I woke up just as the sun started to rise over the horizon.
I beat the rooster, that’s a new one. Everypony else in the house was probably still asleep.
I threw the covers off of me and stretched out my back and forelegs, letting out a mighty yawn.
I grabbed the side of my mattress and dragged myself toward the door. I blearily stared down at my dress and wheelchair.
And I… had no idea how to put either of them on by myself.
Shit.
Minutes passed as I lay in bed, staring down at my wheelchair, my mood steadily dropping as I realized I had no idea how to get myself set up in it.
Last night when I had woken up, my door had still been open a bit. But when Scootaloo left last night, I had asked her to close the door behind her.
So I couldn’t crawl out and as-
No, even if it was open I wasn’t gonna crawl around like a… like a caterpillar just to ask for help.
I rolled onto my back, my head just barely hitting the edge of my pillow.
It didn’t do much for my dignity, but I was sure somebody in my family would come check in on me, probably just under an hour before school started.
Looking out the window, I guessed there was at least two hours until that time.
Well, there went my good mood for the day.
I wasn’t sure how long it actually took, but after what felt like a year, I finally heard a knocking on my door.
“Come in,” I called out.
The door opened and the tell-tale green coat of Granny Smith was seen.
“How are you doin, child?” She asked.
I bit back a sarcastic comment. If it were Big Mac or Applejack, I wouldn’t have, but you gotta respect your grannies.
“I’m okay,” I responded.
I was anything but okay.
“Well let’s get you up an’ at ‘em, then. Big Mac already got some pancakes a-cooking.”
The morning passed just about the same as yesterday. I packed my saddlebags, which Cheerilee has apparently brought back to us from the schoolhouse, gave Winona a few pats, and said goodbye to Granny Smith and Big Mac.
When I arrived at school I saw Sweetie Belle waiting for me. I made my way to her and looked around. Scootaloo was nowhere in sight. That was weird, she was usually earlier than me since she lived way closer.
“Mornin’ Sweetie Belle,” I greeted lifelessly. “Where’s Scoots? Running late?”
Sweetie’s head cocked to the side. “You hadn’t heard yet? Scootaloo got suspended.”
“Wait, what?” I sputtered. “Why?”
Sweetie Belle quickly scanned the playground, looking for Celestia knows what. We both froze instantly when a familiar voice sounded from our right.
"She was suspended for almost breaking Diamond Tiara's nose and giving her a black eye."
“Silver Spoon?" I wheeled around. "Wait, Scoot… What happened?”
“Well…” Sweetie Belle poked at the ground. “After what happened at recess, and you ran away, Scootaloo got really mad. I’ve never seen her so angry. She just started yelling, and ran really fast, then hit Diamond Tiara so hard she fell onto her back."
I felt the corners of my mouth curl upward.
“And then Scoot turned around, and Diamond Tiara got up and said something really mean. I was still at the bottom of the hill so I didn’t hear it, but Scootaloo turned around again and I think… I think she knocked her out. "
"She said something along the lines of 'Oh, trust the only one to help the cripple is the other cripple,'" Silver Spoon cut in.
"Mhm!" Sweetie Belle nodded. "Then after Cheerilee figured out what happened, she got Rainbow Dash and Filthy Rich to come to the school and sent everyone but them, Scoots, and DT away.”
I had a full on smile on my face now. It was sad that I wouldn’t see Scootaloo, but hearing that Diamond Tiara finally got hit by some karma was pretty uplifting.
“But Cheerilee forgot one of the windows was open, so I snuck around and started listening in!" Sweetie Belle smiled. “Cheerilee was like ‘so this is what happened, Rainbow Dash. I expect you, or whomever her current guardian is will take proper disciplinary action?’ And then Rainbow Dash just laughed and just said ‘That depends.’”
I laughed too. “No way!”
Sweetie Belle nodded. “So then Rainbow Dash starts talking to Scootaloo I guess, and asks her ‘Did you attack her with a weapon, while her back was turned, or while she was on the ground?’ And of course Scootaloo says no, so Rainbow Dash just paused for a moment and said ‘then I’m not gonna punish her.’”
“Ooh, how did Cheerilee take all that?”
“Badly.” Sweetie Belle chuckled. “Cheerilee responded with ‘but she attacked another schoolmate!’ and then Rainbow Dash interrupts her and starts getting angry. She said ‘She defended her friend against a bully that's been harassing her and her friends for years while you did nothing about it. Scootaloo stood up for her friends. I'm not gonna punish that. C'mon Scoots, let's go get some ice cream.’ and probably started walking towards the door.
“Cheerilee gasped all dramatically and was like ‘Rainbow Dash, there’s a huge problem with-’ then Rainbow Dash interrupts her again and starts shouting." Sweetie Belle put on a poor impression of Rainbow Dash's raspy voice. "'No! There's a huge problem with the way this school is run. If I'm not mistaken, this is the second time Diamond Tiara has made fun of another pony's handicap TO THEIR FACE and nothing has been done about it. I'm not angry at Scootaloo, I'm angry at you, Cheerilee. Scoots, let’s go. You can get whatever you’d like at Sugarcube Corner, my treat.’”
“Wow.” I gasped. “No wonder Scootaloo likes Rainbow Dash so much, that’s just dang amazing!”
Sweetie’s face fell.
“Yeah, but after Diamond Tiara and Filthy Rich left, apparently Scootaloo saw them meet Diamond Tiara’s mom through a window in Sugarcube Corner. Apparently Diamond Tiara was looking like she was expecting praise, but her mom basically dragged her back into her house and started screaming so loud even Scoots could hear her. She couldn't hear any clear words, and Diamond Tiara has been pouty since, and… and her eyes are red, like she’s been crying.”
"She..." Silver Spoon trailed off. "She would have been suspended too, but her mom is part of the school board and has enough influence to pull some strings."
Without explanation, my good mood fell again. I felt a pit form in my stomach.
“That’s… less awesome...” I managed.
No, I wasn't gonna feel anything but happy that Diamond Tiara got messed up. I forced that feeling to the back of my mind.
But that was still not addressing the elephant in the room.
"So why are you here? And not bein' mean to us?" I asked Silver Spoon.
Silver Spoon's gaze fell to the dirt.
"When Diamond Tiara told me her plan, it was just 'stick a branch in her wheels and laugh when she can't reach us.' I don't know if she was planning on making you fall, but even I have some standards. After her mom and Cheerilee chewed her out, I told her I was making some space from her until she got her head back on her shoulders. And even then, she still got a talking to by your brother-" Silver Spoon failed to acknowldge Sweetie Belle's nonverbal pleas to shut up. "-and sister."
I let out an angry snort. Of course Applejack was shoving herself into my life again.
"I..." Silver Spoon contined. "...We didn't know how badly Scootaloo took our comments until way after, and seeing that? No. I'm mean, but that's too far."
There were a few moments of silence.
"Why do you hang around her?" Sweetie Belle asked softly. "You seem a lot... nicer than her."
Sure, nicer in the way that being mauled by a dog was nicer than being mauled by a timberwolf.
Silver Spoon met Sweetie Belle's gaze with a surprising fire in her eyes.
"All you need to know is that she was there when I needed somepony, and I need to return the favor. There are two sides to every story." Silver Spoon turned around with a huff, and started making her way away from us. "Just know I'm sorry for what happened."
We both returned to silence, not meeting each other's gazes.
"So I guess we ain't seein' Scoots for a while." I sighed.
“Yeah…” Sweetie Belle agreed. “I’m not sure how long Scoots is suspended for, though. Rainbow Dash left before Cheerilee said how long.”
“So we might see her next week?” I asked hopefully.
“We might not even see her next week,” Sweetie replied bluntly. “I mean, there’s always the afternoons, but Rainbow Dash turned Scootaloo’s watch to Rarity last night, and I don’t know how she’s going to handle it.”
“So y'all will get to be with her, but I can’t.” I realized.
Sweetie Belle looked down. “Sorry. I hope it isn’t that way.”
“...Me too…”
The bell halted our conversation, and we all filtered inside, Diamond Tiara taking up the rear. It was obvious she was wearing makeup to make the injuries look better, but it was also obvious that it wasn't fooling anypony. Her eye was swollen and black, and her nose was padded with gauze and slightly off-center.
I had hoped that Diamond Tiara being as injured as she was would keep the attention off of me, but it just seemed to make it worse. Students kept staring at me AND Diamond Tiara more frequently.
The school day got worse, because of course it did. At least today I had the sense to nudge Sweetie Belle when I needed help, and not draw a ton of attention to me when I did so.
Didn't change the fact that I was getting tons of attention anyway.
I was called on a few times, but I couldn't find myself able to pay attention. The invisible stares from all the rest of the foals in the classroom made it impossible to focus.
Sure, the filly that got beat up was interesting, but there was a pathetic freak to stare at. Why not? It's not like she didn't already have enough emotional crap going on, and didn't want to be the center of attention again.
Recess made it worse. All the foals circled around Diamond Tiara and of course she spun the story so she was just the victim. She did make sure to describe the embarassing fall I took, and the fact that I ran away crying and hid at my house.
I wanted to fight back. I wanted to yell. But I didn't. I just spent the time hiding in the corner of the playground silently with Sweetie Belle.
When recess ended, Cheerilee had to scold the entire class for not paying attention to the lesson and staring at me.
I hated it. I hated it all. I hated myself, I hated the fact that I could barely do anything without help, I hated Diamond Tiara, and Applejack, and I hated how Scootaloo was being punished for something stupid that wouldn't have happened if I wasn't stupid.
I hated my life.
The day went by slowly. It felt like I spent another ten hours there after recess. I hated that too.
I just wanted to run away from Ponyville and never look back.
I wanted to change my name, dye my mane, and go join a circus or something. Best place for freaks is around freaks, right?
I wanted to go to sleep and never wake up.
By the time school got out, Sweetie Belle was asking about hanging out. She told me we could go crusading again still, but we had to stay far away from the Everfree Forest because it was timberwolf mating season and they were especially violent and territorial.
I told her I was too tired. As we parted, I gave her a hug and thanked her for all her help, and asked her to tell Scootaloo the same thing.
Sweetie Belle left and made her way home.
But I didn't go home, not until later.
I walked to Twilight's library. I had a plan forming in my head and I knew she was the best pony to get what I needed.
I knocked on the door and Twilight appeared moments later.
She gave me that smile. The smile that just screamed pity. I hated it.
"Hello Applebloom," Twilight smiled. "What can I do for you?"
It was time to put the plan into motion.
"Hey Twilight. Do you have some rope and a book on knots I can borrow?"
NO.... Y-you're not gonna have AB do... that... are you?
Uh-oh. There's no way Twilight will be willing, right?
And I love how you showed Silver respecting AB here. There's something I always wondered, what brought her to follow Diamond? It's never shown in the show. I could only believe like having meet in kindergarten or something
Aww, poor Apple Bloom...Rainbow Dash best big sister though
.... please tell me that it's just to fix up a broken piece on the wheel chair.
DANGIT. IN OTHER STORIES I USED TO MAKE HANGING JOKES BUT NOW THATS ITS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN I DIDNT DO IT. Also AB DONT DO IT! THOSE STORIES WHERE HiE ONES! YOU HAVE FRIENDS WHO CARE FOR YOU.
10471945
Or to make a pulley system to help her get in and out of bed
is*
it*
Cheerilee, you are useless.
Evergreen?
Off course Spoiled would bail DT out after the crap she pulled. She needs to get chewed out too
I doubt Twilight would be willing to help Apple Bloom if she was trying to hurt herself so her plan is likely a positive one.
10471945
It probably is.
I mean, it's not like AB could hang herself without someone's help, being paralyzed and all.No, Apple Bloom! What you're thinking of doing isn't the answer!
And Cheerilee, shame on you for ignoring Diamond Tiara's behavior even after what Scootaloo did. It shouldn't have gotten to that point and you know it.
If AB takes herself out, she should take DT with her.
I’m sure that they’ll find out about Bloom’s plan to hang herself before it’s too late.
Oooh that bait and switch cliffhanger though.
Ugh this brings back horrible memories
Seriously, would it kill Cheerilee to let go of the idiot-useless-adult-ball for a minute.
You have a Bully who not only harassed and tormented at crippled filly on her first day back at school, but even caused her further injury. Even if DT's mother being on the school board prevented her being suspended, you should keep your classroom in order and ensure the other foals know that doing such things is WRONG and will not be tolerated. Instead you seem to try to carry on with business as usual, even after RD pointed the issue out plainly. The first day could be seen as an excusable, if unfortunate error in judgment. The second day is either malice, wilful negligence or gross ineptitude, either of which disqualify from your job.
10471921
Twilight gave three children a magic roofie recipe without hesitation. She doesn't have a great track record on realizing why someone wants a given book.
10472107
But here, she hadn't a clue what they had in mind. Here, given Ab's condition, she should catch on quickly
I hate that schools can turn a blind eye to someone being bullied, but then punishing the bullied student for defending themselves.
As for what Apple Bloom asked at the end... Please let it just be a cruel tease.... Don't make her do something that.......
*goes into corner to cry*
No Pinkie. A cupcake won't help. Neither would a party.
10472110
The kids literally said "Did you say love potion?" and then immediately took the book and ran off. It was clear as day to anyone I wouldn't suspect of researching a way to snort Book like cocaine.
As for Apple Bloom: my depression never reached the Planning Point, thank god, but I can say with full certainty that people often miss the things they're afraid of seeing. The idea of someone being in pain you can't ease is almost everyone's worst nightmare, and even the savviest people can fall for the siren song of denial.
Twilight will figure it out eventually, but it'll fall to someone else to save the day. Perhaps Bloom herself.
10472165
Understandable
Hold up.
"Hey Twilight. Do you have some rope and a book on knots I can borrow?"
wait a sec...
Well it will be the first time that the apple does not fall from the tree, this time it will hang from the tree. ha, ha, ha! (forgive me I couldn't resist the temptation, I'm a sociopath, I feel bad for applebloom, but I just came up with the joke and I couldn't help writing it)
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10472177
Tune in tomorrow and find out exactly what happens.
10472011
Shit. Thanks.
10471922
She really is.
10472037
How would you have her do that? I think Ponyville is fresh outta guns.
10472090
Welcome to the
AmericanEquestrian schooling system!10472062
Sorry, man. You might like what comes up in the next few chapters, if it helps.
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10472206
That's actually pretty funny.
The original short description I had for this story was somewhere along the lines of "The apple doesn't crawl far from the tree (because she's in a wheelchair)" or something.
Dark humor is great.
10472212
Yeah
10472219
ha, ha, ha!, i loved that phrase, great job!
10472244
Thank ya, thank ya very much.
Piccolo: Red flag!
10472275
Always love a TFS reference.
No, is she planning what I think she’s planning to do.
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Tune in tomorrow and find out.
10472330
Damn you with your cliffhangers.
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Goku: Is that a red flag?
Piccolo: Crimson
The Farm pony asks the Librarian for rope...
10472534
The only rope the farm has is the one always on AJ. It turns into her hat when not in use.
pls tell if it's what i think it is you'll put the proper tags up
Ah yes, it's just the path to becoming spider pony... yeah...
Now this is one of those times I want to see two endings, as horrible as that might sound given Applebloom's plan.
i.imgur.com/FUGeY7J.jpg
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Well yeah, what else would it be?
10472724
Well I can't say I have any intention to write two different endings. Not really my MO.
Isn't that free out-of-school card? That's supposed to be a punishment?
Wait, Twilight is still living in tree library?
Well, in her current predicament that will probably require more considerable effort.
10472886
Yes, but it's still a "punishment"
This is set in season four
This link doesn't show me anything.
10472921
Weird
Maybe pubmed or researchgate one is more functional
10473104
Alright, that works.
Please tell me Twilights gonna see through that.
Na na na na na, AB don't do it. DON'T YOU DARE DO IT!
I think ab needs a change of scenery and a actual talk with aj
with that ending, you may wanna add the suicide/selfharm tag to this, assuming it goes even remotely in the direction it is going