One Bad Apple?

by Broffalo

Alone.

One Bad Apple?

“You're staying with your cousins this week, don't cause them any trouble. Got that?”

That's all Auntie Paula said when she tossed me my bag, gave me my tickets and sent me on my way. She didn't even say good bye, but that's her way. Always direct.

As I looked out the train window I could barely make out the outline of Manehattan. I was glad to be leaving, if only for a little while. I'll be away from the bullies. And my mother. They're one and the same really. One hurts me while I'm at school and the other at home. Their only real difference is their age. And the bullies at school don't drink. Well at least, most don't...

But I guess I deserve it, it's not like I'm special or anything. If I was I would have my cutie mark already, instead of this pale brown flank. I just wish my tail was longer, so I could hide more of it. Maybe if cousin Applebloom didn't see my blank flank she'd like me. I would really like that. I'd give anything to fit in. To not be an outcast.

That's what my mom always calls me. An outcast. A loser. A disappointment. A bad seed. It's not her fault though, ever since daddy left on his business trip she's been drinking a lot. He's been gone 3 years now. Mom never did say where he went, the day he left she just cried and cried. I cried too, but I didn't know he'd be gone this long, mom said it was just a business trip and he'd be back soon, but I'm starting to doubt if he will ever come back.

Mom has two work two jobs now just to feed herself, let alone me. But she always has more then enough money for that smelly cider she always drinks and that makes her happy, so I guess that should make me happy. But she's always so mean when she drinks it. I don't understand why she says it makes her happy, she talks really wierd and sometimes she'd hit me. I know its not her fault though. It's that drink. And how tough she has it. I understand.

That's why I'm staying at Auntie Paula's house. She never drinks which is nice, but she's very strict. She never gives me much time to play with my toys or friends...well if I had any. Most kids my age like bullying me more then being my friends. I don't blame them though. They all have their cutie marks, they're all special. I'm just boring.

But I do have a toy! Ooh, I hope Auntie Paula packed him!

...Oh. She must have forgot. She's super busy all the time, it's okay.

I'll still tell you about him though, he's the best toy ever! His name is Jonagold, but I call him Johnny. He was my Grammy Seed's when she was a little filly. He's a pony doll she knitted all by herself and after she finished it, she got her cutie mark! That's what I like about Johnny so much, he makes me feel special, important, like maybe one day he'll help me find my cutie mark. I spend all day dressing him with his overalls and cowpony hat. Johnny's a little old and smells a little weird, but I love him. I wouldn't trade him for anything. I wish he could be here on the train with me. He always protects me when I'm alone.

I should check the rest of my bag to see what Auntie Paula packed me. Okay, an apple if I get hungry, my toothbrush and toothpaste, and a book. That was nice of her. I don't read too much, but it's okay, I'm sure if I get bored I'll read it. What's it on? The history of Ponyville? That sounds...fun I guess. I'm not complaining though.

That's where I'm going, Ponyville. Auntie Paula says it's a little town out of the way of anything. No skyscrapers or paved streets like in Manehattan. I bet Johnny would have loved it, he always likes getting dirty and playing out in the open. Johnny hated how cramped the city was, so we'd always be playing in the park a couple blocks down. There were no big buildings looking down at us, only trees letting in the warm sunlight. Me and Johnny would go on these amazing adventures, a lot of times getting us really messy. I didnt mind though, it was way too much fun!

Mom used to yell at us a lot when we'd come from the park all dirty, but it didn't matter, Me and Johnny were happy. And even if she hit me, Johnny would be there to comfort me. He'd say it's not that she doesn't love me, it's just that drink of hers. He'd always make me feel better, even when the bullies would pick on me. He believes in me and I believe in him, who believes in me. That's why I know one day we will find my cutie mark!

Well, that is if I have one to be found. I'm not really good at anything. Unless getting picked on is a talent, cause I'd be the world champ. Now that I think about it, what would a cutie mark like that even look like?

That's probably not a real talent, I would have my cutie mark already if that was the case. With my mom yelling at me and beating me up at home. And the bullies doing the same at school. Being bullied is a 24 hour job now. Both of them have even found a way into my dreams, or nightmares really. Always calling me a blank flank, showing off their cool talents, calling me “Bland Seed”.

I hate that nickname the most. I hate it because it's so true. Everyone at school knows it and that's why they all of them call me that. Barely anyone calls me by my real name. Or at least what I like to be called. The bullies call me “Bland Seed”. My Auntie Paula only uses my birth name, “Barbara”. And my mom calls me that or her favorite, “Bad Seed”. I don't know which one I hate more.

Johnny calls me Babs and that's my favorite. It's nice and friendly, it makes me feel like not such a bad pony. That's what Johnny does best. He makes me feel special, strong. He makes me feel like I belong.

I just wish he could be with me right now. I don't know anypony in Ponyville and the train's almost there! I could use anypony to comfort me. Anypony to help me feel better. Anypony to make me feel strong. Anypony who could just help me fit in, as if I mattered. Anypony...

Comments

[Broffalo]

First things first; it's been a day fimfiction, and still no Babs Seed character choice? Fimfiction wat r u doin?

After the episode I heard how many bronies were complaining about why the CMC forgave Babs so quickly and said she deserved to be pushed off the cliff, so I made this to maybe help explain why. Don't be so quick to judge. Love and Tolerate, everypony...

[pwny]

I think it is fitting that the CMC forgave so quickly, as they represent the 'nicest' of the fillies of Ponyville. That doesn't mean I think Babs deserves a happy ending though.

A follow-up of making amends would be preferred, but I doubt it would actually happen. As it stands right now the episode is forcing an unnatural reaction to bullying down your throat.

After all, if you don't carry out justice, it just leads to repeat offences. Just look at Trixie.

And I'll get around to reading this later.

[Stop. Luna Time!]

This seems interesting, definitely a favourite for it!
Hope to see more chapters :3

[Snow123]

1682021

Hm... a pal of.mine had his own thoughts to her not getting punished. He said to leave it up to the parents, whom he believes are the Oranges, since she is from Manehatten.

[SuperPinkBrony12]

1686700 We have no way of knowing right now whether Trixie is herself when she returns, for all we know that leaked image of her wearing a red necklace could indicate someone has taken control of her and is giving her magic a boost.

I do think in the end it might have been nice if Applejack had said something to Babs and the CMC about how both of their actions were wrong and that what's important is that they learned not to do them again. At least that way it wouldn't seem like Babs got let off the hook.

Not surprisingly I thought "One Bad Apple" was the first episode of Season 3 that could use some work, it's mostly fine how it is but there were some things that could have been done differently. (one of which would have been having Babs Seed turn on Diamond Tiara as well as leaving Silver Spoon out of the story)

[Broffalo]

1686700
I like to go with the idea of "killing her with kindness" the idea that the nice actions of the CMC had more of a profound impact then any punishment could do.

1686717
Thanks a lot :) it's really appreciated! But sorry it's probably going to stay a one-shot. :/

1686880
Yeah, but it doesn't seem like, at least not from "Cutie Mark Chronicles" that the Oranges are very caring parents and would more then likely ignore the problem.

1688696
Although I do like the idea of AJ scolding her, I feel that because AJ didn't experience Babs bullying first hand, her punishing Babs couldn't have the impact that the CMC's forgiveness had.

[Snow123]

1689836

Never know. They welcomed Applejack in the first place, and they didn't protest her decision to leave... and whomever Babs' parents were had to give her some bits for the train ride.

[Broffalo]

1689872

Yeah but they tried to change who she was. I do believe that accepting her int their home was big of the, but when they tried to change her, it seemed like they cared more about their image then they did AJ's feelings. So if they are Babs parents, that might also be the case.

[pwny]

1690967

Think about what most adults know about social life. To them, 'fitting in' is the way to go. They might not see helping AJ fit in as cruelty or preservation of their image, but rather as the proper course of action.

You don't know how people will react to you, if you're afraid of not fitting in, you tend towards easygoing. The same applies to your children or surrogate children - you teach them to fit in.

All of this is against my personal philosophy, but that's how I interpret it.

[Broffalo]

1691837

Convenient comic that I feel explains my idea on the orange's as parents:

http://atryl.deviantart.com/art/Bad-Seed-340037784

And yea, I get what you're saying, it's all a matter of perspective...

[Bad_Seed_72]

Poor Babs. I think her parents are probably Oranges, and probably too busy or wrapped up in high-class society to give her the attention she needs. (I suspect Diamond Tiara's parents are the same way.)

Great fic though!

[Broffalo]

1729265 Thanks! and yea I thought about the Orange's as her parents, But I thought that the color scheme was just too off :/ but then again pinkie's parents were grey and brown, so anything's possible

[Bad_Seed_72]

>> Broffalo

True that...but then again, Pinkie Pie can accidentially all the laws of physics, so who knows?

Also, could you happen to link the source for your avatar? Babs looks like a BAMF.

[Broffalo]

1729767
Very true, very true xD and yeah sure no problem: http://browse.deviantart.com/?qh=&section=&global=1&q=Babs+seed&offset=96#/d5mjear

[Bad_Seed_72]

>> Broffalo

Thanks so much!!

[Stop. Luna Time!]

1689836

Oh ok then

[Spalding]

Fantastic story. Love to see you right some more.

[SpurBrony21]

WOW!! i don't know why but I love it!!!

well, i can relate to that, I feel like this deserved a slice of life tag so that i can click it immediately