Both ponies stood silently outside the Sugar Cube Corner, Apple Bloom having taken yet another sudden interest in her hooves.

"Do you want to go home?" Apple Jack asked calmly. "Ah took a big chance bringing you here today, but if all you can do is think about hurtin' Scootaloo... I hate to say it, Apple Bloom, but maybe y'all shouldn't be friends."

"Ah don't know what I want, sis..." Apple Bloom said, not making eye-contact. "Ah still kinda like her, but I just get so mad..."

"There shouldn't be a but, Apple Bloom!" Snapped AJ. "What you're feeling is completely justified, but it's still not Scootaloo's fault. We talked about this...."

"I know, but --"

Apple Jack sighed:

"Apple Bloom... you remember the Cutie Mark Crusaders Sky Divers?"

"Yeah."

"That could have ended just just awful for any of you, but it didn't... what about the CMC Splunkers? Remember them?"

"... yeah."

"Any one of you or, heck, even all of you could've fallen off and it'd all over just like that!" AJ stamped her hoof on the ground, signifying how quickly it could have ended. She sighed. "If you're going to hold anypony accountable for what happened to Sweetie Belle, hold us big ponies."

Apple Bloom finally looked up, revealing she had been on the verges of tears:

"What? Why?"

Apple Jack smiled and hugged her little sister:

"Because somepony had to buy that scooter for Scootaloo... we do these things hoping that you'll use your time with 'em to find out what you're good at. Scootaloo just happens to be unusually good at using her scooter. Usually younger Pegasai can't reach the speeds it'd take to kill another pony, let alone a filly, but Scootaloo's got some seriously strong wings, and... she's still growing. Yer still growing, too; you've got your whole life ahead of you... why not just let bygones be bygones and have fun? Y'all don't have to forget about Sweetie Belle to do that."

The tears were now pouring from Apple Bloom's eyes:

"Apple Jack... I'm sorry. I-I'm a bad filly!"

The farm filly hugged her big sister so tight that if she weren't so upset... Apple Jack would have asked her to loosen it up a notch.

"There there, it's okay." AJ hugged back. "Hey. Shhh.... You're not a bad filly. Yer just upset over what happened."

"I miss her."

"Me too... we all do."

A lone tear fell from Apple Jack's eye as she hugged her sister. Apple Bloom looked up to see the first tear shed by her sister over this event, the bravest pony she knew, and realized... even strong grown-ups feel pain like fillies do. Both Apples were happy for this moment, but unfortunately... it came to an end all too soon.

A well-dressed mare -- who knew a thing or two about what was going on at the Corner that day -- trotted giddy towards the bakery with a huge package for the birthday filly on a small red cart. This mare saw both Apple Jack and Apple Bloom standing together in the doorway, huddled in a warm embrace. She softly smiled before they even turned to acknowledged her. Once they did, she announced herself in her usual sing-songy tone:

"I'm here! Fashionably late as always, darlings!"

It was Rarity, of course; dressed up as if going to a very special occasion... far too formal for a filly's 9th birthday party. With a spring in her step, she was smiling and looking wide awake, a bright contrast to what Twilight had seen days before. To those who knew her, she still looked as though she could stand to put on a few pounds, but her outfit and make-up hid that well enough.

"Well, hot dog, Rarity... good to see ya," said Apple Jack, stepping aside. "That's a mighty fine package ya got there. It's almost big as you are! Hope ya didn't go over the 20 bit limit... it's gunna be mighty awkward."

Rarity smiled:

"Oh, that silly thing? I thought that was just a formality! Not to worry, I got just this morning second-hoof from the best thrift store in town! I only paid 25 bits for it. I took one look and thought it was perfect!"

"What's in it?"

"Na-uh-uh! I can't tell you that... It'll spoil the surprise!" She approached the entrance to the Corner. "Would you kindly open the door for me please, Apple Jack?"

"Uh... okay." AJ and AB both stepped out of the way and held the door. "Need any help?"

Rarity rolled it in on her own:

"No, darling. I'm fine, completely fine!"

The door slammed shut, leaving Apple Jack and Apple Bloom in the silence again. Apple Bloom spoke up:

"Did Rarity seem kinda... funny to you, Apple Jack?

AJ nodded:

"A bit. This is giving me butterflies in ma stomach. Let's get in there and don't say anything for now, okay?"

The little filly nodded as Apple Jack opened the door yet again and stepped inside with her sister.