jealous centaur, one who had wanted a mare who didn't want him. It seemed so petty. Apple Bloom was confused.

Zecora looked at Apple Bloom with sympathy. Perhaps, she was sapping the evil away from the filly.. or this could all be an act on Apple Bloom's part. 

"Ah... err... need to talk to Tirek first. Get my dad's side of the story."

"Why should I let you go?"

"Ah will kill you otherwise. Please.. I just think that.. oh my gosh.. did my parents really die because Tirek was jealous?"

"I notice that you are referring to Appleseed as one of your parents."

"I don't know.. I guess I thought he was my real dad for al of these years.. it just kinda sticks..."

"I understand. I will not stop you from leaving."

"Thank you Zecora."

Apple Bloom flew away. This time, she was going to find out exactly what Tirek had done the night her parents were killed. 
Zecora could be simply creating lies to try to get the alicorn filly to turn on him.