Bloom & Gloom
Pony's Log Number 504: Worries of the future is a common fear among ponies. But it can be amplified when you struggle to achieve goals...
One day at the Cutie Mark Crusader Clubhouse, Apple Bloom had called their group together for a very important meeting.
"Hear ye, hear ye!" Apple Bloom announced proudly as she stood behind a podium, "This meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders is now in session! Who wants to do roll-call?" Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo just gave the yellow filly blank looks. Mario, who had been invited to join today's club meeting. Just looked at her blankly as well.
"I'm pretty sure we're all here," said Scootaloo as she and Sweetie Belle shared knowing looks with each other.
"Yeah, Apple Bloom, what's this all about?" Sweetie Belle asked with concern.
"Oh, nothin'..." said Apple Bloom with a smile and tone that clearly showed that she was hiding something, "except this letter from Babs Seed sayin' she's got her cutie mark!" Apple Bloom showed them a sheet of paper with Babs' name signed at the bottom along with a drawing of a pair of scissors.
"What?!" Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle exclaimed together as they got up on opposite sides of the podium to see the letter. Mario smirked as he stood behind the three fillies as they read the letter together. He had been the one to read the letter to Apple Bloom just a short while ago.
"She says it's a pair of scissors!" Apple Bloom told them.
"So...she's good at cutting stuff?" Scootaloo remarked, feeling a little puzzled.
"Of course!" said Sweetie Belle as she flicked one of the curls on her mane, getting it a little messy, "She was always fussing with her bangs and tail! I'll bet she grows up to be a celebrity stylist!" Sweetie Belle couldn't help but press her fore-hooves to her cheeks excitedly.
"But if she spends all her time cuttin' hair," Apple Bloom pointed out, "who's gonna run the Manehattan CMCs?"
"Well, not Babs," said Scootaloo, "She can't be a Cutie Mark Crusader if she's already got her cutie mark. Mario blinked in surprise.
"Oh, wow. I guess you're right," said Apple Bloom as she and Sweetie Belle walked up to the orange Pegasus.
"Now wait just a minute," said Mario, "so...as soon as one of you fillies gets your cutie mark, you're out of the club?" The three fillies just looked at each other sadly. As much as they wanted to say yes, the idea of telling one of their own they were out of the club didn't feel right for any of them. In the end, none of the three fillies bothered to answer.
"I'm glad she's happy," said Sweetie Belle, clearly wanting to change the subject, but had a worried look on her face, "but I sure wouldn't want to be up to my flank in mane hair all day. Can you imagine getting stuck with a cutie mark you didn't like?"
"No...or at least I hadn't," said Apple Bloom, now feeling a little worried.
"Don't worry, Apple Bloom," said Sweetie Belle, "Most of your family has apple-related cutie marks. I bet yours will be, too. And what's not to like about apples?"
"There's the core, and sour apples, and rotten apples, and apples with worms in them," Scootaloo listed until she saw Sweetie Belle giving her an indignant glare, "what?"
"Not helping," said Sweetie Belle plainly. But it was too late, poor Apple Bloom was trembling fearfully as she squatted low to the ground. Mario decided to step in.
"Okay, this Cutie Mark Crusader meeting is adjourned," said Mario as he pulled his little sister into a gentle hug with one of his wings, "Can you two please give me and my little sister some privacy please?"
"Why?" Scootaloo asked cluelessly and got a firm jab from Sweetie Belle, "Ow!"
"Sure thing handsome," said Sweetie Belle, "Come on, Scootaloo. Let's go see if Big Brother needs us for something!"
"I dunno," said Scootaloo, "Last time we went to see Shenran, he and Fluttershy were all kissy-kissy with each other."
"Oh grow up, Scootaloo," said Sweetie Belle as she left the clubhouse, "They just got married. Now come on, Shenran's always asking about you when I go see him by myself. I'm sure he'll be glad to see you."
"Shenran...asks about me?" Scootaloo said surprised as she stood outside the doorway, "Well...Shenran is kind of cute and handsome...wait a second! You're just trying to get me into liking Shenran so you can have Mario all to yourself! Sweetie Belle? Sweetie Belle!?" Scootaloo took off after the marshmallow filly. Mario just chuckled to himself.
"Young love," Mario remarked as he continued to hold Apple Bloom close as he looked at her, "at least you know that you've got a special place in my heart my little Apple Bloom." Apple Bloom pulled away a bit in surprise.
"I'm...special to ya?" said Apple Bloom softly as her eyes watered, "You think I'm...special?" Mario smiled and kissed his little sister's forehead.
"Yes, you are Sis," said Mario, "no matter what your cutie mark ends up being. You'll always be special to me. That's a promise." Apple Bloom smiled, but then began to cry as she buried her face into his shoulder and held him. Mario just held the yellow filly close until she had settled down and was ready to be let him go.
(Main Theme)
Late that night, Apple Bloom was telling Applejack about her concerns as the orange pony was busy tucking the little filly into bed. Mario had done his best to help Apple Bloom as much as he could, but he had only been able to calm her down a little bit before he had to head home.
"I guess I just spent so much time worryin' about how to get a cutie mark," said Apple Bloom, "I never even thought about what would happen after. There's just so many things I never considered."
"I'm sure there are," said Applejack gently, "but you don't need to-"
"What if I finally get my cutie mark and I don't like it?" said Apple Bloom as she sat up so quickly that her blanket ended up flying into Applejack's face, "What if I get my cutie mark and nopony likes me? What if I get a cutie mark as pointless as Diamond Tiara's?!" Applejack just shuffled about a bit until she was finally able to pull the blanket off herself.
"Well, that's just ridicu-"
"What is the Crusaders drift apart?" Apple Bloom continued with her fore-hooves over her head as Applejack put the blanket back on the bed and tucked her little sister in again, "I mean, we won't really be the Cutie Mark Crusaders anymore!" Apple Bloom then gasped as she kicked her blanket off again. Applejack just had an annoyed look as the blanket dangled from her face.
"What if its' not an apple?!" Apple Bloom said in a panic. Applejack pulled the blanket off herself and the little filly got into her face, "Will I have to move out?! Where will I live?!" Apple Bloom then slumped onto her back against her pillow. Applejack just smiled at her sympathetically.
Guess Mario was right about he and Apple Bloom having the same problem about over-thinkin' things, Applejack thought to herself.
"All right, that's enough, sugarcube," said Applejack, "Those are way too many questions to answer in one night."
"But-" Apple Bloom protested.
"And nopony's gonna make ya move out," said Applejack gently but firmly as she tucked Apple Bloom in once again.
"Are you sure, Applejack?" Apple Bloom in a quiet but worried tone.
"Of course, I'm sure," Applejack replied as she gently rubbed Apple Bloom's cheek, "Now get some sleep. You'll see. Everythin' will be better in the mornin'." Applejack then sang her a little lullaby.
[Applejack - As she sang, Apple Bloom felt her eyes grow heavy as she turned her side and fell asleep. Applejack walked backward as she left the room, closed the door, and turned off the light.]
Hush now, little sister
You're loved by all you know
You'll never lose their friendship
No matter where you go
There ain't no call to worry
So don't you cry or fret
A cutie mark won't change you
No matter what you get
Apple Bloom then yawned as she snuggled into her blanket.
"No matter what I get," Apple Bloom said quietly and fell happily asleep. By the time the sun was up, Apple Bloom was just snoring until she heard the rooster crow.
"Hoo-ee!" said Apple Bloom as she sat up and feeling much more cheerful, "Nothin' like a good night's sleep!"
"Breakfast!" Applejack shouted from down below as the little filly jumped out of bed and rushed downstairs. Applejack was just placing a tall stack of pancakes on the table when Apple Bloom entered the room.
"You were right, Applejack!" said Apple Bloom, "I feel much better! I don't know what I was so worried about last night!"
"See, now what did I tell you?" Applejack replied as she turned to face her little sister, "A good night's sleep'll fix just about-" Applejack then froze and looked to the side, "Well, no wonder you were so worked up!"
"What? What is it?" Apple Bloom asked as she rubbed her chin.
"Looks like somepony got her cutie mark!" Applejack exclaimed as Apple Bloom looked at her flank to find what appeared to be giant container with a hose attached to it spray a cloud with an apple inside of the cloud. Apple Bloom gasped.
"I can't believe it!" said Apple Bloom as she rushed over to Applejack, "I got my cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!" Apple Bloom the shook Applejack roughly, leaving the orange pony very woozy.
"I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!" Apple Bloom screamed so loudly that the surrounding area rumbled and then she jumped up and down excitedly, "Wait 'til I tell the others that my cutie mark is a...a...What is it?" Applejack looked closely at the cutie mark.
"I have no idea what it means," said Applejack.
"I know what it means," said a muffled voice. It was then an muddy brown stallion appeared wearing a gas mask on his face and some strange contraption on his back. He then removed his mask.
"It means I can retire," said the pony as he laughed and showed that he had a similar looking cutie mark. Apparently this pony was a Pest Control Pony.
It wasn't long before the stallion was taking Apple Bloom somewhere away from the farm.
"Infestations?" Apple Bloom asked puzzled, "You mean like...parasprites?"
"Hah, please," said the Pest Control Pony indignantly, "Anypony with a trombone can get rid of parasprites. I'm talking about serious stuff! You ever hear of...twittermites?" He gave Apple Bloom a stern glare as some lightning clashed and dramatic fanfare was heard in the background.
"Twittermites?" Apple Bloom asked when the stallion shoved in her face a container filled with glowing insects inside that had lightning bolt shaped bodies.
"Pest ponies like you and me are the only things keeping these live wires from destroying half of Equestria!" Pest Control Pony explained.
"Pest ponies?" said Apple Bloom.
"It's not easy trade!" Pest Control Pony replied as he put the container away, "Even the best of us yearn for the day they can move on to greener pastures. Oh, now that you're here to take over, my day has finally come!"
"Take over?" Apple Bloom said skeptically.
"You're gonna need to stop repeating what I say and pay attention if you wanna learn anything," Pest Control Pony replied, getting into the yellow filly's face.
"I'm sorry," said Apple Bloom, "I guess this just wasn't what I was expectin'."
"Don't worry," said Pest Control Pony as he walked away, "With a cutie mark like that I'm sure you've got the touch."
"The touch?" Apple Bloom replied but got a stern glare from the stallion, "Oh, sorry." Apple Bloom just looked rather worried as the stallion walked over to a wagon that was design specifically for capturing insects and other small pests.
"Now, you're gonna need to be quick," said Pest Control Pony told her, "Once these things get out, it can get pretty shocking." It was then he opened the container and set free the twittermites. Apple Bloom watched as the swarm of insects split up and she was mysteriously already wearing her own pest capturing device.
"Wait, what do you mean?" said Apple Bloom when a small cluster of twittermites got behind her and zapped her in the flank.
"Ow!" Apple Bloom yelped and jumped forward, rubbing her flank.
"Hah, told you!" Pest Control Pony replied, "And the further apart they spread, the more powerful these jots get!" The two ponies watched as the twittermites spread apart and their electrical power intensified. Apple Bloom nearly got zapped when she managed to backward somersault out of the way just in time.
"Thank you Mario for teaching me that move!" Apple Bloom said to herself before turning to the Pest Control Pony, "What do I do?!"
"Call 'em back, of course," said Pest Control Pony.
"Twittermites!" Apple Bloom shouted as she grabbed the nozzle need to vacuum them up. She then whistled and gave a calling yelp before jumping into the air and sucking up one part of the swarm. She looked to see that she collected them inside her machine and smiled before zipping away.
"Twittermites!" Apple Bloom called as another part of the swarm flew past a nearby tree. Apple Bloom then appeared hanging on the branch with one fore-hoof and sucked the insects into her device. Next, she did a few jumps and hops as she collected swarm after swarm of the twittermites. The yellow filly was really getting into her work.
"Bugbugbugbugbugbugbug!" Apple Bloom chanted to a nearby twittermite. Who just stared her down, but since it was only just one twittermite, Apple Bloom captured it easy, then twirled her nozzles a bit before setting it onto her back.
"Well, looks like you're all set," said Pest Control Pony, who was already packed up and dressed in a tropical t-shirt, "Drop me a note sometime at the Piney Shade Retirement Community."
"Now, hold on!" said Apple Bloom as she removed the pest capturing device and set it aside, "I'm sure this job is real important, but...I don't think I wanna call bugs for the rest of my life." Apple Bloom then turned to see Pest Control Pony were nowhere to be found.
"Hey, where'd he go?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Well, well, well!" said a familiar voice, "Look at the new bug pony!" Apple Bloom turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon standing next to what was now Apple Bloom's pest control wagon. Silver Spoon was carelessly juggling one of the containers filled with twittermites. Apple Bloom was most annoyed.
I thought they had finally backed off thanks to Mario Apple Bloom thought.
"It's pest pony," said Apple Bloom indignantly.
"Eh, it sure is! Ew!" said Silver Spoon as she shoved the container into Apple Bloom's fore-hooves, knocking into her flank.
"I might've known you'd end up with the worst cutie mark ever!" Diamond Tiara taunted as the two fillies began to laugh. Apple Bloom looked at her cutie mark sadly.
"But look on the bright side!" Silver Spoon added as she and Diamond Tiara circled around Apple Bloom, "Whenever you need a friend, you can just go out and catch one!"
"That's not funny," said Apple Bloom quietly.
"Heeere, friendfriendfriendfriendfrieeend!" Diamond Tiara taunted.
"Stop it!" Apple Bloom, clearly annoyed.
"Here, bug!" said Silver Spoon and she spoke to a nearby lady bug, "Will you be my friend, bug? Because nopony else will!" She then laughed condescendingly at Apple Bloom.
"You know what?!" Apple Bloom snapped, "My cutie mark isn't the worst! You two are!" Apple Bloom then slammed the container to the ground and ran off as the two fillies just fell onto their backs laughing. Neither filly noticed that the container was starting to crack open. Apple Bloom ran as fast as she could until she slowed down and found herself in the middle of a dark forest.
"I hate to think that Diamond Tiara is right," Apple Bloom sighed sadly to herself, "but...this cutie mark sure isn't what I was hoping for."
"Why should you have to keep it, then?" said a mysterious voice as a wind blew past Apple Bloom.
"Who's there?!" said Apple Bloom fearfully as she finally saw that she was now in the middle of a dark forest, "What do you mean?!" It was then a dark shadow zoomed across the foreground.
"If your cutie mark bothers you so much," said the mysterious voice as a large shadow appeared in a bush and zipped away as Apple Bloom nervously walked backward, "get rid of it!"
"Well, if you know how to wave a hoof and erase a terrible cutie mark," Apple Bloom shouted, "you go right ahead!"
"As easily said as done," said the mysterious voice. A strong wind suddenly blew for a few seconds and stopped. Apple Bloom then noticed that her flank was blank once more.
"Huh," said Apple Bloom, clearly impressed, "Now that is some serious magic." Apple Bloom then headed back down the path, feeling better about things when a crowd of ponies, which included Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, ran past her and knocked her down.
"Hey!" Apple Bloom asked as she got up and saw the panicked ponies run by, "Where's everypony goin'?!" She then headed into town to see ponies panicking and screaming as the rooftops of several houses were blown off. Apple Bloom cringed and then saw Mayor Mare by a house with a wagon loaded with items.
"Mayor! What's goin' on?!" Apple Bloom asked.
"Apple Bloom, you've got to get your family out of town!" Mayor Mare said desperately when a burst of electricity appeared in front of them and burned a house to a crisp. Apple Bloom then looked up to see a familiar looking swarm in the air.
"Twittermites!" Apple Bloom gasped in fright. She headed back to the wagon to see that the container that they had been inside had broke. Apple Bloom quickly geared up, ready for action.
"Twittermites!" Apple Bloom called out as a swarm flew behind her, "Here, bugbugbugbugbugbugbug!"
BZZZT!
Apple Bloom was quickly zapped and knocked to her stomach. She recovered and went after another swarm buzzing by a tree.
"Here, bugs!" Apple Bloom called out and went to capture them when she was zapped, then zapped again, and again. Try as she might, all Apple Bloom accomplished was getting herself slightly fried as she lay on the middle of a burnt mark on the ground.
"Come on, here!" Apple Bloom cried out in annoyance.
"Apple Bloom!" somepony called out, which made Apple Bloom sit up and dusted the burnt fur off of herself. She saw Applejack standing nearby with a large sack on her back.
"What in tarnation are you doin'?!" Applejack asked.
"I'm tryin' to stop the infestation, of course!" Apple Bloom said as a matter of fact while ponies around her were running and screaming for their lives.
"Only a pest pony can do that!" Applejack retorted and then looked up fearfully as she saw the swam above them, increasing their electrical power.
"Now come on!" said Applejack as she ran off, "we gotta skedaddle!" Apple Bloom then noticed the swarm flying off.
"But I've gotta do somethin'!" Apple Bloom shouted as she went after the twittermites.
"Are you crazy?!" Applejack shouted as Apple Bloom arrived back on the farm. She was just in time to see the twittermites blow the barn to smithereens. Apple Bloom just sat down in defeat as she examined the charred remains of the barn as the large swarm flew off. She then looked up to see a smaller swarm was right above her. The twittermites then fired an electric zap at her.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!" Apple Bloom screamed as she sat up and found that she was back in her own bed as the rooster crowed outside. Apple Bloom then faceplanted her window, startling a chicken standing nearby into laying an egg as she flew off.
"Whoo-ee," said Apple Bloom as she looked at the fields from her window, "that's what I call a nightmare. It seemed so real."
"Breakfast!" shouted Applejack as the sound of the meal bell was heard. Downstairs, Applejack was setting a stack of pancakes. Chocolate chip pancakes to be precise.
"Applejack," said Apple Bloom as she peeked inside the kitchen, "You are not gonna believe the dream I just had! I guess I needed more sleep than I thought!"
"See, now what did I tell you?" said Applejack, "A good night's sleep'll fix just about-" Applejack then froze and leaned the side and gasped.
"Well, no wonder you were so worked up!" Applejack exclaimed.
"What?" said Apple Bloom.
"Looks like somepony got her cutie mark!" said Applejack. Apple Bloom winced lightly.
"Again?!" Apple Bloom remarked as she looked to see her flank, "I mean...I did?"Apple Bloom turned to look and gasped when she saw that she had a tiara cutie mark with apple shaped jewels on it.
"You've gotta be kidding me?!" said Apple Bloom in shock and dread, "My cutie make is the same as Diamond Tiara's!?"
"You bet best friend!" said a voice that made Apple Bloom wince as a long frown appeared on her face.
"Oh please no..." Apple Bloom groaned as the tiara wearing filly and Silver Spoon stood between the yellow filly.
"Come on before we're late!" said Diamond Tiara.
"A proper princess is always punctual," Silver Spoon added.
"Wait! Princess!?" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Well, duh," said Diamond Tiara indignantly, "What did you think a tiara cutie mark stood for?"
"I'd tell ya but considering I've got one just like yours now, I'd rather not answer," Apple Bloom remarked, "But...are you sure I...or...we...are meant to be Princesses?"
"Ask him!" said Silver Spoon with a sigh. Apple Bloom then looked up to see Mario standing in front of her, wearing his crown.
"You're cutie mark means you and Diamond Tiara have been chosen to be our honorary Princesses in waiting," Mario explained.
"Wuh?" said Apple Bloom.
"Diamond's known about her destiny for some time now," said Mario as the tiara-wearing filly smiled proudly.
"Wuh?" said Apple Bloom again.
"I know you two have had your differences," said Mario, "But Diamond knows how difficult it can be to train to be a Princess. She and Silver Spoon are sorry and want to help you out."
"Wuh?" said Apple Bloom, her voice raising an octave and noticing that both rich fillies had devious smirks on their faces.
What did these two do to my brother? Apple Bloom thought.
"I've got her stuff Diamond," said Silver Spoon, holding a suitcase with her mouth.
"Good, say goodbye to this dreary, backwater farm life, Apple Bloom," said Diamond Tiara, "You are now a Princess in training! So you get to move into Princess Twilight and Prince Mario's castle!"
"WUH?" was all Apple Bloom could say.
"Are you done acting stupid?" Diamond Tiara asked as she got into the filly's face. Apple Bloom shook her head to recompose herself.
"S-sorry," said Apple Bloom, "I can't believe all this is happening!"
"You'll adjust in time," said Silver Spoon after she set the filly's suitcase down, "and we'll help you."
"First, let's get rid of this stupid bow!" said Diamond Tiara as she plucked it off as if it had never been tied onto the yellow filly's mane.
"My bow!" Apple Bloom cried out as Diamond Tiara tossed it away from her. Silver Spoon then set a tiara just like Apple Bloom's cutie mark on the yellow filly's head.
"Now you look like a princess!" said Mario proudly. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon smiled as well. Poor Apple Bloom just stood there with large eyes, the left one twitching, dreading what was in store for her.
Apple Bloom soon found out. Once Mario had moved her into what was actually a dorm room with Diamond Tiara as her dorm buddy, which Apple Bloom went into shock once more, they got to work on her Princess lessons. First thing that happened was Rarity worked with Apple Bloom's mane, fixing it up in an updo with curls along the side of her face and her tiara tucked securely on her head. Rarity then put on a very frou-frou like pastel green princess dress on her and silver shoes. Diamond Tiara then stood beside her, wearing a pastel blue princess dress and the same updo to her mane. Apple Bloom then saw how she looked in a mirror and couldn't help but scream at how girly she looked.
Next Twilight and Mario, both of them wearing their crowns, just watched her sternly as Apple Bloom tried to walk about the room with a tall stack of books on her head. Apple Bloom did her best, but it wasn't long before her stack toppled on top of her. She had barely popped out of her pile of dropped books when Diamond Tiara walked across the foreground with a stack of books on her head easily. Plus she was also balancing the books on top of her tiara. Apple Bloom was just stunned.
After that, a unknown colt was now trying to teach Apple Bloom how to dance the waltz. Apple Bloom nearly lost her balance since the colt was having her stand on her hind legs to perform the dance. Diamond Tiara had no problem doing the dance gracefully with her own unknown colt. Diamond Tiara's colt then dipped her professionally as Mario and Twilight clapped for the rich filly,clearly impressed. Apple Bloom couldn't help but feel a little jealous as she tried to dip her colt. All she accomplished was making the two of them fall in top of each other. Mario and Twilight just shook their heads in disapproval, making Apple Bloom sigh sadly to herself.
Soon the four ponies were now sitting at a very long table. Mario and Twilight were eating quietly at one end of the table while Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara were sitting at the other end. The latter was just eating quietly while Apple Bloom was nervously looking at the silverware.
"Outside in, outside in!" Diamond Tiara whispered.
"What?" Apple Bloom asked puzzled.
"Start with the outside and work your way in" Diamond Tiara said irritably through her teeth. Apple Bloom blinked and then looked at one of the outer forks.
"How in tarnation do you pick up a..." Apple Bloom's jaw dropped as she saw Diamond Tiara pick up her fork with the fetlock of her fore-hoof and used it easily. Apple Bloom then tried to do the same, but she fumbled it and it clanged as it hit the floor.
"Rrrrgh! This is ridiculous!" Apple Bloom snapped, "Is all this really necessary for me to become a Princess? I know being a princess is important and all, but it doesn't feel like something I want to be!"
"But that's what your cutie mark says you're meant to be," said Twilight sternly.
"You cannot escape your true purpose, Apple Bloom," Mario added in the same tone, "it is important that you become a princess!"
"But why me?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed.
"Because if anything happens to me or Twilight," said Mario as he and Twilight stood on both side of the yellow filly, "you need to carry on in our place as the Princess of Friendship."
"You wouldn't want to let down all of Equestria would you?" Twilight asked in a dark tone. She and Mario began to stare down. Apple Bloom began to hear their words echo in her head.
Being a princess is your true destiny!
If anything happens to me or Twilight, you need to carry on in our place!
You wouldn't want to let down all of Equestria would you?
As those three statements continued to taunt her mind, Apple Bloom felt her left eye twitch again and she started to sweat. She then went to look at herself and as shocked to see that she now had alicorn wings! She then looked up and found a horn on her forehead!
"I don't wanna be a princess!" Apple Bloom screamed and ran out of the dining room.
"Guards, seize her, she must become a princess!" Mario commanded as several royal guards wearing purple armor chased after Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom raced as fast as she could before taking a corner and ducking inside of a room as the guard ran past the doors.
"Phew!" said Apple Bloom as she pulled off the princess dress, which also removed the tiara and her updo. She even had her regular mane style with her bow again. She had also gone back to being an earth pony.
"Having more cutie mark troubles?" said the mysterious voice as an ominous wind blew around Apple Bloom. The filly then noticed that she was back in the dark woods again.
"How what your first clue?" Apple Bloom retorted, "I could certainly use your magic again!"
"Consider it done!" said the mysterious voice as the wind picked up again. Apple Bloom flinched before looking at her flank to see that it was now blank again.
"That's some good magic," said Apple Bloom as she wiped her brow with relief. Apple Bloom then reopened the door that led to the hallway of the castle. She had just closed the door softly when she was surrounded by royal guards who were pointing spears at her.
"You're coming with us!" said one royal guard. Apple Bloom whimpered. It wasn't long before she was lead back into a large room where a large throne was placed at the end of it.
"Your majestic, we've captured the runaway culprit," said the royal guard.
"Culprit?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "But I can't be a princess. Not anymore. See? My blank is bare as a barrel after market day!"
"That's why you were placed under arrest you blank flank!" said a familiar voice that made Apple Bloom's heart sink to her stomach. The figure sitting on the throne stepped forward. There stand before her was Diamond Tiara! And she was now an alicorn Princess!
"Wuh?! D-d-diamond Tiara?!" Apple Bloom stuttered, "B-but, h-h-how?"
"Simple, Prince Mario and Princess Twilight had to go off on some important business," Diamond Tiara explained, "but along the way they mysteriously disappeared. With nopony to reassume their duties, I ascended to alicorn status and are now the Princess of Friendship!"
"I...don't think that's how you ascend to become an alicorn," said Apple Bloom slowly. Diamond Tiara glared as she flapped her wing to hover into the air. She then made her horn glow brightly. Apple Bloom felt her heart drop to her stomach as she eyeballed the alicorn filly fearfully.
"Still think I'm not the real thing?!" Diamond Tiara shouted in the Canterlot voice, "I was the only pony with the cutie mark destined to become a princess. The pony they hoped would take their place never got such a cutie mark! She's just a loser blank flank!" Apple Bloom was about to retort when she looked at her flank and remembered she no longer had a tiara cutie mark.
"And as my first rule of business, no blank flanks can exist in my kingdom!" Diamond Tiara declared deviously, "Prepare to join your loser blank flanks in banishment!" Diamond Tiara lit up her horn and fired a magic blast right at Apple Bloom.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!" Apple Bloom screamed and then suddenly found herself back in her bedroom. She panted a beat for a few second before letting out a long sigh of relief.
"I really hope Diamond Tiara's cutie mark doesn't mean she could be the next princess," Apple Bloom groaned. It was then she heard a familiar bell.
"Breakfast," Applejack shouted from below. The orange pony was standing next to a tall stack of blue berry pancakes when Apple Bloom peeked into the kitchen.
"Applejack, I need to know something," said Apple Bloom, "Is it possible to have a nightmare and wake up to only find yourself in another nightmare?"
"See, now what did I tell you?" said Applejack, "A good night's sleep'll fix just about-" Applejack then froze and leaned the side and gasped.
"Well, no wonder you were so worked up!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Did you even hear a word I said?" said Apple Bloom, slightly annoyed.
"Looks like somepony got her cutie mark!" said Applejack interrupted. Apple Bloom blinked in utter shock.
"Again?!" Apple Bloom remarked loudly and not bothering to retract it, "What did I get this time?"Apple Bloom smiled when she saw that it was a beaker as she walked in circles a few times examining it.
"Woo-hoo!" she cheered and did a hoof-pump, "Potion making! Now that's more like it!"
"More like what?" Applejack asked curiously.
"Never mind," said Apple Bloom dismissively and smiled, "I'm just glad Princess Twilight and Prince Mario's lessons finally paid off!"
"I expect you want to run off to the clubhouse and tell your friends all about your new cutie mark," said Applejack, "But before you go, make sure you do all your..." Applejack soon found she was talking only to herself, "...chores...?"
Inside the clubhouse, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were busy playing a game of horseshoe toss.
"Whooo!" Apple Bloom cheered as she burst open the door, making Scootaloo miss toss her horseshoe.
"Why all the excitement?" Scootaloo asked.
"Yeah, what's going on?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Oh, nothin'..." said Apple Bloom coyly with a smirk on her face and then turned to the side, "except this brand new cutie mark!"
"That's amazing!" said Scootaloo.
"Wow!" said Sweetie Belle.
"I know!" said Apple Bloom.
"That's so cool!" said Scootaloo as the three fillies shared a group hug and hopped up and down excitedly.
"I don't suppose either of you got yours?" Apple Bloom asked gently as they all pulled away.
"Nope," said Scootaloo sadly.
"Me neither..." said Sweetie Belle in the same tone.
"I know it's silly," said Apple Bloom, "but I'd always hoped we'd get our cutie marks together."
"Me too..." said Scootaloo sadly.
"But I'm still super excited for you!" said Sweetie Belle, trying to lighten up the mood with a brave smile on her face.
"Absolutely!" said Scootaloo in agreement. Apple Bloom then blinked.
"I know!" said Apple Bloom as she rushed to the podium and tapped the top of it with her fore-hoof, "Let's call this meeting to order! I'm sure the three of us can figure out how to get two more cutie marks." Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo shared worried looks with each other.
"Um, yeah...the thing is..." Sweetie Belle stuttered.
"What?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Well, you can't be a Cutie Mark Crusader if you've already got your cutie mark..." said Scootaloo, pointing at Apple Bloom's flank.
"Oh yeah...Just like Babs Seed..." said Apple Bloom quietly as Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo stomped off with indignant looks on their faces, "Well, I could just sit quietly in the corner 'til you two figure out what you're gonna do..."
"Well, technically the clubhouse is for Crusaders only," said Sweetie Belle as a matter of fact while she and Scootaloo stood at the front door. Sweetie Belle then pointed for Apple Bloom to leave.
"Oh. Right," said Apple Bloom sadly as she exited the clubhouse, "I guess I should just come back later, then...?"
"Why?" Sweetie Belle asked as she and Scootaloo gave the yellow filly indignant looks, "I mean, you can't come in then either."
"Oh," said Apple Bloom.
"Rules are rules," said Sweetie Belle.
"I don't even think we're still supposed to be friends," Scootaloo added as they slammed the door shut.
"What?!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, looking shocked, especially when she saw the front door and windows were all boarded up to keep her out. She then found herself in the middle of the dark forest once again.
"Sweetie Belle! Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom cried out as she looked around, "Come on, fillies, this isn't funny!" It was then Apple Bloom felt a strong wind blow at her again.
"More trouble with cutie marks?" said the mysterious voice. Apple Bloom looked around to try and find the source of the voice.
"No!" Apple Bloom fibbed and then stumbled to find her words, "I mean, w-yeah, I mean...Well, I got mine, but my friends didn't get theirs, and now there's all kinds of trouble!"
"Sounds to me like cutie marks and trouble are two peas in the same pod," said the mysterious voice. Apple Bloom barely caught sight of a shadow rushing right in front of her.
"I guess so..." said Apple Bloom in agreement, "I mean, if I was a blank flank again, there wouldn't be a problem!"
"Your wish is my command," said the mysterious voice as a whirlwind surrounded Apple Bloom.
Later, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle walked up to what appeared to be leftover broken pieces of plywood surrounding the clubhouse.
"Hey, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo, "Why'd you want to meet here?" Apple Bloom then kicked off another piece of wood from the ramp.
"Well, us blank flanks have to meet somewhere!" said Apple Bloom as she walked down the ramp to her friends. Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle exchanged looks with each other.
"Um, actually, Apple Bloom, we...both sort of got our cutie marks," said Scootaloo. Apple Bloom blinked in surprise.
"You did?!" she replied and subconsciously covered her flank with her tail, "What are they?" Apple Bloom then noticed that Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle were looking at her with snooty looks on their faces.
"Oh, we don't have time to go into all that," said Scootaloo importantly.
"And we certainly don't have time to hang out at an old clubhouse," said Sweetie Belle as she got into Apple Bloom's face.
"Yeah, we've got responsibilities now," Scootaloo added while getting into Apple Bloom's face as well.
"But maybe we'll see you later," said Sweetie Belle snootily.
"Much later," Scootaloo said in same tone as the two walked away with their noses in the air.
"Wait! Hold on! I can get my cutie mark back," Apple Bloom cried out, "I think! Rrgh! I mean, I got it once, right? Oh, just wait a second!" Apple Bloom found herself all alone inside the clubhouse that had boards on the windows, leftover scraps that had been used to decorate the walls and lots of cobwebs in the corners.
"Nooooooooooo!" Apple Bloom screamed as a large rooster appeared in one of the windows. Apple Bloom cringed as she found herself back in her bed once again. She looked out to see the clubhouse still in top condition from her window.
"What in Equestria's goin' on?!" Apple Bloom asked herself as she hugged her blanket over herself.
"Breakfast!" Applejack shouted as the meal bell rang...again.
"I'm not so sure sleep is the cure-all Applejack thinks it is," said Apple Bloom as she climbed out of bed and headed downstairs. Downstairs Applejack was standing before...a cake?!
"Uh...Applejack?" Apple Bloom said as she peeked in from the entrance to the kitchen, again, but with the blanket over herself, "I know you said sleep is supposed to make me feel better, but I'm pretty sure it's makin' me feel worse."
"See, now what did I tell you?" said Applejack, "A good night's sleep'll fix-" Applejack then froze but rather then leaning to the side, the orange pony just gave her sister a skeptical look.
"Well, no wonder you were so worked up," said Applejack with a rather stunned tone. Even Apple Bloom was stunned at Applejack's response and reaction to seeing her.
"Wh-Didn't you hear what I said?!" said Apple Bloom, "I was trying to-"
"Weeeell, what do we have here?" said Granny Smith in a tone that was anything but pleasant. Apple Bloom soon found herself standing on a table with Applejack and not Granny Smith giving her skeptical and blunt looks. Plus her blanket was now missing.
"What is it, Granny?" Apple Bloom asked nervously, "What's wrong?!"
"Oh, nothin', right, Applejack?" Granny Smith before glancing over to the orange pony.
"Right...Nothin' at all...Right, Big Mac?" Applejack replied. Apple Bloom turned around to see Big Mac had his back against the yellow filly in a disapproving manner.
"Truth is, Apple Bloom, it's your cutie mark," said Big Mac, not hiding the fact he disapproved of it.
"Eeyup," Applejack replied as she stood in front of the red stallion.
"Oh, no! What is it now?!" Apple Bloom asked worried as she looked at her flank and found...a dolphin?
It was then everything went black and now Apple Bloom found herself sitting underneath a bright spotlight as Big Mac, Granny Smith, and Applejack circled around her with disapproving looks on their faces.
"Well, I can tell you what it ain't," said Big Mac, wearing Applejack's hat, as he walked behind the yellow filly, "It ain't no apple."
"Nnnope!" Granny Smith said in agreement as she walked in the foreground.
"What?!" said Apple Bloom in shock.
"And we don't have room for non-apples," said Applejack in Big Mac's voice, getting into Apple Bloom's face.
"Nnnope," said Big Mac in Applejack's voice as he towered over the yellow filly.
"Time for you to mosey on," said Granny Smith in Big Mac's voice from above Apple Bloom, "You can't stay here."
"But this is my home!" Apple Bloom protested sadly and soon found herself carrying a knapsack on a stick. She turned to see the rest of her family standing behind a blue background of floating pictures. Each picture that once had Apple Bloom's face on it had been cut out.
"Oh, and you're gonna have to change your name," said Big Mac in an unsympathetic and rather sinister tone.
"Eeyup!" said Granny Smith with a sinister smile.
"I think "Bloom" has a nice ring to it, don't you, Applejack?" Big Mac suggested in a tone that was anything but sweet.
"Eeyup!" said Applejack as she opened the front door, which lead to a black hole of some sort. A loud gust of wind was heard and before Apple Bloom could react, she was pulled right out of the house and into a black hole!
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Apple Bloom screamed as she free-fell into the center of the black hole. Apple Bloom then landed and found herself back in her room tangled up into her blanket. She had basically just fallen out of her bed.
"Ugh!" Apple Bloom grunted as she got free of her blanket and looked out of her window. She was surprised to see Pinkie crowing like a rooster and wearing a chicken suit as she floated in the air thanks to some balloons.
"Alright, this is getting ridiculous," said Apple Bloom to herself before she nervously walked up to her mirror. After some hesitation she finally looked at herself and found that her flank was blank.
"Whoo-ee! I never thought I'd be so happy to not get a cutie mark," Apple Bloom then walked away from the mirror. But then she looked at her flank again and saw an ice cream cone had appeared on her flank.
"What the?!" Apple Bloom remarked as she turned around to see a tooth with blue sparkles around it. Then she turned around again to see a pack of hay-fries. Then again to see...her own face? And it even winked an eye at her! Apple Bloom's eyes nearly popped out as she made a face filled with fear and confusion. Then a large collection of various kinds of cutie marks started circling around her head as some music played in the background backwards. Apple Bloom then grunted in frustration.
"I don't wanna see another cutie mark as long as I live!" Apple Bloom shouted as she brushed away all the floating cutie marks and ran out of her bedroom. She then skidded into a stop when she found herself back in the middle of the spooky dark forest. She even saw the portal leading to her bedroom close and disappear like a door behind her.
"Back so soon?" said the mysterious voice. Apple Bloom growled inwardly.
"All right, whoever you are!" said Apple Bloom sternly, "I dunno what spell you went and cast on me, but I want it to stop right now!" Apple Bloom then charged forward.
"I didn't cast a spell, on you or anypony else," said the mysterious voice, "I only did what you wanted." Apple Bloom went from angry to confused to just outright frustrated as she skidded to a stop.
"Rrrgh! Why would I want you to torment me with nightmares?!" Apple Bloom demanded.
"You didn't want to catch bugs, and I helped," the mysterious voice explained as the wind blew ominously around Apple Bloom, "You didn't want to become a princess, and I helped. You didn't want to lose friend, and I helped. If there's a problem with your family, I'm sure I can help with that too." It was then a shadow revealed itself with glowing orange eyes and a devious smile appeared before Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom held her head and then growled angrily.
"You've done nothing but make me miserable with nightmares!" said Apple Bloom, "I don't want you helping me anymore!" It was then the shadow stepped forward, appearing as a bluish filly that was the same size and stature as Apple Bloom. Then more fillies appeared, but unlike their leader, these fillies only had glowing eyes and no mouth. It wasn't long before Apple Bloom was completely surrounded by exactly one hundred of what could be called "shadow fillies".
"You say that now, but you'll be back," said the shadow leader sinisterly, "You need us!"
"No I don't!" said Apple Bloom, "Now keep away from me!" But the shadow fillies started inching closer to her. Apple Bloom quivered fearfully.
"Leave her alone!" shouted a familiar voice. Apple Bloom gasped once she recognized the voice.
"M-Mario?!" Apple Bloom said, but she couldn't see the Alicorn anywhere.
"Forget about him!" said the shadow leader, "You need us!"
"No, she doesn't!" Mario shouted from an unknown location in the forest, "Apple Bloom doesn't need any of you! She's is strong, brave, and courageous! If you won't leave her alone, she can make you all leave!" Apple Bloom then narrowed her eyes in determination as she found herself some courage.
"Mario's right!" said Apple Bloom, "If you won't leave me alone, then I'll defeat you all myself!" The shadow leader smirked.
"I'd like to see you try," said the shadow leader as she and the other shadow filly charged at Apple Bloom. Apple Bloom remained still as she felt some magic summon her into a turn battle.
Correction, this was a special kind of turn battle.
This was a dreamy turn battle.
(Cue Dream Turn Battle music)
Apple Bloom stood ready for battle as twenty eight of the shadow fillies stood ready with their shadow leader. Apple Bloom then was shocked when she saw Mario swirl about at high speed...
...and entered her body!
"Sweet Celestia!" Apple Bloom exclaimed in shock as her body glowed a shade of pastel orange, "Did ya just go inside of me?!"
"Easy there, Sis," said Mario from inside of her, "I'm only here to help! By having me inside of your body, you're offense and defense have been given a power boost and you can perform new types of attacks and defenses."
"Really?" said Apple Bloom, "Cool!"
"Now, go on, go for that jump attack!" said Mario. Apple Bloom nodded with determination and went for a jump. She just did the routine like usual, but didn't notice that a stack of Mario's appeared above her as she made the first stomp and then disappeared, then flipped and twirled into the air, and nailed the second stomp, causing the Mario stack to appear again and jump into the air. Apple Bloom then flipped back to her side of the battle field. She then saw over a dozen Marios rain down on the shadow fillies from above, taking out at least 4 of the shadow fillies.
"Woah!" said Apple Bloom, "That is so cool!"
"Told ya I gave you extra offense," said Mario from inside Apple Bloom's body.
"We're not going down easily," said the shadow leader as she whistled and summoned four more shadow fillies to join the battle lines.
"Brace yourself Apple Bloom!" said Mario, "They're coming to attack. You can actually move from side to side! So watch their hints like with any other foe and dodge and counter when you can!" Apple Bloom watched as the group lined up into some rows of four. She then noticed that certain ones jumped while others stayed on the ground. Apple Bloom moved over a bit as the first row charged at her. She noticed the two shadow fillies that hopped bounced about like Pinkie Pie so she couldn't jump over them. But since she moved her position, she was able to jump over the two fillies that simply ran underneath her. It was a bit tricky, but Apple Bloom managed to adjust herself to avoid all the charging rows.
"Phew! That was way harder than normal dodging and countering!" said Apple Bloom.
"But at least you've got more freedom to move around!" said Mario, "Now try a hammer attack!"
"You got it, big brother!" said Apple Bloom.
"Just don't walk directly up the them," said Mario, "Stay back and trust me!"
"Okay," said Apple Bloom as she walked up a bit and stop about three yards away and raised her ultra hammer since Mario had given Apple Bloom and the three fillies an upgrade. Just as she felt her hammer glow...
WHAM!
Apple Bloom slammed her hammer to the ground. A dozen Mario's then popped out of her body and...
SUPER WHAM!
They all slammed the ground just in front of the shadow fillies with their own hammers, creating a powerful shockwave that sent the entire group into the air. The first two rows, minus their leader, were defeated. The third row was heavily damaged, while the fourth row and back received less damage until the seventh row wasn't harmed at all. Apple Bloom was still impressed.
"That was cool too," said Apple Bloom. The shadow leader then summoned more shadow fillies to the battle lines. Apple Bloom then grabbed her hammer as the twenty eight shadow fillies circled around her before they separated into four groups exactly north, south, east and west from Apple Bloom. They played a bit of volleyball with what looked like an giant black ball.
"Twelve o'clock!" said Mario as the group north of Apple Bloom spiked the ball right at her. Apple Bloom swung her hammer to counter the attack, knocking the ball back at the group of seven and knocking them all out. Apple Bloom gave a hoof bump before the shadow fillies got back to their side of the battle field. The shadow leader then summoned more shadow fillies to the battle lines, but Apple Bloom wasn't feeling too worried. But after another four turns, Apple Bloom wasn't feeling as confident.
"There's just no end to these shadow fillies!" said Apple Bloom to Mario, "Even with the extra offense and trying to counter them. The shadow leader keeps replacing them!"
"That's because we're endless," said the shadow leader, "You'll wear yourself out trying to beat us!" Apple Bloom felt a little dejected.
"Not true!" Mario told Apple Bloom, "When we started this battle, there were exactly one hundred shadow fillies and that includes the leader."
"That's still alot of fillies!" said Apple Bloom worriedly.
"Then let's try something more powerful," said Mario, "Check the guidebook."
"What guidebook?" Apple Bloom asked annoyingly.
"It's in your mane!" said Mario as a matter of fact. Apple Bloom reached into her mane and pulled out a book.
"Wow, I thought only Pinkie could store items in her mane," said Apple Bloom as she scrolled through the guide book, "Hmm...wait a minute! What in tarnation is a...Mar-imaginary Attack?"
"It's your pony attacks but in the dream world," said Mario, "They were created from a my own imagination. That's why their called...Mar-imaginary attacks."
"You had to use your name and make a pun out of the word imaginary?" Apple Bloom asked annoyingly.
"Hey! Twilight liked it!" said Mario defensively, "Don't mock 'em until you try 'em!"
"Alright! Alright!" said Apple Bloom as she scrolled through the instructions to the first attack and shouted, "Mar-imaginary Ball!" Apple Bloom then rushed to the fore-ground. She grunted as she made Mario appear on her shoulders and then tossed him into the air as she turned around. A small ball made of Mario's appeared before her and a long line of Mario waiting in front of her. Apple Bloom then jumped into the Mario ball and rolled it carefully over the other Marios in front of her, which made the ball bigger. Once Apple Bloom ran out of Mario's to collect, and later found that the total she had collected was exactly one hundred, she jumped off the ball, lined up her shot and kicked the Mario's ball as hard as she could.
STRIKE!
Apple Bloom hit all the shadows fillies, including their leader. All but the leaders were instantly defeated.
"Wow! That was a powerful move!" said Apple Bloom, "I think I can get used to doing those as often as I can!"
"I knew you'd like my Mar-imaginary attacks," said Mario. Apple Bloom then noticed that when the shadow leader went to summon more shadow fillies, only 16 more showed up instead of twenty eight.
"The shadow fillies are almost gone!" said Apple Bloom excitedly.
"Not if I can help it!" said the shadow leader confidently as she had them line up into rows of four, but with only four waves, learning their attack pattern was much easier. Apple Bloom jumped to avoid them all without any problem.
"Now for another Mar-imaginary attack!" said Apple Bloom as she quickly read the instructions for it in her guide book, "Mar-imaginary Stack!" Apple Bloom then backed up about a hundred yards away from the group of shadow ponies. Apple Bloom then grunted to make Mario appear on her back again. She then tossed him into the air ahead of herself as he split up into a group of 100 Marios standing in a ten by ten square. Apple Bloom jumped on top as the group of Marios charged forward until they reached another formation of one hundred Marios in front of them. Apple Bloom made her group jump directly on top of the other Marios and then they continued forward. Apple Bloom did this about ten times so she had ten sets of a hundred Mario's stacked on top of each other. Then she made her stack squat down, jump into the air and stomp on the group of shadow ponies to deal massive damage. All but the leader were defeated with the initial stomp. Then one hundred Marios came raining down around the shadow leader. Many of the Mario's crashing on top of the shadow leader to deal damage. When the Marios stop falling, Apple Bloom dealt a firm jump attack of her own on the shadow leader, making it disappear in a puff of smoke and ending the battle.
(Battle Victory fanfare!)
Apple Bloom panted as the battle field disappeared and she found she was alone. But then she saw that the shadow had returned from behind some bushes. While the shadow leader was now alone, it was still staring at the yellow filly deviously.
"You may have defeated me this time around," said the shadow, "but next time, you'll going to come and find me for help. Just like before!"
"I don't want your help!" said Apple Bloom as she ran off, "Just get away from me!"
"Oh, Apple Bloom, you can't get away from your own shadow," said a familiar voice.
"No matter how hard you run," said another familiar voice. Apple Bloom then looked up to see a bright and shiny moon high in the sky. Then in a bright flash of light, Luna and Mario appeared hovering above the yellow filly.
"Princess Luna?! Mario?! My shadow?" said Apple Bloom, "What do you mean?" Rather than answer any of her questions, Princess Luna used her magic to shift the position of the moon. Apple Bloom turned around to see the sinister shadow shrink back into her own normal, harmless shadow.
"It's just me?" said Apple Bloom in surprise as she stared at her shadow while Luna and Mario hovered behind her, "You mean I've been doin' all this to myself? I just did a turn battle of over exactly one hundred of my...my own shadows?!" Apple Bloom hadn't been paying attention to the fact that all the shadow fillies had looked just like her, including the leader.
"Of course, Apple Bloom," said Luna, "It's your dream." Apple Bloom was stunned but then remembered something Mario had told her earlier.
"Oh...right...the turn battle," said Apple Bloom, "Mario mentioned something about us fighting in the dream world. But...if I've been dreamin' this whole time, why don't I just wake up?"
"Sometimes we can worry about a thing so much," Luna explained and even expressed herself with her wings, "the fear can make us feel we're trapped in a nightmare."
"Or an endless case of déjà vu," Mario remarked.
"Dijon...what now?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Déjà vu," Mario corrected, "Like the same situation keep happening over and over again, but with a slightly different outcome."Apple Bloom grunted.
"You have no idea!" Apple Bloom remarked.
"Oh I think I can," said Mario, "Remember Apple Bloom, I had the same worries and concerns over my own cutie mark when I was a colt, which included plenty of nightmares. At least Luna and I are here to help you out. I was on my own until somepony could wake me up the hard way."
"I see," said Apple Bloom, giving her brother a sympathetic look as Luna made her horn produce a bright light. Apple Bloom soon found herself inside a private bubble in the middle of the dream world with the two alicorns.
"I don't suppose there's anything you're particularly afraid of, is there?" Luna asked.
"Shall I get the tea and cookies?" Mario whispered, but Luna just raised a wing for Mario to keep silent for the moment.
"Yeah...I guess I've been pretty worried about gettin' my cutie mark," said Apple Bloom sadly as she looked at her blank flank.
"Well, that is the same as worrying about who you are," said Luna as she lifted her wings to examine her own cutie mark, "That is all a cutie mark is. If you cannot accept who you are, your life might seem like a bad dream." Luna then gave Mario a discreet look when she said that last part, Mario just sheepishly looked away and said nothing.
For those curious as to why Luna did that, sadly that's another story...
As for Apple Bloom, she was just looking rather glum as a rain cloud poured down on her, getting her soaked.
"But if I like who I am, do you think others ponies will too?" Apple Bloom asked as Luna easily blew the cloud away and Mario used his magic to make Apple Bloom dry instantly.
"Of course," said Luna as a matter of fact.
"We like you just the way you are, so do your friends and family," said Mario.
"Then it doesn't matter what my cutie mark is," said Apple Bloom as she had an epiphany.
"Indeed," said Luna.
"Doesn't matter at all," said Mario.
"But that's so simple!" Apple Bloom as she face-hoofed herself.
"It is," said Mario, "But it is very easy to overlook the obvious when you're worrying yourself ragged. Believe me I would know."
"I must be the only pony in the universe this worried about her cutie mark," said Apple Bloom.
"Oh, I wouldn't stay that," said Luna as she used her magic to summon a huge collection of doors. Luna then opened a familiar purple door. Inside, they could see Rarity, Octavia, and DJ-Pon3 sitting at a table. Before the table was a large stage with a microphone stand. Sweetie Belle then nervously walked up to the stage, took a deep breath, and tried to sing. But then a cutie mark of a bucket and mop appeared on her flank. Sweetie Belle was shocked to see herself holding a broom instead of a microphone. Rarity looked embarassed and buried her face into her fore-hooves. Octavia and Dj-Pon3 just shook their heads in disappointment. The three ponies gave their scores, which were two zeros and a one. Ironically, it was also a one hundred spelled backwards. Then a janitor pony appeared and set down a bucket for Sweetie Belle to get to work. A bright flash appeared as Apple Bloom backed away from the door.
"If you think that's bad," said Mario, "Just watch this!" It was then another door opened behind her. Another bright light appeared and Apple Bloom saw a rather tall jumping ramp. Scootaloo was now on her scooter at the top of the ramp, wearing purple and yellow helmet, cape, and boots. She then flapped her wings and took off down the ramp at high speed. As she made her way down, a cutie mark with a whisk and a bowl appeared on her flank. Then her helmet was replaced with a chiefs hat.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhh!" Scootaloo screamed as she found herself peddling a giant mixer down the ramp. She then launched into the air and landed into some sort of baking mixture. Scootaloo panted as she peddled for dear life against the rising mixture below her, but it wasn't long before she sank into the mixture and was overwhelmed.
"Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle are havin' nightmares too?" Apple Bloom asked as she backed away from the door.
"And it looks like Scootaloo's just about ready to face her own set of shadow fillies," said Mario, "I'll be back as soon as I can!" Mario quickly walked through the door and closed it behind him with his magic.
"I hope Mario can help her," said Apple Bloom worried, "And I'm sure Sweetie Belle will need the help as well."
"It's been a busy night for us all," Luna pointed out, "But I think it's time to bring it to a close." Luna then made another bright light appear, which made a door that Apple Bloom was very familiar with appear before them.
The Crusader Clubhouse door.
The two ponies went inside to find Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo with Mario. Apple Bloom was relieved to see them alright, but was shocked at how Mario had already rescued them so quickly. He had barely disappeared less than a few seconds ago.
"That was fast, I think," said Apple Bloom to herself, but chose not to question how time worked in the dream world.
"Princess Luna!" said Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo excitedly as they waved at the moon princess.
"I know you've all had a lot of your minds tonight, but I think Apple Bloom has something she'd like to share before you wake," said Luna.
"We're still asleep?" said Sweetie Belle surprised. Scootaloo then flapped her wings and found that she could fly.
"Cool!" said Scootaloo as she zipped about the clubhouse and did a few loop-de-loops.
"Well I thought it was obvious," said Apple Bloom, "I mean. When Mario rescued me, he summoned me into a turn battle against a hundred copies of my own shadow and then Mario went inside of me!"
"Oh that happened to you too?!" said Scootaloo as she hovered above the two other fillies, "That was the coolest thing ever!"
"Me too!" said Sweetie Belle, "I like the name for the special attacks. Mar-imaginary attacks. Very creative!"
"I thought the name was lame," said Scootaloo bluntly as Mario gave her a discreet glare, before adding excitedly, "But the moves themselves were so cool! Especially the one where I got to kick a giant ball of Marios at those shadow fillies!"
"I liked the ending to the Mar-imaginary Stack!" said Sweetie Belle before sighing happily, "Hallelujah, it's raining Marios! Hundreds of him!" A few hearts floated above her head. Mario chuckled to himself as Apple Bloom just rolled her eyes.
"Apple Bloom," said Luna, wanting to get the subject back on track.
"Oh right," said Apple Bloom as she went to the podium, "Well, I guess I should call this dream meeting of the Cutie Mark Crusaders to order!" Scootaloo then landed next to Sweetie Belle as Apple Bloom, tapped the podium, which made a honking sound. Luna and Mario put a fore-hoof to their mouths to avoid laughing and the former quickly recomposed herself when Apple Bloom look their way.
"I know we all got pretty anxious when we found out Babs got her cutie mark," said Apple Bloom, "but I for one don't want to have nightmares every night from now until we get ours!"
"Me neither!" said Scootaloo as she and Sweetie Belle shook their heads in agreement.
"And even though we're all a little scared," Apple Bloom continued, "a cutie mark won't change who we are or how everypony feels about us!"
"Well said little sister," said Mario, "Maybe you should consider motivational speaking. You could be the mayor someday..."
"Please don't go there," Apple Bloom pleaded, "I don't wanna see Ponyville fall to ruins again when I get and don't want a mayor cutie mark. By the way, I wanted to ask you something about Diamond Tiara..."
"I know what you're asking about," said Mario since he had been watching his sister's dream, "and there is no way would I ever consider Diamond Tiara as a replacement Princess for me or my wife. You are eligible since you are my little sister to be next in line, but Twilight and I would never force you into being a Princess."
"You had a dream of being forced to become a princess?" said Sweetie Belle.
"And I had to take princess lessons with Diamond Tiara," said Apple Bloom, "All because I had a tiara cutie mark just like hers!"
"Wow," said Scootaloo, "And I thought getting a cutie mark that said I was destined to host girly tea parties with frou-frou dresses was horrible."
"How about a cutie mark that said I was destined to work with...ugh...collecting and burning up trash!" Sweetie Belle added, "Rarity kicked me out of the house because I always smelled stinky no matter how many times I bathed!"
"I got a non-apple cutie mark and was thrown out of my house too!" said Apple Bloom.
"Rainbow Dash disowned me because I got a cutie mark that she said wasn't cool," said Scootaloo.
"It's lucky we're all scared of the same things," said Sweetie Belle, "That way we can help and remind each other to just be who we are!"
"Good friends are always there for each other," said Mario, "it's what makes friendship so...magical." He gave the three fillies a wink.
"And when the day comes that you all finally get your cutie marks," Luna added, "you can be sure they'll fit you to a T."
"Exactly!" said Apple Bloom in agreement as she appeared in front of the moon princess.
"Do you fillies think that Babs is worried or scared about some of this stuff too?" Scootaloo asked worried. There was a brief silence as Luna and Mario seemed unsure about answering Scootaloo's question...or possibly having to go find and retrieve the Manehattan filly.
"I know!" said Apple Bloom before the two alicorns could respond, "Let's put together a care package for her!"
"That way she'll know she isn't alone!" said Sweetie Belle as she and Scootaloo smiled. Luna and Mario smiled as well, relieved that the fillies would deal with Babs on their own...and without their interference.
"We wouldn't want her to think that just because she isn't a Crusader, we can't still be friends!" said Apple Bloom.
"Actually, I think that is something you three should discuss with each other as well," said Mario.
"What do you mean?" Scootaloo asked.
"As Apple Bloom said earlier today," said Mario, "the day might come where one of you gets the cutie mark before the others. Say Sweetie Belle come in one day with her cutie mark, does that mean you'll just tell her she can't be part of the club anymore and throw her out?" Sweetie Belle looked ready to cry.
"Of course not!" said Scootaloo as she gave Sweetie Belle a hug.
"Just because she gets her cutie mark before us doesn't..." Apple Bloom then realized what Mario was saying, "Oh! I see what you did there, Big Brother! And yer right! Once a Cutie Mark Crusader, always a Cutie Mark Crusader!"
"Even if one of us gets their cutie mark before the others," said Sweetie Belle.
"We would still work hard to help our friends get there's as well," Scootaloo said with determination.
"Cutie Mark Crusaders forever!" they all shouted.
"And that includes Babs too," said Apple Bloom, "and we'll make sure to let her know that in the care package. But, uh...maybe we should wait 'til we wake up." They all looked out to see the clubhouse just rotating about in celestial limbo.
"Good idea," said Luna.
"See you three in the morning! Waa-hoo!" said Mario as the two alicorn summoned a bright light.
Apple Bloom then woke with a start and sat up from her bed. She anxiously looked around her room as the rooster crowed outside. Apple Bloom then pushed her blanket off and checked her flank, which was bare and no more random cutie marks were appearing on it. She breathed a sigh of relief as she sat contently on her bed.
In the kitchen, some pancakes were being stacked as Big Mac and Granny Smith stood by the dining table. Applejack was by the stove cooking and flipping the pancakes.
"There ain't no call to worry, So don't you cry or fret," Applejack sang as she tossed another pancake to the stack behind her.
"A cutie mark won't change me, No matter what I get," Apple Bloom sang as she walked inside the kitchen.
"Well, sure looks like somepony's feelin' better," said Applejack as she flipped another pancake to the stack.
"You have no idea," said Apple Bloom as she sat at the table and stared at the pancakes.
"See, now what did I tell you?" said Applejack as she stood behind the yellow filly, "A good night's sleep cures just about everythin'." Apple Bloom winced and gave her sister a sheepish smile.
"I guess so," said Apple Bloom, "I just wish it hadn't been so exhaustin'." The rest of the family just gave her puzzled looks as Apple Bloom began to eat.
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!
Applejack quickly recomposed herself and headed to the door and opened it to find a familiar alicorn standing outside.
"Hey, Sis," said Mario, "I came to see Apple Bloom." Applejack blinked but then smirked to herself. She was well aware of how he helped Luna in the dream world. Now Apple Bloom's comment about feeling exhausted made sense.
"She's in the kitchen," said Applejack as she lead to the alicorn into the kitchen. Apple Bloom had barely swallowed when she turned to see Mario and Applejack behind her.
"Big brother!" Apple Bloom exclaimed as she rushed over to him and nuzzled his fore-leg.
"I came to see how you were doin'," said Mario gently.
"Terrific," said Apple Bloom softly as she leaned happily against his fore-leg, "Thanks to you and Princess Luna." Mario chuckled.
"Care ta stay for breakfast?" Granny Smith offered as Mario saw that Apple Bloom didn't want to let go of his fore-leg.
"I think Apple Bloom would like me to stay," said Mario, "and I am pretty hungry." Mario then took a seat as Apple Bloom just rested against his side.
"I love you Big Brother," said Apple Bloom happily.
"I love you too, Apple Bloom," said Mario as he kissed her head. Big Mac, Applejack, and Granny Smith smiled as they started to eat. The rest of the meal was eaten in peace.
"You know I just realized something," said Applejack as they finished cleaning up the kitchen and she, Apple Bloom, and Mario entered the living room.
"What is it?" Mario asked as Apple Bloom smiled.
"This is the one hundredth chapter of this story," said Apple Bloom.
"Wow, you're right!" said Mario, "how should we thank everypony for reading this story?"
"I think I've got an idea," said Applejack as they huddled up and some whispered her idea. Mario and Apple Bloom smiled happily as they broke away and stood to face...all you readers!
[Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Mario - In the same melody as the lullaby she and Apple Bloom sang before breakfast.]
We've reached a hundred chapters
Thank you for all the love
We're glad you all enjoy these
Adventures with Mario Star
So many more adventures
In future chapters to come
I hope you all will stay tuned
To see just what they are!
"Thank you so much for reading this story, y'all!" said the three sibling as they waved goodbye.
"See y'all next time!"
Like Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Mario said, thank you all for helping me reach 100 chapters. I wouldn't have gotten this far if it hadn't been for all of you! There was a reason I was using "hundred" alot in this chapter if you caught that.
Plus the bonus nightmare scenario was just so Apple Bloom could get a worst case scenario with Mario involved. As many fans will recall, until a certain episode later this season, Diamond Tiara's cutie mark was considered by many just an excuse to make her think she was above everypony.
Next time...you all might want to stock up on tissues because you're definitely going to need them. I know Mario and the rest of the Mane Eight will!
Peace Pony Fans!