Prologue: A Dream Or A Nightmare?

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Apple Bloom jerked awake to the smell of flowers and tree sap filling her nose. Her heart was racing inside her chest. Instead of a soft bed beneath her, blades of grass scratched at her sides, and when she opened her bleary eyes, the familiar walls of her room were nowhere to be seen.

Wh-where am I? she wondered, climbing to her hooves.

A tendril of wind wrapped itself around the filly’s crimson mane, her pink bow swaying dangerously. Steadying it with her hoof, she glanced around, trying to get her bearings.

"Alright," she thought to herself. "Looks like I’m in a forest of some sort," though it clearly was not the Everfree Forest. Instead of teeming with life, the trees here towered above her like lifeless statues. There were no vibrant colors, or small creatures scampering in the undergrowth. The whole place just felt desolate.

“Okay Apple Bloom, how’d ya end up in a deep, dark, and particularly freaky looking forest?” she asked herself quietly. She took a few steps forward as she surveyed her surroundings.

Great big pine trees rose up in all directions, reaching towards the night sky with swaying branches. Their roots dug into the hard ground, which was covered with sticks, pine needles, and other debris. While small patches of grass had managed to grow, like the one she had been lying on; everything else from the thick bushes to all the other foliage huddled beneath the trees, leaving plenty of places for somepony or something to hide.

Another cold gust of wind blasted her small frame, sending a drawn-out chill down her spine. She sat down upon her hind legs, wrapping her front ones around herself for warmth; teeth chattering as she rubbed herself in a vigorous attempt to keep out the cold.

“Add f-f-f-freezing to freak-ky f-f-forest,” she stuttered.

The cold winds quickly abated though. As soon as they were over, and Apple Bloom started feeling a little warmer, she climbed back onto her forehooves and began to wander around the forest again, weaving between the pines and ducking under their rough branches. She’d hoped to find something that could help explain where she was and how she had even got there in the first place, but as far as she could tell there wasn’t anything useful. Then she thought of something else. Could any other pony be in here too? She certainly hoped so.

“Hello?” she called out. “Is anypony out there?”

There was nothing but complete, desolate silence in response.

“Applejack?” she cried. “Big Mac?”

Still there was nothing but the deep sound of quiet. Even the strong harrowed wind that had died down left the silence to feel like an empty void that spread down to Apple Bloom’s stomach.

Apple Bloom began shivering again, though not from the cold. She didn’t want to admit it, but her fear might actually be true; she really was all alone. That was the last thing she wanted to believe. Her only choice was to keep trying in hope that somepony she knew might also be in the dark, scary woods with her, where the tree branches hung overhead like dragon claws.

“Applejack?” she cried. “Scootaloo? Sweetie Belle?”

With no answer, Apple Bloom’s voice became raspy as she tried to cry out. Could she really be all alone in the forest? Would nopony ever answer?

“Rainbow Dash?” she called. “Twilight?”

Still, the deathly sound of silence hung in the air. Apple Bloom could feel all her hope draining through her legs as they began to shake. Her mouth trembled and her eyes started to shimmer as she tried to hold back tears.

“TWILIGHT!” she bellowed as loudly as ever. “PRINCESS TWILIGHT! APPLEJACK! RAINBOW DASH! ANYPONY! PLEASE, HELP!”

Nothing. The impending silence just continued to drag on.

Apple Bloom sat down on the ground. Her worst fear had been realized; she was all on her own. The filly’s eyes welled with tears as questions started running through her head; why was she here? How did she get here? Why her? Was this just one big horrible nightmare?

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened in revelation. This whole thing is jus’ a nightmare and I’m somehow trapped in it. That means there’s only one pony that can help me.

“LUNA!” she cried out. “PRINCESS LUNA, CAN YA’ HEAR ME! I’M TRAPPED IN THIS HERE AWFUL NIGHTMARE, CAN YA’ HELP ME, PLEASE?”

Apple Bloom continued to stare high up at the black sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Princess, but there was nothing there but a dark, lonely, and depressing void of nothingness. There wasn’t even a single star to be seen, but Apple Bloom was determined to get the Princess’ attention so she could help her escape this horrible dream.

“PLEASE, LUNA!” she bellowed so loudly that it would have made the Princess of the Night’s Royal Canterlot voice sound like a tiny mouse’s squeak in comparison. “I KNOW YOU’RE OUT THERE, AND I KNOW YOU’RE PRETTY BUSY, BUT I REALLY NEED YOUR HEL— Ow!”

Something sharp had scratched the bottom of Apple Bloom’s right hoof. She looked under it to find a tiny red graze starting to form in the middle. She spotted the culprit on the ground, a jagged stone sticking out from the dirt. She flopped down and held her hoof, staring gloomily at the fresh cut.

“Great, just what else I need right now.” She looked at the stone with an irritated glance. “Stupid stone, why did it have to hurt like that? If this was a dream it wouldn’t…”

A sudden look of disbelief crossed Apple Bloom’s face, with her pupils shrunk slightly and her jaw hanging down. This isn’t a dream.

“But then... where in Equestria am I?” Apple Bloom wondered aloud.

She stood back up, ignoring the dull pain on her right forehoof, and continued gazing around the forest. If it wasn’t a dream, then how did she get here in the first place?

“Okay, let me just think about this calmly. The last thing I remember, I was home in my room playing with Winona, then Applejack came in saying it’s time for bed. I climbed into my bed and Applejack tucked me in, gave me my goodnight kiss and left with Winona. Then I went right to sleep. The next thing I knew, I felt a strong gust of wind blowing right on my face. I thought that Applejack had forgotten to close my window, but when I opened my eyes, I found myself in this here wood.”

Apple Bloom scratched the top of her head, feeling really puzzled. If she went to bed, then how could she just end up in the middle of nowhere? If it was a dream, then how did she feel pain from that jagged stone after she had stepped on it? If anything, it should have woken her up.

“This makes no sense,” Apple Bloom groaned in frustration. “How could I just end up in a forest from my own bed? This has to be a dream, there’s no other explanation. But then if it is a dream, Luna would have probably been here by now.”

Apple Bloom bowed her head down to the ground. An emptiness had settled into her stomach, and, like the cold, she could feel it spreading through her body. She wanted to give up, to just stand where she was and stop looking. But was it really better to stay put and wait for help to arrive, than to keep on searching in hope to find something that would help her escape the nightmarish forest?

What I wouldn’t give to see mah sister right now, Apple Bloom thought glumly.

A sudden noise, like a growl, arose from somewhere nearby, making her scream and jump.

“W...Wh..Wha.. What is that?” she trembled.

Apple Bloom looked around her to find where exactly the sound was coming from. She thought at first it was emitting from the bushes nearby, but they did not appear to be moving, and the longer it went on, the more it sounded like it was coming from every direction at once. Her ears frantically twisted and turned, trying to identify where the noise was precisely coming from, but could not.

Shaking, Apple Bloom slowly started backing away, looking around with wide, terrified eyes.

What I wouldn’t give to have everypony here right now, she wished.

As the sound continued to grow, Apple Bloom felt her heart beat faster. Her legs began to tremble, and a few beads of sweat started trickling down her forehead. Her mind had gone completely blank, with nothing but the sound filling her ears.

Before she knew it, another strong gust of wind caught her off guard, the force nearly ripping the bow of her mane.

It died down as soon as it had come, taking the mysterious sound with it. Apple Bloom stood perfectly still, staring around into the darkest parts of the woods as she tried to compose herself again.

“If I’m gonna get outta here, I need to get my head together,” she told herself. “Now, what does Twilight do to help her keep calm?”

Apple Bloom tapped her chin with her hoof as she thought back to her time with Twilight.

“Aha, I got it,” she exclaimed.

She placed a hoof over her chest and drew in a deep breath, then let it out in a huge exhale of relief, extending her foreleg out from her chest. Like magic, she started to feel the panic ebb away, and the relief set in.

“It worked,” she beamed. “I feel so much—”

An eerie howl echoed through the forest, making her freeze. Only when it had vanished did she dare to move.

“J-Just stay calm,” Apple Bloom reminded herself. She lifted her foreleg to her chest, preparing for Twilight’s method again.

A dark figure streaked past, close enough it could have touched her.

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!” she screamed and took off running deeper into the woods. “HEEELLLLLPPPPP!”

Apple Bloom ran and ran, unaware of where she was heading. All she could think of was getting as far away as possible from whatever it was that had flown past her. Her eyes were almost squeezed shut as she screamed. In her panicked mind she imagined Applejack jumping out to rescue her, but her sister was nowhere to be found.

“P-please, somepony help me,” Apple Bloom coughed, her voice starting to go raspy from her constant cries for help.

Just then another shadowy figure flew over her head. She screeched to an immediate stop, panting heavily, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked up to notice some unusual trees leaning in toward one another and forming some sort of an entrance. It seemed to lead to another part of the forest, but where it went she couldn’t tell.

Apple Bloom quickly looked straight up into the sky to try and see what had flown over her. Could it have been Rainbow Dash? She certainly hoped so. But as she searched, there was nothing except the lingering black sky. Apple Bloom gulped and slowly, cautiously, turned her head back to the gaping entrance the trees formed before her. She had almost expected a monster to be lurking there, when her back had been turned; but like the sky, it was only a vast pit of nothingness.

Instead of terror, Apple Bloom felt the heat of frustration creep up on her. This is all some kind ah prank, isn’t it! she realized. Her jaw clenched and nostrils flared.

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” she boomed.

She turned back and stomped her hoof down. “Now listen, whoever’s out there, I’ve had just about all I can stand! Now ya either show yerself and explain what in Equestria is going on here or y’all will be sorry you ever messed with a Cutie Mark Crusader!”

Apple Bloom stood her ground. Her fear had vanished, replaced with courage. If Applejack had been there, she would have been so proud of how brave her little sister looked right then.

“Well?” Apple Bloom asked. “Where are ya hiding? Show yerself, this….”

Something dark was looming up behind her. She suddenly didn’t feel very brave anymore. Her legs wobbled, not wanting to cooperate as she took one huge gulp and slowly turned back around. She looked up towards the shadow, her eyes shrinking and her mouth going slack, opening into a silent plea for help. As Apple Bloom stared up at the mysterious creature that looked back down upon her, she had only one thought in her mind.

I wish I was home with my family right now.

The Start of a Royal Day

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Apple Bloom’s eyes were completely fixated on the dark figure in front of her. It looked somewhat like a giant mass of black ooze but resembled a black ghostly shadow. It sort of resembled King Sombra when he was turned to shadow, but it didn’t have a head or face. There were only two dreadful goldenrod eyes piercing through its darkened mass, staring down at the small filly, sending a shiver from her head down to her hooves.

Apple Bloom tried her best to regain her composure, but as the creature growled her efforts to speak failed entirely. Even trying to run wasn’t helping as she couldn’t bring herself to move her legs. She just stood, looking up at it in horror.

As the shadow creature moved itself forward, Apple Bloom found the will to move. The feeling returned to her legs and Apple Bloom took slow steps away from it.

“H…H…Hi….. Umm…nice… p…p…pl…place… ya,” Apple Bloom stuttered. A part of her was telling her not to talk to it, but for some reason, her mind wasn’t cooperating and the words were just falling out of her.

But before she could say another word, the creature stood up, towering over her, and let out a roar so loud that the entire forest shook from the sheer force of it. The noise echoed throughout the once quiet woods, almost sending Apple Bloom flying. As soon as it was over, Apple Bloom once again looked up at the creature that still looked down at her with its evil yellow eyes.

“AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” Apple Bloom shrieked. With no hesitation, she galloped off in a flash back the way she had come and away from whatever that thing was.

Apple Bloom sped through the trees like a rocket, her hooves pounding on the ground in sync with her racing heart. Her mouth was dry after that last scream she tried desperately to catch her breath as she ran. A part of her dared not to look back, but her curiosity got the better of her, and she turned her head to find, to her horror, that the creature was, in fact, chasing after her.

“NO!” she cried.

Somehow, with the little energy she had left, Apple Bloom managed to gallop farther away, disappearing into the darkened forest. The shadow blinked as though surprised to see just how fast she had gone, but continued to trail on after her.

Having managed to get away from that thing, Apple Bloom found herself sitting behind an old tree, panting heavily. Her heart was beating a mile a minute and her throat was dry. But she couldn’t risk looking for water with the monster out there somewhere.

“Why me?” Apple Bloom asked, sighing heavily.

Why was this happening to her? What did she do to deserve all this?

Apple Bloom peered around the tree to see if the thing was anywhere nearby. So far nothing seemed to be approaching, and the forest was silent once again. Seeing that it was clear, Apple Bloom rested her back against the tree and breathed another sigh of relief. As much as she wanted water, she needed her strength back more. The image of the shadowy creature still hung in her head like a photograph. Even though she had never seen King Sombra in pony, she could tell the resemblance just by the way Applejack had described him to her. Something else came to Apple Bloom’s mind, something strange about the creature, and the way it roared. It didn’t seem normal. It was unlike any sound she had ever heard. It was almost like some kind of siren that had echoed through an amplifier and twisted through the trees.

Apple Bloom gave a long drawn out yawn, her eyes feeling heavy as she shook her head and tried to stay awake. If she fell asleep, that thing would could find her for sure. But, try as she might, Apple Bloom was just too tired and drained to even keep her head up once her chin rested itself on her chest. Very quickly, the forest blurred and then drifted away..

“Maybe just a little nap won’t hurt…”

A familiar, fresh and delectable scent brushed Apple Bloom’s nose. It made her tummy rumble with the sense of wanting to eat the very thing that the smell was radiating from.

“Wha… Where am I?” she asked, spinning around.

She found herself standing in a clean grass field surrounded by half a dozen apple trees. Each tree was bearing several bright red, juicy apples just waiting to be picked. The sight of them made her stomach grumble and her mouth water. She spotted one of the apples lying down against a tree. “Is this real?” she asked, hope beaming from her eyes.

She trotted up to the fallen fruit and scooped it up in her hoof. She brought it close to her muzzle and inhaled the familiar scent.

“It smells like an apple,” she said, and then took a huge bite out of it. “Mmmmmm and it certainly tastes like an apple.” Her voice was muffled as she chewed the scrumptious fruit.

“Apple Bloom!”

Apple Bloom almost choked when she heard her name called out by an all too familiar voice. She turned to find her sister, Applejack, trotting up towards her with a look of concern written on her face. Apple Bloom swallowed the chunk of apple in one gulp as tears welled up in her eyes.

“APPLEJACK!” she cried out, dropping the apple back to the ground and running over to her sister.

Applejack found herself tackled to the ground as Apple Bloom wrapped her forelegs around her in a tight hug and buried her face in her older sister’s chest. Applejack looked down, rather baffled by Apple Bloom’s frantic state, and she felt the tears running down her fur while Apple Bloom cried softly into her coat. Applejack gently returned Apple Bloom’s warm embrace.

“Landshakes, little sis, whatever’s the matter?” Applejack asked. “Did ya’ get attacked or somethin’?”

Apple Bloom removed her face from Applejack’s chest and rubbed the tears from her eyes.

“No, it’s just that... I’m just so happy to see ya’ sis,” Apple Bloom explained. “I felt like I was someplace else. Somewhere dark and scary and there was this monster that came out of nowhere and there was nopony ta help me! Not you, not Twilight, not anypony.”

Apple Bloom again held her sister tightly, making sure not to let go of her in case she disappeared.

Applejack smiled caringly and cuddled her sister tightly back.“Don’t ya worry little sis. I ain’t gonna let no monster touch that precious bow on yer head. I’ll always be there for ya’ wherever you are, always.”

Apple Bloom could feel the warmth spread through her heart from her sister’s truthful words as the two sat in the grass, happily embracing each other together.

A familiar but horrid sound echoed through Apple Bloom’s ears, causing her eyes to pop open. She found herself once again in the nightmarish forest she thought she’d dreamed about. In her unfortunate real dream, for just that short moment alone, she really truly felt she was back in her sister’s warm forelegs; tears began streaming down her cheeks. I’ll always be there for yer’ wherever you are, always. The last words of her sister ran through her head.

“Where are you, Sis?” Apple Bloom hastily whispered to herself. “I need you...”

The noise echoed again, causing the trees to quake as though they were afraid of what was approaching, and Apple Bloom could faintly see the yellow eyes growing nearer through them. Seeing no other choice, Apple Bloom got up to her hooves and started running back down the trail. But, try as she might, she just couldn’t muster up the strength to go any faster. Her legs felt like lead, her throat was dry, and it felt like she could collapse at any moment, but somehow she had to keep going with the hope still burning inside that somepony would save her.

The roar of the creature split the air once again, making Apple Bloom turn to see the Shadow just inches behind her tail. Her heart skipped, and she suddenly stumbled, her hooves flailing as she collapsed onto the forest floor. She lay on her back, panic rising as she tried to roll over and up again, but she couldn’t move a muscle. Her eyes were heavy as she looked up at the black sky and wished she could feel the sun’s rays one last time. She didn’t want to die.

But soon the creature overtook the sky, darker than the night, as it stared down at Apple Bloom. The filly curled herself up like a ball, whimpering as she waited for the creature to attack. When nothing happened, she dared to peek open an eye at the creature, seeing it looking down at her with a sense of satisfaction radiating from its body. But as she stared into the creature’s eyes, there was something more; a hint of regret, as if it felt sorry for her.

Could that be why it hasn’t attacked me yet? Apple Bloom wondered. Could this monster actually have a good heart? Was it only just tryin’ ta help me this whole time?

Her questions were immediately shattered when the creature bellowed loudly. It sent a tremor through the entire woods with such force that even Apple Bloom’s whole body shook, as if she were as helpless as a leaf in the wind. The Shadow’s brow crossed fiercely as it towered over her, looking ready to strike. The sight of it made Apple Bloom curl up even tighter, knowing her time was up.

Please, Applejack… anypony! Apple Bloom pleaded one last time, Help me.

With no more hesitation, the Shadow shot straight down at the motionless Apple Bloom, its victory assured. But just as it was inches away from enveloping her, a bright light burst from behind the shadow, distracting it. The light didn’t last long, however; as soon as it had appeared, it quickly faded, like a bolt of lightning without sound.

Suddenly, something else swooshed past, making the Shadow turn around to see what it was, but as it looked around and saw nothing, another gust of air went over its head. But, try as it might, there was nothing to be seen. The more the Shadow looked, the more it hissed and narrowed its eyes. Then there was another quick swoosh just beneath it. It looked down and saw only the forest floor; the little filly that had been lying there moments before had vanished.

The Shadow’s eyes widened and it frantically searched the whole area until it spotted something in the distance, flying away with an exhausted Apple Bloom on its back. The Shadow unleashed another thunderous howl that ripped most of the surrounding trees from their roots and sent them crashing to the ground. Still bristling, the Shadow gave chase after the filly’s rescuer.

Apple Bloom, still curled up with her hoof covering her eyes, stayed motionless for just a moment longer, concerned as to why the Shadow hadn’t yet engulfed her. But then, as she dared to peek out at the world again, she noticed the treetops rushing by. She quickly sat up in disbelief, wondering what was happening, until she finally noticed that she was lying on the back of someone who was quite obviously flying, their strong wings beating on either side of her.

“Do not fear little one. You are now safe from that horrid creature.”

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened from hearing that all too familiar voice. Could it be?

The Princess of the Night was looking up at her with eyes of warmth and reassurance. The relief washed over her and suddenly she was the happiest she had ever felt since being in this nightmare.

“LUNA!” she cried out happily, unable to stop the tears that began to stream down her cheeks. Apple Bloom wrapped her forelegs around the Princess’s neck. hoping with all her might that this wasn’t another dream and the Princess wouldn’t disappear.

“It’s alright, Apple Bloom, this nightmare will be over soon,” Luna said reassuringly. “This creature is unlike any I have encountered before. There are several nightmarish creatures that I know of, but this is not one of them.”

These weren’t exactly the comforting words Apple Bloom had been hoping for. In fact, she could feel her comfort slowly slipping away.

“But I assure you,” the Princess continued. “Whatever creature this is, he will not bring any harm to you now that I’m here.”

Apple Bloom started to feel a little reassured after hearing those words and rested her head against Luna’s mane. “Thank you, Princess,” Apple Bloom said softly.

The Shadow roared from behind them. Apple Bloom looked up at the sound.

“It’s gaining on us!” gasped Apple Bloom.

Luna didn’t falter, sparing a moment to glance behind her to carefully survey the distant forest. Indeed, Apple Bloom was right. Luna picked up speed, breaking through the forest out into a patch-work field. There wasn’t much cover, but there were some bushes around it that Apple Bloom could hide in. Quickly swooping down to the sodden ground, Luna landed softly on the grass and then placed Apple Bloom on the ground.

“You need to stay hidden,” Luna instructed. She pointed near the field’s edge. “Go into those bushes and wait while I’ll contend with this shadow creature.”

Apple Bloom struggled to get up onto her legs. As soon she tried, they wobbled and immediately caved in, dropping her back down onto the damp, soggy grass.

“I can’t,” she said, her voice sounding scratchy. “I’ve been running for so long, I don’t even have tha’ strength to stand!”

Seeing the little filly’s fatigue, Luna lit her horn and lifted Apple Bloom from the ground and moved her into one of the nearby bushes. Apple Bloom stuck her head back out as Luna moved to hover above her.

“You’ll be safe here. As soon as I have vanquished the shadow creature, I should be able to awaken you from this nightmare.”

“But.. why can’t you just end the nightmare now?” Apple Bloom pleaded.

“Trust me, little one, I’ve been trying to,” Luna explained. “But, somehow, this creature is preventing me from doing so. I’m not sure what kind of dark magic it possesses, but it certainly must be strong if it can challenge my own.”

Apple Bloom attempted to gulp but the dryness of her parched throat made her go into a coughing fit. Her tongue hung low from her mouth as she panted, but not a single drop of saliva ran down from her mouth. Luna ignited her horn once more and, in a quick flash of light, a glass of water appeared from thin air. The glass lowered itself to Apple Bloom, who hastily grabbed the glass and guzzled down the sweet liquid goodness. Apple Bloom could feel the dryness in her throat wash away with each gulp she took. She didn’t even stop to catch her breath until the entire glass was finally empty.

“Thank you, Luna,” she gasped. “You have no idea how badly I needed that.”

“My pleasure, Apple Bloom. Now stay hidden and don’t move till I return.”

Apple Bloom nodded as she slid back into the bush, just before the Shadow arrived mere meters from where they once stood. Luna quickly took flight and darted towards the Shadow, swooping past it and causing the Shadow to turn away from where Apple Bloom was hiding. It didn’t have to look far though, as Luna hovered before it. She glared sternly down at the thing that lurked beneath her, and its sinister eyes glared back with anger and a hint of frustration. Luna thought it must be the fact that Apple Bloom was no longer on her back that caused its anger to rise.

“Leave the young one alone, foul creature!” Luna demanded. “She brings no threat to you.”

The Shadow released a monstrous shockwave from the center of its body which almost sent Luna somersaulting. She just barely managed to hold her own by using her magic to produce a shield around herself. Once the wave had faded, she lowered her shield and looked down at the shadow with a cold sneer. In response, the Shadow stretched itself high over the princess, but Luna was unfazed.

“If you think you can intimidate me, you’re sadly mistaken,” she proclaimed.

And without a hint of hesitation, Luna dived straight towards the shadow, which also rushed forward to meet her.

Back down in the bushes, Apple Bloom was trying to keep herself from peeking out to see, but her curiosity got the best of her. She had to see how Luna was doing.

“help….”

What was that? Apple Bloom popped her head out of the bush, her right ear twitching as she looked around, but saw nothing. She then lifted her ear up and listened carefully. She was positive she’d heard something just then.

“Am I goin’ crazy, or am I hearing things now?” she asked herself.

Before Apple Bloom could figure out if she was finally going insane, her eyes landed on the battle between the Princess of the Night and the dreaded shadow creature. Her eyes widened and her mouth went slack in awe of the incredible sight she was witnessing; an Alicorn princess battling against an evil force was something few ponies had ever witnessed, even in a dream. Apple Bloom couldn’t decide whether to be excited from seeing such an incredible fight, or afraid that something terrible might happen to the Princess.

Luna swooped down close to the Shadow and shot a bright beam of magic with great force, but the Shadow just slithered past and avoided it. Luna again shot out multiple beams at different angles but the Shadow managed to dodge each of them by twisting, turning, or even opening up a gap in the center of its body to let the blast go right through it. Luna scowled in frustration, shooting straight upward before diving towards the Shadow at tremendous speeds.

Wow, she’d give Rainbow Dash a run for her money, thought Apple Bloom.

Luna was a millisecond away from the Shadow, but just as it appeared she was going to collide face to face with it, she swiftly flew straight up. The shadow looked up to see where Luna has gone only to be met with a magical blast heading towards it, its eyes widened in fear as it was engulfed in white.

As the bright light faded, Apple Bloom peered through the bushes and rubbed her eyes from the strain of trying to see through it. She looked out with anticipation. And as she had hoped, Luna was hovering with a satisfied grin on her face, as it appeared she had successfully vanquished the Shadow. But her moment of victory was quickly dashed away when the shadow moved from the within the darkness of the trees, reforming itself back into a shapeless mass, its golden eyes shining with rage as it released its terrifying roar. Both Luna and Apple Bloom looked on in disbelief, the fight seemed far from over.

“How could this be?” asked Luna.

The Shadow slithered across the ground towards Luna. She was uncertain, but it sounded as though the creature was laughing by the strange foghorn-like sound that was bellowing out of it. Luna scowled. It dared to mock her, didn't it?

“So, thou’ thinks thee can toy with us, is that it?” cried Luna as she readied herself to fly back down. “Well… let’s see how thou’ handles this!”

The rage in Luna’s eyes made Apple Bloom quiver in her bush. Looks like it’s gonna get pretty serious, she thought, swallowing nervously. She ducked her head back into the bush, not wanting to see the massacre about to unfold, but her curiosity quickly got the better of her, and she peeked out again.

Luna headed straight for the Shadow again, and the Shadow launched itself straight up towards Luna in response. But, before they could collide, Luna quickly avoided contact with the shadow, who seemed to stumble in confusion. Luna then circled around it until she reached the bottom, and then once again soared high up into the air, her horn beginning to emit a shimmering glow. Once the shadow spotted Luna, it quickly gave chase, twisting its mass and launching itself after her and into the sky. But before it could catch up, Luna’s horn started to form a white ball of light. While she hovered in the sky, her magic expanding, the Shadow grew inches away from her.

Apple Bloom watched with worry as the Shadow moved in closer. Watch out, Luna!

The white orb grew bigger and brighter on Luna’s horn, until suddenly the orb dispersed, causing everything to turn a bright white once again. Only this time, it seemed much stronger than the last.

“GGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOO!”

The horrific sound that echoed from the white light clearly came from the Shadow. It had to be in unspeakable pain.

It seemed to take hours, but the brightness of the light eventually started to fade and the forest came back into view. The trees, bushes, and everything else around stood still for a brief moment as silence filled the air, leaving an unsettling sensation to fill the clearing. It was as if an explosion went off and took everything around it, yet everything remained as it was.

Apple Bloom stayed perfectly still within her bush. Was it an explosion? she wondered.

She dared not look out in case she saw nothing but a desolate wasteland in its place. But after what felt like an hour, Apple Bloom began to worry for the Princess, so she peered out of the bush, rubbing her right eye from the soreness of the light. As she looked out, she saw that the forest and everything else was still standing where it was supposed to be. Not a single tree had fallen or turned to cinder.

Guess it wasn’t an explosion, thought Apple Bloom. But then what did Luna….

Before Apple Bloom could ask, she had already found her answer standing before her.

The Shadow’s entire body was slumped over on the ground like a muddy puddle, while Luna continued to hover above. She was still wielding a bright white orb on the tip of her horn. and looking down sternly at the creature.

Apple Bloom’s eyes widened in awe. A huge grin started to form on Apple Bloom’s face; tears swelled in her eyes, relief and joy filling her at long last. Finally, the nightmare was over. A part of her just wanted to leap up and shout out loud with happiness, but she dared not to risk jinxing it all.

The Shadow made an abnormal sound as it sunk further into itself. It was as if it was moaning in agony.

“It appears that thou’ hast finally met thine end,” declared Luna. “Thou’ hast fought valiantly, strange creature. However, it is time this nightmare ends.”

Luna steadied herself as the white orb on her horn started shimmering again. The Shadow moaned painfully from the sensation the white orb was sending out.

Apple Bloom poked her head out of the bush in anticipation. The sooner Luna finished off the monster, the sooner she could be back in her cozy bed again.

“Help…”

There it was again, Apple Bloom eyes darted around as she once again heard that strange voice.

“Now I know I’m not goin’ crazy,” she said.

Apple Bloom looked all around her, lifting her ear up to hear anything she could. But aside from the noise from the Shadow, there was nothing else around.

“Hello?” Apple Bloom called, “Is there anypony there?”

“Help…”

Apple Bloom heard it again. This time she knew exactly which direction it came from. She looked in front of her, but all she could see was the Shadow. Apple Bloom’s eyes blinked in thought, Surely it wasn’t...

“Help me…”

Apple Bloom’s eyes flew wide and her jaw hung open, her face frozen in absolute shock. The Shadow was crying for help.

“It can’t be,” gasped Apple Bloom.

But somehow, deep down in her heart, she knew it was true; the Shadow was calling out for help, but why? Should she really try and help it after everything it did to her?

Apple Bloom didn’t know what to do. A part of her wanted nothing more but to see the Shadow disappear for good. But as she looked at how helpless the shadow was, Apple Bloom felt in her heart that she shouldn’t let this happen.

I… how can I be thinking to give this monster a chance? After everythin’ it put me through. This Shadow has to go… but still...

As Apple Bloom struggled with her choice, Luna looked ready to strike the final blow from her horn. Apple Bloom stared up at Luna, then back at the Shadow, holding her head with her hooves as her frustration grew. She didn’t have time to be indecisive!

“Tis’ over for you shadow creature,” Luna called out as the white orb radiated from her horn.

The energy from the orb made the Shadow sink deeper and deeper, unable to bear the strong glow.

Help… me…

Apple Bloom looked up at the shadow, who looked back at her.

Please…

Apple Bloom’s eyes grew wide, certainty flooding her mind. She made her decision.

“Be gone,” declared Luna as she readied herself to fire.

“STOP!”

Luna froze in place, the orb remained still on the tip of her horn. She stared down and noticed Apple Bloom walking out from her bush and making her way toward the Shadow.

“Apple Bloom, stop!” Luna cried out to her. “What are you doing?”

Apple Bloom approached the Shadow with concern in her eyes as she stared up at it. She couldn’t be certain, but something about it just felt… grateful.

“It’s alright, Luna,” Apple Bloom called up to her. “The Shadow’s okay.”

Luna hovered, looking absolutely confused. “Apple Bloom, this creature tried to harm you. It’s been chasing after you for ages and put you in a never ending nightmare. Why would you want to help it after everything it did?”

Apple Bloom looked down dejectedly. “I know Luna. But…” She looked up at the Shadow as it stared back at her with sparkles in its eyes. Apple Bloom lifted her hoof and started to stroke the Shadow. It felt weird, but yet comfortable, like a blanket. “I just couldn’t bring myself to see it get hurt.”

Luna looked at Apple Bloom with more confusion than ever. “But why?” she asked.

“I can’t explain it, but I kept hearing someone calling out for help,” she explained. “At first I thought I was hearing things. But then, just as you had it cornered, I could hear the cry for help coming from him.”

Luna was baffled. “I did not hear a cry for help.”

“I’m sure I did. And it did sound like it was coming from the Shadow. I know it tried ta’ hurt me, but just because he was trying to doesn’t mean that we should. I can never bring myself to see others get hurt even when they try ta hurt me.”

Luna was astounded. Never had she seen a little filly defend something like that monster that tried to harm her.

There is something special about this filly, thought Luna and then gasped. Could it be...

Before they knew it, the Shadow sprung up and roared its strange metallic sound through the forest. The force of it shook Luna off balance and shattered the white orb from her horn. The Shadow towered over Apple Bloom, glaring down at her with evil intentions in its eyes.

Apple Bloom looked up in despair. After defending it from Luna, she hoped the Shadow would change. “Please,” she pleaded. “Don’t do this. I know ya’ don’t want to do this, I can feel it. This ain’t what ya’ want.”

But her pleas failed as the Shadow launched itself down at her, its massive body formed into something like a mouth.

As Luna regained herself, she looked down in horror at what was about to happen, “Apple Bloom!” she cried.

“NOOOO!” screamed Apple Bloom.

Before anyone knew it, a burst of light brightened from above them, stopping the Shadow in its tracks. Once again it screeched in agony and slithered away into the dark trees to protect itself. As the light began to fade, Apple Bloom had her hoof over her eyes to protect them from the blinding light.

Sure wish Luna didn’t have ta turn up the light so much, she thought.

But as soon as she was able to see, she looked up at the sky and quickly noticed Luna rubbing her eyes as she too tried to regain her sight.

Wait, if Luna didn’t do that, then who…

Apple Bloom’s mouth fell open as she stared up in awe, watching Princess Celestia herself descending down towards them from the black sky.

Once Luna was also able to see, she got the same disbelieving expression as Apple Bloom.

“Sister?” asked Luna. “What are you doing here in Apple Bloom’s dream?”

Apple Bloom looked over at Luna, who looked more confused than ever. Apparently, Apple Bloom had thought of something that Luna hadn’t for some reason.

“Luna, get Apple Bloom and follow me. We haven’t much time.” Celestia instructed, as she flew off over the forest.

“But sister—” Luna started to say before Celestia flew off.

Without wasting another moment, Luna swooped down to Apple Bloom and scooped her up onto her back, following after Celestia. Apple Bloom laid herself against Luna, trying to take in all that had just happened. Hopefully now that Celestia was here, she could get the answers she’d been after...

It wasn’t long until the princesses were flying just above a grassy field. Apple Bloom looked back to see the forest growing further away, a sense of relief washing over her as she realized she was finally out of there for good.

Celestia peered down below and spotted a patched field, then looked back to see just how far they had come from the forest.

“This looks far enough,” she exclaimed. “Let us land in that field.”

The two princesses descended over the field, their hooves touching down softly on the grass. Once landed, Apple Bloom hopped off of Luna onto the damp ground. It must have rained recently, but when Apple Bloom lifted up her hoof, there wasn’t a droplet of water on it.

“Sister, please explain yourself,” Luna spoke with a hint of annoyance. “Why have you come into Apple Bloom’s dream? I had the nightmare creature under control.”

“Uh,” Apple Bloom stammered as the two princesses looked down at her. “Not to interrupt, but how is it possible for Celestia to even be here?”

“It is not impractical for us to appear through teleporting, little one,” Luna explained. “It is how we go about when needed the most.”

“That’s true,” Apple Bloom agreed. “But I didn’t think that Celestia could get in my dreams. Didn’t you say she hasn’t got power in the dream world like you.”

Luna froze in her response, her mouth hanging wide open in shock as she realized that Apple Bloom was right. Other than herself, nopony had the power to enter into ponies’ dreams. She hastily turned to Celestia. “She is correct, sister. How is it that you have managed to enter her dream without the correct method to do so? Have you used a spell of some kind?”

“There is no spell needed for this, Luna,” Celestia explained. “My presence here has nothing to do with a dream. This is not a dream at all.”

Luna’s expression faltered from shock to disbelief, as did Apple Bloom’s. For a moment neither of them spoke. Then, Apple Bloom lifted up her hoof and noticed that she still had the graze from that jagged stone a while ago.

“She’s right. I grazed my hoof on a stone back in the forest and it hurt, just like in real life” Apple Bloom said, showing the wound on her hoof.

“But then, if none of this is a dream, what is this place?” Apple Bloom asked. “And how did I get here?”

“Though this isn’t a dream, it is a world that makes everything around us appear like a nightmare. Which is exactly what this creature had intended for you when he transported you here,” Celestia explained.

“Transported?” Apple Bloom was baffled.

“Sister, you don’t mean...” Luna questioned.

“The creature has brought Apple Bloom into an alternate dimension; one that disconnects from Equestria.”

Apple Bloom’s whole body wobbled like jelly, her face paling as she slumped down onto the grass. “Another dimension?” she muttered. “Not Equestria?”

Celestia walked up to the frightened filly and placed a reassuring hoof on her mane, stroking it gently to comfort her.

“It’s alright, Apple Bloom. You're safe now, and will be back home soon,” Celestia reassured her.

Apple Bloom just sat perplexed. “But why me?” she asked. “What did it take me for?”

“I’m sorry little one, but I’m not quite sure of that. The only explanation I can think of is that the creature is after something. Why it is you, I have yet to understand.”

“Perhaps Apple Bloom possesses something that the creature sees as a threat?” Luna theorized. “I’ve noticed that there is something quite special about Apple Bloom. The way she offered to protect it from me, as I was about to vanquish it, was unlike anything I’ve ever seen.”

“I just wanted ta’ help it. I couldn’t stand seeing something get hurt even if it had tried to hurt me,” Apple Bloom said.

Celestia smiled down at Apple Bloom. “Clearly you have a good heart, Apple Bloom. Perhaps Luna might be onto something, as to why the creature took you in the first place.”

“But what is that thing anyway? And what does it want me for?”

“I believe I may know,” Celestia explained. “Recently, there have been signs of strange, abnormal magic across Equestria. Weather has been happening at random beyond pegasi control, and unicorns have experienced strange electrical interference through their horns that we originally assumed was a flu of some sort. That was until today when I sensed a horrid entity; one that I feared may be worse than any other foe we have ever encountered before.”

Apple Bloom gulped. “Ya think that the creature is the cause of it?”

“Indeed,” Celestia nodded, “I believe that he has been searching for something. Something that he needs or something he wants,”

“Something that would help it...” Luna said.

Celestia nodded.

“Help it how?” asked Apple Bloom.

“I am not precisely certain, but it seems that the creature is unstable. It must be searching for a way to maintain itself from going out of control and likely destroying itself, as well as everything else around it.”

“This does explain a few things,” Luna said. “The interference from the creature must have interrupted my dream cycle and led me to this dimension by mistake.”

“Precisely, sister,” said Celestia.

“So now what?” Apple Bloom asked.

“We must return to Equestria and alert the others. We must be prepared for what lies ahead,” Celestia explained.

“But isn’t there some way ta’ help the Shadow?” Apple Bloom insisted “If it’s looking for help then shouldn’t we try and help it?”

Celestia and Luna both looked at each other, but before either of them could answer, an all too familiar sound echoed from the forest and spread across the entire area.

All three ponies stared towards the forest and noticed the shadow emerging from the trees and making its way towards them. Its entire mass spread over the black sky as it rose, casting everything under it in a veil of impenetrable darkness.

“It’s coming!” cried Apple Bloom.

The two Alicorn sisters looked at one another and both gave a nod of understanding. Quickly, Luna flew up from the grass and hovered over and back down to Apple Bloom’s side, while Celestia did the same. As Apple Bloom stood in the middle of the two Alicorn princesses, she looked at them with curiosity in her eyes.

“So what are we gonna do?” asked the scared little filly.

“We’re sending you home,” answered Celestia, as her horn ignited in a golden aura.

Luna’s horn also started to glow with its own dark blue magic.

Apple Bloom felt her hooves leave the grass as she started rising up into the air; a white light slowly started to appear above her.

“Wait, what about you two?” asked Apple Bloom. “Aren’t ya’ coming back?”

“Do not worry about us, Apple Bloom. We must remain here to hold off the shadow,” Celestia explained.

“But what am I supposed ta’ do?” cried Apple Bloom as she was lifted higher. “How do I get the others to get here?”

“All in due time, Apple Bloom. For now you must return home. Stay close to Princess Twilight, your sister and their friends. It is up to all of you to keep Equestria from falling into an eternity of shadow. Remember you’re the only one…”

But Apple Bloom couldn’t make out the rest of what Princess Celestia was saying as the white light grew so bright it drowned out everything else. There was nothing but white all around her, and soon not a sound could be heard…

“CACK-A-DOODLE-DOOOOOOO!” the rooster crowed as the sun rose over Sweet Apple Acres.

The sun shone through Apple Bloom’s bedroom window, spreading the light across the wooden floor to her bed where Apple Bloom was snoring soundly underneath her messed up covers.

“Rise and shine everypony! Time ta’ get today’s harvest in,” Granny Smith called out from downstairs.

Apple Bloom let out a hefty moan as she started to wake. For some reason after sleeping, she still felt tired, exhausted even.

“Gosh, what happened ta’ me last night?” she muttered.

She slumped off her bed with the cover still draped over her as she made her way to her bedroom door. As she made her way through the hall she started to realize her head was feeling fuzzy, but she wasn’t sure why.

“That was some dream I must have had,” she wondered aloud “Except, I can’t remember what it was about… strange.”

She walked into the bathroom and slammed the door shut with her back hoof. She pulled up a stool to the sink and stepped up to it, peering out of the covers and seeing her own tired expression in the mirror.

“Horseapples, I look more tired than Applejack during Applebuck Season,” laughed Apple Bloom.

“I HEARD THAT!” called Applejack from her room.

Apple Bloom let out a giggle, “Oh well, whatever that dream was it’s over now. It’s a new day and I can’t wait ta’ see what it’s gonna bring.”

She turned on the tap and the water began pouring out. After a minute, she slipped off her cover and started splashing the water on her face.

“Aaaahhh, that feels better,” she sighed.

She turned off the tap, grabbed a towel, and wiped her face dry. Once she finished, she removed the towel from her face and gave her head a shake, then opened her eyes and looked at her reflection. Her eyes suddenly shrunk to a pinpoint as she noticed the long unicorn horn sticking out of her forehead. Before she could question this, two large wings flapped open from both sides of her. She peered up at the horn, then slowly turned to look at the left wing now attached to her side before looking back at the mirror.

“It’s gonna be one of those days, huh?” she asked.

Then she fell forward, her head landing in the sink with a splash.

A Meeting With Princess Twilight

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Apple Bloom remained sitting in the middle of the bathroom floor. She stared aimlessly at the wall as though she was in some kind of trance. Trying to get her mind back on track, the filly decided to take another look in the mirror, just to be sure she wasn’t just seeing things. As she climbed up onto the stool, steadying herself up onto the sink and slowly lifting her head up to face the mirror, she peered at her reflection once more. She again noticed the long unicorn horn, sticking out of her forehead.

“This can’t be real...” she thought.

She lifted up her right hoof and slowly brought it towards her forehead. Carefully, she gave the tip of the horn a light tap. It felt hard and pointy against her hoof. Rubbing it lightly, she noticed it felt kind of rough and bumpy; an unusual sensation running through her body as if she was being tickled.

“It is real.”

She looked down at her side, an overly large wing sticking out. She lifted it up, much to her surprise; she gave it a little shake, stretching it up and down at her will. She gawked in disbelief. She felt another odd sensation run through her as she moved the wing, shivers running from her head down to her hooves. It felt weird, yet somehow natural. It was as if she knew how to work it, despite never having had wings before. She brought the wing around herself to get a closer look. It appeared fairly large, but not as big as the Princesses’ wings; these wings seemed to be just right for her small body.

As Apple Bloom studied her wing carefully, she quietly gasped as she found to her amazement that the back of the wing had a cherry red streak through the feather tips, strongly matching the colour of her mane and tail. Apple Bloom placed her hoof over the wing and started gently stroking it. It felt amazingly soft to the touch.

“This is unbelievable,” Apple Bloom finally spoke, “I can’t believe this is actually happening.”

She lifted both her wings up into the air, glancing back into the mirror. Her reflection gazed back at her, looking just as bewildered as she was. She stood staring for quite awhile until finally she stepped back down from the stool and stood back in the middle of the bathroom floor. She looked at both of her exposed wings as they remained stretched out from her sides. Apple Bloom grunted as she struggled to make them stay folded, eventually managing to force them closed again. Apple Bloom gasped as she noticed the crimson red streak on the feather tips again, this time they appeared a little brighter as they were folded up.

Apple Bloom sat back down on the floor to compose herself and collect her thoughts. Somehow, she had become an Alicorn. How had this happened? More importantly, how was she going to explain all this to everypony?

“How are they gonna take it?” she asked herself. “Would they even accept it?”

She started pacing around the bathroom worryingly, trying to figure out the best possible thing to do in this situation.

“Perhaps I should tell Applejack. After all, we are sisters, and I still think she’ll know what ta’ do about this,” Apple Bloom considered. “But then… what if… she doesn’t take it very well…”

She started trotting on the spot in panic. “What if, since I’m no longer an earth pony — what if she has me sent away from Ponyville?”

She laid on the floor as she held her head. “What if the Crusaders get jealous of me now that I’m a princess!?”

Apple Bloom sat back up. “Of course, I’m not entirely sure if I even am a princess,” she babbled, “Right now I’m only an Alicorn. But all Alicorns are considered princesses, so does that mean I’m a princess too?”

Apple Bloom stood up on all fours and started marching around. “Of course, if I’m a princess now, does that mean I’ve got royal responsibilities? How would that work with my crusading? Would I even still be a Crusader? What if -”

Suddenly there was a loud knock at the door. Apple Bloom stopped her babbling almost immediately.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack yelled through the bathroom door, “Hurry it up in there, will ya’? Y'all gonna be late fer’ school!”

A streak of panic and uncertainty ran through Apple Bloom’s entire body. She needed to think of something, fast!

“Maybe I should just get it over with and show Applejack…oooh, but I just don’t know how she’ll take it. If only there was somepony that went through this, then maybe….”

An idea had finally sprung in Apple Bloom’s head, “TWILIGHT! If anypony knows how to solve this, it’s her,” Apple Bloom thought.

“APPLE BLOOM!” Applejack bellowed from outside.

“I’ll.. Uh… be right out sis. Just finishing up in here,” Apple Bloom responded.

Now that Apple Bloom knew who to turn to, her next challenge was to get past Applejack without being seen. She scanned around the bathroom hoping to find something she could use to cover herself up. Noticing a pile of laundry, she immediately started rummaging through it. Three dirty bows, a felt lining of Big Mac’s collar, Applejack’s festive hat… No. No! No! She couldn’t find anything suitable that would help her cover herself. She spotted a towel on the floor and hastily draped it over her body, only to find that it didn’t cover her entirely, her horn still completely showing through.

“Hmmm, eenope.” She groaned as she tossed the towel back onto the floor.

She looked around again feverishly. Spotting a large picnic blanket hanging up on a line, she beamed.

“That’ll work,” she said triumphantly.

Outside the bathroom, Applejack kept pounding on the door, looking rather aggravated as she waited impatiently for her sister to get out.

“Apple Bloom, y’all get outta there this instant!” Applejack ordered. “Ya' have been in there for the last fifteen minutes. Ya' gonna be late fer’ school and we need ta’ get ready ta’ work, there’s a lot ta’ do.”

Applejack then stood up on her hind legs, squeezing her legs tightly together.

“Like cleanin’ out the outhouse,” she added. “Knew I should have had Big Mac clean it out the other day.”

Applejack once again pounded against the door, this time with a hint of urgency.

“Apple Bloom, open up!” she demanded fiercely.

Suddenly the door burst open, narrowly missing hitting Applejack squarely in her muzzle. Apple Bloom, now donning a picnic blanket over her like a cloak, whooshed right past Applejack.

“Sorry sis,” Apple Bloom called out as she hurried on down the stairs, “I’m headin over ta’ see Princess Twilight on urgent business.”

“What in the…” Applejack mumbled, “Apple Bloom, ya can’t just rush out like tha… wait, Twilight?”

Applejack trotted towards the stairs. “Ya’ can’t go over ta’ Twilight’s when ya’ have school,” she called out, “And what do ya’ need ta’ see her fer’ now anyway?”

The loud bang of the door took the words from her tongue.

“Apple Bloom,” Applejack cried out. “Y’all get back here or I’ll drag yer back myse— oooh.”

Before she could make it halfway down the stairs, she abruptly stood back up with her legs squirming tightly together. She looked back up the stairs, her upper lip pinching over her lower lip, as she just remembered her own urgent business.

“Ooohhh, it’s just gonna have ta’ wait. I can’t let Apple Bloom run out like that, especially on a school day,” she said, rushing down the stairs.

But as she made it to the bottom of the stairs she suddenly flinched as she felt a slight gurgling sensation run through her belly. She stood back up on her hinds again, crossing her legs over each other and frantically squirming about.

“Or maybe not.” She winced, unable to hold it she rushed back up the stairs, shutting the bathroom door behind her with a loud bang.

Apple Bloom was now running down a path leading straight towards Twilight’s castle. The picnic blanket fluttered behind her, a piece of string straining on her neck to hold the hood of her makeshift cloak over her horn. As she ran, the wind kept brushing the back of the blanket up, nearly exposing her wings. Apple Bloom was forced to try and pull the blanket back over herself to keep it from getting any higher, over and over again.

“At least it’s better than a towel,” Apple Bloom thought out loud.

As she continued making her way to the castle, a couple of ponies came trotting up towards her. Seeing them coming, Apple Bloom held her hood over her face and started to trot at a much slower pace to prevent the wind from getting her cloak any higher.

“Morning,” said a cheerful green mare as she passed Apple Bloom, giving her a friendly wave.

“Good day,” greeted a brown stallion, bobbing his head in response as he walked by.

Apple Bloom gave them friendly nod in reply. “Mornin,” she added.

Without warning, Apple Bloom’s right wing suddenly sprung out from underneath the blanket, completely exposed. Nopony had noticed yet so Apple Bloom attempted to quickly tuck it back. The ponies stopped, noticing Apple Bloom’s odd frantic behavior. She looked up at the two and let out a slight hefty chuckle. Before she could say anything the hood of her cloak started to slip off, revealing a small part of her horn. She quickly scrambled up with her hoof to pull it back over her head. Just then her right wing once again sprung out from her side. She gave the two ponies a distressed look.

“Gotta go,” she said.

She rushed down the path, leaving the two ponies rather puzzled at what had just happened.

Apple Bloom was nearing the castle, only to once again spot three other ponies making their way towards her. Apple Bloom jumped into a nearby bush and waited until the ponies passed by. As soon as the coast was clear, Apple Bloom peered out of the bush, her hood now completely off her head. Twilight’s castle was shimmering just down the road.

“Almost there,” she panted. “If anypony can help figure this out, it's Twilight.”

Before Apple Bloom continued on, she looked down at the bush she was sitting in. A strange sensation suddenly overcame her, sort of like déjà vu.

“Why does it feel like I’ve been here before?” she asked herself.

She shook her head. There was no time to dwell on that right now. She put her hood back over her head and jumped out of the bush as she hurried on towards the castle. Unbeknownst to her, however, the string that was supporting her hood had been caught on a twig of the bush.

Apple Bloom scurried up the steps towards the castle doors. A sense of relief rushed over her as she finally arrived at the castle. She pounded heavily on the door, waiting. As she waited she started to get rather antsy, prancing frantically on the spot. With each passing minute, her movements grew more frenetic, pounding on the door again and again.

“Come on, come on, come on,” Apple Bloom whimpered as she started to pace back and forth impatiently.

She leaned her ear against the door, hoping to hear someone coming. It was faint, but she could make out the familiar sound of hoof steps on the other side of the door. She then heard a sound of the latch going off and the door slowly opening, bringing a much-relieving smile to the filly’s face. As soon as the door was ajar, out stepped the Princess of Friendship herself, Twilight. She had a rather perplexed look on her face.

“Apple Bloom?” she asked, “Is that you?”

“Twilight, I’m so glad ta’ see ya’. I need ta talk ta’-”

“What in Equestria are you doing here?” Twilight interrupted, “And why are you wearing… wait a minute, aren’t you supposed to be in school right now?”

“Yes, but-”

“Does Applejack know you’re here?”

“Yeah, she does, but ya’ see-”

“Did she say you could come here?”

“Well, no, but that’s not important-”

Twilight placed a hoof over Apple Bloom’s mouth. “This is important, Apple Bloom. You can’t just skip school for any reason.”

Twilight removed her hoof from Apple Bloom’s mouth as she continued, “Education is very important for a young filly, such as yourself, and if Applejack didn’t give you any reason to be here-”

“But it is important,” Apple Bloom forcefully interrupted. “This is so majorly important that it can’t wait. And yer the only one that can help.”

Twilight looked skeptical, but she could tell by Apple Bloom’s expression that there was definitely something stressing the poor filly. “Okay, Apple Bloom. What’s so important that it has you skipping classes?” Twilight asked sternly.

Apple Bloom gulped as she struggled to get her words together, “Well, ya’ see… it started this mornin’ when I woke…”

Just as Apple Bloom was about to explain, her wings suddenly sprung up, sending her blanket up into the air. Her new appendages were now fully exposed, but only for a brief moment, as she hastily pulled the blanket back over her. She finally noticed that the string that was round her neck was gone, realizing what must have happened. “How could I have not noticed the string was missing the whole time I’ve been standing here?!” Despite the string missing, the hood somehow still remained as it was all the time she was waiting. She looked awkwardly up at Twilight. Twilight stood frozen, mouth hanging wide and pupils shrunk to pinpricks.

“Twilight?” Apple Bloom said with a hint of concern in her voice.

She waved a hoof in front of Twilight’s face, but Twilight didn’t so much as blink. She remained as unmoving as a rock-solid statue. Apple Bloom gave a heavy sigh as she pushed the princess back inside the castle and closed the door behind her.

Having managed to shove the solid shock-frozen Twilight back into the castle library, Apple Bloom collapsed on the floor, panting for breath.

“It, is, going to be one of those days,” she huffed.

She stood back up on her hooves and glanced at Twilight. She tapped her on the shoulder, but the purple Alicorn still remained frozen in place.

“Twilight?” she said.

She stood in front of her, waving her hooves frantically before her face, but again Twilight didn’t even twitch. Apple Bloom started to grow agitated. Then she got an idea. She made her way to one of the bookshelves, carefully scanning the row of books. She glared at one and with a slight devilish smirk on her face, she reached out to take a book from the bottom row. She turned to face Twilight, still staying completely still. Placing her hoof on the book, she dragged it slowly out. With a slight nudge it toppled over onto the floor with a quiet thud.

“Ah!” Twilight jumped. She turned to see the book on the floor and frantically hurried over, scooping it up and cradling it as if it was a baby.“It's okay, it’s okay. Mama’s got ya,” she cooed.

Apple Bloom stood there, looking perplexed as Twilight mothered the book. “Gee, I knew Twilight liked books, but this is just plain creepy.”

Twilight soon noticed Apple Bloom’s presence as well as her perplexing glare. Realising what she was doing, she blushed in embarrassment, placing the book neatly back in the row.

“Sooo, anyway…” Apple Bloom began, deciding to move on from the subject, “I’m sorry I did that Twilight, but I had ta’ do somethin’ ta’ snap yer out of it.”

Twilight took a huge breath before she responded, “It's okay. It had to be done.”

Remembering what she saw, Twilight started to look nervous. “Did I really see what I thought I saw?”

Apple Bloom begrudgingly nodded.

Twilight stared in disbelief, quickly composing herself by performing her breathing technique. For some reason Apple Bloom felt as though she had done it herself at some point, but when?

“Okay, Apple Bloom, could you remove your “cloak” for me so I can have a proper look?” Twilight asked.

Apple Bloom grazed the floor with her hoof.

“Please,” Twilight said, “I won’t be able to help unless I get an appropriate look at you.”

Apple Bloom sighed. This was the reason for her being here in the first place, after all. So, with a quick tug on the blanket, Apple Bloom dropped it down on the floor in a heap. Her horn stuck out from her forehead and both her wings rested at her sides, all completely exposed.

Twilight stared in absolute awe. A part of her thought she was dreaming but deep down she knew that she wasn’t.

“I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” she thought. “No wonder Apple Bloom didn’t go to school. How could she, looking like this?”

Twilight then noticed the uncomfortable expression Apple Bloom sported, looking at her anxiously, waiting for her to say something.

“This… is… amazing,” Twilight finally said.

Apple Bloom finally breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so sorry about all this, Twi. But when I found myself like this, I didn’t know what ta’ do…”

Apple Bloom started to feel a little choked up, all of her worries and concerns finally coming out as tears, welling up in her eyes.

“It’s alright, Apple Bloom,” Twilight spoke reassuringly. “I’m glad you came to me with this. If I was in your position, I likely would have done the same thing.”

Apple Bloom felt more relieved after hearing Twilight say that.

“Now let’s see if we can figure this out. Do you mind if I examine you?”

Apple Bloom gave an approving nod.

Twilight started walking around the filly, carefully looking her over as she scanned the wings and horn carefully. She sat down in front of her and gently held her head by the chin, looking closely at the horn.

“Do you mind if I touch it?” she asked.

“Not at all,” Apple Bloom answered.

Twilight gently rubbed the horn. To her surprise it was exactly as she thought it was. An actual genuine unicorn horn, completely attached to the little filly’s forehead as though it had been there her whole life.

“No doubt about it, it both looks and feels real alright. Have you tried doing any magic with it?”

Apple Bloom gave her a disapproving shook.

“Hmm, might need to try that later, right now let’s continue the examination. Can you unfurl your wings?”

Apple Bloom unfurled both her wings, revealing their unbelievable size and colors. Twilight was at a loss for words, taken completely aback by the unbelievable sight. The sun that was gleaming through the windows made Apple Bloom’s wings look much more majestic than anything Twilight has ever seen before.

“My gosh, Apple Bloom,” Twilight gushed, “They're beautiful.”

Apple Bloom looked over her right wing. “Really?” she asked.

“Absolutely, they look so amazing and majestic…” Twilight gave her head a shake as she realized she was getting off track. “But there’s no time to dwell on that right now. Let’s continue, shall we?”

Twilight held back a giggle as a thought crossed her mind, “I almost went full on Rarity mode just then.”

Twilight leaned in closely, studying the wing. Cautiously, she held the side of it under her hoof, taking in the cherry red color streaks on the tips. It reminded her of Cadance’s wings.“I wonder why that is,” Twilight thought, “My wings don’t have any other colors, nor do Celestia and Luna’s as far as I know. I should take a note of this for later, this could be interesting to do some research on.”

Continuing with her examination, Twilight lifted up the wing, looking closely at Apple Bloom’s side. She could tell the wing was indeed bound to her side as though it has always been there, just like her horn. Twilight gently started to rub Apple Bloom’s side.

“Does it hurt in any way, Apple Bloom?” she asked.

Apple Bloom shook her head. “Nope, but it does feel strange. It’s like somethin’ is stuck on me and won’t come off, ya’ know like, in a kinda irritating way.”

“Well, that’s understandable, given you were used to being an earth pony your whole life. Did you notice them when you first woke up?”

“Not really, well not at first I reckon. I suppose I never noticed it when I first woke up as I still felt kinda sleepy.”

Twilight took another look at Apple Bloom’s side, still at a loss on how a filly could suddenly become an Alicorn overnight. Twilight then examined Apple Bloom’s other wing vigilantly. As far as she could tell, it was also fully attached. Having carefully looked her over, it was clear both the horn and wings were no doubt part of Apple Bloom. Thousands of theories and questions were running through Twilight’s mind. She wasn’t sure what to do. Noticing Apple Bloom’s anticipative look on her face, she knew she had to tell her something.

“Well, as far I as my conclusion goes now, Apple Bloom, both the horn and wings are beyond any doubt genuine and are now part of you. How this came to be, however, requires much more research,” Twilight explained.

Apple Bloom sat down and stared at the floor. “Do ya’ think this might be permanent?”

“I can’t really say for sure, Apple Bloom. Unless there was powerful magic involved, it could be. But until I can find something that may have lead to any such magic, then chances are this may very well be temporary.”

Not exactly the answer Apple Bloom hoped for, but at least it gave her some reassurance.

“Okay,” Twilight continued, “Before we go any further I need to know a few things. Firstly, did you do any potion making last night?”

Apple Bloom shook her head. “The last potion making I did was with y'all last week.”

Twilight did recall helping Apple Bloom with a horseshoe-cleaning potion during the last Twilight Time.

“Are you sure you don’t have any recollection of other magical mishaps that may have caused this?” Twilight asked.

Apple Bloom once again shook her head dejectedly. “Nah ah, I just went ta’ bed like normal and woke up like this.” Apple Bloom raised her hooves in the air to emphasize her point, as she did so her wings unwillingly flared up along with her arms.

“Hmm, this is so strange. I guess we’re gonna be here for awhile,” said Twilight. “Oh, I forgot to ask. Does Applejack happen to know about this?”

Apple Bloom winced as a look of guilt crossed her face. “Uhhh, no. I… didn’t tell her. When I found myself like this, I got scared.” Apple Bloom began to choke on her words as tears started running down her eyes again. “I wasn’t sure what ta’ do. I didn’t know who I should tell. I wasn’t sure how Applejack would have taken it. I just panicked and rushed over here, ‘cause I figured if anypony could help me, it’s you. I know I probably should have told Applejack but I had all these thoughts running in my head and… I… just…didn’t know…”

Apple Bloom just held her face in her hooves as she finally let out all of her pent up anxiety. Tears streamed heavily down her cheeks. A small puddle began forming on the castle floor. Twilight walked over to her, wrapping the little filly in a warm consoling hug. She started to gently rub her back to help ease her stress.

“Shhh,” Twilight said caringly, “It’s alright, sweetie, I understand. You got scared and weren’t sure what to do. I’m sure that Applejack would understand if you told her right away. She will always love you, even as an Alicorn.”

Apple Bloom looked up at Twilight’s face, tears pouring out her eyes. She rubbed her right eye to dry away some of the tears but they kept on going.

“I know,” Apple Bloom sniffed, “I guess I just got carried away with my thoughts. But I still don’t want her ta’ know just yet. This is still a delicate matter and if it turns out this is permanent, I want ta’ tell her when I’m ready ta’.”

Twilight gave an understanding nod. “Of course and don’t worry, I’ll help you every way I can, I promise.”

Apple Bloom leaped up, giving Twilight a tight loving hug around the neck. Twilight happily returned the gesture.

“I knew I can count on y'all, Princess,” Apple Bloom said.

“Apple Bloom, you know you can just call me Twilight,” Twilight stated.

“I know,” Apple Bloom replied, rubbing the back of her head.

Apple Bloom now stood on a table, once again being checked over by Twilight, this time noting down anything she could find. As Twilight held Apple Bloom’s right wing in her magic, the filly carefully moved it up and down. The princess scribbled down more notes as she continued studying the wing more thoroughly. Apple Bloom, however, was now quite agitated, having been standing for what felt like an eternity while Twilight prodded her all over.

“Twilight, is there any reason you’re studying my flank?” Apple Bloom sternly asked without budging an eyelid.

Twilight, staring quite closely at her flank, immediately shot back up. A bright crimson red suddenly flashed over her face.

“Oh.” Twilight coughed. “Sorry, I was actually studying your cutie mark.”

“My cutie mark? Why?” Apple Bloom asked, glancing back at her mark.

“To see if it may hold any clue to your Alicornification,” Twilight answered matter of factly as she walked past Apple Bloom.

“Alicorno—what now?” Apple Bloom babbled as she looked up.

“Alicornification,” Twilight corrected, turning herself back to face Apple Bloom. “It basically means a pony becomes an Alicorn.”

“... Y’all just made that word up, didn’t yah?” Apple Bloom raised an eyebrow with a slick smirk on her face.

“Sure did,” Twilight said with a smart grin.

Apple Bloom was left looking dumbfounded. “Huh, not really the answer I was expectin’.”

Twilight giggled. “There was never a precise word for it to begin with. But ever since I became an Alicorn, I figured that such a transformation deserves its own unique term for describing such an amazing feat, in just one word. So, after much careful thinking, I managed to come up with… Alicornification!”

Apple Bloom just remained looking utterly puzzled. “Uh, huh,” she muttered.

“I know, it may sound a little… eccentric, but as soon as I present it to the other princesses, they’ll approve of it too, making the name official.”

“I doubt anypony would agree on that,” Apple Bloom mumbled to herself.

“What was that?” Twilight asked.

“Oh, uh, it sounds great, Twilight. I totally like aliconomaction.” Apple Bloom chuckled sheepishly.

“Alicornification,” Twilight corrected. “And I think so too, Apple Bloom. Now getting back to the matter at hoof...”

“Phew.” Apple Bloom brushed away a few beads of sweat. “So, uh, do ya’ think my cutie mark could be the cause of this?”

Twilight looked dubious. “I don’t believe so, but I don’t want to rule anything out. I need to take down any logical possibilities that may be the cause of it. Your cutie mark is one of those, but I’m pretty much certain that it may very well not be the cause of your transformation. At least not entirely, of course.”

Apple Bloom looked down at her cutie mark in thought. “I never would imagine my destiny could lead me to becomin’ a princess.”

Twilight put her notebook down on the table and started skimming through the pages in one of her books. Growing more and more flustered as any possible explanation behind this continued to elude her.

“I just can’t figure this out,” Twilight murmured. “There must be something I’m missing.”

She picked up several more books with her magic, scanning through the pages from each of them. Apple Bloom gazed in awe at how amazing Twilight was at using her magic like that. She looked up at her horn in curiosity.

“I wonder if I could do that with my horn,” she thought.

“Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom snapped out of her thoughts, looking over at Twilight, taking notice of the frantic expression on her face.

“I know you said that you just woke up like this. But are you sure that you don’t recall anything from last night? You didn’t find yourself being lifted up into the air and being surrounded by magic of any kind?”

Apple Bloom dejectedly shook her head. “Sorry, Twilight, but like I told you, I was fast asleep and didn’t notice anything happenin’ ta’ me.”

Twilight felt defeated. She hated this feeling so much. She could recall that when she became an Alicorn it was because she completed Starswirl’s unfinished spell and had mastered the magic of friendship. So how was it that a filly could just ascend without accomplishing anything that was princess-worthy?

“Flurry Heart being born an Alicorn is starting to seem much more logical now,” Twilight thought.

If she could just find at least one trace of something then that could easily help her find an answer or at least a clue in the right direction. But seeing there wasn’t any, she felt ready to give up on the spot. But as she looked over at the sad and depressed Apple Bloom, she slowly started to feel a small sense of renewal in herself.

“No, I can’t just give up while Apple Bloom is counting on me. I haven’t even gotten started, so how could I just give up now if there’s still a chance to finding an answer to this?” Twilight thought to herself, feeling re-energised once more. “I’ve faced many challenges before and I’ve always made it with the help of my friends. And with their help, I’m sure we can solve this one as well.”

“Twilight?” Apple Bloom called.

Twilight turned to Apple Bloom. “What it is it, sweetie, do you need a bathroom break?”

Apple Bloom blushed. “No. I was just thinking, why not ask Princess Celestia for help?”

Twilight gasped. “That’s it! Celestia is bound to know the reason behind this. She was the one that helped me to ascend to begin with. All I have to do is get Spike…”

Twilight suddenly looked vexed as she placed a hoof over her face and let out a heavy frustrated moan.

“What’s wrong, Twilight?” Apple Bloom asked, concerned.

“I forgot, I let Spike go with Starlight Glimmer to her old village to assist her in helping with some issues that have been going on. Then they'll be heading over to the Crystal Empire to visit Sunburst and Thorax.”

“So, what’s the problem?” Apple Bloom asked, only to suddenly realize what Twilight meant. “Oh.”

“Without Spike, I can’t send a message to Princess Celestia,” Twilight reiterated.

Apple Bloom felt defeated, but she quickly perked herself up. “Don’t worry Twilight, I’m sure we can figure somethin’ out, perhaps we could… Ah!” Apple Bloom placed a hoof over her head as though she was in pain.

Twilight rushed over and held Apple Bloom gently by her shoulder. “Apple Bloom, what’s wrong?”

Apple Bloom groaned, “My head, it feels all… fuzzy.”

“Fuzzy?” Twilight repeated.

“Yeah, it felt real fuzzy, like, as if a storm cloud had got into my head,” Apple Bloom explained.

Twilight started to stroke Apple Bloom’s mane gently. It seemed to help ease whatever it was making her head hurt.

“It’s probably the stress of what’s been happening. I promise, somehow this will all be over soon,” Twilight reassured her.

The fuzziness in Apple Bloom’s head finally subsided. The filly still looked worried.

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked, “Is your head still hurting?”

“No,” Apple Bloom said, “I just remembered, last night I had this horrible nightmare.”

“A nightmare?” Twilight questioned. “What was it about?”

“That’s just it, I can’t seem ta’ remember. But I do know Celestia and Luna were in it.”

“Celestia!?” Twilight gasped. “Princess Celestia was in your nightmare?”

Apple Bloom remained silent, now looking rather frazzled and confused.

“Apple Bloom?” asked Twilight. “You said Celestia was in your dream?”

Apple Bloom stared up into Twilight’s eyes with a look of confusion on her face.

“Was she?” Apple Bloom asked.

The Alicorn's out of the Bag

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Twilight looked utterly mystified. “Apple Bloom, you just said Celestia was in your nightmare!”

“I did?” asked Apple Bloom. “Yeah, I did… didn’t I?”

Twilight started to get aggravated. “Apple Bloom, enough games,” she cried. “Was she in your dream or not?!”

“I don’t know!” Apple Bloom yelled. She searched for a better answer but there was none, only the same three words seemed capable of leaving her mouth.“I don’t know, I don’t know… I… DON’T… KNOW!”

Apple Bloom’s voice echoed throughout the castle, leaving an unnerving silence in its wake. Twilight stood utterly speechless at Apple Bloom’s sudden outburst. Never had she seen anypony react like that before. But then again, nopony had ever gone through what Apple Bloom had, and she was just a filly. Once Twilight collected herself and noticed Apple Bloom sitting on the table grasping her head with her hoof, she immediately regretted pushing the filly so hard. It made her heart break, seeing what she had done, but before she had a chance to say a word, Apple Bloom opened her mouth.

“Sorry,” the filly uttered in a whimper.

Twilight’s mouth fell agape; her heart filled with shame.

“Apple Bloo—”

“I’m so sorry, Twilight!” Apple Bloom cried, tears welling up in her eyes. “I’m so sorry for yellin’ like that. I just don’t know what’s happenin’ ta’ me. As I try ta’ remember the dream, it quickly fades away the second the picture appears. It is so strange. And try as I can, I just can’t remember anything, like it never happened. I know y’all been tryin’ ta’ help me. But that’s no excuse fer’ me ta’ yell like that. Y’all have enough pressure as it is—”

Apple Bloom suddenly felt herself being engulfed in a tight embrace, caught by surprise when she found tears welling beside Twilight’s eyelids.

“I’m the one who should be sorry, Apple Bloom,” Twilight cried. “You came here so that I could help you. But instead, I went and put unnecessary pressure on you, ignoring you were already stressed as it is.”

Apple Bloom held Twilight back as she smiled. “It’s okay, Twilight. I guess we’re both a little tense on what’s been happenin’, huh?”

“I guess you're right,” Twilight agreed as she released her grasp on the filly. “I’m just so at a loss. Without Spike, I can’t send a letter to Celestia for her aid. The only option I can think of at this moment is to wait until Spike gets back. Or we can head to Canterlot ourselves. Then again I could use the postal service to send a letter to Celestia, but it could take a couple of days to get there. Plluusss, there’s also the risk of the letter getting lost in transit which is something I don’t want to risk in this situation.”

Twilight strode around the library, gathering up books with her magic. “I think for the moment we should take a break. Have a chance to unwind and get our thoughts together. Hopefully, we’ll figure something out as soon as we’re more focused. I only wish we could have found something earlier. But I guess this is something that we just have to take time with.”

Twilight’s ear suddenly shot back, searching the source of the muffled squeaky sounds coming from behind. As she turned around, her heart immediately shattered. Apple Bloom sat on the table, pouring a river of tears from her eyes as she sobbed uncontrollably. Not wasting a second, Twilight dropped the books to the floor and galloped over to the saddened filly. She pulled her into another counseling cuddle, the filly sobbing on Twilight’s shoulder. Apple Bloom brought a hoof over her face in an attempt to hold back her tears.

“There, there, Apple Bloom,” Twilight spoke caringly as she comforted her. “I promise, one way or another, we’ll solve this, together.”

Apple Bloom lifted her head from Twilight’s shoulder, trying to wipe away the flow of tears. Without thinking, she used her right wing to dry her eyes.

“Why... me?” Apple Bloom sobbed. “Why is this... happenin’ ta’ me? If this is permanent, what will my family and friends think of me? Will they treat me any different?”

“Of course not, Apple Bloom,” Twilight answered. “If you remain an Alicorn, they will still treat you the same way as before.”

“But what about the town?” Apple Bloom choked, still crying forcefully. “What if... they start treating me differently? I just... don’t know if I could handle the attention. I mean, remember how everypony went excited over ya’ when you became a princess? I could only just... imagine what my life could end up if ponies found out that I’m an Alicorn now. I don't... think I can handle it.”

Twilight could see Apple Bloom’s point a valid one. Should the townsponies learn of an Alicorn filly in their midst, it certainly would become quite a stir. She could already imagine the possible outcomes; the foals at school becoming too distracted by an Alicorn “princess” in their class, making it hard both for them and Apple Bloom to focus on their work. That could result in falling grades for all of them. Maybe Apple Bloom would need to be send to the Magic Kindergarten should the school counsel find her magic too dangerous or unpredictable. Twilight’s left eye twitched nervously at the thought. And what about the Apple family? Ponies from all around Equestria would travel to Sweet Apple Acres to bear witness of the filly Alicorn for themselves, disturbing the family’s work and life. That is, Twilight thought, should Apple Bloom’s Alicorn form remain on her, forever.

“I’m truly sorry I can’t... be more helpful, Twilight. If only... I could... remember that... dream then maybe... it could... answer all of this.” Apple Bloom planted her face back into the Alicorn’s fur as she continued to sob. Twilight could feel the tears run down her coat but with the state Apple Bloom was in, she didn’t mind it all.

She gently stroked the filly’s back. “Just let it all out, Apple Bloom. You’ve been through a lot this morning. Let’s just take it easy and hopefully things will get better. For now, nopony knows about this, so let’s keep this between us. When you’re ready to, we’ll tell Applejack about this, okay?”

“Mmmhmm,” Apple Bloom’s voice muffled by Twilight’s fur. The filly added a slight nod to reevaluate her answer, smearing tears and bogeys through the mare’s coat.

Applejack marched towards the Castle of Friendship, an ice-cold stern look upon her face. Apple Bloom had to be once again in deep trouble to skip school without any explanation. Whatever it was, Applejack was determined to get to the bottom of it, focused so much that she was completely oblivious to those around her. A trail of confused ponies marked her path, all wondering why the honest mare ignored their greetings. Rainbow Dash, patrolling the skies from her sleeping cloud, took notice of Applejack’s motionless expression. She swooped down towards her friend, determined to find out what was going on.

“Yo, AJ. What’s up?” she asked.

Applejack was completely engrossed in her own thoughts, unaware of the pegasus’ presence.

“Uh, Applejack?” Rainbow Dash said. “You in there or what?”

Again, Applejack didn’t reply. Rainbow took notice of Applejack’s course, heading straight for Twilight’s castle. She glanced closely at her flank to see if her cutie mark was flashing. She could tell, the mark was neither glowing nor buzzing.

“Well, it’s not a friendship problem,” Rainbow deduced, “Unless… Nah, I doubt Applejack has any beef with Twilight over something. So, what has Applejack all riled up like this?”

“Rainbow Dash?”

Rainbow turned to see Fluttershy flying up to her, looking rather concerned.

“I was just on my way to Twilight’s castle to meet with Rarity and Twilight for our breakfast tea. Is something wrong?” Fluttershy asked.

“I’m fine, it’s Applejack who’s looking kind of troubled,” said Rainbow Dash.

The two looked down to see Applejack continuing towards the castle, a stern expression plastered firmly on her face.

“Oh dear, you don’t think she and Twilight are mad at each other, do you?” asked Fluttershy.

“I don’t think so,” Rainbow answered. “We were with them yesterday and they were alright then. I think there’s something else going on.”

“Maybe I could try talking to her,” Fluttershy suggested.

“Good luck, I tried talking to her but she’s way out of it,” Rainbow retorted.

“If at first you don’t succeed,” Fluttershy stated, “ it doesn’t hurt to keep trying, wish me luck.”

She flew on down towards the ground, leaving Rainbow hovering behind. “Uh, I just did,” Rainbow plainly said.

The yellow pegasus landed right next to Applejack and began walking at her side.

“Applejack, is everything alright?” Fluttershy asked soothingly.

Applejack still didn’t answer. She wasn’t even aware that Fluttershy was walking beside her. Rainbow watched them from above, a little surprised as Fluttershy wasn’t talking as quiet as she normally used to.

“Applejack?” Fluttershy said in a concerned tone. “What’s the matter? Say something.”

“PISTACHIO!” cried Pinkie Pie, popping up between the two completely out of nowhere.

“Gahhhh!” both Applejack and Fluttershy cried in unison.

“Pinkie?” Fluttershy said.

“What? I heard you say “say something”, so I figured you two must be playing a word game and since Applejack took so long to think of something, I figured I’d take her turn as I thought of a word that I thought sounded funny, but now it’s making me hungry,” Pinkie rambled on.

“Pinkie!” cried Applejack. “Don’t just sneak up on ponies. We don’t appreciate being scared like that.”

“You’re one to talk, AJ,” said Rainbow Dash, landing on the ground in front of them. “You were completely oblivious to everyone trying to talk to you.”

“Even us,” Fluttershy added.

“Sounds like our breakfast tea may be postponed,” Rarity said, walking up to the group. “And I agree with both Rainbow and Fluttershy, Applejack. I tried saying good morning to you and you completely brushed past me. I can only assume that there’s something troubling you to make you neglect your surroundings so profusely.”

Applejack’s eyes flickered, having finally come back to her senses. She noticed the worried expressions on her friends’ faces. And after hearing what they said, she recalled having indeed ignored other ponies that were trying to talk to her. A massive amount of guilt filled her heart.

“Ah, landshakes.” She sighed. “I’m awful sorry, y’all. I’ve been so distracted with my thoughts, I completely blocked out everythin’ else that was going on.”

“What’s wrong, Applejack?” asked Fluttershy. “What is it that has you so worked up?”

“It’s Apple Bloom,” Applejack answered. “She said she needed ta’ see Twilight about somethin’, even though she had school this mornin’. Instead of waitin’ after school, she just bounded right out the house and made her way straight fer’ the castle before I could even stop her.”

“Oh dear, I hope there’s nothing wrong with her,” Fluttershy said.

“Doubt it,” said Rainbow. “But considering it’s the Crusaders, you can never know with those three.”

“Well, I didn’t have any issues with Sweetie Belle. In fact, she seemed quite eager to go to school today.”

“Now that you mention it, Scootaloo did say that there was some big event thing going on in school today. Even she seemed pretty excited about it,” Rainbow added.

“So, it’s just Apple Bloom,” Fluttershy concluded.

“What could have Apple Bloom done to skip an important day of school?” Rarity questioned.

“Maybe she had another potion brewing fiasco,” Pinkie assumed.

Fluttershy looked worried. “Oh dear, I sure hope not. Remember the last time when she—”

Rainbow wrapped her hoof over Fluttershy’s mouth. “Don’t even remind us. I haven’t been able to sleep, fly or go to the bathroom for the whole week after that little… incident.”

Everypony shuddered at the memory.

“Let’s never bring that up again,” Rarity said, playing with a misplaced lock of her mane.

“Well then, what else could Apple Bloom have done that she has to see Twilight?” Rainbow questioned.

“I don’t know, but I know who does. And I’m heading there right now ta’ find out,” Applejack proclaimed, stomping her hoof.

“Oh, I hope Apple Bloom isn’t in too much trouble,” said a worried Fluttershy.

“If she ain’t now then she probably will be when I find her,” Applejack said with a fiery tone.

The five ponies continued their way up towards Twilight’s castle, all looking eager to get to the bottom of Apple Bloom’s supposed secret.

Twilight was sitting quietly in her library, looking over her book on transfigurations. While Twilight was busy studying, Apple Bloom decided to give her new wings a try and now struggled to keep her balance as she hovered about in the library.

“Woah, whoa, easy… yikes!” Apple Bloom muttered as she uncontrollably swayed from side to side.

Twilight looked away from her book, watching Apple Bloom’s attempts at flying. As the filly tried to keep herself straight, her wings kept flapping rapidly and out of sync from one another. Once she succeeded in getting them to cooperate, she briefly managed to stay afloat, much to her amazement and pleasure. But as she tried to move forward her whole body tumbled into a twirl, sending her spinning across the library through the air.

“Woaaaaahhhhhh!” she cried.

By new-found instinct, Apple Bloom forced herself to a halt by spreading her wings, braking mid-air. Once she managed to stop, she started flapping both her wings to keep herself afloat, catching her breath. Twilight stared up in awe at how fast the filly succeeded in controlling her flying.

“This flyin’ looks tougher than it is,” Apple Bloom said to herself. “But I think I’m getting’ the hang of it. It is kinda fun.” She circled the library again, her flight slightly better this time.

Twilight kept on watching. She was truly amazed at how well Apple Bloom was doing as an Alicorn. Perhaps this wouldn’t be as bad as they originally thought. Then again, there was still a significant risk to Apple Bloom’s life hanging in the balance. Temporary or permanent, Twilight needed to figure out the cause of this one way or the other. But for now, she still ought to get her thoughts together before taking any action. She went back to reading her book. But before she could get back into her book, Apple Bloom suddenly plummeted right on top of her, sending both of them to the floor.

“Whoops,” said Apple Bloom as she blushed. “Sorry, Twi.”

The filly picked herself up from Twilight’s back, the older Alicorn standing up and brushing herself off.

Twilight giggled. “Don’t worry about it, Apple Bloom. You were doing amazingly well as a first-time flyer.”

Apple Bloom didn’t look she agreed. “I don’t think I’ll really get the hang of flyin’. Sure it’s fun, but I think I’d much rather stick my hooves to the ground.”

“I was like that as well, Apple Bloom. When I first got my wings, I was terrible at flying.”

Apple Bloom looked rather surprised. “That’s not true. Y’all flew gracefully at your coronation.”

“That was because I practiced the days before my coronation. And though I did pretty well I still ended up crashing or falling on my face. I still needed to get adjusted to my wings more before I was able to fly as high as I could.”

Apple Bloom lifted her right wing, looking at it curiously. “So if I keep practicin’ like y’all did, I can be a great flyer too?”

“Absolutely,” Twilight stated. “You already have potential. I’ve been watching you and you did an amazing job braking with your wings. I’d say you are near enough to become an expert already.”

“What are you, Rainbow Dash?” Apple Bloom rhetorically said.

Twilight giggled. “Okay, okay, so I’m not a complete expert on this matter. But I mean it when I say you did well for your first time flying. If this does remain permanent, I honestly think you are doing well getting adjusted to it.”

“Well, maybe I could. But what about Applejack and everypony else?” asked Apple Bloom.

Twilight placed a reassuring hoof on the filly’s shoulder, “They’ll certainly get adjusted as well. All things take time for changes to be accepted. And soon enough you’ll find everything is still the same as it was, only better.”

Apple Bloom started feeling a lot better. She felt that everything will be okay after all. As she looked at her wings again, she started to smile at them. It was hard to admit, but she started to like the feathered appendages and the new form of locomotion they provided. A tiny part of her hoped to keep them.

“Say, Apple Bloom,” Twilight suddenly spoke up, the filly looking up to her curiously, “since you gave flying a try, how about we try out your new magic?”

Apple Bloom shifted nervously as she gazed up to her horn. “Are ya’ sure Twilight? I haven’t tried doin’ magic with it at all. I’m a little worried that I may cause damage or even hurt ya’.”

“Don’t worry,” Twilight reassured. “We’ll just do some simple basic level magic. That’s pretty safe for you to handle.”

“Well, I guess I could give it a try. I might do better at this than with flyin’.”

Twilight couldn’t help but chuckle at Apple Bloom’s cocky retort.

Having placed a book in the middle of a table Twilight stood next to Apple Bloom, both prepared to get started.

“Okay, Apple Bloom, we’ll start with the basic magic, levitation,” Twilight explained. “All you have to do is lift the books slightly above the table. Do you think you can handle that?”

Apple Bloom looked doubtful, but felt eager to try it. “Sounds simple ta’ me. So, what do I do?”

“First, close your eyes,” Twilight instructed.

As told, Apple Bloom closed her eyes. She stood perfectly still, carefully listening to Twilight’s instructions.

The purple Alicorn continued, “Keep your mind completely clear. Search deep within yourself till you find a certain spark. Once you have found it, focus on it and concentrate on bringing it to the surface of your horn.”

As told, Apple Bloom stood completely still, keeping both her mind and thoughts clear. Her brow suddenly twitched, she gave a slight moan.

“Try not to force it, Apple Bloom,” Twilight advised. “Let it come to you naturally.”

Apple Bloom kept quiet. Her brow remained tightened as she focused her concentration. Just then for a brief second, her horn gave a slight shimmer before fading completely. She let out a heavy groan as she kept concentrating harder and harder. Once again, a shimmering red glow appeared around her horn, her aura starting to form itself.

“I… think… I… almost… got… it.” Apple Bloom groaned.

The aura shimmered and sparkled. It faded in and out as it struggled to keep aloft on her horn. Then with one brief bright white flash a cherry red aura with a hint of gold sheen to it began radiating from the young filly’s horn. Apple Bloom cracked open one eye, peering up sheepishly. Her eyes immediately shot open as she gazed happily at her accomplishment.

“I did it!” she cheered.

Twilight was left utterly speechless. She wasn’t expecting the filly would be able to pull it off the first time. It was an amazing feat for the young filly, especially given she had no former knowledge of unicorn magic. But it wasn’t over yet.

“Fantastic job, Apple Bloom,” Twilight gushed before turning serious. “But you’re not done yet. You may have gotten your magic working, but you still need to learn how to control it.”

“No sweat, Twilight. I totally got this in the bag,” Apple Bloom said with a boastful spark in her eye.

Suddenly, the aura that surrounded her horn simply vanished, leaving the filly a little dumbfounded.

“Or… maybe not.” She chuckled weakly.

Twilight gave the little filly a petulant look as if to say that she warned her. “See, Apple Bloom? Without full control of your magic, you won’t be able to perform any spells.”

Apple Bloom nodded.

“Okay, let’s try it again. Same as before. Concentrate on bringing your magic to the surface. Then focus straight onto the book that’s on the table. Direct your magic on the book. Once your magic reaches its full power, try aiming it onto the book itself. Then try lifting it up as though you're lifting an apple with your hoof,” Twilight instructed.

Bearing all of Twilight’s words in her mind, Apple Bloom once again concentrated carefully. Her brow tightened as she focused. The aura of her horn has now reappeared but kept fading in and out again. This time, however, it lasted much longer than it did before.

“Good Apple Bloom, just keep that focus and once your magic is fully ready you have to—”

“TWILIGHT!”

The sudden outburst that echoed through the castle startled Apple Bloom enormously. Her horn brightened and shot out a strong beam of magic straight towards a row of books.

There was a brief blast of white light as the magic hit its target. As soon as the light evaporated, Twilight and Apple Bloom looked around for any damage. The two ponies stared with blank expressions at the hit bookcase. Where the books once stood on the shelf, were now origami-like birds that seemed to be formed from pages, neat cursive markings running across their bodies. On their sides rested the covers of the books, resembling wings. The origami birds started twitching and moving their heads and bodies. They began chirping and soon enough they started flapping their hardback covered wings, fluttering around the two surprised ponies. The creatures circled around the library a few times and flew out a window in a formation to the open world. Twilight and Apple Bloom stood in the library, both utterly speechless.

Twilight blinked. “Well…. that was unexpected.”

“I’d say,” Apple Bloom complied, “they fly way better than me.”

Before Twilight could respond, they heard another yell coming from the hall.

“TWILIGHT, YER IN HERE?”

“It’s Applejack!” cried Apple Bloom, getting into a panic state. “She can’t see me like this! I’m not ready.”

“Quickly hide underneath the table,” Twilight ordered.

Apple Bloom dove straight for the nearest table, grabbing her blanket along the way in case she may need it. She hid beneath the table, draping the blanket over herself and lying perfectly still. Just in time as the five ponies made their way into the library. Twilight tried to remain calm, but her nervousness was getting the better of her.

“Hello, everypony, what a surprise, what are you all doing here?” she said, straining to maintain her grin.

“Well, we were here for our breakfast tea. But another matter worth our attention appeared,” Rarity explained.

Twilight nearly gasped out loud, she completely forgot about her plans with Rarity and Fluttershy. “Twi, y’all haven’t happen ta’ see Apple Bloom this mornin’, have ya?” asked Applejack.

Twilight began to sweat. “Apple Bloom? Nope, I’m afraid I haven’t, AJ. Is something wrong with her?”

“She said she needed ta’ see ya’ on some urgent matter. Normally I wouldn’t mind her seeing yer’ fer’ anythin’. But not when it’s a school day!” Applejack growled.

“You sure Apple Bloom’s not here, Twilight?” Rainbow asked. “Why would she say she’ll be here and not show up?”

“That is strange, isn’t it? It sounds like she’s hiding something,” Rarity pointed out.

“If that little sister of mine has gotten herself into deep trouble again, I’ll be on her faster than lightnin’ can strike a rod,” Applejack exclaimed.

“Don’t worry, Applejack,” Twilight reassured her, “Apple Bloom’s not in any trouble. I assure you of that. When I saw her this morning, I told her—” Twilight slammed a hoof over her mouth.

“Wait a sec, y’all mean ta’ say that she was here?” asked Applejack crossly. “And you went and lied sayin’ that she wasn’t.”

Twilight started to panic. “No, I’d never lie to any of you girls. Yes, Apple Bloom is here. But there is a very good reason for it, I assure you. It’s just rather complicated to explain right now.”

“So, you were just protecting her?” asked Rainbow. “But why?”

“She’ll need protectin’ as soon as I find her,” said an irritated Applejack, “Apple Bloom! Where are ya’ lil missy?”

“Applejack, please. Apple Bloom will explain everything in her own time,” Twilight pleaded.

“I ain’t got the time, Twilight. Whatever Apple Bloom is hidin’ I demand ta’ know what it is,” Applejack argued.

“But AJ—”

“She’s probably hiding somewhere in the castle. I’ll have a look around and see if I can find her,” suggested Rainbow.

“Now hold on everypony,” Fluttershy ordered. “Let’s all calm down and hear Twilight out. I’m sure whatever it is it must be serious to have Apple Bloom come here to begin with.”

“I agree with Fluttershy,” said Rarity. “We won’t be getting anywhere if we try forcing the poor dear to explain herself. It will likely make her feel perturbed even more.”

“Y’all don’t know my sister like I do. When she does somethin’ and hides herself away like this, then I know she’s caused some trouble. It’s just her way to avoid gettin’ what’s comin’ ta’ her.”

“But Applejack, this is different. She’s not in any trouble—”

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack called, refusing to listen to Twilight. “Y’all get out here this instant.”

As the ponies continued to argue, Apple Bloom lay tightly packed underneath the table with the blanket over her. She couldn’t help but feel guilty for putting Twilight through this. Perhaps now was the time to come out and show everypony her new self, but her worries kept preventing her to act. The more she wanted to show them, the more she thought of what could happen to her if she did.

“What should I do?” Apple Bloom whispered to herself.

“Are we playing hide and seek?” said Pinkie Pie, suddenly appearing behind her.

“Aahhh!” Apple Bloom jumped out from her hiding spot, completely startled. She was now standing in front of everypony in the room, the ponies staring at her. Fortunately, with her blanket draped back over, her form was still hidden from everyone.

“Found you,” called Pinkie Pie. “Do I win?”

Apple Bloom looked around at the displeased faces staring at her, ears awkwardly aback. Shivers run down her body as Applejack glared icily towards her.

Apple Bloom gulped, “H—Hi…” she murmured.

Applejack marched towards Apple Bloom, still holding her icy stare. “Young filly, y’all got a lot of explainin’ ta’ do.”

Apple Bloom trembled under her intimidating glare. “Uh…”

“Why in Equestria did ya’ have ta’ come ta’ Twilight’s castle this mornin’? Why couldn’t it wait till after school?” Applejack demanded, scanning the filly with puzzled eyes. “And why are ya’ wearin’ that blanket fer’?”

Apple Bloom cringed, hoping Applejack wouldn’t ask that question.

“We’re supposed ta’ use that fer’ our outing this weekend,” Applejack reminded her. “Take it off right now before y’all mess it up.”

Apple Bloom grasped the blanket tightly, refusing to take it off.

“Apple Bloom, I’m getting’ real impatient with y’all. Take off the blanket this instant or I’ll take it off myself,” Applejack stepped forward.

“I… I… I… can’t…” Apple Bloom mumbled, “I… I… just can’t… right…now… ya see—”

“Apple Bloom, I am not in the mood fer’ yer’ games. Take off that blanket now so that we can get this whole thing over with,” Applejack ordered.

Apple Bloom slowly backed away from her sister. “Ya’ don’t understand, Applejack. I can’t take it off ‘cause, well—”

“What likely reason do ya’ have ta’ keep wearin’ this blanket?” Applejack asked.

Pinkie Pie suddenly sprung behind Apple Bloom. “Ooh, ooh, ooh, are you rehearsing a play for school? Are you playing the little pony who wanders into the woods and runs into a hungry timberwolf that wants to gobble her up? I love that play; can I play the little pony?” She reached to grab Apple Bloom’s blanket. “Can I borrow this?”

Apple Bloom quickly shifted away before Pinkie could grab it. “No!” the filly cried.

“Ah come on,” Pinkie moaned.

“I said no, Pinkie Pie,” Apple Bloom cried as she started running.

“Ooh, tag, if I win I get to be the little pony!” Pinkie giggled and started chasing after Apple Bloom.

“Pinkie!” cried Twilight.

Pinkie was inches away from Apple Bloom. The filly managed to dodge her, sliding round beneath a table. She ran in the opposite direction. Pinkie bounced higher and higher to catch up. With one huge leap, she landed right in front of Apple Bloom, causing her to skid to a halt and turn back the other way to the exit of the library. However, Pinkie once again sprung right towards Apple Bloom, crashing into her. Pinkie fully grasped one end of the blanket.

“I win, again!” Pinkie declared. “Now I get to play the little pony!”

Pinkie started pulling on the blanket but Apple Bloom held the top of it to keep herself concealed.“NO!” she yelled.

“Pinkie Pie, let go!” Twilight commanded.

The two ponies continued squabbling over the blanket, everypony watching in utter confusion. Twilight started biting her hoof mindlessly.

“Fer’ landshakes, it’s just a blanket, Apple Bloom, let go of it,” Applejack demanded.

Apple Bloom tried pulling herself away from Pinkie Pie’s grasp. “I can’t AJ. I know it’s hard ta’ believe. But I’m—”

“It’s… my… TURN!” Pinkie Pie cried, pulling swiftly on the blanket.

The abusive force not only sent Apple Bloom spinning like a tornado, but her momentum also shot her straight into a bookshelf. The sudden crash rocked the other shelves above her, a bunch of books started toppling over and pouring right onto Apple Bloom like an avalanche. Apple Bloom was now buried beneath the large pile of books, leaving several worried ponies standing around with uncertainty. They all glared at Pinkie Pie holding the blanket in her hooves.

The pink pony just gave a feeble chuckle. “Oops?”

Fluttershy hovered above the books, looking really anxious. “Oh dear, Apple Bloom. Are you okay?”

All the ponies looked over at the fallen books, each bearing a mixed expression of confusion and concern.

“Apple Bloom?” called a worry-stricken Applejack.

An unnerving silence settled in the room. That was until they heard a murmur emerge from the pile of books. To everyone’s relief, a few strands of red tail appeared between the books.

“Oh goodness, Apple Bloom. Are you alright? Are you hurt?” asked Fluttershy.

Apple Bloom’s voice was partly muffled underneath the books, “I’m fine, Fluttershy.”

The books started shifting until Apple Bloom popped out, giving her head a shake to recollect her bearings. As she stopped, she looked over at Pinkie, noticing the blanket still in her possession. A sudden horrifying realization struck her. Her horn was now exposed to everyone in the library. Without warning, both her wings flared up, making it even more awkward for her.

“This is just not my day,” Apple Bloom huffed.

The ponies, aside Twilight, all looked at Apple Bloom, each one having shock written on their faces. Five jaws were hanging from their mouths as they kept their eyes locked at the exposed Alicorn filly. Applejack was particularly the most shocked, her jaw almost touching the floor and the pupils in her eyes hardly noticeable. Nopony uttered a single word, making Apple Bloom feel even more uncomfortable than ever. She wished that somepony would just say something.

“Wow,” Pinkie said, deadpanned. “Even I didn’t see that coming.”

Author's Notes:

A perfect way to leave a story in a cliffhanger. Just like with chapter 3 I also enjoyed working on this chapter a lot. If there's a certain part of this chapter that you like please let me know I would love to know what it is. If you spot any noticeable errors or mistakes please point them out so I may correct them.

Also, as I mentioned back in a previous blog, Rise of the Apple Princess will be on Semi - Hiatus as I need this time to continue building/planning out the story. This will give me much more time to work on the chapters more freely once I have fully developed the story.

So expect Rise of the Apple Princess to return in Spring/Summer 2018.

UPDATE 17/11/2018:

Apologies for the long delay of the next chapter. I promise it will be coming in due time there's just no exact timeframe on when the revising stage will be finished at this time. At present, I'm hoping to have it all done by the end of December if not then I promise it will be up sometime early 2019. If there are any changes I'll be sure to update you all, again I am so terribly sorry for the long wait and thank you for still keeping track of this story.

Rise of the Apple Princess

by Astral Phoenix

"Titlecard"

Prologue: A Dream Or A Nightmare?

The Start of a Royal Day

A Meeting With Princess Twilight

The Alicorn's out of the Bag