One Bad Apple
Pony's Log Number 304: Ponies cope with being bullied in different ways. And it can be very unfortunate when they think becoming one is a good solution...
One morning at Sweet Apple Acres, Apple Bloom was whining as she seemed to be shuffling inside of her own wardrobe.
"What to wear, what to wear?" Apple Bloom said nervously as she burst open the door of her wardrobe, wearing what looked like a sailor's outfit, or Japanese fuku uniform, but then ran right out of it, "Oh what to wear?!"
"Scoot your boot, Apple Bloom," said Applejack as she came inside, "it's not like it's the Harvest Day Parade! We're just goin' to the train station!" As Applejack was talking, Apple Bloom was frantically trying on different clothes and accessories before tossing them away. Apple Bloom then stood on her bed with a pair of dresses hanging nearby and she was currently wearing blue and white lederhosen.
"Too casual," said Apple Bloom as she pulled a curtain and was now wearing a beach ball costume, sunglasses, and a little suntan lotion on her nose, "Too summery." She then pulled the curtain down again with her only wearing a blue stripped knit hat. Applejack was now standing behind her, giving her a glare.
"Your cousin isn't gonna care what you're wearin'," said Applejack with a sigh, "Just pick somethin'!" Apple Bloom then grabbed her bed sheet and used it like a robe as she headed toward her vanity.
"This is my first time meetin' her, and she's from Manehattan," said Apple Bloom as she spun about and had put on some flashy glasses on, "I wanna make a good impression!"
"You know what would make a good impression?" said Applejack with an annoyed look on her face.
"What?" Apple Bloom asked eagerly.
"Bein' on time to pick her up!" Applejack snapped, clearly losing her patience as she began to drag the yellow filly away with the bed sheet, but Apple Bloom whined as she managed to get herself free of the bed sheet and went to try on a pink floppy hat. Applejack then found that Apple Bloom wasn't in the sheets and soon felt the pink floppy hat hit her side.
"You got nothin' to worry about, sugarcube," said Applejack as a few others pieces of clothing came at her, "Y'all are gonna get along great. You already have somethin' in common."
"Oh yeah?" said Apple Bloom, now wearing a mish-mash of shoes, socks, other accessories, and a snorkel over her face, which made her voice sound muffled, "What's that?"
"Neither of you have your cutie mark," said Applejack, as she showed her own, making it shine in the light. Apple Bloom own flank shined as well.
"What?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "How could you forget to tell me somethin' like that?" Apple Bloom then bolted out of her "outfit" and ran right out the door.
"Well, I-" Applejack stuttered when Apple Bloom came back.
"Oh, this changes everything!" said Apple Bloom, "Meet you at the train station! I'm gonna go tell Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo!" Applejack just looked rather annoyed as Apple Bloom took off once again. Applejack then felt more irritated when she looked at the state of Apple Bloom's bed room.
"You know, your cousin is supposed to sleep in here!" Applejack shouted but her words fell on deaf ears as she continued to look at the messy room and then finally left to catch up with her younger sister.
(Main Theme)
At the train station platform, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo were just laughing and bouncing about. Applejack just sat in the middle of them, looking rather annoyed and possibly outnumbered.
Mario, why did you have to go and make that slow freight train delivery? Applejack thought I could really use your help right now... Mario had left at sunrise to deliver a freight train with goods for various cities across Equestria. His final delivery was located all the way in Saddle Arabia where he was supposed to pick up a large delivery of silks and other materials for Rarity, along with another supply pick up at Canterlot on the way home. Long story short, Mario would be gone for a few days before returning to Ponyville. Applejack didn't have much time to complain about Mario's absence when Scootaloo spoke up.
"Do you really think she'll wanna join?" Scootaloo asked hopefully.
"She doesn't have a cutie mark," Apple Bloom replied, "Of course she'll wanna join the Cutie Mark Crusaders!"
"I'm just so excited I could burst!" said Sweetie Belle as she stood between the two crusaders and made her horn spark a little. Applejack just kept to herself when they all heard the sound of a train whistle as the train made its way to the platform.
"Is that the train from Manehattan?" Apple Bloom asked eagerly.
"Yep," Applejack replied as the train came to a stop. Apple Bloom then looked inside the train from the windows to try and find her cousin.
"That's her!" said Apple Bloom as she saw a pony wearing a bonnet on their head, then the train conductor, and then a cow, "Oh, wait, no, no, that's not her. Oh! No, tha-tha-that's her! Um, no. Oh, wait, tha-that's not her either, uh..."
"Apple Bloom, you've never met Babs Seed, remember?" Applejack reminded her.
"Oh...yeah," said Apple Bloom as she laughed nervously while standing between Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo. The train then let off some steam when a small dark caramel colored filly with a short two-toned pink mane and short tail came off the train with her suitcase.
"Ah, that's her!" said Applejack.
"Babs! Babs! It's me, your cousin, Apple Bloom," the yellow filly replied, making Babs flinch, "And this is Sweetie Belle, and this is Scootaloo, and we are so, so, so, glad you're here!"
"Thanks," said Babs, her voice having a strong Manehattan accent, "I'm happy to-"
"This is gonna be the best week of your life!" said Sweetie Belle, getting in Babs's face and cutting her off.
"Sure hope it's gonna be-" Babs retried to reply before being cut off again.
"Seriously, we are gonna have a blast," said Scootaloo. Applejack just laughed to herself.
"The Summer Harvest Parade's going on while you're here!" Sweetie Belle added while standing on top of Scootaloo. The door to the train then closed behind them as Applejack picked up Babs's suitcase.
"Really?" said Babs sheepishly as the train pulled away and the group headed off of the platform, "I've never been on a float before."
"And we've got a really big surprise for you!" said Apple Bloom, barely waiting for Babs to finish speaking before Scootaloo sneaked her fore-legs behind the dark caramel filly and covered her eyes.
"Yeah...uh...a surprise?" Babs asked nervously before her vision went completely dark. It wasn't too long before she was able to see again.
"I give you...the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse!" said Apple Bloom as Babs looked around to see herself standing just outside the entrance to the clubhouse.
"The Cutie Mark Crusaders?" Babs asked rather puzzled.
"A club devoted to helping ponies get their cutie marks!" said Scootaloo, "We're its founding members." The three then showed that they didn't have any cutie marks. Babs blinked before she used her short tail to cover her own flank.
"Technically, we're its only members," Sweetie Belle pointed out.
"But we're always looking to expand," said Apple Bloom, "and you seem like the perfect candidate."
"I do?" said Babs timidly.
"Well, yeah," said Scootaloo as she bumped her flank into Babs's, "since you don't have a cutie mark and all." Babs quickly backed away.
"Oh yeah...that..." said Babs as she blew the bangs from her face.
"Allow me to show you just some of the highlights of our clubhouse," said Apple Bloom, "should you choose to join us." Apple Bloom then walked over to Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo, giving them a gesture before the two smiled and zipped away. Babs then noticed something covering part of the wall.
"What's that?" Babs asked as she noticed a large picture of Mario surrounded by pictures of the three fillies and paper cut outs of hearts and pressed flowers around it. Not to mention, a red cushion with a plush toy that looked just like the same unicorn stallion below it.
"Oh...heh...that," said Apple Bloom sheepishly as she dismissed what apparently was some sort of love shrine, "Just...pay no attention to that. It's not important..." Apple Bloom gave her cousin a very embarassed smile on her face. Babs just blinked, unsure of what to think when Apple Bloom headed over to the other two fillies.
"This is where we do our role call..." said Apple Bloom, who pointed at Scootaloo who had a pencil in her mouth with Sweetie Belle standing next to her. Sweetie Belle gave a light squeak as Scootaloo marked the attendance sheet they had on the wall. Then the two fillies headed over to a wooden table that had a small pot of flowers, an empty pitcher, and an empty plate on top of it.
"This is where we eat our lunch..." said Apple Bloom as Scootaloo pretended to pour something from the pitcher into the drinking glass and Sweetie Belle pretended to eat. They both smiled and then headed over to a particular spot of the clubhouse that had a lantern dangling from the ceiling.
"Sometimes we stand here and think of great ideas," said Apple Bloom as Sweetie Belle sat under the lantern and pretended to think. It was then Scootaloo stuck her head from above to turn the lantern on and making it go DING! The three ponies smiled for Babs, but the dark caramel pony just looked at them uneasily.
"Yeah, uh..." said Babs. There was a brief silence.
"Uh, could you excuse us for a moment?" Apple Bloom said sheepishly.
"Sure..." said Babs as she stood a short distance away from the three fillies as they huddled up together.
"Thought she'd be more impressed," said Apple Bloom in a hushed tone to the others.
"She's from Manehattan," said Sweetie belle in the same tone, "If we wanna impress her, we really need to wow her!"
"Hmmmm," the three fillies hummed as they looked at Babs and then huddled back up. Scootaloo then gasped.
"The float," she told the other two fillies in a hushed tone, "She can ride with us on our Summer Harvest Parade Float."
"That's perfect!" said Apple Bloom in the same tone as the group pulled apart, "this really is a good spot for thinking up great ideas." She then pointed at the sudden appearance of a red and white target on the floor.
"Mm-hmm," said Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo in agreement. It didn't take them long before they had guided Babs back to the barn. Babs slowed down as the rest of the fillies headed inside.
"Here it is!" said Apple Bloom, "The official Cutie Mark Crusaders float for the Summer Harvest Festival!"There behind the three fillies was a giant wooden pumpkin on wheels that shined before the four fillies.
"As a member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Scootaloo, raising her fore-legs into the air and flapping her wings, "you'd be able to ride on it with us! It'll be totally fun." Babs just laughed nervously.
"More like funny..." said a familiar voice as she peeked inside of the barn.
"...looking!" said a second familiar voice right above her and they both laughed. Why Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were even on the farm was anypony's guess.
"What is that thing, a giant orange?" Silver Spoon ask as she and her best friend walked inside of the barn. The three fillies just glared at them as the two rich fillies continued to laugh.
"It's a pumpkin," said Apple Bloom bluntly as she poked the side of their parade float.
"More like a lame-kin," Diamond Tiara sneered as Silver Spoon snickered in agreement. Then Diamond Tiara nudged Silver Spoon at the side as she lowered her frames a bit. It was then they noticed the dark caramel colored filly standing nearby.
"Who's the new blank flank?" Diamond Tiara asked viciously, making Babs pucker her lips sadly and cover her flank with her tail again before she glared at the tiara wearing filly.
"She's mah cousin, Babs," said Apple Bloom, "She's from Manehattan!" Neither rich filly seemed very impressed.
"Manehattan, huh?" said Diamond Tiara condescendingly, "Well, I guess you have that going for you."
"Suppose you're gonna join their little club?" Silver Spoon asked, "What's it called? The Cutie Mark Crusaders?" The last statement was said in a mocking tone as the two bullies smirked deviously at Babs. Babs narrowed her eyes as she looked at Cutie Mark Crusaders and then blew her bangs from her face.
"More like the Cutie Mark Crybabies!" said Babs with a mocking chuckle. The three fillies were left shocked.
"Hey!" said Apple Bloom, clearly offended.
"Oooo, heh, big city attitude! I like it!" said Diamond Tiara with a smirk.
"Mm-hmm!" Silver Spoon remarked in agreement.
"Oh yeah?" said Babs smugly, "Well there's more where that came from! Check this out!" Babs then walked up to the pumpkin float and smashed the front wheel off. The three fillies gasped and then narrowed their eyes at her.
"Oh no, she didn't!" said Scootaloo angrily. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Babs then gasped as the pumpkin rolled away from its frame out of the barn, breaking as it bounced about before it completely fell apart into pieces. Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, and Babs just laughed as the three fillies looked devastated at seeing their float destroyed.
"Looks like somepony's pumpkin just got squashed!" Babs sneered as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon laughed.
"When ah tell Applejack-" Apple Bloom warned.
"You gonna tell Applejack what?" Babs challenged, making the three fillies cower back.
"W-well, y'know, uh..." Apple Bloom stuttered.
"What're you, a snitch?" Babs challenged. Neither of the three fillies said nothing.
"Come on, Babs, you should hang with us!" said Diamond Tiara, "Y'know, the cool ponies, not these babies!" The two rich fillies and now Babs walked through the three fillies as they took their leave, but not before Babs gave them a death glare. Apple Bloom felt hurt.
"What...just happened?" Apple Bloom asked, still getting over her shock.
"I think Babs just went to the dark side," said Scootaloo.
"We have to tell Applejack!" said Sweetie Belle.
"No!" Apple Bloom protested, "we're not snitches!"
"Yeah," Scootaloo added, "And we're not babies!"
"Then...why do I feel like crying?" Sweetie Belle added, her eyes filling with tears, "I wish (sniff) Mario were here...he could help us..."
"Yeah, but he's out of town with that train delivery," Scootaloo added, "Who knows when he'll be back." The three fillies couldn't help but feel helpless as they made their way to the clubhouse. Inside, Scootaloo was pacing back and forth, Sweetie Belle was just sitting on a table with her fore-hooves on her chin, and Apple Bloom just had a bitter look on her face.
"I still can't believe she ruined our pumpkin float," said Scootaloo.
"I still can't believe I'm related to such a big stinkin' bully!" said Apple Bloom angrily.
"What are we gonna do?" said Sweetie Belle as she covered her eyes, "I wish Mario was here!"
"Well, he's not," said Apple Bloom, "We're gonna build a new float, that's what."
"Why bother?" said Scootaloo dejectedly, "She'll probably just ruin that one, too." Apple Bloom just sighed.
"We could always tell Applejack," said Sweetie Belle. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo then got a thought bubble above their heads with Babs sneering at them.
"What are you, a snitch?" Babs repeated in their bubble before it burst.
"NO!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo shouted. Sweetie Belle just groaned.
"We're not gonna be a bunch of tattle-tales!" said Apple Bloom, "Besides, she's only here for a couple of weeks. We'll just avoid her like the plague until she goes home." Apple Bloom then shut the windows to the clubhouse and the door, leaving the three fillies sitting in the dark.
"Avoid her," said Scootaloo, "Yeah, how hard can that be?"
They would soon find out the next morning.
[Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo - The next morning, the silhouettes of the three fillies could be seen as they made their way to Sugarcube Corner as quietly as they could. Once inside, they made their way to a table.]
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Apple Bloom - Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo bop their heads from side to side as they peek around from behind the table, Apple Bloom then stood up to sing. They are unaware that Babs was right behind them as they each got their own milkshake.]
First, we thought that Babs was so really, really sweet
A new friend to have, and it seemed like such a treat
[Scootaloo - It was then the front door banged open, Babs arrived, blowing her bangs with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing outside. They all had devious smirks on their faces as Babs spun the table to send the three fillies flying away as Babs, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon stole their milkshakes.]
But then, we found the truth, she's just a bully from the east
She went from Babs, yeah, to a bully and a beast
[Apple Bloom - she and her friends walked out of Sugarcube Corner, only to run into Babs again. The dark caramel filly was just sitting outside eating an apple when she spat the seeds at them, forcing the three to run for their lives.]
Everywhere we turn, she's just a step ahead
[Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo - as they sung the main chorus, the three fillies ran toward the foreground with a backdrop of seeds peeling on their own. Then a diamond patterned background was shown with the three fillies running side-scroll style to the left with Babs catching up to them easily. The three then poke their heads from the bottom of the backdrop, which Babs appears smirking at them from the right, startling the three before they took off again side-scroll style except they headed right with Babs approaching them. Babs smiled deviously as the three fillies fell off the edge of the background. The three fillies landed below, dazed for a minute, when Scootaloo got a tomato splattered on her head, Sweetie Belle got a milkshake on her head, and poor Apple Bloom got both. Babs appeared above them, holding both objects as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon just laughed at them. The pupils of Babs eyes then turned into a peeling seed.]
Babs Seed, Babs Seed, what we gonna do?
Got a bully on our tail
Gotta hide, we gotta bail
Babs Seed, Babs Seed, if she's after you
Gotta run, we gotta flee
Gotta hurry, don't you see?
Babs Seed, Babs Seed, she's just a bad, bad seed
[Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo - they sneaked inside of a cinema room. Poking their heads up from one area to the next before they finally took a seat.]
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
[Apple Bloom - The lights in the cinema room darken as the commercial for the concession stand was played. Then Babs appeared on screen holding the film strip. The three fillies gasped in horror as Babs jumped out of the screen, holding the animated drink and lollipop in her fore-hooves.]
Hiding from a bully, we know it isn't right
But the Cutie Mark Crusaders, we aren't lookin' for a fight
[Scootaloo]
Oh, she'll go home soon, and then we'll have some peace again.
But for now, we're staying out of the way 'til then.
[Apple Bloom - the three fillies tried to leave the cinema room, but then are cut off to see Babs outside, drinking the animated soda as it silently screamed for its life.]
Everywhere we turn, she's just a step ahead
[Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo - they once again ran toward the foreground of peeling seeds as they stopped and looked at each other. Then the checkered pattern background of seeds reappeared with them running to the left side-scroll style with Babs right behind them, They then poked out from the bottom of the screen with Babs appearing from the right, startling them before they ran side-scroll style to the right and fall off the edge again.]
Babs Seed, Babs Seed, what we gonna do?
Got a bully on our tail
Gotta hide, we gotta bail
Babs Seed, Babs Seed, if she's after you
Gotta run, we gotta flee
Gotta hurry, don't you see?
[Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo -as they sing together, Scootaloo sings on the right while on the left as the three fillies try reading a book. Then Babs grabbed a another book and blew the dust on it at their faces. Then Sweetie Belle sang on the left while the right the three fillies try to hide behind some costumes while wearing their own. Babs appeared wearing a wolf costume and scared them off. Then each filly was shown with their own color backdrop looking sad as they sat side by side. Until Babs appeared and drew mustaches and beards on them since they had been looking out of a window. Diamond Tiara and Silver Speed just laughed at them.]
Why so mean? Why so crude?
Why so angry? Why so rude?
Can't you be nice? Can't we be friends?
Isn't it sad? Is this how it all ends?
[Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo - They ran to the foreground of peeling seeds for the third time. They are then seen rushing toward the barn when Babs splashed them from a puddle. The three fillies keep running despite being wet. Babs then shook an apple tree so the apples covered the ground to trip the three fillies up, but the three fillies managed to not get tripped up as they got closer to the barn.]
Babs Seed, Babs Seed, she's just a bad, bad-
Bads Seed, Babs Seed, she's just a bad, bad-
Babs Seed, Babs Seed-
[Scootaloo - As the three fillies were at the entrance, somepony tossed a banana peel in their way, making them slide and crash inside of the barn. Babs Seed was shown being the culprit as she held some bananas with a fore-hoof. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were laughing behind her.]
She's just a bad, bad seed!
The three fillies soon were walking through the Apple Orchards. They were feeling miserable.
"Babs may have run us out of town," said Apple Bloom, "But at least we still have the club-" Apple Bloom soon found out that Babs was there, leaning against the wall of the clubhouse on her hind legs.
"Hey! What are you doing at my clubhouse?" Babs demanded and pointed a fore-leg at them.
"Y-y-your clubhouse?!" Scootaloo spluttered before flutter jumping into the air, "This is our clubhouse."
"Well, it was yours," said Babs smugly as she blew her bangs, "and now it's mine."
"And mine," said Silver Spoon as she appeared from the right.
"And mine," said Diamond Tiara as she made her appearance from the left. The three fillies were most upset.
"That's not fair," said Apple Bloom sadly, "We never did anything to you!"
"And let's keep it that way," Babs retorted arrogantly, "Now scram, crybabies!" Babs then smashed their ramp, showing that it had been turned into a draw-bridge that only those up top could lower.
"Bump, bump, sugar-lump, rump!" Babs Seed, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon sang together, bumping their flanks together. But it should be noted that Babs covered her blank flank with her tail as she bumped her flanks with the two rich fillies. The three then laughed as they headed inside the now taken over clubhouse. Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo looked very dejected.
"Eww, gross! What's this doing here?!" Diamond Tiara sneered from inside.
"Yeah, like those losers ever deserve to be with him!" Silver Spoon added.
"Who would?" Diamond Tiara added, "he's an even bigger loser! Completely worthless if you asked me!" The three fillies outside gasped.
"Well, then let's get rid of this eyesore!" Babs proposed.
SHRED! SHRED! SHRED! SHRED!
The Cutie Mark Crusaders then saw hundreds of pieces of torn up paper and flowers floated down to them, as well as pieces of cotton from the cushion and plush toy. Their love shrine to Mario had been completely destroyed. Sweetie Belle's eyes grew large as she breathed deeply several times. Apple Bloom quickly pulled out an umbrella and opened it as Scootaloo ducked under just in time.
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Poor Sweetie Belle started wailing as tears gushed out of her eyes.
Among her wails were the broken pleas of her crying out to Mario to come and save them.
As if Sweetie Belle's wish had been granted, later that day, Mario had returned. But he was in no better condition, the long multi-day journey across Equestria had taken its toll on him physically. It didn't help that his long train of freight cars were heavy and he was tired. Mario then stopped just before his own signal pole just atop of a very steep hill. This was also the same steep hill Rainbow had saved the runaway baby carriage and where Applejack prevented the runaway tourist coach from crashing. Mario was waiting for his pathway to clear so he could get to Carousel Boutique safely. As he sat down to catch his breath, he noticed two familiar fillies walking up the hill along with a third filly he didn't recognize.
"Did you see the way "Squeaky" Belle was bawling her eyes out when we destroyed their little love shrine of Mario?" Diamond Tiara gloated, but did add some spite to her tone when she said Mario's name.
"She is, like, totally a crybaby," Silver Spoon added.
"With the way she was gushing," Babs remarked, "Maybe Cloudsdale should just use her next time they need extra rainwater!" The three fillies laughed. Mario growled.
"Oh really?" Mario retorted, making the three fillies stop walking and look at him. Diamond Tiara had a bitter look on her face. Ever since Mario had exposed her for the Gabby Gums incident, everypony in Ponyville now knew who she really was. They no longer trusted her and many shopkeepers still had her banished from their stores until further notice. And she blamed it all on him.
"Yeah, so?" Diamond Tiara remarked arrogantly, "what are you gonna do about it?"
"You a big time snitch?" Babs added, "I bet he's never graduated from kindergarten!" Diamond Tiara laughed as they exchanged a high hoof. Silver Spoon just sheepishly looked away. Mario glared.
"I'm a university graduate from Canterlot, thank you," said Mario sternly, "and you better not be messing with my three girls you hear me!"
"You've got no proof, loser!" Diamond Tiara said with a smug smile on her face.
"You better watch it, Diamond Dazzle Tiara," said Mario in a low but very stern tone, "I took you down once and I'll do it again if I have to. Trust me, once I speak to those three fillies, I'll know what is going on. I know how to work around the old "snitch" threat!" It was then the signal dropped and Mario began to slowly and carefully pull his train down the hill. Silver Spoon and Babs looked rather uneasy.
"Is he serious?" Babs asked both rich fillies.
"Of course not," said Diamond Tiara as she kept a death glare on Mario. She hated Mario and wanted him to pay for what he had done to her. She then noticed the back of his train and a very dark and devilish smirk appeared on her face.
"And I know just how to make sure he never gets to those Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Diamond Tiara deviously as she headed towards the back of the train.
"Diamond..." said Silver Spoon uneasily.
"Come and give me a hoof you two," Diamond Tiara ordered as Babs quickly came up to her and Silver Spoon lagged behind.
"Let's give Mario a hoof down the hill," said Diamond Tiara in a sickeningly sweet tone. Babs then smirked in agreement as Silver Spoon looked more uneasy than ever. It was then both Diamond Tiara and Babs turned their backs to the train before...
BANG!
They both started bucking the back of the train with their hind legs. Normally, a buck from Diamond Tiara wouldn't have any consequences, but she had Babs with her, and that girl could buck as well as Applejack!
BANG! BANG!
"A-a-are you sure this is..." Silver Spoon stuttered.
BANG!
With one last double buck, Diamond Tiara and Babs managed to make Mario lose his grip of the steep ground and pushed his entire train down the hill. Mario soon found himself under the mercy of a very fast moving runaway train.
"I've got to stop! I've got to stop!" Mario said in desperation as he frantically tried to grip the ground with his fore-hooves, but his tired body and the heavy train made doing so very difficult. Mario was too tired to think of another solution. It didn't help that as he thundered through the town plaza...and despite the signal saying that line had been clear...
...disaster lay ahead.
Mario used his horn to whistle loudly before...
SMASH! CRASH!
SPLAT!?
Something sticky splashed all over Mario. The poor stallion had run into two wagons loaded with caramel sauce and was now covered from head to hooves. It didn't take long before an ambulance wagon appeared to help Mario out of the wreckage. Fortunately, he appeared to be more dirty than hurt after Nurse Redheart examined him. Sadly, both the caramel wagons and some of his freights cars were now in pieces. Rarity, Pinkie, and Applejack appeared on the scene.
"My precious fabrics!" Rarity exclaimed.
"My precious supply of caramel sauce!" Pinkie added in horror.
"Mario, what have you done!" the two ponies yelled angrily. Mario just flinched and groaned at their loud tones.
"Is that all you two care about?" Applejack exclaimed annoyingly, "Mario was just in a serious accident!" She turned to Nurse Redheart, "Is he alright?"
"Despite that heavy train and the speed he was going when he smashed head first into that wagon," said Nurse Redheart, "Other than a few scratches, bruises, a headache, and a rather sticky fur coat, he's surprisingly going to be just fine. No broken bones whatsoever."
"Oh thank Celestia," said Applejack as she released a breath of relief as she headed towards the now miserable looking stallion, "Mario, why on earth were you coming through here so fast? Especially if something was on the tracks?"
"The signal was down when I started making my way down that steep hill," said Mario, "Then I felt something banging the back of the train and I lost my footing and I couldn't stop. I didn't mean to come down that quickly. I think I was pushed!"
"Pushed!" said Applejack, "by who?"
"The last ponies I saw before heading down the hill were Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon," said Mario, making Applejack silently gasp, "and they had a third filly with them...she had a Manehattan accent..." Applejack just looked shocked. Little did the orange pony know that three little fillies had heard everything from a nearby alleyway, each of them had their jaws dropped.
The three fillies then made their way to Sweetie Belle's home. And this house was actually the home to Sweetie Belle's and Rarity's parents. Hondo Flanks was fishing near a lake as the three fillies were sitting inside of Sweetie Belle's bedroom. Apple Bloom paced about as Scootaloo was behind Sweetie Belle's bed. Poor Sweetie Belle was crying as she sat on the bed.
"That Babs has really gone too far this time!" said Apple Bloom angrily.
"Kicked out of our own clubhouse!" Scootaloo said bitterly.
"And my own bed!" Apple Bloom added.
"Seriously?" said Scootaloo.
"Super-seriously?" said Apple Bloom as she squatted to the ground with a sad look on her face.
"And don't forget," said Sweetie Belle, "She helped Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon crash Mario's train! We need to talk to Applejack." Scootaloo and Apple Bloom once again got the cloud bubbles showing Babs Seed punching her fore-hoof into the other.
"No!" said Apple Bloom and Scootaloo together.
"Rarity?" Sweetie Belle proposed.
"NO!" the two fillies repeated.
"Twilight?"
"No, no, no!" Apple Bloom yelled, getting into Sweetie Belle's face as she stood on the front edge of the bed. Sweetie Belle's lips quivered as her crying began anew.
"Well, I can't take it anymore!" Sweetie Belle sobbed, "Mario!" Sweetie Belle jumped off her bed to make a break for it, but was then pinned back down by both Apple Bloom and Scootaloo.
"Let me go! He can help us!" Sweetie Belle cried out.
"No he can't!" Scootaloo protested, "Babs already knows that Mario looks out for us. If they can get away with crashing Mario's train, who knows what else they'll do to him if we snitch?"
"Scootaloo's right," said Apple Bloom, "We need to fight back!"
"Yeah! Fight back!" said Scootaloo as she hopped into the air and back onto the bed, "How're we gonna do that?" It was then they heard Pinkie's polka music being played outside as everypony else got ready for tomorrow's Summer Harvest Parade. Apple Bloom then gasped.
"By makin' her the guest of honor at the Summer Harvest Parade," said Apple Bloom.
"Yeah!" said Scootaloo, but then gasped and froze in shock, "Wait, what?" Apple Bloom then laughed under her breath deviously.
"When you look up "embarassed" in the dictionary," said Apple Bloom while rubbing her fore-hooves together, "Her face will be there!" Apple Bloom couldn't help but shout the second half of her statement, startling Hondo Flanks and some nearby pigs bathing in some mud near the lake.
Later that night as Apple Bloom and Babs were eating their share of dinner. Applejack went over to speak to them. She had taken notice that Apple Bloom and Babs seemed to be spending more time apart. When they were together, it seemed like Apple Bloom would always go with whatever Babs said no questions asked. She then took notice that Babs was eating a slice of pie. That might not be a big deal...unless one realizes Babs had only been served one slice and there was a second slice on her plate.
"Is that Apple Bloom's slice of apple pie?" Applejack asked.
"She gave it to me," said Babs, "Right, couz?" Apple Bloom just sighed.
"Yeah...I wasn't hungry..." Apple Bloom replied quietly. Applejack then looked concerned.
They're hiding something. Applejack thought, but decided to keep on a bright face.
"Well that was very generous of you, Apple Bloom," said Applejack, "Glad to see you're making Babs feel at home here."
"She's the perfect host, couz," Babs added. Apple Bloom just said nothing. Now Applejack was concerned.
"Apple Bloom, is there something bothering you?" Applejack asked, getting right to the point.
"No!" Apple Bloom blurted out, startling Applejack, "I...uh...I mean no, everything fine. Babs is happy. I'm happy. I...I just had a busy day..." Apple Bloom then got up to leave. Babs went to follow when Applejack cut her off.
"Just a minute, sugarcube," said Applejack, "I wanted to speak with you." Babs just looked a little uneasy.
"I don't know if you heard," said Applejack, "but a pony named Mario was pulling his train down the hill earlier today when somepony bucked the back of it and sent him crashing into some caramel wagons."
"Oh...r-r-really?" said Babs with a light stutter.
"Eeyup," said Applejack, "He told me that he saw you with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon before he made his way down the hill."
"We were just chatting with the guy is all," Babs fibbed nervously, "Diamond Tiara didn't seem to like him. Is he trouble or something?" Applejack just sighed.
"Mario is one of my best friends, practically an honorary big brother," said Applejack, "Diamond Tiara only dislikes him because her mother dislikes him. That and because Mario stopped her from blackmailing students into writing gossip about pony's private lives."
"I see..." Babs asked wearily, "why does Diamond Tiara and her mother dislike Mario?"
"Her mother picked him because he was an orphan and Princess Celestia raised him as her son," said Applejack, "Just because he wasn't born royalty, she bullied him. Sort of how Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon bully my sister and her friends simply because they don't have their cutie marks. Diamond Tiara has never liked Mario at all and I bet it's because of whatever her mother says about him. She never has anything nice to say about him."
"She...seemed pretty nice to me," said Babs.
"I see..." said Applejack, "Well, just make sure she doesn't go making you do things that you'll regret later. No matter how many times bullies pick on you, becoming a bully is only going to give ponies more of a reason to pick on you, or do something much worse to ya. I'd hate to see you get hurt. Because trust me, when the going gets rough, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon won't be there to rescue you if you get yourself into trouble."
"I...understand," said Babs.
"Good," said Applejack, "Now run along, I'm sure Apple Bloom is waiting for you." Babs nodded and made her way upstairs. Applejack just smiled, but deep down she was a bit worried.
I hope I got through to her said Applejack as she pondered about Mario's accident, Would Babs really go that far just to avoid being bullied? Would see really go so far as to betray her own family to avoid the teasin'? I need to remember to speak to Apple Bloom and her friends tomorrow about this. If Babs has resorted to being a bully, I need to prevent them from seeking any revenge or pay back.
"Oh Apple Bloom, why couldn't you just talk to me before it came to this?" Applejack asked to herself.
It was the middle of the night, as Babs snored comfortably in Apple Bloom's bed. Apple Bloom was forced to sleep on just a small cluster of hay and a newspaper. The yellow filly was fuming to herself.
"Moo! Moo!" said a voice. Apple Bloom then looked out her window. She saw a cow chewing some hay, which shook her head at the yellow filly and then gestured with her head where Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were standing in the distance, They were carrying papers and other supplies.
"Moo! Moo!" said Sweetie Belle again. Apple Bloom then waved at them before zipping away. She quickly grabbed a lantern and tried to sneak out of the room as quietly as she could.
"Aheh..." Babs then yawned before she resumed her snoring, making Apple Bloom freeze for a moment before she finally was able to successfully sneak out of the room. The three fillies then headed inside of the barn at once. Apple Bloom then set the lantern on the hook of a nearby support beam as they gathered around the bare skeletons of their new float. Sweetie Belle then dropped the blue prints on the ground.
"Are those from the Carousel Boutique?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yup," Sweetie Belle answered.
"Excellent," said Apple Bloom. Scootaloo then blew a large collection of dust over Sweetie Belle, turning her into a sparkly, golden unicorn.
"Ooh!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly.
"Luster dust from Sugarcube Corner," said Scootaloo as Sweetie Belle couldn't resist posing for the two ponies, "They use it for decorating cakes."
"That must be what Rarity uses on her emergency edible boots!" said Sweetie Belle as Scootaloo dropped some other items on the ground.
"The gears and bands for the moving mechanism, my tools and stuff..." said Scootaloo, "Did you bring the thing from the place?" Apple Bloom then pulled out a timer in the shape of an apple.
"What's that?" Sweetie Belle asked curiously.
"Granny Smith's kitchen timer," Apple Bloom answered.
"What's that for?" Sweetie Belle asked puzzled.
"You'll see!" said Scootaloo in a sing-song voice and giggled sinisterly.
"C'mon, y'all," said Apple Bloom as the three fillies examined the bare bones of their float, "let's get to it. We only got a few hours before mornin', and this thing has got to look so good, Babs won't be able to resist wanting to ride in it!"
It was then the three fillies got to work and some A-Team like music could be heard. Scootaloo got to work laying out the wooden boards while Apple Bloom nailed them into place. Sweetie Belle then started cutting up some fabric as she held some large scissors with her fore-legs. Once Apple Bloom finished the wooden frame of their float, they began to lay the fabric on it and some pony used a square broom to smooth out the fabric onto the wood. Scootaloo then used a wrench to screw some blots into place underneath the float. As she rolled out, covered in grease, she looked at her flank to see a blank wrench on her flank. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle smiled until Apple Bloom rubbed her fore-hoof on it, making it smear. Scootaloo just made a long face despite the wrench still in her mouth before they got back to work. Sweetie Belle then began to paint the edible gold dust on the outside while Scootaloo got to work rotating the steering wheel on. Once they had finished, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle examined their newly completed float, which was a sparkly golden apple.
"Is this it?" Sweetie Belle yawned.
"I think...we're a go," said Scootaloo tiredly as she opened the door to the float and exited.
"Good 'cause we'd better get out of here before Babs finds us," said Sweetie Belle.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders, ho!" said the three exhausted fillies as they shared a high-hoof together as the sun began to rise into the sky.
Later on that day was the Summer Harvest Parade and Pinkie's polka music could be heard. Everypony, including the mane seven, were standing along the side lines waiting for the parade to begin.
"Hot carrot crepes!" shouted a pony named Roma, "Get 'em here, get 'em, hot!" The smell then caught the attention of Spike's nose as he rose into the air. Pinkie then cut the smell off, making Spike faceplant the ground with a hard thud as she rose into the air and floated off toward the crepes. Spike didn't take long to recover before he followed after Pinkie. It was then Mario arrived. He was walking rather slowly since he was still very sore from his accident.
"Schmoopy!" said Twilight excitedly as she rushed up to him and gave him a kiss, "I'm so glad you could make it."
"Yeah," said Mario, his voice straining a bit, "It was really hard getting out of bed this morning. I might not have broken any bones, but moving about was really difficult."
"Probably because the accident left you with sore and stiff muscles," said Rarity, "Don't worry. A good trip to the spa later today will make you feel good as new."
"I can't ask you to do that," said Mario, "I still gotta pay for the damages to your delivery."
"Don't worry about it darling," said Rarity, "I know I was upset at first, but you are more important than any delivery. It's a small loss considering that you came out of that accident without any serious injuries."
"Physically yes, emotionally, no," Mario answered angrily, "I still believe those three fillies had something to do with my accident. In fact, I don't think it was an accident at all!"
"Don't you worry about that, sugarcube," said Applejack, "The truth will reveal itself in due time."
"Yeah," Mario remarked, "while two little spoiled brats get away with it." Mario just continued to sulk a bit as Twilight and Rarity, the latter using some fancy binoculars, looked down the street to see if the parade was going to start soon. Meanwhile,not too far down the street, the other ponies were getting their floats ready to go. It was then Babs, Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon arrived. Diamond Tiara and Babs were just talking to each other when Silver Spoon arrived looking rather frantic.
"We've got trouble," said Silver Spoon worried.
"Why, did one of those crybabies snitch?" Babs said angrily.
"Worse!" said Silver Spoon, "Mario's here! Completely unscratched by the looks of it!"
"WHAT?!" Diamond Tiara screeched, causing other ponies to look at them. Diamond just smiled sheepishly before she made Babs and Silver Spoon huddle up.
"How is that possible?" Babs asked in a hushed tone.
"He should be in a full body cast and sitting in the hospital right now!" Diamond Tiara added.
"Guess he's tougher than he looks!" Silver Spoon remarked with a light giggle.
"QUIET!" Diamond Tiara said in a harsh whisper, making Silver Spoon flinch.
"Do you think he'll come after us?" Silver Spoon asked. Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes.
"He can't prove we did it," said Diamond Tiara.
"As long as we keep quiet, nopony will know," said Babs, "after all, all we did was talk to him before he went down the hill."
"Exactly!" Diamond Tiara added as Silver Spoon nodded in agreement. They then broke their huddle and continued to quietly check out the floats. It was then Babs blew her hair bangs when she came up to the Cutie Mark Crusaders float.
"Whoaaaa..." said Babs in amazement as she looked at the giant golden apple. Apple Bloom just stood before it, while Sweetie Belle was wiping it down to keep it nice and shiny.
"Isn't it smashing?" Sweetie Belle asked, making Apple Bloom and Scootaloo give her weary looks, "No! I-I didn't mean smashing! I mean...Isn't it a hit? No! No, I- No! No hitting! I meant-" Scootaloo just slapped a fore-hoof to her head. Babs just smirked while Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon rolled their eyes at them before walking away. With Mario nearby, the two fillies knew they needed to keep a low profile. Babs however, felt a little more confident and stayed put.
"Well, don't even think about riding it, Babs," Scootaloo warned, she then turned around and gave the other two fillies a large smile and a wink. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle looked blankly for a second before Apple Bloom realized what Scootaloo was doing and gave Sweetie Belle a glare and a side jab.
"Ow!" Sweetie Belle retorted and just glared back before blinking to herself. She then remember what she had to do and headed inside the float. She then activated a mechanism that caused some gears to whirl about. Sweetie smiled deviously.
"This is for you, Mario," said Sweetie Belle as she giggled to herself as she activated the apple timer. Outside, Apple Bloom grabbed a mattress and placed it right slightly behind the float before she and Sweetie Belle winked back at Scootaloo. Babs, who had seen everything, just looked rather clueless.
"You had your chance," said Scootaloo sternly before the three fillies then headed inside of their float. Babs then looked back at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who just rolled their eyes. Babs them smirked deviously before charging and bumping all three fillies out of the way and climbing inside the float as they landed perfectly on the mattress.
"See ya later, Cutie Mark Crybabies!" Babs taunted before slamming the door and driving off with their float. The three fillies looked stunned for a moment, before they smiled and winked at each other.
"Is the timer set?" Apple Bloom asked in a hushed tone.
"Teach her to fool with the Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Sweetie Belle. Then they shook a fore-leg at her when Applejack arrived holding some balloons. She had seen the whole event, but rather than ask them about it, since she figured they wouldn't talk to her. She decided to use the same tactic she had used on Babs last night.
"Y'all are letting Babs ride in your golden apple float?" Applejack asked innocently.
"Yeah," Apple Bloom replied, "We thought she deserved to be the...center of attention." The three fillies giggled deviously.
Oh sweet Celestia, they are plotting something, Applejack thought worried, I better nip this in the bud right now before Babs gets hurt. Despite her concerns, she kept smiling.
"Well, that's just super sweet of y'all, makin' Babs feel so special," said Applejack, "Y'know after all the heartache she's been havin' in Manehattan." The three fillies were deviously rubbing their fore-hooves together when they eyes nearly popped out.
"Heartache?" Apple Bloom asked in shock, as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo looked at Applejack with similar expression on their faces.
"Well, I didn't say nothin' 'cause I didn't want to her to feel singled out," Applejack explained, "but there's been some bullies back in Manehattan just been teasin' her to pieces for her blank flank."
"T-t-t-teased?" Apple Bloom stuttered.
"B-bullies?!" Sweetie Belle added.
"Yup," Applejack answered, "She came up to the farm to get away from all her problems back home. I'm so proud of y'all. You've done a good deed." Applejack then gave them each a balloon and then walked away, ignoring the fact the three fillies all had sad faces that literally made their balloons deflate.
"So that's why she jumped in when Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon started giving us a hard time," said Scootaloo.
"She didn't want to be bullied like at home," said Apple Bloom, grabbing Scootaloo by the cheeks, "so she decided to be a bully instead."
"And now we've turned into bullies too!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed as they saw the float race ahead of the others. They were unaware that Babs was purposefully trying to get the float past Mario to avoid being recognized before slowing down so she could enjoy being in the spotlight.
"What do we do?!" the three fillies cried out at once.
Now that Babs was past Mario and had become the front of the parade, she began to enjoy herself as she waved at the crowds with a cocky smile on her face.
"Nice Float, Babs," said Diamond Tiara as she and Silver Spoon walked alongside float with cocky smiles of their own. Apparently they felt it safe to do so once they had past Mario's location.
"Snagged it from those whiny baby blank flanks," said Babs arrogantly.
"Too cool for mule, Babs," said Diamond Tiara, not even noticing that she had offended a nearby mule spectator wearing sunglasses, who brayed sadly as the Cutie Mark Crusaders ran past him.
"We gotta stop that float," Apple Bloom told the others as they made their way to the rest of the mane seven. Back in the apple float, the apple timer was slowly ticking away.
"What's up girls?" Mario asked once he saw their worried expressions as the three fillies walked up to Applejack.
"Applejack, quick you have to-" Apple Bloom tried to explain, but then somepony walked by blowing a trumpet to make hearing the yellow filly nearly impossible.
"Huh?" Applejack asked in confusion.
"Quick, you have to help us-" Apple Bloom tried again. but then another pony clashed some symbols to make her words deaf to her older sister.
"What?" Applejack repeated as the band stopped playing.
"WE BOOBY-TRAPPED IT!" Apple Bloom shouted loudly, making everypony nearby stop and look at them, leaving an awkward silence.
"Babs! Bully! Payback! No time to explain!" said Scootaloo, "We've just gotta get Babs out of that float!" The three fillies were about to take off.
"Wait!" Mario called out as he squatted down, "get on my back! I'll get you there as fast as I can!"
"Thanks Mario!" said Apple Bloom as she and the others climbed up and Mario tried to take off quickly.
"ACK!" Mario yelped as he then slid forward on his stomach and came to a stop.
"Mario, what's wrong?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Leg cramp!" Mario groaned, "Ugh, my muscles are still too sore from the accident. I can't...accelerate."
"We'll just have to get to Babs on our own!" said Scootaloo, "thanks for trying Mario."
"Just promise me that you'll tell me what's been going once you save her," Mario said as Twilight helped him back to his hooves.
"Uhhh..." the three hesitated.
"Don't you get it!" Mario snapped, not in the mood to hear an excuse, making them flinch, "Being considered a snitch for telling me what's been going on was a trap! The whole reason you three are being bullied so badly is because they knew you'd keep quiet and could get away with it!" The three fillies looked at each other before narrowing their eyes.
"Then we'll gladly tell you everything once we save Babs," said Apple Bloom, the other two fillies nodded in agreement, "C'mon y'all! We've got a float to catch!" The three fillies then took off.
"Ugh, how could we be so dumb?" said Scootaloo, "We should've gone to Mario and Applejack all along!"
"I hate to say I told you so..." Sweetie Belle added.
"Then don't!" Scootaloo and Apple Bloom snapped, leaving Sweetie Belle with a long face. Meanwhile Babs was still enjoying herself, completely unaware of the ticking apple timer next to her. Soon the three fillies found that the front part of the parade was too crowded for them to catch up to it. So they decided to cut through the crowd of ponies.
"Oof, my popcorn!" said one spectator.
"Sorry!" Apple Bloom said quickly.
"'Scuse me!" said Scootaloo, "Ah, whoops."
"Whoa!" Apple Bloom added before they had finally found their way out of the crowds to continue pursuit. It was then they noticed that the parade was making its way to the outskirts of town. It was then the parade path took a sharp ninety degree turn from a steep slope that led to a very muddy lake. The three fillies were well aware that by the time Babs entered that turn, their booby-trap would spring and possibly send her down the slope and crashing into the lake. It was then the three fillies noticed Pinkie driving by in a float shaped like a giant head of lettuce.
"Pinkie, let us in!" Apple Bloom called out. Pinkie opened the door and peeked out. She had heard "Lettuce in"." (Ugh...bad pun.)
"Funny joke!" Pinkie laughed.
"No, really!" Apple Bloom repeated, "Let-us-in!"
"Ohhh! Here!" said Pinkie as she tossed out a rope ladder so the three fillies could climb inside. Scootaloo quickly looked around to see that Pinkie was just reclining on a sofa reading a magazine and leaving nopony driving her float. Scootaloo then headed to the controls and floored down on the accelerator to make the float move at full speed as Apple Bloom stood beside the orange Pegasus. Ponies nearby screamed and panicked as they dived out of the way. Within seconds, Pinkie's float was alongside the golden apple.
"Babs!" Apple Bloom called out, "You gotta get out of the float!"
"You're not getting your float back, crybabies!" Babs taunted.
"But it's booby tra-" Scootaloo was then cut off when Babs side swiped the float, knocking Pinkie's float off the parade course.
"Veggie salad!" Pinkie called out as her float went out of control and smashed through the hay barricade.
"Huh?" said Apple Bloom puzzled.
"Veggie salad!" Pinkie repeated as they float crashed and fell apart from the impact.
"Veggie salad," Pinkie said again with a sigh and started munching on the green leaves. Apparently she had used real giant lettuce leaves to make the float. Don't ask where or how she got the giant leaves. The three fillies crawled out of the leaves soon afterward.
"Seriously?" Apple Bloom remarked as the others looked at Pinkie blankly. They then saw that the float was approaching the bend quickly and took off.
"Hey! Don't leave me!" Pinkie called out and then laughed, "Leaf me!" Pinkie continued laughing at her own puns as the golden apple float approached the bend. It was at the moment, that apple timer ticked some more and then the timer rang.
"What the-" Babs remarked when she found that she could no longer steer the float, causing the float to veer out of control. Babs tried her best to regain control, but the float smashed through the barrier and was now heading down the slope.
"Babs! Babs!" Apple Bloom called out as she and her friend had caught up to the float. Babs just looked at them frightened. The three fillies wasted no time scrambling into the float, shoving Babs away from the controls as she fell through the float wall.
"Oof!" said Babs as she landed safely on the slope as the float quickly made its way to the muddy lake.
"Oooh, sweet applesauce!" Apple Bloom yelled when...
THUD! SQUELCH!
Their float crashed into the muddy lake, destroying the wheels as the rest of it sank deep into the mud. A nearby pig that had been playing in the stream started to lick it. The three fillies painfully crawled out of the mud. As with Mario after he crashed, they were more dirty then hurt for the most part since they all gave a painful groan.
"Maybe we'll get our cutie marks in stupidest ideas of all time," Apple Bloom remarked as some pigs stared at them while another licked the mud. A nearby spectator colt took a picture of the three when the Mane seven and several other ponies arrived.
"Are y'all okay?" Applejack called out.
"Yeah...we're fine," said Sweetie Belle.
"No sweat," said Scootaloo as Apple Bloom knocked out some mud from her ears. Applejack and Mario gently made their way down to the group. The three fillies looked miserable.
"After I'd been so mean to ya...you saved me!" said Babs before Mario could speak. Apple Bloom sighed.
"About that..." said Apple Bloom. Applejack watched with interest when Mario interrupted.
"How about we head over to Sweet Apple Acres so you three can get cleaned up before you talk things out," said Mario. He then looked at Babs, who cowered back fearfully. Mario glared but said nothing as they all headed to the farm. Babs was feeling very guilty even after Applejack had finished preparing the three girls a large bucket for a bath and the three fillies had started washing. Mario and Applejack just listened with interest.
"I don't get it!" said Babs, "I saw it all happen! You pushed me out just when the float was about to head into the lake!"
"Except...we were the reason it was headed into the lake," Scootaloo reminded her.
"We booby-trapped the float," Sweetie Belle admitted. Babs looked shocked.
"Y'see Babs," said Apple Bloom with her towel on her back, "We were tryin' to get you back for bein' a big bully..."
"But then Applejack told us about how you were being bullied back in Manehatten," said Scootaloo as the orange pony handed her a towel. Babs just looked ashamed.
"And we figured out you were just doing it to avoid getting picked on in Ponyville," said Sweetie Belle, "But, by then...we were the ones being bullies. And...Oh, why does life have to be so ironic?!" Mario chuckled sympathetically as he planted a small kiss on the side of Sweetie Belle's head, making her giggle and smile at him.
"Guess what we're trying to say is..." said Apple Bloom.
"We're sorry," said the three fillies at once. Babs just looked at them sadly before blowing her bangs again.
"I'm sorry too," said Babs. Applejack sighed.
"Y'know," said Applejack, "This all could've been avoided if y'all just came to me in the very beginning."
"That's what I kept on saying!" Sweetie Belle interjected as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom exchanged smiles with each other.
"C'mon Applejack," said Mario, "I'm sure you remember being afraid of being considered a snitch."
"Oh boy..." Applejack groaned as she shook head, finally realizing why the three fillies never said anything. Babs just rubbed the back of head before facing Mario.
"I guess I'm to blame for that," said Babs, "and I wanted to say that I'm really sorry for causing you to crash Mario. I only helped Diamond Tiara push your train down that hill so she wouldn't tease me. Applejack told me that you were bullied to and that she had some grudge on you or something."
"It's simply for foiling her evil and selfish schemes to hurt my best friends," said Mario, "she's been wanting revenge on me ever since I stopped her from using the school paper to embarrass the town by exposing personal secrets."
"That's...pretty low," said Babs, "Just know that I have nothing against you and I'm really sorry."
"I see that you are," said Mario, "And I can see that you've got some trouble dealing with all that bullying back home. Tell you what, if you are willing to talk to me about it, I can help you find ways to deal with all the anger and hurt into something more constructive rather than just bullying others. Would you willing to let me help you?"
"I...I guess I could use...the help," said Babs shyly.
"Good," said Mario, "because we'll have plenty of time to talk while you're helping me with some odd jobs."
"Odd jobs?" Babs asked puzzled.
"To help pay for the damages caused by my accident," Mario explained, "It will only be for a few hours each day until you return to Manehattan. Trust me, it's alot easier than the extra long list of chores Applejack had planned for you."
"Heh...uhh...great," said Babs as she then turned to the three fillies.
"So...can we...start over?" Babs asked.
"Definitely," said Apple Bloom as she wrapped a fore-hoof around the dark caramel filly.
"Yeah," Scootaloo added as the three fillies high hoofed each other. Then they looked over to Babs and nodded for her to join, which she did happily. They soon guided Babs back to the clubhouse. Once they had worked together to return the ramp back to the way it was before, Babs stood before the three fillies, each of them now wearing their capes as Scootaloo slowly played a pair of timpani drums. Then she banged on them loudly, leaving Apple Bloom and Babs shaken up as Sweetie Belle covered her ears. Apple Bloom then recovered as Scootaloo banged the drum one last time.
""We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders"," Sweetie Belle said aloud as she read their initiation speech, ""elect Babs Seed to join us as a sister, friend, confidaynte, alley, bossom buddy, gal pal, compader, chum of chums..."" Scootaloo then cleared her throat.
"Well, you wrote this," Sweetie Belle reminded her, as Scootaloo smiled sheepishly.
""Homegirl...Amiga..." blah, blah, blah, blah, blah," said Sweetie Belle as she scanned down the long sheet of paper and finally found the end as Apple Bloom just watched the paper extend to the floor, "Oh yes here, "and fellow Cutie Mark Crusader! You are solemnly sworn in, here this day, in witness of your fellow sisters, confidantes...bossom buddies...compadres..."" Sweetie Belle tried to find a shortcut through the speech as Apple Bloom and Scootaloo looked very annoyed.
"Congratulations!" said Scootaloo, cutting Sweetie Belle off and tossing the long sheet of paper aside, and adding under her breath, "Gotta remember to revise that." The three fillies laughed as they tossed Babs her very own Cutie Mark Crusader cape as some confetti rained down on her. Babs blew her bangs and gladly accepted it. Then a vertical screen montage showed the three fillies in dynamic poses as Babs appeared under Apple Bloom with a happy smile on her face.
The rest of Babs stay was much more pleasant. She no longer bullied the Cutie Mark Crusaders and spent more time having fun with them and their little crusades. Babs also enjoyed her time with Mario, even if it was part of her "punishment". She did struggle opening up about her bullying problem, but it didn't take long for her to trust Mario and found that talking to him helped her feel less shy and less insecure about herself. As for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, they had kept their distance, especially after they saw Babs helping Mario out with some errands. As much as they missed her company, they figured Babs had taken the fall for them, but didn't trust Babs not to snitch on them.
Soon Babs's visit had come to an end as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with Applejack and Mario, were now saying their good-byes at the train station. The four fillies were now donning their capes.
"So you promise you're gonna start our Manehattan branch of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, right?" Apple Bloom reminded her.
"Yeah," Babs answered, "and I promise to keep talking to my big sis about the teasing back home."
"Good," said Applejack, "and if you have any problem, we've got your back too, y'hear?" Applejack then pulled everypony together to prove her point. Babs then looked at Mario.
"Hey, if...if I need to..."
"You write to me as much as you need to, Babs," said Mario, "My door is always open. And if you really need to talk to me. I'd be more than happy to visit you for a chat. Just let me know...and don't let any bully tell you that you're a snitch for doing so." Mario gave her a wink, making Babs smile as they exchanged a hug.
"So you're leaving huh?" said a snooty voice, "Great! Now we're stuck here with these lame blank flanks!" Applejack and Mario glared as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon made themselves known. The three fillies looked rather sad as the decal on Sweetie Belle's cape fell off.
"I was wondering when you two would have the nerve to show up," said Mario sternly.
"And you should be stuck in a hospital after I pushed you down that hill!" Diamond Tiara barked. Silver Spoon's jaw dropped as the others blinked in surprise.
"Wow," said Mario with a chuckle, "I didn't even have to trick her to confess this time around." Diamond Tiara growled.
"Well, you deserved it after you decided to hang out with a bunch of losers!" Diamond Tiara shot back, "Why else do you think we turned Babs against them?" Silver Spoon just groaned helplessly. Once again, Diamond Tiara had put her hoof in her mouth big time.
"Hey!" Babs snapped as she stood in front of the group and walked up to them, "That's not how you talk to my friends!"
"F-friends?" Silver Spoon spluttered.
"Yeah, and that includes Mario," said Babs firmly, "You got a problem with that?"
"Well, what if I do?" said Diamond Tiara smugly, "What are you gonna go about it?"
"Tell your mothers about your bad attitudes!" said Babs smugly, "and that you caused Mario's accident!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon lost their ground hearing that and shook their head fearfully for Babs not to say anything. Babs then smirked and faked lunged at them, causing the two fillies to tumble off the station platform and into some mud. Silver Spoon emerged covered in mud as a pig appeared next to her wearing Diamond's tiara. The four fillies then shared a high-fore-hoof together as Babs then got on the train.
"I'm sure gonna miss that bad seed," said Sweetie Belle.
"Bad Seed?" said Applejack puzzled as they watched Babs waved good-bye from inside the train, "I thought y'all were friends now?"
"No, see, first we called her "bad seed" as in actually a bad seed," Sweetie Belle explained, "but now she's bad as in good. Get it?"
"Yea...No," said Applejack as Mario and the three fillies laughed as the train pulled out of the station.
"C'mon, girls," said Mario, "Let's get some ice cream. My treat!"
"Yay!" the three fillies said excitedly as they hopped up and down.
THUD!
Their moment was cut short when they looked to see Diamond Tiara covered in mud, and panting at them heavily. Silver Spoon was standing nearby, holding her friend's tiara with her fore-hooves.
"You're not going anywhere!" Diamond Tiara snarled.
"DIAMOND TIARA!" said a familiar but stern voice. She slowly turned her head to find her father standing nearby. Both rich fillies had forgotten that Filthy Rich had taken a business trip to Manehattan and had come home on the exact same train Babs had left on. He had seen and heard everything.
"I can't leave you for one second without you causing a heap load of trouble can I?" Filthy Rich said sternly, "Turning family members against each other, causing a serious and probably very expensive train accident, and still bullying three fillies who have not done anything to hurt you!"
"YES THEY HAVE!" Diamond Tiara shrieked.
"ENOUGH!" Filthy Rich barked, "You're in enough trouble as it is, young lady. For starters, you and Silver Spoon will be paying for the damages to Mario's freight train and, I'm sure her father will agree, no further allowance for six months!" The two rich fillies gasped as the Cutie Mark Crusaders smirked. But their smirks soon faded as Diamond Tiara glared at them like an enraged bull.
"Diamond...calm down," said Silver Spoon gently, as she set her friends dirty tiara back into place, "we're already in enough trouble as it is..."
"RRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAAAH!" Diamond Tiara screamed as she lunged at the three fillies, terrifying the three as they cowered back. Filthy Rich shouted at her, but Diamond had gone deaf to her own rage as Silver Spoon tried to hold her back. Applejack went to side step her, Mario held the orange pony back as he summoned the five fillies into a turn battle.
(cue favorite RPG battle music)
The three fillies were left baffled when they found themselves in position for battle, their capes mysteriously removed, as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon stood before them, with the former growling at them. It should be noticed that Diamond Tiara was closer to the foreground while Silver Spoon was in the background position-wise.
"Is...is this really happening?" said Scootaloo.
"I...I don't wanna do this again!" said Apple Bloom.
"Me neither!" Sweetie Belle added, "I mean...I don't wanna fight! Diamond Tiara, why can't you just leave us alone!"
"Because you and your boyfriend ruin my life!" Diamond Tiara said viciously.
"Listen girls," said Mario to the three frazzled fillies, "I know none of you want to fight, but you don't have a choice. Sometimes you need to defend yourselves. That's why I taught all three of you how to fight turn battles after all."
"Mario's right," said Filthy Rich, "My Diamond Tiara needs to learn that her actions have consequences. She's made the move to fight you and you have every right to fight back." Diamond Tiara trembled angrily.
"You've turned my father against me!" Diamond Tiara snapped.
"You did that yourself!" said Scootaloo, finding her courage, "But fine, if you won't leave us alone, then maybe a good beating will! Take this!" Scootaloo then went first. She approached Diamond Tiara and used her Pegasus agility to stomp her not once or twice, but six times before flipping back to her position.
"That was awesome!" said Scootaloo.
"Now it's my turn!" said Apple Bloom as she went for a double jump attack. She was now skilled enough to do a twirl between her first and second jump and then side-somersaulted back to her position.
"That looks like it hurt," said Silver Spoon wearily. She was not looking forward to being stomped on. Sweetie Belle whimpered. She really didn't want to have to fight.
"Why can't we all just get along?" Sweetie Belle said sadly as tears left her eyes.
"Guess you are just a big crybaby," Diamond Tiara remarked, "Why don't you go back to your diapers and drink your baby bottle!" That hit a nerve as Sweetie Belle gritted her teeth angrily.
"As my sister says," said Sweetie Belle sternly, "It. Is. ON!" Sweetie Belle then performed her own double jump, but she was so assertive that she managed to pull off critical, or lucky, damage with her attack.
"You're gonna pay for that!" Diamond Tiara shouted as she walked up Sweetie Belle and threw her tiara at her. Sweetie Belle easily jumped to avoid the attack. But then Apple Bloom heard something behind her.
"Aah!" Apple Bloom yelped as the tiara came at her from behind and she jumped to avoid it. As soon as Diamond Tiara had her tiara back, she charged at Scootaloo, who jumped and countered her attack. Diamond Tiara then returned and glared at Silver Spoon.
"Don't just stand there, do something!" Diamond Tiara snapped.
"Um...uhh...guard?" said Silver Spoon as her body glowed green to raise her defense. Diamond Tiara growled.
"Okay, how about this you losers?" said Diamond Tiara as she shinned her tiara to make it gleam.
"Shining your tiara won't help you!" said Scootaloo as she went for another jump attack.
POKE!
"YEOW!" Scootaloo yelped as she hopped over to her side of the battlefield with one of her hind legs raised.
"Are you alright, Scootaloo?" Apple Bloom asked worried.
"Yeah, but jumping her doesn't work anymore." said Scootaloo with a groan as she rubbed her sore leg a bit.
"Guess we'll have to use the heavy artillery," said Sweetie Belle with an angry look on her face. Apple Bloom nodded as she pulled her out hammer. Mario had given them one during training. She then approached Diamond Tiara, raised her hammer, when she felt her hammer spark...
WHAM!
She brought down the hammer for maximum damage. Sweetie Belle then did the same for maximum damage. Silver Spoon winced.
"That's gotta hurt," Silver Spoon remarked.
"Does not," Diamond Tiara snapped before she went into the same attack as before...and got countered by Sweetie Belle before returning, "Now stop guarding and attack!" Silver Spoon winced as she shut her eyes and blindly charged at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom just jumped over her and landed on her before Silver Spoon returned.
"What kind of attack was that?" Diamond asked irritably as Silver Spoon just shrugged her shoulders, "UGH!" Scootaloo then went to take her turn. Using her Pegasus agility, she created five images of herself holding hammers. They then split up so three were attacking one rich filly. One by one, they raised their hammers, then Scootaloo raised hers, waited for the spark...
WHAM!
She and her after-images hammered the both of them.
"Owwww," Silver Spoon whined at her now aching head.
"Oh quit being a baby," Diamond Tiara snapped, "it didn't hurt at all!"
"Well, maybe this might!" said Apple Bloom as she pulled out a red shell. She and Sweetie Belle then came up to the foreground as Scootaloo cheered them on. The two fillies then took turns kicking the red shell into Diamond Tiara, with each kick, they slowly moved closer to the two fillies. Once they were at close range, Sweetie Belle then side kicked the shell to Apple Bloom, who stood on her hind legs and charged up her final kick.
SLAM!
Apple Bloom kicked the shell with all her might, bowling over Diamond Tiara, as she and Sweetie Belle shared a hoof pump and headed back into position.
"Now it's my turn!" said Sweetie Belle assertively as she pulled out a fire flower. She then tossed it into the air, turning herself and Apple Bloom's mane and tail shades of orange as Sweetie Belle began to tossed several bouncing fireballs at the two fillies.
"Ah! Ah! Ow! Ah! Ow! Ow!" the two fillies yelped as the fire balls hit them. Then Apple Bloom had her chance to toss a few fireballs as well. This pattern went back and forth a few times.
"Oh yeah!" Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom shouted, doing a twirl on their hind legs and then they began tossing slightly large fireballs together.
BOOM!
The fireball then exploded, leaving the two fillies covered in grey soot.
Correction, only Silver Spoon was coated in grey soot. Because right after the attack was over...
POOF!
Diamond Tiara was knocked out of the battle.
"Looks like it's just you against the three of us, Silver Spoon," said Sweetie Belle assertively. Silver Spoon looked very nervous as her eyes darted back and forth.
"Uh...well...uh," Silver Spoon stuttered, "You...you won this round, but next time you won't!"
Silver Spoon fled the battle. The Cutie Mark Crusaders won.
(Battle Victory)
"Well, now that this little fight is over," said Filthy Rich as he put his now worn out and muddy daughter into his back, "I'll be taking my daughter home. I apologize to you all for the trouble she has caused you and I'll be informing Silver Spoon's parents about this as well."
"That's very noble of you," said Applejack, "but until they learn to be nice, I don't want to see either of those fillies anywhere near Sweet Apple Acres." Despite being worn out, Diamond Tiara didn't hesitate to roll her eyes and discreetly glared at the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Silver Spoon remained respectfully silent, but she knew Diamond Tiara wasn't just making death glares at the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"I understand," said Filthy Rich before taking both rich fillies home. Once they were out of sight, Sweetie Belle panted heavily a bit and began to cry.
"Sweetie Belle?" Mario asked gently.
"Is this how it's going to be from now on?" Sweetie Belle sobbed, "Us having to fight all the time just because Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon have nothing better to do than make us miserable?!" Sweetie Belle then cried harder as Mario pulled her in for a gentle hug.
"I know you hate fighting, girls," said Mario quietly, "I wish it didn't have to come to this either, but sometimes you need to learn to defend yourself."
"Mario's right," said Scootaloo, "We tried avoiding them and even ignoring them, but they still won't leave us alone."
"Oh, if this turn battle has shown those two anything," said Mario, "it's that you three are a force to be reckoned with. After all, you guys defeated Diamond Tiara without too much trouble and I'm sure you would have defeated Silver Spoon too if she hadn't fled."
"I kind of feel bad for Silver Spoon," said Sweetie Belle as she sniffled, "You can tell she didn't want to fight the entire time."
"Do you think maybe she's afraid of being bullied too?" Apple Bloom asked curiously, "and that's why she hangs out with Diamond Tiara in the first place?"
"Maybe," said Applejack, "But as long as she continues to act like a bully, she's going to be dealt with the same consequences as Diamond Tiara." The others nodded in agreement as Sweetie Belle pulled away and dried her tears.
"Just remember girls," said Mario, "These turn battles are only meant for self-defense. You are not allowed to go picking fights."
"You will teach us how to do other pony attacks right," Scootaloo asked. Mario chuckled.
"Of course," said Mario, "As long as you keep training like you are now, you'll get stronger both in your battle skills and your self-confidence. Hopefully, one day, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon will learn that you're no longer fillies that can be picked on. And from now on, don't let them trick you into thinking your being tattle-tails either. If their going out of your way to bully you like they were doing now, then you come to either me or Applejack right away. Don't wait until their teasing gets so bad that you feel like revenge is the only answer to deal with it."
"Okay!" said the three fillies together as they shared a group hug with him.
"Alright, enough of all this serious talk," said Applejack, "I want some ice cream." The three fillies cheered in agreement as they all headed towards Sugarcube corner. Applejack then noticed that Mario seem rather quiet.
"What's up Mario?" Applejack asked curiously.
"I really do hope Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon learn their lesson," said Mario, "especially Diamond Tiara. I'd hate to see such a young filly be doomed to the same path another bully I know follows."
"What kind of life is that?" said Applejack.
"A life where revenge is all that matters..."
As Mario finished speaking, a pony wearing a brown cloak was pulling a blue wagon down a road. She was looking and holding a newspaper showing Twilight and himself after they had saved Canterlot from the changelings. She used her magic to shred the paper in half before looking at another note from her cloak showing a strange looking amulet.
Once I find what I'm looking for, Mario and Twilight...
You are BOTH going to pay...
Sigh...these chapters that involve alot of bullying are always so difficult for me to write. Just brings up so many old wounds that are still healing even today. But I do hope you all enjoyed the chapter and my alternate ending. I mean who didn't want to see the CMC battle it out against Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?
I also don't mean to make Diamond Tiara look so evil. I just want to give some depth to Diamond Tiara's character...and that Silver Spoon is indeed the more reasonable pony of the two. Hasbro did leave Silver Spoon grossly underdeveloped and Season 8 isn't showing any promise we will be seeing anything further with these two.
Plus Applejack's punishment is pretty legit since this is the last time you ever see Diamond Tiara or Silver Spoon actually go to the farm to bully them until season 5.
Plus you guys even got a prelude to the next chapter! Guess Mario isn't finished with dealing with bullies just yet.
Peace Pony Fans!