//------------------------------// // 1 - Changes // Story: Mantles // by Ponky //------------------------------// CHAPTER ONE CHANGES Three green leaves sprouting from the highest branch popped sharply against the cool blue sky. Apple Bloom admired the stark contrast. Those leaves were some of the first to sprout; only a few hours had passed since the official close of another successful Winter Wrap Up. Even all these years after her departure, Ponyville still followed Twilight Sparkle’s ingenious methods to the T. The old chaotic practice flitted through Apple Bloom’s mind, adding yet another memory to her growing bank of nostalgia. She was very tempted to buck the tree and gather those leaves for her journal. Already, in the four or five minutes she had spent staring at them, scores of treasurable memories had resurfaced. In many ways, those three brave leaves were much like she and her best friends had been as fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders had always been at the forefront of adventure, full of energy and life, ready to take on another chance at earning their ultimate goal. For what seemed like the thousandth time that day, Apple Bloom sighed. Finally she turned away from the nearly barren tree at the outskirts of Sweet Apple Acres, leaving the trio of leaves where they were. In a matter of weeks, she knew very well, they would be joined by millions upon millions of similar leaves, soaking in Celestia’s sunlight to feed the all-important apples that Ponyville and the Apple family relied upon so heavily. But Apple Bloom wouldn’t be there to see them grow. She wouldn’t be there to help Big Macintosh and his children during Apple Buck Season. She might never participate in another Winter Wrap Up. Apple Bloom was moving to Canterlot, but not out of spite or a fillyhood thirst for adventure. She was following her good friend Sweetie Belle’s hoofsteps and taking her talent to a garden where it could grow. The Canterlot School of Art’s acceptance letter had arrived on the morning before Wrap Up began. As Apple Bloom trotted away from her family’s farm to the train station, she thought back to that exciting delivery. Dinky Doo had knocked on the wooden door of Apple Bloom’s cottage. She answered the call blearily, squinting past the piercing rays of early morning light. “Howdy, Dinky,” she had said with a forced smile. “Got some mail for me?” “Sure do, Apple Bloom!” the unicorn confirmed. The sensible way she magically filed through her bag and produced the thin envelope addressed to Apple Bloom put a bittersweet taste in her mouth. On the one hoof, it was nice to see the mail carrier so organized; on the other, Ditzy Doo’s scrambling had been a source of morning smiles for so many years. Just one more little change in Ponyville, thought Apple Bloom. One little change that changes everything. “Thank ya kindly,” she said to Dinky. With a professional nod, the mailmare was off to her next stop, leaving Apple Bloom to stare at the concealed bit of Fate in her hooves. Had her résumé been impressive enough? Had her samples amply exemplified her talent? Was her unique style clear to the board? Surely they would accept her if they understood that painting really was her special talent. Surely they could see that Apple Bloom’s abilities, like Sweetie Belle’s, deserved a place to develop and expand. But what if they didn’t like her paintings? What if her style was too unique? What if everypony who applied to the School had an art-centered Cutie Mark? With the letter gripped between her front hooves, Apple Bloom had stolen a proud glance at her flank. It bore an active paintbrush that seemed to wiggle when she walked, adding to the illusion that it was drawing the rest of the Mark: a shiny red apple surrounded by cream-colored petals. The central apple reminded her that her family ought to be present when she opened the School’s reply. Good news or bad, she wanted them there. Without a second thought, Apple Bloom had galloped across town with the envelope between her teeth, bursting through the front door of Applejack’s one story home without knocking. The middle-aged pony leapt from her breakfast of apple peels and glared unhappily at her little sister. “Apple Bloom!” she scolded. “Ya cain’t go and startle me like that anymore, ya silly filly. I’m too old fer surprises.” “And you cain’t keep callin’ me a filly,” Apple Bloom retorted, taking the letter from her mouth. “I’m too old fer insults.” Applejack grinned lovingly. “‘Tain’t no insult bein’ called young.” “You ain’t that old, Sis.” Apple Bloom rolled her eyes as she walked closer. “What are ya, not even forty? Why, Granny Smith was more’n twice as old as you when she passed away.” Applejack grunted slightly. “Don’t make no difference. Old is old. She was jus’ old for a mighty long time.” Giggling, Apple Bloom held the envelope too close to Applejack’s eyes. The orange pony squinted a moment and gasped. “Apple Bloom! Ain’t this about’cher application?” “Sure is! I’m just so nervous to open it... I wanted everypony I love the most to be around when I do.” “Well, that’s very thoughtful of ya,” Applejack said, patting her sister on the back. “I’m sure we wouldn’t want it any other way.” Apple Bloom ran a gentle hoof over Applejack’s slightly greying mane. Streaks of sunny blonde were still dominant, but she wondered how many more years that would last. Of all her friends, Applejack was aging quickest. Changes, changes, changes…. The sisters trotted together to the ranch’s second homestead on the other side of the big red barn. It was older than Applejack’s and quite a bit larger; seeing as it housed five ponies instead of one, the difference was appropriate. Apple Bloom knocked softly, wary of disturbing her nieces' and nephew’s morning slumber. Fluttershy opened the door wearing a humble smile. “Good morning, you two,” she said. “What brings you here on this lovely last day of Winter?” “A.B.’s got herself a bit of good news!” Applejack whispered. “She wanted the whole family around to—” “Please, Applejack, I can speak for myself.” She turned to Fluttershy and grinned. “I want the whole Apple family with me when I open up the letter. Is it too early to wake the kids?” “Oh, no,” Fluttershy assured her, stepping aside to let both sisters enter her home. “In fact, Macintosh is waking them up right now.” On cue the stallion stepped down the ranch house’s stairs with twin fillies and a baby colt balancing on his back. At the sight of their relatives, the yellow youngsters’ eyes widened and they leapt from their father, gliding toward the visitors on undeveloped wings. “Auntie Applejack! Auntie Apple Bloom!” they called out in unison, wrapping their forelegs around the mares’ middles. “Howdy, Dawn. G’morning, Terra Dolce,” Apple Bloom greeted them, rolling her eyes at the younger twin’s name. Rarity had insisted that she help name at least one of them. “Good to see you girls,” Applejack greeted, shifting her eyes to her big brother across the room. “And how’s Little Mac? Did he wake y’all up again last night?” “Eeyup,” Big Macintosh confirmed as he nuzzled his infant son resting peacefully against the mane of his neck. “Guess what, girls!” Apple Bloom directed her exclamation at the twins who flapped their wings at her feet. “What!? What!?” they shouted. Unfortunately, neither had inherited their parents’ quietness. Though perhaps Scootaloo was to blame for that. Apple Bloom beamed down at them, remembering how tall grown mares used to look. “I got a very important letter in the mail today that’ll tell me whether or not I get to go to Cantlerlot and learn how to be a better painter!” The twins’ reactions were comically mixed. For a moment, they couldn’t decide whether to shout with joy or gasp in surprise or simply tilt their heads in confusion. What resulted was a strange mix of the three, more like convulsions. Through her spasm, Dawn choked out, “But Apple Bloom, you’re already the best painter in Ponyville!” “The best painter in Equestria!” chimed in Terra Dolce. Apple Bloom blushed at their innocent compliments. “Well, I’m sure glad you two think so, but there’re lots of great painters all over the country, and they all wanna learn from the teachers at Canterlot’s School. And this letter—” She dangled the precious envelope before their gleaming eyes. “—is gonna tell me if I get to be one of them especially talented ponies that gets to go!” The twins cheered, far more collected than their previous attempt. “Open it! Open it!” they cried as one. Apple Bloom heart began to race as she looked around at the room’s older faces, each one encouraging her in their own way to open the letter and learn of her future… FWEEEEEEEEE! Apple Bloom’s memory broke as a train whistle blasted nearby. She found herself standing in the station, suitcase pulled behind by her tail, ticket tucked safely behind her right ear. This was it, then. That ticket was one-way to Canterlot, the Royal City, home of the Princesses. What would it be like, she wondered, to live in a big city like that? Sweetie Belle’s letters made it sound wonderful. Apple Bloom could only remember snippets of how Twilight and Spike used to describe it. Of course she had been to the city on multiple occasions as a foal, visiting the Gardens or attending the Royal Wedding, but to live there—to study there! She could hardly wait. There were still another fifteen minutes before her train arrived. Apple Bloom spotted an empty bench among the light bustle of the station and started towards it, suitcase in tow. From the corner of her eye, she noticed another pony headed for the same bench. She quickened her trot. There was plenty of room for two ponies on the bench, but she wanted to have first pick. Apparently, so did her opponent. Without looking at each the other, the two raced. Her powerful hind legs ensured Apple Bloom’s victory. Her front hoof smacked the bench's surface and she turned to face the other with a wide grin. “Ha! I win!” she yelled. The other pony, a spiky haired unicorn stallion with a mint-green coat, laughed at her outburst. “Oh, Apple Bloom. I should have known better than to try and race you, Iron Pony,” he said. “Harper!” Apple Bloom greeted, smiling. “Did y’all get accepted, too?” Harper Heartstrings beamed as he wiggled a train ticket held above his head with magic. “Yes, ma’am! And I’ve never been so happy in my whole life!” Apple Bloom squealed and threw her hooves around her friend. “What’re the chances? Two artists from a little ol’ town like Ponyville, both accepted to the most prestigious School of Art in all of Equestria!” Harper quickly returned the hug. “I agree that it’s exciting, but hardly surprising. You know better than I do that Ponyville’s a special place. Just think of all that’s happened to this city, even in our lifetimes!” Apple Bloom noticed a spark in his eye as he rattled off. “First town to grow Zap Apples, center of Night Mare Moon’s return, home of the Elements of Harmony for ten whole years, only pony village ever to have a dragon resident, nearly turned into the Capitol of Chaos… I could go on all day!” “I’d rather you stopped,” Apple Bloom said with a sad smile. “I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about Ponyville lately. All those things—all those wonderful, spectacular, nigh unbelievable things—seems like they happened so long ago. Seems so different now. I don’t wanna call it boring, but compared t’those days… I don’t know, Harper, it’s just so different. ‘Specially since my sister’s friends started…” She couldn’t finish the sentence. Instead she crawled onto the bench, leaning her suitcase against it, and rested her head in her crossed forelegs. Harper’s lively smile faded to a sympathetic one. He turned around and hopped onto the bench, sitting on his rear with his back legs dangling while his upper legs draped over the top for balance. Apple Bloom scoffed. “Weirdo,” she mumbled. If he heard her, Harper paid the insult no mind. After a deep breath through his nose, he said, “Must be tough. You knew them all better than I did. The Elements, I mean.” Apple Bloom nodded into the crook of her legs. “In yer defense, you were real little when Twilight first arrived. I was already in school.” Harper shuddered. “I don’t like that you talk about her so casually,” he admitted. “Everypony says that,” Apple Bloom acknowledged with a shrug. “I knew her for so long as Twilight Sparkle the Librarian. Cain’t seem to get used to the way things are now.” “Better hurry up,” Harper suggested. “I don’t think Canterlotians will put up with you for a minute if you talk about her like an old friend.” “But she is an old friend!” Apple Bloom complained, swishing her tail. Harper could only pull a face in response. Apple Bloom huffed. “Anyway, what were we talking about?” Harper asked, peering down the tracks. “How wull I knuh the Ulemunts.” Her answer was muffled by her pouty lips. Harper laughed. “Cheer up, friend,” he said, smoothing down Apple Bloom’s bright red mane with a caring hoof. “Change is tough, but it’s good. You’ll see, things get better and better all the time.” The young stallion’s cheery attitude was annoying at the moment, but Apple Bloom knew deep down that he was right. She gazed despondently at the ground, watching the colorful hooves of traveling ponies trot this way and that over the elevated floorboards. Harper’s ears perked up and he pointed toward the south tracks. “There’s our train, Apple Bloom! It’s coming fast!” The steam engine’s whistle sounded so far away, but Apple Bloom knew it would be there any moment. Then she’d be off and away to Canterlot for who knew how long. Part of her couldn’t wait to board that train and leave behind the sad excuse for the adventurous Ponyville of her youth. Another part wanted to run back to Applejack and throw her hooves around her neck and work on Sweet Apple Acres until the day she died. And another part just wanted to go home and paint. The train slowed down as it entered the station, but its motion was still enough to bring a heavy gust of wind. Apple Bloom’s eyes closed against the wall of air, but they flew open in terror as her ticket was whisked from behind her ear. “No!” she shouted, hopping down from the bench and swiping frantically at the airborne paper. It climbed higher and higher, above the roof of the depot and far from Harper’s magical reach. “My ticket!” “Is in good hooves!” called a voice from above. Apple Bloom barely had to scan the skies before a streak of brilliant purple snatched the ticket from midair. “Scootaloo! Ya made it!” Apple Bloom called out as her friend landed at her side with the important paper between her teeth. She spat the ticket into Apple Bloom’s outstretched hoof. “What, did you really think I’d miss my last friend’s farewell?” Scootaloo shot her a moody glance. “Scoot, don’t do that!” Apple Bloom complained, bowing her head from the stare. “I’m not yer last friend, and I promise I’ll be back to visit next Hearth’s Warming Eve.” Scootaloo’s eyes narrowed. “Pinkie Pie Promise?” A lump caught in Apple Bloom’s throat, but she managed to pull a weak smile. “Crossmyheartandhopetoflystickacupcakeinmyeye,” she rehearsed, wiggling her hooves with the pact’s motions halfheartedly. “And you’ll bring Sweetie Belle?” Scootaloo’s voice was cracking with emotion. “Oh, Scoot!” Apple Bloom tightly hugged her friend and was met with surprising tears. “I didn’t think you’d be one to mush up on me!” “I’m the last one, Apple Bloom,” Scootaloo sobbed. She leaned back and stared into the earth pony’s eyes. “The last. One.” “The last what, Scootaloo?” “The last of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, of course!” she shouted, leaping back to hover with her powerful orange wings. “Everypony else is choo-choo-in’ away to find their epic destinies in Canterlot, while I’m stuck here in boring old Ponyville for the rest of my life!” “Scootaloo!” Apple Bloom scolded. “If I remember right, you requested to head up the weather team when Rainbow Dash moved away. And yer more than a mite good at it! Ponyville needs you. Think of all o’ Miss Cheerilee’s kids that look up to you!” The pegasus smiled a little. “I’m somepony’s Rainbow Dash,” she said dreamily. “Scootaloo, you’re everypony’s Rainbow Dash!” her friend complimented, restoring the familiar beam on Scootaloo’s face. “Hey, Apple Bloom!” Harper called from behind them. She twisted her neck in reply. “Time to board the train!” he said, levitating his ticket and a beautiful harp-shaped case through one of the passenger car’s open doors. “Be right there!” she said, turning back to her lifelong friend. “I… I promise I’ll…” she tried, but tears were starting to burn the underside of her eyes. “Oh, shut up,” Scootaloo mumbled, locking into another embrace. “I love ya, Bloom.” Apple Bloom sniffed. “Love you too, you big chicken.” With a decisive jab to the ribs, Scootaloo was off to the skies without another word, getting back to work at clearing away the last of Winter’s gloomy clouds. Apple Bloom grasped her ticket in her mouth and fetched her suitcase from its position by the bench. Speeding through a mental checklist, she decided that everything was done up and ready to go. The most excited part of her dominated the moment and she wore an aching grin as she shook away jitters. Onto the train, and on to Canterlot! Yet as she climbed aboard, she couldn’t help but take note of the strange sense of dread building in her chest. It was separate from the nostalgia that longed for the Ponyville of her past, separate from the morning’s painful goodbyes to Scootaloo, to Applejack, to the surviving Elements of Harmony who still lived in the little town. She tried to ignore the sickly feeling, but Apple Bloom was a full-grown mare now with plenty of experience under her saddle. Apple Instincts were to be trusted. Like Pinkie Pie’s unexplainable Pinkie Sense—just thinking of the pony made Apple Bloom’s amber eyes misty—that wretched pit between her ribs was warning her of something terrible. Something fast approaching. The train began to move, and as she searched for Harper among its passengers, Apple Bloom prayed that her instincts were wrong.