> Sour Belle
>  by AASBA
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Part 1: The Unicorn, the Dare and the Shopkeeper
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sour Belle


Part 1: The Unicorn, the Dare and the Shopkeeper


Sweetie Belle sat alone at the edge of the woods near the school house. The school yard was filled with the sounds of fillies and colts running around, playing tetherball or hopscotch or whatever else they wanted to. Recess was typically the best part of any given school day for the students at Cheerilee’s school. It was a time for them to take to playground and decompress from all the stress and bore from the first half of the day. Normally it was one of Sweetie Belle’s favorite parts of the day too, but not today.
Applebloom and Scootaloo had come down with bad colds a couple of days ago (as it turns out none of them had white water rafting cutie marks either) and since then Sweetie Belle has been without her circle of friends during recess. And when your friends aren’t there, you become an easy target.
“Oh there you are, Smelly Belle,” a voice called out, drawing the young unicorn’s attention away from watching a trail of ants march off into the forest. Diamond Tiara was making her way up the hill towards Sweetie, Silver Spoon following close behind. “What’s the matter? Doesn’t anypony want to play with you?”
Sweetie Belle did her best to focus on the noise the wind was making as it weaved through the canopy behind her, ignoring her aggressor.
“Of course not. After all, who would want to play with a stupid blank flank like you?”
“Nice one, DT!” Silver Spoon piped up. By this point, the two of them were standing directly over their prey, the sun at their backs making them hard to look at without squinting.
Diamond Tiara laughed as she leaned over and looked straight into Sweetie Belle’s eyes. “What’s the matter, cat got your tongue? Not so brave without your friends around, are ya?”
Sweetie Belle shot to her feet. “I am too brave!” she shouted, her voice cracking slightly as the words rolled off her tongue.
“Oh yeah? Prove it!”
“I will!” Sweetie Belle put on her best brave face and struck a pose. “See?”
Diamond Tiara laughed. “You think that’s all there is to being brave?”
“Uh… yeah?”
Diamond Tiara laughed even harder, Silver Spoon joining in. A few of the ponies closest to the hill looked up. “Oh come ON, you can’t possibly be that dense. If you really want to show how brave you are, you have to take a dare!”
“You want me to take a dare?”
“Yeah, a dare! And it has to be a good one too!” Silver Spoon chimed in. “After all, if we give you an easy dare then it won’t take any bravery at all!”
Diamond Tiara nodded. “That’s right.”
Sweetie Belle considered her options. If she backed down now she wouldn’t have to do anything potentially dangerous but she’d become the laughingstock of the school. On the other hoof if she took the dare and succeeded then all of the other ponies might like her more. “I’ll… I’ll do it.”
A smile spread across Diamond Tiara’s lips. “Excellent. I’ve got just the thing.” She took a deep breath. “I dare you to go and get me a moonblossom flower.”
Silver Spoon gasped. “But DT-“
“Quiet! She has to take it now,” Diamond Tiara returned her attention to Sweetie Belle. “If you don’t, we’ll tell everyone in school about how much of a scaredy-cat you are.”
“I can do it!” Sweetie Belle argued. “But what’s a moonblossom flower?”
“It’s a special kind of flower that only grows at night, but that’s not even the best part.” The smile on Tiara’s face twisted into a wicked grin. “Moonblossom flowers only grow in one place in the world. The Everfree Forest.”
Sweetie Belle tried to swallow but her mouth had gone dry. Sure, she’d been in the Everfree Forest before. But that was with her friends. And even then they were almost turned to stone by an angry cockatrice; even the memory of that incident was nearly enough to petrify her.
“Come on, DT. That’s not funny,” Silver Spoon whispered in her friend’s ear. “What if something happens to her?”
“If she doesn’t want to do it, that’s her choice. But if she wants to prove just how brave she really is, she’ll meet me by the edge of the forest at sunset. Deal?” Diamond Tiara held out her hoof.
Sweetie hesitated only a moment before shaking Tiara’s hoof. “Deal.”
“See you there, Smelly Belle.” Diamond Tiara trotted back down the hill as the bell rang, calling the students back to their seats.
“You… don’t have to do this, you know,” Silver Spoon told the unicorn filly. “I’ll talk to her. Get her to call it off.”
“I can do it,” Sweetie responded. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”


---


As the sun drew low to the horizon, Sweetie Belle walked cautiously towards the edge of the forest. Broad strokes of orange, purple and magenta stretched across the sky above. From beyond the edge of the forest came a choir of insect noises, animal calls and bird song in anticipation of the coming night. Diamond Tiara was already their waiting for her.
“Oh, look who decided to show up,” she snarked. “Ready to find out how brave you REALLY are?”
Sweetie Belle peered as far into the forest as she could but with the sun setting and the thick canopy nearly blocking out any other light she couldn’t see far. “Just tell me where these stupid blossoms are already.”
Diamond Tiara laughed. “Well you’re certainly eager to get this over with. Very well. The flowers grow near a pond deep inside the forest. All you have to do is follow that path,” she pointed to a trail slightly to their right, “and you’ll have no problem getting there… if a manticore doesn’t gobble you up first, of course~.”
Taking a deep breath, Sweetie started down the path.
“Don’t get lost,” Diamond Tiara called out after her. Her voice was dripping with mockery.
As Sweetie followed the path, the sky grew darker and darker. Low roars and grumbles joined in the chorus of night sounds as the stars began peeking through the branches one by one. 
I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid. I’m not afraid, she kept telling herself. Somewhere close a twig snapped and Sweetie Belle nearly jumped out of her skin. Okay, maybe I am scared. Just a little.
The minutes seem to stretch on and on as Sweetie Belle continued on her quest. A mist had rolled in, lending a chill to the air and leaving her wishing she brought her cape. Before longer she began wondering if there was any such thing as moonblossoms at all or if Diamond Tiara had been pulling her hoof all along.
“Achem.”
After all, Apple Bloom had taken her to see Zecora a whole bunch of times and even she had never mentioned some kind of flower that only blooms at night.
“Excuse me?”
What if there wasn’t even a lake? What if Diamond Tiara wanted her to get lost in these woods and eaten by a manticore or a hydra or a basilisk or—
“Pardon me little one, but are you lost?”
Sweetie Belle froze midstride. Slowly raising her head she noticed that she had wandered into some kind of campsite. A big, elaborate red tent sort of like the one her sister owns was erected just a few feet away with a campfire illuminating the small grove. Sitting beside the campfire was a grey stallion dressed in strange clothes.
He wore a domed, golden cap with a raised red brim encircling it alongside a red scarf and brown coat. The coat had many pockets stuffed with bottles, tools and all kinds of miscellanea and you could see the white sleeves of an undershirt extending from the sleeves of the coat. A pair of strange, purple spectacles rested lightly on his muzzle.
“I said are you lost?” The strange stallion got up and walked over to her. “The Everfree is no place for someone as young as yourself, especially at this time of night.”
Sweetie Belle shook her head, backing away slightly from the stranger. “I’m not lost; I was just on my way to get a moonblossom from the pond over there.” She turned to point and froze. The path was gone.
“And what would a pretty young lady such as yourself need with moonblossom?” the stallion asked. “There are many flowers just as beautiful.”
So they do exist! “I’m getting one on a dare,” Sweetie replied. “It’s to prove how brave I am!” She straightened up and tried to muster up her brave face again.
The stallion just chuckled. “Ah, so that’s how it is. A young pony trying to prove how tough and brave she is by taking some silly challenge. The foal that dared you, I take it you know her. A friend?”
Sweetie shook her head.
“Ah, a bully then. They exist in every age even back to the dawn of ponykind.” He settled back down in front of his campfire.
Finally deciding that the strange pony posed no threat to her, Sweetie asked a question. “Uh… if you don’t mind me asking… who are you, mister?”
“Just a humble shopkeep,” the stallion replied. “Nothing special about me, although I do know a thing or two about bullies.”
“Like what?”
“Well,” he began, “like how you should never just do what they tell you to. Learn to stand up for yourself, make them respect you.”
“Easy for you to say,” Sweetie Belle muttered. Having lost track of the path, she resigned herself to spending the night here where she could at least keep warm by the fire. “You don’t know Diamond Tiara.”
The stallion hesitated a moment before reaching into one of his coat pockets. “Here, take this.” He pushed a small, bundled object towards Sweetie Belle. “It may not make this Diamond Tiara go away, but it can help you to deal with her.”
Inching forward, Sweetie Belle carefully took the package and removed the cloth. A sleek black necklace fitted with a large, blood red gemstone fell out. The gem was set into a carving of an alicorn, made from the same material as the rest of the necklace. “It’s a necklace.”
“Hmm, perhaps you’re right. A necklace could be too conspicuous.” The shopkeep waved his hoof over the amulet and it changed before Sweetie’s eyes, shrinking and morphing down into a simple hairpin featuring a black flower with a ruby center. “That ought to do it.”
“What does it do?”
The shopkeep smiled. “Put it on and see.”
Revving up what little magic she could manage, Sweetie Belle lifted the pin and inserted it into her mane just behind her left ear. Almost immediately a surge of power washed over her and she let out a yelp. “W-what is that?”
“An artifact said to bring those that wear it great power,” the shopkeep explained. “Very useful for ponies with bully problems, wouldn’t you say?”
Sweetie Nodded.
“Now, let’s get you back into town.” The stallion stood. “Are you ready?”
“You know the way?”
“Something like that.” He smiled. “Now just close your eyes and…”
Sweetie Belle obediently closed her eyes and a wave of cold washed over her. It was like a massive talon of ice had gripped her round the body and was pulling her through a bowl of pudding. 
Just as suddenly as it had arrived the sensation had gone. Opening her eyes, Sweetie found herself back on the edge of the Everfree Forest, near town. Judging by the moon less than two hours had passed. As she regained her footing, a wonderfully sweet scent reached her nose.
Looking down, she found a pile of sparkling silver and blue flowers lay at her feet.

> Part 2: Escalation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Part 2: Escalation

The school bell rang out crisp and clear the next morning, calling the students to class. Fillies and colts alike yawned and greeted each other while the soft rumble of a hundred tiny hooves striking wood filled the air. Many of them were already making plans for the upcoming weekend. Word had come a few weeks ago that a harvest carnival would be in town for a few days and everypony was excited over it.
Sweetie Belle stood at the door, taking in a deep breath. She wore the hairpin behind her left ear and its power provided some degree of comfort as the unicorn prepared to face yet another day of Diamond Tiara’s badgering. Walking into the school house, she took her seat.
“Well, well, well. Looks like you made it back in one piece.”
Sweetie Belle stiffened.
“I told you she’d be okay,” Diamond Tiara called over her shoulder to Silver Spoon. Turning back to Sweetie Belle, she glanced at her saddle bags. “Did you bring it?”
Suppressing the urge to tell her off, Sweetie Belle opened her saddle bag and removed a couple of the flowers inside. “Here’s your stupid flowers, now would you leave me alone?”
Diamond Tiara sniffed haughtily. “Huh, you actually found some. I guess you aren’t quite as scaredy cat as I thought.” She grabbed the flowers in her mouth and trotted off to her seat but not before sparing a glance for Sweetie Belle’s new accessory, jealousy flashing in her eyes.
Something stirred deep within Sweetie Belle and her eyes flashed red before she squashed the impulse to lash out at Tiara. Hurting other ponies just because they make you mad is wrong, she told herself. At least until they try to hurt you.
“Alright class, time to settle down,” Cheerilee took her place at the head of the classroom. “I hope you all came prepared today, you’ll all be giving your speeches on your chosen foreign country this afternoon and even if you don’t end up going today I’ll still be checking to make sure you’re prepared.”
The assembled fillies and colts let out a collective groan as their teacher turned to the black board and began writing, the clack of chalk calling the class to attention. “Now if everypony could take out their arithmetic texts and turn to page 47…”
Sweetie Belle did her best to keep her nervousness from showing. Glancing around, she saw Diamond Tiara smirking in her direction. I bet this was her plan all along, Sweetie thought to herself. With everything that had gone on last night, she had completely forgotten to get her speech ready. If she went up there without a speech to give, Sweetie was sure that Diamond Tiara would never let her hear the end of it. Why can’t this day just be over already?

---
	
The recess bell rang and a horde of students burst out onto the playground. A fresh layer of amber leaves had blown to the ground and they made for an excellent source of merriment as ponies began scooping together piles to throw and jump in. Avoiding the typical noontime festivities of her classmates, Sweetie Belle returned to her spot on the hill she had picked out the day before. It wasn’t long before trouble came looking for her.
“Hey there Smelly Belle, still playing by yourself?” Diamond Tiara kicked a small pile of damp leaves at the sitting unicorn. “I gotta admit, you didn’t do too bad last night. Not that it proves anything. After all, you can’t get a cutie mark in flower picking.”
“Nice one DT!” Silver Spoon chimed in.
“Oh Silver Spoon!” Diamond Tiara motioned her friend closer. “Which country are you doing your report on again?” She spared a wicked glance at Sweetie Belle.
“Who me?” Silver Spoon got the hint. “Why I am doing a speech about Saddle Arabia. What are you doing your speech on, DT?”
Diamond Tiara laughed in the most self-important way she knew how. “Well obviously a pony of my level could only give a report about the glamorous country of Prance. After all, it’s where all true fashion comes from. Not like those stupid designs from that boutique in town.”
Sweetie Belle felt her hackles rise. “What did you just say?”
The smile on Diamond Tiara’s face deepened. “Oh, nothing. Just that no run of the mill unicorn from Ponyville of all places could ever make a dress worthy of being considered truly fashionable. It’s simply embarrassing that she even tries.”
“You take that back!”
“Or what?” Tiara snickered. “You’ll go crying off to teacher? Or you big sister? How do you think that will go? Everypony knows it’s true anyway. And besides, do you have your speech ready?”
Sweetie Belle’s head dropped.
“I didn’t think so.” Diamond Tiara tossed her mane in triumph. “Maybe if you had spent less time picking flowers and more time doing your homework you wouldn’t be in this mess. Just imagine what Ms. Cheerilee will say when she finds out.”
“Oh, the horror!” Silver Spoon joined in on the fun. “Do you remember what happened to the last pony who forgot his foreign country speech?”
“Do I! Oh it’s too terrible to even mention!”
“W-what happened?” Sweetie Belle asked
Diamond Tiara leaned in close. “They say he was sent back an entire grade!”
At that moment the school bell rang out again, signaling an end to recess.
“See you inside, Smelly Belle!” Diamond Tiara called over her shoulder. “Sorry we won’t be seeing each other again after this.”
We’ll just see about that, Sweetie Belle thought to herself as her horn flashed red and she joined the others heading inside.

---

“So who would like to go first?” Cheerilee gazed out across a sea of fidgeting ponies, none of them seeming to want to take the first step. “Going once! Going twice!”
“I’ll go first, Ms. Cheerilee!” Diamond Tiara’s hoof shot into the air. “I’m ready!”
Sweetie Belle did her best to hide her smile. This was going to be fun.
Walking up to the short podium, Diamond Tiara readied her notes. Clearing her throat, she began. “A long time ago in a cookie far, far away-“ She stopped abruptly. Snips and Snails could be heard giggling from the back. “I-I’m sorry, let me start over. Once upon a time in the magical land of Magrathea, somepony sneezed and Grifinland was born-I MEAN. Uh…”
Cheerilee clicked her tongue. “If you aren’t going to take this assignment seriously, you can let somepony else go.”
“I’m trying to take it seriously, Ms. Cheerilee, but the words aren’t coming out right!” Diamond Tiara pleaded. “I swear I’ve got my speech ready!”
“Very well,” the teacher nodded. “But this is your last chance.” She silenced the class again and gestured for Diamond Tiara to continue.
Swallowing, she opened her mouth again. “There once was a horse from Nantucket-“
“That’s enough, Ms. Tiara. Return to your seat.” Cheerilee waved her down, away from the podium. “I do hope the rest of you actually came prepared today. Well?”
“I can go next!” Sweetie Belle stood and made her way to the front of the room.
Ms. Cheerilee sighed and returned to the teacher’s desk. “Whenever you’re ready, Sweetie Belle.”
Looking down her muzzle at Diamond Tiara, Sweetie Belle smiled wide and began. “The nation of Prance is one of the oldest in the world next to Equestria. It is mostly known for its cuisine and fine art…”

---

The school bell chimed in the Equestrian afternoon air as the school doors swung wide open and the students head off home to make plans for tomorrow’s carnival.
Sweetie Belle felt good; better than she had in a long time in fact. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo would surely be better by tomorrow so they had a lot of planning to do tonight. Lucky for her, Applebloom and Scootaloo were staying together in town (Applejack had said something about the orchard being no place for a sick pony during harvest).
“And just where do you think you’re going,” Diamond Tiara’s voice halted Sweetie Belle in her tracks.
“Come on DT, just let it go. I’m sure it was just a coincidence,” Silver Spoon urged her friend. “Everypony freezes once in a while, it’s no big deal.”
“No big deal? NO BIG DEAL?!” Diamond Tiara hissed through gritted teeth. “Do you have any idea how I looked up there?! This little blank flank made a total fool out of me!”
Sweetie Belle laughed. “Who, me? What did I do?”
“You know exactly what you did! You stole my speech you little thief!”
“What? Me? Steal?” Sweetie Belle let out a mocking gasp. “Now just why would you go and say a thing like that? Words can hurt, you know!”
“Oh yeah well this is going to hurt a lot worse!” Dashing forward Diamond Tiara spun around and bucked Sweetie Belle clean in the jaw, sending the unicorn sprawling in the dirt road. “I don’t know how you did it you little piece of trash, but you’re going to pay for it.”
Sweetie Belle shakily made her way to her feet. She could taste copper in her mouth. Spitting the blood out, she turned and glared at Diamond Tiara. “You kicked me.”
“You guys! Don’t do this!” Silver Spoon planted herself in between the two fillies. “Somepony’s going to get hurt!”
Diamond Tiara snorted, rage burning in her eyes. “You got that right.”
Silver Spoon rushed over to Sweetie Belle. “Please, just get out of her. I’ll talk to her and try to calm her down but you need to go.”
“DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO!” Sweetie Belle screamed and unleashed a wave of magic energy, shoving Silver Spoon out of the way. Diamond Tiara charged again but this time Sweetie Belle was ready, shooting forth a bolt of rage fueled energy that connected with the circlet Diamond Tiara always wore.
A wave of force hit Sweetie Belle like a wall as a deafening crack obliterated all other sound. Her ears ringing, she slowly got to her feet and looked over. Diamond Tiara lay on the ground, breathing shallowly. Her tiara was blackened and twisted, smoke rising slowly from where it touched her head. What was left of her mane was ragged and patchy. The smell of burnt hair and singed flesh was heavy on the air.
Off to the side, Silver Spoon sat stunned. She looked up at Sweetie Belle with terror in her eyes. “I… I told you to go. I said I’d calm her down so nobody would get hurt. What did you do? What did you DO?”
Sweetie Belle’s eyes widened as the situation sank in. “I… I didn’t mean it. She kicked me and I was just so angry and I… I… Oh my gosh… I’m sorry.” Blinking back tears she turned and began running. “Please forgive me. I didn’t mean it! Please! I’m sorry!” Choking back the tears, she ran off towards the town.


To Be Concluded