Login

CMC in Manehatten: An Apple and Orange Mature

by Never2muchpinkie

Chapter 3: Last chapter: An apple bloomed

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

During the ride home the three kids talked nonstop about their day. Applejack just let them be since they were at least staying in one spot and not causing trouble.

Two hours later, when the four got off the train, Applejack took a sniff of the air. “Oh boy. Sure is good to be back in Ponyville. It just smells like home.” The three fillies also took a whiff, agreeing.

As they began walking towards Sweet Apple Acres they heard a familiar dismissive voice. “So where have you been all day?” asked Silver Spoon.

“Manehatten,” responded Apple Bloom.

Diamond Tiara said, “Well, if you three were there it would be more like-

“LAME-hatten!” the two finished in sync.

Apple Bloom looked over at the pair, feeling something well up inside of her. “Diamond Tiara! I got something ta say ta you!”

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”

Apple Bloom walked over, closing the gap. Applejack looked unsurely at her sister, not knowing what Apple Bloom had in mind and if she should intervene.

“You and Silver Spoon have caused all of us nothing but trouble. Ya made fun of us, tried to sabotage our act for the Equestrian games, brag about yerself and are just a nuisance most of the time for us, and I just want to say…” Apple Bloom was right in front of Diamond Tiara now, raising her front hoof. Her serious look faded as she placed a hoof on Diamond Tiara’s shoulder with a smile and said, “…thanks a lot fer it all.”

“Oh yeah? Well-“ started Diamond Tiara.

“Well, you-“ started Silver Spoon.

“You tell her, Apple-“ started Scootaloo.

“Go, Apple-“ Started Sweetie Belle.

All of them paused, ending with a big, “HUH?”

“If ya hadn’t been picking on me during your Cutecenera I might not have become such good friends with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. And if ya hadn’t taught me how bad it feels to be picked on I wouldn’t have truly understood what Babs was going through in Manehatten, and I wouldn’t have been able to help her get through all her pain and fear to learn to stand up fer herself. So thank ya, and keep up the good work.”

Apple Bloom continued on her way, still with her big smile as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon just looked at each other, confusion etched on their features as they tried to figure out what had just happened, unable to even come up with a cohesive response.

Scootaloo snickered as she said, “Yeah, thanks.”

“You guys are real pals,” said Sweetie Belle.

The rest of them followed along after her, Applejack letting out a laugh at how well her sister had handled things. “I’m gonna go home and rest. What are you three gonna do?”

“We still have an hour or two before the sun sets,” said Scootaloo.

“Yeah,” said Sweetie Belle. “We still have enough time to try one more thing to get our cutie marks. What do you think we should try, Apple Bloom?”

Apple Bloom was quiet, not possessing her usual pep, a thoughtful look on her face. “Nothin’,” she finally replied.

“Nothing?” Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared a look. “You want to get a cutie mark for doing nothing?”

“What would that even look like?” asked Scootaloo. “We’d probably still look like blank flanks.”

A little laugh came from Apple Bloom. “No, silly. I don’t mean a cutie mark for doin’ nothin’.” In her mind she was thinking of her cousin and the lesson that Babs had learned. “Watching Babs, it just got me thinkin’. A cutie mark isn’t the most important thing. What’s the most important is that we’re all friends and that we love each other and will help each other whenever we need it. So let’s just ferget about cutie marks today. Why don’t we just play until the sun sets?”

“Okay! I’ll go get my scooter.”

“I’ll go get a ball!” said Sweetie Belle.

“Cool! I’ll see you girls by the clubhouse in a little bit,” Apple Bloom said excitedly.

The three of them all ran off in different directions. Applejack wore a warm smile the whole way home, seeing that their trip to Manehatten had helped all of them grow up a little bit.

Later that night, after Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had gone home, Apple Bloom was sitting in Applejack’s bed. “Oh man, Applejack. My hooves are gonna be sore in the morning. I don’t think I’ve ever played that much in my life.” With a yawn she continued, “But that’s okay. This was one of the best days’a my life. I got ta help my cousin… and make some new friends… and beat three bullies in one day.”

“Yeah, you did a real good job today, Apple Bloom. I’m proud’a you.” Applejack could see her sister was going to fall asleep soon.

“Hey!” said Apple Bloom, perking up for a few seconds. “Wouldn’t it be cool if my special talent was being a good friend?”

“Well, I don’t see why not. Anything’s possible. I’m really glad I took all of you along with me today. It looks like it was just what Babs needed. She seems ta have finally overcome her fears. You, too.”

“Yeah.” Apple Bloom said slowly, her eyes almost closed.

Applejack let out a little laugh, walking over to her sleepy sister and pulling the blanket over her. “Goodnight, Apple Bloom.”

G’night… Apple… jack…,” she murmured, her mind turning back to their adventures that day one last time before she fell asleep completely. She thought of how she had inspired her cousin and led their team to victory and how she had stood up to their own bullies back here in Ponyville. She wanted to keep helping and protecting and inspiring her friends just like she did today.

Applejack gave her sister a loving nuzzle before leaving her alone to check on the animals and lock up for the night. She said her goodnights to Big Mac and Granny Smith before returning to her room to sleep.

She stifled a laugh as she saw her sister had made a mess of the blankets, being completely wrapped up in them. With a bit of gentle effort she managed to untangle Apple Bloom from the blankets without waking her. A questioning look came to her face as she went to cover her sister up again. There was something on her sister that stood out from her usual light yellow skin. With her hoof she tried to push it off, but it didn’t move. Going to the side of her bed she pulled out a small light and turned it on to figure out what it was.

A gasp escaped her as she stared open-mouthed for a few seconds before a big smile came to her lips. There, on her little sister’s flank, was a cutie mark! It was made up of a sun hitting an apple tree over a small field, with ponies sitting in the shade. In a whisper Applejack said, “A cutie mark fer being a good friend. You really did get it.”

As she examined it more closely she thought that it really did fit her sister. Even she only had three apples on her flank. Her sister had an entire tree, symbolizing her great promise. She was nurtured by the land and outside sources, growing into her potential. And, when those outside sources threatened her friends, they could all count on her to protect them. Apple Bloom had really come into her own as a result of their trip.

A great protector; maybe she was meant to be a leader. Perhaps what Sweetie Belle had said about her maybe becoming the mayor of Ponyville wasn’t so farfetched after all.

Applejack went to shake her sister awake to tell her the good news, but she stopped, her hoof an inch away. She pictured how that would play out.

“Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! I did it! I have to go tell Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo!”

Her sister had been trying so hard for so long to find her place in the world, to find out what made her special. Applejack knew her sister wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing she had gained her cutie mark, and with her youthful impulsiveness she wouldn’t think a thing of rushing out in the middle of the night to wake up her friends to let them know.

In a way Applejack thought it best not to tell her sister for another reason. Today Apple Bloom learned that her friends were more important than a cutie mark. She knew that Apple Bloom would quickly discover it in the morning, whether it be by Big Mac, Granny Smith, or her friends, but she thought it would cheapen the lesson she had learned to tell her right away. She wanted to let it settle in a little more.

As she settled into bed next to her sister she leaned over, giving Apple Bloom a kiss. She closed her eyes, a smile on her face, thinking of the surprise waiting for the young filly when she woke up. Still talking quietly she said, “I’m so proud of you, my little Apple. You’ve finally bloomed!”

Next Chapter: Epilogue 1: Applebloom Estimated time remaining: 36 Minutes
Return to Story Description

Login

Facebook
Login with
Facebook:
FiMFetch