//------------------------------//
// Chapter 3 
// Story: Genetics of a Scene 
// by peacevic 
//------------------------------//

Ch. 3

Even as Apple Bloom ran out of the theater, tears falling from her face, she knew it was the wrong thing to do. Her mother would never do something like this. Applejack didn't run from her problems. But she couldn't help it. She was so angry! Angry and betrayed and...
And embarrassed. It wasn't Sweetie Belle's fault. It wasn't even Trixie's. She's the one who told Trixie to have Sweetie Belle sing. She's the one who dragged Sweetie Belle to rehearsal. It was her fault.
She slowed to a stop and looked back at the theater. She hadn't gotten all that far, only a couple blocks. But still, she couldn't go back now. They'd be mad at her. And she didn't think she could handle the Oranges' snobbery right now. She had nowhere to go, so she just sat on the curb with her head in her hooves.
"Hey... You're Rarity's sister's friend, right?"
The little pony looked up. She must be getting jaded from knowing so many celebrities, because the sight of Equestria's biggest pop star did little to excite her. "I was." She told Sapphire Shores. "I don't think she'd want to hang out with me now, though."
Sapphire cocked her head. "Why is that? Last time I saw you two, you seemed pretty close."
"I messed up." Apple Bloom said, wiping the last of the tears away.
"Obviously." Ms. Shores smiled and sat on the curb next to the filly. "Ponies usually aren't so mopey when they do something right. So tell me, what could you possibly have done that was so bad?"
Apple Bloom didn't feel like saying. "What about you? What are you doing out here so late?"
"I came to get tickets to the show." Sapphire Shores replied, humoring the filly's attempt to redirect the conversation. "I haven't seen Trixie perform since... goodness, since before her troubles in Ponyville. But we were talking about you, honey."
It came out in a rush. "I don't need to buy tickets 'cause I'm supposed to be helping with the show, but I told Trixie she should have Sweetie Belle sing, then we met Sweetie Belle in town while we were shopping and I dragged her back to rehearsals with us, but then Trixie was too busy with Sweetie Belle so I got mad and I stormed out." She took a deep breath to keep from keeling over. "And now I don't know what to do."
Sapphire nodded, able to keep up with most of what the little pony beside her had said. Except for one point. "Why would Trixie want you to help her with her act?"
"We're actually sisters. We both just found out about it." Apple Bloom traced little figures on the ground with her hoof.
"Ohhh..." The star stroked her mane thoughtfully. "Don't want the ponyrazzi to find out about that. Trust me."
Apple Bloom grabbed Sapphire's sleeve. "So what do I do?"
"Girl, I think you already know what you ought to do." Sapphire Shores gently pried Apple Bloom's hoof from her top. It was one of Rarity's, and extremely delicate. "You just want somepony to tell you to do it. So that's what I'm doing."
At that moment, they both heard a door slam from the direction of the theater. When they looked, they saw Trixie worriedly scanning the streets, searching for her sister.
"And here's your chance. I'll see you around." With that, she got up and walked away.
Apple Bloom watched her go, then sighed and stood as well. "Hey, Trixie!" She shouted as she started toward her sister.
Trixie galloped to meet her halfway. "I'm so glad you're ok!" She said scooping her little sister up in a big hug. "I'd have been out here sooner, but it turns out that once your little friend starts lecturing, it's hard to get her to stop." She put Apple Bloom back down. "You didn't get very far, though."
"Turns out I didn't have anywhere to get to." Apple Bloom bowed her head a bit. "I'm sorry for making you worry, and I hope Sweetie Belle wasn't too mean. It's not you fault."
"What do you mean?"
The little filly pointed at herself. "You were just trying to include me in your life. I'm the one who suggested that you have Sweetie Belle sing your song. When we ran into her, I'm the one who dragged her along. You were just trying to make your show perfect, but I got jealous of all the attention you were giving her. It's all my fault. Could you ever forgive me?"
Her big sister burst out laughing. Apple Bloom sputtered confusedly, but before she could say anything Trixie hugged her again. "Apple Bloom, it's not your fault. I'm the adult. I'm the one who should be thinking about how my actions will affect you. But I wasn't thinking about you. I was thinking about Twilight."
Apple Bloom pulled back, more confused than ever. "Wait, what?"
"While I was staying with you, I heard Twilight was tutoring you and your friends." Trixie explained. "I wanted to do that, too. Be a positive influence in somepony's life for once." She scratched her head and smiled sadly. "But I'm not Twilight. I haven't really studied anything except magic. That's why it was so hard to explain why I re-read books on the train ride here. I don't know potions, or science, or history. Hay, I had to use an evil magical amulet just to beat her at the one thing I have studied. So when I got the chance to teach something, even something as simple as a smoke spell, I jumped on it and I ignored how that made you feel. Sorry Apple Bloom."
Apple Bloom suddenly remembered something. "What about the show? I wasted all the rehearsal time, and there's no way I'll be able to figure out how to get out of those ropes by tomorrow night!"
"Silly Apple Bloom." Trixie playfully patted her little sister on the head. "The Great and Powerful Trixie has performed without an assistant for her entire career and has a few fans to show for it. I'll be fine. There's even a way for you to help out that's not part of the act, if you want."

Trixie's show went off without a hitch, the crowd going wild for the adorable little unicorn who opened for her. And Apple Bloom? Though the audience may not find her astonishing, she was content to ensure the spotlight stayed fixed on her big sister.