The Last Dance – 4 Years Remaining

"So, it's about that time, right?" Silver Spoon asked as all five of them stood in front of the bulletin board advertising Senior Prom.

"Hmm... this brings up a problem for me," Sweetie Belle pouted. Diamond Tiara turned to her raising en eyebrow.

"What problem?" Diamond Tiara asked, "It's not like you have boy problems."

"Well, a plethora of coltfriends is still an issue. I can only take one..." Sweetie Belle whined.

"You're incorrigible," Diamond Tiara said shaking her head.

"So, do you know who you're taking to prom?" Scootaloo asked Apple Bloom.

"Ah ain't goin," Apple Bloom said simply trotting off. Everyone looked at her in shock before running after her.

"What do you mean "you're not going"?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"There ain't no reason ta go. 'Sides, we ain't got the money anyway."

"Um, Silver Spoon, pull up the numbers," Diamond Tiara said. Silver Spoon reached into her saddle bag and pulled out a small note pad. Sweetie Belle held it up with her magic while Silver Spoon turned the pages.

"According to this, Golden Apple inc.'s revenue averages to about one hundred thousand bits a month. If we account for last year and this year's revenue, subtract for the average amounts in bills, shopping, and take away from Diamond Tiara's Sweet 16 party last year, finally compare that to the price for the Senior Prom tickets..." she wrote the number on her piece of paper and circled it, "You should be able to afford 1,000 bits yourself."

"Thank you, Silver Spoon," Diamond Tiara said.

"I think what she means is," Scootaloo said rolling her eyes, "we ain't buyin it. So what's up?"

Apple Bloom sighed, "Ah jus' don't see the point. There ain't nopony here Ah wanna go with."

"You mean because he's not available?" Silver Spoon asked. All Apple Bloom could do was look down seriously, letting her silence speak for itself.

"Apple Bloom," Sweetie Belle started, "I know you really miss him, but-"

"Think real hard before ya finish that sentence," Apple Bloom stated seriously, glaring at Sweetie Belle, who looked away awkwardly. These days, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle just couldn't agree whenever it came to Lezard, but it was mostly because Sweetie Belle had become really loose in the last two years.

"Well, I think it's romantic that she's saving herself for her special somepony," Diamond Tiara said wistfully, "It's just like one of my romance novels. The two lovers torn apart by the unforgiving hands of time, they eagerly await the day when time will allow them to be united. Their bodies crave the carress of one another, and their hearts long to be one again," everyone stopped and looked at Diamond Tiara like she was crazy, "What?"

"You read way too many of those books," Scootaloo said rolling her eyes.

"Well at least I know romance," Diamond Tiara retaliated, "Unlike you. I bet you don't even have a date to the prom."

"I do so!" Scootaloo defended.

"Yeah, okay Scootaloo, sure you do," Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes, Silver Spoon giggling in agreement.

"I do! Really!" Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle, "You guys believe me, right?"

"I'd like to, Scootaloo," Sweetie Belle said awkwardly, "But you never showed interest in any colt I saw."

"Y-yeah? Well, I just never voiced it! You'll see at Prom," Scootaloo turned to Apple Bloom, "Which you are going."

"Scootaloo..." Apple Bloom groaned.

"Don't wanna hear it," Scootaloo said turning her nose in the air, "Come on guys, we gotta get to homeroom."

She was talking to Sweetie Belle and Silver Spoon, who she shared homeroom with. Diamond Tiara walked over to Apple Bloom and put a hoof on her shoulder.

"It's okay Apple Bloom, I understand," she said.

"Thanks Diamond," Apple Bloom said smiling to her friend as they walked to their homeroom.

Naturally, Apple Bloom walked Diamond Tiara to her house. She was still sort of clingly to Apple Bloom, but she had begun smiling again, and her demeanor became a little brighter. She and Apple Bloom spent the most time together, mostly at Apple Bloom's place. Actually, Diamond Tiara had begun spending the night at Apple Bloom's place, probably what contributed to her brighter persona.

"So are you and Sweetie Belle okay?" Diamond Tiara asked.

"Ah guess so, as long as she don't say nothin about Lezard," Apple Bloom stated, "Just 'cause she's slept with almost every colt in Ponyville High don't mean she knows about true love."

"You don't really think she's slept with every colt in school, do you?"

"She might as well have," Apple Bloom said, "Ah saw her in the gym after the game last week. Ah know they had sex under the benches."

"Did you try talking to her?"

"She won't listen. Ah've got better things ta worry about than Sweetie Belle becomin a whore."

Diamond Tiara looked serious, "Apple Bloom, you don't mean that."

"Why shouldn't Ah? It ain't like Ah didn't try. Accordin ta her, Ah'm the one who doesn't git it."

"You two were best friends though. It would be horrible to just let this be the end, and that's all the more reason why you should be at Senior Prom."

"Ugh, not you too..."

"Apple Bloom, everyone's going to be there. This could be the last time we're all together."

"Diamond Tiara, Ah highly doubt that we're gonna drift apart after we graduate."

"Really? Because you and Sweetie Belle are already drifting apart," her tone sounded dark again, and that made Apple Bloom stop and turn to Diamond Tiara. She was looking down, her mane covering her eyes. It reminded of Apple Bloom of how Diamond Tiara used to be until last year.

She was serious.

"Yer really afraid, aren't ya?" Apple Bloom asked.

"You guys are my best friends," Diamond Tiara said softly, "I don't know what I'd do without you. All it takes is one though. First it'll be you and Sweetie Belle, then Scootaloo will leave, then Silver Spoon, and finally you and I will go our separate ways, and then I'll be alone again. I don't know what's going to happen to me after high school, but I'd like to know that my best friends will still be best friends."

"Aw Diamond Tiara..." Apple Bloom couldn't avoid it. She knew that Diamond Tiara was right. It seemed like she was always right about these things, "Fine, if ya feel that strongly about it, Ah can make an appearance."

"And you'll reconcile with Sweetie Belle?" Diamond Tiara asked. Apple Bloom sighed before speaking again.

"Yes, an' Ah'll reconcile with Sweetie Belle," Apple Bloom said. Diamond Tiara brightened up a bit, and they continued their walk to Diamond Tiara's mansion. They traveled the rest of the way in silence as Apple Bloom thought of what to say to Sweetie Belle.

The days went by, but Apple Bloom wasn't able to find a good time to talk to Sweetie Belle. That was mostly because Sweetie Belle was avoiding Apple Bloom. It was okay if they were with the group, but whenever Apple Bloom went to her solo, Sweetie Belle would duck out of wherever they were. It was annoying Apple Bloom to no end.

It was the weekend now, and Apple Bloom was walking through Ponyville. Everyone was busy preparing for Senior Prom, which Apple Bloom felt she probably should have beed dong as well, but she just wasn't as excited as everypony else. It would be better if he were there, but since he wasn't, and she was still on the outs with Sweetie Belle, there wasnn't much to look forward too. Not to her at least.

She found herself in front of Carousel Boutique. Was Sweetie Belle home? Maybe if she cornered her here at home, she might be able to talk to her. She walked up to the door and rang the bell. Sadly, or fortunately, it wasn't Sweetie Belle who answered the door.

"Oh, hello Apple Bloom," Rarity said with a soft smile. Surprisingly, she looked pretty much the same as she did six years ago.

"Hey Rarity, um, how 're you doin?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Oh, I'm fine," Rarity stated, "Spike payed me a visit, and we had the most wonderful time."

"Ah see, that's good," Apple Bloom said looking down a bit. Rarity noticed that and looked worried.

"Honey, is everything okay?" Rarity asked.

"Y-yeah, Ah guess so. Ah wus jus' wonderin if Sweetie Belle was here?"

Rarity gave a sigh, suggesting she was aware of Sweetie Belle's attitude of late, "Unfortunately no. She went of with her "boyfriend" Brass Knuckle."

Apple Bloom sighed, "Great. Ah missed her again. That's alright, Ah'll jus' head on home then."

She turned around about to walk away, but Rarity grabbed her leg stopping her.

"Um, Apple Bloom, I heard that Prom is coming up. Do you have a dress? If not, then..."

"Ah couldn't ask ya fer that. Ah appreciate it though, but-"

"Nonsense, I once gave my own tail to a complete stranger. Why wouldn't I be willing to help a dear friend? Now get in here, Apple Bloom. I know I have something in that would suit you."

Apple Bloom so wanted to just say no, but Rarity wouldn't take no for an answer at this point, so Apple Bloom reluctantly walked into the shop. It was really nice inside, but sort of messy. Funny, because Apple Bloom always pictured Rarity to be obsessively neat, but apparently it was the opposite.

"I noticed that you don't seem too excited," Rarity noted, catching Apple Bloom off guard.

"Huh? Whut do ya mean?" Apple Bloom asked. Rarity chuckled softly.

"Most seventeen year old mares are ecstatic about Senior Prom, but you don't look too happy."

"Truth is, Ah don't even wanna go," Apple Bloom admitted looking down. Rarity gave an overly dramatic gasp.

"Why not? It's the most important moment for kids in high school."

"Ah don't see why. It's jus' a bunch of ponies dancin an' litenin ta loud music. Maybe if ya got yer special somepony with ya it's a nice place ta go on a date, but other than that..."

"Senior Prom is much more than a "nice place to go on a date". It's the last chance you have to be with the ponies you care about."

"Ah don't follow."

Rarity walked over to her desk and pulled out a thick book, "The ponies you're friends with now aren't necessarily going to be the ponies you're friends with in the future. Some ponies will stay here in Ponyville, some ponies will move to other towns, some may even move to another country all together. If you don't go to prom, then you might be saying goodbye to ponies before you're ready."

She opened the book and looked inside with a wistful smile. That must have been her year book. Apple Bloom thought about that, and suddenly got scared. Would they all be friends still after this day? She and Sweetie Belle were still at odds, always arguing or just disagreeing with each other.

"Me an' the girls promised ta always be friends no matter whut though..." Apple Bloom said softly.

"All the more reason to go," Rarity said walking over to Apple Bloom, "You need to use this day to solidify that friendship. This is when you find out who your real friends are."

Apple Bloom knew who her real friends were. Their names were Silver Spoon, Scootaloo, Diamond Tiara, and Sweetie Belle. She had to save that friendship, and to do that, she had to go to Prom.

"Yer right," Apple Bloom said with a nod, "Ah need ta go ta Prom, even if Lezard ain't there."

"Excellent," Rarity said, returning to her extremely happy mode, "But if you're going to go, you must look your best, so..." she pulled out a blue and white dress similar to Applejacks really nice dress, "This one is my latest creation. I had wanted to give it to you at some point, and this is as good of a time as any."

Apple Bloom wanted to protest, as it was her latest creation, but remembering that Rarity represented the Element of Generosity, she walked over to Rarity and hugged her.

"Thanks Rarity. Ah love it."

Senior Prom was held in the Town Hall. It was really nice inside, decked out to look like a ballroom. When Apple Bloom arrived, she was pleased to see Silver Spoon was already there. She was standing by the punch bowl by herself.

"Are ya lonely?" Apple Bloom said walking over to her.

"No, I came by myself," Silver Spoon admitted, "Nopony really caught my eye as a date. Besides, this gives me time to work out a few formulas to try in the future."

Apple Bloom shook her head smiling. Of course Silver Spoon would be working numbers for fun. She must have loved math, which was Apple Bloom's least favorite subject.

"Did anypony else get here?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I saw Scootaloo over there. She was telling the truth by the way," Silver Spoon said.

"Tellin the truth?"

Silver Spoon pointed to the dance floor and they saw Scootaloo dancing, with a boy! She had a date?! She liked boys?! Not only that, but she looked gorgeous. But... it was Scootaloo...

"Ah never would have guessed..." Apple Bloom said.

"I was shocked too. Diamond Tiara is going to flip her top when she sees it."

That was true. Scootaloo looked over at them, and just gave them a look that said "I told you so". Apple Bloom couldn't help but laugh. Diamond Tiara came in with some pegasus in their grade. She didn't look to happy with it, but when she saw Apple Bloom and Silver Spoon her expression changed instantly. Of course she ran over to them.

"Glad to see you came, Bloom," Diamond Tiara said.

"If Ah didn't ya'll would 've hunted me down anyway, right?"

The colt Diamond Tiara came with walked over to her, "I was thinking we could go and dance?" he asked. Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes.

"Fine Comet," Diamond Tiara groaned, "I'll catch up with you two in a bit." two of them walked over to the dance floor. Once again Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom laughed, especially when they saw the expression on Diamond Tiara's face when she saw Scootaloo's date.

Was she angry that she was wrong? They couldn't tell, but it was still funny.

Sweetie Belle eventually did show up, but she only said a curt hi to everyone before going off with her date. Apple Bloom didn't like him on sight. He was a unicorn, but his mane was cut in a mohawk, and his Cutie Mark was a brass knuckle, much like his namesake. He was giving Sweetie Belle certain looks, always looking at her flank. Apple Bloom wanted to hit him so bad, but she was trying to save her friendship with Sweetie Belle, and all that would do is upset her.

After one dance, the two of them walked into the back areas. They were gone for a while, and Apple Bloom was getting worried. She wanted to believe that they were okay, but something was telling her that wasn't the case.

"Ah'll be right back," Apple Bloom said to Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Scootaloo before getting up to follow them. Hopefully she was wrong, and they were just making out somewhere.

"Stop it. I said no!"

That was Sweetie Belle, and that didn't sound "okay". Apple Bloom walked into the hallway and saw red. Brass Knuckle was trying to force himself onto Sweetie Belle. Eventually he pushed her onto her hind legs and against a wall, and it looked like he was kissing her neck, only Sweetie Belle was trying to push him off. Apple Bloom was not about to let that happen.

She stomped over to them, stood on her hind legs, pulled Brass Knuckle away and punched him hard in the face, knocking him onto the floor.

"Bitch!" he shouted wiping the blood off his face.

"Last time Ah checked the dictionary, no meant no!" Apple Bloom said sternly.

"This ain't none of your business hick!"

"Ya mess with mah friends, an' it become's mah business!"

Brass Knuckle got up and was about to hit Apple Bloom, but a pink bolt of lightning hit him back. Apple Bloom was startled, but when she turned around she was Diamond Tiara walking in,with Scootaloo and Silver Spoon with her. None of them looked happy, but Diamond Tiara looked scary. Her expression was dark, and she had pink electricity surrounding her.

"You don't go to Ponyville High," Diamond Tiara said, sounding almost possessed, "So as far as I see it, there's no reason for you to be here."

"I ain't afraid of a bunch of high school girls!" Brass Knuckle said, suddenly wishing he hadn't. He was engulfed in a pink aura and lifted into the air. Diamond Tiara looked up at him with a sort of possessed smile on her face.

"You should be," Diamond Tiara said, now using her magic to pull his legs out, "At least, be afraid of me," she laughed darkly, all while watching Brass Knuckle suffer. This was getting scary.

"Diamond!" Scootaloo called out. Diamond Tiara's eyes opened wide and she let Brass Knuckle go, who was backing away from Diamond Tiara.

"Sh-sh-she's a monster!!!" he screamed scampering up and running out the back way. Silver Spoon and Apple Bloom ran over to Diamond Tiara, who was trembling now.

"Diamond Tiara, are you alright?" Apple Bloom asked.

"I'm f-f-fine," she said, "Ch-ch-ch-check on Sw-Sweetie Belle..." she was still looking forward, still in shock apparently as to what just happened. Apple Bloom went to Sweetie Belle, who was crying in Scootaloo's arms.

"Sweetie Belle, ya alright honey?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Apple Bloom, I'm sorry!" Sweetie Belle sobbed, "You were right! I was acting like a tramp, and I almost-"

"Shh... shh... it's okay Belle," Apple Bloom said holding Sweetie Belle as well, "We're right here."

After aa good few minutes, Sweetie Belle calmed down and she and Apple Bloom decided to dance together while they talked.

"I've been really insensitive lately," Sweetie Belle said as they danced, "There's nothing wrong with you still loving Lezard. It's great that you have somepony waiting for you."

"Yeah, Ah hope he's there in four years."

"I bet he will be," Sweetie Belle said, "And if he is, will you bring him back to Ponyville?"

"Maybe after a while, but Ah think Ah might spend sum time in Canterlot with him. Ah don't know. But it's too early ta really think that far ahead. Let's jus' spend this time tagether."

Rather than respond, Sweetie Belle held onto Apple Bloom tighter, allowing their friendship to rekindle.

It was almost time for the last dance, and Diamond Tiara was sitting by herself. Sweetie Belle was dancing with Silver Spoon and of course Scootaloo was with her coltfriend, who Apple Bloom learned was named Speaker Box.

"Why are ya by yerself?" Apple Bloom asked sitting next to Diamond Tiara, "The last dance is comin up, ya know."

Diamond Tiara sighed, "Comet cheated on me."

"Whut?! When?!"

"While I went to help you save Sweetie Belle, I came back and saw him kissing Sunflower," Diamond Tiara said, sounding a bit like her old dark self. She was doing so well, too.

"Ah, ya weren't enjoyin yer time with him anyway. The last dance should be with someone ya actually like."

"You're right..." the music changed to a nice slow song, and Diamond Tiara turned to Apple Bloom, "Dance with me."

As usual, her asking sounded more like a demand. As usual, Apple Bloom couldn't say no either.

"Let's dance, m'lady," Apple Bloom bowing to Diamond Tiara. She actually got a smile out of her.

As they held each other and danced, Apple Bloom's thoughts went back to the past. This time six years ago, she would have never thought that Diamond Tiara would be her friend. She was always being put down by here for being a blank flank, and any attempt she made to befriend her was always shot down.

Yet here they were now, holding each other lovingly, dancing together at Prom. How did it happen again? Diamond Tiara just started inviting Apple Bloom over to play when they were kids. After a few weeks, Apple Bloom started inviting her to play with her, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo, and Silver Spoon. It didn't take long for Apple Bloom to feel comfortable inviting Diamond Tiara over to her place, and they actually hung out the most.

As they got older, Diamond Tiara seemed to depend to Apple Bloom for a lot. She began sitting next to her at lunch, requesting that Apple Bloom walk her home, asking her for advice, and even spending the night over at Apple Bloom's place. It always seemed like Diamond Tiara was afraid of something, and Apple Bloom's presence put her at ease. Their evolution over the years was amazing, and although Apple Bloom still loved Lezard, she felt something strong for Diamond Tiara as well. It was almost as strong as she felt for Lezard, if not just as strong. A desire to protect her.

Whatever she was afraid of, she had to protect her.

"Apple Bloom?" Diamond Tiara asked softly.

"Hm?"

"I know that you and Lezard are destined to be together, and I don't want to get in the way of that, but I need to tell you something I've wanted to say for a long time."

"What's up? Ya know you can tell me anything."

Diamond Tiara looked down, and there were tears in her eyes, "I always thought you were my best friend, but I think you're a lot more than that now. I don't... understand everything that I feel about you... but..." she looked into Apple Bloom's eyes letting her tears flow freely, "I love you."

Apple Bloom was wide eyed, "Diamond..."

"You don't need to say it," Diamond Tiara continued, "I know that you love Lezard, and that I can never compete with that. I'm okay with that. Just please, let me have this one moment."

Apple Bloom closed her eyes and smiled, "Alright. Ah'm yers fer the rest of the night."

Diamond Tiara got real close to Apple Bloom, and kissed her, still crying, but Apple Bloom felt the relief wash over her dear friend.