Part 1: Family Matters

MLP: EQG Presents...

It was a hot summer day. A few more hours of work but felt the heat dragging them down as they often felt like a melting pile of skin and bone. The burning sands and dried mud on their staggering feet, with much heavy lifting that made it almost unbearable.

"Applejack!" A voice called in the shade of a bright red barn, coming from the underbelly. A place where much of the hay, farming tools and a large pig pen where the pigs laid to rest.

"What is it?!" Applejack responded, wiping away the salty sweat from her forehead. A small girl at her side stopped to hear. She too swiped her face with a wet towel she had placed in the back of her neck to keep cool.

Applejack looked toward the barn, but as there was no response, she immediately knew that she was expected to walk over to the caller. She placed down a sack of apples and marched her way toward the shade.

"Break time, Apple Bloom." Applejack suggested it to her. Apple Bloom exhaled with much relief and walked with her.

Inside the barn, sitting on top of the haystacks was another woman. Her glossy and curled purple hair, glowing sugary skin, wearing something that should not be worn in such environments, but could not help but feel fabulous.

"What is it, Rarity?" Applejack scoffed. Her tone sounded as if she was a little ticked off. "You couldn't just walk a few steps outside just to tell me?"

"And risk getting sweat or mud on my gorgeous outfit?!" Rarity commented. It even made Apple Bloom's eyes roll. "I don't think so! Besides, the sweat stains and the tremendous amount of dirt on clothes are difficult to clean off. I should know, judging by how much I have to clean your outfits!"

"You're out and havin' a fit, what else is new?" Applejack replied. Rarity flicked her tongue, making a hissing noise. She looked away, already ticked off as much as her. "Now, what-ja want?"

"You got a phone call." Rarity answered, snapping her eyes and curved her body to look away from her. "In the kitchen, it sounded important."

Applejack immediately calmed herself down and made her way to the outside side door of the house. Rarity opened her eyes and saw Apple Bloom feeling exhausted as she sat on a single haystack. She went over to her and placed her hand over her head. Her head was sweating profusely throughout her thick red hair.

"Why do you guys always fight?" Apple Bloom asked quietly, as she looked down on the wooden floors covered with hay straws. Rarity exhaled softly.

"We aren't really fighting, darling." Rarity suggested. "We just have our moments."

"Just the way you talk to each other, it always sounds... aggressive..." Apple Bloom said. "Like the time when I first spent the night, you two were soundin' like you were fightin' in the bedroom and..."

"Oh no, darling..." Rarity interrupted. "We weren't fighting at all."

"Really?" Apple Bloom questioned, as she looked up to her. "What were you doin'? Almost sounded like wrestlin' and..."

"Like I said, we just have our moments." Rarity interrupted again. "Okay?"

Applejack walked into the kitchen. The house phone was already set beside the number pad, laying there on hold. She picked it up and heard a faint whisper coming from the other side.

"Hey?" Applejack answered.

"Applejack?" The caller questioned. "Is that you there?"

"Yeah, what is it?" Applejack responded, as she took in a breath of the cooling air inside the house.

"It's me, Sunflower." She said, "I got some bad news..."

Accessories of Evil

By: Notowa

...Trapped in an endless, dark infestation

Wrecked and powerless, my living complication

Stressed with a nihilist bliss, contemplation...

A song was playing, as a small truck arrived at an airport.

"I'm actually quite excited!" Apple Bloom said, as she walked inside the air-conditioned building. She was there with Applejack and Rarity, as they both looked a little concerned heading inside. "I think it will be fun to hang out with Babs Seed! I can't wait to see her again!"

"Apple Bloom, you've never met Babs Seed before." Applejack addressed.

"Calm down now, darling..." Rarity suggested Applejack.

"Oh..." Apple Bloom contemplated. "Well, still. It'll be fun!"

"Yeah, I'm sure you both will have fun." Applejack reassured her. "I'm surprised you didn't invite Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to come with us."

"Oh my gosh, you're right!" Apple Bloom yelled. "I was so excited that I didn't think of that."

"It's okay, sweetie." Rarity assured. "There should be plenty of time for you to introduce her to everyone. You could plan to meet up and invite her over to your clubhouse."

"Yeah. This will be so much fun, I can't wait!" Apple Bloom delighted. Her excitement made both Applejack and Rarity smile, but there was an overarching problem that surfaced in their heads.

The place was full of people, some waiting to be boarded, some were eating questionable food and others were getting angry over canceled flights. The usual scene they witnessed, there was no use in staying for too long. Rather, to get to where they needed to go.

They saw some familiar faces, as they walked across the exited flight. They waved them down as they walked toward them.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the truck, on the way home. Even Apple Bloom was silent, as she watched over her cousins sitting in silence. Her cousin was a little different from the others.

The eldest, whose name was Sunflower, sat up in the front in between Applejack and Rarity. She wore a sunflower printed white dress, with summer sandals that covered her yellow painted toenails. While sitting next to her was Babs Seed. She had a large pair of headphones on, as she could hear the strong bass blasting through the white plastic. She wore a red leather jacket, white t-shirt, black jeans with various pins and ripped openings to reveal her pale orange skin. She wore various accessories; like her left ear decorated with one small hoop through her earlobe and a few small studs hanging off the curved end of the ear. It was only on one side, as she glanced at her. She wore a ton of bracelets around her wrists and small rings around her fingers. She reminded her of a punk-rock band, like Sunset Shimmer in her new band BabyDoll.

They had flown all the way from Farrier Hill, Hooflyn. They loaded the truck with heavy bags of luggage and a few other items; it seems they would be staying for quite awhile, Apple Bloom thought.

Babs looked over to Apple Bloom. She felt like she was being watched as she was listening to music. Apple Bloom smiled at her. She smiled back but continued to look the other way. She looked at the streets, filled with many colorful individuals. The streets seemed playful, yet quiet. It was more unpleasant to look at than what she was normally used to. It almost made her gag to see the sun shining bright in the sky, with many smiles coming from strangers. It seemed so happy, too vulnerable, too colorful and too innocent to even be there herself to witness it.

They unload the truck and place most of it in the living room. Applejack and Apple Bloom were already tuckered out with all the work they had done in the morning.

Sunflower and Babs walked in and felt almost like it was home. Sunflower looked around and recognized there was something missing.

"Applejack, where's Big Mac?" Sunflower asked. "Or Granny Smith?"

"Big Mac is at the hospital." Applejack replied.

"Is he okay?" Sunflower questioned.

"He is, he is just there for Granny Smith." Applejack assured. "Granny has been havin' heart problems lately. He left to make sure that she was taken care of."

"I see. Sorry to hear about that." Sunflower said.

"Nah. No need to be. She'll be fine, he's just overreactin.' Left us here to deal with everythin' here." Applejack announced.

"Applejack..." Rarity said.

"It's true." Applejack replied.

"Yeah, sorry to bring up a lot of trouble. I didn't realize there was a lot goin' on... I just can't believe they would do somethin' like this to me and Babs." Sunflower said.

"It's alright. We'll take care of ya. We're family after all." Applejack reassured her.

"Thanks." Sunflower smiled.

As the conversation carried on, Apple Bloom helped Babs Seed to her room. She politely carried her suitcase upstairs, but Babs saw that she was having trouble carrying it; she took it from her and carried it to the room herself. Apple Bloom was a little startled when she took it from her but brushed it off as it was her's.

They opened the door and Apple Bloom was thrilled to see her bedroom as she had left it exactly as she did when she moved.

"This is my old room." Apple Bloom said. "You can stay here as long as you like!"

"Thanks." Babs said quietly. "Old room?"

"I moved in where Applejack is currently stayin'." Apple Bloom said.

"Oh, cool." Babs commented. Babs started to look around and placed her stuff where they needed to go.

"So, I know this is all sudden, but I want you to know if there's anything you need, I can help you. I'll be stayin' here with you all." Apple Bloom smiled.

"Thanks." Babs said. She was quiet, until she pulled out some old underwear in one of the drawers in the small dresser next to the bed.

"Ah!" Apple Bloom blushing and snatched it away from her. "So sorry, I kind of left everythin' behind... I-I didn't really grab everythin' just yet..."

"I can see that." Babs chuckled. "It's cool. So, what do you do that's fun around here?"

"Oh, well... most of the shops are within walkin' distance. There's a mall, some parks and a small movie theater nearby."

"Okay." Babs smiled.

"I guess it's a little different in Hooflyn?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Not really. Every place has the same ol' story, just different people. Same drama, same problems, with just barely enough to get by." Babs smirked.

"I see..." Apple Bloom scratched her head, a lot of what Babs said didn't really register in her mind. "Well, I was hopin' to welcome you by treatin' you to a stroll in the park. They have a small festival goin' on there."

"Really?" Babs said, as she looked into Apple Bloom's bright orange eyes. "Sounds great."

Babs and Apple Bloom walked down to the park. They were having a summer harvest festival, with many of the local farmers coming to share the best of their produce, enter into contests and participate in a huge parade. Unfortunately for the Apple family, couldn't enter this year because of health issues Granny Smith was facing. Apple Bloom discussed with Babs about how they accumulated more participants since last year, the festivals have become much more of a stapled annual event. Even attracts tourists into participating.

They walked around, seeing a lot of kids playing in the park, playing some of the games set up by the tents and consuming lots of healthy treats. There was a heat wave, so they even allowed the kids to play in the open sprinklers out in the fields.

Apple Bloom was smiling thinking it would be fun to jump right into the water. Apple Bloom jumped into one as it was coming her way and felt relieved to be immediately cooled off. Babs shook her head, as she smiled.

Babs was not really thrilled to be there, as everything seemed to be too open and so happy.

Apple Bloom came back, slightly drenched and panting from running through the mud and grass.

"Is everythin' alright Babs?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah, just not my kind of gig, you know?" Babs replied.

"Oh, I see. Would you like to just grab something to snack on and sit around?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"Sure." Babs said.

They both grabbed a couple drinks and some ice cream they were handing out at the Sweet Snacks booth.

They sat in the cooling shade and ate their ice creams just before they started to melt.

"Aren't you roastin like a pot-bellied pig in all that get up Babs?" Apple Bloom asked.

"It's alright." Babs replied. "As long as I keep myself cool."

"So, this is not your type of thing?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Yeah." Babs said, as she took a drink of soda.

"What kind of things do you like to do?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I don't know, something a little more... thrilling." Babs said.

"Thrilling?" Apple Bloom questioned. She started to think of something to do. "Oh, what about the parade?"

"Parade? What are we eight years old?" Babs stated.

"But I like parades..." Apple Bloom whispered. "And all the candy they give out..."

"Oh, I didn't know..." Babs stuttered, as she scratched the back of her head. "Sorry..."

"It's okay, I might be a little too old for such things..." Apple Bloom admitted. "But I think I might know what you would like?"

"Oh yeah?" Babs said, as her eyes lightened up.

Apple Bloom took her to a place nearby, where the people were setting up the floats. It was all in an alleyway, as the people involved were going over the planned route to take and to follow the street up north. They left most of the floats empty and ready to leave. Only a couple of them were making last minute preparations from the back of the line.

"Apple Bloom, I don't know why you brought me here. I told you that I don't really like parades." Babs said.

"Well, how about being in the parade instead?" Apple Bloom suggested.

"Be in the parade?" Babs questioned. "I don't know."

"Yeah, take a look at this one!" Apple Bloom delighted, as she pointed toward a large golden pumpkin.

"Okay but why?"

"Well, we could just hop on as it is goin,' that way we could just ride the whole way downtown. Sound fun?"

"Sure?" Babs said. "It beats being in the hot sun all day!"

"Look, you can drive it like a car!" Apple Bloom said, as she entered inside.

"Huh, they left their keys." Babs said, as she started to get a little interested.

"Of course, the parade is about to start."

Babs went over to turn the key in the ignition. The pumpkin started revving as Babs put her foot on the pedal.

"Babs, what are you doin'?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'd say, let's take this baby for a test drive!" Babs smiled. She pushed down the pedal and it moved forward. Apple Bloom was still standing inside the ride and couldn't stay balanced for long as they left the alleyway.

"But the float is not ours." Apple Bloom pleaded. "We shouldn't be stealin' someone else's ride!"

"Relax." Babs replied. "Like I said, it's a test drive. We'll bring it right back!"

"Okay, promise...?" Apple Bloom said quietly.

They drove right into the street, many passing cars had to immediately step on the brakes for it to pass. Apple Bloom, still not seated, felt every bump and pothole that remained in the road; being tossed and jerked around as Babs drove. She was struggling trying to control the pumpkin but kept the float going and did not stop.

They came up to the park and people watching had to jump out of the way. Kids were taken by any pedestrian around the area so they wouldn't be in the way. Babs couldn't turn the wheel and ended up driving straight into the tents, much of the produce were squished into saucy puddles and anything left rolled into the moist grass.

The float accelerated down to the playground. Many of the kids saw it coming but did not move as they were stunned to see such a sight. Parents gunned toward them to pick them up at the last second, as they made their way toward the slides, then the monkey bars and the swing sets. It shifted course, every bump they hit, making Apple Bloom hit the roof and the one seat up front. Babs was hitting the wheel with her head. It popped right out of its socket making the float more uncontrollable. A teeter-totter pushed them, so it slanted toward the small woods nearby. Babs and Apple Bloom weighed it down to hold in balance as they came toward the trees and large boulders. The pumpkin drove up into a curved tree, both Apple Bloom and Babs screamed as they tilted and smashed into a large mud puddle.

The people watching, walked up to the incident and waited to see what had happened.

"Apple Bloom?" Babs cried out. She picked herself up from out of the front entrance, the open window in the front dragged in most of the mud inside. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah..." Apple Bloom said. She got up covered in mud and much bruising. "How about you?"

"I'm good." Babs smiled. "I guess we won't be able to return the float to the parade..."

"Yeah, no kiddin.'" Apple Bloom said, as she smiled cautiously. "I hope no one got hurt..."

They both sat inside, sinking down into the mud.

Apple Bloom and Babs saw the float raised up; a few people were lifting the pumpkin from the mud. They quickly crawled out of it, and they let it go.

"Are you two girls, okay?" One of the people said.

"Yeah... just a little accident..." Apple Bloom admitted.

"An accident?!" Some person said in the crowd of people. The person came up to them and was waving his hands around as he was upset. "You could have killed someone!" After he mentioned that, people from the crowd all started to slander them with absolute fear and rage. "Not only that, but you could have killed yourselves!"

Apple Bloom formed tears in her eyes. Babs saw Apple Bloom crying; she was taking the guilt and everyone in the festival was putting her down. She was not sad but annoyed by them.

Another person walked up to them.

"What were you guys doing in there?!" The person said. "You two stole my float and made a mess of things! Where are your parents?!"

"I… I" Apple Bloom whimpered. Babs stood in front of her, as she knew they took it too far to mention her parents.

"Enough!" Babs yelled. "She said it was an accident! Back off!"

Everyone from the crowd backed away, but the two people who were mainly in the conversation stood and were even more angry at them.

"Why were you there in the first place?!" The person said. "That was my float! You have no business in taking things that aren't yours!"

"Oh, yeah. If it weren't for us, we wouldn't have known that the float had mechanical errors!" Babs said. Apple Bloom looked up at her and saw that she was turning the fault on the person. The crowd of people cried in awe of how it came down to malfunctions in the float itself. "That's right! If the float was functioning normally it would have not done any of the damage it caused!" The person stood in silence and started to wonder if it was bound to happen the same way even having control over it. "I would have brought it back, but seeing as though the float was having problems, I couldn't control it! So, it is your fault the float had done what it did!"

The person looked around and felt it was the fault of the float. It came down to the person in charge. Afterward, the people gathered around the person in charge and put the blame in the creator of the float. Apple Bloom was shocked at how quickly things turned and after they all turned their attention to the person in charge of it, Babs grabbed her and headed out of the park before anyone saw.

Babs and Apple Bloom walked down the empty street, heading back to the barn. It was still a bright sunny day and the trees brought a lovely shade for them to stay cool.

"You okay?" Babs asked.

"Yeah..." Apple Bloom said, as she wiped her eyes. Some of the dried mud from her hand smeared on her face. Babs stopped to wipe the mud off her face. "Why did you do that Babs?"

"It was not right of them to put you down, when it was me who took it." Babs admitted. "But, I definitely couldn't take it when they mentioned your parents. I know how sensitive that could have been for you."

"Yeah, thanks Babs..." Apple Bloom smiled cautiously.

"Besides, that float had problems anyway. It was the driver's fault for not making sure it was functional!" Babs said. "I'd say it was necessary!"

"Yeah, I didn't think stealin it was good, but maybe it was for a reason..." Apple Bloom responded. "More people could have been hurt by it."

"It was for a reason." Babs agreed. "See, it wasn't entirely our fault. So don't put yourself down, okay?"

Rarity admired her thick and long curly blonde hair. She has the same eye color as Applejack's, but her skin matched Big Mac's. The various colors of red, yellow and orange all seem to resemble the Apple family, Rarity thought.

"Rarity?" Sunflower asked.

"I'm sorry, what is it?" Rarity questions and tried to remember if she asked her something. She adjusted herself on the kitchen chair.

"Oh, I was just wonderin' how your business is goin'?" Sunflower asked.

"Business has been quite slow, actually." Rarity responded with some concern. "It definitely has tanked in quality since we've been here."

"How long have you been here?" Sunflower continued.

"A couple of months." Rarity said. "I haven't been able to do much work as my workshop has been reduced to basic laundry duty for Applejack and Apple Bloom."

"Damn, that's tough." Sunflower added, as she sat firmly.

"Yeah, but it's not so bad." Rarity said. "Applejack has been in a much better mood, because she did miss her work."

"Really?"

"Yeah, when she began to stay with me, she couldn't do much of anything. She hated helping me in the fashion workshop. She practically begged to do something else, but all she managed to do was plant a few things on the side of the house."

"Why didn't she just come here to work?"

"She felt that everyone had it all together and didn't want to impose on their parade."

"That's tough." Sunflower said. "I just wanted to know because I admire your work. Like a lot."

"You do?" Rarity responded. "I should bring you to my place to see it for yourself."

"I would like that." Sunflower said, as she politely placed her hand over Rarity's. Rarity took it as a calm and friendly gesture. "I'm actually impressed that Applejack took interest at all, seein' you two together is a bit of an oddity."

"Yeah, I suppose it does seem a bit odd." Rarity admitted. "But, we both enjoy spending time together."

"I'm glad." Sunflower added. "You two are an amazing couple from what I've seen."

"Thanks." Rarity said.

"By the way, where is Applejack?"

"I'm sure she's out there finishing her work. She was a little upset when anyone interfered."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

"That's quite alright. She understands the trouble you've been through lately."

"Yeah. My parents are just stupid and I had to get away from it all."

"Parents?" Rarity pondered. "I can relate. My parents have been giving us a hard time as well."

"Oh really?"

"Indeed. It's on them for not accepting our relationship."

"That's awful."

"It's quite alright, I'm relieved to not have to deal with them at the moment."

"To hear about that, makes my situation less than what it is."

"Oh no! Parents threatening divorce is definitely not okay, darling. Having to go through the process of who gets what... is an awful and heartbreaking ordeal indeed."

"Yeah." Sunflower smiled. "I'm glad that you understand and was willin' to help me an Babs find a place to stay."

"Of course, darling." Rarity said. "I'm always happy to help in any way I can."

"You are really close with the Apple family, aren't you?"

"I am." Rarity smiled.

"Thanks." Sunflower said. "I feel a lot better now that you are here to help us out too."

"I'm flattered." Rarity said. "Truly."

They both smiled, but as they were taking their mind off the trouble they've had, Babs and Apple Bloom walked in.

"Oh my!" Rarity yelled, as she got up.

"Babs!" Sunflower yelled. "What the hell?!"

"Please darling." Rarity suggested. "Are you two alright?"

"Yeah?" Babs said.

"We just had an accident." Apple Bloom said, as she lifted her arms to hold in place above her head.

The both of them carried mud all over the floor.

"Go clean yourselves, now!" Sunflower said, as her tone was assertive and cold. "You're making a mess!"

"It's alright, we'll get it cleaned up." Rarity added, as she held onto her shoulder to calm her.

"Fine, we'll talk later!" Sunflower demanded Babs.

"Fine." Babs rolled her eyes.

It made things awkward in the house, but Apple Bloom took Babs upstairs to the bedroom.

They gathered their belongings and started to clean themselves off. They tossed their muddy clothes in an empty bin and headed their way to the shower. Apple Bloom sat inside, having Babs go first to use the shower. It was like an open sauna for Apple Bloom, as the steam made the heat even more intense and harder to breathe.

"Sunflower seem really upset." Apple Bloom said.

"Yeah, I know." Babs said. "She's been in a bitchy mood lately."

"Why?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Our parents are seperatin'."

"That's sad to hear, Babs."

"Don't be." Babs suggested. "It happens."

"But why?"

"Well... to tell you the truth... people just get bored." Babs said blatantly, as she washed out her short velvet hair.

"Bored? Like... they don't like each other anymore?"

"Yep. That's all it takes."

"That's sad Babs."

"Like I said, don't be."

"Why aren't you upset?"

"Because, everyone likes to make it a big deal. When... It's just how it is these days. The reason Sunflower is upset is because she still believes what everyone in her generation told her."

"Which is?"

"True love."

"True love?"

"Yeah, like love at first sight, happily ever-after, some made up bullshit like that."

"But, it does exist right?"

"I don't think so, but you can go ahead and believe in what you want to believe." Babs said, as she walked out the shower. Apple Bloom switched with her. "I just learned not to care about stuff like that. It makes things easier."

"You still believe in love, right Babs?" Apple Bloom asked, as she approached Babs.

"Of course I do, Apple Bloom." Babs admitted. "But, maybe not in the same way as what you might think."

"Really?" Apple Bloom said, as she stepped into the shower.

"Yeah, but... we can talk more about it later." Babs said, as she got dressed. "Okay?"

It was a quiet evening, the sun was barely touching the horizon and there was a slight breeze coming their way. Apple Bloom and Babs took their food to the barn and they sat high on the haystacks. They enjoyed the refreshing air, as they ate their food. They ordered pizza, with sodas and Applejack brought some of her own apple cider to go along with it. As the adults were conversing, Babs decided to have a quieter place to be. She took Apple Bloom along with her to keep her company.

The barn smells like shit, Babs thought, but didn't mind at all. She saw the pigs laid to rest as they ate a hearty meal that was set out not too long ago.

"You know, it's been awhile since I've set foot inside a barnyard." Babs commented.

"Really?" Apple Bloom questioned. "Don't you guys have a barn of your own?"

"It's been awhile." Babs stated again, in a more monotone feel.

"I guess this place just feels like home, right?"

"Yeah. It does." Babs said, as she managed to have a teardrop running down her face.

"Babs... are you okay?" Apple Bloom said calmly. She moved closer to her and tried to comfort her.

"Yeah, I'm fine." Babs said. "I guess... I just miss it."

"I kind of miss it too, even havin' to move out." Apple Bloom admitted. "Applejack certainly does."

"Why did you guys move?" Babs asked.

"Well..." Apple Bloom stopped talking, as she saw Rarity and Applejack out on the farm. They were drinking some cider and both of them walked out to the pasture. Babs saw them as well and got the idea.

"Is it different being in a household with them together?"

"A little, but not too much." Apple Bloom admitted. "It does get a little awkward at times."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, this is the first time in a while since I saw them smile at each other." Apple Bloom said, as she saw them talking and smiling. It made her feel better seeing the two of them are okay. "All the other times, they seem to be fightin.'' Even though they say they aren't, they are."

"Fightin' huh?" Babs questioned.

"Yeah, like in their bedroom." Apple Bloom added. "They seem to always fight or somethin'..."

"Apple Bloom... they aren't fightin.'' Babs said.

"You see, that's what they always say but..."

"But, you do know the bedroom is where they have sex, right?"

Apple Bloom thought for a moment and immediately got everything.

"Oh?" Apple Bloom said. "I didn't know..."

"Exactly how old are you?" Babs chuckled.

"Stop it, you aren't supposed to talk about stuff like that." Apple Bloom complained.

"C'mon, you seriously didn't know?" Babs stated. "That's actually adorable!"

Apple Bloom blushing and continued to eat.

Babs looked out to Applejack and Rarity. The two seemed to be too different, but somehow managed to stay together. Too bad it's not for everyone, Babs thought.

She remembered the time they had a farm, and the family was strong and thriving through months of work. Now the family struggled to maintain each other after they lost the farm.

"Babs?" Apple Bloom said. Babs snapped out of her mind and looked at Apple Bloom. She stood there on the wooden floors, holding an empty plate and cup.

"Sorry, what?" Babs asked.

"It's gettin' late." Apple Bloom announced. "We should head inside before them mosquitoes start to come out!"

"Yeah." Babs said. "Okay."

They slept in the same room, Apple Bloom laid on a spare bed below the other one as Babs slept on the higher one. It was her first night there, so it felt like a small sleepover for them, which Babs enjoyed. It was an odd day, Babs thought. She wondered what else is there to do?

Apple Bloom got a text that night. She got up to see who it was and it was Diamond Tiara. She sat up in her bed and began to talk to her.

"Hey, how are you?" Diamond said.

"I'm good, you?" Apple Bloom said.

"So, I was thinking we should hang tomorrow?"

"Oh really? That sounds great!"

"Yeah, so clear your schedule."

"Okay but..."

"But what?"

"I got my cousin visiting today."

"A cousin? For how long?"

"I don't know."

"Well..."

"Could I bring her along with us?"

"Her? I suppose..."

"I think you will like her."

"Fine. Just don't expect me to immediately be friends."

"Okay! Sounds good!"

"<3"

Apple Bloom was excited for Diamond to meet Babs. She then remembered to introduce her to Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle as well. She texted both of them, "Crusader meeting tomorrow!" to both Sweetie and Scootaloo. They replied almost immediately saying "alright." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were out together today and Sweetie Belle was staying at Scootaloo's place, Apple Bloom reminded herself. She felt even more ecstatic to have them all come together to meet Babs.

Babs woke up to the light beam in the room and when she turned to look, Apple Bloom was on the phone.

"Apple Bloom?" Babs said. "What are you doin'?"

"Babs, tomorrow I'm going to introduce you to the Crusaders!" Apple Bloom said.

"The Crusaders?" Babs questioned. "Is that like a club?"

"Yeah, it's my club!" Apple Bloom answered. "Would you like to be a part of it?"

"Sure, why not?" Babs said.

"Great!" Apple Bloom delighted.

They both laid their heads back down and slept.

The next day, there was a bit of a gradient light that shone throughout the room. It made everything pale, slightly cooler than it was the day before. Apple Bloom glanced outside and was immediately blinded by the brightness. Looking again, it was just her eyes in the dark for too long to see what it was. Silver clouds that pulled in from the distance, with winds that carried it forward. As early as it was, it felt late. Even more so, when the sun was covered.

Apple Bloom took some clothes and got dressed into something that added a little heft as she started to feel cold. She wore a clover green t-shirt, light blue jeans, white socks, with her regular brown cowgirl boots. She liked wearing green with her favorite white jacket for the colder days. It was a gift from her friend Diamond not too long ago. Diamond loved the color white and gold. She wanted her to match with Apple Bloom's lightened golden skin.

As soon as she was dressed, she walked back in the room to awake Babs. She was still sleeping, but Apple Bloom couldn't wait for them to meet her.

"Babs?" Apple Bloom asked quietly. She didn't budge, so she tapped her shoulder. As she did, Babs adjusted herself. Apple Bloom continued, but as she tried, Babs's cover slid off her shoulder, her bare shoulder. Apple Bloom could have sworn that she was wearing a top before bed last night. "Babs?" She continued, tapping her shoulder again. Babs shot up and revealed that she was not wearing one. Apple Bloom was stunned and immediately turned away from her. She cleared her throat. "Mornin' Babs!"

"Where am I?" Babs questioned.

"My old room, remember?" Apple Bloom answered.

"What time is it?" Babs asked.

"I dunno?" Apple Bloom turned, as Babs yawned and rubbed her eyes. "But... where is your shirt?"

"I took it off, it got too hot last night." Babs exhaled.

"Oh..." Apple Bloom nodded.

"Yeah..." Babs said, as she got up and walked over to the door for the bathroom. "Too hot..." As Apple Bloom saw her walk past, she was not wearing bottoms either. She stood frozen in place. She turned around and there were large sweat spots coming from her old bed.

Babs was half-asleep sitting at the kitchen table, while Apple Bloom was preparing breakfast. Everyone else joined together at the table not long after. Apple Bloom noticed everyone, once she set the table.

"Mornin' Big Sis, Cuz'!" Apple Bloom yelled. "Mornin' Mom!"

"Mornin'...?" Applejack and Rarity said, as Applejack's tone lightened with concern. Rarity, sitting across from her, knew why she was concerned. "Why did she call you that?" Applejack whispered in her mind, as Rarity replied "it's a long story..." She was not too thrilled about that.

Sunflower was just as tired as Babs, not saying a single word.

"Breakfast is ready!" Apple Bloom announced. Sunflower and Babs awoke right away. Apple Bloom placed down a bowl of potatoes and scramble eggs, plate of fried sliced ham and a rack of toast on the table. She added a pitcher of freshly squeezed apple juice.

To Applejack and Rarity, they were amazed by how great everything looked, while Babs and Sunflower were trying to stay awake.

They have feasted and had their fill.

"Okay!" Apple Bloom announced. "Me and Babs is headin' out!"

"Hold your horses there, sugarcube!" Applejack interrupted, as Apple Bloom and Babs were out the door. "You've got to clean up first!"

Apple Bloom annoyingly walked back to the front door and into the kitchen, as Babs returned to join with Sunflower and passed out on the couch together.

Apple Bloom left the dishes in the sink to soak and made it, so it was stacked perfectly and neatly to make it look as if it was done. She quickly cleaned the table, and all the remaining food was left in a container for the pigs later. She took Babs along with her and marched out the door.

"Dammit, Apple Bloom..." Applejack grunted, as she walked into the kitchen. She shook her head silently and took it upon herself to do the task she was given.

"Language, darling!" Rarity pointed out, as she walked inside the kitchen. "Allow me." She jumped in front of Applejack before she picked up a single soapy glass. Applejack was taken aback as she watched Rarity clean the dishes.

"You baby her too much!" Applejack commented, as she stood in her typical stance. Her hands on her hips and standing straight. Rarity ignored her. "That's probably why she calls you 'Mom?!'"

"I know." Rarity responded, she stayed focused on the dishes. "I know it's... not okay, but she became very close to me." She looked up at Applejack, staring straight, almost begging. Applejack loosened the grip of her hips and looked into her eyes. "I don't want to lose that connection that we have."

"Rarity..." Applejack whispered, as she came closer to her. "It's alright... but, she just has to do what she's told."

"I understand." Rarity said. "But, let her have her fun. It's been too long since she's been excited for something."

"Fine." Applejack said.

As she continued and the dishes were finally done; Rarity walked out, but she kicked something against her toe. She flinched of the instantaneous pain she felt as she kicked the object. She went over to pick it up and it was her heels underneath the kitchen table. Rarity rolled her eyes and was not happy about it.

"Applejack?" Rarity questioned.

"What?" Applejack said, as she was drying the dishes with a damp cloth.

"Why are my heels in the kitchen?" Rarity continued.

"I don't know. Why you askin' me?" Applejack paused to think about it.

"Because only you would misplace my stuff from the bedroom!"

"Aw c'mon!" Applejack fretted, as she placed down a dried plate on the counter. "So, I misplaced a few things..." She looked at her, but Rarity was even more upset at the answer. "But that's because you got things all over the damn place!"

"Language!" Rarity snapped her eyes at her, as Applejack rolled her's. "And this is my house, I deserve to place anything I want wherever I want it!"

"Just quit accusin' me of every little thing and just learn to pick up after yourself!" Applejack continued. Rarity stood in her stance, nearly the same as Applejack's but with more attitude with her pointed hip to her side and one fist on her pointed hip. "You just leave a mess everywhere!"

"I can't believe you!" Rarity scoffed. "And it's not a mess, it's organized chaos!" Rarity stormed out of the kitchen. Sunflower was awakened by Rarity's stomping feet up the stairs into her room. She placed down her heels where she remembered where it was.

Babs was barely waking up again, as she was enjoying the breeze that came through her open leather jacket. She loved the cold and the blazing sun covered by an endless stream of clouds, which made her grow to like this place.

"You alright there Babs-ee?" Apple Bloom questioned, as she led the way.

"Yeah, still tired..." Babs yawned.

"Why?" Apple Bloom pondered, after the parade incident, then being yelled at by Sunflower. "Maybe everythin' that happened yesterday?"

"Yeah, a lot of emotional..." Babs paused and tried to place her words carefully. "It was exhaustin', especially the heat."

"Oh yeah, it does get really hot here." Apple Bloom added. "I got a heat stroke once, tryin' to work in apple gatherin.' Got too heated and dropped."

"Really?" Babs sympathized. "That's how bad it was?"

"Yeah, I don't remember much after that, but during our rainy seasons, it tends to go on for almost a week!" Apple Bloom mentioned.

"Really? Is it the rainy season now?" Babs asked, considering she might be able to enjoy her time there.

"It is mostly in the Spring, but we are in the summer." Apple Bloom answered. "It will rain, but not as often."

"Oh..." Babs grunted.

"Sorry about that, Babs," Apple Bloom said.

"Nah, it's all good." Babs said. "It's definitely different in Hooflyn."

"Really?" Apple Bloom delighted. "Cool!"

"Yeah." Babs thought of it again but decided to think of something else. She caught up to Apple Bloom, walking side by side to converse on a new topic. "So... is that Rarity...?"

"Rarity?" Apple Bloom questioned. "She's datin' my big sis!"

"I figured!" Babs delighted.

"Yeah, she's really great!"

"I've got to hand it to ya, Applejack sure snagged a fair one!" Babs added.

"What do you mean?" Apple Bloom questioned.

"I mean..." Babs paused. "She's a real hottie!"

"Babs?!" Apple Bloom complained.

"What?! It's true though." Babs continued.

"Well... I never thought of her that way..."

"Seriously?!" Babs said. "She is smokin'! Her body, her face and her sexy feet!"

"Her what?!" Apple Bloom stopped walking to look at her. Babs stopped walking, a little further than Apple Bloom. She turned around to look.

"Seriously?! How are you going to snag one yourself, without acknowledgin' all the good qualities?!" Babs questioned.

"I've never considered that..." Apple Bloom thought. They both continued to walk together side by side. "Well... I guess there's one... I do like..."

"What's the name?" Babs added.

"Her name is Diamond Tiara." Apple Bloom answered. "We are actually goin' to meet up with her!"

"Really?" Babs smiled.

"Yeah, she was really mean at first, especially toward my other friends. But after I saw her havin' struggles with her family, I was there for her. Afterward, she began to talk to me, and she became really nice to me. She bought me this jacket. She loves the color and thought I could look good in white."

"Sounds like you've gotten close to her." Babs commented.

"Yeah, she really changed. But she is not really close with my other friends, and I would like them to be!"

"Yeah, but what do you like about her though?"

"Oh, uhh..." Apple Bloom thought about her. "She's sweet. She has pretty eyes. She likes to wear beautiful outfits, but..." Apple Bloom started to blush. "I... I like her lips... her lips look full and dark... especially when she puts on lip gloss."

"Now you're gettin' it! But, what about the rest of her?"

"Huh?" Apple Bloom snapped out focus to listen to what she was saying.

"You know... like her body?" Babs asked.

"Oh, she is actually... sort of... developed." Apple Bloom blushed again.

"Really?" Babs smirked.

"Well, I think you'll see what I mean when we meet her!" Apple Bloom added. "But please... she's..."

"She’s your's, I know!" Babs waved.

"Well... I mean to say, she's a little shy." Apple Bloom added.

"To be honest, I'm a little shy as well..." Babs said.

"Really? You are?" Apple Bloom questioned.

"Yeah, but I am really eager to meet them!" Babs smiled.

Applejack and Rarity both saw Sunflower still passed out on the couch. They were mildly concerned, but as it turned out, the cider Applejack took out was all gone. Every single glass was empty.

"Should we be worried?" Rarity asked quietly. "If it becomes too much of a problem..."

"Nah." Applejack answered. "She's just a little troubled. I'd say it was necessary."

"Are you sure?" Rarity questioned.

"Well, she's not one for confrontation." Applejack said. "Drinkin' her sorrows away, but we do need to be careful. Watch out for her, okay?"

"Okay?" Rarity said. "What are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna try and figure out if there are other places they can be." Applejack suggested. "Not to be rude to family, but I do want to make sure if they need to, they can stay, but somewhere on their own."

"That's quite considerate of you." Rarity added. "What about their parents? Won't they come after them?"

"That's what I'm sayin'." Applejack continued. "I don't want to be absolutely involved in everythin.'"

"Okay." Rarity said.

Sunflower remained in her position, even after they had left. Things seem a bit odd around the Apple family, she thought. Maybe it was not worth the trouble.

"Ah! Right there Sweetie Belle!" Someone moaned. "Yes!"

"Feel better, Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yeah..." Scootaloo answered. "That really hurt, I can't believe I didn't notice that I was bleeding."

"You have got to stop trying to jump over that fence!" Sweetie Belle complained. "You're lucky to have me around to patch you up!"

"Yeah, whatever..." Scootaloo whispered.

"What was that?!" Sweetie Belle interrupted.

"I said 'Thank you Sweetie Belle, you're the best!'" Scootaloo said sarcastically.

"That's right!" Sweetie Belle agreed. "Why do you always attempt to hop fences anyway?"

"In case I need to run away from people!" Scootaloo said. "It's gettin' pretty weird around here, you know?"

"Right, so instead of actually working out and building endurance or stamina, you want to hop fences?" Sweetie Belle asked rhetorically.

"Yeah." Scootaloo answered. "You may never know when there comes a time..."

"What are you involved in some criminal activity that I don't know about?" Sweetie Belle questioned. "I think the only weird thing around here is you."

"Go ahead and laugh, but if we have to run from people, I'm leavin' your ass behind the barbed fences!" Scootaloo shouted in her face.

"Yeah, I'm sure that will be a problem someday?" Sweetie Belle begged. "Besides, I'm more equipped to handle myself, thank you very much!"

Scootaloo was stunned, as she looked at Sweetie Belle. She looked away and blushed with frustration.

"Sheesh..." Scootaloo pouted. "It was a joke... can't take a joke?"

"Of course, but you seriously got to stop hurting yourself." Sweetie Belle added. "What if I'm not around to help you?"

"I guess I'll suffer then?!" Scootaloo said sarcastically.

"C'mon!" Sweetie Belle said, as she leaned over Scootaloo. "Like I'll ever leave your side!"

"What?!" Scootaloo said, as she was bright red.

Scootaloo looked up at her and Sweetie Belle finally got what she just said. She blushed and turned to look away from her.

"Y-You know what I meant!" Sweetie flared, having to cross her arms to prove a point. Scootaloo was even more embarrassed.

"We're here!" Apple Bloom announced. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked up with flustered faces. Apple Bloom blushed and looked at them with confusion, as Babs scratched the back of her head, unsure of the awkward first impression.

The shack was entirely small. It had one bedroom, one bathroom. A small kitchen, connected toward a small living room. Babs was quite impressed by how it looked.

"How did you manage to find this place?" Babs asked.

"We just found it, it was abandoned." Scootaloo, a girl with short purple hair, tan skin, wearing a thick orange sweater, green cargo pants and short brown boots, answered. "Not long after middle school, me and Apple Bloom went out to explore the neighborhood. We managed to find an abandoned shack. We thought of fixing it up! We made it, the Crusader's headquarters!"

"Nice!" Babs thought. "Do you know who owned it?"

"We tried findin' somethin' about it, but there seemed to be no record of it existin'." Apple Bloom added. "It is quite odd, almost like we were meant to find it."

"Yeah, kind of spooky, but we like it!" Sweetie Belle, wearing a long, loose-fitting magenta top with long white sleeves with a matching belt buckle on the waist, dark blue jeans, white high heels and magenta headband to hold down her large white and light purple swirly curls, commented.

"And we want you to be a part of it! Need a place to be, this is it!" Apple Bloom delighted. "Anytime you need us, we will be here together."

"Great!" Babs delighted.

"We are delighted to add you to our list of members for the Crusaders!" Scootaloo said. "Always keep in touch and make sure we are notified if anything goes wrong!"

"So, what are the Crusaders about?" Babs asked.

"Our greatest mission. To discover our true purposes in life! No matter how small, we make significant contributions to everyone's life! No matter how big we become, we will not abandon our roots such as family, friends and neighbors!" Together they said.

Babs' eyes glistened with astonishment. Having friends like this made her feel a sense of hope, a calling towards a purpose and establishing love and care for everyone.

Apple Bloom heard her phone go off. She quickly reached down to her small pocket in the white jacket. Diamond appeared to be close by, while Apple Bloom took Babs back outside to meet with her.

She was fair. Bright purple hair with streaks of white, a small braid leaning to her left side. Light purple and flawless skin. Perfect arched eyebrows. Sharp almond eyes, long and defined lashes and with dashes of the night blue sky in the irises. Diamond shaped earrings at the lobe of her small circular ears. A small tiara on top of her head, wearing a white vest with fur on the shoulder and the neck. Pure black shirt, white belt around her small waist and shining gold skirt that matched her tall golden boots. To Babs' surprise, she was well developed, as Apple Bloom said.

"Diamond!" Apple Bloom yelled, as she jumped into her. She looked a bit surprised as she wrapped her arms around her. "I would like you to meet, Babs Seed!" As she pointed towards her at the door. Babs Seed blushed.

"Bad seed?" Diamond said cautiously. Babs smirked, lightly chuckled.

"No, Babs. Seed." Apple Bloom restated.

"Whatever!" Diamond said. Apple Bloom smiled, but she looked behind her.

Everything about her was a cool gray, some streaks of white like Diamond's hair. Exact same colors and exact same braid as her's. The only thing standing between them is her thick purple glasses to go with her top and tall boots and her necklace with a shining silver spoon in the center.

"You brought Silver Spoon along with us?" Apple Bloom questioned.

"Yeah?" Diamond complained. "You've got a problem with it?"

"No-no..." Apple Bloom said softly. She scratched the back of her head and thought about the awkward feeling in her stomach. "Is everythin okay, Diamond? You seem a little upset at somethin'."

"It's fine!" Diamond muttered. "Nothing is going on!"

"Oh, well. We could all think of somethin' to do together, right?" Apple Bloom smiled, but felt something was wrong.

The winds began to pick up, but as they spent the time standing in the cold silence, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle made their way to them.

"Apple Bloom?" One of the girls said. Apple Bloom and the others turned around to see who it was.

"Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom delighted. She went over to her. "Sweetie Belle!"

"What are they doing here?" Scootaloo questioned with a slightly fierce tone.

"I'm here because Apple Bloom invited us to hang out together." Diamond replied sarcastically. Scootaloo came to her, to stare at her directly in the eyes, almost ready for anything. Apple Bloom quickly jumped in between them.

"Whoa!" Apple Bloom said. "Easy guys, I just wanted to bring you all over to meet my cousin." Apple Bloom pointed toward her, as she cowardly put her face behind her large bangs. "Babs?"

"Look, are we just going to stand around, or are going to do something?" Diamond demanded.

"Do something?" Scootaloo argued. "Why are you even here?"

"Please." Apple Bloom stepped in again to avoid the fight between them. "I just wanted to bring everyone here to meet Babs. I figured we all could hang out together."

"By inviting them over to our club?!" Scootaloo yelled. "Apple Bloom?!"

"Oh yeah, your club. What was it again?" Diamond said. Scootaloo clenched her fists. Sweetie Belle came over to her to help her calm down, but Scootaloo was unwilling to let something inside her go. "I'm guessing that old shack is your clubhouse?"

"Diamond..." Apple Bloom pouted. "You know we are called the Crusaders... I thought you wanted to join us?"

"As if!" Diamond shouted.

"But... but..." Apple Bloom started to form tears in her eyes.

"Hey, back off!" Scootaloo yelled. Diamond and Silver held back. Scootaloo became even more angry and started to yell at them in their face. Diamond kept the argument going, as Scootaloo was becoming unstable with her emotions.

Apple Bloom was stunned. Sweetie Belle tried to stop Scootaloo from continuing. Babs watched as they began to go off at each other like her parents did.

She began to see flashes of her father yelling at her mother. Mother crying with her eyes sore from previous volitions. It erupted, then it came to her father attacking her mother with his open hand, with a bottle in the other. Mother was crying in pain, wailing for him to stop. Father looked back and started to come after her. Yelling at her to go away. Stunned in fear, he then began to hit her. Her sister came in, trying to stop him, but used his bottle to strike her down. Knocking her unconscious. He stopped but walked away from the kitchen and took another bottle with him, since he broke the other.

"Enough..." Babs said silently. Everyone stopped yelling and looked back at Babs. She went between Scootaloo and Diamond. "Stop yelling at her." She addressed Scootaloo.

"Babs?" Apple Bloom said quietly. "Are you okay?"

"No." Babs answered. "Are these the kind of friends you have, Apple Bloom?! Then, I want no part of your club!"

"Babs?" Apple Bloom cried. "They aren't like that at all..."

"Oh really?!" Babs yelled. "Scootaloo seemed nice at first, but I know a two-faced bitch when I see one! Thinking they like and care about you, but really just want someone to take their anger out on."

"Babs!" Scootaloo yelled. "You have no idea the kind of person Diamond and Silver is!"

"I don't." Babs said. "But they weren't the ones actively trying to hurt anyone, only you!"

Scootaloo was silenced. She backed away from them and looked away.

"Babs... please..." Apple Bloom cried. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo came to her side. Diamond and Silver were shocked to see Babs stick up for them.

"You know, I may have misjudged you." Diamond Tiara said. Babs led the way to their club house, as Silver Spoon followed.

"You will not take another step!" Scootaloo yelled.

"Scootaloo stop!" Sweetie Belle responded.

"We can't let her." Scootaloo said to Sweetie Belle.

"Apple Bloom?" Diamond asked Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom stood silently and became saddened with her actions to join two different people who are, clearly, still enemies. Diamond and Silver made their way to the old shack, as Sweetie Belle stopped Scootaloo from intervening.

"What just... happened?" Sweetie Belle said, unsure of everything that happened within the time they just met Babs.

Part 2: Just Friends

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A raindrop was felt once the clouds settled, circulating around their general area. It was an odd time as it was sunny and hot the day before but felt just right when the mood set into their hearts of what came to be on their day.

I think of times where I felt down and lonesome. I had to look at why and, in all honesty, I didn't have any confidence in myself, nor did I... uh, felt deserving of friendship. Then, that led to anger, and I started to not like people because they didn't like me. I've been thrown out of fandoms and communities because I like to look at things differently. Even bashing the main ones who basically said they'll accept everyone for who they are and uh... preach friendship and love but inside was an isolated and controlling group of people.

What made me change my perspective, going through my dark and lonely times was the fact that I didn't put effort into anything. I demanded and demanded and never gave back. The reason friendships are built is because there's uh... compromise. They help you; you help them. And I, at some point, stopped helping others. Instead, I was one-sided about my relationship with others and they just couldn't take it anymore and stop sharing and providing help. I never thought I would be the one to take advantage of others but that is what it was.

It's not too late to change that but it is an easy thing to become but can be avoided once you see it and become aware of it. I wanted my stories, my art and my music to be popular but what have I done to give others a chance in the spotlight as well? Instead, I made it all about me and my spotlight. I want comments, I want views, or support, maybe even recognition? Then what am I doing to earn that? Sometimes it takes more than the work itself but to help build others up as well, that leads to building friendships.

As always... This is ImAnIdiotTryingToBeDeep.

"Interesting." Rarity said, as she drove. The new radio they installed in the truck had many new channels and their afternoon podcast host was talking on the subject of friendships.

"I know, right?" Sunflower said. "You think you know people... but sometimes, they can use you."

"Indeed." Rarity said. "It has become rather difficult to maintain friendships these days."

"It really has." Sunflower agreed, as she looked out to many passing streets. That still, somehow, has many people grouped together, smiling and enjoying their day. Even throughout the rain. "But there are some who continue to stay together. Even through the crazy weather."

"It's quite a sight to see at times, isn't it?" Rarity smiled. "No matter what, you'll always be together?"

"Yeah..." Sunflower smiled passively but thought of something in the back of her mind. "So, what are we up to today?"

"I'm glad you asked, darling." Rarity was delighted to say. "We are heading over to the workshop."

"Really?" Sunflower smiled.

"Yeah. I figured it would be a good time to spend the day while Applejack is out." Rarity said.

"That sounds lovely." Sunflower said. "Thank you."

They arrived at a large house. It was decorated with many variations of purples with a little bit of white highlights to draw attention to the board above the door which read: Rarity's Workshop.

"It's a working title." Rarity commented. "Before, when my glamorous career barely started to take off, it was something I always wanted to fix but never got around to it."

"I see." Sunflower said.

They entered, the living room was simple, yet had a sparkling white couch, light purple rugs, drapery and had blue gloss over every corner of the wall. It shined like diamonds and from the left to the right were doors that had labels for every person in the household. Sweetie Belle was first, then Rarity's, then off to another wall adjacent to Apple Bloom's.

"Apple Bloom stayed here?" Sunflower asked.

"She did but we had to move back to the farm after we heard about Granny Smith." Rarity answered. "It was nice but short-lived."

There was a non-labeled room next to Rarity's bedroom.

"What's in here?" Sunflower continued.

"Oh, this is where we enter into my walk-in closet." Rarity said. "And, where I made most of my designs. Come in!"

Rarity dragged her by the hand and entered inside. Once she switched the light, it became a wide and open space. It was immaculate, organized but with tools and sketches, fabrics and pieces of mannequins all over the floors. The dresses were sitting on the remaining standing mannequins; they were gorgeous in Sunflower's eyes. It gleamed with such brilliance, every fold, within every stitch and carefully placed jewels to make it eye-catching.

"They're so beautiful..." Sunflower said, amazed as she gazed upon all the dresses she had on display.

"You really think so?" Rarity blushed. "It's been so long since I've made them, it's honestly a miracle that they are still holding up."

"Rarity, this place is amazing!" Sunflower said ecstatically. "And, you said you never became popular with these amazing designs?!"

"Well, I was well-known but it never did take off like I thought it would." Rarity emphasized. "I was at my peak stardom when I was doing internet vlogs and music videos with my friends. But that too, was short-lived..."

"You miss it? Don't you?"

"I do."

"Why don't you just come back to work on them?"

"It's honestly the distance but also they needed my help around the farm."

"I see."

"I would want to eventually come back to doing something like this but... I'm needed elsewhere."

Sunflower looked away and examined the entirety of the workshop. Stacks of shoes, other dresses tucked inside large plastic coverings and large paintings that made the place feel much more alive.

Rarity sat down on a window sill, holding many pillows of all shapes and sizes. The different designs for certain placements of the body. The window was closed but allowed some light into the darkened corner. She could see the rainfall from the other side, gently touching against the clear and unmarked glass.

"Applejack fixed up this open closet for me." Rarity added.

"She did?" Sunflower said, as she turned to look at her.

"Yep." Rarity said. "It was before we decided to really take our relationship seriously. It was just a favor but I believe she always had something with me."

"Well, she was not wrong." Sunflower smiled. Rarity smiled.

"It was a simpler time, I still hold dear." Rarity added.

After Rarity said that, Sunflower started to think of her own life. It once started with a simple family, on an open farm, working to keep the animals smiling and the ground flourishing with crops for them to eat. Until some shady business people came, took it all away. Barely keeping up with the demands.

"Sunflower?" Rarity asked, as she looked into her focused and saddened eyes. "Are you alright, my dear?" She held her hand up to her and she immediately snapped out of her trance. She flinched, as if she had forgotten where she was.

"I'm fine." Sunflower said.

"Darling, you're okay to share anything with me." Rarity suggested. "We're all here to help!"

Sunflower looked away and allowed her curls to cover her reddened eyes. Rarity knew she saw her eyes glisten like Applejack's when she pouted with fear and sadness.

"You know?" Sunflower asked. Rarity listened in. "You all have been a great help so far, what if I helped you?"

"What do you mean?" Rarity questioned.

"Well..." Sunflower turned back and sat next to her. "You said it's been awhile since you've worked on your fashion career... What if I helped you get back into it. I'm sure people who enjoy your work are waitin' for more?!"

"Y-you mean it?" Rarity said with a more heightened tone.

"I do." Sunflower said. "What if we worked on somethin' together and make a sweet comeback!"

"Okay!" Rarity smiled.

"What the hell, Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo yelled, throwing her hands in the air.

"Scootaloo, stop!" Sweetie Belle begged. "She didn't mean for anything to happen!"

"She knows that I despise Diamond Tiara!"

"She's changed, Scootaloo..." Apple Bloom cried.

"No she hasn't!" Scootaloo replied. "She is just the same!"

"Scootaloo enough!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "Just drop it!"

"I'm sorry..." Apple Bloom cried. "I just... I just wanted all of us to be together..."

"Apple Bloom, it's not your fault." Sweetie Belle said, as she went up to give Apple Bloom a hug. She flinched and her arms coware away from her. "Scootaloo, please do something."

Scootaloo remained silent. She looked away and felt a small raindrop fall on her nose. She looked up and never noticed the gray clouds becoming darker and darker. The movement quickened, as did the winds. She saw a single strand of light and began to think of her actions.

She began to walk the other direction before she could say anything.

From the window of the small shack, Babs watched them. She saw them walk away one by one but all in different directions. She thought of how terrible things have gotten since the time she arrived. She started to see the rainfall, as it hit the glass outside of the window. It felt refreshing to her and maybe they all needed the time to think about themselves.

"I don't know what their deal is." Babs spoke in a monotone voice.

"I guess it's my fault." Diamond Tiara responded.

"Why?" Babs replied. "You did nothing wrong."

"No, in the past, I have." Diamond admitted.

"So, I guess it was true."

"Pardon?"

"Apple Bloom mentioned that you were kind of mean to them but after you and Apple Bloom started talkin', I guess you became close?"

"Sure. But I knew both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo would have a hard time accepting me. So, I decided I shouldn't join. As much as Apple Bloom was pushing me into it, I felt uncomfortable. As you can see, Scootaloo is the worst at hiding how she feels about me."

"I can understand that. But I won't allow that to happen again!"

"Why are you all the sudden being protective of us?" Silver Spoon mentioned. "We barely know you."

"Yeah, that's true. But I can't handle fighting like that. There's no reason for it." Babs said, as she blushed. "I think the both of you are just misunderstood, like... maybe there were things going on in your life that happened and so you sort of took it out... on them..."

Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon looked at each other. Diamond came up to Babs, Babs was backed into the corner.

"I was a little reluctant to meet you but..." Diamond said, as she looked up into her eyes. "Now, I'm glad you're with us."

Silver Spoon walked up to her as well.

"Maybe you could help us, in wanting to change things around here?" Silver said.

Babs quietly nodded her head. They walked away and took a seat in their new environment.

"This place is not bad." Diamond said. "Could be better."

"Yeah, I guess this is ours?" Silver asked. "What do you think Babs?"

Babs remained silent, as she looked up at them. She leaned against the wall, crossed her arms and thought about it.

"Yeah, it could." Babs agreed. "What should we be, since we are the rejects of the Crusader's?"

"Hmm, how about just calling us the Rejects?" Diamond suggested.

"Sounds kind of generic but I wouldn't mind either way." Babs smiled.

"Sounds good to me." Silver said, as she stood up. "How about we commemorate this day as the Rejects!"

"Yeah!" Diamond and Babs yelled. Silver held up something in the shining light above.

She arrived home, after being drenched again in mud and water. As she opened the door, she recognized that something was off.

"Hey?!" Apple Bloom shouted. Her voice echoed, without a response but her own. "Anybody home?" She continued inside but there seemed to be no one in sight. All alone it seems, Apple Bloom thought.

She walked up to her bedroom and remembered it was not her bedroom anymore. She took away her belongings, placed them out of sight and carried the bed out the bedroom. There was no hesitation, as she felt like not being in anyone else's presence. Her mistake caused her friends to separate. Maybe she could have done it differently, maybe ask her friends if it was okay for Diamond to be there too? It's been a while since she saw Scootaloo erupt like that but the both of them were never really good to each other. She should have thought about that before she invited them.

Placing the bed inside a small closet and placing her clothes beside her. She laid silently in tears. All the work she had done to make Diamond happy. She became her friend, even developed certain feelings for her; it shattered.

There was an uncomfortable silence that swept all throughout the house. They entered together, as it seems the adults are out. Like always, Scootaloo thought. She never really noticed until she realized how empty the place had become. Even though she was not alone, the place always felt like it was just her and no one else. Then, she came seeking refuge from her life being thrown into a different world. She became a beacon of hope, bringing light into her life like nothing before. Yet, she would never admit it.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle walked in and took a seat at the broken and beaten couch in the living room. As bad as it was, it was still comfortable. Not saying a single word, as Scootaloo turned on the TV. It was set to only one channel. The news explained the questionable weather they've been experiencing, considering the intense heat wave that turned into a light shower that will soon be tampered down with heavy rain and wind. The change of setting felt like it was unexpected.

"Scootaloo..." Sweetie Belle whispered quietly, as she broke the silence. "We need to talk."

"About what?" Scootaloo replied.

"Seriously?!" Sweetie Belle rolled her eyes in disgust. "Are we just going to ignore the fact that Apple Bloom is upset and we got our clubhouse taken away?"

"First off, Apple Bloom should already know that I don't like Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon!" Scootaloo turned to face her, lashing out her emotions like she couldn't control it. "And second, I could have stopped them but you had to butt in!"

"Wow, I can't believe how selfish you're acting?" Sweetie explained. "Apple Bloom only started hanging around Diamond Tiara after we graduated."

"She did?" Scootaloo questioned. "How did you know about that?!"

"Hello? I lived with her?!" Sweetie Belle admitted sarcastically. "As crazy as it was, I got to know her. It was like having another sister. Considering she had troubles with losing someone close and I had to be there for her."

"Why didn't anyone tell me?!" Scootaloo said. "Why wasn't I involved?!"

"I figured, you being you... just remain as you are with her." Sweetie Belle explained.

"What? What is that supposed to mean?!"

"I didn't want anything to change! But I knew once you found out, you were going to do all that you can to disapprove of Diamond's involvement. Apple Bloom has been wanting to make Diamond a part of our club."

"She did?!"

"Yes. But maybe she just thought... when she brought a new member, maybe you might consider expanding on their end as well."

"We tried. Remember?! How many times have we gone through the pain of trying to reform Diamond or Silver?! They didn't want to change and from what I care, they will never change!"

"Apple Bloom believes they have, it was just deciding on the right time to re-introduce them."

"I don't believe they have, alright?"

"Okay, fine. But you wanting to fight or do something will only make things worse."

"I don't care! I don't want them around anyway! They've taken our clubhouse! They're going to trash the place, I just know it!"

"Even if they do, could we find another?"

"You just don't get it!" Scootaloo said, as she turned to face away from Sweetie Belle.

"Scootaloo..." Sweetie Belle saw that she was attached to the old shack, as she remembered it was her and Apple Bloom's first discovery. It meant everything. She sat a little closer to Scootaloo and placed her small hand over her left sharpened shoulder.

"I'm glad you and Apple Bloom have grown close." Scootaloo said quietly. "But we've been best friends since elementary school! Why doesn't she believe me about Diamond still being the exact same?!"

"Because... if it wasn't for Apple Bloom, I wouldn't be here either."

Scootaloo was silent.

"She told me about the time in middle school, you didn't like me. You thought I was just like Diamond. But if it wasn't for Apple Bloom coming to talk to me, I wouldn't have known you. And, I was bullied by Diamond and Silver as well. But I'm willing to let that go, for her."

"It was her that stepped in before I did, huh?"

"Yes and after you both saved me from them bullying me, everything changed. And, if Apple Bloom trusts her, then I will too." Sweetie Belle said, in a much calming voice. It struck Scootaloo's heartstrings, which made her tear up.

"I... just can't..." Scootaloo cried, as she dropped her head further to the cushion.

"I know it's hard but Apple Bloom see's the good in everyone. Wouldn't you give her a chance?"

"I don't know..."

"Would you, at least, talk to her... apologize for earlier? Maybe invite her to do something with us?" Scootaloo looked at her and thought it did get carried away. She felt it would be better if they just stuck together.

"Yeah, okay..."

"Apple Bloom?!" Scootaloo shouted, as she knocked on the door.

"She's not in the barn." Sweetie Belle said, as she walked out of the front gates. "Their truck isn't even here? Maybe they went out?"

"No one's answering, so I'm assuming so..." Scootaloo said, as she pouted.

"Do you want to wait for her?" Sweetie Belle asked, as she patted her shoulder. "Until they get back?"

Scootaloo nudged the door handle to see if it would open. It did. Sweetie Belle looked at Scootaloo, as she slowly walked in.

"Apple Bloom?!" Scootaloo shouted again. They both quietly walked inside but it was empty.

They both walked up to the bedrooms upstairs. All of them seemed to be empty and no sign of anybody. Scootaloo got a little frustrated, as she felt that she can't express her feelings in any other way. Sweetie Belle was aware of her annoyance, in which she asked her to go with her somewhere.

As soon as the door slammed shut, Apple Bloom's eyes opened. She forgot where she was and immediately opened the closet door.

She walked down the stairs to see if anyone had walked in but there was still no one inside. Looking out the window, she saw both Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo walk away down the entry and into the neighboring street. As much as she wanted to join them both, she still didn't feel right about the situation. She smiled, happy that they have each other's back.

As she went up to lock the door, she began to remember her time with Sweetie Belle.

At first, she was not too thrilled about being in the same household. Everything about her changed whenever Applejack would go over to their place to stay or to chat, which eventually led to their bedroom. Of course, she just barely got the message that they were physically intimate, which she also barely got why Sweetie Belle was uncomfortable in the first place. They needed privacy but she had nowhere to go.

Both of them would walk somewhere on their own. At first, reluctant to include her as well but they were together now and nothing about their relationship had to change.

They ended up at the park, both of them sitting side by side on the swing set. Apple Bloom would try to get as high as she could but Sweetie Belle would just lightly kick her feet to swing with a little motion.

Apple Bloom saw that she was not having fun being out all the time but she didn't want to be alone. She wanted to ask her something, as she felt that she really didn't have much to talk about. She stopped herself and would slowly approach her until they met each other's eyes. She knew something was up, so she had to ask.

"Where would you usually go?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I would walk to Scootaloo's." Sweetie Belle answered.

"You would?" Apple Bloom continued.

"I would." Sweetie Belle would smile on the thought. "Her place was really messy. Clothes everywhere, trash piled up and dishes were caked in grub."

"Ew." Apple Bloom expressed. "Did it change when you went over there?"

"It had to be." Sweetie Belle looked up at her. "Until she got the idea and started to fix it up before I would arrive. Like she was expected to."

"That's pretty considerate of her." Apple Bloom said.

"Yeah..." Sweetie Belle said, her tone was quiet and slightly annoyed. She looked the other way and then stared at her feet in the sand.

"Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked. They made eye contact again.

Sweetie Belle got the idea that she had something against Apple Bloom being there all the time as well. But it wasn't her fault. She had nothing to do with her situation. She was just doing what she was told to do. Unlike her older sister, who could have been a little considerate of her feelings. Apple Bloom, at the very least, tried. Sweetie Belle thought it wasn't right for her to treat her that way as well. She would never admit it.

"Do you want to see her?" Apple Bloom asked. Sweetie Belle's head perked up but didn't know how to respond. "You could go."

"What about you?" Sweetie Belle asked, as she turned to face her.

"I'm fine stayin' here." Apple Bloom smiled. She knew Sweetie Belle was starting to feel differently between them. It was all so sudden and not much they could have done unless they were to end their relationship entirely. Even for being together, they all have something going on that doesn't involve each other. Sweetie Belle was surprised that Apple Bloom understood anything like it.

She got up, feeling guilty for leaving her. She looked back, as Apple Bloom continued to swing as if nothing was wrong.

A few moments later, Sweetie Belle came back with Scootaloo and together they hung out until the sun started to set into the wilderness outside of Canterlot City.

The light breeze carried them to their next destination. Fortunately, it stopped raining for a bit, allowing them to walk out without the need for cover. It was still chilly, which made them want to sit somewhere warm and cozy.

A small diner just a few blocks down the road, it was a family-owned restaurant. It held some of the more rare antiques of old town Canterlot, when it was just starting up from log cabins, a few drug stores and a few saloons. They had some old photos of their time and some were labeled as their first establishment, family photos and some of the old farmhouses. Even times when the Apple Family started their orchard.

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle took a seat at the nearest booth by the fireplace. They felt the warmth peering and took away all the goosebumps. Sweetie Belle could tell Scootaloo was still a little upset about earlier. She took the time to calm herself before asking her a question.

"What are you going to have for today?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I don't know..." Scootaloo replied. "I haven't really been craving anything."

"Well, you can order whatever you want." Sweetie Belle gestured, as she watched Scootaloo scan the menu.

"You don't have to..."

"No, go ahead." Sweetie Belle interrupted. "I'm treating you today!"

"For what?" Scootaloo said, as she felt weird about the situation. "I did nothing to deserve it?"

"Well, since the time I started coming over to your place, I saw that you kept it up pretty well!" Sweetie Belle said, as she looked down at the menu, hiding her face beneath the laminated pictures and words. "I'd say you deserve it!"

"What about Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo mentioned.

"You still went over to try and talk to her, right?" Sweetie Belle responded. "At least, you tried. Okay?"

Scootaloo couldn't say anything but the thought of her wanting to do stuff for her was something she remembered.

It was unexpected, in the middle of the day, she came by with tears and had to get away.

It was an awkward encounter, with nothing to say but wanted it clean, just how filthy the place was as she sat with her, in order for her to stay.

She picked up the garbage, washed the clothes, cleaned the dishes and placed everything where they needed to go.

It took her mind off the mess she can't clean, or have a say so, she demanded more from me and wanted this to be the place she can go.

Now it was expected, as hard as it was to keep up, I began to like it and I never gave it up.

As crazy as it sounded to Scootaloo, there was something empty in her life. Since her best girl, Rainbow Dash, began to hang out with her new girlfriend. She wasn't around to keep her company anymore.

There were times when Scootaloo called her but she never picked up. Whenever she did, she was out all the time with her new best friend. She ended her contact with her and gave up entirely.

"Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle asked. Scootaloo looked up at her and did not notice the waitress was standing there awaiting her order.

"Sorry..." Scootaloo said, as she glanced over the menu again.

"Do you need more time to decide?" The waitress asked.

"No..." Scootaloo said. She ordered and watched the waitress walk toward the kitchen.

"You okay?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"Sorry, I was thinking about something." Scootaloo said.

"What were you thinking about?" Sweetie Belle said, as she sat closer and adjusted herself in the seat.

"I... since the time you started coming over." Scootaloo admitted.

"Oh yeah?" Sweetie Belle smiled. "You really did keep it nice since then."

"I know." Scootaloo said, as she began to blush. "But only because I knew you would be upset with me if I didn't." Sweetie Belle laughed. Scootaloo smiled as she shook her head. "So, are you going back to the barn after we're done?"

"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked, as her smile dropped down.

"Well, Rarity has been staying over there more, do you go over there too?"

"No."

"Where do you usually stay?"

"At home?"

"You've just been home alone?"

"Yeah. It's honestly been peaceful."

"What about Apple Bloom?"

"Well, she does a lot around the barn, so she hasn't been able to come back."

"Is she okay with that?"

"I don't know. She hasn't said anything since she sent that text yesterday."

"Maybe she felt lonesome too." Scootaloo whispered. Sweetie Belle read her lips.

"Hey, it's okay. Now that we know, maybe we should hang out more?" Sweetie Belle said. "Just like old times!"

"But what about Babs and the other two?" Scootaloo mentioned.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out, okay?"

Scootaloo nodded her head and Sweetie Belle smiled. Scootaloo looked down to where Sweetie Belle's hand was. It was placed firmly on the wooden table, it was empty. Scootaloo scooted closer and lightly placed her hand over her's. Sweetie Belle wasn't paying attention until she felt something touch her. She looked down and saw her hand. The both of them were unsure what to do, so they both took their hands away and looked in opposite directions.

They heard the door open and heard laughter just as they walked in. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle turned their attention toward the door and it was Babs with Diamond and Silver. Diamond locked eyes with Scootaloo, as they made their way to them.

"Hey there, tomboy!" Diamond said sarcastically. "Are you here with your girlfriend?"

The other two laughed. Scootaloo looked away and didn't want to pay attention to her.

"Go away, Diamond." Sweetie Belle said.

"I thought Apple Bloom invited us to hang out together?" Babs said, as she stepped into the conversation. "So, let's hang out together!"

"Yeah, that's true!" Silver said. "She wanted us to join in. I'm sure it was all part of her plan, right?"

Scootaloo felt her anger rise but tried to resist her urge to fight.

"What's the matter?" Diamond mocked. "You guys want some alone time?" They all kept laughing at the both of them. Sweetie Belle felt uncomfortable and got angry at them. "So you can suck each other's neck?"

"Stop it!" Sweetie Belle said. "Just leave us alone!"

"Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, sitting in the tree..." Diamond sang, as the other two joined in to finish the rest of the song.

Scootaloo jumped from her seat.

"She's not my girlfriend!" Scootaloo yelled, everyone in the diner looked back at the screaming girl. Everyone was silent.

"Damn, that's gotta be the most embarrassing thing I've seen today!" Babs commented, as she sat next to Sweetie Belle and got too close to her. "Well, since she's not your's... how about it?'' The others laughed. Scootaloo was heated and was about ready to attack.

"Stop it!" Sweetie Belle shouted.

The manager went over to the table.

"You two need to leave!" The manager said, while looking down at Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. "You are causing a disturbance and I will not allow that in my restaurant!"

Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were immediately taken out the door.

"Why does Diamond and Silver always have to ruin everything?!" Scootaloo said, as she walked down the street. "They just won't stop!" She looked back and Sweetie Belle was still standing at the corner. She walked up to her but she looked the other way, not saying a word. "Sweetie Belle?" Sweetie Belle crossed her arms and turned away. "Hey? Sweetie Belle?"

Sweetie Belle ran from her. Gunning it down the other side and didn't look back. She could hear her crying from the other street. Scootaloo stopped feeling angry and began to feel upset at herself. There was a cry in the air, she looked up and saw lightning above. And felt another drop on her face, as it hit her eyelid. It came down, almost like a tear would, if she ever let one out.

Applejack stopped by the nearest deli she could find. She asked for a coffee, having it plain, dark and not sweet. She was browsing through endless piles of newspapers to find a place for Sunflower and Babs to stay. But after going to a few of them on foot, none of them seemed fitting, nor affordable.

"Dammit!" Applejack shouted, as she placed the newspaper down with brute force. Everyone jumped out of their seats and watched her. "Why do all these places have to be so damn expensive! My income alone can't even afford any of these "low prices.""

She took a sip of her coffee and everyone around her continued on their normal business. Taking a deep breath and continue to look through the papers. She tossed them and gave up trying to look. She laid her head down and tried to take her mind off of it. Until she felt a buzzing noise coming from her jean pockets. There was a recent message that said updates from Rarity. It seemed she started taking photos and posting them online.

It took awhile but Applejack got the hang of using smartphones. Rarity bought her one because she was sick and tired of Applejack not wanting to be her "GF" on social media. She started using it when she did internet vlogs with her friends but it wasn't long until she stopped updating on it.

This time, she saw new photos of Rarity and Sunflower showcasing their newest designs. Posing in front of the camera and editing emojis and other filters on the sides with her in the center. A few of them were together and looked like they were enjoying their time together.

"At least, they're enjoying themselves." Applejack commented, as she smiled. She put a comment on the main page, "Looks like you two are having a good time!" Almost immediately Rarity commented, "The best time!" Applejack chuckled. Rarity responded again with "3," as did Applejack. She never got the idea of emojis but she knew how to use a few of them, as they were self-explanatory. But she never got why the most used one was always the eggplant. People must really love them, she thought.

Rarity and Sunflower were about to show their next line but had to take a break from running in and out of the restroom to change into a new outfit. They were exhausted but were eager to do more.

"Wow, people are really starting to like our new designs!" Rarity squealed.

"See, what did I tell ya." Sunflower said. "People really like your work, especially me!"

"I know, I can't thank you enough!" Rarity said, as she kept reading more comments and refreshing it to see more likes and shares being added.

"Oh please, it's the least I can do, for all that you and Applejack have done for us." Sunflower mentioned.

"Look, over 2,000 views in under an hour!" Rarity said, as she placed the phone in Sunflower's face. "That's the most I've ever gotten since!"

"Sweet!" Sunflower said, as she took the phone away. "So, should we get back to postin' new ones?"

"Yes!" Rarity shouted. "The more we post, the more views we'll get. I'm so happy!"

"That's great!" Sunflower said, as she started stripping off the outfit she wore.

"Uhh... Sunflower?" Rarity questioned. Sunflower looked at her, unsure of what she was flustered about. "Aren't you going to use the restroom?"

"Well, I figured..." Sunflower said, as she continued slowly. "We waste most of the time exchanging outfits in the restroom, we'll be able to get it out there quicker if we just did it out here."

"Well, I could see the point in that but..." Rarity said, as she tried her hardest to look the other direction.

"If you're shy, I'll turn the other way?" Sunflower suggested.

"Very well then..." Rarity said, as she placed her phone down and turned the other direction. She was reluctant to take off her new dress she made in the same room as her friend. But she wanted them to see more, so she complied with Sunflower's suggestion.

Just as Rarity started stripping herself down into her bra and spankies, Sunflower glanced over and saw the entirety of her shape. Every surface of her was perfectly round, every part of her skin was flawless and every inch of her was covered in that sweet green apple scent sensation. It was intoxicating, she had a natural aphrodisiac that would make any male turn zombie-like. Brain-dead and hungry for that flesh. Applejack was one lucky bitch, Sunflower thought, as she grinned.

Rarity felt being watched, so she turned for a second to look to see if Sunflower was actually true to her word about looking the other way. She was, had her body turned the other direction as she placed the heels for her next outfit. However, there was something that made Rarity take a second glance. It was a large scar that looked as if it was smeared skin covering up something.

Babs, Diamond and Silver were sitting where Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were sitting. None of them thought they were the ones to be kicked out of the restaurant. They watched as Sweetie Belle ran from one direction and Scootaloo slowly walked down the other way.

"You know something?" Babs questioned.

"What is it?" Diamond continued.

"I find it facinatin' that I'm able to talk my way out of things. Maybe we are just able to do that with no consequence?" Babs said, as she was given food from the waitress.

The waitress thought she looked a little different from before, but she wasn't really paying attention. She brought the other to Diamond Tiara. She also thought she looked different, but nothing made her more unsure than the third girl in the booth.

"I'm so sorry, I must have not seen you there..." The Waitress stuttered. "I should have already taken your order, but I didn't know..."

"Yeah, she was in the restroom." Babs said.

"My goodness, how foolish of me..." The Waitress began to hyperventilate. "Please, order anything you want and the meal is on me, okay? I'm so sorry for not being patient enough..."

"That's okay." Silver smiled. Silver ordered but she was unsure if she was even hungry, just the thought of her getting something entirely free was exhilarating.

"Damn, I can't believe that worked?" Diamond said. "Perhaps there is something we can do to get what we want!"

"Yeah, let's see who can get the most out of the day, placing the blame on others?" Babs suggested.

"I'm in!" Silver said.

"As part of the Reject's first mission!" Diamond said, as the other two shouted "Yeah!"

After they had their meal, they took it to the streets of Canterlot City.

From the all the convenience stores, they distracted people with some of the common mishaps any store would have trouble with, such as making people wait longer in lines because most of the workers were on duty to clean and fix inventory, not being able to find the items they needed, or making an inconvenience for them to get the things they wanted with multiple liquid spills or misplaced items on the floors. They placed the blame on whoever was on maintenance and stated that the people on shift were lazy and were not paying attention toward the customers. After the manager got after everyone that was working, they were rewarded with anything they wanted from them if they didn't tell anyone. By trying to keep morale in the business as they say, they agreed.

In the movie theater, after causing someone to fall and drop their concessions onto another person, they pointed that person out and was detained by the security. After the person thanked them, they talked the person into buying them tickets for an R-rated movie as a reward. It seemed reasonable and after not being able to attend the theater with butter and soda all over the clothes, the person gave them the tickets they already bought, plus the tickets they wanted.

All throughout the mall, Babs would snatch items away from people but return it later with Diamond or Silver handing it back. With their cute and innocent-like nature, the people who had their items returned would reward them for their good behavior with money, or with gifts from the store they were currently browsing.

They ended everything off with the ol' fake injury stunt, after Diamond or Silver acted being injured by people walking out of the store, or driving and unexpectedly bumping into something on the road; Babs would come in and place the blame on whoever they encountered. They were overcompensated with people's pity and empathy to give them all that they wanted to calm them down and promised not to take it to the police or any emergency care. Only one old lady called the police herself but by then, they took off without a single trace of them left.

They stopped in at the Crusader's Clubhouse and placed down all their new stuff from the day.

"Man, makin' people worry and upset, made everythin' feel so excitin'!" Babs said, as she laid on the couch with new decorative blankets and pillows, she was rewarded.

"Yeah, I know." Diamond Tiara said, as she was sitting on a giant white bean bag. All of her items she received were placed beside her. "Taking advantage of others is fun!"

"Just think of what more we can do together!" Silver said, as she was sipping tea from a new porcelain teapot with matching tea cups, surrounded by an endless tray of cakes, cookies and muffins. "We could make this city ours for the taking!"

"You said it!" Babs said, as she stood up.

"You know something..." Diamond said, as she stood up with Babs, the both of them leaned against the same wall. "I think, since you arrived, you made everything fun again."

"Oh yeah?" Babs said, as she moved in closer.

"Yeah, you're nothing like Apple Bloom." Diamond smiled. "She's too innocent and too nice to even try."

"Yeah?" Babs agreed. "What do you like better?"

"What do you mean?" Diamond chuckled, as she gestured herself to sit more firmly on the wall.

"I mean, do you like me?" Babs questioned, as she lowered her voice to a more seductive tone. "Do you like what I do for you?"

"I do." Diamond admitted, as she kept her eyes on her. She examined her face. She has a strong physique, she was built yet still had enough to make her noticeably a girl. She has those emerald green, narrow eyes, a few freckles on her cheeks, whenever she smiles, she has dimples. Cleft chin and could pull off having short hair. She could see the blinding glare of her earrings on her right side of her ear. Her hair covers almost all the left side of her face but she would often wave her head to make it go back. "You're fun to be with."

"Oh yeah?" Babs said, as she came closer to her. She could smell a certain perfume that she could taste, which was flavored like crushed cherries. There was an unnatural beauty towards her, like there was nothing wrong with her. She was beautiful but under that beauty was something sinister and cruel. "You know what I like about you?"

"What?" Diamond continued.

"Your eyes, the way you dress..." Babs said, whispering as she felt her breath touch her ears. "Your lips."

"Flattery?" Diamond questioned sarcastically. "You're bad."

"I am bad, I'm a bad seed." Babs played, as Diamond remembered what she said to her when she met her. "That's why I like you."

"You like me?"

"I do. That power, that darkness that resonates inside you." Babs said, as Diamond felt her words circle around her mind. "How mean you can be. I like it."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah, so what do you say?" Babs said, as she picked up her right hand and brought it to her face. "Be mean to me, hurt me."

"You're pathetic!" Diamond said, as she swiped her hand away from her.

"That's right." Babs grinned.

"I'm not attracted to you."

"That's too bad. Because I am."

"What do you want me to do about it?"

"Let me touch your lips."

"You like my lips that much?"

"I do. I want to taste you. I want to feel your moist breath on me. Take me in."

"Well, I have never kissed anyone before."

"Neither have I."

"...Okay..."

Babs and Diamond came together and let their lips touch. Silver quickly snapped a photo of them, in their moment.

It was starting to get late the last time Rarity glanced at her phone. She began to edit her photos and videos of their new designs. Sunflower was changing back to the clothes she wore earlier.

"Alright, that's the last of them!" Rarity was delighted, as she saw people still enjoying her updates.

"That's great!" Sunflower agreed, as she sat down next to her to look at them. She saw all the photos she was in but didn't really like them as much as she thought. Rarity took notice, as she was right beside her and felt her humming in an almost disappointed tone.

"Is something wrong, Sunflower?" Rarity asked, as she placed her arm over her back.

"It's nothin'..." Sunflower said, hesitant to respond.

"Nothing?" Rarity questioned. "Is it the designs?"

"No, it's not that at all!" Sunflower stated, as her hands fidgeted to show her cautious attitude towards something about the pictures. "It's just..."

"What's the matter darling?" Rarity asked politely, to make her eased of any stress, to confess her feelings toward the updates. "You can tell me anything!"

"Well... it's just... you look so well in all of these photos." Sunflower admitted. "Look at all the responses you've received... but when you look at mine..."

"Oh sweetheart, they just never seen you before." Rarity suggested. "You're new and maybe they just weren't sure about how to respond."

"No... I'm just not that good-lookin'..." Sunflower pouted.

"That's not true, darling." Rarity continued. "You are very beautiful! I just been a part of this community for a while, so they know me and everything that I do. But you, you're new and sometimes it takes a while for people to see the potential you have!"

"You really think so?" Sunflower questioned, as she looked deep into her glistening blue eyes.

"I do." Rarity said. "You have much potential! They just need to get to know you better, what styles express you the most and what type of theme suits you well? You know?"

"You're too kind..." Sunflower said, as she looked away feeling a little too giddy.

"No, it's true!" Rarity said. "I promise, the more work we accomplish on these things together, I'm sure you will gain far more in the community!"

"Thank you." Sunflower said, as she smiled. Rarity hugged her and quietly said "you're welcome."

"You have helped me regain my focus in the fashion scene more than you can imagine, I can't thank you enough!" Rarity expressed. Sunflower allowed herself some space, before she dragged herself in to give her a peck of her lips. Rarity was stunned, feeling her heart skip a beat, her breathing slowed, nor was able to react to her gesture.

Sunflower let herself go. She got up to use the restroom, as Rarity was utterly shocked and could not focus on anything. Her eyes were glued toward the door they entered into but in her mind was trying to register the action that was taken.

Just as soon as Rarity blinked, her phone went off, as it was Applejack calling. She jumped at the loudness of her ringtone, as she stopped hearing anything altogether.

She slowly answered the phone.

"Hello?" Rarity said quietly.

"Rarity, where are you guys at?" Applejack responded.

"At the workshop." Rarity was at a loss of words and couldn't speak clearly.

"Well, I've been texting you for like fifteen minutes but I didn't get anythin'?!" Applejack argued.

"Sorry, I got caught up with something..." Rarity said and shook her head to think. She looked down at her phone and saw the messages appear above her screen.

"Alright, it's gettin' late and I need a ride home." Applejack said.

"Okay, be there in a sec." Rarity said.

"Okay."

Just before walking out the door, Rarity saw Sweetie Belle walk past her. Not saying a word, nor even acknowledging her presence at the door.

"Sweetie Belle?" Rarity whispered softly but did not attempt to ask her anything. She didn't have any control of herself to convince her to come to the barn. She allowed her to stay alone at the house, not wanting to bother anyone.

It was a long and quiet drive to pick Applejack up. It was even quieter when she was there, as Applejack took the wheel with Rarity in the middle between her and Sunflower. Applejack looked tired and as miserable as she felt. It was not turning out to be a good day.

It turned dark within minutes of driving through the streets but finally came across the brightened barnyard. She parked it inside, as it was still said to be drizzling throughout the night.

As they entered the house, they saw the dirty tracks of Apple Bloom's boots on the steps toward the bedrooms which Applejack was about to get after her for but became side-tracked by the delicious smell, emanating from the kitchen.

Rarity and Applejack came and they saw Apple Bloom making dinner.

"Where are you guys?!" Apple Bloom smiled. Applejack and Rarity were solemnly relieved to see some light shed on their darkened day. "Dinner's ready!"

Just as they all got down for the meal, Sunflower brought up that something was missing.

"Where's Babs?" Sunflower addressed. Apple Bloom felt a chilling feeling running down her back, as she thought of something to say.

"She's... in bed." Apple Bloom lied.

"In bed?!" Sunflower was suspicious of her answer. "This early in the day?"

"Yeah, she was exhausted after we all spent the day together!" Apple Bloom cautiously smiled.

"We?" Sunflower kept the conversation on, as she didn't feel it was genuine.

"I took her to meet my friends, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. We took her to the clubhouse and we practically spent the entire day hangin' out, explorin' the city and makin' her feel right at home!" Apple Bloom suggested.

"I see." Sunflower was not too thrilled about the answer but Rarity intervened with a question that made her not think of it.

"What about Sweetie Belle?" Rarity asked. "She seemed upset when she came back to the house earlier?"

"Oh, it must have been somethin' Scootaloo said." Apple Bloom continued. "Those two have been gettin' on each other's nerves lately. Which kind of made things awkward today."

"Oh that girl..." Rarity sighed.

"What about you guys?" Apple Bloom asked, turning the question over to them to avoid any more from them. They all remained silent but just commented on the odd weather they had been having.

Apple Bloom felt her phone vibrate in the upper pockets of her chest to see what happened. She thought it could have been either Scootaloo or Sweetie Belle letting her know about what happened earlier. It was, instead, a photo taken from Diamond Tiara's phone of her and Babs kissing. Apple Bloom felt her heart shrink, even stop for just a moment, her stomach churned with absolute disgust, she felt every nerve in her body shut down and break open. Bleeding and massively taking over into total darkness.

Apple Bloom got up and slowly walked out of the kitchen and her stiffened legs dragged her up the stairs. Rarity and Applejack felt something was wrong with Apple Bloom, so they both took off to go see her but she was already inside the closet door and slammed it shut.

The darkened room was lit up by Apple Bloom's phone, still had the photo on screen. She dropped it on the floor, shattering her screen, then her legs gave out. Knelt down with her knees crackling, she held her hand toward her eyes and let everything out. Tears streaming down, mucus running down her nostrils and a silent scream wept with saliva gushing out the side of her widened mouth, her pain was too great for her to let out a single noise. Her throat was caught, nothing came out but just the tension in her own body felt like it was gasping for the life that left her.

Babs took a rest on the couch she laid earlier. And thought of what a fulfilling day it was being a huge dick to everyone.

"Are you seriously staying here for the night?" Diamond asked, as she had packed her belongings. While Silver Spoon had quietly dropped her phone in her purse.

"Yeah, I don't think Apple Bloom would want me there anyway!" Babs admitted.

"Good call." Silver Spoon added.

"C'mon! This place doesn't even have a bed to lay in?!" Diamond said, as she got closer to the door.

"Well, if you're that worried about it, why don't I join you?!" Babs said, as she grinned.

"Haha, yeah right!" Diamond argued. "No thank you, you might try to pull a fast one on me!"

"You know it!" Babs agreed. "Now, get out of here!"

"Hmph, getting rid of us that much, you might be better off alone then!" Diamond kept nagging, until she saw the headlights of her limo pulled up into the non-existent driveway.

Babs got up to shut the door, as she watched Diamond and Silver hop on their ride home. Babs chuckled. She hopped right into the couch again and looked through her small digital camera she stole to see the photos she took.

All throughout the day, she took small instances of Diamond Tiara. And, the majority of them were whenever she had her golden boots off. She would use the camera to zoom in closer to her pleasure. She grinned, as she took off everything as she was starting to get overheated.

"Apple Bloom?!" Applejack yelled, as she pounded her fists at the door. "Apple Bloom! Open the damn door, right now!"

"Applejack, please..." Rarity said softly, as she raised her hand onto her shoulder. Applejack hissed at her and shuffled away from her touching her shoulder. "Let me talk to her."

"What?!" Applejack argued. "What makes you think she'll talk with you?! I'm her big sis!"

"See?" Rarity said, as she pointed at her face. "This attitude of your's?! Toward every situation, it's not helping is it?" Applejack was silenced but did not let up with how she felt. "Now, just let me handle this and go clean up downstairs."

"What?" Applejack complained.

"Downstairs!" Rarity demanded, pointing her fingers down the crooked steps. Applejack annoyingly took off down the stairs and headed back into the kitchen.

Rarity waited until she calmed down.

"Apple Bloom?" Rarity said, in a much lighter tone. "Can you open the door, please?"

Just as she said, Apple Bloom responded and allowed Rarity inside. Rarity was smacked in the face with all their winter jackets hanging on the hooks above. She was tripping over their shoes that have been worn out from all the heavy duty work they've done over the years. She saw Apple Bloom laid down on a bed that was placed down in the middle of the closet.

"Why are you laying in here, darling?" Rarity asked but she didn't respond. She knelt to the carpeting and crawled her way to her to see her more closely. "Do you want to tell me what's been happening? Does it have something to do with Babs? Sweetie Belle? Or Scootaloo?" She placed her hand over her head, it was streaming with cold sweat but she felt her head shake, indicating "no."

"What's the matter, sweetie?" Rarity said, as she scooted closer to her. "Rough day?" She could feel her head nod indicating "yes." "It's okay, I think everyone has had a pretty rough day too but you made it better by cooking such a delightful meal today. You know?"

Apple Bloom sat up and wrapped her arms around Rarity. It made her heart pump with a frightened touch. She could hear her slightly sobbing.

"It's okay!" Rarity said calmly. Softly patting her head and back. She pulled away and looked at her.

"Do you remember, whenever I was sad about big sis?" Apple Bloom said, as words were raspy and leaned into her dry throat. "You would be there with me?"

"Yes." Rarity replied with a comforting tone.

"Can you do that?" Apple Bloom begged. "For me?"

Rarity stood up and laid beside her. She would curl up as Rarity would hold her. Apple Bloom would quietly shut her eyes and drift off into sleep whenever she would hear her breathe. Her heart beating was soothing with her ear against her soft chest. She could feel her warm skin wrapped around her. Her hair would tickle the back of her neck and would curl her legs up against her's.

So many things would circulate in Rarity's mind whenever she would do these comforting gestures. The idea of her acting like a "baby," the idea of herself being "motherly," and even the fact that this was the closest that Apple Bloom would ever get towards having a "mother." As old as Apple Bloom was, she still desired to be cared for like a child, growing up, required her to be responsible around the family farm and with Big Mac or Applejack not being as responsive or affectionate toward her needs. They did all they could but she felt it was her own responsibility for that. After years of growing up living within the same household, it was the one thing that brought this family together. It was a hefty thing to carry but felt alright because it meant much greater to be their center.

After a few moments, Rarity tried to slowly get up and not awaken her. Apple Bloom immediately woke up with her.

"Oh, sorry." Rarity whispered.

"Are you leavin'?" Apple Bloom questioned.

"I was... just making sure everything was taken care of downstairs." Rarity said politely.

"Can you stay here?" Apple Bloom begged. "At least until I fall asleep?" Rarity sighed quietly and laid back down on the bed.

"Okay." Rarity agreed.

It was about a couple of hours and she decided it was time to get up to see if everything was okay.

Rarity quietly got up and closed the door gently to not make a sound. She searched around the house to see if dishes were done, floors were swept and the doors were locked. A sigh of relief ran through her nostrils, just as she walked by Sunflower passed out on the couch again. It seemed that Applejack took out another case for her to calm her nerves.

She got up to the bedroom, it was chilly to walk on the cold wooden floors and the short creaks from walking made it feel like a haunted house. Applejack was laying in her spot on the right side of the bed and left her room to slide in.

She did and she made sure that Applejack was aware that she was present. She slowly fondled her blonde hair but as soon as she took in a couple of strokes, Applejack turned to look at her.

"Still awake?" Rarity whispered softly.

"I can't sleep." Applejack admitted. "Maybe you're right about it, I just feel like I can't even communicate like I used to."

"It's alright, you tried." Rarity mentioned. "It's the least you can do."

"Not only that but I couldn't find any place for them to stay." Applejack interrupted. "I was out there all day with nothing to show for it."

"Applejack, it's okay." Rarity said, as she tried to calm her down.

"What good am I, Rarity?" Applejack said. "I feel like I have nothing... I can't communicate, I can't find anything worth my time, I don't even have a good relationship with your sister..."

"Applejack, listen to me." Rarity demanded. "You are kind, honest and devoted. I know it's hard and things have changed since you came back. But this is why we need you. It wasn't easy without you, okay? It's hard to keep the same mindset as your's, you know? You don't have to change and I don't want that from you. I want you to always be as you are."

Applejack could feel her eyes twitching with emotions. It eventually peered through and a drop of liquid fell. Her eyes shy away from looking at her. Rarity kept her and never looked away.

"I can't find anyone greater than what you become." Rarity continued. "You will find something, it just takes a little bit of time. I know, I would much rather them stay somewhere too."

"What made you change your mind?" Applejack said, as she looked back at her. Rarity looked away but continued.

"...I don't know if Babs is really opening up to Apple Bloom all too well."

"So, she lied about them having fun?"

"I'm assuming so but we can't just intervene like we did with Sweetie Belle. Sometimes the problems just solve themselves without our help. It's just them figuring it out for themselves."

"But what if it becomes too much of a problem?"

"That's why we need to keep the focus on getting them somewhere safe and out of our hands! We can't accomplish it if we worry too much about the small issues. That's why I need you, you know how to stay focused on the subject at hand. But I can't, as I always deal with smaller tasks I'm given. You will be the one to fix everything."

"I don't know, Rarity."

"I have confidence in you. I can't have you doubt yourself now."

"Okay." Applejack felt encouraged but still was unsure of how to go about the situation.

Applejack turned the other way. She sighed and tried to focus on what she could try to do the next day after she worked on the farm. She started to lose her train of thought as Rarity began to massage her back. She brought up her cold lips to kiss the back of her neck. Running her sharp fingers down her spine and into her hair like she did before.

"Rarity?" Applejack questioned. "What are you doing?" She didn't answer, as she kept it going. "Rarity, stop." Applejack tried to move around for her to stop what she was doing. "I'm not in the mood to..."

"That's why it's the perfect time to do it." Rarity suggested. "Lay still. Don't think. Just let go."

Rarity began working her way toward the front, which made Applejack stumble and fall on her back. Rarity crawled her way to be on top and continued.

Below the stairwell, Sunflower laid her back against the soft cushions. Cider on her breath and gesturing to feel the moans she could hear coming from upstairs. She smiled, as she knew Rarity would after she got a taste of her. All she could think of was her flawless skin, her sparkling blue eyes, her scent that smelled like apples, those curves tossing and turning as her soft voice moaned and would slowly reach the peak of her ecstasy. She could feel it too, touching herself to the sound of... her.

Part 3: Fire and Water

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A bloodied scream was heard, it shook her in her sleep. Waking up to a cold sweat running down her stiffened neck. Opening her eyes to a darkened, freezing world she was accustomed to. From the time they first entered, there was a radiant light that shone above, but now covered once again. Why? She would ask herself. Why does it always follow? Never understanding the violent wave of clouds, the endless rainfall, and the light that ruptures the ground. It always follows, and it will not cease for a moment. Trapped inside a cycle of darkness, for years to come.

Apple Bloom awoke with a tightened back, having been laying on a crooked bed inside a small windowless closet. Opening the door, her eyes were again blinded by the open windows, out to see the same clouds that passed over yesterday.

Walking down the cold wooden steps toward the kitchen. She quietly made herself some cereal, not awake enough to make breakfast like she would.

Applejack walked in just moments after, and was wiping her eyes from her heavy sleep. Apple Bloom looked up at her, and saw her chug a glass of water. She smiled at her, knowing she was okay. She didn't respond, but kept her eyes on her.

Walking over to her, she ran her fingers through her red hair, like she would whenever she was near. She felt different about it, unlike with Rarity. Her cold, tough hands coursing through, unlike Rarity’s soft fingers with her sharpened nails dragging through. The thought of her trying, was at least, there, like it was before. Which made her think about her attitude yesterday, before she left unexpectedly.

"Sorry I didn't say anythin' last night." Apple Bloom said quietly. Applejack looked down at her, and thought of what Rarity would say.

"It's alright, sweetie." Applejack said. A somewhat cliched response. It was enough to make her smile, running her fingers through her hair. "What are you gonna be up to today?" Applejack rested herself on a kitchen chair, trying to ease her mind with Apple Bloom's answer.

"Oh..." Apple Bloom thought. "I'm not sure yet. I think I'll go see how Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are doin.'"

"Alright. Just make sure you two stay out of trouble." Applejack replied. "You an Babs stay together."

"I will. But, what about you?"

"I'll be fine, just doin' my usual routine today!" Applejack said, as she was thinking of ways to not give out any information.

"Okay." Apple Bloom responded, as she gave a slight smile. "Sorry to leave you with everythin.'"

"It's fine, you know I'm more than capable!" They both smiled at each other. Applejack walked out of the kitchen and into the living room.

She made her way up the stairs, as she saw Sunflower trying to block the sun out of her eyes. Even for the stormy weather, it was bright, and she did not want to get up just yet.

Awaiting in the room was her. She sat up on the right side of the bed. The bed sheet dragged down revealing her messy purple curls, streaming down her glowing and flawless back. It's been awhile since she got to see her feeling comfortable enough to sleep naked, and a silky cream sheet that she would wrap herself in.

The bedroom was quiet, as she slowly walked over to her.

"Rarity?" Applejack whispered. Her cold blue eyes turned toward her direction. She was not smiling, but was eager to see what she had to say. "I thought about what you said. I'm gonna take the truck downtown to pick up a few things, and see if there's any available places. Would you be okay with that?"

"Yeah. Okay. " Rarity replied. Her tone was quiet, possibly in thought of something.

Applejack crawled over to her, dragging the blankets down with her knees, making her way to her. She stood, and tried to ease her mind off things. Slowly caressing her soft, yet sharp shoulders. She could feel goosebumps arising, as she moved her hands down to her long and narrow neck. Her heartbeat could be felt when she tightened her hands around it, pulling her hands down to her sharp collarbone. She could feel her quickened breath, and start to quiver with excitement.

"Do you want to come with me?" Applejack asked, whispering in her ear. She gasped with wanting, but knew she couldn't.

Rarity turned toward her, looking up. Applejack saw in her eyes, and knew she couldn't answer.

"I-I can't." Rarity hesitated to answer. "I need to stay here."

"Alrighty." She responded, feeling rejected. She pushed her lips to her's, and smiled as she pulled away. "Miss you already."

Apple Bloom went out of the house, as Sunflower was still trying to sleep. They still aren't aware of Babs whereabouts. It might be time to fix that, she thought to herself. She was worried about her, maybe she could change her mind about the Crusaders. It had to start with Scootaloo, as she was the one who showed her their attitude toward Diamond and Silver. We might have scared her off.

She also thought of what Rarity meant with Sweetie Belle crying on her way to their house. Did they have a fight? Apple Bloom questioned. The heaviness in her worry was making her head feel swollen with anxiety, and could barely move fast enough to reach Scootaloo’s house.

The wind was pulling her away, almost making her lose her breath as it caught wind of her. She hid her face under her white sleeves, pushing through no matter what.

Just at the end of the street, the small house blocked the wind from breaching through.

She lightly knocked, but heard no one answer. She only heard a click at the lock, and figured it was open.

"Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom said, as the door slowly creaked open. She closed it behind her, but as it shut, there was an eerie emptiness, a frightened feeling set in her stomach as it was pitch black inside.

"Hey?" She continued, as she tried to get her eyes to adjust to the dark. Just as she did, taking a glance at the small sliver of light coming from a window. She went to open it. Scootaloo was sitting on the floor, looking away from her. She had her head down, and was completely silent.

"Apple Bloom..." Scootaloo whimpered, her voice sounded as if she was exhausted. Her words were broken up with a deep and monotone cough.

"Are you okay?" Apple Bloom said, as she knelt down to see her. She was too afraid to reach for her, as she didn't know what was going on.

"No..." Scootaloo cried.

"What happened?" Apple Bloom adjusted herself to kneel comfortably to hear her out.

"I can't take it back..." Scootaloo continued. She saw her wipe her face with her bare arm, and could see a small glistening moisture from her arm with the sun's light.

"What?"

"Not only did they come back just to piss us off... I ended up hurting her too..."

Apple Bloom realized what Rarity meant. Scootaloo's anger might have caused Sweetie Belle to be upset with her. Scootaloo was already in a terrible mood when Diamond showed up, even worse when Silver Spoon was with her and took over their clubhouse. Maybe they were right about them. Apple Bloom thought.

"What did they do to you guys?" Apple Bloom asked.

"They're trying to take everything away from us!" Scootaloo turned around, and slowly got up to Apple Bloom's face, showing her exhausted bloodshot eyes. The lids were red, and rashed with tears that kept leaking out. "Especially me!" Scootaloo tugged at Apple Bloom's shoulders, but dropped her head down. "What else do I have?! You know I've got nothing else..."

Apple Bloom felt her fingers claw her shoulders, the weight of her actions fell back on her. "I'm sorry... I didn't want any of this..." Apple Bloom said in a frightened tone.

"They haven't changed, and they've corrupted Babs too!"

"No... they couldn't..."

"Could they?! She was the main one influencing their behavior!" Scootaloo shouted in Apple Bloom's face.

"Babs... why?" Apple Bloom asked herself, she was not one to intentionally hurt anyone. Like the time at the parade, she didn't mean for things to go bad. She only argued with those who were trying to put her down. But, to cause this on others, it's not like her.

"She's only visiting, right? When is she leaving?" Scootaloo asked.

"I don't know? They brought a lot of things back to the barn." Apple Bloom stated.

"So, you're saying... she is not going to leave... it's not just a visit?"

"I don't know..."

Scootaloo got up, and paced away from her, trying to keep herself from letting her anger get the best of her.

"I'm not trying to say it's your fault, it's just..." Scootaloo admitted, but was not letting her forget it was her that started it. "Involving them? Especially when we haven't got to know Babs all that well. You involve them?!" Apple Bloom got up, and decided to fess up to her actions.

"I seriously thought Diamond had changed. But, if what you're saying is true, then... I'm sorry. I was wrong to include them..." Apple Bloom admitted, looking deep into Scootaloo’s violet eyes.

Scootaloo went to her, and hesitated to act on anything. She was angered, but they could have handled the situation better than what she had done. If she knew, maybe she could have tried to avoid it.

Scootaloo continued. "I'm sorry that I acted that way too. For all that I said..."

"It's okay." Apple Bloom looked back at her.

"What are we going to do about Sweetie Belle?" Scootaloo continued. "I doubt she would ever want to see me again..."

"What happened to her?" Apple Bloom restated. "You said. You hurt her. How?"

"I embarrassed her. She'll never want to be seen with me ever again... after all I've said to her... she won't want to come back..." Scootaloo pulled away.

"That's not true." Apple Bloom said. Scootaloo raced to her.

"You've been together, right?” As she tugged her shoulder. “Is there anything you can do to bring her back?"

"I don't know.” Apple Bloom said, as she handed off Scootaloo’s hand. “Because I believe she still resents me..."

"What?! No she doesn't?!" Scootaloo shouted, as she was stunned to hear Apple Bloom say such a thing.

"Oh, well... I guess it was just Applejack she doesn't like." Apple Bloom quietly said, enough for Scootaloo to hear.

"What? What does that have to do with anything?!"

"She's sad, Scootaloo. She only felt better when she was with you."

"Okay?" As Scootaloo was confused.

"You were there to help her in her time of need. And if you said somethin' to upset her, then..."

"What?" Scootaloo questioned. Apple Bloom hesitated to say anything more, but it made Scootaloo furious.

"She didn't want me to tell you this, but... she likes you. She enjoys being with you. Just you."

Scootaloo was silent. She didn't know how to react. Everything about her appearance in her household made more sense to her now. All the time she spent with her, the things Sweetie Belle wanted to change for her comfort, but also because she genuinely cared. "She's not my girlfriend!!!" An echoed scream in her head, as she covered her mouth with shame.

"Even when I was livin' with her, there were times where we didn't talk or hang out. I figured that I shouldn't come between you two..." Apple Bloom continued.

"But why? We're best friends." Scootaloo yelled. "Why didn't you tell me, or ever mention what you were going through?"

Apple Bloom took a seat at the couch, thinking of what to say to her. Scootaloo sat by her, and waited for her to answer. She looked toward the ground, as she was a little impatient.

"Well?" Scootaloo complained, as she crossed her arms.

"We both shared some things that we didn't want to share with you." Apple Bloom answered. Scootaloo let her arms go, and stared down in shock. "I told her not to tell you about what happened with her and Applejack, in return, I agreed not to tell you about her feelin's." Scootaloo leaned down, and thought of how much she wasn't included. "Livin' together kind of made things difficult between us, but that's when we both realized that even livin' together, we could still have somethin' goin' on that didn't involve each other. We would then start to talk about things, it's what kept our relationship together as good friends. It was enough to keep our distance, but always be there when we needed it. Whenever it came to you two, I thought she wouldn't like me if I always there. But, I guess... it was just Applejack."

"She didn’t tell me about Applejack." Scootaloo remembered. "Why?"

"She doesn't like her. Not for the fact that she's datin' Rarity, but she just moved in without lettin' her know. And I guess... whenever they did things, it made it a very uncomfortable place for her to be around."

"Oh..."

"That's why she enjoyed it here. The times she wouldn't include me, that's when I would occasionally go out and do somethin' on my own."

"Is that when you and Diamond became a thing?" Scootaloo questioned.

"Yeah. But, I also kept that a secret until we were ready to include her." Apple Bloom answered.

"Why did you decide to introduce her with Babs though?" Scootaloo continued.

"It was a stupid decision, alright?!" Apple Bloom yelled. "I didn't think things through... and now it's all my fault..." Scootaloo was silenced.

"But, I don't know why you guys were secretive about everything?" Scootaloo questioned. "I could have done something to help. It's not like anyone else asked."

"Well, we just... didn't know how you would react, and we wanted nothin' to change between us." Apple Bloom admitted. "If you knew... we probably wouldn't want to be around each other as much anymore."

"No, I would never think that." Scootaloo assured. "I don't want to lose anyone else."

They both hugged each other. It's been a long time since they felt this close. It was so tight they could barely breathe.

"Maybe... we shouldn't have kept secrets... if this is what it leads to..." Apple Bloom admitted.

"It's okay... I forgive you... you both... just don't leave me... please..." Scootaloo cried. Letting out her last remaining tears.

"I won't..." Apple Bloom huffed. “We won’t, okay.”

They let each other go. They took a second to think, as they unlatched their arms. Apple Bloom felt their relationship strengthen, and it made her stand up from the couch with a plan in mind.

"I think you should find a way to get Sweetie Belle back, while I take care of Babs." Apple Bloom, determined to find a solution to their dilema.

"Wait?! What?!" Scootaloo shrieked. She got up from the couch, unsure of what came of Apple Bloom. "What if she hurts you too?!"

"I've got to try, Scootaloo." Apple Bloom turned to face her, and the look in Scootaloo's eyes, as she was skeptical on her intent to go alone. "I just want to bring her back home. Regardless if Diamond will come with... even if she doesn't care about me anymore... I just want Babs back." Scootaloo saw that she was driven to go out her way for family. "We could talk through this, we'll figure somethin' out together! Just give me a chance."

Scootaloo thought about it, she remembered Sweetie Belle saying the exact same thing when it came to them. She just had to trust her.

"Okay... fine." Scootaloo said quietly.

"Thank you." Apple Bloom said.

"Come back here. Whether you bring Babs back or not. I just... at least, want us together again."

"Okay."

Rarity sat down at the kitchen table. Sitting silently, as she drank a hot cup of tea, while seeing the truck drive out of the barn and down the street. Thinking of what to do, still thinking of Sunflower's gesture toward her appearance. Maybe she was a little too kind, making her think she was available to do things while Applejack was gone. It was an uncomfortable feeling that hit her stomach.
Just as she was in thought, Sunflower walked in through the door.

"Mornin'." Sunflower said softly.

"Morning." Rarity said, as she refrained from an endearing compliment.

"Is Applejack and Apple Bloom out?" Sunflower asked, almost making Rarity shiver with the cold and gray dreariness from outside.

"Yeah, Applejack has some errands to run, and Apple Bloom took Babs to be with her friends."

Rarity answered, as she sipped her tea slowly. Her breathing shook with something fearful.

"Oh." Sunflower said. She was looking through cupboards to find anything to partake in. "Are things okay between you two?"

Rarity thought of the question. It was odd. Almost as if she answered a certain way, might make her seem like there was trouble.

"Yeah." Rarity said, as she couldn't find the words to say. "She'll be back, just making sure we have stuff available for you guys."

"Oh, okay." Sunflower kept her responses short. Rarity inhaled, and had to take a leap of faith to continue her generous outlook for their guests.

"Would you like some breakfast?" Rarity asked, with a passive smile.

"Sure, I would love some." Sunflower smiled back, as she grabbed a cup from the cupboard and poured some of the tea that was left in the pot from the stove.

There was an uncomfortable silence that lasted for fifteen minutes. Sunflower was sitting at the kitchen table, which Rarity was afraid that she was watching her every move. She took a slight peek just to see, but she was once again passed out. How can she be this tired? Rarity thought. She might have been up all night, which meant that she stood up hearing everything. As terrible as she felt about it, she thought about possibly making it clear to Sunflower that she's Applejack's.

She brought down a plate of eggs, sausage, and potatoes toward Sunflower. Rarity sat next to her, continuing to sip on her tea that was still warm enough to soothe her stress.

"Sunflower?" Rarity asked in a quiet and comforting tone. Sunflower slowly opened up her eyes. Rarity was sitting there, as she saw the plate of food in front of her. She was eager to eat, but was still tired.

"Thank you, Rarity." Sunflower yawned.

"You're welcome." Rarity responded. "Tired?"

"A little bit, it's been hard to sleep lately." Sunflower mentioned, as she began to pick her food.

"Why do you sleep on the couch?" Rarity asked quietly. "We have other rooms you can be in?"

"Force of habit." Sunflower said.

"Habit?" Rarity replied. "Like, you never slept on a bed before?"

"After movin' from place to place, it was only a matter of time before we had to move again."
Sunflower said. "Even if we didn't have enough room."

"That's awful." Rarity mentioned.

"Yeah, we never had time to get comfortable." Sunflower said, but noticed Rarity doesn't have her own plate of food. "Rarity, you're not eating?"

"Oh, no." Rarity said, as she looked up at her. "I'm not really hungry."

Sunflower scooted the plate a little closer toward her.

"Want to share some with me?" Sunflower said.

"No, it's okay." Rarity continued.

"C'mon, don't make me feel bad." Sunflower responded. "If I'm the only one eatin'."

"Please. You're fine." Rarity said. "I had a hard time eating breakfast yesterday."

"Oh, are you sick?" Sunflower mentioned.

"Just a bit." Rarity said. "Eggs have been... difficult to eat sometimes."

"I see." Sunflower said. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm okay." Rarity said. "But, you're more than welcome to sleep in the other rooms. We have plenty of space."

"I don't know how long we plan on being here though." Sunflower mentioned. "If it's already not too much trouble." Rarity was silenced, but had to remain in character.

"No, it's alright." Rarity said in a comforting tone.

"Alrighty." Sunflower said, as Rarity would remember Applejack always saying that phrase. She watched Sunflower continue, she was slower as she didn't feel comfortable eating. "Uh, is there any more tea?"

"I could make some more." Rarity said, as she got up to restart a new batch. Looking back, she saw that scar on Sunflower's back. It wasn't noticeable before, but now it was difficult to ignore. "Sunflower?"

"Yeah?" Sunflower replied, as she turned around to see her. "What's up?"

"Uh, it might be a bit awkward to ask, but... what's that scar on your back?" Rarity asked.

"What?" Sunflower said, as her tone changed.

"I-I've noticed a large scar, on your back, at the workshop and..."

"Are you kiddin' me?!" Sunflower shot up from her chair. "You looked back?! After we've said we would turn the other way?!"

"Well, I figured... you did as well?" Rarity mentioned, feeling frightened.

"You think I would do that to you?!" Sunflower yelled. "Unbelievable!!!" Sunflower took off to the door, and left her food on the table. Rarity was silent, and regretted ever mentioning the scar. The door slammed, as she jumped.

There she was at the old shack. Apple Bloom stood at the front lawn, where they all first met. She was determined to find a solution. She only thought of confronting them. Hopefully this works, Apple Bloom thought.

She walked up to the door, and raised her arm to knock. The paint was starting to crumble off, just as the color began to wash away. Sun bleached, and beaten. The eroded dust and heavy wind would weaken it, but it stood like no other.

The door slowly opened. There was darkness that enveloped inside. In the light, she arose. Babs looked as if she was barely awakened.

"Babs..." Apple Bloom spoke.

"What do you want?" Babs said, under her exhausted breath as she tried to speak.

"I..." Apple Bloom thought of what to say. "Can you come back to the barn?"

"Why?" Babs argued.

"I'm sorry for what happened. I didn't mean to hurt anyone, nor cause us to fall apart like that." Apple Bloom continued. "But, I'm just askin' if you'll forgive us and come back to the barn so we can talk about it."

Babs narrowed her eyes, she thought of it. As soon as she was about to respond, Diamond and Silver Spoon showed up not long after. Babs turned her head, and was already seeing the change.

Apple Bloom glanced, and was surprised to see them there this early. From the looks of it, they changed. They wore a thick dark necklace that each of them wore that she didn't notice before. It seems they have all grown close since the last time they saw each other.

"No." Babs said blatantly, as she turned her head back toward her direction.

"What?" Apple Bloom was stunned to see Babs not wanting to reconsider. "Why?"

"I've got my reasons." Babs said, as she smirked. "I'm havin' way too much fun with them than with you."

"But, Babs..." Apple Bloom whined. She thought if she was honest with her, it would give her a chance. "Please, I just want you home."

"Home? What home?" Babs questioned. "This isn't home. It's just somewhere I'm forced to be. But, here. This is it."

"Babs?"

"You said it yourself!" Babs yelled. "Need a place to be, this is it. Right?"

Apple Bloom was shivering, as it was something she said.

"Besides, I'm sick of dealin' with my older sister. Hearin' her bitch and moan about our parents! Then, takin' it out on me! Screw that!"

"Babs!" Apple Bloom cried. "I just want you there, anythin' you're goin' through. I would be there to listen... I know it's been hard for you..."

"What's wrong showin' up here?" Babs questioned, as Apple Bloom remained silent looking downwards. "Oh, it's YOUR friends, huh? They don't want any part of us, right? It's just you." Apple Bloom couldn't say anything. "Well, look, I'm not leavin' and I'm not givin' it back. You guys can find another place to be. This is ours!"

"Yeah!" Diamond and Silver cheered from behind.

Apple Bloom couldn't grasp her emotions. It was clear to her that their friendship or even family meant nothing to her. She turned around, and stood for another second to let the wind brush her hair.

"Fine." She turned back.

She walked away from the clubhouse, heading out toward the storm, without any care of the wind or rain.

Babs and the others saw her walk out on them, and thought of it as an opportunity.

Apple Bloom looked down at the flooded cement, seeing her reflection in it, not entirely happy with the outcome. If Diamond and Silver weren't there, maybe Babs would have changed her mind.

She was on her way back to Scootaloo's house. They would all at least be together, but if they continue to fight, there's no way they would.

Ever since they graduated, it's like their friendship had changed. They no longer worked as a team. They used to overlook their flaws, shortcomings, and broken promises. Now it annoys them the most about each other, and they can't find any reason to stay together. Yet, want it desperately. It was the same way she saw how Rarity and Applejack started to treat each other. She was the only one to hold them together, but felt worthless. It started to become too much for her. After departing, it became a cold and bitter isolation. She thought either Diamond Tiara or Babs could have helped regain what was lost. Maybe Babs was right about true love after all. Apple Bloom thought.

Just at the midway point, passing over a street and down to either two paths to take. She heard footsteps approaching her. She looked back, and saw Babs with Diamond and Silver. They were on their way toward her. If they knew where Scootaloo lived, they might try to bother her.

Apple Bloom detoured to the left, leading her down a different path which took her to a familiar park. She turned to see if they were just walking about, but they turned toward her direction.

They were being quiet, like they wanted to sneak up on her. She turned again, going down a slope and onto the walkway to the moist sands leading up to a large acre of grass where the tents were settled before.

The group went, as Apple Bloom tried to briskly walk her way up the small hill. The path branched off that either led to the open area, or toward the trees where they crashed the float. Remnants of it were still noticeable. She took the open area, hopefully people were out today to help her feel not so alone in the park.

They tarried along, and Apple Bloom was certain they were following her.

She continued to walk quicker to reach the exit and back home, but they were approaching rapidly. Apple Bloom felt tired, and stopped. Just as she did, they came standing right behind her. She took a moment to breathe.

"What do you want Babs?" Apple Bloom said under her breath, still panting.

"I thought you wanted me to come with you?" Babs smirked, just as the other two circled her.

"I said come back to the barn." Apple Bloom mentioned.

"Is that where you were headin'?" Babs questioned. Apple Bloom looked away. Babs smirked, as she knew Apple Bloom wasn't heading back to the barn.

"Or, were you wantin' me to see Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo?" Babs continued. Diamond and Silver remained silent, but were intrigued by Apple Bloom's reaction. "I told you before, I want no part in being with the Crusaders."

"Yeah, she's with us!" Silver mentioned. Diamond nodded.

"If you really wanted me back, then how about you join us instead?" Babs said, Apple Bloom was distraught. "But, it's them, right?" She couldn't answer, so she asked a question.

"Why did you hurt them?" Apple Bloom said.

"I tried hangin' out with them like you wanted, it's them that have the problem with us!" Babs argued.

"I don't believe you!" Apple Bloom said.

"I've got two witnesses." Babs said, as she held out her arms to the other two as they smiled. "I'm tellin' the truth!"

"Yeah!" They both said.

"Even then, they couldn't handle being around us." Babs continued. "After all the bullyin' they've done to Diamond and Silver, they deserve what's comin' to them!"

"It's not right!"

"It's what's fair! And if you want it to change, then leave them! If they really care about you, then they would have no problem comin' to us!"

"They would!"

"Prove it! Would they go out of their way for me, or them?" Babs paused for her reaction. "No.” As she shook her head in confidence. “They don't care about us. They didn't come to me, and they didn't come with you. They just sent you, because it's your fault, right?"

"I went by myself because it was my fault for not considerin' their feelin's about it." Apple Bloom argued.

"Is that what you think? It didn't it occur to you that you're not the one with the problem with either of us?" Babs argued. Apple Bloom was silenced. "See. I can see right through their little game! They made you think it was your fault, when all you wanted was for us to come together. Even if they were uncomfortable about it, they would have at least shown a little restraint and withheld their insecurities, and treated everyone with the same respect you've given us. But, no. They're the problem. They have treated you poorly. I was just honest with them, and they couldn't even handle it. Right girls?"

"Right!" They spoke.

"Why make them feel uncomfortable then? Why make them angry?"

"Same way they treated Diamond and Silver. They didn't do no wrong here, maybe back then, but you said they've changed, right?" Apple Bloom kept feeling twisted by her words. "You can't just enable behavior like that without even knowin' who they are today!"

She couldn't fathom how messed up the situation turned out to be. It was much bigger than she thought it was.

"So how about it? Truce? And join us." Diamond Tiara suggested. "Or, stick with them and continue to walk on eggshells for their comfort?" Apple Bloom paused, she looked around the empty lot, but couldn't think of another way out of the situation she dragged herself into. She took a deep breath, and was willing but asked them something.

"If I do join, will you consider lettin' them in too?" Apple Bloom asked quietly.

"I can't decide that." Babs smirked.

"But..."

"That's their choice!" Babs argued. "Like I said, they don't actually care! You will have to move on, even though they may have been your friends for a long time. They could have been the ones that changed, and started to use you instead."

"I don't want to think that way." Apple Bloom continued.

"The signs of manipulation are clear, Apple Bloom." Babs stated, as Apple Bloom became even more unsure of herself. "I'm aware that you are naive and innocent, even too caring at times, but they need to come to me if that's what they want. You don't have to do that for them!" Babs continued. "So, how 'bout it?" Apple Bloom remained silent.

"I don't know what to do." Apple Bloom quietly concluded.

She took a moment to think of what to say to her. It wasn't her intent to make her so upset, but she was honest with her at the very least.

Leaving the barely touched food on the kitchen table, and walked down to the side door off to the left. She saw through a white-knitted sheet as she was standing and watching the pigs resting on their full stomachs.

Rarity quietly opened the door, down the muddied walkway to the side opening of the barn. She paced herself, not to alert her, nor to awake any of the livestock. She stood at a reasonable distance. She kept looking at the noticeable scar on her back underneath her tank top and bra straps. She kept quiet, hearing her breathe, and she was heavily sniffling through her nostrils. It was a mistake, and the topic made her feel uncomfortable. Unsure of what to say, nor ease the tension between them.

"Look, I'm sorry about the kiss." Sunflower admitted. She was leaning over the wooden barrier, hunched over enough to fall in, but kept her arms in support of her body. She didn't look up, but kept her eyes over the barnyard.

Rarity was unsure of how to respond.

"It's just..." Sunflower gulped with something holding back her emotions. "You're the first person that made me feel... special... you know how long it's been since I felt loved... treated like a human being for once..." Her words broke up, as tears fell, even Rarity couldn't hold back her regret. "I... couldn't... control myself... I'm sorry..."

Rarity remained silent, as she went over to her. She gently placed her hand over her shoulder.

Sunflower took her in again. She let herself go, arms wrapped tightly as she cried. A hug that she held back before, but now felt her full weight as they sat down together on a haystack beneath them.

There was silence for a moment, it took awhile for her to gather her thoughts on what to say.

"It's okay, you don't have to tell me anything." Rarity assured her. "I won't ask you either."

"No." Sunflower looked up at her. "I should let you know why? It's better to have at least someone know the truth." Rarity looked into her glossy eyes, and listened in.

It was a hot summer afternoon. The air was dry, and not much rain had fallen to water the crops that year. The people were in need, and were exhausted under the intense heat. Not much was going on, but to mess around within the remaining shadows of a broken town.

Sunflower and Babs were out hanging around a small group of people who were just as bored as they were. They handed them a smoke, as they all took one last hit of a charred stick.

They hung around a small alleyway, standing on the escape rails of an old hotel.

“Hey guys!” A person from below spoke, sounded excited for something.

“What’s up, Squeaks?” A boy asked, hanging over the rails to drop down to the broken bricks.

“My brother just bought a tattoo kit, and wanted to know if you guys would like to give it a try?” Squeaks asked.

“No way, so he’s serious about it.” He stated, as he was smiling.

“Yeah, we’ll have to do it while our parents are out though.” Squeaks said.

“Of course, his parents would kick his ass if they knew.” He agreed. “Sounds cool! What do you guys think?”

“I don’t know Leafy, it sounds a bit risky.” Sunflower mentioned, sitting down and hugging the safety guards while slowly kicking her feet off the edge.

“C’mon, we haven’t gotten anything better to do.” Leafy pleaded. “Besides, Squeak's brother is a great artist! I’m sure he’ll do something you’ll like!”

“I’ll do it!” Another girl from their group spoke.

“Me too!” A guy from the far end spoke.

“What do you say?” Leafy asked. “Sunflower? Babs? We could get something to match.”

“That would be cool! A group mark like in the movies!” The girl spoke.

“Yeah!” They all said.

They arrived at a rundown shack, a few blocks from where they were. They all circled around their friend who was having the ink flow through into their skin. Each of them wanted an icon etched into them. It was something about what they find the most joyful.

Leafy had a picture of an odd shaped leaf, as he felt he had a connection with plants. Squeaks had a rubber duck, he loved squeaky toys and was somehow able to mimic the exact pitch. The girl got a jar of ink and a quill as she loved writing. The boy who hung by her side had a candlestick and a flame circulating around it. He didn’t have an explanation, but it was an interesting one.

“C’mon Sunflower!” Leafy asked.

“It’s kind of getting late, my dad might be home soon.” Sunflower said.

Everyone around her was chanting to do it. Even the older brother was becoming impatient, as he felt time was of the essence as well.

“Sunflower, you’re not actually serious?” Babs asked her, as she went up to the seat. She had pulled down her shirt to reveal her shoulder. The others were excited to see what kind of mark she would want.

“What are you getting?” Squeaks asked.

“A sunflower.” Sunflower said. “I know it sounds a bit conceited, but I like them.”

Later that evening, Babs and Sunflower were briskly walking home.

“Thanks a lot!” Sunflower yelled, as she was still trying to take her mind off of the unbearable burn she wanted to scratch.

“What?!” Babs yelled back, turned around to face her as she kept walking.

“Just when I finally have friends to hang out with, you embarrass me!”

“Embarrass you?! At least I’m not trying to be somethin’ I’m not!”

“Oh please! Like you never wanted anythin’ more than to just fit in!”

“I’m not going to get a tattoo just to feel included!”

“Whatever!”

“I hope that hurts!”

“Shut up!”

As they approached the door, Sunflower made another remark on Babs. Threatening her if she told their parents anything then she would make sure people knew of her fetish. Babs knew if it were to be mentioned, students at their school would be disgusted, even being bullied for it.

They walked in, and saw their mother in the kitchen. She was trying to cook whatever’s left in the kitchen that day. A sunken face, a hopeless expression, nimble arms and fingers barely having enough strength to peel a few poor vegetables that made their way to a dirtied pot to boil. A few bruises were seen on her shoulders and arms, still unable to recover from weeks before.

She was quiet, and just looked up at her kids. They too didn’t say anything and both walked into their rooms.

It would be hours until their father arrived. Most of the time they would sit together quietly in the kitchen. Babs would occasionally speak to their mother, in which she just sat silently. Sunflower didn’t speak up much because she, in a way, understood.

A once hard-working man in a thriving farm, now reduced to a pitiful shack on the outskirts of a restless and expanding city. He worked the small farm fields that couldn’t grow properly, so he had to take up extra hours just enough to get his drinks and fuel for the week.

That next morning, they woke up to their mom screaming. Sunflower saw their mother trying to clean the clothes, but he told her to iron his shirts instead of washing them. He was drunk off of cider, and plugged in the iron to heat up. She tried to walk away, but Babs walked in to say something. She stood there silently, frozen stiff.

The father came in and told her to leave. She was stunned, and he came to her to slap her across the face, as she hit the floor. Sunflower ran to her father to stop him. He slammed his bottle into her. She fell in with the broken glass on the floor. Just when he was about to leave with another bottle in his hand, he saw the tattoo on Sunflower’s back. He yelled on top of his lungs and asked what that was. Babs remained silent. The mother kept crying in the background.

He walked over the heated iron.

“So you like pain, huh?!” He yelled. He walked over to her and placed the iron on her back, over the shoulder. Sunflower screamed. It was so violently high pitched that Babs’s heart stopped. He took it away and the tattoo was nearly covered with her burnt skin. He took off without another word, as Sunflower tried to walk back into her room. Babs cried.

Later that day, Babs walked into the room to help treat her. She kept quiet, and slept the entire day.

Babs would tell Sunflower that the scream she made always kept her up at night. It was not long after when they talked about it and she regretted not doing anything to help. She would tell her that she would try to be stronger, but she couldn’t. He angered her the most, but she would never be able to stand up to him.

Rarity was deeply horrified by the whole story she was told. Sunflower sniffled, but finally felt relieved to tell someone about her life.

"I'm so sorry." Rarity cried.

"It's my own fault." Sunflower admitted.

"There's still no reason for that..." Rarity said.

"It's in the past now, and it's a reminder of what happens when I let myself go."

"Sunflower?"

"I wanted to be somethin' I'm not because of how I felt. But all I want now is to have that life I had back when... and comin' here, was my last chance to have it again."

"Sunflower." Rarity said, as she placed her hand on her shoulder again, but it slid down to her scar. Sunflower flinched as did Rarity, but she continued.

"I never trusted anyone, but I knew Granny would be the only one to understand."

"Yeah."

"I’m even happier that you are here as well."

"Really?"

"I am. I feel like I can share anythin’ with you."

Rarity gave a weak smile, but felt the situation change again. It confused her. A person this torn inside is bound to make terrible choices. Rarity thought.

"Well, Apple Bloom?" Babs asked, she chuckled as the other two smiled in confidence.

"I don't know... it's not right." Apple Bloom questioned. "I can't just abandon them."

"Quit being so overly dramatic!" Babs yelled. "Like I said, if they actually cared about you, they will come. If they don't, they are just using you." Babs kept reminding her. "You aren't in control of their lives. You aren't responsible for their comfort."

Apple Bloom shook her head, and couldn't understand why she resisted. The things she knew before, what friendships meant to her, why they are important.

"But, friends are supposed to look out for each other." Apple Bloom looked at all of them, as they stood in front of her. "The time we've spent together, knowin' what we like and don't like... isn't that what friendship is all about." Babs rolled her eyes as Apple Bloom continued. "Even when we hurt each other, it's not on purpose. I don't think they ever wanted to hurt me. Even when I didn't notice it, they still came around and they tried to understand."

Babs wasn't having it, and she resisted the same.

"What good is it to try?" Babs argued. "Everyone is out for themselves. They don't have your best interest in mind."

"No." Apple Bloom continued. "We've all just been going through a rough time. Focusin' on our own, not payin' attention, or lettin' each other know what's been goin' on. Sometimes we forget, but maybe we should try again."

Babs and the other girl's smirks went away, as Babs continued to fire back.

"You're so gullible and stupid, Apple Bloom!" Babs yelled. "Tryin' so hard to see the good in others that isn't there, no one actually cares!"

"Because we don't try." Apple Bloom stated. "Even if there isn't, tryin' will only help make sure of it."

"Forcin' everyone to abide by your kindness and gullibility won't change who they are!" Babs said.

"I'm not askin' for them to change. I'm askin' them to give me a chance. I'm askin' you all to give everyone a chance. To forgive, to move on, and maybe even to return what’s lost.” Apple Bloom continued.

"Said by the third wheel!" Silver Spoon yelled.

"What?" Apple Bloom questioned. Babs nodded and smiled, as she looked out to Silver Spoon.

"Yeah, we saw them out. They left you completely out of the picture." Babs said. "Trust me, they only thought about themselves and not you." Apple Bloom was taken aback by their statement, but she had to be honest with herself.

"Even if that's true." Apple Bloom said. "I honestly haven't been there either."

"Whatever!" Diamond Tiara yelled. "It doesn't matter if they only care about themselves."

"I will still love and care about them." Apple Bloom argued. "I will be happy that they are too. I'm glad they're together, even if it's without me."

The others felt unsure of what to say, but Babs continued to only think about her own experiences with others.

"This is why people will take advantage of you!" Babs argued. "Do you not see why it is pointless to worry? Why worry about anyone if there's nothin' in it for you?"

Apple Bloom felt her anger, and it made her teary-eyed. The cold breeze rushed through her skin, and her words felt harder to swallow than she was used to.

"I just..." Apple Bloom's words broke up in her throat, she had to find in herself of what she needed to say. "I just want everyone to be happy. Includin' you. Includin' you all..."

Babs didn't want to hear it.

"You don't know what I want!" Babs yelled, as the others nodded.

"Which is why I want to help." Apple Bloom continued. "Anythin' you're goin' through, anythin' at all... I want to be there too."

Babs resisted, but she didn’t have anything else to say. In her mind, something kept reminding her of things, but it also plagued her with doubt. Babs chuckled with discontent.

"Like you would ever help me, like you would ever understand..." Babs assured, as she looked up at Apple Bloom's watery eyes, sugary red blushing cheeks in the cold.

"Why?" Apple Bloom questioned. "Even if I can't, I may know who can help. Diamond? Did we not help each other too?”

“To be honest. I miss being the troublemaker. I like the thrill, the excitement! You are just too boring to me. It’s too predictable.” Diamond spoke.

“As for me, I don’t want to change!” Silver said.

“But…” Apple Bloom said, as her tone swallowed with a dryness.

“It is what it is, Apple Bloom. Accept it!” Babs spoke. “You can believe in whatever you want, but don’t be disappointed if nothing ever works out.”

Apple Bloom remained silent, a teardrop fell. She wiped it down with her sleeve, and looked at the sleeve. The beautiful white jacket that Diamond bought for her. Was it all for nothing? Apple Bloom thought.

"Babs?" Silver Spoon asked, as she smiled. Babs listened in. "Remind Apple Bloom of how she will be used, you know exactly what it's like, show her why." Babs could feel a flame start to kindle in her body, like it drew her to go deeper. Her past that continues to haunt her mind. Why does she continue to resist? She thought, as Apple Bloom continued to stare at them. I'll show her.

"Apple Bloom, you haven't even seen anythin' yet!" Babs assured, Apple Bloom looked into her glowing green eyes. All that surrounded was the freezing winds, and the swirling clouds. A heavy blanket over the arising sun. "The whole world is a very dangerous place. You are here, in your little bubble, full of familiar faces and livin’ in the same old story. Lettin' anyone in, especially out there, you risk your own safety, and your chance of succeedin' in a world that will continue to drag you down. Why would you ever let anyone in?"

Apple Bloom was confused. Why is she being like this? She thought to herself.

"What do you mean, Babs?" Apple Bloom asked. Babs chuckled.

"You want to know?" Babs questioned. "You really want to know?" Babs continued to give a smirk that continued to make an uneasy feeling in Apple Bloom’s gut. "I too, thought the same thing, but for whatever reason, it only made things worse! You don't know what it's like to be beaten, to be treated like trash by those you once trusted, by those you once loved and cared about!" Apple Bloom started to see tears trickle down Babs's eyes. Apple Bloom felt it inside of her, a pain she had never felt before.

"N-not everyone is like that, Babs..." Apple Bloom pleaded.

"Oh, it doesn't matter! If you give anyone and everyone that one chance... they will use you, because you don't matter to them at all!" Babs interrupted.

"No..." Apple Bloom continued, as she tried to close her ears to not hear.

"Think they care?! They will keep at it! They won't stop until you break! Until you stop caring about them and even yourself!" Babs yelled, as she threw off her red leather jacket, and all her chains and rings that surrounded her wrists and fingers from before. She wore the same white t-shirt, but the sleeves were torn off, and both of her arms were sculpted with scars and traces of lines down to her wrists. There were various circular patches of molded skin, as if she was burned multiple times with a heated cigarette.

Apple Bloom and the other girls were deeply shocked to their core. Babs was breathing heavily, but felt relieved to finally show them who she was, as she took in a deep breath and sucked in the chilling air.

Tears fell from Apple Bloom’s eyes. She covered her mouth, and couldn’t stop looking at her.

“Babs…” Apple Bloom softly spoke.

Babs walked out to her, and got close to Apple Bloom as she remained rooted to her position.

“You see what I am?” Babs spoke, standing toward her, and her face into her’s. “I’m never going to let anyone hurt me anymore!”

“I’m sorry Babs.” Apple Bloom cried.

“This is how it is.” Babs continued. Apple Bloom shook her head, and looked down to her soaked boots. “No? Have I not been honest?”

“Yeah!” Diamond and Silver yelled. Apple Bloom was already becoming angered by Diamond and Silver, as Babs looked back at them. She thought of something to make Apple Bloom even more upset.

“By the way, Apple Bloom?” Babs asked. “Diamond is mine now.”

“Stop.” As Apple Bloom changed in tone.

“Because she loves the thrill! I can give her what she wants, somethin’ you can’t!” Babs continued.

“Darn it, Babs! I said stop!” Apple Bloom cried. A feeling of anger began to set inside of her.

Babs turned away and began to laugh at her, the other two joined with her. Apple Bloom’s heart began to pound in her ears.

“You…” Apple Bloom softly said. “You’re just a bunch of uttersuckers!”

The girls laughed hard at Apple Bloom’s comeback.

“How old are you again?” Babs mocked as she burst with laughter.

Apple Bloom ran up to Babs, and slammed her fist into her left cheek. Babs tumbled down into the wet grass and landed on her rump. The other two stopped laughing and immediately took a couple of steps back, as they saw Apple Bloom hold her hand in the other. She felt her hand blister with pain. She moaned with it pulsing in her, as she completely regretted it.

Babs looked up at her, and was once again in that state where she was too afraid to move. S-she struck me…, Babs thought.

Silver on her left told her to get up and fight back, while Diamond looked at her with disappointment. Babs slowly got back up on her feet. Her eyes glowed within the blinding and endless droplets of water. She slowly walked toward them.

“B-Babs… w-wait…” Apple Bloom pleaded, as she was terrified and took a few steps back. “I’m sorry…” She came closer and quicker. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Apple Bloom ran, but was caught by Babs.

She tackled her to the ground. Apple Bloom immediately tried to get back up, but was pulled closer to her. She jumped onto her, as she tried to resist. She kicked and screamed. Babs found her blindspot and swung at her. Apple Bloom pushed her off, and ran for it. Babs came in, and pushed her into a nearby tree. She circled around trying to get away, but caught her and shoved her down and kicked her deeper into the puddles.

Babs kept getting angrier the more she struggled. She was blindly succumbing to her pain and misery and taking it all out on Apple Bloom.

Diamond and Silver stood in the same spot, being sunken to the mud, and watching Babs beat her. Horrified, until Silver began to chuckle with amusement. Diamond couldn’t help herself, as she teared up, but also couldn’t stop smiling. She stopped and walked over to her.

“Babs!” Diamond yelled. Babs didn’t stop. She held her fists before she landed another, and kissed her. Babs turned away, as she felt her attention was turned. She looked down at her bruised fist, and some of Apple Bloom’s blood from her blistered lip. She stopped, and slowly stood up.

They both walked away toward Silver. Silver felt it was the perfect time to snap another photo. Apple Bloom saw a small flash in the air. She looked up, and could barely see them. She saw only a shadow, and it came closer to her again.

“No… no, no, please I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” Apple Bloom pleaded, as she lightly crawled away. The shadow came up to her, and told her something in her deafened ear.

“Don’t go to your friends, and don’t ever come back again. Or else.” The shadow said, and it left her.

Apple Bloom frightened, she stopped feeling for a second, and took off in the other direction.

Part 4: A Broken Bond

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The winds pushed and pulled, the roads were flooded, and other drivers were seen swerving side to side.

She detoured toward a rest stop to see if she was taking the proper route to Farrier Hill. It was a four-hour drive, with a vague memory of how to get there.

She didn't plan on telling Rarity about her plan, as she hated being dishonest with her. It's been years since Granny Smith had contact with their family out in the west. She thought to herself, it might be an opportunity to reconnect?

Just as she was ready to head back to the truck, her phone rang.

"Rarity?" Applejack answered. "What is it?"

"Applejack..." Rarity's voice was worrisome, almost horrified. "I-It's Apple Bloom... something terrible has happened to her."

"What?!" Applejack shouted.

Her phone fidgeted in her hands, too afraid to make one call. It should be simple enough, she thought, just apologize and ask her to come back. It plagued her mind.

It was a small gift she gave to her to always keep in contact with them. She somehow felt undeserving of it, since she barely even calls or texts. What's the point? Scootaloo thought. Maybe I should just go to her instead?

She paced back and forth in her living room, unsure of what to do. Apple Bloom should be here by now, what is taking her so long? It's been almost an hour trying to call or leave a message to Sweetie Belle. Especially since she knows about her feelings. To simply say sorry won't be enough. She kept thinking to herself. Why did Apple Bloom leave me to do this alone?

As the time went on, she decided to call Apple Bloom to ask her to hurry. She didn't respond. She tried almost immediately, but after the third voicemail, something in her gut started to feel nauseous. Apple Bloom, what's going on?! Scootaloo panicked, as she feared the worst had happened.

Rarity took hold of her to the door. She was feeling exhausted, so she decided to place her into an empty bedroom for her to rest. The quiet breeze and light sprinkle from earlier now became a heavy storm. Rushing through the mud and stone, finally returning into a comforting heat inside the house.

They ignored the plate of food in the kitchen, and went into the bedroom underneath the stairwell. She placed her neatly, as she slowly curled up in place.

"Thanks, Rarity." Sunflower said quietly.

"You're very welcome, darling." Rarity said in a whisper. She quietly walked up, and closed the door for her to have some time to rest.

Just as she exited and firmly shut the door, she let out a sigh of confusion. She was unsure of where to take the next step, it was toying with her emotions.

Rarity thought about what to do, as she washed the dishes and looked out the window. The heavy rain made her hope there was a clearing. It made her worry about everyone else outside. Hopefully they are not playing in such weather. Rarity thought.

She heard the door open. It shut with brute force. It shook her.

Bolting towards the living room, she saw Apple Bloom at the front door. She was covered in mud, her white jacket was stained with a reddened dirt. She was breathing heavily. Looking down at her, her hair was messy, covering up her whole face.

"A-Apple Bloom?" Rarity questioned softly, slowly making her way toward her.

Apple Bloom looked up at her. Rarity saw that her face was bruised. Her nose was drizzling red. Her cheeks were black and swollen. Her eyes were tearing up, and on the left was blistering into a shriveled eye. Rarity covered her mouth in utter shock.

"W-what..." Rarity couldn't finish her sentence, as Apple Bloom took off up the stairwell. Rarity chased after her. "Apple Bloom!"

The bathroom door was sealed, and she could feel her heavy breathing on the other side. She was not letting go.
"Sweetie..." Rarity continued. "Open the door... please..."

The door remained shut, and she even heard the lock on the other side turn.

"Apple Bloom?" Rarity questioned. She nudged at the door. "Apple Bloom?!"

There was no strength in her to pry it open.

"What happened to you?" Rarity asked. "Apple Bloom! Where's Babs?!"

On the other side, Apple Bloom hunched over the sink of the bathroom. She slowly took off her jacket and boots, as the dirt had already caked the floor and sink, just as she leaned in to clear up her face with the cold water running. She looked up at the damage she caused. Her hair was tangled up. All she could feel was her headache. She kept hearing Rarity trying to get her to open the door, but she could barely hear her call. The sounds of her beating the door were slowly echoey and growing silent.

Ignoring her, as she looked down at her jacket. She kicked it from her as far as she could, as she felt herself losing balance. The room felt like it was turning, every step and movement felt lagging. She felt the floor coming towards her. She could see the shadow of Rarity's feet from the other side, still waiting for her to open the door.

She examined the entire perimeter, no one was around. Where could they have gone? Scootaloo thought to herself. She took the time to shut and lock the door, successfully retrieving her clubhouse back from Diamond, while no one was there. Although, the entire place was a mess, just as she thought it would be. Where did they get all of this stuff?

Where is she? Scootaloo thought. I hope she's okay.

Just as she was walking down the street, she came across them as they were walking up.

Babs, Diamond, and Silver all stood staring at Scootaloo. Both confused and intrigued by her presence. They could feel Scootaloo slowly ventilating through her nostrils, just as surprised to see them there.

"Where's Apple Bloom?!" Scootaloo asked with a troubled tone.

Babs ended up storming off in the other direction as the others followed. Scootaloo jumped right into action, and sprinted toward them.

Babs taking the lead, jumping from street to street. Diamond and Silver tried to catch up as much as they could, running in heels which made their feet twitch with pain. Scootaloo kept up with them, with the rage and adrenaline rushed through her, desperate to catch them.

Babs turned towards an alleyway, the girls followed, losing her in the darkness.

Scootaloo gunned straight for them, as Diamond and Silver turned back to face her as they approached from a dead end.

She kept her eye on Diamond, running up to tackle her.

Scootaloo didn't notice Babs sneaking up in front of her, as she picked her up from the ground. The momentum of her run made her fly through into the air, as Babs slammed her down into the gravel. Scootaloo felt the sharp rocks stab her in the back, then her brain crashing into the back of her head. It caused her to feel a dreaded dizziness.

It took what felt like a minute to fully catch her breath and to feel her body on the solid ground. Scootaloo looked back up. The girls stood in the back of the alleyway, seeing the strength Babs had to slam Scootaloo with such ease.

Scootaloo slowly got up, but felt her head pounding and feeling extremely heavy. It dragged her a little from side to side, until she regained focus.

She was about to run back to Diamond until Babs cut between them again, this time blocking her from coming any closer, showing her that she was willing to protect them.

"Out of my way Babs!" Scootaloo shouted. "This is between me and Diamond!"

"Want to get to her..." Babs said. "You'll have to go through me."

"Have it your way." Scootaloo said, as she began to circle her. Babs did the same, until she found the right angle to get past her.

Scootaloo wisped toward the center. She then took off toward the other direction to give Babs the slip, but she did not move until she got close enough to pull onto her jacket sleeve toward her, and drag her away.

From the weakened back and headache she got, it almost made her lose her balance. Scootaloo took off again, but this time as Babs grabbed her, she lifted her leg up and kicked her away.

Babs was pushed further into the alleyway, to her surprise that Scootaloo was willing to use brute force to get her way. Babs could feel herself being provoked into that drive again when Apple Bloom punched her. She could feel her heart racing, and becoming clouded with anger.

Silver turned to look at her, as she nodded in agreement that Scootaloo won't stop until she's restrained. Diamond kept her eyes on Scootaloo as she was running toward her.

Just as she was almost close enough to tackle her, she felt a quick brush of a wet wall hit her directly in her left cheek. It made her stop breathing, it stunned her ability to see. There was an agonizing pulse in her jaw, a shockwave of pain that jolted up into her eyes.

Scootaloo was bashed into a nearby garbage can in the alleyway. The garbage all around it fell over, and could hear the mice scatter away.

She couldn't breath for a moment, and could feel the flooded street coming down. The stench of the oily tarps, and moving her hand with the crawling maggot pile.

She was almost about to close her eyes, but Babs came and picked her up.

She brought Scootaloo to her feet, and she nearly fell into the wall behind her.

Scootaloo was determined to set things straight, as she came in again, this time waving her fists toward Babs. It was unfocused, as she couldn't land a single hit. Babs was dodging lightly, since Scootaloo was already weakened.

Babs pulled her in by grabbing her shirt from the tag in the back. Pulling her closer to face her directly. She came in with another punch toward the right. Scootaloo flew, tossed further away from Diamond and Silver.

Both of the girls traded sides with Scootaloo, as Scootaloo was in the dead end. Trapping her inside the walls.

Scootaloo slowly looked up at Babs from the ground once again. Her vision became blurry, but enough to see her.

"Want to know what happened with Apple Bloom?" Babs taunted. Babs signaled to Silver and was handed her phone to show Scootaloo what had happened.

Scootaloo focused, and she saw Apple Bloom flat on the ground, doused in mud, and blood spilling from her face.

"Just when I thought you were good people, who don't hurt others because you don't get your way." Babs continued. "What a shame. All lies!"

Diamond and Silver both chuckled.

After Scootaloo focused on the picture, she picked herself up and felt something rush into her. They hurt Apple Bloom. They will pay! As Scootaloo gritted her teeth, taking in a deep breath.

Babs tossed Silver's phone back, as Scootaloo punched Babs straight in the nose. She threw another at her broad chest, then pushed her away with the force of her right leg.

Babs was thrown back, out of the center, and from that could feel a trickle of her blood dripping from her nose. Babs took her index and middle finger up her nose, and saw the shining roses dripping off her fingertips. She sniffled, but a shot of thunder rose up inside. Her nose felt out of place.

She looked up at Scootaloo. Babs's gaze paralyzed her. Scootaloo saw the dead look in her eyes. An angelic green resonated with a darkness that she could feel emanating deep within. It stunned her.

She came closer, and was instantly hit with a ram in her stomach. She shoved her into the wall. Her back was once again against the rocks, her head struck and cracked the washed out paint.

Scootaloo tried to push her away, but she felt like a statue. Babs anchored her to the wall with her arm, as the other began to jab her entire body. Babs's leg would spasm out into her stomach and pelvis.

She shoved her down to her knees, her hands cracking against the stones and broken cider bottles.

Scootaloo held her breath as she tried to crawl away. She was immediately picked up from her jacket's hood, choking her as it held onto her full weight.

She was slammed, wall to wall.

She made her fall to the ground, and she began to kick her while she was down. Just as Scootaloo stopped resisting. She went down to her, and began to quickly jab her face into the ground. Like Apple Bloom, began to lose consciousness and felt the endless rain blinding her.

Diamond didn't stop her this time, because she felt Scootaloo was the only one in her way.

Silver grinned with excitement like she did when Babs was beating Apple Bloom. Seeing them finally getting what they deserve.

Since the time, near the end of high school, she felt the time had finally paid off, after what they have done to her. She didn't even have to get her hands dirty. It worked out even better than she anticipated, all because of one troubled girl.

Babs finally felt her body tiring. Her breathing shortened, exhausted. Couldn't breathe through her own nose.

Scootaloo was puking blood from her mouth. Struggling to breathe.

Babs got up, and sucked in as much of the cold air as she could grasp through her nostrils. Feeling her anger from the past slowly feeling lifted away.

Scootaloo curled up to her side. Babs looked down at the pitiful girl, who thought she was the strength of the group, defeated by her own rage.

"Stupid girl!" Babs spoke. "Even Apple Bloom was at least able to get back up and run away."

Scootaloo felt the cold crashing into her, as she heard them start to walk back out into the street.

She saw a few flashes of light. It slowly faded out. As she was left, the rain continued to fall onto her cold body.

It's been hours in the dark. Laying down in a cold and quiet house. She could not move, nor felt like getting up. She stared at the ceiling for hours, and couldn't cry anymore. Her face was rashed and irritated with her eyeliner scrubbed and smudged with a redness and coated black ink. Her heart felt slow and weak, like her body didn't feel like living anymore.

She heard her phone from the nightstand buzz.

She was hesitant to see, but she got up to pick it up almost immediately.

It was a text sent from Scootaloo. She sat up, wanting to see what she could have possibly sent to her. Maybe an apology? Sweetie Belle thought, slightly hoping.

She unlocked her phone, and another text was sent. She eagerly opened the text message, and it was a photo of Scootaloo lying on the ground. The next was a video of someone walking around her lifeless body, and as it panned around, she could see blood smeared everywhere.

Sweetie Belle felt her heart stop, and her stomach felt sick. Her breathing became taxing on her weak body. The video lasted only for a second before it ended with the picture taken.

Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, but the phone went to voicemail. After several attempts she tried to call Apple Bloom, but her phone rang until it was ended with her voicemail.

She got up from her bed, and was thinking of what to do.

She quickly got dressed and stormed out the door.

Sweetie Belle was immediately greeted with a heavy storm, but she was determined to find Scootaloo. Wherever she may be? Sweetie Belle thought to herself.

She kept looking down at her phone in her hands. She was reluctant to look at the photo every time because of the disturbing image of Scootaloo, but she needed to know where she was. There was not enough in the image to make out, it was dark all around the edges, the only glimpse of light was the center of where Scootaloo was laying down in the pouring rain.

A truck had pulled into the driveway.

Applejack busted down the front door, as Rarity walked down from the stairs. The concern in her eyes made Applejack ready for anything.

She kicked the bathroom door open to find Apple Bloom passed out on the floor. The ground was flooded with the water running down from the sink. The faucet kept running, until Applejack turned the knob.

She quietly picked up Apple Bloom, as Rarity melted into the nearby wall. She looked at Apple Bloom's distorted face.

A thousand knocks interrupted an ongoing conversation between two people. One of them came to the door.

"Sweetie Belle?" A girl from the door questioned, as she saw Sweetie Belle drenched from the cold storm, standing on the steps of a purple coated house. She was out of breath. "C'mon, get out of the rain!" As she took in Sweetie Belle.

As she walked in, she saw a lady with bright red hair and yellow streaks sitting on the couch. She got up from her side and walked out into the nearest room.

"Twilight!" Sweetie Belle cried. "I need your help!"

"I'm sorry, this isn't a good time." Twilight lightly replied.

"Please! This is an emergency!" Sweetie Belle replied, as Twilight looked into her saddened green eyes.

"What's going on?" Twilight fretted.

Sweetie Belle brought her phone into her face. Twilight examined the photo and the video, and her expression changed from annoyance to concern.

"Scootaloo?" Twilight said. "What happened to her?"

"I don't know!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "I need to find her! Right now!"

"When did you last see her?"

"Yesterday. We-we had a fight, then..."

"Then what?"

"I don't know, I left her all alone..."

Twilight kept looking for anything in the photo and the video for a clue as to where. Twilight took off into the living room and sat at her computer.

"Wait! What are you doing?"

"I'm downloading the photo and video onto my computer, if I can find the area of where the photo was taken. We should be able to find out where Scootaloo might be. If she's still there."

"How?"

"I'm trying to brighten up the image. There's a wall in the background, some of the markings and placement of some debris might be able to give us a clue."

"Really?"

Sweetie Belle felt a hope inside start to peek.

"It looks like an alleyway." Twilight expressed. "Unfortunately, narrowing it down to which alleyway is tricky. " Twilight said, as she looked at her computer. "The video shows us the area a little more, since it was panning around Scootaloo's body."

Twilight kept moving the photo and video around. She used a few software applications that helped her combine the images together to widen the spaces.

"Now what are you doing?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I'm using that image to see if I can find a match in some part of the city."

"Are you sure you can? How is it possible?"

"It's actually pretty simple." Twilight said, as she turned around. "Judging by the many images conjured up by people on the internet and the many photos taken within surrounding areas and onto photo-based sharing websites like every social media out there, it would..."

"Okay, okay!" Sweetie Belle interrupted. "Please, just look for her!"

"Sorry." Twilight sighed. "Old habits die hard." Twilight said, as she looked over toward the bedroom. Sweetie Belle glanced over to find Sunset quickly moving out of their vision to see. The look on her face made it seem like there was tension between her and Twilight. It was an awkward and quiet moment as Twilight searched.

"I'm sorry to have interrupted you, and made you get involved." Sweetie Belle expressed.

"No, I understand." Twilight said calmly. "I'm extremely worried about Scootaloo. What you've shown me was something messed up. We need to find her quickly. There are too many things I'm thinking of, like I'm afraid of you being blackmailed by some creep. And if there is some creep hurting little girls like yourselves out there... we are going to need to inform the police right away!"

Sweetie Belle kept quiet, as it was too much to process.

Moments passed, as Twilight found something.

"I found a match, it seems to be behind the plaza, just a couple of blocks shy from Sunset's old apartment!"

"Where exactly?!"

"Look!" As Twilight handed her the phone with the address. It pin-pointed the location on her phone. "Now, we need to call the authorities immediately..."

Just as she kept talking, Sweetie Belle made a run for it.

"Sweetie Belle! Wait!" Twilight yelled, as she got up and tried to catch up to her from the door, but Sweetie Belle was already down the street.

The wind was once again pushing her forward. No amount of rain or thunder was going to keep her from looking for Scootaloo. She almost kept losing her balance against the cement flooded with water. Her shoe's were not made for running, especially in that weather.

She didn't care.

She made a quick turn toward a darkened alleyway.

Right in the center, was her.

Applejack was driving down the flooded streets, and could barely see. It was until they caught a glimpse of someone having a hard time holding someone up.

"What the..." Rarity said, as she pointed out the two figures in the drizzling rain. "Is... is that Sweetie Belle?!"

They almost missed them, as Applejack drifted the car, making a U-turn in the middle of the road. The wetted road made them swerve too far, almost hitting a car, parked at a stop light.

The driver had honked at them, they ignored it, as she quickly drove up to the figures in the rain.

Sweetie Belle was holding Scootaloo by her right arm. She prompted her back to lift her as much as she could withstand.

Blood dripped from her face as it poured down onto her dress. She was having trouble with her weight. She used her jacket to cover her up from the rain. Her strength was almost about to give out, until she saw a couple of headlights pull up behind her.

Several swerving tides had abrupted many on the road. Having been cut off and stomping on the brakes immediately to let a reckless driver through into the infirmary.

Opening through a couple of doors that slide open to let them through. They were greeted with a nurse that was helping Applejack and Rarity with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo. Both of them were taken in to be treated.

Sweetie Belle looked and saw her two friends being carried off together with severe injuries alike. She cried.

Could they have gotten into a fight with each other? Sweetie Belle would ask herself. All she could remember was the fact they did have a disagreement and couldn't make up. But, they would have never broken out into a fight. She kept thinking. It tortured her.

"Sweetie Belle..." A woman came up to her to ask.

She looked back to see.

"What the hell happened?" Applejack asked.

Sweetie Belle walked out of the hospital trying to avoid her sister and Applejack.

They chased her out of the facility until they reached the parking lot.

"Applejack!" Rarity cried, as she tugged onto Applejack's shoulder. "Stop!"

She could not stop her.

"No!" Applejack yelled, as she flicked Rarity's hand off of her. Her echoed voice was heard throughout the area, and it stumped everyone within the vicinity to glance back at them. "Sweetie Belle!"

"I don't know!" Sweetie Belle replied in a disoriented voice. She turned to face them. "I had nothing to do with this!"

"Bullshit!" Applejack responded.

"Applejack..." Rarity whispered.

Everyone stood at a distance in the passing rain. They were quiet, as they heard the ongoing traffic nearby.

"I didn't do anything." Sweetie Belle spoke up catching her breath. Her words were choked up in her throat, unable to speak clearly. "I was home alone."

"You were home?" Rarity asked. "Why were you out here with Scootaloo? Where? How?"

"I found her." Sweetie Belle began to tear up. "In an alleyway... passed out."

"And no one was with you or..."

"No!" Sweetie Belle interrupted. They all kept their distance. "I don't know anything else."

Their silence was quite telling of how lost everyone was. It took a minute as Sweetie Belle began to turn back and walk out.

"You're not comin' back with us?" Applejack asked. Sweetie Belle stopped, but continued to face away from her.

"Why?" Sweetie Belle asked. "There is nothing else I can do about it."

"If somethin' happened to them, you ought to stay with us where it's safe." Applejack replied.

The rumbling of the thunder in the distance was timed almost perfectly, as she looked down at the paved lines of the road.

"It's not like you cared about my safety before." Sweetie Belle responded.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity said.

"Is it not true?" Sweetie Belle walked up to them. "Not once did either of you come to check on me, or asked if I was even okay?!" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"Now's not the time for your personal issues, Sweetie Belle!" Rarity said.

"It never is, is it?!" Sweetie Belle yelled.

"You've got two friends in that hospital beaten half to death!" Rarity yelled.

"And how does that make me feel?! They're the only two people that actually care about me!"

"How can you even say that?!"

"Because! It's always been about Apple Bloom or Applejack! You stopped thinking about me! And you're my sister! You left me in my time of need!"

Rarity was angrily silenced. Sweetie Belle would glance at Applejack, as she tried not to make eye contact.

"You left the house... you left your job... you left our family..." Sweetie Belle cried. "All for them! You think I was just going to go along with this?!"

"I-I'm taking care of important stuff, Sweetie Belle..." Rarity cried. "Stuff that's important to me..."

"You were important to me." Sweetie Belle stated. "I guess I wasn't important enough for you..."

Rarity didn't know what to say. She didn't think she was that distant from her after all this time.

Sweetie Belle turned back once again to try and leave.

"Sweetie Belle please..." Applejack cried, she stepped over a little closer toward Sweetie Belle. "I-I'm sorry about everythin'... I never meant to hurt you. I'm so sorry, but... but we need you here... please... they need you more than me..."

Sweetie Belle stopped. Applejack's plea was unexpected, as she was never one to beg or even cry in front of her.

There was something deeply torn inside her.

After years of living together, there was no connection made. There was always silence between her and them. It was just a faded existence.

The only real memory of any of them together was just the rare smiles they gave back, but the rest was either the both of them fighting, or just the uncomfortable amount of sex they had. She was never a part of them. It was just always them! Never me! They never took the time to notice me! Why should I care anymore?!

Sweetie Belle turned back to face Applejack.

"I... hate you..." Sweetie Belle cried.

They both stared at each other's sore and reddened eyes. Sweetie Belle sniffed and cleared her nose with her soaked jacket and ran off.

She awoke in a vaguely familiar room. This room belonged to Granny Smith, but the place felt a little too empty and a bit unwelcoming like it used to be.

Sunflower slowly raised her arms to stretch them out, as she climbed out of bed.

She walked out of the room to find the place empty.

"Hello?" Sunflower called out, as she paced around the living room.

She looked out to see the truck still gone. Making her way up the stairs, into the kitchen, and even out to the fields and barn.

It was still cold out, as winds continued to blow through the aged wood of the barnyard.

"All alone." Sunflower said.

Now's my chance! Sunflower thought, as she rushed back into the house.

The evening was set and one old rusty truck pulled up in the driveway. There was a time when they all sat down for dinner.

Everything was set up as it had the elegance and the welcoming manner of someone of her status and beauty.

At the height of her career, as the seats filled of all her respected peers, family, and friends. It was a commemorative dinner party announcing not only a year of their relationship, but also of one of the most important family member's birthdays.

"Thank you all for coming this evening." Rarity said. "I'm not one to make up a memorable speech in the nick of time, but I would like to dedicate this dinner to not only for our first anniversary of tying our families together, namely Applejack and I, but also for Granny Smith's 97th birthday!"

They all clapped their hands in a cheerful manner, as well as other members of the Apple family cheering on with whistles and shouts.

It was mostly a boring and quiet night for Sweetie Belle. Sitting off to the side as she watched the cousins and family gather together for conversations and card games.

She took off out the door as she watched some of the young ones playing out in the yard in the dark. She sat down on the wooden stairs of her front entrance, as a couple of the kids asked if she wanted to join in their little game, but she smiled passively and shook her head. They continued their playtime without another word or gripe.

Apple Bloom came walking out in a dress that Rarity made for Sweetie Belle on her 17th birthday. It was always a tradition she had with her sister that she rather enjoyed, but somehow missed last year's.

"Sweetie Belle?" Apple Bloom asked. "What are you doin' out here?"

"I needed a breather." Sweetie Belle replied, in a breathy tone.

"Not used by this many people, huh?" Apple Bloom continued.

"Not really." Sweetie Belle added. "My family gatherings are usually quiet and... lack of a better term... civil?"

"Oh, I see." Apple Bloom said, as she sat next to Sweetie Belle. "This is quite normal for me, even bigger, in fact."

"Bigger?" Sweetie Belle asked. "This isn't everyone?"

"Oh yeah, my family gatherings have everyone show up!" Apple Bloom said, as she reminisced about the past. As Sweetie Belle looked down on the concrete walkway connected to her porch.

"You okay?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I don't know how I feel about this." Sweetie Belle blatantly said. "It's a lot."

"Yeah, but you're at least a part of the family, right?" Apple Bloom said.

"I don't feel like I am..." Sweetie Belle continued. "I mean... it's really my sister pushing all of this on me... I don't know if I even..."

Apple Bloom looked at Sweetie Belle's concerned posture. She was looking away, curled up in a reserved position against the wooden handrails of the stairwell. Apple Bloom leaned forward and gave her a hug.

"It's okay." Apple Bloom suggested.

What felt like hours into the night, everyone was gone, and that was left was their small group.

They cleaned up the place rather quickly thanks to all of Rarity's friends pitching in to help, as they all said their goodbyes, and she saw Rainbow Dash carry Scootaloo's rested body away into her car. Sweetie Belle was looking out from the window giving a small smirk as Dash had trouble getting her inside.

All that was left to do was the crazy amount of dishes in the sink, which Rarity made Sweetie Belle do before heading to bed.

It was somewhat of a quiet and relaxing send off towards the hectic night she had. Sweetie Belle found joy in cleaning. It gave her a sense of completion and a focused clearing of the mind. Unwinding through the scrubs and strokes of the sponges against the messiness. She loved to stack them in a specific order, even the cleaning supplies were placed in a specific way that would match the needed tool for the job.

Neatness, cleanliness, and order was what she loved the most. Unfortunately for them... it wasn't so.

Even for her sister's workshop and household, she started to get sloppy with her work, lazily putting together wardrobes, and the house being trampled with dust, disorienting odors, clothes thrown everywhere in every corner of the house, and garbage everywhere she stepped. She taught her all the rules of being immaculate, it's what drew in customers and made her stand out to be a prestigious and properly adjusted businesswoman.

Ever since they came into the picture... it wasn't so.

Just as she was focused on her thoughts of the matter, Applejack wobbled her way into the kitchen. She was drunk off the cider she brought to the dinner table to share with the family. It was her best brew yet, as she would put it. She was awkwardly standing behind Sweetie Belle in uncomfortable silence.

"What are you doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked in a deepened and tired tone.

"Rarity wanted me to help ya out." Applejack replied in a similar manner.

"I'm perfectly fine being on my own." Sweetie Belle added.

"Don't worry, I'll just dry off the ones you already finished." Applejack assured.

Sweetie Belle sighed on the thought of being in the same room as her when she was perfectly fine being in the quiet solitude, as she continued to scrub a plate over the soapy water.

Applejack stood idly beside her drying off the plates, bowls, and cups, as the smell coming off of her was invading Sweetie Belle's senses. Even the fresh spring mint scent of the soap wasn't helping in the slightest. She had always smelled pungent, being around the farmhouse, being in lot of mudpiles, walking and lifting heavy equipment with the dried sweat in her crevasses, and the drunken fermented cider in every breath of her's was something that bothered her, and somehow Rarity grew into liking the very scent.

At first, just the dirt and apples would be all she noticed and withstood at the time, because it was Apple Bloom's natural musk that would emanate from the premises of their clubhouse from time to time. It was nothing like Scootaloo's.

When Sweetie Belle's mind was focused entirely on the aroma, Applejack picked up an unfinished plate out of the sink next to her's. Sweetie Belle grabbed the plate, as the both retained their grip on it.

"I'm not finished with it!" Sweetie Belle said in a silent and angry tone. Still gripping the plate.

"Sorry, you've kind of dozed off there." Applejack said, as she pulled the plate to her, but as she did Sweetie Belle pulled it back to her.

"I'm perfectly fine doing this on my own!" Sweetie Belle mentioned again.

"What's the matter?" Applejack asked. "I'm just tryin' to help."

"I don't need your help!" Sweetie Belle and Applejack continued to have their grip on the plate.

"If you're tired, it's okay."

"No, it's not okay!"

"Seriously, Sweetie Belle let go."

"You let go!"

"Sweetie..."

The plate ended up busting in their hands, it caused the both of their fingertips to bleed.

"What is your problem, are you crazy?!" Applejack yelled, as they both put their hands in the soapy water.

"You're the problem!" Sweetie Belle replied. "If it wasn't for your ugly stench, maybe I would have had it done!"

"What?!" Applejack said, as she sniffed her flannel buttoned shirt. "Sweetie Belle?"

"Just leave me alone!" Sweetie Belle yelled.

"C'mon, it's alright. It's just a plate." Applejack assured. "Are you alright?"

"Shut up!" Sweetie Belle said, as tears began to form in her eyes.

"What is wrong?"

"Just go away!"

"Sweetie Belle, just tell me."

"No! Go!"

"What do you want?"

"I want you to leave! I want you to stop living here and go back home! I want you to stop taking over everything!"

"Sweetie Belle..." She could hear the sorrow in her voice. "We just got the family together..."

"I don't want to be a part of your family!"

Applejack turned away from her view, as she hid her face in the shadows of her cowgirl hat. She could still see the blood drip from her fingertips.

"I-I... didn't know... you felt that way..." Applejack said, as the words were broken out and swallowed back up.

Sweetie Belle looked away, as she took her hand away from the sink and stormed out of the kitchen.

Sweetie Belle burst into tears walking out of the kitchen doors, she fell into the wall nearby. But, just as she rested her back on the wall, she saw Apple Bloom standing right across from her. She saw the glistening redstone eyes deepen with sadness, able to see it as clear as day in the dark and discolored room.

She shook her head, and continued toward her room.

She felt the exact same way stopping to catch her breath. The reflection she saw on the window of a candy shop looked to herself as a hollow and hostile woman.

She felt every ounce of grief and regret rising in her veins, as her heart began to race. Her panicky fidgets and shortened breaths were taxing on her weak body. Never recovering her past inflictions of her weakened state had now become much worse and felt imprisoned in a perpetual torment.

Sweetie Belle continued to cry. It was dreadful, it was much harder and it irritated every inch of her face. The heavy rainfall made it worse.

I'm sorry... Sweetie Belle kept deep within herself that was never let out. I'm sorry! I'm sorry!!!

But, now that damage was done. What can she possibly do?

"Sweetie Belle?" A voice was heard from behind her. She quickly glanced back at who it could be.

Babs had walked up from behind her.

"Go away, Babs!" Sweetie Belle cried. "Leave me alone!"

"Wait!" Babs said, as she reached out to her. Sweetie Belle remained at her distance.

"What do you want?" Sweetie Belle said under her coarse voice. "Where are Diamond and Silver?"

"I had to ditch them, they're being annoying." Babs replied. Sweetie Belle nodded her head in assurance. "But, I saw what happened between you and your sister..."

"Why?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Are you stalking me?!"

"No, I just happened to walk by and I saw you guys." Babs answered. "It kind of reminded me of me and my sister, we would disagree on a lot of things... said things we would soon regret... you know."

Sweetie Belle remained silent.

"What were you guys doing at the hospital?" Babs asked.

"You mean you don't know?!" Sweetie Belle said in a distraughtly manner.

"No, I don't." Babs responded. "What's going on?"

"You're lying to me!"

"No, I'm not!" Babs yelled. "I want to know, I haven't seen anyone since the clubhouse... Well, you and Scootaloo from the restaurant."

"Something happened between Scootaloo and Apple Bloom... they both are in critical condition."

"Oh..."

"Did you have something to do with this?!"

"I swear I had nothing to do with it! Okay?!"

"Whatever! You pissed everyone off, you three are horrible people!"

Babs looked down at the sidewalk, as she saw Sweetie Belle in her heels. There was a little bit of bruising she saw from the straps across her feet. She sighed.

"Look, I can't speak for the other two... but I'm sorry." Babs said, sincerely.

"It's because of you, I left them both alone." Sweetie Belle lashed out.

"I'm sorry." Babs repeated.

They both stood out on the sidewalk.

"The last time I saw them together was that fight between Apple Bloom and Scootaloo in front of the clubhouse yesterday." Babs reminded Sweetie Belle.

"You haven't seen them since then?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"No, besides you and Scootaloo at that diner." Babs also reminded Sweetie Belle.

"I'm not accepting your apology for that." Sweetie Belle said blatantly.

"That's fine, but Sweetie Belle, your sister."

"It's my business!" Sweetie Belle yelled. "Stay out of it!"

"Look, everyone's been on edge recently. I really don't have anyone to go back to... even my sister's being too much. And after all that I've seen, I think you know what I'm talking about."

"Why are you bringing this up?"

"Being alone for so long, having no friends, or a good person to look up to. I don't know how to... respond?"

"I thought you said you knew a two-faced bitch when you saw one?"

"That's because of my sister... but I didn't expect anyone else to be that way..."

"For someone who doesn't know anything like it, sure seems like they do."

"I'm sorry. I've been through some stuff. I don't associate well with many people. It's hard for me to understand. I was just sick of the fighting, I'm sick of people hurting each other around me. So, this one time I stepped in because I was scared. I didn't know Scootaloo was just going to pick a fight with someone..."

"I suppose that was uncalled for..."

"See... I didn't know how to react. I honestly thought Scootaloo was going to fight. I got scared."

"Didn't Apple Bloom tell you?" Sweetie Belle asked. "Anything about Diamond?"

"No, just the fact that she thought she had feelings for her."

"Does she?"

"No. Unfortunately..."

"Does Apple Bloom know?"

"I don't think so. I only know because Diamond was trying to confess to me."

"Are you sure she was the one trying?" Sweetie Belle questioned. "You were trying with me!"

"It was just a joke though..." Babs said.

"I didn't feel like it was!" Sweetie Belle yelled.

"Again, I'm sorry." Babs reinstated.

"It doesn't matter now anyway." Sweetie Belle said under her breath. "I'm going home."

"Wait." Babs stopped Sweetie Belle. "Seriously, you should be with the others."

"Why?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"I don't know what's going on, but I think being with them would be better." Babs assured.

"If you saw what you saw, then you know I can't."

"What if I go with you?" Babs asked.

"Why would that help?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"I can help you clear the air about anything." Babs begged.

"I don't want to do that." Sweetie Belle responded.

"Sweetie..."

"No, I've said what I've said." Sweetie Belle paused. "There's no going back."

"C'mon. We shouldn't worry about them anymore." Babs requested.

"Why do you care?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"They're family." Babs said, as Sweetie Belle's shock filled into her face. She looked away to avoid being seen.

"I just can't, okay?" Sweetie Belle cried.

"Fine. At least let me go with you."

"Why?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"I'm done with Diamond and Silver. You guys were right after all." Babs replied.

"It's not enough of an apology."

"It's not, I just can't be with them. You guys were right. And, if I want to start asking for forgiveness, then I want to at least do this to make it up." Babs concluded.

Sweetie Belle remained silent about it. She thought about them deeply, and questioned herself if Babs was telling the truth. Nothing indicated that she was wanting to pick a fight with her. Maybe it is time to ask for forgiveness. She thought.

The silence was tormenting her.

There was only one other time when Sweetie Belle had to break the silence. It had to have been with someone who wasn't biased, someone who was intelligent.

"Oh, welcome Sweetie Belle!" She said, as she opened the door to Sweetie Belle.

Sweetie Belle quickly walked in the air-conditioned household.

"Hello, Doctor." Sweetie Belle said, as she took a seat at the sofa in the living room.

"Doctor?" She said. "You can just call me Twilight, Sweetie Belle. I am your sister's friend after all."

"But you are a doctor, right?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Yes." Twilight said. "PHD in theoretical physics and chemistry to be exact!"

"That's great!" Sweetie Belle delighted.

"So, what brings you over?" Twilight said, as she sat beside her on the sofa.

"I suppose... I want to talk about something... it's kind of personal"

"Oh..." Twilight hesitated for a moment, as she was unsure what she meant. "Would you like some tea?"

"Sure." Sweetie Belle said.

After everyone was seated comfortably and had a hot beverage to help unwind the breaking silence between them.

"So, what has been going on?" Twilight asked.

"Everything around me is changing, and I'm not sure what to do about it." Sweetie Belle said.

"Yeah?" Twilight listened.

"Everything about the house, my sister... even my closest friends. It's all feeling like it's too much sometimes." Sweetie Belle added.

"Change is inevitable." Twilight added.

"Yeah, but it's like I don't even exist. Everyone has been ignoring me, or not even taking me seriously. Not even to ask about how I feel about it." Sweetie Belle elaborated.

"I see." Twilight responded. "Granted, I'm not a licensed therapist in that manner, but I would like you to know that anything you do tell me, you can trust me."

"That's why I came to you." Sweetie Belle stated. "You're probably the most level-headed one out of all my sister's friends... no offense."

"None taken." Twilight said.

"Says you." Someone from behind them said, with a deep and husky voice.

They both looked back to see Sunset Shimmer walking down the hallway.

"Did I come at a bad time?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"No, things here haven't been that easy-going either." Twilight said, as she heard the bedroom door shut in the distance.

"But you know my sister, right?" Sweetie Belle asked. "You know how much she's changed since the relationship."

"I guess?" Twilight questioned herself. "We've kind of grown apart since last year. I really don't know how it's been."

"This is my point exactly!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed. "I don't know either, even though I live with her it's not the same anymore. It's all about her and Applejack. She never asks me how I feel, or how any of the things she's been doing affects me as well!"

"And your parents aren't involved, right?" Twilight asked.

"Our parents are practically out of the picture." Sweetie Belle added. "They don't want to acknowledge our existence anymore because of her relationship with Applejack."

"Your friends aren't around either, to help you out?" Twilight continued.

"No. Because of Applejack being there, Apple Bloom moved in with us. Seeing her and putting up with her everyday is starting to wear on me a little bit, it doesn't even feel like a friendship anymore. And Scootaloo... she's been distant. With Rainbow Dash being away, Scootaloo hasn't been taking it too well. Even when I go to see her, she shuts me out." Sweetie Belle said.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Twilight assured. "Sounds rough."

"Yeah." Sweetie Belle said.

"Listen, you can just come over if you need to talk about anything." Twilight reassured. "Okay? As a friend of your sister, I can help if needed."

"I don't know." Sweetie Belle said. "I don't have anyone to turn to for help, but just to talk... Do you really mean it? I won't be an inconvenience to you in any way?"

"Yes, you can relax." Twilight delighted. "I'm not as busy as you may think. I practically work from home. You can come by anytime."

"Thank you." Sweetie Belle cried.

"Do all relationships end up like this?" Sweetie Belle asked personally.

"If I'm being honest... it gets difficult." Twilight said, as she turned her head to look back at the bedroom door. "But, the reason we go through it, even if it's difficult, it's because it has its moments of reassurance."

"What do you mean?"

"Just knowing that you're not alone. That you have someone there to watch over you. Even when you fight and get into terrible habits, there's a sense of familiarity and passion in it."

"Is it worth it?"

"It's not easy to decipher early on. But, it is. You're dealing with another person who thinks and does stuff completely out of your control. Sometimes it works out, but sometimes we end up with seeing some of the worst parts of yourself and your partner. That's why there's communication and compromise."

"Compromise?"

"You can get comfortable with the fact that someone knows who you are, and is willing to tolerate it with you together."

"But, isn't that a bad thing?"

"It can. Especially if it comes to abuse."

"Abuse?" Sweetie Belle said, with a worrying look on her face.

"Abuse, as in the sense of terrible habits." Twilight assured.

"Yeah?"

"Like let's say Sunset, for example. She developed a bit of a smoking habit. I really hate cigarettes, they're disgusting! It definitely got rough when it came to Spike's poor health conditions."

"Is he okay?"

"Of course, he's just gotten older and he needs a good environment to live a good life. So, by compromising and understanding, I made it so that she's only allowed to smoke outdoors, even though I don't like her smoking altogether."

"I see."

"But, even through all of it. I love her. But, the only thing that hurts sometimes, does she still feel the same? I want to help her sometimes, but she refuses most of the time."

"Do you communicate that to her?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"Sometimes... but not enough..." Twilight said softly.

"You think I should do the same?" Sweetie Belle continued.

"It's up to you." Twilight concluded. "But, we can keep these between us, okay?"

Sweetie Belle and Babs were on their way back to the hospital. The storm seemed to have slowed since their conversation earlier.

"So, were you bullied in school?" Sweetie Belle asked Babs.

"I sure was." Babs said. "I didn't have anyone around, just my sister."

"It was like that for me for a while. I didn't meet Scootaloo and Apple Bloom until middle school. They both were not people I would normally hang out with, but they protected me when I was bullied too."

"I wouldn't have guessed that you'd been through that."

"Unfortunately. It was always Diamond and Silver, causing trouble with everyone. So, we banded together to help others in a similar situation."

"I guess things never change." Babs said, as Sweetie Belle smiled.

Babs saw Sweetie Belle shivering. Given her odd choice for clothing in this weather, it made her feel prompted to give her leather jacket for warmth.

"Thanks, but you didn't..."

"I do." Babs interrupted, as Sweetie Belle felt a resemblance of that attitude with Scootaloo.

There was something about her that felt similar. The aspects of her like her posture, her short hair, and even her scent coming off of the leather jacket. However, Scootaloo was never really that confident. Just reckless.

"So, Diamond doesn't have feelings for Apple Bloom?" Sweetie Belle continued.

"No, Apple Bloom probably just got the idea, whenever she thought it was her responsibility to reform her from her previous affiliations." Babs responded.

"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle asked. Babs stopped for a moment to look into her eyes.

"She thought she could fix her." Babs said. "Redeem her in a sense."

"I do apologize for my behavior between you and Scootaloo." Babs mentioned.

"I don't know what to really do about it now." Sweetie Belle said blatantly.

"Well, at least you know." Babs said.

"Know what?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"How she truly feels." Babs said. "It's the difficult part of trying to establish a relationship, you never know how they are going to react when confronted."

"I guess that's true." Sweetie Belle pouted. "I just thought... all this time..."

"I understand." Babs assured. "But, that goes without saying. What did you think of me asking?"

"Honestly, it was disingenuous." Sweetie Belle said.

"How would you feel if I asked you now?" Babs asked. Sweetie Belle stopped walking for a moment, as Babs stopped to arch her back toward her. "I don't really like Diamond, even when she tried to ask me."

Babs walked over to Sweetie Belle, and she closed up on her against the brick walls of a building beside them. Her arms lengthen and place them above Sweetie Belle's shoulders.

"How do you feel?" Babs asked, as Sweetie Belle remained silent, looking deep into those familiar glistening jades. Her nose was slightly off center, but it was almost unnoticeable. Every single one of them from the Apple Family had it. Except for Apple Bloom oddly enough. She flustered, she was unsure if it was actual affection or utter shock.

Babs was moving in closer to push her lips into Sweetie Belle's, but she refused by ducking under her arms, and taking a few steps away.

"I-I..." Sweetie Belle couldn't speak. "I want to focus on my friends first."

Babs got a little upset, as she saw Sweetie Belle continue to walk down the path. Babs walked down to catch up to her.
"I understand if you're still thinking about Scootaloo." Babs said. "But, I feel as though she might not have what it takes."
"What do you mean?" Sweetie Belle questioned.

"To have what it takes to protect you." Babs said.

"I don't need much protection, thank you!" Sweetie Belle said, as she started to get frustrated.

"You know what I meant." Babs said.

"Do I?" Sweetie Belle continued.

Babs pulled Sweetie Belle's arm to face her.

"She's reckless!" Babs said. "You can't honestly think that she's mature enough to handle an actual situation."

"I'm not doing this right now!" Sweetie Belle said. "I thought we were going to help my friends first!"

Babs was angrily silenced, as Sweetie Belle continued.

"Do you need their approval or something?!" Babs questioned. "Besides, you didn't even want to go in the first place!"

"Yeah?" Sweetie Belle replied. "I've changed my mind!"

"They won't accept me the way you do!" Babs mentioned. "You know that, right? I'm the bad guy to them!"

"We can talk through it later." Sweetie Belle said. "For now, let's just do what you said and help everyone understand the situation."

"I've changed my mind!" Babs said. "You think she would've done the same for you? She would've been so clueless and left you in that alleyway to rot!"

Sweetie Belle was utterly shocked at what she heard. She looked down at Babs's knuckles and saw the bruises and dried blood.

Babs saw the look on her face, and knew she fucked up.

"You knew!" Sweetie Belle yelled.

"I saw it, but I had nothing to do with it." Babs continued.

Sweetie Belle took out her phone and called Scootaloo.

She felt the buzzing in her pocket. It came right out of Babs leather jacket.

Sweetie Belle panicked, and once she saw Babs watch her slowly take out the phone in her pocket. She bolted the other way.

Sweetie Belle walked into a dead end.

She turned back to see Babs come up to her.

Babs pinned her against the wall. She held her arms up and spread her legs apart from each other. As she was pinned and helpless against her strength, she forced a kiss on her.

Sweetie Belle held her breath and snapped her teeth against Babs's tongue in her mouth.

Babs responded to the pain as she kicked back into the wall adjacent to theirs.

Sweetie Belle made a run for it.

Babs was licking the blood from her lips and teeth with her blistered and irritated tongue.

She began to feel that rush in herself once again. I like this one! Babs thought.

Sweetie Belle ran, but her weakened body was already too much and started to go into a panicked shock.

She needed to hide and catch her breath, and to possibly pass out, but not before throwing up excessively.

She made a detour into a small cul-de-sac just a block away from where all her friends live, and that's where she found a familiar sight.

The fence that Scootaloo attempted to hop over the other day.

She vaguely remembered how she tried to do it. She recognized the flaw in her attempts, but she didn't tell her because she knew that Scootaloo needed to learn on her own. She didn't use her momentum to push herself up and swing her leg to latch on the edge. She simply just tried to kick herself up, mimicking running up a slope. When she got up, she fell over because she underestimated the thin fence once she got on top. She ripped her knee open, but luckily it was just a flesh wound.

Sweetie Belle ran and grabbed the top. She pulled her leg up to wrap her foot over the edge and lifted herself up. She quickly slipped over the top of the fence. It was successful, but her dress was snagged on an imperfect incline of the board.

It ripped.

She fell and took a breath.

There were small droplets falling on her face, and she just wanted to pass out.

Babs ran up to the wall.

A small glimpse of Babs running from bullies, from her sister, and even from security officers rushed into her mind. The experiences she had to face to escape her situation. Not having enough, never being enough, and never given a chance to be a good person. She relied on the darkness for comfort, for survival, and for anything she wanted. It gave her strength, agility, and endurance that made it easier.

She got over the fence easily.

Sweetie Belle looked up and saw Babs gunning toward her direction.

She got up, but it was pointless.

Babs tackled her down into the dirt and grass, just as she did with Apple Bloom. But this time, it was different.

"You know..." Babs whispered under breath. "You look pretty sexy in that jacket."

Sweetie Belle struggled, but Babs's weight and strength was unmatched.

"You're definitely cuter than Diamond." Babs mentioned.

Sweetie Belle kept fighting, and had to do anything she could to find an opening.

She luckily found an opening, when Babs went down to lick her face with her blistered tongue.

She reached down into her ripped dress. Being snug against her underwear.

She quickly flipped the switch and brought it up to Babs's neck.

There was a flash like a bolt of lightning in the pouring rain. It was intense, but it burned.

"Besides, I'm more equipped to handle myself, thank you very much!" As Sweetie Belle began to pass out, as she heard that lie she told herself. As everything grew silent.

Babs laid beside her squirming helplessly, as she saw the flashes signal throughout her body.

There were packs of mud being tossed around the area, with Babs feet kicking the ground.

The skies felt as if they grew darker and darker.

However, she felt herself being lifted off the ground. Seconds later, she saw herself walking down the street, a familiar street.

A car had pulled up from beside her. She felt herself being pulled toward it, and once again, darkness.