//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 // Story: Apple Bloom // by Noratcat //------------------------------// You did well my little doll. He sat there listening to her words of praise. "I really did good?" he innocently asked. "Very much so, she was so happy and content. She enjoyed every minute." That made him happy for two reasons. One, he had completed his task, two, he made the young filly happy. Something about her smile just lit him up inside, filling him with immense joy. A smile crossed his face, but it fell in that instant. "Do you really have to do it?" his question passed his lips without hesitation. Or maybe he should have been hesitant. Slowly he could hear her steps. "Can't you pick someone else?" Upon his scaly shoulder, he felt something. "Now, now my dear little doll, remember what I told you." He winced as something dug in like a knife. "Smile." Reluctantly, he did. XXX The next morning, Apple Bloom did what she did the last time, tell of her experience. "It was so cool!" the little filly exclaimed excitedly. The rest of the Apple family didn't really pay much mind to the excited youngster. Granny Smith was asleep per usual. Big Macintosh and Apple Jack simply went about their daily duties, half listening to their little sister's dream talks. "Granny Smith, the other one Ah mean, she was roping everything and those candy apples!" Apple Bloom rolled her eyes back in ecstasy. "How come we don't grow candy apples?" Applejack was the first to respond. "Apple Bloom, those dreams are filling yer head with silly notions." Big Macintosh didn't have such blunt feelings on the matter. "Well, we probably would make more if weupped our produce." Although he knew candy apples didn't grow on trees, being the mathematical one, he knew that perhaps a few changes would bring in more money. "Eyup." he concluded. Applejack on the other hand, didn't think so highly. "Horsefeathers! We've been selling plain, ordinary apples since our great grandad ran this place and that's how it's going to stay." Well that only applied to non ceremonial selling. The siblings didn't argue with each other, for they both know it would go around in circles. "Look we still got a lot to do around here big brother, so I suggest ya get to work." Big Macintosh shrugged and went to his daily chores. Apple Bloom frowned. Same old morning, her brother too busy and her sister being a hard flank. Apple Bloom expected to be left out once again, same old, same old. "Apple Bloom?" Applejack turned to her sister, right before she left. The filly looked to her sibling, noticing the slightly warmed expression upon her face. "Ah was wondering, would y'all like to sell the apples with me?" Applejack seemed hesitant in her question. Apple Bloom herself felt a tad hesitant. For the past two days, things had been tense between she and her sister. Was this her way of trying to make it up? "Um..." Apple Bloom scratched the ground with her front hoof, "sure." XXX Ponyville was still held in the grim weather that had overtaken the town for the past two days. Amongst the passerby's that actually came out this day, grumbled about the weather conditions. Occasionally, a rainbow streak zipped past the gray clouds. Apparently, even Rainbow Dash managed to shake off her usual laziness to perk up the skyline. "Fresh apples! Come and get your delicious and nutritious apples!" It seemed like one mood wasn't dampened today. Applejack called out her usual slogans, just like any other day. A few ponies stopped by their stand to purchase the red fruit. Applejack kept her smile plastered on. Nobody would want to buy from an unhappy vendor, it was common knowledge. Business seemed to come and go. One moment they would be receive customers, and then it would subside. Nevertheless, Applejack kept it open. Someone would want apples at some point. "This is boring." Apple Bloom sighed. Her head hung low and her posture illustrated her feelings. "Why'd you make me come out here?" Applejack sighed herself. "Ah didn't. Ah asked you and ya said yes." She corrected. It didn't help to improve Apple Bloom's mood. Everything moved so slowly around her. Everything was the same old routine. "Hey Applejack? Can Ah get something at Sugar Cube Corner?" she casually asked. "Apple Bloom, y'all spoil your appetite, we're going to have a nice lunch after this." Applejack countered. Once more, it only worsened the filly's mood. "If my other sister was here, she would buy it for me." She grumbled, utmost certain that would be the case. Applejack grumbled herself. "Well, she's just a dream, and Ah'm real." "Well a dream is better than this." Apple Bloom suddenly proclaimed. A few tense moments of silence followed before Applejack spoke again. "Look sis, A'm really trying here, Ah know I've been a sourpuss recently." it was an attempt at an apology. Apple Bloom didn't respond at first. She couldn't think of anything to say really. Well save for one thing. "Can Ah go?" Sighing to herself, Applejack answered. "Fine." At that point, Applejack was the only person at the stand. Apple Bloom had another destination in mind. This place held no joy recently, but she one that did. XXX Apple Bloom stormed through the woods. So many thoughts raced through her head. Perhaps she was too much of a brat to her sister? After all, she had tried to make amends. But, stubbornness ran in the family. Apple Bloom was no exception. The path she had memorized well. A habit engrained into her head after doing it twice in a row. The leaves hardly crunched. Too much moisture clung turing them into wet little slappers. Apple Bloom ignored all that, for she saw something up ahead. The abandoned house stood out like a welcoming sign. At least, it was welcoming to Apple Bloom. "Well well. It would seem within this gloom," Apple Bloom halted. The voice came so suddenly, it made some hairs stand on end. Turning her head around, she spotted a hooded figure stepping from behind a tree. Despite being concealed mostly by the hood, a striped muzzle revealed itself as the hood flipped back. "I have found you little Apple Bloom." The zebra finished her rhyme. "Zecora?" Apple Bloom asked, surprised at the zebra's sudden appearance. "W-what are you doing here?" a nervous stutter peppered her lips. She had hoped to go without being seen, perhaps out of fear of someone finding her little secret. If any other pony found out, they may want to have it for themselves. Celestia forbid if Silver Spoon and Diamond Tiara found this Other World. Zecora's eyes directed towards the house. Apple Bloom swallowed; somehow she had a hunch that was why Zecora was around. But for what reason? "I was simply looking for plants, when you happened to cross my glance." Answered Zecora. "So if I may ask, why are you treading near this grass?" It was amazing how she could rhyme like that. Least Apple Bloom thought so. But she wondered if perhaps it grew tiresome to do so all the time, every time? "Oh…well Ah….hmmm." Apple Bloom tried to think of a lie and think of it quick. "Ya see." her hoof dug at the ground before her in uncertainty. "My doll! Ah was playing here the other day and Ah lost my favorite doll." That excuse had to work. Upon that, Zecora raised her eye in suspicion. "Doll?" was her only response, no follow up rhyme to mention it. Although Apple Bloom thought she heard the faint mumble of "the gall". If Zecora was suspicious, nothing came of it. All the zebra concentrated on was the house ahead. Apple Bloom noticed something. Zecora's face turned dead serious. More she looked at the house it seemed, the more serious her face became. It was more than that however. Zecora backed away just a bit. Her face flinched in the stone set seriousness it had given itself. If Apple Bloom didn't know any better, it would seem as if Zecora was afraid of the place. "Beware, for your eyes I would not bet." The rhyme started. "What you say, may not be what you get." The zebra then departed off into unknown parts. Was that a warning? Apple Bloom asked herself. It would certainly seem that way, yet what could there be a need for a warning? It went over the filly's head. Did Zecora know what lay inside the house? Those were all interesting questions, but Apple Bloom had other things in mind. Going inside was like a routine to her. Down the hall, into the room, past the table, and crawling under, all of these steps led to the door. Right beside it, Apple Bloom spied the key. Just like the two times before, she took it in her mouth, and opened the door. Immediately, her face was hit with a wave of warm air. A blue glow illuminated everything. All of it was real, she just knew it. With a happy grin, she descended down the tunnel and past the door ahead. "I'm here!" Apple Bloom called happily. Her ears and eyes waited for any sign of her other family. But no sound came, nor did any sign of their flanks cross her sight. Instinctually, Apple Bloom went to the one place she just knew would have life, the kitchen. Stepping inside, she did find something was there. "Wow." Apple Bloom awed. Her eyes shined and sparkled. A whole plethora of treats awaited her. Cupcakes, brownies, muffins, and candy apples, why it was enough to feed a whole party, the spread at Diamond Tiara's cutecianera didn't hold a candle. While the young filly was staring in delight at the sweets, a purple head poked itself from behind the sugar pile. "Hello Apple Bloom!" Apple Bloom gave a yelp at the sudden appearance. "Spike?" the other one of course. In fact, she probably was more surprised by the button eyes. Perfect as this world was, she still couldn't get used to them. "What are you doing here?" Apple Bloom asked the doppleganger dragon. The Other Spike grinned. "I was waiting for you." If the eyes were not off putting enough, the grin certainly was. "Ya mean, y'all were sitting her all this time?" "Yes, I have." "Before Ah got here?" "Of course." The dragon certainly was loyal. Apple Bloom had to give him that. A little too loyal. It almost was creepy in its own way. "By the way, Ms Applejack wanted me to give you this." The Other Spike pushed a box over to Apple Bloom. Opening it she found two things inside. First, was a letter. Dearest Apple Bloom. I hope you enjoy this lunch I've prepared, please eat as much as you like. Also, your friends Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle have invited you to their show. Have fun. Sincerly, your Other Sister. Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo were here? Well, Apple Bloom assumed they were their other versions. Under the letter was a flyer of some sort. The big flashy words and letters drew her in. Sweetiebelle and Scootaloo's SUPER AWESOME Extremely sensational Magic Stunt Show! Open today, tomorrow and next day And so forth P.S. No zebras or cats of any sort. A duel magic and stunt show? It sounded interesting. But first thing was first, Apple Bloom was hungry and lunch was waiting right there. Just as she was about to take a bite out of them sot delicious looking cupcake, she noticed something, she was the only one eating. The Other Spike simply sat there looking at her. "Don't you want any Spike?" she asked the dragon. The Other Spike waved a claw. "No thanks, it's all for you." He declined. That was it; the dragon seemed perfectly fine with her enjoying herself, while he just sat there. This Spike may have been a perfect gentledragon, but it wasn't an excuse for her to be impolite. "Spike, Ah want you to have some." Apple Bloom urged. The Other Spike looked with uncertainty. "But…..It's yours. I shouldn't." "Spike!" Apple Bloom chided in a similar tone a parent would a child. "It's okay. Ah don't mind." Uncertainly looking at the food pile, one of his claws reached for a cupcake. Acting as if he was doing something naughty, he swiftly took a bite. He seemed surprised by the taste of it all. The sweetness spread through his face as he chewed. In no time, he polished off the confectionary delight in no time. "It's good." he announced and continued eating. Smiling, Apple Bloom joined him. The meal passed with not much conversation. When the two children were done, they prepared to leave. "Boy that was so good." Apple Bloom exclaimed. The Other Spike licked the traces that clung to his claws. "Yes. It was very delicious." Suddenly, Apple Bloom gave a large burp. "Excuse me." she blushed. She had not forgotten her manners. The other Spike simply smiled. "You certainly ate a lot." "Yeah Ah know, and Ah don't even feel full." Apple Bloom realized. Something else she noticed, the food. Her belly showed no sign of increase, not even from the large amount she ate. Strange, the food would sate her hunger, but she felt nothing inside. It was the same the last two times she ate in this world. "We better hurry or we'll be late for the show." The other Spike urged. Whatever thought's Apple Bloom had were soon pushed aside. The pair trotted along the path. Just as before, flowers seemed to sprout beside them. "So where exactly are we going?" inquired Apple Bloom. The Other Spike pointed ahead. "Over there." In the distance, well not that far of a distance, a large stadium sat. More like a dome actually. "That wasn't there yesterday." Apple Bloom realized. "I know. Ms Applejack just had it made." Answered the Other Spike. Momentarily, Apple Bloom stopped. All of that built in a single day? Well Apple Bloom didn't really care that much about it. Being as young as she was, she simply chalked it up to magic. Magic wasn't a huge stretch of imagination. Just look at the unicorns, they were chalk full of magic. The pair reached the stadium and entered the open door. Inside, the path was dark. The only way for Apple Bloom to guide herself was the tell tale footsteps of the Other Spike. It was a slight drag of the claws upon the velvet. Yes, there was velvet carpeting. The path winded into a large stand of seats. They were of the same velvety style of the carpets, which by now in the more lightened area, could be shown as a red color. The seats all directed towards a large gap in the stage, a vey large darkened gap. It was almost like looking into a great big void. Awe inspiring as this was, this place seemed too large. Sure it was big outside, but inside, it looked absolutely gigantic. "I've saved you a seat up front." The Other Spike announced. Apple Bloom joined him up at the front. Anticipation filled the filly. What could be in store for her this time? All of a sudden, a bright light filled the black void before her very eyes. Like an exploding star, Apple Bloom had to shield her eyes from the sheer brightness of it all. The glow began to die and when Apple Bloom opened her eyes, she exclaimed a simple "wow". A large series of loops, ramps, and rings all situated about the stage, stretching high and tall above. A puff of smoke appeared right at the front of the stage. When it cleared, a white filly stood in the center. It was Sweetiebelle, the other one that is. She held the same button eyes as the rest of the other versions, only they were yellow . Additionally, the Other Sweetiebelle was dressed in a traditional magicians cape and hat. Purple, just as her hair, or at least the striped parts. "Welcome one and all to this sensational show!" the Other Sweetiebelle announced. A wide series of sparkles and flashes accompanied her speech. "Tonight we shall dazzle you! Fascinate you! Mesmerize you! Astound you! Enter-" "Get on with it already! While we're still young here!" high above upon a ramp, stood a young pegasus filly on a scooter. By process of elimination, this would have to be the Other Scootaloo. She looked very much like her Ponyville counterpart, same blank flank, same color coat, even had Scootaloo's safety helmet. Like the Other Sweetiebelle, her button eyes were a blue color. The Other Sweetiebelle could see her performance partner was growing impatiant. "Right um... very well. Before we begin, we need a volunteer from the audience. Now who could it be?" the Other Sweetiebelle looked over the crowd of almost empty seats. Despite there being only two people present, the button eyed filly seemed to be having some difficulties deciding. "No...hmmm...maybe." she mumbled "Oh come on! Just pick her already!" the Other Scootaloo shouted impatiently. The other Sweetiebelle immediately pointed a hoof at no one other than, "Apple Bloom! Come on up!" Apple Bloom let out a tiny gasp. "Me?" looking to her side, she could see the Other Spike urging her to go on. There wasn't any other chance for this, so she wouldn't pass it up. Trotting up upon the stage, another puff of smoke caught her by surprise. When it cleared, a chair stood in it's place. "Please have a seat." instructed the Other Sweetiebelle. Apple Bloom did so. Seating herself upon it, she watched Other Sweetiebelle's horn glow. The young filly waved her hoof around. On that command, the chair began to shake, and before Apple Bloom could say anything, she found the ground getting smaller and smaller. It wasn't that, she was getting higher. "What the?" she cried as she noticed herself floating high in the air. With another puff of smoke, the chair vanished. Despite that, Apple Bloom still found herself floating. Frantically, her legs kicked around as she tried to grab onto something. But she would find nothing. "Scootaloo if you would please." the Other Sweetiebelle announced. The pegasus pony flashed a daring grin. "Finally!" using her hoof for propulsion, the scooter sped down the ramp, fast and furious as it twisted and turned at the many angles and twists. At last it came to a huge gap. The other side stood far away, a mistake would spell certain doom. In-between this all was Apple Bloom. The Other Scootaloo sped down. She was almost to the ramp. Her scooter had gained much speed as it descended. The speed served as an asset as she cleared the jump. While she was in the middle, of her grand jump, she grabbed hold of Apple Bloom. "Hold on tight!" Scootaloo instructed. Apple Bloom certainly listened. The scooter landed upon the opposite side. The Other Scootaloo sped along the ramps as fast as she could. Apple Bloom held on to dear life. They were going so fast, she could feel her cheeks parting away leaving nothing but a forced grin. The Other Scootaloo simply grinned deviously as she went over more ramps and around loops. Somehow Apple Bloom managed to hang on, right before another leap. Just below, the Other Sweetiebelle waved her hoof. From nowhere, a series of rings appeared between the ramp gap. With another wave of the hoof, the rings suddenly exploded in fire. The flames illuminated within Apple Bloom's eyes. They grew larger as did they. Wait! They were getting closer! Apple Bloom frantically looked at her other friend. She couldn't be? It dawned on Apple Bloom that indeed she was. Before she could protest, the scooter sped off the second ramp and through the flames. Yet, they were not burnt. The Other Scootaloo maneuvered through the rings without touching the flames. Apple Bloom held tight as she avoided them, only poking her head up as they cleared the jump. More twists and turns followed. Apple Bloom had no idea where they were going, but they were going fast. Everything passed on in a blur. All the little filly could see was a turn, a turn that lead into another ramp. Only, there wasn't a place to land. What came next was another blur. The Other Scootaloo continued along her path. There was no intent on stopping. The small scooter leapt over the ramp turning in midair. Apple Bloom continued to hold, but suddenly, a nudge pushed her. She found her self falling, gravity pulling her down below. Her tiny mind froze. It still remained that way as she felt a brief pause in the fall. Slowly she found herself gently drifting down. Her hooves planted upon the ground. Her hair was a frazzled mess from the fall. The Other Scootaloo skid across the ground in her descent. A perfect landing. "TA DA!" the Other Scootaloo and Sweetiebelle announced. Apple Bloom simply stood there in complete stultification. Her left eye twitched and a quiver danced upon her lips. No tears fell from her eyes however. Her quiver grew larger and her eye continued its ticks. Apple Bloom let out a cry. One word that summed up her emotions. "WOOHOO!" XXX "That was so amazing! Scootaloo was like whoosh! And Sweetiebelle was all ZAM with her magic!" Apple Bloom excitedly chattered as she retold the events from her day. The Other Spike sat by her side, always the eager listener. The dragon had said nothing after they left the show. He merely kept that smile going. It stayed glued to his face. However, at the corner of his lips, the glue began to peel. "So Apple Bloom? You had fun right?" the Other Spike timidly asked. Apple Bloom flashed a bright grin. "You bet! Ah've never had so much fin in my little old life!" "Do you like it here?" the dragon asked. Again, Apple Bloom's grin could practically be its own sun. "Course I do!" One last question. "Do you like me?" "Course I do ya silly little dragon! Y'all are much more fun than the real Spike." Apple Bloom noticed something the moment she mentioned the word 'real'. The fading smile showed itself upon Other Spike's scaly visage. "Are y'all alright?" the filly asked her friend. When he heard that question, the Other Spike flashed a brief look of horror. "You didn't see me frown okay? Please don't tell anyone." he begged, keeping his voice low. When his request spurred a quizical look upon the filly's face, the Other Spike quickly followed with, "I'm fine, just...just glad you had fun heh." he added with a laugh. Apple Bloom paid it no mind. In the distance she saw the shape of the Other Sweet Apple Acres. Waiting at the door was the Other Sister and the Other Big Macintosh. "Did you have fun sugarcube?" The Other Sister asked. Apple Bloom pranced at the mares hooves. "Ah sure did! This place is great! Ah never want to leave!" Hearing that made the Other Sister smile. As she and the Other big Macintosh escorted Apple Bloom into the house, she turned to face the Other Spike. What she saw made her own smile fade. The Other Spike looked up at her. His forced smile was turned upside down. The dragon wrung his claws together as he gazed up at the pony. In his eyes he held a pleading look. It was almost as if he was begging her not to do something. But his pleads fell deaf upon the Other Sister. Instead, she merely took a hoof and with a motion said one thing, "Smile". With that motion, the Other Spike quickly responded. Although this time, his smile was more half hearted than anything. When he heard the door close behind him, his smile returned to a frown. After all, he was nothing but a puppet doing his job. XXX "You know Apple Bloom. You could stay here forever if you wanted." the Other Sister said immediately upon entering the house. "Ah could?" Apple Bloom responded with disbelief. "Sure could kiddo!" the Other Big Macintosh added. "We could play games, pick apples, anything ya want!" That made Apple Bloom think. The prospect of staying in this world interested her greatly. It was no secret she loved it. She loved every bit of this world. The toys, the games, the food, but most of all she had a family who had time for her. That and a Spike that didn't hang around with slugs. But she had to ask herself, could she really leave her old life behind? "There is one little thing you have to do." the Other Sister added. So there was a catch. Apple Bloom seated herself at the table, as did her other family. The Other Sister nudged something towards her. "For you my sugar cube." It was a gift box neatly wrapped with a ribbon. Apple Bloom took the present with glee, nudging it open. Inside wasn't a toy nor a fancy new hat. What she saw made her formally happy position fall into a one of pure question. It was a needle and thread. Next to it was pair of black buttons. "You know we don't have to go with black, you could pick a different color if you wanted." the Other Sister offered. "We could go with yellow, blue, or even red like your ribbon!" she gave the choices with glee. As she listened to this, Apple Bloom tried to rationalize what all of this could mean. They had said she needed to do something to stay here. But what could a needle and thread have anything to do with it? Her eyes fell upon something: the eyes of the Other Sister. Something in the back of her mind stirred. Back and forth she transferred her own eyes to the buttons. The stirring grew into a suspicion. Everything in this world held something in common: the button eyes. All except one person that is...her. At last, the suspicion became realization. "NO WAY!" Apple Bloom forcefully pushed the box away. "Y'all aren't putting buttons in my eyes!" "Oh but sweetie you have to if want to stay." The Other Sister reminded. It didn't help improve Apple Bloom's shock. "Don't worry kiddo, ya won't feel a thing." The Other big Macintosh reassured. "Although you might bleed a bit-oof!" the stallion's face contorted in pain. The Other Sister's face broke away from her usual cheeriness. Annoyance, anger, pretty much any expression that said 'shut up'. Then she noticed Apple Bloom was staring at her. "Well, it's up to you sugar cube." Quickly she put on her former face. Apple Bloom rose from the table. The other versions of her family were swift to follow. She noticed the other Big Macintosh was walking with a limp in his leg. Almost as if he was kicked. The pretty picture was starting to fade away. No it had long gone past faded. As of now, Apple Bloom didn't mind the prospect of not staying here. "Ya know Ah think Ah'm going to hit the hay." Apple Bloom faked a yawn when she noticed their surprised or dismayed looks. Yet the Other Sister replaced it with a smile. "Alright sweetie." tapping the young filly's nose with her hoof she added "I know you'll make the right choice." Apple Bloom nervously smiled. XXX The moment she entered her other room, Apple Bloom quickly shut the door. Her eyes looked about searching for a way out. "What's wrong Apple Bloom?" the toys at her feet asked. "Don't you wanna stay?" Apple Bloom dashed away from the living dolls as fast as she could. There was only one way out of this world. She had taken it twice. Covering herself under the blanket she chanted repeatedly to herself. "Go to sleep. Go to sleep." She continued that chant in her head as she tried to force herself into slumber. She lost track of the time but soon she felt her eyes grow heavy. Or maybe she simply tired herself out. Her sleep wasn't very peaceful. The events of the day played back in her mind. First it started off joyous and then becoming soured with the ending bits. When she awoke, she was more than happy to throw of the covers and find herself back in her old room. Yet, she wasn't in her old room. To her dismay, her other room stared back at her. Fear gripped Apple Bloom. It looks like they wouldn't take no for an answer.