> Genetics of a Scene
>  by peacevic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 1

"I don't know..."
"Please?" Apple Bloom pleaded with her mother.
Applejack had almost always been susceptible to the little filly's cuteness, and as Apple Bloom poured on the adorability, tonight proved no different. She began to relent. "But you just moved back in, and now you want to go running around Equestria?"
Apple Bloom could tell she had her right where she wanted her. "I'm just going to help Trixie out with her Manehattan show, then I'll be right back. I only have a week off from school. Be back before you know it."
"Fine..." Applejack sighed, giving in.
Apple Bloom jumped and hugged her mother, nearly toppling them both over. "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"
"Easy there, you'll hurt somepony. Now go get ready for bed. It's late."
The little pony gave another squeeze, then trotted toward the stairs. When she reached them, she stopped and looked back. "Can I have a story tonight... Mom?"
"Of course, Sugar Cube."

"Wow, you look terrible."
Apple Bloom shot a few daggers Trixie's way. "It's your fault. I was so excited, I couldn't sleep."
"And how is that my fault?" Trixie put a hoof over her heart, feigning offence. "Here I am, letting my baby sister help me put on the best show in all Equestria, and it's my fault she can't get any sleep the night before we leave? I'm wounded!"
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry." Apple Bloom smiled a bit, despite herself. "When is this train boarding, anyway?"
Trixie looked around. "Should be any minute now. Ah, there's the conductor."
The conductor gave the 'all aboard', and Apple Bloom and Trixie joined the throngs of ponies filing on to the train cars. Almost immediately, somepony recognized Trixie and the throngs turned into a mob, all trying to get an autograph. Trixie sent her sister ahead to find their seats. This way, the crowds wouldn't crush them in the more confined space.
Apple Bloom thought the plan was a good one as she settled into their booth and started hoofing through a complimentary menu. She could definitely get used to first class.
But first class service came with first class security. A few minutes after Apple Bloom sat down, one of the train ponies approached her. "I'm sorry, miss. We usually don't let fillies as young as you ride the train alone."
"I'm not alone." She informed him. "I'm with her."
The stallion looked where Apple Bloom was pointing and scoffed. ""You're with Trixie? As what, her mascot? I seriously doubt it."
"I am, though." Apple Bloom insisted.
By this time, the crowd had started to disperse. Trixie strode over and regarded the security pony with a fierce glare. "Are you bothering her?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am, but it's train policy to not allow ponies to ride alone if they're too young."
The glare didn't abate. "Did she not tell you she was traveling with Trixie?"
"She did." The poor stallion stammered. "But I didn't believe that-"
"Well she is." Trixie walked past and sat primly in her seat. "If you must know, the Great and Powerful Trixie is allowing this filly to shadow her for a school project. Now, if you don't mind, run along and send a porter our way. Trixie requires breakfast."
Apple Bloom waited until he was gone before asking, "Why didn't you just tell him I was your sister?"
"Trust me, Apple Bloom." Trixie smiled. "You don't want the ponyrazzi finding out we're related. Better that everyone thinks I'm just being magnanimous on a whim."
The filly had another point to bring up. "Have I ever told you that you're a little scary when you're like that?"
Trixie's smile widened. "It's good that they're a little scared of me."
"You want them to be afraid of you after what happened in Ponyville?" Apple Bloom couldn't believe it.
Her sister nodded. "A tiny bit of fear is another form of respect." She gestured with her hooves. "If they're afraid of what you can do, they'll be left breathless with the anticipation of what you'll do next."
Apple Bloom thought on that as a food cart arrived, bringing with it a selection of popular magazines. She grabbed a few and helped herdelf to some delicious looking strudels, as well as a plate of hash browns. Trixie was a bit more picky. After a fair amount of what had to be forced indecision, the showpony settled on a stack of pancakes. But she was missing something. "Trixie was wondering if you had any smoothies?"

A breakfast later, Apple Bloom was mesmerized by a particularly un-illuminating article on Ponyville's resident party planner. The little pony wondered how it was possible to know less about Pinkie now than when she'd began the piece. She shook her head to dispel the confusion and looked up, wondering what Trixie was reading to pass the time.
Turns out it was a well-worn copy of Gaston Lascaux's The Filly of the Opera. Seeing how bent the spine was brought the confusion right back. "Trixie?"
Trixie took a sip of her second smoothie before answering. "Yes?" Her eyes never left the page she was on.
"If you already know how the book ends, why do you read it again?"
That got her muzzle out of the story. Trixie placed a bookmark to save where she was, closed the novel, and sat up a bit straighter. She seemed excited for the chance to explain. Or maybe, Apple Bloom realized in a flash of insight, maybe it was who she was explaining it to. "Mysteries aren't really about the crime. Well, at least not for me. It's about the presentation. How were the crimes committed? How does the investigator, and thus the reader, figure out who committed them? That set up is what I love."
"I get that, I think." Apple Bloom said, rubbing her chin.
Trixie looked at the pile of magazines. "Are you already through with all of those?"
"Yeah." Apple Bloom sighed. "They're mostly advertisements."
The showpony levitated her book towards the filly. "Have you ever read this one?"

> Chapter 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 2

"You better believe, I've got tricks up my sleeve." Trixie hummed the rest of the tune.
Apple Bloom looked up from the book she had borrowed. "What was that?"
"Huh?"
"What's that you're singing?" Apple Bloom elaborated. "Sounded kind of cool."
Trixie lowered her notepad, blushing a little. "Was I singing out loud?"
"Only a couple lines." Apple Bloom replied, waving away her sister's concerns. "So? What is it?"
"Well..." Trixie packed her notepad away, still somewhat embarrassed. "It's sort of a theme song. I was thinking of hiring somepony to sing it as a show opener."
"My friend Sweetie Belle is a good singer. You should have her do it." The filly suggested.
Trixie thought about it. "You know, I might do that next time I'm in Canterlot. It's pretty close to Ponyville..."
The train began to slow down as they neared the Manehattan station. Apple Bloom was a little reluctant to stop reading Trixie's book. She made a mental note to ask if she could borrow it again later.
Disembarking proved to be much like when they got on the train, as another group of ponies recognized the infamous Trixie. Apple Bloom was forced to wait as the showpony signed autograph after autograph. Half an hour passed before Trixie was able to move from the boarding platform, and that was only due to the fans having to catch their trains.
"Come on, Apple Bloom." Trixie urged. "We've got to hurry if we're going to make it to the hotel in time to check in."

They managed to reach the busy hotel before their reservation was given away and, refreshingly, the concierge wasn't impressed by her famous guest. Or maybe she was just exceedingly professional.
Either way, the trip from the front desk to their suite was undisturbed by autograph-seekers. As they settled in, Apple Bloom realized they'd been missing something. "Hey, Trixie. Where's your wagon?"
"Oh, I had them put it in one of the storage cars." She explained as she unpacked one of her many suitcases. "Normally, I'd ride it into a town. Part of the presentation, you know? But in a place like Manehattan it'd just be in the way. I'll pick it up on the way out."
"Smart thinking."
"I'd say so." Trixie turned, leaving the suitcase half unloaded. "You know, we've got some time before rehearsal and Manehattan's full of interesting stores. Want to do some shopping?"
"I'd like that." Apple Bloom grinned. Trixie smiled too, and they left the room.
The trip to the shopping district was a short one, because when you can afford the hotels that Trixie could, it's apparently assumed that you can afford to visit fancy, expensive stores. In one shop, Apple Bloom got a scarf that, despite looking somewhat plain, cost more than everything she'd ever bought herself. Combined!
And that was just the first one they visited. Trixie seemed determined to patronize the entire plaza. There was the scarf store, a store for shoes, and another just for boots. They went to a store for fine saddlebags, one for makeup, and also a place for dresses. There was even a confectionery, and on stepping inside, Apple Bloom was very glad Pinkie Pie wasn't with them. They'd have never left.
A few hours later, they were exiting an antique book store. Trixie was levitating her purchase in front of her, admiring the freshly acquired first addition of the original Shetland Holmes novel. Apple Bloom didn't really get why the book was so special, but her sister seemed happy. That was enough for her.
"Apple Bloom?"
The little pony looked around, fairly sure she recognized the voice that'd squeaked her name. And she was proven right as she saw her friend rush over. "Sweetie Belle! What're you doing in Manehattan?"
"Rarity was delivering some new outfits to Sapphire Shores." Sweetie Belle answered over a hug. "She said I could come with and after, we'd do some shopping."
"Well ain't that a coincidence." Apple Bloom waved for Trixie, who had just noticed she was walking alone, to come over. "I'm with my sister, too."
Sweetie Belle saw Trixie and frowned. "I'm confused."
At that, Apple Bloom realized she hadn't yet had a chance to tell her friends what she'd found out. "Uh... it's kind of convoluted, but it turns out we're sisters. Isn't that great?"
"If you say so..."
Trixie reached where they were and Apple Bloom did introductions. "Sweetie Belle, this is Trixie. Trixie, this is my friend Sweetie Belle."
"Nice to meet you. Again." Sweetie Belle deadpanned.
"Hopefully, this time things will go better." Trixie replied. "Apple Bloom was telling me you're a pretty good singer."
For her part, Apple Bloom was glad Trixie had decided against using her stage persona. Sweetie Belle wasn't entirely swayed, though. "I'm ok, I guess. Nothing special."
"Well, Apple Bloom and I were just about to head to rehearsals for tomorrow's show. Would you like to come with?"
That sounded like a good way to prove Trixie had changed, at least to Apple Bloom. "Yeah! You should come with us. You could sing Trixie's theme song!"
"She has a theme song?" Now Sweetie really wasn't buying it.
Apple Bloom pulled her along anyway. "She will if you sing it. Come on!"

The theater was... well, Apple Bloom couldn't really think of a word to describe it properly. If she could, breathtaking would be jealous of that word.
Trixie had clearly seen it before, or she'd seen better. She ignored everything around around her to focus on what was happening on the stage around her. "What is the meaning of this?"
The object of her mostly-pretend wrath was a stagehoof stallion who, despite being a few times Trixie's size, found himself cowering before the magician. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. I know this stuff was supposed to be set up an hour ago, but there was a mix-up with the crates."
Apple Bloom chuckled nervously as Sweetie Belle looked at her. She understood why Trixie chose to act this way, but her friend had no idea. "I'll explain later."
"You better."
The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't care about your difficulties." Trixie announced. "Trixie expects results! Never the less, we must practice now. You may finish your work in the morning."
The stagehoof scurried away and Trixie waved for Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom to join her center stage. When they arrived, Trixie winked conspiratorially. "I kind of feel bad for that one. They're usually so nice to me here."
"So why do it?" Sweetie Belle demanded crossly.
Trixie smiled. "Part of the performance. Speaking of, here are the lyrics for the intro song." She telekinetically passed them to the younger unicorn. "You go memorize them while I tell Apple Bloom he part."
"Fine..." Sweetie Belle groaned.
"Great." Trixie turned to Apple Bloom.
Who was having doubts. "I know I agreed to help you out, but how? I can't do magic."
Her big sister put a hoof on her shoulder. "Neither could Dad. You're going to help me with an escape trick."
"And how is that?"
"We're going to tie you up and hang you over a pool of water. I'll throw a sheet over you while you get the ropes off." Trixie pointed. "Once you get free, I'll teleport you up to that empty balcony. No sound, no glow from my horn. The spotlight will find you, and the Astonishing Apple Bloom will have demonstrated a feat unlike anything an earth pony's done before or will likely do again!"
Apple Bloom nodded excitedly. "That sounds great!"
"Good." Trixie said, and suddenly Apple Bloom was wrapped up. "Now you practice getting out of these ropes."
The little pony looked at the knot. "uhh... ok. How?"
Trixie shrugged. "Dad used his teeth."
She turned to check how Sweetie Belle was doing with the memorizing, leaving Apple Bloom staring at her bound hooves. The filly had no idea how to even start. It didn't help to hear her sister crowing over Sweetie Belle's efforts.
"You mean you have the whole thing down?"
"It's a pretty simple song, really." Sweetie Belle said as Apple Bloom began pulling at the ropes with her teeth. She got nowhere and her teeth started to hurt after a few yanks. The little pony looked to her sister for help, but Trixie was engrossed by Sweetie Belle's rendition of her theme song.
"Wow! It's even better than I hoped." Trixie judged after the younger unicorn was finished. "And once you're done, that's when I come onstage. Do you know a smoke spell?"
Apple Bloom started struggling, desperate to get the ropes off. But they were too tight, and her thrashing only served to make them tighter. She began to panic.
"No, I don't know anything like that." Sweetie Belle answered hesitantly. Trixie's praise was staring to win her over.
"It's a pretty simple spell. I'll teach you. Then, once you finish the song, you cast it and we switch places!"
Meanwhile, Apple Bloom's escape attempts had unbalanced her. She tripped off the edge of the stage, crying out as she hit the floor.
Trixie heard her shout, turned, saw what had happened, and reacted immediately. She magically cut the ropes on Apple Bloom and lifted her back up to the stage. "Apple Bloom are you ok?" She frantically checked her little sister for any injury.
"Ok?!" Apple Bloom slapped Trixie's hoof away. Her cheeks burned and her eyes were welling up with tears. "No! I'm not ok!" Trixie flinched back, her face revealing she had no idea what she'd done wrong. That infuriated Apple Bloom even more. "I'm out of here."
Trixie could barely get words out, she was so shocked. "But- the rehearsals. We have a show to do!"
"You don't need me. You have Sweetie Belle."

> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ch. 3

Even as Apple Bloom ran out of the theater, tears falling from her face, she knew it was the wrong thing to do. Her mother would never do something like this. Applejack didn't run from her problems. But she couldn't help it. She was so angry! Angry and betrayed and...
And embarrassed. It wasn't Sweetie Belle's fault. It wasn't even Trixie's. She's the one who told Trixie to have Sweetie Belle sing. She's the one who dragged Sweetie Belle to rehearsal. It was her fault.
She slowed to a stop and looked back at the theater. She hadn't gotten all that far, only a couple blocks. But still, she couldn't go back now. They'd be mad at her. And she didn't think she could handle the Oranges' snobbery right now. She had nowhere to go, so she just sat on the curb with her head in her hooves.
"Hey... You're Rarity's sister's friend, right?"
The little pony looked up. She must be getting jaded from knowing so many celebrities, because the sight of Equestria's biggest pop star did little to excite her. "I was." She told Sapphire Shores. "I don't think she'd want to hang out with me now, though."
Sapphire cocked her head. "Why is that? Last time I saw you two, you seemed pretty close."
"I messed up." Apple Bloom said, wiping the last of the tears away.
"Obviously." Ms. Shores smiled and sat on the curb next to the filly. "Ponies usually aren't so mopey when they do something right. So tell me, what could you possibly have done that was so bad?"
Apple Bloom didn't feel like saying. "What about you? What are you doing out here so late?"
"I came to get tickets to the show." Sapphire Shores replied, humoring the filly's attempt to redirect the conversation. "I haven't seen Trixie perform since... goodness, since before her troubles in Ponyville. But we were talking about you, honey."
It came out in a rush. "I don't need to buy tickets 'cause I'm supposed to be helping with the show, but I told Trixie she should have Sweetie Belle sing, then we met Sweetie Belle in town while we were shopping and I dragged her back to rehearsals with us, but then Trixie was too busy with Sweetie Belle so I got mad and I stormed out." She took a deep breath to keep from keeling over. "And now I don't know what to do."
Sapphire nodded, able to keep up with most of what the little pony beside her had said. Except for one point. "Why would Trixie want you to help her with her act?"
"We're actually sisters. We both just found out about it." Apple Bloom traced little figures on the ground with her hoof.
"Ohhh..." The star stroked her mane thoughtfully. "Don't want the ponyrazzi to find out about that. Trust me."
Apple Bloom grabbed Sapphire's sleeve. "So what do I do?"
"Girl, I think you already know what you ought to do." Sapphire Shores gently pried Apple Bloom's hoof from her top. It was one of Rarity's, and extremely delicate. "You just want somepony to tell you to do it. So that's what I'm doing."
At that moment, they both heard a door slam from the direction of the theater. When they looked, they saw Trixie worriedly scanning the streets, searching for her sister.
"And here's your chance. I'll see you around." With that, she got up and walked away.
Apple Bloom watched her go, then sighed and stood as well. "Hey, Trixie!" She shouted as she started toward her sister.
Trixie galloped to meet her halfway. "I'm so glad you're ok!" She said scooping her little sister up in a big hug. "I'd have been out here sooner, but it turns out that once your little friend starts lecturing, it's hard to get her to stop." She put Apple Bloom back down. "You didn't get very far, though."
"Turns out I didn't have anywhere to get to." Apple Bloom bowed her head a bit. "I'm sorry for making you worry, and I hope Sweetie Belle wasn't too mean. It's not you fault."
"What do you mean?"
The little filly pointed at herself. "You were just trying to include me in your life. I'm the one who suggested that you have Sweetie Belle sing your song. When we ran into her, I'm the one who dragged her along. You were just trying to make your show perfect, but I got jealous of all the attention you were giving her. It's all my fault. Could you ever forgive me?"
Her big sister burst out laughing. Apple Bloom sputtered confusedly, but before she could say anything Trixie hugged her again. "Apple Bloom, it's not your fault. I'm the adult. I'm the one who should be thinking about how my actions will affect you. But I wasn't thinking about you. I was thinking about Twilight."
Apple Bloom pulled back, more confused than ever. "Wait, what?"
"While I was staying with you, I heard Twilight was tutoring you and your friends." Trixie explained. "I wanted to do that, too. Be a positive influence in somepony's life for once." She scratched her head and smiled sadly. "But I'm not Twilight. I haven't really studied anything except magic. That's why it was so hard to explain why I re-read books on the train ride here. I don't know potions, or science, or history. Hay, I had to use an evil magical amulet just to beat her at the one thing I have studied. So when I got the chance to teach something, even something as simple as a smoke spell, I jumped on it and I ignored how that made you feel. Sorry Apple Bloom."
Apple Bloom suddenly remembered something. "What about the show? I wasted all the rehearsal time, and there's no way I'll be able to figure out how to get out of those ropes by tomorrow night!"
"Silly Apple Bloom." Trixie playfully patted her little sister on the head. "The Great and Powerful Trixie has performed without an assistant for her entire career and has a few fans to show for it. I'll be fine. There's even a way for you to help out that's not part of the act, if you want."

Trixie's show went off without a hitch, the crowd going wild for the adorable little unicorn who opened for her. And Apple Bloom? Though the audience may not find her astonishing, she was content to ensure the spotlight stayed fixed on her big sister.