This is really awkward. Like, really awkward. It's difficult to explain, but I feel...like a criminal somehow, the way Twilight and Rainbow are flanking me on either side as I walk through the streets. I don't feel like I should have to say anything to this Pinkie chick, because I meant everything I said. Isn't apologizing the same thing as admitting you were wrong?

So we're back at Sugarcube Corner now. I slow to a stop just in front of the door, looking up at the absurdly decorated building. The last time I was here, it was for that awesome party. Now I'm back here to attempt to cheer up a maniac. I almost consider leaving, because fuck these ponies, but I know that I'd never get away. Between Twilight's magic and Rainbow's athletic prowess, I won't even have a chance to get free. The thought that they can control my life so easily almost makes anger bubble up within me.

Without a word, I pull open the door and step inside, my nose twitching at the sudden onslaught of sugary smells. This immediately gives me a craving for something sweet, but I don't have any money. I spent the last of it last night.

“Good morning, and welcome to Su...to...” I recognize the speaker as being Mrs. Cake. However, her bubbly words quickly trail off as she sees me, and her welcoming expression turns to one of animosity, more than likely directed at me. “Hmph.”

“Twilight, Pinkie's upstairs, right?” I whisper to the unicorn behind me. She confirms that with a nod, so I stride forward, intending to completely ignore Mrs. Cake so I can get this over with. However, she steps in front of me.

“Where do you think you're going, human?” she demands, her posture hostile. Ah, so they know about it too. I don't see what the big deal is, though. Why do they care so much? Is it because they can't get any work from Pinkie if she's all depressed?

“Past you. Get the fuck out of my way,” I respond plainly. Mrs. Cake does not budge. Dammit, fine, I'll try this Twilight's way. “Look, I'm here to talk to Pinkie.”

“Don't you think you've done enough?” she snaps back at me. Well, so much for that. I turn around and walk back towards Twilight.

“Well, I tried. I'm leaving now,” I tell her. Both she and Rainbow immediately step in front of the door. “What? How am I supposed to do anything with this fucker in my way?”

“Seth, she's just angry because Pinkie is like a daughter to her. If you can keep that in mind when you talk to her, I'm sure you two can come to an understanding,” Twilight explains to me patiently.

“I don't care about any of that. I'm here to talk to Pinkie, drag her out of her room, and then go,” I grunt, earning a disapproving look from the unicorn. “Just magic her out of my way or something.”

“I'm not going to use magic on Mrs. Cake. She's not doing anything wrong,” Twilight argues. “Just go up to her and show some sincerity, and I'm sure she'll let you pass.”

“Sincerity implies that I care. I'm here to get you off my case, that's all.” My words cause her frown to deepen. “Fine...but know that everything I say to her will practically be a lie.”

Mrs. Cake hasn't budged from her position, and she glares at me as I walk back to her. “Look, I need to get past you,” I tell her bluntly.

“That's not going to happen. Pinkie's in bad shape thanks to what you did,” she avows, scoffing.

“Yeah, and clearly nothing you've said to her is helping her any, considering she's still in her room,” I point out, and the flinch I get tells me my words are getting to her. “She's depressed because of something I said, and nothing anypony else says will change that fact in her mind.”

“You're not helping your case,” Mrs. Cake informs me. That's because I haven't finished talking yet, bitch.

“So if I were to take back everything I said, she'd have no reason to be sad. So how about you move now, and let me give you your friend back?” Despite what I said to Twilight, nothing I've said has been a lie.

“How can I be sure you won't just make it worse?” Mrs. Cake asks in an accusatory manner. Oh good, she's decided that now's a good time to distrust me. While smart, it's really just getting in my way now.

“Look I get that you're trying to protect her or whatever. But you're stopping me from apologizing to her. What kind of friend are you?” I demand. Mrs. Cake looks like I'd struck her. She seems like she's going to argue, but she thinks better of it, instead choosing to at last step aside and allow me access to the staircase at the back of shop.

“All right. She's upstairs, just behind the counter,” Mrs. Cake says with a sigh. Finally. Now I can actually do what I came to do.

The three of us walk up the stairs at the back of the shop, where the bedrooms are located. Once we're up there, Twilight leads me to a particular room, which I assume is Pinkie's. “This is it. Give it your best shot.” Twilight encourages me with a smile. Whatever.

I grab the door handle and pull, but it doesn't budge. Raising an eyebrow, I try pushing, but that doesn't work either. So it's locked. I give Twilight a meaningful look. She sighs and walks towards the door. “Pinkie, are you in there? Can you let us in?” she calls softly. Silence is her only response. That can't be good.

“Come on Pinks, open up!” Rainbow tries as well. This time we get a response.

“Go away! I don't want to annoy anypony any more than I already have,” Pinkie's high pitched voice filters through the door. I can't help but groan and facepalm. What the hell...is she a child having a damn tantrum?

“Pinkie, nopony thinks you're annoying,” Twilight attempts to reassure her friend, but once again silence greets her. Okay, no. This is just a waste of my time at this point.

“Okay, I've lost my patience,” I growl, loud enough for Pinkie to hear me inside, judging by the gasp I hear. “I'm coming in, whether she likes it or not.”

“Seth? What are you going to...no, wait!” Twilight protests as I stalk past her. Once I'm standing in front of Pinkie's door, I take quick moment to examine it. Perfect, it doesn't look that sturdy.

Twilight and Rainbow look at me in shock as I lift up my foot and kick the door hard just above the handle, breaking the flimsy lock. The door slams open inwards, hitting the wall and shaking violently.

I walk inside, getting a look at Pinkie's room as I do so. Strangely enough, it's circular, and rather large. There's even a damn fireplace in here. I guess she's a lot better off than I expected, considering...what, she works at a bakery? I don't think their salaries are that high.

Pinkie herself is lying on the bed opposite the room from me, and she looks somewhat different than I remember. Her mane is totally straight, for one, rather than that frizzy explosion it used to be. Maybe I'm seeing things, but her coat appears to be a darker shade of pink than I remember as well.

“Okay, enough of the pity party. Get up and talk to me,” I order her callously. Pinkie stirs slightly, lifting her head and looking at me with sadness in her eyes. Damn, she looks pitiful. I feel a little guilty for causing her to be in this state. I was just trying to get her to leave me alone, not actually believe every word I said to her.

“Seth? What are you doing here?” Pinkie asks weakly, resting her head on the edge of the bed, sort of like a cat does. Before I answer, a thought strikes me. I turn back towards the door, and sure enough, Twilight and Rainbow are trying to get in.

“One second,” I tell her. Then I grab the door and slam it shut in their faces. “You brought me here to do a job, now fuck off so I can do it!”

There, now I can have this conversation without them peering over my shoulder. “Now, the better question is, why are you still here, and not having fun with your friends?” I demand.

“Are they really my friends? How do I know they're not just tolerating me? You...you were right. You're not the first one to say I'm annoying,” Pinkie laments, causing me to groan and rub my forehead. This is going to be harder than I thought.

“Don't be a dumb fuck. Yeah, they totally tolerate you. That's why they chased me down and brought me here to talk to you,” I respond sarcastically. Pinkie flinches at my rough words, and then opens her mouth. “Idiot! Of course they care about you!”

“But...how can they care about an annoying pony like me?” Pinkie asks me pitifully. Oh for the love of god. Time to rip this problem out by the roots.

“Look. This isn't about them. It's about you and me. I said the things I did because they are true. To me. You just can't approach me in that manner, and not have me get annoyed,” I explain to her carefully. Pinkie looks at me in confusion. So I didn't quite explain that well enough. “Every time we run into one another, you knock me over. I can't help but get a little pissed off.”

“I know, and I'm sorry. I just wanted to help you have fun. I've never seen you smile; I mean really really smile, not that little fake smile you sometimes put on,” Pinkie responds. Her words...are actually somewhat touching, despite how stupid they sound. Who the hell thinks knocking someone over is a good way to help them have fun? But...she's perceptive enough to tell that almost every smile I put on is fake. And she wants to change that.

“That I don't understand. Why would you do that? What do you get out of seeing me smile?” I question honestly. I get tired of standing, so I move over to the bed and sit down next to her. Pinkie shifts to give me room.

“Because seeing anyone sad is enough to make me sad, and you always look sad, so I'm sad when I see you sad,” Pinkie begins, and her wording is enough to make me pause a moment and try to make sense of it. “But if I make you smile, then I can smile, and everyone's happy.”

“Wait, so you're telling me that the happiness of others is your happiness?” I ask, putting her reasoning into my own words to make sure I understood.

“Uh-huh,” Pinkie confirms. I look at the ground, processing that. That sounds like total bullshit. When people said that to me back in my time, it's always bullshit. Everybody always wants something. People trying to make me “happy” were usually just sucking up to me so I'd help them in class, or to get me to buy stuff for them to reciprocate their “kindness.” I always saw it coming, and I would never help them.

“Heh. You ponies never make sense,” I comment wryly. “Anyway, I think it's time you got out of this room.”

“But...” Pinkie starts, but she cuts off with a yelp when I grab her by the mane and drag her off the bed forcefully. She flails around and falls over, but she manages to scramble upright.

“No excuses. You get out there, and go make your friends smile. That's what you're good at, right?” I command her. Pinkie looks at me thoughtfully, and then she walks up to me, gets up on her hind legs, and wraps her front hooves around my chest in a hug. I nearly unbalance from. And here's yet another random pony hug. I really wish they'd stop doing this.

“Thank you. I know you still find me annoying, but I still want to be your bestest friend,” Pinkie whispers to me. I raise an eyebrow at that.

“I don't really want friends...but telling you that isn't really going to stop you, huh,” I remark. Pinkie lets go and steadies herself, and then she gives me a nod, a small smile gracing her face. “I thought as much. Now, I need to get going, so I'm leaving now.”

Pinkie and I are walking towards the door when a sudden thought strikes me. I look at Pinkie, debating inwardly about whether or not I should actually say it. On one hand, it would make her super happy, but on the other, it would probably annoy the hell out of me. I shouldn't say it. It'll give her the wrong idea. But...she's still looking a little sad, which was my fault in the first place.

Ugh, I might as well. I hope I don't regret this. “Pinkie, if you still want to, I wouldn't be opposed to that welcome party you mentioned.” I suggest hesitantly. The change in Pinkie's demeanor is immediate. She turns her head and looks at me with reserved excitement, almost as if she's having trouble believing her ears.

“R-r-really?!” Pinkie squeaks. Placing my hands in my pockets, I nod once. Suddenly, color returns to her coat and her straight and flat mane suddenly puffs up and frizzes out, returning to the way it was when I first met her. “WOOHOO! This is going to be the best. Party. EVER!”

I watch with a raised eyebrow as Pinkie dashes through the door, nearly bowling over Rainbow and Twilight, who had been, as I expected, leaning up against the door with their ears pressed to it. “Oh, hi girls!” Pinkie squeals happily, hugging the both of them tightly, and then she dashes away. “No time to talk, I have a party to plan!”

“Wait, Pinkie!” Twilight calls after her, but Pinkie is long gone. Her gazes turns to me as I leave the room as well.

“Nothing about that pony makes any kind of sense,” I remark, shaking my head. Twilight smiles at me, and she steps forward and nuzzles me gently.

“Thank you, Seth. You didn't have to do anything after convincing her to leave,” she expresses gratefully. My response is a grunt.

“Whatever. I didn't do it for you.”

“Wasn't that more like a pep talk than an apology?” Rainbow inquires with a wry expression. “I mean, I never heard you say the word 'sorry' even once.”

“Who cares? It worked, and that's all that really matters,” I snap dismissively. Rainbow stares at me, and then she shrugs. “Anyhow, I need to leave. Applejack is expecting me.”

“That's right, you have work to do. Wouldn't want you to go off schedule,” Twilight recalls, chuckling nervously.

Now that that's out of the way, I can actually get on with my life. Or, what's left of it anyway. Back to working on that damn farm. Oh right...I promised Apple Bloom I'd play with her today. Now what did I go and do that for? I could have just said no, and opted to spend the evening alone for the first time since I got here, but no, I had to fall for that filly's cute expression...ugh.

We walk down the stairs and back through the kitchen, where Pinkie is rummaging through a closet excitedly. Mrs. Cake sees me walk past her, and our eyes meet. She still watches me guardedly, but I do see her give me a small smile and a nod. Huh, after being such a bitch, now she's recognizing my effort? Huh. She's practically admitting she was wrong to block me in the first place. Any human would have been too proud to do that. Okay, she can have a little of my respect.

Just before we leave the building, a clanging noise erupts from the kitchen, followed by a squeal. “Bake ALL the cupcakes!” Pinkie exclaims happily. Well, she's back to being happy and annoying. I suppose it's better than depressed and annoying.

When we walk outside, Twilight takes her leave from us, saying something about work back at the library. Whatever. At least she's gone now.

“Race you to AJ's?” Rainbow challenges, nudging me with her shoulder. Seriously? Yeah...she's looking to stroke her own ego again. Nope, not falling into that trap.

“Nah. You'd win anyway. I don't even know why you asked,” I say. Rainbow pouts.

“Aw, lame. Come on, dude, you can't get faster if you don't try,” she whines.

“Answer's still no.”

“Ugh, fine. You're no fun.” Rainbow accompanies me all the way to Sweet Apple Acres, and then she stops. “I gotta scram. First snows are coming tomorrow, so I gotta get those clouds ready to go.”

“Right, whatever,” I acknowledge with a wave of my hand. Rainbow's hoof hits that same hand, causing me to look at her oddly. She's grinning at me. Oh, she must have thought I'd been offering...a high hoof. Or whatever they call it.

“Later!” Rainbow is gone in a multicolored flash of light. Damn, it never fails to amaze me how fast she is. She can probably circle this town several times in the amount of time it would take me to cross through it once.

I see Applejack not long after walking through the arch into the farm. I actually need to ask her a question before I get started with today's work.

“Howdy there, Seth!” she greets me, tipping her hat. I give her a wordless nod in response. “Snow's comin' tomorrow, so we got lots o' work ta do.”

“Before that, there's something I want to ask you,” I interrupt her. Applejack tilts her head, curious. She's probably surprised, since I don't usually say more than two words to her.

“What's that, sugarcube?” she replies. I blink. That's...an odd nickname. What the fuck does that even mean? Is there a connotation to that? Does that mean I'm sweet? I don't even...whatever. I'll call her out on it if she says it again.

“Mind if I leave work a bit early today?” I pose the question to her with a casual expression on my face.

“Uh, what for?” Applejack seems perplexed by my question. Dammit, I'd been hoping she wouldn't ask. Guess I might as well tell the truth.

“I promised your sister I'd pick her up from school today,” I confess, cursing myself for having agreed to it in the first place. Besides, I doubt Applejack will take kindly to this anyway. I mean, if I had been seen playing a little girl in my era, somebody would probably call the cops on me. Yeah, I'm serious. My generation was paranoid as fuck.

“Oh, really now?” Applejack now looks genuinely surprised, rather than mad like I expected. “In that case, by all means, ah'll letcha off early.”

“Ugh, I knew it was a bad idea an...wait what? You will?” Yeah, I'm not proud to say that I was a little bit shocked that she'd agreed. Applejack chuckles at my double take.

“Actually, this works for me. Ah gotta delivery ta make ta Cheerilee anyway, a bit before school lets out,” Applejack says thoughtfully. “Why don'tcha take it with you when ya go? Ah'll pay ya for the trip.”

“Yeah, I can do that. Thanks, Applejack.”

“No problem, sugarcube.” And there it is again. What does it mean?! Whatever...I'm too lazy to care right now. Especially since I'm about to not be lazy. If that makes any kind of sense.

Welp, time to get to work. Again.

Today's work is particularly grueling. Since winter officially starts tomorrow (despite the fact that it still feels as warm as spring. Someone tell me how that works), Applejack says we have to get all of the apples harvested. Since that's all we've been doing lately, I think we're about done with that.

I don't see much of Big MacIntosh until he shows up in the afternoon to relieve Applejack. Apparently that delivery she's making to Cheerilee is a bunch of apple pies that still need to be baked. So I'm left doing the same exact thing, only under Big MacIntosh. You know, I'm getting really tired of writing his name. I think I'll just call him Big Mac. Hah, like the burger. Which I'm now craving. Fuck.

Several hours later, when Big Mac and I are just about to start clearing the last few trees of apples, Applejack returns, with a cart full of steaming baked goods. And...oh, I can smell that from here. I haven't eaten since this morning, before we pulled that prank. I'm super hungry now. Thankfully I have four bits to my name, plus whatever I get from today.

“Howdy there! Ah got the delivery for ya,” Applejack calls to me, coming to a halt a few feet from Big Mac and I. She unstraps herself from the cart and trots up to us. “Looks like yer doin' pretty good! Me'n Big Mac can take it from here.”

Hah, even she calls him Big Mac. It's official. I'm calling him that forever. “Understood. I'll be back,” I promised.

Now all I have to do is get this cart all the way to the school. Which is across town. Lovely. Slipping under the harness, I rest it on my shoulders, discovering that it's really not all that heavy. I just have to make sure I don't dislodge any of the food.

I begin my trek, knowing that this is essentially the end of my work day, even if I'm getting paid for it.

It is a really nice day, ironically enough. Heh, it feels like the weather back where I used to live. Warm one day, then cold as shit the next. Then again, I've technically still near the place I used to live, since all that's changed is the time I'm in. That's still weird to think about.

Anyhow, the point I was trying to get to, despite my rambling, is that I'm sweating. Pulling this cart, even if it's not that heavy, is still a real chore. I'm so glad I'm getting paid for this. Money makes everything tolerable.

While I'm walking, I become aware of a peculiar sensation. It's like there's a kind of pressure in the middle of my chest, beneath my sternum. I press my hand against it while I walk in an attempt to discern the source, but to no avail. It doesn't matter where I press, I can't feel anything wrong. It's like having one of those mild sore throats where it doesn't really hurt, but you just feel a strange sense of wrongness at the back of your throat, and you can't feel it no matter where on your throat you look. It's like that, only in my chest. Huh, it's probably just strain from pulling this damn cart.

Well, that can't be right either. Now that I think about it, I've been feeling this same pressure for a while now, ever since...well, ever since I woke up in this damn world. It's just never been as pronounced as it is now. Maybe I should go see a doctor or something. With that resolution, I ignore the pressure and push thoughts about it to the back of my mind.

Doesn't look like any ponies are outside the schoolhouse. I suppose they're still in the middle of a lesson. Not that I care either way. I doubt my job will be considered done if I just leave this cart outside the school. In other words, I'm probably going to end up interrupting the lesson to let Cheerilee know her shit is here.

I leave the cart by the front entrance to the schoolhouse and move towards the door. I can hear the Cheerilee talking from here, as well as the eager voices of the foals inside. Just as I expected, I'm going to be interrupting a lesson.

I pull the door open and step inside. The eyes of several of the foals turn to look at me, and once they see what I am, I get various reactions.

“Oh look, it'th the human!”

“Wow, what is that thing?”

“It looks scary...”

“Seth!” That voice I know. Apple Bloom, who's sitting near the front of the class, waves energetically at me, beaming with happiness. Next to her are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, neither of whom look very happy to see me. I can also see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, the former of whom is giving me a cool look. Ignoring them, I return Apple Bloom's greeting with a lazy two fingered wave.

“Calm down everypony. If you'll just give me one moment, class, we can continue the lesson.” Cheerilee tells the foals. She canters up to me with an inquisitive expression on her face. “Hello, Seth. Is there something I can do for you?”

“Nope. I'm here on the clock. Got a shipment of food waiting for you outside,” I tell her, keeping my tone professional. I haven't said more than a few words to this teacher, so being formal with her is necessary, especially if I'm on the job. If there's one thing I've learned about the business world, it's that everything you do as an employee is reflected back on your employer.

“Oh, thank you so much for bringing it. I wasn't aware you were working for Applejack, though.” Cheerilee is also being formal. Not overly friendly, but not being a bitch, either. She's not too bad to deal with.

“Yes ma'am. I signed up with her several days ago,” I reply stiffly. “Now if you'll excuse me. My apologies for disturbing your lesson.”

“It's no trouble. From the looks of it, I might have to start teaching history next,” Cheerilee jokes, indicating the curious and awe-filled faces of the class. “Say, would you like to come in some time, and talk to my students about your culture?”

“I'll think about it, ma'am,” I lie, remembering to be polite. Yeah, fuck no. I'm not telling anypony a thing about my people. I'll make sure to tell her that when I'm not on the clock. “Have a nice day.”

“You too!” Cheerilee says to me as I move towards the door. Then, just before I leave, I remember that I had another purpose for coming here.

“Apple Bloom,” I call. Me calling her name causes several of the students to look between Apple Bloom and I. I think I can even see...what is that, jealousy? Seriously, Diamond Tiara? I didn't think you were that butthurt about me not talking to you earlier. Anyway, Apple Bloom looks back at the mention of her name. “I'll be outside by the flagpole when you're done.”

With that, I leave the building, walking down the few steps and directing my path towards the flagpole I mentioned. I wonder why they even have a flag. I mean, the flags at the schools where I'm from were always the national flag, so you'd think they'd do the same. But I doubt Equestria's national flag is a plain red triangle. I guess they do things differently in this era.

I think about thirty minutes or so passes before the school bell rings. Though why the school bell rings instead of...you know...the teacher telling the students in the one room school that it's time to leave?

I hear the students talking excitedly as they leave the schoolhouse, probably deciding what to do with the rest of their day. I notice Apple Bloom and her two friends walk out as well, but they don't get very far before they stop and look behind them. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walk out next, meeting them. I guess they were the ones that called to Apple Bloom and the others. Which is odd...I thought they weren't friends, especially with how Scootaloo talks about them.

I take a few steps forward until I can hear what they're talking about. Yeah it's eavesdropping, but sue me, I want to know.

“How come you're the one that gets to see him?” Diamond Tiara snaps at Apple Bloom. Huh? Who's him? Some foal she's interested in?

“Because he's ma friend,” Apple Bloom answers, confused. That answer serves only to infuriate Diamond.

“As if! A historical being like him would never want to be friends with a loser like you,” Diamond scoffs, regarding Apple Bloom with a glare. Oh...they're talking about me. I guess Diamond Tiara really is jealous, for whatever reason. Diamond adopts a devious expression. “In fact, I heard him say that he 'had no need for your friendship.'”

Oh...she did not just...she's...that bitch! Apple Bloom looks like she'd been slapped. She recovers quickly, though. “Yeah raht. Seth would never say somethin' like that! You can't fool me!”

“You think I'm lying? Of course you do, you sad foal. Oh no, he really did say that, didn't he, Silver Spoon?” Diamond Tiara responds coolly. I can't help but feel my blood run cold for some reason. Why is this affecting me so much? That pressure that had been in my chest before comes back, stronger than before.

“Yeah he did! We asked him if he was friends with you, and then he said it!” Silver Spoon chimed in.

“That...that can't be raht...” Apple Bloom trails off, looking at the ground. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, for some reason, aren't backing their friend up. Perhaps it's because they'd prefer Apple Bloom hate me?

“Oh, Apple Bloom, you really shouldn't be so surprised. There's nothing for him to like about a bunch of blank flanks like yourselves,” Diamond Tiara admonishes her with a sneer. “I'm sure he'd much rather spend time with somepony as rich and classy, like us.”

“Definitely!” Silver Spoon adds. I can't think. For some reason, this is making me really angry. I don't know why.

“Lay off, Diamond Tiara!” Scootaloo shoots back, finally coming to the aid of her friend. Diamond just laughs derisively.

“I don't think I will. Apple Bloom, why don't you bring him over here to talk to us?” Diamond suggests.

“Seth, would you mind doing me a favor?” The image of a girl with blonde hair shoots through my mind, causing me to rub my forehead. That's the last thing I want to remember. I need to calm down.

“Why would ah do that? Seth shouldn't have ta deal with ponies like you,” Apple Bloom shoots back.

“No, I'm sick of your goddamn favors.”

“Apple Bloom. Do you remember that time I lent you money so you could buy those tools the other day?” Diamond says casually. I freeze. She...tell me she's not...I can't...

“Must I remind you of the things I did for you the night before?”

“It won't be pleasant for you if you refuse.” Diamond's words seem to merge with the ones from my memories. Something inside of me snaps. I get to my feet, shaking with rage. Then, it's like my feet are moving on their own. Wind rushes through my hair as I rapidly close the distance between me and the fillies. My gaze is riveted upon Diamond Tiara. I don't know what I'm doing. All I know is that I'm going to teach that bitch a lesson. No one else, especially Apple Bloom, is going to suffer what I did.

“Ah, there you are, Seth. Mind telling these blank fl...” Diamond Tiara gloats triumphantly at first, but when she sees how rapidly I'm moving towards her, as well as the rage filled glare I'm giving her, she realizes that something isn't right. “Wait, what are y...”

Diamond cuts off with a strained gurgle as my right hand closes around her throat like a vice. I lift her clear off of the ground, adrenaline giving me strength. The other fillies gasp in horror as I carry her over to a nearby tree out of sight of the front door and slam her into the trunk hard enough to crack the bark, her tiara falling to the ground from the shock. “You...” I'm so angry I can hardly put together the words in my mind. “I won't let you...!”

“Seth, what are ya doin'?!” Apple Bloom exclaims, galloping over to us, along with Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Silver Spoon. “Please stop!”

“You think you can just...order ponies around like you own them?!” I snarl into Diamond's flushed, terrified face. “You have no right! Don't you understand that you make the lives of the ponies you torment a living hell?”

“Diamond Tiara!” Silver Spoon cries out, rushing to help her friend. I deal her a swift kick in the flank, sending the small filly sprawling through the dirt, cracking her glasses and causing her necklace to break, pearls scattering everywhere. The pressure in my chest feels almost like it's trying to get loose, but I somehow manage to hold it back mentally.

“Calling Apple Bloom a loser? For what? Not having a special talent? Look at yourself, you fucker! What the hell kind of talent does a tiara symbolize anyway? Is it supposed to signify that you're rich? Or is your talent being a useless spoiled brat who gets her kicks out of ruining the lives of others?!” The words just won't stop. Diamond Tiara struggles and gasps for air in my grip, but there's no way I'm letting her go.

“Please, Seth, that's enough!” Apple Bloom begs me, but I'm past hearing her.

“Apple Bloom is a million times better than you. She has a future to look forward to, unlike you, who will probably live eating out of your father's hoof for the rest of your life, thinking the world owes you something!” I bring my face dangerously close to hers. “Here's something you may not know. The world doesn't owe you shit.”

With that, I finally drop her. Diamond hits the ground and gulps in precious air, holding a hoof to her neck. Her eyes are wide and traumatized, which gives me a sense of grim satisfaction. Then, she glares at me, panting. “You...won't...my father...”

“That's right. Call your father. Prove me right, you worthless waste of space,” I cut her off with a snarl.

Diamond is silent as she tries to regain her breath. She reaches for her tiara, which is right next to me. Yeah, I don't think so. I stomp my foot down on it, breaking the fragile thing with a crunch. Diamond's cry of anguish tells me that I had broken something important to her.

I notice the other ponies looking at me with fright. Even Apple Bloom is looking at me in shock. What...what the hell...why are you looking at me like that? I helped you...and...fuck this. Fuck you, and fuck this. I whirl around and storm away from them, leaving the school behind. I don't know where I'm going, but I want to be alone, so it doesn't matter where I go.

Why did I let myself lose my temper like that? So what if she was doing to Apple Bloom the same thing Janna did to me? She's not my friend, so it shouldn't be my problem. Then why...ugh, I can't think straight!

Following the path leads me to the river, which instead of crossing to go back in town, I follow it until I reach a place where a railroad crosses it with a bridge. There's a set of stairs that lead down underneath the bridge, probably for maintenance purposes. It looks abandoned right now, which is perfect for me.

Under the bridge, it's very dim, as the only light comes from the sun peeking through the gaps in the bridge. The river flows serenely past me, the sound serving to calm me down a bit.

I feel like shit. I guess Apple Bloom is terrified of me now. I guess she won't talk to me anymore. That's for the best, I suppose. It's better for them to stay away. That's what I keep telling myself, so why does it still hurt?

My fist pounds into the stone, the pain making my feelings easier to deal with. Fuck you Janna. This is your fault. I wouldn't be so messed up if it weren't for you. “FUCK!” I yell aloud, the sound echoing through the enclosed area. Heh...I know what it is. I guess Diamond Tiara essentially became Janna in my mind. I certainly would beaten Janna to a pulp if I saw her there, so...I guess it's really no surprise I took everything out on Diamond. I feel a little bad, though, because I'd essentially yelled at a young girl.

“Seth?” a timid voice calls down from the stairs. At first I think I'm hearing things. At least, until I hear it again. “Are ya down there?”

I look sharply to see the shadow of a single filly on the staircase. That voice...what the fuck is Apple Bloom doing here? “Yeah,” I say hesitantly. Why the hell is she here? Isn't she supposed to be frightened of me? I saw her face when I dropped Diamond Tiara. She was terrified.

Apple Bloom walks down the stairs, the clopping of her hooves echoing eerily off of the walls. I don't look at her as she walks to my side. She places her two front hooves on my leg and looks up at me. “Are ya okay?” she asks simply.

“Do I look like I'm fucking okay?” I snap at her. Apple Bloom recoils at the venom in my tone. Immediately I regret shouting at her. “Sorry...I just...dammit.”

“What did Diamond Tiara do ta make ya so mad like that? I ain't never seen anyone that mad before,” Apple Bloom asks me gently. When I look down at her, I realize that at some point she'd crawled into my lap. I don't know what she's trying to accomplish with that. Without thinking about it, I reach a hand down and start stroking her back like I would a cat's. Looking back at that, it's not that odd. My parents owned two cats, and whenever I'd visit, they'd love to spend time on my lap. That's probably the subconscious connection I made.

“It's not fair. It's just not fair,” I growl, rubbing my forehead with my free hand. “How can she think she can manipulate others like pawns? I've had it happen to me, and look how I turned out.”

“What? Diamond Tiara bullied you too?” Apple Bloom asks, not understanding. I sigh and shake my head.

“No. It's something that happened a long time ago. Way before you were born,” I explain vaguely. I wait to see her nod before I continue. “Everyone used me and then threw me away once they couldn't use me anymore. I couldn't let that happen to somepony else. Especially not you.”

“So...ya did that fer...me?” Apple Bloom asks, understanding dawning on her face.

“You're not a bad filly, nothing like the girls I used to know that were your age.” My answer doesn't really answer her question, but it makes her happy nonetheless. “I shouldn't have lost my temper like I did. But I meant everything I said.”

“Ya didn't say nothin' ah didn't agree with, but ya didn't have ta hurt her,” Apple Bloom chides me, reaching up and bopping my nose lightly with a hoof.

“I know...and her father is probably going to give me trouble,” I admit. I scratch her behind the ears, like I would a cat. “I'm not sorry for the things I said. But I am sorry for frightening you.”

“Aw, it's all raht. ah know ya wouldn't hurt me. But...there is somethin' ah do have ta ask,” Apple Bloom says, looking at me seriously. “Do ya consider me a friend?”

I freeze. Dammit, filly, did you have to put me on the spot like this? I don't know how to answer. I'm not comfortable calling her my friend, but I don't hate her. I don't even dislike her. Dammit, what do I say?

“I...can't answer that question,” I confess honestly. Apple Bloom's face falls at that, and a pang of guilt shoots through me.

“Why not? Is it somethin' about me?” she asks sadly.

“No. Don't even think that. It's just...it's complicated,” I correct her softly. Apple Bloom nods, but I can tell she doesn't really understand.

“Are ya still goin' ta come play?” Apple Bloom inquires innocently, looking up at me with that adorable expression again.

“Wait, you still want me to? Even after all that?”

“Yeah! Ah got so much ah wanna show ya!” she exclaims, hopping off my lap and heading towards the way out. “So are ya coming?”

I pause. I did promise her I'd play with her today. Even after this shit with Diamond happened, she still wants to play. If only I could look past the faults of others like she does.

“Yeah. Let's go play.”

Author's Notes:

Hoo. And now the end of the arc is in sight. This is the climax of the arc, though don't worry. Like Hamlet (can't believe I'm comparing the two. Thank you literature classes >.>), the falling action will be even more epic than the climax. At least, that's what I've got planned.

Now I would like feedback on this chapter, because I know what I wanted to happen in the talk with Pinkie and the incident with Diamond, but I'm not sure how well I pulled it off. I'd be grateful for anything you guys can provide.