//------------------------------// // At First Sight // Story: Blooming Talent // by Griffin Productions //------------------------------// Apple Bloom looked out to the dark gray skies as the storm clouds rolled in; the thunder rumbling loudly as if signaling ahead of time to everypony to hide. Granny Smith had said a killer storm was coming into Ponyville today, but this was much bigger than any other storm the young mare had ever seen. "Apple Bloom!" Applejack's voice called out urgently. "Scoot your boot inside!" "But I always watch the storms roll in, Applejack!" "Not this one, ya ain't." Apple Bloom's elder sister said, quickly trotting to her. "This storm is gonna more n' likely level the whole orchard" "What?" Apple Bloom spat, surprised. "Ya can't be serious!" "Dead serious, lil' sis! Now get inside, the storm is gonna be over us in a min--" A bright bolt of lightning struck at that moment, striking the top of the porch on which the two ponies stood, lighting it aflame. The wood was nearly instantly burned up, and the roofing collapsed. "Apple Bloom look out!" Applejack yelled. "Applejack!" She shouted, sitting bolt upright in the bed she lay in. Gohan, startled by the sudden noise and movement, jolted and fell of the chair he had been sitting upon next to her. She looked over to him, a hoof rushing to her mouth. "I'm sorry! Are you ok?" Gohan grunted, and rubbed the back of his head, which had struck the floor pretty squarely. He then chuckled. "Yeah, don't worry about me." He said. "I've had much worse." He got back to his feet before speaking again. "The question is, how are you feeling?" Apple Bloom seemed to remember the beating se took the day before. "I...feel...fine. Great, in fact. What happened?" "Well, after I set you to bed, I headed to Korin's for some senzu beans." The voice of Goku sounded off. The saiyan walked into the room, carrying the small baggie of senzu beans in his left hand. "These things will fix you right up. They're great! Not much on taste though." Apple Bloom checked herself over anyway, just to make sure she wasn't dreaming still. When he was satisfied, she hopped out of bed. She was expecting her legs to give out under her, but like Goku had said, those beans had fixed her right up. She felt one hundred percent. "So, uh..." She started, a small hint of embarrassment coming over her. "Did I totally flunk the first test?" Goku giggled and knelt down to meet her eyes. "Nope. I didn't expect you to beat Vegeta. He's too strong. I didn't expect him to do what he did though, but as long as we have these senzu beans, we can train harder than ever." She smiled gratefully at her new teacher. He was a much nicer person than Vegeta. Then she had a realization. "Hey," she said. "where is Vegeta anyway? Is he still here?" Goku shook his head. "Nah, he left awhile ago. He had dinner with Bulma." Apple Bloom was confused again. "Who's Bulma?" "One of these days we need to introduce her to everyone." Gohan said to his father. Goku nodded in agreement. He was sure everyone would welcome her happily. Then he snapped his fingers when an idea struck him. "Hey," He said, happily. "Goten is up, isn't he? While Chi Chi is making breakfast, Apple Bloom could go meet Goten." Gohan chuckled and nodded. "Sounds like a good idea." He turned to Apple Bloom, motioning her to follow behind him. "C'mon, Apple Bloom. I'll introduce you to my little brother. I think you'll like him." She nodded, happy at the prospect of meeting a new friend. The two waked down the hallway towards the room which Goten stayed in. As they walked, Apple Bloom took note of all the pictures hanging on the walls. There were several of the family together, and several more of people she didn't recognize. One of them was green with pointed ears and wearing a big white cape. Another looked like he had three eyes. There was even a photo of someone who looked like a smaller and younger version of Vegeta, but with a tail. So many photos. So many memories. She could tell these people had been through a lot together, and it made their bond as a family stronger. Just like her and her family... Gohan knocked on the door at the end of the hall. "Hey, Goten, someone is here to see you." "C'mon in, Gohan!" A teenaged boy's voice cam back. Gohan opened the door and stepped aside so Apple Bloom could see in and walk inside. When she did so her eyes fell upon the one called Goten, and she stopped dead in her tracks. The young man was not as muscular as his older brother, but he as no twig either. His jet black hair was a bit of a mess, and yet it worked for him and his style. He sat cross-legged on his bed, a gamepad held in his hands. He turned to see the mare, and looked a bit surprised. "Gohan, is this the Apple Bloom you were talking about? The one Vegeta beat up yesterday?" Goten asked. "Yup. This is her." Gohan confirmed. Goten put his gamepad down and hopped off his bed. I don't see how anyone could hurt such a beautiful creature like that!" He walked over to Apple Bloom and petted her mane softly. The sensation sent a few shivers down Apple Bloom's spine, but these shivers were welcomed. It was a very sensual feeling having someone play with her mane. Goten scratched behind her right ear, and she couldn't help but blush bit and turn her head so he could scratch it better. "Hehehe, I think I found where she likes it." Goten chuckled. "Yeah...y-you did." She confirmed. "So, you can talk. That's awesome!" "Yeah.." Apple Bloom mused. "It is awesome..." Gohan coughed into his hand, feeling a little awkward. Sure, it was ok to give her attention, but for some reason the fact she was intelligent made it weird to see her enjoy being pet. "Anyway, I'll, uh, head down stairs to see how breakfast is doing. You two come down whenever you want." "Ok!" They both said, different tones in their voices; adoration in Goten's, and ecstasy in Apple Bloom's. "I think you and me are gonna get along great." Goten announced, taking his hand off of Apple Bloom and sitting back down. Apple Bloom seemed to reach for his hand again with her head, but realized what she was doing an regained her composure. "I...I think so too." She smiled, a tinge of red still on her muzzle.