//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: An Apple Will Sparkle // by Autum Breeze //------------------------------// Chapter 2 ___________________________________________________________ Apple Bloom shifted as she returned from the land of sleep. What a weird dream, she thought. Ah can’t believe Ah still dreamt mah family would kick me out jus’ cos mah Cutie Mark ain’t an Apple. She suddenly became aware that she was resting against a warm body. By the feel of it, it was a mare. She chuckled inwardly. Guess during mah dream Ah sleepwalked inta AJ’s bed and snuggled up against her. Considering the nature of her dream, she reasoned it made sense that she’d move in her sleep to be close to her sister. Grinning to herself, she opened her eyes, expecting to see AJ’s sleeping face across from her. What she saw made her heart clench as reality hit her like a runaway cart. Twilight Sparkle’s sleeping face was staring back at her as the Alicorn slept soundly, Apple Bloom now feeling the lavender-feathered wings draped around her. If Twilight was in the bed that meant this wasn’t AJ’s bed. If it wasn’t AJ’s bed, that meant last night wasn’t a dream. If last night wasn’t a dream, that really meant that— Apple Bloom burst into tears, wailing as she realized her worst fears were indeed a reality. Her family had abandoned her, left her alone. Her wail seemed to rouse the Alicorn from her slumber, as she heard a snort, followed by the lavender mare’s concerned voice. “Apple Bloom? What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” Apple Bloom just buried her face into the older pony’s fur, not able to speak through her sobbing wails. She felt the wings around her take a firmer, yet also gently hold, followed by forehooves wrapping around her in a warm embrace. As she sobbed into the fur of the pony holding her, she felt a warmth inside her. She always felt different whenever Twilight comforted her as opposed to Applejack. It wasn’t the hug of a big sister. It was warmer... gentler. After she had managed to calm down some, basking in the warm feelings she got from the hug Twilight was giving, her thoughts became sad once more. Where would she go now? Her family clearly didn’t want her on the farm, or their lives, since Granny dumped her in front of the orphanage in the rain. She supposed she could go live with Babs in Manehatten. She didn’t have an apple mark either, since hers was a pair of scissors. Maybe she could stay with Babs family and then, when they grew up and Babs was running her own hair salon, Apple Bloom could do the maintenance on the machines? She tried to feel happy about that idea... she really did. But, to go live in Manehatten would mean leaving Ponyville and all her friends. Sure, her family had kicked her out, but she still had her friends. She didn’t want to leave them behind, but she couldn’t see how she could really stay in Ponyville anymore. Sure, one of her friends might offer to let her stay at their place, but how long would it be before she just became an hindrance to them. They all had their own lives to live. She had no right to ask them to let her live with them now until she could get her own place when she was older. And it wasn’t like she could ask Twilight to let her stay with her at the castle. Twilight was a princess and really, could she deal with a freeloading filly hanging around? Should she need to? Apple Bloom felt more tears slide down her muzzle and onto the Alicorn’s fur. It looked like Manehatten was the only place she could go. She’d have to leave everything behind, all because her stupid Cutie Mark couldn’t have at least had something to do with apples. “When should Ah go?” She didn’t even realize the words had softly left her mouth until Twilight’s grip slackened a little and she looked up to see the Alicorn giving her a puzzled and concerned expression. “What are you talking about?” At the question she looked down again so she wasn’t meeting the princess’s eyes. “Well... Ah can’ just live with ya. That’d be wrong. Ah don’ wanna bother ya none, Twilight.” She started sniffling, despite trying not to. “Ah... Ah guess Ah could live in Manehatten, with Babs. Ah-Ah mean... Ah-Ah don’ wa-wanna leave Ponyville, b-but—” The grip that had slackened before became firmer as she was pulled closer into Twilight’s fur, her words halted by the sudden movement. “You don’t have to leave, Apple Bloom,” Twilight whispered. She sounded like she was trying not to cry, but there was something else in there too that Apple Bloom couldn’t place right now. “But, Ah... Ah don’t got no family that wants me no more,” she said, her voice muffled by the fur she was being pressed against. The grip around her tightened that little bit more, but wasn’t uncomfortable. In fact, Apple Bloom was struggling a little not to fall asleep again due to the warmth around her. “You do now,” Twilight’s words were almost missed. Apple Bloom felt her heart leap, but tried to keep it calm. Twilight couldn’t have been saying what she thought she was saying. “Twilight...?” She felt Twilight’s head rest upon her own. “I’ll adopt you. If Applejack really doesn’t want you, then I do.” Sad as she was at the mention of her sister, Apple Bloom felt her heart swell at what she’d heard and allowed herself to drift into the warmth, not fighting back. She still had a family. She could stay in Ponyville. She wouldn’t have to lose her friends. And, as consciousness left her, she realized she now had something even more wonderful. She had... a mother. ___________________________________________________________ Twilight held the filly in her forelimbs, keeping her close, while fighting the urge to scream with rage at what Bloom family, one of her own best friends, had put this filly through. She was not lying. She would adopt Apple Bloom and make her a part of her own family. She deserved better than a family who’d abandon her and exile her from their own just for her Cutie Mark. She would make sure Apple Bloom was raised with the loving family she needed, one that would love her no matter what the circumstances. By the time she’d gotten her emotions under control, Twilight realized Apple Bloom had fallen back asleep in her embrace, a smile on her muzzle. This warmed the Alicorn’s heart and she leaned down, nuzzling the sleeping filly. A shift of movement from the next bed made her look up to see Spike sitting up and stretching, her maw open in a wide yawn. “Good morning, Spike,” she whispered. The baby dragon turned, clearly confused by the whisper, before he looked far more confused by the filly in Twilight’s grip. “Uh, Twilight?” he asked, lifting a finger. “Why...?” Twilight gave him a summary of what had happened last night and what Apple Bloom told her. Once she’d finished, the baby dragon wore a glare not many got to see from the small drake. “She just left her at the orphanage, in the rain, all because of her Cutie Mark?!” it was clear he was struggling not to shout, not wanting to wake the Earth Pony. Twilight nodded, her expression firm, until she looked down at Apple Bloom and it softened a little. “Spike, can you keep Apple Bloom company while I’m gone?” “Where’re you going?” he asked, quirking an eyebrow in genuine curiousness. Twilight sighed, stroking Apple Bloom’s mane with a hoof. “First, I’m going to visit the school and let Cheerilee know Apple Bloom won’t be there today.” Her face darkened. “Then, I’m going to go have a few words with Apple Bloom’s so-called loving sister.” ___________________________________________________________ Applejack bucked the nearest tree with no enthusiasm, the tree rewarding her for her efforts with nary an apple. She sighed heavily. She’d never thought it would hit her so hard. Sure, once she’d seen the mark, she’d realized what it meant, but she’d never expected it to get to her this much. Then again, she'd never known what not getting an apple mark would really mean for the one who got it. She remembered what had happened after Apple Bloom went upstairs last night. ~~~~~~ Applejack walked into the kitchen, hearing Apple Bloom slowly making her way upstairs. She didn’t like this, in fact she hated it. With every fiber of her being she wanted to tell Granny Smith that she didn't care if it was tradition, she wasn't going to send her little sister away. But... it was tradition and if there was one thing Apples were known for, even if it caused them pain, it was their traditions. It was why the FlimFlam Brothers had lost in the end, since they hadn’t gone by tradition in the ways of cider making, resulting in that awful concoction that had come from it. She started fixing the best apple fritters and soup she ever had. With this being the last meal her little sister would be able to enjoy as a member of the household, she intended to make it a the best she’d ever had. “Wanna talk?” She sighed as Big Mac entered, coming up beside her. “Not sure, really,” she said quietly as she stirred the pot. “Where’re we gonna send her?” he asked, the question painful both for her to hear and him to say. Applejack shook her head. “Ah don’ wanna break up this family.” Her eyes were downcast. “Ever since Ma and Pa died, we’ve been orphans. If not fer Granny, we mighta ended up at the orphanage.” A few moments later she heard the sound of the stairs creaking and guessed Granny was going upstairs to help Apple Bloom pack and comfort her. She wanted to comfort her sister too, to let her know that they would always love her, despite her needing to leave, but she couldn’t bring herself to. The look on her sister’s face was fresh in her mind. The fact that she had been the one to call out the damning phrase that would take her away still eating at her mind. Had she known this was what would happen to a burnt apple, she'd have forced Apple Bloom to hide the mark. Maybe she could've gotten Twilight to cast an illusion spell or something, to make it look like Apple Bloom's Cutie Mark at least had something to do with apples, then she wouldn't have to leave. “So, we gonna send her ta Manehatten?” Big Mac asked as he started to help her sister by slicing apples and other fruits for a fruit salad. She sighed, shaking her head. “We can’, Mac. Sure, she’d love bein’ with Babs, but could ya really send her all the way t’ Manehatten? Would ya really wanna separate her from her Crusader friends?” Mac’s eyes moved downward and he gave the tiniest shake of his head. “Nope.” “Me neither,” Applejack tossed a few more spices and herbs into the soup for more flavour. “Ah was thinkin’ Carrot Top’s farm? It’s only a little ways down the road and Bloom could visit us anytime she wan’ed.” “Ya sure Carrot Top and her husband would be willin’ t’ look after Bloom permanently?” he asked, his eyes glancing at her for a moment before returning to the orange he was slicing. “They’ve already got their own filly. Ya sure they’d be okay with suddenly caring for another.” Applejack was silent for a moment. “They’re distant members of the family, Mac. They know the tradition. Ah never understood sum o' what they said cos Ah didn't know it meant..." she sighed again, taking a deep breath before continuing. "And think about it. Bloom and Dinky will get along great.” Mac shook his head. "This is just so sudden, ya know. Ah... Ah don't like that this is her last night." Applejack continued to look into the pot. Once dinner was ready, Applejack called out to Granny and Apple Bloom. When neither responded, she went out of the kitchen. Looking around, she saw a note on the living room table. Gone out. Be back soon. Keep dinner warm for me. Granny. Applejack rolled her eyes at this. Of all the weird quirks her grandmother had, her desire for going for strolls in the rain was one of the many she would never fathom. She suddenly worried, knowing this was an Everfree storm. However, no sooner had she thought this than she heard the loud bang of the front door and a voice shouting, “Hooweeee! Nothin’ like a run in the rain to make ya feel young again.” She rolled her eyes, before putting the note down and went upstairs to talk with Apple Bloom. If Granny had decided to go for one of her Rain Walks, she must have been confident in Apple Bloom’s emotions. “Apple Bloom?” she asked, knocking on the door to the filly’s room. There was no response. Applejack frowned, confused. “Li’l’ sis? You okay in there?” Silence was her answer. Applejack raised an eyebrow, then sighed. Bloom didn’t give the Silent Treatment often. But when she did, it could last for hours, sometimes days. She just hoped they’d be able to talk before she took her to Carrot Top’s place. Applejack went downstairs and returned with a tray. On it was a bowl of fruit salad, a plate with some apple fritters and a bowl of soup, plus a glass of water. Whenever Apple Bloom was giving the Silent Treatment, she refused to eat with the family. This saddened AJ, because this was the last night they’d all be living in the same house. True, Apple Bloom might sleepover from time to time, but it wouldn’t be the same. “Look, Apple Bloom,” she called to the door, imaging her sister sitting on her bad, both angry and sad, “Ah’m sorry about all this. Ah swear Ah didn't know ya wouldn't be staying even if ya didn’t get an apple mark, but it’s not like we’re makin’ ya move away. Ya’ll be living with Carrot Top. She’s only down the road, s-so ya can still visit if’n ya want. Tain't like yer not allowed to visit, ya just can't... live here no more is all.” She had to take a moment to get control of herself again. “A-an’ they've got a daughter, Dinky. Ya both get along so well, Ah remember how ya both had so much fun at the reunion when Twilight first came ta Ponyville.” Silence answered her. “Remember how ya’d say ya wish Dinky could stay over longer?” she tried, not liking how her sister wouldn’t respond. The Silent Treatment was her sister’s second most powerful weapon after her pout and puppy-dog eyes combo. “Well, now ya’ll can have a sleepover at her house every night. How about that?” She got no response. Sighing in defeat, Applejack turned to head back downstairs. “Eat yer dinner while it’s still warm, okay, Bloom?” she called, trying to keep the sadness from her voice, before she went back to join Mac and Granny. ~~~~~ Applejack sighed. That morning, when she’d gotten up to get Apple Bloom and take her to Carrot Top’s, she’d found the room empty, devoid of her sister, the dinner she’d left for her untouched and cold. When she’d gone downstairs and asked, Granny told her she’d already dealt with it. Applejack wasn’t sure how she felt about Granny getting Bloom up so early to take her to Carrot’s like that. Bloom should’ve gotten to at least get a little more rest. Still, it was better this way, she guessed. She might have not been able to bring herself to leave her sister had she taken her herself. But, despite telling herself this was what had needed to be done, it had affected her mood. She’d barely bucked half the number of apples she was meant to today and Granny had made it clear that Applejack could only go visit Apple Bloom after the bucking was done, though she did wonder why Bloom hadn’t been seen this morning. She’d have expected to see her on her way to school with Dinky, who she’d seen walking on her own. Was Carrot Top letting Apple Bloom stay home to get used to living with them? It would make sense and Cheerilee would understand. She sighed, rearing up to give the tree another buck— “APPLEJACK APPLE!” The booming voice not only scared Applejack out of her skin, but the force of it sent her unbalanced body soaring sideways, tumbling and tossing along the ground until she was stopped by another tree, one of the few she’d managed to buck properly. Looking up in a daze, she saw a purple blotch streaking through the sky towards her. “What the hay, Twi?” she said, figuring out the owner of the voice. “Why’re ya shoutin’ so loud? Done scared the fur right off my—” “I COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOUR FUR RIGHT NOW!” the purple Alicorn bellowed, her voice forcing Applejack against the tree as she landed in front of her. “YOU’VE GOT SOME SERIOUS EXPLAINING TO DO!” Shaking her head to clear it, Applejack could now see Twilight’s expression. Her lips were curled back into a snarl, her nostrils were flaring and her eyes were filled with bloody rage. What the heck had wound her up tighter than a hay ball in August? “Yer gonna have ta be less vague there, sugar—” she began. “DON’T YOU DARE SUGARCUBE ME, YOU HEARTLESS CROW!” Twilight cut her off, pushing her face up against the farm mare’s. “HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO YOUR OWN SISTER?!” Now how in the hay did Twilight find out about that? Was she at the school and had asked Dinky why she was speaking about Apple Bloom staying home and learned it from her as to Bloom’s new living arrangements? "Tain’t really yer concern, Twi,” she said calmly, moving to stand. “OH, I THINK THIS IS MY CONCERN!” “Would ya stop it with the Canterlot Voice? Yer gonna make me deaf?” “YOU’LL BE LUCKY IF THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE TO DEAL WITH ONCE I’M FINISHED!” Applejack’s brows narrowed. “Now, hold on a minute there, Twi. We Apples have our own way o’ handlin’ things. True, Ah ain't happy 'bout it, bu t'was time Bloom left the nest. Ah’m sure she’s gonna be just fine where she’s living now.” “CONSIDERING I’M GOING TO BE THE ONE ADOPTING HER, I KNOW IT!” Twilight looked even angrier than when she’d landed, if that were even possible. Applejack was about to retort, when the oddness of Twilight’s statement caught up with her. “Adopt her? Now why in the hay are ya adopting her?” Twilight’s right eye twitched and her horn sparked. “MAYBE BECAUSE I ACTUALLY CARE ABOUT HER, WHERE AS IT’S OBVIOUS YOU DON’T!” That flared Applejack up right there. “Now, hang on one cotton tickin’ minute there, princess,” a small part of Applejack was shocked she’d dare to use that word as an insult to Twilight, “Ah never said Ah don’t care ’bout her. An’ the fact ya’ll would dare t’ even suggest... What in the hay’s gotten int’ ya, Twi? What’s got ya so wound up?” Applejack didn’t think the Royal Canterlot Voice could be any louder. Somehow, Twilight proved her wrong. “ARE YOU SERIOUS?” she exploded, her eyes promising death to the farm mare. “SHE COMES TO MY DOORSTEP IN THE RAIN, TELLS ME YOU ABANDONED HER IN THE STORM AT THE ORPHANAGE JUST BECAUSE SHE DOESN’T HAVE AN APPLE CUTIE MARK, SPENT THE NIGHT AND MOST OF THE MORNING COMFORTING HER AND YOU HAVE THE GALL TO ASK ME WHAT’S GOT ME SO WOUND UP?! SERIOUSLY?!” After she’d recovered from that vocal barrage, Applejack deciphered exactly what Twilight had said. “Last night? What are ya talkin’ ’bout, sugarcube? Apple Bloom spent the night sulking in her room, not talking t’ anypony.” Twilight stepped closer. “Well, then I guess I just dreamed about finding her outside my door, her crying into me, her telling me you’d kicked her out and waking up to find her crying into my chest.” The sudden return to normal speaking was actually more unnerving to the farm mare than if she’d kept yelling in the Canterlot Voice like before. However, she kept calm. Whatever Twilight thought, she would set the record straight. “Twilight, it’s an Apple tradition. One Ah ain't happy 'bout, but one none the less. Any Apple that don’ get an apple mark doesn’t live on the farm anymore. It’s the same on every Apple farm. We didn’ abandon her. She’s living with Carrot Top now, Granny took her this mornin’ afore Ah woke up. Ya’ll could go an’ see fer yerself.” The look on Twilight’s face caused her to shiver. It was like a scowl and a smirk mixed into one. “Oh, I think I will. And you’re coming with me.”