Ghost POV

I sat next to Applebloom as she laid in bed, her eyes closed as she slept. The rest of the Apple Family was also in the room, Dr. Stable talking to them about any side effects that would manifest because of the Cutie Pox. Luckily, it seemed that the only thing that was wrong with her was an aggravated case of exhaustion, meaning she just needed plenty of R&R to get better.

"Well I guess that will be all, I will see you when the next household injury occurs. But with this family, it can't be too far can it?" Dr. Stable joked, knowing how many times Applejack and Big Mac had gotten hurt applebucking. "But if anything occurs, just send somepony to get me."

"Thank ya doctor, that'll be all." Applejack sighed, rubbing the side of her head in exhaustion. The doctor left, leaving a very worried Apple family. "Ghost, thank ya for goin' to get Zecora when ya did. We might've never got to her in time."

I gave a small smile, thankful that I was able to get Applebloom help. But, I also left Applebloom when she needed help the most, so I wasn't sure if I truly did the right thing.

"Your welcome, I guess... Are Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo still downstairs?" I said softly, knowing that Applebloom still needed a lot of rest.

"Ah think they are. Want me to call 'em up here?" Applejack asked, already heading downstairs. I nodded yes and looked back at Applebloom, seeing her disheveled hair and some sweat beading on her brow. I gave a sad sigh and stood up stretching out a bit, knowing that I couldn't just sit there all day worrying. I quickly changed into my colt disguise, knowing that Scootaloo knew nothing of my true origin.

"Alright girls, remember that she still needs plenty of rest, so don't make a lot of noise." Applejack instructed, ushering in the two fillies as quietly as possible. In walked Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, who both had incredibly worried faces and immediately made for Applebloom's bedside.

"Ghost, how's she been?" Sweetie Belle asked me, the whole ordeal ending only about 2 hours ago.

"Well... tired. She's been waking up and falling asleep over and over, and she can probably hear us right now, but she can't stay awake long enough to do anything." I explained. "Bedrest is the prescribed treatment, but she's probably won't be well enough to do anything strenuous for about 2 weeks. So no crusading until then."

"Aww... and Heart's and Hooves day is comin' up! We were gonna try and get our cutie marks in card making!" Scootaloo complained a bit too loudly, causing Applebloom to wince uncomfortably in bed. Scootaloo brought a hoof to her mouth and blushed bashfully. "Sorry."

"Sorry Scootaloo, but you'll have to do a few days of crusading without Applebloom." "I apologized.

"Alright now, ah think we oughta give Applebloom a few more hours of peaceful sleep. Let's head downstairs for now." Applejack told us, opening the door behind her to usher us out. We filed down the stairs at Applejack's request, settling into the living room with tired steps. I looked out of the window and saw a few other of Applebloom's classmates waiting outside, but were denied request to come inside.

"Are they still out there?" Sweetie Belle asked as I looked out the window. I gave her a nod and ducked my head before anyone outside could see me.

"It's going to be like that for awhile. Once they know that Applebloom is okay, some will disperse but others..." I stressed, talking about Rumble, "Will want to know more. He already doesn't trust me for some reason."

"Why doesn't Rumble trust you? Just because your the new kid?" Scootaloo asked.

"He has some sort of superiority complex. He needs to feel that he's the one in charge all of the time. I think he feels threatened by me."

"Then there's that whole you not really being a po-" As Sweetie Belle was beginning to finish that sentence, I jumped across the room at her, quickly covering her mouth with both of my hooves.

"Ix-Nay on the ony-pay!" I stammered, trying to keep my real identity hidden from Scootaloo until I knew she could keep it. She might've been a really good friend, but she also took after that one mare Rainbow Dash, and from what I heard she wasn't always willing to listen to reason.

"Not being a what?" Scootaloo asked, looking at both me and Sweetie Belle. "What are you guys talking about?"

I waved my hoof and grunted. "It's nothing. Just, forget it!"

"It's not nothing if you're trying to hide something from me! Tell me what's going-" Scootaloo was cut off Applejack, who gave shushed loudly downstairs.

"Keep it down down there. Ghost, Applebloom's awake an' wants ta see ya." Applejack called softly, walking downstairs with Big Mac and Granny Smith. I nodded and gave Scootaloo one last look, watching as she gave me a bit of a glare. I sighed and walked past her, knowing that it would only be a matter of time before I would have to tell her. She would pester Sweetie Belle, and if she asked Applejack, then I'm not sure she would be able to lie. Being the Element of Honesty doesn't exactly make you the best liar.

I walked upstairs and saw that the door to Applebloom's room was ajar, and heard a few groans of discomfort. Knowing I had no other choice, I took a deep breath and walked forward, opening the door and walking inside. I saw Applebloom on her bed, her eyes half open as they stared expectantly at the door. When her eyes landed on me, she gave a soft smile and tried to sit up a bit.

"Ghost, ah... c'mere." She muttered a bit tiredly, waving me over. I walked over and leaned against the bed. "Ah... ah jus' wanted to apologize to ya..."

"What do you mean apologize? I acted like such a lousy friend! You were so happy about getting cutie marks, and all I did was try and make you feel bad... I just... I was scared that they would hurt you somehow..." I admitted, looking down at the bed bashfully.

"Well... ya were right about it. It made me think that one of mah best friends was jealous of me, and I sent him away when all he wanted to do was help."

"But I ran off when you needed me most! I just left when I should've stayed and tried to sort things out!"

Applebloom and I stayed silent as they stared at each other, knowing that we were now just arguing in circles.

"I'm sorry." We both said at the same time, both of us meaning it. With that, I wrapped my hooves around her shoulders, as she did the same to me, as we just hugged each other for comfort.

"Please show yerself Ghost... Ah don't like it when yer wearing that thing..." Applebloom begged me, as I chuckled and took a step back. I closed my eyes and allowed my disguise to drop, as I fluttered and buzzed my leathery wings. "That's better."

My ears caught a faint gasping sound coming from the door, as I turned quickly to see what it was. I briefly saw an orange hoof darting from behind the door, as my eyes widened.

"Scootaloo!"