“Ah don’t get it...what did Ah do wrong?”
Apple Bloom stared at her flower, her shoulders slumped. She prodded it with one hoof, only for one withered, brown petal to disintegrate into dust. White flecks speckled the leaves and stem, and an odorous purple fuzz had begun to creep up the wilted stem.
Sweetie Belle studied the open pages of a thick brown book. Her green eyes skimmed the text, and one white hoof tapped her chin as she read.
“Let’s see here…um...oh! Here’s the potion recipe!” She grinned, jabbing one hoof at the pages. “Ok, did you, um...add the parsnip?”
“Uh-huh!”
“How about the tulip petals?”
“Yup!”
“Um...how about grape juice?”
Apple Bloom groaned, instantly burying her face in her hoof. “No! Ah forgot the grape juice!” Placing her hoof back on the ground, she angrily added, “Who even uses grape juice in potions, anyway?” She glared at her hooves, her cheeks puffing out, a hint of red creeping into the pale yellow coloring.
“Apparently whoever came up with this recipe,” Sweetie Belle remarked, earning a glare from her frustrated friend.
“Great. Another failed potion. Another failed attempt t’get mah cutie mark!”
“Aw, don’t worry, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo trotted forward, placing a reassuring hoof on her friend’s shoulder. “We’ll just have to try harder!” A look of determination crossed her face, and her undersized wings began to buzz.
“Yeah!” Sweetie Belle smiled. “We have to stay positive!”
Apple Bloom sighed. “Ah guess…”
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exchanged concerned glances. “Hey, don’t be that way!” Scootaloo nudged the pale yellow earth pony in an attempt to cheer her up. “Why don’t we go down to Sugarcube corner? They have these new apple cakes that are only four bits apiece!”
“Not now. Ah told Applejack Ah’d be home in time fer lunch.”
“Oh.” Scootaloo’s shoulders slumped. “Uh, see you later then?”
“Yeah, Ah guess.” The filly turned, starting the walk home.
Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo exchanged glances again, their eyes wide. Sweetie Belle quickly added, “Uh, okay! See you later!”
Apple Bloom didn’t respond. Instead, she continued the long walk home, her hooves dragging.
* * *
“Ah still don’t’ get what yer so upset about.”
Applejack frowned at her little sister as she planted her forehooves in the ground. Raising her hind legs, she bucked the tree, which trembled upon contact. The ripe apples clinging to the branches promptly fell, dropping into the buckets stationed below.
"But--"
“Apple Bloom, it’s only a cutie mark. We’ve been over this, an’ Ah got work to do.”
“But Applejack,” Apple Bloom complained. “Ah’m tired of waitin’! Ah want it now!”
Applejack appointed her sister with a firm glare. “Ah’m sorry, but Ah can’t listen t’yer complain’ right now. Ah’ve got work t’do.”
Apple Bloom sighed, hanging her head. “But...what if Ah never get mah cutie mark?”
Applejack shook her head. “Listen, sis. It’ll come in time, and that’s all Ah can say.”
“But…”
“Apple Bloom! Apple Bloom!”
Apple Bloom’s ears pricked, and her head swiveled around to see two familiar shapes galloping towards her.
“Sweetie Belle? Scootaloo?” Apple Bloom leaped to her hooves, a grin instantly lighting up her face. The two crusaders skidded to a halt beside their friend a moment later, out of breath.
“We...have...something...awesome…” Scootaloo doubled over as she attempted to regain her breath, panting heavily.
“What?”
“Show her, Sweetie Belle!”
A rolled-up poster, wrapped in a pale green aura, floated directly in front of Apple Bloom. Curious, the farm filly took it in one hoof and unrolled it, her eyes skimming over the letters scrawled across the page.
“‘Diamond Tiara’s Birthday Party,’” Apple Bloom read aloud. “‘Come an’ enjoy the finest foods at the Silver Bit tonight at seven o'clock.’” She looked up from the poster incredulously, a skeptical frown on her face. “Are y’all serious? Ya wanna go t’some high-end restaurant with Diamond Tiara?”
“But Apple Bloom,” Sweetie Belle huffed. “Diamond Tiara acted so nice when she gave us the invitation! Maybe that means she’s finally gotten over teasing us!”
“An’ maybe pigs fly.” Apple Bloom sighed, shaking her head. “‘Sides, even if we did go, the Silver Bit’s super fancy an’ expensive.”
“We don’t need to,” Scootaloo exclaimed. “DT told us her dad would cover everything!”
“DT?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow at Scootaloo, who shrugged.
“Come on, Apple Bloom, this could be the start of a new friendship! Please?”
Apple Bloom stared into the hopeful faces of her best friends. One one hoof, Diamond Tiara had always been cruel to them, and she wanted nothing to do with the prissy pink pony. But on the other hoof, if this was an offering of friendship, accepting the invitation could end the ruthless teasing once and for all. Plus, Apple Bloom was dying to see the inside of a posh restaurant.
Heaving a deep sigh, Apple Bloom finally said, “Alright. Ah’ll go.”
“Yes!” Scootaloo pumped one hoof in the air, her wings buzzing.
“This is going to be so much fun!” Sweetie Belle leapt in the air. “And we get to wear dresses...Rarity said she’d have something for us...let’s go!”
* * *
“So? How do I look?”
Apple Bloom grinned. Despite her uneasiness towards the party, she had to admit that Rarity’s efforts were truly marvelous. She was wearing a flowing maroon gown with long sleeves and golden trim. A paler golden saddle, lined with sunset orange, was connected to the top. The fabric was incredibly soft, and Apple Bloom felt as if she was in a nightgown.
“You look great, Scoots!” Sweetie Belle smiled, admiring her own layered pale pink-and-blue ensemble. Scootaloo puffed out her chest, beaming at the sight of her gold-and-scarlet striped dress.
“Indeed you do!” Rarity smiled as she adjusted Sweetie Belle’s dress, levitating a needle and thread behind her. “I must say, these dresses are some of my best work!”
“Thanks, Rarity,” the three crusaders chimed in unison.
“I’ve been to the Silver Bit several times myself,” she added. “It does cost quite a lot, but it’s worth it! They have the some of the best hors d'oeuvres I’ve ever tasted, and the decor…” Rarity sighed, closing her eyes, as if picturing the inside of the restaurant. Snapping her eyes open, she quickly added, “But you’ll have the chance to experience it for yourself soon! In fact, I believe it is about time to go!”
“Yes!” Scootaloo pumped a hoof in the air. “This is gonna be awesome!”
Rarity chuckled as she led the three fillies outside. The sky was deep orange, tinged with scarlet, and orange clouds drifted through the sky. Ponies stood on the dusty street, conversing and laughing with each other. The air was warm, but a wispy breeze ruffled the fillies’ manes as they stood outside.
“Do you know how to get there? I prepared a map for you, just in case.” Rarity levitated a map into Sweetie Belle’s hoof, who rolled her eyes.
“Don’t worry, Rarity. We’ll be fine.” Sweetie puffed out her chest, strutting forward. “It’s just down the street a few blocks!”
“Oh...alright!” Rarity sighed, a small smile playing on her lips. “Go and have fun! And don’t eat too much...oh, and remember your manners...especially at a place like the Silver Bit! Don’t talk with your mouth--”
“Rarity!”
“Right, right...have fun!”
The older unicorn closed the door as the three fillies began their walk. As they trotted along, they began to chat excitedly.
“I bet they have chandeliers! Real crystal chandeliers,” Scootaloo chirped. “And I bet the silverware is made of diamonds!”
“Diamonds?” Apple Bloom shot Scootaloo a skeptical glance. “No offense, Scoots, but that sounds a might far-fetched.”
“Well...how do you know?” Scootaloo glared at her friend, her wings beating angrily. “You’ve never been there!”
“They don’t use diamonds fer silverware,” Apple Bloom snorted. “That’s just...silly!”
“Silly? Well, maybe--”
“Girls!” Sweetie Belle frowned at her feuding friends. “Stop arguing!” She turned, pointing one white hoof at the building before them. “We’re here!”
Apple Bloom and Scootaloo both grinned, their bright smiles lighting up their faces. The three of them trotted forward, the dresses hindering their gait, and they skidded to an awkward halt in front of the Silver Bit.
The restaurant was enormous, mimicking a castle layout; it was constructed out of gray stone, complete with two balconies on a second story. Faint classical music could be hear from the inside, and gray cobblestone path was lined with a perfectly-cut lawn and scarlet roses.
“It’s...awesome!” Scootaloo beamed, and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle let out small squeaks of awe. “Let’s go in!”
The three fillies galloped up to the enormous double doors, and Apple Bloom pushed it open. Giggling with excitement, the three trotted in, their eyes wide, and gasped.
The walls were painted a deep scarlet, similar to the plush carpet,and enormous chandeliers dangled overhead, providing a dim light. Long tables were stationed across the room, covered in silken white tablecloths, and instead of chairs, large velvet cushions sat contentedly on the floor. Every cubic inch of the room practically screamed elegance and poise, and the three fillies were taking it all in.
The crusaders each let out tiny, high-pitched squeals as they stood, their hooves sinking into the carpet. Their eyes sparkled as their heads swung around, surveying their posh surroundings.
“Excuse me?”
The fillies were broken out of their trance by a sharp, heavily accented voice. They turned to see a pale gray-coated unicorn mare with a silky black mane which had been combed and twisted perfectly.
“Are you waiting on an adult?” The mare frowned slightly as she gazed at the fillies through narrowed eyes.
“Er, no.” Apple Bloom trotted forward, a confident smirk on her face. “We’re s’posed t’be here with Diamond Tiara. It’s her birthday today!”
“Ah. Of course. My apologies.” The mare nodded. “Please, follow me.” Using her magic, she levitated three menus from a neat stack on a small table and began to slowly walk towards the back. The crusaders instantly began to follow her, trotting to keep up with her.
In the back, a long table sat in its own secluded corner. At the head sat none other than Diamond Tiara, who wore a pink-and-gold gown, and Silver Spoon sat beside her. Various fillies sat along the rest of the table; many of them were from school, and some looked as elegantly styled as the mare who accompanied them. Apple Bloom grinned, holding her head high as she trotted up to the former bully, her friends right behind her.
“Howdy!” She waved enthusiastically, waiting eagerly for the pink pony to turn and greet her warmly.
But her hopes were shattered as Diamond Tiara turned, a sneer on her face. “Look who decided to show up,” she snarled, batting her eyelashes. “If it isn’t the ratty farm filly and her two little followers.”
Apple Bloom’s heart froze. Confused, she glanced back at her friends who wore similar expressions. Fearing the worst, she turned back, adding, “But...didn’t ya invite us?”
Diamond Tiara’s smile lacked warmth as she cocked her head, her eyes icy. “Invite you? Now why would I invite three little babies who don’t even have their cutie marks?”
“We’re not babies!” Scootaloo leapt forward, shooting Diamond Tiara with a poisonous glare.
“Oh?” Diamond Tiara giggled. “Funny, seeing as you don’t even have your cutie marks. Why don’t you just run along and let the adults talk?”
The fillies sitting around the table instantly broke into fits of high-pitched giggles. Apple Bloom felt heat creep into her cheeks as she backed up, and tears began blurring her vision as the fillies continued to laugh.
The laughter was deafening, or so it seemed; Apple Bloom slowly made her way backwards as she looked at all the eyes on her, making her the object of ridicule. She couldn’t bear it. Her breath began to come out in short gasps as she continued to slowly back up.
As the laughter increased, Apple Bloom finally whipped around and began to gallop out of the restaurant.
“Apple Bloom! Wait!”
Apple Bloom didn’t bother to slow down, even at the sound of her friend’s voice. She kept up her canter, flying through the main room and out the door.
“Apple Bloom!”
Apple Bloom whipped around, her eyes practically blazing. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had caught up to her, guiltily kicking their hooves in the dirt.
“Ah knew this was a bad idea from the start,” she spat. “Ah should’ve trusted mah instincts! But ya tried t’talk me into it…” She shook her head, gritting her teeth. The sound of laughter sounded faintly in her ears, and she turned, a lump forming in her throat.
“Apple Bloom, we’re sorry! We didn’t know this was going to happen!” Sweetie Belle’s green eyes glistened with tears as she apologized.
“Ah should’ve…” Apple Bloom sighed, slumping her shoulders. “Ah just wish Ah were older! Then nopony would laugh at me! Ah would have mah cutie mark an’…” She turned, not bothering to wait for her friend’s response. Instead she took off, her hooves pounding the ground as she raced towards home.
As she ran, storm clouds began to cluster together at an abnormally quick pace. She looked into the sky, a tear finally falling from her cheek.
“Ah just wish Ah was older…” As she looked up, she saw a bright light flash in the sky. A thin, bright bolt of white light shot down from the cluster of clouds, shooting straight towards the filly.
As Apple Bloom gasped, the white light slammed into her. Instead of pain, however, a warm tingling began in her chest, slowly spreading throughout the rest of her body. Suddenly exhausted, she collapsed, her eyes beginning to close. As the warmth slowly subsided, darkness began to speckle her vision, slowly growing, until she finally slipped away.