Rotten Apples
The day was like any other on the old family farm. The sun shined brightly, and the sky was cleared of any troublesome rainclouds. There was a soft wind that carried the scent of splintered wood and cider through the land, it was a familiar scent unique to Sweet Apple Acres. And it hadn’t changed for years, and perhaps will never change.
And although the scenery has been as it always been, the current generation of the Apple family certainly did show their age. Applebloom was now a lovely young mare, having inherited her sister's rustic good looks. Her red mane tied back with her red bow, happily trotting through the acres of apple tree’s she’s spent her entire happy childhood in. “Just this way Scootaloo, thanks for offering to help. This new apple stand really is a two pony job.”
Scootaloo smiled weakly, plodding along behind her. Her purple mane has long grown out, tail dragging against the dirt. She aged quite nicely as well, but not as happily as Applebloom. “Of course Applebloom- we don't... really do anything together anymore. I miss that.” Her tone was almost accusatory but her friend seemed oblivious to that.
“Oh? Well I have been busy recently I guess…” She trails off as they approach the old barn. There was an unfinished apple stand, still unpainted and bare with the wooden banner still on its side. “Once you get your special talent though, you'd be just as busy too I'm sure.”
Scootaloo winced at that. She was sure it wasn't meant maliciously but being as old as she was now and still without her mark- it was a sore spot for her. Her friend couldn't understand. She got her mark when she was still young, when she was still a filly. There was a school play and the stage was destroyed from a magical mishap- and Apple took it upon herself to repair the entire thing for her classmates. She earned her mark that day, a mahogany apple with a bright red apple flower blooming from the stem.
She was the first one to get her mark. And at the time, Scootaloo couldn't feel anything but pure happiness for her friend. After all, if Apple Bloom earned her mark- it was only a matter of time before she got hers, right?
But years passed.
Nothing.
Promises were made to be broken and Scootaloo found herself alone. She never had a family, and it was hard finding a job as a Blank Flank. She took residence in the old club house and made made do with what she had. Sweetie Bell would help her out, when she could. But she was rarely in Ponyville anymore ever since her singing career took off.
Scootaloo trotted slowly to the unfinished stand and rested her hooves on the counter. "It really does look nice," she says quietly.
"Of course it does! I built it," her friend beamed egotistically. She waves her hoof over at one end of the wooden signage. "Now. Lift that side an' hold it firm to the post 'ere. And I'll nail her up!"
The two get to work, working somewhat quietly. It slowly dawns on Scootaloo that Apple Bloom really did just need a extra hand. This wasn't a social meeting at all. It burned her up a little on the inside, but she did her best to not show it. When the stand was secure, they both step back to admire their work.
"Now this will bring in the customers! Sis will love it!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
Scootaloo smiled weakly, turning her head to her. "I'm sure she will... Applebloom?"
But she was already turning to leave. "Well thanks fer yer help!"
"Now hang on!" Upset at this sudden brush off, she ran up to her old friend and cut her off. "Just thanks? Thanks and back to ignoring me? Applebloom, I'm your friend! We haven't talked for months and-"
Apple Bloom sighed. "What? Did you want to get paid? Fine." She started rustling a hoof in her saddleback, the bag she used to carry all her tools and pulled out a few bits. Instantly, they were smacked to the ground.
"I don't want your stinking money," the blank flank growled. "Whats happened to you?"
Apple Bloom shrugged, looking a bit miffed at getting the bits smacked away. She picks them up carefully as she answers. "I grew up Scootaloo. Maybe you should give it a try."
"What do you think I've been trying to do? You think I like living like this?"
"Well you must if you've been a blank flank for this long. Everyone talks about you, I try and defend you but it's hard. You live in that beaten down club house like a bum-"
"Where else am I supposed to go!" Scootaloo protested. "No one will even hire me! You won't even hire me!" Things had gotten so hard at one point, she was forced to sell her scooter, and many precious items Rainbow Dash had given her when she was little. Her idol was a Wonderbolt now, with dozens of medals to her name- if not hundreds. She felt guilty profiting off that, but a mare has got to eat- and it wasn't like Rainbow Dash even cared about her anymore.
Applebloom paused in thought over what her old friend had said. This was true. It was a family decision to refuse a permanent farm hand- after all this was a family farm and... Scootaloo just wasn't any good at decent farm work. It'd be a waste of bits to hire her and they all reasoned that by pushing her away from the farm might encourage her into finding her own destiny.
The one that never came.
"Well... I'm sure Sis still wouldn't change her mind. But no harm in letting you help out on a few other jobs here right?" She says thoughtfully. "I mean, with Granny gone, and Big Mac off on his own with a family and a budd'n farm to take care on... we could use the help."
It was better than nothing. Scootaloo nodded, happy for the consideration. "Great. That sounds really great..." she laughs meekly. "And who knows. Maybe I'll finally get my cutie mark."
Apple Bloom laughed softly as she turned back to the farm. "Just be here at dawn tomorrow."
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This sounds like a good story can't wait for more.
Nice, not bad. Maybe Scooterloo will just realize she's better than everyone else, become a wizard and go to scootawarts! But thats just a prediction....
>has blood in coverart
>rated everyone
pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/2727748211/c3d0981ae770f926eedf4eda7505b006.jpeg
5099817
Upping the rating when the next chapter ups the game. For now it's pretty harmless.
This has serious potential! If you work out a bit of grammar errors and other kinks, this can get popular!
img.pandawhale.com/post-17348-Shut-up-and-take-my-upvote-gif-VxpT.gif
5100066
5099820
An up vote and praise from an admin of the overly stupid fan fiction group doesn't come lightly. You should be proud.
And I think its fairly good too. The pacing is perfect, the story idea is awesome, just…. everything. You're gonna go far kid.
5100592
Is that sarcasm I smell?
5100594
No sarcasm here sir. They stopped me at the border like they usually do and checked my car. I'm clean
5100614
Alright, I'm keepin an eye on you
Oh, my gosh... I love this. I thought I wasn't going to, but hell was I wrong! Great job, here have a favorite. But one thing, the grammar may need a little help. You should get a proofreader to check it over first, then you should be up in the featured list in no time!
I'm torn about this story. Scootaloo not earning her cutie mark into a adulthood, and being viewed as immature/not worth it, is an iterating premise. On the other hand you manage to hit cliche every cliche of Scootabuse in a just over a thousand word chapter. Some how the bright, sunny world world of Equestria where the inhabitants usher in the season and plan the weather down to the last snowflake lacks a social safety nets.
This story sounds intriguing and legit ! In liking it so far
5100066
5100592
Ooooh! I'll be sure to keep up the work thanks so much!
Gonna start the hunt for a beta reader too.
5100668
Well, it's also a world where your purposes is literally stamped on your backside for the world to see. A ponies purpose is a known quantity and they can dedicate their life to it.
Except for Scootaloo here it seems. She's an anomaly, an aberration amongst Equestria's perfect harmony of well-working parts. Let's see what happens as we go along.