Apple Bloom was shocked at what she was seeing. This couldn't be her mother. Dead ponies don't come back to life. She looked like the gentle and petite mare which was in her visions - however, this was more likely a trick by Zecora or Discord.
"Zecora, I know this is your little trick. You think re-creating my mother is going to stop me from executing your cocky zebra ass? Well, you are wrong."
"Bloom, I know you're skeptical of whether I'm real or not but please listen to me. I am sorry that I could not be there to be your mother for most of your life."
"Why are you sorry? It wasn't your fault that you got killed."
"Oh but wasn't it my fault?"
"No. Ah know what happened. Daddy killed you."
"Yes, I suppose he did. But I defied your father and that's why I was killed. If I bended to his will, I wouldn't have died."
"But what kind of life is that? Being subservient to another being like Tirek would have done to you."
"What do you think of the lives of all the ponies living under your reign and Tirek's reign?"
Apple Bloom knew exactly what her "mother" was trying to do. She was sick of everyone trying to control her. She was sick of all the manipulation. This had to be Zecora.
"Zecora", said Apple Bloom, "I know you want me to give up my power. I know you want me to bring Celestia back to life. Ah am so awesome that I'm sure I could figure it out. The world isn't fair. Tirek may have not won Father of the Year but Apple Seed wasn't a saint either. He expected my mom, a city mare, to give up everything and become some low-level farmpony. Ah guess my mom was awfully weak. She probably only defied Tirek because Apple Seed manipulated her even more. My daddy loved her. And she was too stupid to see that Tirek had a superior genetic makeup to Apple Seed. Look at me. And look at Applejack and Big Mac."
"Superior genetic makeup", asked Cherry Blossom.
"Yeah. I said it. Watcha' gonna do about it? Ah think ah know what happened. You got played by the men in your life. Tirek. Apple Seed. They both saw you were weak and used you in their own ways."
"If we are going to discuss genetic makeup, I'd argue that Apple Seed may have been superior."
"Why?"
"Your older siblings may not be geniuses like you but, unlike you, they are compassionate and accepting of others. They care about other ponies. They understand that the Equestria you have created is a much worse Equestria than it once was. Ponies get cross with one another sometimes and you saw one flashback where my husband and your father was mad at me. However, Apple Seed was generally compassionate and patient with those around him. He just truly cared about Sweet Apple Acres and that sometimes got in the way. I admired his passion for something outside of himself. His mother, Granny Smith, raised him very well. And it seemed for a long time that I thought you were going to be a good pony from Granny's influence too. Tirek only cares about himself. If you are as smart as I think you are, I'm sure you figured out that Tirek truly wants Equestria for himself."
"I'm different from you. I am a part of Tirek. I possess his superior genes. Everything was so damn easy for me except getting my cutie mark so late which I'm sure was because I'm part centaur anyway. My past no longer matters. I'm Apple Bloom the Alicorn."
"You are also a part of me. I've seen it in the past. I saw a kind-hearted filly with strong leadership skills. I saw a filly who was always willing to help out her friends and family no matter what. I was so proud of you until you started killing "undesirables". What changed?"
"Ah wanted Equestria to be a better place.. ah thought getting rid of all of the bad ones would make the world a better place."
"Has it? Is Equestria truly what you initially imagined it to be? Did you want a world where everypony is terrified, a world without sun, and a world without progress since everyone is expected to obey you?"
"If ponies obey me, they will learn to be happy under my rule and Tirek's rule. Celestia enabled the undesirables."
"Is this truly your thinking? Or is it Tirek's thinking? I know. I went through a phase just like you."
"Can't be like mine. Were you ever an Alicorn? Did Tirek make you his partner in any other way besides copulation?"
"We both believed that Tirek actually cared for us. I know he's using you. He knows you're talented. Guaranteed Tirek has a plan to take away your Alicorn Magic and make you completely subservient to him like every pony else. I know your father."
"Yeah", scoffed Apple Bloom, "we'll see if that happens."
"True strength doesn't come from having power over others - true strength comes from doing what is right", said Cherry Blossom, "I think you know what is right but will you do it?"
"Okay Zecora, thanks for another lesson. I must go do more important things."
"I'm glad I talked to you. I love you, my daughter."
With that, Cherry Blossom's ghost disappeared.
Apple Bloom didn't want to admit it but she knew that thing was right. The odds that Tirek would betray her were astoundingly high. Tirek was also more clever than anyone Apple Bloom would ever have to face. She needed a plan to put Tirek in his place - let him know that she respected and cared for him but he wouldn't be pulling any stupid tricks on her.
Apple Bloom flew around her castle - still trying to adjust to her recently acquired skill and an idea came to her. An idea so brilliant that it had to work. It would also test Tirek and see what his true intentions really were. It would be a challenge but it was the proper course of action. Apple Bloom grinned to herself.